What is 2FA?

Standard passwords can sometimes be guessed or stolen. 2FA adds a second layer of protection by requiring not just something you know (your password), but also something you have (your phone or email access).

How to Log In with 2FA

Once 2FA is active on your account, the login process will look like this:

1. Enter Credentials: Log in with your username and password as usual.
2. Verify Identity: You will be prompted to enter a 6-digit verification code.
3. Submit: Enter the code from your email or app to gain access to the dashboard.

Your 2FA Options

You can choose the method that best fits your workflow from your user profile:

How to Set Up or Switch Your Method

You can update your security settings at any time:

1. Log into your WordPress dashboard and go to Users > Your Profile.
2. Scroll down to the OHT 2FA Settings section.
3. Select your Preferred 2FA Method from the dropdown menu.
4. If you choose SMS: * Enter your mobile number in the Phone Number field.
   • Note: US numbers do not require +1; our system adds it automatically.
   • By selecting this, you consent to receive security codes via text; message and data rates may apply.
5. If you choose Authenticator App: * A QR code and manual setup code will appear. Scan this with your app. More details are provided in the next section.
6. Click Update Profile at the bottom of the page to save your changes.

Setting Up an Authenticator App

If you choose the Authenticator App option for maximum security, follow these steps to link your device:

• Step 1: On your profile page, select “Authenticator App.” A QR Code and a Text Setup Code will appear on your screen.
• Step 2: Open your preferred app (Google Authenticator, Authy, etc.) on your smartphone.
• Step 3: Tap the “+” icon in the app and select “Scan a QR Code.”
• Step 4: Point your camera at your computer screen to scan the code.
  • Note: If your camera isn’t working, you can manually type in the provided Setup Code instead.
• Step 5: Once the account “[Your Website]: username” appears in your app, enter the current 6-digit code into the confirmation box on your WordPress profile to verify the link.

Pro-Tips

• The 30-Second Rule: Authenticator codes refresh every 30 seconds. If the code is about to expire (usually indicated by a blinking red timer in your app), wait for the next code to ensure it doesn’t “time out” while you’re typing.
• Switching Back: If you ever lose your phone or find the app inconvenient, you can always log back in (using a backup method or admin help) and switch your setting back to Email.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don’t receive my SMS or Email code?

• Email: Check your “Spam” folder and whitelist @our-hometown.com.
• SMS: Ensure you entered your number correctly without the “+1” prefix. Codes usually arrive within seconds, but network delays can occur.

Which Authenticator apps do you recommend? We recommend Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, or Authy. All are free and available on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store.

Will I have to do this every single time I log in? You can check the “Remember this device” box during login. This will keep you authenticated on that specific browser for 30 days, so you won’t need a code every morning.

I’m locked out! What do I do? If you lose access to your phone or email, don’t worry. Please contact the Our-Hometown Support Team at ops@our-hometown.com for further assistance.

NOTE: Never share your 2FA code with anyone. Our-Hometown staff will never ask you for your 6-digit code over the phone or via email.

The post Enhancing Security: A Guide to Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) first appeared on Our-Hometown.

That’s why the team at Our-Hometown Web Publishing is thrilled to announce our latest, most-requested feature: Direct Video Uploads are now available on your WordPress website!

You can now bring your community’s stories to life and offer powerful new advertising solutions in a more dynamic and engaging way than ever before.

The Power of Video, Simplified

We believe that powerful tools should also be easy to use. We’ve integrated video uploads directly into the Media Library you already know. It’s as simple as uploading a photo.

Here are the key details:

• Generous File Size: Upload video files up to 256MB.
• Standard Formats: We support all the common formats you use, including .mp4, .mov, .webm, and more.
• Seamless Integration: Your uploaded videos can be placed into posts, pages, and even ad placements with ease.

NOTE: To ensure compatibility, always sanitize the filename of your videos: i.e. no special characters (/,?#) and also replace any spaces with either a dash or underscore.

From the Field to the Front Page: Go Mobile!

We know that news happens everywhere, not just at your desk. That’s why we’ve ensured our new video feature is completely mobile-ready.

Imagine this: you’re covering a last-minute press conference or a high school playoff game. You can capture a critical clip on your smartphone, open your website in your mobile browser, and upload the video directly into a new post. Your readers can see what’s happening, as it’s happening. No more waiting to get back to the office to transfer files.

Ideas to Get You Started

Not sure where to begin? Video is perfect for capturing the content that makes local news so special and opens up new revenue streams.

• High School Sports: Upload the game-winning touchdown, the three-point shot at the buzzer, or a post-game interview with the coach.
• Parades & Performances: Showcase the intricate float designs from the holiday parade, or a clip of the high school marching band’s new routine.
• Breaking News: Provide on-the-scene footage from a local event or incident, adding urgency and authenticity to your reporting.
• Nature & Wildlife: Share a serene video of a sunrise over a local landmark or capture footage of wildlife in a nearby park. These clips are highly shareable!
• Powerful Video Advertising: Offer premium advertising opportunities! A local realtor could run a video property walkthrough as part of their campaign, or a car dealership could showcase a new model in action. This is a fantastic new product to offer your advertisers.
• Community Voices: Record short “man-on-the-street” interviews about a local issue or a quick soundbite from a town council meeting.

Placing Your Videos: As Easy as 1-2-3

Once you’ve uploaded your video to the Media Library, how do you get it onto your site? We’ve made it simple by integrating it directly with the WordPress tools you already use.

