Frequently Asked Questions
| Info for teachers |
What's the purpose of this discussion board and how does it work?
Teachers - find out all about:
Back to top |
 |
| Login and Registration Issues |
Why can't I log in?
Have you registered? Seriously, you must register in order to log in. Have you been banned from the board? (A message will be displayed if you have.) If so, you should contact the webmaster or board administrator to find out why. If you have registered and are not banned and you still cannot log in then check and double-check your username and password. Usually this is the problem; if not, contact the board administrator -- they may have incorrect configuration settings for the board.
Back to top |
|
Why do I need to register at all?
Membership and access to our discussion board is for Teachers and Students only. BEEP & PEEP are primarily teaching tools, so we wish the discussions to be either between students, about ethics related topics, or between teachers in matters of professional development. Thus the board is not open to members of the general public at this time.
As the websites deal with potentially sensitive topics, discussions need to be carefully monitored so that everyone can have their say without being drowned out by a few, more vocal participants.
Back to top |
|
I've lost my password!
Don't panic! While your password cannot be retrieved it can be reset. To do this go to the login page and click I've forgotten my password. Follow the instructions and you should be back online in no time.
Back to top |
|
I registered but cannot log in!
First check that you are entering the correct username and password. If you still can't get in, try the I've forgotten my password link on the login page.
Back to top |
|
I registered in the past but cannot log in anymore!
The most likely reasons for this are: you entered an incorrect username or password (check the login details given to you by your teacher) or that the BEEP/PEEP administrator has deleted your account for some reason. If it is the latter case then perhaps you did not post anything, or you are no longer a student at the school who registered you?
Back to top |
|
| User Preferences and settings |
How do I change my settings?
All your settings (if you are registered) are stored in the database. To alter them click the Profile link shown at the top of pages (if you are logged in). This will allow you to change all your settings.
Back to top |
|
How do I change my rank?
In general you cannot directly change the wording of any rank (ranks appear below your username in topics and on your profile depending on the style used). Most boards use ranks to indicate the number of posts you have made and to identify certain users. For example, moderators and administrators may have a special rank. Please do not abuse the board by posting unnecessarily just to increase your rank -- you will probably find the moderator or administrator will simply lower your post count.
Back to top |
|
| Posting Issues |
What is acceptable behaviour on this forum?
Students: Be guided by your teachers. Everyone else: The forum is here to facilitate the discussion of ethics in teaching and to share ideas on this topic. Within that remit, just please be nice. However, advertising is not allowed and will result in the post being removed and your account being deleted. Sorry, but this is necessary to prevent those who will fill the forum with junk mail.
Back to top |
|
How do I post a topic in a forum?
Easy -- click the relevant button on either the forum or topic screens. You'll need to register before you can post a message
(Click here fore more details.
The facilities available to you are listed at the bottom of the forum and topic screens (the You can post new topics, You can vote in polls, etc. list)
Back to top |
|
How do I edit or delete a post?
Unless you are the board admin or forum moderator you can only edit or delete your own posts. You can edit a post (sometimes for only a limited time after it was made) by clicking the edit button for the relevant post. If someone has already replied to the post, you will find a small piece of text output below the post when you return to the topic that lists the number of times you edited it. This will only appear if no one has replied; it also will not appear if moderators or administrators edit the post (they should leave a message saying what they altered and why). Please note that normal users cannot delete a post once someone has replied.
Back to top |
|
How do I create a poll?
Creating a poll is easy -- when you post a new topic (or edit the first post of a topic, if you have permission) you should see a Add Poll form below the main posting box. If you cannot see this then you probably do not have rights to create polls. You should enter a title for the poll and then at least two options -- to set an option type in the poll question and click the Add option button. You can also set a time limit for the poll, 0 being an infinite amount. There will be a limit to the number of options you can list, which is set by the board administrator
Back to top |
|
How do I edit or delete a poll?
