Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Uploading pictures to a blog is easy!

When you are logged in and ready to add a picture, simply title your post and click on the picture icon. (Not here, silly! You have to sign in first ;-)

Click for a larger view:You will see a pop-up window:


1. Either browse to the image on your computer or add the link from the web. Please don't violate copyright!

2. Choose the layout - use center when in doubt.

3. Choose your image size (the above are large, but I shrunk them to about 75% of the original size before uploading). Please remember is uploaded -- must also be downloaded by your visitors. Don't make your images huge.

4. Uncheck use this layout everytime -- you may want to be creative later -- don't lock yourself in.

5. Click Upload Image. And watch the wheel go round as the picture uploads.

You will now see another pop-up window.


Click "Done" and your image will appear in Create Post. Add any additional text and click "Publish Post". It's the BIG ORANGE button. Hard to miss. You can also save your post as a draft.




Watch the wheel spin and when it is done, view the blog in a new window to see your picture. If it isn't there, hit the refresh button in your browser.

Voila! That's all there is to it. Have fun!

Blogging


There are many different types of blogs. The ones you hear about most are the personal journals and the "news" blogs. But in between are the team blogs and at the other end of the spectrum you'll find the wild, wild west of open blogs where just about anyone can post.


What you have is a Team blog, that allows any one with a registered blogger account to comment on the posts.

In order to actually post you must be a member. To request an invitation, ask for it in the Comments section. You'll receive it in 24 - 48 hours, unless we are REALLY busy. The invitation will come from Blogger Invites and have the Subject: Blogger blog invitation from ***** (any team members name may be here). It may be diverted to your spam box, since it has a no-reply return address.

Here are the easy directions to sign up for the blog:

  • Click on the link in the invitation. Your browser will open to go to a page titled Join a Blog
  • Click on the Blue button near the bottom left labeled Create an Account (unless you already have a blogger account you want to use).
  • On the Create an Account page enter a User name (this is not published, but Team Members can view it), Password (totally private), Display name (this shows on your profile and your posts), Email address and read and accept the Terms of Service.
  • Click on the orange Continue button/arrow at the bottom right.

This will take you to the Dashboard where the blog(s) you join will be listed.

For security reasons the invitation link is only good once. If you have any problems or if the registration doesn't go through, let us know and we will send another invitation or answer any questions.

Lesson #2 - How to Post
  • Click on the green + sign next to the blog you want to add a post to.
  • There will be a Posting and a View Blog tab.
  • Under Posting there are tabs for Create, Edit Post and Status
  • You can add a post and save it as a Draft or Publish it. You can delete your own posts.

You can also go to Edit or View your Profile from the Dashboard. We recommend a minimum amount of information. All blogs are public. Do share your profile (but don't complete it) and only use your first name. DO NOT check "show my email address."

Don't forget to Sign out when you are done.

To Login again go to: http://www.blogger.com/home or http://www.blogger.com/start

Coming next: How to post pictures!