diff --git a/config.toml.example b/config.toml.example
index 22fbc74..43dfd12 100644
--- a/config.toml.example
+++ b/config.toml.example
@@ -13,6 +13,14 @@
 # leaving blank will disable this
 append_path = ""
 
+[formatting]
+# whether to format dates as relative or absolute
+# "relative" = relative, "absolute" = absolute
+# do note that absolute times can result in uglier
+# times due to colons being forbiddne in certain
+# spots
+date = "relative"
+
 [accounts]
 # allow new accounts to be created
 allow_registration = true
@@ -30,4 +38,12 @@ allow_demon_votes = true
 # will go from NA to the average
 min_votes = 10
 # same as above, but for demon ratings
-min_demon_votes = 10
\ No newline at end of file
+min_demon_votes = 10
+
+[levels]
+# prevent users from deleting their own levels
+# if they are rated
+prevent_deletion_rated = true
+# prevent users from deleting their own levels
+# if they are featured
+prevent_deletion_featured = true
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/endpoints/levels/levelScores.cr b/src/endpoints/levels/levelScores.cr
index 7b3417a..e9d2f51 100644
--- a/src/endpoints/levels/levelScores.cr
+++ b/src/endpoints/levels/levelScores.cr
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ CrystalGauntlet.endpoints["/getGJLevelScores211.php"] = ->(body : String): Strin
       3 => percent,
       6 => i,
       13 => coins,
-      42 => Format.fmt_timespan(Time.utc - Time.parse(set_at, Format::TIME_FORMAT, Time::Location::UTC))
+      42 => Time.parse(set_at, Format::TIME_FORMAT, Time::Location::UTC)
     })
   end
 
diff --git a/src/endpoints/users/getProfileComments.cr b/src/endpoints/users/getProfileComments.cr
index ad4bd18..be8bbea 100644
--- a/src/endpoints/users/getProfileComments.cr
+++ b/src/endpoints/users/getProfileComments.cr
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ CrystalGauntlet.endpoints["/getGJAccountComments20.php"] = ->(body : String): St
         4 => likes,
         5 => 0,
         7 => likes < -3, # todo: config?
-        #9 => Format.fmt_timespan(Time.utc - Time.parse(created_at, Format::TIME_FORMAT, Time::Location::UTC)),
+        9 => Time.parse(created_at, Format::TIME_FORMAT, Time::Location::UTC),
         6 => id
       })
     end
diff --git a/src/lib/format.cr b/src/lib/format.cr
index e5b4d16..7301594 100644
--- a/src/lib/format.cr
+++ b/src/lib/format.cr
@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@ module CrystalGauntlet::Format
   extend self
 
   TIME_FORMAT = "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S"
+  # used when sending back to the client as an absolute date
+  TIME_FORMAT_GD_FRIENDLY = "%d/%m/%Y %H.%M"
+  # safe to send back in comments
+  TIME_FORMAT_USER_FRIENDLY = "%d/%m/%Y %H:%M"
 
   def fmt_timespan(s : Time::Span) : String
     seconds = s.total_seconds.floor()
@@ -26,14 +30,24 @@ module CrystalGauntlet::Format
     end
   end
 
-  def fmt_value(v) : String
+  def fmt_time(s : Time, colon_safe=false) : String
+    s.to_s(colon_safe ? TIME_FORMAT_USER_FRIENDLY : TIME_FORMAT_GD_FRIENDLY)
+  end
+
+  def fmt_value(v, colon_safe=false) : String
     case v
     when Bool
       v ? "1" : "0"
     when String
       v
     when Time::Span
-      fmt_span(v)
+      fmt_timespan(v)
+    when Time
+      if config_get("formatting.date") == "relative"
+        fmt_timespan(Time.utc - v)
+      else
+        fmt_time(v, colon_safe)
+      end
     else
       v.to_s
     end
@@ -44,11 +58,11 @@ module CrystalGauntlet::Format
   end
 
   def fmt_song(hash) : String
-    hash.map_with_index{ |(i, v)| "#{i}~|~#{fmt_value(v)}" }.join("~|~")
+    hash.map_with_index{ |(i, v)| "#{i}~|~#{fmt_value(v, true)}" }.join("~|~")
   end
 
   def fmt_comment(hash) : String
-    hash.map_with_index{ |(i, v)| "#{i}~#{fmt_value(v)}" }.join("~")
+    hash.map_with_index{ |(i, v)| "#{i}~#{fmt_value(v, true)}" }.join("~")
   end
 end