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		  <title type="text">IBPSA-England Talk - Frequently Asked Questions</title>
		  <updated>2010-09-07T18:57:45-07:00</updated>
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		  <entry>
		<title>Where can I find weather data?</title>
		<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/57/" type="application/xhtml+xml" hreflang="en"/>
		<id>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/57/</id>
		<published>2008-01-08T11:51:09-08:00</published>
		<updated>2008-01-08T11:51:09-08:00</updated>
		<author>
			<name>d.mumovic</name>
			<uri>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/account/3/</uri>
		</author>
		<summary type="text" xml:lang="en">
			Weather data is necessary in many Building Simulation activities. There are a number of useful sources of both synoptic and hourly climate data. Synoptic data is provided in design guides such as the ...
		</summary>
		<content type="html">
			<![CDATA[Weather data is necessary in many Building Simulation activities. There are a number of useful sources of both synoptic and hourly climate data. Synoptic data is provided in design guides such as the CIBSE Design Guide A and J. Hourly data, in various forms, is available for many hundreds of sites world-wide. General guidance is available at: http://gundog.lbl.gov/dirsoft/d2weather.html   A useful source of hourly climate data in the IWEC format is http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energyplus/cfm/weather_data.cfm . TMY2 format data is available from http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/old_data/nsrdb/tmy2. <br /> <br />Weather data can also be purchased from national weather organisations. Weather from the UK met office has been processed for building simulation purposes by CIBSE and can be obtained by purchase of CIBSE Guide J.]]>
		</content>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<title>Where can I get information about Building Simulation tools?</title>
		<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/56/" type="application/xhtml+xml" hreflang="en"/>
		<id>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/56/</id>
		<published>2008-01-08T11:50:25-08:00</published>
		<updated>2008-01-08T11:50:25-08:00</updated>
		<author>
			<name>d.mumovic</name>
			<uri>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/account/3/</uri>
		</author>
		<summary type="text" xml:lang="en">
			A useful source of information about Building Simulation tools is the â€˜Building Energy Software Tools Directoryâ€™ hosted by the US DOE at: ...
		</summary>
		<content type="html">
			<![CDATA[A useful source of information about Building Simulation tools is the â€˜Building Energy Software Tools Directoryâ€™ hosted by the US DOE at: http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/tools_directory/]]>
		</content>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<title>What Publications deal with Building Simulation?</title>
		<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/55/" type="application/xhtml+xml" hreflang="en"/>
		<id>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/55/</id>
		<published>2008-01-08T11:49:47-08:00</published>
		<updated>2008-01-08T11:49:47-08:00</updated>
		<author>
			<name>d.mumovic</name>
			<uri>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/account/3/</uri>
		</author>
		<summary type="text" xml:lang="en">
			Journals that include papers that discuss Building Simulation research and application include:
The Journal of Building Performance Simulation (IBPSAâ€™s official journal)
Building ...
		</summary>
		<content type="html">
			<![CDATA[Journals that include papers that discuss Building Simulation research and application include:<br />The Journal of Building Performance Simulation (IBPSAâ€™s official journal)<br />Building Simulation<br />Buildings and Environment<br />Energy and Buildings<br />International Journal of Ventilation<br />ASHRAE Transactions<br />Int J. of HVAC and R Research<br />Building Services Engineering Research and Technology<br />Lighting Research and Technology<br /><br />A number of magazine publications such as â€˜Building Services Journalâ€™ published by CIBSE and ASHARE Journal often have articles on Building Simulation and its applications.]]>
		</content>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<title>What other organisations deal with Building Simulation?</title>
		<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/54/" type="application/xhtml+xml" hreflang="en"/>
		<id>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/54/</id>
		<published>2008-01-08T11:49:05-08:00</published>
		<updated>2008-01-08T11:49:05-08:00</updated>
		<author>
			<name>d.mumovic</name>
			<uri>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/account/3/</uri>
		</author>
		<summary type="text" xml:lang="en">
			Professional Engineering organisations that deal with HVAC and other Building Services have members with interests in Building Simulation, facilitate relevant interest groups and technical ...
