Difference between revisions of "SailBlogs FAQ"

From SailBlogs Support Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
Line 3: Line 3:
 
When you registered for membership in SailBlogs, you were required to use a '''valid email address'''. An activation link was sent to this address. This ensures that the person registering for the account actually owns the email address, and prevents account fraud.
 
When you registered for membership in SailBlogs, you were required to use a '''valid email address'''. An activation link was sent to this address. This ensures that the person registering for the account actually owns the email address, and prevents account fraud.
  
Look for the registration email and link in this account. Check your spam box, as sometimes automated messages get tagged as spam. If you still did not receive a registration key, contact support with the [http://www.sailblogs.com/contact.php contact us] form and we'll get you activated.  
+
Look for the registration email and link in this account. '''Check your spam box''' as sometimes automated messages get tagged as spam. If you still did not receive a registration key, contact support with the [http://www.sailblogs.com/contact.php contact us] form and we'll get you activated.  
  
 
=== Add a post to my blog? ===
 
=== Add a post to my blog? ===
Line 31: Line 31:
  
 
There is also a link you view your blog from the main welcome page of the SailBlogs Administration.
 
There is also a link you view your blog from the main welcome page of the SailBlogs Administration.
 +
 +
=== Update the title & description of my blog? ===
 +
Using the form in the [[Properties]] tab of the [[Blog Manager]], you can alter the title, description, email and home links, as well as change the directory name. '''WARNING''': it is not recommended that you change the directory name after you start adding messages. Changing the directory name will change your URL and will affect any site that links to the blog. See [[Directory Name]].
  
 
=== Change the colors & template of my blog? ===
 
=== Change the colors & template of my blog? ===
 
In the [[Blog Manager]], choose the [[Theme & Colors]] tab, then choose the desired template. After choosing a template, use the [[Theme Settings]] to further customize your blog, turn blocks on and off, and other options. Not all options are available for all templates.
 
In the [[Blog Manager]], choose the [[Theme & Colors]] tab, then choose the desired template. After choosing a template, use the [[Theme Settings]] to further customize your blog, turn blocks on and off, and other options. Not all options are available for all templates.
 +
 +
=== Add posts with older dates? ===
 +
The [[Message Editor]] will allow you to add posts with any date and will automatically sort the blog by date, not by the order the posts were added into the system. This makes it easy to backfill a blog with posts that have happened in the past while still keeping proper post order.
  
 
== Advanced Configuration ==
 
== Advanced Configuration ==
 
=== How do I add a visit counter? ===
 
=== How do I add a visit counter? ===
 
Premium members can add a [[visit counter]] via a custom side bar block or custom footer. Refer to those pages for additional info. Free members cannot add a counter.
 
Premium members can add a [[visit counter]] via a custom side bar block or custom footer. Refer to those pages for additional info. Free members cannot add a counter.

Revision as of 21:23, 4 August 2008

Getting Started: How Do I...

Activate my account?

When you registered for membership in SailBlogs, you were required to use a valid email address. An activation link was sent to this address. This ensures that the person registering for the account actually owns the email address, and prevents account fraud.

Look for the registration email and link in this account. Check your spam box as sometimes automated messages get tagged as spam. If you still did not receive a registration key, contact support with the contact us form and we'll get you activated.

Add a post to my blog?

The main message widow in the Blog Manager displays a list of the messages currently loaded into the blog, ordered by date with the most recent at the top of the list. If there are more than 15 messages in your blog, links will appear at the bottom of the table to see other pages.

Messages with an attached image will have a symbol between the date and title.

Messages with comments will have a symbol - click the icon to manage the comments.

Messages posted via SailBlogs Remote will have a symbol between the date and title.

Messages can have 4 status values:

  • On: the message is active and visible to visitors
  • On-Future: The message is dated to appear in the future, and once that date happens the message will be active and visible to visitors. Until the date of the message, the post WILL NOT be visible to visitors.
  • Off: Message is not visible to visitors.
  • Off-Future: The message is dated to appear in the future, but since the message is off, it will never appear to visitors regardless of the date.

Clicking on either the date or the message title will open that message in the Message Editor window.

Use the Add New Log Entry link to open the Message Editor and add a new entry.

View my blog as a visitor would see it?

The URL for your blog was determined when you registered, based on the directory name you chose. That name is used to build your blog's address, and will always follow this format:

http://www.sailblogs.com/member/yourdirectoryname/

There is also a link you view your blog from the main welcome page of the SailBlogs Administration.

Update the title & description of my blog?

Using the form in the Properties tab of the Blog Manager, you can alter the title, description, email and home links, as well as change the directory name. WARNING: it is not recommended that you change the directory name after you start adding messages. Changing the directory name will change your URL and will affect any site that links to the blog. See Directory Name.

Change the colors & template of my blog?

In the Blog Manager, choose the Theme & Colors tab, then choose the desired template. After choosing a template, use the Theme Settings to further customize your blog, turn blocks on and off, and other options. Not all options are available for all templates.

Add posts with older dates?

The Message Editor will allow you to add posts with any date and will automatically sort the blog by date, not by the order the posts were added into the system. This makes it easy to backfill a blog with posts that have happened in the past while still keeping proper post order.

Advanced Configuration

How do I add a visit counter?

Premium members can add a visit counter via a custom side bar block or custom footer. Refer to those pages for additional info. Free members cannot add a counter.