Stackideas

Settings Configuration guide

This guide will be more direct and clear if you have EasyBlog Settings page open in your browser. Just go to yoursite.com/administrator and go to Components > EasyBlog > Settings. The tabs below are clickable and emulate the settings page on EasyBlog backend.

{jkefel kefelui=[tabs] title=[Workflow]} {jkefel title=[General] kefelui=[tabs]}

General

Maximum Related Posts

This setting allows you to put your maximum related posts to be display on a blog post.

Owner for orphaned items

This setting applies when a user deleted his or her account on your site, all of his/her posts will be transferred to another user (typically admin/super admin account user).

Default setting for this is userid 62, you can change it to your site's super admin userid.

Default Blog Privacy

If set to Public unregistered visitors and users can view EasyBlog section. Set to Private will only allow registered users to view EasyBlog section of your site.

Default Blog Publishing Status

When bloggers create a new post or entry, you (as an administrator) can set site wide blog publishing status for them. Default setting is Published, there are "Unpublished", "Scheduled" and "Draft".

---

Permalinks

Search Engine Friendly (aka SEF) URL Format is (as the name suggests) the format of your website URL (generally) and components (specifically, including EasyBlog). If you have no idea what it does, you can read and learn more about it here:

• JoomlaBlogger - 3 schools of Joomla SEF URL (Highly Recommended reading!)
• Joomlatutorials - Joomla SEF URLs
• Google Search - Joomla SEF URL

EasyBlog SEF URL format

• Default

  http://yoursite.com/menu/view/title.html

• Date Based

  http://yoursite.com/menu/view/year/month/date/title.html

• Categroy Based

  http://yoursite.com/menu/view/category/title.html

• Category & Date Based (WP-like settings)

  http://yoursite.com/menu/view/category/year/month/date/title.html

• Simple

  http://yoursite.com/menu/title.html

---

Autodrafts or Auto Save (Powerful Feature)

(Backend/Administration page) Enable AutoDraft and insert your AutoDraft interval (default value is 90 seconds)

(Frontend) When your users or bloggers are writing on their dashboard, AutoDraft will kick in according to your interval set on backend (and you just save their lives and give them a peace of mind).

Screenshot of AutoDrafts on frontend

is one of the most powerful and unique feature of EasyBlog. We recommend you to Enable and make it a default. You can set the Interval for AutoDrafts (default value: 90 seconds).

---

Emails

Send email on page load

All emails related activity like notifications, will be sent during page load, increasing the efficiency of your site.

Send emails in HTML format

By enabling this, email will be sent in HTML formats. (Quick Tips: How to customize and modify HTML emails)

---

TeamBlog

Team Blogs enables site members or bloggers to set up a group or team. Some practical examples use of Team Blog would be if you are using EasyBlog that have both company blog and community (submit by your users and visitors) blogs, and many more!

Go to EasyBlog administration page > Team Blogs. Click on "New" button to create new team.

You will need a name for the team, and choose access for the team's blog to either the public or just team member view. Don't forget to add the members of the team.

{/jkefel} {jkefel title=[Media]}

---

Media

Enable Image Manager

Allow bloggers to upload image from their computers. Disabling it will hide this icon/setting from their editor

Resize Uploaded Image

Why resize? You may ask. EasyBlog is best viewed in (at least) 630px wide. EasyBlog still works with anything lesser than that, but the view (like toolbar, or the image uploaded by your users! will clash on top of each other.

So naturally, it makes sense to set the image width to fit your website template. {/jkefel} {jkefel title=[Subscriptions]}

---

Blog Subscriptions

Allow site wide subscriptions

This setting allows the end users (biblio) to subscribe to your EasyBlog updates.

Allow blog subscriptions

This setting allows the end users to subscribe to your site's blogs. {/jkefelend} {/jkefel} {jkefel title=[Comments]}

---

{jkefel title=[General] kefelui=[tabs]}

---

Comments

Allow BBCode

By default this setting is set to "Yes". Keep it as is if you want to allow your user to use simple markup language.

