After much sleuthing, and getting nowhere, I called
an expert in HTML coding...
the one
the only
the one and only... Courtney (aka my
daughter, Vancouver Mermaid)
Now, let me set the scene...
I'm no slouch at coding. In fact, me and precious
(the one and only) took HTML coding together, eons ago. And, dare I say, I
cottoned on pretty darned fast.
So then...
As I was checking out other like-minded A-Z Theme
Revealers I decided I wanted to leave a Link Back (to my Blog) in my comments.
So I looked back into my post archives and found the post I did on this very
topic, years ago, for another A-Z Challenge when I was a co-host.
Here's where it gets interesting, so pay attention...
I opened a word document and proceeded to type the following code.
Here it is... (zoom in if you want a really close look)
<a href=“https://pearsonreport.blogspot.com/”>PEARSON REPORT</a>
Can you spot THE PROBLEM?
It's not the coding - that part is correct - it's
some of the characters.
Here it is again... with the CORRECTED characters... (zoom in)
<a href="https://pearsonreport.blogspot.com/">PEARSON
REPORT</a>
Can you see the CHARACTER
ISSUE... it's the quotation marks.
For some reason in my word document the quotation marks have little heads and tails, whereas the second HTML code has little marks that are the same at both ends of the URL tag with no curve to them, no little round ends.
Courtney sent me this second HTML code and asked me to try it - it worked. When I used the first code (with the curvy quotations) a message would pop up saying, "Comment contains tags or attributes that are not allowed."
So weird. I mean really…
Yup, really weird.
If you wish to leave a Link Back Tag to your blog
in a comment you have to be mindful of the HTML code, AND THE CHARACTERS.
Below is the HTML code, copy it and paste it into a document - it will keep the correct characters. Then, add your information into the red and blue areas.
<a href="url">link text</a>
url is the address to your blog, located in your
browser's address bar
link text is the wording that everyone will
see and be able to click on
Remember, it has to be particular quotation marks.
Use these " " not these “ ”
Got it. Right? Right!
Okay, that's it. Now you know how to code a Link Back Tag.
Question is...
Will you use it when leaving a comment so others can access your blog quickly?
See... it works! This is what the final Link Back Tag looks like:
ReplyDeletePEARSON REPORT
I am still absolutely baffled by this. WHY IS THIS A THING?! I'm so glad we were able to solve it, but maaaaaannn... Blogger seriously? 😅
DeleteDitto on WHY IS THIS A THING?! - how can a version of a quotation mark be such a problem. Serious head scratching going on over here.
DeleteJenny, I am no coder but will try this little ditty. And, off topic, but is Courtney still blogging and mermaiding? I have been gone so long, I completely forgot about little Ms. Mermaid. Man, I am a horrible person!
ReplyDeleteHi ib, I used to add this tag when commenting on the A-Z years ago. It is a way for someone, who may have read my comment, to do a quick blog hop over to my place.
DeleteI hope you try it... if you do, give it a try here on your next comment and I'll test it out for you.
Also, Courtney is still mermaiding and does blog occasionally. She's happy to see me at it again, my own little cheering section.
DeleteAnd, kudos to you and your memory - nothing horrible about either, very kind and thoughtful is what I would say. :)
I've learnt something. Thanks. Usually, these things are Greek to me. Kudos to Courtney ( your one and only daughter) for solving the mystery!
ReplyDeleteHi Duta, I sure was stymied with this code when it wouldn't work. I though, since it has been a while since blogging, that maybe Blogger no longer allows tags. But, I saw them around as I was leaving comments here and there. So, down the rabbit hole I went and thankfully my daughter was able to figure it out. Quite strange that my quotation marks were the problem.
DeleteLet me know if you give it a try, Jenny :)
Ok. Just out of curiosity...
ReplyDeleteI tried and got the error message. I tried copying the second example above and I'm not getting it to work. The quotation marks show up with the small tales for some reason.
The Semi-Retired Gamer
DeleteIf you use the third option, it looks like it works!
Maybe that's what you meant and I read it wrong in my haste. Ha ha! Thanks for the tip!!
DeleteHi Charlie, yes, you're link works. Also, I did go back and added the bold element to the part of the post indicating what to copy and paste.
DeleteIt's hard to really see the difference between the quotation marks shapes but it does impact the HTML code from being accepted as a proper link. Definitely strange.
Anyway, I'm glad it worked and I hope you enjoy using this Link Back Tag when commenting.
Hi Jenny - I knew you were a whizz those years ago - now I'm back looking in bewilderment again ... I'll be back ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi Hilary, I was bewildered too when I first tried to add the Link Back Tag and it kept getting rejected - for the life of me I was stymied.
DeleteAlong came my daughter with the answer - and a strange one at that.
Who would think that the quotation mark style would influence the HTML coding. But it did.
Anyway, I noticed many bloggers leaving their website URL in their comments and thought it was time for a quick refresher on how to do it.
All you need to do is copy the HTML code, provided here, and fill in the required bit of info for your blog and you're good to go.
Have fun with it, if you decide to try it. I know you'll figure it out too.
Sending smiles, Jenny
Hi Jenny, thank you for your visit the other day and your wonderful comment on my blog. It's so nice to see a familiar blogging friend again. I miss those days (around 2011-2014 for me). Wow time flies. Learning code is impressive and I admire your persistence with learning to pull out the buggy weeds.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa, likewise, it puts a smile on my face to see familiar blogging friends again also. Those sure were the days back then, I have missed them. The last time I did some serious blogging was 2015, then life took some turns.
DeleteI have more time on my hands now so coming back here is something I've looked forward to and am having fun with. Some changes with Blogger, but overall it seems pretty much the same old setup. The coding did throw me though - not sure why my "old" quotation marks where the problem, but isn't that just the way - I'm older too and not working that well. haha
Sending smiles your way, Jenny