Difference between revisions of "Help:How to edit a page"
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| − | [[WRG]] is a wiki, which means that anyone can easily edit any unprotected page and have those changes posted immediately to that page. | + | [[Main_Page|WRG]] is a wiki, which means that anyone can easily edit any unprotected page and have those changes posted immediately to that page. |
| − | '''Editing''' a page is very easy. Simply click on the "'''edit this page'''" tab at the top of a wiki page (or on a section-edit link). This will bring you to a new page with a text box containing the editable text of the original page. '''If you just want to experiment, please do so in the [[WRG:sandbox|sandbox]]'''; not here. You should write a short edit summary in the small field below the edit-box. You may use shorthand to describe your changes, and when you have finished, press the Show preview button to see how your changes will look. You can also see the difference between the page with your edits and the previous version of the page by pressing the Show changes button. If you're happy with what you see, press the '''Save page''' button. Your changes will immediately be visible to other users. | + | '''Editing''' a page is very easy. Simply click on the "'''edit this page'''" tab at the top of a wiki page (or on a section-edit link). This will bring you to a new page with a text box containing the editable text of the original page. '''If you just want to experiment, please do so in the [[WRG:sandbox|sandbox]]'''; not here. [[Help:Editing Features|Tips on some of the features of this language]] are available. You should write a short edit summary in the small field below the edit-box. You may use shorthand to describe your changes, and when you have finished, press the Show preview button to see how your changes will look. You can also see the difference between the page with your edits and the previous version of the page by pressing the Show changes button. If you're happy with what you see, press the '''Save page''' button. Your changes will immediately be visible to other users. |
You can also click on the "'''Discussion'''" tab to see the corresponding talk page, which contains comments about the page from other users. Click on the "'''+'''" tab to add a new section, or edit the page in the same way as an article page. | You can also click on the "'''Discussion'''" tab to see the corresponding talk page, which contains comments about the page from other users. Click on the "'''+'''" tab to add a new section, or edit the page in the same way as an article page. | ||
| − | You should remember to [[Help:How to sign your posts on talk pages|sign your messages]] on [[Help:Talk pages|talk pages]] but you should '''not''' sign edits you make to regular articles. In [[Help:Page history|page histories]], the [[MediaWiki]] software keeps track of which user makes each change. | + | You should remember to [[Help:How to sign your posts on talk pages|sign your messages]] on [[Help:Talk pages|talk pages]] but you should '''not''' sign edits you make to regular articles. In [[Help:Page history|page histories]], the [[:en:MediaWiki|MediaWiki]] software keeps track of which user makes each change. |
==Tips on editing articles== | ==Tips on editing articles== | ||
'''Cite your sources''', so others can check and extend your work. Most articles currently lack good references. Please help by researching online and print resources to find references for the article you are working on, then [[Help:How to cite sources|cite them]] in proper form. | '''Cite your sources''', so others can check and extend your work. Most articles currently lack good references. Please help by researching online and print resources to find references for the article you are working on, then [[Help:How to cite sources|cite them]] in proper form. | ||
| − | '''Link to your article''' from other articles. After making a new page, it's a good idea to use the ''[[Help:What links here|What links here]]'' feature to check the pages that already link to your new page. Make sure that all the links are referring to your page in the right context. You should also use the [[Help: | + | '''Link to your article''' from other articles. After making a new page, it's a good idea to use the ''[[Help:What links here|What links here]]'' feature to check the pages that already link to your new page. Make sure that all the links are referring to your page in the right context. You should also use the [[Help:Searching|search feature]] to find occurrences of the title of your new page - and possible variants thereof—so that you can [[Help:How to add Links|create appropriate links]]. |
==Minor edits== | ==Minor edits== | ||
| − | When editing a page, a [[Help: | + | When editing a page, a [[Help:Logging in|logged-in]] user can mark that edit as being "minor". Minor edits generally mean spelling corrections, formatting, and minor rearrangement of text. It is possible to ''hide'' minor edits when viewing the [[Help:Recent Changes|recent changes]]. Marking a significant change as a minor edit is considered bad behavior, especially when it involves the deletion of some text. |
Latest revision as of 16:08, 17 September 2007
WRG is a wiki, which means that anyone can easily edit any unprotected page and have those changes posted immediately to that page.
Editing a page is very easy. Simply click on the "edit this page" tab at the top of a wiki page (or on a section-edit link). This will bring you to a new page with a text box containing the editable text of the original page. If you just want to experiment, please do so in the sandbox; not here. Tips on some of the features of this language are available. You should write a short edit summary in the small field below the edit-box. You may use shorthand to describe your changes, and when you have finished, press the Show preview button to see how your changes will look. You can also see the difference between the page with your edits and the previous version of the page by pressing the Show changes button. If you're happy with what you see, press the Save page button. Your changes will immediately be visible to other users.
You can also click on the "Discussion" tab to see the corresponding talk page, which contains comments about the page from other users. Click on the "+" tab to add a new section, or edit the page in the same way as an article page.
You should remember to sign your messages on talk pages but you should not sign edits you make to regular articles. In page histories, the MediaWiki software keeps track of which user makes each change.
Tips on editing articles
Cite your sources, so others can check and extend your work. Most articles currently lack good references. Please help by researching online and print resources to find references for the article you are working on, then cite them in proper form.
Link to your article from other articles. After making a new page, it's a good idea to use the What links here feature to check the pages that already link to your new page. Make sure that all the links are referring to your page in the right context. You should also use the search feature to find occurrences of the title of your new page - and possible variants thereof—so that you can create appropriate links.
Minor edits
When editing a page, a logged-in user can mark that edit as being "minor". Minor edits generally mean spelling corrections, formatting, and minor rearrangement of text. It is possible to hide minor edits when viewing the recent changes. Marking a significant change as a minor edit is considered bad behavior, especially when it involves the deletion of some text.
