Post by AuntieSocial on Nov 19, 2003 18:43:14 GMT -5
As we have many new members (who weren’t on the old board), I thought I would create a thread with some instruction on basic posting and some suggestions …
How to reply to a post
At the top and bottom of each thread, there is a reply button. If you click on this, you will get a blank text box in which you can enter your text.
How to use tags
Tags are used frequently in message board posting. The syntax is always the same. The tags are placed around the text you want to modify. To open a tag, you would use the tag symbol inside square brackets. In closing, you would have a slash in front of the tag inside the square brackets. For example, substitute the word ‘tag’ with the appropriate tags below: [tag]text that is being modified[/tag]. There are buttons at the top of your text box that will insert the tag for you. Simply insert the required text between the tags.
The tags are:
B – Bold
I – Italic
U – underline
S –Strike Through
Center –
url - www.the.webaddress.here. Alternately, you can give your link a description by using this syntax (no spaces though) [ url = www.the.webaddress.here ]Description[ /url ]. This will display as Description
ftp – works the same as the url tag
img – place the URL for the image between the tags
email – works the same as the url tag
sup - Superscript
sub - Subscript
quote -
list and * -
Emoticon buttons are provided for easy insertion
How to reply to a post
At the top and bottom of each thread, there is a reply button. If you click on this, you will get a blank text box in which you can enter your text.
How to quote
Tag: quote
At the top of each post (within a thread), there is a quote button. If you click that, a copy of the original post (the one you are quoting) will be copied into a text box. The quoted text can be edited (i.e. you can remove the portions you are not addressing in your reply). Move your cursor to the end of the quote (after the closing ‘quote’ tag) and type your reply.
You can modify and delete your own posts. Moderators and the Admin can also modify or delete your posts, if required. Generally, we will only modify to correct tag errors. Deletion is rarely done. But it may occur if there is a breach of the Network Policy. Please be sure to read the Network Policy and Message Board Rules
How to start a thread
If you wish to start a thread, the first step is to determine which forum it is best suited. As a rule of thumb, the Activist forum is reserved for upcoming activist events and the discussion of those event (including any follow up).
How to start a new poll
That is the basics on how to post on the message board. If anyone can think of additional hints/tips, please feel free to add them here … your comments needn’t be restricted to the how-to’s … any suggestions are welcomed (and encouraged).
How to reply to a post
At the top and bottom of each thread, there is a reply button. If you click on this, you will get a blank text box in which you can enter your text.
How to use tags
Tags are used frequently in message board posting. The syntax is always the same. The tags are placed around the text you want to modify. To open a tag, you would use the tag symbol inside square brackets. In closing, you would have a slash in front of the tag inside the square brackets. For example, substitute the word ‘tag’ with the appropriate tags below: [tag]text that is being modified[/tag]. There are buttons at the top of your text box that will insert the tag for you. Simply insert the required text between the tags.
The tags are:
B – Bold
I – Italic
U – underline
S –
Center –
Center
url - www.the.webaddress.here. Alternately, you can give your link a description by using this syntax (no spaces though) [ url = www.the.webaddress.here ]Description[ /url ]. This will display as Description
ftp – works the same as the url tag
img – place the URL for the image between the tags
email – works the same as the url tag
sup - Superscript
sub - Subscript
quote -
Creates a quotation. Can be used to quote external sources, such as articles, websites, authors, etc. Can also be used to quote from other places on the board (read more about quotes below)
list and * -
- start with the tag ‘list’
- then start each line with a * in the square brackets
- end the list with the closing ‘list’ tag
Emoticon buttons are provided for easy insertion
How to reply to a post
At the top and bottom of each thread, there is a reply button. If you click on this, you will get a blank text box in which you can enter your text.
How to quote
Tag: quote
At the top of each post (within a thread), there is a quote button. If you click that, a copy of the original post (the one you are quoting) will be copied into a text box. The quoted text can be edited (i.e. you can remove the portions you are not addressing in your reply). Move your cursor to the end of the quote (after the closing ‘quote’ tag) and type your reply.
- Use the quote button within a thread to quote within the same thread. The opening tag will include a link to the original post
- Use the quote button to capture the quote, then reply in another thread and paste the quoted information, then respond. Again, this will provide a link to the original post
- Use the quote tags on their own with the quoted text inside. This is handy when you are quoting an external source, or are replying point by point to a larger post. Usually, when we are quoting in this manner, we place the original author’s name in bold tags before the opening quote tag. i.e. [ b ]AuntieSocial[ /b ] [ quote ] Quoted Text [ /quote ]
You can modify and delete your own posts. Moderators and the Admin can also modify or delete your posts, if required. Generally, we will only modify to correct tag errors. Deletion is rarely done. But it may occur if there is a breach of the Network Policy. Please be sure to read the Network Policy and Message Board Rules
- notify you of any updates. There is a notification icon at the top of the homepage and you can check there for updates to any of the threads you are following
- send the thread to a friend via email.
- print the thread
How to start a thread
If you wish to start a thread, the first step is to determine which forum it is best suited. As a rule of thumb, the Activist forum is reserved for upcoming activist events and the discussion of those event (including any follow up).
- Enter the correct forum
- click on ‘new thread’
- enter a title, a message emotion and the text
How to start a new poll
- Again, select the appropriate forum
- Enter a title and the question
- Enter up to 8 options
- Enter a comment/description
That is the basics on how to post on the message board. If anyone can think of additional hints/tips, please feel free to add them here … your comments needn’t be restricted to the how-to’s … any suggestions are welcomed (and encouraged).
- When quoting a large post, remove the irrelevant material from the original post. This helps narrow the focus to what you are commenting on.
- Also, when making comments on several comments, break the quote down into smaller segments with your comments after each quote. You can use the ‘quote’ tags to do this.
- Try to keep the replies within the topic of the thread. If you want to go off on a tangent, you can create a new thread and quote the person in your introductory post. You can also provide a link in the original thread directing those who are interested to the new thread to expand on the tangent.
- Be courteous. Keep private discussions private. Do not resort to ad hominems.
- If you disagree, say why you disagree … this will help to further the discussion. One of the great things about this format of communication, unlike the real time situations in IRC and/or PalTalk, is that replies can be researched. If something doesn’t strike you as correct, you can do some quick research/reference checks and post the correct information.
- If you feel that something isn’t within the Board Rules and/or Network Policies, PM one of the moderators. We will try to deal with the situation.
- HAVE FUN (and hopefully, LEARN)
