Like the board index, the message index interface is quite straightforward when reduced to its essential components:
- Some forums show the navigation tree at the top in a space-saving horizontal mode.
- The page numbers link to further pages of the board, and may be accompanied by Go Up and Go Down buttons linking to the top and bottom of the current page.
- The Mark as Read button enables registered members to mark all posts in this board as 'read'.
- The Notify button enables registered members to subscribe to email notification of replies to topics in this board.
- The New Topic and New Poll buttons are for starting new topics and polls, as described in the posting help.
- The Subject, Started by, Replies, Views and Last post links enable you to sort the columns by these parameters (with Last post also toggling between descending and ascending order as indicated by the little arrow).
- The topic icons in the leftmost column are explained by the key below.
- The post icons in the next column are sometimes used to draw attention to the mood or purpose of the topic.
- The topic subject links to the start of the topic, with extra links for subsequent pages and new buttons to take registered members straight to their first unread post of the topic.
- Where the topic has been started or last replied to by a registered member, their names link to their respective profiles.
- The Jump to menu provides a convenient quick method of navigating the forum.
Topic you have posted in
Normal Topic
Hot Topic (More than 15 replies)
Very Hot Topic (More than 25 replies)
Locked Topic
Sticky Topic
Poll