Max threaded comment (Featured)

This setting allows you to set your maximum threaded comment for replies. For example, above screenshot is 4 threaded comments.

Moderations

You will have an option to moderate new comments, author comments or guest comments. {/jkefel} {jkefel title=[Anti Spam]}

---

For Anti Spam protection on EasyBlog, you can choose either one of options below.

Akismet Integrations

You need to have an account with Akismet to retrieve their API.

Built-in Captcha

This is the easiest choice and setup among all, just enable built-in captcha and you are ready to go!

Recaptcha Integrations

Before setting up Recaptcha by Google, you have to register on their site Recaptcha website

{/jkefel} {jkefel title=[Integrations]}

---

Other comment integrations

• Facebook Comments
• IntenseDebate
• Disqus

Facebook Comments

It is important to know that Admin ID is NOT Application ID or Secret Key ID!

How to retrieve Admin ID

Admin ID is basically a profile id (anyone with a Facebook account owns an ID), so if you are moderating Facebook Comment for your EasyBLog, means it should be your profile id. If you're assigning someone else, that means you will need his/her profile id

Getting Admin/Profile ID is very easy. Basically you need to view your Facebook profile, and you will see your URL inside browser address area;

http://facebook.com/profile.php?id=XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

---

Intense Debate

You will need an account with IntenseDebate.com before setting up IntenseDebate Comment with EasyBlog.

Go to IntenseDebate.com and login.

Once logged in, go to User Toolbar > Sites > Add blog or Site. You will be directed to a page which ask for your site's link. Type in your site link and click the Next button.

For the second step, choose "Generic Install" as your platform.

You will be directed to the 3rd page which prompt you with a snippet of code. Copy the code and go to your Joomla! administration page.

Inside your Joomla! administration page, go to EasyBlog administration page > Settings > Comments > Integrations tab. Enable IntenseDebate comment by setting to "Yes". Paste the code inside Intense Debate Code area.

TAKE NOTE: The code will NOT work unless you insert "var idcomments_acct = 'your keys here';" ONLY

Hit Save or Apply. Voila! Your EasyBlog is now running IntenseDebate commenting system!

---

Disqus

You will need an account with Disqus.com before setting up Disqus Comment with EasyBlog.

Go to EasyBlog administration page > Settings > Comments > Integrations tab. Enable Disqus comment by setting to "Yes".

Get your Disqus' short name by logging into your Disqus.com account. On Settings page, scroll down to "Basic Settings" tab. Your short name is the one that in highlighted in yellow.

Copy paste (or insert) your short name inside Disqus short name field and Save or Apply.

Voila! Now your EasyBlog is integrated with Disqus commenting system.

{/jkefelend} {/jkefel} {jkefel title=[Layout]}

---

{jkefel title=[General] kefelui=[tabs]}

---

Display

12 EasyBlog Themes (Featured and powerful feature)

• bluedream
• carbon
• default
• elegantblue
• elegantgreen
• elegantred
• elegantyellow
• greenie
• hako
• pinky
• plain
• simplistic

Date format

More detailed info on Date Format can be found here: Date Format

Dashboard

Dashboard Theme

• blue
• candy_blue
• candy_green
• candy_purple
• candy_red
• green
• system
blue

candy_blue

candy_green

candy_purple

candy_red

green

system

{/jkefel} {jkefel title=[Avatars]}

---




Avatars

All avatar related settings like disabling Category or Team Blog Avatars can be found within this tab.

Avatar Integrations

• Default
• Community Builder
• Gravatar
• JomSocial
• Kunena
• phpBB
{/jkefelend} {/jkefel} {jkefel title=[Notifications]}

---




Notification Emails

This setting allows you (web administrator) to receive email notifications about your EasyBlog-related activities (from your users).

