Index: lams_tool_forum/conf/language/lams/ApplicationResources.properties
===================================================================
diff -u -r09350a0b107144c9d0576a87fcdebf32dd07abe4 -r6af6a143d4f023e8011080783cb827368ead638e
--- lams_tool_forum/conf/language/lams/ApplicationResources.properties	(.../ApplicationResources.properties)	(revision 09350a0b107144c9d0576a87fcdebf32dd07abe4)
+++ lams_tool_forum/conf/language/lams/ApplicationResources.properties	(.../ApplicationResources.properties)	(revision 6af6a143d4f023e8011080783cb827368ead638e)
@@ -136,6 +136,8 @@
 label.authoring.advance.no.minimum  =No minimum
 label.authoring.advance.no.maximum  =No maximum
 error.min.less.max  =The maximum number of posts must be greater than or equal to the minimum number of posts.
+error.min.post.char.less=The maximum number of characters per posting must be greater than minimum number of characters per posting.
+error.min.rate.less.max=The maximum number of ratings  must be greater than minimum ratings.
 error.limit.char.less.zero  =Limitation of input characters must be greater zero.
 error.less.mini.post  =You must contribute at least {0} posts in each topic before finish.
 error.must.have.topic  =Please add at least 1 topic when "allow learners to create new topics" option is off.
@@ -227,6 +229,8 @@
 label.rateLimits.forum.reminder.min  =You must rate at least {0} postings.
 label.rateLimits.forum.reminder.max  =You can only rate up to {0} postings.
 js.error.validate.number  =There is an error with the minimum and/or maximum set for ratings. Please check and try again.
+js.error.validate.posting.number  =There is an error with the minimum and/or maximum set for postings. Please check and try again.
+js.error.validate.reply.number = There is an error with the minimum and/or maximum number of posts per learner per thread.
 label.rateLimits.topic.reminder  =You have rated {0} postings already.
 info.minimum.number.characters  =The minimum number of characters for your response is {0}.
 warn.minimum.number.characters  =You need to enter {0} characters more to proceed.
Index: lams_tool_forum/src/java/org/lamsfoundation/lams/tool/forum/web/actions/AuthoringAction.java
===================================================================
diff -u -r3399163940c61c9132223c758d274486e57ff9b7 -r6af6a143d4f023e8011080783cb827368ead638e
--- lams_tool_forum/src/java/org/lamsfoundation/lams/tool/forum/web/actions/AuthoringAction.java	(.../AuthoringAction.java)	(revision 3399163940c61c9132223c758d274486e57ff9b7)
+++ lams_tool_forum/src/java/org/lamsfoundation/lams/tool/forum/web/actions/AuthoringAction.java	(.../AuthoringAction.java)	(revision 6af6a143d4f023e8011080783cb827368ead638e)
@@ -859,14 +859,39 @@
 		    ActionMessage error = new ActionMessage("error.limit.char.less.zero");
 		    errors.add(ActionMessages.GLOBAL_MESSAGE, error);
 		}
+	    }if (!form.getForum().isAllowRichEditor()) {
+		if (form.getForum().getMaxCharacters() != 0
+			&& form.getForum().getMaxCharacters() < form.getForum().getMinCharacters()) {
+		    ActionMessage error = new ActionMessage("error.min.post.char.less");
+		    errors.add(ActionMessages.GLOBAL_MESSAGE, error);
+		}
 	    }
+	    if (form.getForum().isAllowRateMessages()) {
+		if (form.getForum().getMaximumRate() <= 0) {
+		    ActionMessage error = new ActionMessage("error.limit.char.less.zero");
+		    errors.add(ActionMessages.GLOBAL_MESSAGE, error);
+		}
+	    }if (form.getForum().isAllowRateMessages()) {
+		if (form.getForum().getMaximumRate() != 0
+			&& form.getForum().getMaximumRate() < form.getForum().getMinimumRate()) {
+		    ActionMessage error = new ActionMessage("error.min.rate.less.max");
+		    errors.add(ActionMessages.GLOBAL_MESSAGE, error);
+		}
+	    }
+	 
 	    if (!form.getForum().isAllowNewTopic()) {
 		if (form.getForum().getMaximumReply() != 0
 			&& form.getForum().getMaximumReply() < form.getForum().getMinimumReply()) {
 		    ActionMessage error = new ActionMessage("error.min.less.max");
 		    errors.add(ActionMessages.GLOBAL_MESSAGE, error);
 		}
 	    }
+	    if (!form.getForum().isAllowNewTopic()) {
+		if (form.getForum().getMaximumReply() <= 0) {
+		    ActionMessage error = new ActionMessage("error.limit.char.less.zero");
+		    errors.add(ActionMessages.GLOBAL_MESSAGE, error);
+		}
+	    }
 
