If you haven’t already created your blog, you can do so here. The user name you enter will be part of your blog’s URL (Internet address) and this can’t be changed later. (I recommend using your Flotilla account name.) You must enter a valid email address - you will be sent an activation email from “jammerbabeflotilla@gmail.com” - if you don’t receive the email, check your spam filter. You will not be able to login to your blog until you click on the activation URL in the email - you will then receive your password. (It will be displayed on the confirmation page - you will not receive another email with your password.) If you have problems creating your blog, please send me a PM.
The Flotilla Blogs Code of Conduct applies to all blog posts, and each blog owner is responsible for ensuring that the content of all posts and comments comply with these rules.
So you created your blog - now what?
In this section, we’ll try to list some of the more common questions and answers to get you on your way to blogging success! The suggestions below are based upon my limited experience setting up the blog network and my own blog, as well as questions from our members. However, a much more detailed overview is available on the WordPress website. First Steps with WordPress (Please note that I have installed a “multiple user” version of WordPress, which is slightly different than the typical single user installation. The “First Steps with WordPress” overview is written for the single user version, and some things may not be the same. For example, themes and plugins are managed at the network admin level and you will not be able to install your own themes and plugins.)
Changing Your Password
The password you are provided when you create your blog is generated by the system and is not very user-friendly. You can easily change your password to something you will remember. In your Dashboard, click on your user name next to “Howdy, __” at the top right of your screen. Scroll to the bottom of the page to locate the New Password option.
What is the Dashboard?
The Dashboard is what you might think of as your User Control Panel. It is where all of your behind-the-scenes action takes place - where you create/edit posts and comments, add new pages, modify the appearance of your blog, add widgets and plugins (more on that later), add users, and much more.
When you first login to your Dashboard, you should see a series of menu options at the top, and they are repeated on the left. The windows on the right can be arranged to your liking - when your mouse hovers over the gray title bar of each window, your mouse pointer should change to four arrows indicating that if you click and drag the window, you can move it to another location on the page. You can also minimize any of the windows - when you hover your mouse at the top right corner of each window, you will see a down arrow with hover text “Click to toggle” - click on the down arrow to minimize the box.
Naming Your Blog
Although you can’t change your account name or URL, you can change the title and description of your blog. In your Dashboard, go to the “Settings” tab on the left. You can enter new text in the “Blog Title” and “Tagline” fields. (Be sure to click on “Save Changes” at the bottom when you’re done.
Creating a New Post
You can use the “QuickPress” window in your Dashboard to quickly write a new blog post. For more formatting options, use the menus at the left - select “Add New” in the “Posts” section. With either option, your post will be entered on your home page after you click “Publish.” However, you can first save it as a draft, or you can edit the “Visibility” options to make it private or password protect the post. You can even make it a “sticky” post that will stay at the top of your home page.
Adding Images/Media to your Post
Using either the QuickPress or Add New options, you can add pictures, videos, audio, and other media using the “Add media” buttons. You will have the option to add the files from your computer or from a location on the Internet. (Please follow the Flotilla’s rules on image content and ownership - we do not allow hotlinking content from other websites.)
Adding Pages
In addition to the blog entries on your Home Page, you can add Pages to your site. These are not “blog” pages, in that people cannot post comments. For example, this “Blog HELP” page does not allow comments, but I can edit it to add new helpful hints as we learn how the blogs work. You can set up pages to describe your favorite travel destinations, tell us about your families and pets, or anything else you want to share. These are more permanent in nature, as your blog posts will eventually fall off your home page and into your archives.
To add a page, select the “Pages” tab at the left, then select “Add New.”
Discussion/Comment Settings
You can control the way users are allowed to comment on your blog. Go to the “Settings” tab to the left and choose the “Discussion” option. Here you can specify if you want to allow any comments, if the author must provide a name and email address, if the author must be registered and logged in to post, whether or not you want to approve all comments, and more - including admin notification settings. I recommend selecting the option requiring that users be registered and logged in to comment. (Otherwise, your blog could be filled with spam entries from blog spam bots.)
Default Discussion Settings
You may want to change a couple of the default “Discussion” settings as soon as you set up your blog.
1. Other comment settings - by default, only “Comment author must fill out name and e-mail” is selected. This means that anyone can comment on a blog post - including automated spambots. I recommend selecting “Users must be registered and logged in to comment” to ensure that only those who have created and verified an account can add a comment. This is optional, of course - you may want your friends and family to have the ability to post without creating an account, but the system does not verify that the email address provided is valid. However, in your Dashboard, you can see the IP address of comment made on your blog.
2. Before a comment appears - by default, “Comment author must have a previously approved comment” is selected. This means that the first post by any user on your blog must be approved by you in your Dashboard before it can be seen by others. This may be one way to limit blog spam, but it can be frustrating for users who take the time to reply but don’t see their comment on your blog right away. I recommend deselecting this option at first - if you feel your blog needs more moderation, you can always turn it back on. There is also an option “An administrator must always approve the comment” but that seems a bit extreme unless you have controversial subjects generating heated discussions. (But it’s definitely up to you!)
3. Comment Moderation - “Hold a comment in the queue if it contains 2 or more links. (A common characteristic of comment spam is a large number of hyperlinks.) When a comment contains any of these words in its content, name, URL, e-mail, or IP, it will be held in the moderation queue. One word or IP per line. It will match inside words, so “press” will match “WordPress“. You may want to make the number higher than 2, or just see if any posts end up in your moderation queue.
Users and Roles
Once you register for and activate a blog account, you are able to comment on any other blog within the Flotilla network, subject to the settings on each blog. (You don’t have to sign up for each blog.) You also don’t have to create a blog when you create a user account - you can create one at a later time.
You can also add users to your site and give them specific roles. You can add new users to your blog in two ways:
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1. Enter the username and email address of an existing user on this site.
2. Enter the username and the email address of a person who is not already a member of this site. Choose the username carefully, it cannot be changed.
That person will be sent an email asking them to click a link confirming the invite. New users will then be sent an email with a randomly password and a login link.
There are user roles available:
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Administrator - Somebody who has access to all the administration features
Editor - Somebody who can publish posts, manage posts as well as manage other people’s posts, etc.
Author - Somebody who can publish and manage their own posts
Contributor - Somebody who can write and manage their posts but not publish posts
Subscriber - Somebody who can read comments/comment/receive news letters, etc.
Most users will simply create an account on the home page (http://jammerbabe.com/flogs/wp-signup.php) but you may want to add your friends and family manually. You may also want to give friends and family the role of Editor so they can have the ability to publish their own blog entries on your blog - not simply comments, but their own topics that others can comment on.
Privacy Settings
These blogs are open to the public - anyone can read the posts that you publish for public viewing.
When you create your blog, you are asked if you would like to block search engines from your site. You can change this at any time using your Dashboard. Go to the “Settings” tab on the left, then select the “Privacy” option.
Widgets
Widgets are things that you can add to your blog’s sidebar - the area to the right of the page. There are a number of preloaded options available to you, including the calendar, pages listing, search, archives, and more. Your widgets will appear on your home page and all additional pages you create.
To add widgets, go to the “Appearance” tab on the left, then select “Widgets.” Click the “Add’ button next to each option you want to add. Try them all to see what they do, then remove the ones you don’t want or need.
