Thread: Simplify the Intro Guide

I think it is time we streamline and simplify the Intro Guide.

What changes would you like to see?

Hello and welcome to the largest private invite community on the net. Here at Torrent-Invites (T-I) we help deserving members gain access to exclusive trackers without selling or trading. To enter the private sections of this forum you will need to read all of our rules and create an introduction thread. If you do a good job, an existing member will give you a reputation point (the small purple square under your name will turn green). Expect to spend about an hour reading the rules, properly editing your ratio proofs and creating an introduction. Be patient and realize that it may take days for you to be 'repped' in. Improper introductions will be ignored.


1. Common Intro Mistakes
2. Frequently Asked Questions
3. Ratio Proof Editing Guide
4. Registration Form & Intro Template

Same Username
Your Torrent-Invites username should be different than any name you use on a tracker. Do NOT sign up with using an identical or even remotely similar username. If you need a name change, click on this Request Username link and a staff member will respond within 24 to 72 hours. DO NOT CREATE AN INTRO UNTIL YOUR NAME CHANGE IS COMPLETE!

Trading
Trading is the act of exchanging one invite/account for another invite/account or selling an invite/account for money. Trading is bad because it is selfish and it is the complete opposite of the sharing mentality which created the torrenting world. We don't expect people to adopt an ideology, but we do expect them to adhere to our strict rules on trading. We don't allow members to trade anywhere - whether at T-I or on another site; this is because if they are found trading they risk not only their own account but that of their entire invite tree.

Short Answers
When answering the questions please bear in mind that you are applying to a community. Please use full sentences wherever possible. Answers consisting of single words or phrases are strongly frowned upon. Giving thoughtful, complete answers will greatly increase your chances of being accepted here.

Improper Ratio Proofs
Ratio proofs must be FULL SCREEN images of your entire display (browser and taskbar at the bottom of your desktop). Do not use a program that only captures the browser's window. You must also type in your Torrent-Invites' username and today’s date in the browser's address bar before taking the screenshot. For detailed instructions concerning our requirements please refer to Ratio Proof Editing Tutorials.

Speed Tests
You'll need to post a DIRECT LINK from www.speedtest.net. The test must be run on your home connection to the nearest server. Using a proxy of any kind will result in a swift ban. The speedtest must be a direct link; hosted images are not allowed. Be to sure tag your speedtest as well: [img]http//speedtest.net/result/123456789.png[/img]

Secret Password
The secret password is a 3 character code specific to you. Take the first two characters of your username + the number of characters in your username. For example: JustJenna = Ju9 or Vegas = Ve5

Bumping / Double Posting
Do NOT bump, double post or make an unnecessary post within 24 hours or your last post. Bumping is defined as posting in a thread with the intention of making it go to the top of the forum. Bumping will decrease or completely eliminate your chance of being accepted into this site. Only reply within 24 hours if a member has asked you a question that you need to respond to.

Why do I need edit my proofs and create a unique username?
Some trackers are under the mistaken impression that we trade accounts and will ban you if they connect your tracker account to membership here. Editing ratio proofs and having a different username is required to protect your tracker accounts and your invite trees.

I am not a part of any private tracker. What do I do?
You can also find hundreds of trackers with open signups (no invite required) at this website: http://www.opentrackers.net/. While you are far more likely to be accepted by providing a ratio proof, we are also willing to consider a FULL SCREEN capture of your torrent client statistics (uTorrent -> Help -> Show Statistics). Example of a full page uTorrent Statistics' Proof.

Will I be accepted with a slow speed test?
Yes, people of all speeds are accepted. We aren’t a tracker so your actual results mean little to us; speedtests are used to verify your physical location, not to determine your torrenting capabilities.

Why was my intro closed?
Introduction posts are automatically closed after 7 days of inactivity. You can request that your intro be reopened by politely asking in the IRC Help Channel.

Why do I have to do all this?
You are asked to do all this because we want to see your dedication towards the community, and to verify you are not a cheater/scammer. If signups here were open, we would have people join, get a couple of invites and never log in again.

Since I can't bump my intro, can I create a new (duplicate) intro instead?
Do NOT do it. Making more than one intro is not allowed!

