A Tale in the Desert - User contributions [en]

ServerImprovements

2008-12-12T23:37:04Z

WikiSysop:

== Known problems (comments and patches welcome!) ==

* Skins need work across the whole site (may hold a contest for this..)
* OpenID authentication should remember trust permissions rather than requiring frequent confirmation
* Wiki mapping doesn't work! (or it does, but requires only on real world maps..)

== Suggestions ==

ServerImprovements

2008-12-12T23:36:52Z

WikiSysop: New page: = Server Improvements = == Known problems (comments and patches welcome!) == * Skins need work across the whole site (may hold a contest for this..) * OpenID authentication should rememb...

= Server Improvements =

== Known problems (comments and patches welcome!) ==

* Skins need work across the whole site (may hold a contest for this..)
* OpenID authentication should remember trust permissions rather than requiring frequent confirmation
* Wiki mapping doesn't work! (or it does, but requires only on real world maps..)

== Suggestions ==

Main Page

2008-12-12T23:32:53Z

WikiSysop:

Welcome to A Wiki in the Desert, a wiki for the online game [http://www.atitd.com:A Tale in the Desert].

Tale 4 Beta has started and so has the Tale 4 Beta wiki. The main problem remaining with it is mapping, which is not operational yet. Please add comments on other problems with the wiki or other co-hosted sites at [[ServerImprovements]].

This wiki exists to document the game and to provide a community scratchpad for the players. You can find guides on things such as growing Flax, an [[Atlas]] of interesting places, and various personal pages created by the [[Users]] and [[Guilds]]. If you're looking to buy and sell, try [[Trading]].

Anyone with an ATITD game account can edit any page on this site (see the /webpass [[command]] in-game to set your password) ((Note: not implemented yet). However, please read the [[Style Guide]] and information on [[Formatting]] first. Politics are not welcome (exception: [[Users]] pages, but no personal attacks please) -- if you want to discuss [[laws]], please use the [http://www.atitd.org/forum:forums]. Please read our [[Policies]] before editing. If you have any difficulties, please contact a wiki admin ([[Admins]]).

If you have a suggestion for how to improve the wiki, please add it to the [[Suggestions]] page. If you want to contribute but don't know where, take a look at the [[Spotlight]] page, or just browse around and look for pages where your input would be beneficial.

Egypt Time currently is : http://armeagle.atitd.org/time.php.png

----

== Information about the wiki ==
Consult the [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents User's Guide] for information on using the wiki software.

== Experiments ==
* [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Manual:Configuration_settings Configuration settings list]
* [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Manual:FAQ MediaWiki FAQ]
* [http://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/mediawiki-announce MediaWiki release mailing list]
* [[Google Maps]]

MediaWiki:Monobook.css

2008-12-12T23:23:35Z

WikiSysop: New page: /* CSS placed here will affect users of the Monobook skin */ /* CSS placed here will affect users of the Monobook skin */ body { background: #d1b475; margin: 0px 20px; } #p-logo...

/* CSS placed here will affect users of the Monobook skin */
/* CSS placed here will affect users of the Monobook skin */

body {
background: #d1b475;
margin: 0px 20px;
}

#p-logo {
left: 20px;
}

#p-cactions {
left: 13.5em;
}

#p-navigation,
#p-search,
#p-tb {
background: #a29b9b;
border: 1px solid #333;
padding: 0px;
}

#p-navigation h5,
#p-search h5,
#p-tb h5 {
float: left;
position: relative;
top: 6px;
left: 5px;
text-decoration: underline;
text-transform: none;
}

#p-search .pBody {
padding: 20px 5px 5px 5px;
}

.pBody {
padding-top: 15px;
background: #EFDFBD;
margin: 2px;
border: 1px solid #333;
}

.pBody a,
.pBody a:visited {
color: #666;
}

.pBody ul {
list-style-type: none;
list-style-image: none;
}

#footer,
#content {
background: #efdfbd;
border: 1px solid #333;
}

#p-cactions li,
#p-cactions li.selected a,
#p-cactions li a,
#p-cactions li a:hover {
background: #efdfbd;
}

MediaWiki:Sidebar

2008-12-12T00:10:19Z

WikiSysop:

MediaWiki:Sidebar

2008-12-12T00:09:39Z

WikiSysop:

MediaWiki:Sidebar

2008-12-12T00:09:07Z

WikiSysop:

MediaWiki:Sidebar

2008-12-12T00:05:45Z

WikiSysop:

MediaWiki:Common.css

2008-12-12T00:00:55Z

WikiSysop: New page: /* CSS placed here will be applied to all skins */ .portlet h5 { text-transform: none; }

/* CSS placed here will be applied to all skins */
.portlet h5 {
text-transform: none;
}

A Tale in the Desert:Language policy

2008-12-07T03:49:52Z

WikiSysop:

{{Languages}}

This page describes the current '''multi-lingual policy on atitd.org'''.

== Help: namespace ==

* English is the main reference language, and all root pages should be named and written in English.
* Other languages should be placed in an appropriately named sub-page of the English version. E.g. the French version of [[Help:Contents]] should be at [[Help:Contents/fr]] (not Help:Sommaire, Aide:Sommaire or Help:Sommaire/fr).
* Language sub-pages should be named using the appropriate language code for that language (see [[#Language codes|below]]).
* Sub-pages should ''only'' be used for translations into other languages, not for English content (e.g. you shouldn't use <code>Table editing/example</code> - use <code>Table editing example</code> or <code>Example of table editing</code> instead).
* If an international version of a page exists but an English version does not, then please create a stub article for the English version as this aids navigation.
* All pages should be tagged with the <code>{{[[template:Languages|Languages]]}}</code> template, which automatically creates links to all available translations.

== Language codes ==

Throughout MediaWiki.org you should use the language codes specified by the MediaWiki software when creating language-specific content (see [http://svn.wikimedia.org/svnroot/mediawiki/trunk/phase3/languages/Names.php Names.php] for the full and up-to-date list).

Please also bear the following in mind:
* If the language code is not found in Names.php then we should not host help pages in that language.
* If you want to add a language that is not present, first get it added to the software (by making a request at [[Bugzilla]]) and only add pages here once the changes have been accepted.
* If MediaWiki uses the 'incorrect' code for a language then you should also (for consistency) use that incorrect code here. If you think a code is incorrect you should discuss it on [[Bugzilla]], and if this results in it being changed we will move the pages to match.
* Note that some language codes in Names.php are now deprecated (e.g. <tt>zh-yue</tt> has been replaced with <tt>yue</tt>). In these cases only the most recent code should be used.

[[Category:Policy|Language]]

A Tale in the Desert:Language policy

2008-12-07T03:49:21Z

WikiSysop:

{{Languages}}
This page describes the current '''multi-lingual policy on atitd.org'''.

== Help: namespace ==

* English is the main reference language, and all root pages should be named and written in English.
* Other languages should be placed in an appropriately named sub-page of the English version. E.g. the French version of [[Help:Contents]] should be at [[Help:Contents/fr]] (not Help:Sommaire, Aide:Sommaire or Help:Sommaire/fr).
* Language sub-pages should be named using the appropriate language code for that language (see [[#Language codes|below]]).
* Sub-pages should ''only'' be used for translations into other languages, not for English content (e.g. you shouldn't use <code>Table editing/example</code> - use <code>Table editing example</code> or <code>Example of table editing</code> instead).
* If an international version of a page exists but an English version does not, then please create a stub article for the English version as this aids navigation.
* All pages should be tagged with the <code>{{[[template:Languages|Languages]]}}</code> template, which automatically creates links to all available translations.

== Language codes ==

Throughout MediaWiki.org you should use the language codes specified by the MediaWiki software when creating language-specific content (see [http://svn.wikimedia.org/svnroot/mediawiki/trunk/phase3/languages/Names.php Names.php] for the full and up-to-date list).

Please also bear the following in mind:
* If the language code is not found in Names.php then we should not host help pages in that language.
* If you want to add a language that is not present, first get it added to the software (by making a request at [[Bugzilla]]) and only add pages here once the changes have been accepted.
* If MediaWiki uses the 'incorrect' code for a language then you should also (for consistency) use that incorrect code here. If you think a code is incorrect you should discuss it on [[Bugzilla]], and if this results in it being changed we will move the pages to match.
* Note that some language codes in Names.php are now deprecated (e.g. <tt>zh-yue</tt> has been replaced with <tt>yue</tt>). In these cases only the most recent code should be used.

[[Category:Policy|Language]]

A Tale in the Desert:Language policy

2008-12-07T03:47:53Z

WikiSysop: New page: {{Languages}} This page describes the current '''multi-lingual policy on atitd.org'''. Languages == Help: namespace == * English is the main reference language, and all root pages sho...

{{Languages}}
This page describes the current '''multi-lingual policy on atitd.org'''.
[[Languages]]
== Help: namespace ==

* English is the main reference language, and all root pages should be named and written in English.
* Other languages should be placed in an appropriately named sub-page of the English version. E.g. the French version of [[Help:Contents]] should be at [[Help:Contents/fr]] (not Help:Sommaire, Aide:Sommaire or Help:Sommaire/fr).
* Language sub-pages should be named using the appropriate language code for that language (see [[#Language codes|below]]).
* Sub-pages should ''only'' be used for translations into other languages, not for English content (e.g. you shouldn't use <code>Table editing/example</code> - use <code>Table editing example</code> or <code>Example of table editing</code> instead).
* If an international version of a page exists but an English version does not, then please create a stub article for the English version as this aids navigation.
* All pages in the help namespace should be tagged with the <code>{{[[template:Languages|Languages]]}}</code> template, which automatically creates links to all available translations.

== Language codes ==

Throughout MediaWiki.org you should use the language codes specified by the MediaWiki software when creating language-specific content (see [http://svn.wikimedia.org/svnroot/mediawiki/trunk/phase3/languages/Names.php Names.php] for the full and up-to-date list).

Please also bear the following in mind:
* If the language code is not found in Names.php then we should not host help pages in that language.
* If you want to add a language that is not present, first get it added to the software (by making a request at [[Bugzilla]]) and only add pages here once the changes have been accepted.
* If MediaWiki uses the 'incorrect' code for a language then you should also (for consistency) use that incorrect code here. If you think a code is incorrect you should discuss it on [[Bugzilla]], and if this results in it being changed we will move the pages to match.
* Note that some language codes in Names.php are now deprecated (e.g. <tt>zh-yue</tt> has been replaced with <tt>yue</tt>). In these cases only the most recent code should be used.

[[Category:Policy|Language]]

User:WikiSysop/de

2008-12-07T03:43:01Z

WikiSysop: New page: Das ist Deutsch!

Das ist Deutsch!

User:WikiSysop

2008-12-07T03:42:45Z

WikiSysop: New page: {{languages}} {{mediawiki}}

Help:Assigning permissions

2008-12-07T03:23:36Z

WikiSysop:

"'''Assigning permissions'''" means granting users extra rights within the wiki software (or revoking these rights). This is done by going to the [[Special:UserRights]] page, and adding users into a "group" which has specific rights. The first thing to note however, is that this action requires special permissions itself!

{{Admin tip|tip=See {{mediawiki|Manual:User rights}} and {{mediawiki|Manual:User rights management}} for information on fine grained permissions tweaks, and how to define new groups, or adjust existing groups to give different rights.

Note that this help page describes the '''default''' MediaWiki configuration, but every aspect of permissions is highly customisable with server config settings. You may wish to rewrite this help page to reflect your wiki configuration}}

== Bureaucrats ==

By default, you will need to be a 'Bureaucrat' (in the 'Bureaucrat' group) before you can access the [[Special:UserRights]] page. Other users can always contact one of the bureaucrats to request a change of permissions. Find out who these people are at [[Special:ListUsers/bureaucrat]]. In a small wiki there might typically be only one such user or maybe two.

== Promoting users to Sysops and Bureaucrats ==

The [[Special:UserRights]] page allows you (if you have access) to set which groups a user is in. A common task would be to put a user into the 'Sysop' group. This will grant the user various extra rights, such as deleting pages, and blocking users. See [[Help:Sysops and permissions]] for more details.

Obviously giving a user such rights implies that you '''trust''' the user, both in terms of being non-malicious, and also as somebody with sufficient competence in using the wiki software, and in dealing with the wiki community. People hoping to become sysops should read [[Help:Sysops and permissions]]. However it should be noted that actions of a sysop user are (almost) entirely reversible, by other sysop users, and so it can be a good idea to dish out these extra permissions to a number of users in order to
* spread the workload of day-to-day sysop operations such as blocking vandals and deleting pages.
* make things more democratic, and decrease any perception of a single dictator running the community
* allow competent users the power they need to make progress with wiki refactoring.
* reward valued contributors/community members

== Processes ==
If you have many sysops, you may start to need documented processes governing their actions. e.g. when should a page be protected versus leaving it unprotected? You may even reach the point where you need a documented procedure for deciding who gets to be a sysop, and who should have their sysop rights revoked. To manage all of this, you may wish to promote several users into the 'Bureaucrat' group (a smaller number of your most trusted users) to spread the workload managing the promoting/demoting of sysops. On some large wikis, users are voted in by other users before they are granted extra permissions, and sysops have their rights revoked by a committee who investigate accusations of misconduct. Such processes are unlikely to be necessary in anything but the largest of wiki communities.

== Other permissions ==
Beyond promoting/demoting of Sysops and Bureaucrats, you can also allow a user to operate as a 'bot', meaning their edits do not show up on recent changes.

== See also ==
* {{mediawiki|Manual:User_rights_management|Manual:User rights management}}

[[Category:Help|Assigning permissions]]

Help:Range blocks

2008-12-07T03:23:13Z

WikiSysop:

'''Range blocks''' are technical restrictions applied through [[Special:Blockip]] to a group of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_addresses IP addresses] that prevent them from editing, creating new accounts, sending email through the wiki interface, et cetera. Registered accounts editing from these IP addresses will also be blocked, unless you check the box to only block anonymous editors.

Range blocking is enabled on all [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation Wikimedia] wikis; to enable it on other wikis, add "<code>{{mediawiki|Manual:$wgSysopRangeBans|$wgSysopRangeBans}} = true;</code>" in <tt>{{mediawiki|Manual:LocalSettings.php|LocalSettings.php}}</tt>.

To block an IP range from [[Special:Blockip]], enter the first IP address in the range followed by a forward slash and a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classless_inter-domain_routing Classless inter-domain routing] (CIDR) suffix. '''You should avoid performing range blocks unless you understand what you are doing, or you may end up blocking tens of thousands of people who are not the problem!'''

==Technical explanation==
CIDR notation is written as the IP address, a slash, and the CIDR affix (for example, the IPv4 "<code>10.2.3.41/24</code>" or IPv6 "<code>a3:b:c1:d:e:f:1:21/24</code>"). The CIDR affix is the number of starting digits every IP address in the range have in common when written in binary.

For example: "<code>10.10.1.32</code>" is binary "<code>00001010.00001010.00000001.00100000</code>", so <code>10.10.1.32/27</code> will match the first 27 digits ("<code>00001010.00001010.00000001.00100000</code>"). The IP addresses <code>10.10.1.32</code>–<code>10.10.1.63</code>, when converted to binary, all have the same 27 first digits and will be blocked if <code>10.10.1.32/27</code> is blocked.

As the CIDR affix increases, the block affects fewer IP addresses (see [[#Table|table of example ranges]]). CIDR affixes are not the same for IPv4 addresses as they are for IPv6 addresses.

==Calculating the CIDR affix==
You can use the [[#Table|table of sample ranges]] below to guess the range, use a computer script, or manually calculate the range.

===Conversion to binary===
The first step in manually calculating a range is to convert the first and last IP address to binary representation. (This assumes you're not using a computer script, which can probably calculate the range for you anyway.) An IP address is composed of four groups of eight ones and zeros. Each group represents a number from 0 to 255. To convert a number to binary, you can use a [http://www.ccci.com/tools/subcalc/binary.html reference table] or know the value of each binary digit:
{| class="prettytable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
| 1
| 1
| 1
| 1
| 1
| 1
| 1
| 1
|-
| 128
| 64
| 32
| 16
| 8
| 4
| 2
| 1
|}

Proceeding from left to right, fill in '1' if the number is at least that value, and subtract that value (if it's not, fill in '0' and don't subtract). For example, to calculate 240:
# 240 is at least 128, so place 1 and subtract 128.
# 112 (240-128) is at least 64, so place 1 and subtract 64.
# 48 (112-64) is at least 32, so place 1 and subtract 48.
# 16 (48-32) is at least 16, so place 1 and subtract 16.
# Since the remaining value is zero, all the remaining places are '0'.
Thus, 240 is 1111 0000 because it can be represented as 128+64+32+16+0+0+0+0.

