Useful Tips and Tricks for Using Forum

[haselhurst]

Useful Tips and Tricks for Using Forum

(Updated November 24th, 2006)

Hello Everyone,

I think this Forum is now pretty 'stable'. We are using the latest version of phpBB software (released in August 2006) combined with SEO mods that will hopefully make the forum a bit more 'Google friendly'. We backup the database once a week.

So we thought we would add a few tips / tricks on how to use this Forum.

1. Due to endless 'spam' it is now necessary to Register if you want to post comments at this forum. At the moment registered users can only post in the top 'Say Hello' section. The rest of the forum requires 'moderator' privileges. (We are currently discussing how to improve / change forum layout - which should happen early 2007)

2. We allow cookies on our computer, so that each time we visit forum we are automatically logged in. Then we click on link:
"View Posts Since Last Visit" (on right of screen)
So each morning we can quickly see whats new, who has replied to posts, etc.

The back button on browser (which works well on our computer with this Forum software) is useful as you can view a new post, then use back button to go back to list of new posts since last visit.

3. The 'yellow flags' are also useful as they show that there is a new post that has not been read by you yet. And you can scroll down main Index page and on right you can see for each Forum Section who / when latest message was posted.

4. You can also use member list at top of page, go to someones profile page (including your own) and there you have an option to view all their posts which helps at times.

5. In terms of 'Post Reply' Vs start 'New Topic' it is probably best to try and keep posts less than about 5 screen pages. On the internet it is much better (both for Google and people) to make more unique pages with proper Title / Subject headings that correctly reflect contents of page.

6. Toolbars
My spelling is terrible, so I always use the latest (beta) version of Google Toolbar which has a great spellcheck feature when filling out forms / posting in Forum (it also has obvious features of Google search, image search, pop up blocker, highlight, page rank info, auto form fill, vote for page!, and a cool language translator). Absolutely fantastic and essential as we see things!

Please feel free to reply to this post and add your own ideas on how to use this Forum.
Hope this helps,
Geoff Haselhurst
Forum Administrator
(Don't you just love official titles - makes one feel so important!)

[haselhurst]

Hi All,
I updated this post today (November 24th, 2006).
Hope it helps.
Geoff Haselhurst