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Members only extras (page updated 5 May 08)
1) The traditional extras, library, Journal, visits etc.
Joining gives access to an extremely comprehensive library of quality books, maps, timetables, magazines, manufacturer's catalogues and other railway related historical documentation covering an extensive range of topics. Joining the SLS will allow you to access the library loan system. If you cannot reach the Library in person the catalogue is available and a postal loan system is in place.
The Journal, see separate section, is mailed to members.
2) The newer, Internet based, extras
Prospective Society members are also advised that in addition to the traditional ways in which the SLS, like any other Society is run (area meetings, visits, library loans etc) the SLS also has Members Forum section on our web-site for exchange of data and comments by those unable to actively get to a meeting for whatever reason.
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Although the SLS internet forum is not targeted specifically at the disabled and infirm it does of course provide such railway enthusiasts and historians with a practical means of sharing and exchanging knowledge and expertise with others on a worldwide basis. |
The Members Section currently utilises the Groups option offered by Yahoo. In addition to the text forum facility the Members Section also has additional Photographic and files sections. Access to this section of our internet provision has been restricted to "private club status" for three main reasons:-
- it reduces the likelihood of inappropriate material being posted.
- it reduces the likelihood of members email addresses being harvested by "spammers".
- it allows items to be kept to a closed, and trustable, group for comment where such is a pre-publication item
If you are a Society member currently and unaware of this section, or are newly joining, please ask the Membership Secretary to forward the webmaster your email address so that you can be sent the necessary link for registration with the service. (It is inclusive to the membership fee - no extra cost) New and existing members will be sent an invite to join the group if they let the Secretary know their email address. Once you have joined the Yahoo group you have log on access to read the extra features. To do so follow this order of actions
- log into the group, the sign-in page for Yahoo Groups is at http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/
- read the files which are in the files section, the messages or view the photo image galleries.
How do I sign up?
Send your email address to the SLS Secretary with your details and ideally your membership number. Once your membership status is validated you will be emailed an invite to join the group.
Do I have to have email?
Because the group has been set up as a private invitation only group to register initially you do have to be able to receive and respond to your initial invitation request. After that email access is not mandatory as all messages, files and photographs are accessible via a PC for reading in an internet browser. (Internet Explorer, Opera, Firefox, Mozilla etc) Email is only required after registration if you opt to receive emailed updates when you create or edit your group profile. A work email address, or similar, could therefore be used to process those initial in and out emails without creating ongoing email traffic. In accordance with our Data Protection statement (Repeated at page foot) there will be no external SPAM routed to you via the group.
I have access to a PC but it isn't my own therefore I don't currently have my own email account?
If you do not currently have/use a regular personal email address for anything else then to register for, and receive messages by email from, Yahoo Groups you are recommended to obtain one of the free email addresses that are not connection specific. Microsoft offer this service with their Hotmail accounts. Yahoo also offer a free Yahoo Mail service as do other providers. Once registered with the Yahoo Group system you can log on from any PC in the world and read the messages, files and view the photographs on line.
The security policy described above is set by your employer/the owner of the PC. Once you are registered with Yahoo Groups, that registration is portable and you can log on from any PC which allows full access to the internet and will be able to access all Group areas. Hitting a security barrier does not disable your personal access to Yahoo Groups and that remains available from any non-controlled alternative connection.
What does the forum look like?
A screen grab of the forum content as at January 2007 is added below. It has been scaled so that readers using both the 800 by 600 and 1024 by 780 screen sizes will be able to view it.
How often is it updated?
How long is a piece of string? It is your forum and use varies according to members activity input. Notes about updates made by the webmaster are added on the updates page on this site and all updates are also emailed out to those members who on signing up to Yahoo Groups select one of the email notification options.
Data Protection
In accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act the information supplied to the SLS may be held and used for the purposes of business, administration and statistical analysis. We will never sell or transfer your details to third parties for marketing purposes.