Google Orkut Data currently not available

The message Data currently not available appears when we're not able to display one part of your homepage, profile, or a community. We show this message to you instead of giving a Bad, bad server error so you can still use the other features on the page.

Please be assured that we haven't lost any of your friends or communities and the missing sections should re-appear next time you visit this page.

Browser requirements for Google Orkut

For the best experience, please access orkut via one of the following fully supported browsers:

* Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) version 6 or later via PC (download)
*We also recommend the IE6 Service Pack 1, which has some important security patches.
* Mozilla Firefox version 1.5 or later (download)

You can also access orkut via the following browsers, although the UI quality may not be as high:

* Apple Safari 2.04 or later (download)
* Netscape Navigator 7.2 or later (download)
* Opera 9.2 or later (download)

Note: JavaScript and cookies must be enabled on all browsers.

Google Orkut Invitation failed

If you're trying to register for a new orkut profile and you're getting an error that says Invitation failed, please note that you can also join orkut by visiting www.orkut.com and clicking the JOIN NOW link.

If you have a Google Account, just enter your account information and click Sign in. You'll be prompted to create your orkut profile.

If you don't have a Google Account, click the Create a Google Account to access orkut link and follow the instructions. Don't forget your username and password; you'll need them to sign in to orkut whenever you visit.

Google Orkut Page not loading

If your page is not appearing correctly, here are a few things you can try:

* Clear your cache, then try accessing your profile again.
* Make sure that cookies are enabled in your browser.
* Try accessing your account from another browser.
* Try restarting your computer.

If your friends are having difficulty seeing an updated version of your profile name or photo, please forward these instructions.

Reporting a problem with Google Orkut

If you discovered a bug on orkut.com, we'd like to hear about it. But first, check out our Known Issues page to see if we're already working to fix it.

We'll review your report but keep in mind that we'll only contact you if we need more information. Thanks in advance for helping us improve.

Prevent viruses and spyware on Google Orkut

Due to orkut.com's open nature, we realize that users can unwillingly infect their computers with viruses, spyware, adware, and other unwanted junk. This can result in strange behavior, such as sending unintended scraps to friends. To help prevent this from happening, we recommend the following safe practices:

* Don't click on any link you suspect to be malicious, even if sent by someone you trust.
* Scan your computer regularly for viruses, spyware and adware.
* Never run any script while logged into orkut.com, no matter what it claims to do.
* Make sure you supply your sign-in information only on www.orkut.com.
* Change your Google Account password regularly and keep it secret.

If you suspect your computer's security has been compromised by a virus, spyware or adware, you can download free applications to resolve the situation. We highly recommend Norton's AntiVirus software, available as part of the Google Pack. In addition, we recommend the following anti-spyware programs:

* Spybot - http://security.kolla.de/index.php?lang=en&page=download
* CWShredder - http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/cwshredder.zip
* Ad-Aware - http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download

If you think someone is using your account without your permission, read about impersonation on orkut.

Additionally, we'll never send you spam emails asking you to download anything or to send us personal information, such as your password or bank account information. orkut.com is a free service, and it will remain safe with your help.

Unable to perform actions on Google Orkut

As part of our effort to curb spam and viruses on our site, orkut has a limit on how many actions (scraps, messages, friend requests, testimonials, topics, events) you can perform in a certain amount of time. After you perform one of these actions many times within a day, you'll see a word verification box for subsequent attempts, as long as you haven't yet reached the limit. If you try to exceed our current limits, you'll see this error message: "You are temporarily unable to perform this action. Try again later."

If you encounter the word verification box or the temporary block when you're performing one of these actions for the first time in a 24-hour period, your computer may have been infected by a worm or virus. We encourage all orkut users to install the Google Pack and use it to run virus and spyware scans on your computer. You can also read more about preventing viruses and safeguarding your orkut profile.

Google Orkut 'Page not found' error

You may see an error message on orkut when trying to send or delete scraps quickly. This error is occurring to prevent automated systems from using orkut. You should be able to perform these actions again after waiting for a few hours. We appreciate your patience and help as we try to keep orkut safe for everyone!

Google Orkut Issues with hot-list, crush-list, and teasers

The add to hot-list, add to crush-list, and send teaser buttons are only visible if you've filled out the personal section of your profile.

Follow these steps to enable this feature in your profile:

1. Select Home in the blue bar at the top of the page.
2. Click edit profile under your photo.
3. Click the personal tab and enter any information you'd like to share.
4. Click update at the bottom of the page before exiting.

Problems contacting one Google Orkut member

If you're unable to send scraps, messages, friend requests, or testimonials to another orkut user, it's likely that this person has added you to the ignore list.

Here are the steps the other user should follow to remove you from the ignore list:

1. Visit your homepage and click lists on the sidebar.
2. Choose the ignore list tab.
3. lick remove next to the name of the person you'd like to remove from your ignore list.

If your friend is still having trouble receiving material from you, please ask them to visit our Help Center for information on how to remove a friend from the ignore list.

Blocking a Google orkut user

You can block another user from sending you scraps, messages, invitations, friend requests, and testimonials by adding that user to your ignore list. The ignore list is visible to you and other users won't know who's on your ignore list.

To ignore a user, visit their profile. Point the mouse to the more link in the left sidebar and click ignore user.

