ForumGarden Blog Hosting Service Now Open!

ForumGarden · Post by **ForumGarden** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 12:41 pm

We are excited to announce that ForumGarden's Blog Hosting Service is now ready!

Available to all registered members, our blogging service allows you to create a full-featured weblog in which you can create, choose/edit different templates, write entries and comments, create a user profile, add friends, etc.

Interested in making a little pocket money? Or potentially a good chunk of money every month? Login to the new blog, create your blog and read the details! You will be able to run a Google ad on every page of your blog if you so desire.

Before you get started, here is a quick feature list you may interested in:

1. Instant publishing

Unlike many weblog platforms, all of your entry data is stored in a MySQL database. When you save an entry, it is instantly added to your weblog - you do not need to wait for your weblog to rebuild.

2. Over 25 default templates

ForumGarden's blog service comes with at least 25 templates for you to choose from. We say "at least 25 templates" because this number will continue to increase as we improve the service. Each template is carefully designed to be quick-loading and easy for you to modify.

3. WYSIWYG entry composer

A full-featured WYSIWYG entry composer is available to you from your Add Entry page. With this editor, you can write entries and customize them with various styles, fonts, links, smilies, etc., without any understanding of HTML. With a single click, the editor can be toggled between the WYSIWYG and HTML modes. This gives you advanced users the freedom to write your entries with their own HTML.

4. Immediate login after signup

5. Commenting

You will have the ability to comment on each other's posts and moderate their own comments. You can select from various comment privacy settings. For example, you can choose to allow comments only from friends, registered users, or anyone (including anonymous visitors).

6. "Friends only" entries

You can specify who will be able to read or comment on their entries. The following options are:

1. Everyone

2. Registered users only

3. Friends only

4. Only me

7. RSS feeds

You will be able to publish your feed via a URL provided on your Site Feed page. You can post a link to your feed on your weblog by placing a special variable in your template. RSS feeds never need updating - they are generated directly from the database.

8. Mailing lists

Neat! You can automatically notify anyone via email each time they write a new entry. A list of email addresses to notify can be provided on your General Settings page.

9. Avatars

10. Preview comments/entries

Before publishing a freshly written entry, you can click the "preview" button to see how it will appear on their weblog.

11. Customizable templates

If you are familiar with HTML can edit your templates by hand using the Edit Template page. A complete templates & variables guide is included for your reference.

12. Permanent links

Each entry has a unique URL (sometimes called "permalink") that does not change. This is useful for visitors that want to link directly to a particular entry.

13. Customizable entry date/time

You can customize the date and time of their entries. This gives you complete control over your weblog's entry order. You can also select from a variety of time and date formats via their General Settings page.

14. Timezone support

15. Draft entries

16. Variables & templates guide

A variables & templates guide that includes a list (and full descriptions) of all the available weblog variables and tags is included in your support area.

17. Interests keywords

You can provide a list of keywords or phrases that describe their interests. This list is then displayed on your profile. When one of these keywords is clicked, a new page opens and displays a list of all users that have listed the same interest keyword.

20. File uploads

You can upload files to your account and manage them from your File Uploads page. After they are uploaded, files can be posted to a new entry with a single click.

Still with me?!

Good!

Get started now! Head to www.forumgarden.net and begin creating your own blog! After it is created, your blog's address will be: yourname.forumgarden.net

Example: tombstone.forumgarden.net Please notice the .net! It is not .com

We'll be creating a new forum to discuss this service. It'll be the place to discuss development, tips and tricks, technical issues, etc.

Have fun! More details to follow in our new forum!

