| Thanks for coming to Progressive Sundae, a blog dedicated to the discussion of local politics in the East Bay and beyond.
Now, here's how you can join the conversation:
Making an Account
Get a user name and password by clicking on Make a New Account and following the instructions.
Writing a Comment
It's easy to make your voice heard here once you've become a member. If you've got something to say about a diary that's posted either on the front page or in the Diaries section in the right margin, simply create an account by entering a username and password. Then log in and click on Post a Comment at the bottom of the diary entry -- or on Reply if you want to respond to someone else's comment. After your comment is finished, you may want to use the Preview button before sending it off with the Post button.
Rating a Comment
You have the ability to rate the comments of others. If you read something particularly useful or insightful, you may give the author a 4 or Cherry (excellent) rating. On the other hand, if you feel that a comment was written with the sole purpose of degrading the conversation or being intentionally abusive, you may choose to give it a 0 or Empty Dish (troll) rating, which will cause the comment to be hidden. (Note: Troll rating a comment simply because you disagree with it is considered ratings abuse and is grounds for banning the user.)
Writing a Diary
Got something even bigger to say? Then by all means consider writing a diary. After logging in, click on New Diary and get busy. Polls are available for diaries as well, but are not required. Always remember to Preview your diary before hitting the Save button. After you save your diary, it will be published in the Diaries section in the right-hand column. If you wish to make changes to your diary after you have published it, you may go to your diary and click on Edit to enter your changes.
Be sure to include Tags, which are words that represent key content items of your diary. For example, if you are writing about Charlie Brown, write "Charlie Brown," "John Doolittle," and "CA-04" in the Tag line. That way a reader looking for information on that race can click on the Charlie Brown or John Doolittle or CA-04 tags and find your diary and all the others written concerning that Congressional race or district. Separate multiple tags by commas.
If you decide to quote an outside source as part of your diary, be sure to follow fair use guidelines and quote no more than a few paragraphs. Whenever possible, link to the source.
On content: we're not going to tell you what to write, but on a blog that focuses on local progressive politics, expect your diary to get more attention from readers if your content involves local political material from a progressive viewpoint.
Basic Formatting
To create a hyperlink, use the following bit of HTML code: <a href="http://www.yourlinkgoeshere">Your text goes here</a>
For Italics: Block the text you wish to italicize and click on the box marked "Italic" below.
For Bold: Block the text you wish to bold and click on the box marked "Bold" below.
To put a quote into a box: Block the text you want to quote, and click on the box marked "Quote" below.
Maintaining civil discourse
A healthy blog encourages debate. Having said that, this is a progressive blog that by and large supports Democratic candidates. So, while we look forward to a vigorous discussion and vetting of all the Democratic candidates who run for office in our area, unsubstantive or ad hominem attacks on either the candidates or fellow commenters will not be tolerated.
* Hat Tip to Dean of Blue Hampshire, who allowed me to shamelessly borrow portions of this explanation. |