===Calculate range===
# Place both IP addresses one atop the other, and count how many starting digits are exactly alike. This is the CIDR affix.
# Double-check! Being off by one digit could extend your block by thousands of addresses.

The example below calculates the CIDR range between 69.208.0.0 and 69.208.0.255. Note that this is a simple example; some groups of IP addresses do not so neatly fit CIDR affixes, and need multiple different-sized blocks to block the exact range.
IP addresses:
69.208.0.0
69.208.0.255
 
Convert to binary:
0100 0101.1101 0000.0000 0000.0000 0000
0100 0101.1101 0000.0000 0000.1111 1111
 
Count identical first numbers:
'''0100 0101.1101 0000.0000 0000'''.0000 0000
'''0100 0101.1101 0000.0000 0000'''.1111 1111
|____________________________|
24 digits
 
CIDR range:
69.208.0.0/24
</pre>

===Table of sample ranges===
The table below shows the IP blocks each CIDR suffix affects. Note that MediaWiki only supports blocking CIDR suffixes 16–32.

{| class="prettytable"
! CIDR
! Start Range
! End Range
! Total addresses
! Bits selected in IP address
|- style="color:gray;"
| 69.208.0.0'''/0'''
| 0.0.0.0
| 255.255.255.255
| 4,294,967,296
| ********.********.********.********
|- style="color:gray;"
| 69.208.0.0'''/1'''
| 0.0.0.0
| 127.255.255.255
| 2,147,483,648
| 0*******.********.********.********
|- style="color:gray;"
| 69.208.0.0'''/4'''
| 65.0.0.0
| 79.255.255.255
| 268,435,456
| 0100****.********.********.********
|- style="color:gray;"
| 69.208.0.0'''/8'''
| 69.0.0.0
| 69.255.255.255
| 67,108,864
| 01000101.********.********.********
|- style="color:gray;"
| 69.208.0.0'''/11'''
| 69.208.0.0
| 69.238.255.255
| 2,197,152
| 01000101.110*****.********.********
|- style="color:gray;"
| 69.208.0.0'''/12'''
| 69.208.0.0
| 69.223.255.255
| 1,048,576
| 01000101.1101****.********.********
|- style="color:gray;"
| 69.208.0.0'''/13'''
| 69.208.0.0
| 69.215.255.255
| 524,288
| 01000101.11010***.********.********
|- style="color:gray;"
| 69.208.0.0'''/14'''
| 69.208.0.0
| 69.211.255.255
| 262,144
| 01000101.110100**.********.********
|- style="color:gray;"
| 69.208.0.0'''/15'''
| 69.208.0.0
| 69.209.255.255
| 131,072
| 01000101.1101000*.********.********
|-
| 69.208.0.0'''/16'''
| 69.208.0.0
| 69.208.255.255
| 65,536
| 01000101.11010000.********.********
|-
| 69.208.0.0'''/17'''
| 69.208.0.0
| 69.208.127.255
| 32,768
| 01000101.11010000.0*******.********
|-
| 69.208.0.0'''/18'''
| 69.208.0.0
| 69.208.63.255
| 16,384
| 01000101.11010000.00******.********
|-
| 69.208.0.0'''/19'''
| 69.208.0.0
| 69.208.31.255
| 8,192
| 01000101.11010000.000*****.********
|-
| 69.208.0.0'''/20'''
| 69.208.0.0
| 69.208.15.255
| 4,096
| 01000101.11010000.0000****.********
|-
| 69.208.0.0'''/21'''
| 69.208.0.0
| 69.208.7.255
| 2,048
| 01000101.11010000.00000***.********
|-
| 69.208.0.0'''/22'''
| 69.208.0.0
| 69.208.3.255
| 1,024
| 01000101.11010000.000000**.********
|-
| 69.208.0.0'''/23'''
| 69.208.0.0
| 69.208.1.255
| 512
| 01000101.11010000.0000000*.********
|-
| 69.208.0.0'''/24'''
| 69.208.0.0
| 69.208.0.255
| 256
| 01000101.11010000.00000000.********
|-
| 69.208.0.0'''/25'''
| 69.208.0.0
| 69.208.0.127
| 128
| 01000101.11010000.00000000.0*******
|-
| 69.208.0.0'''/26'''
| 69.208.0.0
| 69.208.0.63
| 64
| 01000101.11010000.00000000.00******
|-
| 69.208.0.0'''/27'''
| 69.208.0.0
| 69.208.0.31
| 32
| 01000101.11010000.00000000.000*****
|-
| 69.208.0.0'''/28'''
| 69.208.0.0
| 69.208.0.15
| 16
| 01000101.11010000.00000000.0000****
|-
| 69.208.0.0'''/29'''
| 69.208.0.0
| 69.208.0.7
| 8
| 01000101.11010000.00000000.00000***
|-
| 69.208.0.0'''/30'''
| 69.208.0.0
| 69.208.0.3
| 4
| 01000101.11010000.00000000.000000**
|-
| 69.208.0.0'''/31'''
| 69.208.0.0
| 69.208.0.1
| 2
| 01000101.11010000.00000000.0000000*
|-
| 69.208.0.0'''/32'''
| 69.208.0.0
| 69.208.0.0
| 1
| 01000101.11010000.00000000.00000000
|}

==References==
* [[wikipedia:Classless Inter-Domain Routing|Classless Inter-Domain Routing]]
* [http://www.ccci.com/tools/subcalc/binary.html Converting IP addresses to binary]

==External links==
* [http://www.find-ip-address.org/ip-country/ IP Address Ranges Block] gives you complete IP ranges for certain country.
* [http://apps.csc.fi/laskin2.html Netmask calculator] which helps in making the correct decision for range blocks.
* [http://tools.wikimedia.de/~chm/blockcalc.php Rangeblock-Calculator] gives you the range you should use when blocking.

[[Category:Help|Range blocks]]

Help:Blocking users

2008-12-07T03:22:46Z

WikiSysop:

'''Blocking users''' is an action that [[Help:Sysops and permissions|sysops]] can perform upon users or IP addresses to prevent them from editing the wiki.

==Blocking==
Blocking users is fairly straightforward, visit [[Special:BlockIP]] and follow these steps:

# '''IP Address or username''': Enter in the username, IP address, or [[Help:Range blocks|IP range]] to block in the "User" field. If blocking a username, make sure to check the spelling since nonexistent users can be blocked as well. Instead of typing this information in manually, it is also possible to click on a "block" link in recent changes, contributions pages, or history pages, which will automatically fill in this field with the appropriate username or IP address. A "Block this user" link is also present in the toolbox when viewing User and User talk pages.
# '''Expiration''': Select when the block should expire from the drop-down, or manually type in an expiration time of the block. When manually typing in a time, follow the [http://www.gnu.org/software/tar/manual/html_node/Date-input-formats.html GNU standard format]. The default options in the drop-down may be modified at [[MediaWiki:Ipboptions]].
# '''Reason (optional)''': The reason selected from the drop-down combined with the other/additional reason specified will be used as the message displayed to the blocked user when they try to edit. The default reasons in the drop-down may be modified at [[MediaWiki:Ipbreason-dropdown]].
# '''Select additional block options (optional)''': Depending on if a username or IP is being blocked and other options that may have been enabled, some or all of these options will be displayed on the form. Please see the [[#Configuration|configuration]] section for information of how to enable or disable some of the following options.
#* ''Block anonymous users only'': This option is only available when blocking an IP address. When selected, registered users who try to edit using a blocked IP address will still be able to edit. Otherwise, they will be unable to edit as well.
#* ''Prevent account creation'': Selecting this option will prevent the blocked username or IP address from creating new accounts.
#* ''Automatically block the last IP address used by this user, and any subsequent IPs they try to edit from'': This option is only available when blocking a username. When selected, the user's IP will become "autoblocked" (these show up as numbers such as #17 on [[Special:IPBlockList|the active block list]]) for a short period of time and any other IP addresses that the blocked user tries to edit from will be blocked as well.
#* ''Prevent user from sending e-mail'': This option is only available when blocking a username. When this option is selected, the user will be unable to use the [[Special:EmailUser]] interface.
#* ''Hide username from the block log, active block list and user list'': When selected, the blocked username or IP address will not be added to the [[Special:Log/block|block log]], the [[Special:IPBlockList|active block list]], or the [[Special:ListUsers|user list]]. Other users with the ability to view these hidden entries will still be able to see and unblock the username or IP address. This option is not enabled in a default installation of MediaWiki, see the [[#Configuration|configuration]] section for information on how to enable it if this functionality is desired.
#* ''Watch this user's user and talk pages'': When selected, this adds the blocked user's user page and user talk page to your watchlist.
# Double-check everything you entered and click on '''Block this user'''. A message should appear saying if the block was successful or unsuccessful.

==Unblocking==
To unblock a username or IP address, go to the [[Special:IPBlockList|active block list]] and click on the (unblock) link next to the user or IP you wish to unblock. Then, enter in an optional reason and click on the unblock button. A message should appear saying if the unblock was successful or unsuccessful.

==What it means to be blocked==
Blocked users are unable to [[Help:Editing pages|edit pages]], [[Help:Managing files|upload files]], [[Help:Moving a page|move pages]], and perform other actions that additional {{mediawiki|Manual:User rights|user rights}} would grant. Sysops or others with access to the blocking and unblocking interface may still block and unblock others (including themselves) while blocked.

==See Also==
*{{mediawiki|Manual:Block and unblock}}

[[Category:Help|Blocking users]]

Help:Patrolled edits

2008-12-07T03:22:20Z

WikiSysop:

<div style="float:right;">__TOC__</div>
'''Patrolled edits''' are a feature which allows specific users to mark items in recent changes as having been "patrolled" or "approved". By default this is only available if you have [[Help:Sysops and permissions|sysop permissions]]

This feature is useful when reviewing recent changes for undesirable edits, link spam and vandalism. This allows people (those who can see it) to coordinate their patrolling activity, such that edits gets checked over once, but with less wasted effort (different people checking the same edit)

== Marking edits as patrolled ==

; To mark an edit as patrolled

#Access [[Special:Recentchanges]]
#:Changes which are not patrolled will be indicated with a red exclamation mark
#Click the ({{mediawiki|m:Help:Diff|diff}}) link next to an edit
#To mark the edit as patrolled, click the ''mark as patrolled'' link

== Hiding patrolled edits from recent changes ==
Patrolled edits can be hidden from recent changes by adding "hidepatrolled=1" to url in the following form:

<code><nowiki>http://example.com/w/index.php?title=Special:Recentchanges&hidepatrolled=1</nowiki></code>

== Customization ==

=== Enabling/disabling ===

Patrolled edits are enabled by default in MediaWiki 1.4. In MediaWiki 1.5 and later, set '''[[Manual:$wgUseRCPatrol|$wgUseRCPatrol]]''' in {{mediawiki|Manual:Configuration settings|LocalSettings.php}}.

<code>$wgUseRCPatrol = true;</code>

=== Permissions ===

==== 1.4 ====

In MediaWiki 1.4, patrolled edits are enabled for all users. To restrict this to sysops, set '''[[Manual:$wgOnlySysopsCanPatrol|$wgOnlySysopsCanPatrol]]''' in {{mediawiki|Manual:Configuration settings|LocalSettings.php}}.

<code>$wgOnlySysopsCanPatrol = true;</code>

==== 1.5+ ====

In MediaWiki 1.5 and later, patrolled edits are enabled for sysops. Use the '''[[Manual:$wgGroupPermissions|$wgGroupPermissions]]''' configuration variable for this.

For instance, to create a ''patrollers'' group:

<code>$wgGroupPermissions['patrollers']['patrol'] = true;</code>

=== Automatic patrolling ===
In MediaWiki 1.6 through 1.8, there is a [[Help:preferences|user preference]] available to users who are able to mark edits as patrolled. When set, this causes their edits to be patrolled automatically.

This option is not available if patrolled edits are switched off.

In MediaWiki 1.9 this user preference has been removed and replaced by a new "autopatrol" right, assigned only to sysops by default. Also, users cannot mark their own edits as patrolled.

=== Marker ===

The formatting of the unpatrolled edit marker can be altered using CSS. The exclamation mark displayed on the Recent changes log is styled using the <code>span.unpatrolled</code>.

== See also ==
* {{mediawiki|meta:Help:Patrolled edit|Further reading on the Meta-Wiki}}

[[Category:Help|Patrolled edits]]

Help:Sysop deleting and undeleting

2008-12-07T03:21:57Z

WikiSysop:

'''Deleting a page''' is a straightforward operation for anyone with [[Help:Sysops and permissions|sysop permissions]]. Users without such permissions can still remove text from wiki pages, or propose/request that a page should be deleted. See [[Help:Deleting a page]].

== Before deleting ==
Sysops should also be aware of the general advice given on [[Help:Deleting a page]] (In particular, note that there are many situations where a deleting is too drastic. Often a redirect is more appropriate for example)

Before deleting you could perform various checks:
* Use the "What links here" tool. This gives an indication as to how important a page is, and what subjects it relates to. Perhaps the page is still linked to prominently from many places. All incoming links will become red links if you proceed with the delete. Ideally all incoming links should be changed/removed, if there is genuinely no need for this page to exist. You could do this work prior to deleting, or ask others in the wiki community to do it.
* Check the page history and the associated talk page. Who was proposing the deletion? Does anyone disagree? Has it been properly discussed? Did people have adequate time to raise objections? Did somebody vandalise a page, which then led to a deletion proposal?

The care taken over these things might depend on the size of the wiki community, and how clear-cut the case for deletion is. Remember that only sysop users can undo a delete action, so to a normal user the information appears to be lost forever.

== Use the 'delete' tab ==
Sysops should see a 'delete' tab at the top of every page. Click this to delete the page. You will be asked to confirm, and to supply a "Reason for deletion". This is a short textual description of why the page is being deleted. Your action will appear on the recent changes display, and in the deletion log ([[Special:Log]]).

== Undeleting ==
To undelete a page you must navigate to the exact page name of the page. You can find this in the deletion log ([[Special:Log]]) if you dont remember it.

You should then see a link to "View or restore n deleted edits". Tick the box next to the revision you wish to restore.

[[Category:Help|Sysop deleting and undeleting]]

Help:Protecting and unprotecting pages

2008-12-07T03:21:38Z

WikiSysop:

'''Protecting and unprotecting pages''' is very straightforward, but these operations require [[Help:Sysops and permissions|sysop permissions]].

You can designate a page as a [[Help:Protected pages|protected page]] by clicking the 'Protect page' tab, and supplying a comment (a brief textual description of why you are protecting the page)

There are several reasons why a particular page might be protected. Typically a protected page is one which has been repeatedly targeted with vandalism, or where it is believed that any vandalism would have a unusually severe impact. However there are also many good reasons for ''not'' protecting pages. As a sysop you must make this choice, and wield your power responsibly. A good reason to protect pages would to maintain some overall structure deemed desirable for a specific wiki.

[[Category:Help|Protecting and unprotecting pages]]

Help:Sysops and permissions

2008-12-07T03:21:17Z

WikiSysop:

The way '''permissions''' are set-up on different wikis can vary, but in general...

== Soft security - There ''are'' no permissions ==

Wikis are often set up to be freely and openly editable. This means anyone can edit the pages, often without even registering/logging in. This is only possible because wikis offer a unique kind of "soft security". By making it very simple to monitor edits, and revert changes to retrieve an older version of a page, a wiki doesn't need to be very restrictive at all.

There ''are'' no permissions. Everyone is an administrator. You don't need permission to edit, and you are encouraged to "be bold", go forth and edit!

...at least that is the theory. In practice MediaWiki software does offer many options related to permissions.

== Sysops ==
By default MediaWiki provides extra functionality to a group of trusted users called 'sysops' (or known more generally as 'administrators') Most of the time this should go largely unnoticed by the normal users of a wiki community. Everyone can get involved in editing pages, and even undertaking drastic reorganisation of the wiki. The extra powers of a sysop user are intended for use in settling disputes and preventing repeated vandalism.

=== Who are the sysops? ===
You can find out who the sysops are at [[Special:ListUsers/sysop]]

=== What can a sysop do? ===
There are a number of extra features available to sysops. The key ones are as follows:

;Protecting and unprotecting pages, and editing protected pages
:'Protecting' a page prevents normal users from editing the page at all. There are several reasons why a particular page might be protected. For more information see [[Help:Protected pages]]. For sysop information see [[Help:Protecting and unprotecting pages]]

;Deleting pages, and undeleting.
:A page can be deleted semi-permanently, such that it is no longer available (even in the page histories) for normal users. Normal users do not have this power. See [[Help:Deleting a page]]. For sysop information see [[Help:Sysop deleting and undeleting]].

