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Features to look for in a Forum

Highlights
o No Advertising or Banners Placed On Your Forum ! Details
o "Private" - You Control who can see and post to your Forum
(Several password protection strategies available)
Details
o No Setup Required - No Software To Install Details
Click Here to view - Summary listing of all Forum Features - Details
o Extensive Customization Features Details
o Multiple Categories/sections on one Forum. Details
o Ability to attach files and photographs to messages. Details
o Easy (wysiwyg) editor for posting messages. Details
o Multiple layers of Password and Spam Protection. Details
o Moderator capability. Details
o Spell Checker capability. Details
o Profanity language filter. Details
o Calendar    (Post events to your Forum's calendar). Details
o Message Archival. Users can view and search archives. Details
o Unlimited Free Telephone tech support Details
o Fully Integrated Listserv (Mailing List)
(Automatic E-mail notification when new messages posted)
(Users can View and Post messages using email )
Details
o Custom avatars and signature setup supported
   User profiles(Number Visits, Number of Posts, Last Visit, etc.)
Details
o Ability to set up "Votable" messages/issues Details
o Multiple display formats. (NonThreaded/SemiThreaded/Threaded) Details
o Forum backup utilities. Details
o Restrict access to specific forum sections. Details
o Specify access privileges at the Forum, forum sections, or user level. Details
o Private Messaging. Details
o Spam Control Details
o Unique Domain Name Details
o RSS feed generation. Details
o Chat Room Integration Details
o Low Cost - $9.95/mo.
   No setup fee, or limit on number of messages, or number of users.
Details
o 100% Money-Back Guarantee
Details
o Satisfied Customers
   Click here to read excerpts.
Details





Click here to view Summary Listing of all Forum Features






Forum Features
(More features - More support)
Appearance Features
Your Forum management page allows you to create the look you want, but if you need help, call us for free unlimited tech support
(we're serious about our Fanatical Customer Support pledge)

Customization Options
Your Forum has over 100 different customization options/templates/skins to choose from. Customize your Forum with your own logo, fonts, background/text/link colors, buttons, etc.. No programming required. Already have a web site? Use customization options to make your Forum look just like another page on your site. Controlling features/data fields is done simply by selecting yes/no radio buttons.

Domain Name
Use your own domain name or we can create a custom domain name for you.

Multiple Layouts
Configure your Forum to be as simple or full featured as you like. All possible Forum display formats available to choose from(non-threaded, semi-threaded, fully-threaded).

Custom Images
Use the default images we provide for buttons and icons, or use your own.

Skins
Create your own color scheme or use our predefined, professionally designed templates.

Introductory Text
Create introductory paragraphs on your Forum, forum sections and registration page.

Custom labels for input fields
Use your own names for data input fields.

Date/Time customization
Specify date and time zone to be used.

Individual User Customization
You can allow users to select their own customized look/skin as well as how they want their Forum to operate. For example, users could specify their own personalize skin to use, and/or how the Forum opens up, showing full text of messages or just titles only, showing message topics and replies or just message topics, etc..


General Features

Unlimited
There is no limit on the number of members, messages, threads, messages topics, or replies.

Attach photos and files to messages
Users can attach photographs and files to messages and upload custom avatar images from their computer

No Advertising
We place no advertising on your Forum. You can place any advertising you want. If you want to place advertising on your Forum, we can even provide automated functionality to rotate your advertising banners.

Private
Make your Forum private, so only members can access it, or open to public, or allow public to view but only members can post. You control level of privacy.

Specify Access Privileges
Specify access/posting privileges at the Forum, forum section, and/or User level. Use this to restrict certain users from viewing and/or posting in certain forum sections

WYSIWYG
Easy to use WYSIWYG editor allows users to format message text without knowing any HTML. Bolding/coloring/italics/tables/etc. is easily done, just like using a word processor. An online tutorial is available, if needed.

Private Messaging
Users can post message messages so they are only viewable by certain users.

Custom Avatar/Signature Profiles
Users can create a signature profile, that is automatically appended to the end of every message they post. A custom graphic/avatar can be uploaded as part of their signature profile.

Member Registration
You can specify if users must be: Registered to view, Registered to post, or Not require registration at all.

Mailing Lists
Use your Forum's email utility to email all Forum users in one step.

Email Notification/ListServe feature
Users can receive email notifications when new messages are posted. Users can post messages by sending an email to their Forum.

Smilies
Users can include smilies in their messages, simply by clicking on one of many graphical smilies included.

Search Features
Full message text search available. Other search criteria can be specified also, such as date range, name of message creator, message title, password, etc. Search entire Forum or within individual forum sections.

Spell Checker
An automated spell checker, thesaurus, and grammatical checker available when posting a message.

Review Messages before Posting
Preview feature allows a user to review final message before posting.

Viewing/Modifying/Deleting messages
As the Forum manager, you can always control which forums/messages on your Forum are viewable and which users/moderators can modify or delete messages.

