Contests & Activities: May 25, 2011 Issue [#4419]
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Contests & Activities


 This week: Item Alias
  Edited by: Leger~ Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

The purpose of this newsletter is to highlight some of the current contests and activities on the site, help educate members on how to host contests and activities, and provide clues to submit quality entries to contests. Write to me if you'd like something in particular covered.

This week's Contests and Activities Editor
Leger~ Author Icon


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B07YXBT9JT
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99


Letter from the editor

The Item Alias


Why would my item need an alias? Is it hiding? Does it need a new identity? What is an item alias?

When we joined the Writing.com community, we all had to learn the mysterious and elusive bitem link. Eventually, we figured it out and learned some other types of links along the way. (If not, here's your chance: WritingML Help) An item link is a code that puts a clickable link to your item on another page. Like when you want to promote your contest or activity - you post some encouraging words for other members to join in the fun and then link your item so they can easily click the link and view your item.

Can you always remember the item number? That jumble of six or seven numbers has to land perfectly in your post or you'll be promoting someone else's stuff! When the Item Alias was first introduced in March 2007, I was thrilled! I can remember my phone number from 1979, but my item numbers? Forget it. So instead of having to link my "15 for 15 Contest --- Closed" Open in new Window. contest item with an item link like this: {item:994771} I use an item alias {item:fifteen} This is an easy memory jog and wonderful for a quick link. I have over a dozen item alias words and it's really helpful.


So when helping guide a new member, help them with an easy link to a helpful forum. And think about purchasing your own item alias for your popular and often-linked items. The cost is 10,000 gift points for an entire year (2500 to renew it each year after) and well worth it for an easy linking tool. You can also change what item your alias points to or transfer it to another person. "Item Aliases" Open in new Window. If you're an owner of an item alias you no longer use, don't forget to delete it so another member can use that word.


This month's question: Did you know about item alias? What do you use your alias words for?
Send in your answer below! *Down* Editors love feedback!



Editor's Picks

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1765508 by Not Available.

Poetry lovers, check out this forum and help get it off the ground.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1761045 by Not Available.

{item:inked}
A new group encouraging community spirit.

GROUP
The Steampunk Authors' Guild  Open in new Window. (E)
Group for those who wish to learn, practice, write in, promote, and review Steampunk.
#1776061 by Beck Firing back up! Author IconMail Icon

Do you like steampunk? Here's a group for you.

Three Word Mayhem! Open in new Window. (13+)
Mayhem is afoot!
#555590 by Jay's debut novel is out now! Author IconMail Icon

{item:mayhem}
Surely you have three words to contribute to the mayhem. *Smile*

 Romantic Poetry Contest Open in new Window. (E)
A romantic poetry contest
#1773424 by GERVIC Author IconMail Icon

Enter a 12 - 40 line poem - generous prizes!

Future Times Contest Open in new Window. (13+)
How does Science and Technology affect the Planets Future?
#1766089 by Finn O'Flaherty Author IconMail Icon

Write as though you're a journalist in the future. Try out this unusual challenge.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1777948 by Not Available.

Current weekly prompt: You are an elf living in a mystical forest. Detail a typical day in your life

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1724542 by Not Available.

Think you know your Bugs Bunny facts?

 Polynomials Open in new Window. (E)
math vocabulary words about polynomials
#1778285 by Jeanette Author IconMail Icon

Find the math vocabulary terms and beat my time 3:04 minutes.

CNOTE
Animated 'Fun' cNotes Open in new Window. (E)
Give someone a special cNote
#1754843 by Maryann Author IconMail Icon

Some fun cNotes to send.


 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B01CJ2TNQI
Amazon's Price: $ 5.99


Ask & Answer

This month's question: Did you know about item alias? What do you use your alias words for?

Last month's question: How else can a signature block be used?

Free_Rip Author Icon replied: It can be used to make people go 'huh?' Actually, seriously, making today's jaded people stop, pause, tilt their head and go 'huh?' is a great achievement and a credit to mankind. When they see a signature consisting of a baby monkey w/light-saber battling Godzilla on top of a giant orange, it can open up their minds to all sorts of possibilities.

Plus, that has a moral and stuff. REALLY! It's about the little guy beating the big guy, or at least trying really hard, and then celebrating with some healthy five-slices-a-day of giant orange. Yum.

You can also use them to put favorite quotes, rants, your username, the name you prefer to be called, and just things that you like. Of course, if you happen to like baby monkeys fighting Godzilla on a fruit of your choosing, well, that's just a bonus.

eyestar~* Author Icon answered: Interesting topic about sigs. I didn't know about the rotating and I agree too many is hard to email esp. when one has slow speed dial up! *Smile* Thank you so much for choosing to post my contest in your picks!. It was a great surprise and so appreciated! eyestar

tangerinedream sent: Wow! Great idea about the rotating of the group links. Why didn't I think of that? I may have to do some redesigning my signature now.

Steve adding writing to ntbk. Author Icon offers: You can use your Signature Block to express your faith and highlight events you support throughout the WdC.


*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
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Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: 0995498113
Amazon's Price: $ 19.95

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