Here are some frequently asked questions, which will be updated over time:
Q. Where are my points?
A. Points, as you know them, have gone away. Instead, you'll see a new system based on merits and achievements. These can be set in your profile, and you can highlight the ones you feel like highlighting based on your personal preferences. We're still keeping track of all the pertinent data that the points were based on, but competition between users will be much higher for badges and far more meaningful in how they are obtained.
Q. Why do all my badges say Legacy?
A. Legacy badges are badges you acquired in the old system, and that will stick around with you in the new one. These are historical notes on your profile that can no longer be achieved. Take pride in the number of Legacy badges you've collected, because no one else will be able to get them once the transition happens.
Q. How does tagging work?
A. It's simple, you just separate your keywords with tags to indicate what the post is about. This helps others find similar issues, and also helps drive folks who have answers to your problem to that post.
Q. Why am I not receiving email notifications in the new platform test?
A. When your account was ported over, it may have had the bomnotifications2@gmail.com email set as a part of the beta test. If you'd like to get confirmations and notifications, be sure to change your email address in your profile page.
Q. Why are my threads not up to date?
A. The data on the beta site is not synchronized with the real live site. Once in awhile, every few weeks or so, we copy all the data (threads, flags, private messages and so on) to the beta. So at this precise time the beta will be up to date, but the activity on the real site and beta site are kept separate, so both forums diverge. When we do the copy, it replaces anything specific to the beta site, so you may see threads and answers created on the beta removed periodically. Data specific to the beta will not be brought over to launch.
Q. Will I get my badges from the UK site, or the US version of Tom's Hardware?
A. Whichever badges the user has from either site that are of higher level will follow that user. In other words, if the user has a Silver Badge in a category on Tom's Hardware US, and a Gold Badge in the same category on Tom's Hardware UK, the gold will show. The highest rank will be displayed, and the two will be merged.
Q. Will you be adding more categories?
A. Categories will be far easier for us to add now, and based heavily on the most used tags - so yes, we'll be adding quite a few over the next few months after the launch.
Q. What's the max file size for avatars?
A. Dimensions are 100x100, but in terms of kb, there is no limit at current. We expect this may change.
Q. Where do I find my threads in the new version?
A. There's a "Tracked Threads" tab under each category, as well as the "Updates" area in the upper-right box.
Q. What will happen to the UK version of the forum?
A. We're merging the two into the one for English-speaking users of Tom's Hardware. UK and Ireland users will have their own feedback area for awhile though.
Q. Will the new version be easier to view on mobiles?
A. The mobile compatible version of the forum won't be ready when we launch, but it's one of the priorities we have for immediately following the launch of the new version.
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beta test frequently asked questions