		</summary>
		<content type="html">
			<![CDATA[Professional Engineering organisations that deal with HVAC and other Building Services have members with interests in Building Simulation, facilitate relevant interest groups and technical committees, and provide sources of information. Such organisations include ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Ventilating and Air-conditioning Engineers) and CIBSE (Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers) in the UK. ASHRAE publishes information about Energy Simulation in its â€˜Handbook of Fundamentalsâ€™. CIBSE has produced a useful document â€˜Building Energy and Environmental Modelling Applications Manual AM11â€™]]>
		</content>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<title>What Building Simulation related conferences are organised?</title>
		<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/53/" type="application/xhtml+xml" hreflang="en"/>
		<id>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/53/</id>
		<published>2008-01-08T11:48:21-08:00</published>
		<updated>2008-01-08T11:48:21-08:00</updated>
		<author>
			<name>d.mumovic</name>
			<uri>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/account/3/</uri>
		</author>
		<summary type="text" xml:lang="en">
			The international IBPSA organises bi-annual international â€˜BUILDING SIMULATIONâ€™ conferences. Each international conference is organised by a regional affiliate. The most recent ...
		</summary>
		<content type="html">
			<![CDATA[The international IBPSA organises bi-annual international â€˜BUILDING SIMULATIONâ€™ conferences. Each international conference is organised by a regional affiliate. The most recent conference in this series was â€˜BUILDING SIMULATION-07â€™ in Beijing, China. In addition to these bi-annual conferences, regional affiliates sometimes organise their own national conferences. Past regional conferences include â€˜Build SIMâ€™, â€˜BauSIM 2006â€™ and â€˜IBPSA Australasia 2006â€™. Other regular conferences that include sessions relating to Building Simulation include CLIMA2000, Indoor Air and ROOMVENT. You can find information about upcoming conferences at the IBPSA website www.ibpsa.org.]]>
		</content>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<title>What is lighting and daylight simulation?</title>
		<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/52/" type="application/xhtml+xml" hreflang="en"/>
		<id>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/52/</id>
		<published>2008-01-08T11:47:32-08:00</published>
		<updated>2008-01-08T11:47:32-08:00</updated>
		<author>
			<name>d.mumovic</name>
			<uri>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/account/3/</uri>
		</author>
		<summary type="text" xml:lang="en">
			Building occupants are very sensitive to the levels, distribution and dynamics of artificial and natural. Simulation of the behaviour of light in buildings can be important to architects and ...
		</summary>
		<content type="html">
			<![CDATA[Building occupants are very sensitive to the levels, distribution and dynamics of artificial and natural. Simulation of the behaviour of light in buildings can be important to architects and engineers. Lighting simulation (of both natural and artificial light) can be used to give both qualitative impressions of building spaces and, more importantly, quantitative data that can be used to evaluate the buildings response to solar irradiation. Modern lighting simulation methods are capable of capturing the effect of complex reflections of light from multiple natural and artificial sources as well as the effects of ambient light. Lighting simulation methods can be used to capture representative conditions at a particular moment, under artificial sky conditions and annual solar energy distributions in and around a building.]]>
		</content>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<title>What is Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)?</title>
		<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/51/" type="application/xhtml+xml" hreflang="en"/>
		<id>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/51/</id>
		<published>2008-01-08T11:46:45-08:00</published>
		<updated>2008-01-08T11:46:45-08:00</updated>
		<author>
			<name>d.mumovic</name>
			<uri>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/account/3/</uri>
		</author>
		<summary type="text" xml:lang="en">
			Some Building Simulation tools are efficient at calculating average room temperatures for every hour of the year. This does not provide information about how air flows and temperatures vary between ...
