Hi there! Here are some answers that hopefully address questions you may have about viewing and using my blog.If you have problems or additional questions, please contact me. Jack.
How do I view comments made on a post? How do I make a comment on a post?
At the bottom of each post there is a Comments link. Just click it. Then scroll down to read comments and locate the Leave a Comment field.
Can I edit or delete my comments?
You can edit a comment within 90 minutes of the time it was submitted. You cannot delete a comment. To edit a comment, click the comment's Edit this Comment link. Note that to edit a comment you must be using the same computer (i.e., the same ip address) you used to write it.
Can I include pictures in my comments? Or links?
Yes! Here's how:
Adding Links: Any text you type that begins with http:// automatically gets turned into a link after your comment is submitted. Try to avoid really long URLs (say, in excess of 100 characters) as these don't wrap properly. We're working on this issue so that in future even long URLs can be accommodated.
Adding Images: There's an Add an Image link just below the Leave a Comment field. Just click it and enter the URL to your image. The image will appear in your comment after it's posted. Note that the image already has to be on the internet; it can't just be sitting on your computer. There are tons of sites that let you upload images to the internet for free. Two popular ones are http://imageshack.us and http://www.flickr.com. They even allow you to resize your images at the time you upload them. And speaking of size, please make sure that images included in your comments are no wider than 400 pixels. Otherwise it tends to screw things up for users running at lower screen resolutions.
Can I include a link to my web site in my comments?
Yes, provided it's not spam. A comment like, "Hi Jack, great site. I've posted some gurgler variations you may be interested in. Have a look: http://mygurglers.com" is fine. A disingenuous comment like "Great site. Buy flies cheap at http://sweatshopflies.com" is not. Registered users can include a link to their web site in their profile and anyone viewing the profile is welcomed to follow the link.
My comment appears to have been edited or deleted. What happened?
Comments with questionable content may be edited or deleted. A little mild cussing and or racy picture between friends is fine. But spam, personal attacks, pornography, obscene language, racial epithets, and other things that fall into the offensive category are not.
Other than that it's unlikely that we would edit a comment unless to correct a debilitating formatting issue (for example, an image that's just too big for our space).
What is the Front Page of the blog? How do I get back to it if I've navigated away?
It's the main page (or entry point, if you will) of the blog. It's where you'll find the most recent posts. If you've navigated away from the front page (say, by clicking a Category, Archive, or Author link in the sidebar) you can return by clicking the Roccus Writing link (there are several, all near the top of each page).
What are all those links in the sidebar (archives, categories, authors, etc.)?
Those links take you to pages that display posts written in a certain month, filed under a particular category, written by a particular author, etc. There are also links to some friends sites, a list of recent comments, and links for registering and logging in.
Do I need to register to comment? Why would I want to? How do I register?
Currently you don't need to register to leave a comment (although we may need to change this if spam and other internet nasties become an issue). Registering allows you to create a profile with info about yourself you want to share with others. You can also upload a personalized avatar to display with your comments. It's easy to register: just click the Register link on the front page (it's in the sidebar under Login/Registration).
Once I register, how do I log in? (for registered users only)
On the front page, click the Login link (it's in the sidebar under Login/Registration).
How do I change my password, screen name, or email address? (for registered users only)
Login. This will take you to the Profile page where you can edit various aspects of your account. If you're already logged in and are returning to the blog, on the front page under Login/Registration click the Site Admin link.
How do I get a personalized avatar to appear in my comments? (for registered users only)
(The avatar, if you're wondering, is the little picture that appears next to all of your comments. The default is Dr. Pretorius from Bride of Fankenstein.) To have a personalized avatar, you must be a registered user. Click the Login link. On the profile settings page, click the Your Avatar tab (upper-left corner of page). From there you can upload an image to serve as your avatar. Square-ish images work best, if possible pre-sized to 80 x 80 pixels.
I've forgotten my password. What do I do? (for registered users only)
Click the Login link. Then, on the log in page, click the Lost Your Password? link. A new password will be emailed to you.
Who is the "we" referred to in these FAQs?
It's not the royal "we." Nor the corporate one. Just Jack and (webmaster) Mike. Please never hesitate to contact us if you have issues or suggestions for the site. We've gotten lots lots of great suggestions over the years from friends who did just that! :-)