Getting Started on the Wiki:Weblogs and Wikis

Revision [8049]

This is an old revision of GettingStarted made by MorganAdmin on 2010-02-03 06:05:24.

Getting Started on the Wiki

for new visitors and new users

Reading

You can browse this website just like any other. Page titles are WikiWords, which are mixed-case words. Every WikiWord in text is a link to a page with that title. The title at the top of each page is a backlink. Click it to see a list of all pages which link to the page.
Use RecentChanges in the top navigation bar to view recently modified pages and catch up on changes made since your last visit.
Use the PageIndex in the navigation bar to see a list of all pages on the wiki.
Use the Search box at the top of each page to find stuff.

Editing Existing Pages

To edit pages, you need register once, and log in subsequently. I'll show you how to do so in class. Or mmorgan@bemidjistate.edu email me (mmorgan at bemidjistate dot edu).

If you're working on a public computer, Logout at the end of your session. Otherwise, others using the computer can edit page.

Once you've registered or logged in, you can edit pages and leave comments.
Click on the Edit page link at the bottom of each page, or double-click on the page to enter edit mode. Do that right now so you can see the code of this page. It will make more sense. But please don't change the text on this page.
Click the Store button at the bottom of the editing page to save your edit. Use the Preview button to preview your work before saving it.

Some formatting

You can format text by using the formatting bar at the top of the edit mode page, or by hand-coding.

To use the formatting bar, select the text to format and click the icon you need.

To code by hand

Create bold text by surrounding words with two single asterisks on either side.
Create italic text by using two backslashes on either side.
Create bulleted lists by using a four spaces and a dash at the start of each line.

The wiki will word wrap like a word processor so don't use return at the end of lines. But it does not readily indent paragraphs. Instead, separate paragraphs with a blank line by pressing the return key twice to start a new paragraph.

This is a paragraph.

This is another paragraph. They're separated by an extra blank line.

You can use the line return to set short lines, such as lyrics and poetry:

Let us go then you and I
While evening is spread out against the sky
Like a patient etherized upon a table
Oh do not ask what is it
Let us go and make our visit

Indent whole paragraphs (like a block quote) by starting the line with four spaces:

Here's an examples of an indented paragraph. This would be appropriate for block quoting a source, or otherwise setting it off.

Structural elements

Create structural elements - heads and sub-heads - by surrounding the heading text with equals signs. The more equals signs the larger the heading. Generally, heading level 1 is reserved for the page title, so we start at heading level 2.

heading level 2

5 equals signs

heading level 3

4 equals signs

heading level 4

heading level 5

Horizontal Rules

Create horizontal rules with four dashes like this:

Images

You can link to or embed images in pages. The image has to be on the web, and you need to control access to it. Be careful of linking to images you don't control. Here's the general pattern:

{{image alt="alt text for those with images off" url="paste the url to the image here" link="the url that links to the image source"}}

For more info, see the FormattingRules.

Adding New Pages

You can add new pages wherever you are in the wiki.

Create a new WikiWord on an existing page using InterMedialCaps (also called CamelCase). Save the page.
Click the question mark that follows the unlinked WikiWord.
This will bring up a new page in edit mode. Knock yourself out.
Use the Store button to save the page, the Preview button to preview it without saving.
Save periodically, as you would any document, to keep from losing work owing to a crash or a break in Internet service.
WikWords must be unique. Create a generic page for your own work, give it a WikiWord title and append your initials. For instance, ExerciseOneMCM creates a unique page with a generic title.

What's Next

Experiment. Please don't edit this page. Instead, use the SandBox to practice editing. Or practice editing on your own wiki page. Refer to the FormattingRules for more elaborate formatting.

Make Yourself Known

Please use your real name on this wiki, and don't create multiple identities.

You have a wiki page on this wiki, listed on the HomePage. That's your home base.
Add personal or professional information to your page.
Use your WikiName as a signature when appropriate.
If you forget your password, go to the login page and follow the instructions.

Security

There isn't much. Anyone who knows how to access the log in screen can register and edit the wiki: comment, change stuff, delete stuff. Some of it might get restored. Don't worry about it too much; it's part of WhyWikiWorks.

Advice

Follow WikiSocialNorms if you want to be respected by other Wiki participants.
Now have a look at the StyleGuide
The FormattingRules have advanced editing instructions.
When in doubt, click on Edit This Page at the bottom of the page to look at the code.
Open pages in new windows. And please do not edit this page to experiment - use the SandBox.

sources: A narrative toc adapted and localized from WikiWikiWeb Wiki:OneMinuteWiki. See also OneMinuteWiki for a more compact version, and HowToUseWiki.

Weblogs and Wikis : GettingStarted

Revision [8049]