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What is a Message Board Page?

Commonly called a Website Blog

(This is a copy of the web page in our software. None of the links below are live)

Message boards (blogging) let you communicate with your visitors and web site members. It allows your visitors to post and read different messages (blogs) on several different topics. You are also able to edit topic names and messages. Each member gets their own profile including a member name and if you like, you can give them a special title (e.g. CEO, 5 star member). You can also allow members to help you moderate your various message boards on your website.

Recommended Uses

• Allows you to build a community in your website
• A place to offer support to customers through your blog 
• A place to communicate with staff

Screenshot

Overview

1. Adding a Message Board Page
2. Editing the Header and Footer
3. Posting, Editing, Deleting and Locking a Topic
4. Posting, Editing and Deleting a Message Within a Topic
5. Managing, Adding, Editing and Deleting a Member
6. Member Login and Logout
7. User Control Panel
8. Adding and Deleting Moderators
9. Allowing only Members to Post
10. Editing Your Title Tag, Meta Tag and Header Info
11. Adding a Friendly URL

1. Adding a Message Board Page

1. Click on the "Add Page" button from your toolbar.
2. Choose layout "Message Board."

3. Enter a page name for your Message Board.
4. Click on the "Add Page" button.

2. Editing the Header and Footer

1. Go to your Message Board page.
2. To edit the header and footer of your page, click on the "Edit Page" button.
3. Add your text to your header and footer then click on the "Save" button.

3. Posting, Editing, Deleting and Locking a Topic

Posting a New Topic

1. Go to your Message Board page.
2. Click on the "Start New Topic" button.

3. Enter your name, a subject name and in the text box under "Body," your message.

4. Click on the "Start New Topic" Button at the bottom to save.

Editing a Topic Name

1. Go to your Message Board page.
2. Click on the "Edit" button to the right of the topic name you wish to edit.

3. Make your changes to your text and click on the "Save" button.

Deleting a Topic

1. Go to your Message Board page.
2. Click on the "Delete" button to the right of the topic you wish to delete.

3. Click on the "Delete" button on the next page to confirm you wish to delete or if you change your mind, click on the "Cancel" button.

Locking a Topic

Locking a topic refers to not allowing any new messages to be posted within that topic. The messages are all still viewable.

1. Go to your Message Board page.
2. Click on the "Edit" button to the right of the topic you wish to lock.

3. Checkmark "Check to lock topic" and then click on the "Save" button.

You will notice after you have locked a topic that a small lock will appear to the left of the topic name.

4. Posting, Editing and Deleting a Message Within a Topic

Posting a Message Within a Topic

1. Go to your Message Board page.
2. Click on the topic name under which you want to post a message.
3. Click on the "Post Message" button above or below the message(s).

4. Enter your name and your message. If you are a logged in member, you do not have to enter your name. Then click on the "Save" button.

Editing a Message

Please note that a logged in webmaster can edit any messages and a logged in member can also edit his or her own messages only.

1. Go to your Message Board page.
2. Click on the topic where the message you want to edit is located.
3. Click on the "Edit" button within the box where the message is located.

4. Make your changes and then click on the "Save" button.

Please note that just below the message a note will appear that indicates when the message was "Last Edited."

Deleting a Message

1. Go to your Message Board page.
2. Click on the topic where the message you want to edit is located.
3. Click on the "Delete" button within the box where the message is located.

4. Click on the "Delete" button on the next page to confirm you wish to delete or if you change your mind, click on the "Cancel" button.

5. Managing, Adding, Editing and Deleting Members

Managing Members

Members can be added by you, the site owner, manually anytime. Visitors to your site can also apply for membership, but you determine how applicants are approved or rejected. There are 3 settings:

• applicants get automatic membership when they apply,
• you look at applications and then approve or reject potential members
• or you can opt to not allow any new members except when added by you.

