TEXT TALK
Think before you use text talk if you want responses to your questions. It really can be unhelpful to those trying to help you....and some of us are just too old to understand :)

CAPITALS
Avoid using CAPITALS or upper case. It may be considered shouting and is difficult to read.

PARAGRAPHS
Use paragraphs or line breaks to break up your text. When previewing your message, ask yourself 'is it easy to read?'. An easily to read, well laid out post is more likely to attract response than one which is just one block of text, particularly if it is long.

PROFILE
Tell us about yourself...it's good to know more about those you are talking to. Fill in some details on your profile. Follow the link at the top of the page.

GO ANONYMOUS
Shy about posting intimate details because others know you on iVillage? Why not create another membername? Click on "Log out". Click on "Join iVillage" There is a link at the very top, right hand side. You are allowed up to 5 names. - Be careful though if you reply to messages from your email, as you may give away your identity if you are logged onto the wrong membername when you reply.

GIVE FEEDBACK TO PEOPLE WHO REPLY TO YOU
Keep your own discussion going. Give feedback to those responding to your question e.g. say thankyou, ask more questions, ask for other opinions, answer their questions etc. If people can see you are actively involved in your thread they are more likely to respond to you. It also keeps your post on the front page so more people get to see it.

YOUR QUESTION NOT ANSWERED?
If you have not got the response wanted from your question, then consider it could be that people have mis-interpreted what you meant. This is easily done with the written word. Open up the conversation again by explaining more or asking for more help and you are likely to get yourself across more clearly and get the response you need.

BE OPEN TO PEOPLE DISAGREEING WITH YOU
Do bear in mind that you are not always going to hear what you want to hear. People are encouraged to express their opinions here. Please be open to this: this board would be very boring if we all agreed with each other.

EXPRESS YOUR OWN OPINION
Likewise if you disagree with something someone else has posted, then say so. We want you to express yourself. Just have a read of the Rules of Play about how to do this fairly.
http://www.ivillage.co.uk/boards/articles/0,10569,165710,00.html

DONT UNDERSTAND?
Not sure what something means? Please ask. People will only be to happy to explain to you... and unlike asking your friends you do not have to feel embarrassed here.

POLLS
Got a question you think people are too shy to answer? Why not create a poll? People can answer you anonymously. It's easy to do. Go to the polls folder and click on "create a poll"

TITLE
If starting a thread, make your title relevant. For example, if your question is about Induction, then put the word "Induction" in the title. If you just put something like "help please", then if people are just selectively reading topics which interest them, then they are unlikely to read your post.

CONCERNED BY A POST?
Everyone has the right to report a post if it concerns them. Use the link on the bottom right hand side of the page. CLs do not delete posts, this is done by iVillage HQ if necessary. We have the same right as everyone else to report posts. It is, however, our job to guide the discussion if it is becoming inappropriate. So you may see us give warnings from time to time. This is in your interest, we would much rather warn people than let them continue to use inappropriate discussion and risk being banned from using the boards.

TOO SHY TO ASK?
Too shy to ask questions? Why not just answer instead. We want to hear from all of you. It's really helpful to those asking questions to get plenty of response. You may then feel more confident to ask your own questions at a later date.

ARCHIVES
At the top of the main page there is a search function entitled 'find messages on this board about:'. You can search the archives to see if you can find what you are looking for.

CHANGED YOUR MIND?
You can use the edit button after posting to edit your post. This only works on posts which have no replies to them.

EMAIL
Please don't put your email on the board. If you want people to contact you, then activate your email function in "Board Settings" at the top of the page. You can always ask people in your post to contact you through this function.

"I CANT POST MY QUESTION BECAUSE I AM THE ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD WITH THIS PROBLEM"
My experience tells us that there is always someone out there who feels the same. I think we have seen most questions on this board... so please be brave and ask. No question is too stupid.

Got any comments or suggestions about the board or iVillage? You can send them to http://www.ivillage.co.uk/feedback

I am constantly impressed with how supportive and friendly everyone is on the site.