Welcome to the new Viva El Birdos and SB Nation
[Wow ---- 5:30 a.m. CDT and we already have 15 comments. That's good ---- feedback is key. We are the 3rd site to migrate over, and there are still 27 MLB sites to go, and then ~150 sites in the other sports, so the development team needs to hear your opinions and experiences regarding the new site and the migration. So please read the intro post by Trei, cruise around the new site, and post your opinions in the comments thread. If you find bugs or other problems, report them! We'll have a regular post in the main column tomorrow; if you want to put up a diary (no, I mean "Fan Post"], go for it. You can also e-mail me offline ---- vivaelbirdos AT yahoo DOT com. ---- LB]
Hello VEBbers,
Today is the big day. We've switched your community over to the new SB Nation sports blog platform. My name is Trei and I'm one of the guys who helped build this new home for y'all. I'm here to help you get adjusted and give you a quick tour of what is new and what has changed. Also, if you have questions or trouble with the new system, I'll be around to answer them and point you in the right direction.
Before we get started, I want to let you know that you're one of the first blogs in the SB Nation family to make this transition. We still consider this a beta platform so don't be surprised if you find a few bugs or if everything isn't exactly right yet. In fact, we hope you'll take the time to report any problems you encounter. All you need to do is email bugreport@sbnation.com.
Lets get started...
What Has Changed
SB Nation network accounts (the big change)
Many people across all of our blogs told us they wanted one account that they could use on any SB Nation blog. We agreed and have created one SB Nation network account so that you only have to login once to gain access to many blogs. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to participate on all of your blogs. However, we didn't want to encourage everyone to start visiting rival team blogs and creating flame wars. To maintain the friendly confines of your communities we ask that you explicitly join each blog you want to actively participate on. It's an easy 2-click process, but it means accepting the different community guidelines that each blog manger sets out. Just as you join each blog individually, you can be banned on each blog individually.
To make this work, we're requiring that everyone create a new SB Nation network account. Don't worry - you won't lose all of your old comments and diaries. We have created a simple process for you to claim your old blog account. In most cases you should be able to keep your old username, but a few of you may have to choose something new. The reason is that every other community in SB Nation will be going through this same transition and some of them have the same username that you do. We tried to be as fair as possible about deciding who gets to keep which name using a formula that takes into account length of membership, amount of activity and how recently you've been active. The important thing is that whatever name you have will be retroactively put on all of your old comments and diaries. Some of you already have multiple accounts on different SB Nation blogs; we've got you covered too because you can claim more than one old blog account.
Alright, now that I've explained all that - let's get you started:
Click Here to claim your old blog accounts and create a new SB Nation network account.
FanPosts (the section formerly known as Diaries)
First we changed their name. Why? Because we took this major upgrade as an opportunity to leave behind some vocabulary we inherited that never made much sense for a sports blog. SB Nation is the network of, by and for *fans* and these are the blog *posts* we make. So we called them FanPosts. Next time you're at the bar and you're telling someone to go check out your opinion about the latest trade, you don't have to suggest they read your diaries.
But the changes go deeper than the new name. FanPosts are displayed differently on the homepage - they now include your avatar so you get more credit for the time you invest in writing great posts. We also built a new editor that has a WYSIWYG view for easy formatting and auto-saving of drafts so you don't have to worry about losing your work when you write on the web. And in addition to adding basic tags, you can now associate teams, players and games with our special auto-complete tools. These will put your FanPosts on our new team, player and game pages - across the entire network.
The new system does not work like the old diary editor. For example, if you're writing in HTML mode we do not auto-detect paragraphs from line breaks. Look for the blinking help button on the right side of the FanPost editor for quick tips or take a look at our full guide to writing FanPosts on the new platform.
IMPORTANT - if you write your posts in Microsoft Word or some other off-line editor, you will get the most reliable behavior if you cut & paste your post into the HTML view of the FanPost editor. And if you do that, remember that you have to put the <p></p> tags around each paragraph you want so your text doesn't run together.
