Let's look at all our tools for a moment before they're explained one by one.
Button Explanations!
The Bold Button once pressed looks like this when text is bolded and when you look at the box you are typing on in your forum post it will look like [b.] and [./b] without the Period there. Highlight the text you want bolded, and press the B button.
The Italic Button once pressed looks like this when text is italicized and when you look at the box you are typing on in your forum post it will look like [i.] and [./i] without the Period there. Highlight the text you want italicized, and press the i button.
The Underline Button once pressed looks like this when text is underlined and when you look at the box you are typing on in your forum post it will look like [u.] and [./u] without the Period there. Highlight the text you want underlined, and press the u button.
Then there is the Quote Box. There are a couple ways to achieve a quote box. You can click the Quote box, or directly press quote on a specific post. The result is the same.
Maven wrote:Something Like This!
But wait Spires, how did you add a name there? So what you do is you add a [quote=] Blah blah[/quote] and then next to the Equals Sign, you insert a "Speaker". Do not forget the quotes or you will get something like a [quote=Maven]this[/quote]
In this way I can Credit Maltropia
Maltropia wrote:whose greatest advantage seems to be my knowledge of forum formatting - BBCode.
I agree heartily with the advantage that BBcode Knowledge he has, and of the help it adds with Forum Formatting.
Next is the Code Box. Now what code box is most helpful with is making things like these codes above, visible without making them show up like they are being used. Example is this:
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[quote="Maven"]Something Like This![/quote]
There are also many uses when someone is making an RP with Applications. If you want the Applications to look the same and for people to copy a format exactly, you can use the code box!
Then there's the list stack button. This does several things, first of all, it makes bullets visible as bullets. Without the list command, the bullet looks like this [*], but in a list, it becomes
- Something like this!
But before we become too excited, what about if I want letters or numbers?
Then we look at the Ordered List format. You add a List=1, and you get numbers, a list=a and you get letters. List=A and you get Capital Letters, and List=I and you get roman Numerals.
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[list=1]
[*]list item 1
[*]list item 2[/list]
[list=A]
[*]list item 1
[*]list item 2[/list]
[list=a]
[*]list item 1
[*]list item 2[/list]
[list=I]
[*]list item 1
[*]list item 2
[list=i]
[*]list item 1
[*]list item 2
[/list]
gives you:
- list item 1
- list item 2
- list item 1
- list item 2
- list item 1
- list item 2
- list item 1
- list item 2
- list item 1
- list item 2
But wait Spires? What If I want them to stack?
- list item 1
- list item 2
- list item 1
- list item 2
Like this? Well I am glad you asked? wait you didn't ask, don't interrupt my inner monologue!
You add more [/list]
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[list=I]
[*]list item 1
[*]list item 2[list=i]
[*]list item 1
[*]list item 2[/list][/list]
Like this!
Now we get to the image button! We begin with an explanation. NS does not have its own image hosting. For this we need our own host. The Host I use are various, but in order to add an image you need a link! hotlinking is not always permitted, so it's in your best interest to look at image hosts.
So now that we have an image link we want, we grab the image, and we put a link inside [img]HERE[/img] So we grab the link and it will look like:
This for example.
Now we look at Hyperlinks. We add a Hyperlink by licking the URL button, and [url]Inserting your link here.[/url] But wait, what if we want to have our link, and we don't want our text to be the link address and want it to be something else?
[url=Link Address]What you want it to say[/url]
So an example of this in my shameless self promotion...
Buy Mist Fabrics and Sell to Me!
Not so hard was it? Well what if we don't want it to be text, and want it to be an image instead? The rules for the above don't change, so look carefully at how to make a linked image!
[url=Site Address][img]ImageLink[/img][/url]
So let's look at what a linked Image looks like:
Here we go! Now we have a new button, this is called the Font Size adjustment. We can look at the adjuster, and know the default size is 100! Anything more than 100 is larger font sizes, and anything smaller is smaller ones. Now we can click the ones up there from the dropdown list, or we can adjust them ourselves, and what we get is
[size=number]What you want to say[/size]
This can be adjusted to make it bigger or Smaller
Then there is the font color button. This one is simple to use as well. You highlight the font you want colored, and click the button, and a dialogue will come up, allowing you to pick your font color from the swatches above. The fonts can easily be colored then by clicking on one. So, let's make a red font.
