WebSite-Watcher supports two different methods to handle web based forums:
| 1. | Forum-Plugins |
| 2. | Forum-Templates |
Forum-Plugins
Pre-defined Plugins are available for major forums with default layout (such as phpBB, SMF, etc) and can be selected in the bookmark properties or via the browser information bar.
WebSite-Watcher performs various compatibility tests when selecting a Forum-Plugin to ensure that it can be used with the selected bookmark.
Forum-Templates
WebSite-Watcher supports Forum-Templates for table based forums, especially for topic lists. Such a topic list must contain:
| 1. | A table header The header tells WebSite-Watcher, where the topic list starts, for example the line: Topics | Replies | Author | Views | Last Post |
| 2. | A "Last Posting" time (per topic) Each thread/topic must have a last posting time, for example "09:13 AM". It does not work when a forum shows "13 minutes ago" instead of a time. |
| 3. | A table footer The footer tells WebSite-Watcher, where the topic list ends. The footer may contain changing numbers, for example "Mark forum read" or "Page 1 of 13". |
If a forum fulfills all these requirements, you can use the Forum-Wizard to create the Forum-Template and the required filter definitions, no further configuration is required in that case.
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See also chapter Forum