![Sample Message [Note: Sample is an image, it does NOT contain functional links]](../images/sample-share-button-message.png "Sample Message [Note: Sample is an image, it does NOT contain functional links]")
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Note: This Page Was Last Updated On 2/19/21
Looking for information regarding our social medial presence? Please try here
We're planning on adding a new 'Share This Page' button to various pages of this site (see sample below). Please scroll down for additional information, help & troubleshooting regarding 'Share This Page' buttons.
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Sample 'Share This Page' Button... Click the button below to display this page's URL and copy it into your clipboard for sharing... Click Here For More Information How does the button work? See below... Button missing? Technical problem with this page? Please contact us |
Q. Why is a 'Share This Page' button being added?
A. MyCatholicSource.com initially had no direct social media sharing options (our site was in development since 2001 - well before Facebook or Twitter were launched). Years before the 'official unveiling' of MyCatholicSource.com, we already had concerns about certain social media providers, even though they were still 'in their infancy'), but we eventually added a couple sharing options with the thought that they might assist visitors and help to promote this site. We first ("reluctantly") added 'Tweet' buttons on various pages, and then we later (as per a visitor's request) added a 'Pin it' button. Since that time, we became aware that some social media giants were purging conservative viewpoints – Twitter even went so far as to ban the President of the United States (Donald Trump) from their platform in 2020. If they can ban the 'most powerful man in the (secular) world', might they not ban anyone they disagree with? And it seems they subsequently continued to exercise "unjust censorship against those with the wrong viewpoints." We have therefore decided to (1) 'de-Twitter' our site (or at least we may refrain from adding new Twitter options), and (2) try to avoid directly adding other new social media options to our site. However, since we do not want to leave those who'd like to share MyCatholicSource.com on social media without any share option, we've come up with a 'compromise solution'. Please see below for more information.
Q. How does the 'Share This Page' button work?
A. In a nutshell, pressing the 'Share This Page' button may: (1) Display the page's URL (including bookmark, if applicable), and (2) copy (or possibly append) the page's URL into your clipboard for sharing. In some cases, the URL may NOT be displayed (at least in standard/large text). Other options may also be available (e.g. send email, view help). Once the link is copied to your clipboard, you should be able to paste it into your favorite social media apps/sites for sharing (or you might use the 'Send Email' link to generate an email). [Important Note: Be sure to check all information carefully before sending it (be especially careful to search for/delete any extraneous information, if applicable). For more detailed information concerning the 'Share This Page' button, see below.]
Q. I have pressed the 'Share This Page' button, so what should I do now?
A. Upon successfully using the 'Share This Page' button, the page's URL (including bookmark, if applicable) should be copied (or appended) to the clipboard and ready for use (assuming a compatible browser is used, access to the clipboard is available, and everything went as expected/desired). Then, access your favorite social media sites/apps and paste the link (as applicable) to share it. For more specific instructions about using particular social media platforms, try the platforms' applicable help resources. If you'd like to share the page by email, try using the 'Send Email' link. [Note: If you don't want to include a bookmark after the URL, you can either remove it or re-press the 'Share This Page' button without a bookmark. Be sure to check all information carefully before sending it (be especially careful to search for/delete any extraneous information, if applicable).]
Q. Does a 'success' message guarantee that everything worked as expected?
A. Unfortunately not. For example, an incompatible browser may display a 'success' message even if the URL was NOT copied to the clipboard and/or a functional 'Send Email' link was NOT generated. If so, the browser may have considered that the script ran successfully even though desired functionality was not provided to the end user. Or, the link may not be complete or it may contain extraneous information. If a 'success' message was displayed but something went wrong, it may be useful to try another browser(s). You might also consider the troubleshooting below. [Note: Be sure to check all information carefully before sending it (be especially careful to search for/delete any extraneous information, if applicable).]
Q. What if a 'Send Email' link does not generate an email?
A. A compatible browser & device, an available and accessible email client, a valid email account for sending mail, etc. may be among the requirements for the 'Send Email' link to function properly. If a 'Send Email' link appears but does not function properly, you might want to try another browser and/or device. [Note: The 'Send Email' link does not appear by default (see below for more information).]
