i was looking thru this and noticed on lines 34 & 35

if (isset($_GET['mark_read'])){
$result = $xoopsDB->query("SELECT forum_id FROM ".$xoopsDB->prefix("bb_forums"));

i was just curious as it stuck out straight away, should there be a closing " at the end of the query? ".$xoopsDB->prefix("bb_forums")); > it has an opening quote but no closing??

ie.

if (isset($_GET['mark_read'])){
$result = $xoopsDB->query("SELECT forum_id FROM ".$xoopsDB->prefix("bb_forums")");

No, it's correct as is. Maybe that's easier to see if it's broken down as follows:

yes, i see it now :) thanks dave..

i was taking the 2nd " as another opening quote. and the whole line after the ( i thought was quoted.. but the way you broke it down made it all clear :) will remember that next time.. the period . seemed to throw me a bit..

gonna see if i can change the order of my college course round.. as we doin php last of all.. i learnin visual basic at mo, so i might ask see if i can leave VB till last instead, cos php is the main thing i want to learn..