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Saturday, September 17, 2011

Links to Other Blogs

http://divineprovidenceproverbs.blogspot.com/
          This is my simpler modern English re-write of half of the Christian mystic Emmanuel Swedenborg's book Divine Providence.  His complicated older English style paragraphs are condensed into a moreso proverbs-like expression.

          These are some tips on how to use several social networking websites.

          This is an action plan for promoting business websites to make sales in three social networking community websites:  Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. 

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Some Little-Known or Must-Know Google Skills

Google Search

     Every Google application has inside application search possibilities.

     Click "Images" to search for any image.  Don't forget the "Advanced Search".  Also video search.

     "Blog Search" has many surprising possibilities--try it.  It's under "More" on homepage.

     "Advance Search"
          All words, exact phrase, at least of of the words options.  This limits the search results amazingly.

     Local Searches is interesting.  Just define the town wherein you want the info related to.  Your town?


     Directory Browsing by Topic
          directory.google.com uses a table of contents and subtopics.  Can be very useful!

     "People Search"  ("Googling People")
          It can actually be embarrassing how much information you can find on people.  Have mercy.  
          Be sure to put their name inside "Double Quotes" in search box and add other information you know like where they are from.


"Google Chrome" is their own browser and not surprising all these applications run better and faster using it.  It's free, too.

Google Maps is famous.  It's tricky though.  You want to learn the:
          - "Drag Map" hand,
          - "Move Square to Reposition" lower right-hand corner tool
          - "Click to collapse" down pointing arrow in a box

Google Earth Free
          http://earth.google.com to Install
          Views from space, can tilt the Grand Canyon for example
          There's a PDF User Guide at .../google_earth_user_guide.pdf (?)

Google News
     Using this with Search is great.  Just put your topic in quotes and search in the News Page Search Box.
     Also there are news categories on the left, key words on right side, etc.

Picasa is Googles photo application.  It's quite sophisticated.

I guess they dropped their website-making application.  Too bad.  But Blogger and Blogspot are about the same.

If you have a website that you want to appear high on the search engines, the book Building Your Business with Google for Dummies by Brad Hill gives details about how to make that happen.  But it's a tricky, time-consuming web designer techie/geekie skill set.

Gmail Email

Gmail page has search boxes for your email list and for the internet.

Reply Drop-down arrow options

Hide details/Show details toggle

Display images below/always

Play MP3 music in Gmail

File attachments can be viewed in their native formats.
     Click the "Download" button at bottom of message.  Can be viewed as HTML without downloading or .doc, pdf, .ppt, .xls

Send email
     1.  Click "Contacts" on left side for list.
     2.  Select check boxes (multiple?)

Gmail trouble shooter:  http://tinyurl.com/34xvbn (?)

Do:  Type first few letters in "to:" field.  Select email choice.

Do:  Click "Expand All" several times to collapse all

"Save Draft", "Save Now" (bottom of message)

Can add "cc" (carbon copy) for others to receive a copy of the email.

"bcc" (blind carbon copy) deletes the address as copy is sent so no one else will no they received a copy.

Can add attachments, format, check spelling.  10 MB limit.

Click "Rich Formating" for text color, highlighting color, (select text to apply)

Spell Check
     Other languages are in drop-down arrow.

Contacts
     Click "Add Contact".  Click down arrow next to "Reply" also.

Importing Contacts
     Click Contacts/Import or Export to send or receive entire contacts lists from or to other email programs

Edit Contact Information
     Can search for contacts using Gmail Search box.

Gmail groups to send to all in group
     1.  Click "Contacts"
     2.  Select "Groups" tab and Click "Create Group"
     3.  Enter Group Name
     4.  Type contacts in Add Contacts field
     5.  Click "Create Group"

Edit Group

Adjust Program Settings in Gmail
     Click "Settings" in Gmail
          My picture (to include in emails), Signature (any text, address, etc. can be added at end of every email)

There is a "Vacation Responder"
     This is send a message that you will be unavailable for a certain period to everyone that emails you.

Sort Emails
     All - Selects all messages
     None - De-selects any selected messages
     Read - Selects messages that have been read
     Unread - Selects unread messages
     Starred - Selects messages flagged with a star (Previously you had to have clicked on the Star)
     Unstarred - Selects messaged not starred previously by having clicked on the star

Archive Message for long-term Save.