		</summary>
		<content type="html">
			<![CDATA[Some Building Simulation tools are efficient at calculating average room temperatures for every hour of the year. This does not provide information about how air flows and temperatures vary between one part of a room and another. CFD is used to calculate air velocities, temperatures and contaminant distribution at any point in the room. This may be of particular interest when wanting to study the behaviour of air diffusers, passive ventilation openings, thermal stratification, drafts and local comfort conditions. The fundamental equations of fluid flow and heat transport are solved in CFD calculations. This requires considerable computing power. This often means it is only feasible to calculate room temperatures and flows in this way at a particular point in time. In other words a â€˜snap shotâ€™ of the room behaviour is simulated.]]>
		</content>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<title>What is inter-zone airflow simulation?</title>
		<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/50/" type="application/xhtml+xml" hreflang="en"/>
		<id>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/50/</id>
		<published>2008-01-08T11:45:58-08:00</published>
		<updated>2008-01-08T11:45:58-08:00</updated>
		<author>
			<name>d.mumovic</name>
			<uri>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/account/3/</uri>
		</author>
		<summary type="text" xml:lang="en">
			In some situations it is important to know the effect of bulk air flow from one room to another and through the whole building that may be driven by wind and buoyancy effects. Inter-zone airflow ...
		</summary>
		<content type="html">
			<![CDATA[In some situations it is important to know the effect of bulk air flow from one room to another and through the whole building that may be driven by wind and buoyancy effects. Inter-zone airflow models and tools are used to calculate the air pressures and buoyancy forces in order to quantify such air flows and how they vary over time. This also allows the flow of contaminants such as carbon dioxide and even smoke to be simulated. Such simulation methods can be used in conjunction with energy simulation tools (see 2.2) to estimate the combined effects of building heat transfer and bulk air flow throughout the year.]]>
		</content>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<title>What is Building Energy Simulation?</title>
		<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/49/" type="application/xhtml+xml" hreflang="en"/>
		<id>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/49/</id>
		<published>2008-01-08T11:45:14-08:00</published>
		<updated>2008-01-08T11:45:14-08:00</updated>
		<author>
			<name>d.mumovic</name>
			<uri>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/account/3/</uri>
		</author>
		<summary type="text" xml:lang="en">
			Building Energy Simulation (or Dynamic Thermal Simulation) tools are used to study the heat transfer and energy flows that occur during the buildings operation. Heat transfer and bulk fluid flow ...
		</summary>
		<content type="html">
			<![CDATA[Building Energy Simulation (or Dynamic Thermal Simulation) tools are used to study the heat transfer and energy flows that occur during the buildings operation. Heat transfer and bulk fluid flow between the building and the internal and external environments is calculated along with the energy and fluid flow in the HVAC systems and equipment. The outputs of most interest are usually peak heating and cooling demands, room temperatures, overall energy demands, emissions and energy costs. Calculations are often carried out using annual operating and climate data.]]>
		</content>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<title>What is meant by Building Simulation?</title>
		<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/48/" type="application/xhtml+xml" hreflang="en"/>
		<id>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/48/</id>
		<published>2008-01-08T11:44:18-08:00</published>
		<updated>2008-01-08T11:44:18-08:00</updated>
		<author>
			<name>d.mumovic</name>
			<uri>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/account/3/</uri>
		</author>
		<summary type="text" xml:lang="en">
			The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word â€˜simulationâ€™ as follows,

â€œThe technique of imitating the behaviour of some situation or process (whether economic, military, ...
		</summary>
		<content type="html">
			<![CDATA[The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word â€˜simulationâ€™ as follows,<br /><br />â€œThe technique of imitating the behaviour of some situation or process (whether economic, military, mechanical, etc.) by means of a suitably analogous situation or apparatusâ€<br /><br />In the various forms of Building Simulation we seek to mimic the thermal, fluid, electrical or lighting processes that occur during building use. Our â€˜apparatusâ€™ for doing this are computer Building Simulation tools. There is an ever widening range of types of Building Simulation. The simulation of building physical processes such as smoke and fire, contaminant flow, elevators and escalators, electrical distribution systems and many others are also of interest to IBPSA members. You can find an introduction to Building Simulation along with a lot of other information at the Wiki â€˜Simupediaâ€™ developed by IBPSA-Germany at http://129.187.44.165/index.php/Simupedia/en]]>
		</content>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<title>Can commercial organisations be involved?</title>
		<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/47/" type="application/xhtml+xml" hreflang="en"/>
		<id>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/47/</id>
		<published>2008-01-08T11:43:21-08:00</published>
		<updated>2008-01-08T11:43:21-08:00</updated>
		<author>
			<name>d.mumovic</name>
			<uri>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/account/3/</uri>
		</author>
		<summary type="text" xml:lang="en">
			In addition to individual members the Association welcomes corporate members.
