What is a forum?
In simple terms it’s a system of sharing and discussing information in “threads” or topics. These threads cover 1 particular topic of discussion and there can be many threads in a single forum section all under a similar topic.
So for example: In the “Community discussion” Forum section there are many threads regarding eating and drinking in and around the village all contained in the “Food and drink” sub-section.
That probably sounds far more complicated than it really is. If you start at the board index you’ll soon see how the forum is organised and if you ever get lost simply click the "board index" link at the top of the page to start at the beginning again.
What is the Portal?
Forums can be a little overwhelming for new members so we’ve installed what is known as a “Portal”. This is simply an overview of the latest posts made around the different forum sections and also a collection of general information which can be useful when returning to the site. The portal also allows the administrators to highlight certain posts as Announcements. These will always be listed at the top of the portal.
You can return to the portal at any time by clicking the “Portal” link at the top of any thread/forum section.
How do I start (or post) a discussion or “Thread”?
As a member you’re welcome to start a discussion about any topic relevant to your fellow residents. To do so start at the forum “Board index” and find the section of the site which most suits the topic of the thread you wish to post. Click that section to list its current content and then simply click the “New Topic” button.
You then simply need to enter a title for your thread (this will be listed in the forum) and the main subject you wish to discuss.
Note: You will ONLY be able to write a new topic if you are a registered, and signed in, member.
How do I reply to a thread?
In the same way as posting a new thread, find the comment you wish to reply to and do one of the following:
- Click the “Post Reply” button at the bottom of the page.
- Click the “Quote” button to the right of a particular comment you wish to reply to. Clicking quote will automatically include the text written by the other member, simply add your comment to the bottom of this section.
How will I know when someone has responded to my comments?
When someone replies to either your thread OR a thread in which you have previously posted you will receive an email from admin@hiltonvillage.co.uk notifying you of this. You can either click the link in the email or simply come back to the forum.
Can I edit my post?
If you've made a mistake or wish to change a post which you have already made simply click the "Edit" button above your post. You can then edit the text as though you were posting again and it will be updated once you click "Submit"
Someone has posted something which I find offensive, what can I do?
The forum is here for the enjoyment of all and we will rigorously enforce the rules all members agreed to when signing up. This includes the posting of information which could be considered offensive or defamatory to another member.
If you find anything on the forum unsavoury simply click the Exclamation mark (!) button above that post. This will allow you to report the post to the team of moderators who will then take any necessary action. Reports of this nature are anonymous.
Can I include links to other sites in my posts?
Yes, simply click the URL button above the editing section of your post. This will add URL tags to your text, simply add the link between these two tags (each tag is contained by square brackets [])
Can I include photos in my post?
If you want to show photos on the forum there are 2 options:
1) Use the uploader at the bottom of the post window.
If you click the "Upload attachment" tab bellow your post and then "Browse" this will allow you to find the photo you want to include in the post. Clicking "Add file" then associates it with your post. In this status it will be viewable as a link at the bottom of the post. However, to see the picture in the post click "Place inline". This inserts the image into the post at the current cursor position.
2) The other (and I think much better option) is to simply keep all your photos on one of the many storage systems such as Flickr, and then link to them here.
When you make a post you'll notice that there's a "Img" tag above it. clicking this adds the tags to the message which allow you to insert and image from anywhere else. Simply put the http://blahblahblah between the two Img tags and you're done!
The code should look something like this:
- Code: Select all
[Img]http://blahblahblah[/Img]
If you have any further questions please feel free to contact the forum administrator via: admin@hiltonvillage.co.uk or have a read through the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section of the site.
