In recent versions of Discus and Discus Professional using newer skins, the following message may appear next to a lock icon in the user interface of the board:

Closed: New threads are not accepted on this page

If you want to allow your users to create new threads on that page, do the following:

1. Log into administration. If you click the administration link from the page itself, you should get a pop-up box. With Discus Professional you'll be asked what you want to do - choose "Administer in Page Manager."

2. If you are not brought to the Page Manager to the page you were viewing on the board, navigate into the Page Manager and find the page where you wish to enable users to start new threads.

3. Click the "Page Layout" link in the tabs bar at the top of the screen.

4. Under "Discussion Elements" check the following box:

   [x] "Start New Thread" Button/Link

5. Click the "Save Page Layout" button.

In this procedure, you've changed the layout of the page so that there is now the facility for users to start a new thread there. Return to the user interface and reload the page. The message that new threads are not accepted should now be replaced with a link that allows users to start a new thread.

Once the link is present, your access settings (from Access Manager) take over. The only people who are able to start a new thread are the ones who you've authorized to post messages through the Access Manager facility.