Forum Admin

A Forum, or message board, is an online discussion where users can hold conversations in the form of posted messages on various topics. You can organise these discussion threads with Forum Categories. Users can create new topic threads or contribute by replying to existing ones within Forums. 


Forums are an adaptable feature that could help build a stronger sense of community for your members. Here are some uses and benefits of Forums:

  1. Knowledge sharing - Users can ask questions and receive answers from other like-minded members, for example, a new students' forum or to discuss local amenities in and around campus.
  2. Community building - Foster a sense of community by providing a platform for your members to come together and discuss common concerns or specific interests.
  3. Housemate matching - Finding housemates can be challenging, but forums allow users to create topics dedicated to finding housemates. They could mention their preferences, budgets, and other relevant details to attract housemates who match their requirements.
  4. Stay updated - Create a forum within each category dedicated to news and announcements relevant to the forum's theme helping your members be informed about recent developments and updates related to their interests.
  5. Broad Outreach - Using forums, your members from different departments, faculties, or even campuses can participate and contribute their opinions.


TABLE OF CONTENTS


You can access this feature from your MSL website. Only Content Editors with access to Forum Admin can access the Forum Admin window.


For further information, see Student Voice Overview.


Forum Category Admin Fields

This table lists and explains the Forum Category fields.


Field NameDefinition
Title

This is the title of the Category.

The Title must be unique.

This field is mandatory.

CountThis is the number of Forums created within the relevant Forum Category.
This field is displayed only in the Forum Category Admin window.
Description

This text should be a brief introduction to the Category.

Content should be written as plain text.

View Forums ()Click to view the list of Forums created within the relevant Forum Category.
For further information, see How to View the Forum List for a Category.
Delete ()

Click to Delete the Forum Category.

Once it contains Forums, a Category can't be deleted until those Forums have also been deleted.

For further information, see How to Delete a Forum Category.

This field is displayed only in the Forum Category Admin window.

For further information, see How to Add a New Forum Category.


Forum Admin Fields

This table lists and explains the fields on the Add New Forum and Edit Forum windows.


Field NameDefinition
Title

This is the title of the Forum.

This field is mandatory.

Description

This text should be a brief introduction to the Forum which is displayed on the Forum List and Forum Topic List.

Content should be written as plain text.

CategoryThis dropdown field is where you select the Forum Category the new Forum will be listed under.
The options are any Forum Categories you might have set up.
This field is mandatory.
LockedSelect this checkbox to make the Forum read-only. If selected, the Forum will not accept new posts.
For further information, see How to Archive and Lock a Forum.
ArchivedSelect this checkbox to stop the Forum from being displayed on your MSL website.
For further information, see How to Archive and Lock a Forum.
CensorSelect this checkbox to censor blocked words on future posts.
A pre-configured list of words determines which words are completed removed (in place of the word are asterisks), or censored (all but the first letter of the word are replaced with asterisks).
For further information, see How to Censor a Forum.
Admin-Only Sticky PostsIf selected, the Make Sticky checkbox is displayed only to Forum Admins on the Add Topic and Edit Post windows.
If deselected, any user who adds a topic can select the Make Sticky checkbox, meaning the topic will appear at the top of the topic list.
Organisation

This is the name of the Organisation to which the Forum belongs.

This field is mandatory. 

To change the organisation, see How to Change a Forum's Organisation.

PublicThis specifies whether non-logged-in users can view the topics and replies for this Forum.
Select the Read checkbox if non-logged-in users should be able to view the Forum's topics and replies.
Non MembersThis specifies whether logged-in users who aren't members of the Forum's owning organisation can view or post to this Forum.
Select the Read checkbox if logged-in users who aren't members of the Forum's owning organisation should be able to view the Forum's topics and replies.
Select the Write checkbox if logged-in users who aren't members of the Forum's owning organisation should be able to post topics and replies to this Forum.
MembersThis specifies whether members of the Forum's owning organisation can view or post to this Forum.
Select the Read checkbox if members of the Forum's owning organisation should be able to view the Forum's topics and replies.
Select the Write checkbox if members of the Forum's owning organisation should be able to post topics and replies to this Forum.
Delete ForumClick to Delete the Forum.
This field is displayed only in the Edit Forum window.
For further information, see How to Delete a Forum.

For further information, see How to Add a New Forum.


Forum Topic Fields

For further information, see Forum Topics and Posts.

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