h1. Administrator {anchor:id=Forum_user_guide.Forum_Administrator}
With the highest rights, administrators are in charge of the entire management tasks, including [configuring and customizing the Forum portlet|#Forum_user_guide.Forum_Administrator.Set_up_Forums_portlet], [backing up data|#Forum_Administrator.Administrative_tasks.Back_up_categories_forums], [managing users and granting permissions|#Forum_user_guide.Forum_Administrator.Manage_Users], [managing categories|#Forum_user_guide.Forum_Administrator.Manage_categories] and [forums|#Forum_user_guide.Forum_Administrator.Manage_forums].
Administrator has the global role.


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* Forum user guide for [Regular users|#Forum_user_guide.Regular_user]
* Forum user guide for [Moderators|#Forum_user_guide.Moderator]

h2.  Set up the Forum portlet {anchor:id=Forum_user_guide.Forum_Administrator.Set_up_Forums_portlet}

After adding the application to your *Space*, you have to configure the portlet settings to make it work in your desired way.

*1.* Click !images/Setting_gear.png|width="4mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! *--> Portal --> Pages*.

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

The *Page Manager* page will be displayed.

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

*2.* Click !images/edit_icon2.png|width="12" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! that corresponds to the *Forum* page in the pages list.

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

*3.* Hover your cursor over the *Forum* portlet, then click !images/edit_icon3.png|width="4mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! in the quick toolbar.

The settings form allows you to configure the *Forum* portlet in various aspects.

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

h3. Specify the category scoping {anchor:id=Forum_Administrator.Set_up_Forums.Specify_category_scoping}

In the *Scoping* tab, you can show/hide categories and forums in the *Forum* portlet by selecting or deselecting their respective checkboxes.

h3. Enable/Disable Forum components {anchor:id=Forum_Administrator.Set_up_Forums.Enable-Disable_Forum-components}
In the *Panels* tab, you can enable/disable some components in the Forum portlet.

Simply select/deselect checkboxes of the components that you want to enable or disable.

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

The following components can be enabled/disabled:

* Show Forum Jump
* Show [Poll|#forum-submitted-poll]
* Moderators
* Show [Quick Reply|#quick_reply_box]
* Show Icons Legend
* Show Rules
* Show Statistics

For example, if you have the *Moderators* or *Show Statistics* panel enabled, you will see it as below:

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

*Forum Statistics*

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

h3. Enable/Disable a bookmarkable Forum URL {anchor:id=Forum_Administrator.Set_up_Forums.Enable-Disable_bookmarkable_Forum_URLs}

Before doing this function, you first need to have a knowledge of Ajax. Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) is used in the *Forum* application, aiming at updating a whole webpage or a part of the webpage.

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

This feature defines how the links are generated in the *Forum* portlet. You can select to use Ajax or not.

* By not using Ajax, the *Forum* will generate plain URLs in the links. The added benefit will be bookmarkability and better SEO as the links will be permalinks.

* Using Ajax, the links will be Javascript based and generate Ajax calls. This makes your browsing faster because the whole page is not reloaded.


h2. Manage categories {anchor:id=Forum_user_guide.Forum_Administrator.Manage_categories}
Only administrators can do categories-related management tasks. To manage forums better, the administrators usually build a good forum structure using categories. So, a category is a set of forums containing all discussions about the same subject. See the following diagram to learn about one typical *Forum* structure.

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

h3. Add a new category {anchor:id=Forum_Administrator.Manage_categories.Add_categories}
Only when you are assigned as an *administrator*, you can do this function. Normally, one category is created as public and it allows everyone to access without any restrictions. Meanwhile, one [restricted category|#Manage_categories.Add_categories.Add_restricted_categories] only allows specific users/groups/memberships to access. Also, you can assign moderators to your category and specify a set of permissions for members in the category.

*1.* Click !images/Add_category_btn.png|width="17mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Forum Administration* bar. The *Category* form will be displayed.

!images/admin_category_form.png|align="center" width="300" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

*2.* Enter the category title into the *Title* field which is required. Its length must be between 1 and 100 characters (Special characters and spaces are accepted). {anchor:id="Step2-add-category"}

In the *Category* tab, optionally you can also:

* Enter the order of category in the numeric format into the *Order* field.
* Give a brief description for your category into the *Description* field.
* Create a category restricted by limiting the number of audiences via one of the following ways: {anchor:id=Manage_categories.Add_categories.Add_restricted_categories}

*The first way* 

Enter names of users/groups/memberships that can access this category into the *Restricted Audience* textbox. The different values are separated by commas.