Can add stars for any reason

Sort in folders
     Inbox - Messages not spam defined
     Starred conversations in Inbox
          Select the "Starred" link to show only starred messages.
     Chats - Stores conversations
     Sent mail - Holds copies of sent mail
     Drafts
     All mail - Shows inbox and starred messages
     Spam
     Trash

Create labels for organizing messages
     To Create a New Label
          1.  Select check boxes to label
          2.  Click "More Actions" down-arrow
          3.  Type Name, OK

Delete a label
     1.  Click "Edit Labels" at bottom of Labels box
     2.  Click "Remove Label"  next to one to delete, OK

Rename a Label
     Gmail notifier download tells when new mail comes in.

Filters to Sort Mail
     Designed in two parts
          1st specify variables as Keywords, Senders
          2nd define outcome such as archiving or adding a label

     Set up Filter
          1.  Click "Create a Filter" at top of Gmail for form fields
          2.  Type filter criteria in fields
          3.  Click "Test Search"
          4.  Click "Next Step" for list of actions
          5.  Select actions, click "Create Filter"
               Skip Inbox, (Archive it), Star it, Apply label XYZ, Forward it to (email address), delete it

Filter different email addresses

Manage filter collections
     1.  Click "Settings" at top right of Gmail
     2.  Click "Filters" for list of filters
     3.  Locate filter to modify
          Delete, edit, next step, update filter

Manage Spam automatically
     Click "Report Spam", or click "Not Spam"

Web clips (Click "Settings")

Google Notebook

Install www.google.com/notebook/

Add Clippings
     1.  Right-click text, image, or link
     2.  Choose "Note this" (Google Notebook)

Click "Open Notebook" on Status bar
     Organize and share.

Full Page View
     - Click "Actions"/Go to Full Page View (Upper right drop-down list)
          New Notebook, add section heading, show notebook list

Google.com/notebook opens full screen version.

     Organize, modify, sort, share clippings
     Print, export to Google Docs, Collapse all notes, Show note details

For New Heading
     1.  Select a notebook in left frame
     2.  Type heading in text field, top right
     3.  Enter

Rename Notebook
     1.  Full Page View
     2.  Tools/Rename Notebook/Type Name/Enter

Drag clippings to re-organize in full view.

Delete Notes
     A.  Select/Tools/Delete Selected Note
     B.  Delete Section, (Choose drop-down arrow
     C.  Delete entire notebook
          Tools/Delete Notebook  (Deletions are stored for 30 days in "Trash")

How to Share Google Notebook Online
     Collaborate online, or Publish online
          Only entire notebook
          1.  Organize content
          2.  Click "Sharing Options"
          3.  Type email addresses of recipients, separate with commas
          4.  Yes or No to Publish Notebook to Public Web Page
          5.  Click Save Setting to open dialog.  Type invitation and a link to the notebook to your addresses
          Note:  If you publish it as a web page it is public to everyone.



        

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Creative Writing Blog--How To

Start Your Blog
     Open main Blogger page at www.blogger.com/start
      Sign-in option, a tour, search feature, explore other blogs feature

 Click "Take the Tour", At end of your tour, Click "Create a Blog".
 Configure your blog.
      The "Create a Blog" link ends tour.
 Create an Account (Google account)
      Name your Blog, click Help icons if needed

Select a template
     Scroll down, can modify or change later.
      Click "Preview Template" to see full-size.  Click "Continue" after chosen.

 Final screen says blog is created, can start posting or customize appearance.
      Click "Start Posting"

 Make Your First Blog Post
      Initial page has four tabs (Posting, Settings, Template, View Blog)
      Posting tab, and Sections
           Create, Edit Posts, Moderate Comments 

 Create and Publish the Post Content
      Steps to write and publish a basic blog post
      1.  Type Title in Title field
      2.  Type Text in Text field
      3.  Use tools on "Compose" window for text look
      4.  Select text first, Size change, Add link, Spellcheck
      5.  Preview page before posting
      6.  Click "Hide Preview" to return to "Compose" window
      7.  Bottom of Compose window, click "Post Options" to open a setting for or against "Reader Comments", backlinks, time stamp, etc.
      8.  Add Labels?   Use to categorize or search postings later
      9.  Click "Publish Post" to publish to new blog if not ready, click "Save Now"
     10. Publishd successfully comment.  Click "View Blog" for new browser page includes two links to edit the post or create another post.

 Check Text Pasted to Blog Post
      MS Word adds extra computer code.  That's OK but better to type in Notepad which doesn't.

 Add More Content to Blog Page
      Link to other pages or sites
      1.  Open another browser window and find page to link to.  Copy URL address
      2.  Select text to use for link on your page.
      3.  Click "Link" on toolbar to open dialog.
      4.  Paste URL into field.
      Can click "Preview" but do not click the Link or you will lose edits.

