Hosting Options for the Discussion Board Tool

Currently there are two hosting options for the discussion board tool:

The options available could change in the future. For example, if the number of users were to grow beyond the capabilities of the implementation on the NVCC server, then additional users might not be able to be accomodated by method 1. Alternatively, someone could host the files elsewhere and make this implementation available to others.

The discussion board tool uses Active Server Pages (ASP) to access an Access database. Thus if one were to host the files elsewhere, the server would have to be able to run ASP pages. All files except the database file should be put in one directory and the database file is put in another directory named db at the same level. To put the database elsewhere, one only needs to modify one line in one file (header.asp) Appropriate permissions have to be set for the folder containing the database to allow the database to be modified.

Downloads: zipped file containing all files (4/25/03)

The files and their function is as follows:

Filename Function
administrator.html frameset for administrator portion of site
administratornav.html navigation bar for administrator portion of site
administratorwelcome.html welcome page for administrator portion of site
altnav.html navigation bar for top level of site (without Home button)
answer.asp lists current discussion posts for a topic and allows user to add a post
blank.gif spacer gif
changes.html discusses past and proposed changes to tool since created in October 2002
classes.asp displays list of classes (file may no longer be needed)
classesadmin.asp creates class (file may no longer be needed)
confirmdelete.asp permits user to delete his or her own post if class has been enabled that way
contact.html contact information for creator of board or board administrator(s)
discuss.mdb Access database
dogwood.jpg image in navigation bar marking current location
emailpref.asp if enabled by course creator, permits user to sign up for email notification of posts on a topic
header.asp creates link to database
help.html provides help
index.html frameset for the home page
instructor.html frameset for instructor portion of site
instructornav.html navigation bar for instructor portion of site
instructorwelcome.html welcome page for instructor portion of site
introduction.html discusses hosting options for discussion board tool
joinclass.asp lists all classes and their description
joinclassaction.asp enrolls user in a class
loggedin.asp redirects user to login page if user who hasn't logged in is trying to perform functions which require login
loginform.html login page for returning and new users
logout.asp logs user out at user's request
logoutframe.asp frameset after one logs out
makeclass.asp displays form to create class and set preferences for class (modification of posts, email notification, restricted enrollment)
makeclassaction.asp creates class and sets preferences as specified in makeclass.asp page
modify.asp displays form so that user can modify his or her own post if enabled for course
modifyaction.asp performs modification
modifyclass.asp displays classes that one can modify
modifyclassaction.asp makes modification to a given class (remove and add student)
myclasses.asp lists classes you are currently enrolled in
nav.html navigation bar (file may not longer be needed)
newuser.asp processes new user registration
opennav.html navigation bar for top level of site (with Home button)
removestudent.asp removes student from class
returnuser.asp checks login for returning users
student.html the frameset for student section of the site
studentintroduction.html describes how to use system
studentnav.html navigation bar for student section of the site
studentwelcome.html welcome page for student section of the site
style.css External cascading style sheet (CSS) for site
topic.asp lists current topics in a class discussion board and permits user to add a topic
update.js External JavaScript file that updates image visibility in navigational bar
welcome.html welcome page for the home page
wrongplace.html displays notice that user is trying to access features not permitted by their logon category

Last revised: April 25, 2003. Comments to William Pegram, wpegram@nvcc.edu