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Just thought of another thing - What about a gender symbol as some people on here have names like operationbob and horace but they are female.What about avatars as lots of other sites have them, but maybe it's too big a deal.

Hi, jmk -If you click on "Private Messages" then "Edit my profile" (or something like that) you can choose an avatar - a little picture to represent you.However, I've just tried it and it doesn't seem to have appeared anywhere yet. Maybe after I log out and on again...With the profile details, I guess it comes down partly to being wary of giving away identifying details. I've given away all of the ones that you mention, but you'd have to search a lot of posts to find all the details.People have recognised me from my posts, which is sometimes a little uncomfortable, but then my family is fairly unusual so we're easy to spot.Someone else posted once that their social worker has asked them, "Are you XXXXX"? (They did get it wrong, but I'd bet that person was pretty glad they hadn't posted that sort of detail in a profile!)All the best

OK - I've logged out and in again on a different computer. See if it works this time...Corkwing

There are ever such a lot of things that need fixing about this board software, I have no idea why we are using this software when there are many other types that give you so many more features, including things like private areas for those who have been posting longer or ask to join, quoting, ability to edit your post or delete it for a short period of time etc. etc. etc. Some of these types of software are completely free so it's not an issue of cost.

Just had a go - apparently I have an avatar now

Or not!

Can't see any - Perhaps they are invisible

Thanks for your comments and questions everyone they have been forwarded to the website manager.Online Community Team

with all due respect - the comments and suggested are always forwarded but nothing ever gets done to improve these boards!They really are archaic and there really is no good excuse - as lots of good forum software is free!

I agree with jmk - it's very difficult to remember who is who, and being able to click on names for a reminder would be great.I also totally agree with FehrScaper (are you a Farscape fan, by any chance? ) that these boards are shockingly archaic - not even working avatars! I belong to other forums and even the smallest have far more user-friendly features.

As much as I love this board and its been a huge support to me I do think the technology is very outdated.Most other sites I visit you can add pitures, signatures, profile info, edit or delete posts etc.. also private messages are more advanced.I know these things take time to set up but I am wondering why almost everyone else can do this type of board but not Auk?

Thanks very much for your comments. We hope to update the message board software as soon as funds allow. May we take this opportunity to thank you for your patience with this matter and for your valuable contribution to these message boards.Kind regardsOnline Community Team

I want animated smilies like I have on my other fave board! Boingy ones, devil ones and dancing bananas!Midge

Can I reiterate that most forum software is FREE to use - so you don't have to wait for funds to become available! It will cost nothing to install and use!(And yes, Honeybee5, I am a Farscape fan! LOL)

When a new board does finally arrive, what about splitting it into topic sections, rather than types of adopters, eg:Thinking about adoptionAssesment processMatchingEarly placement daysSchoollegalfinancialDisabilitiesetc... ?

Sorry meant to add that the reason for this idea is that we get so many repeated questions on the boards, so having it under different topics may reduce this.

I think that's a good idea. So many questions crop up time and again. Schools/education/SEN is a biggie, I think, and should be prominently placed - particularly given that so many of our children have problems with schooling.Maybe a quick look at something like Mumsnet would give some idea of how the boards could be better presented?

Great idea Starlight and maybe a "frequently asked questions section".I get bored seeing the same questions being asked over and over. I know there are new people coming on all the time, but if there was a FAQ section, they could have a look there first to see if their question was already answered before. Just a thought

Free to use, but not free to install -- time costs money! If another company is hosting the website for them, it's probably quite expensive to make changes even if it is free software. There will be additional time as well to cope with user errors and confusion with the new system. And, the increase in graphics and data might also mean an increase in their hosting plan, too. Hidden costs. =)