FC2 Blog English Manual

Banners
This section will explain how to post banners on your blog.
Please Read First.
Please read this section about Free area plugins.
Using Banners.


You can use banners to link to sites and present messages.
Retrieving Banner Code.
As a sample, copy our banner from our affiliate site..
Posting Banners in Free Area.
Go to Free area plugins. Click on [Detail] then Paste the banner code you would like to display on your Free area section.


Click [Change]


Confirm.
Check the Free area section to your left, and you should be able to see the banner you have just inserted.

FC2 Blog User Forum.

If there aren’t any topics posted on the FC2 Blog user forum, please create a new topic. Here is how.
FC2 Blog user forum : Board Index




Before Posting a Question on the Forum, Please Read the Following.
The FC2 Blog User forum is dedicated to help users of FC2 Blog to help each other out. Before creating a new topic, make sure that there are no other previous topics out on the forum. Please be specific and set some guidelines for your topics as well.

Problems and Error Solutions.
In this section we will help you troubleshoot common problems.
Sometimes it's just a Simple Mistake.
Sometimes a font size may not work with your blog, sometimes in might be a template that doesn't fit your site well... Please double check for simple mistakes.
Delete Cache and Cookies.
When you visit websites, cache is stored into your computer to make your next visit to that website faster. Some cache will cause problems with your computer. Cookies are also used to store passwords and user names. This is used so that you don't have to keep entering your password and user names when you visit the same site. Depending on your browser, there are different ways to delete cache and cookies. Here are some links on how to troubleshoot with cache and cookies according to your browser.
Internet Explorer
Safari
Firefox
Opera


FAQs and User Forums.
If you have a question concerning the explanation above, please visit our FAQs(Frequently Asked Questions) section or our User Forums.
Server Maintenance/Error.
If you receive a message saying that there is a Server Error, or Server Maintenance; please wait patiently as we fix our site, then try again later.

Difficult Terms.
Even though you have read the manual, there may be some terms that are unrecognizable, or hard to understand. This section is dedicated to those situations.
There are too Many Words that I Don't Recognize!!
If you have difficulty recognizing some words, try to Google them or search the term in Wikipedia .
However, if you would like to get used to using FC2, it may be a good idea to just try your best and learn from your mistakes... Don't be afraid to explore the possibilities!!
Have fun!!

Deleting Blogs
If you have decided to delete your entire blog, please follow the directions below.

What Happens When You Delete a Blog?
When you delete a blog you lose all articles, images, and comments(anything that you have uploaded or wrote about) that were on your blog. This is a permanent procedure, please proceed with caution.

Please Read Carefully.
Deleting your blog does not mean that all of it is gone. Somebody may have saved an article you have written, or your information may be still saved as cache data on a search engine. Also, if anyone is using a template that you have created, that template will be deleted from their site as well.

How to Cancel Services.
You can delete your account through FC2ID. Log-in to your FC2 account, and click on the [x] under cancel services. Please leave a brief description of why you are canceling your account, this will help us improve our service.

Password Management
This section is all about password management.

Forgot Your Password?
Click on [Forgot your password?] under the Log-in section. Please enter your e-mail address in the section provided; we will send your password to the e-mail address you have entered.

How Safe is my Password?
A safe password is key to having a secure account. The longer your password is, the safer it usually is. You are allowed to put up to 16 characters maximum, and it would be a good idea to mix letters and numbers. You can check how vulnerable your password is here. Be sure to log out of your account at internet cafes or any public internet areas.

How Do I Change my Password?
Log-in to your FC2ID, then click on [Edit ID]--->[Change Password]. Enter your current password on the top box, then your new password in the two boxes below, click [Change]. Your password is now updated to the new one.

Before using FC2 services, there are a few guidelines that we would like you to follow.
Please read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy before using FC2 services. If you violate the Terms of Use or Privacy Policy, we may suspend or permanently delete your account from FC2. Please be responsible and be respectful to all FC2 users.
Please follow the links below to view our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
FC2 Terms of Use
FC2 Privacy Policy

Resizing Tool
Do you have an image that you would like to use, but the size is too big? use the Resizing Tool!


