Posting Settings

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Posting Settings

Forums are nothing without content. Content is created and posted by your users; as such, it is very important to have the right posting settings that control how the content is posted. You can reach this section by clicking the Posting navigation tab.

The first page you are greeted with after getting to the Posting Settings section is BBCodes. The other available subsections are divided into two main groups: Messages and Attachments. Private message settings, Topic icons, Smilies, and Word censoring are message-related settings. Attachment settings, Manage extensions, Manage extension groups, and Orphaned attachments are attachment-related settings.

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BBCodes

BBCodes are a special way of formatting posts, similar to HTML. phpBB 3 allows you to create your own BBCodes very easily. On this page, you can see the custom BBCodes that currently exist.

Adding a BBCode is very easy. If done right, allowing users to use your new BBCode may be safer than allowing them to use HTML code. To add a BBCode, click Add a new BBCode to begin. There are four main things to consider when adding a BBCode: how you want your users to use the BBCode, what HTML code the BBcode will actually use (the users will not see this), what short info message you want for the BBCode, and whether or not you want a button for the new BBCode to be displayed on the posting screen. Once you are done configuring all of the custom BBCode settings, click Submit to add your new BBCode.

Creating BBCodes

Creating a new BBCode. In this example, we are creating a new [font] BBCode that will allow users to specify the font face of the specified text.

In the BBCode Usage form, you can define how you want your users to use the BBCode. Let's say you want to create a new font BBCode that will let your users pick a font to use for their text. An example of what to put under BBCode Usage would be {TEXT2} This would make a new [font] BBCode, and will allow the user to pick what font face they want for the text. The user's text is represented by TEXT1, while TEXT2 represents whatever font name the user types in.

In the HTML Replacement form, you can define what HTML code your new BBCode will use to actually format the text. In the case of making a new [font] BBCode, try <span style="font-family: {TEXT1}">{TEXT2}<span> This HTML code will be used to actually format the user's text.

The third option to consider when adding a custom BBCode is what sort of help message you want to display to your users if they choose to use the new BBCode. Ideally, the helpline message is a short note or tip for the user using the BBCode. This message will be displayed below the BBCode row on the posting screens.

Note
If the next option described, Display on posting, isn't enabled, the helpline message will not be displayed.

Lastly, when adding a new BBCode, you can decide whether or not you want an actual BBCode button for your new BBCode to be displayed on the posting screens. If you want this, then check the Display on posting checkbox.

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Private message settings

Many users use your board's private messaging system. Here you can manage all of the default private message-related settings. Listed below are the settings that you can change. Once you're done setting the posting settings, click Submit to submit your changes.

General settings

Private messaging: You can enable to disable your board's private messaging system. If you want to enable it, select Yes.

Max private message folders: This is the maximum number of new private message folders your users can each create.

Max private messages per box: This is the maximum number of private messages your users can have in each of their folders.

Full folder default action: Sometimes your users want to send each other a private message, but the intended recipient has a full folder. This setting will define exactly what will happen to the sent message. You can either set it so that an old message will be deleted to make room for the new message, or the new messages will be held back until the recipient makes room in his inbox. Note that the default action for the Sentbox is the deletion of old messages.

Limit editing time: Users are usually allowed to edit their sent private messages before the recipient reads it, even if it's already in their outbox. You can control the amount of time your users have to edit sent private messages.

General options

Allow sending of private messages to multiple users and groups: In phpBB3, it is possible to send a private message to more than user. To allow this, select Yes.

Allow BBCode in private messages: Select Yes to allow BBCode to be used in private messages.

Allow smilies in private messages: Select Yes to allow smilies to be used in private messages.

Allow attachments in private messages: Select Yes to allow attachments to be used in private messages.

Allow signature in private messages: Select Yes to let your users include their signature in their private messages..

Allow print view in private messages: Another feature in phpBB3 is a printer-friendly view. Select Yes to allow your users to view any of their PMs in print view.

