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Qumana Blog Editor 2.0 (For version 3.0 support, click here)
- Qumana Set-Up
- Getting Started
- Qumana DropPad
- Using Images
- Editing Old
Posts
- Inserting Ads
- Technical Info
- Post to Email
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Qumana 2.0 Setup
When you start Qumana for the first time, a wizard will appear to help you set up your blogs.
Adding more blogs
You may add more blogs at any time.
Find the Qumana system tray icon - a little "Q" button in your bottom right taskbar area. Right click on this button and go to Configure, then Publishers... or within the editor, go to the main Posting menu, then Configure Publishers...
Once you are at the first screen of the setup wizard follow these steps:
1. Enter your blog's URL (For example: http://blog.qumana.com) Note: for Blogware, Blogger, Typepad, MovableType blogs, you will be taken to step 3. For WordPress (including WordPress.com), just click next past the server settings. For all other blog types, please continue to step 2 below.
2. Qumana will auto detect most blog settings (the access point information). If it does not, please read below for common blog settings [link] or contact your blog administrator.
3. Enter in your username and password and click "Test..." For errors, click here[link].
4. Choose your blog from the list presented by clicking on its name - choose one blog per setup.
5. Name your blog - anything you want to help you organize your blog list. Click "Edit" under your Configure Publishers menu to change it at any time.
Troubleshooting blog setup & common errors
Step 1 - enter the URL for your blog as you would write it. Example: http://www.qumana.com Step 2, do not include http:// Again use the host name you use to tell others about your blog.
Step 2 - your blog settings (server type) are not correct. Metaweblog and MoveableType are the most common APIs to use. Step 2, the endpoint is incorrect. This is the most tricky one to troubleshoot. In the tutortial we have a list of common endpoints for many blogs. If they don't work, contact your administrator or Qumana for assitance.
Step 3 - Common Error Messages: 404 Not Found - you have entered incorrect information in Step 2. Please click "Back" or consult our blog settings [link] for more assistance.
- Do not put "http://" in the host box
- Do not put "/" at the end of your URL. Example of correct URL: www.qumana.ca
Invalid Login - you have mistyped your username or password. This is case sensitive.
If these tips do not help, please contact your site administrator or contact us.
What is my username and password during setup?
Enter your username and password that you use to log in to your weblog.
What is the port setting on the setup screen?
Qumana will usually enter the correct port for your blog. This port is usually 80. Do not change this field during setup, unless instructed by your blog administrator.
I installed Qumana and it did not start. What do I do?
Go to the Start Menu, then All Programs, then Qumana DropPad to start the program. Click here to learn more about how to get started [link to guide on getting started], or for more on the DropPad [go to faq on droppad].
I launched Qumana and it crashed. What do I do?
Please click "Mail this bug report" after it crashes and then go to your Start Menu to restart Qumana.
Blog Settings (XML-RPC endpoints)
Qumana will autodetect most blog settings (known as accesspoints or XML-RPC endpoints); others usually follow a standard setting.
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Qumana user interface
When you open the Qumana application, you will see two items activated: the editor icon in your taskbar, and the DropPad. This DropPad looks like a square image, small, floating over your other windows. You can move it around wherever you please. The DropPad is the window into Qumana - it is the place where you begin collecting links and information. When you drop/put things there, they will go to your editor.
The Qumana Editor
How do I open the Qumana editor?
To go straight to the editor, simply double-click on the DropPad or right-click on the icon in your taskbar's system tray. You will be prompted with a menu where you select "New Post" to open a blank editor window. If you have already gathered links and text through your drop pad, select "Post Collected Items" from the menu, and you will open an editor window with all of this material compiled.
How insert HTML links?
Inserting HTML
You can insert small blocks of HTML into your post, allowing you to insert things like Flickr images, ads, or specially formatted elements.
- 1. Copy the code you wish to paste into your post to the clipboard.
- 2. Click the insert HTML button
- 3. Paste.
- 4. Click okay
Editing the HTML in Qumana
Our current editor does not support a view or edit of any HTML. Later, we will have a more fully-functional HTML editor for you to use. In the meantime, Qumana's WYSIWYG editor comes with many formatting features to relieve you of the annoyances of creating HTML.
HTML div tags vs. 'p' tags
Our current HTML editor creates div tags instead of standard 'p' tags. Your posts will still look and perform well in all environments. This editor will be upgraded in future to use 'p' tags.