;Blocking a user or IP address, and unblocking them.
:Users can be blocked from the wiki. This is a useful way of keeping out persistent vandals. Users are identified by their registered user name, or by I.P. address, and can be blocked permanently, or just short length of time to give them a "cooling off" period. See [[Help:Blocking users]]

;Patrolling, and seeing patrolled edits.
:This is a way of coordinating with other sysops, to ensure that every edit of the wiki has been checked over by a trusted user. See [[Help:Patrolled edits]]

== Bureaucrats ==
Another level of permissions within a default MediaWiki set-up, is the 'bureaucrat' group.

The main thing a bureaucrat can do, which 'sysop' cannot, is '''promote users to be sysops''' (and demote sysops to normal users). See [[Help:Assigning permissions]]

== See Also ==

* {{mediawiki|Manual:Administrators}}

[[Category:Help|Sysops and permissions]]

Help:Skins

2008-12-07T03:18:47Z

WikiSysop:

Clicking on the [[Special:preferences|my preferences]] link in the upper right while logged in then click on the '''Skin''' button to change your skin. You can also preview the skin by clicking the '''(preview)''' links next to each skin.

You can make changes to the current skin's {{mediawiki|Manual:Interface/Stylesheets|stylesheet}} file (CSS) by creating a subpage of your userpage, "[[Special:Mypage/monobook.css|User:Yourname/monobook.css]]" for example. This requires your site admin to have enabled this feature -- if it is, you will see advice text at the top of your custom CSS page about clearing your browser's cache.

{{admin tip|tip=To enable this feature, you have to set [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Manual:%24wgAllowUserCss $wgAllowUserCss] to your {{mediawiki|Manual:LocalSettings.php|LocalSettings.php}}.}}

== See also ==
* [[Help:Preferences]]
* [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Gallery_of_user_styles Gallery of user styles] (no official skins)

[[Category:Help|{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Skin|{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Subpage|{{PAGENAME}}]]

Help:Preferences

2008-12-07T03:18:15Z

WikiSysop:

Clicking on the [[Special:preferences|my preferences]] link in the upper right while logged in allows you to change your preferences. You will be presented with the User profile section, as well as a bar of tabs across the top for changing other types of settings.

==User profile==
===User profile===
* ''Username'': Your user name. Only bureaucrats can change your username, and the wiki must also have the {{mediawiki|Extension:Renameuser|Renameuser extension}} installed.
* ''User ID'': A number assigned to your account when you created it (for example, if your number is 42 you are the 42nd user to sign up at this particular wiki). This number is used for internal purposes.
* ''Number of edits'': How many edits you have made. Not all wikis will have this.
* ''Real name'': If provided, this will be used for attribution (rather than using your username). Providing your real name is entirely optional. Some wikis do not have this option.
* ''E-mail'': Your email address, if you have supplied one. You can also change or remove your address here.
* ''Nickname'': When you sign your name (using <code><nowiki>~~~~</nowiki></code>), what you enter here will be used at the start instead of a simple link to your user page. By default, anything you enter here will be wrapped with <code><nowiki>[[ ]]</nowiki></code>; if you want to use special linking, enable ''Raw signatures (without automatic link)''.
* ''Language'': This controls what language the interface is displayed in. MediaWiki's default interface includes localisations for all supported languages, but this is not necessarily the case with extensions or custom skins. Page text will '''not''' be translated, nor will templates (unless the templates integrate text localisation).

===Change password===
To change your password, enter your old password in the first box and your new password in the last two. If you want this site to remember your login, check ''Remember my login on this computer''. Note that this function requires you to have cookies enabled in your browser, and if your cookie is cleared or expires you will no longer be remembered.

===E-mail===
If you have supplied an email address, you will need to click the ''verify address'' button in order to use these functions. You will receive an email; simply open it and follow the link to enable the following functions.

* ''E-mail me when a page I'm watching is changed''
* ''E-mail me when my user talk page is changed''
* ''E-mail me also for minor edits of pages''
* ''Enable e-mail from other users''
* ''Send me copies of emails I send to other users''

===Languages===

From your preferences you can select what language you would like the interface to be in. Only the buttons like 'edit' and 'talk', in addition to a few pages in the sidebar, will be affected. The main text of the pages will not be changed by this for the vast majority of pages, although there are a few pages where it will, like some in the Wikimedia Meta Wiki.

==Skin==
Here you can choose the skin you want to use (use ''Preview'' if you want to see a skin before you choose it). By default, MediaWiki includes the following skins:
* Chick
* Classic
* Cologne Blue
* MonoBook (default)
* MySkin
* Nostalgia
* Simple
While you can choose whatever skin you like, bear in mind that some wikis will incorporate templates or layout elements that will not display as intended in some of these skins. Generally speaking, sticking with MonoBook (or whatever the wiki's default skin is) will ensure you see pages as intended.

==Math==
Here you can control how mathematical equations described using the <code><nowiki><math></nowiki></code> tag will be displayed. Mathematical formulae uploaded as images or written outside the math tag will not be affected by this setting.
* ''Always render PNG''
* ''HTML if very simple or else PNG''
* ''HTML if possible or else PNG''
* ''Leave it as TeX (for text browsers)''
* ''Recommended for modern browsers''
* ''MathML if possible (experimental)''

==Files==
Here you can determine how images will be displayed. Images displayed by direct pasting of a URL (if the wiki has it enabled) will not be affected by this setting.

* ''Limit images on image description pages to'': This setting lets you choose how big image previews will be on the Image: pages. If you know what your current screen resolution is you may like to set this to one or two sizes smaller than your own screen. If you have a slow connection (such as dial-up) you may want to limit them to 320×240.
* ''Thumbnail size'': Define how big you want thumbnails to appear. This setting will not affect thumbnails with dimensions determined by an editor, nor can it increase images beyond their original dimensions.

==Date and time==
The following is normally rendered depending on preferences:

<pre>
[[2001-01-05]] (or [[2001]]-[[01-05]]) (with leading zeros)
[[2001]] [[January 5]] ([[2001]] [[January 05]])
[[January 5]], [[2001]] ([[January 05]], [[2001]])
[[5 January]] [[2001]] ([[05 January]] [[2001]])
[[January 5]] ([[January 05]])
[[5 January]] ([[05 January]])
</pre>

==Editing==
Settings to control editing pages, including the size of the edit box displayed and whether to watch pages that you have edited or created automatically.

==Recent changes==
* ''Days to show in recent changes'': Here you can specify how far back the [[Help:Tracking changes|recent changes]] pages will go. Note that the list will stop prematurely if the number of edits is exceeded (see below)
* ''Number of edits to show in recent changes'': Here you can specify how many edits should be displayed.
* ''Hide minor edits in recent changes'': This enables you to hide edits marked as minor (see [[Help:Editing pages]]). Since some users will rapidly make a lot of tiny tweaks to update templates or fix spelling errors you may find enabling this to be useful. You can also turn this on temporarily from the recent changes page (see [[Help:Tracking changes]]).
* ''Enhanced recent changes (JavaScript)'': Enhanced recent changes condenses edits into a per-page list. As indicated, this requires JavaScript to be enabled. See [[Help:Tracking changes]] for more information on this feature.

==Watchlist==
Setting to control the behaviour of the watchlist (See [[Help:Watchlist]]) Most of these options are also available on the watchlist display itself, but by setting them in your preferences you control the default behaviour i.e. Every time you visit the watchlist it will do the same.

==Search==
Default settings for searches including how many results to display and how much context to show for each result. Check the boxes next to the namespaces which you want to show up, the first time that you search for something. You can override this when doing an actual search, by checking or unchecking the boxes at the bottom of the search results screen.

''Administrators'': To change the namespace default preferences for new users (or users who haven't changed their preferences yet), see {{mediawiki|Manual:$wgNamespacesToBeSearchedDefault}}

==Misc==
Other settings such as numbering and justification.

== See also ==
* [[Help:Skins]]

[[Category:Help|Preferences]]

Help:External searches

2008-12-07T03:17:42Z

WikiSysop:

It is possible to create an external searches of a topic using key words using a template.

For example, this is something that would work for Google:
<pre><nowiki>
[[Image:GoogleIcon.PNG]] [http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q={{{1|Wiki}}}&btnG=Search&meta= {{{1|Google}}}]
<noinclude>
==Usage==
Allows to establish a link to a search query at the Google search engine:
<div style="display:table; width:auto;"><pre>
{{Google|Term1+Term2+Term3}}
</pre></div>
[[Category:Template|Google]]
</noinclude></nowiki></pre>

The usage is very simple and easy to use. <nowiki>{{Google|firstTerm+Second+etc}}</nowiki>

It is also possible to do phrases by using %22Term1+Term2+etc%22

*External searches are useful where an article requires certain keywords to make an effective search.
*For the editor it allows making searches of web more quickly and painlessly.

Other applications of the template include searching Forums, for bug reports of the same type for software development wikis where the wiki and forum work together.

Note: Wikipedia has an [[Help:Links#Interwiki_links|interwiki prefix]] with a similar effect, so you can link to google results with <nowiki>[[Google:firstTerm+Second+etc]]</nowiki>, although templates are still useful for linking other search engines.

[[Category:Help|External Searches]]
[[Category:Search]]

Help:Special pages

2008-12-07T03:17:16Z

WikiSysop:

'''Special pages''' are pages that are created by the software on demand. They are located in their own [[Help:Namespaces|namespace]] ''Special:'' and are not editable directly as other pages.

Some special pages depend on the [[Help:Preferences|preferences]] that have been set by a user, e.g. the number of titles which is displayed on a user's [[Help:Watchlist|watchlist]].

==List of special pages==
Clicking the link ''[[Special:Specialpages]]'' will take you to a list of all special pages on a wiki. Such a link is often accessible in the [[Help:Navigation#Toolbox|toolbox]] on the left hand panel.

[[Category:Help|Special pages]]
[[Category:Special Pages| ]]

Help:Namespaces

2008-12-07T03:16:38Z

WikiSysop:

Pages without a ':' in their name are in the main namespace. These are typically the bulk of the content pages in a wiki. Pages which aren't directly related to this core content, may go in other namespaces. These pages have a name of the form "''namespace'':''page''", for example this page is called "''{{NAMESPACE}}'':''{{PAGENAME}}''" (this page belongs to the namespace '{{NAMESPACE}}' and the name of this page is 'Namespaces')

Use of namespaces can vary from one wiki to another, but a typical scheme would be as follows:

;Help: Documentation about working with the wiki software. This could be mirrored from outside sites, or locally written.
;Image: For descriptions of uploaded files or media files. You shouldn't create these directly; they are created when you click the [[special:upload|Upload file]] link in the toolbox.
;Media: Use this namespace to link to uploaded files directly, rather than through the description pages.
;MediaWiki: Use this namespace to change the default system messages, [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:System_message See Help:System message on meta].
;Project: Information about this wiki; i.e. policies that apply here. This namespace also has an alias, which is the name of the wiki installation.
;Talk: Each page has a corresponding ''discussion'' page. This can be used for feedback/comments about that page, or other local notes that another group may want to associate with the page, without modifying the document directly, or for any other additional information to associate with the document.
;Template: This is used for meta-information that is to be transcluded into multiple documents, such as tags to mark the status of a document.
;User: For personal notes. Each User has a corresponding user page for their own information. Users can also create subpages, by using a / after their name.
;User_talk: The discussion page on a user's page can be used for leaving messages. If this page is edited, the next time that user logs in they will see a box notifying them that they have new messages

== See also ==
* {{mediawiki|Manual:Namespaces}}
* {{mediawiki|Manual:Using custom namespaces}}

[[Category:Help|Namespaces]]
[[Category:Namespace]]

Help:Magic words

2008-12-07T03:16:02Z

WikiSysop:

'''Magic words''' are strings of text that MediaWiki associates with a return value or function, such as time, site details, or page names. This page is about usage of standard magic words; for a technical reference, see {{mediawiki|Manual:Magic words}}.

==General notes==
* '''Inheritance:''' page-dependent magic words will affect or return data about the current page, regardless of whether it is in the page code or a transcluded template.

==Behaviour switches==
A behaviour switch controls the layout or behaviour of the page and can often be used to specify desired omissions and inclusions in the content. They are usually written as an uppercase word wrapped with double underscores.

{| {{prettytable}}
|-
!{{Hl2}}| Word
!{{Hl2}}| Description
!{{Hl2}}| Versions
|-
|{{Hl3}} colspan="3"| '''Table of contents'''
|-
| <nowiki>__NOTOC__</nowiki>
| Hides the table of contents (TOC).
|
|-
|<nowiki>__FORCETOC__</nowiki>
| Forces the table of content to appear at its normal position (above the first header).
|
|-
| <nowiki>__TOC__</nowiki>
| Places a table of contents at the word's current position (overriding <nowiki>__NOTOC__</nowiki>). If this is used multiple times, the table of contents will appear at the first word's position.
|
|-
|{{Hl3}} colspan="3"| '''Editing'''
|-
| <nowiki>__NOEDITSECTION__</nowiki>
| Hides the section edit links beside headings.
|
|-
| <nowiki>__NEWSECTIONLINK__</nowiki>
| Adds a link (([[MediaWiki:Addsection|"+" by default]]) beside the "edit" tab for adding a new section on a non-talk page (see {{mediawiki|m:Help:Section#Adding a section at the end|Adding a section to the end}}).
| 1.7+
|-
|{{Hl3}} colspan="3"| '''Categories'''
|-
| <nowiki>__NOGALLERY__</nowiki>
| Used on a category page, replaces thumbnails in the category view with normal links.
| 1.7+
|-
| <nowiki>__HIDDENCAT__</nowiki>
| Used on a category page, hides the category from the lists of categories in its members and parent categories (there is an option in the [[Help:Preferences|user preferences]] to show them).
| 1.13+
|-
| <nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:xyz}}</nowiki>
| Used on a categorized page, sets a default [[Help:Categories|category sort key]].
| 1.10+
|-
|{{Hl3}} colspan="3"| '''Language conversion'''
|-
| <nowiki>__NOCONTENTCONVERT__</nowiki> <nowiki>__NOCC__</nowiki>
| On wikis with language variants, don't perform any content language conversion (character and phase) in article display; for example, only show Chinese (zh) instead of variants like zh_cn, zh_tw, zh_sg, or zh_hk.
|
|-
| <nowiki>__NOTITLECONVERT__</nowiki> <nowiki>__NOTC__</nowiki>
| On wikis with language variants, don't perform language conversion on the title (all other content is converted).
|
|-
|{{Hl3}} colspan="3"| '''Page formatting'''
|-
| <nowiki>{{DISPLAYTITLE:xyz}}</nowiki>
| Format the current page's title header. The value must be equivalent to the default title: only capitalization changes and replacing spaces with underscores. It can be disabled or enabled by {{mediawiki|Manual:$wgAllowDisplayTitle|$wgAllowDisplayTitle}}; disabled by default before 1.10+, enabled by default thereafter.
| 1.7+
|-
| <nowiki>__END__</nowiki>
| Explicitly marks the end of the article, to prevent MediaWiki from removing trailing whitespace. Removed in {{mediawiki|rev:19213|19213}}.
|
|-
|{{Hl3}} colspan="3"| '''Other'''
|-
| <nowiki>__START__</nowiki>
| No effect.
|
|-
| <nowiki>__NOINDEX__</nowiki>
| Tell search engines not to index the page (ie, do not list in search engines' results).
| {{mediawiki|rev:37973|1.13+}}
|-
| <nowiki>__INDEX__</nowiki>
| Tell search engines to index the page (overrides {{mediawiki|Manual:$wgArticleRobotPolicies|$wgArticleRobotPolicies}}, but not robots.txt).
| 1.13+
|-
| <nowiki>__STATICREDIRECT__</nowiki>
| On redirect pages, don't allow MediaWiki to automatically update the link when someone moves a page and checks "Update any redirects that point to the original title".
| {{mediawiki|rev:37928|1.13+}}
|-
| <nowiki>#REDIRECT [[Page name]]</nowiki>
| Causes the current page to [[Help:Redirects|redirect]] viewers to another page.
|}

==Variables and parser functions==
Variables return information about the current page, wiki, or date. Their syntax is similar to [[Help:Templates|templates]], but capitalized to help avoid conflicts. If a template has the same name and case as a variable, the variable will be used. Usage of the template can be forced by adding the "msg:" modifier (for example, "<code><nowiki>{{msg:CURRENTYEAR}}</nowiki></code>"). In some cases, adding parameters will force the parser to treat a variable as a template; for example, <code><nowiki>{{CURRENTDAYNAME|x}}</nowiki></code> tries to transclude "Template:CURRENTDAYNAME".

Parser functions are very similar to variables, but operate on user input instead of the current page. The first parameter is delimited by a colon (:) instead of a pipe (|). (This page does not document custom parser functions added by the {{mediawiki|Extension:ParserFunctions|ParserFunctions extension}}.)