 	} catch (Exception e) {
 	    AuthoringAction.log.error(e.toString());
Index: lams_tool_forum/web/jsps/authoring/advance.jsp
===================================================================
diff -u -r53168a242616c67154f5426db43b8aaa4a0033c6 -r6af6a143d4f023e8011080783cb827368ead638e
--- lams_tool_forum/web/jsps/authoring/advance.jsp	(.../advance.jsp)	(revision 53168a242616c67154f5426db43b8aaa4a0033c6)
+++ lams_tool_forum/web/jsps/authoring/advance.jsp	(.../advance.jsp)	(revision 6af6a143d4f023e8011080783cb827368ead638e)
@@ -6,143 +6,184 @@
 
 <lams:SimplePanel titleKey="label.posting.options">
 
-<div class="checkbox">
-<label for="rich-editor"><html:checkbox property="forum.allowRichEditor" styleId="rich-editor"/>
-<fmt:message key="label.authoring.advance.use.richeditor" /></label>
-</div>
+	<div class="checkbox">
+		<label for="rich-editor"><html:checkbox
+				property="forum.allowRichEditor" styleId="rich-editor" /> <fmt:message
+				key="label.authoring.advance.use.richeditor" /></label>
+	</div>
 
-<div class="checkbox">
-<label for="allow-upload"><html:checkbox property="forum.allowUpload" styleId="allow-upload"/>
-<fmt:message key="label.authoring.advance.allow.upload" /></label>
-</div>
+	<div class="checkbox">
+		<label for="allow-upload"><html:checkbox
+				property="forum.allowUpload" styleId="allow-upload" /> <fmt:message
+				key="label.authoring.advance.allow.upload" /></label>
+	</div>
 
-<div class="checkbox">
-<label for="allowEdit"><html:checkbox property="forum.allowEdit" styleId="allowEdit" />
-<fmt:message key="label.authoring.advance.allow.edit" /></label>
-</div>
+	<div class="checkbox">
+		<label for="allowEdit"><html:checkbox
+				property="forum.allowEdit" styleId="allowEdit" /> <fmt:message
+				key="label.authoring.advance.allow.edit" /></label>
+	</div>
 
-<div class="checkbox">
-<label for="limited-min-characters"><html:checkbox property="forum.limitedMinCharacters" styleId="limited-min-characters"/>
-<fmt:message key="label.authoring.advance.min.limited.input" />
-</label>
- <input type="number" name="forum.minCharacters"  id="min-characters" onchange="validatePostings(true);" value="${forumForm.forum.minCharacters}" class="form-control form-control-inline input-sm" min="0"/>
-</div>
+	<div class="checkbox">
+		<label for="limited-min-characters"><html:checkbox
+				property="forum.limitedMinCharacters"
+				styleId="limited-min-characters" /> <fmt:message
+				key="label.authoring.advance.min.limited.input" /> </label> <input
+			type="number" name="forum.minCharacters" id="min-characters"
+			onchange="validatePostings(true);"
+			value="${forumForm.forum.minCharacters}"
+			class="form-control form-control-inline input-sm" min="0" />
+	</div>
 
-<div class="checkbox">
-<label for="limited-max-characters"><html:checkbox property="forum.limitedMaxCharacters" styleId="limited-max-characters"/>
-<fmt:message key="label.authoring.advance.limited.input" /></label>
- <input type="number" name="forum.maxCharacters"  id="max-characters" onchange="validatePostings(true);" value="${forumForm.forum.maxCharacters}" class="form-control form-control-inline input-sm" max="5000"/>
-</div>
+	<div class="checkbox">
+		<label for="limited-max-characters"><html:checkbox
+				property="forum.limitedMaxCharacters"
+				styleId="limited-max-characters" /> <fmt:message
+				key="label.authoring.advance.limited.input" /></label> <input type="number"
+			name="forum.maxCharacters" id="max-characters"
+			onchange="validatePostings(true);"
+			value="${forumForm.forum.maxCharacters}"
+			class="form-control form-control-inline input-sm" max="5000" />
+	</div>
 