*The second way* {anchor:id="restricted-audience"}

Use selectors next to the *Restricted audience* textbox. 

*i.* Click !images/Select_user_icon.png|width="3mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! to select a specific user from the groups list.

*ii.* Click !images/Select_membership_icon.png|width="4mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! to select all users with the specific membership in a group.

*iii.* Click !images/Select_group_icon.png|width="4mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! to select a group of users.

Optionally, select the *Permissions* tab to specify the category permissions. {anchor:id=Manage_categories.Add_categories.Specify_category_permissions}

!images/admin_category_form_permissions_tab.png|align="center" width="300" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

* Do the same ways as setting the "[Restricted audiences|#Manage_categories.Add_categories.Add_restricted_categories]" of a category.

*3.* Click *Save* to finish.


h3. Edit a category {anchor:id=Forum_Administrator.Manage_categories.Edit_categories}

*1.* Select a category to edit from the *Forum* homepage, then click !images/Manage_category_btn.png|width="22mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar when you are in the categories list.

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

*3.* Make changes on the category properties.

*4.* Click *Save* to save your changes.

h3. Delete a category {anchor:id=Forum_Administrator.Manage_categories.Delete_categories}

*1.* Select a category to delete from the *Forum* homepage, then click !images/Manage_category_btn.png|width="22mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar.

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

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

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When a category is removed, all its forums are also removed.
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h2.  Manage forums {anchor:id=Forum_user_guide.Forum_Administrator.Manage_forums}

h3. Add a new forum {anchor:id=Forum_Administrator.Manage_forums.Add_forums}
When creating a new  forum, you can also configure the forum notification settings and specify the permissions for members in that forum.


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    <emphasis role="bold">Add a new forum to a specific category</emphasis>
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*1.* Go into the category to which you want to add a new forum.

*2.* Click !images/Add_forum_btn.png|width="15mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on *Forum Administration* bar;

Or, click !images/Manage_category_btn.png|width="22mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar and select *Add Forum*.

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

*3.* Enter the forum title which is required. Its length must be less than 50 characters, including spaces.

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

Optionally, you can:
* Enter the order for your forum that must be in the positive integer format.
* Select the forum state.
* Select the forum status.
* Give brief description for your forum.

*4.* Click *Save* to finish.

The administrators and moderators of a forum may want to get updated of what is new in forums under their management. This can be done when creating a new forum.

h4. Configure the moderation settings {anchor:id=Forum_Administrator.Manage_forums.Add_forums.Configure_moderation_settings}
When creating a forum, you can set moderation-related options.

*1.* Select the *Moderation Options* tab in the *Forum* form.

*2.* Do actions in the relevant fields.

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

*Details:*

||Field||Description||
| *Moderators* | The username of the moderators. |
|*Auto-fill the moderator's email*|Check this option if you want the moderator's email is auto-filled. The email address will be taken from in moderator profile. |
|*Email addresses to notify when there is a new post*|Enter the list of email addresses which will get the notification if any new post is created. This field will be filled automatically if the *Auto-fill the moderator's email* is checked.|
|*Email addresses to notify when there is a new topic*|Enter the list of email addresses which will get the notification if any new topic is created.This field will be filled automatically if the *Auto-fill the moderator's email* is checked .|
|*Moderate Topics*{anchor:id="admin_moderate_topics"}|By default, new topics must be always approved and visible to everyone. If this option is selected, new topics will be pending for approval before being viewable.|


h3. Delete a forum {anchor:id=Forum_Administrator.Manage_forums.Delete_forums}
Only administrators can perform this action. When a forum is removed, all of its topics will then be deleted.

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

*2.* Click !images/More_actions_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.

h2. Manage users {anchor:id=Forum_user_guide.Forum_Administrator.Manage_Users}
To take this action, click !images/users_icon.png|width="13mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Forum Administrator* bar. The *User Management* form will be displayed.

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

Now, you can search for specific users to edit their profiles or remove them from *Forum*.

h3. Promote a user {anchor:id=Forum_Administrator.Manage_Users.Promote_users}

The administrator can edit profiles of members and promote any users to an administrator or a moderator.

*1.* Click !images/users_icon.png|width="13mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar. The *User Management* form will be displayed.

