What is a HUB?

I'm glad you asked!

A HUB is a specially tailored web site who's purpose is to provide a means of communication and fellowship for you and your friends with whom you share a bond because of your gaming habits. Once you develop a charter or mission statement for your group and submit a request to create a HUB at The Hot Rock, you will then be able to form your own site for other members of your group to join. If you are the one in charge of the HUB, you are designated as the "HUB Master" and are in control of who can "belong" to your site. [For more information on what responsibilities come along with the title of HUB Master, read the section provided below] Using custom-made templates and color schemes, you can tailor your HUB to look however you please. You can even use your own graphics and backgrounds or create your own color schemes if you so choose. You can use your HUB to recruit other members of The Hot Rock, compete against other HUBs to raise your ranking in the community, or make it private so that only those who are "in the know" will get a chance to participate with you and your friends.

[Diagram of the HUB/sub-sites at The Hot Rock]

Once your HUB is created, you then have the opportunity to create sub-HUBs for each game in which you and your group participates. If some of you prefer the thrill of team based warfare, you can create a Tribes or Tribes 2 section for your HUB. If other prefer the release and submersion that you can experience with RPGs, you could create an Anarchy Online, Asheron's Call, EverQuest, or Ultima Online section. Each HUB can have a number of sub-HUBs that express your groups goals and experiences while playing that specific game. This gives you the opportunity to stick together with those you enjoy spending time with online and letting each of them have the opportunity to keep in contact as each explores different gaming environments. Have a good friend half-way across the world that only plays some of the games you enjoy? When you create a HUB and invite this person aboard, you'll keep in contact and share experiences from each of your gaming lives while you each go off your own way...and the next time you enter a world together, you won't have missed a beat!

Why do I need one?

You'll have the opportunity to...

Have your groups presence made more prominent in many more games and environments

Better coordinate match-ups with other HUBs and your rivals

More efficiently share tactics within your group

Keep in contact with each other via The Hot Rock's messaging system and our message boards

Keep the whole group aware of upcoming news and events

Share your experiences, your victories and, though it may happen very infrequently, your defeats

Keep everyone posted as to who is playing what and where

Keep track of ranks within your group, give out awards, and further develop who you are in gaming

...and, of coures, there is much more! We're just getting started!

How do I create one?

First off, you need to register at The Hot Rock. Registration only takes a moment, and we try to protect your privacy by letting you be as visible as you wish to be while you enjoy all of the features that The Hot Rock has to offer.

Once you have registered, you will then log into the system and be taken to your own personal "start page". From that page you will have the opportunity to browse the site and either submit a charter for a new HUB to be created, request permission to join another HUB seeking new members, or just remain on your own. Although you will be able to enjoy more features if you are part of a HUB, you do not necessarily need to join one to use the site. Don't ever feel as if you HAVE to do anything. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

If you do decide to be a part of a HUB, you'll be able to register characters for each game you play in which that HUB participates, join in on their discussions on their own private and public message boards, keep up-to-date with all of your HUB's activities and meet new friends.

For more information on the current HUBs that are registered at The Hot Rock, go to our HUB Listings Page and take a look around!

[Diagram of the registration process]

That about sums it up. If you haven't already, head over to the registration screen and start your own personal Hot Rock experience now. If you have any other questions, head over to the feedback message boards and let us know. You can also email our Staff and they'll be happy to help you out as soon as they are able.

So I want to be a HUB Master!

I'm glad you do!

Being a HUB Master does have it's perks but also carries some responsibility. When you are the HUB Master, you will be able to tailor your community to your member's needs, control the security level of all of your members (e.g. let some post to your news section while letting others only view the material presented at your site) and help hold your group together. [continue responsibilities later...]
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