First of all, notice we did not disable rightclicking. So you can view source, we try to keep our html clean, you should be able to locate how we did it. Second, also check our ‘credits’ section, with links to tricks and scripts we used here. And third, yes, we don’t mind explaining how we implemented all this, but please, do not mail us about it, but post in our msgboard. That way, others can benefit too, and we don’t have to explain twice or more.
Short version: we have a html file (webpage) containing image links to around 50.000 possible badges, names from 000.gif to ZZZ.gif, all uppercase. If Sulake ever starts using 4 character names, lowercase names or anything not following their conventions until now, we will be lost.
If you’re thinking of building such a file too, we’re not fully going to expose how to make one. If dozens of Habbo’s start ‘scanning’ hotel badge directories like that, that would have a bandwidth impact for Sulake. We’ll just say you need Google for the names and (some knowledge of) an advanced text editor to build the file.
Or, as some of you phrase it: “please change your nav(igation)”. Sorry, we won’t. It’s supposed to be a bit adventurous, translate the joy of exploring your hotel into a website. More exiting to create, also :p. Then again, if you’re in need of an overview, click the lightbulb icon on the frontpage and see our sitemap.
The sitemap will be transported to most pages over time, but not visibly linked (do not close it at frontpage and it will still be open at new page when applied there). Here’s a trick to get it popping up elsewhere when applied: hit ALT + 1 on a PC, or CTRL + 1 on a Mac(intosh), and it should popup. Well, that was the principle of accesskeys, yet different browsers trashed the whole idea. On IE, hit ALT + 1 (release both), then hit ENTER. On FF, hit SHIFT + ALT + 1 (do not release while doing).
Note for the real Habbo nerds, reporters, hrm ? Need to know what was last added at Habborator but didn't make the news ? Instead of the ‘1’ do a ‘2’ (frontpage only) - will get you a popup will all little details. Or just click the hand symbol in the sign above the counter in Habburgers ;).
No, this site is not official in any country. We could compete in the English speaking countries perhaps, but have to admit not even 50% of our visitors and crew speak English that well, nor are originating in one of those countries/hotels. Being official is cool (we don’t object to be rewarded like that), but maybe we’re just not fitting the spot by design. We have no attachments to any hotel in specific, we’re just your random cool find ;).
Little note on the UK official fansite rules. Those are strict (with reason) and have a strong focus on events, competitions and visible activity ‘upfront’. That’s not what we are. Even if we did make it through a vote, could never keep up that appearance, nor would want to. We did make it into the vote once, and that meant some other probably great fansite, able to keep up, was denied a place there. Forget it, don't submit us, and if we still appear there, do not lie when voting. If we have no events, you can’t score us high on that.
We know, our news is slow at times. Our content pages are updated though, on an almost daily basis. We might start posting news more often, but focus is with our content, and we are not done adding pages at all.
Can it be release is on a ‘locked’ hotel ? Sulake has had a tendency of keeping new things from the world by locking a hotel for foreigners, temporarily. They have their reasons. We’re not going out of our way (proxy servers/IP hiding programs) to get in, also we try not to rely on other peoples screenshots online (unless we can match them with other shots and are .png). Another possible reason we can only find a piece of furniture in small version or hidden behind stuff. If we find some decent screenshots, or you send us some ;), we’ll post it, but otherwise, we’re patient, it will end up in other hotels and properly on our screen.
Actually, it is of no use to ask to be linked. Our links are a) the best of sites (wether we like them or not, heck, even if we do not and they do not link anything back we’ll still link them), but also b) are reflecting our neighborhood. Be a friend, feel free to paste links to your site when applicable. If we get along, you’ll find your site linked without asking.
Only part of this site (news/msgboard) runs on a ‘content management system’, the rest is basic html/css/javascript. To add/edit content here would require some decent knowledge of (x)html and css at least. Most fansites are build with Cutenews, which provides access levels, ranks and all. We don’t have much options (posting news/moderate msgboard/upload images are available) in that sense, and frankly, no desire to implement anything like it (if even I could, which I can’t ;). So we don’t have positions, job openings nor applications.
The people who run this site were invited in because they cared and were trusted, added their bits without asking to be in, and foremost understood nature of this site. Actually, they hardly do anything else than they did before (ok, exaggerating a bit). It just didn't make sense to not have them in crew. Maybe compare it with Habbo friend requests. Some people just accept, some people want to know the other person first, before accepting. Anyway, it really doesn’t work to ask for a job. Really.
No. We know it might sound like a good idea at first, but isn't the fun thing people from all around the world gather around, sure, in broken English (still the most understood language inside the hotels), and share their stuff ?! That’s the internet, it breaks down boundaries. In our view you shouldn’t use it to create too much ‘niches’ when not needed. Nobody is being laughed at for bad English here. Also, don't underestimate the effort going into keeping a site up to date; it would be awful hard to keep versions synchronized.
Yes, and no. That’s purely personal. I (Luucaz, started this site) am Dutch, so are my - young - nephews that play Habbo too. Some day their English will be lots better, but if I want them involved - maybe - and some of my young friends on the Dutch hotel, I need something localized. But Habborator, being an international site, has priority anyway. And no, the Dutch site is also not intended as an translation, but rather as a ‘portal’, introduction to Habborator. Content will be trimmed for Dutch situation and it’s also the only other language we could have some quality control over.
Sorry, we made that impossible. We wouldn’t mind any of you using the occasional picture in a conversation, but if other sites start linking to images for their own pages, it has an effect on our bandwidth usage. And for bandwidth, one has to pay. Easy workaround: save the image and upload it somewhere (like one of the free image hosting services). More on ‘hotlinking’ (that’s what they call it) here.