All corporate members have the possibility to list their organizations building simulation services on the ...
		</summary>
		<content type="html">
			<![CDATA[In addition to individual members the Association welcomes corporate members.<br />All corporate members have the possibility to list their organizations building simulation services on the IBPSA-Englandâ€™s web site. Corporate members are expected to encourage and support attendance of their employees at the associations meetings and are invited to send up to three representatives.]]>
		</content>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<title>How can I contribute to the organisation?</title>
		<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/46/" type="application/xhtml+xml" hreflang="en"/>
		<id>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/46/</id>
		<published>2008-01-08T11:42:33-08:00</published>
		<updated>2008-01-08T11:42:33-08:00</updated>
		<author>
			<name>d.mumovic</name>
			<uri>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/account/3/</uri>
		</author>
		<summary type="text" xml:lang="en">
			Members can participate in a number of ways. The associationâ€™s health depends of the participation of members, and support for its meeting activities in particular. In addition to attending ...
		</summary>
		<content type="html">
			<![CDATA[Members can participate in a number of ways. The associationâ€™s health depends of the participation of members, and support for its meeting activities in particular. In addition to attending meetings, individuals are encouraged to join the discussion board activities at this website. The association needs members who are able to participate in meetings by organising hospitality, publicity and facilities. Members are able to join the board according to the procedure set out in the Association Charter.]]>
		</content>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<title>How do I become a member of IBPSA-England?</title>
		<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/45/" type="application/xhtml+xml" hreflang="en"/>
		<id>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/45/</id>
		<published>2008-01-08T11:41:46-08:00</published>
		<updated>2008-01-08T11:41:46-08:00</updated>
		<author>
			<name>d.mumovic</name>
			<uri>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/account/3/</uri>
		</author>
		<summary type="text" xml:lang="en">
			IBPSA-England welcomes all those with an interest in Building Simulation in its various forms and its application to improvement of the built environment. If you wish to become a member of ...
		</summary>
		<content type="html">
			<![CDATA[IBPSA-England welcomes all those with an interest in Building Simulation in its various forms and its application to improvement of the built environment. If you wish to become a member of IBPSA-England you can do so by registering at this website. When you become a member of IBPSA-England you are also considered a member of the international IBPSA organisation. There are no membership fees at the current time.]]>
		</content>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<title>What does the association do?</title>
		<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/44/" type="application/xhtml+xml" hreflang="en"/>
		<id>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/44/</id>
		<published>2008-01-08T11:40:47-08:00</published>
		<updated>2008-01-08T11:40:47-08:00</updated>
		<author>
			<name>d.mumovic</name>
			<uri>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/account/3/</uri>
		</author>
		<summary type="text" xml:lang="en">
			The primary activity of the association is to organise events with the aim of advancing the art and science of building simulation and its application in England. These events are intended, inform, ...
		</summary>
		<content type="html">
			<![CDATA[The primary activity of the association is to organise events with the aim of advancing the art and science of building simulation and its application in England. These events are intended, inform, inspire and encourage building simulation activity and to facilitate communication between members and with the wider community.]]>
		</content>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<title>How is IBPSA-England organised?</title>
		<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/43/" type="application/xhtml+xml" hreflang="en"/>
		<id>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/43/</id>
		<published>2008-01-08T11:40:02-08:00</published>
		<updated>2008-01-08T11:40:02-08:00</updated>
		<author>
			<name>d.mumovic</name>
			<uri>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/account/3/</uri>
		</author>
		<summary type="text" xml:lang="en">
			The association is simply organised as a body of members and a board of directors. The officers of the association are the chair, vice chair and secretary of the board. You can find further details ...
		</summary>
		<content type="html">
			<![CDATA[The association is simply organised as a body of members and a board of directors. The officers of the association are the chair, vice chair and secretary of the board. You can find further details of the associationâ€™s organisation and operation in the Charter document available elsewhere on this website.]]>
		</content>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<title>What are the aims of IBPSA-England?</title>
		<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/42/" type="application/xhtml+xml" hreflang="en"/>
		<id>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/42/</id>
		<published>2008-01-08T11:39:17-08:00</published>
		<updated>2008-01-08T11:39:17-08:00</updated>
		<author>
			<name>d.mumovic</name>
			<uri>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/account/3/</uri>
		</author>
		<summary type="text" xml:lang="en">
			IBPSA-Englandâ€™s objective is to provide a forum for the exchange of information between researchers, developers and practitioners with an interest in building simulation in its various forms. ...
