Hi all,

We have consolidated all FAQ's into this thread. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Kathleen or Kerry.


*** Welcome: General Guidelines ***
Welcome to the Information Builders Community Forum - where developers help developers!

You are invited to share your ideas with other developers. To begin, simply select your category of interest.

PLEASE NOTE, messages which are considered inappropriate, offensive, or harassing in nature will be removed immediately. Advertisements and/or solicitations are also not permitted.

While the forums are hosted by Information Builders, this is not an official support channel. Rather, the objective is to share ideas, tips, techniques, etc. within the developer community.

To report serious product issues or a production down problem, please contact Tech Support. If you are a North American customer, you may call 1-800-736-6130 for support issues. If you are an international customer, contact your local office. Before you call, please be sure to have your information at hand. Alternatively, you can open a case via InfoResponse Online. For issues or comments regarding the site please contact us with your feedback.

Focal Point should not be regarded as an official or formal support channel, and as such, Information Builders, Inc. is not liable for any damages or losses whatsoever, whether or not attributed to the content on these forum or the use of any materials and information in the forum, whether or not posted on the forum by Information Builders, Inc. or by unaffiliated third parties.

In no event will Information Builders, Inc. be liable to any party for any reason whatsoever, whether in contract or tort, for any form of punitive, indirect, special, consequential, or incidental loss, damage, or expense (including, but not limited to, loss due to inability to obtain data, loss of business, or loss of anticipated profits) in connection with or arising out of the furnishing, functioning, or use of any information/materials of the above-referenced forum web site, even if Information Builders, Inc. has been advised of the possibility thereof.

Information Builders, Inc. does not monitor or track the accuracy of the statements posted on this Web site forum and therefore, is not responsible for any errors, typos or other information and materials that others have the ability to post on this Web site forum. Information Builders, Inc. does not moderate the forum and can not guarantee the accuracy of the statements posted on the Web site forum.

Information Builders, Inc. is not responsible for any messages or postings whatsoever. Any offensive or disparaging postings/messages, which refer to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, gender or other inappropriate matters are not acceptable on this Web site forum and will be removed. Any comments of an inappropriate nature will be deemed as a request to be removed from the Web site forum and the person(s) responsible for posting such material will lose all associated Web site forum privileges.

If you have any questions regarding the rules of this message board, please contact us immediately at focalpoint@ibi.com.



*** A Quick Start-up Guide about Focal Point: ***
1) Power Buttons: There are several standard buttons that are available on the forum pages. All of these buttons are front and center to handle the most common functions you will more than likely wish to perform:

a) Go: This is a button which allows movement throughout the entire site
b) New: Use this button to create new content in the forums such as discussions and polls. The private message option is also available via this button.
c) Find: All forum content can be searched using the “Find” button. The advance search link offers more refined searching options.
d) Notify: Available on pages which can be subscribed to via notifications, click on this button to add a subscription for a forum or topic.
e) Reply: On topic pages, this is the button to use to add a reply or comment.

2) My Space: Each member has a designated area called "My Space" where you can manage your profile, set preferences, customize notifications, manage private messages and buddies, and view the groups you belong to. All member display names are hyperlinked to their My Space pages.

3) Online Now: See who is currently visiting Focal Point. At the bottom of the forum pages, there is a running log of visitors (albeit, not all visitors since there is limited space to display all names). If you prefer to remain invisible, so that your actual name does not appear in the Online Now lists, visit your My Space and update the Preferences.

4) Views: Now you can see how many times members have read/viewed your topics.

5) Report a Private Message: Although private messages are considered private between the participating users, a user may elect to report a private message to the community administrators for whatever reason. This is the only way for an administrator, who is not actually invited to participate in a private message, to view it.

6) Link to the IB - Developer Center: Now there is a direct link to the Information Builders Developer Center page, located at the top left of each page.

7) Rate a Topic: Let us know what you think about a specific topic. This rating system will help us better identify topics of interest so we can develop campaigns, etc. For example, after reviewing contributions throughout the site we often invite members to write articles for the Focus on Developers page. Soon we'll be hosting live chat sessions and will be relying upon your input and rating systems to schedule the topics you want to discuss.



*** Forum Best Practice Tips for Everyone to Remember ***

Below are some helpful tips to help you get the most from Focal Point:

BEFORE POSTING A MESSAGE, take a couple seconds to see if your question has already been answered in a previous post. Select the "Find" link at the top of the page, enter a few keywords, and voila -- you should see a list of relevant topics. If not, then by all means start a new topic.

EDIT YOUR POST, DON'T POST A NEW ONE when you made a typo or a mistake in your original post. Simply edit the original post instead of creating a duplicate - which takes up valuable space on the board.

WHEN POSTING HTML CODETEXT, type the words [ code ] and [ /code ] before and after your code text. This way the HTML text can be displayed correctly.

DELETE YOUR POST if you changed your mind and you don't want to post that particular question/issue. If you're having second thoughts about a post, follow the steps to edit your post. At the bottom of the page there is a "Delete Message" link. Select this link, but note: if a post is the first post in the topic, deleting this post will result in the deletion of the entire topic. Also, if you found the answer to the question, please post it. Another user can benefit from your knowledge.

