DBC Members' Forum · Added 27 June 2008

This website now boasts its own discussion forum.  The Durham Bird Club Members' Forum can be accessed via the 'Forum' option at the bottom of the left-hand side navigation menu.  Please read the user agreement carefully when registering: this is not just a formality.  Please also read through the rest of this posting.

As its name implies, the DBC Members' Forum is intended to be for the use of DBC members only.  In fact, the forum is designed to be hidden from internet users in general, being visible only to those who have the current DBC members' password.  This is to encourage members to post, as many will feel more comfortable taking part in a discussion which is visible just to fellow club members, rather than to the entire world. 

For this reason members are kindly asked not to share the current members' password with non-members, or to publicise it in any way. 

If you are not a member of the Durham Bird Club, first remember that you are welcome to join.  Second, there is still a discussion on the birds of County Durham which is visible to everyone, and to which anyone can contribute.  This is the 'Durham Birding' thread on the BirdForum website. 

To those who are able to access the DBC Members' Forum: you should find it very easy to use.  You can browse the forum and read other members' messages without registering, but if you want to post a message you will have to register.  To do this click the 'Register' tab which can be found at the top of every page.  You will then be asked to choose a user ID, displayed name and password.  You must also read the user agreement carefully and agree to it. 

The forum software also allows you to send personal messages (PMs) to other registered users of the forum.  These messages are private in the sense that they are normally only seen by the intended recipient, although they are potentially also visible to forum staff.  They are similar to e-mails but, as the personal message system is entirely contained within the forum software, e-mail addresses are not needed. 

If at any point you need help on using the forum, click the 'Help' tab and read the information which is presented. 

Finally and most importantly: please remember that other members are currently volunteering their time and effort to administer and moderate this forum, free of charge.  Please don't even think about causing these members extra work and worry by trying to use the forum to attack other individuals or pursue personal vendettas.  If you do this, we may well decide that it is not worth the effort.  End result: no forum!