*2.* Click !images/edit_icon.png|width="4mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! corresponding to the user you want to promote. The profile of this user will be displayed right below the users list.

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

To promote the user, you have to edit the *Moderator* fields in *Profile* tab.

||Field||Description||
|*Screen Name*|The name displayed in *Forum*.|
|*User Title*|The title representing the role of user, by default. However, you can enter anything you want.|
|*Forum Administrator*|Grant the Administrator role to a selected user or not. The Administration role of the default administrator cannot be edited in the *User Management* form.|
|*Moderator of Categories*|The list of categories moderated by the selected user. Click !images/Plus_icon.png|width="4mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! to select a category.|
|*Moderator of Forums*|The list of forums moderated by the selected user. Click !images/Plus_icon.png|width="4mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! to select a forum.|

h3. Modify user's forum settings {anchor:id=Forum_Administrator.Manage_Users.Modify_users_forum_settings}
You can modify the forum settings that users had set in their *User settings*.

Go to the *Settings* tab in the *User Management* form.

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

Now you can modify the forum settings that the selected user has set in their *User settings*. See [User settings|#Forum_user_guide.Forum_regular_user.User_settings] for the detailed descriptions in the *User Settings* form.

h3. Ban users {anchor:id=Forum_Administrator.Manage_Users.Ban_users}
There are other methods to ban users from the *Forum* application or specific forums and categories.
In case you know the username of the user who violated your forum policies, you can search and ban this user quickly.

In the *User Management* form, go to the *Ban User* tab.

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

*Details:*

||Field||Description||
|*Banned*|Ban one user or not.|
|*Duration*|The interval during which the user will be banned. This field is only edited when you ban this user in the 'Banned' field. In the ban duration, the banned user only can view forums and topics but he/she cannot post replies or send messages.|
|*Reason*|The reason for banning this user.|
|*Ban Count*|The ban times of the user.|
|*Bans Log*|Other log information.|
|*Ban Date*|The date when the ban takes effect.|

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* [Ban IPs for moderators|#Forum-user_guide.Forum_Moderator.Ban_IPs]
* [Ban IPs for administrators|#Forum_Administrator.Administrative_tasks.Ban_IPs]

h2. Administrative tasks {anchor:id=Forum_user_guide.Forum_Administrator.Administrative_tasks}
All of administrative tasks can be reached via the menu that appears after clicking !images/Aministration_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Forum Administration* bar. You can select a desired action from the following drop-down menu.

!images/admin_forum_administration_tasks.png|align="center" width="50mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

In this section, you are going to learn how to perform all of these administrative tasks and customizations:
* [Set up Sort Settings|#Forum_Administrator.Administrative_tasks.Set_up_sort_settings]
* [Define censored keywords|#Forum_Administrator.Administrative_tasks.Define_censored_keywords]
* [Customize email notification template|#Forum_Administrator.Administrative_tasks.Customize_email_template]
* [Customize BBCode|#Forum_Administrator.Administrative_tasks.Customize_BBcodes]
* [Customize the topic types|#Forum_Administrator.Administrative_tasks.Create_topic_types]
* [Set up auto-pruning|#Forum_Administrator.Administrative_tasks.Set_up_auto-prune]
* [Ban IPs|#Forum_Administrator.Administrative_tasks.Ban_IPs]
* [Back up a category/forum|#Forum_Administrator.Administrative_tasks.Back_up_categories_forums]


h3. Set up Sort Settings {anchor:id=Forum_Administrator.Administrative_tasks.Set_up_sort_settings}
Click !images/Aministration_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Forum Administration* bar, then click *Sort Settings* from the drop-down menu. The *Sort Settings* form opens. 
Now, you can set properties for how forums and topics are sorted in *Forum*.

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

* *Sort Forums by*: Sort forums by several criteria: name, order, lock status, creation date, modification date, topic count and post count.
* *Direction*: Sort forums in the Ascending or Descending order.
* *Sort Topics by*: Sort topics by name, lock status, creation date, modification date, date of last post, post count, view count, attachments count.
* *Direction*: Sort topics in the Ascending or Descending order.


h3. Define censored keywords {anchor:id=Forum_Administrator.Administrative_tasks.Define_censored_keywords}
Censored keywords are those which are specified as inappropriate in the *Forum* application. If any topics or posts contain censored keywords, they will be hidden until being verified by Administrators or Moderators. Click !images/Aministration_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Forum Administration* bar and click *Censor Keywords* from the drop-down menu. The *Censor Keyword* form will be displayed.

