ATRL HQ Latest Topics

The HQ Thread | 2026

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 07:23:46 +0000

ATRL Headquarters is the main place to interact with ATRL staff and fellow members about the site and community. The vibe is relaxed, but this is not a free-for-all. If you are looking for general banter, Random Thoughts is the better fit.

Helpful links, all in one place:

Rules & Guidelines | FAQs | Help Request (HR)

This thread is for:

• Questions or discussion about ATRL rules

• Feedback, suggestions, or site changes

• Requests to open, close, or merge threads

• Minor requests that require moderator action

• General questions about how ATRL works

• Discussion of site-related issues

• Tagging an admin for time-sensitive concerns

While moderators are usually around, other members may also jump in to help. Posting here does not guarantee an official response. If you need one, submit a Help Request. Please allow several days for review. Moderators are not required to respond to every request.

Treat staff and fellow members with respect. Hostility or disruptive behavior may result in a thread ban and a permanent warning point.

These issues must be submitted via Help Request:

• Warning point disputes

• Rule-breaking posts that were not warned

• Offensive avatars or signatures

• Dupe checks

• Thread ban requests

• Harassment complaints

Do not:

• Use HQ to report posts or threads

• Drag other members or fan bases

• Celebrate or protest bans

• Pick fights or encourage arguments

• Argue with moderators after an answer is given

• Share or discuss private messages

• Post the same complaint repeatedly

• Ask repeatedly when your Help Request will be answered

Warning Point Cleanup Thread

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 01:15:44 +0000

Some members may still have many expired warning points still attached to their accounts. In this thread you can request a WP cleanup if you meet any of the following criteria:

You currently have over 30 total WPs attached to your account
You currently have 15 or more expired WPs attached to your account
You currently have a negative (-) WP total count attached to your account

If you meet the previous requirements, post in this thread with your current WP total, how many points should have expired, and the correct number of points you should have.

e.g.

Current total: 28

Expired points: 20

Correct total: 8

Requests will only be handled in this thread. Do not post elsewhere asking for a cleanup.

When your account has been dealt with, your post will be removed.

Off topic discussion will lead to a ban from current and future cleanups.

If the thread is currently closed, it means we are not accepting new applications for a cleanup.

When the thread is open, you can post if you meet the requirements of a cleanup.

Cleanups will be done in waves. Do not ask more than once or for the status of your cleanup.

Important: Upcoming Planned Downtime & ATRL’s Return to Self-Hosting

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 01:27:49 +0000

We wanted to give everyone a heads up that ATRL will be experiencing planned downtime this week as we migrate to a new server environment.

After a lot of discussion and consideration, we’ve made the decision to leave Invision’s cloud hosting platform and return to a self-hosted setup.

As many of you remember, ATRL experienced a major outage back in February shortly after the archive feature was enabled. Following that incident, we were informed that ATRL had effectively outgrown the cloud plan we were on and that increased activity and database usage had resulted in a critical failure. That’s also the reason search functionality has remained disabled for the past several months.

More recently, during the July 3 outage, we were informed that ATRL had caused a “significant disruption” within their network and the site was taken offline while they investigated the issue.

Since February, we’ve spent months trying to determine what would actually be required for ATRL to remain on Invision’s cloud platform long-term. Despite numerous discussions, we’ve been unable to get clear answers about what would be needed moving forward. Instead, much of the conversation shifted toward placing ATRL on their enterprise-tier service at a dramatically higher cost, despite the extensive review and vetting process that took place before we originally agreed to move to their cloud platform.

As a result, we’ve decided that the best path forward is to return to self-hosting.

We know that decision may raise some concerns for members who remember some of the challenges ATRL experienced during previous periods of self-hosting. That’s a fair concern, and it’s something we’ve spent considerable time planning for. This server environment has been built specifically around Invision’s current software requirements, with the goal of providing a more stable and reliable experience moving forward.

In an era where iconic forums such as Popjustice and Datalounge have shuttered or dramatically changed in recent years, ATRL has continued to evolve and adapt. Despite the many challenges we’ve faced over the years, you’ve continued to stick with us through all of it.

In 2027, ATRL will celebrate its 20th anniversary as both a brand and a community forum. As we approach that milestone, we’re committed to ensuring that ATRL continues to thrive as the birthplace of stan culture and as a community that has remained a home for millions of posts, countless memories, and generations of pop music fans.

