Used DuckDuckGo this week as browser and it enabled adding a file which I could not do from Chrome. Let's see if it let's me create a post now. Great people and contenr/knowledge on here shame the software is creaking.

Sorry djh; the 'Add your comments' box. My username and password show even when I have not signed in.

Re LF's comment re creaky s/ware I'll try to remember to ask AECB what they are planning.

I e-mailed Samantha Musty from AECB last night. I wrote: ''A number of people (including me!) have been posting recently about various ‘operational quirks’ and I guess one concern is that the software finally ‘falls over’ before AECB gets the chance to upgrade it.

Any news on progress would be gratefully received.''

I don't get the 'Whisper' box auto-filled, though...

Update:

Samantha Musty, AECB, writes:

''Dear Nick,

Thanks very much for getting in touch. We have been working behind the scenes since my post and getting to grips with the old technology, which sometimes even proved difficult to get into!

I’m sorry for the lack of update but we were waiting to have some bigger news before posting again. However, I am conscious that some users are struggling so would like to ask you to bear with us.

Here is some news you may share now and we’ll be in touch when there is more to report :

We have concentrated efforts on the WordPress site to update the “front door” to the Forum and that is now looking better. We did this first to allow new users to continue to join.

Our attention next turns to the Forum which is based on legacy software. We are treading carefully so as to keep all the historical posts and current valuable discussions intact. Our IT advisors are surveying the Forum and will report back to us this week with recommendations on how to deal with the “operational quirks” and update it.''

Thanks Samantha. Please keep us posted as you go along.

AECB haven't said anything on that score, but I think a number of us would be prepared to add to a kitty if need be. I'll pass on the possibility.

That worked no problem don't know why and done in edge. Maybe the tweaking has worked.

Dear friends,
I've just seen your comments about chipping in for a development kitty and am very moved by that. We will be using your annual Forum fees to support the IT development in keeping with our ethos as a not-for-profit organisation, but it's good to know that we could pass the hat around!

We are aware that there are operational issues with using and posting on this old software but ask you to bear with us whilst we tread carefully to protect and then enhance the Forum.

It would be easy to start with a clean slate and shiny new software but we believe that this Forum is about the people and ideas in it so we are keen to honour that first and foremost.

We'll post development news when we have it but in the meantime thanks for your continued support.
Samantha Musty (AECB)

No one's asked me for annual forum fees ever. I think I paid ÂŁ5 at some point, to be a full member or something, forever. Sure lots of us would be willing.