Q. Might there be alternate 'Share This Page' buttons?
A. Yes, there may be other versions of the 'Share This Page' button. For example, there might be a version that does not display the URL (at least in standard/large text). Such a button might still copy the URL (including bookmark) to the clipboard and add a 'Send Email' link.
Q. How might the 'Share This Page' button on MyCatholicSource.com differ from 'share' buttons on other sites?
A. Other sites may have individual buttons that automatically open specific - and possibly limited (or expansive) - social media apps, sites, email, messaging, etc. Our 'Share This Page' button may place a link in your clipboard so that you can manually add the URL to your preferred social media app(s) or site(s), whatever they may be. Our 'Send Email' link is also not visible/available until the 'Share This Page' button has been pressed.
Q. What is good about our 'Share This Page' button?
A. This 'compromise solution' allows us to offer at least a limited sharing option for our visitors that use social media. It does not require us to directly link to or support offensive social media platforms. It also does not require us to support third party sharing services (that we may have little/no control over). It avoids clutter and makes things more manageable for us as we don't have to worry about adding new social media options or removing obsolete social media options. It may allow users to more quickly paste the same URL into more than one social media platform, plus it may offer a link for users to generate an email.
Q. What is not so good about our 'Share This Page' button?
A. Unfortunately, our 'compromise solution' may not be as convenient for visitors and may require a bit more work to use than more 'standard' share buttons (including requiring the user to check all information before sending it, being especially careful to search for/delete any extraneous information, if applicable). It also requires access to the clipboard to function properly (possibly excepting the email option) and a compatible browser/device.
Q. Is access to my clipboard required?
A. For the 'Share This Page' button to work fully, write access to the clipboard is required. [Note: If access to the clipboard is not available, there may (or may not) be an error message.] If clipboard access is not available, it may still be possible to share using the 'Send Email' link (if it is displayed and is functional).
Q. Do you read the contents of my clipboard?
A. The 'Share This Page' button only requires write access to the clipboard in order to function. The page's URL cannot be copied if access to the clipboard ('pasteboard') is denied. We have NOT added code to the 'share' button to directly read the contents of your clipboard (and have no interest in doing so). Allowing write access to the clipboard, however, may typically (e.g. by default) coincide with read access to the clipboard. Again though, we have NOT added code to the 'share' button to directly read the contents of your clipboard. If it makes you feel more comfortable, feel free to view the source code on any given page before using the button (e.g. to see the code).
Q. Can I use the 'Share This Page' button without copying the URL to the clipboard?
A. The 'Share This Page' button automatically tries to copy the URL to the clipboard. While the 'Send Email' option does not directly utilize the contents of the clipboard, it is part of the same script. If clipboard access is unavailable, the 'Send Email' link (if it appears) may still function.
Q. Can I view/use the 'Send Email' link without pressing the 'Share This Page' button?
A. Sorry, no. The 'Send Email' link is part of the same script as the 'Share This Page' button and therefore it only appears for use after the 'Share This Page' button is pressed.
Q. What if the 'Send Email' link doesn't appear?
A. The 'Send Email' link does not appear by default. As indicated above, it only appears for use after the 'Share This Page' button is pressed (because it is part of the same script). If you have pressed the 'Share This Page' button and the 'Send Email' link still does not appear, there may have been an issue (e.g. inability to access the clipboard). If this occurs, look for an error message (as applicable). You might also consider the troubleshooting below.
Q. What does the tiny/very tiny print at the bottom say?
A. After pressing the 'Share This Page' button, small/very small print may appear near the bottom of the 'success' message. The print may look like a line, but it is actually text. This text may consist solely of the page's URL for use in the copy to clipboard operation (so it can be ignored). If you would like to read the text, try copy/pasting it into a word processing program (sans formatting).