What Is New
Schedule, Scores, Stats and Roster
Viva El Birdos now has all the basic information about the Cardinals and every other team in the MLB. During games you'll see a regularly updated line score, as the season progresses we'll track team stat totals and leaders. This is just our first step so look for us to publish more detailed and archival stats in the future. The best part about all this sports data is that we've integrated it directly into the blog so now we special pages that will aggregate all the blog posts written about games, players and teams.
Auto-refreshing Comments
You no longer need to refresh the page to see new comments. If you're logged in, new comments will automatically appear on the page every few seconds. When you post a comment, the page will not refresh either. If you want to quickly cycle through all the new comments, you can press the 'c' key on your keyboard. If you're cycling through the comments you can just press the 'r' key to reply. And there are other helpful keyboard shortcuts like that listed at the top of each comments section.
Recommending Comments
Now you can reward those folks who take the time to look up stats and make smart arguments in the comments. Next to each comment there is an 'actions' link that you can click to find the recommend and flag options.
Flagging Comments
To help the moderators on a site, we've built-in tools that let you flag comments that are spam, trolling or just plain inappropriate. No one else can see those flaggings, but the moderators can.
FanShots
Many members of the community just want to post that one link, video, photo or quote and you don't need to write a full FanPost. We've got you covered and we made these quick hits really easy. Now you have a tool that is designed for sharing YouTube videos, Flickr or PhotoBucket photos, quotes from articles, portions of chat transcripts, top 5 lists and simple links. If it's a video or image we'll put a thumbnail on the homepage when you post it.
For those of you who are experienced internet hunter and gatherers of Cardinals material, install the bookmarklet to share FanShots with the community from wherever on the web you find that killer quote or photo.
Archives
It's much easier to go find that post about a certain deadline trade or a playoff game. Browse by year and month.
Avatars
When you upload an image as your avatar we'll use it on your profile, your FanPosts and all your comments.
Network profiles
Now that we have unified SB Nation network accounts, your profile will be the central hub for all of your activity on any blogs you're a member of.
Network bar
The bar up at the top will stay with you on all SB Nation blogs. It's a quick way to login and logout. When you're logged in, you'll see your avatar and screen name. Click that and you'll find your profile. There is a button next to that for jumping to your dashboard with links for editing your settings, profile, account and any FanPosts or FanShots you've published. Once we add more blogs to the new SB Nation network, the My Blogs menu will be a handy way of navigating between the blogs you're a member of.
There are plenty more small changes and additions we've made so take a careful look around and explore this new system.
We appreciate your patience as we jump into this beta together and know you'll help us get this new platform ready for all the other SB Nation blogs.
And in case you missed it, you'll want to start with this:
Click Here to claim your old blog accounts and create a new SB Nation network account.
2 recs |
215
comments
Read Related
Comments
sleek.
testing ... testing ... 123!
wow. this will take a little getting used to, but all in all i like the new sleeker look!
my web log
by matty fred on Mar 15, 2008 3:05 AM EDT 0 recs
Well, this is new
The straight forward approach of the old site was nice fimiliar but I guess I can get used to this.
My cellphone will NEVER be able to handle the new format. :D
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
by Hardcore Legend on Mar 15, 2008 3:08 AM EDT 0 recs
Hmmm
It won't seem to let me put a url in my signature anymore like on the old site.
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
by Hardcore Legend on
Mar 15, 2008 3:18 AM EDT
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Agree!
It'll take awhile to get through all the new features, but that's a good thing!
by Roebird on
Mar 15, 2008 1:13 PM EDT
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Interesting look
A couple first impressions:
1. I find the default avatar (the guy with the mouth agape with a backwards baseball cap) really, really annoying. Just reminds me too much of the drunk, loudmouth sports jerk stereotype that I can't stand.
