What are default entry settings?
Whenever you start your text editor to post a new entry, you
will find visibility and comments set to a specific value, e.g.
"all Internet users can comment". If you want to change that for an entry, you can
do so.
However, if you want to have different settings for every entry you post, this
might be tedious chaning it everytime. Thus, you can define those default values
at "Weblog -> More options -> Entry settings".
Also, you find an option to enable or disable comment moderation
on that page.
What is a "Ping"?
Pings inform weblog catalogs (such as weblogs.com) about your latest entries.
This enables even more readers to access and keep track of your weblog. Weblog
catalogs offer an overview of all registered weblogs on the net which have
been recently updated. As soon as you have created an entry, we automatically
inform these services via ping to alert non-liliyang users of your weblog.
Please contact your portal administrator to see what services are being notified.
You can activate this feature on the administration page by selecting
"Weblog -> More options -> Ping weblog directories".
What do "current mood" and "currently playing" mean?
"Mood smileys" allow you to let your readers know what mood
you were in when you created your entry. The "currently playing" feature
allows you to publish the name of the song or band you are listening to while
creating your entry. These features are located right below the text editor (select
specific weblog/photoblog, choose "Entries" > "New entry").
Simply insert the title of the music you're playing (if any) and choose the smiley
that best reflects your mood.
How to offer "TrackBacks" to your readers
Since TrackBack offers another way of commenting on an entry, there is no alternative
way of activating TrackBacks.
All entries that you have authorized comments for also allow other users the possibility
of commenting via trackback.
How can I create an entry with "TrackBack"?
TrackBack allows you to comment on someone else's entry and publish the comment
on your own blog. The easiest way to use it is via "easypost". If
you find yourself on a weblog with an interesting entry (and assuming that TrackBack
is permitted), click the "easypost" link you have added to the favorite
list on your browser. Comment on the topic in the editor and select the entry
title to which the trackback will lead and save your entry. Two things will
happen: the entry will be saved in your own weblog, and a "trackback-ping"
will be simultaneously sent to the commented text. This ping creates a link
from the original entry back to your own entry/comment.
Using "trackback" without "easypost" is a little more complicated.
First of all, you have to display the TrackBack option in your own editor. Choose
the administration level of the specific weblogs/photoblogs and activate the
feature under "Weblog -> More options -> Entry settings". Now you can generate
the trackback URL below the text window while creating your entry. As soon as
you have published your entry, this address will be contacted in order to create
a trackback. You will only find the trackback-url in another system if a trackback
service is being offered.
What is "TrackBack" used for?
Just like posting comments on other blogs, there is another way to inform
readers that you're posting entries on the same topic. This feature is called
TrackBack. TrackBack can only be used if the owner of another blog has allowed
trackbacks on his/her blog. If an entry has received a trackback, this is visible
in the administration view as well as the normal view, right below the entry.
What exactly is "EasyPost"?
If you discover fantastic content on other weblogs or websites and want to
use it in your own blog, "easyPost" allows you to insert complete
articles or sections of text into your editor with just one click. In order to use
"easy post," insert the specific link (which refers to the source)
located on the top of your Dashboard into the favorite list of your
browser.
So when you discover great content while browsing the web, simply click "easy
post" in your favorite list. The editor, including the text, opens automatically.
If you haven't logged into liliyang yet, log in now. All edit features are now
availabile for you to use. You can add text, choose the correct category and
submit your entry. The content you chose is now published on your blog.
Please note that some browsers and popup blockers might interfere with EasyPost
and thus cause problems.
How to create new entries
You can create entries if you are logged in and on the administration page
of a weblog. Immediately after logging in, you are automatically directed to
the Dashboard. On the right of each weblog you find an icon with letter and a green
plus on it - one click and the editor opens (you can hold your mouse over each
icon to see a short description).
You can also reach the editor once you are within the administration pages
of a single weblog by clicking on the "Entries" menu item.
If you have created several categories, you can decide while editing your entry
which category you want to publish it in. The category options are located right
above the text window.
Once you have started your text editor, you can choose from a couple of handy
features - however, this will depend on the browser you use. If you have installed
Internet Explorer Version 5.5 or later or Mozilla 1.4 or later, you have the
choice of editing text in a similar way to any text processing program (e.g.
Micorsoft Word).
Users of other versions or other browsers can only add images and links to
their entries. Unfortunately, more advanced editing functions are not supported
by these browsers. Of course, you can edit your entries any time later if you
have a new browser at your disposal.
What does "publish" mean?
A team blog can consist of moderated categories. Within these categories all
entries have to be made public by a moderator before they are visible to others.
If an author creates and submits an entry in a moderated category, it will
show as "internal" - if you are the moderator or owner of the weblog,
you can then click "publish" in order to make it visible to others.
How to insert a smiley symbol
Click the smiley symbol in your editor. A new window will open, offering you
a variety of smiley icons to choose from. Just click on your favorite to include
it in your post. If you use a browser other than Internet Explorer (version
5.5 onwards), you will see the instruction .
