When we set up a blog for each of our bloggers, we provide some standard links in the sidebar. These include links to SlowTrav, to the other SlowTrav bloggers and more. Yet, some of our users have expressed an interest in customizing these links to include links to their favorite blogs, photo albums or trip reports for example. Here you'll find the instructions on how to customize the My Links section of your blog.
1. From your blog main menu, click on templates (see image below):
2. Next, click on Modules (see image below)
3. Click on Widget: My Links (see image below):
4. Now find the line highlighted below, this is an already exisiting entry in the "My Links" section.
5. Highlight the above line, and copy it (as below):
6. After you have copied that line, insert a blank line below it and prepare to "paste" the copied line:
7. Now you have a module that has the same link/line repeated twice. Below you can see the higlighted link, replace that link with the entry you would like to add. Make sure you do it in the "new" or second line so that your added links appear below the standard links. Also make sure your new link appears within the quotation marks and begins with http://. Also remember, to type over, or delete the old link first.
8. Below you see the new link has been added. Now replace the highlighted area with the name for the link (e.g., Whiste Stop Cafe Cooking). Remember to type over or delete old name first.
Repeat the above procedure of copy, pasting, re-writing (steps 5 - 8) for each link you would like to add. You can link to other blogs, websites, photo albums or trip reports.
9. Okay - we're almost done. Now you need to save your work. Click the "Save" button as shown below.
10. Five more steps. The file has changed, now you need to "Rebuild" your site, so that your readers can see the new link(s). Click on Rebuild Site as highlighted below.
11. You'll see the pop-up window below. Click on "Rebuild."
12. The MT Publishing Platform will go through several iterations, rebuilding all the files that make up your blog and storing them for future readers. When it's done, you'll see the pop-up change to the screen below. Click on "View Your Site."
Now you should see your blog displayed. If you look in the sidebar under, My Links, you should see the link(s) you added as pictured below.
Test the link to make sure you entered it correctly by clicking on it. The corresponding blog/website should appear. If it does not, return to the My Links module, and make sure you typed the web address (part beginning with http:) correctly.
If you have any questions about this procedures or other SlowTrav Blogs, and are a Gold Star member, post them in our Blogging Talk Forum.
Good luck!
