How to Use the GSV Forums | Genealogical Society of Victoria

About the GSV Forums

An Internet Forum is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages. A discussion forum is hierarchical or tree-like in structure: a forum can contain a number of subforums, each of which may have several topics.

Within a Forum's Topic, each new discussion started is called a Thread, and can be replied to by as many people as so wish.

The GSV Forums are available to GSV Members only. You must be logged in to the GSV website as GSV Member to view the Forums or to post to any of the Forums.

If you are a GSV Member, you should already be registered as an authorised website user.
Posting to the Forum is moderated (post-publication).
Posts will appear immediately but the GSV Forum Moderators will check each Post after publication and will remove or amend any material that in their opinion does not comply with the GSV's Rules and Policies or is unsuitable, without giving notice or explanation at any time.
The GSV Forum Moderators and the GSV reserves the right to permanently ban anyone who posts inappropriate material.
The Moderators will actively review forum posts within a reasonable time, but cannot be online at all times.
Personal information about living people will be deleted by the Forum Moderators in accordance with the GSV's Privacy Policy.
If you choose to post your email address, you may be subjected to spam email.
If you have any problems or questions about using the GSV Forums, please contact the Forums Administrator: socialmedia@gsv.org.au

Forum Terms and Concepts

Term	Definition
Forum	An Internet Forum is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages. A discussion forum is hierarchical or tree-like in structure. A Forum can contain a number of subforums, each of which may have several topics. Within a Topic, each new discussion started is called a Thread, and a user can post a Reply to a Topic or a Reply to a previous Reply.
Topic	A Topic is the subject of a discussion. It will have a Title, and the content will contain text and may contain images.
Reply	A Reply is a response to a Topic or a response to another Reply. It may contain text and images.
Post	A Post is an item which has been published within a Forum. It may be a Topic which represents the start of a new discussion Thread or it may be a Reply which is part of an existing Thread.
Thread	A Thread is a collection of Posts, usually displayed with the most recent Post listed first.
Moderator	A Moderator is an authorised user who is granted access to the posts and threads of all members for the purpose of moderating discussion and also keeping the forum clean. The Moderator will not be required to advise users or explain actions taken or not taken. Users' concerns about the Forum, general questions, as well as specific complaints should be addressed by email to socialmedia@gsv.org.au
Pre-Publication Moderation	Pre-Publication Moderation means that when a Post is submitted it is not published immediately but is held in Pending status for review by a Moderator before it is accepted for publication. The Moderator may decide to reject the Post or to publish it.
Post-Publication Moderation	Post-Publication Moderation means that when a Post is submitted it is published immediately. The Moderator will review it after it has been published to ensure that the content is appropriate. The Moderator may decide that no action is required or may decide to edit, move, or delete the Post. This is the method used by the GSV.
Authorised User	An Authorised User is a user who has previously identified themselves by providing some sort of credentials (such as a username or email address, and a password) to the system in order to prove their identity. Only Authorised Users are allowed to submit Forum Posts. A GSV Member with a valid email address will be an Authorised User.
Subscribe	Subscribe refers to the process which enables the user to ask to be notified by email when a new Post is published.
Unsubscribe	Unsubscribe is the process which enables the user to cancel a previous subscription.

Who can access the GSV Forums?

The GSV Forums are available to GSV Members only.

You must be logged in to the GSV website as a GSV Member to view the Forums or to post to any of the Forums.

How do I access the GSV Forums?

The GSV Forums can be accessed here: GSV Forums

Do I need to login in order to submit a Post?

Yes. You need to login as a GSV Member in order to post an item to one of the Forums.

You will need to login using your GSV website username and password.

How do I Register as an Authorised User?

If you are a GSV Member, you are already registered as an authorised website user so you can simply login with your GSV website username and password.

I've forgotten my Username

Your Username is usually your GSV Membership Number. However, you can login using your email address instead of your Username.

I've forgotten my Password

You can ask for your password to be reset by entering your registered email address. You can do so here: Password Reset

How do I create a new Topic?

You first need to be logged in as a GSV Member.

You then select the Forum of interest and press the "New Topic" button. You can then create your new Topic by entering a Topic Title and entering your Message.

How do I post to a Forum?

You first need to be logged in as a GSV Member.

You then select the Forum of interest and look for the Topic or Reply you wish to respond to. You can then create your Reply by pressing the "Reply" button.

Can I search the Forums?

Yes. You can search one or more Forums using the search box in the right hand sidebar. Look for the section with the heading "Search the Forums".

How do I know when a new item has been posted?

You can receive automatic email notifications when new items are posted. To do this, you will need to Subscribe to the particular Forum of interest.

You can check your existing subscriptions, add new subscriptions, or unsubscribe from particular subjects here: My Mailing List Subscriptions

Can I Unsubscribe?

Yes. You can unsubscribe at any time.

You can check your existing subscriptions, add new subscriptions, or unsubscribe from particular subjects here: My Mailing List Subscriptions

How do I manage my Subscriptions?

You can check your existing subscriptions, add new subscriptions, or unsubscribe from particular subjects here: My Mailing List Subscriptions

I've read these FAQs and I have some further questions

Please contact us by email: Questions about the GSV Member Forums