WHEN DISCUSSING AND/OR REFERRING SOMEONE TO INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN IB DOCUMENTATION, please avoid posting the URL to the documentation file. Instead, refer people to the topic name in the "___ chapter in the ___ manual", for example. Or, if you prefer, you can provide the DN (document number).

PLEASE UPDATE YOUR SIGNATURE to indicate the WebFOCUS versions you're currently using in development, testing and/or production environment. Since the signature line is an easy place to glance at when reading and replying to other posts, this should help to increase the rate at which solutions are provided. Of course, feel free to keep your existing signatures or add any other relevant information. The following is an example to model:

Member Name
Member Title

Prod: WebFOCUS 5.2.3 on Win 2K/IIS 6/ISAPI Mode
Test: WebFOCUS 7.1 on Win 2K/IIS 6/Weblogic 8.1/Servlet Mode


PLEASE SAY THANKS if you created a new topic and received an answer/solution, kindly thank the person who supplied it (or acknowledge that the issue has been resolved).



*** Frequently Asked HOW-TO ***

** Register for Focal Point
1. Browse to the login page: http://forums.informationbuilders.com/eve/login
2. Click on the radio button:
I am not registered on: Focal Point


3. Click on Continue (blue button).
4. Check in front of I Agree to the Terms of Service if you agree to the terms.
5. Fill in your birthday (for age verification purpose).
6. Click on Continue button.
7. Fill out the registration form. Fields with asterisk (*) are required.
Note: Registration usually takes one (1) business day to be approved. To avoid delays in approval, please fill in a complete profile with all required fields properly filled in.
8. When all fields are filled, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on Submit button.


** Login on Focal Point
1. Browse to the login page: http://forums.informationbuilders.com/eve/login
2. Click on the radio button:
I am registered on: Focal Point

3. Type in the email address (used at registration time) and password.
4. To save the login on the local computer, check in front of Remember me on this site.
This way, the login information is saved on the local computer until the user chooses to logoff.
5. Click on the Login button.


** Retrieve password
1. Browse to the login page: http://forums.informationbuilders.com/eve/login
2. Click on the link "Lost Password?" underneath the password field.
3. A new window should pop up with a field of email address. Fill in the email address you used at registration.
4. Click on Send Me My Login Info.
The password should be sent to that email address immediately.


** Update profile
1) Login to Focal Point.
2) Click on the “Go” tab on the top bar, then “Personal Zone”, then "Profile" on the left column.
3) Once there, you will see your public profile, which every registered member will see. Click on the “View/Edit Complete Profile” link on the top right, underneath the line “Welcome, your_display_name [Logout].”
4) Now you are in your complete profile, make any changes, e.g. email address, password, and any personal information.
5) Once all changes are made/added, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the Submit button.


** Update signature
1) Logon to Focal Point and go into your complete profile.
2) Scroll down the page until you see the “Signature” field.
3) Fill in the signature you want to use. Here is a sample to model:

Member Name
Member Title

Prod: WebFOCUS 5.2.3 on Win 2K/IIS 6/ISAPI Mode
Test: WebFOCUS 7.1 on Win 2K/IIS 6/Weblogic 8.1/Servlet Mode

4) Once all changes are made/added, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the Submit button.


** Browse from one forum to another (i.e. FOCUS/WebFOCUS to iWay)
There are two ways to be linked from one forum to another.
-- First way:
1) Scroll up the page and you will see IB - Developer Center => Forums.
2) Click on the Forums link.
3) You are brought to the main forum page, where you can see all forums listed.
4) Click on the forum you would like to browse, i.e. FOCUS/WebFOCUS, iWay Products, etc.
After the click, you should be taken to the chosen forum.

-- Second way:
1) Click on the Go tab on the top bar.
2) Move the cursor down to “Forum”. DO NOT CLICK ON ANYTHING YET. You should see a list of forums we currently have.
3) Slowly, move the cursor to the right and click on the forum you wish to browse.
After the click, you should be taken to the chosen forum.


** Start a new discussion
1) Go to the forum where you would like to start a new topic, for example, FOCUS/WebFOCUS http://forums.informationbuilders.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/7971057331
2) Click on the New tab on the top bar.
3) On the drop down list, click on Discussion.
4) A new window should pop up, where you can type in the subject and message.
Note: If you did not login, you will be prompt to login with email address and password. Only registered members can post new topics and make replies.
5) Once done with the message, click on the Post Now button. You may also choose whether or not to include your signature.
6) Congradulations!! You just started your new topic. The page should be automatically updated with your new topic.
7) To make any changes to your message, please follow the instructions in Edit your own message.


** Edit your own message
1) Click on the topic to be edited/updated.
2) Scroll down toward the bottom of the message until you see the folder and pencil icon, at lower right of your post. Click on the folder and pencil icon. THIS WILL ONLY WORK IF YOU ARE THE AUTHOR OF THAT POST. Then you are free to edit.
3) Once you are finished, select Post Now.


