Forum module

Content

1. Introduction
2. Connecting the module to a page
3. Working with the forum module
    3.1 Login procedure: closed forums
    3.2 Login procedure: public forums
    3.3 Login to a public account
    3.4 Register for a public account
    3.5 Forum: all users
4. Managing the forum module
    4.1 Managing users
    4.2 Managing topics
    4.3 Managing replies
    4.4 Managing forums
    4.5 Managing configuration

1. Introduction

The forum module in Site@School has the following features:

(top)

2. Connecting the module to a page

Before you can use the forum module, it must be connected to a page on the site. Read the Module manager chapter on how to do this.

(top)

3. Working with the forum module

The Forum module has different login procedures for the public and the non-public forums:

First we describe the login procedure for non-public and public accounts.
From section '3.5 Forum: all users') the manual is the same for all sorts of accounts. So, although the manual speaks of 'Pupils forum', 'Parent forum' or other forum names, from then on the manual's instructions will apply to all users.

3.1 Login procedure: closed groups

NOTICE: All pictures and descriptions in 'Closed Forums' are applicable to 'Teachers' and 'Pupils' forums.

Go to the forum page on your site. You will see:

[ ]
mod_frm_start.jpg

Choose a non-public forum (see under 'Public:' [4]), click on its forum name [1].
When you clicked on 'Teacher-forum', you will see:

[ ]
mod_frm_login.jpg

Enter a user name and password. When you entered a wrong user name and password, you get a warning message.
After entering username and password and clicking on 'Login', you will see:

[ ]
mod_frm_closed_start.jpg

From now on the manual is the same for all forums.
Please continue with the '3.5 Forum: all users' chapter.

3.2 Login procedure: public forums

Go to the forum page on your site. You will see:

[ ]
mod_frm_start.jpg

When you click on a public forum (see 'Public' [4]), click on its forum name [1]. You will see:

[ ]
mod_frm_public1.jpg
Explanation of items 1 and 2:
  1. Login: When you already have a valid username and password, you can login by clicking on the 'Login' button. This process is described below under '3.3 Login to a public account'.
  2. Register: When you do not have a username and password, you first have to register by creating an account. Click the 'Register' button. This process is described below under '3.4 Register for a public account'.

3.3 Login to a public account

When you click on the 'Login' button [1], you will see:

[ ]
mod_frm_public_login.jpg
Explanation:
  1. Login: Forum name : The name of the forum you want access to.
  2. Username: Put in a valid username.
  3. Password: Put in a valid password.
  4. Login: Click to login to the forum.
  5. If you forgot your password... : When you have entered a valid password in the registration, and you forgot it, you can get it sent to you by e-mail by clicking the link.
  6. Forums: To return to the forums.
Fill in a valid username and password, click on 'Login' and you will see:

[ ]
mod_frm_public_after_login.jpg

From now on the manual is the same for all forums. For explanation, please continue with the '3.5 Forum: all users' section.

3.4 Register for a public account

When you click the 'Register' button [2], you will see:

[ ]
mod_frm_pub_create_account.png
Explanation:
  1. Create new account: 'Forum name': Displays the forum name you register for.
  2. Username: Put in a username, minimum length of four characters.
  3. Password: Enter a password, minimum length of six characters.
  4. Password: Retype the password.
  5. Firstname: Put in your first name.
  6. Surename: Put in your family name.
  7. Email address: Put in your email address.
  8. Website: Put in your website address.
  9. Email address visible: Check the box to make the address visible in postings.
  10. Send: Send your registration data.
  11. Main page: Return to the main page.

When you have successfully created your account, you will see:

[ ]
mod_frm_pub_accept_account.png

Click on 'Login' and you will see:

[ ]
mod_frm_public_login_after_register.jpg

Fill in a valid username and password, click on 'Login' and you will see:

[ ]
mod_frm_public_after_login.jpg

From now on the manual is the same for all forums. For explanation, please continue with the '3.5 Forum: all users section.

