WHY CAN'T I "UNSUBSCRIBE" FROM NEWSLETTERS IN THE MANNER DESCRIBED ON YOUR SITE?
Newcity is very circumspect about not sending unwanted email to its users, and recently upgraded to a double verification system for our email registrations. But if you are receiving a newsletter that you no longer wish to receive, and can't make the process here work, it may be for several reasons. Our newsletter registration system only recognizes the email address you originally gave us, including the upper- or lower-case status of the characters you submit. Further, if you have multiple email accounts, and forward items sent from account to another, it is possible that you are actually subscribed under a different address than the one that is receiving the newsletter. If you can't seem to figure it out even after taking the above into question, email us an unsubscribe request and a description of the problem at the top of your copy of the newsletter in question, and we'll straighten it out. We apologize for any frustration on your part. (Back to top)


WHAT'S UP WITH THE NEW LOOK?
Hey, change is a good thing! While we're quite proud of the presence we've maintained on the web until now, we think you'll find our new layout and navigation make surfing Newcitychicago.com an easier and more intuitive process. Our new look and layout are also more in keeping with our fabulous sister site, Newcity.com, your gateway to Alternative America (if you enjoy Newcity, you owe it to yourself to check this site out!). (Back to top)

WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT IT?
In many ways, it's a whole new site beyond the stylish new look and improved navigation, we've beefed up our user features, offering free email and message boards to registered users (non-registered users can view the boards, but we have a feeling you'll want to join the conversation). More exciting additions are on the horizon, as well as a few surprises. (Back to top)

WHAT'S THE SAME?
While much has changed at Newcitychicago.com, many of the qualities that have kept visitors coming back to the site over the years are still there; visitors to our site can expect Newcity's time-tested combination of in-depth reporting, vivid profiles and sassy commentary on the issues that keep Chicago percolating. Combining attitude with substance, Newcitychicago.com will continue its existence as the collective urban diary (and tour guide) for the City on the Make. (Back to top)

WHAT'S NEXT?
In the coming weeks, visitors to Newcitychicago.com can look forward to the addition of more specials and user features as well as robust archive and search components. Users should also be on the lookout for more web-only content stories and coverage unavailable anywhere else. And as if that wasn't enough, we'll also be offering giveaways, contests and promotions galore. We'd like to hear from you, however, to see what you like, dislike, or would like to see on the site. Take a moment to email us and give us your take on the new Newcitychicago site. Or better yet, become a registered user and share your opinion with others on our message boards. (Back to top)

WHEN IS THE SITE UPDATED?
NewcityChicago is updated daily through the work week; a special weekend edition is published on Friday. Listings are updated late Wednesday night/early Thursday morning, and cover Thursday through the following Wednesday. Film listings are an exception, updated late Thursday evening, covering Friday through Thursday. (Back to top)

WHAT'S A SPECIAL?
Specials is a section devoted to semi-permanent features that we think are especially interesting or useful. (Back to top)

DO YOU HAVE A PRIVACY POLICY?
Yes. To read it, please click on the "privacy policy" link that resides on the bottom of every Newcitychicago.com page. (Back to top)

WHO PUTS THIS SITE TOGETHER, ANYWAY?
For information about the people behind Newcitychicago.com, please click on the "About Newcitychicago" link that resides at the bottom of every Newcitychicago.com page. (Back to top)

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE/CONNECTION BETWEEN NEWCITYCHICAGO.COM AND NEWCITY.COM?
Newcitychicago.com, the site you're at now, is the site of the alternative news and arts weekly Newcity Chicago. Newcity.com is your gateway to Alternative America, a portal site to the best of the nation's alternative press--including both sites of alternative weekly newspapers and edgy content-only sites. Newcity.com is brought to you by many of the same people who produce Newcity Chicago and its Newcitychicago.com site. Tying it all together is the fact that Newcitychicago.com is one of the dozens of city sites affiliated with Newcity.com. (Back to top)

HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR FREE EMAIL?
Near the top of every NewcityChicago.com page, you will find a "Mail" button sporting an envelope logo. To create a free email account, simply click on that button and select the "Register" option on the next screen you see. (You will also use this page to log into your Web email box once you become a registered user.) After reading and agreeing to the "Terms of Use" statement, click on the "I Accept" button at the bottom of the page. On the next screen, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire of required and optional information, and to select a user name. The user name will serve as your email address, as in username@newcity.com (it will also serve as your boards registration). Once you have completed this form, click on the "Register" button at the bottom of the page. If your requested user name is already taken, you will be asked to return to the previous page and select a new user name. Once you select a user name that is not already in use, you will be taken to a "Welcome" screen. It usually takes about a minute to set up your account, so take a quick break and then click the "Go to Mail" button at the bottom of the screen to try out the service. (Back to top)

