What is a ring fragment anyway? This FAQ is intended to answer some of the most common questions about the web ring code, AKA the ring fragment.
what is the ring fragment?
The ring fragment is the most important part of the web ring. This is how the ring surfers get from one site to another. There are an infinite number of options for the ring code, which is discussed under "options." (well, okay, may not infinite, but many and more than a few!)
The ring fragment is made of of links that take the surfer to various pages which make up the ring. This is done with the aid of a cgi (common gateway interface) program, which means little more to most people than the fact that the ring's links looks a little funny. This program, however, has a very important job, it is what tells the web server what page in the ring it should go to next.
where do I find the ring fragment?
The first issue for those joining the ring is how to get the fragment on their page. As a ring joiner, you need to know where you are expected to pick up the ring code. As a ring master, you need to decide how you want to deliver the code to you members. Typically, the ring master can set the web ring up so that it e-mails the code with the necessary elements already configured for individual sites. More about this is discussed in "create."
Another option for the ring master is to make the code available on the ring page for copying and pasting. You will need to make the fragment "raw" for this, which is discussed in depth in the "create" pages. The thing to remember with the raw code is that it will not be customized for the members. This means that the ring owner will need to explain what needs to be changed, and the ring joiner will need to make the changes so it will work.
If the ring is hosted by a Ringlink system, then there is one other place to find the code, however, this is only if the ring owner has customized the code and made it available. You'll need your member name/password to log into the site admin. The click "Get code." This takes you to your site's customized code...
how do I copy and paste the ring fragment?
Once you've found the code, getting the fragment from the ring to your site is basically a cut and paste procedure.
On a PC? You simply use the mouse to left click and drag over the text which highlights it. Next, on the key board, push "Ctrl" and "c" (hold both down at the same time) to copy the code to your clipboard.
On a Mac? Do the above except use the "Apple" button.
For a more tricky solution, see the "raw fragment" discussion below.
To get the fragment onto the page: open the document which will be the ring page, click the cursor on the spot where you want the fragment and push "Ctrl" and "v" (hold both down at the same time), this pastes the code into the page. Use "Apple" and "v" if you're on a Mac.
I use AOL, how can I get the code via e-mail?
AOL members can now join web rings a little easier. If you use AOL, you can access your AOL e-mail via the web at http://aolmail.aol.com/. At this location the e-mail DOES NOT get parsed as it does when you get e-mail inside of the AOL software.
I use AOL Easy Designer, how can I paste the ring fragment?
If you use AOL's Easy Designer,
where do I put the fragment?
This depends on the rules, but most people like to make separate pages for their rings because if you belong to many of them, they can really take some time to load. If you're really a ring nut, you can even make each ring its very own page. . .or another good option is to break your rings up into categories and separate them that way.
can I change the ring fragment?
This too, depends on the rules. Some ring masters are really particular about this and don't allow you to change the code.
It's probably a good idea to check first, keeping in mind the formality of the ring structure and your own knowledge of html and coding.
what if I don't know any html?
This is the beauty about joining web rings! They are a great way to learn html. As I discussed in my rings, web rings were the first things I began adding to my new home page. Because the owner has already created the code fragment, all you need to do is copy and paste it in.
By looking at how the ring fragment was made, you will learn some html. If you usually use a WYSIWYG editor to create your pages, you will need to know how to edit the actual coding. Or, if your web host provides an online editor, you can simply open the page in your file manger and paste it in.