• In an Article or Page: When writing a post, simply add a new block and search for the “Video” block. You can then select your clip directly from the Media Library.
• On Your Homepage or Sidebars: Want to feature a video more prominently? Use the Theme Customizer to add a video block to widget-ready areas, giving you full control over where your featured videos appear.

Ready to Roll?

This feature is now live for all Our-Hometown customers. We are committed to providing you with the tools you need to be the essential source for news and information in your community. We can’t wait to see the incredible stories you’ll tell and the new advertising opportunities you’ll create.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team at ops@our-hometown.com.

The post Bring Your Stories to Life: Video Uploads Are Now Live on Our-Hometown first appeared on Our-Hometown.

XML Export

Once you have applied your desired settings for the Reverse Publishing export, you can then choose what content is to be included, either via the Export page or through selecting and exporting articles with the Bulk Edit option in the All Articles List.

The plugin will compile a ZIP archive including the XML file with all the article content and individual images associated with each story that is then downloaded to your computer.

Extract this zip file and we are now ready for import into InDesign.

For this demo we’ll use an existing InDesign template with paragraph styles and basic layout guides in place. Note the styles specified in the export settings match those in the InDesign file, so they will be automatically applied when you add content into the document itself.

XML Import

With the InDesign file open, go to the File menu and click Import XML.

Select the XML file in the folder extracted from the zip file download.

Make sure the Show XML Import Options button is ticked as well as Merge Content.

On the import options window leave the defaults. Merging content will make sure that any updated XML content will be automatically reflected in the imported elements.

Once the XML is imported the Structure pane will appear to the left of your document containing the Root tag. Click the small arrow to the left of the tag to reveal the contents of the XML import.

Each story element contains the others: title, byline, body, image et al. plus any tag attributes, including character and paragraph styles.

Note that the character and paragraph styles included in the export will be created if these styles are not present in the InDesign file when you import the XML. However these styles will need to be configured as they will only have default settings in this scenario.

Structure Panel

Once the XML is imported the Structure pane will appear to the left of your document containing the Root tag. Click the small arrow to the left of the tag to reveal the contents of the XML import.

Each element or tag (we are using the term interchangeably) has an icon next to it indicating the type of content it references:

Container Element: A wrapper for grouping other element-types together

Text Element: A wrapper for text copy, i.e. paragraph tags similar to html

Image Element: A reference to the local image file downloaded as part of the XML export which links back to the folder extracted from the ZIP archive.

Drag and Drop Behavior

To bring content from the structure pane into the document layout, you simply drag the element either onto the layout itself or into a pre-existing frame in the layout.

Once an element has been placed in the layout a blue dot appears at the bottom-right of the icon.

Text Elements

For instance if you template already has a frame set up for the positioning of the Title element, simply drag that element from the structure pane onto that frame. If styles are setup properly, the Title style will be applied automatically.

If you don’t drop a text element into an existing frame, InDesign will create one, however the size of the text frame will usually follow the width of the dragged element, but its height will simply fill to the bottom margin from the spot of the drop.

Image Elements

Image elements, when dropped into a pre-existing frame will honor that frame’s fitting options, so this can be extremely helpful when placing images within your layout. If you simply drop an image element onto the layout, InDesign will create a frame matching the original resolution of the image (which can be quite large at screen preview levels). If the image is dropped within the page margins, the resulting frame will respect those while cropping those portions of the image. For predictable behavior we recommend dropping images into pre-existing frames with fitting already specified.

You will note the above example shows the Image element itself being placed, not the Graphic element. The Graphic element is a container for the image element and if present a text element for the Caption.

Container Elements

So what happens if you drag a container into the layout?

InDesign will insert all of the elements into a single frame while respecting the individual paragraph styles. The frame can then be adjusted to fit your layout. If Graphic elements are part of the container you are placing, InDesign imports the caption as a paragraph tag and includes the image as an anchored object attached to the caption. Additionally the image frame will be the same size as the resolution of the image as noted previously.

This often means that the images (which are included in the story container after the text elements) will not be displayed, but are hidden as they are part of the overset content that doesn’t not fit into the default frame size created when you drag a container into the layout.

Reassigning Elements

This brings us to another important point: Once an element has been placed, it cannot be ‘deleted’ per se, but it can be reassigned to another frame (or just dragged again into the layout).

This is very helpful if an image has been placed, but is hidden in overset limbo. You can drag those image/caption tags into new positions or move them to specific frames. This way you can drag the entire story element into the layout and then grab the images individually to place into frames with text wrapping, etc.

Importing XML Updates

A great feature of the Reverse Publishing plugin is that it keeps track of what has been exported, allowing you to only export content updated since the last export. You can also toggle off the image export, so that you can download just the updated XML content. Overwrite the previous XML file (by copying the new one to your existing archive folder with your images) and when you re-import the XML all the text content will update to reflect any changes to the story content.

We hope this post establishes the usefulness of a ‘digital-first’ strategy, allowing you to manage all your content on the website, and providing a straightforward pipeline for creating your print edition from that content.

If you have any questions or would like to try out Reverse Publishing, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at ops@our-hometown.com.

The post Reverse Publishing: Import Your Content Into InDesign first appeared on Our-Hometown.

Readers can always control what notifications are being sent, plus a history of all notifications for reference.

Notifications do require the user to allow for browser notifications, and will be prompted when enabling the feature to accept the permissions update for the website. This will need to be done for each browser a reader may use, but once done the settings will persist until disable notifications or revoke the site permissions.

