Beneath topics, the moderator has various options in a dropdown box which modify the topic in different ways. These include the ability to lock, unlock, delete, move, split, merge and copy the topic. As well as these, they are also able to change the topic type (Sticky/Announcement/Global), and also view the topics logs. The following subsections detail each action on a topic that a moderator can perform.

The quick moderator tools. As you can see, these tools are located at the end of each topic at the bottom of the page, before the last post on that page. Clicking on the selection menu will show you all of the actions you may perform.

4.2.1. Locking a topic or post
This outlines how a moderator may lock whole topics or individual posts. There are various ways a moderator may do this, either by using the Moderator Control Panel when viewing a forum, navigating to the selection menu beneath the topic in question, or editing any post within a topic and checking the relevant checkbox.

Locking a whole topic ensures that no user can reply to it, whereas locking individual posts denies the post author any editing permissions for that post.

4.2.2. Deleting a topic or post
If enabled within the Administration Control Panel permissions, a user may delete their own posts when either viewing a topic or editing a previous post. The user may only delete a topic or post if it has not yet been replied to.

To delete other user’s posts, one must have appropriate moderator forum-based permission – CAN DELETE POSTS. Using the selection menu beneath topics allows quick removal. The Moderator Control Panel allows multiple deletions of separate posts.

Tip
Please note that any topics or posts cannot be retrieved once deleted. Consider using a hidden forum that topics can be moved to for future reference.

4.2.3. Moving a topic into another forum
To move a topic to another forum, navigate to the QUICK MOD TOOLS area beneath the topic and select MOVE TOPIC from the selection menu. You will then be met with another selection menu of a location (another forum) to move it to. If you would like to leave a Shadow Topic behind, leave the box checked. Select the desired forum and click YES.

4.2.3.1. Shadow Topics
Shadow topics can be created when moving a topic from one forum to another. A shadow topic is simply a link to the topic in the forum it’s been moved from. You may choose whether or not to leave a shadow topic by selecting or unselecting the checkbox in the MOVE TOPIC dialog.

To delete a shadow topic, navigate to the forum containing the shadow topic, and use the Moderator Control Panel to select and delete the topic.

Note
Deleting a shadow topic will not delete the original topic that it is a shadow of.

4.2.4. Duplicating a topic
Moderators are also allowed to duplicate topics. Duplicating a topic simply creates a copy of the selected topic in another forum. This can be achieved by using the QUICK MOD TOOLS area beneath the topic you want to duplicate, or through the Moderator Control Panel when viewing the forum. From this, you simply select the destination forum you wish to duplicate the topic to. Click YES to duplicate the topic.

4.2.5. Announcements and stickies
There are various types of topics the forum administrators and moderators (if they have the appropriate permissions) can assign to specific topics. These special topic types are: GLOBAL ANNOUNCEMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, and STICKIES. The Topic Type can be chosen when posting a new topic or editing the first post of a previously posted topic. You may choose which type of topic you would prefer by selecting the relevant radio button. When viewing the forum, GLOBAL ANNOUNCEMENTS and basic ANNOUNCEMENTS are displayed under a separate heading than that of STICKIES and normal topics.

4.2.6. Splitting posts off a topic
Moderators also have the ability to split posts from a topic. This can be useful if certain discussions have spawned a new idea worthy of its own thread, thus needing to be split from the original topic. Splitting posts involves moving individual posts from an existing topic to a new topic. You may do this by using the QUICK MOD TOOLS area beneath the topic you want to split or from the Moderator Control Panel within the topic.

While splitting, you may choose a title for the new topic, a different forum for the new topic, and also a different icon. You may also override the default board settings for the amount of posts to be displayed per page. The SPLITTING FROM THE SELECTED POST option will split all posts from the checked post, to the last post. The SPLITTING SELECTED POSTS option will only split the current selected posts.

4.2.7. Merge topics
In phpBB3, it is now possible to merge topics together, in addition to splitting topics. This can be useful if, for example, two separate topics are related and involve the same discussion. The merging topics feature allows existing topics to be merged into one another.

To merge topics together, start by locating selection menu beneath the topic in question, which brings you to the Moderator Control Panel. From here, you need to enter the topic ID of the topic you want to move the posts to. You can click SELECT TOPIC to see a list of the topics available and specify which. Checking the MARK ALL section will select all the posts in the current topic and allow moving to the existing topic. The posts merged into the new topic will retain their existing timestamp (e.g. they will not appear at the end of the topic they are being merged to, but will be sorted based on their timestamp).

4.2.8. Merge posts into another topic
Rather than just merging topics together, you can also merge specific posts into any other topic.

To merge specific posts into another topic, start by locating the selection menu beneath the topic, and get to the Moderator Control Panel. From here, you need to enter the topic ID of the topic you want to move the posts to. You can click SELECT TOPIC to see a list of the topics available and specify which. Select the posts which you wish to merge from the current topic, into the existing topic. The posts merged into the new topic will retain their existing timestamp (e.g. they will not appear at the end of the topic they are being merged to, but will be sorted based on their timestamp).

Forums are the sections where topics are stored. Without forums, your users would have nowhere to post! Creating forums is very easy.

Firstly, make sure you are logged in. Find the [ ADMINISTRATION CONTROL PANEL ] link at the bottom of the page, and click it. You should be in the Administration Index. You can administer your board here.

There are tabs at the top for the Administration Control Panel that will guide you to each category. You must get to the Forum Administration section to create a forum, so click the FORUMS tab.

The Forum Administration Index is where you can manage forums on your site. Along with being able to create forums, you are also able to create subforums. Subforums are forums that are located in a parent forum in a hierachy. For more information about subforums, see the administration guide on subforums.

Find the CREATE NEW FORUM button on the right side of the page. Type in the name of the forum you wish in the textbox located directly to the left of this button. For example, if the forum name was to be Test, in the text box put Test. Once you are done, click the CREATE NEW FORUM button create the forum.

You should see a page headed with the text “Create new forum :: Test”. You can change options for your forum; for example you can set what forum image the forum can use, if it’s a category, or what forum rules text will belong to the forum. You should type up a brief description for the forum as users will be able to figure out what the forum is for.

Here you can choose the name and the description of your a new forum.

The default settings are usually good enough to get your new forum up and running; however, you may change them to suit your needs. But there are three key forum settings that you should pay attention to. The Parent Forum setting allows you to choose which forum your new forum will belong to. Be careful to what level you want your forum to be in. (The Parent Forum setting is important when creating subforums. For more information on subforums, continue reading to the section on creating subforums) The “Copy Permissions” setting allows you to copy the permissions from an existing forum to your new forum. Use this if you want to keep permissions constant. The forum style setting allows you to set which style your new forum will display. Your new forum can show a different style to another. For more information on each forum setting, see the Section 3.3, “Forum Admin”

Once you’re done configuring the settings of your new forum, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the SUBMIT button to create your forum and it’s settings. If your new forum was created successfully, the screen will show you a success message.

If you wish to set permissions for the forum (or if you do not click on anything), you will see the forum permissions screen. If you do not want to (and want to use the default permissions for your new forum), click on the BACK TO PREVIOUS PAGE link. Otherwise, continue and set each setting to what you wish. Once you are done, click the APPLY ALL PERMISSIONS button at the bottom of the page. You will see the successful forum permissions updated screen if it worked.

Important
If you do not set any permissions on this forum it will not be accessible to anyone (including yourself).

You have successfully updated your forum permissions and set up your new forum. To create more forums, follow this general procedure again.

Fast Tube by Casper

To access the Forum please click on the link below

Benjamin Mauerberger Forum