## What is BBCode?

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. You can use BBCode even if HTML is not enabled for the forum you are using. You may want to use BBCode as opposed to HTML, even if HTML is enabled for your forum, because there is less coding required and it is safer to use (incorrect coding syntax will not lead to as many problems).

### URL Hyperlinking

NEW! If BBCode is enabled in a forum, you no longer need to use the [URL] code to create a hyperlink. Simply type the complete URL in either of the following manners and the hyperlink will be created automatically:

- http://www.yourURL.com
- www.yourURL.com

Notice that you can either use the complete http:// address or shorten it to the www domain. If the site does not begin with "www", you must use the complete "http://" address. Also, you may use https and ftp URL prefixes in auto-link mode (when BBCode is ON).

The old [URL] code will still work, as detailed below. Just encase the link as shown in the following example (BBCode is in red).

    [url]www.totalgeek.org[/url]

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

    [url=http://www.totalgeek.org]totalgeek.org[/url]

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 hypelink 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).

    [email]james@totalgeek.org[/email]

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.

    Hello, [b]James[/b]
    Hello, [i]Mary[/i]

### Bullets/Lists

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

#### Unordered, bulleted list:

    [list]
    [*] This is the first bulleted item.
    [*] This is the second bulleted item.
    [/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.

#### Ordered 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:

    [list=A]
    [*] This is the first bulleted item.
    [*] This is the second bulleted item.
    [/list]

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).

    [img]http://www.yoursite.com/images/image.gif[/img]

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. Also note: some sites may disable the [img] tag support to prevent objectionable images from being viewed.

### 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).

    [QUOTE]Ask not what
    your country can do for you....
    ask what you can do for your country.[/QUOTE]

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

### Code Tag

Similar to the Quote tage, the Code tag adds some <PRE> tags to preserve formatting. This useful for displaying programming code, for instance.

    [CODE]
    #!/usr/bin/perl
    print "Content-type: text/html\n\n";
    print "Hello World!";
    [/CODE]

In the example above, the BBCode automatically blockquotes the text you reference and preserves the formatting of the coded text.

Note: 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:

- [url] www.totalgeek.org [/url] - don't put spaces between the bracketed code and the text you are applying the code to.
- [email]james@totalgeek.org[email] - the end brackets must include a forward slash ([/email])