Inserting a link
Click on the link button (the icon that looks like a chain link) or click Ctrl-shift-l - a dialogue box will appear and you can enter the URL with the format: http://www.qumana.com
Tags and how to insert them
The Tags box
Qumana has integrated Technorati Tags right into the editor. This allows you to easily describe your post with keywords relevant to your content, making it easier for people to find you in searches. Type keywords here to create tags.
Inserting Tags
Simply type in as many keywords as you would like, separating them with spaces. If you have a "keyphrase" (more than one word), you can connect the two words with a "+" symbol. For example: blogging bloggers profession+blogging To insert the tag after choosing keywords, click on the Technorati Tag button. Your tags will be inserted wherever your cursor is in the editor. It's standard to place them at the bottom of the post with the "Technorati Tags" part visible.
Are the tags compatible with both IceRocket and Technorati? Yes. We have spoken with people at both IceRocket and Technorati and confirmed that our tags are acceptable.
What is Technorati? Technorati[link to http://www.technorati.com] is a blog search engine that allows people to search for information by keywords or categories, also known as "tags." These tags are self-inserted by the blogger at time of publishing, or are associated with blog categories. You can "tag" your posts with keywords that will ultimately make your content easier to find, and profile your blog more accurately. Qumana makes tagging easy by integrating tagging into the editor. No need to know the code, just type the keywords and press a button.
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Drag and drop images, text and links
Qumana's DropPad looks
like a small square picture hovering on your screen. It may not look
like much, but it's a powerful tool included in Qumana. The DropPad is
your funnel into the blogging editor. Any images or text or links you
drag & drop into the DropPad will appear in an editing window. So,
while you are browsing websites, you can effectively "collect" the
information without going between windows or having to cut & paste
material.
How do I use the DropPad?
Click here for details.
Highlight
text or links you want to use, click the mouse and hold while dragging
that selection into the DropPad, which should be hovering over your
window. Then simply release the mouse to drop them into the DropPad.
For images, simply drag the image to the DropPad.
Note: we recommend dragging the image to your desktop then dragging it to the DropPad so that it will upload to your server, rather than link to the source.
When you have collected all the information you want
for that single post, simply double click on the DropPad to open that
window, edit your content that is already there, and post it.
What can I drop into the
DropPad?
Click here for details.
Images, text, links, podcast files.
You can drag a whole page, and any images, text, and links will be
reproduced in the Qumana editor.
Images - we recommend dragging
them from your desktop. Simply grab and drag.
Text - highlight the areas you
want and drag them in
Links - you can drop in
individual links by higlighting them or have them as part of a section
of text. Qumana will insert all links included.
Podcasts - you can drop any
mp3 files into the DropPad. They will appear with enclosure tags
embedded in your post.
Show, hide and resize the
DropPad
Where is the DropPad, I
cannot see it?
When the DropPad is visible, it will appear more solid then fade, but
hover over your windows. To make the DropPad visible, '''single'''
click on the little Qumana icon in your taskbar's system tray icon (to
the bottom right). This will show or hide the DropPad. You can also
right-click on this icon to select "Show DropPad".
How do I hide the DropPad?
Click on the little Qumana icon in your taskbar's system tray icon (to
the bottom right). This will show or hide the DropPad. You can also
right-click on this icon to de-select "Show DropPad". You can repeat
these steps at any time to show the DropPad.
How do I resize the DropPad?
The DropPad acts like any regular window. Put your cursor (your mouse)
over any side or corner of the DropPad, then drag it to your preferred
size.
Toubleshooting the DropPad
I tried to drag in
text/links/images to the DropPad for a post, but it did not show up.
Why?
If you have an editor window open, and want to add to it by dragging
items, you must drag them into the editor, not the DropPad. Items
dropped to the DropPad are always collected for the "next" new window,
not open windows.
I tried to drag and drop
items into the DropPad, but they did not show up in the editor. Why?
This is the famous "disappearing stuff" bug. Please e-mail us if this
happens to help us squash this one once and for all. It is rare, so we
need all the help we can in identifying why it happens.
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| Using images
I cannot upload images to Blogger
Blogger currently does not support remote uploads, meaning that no application can upload images to your Blogger blog. If you have an alternate blog, we suggest hosting your images there by indicating this in the image dialogue. Alternatively, you could use an image hosting service such as Flickr [www.flickr.com].
How
do I insert an image?
Insert
an image to a new
post with DropPad
To
insert an image to a new
post, drag and drop it to your DropPad.
If
you drag a whole section of text, image, and links, it will all appear
in the post. You can drag images from websites or from your harddrive.