There we go. It will look like
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[color=#FF0000]This.[/color]
The Block indent tool. I called it the Block indent tool because tab itself is an indent too, but block text indents on both sides. So as an example
blahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblah blahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblah blahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblah blahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblah blahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblah blahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblah blahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblah blahblahblahblahblahblahblah
Unblocked. Now here it is blocked.
Strike box does a strikethrough text that looks like
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[strike]this[/strike]
Now we reach tab, Tab= indents your text by any given number of pixels. So for example.
Like this for 50 pixels.
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[tab=50]Like this[/tab]
Now before we get to tables, we are going to look at the other tools, the Align button determines where your text is.
Whether to the Left,
[align=you write your choice here!][/align]
depends on what you put next to that = sign. Another one to know is justify which helps organize it in straight blocks.
The Background color uses the same color codes as the font color codes, but I tend to not like them because it looks iresome
[background=Color Code][color=Color Code]but this is how you do it[/color][/background]
The Box button makes a box around your text similar to the quote without the quote marks.
like this!
The Float Left and Float right are actually really important buttons that aren't as commonly used, but they apply to images, and boxes. They make text wrap around them. So if you want to have your picture with something to the side of them, you can choose to have the font on the left or right side by floating the image to one side. So for example.
I am a sheep. I baaaaaahhh.
Float right does the same thing only it makes the image to that side instead ->
Keep in mind!
This applies to boxes too!
See what I did?
the Horizontal Line tool, or the hr tool adds a regular line. like this:
Unlike most things, you leave this alone, don't add or take anything from it. It is left as is. Simple right?
Now there's the Nation button which allows you to link automatically to someone's nation page like I did with Maltropia. This is achieved by adding the
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[nation]Nation Name[/nation]
The WA proposals as well can be directly linked to with the button.
Now to one of my favorite buttons the spoiler box. This one adds a
Subscript and superscript Move your font up or down. Which is useful in many circumstances like scientific formulas and also in measurements. Now we get to the Table making. Table making is the bane of my existence, but it is also useful to know. You start with the table button.
then td are what are in your cells, and tr are what are in your rows. So if you want a 2 by 3 rowed table.
You do it like this | You do it like this |
You do it like this | You do it like this |
You do it like this | You do it like this |
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[table][tr][td]You do it like this[/td][td]You do it like this[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]You do it like this[/td][td]You do it like this[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]You do it like this[/td][td]You do it like this[/td][/tr][/table]
Now this is an explanation of how to do basic BBcode formatting on Nation States, and how we use this determines what our posts look like. Examples of how this can be used to make all sorts of fun things, is affecting our immersion, for example I welcome anyone to use any of these basic formatting combinations that I use regularly.
For a Mu Tube
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[hr][/hr]
[floatleft][img]http://i.imgur.com/AXcNC.png[/img][/floatleft]
Browse | Movies | Upload
[hr][/hr] [floatright][img]http://i.imgur.com/Hwuy6.png[/img][/floatright][align=right][i]Username[/i] ∇[/align]
[align=Left][size=150]Video Title[/size][/align]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/wpyh7.png[/img]
[hr][/hr]
Comment
[b][color=#0080BF][u]Username[/u][/b] X day/hour ago[/color] [color=#00BF00]Number[/color]▲
Comment
[b][color=#0080BF][u]Username[/u][/b] X day/hour ago[/color] [color=#00BF00]Number[/color]▲
Comment
[b][color=#0080BF][u]Username[/u][/b] X day/hour ago[/color][color=#FF0000] Number[/color]▼
[hr][/hr]
What you get is!