 Insert Images on Blog Post.
      1.  Click location on page to add image, click "Add Image" on Toolbar, opens second browser window (Image from computer or internet)
      2.  Click Browser for dialog, click "Select" to transfer from the location.  Or use "Add an Image from computer" field (?)
      3.  Click "Add Another Image"
      4.  Choose layout
      5.  "Use This Layout Every time"
      6.  Specify size (medium?)
      7.  Click "Upload Image", Click "Done"
      8.  Edit Post browser window

 Alter Image on the Page
      Image is top of page at first.
      Click image for sizing handles.
      Drag on page.
      Select and delete?  (Goes to clipboard), Ctrl-V to paste where you want it on page.

 Manage Viewer Comments
      To write a comment, click "Comment" link at bottom, opens "Comment Input" window.
      Type in "Leave your Comment" field.
      To change how they are, go to Dashboard and click "Settings", "Comments" tab
           - Show or Hide comments
           - Who can comment (Registered users only? Anyone?  Members of this blog?)
           - Backlinks?  (other links on your page) 

Note: Backlinks are used to keep track of other blogs that are linked to your posts.  If someone references a Post on your blog, the backlink offers a way for readers to find out how other posters have referenced your blog post.
      - Choose "Comments Time Stamp" format
      - Pop-up window Comments?  No.  Many browsers auto-cut pop-ups.

 To Block Spam
      Enable "Comment Moderation" (until you review them)  Type your email address for copies, accept or reject.
      Show "Word Verification" so no auto-bots
      Shoe Profile images?
      Type email address in Comment Notifiation address field to monitor for spam
 Configure the Blog Basics
      Click "Settings" tab to see configuration tabs.  Basic tab is first.
      Settings:  Title, Description, Add Your Blog to Our Listings? Show Quick Editing on Your Blog? Show Email, Post Links? (by others to others)

Configure Settings for Your Blogs
      Blog-specific vs. global settings
           Global settings:
           - Choose "Compose Mode" for all your blogs, keep as Yes.
           - Show transliteration button for Your Posts.  Yes.  Translates.
      Click "Delete this Blog"?

 Specify Publishing Details
      Click "Publishing" tab  (Blogspot.com is used by Blogger Program.  Can switch.)

 Indicate Format Features
      Click "Formatting" tab
      Number of Posts (7 on main page? Date option?  Times and Dates?)

 How to Offer Links with Link Field
      Postings that reference other postings.
      If choose to show Link Field, it is on Compose window below Title field.

 Modify Image Layout
      Use justification buttons (left, right, center, etc.)

 Republish Post
      After adding images and links, click "Preview".  Click "Publish".

 Use Dashboard to Manage Your Blog
      Blog log-in with any Google account, www2.blogger.com
      From Dashboard you can:
           - Change details of account or edit prophile
           - Create new blog, find help using blogger
                Click "New Post" to open the Create window and design a new posting.
           - Manage your posts (Edit existing posts, configure settings, modify layout)

 Modify Your Profile
      Manage Google Account Settings
           Click "My Account" (Manage Posts, Settings, Layout)

      Profile Feature
           Click "Edit Profile" to open the Edit User Profile window, Save profile at bottom.
           Click Dashboard at top to return to it.

 Archive older postings
      Click "Archiving" tab on Settings window.  Monthly?
      Post pages--Leave enabled

 Manage Email
      You are able to post via email.

 Set Permissions for Authoring and Reading
      The "Permissions" tab, 2 settings
           Add more authors, list readers
           1.  Click "Add Authors" Text field
           2.  Type email addresses
           3.  Click "Invite" to send email invitations and close "Invite" field
           4.  On Permissions tab, see open invitations list

 To Restrict Access
      1.  Click "Only People I Choose" in "Who Can View this Blog"
      2.  Click "Add Readers" to open Text field
      3.  Type email addresses for readers and return to Permissions tab
      4.  Invitees shown in Blog Readers Section of tab

Define Your Blog's Layouts
     Use the Template tab

Add and Adjust Page Elements
     Click "Page Elements" link to open the tab

Insert More Elements
     Click "Add a Page Element" to open "Choose a New Page Element" window

Elements List
     AdSense (Advertising)
     Blog Archive (links to older posts)
     Feed (RSS feed)
     HTML/JavaScript
     Labels
     Link list
     List
     Newsreel (Google News)
     PageHeader
     Picture
     Poll
     Profile
     Text
     Video Bar (YouTube)
      Google Clips

Choose Fonts and Colors
     Click "Fonts and Colors" link for palettes

Manage Posts
     Click "Manage Posts" on Dashboard or click "Posting" tab in tabs to display 3 panes:  Create, Edit Posts, Moderate Comments.

