HelpPage

Are You New to the Fired Up! Website?


Well, here’s how to get started enjoying the news and taking part in the commentary.

First, some Definitions:

blog: short for weB LOG or weblog. An online journal that is easily updated, the activity of which is called “blogging” and the one who keeps the journal is a “blogger.”

block: one of the elements in the left and right columns with a short heading, such as Menu, Take Action, Books, Recent Comments, etc.

log in: the process of entering your user name and password in the upper left corner of the website.

post: an article entered on a website arranged most often in chronological order with the most recent featured more prominently.

site address: the unique name of the website and the means by which it is reached. Fired Up! can be reached at firedupmissouri.com or at firedup.cc

threaded comments: the means by which you can comment directly on an article or reply to an existing comment.

user name: can be your real name or a pseudonym used to log in.



You can browse the Fired Up! website without registering or logging in. You may:


. . . read the blog entries in the center column;

. . . select and read comments to existing blogs that are listed in the left-hand column;

. . . read the letters to the Yellow Dog, a political satire feature; read editorials and calendar events; and listen to the podcast;

. . . take the polls and use the research features; print out a flyer about Fired Up to share with your organization;

. . . read a portion of some of the recommended books listed in the left column.


But, to post a blog or a comment, you must be registered and after that logged in each time you want to participate.

How To Register:


Registering is a one-time event. At the User Log In box in the top left-hand column, click Create a New Account. Fill out the brief information request, entering your User Name, (either your real name or a pseudonym), and your email address.

Then check your email account. Within a few minutes, you should get an automatically generated email confirming your registration and assigning you a one-time password to use only for your initial sign in.

When your return to the site, enter that password exactly as written, (it is case sensitive). On all visits thereafter, type your User Name and the Password that you have selected for yourself.

Now you are ready to create posts and to make comments, if you so choose.


How to Log In:

Assuming you are already a Registered User, you need only Log In with your User Name and Password in the upper left-hand column. Then you will be able to participate by posting a blog or comment.

But, if you are in a hurry and do not intend to participate, you can just browse without signing in.


How to Create Comments

Comments can be created to existing blogs posted in the center section. At the bottom of the article you are reading, it will say [add a new comment]. If you are not logged in, it might read [log in/register to post comments]. When you do log in you should see, [add new comment]. Click on the link and you are ready to comment away.

As a matter of etiquette, it is always a good idea to make sure your comments are respectful and constructive.


How to Create a Blog Entry

When you submit an article, it goes to your personal blog site, not the front page. However, you can request that the site Administrator review your material for front page publication. Only those who have been assigned general publishing rights appear on the opening page without review.

Personal blogs, however, can be promoted to the front page, because the counter shows that readership is great enough to move it forward.

To create a blog entry, go to your name in the left column and click on Create Content and then Blog. In the form that comes up, assign a title to your work in the Title Box.

In the Category drop box, select a term that most nearly describes your entry. Think of this as labeling a file folder in which to keep your article—a place where it joins similar material on the chosen topic.

Now enter your article in the box provided. You can determine font type and font size, but for uniformity you should select something similar to other entries on the site.

When you are finished, scroll to the bottom and select Preview to see how your article will look on the page. If you are satisfied, click on Submit.


How to Edit and Delete Content

First log in and then bring up the page you wish to edit. Look below the article for a link that says administer or edit this page. Clicking on this will bring up a form for changing the page. Change the text or settings and then click on Submit.

If you wish to delete, look for a delete button at the bottom of the page. When you click it, you will be given a second chance to confirm that you wish to delete the page, or to change your mind.


How to Add Links

. . . using your mouse, highlight the address (URL) from the address bar at the top of the screen to which you wish to link. Click on Copy.

. . . return to Fired Up. At your blog or comment entry, first highlight and then underscore, (Ctl-U), the word or words you wish to link.

. . . click on the “chain link” in the icon bar. When the box opens Paste in the URL that you have copied.

The words underscored in your text should now be shown in color and if clicked will link to the page indicated in the URL you entered.

 Other Questions or Difficulties

Contact our site manager: scott@firedupmissouri.com

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