Hi! We usually have some questions about the features on the class message board at the first of each term, so I thought this might be the easiest way to show you how to how to post your URL, subscribe/unsubscribe, receive replies to your messages, and to set display messages preferences.

Attaching URLs

First, to post a url for your lessons you can either include the full, clickable url within the body of your message like so:

http://yourdomain.com/week1.html

Just please be sure to link directly to the lesson page you are turning in for review, not to an index page or otherwise. Instructors will be reviewing the page that is included in the link. [Some weeks you may be turning in more than one page for review, that's fine, just be sure to send your instructor to the exact pages you want reviewed...don't assume we are smart enough to go find them. We are not always that bright. haha]

Another alternative for your class assignments or your homepage URL if you choose to keep a link to it with your messges is to use the Optional Link fields at the bottom of your message. The little thing that confuses many people at first is the wording chosen with this software. The link is optional, but if you choose to add a link, the title is not optional. If you do not include a title, the link will not show-up on the board. [Remember, if you are using this link to turn in your assignments, it should also go to the exact page you want reviewed.]

Message Receipt Preferences

A new feature was recently added to the message boards.

I really like this one as it allows you to receive all the messages posted to the board by email. I have a special HTML II folder setup in my email program and they all are directed to go there by my message filters. That's not necessary, but I, personally, find it handy.

Not only is it convenient for the instructors, it's a great way for the students to to view what their classmates are doing and to learn from the responses.

Just click the (un)subscribe link you see at the top of the main page on the board then enter your email on the next page. Click the box to add or remove your address.

Some have asked if you can reply to the messages you receive in email the same way you can in groups like usenet, Yahoo groups, etc. Unfortunatly, the answer to that question is no. The software does not have that function at this time.

To reply to a message you can click the link in the body of the email and be taken directly to that post on the board....pretty painless. ;^)

Also, the sender's email will be visible and if you want to send them a private message regarding their post, you can copy/paste their email out of the body of the message and use that to reply. Using that method will NOT show up on the class message board.

Deleting Your Messages

To delete your own messages from your class message boards:

1. In the password field, you must enter a password before the message is created (or by going to the "Set Preferences" link from the index page of the board).
   
   
2. Look for a field called "Password:"
   
   
3. Type the password in there and then put a mark in the "Yes" radio button to the right of "Save Password" below the "Password" field.
   
   
4. You my then use that password to delete that message later if you need to. Once you type the password in, the board cookie will keep it for future posts.
   • NOTE:   A password typed into a current message will not allow you to delete a previous message. The password must be typed in/saved with each message.

Replies to Your Messages

If you only want to receive the replies to your own messages, that option is available at the bottom of each message.

Message Display Preferences

Click on the Set Preferences link to select the manner in which you wish the messages in the index to be displayed.

Safari Users

You may see some strange things (WebKitFormBoundry...) added to the Subject and Name fields when you post messages on the boards. This is a bug in Safari that somehow adds that WebKitFormBoundry stuff to your cookie. You *could* delete the cookie each time to visit the board and allow it to create another one but that would be a bit of a pain. :) The Safari folks are working on fixing the bug so keep your version of Safari updated as new versions come out. Hopefully this problem will be a thing of the past soon. In the meantime, we recommend that you use another browser for the boards.

Emoticons (Smileys)

Here are the emoticons activated for use on the classroom boards. To use them, simply type in the symbol sets or short-cut words in the columns below:

	Symbol Sets		Short-cut Words *
	:)		:smile1
	:))		:smile2
	;)		:wink
	:D		:grin1
	:DD		:grin2
	:b		:tongue
	:~		:silly
	8)		:glasses
	:?		:confused
	:#		:stress1
	:##		:stress2
	:O		:oh
	:w		:ohwell
	:|		:whocares
	:(		:frown
	>:(		:angry

* All short-cut words MUST begin with a colon ( : ).

I hope this information helps you navigate the message boards and saves a bit of frustration.

If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to ask!