As with posts, polls can only be edited by the original poster, a moderator, or board administrator. To edit a poll, click the first post in the topic, which always has the poll associated with it. If no one has cast a vote then users can delete the poll or edit any poll option. However, if people have already placed votes only moderators or administrators can edit or delete it; this is to prevent people rigging polls by changing options mid-way through a poll
Back to top |
|
Why can't I access a forum?
Some forums may be limited to certain users or groups. To view, read, post, etc. you may need special authorization which only the forum moderator and board administrator can grant, so you should contact them.
Back to top |
|
Why can't I vote in polls?
Only registered users can vote in polls so as to prevent spoofing of results. If you have registered and still cannot vote then you probably do not have appropriate access rights.
Back to top |
|
| Formatting and Topic Types |
What is BBCode?
BBCode is a special implementation of HTML (the formatting code used to control the display of web pages). BBCode itself is similar in style to HTML: tags are enclosed in square braces [ and ] rather than < and > and it offers greater control over what and how something is displayed. For more information and guidance on how to use BBCode, click here.
Back to top |
|
Can I use HTML?
That depends on whether the administrator allows you to; they have complete control over it. If you are allowed to use it, you will probably find only certain tags work. This is a safety feature to prevent people from abusing the board by using tags which may destroy the layout or cause other problems.
Back to top |
|
What are Smileys?
Smileys, or Emoticons, are small graphical images which can be used to express some feeling using a short code, e.g. :) means happy, :( means sad. The full list of emoticons can be seen via the posting form. Try not to overuse smileys, though, as they can quickly render a post unreadable and a moderator may decide to edit them out or remove the post altogether.
Back to top |
|
What are Announcements?
Announcements often contain important information and you should read them as soon as possible. Announcements appear at the top of every page in the forum to which they are posted. Whether or not you can post an announcement depends on the permissions required, which are set by the administrator.
Back to top |
|
What are Sticky topics?
Sticky topics appear below any announcements in viewforum and only on the first page. They are often quite important so you should read them where possible.
Back to top |
|
What are Locked topics?
Locked topics are mostly set this way so that they beomce a mini library of information, rather than an ongoing conversation. You cannot reply to locked topics and any poll contained inside is automatically ended. Topics may be locked for many reasons.
Back to top |
|
| User Levels and Groups |
What are Administrators?
Administrators are people assigned the highest level of control over the entire board. These people can control all facets of board operation which include setting permissions, banning users, creating usergroups or moderators, etc. They also have full moderator capabilities in all the forums.
Back to top |
|
What are Moderators?
Moderators are individuals (or groups of individuals) whose job it is to look after the running of the forums from day to day. Generally moderators are there to prevent people going off-topic or posting abusive or offensive material.
Back to top |
|
What are Usergroups?
Usergroups are a way in which board administrators can group users. Each user can belong to several groups and each group can be assigned individual abilities. This makes it easy for administrators to set up several users as moderators of a forum, or to give them access to a private forum, etc.
Back to top |
|
How do I join a Usergroup?
To join a usergroup, you have to be assigned to it by the board Administrators. Just ask us, and if its appropriate for you to join, we'll add you to the group.
Back to top |
|
| phpBB 2 Issues |
Who wrote this bulletin board?
This software (in its unmodified form) is produced, released and is copyrighted phpBB Group. It is made available under the GNU General Public License and may be freely distributed; see link for more details
Back to top |
|
Why isn't X feature available?
This software was written by and licensed through phpBB Group. If you believe a feature needs to be added then please visit the phpbb.com website and see what the phpBB Group has to say. Please do not post feature requests to the board at phpbb.com, as the Group uses sourceforge to handle tasking of new features. Please read through the forums and see what, if any, our position may already be for features and then follow the procedure given there.
Back to top |
|
Whom do I contact about abusive and/or legal matters related to this board?
You can contact the administrator of this board here.
Back to top |
|
Powered by phpBB
© 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|
