blog mystery

Am I totally losing the plot here, is the blog a real blog or not, I keep clicking the blog link in my account but it keeps taking me to some weird cms page where it asks me to add a blog, but there's no 'blog' there.

Where is the 'blog'?

Blogs and news use the same system and it sounds like you are being taken to the blog entry page. For the blog to appear, you need to add a main_news or main_multi_content block where you want the blog to display. They are options to display news only, blogs only or both news and blogs in the block. I can't remember which setting is which nut it is in the documentation.

Bob

Thank you for the information, crikey, I really need to sit back for a while, this software is waaaaay more involved than I thought.

I can't even figure out how to set-up a blog, I was kind of expecting a blog page like they have in vbulletin, not this type of confusion, I need a time-out here, too much to take in.

I don't really think that ocPortal is the best software choice if all you are doing is a blog. But, if you plan to do more than a blog, it is possibly the best solution available - a CMS with all the optional add-ons available as part of the system and kept in sync with the core code.

It can be a bit to wrap one's head around as you first get started but the effort is well-rewarded for the flexibility available as your site grows.

Bob

Oh I must protest, if all I wanted was a blog I wouldn't be here, that's a bit condescending don't you think.  

Smart remarks like yours are what will make someone like me turn to some other software, I am already finding it a strain setting up my site, the last thing I need is smart mouthed replies.  

I already feel uncomfortable with asking for help here, now I feel even worse, thank you very much indeed.  

I don't think BobS meant that the way you read it Petrikuhr. He was just talking in very general terms I think, I'm not sure he's looked at your particular project. I think he was just saying "yeah it takes some time to learn this thing but it's worth it".

Regarding blogs… if I understand you correctly you're looking for a site blog, rather than member blogs. Usually when you set up the site the news block is already there on the front page, but it might not be due to the setup profile you chose. You'll just need to edit the front page, click add block, choose the main_news block, go through the remaining steps and save it all.

If you are talking about member blogs, there's a link on profiles to take you to their blog. In v8 it's becoming a tab, so is a lot simpler.

If your issue is you go to add a blog post and get a message like "no categories at this time", it's due to this:
View topic: "There are no categories at this time" - ocPortal

You're doing fine. You've put out addons within a few days of joining the community, that's very impressive .

I'm sure there's lots to learn, but you're learning it.

We all appreciate there is always room for improvement in this software. It's challenging for us to build it too because we're trying to facilitate a lot of different things, and we don't charge for it, but it's continually being improved.

Fair enough Chris, I will over look his comments this time and let the matter be.

I have figured it out now anyway, but thanks for your input Chris.

Greetings,

Language barrier/trying to read intent from forum posts is always quite a fun issue.

That aside though, I'll offer what I did on my site as an example for you. I simply made a zone for blogs. On that zone/page I put a news content display box, set to display only blogs. I then put a news archive display box for blogs. That gave me the blog display page, and members can add a blog there or from their personal page.

Don't feel bad, I actually gave up my first try with ocPortal. However, the little taste of ocPortal I got in my mouth ruined my attempts to use other CMS software so I came back, and stuck with it. It is a challenge to get the hang of it, but I love the challenge lol.

You are already quite impressive with your contributions to ocPortal! This community needs more members like you, willing to help, contribute, and ask for help.

Petrikuhr said

Oh I must protest, if all I wanted was a blog I wouldn't be here, that's a bit condescending don't you think.  

Smart remarks like yours are what will make someone like me turn to some other software, I am already finding it a strain setting up my site, the last thing I need is smart mouthed replies.  

I already feel uncomfortable with asking for help here, now I feel even worse, thank you very much indeed.  

I agree with Chris, I don't think Bob's comment was directed at you personally or you wanting to use a blog. I think his comment was a generalization that the ocPortal blog system is a bit over kill for a standalone blog site, but is perfect when used in combination with other features of ocPortal such as what you are doing with your site.

I'm glad some people got the gist of the remark.

Bob

Petrikuhr said

Oh I must protest, if all I wanted was a blog I wouldn't be here, that's a bit condescending don't you think.  

There is no way Bob meant to be offensive. I think you just read his first sentence in isolation without putting it into context with the rest of his post.

Smart remarks like yours are what will make someone like me turn to some other software, I am already finding it a strain setting up my site, the last thing I need is smart mouthed replies.  

There have been (and will continue to be) plenty of smart-mouthed comments on this site, but very,very,very few of them were ever offensive or meant to be offensive.

I already feel uncomfortable with asking for help here, now I feel even worse, thank you very much indeed.  

Almost every new member always feels uncomfortable asking questions at first, but it will pass. There is a heck of a lot to learn.

And if there are delays in people answering your questions, please don't read that as anything personal against you or your posts, its just that we all run on our own different schedules.

To be sure I will also agree that is the least offensive thing Bob has ever said. If you're afraid of anything offensive from Bob don't stand too close to him when he lifts his arm to wave!

 

See it is a fun community here! You'll fit in don't worry and NEVER BE AFRAID OR UNCOMFORTABLE ASKING FOR HELP! This software is some pretty confusing stuff and EVERYBODY needs help getting started.

Guest said

To be sure I will also agree that is the least offensive thing Bob has ever said. If you're afraid of anything offensive from Bob don't stand too close to him when he lifts his arm to wave!

 

LOL! (Reminder to self: swallow what I'm drinking before reading posts.)

I was wondering where that stench was coming from.
Now, please excuse me while I wipe the soda from my monitor…