2. Not sure I like the massive maroon bars down the side. Too reminiscent of 1980's Phillies colors for me.
3. The Fanpost enhancements seem to be a huge improvement over the old diary system, although I suppose it will take a while to see how it all plays out.
by bailorg on Mar 15, 2008 3:22 AM EDT 0 recs
colors
completely agree. i very much miss the old, bright-cardinal-red-everywhere color scheme...
by dpmay on
Mar 15, 2008 5:33 PM EDT
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Hey
Love what you've done to the place!! Are the Cold Frosty Buds still in the same spot in the fridge? :)
by KYCards on Mar 15, 2008 3:46 AM EDT 0 recs
Hmmmm....
Is there anyway to make it use more of the screen? I've got a widescreen monitor (1440x900) and basically half the screen is being wasted. The old VB would expand automatically to the width.
by DiscoJer on Mar 15, 2008 4:11 AM EDT 0 recs
Even worse on a 30" dell
Just a narrow little strip down the middle
by DriverZn on
Mar 15, 2008 5:31 AM EDT
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That's exactly why...
I didn't get a bigger one. Monitor technology has far surpassed computer and internet technology. In fact, this seems to be a depressing thread - more and more fixed (tiny) size sites, instead of variable ones.
by DiscoJer on
Mar 15, 2008 6:29 AM EDT
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Doh
trend, not thread. Still no editing of comments, I see. (I clicked on "actions" only to have that button disappear)
by DiscoJer on
Mar 15, 2008 6:30 AM EDT
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I need the space for work
Its just funny to use some websites on it. At least it will be a good fit for my phone.
by DriverZn on
Mar 15, 2008 4:27 PM EDT
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yea...
I think i'm gonna miss the old VEB. This is gonna take some getting used to. I really liked how the old VEB looked like a true fan site this is more...yuck I kinda feel dirty
"Ding-dong the wicked witch is dead!" - Wayne Hagin after the cardinals snapped a losing streak
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Mar 15, 2008 4:56 AM EDT 0 recs
Change = hard
...but I'll be patient and try to appreciate all the new features.
I agree about the vertical gray bars on the sides, however...that's a LOT of wasted real estate. Any chance of tweaking that?
There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary, and those who don't.
by Mr Clean on Mar 15, 2008 5:18 AM EDT 0 recs
programming team is listening
there may be a slight layout tweak forthcoming. still monitoring feedback across the network.
by lboros on
Mar 15, 2008 10:03 AM EDT
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wow, already done
looks good, but yes any change will take some adjusting too.
by FunkeeC on Mar 15, 2008 5:39 AM EDT 0 recs
Yeah
I'd much rather have a bigger main "center" area for the posts and shrink at least the right sidebar but whatever probably going to have to get used to it...
With no evidence to the contrary, Colby Rasmus is clutch
by joker24 on Mar 15, 2008 7:31 AM EDT 0 recs
Spiffy
Let's get some new T Shirts to celebrate the new VEB!
by KY BirdsonBat on Mar 15, 2008 7:37 AM EDT 0 recs
Larry
Did you get my email about this?
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
by Hardcore Legend on
Mar 15, 2008 12:37 PM EDT
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Need to re-focus where my eys usually go
but am really excited about some of the new features. Also, it may be just me but the color palette looks a bit off...a bit dark.
"Slide DiMaggio, slide!" "Hey, my name isn't DiMaggio, my name is mm..mmmm...mmm....mud."
by cmat on Mar 15, 2008 8:23 AM EDT 0 recs
Well....
....name change by addition, otherwise painless so far.