!images/admin_forum_censor_keyword.png|align="center" width="300" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

Enter censored keywords in the *Censored Keywords* field. Keywords are separated by commas.

h3. Customize an email notification template {anchor:id=Forum_Administrator.Administrative_tasks.Customize_email_template}

If there are new posts in the category or topic that a user has watched, the user will receive the email notification like this.

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

This section will describe how to create and edit the email templates that can be used to send email notifications to users.

Click !images/Aministration_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Forum Administration* bar and click *Notifications* from the drop-down menu to open the *Notifications* form.

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

The *Notifications* form consists of two tabs:

* *New Posts Notification*: allow you to customize the template of the email notification when there is a new post/topic in categories/forums/topics that users are watching.
* *Moved Notification*: allow you to customize the template of the email notification when a category/forum/topic/post which is being watched is moved to another location.

*Details:*

* *Notification Subject Template*: The template for the notification subject.
* *Add a prefix to notifications*: Tick the checkbox to add a prefix to the email notification.
* *Content Notification*: The template content of the email notification of new topics/posts that can be modified with the built-in Editor.

The followings are variables which can be used in the template:

*The common variables for both tabs:*

* *VIEWPOST\_LINK*: Will be replaced by the public link referring to the new topic/post.

* *$VIEWPOST\_PRIVATE\_LINK*: Will be replaced by the private link referring to the new topic/post.

* *$REPLYPOST\_LINK*: Will be replaced by the private link referring to the topic and a form to reply will be automatically opened.

*The variables used in the New Post Notification tab:*

* *$OBJECT\_WATCH\_TYPE*: Will be replaced by the watched object type (category/forum/topic).

* *$OBJECT\_NAME*: Will be replaced by the name of the watched object (category/forum/topic).

* *$ADD\_TYPE*: Will be replaced by the newly added object type (topic/post).

* *$ADD\_NAME*: Will be replaced by the newly added object name (topic name/post name).

* *$POSTER*: Will be replaced by the topic/post owner.

* *$POST\_CONTENT*: Will be replaced by the topic/post content.

* *$TIME*: Will be replaced by the time when the topic/post was added.

* *$DATE*: Will be replaced by the date when the topic/post was added.

* *$CATEGORY*: Will be replaced by the category name.

* *$FORUM*: Will be replaced by the forum name.

* *$TOPIC*: Will be replaced by the topic name.

*The variables used in the Moved Notification tab:*

* *$OBJECT\_PARENT\_NAME*: Will be replaced by the forum name (if moving topics) or the topic name (if moving posts).

* *$OBJECT\_PARENT\_TYPE*: Will be replaced by the type of the moved parent object, such as forum (if moving topics) or topic (if moving posts).

* *$OBJECT\_NAME*: Will be replaced by the name of the moved object (topic name/post name).

* *$OBJECT\_TYPE*: Will be replaced by the type of the moved object (topic/post).


These variables are used to load the content dynamically. Thus, you should not edit them. In case the template is changed unexpectedly, you can go back to the default template by clicking !images/Back_to_default_btn.png|width="5mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!.
You can use the text editor to format the template as you wish.

h3. Customize a BBCode {anchor:id=Forum_Administrator.Administrative_tasks.Customize_BBcodes}
By default, there are some default BBCode tags that are initialized via plugins: "\[B\]", "\[I\]", "\[U\]", "\[FONT\]", "\[HIGHLIGHT\]", "\[IMG\]", "\[CSS\]", "\[URL\]", "\[GOTO\]", "\[QUOTE\]", "\[LEFT\]", "\[RIGHT\]", "\[CENTER\]", "\[JUSTIFY\]", "\[SIZE\]", "\[COLOR\]", "\[CSS\]", "\[EMAIL\]", "\[CODE\]", "\[LIST\]", "\[WIKI\], "\[SLIDESHARE\]". You can add, edit or delete the BBCode tags.

Click !images/Aministration_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Forum Administration* bar, then select *BBCodes* from the drop-down menu to open the *BBCode Manager* form.

