This is the summary field
This is the main text area. The HTML preceeding this text is for the thumbnail image. On the "New Entry" screen, the "Add Thumbnail" and "Links" buttons automatically add HTML to the post (the buttons do not show up on this Edit screen, only on the New Entry screen). Thumbnail images should be either 200 or 250 pixels wide and be named similar to "subjectofyourblog_thumb.jpg". Only one image is allowed in the Body Text portion of the blog. In order to add an image, you need to go to the "File Upload" screen.
The HTML tags above make a double break ("br" stands for break, one "br" tag will make a new line, two "br" tags make a double line break for a new paragraph).
We place the primary links at the end of this text section, though you can add links (here is what the HTML looks like: links) into the text as well if necessary. Use the "Links" button to have the HTML written automatically.
Link: MPreis
In the extended text section, there is an "Add Image" button (once again only shows in the "New Entry" screen), which adds HTML to the box. Images in the extended text section should be sized to 500 pixels wide if possible. If you're familiar with photoshop, you can make a composite image but it should still be no more than 500 pixels wide (if it's wider, it starts messing with the layout).
Typically, we will create a skeleton blog with just a title, category, images and links, then save it in "Inactive" mode. Then after that's done, we'll go back and start adding text, etc., saving and previewing as we make edits. Once again, the HTML helper buttons don't exist on the edit screen, so you will need to copy the code if you wish to add other images or links once the post is saved.
When you're finished editing a blog, save it in "Draft" mode. Anthony and I will review and publish the post. You can "Preview" your blog (only after it has been saved as Inactive or Draft, it won't work before the save) using the "Preview" button below.
Blogs can belong in multiple categories, but unless it really warrants mulitple categories, keep it in one. Also, don't use the _homepage_ category. I use that category to specify which ads go on the homepage but there are no blogs in that category.
That's about it. Biggest things are to stay consistent with the image sizes for thumbnails and extended images and also to try and stay consistent with how we lay out our blogs (links at the bottom of body text, etc). And to stick with "draft" mode after you finish a blog so we can publish it.