Set Up Forums
Set Up Forums
Configure online forums for alumni networks, student communities, and academic discussions.
Time required: 15-20 minutes
Module: openeducat_alumni_enterprise, website_forum
User role: System Administrator, Community Manager
Prerequisites
- System Administrator or Community Manager role
- Website module installed
- User groups configured
Steps
Step 1: Navigate to Forum Settings
- Go to Website -> Configuration -> Forums
- Or OpenEduCat -> Alumni -> Forums
- Click Create
Step 2: Enter Forum Information
| Field | Required | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Yes | Forum name | ”Alumni Network” |
| Description | No | Forum purpose | ”Connect with fellow graduates” |
| Mode | Yes | Forum type | ”Questions” or “Discussions” |
Step 3: Configure Access Settings
| Setting | Description | Options |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | Who can view | Public/Members only |
| Post Rights | Who can post | Anyone/Members/Moderators |
| Reply Rights | Who can reply | Same as above |
Step 4: Set Up Categories
Create topic categories:
- Go to Categories tab
- Click Add a line
| Category | Description | Order |
|---|---|---|
| Career | Job opportunities | 1 |
| Networking | Connect with alumni | 2 |
| Events | Alumni gatherings | 3 |
| Mentorship | Guidance requests | 4 |
| General | Other discussions | 5 |
Step 5: Configure Moderation
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Moderate Posts | Review before publish |
| Moderate Replies | Review replies |
| Auto-Approve | Trusted members skip review |
| Spam Filter | Block spam content |
Step 6: Set Up Karma System
Configure reputation points:
| Action | Karma Points |
|---|---|
| Create question | +2 |
| Answer question | +1 |
| Accepted answer | +15 |
| Upvote received | +10 |
| Downvote received | -2 |
Step 7: Define Karma Thresholds
Set permission levels:
| Permission | Required Karma |
|---|---|
| Post questions | 0 |
| Post answers | 1 |
| Upvote | 5 |
| Downvote | 50 |
| Edit own posts | 1 |
| Comment | 5 |
Step 8: Enable Notifications
Configure email notifications:
| Notification | Recipients |
|---|---|
| New question | Subscribed users |
| New answer | Question author |
| Mentioned | Mentioned user |
| Accepted answer | Answer author |
Step 9: Publish Forum
- Click Save
- Set status to Published
- Forum is now accessible
Forum Types
| Type | Mode | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Q&A Forum | Questions | Technical help |
| Discussion | Discussions | Open dialogue |
| Announcement | Read-only | Official news |
| Support | Questions | Help desk |
Customizing Forum Layout
| Element | Customization |
|---|---|
| Logo | Forum-specific logo |
| Colors | Theme colors |
| Header | Welcome message |
| Sidebar | Quick links |
Field Reference
Forum
| Technical Field | UI Label | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
name | Name | Char | Forum name |
description | Description | Html | Forum purpose |
mode | Mode | Selection | question/discussion |
privacy | Privacy | Selection | public/private |
karma_close_own | Close Own | Integer | Karma required |
karma_edit_own | Edit Own | Integer | Karma required |
Category
| Technical Field | UI Label | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
name | Name | Char | Category name |
sequence | Sequence | Integer | Display order |
parent_id | Parent | Many2one | Sub-category |
Troubleshooting
Forum not visible on website
Ensure forum is Published and website access is properly configured.
Users cannot post
Check user karma level meets minimum requirements for posting.
Notifications not sending
Verify email configuration and user notification preferences.
Related: Manage Portal | Configure Email