LoBD

Seeking guidance?

1. What is LoBD?

LoBD stands for The Land of Broken Dreams. The original LoBD was born May 23, 1992. It was one of the oldest sites on the internet. However in 2004, due to unpreventable circumstances, the site closed.

Yet, LoBD had become apart of something greater. The site created a web of friends, lovers, and enemies that would last throughout the years. LoBD never truly died; rather, LoBD resembled a phoenix. And on October 23, 2006, it rose from the flames once more.

Kelani, the creator of the original LoBD, once said, "The eyes of hundreds of others now reflect your soul more powerfully than any one single person can." The purpose of LoBD is to connect creative minds in a nuanced way with a hope that said unions will provide illumination. Such a lofty mission requires the active participation, open minds, and creativity of all denizens. In this way, LoBD is not simply coding and images; it is something more.

Answered by ensellitis

2. Who owns LoBD?

The staff shares LoBD, controlling its finances and the operation of the site. The LoBD denizens control the content of the site. In this way, the Land of Broken Dreams is a conglomeration of people.

Answered by ensellitis

3. What are the ranks?

In the Land of Broken Dreams, every denizen is ranked based on complex, mystical algorithms, known only to the creators. While all members of the Land of Broken Dreams are considered "denizens," an individual denizen's rank will allow one to quickly see his or her tenure and respect within the Broken Legion.

Individual ranks are divided into smaller descriptions, but can be generalized into five broad categories.
1. Initiates are quite new to LoBD and finding their way around its immensity. It is expected of experienced denizens to assist these beginners to adjust from the outside world.
2. Pupils have found their way around LoBD and have contributed material to the site. While they may still need assistance on occasion, they are beginning to fit in to the Broken Legion nicely.
3. Residents are generally respected among the other community members. Their knowledge of the site extends to the far reaches of the site; however, the secrets held by the Land of Broken Dreams may still elude them.
4. Dignitaries are venerated by all LoBD denizens and usually hold long tenure over all others. They have, at this point, discovered the secrets of the Land of Broken Dreams. They can be looked to by less experienced denizens as models of intelligence and character.
5. Staff rankings cannot be achieved through normal participation - these denizens control the Land of Broken Dreams with suggestions from the other denizens. Denizens with these ranks are to be held above all others, for it is their difficult task to ensure LoBD's existence.

Denizens of all ranks are expected to be treated with kindness, except for Trolls.

Answered by ensellitis

4. What are the special ranks?

There are two special ranks. First, a select few denizens have the rank Emeritus. This rank is not a normal rank. This special rank was created as a thanks to members of LoBD who have shown incredible dedication and have given their heart and soul into making LoBD what it is today.

The second special rank is Troll. This rank is given to LoBD denizens as a punishment for unacceptable behavior or to designate those members who have been suspended or banned from LoBD. Upon receiving this rank, your powers on LoBD will lower significantly.

Answered by ensellitis

5. What can I do to increase my rank?

Although the ranks on LoBD are based on secret formulae, the ranks are dependent upon several known variables. Participation, contribution, kindness, goodwill, and wisdom will increase your rank. Malevolence, harassment, and unintelligent actions will, conversely, decrease your rank. The other unknown variables will undoubtedly appear as one's experience grows in the Land of Broken Dreams.

If you have a specific question about the ranks, contact a Global Moderator.

Answered by ensellitis

6. What are the unwritten rules of LoBD?

These rules were written by the community members and are constantly subject to complete reversal, quick revision, subtle bending, total removal, or surprising alterations. They represent the social mores of our "society," and as such will change over time. They are not hard-line rules, and you will not be subject to official punishment if you break them. However, the community may "gently" remind you of what you're doing to offend so many people. That might be worse than a 30-day ban.


1. Do not abuse the emoticons. Yes, we all know they're amazing, but if it doesn't add to the conversation, don't spam the user console with them.

