phpbb Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General Information
phpbb Account Information
- Is this account the same as my HCC or UH account?
- Do I need to register?
- How do I register?
- Can I use my Hotmail or Yahoo email address for registration?
- Why can't I log in?
- What can I do if I forgot my password?
- How do I change my password?
- How do I change my settings?
- How can I edit my profile?
- How do I change my username?
Using phpbb
- How do I view topics in a forum?
- Why can't I view any topics in a forum?
- How do I start a new topic?
- How do I reply to a post?
- A reply was posted but I'm not sure sure which post it was in response to. How can I tell which post this reply was for?
- Why must I log in to reply to a post?
- Can I be notified by email when a reply is posted?
- Who can I contact for additional help?
- How do I switch between Threaded View and Flat View?
General Information
1. What is phpBB?
phpBB is a high powered, fully scalable, and highly customizable open-source bulletin board package. phpBB has a user-friendly interface, simple and straightforward administration panel, and helpful FAQ.
2. phpbb Glossary of Terms
Here are some terms used in phpbb:
- Administrator - Type of user that has full and complete access to all settings in phpbb.
- Announcement - Topics that appear at the top of every page in your forum.
- Bulletin Board - A collection of categories and forums.
- Category - Collection of forums stored on your bulletin board.
- Emoticons - Images that can be used within a post that depict emotion/feeling.
- Forum - An area where topics and posts are stored within categories on your bulletin board.
- Moderator - Type of user that oversees forum usage.
- Post - A message submitted by a user that is located within a topic.
- Sticky Topic - Topics that are displayed below any announcements on the first page of your forum.
- Topic - A grouping of related posts located within a forum.
- Usergroup - Group of users assigned similar privileges for your forums.
phpbb Account Information
1. Is this account the same as my HCC or UH account?
No, this is not related to your HCC or UH Username. This account is for this bulletin board only.
2. Do I need to register?
Depending on your instructor and how each forum is configured, you may have to register in order to participate (post/reply) in your forums.
Registration will allow users access to private forums, private messaging, email other members and other features not available to the public.
3. How do I register?
- To register, go to the "Register" link at the top of your bulletin board
- Agree to the Registration Agreement Terms
- Complete the required fields and submit the form
When creating your account, it is highly recommended you:
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4. Can I use my Hotmail or Yahoo email address for registration?
It is highly recommended you use your UH or HCC email address when registering with the bulletin board. Free email providers such as Hotmail and Yahoo often interpret email messages from phpbb as junk mail thus you may miss out on important messages regarding your class.
5. Why can't I log in?
If you have registered with your bulletin board, check to make sure you are typing the correct username and password.
If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it by visiting the "I forgot my password" link on the Log In page. See #6 below.
If you are still having problems, please contact your instructor.
6. What do I do if I forgot my password?
You can reset your password by going to the Log in page and selecting the "I forgot my password" link.
7. How do I change my password?
To change your password, select the "Profile" link from the main bulletin board page. Under the section Registration Information, you can change your password.
8. How do I change my settings?
After you log in, select the "Profile" link at the top of the page. This will allow you to change settings such as your username, password, email address and other preferences.
9. How can I edit my profile?
See answer to #8 above.
10. How do I change my username?
If your bulletin board allows for username changes, you must log in and go to the Profile page. From there you will be able to change your username.
Using phpbb
1. How do I view topics in a forum?
To view available topics in a forum, click on the forum name. The list of topics in that forum will appear on the following page.
Forum list
Topic list
2. Why can't I view topics in a forum?
The forum you are trying to view is not available for public viewing and requires users to register. To register, select the "Register" link at the top of your bulletin board.
If you are questions about registering, see #3 above.
If you are registered but still cannot view topics, contact your instructor.
3. How do I start a new topic?
While browsing a forum or topic, you can click the "New Topic" button to start a new topic.
Note: If you cannot start a new topic, the forum may require you to be registered or part of a usergroup. |
4. How do I reply to a post?
While reading posts within a topic, you can click the "Post Reply" button to reply to a post.
Note: If you cannot reply to a post, the forum may require you to be registered or part of a usergroup. |
5. A reply was posted but I'm not sure sure which post it was in response to. How can I tell which post this reply was for?
To avoid situations like this, instead of clicking the "Post Reply" button to reply to a post, click the "Quote" button. The post you are replying to will be included your reply.
6. Why must I log in to reply to a post?
The forum or topic you are trying to post to requires users to log in before posting messages. To log in, select the "Log In" link at the top of your bulletin board.
If you are having difficulty logging in, see #5 above.
7. Can I be notified by email when a reply is posted?
Yes. To enable this, select the "Profile" link at the top of the page. In the Preferences section, select Yes for "Always notify me of replies". Click Submit to save changes.
8. Who can I contact for additional help?
If you have read the above FAQ and found that it did not help you, you can:
- Contact your instructor. Your instructor also serves as the bulletin board administrator. As administrator, your instructor has access to all settings within phpbb.
- Send an email to: phpbbhelp@hcc.hawaii.edu. If you have contacted your instructor and still cannot get the help you need, you may send an email to the address above.
9. How do I switch between Threaded View and Flat View?
To switch from Threaded View to Flat View, click the button labeled Flat View while viewing your forum.
To switch from Flat View to Threaded View, click the button labeled Flat View while viewing a topic/post within your forum. Switching to Threaded View while viewing your forum will not keep the Flat View.