LoBD

Seeking guidance?

1. What is LoBD?

LoBD stands for The Land of Broken Dreams. The original LoBD was created on May 23, 1992, and by the time it shut down it had become one of the oldest websites on the internet. It was officially closed in 2004.

However, LoBD's spirit remained. For 12 years it served as a community for friends, enemies, and lovers who would go on to continue their relationships on and off the internet. This spirit lingered on until a former member, ensellitis, began work on a new version of LoBD. On October 23, 2006, The Land of Broken Dreams was born again. Eventually, ensellitis resigned from his position, handing control of the site to mzell, who continues to run it today.

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 Oakheart

2. Who owns LoBD?

LoBD is currently owned by mzell. He handles the site coding, finances, and is the head of the staff. Working alongside him are the LoBD staff, who share the site's responsibilities and duties.

Answered by Oakheart

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 Oakheart

4. What are the special ranks?

There are two special ranks. First, a select few denizens have the rank Emeritus. 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 Oakheart

5. How do I increase my rank?

Although the ranks on LoBD are mainly based on secret formulas, they are also 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.

Answered by Oakheart

6. What is the Featured Denizen?

This user is chosen 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 Oakheart

7. What are LoBD Events?

LoBD Events are special periods of time when the LoBD community takes part in some sort of activity. We've had three LoBD Events so far. There were two rounds of "The Infection", in which a fake "infection" spread among the denizens. They worked together to discover hidden antidotes and cure the site. There was also a round of the "LoBDuel", a fighting system in which denizens joined teams and fought against one another.

LoBD Events occur at random intervals. Sometimes you'll see repeated events or brand new ones. Some will be announced days ahead of time and some will be introduced immediately. Some will include storylines that denizens are encouraged to play along with.

Answered by Oakheart

8. What are badges and pins?

Different badges mean different things. At present, there are several available badges Here are a few of them:

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. To discover these, look around for denizens' profiles and slide your mouse over each badge for brief description. If you have questions about badges, contact a staff member or the denizen who owns the badge that you are admiring.

Pins are similar to badges. The main difference is that pins are bought instead of awarded. Pins are available for purchase in the LoBD Market, and can also be given and received as gifts from other denizens.

Answered by Oakheart

9. 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 Oakheart

10. 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. Denizens need to understand that nobody on this site has 100% of their poetry commented on, but if you want something critiqued then there are ready denizens just waiting for a message and not spam.

14. 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.

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

16. 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

11. 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

12. How do I format my text and posts?

BBcode is another way to format text or add images. LoBD uses BBcode as an alternative because HTML is not allowed.

The following BBcode 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 Oakheart

13. 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

Not Enough?