This is the second in a series of posts about the basics of SB Nation and CGB. You'll find helpful tips about interacting using the SBN interface and some guidelines to follow as we work our way through the series. If you're new, read this over and join us! If you've been around, consider this a refresher course. Thanks to CougCenter for the key assist.
Posting Basics
Today you're gonna learn how to look cool while commenting. Take these tricks home, show them to your friends, and be the coolest kid in school.
Before we get to the fancy stuff, an reminder of the commenting style we expect is in order. Yes, you all are beautiful and unique snowflakes with your own style, but we do expect you to follow some simple rules. Write in english, making sure that your thoughts are organized and legible for everyone to read. In addition, please attempt to the best of your abilities to use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation in your comments. We understand mistakes get made -- and that's perfectly fine -- but put your best effort forward when commenting. It makes it much easier for everyone to digest and makes it more likely your thoughts are taken seriously. Of course, half of my comments look like a monkey drunk on Patron wrote them on an iPad while he was wearing mittens, so perhaps I am the world's largest hypocrite.
Now that the housekeeping is in order, on to the fun stuff. Want to post an image? Here's a simple guide. (Note: In situations where there was no difference between our site and CougCenter's site, I just used the CougCenter images. The only real difference is that everything is red instead of blue. I feel dirty, too, don't worry. But my laziness won out!)
In the basic comment GUI, there's a little box with a tree in it. That's your quick and easy way to post a picture. Clicking it gives you this:
Still intuitive. Paste the the link to the image you want to share in this box. To copy the link from a picture on the web, right click it and click the copy image url button. Clicking OK leaves you with a comment filled with funny html looking language that nobody but the super smart understand. Before you post always hit the preview button. If the image doesn't show up, try again. Previewing your work is the best thing you can do since there is no edit or delete button.
Now that we've mastered images, learning how to link is the next step. In that same comment box, you'll find this button.
When linking something, don't just paste a link into the comment body. Doing so leads to truncated links and jumbled messes in the comments. Instead, type something out (it can be as simple as 'Link'), highlight it, then click the link button circled above. That will bring up this box.
Just like posting a picture, paste the link URL in the box. Also, make sure you check the box next to "Open in New Window?". This automatically opens the link in a new tab. Many of us open links in a new tab by default, but checking the box allows users to continue commenting while also browsing your link in another tab. Increase productivity by 100%! If you don't do this, I will hunt you down and murder your great-grandchildren before they are even born.
With linking comes blockquoting, an easy way to take a snippet of an article. Say you find a quick paragraph in a story somewhere about Cal. Copy the text, paste it in the comment box, and follow these instructions.
Highlight your text and click the quotations button. It's as simple as that. When blockquoting, never paste an entire article and quote it. Just use a small snippet of relevant or attention catching information. Additionally, whenever blockquoting be sure to include a link to the full article. It attributes the work to the source and allows readers to read the whole text if they choose.
Congratulations, you've passed the advanced commenting course. A well timed picture or humorous link is always appreciated. As with everything else on this site, make sure you conform to community guidelines. Don't post pictures that aren't appropriate for work. Go forth, baby birds, and try out your newfound skills.