-<lams:SimplePanel panelBodyClass="panel-body-sm">
-<div class="checkbox">
-<label for="allowRateMessages"><html:checkbox property="forum.allowRateMessages" styleId="allowRateMessages"  onclick="checkRating()"/>
-<fmt:message key="label.authoring.advance.allow.rate.postings" /></label>
-</div>
+	<lams:SimplePanel panelBodyClass="panel-body-sm">
+		<div class="checkbox">
+			<label for="allowRateMessages"><html:checkbox
+					property="forum.allowRateMessages" styleId="allowRateMessages"
+					onclick="checkRating()" /> <fmt:message
+					key="label.authoring.advance.allow.rate.postings" /></label>
+		</div>
 
-	<div class="form-inline loffset20">
-		<div class="form-group">
-		<label for="minimumRate"><fmt:message key="label.authoring.advance.minimum.reply" /></label>
-		
-		<input type="number" name="forum.minimumRate"  id="minimumRate" value="${forumForm.forum.minimumRate}" onchange="validateRatings(true);" class="form-control input-sm" min="0"/>
+		<div class="form-inline loffset20">
+			<div class="form-group">
+				<label for="minimumRate"><fmt:message
+						key="label.authoring.advance.minimum.reply" /></label> <input
+					type="number" name="forum.minimumRate" id="minimumRate"
+					value="${forumForm.forum.minimumRate}"
+					onchange="validateRatings(true);" class="form-control input-sm"
+					min="0" />
+			</div>
+			<div class="form-group">
+				<label for="maximumRate"><fmt:message
+						key="label.authoring.advance.maximum.reply" /></label> <input
+					type="number" name="forum.maximumRate" id="maximumRate"
+					value="${forumForm.forum.maximumRate}"
+					onchange="validateRatings(true);" class="form-control input-sm"
+					min="0" />
+			</div>
 		</div>
-		<div class="form-group">
-		<label for="maximumRate"><fmt:message key="label.authoring.advance.maximum.reply" /></label>
-		<input type="number" name="forum.maximumRate"  id="maximumRate" value="${forumForm.forum.maximumRate}" onchange="validateRatings(true);" class="form-control input-sm" min="0"/>
+	</lams:SimplePanel>
+
+	<lams:SimplePanel panelBodyClass="panel-body-sm">
+		<fmt:message key="message.posting.limiting" />
+		<div class="radio">
+			<label for="allowNewTopic1"> <html:radio
+					property="forum.allowNewTopic" value="true"
+					onclick="allowNewTopic()" styleId="allowNewTopic1" /> <fmt:message
+					key="label.authoring.advance.allow.new.topics" />
+			</label>
 		</div>
-	</div>
-</lams:SimplePanel>
 
-<lams:SimplePanel panelBodyClass="panel-body-sm">
-	<fmt:message key="message.posting.limiting" />
-	<div class="radio">
-	<label for="allowNewTopic1">
-	<html:radio property="forum.allowNewTopic" value="true"	onclick="allowNewTopic()" styleId="allowNewTopic1"/>
-	<fmt:message key="label.authoring.advance.allow.new.topics" />
-	</label>
-	</div>
-	
-	<div class="radio">
-	<label for="allowNewTopic2">
-	<html:radio property="forum.allowNewTopic" value="false" onclick="allowNewTopic()" styleId="allowNewTopic2"/>
-	<fmt:message key="label.authoring.advance.number.reply" />
-	</label>
-	</div>
-	
-	<div class="form-inline loffset20">
-		<div class="form-group">
-		<label for="minimumReply"><fmt:message key="label.authoring.advance.minimum.reply" /></label>
-		
-		<input type="number" name="forum.minimumReply"  id="minimumReply" value="${forumForm.forum.minimumReply}" class="form-control input-sm" min="0"/>
+		<div class="radio">
+			<label for="allowNewTopic2"> <html:radio
+					property="forum.allowNewTopic" value="false"
+					onclick="allowNewTopic()" styleId="allowNewTopic2" /> <fmt:message
+					key="label.authoring.advance.number.reply" />
+			</label>
 		</div>
-		<div class="form-group">
-		<label for="maximumReply"><fmt:message key="label.authoring.advance.maximum.reply" /></label>
-		<input type="number" name="forum.maximumReply"  id="maximumReply" value="${forumForm.forum.maximumReply}" class="form-control input-sm" min="0"/>
+
+		<div class="form-inline loffset20">
+			<div class="form-group">
+				<label for="minimumReply"><fmt:message
+						key="label.authoring.advance.minimum.reply" /></label> <input
+					type="number" name="forum.minimumReply" id="minimumReply"
+					value="${forumForm.forum.minimumReply}"
+					onchange="validateReply(true);" class="form-control input-sm"
+					min="0" />
+			</div>
+			<div class="form-group">
+				<label for="maximumReply"><fmt:message
+						key="label.authoring.advance.maximum.reply" /></label> <input
+					type="number" name="forum.maximumReply" id="maximumReply"
+					value="${forumForm.forum.maximumReply}"
+					onchange="validateReply(true);" class="form-control input-sm"
+					min="0" />
+			</div>
 		</div>
-	</div>
+	</lams:SimplePanel>
 </lams:SimplePanel>
-</lams:SimplePanel>
 
