MECHANICS OF THE BOARD

[Jeff]

Winston S. Churchill

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Very good Jeff. And we usually type in the word by before the photo and after the book cover html. Like this. You can see how things look before you post by hitting preview.

by Winston S. Churchill

[Jeff]

One more try...


by Winston S. Churchill

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Pretty outstanding Jeff. Thank you for persevering. You got it. Italics are not necessary but not objectionable.

[Jessica]

Bentley wrote: "Here is a section where you can ask questions about things you may not be able to do in terms of The History Book Club. You may have problems with fulfilling the guideline requirements because you..."

Winston S. Churchill

[Bryan]

Hi Jessica:

It looks like you used a book cover, author photo, and author link for the Churchill book, or did you do this by hitting the reply button.

We got your request and we are thinking about options, but let us know if you can actually cite the book. Thanks.

[Jessica]

If I go to the main website I can do it. No one can on the mobile site or using the iphone app from what I can tell. Unless an image isn't labelled properly or something. For reading purposes though apparently this isn't just a blind person's challenge. If using an app on a mobile device. The cover images are hard to read. So if I had a vote I would change to just using the links. That way messages would read all the way on the mobile apps rather than breaking off when the cover image of a book comes. For example the only thing for me that shows up when reading on the iphone app for the example i did to see if I could do it. Is the name winston churchill the images don't show or speak. using link instead of cover images would fix this problem. but apparently on the willeverybutsiteitis easier with the cover image showing. In mobile app at least for a blind person I can not speak for the sighted iso easier using the link or not. But its ok as I can copy and paste the board url to bring up in safari and thing it works ok. Anyway I can do it. It is just images in some screen readers don't read under certain conditions so I would vote for links instead of cover image. But it works.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Bryan, I have been working with Jessica behind the scenes.

Jessica, we like the book covers, author photo's and author's link because of many reasons - for instance they cross populate our site, etc and we are not debating the rules and guidelines. And we would have given you an exemption because you have a special situation; but being able to do it yourself after I pointed you in the right direction is a very big accomplishment and we are proud of you.

I am delighted that you stepped up to the plate and gave it the old college try. Well done.

You are correct that some of the apps and features that goodreads provides for mobile apps are not as feature rich as the "original"and do not work as well and in your situation that can create more obstacles. But I am proud that you are able to follow the rules and guidelines on your own with a little guidance and obviously do not need the exemption.

But if you have any difficulties, let us know and we will walk you through the situation and figure something out.

Regards,

Bentley

[Jessica]

Thank you. Glad I can do it properly.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

So are we - we are proud of your effort and you are most welcome.

[Philana]

I am using the iPad app for Goodreads...currently this is the main way I can interact with it right now. Does anyone know how to add the book cover and author picture using the app? If needed I do have a text app that I can write and copy HTML and then paste into the comment box. Has anyone else found a way to do this?

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

You can still do it with the iPad - if you get a portable keyboard it is easier.

[Cheryl]

Is there any way to add (or upload) a personal photo (having to do with a book topic and no self promotion) to a post that is not already posted elsewhere on the internet? Also, in the same post, would I be able to mention the name of a tour group I used (a river boat company), or should I just refer to them in general?

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

No. Cheryl - I am of course not sure what you are discussing but it doesn't sound appropriate. We try to keep it about the history and books.

[Cheryl]

Ok - I'll stick to the book related description.

[Tomerobber]

Well, I think I'll practice . . .
by Joseph Heller

[Alisa]

You got it!

[Bryan]

Great, just add the author link and you got it

[Jill H.]

You are right on target, Cheryl!!!

[Sherry]

Okay, so the preference is for all three links, Cover, Author, and photo? by Leonard Pitts Jr. Alas no photo available -- but if there had been I would have included it. A great book by the way about the reconstruction south.

[Jill H.]

Correct....cover, author photo and author link. If the book has no cover but just the GR avatar, the book link is used rather than the avatar. If the author has no photo, just the link is used. It will become second nature to you, Sherry, once you have a few posts under your belt!!!

[Mona]

Practicing

[Mona]

practicing...