Resizing Tool
The resizing tool can be used for resizing your images.
This function is not just for FC2 Blog, but may be used for other projects as well. Just set your preferred image size, and upload your image. It's free and easy to do!! You can access the resizing tool by going to your user management page, and clicking on the [Image Resizing Tool] link under [Tool Box] in the menu list to the left.

How to Set Your Image Size


Browse the image you would like to resize by clicking the [Browse] button. You can set the image size in two different ways:


1. The "Set and Adjust According to Width" option adjusts the height and width of your image, according to the width you assign to it.
2. The "Set Width and Height" option allows you to set a specific width and height for your image.
*Please note that if your image exceeds its original size, an error will occur. Click [Run] when you are done entering your preferred dimensions. After you run the resizing tool, a [Download] button will appear at the bottom of the page. Click [Download] to retrieve your resized image, and it's all done!
Click here to go to the Resizing Tool.

How to Upload YouTube Video Clips.
Do you want to upload a video clip to your blog? Here's how.
YouTube has become a big part of pop culture, we're sure that you have a favorite video or even a video you uploaded yourself. Here is an explanation of how to upload those videos onto your blog.
It's actually quite easy. First, browse for the video you would like to upload. After clicking on the video, video description will show up on the top right hand side of the page.



Copy the code under [Embed:] and simply paste this code onto your main edit section(where you write your entries).



Voila bamo presto!! thats all you have to do!!
Have fun!

Losing your entries, files, or templates is very frustrating. It is a good idea to back up your data on a regular basis, so you can prevent losing all your data... and the hair on your head. Here we will explain various methods on how to back up your entries, files, and templates.

How to Back up Entries
Click on [Data Backup] in the [Tool Box] section on the User Management page.

You will see a menu with all your entries. Choose which entries you would like to back up by clicking on the [Download] button.

Your entries will now be saved as a .txt document. *Please note that when you backup your files with this method only your texts will be saved. Images and templates cannot be saved with this method.

How to Back up Files
If you would like to back up files, use the [File Backup] function.

You can back up images and files by clicking [Open List]. This will open another window where you can save your files. You can also right click the image and use "Save As".

How to Back up Templates
You can always look for the template that you lost or deleted, but it's not always guaranteed that you will find exactly the same template you have lost. The best way to back up templates is to copy, paste, and save the template code into a document file, such as Microsoft Word or Notepad. This is good especially when you have a customized template, as you will not be able to download a customized template again. Use the saved code to restore your template.

With the FC2 Access Counter, you can track how many people have visited your blog, or even see who is on your blog in real time! Here is a brief explanation on how to add the FC2 Access Counter.

Add the FC2 Access Counter

If you do not have the FC2 Access Counter yet, you will need to agree to the terms and conditions policies. Click on [Access Counter] under the [Tool Box] section of your User Management page and read through the terms and conditions. If you agree, click [Yes], you now have access to FC2 Access Counter.

You can now choose from a wide variety of access counters. There are two different types of counters that are offered, one is a regular access counter, which counts the grand total of visits you get to your blog page. The second type of access counter is the real time counter, which counts the number of visitors currently on your blog page. We will explain more about the two counters in our next section.

Once you have agreed to the terms of use, you can now add the FC2 Access Counter service to your blog. Log-in to FC2 Access Counter.

After you have signed in, you will be able to see your FC2 Access Counter User Management Page. You will see a menu on the left side of the screen, and you should be on the [Current Counter] section.


Access Counter and Online Counter
Your default access counters are provided by FC2. You will see two counters: Access Counter and Online Counter. [Access Counter] functions as a regular access counter(counting the grand total of people visiting your page), and [Online Counter] counts the number of people who are visiting your page in real time.

You can add both counters to your blog, or just one if you prefer.