===Date & time===
The following variables return the current date and time according to the user's timezone [[Special:Preferences|preferences]], defaulting to the UTC timezone.

Due to MediaWiki and browser caching, these variables frequently show when the page was ''cached'' rather than the current time.

{| {{prettytable}}
|-
!{{Hl2}}| Variable
!{{Hl2}}| Output
!{{Hl2}}| Description
!{{Hl2}}| Versions
|-
|{{Hl3}} colspan="4"| '''Year'''
|-
| <nowiki>{{CURRENTYEAR}}</nowiki>
| {{CURRENTYEAR}}
| Year
|
|-
|{{Hl3}} colspan="4"| '''Month'''
|-
| <nowiki>{{CURRENTMONTH}}</nowiki>
| {{CURRENTMONTH}}
| Month (zero-padded number)
|
|-
| <nowiki>{{CURRENTMONTHNAME}}</nowiki>
| {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}}
| Month (name)
|
|-
| <nowiki>{{CURRENTMONTHNAMEGEN}}</nowiki>
| {{CURRENTMONTHNAMEGEN}}
| Month ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/genitive genitive form])
|
|-
| <nowiki>{{CURRENTMONTHABBREV}}</nowiki>
| {{CURRENTMONTHABBREV}}
| Month (abbreviation)
| 1.5+
|-
|{{Hl3}} colspan="4"| '''Day'''
|-
| <nowiki>{{CURRENTDAY}}</nowiki>
| {{CURRENTDAY}}
| Day of the month (unpadded number)
|
|-
| <nowiki>{{CURRENTDAY2}}</nowiki>
| {{CURRENTDAY2}}
| Day of the month (zero-padded number)
| 1.6+
|-
| <nowiki>{{CURRENTDOW}}</nowiki>
| {{CURRENTDOW}}
| Day of the week (unpadded number)
|
|-
| <nowiki>{{CURRENTDAYNAME}}</nowiki>
| {{CURRENTDAYNAME}}
| Day of the week (name)
|
|-
|{{Hl3}} colspan="4"| '''Time'''
|-
| <nowiki>{{CURRENTTIME}}</nowiki>
| {{CURRENTTIME}}
| Time (24-hour HH:mm format)
|
|-
| <nowiki>{{CURRENTHOUR}}</nowiki>
| {{CURRENTHOUR}}
| Hour (24-hour zero-padded number)
|
|-
|{{Hl3}} colspan="4"| '''Other'''
|-
| <nowiki>{{CURRENTWEEK}}</nowiki>
| {{CURRENTWEEK}}
| Week (number)
|
|-
| <nowiki>{{CURRENTTIMESTAMP}}</nowiki>
| {{CURRENTTIMESTAMP}}
| [[wikipedia:ISO 8601|ISO 8601]] time stamp
| 1.7+
|}

The following variables do the same as the above, but using the site's local timezone instead of user preferences and UTC:
* <nowiki>{{LOCALYEAR}}</nowiki>
* <nowiki>{{LOCALMONTH}}</nowiki>
* <nowiki>{{LOCALMONTHNAME}}</nowiki>
* <nowiki>{{LOCALMONTHNAMEGEN}}</nowiki>
* <nowiki>{{LOCALMONTHABBREV}}</nowiki>
* <nowiki>{{LOCALDAY}}</nowiki>
* <nowiki>{{LOCALDAY2}}</nowiki>
* <nowiki>{{LOCALDOW}}</nowiki>
* <nowiki>{{LOCALDAYNAME}}</nowiki>
* <nowiki>{{LOCALTIME}}</nowiki>
* <nowiki>{{LOCALHOUR}}</nowiki>
* <nowiki>{{LOCALWEEK}}</nowiki>
* <nowiki>{{LOCALTIMESTAMP}}</nowiki>

===Technical metadata===
Revision variables return data about the '''latest edit to the current page''', even if viewing an older version of the page.
{| {{prettytable}}
|-
!{{Hl2}}| Variable
!{{Hl2}}| Output
!{{Hl2}}| Description
!{{Hl2}}| Versions
|-
|{{Hl3}} colspan="4"| '''Site'''
|-
| <nowiki>{{SITENAME}}</nowiki>
| {{SITENAME}}
| The wiki's site name ({{mediawiki|Manual:$wgSitename|$wgSitename}}).
|
|-
| <nowiki>{{CURRENTVERSION}}</nowiki>
| {{CURRENTVERSION}}
| The wiki's MediaWiki version.
| 1.7+
|-
| <nowiki>{{CONTENTLANGUAGE}}</nowiki>
| {{CONTENTLANGUAGE}}
| The wiki's default interface language ({{mediawiki|Manual:$wgLanguageCode|$wgLanguageCode}})
| 1.7+
|-
|{{Hl3}} colspan="4"| '''Latest revision to current page'''
|-
| <nowiki>{{REVISIONID}}</nowiki>
| {{REVISIONID}}
| Unique ID
| 1.5+
|-
| <nowiki>{{REVISIONDAY}}</nowiki>
| {{REVISIONDAY}}
| Day edit was made (unpadded number)
| 1.8+
|-
| <nowiki>{{REVISIONDAY2}}</nowiki>
| {{REVISIONDAY2}}
| Day edit was made (zero-padded number)
| 1.8+
|-
| <nowiki>{{REVISIONMONTH}}</nowiki>
| {{REVISIONMONTH}}
| Month edit was made (unpadded number)
| 1.8+
|-
| <nowiki>{{REVISIONYEAR}}</nowiki>
| {{REVISIONYEAR}}
| Year edit was made
| 1.8+
|-
| <nowiki>{{REVISIONTIMESTAMP}}</nowiki>
| {{REVISIONTIMESTAMP}}
| Timestamp as of time of edit
| 1.8+
|}

===Statistics===
Numbers returned by these variables contain number separators, but can return raw numbers with the ":R" flag (for example, <code><nowiki>{{NUMBEROFPAGES}}</nowiki></code> = {{NUMBEROFPAGES}} and <code><nowiki>{{NUMBEROFPAGES:R}}</nowiki></code> = {{NUMBEROFPAGES:R}}). Use "|R" for magic words that require a parameter like PAGESINCATEGORY (for example <code><nowiki>{{PAGESINCATEGORY:Help}}</nowiki></code> and <code><nowiki>{{PAGESINCATEGORY:Help|R}}</nowiki></code>).
{| {{prettytable}}
|-
!{{Hl2}}| Variable
!{{Hl2}}| Output
!{{Hl2}}| Description
!{{Hl2}}| Versions
|-
|{{Hl3}} colspan="4"| '''Entire wiki'''
|-
| <nowiki>{{NUMBEROFPAGES}}</nowiki>
| {{NUMBEROFPAGES}}
| Number of wiki pages.
| 1.7+
|-
| <nowiki>{{NUMBEROFARTICLES}}</nowiki>
| {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}}
| Number of pages in main namespace.
|
|-
| <nowiki>{{NUMBEROFFILES}}</nowiki>
| {{NUMBEROFFILES}}
| Number of uploaded files.
| 1.5+
|-
| <nowiki>{{NUMBEROFEDITS}}</nowiki>
| {{NUMBEROFEDITS}}
| Number of page edits.
| {{mediawiki|rev:21319|1.10+}}
|-
| <nowiki>{{NUMBEROFUSERS}}</nowiki>
| {{NUMBEROFUSERS}}
| Number of registered users.
| 1.7+
|-
| <nowiki>{{NUMBEROFADMINS}}</nowiki>
| {{NUMBEROFADMINS}}
| Number of users in the ''sysop'' {{mediawiki|Manual:User rights|group}}.
| 1.7+
|-
| <nowiki>{{NUMBERINGROUP:groupname}}</nowiki>
| {{NUMBERINGROUP:bureaucrat}} <nowiki>({{NUMBERINGROUP:bureaucrat}} used here)</nowiki>
| Number of users in a specific {{mediawiki|Manual:User rights|group}}.
| {{mediawiki|rev:40116|1.14+}}
|-
|{{Hl3}} colspan="4"| '''Per namespace'''
|-
| <nowiki>{{PAGESINNS:2}}</nowiki> <nowiki>{{PAGESINNAMESPACE:2}}</nowiki>
| ''not enabled''
| Number of pages in the given [[Help:Namespaces|namespace]] (replace 2 with the relevant [[Manual:Namespace|namespace ID]]). E.g. <nowiki>{{PAGESINNAMESPACE:14}}</nowiki> equals the number of categories.  Disabled by default, enable with {{mediawiki|Manual:$wgAllowSlowParserFunctions|$wgAllowSlowParserFunctions}}.
| 1.7+
|-
|{{Hl3}} colspan="4"| '''Other'''
|-
| <nowiki>{{PAGESINCATEGORY:Help}}</nowiki> <nowiki>{{PAGESINCAT:Help}}</nowiki>
| {{PAGESINCATEGORY:Help}} {{PAGESINCAT:Help}}
| Number of pages in the given [[Help:Categories|category]] (replace "Help" with the relevant category name).
| {{mediawiki|rev:32932|1.13+}}
|-
| <nowiki>{{PAGESIZE:Help:Magic_words}}</nowiki>
| {{PAGESIZE:Help:Magic_words}}
| Returns the byte size of the specified page.
| {{mediawiki|rev:33551|1.13+}}
|}

===URL data===
====URLs====
{| {{prettytable}}
|-
!{{Hl2}}| Variable
!{{Hl2}}| Output
!{{Hl2}}| Description
!{{Hl2}}| Versions
|-
| <nowiki>{{SERVER}}</nowiki>
| {{SERVER}}
| domain URL ({{mediawiki|Manual:$wgServer|$wgServer}})
|
|-
| <nowiki>{{SERVERNAME}}</nowiki>
| {{SERVERNAME}}
| domain name ({{mediawiki|Manual:$wgServerName|$wgServerName}})
|
|-
| <nowiki>{{SCRIPTPATH}}</nowiki>
| {{SCRIPTPATH}}
| relative script path ({{mediawiki|Manual:$wgScriptPath|$wgScriptPath}})
|
|-
| <nowiki>{{localurl:</nowiki>''page name''<nowiki>}}</nowiki> <nowiki>{{localurl:page name|</nowiki>''query string''<nowiki>}}</nowiki>
| {{localurl:page name}} {{localurl:page name|query string}}
| relative path to title
|
|-
| <nowiki>{{fullurl:</nowiki>''page name''<nowiki>}}</nowiki> <nowiki>{{fullurl:page name|</nowiki>''query_string''<nowiki>}}</nowiki>
| {{fullurl:page name}} {{fullurl:page name|query_string}}
| absolute path to title
| 1.5+
|-
| <nowiki>{{filepath:Wiki.png}}</nowiki>
| {{filepath:Wiki.png}}
| The absolute URL to a media file.
| {{mediawiki|rev:25854|1.12+}}
|-
| <nowiki>{{urlencode:x y z}}</nowiki>
| <code>{{urlencode:x y z}}</code>
| The input encoded for use in URLs.
| {{mediawiki|rev:14273|1.7+}}
|-
| <nowiki>{{anchorencode:x y z}}</nowiki>
| <code>{{anchorencode:x y z}}</code>
| The input encoded for use in URL section anchors (after the '#' symbol in a URL).
| {{mediawiki|rev:16279|1.8+}}
|}

====Page names====
{| {{prettytable}}
|-
!{{Hl2}}| Variable
!{{Hl2}}| Output
!{{Hl2}}| Description
!{{Hl2}}| Versions
|-
| <nowiki>{{FULLPAGENAME}}</nowiki>
| {{FULLPAGENAME}}
| Namespace and page title.
| 1.6+
|-
| <nowiki>{{PAGENAME}}</nowiki>
| {{PAGENAME}}
| Page title.
|
|-
| <nowiki>{{BASEPAGENAME}}</nowiki>
| {{BASEPAGENAME}}
| Page title excluding the current [[Help:Subpages|subpage]] and namespace ("Title" on "Title/foo").
| 1.7+
|-
| <nowiki>{{SUBPAGENAME}}</nowiki>
| {{SUBPAGENAME}}
| The [[Help:Subpages|subpage]] title ("foo" on "Title/foo").
| 1.6+
|-
| <nowiki>{{SUBJECTPAGENAME}}</nowiki>
| {{SUBJECTPAGENAME}}
| The namespace and title of the associated content page.
| 1.7+
|-
| <nowiki>{{TALKPAGENAME}}</nowiki>
| {{TALKPAGENAME}}
| The namespace and title of the associated talk page.
| 1.7+
|}

The following are URL-encoded equivalents:
* <nowiki>{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}</nowiki>
* <nowiki>{{PAGENAMEE}}</nowiki>
* <nowiki>{{BASEPAGENAMEE}}</nowiki>
* <nowiki>{{SUBPAGENAMEE}}</nowiki>
* <nowiki>{{SUBJECTPAGENAMEE}}</nowiki>
* <nowiki>{{TALKPAGENAMEE}}</nowiki>

====Namespaces====
{| {{prettytable}}
|-
!{{Hl2}}| Variable
!{{Hl2}}| Output
!{{Hl2}}| Description
!{{Hl2}}| Versions
|-
| <nowiki>{{NAMESPACE}}</nowiki>
| {{NAMESPACE}}
| Namespace (name)
|-
| <nowiki>{{SUBJECTSPACE}}</nowiki> <nowiki>{{ARTICLESPACE}}</nowiki>
| {{SUBJECTSPACE}} {{ARTICLESPACE}}
| Name of the associated content namespace
| 1.7+
|-
| <nowiki>{{TALKSPACE}}</nowiki>
| {{TALKSPACE}}
| Name of the associated talk namespace
| 1.7+
|}

The following are URL-encoded equivalents:
* <nowiki>{{NAMESPACEE}}</nowiki>
* <nowiki>{{SUBJECTSPACEE}}</nowiki>
* <nowiki>{{TALKSPACEE}}</nowiki>

<code><nowiki>{{ns:}}</nowiki></code> returns the localized namespace name for that number constant. The default values are:
{| {{prettytable}}
|-
!{{Hl2}}| Usage
!{{Hl2}}| Output
|-
| <nowiki>{{ns:-2}} or {{ns:Media}}</nowiki>
| {{ns:-2}}
|-
| <nowiki>{{ns:-1}} or {{ns:Special}}</nowiki>
| {{ns:-1}}
|-
| <nowiki>{{ns:0}}</nowiki>
| {{ns:0}}
|-
| <nowiki>{{ns:1}} or {{ns:Talk}}</nowiki>
| {{ns:1}}
|-
| <nowiki>{{ns:2}} or {{ns:User}}</nowiki>
| {{ns:2}}
|-
| <nowiki>{{ns:3}} or {{ns:User_talk}}</nowiki>
| {{ns:3}}
|-
| <nowiki>{{ns:4}} or {{ns:Project}}</nowiki>
| {{ns:4}}
|-
| <nowiki>{{ns:5}} or {{ns:Project_talk}}</nowiki>
| {{ns:5}}
|-
| <nowiki>{{ns:6}} or {{ns:Image}}</nowiki>
| {{ns:6}}
|-
| <nowiki>{{ns:7}} or {{ns:Image_talk}}</nowiki>
| {{ns:7}}
|-
| <nowiki>{{ns:8}} or {{ns:MediaWiki}}</nowiki>
| {{ns:8}}
|-
| <nowiki>{{ns:9}} or {{ns:MediaWiki_talk}}</nowiki>
| {{ns:9}}
|-
| <nowiki>{{ns:10}} or {{ns:Template}}</nowiki>
| {{ns:10}}
|-
| <nowiki>{{ns:11}} or {{ns:Template_talk}}</nowiki>
| {{ns:11}}
|-
| <nowiki>{{ns:12}} or {{ns:Help}}</nowiki>
| {{ns:12}}
|-
| <nowiki>{{ns:13}} or {{ns:Help_talk}}</nowiki>
| {{ns:13}}
|-
| <nowiki>{{ns:14}} or {{ns:Category}}</nowiki>
| {{ns:14}}
|-
| <nowiki>{{ns:15}} or {{ns:Category_talk}}</nowiki>
| {{ns:15}}
|}

