I must be the dumbest person here

[Jimmie Lu]

I can not get the hang of this blog thing I AM SO FRUSTRATED:bang I seriously feel like giving up!!!! I really have been through the whole how to add a button to your blog and I just can not do it!!!! I had the 63 sq. code and added it to my blog and mysteriously it disapeared. I guess I should give into the fact that I am dumb in this way and bow out gracefully!!! Some of you have the most beautiful blogs and mine is soooo boaring. Can anyone take pity on a poor soul and HELP!!!!!

[Darlenedjr]

Hi, I have the same problem with making blog. Does anyone know what to do. Thanks...Darlene

[jimbo]

I'll see your dumb and raise you one. I can't even build up the courage to try it..... much as i'd like to.

[Gran]

delete

[Everyday Crochet]

Well... count me in. I tried to add the hat swap button to my blog last night and my whole blog ended up looking like a huge mess! *sigh*

[minwifeof4boys]

I DO have a blog...but everytime I try to add buttons..they wind up in the middle of the text soemwhere...or totally off kilter...might have to make button adding one of my New Years resolutions

[Natasha]

I am rather inept at codes and such but, through trial and error, have figured out enough to get me going. I use Blogger, and I didn't have any trouble setting it up. It kinda walks you through the basics. The cute buttons and stuff I just added on slowly, because it took me a while to figure it out.

 

And here's how I figured it out. If, during my surfing of others' blogs, I found one that I thought was neat and orderly, I right clicked on it and chose "view source." That will bring up all the codes in a separate window. Then, I just read the codes until I could figure out where exactly the code for what I liked was placed within the whole mess of codes. That is what gave me clues on how to figure out where to paste codes into my Blogger template in the proper spot (I wasn't copying others' codes...just looking to see where a code for a button should be placed). I found out really quickly that it will be all wonky if you don't put it in a certain order, and it's not always a logical order to anyone who isn't html savvy. There are still many things I haven't figured out yet, but I'm okay with that.

 

Anyone who wants a blog can do it. It just takes a lot of time, patience, and trial and error.

[goldi316]

I've had my blog for nearly a year now, and it took me a loooong time to figure out even the most basic stuff. Like Natasha, I peeked at a lot of other people's blog codes to help me figure it out, and I did initially receive some help along the way. I tend to learn by the "monkey see-monkey do" route, so this has worked for me. I don't necessarily know what I'm doing, but I try to write my code as a carbon copy of what I've seen - putting in my own source links, of course - so that it will come out right. Html is very exacting - you have to have the opening AND closing codes inserted correctly, or it won't work. And knowing where in the template to insert the codes is essential, and probably the hardest part of all. It all tends to look like Greek, lol!

 

The most important thing to do when you are messing with your code is to make a backup copy of it BEFORE you start tinkering with it! Put your cursor in the template field (anywhere) and right-click your mouse. From the menu list that pops up, choose "select all". This will highlight everything. Right-click again, and choose "copy", then open up an email window (or a word doc, if you prefer) and "paste" via your right-click menu in the empty space, this will drop what you copied into your message window or word doc screen. If you use email, address it to yourself and title it something clever like "blog template backup" and send it, or similarly name your word doc. THEN go play with the codes. If you screw them up and your blog gets all wonky, you can follow the steps above with your backup and plop the original code back into your template screen.

 

I have found that to put buttons and other little nifty additions into your sidebar, you need to scroll down almost to the very bottom of your template, that is where your codes should go. Again, it helps to refer to other blogs' source codes (choose blogs that are from the same hosting system as yours, such as blogspot). You can also copy the code for a specific line, copy it to your template and just change the details (source links, titles, etc) so the images pull from your image hosting account, but you will have the necessary html code properly included. Once you get that done for one button - and you can check whether you're getting it right by clicking "preview" - you can then copy that line and edit it for the next button, and so on. To be doubly safe, don't save anything until you are certain all is working properly - and that is the value of that "preview" button, it lets you see whether your buttons are showing up, and in the right place, before you save the template. You will then have to republish to get it applied, and refresh your screen when you pull your blog up again, to see it with the changes.

 

I still have a way to go as far as my blog is concerned. Right now, the hardest part for me is gathering up all the info I want to put on it, and then getting the codes all written up. This can be done seperately from the template (in other words, in a word doc or email window draft copy) and inserted in one nice big chunk. I've got all my button images saved and uploaded to my imaging host, so I'm partway there, just need to find the time for the next steps.

 

Hope my meanderings will help a bit. It can be pretty confusing, I know!

[viggie]

If anyone would like help, just catch me sometime when I am online. I'm available after 6 weeknights and usually check in regularly over the weeknds. I'm on yahoo messenger as vigilant20 if that's easier for you. Hopefully we can walk through it together

[purlycues]

I have also not been able to make heads or tails of it

[pb&j]

I'm sorry I wasn't able to help you out better, Jimmie Lu. I wish I could be there in person to help. I don't know what I'd do without my techie husband. Cry, probably.