Double-click on the DropPad to see the image and content in the editor.
We
recommend that you drag
images from other websites to your desktop, then into the DropPad so
that it uploads to your server, rather than linking.
Insert
an image to an existing or new post
inside the editor
If
you have the editor open and
a post started, you can drag images directly into the editor from your
browser. This will link the image to your post. To add images from your
harddrive or desktop, follow the uploading procedures below.
NOTE: You
cannot drag images or other items into the DropPad for your current
post if you already have started it in an open editor window. The
DropPad only works for new elements for a new post. Dragging images to
an open editor window from your harddrive or desktop will not work -
only dragging from a web browser will work while you have a post
started.
If
you want to upload an image
from your local drive to include in your post, follow these steps.
Uploading
- From
the Posting menu select "Upload
File..."
- Browse
for the file to upload (Local
for your harddrive)
- Choose
the destination blog (this is
helpful if you cross post, but only want one source)
- Click
upload
- Click
ok in the confirmation dialog
- Copy
the path to the clipboard by
using the button next to the path (two sheets)
- Click
ok in the confirmation dialog
- Click
close
Inserting
the uploaded image from above
in your post
- Click
the "Add Image" button (the
small landscape image button) or Edit menu -> HTML -> Add
Image
- Paste
the path you just copied into
the Picture Source
- Adjust
the image parameters as needed
- Click
okay
Where
do images get uploaded
when I drag them in?
If
you drag an image from your
harddrive (or file), Qumana will automatically open the "File Upload"
dialogue box when you double-click the DropPad to go to the editor. The
dialogue box will prompt you to choose a blog to store the image. The
image will be uploaded to your blog's file area. If you drag an image
from a website, Qumana will insert the image with the <img
src=""> code. We strongly
recommend that you
download images to your harddrive then drag them into your DropPad
rather than dragging from the website. This will ensure you use your
own bandwidth for the images.
Image
positioning
How
do I position images?
There are two ways to position images:
1. You can treat the image as
a paragraph element and use the paragraph align features (right, left,
center) to position it in your post. Note: in this case, text will not
wrap around the image.
2. Click on image you wish to
modify, then click on the landscape/image button on the Qumana editor
toolbar. This will open an image dialogue.
What
is the landscape/image button for?
The landscape/image button will open a dialogue to change image
properties (alignment, wrap, border, margin). It is not for inserting
images.
How do I wrap text around
my image or ad?
The image properties window allows you
to change how your image is handled, from the space around it to how it
wraps with text. To achieve wrapped text:
1. Select the image with your cursor
2. Click on the menu button for images (the 'Add Image' landscape
button) or Edit > HTML > Add Image
3. Use the alignment menu under layout to select the image properties -
left or right. Text will now wrap around your image.
What
are the default image settings?
Images come with the following settings: Alignment: baseline, undefined
(default) Border, Horizontal and Vertical spacing, Alt - undefined To
change the settings, use the landscape/image button.
I
tried to use the image/landscape button on
the Qumana toolbar to insert an image and it did not work. Why?
This is a known issue for uploading images from your harddrive. The
dialogue box will work if you insert a URL to the path box. To upload
an image after the editor is open, follow the instructions above. The
easiest way to upload an image is to drag it to the DropPad before double-clicking to
open the editor. To insert an image, drag it into the DropPad or the
editor.
Can
I insert images from
Flickr?
Yes!
Qumana has a new feature to
paste raw HTML code into your post. When you choose a Flickr image you
want, in the size you want, follow these steps:
- Copy
the code you wish to paste into your
post to the clipboard.
- Click
the insert HTML button.
- Paste.
- Click
okay.
- The
image now ready to be manipulated
just like any other image.
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| Editing old posts
Qumana lets you re-edit existing posts on any of your compatiable blogs (see list below). Update images, links and text, including new tags and post-centric ads, then simply repost it to as many blogs as you like.
How do I edit old posts?
Follow these 5 steps:
1. Select the blog from the Blogs pull-down menu.
2. Click the refresh button in the left-panel.
3. Double-click the title of the post you would like to edit.
4. Edit your post as you wish.
5. Click the "Edit Post" button When you click the "Edit Post" button, your post will be republished.
Can I cross post using Edit Old posts?
Click here for details.
Yes! Simply follow these steps:
1. Select the blog from the Blogs pull-down menu.
2. Click the refresh button in the left-panel.
3. Double-click the title of the post you would like to repost.
4. Before you click "Edit Post" ... select a different blog from the pull-down menu.
5. Select the categories for this post.
6. Click "Post".
Which blog platforms support editing old posts?