** Make a reply
1) Click on the topic where you would like to make a reply.
2) Scroll down toward the bottom of the page.
3) Click on the Reply => button (with a blue arrow), at the lower right of the last message.
4) A new window should pop up. Type in your reply in the message field.
Note: If you did not login, you will be prompt to login with email address and password. Only registered members can post new topics and make replies.
5) Once finish typing the message, click on the Post Now button.


** Post an image
Focal Point currently does not host images from regular users.
To display a image, i.e. screenshot, on the forum,
1) Upload the image file to an external FTP site (e.g. www.tinypic.com, no registration needed),
2) Post the URL to the image by either: (1) clicking on the Image URL icon and insert the URL to the image, then choose alignments (left, right, etc.); or (2) wrap the URL with tags [ IMG ]URL-goes-here[ /IMG ] .
If the image file is saved on users’ local or network drive, others will not have access to that file.


** Set notification emails
1. Login to Focal Point.
2. Click on the Go tab on the blue bar, underneath the Focal Point banner, then click Personal Zones.
3. On the left column, click on Notifications.
4. Where you see Forums, Subscribe Content, click on “Edit”, toward the right.
5. A new window should pop up with various delivery preferences.
Check “Immediate Notification by Email” and next to it “Include Replies”.
If you would like to subscribe/unsubscribe weekly digest and/or daily digest, you can also make changes accordingly here.
6. When you are done with selections, click on Update button.
7. Wait a few seconds and you should see the notification page updated with your selection.


** Change preferences, i.e. time display, profile & appearance, signature options, etc.
1. Login to Focal Point.
2. Click on the Go tab on the top bar, underneath the Focal Point banner, then click Personal Zones.
3. On the left column, click on Preferences.
4. You should see a list of preferences settings on the right window. Make any changes necessary/wanted.
5. When you are done with changes/updates, click on Submit button.


** Start a private topic, aka. Private message
There are two ways to send a private message.

-- First way: to invite one single targeted recipient to the private topic/message
If you are browsing the posts and would like to send a private message/topic to a specific member:
1) Login to Focal Point.
Note: Only registered members can send private message(s) to another registered member.
2) Browse to the post, whose author is your target recipient of private message.
2) Single left click on the author’s name, and a list of options is displayed.
3) Move the cursor downward onto the link “Invite the_member (member’s display name goes here) to a Private Topic”. Click on the link.
4) A new window should pop up. Type in a subject and message that you would like to send to the recipient.
5) Once done with your message, click on Post Now.
The page that you browse before should be automatically refreshed to display your private topic.


-- Second way: to invite single or multiple members to a private topic/message
1) Click on the New tab on the top bar, then click on Private message.
2) A new window should pop up, with two list boxes: one named My Contact and the other named Invited Members.
Note: If you did not login, you will be prompt to login with email address and password. Only registered members can send private message(s) to another registered member.
3) By default, the My Contact list is empty. To locate the person(s) whom you would like to send the message to, click on the link “Find new buddies” underneath the My Contact list box.
4) Another new window should pop up. When you see Displayed Name, type in the display name of the targeted recipient into the field, and click the Search button.
5) A list of member(s) that has the targeted display name is displayed. Check the one whom you are sending the message to, and click the Add selected members button.
6) If you would like to invite more members into your private message/topic, follow step (2) through (5).
7) Once done with adding members into My Contacts, highlight on the targeted recipient, and click the Add >> button. The selected name should appear in the Invited Members list box. Do the step for all targeted names.
To remove anyone from the Invited Members list box, highlight in the Invited Members list box, and click the <8) Once all selection is done, click on Invite Members, at the lower right corner of Invited Members list box.
9) The page should be refreshed automatically for you to type in a subject and your message.
10) Once done with your message, click on Post Now.
The page should be refreshed to display your private topic.


** Read private topics/messages
By default, once you login to Focal Point, the top bar should be displayed with an extra tab notifying that you have new incoming private messages. Click on the *New PM tab and it will take you to the new private message.
To review previous private topics/messages,
1) Click on the Go tab on the top bar. Then click on Personal Zone.
2) On the left column, click on Private Messaging.
A list of previous private topics/messages is displayed.


Thanks everyone!!

Cheers,

Kerry

This message has been edited. Last edited by: kerry,

Kerry Zhan
Focal Point Moderator
Information Builders, Inc.

Kerry,

Is there a way to upload a document to a post. this would faciltate sending screen prints, error messages, etc. Like a Word file.

Upload a screen print to www.tinypic.com (ITS FREE) and then add a link to the screen print in your post.

Hi Rick,

For security purpose and storage concerns, right now you cannot upload files to this board. Sorry.

However, to show a screenshot, as Mickey suggested (many thanks to Mickey ), you can upload the image to www.tinypic.com, then in your post wrap it with the [img] tag.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Kerry

Well unfortunately for me..and probably others...My Company blocks that website as not for business purposes.