The appearance of the notifications is determined by the operating system and the browser being used, with some also offering an audible alert as well as the text alert.

News Notifications Dashboard

The Notifications Dashboard page in the Admin section of the website provides analytics on how many notifications have been sent as well as the click-through rate so you can assess the engagement of your readers.

Notification Settings

The Notification Settings page provides options for enabling notifications per category, each with it’s own schedule, plus the settings for Breaking News alerts.

Let’s take a look at these settings in detail.

Category Display

The first setting is whether you would like all category alerts to be grouped on the Notifications panel. If grouped the reader can subscribe to a “News Alerts” channel which will sign them up for all the category notifications (with individual schedules) that you have set up. Other wise with this setting toggled OFF, the reader can then subscribe to each category channel individually.

Select Categories

Tick the box next to any categories you would like to include in the Notifications Panel and you will be presented with scheduling options for each:

• Send instantly (on publication of new content)
• Send at Specific Times: Add as many time slots as you would like for notifications from this particular category. Click the Add Time button to specify additional notification times.

Breaking News

This feature provides the same scheduling options as categories, but for any article set to Breaking News when published, regardless of category.

Reach out to us at ops@our-hometown.com today, so we can assist you in getting this feature set up and increase reader engagement for your website!

The post News Notifications Now Available For Your Readers first appeared on Our-Hometown.

Shared Style and Typography Settings

Settings for Styles (text and background colors) and Typography (Bold, Italic, etc.) are found in the right panel and are common to many text blocks:

The Color panel contains options for text color and background color/gradient for the individual block, allowing for quick styling of section headings, callouts, infoboxes, etc.

The Typography panel provides toggles to activate various additional text controls for Sizing, Appearance (various font weights for bold text), Letter Spacing, Decorations (strikethrough, underline) and Letter Case (all caps, etc.).

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Floating Toolbar Options

The floating toolbar contains options for block transformations, arrows for vertical ordering, text decorations, adding links to text and an additional options dropdown.

The additional options include inline insertions, and other less-used decorations, such as strikethrough, formatted code and sub/superscript.

The Inline Image option can be useful for inserting a small icon graphic directly in the text flow of a block:

The small image above has been placed inline between sentences in a single paragraph block.

Heading Block

The Heading block shares all the same styling and typography settings as other text blocks, with the addition of setting a specific Heading level to delineate structure in your article.

Paragraph Block

The style and typography settings for the Paragraph block share the same options as discussed previously, but with the addition of limited alternative font selection, and a Drop Cap toggle.

The floating toolbar offers the same options for alignment, decorations and links, although with specific transformations, allowing you to convert a paragraph into a heading or list, etc.

List Block

Use the List block to organize text in numbered or bulleted lists.

Style are typography options are the same as paragraph blocks.

The floating toolbar offers options for numbered vs. bulleted lists.

Note that this block is a container for individual List Item blocks.

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List Item Block

List items have a limited subset of styling options (only the text color can be changed), but the typography options are the same.

Additionally, the floating toolbar for a single List Item provides the same text options for text decoration and links, plus buttons for increasing or decreasing the list depth of an item.

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Ordered (Numbered) Lists

For Ordered Lists, the settings panel provides format options (Numbers, Upper / Lowercase Letters, or Upper / Lowercase Roman Numerals.

You can also specify a starting value if the list is a continuation of a previous one.

The order can also be reversed for a countdown-style list.

Table Block

Table creation has been limited to the tools in the Classic Paragraph block (similar to the classic article editor itself), however we now have a dedicated Table block with some customization and styling options, plus all the normal table editing tools one might expect: adding/deleting columns and rows, showing header and footer sections, creating striped row delineation and more.

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Table Block Settings

You have the option to tell the table to use “Fixed width table cells“, which means all columns will be equal in width rather than adapting the column widths to the content of the table.

The Header section and Footer section will each add an additional row to your table. The header section is typically used to add titles to the top of each row. The footer can be used to add an additional row at the bottom.

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Table Block Styles

There are two styles available for tables: Default and Stripes:

• The Default style has a plain background and borders around the cells.
• The Stripes style has alternating row background colors.
• The Color and Typography panels are identical to those in the Paragraph block settings.

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Table Block Toolbar

The floating toolbar for the Table block provides similar text options as other text blocks, but has an additional menu for editing the table itself: Inserting or deleting columns or rows. This behavior is very similar to other table editing operations in many common document editors.

Quote Block

The Quote block is similar to the List block in that it contains other blocks. The main difference is the citation toggle (indicated by the quill icon) for quote attribution. An inline image is attached to the citation text and the entire Quote block is right-aligned for a more engaging design.

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Pull Quote Block

The Pull Quote block offers additional styling options, such as a border with an adjustable radius. Notably the Pull Quote block doesn’t contain other blocks, it has just the two text fields for the quote and citation (although the example below is also using the inline image option for the headshot).

Details Block

The Details block is a block that allows you to include content hidden under a parent block with a text summary. This works like an accordion, with the text summary expanding to show nested content. This nested content, similar to other “container-style” blocks, can be anything you’d like. This block is often use for things such as FAQs, or directory-type listings.

For example:

Quote of the Day

“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”

Albert Einstein

Spacer Block

The Spacer block provides a resizable element that adds vertical space between other blocks. The size can be specified either in the settings panel or by dragging the circular handle at the bottom of the Spacer when it is selected.

Separator Block

Similar to adding a Horizontal Line in the Classic Editor, this block will add a simple line to delineate content in the flow of your article. There are options for line-style, thickness and color settings.