		</summary>
		<content type="html">
			<![CDATA[IBPSA-Englandâ€™s objective is to provide a forum for the exchange of information between researchers, developers and practitioners with an interest in building simulation in its various forms. The organisation is founded to advance and promote the science and technology of Building Performance Simulation in order to improve the design, construction, operation, maintenance and refurbishment of buildings.]]>
		</content>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<title>What are IBPSA and IBPSA-England?</title>
		<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/41/" type="application/xhtml+xml" hreflang="en"/>
		<id>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/41/</id>
		<published>2008-01-08T11:38:03-08:00</published>
		<updated>2008-01-08T11:38:03-08:00</updated>
		<author>
			<name>d.mumovic</name>
			<uri>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/account/3/</uri>
		</author>
		<summary type="text" xml:lang="en">
			IBPSA (the International Building Performance Simulation Association) is a non-profit international society of building performance simulation researchers, developers and practitioners dedicated to ...
		</summary>
		<content type="html">
			<![CDATA[IBPSA (the International Building Performance Simulation Association) is a non-profit international society of building performance simulation researchers, developers and practitioners dedicated to improving the built environment. IBPSA consists primarily of a number of national affiliates. It is these regional affiliates that are the primary organisers of the associationâ€™s activities. IBPSA has a small international board of directors. Each of the regional affiliates is represented on the board. The regional affiliate for England is known as â€˜IBPSA-Englandâ€™. You can find more information about IBPSA at www.ibpsa.org. IBPSA and IBPSA-England operates entirely on a volunteer basis.]]>
		</content>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<title>IBPSA-England Talk: Rules of conduct and FAQs about this forum</title>
		<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/21/" type="application/xhtml+xml" hreflang="en"/>
		<id>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/discussion/21/</id>
		<published>2006-11-13T00:56:16-08:00</published>
		<updated>2006-11-13T00:56:16-08:00</updated>
		<author>
			<name>perfectlounge</name>
			<uri>http://www.ibpsa-england.org/talk/account/1/</uri>
		</author>
		<summary type="text" xml:lang="en">
			IBPSA-England Talk: Rules of conduct

We hope that you find the time you spend in IBPSA-England Talk to be useful and informative. To ensure that everyone has the best possible experience, we've ...
		</summary>
		<content type="html">
			<![CDATA[<strong>IBPSA-England Talk: Rules of conduct</strong><br /><br />We hope that you find the time you spend in IBPSA-England Talk to be useful and informative. To ensure that everyone has the best possible experience, we've established a few guidelines. Please take a moment to read them, and thank you for participating in a IBPSA-England Online Community.<br /><br /><strong>Expectations of service</strong><br /><br />IBPSA-England's Role: IBPSA-England does not offer formal support for the communities you'll find here. Instead, our role is to provide a platform for people who want to take advantage of the global community of building simulation users and developers. IBPSA-England may monitor content to ensure the accuracy of the information you'll find, but any information provided by IBPSA-England staff is offered "AS IS" with no warranties, and no rights are conferred. You assume all risk for your use.<br /><br />IBPSA-England MVPs: IBPSA-England MVPs (Most Valuable Professionals) volunteer technical answers and expertise in IBPSA-England Talk. IBPSA-England MVPs come from a wide range of backgrounds and professions. All share a willingness to give their time, expertise, and advice to enhance the technical skills of others. Note that IBPSA-England MVPs are volunteers and therefore have no expectations of MVPs beyond the expectations of courtesy and professionalism. IBPSA-England MVPs will present their view regularly in the FAQ section. <br /><br /><strong>Rules of conduct</strong><br /><br />Appropriate Language: The purpose of IBPSA-England Talk is to exchange technical information and expertise about building simulation. Please avoid personal attacks, slurs, and profanity in your interactions.<br /><br />Relevance to Topics: Please make sure that your postings in discussion groups and chats are relevant to the subject at hand. It is normal for some topics to drift from the stated subject. However, to ensure maximum benefit for everyone, we encourage you to keep your postings as close to the subject as possible.