Lock Forums
At any point you can lock/unlock forums to prevent/enable posting of new messages into them.

Easily identify read messages from unread message.
Already viewed messages are color coded for easy identifying.

Content Syndication
Your Forum can automatically generate an RSS feed of all Forum content. An RSS feed allows users to view the newest threads posted in your Forum using an RSS reader.

Chat Room
We'll do the custom work to integrate a chat room into your Forum.

Statistics
View statistics about Forum usage and users. Optionally, make the same data available to your users.


Security Features

Password Protection
Password protect your entire Forum, individual forum sections, or even specific messages. You can restrict individual users to certain forum sections. Even specify that your Forum can be viewed by anyone, but users must register to post. Go so far as to identify certain forums that can be viewed but not posted into.

Password Protection Methods
Three methods can be specified, as to how user password are created:
1. User passwords only created by the Forum Manager.
2. Users create their own passwords, but they must be approved by Forum manager before becoming operational.
3. Users create their own passwords, without manager approval(basically, just require user to register).

Moderators
Create moderators. Moderators are automatically notified when new messages are added, and have the authority to Approve, Modify, and Delete messages, for those forum sections they moderate.

Moderated Forum
You can configure your Forum so messages posted to your Forum are not viewable until you or a moderator reviews and approves them.

Access Rights
Set detailed forum and user privileges. Specify any combination of view, modify, delete, and post privileges at either the forum and/or user level.

HTML and Profanity Filters
Block HTML and profanity from being posted. Use our extensive built-in profanity list and/or add extra words to the list.

Banning
Use IP and email address banning to stop unwanted visitors from accessing your Forum. Our technology even allows banning of users with dynamic IP addresses.


Spam Control Features

Ban Spam Robots
This feature, utilizes CAPTCHA technology, to verify that a human is posting the message rather than a spam robot.

Email Spam Prevention
To prevent third parties from acquiring user email addresses, you can hide all user email addresses with the click of button.

Automated Spam detection
Your Forum has built in spam identification rules/algorithms that are constantly updated to prevent the majority of automated spam postings.

Spam Abuse reporting
'Report Abuse' link can be displayed at the bottom of every message. When clicked on, Forum managers are immediately notified of the possible problem message.

Only display Approved messages
Option available to only display messages reviewed and approved by manager or moderator.


Special Features

File Uploading
The file uploading feature allows your Forum users to attach files and photographs to their posts and upload their own avatar image from their computer.

Calendar
A private calendar is available. Users can post calendar events so they are viewable by all Forum users, and/or are specific to particular forum sections, or private and only viewable by a specific individuals

Votable Messages
Create "Votable Messages". Votable messages allow users to vote on issues. Can specify on each Votable Message whether a user must be registered to vote or can vote anonymously.

Backup Utilities
Automated utility creates backup of all Forum messages anytime, as often as you like.

Blog format conversion
With the click of a button, you can convert your Forum to a Blog, or vice-versa.

Enable HTML
Enable or disable users from using HTML within messages.

MultiQuote feature
MultiQuote capability provides an automated way of quoting text from multiple messages when posting a reply.

Sticky Messages
Specify that certain messages always appear at the top of forums, regardless of sorting scheme being used.

User and Manager guides
Online User and Manager guides/tutorials available.

Sorting
Multiple sorting capabilities exist. Sort message topics by creation date or by message title, or based on date of last reply. Sort replies within message topics by ealiest or latest.

Search Engine Access
Internet search engines are prevented from accessing your Forum. However if you want to have your Forum submitted for search engine indexing, you can specify that your Forum automatically optimize itself for internet Search Engine positioning/indexing based on certain keywords.

Moving Messages
Move all messages in a forum, a message thread in a forum, or one message in a forum, from one forum to another, with the click of a button.

Site Integration
If you have an existing website, seamless integration of your Forum is as simple as placing a link or button on any page of your site. The link will be the website address of your Forum. The appearance of your Forum can be made to look just like another page on your site.

Easy Setup
Set up time is less than 3 minutes. No software to download or install. We host and maintained your Forum.

Unlimited Free Telephone support
We're serious about our "Fanatical Customer Support" pledge.

Money Back Guarantee
30 day 100% refund if not completely satisfied

What customers say!
Customer comments - click here.






