The one that seemed to have not worked was one to let people change the theme of the blog to suit their own preference. It is a nice feature but not essential. After I installed several plug-ins, including Theme Changer, suddenly all h*ll broke lose. Yes, I know you should never install multiple things at the same time. Everything seems to work fine again.

One new feature that did survive is one to allow writers to make the edit screen take up all the browser window. One user found the text running off the screen when she wrote a post. There is a button near the right side of the toolbar at the top of the edit window. It looks slightly like a computer screen. If you click it you will get rid of the two sidebars that take up some of the screen. Press it again and everything is back to normal.

The other new button on the toolbar is one that looks like a bar chart. It allows you to add a poll to what you are writing.

If the user puts their name in the profile created when they register the Administrator will upgrade the user to Author if he or she is known to the Administrator. Unknown users will be made Contributors. The difference is Authors can publish their own writings but Contributor items must be approved by the Administrator or an Editor. Once a Contributor has written two or three relevant posts he or she can request upgrade to Author.

Since the Administrator of the blog has a poor memory for people and names it might help him remember you if you tell what you have done for the Democratic Party and what campaigns you have worked in under “Biographical Info” at the bottom of the profile. Members of the Lebanon County Democratic Committee are automatically made Authors.

If you write a post, as an Author make sure you click the Publish button on the right side of the screen. Just clicking on the Save button does not publish the post. Drafts are automatically saved by the system.

There are a row of buttons across the top of the edit window. If you click the last button it will open or close a whole row of additional edit and formatting buttons. Use the buttons to format your masterpiece. Do not try to insert html codes directly. Unless you switch to the HTML tab at the top the raw code will appear in the post when published. There is spellchecking available. Use it please. You can also see what your finely crafted work looks like by using the Preview button.

If anyone would prefer writing posts using BB-code let the Administrator know. I can add that ability. Personally, I find BB-code confusing. But to each his own.

One more thing to point out is the Insert “Read More Tag” button. If you write a long post make the first one or two paragraphs a summary of your argument. Invited others to read your idea. Click on the fourth button from the right end of the toolbar. It looks like a cut piece of paper. Everything below that point will appear on a full article screen.

If you write a long post and do not insert a “Read More” tag the Admonistrator reserves the right to split the post at the point he considers appropriate. If you have any problems or questions let me know.