Blog Notifications

All the settings are self-explanatory. Choose your preferred options accordingly.

Comment Notifications

All the settings are self-explanatory. Choose your preferred options accordingly.

Email Templates

Advanced settings; we recommend you leave this setting as is, unless you know what you're doing. More advanced tutorials for this coming soon.
{/jkefel} {jkefel title=[Integrations]}

---




Alpha User Points

Aplha User Points is a component that does referral user points. According to their own site AUP;

“ It's a component that can distribute or assign points to registered users according to some of its actions and activity on your website. AlphaUserPoints acts as an incentive promoting participation of users. Users often strive for more recognition, as well as competition. It's also useful for contest, challenge, participation, game, online store.

AlphaPlug, AUP developer

Feedburner

“ FeedBurner provides custom RSS feeds and management tools to bloggers, podcasters, and other web-based content publishers.

FeedBurner on Wikipedia.org

Allow Bloggers to use FeedBurner

We recommend to leave this setting as it is, so your users (bloggers) will have the option to use FeedBurner for their own blog post.

Google Adsense (Featured)

Requirements:
• you will need a Google Account
1. Firstly, go to this URL: https://www.google.com/adsense/
2. On the adsense homepage, click on my Ads, and click on New ad unit
3. Give your ads a name for your ads and select your preferred size for the ads
4. Go through all other settings like colors of the ads etc. Click Save and Get the Code when you're finished.
5. Copy the code and paste inside EasyBlog's Adsense code.

Or you could opt for this tutorial from Google themselves on how to setup Adsense account to getting the Adsense code. Click here: Google Adsense setup

JomSocial

If you are using JomSocial and in need of a blogging tools for JomSocial, EasyBlog might ease that pain for you. EasyBlog has the most extensive integration between JomSocial, possibly better than their own MyBlog! We could be wrong though, so how about you tell us from your experience yourself! {/jkefel} {jkefel title=[Social Integrations]}

---


{jkefel title=[Twitter] kefelui=[tabs]}

---




Twitter

With EasyBlog, you can send an auto-tweet every you update a blog post. To customize the automated tweet, you can change the output by using supported tags. The syntax or tags, are self-explanatory;
• {title} is the particular blog's title
• {introtext} is the blog's introtext
• {category} is the blog's category
• {link} is the blog's URL link

Consumer and Consumer Secret Key - How to's

To create an apps on Twitter you will need to go to http://twitter.com/apps and click on Register a new application


• Application Icon: Choose the icon you want for your apps.
• Application Name: Choose a name of your apps.
• Description: Your apps description.
• Application Website: We would recommend you to just put your site's URL address.
• Organization: Your site's name.
• Website: Again your site's URL address here.
• Application Type: Take note this is important as you must select Browser
• Callback URL: This is important too and shall never be left empty. Just put your site's URL address here as well.
• Default Access type: You must select Read & Write for this option
• Use Twitter for login: Click on the checkbox for Yes, use Twitter for login


After creation, scroll down to Consumer Key and Consumer Secret Key



Copy those keys and paste them inside EasyBlog > Settings > Social Integrations > Twitter



---

Shortening URL - Bit.ly

1. Firstly, you have to create an account with bit.ly.
2. Then go to your account page to grab the API key
3. Copy and paste it inside EasyBlog > Settings > Social Integrations > Twitter


---

Advanced Settings

Global Centralized Twitter account

Global Centralized account gives your EasyBlog a single centralized Twitter account regardless if your EasyBlog-powered sites has multiple bloggers/blogs setup.

Some practical example of this would be when you have a brand or team site with multiple bloggers but want all of your social media activity is done under one account (that "brand" or "team/company" account).

How to set up Global Centralized Twitter account

For first or new user, this is how your setting is going to look like;



First, enable your global centralized twitter. Next, click on "Browse Users" to select a user. Now hit "Apply" button. Note the visual/interface difference between the first step and current one.