Detailed Features List    Top
FEATURE NAVIGATION LINKS:
oSetup/Installation oPosting Messages oViewing Msgs
oSecurity Features oEmail Notification oCustomizing     oMisc.
Click
For
Details
Setup/Installation   Top
Quick Setup - takes less than 3 minutes to setup Details
No software to download, install, or maintain Details
"Private" - No advertising placed on your Forum Details
Integrates into your current site seamlessly Details
Unlimited Free Telephone Tech Support Details
Unique Domain Name Details
Low Cost $9.95/month Details
Satisfied Customers Details
 
Posting Messages   Top
Attach Photographs, and Files to messages Details
Insert photos/graphics into messages Details
Easy to use WYSIWYG editor Details
Profanity Language Filter Details
Spell Checker capability Details
Preview Messages before posting Details
Delete/Modify message capability Details
Add Smilie graphics to messages Details
Votable Messages(create msgs that can be voted on) Details
Unlimited Message capability Details
Moderator capability(can be used to monitor and prevent unwanted msgs) Details
Easy HTML editor for posting messages(allows bolding/italics/underlining etc.) Details
HTML Text Formatting Toolbar available Details
Make Messages Private (Private messaging capability) Details
Add/Remove/Rename Input Form Fields used to post messages Details
Create "Sticky" messages Details
Can set posting restrictions on certain groups/individuals Details
Have a copy of your post automatically emailed to you Details
Have copy of replies automatically emailed to you Details
Have copy of posts automatically emailed to selected associates Details
Have custom avatar and/or signature line automatically appended to messages Details
MultiQuote capability, when replying to a message topic. Details
 
Viewing Messages   Top
Multiple Display Formats available Details
Sort messages by date and/or message subject Details
Color coding used to differentiate "Read Msgs" and "UnRead Msgs" Details
Ability to retrieve only recently posted messages(today's, yesterday's, this week, etc ) Details
Searchable based on text keywords, username, email addresses, message titles, forum sections, daterange, and other filters, Details
Ability to view and search Archived messages Details
View/Setup user profiles (total visits/total posts/last visits/etc.) Details
Can set viewing restrictions of groups/individuals Details
Users can use their Email Browser to Post/Reply/View messages Details
Banning access by IP and Email address Details
 
Security Features   Top
Advanced Password Protection Features Details
Make entire Forum, or only certain forum sections of your Forum "Private" Details
Create Login Passwords w/different levels of access privilege Details
Create An Introductory Paragraph on your Login Page Details
"Member Only" Login Option Details
Different options available for creating user passwords Details
Duplicate Password usage detection Details
Remember user login passwords(allows fast secure access w/o entering password) Details
Banning access by IP and Email address Details
 
Email Notification / List Serv Capabilities   Top
Advanced Email Notification / Listserv features Details
Users can use their Email Browser to View, Post, and Reply to messages Details
Immediate Notification to Forum Mgr/Moderators of new messages posted Details
Automatic Notification of message replies to creator of message Details
Automatic Notification to Forum users of new messages posted Details
Fully Integrated Listserv (Mailing List) capability Details
Immediate email notification of new messages posted Details
 
Customizing   Top
Advanced Customization Features Details
Create an introductory paragraph to your Forum and/or login page Details
Select from several display formats. Details
Custom Forum logo Details
Custom Forum background Details
Custom Forum colors Details
Custom buttons Details
Multiple Skins Available Details
Configure as 'Moderated' or 'Non-Moderated' Details
Multiple Visitor Counters Details
Rotating Advertising Banners Details
Custom Avatar / Signature Setup supported Details
 
Miscellaneous   Top
Subdivide Forum (Divide Forum into multiple forum sections) Details
High bandwidth Forums Details
Banning access by IP and Email address Details
Automatic Archival/Deletion of messages Details
Member list showing number of Visits, Posts, Last Visit of each user Details
Calendar Option Details
Ability to insert photos/graphics within messages Details
Ability to attach files to messages Details
Archive Message capability Details
Automatically detect and notify of hacking attempts Details
Time Zone and Date Format customization Details
RSS Feed Generation Details
Chat Room Integration Details
Can specify MetaTags for search engine submittal Details
Integrated ListServ capability Details
50% Revenue Sharing Program Details


