Delete message?

[kesimmonds]

I posted a question in another forum, and very shortly afterwards found the solution. I tried to totally delete the thread, but couldn't find a way to do it, so now it sits there attracting readers who have nothing to view.
Can someone advise as to how to totally delete the thread please?

[Annie]

from the FAQ
http://www.british-genealogy.com/forums/faq.php?s=&do=search&q=deleting+post&match=all&titlesonly=0

[kesimmonds]

Yes, I tried that. It allows me to *edit* the post. When I try to delete all the fields and save the results, I get a message "The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters".
I still don't understand how to delete it totally.
Can you explain in words of one syllable or less please :)

[Annie]

Thankfully I've never had to do it ;)
once you've clicked the edit button on the first post, at the top of the box (above the edit post box) there should be the option of delete this message. Tick the box "delete message" then click the button "delete this message"

[kesimmonds]

I must have my "stupid" head on today :))
I've posted a screenshot at http://img142.imageshack.us/my.php?image=deletemessagese3.jpg
to show that I can't see any 'Delete Message' box, or am I looking in the wrong place?

'Puzzled' of Cheltenham

[busyglen]

I've just posted something and went back in to have a look. If you look at your post screen and click on `edit', a screen comes up at the top that says `Delete' and there are two buttons....one says `delete' and the other do not delete, but you have to click on the `delete' circle to do it.....if you know what I mean, as it defaults on the `do not delete'.

You also have the section underneath for reason of deletion etc.

Glenys

[kesimmonds]

Ah! Now that's interesting. I tried that on this *this* thread that I'm in now, and sure enough there is a 'delete' option.
But when I go to the thread I *want* to delete, the option doesn't appear.
Oh well.
Thanks very much anyway.

[busyglen]

It's possible that the option only lasts a short time, I shall have to look at one of my old posts....if the option doesn't appear, that would be why.

Glenys

[kesimmonds]

I just tried the same thing in the 'Test' forum, and I'm unable to get the 'Delete' option there either.

[Annie]

could it be because you have already deleted the message in the post?
try posting to yourself in the original post then deleting it

or shout for Rod ;)

[kesimmonds]

I replied to myself, and can delete my reply, but I can't delete the first post in the thread :)

[Annie]

Time to call on the boss then :)

[Annie]

It's possible that the option only lasts a short time, I shall have to look at one of my old posts....if the option doesn't appear, that would be why.

Glenys

think you are right Glenys
had a look at one of my old posts and the option isn't there

[Mythology]

Some things on forums are optional, depending on how the administrator sets it up, and I *think* the way Rod has it set up, we ordinary members can't delete a post if it's the *first* post in the thread.

The reason for this (assuming that this forum software works the same as others that I'm more familiar with) is that doing so would delete *all* posts in the thread, not just the original one, so if it was a thread with umpteen replies from other people, which may contain useful information of interest to others which they may not want deleted, allowing the original poster to delete their post would wipe those out too.

[kesimmonds]

yes, that would make sense, thanks Mythology. I've messaged Rod asking him to delete the originating message (and the one in the Test forum which I tried to see what happened.
Thanks to all for your advice and help.