Buttons Block

You can add buttons to your website to create links to pages, products, or any other locations. Buttons help guide visitors to take action, such as signing up, purchasing, or learning more.

The Buttons block is similar to the List block in that it contains individual Button, each with separate styling options. Also the layout settings for a group of Buttons (the Buttons block) are very similar to the Row block, with vertical and horizontal justification, and the toggle to wrap the buttons onto additional rows depending on the width of the individual buttons.

The small + icon at the bottom left of the block highlight is used to add additional buttons to the Buttons block.

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Button Settings

 After you add the block you will be presented with a single button ready for text and styling.

The width of the button can be set as a percentage of the container using the Settings switches in the side panel, e.g. 50% will stretch the button to half the size of the available width.

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Button Styles

The style panel provides options for solid vs outline buttons, color settings, and a slider for adjusting the border radius, i.e. how round the corners of the button are. Note the border color will follow the color set for the text, while the background color will fill the button (regardless of the solid vs. outline setting. The Outline style only adds a border to the button with the text color.

The vertical and horizontal alignment of the buttons as well as the text alignment and decorations are all set in the floating toolbar.

You can even us the inline image option to add a graphic to your button:

Classic Block

The Classic block brings the legacy functionality of the Classic Editor into a single block in your content area. This allows for the use of established classic designs in your newer layouts integrating with other blocks as any other.

The block provides the same toolbar as the Classic editor, with the additional meta option to convert all content within the Classic block to individual content blocks, i.e. all paragraphs in the Classic block will become individual paragraph blocks after this process.

Custom HTML

The Custom HTML block is used most often for embeds that don’t have a native block. Depending on what plugins are installed you may have several blocks for embedding social media content, YouTube videos. etc. However this block will render any valid HTML code such as an iframe snippet from an online puzzle provide or even just a simple HTML design created in other software.

Play Sudoku online!

The post Creative Text Layouts in the Block Editor first appeared on Our-Hometown.

The widget features a header displaying current conditions and today’s forecast.

Below the header you can toggle a section to display periodic Special Weather Statements from the National Weather Service.

The main portion of the widget is dedicated to tabs that provide Hourly and 7-Day forecasts, as well as a live radar Map.

For the Hourly and 7-Day forecast entries, a button to the right of each will reveal further details for that particular timeframe.

The Map tab displays a live view with settings for the road/satellite view, plus layer toggles for various map overlays, such as precipitation, temperature, etc. and can even play through an animation of weather conditions.

A General Settings page provides options to toggle the default state (on or off) for many of these items as well as the default location and your API key for accessing the weather data.

The widget actually includes two separate widgets that can be used in the theme Customizer or simply in the Block Editor. One for a small heading display and one for the full widget.

Additionally, the widget can be accessed and placed via shortcode with options for the various display toggles and location settings.

If you are interested in adding the new OHT Weather Widget to your site, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at ops@our-hometown.com!

The post Introducing Our-Hometown’s Fully-Featured Weather Widget first appeared on Our-Hometown.

The WordPress block editor (often called Gutenberg) has revolutionized how we create content, moving from a single text field to a modular system of blocks. One of the most powerful, yet sometimes overlooked, features within this system is Block Patterns. If you’re not using them yet, you’re missing out on a fantastic way to build beautiful, complex layouts quickly and consistently.

What Exactly Are Block Patterns?

Think of block patterns as pre-designed collections of blocks, arranged into ready-to-use layouts or sections. Instead of adding individual blocks (like headings, paragraphs, images, columns) one by one and styling them, you can insert a complete pattern with just a few clicks. These can range from simple call-to-action buttons to intricate page sections like testimonials, contact forms, image galleries, or multi-column layouts.

Why Use Block Patterns?

The advantages of incorporating patterns into your workflow are significant:

1. Speed Up Content Creation: This is the most obvious benefit. Building complex layouts block by block takes time. Patterns provide shortcuts, allowing you to insert sophisticated designs instantly. Need a pricing table or a feature comparison section? There’s likely a pattern for that.
2. Ensure Design Consistency: Patterns help maintain a consistent look and feel across your website. Whether provided by your theme or created by your team, using predefined patterns ensures that elements like calls-to-action, team member profiles, or service descriptions follow the same design principles everywhere they appear.
3. Access Professional Designs: You don’t need to be a designer to create visually appealing layouts. Themes often bundle beautifully designed patterns. Furthermore, the official WordPress Pattern Directory offers thousands of user-submitted patterns that you can easily copy and paste into your site.
4. Simplify Complex Layouts: Building intricate designs with multiple columns, nested blocks, and specific styling can be tricky. Patterns handle the complexity for you, providing a reliable foundation you can then customize with your own content.

How to Find and Use Block Patterns

Using patterns is straightforward:

1. Open the Inserter: In the block editor, click the blue or black (+) button (usually in the top-left corner or within the editor canvas) to open the block inserter panel.
2. Navigate to the Patterns Tab: Within the inserter panel, you’ll see tabs for ‘Blocks’, ‘Patterns’, and potentially ‘Media’. Click on the ‘Patterns’ tab.
3. Browse Categories: Patterns are often organized into categories (e.g., Buttons, Columns, Gallery, Headers, Text, Query). You can also explore patterns specific to your active theme or browse all available patterns. Many themes also offer a dedicated “Explore all patterns” button at the bottom of the pattern inserter tab which opens a larger modal window for easier browsing.
4. Search: Use the search field within the Pattern Directory integration, to search for specific patterns (e.g., “contact form,” “testimonial”).
5. Click to Insert: Simply click on the pattern preview you like, and it will be inserted directly into your page or post content at the location of your cursor.
6. Customize: Once inserted, the pattern is just a collection of regular blocks. You can click into any block within the pattern to edit the text, replace images, change colors, or adjust settings just like any other block. Unless it’s a synced pattern (more on that below), changes you make here won’t affect the original pattern or other instances of it.

