| Using the forum |
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What are the forum rules? The forum rules are posted on the forum. You can find them here. Back to top |
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Why can't I get advice about my caring situation on this forum? It is important to distinguish between people giving you the benefit of their experience and people giving you proper advice. Whilst it is useful for carers to share the benefit of their own experiences on the forum, all opinions expressed must be taken as that - opinions. The forum is not a substitute for proper advice giving. Everyone's situation is different and the law is complicated. That's why good quality and accurate advice depends on getting a full picture of your personal circumstances and Carers UK cannot do this on the forum. There is a wide range of information and advice on all kinds of issues to do with caring at www.carersuk.org/Information including a list of organisations that can help carers under the Finding Help section. And a list of leaflets and booklets under the order publications section. Alternatively you can call Carers UK\'s freephone advice line - CarersLine. It is open on Wednesday and Thursday each week between 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm. Telephone 0808 808 7777. Back to top |
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I don't understand all the jargon - what are threads, posts and spamming? We try to make sure that people don't exclude others by using jargon but it's the way of the internet. To help you get up to speed here are a few words you may come across when using the forum. - Message Board or Forum : This refers to a part of a website where users can post messages and start topics of conversation. - Thread or Topic : This refers to a specific topic of conversation that is conducted in a forum. Anyone can start a thread or contribute to one. - Post or message : These are the individual messages written by people that make up a thread or topic. - Poster : This means someone who uses or 'posts' on a message board. Also called a forum user or board user. - Spamming : On a Message Board this refers to posting identical or similar posts on different threads. This is annoying to readers. But sometimes a post is relevant on two or more threads: in this case, make your post on the most relevant thread, and post short links to it on the other threads. Back to top |
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What is Flaming? A Flame is an insulting criticism or remark meant to incite anger in other board users. Perfectly amiable board users can sometimes find themselves losing their tempers with other members. The written word isn't always the best way to convey meaning. For example sarcasm or sense of humour doesn't always translate well on the forum. If you find yourself angered or annoyed by a post, take time to read your response before you post it. Ask yourself is your response reasonable or will it make things worse? If you think another board member has broken the rules please report it to forum@carersuk.org Back to top |
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What are Moderators? Moderators are individuals (or groups of individuals) whose job it is to look after the running of the forums from day to day. They have the power to edit or delete posts and lock, unlock, move, delete and split topics in the forum they moderate. Generally moderators are there to prevent people going off-topic or posting abusive or offensive material. Back to top |
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| Login and Registration Issues |
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How do I register? Follow the link marked register and complete the form. You must be over 18 and you must agree to follow the forum rules. Registration is quick and easy, once you have filled in the form you will be sent an email. You must follow the link in the email to activate your registration. Back to top |
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Why do I get logged off automatically? If you do not check the Log me in automatically box when you log in, the board will only keep you logged in for a preset time. This prevents misuse of your account by anyone else. To stay logged in, check the box during login. This is not recommended if you access the board from a shared computer, e.g. library, internet cafe, university cluster, etc. Back to top |
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How do I prevent my username from appearing in the online user listings? In your profile you will find an option Hide your online status; if you switch this on you'll only appear to board administrators or to yourself. You will be counted as a hidden user. Back to top |
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I've lost my password! Don't panic! While your password cannot be retrieved it can be reset. To do this go to the login page and click I've forgotten my password. Follow the instructions and you should be back online in no time. Back to top |
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I registered but cannot log in! First check that you are entering the correct username and password. Maybe your account need activating. When you registered you were sent an email to activate your account; if you did not receive the email then check that your email address is valid. One reason activation is used is to reduce the possibility of rogue users abusing the board anonymously. If you are sure the email address you used is valid then email forum@carersuk.org Back to top |
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| User Preferences and settings |
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How do I change my settings? All your settings (if you are registered) are stored in the database. To alter them click the Profile link at the top of page. This will allow you to change all your settings. Back to top |