Setup/Installation    Top
o Quick Setup - takes less than 3 minutes to setup    Return
o No software to download, install, or maintain    Return
  • Starting your Forum, does not require you to download or install any software. Your Forum is automatically set up, hosted, and maintained on our servers. We'll keep your Forum up and running 24 hours a day. You can expect your Forum to be online 98.5% of the time. Your Forum is hosted on servers utilizing IBM mirrored hard drives with generator backup power in case of power failures. We also do daily backups and create weekly off-site backups. All servers have the latest Virus and Firewall protection software installed.
o No advertising or banners placed on your Forum    Return
  • We don't place any advertising on your Forum. All Forums are private and all content, including email addresses, names, etc. are never provided, in any manner, to other parties.
    You, as the Forum manager, can place whatever advertising you choose on your Forum.
    You can even configure your Forum to automatically display or rotate a set of your own advertising banners.
    To view our privacy and content policy page Click Here
o Integrates into your current site seamlessly    Return
  • We provide you with a unique URL(domain name/web site address) that can be used to create a direct link to your Forum, bypassing our home page completely. You can set this direct link up as a button, text link, or other type link on one or more pages of your site. You can also make the "Home" button that appears on your Forum link back to your home page or any other page on your site. The net affect is, your Forum appears seamlessly integrated into your site, as if it were just another page on your site.
o Unlimited Free Telephone Tech Support    Return
  • Telephone technical support is available, as often as you like, free of charge. Telephone tech support is available 9am-5pm EST US.
o Unique Domain Name    Return
  • Each Forum is given a unique URL/Domain name. We offer three types of Domain names that can be used for your Forum. Click Here for more info
o Low Cost $9.95/month    Return
  • Because we place no advertising on your Forum, we do charge a monthly service fee of $9.95/month. There are no other setup fees. There is no limit on the number of users or messages for your Forum. We offer a 30 day money back guarantee. If you cancel within the first 30 days we'll issue a 100% refund (no reason needed for canceling). A 15% discount is also available for users who pre-pay yearly($101.50).
o Satisfied Customers    Return
  • Click here to view Testimonial Page
  • "I love your Forums! The main page looks just the way I want it to, seamlessly integrated into my site. Thank you! Again, the Forum is beautiful, and works great."
    Scott Will, Webmaster
    Lifelines Center
  • "Thank you very much for your expedient answer to my question. If only all support departments were so on the ball. You're the greatest, thanks"
    Larry Miller
    Four Seasons Service Group
  • "Thanks Al, for the help...as far as I'm concerned you got me for life."
    T.W. Michaels
    ThinkWin.Com
  • "Thanks for the great instructions...looks like this is the BB we've been looking for."
    Tony Luboff
    Webmaster, BeyondTobaccoEducation.org
  • "Thanks, you folks are great to work with!"
    Bev Fitchett
    Pres, Bev's Stanley Home Products
  • I really do like this Bulletinboard. It is Clean & Easy. Great Service on the Board."
    Ken LeMons
    CIO, SOHOSilicon.com
  • "Thank you for a great BB site for our group. I've never had such excellent customer service anywhere!"
    Cherie Kuranko
    Board Mgr, Writers Anonymous
  • I would like to thank the person that helped me on Saturday night when I had several questions about the management of my CDS board. The phone was answered promptly and the gentleman went out of his way to patiently assist me. After calling other support services in the past, your company was a welcome relief to the challenges that await us in the field when we have a poblem. Once again, thanks for the support and keep up the good work.
    Tom Williams
    Executive Director CDS Network
  • Al,
    Thank you so much for all your help.
    Thanks again. Your customer service is second to none!!
    Kendra Jackson
    Tucson, AZ
    Jackson Homestead
  • Dear Sir/Madam
    I would just like to express my thanks to all concerned.
    Your forum set up is brilliant and the help when required is fast and very good,
    I would recommend you to any other party.
    Thank you
    Barrie Tozer
    Truckersmoan
  • "Have a nice weekend and thank you for continuing to be such great help!"
    Sally A. Winters
    Executive Officer,
    Centre County Assn of Realtors
  • "This is a terrific package.
    Henry H. Emurian
    Associate Professor
    Information Systems Department
    College of Engineering and Information Technology
    University of Maryland
 