Tombstone and Anastrophe

minks · Post by **minks** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 3:19 pm

very cool, should be loads of fun,,,,, once we figure it out heheheheh

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 3:24 pm

Ha-ha, hurry up Minks, I am building mine.....................

minks · Post by **minks** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 3:27 pm

chonsigirl wrote: Ha-ha, hurry up Minks, I am building mine.....................

oooo it is a load of info to digest ok I will work on one too. I think hehehe I liked your journal entries about music CG that was a nice read.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 3:28 pm

Thank you Minks. I am looking for an appropriate avatar for it, a nice little bunny................:wah:

minks · Post by **minks** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 3:30 pm

chonsigirl wrote: Thank you Minks. I am looking for an appropriate avatar for it, a nice little bunny................:wah:

try something from beatrix potter

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 3:33 pm

Oh, I love those stories. The bunnies in my garden this summer were named after them.......................little Peter liked my broccoli alot. Wish he would have ate the eggplant, wouldn't touch it! Me either!

minks · Post by **minks** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 3:35 pm

chonsigirl wrote: Oh, I love those stories. The bunnies in my garden this summer were named after them.......................little Peter liked my broccoli alot. Wish he would have ate the eggplant, wouldn't touch it! Me either!

hehehe I had a bunch of those books when the girls were young. Ah you grow eggplant?? How cool

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 3:38 pm

Best thing that grew in the garden, my husband grimaced everytime I brought a big nice purple one in for dinner....................:wah:

minks · Post by **minks** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 3:48 pm

chonsigirl wrote: Best thing that grew in the garden, my husband grimaced everytime I brought a big nice purple one in for dinner....................:wah:
I don't like it much either.

minks · Post by **minks** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 3:49 pm

OK CG I have gone in and created my weblog account I will work on it on and off slowly now.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 3:52 pm

Thank you Tombstone! And thank you LC, I put the Beatrix Potter pic up for my first blog!

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 3:52 pm

minks wrote: OK CG I have gone in and created my weblog account I will work on it on and off slowly now.
Yahoo Minks!

minks · Post by **minks** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 3:54 pm

chonsigirl wrote: Yahoo Minks!
yeah I have no idea what I am going to write but will think about it.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 8:45 pm

Tombstone, how do we find other members who have created blogs, so we can look at them?

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 10:16 am

Can I do one of these blogs? I've been meaning to do one, though I don't know what they are really, but anyway, can I?

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 10:33 am

Galbally wrote: Can I do one of these blogs? I've been meaning to do one, though I don't know what they are really, but anyway, can I?

yes you can, think of it as an online diary use it for saying whatever you wish. Mine is likely going to be just random writings, CG is going to fill hers with her lovely thoughts on music can't wait to read hers.

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 10:38 am

minks wrote: yes you can, think of it as an online diary use it for saying whatever you wish. Mine is likely going to be just random writings, CG is going to fill hers with her lovely thoughts on music can't wait to read hers.

thats what I thought they were alright, thou I've never read any, but I don't know if I'm allowed by the FG bossmen.

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 10:42 am

Galbally wrote: thats what I thought they were alright, thou I've never read any, but I don't know if I'm allowed by the FG bossmen.admin said it's for everyone!

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 10:54 am

lady cop wrote: admin said it's for everyone!

Cool, thats me blogging then.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:15 am

But how do we find each other's blogs? Is the only recourse to punch their name in? Is there not a list we can view so we can peruse it?

*getting out Reese's for a response from Tombstone*

Tombstone · Post by **Tombstone** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:19 am

Did someone unwrap a Reese's?! :p

I'm working on a new portal/frontpage so we can all keep track of who's doing what, who's posting, etc.

It should be good!

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:24 am

Tombstone wrote: Did someone unwrap a Reese's?! :p

I'm working on a new portal/frontpage so we can all keep track of who's doing what, who's posting, etc.

It should be good!

Way to go CG you got him to talk hehehehe we are set then. Yay Irish is on track too. Yipee. Could be fun times.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:30 am

Tombstone wrote: Did someone unwrap a Reese's?! :p

I'm working on a new portal/frontpage so we can all keep track of who's doing what, who's posting, etc.

It should be good!
Oh thank you Tombstone, you are the best!

*leaving a big bag of Reese's for your hard work*

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:43 am

What is a blog?

How do you access it?

I tried this link that Tomb posted www.forumgarden.net

and typed in my FG name & password but it would'nt let me in!

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:47 am

abbey wrote: What is a blog?

How do you access it?

I tried this link that Tomb posted www.forumgarden.net

and typed in my FG name & password but it would'nt let me in!

you gotta register hunny Click the create one link

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:50 am

tmbsgrl wrote: Where am I supposed to go?? What am I supposed to do??? I need help!

click the link in FG's first post in this thread, it is the link underlined near bottom of the post and then it comes up with the infor required, member, and login, you have to first register then you can go in and creat your weblog.