[Pyogazel]

I can not get the hang of this blog thing I AM SO FRUSTRATED:bang I seriously feel like giving up!!!! I really have been through the whole how to add a button to your blog and I just can not do it!!!! I had the 63 sq. code and added it to my blog and mysteriously it disapeared. I guess I should give into the fact that I am dumb in this way and bow out gracefully!!! Some of you have the most beautiful blogs and mine is soooo boaring. Can anyone take pity on a poor soul and HELP!!!!!

I looked at the source code of your page and all the buttons you added are OUTSIDE the page limits (that is to say below the < / h t m l > code line. That's why they are at the bottom of your page.

if you want them to be in your sidebar you should cut and paste them INTO the sidebar, that is to say

- after the <! -- Begin #sidebar -- > < d i v id = "sidebar" >

- before the < / d i v > < !-- End #sidebar -- > code

best would be inside or after the "links" part of your sidebar

 

If you chose to do it inside, you'll have to specify the url of the link exactly as the others are mentioned :

 

< h2 class="sidebar-title" >Links< /h2 > <= this is where your links start

< ul >

< li ><a href="http://news.google.com/">Google News</a>< /li > <= existing link, notice the url (adress, in red) and the syntax (in green) of it. The link is text "Google news" but it could be an image.

<li><a href="http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=110">Edit-Me</a></li> <= you're supposed to edit that one.

<li><a href="http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=110">Edit-Me</a></li> <= you're supposed to edit that one.

</ul>

 

so, to add a link :

 

before the </ul> line

 

write <li> </li> this will enclose the link and cause it to neatly line up with the others

 

inside thoses list tags create the link :

 

<a href="HTTP://PUT URL HERE.COM"> </a>

 

inside the link tags put the source code of your image

 

<img src="HTTP://YOUR IMAGE.GIF" alt "WHATEVER TEXT YOU WANT TO APPEAR SHOULD THE IMAGE FAIL TO LOAD">

 

for instance:

 

this is a link to crochetville on my page :

 

<li><a href="http://www.crochetville.org/"><img src="http://photobucket.com/albums/b314/pyogazel/blog/th_crochetville.jpg"></a></li>

 

try to cut and paste it just below your google link

 

I hope this was useful!

 

ANd forgot to say :

 

Happy New Year!!!

[snapkat]

I've got good news for you if you're frustrated with the whole weblogging thing: there's an easier way! Several easier ways, in fact.

 

If you're new to the whole blogging thing, I suggest that you go check out a thing called TypePad. It's a blog thing, but it runs totally on the TypePad web server, so there's nothing you need to download or install. It's quite easy, and user-friendly. The cost for the basic plan is under 5.00/month USD, and you can get a free trial to see if the thing is right for you. If you can send email and post in forums like Crochetville, I don't think you'd find this hard.

 

There are a zillion other options. Personally, I avoid Blogger and Blogspot. They seem to crash and cause a variety of problems pretty regularly, and I'm sick of seeing things like "sorry, I couldn't post because of a Blogger problem" on the blogs I read. I'm also tired of hearing users complain about lack of features, and the advertisements I see on a lot of blogs. Who needs it?

 

If something like TypePad isn't your thing, maybe you'd like to try the kind of blogging software that you download and run from your webhosting account. This is more complicated when it comes to getting up and running, but pretty easy after that. The easiest way to approach this is to hire somebody to install the software for you, or to sign up with a webhosting company that will do this for you, or one that will offer one-click installation of some weblog software like WordPress.

 

Here's the Wordpress page about webhosting companies. They note that you can get yourself a free blog at WordPress.com - a perfect solution if you don't mind having a web address like yourname.wordpress.com for your blog.

 

Once you've chosen which blogware to use (Typepad, Wordpress, Blogger, or whatever) you'll be able to ask for specific help with the system you've picked. There are user communities that offer support in all of these.

 

Please don't let this stuff make you feel dumb. There are a bajillion bloggers out there who can't crochet a single thing, remember. They just spent some time learning how to blog when they could (should?) have been crocheting!

[kariholtz]

I heart my wordpress blog. I don't know how I EVER blogged without it.

[Jimmie Lu]

HUNH?????

 

I looked at the source code of your page and all the buttons you added are OUTSIDE the page limits (that is to say below the < / h t m l > code line. That's why they are at the bottom of your page.

if you want them to be in your sidebar you should cut and paste them INTO the sidebar, that is to say

- after the <! -- Begin #sidebar -- > < d i v id = "sidebar" >

- before the < / d i v > < !-- End #sidebar -- > code

best would be inside or after the "links" part of your sidebar

 

If you chose to do it inside, you'll have to specify the url of the link exactly as the others are mentioned :

 

< h2 class="sidebar-title" >Links< /h2 > <= this is where your links start

< ul >

< li ><a href="http://news.google.com/">Google News</a>< /li > <= existing link, notice the url (adress, in red) and the syntax (in green) of it. The link is text "Google news" but it could be an image.

<li><a href="http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=110">Edit-Me</a></li> <= you're supposed to edit that one.

<li><a href="http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=110">Edit-Me</a></li> <= you're supposed to edit that one.