We’ll provide additional information, including the expected downtime window, as we get closer to the migration date. Thank you for your patience, your support, and for continuing this journey with us.

ATRL Official Discord Server | Second Round of Invites

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 02:23:09 +0000

Dear ATRLers,

We would like to invite some of you to the official ATRL Official Discord Server.

Due to the recent site outage that happened, we want you to have an alternative space to be able to interact with each other in case that happens again.

We will be inviting members in batches via DM. If you would like to join, please reply to this thread and let us know that you are interested. If you are invited, do NOT share the invite links with others. Anyone who joins who was not invited will be kicked from the server.

Once you've joined the server, you'll be required to complete onboarding:

Verify yourself in the #verification channel. Verification is required to access the whole server
Introduce yourself in #introductions. Your ATRL Username must be included in your introduction
Grab roles in the #roles channel
At the top, click Browse Channels, make sure all channels are viewable

We're looking forward to seeing you on Discord!

Thread Merge Requests | Link the OP

Sat, 03 Sep 2022 21:36:58 +0000

In this thread you should request any necessary thread merges.

Post links to the threads you believe need to be merged and the staff will take necessary action.

New Member Orientation + Introduce Yourself Thread (2025–2026)

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 05:21:10 +0000

Welcome to ATRL. Yes, this place is real. And yes, you found it.

If you are new here, this thread is your official entry point. ATRL has been around for a long time, and while the layout may change, the core of the community has always been the same: pop culture obsession, strong opinions, and people who care a little too much. In a good way.

Start Here First

Before jumping into threads, take a minute to look over the basics.

Please review the ATRL Rules and the ATRL FAQs.

These explain how posting works, what is and is not allowed, how promotions happen, and why certain features may be unavailable to new accounts at first.

In addition to the global rules, each section of the forum has its own set of guidelines that govern how threads should be titled, formatted, and posted. When visiting sections like Music News, Charts, Celebria, Base, and others, take a moment to review their individual rules before starting or participating in threads.

About Thread Creation and Promotions

If you cannot start your own thread yet, do not panic. This is normal.

New members are randomly promoted based on a mix of overall activity, time since joining, post count, and warning history. There is no set number, no application, and no way to rush it.

If your thread permissions have not activated after three months, you may message @Rian or @Lee for assistance.

Post, engage, and let it happen naturally.

Introduce Yourself

You do not need to answer every question, but this is a good way to break the ice.

What name should we call you?
Stan list, if applicable
Favorite performer right now
Arts or charts, or both
How did you find ATRL?
Preferred pronouns
What kind of music are you into?
Hobbies or interests outside of music

Lurkers are welcome, but this is how people start remembering your username.

ATRL Culture, Quickly

ATRL is an inclusive community. Conversations can get loud, opinionated, and occasionally chaotic, but hate, harassment, and bad-faith posting are not the vibe.

Disagree freely. Debate passionately. Keep it about the topic, not the person.

A lot of members have been here for years. Many have made real friendships here. Give the community a little time, and it will usually give something back.

Welcome to ATRL. Enjoy the ride.

Account Approval Thread

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 16:40:12 +0000

Do you have a friend who signed up for ATRL? Let us know their username so we can move them ahead of the queue and approve them to post. We have a tremendous backlog of accounts to approve. So we're trying to make things move quicker.

Civics Reopens: Updated Community Expectations

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:27:35 +0000

Over the past several months, we’ve seen hostility and inflammatory rhetoric spill beyond Civics and into other areas of ATRL, affecting discussions that were never intended to become political.

The Civics section was temporarily removed while the moderation team reviewed recent issues and community feedback. That review resulted in the following changes, which will take effect as Civics reopens.

Civics should remain a place for passionate discussion. What needs to change is the hostility and rhetoric that have increasingly defined too many of those discussions.

Political Threads Belong in Civics

Threads that are primarily political or likely to generate political debate belong in Civics. Moderators may move threads to Civics as discussions evolve or without prior notice when necessary to keep discussions organized and on topic.

Intentionally derailing unrelated discussions into political debate is also subject to moderation. If a discussion becomes dominated by political discourse unrelated to the original topic, moderators may move the thread, issue thread bans, or take other moderation action as appropriate. Moderation decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Keeping political discussions in Civics helps prevent unrelated discussions from being sidetracked by political debate.

