Terms & Conditions


This web site ("Site") is owned and operated by IDG Communications Ltd, 99 Gray's Inn Rd, London, WC1X 8TY, United Kingdom, Reg. Co. No. 1197840, VAT No. GB-404696446 ("IDG").

By accessing or using the Site, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions below ("Terms and Conditions"). These Terms and Conditions expressly incorporate by reference and include the Site's Privacy Policy and any guidelines, rules or disclaimers that may be posted and updated on specific web pages or on notices that are sent to you. If you do not agree with these Terms and Conditions, please do not use this Site.

IDG reserves the right to change, modify, add or remove portions of these Terms and Conditions in its sole discretion at any time and without prior notice. Please check this page periodically for any modifications. Your continued use of this Site following the posting of any changes will mean that you have accepted the changes.


Forums Terms and Conditions


Since their launch at the end of 2000, the PC Advisor forums have grown consistently. We now have over 175,000 registered members, and each week hundreds of computer problems are solved.

Any organised gathering must have rules and conventions if it is to operate efficiently, and the PC Advisor forums are no exception. On the whole we function with a minimum of red tape, and we want our visitors to feel welcome and able to express themselves in their own way. We are a family-friendly forum however, and there are inevitably some do's and don'ts that must be observed if we are to get along together. Regular forum users will be familiar with much of what follows. Newcomers, who may be unfamiliar with web-forum procedures, should find it useful. It's your forum, we hope you'll enjoy your time here.


Disclaimer


The forum is populated by fellow computer users, and if you act upon any advice you are given in the forum threads you do so entirely at your own risk. The opinions expressed by registered forum users and the Forum Editor are not necessarily those of IDG Communications Ltd., and the company will not be liable for the consequences of following advice given in this forum by other registered users. You are advised to back up critical data files before making any changes to software or hardware configurations, and to consider seeking professional advice before taking legal action in respect of recommendations made by forum users in the Consumerwatch forum.


Terminology


Plain English is the order of the day, but there are some words that you will see being used regularly.

  • Thread - the word used to describe a forum topic. A thread may be started by any forum member to explain a problem and ask for help - just click on the words 'Start new subject for discussion' that you'll see in blue at the top of the Helproom, ConsumerWatch, or Gamesroom sections.
  • Post - a message that is 'posted' to a thread by anyone who wishes to contribute. When you click on a thread title it will open to reveal all the messages that have been posted by other forum members. To add your own comments, use the box that you'll see at the end of each thread.
  • Green tick - this is used to indicate that a subject has been satisfactorily resolved, and can only be placed on a thread by the person who starts it. Once there the tick can't be removed, but others may still post comments to it. More on green ticks later.
  • Refresh - if your problem isn't receiving any attention it will gradually slip down page 1 and onto page 2 or 3 - it depends on the number of threads being posted at any one time. You can bring your subject back to the top of the list by posting the word 'refresh' in it. Please don't so this more than once - it can irritate other users, and if you get no response the second time around it's possible that nobody in the forum can help on this occasion. It's rare for that to be the case however.
  • Moderator - someone who watches the forum for inappropriate thread content. We monitor forum activity, and the forum editor will sometimes remove threads or posts if he believes them to be inappropriate in nature. If you are unhappy about a particular post or thread, or if you want to contact us privately you can do so at any time by clicking on the words 'Contact Forum Editor' which you will see at the top of each forum and thread. Type your message and click the 'Send message' button; we'll contact you as soon as possible. Please don't use this facility to ask for help with computing problems - we can't provide this on a one-to-one basis by email.

Best practice


We have evolved a system of day to day conduct which we believe helps the forum to function smoothly, and we look to our members to abide by the system whenever possible. We are a community, and we expect our members to respect our code of conduct.

