Official VBLI Member Blogs
Each member can now create their own blog. You will be able to manage your blog in every aspect. Below you will find some but now all of great features in our new system:- Settings
You can customize how your blog works here. Many options here will set the defaults for every entry. Also, you can edit their blog style, category, and also specify whether or not they want a private blog. - Manage Blocks
Here, you will be able to edit the blocks that they are able to have on their blog. See the blocks section. - Manage Entries
This is where users can see many of their entries at once, and perform tasks such as editing, deleting, setting multiple entries to private, drafts, or stick them. - Manage Comments
Users can view all of the comments posted in reply to their entries. Depending on permissions, they will be able to edit, delete, and perform any other administrative tasks.
Like most blog systems, we allow users to have "blocks". Blocks are user-customizable sections that appear to the side of their blog. There are 3 types of blocks
- Simple Blocks
These blocks contain one form element, and based on how the administrator has set up the block, it appears in the block. This is typically used for something like an "About Me" block. - Complex Blocks
These blocks contain can contain many pieces of data. The administrator can specify which columns (form elements) the block has, and also how many rows of data the user can enter. How this data is presented is completely up to the administrator. Some example blocks would be: "Favorite Websites", "Favorite Songs", etc. Each block basically acts as its own table of data! - Content Blocks
These blocks contain a template, and PHP code. These are the most common blocks, and the most flexible. The archives, calendar, favorite entries, (etc) are all generated using these blocks.
Key Blocks
Calendar Shows the current month on a calendar, and any day where you have entries becomes a link to see entries posted on that day. Users may also browse by month. Monthly Archives
Lists every month/year combination where you have posted entries, and shows the number of entries posted. Clicking on the date will show entries posted in that time period. Categories
Lists all of the categories which you have used, and how many entries were in each. Like the archives, clicking on a prefix will show all entries posted in that category. About Me
Allows users to enter some personal information about themselves. Entries Of course, a blog system is nothing without entries!
- Private Entries
Users can create private entries, which would prevent non-buddies from viewing it. You may also give out permission to view private entries. - Sticky Entries
Users can 'stick' an entry, as you would a thread. It will appear at the top of their blog until they unstick it. - Draft Entries
Users can post entries as draft entries, which would make it invisible to everyone but themself. They can either publish it manually, or set an auto-publish date. - Rate Entries
Users can rate entries, so everyone can easily tell the good from the bad! This is also shown in the top entries area. - Send to Friends
Users can Send send links to entries to their friends! - Subscriptions
Bloggers can subscribe to other bloggers' entries, so they can recieve email notification (instant, daily, or weekly) when any new comments are made. - Favorite Entries
Users can add an entry to their favorites! Favorites will stand out when viewing blogs, and the entries which are favorited by the most users will show up in the top entry statistics. - See Who is Viewing
Optionally, you can have the users who are viewing an entry or blog listed at the bottom. - Syndication
All of your and entries will also have highly configurable RSS feeds, which you can add to Myspace or other systems. - Categories
Users can categorize their entries to any site-wide categories, and also any user-created entries if they have permission. You can browse by category, as well as narrow results (even in the feeds)!