  Noticing Newbies
This week: Back to basics. Edited by: ~ Santa Sisco ~  
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Hello everyone. I am ~ Santa Sisco ~ . I'm one of the four permanent editors of the Noticing Newbies newsletter.
My aim is to ensure you have a smooth transition into the site. I still remember my first day here. "Bitem?" Do I have to be a computer programmer to put my writing on here?  Forty-eight hours later, I realized it was a case of easy when you know how!. My biggest mistake when I joined was that I didn't take the time to read the "Writing.Com 101" . I was excited and wanted to do everything the same day. Sound familiar? 
You will see my contributions every four weeks and I hope they help you with using this great site.
The other permanent editors are Tornado Dodger  , ember_rain, and Sara♥Jean . |
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Back to basics - How do I post a link to my items?
In this issue I will cover the subject of how to link to your items, and hopefully make it easy to understand.
The best place to start is always the "Writing.Com 101" and for this topic also refer to the WritingML Help.
Linking also has its own video tutorial made by our own The StoryWitchress  . "Video: Linking to an Item"
Let me try to explain the importance of linking on WDC...
I have created a poem (Autumn) for everyone to read. However, people would have to stumble across it in my port to read it. So I decide to enter it into a contest to get it some exposure. I have to post a link to the poem in the contest forum, so this is what to do...
I open my portfolio and scroll down to my poem.
I copy the item ID number for my poem which is 2015313. (That is the number after the # )
I go back to the contest forum and make a new post.
Links are formed by two brackets { to open the link, and } to close it. There is a colon in the middle {:} we add the type of link we are using on the left. {item:} then we add the item ID number on the right of the colon. (The number after the #) {item:2015313}
I enter the link {item:2015313} which will show as "Invalid Item" once posted.
This is the simplest link format, the item. WritingML Help for item
The most commonly used link for showing your writing is a bitem link. WritingML Help for b-item This seems to cause confusion for many of our newbies, and that is why I am focusing on explaining this link.
Bitem simply means "Big item." It is a link that displays any awardicons the item has, any image attached to the item, the item title and content rating, the brief description of the item, the item ID number #, and finally the author's handle and portfolio case.
FAQ: Why do contests and other activities ask for the post to be a bitem link?
Ans: The bitem link allows the contest/activity owner to check that certain criteria have been met at a glance. Remember "Invalid Item" ? Not giving much away, is it?
Now i make it {bitem:2015313} and it shows as:
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2015313 by Not Available. |
I can see if it meets the age restrictions, whether or not it has any award attached, and most importantly for me, I can copy/paste the item ID number into a qualified entries list.
Hopefully, you can now see why it really does make a difference which link you post. Similarly, if I was talking about my poem to another member, I wouldn't say:
I have written a new poem called | | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2015313 by Not Available. |
and I would love your opinion on my change of style.
An item link would work and look much better.
I have written a new poem called "Invalid Item" and I would love your opinion on my change of style.
The link has a small arrow at the top right that will open the item in a new window. Try it.
TIP: Go on your word-processor and continuously type {bitem:} until it becomes second nature! That way all you will have to do is enter your item number. OR, stay active here for a few months and it will have the same effect. 
I hope this clears up any confusion you may have had. There are other types of links, but I'll not complicate things by mentioning them. Once you have mastered item and bitem links, have a look at the other types of links in the WritingML Help. |
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Is there an aspect of linking you are still unsure of?
Have you enjoyed my newsletter? Let me know if you have any topics you would like covered.
From "Noticing Newbies Newsletter (July 20, 2016)" JACE  said:
Congrats on your first Noticing Newbies NL. I know it's in good hands. Even seasoned members need help now and then, and your article will be a great one to store for future reference. Looking forward to reading more from you, Sisco.
Thank you so much, Jace, for the hundreds of newsletters you have written. Your newsletters were always informative and a pleasure to read. Big boots to fill. |
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Noticing Newbies: August 17, 2016 Issue [#7810]
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