Three simple code tweaks for bloggers

Here’s some easy code for your blog. I like to add references to the end of my family history posts rather than have them intrude in the story. Blogger and the free Wordpress sites have limited tools so a little code is useful for improving the view on the blog.

Three easy ones to use are:

• blockquote
• superscript or subscript numbering
• horizontal line

Here’s how they look along with the code to make it happen.

BlockQuote

This is an example where the text is indented and continues to remain so on the following lines. It is ideal for highlighting such things as text from newspaper notices. I sometimes use it for extensive obituaries in preference to italics. Use the HTML page of your blog and insert the code shown in the picture below. In some blog themes blockquotes may appear with a different background colour or font compared to the rest of your post.

Numbering

Rather than interrupt the flow of text insert numbered references, footnotes below the finished post. Decide on either superscript or subscript and use the code shown below to surround the number. I suggest you add the numbers as you type and add the appropriate references below your post. When the post is finished go to the HTML page and find each number within the text. Add the chosen code either side of the number as show below. Superscript¹ subscript₂

Horizontal Line

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This one is super simple, but again finish the post first. On the HTML page place the cursor where you want the line to appear. Using the same bracket < to open the code, type hr then > to close. Here I’ve used a horizontal line code directly after the heading Horizontal Line, then I’ve added another one at the end of this paragraph. These simple tweaks can enhance your blog and break up long sections of text. See the use made of this code on my family history blogpost The family rally around.

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This post first appeared at http://librarycurrants.blogspot.com/2017/02/three-simple-code-tweaks-for-bloggers.html

Tips for Windows 10

Whether you have tablet or computer, Windows 10 has some great features to make life easier for computer learners. There are a wide range of tutorials and guides to Windows 10 published on the web but a hands on session with one's own laptop or tablet gives people a chance to have their questions answered. Here’s a basic guide I used today at my local library with a keen group of senior learners.

To view full screen for clarity, use the four pointed arrowhead, press ESC to return to this page.

Useful articles and videos

• One of the best YouTube channels for short, well explained videos is the Windows10 Update channel. Each short video of two to four minutes duration explains how to use one app or how to get the best from a feature  of Windows.
• Windows 10 anniversary update This 7 min video explains a range of features that have changed since the first version of Windows 10.
• If you dislike the Quick access folder and would prefer that file explorer opened to “My PC” instead, this article from How to Geek explains how to change it.
• The  complete guide to Windows 10 privacy settings comes from  Makeuseof.com.
• This video from the Microsoft channel is useful if you want to use Edge as your browser - Windows 10 How to: Microsoft Edge.

Right click does the trick

Left click chooses, right click presents alternatives

.Following my post about Google Keep here’s a reminder of two useful Google Drive functions.

1. Text can be extracted from images in your Google Drive using right click to Open with Google Docs.
2. Upload a PDF, right click to Open with Google Docs to extract the text.

Google provides these tips to obtain the best results.

• Resolution: Text should be at least 10 pixels in height.
• Orientation: Documents must be right-side up. If your image is facing the wrong way, rotate it before uploading it to Google Drive.
• Languages, fonts, and character sets: Google Drive will detect the language of the document. You'll get better results if your image includes common fonts such as Arial or Times New Roman.
• Image quality: Sharp images with even lighting and clear contrasts work best. Blurry photos will decrease the quality of the text.
• File size: The maximum size for images and PDF files is 2 MB.

Right click on a PDF

Add-ons

There are plenty of add-ons for Google Docs and Sheets. These provide extra functions. Two of my favourites in Docs are Change Case and Easy Accents seen listed here in the Add-ons menu in Google Docs. Simply choose Get add-ons to explore the wide range available.

Some Add-ons for Google Docs

Google Sheets

The Power Tools Add-on for Google Sheets adds a myriad of functions under each heading: Remove, Clear, Text, Split, Functions, Data and Convert.

Do you have favourite Add-ons in Google Docs and Sheets?