Blog Help
1. What’s a blog?
A blog (short for weblog) is a collection of entries that fall into two categories. The first is a “post”, which is where the writer (blogger) writes a message, gives it a title and places it into a category (car hire, American candy etc, etc). The second is a “comment”, which is where readers have attached a comment to the “post”.
2. How’s it work?
Simple. When you visit our blog (http://www.ukamerican.co.uk/weblog/) the front page will show you the latest posts. On the right hand side bar you’ll see a list of categories that currently have entries. Either read the latest, select the category, or use the search facility to find the content you need.
3. What will I find on the UKA blog?
An Assortment of comments, thoughts, requests and advice on anything of interest to readers of the UK American Directory and the Classic Ford Directory, as well as jokes.
4. Can anyone write a post or make a comment?
Absolutely. If you have something to say, want to tell everyone about an upcoming event or need some advice, in fact anything relevant to UKA or CFD, get blogging!
5. How do I start?
If you want to write a post rather than comment on an existing one, first you need to register, which is and free. Click on the “Register” link in the right hand side bar under META, fill in a username and an email address and click on “Register”. You will be emailed a password (which you can change later). Then click on Log In, enter your username and password and you’re in. It’s that easy.
6. Do I have to register and provide an email address to comment?
Nope. Just click Comment at the foot of the post you’d like to comment on and let it rip.
7. OK, I want to post. I’m registered and logged in, what now?
Click on the “Site Admin” link in the right hand side bar under META. This takes you to the admin screen where you can write posts (and also update your information and change your password). Click on “Write”, then compose your message. Remember to make an entry in the Title section. Once it is written, scroll through the categories and tick the one (or more) that you would like your entry filed under. There will already be a tick against the category General Comments. If you ticking another category you can clear this tick if so required. Once you have finished your post you can do one of three things: 1- Click on “Save and Continue Editing”, which will save a draft and give you a preview at the foot of the page of how it will look on the blog. 2 – Click Save which will save the draft (in which case next time you return to the Write section you can amend your post), or 3 – Click on Publish, in which case it’ll immediately be placed on the blog. After you have published your post you can edit it from the blog (there is an Edit option at the foot of each post, only visible to the author), or you can click on “Manage” in Site Admin and delete it from the blog.
8. How do I comment on someone else’s post?
At the foot of each post is a Comment speech bubble. If you click on that you will be given a text field which to enter your thought(s).
9. Is this blog moderated?
Yes. We don’t accept anything offensive, but be warned that offensive posts and comments may appear prior to us moderating (and deleting) them.
10. Can I use this blog to advertise items for sale?
Yes, as long as it is relevant to UKA and/or CFD. All we ask is that you place it in the Classified Ads category, state whether it is a commercial or private sale, and be so kind as to delete the post once it is no longer relevant.
11. Can I post pictures?
Of course, just so long as you have permission to use the artwork, and it isn’t offensive. You need to provide a url to the pictures, so make sure they are on your server or a server you have permission to access.
12. Can I use YouTube clips?
Of course, although bear in mind you only place clips in Posts, not Comments. To place a clip in your Post do the following …
- Locate clip on YouTube and click on the URL box - it will automatcially highlight all the text.
- Copy the URL (press Ctrl+C)
- In your post type [youtube= then Paste the URL (Ctrl+V) then add a closed square bracket. It will look something like this, although (importantly) without the underscore after the first bracket:
[_youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxx_xxxxxx]
If you highlight the text and align it left, right or centre the video will display according to your setting.
Note: Do not paste in the URL first and then add the [youtube= text. If you enter the URL on its own it may automatically be treated as a hyperlink and the video will not work! Always paste it directly after typing [youtube=
13. I still got some questions!
No problem. Please feel free to drop us a line here. Tell us what you need and we’ll get back to you just as soon as.
