1. What is openDemocracy?
2. Why should I support openDemocracy?
3. How do I become an openDemocracy member?
4. How do I use discussion forums?
5. What is the link between openDemocracy's comments feature and the forums?
6. What control do authors have on comments?
7. How do I add my comment?
8. Is there anything I'm not allowed to say?
9. Are comments moderated?
10. Why can't I comment on all articles?
11. Why can't I add my comment to a recent thread?
12. Will authors reply to comments?
13. How does the search engine work?
14. How do I unsubscribe from the openDemocracy emails?
15. How do I change my email address or preferences?
16. Can I print/copy articles?

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1. What is openDemocracy?
openDemocracy.net is an online global magazine of politics and culture.

We publish clarifying debates which help people make up their own minds.

We seek the finest writing, the strongest arguments, the most compelling views and truthful voices on key issues, great and small, and encourage you to have your say in our discussion forums.

To find out more about openDemocracy, including information on funders, authors and the team, visit the About section of the website.

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2. Why should I support openDemocracy?

openDemocracy offers material free for all with no subscription charge, in order to ensure that all current and potential readers - including those excluded by poverty - can benefit from and participate in our work.

openDemocracy relies on its readers' donations to remain independent and continue its work. We are a not-for-profit organisation and all funds we receive are put back into our work.

Many of our members are regular supporters and we hope you will join them.

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3. How do I become an openDemocracy member?

You can register as an openDemocracy member online. Just enter your email address and select a password. When you return to the site next time, make sure you sign in on the front page, or on one of the sign-in pages that appear when you click into an article.
If you experience problems registering or signing in, please email theo.edwards@opendemocracy.net.

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4. How do I use discussion forums?

The forums are open and free to all members of the site. There is one forum for every debate on the site. In order to use the discussion forums on openDemocracy you need to be registered and signed in.

On the main discussion forums page you can see an overview of all member conversations across the site.

For more information on forums, click here.

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5. What is the link between openDemocracy's comments feature and the forums?

openDemocracy has now launched comments on articles, so you can debate both in the forums and by adding comments directly after articles. If you want free-ranging discussion, with or without reference to openDemocracy content, the forums are still the place to go. But if an article provokes an opinion or idea, please comment!

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6. What control do authors have on comments?

Individual authors will choose whether or not to accept comments, so those who are unlikely to read or respond can opt out rather than set up expectations. (Please remember that even those writers keen to see comments on their articles may not be able to devote time to replying, however much they'd like to.) Comment threads may also be locked once their moment has passed, so participants can move on to fresh discussions.

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7. How do I add my comment?

To comment you need to register. Once registered, you can sign in to the site and the comment field will appear below articles available for comment, so you can enter your text. Once you have entered it, just click "post comment".

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8. Is there anything I'm not allowed to say?

We welcome diverse opinions and responses to our material, and these should be framed within the requirements of our terms and conditions.

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9. Are comments moderated?

Please note that our article comments are now moderated. To find out more about why, and to view our policy click here. Forum comments that infringe our terms and conditions will be removed by a moderator. If you see an illegal or inappropriate comment, do please report it.

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10. Why can't I comment on all articles?

Our authors can choose whether to accept comments after their articles - writers are as individual as readers and thus have different approaches to using the site. If you can't add a comment on an article, you can still debate it in the forums.

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11. Why can't I add my comment to a recent thread?

Authors may "lock" comments once a particular discussion has had its moment, perhaps because they can no longer take part, or because the conversation has outlived its usefulness. All comments remain available to read, and you can make your new points in the forums, where members will be able to continue to read and respond - or you might prefer to join new discussions on other articles.

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12. Will authors reply to comments?

Authors will follow comments and reply when they are able. However, some may not have time to reply, despite their interest in receiving them. We cannot make guarantees on our authors' behalf.

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13. How does the search engine work?

The search engine on openDemocracy checks all articles for your search words by title, text body, and author name.

Enter the name of the person, or a subject you are interested in the search field in the upper right hand corner of the site.

You can also perform an advanced search if you would like to search in specific themes, or within a certain date range.

There is a separate search engine for the discussion forums.

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14. How do I unsubscribe from the openDemocracy emails?

You can unsubscribe from opendemocracy emails by logging into the site, and going to the My Account section, situated just below the search field in the top right hand corner of your browser. Here you can select not to receive weekly updates. Save any changes you make. By using this function, you should be removed from the list immediately. You will still be able to log in and browse the site.
In an effort to improve our services, it would be helpful if you let us know why you decide to unsubscribe from our emails.
If you have any problems being removed from the mailing list, please email theo.edwards@opendemocracy.net.

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15. How do I change my email address or preferences?

You can change all and any of the details we hold for you by visiting the My Account section of the website. In your "My Account" area, you can:

• Choose which emails you'd like to receive
• Change your email address
• Add your name to your profile
• Check your payment information
• Cancel your account

To access My Account, you must be signed in to the website. The link to My Account is located beneath the About header in the top left hand corner of your browser.

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16. Can I print/copy articles?

It is OK to print articles for your personal use.

If you work for a publication, University or other institution and wish to re-publish an article for public use, please visit the Press section of the site.

Copyright information, details of openDemocracy's creative commons license and guidelines for republishing on the web can also be found here.

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