This forum has been set up to promote Hitchin, Hertfordshire and to provide a place for residents to discuss their town.
This forum has no affiliation with Hitchin Forum and this group provides a great source of information on planning and issues in Hitchin.
below is a list of ideas around the forum and some guidelines on its use.
1. What can I discuss on the forum?
2. Is the Hitchin Forum moderated?
3. Why do I need to register to post on the Hitchin Forum?
4. What details are you getting out of me when I register?
5. Do I have to register with my real name?
6. I am a local business. Can I advertise on the Hitchin Forum?
7. Can I review local businesses on the forum?
8. I want to discuss something that isnt shown under one of your catagories
9. How can I support the Hitchin Forum?
10. Who is responsible for this website.
1. What can I discuss on the forum?
The aim of the forum is to promote Hitchin and has been set up for the locals to get more out of living in the town. The topics should, as far as possible, be focussed on Hitchin, but if you have something to say then why not say it. The more discussion and debate that we have and the more information we share then the more we will all get out of this forum.
To get started sign in or register. Once you have registered you will need to confirm the registration by clicking on a link that will be e mailed out to you. After that click on "Start a new Discussion" and begin your conversation.
2. Is the Hitchin Forum moderated?
It is moderated but obviously not by a full time individual. The forum operates under a post-moeration system. Anything you post will be shown live, without any prior moderation. If the moderation team feel it necessary to moderate a post it will be flagges as being edited.
The whole point of sharing information online is the ease of instant communication. Let's keep it this way, without any need for a queue of pre-moderated posts. This forum isn't here to spread rumours about people or to upset individuals in any way. There are plenty of places that you can do that outside of this forum if you so wish. Play nicely.
3. Why do I need to register to post on the Hitchin Forum?
It is easy for people to post hurtful things under an pseudonym on the internet. The aim of this forum is to promote a community spirit and this will be best achieved if people are not hiding behind the mask of anonyminity. For this reason we ask that everyone register before posting content. Guests can read posts, but you will need to register to participate in the community. We do have the option of banning disruptive users but hopefully this function wont be required
4. What details are you getting out of me when I register?
Not a lot. An email address and an IP address that will be displayed, and that's basically it. You can choose to hide your email address to other users when you sign up, and we will never use this address, other than to contact you if a problem arises. The IP address is simply a security measure that identifies which computer a posting has been made from.
5. Do I have to register with my real name?
You can register under any name that you wish. Using your real name may help you develop contacts beyond the confines of this forum. If you do choose to use a made up name please dont feel that you can say things here that you wouldnt say to someone in real life. If we are to build up a useful online (and hopefully offline) community we need to remain respectful at all times
6. I am a local business. Can I advertise on the Hitchin Forum?
The short answer is yes, but with some constraints. I think we all want Hitchin to thrive and prosper and that needs businesses to be attracted to Hitchin and make a contribution to the town. For the time being there is a section for local businesses to advertise for free. Please don't take this as an opportunity to flood the forum with spam. Its not what its here for.
Will it remain free for ever? Not sure. The main aim is to get the forum up and running and to be used by the local community. The costs of running this site are not huge but it would be nice to cover the minimal costs of hosting the website and domain in the future.
7. Can I review local businesses on the forum?
Yes. Businesses can advertise and therefore customers can provide feedback. Hopefully we will see lots of positive feedback on services in Hitchin but if something isnt up to scratch then keep critism honest and do not go overboard. We are not here to attack local businesses.
8. I want to discuss something that isnt shown under one of your catagories.
If you think that we should have a new category then, .
9. How can I support the Hitchin Forum?
The best way is to get involved. Start and take part in discussions. Dont be shy about what you want to discuss. If you want to discuss it, then its likely that someone else will want to join in. This forum isnt advertised, so please spread the word to friends and neighbours. If you see something here let people know. The more people that belong the better the forum will be.
10. Who is responsible for this website.
I am Nigel Appleton, a resident of Hitchin. I am not an expert in computers but felt that Hitchin could benefit from having an online place for people to discuss and make the most out of living in Hitchin.
Any further questions then please and we will be very happy to try and help.