Suggestions

First, create an account on GitHub and create a fork of my website repository.

Then, create a branch where you will make your changes.

# create a new branch called "branchname"
git branch branchname

# "checkout" this branch to edit it
git checkout branchname

To create a “post” that will appear on the home page:

# create the post -- refer to other posts for format
vim _posts/YYYY-MM-DD-new-post.md

# add the post to the git repository
git add _posts/YYYY-MM-DD-new-post.md 

# add an image included in the post (if applicable)
cp ~/image.png images/
git add images/image.png

To create an “author” for “posts” other than me (sburden):

# add the author information using the template provided
vim _data/authors.yml

# add the changes to the git repository
git add -u

To add a citation that will appear on the papers page:

# add the BibTeX citation to the appropriate .bib file
# * follow the format of existing entries 
# * include DOI when available
vim conferences.bib
vim journals.bib
vim working.bib

# add the changes to the git repository
git add -u

# add the corresponding .pdf's to the _papers directory
cp ~/LastnameYYYYconf.pdf _papers/
git add _papers/LastnameYYYYconf.pdf

To add a bio that will appear on the people page:

# add the bio text in the appropriate section (PhD students, etc)
# * follow the format of existing entries 
# * include links to websites etc when available
# * include enough text to wrap around the photo
vim people.md

# add the changes to the git repository
git add -u

# add the bio photo (150 x 150px headshot) to the people directory
cp ~/firstname_lastname.jpg images/people/
git add images/people/firstname_lastname.jpg

Finally, commit your changes, push them to GitHub, and create a pull request. Then ping me to merge your edits.

# commit changes to your branch
git commit -m "explanation of edits"

# push edited branch to GitHub
git push origin branchname