Registering
Why do I need to register?
Before starting a discussion or replying to a message, you need to register.
How do I register?
After selecting the ‘register new account' link, you need to decide on a display name, give your email address and choose a password. Try to select something memorable, as you will need to use your details to log in before posting. Your display name is displayed on each of your posts. You will receive an activation email from the Webmanager. This is a link that you need to click on in order to validate your account. It will also remind you of your password.
I have registered but not received an activation email, what do I do?
When you complete your registration you will automatically be sent an email from webmanager@macmillan.org.uk , however, your email provider (such as Hotmail or Yahoo) may have blocked it as part of their spam-protection efforts.
What to do:
1. In your email account check your junk mail/spam folder – if it is there, mark it as safe or add to your address book webmanager@macmillan.org.uk
2. In your contact list add webmanager@macmillan.org.uk , then go back to the Share log in box and request the verification email again.
3. If all else fails please let us know by emailing webmanager@macmillan.org.uk
The link in my profile activation email doesn't work, what now?
Some email clients cannot handle the length of the link we send to activate your account – so it arrives cut in half. If this happens, the link is split into two lines instead of one long one (the vital unique letters and numbers are in the second half). If your link is broken, make sure you paste both lines (without a gap between them) into your browser to activate your profile.
Logging in
Why can't I log in?
Once you have registered and verified your account you should be able to log in. Remember to put in your email address (not display name), and you will need capital letters in the right places for your password to work. Check you are entering the correct spelling of your email address. Check your password is correct by selecting ‘Forgot password'.
I can't remember my password?
Receive an automated password reminder by entering the email you used to register on the Forgotten password page.
My profile
What is my profile for?
Once logged in, you will be able add some additional information about yourself such as a biography in 'My Profile'. You can choose to make your profile public, allow just your ‘friends' to view your profile, or keep it private. If you make your profile public then you will be able to search for other people like you on Share, and other users will be able to find you.
We take your privacy very seriously and your personal details will never be shown online. Please ensure you read the Privacy policy before you register.
How can I change the information in my profile?
Login and go to ‘My profile' in the left hand side column. Select the tabs ‘About me', ‘Biography', ‘Contact details' and ‘Preferences'.
How do I change my password or email address?
The ‘Preferences' page is where you can amend your display name and log in details (email address and password).
Getting started
I'm new to Share - where do I start?
Once you've registered and logged on to Share, it's easy to meet people, make friends and get support. Why not just jump into a discussion that seems appropriate to you and say hello? Or you can start your own discussion. (See full instructions below on getting started.)
What if a discussion is too chatty for me?
Sometimes a conversations can drift away from just talking about cancer. If you feel a discussion is becoming too chatty you can either ask the users to move their conversation to the Just Chat forum, start your own thread that's more on-topic, or write to the web team at Macmillan and ask us to move the thread to Just Chat.
What if I want to just chat?
It's fine to just chat on Share – that's what the Just Chat forum is for. Discussions in the general cancer sections of the site that are too chatty will sometimes be moved to Just Chat by our web team.
Discussions
What is a discussion thread?
Discussion threads are conversations started by members on a specific topic. Any one can view or join in the discussion. They belong in a Forum topic such as Dealing with practical issues in the We talk about cancer board.
How do I start a new discussion?
- You need to login or register to be a Share member.
- Choose a Forum you're interested in from the boards ‘We talk about Cancer' and ‘We talk about fundraising' .
- Select the forum subject to place your new topic.
- Select 'Create a new topic' above the list of topics: eg, 'Newly diagnosed with lung cancer'. When you've written your message, click 'Submit' and it should be live on the website immediately.
What should I call my discussion?
Try to give your discussion a very clear title. “Talking about bowel cancer…” is much more likely to get a broad response than “It's 4am …”
What if I don't want to start my own discussion?
Joining in with an established discussion is a great way to meet people, and is often the best way to get started. Just add a post saying, “Hi, I'm new to Share and have been dealing with this cancer too…” and you'll be off and running.
How can I reply to a post?
Each post (message) in a discussion thread says below it 'Reply to post'. Select and then type your post and select ‘Submit' and it will appear below all the other posts. You need to log in first to add posts so you will need to register .
How can I search for a discussion?
- Use the search tool and click Share.
- Or use Tag search on the left column for discussions that have been given tags.
- Or add your favourite discussions to your ‘Favourites' list (see below).
How do I view discussions I've started?
Login first, then go to ‘My discussions' in the left column. Select ‘My discussions' and view the ones you started.
How can I add a discussion to my favourites?
Login and go to discussion , scroll down to the bottom and select ‘Add to favourites'. To view your favourites, select ‘My discussions' in the left column and choose the ‘My favourites' tab.
Tags
What is tagging?
Tags are keywords used to describe what a discussion topic is about. Tags categorise topics so that you can search by subject using the 'latest tags' list, which is found in the left-hand column of Share. When the tag has been used many times, the word becomes bigger in the list. Tags are chosen informally and personally by registered members of Share. The tag will appear when enough people have added the same word.
How do I add a tag to a discussion?
Login and go to a discussion, scroll to the bottom and enter words into the tag box. The tags will appear when enough people have added the same word.
What if my tag doesn't show?
The tags will appear when enough people have added the same word to their posts. This shows that the tags have become valid and helpful to others.
Friends and private messaging
How do I become friends with others?
- Login and go to ‘My friends' in the left hand side column. In ‘My friends' page choose ‘Find Friends' tab. Enter a name or search for others like you. Select the link ‘Request Friend' which send a request that the person needs to approve.
- To see who has requested you as a friend go to the ‘New requests' tab.
What is private messaging?
You can send private messages to any of your Share friends. These will not be displayed on the public website and only you and your friends will be able to view the messages. You will be able to see all the messages you have sent, and all the messages you have received. Any messages you have received can be deleted by you at any time. You may also block a friend from sending you messages at any time.
How do I private message someone?
Login and go to ‘My messages' in the left hand side column. Choose ‘My friends' and you will see a list of your friends. Select ‘Send message' on right hand side.
You can choose view messages in ‘All messages', ‘Inbox' and ‘Sent messages'.
Inappropriate behaviour
What do I do when I see an inappropriate behaviour in a discussion?
Report the post: tell us about an inappropriate post or topic by selecting the ‘Report post' link below the post. Please ignore the post and above all, do not reply to the person with the inappropriate behaviour.
What if an argument breaks out while I'm in a discussion?
It is vital that you don't join in with an argument. Simply step back from the situation and avoid posting anything you'll regret later. Remember, swearing, bullying and defamatory statements break house rules. Simply report the post and move on.
What if I become upset while using Share?
You may find yourself using Share late at night or when you're in pain or on medication. If you become distressed at any time, try to seek help without worrying other Share users. The Macmillan Cancer Line offers practical assistance from 9am-9pm on Freephone 0808 808 2020 / Textphone 0808 808 0121, or email cancerline@macmillan.org.uk . If it is a medical issue, contact your GP or local hospital; or the Samaritans are available at any time on 08457 90 90 90 or jo@samaritans.org .
What are the house rules?
When you register you agree to our House rules. If a user breaches house rules, we may either: write an official warning letter; issue a one-week ban from Share; or implement a permanent ban from the site. Behaviour we take seriously includes swearing, selling or promoting products, insulting or personally attacking users, impersonating others, and making defamatory statements.