- Blogware
- Wordpress & Wordpress.com
- MoveableType
- TypePad
- Blogger
Blogs that use the Metaweblog, WordPress, or MoveableType APIs will likely support this feature.
I get a time/date error when I try to save, why?
This is an error regarding the integration of the API with certain blog platforms. If you get this error, the post may still be published OK. Let us know. We may be able to help fix the problem. Please contact us.
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| Q-Ads
With
this version of
Qumana, we have introduced the ability for bloggers to insert ads into
their posts. All of the ads are provided by our network partner,
Q-Ads. If you sign up for this program, you will be able to insert
keyword-specific ads, tailored to your look and feel, right into your
posts and RSS feeds. Each ad will be fully customizable and the
keywords are determined by the user from a keyword box.
What
is Q-Ads?
About
Q-Ads
Q-Ads
is an ad network for blogs and websites. Q-Ads is your one-stop shop
for advertisements - we gather up the best of ad networks and
advertisers and present them to you in one easy program. If you sign
up for the Q-Ads advertising
program, which is free and open, you will be able to insert
keyword-driven ads into your post by using Qumana. To read more on how
Q-Ads works, visit
here. Q-Ads is owned by Qumana
Software.
What kind of ad program is it and how much money can I earn?
Q-Ads
works based on keywords you
enter in Qumana - keywords based on what you decide to say about your
post. You get to decide what type of ad works best, giving you the
power to make more money. Your own knowledge is far stronger than any
computer program scanning your text. You can maximize your revenue with
tips we provide, and we'll give you 50% of the revenue we get, a clean
50/50 split. You
can learn more here.
How
much can I get paid, and when? You will be paid each month, provided you make the minimum $20 required
for payment. To read more on how and when you'll be paid, click
here.
How
do I maximize my revenue? We thought you might ask this, so we set up a whole section on how
to
optimize your ads.
How
do I sign up for Q-Ads?
Signing
up is simple. All you have to do is fill
out the form here and you will
be instantly signed up for the program. You will be sent a confirmation
email before you can begin using the program, and will be given
instructions on how to set up your account in the Qumana editor.
Q-Ads
ads can be placed anywhere a picture
or HTML can be embedded. In:
- Blogs
- Websites
- Emails
- Web-based
programs
Sign up
is instant. Get
started now!
How do I add my Q-Ads account to Qumana?
After you have signed up for Q-Ads, go to the Qumana Editor window.
Click on "Advertising" then on the tab to the left which says "Account
Setup". Enter your Q-Ads username there and you can begin inserting
ads right away.
Where
do I get account information and view my stats?
Getting
account information is easy. Go to the Qumana Editor window. Click on
"Advertising" then on the tab to the left which says "Account Setup".
Next to your username is a button labeled "Admin" - this will take you
to your statistics and administration center.
You can
find help information here, or from Q-Ads.
You can adinistrate your personal information and find stats
by loging
into your account. To learn more
about the stats, read
here.
Inserting
and managing
ads
How
do I insert ads with Qumana?
To
insert an ad into Qumana, follow these instructions or view
our visual guide here.
Go to your Qumana Editor window and click on
the Advertising button. Then, follow either set of instructions, for
simple or customized ad insertion:
To insert an ad quickly:
1. Put a single keyword or a combination keyphrase into the
keyword field that you want to match with your post.
2. Click Okay (or hit enter). The ad will be inserted where you placed
your cursor, but can be moved like any image.
3. The ad is a PNG image so you can adjust how text flows around it,
etc with the Image properties dialog.
To insert and customize an ad (advanced,
using the BannerDesigner):
1. Put a single keyword or a combination keyphrase into the keyword
field that you want to match with your post.
2. Change your selection in "Step 2" of the dialogue to "Custom ad
banner designer"
3. Click Okay (or hit enter)
4. A banner designer window will pop up for you to preview and
customize your ad
5. Your ad will be previewed based on the keyword or phrase you
entered. You can change this and click "Refresh" to optimize your ad.
6. Add a "Post
Title" if you want to track your success by ad
7. Click on "Advanced Features" to change colors and sizes for an
optimized look and feel
8. Select the code (Press 'Select Code' or manually copy) in the text
box.
9. Return to your Qumana Editor window and click the Insert HTML button.
10. Paste the copied code into the box and click okay.
11. Proceed as above to adjust the ad to fit your post.
Note: your preference for "quick" or "custom" insertion will be remembered
for your next ad placement.