3.5 Forum: all users

NOTICE: 'Modify profile' and 'Profile' do not apply to closed forums as their profiles are managed in the Configuration Manager.
When you have successfully logged in, you will see:

[ ]
mod_frm_general_start.jpg
Explanation:
  1. New topic: This button brings you to 'New topic'.
  2. Change profile: Clicking on the 'Modify profile' button brings you to the screen to modify your profile. This procedure speaks for itself and needs no further explanation.

    NOTICE: The 'Change profile' button is invisible in non-public forums.

  3. Profile: Clicking on the 'Profile' button brings you to the screen where you can see your profile and statistical data. This procedure speaks for itself and needs no further explanation.

    NOTICE: The 'Profile' button is not visible in non-public forums.

  4. Search: To search on keywords on the forum.
  5. Forums: Return to the forum opening screen.
  6. You are logged in as: Here you can see your login name.
  7. Logout: Logout and stay in the same forum.
  8. 'Forum name': Refers to 'Teachers' or 'Pupils' or some other forum.
  9. Topic: The list of topics in a forum.
  10. Author: Name of the author.
  11. Replies: The number of replies.
  12. Read: The number of times a list of a topic has been read.
  13. Date: Creation date of the topic.
  14. Topics: When the number of topics exceeds 10, a new page of topics is created. Clicking on one of the numbers brings you to the next page of topics.

Now you can continue to create topics, and thereafter, reply to topics.
Most of it speaks for itself, so we end the users part of the forum chapter with some screenshots:
When you clicked the 'New topic' button, you can add a new topic:

[ ]
mod_frm_new_topic.jpg

Fill in the subject and content and decide if you want e-mail notifications when someone reacts to your posting.
Below is what happens after you click on a topic. The list of entries becomes visible:

[ ]
mod_frm_topic.jpg

When you click on 'Reply', the 'Post reply:' screen opens and you can add to the topic:

[ ]
mod_frm_reply.jpg

(top)

4. Managing the forum module

There are five values to manage: users, topics, replies, forums and forum- and font colors

4.1 Managing users

[ ]
mod_frm_mng_users.jpg

NOTICE: Only the users of public forums are listed here. Users of closed groups (i.e. teachers and pupils) are listed in Site@School's Configuration Manager.
The only item to manage here is to delete users.
Click on 'Delete' to delete a user.

4.2 Managing topics

[ ]
mod_frm_mng_topics.jpg

The only actions to undertake here are 'Delete' and 'Modify' a topic.
By pressing on 'Delete' of a topic, the topic is deleted.
By pressing on 'Modify', a window opens and the header and the text of the topic can be modified:

[ ]
mod_frm_mng_topic_change.jpg

Click on 'Save' to save your changes and return to the 'Modify topics' screen.

4.3 Managing replies

[ ]
mod_frm_mng_replies.jpg

The only actions to undertake here are 'Delete' and 'Modify' a reply.
By pressing on 'Delete' of a reply, the reply is deleted.
By pressing on 'Modify', a window opens and the text of the reply can be modified:

[ ]
mod_frm_mng_reply_change.jpg

Click on 'Save' to save your changes and return to the 'Modify topics' screen.

4.4 Managing forums

[ ]
mod_frm_mng_forums.jpg

The only actions to undertake here are 'Delete', 'Modify' and 'Add Forum'.
By pressing on 'Delete', you delete a forum.

By pressing on 'Add Forum' a window opens and you can add a forum:

[ ]
mod_frm_mng_add_forum.jpg

Fill in the 'Forumname:' and 'Type:' fields. Pay close attention to put the correct value (1, 2 or 3) in the field to create a public or non-public forum.
Fill in the 'Email address:' to which email notifications can be sent to. Multiple addresses are possible by separating them with a comma.

By pressing on 'Modify', a window opens and the forum name and email address can be modified.

[ ]
mod_frm_mng_forums_modify.jpg

4.5 Managing configuration

When you click on 'Configuration', you will see:

[ ]
mod_frm_config.jpg

Here you can change the colors in the forum and the maximum number of characters per topic and reply.

(top)

Author: Dirk Schouten <schoutdi (at) knoware (dot) nl>
Last updated: 2006-04-12