Overview

The forums are found within the Members Only area.  Selecting this option brings up a page that looks quite different to the others on the website.  Here there are three sections, which contain Member Sales, Member Wants and Member Questions.  All three sections work in exactly the same way.

Reading the Forums

To view any of the sections click on the name of the section at the left hand side of the page.  A list of all of the topics within that section will then appear, although only 10 topics per page are shown so there may be other pages of topics to view as well.  To view other pages use either the numbers or directions at the bottom right hand side of the screen.

To view a particular topic click on the name of the topic at the left hand side of the page.  The original information will be shown, followed by any replies.  If there is a picture attached to the topic a folder icon will be shown at the bottom of the information with the name of the picture next to it.  To view this click on the folder or the name (it may take a little while to load so be patient) the picture will load up in the default picture viewer of the computer.

To view the next topic either use the red arrows at the bottom of the information or click on the section name at the top or bottom of the information to get back to the list of all topics.  To switch sections click on “Discussions” at the top or bottom of the information to get back to the list of all sections.

When looking at the list of all topics it is possible to tell which topics have been viewed and which either have new information or are unread topics by looking at the folder icon at the left hand side of the name of the topic.  It will have a yellow star and the text will be in bold if there is new information or if it is an unread topic, otherwise it has been read.

Writing to the Forums

To reply to a particular topic open the topic for viewing as above.  Just above the information are two buttons; “Quote” and “Reply”.  Clicking on “Quote” (preferable) will open up a new page with the original information already in a text box so that to quote from it is easy.  Clicking on “Reply” will open up a new page with a blank text box.  In either case put a message in the box, formatting it as required using the buttons at the top of the box.

"If an attachment is needed (such as a picture), look for a link called "Upload New File".  It should be found in the block below the message you've just typed and just below a drop-down menu with "<None Specified>" as the selected option.  Click on that link ("Upload New File") and a "Browse" button will appear.  Click on that button and select the file you wish to attach to your message.  Once you have done that click "Upload Selected File" and complete the message by clicking the "Update" link at the bottom as normal"

To be emailed when there is a reply to the message click in the “Notification” box to get a tick to appear.

When the message is ready it is possible to preview it to check that it looks alright by clicking on the “Preview” button.  To return from previewing to edit the message again click on “Cancel”.  Clicking on “Update” at either point sends the message.  The messages in the forum are moderated, which means that they do not immediately appear on the forums, but have to wait to be approved by an authorised person (currently either David Boyde or Beth Jenkins).  This prevents undesirable messages from appearing.  There is no need to do anything in order to inform the moderators that a message is waiting as this is done automatically.  An email will be sent when the message has been processed.  To return to the forums click on “Return to Forums”.

To start a new topic open the section that the topic belongs in then click on the “New Thread” button at the top right hand side (this button can also be found when reading a particular topic).  This will bring up a blank text box, identical to that displayed for reply as above.  The only difference is that a name for the topic will need to be entered. 

Other Facilities

To receive an email when replies appear for a particular topic open the topic as above.  At the bottom right hand side is an envelope icon with “Email me when this topic [topic name] has replies” next to it.  Click in the box next to this to put a tick in it to receive emails.  To stop emails for a particular topic open the topic as above then click in the same box to remove the tick.  The page refreshes on either action.