How to edit

How to edit a Wiki

NB: This is meant as a getting started guide to wiki editing. For a complete list of commands, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Editing

• Every page will have at least one blue Edit link on it (with the exception of certain locked pages).
• Clicking this button when logged in takes you to the editing page

Once at the Editing page, you'll need to know about the format of Wikis.

Generally, everything is designed to be straightforward.

Formatting

Normal text only needs to be typed.

A single new line doesn't create a break.

An empty line starts a new paragraph.

• Lines starting with * create lists. Multiple *s nest the list
• You can use apostrophes to add emphasis
  • ''some text'' will be italicised: some text
  • '''some more text''' will be bold: some more text
  • 5 apostrophes are bold and italicised
• Sections are marked with the = symbol
  • == Main Heading ==
  • === Sub-heading ===
  • ==== Smaller sub-heading ====
• NB: HTML emphasis can be used too

Linking

To link to another article in the wiki, eg: RISC OS, simply type [[Page name here]]

To link to a URL, either type the URL: http://riscos.com or to change how it appears: [http://riscos.com Text to appear] gives Text to appear

If you link to a page that doesn't exist, following the link will enable you to edit, and thus create the page: A page that doesn't exist

If you wanted to link to a page X, but display Y, you would use a piped link: [[RISC OS|Front page]] gives Front page

General Advice

The front page has several categories listed on it. While this list can grow, if your article can fit in one of these categories, then go the the category page in question and add a link.

If you spot a mistake in someone else's work, correct it, but make a note in the 'Summary' box stating the reason for the change, eg: Fixed speeling mistooks.

If you feel you can add useful information to an existing page, then add it. If you feel something should be removed, remove it, but state why in the 'Summary' box. If it's a point of contention, use the article discussion link at the top of every page to start a talk about it.

If you think a page should exist, but you don't have time to create it, link to it anyway. People are far more likely to fill in blanks if they can just follow a link than if they have to edit links all over the place.

Above all, keep it factual, professional and clean. If you don't, you are liable to be banned from further contribution, and someone will fix your errors anyway! As the disclaimer says: 'If you don't want your writing to be edited mercilessly and redistributed at will, then don't submit it here.' Wikipedia is proof that the idea works, and works well.