computer question

[peggy]

There's something I've wondered about. You know when someone gives a link to something else and instead of a line of numbers and letters, or a clear web link, there will be some words in colored type(that is the link). They can be anything like 'here's a link' or 'my butt' or whatever, and it's the click-able link. Know what I mean? Anyway, how do they do that? I'm sure you all know the answer and I'm just thick. Not a computer person here.:|(

[Alan]

There's something I've wondered about. You know when someone gives a link to something else and instead of a line of numbers and letters, or a clear web link, there will be some words in colored type(that is the link). They can be anything like 'here's a link' or 'my butt' or whatever, and it's the click-able link. Know what I mean? Anyway, how do they do that? I'm sure you all know the answer and I'm just thick. Not a computer person here.:|(

Easy Peasy.

After you've typed 'here's a link' or 'my butt', highlight the words you want to be linkable then click on the 'Insert Link' icon above this text box (it's a globe with a chain link on the bottom). In the resultant box, insert the web address you want to associate your link with and click ok.

You can also do it the hard way by creating your own href tag using html, although I believe html code may be disabled in these forums. Below is an example shown inside an html block to preserve formatting in case I'm wrong about that:




Click <a href="http://www.yahoo.com">here</a> to go to yahoo.

In that example, the word 'here' would be your clickable link to yahoo.com and look like this: Click here (http://yahoo.com) to go to yahoo.

[frugal-one]

I guess I am thick too. I don't get where the insert link is????

[Alan]

Scroll down to the 'quick reply' window directly below this post. You'll see 9 linkable icons in the header, right under "Quick Reply'. 'Insert Link' is the 6th one from the left, blue globe with what looks like a chain link at the bottom.

[peggy]

ok, I'll try it...a link (http://http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?3127-Favourite-colours-related-to-dress.)

[peggy]

dang, didn't work. let me try again. again
(http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?3127-Favourite-colours-related-to-dress.)

[peggy]

OK, it worked that time. Thanks Alan.
so if I'm on another site, do they usually have an icon for adding a link? I mean , is this a common thing in most/all web sites? Or do I need to learn the longer form you put up?

[Alan]

No, virtually every forum has an automated link generator. Most forums will not allow the longer form I showed you for fear of people injecting malicious html code, but if you were building a website that's how you'd do it.

PS., It worked the first time too, you just had one too many http:// in it.

[fidgiegirl]

Good job, Peggy! I loooooove hyperlinking. It's part of what is so addicting about the Internet for me . . . always some shiny new link to click. :)

[loosechickens]

Well, I'll be darned, Alan......you are the MOST help on these computer things! I guess I learn something new every day, being not exactly a computer whizz myself. THANKS!!!!!

[peggy]

Good job, Peggy! I loooooove hyperlinking. It's part of what is so addicting about the Internet for me . . . always some shiny new link to click. :)

Thanks. Now I'll just have to remember it! Maybe if I write it down in the little book I keep to write down the passwords EVERY SINGLE WEBSITE demands.

I just LOVE computers. They just wow me everyday! I know there a a million little tricks like this, and I couldn't possibly learn (or remember) them all, but this was one I often wished I knew. Thanks again Alan. It's really great knowing someone who knows this stuff (and isn't your daughter who will roll her eyes while she explains simple stuff to her really dense mom!)

[Alan]

..... Maybe if I write it down in the little book I keep to write down the passwords EVERY SINGLE WEBSITE demands.


Well then it's time to consolidate your passwords. Try using just one fairly complex password for everything, and by fairly complex I just mean to use a combination of upper and lower case alpha characters, a special character or two and one or two numeric characters. While that may sound daunting, it's really not. Think your favorite Queen song and then imagine a password such as Thunderbolt&Lightning75.

Another good password cue is to take a fairly long phrase and use the first letter of each word. Think of something like 'That Alan guy on Simple Living really pisses me off sometimes in the Public Policy threads' and turn it into a password of TAgoSLrpmositPPt. Now you've got something you'll never forget and you can use it everywhere.

In the security world, the very worst thing you can do is keep a lot of passwords in a little book.

[peggy]

But i always though you needed a different password for everything. Frankly I don't give a wit if someone looks at some gardening site I visit. who cares? Well, maybe I'll consolidate my passwords. That sure would make my simple life even simpler. Once again, thanks Alan. (you don't really piss me off that much, I just like a good argument...ok, maybe sometimes you do ;) )

[shadowmoss]

I'm old school enough that I just normally insert the URL so that folks know for a fact what they are clicking on. I guess if I was truly a hacker, I'd make it look like it was a URL to one place, when it really was an embedded link to someplace else. But, I wouldn't do that. I think my geekness is showing.

(what the message is, always look down at the bottom of your browser or wherever it shows you the place you are actually being sent before clicking on any link)

[HKPassey]

Another good password cue is to take a fairly long phrase and use the first letter of each word. Think of something like 'That Alan guy on Simple Living really pisses me off sometimes in the Public Policy threads' and turn it into a password of TAgoSLrpmositPPt. Now you've got something you'll never forget and you can use it everywhere.



ROTFL, totally!