MESSAGE BOARD WITNESSING
Message boards can be described as webpages that allow you to post a message on a topic or add replies to messages that others have others have left on the board.
There are many types of online message boards on which a wide range of discussions are going on from religion to war, cars, food etc.
Message board types include:
· Bulletin boards
· Forum
· Guest Books
Examples include:
· messages.yahoo.com/index.html
· www.msnbc.com/news/INTERACTFront.asp
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MESSAGE BOARDS AND CHAT ROOM DISCUSSIONS
Message boards allow members to participate in on-going, in-depth discussions. Message board postings are longer and remain visible allowing for richer exchanges to take place. Chat room discussions on the other hand are brief and visible only to the current participants.
USING THE MESSAGE BOARD
To read and post messages you:
· Visit a message board site e.g. messages.yahoo.com.
· Most sites require you to register and choose an identity name. This will be your public identity for your messages.
· Choose a category for the type of message you which to read or post.
· To post a message you need to sign in with your user name. After your e-mail address has been verified you’re free to post messages by clicking on ‘Reply’ or ‘Post’ link.
· Fill in the subject header for your message, type your message and click ‘Post Message’.
· Make sure messages you post are relevant to the subject being discussed.
· You can then add a few words of witnessing and suggest some websites they can visit. E.g. should you be looking at a board about fear or war or the end of the world etc. you could express yourself and then write something like “Here is a site that tells what Jesus has to say about the end of d world, when it will happen and how: http:www.blessitt.com/followup/Jesusandtheend.html.
· Your message will be open for many to view and respond to. You can give your e-mail address should you want a direct response
WRITING A GOOD MESSAGE
· Be detailed. Include your opinion and also the reason why you feel that way in an objective and truthful manner.
· Stay on the topic. Comments that are not related to the topic being discussed can be annoying to other users.
· Do not reveal anything you wouldn’t want the world to know. Be smart.