Respect Other Members

Disagreement is expected. Personal attacks, inflammatory rhetoric, and deliberately provoking or baiting other members are not.

If someone asks to end a conversation, respect that request. Continuing to quote or pursue that user after they’ve asked to disengage will be treated as trolling or harassment and will result in moderator action.

Threats and Calls for Violence

Effective immediately, ATRL will not permit threats, calls for violence, or statements advocating the death of any individual or group.

There are no exceptions. This applies regardless of the target, whether it is another ATRL member, a public figure, political leader, political movement, or any other individual or group. Content of this nature will be removed and will result in moderator action.

Closing

These guidelines are not exhaustive. Moderators retain discretion to address conduct that undermines healthy discussion or the community, even if it is not specifically outlined above.

Healthy debate has always been part of ATRL. Strong disagreement is inevitable. Hostility, harassment, personal attacks, and threats are not.

The Roof Subforum to Close

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 19:45:14 +0000

We’ll be retiring The Roof, ATRL’s 18+ section.

When The Roof launched a few years ago, there was interest in having a space where 18+ discussion could exist separately from the rest of the forum. In practice, though, it never developed into a consistently active section and remains one of the least trafficked areas of the site.

Some will say the lack of activity is because threads there don’t appear on the homepage. That may limit visibility, but the larger reality is that this kind of content just hasn’t been something the community has used much on ATRL.

If people are looking for that type of discussion, there are already plenty of platforms online built specifically for it.

For those reasons, we’ve decided to retire The Roof.

Thanks to everyone who spent time there while it was part of the forum.

ATRL Official Discord Server

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 17:28:07 +0000

Dear ATRLers,

We would like to invite some of you to the official ATRL Discord Server.

Due to the recent site outage that happened, we want you to have an alternative space to be able to interact with each other in case that happens again.

We will be inviting members in batches, not all at once. If you would like to join, please reply to this thread and let us know that you are interested.

Once you've joined the server, you'll be required to complete onboarding:

Verify yourself in the #verification channel. Verification is required to access the whole server
Introduce yourself in #introductions. Your ATRL Username must be included in your introduction
Grab roles in the #roles channel
At the top, click Browse Channels, make sure all channels are viewable

We're looking forward to seeing you on Discord!

ATRL Announces Three New Moderators

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 02:02:28 +0000

Now that our long-suffering server issues are finally behind us, it’s time to shift our focus back to what actually matters: rebuilding, strengthening, and evolving the ATRL community.

To do that, we’re introducing new voices to the team who will help shape policy, expand promotional opportunities, and find better ways to engage the community through a mix of fun, sharp discourse and substantive discussion. The goal isn’t just moderation. It’s direction.

As announced last month, @Rihanna was the first new addition to the team. Today, I’m pleased to officially welcome three more moderators:

@Devin (2020)
@Dear Reader (2020)
@PenguinTim (2024)

Each of them brings a different perspective, tenure, and energy to the table, and they’ll be actively involved in helping guide where ATRL goes next.

As part of this transition, there will also be some departures from the moderation team in the coming months. Many of our mods have stayed through the absolute worst periods in ATRL’s history, and some have expressed a desire to step back after years of service. We’ll be acknowledging those departures properly as they happen.

In the coming weeks, we’ll also be resuming Town Halls, where we’ll open the floor to discuss upcoming proposals and changes, including:

Potential rule relaxations
Cleaning up and modernizing tagging
Policy to allow return of formerly banned members
Suggestions to revamp ATRL+
New reaction pics, emojis

More details on timing and format will be shared soon. For now, please join us in welcoming the newest members of the team. The rebuild phase is officially underway.

ATRL’s First Live Thread Is Launching on Grammy Night

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 09:51:24 +0000

Grammy night felt like the right moment to break in something new.

As part of our move to Invision’s cloud, ATRL now has access to Live Threads, and the Grammys will be our first official test run. Live threads update in real time, meaning new posts appear instantly as they’re submitted. No refreshing, no lag, just a continuous stream of reactions as the show unfolds.

If you’ve been here during Grammys night before, you already know how fast things move. Surprise wins, chaotic speeches, instant discourse, and takes that age poorly within five minutes. This feature is built for exactly that kind of night.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Posts appear live and the thread will move fast.

