Index: lams_tool_forum/src/java/org/lamsfoundation/lams/tool/forum/web/actions/AuthoringAction.java
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/lams_tool_forum/src/java/org/lamsfoundation/lams/tool/forum/web/actions/AuthoringAction.java,v
diff -u -r1.65 -r1.66
--- lams_tool_forum/src/java/org/lamsfoundation/lams/tool/forum/web/actions/AuthoringAction.java	14 Dec 2006 04:31:09 -0000	1.65
+++ lams_tool_forum/src/java/org/lamsfoundation/lams/tool/forum/web/actions/AuthoringAction.java	24 May 2007 00:13:31 -0000	1.66
@@ -932,7 +932,7 @@
 			if(StringUtils.equals(modeStr, ToolAccessMode.TEACHER.toString())){
 				return errors;
 			}
-			if(!form.getForum().isAllowRichEditor()){
+			if(!form.getForum().isAllowRichEditor() && form.getForum().isLimitedInput()){
 				if(form.getForum().getLimitedChar() <=0){
 					ActionMessage error = new ActionMessage("error.limit.char.less.zero");
 					errors.add(ActionMessages.GLOBAL_MESSAGE, error);
Index: lams_tool_forum/src/java/org/lamsfoundation/lams/tool/forum/web/actions/LearningAction.java
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/lams_tool_forum/src/java/org/lamsfoundation/lams/tool/forum/web/actions/LearningAction.java,v
diff -u -r1.54 -r1.55
--- lams_tool_forum/src/java/org/lamsfoundation/lams/tool/forum/web/actions/LearningAction.java	24 Nov 2006 00:28:38 -0000	1.54
+++ lams_tool_forum/src/java/org/lamsfoundation/lams/tool/forum/web/actions/LearningAction.java	24 May 2007 00:13:31 -0000	1.55
@@ -198,9 +198,12 @@
 		}
 		
 		//set some option flag to HttpSession
+		// if allowRichEditor = true then don't restrict the number of chars
+		// if isLimitedInput = false then don't restrict the number of chars
+		// Indicate don't restrict number of chars by allowNumber = 0
 		Long forumId = forum.getUid();
 		Boolean allowRichEditor = new Boolean(forum.isAllowRichEditor());
-		int allowNumber = forum.getLimitedChar();
+		int allowNumber = forum.isLimitedInput() || forum.isAllowRichEditor() ? forum.getLimitedChar() : 0;
 		
 		// get notebook entry
 		String entryText = new String();
Index: lams_tool_forum/web/jsps/learning/message/bodyarea.jsp
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/lams_tool_forum/web/jsps/learning/message/bodyarea.jsp,v
diff -u -r1.9 -r1.10
--- lams_tool_forum/web/jsps/learning/message/bodyarea.jsp	29 Sep 2006 06:11:18 -0000	1.9
+++ lams_tool_forum/web/jsps/learning/message/bodyarea.jsp	24 May 2007 00:13:48 -0000	1.10
@@ -12,10 +12,12 @@
 		<%-- Does not user general tag becuase this field need keep compatible with FCKEditor's content --%>
 		<lams:STRUTS-textarea rows="10" cols="40" tabindex="2" property="message.body" styleId="messageBody" />
 		<BR>
-		<fmt:message key="lable.char.left" />:  
-		<span id="charleftDiv"></span>
-		<input type="hidden" name="limitCount" id="limitCount" />
-		<script type="text/javascript">
+		<%-- If limitChars == 0, then we don't want to limit the characters at all. --%>
+		<c:if test="${sessionMap.limitedChars > 0}">
+			<fmt:message key="lable.char.left" />:  
+			<span id="charleftDiv"></span>
+			<input type="hidden" name="limitCount" id="limitCount" />
+			<script type="text/javascript">
 					<!--
 					var limit = <c:out value="${sessionMap.limitedChars}"/>;
 					var bodyTxt = document.getElementById("messageBody");
@@ -39,7 +41,8 @@
 					bodyTxt.onkeydown = calculateLeft;
 					bodyTxt.onkeyup = calculateLeft;
 					-->
-				</script>
+			</script>
+		</c:if>
 	</c:otherwise>
 </c:choose>
 <BR>