Editor Information

What do all these links in the administrator's box do?
Can I add another 'topic' to the list?
Can I add/change links in the left column?
Can we reconfigure the site to do X?
Can I post comments on stories?
What are the guidelines for editing/deleting posts by another editor, or approved by another editor?
Can I change a story that  I wrote or posted after it goes live on the site?
What are the guidelines for approving/rejecting posts from non-editors?
Can we make X an editor?

version 1.0

What do all these links in the administrator's box do?

As an 'administrator' of the site, you have the power to totally trash the site.  Please, please, please don't play with any of the links in the administration box unless you are very sure what you are doing and why -- or at least look, but don't touch.

The only administrator links you will use regularly are

  • the "New Article" link  when you write a story and wish to post it directly;
  • article links in the "New Articles Submitted" box that will appear above the others when there are stories in the queue;
  • the Surveys/Polls link when you wish to start a new poll
  • the File Manager when you want to upload a file (e.g. to the 'essays' directory so that you can link to it in a story

    •  

    Adding 'topics'

    You also may occasionally use the Topics Manger to create a new 'topic' (note that this requires a .gif to go with it, so please upload one to the 'topics' sub-directory (you can navigate to it using the File Manager, or send the gif to Michael Froomkin, who'll do it for you).

    Left Margin

    Left Blocks controls the middle of the left column, currently populated by "Useful ICANN sites" and "Membership Study".  You can add links to these if you wish.  We are NOT using Right Blocks at present.  Edit Users allows one to remove a registered user, but since that has almost no effect while we allow anonymous postings, why bother?  Edit Admins allows you to create other administrators PLEASE DON'T DO THIS without discussing it with a founding Editor or three (dave, david & michael).   Admin Block allows you to alter content in a block that is only visible to us (e.g. the link that lead you to this document).  Main Block controls the content of the top left block.  Please make changes sparingly.  We don't use HTTP Referers, Section Managers, Web Links, or Ephermids.  The Preferences button sets many site defaults - please don't touch.  Headlines controls the way in which we import headlines from other sites (currently ICANN Blog & YRO).   Generally it would be better not to play with these.....
     

    Can we reconfigure the site to do X?

    We've been warned not to make many changes to the PHP code since that will mess with the upgrade path.

    Can editors post comments on stories?

    Yes.  Any story, including ones they post or approved themselves.
     

    What are the guidelines for editing/deleting posts by another editor, or approved by another editor?

    In a word: don’t.  Ask the person who wrote or approved the story.  (Of course, you can always post comments of your own under the story.)
     

    Can editors change a story that they wrote or posted after it goes on the site?

    Yes, but if you are doing more than fixing a typo, or an outdated link, please note the fact of the change with an [UPDATE:...] notice in the body of the article or at the end.
     

    What are the guidelines for approving/rejecting posts from non-editors?

    1. In general, we should aim to have from 3-15 lines on the front, with the rest in the 'read more'.
    2. When possible, we should avoid having items that have no spillover as this reduces the chance people will be likely to participate in and see discussions.  It also makes for low 'read' numbers on the front, which looks bad.
    3. It is OK to edit submissions, both to cut them up and also to reword them.  It is especially ok to edit anonymous submissions aggressively to fix the writing etc.  It is always ok to edit for length, but one should be very cautious in rewording stuff by a signed contributor.
    4. It is OK to add personal editorial comments, either on the front or (more commonly) on the inside, but these should be set off in brackets and <i>italics</i> and signed with initials.

    Can we make X an editor?

    We are being cautious about adding editors since they have the power to trash the site.  Send suggested names to David Post and Michael Froomkin.