Koukatsu

No, we do not have any off-site or on-site chat-servers, and have no plans to create them.
While we are now the best staffed we've ever been, an active chat would require it's own dedicated team to care and moderate it pretty much 24/7. Additionally, chats move so fast that misunderstandings arise easily, and as Ethan said, they can quickly become toxic, and that toxicity would pretty easily spread to the rest of the forums.

Yes, unfortunately, thanks to internet trolls and the like, we have to set some minor deterrents. It works pretty well.
Luckily, at the time of this response, you're a muffin! Congrats!
If you're curious about any other badges, and how to get them, you can look that up in this FAQ. c:

Thank you for the compliment. I'm going to make sure as much of the staff as possible find their way here. c:

"Bumping" by posting something non-constructive, such as "Bump," is not allowed. That said, we have no problem with necroposting in old threads, so long as what you're posting is adding something of value to the topic. Like, if this thread was four years old, and I added this post, it would be okay. :comeatus:

@@Pone; ; ;
I've merged your threads, because they're all regarding the same error.
 
The 500 errors, empty returns, and failed secure connections are all part of a single issue.
At this time, Tech is aware of the issue at hand, and is working on it as fast as they can.
They are hopeful that it will be fixed at some point today, but this is not a guarantee.
 
I am sorry for any inconvenience this is creating for all of you, but this should all be over relatively soon.
 

As @MLG4Ever & stated, to "join" a fan club, just post in it. Even though they're called clubs, they're not something you need to sign up for.
They're actually places for like-minded people to congregate, and talk about a common bond.

Given that most grimdark contains gore, generally detailed, I want to say "No."
That said, you can always try to post it, just make sure to check the "Wait for Approval" box on the post page.
This way, you can be told "Not okay" before it's posted, rather than get in trouble after the fact. 

;
On the user you want to talk to profile, go to "profile feed" (pictured below);

 
 
 
Then, you basically make a status update that's directed at them;

@@FlitterFlutter;
Please submit a support ticket on this issue, so we can get the tech team on this ASAP, thanks!

Hey, ;
We actually don't allow the sale of physical merch on MLPF, even if you're just linking to an offsite shop.
The only exception being physical commissions, like plushies and such, which are only on a "per approval" basis, rather than just setting up shop.

@@-ThunderChaser-;
There are a number of ways to insert an image into a post;
 
1. Using BBCode to add it through a URL;
[img=LINKHERE] 2. Using the "insert image" button to convert a link into an image;

 

 
 
 
3. You can attach them to a post;

 
 
 
4. You can also insert attachments into your post, instead of just tacking them all on to the end of it;

 

 

@@Shadowking58;
 
Regarding these answers, this is the button they're referring to:

 
 
 
Another good answer, and an alternative option.

@@Dsanders;
This is exactly the case. The Christmas Donations were related to helping a Children's Hospital, and earned the Christmas Donor status, where normal donations are used to help the site stay up and running, and are rewarded with the extra Avatar and Signature sizes.

, do you mean at the bottom of your profile? Like this?

 
If that IS the case, in your profile editor, where you set up that info, simply put JUST the username. EG, for Steam, I just put Koukatsu.
If you put in the full URL, it will actually double up when people click on it, and direct them to a non-existent page.

 
And the page that appears is like this;

 
This happens because the boxes you fill actually contain the link for that site, excluding your username. So basically, if you put just your username, it completes the puzzle, and the working link.
 
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@;
Could you put your steam name in your profile as mine is in mine, so I can take a look at what you mentioned via PM? I'm interested to see how it breaks, and try to figure out how to fix it!
 
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The original section of post DID resolve the issue, and this thread is now being locked. Glad I could help, BrightShine!

@;
Went ahead and moved your thread to a more appropriate forum, as well as found you an answer, bud.
 
Something you can do is locate your "Find Content" button on your own profile in the upper right corner:

 
You'll see a page link this:

 
On the left side menu, you should see pages. Click there, and you will find your characters. Link provided as well.
http://mlpforums.com/index.php?app=core&module=search&do=user_activity&search_app=ccs&mid=30638&userMode=all&sid=478bb7eac400eb4e2f19b0ab7a52e80c

Hey, @draconictome, I went ahead and moved this thread to "Site Questions".
 
As for an answer to your question, you're looking for Show Discussion, which is also broken up by season 1-4 subforums, and Sugarcube Corner, which includes chatter related to merchandise, comics, fan clubs and the like!
 
Also, a number of users post reviews and such as blog posts, so feel free to peruse them as well.
 
I hope that helps.

@;
This link may be useful for you.
If not, please let us know, thank you.

@@Sig Hoovestrong;
Hey bud, if you want to make any $$$ at all, even a little, you probably need to open shop in the Commissions forums. There's a pretty informative post by Spoon about making a commission shop, and how taking commissions through the site instead of direct helps the community a bit. In the Requests forum, even a little talk about monetary gain is bad. Hope this helps!