Creating Your Own Block Patterns

One of the most powerful features is the ability to create your own patterns, saving layouts you frequently use or want to standardize across your site. Here’s how:

1. Build Your Layout: First, create the combination of blocks exactly as you want them in the editor. Arrange headings, paragraphs, images, buttons, columns, etc., and apply any desired styling (colors, spacing, typography).
2. Select the Blocks: Carefully select all the blocks you want to include in your pattern. You can do this by:

• Clicking and dragging your mouse over the blocks.
• Clicking the first block, holding Shift, and clicking the last block.
• Using the List View to select multiple blocks.
• You can also create a group of all the blocks you would like to include in the Pattern for quick selection and reuse.

3. Open the Options Menu: Once the blocks are selected, an options menu (three vertical dots ⋮) will appear in the block toolbar for the selection. Click on it. You can also find the menu next to the topmost block if you have created a Group for your design.
4. Choose ‘Create Pattern’: From the dropdown menu, select the “Create pattern” option.
5. Configure Your Pattern: A pop-up window will appear:

• Name: Give your pattern a descriptive name (e.g., “Two-Column Feature Section,” “Author Bio Box”). This is how you’ll find it later.
• Categories (Optional): You can assign your pattern to one or more categories to help organize it within the inserter. You can choose existing categories or create new ones.
• Synced: This is a crucial option:
  • Leave it OFF (Default): Creates a standard pattern. When you insert this pattern, it’s a copy of the original layout. Editing the inserted pattern does not affect the original or any other places you’ve used it. This is best for layout templates you want to customize each time.
  • Toggle it ON: Creates a Synced Pattern (previously known as Reusable Blocks). See the next section for details.

6. Click ‘Create’: Once configured, click the “Create” button.

Your custom pattern is now saved and will appear under the ‘My patterns’ category (or any other categories you assigned) in the Patterns tab of the block inserter, ready to be used! You can manage your created patterns via the main WordPress admin menu under Appearance > Patterns.

Understanding Synced Patterns

When creating a pattern, you have the option to make it Synced. This is what WordPress previously called “Reusable Blocks.” Here’s the key difference:

• Standard (Non-Synced) Patterns: When you insert a standard pattern, you get an independent copy of the block arrangement. Changes made to this inserted copy only affect that specific instance. The original pattern remains untouched, and so do any other instances you’ve inserted elsewhere. Think of it as a starting template.
• Synced Patterns: When you insert a synced pattern, it remains linked to the original. If you edit any instance of a synced pattern anywhere on your site, those changes will automatically apply to every other place that same synced pattern is used. This is incredibly powerful for content you need to keep consistent everywhere, such as:
  • Calls-to-action you might want to update sitewide.
  • Contact information footers.
  • Standard disclaimer text.
  • Promotional banners.

The table below summarizes the key differences between these two types of patterns:

Editing Synced Patterns

There are two ways to edit a Synced Pattern:

In the Block Editor:

• Select the Synced Pattern in the main content area or via the List View
• In the Block Toolbar, you will see the option to “Edit Original.” Click that link to open the Synced Pattern in the Pattern Editor. Notice that the field in the Top Toolbar changes from the Headline to the name of the Synced Pattern to indicate that you are in the Pattern Editor.
• Make any changes as you normally would when editing Blocks, then click the Save button at the top right to commit your updates.
• To return to the main editor, click the Back link in the Pattern Name field in the Top Toolbar.

In the Pattern Editor:

• Open the Pattern Editor from the Dashboard under Appearance > Patterns
• Click the three-dot menu below the pattern thumbnail to open the pattern editor (this is basically a strip-down block editor, with access to all the normal blocks and settings that you will find when editing an article).
• Make any changes as you normally would when editing Blocks, then click the Save button at the top right to commit your updates.
• The changes will then be reflected in any instance of the Pattern placed in an Article or Post.

Tips and Tricks: Best Practices for Using Block Patterns Effectively

To maximize the benefits of WordPress Block Patterns, consider the following best practices. Always customize inserted patterns with your own unique content, including text, images, colors, and fonts, to ensure they align with your website’s branding and overall style. Avoid relying solely on the default styling provided by the patterns to maintain a distinctive online presence.

Make frequent use of the List View (accessible via the three stacked lines icon at the top-left of the editor) for efficient editing, especially when working with complex patterns that contain nested blocks like Columns or Groups. The List View provides a clear hierarchical structure, making it easier to navigate and select specific blocks for modification or rearrangement.

While many Block Patterns are designed to be responsive, it is always a good practice to ensure responsiveness across devices by previewing your pages and posts on different screen sizes (desktop, tablet, mobile). Adjust block settings or choose alternative patterns if necessary to guarantee optimal viewing experiences on all devices.

For better organization and easier manipulation of elements within a pattern, consider using the Group block to group related blocks together. This allows you to move and style the grouped blocks as a single unit, streamlining the editing process for more intricate layouts.

The post The Power of Patterns: Block Editor Basics first appeared on Our-Hometown.