</ul>

 

so, to add a link :

 

before the </ul> line

 

write <li> </li> this will enclose the link and cause it to neatly line up with the others

 

inside thoses list tags create the link :

 

<a href="HTTP://PUT URL HERE.COM"> </a>

 

inside the link tags put the source code of your image

 

<img src="HTTP://YOUR IMAGE.GIF" alt "WHATEVER TEXT YOU WANT TO APPEAR SHOULD THE IMAGE FAIL TO LOAD">

 

for instance:

 

this is a link to crochetville on my page :

 

<li><a href="http://www.crochetville.org/"><img src="http://photobucket.com/albums/b314/pyogazel/blog/th_crochetville.jpg"></a></li>

 

try to cut and paste it just below your google link

 

I hope this was useful!

 

ANd forgot to say :

 

Happy New Year!!!

[mimi_mia]

Wow that looks so confusing I figured out how to add buttons in my sidebar, my problem is I don't know how to make them clickable... I wouldn't mind help with that, please anyone!!

[countingsts]

I FOLDED, JUST PLAIN GAVE UP. THEN TO I DID NOT HAVE THE TIME/:blush

[Slumpidedooda]

your not dumb, so dont give up on it. web design takes time to learn, just like anything else. ive been making web pages for years and theres still tons i dont know how to do. but dont worry youll get better! heres one of my favorite basic sites to get you started w/ html and such. http://www.lissaexplains.com hope that helps!

 

Megan

[Tapanga]

I'll see your dumb and raise you one. I can't even build up the courage to try it..... much as i'd like to.

 

LOLOLOLOLOL!!! I just giggled like a loon when I read that! Not that I know, I haven't even tried. I just love your response Jimbo!

[natcat]

I've had my blog for nearly a year now, and it took me a loooong time to figure out even the most basic stuff. Like Natasha, I peeked at a lot of other people's blog codes to help me figure it out, and I did initially receive some help along the way. I tend to learn by the "monkey see-monkey do" route, so this has worked for me. I don't necessarily know what I'm doing, but I try to write my code as a carbon copy of what I've seen - putting in my own source links, of course - so that it will come out right. Html is very exacting - you have to have the opening AND closing codes inserted correctly, or it won't work. And knowing where in the template to insert the codes is essential, and probably the hardest part of all. It all tends to look like Greek, lol!

 

The most important thing to do when you are messing with your code is to make a backup copy of it BEFORE you start tinkering with it! Put your cursor in the template field (anywhere) and right-click your mouse. From the menu list that pops up, choose "select all". This will highlight everything. Right-click again, and choose "copy", then open up an email window (or a word doc, if you prefer) and "paste" via your right-click menu in the empty space, this will drop what you copied into your message window or word doc screen. If you use email, address it to yourself and title it something clever like "blog template backup" and send it, or similarly name your word doc. THEN go play with the codes. If you screw them up and your blog gets all wonky, you can follow the steps above with your backup and plop the original code back into your template screen.

 

I have found that to put buttons and other little nifty additions into your sidebar, you need to scroll down almost to the very bottom of your template, that is where your codes should go. Again, it helps to refer to other blogs' source codes (choose blogs that are from the same hosting system as yours, such as blogspot). You can also copy the code for a specific line, copy it to your template and just change the details (source links, titles, etc) so the images pull from your image hosting account, but you will have the necessary html code properly included. Once you get that done for one button - and you can check whether you're getting it right by clicking "preview" - you can then copy that line and edit it for the next button, and so on. To be doubly safe, don't save anything until you are certain all is working properly - and that is the value of that "preview" button, it lets you see whether your buttons are showing up, and in the right place, before you save the template. You will then have to republish to get it applied, and refresh your screen when you pull your blog up again, to see it with the changes.

 

I still have a way to go as far as my blog is concerned. Right now, the hardest part for me is gathering up all the info I want to put on it, and then getting the codes all written up. This can be done seperately from the template (in other words, in a word doc or email window draft copy) and inserted in one nice big chunk. I've got all my button images saved and uploaded to my imaging host, so I'm partway there, just need to find the time for the next steps.

 

Hope my meanderings will help a bit. It can be pretty confusing, I know!

Hello!!

This is natcat,

I want to thank you so very much for posting all of this information, you are a genius, & I just went & did what you said. THANK YOU:bow

[jchllm]

My biggest suggestion is to make a 'playing blog'. My main blog is http://playfulyarn.blogspot.com but I made http://theplayfulyarn.blogspot.com to play around with, to see if a code works etc.

 

Jimmie Lu, if you're online and you would like to try, just IM me on Yahoo with lisaandjames629 or on MSN with lisaandjames629@sbcglobal.net and I'd be more than happy to try to help you out.

It took me a while too but once I got the hang of it, it's a piece of cake.

[scc51055]

I have got to go with jimmie lu................i dont get it! i did set up a blog but havent been able to add anything to it or to do the button thing....i guess the real problem is that i get frustrated and dont want to sit here and keep trying........i have asked my son to show me but when he is home it is not for long....he lives 2 hours away right now, but there is a chance he will be living here in the near future....maybe i can get it then:(