 <lams:SimplePanel titleKey="label.notifications">
-<div class="form-group">
-<label><fmt:message key="label.authoring.advanced.send.emails.to" /></label>
-<div class="form-inline">
-	<div class="checkbox loffset20">
-	<label for="notifyLearnersOnForumPosting"><html:checkbox property="forum.notifyLearnersOnForumPosting" styleId="notifyLearnersOnForumPosting"/>&nbsp;
-	<fmt:message key="label.authoring.advanced.learners" /></label>
+	<div class="form-group">
+		<label><fmt:message
+				key="label.authoring.advanced.send.emails.to" /></label>
+		<div class="form-inline">
+			<div class="checkbox loffset20">
+				<label for="notifyLearnersOnForumPosting"><html:checkbox
+						property="forum.notifyLearnersOnForumPosting"
+						styleId="notifyLearnersOnForumPosting" />&nbsp; <fmt:message
+						key="label.authoring.advanced.learners" /></label>
+			</div>
+			<div class="checkbox loffset10">
+				<label for="notifyTeachersOnForumPosting"><html:checkbox
+						property="forum.notifyTeachersOnForumPosting"
+						styleId="notifyTeachersOnForumPosting" />&nbsp; <fmt:message
+						key="label.authoring.advanced.teachers" /></label>
+			</div>
+		</div>
 	</div>
-	<div class="checkbox loffset10">
-	<label for="notifyTeachersOnForumPosting"><html:checkbox property="forum.notifyTeachersOnForumPosting" styleId="notifyTeachersOnForumPosting"/>&nbsp;
-	<fmt:message key="label.authoring.advanced.teachers" /></label>
-	</div>
-</div>
-</div>
 
-<div class="checkbox">
-<label for="notifyLearnersOnMarkRelease"><html:checkbox property="forum.notifyLearnersOnMarkRelease" styleId="notifyLearnersOnMarkRelease"/>
-<fmt:message key="label.authoring.advanced.notify.mark.release" /></label>
-</div>
+	<div class="checkbox">
+		<label for="notifyLearnersOnMarkRelease"><html:checkbox
+				property="forum.notifyLearnersOnMarkRelease"
+				styleId="notifyLearnersOnMarkRelease" /> <fmt:message
+				key="label.authoring.advanced.notify.mark.release" /></label>
+	</div>
 </lams:SimplePanel>
 
 <lams:SimplePanel titleKey="label.activity.completion">
-<div class="checkbox">
-<label for="lockWhenFinished"><html:checkbox property="forum.lockWhenFinished" styleId="lockWhenFinished" />
-<fmt:message key="label.authoring.advance.lock.on.finished" /></label>
-</div>
+	<div class="checkbox">
+		<label for="lockWhenFinished"><html:checkbox
+				property="forum.lockWhenFinished" styleId="lockWhenFinished" /> <fmt:message
+				key="label.authoring.advance.lock.on.finished" /></label>
+	</div>
 
