Acceptable Use Policy

Cable Forum's ethos is to provide support and assistance to those using or interested in UK Cable Services. The Virgin Media and other IT areas of the board are thus our priority. Cable services cannot be viewed in isolation, so topic areas exist for other technologies. We recognise that a healthy site requires stimulus for it's community and hence the other discussion areas are provided.

Our origins were under the nthellworld website banner. The name change to Cable Forum was triggered by a desire to take a more balanced and proactive view. Inevitably forums attract more posts from those who are dissatisfied than happy with matters, and we recognise that people will wish to be critical. All we ask is that content is balanced and factual with the aim of helping members to understand the issue, and perhaps suggest resolutions.

When starting new topics, please select the correct board area. Each does have an established description for it's typical content. Try and select a thread title that reasonably describes the topic. For example is seeking assistance, putting a title of "Help" alone, won't encourage many to read the message. Please check with the search function that a topic on the subject isn't already under way, as we don't like duplicates. However if after a few months a thread has become inactive, starting a new topic may be preferable to bumping an old one.

Everyone is welcome to participate in threads. We simply ask that topic starters and subsequent replies are balanced and objective, and remain within the subject matter. If starting discussions, ideally provide a link to a web article, or other source that prompted your posting. Similarly links may be appropriate to back up your stance during a debate. If you are seeking assistance with a problem, try to be descriptive as to the difficulties and how they occur, the equipment involved and what steps you have tried to resolve it.

Members should debate the topic of the post, rather than their opinion of the person making the post. Please try to offer constructive comment, be that for or against the issue. Avoid getting dragged into mud slinging and show some respect for your fellow forum users. It's is all too easy to hide behind a keyboard and yet you would never contemplate saying something to someone if face to face. Take particular care if quoting a user that any generalised comment you might make is not taken by some as being aimed at the quoted individual. We will take a harsh view of anyone whose behaviour is aggressive or insulting, or where content could cause alarm, harassment or distress. There is a user ignore feature on the board which can be used to hide posts from members that you persistently disagree with. You can be contentious, provided that you can show objectivity and relevance to the debate.

Users have a short period of time when they may edit their posts, after which only the Cable Forum Team may make changes. Please be mindful when posting content that we do not remove content or close threads simply because a forum member no longer wishes it to be available. By posting the user is the author and accepts responsibility for the content, Cable Forum is simply the publisher.

Our forum etiquette guide elaborates on some matters.

We do not allow any content that is objectionable. This includes postings which are racist, extreme religious or homophobic views, invasive of privacy or confidentiality, potentially libellous or defamatory, incite an illegal act, abusive, harassing, threatening, adult or illegal. It should be obvious that malware, pornography and similar matter is prohibited.

All site content should be in English. We ask that users avoid text speak abbreviations, shouting (capitalised text), and ideally use proper punctuation. However we are not grammar police and recognise the content of the message is more important than the way it is conveyed.

We try to have a family audience policy for all content on the site. Posts should aim to comply with this. If a reasonable parent wouldn't want their internet aware child to read it, it shouldn't have been posted.

We will not allow the discussion of methods of circumventing the obtaining of services from Virgin Media, or other company, without a proper subscription, or their authorised equipment.

Cable Forum is an independently owned and operated web site. We are not beholden to Virgin Media or any other organisation. The site and it's members are free to praise or criticise, provided any content is within this site's terms of service. Some employees of Virgin Media may be members of the Cable Forum Team, but their role is independent of and outside of their contract of employment.

The Cable Forum Team are made up of volunteers appointed by the site owners. If there is a vacancy for a Team member, we will invite applications from forum users by a posting on the message board. All applications are then vetted by the existing team. Please do not seek appointment when we are not directly recruiting.

Cable Forum Team Members are listed from a link on the bottom navigation bar on the forum's home page.

Please remember that Team Members are here to promote the smooth running of Cable Forum and have many tasks that they undertake, often whilst multi-tasking other duties away from the board. The Team will attempt to deal with matters in a reasonable time, but are not to be at the beck and call of site users who should not expect immediate action and resolution to issues that arise.