panFora Expert Mode Help File

panFora Post and Email

Help for Expert Mode

	In panFora you can introduce new threads of discussion by posting a message or participate in discussions in progress by replying to existing messages.

	panFora posting features include quoting, appending user signature and attaching file documents to your messages. You can also post anonymously, and send email notification to several mailing lists.

	panFora allows you to edit your own messages. You can correct text mistakes, upload a forgotten attachment, or make notification changes.

	In addition, panFora provides its own email tool. panFora Email is activated from any message within the panFora forum. The email will have a reference (URL) to that message on the forum.

Posting and Replying to Messages

	There are two methods for posting messages to the Forum. Please take a moment to note the differences between the two.

	Posting
	1. In the Threads Frame title bar click to create a new thread in a selected topic.
	The Post Window pops up.

	If a topic does not allow posting, the Post button is not available.

	Replying
	1. Select a message from either the Threads Frame or the Content Frame.
	2. In the Content Frame click to reply to a specific message

	If a topic does not allow replying to its posted messages, the Reply button is not available.

The Post Window

	The Post Window is used for posting messages.
	If you are posting as Guest, please also refer to Guest Posting section.

	1. Type a title in the title field to enter Message Title
	Messages will not be posted if the title field is left blank.

	2. Type the message content in the text area to enter Message Text.

	3. Check the Post as HTML checkbox, if you want to post your message as html.
	Click to preview your HTML message. panFora supports simple HTML in the message text. You can use link and image tags as well as formatting tags. Appropriate HTML code is required in the message text in order to display as html.

	4. Click on to append your signature at the end of the message content.
	Text and special characters are allowed, but no HTML Note that you may edit the appended signature in the Message Text area.

	5. Enter a path to the file you want to attach to your message.
	Or click the Browse button to locate the file you want to attach to your message. Important The Forum Administrator enables and sets up the Attachment options: If there is an attachment file-size limitation, it will be noted above the filename input area. File attachments larger than the file-size limit will not be uploaded, but the message will still be posted. The Forum Administrator may have to delete message attachments due to server space limitations. Please refer to the Troubleshooting section for more information on attaching files.

	6. Select an Email Notification target from the Email Notification pull down menu.
	Email Notification will be sent to the individual or group based on your selection. Email Notification is not available when posting as Anonymous. The Forum Administrator enables and sets up the Attachment choices. Therefore, this option may not available in your Forum.

	7. Check the Anonymous check box to post your message anonymously.
	The anonymous photo and alias will be displayed in lieu of your own. Please note that Email Notification is not available when posting as Anonymous. The Forum Administrator enables and sets up the Attachment choices. Therefore, this option may not available in your Forum.

	8. Click on to post your message.
	The anonymous photo and alias will be displayed in lieu of your own. If you close the Post window without clicking the Post button, a dialog box will pop up, allowing you to confirm the cancellation of the Post or go back to the Post window to continue the posting process. Wait for the confirmation window to ensure the message was posted correctly. Remember that messages with large file attachments take longer to post.


	Posting as Guest
	The Forum Administrator enables and sets up Guest privileges. Therefore some of these options may not be available in your Forum.

	1. Enter Your Name or Handle (optional)
	Unless you enter a name, "Guest" is entered by default.

	2. Enter Your Email Address (optional)
	Your email address will remain private but users will be able to email you under the alias "Guest".

	Please note that Email Notification is Not Available while posting as Guest.

The Reply Window

	The Reply Window is used for replying to messages.
	If you are replying as Guest, please also refer to Guest Replying section.

	1. In the Content Frame click to reply to a specific message.
	The Reply Window pops up.

	2. Type a title in the title field to enter Message Title
	When replying to a message, the title field is pre-filled with the title of the message. You may leave it as is, or enter a new or modified title by typing in the title field. Messages will not be posted if the title field is left blank.

	3. Type the message content in the text area to enter Message Text.

	3a. Click on if you wish to quote the message you are replying to.
	Clicking on the Quote button will automatically enter the text of the message you are replying to in the new text area.

	3b. Click on if you wish to append your signature at the end of the message content.
	Text and special characters are allowed, but no HTML Note that you may edit the appended signature in the Message Text area.

	4. Check the Post as HTML checkbox, if you want to post your message as html.
	Click to preview your HTML message. panFora supports simple HTML in the message text. You can use link and image tags as well as formatting tags. Appropriate HTML code is required in the message text in order to display as html.

	5. Enter a path to the file you want to attach to your message.
	Or click the Browse button to locate the file you want to attach to your message. Important The Forum Administrator enables and sets up the Attachment options: If there is an attachment file-size limitation, it will be noted above the filename input area. File attachments larger than the file-size limit will not be uploaded, but the message will still be posted. The Forum Administrator may have to delete message attachments due to server space limitations. Please refer to the Troubleshooting section for more information on attaching files.

	6. Select an Email Notification target from the Email Notification pull down menu.
	Email Notification will be sent to the individual or group based on your selection. Email Notification is not available when posting as Anonymous. The Forum Administrator enables and sets up the Attachment choices. Therefore, this option may not available in your Forum.