Click on "Sign in with Twitter" button. It will redirect you to Twitter page to authorize our app.



Now your EasyBlog is integrated with your Twitter app. You can revoke EasyBlog app access anytime if you don't need it later on



Enabling auto update will (only) make the twitter button appear on your bloggers writing board. Bloggers will have an option to auto-post individually.

"Auto Update" feature DOES NOT auto publish or update your twitter or other social networks without consent of your bloggers

{/jkefel} {jkefel title=[Facebook]}

---




Facebook Integrations

Facebook integration with EasyBlog will allow your bloggers to post their writings and blog posts to Facebook.

Enabling "Facebook integration" will keep below (Facebook) configuration for your bloggers/users on his settings page (frontend). Disabling will hide it from their views.



---

Setup Facebook Application for ID and Secret Key

For first timer, you need to create an application for Facebook. Go to http://facebook.com/developers

Login and click on "Create new app".



Click on the "Website" tab and you will see Application ID and Application Secret Keys.



---

Facebook Like

Admin ID

It is important to know that Admin ID is NOT Application ID or Secret Key ID!

Admin ID will allow you to moderate your Facebook Comment (Primary tab "Comments" secondary tab "integrations")



How to retrieve Admin ID

Admin ID is basically a profile id (anyone with a Facebook account owns an ID), so if you are moderating Facebook Comment for your EasyBLog, means it should be your profile id. If you're assigning someone else, that means you will need his/her profile id

Getting Admin/Profile ID is very easy. Basically you need to view your Facebook profile, and you will see your URL inside browser address area;

http://facebook.com/profile.php?id=XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX



---

Advanced Setting

Global Centralized account gives your EasyBlog a single centralized Facebook account regardless if your EasyBlog-powered sites has multiple bloggers/blogs setup.

Some practical example of this would be when you have a brand or team site with multiple bloggers but want all of your social media activity is done under one account (that "brand" or "team/company" account).

How to set up Global Centralized Facebook account

For first or new user, this is how your setting is going to look like;



First, enable your global centralized facebook. Next, click on "Browse Users" to select a user. Now hit "Apply" button. Note the visual/interface difference between the first step and current one.



---

How to get my Page ID?

Log into your Facebook and on the sidebar, search for "Pages" and click.



On your "Pages", go to "Edit Page" on the right hand side of the screen.



Go to your browser URL bar and copy your Page ID. (examples:http://www.facebook.com/pages/edit/id?XXXXXXXXXX)



---

Manage a centralized Facebook account

Click on "Sign in with Facebook" button. It will redirect you to Facebook authorization page

{/jkefel} {jkefel title=[LinkedIn]}

---




LinkedIn - API and Secret Key

You will need a LinkedIn account for this tutorial. Go to https://www.linkedin.com/secure/developer



---

Advanced Setting

Global Centralized account gives your EasyBlog a single centralized Linkedin account regardless if your EasyBlog-powered sites has multiple bloggers/blogs setup.

Some practical example of this would be when you have a brand or team site with multiple bloggers but want all of your social media activity is done under one account (that "brand" or "team/company" account).

How to set up Global Centralized LinkedIn account

Make sure you have the API and Secret Key before proceeding with Centralized LinkedIn. See above "LinkedIn - API and Secret Key"



For first or new user, this is how your setting is going to look like;



First, enable your global centralized Linkedin. Next, click on "Browse Users" to select a user. Now hit "Apply" button. Note the visual/interface difference between the first step and current one.



---

Auto Updates

This setting affect the frontend dashboard of "Write New Post", which is visible to your bloggers.

{/jkefel} {jkefel title=[Other Social Tools]}

---




Social Buttons

For social buttons on frontpage, you will an option of two; AddThis or ShareThis.

AddThis

If you don't have your own AddThis code, just leave code that comes by default.

ShareThis

First you have to register with ShareThis, http://sharethis.com/register

{/jkefelend} {/jkefelend}