===Formatting===
{| {{prettytable}}
!{{Hl2}}| Usage
!{{Hl2}}| Output
!{{Hl2}}| Description
!{{Hl2}}| Version
|-
|-
| <nowiki>{{lc:XYZ}}</nowiki>
| {{lc:XYZ}}
| The lowercase input.
| 1.5+
|-
| <nowiki>{{lcfirst:XYZ}}</nowiki>
| {{lcfirst:XYZ}}
| The input with the first character lowercase.
| 1.5+
|-
| <nowiki>{{uc:xyz}}</nowiki>
| {{uc:xyz}}
| The uppercase input.
| 1.5+
|-
| <nowiki>{{ucfirst:xyz}}</nowiki>
| {{ucfirst:xyz}}
| The input with the first character uppercase.
| 1.5+
|-
| <nowiki>{{formatnum:-987654321.654321}}</nowiki>
| {{formatnum:-987654321.654321}}
| The input with decimal and decimal group separators, and localized digit script, according to the wiki's default locale.
| 1.7+
|-
| <nowiki>{{padleft:xyz|5|_}}</nowiki> <nowiki>{{padleft:xyz|5}}</nowiki>
| {{padleft:xyz|5|_}} {{padleft:xyz|5}}
| The input (first parameter) padded on the left side to the specified width (second parameter) using the specified character (third parameter). If a padding character isn't specified, '0' is used by default. '''bug:''' multibyte characters are interpreted as two characters, which can skew width. These also cannot be used as padding characters.
| 1.8+
|-
| <nowiki>{{padright:xyz|5|_}}</nowiki> <nowiki>{{padright:xyz|5}}</nowiki>
| {{padright:xyz|5|_}} {{padright:xyz|5}}
| Identical to padleft, but adds padding characters to the right side.
|-
| <nowiki>{{DIRMARK}}</nowiki> <nowiki>{{DIRECTIONMARK}}</nowiki>
| {{DIRMARK}} {{DIRECTIONMARK}}
| Outputs a unicode-directional mark that matches the wiki's default language's direction (<code>&lrm;</code> on left-to-right wikis, <code>&rlm;</code> on right-to-left wikis), useful in text with multi-directional text.
| 1.7+
|-
| <nowiki>{{plural:2|is|are}}</nowiki>
| {{plural:2|is|are}}
| Outputs the correct given pluralization form (parameters except first) depending on the count (first parameter). Plural transformations are used for languages like Russian based on "count mod 10".
|}

===Miscellaneous===
{| {{prettytable}}
!{{Hl2}}| Usage
!{{Hl2}}| Output
!{{Hl2}}| Description
!{{Hl2}}| Version
|-
| <nowiki>{{#language:ar}}</nowiki> <nowiki>{{#language:th}}</nowiki>
| {{#language:ar}} {{#language:th}}
| The native name for the given language code.
| 1.7+
|-
| <nowiki>{{#special:userlogin}}</nowiki>
| {{#special:userlogin}}
| The localized name for the given canonical Special: page.
| {{mediawiki|rev:17321|1.9+}}
|-
| <nowiki>{{#tag:tagname}}</nowiki> <nowiki>{{#tag:tagname|inner content|parameter=value|parameter2=value}}</nowiki>
| ''(depends on parser tag)''
| Alias for XML-style parser or extension tags, but parsing wiki code. Attribute values can be passed as parameter values ('<code><nowiki><tagname attribute="value"></nowiki></code>' → '<code><nowiki>{{#tag:tagname|attribute=value}}</nowiki></code>'), and inner content as an unnamed parameter ('<code><nowiki><tagname>content</tagname></nowiki></code>' → '<code><nowiki>{{#tag:tagname|content}}</nowiki></code>').
| [[rev:29482|1.12+]]
|}

[[Category:Help|{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Time|{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Magic words|{{PAGENAME}}]]

Help:Templates

2008-12-07T03:14:26Z

WikiSysop:

If you have standard texts you want to include on several pages, the MediaWiki template feature comes into play.

==Creating a template==
Templates are standard wiki pages, only the template names are prefixed with "<code>Template:</code>". Therefore you can [[Help:Starting a new page|create them like any other wiki page]].

==Using a template==
Templates are wiki pages which can be used in other pages in three ways:
*<code><nowiki>{{Name}}</nowiki></code> 'transcludes' (i.e. includes a copy of) the content of the template (stored in the page <nowiki>[[Template:Name]]</nowiki>) whenever the page containing the template transclusion is fetched and displayed; i.e. if the template is later changed, the displayed transcluding page will automatically change too
*<code><nowiki>{{subst:Name}}</nowiki></code> replaces that string with the contents of the template, in the source of the transcluding page, when you save that page; the copy of the template contents can then be edited normally (and separately from the original in the template page). '''''Note''''': don't use this if you are looking to continually propagate changes from the source template to the page(s) that references it.
*<code><nowiki>{{msgnw:Name}}</nowiki></code> includes the template in a form that displays it as raw wiki syntax (the way <code><nowiki><nowiki></nowiki></code> does) when the page containing it is fetched

In fact, an ordinary wiki page can also be used as a template, simply by qualifying the namespace it resides in, so:

*<code><nowiki>{{Template:Pagename}}</nowiki></code> includes <code><nowiki>[[Template:Pagename]]</nowiki></code>
*<code><nowiki>{{Foo:Pagename}}</nowiki></code> includes <code><nowiki>[[Foo:Pagename]]</nowiki></code>
*<code><nowiki>{{:Pagename}}</nowiki></code> includes <code><nowiki>[[Pagename]]</nowiki></code>

If no such namespace exists, the full title is assumed to be a template:

*<code><nowiki>{{Foo:Bar}}</nowiki></code> includes <code><nowiki>[[Template:Foo:Bar]]</nowiki></code>

==Using parameters in templates==
<div style="float:right; margin:8px;">
{| {{Prettytable}}
|-
|{{Hl2}} colspan="2" align="center" |'''Template with numbered parameters'''
|-
| colspan="2" |
<pre><nowiki>
'''A little thank you...''' 
for {{{1}}}. 
hugs, {{{2}}}
</nowiki></pre>
|-
|{{Hl2}}|'''You type'''
|{{Hl2}}|'''You get'''
|-
|<code><nowiki>{{Thankyou|all your hard work|Joe}}</nowiki></code>
|
{{Thankyou|all your hard work|Joe}}
|-
|{{Hl2}} colspan="2" align="center" |'''with named parameters'''
|-
| colspan="2" |
<pre><nowiki>
'''A little thank you...''' 
for {{{reason}}}. 
hugs, {{{signature}}}
</nowiki></pre>
|-
|{{Hl2}}|'''You type'''
|{{Hl2}}|'''You get'''
|-
|<pre><nowiki>{{Thankyou
|reason=all your hard work
|signature=Joe}}</nowiki></pre>
|
{{Thankyou|all your hard work|Joe}}
|}
</div>
You can define parameters in templates either numbered as <code><nowiki>{{{1}}}</nowiki></code> or named <code><nowiki>{{{param}}}</nowiki></code>.

'''Example:''' You want a little thank you note you can put on the talk page of other users. It will contain a reason and your signature. You could create [[Template:Thankyou]] to enter your text, as in the example in the table.

When using the template on a page, you fill in the parameter values, separated by a pipe char (|): <code><nowiki>{{Thankyou|all your hard work|Joe}}</nowiki></code>. For named parameters use "name=value" pairs separated by a pipe char: <code><nowiki>{{Thankyou|reason=all your hard work|signature=Joe}}</nowiki></code>. The advantage of using named parameters in your template is that they are flexible in order. It also makes the template easier to understand if you have many parameters. If you want to change the order of numbered parameters, you have to mention them explicitly: <code><nowiki>{{Thankyou|2=Joe|1=all your hard work}}</nowiki></code>.

You can also provide default values for parameters, i.e. values that are going to be used if no value is provided for a parameter. For example, <code><nowiki>{{{reason|all your hard work}}}</nowiki></code> would result in ''"all your hard work"'' if no value was provided for the parameter <tt>reason</tt>.

==Control template inclusion==
You can control template inclusion by the use of <code><nowiki><noinclude></nowiki></code> and
<code><nowiki><includeonly></nowiki></code> tags.

Anything between <code><nowiki><noinclude></nowiki></code> and <code><nowiki></noinclude></nowiki></code> will be processed and
displayed only when the template's page is being viewed directly.

Possible applications are:
* Categorising templates
* Interlanguage links to similar templates in other languages
* Explanatory text about how to use the template

The converse is <code><nowiki><includeonly></nowiki></code>. Text between <code><nowiki><includeonly></nowiki></code> and <code><nowiki></includeonly></nowiki></code> will be processed and displayed only when the page is being included. The obvious application is to add all pages containing a given template to a [[Help:Categories|category]], without putting the template itself into that category.

'''Note:''' when you change the categories applied by a template, the categorization of the pages that use that template may not be updated until some time later: this is handled by the {{mediawiki|Manual:Job_queue|job queue}}.

==Organizing templates==
For templates to be effective users need to find them and be able to use them. A simple technique is to include an example on the template page.
For example:
<div style="display:table; width:auto;"><pre>
<noinclude>
==Usage==
Allows to establish a link to a subject:
<nowiki>{{NameOfTemplate|Term1+Term2+Term3}}</nowiki>
</noinclude>
</pre></div>

Then, an editor can simply copy and paste the example to create a similar page.

==See Also==
*[[Help:External searches]] -- a template special use case example
*[[Help:Magic words]] -- fancy stuff you may find in some templates
*{{mediawiki|meta:Help:Embed page}} -- embedding pages from {{mediawiki|namespace|namespaces}} other than <code>Template:</code>.

[[Category:Help|{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Template]]

Help:Protected pages

2008-12-07T03:14:04Z

WikiSysop:

A '''protected page''' is a page where normal users are prevented from editing at all. Only a user with [[Help:Sysops and permissions|sysop permissions]] can edit a protected page. Likewise only sysop users can protect a page in the first place, or unprotect the page to lift the restriction.

There are several reasons why a particular page might be protected. Typically a protected page is one which has been repeatedly targeted with vandalism, or where it is believed that vandalism would have a unusually severe impact.

For sysop information see [[Help:Protecting and unprotecting pages]]

[[Category:Help|{{PAGENAME}}]]

Help:Deleting a page

2008-12-07T03:13:40Z

WikiSysop:

== When not to delete a page ==
Typically you would delete a page if the contents are entirely inappropriate and do not match the purposes of the Wiki. In other situations, you would take a less extreme course of action, for example:

* The page should have a different title -- See [[Help:Moving a page]]
* The contents should have been placed on a different page -- Add the contents to the other page, and then supply a redirect. See [[Help:Redirects]]
* The contents are already on a different page -- Delete the duplicate content and leave a redirect. That way, the page title, which made sense to somebody, will helpfully redirect to the information. See [[Help:Redirects]]
* The page is out-of-date -- Re-word sentences to be in the past tense, to make the page an historical record. Alternatively, label the information as out-of-date, with a warning notice.

An actual delete is generally necessary only if the ''title'' of the page is inappropriate. In other situations, a merge and redirect is more appropriate.

=== Proposing changes ===
Deciding on appropriate content/page titles can be a difficult aspect of Wiki organization, and one which can often provoke debates. If the merge or deletion you have in mind is one which might cause upset, you should propose the change first. Do this by leaving a note to give your reasons on the [[Help:Talk pages|talk page]]. You might also establish a system for labeling the page with a delete/merge proposal template, to make everybody aware of your intentions.

=== Unlinking a page ===
The 'What links here' toolbox feature (bottom of left sidebar) will tell you which other Wiki pages link to the current page. Always use this feature to check before proceeding with deleting. These related pages will need to be edited for their links to reflect the change.

== Deletion itself ==
'''Normal users cannot permanently delete a Wiki page'''. This is a deliberate design feature, and is an important part of why wikis work. Every kind of editing operation can be reverted by any other user, and that includes resurrecting deleted content. It doesn't cause significant wasted space; and with nothing but a 'delete' label, the page is effectively deleted anyway.

'[[Help:Sysops and permissions|Sysop]]' users ''are'' able to delete a page semi-permanently. See [[Help:Sysop deleting and undeleting]]. Typically 'sysops' might look for delete labels, and do a proper delete on these pages, after a period of time. If for some reason you need a page to be deleted more quickly than that, you will need to contact a 'sysop' to request this.

==See also==
* [[Help:Sysops and permissions]]

{{Help/Category|Help}}

Help:Redirects

2008-12-07T03:13:05Z

WikiSysop:

Redirects are used to forward users from one page name to another. They can be useful if a particular article is referred to by multiple names, or has alternative punctuation, capitalization or spellings.

==Creating a redirect==
You may start a new page with the name you want to direct from (see [[Help:Starting a new page]]). You can also use an existing page that you are making inactive as a page by going to that page and using the "edit" tab at the top. In either case, you will be inserting the following code at the very first text position of the Edit window for the page:
<nowiki>#REDIRECT [[</nowiki>''pagename''<nowiki>]]</nowiki>
where ''pagename'' is the name of the destination page. The word "redirect" is not case-sensitive, but there must be no space between the "#" symbol. Any text before the code will disable the code and prevent a redirect. Any text or regular content code after the redirect code will be ignored (and should be deleted from an existing page). However, to put or keep the current page name listed in a Category, the usual tag for that category is entered or kept on a line after the redirect code entry.

You should use the 'preview' button below the Edit window, or Alt-P, to check that you have entered the correct destination page name. The preview page will not look like the resulting redirect page, it will look like a numbered list, with the destination page in blue:
1. REDIRECT ''pagename''
If the ''pagename'' as you typed it is not a valid page, it will show in red. Until there is a valid destination page, you should not make the redirect.

==Viewing a redirect==
After making a redirect at a page, you can no longer get to that page by using its name or by any link using that name; and they do not show up in wiki search results, either. However, near the top of the destination page, a notice that you have been forwarded appears, with the source pagename as an active link to it. Click this to get back to the redirected page, showing the large bent arrow symbol and the destination for the redirect.

By doing this, you can do all the things that any wiki page allows. You can go to the associated discussion page to discuss the redirect. You can view the history of the page, including a record of the redirect. You can edit the page if the redirect is wrong, and you can revert to an older version to remove the redirect.

==Deleting a redirect==
There's generally no need to delete redirects. They do not occupy a significant amount of database space. If a page name is vaguely meaningful, there's no harm (and some benefit) in having it as a redirect to the more relevant or current page.

If you do need to delete a redirect, e.g. if the page name is offensive, or you wish to discourage people from referring to a concept by that name, then you simply go to the redirect page as mentioned above, and follow the procedures at [[Help:Deleting a page]].

==Double redirects ==
A double redirect is a page redirecting to a page which is itself a redirect, and it will not work. Instead, people will be presented with a view of the next redirect page. This is a deliberate restriction, partly to prevent infinite loops, and partly to keep things simple.

However, you could look out for double redirects and eliminate them, by changing them to be 1-step redirects instead. You are most likely to need to do this after a significant [[Help:Moving a page|page move]]. Use the "what links here" toolbox link to find double redirects to a particular page, or use [[Special:DoubleRedirects]] to find them throughout the whole wiki.

== A redirect to a page in the category namespace ==
To prevent a page that redirects to a category from appearing in the category, precede the word "Category" with a colon:
<nowiki>#REDIRECT [[:Category:Glossary]]</nowiki>

----
[[Category:Help|Redirects]]

Help:Moving a page

2008-12-07T03:12:45Z

WikiSysop:

'''Moving (renaming) a page''' means giving it another name. This is done by using "{{int:move}}" tab at the top. Then simply enter the new name and click 'Move Page'. Normally you would want to leave "Move associated talk page" option ticked.

If you move page "A" to a new title "B", this operation will do the following:
* Creates the new page "B", with contents from page "A"
* Replaces the contents of page "A" with ''Redirect'' to "B".
* Moves all the editing history from page "A" so that it appears under "B"'s history tab.


The third point is important. By using the 'Move' feature, you also '''move the editing history''', which is desireable in most situations. The editing history allows people to see how the contents of the page were built up, and who contributed what. If you move contents around by copying and pasting (not using the move feature), you do not achieve this (see also [[Help:Tracking changes]]).

Because the move operation '''leaves behind a redirect''' (see [[Help:Redirects]]), it should not result in any broken links, however you might want to hunt down the pages which link in to the redirect, and change their text to link directly to the new title. The 'What links here' toolbox feature (bottom left) is useful when doing this.

== Proposing a move ==
Deciding on a page title can be a difficult aspect of wiki organization, and one which can often provoke debates. If the move you have in mind is one which might cause upset or could be considered controversial, you should propose the move first. Do this by leaving a note to give your reasons on the [[Help:Talk pages|talk page]]. You might also establish a system for labelling the page itself, with a move proposal template, to make everybody aware of your intentions.

== Undo a move ==
As with all wiki editing, a move operation can be reversed (by any user). To reverse a move operation, simply move the page back, e.g. move page "B" back to "A".

The page title "B" will still be left behind, as a redirect from "B" to "A". Any user can remove the redirect and propose that the page be deleted. However the final deletion will require sysop privileges (see [[Help:Deleting a page]]).

[[Category:Help|Moving a page]]

Help:Managing files

2008-12-07T03:12:27Z

WikiSysop:

If file uploads are enabled, you can upload certain types of files to the wiki. This is particularly useful for uploading images, which you want to place on an article, but you can also upload other types of file.