To set your member policy

1. Click on "Tools" from your toolbar.
2. Click on "Msg Board Members."

3. Mark off "No New Members," "Manual Approval" or "Automatic Approval" and then click on the "Save" button.

Adding Members

There are 2 ways to add members. The first method is:

1. You add them yourself by clicking on “Tools” from your toolbar -> “Msg Board Members” -> Click on the “Add Member” tab.

2. Input the member info and click the "Save" button.

The second method is:

1. A visitor to your site can click on "Join Message Board."

2. The visitor then inputs their member info and clicks on "Register Now."

3. Depending on the member policy, applicants will be told one of the following:

• If the member policy is "Automatic Approval," the applicant is immediately given their membership.
• If the member policy is "Manual Approval," the visitor will be told that they have successfully submitted their application.
• If the member policy is "No New Members," the visitor will see a message that they cannot join right after they click on "Join Now."

If you choose "Manual Approval," you have to do the following to accept or reject a potential member:

1. Click on "Tools" from your toolbar -> "Msg Board Members" -> "Approve Applications."

2. To see the details of the member application, click on the member name. Click on "Accept" or "Reject" to process the application.

3. On the next page, you will see the email that is sent to the accepted or rejected applicant. You can edit it or leave it alone. Please note that member login instructions are automatically added below the text for an approved applicant. Click on "Accept Membership"/"Reject Membership" when you are done.

Accept Membership Screen

Reject Membership Screen

Editing Members

1. Click on "Tools" from your toolbar -> "Msg Board Members" -> "Manage Members."

2. Click on the "Edit" button to the right of the member whose details you wish to edit.

3. Make your changes. Please note you also have the option of giving the person a special title (e.g. Webmaster, Vice-President). Click on the "Save" button.

Deleting Members

1. Click on "Tools" -> "Msg Board Members" -> "Manage Members."

2. Checkmark the member name(s) you wish to delete and click on "Delete Selected."

6. Member Login and Logout

Member Login

1. On the Message Board page, click on "Login to Message Board."

2. Enter your member name and password. Click on the "Login" button.

Please note that if you are the site owner, you can be logged in as a member and be logged in to your site at the same time.

Member Logout

1. On the Message Board page, click on "Logout."

2. Click on the "Logout Now" button on the next page to confirm you wish to logout otherwise click "Back" on your browser.

7. User Control Panel

1. After you are logged in to the message board (see Member Login and Logout.), click on "User Control Panel."

You now have several options to choose from which we will cover below.

Editing Your Membership Profile

1. Click on "Edit Info."

2. Make your changes and additions. Click on the "Save" button.

Creating an Autosignature for Your Member Name

An autosignature is text that appears underneath your message each time you post a message. It can be edited once posted, but saves you time from always typing the same text each time you post.

1. Click on "Edit Signature."

2. Type in what you would like to have as your autosignature and click on the "Save" button.

Your autosignature will now appear as follows:

Changing Your Email

1. Click on "Edit Email."

2. Enter your new email and click on "Save."

Changing Your Password

1. Click on "Edit Password."

2. Enter your new password and old password and click on the "Save" button.

8. Adding and Deleting Moderators

Only members of your message board can become moderators of your site. Please see Managing, Adding, Editing and Deleting a Member to add a member.

Adding Moderators

1. Go to your Message Board page.
2. Click on "Edit Page" from your toolbar.
3. Click on the "Moderators" tab.

4. Type in the member's name or click on "click here for a list of users" to find a member name. Then, click on "Add User."

Deleting Moderators

1. Go to your Message Board page.
2. Click on the "Edit Page" button from your toolbar.
3. Click on the "Moderators" tab.

4. Checkmark the member(s) you would like to remove and click on "Delete Selected."

9. Allowing only Members to Post

You have two options of allowing either anyone to post or only your members to post on each of your message boards. By default, anyone can post on your site. Here is how the options works:

1. Go to your Message Board page.
2. Click on the "Edit Page" button from your toolbar.
3. Click on the "Options" tab.

4. Checkmark "Check to allow anonymous posts" if you want to allow anyone to post. Uncheck it, if you only wish members to post. Then click "Save."