How to Change Counter Styles
Click on [Counter Styles] from the menu.

You can now change the look of your access counters. After you have decided which counter to use, click on the radio button on the left side of the counter image.

Choose which counter style you would like to change at the bottom of the page.


Presto! You're done setting your new counter style!

Drawing Tool


By using the Drawing Tool, you can draw straight onto your blog however you want to.
You can also save the images in your User Management Page, and use them later if
you want to.

In order to use the Drawing Tool function, you must have the latest Flash Player.
If you do not have the Flash Player yet, please download it at the Adobe homepage:
Download Flash Player

>> Read 「Drawing Tool」

What's the Clap Function?

The clap function is used to applaud a blog entry. You can also use it to notify that you have read a person's entry.

The clap function is located at the bottom of the entry. Once you are done with reading the entry, click on [Clap]. The number of claps will be displayed in the [Clap] icon. The more claps you have, the better place you get in the blog ranking.. (You can also hide the number of claps you got if you wish to do so.)

Clapping

Let's take a look at the Clap function.
You can also Clap on your own blog. *click to finish clapping

Click on [View Clap Page] to view the number of claps and comments for specific articles.
Click on [Clap Top] to view all of the blog claps. You can also send a short message(up to 500 letters) from this page.

Keep in mind, you may not clap more than once for the same article.

*pagetop*

*Article Clap Page

Claps are displayed for all articles as well as an individual article. Clap comments are displayed with its designated article. *Claps for the Entire Blog

You can see claps and messages for blogs at the Clap Top page If you click the [Clap] button from here, you will clap for the entire blog, not for an individual article.

*pagetop*

>> Read 「Clap Features」

A blog community is a place where you can network with other bloggers. Manage blog pages and link up with other users.
Discuss your favorite topics and hobbies with other FC2 blog members!
Public communities are availabe to be viewed by anyone, but you need to be a logged in FC2 user to add topics and comments. The blog link, handle name, and information you have set up will be displayed on your comments and posts.
This is a great way to get to know your FC2 blog community.

Set up themes and topics within your community, and get comments and discussions started. Anyone who joins a community can start new thread, even if you are a first time user.

• Find a community to join!↓
• Community outline↓
• Participate in a community!↓
• Topics and comments↓

>> Read 「Join a Community」

Blog communities are great for networking with other FC2 bloggers with similar interests. Managing your community and blog pages are key to networking with members. In this section, we will explain how to manage communities. We will also explain how you can authorize sub-authors, to help you manage your community.

• Creating a new community↓
• Member management↓

>> Read 「Community Management」

The Visitor's List is where you can keep track of visitors' "footprints". You can also delete them from your User Management page as well.

Visitor List Settings

While logged into your blog and visiting other FC2 blogs, you will leave a your "footprint"(i.e. visit record) as a history of visiting the site. ★Only the blog author can see their visitor's list.

History settings

If you select [Yes], you will be able to see your visitor's blog URL and profile.

Adult blog visitor history

If you select [Yes], visitors from adult blogs will leave footprints in your visitor's list. If you don't want to see these, select [No].

▲pagetop

Visitor List

[Connections]->[Visitor List]

This is a list of other FC2 blog users who have visited your blog.
FC2 bloggers can select not to leave their footprints, or may not be signed in while visiting your blog. In this case, they will not appear on this list.

If you would like to prohibit adult themed blogs to appear on this list, you can set that up as well.

You can also add visitor's blogs by clicking [Add Link].
You can do this under [Management]->[Add Link]
By clicking [Delete Record] you can delete footprints. Check the boxes next to the the profile picture, and you can delete more than one at a time.

A visitor can only leave 1 footprint per a day.

▲pagetop

By requesting an approval of a selected FC2 blogger, you can become [Blog Friends].

