There's no doubting that our forums are among the most difficult areas of our websites to get sorted. Here in what will be hopefully the first of many debate triggers from people around our empire, Alison Gow, deputy editor of the Liverpool Daily Post asks whether we need them at all...

Are forums the best way of interacting with online users? A quick glance at most newspaper websites would indicate the answer is... no.

Frits van Exter, former editor-in-chief of Trouw newspaper, in the Netherlands, told the World Editor's Forum earlier this year that such interactivity was an 'open sewer' on a newspaper's website.

I wouldn't go that far, but I'm constantly taken aback by how unpleasant some posters are on newspaper forums - the bullying that goes on in some of them is worthy of the Big Brother house - and it's easy to see why some new users never log in again after being flamed for voicing an opinion that runs counter to the mob.

Who would have thought running a website would be so much work? I thought you just set these things up, sit back and enjoy the show. Not so apparently.
The best way I can describe it is like running round a vast mansion opening doors, sweeping away rapidly settling dust and cobwebs and shouting into rooms to see if anyone is there. If you leave a room too long it rapidly starts to look old and abandoned.
Our site has so many exciting, fun and diverse sections that constantly need attention to keep them fresh and full of the most up to date information.
This is where you, dear reader, come in. Currently there are a few of you wandering in the hallways, inspecting the silverware or admiring the drapes. But we're not that formal here - write on the walls, jump on the bed, give everything a try and soon you'll be shaking any dust off yourselves.
We have already had plenty of people sending in their stories and pictures and posting in the forum, but I want more.
So please, you've come this far, just pop along to our forum sign up (it takes less than a minute) and leave a post. It can be anything, whatever's on your mind, or reply to something someone else has said. With your help we can turn this mansion into a palace.

Prepare the guillotines, lock up your royals and let's all eat cake - there's a revolution going on.

But before you go lighting your flaming torches (and I stretch this metaphor past breaking point), I must confess this revolution is entirely digital.

We at the Harrow Observer have just launched the brand-spanking-shiny-and-all-round-spiffingly-new 24-hour website for the Harrow Observer newspaper series.

No longer does news have to come off on your fingers or line your rabbit hutch (unless you have a particularly tech-savvy rabbit), for now we will be bringing you the latest news from Harrow and the surrounding communities 24-hours a day. As the Harrow Observer's Multimedia Content Editor I will be updating the site, managaing the forums and comments and encouraging you to get involved. Being British it is nearly impossible for me to get excited without sounding either sarcastic or like I'm trying to sell something, but really, I am excited, and you should be too. We have also launched a number of community websites which we hope you will take control of, posting your own pictures, videos, telling your neighbours about clubs you run. We want you to write about the issues that affect you and set your own news agenda.

It's no use me getting excited on my own - I could chat with myself on the forums, post pictures of me in a variety of hats and upload my own version of Jurassic Park made on my camera phone, but then we might as well call it the Tom Observer (actually that does rather have a ring to it...). So please, put aside your bowler hat and unstiffen your top lip for five minutes and have an explore round the site and hopefully you will get excited too. Then let me know what you think - post on the forums, send in a picture, email me asking for a blog. At the risk of sounding so non-British I may break out in stars and stripes, this really is your site and you can make it, so please get involved.

Right, that's quite enough bells and whistles, I'm going to readjust my bowler and head off to the forums to discuss Harrow's cricketing prospects, see you there...