Walter Isaacson

[Mona]

one more time.
by Walter Isaacson

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

80 is the best Mona.

[Bryan]

Nice work, Mona and Cheryl. Try again, Sherry.

[G]

OK. To clarify, citations should be put at the end of a comment even though you refer to the book in the body of the comment. For example, I am currently reading Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt by HW Brands. Or can I put a book link (not cover photo) in the body when I initially refer to the book?

Another question is regarding reviews of books that are part of a discussion thread: If I review the book within Goodreads, it is inappropriate for me to link to my Goodreads review within the discussion thread. Is that correct? Thanks for clarifying! I should know this by now. One more thing, using 'by' is preferred in a citation (as below) is that correct? I've seen it both with and without. Thanks again.

by H.W. Brands

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Always place the citation at the bottom whenever possible - use regular text in the middle of the sentence. Some folks do both with the book link not cover in the text and the full citation at the bottom. But it is best to just have the correct citation without worrying about how formatting will be in the middle of the sentence.

No links to reviews anyplace on goodreads. Self promotion even though they are on goodreads. Whether they are on goodreads or someone's blog - still self promotion. It smacks of read me and give me a like and we are all about the books here. Just retype a section of your review when you post with no links.

Most of us insert the word by but it is not mandatory.

The three segments are - bookcover when available and it usually is, author's photo when available, and always the author's link.

When the book cover is not available then one uses the book link first but only under those circumstances.

[G]

Thanks! I did a link to my goodreads review once, because I was being lazy. Won't happen again. I definitely see your point.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Thanks G for your understanding and cooperation.

[Steve D]

(Practicing my citation)

I am currently reading American Lion by Jon Meacham. American Lion is a biography of the seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson.

Jon Meacham

[Jill H.]

Good job, Steve. It is preferred to insert the word "by" between the book cover and the author photo.

by Jon Meacham

[Steve D]

Jill wrote: "Good job, Steve. It is preferred to insert the word "by" between the book cover and the author photo.

Ok, thanks!

by David McCullough

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Good job folks.

[[deleted user]]

I do this in other groups sometimes, but thought I'd throw in a practice post. I'm currently reading an advance copy of Isaac's Army, which is quite good so far. No photo for the author Brzezinski, but I'll use the default photo just for practice.


by Matthew Brzezinski

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Good job Mike. Liked that you were able to figure out how to put the word by in.

Usually what we do when there is no photo is this:

by Matthew Brzezinski (no photo)

[[deleted user]]

Got it, thanks, Bentley.

[G]

When discussing or quoting specific words or passages during a discussion of a book, would it be preferable to cite the page, even though participants may have different editions of the book? I've been using quotation marks but sometimes I am just using quotation marks for my own emphasis. Thanks.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Yes, it is good to cite the page or the version you are using and a quote is terrific.

[Scott]

Hello, all...just making sure I have the desired format down...
by Barbara W. Tuchman

Yay!

[Bryan]

Well done, Scott, you got it.

[Natalie]

Alex Ross

Another attempt; I read this fairly recently and thought it was an excellent history of Twentieth century classical music. It might not have the technical stuff to appeal to musicians but it's great for music lovers.

[Alisa]

You've got it! Nicely done. Once you post a few times it becomes second nature. You can always practice here.

[Siby]

Practice post
by David McCullough

[Bryan]

You got, Siby, perfect!

[Alisa]

Siby, you have it perfectly! It comes as second nature once you have done it a couple times. You can always practice here or ask any of the moderators if you get stumped.

[Vicki, Assisting Moderator - Ancient Roman History]

Very good, Siby. Excellent first try.

[Jill H.]

On target, Siby!!

[Angela]

Testing using the Goodreads app on my iPhone. It doesn't appear that one can add in the links for the book cover or author. Can someone please advise?

[Bryan]

Angela wrote: "Testing using the Goodreads app on my iPhone. It doesn't appear that one can add in the links for the book cover or author. Can someone please advise?"

Has anyone tried to use the add book/author feature on a iPhone? I don't own one, but I hope someone can help you.