Using Blogger

 The following instructions are for members of the Tumbleweed Photo Group. This will be the discussion item at the meeting on February 28, 2011.  Note we will be using the Blogger tools only for this discussion.  Another program (LiveWriter 2011) is available but the posting of the blog is just slightly different.

 To start, first go to or open the TPG blog as shown above. (http://tumbleweedphotogroup.blogspot.com) You will see the “Sign In” on the dark blue bar all the way to the right. Click on the “Sign In”.

Sign-in Screen

This where we sign in or you go to this screen to make your own blogs. Put the official sign-in in the Email box. (ray1al65@gmail.com) Next, put in the password. That was sent to everyone under separate email. I do monitor the blog so if unidentified posts start appearing, then I will change the PW. Once you have both entries, click on the [Sign in] button.

Blog Dashboard

The dashboard is where you find lots of interesting things, like how to really mess up a blog, etc. (NO, just kidding. There is nothing that cannot be fixed if you hit the wrong item. I bought protection insurance from the Mafia Insurance Company through their agent, Shorty Slabmaker. He says he will take care of any problems.)

The key item here is the blue tab...New Post. Select it.

Future Reference: After you have finished your blog entry and SAVED then uploaded it, you may find an error caused by dumb fingers. Those are the ones that don't follow the brain and type whatever they want. You can go into the Edit function where you will see your post title. Select edit on the same line as your post and make you changes....don't forget to resave the post. Then post the corrected entry to the site.

The Blog Word Processor

This is the screen that causes most people to quit posting in blogs. The blog's word processor is one of those dumb programs that doesn't always do what you tell it to do. Screaming at the computer won't help, you must type in the words. Really the word part of the processor is not difficult. You will notice the “standard” icons for spell check, bold, italic, colors, etc. But we are what??? A Photography Group??? So we will want to add pictures. This is no small feat (or feet??). After the last line of typing, hit the [ENTER] key a couple of times so the photo will not slide up into your typing.

Add Pictures Screen

Click on the “Picture” icon in the word processor and you will get the “add images” screen above. Don't panic.......yet. There is a [Choose Files] button at the top. Click on that (with the mouse, of course) and you will get the Picture directory (or My Pictures). Find the image you want to put on the blog, select it and it will “open” on the Add Images page (small photo). To use this picture, simply select “UPLOAD” on the left side of the screen. Little things start whirring around the screen....ooops, that was a fly. Once it is uploaded you will see it on the word processor screen.

Mastering the blog entries and putting pictures on the blog takes practice and repetition is the best teacher.

  Word Processor with Picture Entered

Once you select the upload, the screen will return you to the word processor. It simply places the picture in the blog with the Medium size selected.

Changing Size and Location of the Picture

Click on the picture with the mouse once and it will “highlight” and give you the picture menu at the bottom of the picture. Select any changes you want. Note, if you want to move the picture further down the page, put the cursor at the bottom of the display and hit [ENTER] key several times. You can then drag the picture further down the blog page.

You can add more typing under the photo by moving the cursor below the picture. Remember to SAVE when you are done and click on the [PREVIEW] button at the bottom of the word processor. This will open a page and show you what the blog entry will look like once published. Close the preview screen, make any changes you want (but remember to resave after every change) and then PUBLISH. You can then go on the Internet and see the blog entry.