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Post by forgottenlord on Mar 19, 2016 13:39:56 GMT -5
Alright, quick introduction to BB forums Navigating the boards:Let's start with the home screen. On here, you'll see the list of boards grouped into board groups. On the right side are some stats including threads and post counts (of questionable value) and when, where and by whom the last post was made (much more useful). At the bottom is a bunch of details including who's online and where the most recent post is. For those worried about tracking multiple boards, this can help identify whether there's something new. Additionally, clicking on Recent Threads will compile a list of all recently updated threads so you can forward (Recent Posts does the same for posts but is harder to make sense of) When you go into a board, you'll see a list of threads available. Stickied threads will always be at the top, non-sticked threads will be below. Within the two groups, the threads are sorted by the latest update - so a 5 month old debate that's added to will be "bumped" to the top of the list. If there's issues with legacy threads being bumped up and disrupting flow, we have the capacity to lock them or delete offending posts (which resets the date to the next most recent post). If threads have multiple pages of posts (15 posts per page), the page numbers will display at the bottom allowing you to jump to a specific page. If the page count gets high, the middle pages will start disappearing from the quick jump. Threads that you have not read will have a new icon next to them and I believe clicking on the new button will take you to the place where you left off Above the content section is "cookie crumbs" section showing where you are within the forum. If you click on a higher level item, it will take you to it. If you hover over it, it'll display some options to let you quickly navigate around the forum. Again, a new icon will appear for threads you have not yet read. This section is new to me so I don't know how it works when dealing with large data sets or stickied threads
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Post by forgottenlord on Mar 19, 2016 13:50:57 GMT -5
PostsPosts are made four different ways: 1) Creating a new thread. This is done from the Create Thread link at the top right of a board (assuming permissions are available) 2) Clicking the reply button at the top or bottom of a thread 3) Clicking the quote button at the top right of a post. 4) Editing the quick reply field at the bottom of a thread With exception to the quick reply field, these will pull you into a post editor with a lot of advanced features. In the case of the Quote, you will have the original message in text. By default, you will be in the "Preview" mode which will show your post as it would display but you can switch to the BBCode mode if you're familiar which allows you to properly experiment with BBCode. I recommend fiddling with the editor so you are familiar with it. At the bottom of the editor is a Thread Summary which will show you the most recent posts in the thread to help review what you're responding to. After you post, there is an edit button in the top right of your post. This will pull you back into edit mode. Edited posts will not when they were last edited and the field "reason for edit" will throw in the explanation for your edit. Only the most recent edit will have the note
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Post by Outsider on Mar 19, 2016 14:16:15 GMT -5
This is awesome, thanks very much for doing this, FL
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Post by goodnitegirl on Mar 19, 2016 14:21:39 GMT -5
Yes, Thank you!
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Post by forgottenlord on Mar 19, 2016 14:23:54 GMT -5
Profile
The profile can be accessed from the menu bar at the top. Initially, you will view your profile as accessible by you. Some of that is visible to other members, some of it is not. Clicking "Edit Profile" will take you into the settings pages. I won't go over everything here but a few items that may be of interest:
Avatar: On the Avatar screen, you can upload an avatar, or use the Avatar editor to customize a Mii-style avatar.
Personal -> Display Name: Change the name on your posts, if you want to use something other than your login name
Personal -> Password: where you can change your password
Personal -> Status: Shows up under your Avatar
Personal -> Signature: Your signature shows up at the bottom of every post you make.
Privacy -> Invisible: Lets you hide your name from appearing as being online. Note: it will still note someone is online, it'll just not say who it is.
Privacy -> Member block list: Self-explanatory. Should we unban Collie just for the sheer pleasure of using it? Note: you cannot block moderators or admins
Notificiations -> Controls for whether news of new items show up within the forum and whether you might get some emails indicating what happened. Email settings are Never, Smart, Instant, Daily, Weekly. I don't know the details for Smart but I assume it's similar to how LiveFyre did it.
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Post by tittletag on Mar 19, 2016 14:25:29 GMT -5
Luddites everywhere salute you!
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ivyb
Swamp Drone
Great Queen
Posts: 101
Likes: 349
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Post by ivyb on Mar 19, 2016 16:05:52 GMT -5
Thanks so much, FL!