Getting Acquainted with the Interface

Upon opening a new post or page, you’ll immediately notice the difference. Here’s a breakdown of the key interface elements:

• The Main Content Area: This is where you’ll see your content taking shape, block by block. It offers a more visual representation of how your final output will look.
• The Top Toolbar: This persistent toolbar provides quick access to essential actions:
  • The Plus (+) Icon (Block Inserter): Click this to open a panel where you can browse and add new blocks to your content. Think of this as your library of content elements. You can search for specific blocks or explore categories.
  • Undo/Redo Arrows: Essential for correcting mistakes quickly.
  • Content Structure Icon (List View): This icon (often looks like stacked lines) opens a sidebar that displays an outline of all the blocks on your page. This is incredibly helpful for navigating complex layouts and reordering sections.
  • Block Settings Cog Icon: This toggles the Settings Sidebar on the right.
  • View: Allows you to preview your post or page.
  • Update/Publish Button: Saves or publishes your work.
• The Block Toolbar: When you select a block, a contextual toolbar appears directly above it. This toolbar contains options specific to the selected block type. For example, a paragraph block will have options for alignment, bold, italics, adding links, and more. An image block will have options for alignment, adding alt text, and cropping.
• The Settings Sidebar: This sidebar, toggled by the cog icon in the top toolbar, provides more advanced settings for the currently selected block and for the overall post or page. It’s divided into two tabs:
  • Block Tab: This tab displays settings specific to the block you have selected. This is where you’ll find options for typography, color, dimensions, and advanced settings depending on the block type.
  • Article/Page/Post Tab: This tab contains settings related to the entire post or page, such as status, visibility, permalink, categories, tags, featured image, and more – familiar territory for Classic Editor users.

Managing Your Blocks: The Building Blocks of Content

Working with blocks is fundamental to the Block Editor experience:

• Adding Blocks: As mentioned, click the Plus (+) Icon in the top toolbar or the “+” icon that appears when you hover between existing blocks. Explore the categories or use the search bar to find the block you need.
• Moving Blocks: When you have block selected, you’ll see arrows (up and down) on the left side of the Block Toolbar. Click these to move the block up or down. Alternatively, you can click and drag the block using the six-dot handle that appears next to the arrows. The List View (Content Structure icon) also allows for easy drag-and-drop reordering.
• Selecting Blocks: Simply click on a block in the content area to select it. The Block Toolbar will appear above it, and the Settings Sidebar will update to show the settings for that block.
• Deleting Blocks: Select the block you want to remove. In the Block Toolbar, click the three vertical dots (Options) and then select “Remove Block.”

The Power of the List View: A Structural Overview

The List View, accessed by clicking the Content Structure Icon (stacked lines) in the top toolbar, opens a sidebar that provides a hierarchical outline of all the blocks in your content. This is more than just a table of contents; it’s an interactive tool for managing your content’s structure.

Here’s how the List View helps in managing blocks:

• Clear Visual Hierarchy: For complex layouts with nested blocks (like Columns, Groups, or Cover blocks), the List View clearly displays the parent-child relationships, making it easier to understand the structure of your content.
• Effortless Navigation: Instead of scrolling through a long page, you can quickly jump to any block by clicking on its name in the List View. This is especially useful for lengthy posts or pages.
• Drag-and-Drop Reordering: The List View provides a simple and intuitive way to reorder blocks. Just click and drag a block’s name in the sidebar to its new position. This can be much easier than using the up/down arrows on the Block Toolbar, especially when moving blocks across larger distances or within nested structures. You can also drag blocks into other container-type blocks, such as moving multiple paragraph blocks into a Grid or Group block allowing you to treat the blocks together and even add styling to the container block itself.
• Selecting Blocks with Precision: Sometimes, selecting a specific nested block directly in the content area can be tricky. The List View allows you to select any block with a single click, ensuring you’re working with the intended element.
• Quick Actions via the Three Dots: Hovering over a block’s name in the List View reveals three vertical dots (Options). Clicking these dots provides quick access to actions like:
  • Duplicate: Create an exact copy of the selected block.
  • Insert Before/After: Add a new block above or below the selected one.
  • Remove Block: Delete the selected block.
  • Edit as HTML: Directly modify the HTML of the block.
  • Group: Enclose the block within a Group block for unified styling or layout control.
• Batch Selection (with Shift or Ctrl/Cmd): You can select multiple adjacent blocks by holding down the Shift key and clicking on the first and last blocks you want to select. For non-adjacent blocks, use Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) while clicking. Once multiple blocks are selected in the List View, you can perform actions like moving or deleting them together.

The List View becomes an indispensable tool as your content grows in complexity, offering a structured and efficient way to manage your blocks beyond the immediate visual editor.

The Power of Block Transformations

One of the handy features of the Block Editor is the ability to transform certain types of blocks into other related block types directly from the Block Toolbar. This can save you time and effort when you realize a different block structure might better suit your content.

