Sorry I am much better with the pen than the PC.
I don’t understand how to include a link in a post here. I hope I am using the right word - link = in blue with underline and you can just click to go to the website, is that right?
So I used to have AOL (I know, I know) but now have DSL. Used to click on the link in my favorites list and drag to spot and it came out a link. Now that does not work.
I need some help from those who are wise in the ways of the PC world and take pitty on poor ignorant person like me.
Thank you
Like this:
<url=LINK>Hey, look at this site</url>
where “LINK” is url for the web site (just cut and paste from browser) and you replace <> with
You can find more stuff like this in the ATMB forum.
Here’s a real example. If you hit “reply” to this post, you’ll see the actual coding in the reply.
Click the “Go Advanced” button. On the new screen, look for the button underneath and between the “size” and “color” pull-down menus that looks like a globe with a paperclip under it. Click that. In the first box, type the word you want to make a link. Hit OK. In the second box that pops up, copy the URL you want to link to. Hit ok. You will now see the active link in your text.
Thanks but I am lost. How can I have an address in my browser for another site and be on the Straight Dope? What does URL mean? What is ATMB? Sorry truly ignorant here.
Thank you but where is Go Advanced button?
Look underneath the text box you type your last post in. It’s the one on the right.
Ah I see.
It is not there when I click reply but under quick reply. That is why I did not see it.
Many thanks, you are most helpful.
Have two windows open at the same time.
This is the thread you need to go to:
FAQ - technical issues - please read this BEFORE posting a question
Interesting title, isn’t it? 
Moved to ATMB.
-xash
General Questions Moderator
Here are a couple of “tutorials” that you might find helpful, as well as a Wikipedia article. Intro to HTML and HTML cheat sheet. Some of the codes on those pages are also what you use on message boards, though some places use square brackets instead. Here are some HTML and UBB tips and tricks. Wikipedia’s article ishere. I hope those help, welcome to the Straight Dope.
I apologize for these directions if you’ve already figured it out, but here’s one pretty easy way:
(1) Click Post Reply or Reply (on a specific message you would like to quote).
(2) Type what you want to type in your message.
(3) When you want to include a link - look at the little menu starting with B then I then U, etc. It begins like this:
B I U . . .
On that very same line there is a small graphic which looks like a “link of chain” in front of a world. If you put your mouse over it, it will say “Insert Hyperlink.”
(4) Click “Insert Hyperlink”
(5) A pop up will ask you to insert the text you want to be displayed, this can be something like “link” or “CNN Website” - whatever you want other Dopers to see and be able to click on. Click OK after you have inputed your text.
(6) Another pop up will ask you to insert the http address - the text box you will see already has “http://” filled in. You can type the address you want, like typing “http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb” or you can cut and paste from somewhere. Click OK after you have inputed your text.
(7) You will see code and gobbledygook in your message box. That is normal - that is the link.
(8) Finish your message / Preview the Post / and Submit Reply.
That is all!
- Peter Wiggen
Thank you all very much.
Be well.