Note: If you save design preferences in the Banner Designer, they will apply
ONLY to future ads created in the "custom" placement style.
How
do I position my ads?
Since the ads you insert are dynamically created picture files, you can
treat them as you would any other image in Qumana. There are two ways
to position ads:
1. You can treat the image/ad as a paragraph element and use the paragraph
align features (right, left, center) to position it in your post. Note:
in this case, text will not wrap around the image.
2. Click on the ad you wish to
modify, then click on the landscape/image button on the Qumana editor
toolbar. This will open an image dialogue where you us the alignment
menu under layout to select the image properties -
left or right. Text will now wrap around your ad.
How
do I change what my ad looks like?
In 'Step 2' of
inserting an ad, you can choose the option to customize your ad. This
will present you with a banner designer. You can use the tools of the
Advanced tab in the window to define the color, style, and size of your
ad elements.
If you use the 'quick' ad placement, your add will be placed using a
default style set by Qumana, which is optimized for most blog posts.
Tip: Choose colours and styles the fit both your blog and the post it is in.
How
do I enter keywords?
After you have
clicked on the Advertising button, and are following the instructions
above, enter
one keyword or
a keyphrase into the keyword field. This keyword will tell our ad
server what type of advertisement you want.
If you enter a phrase such
as "blogging platform" you will increase your relevancy. You have the
freedom to choose your ads. Simply choose a keyword or phrase that
describe your topic, or that you think your readers will like.
Previewing
ads and changing keywords
When you use the
"custom" options in Step 2 of the Ad insertion, you can preview your ad
in the banner designer. This will show you how it will look, and which
ad will show for the keyword or phrase you have selected.
Although your ad may rotate to different suppliers over time, you can
use this preview tool to maximize the relevancy of your ad.
You
can change your ad by changing and refining these keywords as many
times as you like before you insert the ad.
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| Technical Info
System Requirements
- Operating System: Windows(R) XP, Windows(R) 2000, Windows(R) 98
- Processor: Intel Pentium or compatible
- Memory: Minimum 128Mb
- Disk Space: Minimum 16Mb Additional space is needed to store any content you collect.
- Internet: An Internet connection is needed for Qumana.
Blog hosts and APIs
Qumana works with all major blog hosts, including Blogger, TypePad, Movable Type, Blogware and WordPress. The following are the currently implemented APIs:
- metaWeblog
- Blogger
- MoveableType
If you would like us to look at another one please click here to send us an email.
Keyboard Shortcuts?
- Ctrl-S Save as HTML file
- Ctrl-P Post
- Ctrl-F4 Close
- Ctrl-B Bold
- Ctrl-U Underline
- Ctrl-I Italic
- Ctrl-Q Paragraph Align = none
- Ctrl-L Paragraph Align = left
- Ctrl-E Paragraph Align = center
- Ctrl-R Paragraph Align = right
- Ctrl-J Paragraph Align = justify
- Ctrl-M Increase Indent
- Shift-Ctrl-M Decrease Indent
- Shift-Ctrl-L Add Hyperlink Insert Image
- Ctrl-A Select All
- Ctrl-X Cut
- Ctrl-C Copy
- Ctrl-V Paste
- Ctrl-Z Undo
- Shift-Ctrl-Z Redo
- Ctrl-F Find
- Ctrl-K Spellcheck
- Ctrl-T Blockquote
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Post to Email
Qumana is a powerful tool that allows you to collect your thoughts, links and pictures, through the DropPad, then create an attractive post in the WYSIWYG editor. You can also insert advertisements directly into your writing. After you have completed your work, you can post it to your blog, or more than one blog, but you can also send the post to email, complete with formatting and advertisements.
Using Qumana to send HTML formatted email messages frees you from complicated design programs and mail lists. Qumana allows you to connect with two markets at the same time: blog readers, and email readers.
Configure your mail settings
To use the Post to Email function, first you will need to set your mail settings. From the editor click the purple Settings button and choose EMail Settings. Your out going mailserver is most easily found in the account properties of your e-mail application.
Fill in your name and e-mail address. These are very important so your e-mail will not be tagged as spam.
Posting to email
To post to e-mail simply click the post to e-mail button, enter the e- mail address(es) that you would like it to go to (multiple addresses are separated with commas like tris@xyz.com,fred@xyz.com,arieanna@xyz.com). Click okay and that's it!
Post to e-mail is a great way to share your blog post with people who don't typically read blogs.
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