English Composition 1
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Using WebBoard: Managing Messages
We use WebBoard extensively for class discussions and other assignments, so the number of messages in WebBoard can add up quickly. It's important to keep track of new messages that have been added by other class members and the instructor. This page also explains how to "refresh" the WebBoard screen and how to search through topics and messages in WebBoard.
Finding and Reading New Messages
When you log in to WebBoard, you will see the number of new messages that have been posted since the last time you entered WebBoard. This number will appear in two places: just above the list of conferences on the left side of the WebBoard screen and on the right side of the screen.
This number does not indicate the messages that you have not read but instead indicates the number of messages that have been posted since you last marked all of your messages "read" (explained below) or since you last exited from WebBoard.
The word "New" will appear next to the name of the conference in which new messages have been added. To read only the new messages, click on the "# New" link under "Conferences" or the new messages link on the right side of the screen.
Once you click the new messages link, the heading on the left side of the screen will change from "Conferences" to "New Messages," and you will see a screen listing the titles of the conferences containing the new messages.
Clicking on the topic titles will open up the new messages in the right side of the screen. Under the "New Messages" screen, only new messages will be listed. Clicking "All Messages" will return you to the screen listing all of the conference titles and messages.
If you want to read older messages listed under a particular conference or topic name, you will need to click on "Conferences" to return to the list of conferences.
After you click on a title to open the message, you can respond with a message in the same way you would if you were viewing postings under the "Conference" heading.
Marking Messages "Read"
When you exit from WebBoard, WebBoard assumes that you have read all of the new messages, so the number of new messages will automatically be reset to "0." Therefore, it is important that you do read all new messages each time you enter WebBoard. Otherwise, it will be difficult for you to locate any new messages that you did not read after you exit and then re-enter WebBoard.
If you prefer not to have all new messages automatically marked "read" when you exit WebBoard, you can set WebBoard not to mark them "read" by editing your WebBoard "profile."
You can also mark all the new messages "read" after you have read them.
To mark your messages "read," start by clicking on the "Mark Read" button on the blue menu bar across the top of the WebBoard screen (above).
You will then see a list of conferences and the number of new messages listed under each conference. If you have read all new messages, you should click on "Mark All Conferences Read."
You can also choose to mark as "read" only those messages in a particular conference.
After clicking on "Mark All Conferences Read," you will see the screen below, indicating that all messages have been marked "read."
Under the "Conference" list on the left side of your WebBoard screen, you will see that there are now "0 New" messages.
Again, WebBoard will automatically mark all of your new messages "read" each time you exit from WebBoard, unless you disable this function in your WebBoard profile.
The next time you enter WebBoard, you will see a number indicating how many new messages have been posted since you last marked all messages "read" or since you last exited from WebBoard.
Refreshing the WebBoard Screen
WebBoard checks for and lists new messages when you log in. However, WebBoard may not accurately reflect new messages that may have been posted while you are working in WebBoard.
To make sure that your WebBoard screen reflects all of the new messages that have been posted, you should click on the "Refresh" button on WebBoard's blue menu bar (above).
Searching Messages
WebBoard also allows you to search through the messages that have been posted. You can search messages through the use of search words, just as you would search the Internet, or you can search through a date range. To start searching through messages, click on "Search" on WebBoard's menu bar (below).
After clicking "Search," you will see a screen that allows you to search the messages for key words or for a date range.
This search feature of WebBoard could be especially useful if you remember reading a specific message that you would like to read again or reply to but you cannot remember where that message is located.
You can also search for all messages posted throughout a date range that you specify.
