Microsoft Knowledge Base

• The Microsoft Network versions 1.0, 1.05, 1.2, 1.3

SUMMARY

This article lists frequently asked questions about bulletin boards on The Microsoft Network.

MORE INFORMATION

1. Q. What is the difference between a message and a conversation?

   A. A message is a single posting to a bulletin board (BBS); a
      conversation (or thread) is a series of postings. For example, if
      you post a message and someone replies to it, the two messages make
      up a conversation.

2. Q. How can I expand an entire BBS conversation?

   A. Hold down the SHIFT key while you click the plus sign (+) in front
      of the conversation you want to expand. Or, click the first message
      in the conversation and then press "+" on your keyboard.

      To expand all conversations at once, click Expand All Conversations
      on the View menu.

3. Q. Can I read bulletin board messages offline?

   A. There is no offline reader for The Microsoft Network. This feature
      is under review and will be considered for inclusion in a future
      release.

4. Q. Yesterday I saw and read a lot of messages on a bulletin board.
      Today when I went back to the bulletin board all of the messages had
      disappeared. What happened?

   A. When you open a bulletin board, messages that you have already read
      are not automatically displayed. To see previously read messages,
      click Show All Messages on the Tools menu.

5. Q. Does The Microsoft Network notify me if I have replies to bulletin
      board messages I posted?

   A. No. This feature is under review and will be considered for
      inclusion in a future release.

      You need to open the bulletin board in question and check for
      replies. You can also place a shortcut to your message on your
      computer's desktop or in a folder.

6. Q. How can I delete a message I posted to a bulletin board?

   A. You cannot. Only the bulletin board manager can delete posted
      messages.

7. Q. When I post a message, how long does it take to show up on the
      bulletin board?

   A. Messages do not go to the bulletin board immediately when you post
      them. They are sent to the BBS server and queued up for replication
      to the other BBS servers. If the BBS servers are very busy or if the
      program that processes the replication queue is shut down, it may
      take as long as several minutes (or sometimes even hours) before you
      see messages you posted arrive on the bulletin board. Ordinarily, it
      takes only a few seconds to replicate a posting, but delays are
      possible.

8. Q. Is it possible to have a signature automatically inserted in a
      bulletin board message?

   A. No. This feature is under review and will be considered for
      inclusion in a future release.

9. Q. Is it possible to automatically quote the message to which I am
      replying?

   A. No. This feature is under review and will be considered for
      inclusion in a future release.