Need help? Check out our Support site, then


WordPress.com Forums » Staff Answers

1st question: downloading a photo to my sidebar....

  1. bvepurity
    Member

    I'd like to add a picture of myself into my sidebar. I saw this done in someone else's WP blog (she has the 2010 theme; I have the 2011). However, when I search the Support docs, all I see are instructions on how to insert an image INTO A POST. On my Dashboard, under "Widgets" there is a button that says "add an image to your sidebar". However, when I open it up, it asks for the URL (as though I'm linking to another site). All I want to do is upload a photo of myself from MY HARDDRIVE to the sidebar. Please, how do I do this?

    Second, the "PressThis" button/widget. I read the directions several times. If I try the left-click/drag-drop method to my Favorites area, it won't drag/drop. If I right-click, it will not add to my Favorites. What am I doing wrong?

    Third, from reading the Support docs, I understand that since my privacy setting allows every (including search engines) to see my posts, then my blog is automatically seen and/or included on major search engines. However, I was told that it's a good idea to post my URL with search engines; one source suggested TrafficFlowSEO.com where I can post with many search engines. Should I go ahead and do this or would it be redundant in light of the above?

    Thanks very much for your help.
    Justine Rowinski
    Blog url: http://theawakenedconsciousness.wordpress.com/

  2. macmanx
    Happiness Engineer

    1. You can add an image to your sidebar with an Image Widget: http://en.support.wordpress.com/widgets/image-widget/

    2. Just to be sure, are you following this guide? http://en.support.wordpress.com/press-this/ If so, can you please tell us which browser (and version of) you're using?

    3. That seems very shady to me. I wouldn't worry about it. If you have quality content, the search engines will find you very quickly.

  3. bvepurity
    Member

    Hi!

    No, the image widget asks for a URL where it can pick up an image and I need something that will give a Browse button, so I can download a photo from my hard drive.

    Yes, I am following the WP Support guide for Press This. Since I have Windows XP, the best browser I can get is Explorer 8. I just attempted to install Press This and failed again. When I place my curser over the Press This button, I get the same cross-type indicator, but whether I left click or right click, nothing happens.

    What next?

    Thanks,
    Justine

  4. jenia
    Staff

    Hi Justine,

    Regarding the image: what you probably want is a gravatar - that way, your image/userpic will follow you around (like in the forums, we will be able to see your custom pic).

    Please read this article about setting up your gravatar:
    http://en.support.wordpress.com/avatars/gravatars/#upload-an-avatar

    Then, you can add a gravatar widget into your sidebar:
    http://en.support.wordpress.com/widgets/gravatar-widget/

    (I am guessing this is what you saw on your friend's blog.)

    For the PressThis, here are two tips:

    1. Make sure that your Favorites bar is enabled. To do this, right-click on the toolbar are in Internet Explorer and if the Favorites bar is unchecked, check it.
    2. It's OK that you see the cross-type indicator when dragging the PressThis bookmarklet. Once you've dragged it to the Favorites bar, you'll see that you will be able to just drop it there and it will "stick".

  5. bvepurity
    Member

    Hi Jenia:

    Hurray! I managed to create a Gravatar without imploding and I've got photos on my blog, etc. Thanks!

    Still having trouble with PressThis. The Favorites bar was indeed activated, but I also unlocked it just for good measure. Nevertheless, whether I right click or left click, the darn link simply will not drag/drop. I've tried it from Tools and from Writing Settings - no luck.

    Any other ideas? If not, I guess I'll just learn to live without that feature.
    Thanks.

  6. chrisrudzki
    Staff

    Hi Justine,

    There's another way that you can add the Press This bookmarklet, so let's try to give that a shot.

    Could you try copying the following code into the URL or address field of a new bookmark?

    <br /> javascript:var d=document,w=window,e=w.getSelection,k=d.getSelection,x=d.selection,s=(e?e():(k)?k():(x?x.createRange().text:0)),f='https://theawakenedconsciousness.wordpress.com/wp-admin/press-this.php',l=d.location,e=encodeURIComponent,u=f+'?u='+e(l.href)+'&t='+e(d.title)+'&s='+e(s)+'&v=4';a=function(){if(!w.open(u,'t','toolbar=0,resizable=1,scrollbars=1,status=1,width=720,height=570'))l.href=u;};if (/Firefox/.test(navigator.userAgent)) setTimeout(a, 0); else a();void(0)<br />

    Alternatively, you might try to download a browser like Firefox or Google Chrome, and follow the instructions here:
    http://en.support.wordpress.com/press-this/

    You can download Firefox for free at:
    http://firefox.com

    Google Chrome is available for free here:
    http://google.com/chrome/

  7. bvepurity
    Member

    Okay--I just tried the following (which is what I THINK you're telling me to do).

    I selected and copied the script you gave me and pasted it into the address field (where you would normally type in the website you're wanting to go to). Then I clicked Favorites and Add to Favorites. All that did was save this WP Forum page to my favorites.

    I'm starting to pull my hair out :) Help!

  8. evarlese
    Staff

    Hi Justine,

    Can you go to your Bookmarks and click on Add Bookmark? (This will vary depending on which web browser you're using.)

    In the URL field for the new bookmark, can you try copying and pasting the script that Chris provided you above? You don't need to put this script into the navigation bar of your browser, only in the URL of a new bookmark.

    Hope this helps!

  9. bvepurity
    Member

    My browser is Explorer 8. When I click on the Favorites bar, the only options i get are "Add to Favorites", "Import and Export" or "Organize Favorites". There is no option "Add Bookmark".

  10. evarlese
    Staff

    Hi Justine,

    From what I can see in IE 8, there is not an option to manually add a Bookmark. Are you open to using a different web browser, such as Firefox?

  11. bvepurity
    Member

    Not so sure that I am. If I have to download software to use Firefox, it will only slow down my computer (I only have half a gig of RAM to begin with). So I suppose I will just live with PressThis until I get a more powerful computer.

    Thanks to everyone for your help and suggestions.

Topic Closed

This topic has been closed to new replies.

About this Topic

Tags

No tags yet.