Using the course writing web site

Additional documentation is available from the WordPress site. If you have any questions or problems, don't hesitate to contact the TA, Alex Halderman.

Logging in

Before you can publish or edit writings, you must log in to the WordPress author interface. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the course writing weblog.
2. Select the Login link from the list on the right.
3. Enter the Login name and Password that you received by email.

Updating your name and password

1. Log in to WordPress (see above) and select the Profile link from the top of the page.
2. Verify that your name and email address are correct.
3. Enter a new password (if you want).
4. Click the Update Profile button to save your changes.

Posting anonymously

Your writing will be visible to the world. If you'd prefer to post under an assumed name, follow these steps:

1. Log in to WordPress (see above) and select the Profile link from the top of the page.
2. Enter a pseudonym in the Nickname field.
   (Leave your real name and email address in the First name, Last name, and Email fields so the course administrators can identify you for grading.)
3. Click the Update Profile button to save your changes.
4. Ensure that your pseudonym is selected in the Identity on blog dropdown list.
   If it isn't, select it and click Update Profile again. The selected name will be used to publicly identify your posts.

Writing a post

Here is how you can create an entry to publish on the course writing site:

1. Log in to WordPress (see above) and select the Write link from the top of the page.
2. Fill in the Title field and write your entry in the Post text box.
   Of course, you can compose your essay in another application and paste it into the web browser.
3. Remember to leave a blank line between paragraphs.
4. WordPress uses HTML tags for formatting. Here are some tips:
   • To create bold text, write <strong>bold text</strong>
   • To create italicized text, write <em>italicized text</em>
   • To create a hyperlink, write <a href="http://www.princeton.edu/">hyperlink</a>
   • To create a blockquoted passage, write <blockquote>blockquoted passage</blockquote>
   Buttons above the Post text box will help you add these tags.
5. If you'd like to keep working on your entry later, you can click the Save as Draft button to have WordPress remember your work.
6. When you are finished with your entry, click the Publish button.
7. Your post will appear on the course site, as you can see by clicking the View site link from the top of the page.
   Always take a look to make sure the text displays correctly.

Editing or removing an existing post

You can edit your entry after you've posted it by following these steps:

1. Log in to WordPress (see above) and select the Edit link from the top of the page.
2. You will see a list of posted entries. For entries you posted, you will see Edit and Delete links at the right of the screen.
3. Click Delete to permanently remove an entry.
4. Click Edit to make changes to an entry. (Remember to click Save when you are finished editing.)

Important: You are free to make changes to your writings after you have posted them (even after the due date), but you must add a note at the end stating what you changed and when you changed it.