The TalkShop FAQ
Author: Brian Steele
Last Updated: October 24, 2004
  • Quick Links

 

  1. What is TalkShop?
  2. What are TalkShop's features?
  3. What do I need to run TalkShop?
  4. Where can I get the TalkShop scripts?
  5. What about support?
  6. Are there any other TalkShop-based forums on the Internet?
  7. Where can I get the original WWWBoard script?
  8. Y2K Compliancy
  • What is TalkShop?

 

TalkShop is a collection of Perl scripts that allows you to run a highly customizable webforum on your website. Through TalkShop, visitors can post new messages, read messages, and respond to messages from other visitors, all via their browser. Messages are displayed in an easy to read threaded format by default, but visitors can also select to view the messages in chronological order, or view a summary of all the active threads in the forum.

TalkShop started off life as Matt Wright's WWWBoard v2.0, but a considerable amount of features have been added to the basic script, in order to make it more to make it more user-friendly, as well as incorporate many new features.

The latest released version is Talkshop v2.76
  • What are TalkShop's features?
 Apart from the basic WWWBoard features, TalkShop offers the following enhancements:

Automatic Message Board Maintenance
Older messages are automatically deleted from the message board when the number of messages on the board exceeds a chosen amount. This keeps the size of the message board down, making it easier to load in a browser, and minimizes download and update times. Note that the actual message files are left within the messages directory, for archiving purposes, and they can be retrieved via the View Previous Messages option.

Message Preview
Users can preview and correct their posts before they're actually posted to the TalkShop message board.

Duplicate Post Prevention
The TalkShop script prevents users from posting multiple copies of the same message to the forum.

Multiple Board Control
One Talkshop installation can be used to run multiple message boards on the same server. Each message board can have its own particular settings, without having to modify the script.

Multiple Views
Visitors can opt to view messages in chronological order, view a thread summary of all messages posted to the forum, or view all messages in one thread.

HTML Templates
Message formats and most of the HTML generated by the TalkShop scripts can be controlled via editing the HTML templates provided with the script. Each forum can be uniquely customized, without having to edit any of the scripts.

Nickname Protection
Users can protect their nickname(s) on the message board by using a password. Other users will have to use that password if they want to post messages under that nickname.

Response Notification
Users can elect to be notified via e-mail of any responses to any of their messages posted to the forum. This removes the need for posters to continuously check the forum to see if anyone responded to their message.

Search Function
Visitors can now easily search previous messages for information. And, as of version 2.69, A TalkShop forum can now be configured to use an external search facility (such as Microsoft's Index Server) to search its messages.

Subscription Service
Regular visitors can be notified of new messages by subscribing to the TalkShop forum. Note: this option requires the use of a mailing list provided via a listserver.

Moderated Forums
Forums can be configured to operate as moderated forums.  Only persons who have been assigned nicknames would be allowed to post without intervention.   Posts from unregistered users are sent to the forum's assigned moderator for action. TalkShop also provides the ability to exercise control over the topics that can be raised on a forum (by allowing you to configure one or more "forum masters", who are authorized to add new topics)

Troll Control
You can configure TalkShop to block or modify posts based on user location and/or message content. Forums can also be quickly switch from unmoderated to moderated, and vice-versa. Great for dealing with trolls.

Multiple Administrators / Operators
TalkShop allows you to set up multiple administrator and operator accounts.  The accounts can be configured to be administrators or moderators for selected forums or all forums.
  • What do I need to run TalkShop?
 To run the TalkShop scripts, you will need access to an executable directory (normally called CGI-BIN) on your webserver. This directory could be located in your own web page area, or it may be a common CGI-BIN directory shared by other users on the webserver. Perl version 5 (or higher) will also have to be installed on the webserver, otherwise the TalkShop scripts won't run!

TalkShop uses a number of environment variables to operate. You may experience a few problems when configuring  TalkShop on your webserver if some of these are not defined.  Please use the TalkShop Support Forum if you require any assistance..
  • Where can I get the TalkShop scripts?
 The latest release of the TalkShop scripts can be downloaded from the following address:

http://www.spiceisle.com/upload/talkshop/talkshop.zip

Note: TalkShop is continuously under development, and enhancements are always being added. The latest UNRELEASED version of TalkShop can be seen in operation at TalkShop Support Forum  If you'd like to get a copy of these scripts that contain all of the latest enhancements, please contact the author at brian@caribsurf.com or post a message to the support forum
  • What about support?
 The TalkShop Support Forum  was set up specifically for discussing configuration issues, as well as enhancements to the TalkShop script.  This forum is located at the following address:

http://www.spiceisle.com/talkshop/support

  • Are there any other TalkShop-based forums on the internet?
 The following sites on the internet use the TalkShop script suite, or a version thereof:

If you'd like to add a name to this list, please contact the author at brian@caribsurf.com

  • Where can I get the original WWWBoard script?
 The original WWWBoard script (and other scripts) can be downloaded from Matt Wright's website at http://worldwidemart.com/scripts/.
  • Y2K Compliancy
 TalkShop versions 2.68-1 and later are Y2K compliant.  Earlier versions will have to be patched to correct a date issue.  To patch TalkShop, open the talkshop.cgi file in a text editor, and replace the text:

   if ($year <= 99) {
      $year = "19$year";
   }
   else {
      $year = "20$year";
   }

With:

   $year = 1900 + $year