• This is for real-time reactions, not essays or score-settling.

• Moderation will be active to keep things moving and on topic.

• Live threads are limited each month, so they’ll be used selectively for major events.

Grammy night is just the start. The next two live thread tests are planned for:

• Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday, February 8, 2026, during Super Bowl LX.

• The 98th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 15, 2026.

That gives us a mix of music, spectacle, and maximum chaotic energy to see how the feature performs across different kinds of live moments.

This is a test, but it’s also a soft launch. How these nights go will help shape how and when we use live threads going forward.

More details and the live thread link will be posted closer to showtime. Bring your reactions. Pace yourself. And remember, it’s a marathon, not a monologue.

ATRL’s Cloud Upgrade Is Live: Read Before Posting

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 21:50:58 +0000

We’re excited to share that as of Tuesday, December 9, ATRL is officially running on our new cloud server. This move has been a long time coming and gives us a more stable, scalable foundation for the future of the site.

The migration began Sunday around 9 PM, when the final database backup was taken. Anything posted after that point did not carry over. The old site remained online during the build, but all posts, warnings, and account updates made before the backup transferred safely.

What You Need to Know

ATRL is now fully hosted on Invision’s cloud platform.
This provides improved performance, long-term stability, and direct access to Invision’s technical support team.

Posts made after the Sunday cutoff did not migrate.
If a post, edit, or reaction happened after 9 PM on December 7, it will not appear on the new server.

Existing penalties remain active.
Any warnings or bans issued before the cutoff carried over.

Indexing and background cleanup are still in progress.
Search results may fluctuate, and you may occasionally see “Error Processing” messages until these processes finish.

Some moderation tools are temporarily offline.
Thread bans, thread ownership changes, and responding to help requests through the built-in tool will return once the updated plugins are released.

All new threads must include a prefix.
Prefixes are now required for consistent organization across IC5. Threads missing a prefix may not display correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions (as of 12/9/25)

Where is the search feature?
Search will return to full functionality once indexing completes.

Why am I seeing “Error Processing” messages?
These appear while the system finishes tasks from the upgrade, including plugin cleanup and index rebuilding.

How do I switch between light and dark mode?
On mobile, the toggle is in the footer on the left.
On desktop, it’s in the top-right corner.

Can the mobile menu be changed?
Not at this time. We’ve requested this from Invision for a future update.

Why do reactions look different?
Invision Community 5 introduced a redesigned reaction set. We’re continuing to refine which reactions appear by default.

Is BBCode supported?
No. IC5 retired BBCode.
The new Tiptap editor uses Markdown, loads faster, and produces cleaner formatting.

How do I embed images or gifs?
Paste the URL directly into the reply box and it will embed automatically.

How do I start threads on mobile?
Navigate to the section you want. A “Start a Thread” button will appear at the bottom center of your screen.

Why aren’t my tags or prefixes showing properly?
Select the correct tag and set it as a prefix when creating a thread. Tags used incorrectly may not display.
Examples:
• “Achievements” should not be used in Celebria.
• “Official” is reserved for staff.

Do all threads need a prefix?
Yes. Every thread must have a prefix attached.
This ensures proper sorting and helps maintain consistency while we move toward a new tagging plugin.

Why aren’t thread tags available everywhere?
The plugin we previously used was discontinued. We’ve contacted the developer of a modern replacement that includes custom colors and required prefixes.

Rian, who is in your avi?
It’s from this terrible movie on Prime named “Exploited”.

What’s Next

• Restoring moderation tools once updated plugins are available.
• Reintroducing Blogs, Clubs, and other legacy features.
• Launching a redesigned homepage focused on readability and discovery.
• Adopting a new tagging system with custom colors and required prefixes.
• Refining reactions and other interface elements.
• Continuing to adjust spacing, styling, and UI behavior as we settle into IC5.
• Reducing ads for members once guest access is stable.
• Running stress tests to confirm improved guest access and overall performance.
• Ongoing cleanup and optimization.
• You’ll also notice new IC5 features, including real-time indicators showing who is viewing a thread and who is currently typing.
• Later this month, we’ll begin testing ATRL’s new live-thread capability, which will be reserved for major events like award shows and pop emergencies.