Browse | Movies | Upload
Comment
Username X day/hour ago Number▲
Comment
Username X day/hour ago Number▲
Comment
Username X day/hour ago Number▼
Newspaper Format
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[align=center][img] Picture Link[/img]
[size=135]Headline Title[/size][/align]
[align=justify][size=120] Sub Headline Titles[/size]
[b]Author Name[/b]
[i]Titles of his/her Job position[/i]
[blocktext][b]CITYNAME, CountryName [/b]Body Text Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba Blubba[/align][/blocktext]
Which Looks like!
Headline Title
Author Name
Titles of his/her Job position
Wikipedia Box Format
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[floatright][box][size=105][align=center][b]Country Name[/b][/size][/align][img]FLAGLINK[/img][tab=25][/tab][img]SYMBOLLINK[/img]
[tab=40][/tab][i]Flag[/i][tab=100][/tab][i]National Seal[/i]
Motto:[align=center][i]”MOTTO”[/i][/align]
Anthem:Anthemname
[img]MAPLINK[/img]
[i]Map Title[/i]
[list][*]Capital: [list][*]Cityname[/list]
[*]Official language(s):[list][*] Language
[*]Language
[*]Language[/list]
[*]Government: Typeofgovernment[list][*]HeadofStatetitle: Charactername
[*]Headofgovernmentname: Charactername[/list]
[*]Legislature[list][*]Title[/list]
[*]Area[list][*]Total : X km[sup]2[/sup]
[*]% water: X [/list]
[*]Population[list][*]Total: X
[*]Density: X/km[sup]2[/sup][/list][/list]
[list][*]GDP Per capita: $X[/list]
[list][*]Currency: [list][*]X (X)[/list]
[*]ISO code: [list][*]X[/list]
[*]Calling code: [list][*]x[/list]
[*][url=http://www.nationstates.net/nation=Nationpage]WA[/url] status: [list][*]Regional Delegate[/list][/list][/box][/floatright]
Country Name[img]FLAGLINK[/img][img]SYMBOLLINK[/img]
FlagNational Seal
Motto:”MOTTO”
Anthem:Anthemname
[img]MAPLINK[/img]
Map Title
- Capital:
- Cityname
- Official language(s):
- Language
- Language
- Language
- Government: Typeofgovernment
- HeadofStatetitle: Charactername
- Headofgovernmentname: Charactername
- Legislature
- Title
- Area
- Total : X km2
- % water: X
- Population
- Total: X
- Density: X/km2
- GDP Per capita: $X
- Currency:
- X (X)
- ISO code:
- X
- Calling code:
- x
- WA status:
- Regional Delegate
Imageboard format
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File: [color=#0000BF][u]13 number code.jpg[/u][/color]-(size KB, sizexsize, 13 number code.jpg)
[floatleft][img]image thumbnail[/img][/floatleft]
☐[color=#40BF80]Username[/color] X/X/X (Day of Week) X:X time No.sixnumbercode [Reply]
OP Blabbles.
[color=#BFBFFF]X posts and X image replies omitted. Click[/color] [color=#0000FF][u]here[/u][/color] [color=#BFBFFF]to view.[/color]
>>[blocktext][box][floatleft][img]image thumbnail[/img][/floatleft]☐[color=#40BF80]Username[/color] X/X/X(dayofweek)X:X No.6numbercode [Reply]
other person blabbles[/box][/blocktext]
What it looks like if done right!
File: 1334280578782.jpg-(219 KB, 840x672, 1334181871945.jpg)
☐Username 04/12/12(Thu)21:29 No.4667225 [Reply]
OP Blabbles.
3 posts and 2 image replies omitted. Click here to view.
