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Forums / Discussion Groups

Create message areas for group discussion, keyword searchable Q&As, databases, Internet Newsgroups, and more. Forums make a great online brainstorming session. Set up a topic so everyone can enter their ideas. Even customers and prospects can participate, giving suggestions for improving customer service, new products tips, and more. And it eliminates information overload because only those who are interested in the topic - and have appropriate access – tune in.

Forum messages are organized in both chronological order and topic "threads" that help users easily follow message paths of interest. A tree-like map presents this information visually. Users find interesting messages fast with the "quickscan" feature. They can keyword search the contents of the messages with Boolean "and", "or", and "not" operators; for example, they can set up a search for "updates and information" and scan only for messages with file attachments.

Discussion groups are a powerful method for users to share, collaborate, and communicate.

 

Feature Benefit
Threaded or Linear Messages Allow users to view all messages easily for perusal or use threads to focus on a particular topic.
File Attachments Provider members enhanced collaboration with documents, spreadsheets, etc.
Positional Recollection Keeps track of where members were. Helps them quickly continue their collaboration / discussion without having to retrace their path.
E-mail Integration
Users can optionally receive replies to their posts via e-mail or private messages. 		Engagement by drawing discussions into email. Eliminates need to check multiple message areas. Integration with email makes the community an extension of the user's everyday work tools
Keyword Message Search Gives users the ability to find what interest them immediately. Create a searchable knowledge base.
HTML and Java based interface
Frames / No-Frames Interface		 Members with advanced browsers can take advantage of the latest browser technology, while you still provide support for all others with HTML based protocols.
Locks and Keys Access control
Allows you to prohibit access to services and features.		 Develop secure sub-communities.

Offer premium "pay" services.
User Access Levels
In the Forums area you may edit each user individually and give (or deny) access to reading, writing, uploading and downloading.


The access levels assigned to each of the four above categories are:

Zero - user can't do anything in the current forum, he doesn't even see it.

Read - user can read messages in the current forum but cannot download files attached to those messages.

Download – user can download files but not write messages to the current forum.

Write - user can write messages to the current forum but not upload files.

Upload - user can upload files, but the files require approval from the current forum's Forum Op before other users can download them.

Co Op - user can upload files which are automatically approved and so are immediately available for other users to download.

Forum-Op - Forum-Op can approve uploaded files and set the access levels (Zero through Co-Op) of other users

Sysop - Forum Sysop can create and delete forums and assign Forum-Ops. Forum Sysop can also duplicate user privileges.

 Maintain complete control over members and content.
Forum Operator Access Levels

A forum operator can be assigned to any forum. This user has privileges to:

  • Edit the forum's name, description, charges, etc.
  • Modify or erase any message posted to the forum
  • Forward or copy messages to another forum or to a specific user
  • Exempt messages from being deleted after their lifetime is reached
  • Approve for download any file attached to a message in the forum
  • Assign access levels (all levels except the Forum-Op access level itself)
 Outsource management features of a discussion group to others.
Message Lifetime
Messages can be set to automatically delete after a period of time.		 Keeps content current and relevant.
Moderated Forums Provide tight control over discussion content.
Internet News Import (NNTP)
Link a discussion group directly to Internet newsgroups		 Add instant content to message groups by importing directly from Internet newsgroups. Currently no other product can do this.
Community Echo
Link selected discussion groups with other netVillage communities.		 Increase value of discussion content while retaining your brand and control.

Unique
Discussion Group Hierarchy
Group forums under various categories		 Offers ease of use and content focus for members.
Forum Chat rooms
Link a chat room directly to a discussion group.		 Offer linked real-time and live conversation and discussion.
Charge / Credit per message posted Allows premium "Pay" message services: ask the expert, chargeable requests, etc.

This can also be reversed to PAY (credits, bonus points) members for posting.

Unique
Charge / Credit per file upload Allows premium "Pay" message services as above. You can also reward uploads.
Charge / Credit per message read Charge or pay users to read messages in a forum.
Profanity suppression level
Each forum can have it’s own level of profanity checking.		 Provide different audiences with different services. You can set a strict level of profanity suppression in forums open to broad audiences while allowing more candid conversations among more exclusive groups.
Email Discussion Groups
community in your customer's In Box!		 Click here for details...

 

To take a tour of the forums application, click here.