  • Personal email addresses - please do not include your email address when posting a thread or a message in a thread. Personal privacy is something that once compromised is difficult to regain, and posting an address in a web forum is akin to advertising it on TV - it can be read (and used) by thousands of strangers.
  • Forum email links - when you post a message in a thread a small envelope icon will appear alongside your username. This enables anyone to send you a personal message by email, but it does NOT disclose your email address to them. This can only happen if you reply to their message - so don't do that if you want to remain anonymous. Please don't use the email contact facility indiscriminately - by and large it's best to do it only when invited to do so by another forum user.
  • Offensive comment - forum discussions can sometimes become heated. They often take place more or less in real time, and it can be tempting to respond offensively in the heat of the moment. Personal abuse directed at another forum member is totally unacceptable, and such posts will be removed without warning. Repeated incidents may result in a forum member's registration being invalidated permanently.
  • Thread titles - Please try to give your thread a meaningful title - one which will indicate its subject matter to other forum users. A thread entitled "Aaaaaargghhhh!!!!!!!!!!! What's wrong with my computer?" will irritate other users, and will be less likely to attract the right help. Good thread titles indicate the problem's nature "My modem doesn't dial" tells everyone what to expect.
  • Inform us - when posting your thread please try to provide as much information as you can. Give details of your operating system, which software or hardware appears to be causing the trouble and the full text of any error message if possible.
  • Green tick protocol - when your problem is solved we'll expect you to give the thread a green tick - you'll find the button at the end of your thread. Once you've ticked the thread it will remain 'open' to further posts, but other forum users can see that you're OK - and will not open the thread unnecessarily. Green ticks also help people who are searching the archive. We have an option to search only for problems that are resolved. Please try to remember to tick your thread. Items for sale - we don't permit the posting of threads that advertise items for sale. The associated legal and administrative problems mean that this policy will be strictly enforced.
  • Personal contact - we do not advise you to arrange personal meetings with other forum users. You would be meeting a total stranger, you cannot verify another member's age or sex, and such arrangements are inherently fraught with risk.
  • Search the archive - it's on the cards that your problem has cropped up before, so we maintain a forum archive of previously posted threads. You can search the archive by using the facility at the top of each forum section, and we hope that you'll do so before posting - it could save you a lot of time.
  • Read the reviews - many threads ask for advice about new hardware and software. We have an excellent review section in the forum, and we suggest that you refer to it before you post your thread.

Forbidden territory


Some behaviour is unacceptable in the forum, and we will insist on the following rules being observed at all times.

  • Bad language - it isn't necessary to use bad language to make a point. Although modern usage has seen many previously unacceptable terms become a part of everyday conversation, there are certain words which are universally acknowledged as being inappropriate in normal conversation. We will exercise our right to remove any posts that (in our opinion) contain such language, and the forum editor's decision will be final.
  • 'Adult' content - references or links of an adult nature will not be tolerated - posts or threads that contain links to 'adult' sites, text, or images will be deleted without warning.
  • Chat threads - There are thousands of chat-related sites on the internet, but ours is not one of them. We exist to provide help and advice to people who have computer-related problems, and we will not permit threads to wander off-topic into general chat.
  • Racist or sexist comment - we will not tolerate racist or sexist comments in any form.
  • Libellous or defamatory comment - please do not exhort others to boycott a company that provided you with bad service or products. Do not make statements that you cannot substantiate, or state as fact, something which is in reality your opinion. "PC Computers Ltd took my money and ran" may well be your opinion, but an action for libel by the company would almost certainly succeed, and PC Advisor may be jointly liable as the publishers of your comment. We aren't prepared to take such risks, and will delete any comment that is, in our opinion, potentially libellous or defamatory. The editor's decision is final in such cases.
  • 'Cracks' or copyright infringement - we do not permit the posting of information that will enable other people to use pirated software or to evade the copyright laws. Please do not post serial numbers or CD keys, or links to sites that contain file-sharing software or such information.

Our editorial policy


Our membership is representative of all levels of computing, from beginner to expert, and no matter what your problem, there will almost certainly be someone who can help. We intend to maintain this 'mutual-help' atmosphere, we think computer users like it that way, and we will do our best to see that everyone is welcomed - no matter what their level of computer-literacy.

If at any time you are uncertain about how to get help, or if there is anything about forum conduct that you find confusing, please don't hesitate to let us know. Click the 'Contact Forum Editor' link, and send us an email. We'll do our best to respond quickly, but we receive a lot of email - bear with us. We want to hear from you if you have an idea for an improvement, or some extra content. We can't promise to translate your ideas into action, but we'll look into every proposal or suggestion.

Site Terms and Conditions


Copyrights and Limitations on Use


All content in this Site, including site layout, design, images, programs, text and other information (collectively, the "Content") is the property of IDG and its affiliated companies or licensors and is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.

