It is important to understand that the Blog entry content creation option is NOT intended to be used to create an individual user style blog in the same way that Wordpress or Blogger style blog interfaces do.

The Drupal Blog entry as used on soundhouse.org.au is formatted to allow registered users to post basic content to the overall soundhouse.org.au web site blog. All Blog entry content posted by all users is displayed in reverse chronological order. Whilst entries can be filtered by creator and users can subscribe to be notified when a particular contributor makes a new blog entry, it cannot be stressed enough that if you wish to set up your own "blog-like" section within soundhouse.org.au the Blog entry tool is not the way to go. (Read more about your own individual "blog-like" content in the Group - New Group section. Note: Group - New Group creation is only available to sma2web2 members.)

To use the Blog entry content creation tool:

• You will need to be logged in as an Authenticated user or a sma2web2 member.
• Once logged in you should be able to see your user menu in the left sidebar. Click on Create content and note that there is summary information about each of the content types that you can create.
• Select Blog entry - the "Create Blog entry" form should load. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the different sections of the form. Note that some sections are collapsed and will need to be expanded to reveal their fields.
• When creating content using the "Create Blog entry" form there are 4 sections that I would encourage all users to get into the habit of always filling in. These 4 sections appear in most content creation forms:
  • Title^* - Entering a title for your Blog entry is mandatory. Titles are one of the main methods of sorting and searching for blog entries, so it important to use a title that has meaning for the entry.
  • Tags - Tags are optional, but are a fantastic way to help categorise your content and allow users to filter and search through content and posts. When entering tags use "keywords" or "keyphrases" that help define the content of your post, and seperate each tag with a comma. In thinking of what tags to use, ask yourself what subject or topic words would you use if you wanted to search for the post.
  • Body - This is where you write the main content of your post. Notice that there is a toolbar section at the top of this area that will allow you to do various things with your content as you enter it. The range of editing tools available to sma2web2 members is far more extensive than those available to Authenticated users. If you are a sma2web2 member some of the additional editing tools you have available include the ability to upload and browse images, insert Flash content and format fonts and paragraphs.
  •  URL path settings - You will find this section further down the "Create Blog entry" form. You will need to click on its title to expand this section. Generally, Drupal uses an address format that includes the term "node" and a reference number for the node's content. A typical Drupal URL might read as http://soundhouse.org.au/node/107 , making it an "unfriendly" URL. By entering a "friendly" name in the URL path settings, addresses become easier to remember and track and make more sense when viewed by other users. For example, I have entered HowToBlogEntry into the URL path settings field for this node of information so, instead of the web address showing up as http://soundhouse.org.au/node/107 it shows up as http://soundhouse.org.au/HowToBlogEntry. Note that both URLs will lead you to the same page, but the second one is easier to understand and is friendlier.

Other sections of the Create Blog entry form that will appear to all users (i.e. - both Authenticated users and sma2web2 members) are:

• Input format - This is to determine the type of input formats the user is allowed to use when the content of the blog entry is submitted to the database. In most cases this will be Full html and should not be changed from the default setting unless you are an experienced user and know what you are doing.
• Attached images - allows you to upload and automatically add/attach an image to the content of your post. You may also select a previously uploaded image from the list to attach to your post. It is often a good idea to also fill in the Image title: field, particularly if the file name of an image is not self-explanatory. Please note that any images uploaded via this method become part of the public pool and will be available for use in posts by any soundhouse.org.au registered user.
• Location - By filling in this section you can provide a location reference for images or content within your post. The information filled in is embedded within the post as well as a link to Google Maps showing where the location is.
• Notifications - are messages sent to users who have set up their accounts to receive notifications of new posts in general or users who have subscribed to any of your posts. If you specifically don't want anyone to be notified of your new Blog entry you may tick the Do not send notifications for this update box, otherwise you can leave it unticked.
• Creative Commons licenses - You may select the level of Creative Commons licensing (if any) that you would like associated with your Blog entry. You can go to the Creative Commons web site to find out more about the various types of Creative Commons licensing.

Additional sections of the Create Blog entry form that are exclusive to sma2web2 members only are:

• Body - an extended set of editing tools are available to sma2web2 members. As well as being able to format fonts and paragraphs, perhaps one of the more useful tools available to sma2web2 members is the Image button which allows access to an images browser, uploader and properties section. Whilst images that are uploaded using this method are publically visible to anyone viewing the post/s that the image is embedded in, the image is NOT part of the general user image pool and may only be accessed for use in posts by sma2web2 members.
• File Attachments - This section can be used to upload and attach any type of file to your post. This file will appear as a hyperlink allowing registered users to download and save it to their own computer. Notice that it is possible to upload and attach more than one file to a post. To help minimise the amount of file pool allocation that is eaten up by file uploads, larger files or collections of files should be zipped.
• Post to twitter.com - All new posts by sma2web2 members are automatically listed on the soundhouse.org.au twitter profile - SMA_Tweeters. A "tweet" is sent listing the title of the post as well as a link to the post shown as a "tinyurl". If you do not wish your post to be published to SMA_Tweeters, please be sure to un-tick the Post to twitter.com tick box.

Finishing Up - All Registered Users

Once you have filled in all the sections of the Create Blog entry form that you wish to, you can use either of the Preview or Save buttons found at the bottom of the form to continue. Preview will show a preview of the Blog entry in a yellow coloured section at the top of a preview page with the option to make further editing changes beneath the preview section. Save will publish your Blog entry for viewing.

If you are the creator/owner of a published Blog entry you will be able to Edit or even delete it at a later stage via the Edit option which will be found in the title area of any of your published content.