If we can't be good, can we at least be lucky?
by cardschinmusic on Mar 15, 2008 8:36 AM EDT 0 recs
this is pretty good
I got a taste of this on "Athletics Nation", so it's good to see it here...I belong to a number of other blogs on SB nation, and I'm not understanding how to integrate them on my dashboard...I'll do some more experimenting...so far so good. though
by tbell61 on Mar 15, 2008 8:42 AM EDT 0 recs
claiming other blog accounts
Go to your profile -> Edit Account -> Claim an old blog account
I'm one of the guys that built the new SB Nation
by clockwerks on
Mar 15, 2008 8:45 AM EDT
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Where are
all the good links to the other sites that used to sit on the right sidebar. Please bring 'em back. Now I don't know how to get to anywhere from here. Otherwise, site looks good.
by ridgesee on Mar 15, 2008 8:49 AM EDT 0 recs
for links to other SB Nation blogs
go to the very top of the screen, where it says "my blogs," and click on that --- it'll give you access to all the other SBN sites.
my own blogroll (with links to other cardinal blogs, Hardball Times, Baseball Primer, etc etc) has moved from the right sidebar to the left.
by lboros on
Mar 15, 2008 9:23 AM EDT
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we'll also be adding a full sbnation blogroll at the bottom of the home page
the my blogs menu will only display sb nation blogs that you've joined
I'm one of the guys that built the new SB Nation
by clockwerks on
Mar 15, 2008 9:28 AM EDT
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1 recs
I Love The New Features
Will take a few to get used to, but the site IMHO needed an upgrade on a number of different levels to make it as functional as is possible in their Web 2.0 world. Also like I'll be able eventually to work with all three of the SB Nations sites through one log-in/setting screen. I'll also be very interested to see how the schedule, roster, stats, and news sections work. I mean if you want to keep me here and get more page views this is a sure fire way to do this.
About the only downside I see as a few others have mentioned, is I'd like to be able to expand the width of the page. But I guess you can't have everything.
by tommyguniii on Mar 15, 2008 9:16 AM EDT 0 recs
i'm just a simple caveman
this world frightens and confuses me...
seriously, much better. now i just gotta play around with it for a while to get used to it.
Amaury translates into "Punisher of Spheroids" in the lost tongue of Atlantis. Marti means "Belgian Waffle."
by erik on Mar 15, 2008 9:19 AM EDT 0 recs
Am I missing something?
I liked having the links for all the other MLB teams blogs on the right on the old site. Is that gone or am I just not finding them?
by Pujols for MVP on Mar 15, 2008 9:19 AM EDT 0 recs
we'll be bringing that back shortly
I'm one of the guys that built the new SB Nation
by clockwerks on
Mar 15, 2008 9:20 AM EDT
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Newness
It definitely will take a bit of getting used to, but it looks kinda spiffy. As long as we are talking Cardinals, though, it doesn't matter the bells and whistles!
C70 at the Bat
by Cardinal70 on Mar 15, 2008 9:20 AM EDT 1 recs
I like it.
As long as the quality of the comments stays the same. 'Cause, you know--it was the best Cards site anywhere.
by Archaeopteryx on Mar 15, 2008 9:22 AM EDT 0 recs
My username is gone!
Some dude from :blech: "Windy City Gridiron" stole it.
Bastards.
by silent_bob on Mar 15, 2008 9:24 AM EDT 0 recs
you can still claim your old diaries and comments
just go here: http://www.sbnation.com/account/migrate_accounts
choose Viva El Birdos
put in your old username and password
click add to claim list, then continue
so even though you lost your username, you don't lose everything you did on VEB
I'm one of the guys that built the new SB Nation
by clockwerks on
Mar 15, 2008 9:27 AM EDT
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Does This Only Work For SB Nation
blogs that have been migrated? I can't seem to add And The Valley Shock to my account here. Keep getting an error message that says "We're unable to find that account. You may have provided the wrong username and password or that account may have already been claimed."
by tommyguniii on
Mar 15, 2008 9:40 AM EDT
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should work for all blogs
not just those that have been migrated
I'm one of the guys that built the new SB Nation
by clockwerks on
Mar 15, 2008 9:48 AM EDT
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I'm having trouble, too.
