Help

A quick guide to how the forum works. If anything here doesn't match what you're seeing, tell an admin and we'll sort it out.

The forum basics

• Anyone can read every thread. No account needed.
• Register to start a thread or reply. New accounts are briefly checked by moderators to keep spam out, so your first post may wait a short while.
• No ads, no tracking, no private messages. Just threads and replies.

The Donate button and its little number

• The small badge on the Donate button shows how many whole future months of running costs are covered by the site's current balance.
• Running costs are taken as £15 per month, so £45 in the pot = 3 months covered, £90 = 6 months.
• The number updates by itself as donations come in and costs go out. When nothing is covered, no badge shows.

The daily digest

• Members can tap Join Digest at the top of the thread list to get one email a day with the forum's new and updated threads, each linked so you can jump straight in.
• Tap it again (Digest On) to stop receiving the emails.
• The choice follows your account, so it applies wherever you sign in.

How long posts stay visible

• The live forum keeps the newest 1,250 threads.
• Every night, the oldest threads beyond that move across to the archive.
• Nothing is ever deleted: every thread is either on the live forum or in the archive.

Using search

• Search is for members — sign in and use the search box in the top bar (or the Search button above the thread list).
• Type at least two characters, then pick what to look through: Everything, Thread titles, Replies, or Poster name.
• Your search words are highlighted in the results.

The archive

• The archive is a read-only home for older threads. Search it by keyword, pick a From / To date range, or both. Members only.
• Archived threads can be read but not replied to. If a thread needs to come back to the live forum, an admin can restore it.
• Reach it any time from the Search Archives link at the bottom of the thread list, or open the archive here.

Everyday bits

• Use thumbs up / thumbs down on posts instead of posting short "+1" replies.
• Bookmark threads you want to come back to — they're listed on your profile.
• Classic view (the retro look) is remembered on the device and browser you switch it on — it isn't tied to your account, so turn it on again on each device you use.

Something wrong?

Check the rules for what we expect from posters, and the usage terms linked in the footer of every page. If something still isn't right, mention it to an admin in a thread and we'll take a look.