Technical Details of PHP BB
From Tazlure Gaming System Wiki
Contents |
[edit] BB code - the extra tricks
See Also Lay Out
Depending on what features the site has added to the BB code, here are some to take note of:
- [hr][/hr] - the adding of a horizontal line can sometimes create a break between scenes or create clarity in an essay.
- [code][/code] - this will stop BB code affecting this part of your post. Sometimes useful for tabulations.
- [quote][/quote] - can be useful to contain for instance a letter that is written, a quote from a book, a previously established location etc. If used as [quote="bla"] then it will state "bla wrote:".
[edit] Split
As the moderator of your location forum(s), you have the option to split threads. A "thread split" is when you separate a set of posts into a new thread, either by removing and moving selected posts or by removing and moving all but the selected posts. the link looks like this: , and it's unbearably cool for two very frequent applications. They are:
• The Hyperposters! Hyper Posting (two pcs posting at lighting-fast rates that threaten to dominate the thread they're in) are certainly no problem. In fact, we like to see it happen. It improves pc-to-pc chemistry and story, and it satisfies those whacky players that love quick action. Most love scenes are hypered. Some conversations are hyperposted, too. The real problem comes when hyperposting players threaten to dominate a larger event or group of players. The moderator can step into the thread, split out the posts from those two players at a point you feel reasonable, and provided a link to the new, split-out thread with a quick post. This is called a side thread.
• Player shifts! - A player moving to a new location, or the same location but not where the rest of the players are, needs to be moved away to its own separate thread.
To actually split a thread, you simply click that button towards the bottom of the screen and then select (by checkbox) which posts in the thread you want to split out or, inversely, keep. The split threads will go into a new thread with the title you give it at the top. You need to be a moderator of a forum to be able to do this.
[edit] Lock up
So. It's time to freeze a thread. Why? Well, two reasons come to mind instantly. One, the thread is finished...nothing more to add, so instead of allowing a pc to enter it while it waits for skilling (later), you lock it with a cute message about how it's waiting for skilling. When it's skilled, you (or whoever skills it) will add a message about the skilling completion, and then it's ready to be moved to archives.
But there's another reason to lock a thread, too: naughty players! If a player is in violation of the Terms of Service, and things are spiralling out of control, lock that thread pronto! This not only gives you the chance to diffuse the situation carefully and patiently, but it really gives the violating players a chance to suffer huge anxiety attacks that send them to the bathroom at least twice an hour. And this is on purpose, too: the coordinator is the absolute authority on matters of presentation in his/her forum, and to allow something like this is dangerous not only to the location, but to the site as well. The most common violation of TOS we see in an IC thread is a flame war. Remember that locked threads can't be changed by the player so it preserves evidence.
To lock a thread, you must select the "Moderate this forum" link at the bottom of the forum, and from there you can select a single or group of forums by check box and then click the "Lock" button to shut it down. As the moderator of a forum, you can still post to a locked thread...but the players can't!
[edit] Archiving
So. A thread completed, and it's locked, and either you or some nice helper came in and skilled it for you. Neato: that thread is no longer needed in your IC forum, so...off it goes to the archives! If you've played with locking a thread, you'll already know how to move one: just go to the "Moderate this forum" link at the bottom of your forum, select the necessary forum (or forums), and click the "Move" button. You'll be asked to select a destination...most forums have an "archive" counterpart somewhere in there...and you'll also be asked whether to "Leave shadow topic in old forum". It leaves a message in your IC forum that says "Moved: ~forum name~", and that might be neat to help direct players to a new forum location but it leaves a lot of clutter. If you have accidently left a shadow message, go to the link to moderate the forum and there delete the shadow message. Don't do it any other way or you'll delete the thread!
Note that pulling old threads out of archive is done pretty much the same way. Go find the thread in archive, and just...move it back to the IC forum! You'll probably have to unlock it, too, but we don't often delete things on the site, so it should always be there.
[edit] The New Features of PHP BB version 3.0.4
In the new version of PHP there is a moderator panel you can click on. Not only does it provide the same functions as above but you can also
- put in the feature that allows you to approve posts and topics (not recommended as it feels limited, but it may be necessary in a disciplinary case)
- report a post, and close the report when an issue is resolved
- make notes on an user
- log moderator actions
