How to use the IEMA Discussion Forums

Overview and Structure

The discussion forums are designed to be simple to use and operate. In essense, the forums are a tool that allows discussion and dialogue over the web.

Each forum is designed for a specific subject area or task. The forums are organised into groups. You may not have access to all groups, so you may not see all the forums, but so long as you are logged in, you should have access to at least one group.

Within a forum, there are a number of topics. Each topic is a single conversation, consisting of the original topic description and any number of replies. Unlike an e-mail list, in which many people get their own copies of replies, all replies are kept together with the topic, on the IEMA server.

Although there are additional features to help you find what you are looking for, the basic operations you need to know are:

• How to read a topic
• How to post to a topic
• How to start a new topic

Reading Topics

This is a straightforward task. You can get to a topic by following through from the fora index, chosing a category, and then a topic. The topics with posts you have not seen (i.e. a new topic or a topic with new replies) will be highlighted in the topic index. There is also a link (at the top right) that shows all new and changed topics since your last visit.

Posting to Topics

if you have a contribution to make to a topic, then you can post a reply. There are two ways of doing this:

• Making a new reply
• Quoting a reply

The 'new reply' button will allow you to make a reply to the topic. This gives you a blank canvas to write your reply, which gets added to the end.

Each existing reply also has a "quote" button. This button will take the text of another person's reply, and quote it in your replty, and allows you to keep the context. If you use this option, it is helpful to others to trim the quote down to the essential content you wish to refer to.

Starting a New Topic

A new topic can be started in a forum at any time. The 'new topic' button does this.

Members are encouraged to add items to share their experience, challenge views, share information and generate agreement on good and best practice.  When contributing to a discussion think about what you are asking for, who you would like to respond and whether your comment relates to a local, national or international issue.

Posting/Uploading Documents

If you need documents uploaded, perhaps as a basis for discussion, then please contact one of the moderators to upload it for you.

Moderation

Each forum has a nominated SIG Administrator that will add or remove any items that are considered inappropriate.  For the discussion fora to operate effectively, all SIG members must observe the rules and etiquette for participating in the fora.  The rules have been created to provide a professional, results orientated atmosphere for SIG members to engage and exchange views and information.

Smilies

The following smilies are supported in topics and replies. To create a smilie, use the code shown. For example, the code :-) will show up in your posts as

• 
  • :? Confused
  • :-? Confused
• 
  • 8) Cool
  • 8-) Cool
  • :cool: Cool
• 
  • :oops: Embarassed
• 
  • :> Evil
  • :-> Evil
  • :evil: Evil
• 
  • :( Frown
  • :-( Frown
  • :frown: Frown
  • :sad: Frown
• 
  • :D Happy
  • :-D Happy
  • :grin: Happy
• 
  • :lol: LOL!
• 
  • :x Mad
  • :-x Mad
  • :mad: Mad
• 
  • :p Razz
  • :-p Razz
  • :razz: Razz
• 
  • :cry: Sad
• 
  • :) Smile
  • :-) Smile
  • :smile: Smile
• 
  • :o Surprised
  • :0 Surprised
  • :-o Surprised
  • :-0 Surprised
  • :eek: Surprised
• 
  • :roll: WhateeeEver!
• 
  • ;) Wink
  • ;-) Wink
  • :wink: Wink