Discussion Engine - HyperThread
Using the Administration Panel
When you first load the admin page, you will notice 6 buttons and two text fields. Each button is labeled and performs the function of that label. The first three -- Edit description, Maintain, and Remove -- all pertain to areas. The list of areas appears in the large text box on the left. The 'Add' button next to the small text box in the center of your screen is for adding new areas -- use the small text box to name the new area. 'Change Login Info' is used to change your username and password login information. 'Archive Area' brings you to the archives you may have saved to.
Adding a New Area
To add a new area, type in the name of the area (this will be the name of the database created to hold the messages in the new area, and it will also appear as part of the url for that area) and click the "Add" button.
Once you are on the new area creation page, there are three steps to creating a new discussion area.
First, name the area. This name is what you and the public will see.
Second, give a description of the area. This will also be seen by the public.
Third, hit the "Create New Area" button.
You will now be sent back to the main administration page where you will notice the name of the new discussion area has been added to the list of areas.
Editing a Description
Select an area then click the "Edit Description" button to use this feature. Doing so brings up a panel nearly identical to the one used to add a new area. The fields, however, are filled in with the existing information for that area. You can now change the name or description of the area, then click the "Edit Area Description" button.
You will now be sent back to the main administration page.
Maintaining areas
Select an area, then click the "Maintain" button to use this feature. Once on the maintenance page, you will see a list of the messages posted to the area you are maintaining.
There are three actions you can perform on each message. These are:
Edit - You have the ability to edit any and all information contained in any message.
Delete - You can delete a message, which removes it from your list and from public view
Expire - Expiring a message removes it from public view but keeps the message in the administrator's list. Once expired, a message can be un-expired at the administrator's discretion.
Note: Batch Mode allows you to delete messages in bulk using check boxes and a "Delete Marked Messages" button. This is convenient for maintaining very busy discussion areas.
Removing an Area
To remove an area, simply select it and click the "Remove" button. You will be prompted to confirm that you want to remove the area as a precaution against accidental deletion.
Changing Login Information
We recommend you change your login information immediately. Simply click the "Change Login Info" button, and you will be brought to a page with username and password fields. Remove the default information and supply your own. Then click the "Make Changes Final" button.
Note: please see "Finding the Administration Area" for information on what to do should you forget your login info.
Archiving an Area
This feature is included for those who wish to have a record of messages that have been posted but who either want to shorten the active version of an area or make the messages 'read only'. Archived messages are still threaded and can be accessed in the same manner as usual, but as they are simple HTML files there are no posting or searching capabilities.
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