Posting Messages    Top
o Attach Photographs and Files to messages    Return
  • Your Forum has the capability of allowing users to attach files (word processing, database, spreadsheet, pdf, graphics, etc.), to messages they create. This feature is initially disabled but can be enabled by the Forum manager, via your Forum management page. The process of attaching a file to a message is simple and requires no additional software. Once a file has been attached to a message, other users viewing your Forum, have the ability to download those files directly to their pc, simply by clicking the "File Attachment" icon located at the bottom of the message. If the attached file is a photograph, a thumbnail photo is created and displayed. To view the full size photograph, a user need only click on the thumbnail(see paragraph below- Attaching photos to messages). As the Forum manager, you always have the ability to manage and view a list of all attached files and their sizes. This is an optional feature and incurs an additonal $10/month fee, if enabled.
o Attach photographs to messages    Return
  • Your Forum has the ability of allowing users to attach photographs or graphics to messages they create. A Forum can be configured to automatically reduce large photo files to a manageable web based viewable size as they are uploaded. Users can also cause photos/graphics, residing elsewhere on the net to appear as embedded graphics/photos within their messages. This feature can be enabled or disabled via your Forum management page at any time.
o Easy to use WYSIWYG editor    Return
  • Users are able to post messages using standard word processor interface. Text formatting attributes such as bolding, italics, coloring, etc., are easily used and message text formatting appears on the Forum just as typed.
    The advanced WYSIWYG editor allows your users to use sophisticated text formating techniques when posting messages without any knowing HTML
o Profanity Language Filter Available    Return
  • Your Forum has the ability, if you turn on the Language Filter, to prevent Profanity from appearing within messages on your Forum. You have the option of adding any word or phrase to your Forum's Profanity word list.
o Spell Checker capability    Return
  • Enabling the Spell Checker option on your Forum, allows users to request a spell check of their message before submitting it. The Spell check option identifies misspelled words and presents a list of possible correct spellings the user can choose from. Because of additional resources required to provide this service, an additional service fee of $2.50 per month is assessed when this option is enabled.
o Preview Messages before posting    Return
  • Your Forum gives users the ability to preview what their message will look like, before posting it to your Forum.
o Delete/Modify message capability    Return
  • You can allow users to Modify and Delete their own messages. You can turn these capabilities on or off for the whole Forum, for individual users, or by forum sections. As the Forum manager, you can modify or delete anyone's message. A user can modify or delete one of his messages at a time, however , as the Forum manager, you can delete messages one at a time, selectively from a list, or as a group by forum sections or based on creation dates.    You can also configure your Forum to handle message deletion automatically, based on criteria you specify.
o Add Smilie graphics to messages    Return
  • Your Forum gives users, the ability to add Smilie icons to their messages. To view examples of the type of Smilie icons available: Click Here
o Votable Messages(create msgs that can be voted on)    Return
  • You or your users can create "Votable" messages/issues within your Forum. This feature allows users to vote on issues and see immediate voting results. This is an integrated (built-in feature) of every Forum. You can configure your Forum to allow anyone to vote on "votable" messages, or only allow "Registered" users to vote. As the Forum manager, you can configure your Forum to:
    1. not allow "Votable" messages to be created, or
    2. allow anyone to create "Votable" messages, or
    3. only allow the Forum manager to create "Votable" messages.
o Unlimited Message capability    Return
  • Well almost. Each Forum is allocated 40 megabytes of storage space for messages. 99% of our Forums never exceed this limit. That amount of space allows for thousands of messages to be stored. Forums are charged an additional $1 per month for each megabyte(1,000,0000) of storage needed beyond the default 40 megabytes.
o Moderator capability(can be used to monitor and prevent unwanted msgs)    Return
  • Your Forum can be configured as a "Moderated" Forum. When you enable this option, anyone posting a message on your Forum will not have their message immediately displayed, but will instead, be told that their message will be displayed upon approval by the Forum Moderator. At the time they post their message, you or someone you designate as a moderator, will be notified immediately, via email, that a new message has been posted and is awaiting approval. The message will be placed on the Forum automatically, once you review and approve it.
    You can assign "Moderator" privilege to as many users as you like. For example, you may want to designate a different moderator for each forum sections on your Forum.
o Easy HTML editor for posting messages(allows bolding/italics/underlining etc.)    Return
  • Users can add special formatting to their messages, such as Bold, Italics, Underlining, Color, Hyperlinks, Font Type/Size, Smilies, etc. to the text of their message without knowing html, by using the msg Formatting Toolbar when creating a message(see below):
    Bold Italicized Underline Centered Insert Image Insert List Insert Smilie
    Click Here for info on using the Message Formatting Toolbar.
o HTML Text Formatting Toolbar available    Return
  • An "HTML Formatting Toolbar" is provided to users when posting a message. The toolbar allow users to take advantage of HTML text formatting codes, without having to know any HTML. The toolbar allows users to easily add color, bold, italics, images, etc. to their messages.
    Click Here for info on using the Message Formatting Toolbar.
o Make Messages Private    Return
  • A user or Forum manager has the ability, when posting a message, to specify his/her messsage is to be viewed only by himself and the Forum manager or vice-versa. Two or more users can also create a private message situation where only they can view "private messages" among themselves.
o Add/Remove/Rename Input Form Fields used to post messages    Return
  • You can specify optional input form fields, that can be added to your Forum to capture additional user input. These fields are located on the input form used to post messages. The labels for these fields can be specified by you. The "Search" facility will automatically add these fields to it's search criteria list. This allows users to search messages on these fields also.
o Create "Sticky" messages    Return
  • This feature allows a Forum manager to identify messages that should not be Archived or Moved regardless of a users sorting request or the Forum's default sorting configuration. Messages identified as "Sticky" messages always appear as the first message within it's category.
o Have messages automatically posted to 2nd Forum    Return
  • Optional feature that allows posts on one Forum to be automatically duplicated on a second Forum. Some Forum Managers use this capability to have identical Forums but with different login, visibility and user privileges on each Forum.
o Can set posting restrictions on certain groups/individuals    Return
  • The Forum manager can restrict posting of messages by individuals or groups of individuals. He/She also has the ability to specify posting restrictions by forum sections. For example, you can specify that a particular section can be Viewed but not Posted into by normal users.
o Have a copy of your post automatically emailed to you    Return
  • Each user has the option, when posting a message, to request the Forum automatically email them a copy of the message they just posted.
o Have copy of replies automatically emailed to you    Return
  • Each user has the option, when posting a message, to request the Forum automatically email them copies of replies to their messages.
o Have copy of posts automatically emailed to selected associates    Return
  • Each user has the option, after posting a message, to request the Forum automatically email a copy of their message to email recipients they specify.
o MultiQuote capability    Top
  • The normal quoting feature, allows a user to have text from the message they are replying to, be automatically inserted into their reply. The MultiQuote feature allows a user to select quotes from multiple messages to be automatically inserted into their reply.
o Custom avatars and signature setup supported    Top
  • Users can create custom signature profiles by uploading a photo or graphic(avatar), and/or specifying a signature line that will be automatically appended to any message they post.
    When viewing a message, clicking on a user's avatar, allows the reader to view detailed information on the creator of the message.
 