	7. Check the Anonymous check box to post your message anonymously.
	The anonymous photo and alias will be displayed in lieu of your own. Please note that Email Notification is not available when posting as Anonymous. The Forum Administrator enables and sets up the Attachment choices. Therefore, this option may not available in your Forum.

	8. Click on to post your message.
	The anonymous photo and alias will be displayed in lieu of your own. If you close the Post window without clicking the Post button, a dialog box will pop up, allowing you to confirm the cancellation of the Post or go back to the Post window to continue the posting process. Wait for the confirmation window to ensure the message was posted correctly. Remember that messages with large file attachments take longer to post.


	Replying as Guest
	The Forum Administrator enables and sets up Guest privileges. Therefore some of these options may not be available in your Forum.

	1. Enter Your Name or Handle (optional)
	Unless you enter a name, "Guest" is entered by default.

	2. Enter Your Email Address (optional)
	Your email address will remain private but users will be able to email the "Guest".

	Please note that Email Notification is Not Available while replying as Guest.

The Edit Post Window

	The Edit Post Window is used for editing posted messages.

	Notes An edited message displays a modification line at the end of the message body text, displaying the editor username and modification date. Depending on your forum configuration there may be a time limit for editing messages, or this feature may be unavailable. Please check with your forum administrator for more information on your forum specific configuration.

	1. In the Content Frame choose the message you wish to edit.
	You can only edit your own messages. You cannot edit messages you posted or replied as "Guest". The message does not need to be selected (highlighted).

	2. In the Content Frame click to edit a message.
	The Edit Post Window pops up

	3. Retype a title in the title field to edit the Message Title.
	You may leave it as is if you do not wish to edit it. Messages will not be posted if the title field is left blank.

	4. Retype the message content in the text area to edit Message Text.

	5. Check the Post as HTML checkbox, if you want to post your message as html.
	Click to preview your HTML message. panFora supports simple HTML in the message text. You can use link and image tags as well as formatting tags. Appropriate HTML code is required in the message text in order to display as html.

	6. Click on if you wish to append your signature at the end of the message content.
	Text and special characters are allowed, but no HTML Note that you may edit the appended signature in the Message Text area.

	7. Re-enter a path to the file or document you want to attach to your message.
	You may also click on the Browse button to locate the file you want to attach to your message. In the editing process you may choose to delete a previously attached file, upload another file in its place or leave the attachment as is. Important The Forum Administrator enables and sets up the Attachment options: If there is an attachment file-size limitation, it will be noted above the filename input area. File attachments larger than the file-size limit will not be uploaded, but the message will still be posted. The Forum Administrator may have to delete message attachments due to server space limitations. Please refer to the Troubleshooting section for more information on attaching files.

	8. Select an Email Notification target from the Email Notification pull down menu.
	Email Notification will be sent to the individual or group based on your selection. Important If your original message had email notification, that notification cannot be nullified, since it was sent together with the original message. However, when editing a message, the original notification target is preselected. You may choose another notification target, or select "None" Email Notification is not available when posting as Anonymous.

	9. Check the Anonymous check box to post your message anonymously.
	If you post anonymously you will not be able to reedit this message. The anonymous photo and alias will be displayed in lieu of your own. Please note that Email Notification is not available when posting as Anonymous. The Forum Administrator enables and sets up the Attachment choices. Therefore, this option may not available in your Forum.

	10. Click on to post your message.
	The anonymous photo and alias will be displayed in lieu of your own. If you close the Post window without clicking the Post button, a dialog box will pop up, allowing you to confirm the cancellation of the Post or go back to the Post window to continue the posting process. Wait for the confirmation window to ensure the message was posted correctly. Remember that messages with large file attachments take longer to post.

The Email Window

	The Email Window is used for sending email that can be referenced back to a message in the forum.

	Notes Once sent, the email will have a reference (URL) back to that specific message on the forum. Recipients will be able to enter the forum to view this message only if they are registered users, or if Guest viewing is allowed in your panFora configuration

	1. In the Content Frame click in a specific message.
	The message does not need to be selected (highlighted). The Email Window pops up

	2. Type a recipient email address in the "to" field to enter the email addressee.
	By default, the "to" field is pre-filled with your email address. You may leave it as is, or enter a new or modified email address, or multiple addresses (separated by comma) in the field.

	When Emailing Guests By default, the "to" field is pre-filled with the Guest's name, while the email remains private. You cannot change the above information. By default, the "cc" field is pre-filled with your email address. You may leave it as is, or enter a new or modified email address, or multiple addresses (separated by comma) in the field. The Forum Administrator enables and sets up Guest Posting privileges. Therefore, this option may not available in your Forum.

	3. Type the email subject title in the "subject" field.
	By default, the "subject" field is pre-filled with the message title. You may leave it as is, or enter a new or modified subject in the field.

	4. Type the message content in the text area to enter Message Text.

	5. Click on to quote the message you are emailing from or about.
	The Quote button is only available is the message you are editing is a reply to another message. Clicking on the Quote button will automatically enter the text of the message you are replying to in the new text area.

	6. Click on to email your message.
	Wait for the confirmation window to ensure the message was emailed correctly.