Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Nov 22, 2007 03:44am | #1

   "There is probably some set of instructions somewhere associated with the FWW website-"  Nope, there's not.

   Use Advanced Search for everything (found at the top of the left-hand frame, just above "Show Discussions...with Unread Messages").  Scroll to the bottom of the search options, and you'll see a place to put a thread number in if that's the way you want to search.

   As to icons:  This   View Image      is the thread you're currently reading

   This   View Image   is a thread with new messages since the last time you read it.

   This  View Image  is a "high interest" thread for you -- you have either posted in it, or asked to mark it high priority.

   This  View Image  is a thread with no new messages since the last time you read it.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

   
   

   ---

   Edited 11/21/2007 7:46 pm by forestgirl

2. 
   UncleDunc | Nov 22, 2007 03:54am | #2

   >> How long are previous threads archived ...

   Threads seem to be saved permanently, at least the ones that aren't removed by the moderators for various offenses.

   >> ... and how do you access these earlier posts? I tried using the search "box" by entering the numeric ID tag for a specific reply but it didn't result in retrieving the post that I was looking for.

   The Advanced Search, near the top of the frame on the left, has a field for message number search.

   As you have discovered, the search box at the bottom of the frame on the left will not find messages by message number. Additionally, even when you use it for something it can find, it can be a little tricky. As soon as you enter your search term, it blanks out the window and puts up message 1.1, Welcome to Tool Talk, as a space holder. When the search is complete, the frame on the left will display the number of messages found. As long as the left side frame is blank, the search is still running, even if your browser tells you it's done. I have seen searches take over 90 seconds, so be patient.

   >> Also, while I'm asking, is there a key to the little icons that preview the
   >> different thread topics such as stars, thumbs up etc.?

   The star means there has been at least one new message posted on the thread. The dot means there have been no new messages posted on the thread since you last read it. The dot with right parens indicates the message you are currently reading. The thumbs up means you have marked the thread as high importance.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 11/21/2007 7:59 pm by UncleDunc