Web Programming Assignment #2: Expanded BBS Features Old Dominion University Department of Computer Science CS 418/518 Fall 2006 Michael L. Nelson <mln@cs.odu.edu>

Requirements Support for multiple forums within a single BBS Administrator can add/delete forums (a “forum” is a sub-topic relevant to the entire BBS (e.g., forums for “Ford Mustang” and “Ford Fairlane” within a BBS for “Ford Muscle Cars”.) “Thread” support support arbitrary depth of replies to replies to replies… display hierarchy of who replied to whom many different display “models” possible; examples: always shown: http://www.fordfe.com/ linear / threaded view options: linear: http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=6003 threaded: http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?p=60787&mode=threaded#post60787 hybrid: http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?mode=hybrid&t=6003

Requirements “Pagination” function administrator can set how many messages/replies to view on a single “page” (default = 5) “Registration” function for new users use a 2 step procedure to reduce illegitimate registrations: a person requests an account on your BBS you send them an email with the necessary information to complete the registration “Forgot password?” function to email password reminders (or password reset) to existing users

baseURL for Submission http://mln-web.cs.odu.edu/~username/assignment2/ These URLs will be valid for all students If you are in a group, only 1 URL will have the actual PHP The “other” URL will auto-redirect to the “right” URL

Recommendations Debug within your group first, then ask for other groups to help debug your operations Your status report the week before is for the benefit of your peers more than for me… status report is not optional

Grading There will be an in-class demo Harish will assign 20 points based on a detailed examination after the class Do not edit the files after mid-night! Each student will grade the aesthetic appearance of the other groups’ BBSs by emailing Harish <hrayapud@cs.odu.edu> (and cc’ing me) a score of 0-3; each group will recv the average value (rounded up) If you do not send your grades in within 24 hours, you will lose 3 points from your assignment Grades should be available before the next class