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(JD) · Mar 26, 2011 at 01:07 PM

Inserting a Poll into a thread can be fun!

Note: Only the OP --originating poster-- can make a Poll attached to the thread.

You may want to write out your poll details on a piece of paper first, to help you keep track of what you want. Decide what your poll question will be, and what choices for answers you will give the members.

Here's how:

At the very bottom of every
Post New Thread page
you'll see this:

Quote:

Post a Poll
_Yes, post a poll with this thread
Number of poll options: ## (Maximum: 30)

Check off x Yes, post a poll with this thread.

Now, decide how many options you are going to create. This asks how many different choices for answers will you give? It's difficult to know this at the very beginning so if you aren't sure, go with the default; there is an option to change this once inside the program.

(At the top of the form page it gives a window with the # of options, change the number and then select "Update Options".)

Note: Decide what your main question is, for the Poll title. You could ask a question (Should I go to college?) i.e. and give (4) reply options: Yes, No, IDK, Maybe.

or like mine, just state a Topic and allow the replies to make the statements: topic: (Creating Polls) choices: (I have answered polls at PC; I have not answered a poll at PC; I have created a poll at PC; I have not created a poll at PC; I am too afraid to create a poll; I will now try to create a poll; I will not create any polls; I think polls are fun; I think polls are a waste of time) ---or whatever I actually decide to make as choices...

So if I were using this sample of mine I would say I want 9 options.

Before you move on to create your poll, you'll want to type your post into the regular text box, like you normally would for a thread without a poll attached. (For your example, you might give the details as to why you are trying to decide whether to go to college or not.)

You might also wish to check the POLL icon (under "Post Icons) ... it's the one I've placed at the top with the Subject line of the thread. It looks like this:

Right now the program changes this icon into a more modern one, I'm unsure if you don't select the poll icon if you get this, so check it anyway.

Then, "Submit New Thread." This does create the post itself, but don't worry, it will then take you to the form to create your poll.

Quote:

Poll Question:
Number of poll options 4
Maximum: 30
Poll Options
Option 1:
Option 2:
Option 3:
Option 4:
Remember to keep the poll options short and to the point
Poll Timeout
If you would like this poll to automatically close after a period of time, enter a number of days here.
Set this to 0 if you would like the poll to remain open indefinitely.
Close poll days after 03-26-2011

You see at the bottom there you have an option of how long to leave the poll open. "Poll Timeout". For example, is it "time valued" and only replies made today will be of value (you have to call the college tomorrow for forms), or is it "ongoing" in that you will not close the poll, but allow members to reply for months to come? (Such as mine will be.)

If you set a date for poll closing, there will also be an option to hide the poll results until the poll is closed.

I recall one fun poll here was a long-time member's who wanted members here to choose the name of her new dog. She gave a whole list of options/choices of names and we all chose/checked off our favorite one. The actual result of the poll--which name received the most votes-- she hid until the poll ended a week or two later. It created quite a stir as we came on site to view the results at the same time when the poll results were automatically revealed!

She did give the dog the name that received the most poll votes.

Next to the numbers in the form, for options, are single-line windows to type in the choices you are giving them. One choice per line, number. That's easy!

You see the

Quote:

30 maximum

That means that you can make a poll with 30 different response choices for your reader to use.

You will also be asked how many choices a person can check.

Going back to my example... a person could have more than one answer for me. They could check: I have never answered a poll at PC, I will try now to create a poll., I've never created a poll, I think polls are fun.

In this example, I would then want to allow each member 4 responses. (Such as they've answered, but haven't tried, they will try now, and they think they're fun.) So while they could check opposing replies (I have ... and I have not...) most members wouldn't do that.

Here's what my example would show:

Quote:

Poll Question: Creating polls
Number of poll options 9
Maximum: 30
Poll Options
Option 1: I have answered a poll at PC
Option 2: I have not answered a poll at PC
Option 3: I have created a poll at PC
Option 4: I have not created a poll at PC
Option 5: I am too afraid to create a poll
Option 6: I will now try to create a poll
Option 7: I will not create any polls
Option 8: I think polls are a waste of time
Option 9: I think polls are fun
Remember to keep the poll options short and to the point
Poll Timeout
If you would like this poll to automatically close after a period of time, enter a number of days here.
Set this to 0 if you would like the poll to remain open indefinitely.
Close poll days after 03-26-2011

Miscellaneous Options
Allow multiple choice: Give users the ability to select more than one answer
Make votes public: Displays all users who voted, and what choice they voted for.
Automatically parse links in text

I have chosen to allow more than one vote, and to display the information of the vote itself. You might choose to not check to make the votes public, especially if you think the choices are very personal. If too personal and you're going to expose the members, they won't reply, defeating the purpose of your poll in the first place.

Read each option the form gives you, and be sure to submit it.
Now wait for the members to answer your poll!

(JD)