Using BB Code

BBCode is a variation on the HTML tags you may already be familiar with. Basically, it allows you to add functionality or style to your message that would normally require HTML.

URL Hyperlinking

To create a hyperlink, encase the link as shown in the following example (BBCode is in red).

You can also have true hyperlinks using the [url] code. Just use the following format:

In the examples above, the BBCode automatically generates a hyperlink to the URL that is encased. It will also ensure that the link is opened in a new window when the user clicks on it. Note that the "http://" part of the URL is completely optional. In the second example above, the URL will hyperlink the text to whatever URL you provide after the equal sign. Also note that you should NOT use quotation marks inside the URL tag.

Email Links

To add a hyperlinked email address within your message, just encase the email address as shown in the following example (BBCode is in red).

In the example above, the BBCode automatically generates a hyperlink to the email address that is encased.

Bold and Italics

You can make italicized text or make text bold by encasing the applicable sections of your text with either the [b] [/b] or [i] [/i] tags, as shown below (BBCode is in red).

Bullets/Lists

You can make bulleted lists or ordered lists (by number or letter).

Unordered, bulleted list:

This produces:

• This is the first bulleted item.
• This is the second bulleted item.

Note that you must include a closing [/list] when you end each list.

Making ordered lists is just as easy. Just add either [list=A] or [list=1]. Typing [list=A] will produce a list from A to Z. Using [list=1] will produce numbered lists.

Here's an example:

This produces:

1. This is the first bulleted item.
2. This is the second bulleted item.

Adding Images

To add a graphic within your message, just encase the URL of the graphic image as shown in the following example (BBCode is in red).

In the example above, the BBCode automatically makes the graphic visible in your message. Note: the "http://" part of the URL is REQUIRED for the [img] code.

Quoting Other Messages

To reference something specific that someone has posted, just cut and paste the applicable verbiage and enclose it as shown below (BBCode is in red).

In the example above, the BBCode automatically blockquotes the text you reference.

Code Tag

Similar to the Quote tag, the Code tag adds some <PRE> tags to preserve formatting. This useful for displaying programming code, for instance. An example is given below (BBCode is in red).

In the example above, the BBCode automatically blockquotes the text you reference and preserves the formatting of the coded text. You must not use both HTML and BBCode to do the same function. Also note that the BBCode is not case-sensitive (thus, you could use [URL] or [url]).

Incorrect BBCode Usage:

- don't put spaces between the bracketed code and the text you are applying the code to.

- the end brackets must include a forward slash ([/email]).