Q. Do the 'Share This Page' button messages display uniformly on every page?
A. 'Share This Page' button messages may not display uniformly on every page. Should there be an issue with the display on a given page, please let us know. [Note: When contacting us, please describe the issue, include the page's URL, and please also include your browser's name and version number. Thank you.]
Q. Might the appearance of the 'Share This Page' button vary?
A. Yes, appearance of the 'Share This Page' button may vary by device, browser, screen, page, etc.
Q. What happens when I press a 'Share This Page' button?
A. Upon pressing a 'Share This Page' button, an attempt may be made to copy (or append) the page's URL (including bookmark, if applicable) into the clipboard and to display a message such as the following (note that the message may include a link to send an email)... [Note: The following assumes the operation was deemed successful (if not, or if you experience any issues, try 'troubleshooting' below). Also note that the message text, appearance, width/height, background, etc. may vary from that pictured below. It might also be necessary to scroll down to view the entire message. Lastly, note that all items are subject to change without notice.]
(Note: Above is an image, it does NOT contain functional links)
Q. Is it necessary to press the 'Share This Page' button on each page I want to share?
A. Yes, it is necessary to press the 'Share This Page' button on each page before sharing. That's because the link copied to the clipboard should match the page's URL. If pressing the 'Share This Page' button on more than one page, be sure to paste the link into your preferred social media site/app AFTER pressing each button. For example, if you want to share page A, page B, and page C: (1) Press the 'Share This Page' button on page A, then paste the link into your social media site/app, (2) Press the 'Share This Page' button on page B, then paste the link into your social media site/app, and (3) Press the 'Share This Page' button on page C, then paste the link into your social media site/app.
Q. How does the 'Share This Page' button work with social media apps/sites?
A. Upon successfully using the 'Share This Page' button, the page's URL (including bookmark, if applicable) should be copied to the clipboard and ready for use. Then, access your favorite social media sites/apps and paste the link (as applicable) to share it. For more specific instructions about using particular social media platforms, try the platforms' applicable help resources. [Important: Be sure to check all information carefully before sending it (be especially careful to search for/delete any extraneous information, if applicable).]
Q. How does the 'Share This Page' button work with my messaging app?
A. It may work like other social media apps. For example, try pressing the 'Share This Page' button to copy the URL to your clipboard, then try pasting the URL into your favorite messaging app(s). [Important: Be sure to check all information carefully before sending it (be especially careful to search for/delete any extraneous information, if applicable).]
Q. How does the 'Share This Page' button work with email?
A. After pressing the 'Share This Page' button, a 'Send Email' link should be generated. You can try using the link provided to generate an email or you might paste the link from your clipboard directly into an email. [Important: Be sure to check all information carefully before sending it (be especially careful to search for/delete any extraneous information, if applicable).]
Q. Does pressing the 'Share This Page' button re-draw the web page?
A. We have tried to avoid a 'complete redraw' by having the potentially long URL wrap in place. However, we cannot make any guarantees regarding whether a page will be re-drawn or not.
Q. Can the 'Share This Page' button be pressed more than once on a page?
A. Yes. Doing so may replace the existing clipboard text and update the display (as applicable).
Q. How can I remove the text that is displayed after pressing the 'Share This Page' button?
A. Try refreshing the page (for example, if applicable, try pressing F5).
Q. How can I exclude the bookmark when using the 'Share This Page' button or 'Send Email' link?
A. It might be easiest to ensure there is no bookmark before using the 'Share This Page' button or 'Send Email' link. For example, if the URL is http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/guide.htm#samplebookmark, remove #samplebookmark (or try pressing the 'back' button in your browser, as applicable) and reload the page before using the 'Share This Page' button. Otherwise, you could manually delete the bookmark (delete #samplebookmark, in this example) when pasting the URL (as applicable). [Note: On some pages, the bookmark may be automatically excluded.]
Q. What does it mean that "If there are any issues with pasting, you might try manually copy/pasting the above link into your favorite social media apps"?
A. The message means that if you are not successful pasting the URL from your clipboard into your social media apps after pressing the 'Share This Page' button, you could try selecting the link text (if applicable) and then copy/paste it into your social media apps (or you could try copying the URL from the browser's address bar and pasting it into your social media apps). [Note: For troubleshooting, try below.]
