Understanding the v5 Global Account System

[ProBoards Help Guide]

Understanding the v5 Global Account System

► Your Global Account can be accessed by going to www.proboards.com

---

What is a Global Account?

A Global Account is a collection of all your forum accounts that have been created using the same email address.

Though more than a collection, it is also a master login for your accounts. Using just your single email address and password you can log in to all your accounts saving the need to remember different login credentials.



How do I create a Global Account?

Whenever you create a forum using an email address for the first time with ProBoards, a Global Account is automatically created for that email address.

If you create additional forums you should make sure you are first logged in to your Global Account so all your forums are connected to the same Global Account.



When you register a new account on a forum using an email address for the first time with ProBoards, a Global Account is automatically created for that email address.

If you register additional forum accounts and are not already logged in to your Global Account, once you enter your email address you will be prompted to log in to your Global Account so that the forum accounts can be connected to the same Global Account.


Switching Between Accounts and Forums

If you have multiple accounts on a forum or are a member of more than one forum, you can easily swap between your forum accounts without having to log out of one account or forum and then log into another.

While logged in to a forum, in the lower right corner of the browser window you will find the ProBoards User Bar.


Clicking on the Switch User icon will take you to the Select Account screen where you can click on your account you would like to be logged in to of the current forum you are visiting.

Clicking on the Switch Forum icon takes you to your ProBoards Dashboard where you can select which forum and forum account of yours that you wish to be log in to.


Can I have more than one Global Account?

Since a Global Account is defined by an email address, it is possible to have more than one Global Account if a different email address is used to create a forum or register a forum account.

While this is possible, it is not recommended as a best practice. When you log in to a forum a "session cookie" for your browser is created. This cookie is a communication between our our server and your browser to let our server know you are currently logged in to a forum. This cookie also remembers the Global Account you are logged into so you do not have to log in and out when switching between accounts or forums.

If you are logged in to one forum and then attempt to log into another forum or account that is tied to a different Global Account, you will most likely receive an error as the new login credentials would not match those for the current session cookie.

---

Transferring all your Forum Accounts to one Global Account

If you have more than one Global Account you will find that it is beneficial to transfer all accounts to one Global Account to avoid confusion. The following instructions will guide you in transferring your accounts from one Global Account to another.

Before you Begin
During the transfer process you will be "unlinking" an account from one Global Account and then "linking" it to another. Please read through the instructions to become familiar with all the steps prior to starting. You should have a pen and paper available as you will need to temporarily note some account information.

Note: For the purpose of avoiding confusion, the Global Account you are transferring accounts from will be referred to as your OLD Global Account and the Global Account being transferred to as the NEW Global Account.


Part 1 - Unlinking your forum accounts from your OLD Global Account.

It is recommended that you are completely logged out of all ProBoards accounts before beginning this process.

1. Go to www.proboards.com and log in using the email of the old Global Account.
2. Under the blue 'Account' dropdown select Account Settings.
3. Locate "Unlink Forum Account" and on the far right click on Unlink.
4. Select the forum (URL) from the dropdown and then the account (username).
5. You will need to enter a new password for the unlinked account. This is only a temporary password used for the transfer process and does not reset your current Global Account password.
6. Write down the forum name (URL), the username of the account unlinked, and the temporary assigned password.
   
   Note: It is important that you record the information as directed in step 6 above as it necessary for completing the account transfer to the new Global Account.
   
   
7. If you have additional forum accounts under the same Global Account repeat steps 3-6 above for each account.
   
8. Once you have completed Part 1, under the blue Account dropdown, select the action to Logout of the OLD Global Account.

Part 2 - Linking your unlinked forum accounts to the NEW Global Account.

1. Go to www.proboards.com and log in using the email of the new Global Account.
2. In a new (or same) browser tab navigate to the forum where you unlinked your account.
3. Click the Login link.
   
4. A 'Link' window appears stating you have successfully logged into your ProBoards Global Account.
   
   Note: If you are a logged into the forum and do not encounter the 'Link' window, skip to Part 2A below. This just means you already have an existing account on the forum tied to the NEW Global Account.
   
   
5. Enter the account username and temporary password of the unlinked account and click Continue.
6. You should then be taken to the 'Success' screen. Clicking Continue again will take you to the forum logged in under the newly linked account.
   
   If you have additional unlinked accounts to link to the current forum proceed to Part 2A step 1.

Part 2A - Linking your unlinked forum accounts to a forum with an existing account.
If you are linking an account to a forum in which you already have an existing account tied to the new Global Account you will not encounter the 'Link' screen directly upon attempting to log in as outlined in steps 3 & 4 of Part 2 above. Clicking Login will either log you into the forum under your existing account or present you with the Select Account page.

1. If you are viewing the forum, then go to the PB User bar in the lower right corner of the window and click on the Switch User icon to take you to the Select Account page.
2. On the Select Account page click the link for "Link another forum account."
3. Enter the account username and temporary password of the unlinked account and click Continue.
4. You should then be taken to the 'Success' screen. Clicking Continue again will take you to the forum logged in under the newly linked account.
   
   If you have additional unlinked accounts to link to the current forum, repeat steps 1-4 of Part 2A.

---

Deleting your old Global Account

If your old Global Account no longer contains any accounts or forums, you may delete it.

1. Log in to your old Global Account
2. Under the blue Account dropdown select Subscriptions.
3. Ensure there are no current subscriptions tied to the Global Account.
   • If there are you should either keep the Global Account or cancel the subscriptions and restart them under the new Global Account.
   
4. Under the blue Account dropdown select Account Settings.
5. Find "Delete Global Account" and click the Delete link to the right.
6. Enter your password, complete the action verification, and click Delete Account.
   
   Note: once deleted it cannot be undone.

Warning: 

• Deleting a Global Account will NOT delete any forums or forum accounts. You must unlink all accounts or you will be unable to delete the Global Account.
• An unlinked account or forum is NOT a deleted account or forum.

---

Reminder: Your Email Address

As per the terms of service you agreed to keep your email address current and accurate. Your email address is our only method of confirming your status as account holder. Should you lose access to your email account this may result in issues relating to your ProBoards experience as well as access to your accounts. Please keep your email address updated.