Here’s how block transformations work:

• The Transform Icon: When you select a block that can be transformed, you’ll typically see an icon in the Block Toolbar that resembles a shape shifting or different block icons arranged together. Hovering over this icon will often display a label like “Transform to.”
• Available Transformations: Clicking this icon will reveal a menu of block types that the current block can be transformed into. The available options depend on the original block type. For example:
  • Paragraph to Heading: If you’ve written a line of text that would work better as a subheading, you can easily transform a Paragraph block into a Heading block (H1, H2, H3, etc.). The text content will be preserved.
  • Heading to Paragraph: Conversely, you can transform a Heading back into a regular Paragraph.
  • List (Bullet or Numbered) to Quote: You might decide that a series of points would be more impactful as a blockquote.
  • Quote to Paragraph: Or transform a quote back into regular text.
  • Image to Cover: Turn a simple image into a Cover block with the option to add text overlay.
  • Individual Blocks to Group: Select multiple blocks and transform them into a Group block to apply unified background colors or spacing.
  • Group to Columns or Grid/Stack/Row: Transform a Group of blocks into a multi-column or grid layout (with optional stack an row options).
• Preserving Content (Where Possible): The Block Editor intelligently tries to preserve your content during transformations. For instance, when transforming a Paragraph to a Heading, the text remains. However, some specific formatting might be lost if the target block type doesn’t support it.
• Experiment and Discover: The best way to understand the transformation options is to select different block types and see what transformations are available in their respective Block Toolbars.

Block transformations offer a flexible way to adjust your content structure without having to delete and recreate blocks from scratch. Keep an eye out for that transform icon in the Block Toolbar!

Typography: Styling Your Text

In the Classic Editor, typography options were often limited to basic formatting within the visual editor or required delving into HTML. The Block Editor offers more intuitive control:

• Paragraph and Heading Blocks: When you select a Paragraph or Heading block, you’ll find basic formatting options (bold, italics, links) in the Block Toolbar. For more advanced typography settings, look to the Block Tab in the Settings Sidebar. Here you might find options for:
  • Font Size: Choose from predefined sizes or enter a custom value.
  • Line Height: Adjust the vertical spacing between lines of text.
  • Letter Spacing: Control the horizontal spacing between characters.
  • Text Color: Select a color for your text.
  • Appearance (for some themes): Options for font weight or style variations.
• Other Text-Based Blocks: Blocks like Quotes and Code will have their own relevant typography or styling options within their respective Block Toolbars and Settings Sidebar.

Styling Options: Beyond the Basics

The Block Editor provides more granular control over the visual appearance of your content:

• Color Settings: Many blocks offer color options in the Block Tab of the Settings Sidebar. This might include text color, background color, or link color, depending on the block type.
• Background Options: Some container blocks, like the Group or Cover block, allow you to set background colors or images.
• Dimensions and Spacing: You might find options for padding and margins within the Block Tab, allowing you to control the spacing around and within your blocks.
• Border Options: Some blocks allow you to customize borders, including color, style, and width.
• Theme Styles: Remember that your active WordPress theme plays a significant role in the available styling options. Themes can provide their own sets of color palettes, typography presets, and block styles, which will appear in the Settings Sidebar.

Where Did That Go? Finding Classic Editor Features

If you’re transitioning from the Classic Editor, you might be wondering where some familiar features have moved:

• Visual/Text Editor Tabs: These are gone. The Block Editor is inherently a more visual experience, aiming for a “what you see is what you get” (WYSIWYG) approach. For direct HTML editing of a specific block, select the block, click the three vertical dots (Options) in the Block Toolbar, and choose “Edit as HTML.”
• Formatting Buttons (Underline, Justify, etc.): Some less commonly used formatting options are now often found within the “More rich text tools” dropdown (the down arrow) in the Block Toolbar of text-based blocks. Justification, in particular, might depend on your theme’s support.
• Meta Boxes: These haven’t disappeared entirely! Meta boxes for plugins and custom fields are typically found below the main content area in the Block Editor interface. You can also move them to the sidebar by going to the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the screen, selecting “Preferences,” then “Panels,” and checking the “Meta boxes” option.

The post Navigating the Block Editor first appeared on Our-Hometown.

• Staff Directory
• Article Sponsor
• Platform Features
• Testimonials

Audio
Articles

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Listen to the news anywhere

Improved website accessibility

Monetize with pre-roll ads

No app or download required

Digital
Subscriptions

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Print subscriber integration

Several payment options

Multiple paywall types

Customized subscription plans

PDF to HTML
Extraction

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Full content extraction

Print ad conversion & analytics

Quality control system

Customizable publish schedule

WordPress Block Patterns can be incredibly versatile, serving a wide range of purposes across various website sections. Here are some examples of commonly used and effective patterns:

• Headers and Footers: These patterns provide a quick way to establish the top and bottom sections of your website. Examples include simple headers with a logo and navigation menu, more elaborate headers featuring hero images and calls to action, and footers containing contact information, social media links, and copyright details.
• Call-to-Action Sections: Designed to encourage specific user actions, these patterns often include compelling text and prominent buttons. They can be used as banners to grab attention or as dedicated sections to promote sign-ups for newsletters or events.
• Testimonial Layouts: These patterns are ideal for showcasing customer reviews and building trust. They typically include styled quotes along with author information and can be presented as single testimonials or as sliders or grids for multiple reviews.
• Service or Feature Grids: For businesses and individuals offering services or highlighting key features, these patterns provide organized layouts with icons, descriptions, and often links to more detailed information.
• Contact Forms and Maps: Patterns combining contact forms with embedded maps make it easy for visitors to get in touch and find your physical location.
• Blog Post Grids and Banners: These patterns help display recent blog posts in visually appealing grid formats or create engaging banners to highlight featured content.
• Content Sections: Versatile patterns for creating various types of content sections, such as “About Us” sections with text and images, portfolio layouts showcasing projects, FAQ sections with expandable answers, and team member profiles with photos and biographies.

Each of these pattern types serves a specific purpose. For instance, testimonial layouts are crucial for building social proof and credibility, while call-to-action patterns are designed to drive user engagement and conversions. Understanding the intent behind different pattern categories allows editor-level users to strategically choose and customize patterns to achieve their specific website goals.

