FAQ

How sign-in, storage quotas, the encryption vault, and sharing work on THOTBB storage.

Getting started

Who can use storage?: THOTBB forum members who are allowed by the site’s usergroup rules. Sign in with the same username (or email) and password you use on the forum.
What can I upload?: Files of any common type, including images, video, audio, and documents. Large files upload in chunks so a dropped connection can be resumed. Your account has a storage quota, shown as the liquid level at the bottom of the screen.

How much space do I get?: Quota follows your highest forum usergroup: Members — 20 GB; Contributor, Legend — 50 GB; Infinity, Nova, Administrative — 100 GB. Your current allowance is the liquid pool at the bottom of the drive.
Can I get more storage?: Yes. If you need more than your tier allows, use Request more storage (footer or when your pool is nearly full) and staff can raise your limit.

What is the vault?: A passphrase you choose that unlocks encryption on this device. New uploads are encrypted in your browser before they leave your computer. The server stores scrambled data and never receives your passphrase or the raw keys that open your files.
Do I have to use the vault?: Yes for new uploads. Create a vault the first time you are asked, then unlock it when you return. Use Unlock vault / Lock vault in the header.
Where is my passphrase stored?: Only in your head (and whatever password manager you use). After you unlock, the derived key stays in this browser tab’s memory until you lock the vault or close the tab. It is never sent to THOTBB storage or the forum.
What if I forget my vault passphrase?: Encrypted files cannot be recovered. There is no reset email and no admin backdoor. Choose a passphrase you will remember, or save it in a password manager.
Is my filename encrypted too?: File contents are end-to-end encrypted. Names and types are kept so your drive and share pages stay usable. Treat names as visible metadata.

How do share links work?: Every file and folder gets a private link. By default only signed-in THOTBB members can open them. You can also add a password, limit which forum usergroups may open the link, or set an expiry on a file link.
Why does my share link have #k=… at the end?: That fragment is the decryption key for an encrypted file. Browsers do not send it to the server. Copy the full link, including the # part, or people will see ciphertext they cannot open. If you set a share password instead, visitors use that password and the #k= piece is not required.
Can someone with the link decrypt my file on the server?: No. Opening the link still goes through access checks (sign-in, groups, password, expiry). Decryption happens only in the visitor’s browser, using the key in the link or the share password.
What does “Who can open” mean?: You can restrict a share to selected forum usergroups. Leave every group unchecked so any signed-in member can open it (subject to site-wide rules).

How do I watch videos or see images?: Open a file in your drive or via a share link. Encrypted media is decrypted in the browser, then played or shown as usual. Previews for encrypted images are made on your device when you upload.
Who can see my files?: You, people you share links with (under the rules you set), and storage admins for access control—not for reading encrypted contents. Staff cannot decrypt vault-protected files.
Are downloads and views counted?: Yes, for people who are not the owner. Counts appear in the file panel so you can see how often a share was opened or downloaded.