To create a new post click the "Create" tab

Edit and Search Post Lists
     - Can edit, review, delete posts on "Edit Posts" tab
     - Open draft for editing or deleting
     - Sort posts by "all" (default), "drafts", "published status"
     - Add, change, or remove labels for sorting or locating in Posts
     - Type a term in "Search" field and click "Search" to locate context

Moderate Comments
     Listed in "Moderate Comments" tab
          Must have "Enable Comment Moderation" select in "Comments" pane of "Settings" tab.

Google Ducuments--How To

First, you must make sure your browser allows a medium amount of online "Cookies":

Internet Explorer:

1.  Click Tools / Internet Options / Security
2.  Click "Custom Level" for Security Setting Dialog, Scroll down to Scripting section (way down), click "Enable", OK
3.  Select "Privacy" for options for cookies, slider to "Medium", OK

Firefox Browser
1.  Tools / Options / Privacy (to open Options Dialog)  enable "Accept Cookies from Sites" check box.
2.  Click "Content" to display settings for choosing active page features.  Choose "Enable" JavaScript check box, OK.

Any reasonable file size accepted.

Files have special security

Use Folders:


     New / Folder, Name
          Click "Add Description/Status" link (optional)
     Move Content within Folder
          First in "Items Not in Folders"
               Drag file from Docs list and drop it onto folder in Items list.

Manage Your Folders

     Change name, description, delete
     Edit folder description/status, DO:  Click to select / type replacement

     Rename folders
          Select folder in "Items" list to display contents in "Docs" list, Select Name, Type new name
     Delete folders
          1.  Click "All folders" in Items list to display list of folders in "Docs" list at right of Program Window.
          2.  Select check box to left, Click "Remove folder"
               It's in Trash until that's emptied.

Add and Delete Files
     Click "New" / New Document
     or click "Upload" to locate and Select files to import into program.

Upload File from My Computer
     1.  Click "Upload" on homepage to open "Upload a File" browser, "Browse your Computer to Select a File to Upload"  (New Name?)
     2.  Browse, Browse Dialog closes, Name of file is on browser window.
     3.  Enter another name in "What do you want to call it?".
     4.  Click "Upload File" to transfer file from your computer to program online.

Email a File to Yourself

Unique address assigned to Google Documents
     - Upload file one at a time.   A unique address will be in Address Book.
     1.  Click Upload on main Google Docs window.  See choices.  Find Email in your Docs and Files area.
     2.  Copy unique email address shown  (Writely.com)
     3.  Paste it, attach documents, send

Anyone can use the storage address
     Copy/paste content into an email.  Or forward existing email to storage email account.  Contents become document, subject becomes name of file.
     To send email to group and storage account include unique address in list of recipients.
     Add many files to email and send. 
          Separate confirmation emails come for each file and link to file.

Delete a File
     1.  Select check box
     2.  Click Del (to trash)
     3.  To empty trash, click Bin in Items list
     4.  can Undelete before you Empty trash bin

Search and Sort Google Documents
     Search Phrase or Term
          1.  Type term in Search field    
          2.  Click Search Docs
     Use other Sort features
          Created by Me, Type of Doc., Shared With

Starred Files
Edit Docs Online
     Tips:  Format text, Select Paragraph to indent
     Select block for Billeted list or numbered list
     Change settings, styles
     Select block / Remove formatting
     Insert link

Apply a Style
     Paragraph, header, strike-out, etc.

Define Doc Settings
     1.  Click File button and choose Doc Settings for dialog
     2.  See Preview area, line spacing, text size, doc background color
          Can choose combination for default settings
     3.  Save Settings

Check for Errors
     Spellcheck
     1.  Click Spellcheck (bottom right)
     2.  Right-click words

Short cuts:
     Ctrl+A   -   select All
     Ctrl+S   -   Save
     Ctrl+X   -   Cut
     Ctrl+P   -   Print
     Ctrl+Home   -   To top of doc
     Ctrl+C   -   Copy
     Ctrl+V   -   Paste

Insert Special Features
     Click Insert tab:  Image, Link, etc.
     Click picture to see re-size handles

Link to Other Content (webpage, email address, other files, elsewhere in file
     1.  Click document location to insert link
     2.  Click Link on Edit or Insert tabs
     3.  Select Link type in "Link To" options, Email address?
     4.  Type info in "Link To" fields.
          Link to URL
          Check box "Open Link in New Window"?
          Link to document/spreadsheet
               Click doc drop-down arrow to open list of your files.  Open in New Window?