2. It helps to actually read the official rules of the site.

3. Ordinary long-term conversations should be carried out through PMs or the IRC Chat Room, not through the community sbox on the User Console. Additionally, personal conversations - such as inside jokes that only two people on the entire site will understand - are best held in a profile sbox. Remember, the community sbox is for you to speak to/with the entire community, not just one or two of your buddies.

4. Don't advertise new posts of poems, journals, quotes, forums, or visual art in the community sBox.

5. More then three messages in the Community Sbox in a row from one member is probably the limit - unless you're going to say something direly important, interesting, or LoBD-changing for all members - more than three is considered rude.

6. If you're too sensitive or arrogant to receive criticism on your writing, then you probably shouldn't be here. If you really do feel like staying, though, then turn off your comments.

7. Only two senses are requisite to being here: common sense and a sense of humor.

8. Proper spelling and grammar are your friends!

9. Even high ranking members of LoBD are required to be sensible and accepting. As a high ranking member, understand that new denizens are impressed by your long-standing tenure and will, in turn, imitate your traits. LoBD is a construction of people, not coding, and the oldest pillars must be the strongest.

10. If you're a new member don't suppose that you already know everything about the site. This is an unusual community site - not like myspace or facebook - and we do things differently here.

11. Don't post more than two poems a day. Don’t post more than one journal a day. Don’t post more than two visual art pieces a day. These numbers are suggestions, but realize that other members want their pieces on the top of the “new submission” list too.

12. Your journals are a place to express yourself, but please try to make them at least make sense. Alternatively, make them private journals.

13. Be adventurous, branch out. We are here to improve our ability to express ourselves, and that means learning to use the many different styles of poetry (rhyming couplets, haiku, spoken, etc) as well as writing about all aspects of life. If you try to branch out and fail, people will gently (?) help you learn.

14. Remember that this site is more about meeting people than it is about art.

15. As George Orwell said, “Break any of these rules sooner than [doing] anything outright barbarous.” As these rules are written by the community, they are subject to change.

Answered by mzell

7. What are LoBD Events?

LoBD Events are special times when every denizen takes part in some sort of activity. Our only event thus far was "the Infection", in which a fake "infection" spread among the denizens. They worked together to discover hidden antidotes and cure the site.

LoBD Events are a newer feature to the site, and are usually constantly being worked on behind the scenes. Sometimes you'll see repeated events or brand new ones. Some will be announced days ahead of time and some will be completely random. Some will include storylines that denizens are encouraged to play along with.

Stick around long enough and you're sure to experience the fun of an LoBD Event!

Answered by Oakheart

8. What is the Daily Featured Denizen?

This user is picked at random to be featured on the front page. There are no prerequisites to becoming the Daily Featured Denizen, aside from having one profile picture. This system is an effort to help denizens get to know other denizens.

Answered by ensellitis

9. Why are there badges on some profiles?

Different badges mean different things. At present, there are several available badges:

The "LoBD Veteran Badge" is awarded to LoBD denizens who belonged to the original site before it closed in 2004. While this badge awards no powers nor increase rank, it indicates a denizen who has returned home to this new denizen dwelling.

The "Outstanding Poetry Badge" is awarded to a particularly wonderful piece of poetry submitted to LoBD by any denizen. Denizens vote on poetry they feel deserves a badge. The Writing Staff and User Relations elect pieces of poetry based on the votes received. The badges are awarded monthly, but there may be some months where no poem receives the award. This badge increases the recipient's rank significantly.

The "Outstanding Visual Art Badge" is awarded to especially artistic works of art submitted to LoBD by any denizen. Denizens vote on visual art they feel deserves a badge. The staff elect visual art entries based on the votes received. The badges are awarded monthly, but there may be some months where no entry receives the award. This badge increases the recipient's rank significantly.

The "Outstanding Journal Badge" is awarded to especially eloquent or meaningful journals submitted to LoBD by any denizen. Denizens vote on journals they feel deserves a badge. The Journal Staff and User Relations elect journal entries based on the votes received. The badges are awarded monthly, but there may be some months where no entry receives the award. This badge increases the recipient's rank significantly.

