The new forum has been installed from scratch rather than using a forum host like last time. This enables us to have complete control over the forum as we now have access to the forum database. This means we can back up the forum so that if it ever was to go down we can always restore it Also this fourm is due to be part of a larger martial arts resource website which is currently under construction therefore has been created to tie in with the general website.

The forum runs from coding called phpBB, the old forum was phpBB2 whereas this one is phpBB3 meaning a later edition and newer features.
The forum works just like the older one so you should have no problems getting to grips with it, however there are a few added features that members can make use of:

Navigation:
Homepage> redirects to the main website
Forum index> directs to the forum index (homepage)
Forum index> 'forum category'> 'current forum' allows you to see where abouts in the forum you are and allows for quick navigation to forum categories. You can also use the Next & Previous Topic buttons to skip from topic to topic within the same category.

Forums that you have started/took part in will have a small black circle at the top left of that forums post icon The post icon will be grey if there are no new posts or orange if there are new posts. You can also click 'subscribe' or 'bookmark' topic to easily follow the topic, this will add a link to your marked topic/s within your UCP (user control panel). You can also click the view 'unanswerd posts,' 'active topics,' 'new posts' and 'your posts' links at the top of the forums in the forum index for quick specific navigation.

Please make use of the menu buttons at the top the forum; FAQ> frequantely asked questions Members> member list Search> keyword search UCP> user control panel New/No New PM's> private messages.

New Features:

Avatar Gallery - located in your UCP you can choose from pre installed avatars from the gallery or upload your own.

Status - allows you to write a sentence describing your current status.

Live Chat - live chat box for members

Spoiler, Flash & Youtube tools - easily customise your messages

Advanced UCP - extra user control panel options

Advanced Search - better searching options

New Style & Graphics - improved graphics

plus much more

FANTASTIC new site!!

Looks like all the hard work has paid off

Speak soon