| Non-Threaded vs Semi-Threaded vs Threaded Formats |
You have the option, at any time, to configure your Board
as either
NonThreaded, SemiThreaded or Threaded.
Click here to view graphical representation of different formats
The decision as to which format configuration to select, should be
based on how you plan to use your Board.
Non-Threaded vs. Threaded
A Non-Threaded forum is one where each message is added onto the end of the forum, with no relation to any prior messages. Non-threaded forums, don't give users a mechanism to indicate their message is a reply to an existing message.
A Threaded forum is one where users can specify their message is a reply to an existing message. Threaded forums can display relationships between message topics and associated replies.
There are two sub-types of Threaded forums.
A threaded forum can be either a Fully threaded forum or a Semi-threaded forum.
A semi-threaded forum allows users to specify their message is a reply to a specific message topic.
A fully threaded forum allows users to specify their message is a direct reply to a message topic or that their message is a reply to another reply within a message thread. A fully threaded forum, shows the relationship of replies to replies, unlike a semi-threaded forum which only shows the relationship between message topics and it's replies.
Non-Threaded Boards.
This is the simplest and easiest to use
of the 3 display formats. If your Board is used primarily to
post single items/messages such as items for sale, help wanted, events,
classified ads, etc. (messages that won't have further discussion
associated with them), you'll want to set it up as a
Non-Threaded Boards.
If your Board is used primarily for discussion topics,
you'll want to set it up as
either a SemiThreaded or Threaded Board.
The difference between SemiThreaded
and Threaded Boards relates to the way Replies to messages are displayed.
Fully Threaded Boards provides the best visual organization of
how message topics and replies are related. The fully threaded
display format not only shows relationship of replies to message topic, but will show relationsips
of replies to replies. It uses a hierarchial tree structure display format... very similar to
the microsoft windows explorer interface, to show these relationships visually.
SemiThreaded Boards will also group and display all
replies related to a message topic together, however it doesn't visually
show the relationship of replies to replies. Replies to a message topic can be sorted
chronologically or alphabetically based on message title.
|
Non-Threaded Format
Advantages
(Use if your Board is Not "Discussion Topic" oriented)
- More straight forward/simple to use, especially for 1st time
users.
- Format is simple, just like the company Board at your
office.
- All messages are viewable on one page.
Disadvantages
- Users will find it harder to follow a group of related messages
engaged in a discussion
|
Semi-Threaded Format
Advantages
(Use if your Board is "Discussion Topic" oriented)
- More straight forward/simpler to use than Threaded Boards.
- Format allows replies to message topics.
- Most commonly used message board format.
Disadvantages
- Does not allow you to directly reply to replies.
|
Threaded Format
- Click
Here to view a Threaded Board.
(SideBySide Format)
- Click
Here to view a Threaded Board.
(Top-Bottom Format)
- Click
Here to view a Threaded Board.
(No-Frames Format)
Advantages
(Use if your Board is mainly "Discussion Topic" oriented)
- Allows users to follow Board discussions more easily. All
messages related to a particular topic are grouped together in an
organized, easy to follow hierarchy.
- You are able to not only reply to original messages, but also
to reply to the replies of the original message.
Replies are displayed by indenting
each underneath the message being replied to.
- Can have automatic email reply to original creator of message
whenever someone posts a reply to his/her message.
Disadvantages
- Some users may find user Interface more sophisticated.
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