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Post by LA_Randy on Mar 19, 2016 18:03:45 GMT -5
Nice to have a computer expert on board!
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Post by kbanginmotown on Mar 21, 2016 11:28:15 GMT -5
Hey FL, a couple of questions: Q1: Is there a setting to shrink the size of the avatar images? Q2: What is the preferred method for mobile access? Chrome? Or, is there an app?
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Post by forgottenlord on Mar 21, 2016 12:06:14 GMT -5
Hey FL, a couple of questions: Q1: Is there a setting to shrink the size of the avatar images? Q2: What is the preferred method for mobile access? Chrome? Or, is there an app? 1) I have not seen a setting for that. There may be something in the customization options for the forum as a whole but I outsider is the only one with access to those screens. However, judging by the effort ProBoards invested into an Avatar Editor, I would be shocked if it exists 2) I'm not positive but it sounds like there's a recommended App by ProBoards which I think is Tapatalk
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Post by forgottenlord on Mar 21, 2016 15:25:03 GMT -5
Alright, I've started digging through the options and holy crap can you do a lot of in depth customization. I've found the spot where the avatar is set so I'll fiddle with that tonight and see if it can be shrunk. No promises.
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Post by tittletag on Mar 21, 2016 15:46:49 GMT -5
My biggest road block to having this function well is that I have to reload a page to see if there are any new posts. That puts a kink into a free flowing discussions. Also if someone "quotes" me is there an alert so I know to respond?
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Post by Outsider on Mar 21, 2016 15:49:08 GMT -5
My biggest road block to having this function well is that I have to reload a page to see if there are any new posts. That puts a kink into a free flowing discussions. Also if someone "quotes" me is there an alert so I know to respond? Usually when someone quotes me, i get an alert at the top - under profile, there will be a number beside the word profile, then i go in to see what the alert is under notifications. Do you see that Ty?
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Post by tittletag on Mar 21, 2016 15:51:20 GMT -5
Try quoting me again so I can look.
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Post by forgottenlord on Mar 21, 2016 15:55:36 GMT -5
My biggest road block to having this function well is that I have to reload a page to see if there are any new posts. That puts a kink into a free flowing discussions. Also if someone "quotes" me is there an alert so I know to respond? When we picked this solution, I noted it was the biggest problem. However, all attempts to find a forum that's actually live updating ended in failure. It's actually incredible that forums have not yet evolved in that direction.
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Post by tittletag on Mar 21, 2016 16:02:28 GMT -5
My biggest road block to having this function well is that I have to reload a page to see if there are any new posts. That puts a kink into a free flowing discussions. Also if someone "quotes" me is there an alert so I know to respond? When we picked this solution, I noted it was the biggest problem. However, all attempts to find a forum that's actually live updating ended in failure. It's actually incredible that forums have not yet evolved in that direction. Thanks. The profile update doesn't show unless I reload the page. Weird.
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newhivemaster
Hive Listener
Hive Master
Posts: 2,660
Likes: 10,489
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Post by newhivemaster on Mar 22, 2016 12:28:46 GMT -5
A way cool thing is that I found this board's methodology to embed social media. If you're in the edit mode, the </> button next to the smilies will show you the way. I've done one tweet already.
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Post by Don Quixotic on Mar 23, 2016 14:07:55 GMT -5
BTW Everyone: If you want to update your username to be something like "User Name" instead of the stock "username" all lowercase one word that you got stuck with upon registering, just go to your Profile, click edit profile, and update your Screen Name in your personal settings.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Likes:
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2016 3:42:19 GMT -5
Thank you for all of this! I'm here!
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newhivemaster
Hive Listener
Hive Master
Posts: 2,660
Likes: 10,489
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Post by newhivemaster on Apr 22, 2016 11:55:17 GMT -5
The block user function is available. Use any hotlink to the user profile of who you want to block. There is one below their avatar, and in any post where they're quoted. In the upper right corner is a gear thingie drop list. Select block user. It will bring up a small window with four check boxes. Three will be checked. Check the fourth one, hide posts. The other three will prevent them from doing things like following your posts or bombarding your message box.
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