-<div class="checkbox">
-<label for="reflectOn"><html:checkbox property="forum.reflectOnActivity"	styleId="reflectOn"/>
-<fmt:message key="advanced.reflectOnActivity" /></label>
-</div>
-<div class="form-group">
-<html:textarea property="forum.reflectInstructions" styleId="reflectInstructions"  styleClass="form-control" rows="3"
-	onkeyup="javascript:turnOnReflect()"/>
-</div>
+	<div class="checkbox">
+		<label for="reflectOn"><html:checkbox
+				property="forum.reflectOnActivity" styleId="reflectOn" /> <fmt:message
+				key="advanced.reflectOnActivity" /></label>
+	</div>
+	<div class="form-group">
+		<html:textarea property="forum.reflectInstructions"
+			styleId="reflectInstructions" styleClass="form-control" rows="3"
+			onkeyup="javascript:turnOnReflect()" />
+	</div>
 
-<script type="text/javascript">
-	//automatically turn on refect option if there are text input in refect instruction area
-	var ra = document.getElementById("reflectInstructions");
-	var rao = document.getElementById("reflectOn");
-	function turnOnRefect() {
-		if (isEmpty(ra.value)) {
-			//turn off	
-			rao.checked = false;
-		} else {
-			//turn on
-			rao.checked = true;
+	<script type="text/javascript">
+		//automatically turn on refect option if there are text input in refect instruction area
+		var ra = document.getElementById("reflectInstructions");
+		var rao = document.getElementById("reflectOn");
+		function turnOnRefect() {
+			if (isEmpty(ra.value)) {
+				//turn off	
+				rao.checked = false;
+			} else {
+				//turn on
+				rao.checked = true;
+			}
 		}
-	}
 
-	ra.onkeyup = turnOnRefect;
-</script>
+		ra.onkeyup = turnOnRefect;
+	</script>
 
 </lams:SimplePanel>
 
 <script type="text/javascript">
-
-	var limitedMinCharacters = document.getElementById("limited-min-characters");
+	var limitedMinCharacters = document
+			.getElementById("limited-min-characters");
 	var minCharacters = document.getElementById("min-characters");
-	var limitedMaxCharacters = document.getElementById("limited-max-characters");
+	var limitedMaxCharacters = document
+			.getElementById("limited-max-characters");
 	var maxCharacters = document.getElementById("max-characters");
 
 	limitedMinCharacters.onclick = initAdvanced;
@@ -213,14 +254,12 @@
 		}
 	}
 	checkRating();
-	
-	
 
 	function validatePostings(isMinimunPostingDropdownUsed) {
 		var minCharacters = document.getElementById("min-characters");
-		 var minPostings = parseInt(minCharacters.value);
-		 var maxCharacters = document.getElementById("max-characters");
-		 var maxPostings = parseInt(maxCharacters.value);
+		var minPostings = parseInt(minCharacters.value);
+		var maxCharacters = document.getElementById("max-characters");
+		var maxPostings = parseInt(maxCharacters.value);
 		if ((minPostings > maxPostings) && !(maxPostings == 0)) {
 			if (isMinimunPostingDropdownUsed) {
 				minCharacters.value = maxCharacters.value;
@@ -231,12 +270,28 @@
 			alert('<fmt:message key="js.error.validate.posting.number"/>');
 		}
 	}
-	
+
+	function validateReply(isMinimunReplyDropdownUsed) {
+		var minReplyDropDown = document.getElementById("minimumReply");
+		var minReplies = parseInt(minReplyDropDown.value);
+		var maxReplyDropDown = document.getElementById("maximumReply");
+		var maxReplies = parseInt(maxReplyDropDown.value);
+		if ((minReplies > maxReplies) && !(maxReplies == 0)) {
+			if (isMinimunReplyDropdownUsed) {
+				minReplyDropDown.value = maxReplyDropDown.value;
+			} else {
+				maxReplyDropDown.value = minReplyDropDown.value;
+			}
+
+			alert('<fmt:message key="js.error.validate.reply.number"/>');
+		}
+	}
+
 	function validateRatings(isMinimunRateDropdownUsed) {
 		var minRateDropDown = document.getElementById("minimumRate");
-		 var minRatings = parseInt(minRateDropDown.value);
-		 var maxRateDropDown = document.getElementById("maximumRate");
-		 var maxRatings = parseInt(maxRateDropDown.value);
+		var minRatings = parseInt(minRateDropDown.value);
+		var maxRateDropDown = document.getElementById("maximumRate");
+		var maxRatings = parseInt(maxRateDropDown.value);
 		if ((minRatings > maxRatings) && !(maxRatings == 0)) {
 			if (isMinimunRateDropdownUsed) {
 				minRateDropDown.value = maxRateDropDown.value;