After you became blog friends, you will be able to:

• View your blog friend's blog status
• Send messages/mails to your blog friends
• Read blog entries written only for blog friends
  （Browse：Entry Settings）

[Attention]You must leave the footprint setting on [Yes] to add blog friends.
[Browse]→Visitor's List Settings

---

• Request Blog Friend↓
• Accept Blog Friend↓
• Link Blogs↓
• Disable Blog Friend Application↓
• Delete Blog Friend↓

>> Read 「Blog Friend」

To switch between languages, go to the FC2ID login page, and click your preferred language on the top right hand side of your screen.
This feature will allow you to change the language settings of all your FC2 services.

**Please note: You will not be able to switch from English to Japanese or Japanese to English. If you wish to use Japanese as your default language, you will need to sign up a different account.**

In this entry, we introduce the variables for supporting FC2 template.
Below is a list of variables that supports multi-language template. Users can create a multi-language template base on those variables. In FC2 template, header, text attributes, and rel attributes are being used.

Example

When editing [続きを読む](Read more in Japanese) in the template's HTML,
it only displays [続きを読む] in Japanese, whichever language setting you may employ. Therefore we will use <%template_extend> variables for[Read more].

This way [Read more] will switch language based on the users' blog language settings. If the blog is set in Chinese then it will display as [继续阅读] and [Read more] in English.

*This language switch depends on the language version that the user has registered to. It will not be affected by each user's computer setting.
*Appearance and etc might appear differently in accordance with such settings..

Multi-language Variables Table

Single Variable	Japanese	English	Simplified Chinese	Traditional Chinese
<%template_fc2blog>	FC2ブログ	FC2 BLOG	FC2 博客	FC2 部落格
<%template_extend>	続きを読む	Read more	继续阅读	繼續閲讀
<%template_theme>	テーマ	Theme	题目	題目
<%template_genre>	ジャンル	Genre	种类	種類
<%template_trackback>	トラックバック	Trackbacks	引用	引用
<%template_comment>	コメント	Comments	留言	留言
<%template_abs_link>	このエントリーの固定リンク	Absolute link	此投稿的固定连结	此投稿的固定連結
<%template_category>	このエントリーのカテゴリ	Entry category	此投稿的类别	此投稿的類別
<%template_view_category>	このカテゴリ一覧を見る	View category list	此类别一览	此類別一覽
<%template_edit>	編集	Edit	编辑	編輯
Comment Form Items
<%template_title>	タイトル	Title	标题	標題
<%template_name>	名前	Name	您的名字	您的名字
<%template_address>	メールアドレス	E-mail address	邮件地址	郵件地址
<%template_body>	本文	Body	本文	本文
<%template_post_comment>	コメントの投稿	Post a comment	发表留言	發表留言
<%template_private>	非公開コメント	Private message	秘密留言	秘密留言
<%template_private_check>	管理者にだけ表示を許可する	Only the blog author may view the message.	只对管理者显示	只對管理者顯示
<%template_password>	パスワード	Edit password	密码	密碼
<%template_send>	送信	Send	送出	送出
<%template_delete>	削除	Delete	删除	刪除
<%template_edit_comment>	コメントの編集	Edit a comment	编辑留言	編輯留言
<%template_trackback_this>	この記事にトラックバックする(FC2ブログユーザー)	Use trackback for this entry.	引用此文章（FC2博客用户）	引用此文章（FC2部落格用戶）
Related page navigation
<%template_home>	ホーム	Home	主页	主頁
<%template_index>	インデックス	Index	索引	索引
<%template_firstentry>	最初の記事	First entry	首篇文章	首篇文章
<%template_search_entry>	記事検索	Search entries	搜寻文章	搜尋文章
<%template_prevpage>	前のページ	Previous page	前一页	前一頁
<%template_nextpage>	次のページ	Next page	下一页	下一頁
<%template_preventry>	前の記事	Previous entry	前一篇文章	前一篇文章
<%template_nextentry>	次の記事	Next entry	下一篇文章	下一篇文章
<%template_go_top>	このページのトップへ	Top of page	回到此页首	回到此頁首

The share template must be reviewed by one of FC2 staff members when users submit/apply a template.
Please see below on how to apply/submit a share template and review process.