Viewing Messages    Top
o Multiple Display Formats available    Return
  • You have the option to configure your Forum as either Threaded, SemiThreaded, or Non-Threaded.
    The configuration you choose will determine the general display format and capabilities your Forum will have. You can easily change, via your Forum management page, from one configuration to another. The configuration you select, will most likely be based on how you plan to use your Forum. If your visitors use your Forum primarily for discussion topics, you'll want to set it up as a Threaded or Semi-Threaded Forum. If your visitors use your Forum primarily to post single items/messages such as items for sale, help wanted, classified ads, etc. (messages that won't have further discussion associated with them), you'll want your Forum set up as a Non-Threaded Forum.
    To view examples of the 3 different Forum configurations: Click Here
o Sort messages by date and/or message subject    Return
  • You can specify that messages on your Forum be sorted and displayed by Date (ascending/descending) or by Message Title
o Color coding used to differentiate "Read Msgs" and "UnRead Msgs"    Return
  • Forums utilizing the "Threaded" configuration, color code message icons, allowing users to quickly identify messages read from messages not read.
o Ability to retrieve only recently posted messages(today's, yesterday's, this week, etc )    Return
  • Users have the ability to only retrieve messages posted during the last day, or last 2 days, or last week, etc.. This makes for easier reading of messages.
o Searchable based on text keywords, username, email addresses, message titles, forum sections, daterange, and other filters,    Return
  • Every Forum has a "Search" button, allowing users to search and create a list of messages matching search criteria. A user can create a search based on text keywords, username, email addresses, message titles, forum sections, daterange, and other filters. All message text is searchable.
o Ability to view and search Archived messages    Return
  • Users can search a Forum's Archived messages and create a list of archived messages containing keywords, or matching other search criteria such as date created, name of message creator, etc.
o Custom avatars and signature setup supported (total visits/total posts/last visits/etc.)    Top
  • Users can display a "Member List" providing information on Forum members, such as User Name, Email Address, Number of messages created, Last Visit, and Total number of visits. This feature can be turned on/off by the Forum manager.

    Users can create custom signature profiles by uploading a photo or graphic(avatar), and/or specifying a signature line that will be automatically appended to any message they post.
    When viewing a message, clicking on a user's avatar, allows the reader to view detailed information on the creator of the message.
o Can set viewing restrictions of groups/individuals    Return
  • Forum managers can specify viewing and access restrictions for groups or individuals as well as specific forum sections on their Forum.
o Users can use their Email Browser to Post/Reply/View messages    Return
  • Each Forum has the capability to allow users to view messages posted via their email program. They can also post and reply from their email browser.
 
Security Features    Top
o Advanced Password Protection Features    Return
  • Each Forum has the ability to enable various levels of password protection. A system wide password and/or individual passwords can be created. Individual passwords can be assigned specific "Access Privileges" and/or individual forum sections within the Forum can be assigned different levels of access.
o Make entire Forum, or only forum sections of your Forum "Private"    Return
  • You can ensure no one has access to your Forum unless they have an authorized password. You can also have your Forum configured so that some forums/sections are available for public viewing while others are password protected.
o Create Login Passwords w/different levels of access privilege    Return
  • This capability allows you to assign, at the individual password level, specific access restrictions/privileges to different forum sections of your Forum. For example, you might configure a password to be able to only view forum section A, view and post in forum sections B, and restrict access to forum sections C and D.
o Create An Introductory Paragraph on your Login Page    Return
  • You have the option of creating an introductory paragraph/page of text that will be displayed on your Login Page. You can include graphics and/or HTML formatting codes within your text.
o "Member Only" Login Option    Return
  • Forum access can be restricted to "Members Only".
o Different options available for creating user passwords.    Return
  • Three different configuration options available for creating user passwords:
    Option 1. You can allow users to create their own login passwords.
    Option 2. You can allow users to create their own login passwords, however their password is not valid until approved by you.
    Option 3. You can not allow individuals to create their own login passwords, but rather create and assign them yourself.
o Duplicate Password usage detection    Return
  • You have the option of configuring your Forum to prevent, detect, and report when the same password is being used by more than one person.
o Remember user login passwords    Return
  • Users have the option of requesting their login password be remembered. This option gives users a faster way of accessing password protected Forums. A user's saved password allows the system to use automatic password validation.
o Banning access by IP and Email address    Return
  • In addition to preventing access to your Forum through the use of passwords, you can also prevent access by banning IP and/or email addresses of users.
o Spam Control options    Return
As the Forum manager you have a number of options that can be implemented to restrict problem users and spam from being placed on your Forum.
  • Moderation option - You can ensure no messages are displayed to your users, until you or a moderator has approved them.
  • HTML and Profanity Filters - Block HTML and profanity from being posted. You can even add extra words to the profanity filter.
  • IP and Email Banning - Use IP and email address banning to stop unwanted visitors from accessing your Forum. Our IP banning will even stop dynamic IP addresses.
  • Captcha verification - used to verify that a human is posting the message rather than a spam robot.
  • Spam Robot post detection - Spam robots on the Internet can now automatically submit forms on a website to make garbage posts on Forums. Our Forum's utilize several advanced, spam detection algorithms that can identify and prevent Spam robot posts.

