OnSugar Help

Layouts

sabs — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:12:03 -0800

What is a Layout?
Layouts let you arrange images and text on an open canvas. You can create collages of favorite photos, magazine-like layouts, or style a complete outfit with images from ShopStyle, Getty, or your own collection. You can also resize and rotate your images, add special effects, add text boxes, add graphics, and title, describe, and tag your layout like any other post type. Pheew!

How do I add images and text to my layout?
To add images, first click the 'Add Image' button on the left corner of your layout canvas. This will load the media assist pop-up box where you will choose your image. In the media assist box, you can upload images or use one of the images you've already uploaded by clicking on the "Your Images" tab. For more images, click on the Getty tab to add celebrity, news, and fashion images, or click on the ShopStyle tab to search for your favorite product photos. Once you find an image you like, click on it, and it will be added to your layout. If you've selected a Getty or ShopStyle image, you'll see a caption as well. If you don't want to include the caption when you add the image, uncheck the include caption box when you're adding an image.

To add text to your layout, click on the add image button on the top of the layout canvas. Enter your text then click “Add”. You can further style your text box by using the text box panel on the right that automatically opens when a text box is selected.

To add a graphic, simply click on the graphic you'd like, then select one of the color choices in the smaller boxes below the main graphic images. This will immediately add that graphic to your canvas.

To delete an image or text box, first select the image or text box you would like to delete, then click the pink x in the corner, or just press delete on your keyboard.

How do links work on a layout?
If you add a shopstyle product to your layout, both the image and the caption will link to the retailer that provided the product image. If a reader clicks on either the image or the caption, a new tab or window will open in their web browser with the product page on the retailer’s site. This way they can view the product without navigating away from your blog.

Text Posts

sabs — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:00:21 -0700

What is a text post?
A text post is our standard post type. It allows you to add text, html, and images to create a post.

How do I add photos to a text post?
Click on the yellow photo icon in the rich text editor to add images to your post. Learn more about adding images.

How do I add HTML to my text post?
In order to add HTML to your text post, you need to switch to the HTML mode. You can do this by clicking the "switch to raw HTML" link below the rich text editor. When you do, your content will toggle to HTML mode instantly. To switch back click the "switch to Rich Text" link.

How do I add a link?
To add a link, highlight the text or image that you want to link, and click the chainlink icon in the middle of the rich text editor. You will then be prompted to add a url for the link. Click the “Insert” button and voila! You’ve got a link.

How do I break up long posts?
You can break up long posts by using our page-break functionality.

Can I embed audio or video into a text post?
In order to embed audio or video into a text post, you will need to be in “HTML” mode. Once you are in looking at the HTML, you can paste the embed code into your post.

Chats

sabs — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:46:36 -0700

What is a chat post?
A chat post is a unique way to spotlight a conversation. The chat posts show up in an easy-to-read way that is easily identifiable as a conversation.

How do I create a chat post?
To create a new chat post, simply cut and paste your IM conversation — or create your own conversation — into the conversation field.

What format does my chat need to be in?
Your chat needs to be formatted with colons after each speaker. Here’s an example of what would go in the conversation field:

Me: Hi there.
You: Hey, how’s it going?
Me: I love chatting!
You: Me, too!

Oh, and you don’t have to be so excited each time. A mundane conversation is okay, too.

Links

sabs — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:32:17 -0700

What is a link?
A link is a type of post that allows you quickly link to another location in a special layout.

Why doesn’t a link type have a title?
A link post uses a Name field instead of a Title field, as it is meant to be different from a regular post. If you would like to use a link with a title, please create one using the Text post type.

Audio

sabs — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:55:48 -0700

How do I upload an audio file?
Click the “Browse…” button on the Audio Post page, and select the file from your hard drive. Fill in the desired text fields and click “Create Post” at the bottom of the page. The audio post will appear on your homepage.

What format types do you support?
We currently only support .mp3 audio files.

Videos

sabs — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:40:14 -0700

When I upload a video, why does it take so long?
Most videos are larger files that will take longer to load. If you believe it’s taking too long, try again. If you’re still not able to upload the file, contact us at help@onsugar.com.