Additional Notes

Stability expectations.
Performance should continue improving as indexing completes and caches rebuild.

Reporting issues.
If you encounter bugs, broken embeds, missing features, or visual glitches, please report them in this thread going forward so we can track and escalate them efficiently.

What hasn’t changed.
Core actions like posting, replying, editing, quoting, notifications, reports, and accessing your account remain the same. Community rules and moderation standards also remain unchanged.

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who has been patient and constructive during this transition. Adjusting to new software takes time, and your understanding has made the process much smoother. Your feedback continues to guide the improvements we’re making.

We’ll share more updates as we stabilize the platform and roll out new features.

Thank you for being part of this next chapter of ATRL.

ATRL Staff

The HQ Thread | 2025

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 19:49:33 +0000

The Headquarters is the main thread to interact with ATRL staff and fellow members concerning the ATRL community. While this is a fairly casual thread, it’s not meant for excessive general banter that you may find in Random Thoughts.

For your convenience here are some quick links you may find useful:
Rules & Guidelines | FAQS | Help Request (HR)

Here you can:

Discuss and ask questions about ATRL's rules
Discuss changes to ATRL or suggest new changes
Request threads to be closed, merged or opened
Request other minor things that only the moderators can do for you
Ask questions about ATRL in general
Discuss other things that are happening on ATRL
Tag an administrator if you have an emergent issue

While there are usually moderators around to answer, other members are also free to help you out. You're not guaranteed an official answer by posting in ATRL HQ. If you need one, send a help request. However, it may take several days for help requests to be answered. Be reminded that moderators are also not obligated to reply to help requests.

Always be respectful to staff and to other members. A hostile or disruptive attitude will result in a thread ban and a permanent warning point.

The following can only be done by help request:

Complain about warning points that you've received
Bring up rule-breaking posts that were left unwarned
Bring up avatars/signatures that you find vulgar or offensive
Request dupe checks
Request thread bans
Complain about harassment

Do not:

Use the thread to report threads or posts
Talk negatively about other members or fan bases
Celebrate or protest when a member gets banned
Start or encourage fights or arguments
Argue with moderators after being given an answer
Post or discuss PMs you have received from other members
Post a query or complaint more than once (send a help request if you need an answer)
Repeatedly ask when your HR will be replied to or demand an answer

New Member Orientation (2023)

Sun, 08 Jan 2023 13:42:25 +0000

The Official Introduce Yourself Thread..

Are you a new member to this forum? Don't know anybody? Well, introduce yourself here!

First, familiarize yourself with our rules here.

If you’re wondering why you can’t make a thread, you will be randomly promoted based on a combination of your overall activity, time since joining, post count, and warning history.

What's your name?
Stan list?

Favourite performer?

Arts or charts?
How did you come across ATRL?

What are your preferred pronouns?
What music are you into?

What are your hobbies and interests outside of music?

ATRL is an inclusive community and we want members to be able to have great (sometimes messy) discussions and forge long lasting friendships. Get to know one another without spreading hate or negativity.

Post-Update Check-In: Thank You and Feedback

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 04:00:35 +0000

Dear ATRL Community,

Thank you for being patient during the downtime. The update was a success, but because we’re now running on an entirely new system, plenty of adjustments are still ahead. Some changes won’t be visible right away. Over the next few days, you’ll see us fine-tuning avatar sizes, button colors, layout spacing, and the overall template, forum view, and thread view as we continue working through the backend.

Ad placement is also being updated. Once guest access is fully restored, we’ll begin reducing ads for members and tightening where they appear.

We’re adding new moderator tools as well. Threads will be able to auto-lock after a set amount of time, and large threads can auto-split while keeping the OP intact when that limit is hit.

If you notice bugs, layout issues, or anything that looks off, report it here. Your feedback helps us smooth out the transition and catch things quickly.

Thanks again for your patience as the new system settles in.

Sincerely,

Rian, @Lee!! and @josephs911

ATRL Conduct Notice: Slurs, Incest Drags, Stan Wars, and Extremist Labels

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 19:17:07 +0000

In the past several weeks, four issues have surfaced often enough that they need to be addressed directly.