Link to Bookmark (internal document link)
     Select existing bookmark from "Bookmark drop-down list.  (If you have any.)
     1.  Type text in Link Display field (or selected text appears)
     2.  Click "Preview" (above toolbar) to test

Use Bookmark Shortcuts
Book Marks = Table of Contents
     1.  Click location on Page for Bookmark
     2.  Click "Bookmark" on "Insert" tab for dialog
     3.  Type Name in "New Bookmark" field, OK
          Once bookmarks are created, follow steps in section "Link to Other Content" (above)

Add Text Comments
     For my info or to share with others
     1.  Click doc page
     2.  Click "Comment" on the "Insert" tab
          Date and User Name auto added
     3.  Type, click off field when done
          Click comment to change it, Pop-up list
               Change color, add text, delete
     All viewers or collaborators see comments.  They are only internal to file.  Not visible when published, printed or posted to other blogs or web pages.

Format Text in Tables
     Click "Table" in "Insert" tab's tool bar
          - Size, layout, color, sections, special characters

Share Files with Others
     Co-editing based on rights granted
     Owner can Edit, Invite viewers or collaborators, has ultimate control over file.
     Collaborators can edit and invite other viewers or collaborators
     Viewers can read current version only

Invite Participants
     1.  Click the "Share" tab at upper right of program window for options.  Or Click "Add Collaborators" at bottom of open document window to see "Share" tab.
     2.  Add email addresses to invite and Click "Invite Collaborators"
     3.  Addresses appear in email window.  Add message?  Click "Invite Collaborators"
     4.  They are in list in "Share" tab "Choose from Contacts"?

Tips: 
     Can remove yourself in "Share" tab from Collaborators list.
     Small box at bottom if collaborating simultaneously.
     50 people maximum
     RSS feed possible when a change is made by anyone.  See "Share" tab settings.  You are taken to New Browser page to add feed to iGoogle or Google Reader.
     Choose "Advanced Options", to allow collaborators to invite others.

Troubleshoot - Viewing Problems
     Accessing your document problems
          Using a forwarding email address?  Which email address is actually invited to participate in a collaboration?  Sign into http://docs.google.com with correct email address.

Publish Documents Online
     Can automatically produce a web with links or a blog.  [?  Elbert will test this]
     Review page for accuracy
          Edit HTML tab
     Preview Page
     Click "Preview" to test links

Generate a Web Page
     To publish a document as a web page
          1.  Select the "Publish" tab on Document's Edit page to show Publish settings
          2.  Check Publish Document.  See confirmation dialog
               See URL
          3.  Send the URL to those you'd like to view document.

     "Republish" button, if you make more changes.
     Click "Stop Publishing" to remove it from public view.

Publish You Page to Your Blog
     1.  Open Document, select "Publish" tab for settings
     2.  Click the "Set Your Blog Site Settings" link to open the "Blog Site Settings" dialog
     3.  "My Own Server/Custom" option?  Select the API (Application Program Interface( that powers your blog and type the URL to the PHP file in the URL field.
     4.  Insert information about your blog, type at service, name and password, blog's identification and title.
     5.  Click "Test" (Do test it now!)
     6.  OK, Publish tab, Click "Post", must save.

Print and Export
     Print, Save and Reuse different revisions

Recreate a Former File Version
     1.  Click doc's link in Google Doc's Homepage to open in Edit Window.
     2.  Click Revisions tab for list of editted versions
     3.  Click revision's link to open it for viewing in the Revision tab.
    4.  To restore an earlier revision to the active version of document, click "Revert to this one"
          Can:
          View revisions with "Older" or "Newer" buttons
          Click "Back to Revision History" to return to list of revisions
          Click "Back to Editing" to return to Edit tab
          Click "Close Doc" to close Revision tab and return to Docs and Spreadsheet homepage.

Compare Multiple File Revisions
     From the "Revisions" tab, select check boxes for two revisions for comparison and click "Compare Checked" to load the file into "Revisions" tab.
     The changes made and Collaborator involved, are highlighted.

Export File Formats:  HTML (In a Zip File), Word Doc, Open Office ODT, PDE, RTF, Text

To Export Document
     1.  Open file to Save
     2.  Click file to open its men, choose one of listed file formats to open the "File Download" dialog.
     3.  Click "Open" to download file and open it in associated program.  Click "Save" to download on your computer, click "Cancel" to close dialog box.