Before submitting a template, please be sure you created, not the work of somebody else. According to FC2 blog's User Conduct in Terms of Use, Copyright of original template design belongs to the person who designed it.

The judging criteria for shared template are as follows:

Note: It is a general guideline, there might be difference in the way they are applied.

*Cannot contain any access analysis and counter tags.
Your template must not contain any tags for your own access analysis, counter, Google site map certification, and blog parts.

*Restriction on the number of external links: Cannot contain excessive commercial links

All material links will be verified for its existence and that they actually provide materials for websites.

Below are the backlinks that are allowed in the template design. Up to three links including those below.

• FC2 Blog (Applicant's blog)
• Other sites apart from FC2 blog (Applicant's own website)
• Site materials sources for the template

However, if the links that come in terms with those criterias below are found in your template design, you will not be approved for registration of your template design.

• Sites/Links that have no relevance to FC2 blog and/or commercial sites for advertising purpose.
• Entries that have no content but only advertisements (banner, AdSense, etc.)


• Purely for the purpose of SEO (the site's purpose being to increase the number of incoming links)

*How links are to be displayed?

Applicants who wish to link to your site must clearly state [design by ○○ ] or [template created by ○○ ]. The purpose is for other users to know who design it and easy to link to the designer's site.

Backlinks and advertising variable <%ad> links have to be distinguished clearly and seperated from [design by ○○ ] or [template created by ○○ ].

Image above is an example of incorrect format.

Cannot Use any Images From FC2 Templates
If your template contains images from FC2 templates, your template will not be approved. However, mobile template can employ decorated icon images from the individual server.
Please refrain from employing images that are not under FC2 blog control.
Images Employed in the Template Have to be Also Employed in Your Blog
Image format supports jpg/gif/png in the template. Please use images from the blog which you use to submit your template. Therefore, even if a designer possesses many blogs, he/she will not be able to use its own directory for images and submit for share template.
In addition, all other source materials (with approval for using) and linked images, also have to be uploaded to the blog in order to use them.

*【Exceptions】
If you use the contributed script directly as it is, the image which script originally includes is exceptionally allowed. For example, when you make a tree-like list, images can be part of the branch of the tree.

Designs that are similar to any existing templates will not be approved.

You may not modify any existing templates and submit as your own.

All advertisement must be located at the bottom of the blog.

For more information, please visit:
*About displaying ad (Currently only available in Japanese language).

For mobile phone, please use <%mob_ad> for mobile ad.

Before submitting, please make sure to check if your template functions properly in different browsers.

Since each user's computer displays may vary, the template may also be displayed differently. Therefore, please try and see your template in different operating systems (Mac and Win) and browsers (IE, FireFox, Opera, and Safari) to verify that your template will function properly with all browsers.

Check if you forgot to close any tags or any tag marks

Before submitting, please make sure to check not to dismiss any errors.

Using HTML checker can help you find errors in your template. W3C HTML Validation Service Another HTML-lint

Verify that other features (comment and etc...) are working properly.

Do not just check the design of the template but also check and see if other features are working in the template.

（Exception: The designer does not intend to employ that feature.)

Applicants who use adult topic blog or affiliate blog will not be accepted due to changes in our Terms of Use.

Setting favicon is prohibited

Specify its own favicon, the template will not be accepted.

FC2 Blog provides following 5 types of RSSs.

Each address has "?xml" in addition to its original URL. Taking this blog manual as an example, URL should appear as http://fc2blogmanualen.blog124.fc2.com/?xml

　　　　

Top Page（Latest Entry）	Blog URL/?xml
Latest Comment	Blog URL/?xml&comment
Latest Trackback	Blog URL/?xml&trackback
For each category	Blog URL/?xml&category=category number
For each user tag	Blog URL/?xml&utag=tag name

>> Read 「[RSS] RSS of Blogs」

Amazon Associates

Amazon Associate Program is an affiliate provided by Amazon.
Why not writing an introduction of items sold in amazon? If your readers purchase those items through your blog, Amazon will pay you the referrals!

