As I get more and more new authors to Specialty Gamer, I realised it makes sense to create a "How To" page so I don't have to explain how to edit the profile and how to post to every new person individually.  For all authors to Specialty Gamer, I would suggest bookmarking this page or printing it out for your future reference.

As the website changes, so will this page.  Last edited on March 4, 2008.

• Specialty Gamer Author Login:

The first thing is the URL to login to Specialty Gamer, which in its full form is:  http://www.thebrianpages.com/scgi-bin/mt/mt.cgi?__mode=dashboard&blog_id=4

That of course is a nasty URL to remember, so I've simplified it.  Just remember or bookmark this URL instead which will redirect you to the Specialty Gamer login screen.  http://www.specialtygamer.com/login (Now isn't that much better?)

[added March 4, 2008]

The link to the Author Login link is now added to the dropdown menubox under Features/Authors/Author Login. 

When you first login, you will see this page:

This is the login to Specialty Gamer.  Movable Type is the name of my weblog software that I use.  I did customise the login page to match the rest of Specialty Gamer, but I accidently changed it back to default when I upgraded my install.  I'll make a neat Specialty Gamer login style page when I get around to it!

• Editing your Profile:

On your first time logging in, the first thing you should do is adjust your profile.  The easiest way to do so is to just click on the link on the upper right where it says "Hi [your username]".

From there, you get the profile page. 

Add a headshot, make your Username, Display Name, change your password and enter other details if you like.

Don't bother to fill out entries from "Home Page" to "User Pic" as I created those entries, but have not yet integrated them into the website so they won't show up anywhere anyways (for now).  I may change them or take them out, but I'll let you know when I get there.  Also, don't worry about other options not mentioned.

Click the "Save Changes" button at the bottom when finished.

• Writing/Editing your entries:

There is two choices.  First is thru the website itself, second is using a desktop blog editor such as Windows Live Writer or Flock.

Here are the directions for writing/editing entries thru the website:

To write a new entry, click the red "Write Entry" button.  Use Manage/Entries on the dropdown toolbar to edit or delete your past entries.

Then you get the Entry box, which I am very VERY pleased to say has just recently been upgraded and now much easier to use than the old crusty one!  The toolbars are just like you see in Office or writing an email.  Most of the buttons should be self-explanatory, but see below for quick descriptions for what some of the more advanced functions do.

By default, the editor is set to WYSIWYG mode, so all formatting is coded for you.  Hit the "Source" button to switch to HTML mode in case you need to enter some script to insert a video or etc.  Also, by default, the editor is in "paragraph" mode meaning that you only have to hit the Enter key once to go to a new paragraph.  You can hit it twice, but it'll just make double gaps between your writing which looks not so great in my opinion...

Something else I forgot to take a screenshot of:  When adding images, please select the "images" folder OR select the dropdown to have it go into the archive folder (example:select "[today's date]" from the dropdown) and do NOT place them directly into the Site Root.  I'll see if I can have images go their by default, but not exactly sure how to do that yet.  Images uploaded now go to the "images" folder by default.  This basically is nothing you need to deal with.

Remember to add a Title and put your entry in the correct Category on the right side.  When finished, click the blue "Save" button.  You will be able to view your entry after that and you can always edit it if you like.

An exciting new feature is that Specialty Gamer now has smilies!!  I was surprised how hard it was to get these things to work...  Anyways, for now I just have the default MSN smilies, which I hate... but I'll change em soon.  Also some various video game icon smilies.  They will be changed and better ones will come, I just have to either find them or create them.

Here are the directions for writing with a desktop editor:

Using a desktop editor is often easier than writing thru the website as they tend to be easier to use.  Certain things are easier to do and control, such as adding images.  You just write what you like and then upload the post to the website.  Personally, I tend to use Windows Live Writer mostly.

Below is what the Windows Live Writer editor box looks like:

 To configure a desktop blog editor, you mainly need to know these values on setting it up:

Provider: Movable Type

Homepage:  http://www.specialtygamer.com/features/

Username:  [your username]

Password:  You need to use your Web Services Password, which can be shown by clicking on "Reveal" beside it.  Do NOT use the regular password you made for yourself as that won't work here.  The Web Services Password is located at the bottom of your profile below Preferences as shown in the image below.

Where to get them:

• Summary:

So that is basically everything you need to know.  If I didn't mention it, you don't need to know it.  If you mess up or forget your password, etc., just email me and I can fix anything.  Its my website and I'm the webmaster. 

Thanks and happy writing!

Brian of Specialty Gamer.