1. Do I need to be a member to use the forums?

   Anyone can read the forum posts and search for topics, posters and keywords. However, you need to be a registered member of CNET.co.uk to create topics or post replies. Registering is quick and easy -- and free -- and also lets you enter competitions and sign up for newsletters.

2. How do I create a new topic?

   Go to the forum where the topic should appear and click the Create New Topic button (if you can't see this button, make sure you are logged in). Enter a subject line for your topic -- please make it short, clear and descriptive, so other users can see what you want to discuss. Add the text of your post and click Preview to see how it will look. If it's all fine and dandy, click Post Topic to create the topic.

3. How do I reply to a post?

   Click the Reply button in the bottom right corner (if you can't see this button, you need to log in) and enter the text of your post. If you want to see how your post will look, click Preview. Once you are happy with it, click Post Reply. Your post will be added at the end of the topic.

4. Why does it say 'Abacus' under my name?

   'Abacus' is your member level. As you contribute more posts, your member level will be upgraded. The order is Abacus, Slide rule, Calculator, Smartphone, Computer, Supercomputer, Deep Thought.

5. What's the difference between replying and quoting?

   When you click Reply, you get an empty form where you can make your contribution to the discussion. If you want to respond to a specific point by a previous poster, click the Quote button in the bottom right corner of their message to copy their text to the form and format it as a quote. Edit the quote to cut it down to the section you want to respond to, then add your comments underneath and click Preview or Post Reply.

6. I've made a spelling mistake in my post. How do I fix it?

   Find your post and click the Edit button in the bottom right corner (this only appears on your own posts). This brings up a form with the text of your post already entered, ready for editing. Fix the mistake, enter your password to confirm the changes and click Post Reply. A note will be added at the bottom of your post so other people can see it has been changed.

7. How do I format my posts?

   Select the text you want to format, then click the formatting buttons at the top to make it bold or italic, add a link or format it as a quote. You can also enter HTML or BB Code tags directly. We support the following tags: <b>, [B], <i>, [i], <a href>, [URL] and [quote].

   If you use more than one computer to visit CNET.co.uk, you'll need to do this on each one. You may not want to do this on a computer you share with other people.

8. How do I include an image in my post?

   You can't add images to your posts. If you want to discuss an image, you'll need to upload it to a photo-sharing site such as Webshots and link to it from your post.

9. What do the icons by the topics mean?

   There are five icons that can appear alongside the topics in a forum.

   • The lightbulb appears alongside new topics that have been added recently.
   • The thermometer appears beside hot topics that are getting a lot of responses.
   • The pin icon appears alongside important topics that have been 'pinned' to the top of the list of topics.
   • The padlock appears beside locked topics. You can read the posts in a locked topics, but you can't add any new replies.
   • The arrow icon appears alongside topics that have been moved to a different forum. When you click on the topic, you'll get a link to the new location.

10. How do I search for a topic, person or post?

    Click the Search Forums link in the navigation box at the top of the page or click the Search Forums button. Enter your keyword(s) in the Topic title, Username or Text of post box. You can also restrict your search to a particular forum or time period using the drop-down menus at the bottom. Click the Search button to find the matching topics and posts.

11. How do I save a favourite topic so I can come back to it?

    When you have found a topic you want to follow, click the Add to Favourite Topics button at the bottom of the page. The topic will then be listed in the Favourite Topics box on the Forums section. You can store up to 10 topics here (if you already have 10 favourite topics, you will need to delete one before you can add anything more to this list).

12. How do I report abusive or inappropriate posts?

    Click the Report button at the bottom right-hand corner of the post. This will bring up a form where you can explain the problem with the post. Click the Submit button to send your report to the moderator.

13. My post has been edited by a moderator. How come?

    We do not allow abusive or offensive posts, commercial postings or spam. We may also edit posts that are irrelevant or off-topic.

14. You haven't answered my question? What should I do?

    Post your question in the CNET.co.uk Forum and we'll do our best to help. You can also send an email to the Forums Administrator at forumsadmin@cnet.co.uk

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