I kind of goofed and signed up for a new account with my old username and now I get the same error message as tommyguniii when I try to associate the old one. It's not a huge deal as I wasn't a frequent poster, but if anyone knows how to fix that let me know.
I like the new look of the site, though. Snazzy.
by nyredbirdgirl on
Mar 15, 2008 12:20 PM EDT
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you're having trouble claiming another account on VEB? or on a different blog?
I'm one of the guys that built the new SB Nation
by clockwerks on
Mar 15, 2008 12:25 PM EDT
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Testing Image Upload*

*Cause I like to try and break stuff
by tommyguniii on Mar 15, 2008 9:28 AM EDT 0 recs
Comment Question
So I only have the option to collapse or expand. I can have it on expand and then manual collapse each individual comment?
by tommyguniii on Mar 15, 2008 9:30 AM EDT 0 recs
yes, click the subject of a comment to collapse
I'm one of the guys that built the new SB Nation
by clockwerks on
Mar 15, 2008 9:35 AM EDT
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Wow!!!
So if someones being really stupid and you dont wanna hear their crap you can just collapse their comment?
AWESOME!!!!!!
"when we say strength we mean kettlebell,when we say kettlebell we mean strength"
by Calhoun on
Mar 15, 2008 12:42 PM EDT
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Like the changes,
especially the auto update on comments. Still need to pick an avatar. The additional information access looks good.
by vinniefromjersey on Mar 15, 2008 9:32 AM EDT 0 recs
Awesome site!
Longtime ready... first time poster! How's my avatar?
by Gandalf on Mar 15, 2008 9:40 AM EDT 0 recs
Awwww...
A man after my own heart.......(im a HUGE Lord of the Rings fan)
"when we say strength we mean kettlebell,when we say kettlebell we mean strength"
by Calhoun on
Mar 15, 2008 12:43 PM EDT
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nerd alert
kidding, i too am a lotr fan
Amaury translates into "Punisher of Spheroids" in the lost tongue of Atlantis. Marti means "Belgian Waffle."
by erik on
Mar 15, 2008 5:01 PM EDT
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Read my profile...
And you will see I am no nerd!
Lotr is one of the best book series EVER and the best movies EVER!!!
And I highly recommend Robert E. Howard`s Conan books they are amazing.
"when we say strength we mean kettlebell,when we say kettlebell we mean strength"
by Calhoun on
Mar 15, 2008 5:13 PM EDT
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site looks great
If the extra space in the sides is really bothering you, just reduce the browser window to match the site, then use all that extra space for multi-tasking. That's why you bought the big ol' wide-screen monitor, right? ;)
I'd rather my sister be a prostitute than my brother a Cub fan.
by _pistol_ on Mar 15, 2008 9:49 AM EDT 1 recs
my wife
she's not a regular reader, but her comment: 'They should put the spring-training games on the schedule'
I'd rather my sister be a prostitute than my brother a Cub fan.
by _pistol_ on
Mar 15, 2008 10:00 AM EDT
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Lookin' Good
I like the changes. Lots of cool stuff.
by mikeonthecards on Mar 15, 2008 9:53 AM EDT 0 recs
When Did The St Louis PD.....
......make the decision to start quoting Larry in thier columns as a source. I am impressed MR. Borowsky
by Schnake on Mar 15, 2008 10:01 AM EDT 0 recs
I noticed that too
and I agree, Schnake...especially in light of Bob Costas' recent comments about bloggers (I 've seen this several places, but the latest is SB Nation's "Niners Nation" )
I though Costas was smarter that that...his comments are disappointing, to say the least.
by tbell61 on
Mar 15, 2008 10:52 AM EDT
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What did
Costas say?
I'm not a big fan of his, but I am curious what he said.
by Youneverknow on
Mar 15, 2008 2:24 PM EDT
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I'm an idiot
You said where his comments are to be found. I'll go look.
by Youneverknow on
Mar 15, 2008 2:26 PM EDT
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Blogs such as
Deadspin and The Big Lead have posts on Costas' remarks. He was quite dismissive, much like Herd(AKA Shrutebag) has been.