Using "My Shop", this Amazon Associate Program will come in much more handy for you.

** Cautions **
Prior to any use, registration to the program on Amazon is necessary.
FC2 is not involved in support of members, payment of refferals, management and logistics of products.
See in terms of use and help at amazon.com for detailed information.

Amazon Associate Program
Amazon Associate Program/Frequently Asked Questions

>> Read 「[My Shop]　Let's Register to Amazon Affiliate Program!」

You can modify settings of ID acquired in Amazon and make lists of items in "Managing my Shop."

>> Read 「[My Shop]　Add Amazon Items to Your Shop」

Here goes the explanation on how to write entries on items from Amazon in your blog through "Managing my Shop."

**　Caution　**
In order to earn referrals, prior registration to Amazon Associates is necessary.
Also keep in mind that ID acquired in Amazon has to be registered in "Managing my Shop" as well.
For two occasions (without registration either to Amazon or to My Shop), referrals will not be paid even if a purchase has been made through your blog.
（It is still possible to write entries on items from Amazon ulitizing "Managing my Shop" and the plugin without a registration to Amazon.）

Please refer to "Let's Register to Amazon Associates" for any questions concerning registration to Amazon Associates and to My Shop.

>> Read 「[My Shop]　Writing Entries on Items from Amazon」

Plug-in is a program to add substitutional function to your blogs/websites. In FC2, it means pretty much the same: to add substitutional functions on your blog sidebar.

>> Read 「What is Plugin? 」

With this plugin, you can display items in your "My Shop"or from popular items in Amazon.com.
Different from writing introduction to your blog each time, the plugin will also be updated according to addition/deletion of items in your "My Shop."

Displays items from Amazon on the sidebars.

• Make arrangements on the number of items to be displayed↓
• Plugin： Items [Ordered by Date]↓
• Plugin： Items [Sorted by Category]↓
• How to Create Categories?↓
• Plugin： Frequently Bought Items in Amazon↓

>> Read 「Let's Make Use of "My Shop" Plugin! 」

FC2 Video Posting Tool

With FC2 Video Posting Tool, you can paste FC2 videos you have uploaded to FC2 in your blog and also upload ones from your blog site.

In order for you to use this posting tool, you need to add the "FC2 Video" service to the FC2ID you have registered the blog service to.

Videos uploaded with a different ID or by other usaers cannot be called up.
To be able to use these videos in your blog, please obtain the external code in the replay page of the video and paste it into your blog.

[See reference] Use videos in a blog.

*Start FC2 Video Posting Tool
«1»
Click the "video posting tool" icon above the text area in the entry editing page. A different window will pop up.
«2»
You will see an upload form in the upper area and a list of uploaded videos in the lower area in the window.

*Upload
Choose a video file in your PC, set the title and category and click on the "Upload" button.

It takes a couple of minutes until conversion is done. The videos you have uploaded will be displayed in the video list in the lower area after being converted.

If the video file format is not compatible or if the file has some kind of problem, conversion will end in failure.
*File formats such as flv、wmv、mov、3gp are supported, but there are some formats inappropriate for FC2 video system due to version difference or file condition.

*Put a video in an entry
Uploaded files are shown with their thumbnails in the lower area of the window.

*If your video privacy setting is "private" or if you do not allow external use, your videos will not be shown in the list.
Please go to the management page of FC2 Videos and change the setting of the contents to use videos in your blog.

Click on the "Post with this video" button to get the code inserted.

«3»
The video code will be inserted in the text area of the entry. Repeat the same steps to put plural videos in one entry.
If you do not want the video in your blog, delete the video code.
*Videos pasted in a blog with this tool cannot be viewed in the real-time preview.