>>
☐Username 04/12/12(Thu)21:29 No.4667225 [Reply]
Other Person blabbles
Communique
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[box][align=center][img]LETTERHEAD OR SEAL LINK[/img]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/t0EYo.png[/img][/align][floatleft][b]Recipient(s)[/b]: XYZ [/floatleft] [floatright][b]Encryption[/b]: [b]Code - Level X [/b] [/floatright]
[floatleft][b]Sender(s)[/b]: XYZ [/floatleft] [floatright][b]Subject[/b]: SUBJECT [/floatright][align=center][img]http://i.imgur.com/t0EYo.png[/img][/align]
[align=justify][size=95]To XYZ,
Letter Content X
Depends on the Context
[/size][/align]
[align=center][img]Signature Link[/img]
[img]END SEAL or END LETTERHEAD LINK.[/img][/align]
[align=center][img]http://i.imgur.com/t0EYo.png[/img][/align][/box]
Looks like this with an example of my own.
Recipient(s): RECIPIENTEncryption: Diplomatic/Civilian/Military - Level XSender(s): SENDERSubject: SubjectTo X,
We of Crystal Spires, X
depends on the context,
IRC Mockup
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[pre]* Connecting to irc.shadowcore.net (9000)
-
Please wait while we process your connection.
-
-irc.shadowcore.net- *** Looking up your hostname...
-
-irc.shadowcore.net- *** Checking Ident
-
-irc.shadowcore.net- *** Found your hostname
-
-irc.shadowcore.net- *** No Ident response
-
-irc.shadowcore.net- *** Your host is masked (Shadowcore.net-DF7554D4.[INSERTLOCATION].verus.cyberhaul.net)
-
Welcome to the Shadowcore Internet Relay Chat Network [USERNAME]
Your host is irc.shadowcore.net[12.134.458.12/9000], running version hybrid-4.5.1+plexus-3.0.1(20520305_1-577)
This server was created Hfire 12 2001 at 09:52:38AM MCST
>>
>>
<USERNAME> Blubba?
<Someothersod>Blubba.
*USERNAME Blubbas
* Disconnected[/pre]
* Connecting to irc.shadowcore.net (9000)
-
Please wait while we process your connection.
-
-irc.shadowcore.net- *** Looking up your hostname...
-
-irc.shadowcore.net- *** Checking Ident
-
-irc.shadowcore.net- *** Found your hostname
-
-irc.shadowcore.net- *** No Ident response
-
-irc.shadowcore.net- *** Your host is masked (Shadowcore.net-DF7554D4.[INSERTLOCATION].verus.cyberhaul.net)
-
Welcome to the Shadowcore Internet Relay Chat Network [USERNAME]
Your host is irc.shadowcore.net[12.134.458.12/9000], running version hybrid-4.5.1+plexus-3.0.1(20520305_1-577)
This server was created Hfire 12 2001 at 09:52:38AM MCST
>>
>>
<USERNAME> Blubba?
<Someothersod>Blubba.
*USERNAME Blubbas
* Disconnected
What is this forumception?
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[floatleft][box][img]Thumbnail[/img]
[color=#408000][u]Username[/u][/color]
Title
Posts: X
Founded: Mon XX, XXX
Nother Title[/box][/floatleft][box][size=150][color=#408000][u]Title[/u][/size][/color]
[floatleft][img]http://i.imgur.com/M74xVMh.gif[/img][/floatleft][size=90]by [color=#408000][u]Username[/u][/color] » DAY MONTH XX, XXXX X:XX pm/am[/size]
B
L
U
B
B
A
B
L
U
B
B
A[/box]
Crystal Spires
Negotiator
Posts: 6259
Founded: Jun 02, 2012
Left Leaning College State
Forumception
by Crystal Spires » Mon Feb 18, 2013 6:58 pm
Now Spires hopes that this guide was helpful and accepts criticism, and will make all said stuff available for anyone's use and reminds people that in forumception format that there is a specific import on spacing, as it is not a table like the other format as it doesn't have a forum feel to it. Immersion is crucial in NS and to get the formatting right takes some trial and error. Have a little bit of fun, and when all else fails... go ahead and tweak things how you see fit. Nothing's wrong with coming up with your own things. And for one more laugh, I add another:
B
L
U
B
B
A
Now feel free to add your own formats, and also drop any helpful hints! As always I hope people have learned something new, and/or that I can help new people. If you need any help with formatting, or other hints/tips feel free to contact me by telegram.
Happy posting!