<br />Advertising/Solicitation: The IBPSA-England Talk was created as a forum for providing peer-to-peer assistance on building simulation. We ask that you refrain from posting advertisements or solicitations that do not pertain directly to the intended use and purpose of the discussion group.<br />Confidentiality: Please keep in mind that IBPSA-England Talk is public space, so don't post anything that you don't want the world to see. Credit card numbers, product keys, and other confidential information should not be posted to a discussion group.<br /><br />Also useful: <strong>FAQs about this forum</strong><br />(will be updated occasionally)<br /><br />Account<br />You can display and edit your own user profile under the Account page tab. This page also allows you to change your forum preferences, choose other display styles, etc. Your user profile is visible to other members of your forum. All other aspects of your account are visible online only to the forum administrator and yourself.<br /><br />Administrator<br />Each forum has at least one administrator. They have super-rights (permissions) to approve new members, assign user roles, inspect every comment in a forum (including whispers), edit comments, delete discussions, etc. (An administrator may share some of their rights with other members.)<br /><br />Category<br />Each discussion must be assigned to a category when first started. Vanilla comes with a few default categories. Administrators may create new categories or delete existing categories. A deleted category must have a replacement category. Comments from the deleted category are moved automatically to the replacement category.<br /><br />Closed Discussions<br />An administrator can end discussions. No further comments can be added to a closed discussion, unless an administrator gives that right to a specific user role. A closed discussion is flagged by the label 'Closed' in the main discussion list. Closed discussions can be read normally or re-opened for more comments by an administrator.<br /><br />Comments<br />Each entry posted by a user - to start a discussion or reply within a discussion - is termed a 'comment'.<br /><br />Discussion<br />Each discussion contains a date-sequenced series of comments on a single topic. Comments are displayed beginning with the most recent one published. Members may start a discussion with the 'Start a new discussion' link. Other forum software often refers to a discussion as a 'thread' or 'topic'.<br /><br />Forum<br />IBPSA England TALK is a forum. A forum can support a very large number (thousands) of discussions. Forums are structured by categories and discussions within each category.<br /><br />Guests<br />By default, only registered users (members) are permitted to view a forum or post comments to it. An administrator can allow guests to view some or all of the discussions on a forum.<br /><br />Members<br />Applicants who have been approved for membership in a forum by an administrator are reassigned from the Applicant role to the role of Member. Forum users are often referred to as forum members.<br /><br />Roles<br />Each forum user is assigned to a unique role by its administrator. Your role defines the 'permissions' you have been given to carry out various functions. For instance, you might be given permission to delete discussions ... or not; to make a discussion sticky ... or not. Contact your administrator with any specific questions.<br /><br />Search<br />You may search for discussions and comments by the discussion title (topic) or the text within the comments of discussions under the Search page tab. Enter one or more keywords to narrow the search. Search results are displayed as a list with a link to the discussion found. You may also search by 'users' (member names). These searches lead to a member's user profile.<br /><br />Sign In/Sign Out<br />By default, all Vanilla forums are private to members. As a member, you must sign-in each time you visit a forum. You will probably only need to sign-out if you are using a computer in a public space shared with other users.<br /><br />Sink Discussions<br />Discussions are listed, by default, with the most recently updated discussions at the top of the page. Some forum roles may be assigned the right to 'sink' a discussion. A sinked discussion can be updated with new comments, but updates will not return the discussion to the top of the page. Instead, the discussion will 'sink' (display lower on the page) over time as other non-sinked discussions are updated.<br /><br />Sticky Discussions<br />An administrator can define a discussion as 'sticky'. Sticky discussions are always displayed at the top of the Discussions page. Stickiness can be switched on-or-off as needed.<br /><br />User Profile<br />Your profile contains personal information about yourself - your username, when you became a member, the number of your contributions to the forum, etc. This is visible to other forum users. You may optionally allow your email account to be public.]]>
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