Help:Editing

From SSDPedia

As an SSDP member or SSDP supporter, you are encouraged to contribute to SSDPedia -- a wiki-based encyclopedia focused on drugs, drug policy, and student advocacy. This is a brief overview of the editing and contributing process.

1 Editing basics
2 Most frequent wiki markup explained
3 How to add images to articles
- 3.1 Example

[edit] Editing basics

Editing a wiki is easy! The basic markup language is more simplistic than HTML, and it can be learned by a novice within a few minutes. It takes a little longer to learn more complex formatting (adding pictures, making tables, etc.) but basic formatting (adding text, links, sections, etc.) is a breeze.

[edit] Review Rules/Guidelines

Make sure that your edits fall within the SSDPedia guidelines by reviewing them first. The guidelines outline the scope what is relevant content for SSDPedia, as well as a style guide for naming and categorizing articles.

[edit] Start editing

To start editing a page, click the "edit" link at the top edge. This brings you to the edit page: a page with a text box containing the wikitext – the editable code from which the server produces the finished page.

If you just want to experiment, please do so in the sandbox, not in the edit box.

[edit] Type your changes

You can just type your text. However, also using basic wiki markup (described in the next section) to make links and do simple formatting adds to the value of your contribution.

[edit] Summarize your changes

Write a short edit summary in the small field below the edit-box. This will let administrators and other users know why you made the change that you made.

[edit] Preview before saving!

When you have finished, click Show preview to see how your changes will look before you make them permanent. Repeat the edit/preview process until you are satisfied, then click Save page and your changes will be immediately applied to the article. Sometimes it is helpful to save in between.

[edit] Most frequent wiki markup explained

Here are the most frequently used types of wiki markup. If you need more help see Wikitext examples.

What it looks like	What you type
You can italicize text by putting 2 apostrophes on each side. 3 apostrophes will embolden the text. 5 apostrophes will embolden and italicize the text. (4 apostrophes don't do anything special -- there's just 'one left over'.)	You can ''italicize text'' by putting 2 apostrophes on each side. 3 apostrophes will embolden '''the text'''. 5 apostrophes will embolden and italicize '''''the text'''''. (4 apostrophes don't do anything special -- there's just ''''one left over''''.)
Section headings Headings organize your writing into sections. The Wiki software can automatically generate a table of contents from them, as seen on the top of this page. Subsection Using more equals signs creates a subsection. A smaller subsection Don't skip levels, like from two to four equals signs. Start with 2 equals signs not 1 because 1 creates H1 tags which should be reserved for page title.	== Section headings == ''Headings'' organize your writing into sections. The Wiki software can automatically generate a table of contents from them, as seen on the top of this page. === Subsection === Using more equals signs creates a subsection. ==== A smaller subsection ==== Don't skip levels, like from two to four equals signs. Start with 2 equals signs not 1 because 1 creates H1 tags which should be reserved for page title.
Unordered lists are easy to do: Start every line with a star. More stars indicate a deeper level. Previous item continues. A new line in a list marks the end of the list. Of course you can start again.	* ''Unordered lists'' are easy to do: Start every line with a star. * More stars indicate a deeper level. : Previous item continues. * A new line * in a list marks the end of the list. * Of course you can start again.
Numbered lists are: Very organized Easy to follow A new line marks the end of the list. New numbering starts with 1.	# ''Numbered lists'' are: ## Very organized ## Easy to follow A new line marks the end of the list. # New numbering starts with 1.
A colon (:) indents a line or paragraph. A newline starts a new paragraph. Often used for discussion on talk pages. We use 1 colon to indent once. We use 2 colons to indent twice. 3 colons to indent 3 times, and so on.	: A colon (:) indents a line or paragraph. A newline starts a new paragraph. <br> Often used for discussion on talk pages. : We use 1 colon to indent once. :: We use 2 colons to indent twice. ::: 3 colons to indent 3 times, and so on.
Here's a link to the Main page. But be careful - capitalization counts!	Here's a link to the [[Main page]].
You can link to a page section by its title: Brown University SSDP#Awards.	You can link to a page section by its title: * [[Brown University SSDP#Awards]].
You should "sign" your comments on talk pages: Three tildes give your user name: Your Name Four tildes give your user name plus date/time: Your Name 07:46, 27 November 2005 (UTC) Five tildes give the date/time alone: 07:46, 27 November 2005 (UTC)	You should "sign" your comments on talk pages: Three tildes give your user name: ~~~ Four tildes give your user name plus date/time: ~~~~ *Five tildes give the date/time alone: ~~~~~

[edit] How to add images to articles

Upload an image using this form. (There is also an "Upload File" link in the "Toolbox" at the top of each article.)
Write a descriptive summary about the picture. What's going on? When was it taken? What's the significance?
Insert it into an article by using this wikitext: [[Image:Example.jpg]]
Format the image by inserting these variables into the wikitext (separated by pipes "|"): [[Image:Example.jpg | frame type | position | size | caption]]

These are the potential values for the preceding variables:
- Frame type: frame, thumb
- Position: left, center, right
- Size: A number followed by px (ie. 200px)
- Caption: any words that are not keywords are used as the caption.