Visible Hyperlinks

If you're linking to a visible address, simply paste the address (URL) through Notepad into the edit window and hit return, e.g.,

www.stpaulneat.org

Embedded Hyperlinks

To "embed" a hyperlink, copy both the title and the address (URL) through Notepad into the body window.  Highlight and "cut" the URL.  Click on the "chain link" icon in the task bar above the text box and paste the address into the URL window.  Close the link window.

Click on "B" in the task bar to bold the link text.  Save.  Use the "View Site" mode to confirm the link works.

If it doesn't, it's likely because the "Type" inadvertently got reset to "other," not "http:" which is by and large what it should be.  To fix, return to edit mode, put your cursor anywhere on the embedded link text, open the "link" icon and select "http:" in the "Type" window. Close. Save.  Return to "View Site" mode to confirm the link works.

e.g., NEAT

Setting Internal Hyperlinks

When you click on the link icon you'll see a "Type:" box.  Follow these instructions to set internal links (links to other places within the NEAT Web site):

1. Set Type to "Other"
   
   
2. Paste the URL of the page into the URL box, but then delete from the beginning through .org.  Leave  /everything else.
   
   
3. Click Okay.

I actually don't know why we do this since both ways work, but thought maybe would make things faster.  At least seemed a possibility.

Matters of Style

1. By and large try to avoid creating visible links.  Embedded links are preferred.
   
   
2. When linking to Web sites or pages that are maintained (updated with current information), begin with the organization or project name followed by a hyphen, e.g.,
   
   Minnesota Budget Project - Provides interested citizens, elected officials, and community leaders with timely and accurate information so that they can become more active and effective participants in the public policy debate. A project of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.
   
   
3. When linking to static sites (e.g., reports or event summaries), start with the date (month/year or full month day, year), hyphen, title, hyphen, 1-2 sentence description, source.  e.g.,
   
   April 2004 - Individual Growth and School Success - A research project that confirms that Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) measures do not provide a complete picture for judging school effectiveness. Conducted by the Northwest Evaluation Association.
   
   June 17, 2004 - Session Wrap-Up: Opportunities Lost and Implications for 2005.  Sponsored by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.
   
   
4. When linking to a special type of file, name the file type in parentheses just after the embedded link, e.g.,
   
   May 2004 - Straight Talk About Government Finance (Power Point), John Gunyou
   
   e.g. from News Archive:
   
   Outgoing Minneapolis Interim Superintendent David Jennings (Audio)
   6/29/2004 12:00 AM
   MPR, Midday
   David Jennings has served as Minneapolis' interim superintendent since Carol Johnson left the position to head up the public school system in Memphis, Tenn.
   
   
5. When linking to a subpage or subpages within a site and you want to begin with the home page, use bullets, e.g.,
   
   Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)
   • Assessment & Testing - A variety of information, including test results for the Basic Skills tests and the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments.
   • Early Learning Services - Information and publications related to Early Childhood and School Readiness. 
   • NCLB Consolidated Programs (No Child Left Behind) - Information on the federal law and its implementation in Minnesota. 
   • Schools & Districts - Information on Minnesota schools and districts.

   U.S. Department of Education

   • No Child Left Behind