HOW DO I CHECK MY EMAIL AND SEND MESSAGES FROM MY NEWCITYCHICAGO.COM ACCOUNT?
Near the top of every Newcitychicago.com page, you will find a "Mail" button sporting an envelope logo. Simply click on that button and enter your Newcity.com user name and password in the boxes under "Registered Users Sign-In" on the next screen you see. Then click on the "Enter" button. If you have correctly entered your user name and password, you should be taken to a page that says "Hi! Welcome back to Newcity.com." To check your mail, click on the "Go to Mail" button below the welcome message. (You can also access the Newcity.com discussion boards from this page by clicking on "Go to Boards." Another button on this page allows you to "Edit Your Profile." Click on that button and you will be able to change your password, as well as the registrant's name, Zip code and country of residence.) After clicking on "Go to Mail," you will be taken to a page that allows you to check your mail, send mail from the account, and personalize your account with email filters and address lists. There's also a "Help" link on this page that takes you step-by-step through all of these actions and more. (Back to top)

WHERE CAN I SOUND OFF?
We want your comments on the site, as well as its contents. Mail these to newcity@newcitynet.com. NOTE: This feature requires that you have your browser properly configured to handle email. Refer to your browser's help system or documentation. We also encourage you to join our discussion boards, where you can take part in conversations ranging in a wide array of topics including music, film, comix, technology, sex, and many others. (Back to top)

HOW DO I SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCUSSION BOARDS?
If you are signed up for Newcity.com email, you can use your account to access the boards as well. If you do not already have a Newcity.com account, follow these instructions. Near the top of every Newcitychicago.com page, you will find a "Boards" button sporting a logo of a pushpin sticking into a note. To create a free account, simply click on that button and select the "Register" option on the next screen you see. (You will also use this page to log into the boards once you become a registered user.) After reading and agreeing to the "Terms of Use" statement, click on the "I Accept" button at the bottom of the page. On the next screen, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire of required and optional information, and to select a user name, which will serve as your boards identification--and also as your email account if you wish to use it. Once you have completed this form, click on the "Register" button at the bottom of the page. If your requested user name is already taken, you will be asked to return to the previous page and select a new user name. Once you select a user name that is not already in use, you will be taken to a "Welcome" screen. It usually takes about a minute to set up your account, so take a quick break and then click the "Go to Boards" button at the bottom of the screen to try out the service. (Back to top)

HOW DO I GET BACK IN TO USE THE BOARDS?
Near the top of every Newcitychicago.com page, you will find a "Boards" button sporting a logo of a pushpin sticking into a note. Simply click on that button and enter your Newcity.com user name and password in the boxes under "Registered Users Sign-In" on the next screen you see. Then click on the "Enter" button. If you have correctly entered your user name and password, you should be taken to a page that says "Hi! Welcome back to Newcity.com." To log onto the discussion boards, click on the "Go to Boards" button below the welcome message. (You can also access your Newcity.com email account from this page by clicking on "Go to Mail." Another button on this page allows you to "Edit Your Profile." Click on that button and you will be able to change your password, as well as the registrant's name, Zip code and country of residence.) After clicking on "Go to Boards," you will be taken to a page that features a series of discussion folders. Click on the discussion folder you are interested in. You can simply read the postings if you wish, but logged-in users can also post new messages and even create new discussions inside the main folders by following the instructions posted on the boards pages. (Back to top)

WHAT CAN I DO IF I LOSE MY PASSWORD?
At this time Newcity.com mail does not offer automated password retrieval. A planned upgrade to our login system will offer such. In the meantime, you can email your password request to postmaster@newcity.com. Since we strive to keep passwords personal, we cannot provide your actual existing password. Instead, upon verification of some additional account information (just making sure you're who you say you are), we will reset the password so that you may access your account. Once you've logged back into your account, select the "Edit Your Profile" option and change your password to a private access code of your choice. (Back to top)

DO I HAVE TO REGISTER TO READ THE DISCUSSION BOARDS?
No. You can read the boards simply by clicking on the "Boards" button sporting a logo of a pushpin sticking into a note that appears at the top of every Newcitychicago.com page. (Back to top)

I'M LOOKING FOR A SITE LIKE THIS IN ANOTHER CITY. HOW CAN I FIND ONE?
Newcitychicago.com is the Chicago affiliate of Newcity.com, America's Alternative web network. Visit the network and you'll find your way to other sites like this around the country. (Back to top)

If you have a question not currently answered by this FAQ, please email it to us here and we will consider it for inclusion.