I was trying to see if there had been any new posts, but when I tried, I got this message:

Is this because it's restricted to more advanced members, or is it completly disabled? The Search Function, that is - seeing as to view new posts, you use the search function in a way.

Well, it's probably because of the first option you know. Normally the new menbers don't have as much freedom as the more advenced menbers have to search around the forum. This rule was recently aplied because most of the menbers that joined here in this forum tended only to care about FFSX, and that isn't what this forum is all about. So in order toprevent that from hapenening again, BA and the rest of the moderators implemented this rule, that you have to earn your way trough. Maybe your just using some aplications that only the advanced menbers can acess. But if you want to see new post or topics, just got to your portal option and click 'today's hot topics', there you'll find the newest topic's and the newest posts. Still if even after my explanation about the rules is this forum, you weren't cleared, check the frequently asked qustions option that you, acidently, trigered when you posted this topic.

In fact, I read through the FAQ before posting here. But thanks for telling me that.

No problem ;)

The search function is completely offline. That is on the hosts' side unfortunatley.

All it does it add a Google search to the forum.. and not a very good one at that.

However, you can tell which forums had new posts by looking at the icons on the forum.

the light brown icons indicate new posts.. :)

Thanks for that as well.