Community Spaces

Topic-based forums for community discussions

What are Community Spaces?

Community Spaces are topic-based forums where members can create posts, engage in discussions, comment, and vote on content. Think of them as organized conversation areas where you can share ideas, ask questions, and build knowledge together with other members.

Viewing Community Spaces

Accessing the Community

Click on Community in the main navigation to view all available spaces. You'll see:

  • A list of all spaces in the left sidebar
  • The selected space's posts in the main area
  • Filter options to narrow down posts
  • A search bar to find specific content

Browsing Spaces

Each space displays:

  • Name and description - What the space is about
  • Member count - How many members have joined
  • Post count - How active the space is

Joining a Space

To participate in a space, you need to join it first:

  1. Click on the space name in the sidebar
  2. Click the "Join Space" button at the top
  3. You can now create posts and interact with content in that space

To leave a space, click the "Leave Space" button. Note that you won't be able to create new posts after leaving, but existing posts remain visible.

Creating Posts

How to Create a Post

  1. Make sure you've joined the space where you want to post
  2. Click the "New Post" button
  3. Enter a title for your post
  4. Write your content using the rich text editor
  5. (Optional) Add categories or age group tags
  6. Click "Create Post"

Rich Text Formatting

The post editor supports rich formatting:

  • Bold, italic, and underline text
  • Headings and subheadings
  • Bulleted and numbered lists
  • Links to external content

Categories and Age Groups

When creating a post, you can add categories and age group tags to help others find relevant content:

  • Categories - Topic classifications set by your account admin
  • Age Groups - Target audience age ranges

These tags make it easier for members to filter posts and find what they're interested in.

Interacting with Posts

Reading Posts

Click on any post title to view the full content. You'll see:

  • The complete post text
  • Author information and post date
  • Vote count and voting buttons
  • All comments on the post
  • Categories and tags

Voting on Posts

Show appreciation or agreement with a post by voting:

  • Click the Vote button to add your vote
  • Click Unvote to remove your vote
  • The vote count shows how many members found the post valuable

Commenting on Posts

Join the conversation by adding comments:

  1. Scroll to the bottom of the post
  2. Type your comment in the text area
  3. Use rich text formatting just like in posts
  4. Click "Add Comment"

Editing Comments

You can edit your own comments after posting:

  1. Find your comment in the list
  2. Click the Edit button (three dots menu)
  3. Make your changes
  4. Click "Update Comment"

Deleting Comments

To remove a comment you created:

  1. Click the Delete option in the three dots menu
  2. Confirm the deletion
  3. The comment will be permanently removed

Managing Your Posts

Editing Posts

If you created a post, you can edit it:

  1. Open the post you want to edit
  2. Click the Edit button
  3. Make your changes to the title or content
  4. Update categories or tags if needed
  5. Click "Update Post"

Deleting Posts

To remove a post you created:

  1. Open the post
  2. Click the Delete button
  3. Confirm the deletion

Note: Deleting a post also removes all its comments. This action cannot be undone.

Searching and Filtering

Search Posts

Use the search bar at the top of the community page to find specific posts:

  • Type keywords or phrases
  • Search looks through post titles and content
  • Results update as you type

Filter by Category

Narrow down posts by selecting a category from the filter dropdown. Only posts tagged with that category will appear.

Filter by Age Group

Similarly, you can filter posts by age group to see content relevant to specific age ranges.

Combine Filters

You can use search and filters together to find exactly what you're looking for. For example, search for "gardening" and filter by a specific category.

Creating Your Own Space

Admin/Owner Only: If you have the appropriate permissions, you can create new spaces for your account.

How to Create a Space

  1. Go to the Community page
  2. Click "New Space"
  3. Enter a name and description
  4. Click "Create Space"

Managing Spaces

As a space creator or account admin, you can:

  • Edit the space name and description
  • Delete the space (removes all posts and comments)
  • Moderate posts and comments

Best Practices

Creating Quality Posts

  • Use clear, descriptive titles
  • Provide context and details in your content
  • Use appropriate categories and tags
  • Proofread before posting
  • Be respectful and constructive

Engaging with Others

  • Vote on posts you find valuable
  • Leave thoughtful comments
  • Follow up on your own posts and respond to comments

Finding Content

  • Use filters to browse specific topics
  • Search for keywords to find related discussions
  • Join multiple spaces that interest you
  • Check back regularly for new posts

Tips and Shortcuts

  • Click on a member's name to view their profile
  • Use the Activity feed to see recent posts across all spaces
  • Posts update in real-time - no need to refresh
  • Your joined spaces persist as you navigate the platform

Troubleshooting

Can't Create a Post?

Make sure you've joined the space first. Only space members can create posts.

Can't See a Space?

All spaces are public and visible to members. If you can't see a space, try refreshing the page or clearing any active filters.

Post Not Appearing?

Check that you're viewing the correct space. You may need to clear any active filters or search terms.