1. Variations of the word “retard,” including coded or masked versions.

2. Incest jokes and sexual-abuse drags aimed at Billie Eilish and her brother.

3. Users carrying petty grievances and stan fights into news threads and other sections where they do not belong.

4. Inflammatory comments comparing fanbases or individual users to Nazis, the KKK, terrorists, MAGA supporters, or similar groups.

Each of these has become common enough that it is affecting the atmosphere of the site, and users have reached out privately to say so.

One member contacted us about the Billie issue and described how the incest comments have grown more frequent in recent months. They pointed out that these jokes date back to when Billie was still a minor, which makes the trend even more uncomfortable. They also highlighted the inconsistency in how these posts have been treated over time. Years ago, they made a similar mistake, received a severe penalty, accepted it, and moved on. Seeing the same behavior return with fewer consequences has left some fans feeling unheard and unwelcome.

Another member reached out about the political comparisons, asking how long people would be allowed to casually label others as “terrorists,” “Nazis,” “KKK members,” or “MAGA cultists” for liking or defending an artist. They said they see it constantly and that it cheapens real-world language while escalating basic disagreements into something far uglier.

Both messages speak to the same issue. These comments are not harmless. They create an environment where people feel pushed out of normal discussion, and they reduce the quality of conversation across the forum.

ATRL can handle intense debate and sharp commentary. What it cannot support is language tied to disability, insults framed around sexual abuse or incest, political comparisons tied to real extremist groups, or stan fights dropped into threads that are supposed to be focused and informative. None of this behavior adds anything to the discussion and all of it drags the community down.

Here is the standard going forward:

• Slurs or slur-adjacent variations, including coded versions of the r-word, are not allowed.

• Incest insinuations or sexual-abuse drags aimed at any artist will be removed.

• Stan fights belong in SYG or NHB, not in news threads or sections meant for discussion.

• Comparing users or fanbases to Nazis, the KKK, terrorists, MAGA supporters, or similar groups will be removed.

Effective today, any use of the r-word or incest or sexual-abuse jokes will be treated as a Zero Tolerance violation. This will result in either progressive ZTP penalties or an immediate permanent ban depending on the context.

On the third issue, the expectation is simple. We have base threads for a reason. They exist so fanbases can debate, drag, argue, and work out their rivalries without derailing the rest of the forum. SYG and NHB remain open because most users stay within the limits set for those spaces. If you want to fight, post there. Do not bring that energy into charts, news, or threads where users are trying to talk without being drowned out by stan noise.

Intent is not the measure here. Impact is. If these behaviors make users feel targeted, discouraged, or pushed out, that is enough.

This is a reset. Report posts when you see them. The team will take it from there. The goal is simple. Keep the forum open, sharp, engaged, and respectful.

Downtime Beginning 6PM EST for Major Software Update

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 18:23:06 +0000

ATRL’s Upcoming Invision 5.0 Upgrade

Happy December, ATRL community!

After years of waiting, patching, tinkering and making the best of an aging platform, our long national nightmare is finally coming to an end. We’re officially preparing to upgrade the forum from Invision 4.7 to Invision 5.0. It’s the biggest software jump we’ve made in 10 years, and it sets the foundation for the next chapter of ATRL.

The exact downtime window will be announced separately, but here’s a clear look at what’s coming.

What’s new in 5.0

This update brings a noticeably cleaner, faster and more modern experience. Some of the biggest changes you’ll see include:

A polished, mobile-first interface that feels current
Built-in dark mode
New layout options like sidebar, feed and cleaner content grids
A smoother, less clunky posting editor
Better media handling for images, videos and embeds
Faster load times across the board
Smarter, more accurate search
Cleaner thread layouts with improved spacing and readability
More modern profiles and activity feeds
Subtle UI animations and transitions that make navigation feel smoother

It’s still the same community, just running on software that finally looks and behaves like it belongs in 2025.

Changes you’ll notice over time

The 5.0 upgrade gives us tools we didn’t have access to before. After the initial rollout, we’ll begin rebuilding the homepage and introducing updated page layouts throughout the site. Those won’t appear all at once, so expect some visible construction as design work rolls out.

And once we’re settled on 5.0, we’ll begin reintroducing features that were disabled over the years. That includes things like blogs and clubs, along with a full revamp of what it means to be an ATRL+ member.

We’ll also be exploring new ways to spotlight community members who consistently help new users acclimate to the forum and set the tone for what good community behavior looks like. Those ambassadors deserve recognition, and 5.0 finally gives us the room to build that.

