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Update instructions for Blogger as of this date (part 2)
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(Update instructions for Blogger as of this date (part 1))
(Update instructions for Blogger as of this date (part 2))
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Instructions match the Blogger interface as it was on 3 May 2012.  
Instructions match the Blogger interface as it was on 3 May 2012.  


Further ideas from others are welcome at the end of the syllabus.[[Image:Tablet.jpg|thumb|right|240x240px]]  
Further ideas from others are welcome at the end of the syllabus.[[Image:Tablet.jpg|thumb|right|240x240px|Tablet.jpg]]  


== Introduction  ==
== Introduction  ==
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*If you wish to jump right in and post something, click the big orange button (Start Posting or State Blogging)
*If you wish to jump right in and post something, click the big orange button (Start Posting or State Blogging)


== Choosing a layout ==
Click on ''Design'' in the bar at the top of your blog to change the design and settings of your blog.
 
[[Image:DesignLink.png|center|601x139px|DesignLink.png]]
 
== Template Designer ==
 
To start Template Designer, click Design, choose any template, and select Customize. Explore the templates in Template Designer. Blogger provides many different layout templates. Try to find something you like that is easy to read and has a dark text color on a white background. Pick a template that gives your blog a serious feel.
 
To keep things simple, I suggest starting with the Simple template. Later you can personalize the layout, or even switch to a completely different template.


Blogger provides many different layout templates. Choose a template that is easy to read, with high contrast between the background and the text. A very dark text color on a very light background is best. Some clipart works best on a white background. Choose a template that gives your blog a serious feel. Don’t pick a template that limits the column width as genealogical material needs wide columns. To keep things simple, I suggest starting with the Simple default. Later you can personalize the layout, or even switch to a completely different template.
On the menu on the left, click Layout. Pick the Body Layout that has a single sidebar on the left. Pick the Footer that has a single box. In the preview at the bottom of the screen, make these changes:


== Recommended settings  ==
*Remove the default gadgets in the sidebar (Blog Archive and About Me) by clicking Edit > Remove.
*In their place, use Add a Gadget to add a Labels Gadget. Set the Title to “Ancestors and Articles.” Sort alphabetically.
*Use Add a Gadget to add a Text Gadget. Set the Title to “About Me.” Set the Content to something like this: “I am researching Wickliff Clayton Raymond and his ancestors. To contact me, please leave a comment on any post.”


Click on ''Design'' in the bar at the top of your blog to change the design and settings of your blog.  
Click Adjust Widths on the menu on the left. Genealogical materials need wide columns. Increase the width of the Entire Blog until is nearly fills the screen. Then decrease the width of the sidebar to about 250.  Click Apply To Blog and then click Back to Blogger. [[Image:AdjustWidth.png|center|600x206px|AdjustWidth.png]]


[[Image:DesignLink.png|center|601x139px|DesignLink.png]]
<br>


=== The Design tab<br> ===
== Recommended settings ==


*'''Page Elements'''
Select the Settings tab and set the options as follows. Ignore any settings not mentioned here.  
<blockquote>
*Remove each of the default gadgets by clicking Edit &gt; Remove. These may be Followers, Blog Archive, and About Me.
*In their place, add two gadgets, a Labels gadget and a Text gadget. Use ''Add a Gadget'' to add a Labels Gadget. Set the Title to “Ancestors and Articles.” Sort alphabetically.
*Use ''Add a Gadget ''to add a Text Gadget. Set the Title to “About Me.” Set the Content to something like this: “I am researching Wickliff Clayton Raymond and his ancestors. To contact me, please leave a comment on any post.”
</blockquote>
*'''Edit HTML'''
<blockquote>
*These settings allow minute changes using HTML coding. For the sake of KISS, leave it alone for now.
</blockquote>
*'''Template Designer'''
<blockquote>
*The template designer is full of choices which we don't have time or space to cover. Here are some of the most helpful settings.<br>
*Maximize the column width of your blog by clicking on Layout, then Adjust Width, and setting the width to the maximum value.<br>
</blockquote>
[[Image:AdjustWidth.png|center|600x206px|AdjustWidth.png]]


