Editing Content

Before starting read this excellent guide for writing wiki articles has been provided by Wikipedia, which should prove valuable to the new and experienced contributor alike:

Creating and editing content with MediaWiki is largely text based. There are two languages accessible to contributors for wiki editing.

1. RichTextEditor - default editing screen. Good for basic content/textual editing. Similar to a word processor.
2. WikiTextEditor - accessed by clicking [Show WikiTextEditor], found just above the RichTextEditor tool box and used for complex editing functions.

As a contributor, you will primarily rely on the RichTextEditor when developing entries.

After modifying an entry, before saving any changes, the contributor should utilize the Show preview option next to the Save Page button, which allows the contributor to see the consequences of these changes before to saving them.

• Note the Summary field as well - this should be utilized when editing content created by another contributor, justifying any changes that were made.

New Entries

The simplest way that a contributor can create a new entry is by adding the title of the new entry to the wiki's URL - inserting the URL below would initiate an effort to create a page entitled Example:

http://unbhistory.lib.unb.ca/index.php/Example

• If this title has already been created as an entry, the contributor will be directed to that existing entry.
• If this title has not yet been assigned, the contributor will be directed to a page similar to this:

• Note the option to Create next to the Search Box - clicking this will initiate the creation of a new entry.
• By selecting the Create tab, the Contributor will automatically have initiated the editing interface and can begin to develop the entry. Upon saving this newly created content, the contributor will have successfully created a new entry!

Existing Entries

As the wiki involves the progressive and perpetual participation of many contributors over time, there will be circumstances in which contributors will need to further develop the contents of existing entries. Contributing toward and completing existing but incomplete entries is just as important—if not more so—than contributing original content, because a fully developed and completed entry is more authoritative than an incomplete entry.

Before contributing to an existing entry, contributors should review the protocol for adding content to existing wiki pages.

Signature

As with any written work, the authors of a given text must be recognized - the wiki entry is no exception! By placing a digital signature at the bottom of a finished entry, the contributor is declaring that the piece has been completed and claiming ownership for that completion.

Consistency

Consistency is an important consideration when creating content for the wiki. Fortunately, MediaWiki encourages consistency by allowing for customizable default settings that apply throughout the wiki. The default font for this wiki is Helvetica, size 10. If the font, for any reason, has changed, the contributor can enter the WikiTextEditor of a given page and observe a string of text indicating change in font:

<span style="font-family:courier new,courier,monospace;">font changed</span>

By deleting the <span style> commands (the text within < >) any formatting changes they have instigated will be undone, but remember as well to delete the corresponding </span>, as it will appear as text on the page after the initial command has been removed.

In circumstances where entries are being added to a greater category with entries that have already been constructed, the contributor should replicate the format consistent in those other entries. Some categories of the wiki have format pages that can be copied and pasted into new wiki entries:

• Buildings:
• Activities:
• Departments:
• People:

Templates

Communicating consistent messages on many pages throughout the wiki can be a valuable tool. This is done most effectively using Templates. A modification to the original template page will result in the modification to this template throughout the wiki, changing the message on every entry/page that the template has been embedded.

See Templates for a list of that templates that are most useful to Contributors.

Categories

Categories are used to organize the wiki. Each entry will belong to one or more category. Category tags can be found at the bottom of any entry/page.

Contributors will not be responsible for applying category tags. Administrators will assign new entries to categories.

Linking within the Wiki

Linking is one of the most powerful functions enabled through the MediaWiki software. A well-constructed wiki will provide readers the means to browse fluidly from page to entry to entry as—ideally—the essential information will be complimented by hyperlinks to all related entries/pages. When an entry is not linked to others, it will be difficult for the reader to find through browsing. Although it will still be possible to discover entries/pages with the Search Box, the increased accessibility attained through appropriate and relevant linking will add value to the wiki and benefit the reader.

A page without links is not nearly as valuable as a page with links. The contributor should always make an effort to embed links when appropriate.

Contributors can also benefit the wiki by developing pages that have no embedded links - called Dead-End Pages. There exists a special page that lists all of the Dead-End Pages:

The Contributor can link to:

• Internal wiki entries/pages
• Internal wiki entries/pages that have not yet been created
• External websites
• Category pages
• Image pages
• Anchors

Images

Contributors can enhance the appeal of an entry by embedding appropriate images related to the topic. Many images held within the UNB Archives & Special Collections have been scanned and are searchable in The Gateway database:

Upon locating a desired image in The Gateway, this image can be saved to one's desktop by right clicking the  thumbnail of the image (the small copy portrayed to the right of the search results upon choosing a result) then selecting 'Save Image As'.

• Save the image under a simple title related to the topic so that it is easier to find while completing the next steps.
• Also, consider saving the image either to the desktop or a designated folder so that it is easy to locate in case the title is forgotten.

Once an appropriate image has been located, it must be uploaded and embedded.