The post Inspiration Hub — Examples of Effective Block Patterns first appeared on Our-Hometown.

The Speed Revolution in News Publishing

For newspaper publishers, speed is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity. In the digital news landscape, being first to publish can make the difference between capturing audience attention or losing it to competitors.

The streamlined approach of the Block Editor eliminates many of the friction points that slow down production in traditional content management systems. By removing these obstacles, stories can be published in minutes rather than hours, allowing your journalists to focus on what they do best—reporting the news.

Reducing Onboarding Time for New Journalists

The intuitive nature of the Block Editor also dramatically reduces the time needed to train new staff. Whereas an organization may have  required up to a month for new contributors to learn their CMS, many journalists now arrive with existing WordPress knowledge, significantly shortening the onboarding process.

This accessibility is particularly valuable for news organizations that frequently bring in new journalists, freelancers, or contributors to cover breaking news or special events. The drag-and-drop interface requires little or no coding skills, making content management easier for non-technical users.

Enhanced Content Creation for Today’s News Formats

Block-Based Editing for Visual Storytelling

The Block Editor transforms how journalists assemble stories by breaking content into modular components or “blocks.” This approach enables journalists to create visually rich content that meets readers’ expectations for engaging digital news experiences.

Rather than struggling with HTML or complex shortcodes, reporters can simply drag and drop elements such as:

This block-based system makes it substantially easier to break up text with relevant media, improving article readability and visual appeal. For news organizations producing content that competes with social media feeds for attention, this visual flexibility is invaluable.

• Text paragraphs
• Headlines and subheadings
• Images and galleries
• Embedded videos
• Social media posts
• Pull quotes
• Interactive polls and quizzes
• Layout blocks for columns and grids

Media Integration Without Technical Barriers

The Block Editor excels at simplifying media integration, allowing journalists to embed videos, photo galleries, and interactive elements without requiring technical assistance. The ability to perform inline image editing and direct media file uploads within the editor eliminates the need to switch between different interfaces during article creation.

This streamlined media handling encourages journalists to incorporate more visual elements into their stories, which can significantly improve engagement metrics. For newspaper publishers looking to enhance their digital offerings with multimedia content, this represents a major advantage over the plain text area of the Classic Editor.

Operational Benefits for News Organizations

Reusable, Brand-Compliant Components

One of the most powerful features of the Block Editor for newspaper publishers is the ability to create and reuse branded content components. Leading WordPress agencies specialize in building “suites of reusable, brand-compliant components” that empower journalists to publish on-brand content quickly.

These pre-designed blocks ensure visual consistency across all articles while speeding up the content creation process. Reporters can focus on crafting the story rather than worrying about formatting or design elements, knowing that their article will maintain the publication’s established visual identity.

Reduced Plugin Dependencies

The Block Editor significantly reduces dependency on multiple plugins, as many functions previously requiring third-party solutions are now built directly into the editor[6]. Features such as tables, contact forms, and specialized layouts that once demanded additional plugins can now be created natively using shortcode blocks or dedicated Gutenberg blocks.

This consolidation of functionality not only streamlines the publishing process but also improves site performance by reducing the number of plugins that need to be maintained and updated.

Case Study: News UK’s Transformation

News UK’s experience with the Block Editor offers compelling evidence of its benefits for newspaper publishers. As they transitioned to Gutenberg, they not only saw dramatic improvements in publishing speed but also created an internal community of shared resources that can be leveraged across sister publications.

Their success demonstrates how the Block Editor can address the unique challenges faced by news organizations:

• The need for rapid publishing of breaking news
• The requirement to produce high volumes of content daily
• The importance of maintaining consistent quality across hundreds of articles
• The challenge of onboarding new staff quickly
• The necessity of creating visually engaging content that captures reader attention

By streamlining these aspects of digital publishing, News UK positioned itself to compete more effectively in the fast-moving digital news environment.

Addressing Common Concerns About the Transition

Many newspaper teams hesitate to adopt the Block Editor due to concerns about disrupting established workflows. However, the experience of News UK and other publishers suggests that the learning curve is less steep than anticipated, especially with proper planning and training.

It’s worth noting that the Block Editor has matured significantly since its introduction in December 2018. Early limitations have been addressed through continuous development, and the editor now offers a robust set of features specifically beneficial to news organizations.

For organizations concerned about the transition, a phased approach can be effective. Start with a small team or section of your site, develop best practices, and then gradually expand usage across the newsroom. This approach minimizes disruption while allowing your team to build confidence with the new tools.

Conclusion: The Future of News Publishing

The WordPress Block Editor represents more than just a different interface—it’s a strategic advantage for newspaper publishers operating in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. With its ability to accelerate publishing workflows, simplify complex layouts, and reduce technical barriers, Gutenberg addresses many of the key challenges faced by modern news organizations.

As readers continue to demand more visually engaging and timely content, the publications that can deliver quality stories quickly will maintain a competitive edge. The Block Editor provides the tools needed to meet these demands without requiring extensive technical resources or specialized knowledge from journalists.

For newspaper publishers still using the Classic Editor, now is the time to consider making the switch. The potential gains in efficiency, content quality, and staff satisfaction make the Block Editor not just a nice-to-have, but an essential tool for news organizations committed to thriving in the digital era.

The post Embrace the Block Editor: Accelerating Your Digital News Production first appeared on Our-Hometown.