=== The Settings tab ===
=== Basic ===


*'''Basic'''
<blockquote>
*Title: If you ever need to change your title, do it here.  
*Title: If you ever need to change your title, do it here.  
*Description: Add a one paragraph description of the purpose and content of your blog. This will be displayed on your blog beneath the title. For example, “This blog contains information about Wickliff Clayton Raymond and his ancestors. ‘Clate’ Raymond was born 13 March 1898 in Smithfield, Cache, Utah and died on 25 January 1993 in Logan, Cache, Utah.”  
*Description: Add a one paragraph description of the purpose and content of your blog. This will be displayed on your blog beneath the title. For example, “This blog contains information about Wickliff Clayton Raymond and his ancestors. ‘Clate’ Raymond was born 13 March 1898 in Smithfield, Cache, Utah and died on 25 January 1993 in Logan, Cache, Utah.”  
*Add your blog to our listings? Yes  
*Privacy: Add your blog to our listings? Yes. Let search engines find your blog? Yes  
*Let search engines find your blog? Yes  
*Blog Address: If you ever want to change your blog address (URL), do it here.
*Show Quick Editing on your blog? No
*Permissions – If you wish to allow multiple family members to post, you may add additional blog authors.
*Show Email Post links? Yes
 
*Select post editor: Updated editor
=== Posts and Comments  ===
*Show Compose Mode? Yes (although I don’t recommend using it)
 
*Enable transliteration? Disable
*Show at most: Pick the number of posts you wish to display on your “home page.”  
*If you changed any settings, don’t forget to click SAVE SETTINGS
*Comment Location: Embedded. This is how others contact you without your e-mail address.  
</blockquote>
*Who Can Comment: Registered User. This increases the chance that you can return contact to those that leave comments.  
*'''Formatting'''
<blockquote>
*Show: Pick the number of posts you wish to display on your “home page.”  
*Set the various date, time, and language settings according to your preferences.
*Convert Line Breaks? Yes.
*Enable Dynamic Views? Yes
*Show Title Field? Yes
*Show Link Fields? No
*Enable Float Alignment? Yes
*If you changed any settings, don’t forget to click SAVE SETTINGS
</blockquote>
*'''Comments'''
<blockquote>
*Comments: Show. It is important to show comments. This is how you allow others to contact you. You don’t need to display your e-mail address if you use comments.  
*Who Can Comment: Registered Users. This increases the chance that you can return contact to those that leave comments.  
*Comment Form Placement: Embedded below post.
*Comments Default for Posts: New Posts Have Comments
*Backlinks: Show
*Backlink Default for posts: New Posts Have Backlinks
*Comment moderation: Always? Never? We’ll discuss this in the presentation.  
*Comment moderation: Always? Never? We’ll discuss this in the presentation.  
*Show word verification for comments? Yes  
*Show word verification: Yes  
*Show profile images on comments? Yes
*Show Backlinks: Show
*Comment Notification Email: Specify your usual, personal email if it is not Gmail
*Click SAVE SETTINGS
*If you changed any settings, don’t forget to click SAVE SETTINGS
 
</blockquote>
=== Language and Formatting  ===
*'''Archiving'''
 
<blockquote>
*Set the various date, time, and language settings according to your preferences.
*We won't cover this in the presentation because the defaults match the desired settings. Normally, you don't need to change these settings.<br>
 
*Archive Frequency? Monthly
*Enable Post Pages? Yes
</blockquote>
*'''Permissions'''
<blockquote>
*If you wish to allow multiple family members to make posts, you may add additional authors to your blog.
</blockquote>
== Get a blog editor  ==
== Get a blog editor  ==


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