Allow forwarding in private messages: Select Yes to allow your users to forward private messages.

Allow use of [img] BBCode tag: Select Yes if you want your users to be able to post inline images in their private messages.

Allow use of [flash] BBCode tag: Select Yes if you want your users to be able to post inline Macromedia Flash objects in their private messages.

Enable use of topic icons in private messages: Select Yes if you want to enable your users to include topic icons with their private messages. (Topic icons are displayed next to the private messages' titles.).

Tip
If you want to set any of the above numerical settings so that the setting will allow unlimited amounts of the item, set the numerical setting to 0.

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Topic icons

A feature in phpBB3 is the ability to assign icons to topics. On this page, you can manage what topic icons are available for use on your board. You can add, edit, delete, or move topic icons. The Topic Icons form displays the topic icons currently installed on your board. You can add topic icons manually, install a premade icons pack, export or download an icons pack file, or edit your currently installed topic icons.

Your first option to add topic icons to your board is to use a premade icons pack. Icon packs have the file extension pak. To install an icons pack, you must first download an icons pack. Upload the icon files themselves and the pack file into the /images/icons/ directory. Then, click Install icons pak. The Install icons pak form displays all of the options you have regarding topic icon installation. Select the icon pack you wish to add (you may only install one icon pack at a time). You then have the option of what to do with currently installed topic icons if the new icon pack has icons that may conflict with them. You can either keep the existing icon(s) (there may be duplicates), replace the matches (overwriting the icon(s) that already exist), or just delete all of the conflicting icons. Once you have selected the proper option, click Install icons pak.

To add topic icon(s) manually, you must first upload the icons into the icons directory of your site. Navigate to the Topic icons page. Click Add multiple icons, which is located in the Topic Icons form. If you correctly uploaded your new desired topic icon(s) into the proper /images/icons/ directory, you should see a row of settings for each new icon you uploaded. The following has a description on what each field is for. Once you are done with adding the topic icon(s), click, Submit to submit your additions.

Icon image file: This column will display the actual icon itself.

Icon location: This column will display the path that the icon is located in, relative to the /images/icons/ directory.

Icon width: This is the width (in pixels) you want the icon to be stretched to.

Icon height: This is the height (in pixels) you want the icon to be stretched to.

Display on posting: If this checkbox is checked, the topic icon will actually be displayed on the posting screen.

Icon order: You can also set what order that the topic icon will be displayed. You can either set the topic icon to be the first, or after any other topic icon currently installed.

Add: If you are satisfied with the settings for adding your new topic icon, check this box.

You may also edit your currently installed topic icons' settings. To do so, click Edit icons. You will see the Icon configuration form. For more information regarding each field, see the above paragraph regarding adding topic icons.

Lastly, you may also reorder the topic icons, edit a topic icon's settings, or remove a topic icon. To reorder a topic icon, click the appropriate "move up" or "move down" icon. To edit a topic icon's current settings, click the "settings" button. To delete a topic icon, click the red "delete" button.

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Smilies

Smilies or emoticons are typically small, sometimes animated images used to convey an emotion or feeling. You can manage the smilies on your board via this page. To add smilies, you have the option to either install a premade smilies pack, or add smilies manually. Locate the Smilies form, which lists the smilies currently installed on your board, on the page.

Your first option to add smilies to your board is to use a premade smilies pack. Smilies packs have the file extension pak. To install a smilies pack, you must first download a smilies pack. Upload the smilies files themselves and the pack file into the /images/smilies/ directory. Then, click Install smilies pak. The Install smilies pak form displays all of the options you have regarding smilies installation. Select the smilies pack you wish to add (you may only install one smilies pack at a time). You then have the option of what to do with currently installed smilies if the new smilies pack has icons that may conflict with them. You can either keep the existing smilies (there may be duplicates), replace the matches (overwriting the smilies that already exist), or just delete all of the conflicting smilies. Once you have selected the proper option, click Install smilies pak.

