h1. Moderator {anchor:id=Forum_user_guide.Moderator}
Moderators in *Forum* are responsible for managing content of posts and replies before and after they are posted to the category where they are assigned as moderators.

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    <emphasis role="bold">See also</emphasis>
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* Forum user guide for [Regular users|#Forum_user_guide.Regular_user]
* Forum user guide for [Administrators|#Forum_user_guide.Forum_Administrator]

h2. Moderate forums {anchor:id=Forum_user_guide.Forum_Moderator.Moderate_forums}
Moderators can manage all the forums inside their assigned category. If you are a moderator of any category, you can do the following actions:

* [Edit a forum|#Forum_Moderator.Moderate_forums.Edit_forums]
* [Lock/Unlock a forum|#Forum_Moderator.Moderate_forums.Lock-unlock_forums]
* [Close/Open a forum|#Forum_Moderator.Moderate_forums.Close-open_forums]
* [Move a forum|#Forum_Moderator.Moderate_forums.Move_forums]

h3. Edit a forum {anchor:id=Forum_Moderator.Moderate_forums.Edit_forums}

*1.* Go into the relevant forum.

*2.* Click !images/More_actions_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar, then click *Edit* from the drop-down menu.

*3.* Edit the forum properties. 

!images/admin_add_forum_tab.png|align="center" width="120mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

*4.* Click *Save* to save all the changes.

h3. Lock/Unlock a forum {anchor:id=Forum_Moderator.Moderate_forums.Lock-unlock_forums}
Locking a forum will prevent all members from creating new topics and posting replies in this forum. All topics in a locked forum will be locked also, but their content is still viewable.
Moderators can only lock/unlock the forum that they manage.

*1.* Go into the forum.

*2.* Click !images/More_actions_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar, then click *Lock/Unlock* from the drop-down menu.

h3. Close/Open a forum {anchor:id=Forum_Moderator.Moderate_forums.Close-open_forums}
Closed forums are invisible to regular users. To administrators and moderators, the content in a closed forum is still viewable, but creating topics and comments is disabled. Moderators can only close the forum that they are assigned to manage.

*1.* Go into the forum you want to close or open.

*2.* Click !images/More_actions_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar, then select *Close* or *Open* from the drop-down menu.

h3. Move a forum {anchor:id=Forum_Moderator.Moderate_forums.Move_forums}

You can move a forum into another category as follows:

*1.* Go into the forum you want to move.

*2.* Click !images/More_actions_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar, then select *Move* from the drop-down menu.

A list of existing categories will appear. Select a destination category to	which your selected forum will be moved.

!images/move_forum_form.png|align="center" width="70mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

h2. Moderate topics {anchor:id=Forum_user_guide.Forum_Moderator.Moderate_topics}
The followings are actions that a moderator can execute on topics:

* [Approve a topic|#Forum_Moderator.Moderate_topics.Approve_topics]
* [Edit a topic|#Forum_Moderator.Moderate_topics.Edit_topics]
* [Move a topic|#Forum_Moderator.Moderate_topics.Move_topics]
* [Delete a topic|#Forum_Moderator.Moderate_topics.Delete_topics]
* [Close/Open a topic|#Forum_Moderator.Moderate_topics.Close-Open_topics]
* [Lock/Unlock a topic|#Forum_Moderator.Moderate_topics.Lock-Unlock_topics]
* [Stick/Unstick a topic|#Forum_Moderator.Moderate_topics.Stick-Unstick_topics]
* [Merge topics|#Forum_Moderator.Moderate_topics.Merge_topics]
* [Split a topic|#Forum_Moderator.Moderate_topics.Split_topics]


h3. Approve a topic {anchor:id=Forum_Moderator.Moderate_topics.Approve_topics}
Moderators can approve pending topics in forums that enable the '[Moderate Topic|#admin_moderate_topics]' option. All new topics added to these forums will be pending for approval. It means that nobody can view these topics except administrators and moderators of the forums. Pending topics are only viewable when they are approved.

The administrator and moderator will know the total number of pending topics at the right corner of their *Forum Administration* bar and *User* bar.