You may not copy, display, distribute, modify, publish, reproduce, store, transmit, create derivative works from, or sell or license all or any part of the Content, products or services obtained from this Site in any medium to anyone, except as otherwise expressly permitted under applicable law or as described in these Terms and Conditions or relevant license or subscriber agreement.

You may print or download Content from the Site for your own personal, non-commercial use, provided that you keep intact all copyright and other proprietary notices. You may not engage in systematic retrieval of Content from the Site to create or compile, directly or indirectly, a collection, compilation, database or directory without prior written permission from IDG.

The use of robots, spiders, crawlers or other automated downloading programs or devices for any purpose, including but not limited to harvesting other's postal or email addresses from the Site to send unsolicited or unauthorized commercial material, is prohibited. Any questions about whether a particular use is authorized and any requests for permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, display or make derivative works from any Content should be directed to:

IDG Communications Ltd
99 Gray's Inn Rd
London
WC1X 8TY
Tel: 020 7071 3615
Fax: 020 7071 3658

You may not use the services on the Site to publish or distribute any information (including software or other content) which is illegal, which violates or infringes upon the rights of any other person, which is abusive, hateful, obscene, profane, pornographic, threatening or vulgar, which contains errors, viruses or other harmful components, or which is otherwise actionable at law. IDG may at any time exercise editorial control over the content of any information or material that is submitted or distributed through its facilities and/or services.

Trademarks


PC Advisor® is a registered trademark of IDG Communications Ltd. All other trademarks appearing on this Site are the property of their respective owners.

Links to Other Sites


The Site may contain hyperlinks to other sites or resources that are provided solely for your convenience. IDG is not responsible for the availability of external sites or resources linked to the Site, and does not endorse and is not responsible or liable for any content, advertising, products or other materials on or available from such sites or resources. Transactions that occur between you and any third party are strictly between you and the third party and are not the responsibility of IDG. Because IDG is not responsible for the availability or accuracy of these outside resources or their contents, you should review the terms and conditions and privacy policies of these linked sites, as their policies may differ from ours.

Disclaimer of Warranties and Liability


Neither IDG, its affiliates, nor any third-party content providers or licensors makes any warranty whatsoever, including without limitation, that the operation of the Site will be uninterrupted or error-free; that defects will be corrected; that this Site, including the server that makes it available, is free of viruses or other harmful components; as to the results that may be obtained from use of the Content or other materials on the Site; or as to the accuracy, completeness, reliability, availability, suitability, quality, non-infringement or operation of any Content, product or service provided on or accessible from the Site.

THIS SITE AND ALL CONTENT, PRODUCTS AND SERVICES INCLUDED IN OR ACCESSIBLE FROM THIS SITE ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS OF ANY KIND (EXPRESS, IMPLIED AND STATUTORY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF TITLE AND NONINFRINGEMENT AND THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE), ALL OF WHICH IDG DISCLAIMS TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. YOUR USE OF THE SITE IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK.

To the extent permissible under applicable laws, no responsibility is assumed for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any ideas, instructions, methods, products or procedures contained in the Site.

NEITHER IDG NOR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR LICENSORS SHALL BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANYONE ELSE FOR ANY LOSS OR INJURY, CAUSED IN WHOLE OR PART BY ITS NEGLIGENCE OR CONTINGENCIES BEYOND ITS CONTROL IN PROCURING, COMPILING, INTERPRETING, REPORTING OR DELIVERING INFORMATION THROUGH THE SITE. IN NO EVENT WILL IDG, ITS AFFILIATES OR LICENSORS BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANYONE ELSE FOR ANY DECISION MADE OR ACTION TAKEN BY YOU IN RELIANCE ON SUCH INFORMATION. IDG AND ITS AFFILIATES AND LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANYONE ELSE FOR ANY DAMAGES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, OR SIMILAR DAMAGES) EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Systems Reliability


IDG aims to keep the Site available twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week. However, due to technical failures, acts of God or routine maintenance, availability may be limited and/or information may be lost. IDG shall not be liable for lost information or non-availability of the services.

Indemnification


You hereby agree to indemnify, defend and hold IDG, its directors, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, agents and licensors harmless from and against any and all liability, losses, damages and costs, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees, arising from your use of the Site or Content.

Governing Law and Venue


These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales, without regard to its conflicts of law principles. You hereby submit to and agree that the sole jurisdiction and venue for any actions that may arise under or in relation to the subject matter hereof shall be the courts located in England.

Last revised: 18 October 2005



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