Content
1. Introduction
1.1 What is the goal of this module and the difference with the News module
1.2 The features of the Message module
2. Connecting the module to a page
3. Managing the Message module
3.1 Add a message
3.2 Change a message
3.3 Delete a message
4. Configuration of the message module
5. Add a message via the (Protected area) site
6. View the messages on the site
7. Example
The goal of this module is to write on a quick and easy way actual messages on the site. The difference with the News module is :
- In the Message module you can attention the visitors via a short message (if necessary with a link) on a new publication on the site.
- In the Message module you can place short actual messages (for example : The day after tomorrow we have a party at school).
- In the Message module you can specify how long the message will stay on the site.
- In one view you can see all the actual messages on your screen.
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The message module of Site@School has the following features:
- A page on the site where the visitors can read the messages.
- A page on the protected area of the site where teachers can place the message for publication.
- Management of the messages in the Site@School module manager, i.e. add, delete or change messages, making and manage introduction texts of the message pages.
- A Message will automatically be removed after the number of days that is given by the message.
- An [Edit] function to change the module name and the program name to fit your language. See the 'Module manager' chapter for details on how to change the name.
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Before you can use the Message module, it must be connected to a page on the site.
Here we tell you how to connect the module to a page.
- Click: Page Manager => Section => New Page. When these steps are unfamiliar to you, consult the 'Page manager chapter for detailed instructions.
- You should see now:

mod_msg_page.png
Explanation:
- Section: The section where you want to put a module on the site.
- Title: The title of your page. This title will be visible in the left column of page titles. Make it refer to the functionality of the module. For example 'Actual Message'.
- Order: The order in the row of vertical entries (the pages) in the section.
- Category: When you have many pages in a section, you can group them in categories for easier management.
- Module (optional): The name of the module program. This field will be completed automatically when you have added a module via the 'Browse' button.
- Browse: See below for explanation.
- Invisible: Check the box to make the page invisible.
- Cancel: to undo your work and return to the previous page.
- Save: To save your work and return to the previous page.
- Click on the 'Browse' button [6] and you will see the module browser with the available modules on the left side.
- Click on 'Message' in the left side of the browser.
- The program window for your module will open. There are two programs available.

mod_msg_modulebrowser.png
Explanation:
- Add Messages: With this option you can add messages on the site. You place this option at a page in the Protected Area.
- View Messages: With this option you can view the messages on the site. You place this option at a page in the Public Area.
- Click on your desired choice at the right side of the module browser. The window will close and you are back at the 'New Page' window. The name of the module's program name is visible in the 'Module (optional)' entry field.
- Click on 'Save' to save your work.
You are back at the Page Manager and you can see the 'Page name' added. However, the icon located before the page name is a module icon instead of a page icon
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The following items can be managed in the Message module:
- Add a message.
- Change a message.
- Delete a message.
- Change the number of days of a message how long you can see this message on the site
Go to the Module browser and click at Message. Now you will see :

mod_msg_add_manage.jpg
Click on [Add message]. Now you will see :

mod_msg_add_message.jpg
- Message: Here you place the text of the message (you can use HTML-codes).
- Placed by: Place the name of the owner of the message.
- Number of days: The number of days the message will stay on the site. The message will be deleted automatically.
When you fill in the number 0, the message will never been deleted.
- Save: Click here to save the message. The message appears on the screen (see below) and is directly seen on the site.

mod_msg_view_manage.jpg
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- Click on the 'Pencil'. Now you can change all the fields of the message. After changing the text or parameter(s) of the Message
click on 'Save' to save all the changes.

mod_msg_change_manage.jpg
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- Click on the 'Trash' button by the message. A window appears to ask if you are sure to delete the message.
By clicking 'Yes' the message will be deleted.
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- Click on 'Configuration'. You will see:

mod_msg_config.jpg
Explanation:
- Welcome text message view: Put your intro text in the text box for the public part of the site. Use HTML tags to markup the text.
- Welcome text add message: Put your intro text in the text box for the protected part of the site. Use HTML tags to markup the text.
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You have the possibility to place a message via the Protected area of the site. Log on to the Protected area and go to the page which is configured to
add a message to the site.
Click on the page. You will see :

mod_msg_add_site.jpg
- Message: Here you place the text of the message (you can use HTML-codes).
- Placed by: Place the name of the owner of the message.
- Number of days: The number of days the message will stay on the site. The message will be deleted automatically.
When you fill in the number 0, the message will never been deleted.
- Save: Click here to save the message. The message appears on the screen (see below) and is directly seen on the site.
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Go to the page which is configured to view the messages on the site. Click on the page. You will see :

mod_msg_view_site.png
- Date when it is placed on the site. The latest message is always first.
- Number of days the message stays on the site. When no number behind is specified for the date, then is 0 filled in by 'Number of days' and this message will always seen on the site.
- The content of the message.
- Who is the owner of the message.
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You can use a picture in the text of the message or you can place a link in it to another place on the site or the Internet.
You can see here an example of this.

mod_msg_example.png
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Author: Gerhard Smit
Last updated: 2006-04-18