"The moment we want to believe something, we suddenly see all the arguments for it, and become blind to the arguments against it."
by cardsrul on
Mar 15, 2008 2:42 PM EDT
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This is Awesome!
It's like driving a sprots car compared to the old site. Great Job!
"It is easy to be brave from a safe distance." - Aesop
by OKCardsfan on Mar 15, 2008 10:19 AM EDT 0 recs
love the pic
I have it up in my basement. Looks even smaller in avatar!!
"The good Lord was good to me. He gave me a strong body, a good right arm, and a weak mind." -Dizzy Dean
by vince eating tarp on
Mar 15, 2008 10:53 AM EDT
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OkCardsfan you took the words right out of my head
This is the Cadillac of Sports Blogs.
Very Nice...
Great Success!
"Why does he keep saying that?"
by Red Blazer on Mar 15, 2008 10:27 AM EDT 1 recs
I'm really just doing this to see if it works but I echo the comments about using more of the screen. Things seem small and cramped.
by easy on Mar 15, 2008 10:29 AM EDT 0 recs
The avatars are nice but...
The are so very very tiny.....
"Why does he keep saying that?"
by Red Blazer on Mar 15, 2008 10:29 AM EDT 0 recs
Also...
Can we get a big fat logo to click on for future redbirds?
Or maybe you could assimilate them in some fashion.
Build the minors for this system with first inning as the homepage and a link to toggle between the big league and the prospect league blogs.
"Why does he keep saying that?"
by Red Blazer on Mar 15, 2008 10:34 AM EDT 2 recs
you should try
clicking *actions* / *Rec* which is just like a +1 but the site keeps track of them. it's like a hi-five that gets added on to great comments.
it's me, JP
by JP on
Mar 15, 2008 12:15 PM EDT
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Looks good to me...
I see where I can now just "click" to get my (a-hem) italics "fix"... (grin)
"In this game, don't nobody know nuthin' about nuthin'." -- attributed to Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra
by The Ol Goaler on Mar 15, 2008 10:50 AM EDT 0 recs
Looks good....
but i do miss the old site. Needs more red! I think it''ll be good but gonna take some getting used to.
by moochavelli on Mar 15, 2008 10:52 AM EDT 0 recs
Yes bring back the viva elbirdos red for the sides.
It makes me feel at home....
"Why does he keep saying that?"
by Red Blazer on
Mar 15, 2008 12:06 PM EDT
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Looks good to me too
Gotta get used to the key strokes...
"The only thing you know about pitching is that you can't hit it." Bob Gibson to Tim McCarver
by player2bnamedl8r on Mar 15, 2008 10:56 AM EDT 0 recs
I like it.
It's new and we have to get used to it...but I like it.
by Harknights on Mar 15, 2008 11:01 AM EDT 0 recs
Just wondering...
what happened to all the advertisers?
by tbell61 on Mar 15, 2008 11:12 AM EDT 0 recs
2 things after driving the sportscar
1. Cupholders - Or what is that actions button by the comments? I hit mine and it disappeared. I tried to look it up in the directions to no avail.
2. Storage - Or since I am not HTML savvy, I think it would be good to have a tutorial on how to upload images and videos. Also how to make your statements bold or italics or whatnot.
"It is easy to be brave from a safe distance." - Aesop
by OKCardsfan on Mar 15, 2008 11:29 AM EDT 0 recs
try the help + style guide!
Head to your user dashboard or create a New FanPost. Click on the Help or flashing question mark link to open the guide. We've assembled it to help with some of the things you mentioned.
We may need to put together more information on FanShots and how they work. Make sure to install the bookmarklet at the top of the FanShots page and try clicking it as you surf around the web.
I'm the SB Nation visual designer. We're still tidying!
by sixfoot6 on
Mar 15, 2008 12:23 PM EDT
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