==Upload a file==
# Prepare the file for upload. Make sure the file is exactly as you want it.
# In the [[Help:Navigation#Sidebar|sidebar]], under '''toolbox''', click "Upload file"
# Next to the '''Source filename''', click '''Browse''' to locate the file on your computer.
# Change the '''Destination filename''' to something descriptive, if necessary.
# Fill in the '''Summary''', if necessary.
# Click the '''Upload file''' button.

If it is a large file, you may need to wait several seconds for the upload to complete.

== Using Images and Image Description Pages ==

After you've uploaded a file, you can use it in an article, with some special wiki syntax to create the link. See [[Help:Images]].

Your file gets its very own 'Image Description Page' within the wiki (even if it isn't an image). You should edit this page to provide more information about the file. For example, many public wiki projects are quite sensitive to copyright issues, and so you should explain where you got the file from, and what its copyright status is, on the description page. Any other useful descriptive notes could also be added there.

== Listing files in the wiki ==

There are a number of Special Pages to help you view and manage files which have been uploaded. Go to 'Special Pages' (in the toolbox on the left) and then see...

* [[Special:Newimages|Gallery of new images]] - If you just uploaded one, you will see it here.
* [[Special:Imagelist|File list]] shows all of the files
* [[Special:Unusedimages|Unused images]] helps you track down files which might not be needed.

See [[Help:Special pages]] for details of the other information available here.

[[Category:Help|Managing files]]
[[Category:Upload]]

Help:Subpages

2008-12-07T03:12:00Z

WikiSysop:

'''Subpages''' introduce some hierarchical organisation into wiki page names, with levels of the hierarchy separated by slashes '/'.

=== Namespaces ===
MediaWiki's '''subpage''' feature is turned '''off by default''' in the main namespace, but can be used on [[Help:Talk pages|talk pages]] and [[Help:User page|user pages]]. See [[Help:namespaces]]. In namespaces where the feature is switched off, any slashes (/) within a page name are simply part of the page name and do nothing special.

=== Slashes within a page name ===
Slashes (/) within a page name break the page into parent and subpages, recursively, eg:

:[[Example page]]
:[[Example page/Some sub-page]]
:[[Example page/Some sub-page/Some sub-sub-page]]

A '''link back to parent''' will automatically appear at the top of each subpage. In the case of sub-sub-pages, a set of breadcrumb navigation links will automatically be presented. Note that these links do not appear, however, if the parent page has not yet been created.

=== Using (and over-using) sub pages ===
There are various uses for the subpage mechanism. The main two intended uses are:
* On a [[Help:Talk pages|talk page]] create a subpage (or several) for an archiving of old discussions
* On a [[Help:User page|user page]] create a subpage (or several) to use as a scratchpad editing space.

People instinctively think hierarchically when trying to organise information, so it may be tempting to use subpages all the time. However, subpages can be over-used. Remember that having a page name with a slash will generally make the name longer, harder to remember, and thus more difficult to link to. Some people find it more elegant to keep page naming simple. By sticking to a flat naming structure, with a manually maintained web of wiki links, a structure will emerge organically (and this can include a pseudo-hierarchy)

{{Admin tip|tip=Subpages can be activated within the 'main' namespace by adding to the {{mediawiki|Manual:$wgNamespacesWithSubpages|$wgNamespacesWithSubpages}} array.}}

==See also==
* [[Meta:Help:Link#Subpage feature]]
* [[Help:Variables#Page names]]
* {{mediawiki|Manual:$wgNamespacesWithSubpages}}

[[Category:Help|{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Subpage|{{PAGENAME}}]]

Help:Categories

2008-12-07T03:11:36Z

WikiSysop:

MediaWiki allows you to categorize pages by appending one or more Category tags to the content text. Adding these tags creates links at the bottom of the article which take you to the list of all pages in that category, which makes it easy to browse related articles.

== How to make a Category ==

A Category will be created when you use that name as a link at the bottom of the page as explained next. It will not show, however, until the first linking page is Saved. Before that, it will show as an empty link in red; afterwards, it will begin automatically compiling a Contents page of all such linking pages.

You should be even more careful about doing this than adding content pages. Like content pages, Categories cannot be deleted or renamed, remaining to confuse users browsing the list of Categories. Before attempting to make a Category, please find the list of all Categories by clicking on "Special pages" in the left sidebar "toolbox" box. Check the contents of any other category that might suggest the one you had in mind.

== How to add a page to a Category ==

To add a content page to the listing for a Category, simply put the following at the very bottom of the page you are editing:

<nowiki>[[Category:NAME]]</nowiki>

where "NAME" is the name of the Category you want to add it to. Any number of Category tags may be added to the page -- the page will be listed in all of them.

You can also specify an additional SORT parameter that specifies where the page will appear, alphabetically, within the Category. This is done by using the following markup:

<nowiki>[[Category:NAME|SORT]]</nowiki>

To add this page to the 'Help' category to be located in the list at 'C' you would use:

<nowiki>[[Category:Help|Categories]]</nowiki>

Without this, the page would be listed under 'H' for 'Help:Categories', instead of under 'C'. Another example is when you have articles about people that are titled as <code>FirstName LastName</code> but within a particular Category you want them listed as <code>LastName, FirstName</code>.

{{Note|the SORT parameter does not affect how the page title is displayed in the Category listing, only how it is ordered in the list. In the above example, the link to this page at 'C' will still read "Help:Categories".}}

Another way to sort an article in the correct letter group without using the 'namespace' is:

<nowiki>[[Category:Help|{{SUBPAGENAME}}]]</nowiki>

This is helpful when using templates which include a category tag.

== Linking to Category Pages ==

To create a link within page content, use a leading colon as in

<nowiki>[[:Category:NAME]]</nowiki>

so that "NAME" is the Category for the link. For example, if the name were "Help" the link would look like [[:Category:Help]]. Without the leading colon, it would be instead blank or red in the text, because there is no such content page linked within that category.

If you want to display alternate text for the link, add that after a bar as with other internal links:

<nowiki>[[:Category:NAME|TEXT]]</nowiki>

The same link to Category:Help as above might show this alternative text: [[:Category:Help|MediaWiki Help Index]]

== Categorize Categories==

Categories themselves and other uploaded files like images can be categorized like content pages. It is useful to connect the article-categories with categories already in place to establish connections and hierarchies. After saving the article, follow the category links at the end of the page to see if the Category is already in place and if not, categorize them until you connect them with an existing category.

==Moving categories==
Categories cannot be easily moved [[Help:Moving a page|like other pages]]. For this reason, category names should be chosen carefully.

Those with admin privileges can create the new page, delete the old one, and then change the Category tags in each member of the category (manually or with a bot). However, this loses the page History - not a huge problem when categories are used only for navigation. But when a wiki is structured so that the category pages contain significant amounts of text, this is undesirable.

=== Moving with revision history ===
However, category pages ''can'' be moved together with the full revision history, with some effort, by using the [[Special:Export]] and [[Special:Import]] functions.

[[Category:Help|Categories]]

Help:Tables

2008-12-07T03:10:52Z

WikiSysop:

Tables may be authored in wiki pages using either HTML table elements directly, or using wikicode formatting to define the table. HTML table elements and their use are well described on various web pages and will not be discussed here. The benefit of wikicode is that the table is constructed of character symbols which tend to make it easier to perceive the table structure in the article editing view compared to HTML table elements.

As a general rule, it is best to avoid using a table unless you need one. Table markup often complicates page editing.

== Wiki table markup summary ==

{|cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" border="1" width="600"
|<nowiki>{|</nowiki> || '''table start'''
|-
|<nowiki>|+</nowiki> || table '''caption,''' ''optional;'' only between '''table start''' and first '''table row'''
|-
|<nowiki>|-</nowiki> || '''table row,''' ''optional on first row'' -- wiki engine assumes the first row
|-
|<nowiki>!</nowiki> || '''table header''' cell, ''optional.'' Consecutive '''table header''' cells may be added on same line separated by double marks (!!) or start on new lines, each with its own single mark (!).
|-
|<nowiki>|</nowiki> || '''table data''' cell, ''required!'' Consecutive '''table data''' cells may be added on same line separated by double marks (<nowiki>||</nowiki>) or start on new lines, each with its own single mark (<nowiki>|</nowiki>).
|-
|<nowiki>|}</nowiki> || '''table end'''
|}
*The above marks must '''start on a new line''' except the double || and !! for optionally adding consecutive cells to a line.
*'''XHTML attributes.''' Each mark, except table end, optionally accepts one or more XHTML attributes. Attributes must be on the same line as the mark. Separate attributes from each other with a single space.
**Cells and caption (<nowiki>| or ||, ! or !!, and |+</nowiki>) hold content. So separate any attributes from content with a single pipe (|). Cell content may follow on same line or on following lines.
**Table and row marks (<nowiki>{| and |-</nowiki>) do not directly hold content. Do ''not'' add pipe (|) after their optional attributes. If you erroneously add a pipe after attributes for the table mark or row mark the parser will delete it ''and'' your final attribute if it was touching the erroneous pipe!
*'''Content''' may (a) follow its cell mark on the same line after any optional XHTML attributes or (b) on lines below the cell mark. Content that uses wiki markup that itself needs to start on a new line, such as lists, headers, or nested tables, must of course be on its own new line.

==Simple table==

===Plain===
The following table lacks borders and good spacing but shows the simplest wiki markup table structure
{| width="100%"
|width="50%"|
{|
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
|width="50%"|
<pre>
{|
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
</pre>
|}

===Alternative===
For more table-ish looking wiki markup cells can be listed on one line separated by ||. This does not scale well for longer cell content such as paragraphs. It works well for short bits of content however, such as our example table.

Extra spaces within cells in the wiki markup can be added, as I have done in the wiki markup below, to make the wiki markup itself look better but they do not affect the actual table rendering.

HTML attributes can be added to tables on this page but have been left out of the following example for simplicity.
{| width="100%"
|width="50%"|
{|
| Orange || Apple || more
|-
| Bread || Pie || more
|-
| Butter || Ice cream || and more
|}
|width="50%"|
<pre>
{|
| Orange || Apple || more
|-
| Bread || Pie || more
|-
| Butter || Ice cream || and more
|}
</pre>
|}

===With HTML attributes===
You can add HTML attributes to make your table look better
====border="1"====
{| width="100%"
|width="50%"|
{| border="1"
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
|width="50%"|
<pre>
{| border="1"
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
</pre>
|}

====align="center" border="1"====
{| width="100%"
|width="50%"|
{| align="center" border="1"
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
|width="50%"|
<pre>
{| align="center" border="1"
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
</pre>
|}

====Attributes on cells ====
You can put attributes on individual '''cells.''' Numbers for example may look better aligned right
{| width="100%"
|width="50%"|
{| border="1"
|Orange
|Apple
|align="right"|12,333.00
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|align="right"|500.00
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|align="right"|1.00
|}
|width="50%"|
<pre>
{| border="1"
|Orange
|Apple
|align="right"|12,333.00
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|align="right"|500.00
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|align="right"|1.00
|}
</pre>
|}

====Attributes on rows====
You can put attributes on individual '''rows,''' too.
{| width="100%"
|width="50%"|
{| border="1"
|Orange
|Apple
|align="right"|12,333.00
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|align="right"|500.00
|- style="font-style:italic;color:green;"
|Butter
|Ice cream
|align="right"|1.00
|}
|width="50%"|
<pre>
{| border="1"
|Orange
|Apple
|align="right"|12,333.00
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|align="right"|500.00
|- style="font-style:italic;color:green;"
|Butter
|Ice cream
|align="right"|1.00
|}
</pre>
|}

====cellspacing="0" border="1"====
{| width="100%"
|width="50%"|
{| cellspacing="0" border="1"
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
|width="50%"|
<pre>
{| cellspacing="0" border="1"
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
</pre>
|}

====cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="1"====
{| width="100%"
|width="50%"|
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="1"
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
|width="50%"|
<pre>
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="1"
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
</pre>
|}
====cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="1" width="100%"====
{| width="100%"
|width="50%"|
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="1" width="100%"
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
|width="50%"|
<pre>
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="1" width="100%"
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
</pre>
|}

===With HTML attributes and CSS styles===
CSS style attributes can be added with or without other HTML attributes
====style="color:green;background-color:#ffffcc;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="1"====
{| width="100%"
|width="50%"|
{| style="color:green;background-color:#ffffcc;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="1"
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
|width="50%"|
<pre>
{| style="color:green;background-color:#ffffcc;"
cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="1"
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
</pre>
|}

==Table with TH headings==

TH (HTML table headings) can be created by using ! instead of |. Headings usually show up bold and centered by default.

===Top headings===
====Each column====
{| width="100%"
|width="50%"|
{| border="1" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0"
!Yummy
!Yummier
|-
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
|width="50%"|
<pre>
{| border="1" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0"
!Yummy
!Yummier
|-
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
</pre>
|}

====Colspan="2"====
{| width="100%"
|width="50%"|
{| border="1" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0"
!colspan="2"|Yummies
|-
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
|width="50%"|
<pre>
{| border="1" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0"
! colspan="2"|Yummies
|-
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
</pre>
|}

===Side headings===
====Default====
{| width="100%"
|width="50%"|
{| border="1" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0"
!Fruit
|Orange
|Apple
|-
!Dish
|Bread
|Pie
|-
!Complement
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
|width="50%"|
<pre>
{| border="1" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0"
!Fruit
|Orange
|Apple
|-
!Dish
|Bread
|Pie
|-
!Complement
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
</pre>
|}

====Right justify====
Right justified side headings can be done as follows
{| width="100%"
|width="50%"|
{| border="1" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0"
!align="right" |Fruit
|Orange
|Apple
|-
!align="right" |Dish
|Bread
|Pie
|-
!align="right" |Complement
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
|width="50%"|
<pre>
{| border="1" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0"
!align="right" |Fruit
|Orange
|Apple
|-
!align="right" |Dish
|Bread
|Pie
|-
!align="right" |Complement
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
</pre>
|}

==Caption==
A '''table caption''' can be added to the top of any table as follows
{| width="100%"
|width="50%"|
{| border="1" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0"
|+Food complements
|-
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
|width="50%"|
<pre>
{| border="1" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0"
|+Food complements
|-
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
</pre>
|}

'''Attributes''' can be added to the caption as follows

{| width="100%"
|width="50%"|
{| border="1" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0"
|+align="bottom" style="color:#e76700;"|''Food complements''
|-
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
|width="50%"|
<pre>
{| border="1" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0"
|+align="bottom" style="color:#e76700;"|''Food complements''
|-
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
</pre>
|}

==Table with H1, H2, H3 etc. headings==

HTML H1, H2, H3, H4 etc. headings can be created the standard wiki markup way with ==equal== signs and '''must be on a line all by themselves''' to work.

'''Preview the whole table.''' If you click on an edit tab for a heading ''within'' a table, edit, and preview, the parent table will display erroneously broken because part of it will be missing.

Keep the heading hierarchy consistent with the rest of the page so that the table of contents at page top works correctly.

{| width="100%"
|width="50%"|
{| border="1" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0"
|colspan="2"|
===Yummiest===
|-
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
|width="50%"|
<pre>
{| border="3" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0"
|colspan="2"|
===Yummiest===
|-
|Orange
|Apple
|-
|Bread
|Pie
|-
|Butter
|Ice cream
|}
</pre>
|}

==Caveat==
===Negative numbers===
Negative value minus sign can break your table (it may display missing some values) if you start a cell on a new line with a negative number or a parameter that evaluates to a negative number (|-6) because that is the wiki markup for table row, not table cell. To avoid this, insert a space before the value (| -6) or use in-line cell markup (||-6).

[[Category:Help|Tables]]

Help:Images

2008-12-07T03:09:39Z

WikiSysop:

This page explains the image syntax when editing the wiki. Before using images in your page, your wiki must have file uploads enabled (see the {{mediawiki|Manual:Configuring_file_uploads|technical manual}} for details) and you have to [[Help:Managing files|upload a file]].