Note to Abbey, weblog is like an online diary, you can use it as a daily journal, you can throw in pics or links to your fave sites, you can rant in it whatever you wish, just remember you set it up to be veiwed by whom ever you wish, heck it can be open to the public if you choose. You can also set it up to have comments added if you like.

Tombstone · Post by **Tombstone** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:31 pm

Within the Forums, yes...but not on the portal page.

See this:

http://www.forumgarden.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=98

Tombstone · Post by **Tombstone** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 3:20 pm

www.forumgarden.net

Catch a glimpse of the new portal page. Still under construction....and many things to be added and changed over the next few days. But you can watch the method of my madness. (Which isn't pretty.)

If you want to create a blog - click on the big REGISTER at the top of the page.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 3:24 pm

Thanks Tombstone, that link list them all, so we can reply! Looks very good!

Tombstone · Post by **Tombstone** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 3:26 pm

SnoozeControl wrote: Stupid question, but aren't sticky posts supposed to stay at the top of the threads? This one keeps drifting down.:-2

Your post made me think - so your suggestion was implemented! Thanks!

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 3:31 pm

Tombstone wrote: Your post made me think - so your suggestion was implemented! Thanks!

That looks great. Good Job Tombstone

Tombstone · Post by **Tombstone** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 5:32 pm

Nine new templates added this evening!

nvalleyvee · Post by **nvalleyvee** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 5:36 pm

Dumb question of the night..................what is a Blog?

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 6:02 pm

Right I tried registering, but that didn't work. So what am I doing wrong? I may need to explain what I did, but I don't want to wreck any security issues here, so what should I do please FG?

nvalleyvee · Post by **nvalleyvee** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 6:42 pm

I am VERY SAD - what is a Blog and how do I get there? I went to the site and it says it doesn't know me?????????????

nvalleyvee · Post by **nvalleyvee** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 7:25 pm

I couldn't get on after my registration!!!!!!!!!

Tombstone · Post by **Tombstone** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 9:40 pm

Did you check your email for the validation link?

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 12:08 am

chonsigirl wrote: Thanks Tombstone, that link list them all, so we can reply! Looks very good!Left a comment on C-girls blog on the wrong page sorry CG!

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 3:49 am

I can't seem to register, I type in my details but it wont seem to accept any of the passwords I chose, which are secquences of numbers and letters, my normal one is 11 characters long, why is this happening?

Tombstone · Post by **Tombstone** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 10:14 am

Galbally wrote: I can't seem to register, I type in my details but it wont seem to accept any of the passwords I chose, which are secquences of numbers and letters, my normal one is 11 characters long, why is this happening?

I've noticed that it doesn't like certain characters. I'll look into that more.

Try a standard password without numbers or !@#$% characters. See if it takes, then you can change your password later.

minks · Post by **minks** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 10:31 am

Tombstone wrote: I've noticed that it doesn't like certain characters. I'll look into that more.

Try a standard password without numbers or !@#$% characters. See if it takes, then you can change your password later.

Numbers worked for me

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 10:51 am

OK, I've read through the information, gone to the register site, used Galbally as my username and a 6 letter name as my password, when I attepmt to submit it just returns to the register page minus the passwords. I've tried using just numbers, but that does not work either. I've tried a variety of different password types and it does not seem happy with them. Is there something fundamental I have missed here?

Tombstone · Post by **Tombstone** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:07 pm

Galbally wrote: OK, I've read through the information, gone to the register site, used Galbally as my username and a 6 letter name as my password, when I attepmt to submit it just returns to the register page minus the passwords. I've tried using just numbers, but that does not work either. I've tried a variety of different password types and it does not seem happy with them. Is there something fundamental I have missed here?

I just tested again and created a new account - and we've had a few more people sign up so far.

Are you clicking to agree to the terms and services - *and - are you putting in the verification code?

anastrophe · Post by **anastrophe** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:31 pm

for those interested in learning more about just what blogs are, how they work, how to make one work, i highly recommend Dvorak's Primer:

http://www.dvorak.org/blog/primer/blogprimer1.htm