IMPORTANT: Links to offsite material in Forum posts

Hey everyone

There's been a rash of Forum posts lately which have included links to offsite material, and the Forums team have been kept busy editing many of these out. They've included multiple links to YouTube videos, items on Amazon, direct links to other websites and a whole lot more.

It might be timely to remind everyone that CDH has a general ban on the use of internet links in Forum posts. This is the statement from our Code of Conduct:

'Please do not repost copyrighted material from other sites or sources. This includes photographs, articles, or links to such material.'

Although we can occasionally allow the inclusion of a link if we consider it essential and completely relevant to the thread in which it appears, including a link should really be the exception rather than the rule. We discuss each on its individual merits; we will edit out any that we consider unnecessary without warning. In most cases, individual posts function just as well without them.

As a guideline, your general approach should be: If in doubt, leave it out.

On a related topic, PLEASE don't be tempted to try and include links to personal offsite material such as Instagram accounts, Facebook pages or Flickr profiles here on the Forums, or in any public areas of the site. That includes your Wall. If you want to share such information with trusted friends via private message then that's okay ... but for your own protection, don't do it on areas of the site where it will be in public view.

The same principle applies to your personal email address. If you share this on a friend's Wall, then everyone will be able to see it. Members' Walls are public areas, visible to everyone on the site. We advise members to always think twice about sharing their email addresses. However, if you DO want to do it then it should only ever be via private message.

Ellie x