1. Web Programming Assignment #2: Expanded BBS Features
Old Dominion University
Department of Computer Science
CS 418/518 Fall 2007
Michael L. Nelson

2. 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:
linear / threaded view options:
linear:
threaded:
hybrid:

3. 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 with the necessary information to complete the registration
“Forgot password?” function to password reminders (or password reset) to existing users

4. baseURL for Submission
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

5. 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

6. Grading There will be an in-class demo
Arjun will assign 20 points based on a detailed examination after the class
Do not edit the files after midnight!
Each student will grade the aesthetic appearance of the other groups’ BBSs by ing Arjun (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