Community guidelines

Be nice – help build your community

• Be kind to each other - many people using the forum are going through a difficult time. A few kind words can go a long way. Please welcome new posters – it can be very nerve-wracking to post on the forum for the first time.
   
• Speak your mind freely, but please be sensitive to the feelings and opinions of others - you might not always agree, but you can agree to disagree in a peaceful manner.
   
• Don’t feed the trolls - some people enjoy getting a reaction, and post nasty comments just to provoke a response. The best way to deal with this is to report it, then ignore it.
   
• Don’t use bad language - if a user is found to be swearing during their conversations the moderators reserve the right to edit the thread, without warning. At no point is swearing or inappropriate word usage allowed on the forum.
   
• Don’t use all capital letters in your posts - it’s considered ‘shouting’ online and it makes posts difficult to read.
   
• If you feel that someone has insulted you, report their comment to the moderator - don't perpetuate the dispute. The moderator will take a look at the offending comment and decide whether it should be removed.
   
• Give each other the benefit of the doubt - please remember that it is all too easy for the tone and meaning of posts to be misinterpreted. Think carefully before replying to a discussion. Likewise it is important to remember that things written rather than said can feel much stronger, so please bear this in mind when reading other people’s messages.
   
• Please respect the moderators - their job is to keep the forum safe and constructive so that everybody gets to have his or her fair say.

Be effective – use your community in the right way

• Choose most appropriate topic area for your discussion – you can select topic areas from the menu.
   
• Stay on topic - try to focus on the original topic. In particular, don't change subject in the middle of an existing thread - just start a new thread.
   
• Don't start a new topic if your post relates to an existing one - reply to the existing thread instead. Make sure you reply to the appropriate post, not just the last post in the thread.
   
• Make your thread’s subject line clear and informative - it makes the post easier to find.
   
• Please try not to use abbreviations or ‘text speak’ - it can be difficult to read and some people might not understand you. This may cause a member to take unintentional offence, or feel excluded from the forum
   
• Please try to use correct punctuation in your posts – long sentences with no commas or full stops can be confusing and difficult to read.
   
• Please post in English - while we welcome people of all nationalities, we would ask you to please post comments in English.
   
• Provide as much information as possible when asking a question - for example; what you've already considered and where you've already read.
   
• Read what's already on the forum before posting - you may be repeating what others have already said or asked.