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

Here, you can do the following actions:

* [Add a new BBCode|#Administrative_tasks.Customize_BBCodes.Add_new_BBCodes].
* [Edit a BBCode|#Administrative_tasks.Customize_BBCodes.Edit_BBCodes].
* [Delete a BBCode|#Administrative_tasks.Customize_BBCodes.Delete_BBCodes].
* [Activate/Deactivate a BBCode|#Administrative_tasks.Customize_BBCodes.Activate_Deactivate_BBCodes].

h4. Add a new BBCode {anchor:id=Administrative_tasks.Customize_BBCodes.Add_new_BBCodes}

*1.* Click *Add BBCode* in the *BBCode Manager* form to open the *Add BBCode* form.

*2.* Input values into the *Add BBCode* form.

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

*Details:*

||Field||Description||
|*Tag*|This is the text for BBCode, which goes inside the square bracket.|
|*Replacement*|The HTML codes that replace the user-entered BBCode.|
|*Description*|The brief description about this BBCode tag.|
|*Example*|The sample of the BBCode in use.|
|*Use {{{ {option} }}}*|Allow BBCode tag to have option or not.|
|*Preview*|Click this button to preview your rendered BBCode.|
|!images/Syntax_help_btn.png|width="4mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!|Click this icon to see descriptions of each field.|

*3.* Click *Save* to finish or *Reset* to clear all input fields.

h4. Edit a BBCode {anchor:id=Administrative_tasks.Customize_BBCodes.Edit_BBCodes}

*1.* Click !images/edit_icon.png|width="4mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! corresponding to the relevant BBCode tag in the *BBCode Manager* form.

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

*2.* Make changes on the BBCode tag.

*3.* Click *Save* to finish your changes


h4. Delete a BBCode {anchor:id=Administrative_tasks.Customize_BBCodes.Delete_BBCodes}

Simply click !images/Delete_icon.png|width="4mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! corresponding to the BBCode you want to delete in the *BBCode Manager* form, then select *OK* in the confirmation message to accept your deletion.

h4. Activate/Deactivate a BBCode {anchor:id=Administrative_tasks.Customize_BBCodes.Activate_Deactivate_BBCodes}

Any BBCode can be activated/deactivated.

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

* To activate an existing BBCode tag, tick the relevant checkbox.
* To deactivate an existing BBCode tag, simply deselect the relevant checkbox. The entered BBCode will be displayed as the plain text.

h3. Set up auto-pruning {anchor:id=Forum_Administrator.Administrative_tasks.Set_up_auto-prune}
The pruning allows you to clean a large amount of obsolete and inactive topics based on criteria.

*1.* Click !images/Aministration_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Forum Administration* bar and click *Pruning* from the drop-down menu to open the *Auto Prune* form.

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

*2.* Click !images/prune_settings_icon.png|width="4mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! corresponding to the forum you want to set the prune settings.

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

*3.* Specify the criteria.

*4.* Click !images/dry_run_button.png|width="17mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! to check how many topics will be pruned.

*5.* Click *Save* to accept settings.

After setting the prune successfully, the auto-prune will be run automatically on the forum that has been set to check for the inactivate topics.

h3. Create a topic type {anchor:id=Forum_Administrator.Administrative_tasks.Create_topic_types}
The topic type is the visual indication for other users to know what is topic about at a glance. When creating a new topic, users can select the topic type that they are going to start. The administrator can define these topic types.

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

Click !images/Aministration_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Forum Administration* bar and click *Topic Types* from the drop-down menu to open the *Topic Type Manager* form.

!images/admin_forum_topic_type_manager.png|align="center" width="120mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!       {anchor:id="topic-type-management"}

The *Topic Type Manager* form lists all topic types and allows you to add new topic types, edit or delete the existing ones.

{docbook}
<citetitle>
<para>
    <emphasis role="bold">Add a topic type</emphasis>
</para>
</citetitle>
{docbook}


*1.*  Open the *Topic Type* form via one of two following ways:

* *The first way*

Click *Add Topic Type* in the *[Topic Type Manager|#topic-type-management]* form.

* *The second way*

Click !images/Plus_icon.png|width="4mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! next to the *Type* field in the *Option* tab of the *[New Topic|#start_topic_options_tab]* or *[Edit Topic|#edit_topic_form]* form.

(Note that only administrators can see !images/Plus_icon.png|width="4mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!.)

*2.* Enter the topic name in the *Type* field, then select an icon for this topic type.

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

*3.* Click *Save* to accept adding your new topic type. You will see the new topic type added.