How do I contact a T-I staff member?
A link to the IRC Help Channel is located at the top of every page:


Enter your T-I username and password when prompted:

1) Type in your T-I USERNAME & TODAY'S DATE into your browser's address bar

2) Acquire a screenshot by pressing PrtScn on your keyboard

3) Open your image editing software (Paint, Photoshop, etc) and click Edit -> Paste

4) Hide anything that can expose your tracker account by covering these items:

• Completely edit out your USERNAME and your RANK (V.I.P, Power User, etc).
• Edit your Uploaded, Downloaded, and Ratio numbers so that only the FIRST DIGIT is visible (12.345 GB --> 1x.xxx GB) and leave the units visible (MB, GB & TB).
• Edit out your Available Invites, Active Torrents, Sent/Received/Unread emails, Number of Friends, Bonus Points/Karma, or anything else that can identify your account.

Your initial screenshot should look like this:




Your finished proof should look like this:

5) Some additional Tips:

• FULL SCREEN images are required. Do not crop the images to make them smaller and be sure to include the ENTIRE display (the full browser window, including the browser toolbar & the taskbar at the bottom of the desktop). Proofs must show the taskbar and browser toolbar.
• Type your T-I username and NOT your tracker username in the browser's URL bar.
• In your editing program, use a brush that is about the same size as the data you are looking to edit. This will make your edits quicker and cleaner.
• Only upload proofs using one of the following image hosts: 1) imageshack/yfrog, 2) tinypic, 3) imagebam, 4) photobucket

Created by Scoobydoo

1) Register your forum username.

2) Create an introduction.

I have some thoughts on this, Vegas.

I'll start with the caveat that it has been a while since I completed my intro and I don't recall the precise user experience of doing so. Still, I have handled my fair share of intros and can speak from that perspective. My thoughts are as follows:

If you are looking to simplify the intro guide, I would pull the rules (current screen #4) from the guide entirely. Those rules are most pertinent to members who have passed the intro process and the most important rules for midgets, selecting a unique username, our stance on trading and bumping rules, are covered more than adequately elsewhere in the guide. Consider making the rules a separate sticky in the Introductions section and adding an entry to the FAQ like "What are T-I's rules? and have the answer be a hyperlink to the sticky. Optically, this would cut down on the clutter in the intro guide and avoid starting the guide with a long list of rules. In addition, the rules are also accessible to midgets during the application process when they confirm they have read them. While I am on the topic of site rules, I think it would be incredibly helpful if the rules in current screen #4 were accessible from the navigation menu at the top of the site--like how most trackers make Rules/FAQ available for easy access. And speaking of the FAQ, I think the current "read before you ask" FAQ should be available in the same location, either in place of or in addition to the FAQ which is more a Vbulletin Q&A.

I would place the common intro mistakes (current screen #6) in place of current screen #4 (Rules). I would re-order screen #6 so that the topics on selecting a username and trading are at or near the top of this screen. It is astounding how many midgets pick the exact nick they use on trackers. As for as trading goes, we are not hiding the ball on this and our stance should be as prominent as possible IMO. Also note that there is a bad link under the "Improper Ratio Proofs" entry; that link should point to the ratio proof tutorial in the guide.

Next, I would put current screen #7 (FAQ). I think the FAQ can be simplified by deleting the following entries: "Why do I have to do all this; Why is this taking so much time; Why is everyone making this so difficult". As for the first question, presumably midgets have already made the calculus that filling out the intro is worth their time, and the latter two are largely duplicative of information contained in "why haven't I been accepted yet". Also, consider deleting the suggestion that midgets join an open tracker if they are not members of one yet. I was under the impression that we were going easier on intros, and just requesting the torrent client proof is likely to yield more applications.

I would then close with the ratio proof tutorial.

Also, one additional miscellaneous closing suggestion on intros. If possible, it would be nice if the system generated a welcome PM to new members. This PM should contain a link to the Rules, the "read before you ask" FAQ and the "how to join us on Mirc" tutorial. This might help increase compliance with the rules and cut down on "Where is the Thanks button" posts from new members.

In addition to Rellik's suggestions, I would recommend formatting the rules so that they are easier to read and don't overwhelm the new user.

for example,

Why is everyone making this so difficult?
Remember the people reviewing your intro do not have to do it. They are volunteering their time to help you get in. Please comply with their wishes and realize that arguing or flaming will get you nowhere.

can be formatted into

Why is everyone making this so difficult?
Remember the people reviewing your intro do not have to do it. They are volunteering their time to help you get in. Please comply with their wishes and realize that arguing or flaming will get you nowhere.

By making the question more prominent, it makes it more readable and easier to find when a intro mod tells you to read the rules again.

Originally Posted by Vegas

I think it is time we streamline and simplify the Intro Guide.

What changes would you like to see?

I recall us talking about this in the IRC, so thanks for going through with this and making a good attempt to simplify that huge rule guide once and for all.

Hopefully in the near future, people won't need to have a degree in T-I rules to join the site.

-giga