How to Comment, Post and Write on Patch

San Anselmo-Fairfax Patch is about 14 months old now, which means some of you have been participating here for about 14 months. But, a great many more San Anselmo and Fairfax residents are showing up every day wondering what exactly is Patch - and how does this internet news thing work anyway?

Patch is, first and foremost, a place for you.

It's most successful when you comment, you write, you blog, and you post events. So, how do you do all those things?

COMMENT ON ARTICLES

If you've been following the possibility of a , then you know that and and of discussion has taken place on Patch about the proposal.

Want to get involved in that debate? Make a comment!

First, in order to comment, you have to create an account. Why? Because we want to know who you are and you want to know our terms of service -- namely, don't be a jerk.

To create an account you can follow the directions in the video at right. Click on the button at the top that says "Sign Up," enter your email, name, and choose a password. You can also add a photo and profile information, so other people know who they're talking to. You'll get a confirmation email (so don't enter a bogus email) to confirm your account.

Now that you have an account, secondly, just click in that big empty box at the bottom of the article you want to comment on.

Step three: comment.

WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Got more to say that just a comment? We welcome all kinds of

We ask that letters be around 300 words and include your full name. Letters can be on a range of topics: parking problems, thoughts about Phil Lesh, praise for the staff, whatever you want. 

Just email your letter to Kelly Dunleavy at kellyd@patch.com.

Got a whole lot more to say? Write an op-ed. Op-ed's are typically longer than letters, more researched, and focused on a specific issue. We've hosted guest op-ed's about , , and .

Again, just email Kelly Dunleavy at kellyd@patch.com to write about an issue important to you, especially as we move into the election and continue our community discussion about Smart Meters, Terrapin Crossroads, and sales taxes.

WRITE A BLOG

You've probably noticed our Local Voices featured on the homepage. We've got , Stephanie Sharp (owner of ) ,, and so many more.

You could be one of those bloggers too. Got a passion? Know how to write a sentence? Email Kelly at kellyd@patch.com to get set-up blogging.

POST EVENTS

OK, so you don't really want to write at all, but you still want to be involved. Don't forget you can submit events right on Patch and they'll show up immediately in the calendar.

Just click on Add New Event and tell us where to be when.

POST ANNOUNCEMENTS

Your son won an Eagle Scout award or your school is hosting a fundraiser or your organization wants to get the word out about a new volunteer opportunity. It's not quite an article, it's not a letter to the editor; what is it? It's an announcement.

Our announcement section is for all those things happening all the time around time. You can submit them yourself, right on the site, and then announcements can be featured on the homepage or in our newsletters.

Just click on Announce It to Everyone and fill out all the important information.

SUBMIT YOUR OWN IDEAS

But, this isn't everything. You're a creative person, you don't have to be limited to these things.

We're also always looking for nominations for outstanding mystery photos that can be posted in our weekly contest, kids reviews for our , and photos from events, festivals, gatherings -- anything!

We feature photos readers send in of fire hydrants hit by cars, flooding in downtown, coyotes in their backyard. If it's happening in town, then people in San Anselmo and Fairfax probably want to know about it. Just email Kelly at kellyd@patch.com with your photos and ideas.

Got an even better idea? We're probably open to it.