!images/admin_forum_topic_type_manager1.png|align="center" width="120mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

* To edit the topic type, click !images/edit_icon.png|width="4mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!.

* To delete the topic type, click !images/Delete_icon.png|width="4mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!.

h3. Ban IPs {anchor:id=Forum_Administrator.Administrative_tasks.Ban_IPs}
Administrators can ban IP addresses used by users who abuse the forum functions or violate the forum rules and policies. All banned IPs cannot be used to add posts to all forums in the *Forum* application.
Any users who use banned IPs to add post, will be recognized as the banned user. As the result, the banned user can only view in Forum.

Click !images/Aministration_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Forum Administration* bar then click *Banned IPs* from the drop-down menu. The *Banned IPs* form appears.

!images/admin_forum_banned_IPs.png|align="center" width="100mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!
{anchor:id="administration-ban-IPs"}

* To ban an IP, simply enter the IP address into the IP textboxes and click *\[Add\]*. All banned IPs will be listed in the banned IPs table. You can view all posts which are posted from the specific banned IP or delete them from the banned IPs list.

* To view all posts submitted from a specific IPs, click the *\[Posts\]* link of the respective IP. These posts can be viewed and deleted by the administrator.

* To remove banned IPs from the banned IP list, click the *\[x\]* icon of the respective IP.

Besides, you can also filter the banned IPs if there are so many banned IPs.

To filter banned IPs, enter a part of the IPs address into filter textbox, all IPs matching with filter term will be displayed.

h3. Back up a category & forum {anchor:id=Forum_Administrator.Administrative_tasks.Back_up_categories_forums}
The *Export* function is a best way to back up data in the *Forum* application. This function allows you to export categories and forums in the *Forum* application into the .zip or .xml file. When a category/forum is exported, all of its forum, topics, posts and properties are also exported. This exported file can be used to import into the *Forum* application.

h4. Export a category {anchor:id=Administrative_tasks.Backup_categories_forums.Export_categories}

*1.* Click !images/Aministration_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Forum Administration* bar.

*2.* Click *Export* from the drop-down menu to open the *Export Categories* form.

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

*Details:*

||Field||Description||
|*File Name* |Enter the name of the exported file.|
|*Export All*|Check this option to export all data in *Forum*, such as all categories, user profiles and forum statistics.|
|*Only Categories*|Check this option to export the selected categories only.|

*3.* Select categories and enter the file name into the *File Name* field.

*4.* Click *Save*.

h4. Export a forum {anchor:id=Administrative_tasks.Backup_categories_forums.Export_forums}
This function is used to export forums and all topics inside the *Forum* application into the .xml or .zip file.

*The first way*

*1.* Go into a forum and click !images/More_actions_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar.

*2.* Click *Export Forum* from the drop-down menu to open the *Export Forums* form.

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

*3.* Input the file name.

*4.* Tick the *Compress* checkbox to export the file into the .zip file or leave it blank to export into .xml file.

*5.* Click *Save* to get and store the exported file in your local device.

*The second way*

*1.* Go into a category containing the forum you want to export.

*2.* Click !images/Manage_category_btn.png|width="22mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar, then click *Export Forums* from the drop-down menu.

!images/admin_forum_export_forum1.png|align="center" width="100mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"!

*3.* Select a forum you want to export by ticking the relevant checkbox.

*4.* Select the *Compress* checkbox to export the file in the .zip format or leave it blank to export in the .xml format.

*5.* Click *Save* to get and store the exported file in your local device.

h4. Import a category {anchor:id=Administrative_tasks.Backup_categories_forums.Import_categories}

*1.* Click !images/Aministration_btn.png|width="20mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Forum Administrator* bar, then click *Import* from the drop-down menu to open the *Import Category* form.

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

*2.* Click *Browse...* or the *Upload Files* field to open the *File Upload* form. Browse and select the file to import.

*3.* Click *Save*. 

h4. Import a forum {anchor:id=Administrative_tasks.Backup_categories_forums.Import_forums}

*1.* Go into one category, then click !images/Manage_category_btn.png|width="22mm" fo:scalefit="1" html:scalefit="0"! on the *Action* bar.

*2.* Click *Import Forum* from the drop-down menu.

*3.* Browse and upload the selected file in the *Import Forum* form.

*4.* Click *Save* to accept importing.

After being imported successfully, the forum and topic data will be displayed properly in the *Forum* homepage.
