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A Guide for Users of TPM
It's been suggested that we should share some of our tips and tricks for "working around" some of the limitations inherent in TPM's UI. So, I'll share mine here, and I'll encourage others to add theirs in the comments.
1. Avoid using an apostrophe (AKA single quote) in either your user name or in your blog titles. That is the reason this blog was not titled "A User's Guide for TPM". Using an apostrophe in your user name means that people can't reply to you. Using an apostrophe in your blog title means that the previous and next feature won't work. There used to be a problem with double quotes as well, but that's now been fixed. So, er, great—we can now reply to "Present".
2. Want to know if someone has responded to your comments? Trying to get back to what you were last reading? [Ctrl]+[f] is your friend. In most browsers this will bring up a find dialogue that allows you to search for your name or some other phrase. (On Macs replace [Ctrl] with [Open Apple].) Sometimes I search on just "Ben" in case someone's posted a comment down below due to the reply feature not working properly. Of course, hrbendorf provides false hits when using that search. Luckily, I don't mind reading what he's written. :)
3. Trying to look for old posts? There are two tactics for dealing with this. First, if you know ahead of time that a post will likely be one you'll be returning to, bookmark it. Get to know how to organize bookmarks in your browser as you'll probably want to put these in one or more folders for easy access. Second, if you're looking for one that you didn't bookmark, try using Google's site feature. If you add site:talkingpointsmemo.com to your search criteria, it will limit its search to only this site.
4. Recommend those posts that you want to show up in the most recommended list. ;)
1. Avoid using an apostrophe (AKA single quote) in either your user name or in your blog titles. That is the reason this blog was not titled "A User's Guide for TPM". Using an apostrophe in your user name means that people can't reply to you. Using an apostrophe in your blog title means that the previous and next feature won't work. There used to be a problem with double quotes as well, but that's now been fixed. So, er, great—we can now reply to "Present".
2. Want to know if someone has responded to your comments? Trying to get back to what you were last reading? [Ctrl]+[f] is your friend. In most browsers this will bring up a find dialogue that allows you to search for your name or some other phrase. (On Macs replace [Ctrl] with [Open Apple].) Sometimes I search on just "Ben" in case someone's posted a comment down below due to the reply feature not working properly. Of course, hrbendorf provides false hits when using that search. Luckily, I don't mind reading what he's written. :)
3. Trying to look for old posts? There are two tactics for dealing with this. First, if you know ahead of time that a post will likely be one you'll be returning to, bookmark it. Get to know how to organize bookmarks in your browser as you'll probably want to put these in one or more folders for easy access. Second, if you're looking for one that you didn't bookmark, try using Google's site feature. If you add site:talkingpointsmemo.com to your search criteria, it will limit its search to only this site.
4. Recommend those posts that you want to show up in the most recommended list. ;)
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Thank you for these tips. However, would you go back to square one for the benefit of newbies?
1) I do not know how to post a blog of my own, as I only see a window for inserting the title, but no window for inserting text. Obviously I am stupid, as all of you have figured it out. I'll happily accept that judgment, if someone will please give me a how-to checklist for posting an original blog -- as my requests to TPM for info have gone unanswered. Does it matter that I use a Mac G4?
2) I decided to change my avatar and thought I could just insert another one. The result, however, was that the original image vanished, a notice of "no memory" appeared, and now, apparently, you see a weird box with an X in it.
Thanks for your help and sorry this response was all about me.
June 3, 2008 9:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
1) Under the window for inserting a title, there's a text box for inserting the body of the blog. In some browsers this text box can be a little hard to see, but after entering in your title, try hitting [tab] and typing some text. That should make it obvious.
2) Try again. The avatar loading software is flaky. You might have to try 3 or 4 times. It's not your fault.
June 3, 2008 9:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ben thanks for the tips list. As you stated it may depend on the browser one uses. I have had problems with Safari and luckily I had Firefox on my desktop. That solved the problem.
June 3, 2008 3:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ben:
MANY thanks for the tips! I had no idea that my frequent use of contractions was having such adverse effects on my TPM experience! :(
You should be designing user interfaces for a living!
June 3, 2008 9:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I have before. :D (I'm still helping out occasionally with a Ruby on Rails web interface for an archaeology project. The coolest part was getting to travel with them on-site to help with their in situ network.)
June 3, 2008 9:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Aha! There, like you just did. How did you quote somebody in a comment? Thanks in advance.
June 3, 2008 10:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
Surround it with <blockquote> and </blockquote>. If you copy and paste that above line you should get
.To get it to actually show <blockquote>, you have to enter <blockquote>.
June 3, 2008 10:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Rec'd.
June 3, 2008 9:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Using an apostrophe in your user name means that people can't reply to you.