When the post loads, it says “Video temporarily not available.” What is going on?
After uploading a video, it takes a few moments for it to disperse out to our servers. Refreshing the page usually does the trick, but in some cases, it may take a longer amount of time than usual. If you believe that there’s a problem, please contact us at help@onsugar.com.

What format types do you support?
We support .avi, .mov, .m4v, and .wmv. If you have the embed code - for example YouTube provides embed code for most of their videos - videos can be inserted that way as well.

How do I embed video?
To embed a video, click on the “Embed a video” link below the uploader box. Doing so will cause a new text box to appear. Simply paste your embed code into that box, save your post and your video will appear.

Quotes

sabs — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:19:46 -0700

What is a quote?
A quote post lets you highlight a quote of your choice in a special layout. This will make the quote standout from the rest of your posts.

What is the source?
The source is the author of the quote you’re using.

Quizzes

sabs — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:10:50 -0700

What is a quiz?
A quiz is a type of post where you can ask your readers a series of multiple-choice questions.

How do I create a quiz?
After selecting the quiz type, insert your title and description as normal. Next write in your question in the “Question 1” field. You then need to write your choices in the answer fields. You do not need to fill out all the fields. Make sure to assign at least one of the choices with the correct answer by using the bar on the right. You then can choose to include an answer in the “Explanation” field. To add another question, click on “Add another question” below the quiz fields. Repeat until you have all of your questions entered. Don’t forget to click “Create Post” at the bottom before continuing!

How many questions can my quiz have?
Your quiz can have up to 20 questions.

Will editing a poll affect the results?
You can safely edit your quiz. However if you change the number of questions or answers, all previous results will be lost.

Galleries

sabs — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:51:08 -0700

What is a gallery?
A gallery is a way to show off multiple images in one post.

How do I add images to my gallery?
After you fill out the title, description, and desired advanced options, click the “Add Photos” button. A new window will pop up showcasing images on your hard drive. Check any photos that you want to add, and hit the “Send” button. Another box will pop up telling you the status. Click “OK” and your photos will be added. You can now caption them, just be sure to click “Save Gallery” at the bottom of the page before continuing.

Nothing happened when I clicked “Add Photos,” what is going on?
First make sure that your gallery has a title field, it is required for all galleries. Next make sure you let the image uploader load completely. If you are still having problems contact us at help@onsugar.com.

I re-sorted my photos, but it didn’t stick. What happened?
After you re-sorted, did you click the “Save Gallery” button? Before switching tabs, you need to be sure to click "Save," or any changes will be lost.

What does feature mean?
Selecting “Feature” next to one of your images in “Edit Photos” will make it the featured image for the gallery. This image will be the one shown whenever the gallery is referenced.

How do I delete a photo?
When editing a gallery, click on the “Edit Photos” tab. Check the delete box next to the photo you want to remove. Be sure to click the “Save Gallery” button at the bottom of the page in order to complete the action. When you go back to the gallery, the image will be gone.

How do I rearrange my photos?
When you’re editing your gallery, click on the “Sort Photos” tab. From there you just click and drag your pictures into your desired order. Or, if you just want to swap the order completely, click the “Reverse Order” link at the top of the page. Make sure you hit “Save Gallery” before navigating away.

How do I recaption a photo?
To recaption a photo, click on the “Edit Photos” tab while editing a gallery. Once there you can edit captions. Be sure to hit the “Save Gallery” button when you’re done.

Can I add more photos?
Absolutely! To add more photos, click on the “Add Photos” tab while editing your gallery. Select the photos you wish to upload and click the “Send” button. The photos will then be added to your gallery.

Polls

sabs — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:54:55 -0700

What is a poll?
A poll is a type of post where you can ask your readers for their opinion. They let you know by selecting from your choice of options.

What does the choice mean?
The choices are the options you provide to your readers.

Where are the results?
The results will be available as soon as you make a choice and take the poll. If you are the writer of the poll, you can click the “View Results” link without taking the poll.

Will editing a poll affect the results?
You can safely edit the question, body, and wording without affecting the results. However if you change the number of choices, all previous votes will be lost.