!images/mod_pending_topics.png|align="center" width="80mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

Moderator can view the list of topics to be moderated. See [View all pending moderation tasks|#Forum-user_guide.Forum_Moderator.View_pending_tasks] for more details.

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*The first way*

*1.* Select topics by ticking their relevant checkboxes, then click !images/Moderation_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar if you are in a list of topics;

Or, if you are in a topic, simply click !images/More_actions_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar.

*2.* Click *Approve* from the drop-down menu.

*The second way*

*1.* Click !images/Moderation_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar, then click *Approve* from the drop-down menu. The *Waiting for Approval* form opens.

*2.* Select checkboxes corresponding to the posts you want to approve. You can preview the post when hovering your cursor over the post title.

!images/mod_unapproved_topics.png|align="center" width="120mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

*3.* Click *Approve* to accept your approval. Approved posts are shown normally for regular users to view and take some actions.

h3. Edit a topic {anchor:id=Forum_Moderator.Moderate_topics.Edit_topics}

*1.* Select a topic to edit by ticking its respective checkbox.

*2.* Click !images/Moderation_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar, then click *Edit* from the drop-down menu that appears.

!images/mod_edit_topic.png|align="center" width="100mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

*3.* Make changes on the topic. Leave the reason for editing in the *Reason* field if needed.

h3. Close/Open a topic {anchor:id=Forum_Moderator.Moderate_topics.Close-Open_topics}
Only administrators and moderators can perform these actions. Closed topics will be invisible to regular users. Moderator can only close or open topics in the category that he manages.

*1.* Select a topic by ticking its relevant checkbox, then click !images/Moderation_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar if you are in a topics list; 

Or, click !images/More_actions_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar if you are in a topic.

*2.* Click *Close* or *Open* from the drop-down menu.

The icon of the closed topic will be changed to !images/Closed_topic_icon.png|width="5mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! automatically.

h3. Move a topic {anchor:id=Forum_Moderator.Moderate_topics.Move_topics}
Only administrators and moderators can perform this action. This function is used to move topics from a forum to another one. Moderator can only move topics between forums that he manages.

*1.* Select a topic by ticking its relevant checkbox, then click !images/Moderation_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar if you are in a topics list;

Or, click !images/More_actions_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar if you are in a topic.

*2.* Click *Move* from the drop-down menu.

*3.* Click a destination forum to move.

!images/mod_move_topics.png|align="center" width="80mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

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<note>
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    The moderator of a forum will be checked for permission. The moderator cannot move topics to:
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    Closed/locked forums that he does not manage.
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    Forums to which he does not have the right to add topics.
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    Forums which are in categories that he is restricted.
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    Therefore, only the forums which the moderator can move topics are shown in the list of destination forums.
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h3. Delete a topic {anchor:id=Forum_Moderator.Moderate_topics.Delete_topics}

*1.* Select topics by ticking their corresponding checkboxes, then click !images/Moderation_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar if you are in a topics list;

Or, click !images/More_actions_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar if you are already in a topic.

*2.* Click *Delete* from the drop-down menu.

*3.* Click *OK* in the confirmation message to accept your deletion.

h3. Lock/Unlock a topic {anchor:id=Forum_Moderator.Moderate_topics.Lock-Unlock_topics}
This function is for administrators and moderators only to lock inappropriate topics. All posts in a clocked topic are still viewable, but posting replies will be disabled.

*1.* Select a topic by ticking its corresponding checkbox, then click !images/Moderation_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar when you are in a topics list;

Or, click !images/More_actions_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar when you are in a topic.

*2.* Click *Lock* or *Unlock* from the drop-down menu.

h3. Stick/Unstick a topic {anchor:id=Forum_Moderator.Moderate_topics.Stick-Unstick_topics}

This function is for administrators and moderators only to stick topics which will be located at the top of the topics list. The topics will not fall down the list if any new posts are added.

*1.* Select a topic by ticking the corresponding checkbox, then click !images/Moderation_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar when you are in a topics list.

Click !images/More_actions_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar if you are already in a topic which you want to stick/unstick.

*2.* Click *Stick* or *Unstick* from the drop-down menu that appears.