What may feel different at launch

Major upgrades sometimes bring small quirks. You might notice spacing being slightly off, elements shifting or visuals that look a little strange until caches rebuild and styles settle. That’s normal for a transition this large. If anything looks genuinely broken, let us know.

What may not carry over right away

Some older parts of the site won’t be compatible on day one:

Custom themes
Legacy plugins
Heavily modified or hand-coded pages

These may remain disabled until they’re updated or rebuilt.

What to do after the upgrade

Once we’re back online:

Clear your browser cache
Log in again if prompted
Report any visual oddities or broken elements

What happens during downtime

During the offline window, we’ll upgrade the platform, rebuild caches, convert templates and test everything before reopening. Moving from 4.7 to 5.0 is a deep shift under the hood, so the process may take longer than a typical maintenance window.

After the site is live again, we’ll also run server stress tests to see if the upgrade resolves the long-running issue of guests being unable to access the forum during high-traffic moments. This will help us confirm whether 5.0’s new caching and performance systems improve stability the way they’re intended to.

We’ll share the exact start time soon. Thanks for your patience and for sticking with us as we finally close the book on 4.7 and step into the future of ATRL.

— Admin Team

Holiday Emoji Are Back!

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 22:47:24 +0000

It's that time of the year for Santa and his holiday emoji to return for a limited time! This time he brought some new ones!

As always, I'd be more than happy to consider some new submissions too if you want to be creative! If any break, let me know!

Stay tuned for news about Best Of 2025! Gather your lists together while we wait!

Fall Emoji Return!

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 01:58:24 +0000

With the start of Fall in the northern hemisphere, some of our fall emoji are now available. Halloween emoji will be rejoining the lineup soon!

As always, I'd gladly consider any new themed emoji you may have made or know of for our collection! If any of the emoji break, let me know!

Halloween Emoji Return For October!

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 19:35:25 +0000

It is October which means Halloween emoji all month! Some new ones have joined our classic lineup!

As always, I'll gladly consider any new or custom made emoji to add to our vast assortment! If any break, let me know!

Important Community Safety Update | July 23, 2025

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 04:24:11 +0000

Dear ATRL Community:

The administration has recently learned troubling information and allegations about a member known as Into The Void.

Reports from another forum and related Discord spaces allege that this individual engaged in inappropriate targeting of underage members for private, intimate photos which led to their ban from those platforms.

Although there is no indication that this behavior has taken place on ATRL, we hold the safety of our members as our highest priority. Allowing someone with a documented and concerning history of predatory behavior to remain here would go against the values we uphold. As a result, Into The Void has been permanently banned from our community.

ATRL is meant to be a safe and supportive space—particularly for queer individuals and other vulnerable members. We do not and will not tolerate behavior that endangers others. Anyone who engages in grooming, harassment, or any form of exploitation will be removed immediately and may also be reported to law enforcement.

We appreciate those who came forward with information, helping us take decisive action. If you ever encounter behavior that makes you feel unsafe, please know that you can reach out to our team at any time. We will take you seriously and do what we can to protect you and others.

For anyone who has been affected by similar behavior elsewhere, please remember: what happened is not your fault. You are not alone, and support is available.

Here are some resources if you need someone to talk to or guidance on what to do next:

Cyber Civil Rights Initiative – Support and legal resources for victims of online exploitation.

RAINN – 24/7 confidential support for survivors of sexual harassment or assault.

The Trevor Project – Crisis counseling and resources for LGBTQ youth.

Thank you for being part of keeping ATRL a safe, welcoming community.

Sincerely,

The ATRL Forum Administration Team

Important Community Safety Update

Sat, 13 Apr 2024 17:46:35 +0000

Dear ATRL Community,

We have become aware of serious violations of our Code of Conduct by a community member known as QueenofCopyPaste, formerly Jeiboy. This individual was engaged in sexually harassing behavior and solicited other members privately, offering money for sexual acts to be performed on camera. Additionally, there are disturbing allegations involving trading illegally obtained private photos of another member taken when they were underage and attempts to blackmail them with it. This incident was alleged to have taken place pre-2016 on ATRL Classic.

Such actions are in direct violation of our principles and policies. To protect our community and maintain a safe environment, QueenofCopyPaste has been permanently banned from the forum.