__TOC__
{| {{Prettytable}}
|-
|{{Hl3}}|'''Description'''
|{{Hl3}}|'''You type'''
|{{Hl3}}|'''You get'''
|-
|Embed image (with alt text)
|
<code><nowiki>[[Image:Example.jpg|Sunflowers]]</nowiki></code>
|
[[Image:Example.jpg|Sunflowers]]
|-
|Link to description page
|
<code><nowiki>[[:Image:Example.jpg]]</nowiki></code> 
<code><nowiki>[[:Image:Example.jpg|Sunflowers]]</nowiki></code>
|
[[:Image:Example.jpg]] 
[[:Image:Example.jpg|Sunflowers]]
|-
|Link directly to file
|
<code><nowiki>[[Media:Example.jpg]]</nowiki></code> 
<code><nowiki>[[Media:Example.jpg|Sunflowers]]</nowiki></code>
|
[[Media:Example.jpg]] 
[[Media:Example.jpg|Sunflowers]]
|-
|Thumbnail (centered, 100 pixels wide, with caption)
|
<code><nowiki>[[Image:Example.jpg|center|thumb|100px|Sunflowers]]</nowiki></code>
|
[[Image:Example.jpg|center|thumb|100px|Sunflowers]]
|-
|Border (100 pixels) Results in a very small gray border

|
<code><nowiki>[[Image:Example-white-bg.jpg|border|100px]]</nowiki></code>
|
[[Image:Example-white-bg.jpg|border|100px]]
|-
|Frameless Like thumbnail, respect user preferences for image width but without border and no right float.
|
<code><nowiki>[[Image:Example.jpg|frameless]]</nowiki></code>
|
[[Image:Example.jpg|frameless]]
|}

== Syntax ==
The full syntax for displaying an image is:
<code><nowiki>[[Image:{name}|{options}]]</nowiki></code>
Where options can be zero or more of the following, separated by pipes:
*<code>thumb</code>, <code>thumbnail</code>, <code>frame</code>, or <code>frameless</code>: Controls how the image is formatted
*<code>left</code>, <code>right</code>, <code>center</code>, <code>none</code>: Controls the alignment of the image on the page
*<code>baseline</code>, <code>sub</code>, <code>super</code>, <code>top</code>, <code>text-top</code>, <code>middle</code>, <code>bottom</code>, <code>text-bottom</code>: Controls the vertical alignment of the image on the page
*<code>{width}px</code>: Resizes the image to the given width in pixels
* Special cases:
** <code>page=1</code>: Displays the specified page when showing a djvu file
*<code>link={destination}</code>: Allows to link to an arbitrary title, URL or just nowhere ([[rev:41727|1.14+]])
*<code>alt={alternative text}</code>: For changing the alternative text (<code>alt=""</code>) of an image ([[rev:41837|1.14+]])

The options can be given in any order. If a given option does not match any of the other possibilities, it is assumed to be the caption text. Caption text can contain wiki links or other formatting.

== Other files ==
You can link to an external file using the same syntax used for linking to an external web page.
*<code><nowiki>[http://url.for/some/image.png]</nowiki></code>
Or with different text:
*<code><nowiki>[http://url.for/some/image.png link text here]</nowiki></code>

If it is enabled on your wiki (see {{mediawiki|Manual:$wgAllowExternalImages}}), you can also embed external images. To do that, simply insert the image's url:
*<code><nowiki>http://url.for/some/image.png</nowiki></code>

== Gallery of images ==
It's easy to make a gallery of '''thumbnails only''', not other images, with the <code><nowiki><gallery></nowiki></code> tag. The syntax is:
<pre>
<gallery>
Image:{filename}|{caption}
Image:{filename}|{caption}
{...}
</gallery>
</pre>
Note that the image code is not enclosed in brackets when enclosed in gallery tags. 
Captions are optional, and may contain wiki links or other formatting.

for example:
<pre>
<gallery>
Image:Example.jpg|Item 1
Image:Example.jpg|a link to [[Help:Contents]]
Image:Example.jpg
Image:Example.jpg
Image:Example.jpg|''italic caption''
Image:Example.jpg|on page "{{PAGENAME}}"
</gallery>
</pre>
is formatted as:
<gallery>
Image:Example.jpg|Item 1
Image:Example.jpg|a link to [[Help:Contents]]
Image:Example.jpg
Image:Example.jpg
Image:Example.jpg|''italic caption''
Image:Example.jpg|on page "{{PAGENAME}}"
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Help:Linked images|Linked images]]

==External Link==
* [[wikipedia:Project:Extended image syntax|Wikipedia:Extended image syntax]]

[[Category:Help|Images]]

Help:Signatures

2008-12-07T03:09:15Z

WikiSysop:

Users can easily '''sign''' their posts at the end of a comment. The common format to type a signature – two hyphens (or a dash) followed by four tildes (-- '''<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>''') – is derived from the computer network Usenet, where two hyphens mark a signature block. The actual signature string, the tildes, automatically get substituted with username (linked to the appropriate user page) and timestamp (time/date), when you save a signed edit. This helps other users to follow the chronological order of discussions, and to identify the author of a particular comment. Signing is normally done on [[Help:Talk pages|talk pages]] only, not on conjointly written articles. Signatures do not work in edit summaries (they do not translate from <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki> there).

If you don't find the tilde on your keyboard, you can use the signature button of the default [[Help:Edit toolbar|edit toolbar]] as a typing aid.

If you edit without logging in, your IP address will take the place of a username. Usernames and IP addresses are also stored in [[Help:Page history|page histories]] as a record of who wrote what, so others can always verify signatures.

== Default signature options ==

There are three default options. Four tildes are standard (full signature). Typing three tildes results in a username-only signature (without timestamp). Typing five tildes results in a pure timestamp (without username).

{| {{Prettytable}}
! {{Hl2}} | Function
! {{Hl2}} | Wiki markup
! {{Hl2}} | Resulting code
! {{Hl2}} | Resulting display
|-
| Signature plus timestamp
| <code>-- '''<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>'''</code>
| <code>-- <nowiki>[[</nowiki>User:Username<nowiki>|</nowiki>Username]] 12:34, 1 February 2008 (UTC)</code>
| -- Username 12:34, 1 February 2008 (UTC)
|-
| Signature alone
| <code>-- '''<nowiki>~~~</nowiki>'''</code>
| <code>-- <nowiki>[[</nowiki>User:Username<nowiki>|</nowiki>Username]]</code>
| -- Username
|-
| Timestamp alone
| <code>-- '''<nowiki>~~~~~</nowiki>'''</code>
| <code>-- 12:34, 1 February 2008 (UTC)</code>
| -- 12:34, 1 February 2008 (UTC)
|}

== Customised signatures ==

Registered users can customise their signature (the part between the two hyphens and the timestamp) by changing the field "Signature" in their [[Help:Preferences|preferences]]. By default, anything you enter there will be wrapped with <code><nowiki>[[ ]]</nowiki></code>. To use a special linking (without this automatic link), you have to enable "Raw signatures". Then you can add Wiki markup and also HTML (as far as allowed on the wiki) as you like, but the maximum length is 255 characters. Please note that striking signatures are often disliked by other users.

If you enable "Raw signatures" but don't add any customised signature string, you'll sign with your unlinked username.

The most common customisations are the following two:

{| {{Prettytable}}
! {{Hl2}} | Purpose
! {{Hl2}} | Raw signature
! {{Hl2}} | Resulting signature display
|-
| Adapting the displayed username
| <code><nowiki>[[User:Username|User Name]]</nowiki></code>
| -- User Name 12:34, 1 February 2008 (UTC)
|-
| Adding a talk page link
| <code><nowiki>[[User:Username|Username]] ([[User talk:Username|talk]])</nowiki></code>
| -- Username (talk) 12:34, 1 February 2008 (UTC)
|}

[[Category:Help|Signatures]]

Help:Talk pages

2008-12-07T03:08:54Z

WikiSysop:

Every wiki page has an associated talk page which can be used for discussion and communicating with other users. Talk pages can be accessed by clicking the ''Discussion'' tab at the top of the page. Simply edit the page as normal to add your comment.

A talk page is actually very similar to any other wiki page, but it is in the 'talk' namespace, to keep it separate from the articles in the 'main' namespace (See [[Help:namespaces]]) As with any wiki page, you can edit it, link to it, and view the editing history.

== Editing conventions on talk pages ==
Having discussions on a free-form wiki page will seem strange at first. It helps if everyone follows some simple editing conventions:

* Always sign your name after your comments. Use the four tildes '<tt><nowiki>~~~~</nowiki></tt>' wiki syntax (or the toolbar button) For more information see [[Help:Signatures]]
* Start a new discussion with a <tt><nowiki>==level 2 heading==</nowiki></tt> at the bottom of the page (or use the '+' tab)
* Indent replies with colons (':') at the beginning of the line.

== Example ==
Here is an example discussion, following the talk page conventions:

{| align="center" {{Prettytable}}
|-
|{{Hl2}} |'''Wiki text'''
|{{Hl2}} |'''Formatted talk page'''
|-
|

<tt><nowiki>== More spiders information needed ==</nowiki></tt> 
<tt><nowiki>This page has a lot of detail about the web, but I really dont understand a single word of it, and it doesn't mention the spider once -- [[User:Bob Smith|Bob Smith]] 18:07, 26 August 1991 (UTC)</nowiki></tt> 
<tt><nowiki>: No no. This page is talking about the "world wide web". I have added a clarification at the top - [[User:Simon Brown|Simon Brown]] 11:21, 28 August 1991(UTC)</nowiki></tt> 
<tt><nowiki>:: Oh I see... So what's the big deal about hyperlinked documents? Seems like a stupid idea to me. -- [[User:Bob Smith|Bob Smith]] 14:11, 3 September 1991 (UTC)</nowiki></tt> 
<tt><nowiki>::: Well I think we should have some information about it here on our wiki, but you're probably right. It'll never catch on. -- [[User:Simon Brown|Simon Brown]] 21:55, 3 September 1991 (UTC)</nowiki></tt>
|
== More spiders information needed ==
This page has a lot of detail about the web, but I really dont understand a single word of it, and it doesn't mention the spider once -- [[User:Bob Smith|Bob Smith]] 18:07, 26 August 1991 (UTC)
: No no. This page is talking about the "world wide web". I have added a clarification at the top - [[User:Simon Brown|Simon Brown]] 11:21, 28 August 1991(UTC)
:: Oh I see... So what's the big deal about hyperlinked documents? Seems like a stupid idea to me. -- [[User:Bob Smith|Bob Smith]] 14:11, 3 September 1991 (UTC)
::: Well I think we should have some information about it here on our wiki, but you're probably right. It'll never catch on. -- [[User:Simon Brown|Simon Brown]] 21:55, 3 September 1991 (UTC)
|}

== Editing discussions ==
Having discussions on a free-form wiki page will seem strange at first. It has some advantages over the conventional rigid forum format, but it can get a little messy. As with other wiki pages, anyone can help with tidying up discussions, to conform to the editing conventions e.g. add signatures and headings where they are missing.

Clearly we also have the opportunity to edit other people's comments. It is generally bad etiquette to modify somebody else's wording (Better to just add your own comment with your corrections) But it can be acceptable to...

;Modify discussion headings
:Change wording or append words to the discussion headings, to better describe the topic of discussion. Note that good descriptive headings become important when many discussions start to fill the page.
;Move discussions to a different page
:If discussions are put in the wrong place on the wiki, and are better associated with different talk page, then you could just move the discussion by cut & paste. This is potentially confusing, for the people posting, but can be important for keeping things tidy. You could leave the discussion in the wrong place for a few days/weeks grace before tidying it. You could leave a link behind explaining that a discussion was moved, or if not, you should link within the edit summary.
;Delete discussions when they are out-of-date
:Discussions can often get left lying around on a talk page long after the issue is no longer relevant. It's usually a good idea to reply to saying "I think this is now resolved", but sooner or later it's time to just blow away the old discussions (they are of course preserved in the editing history)
;Split a post into several discussions
:It may be appropriate to do this, if somebody has raised several points which need to be answered separately. However you should always be respectful to other people's words. Does their post still make sense if you split it up?

== Building articles - Discussing articles ==
It is usually best to keep focused on the task of building a wiki article, and use discussion pages only to support this process. The topic of conversation should generally revolve around what needs to be done to make the associated article better. Remember that editing the article itself is often a more effective means of communicating. It can be more difficult, requiring you to balance your views alongside those of others, but it can also be more rewarding. This is how the community of wiki editors will make progress. Often it will feel more natural to engage in heated debate on a talk page (or indeed any other contact channel) but in fact the wiki article itself can offer a powerful means of reaching middle-ground. Think about how to portray both sides of the argument (e.g. listing advantages and disadvantages) and you may find the debate evaporates.

== User Talk pages ==
A "user talk page" is a talk page associated with somebody's "user page" (See [[Help:User page]]) This is a place to leave messages for a particular wiki user.

This can function as a kind of messaging system. Users receive a prominent notification when new messages have been left on their talk page. They may be notified by email as well, although this cannot always be relied upon (since the email notification feature must be activated by supplying a valid email address, and clicking a confirmation link). If you don't get a response to your user talk page message, try looking for other contact details which they may have supplied on their user page.

Note that the messages are not private, and others can join in the conversation.

[[Category:Help|Talk pages]]

Help:User page

2008-12-07T03:08:31Z

WikiSysop:

A '''user page''' is a page about a wiki user; someone who registered on the wiki, and is (most probably) a contributor. If you have registered, you can create your own user page. Your user page is linked in the top right. More importantly, others will see links to your user page from various places which assist wiki collaboration. This includes the 'Recent changes' and page 'history' displays (See [[Help:Tracking changes]]). You can also link to your user page within text of a wiki page, which is mainly useful on [[Help:Talk pages|talk pages]] when you sign your name.

== What to put on your user page ==
User pages are just as flexible as any other wiki page, and it's a page all about you, so generally people will leave you to freely write your user page in whatever format you like. Think of it as a 'profile' page. It's a feature to help other people know who you are, and to bring the online community closer together. You might like to mention where you are from and what your job is. You can also state what your main areas of interest are in relation to the topic of the wiki, and describe contributions you have made or are areas where you are interested in contributing.

=== User scratchpad / development area ===
You can use your user page as a scratchpad. An area for developing ideas without cluttering the main namespace (see [[Help:Namespaces]]). If subpages are enabled (see [[Help:Subpages]]), you may find them useful for creating sub pages under your user page. However you should avoid expending too much effort within your own area of the wiki. Be bold! Edit the main wiki articles! You can also use a shared [[Sandbox]] page for quick (non-permanent) wiki experimentation.

== Other people's user pages ==

As mentioned above, you will see links to other people's user pages, in various places throughout the wiki.

=== User Contributions ===
When viewing another person's user page, an additional link "''user contributions''" appears in the 'toolbox' area (bottom left). This takes you to a list of all of this user's wiki edits. Use this to get an idea of how prolific a contributor somebody is, or to track down edits made by a user who is causing trouble/making bad wiki edits.

=== Editing someone else's page ===
It's generally considered bad etiquette to rewrite or reword another person's user page. Editing is not disallowed, but you should avoid adding information (or especially opinions) which might be misinterpreted as coming from that user, in situations where this could potentially cause upset. Some types of edit are widely acceptable, and unlikely to cause upset:

* Fixing wiki links, when a page has been [[Help:Moving a page|moved]] or [[Help:Deleting a page|deleted]]
* Fixing broken external links
* Categorizing or fixing categories of user pages.

=== User talk pages ===
Every user page has an associated talk page; a "user talk page". This is a special kind of talk page, for leaving messages directed at a particular user. See [[Help:Talk pages#User Talk pages]].

[[Category:Help|{{PAGENAME}}]]

Help:Links

2008-12-07T03:07:55Z

WikiSysop:

There are four sorts of links in MediaWiki:
# internal links to other pages in the wiki
# external links to websites
# [[#Interwiki links|interwiki links]] (links to other wikis)
# inter-language links to other language versions of the same wiki

To add an internal link, enclose the name of the page you want to link to in double square brackets. When you save the page, you'll see the new link pointing to your page. If the page exists already, it is displayed in blue, empty pages are displayed in red. Selflinks to the current page are not transformed in URLs but displayed in bold.

The first letter of the target page is automatically capitalized and spaces are represented as underscores (typing an underscore in the link will have a similar effect as typing a space, but is not recommended, since the underscore will also be shown in the text).