Q. What details does the 'Click Here For More Information' link provide?
A. The 'Click Here For More Information' link (which may appear under the 'Share This Page' button) may open this help page.
Q. Are all Twitter buttons going to be removed from MyCatholicSource.com?
A. For the time being, no. However, we may do so eventually.
Q. Are other sharing options going to be removed from MyCatholicSource.com?
A. For the time being, no. However, we may do so eventually.
Q. Are 'Share This Page' buttons going to be added to all pages across MyCatholicSource.com?
A. Probably not. As time goes on, however, we hope to add them to more pages.
Q. Might the 'Share This Page' button change?
A. Yes, all items, and the availability of all items, are subject to change at any time without notice. Note also that we cannot guarantee that this help page is, or will remain, current to reflect any change(s).
Q. Troubleshooting: What to do if there is an issue with a 'Share This Page' button (or a 'Send Email' link)?
A. If there is an issue with the 'Share This Page' button (or a 'Send Email' link), you might want to... [Note: Try any applicable item(s) below, and try them in any useful order. We make no guarantee regarding any item herein. Use all items at your own risk.]
* Try above for assistance (scroll up or click here)
* Try again (and be sure you do not subsequently copy any other item to your clipboard after pressing the 'Share This Page' button)
* Refresh the page and try again (for example, if applicable, try pressing F5)
* Only use one 'Share This Page' button at a time
* Clear your clipboard & try again (and be sure that NO text is selected)
* Check that your clipboard is accessible and functioning properly
* Check that your email client is accessible and functioning properly (if using the 'Send Email' link)
* Try the 'Share This Page' button (or 'Send Email' link) on another page to see if the issue is specific to a given page
* See if you are able to paste the URL into another program/app
* Remove the bookmark (if any) and try again (e.g. if the URL is http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/guide.htm#samplebookmark, then (1) remove #samplebookmark, (2) let the page reload, (3) then try the 'Share This Page' button again)
* Simply remove any extraneous text (if any) before sharing
* Try using a different browser(s) and/or device(s) and/or email client(s), if available
* Try again at a later time
As a reminder, a 'Share This Page' button 'only' copies/appends information to the clipboard (assuming it's successful at doing so). If you use social media, it will be necessary to open your social media site/app and paste the link from your clipboard (e.g. according to the applicable site's/app's instructions). [Important: Be sure to check all information carefully before sending it (be especially careful to search for/delete any extraneous information, if applicable).]
For the 'Send Email' link to function, it must be able to access your email program. Be certain you have a functioning email client available/accessible. Also remember that it is necessary to first press the 'Share This Page' button for the 'Send Email' link to display.
Please also note that the 'Share This Page' and 'Send Email' link, may unfortunately, not work - or may work differently - on different browsers, devices, etc. [Please Note: Regrettably, even a 'success' message does NOT a guarantee that all went as expected. If a 'success' message was displayed but something went wrong, it may be useful to try another browser(s). In any event, be sure to check all information carefully before sending.]
If all else fails, you might simply copy the URL from the address bar and manually share the page via social media or email.
Lastly, please feel free to contact us if you experience unexpected issues with a 'Share This Page' button(s) or 'Send Email' link(s) or if you have questions / comments / etc. Please be sure to include the URL for applicable page(s) and indicate which browser(s) you used. If there are any error messages, please provide the exact text of the message. For email issues, please indicate the name of your email client. Please keep in mind that it is impossible for us to ensure that 'Share This Page' buttons or 'Send Email' links work universally on all browsers/devices/etc., especially as they may regularly undergo updates. [Please Note: We regret that cannot promise to respond to any correspondence, and we are unable to provide technical support for third party apps/sites/etc. Thank you for your understanding.]
Q. What guarantees do you make about 'Share This Page' button(s) or 'Send Email' link(s)?
A. We make absolutely no guarantees whatsoever. All use of this site is at your own risk. For more terms information, try here.
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