The "Distinguished Denizen Badge" is awarded to a denizen who displays awe-inspiring qualities. This badge is not awarded on a regular basis, but rather, when a denizen does something honorable beyond any expectations. This badge increases the recipient's rank dramatically. It is the highest honor a denizen can receive, and it given out by the Senior Administrators.

There are several other badges awarded to denizens. If you have questions about them, contact a staff member.

Answered by ensellitis

10. What is the green flag for?

If you see something inappropriate or creatively menial, press the green flag. By doing so, you will report the post to the site staff for review. Once reviewed, the post will be deleted per the staff member's decision.

Answered by ensellitis

11. Is HTML allowed when I post anything on this website?

No. LoBDcode is another way to format code text, or add images. LoBD uses LoBDcode as an alternative because HTML is not allowed.

The following LoBDcode tags may be used here:
[i]italics[/i]
[b]bold[/b]
[s]strikethrough[/s]
[u]underline[/u]
[sup]^superscript[/sup]
[sub]_subscript[/sub]
[url=http://www.some_url.com]Linked Text[/url]
[img]Image URL[/img]
[user]username[/user] - Creates a link to the username's profile

Answered by ensellitis

12. Can the staff read my private messages?

Yes, but only if a member of the conversation has flagged that PM for staff review. The User Relations+ staff can ONLY read the PM under that circumstance, otherwise we will never see your messages.

Answered by ensellitis

13. What are the rules for posting in the gallery?

1. Only submit your own work. Claiming another artist’s work as your own is unacceptable, and punishment will be dealt to those who do so.

2. Cite your sources. If a reference image was used or a portion of the image was traced, always mention it in the description of the piece, and if possible, provide a link to the original source.

3. No works in progress. All images submitted should be something the artist him/herself considers “finished”.

4. No pornographic material. The includes the depiction of explicit sexual acts. Nudity is acceptable, thought not outside of a tasteful, artistic manner.

Answered by ensellitis

14. What are the rules for journal entries?

1. You are not allowed to post material that contains pornography, spam or advertisements. Entries that violate this rule will be deleted.

2. Journal entries are not to be used for insulting or disrespecting fellow denizens. Conflicts should be solved in private. Cat-fights and petty arguments in the journals will be removed.

3. Use your common sense.

4. You can use bad words as long as you don't disturb the peace in the community and don't have a journal filled with only bad words.

5. Keep the content of your journal original. If you want to post something written by someone else, be sure to give the respective credit. Uncredited plagiarism is not accepted, and the stolen content will be removed. We will fully comply with authorities if plagiarism is discovered. Deleting will not hide your tracks, as everything is archived, even deleted items.

5. Journals are a way to express yourself, however, try your best to make your entries legible, this means, don't use the grammar and spelling of a six year old, and separate your text into paragraphs.

Answered by ensellitis

15. What are the rules for posting poetry/quotes?

1. It is unacceptable to post anything in your writing or quotations that contains porn, spam, threats, etc… anything of the like will be immediately removed.

2. You are only allowed to post original poetry and quotations. Plagiarism is not accepted, and the stolen content will be removed. We will fully comply with authorities if plagiarism is discovered. Deleting will not hide your tracks, as everything is archived, even deleted items.

3. Use your common sense.

4. You are only allowed to post original quotations. Quotations taken from others or stolen from other websites are not allowed and will be removed.

5. Try your best to use good grammar, spelling, and punctuation in any work you submit. Intentional errors are acceptable for the sake of art.

Answered by ensellitis

16. What happens if I violate the rules?

If at any time you break these rules, the following actions will be taken. Depending on the severity of the violation, these may be changed at staff's discretion to fit the offense:

1. Warning.

2. 60 day suspension from the section of the site in which your violation was located. Deduction in rank. Staff members will be relieved of their duties.

