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Forums

What is a forum?

A forum is an area where people can post thoughts or ideas about common areas of interest online. Other people can then reply to these posts, creating message ‘threads’. Sometimes forums are known as messageboards.

How can I stay safe online?

We’ve got lots of safety information to help you. Just click on one of these links below:
- Forums guidelines
- Online safety advice

How do I report an abusive message?

If you feel a post is abusive, contains profanity, or is generally racist, homophobic or offensive you can report this by clicking on the Options menu at the bottom of the message and selecting Report Violation. Every post has one of these links, so make sure that you click on the right post! 

You'll then be taken to another screen with a form to fill in. Please do take the time to read the text at the top of the screen, as this will give you information on how to use the 'Ignore' feature on Forums.  Select a reason for your abuse report from the drop-down menu, and then fill in the larger box with your complaint about the post.  For further details about reporting abuse, visit our abuse page.

Can I read messages in Forums without registering?

Yes, you can browse through the Forums as much as you like. If you want to join in, though, you’ll have to register.

Can I change my password?

Yes. Login as normal and then click the ‘My Stuff’ option in the top right-hand corner of the screen. Select ‘Preferences’ and click on the ‘Want to change your password?’ link at the top of the list. Enter your current password, then enter a new password and retype to confirm.  Finally, click the ‘Submit’ button and your password will have been changed.

I updated my email address, but the old one still shows on my login page

The old address is written in your browser's local cookie, which is why it still appears. If you can't delete what is there and replace it with the new address, try using the Other account link that appears on the login screen. This will reload the login screen and let you type in a new account name. Don’t forget - you can login with the same Nickname all the time, regardless of how often you change your email address.

When I try to update my email address, it says that the new address is already in use

You probably have another Forums account that has that email address attached to it. To update your email address on Forums, you must specify an address that is not already in use for another Forums account. Even if you are no longer using the other account, or you have cancelled it, it would not be purged from our system. If you want to use an email address on one account that is already in use on another account, you'll need to login to the other account and change that account's email address to something else, to do this go to your profile settings and click my preferences. Then log out, log back in to the first account, and make the changes you want. Unfortunately, there's no easier way to swap account information - choose carefully when changing your account status and specifying an email address.

I want to login to Forums with another account but can't get the name on the login screen

To access Forums using a Nickname that does not already appear on your Nickname or Email Address drop-down, delete the information that is there and replace it with the account information you wish to use.
If that’s not possible, use the Other account link to fill in the Nickname or Email address that you wish to use, and enter the corresponding Password. After logging in, subsequent visits to Forums will include that new login information in the drop-down list.

How do I cancel my account?

Please contact us if you want to disable your forums account.

Do people have to become members of Forums to take part in them?

Yes. You only have to register once and it only takes a minute to complete. After that you need only log in with your Nickname and Password when you visit. You can even save your Password on the login screen, so you don't need to type it in each time.

I forgot my password. What do I do?

If you've forgotten or lost the password to login with your Nickname, just click the Forgot password link on the login screen. A new one will be emailed to the address on record for the Nickname. You can then change it to something else after logging in with the new password.

The Forgot Password link doesn't work and I haven't received the new password. What do I do now?

If you have allowed a full 24 hours for a new password and it hasn’t arrived, go to Member Services with a temporarily created Nickname to seek more direct help.