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How do I show an image below my username? An image displayed below the username when viewing posts is known as an avatar. There are rules attached to the use of avatars. - Your image must be 80x80 pixels - It must not be offensive. Carers UK reserves the right to remove any avatar which other people may find offensive. - You cannot upload your avatar directly to this board. Therefore you must link to an image stored on a publicly accessible web server. You cannot link to pictures stored on your own PC. If you do not have a website there are many sites that allow you to upload pictures for free such as www.flickr.com To link to your avatar follow the instructions in the profile panel. Back to top |
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| Posting Issues |
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How do I post a topic in a forum? Easy -- click the relevant button on either the forum or topic screens. You need to register before you can post a message. The facilities available to you are listed at the bottom of the forum and topic screens Back to top |
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How do I edit or delete a post? Unless you are the board administrator or a forum moderator you can only edit or delete your own posts. You can edit a post by clicking the edit button for the relevant post. If someone has already replied to the post, you will find a small piece of text output below the post when you return to the topic that lists the number of times you edited it. Please note that you cannot delete a post once someone has replied. Back to top |
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| Formatting and Topic Types |
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What is BBCode? BBCode is a way of editing your posts to the forum to use things like bold, underline or italics. You can disable it on a per post basis from the posting form. Whether you can use BBCode is determined by Carers UK. Where possible you should try not to overuse features such as bold or colours as it can make it hard for other users to read your posts. For more information on BBCode see the guide which can be accessed from the posting page. Back to top |
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What are Smileys? Smileys, or Emoticons, are small graphical images which can be used to express some feeling using a short code, e.g. :) means happy, :( means sad. The full list of emoticons can be seen via the posting form. Try not to overuse smileys, though, as they can quickly render a post unreadable and a moderator may decide to edit them out or remove the post altogether. Back to top |
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Can I post Images? We do not allow images to be shown in your posts. This is to ensure the board is kept tidy and easy to read for everyone. If you have a photo you want to share with other forum users we recommend you upload to an image website and then share the link with others. There are many sites that allow you to upload pictures for free such as www.flickr.com Back to top |
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What are Announcements? Announcements often contain important information from Carers UK and you should read them as soon as possible. Announcements appear at the top of every page in the forum to which they are posted. Back to top |
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What are Sticky topics? Sticky topics appear below any announcements in view forum and only on the first page. They are often quite important so you should read them where possible. Back to top |
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What are Locked topics? Locked topics are set this way by either the forum moderator or board administrator. You cannot reply to locked topics and any poll contained inside is automatically ended. Topics may be locked for many reasons. Back to top |
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| Private Messaging |
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What is Private Messaging? When you register to use the forum you are given a private message account. This allows you to contact other forum users in privacy away from the main topics. It works like an email but means you do not have to share your own personal email address with others. Back to top |
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I cannot send private messages! There are three reasons for this; you are not registered and/or not logged on, the board administrator has disabled private messaging for the entire board, or the board administrator has prevented you individually from sending messages. Back to top |
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I keep getting unwanted private messages! If you keep receiving unwanted private messages from someone, contact forum@carersuk.org. Back to top |
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I have received a spamming or abusive email from someone on this board! We are sorry to hear that. You should email forum@carersuk.org with a full copy of the email you received and it is very important this include the headers (these list details of the user that sent the email). They can then take action. Back to top |
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| phpBB 2 Issues |
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Who wrote the software for this bulletin board? The software (in its unmodified form) used to make the board is produced, released and is copyrighted phpBB Group. It is made available under the GNU General Public License and may be freely distributed; see link for more details Back to top |
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Whom do I contact about abusive and/or legal matters related to this board? You should contact forum@carersuk.org Please note that phpBB Group has absolutely no control and cannot in any way be held liable over how, where or by whom this board is used. It is absolutely pointless contacting phpBB Group in relation to any legal (cease and desist, liable, defamatory comment, etc.) matter not directly related to the phpbb.com website or the discrete software of phpBB itself. If you do email phpBB Group about any third party use of this software then you should expect a terse response or no response at all Back to top |
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