Potomac Speleological Club FAQs (frequently-asked questions)

This web site is set up by the Potomac Speleological Club to serve as an online community for PSC members and other responsible cavers to communicate and exchange information. It was not intended to be a general caving site open to the general public, though we will include a certain amount of open information, including links to other caving resources.

We didn't feel that anonymity was conducive to developing a community atmosphere, thus the registration requirement. Nicknames are used throughout the site but a valid e-mail address (only visible to administrators) and a real name (visible to other members on the Members List) are required.

Note: The caving community reference requirement is no longer in effect:
But why the reference requirement? Everyone knows who I am! .... well proably not. We would like to open the site to as broad a spectrum of cavers as possible but at the same time want to offer members of the community some reasonable assurance that other members share some common interest in and respect for caves and other cavers. We can't know everyone, but the caving community is small enough that we probably share some common acquaintances, particularly if you are involved with another caving organization.

If you aren't sure you can find someone who will be able to vouch for you, register and provide some background information and we'll get in touch with you.

Bob Robins (rrobins) - bob@cavingclub.org

Select 'My Account' from the Main Menu in the left column then click on the 'Change Your Info' link on your personal page. All of the required and optional fields that are on the registration page are available for editing. Please make sure that you always include your full name and a valid e-mail address (this e-mail address is only visible to administrators - if you want to list a public e-mail address you can add it to your signature or other information).

Most fields are optional and won't be displayed on the Members List if you leave them empty. If you include a personal web site link, include the http:// in the address to make sure it is clickable.

You can change your password at the bottom of the personal information screen. Be sure to click on the Save Changes button when you are finished editing.

If you want to change your nickname you will need to contact an administrator.

NOTE: The discussion forum will pick up most of your settings from the Personal Information form but has its own Signature and Avatar settings accessible through the Profile link at the top of the page.

Parts of the web site are restricted to put them off limits to unknown persons, search engines, etc. Registered members have access to:

• a much broader range of discussion forums in the "Trip Reports & Discussions" section and are not restricted from contributing to the discussions


• the ability to add new photographs and nested albums to the Photo Gallery, as well as comment on posted photos


• the "Caving Calendar" feature, which allows members to contibute events for the calendar (currently only PSC members may add events)


• the "Members List", with interests, personal web sites, and other information members may choose to share with the community


• such other information as may need to be restricted to members only to protect landowners, caves, or individual privacy

The PSC Membership List is not currently available on-line. The membership list is published annually (more or less) and mailed with The Potomac Caver.

Registered members of the web site can access the Members List (in the menu at the left), which lists all of the registered web site members, but web site membership is not restricted to PSC members.