Embedding links in comment boxes?

[Dr. M]

Hi, all -

Is it possible to embed links in the comments? One of my favorite sites uses this software, but not being able to embed links in the comments really hinders things. Is there a plug-in or something?

Also, is there any way to enable italics in the comments? The bold and underline are okay, but some things really call out for italics.

Thanks,
Doc

[garvinhicking]

Hi!

Yes, several markup plugins exist to do that, like BBCode, Textile, Wiki and others. Most sites (also this forum!) uses BBCode markup to allow HTML-like formatting. A s9y BBCode plugin exists that you can enable. This also applies to bold and italics.

Regards,
Garvin

[Dr. M]

Thanks, Garvin, I'll pass along the info.

Doc

[Dr. M]

Hi again -

The bloggers (Maggie's Farm) I'm talking about are, alas, just regular (non-computer) guys and I have the feeling they'll never get around to tackling it. I got something back like "We'll look into it.", but it's been a week and I'm sure they've shelved it.

So, is this an easy enough task that someone could scribble down the directions in easy-to-follow non-geek directions? If they're actually "plug-ins", by definition they should plug right in, no?

Also, I wouldn't say that BBCode satisfies the "embedded links" requirement. All it's doing is making them active, but a huge, long link would still be a huge, long link. There's supposed to be a place where you can slap in the (ungodly long) address, linked to a word, like on a web page. Do any of the others do it better than BBCode?

Thanks for any feedback,
Doc

[garvinhicking]

Hi!

So, is this an easy enough task that someone could scribble down the directions in easy-to-follow non-geek directions? If they're actually "plug-ins", by definition they should plug right in, no?

Once you've installed the BBCode markup plugin through the serendipity Plugin Configuration, you can use it straight foward.

In your entries, simply write:

Code: Select all

This is [b]bold[/b] and this is [i]italic[/i]. Also, here's a [url=http://www.google.de]link[/url]!

This will transform into the output:

This is bold and this is italic. Also, here's a link!

when your entries are displayed. The same applies to comments, when you've enabled BBCode for comments (by default inside the plugin configuration).

The full set of BBCode syntax can be found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBCode

Also, I wouldn't say that BBCode satisfies the "embedded links" requirement.

I would certainly say so.

Of course if you simply want a popup to insert a HTML link, you can use the WYSIWYG EDitor of s9y for your entries (can be enabled in the Personal Preferences of the author), or use the "link" button above the entry body editing field.

Regards,
Garvin

[judebert]

Simple, non-geek instructions (English only. Other languages have to translate; I apologize for my anglocentricity):

Log in to your blog. The administration screen is shown.

From the sidebar on the left, choose "Configure Plugins". The current plugins are shown.

Scroll down to "Event Plugins". Click the link marked "Click here to install a new event plugin". A list of plugins is shown.

In this page, search for "BBCode". When you find the "Markup:BBCode" plugin, click the disk icon to its left. The plugin's configuration screen is shown.

Select the locations you would like to be able to use BBCode. In particular, ensure the "Comment (Apply markup to Comment)" option is "Yes".

Click the Save button. The plugin's configuration screen is reloaded, with a message indicating the settings have been saved.

You can now use BBCode in the locations you selected!

[Dr. M]

Thanks to both of you for the reply. I'll pass along the info and maybe they'll give it a shot.

Although the site gets a fair amount of traffic, they don't get many comments, and I think a big part of that is their inability to embed links. Some of the most interesting things I see when surfing the blogosphere are from links in the comments, not the articles, themselves. The articles, for the most part, are the same ones that other bloggers are posting. It's the links in the comments that often add the depth and color to an otherwise bland post. Avid blog readers know this, and tend to hang out on sites where they can contribute with more than just words. With embedded links, I think Maggie's would go from being an occasional stop for many people to a daily stop.

Thanks again,
Doc

[Jochen Hoff]

It is nice to have BBc-Code to formate links. But most of my readers are not realy fit with such things. So i need some lines of code who looks for an url in a comment, and change them to a clickaible Link. Just like this will be done by wordpress.

[garvinhicking]

Hi jochen!

The "RegExp" event plugin comes with rules than can auto-format http:// links to clickable links.

Regards,
Garvin

[Jochen Hoff]

Thanks Garvin. Nice Book!