 
Email Notification / ListServ    Top
o Advanced Email Notification/Listserv Features    Return
  • Each Forum has Email Notification features that allow users to be automatically notified whenever new messages are added to the Forum. These features can be configured to operate in the same fashion as a ListServer, i.e. a summary of all new messages posted to a Forum are automatically sent, once a day, to a list of Forum users.
o Users can use their Email Browser to View, Post, and Reply to messages    Return
  • An "Email Notification List" is maintained for each Forum. Visitors can request to be notified whenever new messages are added to your Forum by adding their email address to your Forum's Email Notification List. Users can be specific as to which forum sections they are interested in being notified of new messages being posted.
    Users also have the ability to Post and Reply to messages via their email browser.
o Immediate Notification to Forum Mgr/Moderators of new messages posted    Return
  • You have the option of specifying that the Forum Manager and/or individuals designated as Moderators, receive immediate notification whenever new messages are posted.
o Automatic Notification of message replies to creator of message    Return
  • Message posters can request immediate email notification anytime a reply is posted to their message.
o Automatic Notification to Forum users of new messages posted    Return
  • Users can request, via each Forum's email notification list, that they be notified anytime a new message is posted to their Forum.
o Fully Integrated Listserv (Mailing List) capability    Return
  • Each Forum has the ability to be configured so that a summary list of all messages posted on the Forum be emailed to a list of Forum members automatically.
  • Optionally, users can receive the full content of messages and post and reply to messages directly from their email browser.
o Immediate email notification of new messages posted    Return
  • Email notifications are normally sent once a day, usually early in the morning. The Forum manager has the ability to specify that email notifications be sent immediately for certain individuals.
 
Customizing    Top
o Advanced Customization Features    Return
  • Although each Forum is fully operational when set up, if you choose, you can customize the look and features of your Forum. Of course, many Forum managers choose not to do any customization to their Forum. Each Forum has over 100 customization features available. No programming skill is required to utilize the various customization features. Almost all customization features can be enabled or selected by choosing from a list of choices using radio buttons, checkboxes, color pallets, menu selections, etc. Some examples of customization features include specifying:
    Forum background, Forum color, text color, link colors, Forum logo, button selections, display formats, etc...
o Can create an introductory paragraph to your Forum and/or login page    Return
  • You have the option of creating an introductory paragraph/page of text that will be displayed at the top of your Forum. You can include graphics and/or HTML formatting codes within your text.
o Select from several display formats    Return
  • There are several Forum configurations and display formats to choose from. You can switch from one to another, as easily as clicking on a radio button. You can choose from Non-Threaded, Semi-Threaded, or Fully Threaded as your default Forum configuration. You can also choose different display formats and options within those configurations.
o Custom Forum logo    Return
  • We automatically create a custom 3D Forum logo for you, however if you have your own logo, you can use it by simply typing in the URL/Internet Address of that logo in the "Forum Logo" field on your Forum Management page and the logo will immediately appear at the top of your Forum. If you have a logo but don't have a URL for it, email it to us and we'll place it on your Forum, no charge.
o Custom Forum background    Return
  • You have several background gifs to choose from for a Forum background, or if you have your own background gif, you can use it as your Forum background.
o Custom Forum colors    Return
  • You can choose from a large number of colors to use for your Forum background, or if you have a color we don't offer, you can use it by specifying it hexadecimal color code.
o Custom buttons    Return
  • If you prefer to use buttons other than the ones we provide, you can create and use your own.
o Multiple Skins Available    Return
  • The Forum manager can assign a default skin template from several available, and/or allow users to each select their own skin to be used.
o Configure as 'Moderated' or 'Non-Moderated    Return
  • You have the option of customizing your Forum to operate as a "Moderated" or "Non-Moderated" Forum. For example, to configure your Forum as a Moderated Forum, you simply click on the radio button on your Forum management page labeled: "Moderated Forum" . A moderated Forum allows users to post messages, however the messages are not displayed to Forum visitors until approved by the Forum manager or a designated Forum moderator.
o Multiple Visitor Counters    Return
  • Your Forum provides two types of Visitor counters. One counter automatically tracks the number of visitors to your Forum from the time it was created and the other tracks number of visitors from the last time you reset it.
o Rotating Advertising Banners    Return
  • Although we place no adverstising on your Forum, your Forum does have the capability of automatically displaying a set of your own advertising banners. This feature allows you to upload, monitor, and control how they will be displayed. This feature requires the File Attachment option be enabled on your Forum.
 