As soon as you have posted it, it will change into a normal smiley.
What does "multiple teams" mean?
If you have already defined teams in your weblog, you can limit the visibility
of your entries to certain teams. In order to select those teams, you have to
select "multiple teams" in the visibility section below the text window
in the editor. This allows you to choose the teams which are allowed to read
your entry.
How can I limit the visibility of my entries?
If you only want a specific group of people to read your entries, you can limit
the visibility of your entry to this group of users. If you have not assigned
a group of friends yet, you should do this first. Click here
for more information.
As soon as you assign a group of friends, you can limit the visibility
of your entry in the text editor ("Entries -> New entry").
You will find this "Visibility of entry" option below the text window.
If you haven't defined any groups of friends, you can only choose between "private"
and "public". If you have defined teams and at least one user has
accepted your invitation, you will find the option "mulitple teams"
as well as all individual teams. Select the team of your choice and click "Publish"
after editing your entry. If you have selected "multiple teams," a
list with all teams will open. You can then select the teams that you want to be
able to read your entries.
Why do the name of teams appear in some entries?
The name of a team appears in front of an entry if it has only been published
to be visible to that particular team. This is only displayed in the administration
view.
What does "internal" mean?
If you allow co-authors to create entries in your weblog, a category can be
"moderated". This means that a moderator, as opposed to the author,
can make the entries public. If an entry is saved but not yet made public,
this entry is "internal". After the moderator makes the entry
public, it is then visible to other users.
How to insert images to my entry
Click "Insert image" in the text editor in order to add an image
to your entry. Select and insert the image in the new window, which will open.
Click here for more details.
How to insert links to my entry
Click "Insert link" in the text editor in order to add a link to
your entry. Enter the link in the new window. Click here
for more details.
How to save entries as drafts
You can save your entries as drafts in the text editor by clicking "save
as draft", located right below the text window. Drafts are invisible to other users.
You can edit your draft anytime and then publish it.
How to change fontsize, fontstyle etc.
You can only use this feature if you have installed Internet Explorer Version
5.5 or later or Mozilla 1.4. Unfortunately, older versions and other browsers
do not support this format.
The text editor is as simple to use as any other text processing software.
Select single words or complete sentences/paragraphs/posts, then change the
fontsize, fontstyle etc. Give it a try!
How to insert a date for a certain entry
Select the particular weblog and then click "Edit entries" on the administration page.
Then click "edit" on the chosen entry. Right below the editor, you can insert the desired
date into "Date of entry".
Please note thtat the format of the date you are entering needs to be the same as displayed in
the editor, e.g. 2/26/05 for February 2, 2005.
How do I change the visibility status from private to public and vice versa?
You can mark entries as "public" or "private" in the text
editor. It's easier to simply click the padlock right next to each entry
without starting the text editor. The status of the entry changes
immediately.
How to use the calendar
The calendar displays a link for each day that entries were created. Clicking
the link will lead you to all entries made on that particular day. If there
were more than five entries on that the day, you will find the link "next
page" at the foot of the page. Selecting "<" and ">"
enables you to change months.
The calendar only refers to the displayed category. If you wish to find specific
entries, it is best to use the full text search of your weblog.
How to move entries to other categories
Within your administration pages, you have the choice to move each entry into another category
on the right hand side of each entry.
Select a category and click the "go" button. You can then find the entry
in the selected category.
How to edit/delete old entries
You can edit or delete old entries at any given time. Edited entries will then
be displayed as "changed".
How do I find old entries?
There are three ways to search for old entries: a fulltext search in your
weblog, using the calendar to look for entries made on a particular date, and
a chronological browse beginning with the latest post. This last function is
offered for every category. Since there are only five entries displayed on each page,
you have to continue your search by clicking "next page". In
order to return to the previous site, choose "previous page".
The calendar allows access to your entries on certain dates. All entries created
on a specific day will be displayed. The calendar depends on the category
you select. To browse through another month, simply click "<"
or ">" next to the name of the month you're looking at.
You can also find old entries via "search this blog". Entering the
search term and clicking "search" will present all entries containing
the searched term.
Do I have to publish on a regular basis?
Of course not! But,the best way to build up a community of enthusiastic fans and
readers is to post entries on a regular basis.
How to create entries using "cut and paste"
If you have selected and copied text (crtl+c) from another source, this text
can then be pasted into the text editor (crtl+v). Macintosh users can simply
use the apple key instead of the ctrl key. It's easier to post text from other
weblogs/ websites by using the "easypost" feature.
What is the maximum length of an entry title?
The title of an entry cannot be longer than 80 characters. If the title exceeds
this limit, the last characters are cut off. You should always give your entries a title
to increase readability of your blog.
How to display your latest entries on your homepage
The homepage of your weblog/photoblog is the first thing a visitor of your
site will see. If you want to display your latest entry, regardless of its location/category,
you need to select the administration page of the particular weblog, click
"Weblog -> More options -> Latest entries as separate category" and activate the feature. Remember
to save your changes.