Sitemaker by Clark IP - How to Add and Edit Blog Posts

July 25, 2008

How to Add and Edit Blog Posts

July 25, 2008

You can click the graphics below to open larger views in their own windows. Position each windows to see it and this text simultaneously.

Step One: Create your Post

Click to enlarge.

Add Required Text Items: Every article (item, post) must have at a minimum a title and a body of text.
Categories: Categories are optional. If used, the default category is the first one listed in the popup menu. Edit categories from the Categories link on the Task Bar above the form.
Titles: Your title should be succinct and follow the style of your blog. For example you may wish to use "title case" in which all nouns and other long words are capitalized. Other editors prefer capitalizing only the first letter and proper nouns. It's up to you, but consistency makes your blog appear more professional.
Text (body): The system is designed to allow you to type or paste your text. Text must be "plain ASCII" - most formatting or special characters brought from other applications will be lost. This includes so-called "smart" quotes (they are not so smart).; The Sitemaker Team recommends that you create your text in a text processor that supports a spelling checker. Copy and paste that text to the form.; When you have pasted or typed your text, click Add Post to save it. The screen will refresh with a snapshot of the text below links labeled Edit and Delete. Normally you would now click Edit.

Step Two: Edit and/or Add Content

Click to enlarge.

Modifications: You can easily change your category (if used) by selecting another one from the popup menu.; You can change the title and text by clicking at the appropriate point and typing new text.
Formatting Text: Sitemaker uses "BBcode" to format text fields. If you know how you can also embed standard HTML* and CSS* tags. In either case the respective checkbox must be checked to activate that capability. We suggest you experiment with a sample text block before publishing formatted text.; To format text, click the small triangular icon above the text box to reveal the text formatting tool. Apply a setting (e.g., B for boldface) by first selecting your text and then clicking the respective BBcode icon.; The text controls are B=boldface; I=italics; U=underline; S=strike-through.; The IMG button will open a small dialog box into which you can paste or type the URL of an externally sourced image that will appear in line at the point where the cursor is then located. The image file must, of course, exist on the server you designate.; The QUOTE button will cause the currently selected text to appear indented and in an alternate font.; The COLOR button will open a small dialog into which you may type a hexadecimal color code or one of the sixteen standard web color names.; The SIZE button will open a dialog box into which you may type a font size (an integer only). Note that this will not work correctly in all browsers and may oddly affect your reader's experience.; The FONT button lets you specify the name of a font. Note that the font must be present and loaded on the reader's computer; if not the font tag will be ignored by most browsers.
Linking: The system provides for one pre-defined link to appear below your text. If you require multiple links they must be created with BBcode or HTML. More on that later.; To create the standard link (1) click the small triangular icon to reveal the link settings; (2) type a label for the link and either type or paste the URL of the destination page. If the page is within your site, then (3) set the External setting to No.
Adding a Graphic: The system provides for one graphic to be automatically associated with each post. You can add other graphics from external sources using the IMG button described above.; To add or edit a graphic (1) click the small triangular icon to reveal the graphic settings; (2) if adding click Upload Image; find and select your image file from your computer; (3) select the position of the graphic relative to the text.; If you are adding or revising graphic settings it is strongly recommended that you leave your post in Draft status until you have verified that the graphic is correctly sized and positioned.; After you save the form and the graphic has been uploaded, additional settings will appear within the Graphic section of the form.
Revising a Graphic: To delete a graphic (or to prepare for replacement click the Delete this Graphic link. You may now upload a replacement.; The system can automatically create a thumbnail view (icon) that when clicked will open the image in a new window or tab. If you wish to use this feature (1) set Create Thumbnail to Yes and (2) adjust the size and aspect of the icon view.

(HTML and CSS are beyond the scope of this simple tutorial. A large body of training aids is available; try this search.)