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Purpose
The Hub is a discussion and communication platform for members only, it complements the Club’s public presence provided by the website. The Hub brings the current mailing list, Google Groups chat room and members only website access together on to a single platform meaning members need only one account to access all membership benefits.
Features
All members will have notifications of Club notices, events and newsletters, along with a regular Summary of other Hub activity sent to them using the Hub’s email system. The range of additional features available to a member depends on whether the Hub is accessed directly or via email.
Access
The Hub can be accessed directly through any web browser at https://hub.murviclub.org.uk or alternatively using an app called Discourse Hub. The iOS version can be found at the Apple App store and the Android version can be found at Google Play.
Email support
It is perfectly possible to use the Hub via email, but members should be aware that only a limited range of features are available when using email, e.g. replying or creating new content but no browsing or search of previous content.
Content
Content on the Hub is contained in either a post or a chat. A post is longer, more formal and enduring content which is searchable whereas a chat is short, casual and ephemeral content. Both posts and chats can be public or personal.
All content is categorised. Some categories are view only while others allow replies and the creation of new content. Categories allow content to be easily brought to members attention through the Hub’s notification, browsing or, if applicable, search features.
Discussions
Discussions take place using posts, either as a new topic or a reply and are viewable by all members. Discussions are started by creating a new topic and are contributed to by replying. Members are encouraged to use the ‘like’ or 
feature when they particularly like a post or if they are concerned about a post to use the ‘flag’ or 
feature.
(All the features described below are available when using the Hub via a web browser or an app. The email features are noted separately).
> Creating new topics
New topics are created by using the 
New Topic button on the Hub home screen.
Alternatively send an email to xxxxxx@hub.murviclub.org.uk where xxxxxx is the name of the category in which the topic should appear. The subject line of the email will be the title of the topic and the body of the email is the text of the new topic.
> Replying to posts
Please avoid changing the subject in a reply – a discussion on a new subject can be started by creating a new topic.
There are three types of replies:
- A reply to a specific post which is made by clicking on the grey Reply button at the foot of that post. Using this button will ensure that if this post does not immediately follow the one being replied to, this post will contain a link to the original post for context and will increment the count of replies at the foot of the original post.
- A reply to the topic generally which is made by clicking on the blue Reply button after the last post in the topic.
- A personal reply to the topic owner or any poster made by clicking on their name or profile picture after which a login screen is displayed if not signed into the Hub before displaying the topic owner’s or poster’s user card on which a blue Message or Chat button can be clicked to send the personal reply (where message is a personal post).
NB. Please also note the difference between a reply to a specific post and a reply to the topic generally as used correctly they greatly assist other members reading through the posts in the topic.
When replying by email all replies are treated as a reply to the post being replied to.
> ‘Liking’ posts
Please use the icon available below a post to indicate agreement, support and/or highlight an interesting post. This helps avoid cluttering the Hub with repeated replies.
NB. the icon is only visible when a post is viewed via a web browser or an app.
A post maybe liked by email by replying with the text ‘+1’ or ‘like’.
> ‘Flagging’ posts
If for any reason members are concerned about the content of a post they can flag it using the icon available below the post. On clicking the icon a dialogue will be displayed asking for details of the concern and action requested.
NB. the icon is only visible when a post is viewed via a web browser or an app.
There is no equivalent email feature. Either view the post on the hub to flag the post or email hub@murviclub.org.uk detailing your concerns.
Chat
Chat takes place using a chat and are conducted with a channel or individual members. Channel names indicate the subject matter being chatted about in the channel and the chat is viewable by all members. Chats with individual members are only viewable by the included members.
NB. Response times will depend on whether the recipient member is signed into the Hub at the time; if they are not, they receive an email notification.
> Starting a new chat
A new chat is started by clicking on the 
icon in the header bar and then either clicking on the channel name, a listed name or the plus icon to search for another member. Alternatively click the profile picture of the member you want to chat with, if it is visible.
It is not possible to start a new chat by email.
> Replying
Click on the on in the header bar, select the channel or member to which a reply is required.
When replying by email all replies are treated as a reply to the chat being replied to.
Personal messages
Personal messages can be sent between members through the Hub. To send a message click your profile picture on the right of the header bar and then double click the 
icon to access your Inbox from where a message can be composed. Alternatively click the profile picture of the addressee if it is visible.
Email addresses are not disclosed and emails can only be sent by members.
Email notifications
The number of emails received by members can be adjusted.
> Email notification as activity occurs
If a member wishes to be receive individual email notifications of items included in the Summary, they should add themselves to the appropriate Group (see guidance below).
> Reducing emails
If members wish to reduce the scope of the email notifications received, they can do so by careful use of the unsubscribe link included at the foot of the relevant email. The options presented when clicking the link will vary according to the content of the email. Please select carefully and ensure you do only use the link at the foot of the email. Any other link has the potential to unsubscribe you completely from all Club email so the Club will no longer send you any emails. If there’s any doubt on which option to choose please request a change by email, as below.
Alternatively, members can request that the number of the email notifications they receive is adjusted by sending an email to hub@murviclub.org.uk setting out the changes required.
Groups
Groups are collections of members with similar preferences for their use of the hub. Two of these groups can be joined to increase the scope of email notifications received:
- Mart – for members wishing to receive email notifications of new items as they are listed in the Mart.
- Everything – for members wishing to receive email notifications of all posts on the Hub as it happens.
To join a group, access the Hub via a browser or app, click on the ≡ icon on the right of the header bar, then click Groups before clicking the Join button of the group matching one of the groups described above. You may see some other groups to which you belong, these are needed for the smooth operation of the Hub. If you have any concerns on your membership of these groups please email hub@murviclub.org.uk.