The Bulletin Board-to-Database Converter

Version 2.0.3b7 Updated December 26, 2004 (see revision notes) Compatible with Windows XP, 2000, ME, NT, 98, and 95. Click to download (Compressed .zip format. Contains the application, a sample text file of output from WebCT's Discussions tool, and Revision Notes.)

Program Overview

This freeware utility derives its name from the old WebCT® "Bulletin Board," which was later renamed the "Discussions" tool. The program converts a text file of compiled WebCT® Discussions to a format that can be opened in Microsoft Access or Excel. Once converted, the data can be easily viewed and sorted, analyzed with qualitative analysis software, or simply archived.

The program is compatible with output from WebCT® Campus Edition versions 3 and 4. It has not yet been tested with WebCT® Vista (...but inquiries about this are welcome).

See screen shots for a visual overview.

Key Features

Beginning with version 2, the BB to DB Converter has been completely rewritten to include many new features. Users can now:

1. Identify the following components for each message: message number, branch information (to track replies), author name, WebCT ID, date, time, subject, and message content. Messages are displayed in a table, with each column containing one of the above categories.
2. Hide and show columns selectively.
3. Control which columns are preserved or omitted in the final output file.
4. Sort messages on any category by clicking on the labels above each column.
5. View an individual messages in a separate window.
6. Browse messages using the up and down arrow keys.
7. Toggle between the main window and the single message window using the Tab key.
8. Select and copy all or portions of a message for pasting in other applications.
9. Omit messages from the export file using the Delete key or similar menu option.
10. Choose between 12-hour or 24-hour time formats for display and export.
11. Resize windows to help reduce scrolling.
12. Check for updates online.

Important note: Messages are truncated to 25 words in the display table to speed up screen redraw. However, the full messages are preserved and are visible in both the single message window and the final output file.

Installing the Converter

Download the compressed .zip file, unzip it, and save the application to a new folder. There is no installation program. The application can be used directly from the folder by double-clicking. Alternatively, move the program to the desktop or Applications folder and create an alias for easier access.

Directions for use

1. Enter the discussion forum and navigate to the topic from which you wish to download messages.
2. Select the messages to be downloaded using the check boxes to the left of the messages
3. Select "Compile" next to the option "Apply to selected message(s) below " to save one or more messages to a text file.
4. Start the BB Converter application.
5. Click "Import WebCT Discussions..." A dialog will appear, allowing you to select the text file.
6. View and sort the records as needed using the built-in tools (see "Key Features" above)
7. Click "Save to Text File..." The new file will be tab delimited and will contain a header with one or more of the column labels, depending on your settings in the Preferences window.
   
   Tips for opening in Access
   The converted bulletin board file is tab delimited, so check the appropriate button in the "Import Wizard." You should set the first row of data to be the header for the table. Also, you should set the data type for the "Message Content" column to "Memo," otherwise Access will truncate the messages.

Tips for opening in Excel
The converted bulletin board file is tab delimited, so check the appropriate button in the "Import Wizard." You should manually set the column data format to "Date" for the date column. For the "Time" column, change its setting from General to Text, then format that column to the 24 hour time format once all of the data has been imported.

Credits

Special thanks to Andrew Chambers, WebCT Support Coordinator at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, for his helpful input and assistance during development, and for some of the instructions on this page. Thanks, also, to Joseph Rézeau from the Université Rennes 2 in France for his valuable suggestions, and to Kandanai Chotipunsopan for his work on the initial version of the program.

Copyright, Disclaimer, and Release of Liability

The Bulletin Board-to-Database Converter, copyright © 2003-2005 Spooner Instructional Technologies, Inc.

WebCT® is a registered trademark of WebCT Inc.

Although every attempt has been made to ensure compatibility with WebCT® and Microsoft Windows® operating systems, users should realize that they use this software at their own risk. In other words, the Bulletin Board-to-Database Converter is provided "as is." Spooner Instructional Technologies, Inc. makes no warranty, express or implied, as to the operation of this software, or its suitability for any task. Spooner Instructional Technologies, Inc. accepts no liability for any damages that occur through the use or misuse of this product. WebCT Inc. is not affiliated with this product in any way, and accepts no responsibility for its performance.

This software is donated freely to the community of WebCT developers. You may use it, copy it, and distribute it freely, but you may not modify the application in any way, charge for it, or include it in another package (software, shareware collection, book, magazine, etc.) without written permission of the author.

Please report any bugs or feature requests to the author:

Craig Spooner
Spooner Instructional Technologies, Inc.

Enjoy!