That’s a gorgeous comment and I simply love it.

Your parcel will be on your doorstep any tick of the clock and I welcome your feedback. So don’t be shy.

I DO love sharing my lifestyle and it’s so nice to know that you appreciate reading about it. And … Yes! The neighbour’s ponies are such a bonus for us. I have one more photo of them to show off. It’s too cute for words and I know you’ll love seeing it.

Again, Ros, I do love staying in touch and the time you took to leave your comment is much appreciated.

All the best,

Carol

I can remember when I first heard the term RSS feed, it seemed like a foreign language. And I presume it is for most people because there are zillions of questions on forums about what it is and how to use it.

But it’s like everything. It’s easy once you know what to do.

You’ll be an expert within the blink of an eye!

As you are in many things.

Take care,

CAROL

I appreciate your comprehensive reply. It is completely informative and helpful, demonstrating your very gracious attitude to my lack of knowledge. Thankyou heaps.

Believe me, I’m grateful and shall use your information.

BEVERLEY.

RSS stands for Rich Site Summary.

And the Subscribe chicklet allows you to subscribe to a particular website’s blog that you wish to follow because it has fresh content on a regular basis.

The format for the Subscribe chicklet varies from site to site, but the standard emblem is the one at the top of my site.

The owner of the blog needs to register their blog in Feedburner or whatever RSS feed they choose.

If their blog is registered and they’ve entered the correct URL for their RSS feed, once you click the Subscribe button, it takes you to another page which allows you to subscribe and choose your web based news reader.

The icons that appear first are the most popular web based news readers. But your choice is vast.

To understand more about RSS, this website is very helpful. What Is RSS?

Why subscribe to an RSS feed?

If you follow a number of blogs, it’s easier to have new content appear on your computer in a central reader rather than clicking on each blog separately over a period of time.

A number of visitors subscribe to Guerrilla From The Bush.

But I personally prefer to view the blogs I follow on an ad hoc basis. The ones I follow daily I just keep in Favourites and click on them every day when I have time.

If you click on my Subscribe button, it takes you to the subscribe page and there’s some very helpful information there if you’re new to RSS feeders and readers.

I hope this helps, Beverley. Rest assured that there was a time when I didn’t know what a Subscribe button was for and an RSS Feed was a total mystery.

Take care,

CAROL

Another question if you don’t mind.

I see a “SUBSCRIBE” button available at the end of all the headings at the top of the page.

Would you like to explain what I may expect if I click on this please?

I’m assuming this is appropriate to ask, but whenever I focus on it I feel unsure about what it involves.

Hope your day is as good as mine. Catch you later,

Beverley

You’re most welcome.

Take care,

CAROL

A thoroughly helpful lesson. I appreciate your time, effort, and detail; not to forget your proven authority which I just love, because it comes across loud and clear.

I have saved your instructions to a specific folder in my “favourites” for further reference: they are invaluable, and I shall follow them in the future.

I hope even moreso, that your help will encourage others to communicate with you too now, without fear of any intrusions, such as caused by spammers into their private sites. I am gratefully relieved myself, not just for the knowledge you have supplied, but for all your precautionary setup you have arranged in your Internet services.

I must get back to my workplace now,

In haste, with many “thank-yous”,

BEVERLEY

I love these questions. And I’ll answer them in sequence.

The CAPTCHA code is to prevent professional spammers from jamming my Comments section.

When I had my blogs on Blogspot.com, there was no facility for a CAPTCHA code and I was receiving almost 600 spam emails a day. Viagra, pharmaceuticals from Canada, graphic hard and soft porn photographs and a girl for the night whenever I wanted one.

The CAPTCHA code means there’s a person making the comment, who has to take an extra step to key in a code which constantly changes, which a machine can’t. And yes, I still do receive some spam, but I monitor all comments and the numbers are low. So they’re easily deleted.

My current spam is from individuals promoting internet get rich quick schemes. And to all my visitors, there’s no such thing. Success in cyberspace is exactly the same route as success in the real world. First comes the work, then the success. The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary.

The megaphone to the right of the CAPTCHA code is for a visitor with low vision. They can click that icon and an audio version of the CAPTCHA code can be heard.

The revolving arrows underneath the megaphone are to reload the image. Sometimes the image isn’t clear and my visitor can’t read it – perhaps it has a drop shadow – so they can click the revolving arrows and keep reloading the CAPTCHA code until one appears that they can easily read.

Yes, you must always include your email address because I’m able to block comments from people purely by their email address. So if I see I’m receiving unwanted comments from a particular address, I can exclude that email address.

I also have AKISMET, a spam control program, loaded up.

All of the above is to prevent spam, which is the worst curse on the internet. And a huge time waster when received in the hundreds every day.

Now that you’re aware of the spam problem, you’ll start to notice that very popular sites allow no comments because of the spam factor. Seth Godin is one. Zen Habits is another.

You can also include your web address when posting into Comments. The activation link for that is your name at the top of your comment.

Many visitors click on that link to see what you do. And you’re more than welcome to include the web address for The Northern Beaches Chorus.

Sadly, a Spell Checker isn’t available for Comments.

But this is what I do.

I compose all my comments and posts in either Word or another text editor that I use, NoteTabPro. Both have a Spell Checker.

Word is perfect for you.

When you’re finished composing your comment, put it through the Spell Checker first, then edit it again until you’re happy with your comment, give it one more spin through the Spell Checker, then simply click on Select All, Copy and then move it all over to the Comments box by clicking Paste.

Scroll down to make sure it’s as you want it, then enter your CAPTCHA code and click Submit.

The Select All, Copy and Paste functions are available via the Edit Menu at the top of your page or by right clicking on your mouse.

My ‘Glorious Setting Sun’ is something special, isn’t it? After living in Balmain NSW for 22 years and never seeing a real sunset from our terrace house, it was the first thing we noticed on the first evening here. And we’ve been gob smacked ever since.

It’s nice to know it’s also appreciated by you.

Beverley, it’s been a pleasure to be able to answer your questions. I was suddenly reminded that I also had these questions when I was new to the internet and how quickly you learn. Because you want to.

To our next ‘meet and greet’ in cyberspace!

Take care,

CAROL

Thankyou for such a fulfilling reply once again. It rings sooo loud and clear with a connection that leaves me thinking, “I never would have dreamt that cyberspace could be so sweet.”

And I know we now have a mutual relative between us: “Little Miss Sunshine”.

And what do you other visitors say to that “Glorious Setting Sun” of Carol’s at the top of the page !!
“May it never go out?” Isn’t it just something else.

Carol, for the benefit of others who may balk, or be wondering as I did, if they’re new to all this; would you please explain the role of the CAPTCHA code, and the purpose of the symbols or icons to the right of the gridded code box ?

Also, could you please explain the reason, or if applicable,
the necessity of at least the E-mail details to be included above. Do I need to include it for every comment?
Now there you go, I’m almost a “pro” and I still don’t know!

One more detail: Am I without access to a spell check here? Or am I going to wear out the old dictionary? See, I’m human afterall !!

Hoping this may clear away a few cobwebs which might otherwise jam the cyberspace doorway.

Till next time, thankyou again and do keep “happy”,

BEVERLEY