You can see the sticked topic in the top of the topics list.

!images/mod_stick_topics.png|align="center" width="150mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

When creating a new topic, you can also make this topic sticked by ticking the *Sticky* checkbox in the [*Options* tab|#start_topic_options_tab].

h3. Merge topics {anchor:id=Forum_Moderator.Moderate_topics.Merge_topics}
When there are two or more related topics, you may want to merge these topics into one.

*1.* Go to the topics list.

*2.* Select more than two topics to be merged by ticking their checkboxes.

*3.* Click !images/Moderation_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the forum *Action* bar.

*4.* Click *Merge* from the drop-down menu that appears. The *Merge Topics* form opens.

!images/mod_merge_topics_form.png|align="center" width="120mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

*5.* Select a destination topic which will be the main entry of the merged topic from the list of the existing topics.

*6.* Give one name for the new topic in the *New Topic Title* field if you want.

*7.* Click *Save* to accept. 

After being merged, selected topics will be joined into one topic. All posts of the other topics are displayed as posts below the main entry.

h3. Split a topic {anchor:id=Forum_Moderator.Moderate_topics.Split_topics}
A topic with more than two posts can be split into separate topics.

*1.* Go into the topic you want to split.

*2.* Click !images/More_actions_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar, and select *Split* from the drop-down menu. The *Split Topic* form opens.

!images/mod_split_topic_form.png|align="center" width="120mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

*3.* Enter the name for the new topic in the *New Topic* field.

*4.* Select posts by ticking their respective checkboxes.

*5.* Click *Save* to complete.

The new topic will be displayed in the topics list with the new name. The last selected post will become the main entry of the new topic.

h2. Moderate posts {anchor:id=Forum_user_guide.Forum_Moderator.Moderate_posts}
As a moderator, you have some specific rights on a post. To moderate a post, you need to select that post first by ticking its relevant checkbox.

!images/mod_moderate_posts.png|align="center" width="60mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

Next, click !images/Moderation_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar and select your desired action from the drop-down menu. All the moderation actions will be reached via this menu.

!images/mod_moderation.png|align="center" width="60mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

The followings are actions that a moderator can perform on a post:

* [Approve a post|#Forum_Moderator.Moderate_posts.Approve_posts]
* [Move a post|#Forum_Moderator.Moderate_posts.Move_posts]
* [Delete a post|#Forum_Moderator.Moderate_posts.Delete_posts]
* [Hide a post|#Forum_Moderator.Moderate_posts.Hide_posts]
* [Show a post|#Forum_Moderator.Moderate_posts.Show_posts]
* [Uncensor a post|#Forum_Moderator.Moderate_posts.Uncensor_posts]

h3. Approve a post {anchor:id=Forum_Moderator.Moderate_posts.Approve_posts}

All posts in a topic that requires [post moderation|#posts_moderation] will not be viewable before approval. This function is to approve posts which are pending for approval.

!images/mod_approve_posts.png|align="center" width="100mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

You can select to approve a single post or multiple posts at the same time. The moderator can view the list of tasks to be moderated. 
See [View all pending moderation tasks|#Forum-user_guide.Forum_Moderator.View_pending_tasks] for more details.

*The first way*

*1.* Select the posts to approve.

*2.* Click !images/Moderation_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar, and select *Approve* from the drop-down menu.

*The second way*

*1.* Click !images/Moderation_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar, and click *Approve* from the drop-down menu. The *Unapproved Topics List* form opens.

*2.* Select checkboxes corresponding to the posts you want to approve. You will see the preview of the post when hovering your cursor over the post title.

*3.* Click *Approve* to accept your approval.

Approved posts are shown normally for regular users to view and take some actions.

h3. Delete a post {anchor:id=Forum_Moderator.Moderate_posts.Delete_posts}

*The first way*

*1.* Tick the checkbox corresponding to the post you want to delete.

*2.* Click !images/Moderation_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar, then select *Delete* from the drop-down menu.

*3.* Click *OK* in the confirmation message to accept your deletion.

*The second way*

*1.* Click !images/delete_post_btn.png|width="15mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! under the post you want to delete.