Miscellaneous    Top
o Subdivide Forum (Divide Forum into multiple forum sections)    Return
  • Your Forum can be divided, if you choose, into different forum sections. You may choose to subdivide your Forum in this fashion in order to present a more organized content layout to your Forum visitors, or perhaps to restrict access to forum sections.
o High Bandwidth Forums    Return
  • Although there is no limit on the number of users or number of messages that can be posted, Forum managers should realize there is a different fee schedule for High Bandwidth Forums. It is unlikely your Forum will be classified as a High Bandwidth Forum. Less than half of 1% of our existing Forums are High Bandwidth Forums. A Forum must receive over 500 unique visitors per day, for 5 consecutive days, to be classified as a High Bandwidth Forum. Forums averaging over 500 unique visitors per day can not be supported on the $9.95 per month pricing plan. Forums receiving this type of traffic should contact [email protected] to upgrade their account. A detailed description of High Bandwith Forum fees can be viewed at BulletinBoards.com/HighBandwidth
o Banning access by IP and Email address    Return
  • This feature was mentioned in the Password Protection section. This feature allows you, as the Forum manager, to restrict access to your Forum by specifying certain IP addresses that will not be allowed to access your Forum.
o Automatic Archival/Deletion of messages    Return
  • Your Forum has a number of utilities, available to the Forum manager, for Archiving and Deleting messages. Archiving and deleting of messages can be done manually or scheduled to happen automatically based on criteria you define.
o Member List showing number of Visits, Posts, Last Visit of each user    Return
  • Your Forum has the ability to display a member list reflecting information on each Forum user, such as number of visits, number of posts, last visit, etc.
o Calendar Option    Return
  • This option allows you to have a Calendar link dislayed near the top of your Forum. Users can use this link to post and view events to your Forum's calendar.
    Calendar events can be added so they are viewable by all Forum users, and/or are specific to particular forum sections, or private and only viewable by a specific individual.
o Ability to insert photos/graphics within messages    Return
  • You have the option of configuring your Forum to allow users to attach photographs or other graphics to messages they create.
o Ability to attach files to messages.    Return
  • You have the option of configuring your Forum to allow users to attach files to messages. Any kind of file(graphic, spreadSheets, databases, word processing, pdf, cad, etc.) can be easily uploaded and attached to a message for subsequent download by a viewer.
o Archive Message capability    Return
  • Every Forum has the ability to move messages from the active portion of the Forum into a less used area, called its "Archive". Moving a message into a Forum's archive does not prevent a user from viewing it. Users can view messages that have been archived by searching the Forum's archives. Moving older messages into a Forum's archive, will tend to make it run faster.
o Forum Backup Utilities    Return
  • Your Forum Management page provides several backup options. You can backup all or any portion of your Forum. Backups can be created and downloaded as often as you like. All Forum content is backed up to a comma-delimited file file that can be imported into most database, spreadsheet, or word processing programs.
o Detect hacking and/or invalid login attempts    Return
  • Your Forum will automatically detect excessive invalig login attemps. An email notification is automatically and immediately sent to the Forum manager(you) whenever hacking or excessive invalid login attempts detected.
o Time Zone and Date Format customization    Return
  • You can specify the Time Zone and date format that best suits your Forum users.
o RSS Feed Generation    Return
  • Users familiar with RSS XML feeds have the option of creating an RSS XML 2.0 feed page which can be submitted to any site accepting RSS XML 2.0 feeds.
    Once the RSS feed page is created, it's updated once a day automatically. You can always manually update the page, as often as you like, by clicking the RSS XML Feed link on your management page in the Utilities section.
o Chat Room Integration    Return
  • We can integrate a powerful third-party chat-room into your Forum for an additional $10/month fee.
o Can specify MetaTags for search engine submittal    Return
  • Some Forum managers submit their Forum to search engines. You can make your Forum more "Search Engine Friendly" by specifying content of certain meta tags associated with your Forum. Using this feature will better ensure a good position ranking whenever a search engine indexes your Forum. This is an optional feature. Remember, the default configuration for all Forums prevents search engines from accessing your Forum, therefore it is your responsibility to submit your Forum, if you desire search engine indexing.
o 50% Revenue Sharing Program    Return
  • We offer a 50% revenue sharing program for Forum managers wishing to become involved in our affiliate program. Under this program, we become an equal partner with our affiliates. All fees received from referrals of an Affiliate are split on a 50/50 basis with the Affiliate. Establishing yourself as an affiliate, takes less than 3 minutes and is explained on your Forum management page. To view example instructions and more info on our affiliate program Click Here


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