Not for all users but this works: In a browser that lets you view and edit the HTML for the page, edit the user's name to take out the apostrophe, then re-load the (modified) page, and now the reply function will work.
June 3, 2008 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Now you're taking it to a whole new level! (I like that.)
June 3, 2008 10:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
I just want to let everybody know, for historical reference, that June 3 was the day the week-long Zoot Suit Riots began, when a mob of 60 from the Los Angeles Naval Reserve Armory beat up everyone perceived to be Hispanic.
I just automatically think of June 3 as Zoot Suit Riot Day, in case that ever pops up in conversation and it seems inexplicable or inappropriate to you.
That's just how I remember it's June 3.
So don't freak out or make a big deal out of it if I bring it up.
June 3, 2008 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you, Ben. This was kind of you. Will follow your advice re: tab and invisible text box and retry avatar replacement. Your patient response is appreciated.
June 3, 2008 10:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
thanks ben.
Would you or anyone else mind giving me a few beginner tips for using the bold, italics, etc. features, as well as highlighting text and turning long links into one-word links?
I'm used to using Microsoft word-- I highlight a sentence, click on bold and presto, its bold. Is it supposed to work like that here?
The whole process of converting a link into one word is beyond me right now.
I know nothing about HTML tags. I have a Mac laptop.
June 3, 2008 10:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here are the most used tags (in comments only—do not use these in the body of an actual blog entry):
<em> or <i>: either of these will italicize
<b>: bold
<blockquote> Puts text in a box
Each of these should be followed with the appropriate closing tag (which is the same as the opening tag, but with a "/" added to it. E.g., to italicize italicize, type <i>italicize</i>.
June 3, 2008 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's the part I have been looking for as I didn't know how to close my text boxes!
Thank you so much!
June 3, 2008 10:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Fun!
I is learning.
June 3, 2008 10:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, and to add a link, type in something like <a href="http://obamaiswinning.com">this</a>.
June 3, 2008 10:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ben, I think you've mostly covered it, but I'll copy in my comment-formatting comment from last night, just for completeness sake (ok, and I added a few more entities, too):
<b>bold</b>
<strong>strong</strong>
<i>italic</i>
<em>empasized</em>
< = <
> = >
& = &
"e; = "e;
' = ' (haven't tried it, but i expect this would work in a blog title)
more characters
<a hret="http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com">TPM</a>
June 3, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, I'd be willing to bet otherwise. :)
June 3, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Since we're talking tips, typically I write in the link text before copying in the url, for example
Step One: <a href="">Vice President Brad Henry</a>
Step Two: <a href="http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/05/vice-president-brad-henry.php">Vice President Brad Henry</a>
I do this because long urls are very common, and it's easier to make sure I formatted the link correctly if I paste in the url last.
Of course, if TPM had an editing function, or if caucuses were primaries...
June 3, 2008 3:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent tip. I do the same thing. Otherwise, you're much more likely to end up with a link that spans the remainder of your text because you've forgotten a closing tag.
June 3, 2008 3:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
me too. unless i'm typing rather than pasting the url or it's a tiny url.
June 3, 2008 5:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
where do these tags go? Beginning of a sentence, surrounding a sentence or paragraph.
If I want this sentence to be highlighted, should I type in:
does it only convert after I press send?
June 3, 2008 10:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think you've already answered your own question. :)
June 3, 2008 10:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
To ameliorate the infamous hrbendorf problem, most browser Find dialogs include a "Match Whole Word Only" or some such option.
Try it. You'll like it.
June 3, 2008 10:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, in my Firefox browser, that option isn't available, although I can choose to match case.
June 3, 2008 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
I answered my own question about highlight.
to do the link thing, do I type the following?
>a href = "http://www.realclearpolitics.com">here
June 3, 2008 10:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obviously, that first > should've been a
June 3, 2008 10:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
here
June 3, 2008 10:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Looks like you got it!
June 3, 2008 10:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Let's try that again!
Obviously, that first > should've been a <, but you also need to add a closing tag (for a link that's always going to be </a>) so it should've been <a href = "http://www.realclearpolitics.com">here</a>.
(Also note that you can never enter < directly into your comment. You must instead type <.)
June 3, 2008 10:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Back again, with apologies.
Thanks to you, avatar replaced. But still no apparent box to insert text on a blog, though I tried your advice to "tab and type." No result.
I use Safari. Is that what is making the text insert window invisible? And where is the window? Is it right under the title insert window? That is, between the title window and the options for bold, italic, etc.? Or is it between those options and the "Submit" button? When I type, I cannot even see a cursor, or place marker, much less text. Any suggestions? (Other than getting a different computer.)
