ABOUT
This post aims to provide clearer definitions of forum related terminology, which can vary across the internet. This is TFUK's interpretation of such definitions, which depending on who you ask, may be right or wrong. For example, some people will call the whole forum as a "board" and the individual boards as "forums". This is not necessarily wrong, but for consistency, TFUK staff will stick to the definitions and terminology shown here, and members should try to do the same to avoid confusion.
FORUM STRUCTURE DEFINITIONS
Forum: The forum is the website as a whole, which contains all of the elements discussed below.
Category: The category, also known as a section, groups boards in to smaller sections, allowing them to be organised. A category itself does not have any content, only boards.
Board: The board is a specific area where you can create and view content. There are different boards for different areas of discussion.
Thread: A thread, also known as a topic, is an individual conversation in a board, which others can interact with. A thread is made up of multiple posts in chronological order.
Reply: A reply, also known as a comment, is an individual contribution to a thread. There can be hundreds of replies within one thread.
Post: A post refers to either a thread or reply more generally. You are currently reading the first post in this thread. A post can also refer to the action of posting a thread or a reply. For example, we may say "please post your request in the help board", referring to creating a thread.
Content: Similar to a post, content may be referring to a thread or a reply.
Let's try an analogy. Imagine we are in a library. The forum is the library building, the category is "non-fiction", the board is a whole shelf of "science" books, a thread is the individual "Science Encyclopaedia by TFUK" book, and posts are the individual pages or what someone has scribbled inside of the book. In a real library, if the signage is good, it is generally quite easy to find the shelf of books you are looking for (the board), before you can explore the books (threads), and start reading all of the different facts and opinions (replies) within the book. This is the concept of a forum!
MODERATION DEFINITIONS
Locked Thread: A thread which has been closed, preventing further replies. There are many reasons why threads may be locked. Only forum staff can lock a thread.
Sticky Thread: A thread that is pinned to the top of a board, so that it is always visible. They are used for important information about that specific board and you should read them. Only forum staff can sticky a thread.
Featured Thread: A thread that is displayed in a prominent position across the forum, to encourage members to read it, because it provides some form of value. Only member threads are featured - this is not to be used for announcements. Think of it like like a showcase or trophy cabinet. Forum management can choose where featured threads are displayed. Only forum staff can feature a thread. This "feature" (see what I did there?) is currently not used.
Reply Ban: A reply ban will prevent a single member from replying to a single thread, which is a useful as an alternative to locking, when only a single member is being disruptive. Reply bans are usually temporary, so the member will be able to continue replying after a number of hours or days. Only forum staff can add a reply ban.
Moderation: ?
Avatar: The small icon or image next to a members username to visually represent themselves on this forum.
This post aims to provide clearer definitions of forum related terminology, which can vary across the internet. This is TFUK's interpretation of such definitions, which depending on who you ask, may be right or wrong. For example, some people will call the whole forum as a "board" and the individual boards as "forums". This is not necessarily wrong, but for consistency, TFUK staff will stick to the definitions and terminology shown here, and members should try to do the same to avoid confusion.
FORUM STRUCTURE DEFINITIONS
Forum: The forum is the website as a whole, which contains all of the elements discussed below.
Category: The category, also known as a section, groups boards in to smaller sections, allowing them to be organised. A category itself does not have any content, only boards.
Board: The board is a specific area where you can create and view content. There are different boards for different areas of discussion.
Thread: A thread, also known as a topic, is an individual conversation in a board, which others can interact with. A thread is made up of multiple posts in chronological order.
Reply: A reply, also known as a comment, is an individual contribution to a thread. There can be hundreds of replies within one thread.
Post: A post refers to either a thread or reply more generally. You are currently reading the first post in this thread. A post can also refer to the action of posting a thread or a reply. For example, we may say "please post your request in the help board", referring to creating a thread.
Content: Similar to a post, content may be referring to a thread or a reply.
Let's try an analogy. Imagine we are in a library. The forum is the library building, the category is "non-fiction", the board is a whole shelf of "science" books, a thread is the individual "Science Encyclopaedia by TFUK" book, and posts are the individual pages or what someone has scribbled inside of the book. In a real library, if the signage is good, it is generally quite easy to find the shelf of books you are looking for (the board), before you can explore the books (threads), and start reading all of the different facts and opinions (replies) within the book. This is the concept of a forum!
MODERATION DEFINITIONS
Locked Thread: A thread which has been closed, preventing further replies. There are many reasons why threads may be locked. Only forum staff can lock a thread.
Sticky Thread: A thread that is pinned to the top of a board, so that it is always visible. They are used for important information about that specific board and you should read them. Only forum staff can sticky a thread.
Featured Thread: A thread that is displayed in a prominent position across the forum, to encourage members to read it, because it provides some form of value. Only member threads are featured - this is not to be used for announcements. Think of it like like a showcase or trophy cabinet. Forum management can choose where featured threads are displayed. Only forum staff can feature a thread. This "feature" (see what I did there?) is currently not used.
Reply Ban: A reply ban will prevent a single member from replying to a single thread, which is a useful as an alternative to locking, when only a single member is being disruptive. Reply bans are usually temporary, so the member will be able to continue replying after a number of hours or days. Only forum staff can add a reply ban.
Moderation: ?
Avatar: The small icon or image next to a members username to visually represent themselves on this forum.
