Using the GLRF message board

For all of you who are already message board gurus, jump to our feature short list summary.

The first time you look at one, it can be daunting. There is so much code and none of the messages appear directly on the page. First, take a deep breath. Once you see how easy it is, you’ll be forever hooked.

Introduction

A message board is a collection of posted topics and replies. If you can imagine a bookshelf of binders, with each binder containing several tabs and lots of individual posts and replies in each tab, you have an idea of a message board.

Within the ALL OARS message board you will find the binders otherwise known as categories. You’ll see them listed to the left side of the screen. If there are any tabs in the binder, otherwise known as forums, you’ll see an underlined subject and usually a general description of the subject. Click on the underlined subject, and ta-da, a listing of current topics. Click on the topic and you will see the entire “string” of posts and replies to that topic. You can attach files, create a poll for a certain question, and express emotion by clicking on ‘emoticons.’

Most message boards are moderated. Some of the GLRF forums are and most are not. Just depends. A moderator is just what the name implies. He/she moderates the discussion. Strict moderator controls means every post must be approved. Loose controls mean that it’s all good.

Current GLRF policy is that you have to be a registered member of GLRF to read, post and reply.

Getting started

Enter your OnlineID and password that you were assigned when you registered with GLRF. Don’t remember? Just send an email to member(a)glrf.info

After you login, you can select the default language for the message board labels and titles..”like poussez le bouton ici”....as well as hide your email, and how you want your message signatures to appear and a list of your interests. You’re basically making a profile of yourself and deciding what, if anything, others are allowed to see.

Now comes the sexy part. You can track topics and get emails when someone has decided that your posted suggestion for a lovely shade of purple for the boathouse is atrocious. You can send private messages (PM) that are just like an internal email system within Ikonboard.  You can jump to other categories instead of always hitting the back button by just clicking on the “Forum Jump.” Y

Avatars are nothing more than postage stamp-sized pictures, drawings, cartoons, anything. They’re fun and add dimension to the community and your profile.. You can use what we have on the Ikonboard or you can import them by just finding one on the web (type avatar in Google and you’ll see...), and pasting the URL link into your account setting.

That should get you started. There are great help screens peppered throughout and Ikonboard uses cookies that you can deselect if you’re using a public computer, or keep so that you don’t have to “LOG IN EVERY TIME.....:((((“

A Features Short List:

• Avatars
• Private Messenger
• Email notification topic tracker
• Polls
• Address books
• Preferred language for navigating
• Email a topic
• Invite a friend to join email option
• Search Function
• Member listing
• Member Profile Pages
• Attach files to posts
• Attach links to posts
• Personal Notepad
• External email capability
• Print a topic and all of the replies
• Hide email address
• Personalized signature for emails and private messages
• Extensive Personal Control Panel to select a variety of options and settings