A New Message Board a New Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

InterNACHI Launches New Message Board for Inspection Industry

Amherst, MA – Dec. 30, 2005 – The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) today released an updated version of its industry-standard message board.  Built on top of the latest forum messaging software with a number of custom visual and technical enhancements, it has already set a new benchmark for message boards.

The new system utilizes the latest in “Web 2.0” technologies such as AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) and RSS (RDF Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication).  These technologies allow InterNACHI's message board users to perform faster updates and edits and have more control over the look and feel of their posts; and with the RSS features of Microsoft’s upcoming Windows Vista, these cutting-edge technologies will become even more apparent.

“The Web is undergoing a major paradigm shift, and we’re right there with it,” said Chris Morrell, InterNACHI’s Director of IT.  “Web applications are getting closer and closer to desktop applications and the information we traditionally view on the Web is getting more and more integrated into the desktop.  That’s what AJAX and RSS are all about.”

One of the more notable features of the new message board system is its support for a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor.  Rather than typing cryptic “bbcode,” InterNACHI's message board users can simply edit their posts as if they were using a desktop application like Microsoft Word.  Not only does this allow for faster posting of formatted information (such as lists) but it also will make posts more readable.

The forum software boasts innumerable additional features and tools.  These include thread ratings, buddy and ignore lists, and multiple thread views (from traditional “linear” to the new “hybrid” mode).  Users can now attach a number of new file types (from Microsoft Word Documents to ZIP archives) to their posts, and previously supported image file types are now automatically thumbnailed to improve their download speed and space usage on the page.  Other new features include a calendar and reputation system which will both be utilized in the future.

For each new feature the system has on its front-end there are five new features on its back-end.  The system’s underpinnings include a much more robust set of forum controls and settings.  These have been used to optimize the system for its environment and its users.  Users should notice speed increases with the software’s caching system, and other performance enhancements throughout.  These new features will also allow for new sub-forums and other such improvements.

"InterNACHI insists on being the biggest and best at everything," said Nick Gromicko, Founder of InterNACHI.  "This means having the biggest and best... and that is just what this message board is."

Other features include:

  • General Features
    • Scalable solution (can handle InterNACHI's current 10,000 user load or a future 50,000 user load)
    • Powerful MySQL back-end database
    • Written in PHP which makes for a fast and efficient product
    • Advanced User Control Panel
    • Compliant with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) of 1998. 
  • General Forum Features
    • Threads
      • Thread display options - sort by, sort order, from date
      • Thread and forum subscription (notification by email optional)
      • Thread preview on mouse-over (optional)
      • Active Users viewing thread shown
      • New Post Indicator
      • Russel Ray
      • Printer Friendly versions on threads
      • Email page to a friend option
      • Similar Threads displayed on all thread views (optional)
    • Posts
      • Linear, Threaded, Hybrid display views available
      • Supports BB Code (automatic via WYSIWYG) in posts
      • Supports HTML in post (optional)
      • Smilies
      • Avatars
      • Optional WYSIWYG or standard editors for posts and Private Messages
      • Quick reply box
      • Preview post option
      • Post rating
      • User reputation
      • Polls
      • Post Reporting - report posts to moderators and administrators
      • User post count
      • Preview safe attachments
    • Members
      • Member List
      • Member Search
      • User Style picker
      • Private Messaging
      • Buddy list
      • Member Birthdays optionally shown on Forum home
    • Calendar Features
      • Supports multiple private and public calendars
      • Viewable public and private events
      • Weekly, monthly and yearly views
      • Jump to Today option
      • Add single, ranged or recurring events
      • Add all day events
      • Option to show calendar event on forum home page
      • Events for specific usergroups
      • Private events reminder
    • General
      • Who's online
      • Search 
  • User Control Panel Features
    • Editable user profile
      • This information can be viewed by other members from the member list.
      • Custom user title
      • URL home page
      • Date of birth (optional)
      • Instant messaging medium
      • Location
      • Occupation
      • Interests
      • And more custom fields
    • Profile pictures
      • Allows members to upload pictures that can be viewed in the users' profile.
    • Private Messaging
      • Pop-up notification when new PM recieved
      • Private Message Tracking (check whether your PM was read)
      • Private Message filing in custom folders
    • User Options
      • Daylight Savings options
      • Forum style chooser
      • Selection of notification types for PM, emails, etc.
      • Thread display options
      • WYSIWYG editor options
      • Language chooser
      • vCard downloads to allow the user profile to be placed into an address book
    • Attachment Management
      • View attachment statistics - shows limit and used space
      • View the attachments you have posted (link or thumbnail views available)
      • Remove attachments
    • Avatar Options
      • Admin Defined Avatars
      • Custom Avatars - upload from your own computer or specify a URL
    • General
      • View and manage subscribed threads and forums
      • Calendar event reminders for subscribed events
      • Pop-up auto-refreshing buddylist with ICQ-style alerts when new buddies come online
      • Signature Editor
      • Email and password changes require current password
      • Joinable Public User Groups