Q: How do I use categories in a blog?

A. Using categories in your blog is optional. If you have a large blog, or one shared by many people doing various projects, categories can be handy for finding particular information. (You can sort posts by date or category.)

• Add Category:
• When you are editing your blog, you will see a link in the left column that says Add Category.
• Click this and you'll get the New Category screen.
• Type in a short (1-3 words are best) name for the category in the Name box. Then you can add descriptive text in the Description box.
• Keep the check box below it checked unless you want to create a hidden category that only you (and members of your Initiative, if it is a Initiative blog) know about, which does not appear on the main page.
• Click Add to add it, or Reset if you change your mind.
• Edit Category:
• When you are editing your blog or blog entries, you will see a link in the left column that says Edit Categories.
• Click this and you'll get the Edit Categories screen, which lists all the categories you have already set up, how many posts are categorized under each (clicking the number will take you to a list of the posts under that category), whether they are visible on the front page of your blog, and icons that allow you to edit or delete the categories.
• To edit, click the icon that looks like a pencil and paper, under Actions.
• This brings up a screen just like the Add Category screen, which contains the text you originally entered.
• You can edit it now.
• When you are done, click Update to save the changes, or Reset to keep the category entry as it was.

Using Categories with Blog Entries

• You can add or change categories at any time on any post you write.
• Under the text entry screen for your current post (new or edited), you will see a list of possible categories. Usually general is checked by default.
• You can check or uncheck any of the categories.
• Once you save your post, you or others will be able to search for it under the categories you have checked.