Using the Rarer Cancer message boards

Guidelines for using the Rarer Cancers Forum message boards.

Welcome!

Welcome to 'Message boards' - a place where you can have your say and discuss issues that concern you.  If you're a first-time visitor to this part of the website, we suggest you read through the following explanation of message boards and how to use them.

Structure

This part of the website is structured in such a way that all the contributions submitted can be organised or 'filed' so that they are easy to view.  The components of the structure are: message boards, discussion groups, topics and posts.  Let's look at each of these.

Message boards

A message board is a main content area.  Currently there are six message boards.  If you click on 'Message boards' you will see the six message boards in black letters:

• Our website
• Long term issues
• Networking
• Sharing facts and information
• Sharing your experiences
• Supporting the Rarer Cancers Forum

Discussion groups

The subject matter of message boards is divided into smaller content areas called 'discussion groups'.  For example, within the message board 'Sharing facts and information' you'll see there are two discussion groups in blue letters:

• Benefits and services
• Health insurance

Topics

A topic is a theme or thread within a discussion group.  For example, within the discussion group 'Alternative therapies', there could be several topics or threads each focused on a particular therapy.

Posts

Posts are contributions to topics - they're where you have your say!

Registering

Anyone visiting the website can read messages but if you want to contribute a post you need to register.  You only have to do this once.  Click on 'Register' in the right margin.  A Registration page will appear. Complete the boxes.  The signature is the name that will appear with your post. Don't forget to click on 'terms and conditions' and read them.  Then click 'Register'.  You'll be sent an email that confirms your username and gives you a temporary password.  You can keep this as you permanent password if you wish, but if you want something easier to remember, you can click on the link in the email and change your password.

Please note that registering for the Message Boards is not the same as joining the Rarer Cancers Forum charity.  If you'd like to join the RCF (and we hope you do!) just click here

Logging in

Each time you want to submit a post you need to log in.  Click on 'Log in' in right margin and type in your username and password.  Then click 'Log in'.
(If you haven't already registered you can click on the link 'Register'). If you've forgotten your password, you can request a new password.

Replying to a post

In order to reply to a post you need to be registered.  Then click on the title of the topic you're interested in. At the top of the next page click 'Add Topic Response'.  Type your post and, if you wish, preview it before clicking 'Add'.

Adding a new topic

In order to add a new topic you need to be registered.  Then click on the discussion group you're interested in.  At the top of the next page click 'Add New Topic'.  Before adding a new topic make sure you're not repeating an existing topic.

Alternatively, you can scroll to the bottom of the page, complete the 'Add Reply' box and click 'Add'.

At the top right of each individual post, you'll see a 'Reply with Quote' button.  If you click on this, the post to which you're replying will appear in your reply box.  You will then have the original post in front of you as you type your reply.

Subscribing to a discussion group or a topic

If you subscribe to a discussion group you will be notified by email every time someone adds a new topic to that discussion group.  If you subscribe to a topic, you will be notified by email every time someone adds a new post to that topic. Before you can subscribe you need to be registered.

In order to subscribe to a discussion group, click on the discussion group you're interested in.  Then at the top of the topic page click 'Subscribe to this Discussion Group'.

In order to subscribe to a topic, click on the topic you're interested in.  Then at the top of the page click 'Subscribe to this Topic'.

Unsubscribing to a discussion group or a topic

If you no longer wish to be notified by email every time someone adds a new topic to a discussion group, you need to 'unsubscribe' from that discussion group.  If you no longer wish to be notified by email every time someone adds a new post to a topic, you need to 'unsubscribe' from that topic.

In order to unsubscribe to a discussion group, click on the discussion group you're interested in.  Then at the top of the topic page click 'Unsubscribe to this Discussion Group'.

In order to unsubscribe to a topic, click on the topic you're interested in.  Then at the top of the page click 'Unsubscribe to this Topic'.

Writing posts

Choose the most appropriate discussion group and topic for your message.  Keep your post short.  If you start a new topic, choose a snappy title that lets other people know what it's about!

Language of message boards

If you haven't used message boards much you may not be familiar with some of the abbreviations used by some people. 

Here are a few examples:

IMO = in my opinion
BRB = be right back
OIC = oh, I see

Other facilities

Private messages

Each registered user has a postbox which can be used to send and receive private messages.  Click on 'Private Messages' in the right margin.  You have a limited quota of capacity in your postbox so keep an eye on your quota and delete (trash) items that you don't need any more.

There are two ways of sending a private message:
Click  'Compose New' and in the 'To' box type in the membername of the recipient.  Then complete the title and message boxes and click 'Send'.

If you want to send a private message to someone who has submitted a post on a topic, go to the topic and click on the name of the person who contributed the post.  This will open up the 'Compose New Message' page in your postbox.

My details

In the right margin under 'My Details' (once you've logged in) you'll see a summary of your details, including the discussion groups and topics to which you are currently subscribed.  You can use 'My Details' to change your password, email address, city/town (location) or the signature that will automatically appear alongside your posts.  You can also unsubscribe to discussion groups and/or topics.  Just click on the discussion groups or topics you wish to remove and then click on 'Remove'.

Quick search

In the right margin is the 'Quick Search' facility.  Type in a key word and then click 'Search'. 

Quick jump

In the right margin is a drop down menu that shows all the available forums.  You can click on the one you want to visit and jump straight in!

System announcements

In the right margin under 'System Announcements' we let you know if we're experiencing any problems with this website or making any changes to its structure.

Latest posts

In the right margin under 'Latest Posts' we list the most recent posts submitted.

Disclaimer

Inclusion of posts on this website does not represent an endorsement of the content of posts by the Rarer Cancers Forum.  If you wish to use any information please bear in mind that this may need to be checked by your doctor.