June 3, 2008 11:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
No need to apologize. It could be the Safari browser and TPM not getting along. I use Firefox, and Internet Explorer is probably the most common browser used here. The text box should be between the formatting buttons and the check boxes for Muckraker or Election Central.
June 3, 2008 11:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
I should add that if you point your Safari browser to Firefox's web-site, you can use a different browser without changing computers.
June 3, 2008 11:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
I use Safari too, although I can see the box. Try typing in your title and then hitting tab twice and typing.
June 3, 2008 11:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Like this?
here
And what is "<"?
June 3, 2008 11:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm assuming you typed
:)< is HTML-speak for the "less than" symbol. (To actually type this instead of getting the less than symbol, you'd have to type &lt;. & is HTML-speak for "ampersand".)
June 3, 2008 11:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
okay, I get the link thing now.
thanks.
Now there's a different way to do it when I'm typing a blog entry?
June 3, 2008 11:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
For a blog entry you have to use the provided buttons. Don't use HTML in those. Occasionally I will, and it looks ugly. :(
June 3, 2008 11:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
You can also paste HTML into a blog post (if you view it in a browser rather than as source), but only some tags work. I haven't been able to figure out which ones yet.
June 3, 2008 11:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ben's right. Don't use any HTML tags in your blog posts-- the code will show up in your posts. Instead, use the buttons above the text box. Thanks for the tips and workarounds-- we're working on this stuff.
June 3, 2008 11:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think what Paige is saying is that sometimes when you copy & paste HTML code into the text box it auto-formats. I haven't figured out the hows and wherefores on that myself, but since I don't do much copying & pasting it hasn't really been a concern of mine.
Manually typing in HTML code into a blog entry is always a loser. Of course, since most of us type far more comments on TPM than blog entries, old habits die hard.
June 3, 2008 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, Ben, that's exactly what I'm saying. Thanks for translating. (It means you can type your posts in HTML, open them in a browser, and then cut & paste -- and you don't have to worry about the formatting links. Except every time I've done that, I've gotten ambitious and included some tag that it doesn't actually support and messed up my posts! Known unsupported: <table>, <img>)
June 3, 2008 11:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not to mention <strike>/<s>! (I still don't understand how that one was overlooked.)
June 3, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
you forgot using you're when you really mean your.
June 3, 2008 11:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Stop pushing my buttons! ;)
June 3, 2008 11:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
Very helpful, Ben! Learned a few things... thanks!
recommended!
June 3, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Aha! There is a way to use apostrophes in blog post titles without disabling the previous/next buttons.
June 3, 2008 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well done!
June 3, 2008 11:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
okay Ben, if you have a minute I have just one more question.
When I type in the box for my blog post, those functions don't seem to work.
I highlight a word, click bold, and it doesn't turn bold. Is this an invisible tag that doesn't show up until after you press submit?
Also, converting a link to one word when I'm writing a blog-- what are the steps?
-- copy paste link from another site in blog post, highlight, click link, enter short word? Click submit?
June 3, 2008 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
It should show up as bold after highlighting and clicking bold. I'm not sure why that's not working for you. Perhaps you're using an older browser?
For attaching a link to a word in your blog entry, highlight the chosen word (or phrase), click on the link icon, and then enter the URL in the pop up box.
As CaliforniaPaige has indicated above, there are also copy & paste techniques you can use for this, but I'm not well versed in them.
June 3, 2008 11:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Switching to Firefox was the answer. Lovely text box now clearly visible. Thank you, Ben, and thank you, Hillarym99.
June 3, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've got it:) Bold, block quotes, links, italics. (much easier to do in my blog post. But It's like long division in comments.)
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Ben, Hillarym99 and all those who helped make this possible. You believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself and I'm forever in your debt:)
June 3, 2008 12:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
this is
. I just hope it works.Sometimes I have little icons above the comment box and sometimes I don't. This is incredibly annoying.
June 3, 2008 1:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
By George, I think I've got it!
Now I just have to figure out how to save this thread.
But seriously, there's got to be a better way. This reminds me of DOS.
June 3, 2008 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Congrats, armchair! As far as saving, see Ben's hint #3 above... Also, you can use a link sharing service (like any of the ones listed under the "SHARE" link at the lower right corner of every post).
June 3, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Be careful what you wish for. Now you will be treated to more of my inane ramblings and ad hominems in color, replete with links, italics and bold text. More likely, however, I will continue to post in low tech fashion because these newfangled doo-hickeys take too much time.
June 3, 2008 2:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think there's such a thing as "posting in a low-tech" fashion! You're high-tech, whether you like it or not, just by being here. (Also, these new-fangled gizmos, like the <b> tag, are actually older than TPM itself. Easily.)
June 3, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks, Ben!
I am so saving this link.