To add a smiley to your board manually, you must first upload the smilies into the /images/smilies/ directory. Then, click on Add multiple smilies. From here, you can add a smilie and configure it. The following are the settings you can set for the new smilies. Once you are done adding a smiley, click Submit.

Smiley image file: This is what the smiley actually looks like.

Smiley location: This is where the smiley is located, relative to the /images/smilies/ directory.

Smiley code: This is the text that will be replaced with the smiley.

Emotion: This is the smiley's title.

Smiley width: This is the width in pixels that the smiley will be stretched to.

Smiley height: This is the height in pixels that the smiley will be stretched to.

Display on posting: If this checkbox is checked, this smiley will actually be displayed on the posting screen.

Smiley order: You can also set what order that the smiley will be displayed. You can either set the smiley to be the first, or after any other smiley currently installed.

Add: If you are satisfied with the settings for adding your new smiley, check this box.

You may also edit your currently installed smilies' settings. To do so, click Edit smilies. You will see the Smiley configuration form. For more information regarding each field, see the above paragraph regarding adding smilies.

Lastly, you may also reorder the smilies, edit a smiley's settings, or remove a smiley. To reorder a smiley, click the appropriate "move up" or "move down" icon. To edit a smiley's current settings, click the "settings" button. To delete a smiley, click the red "delete" button.

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Word censoring

On some forums, a certain level of appropriate, profanity-free speech is required. phpBB3 continues to offer word censoring. Words that match the patterns set in the Word censoring panel will automatically be censored with text that you, the admin, specify. To manage your board's word censoring, click Word censoring.

To add a new word censor, click Add new word. There are two fields: Word and Replacement. Type in the word that you want automatically censored in the Word text field. (Note that you can use wildcards (*).) Then, type in the text you want the censored word to be replaced with in the Replacement text field. Once you are done, click Submit to add the new censored word to your board.

To edit an existing word censor, locate the censored word's row. Click the "edit" icon located in that row, and proceed with changing the censored word's settings.

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Attachment Settings

If you allow your users to post attachments, it is important to be able to control your board's attachments settings. Here, you can configure the main settings for attachments and the associated special categories. When you are done configuring your board's attachments settings, click Submit.

Attachment Settings

Allow attachments: If you want attachments to be enabled on your board, select Yes.

Allow attachments in private messages: If you want to enable attachments being posted in private messages, select Yes.

Upload directory: The directory that attachments will be uploaded to. The default directory is /files/.

Attachment display order: The order that attachments will be displayed, based on the time the attachment was posted.

Total attachment quota: The maximum drive space that will be available for all of your board's attachments. If you want this quota to be unlimited, use a value of 0.

Maximum filesize: The maximum filesize of an attachment allowed. If you want this value to be unlimited, use a value of 0.

Maximum filesize messaging: The maximum drive space that will be available per user for attachments posted in private messages. If you want this quota to be unlimited, use a value of 0.

Max attachments per post: The maximum number of attachments that can be posted in a post. If you want this value to be unlimited, use a value of 0.

Max attachments per message: The maximum number of attachments that can be posted in a private message. If you want this value to be unlimited, use a value of 0.

Enable secure downloads: If you want to be able to only allow attachments to be available to specific IP addresses or hostnames, this option should be enabled. You can further configure secure downloads once you have enabled them here; the secure downloads-specific settings are located in the Define allowed IPs/Hostnames and Remove or un-exclude allowed IPs/hostnames forms at the bottom of the page.

Allow/Deny list: This allows you to configure the default behaviour when secure downloads are enabled. A whitelist (Allow) only allows IP addresses or hostnames to access downloads, while a blacklist (Deny) allows all users except those who have an IP address or hostname located on the blacklist. This setting only applies if secure downloads are enabled.

Allow empty referrer: Secure downloads are based on referrers.This setting controls if downloads are allowed for those omitting the referrer information. This setting only applies if secure downloads are enabled.

