Whoa! What the heck?
If you're new to Squidoo (like me, at least for now), there may be some things that are just a bit puzzling. In fact, you might be very confused, or even discouraged. I decided to list some of the things that confused me, in case it helps other new users figure things out.
I should also add that you shouldn't feel bad about being confused. It's part of learning something new, and we're always learning new things throughout life, so we should accept a little confusion from time to time. I've been involved with computer-based ("online") communities since the late 1970s or early 1980s, and I'm still learning, so don't get discouraged! Learning is part of the fun!
I should also add that you shouldn't feel bad about being confused. It's part of learning something new, and we're always learning new things throughout life, so we should accept a little confusion from time to time. I've been involved with computer-based ("online") communities since the late 1970s or early 1980s, and I'm still learning, so don't get discouraged! Learning is part of the fun!
What it appeared to be, versus what it is...
"Lens"
I thought this would refer specifically to a page that leads to other pages, not much more than a fancy link list. But really, it's just a Web page, built using various modules provided by Squidoo to make page-building incredibly easy. And while it can be a fancy link list, it can also be much more. Let your imagination run free!
"Visits"
On the Dashboard, it says these are your total visits. So that's what I thought -- total visits. Imagine my confusion and dismay when I saw the numbers on my early Lenses decrease! Why was someone taking away my visits? Was I being punished for something? Eh, no, actually "visits" just means visits within the past 7 days. So if you have a page where the visit count drops, it just means that it hasn't had fresh traffic in the recent days.
$0.00 Total Pending
Like "Visits" the "Total Pending" amount is a bit misleading. For quite awhile it looked like I had earned nothing at all. Then, out of nowhere it seemed, I found a new message indicating that I had earnings accumulated (but not enough to pay out yet). But the "Total Pending" still showed $0.00. So if it looks like you're not earning anything, take heart! That number is apparently just for recent earnings, not really your Total.
"Maxed"
I thought this was about what I had put into my Lens. For an early-stage lens, it seemed odd that it would "already" be maxed. Well... Nope! It's about the overall format that Squidoo uses to display the Lens, not the Lens content itself.
"Published"
Given my experience with some other forms of publishing, I related having a Lens "published" to the Lens being "done." Scratch that! It's my understanding now that a Lens should be a "living document" -- regularly updated to keep it fresh and relevant. Don't let your Lenses get stale! (For example, I added this to the list several days after I originally published this Lens.)
I thought this would refer specifically to a page that leads to other pages, not much more than a fancy link list. But really, it's just a Web page, built using various modules provided by Squidoo to make page-building incredibly easy. And while it can be a fancy link list, it can also be much more. Let your imagination run free!
"Visits"
On the Dashboard, it says these are your total visits. So that's what I thought -- total visits. Imagine my confusion and dismay when I saw the numbers on my early Lenses decrease! Why was someone taking away my visits? Was I being punished for something? Eh, no, actually "visits" just means visits within the past 7 days. So if you have a page where the visit count drops, it just means that it hasn't had fresh traffic in the recent days.
$0.00 Total Pending
Like "Visits" the "Total Pending" amount is a bit misleading. For quite awhile it looked like I had earned nothing at all. Then, out of nowhere it seemed, I found a new message indicating that I had earnings accumulated (but not enough to pay out yet). But the "Total Pending" still showed $0.00. So if it looks like you're not earning anything, take heart! That number is apparently just for recent earnings, not really your Total.
"Maxed"
I thought this was about what I had put into my Lens. For an early-stage lens, it seemed odd that it would "already" be maxed. Well... Nope! It's about the overall format that Squidoo uses to display the Lens, not the Lens content itself.
"Published"
Given my experience with some other forms of publishing, I related having a Lens "published" to the Lens being "done." Scratch that! It's my understanding now that a Lens should be a "living document" -- regularly updated to keep it fresh and relevant. Don't let your Lenses get stale! (For example, I added this to the list several days after I originally published this Lens.)
More on the way...
I'm sure there are things I've already forgotten that confused me, which I'll remember and add here. And I'm pretty sure I'm in for another surprise or two as I continue learning Squidoo. So stay tuned, give me your input below, and have fun creating Lenses!
Read even more about Squidoo
Get to the Top on Google: Tips and Techniques to Get Your Site to the Top of the Search Engine Rankings -- and Stay There
Amazon Price: $19.80 (as of 12/31/2009) 
Starting an Online Business For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 12/31/2009)
Squidoo According to Twitter
You can learn more about how people are using Squidoo by paying attention to their "tweets" on Twitter!
-
- ubat_biru
- Reading this: I juz update this my squidoo page http://www.squidoo.com/P_Ramlee
-
- thomasysula
- Win a BMW M3 / blog / http://www.squidoo.com/WinyourBMWm3
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- mythbuster2009
- I just updated my Squidoo page: Old Houses, Funny Noises / http://tinyurl.com/ylpfrhx
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- scuba_gear
- RT @sfdo Squidoo: Origins of Scuba Diving: http://www.squidoo.com/originsofdiving
-
- Greekgeek
- I just updated my Squidoo page: Convert a Prius to a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) / http://tinyurl.com/yggqe65
automatically generated by Twitter
Give a little or a lot
All my Lenses offer an easy way to donate to a worthy cause. If you liked this Lens, please consider a donation to the organization shown below.
The La Leche League International works to educate and promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.
What things have confused you?
If there's something about Squidoo that confuses you, or confused you when you were new, let me know!
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- a_willow a_willow Oct 6, 2008 @ 8:12 am
- Well, if I can ease your confusion... I would like to ask you to join Fresh Squid group! I have a little guide tour for newbies! :)
by jppi_Stu
Founder of Johnny Pixel Productions, a Seattle-area video production company. (more)
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