*2.* Click *OK* in the confirmation message to accept your deletion.

h3. Move a post {anchor:id=Forum_Moderator.Moderate_posts.Move_posts}
You can move posts to a topic of your choice.

*1.* Select the post that you would like to move.

*2.* Click !images/Moderation_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar, then select *Move* from the drop-down menu.

*3.* Select a destination topic in the topics list that appears.

The moderator will be checked for "Move" permission. He can only move posts inside the forum that he manages. Therefore, at the destination topics list, only the topics which the Moderator has the "move" permission, are listed.

h3. Hide a post {anchor:id=Forum_Moderator.Moderate_posts.Hide_posts}
When a post is hidden, only administrators and moderators can view and manage it. 

To hide a post, select !images/Moderation_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar, and click *Hide* from the drop-down menu.

!images/mod_hidden_posts.png|align="center" width="100mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

After being hidden, the hidden post is marked with the 'Post Hidden!' label which cannot be viewed by regular users.

h3. Show a post {anchor:id=Forum_Moderator.Moderate_posts.Show_posts}
You can show a single or multiple hidden posts at the same time:

*The first way*

* Select the post to be unhidden and click !images/Moderation_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar, then click *Show* from the drop-down menu.

*The second way*

* Follow this method to show multiple posts.

*1.* Click !images/Moderation_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar, then select *Show* from the drop-down menu.

*2.* Select hidden posts by ticking their checkboxes.

*3.* Click *Show*.

h3. Uncensor a post {anchor:id=Forum_Moderator.Moderate_posts.Uncensor_posts}
The administrators and moderators can uncensor all topics, posts containing censored keywords. These censored keywords are [specified by Administrator|#Forum_Administrator.Administrative_tasks.Define_censored_keywords]. All topics and posts
containing these keywords will be labeled with 'Pending and Censored!' or 'Post Censored!' respectively.

*The first way*

* Follow this method to uncensor a specific post/topic.

*1.* Select censored posts/topics by ticking their checkboxes.

*2.* Select !images/Moderation_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar, then click *Censor* from the drop-down menu.

*The second way*

* Follow this method to uncensor posts/topics in the list of existing hidden posts/topics.

*1.* Click *Moderation* on the *Action* bar, then select *Censor* from the drop-down menu. A list of hidden posts appears.

*2.* Select hidden posts by ticking their relevant checkboxes.

*3.* Click *Show*.

h2. View all pending moderation tasks {anchor:id=Forum-user_guide.Forum_Moderator.View_pending_tasks}
Administrators and moderators can manage all pending tasks in *Forum* easily. The total number of pending topic/posts that need to be moderated are shown right on the *User* bar/*Forum Administration* bar.

!images/mod_pending_topics_number.png|align="center" width="120mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

To open the list of pending tasks, click *Pending* on the *User* bar.

The pending topics and posts are shown in the *Waiting for Approval* form.

!images/mod_unapproved_topics.png|align="center" width="120mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

This form lists all the pending topics, posts and the created dates. From here, you can approve or delete topics/posts.


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*1.* Click the topic/post title in the list.

!images/mod_view_topic.png|align="center" width="80mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

*2.* Click the *Approve* button to accept approving topic/post.

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Simply click the *Delete This Topic/Delete This Post* button. The pending topic/post will be removed completely from the pending list and its forum.

h2. Ban IPs {anchor:id=Forum-user_guide.Forum_Moderator.Ban_IPs}
This function allows banning IPs that may be used by users who abuse the forum functions or violate the forum rules and policies.

This function is similar to the [Ban IPs tool used by administrators|#Forum_Administrator.Administrative_tasks.Ban_IPs]. However, the Ban IPs tool used by administrators can ban IP from all forums, while moderators can only ban IP from forums which he manages.

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*1.* Go to the forum you want to ban IP.

*2.* Click !images/More_actions_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar, then select *Banned IPs* from the drop-down menu. The *Banned IPs* form opens.

!images/admin_forum_banned_IPs.png|align="center" width="100mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

*3.* Do the [same actions|#administration-ban-IPs] as the *[Ban IPs|#Forum_Administrator.Administrative_tasks.Ban_IPs]* section of Administrators.
