Tips for Using the WebBoard Conferencing Software

When you enter the WebBoard, you will see 2 conference headings in the left-hand frame:

1. The first conference listed is named for the current DataSpeak topic, and this is where you can submit comments and questions to the presenters.

2. The second conference listed is called "Feedback on DataSpeak", and this is where you can submit comments and suggestions about any aspect of the DataSpeak organization, format, or content.

Following is a description of the various ways to read or post a message on WebBoard.  Try it-- nothing you do is wrong!

• Reading the Q&A.  Click on the next to the conference you are interested in (or the name of the conference itself) to see headers for any comments or questions that have already been submitted.  You can read any existing comments or questions by double clicking on them.  If a is also present next to a particular message, this means there are additional comments pertaining to it, and these can also be read by double clicking on them. 

• Posting a new topic.  With the cursor anywhere within a conference, you can click on the "post" button in the tool bar at the top of the WebBoard screen.  In the right-hand frame, you will then be able to identify yourself and write your comment or question.  Finally, click the "post" button within the message screen itself, to save what you wrote to the conference.  Your message will appear as a topic beneath the conference heading.

You may also post a new topic by clicking on any existing messages within the conference and then clicking the highlighted "post" link at the top of the message in the right-hand frame.  Again, after composing your message you will have to click the "post" button within the message screen itself to save what you wrote to the conference.

• Posting a reply to an existing topic.  You may submit  your comment or question as a follow-up, rather than as a new topic, by clicking on the message of interest and then clicking the highlighted "reply"  link at the top of the message in the right hand frame.   Again, after composing your message you will have to click the "post" button within the message screen itself to save what you wrote to the conference.  Your reply will appear beneath the original submission that began the topic.