New Journal Questions

[jeffrey]

If you have any problems or questions about the new journals, please leave them here in this thread. If you want to sign up for a new journal, you can do so at

http://blogs.savingadvice.com/register.php

Enter your current username and password and you need to fill out some basic information to set up the new journal. If you currently have a journal, all your posts and comments from your current journal will automatically be imported to your new journal. If you are new, you can start setting things up

We will be adding more functions over the coming weeks.

Jeffrey & Nate

The current homepage for the journals is at

http://blogs.savingadvice.com/

This will remain the homepage for the blogs, but we will complete redo it once all the current journals have signed up for the new ones.

[Ima saver]

I know absolutely nothing about computers, but why are we getting new journals.? What is wrong with the ones we have.?

[jeffrey]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

I know absolutely nothing about computers, but why are we getting new journals.? What is wrong with the ones we have.?

The new journals will have a lot more functions that will help you organize your posts better. It will also make it easier for people to leave comments and for people to read other people's comments. it will make it easier for people to find information on subjects that are trying to get information on. Ultimately it will make the journals more useful for those who are tracking their budget information by giving tools that they can use to better follow their budgets.

[cercis]

Will the category here automatically link to the new format? Because so far it links to the old format.

[nate]

Cercis, yes we will change that link soon. I think we want to give everyone a few days or so to get adjusted to the new ones first though.

[PrincessPerky]

I figured out my private thing, I can use 'save as draft' which is what I really wanted anyway.

I have a question, how does it decide the order of the blogs? I would love for the couple I usually check out were on the top.

Also the 'excerpts' from entries, how does it decide what goes up? I sometimes put my budget which takes alot of scrolling room, but no one needs to see that much from the entry! I might be alone, but I would love more than the old mini line, but less than the current paragraph.

[kashi]

It would be nice to have the author's name at the top of the post, maybe underneath the title, instead of at the bottom. That way, I'd know whose post I was reading before I started reading it.

[jeffrey]

Originally Posted by PrincessPerky

I have a question, how does it decide the order of the blogs? I would love for the couple I usually check out were on the top.

Order is currently set by when the person signed up, but will change to a rotating with the blog that has made the latest post on top...eventually it will be refined further so there are several lists sorted in different ways (most posts, latest entry, new blogs, etc)

Originally Posted by PrincessPerky

Also the 'excerpts' from entries, how does it decide what goes up? I sometimes put my budget which takes alot of scrolling room, but no one needs to see that much from the entry! I might be alone, but I would love more than the old mini line, but less than the current paragraph.

I believe it is set at a certain number of words (100 maybe???) Will pass along the note to Nate.

[jeffrey]

Originally Posted by kashi

It would be nice to have the author's name at the top of the post, maybe underneath the title, instead of at the bottom. That way, I'd know whose post I was reading before I started reading it.

Will pass to Nate...thanks.

[PrincessPerky]

K this is getting nitpicky, but I only ask cause it sounds easy to do.

Can you put a 'new entry' button on the main bar? Like under the my cp thing?

I hate clicking three things to get a new entry.

[PrincessPerky]

You can search them!!!!! That is way cool!

[LittleGopher]

I'm slow to change, but I'm starting to get a feel for the new format. I love the category option, along with the search feature.

One thing that confuses me (and I know it doesn't take much!) is that I got to know people by their blog names they used in the old format. Now some are putting in their first name, or at least a different one than their blog name. I don't always recognize who is writing, until I hit the 'read more' and end up at their blog page, and then I scroll to the top of their page to see who it is. Not sure if this something you can fix, or if it's more up to the bloggers themselves. To me the reverse would be easier - their blog name listed under (or before - I like Kashi's suggestion) their entry in the blog section, with the name they choose to use at the top of their blog page. But whatever happens, I'll get used to it, eventually. I may be slow, but I am ever the student.

I wanted you to know that I think you guys have a great site. All your hard work and dedication is so apparent. Thank you!!

[kashi]

Why do we have to log in twice? If I am logged into the main savingadvice site, and then go to the Journal section (which takes me to the blog page), I have to log in again to post to my journal.

If this has been asked already and I missed it, sorry!

[DivaJen]

When I click on one of my categories in the righthand column, I get a message that says there are no entries (when there ought to be some).

Also, I agree with Perky that it would be nice to have an add new entry link more readily available. Not a huge deal, but it would be convenient.

[nate]

Originally Posted by kashi

It would be nice to have the author's name at the top of the post, maybe underneath the title, instead of at the bottom. That way, I'd know whose post I was reading before I started reading it.

Yeah I agree, I think thats a good idea. I'll add it!

[nate]

Originally Posted by PrincessPerky

K this is getting nitpicky, but I only ask cause it sounds easy to do.

Can you put a 'new entry' button on the main bar? Like under the my cp thing?

I hate clicking three things to get a new entry.

Yep good idea, will add it!

[nate]

Originally Posted by kashi

Why do we have to log in twice? If I am logged into the main savingadvice site, and then go to the Journal section (which takes me to the blog page), I have to log in again to post to my journal.

If this has been asked already and I missed it, sorry!

Yeah I was aware of this, but didn't think it would be an issue, as it should only ask you to login to the blogs and forums once (for each place). Is that not the case for you though?

[nate]

LittleGopher -

Jeff and I have been talking about that a lot recently. We realize thats one of the biggest problems with the new blogs right now. Honestly, we just didn't think about it until after we added those features to change your blog name/author name, etc. So not sure what to do yet. Any suggestions? We could list your forum usernames instead of blog names... Would that be better in your opinion?

[nate]

Originally Posted by DivaJen

When I click on one of my categories in the righthand column, I get a message that says there are no entries (when there ought to be some).

This should be fixed. Thanks for pointing it out. I saw this yesterday too, in your blog specifically (i use yours a lot for testing, you have so many entries! ).

[DivaJen]

Originally Posted by nate

This should be fixed. Thanks for pointing it out. I saw this yesterday too, in your blog specifically (i use yours a lot for testing, you have so many entries! ).

I can't believe I've been writing in it since 2004.


Thanks for all your work!