The Art Forums
This version is installed at digitalconsciousness.net/forum.
A version that includes images and supports replies by email is installed at
digitalconsciousness.net/artforum.
Both versions draw from the same database of messages
The art forums allow you to read threaded messages.
A thread is a series of messages on a related topic.
It consists of an initial article and its replies, any and all of which may themselves have replies.
You have the option of reading messages by these threads, allowing you to follow the logical flow of the articles
Viewing the Message Index
Initially, the Message Index sorts chronologically,
displaying the last page of Authors, Dates, and Subjects with the newest posts appearing at the bottom.
Click on threads to sort by threads.
If there are a lot of messages which you haven't read yet, you'll probably want to read by threads.
If you're mostly caught up with the messages, sorting by date allows you to easily see which messages are new
You may also view just the messages which have been posted within a specified number of days or fractional days.
For example, to see all messages which have posted since you were last here two and a half days ago,
enter 2.5 and click on the days button.
You may also sort by author's name.
This is useful for finding all of the articles which you have written
Cookies
If your browser accepts cookies, your sorting preference will be saved, and the next time you view the message index,
it will be sorted the same way it was the last time you viewed it.
(the message system is otherwise fully functional without cookies)
Reading Threads
Each article's subject is shown.
Articles sorted by threads are indented to indicate which messages are followups to which other ones.
All messages which are replies to the same article will be indented to the same level
You may click on any Subject to see that specific article.
It is recommended that you start with a "base" message so that you may read it and all of its replies in order.
Note that messages in the same thread do not necessarily have the same Subject.
Also, just giving a new message the same Subject as an existing thread will not add the message to the thread
-- to do that, you must click on the followup link
Navigating Messages
After reading a message, you have many navigation options.
Depending on where the message is in its thread and among other threads, you may have options to view
- the message to which the present message followup to
- the first, previous and next message in the present thread
- the previous and next thread
- the previous and next message by date
Posting a followup
To post a followup to a message, click on the followup link, then fill in the form.
When composing a followup, the entire text of the original article will appear quoted in the composition area.
It is recommended that you only leave any relevant portions and delete the rest
Most html is excluded
Messages may not contain html in general.
For example, If you type <small>, that exact text will appear in the message, rather than the effect which was probably desired.
You can include a relevant URL in the appropriate field on the form if you want.
URLs within the text of your message will automatically be made into active links.
Do not enter something like <A HREF=http://nanday.com/>Go here!</A> -- instead, just enter
http://nanday.com and the program will take care of turning it into a link.
Enter the full URL including http:// -- if you just enter something like nanday.com it will not be converted into a link
Exceptions to excluded html
There are a few bits of formatting html which are allowed in your messages:
| <B>Bold</B> | Bold |
| <I>Italics</I> | Italics |
| <U>Underline</U> | Underline |
Links
Most pages in the messaging system have a links, with options to begin a new message thread,
return to the Message Index, search for art or contact us |