Recent Changes @ FreeRepublic

[John Robinson]

A few changes have been made to the forum over the past couple days.

• All replies, and for consistency all articles, are now wrapped in HTML <BLOCKQUOTE>s. This indents the text on both left and right margins. It should no longer be possible to convincingly spoof replies.

• An HTML filter has been installed into the forum software. The primary job of this filter is to remove unsafe HTML constructs. As a side-effect and benefit, it closes open tags. No more HTML shotguns.

• Due to the above mentioned filter, the STYLE attribute has been disabled. Though it has many legit uses, it was used to position text and images at the top of a thread, or in other unsavory places. The STYLE attribute will make a comeback once a style filter is written.

• Since the STYLE attribute was disabled, the use of <SPAN STYLE="background-color: xxxx"> to highlight portions of text was also disabled. To compensate, the <EM> tag has be enhanced for highlighting purposes. At a later time the HTML sequence used to highlight text may change.

• <BLOCKQUOTE> has been enhanced for it's intended purpose: quoting blocks of text. Unfortunately, <BLOCKQUOTE> is often used to indent text without implying a quote, and therefore at a later time the HTML sequence used to quote text may change.

• A quick-and-dirty program now exists allowing you to customize the appearance of Free Republic articles. To use a custom style sheet, use your favorite style sheet editor (or plain text editor) to create a style sheet, save the file to your hard drive, and then follow this link to upload your style sheet to Free Republic.

  This is a technological preview and is geared for a technical audience. At a later date a kinder gentler interface will be created.

A sample customized style sheet:

BODY
{
    BACKGROUND-COLOR: ivory
}
EM
{
    FONT-STYLE: normal;
    BACKGROUND-COLOR: #eeee00
}
BLOCKQUOTE
{
    FONT-FAMILY: "Bookman Old Style"
}
BLOCKQUOTE BLOCKQUOTE
{
    BORDER-TOP: black thin solid;
    PADDING-BOTTOM: 1%;
    PADDING-TOP: 1%;
    BORDER-BOTTOM: black thin solid;
    FONT-STYLE: italic
}

[Swan]

bumping for when you are through "screwing" around

[glock rocks]

very well done. thank you.

however, comma, the yellow highlight reminds me of, oh, eight years of college.

i decided in about the middle of my junior year it would be easier
to spray paint the book yellow.

highlight sucks. die, highlight, die.

but, thanks for all your hard work nonetheless. gr.

[KLT]

Eventually you will have the ability to post without needing to know HTML. (HTML will still be available to those wanting to use it.)

Thanks John, Bootcamp was my savior, I'll never forget the first time I posted I was flammed like there was no tomorrow....of course once I understood formatting I realized the flamming was deserved and very inspiring.LOL

Personally, I like HTML, but I'm not exactly sure how to do all that fancy browser stuff. Can it be set up on AOL? Only Netscape, Explorer, Opera and those browsers? I'm puzzled about it...someone said to insert a word document in FR's dialogue box? That completely confused me... Can you give me any info on this stuff please? Thanks.

Karen

[Exit148]

Do you realize what all these techie words and stuff is doing to all of us who haven't a clue to what they mean?? Just when I felt part of the gang because I mastered 'html' (whatever that means), you 'puter people' have to go and mess it all up!!

justforthatimgoingtowritelikethisinallmypostsandsaytohecktoallofyousothere!

[Cultural Jihad]

When you click the "reply" button, that is the URL it normally sends you to. Edit that URL, and hit enter. Then go on posting like you normally would =)

Such a saucy fellow you are!

[super175]

just so long as the most important HTML items (ie most used) are easy to see/find it will be great...

Now they are tucked away somewhere hidden within some link...

Maybe even put a more complete list on the bottom of the post page where you can just scroll down to it (no links please)

[boris]

I use Netscape at work; it is the "standard load". I think version 4.xx. At home I use IE which does not seem to have the problem. OS at work is NT 4.0; at home Win 98 SE.

--Boris

[workinggirl]

It's HCFA, not HICFA! You may pronounce it as HICFA, but it means Health Care Finance Association!

[workinggirl]

Is there a chat room on this site? If yes, it is so well hidden, I can't find it!

[GWfan]

HCFA is now replaced by some other agency....maybe CMS?.....the nightmare continues.

[John Robinson]

No chatroom yet. I'd like to add one sometime. One with voice capabilities.

[connectthedots]

I forgot to take mine today, too.

[Mrs. Fletcher]

I used to be able to find someone by typing "to:name of Freeper' in the search box after I hit the Latest Posts icon. It doesn't work anymore. Now I have to go to my home page and enter the persons name in the search box, then hit "find in forum". Is there an easier way?

BTW, thank you so much for all that you do for this country. We love this site and hope that your health and happiness continue for years to come.

[Huck]

John,

I recall there is a cool little utility that will notify me when someone has posted to me, but I can't remember how to do it. If you could point me to the instructions, I'd appreciate it very much. Thanks and Happy New Year.

--Huck

[avg_freeper]

Here is a link to the post about it:

popup messenger

[Huck]

Thanks!

[Sueann]

Do we have bookmarks anymore - if so, how do we use it? I couldn't find the word "bookmark" anywhere.

[avg_freeper]

No prob.

ping ping