**Edit** Due to overwhelming amounts of spam, we have tightened up forum security so that you must be registered with the forum and logged on in order to post.
Registration also enables the more advanced functions of the forum.
To register: Click on the 'register' link at the top of the main forum window and fill in the form.
Once your registration has been approved you will be sent an email. When you get that, you can return to the forum and click the 'log in' text at the top of the window. Here you enter your user name and password, check the 'log me in automatically' box, and click 'submit'. Note that some people have reported that you have to log in twice before it works when using Internet Explorer. When you are successfully logged in, the text will change to read 'Log out [your name]'.
*** Also note that you do not need to log out when you leave the forum unless you are using a public computer ***. The forum stores a cookie on your machine, and will 'remember' you on your return and take you straight in without having to go through the log-in screen.
A more detailed tutorial on the registration process, with pictures, is available by clicking here.
A few words of advice if you are unfamiliar with this style of forum -
Making a post is very easy - to respond to an existing message, click on the 'post reply' button.
To start a new thread, click on the 'new topic' button.
When you have written your post, click the 'preview' button down below to see how your post will appear, and then the 'submit' button to actually post it.
A more detailed and illustrated explanation of the posting process is available here
When you check back into the forum, you can click on the line that says 'view new posts' at the top left, and it will show only the newest posts.
If you want to be notified when someone replies to your post, click the 'watch this topic for replies' text at the bottom left of the screen. You will be sent an email when someone responds.
There are many other options to experiment with; don't be afraid to try clicking on various things to see what happens - you can always return to the main index page by clicking on the line 'Board Index'.
One other thing that is probably worth mentioning - you can send private messages to people by using the 'pm' button to the right of their posts (just under the name). These messages are like internal emails and only the person concerned can view them. When someone sends you a PM you will be informed by email.
Registered forum members can also send an email to other forum members by clicking on the envelope icon just to the right of the PM button. This is the safest way to send an email to another forum member as the software handles the process without anyone's email address being revealed. Please do not put your email address directly into your posts unless you are prepared to be the recipient of much junk mail and spam; to do so makes your post a guaranteed target for spambots, who trawl forums looking for just such tasty titbits to harvest.
If you are having any trouble, try looking at the FAQ page (which can be quite helpful), or send an email to forum 'at' britishdowsers.org.
So let us hear from you, and most importantly - have fun!
Grahame Gardner
Forum Administrator
