SOCS Tips
Useful How-To's in SOCS
September 26, 2007
- Pop-Ups—You must allow Pop-ups in your web browser from the www.rockcreekschools.org website. This lets you to preview your articles in a “pop-up” preview screen.
- Java-- when asked to allow the Java Applet that creates the editing toolbar in the article editor, choose ALWAYS (not just Yes). Otherwise you will be asked each and every time.
- Keep your Article Date current— As you modify and update your articles, it is best practice to update the Begin Date so viewers can easily see when your article was last updated. (For articles that are “Expired” and are intended to display only from a link, simply set the End Date at today’s date and the Begin Date at yesterday's date.)
- Use Shift and Enter—This is one that more of you should be using! Use Shift and Enter keys together to control, or eliminate, excessive spacing between lines or paragraphs. Using the Enter key in an HTML document inserts a DOUBLE line space, instead of a single line space, between paragraphs and elongates the body of the article. This forces the reader to do an unnecessary amount of scrolling just to read to the end of the article.
- Linking to another Article—This option is a recent addition and a real time-saver!. When creating a link within an article to another expired article, you no longer need to search the Archives for that expired article and copy and paste the article URL as an “Insert Hyperlink”! Now you can simply position your cursor in your article where you want the link to the other article to appear. Then click on My Articles (or Articles) and select the article to which you want to link. Much simpler!!!
- Adding images—Inserting an image using the Upload File option BEFORE creating the text in an article (as opposed to Insert Image from within the article) lets you set an image caption, and should your article be featured on the Front Page, it allows the image to display on the Front Page. (If you Insert Image from within the article, it will NOT display that image on the Front Page. Bummer!! Images are attractive as well as attention-getting.)
- Placing images— SOCS will automatically place your first (Upload File) image at the beginning of your article. To place the second and third images, place your cursor where you want each image to appear. To lock the image in place, click on IMG2 and IMG3 in the right-hand corner of your toolbar. You must complete this step or the images will NOT appear in your article!
- File Types and Size allowed— SOCS allows you to upload only certain file types—All Microsoft Office files (.doc, .ppt, .pub, .xls) as well as .htm, .html, .mov, .mpg, and .pdf are allowed. File size cannot exceed 15MB.