You can remove members from your ignore list by following these steps:

1. Visit your home page and click lists on the left sidebar.<.li>
2. Click the ignore-list tab.
3. Click delete next to the name of the person you'd like to remove from your ignore list.

Google Orkut Waiting to scrap

To help prevent scrapbook spam, we've implemented an automated system that requires members to wait for a few minutes before creating a fifth successive scrap for the same person. Don't worry. You'll be able to scribble in your friend's scrapbook again soon.

Google Orkut Missing scraps

If just a few of your scraps or testimonials seem to be missing, keep in mind that the authors of scraps and testimonials have the ability to delete them at any time.

Occasionally the number of scraps on your profile page is incorrect. This number doesn't change the actual content of your scrapbook. You can view all your scraps by visiting your scrapbook and browsing with the next and previous buttons.

Also, users sometimes claim to have hacked your account and deleted all your scraps. In most cases, this is merely a joke to make it appear that your scraps are gone when really the user has just added a scrap that causes several blank pages to appear in your scrapbook. You can always see your old scraps in your profile by clicking the next and last buttons on your scrapbook. Also, you may want to delete the hoax scrap.

We're always working to improve orkut for you, and fighting spam is one of our current projects. Please be aware that the number of scraps in your profile might decrease as a result of our recent spam cleansing efforts. We hope that you're as excited as we are to decrease the amount of spam on orkut.

One last thing: we know how important your scraps and testimonials are; however, we're unable to restore any deleted content in your profile.

Rich-content scraps in Google Orkut

If you're having problems with a rich-content scrap, read through the following errors and restrictions:

* If your scrap containing a Flash embed isn't appearing, the site you're trying to insert content from is blocked by orkut. You'll see the error message: This rich-content scrap wasn't posted.
* If only part of a scrap is showing, the content you're trying to add has been blocked by orkut. You might also be using a tag or code that isn't allowed. The rest of the scrap will appear normally.
* There's currently a 1024 character limit for scraps.
* You need to be friends with someone to send that person a rich-content scrap. The scrap tips box lists the options still available for scraps to people who aren't on your friends list.
* orkut accepts the following file formats for images: JPEG,GIF, PNG, or BMP.
* orkut converts new line characters into HTML '
' tags, which can break the look of pasted HTML


Legal/Removal information:

* Be sure that you have all the necessary legal rights to distribute any uploaded or embedded content, including the rights to any images, voices, or music being used. You're responsible for compliance with all applicable laws and regulations that govern your use of the content. orkut will remove scraps when notified of copyright violations.
* Scraps containing questionable content or third-party ads may be removed by the orkut team without advanced warning. All content posted on orkut needs to adhere to our Terms of Service.

Maps not appearing in Google Orkut

Reconfiguring the way your browser handles JavaScript may resolve this problem. If you're using Mac OS X or Windows with Mozilla Firefox 0.8+, Mozilla 1.4+, or Netscape 7.1+, just follow these steps:

1. Type about:config (without quotes) in the browser's address bar.
2. Type image (without quotes) in the Filter field.
3. Verify that dom.disable_image_src_set is set to FALSE.
4. Verify that network.image.imageBehavior is set to 0 (the default setting).

Please note that network.image.imageBehavior may appear as permissions.default.image for some browsers.

If you continue to experience difficulties, you may want to uninstall any programs or extensions that change the way your browser handles JavaScript. Other users have reported that these programs may affect one's ability to view the map display.

Difficulty uploading Google Orkut videos

If you're having difficulty making or uploading videos, please visit the YouTube Help Center for technical assistance.

Please note that these websites will also be directly handling any reports of abusive content and copyright issues.

Unable to view Google Orkut photos

If you're experiencing difficulty viewing images on orkut, check that you have images enabled in your browser.

To enable images in Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) 6:

1. Open IE and click on the Tools menu.
2. Select Internet Options.
3. Click on the Advanced tab if it isn't already selected.
4. Under the heading Multimedia, check Show pictures.
5. Click OK to exit.

To enable images in Mozilla Firefox 1.5+:

1. Open Firefox and click the Tools menu.
2. Select Options.
3. Click the Content tab.
4. Make sure the box next to Load Images is checked.
5. Click OK.

It's also possible your browser settings are configured to block images from our site. To make sure images aren't blocked in Mozilla Firefox, please follow the instructions below:

1. Click Tools > Options > Content.
2. Click on the Exceptions button to the right of Load Images.
3. Make sure images3.orkut.com and www.orkut.com aren't listed as blocked.
4. If the status of one of these pages is set to Block, select the site and click the Remove site button at the bottom-left corner of the page.
5. Click Close.
6. Click OK to exit.

Problems uploading Google Orkut photos

Recently we've been battling a number of problems related to uploading photos on orkut. We apologize for the inconvenience this is causing and assure you that we're working to resolve these problems.

Please note that when swapping one photo for another, you may not see the updated image for 48 hours. We appreciate your patience as we work to improve orkut.

Unable to vote Google Orkut poll

You won't be able to participate in a poll if it is already closed for voting. Also, you can only vote if poll participation isn't restricted to members only.

Disabling Google Orkut community messaging

If you're a community owner and would like to prohibit users from sending messages to the entire community, please follow these steps:

1. Go to the community homepage.
2. Click the edit profile button under the community image.
3. Find the messaging section and select the option 'off - do not allow members to send messages.'
4. Click the update button.

Note: Community owners will always have the ability to send messages to their communities regardless of the setting.