We wish to remind everyone that ATRL is committed to being a safe space for all, particularly for the queer community. Predatory behavior will not be tolerated under any circumstances. We thank those who courageously came forward with their experiences, which greatly aided this investigation. Your bravery ensures the safety and integrity of our community.

Please be advised that any member who engages in this kind of unsolicited and abusive behavior will be subject to permanent removal from the forum and may also be reported to local law enforcement.

To those who may have experienced harassment but did not feel comfortable reporting it, please remember that you are not to blame. We understand the complexities involved in these situations, and we extend our unwavering support to you.

For anyone affected by these issues, we encourage you to seek support from online groups that help individuals who have faced online harassment or exploitation. Here are a few resources:

- Cyber Civil Rights Initiative - https://www.cybercivilrights.org/ - Offers support and legal resources for victims of non-consensual image sharing.

- RAINN - https://www.rainn.org/ - Provides support for victims of sexual assault, including an online hotline for immediate assistance.

- The Trevor Project - https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ - Offers counseling for LGBTQ youth experiencing crisis or suicidal feelings.

Please reach out to our administration team if you need assistance or wish to report any concerns. Together, we will maintain a community where safety and respect are paramount.

Sincerely,

@Ryan and @Lee!!

@ATRL Administration
@ATRL Moderation Team

Help Us Test the New Official ATRL Discord!

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:42:19 +0000

ATRL Universe,

We are excited to announce that we are getting ready to launch the official ATRL Discord, and we need your help to make sure everything runs smoothly.

If you would like to be part of the first wave of testers, simply reply to this thread and let us know you are interested. We will be sending out invites tomorrow.

Even if you are not contacted in the initial round, do not worry. There will be more opportunities to join and participate in testing soon.

Please know that none of this would be possible without the incredible work of @right where you left me!

Looking forward to seeing some of you on Discord!

Summer Emoji Are Back!

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 18:12:28 +0000

It is summer here in the northern hemisphere and that means new limited time emojis have been added to the site!

Enjoy the summer themed emoji while they're around!

As always, I'd be more than happy to consider some new submissions too if you want to be creative!

(Some may break over time, let me know if they do)

Site Stability, Upcoming Downtime on 12/9/24

Sat, 07 Dec 2024 23:31:21 +0000

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been investigating the root causes of the site’s instability. After a thorough review of our apps and plugins, we identified two key contributors and have contacted the developers to determine whether they plan to release updates or what it might take to resolve these issues. While this won’t fully fix the problems, it’s a step toward mitigation.

Critical Database Issues

One of the most significant factors contributing to our instability is the size of our database tables. The post table currently sits at 25GB, and the search table is 27GB, bringing us alarmingly close to the maximum memory available on our server. This is placing an enormous strain on the system and directly causing the crashes and performance issues that many of you have experienced.

To address this, we’ve decided to take a major step: archiving older posts and threads.

Here’s what this means:

• Posts and threads from the last two years will be archived.

• Archived threads will still be accessible for viewing (unlike the previous methods in 2021), but they won’t be searchable on-site. However, you will still be able to search for them via Google.

• Think of this as a new wing of classic ATRL, preserving content while improving site performance.

Maintenance and Downtime

As part of this effort, the site will be offline beginning December 9, 2024, while we work on archiving and reducing the database size. We do not know how long the site will remain offline, but we will keep you updated.

Acknowledging Your Frustrations

We know you are tired of the constant crashing and inability to view the site. We share your frustration and want to assure you that we have been working diligently to address these issues, despite any talk to the contrary. We deeply appreciate all of you who have stuck with us through what has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging server periods in ATRL’s history.

Stay Connected

For updates during this time, please follow us on our socials:

• X (formerly known as Twitter): @ATRL

• BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/atrl.bsky.social

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue working toward a more stable and improved ATRL experience for everyone!

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to respond to this thread and we will do our best to answer providing the site loads properly

@Ryan and @Lee!!

Spring Emoji Are In Bloom!

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 14:38:06 +0000

It's spring time here in the northern hemisphere and that means our limited time emojis have returned to the site! Enjoy the spring and Easter themed emoji while they're around!

As always, I'd be more than happy to consider some new submissions too if you want to be creative! If any break, let me know!