CZ Forum software features

[William Chase]

Here we will point out some hints, tips, and HowTos about making the most of the forum software that our beloved CZ Forum is currently running.

Feel free to suggest topics we need to include in this section!

Bill

[William Chase]

All items to be viewed as part of a post must be hosted on the web somewhere. They are then added to the post as hyperlinks of one kind or another.

In the standard message post page:



there is a row of text-related icons, and a second row of graphics-related icons. If you position your mouse over them, you will get a "hint" as to what they do.

Video/Flash
The leftmost icon is for inserting Flash or similar video clips. As YouTube is the most common site for this, if you take the YouTube "Embed" code for a clip, which looks like:

Code: [Select]

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HgKd6OTDeuc&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HgKd6OTDeuc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
and Copy and Paste only one of the "http://..." parts, in this case:

Code: [Select]

http://www.youtube.com/v/HgKd6OTDeuc&hl=en&fs=1
and paste it into your post.

Then highlight it with your mouse and click the "Insert Flash" icon, and you will see the bbcode tags:

Code: [Select]

[flash=200,200][/flash]
surrounding the web address. All you need do now is adjust the size values, currently 200,200, to match the size stated in the Embed code, again, here, 425,344.

The final post result looks like:

Code: [Select]

[flash=425,344]http://www.youtube.com/v/HgKd6OTDeuc&hl=en&fs=1[/flash]
To insert a picture, you need the web address, say, http://www.czfirearms.us/PostIcons.jpg and paste that into your post, then highlight it, and click the "Insert Image" icon, the second one from the left, that looks like a little frame painting.

The other object link icons work much the same for websites, and ftp links. One difference for websites is if you want the website link to have different text, other than just the web address. Like:

Go to CZ Forum

To do this, you modify the url bbcode. Normally, this would look like:

Code: [Select]

[url]http://www.czfirearms.us[/url]
But to create the text for the link, you move the link inside the first open bracket, preceded by an "=" sign. Then, between the url bbcode, insert the actual text:

Code: [Select]

[url=http://www.czfirearms.us]CZ Forum[/url]
Bill

[William Chase]

One nice thing about this forum software is the "Search" feature.

If you've just browsed back to the Forum, and all forums are visible, the Search will work on the whole shebang! (Might take a bit, though.)

If you're in one of the Forums (Fora?) and Search, it will search only the topics in that Forum.

Likewise, if you're reading one topic, Search will work only on that topic.

Pretty cool, I think.

Bill

[William Chase]

You may customize how you are represented in your posts in several ways, such as custom image representations (Avatars), signature lines below your post, and instant message contacts.

All this begins at your "Profile," where you may change your password as well. The forum software has a few "stock" Avatars, or you may include a link to a website of, or upload one of your choosing. Maximum size for the Avatars is 150x150 pixels.

You will also find places to include your favorite IM method's ID, a custom title (keep it clean, please) and signature.

Lots of ways to make the CZ Forum your own!
Bill

[William Chase]

One VERY nice aspect of the SMF Forum software comes when returning to the boards to follow a topic or forum you're interested in.

The Forums with new posts since last visit get the red "new content" CZ symbol. Click on that, and you will see only the topics with new content.

On those topics, you will see a little "new" image. Click that, and you'll be taken to the post after the last one you've read!

Sweet!
Bill

[William Chase]

Due to increasing space taken up by attachments, we have disabled new attachments for pictures and such.

In order to post a picture, you will need to host it on another website, and link to it here. There are commercial and free "photo hosting" websites that offer this feature, if you do not have your own website.

Added: As of 2022, we suggest IMGUR. See the new instructions HERE.

Thanks for your patience.

Bill (http://www.czfirearms.us System Admin)

[1SOW]

If there was a place to "try out" the posting features, it would be helpful.

eg: actually do a 'hyperlink", "image", etc.

It could be delete almost immediately to save bandwidth.

Thanks

[Mods Added: You can experiment by simply clicking the Preview button. This will show you exactly what your final post will look like to everyone else.]

[RolandofGilead]

Can someone explain the image sizing issue I'm having with posting pictures? Right side is cropped off. Anything I can do to post a full view of my pics?


[Mods Added: A great deal of image posting information has been added. See the new instructions HERE.]

[DaveVLam]

You might want to check the bottom and see if there is a scroll bar that pops in with large pictures. It's easy to miss and if you post a large picture depending on your own screen size it might place a scroll bar at the bottom. I've seen that other places as well.


[Mods Added: If your imported image or graphic is too large to display, then you will get Left/Right scroll bars at the bottom. If this occurs then we strongly urge you to consult the Image Posting Guide and repair your post. Extra large images are not allowed on CZF.

Additionally, Windows 10 & 11 defaults to "automatically hide scroll bars". This is a "feature" you can turn OFF. Search for the command within Settings under the Ease of Access/Display.]

[Hog Driver]

I see lots of folks quote a post in their reply. How is that done? I can get the quote inserted, but then get a message that says the body of the post is empty. Thanks in advance.

[rdcinhou]

I really like the SEARCH feature and use it frequently.

My only COMPLAINT is people MISSPELLING things make their post not being able to be found in searches.

This brings up a FANTASTIC feature of the Forum...you can MODIFY your post and EDIT it to correct spelling, numbers and even the SUBJECT LINE!

[Wobbly]

I see lots of folks quote a post in their reply. How is that done?

1. You click on the QUOTE button of the post you want to quote.

2. This opens a new post into which it places the entire contents of said post within an HTML Quote block.

3. You can then edit to remove unnecessary parts of the quote, so that readers understand exactly which part of the quote you are responding. Or, if its only a portion of a sentence, then you can color a portion using the Change Color box. (Example: If there are 14 paragraphs but only 1 sentence you want to comment on, then DON'T make everyone read 14 paragraphs. Edit. Edit. Edit.)

I can get the quote inserted, but then get a message that says the body of the post is empty. Thanks in advance.

4. Lastly, you MUST add your own content, typically below the quote. It is NOT enough to quote another post, the whole object is to agree, disagree, or add more information somehow related to the quoted material.