Instructions for Adding Pages to SPARK
From SPARK
Contents |
Unpublished
Introduction
There are three methods of entering a page on SPARK.
For all three methods, please find the appropriate template (see the bottom of this page) and use its headings for your headings.
- Send a WORD document (or other word processing document) to the Content Coordinator with a title, one-sentence summary, and any images and attachments.
- Enter your word processing document yourself. See below for instructions to make sure your title has not already been used on the site. On your newly created page, click on the "NP" button at the top (second from the end) to make your page closed to the public until you and the SPARK staff are ready to make it public.
- Follow the instructions below to create your page directly, using SPARK formatting.
- To help you create a page that's consistent with other pages on this site, please follow the instructions and use the provided templates. (See the Help page for more information about entering and editing.)
- You may wish to print these instructions, before you start your page.
Simple Instructions for the third method
Making a New Page for your article
- Using the Search window (in the left sidebar), type in the name you wish to use. (Use Title Case and be careful about spelling and capitalization of words, for once you create the file, you won't be able to change the title.)
- Click the "Go" button. (If the results window says There is no page titled "___________", you can create this page, because the name you have chosen is available.) Click on the red create this page. (It will be a link that takes you to a blank "Edit" page, for your new article.)
- Enter a few words and click on the Save page button at bottom to save it. (This will create the page. You can delete what you wrote when you write the actual article.)
Transferring a Template
- Click on Help on the left sidebar.
- Click on How to Add to this Site.
- Click on Instructions for Adding Pages to SPARK.
- Click on the "Here" at the appropriate template. (To select the appropriate template, see "Here are the Templates" near the bottom of the page.)
- Click on the Edit tab at the top to open the edit page.
- Press Ctrl - A to select all the text and formatting. Then press Ctrl - C to copy it.
- Close the page without changing it (select "Cancel" at the bottom of the page. OR use the Back button at the top left.)
- Return to the "Edit" tab of your new page. (You can keep using the Back button until you see the edit page of your new article. OR type the name into the Search box, and when you get to your article, click on the Edit tab at the top of your new article.)
- Delete the temporary text you previously put there, and then press Ctrl - V to paste everything from the template into your new page.
You are now ready to enter your own text! (Save page every so often to prevent losing it if crazy things happen. Then go back in to add pictures, links, related articles in the right sidebar, etc. Then save again. Remember that if you leave the page (as when clicking on a link), your unsaved changes will be lost.
Detailed Instructions for the third method
You will have to make sure that the name (title) you wish to use for your article, as well as names for any files you wish to upload, are not already in use. (If they are, you will have to change the names you use.) Instructions for doing this are given below under "Making a New Page for Your Article."
You will need to create a new page, and then copy one of the templates (below) over to your page. Then you will write your article on the "Edit" tab of your new page.
At any time, you can click the "Show preview" button at the bottom of the edit page, to see what the finished article would look like. (You can also click the "Save page" button when you are ready to save it or if you pause for a length of time. You may automatically get logged out if the program detects that you haven't been doing anything for awhile. Then everything you've done since you last saved will be lost.)
Remember that if you leave the page (as when clicking on a link), your unsaved changes will also be lost.
If you want to paste something in:
- If you write your article in a text editor before adding it to the SPARK site, you can cut and paste unformatted text to the Edit screen. Basic formatting can then be added by using the formatting buttons found at the top of the "Edit" page, but you can also use some of the format codes found on the Tips for Formatting on SPARK page. You may wish to print out that page (for reference), along with: Before Writing Your Own Page and How to Add and Edit Documents on this Site.
- Be sure to read Copyright Issues and Share.
General Overview regarding Article and the Templates
Pick the template that is appropriate for your article, and use it as a pattern when you write your article. Doing this in advance will save you a lot of time. You may wish to print out the template for reference.
Uploading Files
If you wish to upload image (jpg) or document (doc or pdf) files, you need to make sure that the file names are not already in use. The following link will take you to a list of all the uploaded files. Scroll down to see if the names you want to use are already present. If so, then you will have to rename the files when you upload them. You may have to scroll through several pages of files. It may also help if you click the "Name" column header, in order to put the file names in alphanumeric order.
- File List (Open the link into a new window, or else use the "BACK" button of your browser to get back to this page.)
Once you have chosen names that are not already in use, upload the files, using the following link. Be sure to include links to the files in your article! (They will either go in the image area above the yellow sidebar, or in the download section of the yellow sidebar.)
- Note that the "Source filename" refers to the file's name on your computer and the "Destination filename" refers to the name you will give it on the SPARK site.
- If possible, keep the size of your files small, in consideration of those who do not have high-speed Internet connections.
Making a New Page for Your Article
Using the Search window (in the left sidebar), type in the name you wish to use. Use Title Case and be careful about spelling and capitalization of words, for once you create the file, you won't be able to change it. Click the "Search" button. If the results window says "No page title matches," the name you have chosen is available. The name will will be found (in small print) near the top of the "Search results" page, and it will be a link that takes you to a blank "Edit" page, for that article. Click the link with your cursor and open the page. Enter a few words and save it. (This will create the page. You can delete what you wrote when you write the actual article.)
Transferring a Template
Return to this page. Select the appropriate template, below. Open the edit page, select all the text and formatting, and copy it. Close the page without changing it (select "Cancel" at the bottom of the page) and return to the "Edit" tab of your new page. Delete the temporary text you previously put there, and paste everything from the template into your new page.
Sidebar
- Image/Picture
- If you have uploaded an image for the page, it will go above the yellow sidebar. In the "image_box" section of the Sidebar code, you will see:
- You will need to change this to the name of the image you uploaded.
- Links to other pages
- SPARK editors will make links to other pages. If you know of related pages on the SPARK site that you would like linked to your page, please let the Content Coordinator know which ones they are.
- Downloads
- If you have other files for the reader to download, they go here. Otherwise, this section can be deleted.
The Body of the Article
The templates have instructions in each of the sections. Follow those instructions and then replace the instructions with the appropriate sections of your article.
Credits and Other Information at the Bottom of Your Page
- These things are optional.
- If you do not want to use your (or the organization's) actual name feel free to use a pseudonym or nickname, instead. If you do this, contact the Content Coordinator.
- "Credit" refers to the name, organization, or title that you want the information credited to, if someone decides to make a copy of your article.
Here are the Templates
Case History Page
- Click here for the Case History template. Use this template if you are describing how you used media. What communication barriers existed? What did and didn't work? In this way, you can help others who may be interested in trying the same methods of communicating with others.
Impact Story
- Click here for the Impact Story template. Use this template if you are describing a story that would be useful for encouraging others to get involved. These articles might be used in church bulletins, newsletters, etc., and do not contain all the technical information that a case history might have.
Product
- Click here for the Product template. "Products" are finished productions ready to use.
Equipment
- Click here for the Equipment template. This template is for media-related equipment (including computer software) which is used to create products/productions.
Organization
- Click here for the Organizations template. Use this template to give contact information about your organization.
Madelyn, see Talk for the rest of your stuff.
