What is a forum?
A forum is an online discussion group, where participants with common interests can exchange their thoughts and messages. On Fairfax Radio Network, it’s a chance for our online community to meet and exchange ideas, to read and post topics of common interest. It’s a chance for online conversation through a series of comments from a range of participants who each give their idea on a specific topic. It’s an opportunity for you to provide feedback to news and current affairs.
How do I sign up to post for the forums?
We want you to get the most out of the forums here at Fairfax Radio Network . If used successfully, they will give you the chance to have your say about the day’s and week’s events, while keeping you informed on the opinions of other Fairfax Radio Network users. In order to do this, you will need to become a member of Fairfax Radio Network using our simple sign up procedure. It is free, easy to use and allows for instant access to the forums. The registration process serves to expand Mytalk’s online community and also ensures that members take responsibility for their written opinions.
How do I contribute to feedback?
You can contact our forums by clicking on any ‘Your Say’ link, after becoming a member of Fairfax Radio Network.
Do I need to download additional software in order to use the forums?
No. If you have a valid Member ID and password for Fairfax Radio Network and have verified your email address, you already have access to post in our forums.
What is the difference between a blog and a forum?
Blog are usually longer (usually 3-4 paragraphs or more) compared with forum posts. A blog author has control of the blog and makes regular contributions. A single blog may cover many subjects of interest to the writer.
A forum is an evolving conversation. It will be a series of comments from a range of users who will each give their opinion on a specific topic. If you want to make a ‘once-off’ short comment about a topic (eg. My local council has put in parking meters and I’m furious. Has this happened to anyone else?) this would be appropriate as a forum post as it is short, and you are calling for people to contribute and discuss this topic as a group.
How do I navigate the forums?
There are a number of ways to access the forums. You can click one of the ‘Hot Topics’ on each of the radio or television station homepages, this will take you directly to the forum you have selected. Alternatively, you can click the ‘forum’ icon on the left hand navigation bar.
For your convenience, Fairfax Radio Network has divided its posts into a number of topics (i.e. News, Sport, Lifestyle, Music). Once you have found the topic that interests you, select the subtopic you want to have your say on (i.e. The Nation - Discuss the topics that concern all Australians). The topics are updated daily by our forum moderators, ensuring that all the week’s burning issues are covered.
How do I post in the forums?
In order to reply to a post in an existing thread, click ‘reply’ in the bottom left corner of another user’s message.
How do I start a new thread in the forums?
In order to start a new thread, simply select the subtopic that interests you from the list on the Mytalk forums page and click ‘add a post’ at the top or bottom of the page.
‘Subforums’ are also available on some topics. For example, these may allow users to start threads specific to their states or territories.
What can I write in the forums?
We expect our forum users to treat each other with respect and stay on topic. Profanity and personal attacks are not permitted.
While we do not review every message posted in the forums and are not responsible for the content of these messages, we reserve the right to delete, move or edit messages that we deem abusive, defamatory, obscene, in violation of copyright laws, or otherwise unacceptable.
We also reserve the right to remove the posting privileges of users who violate these standards of behaviour at any time without notice.
For more information, check out Fairfax Radio Network's Terms and Conditions.
Another user is posting inappropriate messages in the forums. What should I do?
Please report the poster to our forums staff by clicking on the ‘report post’ icon at the bottom of the user’s offensive message. Clearly state the offensive user’s name, include a copy of the their message and write a brief explanation on why you find the post offensive.
Do not respond aggressively to the user’s message. Personal attacks are against Fairfax Radio Network's forum policy regardless of who started it.
Is there a way to format my text?
Yes, you can edit your post using similar formatting options to Microsoft Word. The taskbar allows you to bold, italicize, center and strikethrough your text. You may also use bullet points, numbering and indentation.
The taskbar also allows you to add a link by highlighting the text and clicking the ‘insert/edit link’ icon, which is symbolised by a picture of an unbroken chain. When this is selected, a popup will appear for you to enter the link URL. If you wish to remove a link, highlight the text and click the ‘unlink’ icon, which is symbolized by a picture of a broken chain.
How can I link a Fairfax Radio Network forum post to an outside source?
To reference a previously posted message on another website or document, right click on the message number (for example ‘85’) of the post you’re referring to and select ‘copy shortcut’. Paste the URL into your destination and when it is selected, you will be taken directly to the post on the Fairfax Radio Network forum site.
How do I add a quote to my post?
In order to quote another user’s post, simply click the ‘quote’ icon when replying to their message.
How do I add an image to my post?
To add an image, select the ‘insert/edit image’ icon which is represented on the taskbar by a picture of a tree. A popup window will appear asking for the Image URL and image description. The description you enter will appear when the mouse hovers over the image.
You may also specify the exact dimensions you wish the picture to appear. Once the image has been entered into the post, you may alter the size manually.
It is important to note that image files cannot be uploaded into the Fairfax Radio Network system, only URL links to images may be used.
How do I add a video to my post?
When creating a new thread, you may add a short video which is appropriate to the specified topic. You can do this by selecting the ‘video’ tab and entering the URL link. The video will appear in your post and other users can watch it by pressing the play button.
I submitted a post in the forums, but I can’t find it. Where is my post?
Due to the nature of Fairfax Radio Network, many of our forums are pre-moderated, which means your post must be approved by a moderator before it appears to the public. We do this to prevent potentially defamatory or offensive material from appearing on the site. Our forums are moderated daily.