CCBlogs thinking critically, living faithfully

Most of our bloggers use their own software, but we will create a blog for you if you need one. Click here for more information about that. CCblogs uses Wordpress blog software, however, we don't have a WordPress expert on staff to answer questions about using it. We've provided a short primer below. For more advanced questions, refer to the WordPress Documents pages.

CCblogs uses WordPress blog software. However, we don't have a WordPress expert on staff to answer questions about using it. We've provided a short primer below. For more advanced questions, refer to the WordPress Documents pages.

The Official WordPress Help Pages

A Short WordPress Primer:

When you first log in to your blog, you will be at a screen called "The Dashboard." At the top of the screen is a menu with the following items:

WRITE - Click "write" if you want to write something. You can "write a post" or you can "write a page." A post is a standard blog entry, which is dated, has comments, and moves down the page as you post new things. A page consists of stand-alone text that is permanent. When you create a page, that page automatically appears on your menu. Many people create a page called "about" or "about me." They put some biographical information on that page, which then appears on the blog's menu.

MANAGE - Click manage to edit both posts and pages. You can also add categories, which you can then use to tag your writing with subjects. The use of categories is nice, but not required. Many people do not bother with it.

COMMENTS - Allows you to view (and delete if needed) comments that are left at your blog.

BLOGROLL - A blogroll is a list of blogs that you read and enjoy. Blogrolls are the engines behind the networking power of blogs. Friends point to their friends' blogs. If you have blogs that you enjoy, you can list them here. Click "Add a Link" to add someone's blog to your blogroll.

PRESENTATION - This feature has to do with how your blog appears. We have provided 15 templates for you. If you click on a template, your entire blog changes to the look of that template. Your content does not change if you change your template. Advanced users can also edit the template .php files here using the template editor. We do not recommend that you use the template editor unless you know exactly what you are doing.

PLUGINS - Plugins are advanced blog features for WordPress that can be downloaded and installed. Plugins have to be installed on the server. If you find you need or want a plugin, email Gordon Atkinson - gordon@CCblogs.org.

USERS - Unless you plan to have multiple people posting on your blog, you won't need this menu item.

OPTIONS - This is where various settings for your blog are located. Options has a sub-menu. "General" is where you give your blog its title and list your e-mail address and ;various things like that. The other option areas are seldom used; however, one submenu item is important:

DISCUSSION - This submenu under options is where you set the rules for comments. For instance, you can turn off comments if you wish, though most bloggers leave the comments enabled. If you want anyone to be able to comment, we suggest the following setting: Under "Before a comment appears" select only: "Comment author must fill out name and e-mail."