3. Suspension from LoBD for a term of no less than 60 days.

Answered by ensellitis

17. How do I add a Journal Entry/Poem?

Go to your user console (User Tools > User Console). Here you'll find a section called (your name here)'s Journal. Under this heading you'll find a link that says "Add Journal Entry". This link will take you to a new page where you can write a journal entry. Give it a title and fill in anything you want. Once you're finished click the "Post Journal" button and you're done!

Answered by ensellitis

18. How do I delete a Journal Entry/Poem?

Go to your user console (User Tools > User Console). Here you'll find a section called (your name here)'s Journal. Under this heading you'll find a link that says "Edit Journal entries". This link will take you to a new page where you can see all the journal entries and you're given the option of either deleting, editing, or viewing the entry. Click "Delete" next to the journal you want deleted, and its gone!

Answered by ensellitis

19. How do I view my Journal/Poem?

Go to your user console (User Tools > User Console). Here you'll find a section called (your name here)'s Journal. Under this heading you'll find a link that says "View journal". This link will take you to a new page where you can see all the journal entries you've created. Click on a title to read that entry.

Answered by ensellitis

20. How do I edit a Journal Entry/Poem?

Go to your user console (User Tools > User Console). Here you'll find a section called (your name here)'s Journal. Under this heading you'll find a link that says "Edit Journal entries". This link will take you to a new page where you can see all the journal entries and you're given the option of either deleting, editing, or viewing the entry. Click "Edit" next to the journal you want to edit, and you'll be taken to a page that will allow you to edit the journal that's similar to the journal creation page. Once you're finished click the "Post Journal" button to save changes.

Answered by ensellitis

21. Why did you delete those ten pictures of me taking a picture in the mirror from the Observatory?

The Observatory (the LoBD art gallery) is not a photo album. It is meant only for artistic submissions and anything that appears to belong in your profile photos will be quickly deleted.

Answered by Oakheart

22. Who is the jerk that keeps deleting my quotes?

The jerk you're referring to is Oakheart. He takes it upon himself to personally look through every newly submitted quote and put it to the test against the quote submission rules. If it was deleted, it was because it broke the rules. Just one punctuation or capitalization out of place will get your quote deleted.

Answered by Oakheart

23. My quote was deleted but I know for sure that nothing was wrong with it! How do I solve this?

First, check over the quote VERY carefully on your own. Correct any errors including grammar, spelling, punctuation, or capitalization. Are there quotes around it? Is it plagiarized?

If none of the above are wrong from your perspective, send it to someone to correct it for you. If they can't help, then - as a last resort - send it to Oakheart or another staff member to be corrected.

If you've had to go through all these steps, chances are the quote isn't that great and/or important. So, if I were you, I'd just save myself the embarrassment and not submit the quote.

Answered by Oakheart

24. How do I clear my cache?

Firefox:
Tools > Options > "Privacy Options" tab
In the Private Data section, click the "Clear Now..." button.
Uncheck all except "Cache", the click "Clear Private Data Now"

IE7:
Tools > Intenet Options > "General" Tab
In the Browsing History section, click the "Delete..." button.
Click the "Delete files..." button.

Opera 9.0+:
Tools > Preferences > "Advanced" Tab
In the left side, click the "History" link.
Click the "Empty now" button.


For any listed browser, you can hold shift and refresh (pressing F5) to clear your cache. If you are using a browser not listed and are unsure about how to clear your cache, contact any staff member.

Answered by mzell

25. How do I find denizens on LoBD?

There are all types of ways to find denizens on the LoBD Denizen List. (You can find this list by going to Explore on the top navigation bar, and clicking Denizen List.) First, if you know any part of the denizen's name, you can use the Denizen Search. You do not need to use wildcards in the search; instead, type what you know. The search will call up any denizens with your query as part of their screen name. Secondly, if the denizen you're searching for is online, he/she will appear in the Active Denizens list. Third, you could search for your denizen meticulously through the All Denizens list. Lastly, if your desired denizen is a Staff member or an Emeritus, they will be in one of the two lists near the bottom of the page.

Answered by mzell

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