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Image Category Settings

Display images inline: How image attachments are displayed. If this is set to No, a link to the attachment will be given instead, rather than the image itself (or a thumbnail) being displayed inline.

Create thumbnail: This setting configures your board to either create a thumbnail for every image attached, or not.

Maximum thumbnail width in pixels: This is the maximum width in pixels for the created thumbnails.

Maximum thumbnail filesize: Thumbnails will not be created for images if the created thumbnail filesize exceeds this value, in bytes. This is useful for particularly large images that are posted.

Imagemagick path: If you have Imagemagick installed and would like to set your board to use it, specify the full path to your Imagemagick convert application. An example is /usr/bin/.

Maximum image dimensions: The maximum size of image attachments, in pixels. If you would like to disable dimension checking (and thereby allow image attachments of any dimensions), set each value to 0.

Image link dimensions: If an image attachment is larger than these dimensions (in pixels), a link to the image will be displayed in the post instead. If you want images to be displayed inline regardless of dimensions, set each value to 0.

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Define Allowed/Disallowed IPs/Hostnames

IP addresses or hostnames: If you have secure downloads enabled, you can specify the IP addresses or hostnames allowed or disallowed. If you specify more than one IP address or hostname, each IP address or hostname should be on its own line. Entered values can have wildcards (*). To specify a range for an IP address, separate the start and end with a hyphen (-).

Exclude IP from [dis]allowed IPs/hostnames: Enable this to exclude the entered IP(s)/hostname(s).

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Manage extensions

You can further configure your board's attachments settings by controlling what file extensions attached files can have to be uploaded. It is recommended that you do not allow scripting file extensions (such as php, php3, php4, phtml, pl, cgi, py, rb, asp, aspx, and so forth) for security reasons. You can find this page by clicking Manage extensions once you're in the ACP.

To add an allowed file extension, find the Add Extension form on the page. In the field labeled Extension, type in the file extension. Do not include the period before the file extension. Then, select the extension group that this new file extension should be added to via the Extension group selection menu. Then, click Submit.

You can also view your board's current allowed file extensions. On the page, you should see a table listing all of the allowed file extensions. To change the group that an extension belongs to, select a new extension group from the selection menu located in the extension's row. To delete an extension, check the checkbox in the Delete column. When you're done managing your board's current file extensions, click Submit at the bottom of the page.

Manage extension groups

Allowed file extensions can be placed into groups for easy management and viewing. To manage the extension groups, click Manage extension groups once you get into the Posting settings part of the ACP. You can configure specific settings regarding each extension group.

To add a new file extension group, find the textbox that corresponds to the Create new group button. Type in the name of the extension group, then click Submit. You will be greeted with the extension group settings form. The following contains descriptions for each option available, and applies to extension groups that either already exist or are being added.

Add Extension Group

Group name: The name of the extension group.

Special category: Files in this extension group can be displayed differently. Select a special category from this selection menu to change the way the attachments in this extension group is presented within a post.

Allowed: Enable this if you want to allow attachments that belong in this extension group.

Allowed in private messaging: Enable this if you want to allow attachments that belong in this extension group in private messages.

Upload icon: The small icon that is displayed next to all attachments that belong in this extension group.

Maximum filesize: The maximum filesize for attachments in this extension group.

Assigned extensions: This is a list of all file extensions that belong in this extension group. Click Go to extension management screen to manage what extensions belong in this extension group.

Allowed forums: This allows you to control what forums your users are allowed to post attachments that belong in this extension group. To enable this extension group in all forums, select the Allow all forums radio button. To set which specific forums this extension group is allowed in, select the Only forums selected below radio button, and then select the forums in the selection menu.

To edit a current file extension group's settings, click the "Settings" icon that is in the extension group's row. Then, go ahead and edit the extension group's settings. For more information about each setting, see the above.

To delete an extension group, click the "Delete" icon that is in the extension group's row.