== How to link ==
{| {{Prettytable}}
|-
|{{Hl3}}|'''Description'''
|{{Hl3}}|'''You type'''
|{{Hl3}}|'''You get'''
|-
|Internal link
|<tt><nowiki>[[Main Page]]</nowiki></tt>
|[[Main Page]]
|-
|Piped link
|<tt><nowiki>[[Main Page|different text]]</nowiki></tt>
|[[Main Page|different text]]
|-
|External link
|<tt><nowiki>http://mediawiki.org</nowiki></tt>
|http://mediawiki.org
|-
|External link, 
different title
|<tt><nowiki>[http://mediawiki.org MediaWiki]</nowiki></tt>
|[http://mediawiki.org MediaWiki]
|-
|External link, 
numbered
|<tt><nowiki>[http://mediawiki.org]</nowiki></tt>
|[http://mediawiki.org]
|-
|Anchor link
|<tt><nowiki>[[#See also]]</nowiki></tt>
|[[#See also]]
|-
|Anchor link at another page
|<tt><nowiki>[[Help:Images#See also]]</nowiki></tt>
|[[Help:Images#See also]]
|-
|Category link
|<tt><nowiki>[[:Category:Help]]</nowiki></tt>
|[[:Category:Help]]
|-
|Internal link to image file
|<tt><nowiki>[[media:example.jpg]]</nowiki></tt>
|[[media:example.jpg]]
|-
|Internal link to pdf file
|<tt><nowiki>[[media:example.pdf]]</nowiki></tt>
|[[media:example.pdf]]
|-
|Interwiki link
|<tt><nowiki>[[Wikipedia:MediaWiki]]</nowiki></tt>
|[[Wikipedia:MediaWiki]]
|-
|mailto link
|<tt><nowiki>[mailto:info@example.org email me]</nowiki></tt>
|[mailto:info@example.org email me]
|-
|redirect
|<tt><nowiki>#REDIRECT [[Main Page]]</nowiki></tt>
| → [[Main Page]]
|-
|External link to video file (.avi, .mpg)
|<tt><nowiki>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.avi .avi]</nowiki></tt>
|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.avi .avi]
|-
|External link to sound file (.mp3, .ogg, .wav)
|<tt><nowiki>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.wav .wav]</nowiki></tt>
|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.wav .wav]
|-
|External link to a document (.doc, .pdf)
|<tt><nowiki>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.doc .doc]</nowiki></tt>
|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.doc .doc]
|}

=== More advanced ===

{| {{Prettytable}}
|-
|{{Hl3}}|'''Description'''
|{{Hl3}}|'''You type'''
|{{Hl3}}|'''You get'''
|-
|Piped link, 
different title
|<tt><nowiki>[[Main Page|different text]]</nowiki></tt>
|[[Main Page|different text]]
|-
|External link, 
same host unnamed
|<tt><nowiki>[http://{{SERVERNAME}}/pagename]</nowiki></tt>
|[http://{{SERVERNAME}}/pagename]
|-
|External link, 
other host, pass pagename
|<tt><nowiki>[http://google.com/search?q={{PAGENAMEE}}]</nowiki></tt>
|[http://google.com/search?q={{PAGENAMEE}}]
|-
|mailto named with subject line and body
|<tt><nowiki>[mailto:info@example.org?Subject=URL%20Encoded%20Subject&body=Body%20Text info]</nowiki></tt>
|[mailto:info@example.org?Subject=URL%20Encoded%20Subject&body=Body%20Text info]
|}

----

{{admin tip|tip=
Which protocols (like http:) are allowed for links is controlled by the [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Manual:%24wgUrlProtocols $wgUrlProtocols] setting.
}}

{{admin tip|tip=
To remove the 'external link image' from next to each of the external links, add the following to the page located at <code>MediaWiki:Monobook.css</code> on your wiki.

<pre>
#bodyContent a.external,
#bodyContent a[href ^="gopher://"] {
background: none;
padding-right: 0;
}
</pre>
}}

== How to avoid auto-links ==

By default, when you write a URL as is, it will be transformed to an external link.

To avoid that effect, put the URL between <nowiki> start & end tags as in:

<nowiki><nowiki>http://mediawiki.org</nowiki></nowiki>

== Interwiki links ==
Interwiki links are links from the local wiki to another wiki. For example you can link to the Sunflower article on wikipedia.org by typing <tt><nowiki>[[wikipedia:Sunflower]]</nowiki></tt>. This results in a link like this: [[wikipedia:Sunflower]]

Similar to internal page links, you can create piped links, with alternate link text. e.g. <tt><nowiki>[[wikipedia:Sunflower|big yellow flower]]</nowiki></tt>

Basically this is an abbreviation for longer URLs. A very similar link could be created as a normal external link by typing <tt><nowiki>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunflower Sunflower]</nowiki></tt>, but interwiki links allow you to type out an easy and compact link, almost as if you are linking to a page on your own wiki.

Some interesting things to note:
* Interwiki links are displayed slightly differently to external links, without the little external link icon.
* Complex page names with spaces and other characters are handled elegantly, just as they would be for an internal page link, making this more tidy than creating an external link to a full URL. For example <tt><nowiki>[[wikipedia:Sunflower County, Mississippi]]</nowiki></tt> is in some ways tidier and more elegant than the full URL : <tt>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunflower_County%2C_Mississippi</tt>

== See also ==
* [[Help:Linked images|Linked images]]

[[Category:Help|Links]]
[[Category:Link]]

Help:Formatting

2008-12-07T03:07:29Z

WikiSysop:

You can format your text using wiki markup. This consists of normal characters like asterisks, single quotes or equation marks which have a special function in the wiki, sometimes depending on their position. For example, to format a word in ''italic'', you include it in two single quotes like <tt><nowiki>''this''</nowiki></tt>

== Text formatting markup ==

{| align="center" {{Prettytable}}
|-
|{{Hl2}} |'''Description'''
|{{Hl2}} |'''You type'''
|{{Hl2}} |'''You get'''
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" | ''applies anywhere''
|-
|Italic text
|<tt><nowiki>''italic''</nowiki></tt>
|''italic''
|-
| Bold text
|<tt><nowiki>'''bold'''</nowiki></tt>
|'''bold'''
|-
| Bold and italic
|<tt><nowiki>'''''bold & italic'''''</nowiki></tt>
|'''''bold & italic'''''
|-
|Escape wiki markup
|<tt><nowiki><nowiki>no "markup"</nowiki></nowiki></tt>
|<nowiki>no ''markup''</nowiki>
|-
|Fixed width text
|
<nowiki><tt>Fixed width text</tt></nowiki>
|
<tt>Fixed width text</tt>
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" | ''only at the beginning of the line''
|-
| Indent text
|
<tt><nowiki>:Single indent</nowiki></tt> 
<tt><nowiki>::Double indent</nowiki></tt> 
<tt><nowiki>:::::Multiple indent</nowiki></tt>
|
:Single indent
::Double indent
:::::Multiple indent
|-
|Headings of 
different levels <ref>An article with four or more headings will automatically create a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Section#Table_of_contents_.28TOC.29 table of contents].</ref>
|
<tt><nowiki>=level 1=</nowiki></tt><ref>Use of a level 1 heading is '''''highly discouraged''''' as it appears with the same formatting and size as the page title, which can be confusing.</ref> 
<tt><nowiki>==level 2==</nowiki></tt> 
<tt><nowiki>===level 3===</nowiki></tt> 
<tt><nowiki>====level 4====</nowiki></tt> 
<tt><nowiki>=====level 5=====</nowiki></tt> 
<tt><nowiki>======level 6======</nowiki></tt>
|

Level 1 
Level 2 
Level 3 
Level 4 
{{DEFAULTSORT:[[[http://www.example.com link title]]#Redirect [[—[[Category:]]]]]}}Level 5 
Level 6 
|-
|Horizontal rule
|
<tt><nowiki>----</nowiki></tt>
|
----
|-
|Bullet list
|
* one 
* two 
* three 
** three and one-third 
** three and two-thirds 
|
* one
* two
* three
** three and one-third
** three and two-thirds
|-
|Numbered list
|
# one 
# two<nowiki> </nowiki>spanning several lines<nowiki> </nowiki>without breaking the numbering 
# three 
## three point one 
## three point two 
|
# one
# two spanning several lines without breaking the numbering
# three
## three point one
## three point two
|-
| Mixture of bulleted and numbered lists
|
# one 
# two 
#* two point one 
#* two point two 
|
# one
# two
#* two point one
#* two point two
|-
|Definition list
|
;Definition 
:item 1 
:item 2 
|
;Definition
:item 1
:item 2
|-
|Preformatted text
|
  preformatted text is done with 
  a space at the 
  beginning of the line 
|
preformatted text is done with
a space at the
beginning of the line
|-
|Preformatted text with no indentation
|
 <nowiki><pre> some preformatted text with no indentation </pre></nowiki>
|
<pre>
some preformatted
text with no indentation
</pre>
|-
|Blockquotes
|
Body 
text text text text text text text text text text text text
text text text text text text text text text text text text

<nowiki><blockquote> quote quote quote quote quote quote </blockquote></nowiki>

text text text text text text text text text text text text
|
Body 
text text text text text text text text text text text text
text text text text text text text text text text text text

<blockquote> quote quote quote quote quote quote </blockquote>

text text text text text text text text text text text text

|-
|Comment
|
<tt><nowiki></nowiki></tt>
|
|}

Notes: <references/>

== Paragraphs ==

MediaWiki ignores normal line breaks. To start a new paragraph, leave an empty line. You can also start a new line with the HTML tags <tt><nowiki> or </nowiki></tt>.

== HTML ==

Some [[wikipedia:HTML|HTML]] tags are allowed in MediaWiki, for example <tt><nowiki><code></nowiki></tt>, <tt><nowiki><div></nowiki></tt>, <tt><nowiki></nowiki></tt> and <tt><nowiki></nowiki></tt>.

{{Admin tip|tip=If you trust your users you can allow full HTML by setting <code>{{mediawiki|Manual:$wgRawHtml|$wgRawHtml}} = true;</code> in {{mediawiki|Manual:LocalSettings.php|LocalSettings.php}}.}}

== Other formatting ==
Beyond the text formatting markup shown above, here are some other formatting references:
*[[Help:Links|Links]]
*[[Help:Images|Images]]
*[[Help:Tables|Tables]]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_User_Page_Help/Do-It-Yourself/Formatting_Text More Formatting from Wikipedia]

[[Category:Help|Formatting]]

Help:Starting a new page

2008-12-07T03:07:08Z

WikiSysop:

There are several ways to start a new page. These can vary based on the type of page started, as well as the wiki and namespace.

== Using Wikilinks ==
MediaWiki makes it very easy to link wiki pages using a standard syntax (see [[Help:Links|Links]]). If you (or anyone else) creates a link to an article that doesn't exist yet, the link will be coloured red, like this.

Clicking a red link, will take you to the edit page for the new article. Simply type your text, click save and the new page will be created.

Once the page has been created, the link will change from red to blue (purple for pages you've visited) indicating that the article now exists.

Usually this is the best way to create a new page, because it means that right from the start, the page will be linked from at least one other place on the wiki (and typically you will want to mesh it into other related pages later) If you are creating a new page without creating any link to it, you may need to ask yourself: Does this page really fit in with the topics already covered in the wiki? Also, how are you expecting visitors to find this page? Normally there is no reason to create a page without first creating a red link to it.

== Using the URL ==
You can use the wiki's URL for creating a new page. The URL to an article of the wiki is usually something like this:
*<code><nowiki>http://www.example.net/index.php/</nowiki>'''ARTICLE'''</code>    or
*<code><nowiki>http://www.example.net/wiki/</nowiki>'''ARTICLE'''</code>

If you replace <code>'''ARTICLE'''</code> with the name of the page you wish to create, you will be taken to a blank page which indicates that no article of that name exists yet. Clicking the "''edit''" [[Help:Navigation#Page Tabs|page tab]] at the top of the page will take you to the edit page for that article, where you can create the new page by typing your text, and clicking submit.

== From the search page ==
If you search for a page that doesn't exist (using the search box and 'go' button on the left of the page) then you will be provided with a link to create the new page. (Note that this technique doesn't work if you use the 'search' button).

{{Admin tip|tip=The "{{mediawiki|Extension:Inputbox|inputbox extension}}" allows you to provide an even easier way for your users to create new pages}}

== Create redirects to your new page ==
Don't forget to setup redirects when you create a page. If you think another person may search for the page you've created by using a different name or spelling, please create the proper redirect(s). See [[Help:Redirects]]

== Protecting your new page ==
Normally a new wiki page can be edited by other people (that ''is'' one of the main ideas of a wiki!) However, you could 'protect' the page, if desired, to prevent normal users from editing it. This requires sysop permissions.

[[Category:Help|Starting a new page]]

Help:Editing pages

2008-12-07T03:06:50Z

WikiSysop:

It's very easy to edit the contents of a wiki. It only takes a few clicks.

* Click the '''edit''' [[Help:Navigation#Page Tabs|page tab]] at the top of the page.
* Make changes to the text.
* Click the '''Save page''' button.

Simple as that!

== Editing rules, editing conventions, and formatting ==

The number one rule of wiki editing, is to ''be bold''. Dive in and make changes. Other people can correct mistakes later, so have confidence, and give it a try! There can be all kinds of editing conventions, rules, and philosophy governing the editing of wiki pages, but the "be bold" rule overrides these!

In general try to write clearly and concisely and make sure you are always aiming to do something which improves the wiki contents. An edit might be to contribute whole paragraphs or pages full of information, or it could be as simple as fixing a typo or spelling mistake.

When you need to use some type of formatting e.g. new headings or '''bold''' text, you do this using wiki syntax. See [[Help:Formatting]] for some of the common types of formatting used.

== Edit Summary ==

Before you save a change, you can enter a short note in the '''Summary''' box describing your changes. Don't worry too much about this, or spend too much time thinking about it, but try to give a little description of what you just changed e.g. "''fixed typo''" or "''added more information about sunflowers''".

The summary gets stored alongside your edit, and allows people to [[Help:Tracking changes|track changes]] in the wiki more effectively.

== Preview ==

It's a good idea to use the 'Show preview' button to see what your change will look like, before you save it. This is also related to [[Help:Tracking changes|tracking changes]] because every time you save, this is displayed to others as a separate change. This isn't something to worry about too much, but it's good to get into the habit of eliminating mistakes in your own work, by using a preview before saving, rather than saving several minor corrections afterwards.

== Other types of editing ==
With wiki edits you can start a new page, move (or rename) a page, or even delete a page:
* [[Help:Starting a new page]]
* [[Help:Moving a page]]
* [[Help:Deleting a page]]
Remember you should always aim to improve the overall contents of the wiki with your edits.

== Discussion ==
Every article has its own "talk page" where you can ask questions, make suggestions, or discuss corrections. See [[Help:Talk pages]]

[[Category:Edit]]
[[Category:Help|{{PAGENAME}}]]

Help:Watchlist

2008-12-07T03:05:24Z

WikiSysop:

Your '''watchlist''' is a display for [[Help:Tracking changes|tracking changes]], similar to the 'Recent Changes' display, but limited to showing changes only across your set of 'watched' pages. You can see the watchlist display by clicking "my watchlist" link in the top right, however this is only available to users who have registered and logged in.

Before you see anything interesting here, you must add some pages to your watchlist. Do this by navigating to a page which interests you, and clicking the''' 'watch' tab'''.

The watchlist feature is mainly useful on a very busy wiki where the 'recent changes' display becomes too "high traffic". On a typical low traffic wiki, you can normally see all of the editing activity across the whole wiki without feeling overwhelmed. On a more busy wiki you will find that many edits are taking place on pages which you personally find less interesting. To help track changes which are more interesting, start watching pages!

Typically you would watch pages related to your interest areas, and also pages where your care most about the content. If you make a significant edit to a page, you might chose to watch the page, to see if there are any follow-up edits for example. Note that there is a 'watch this page' tickbox provided on the editing screen for this purpose.

On the watchlist display, some page name appear in bold. This indicates whether or not you have visited the page to see the change. It's a bit like read/unread emails in an email inbox. The 'Recent Changes' display will also have some new bold highlighting, but for a different reason. Here bold is just indicating edits to pages on your watchlist.

See also [[Help:Tracking changes]]

[[Category:Help]]

Help:Tracking changes

2008-12-07T03:05:02Z

WikiSysop:

[[Image:M-en-recentchanges.png|thumb|370px|'''Recent changes''' shows the latest changes to articles, file uploads, deletions and page moves]]
MediaWiki offers a collection of special pages and tools to keep track of what is going on in the wiki. So you can watch for example:
* recent changes to all pages
* the revision history: all changes made to one page
* the contributions of one specific user
* newly created pages

The most interesting special page is '''[[Special:Recentchanges]]'''. It displays all edits, file uploads, page moves, deletions and other actions done in the wiki. In the menu on top it offers a collection of links to customize your display: limit the number of changes shown, the number of days or restrict it to edits to a certain namespace. You can also hide edits marked as minor (don't forget that major changes can be flagged by a user as minor anyway).

One line in recent changes consists of several links:
* ''diff'' displays the difference to the previous revision of the page,
* ''hist'' links to the revision history of the page,
* the link with the full title of the page brings you to the current version. If the title is in bold, it indicates that it is on your [[Help:Watchlist|watchlist]].

Next is a flag describing the article modification type:
*''N'' denotes a new page,
*''m'' a minor edit,
*''b'' an edit made by a bot.

Following the timestamp, it shows the page size difference to the previous revision, then the user is mentioned, with a link to their [[Help:User page|user page]] and their [[Help:Talk pages#User Talk pages|talk page]] and contributions, or to their [[Help:Talk pages#User Talk pages|talk page]] only in the case of anonymous users.

Last but not least, there is an edit summary, appearing in italics, if the user submitted one when they made the edit.

=== Enhanced view ===
If you are logged in and have JavaScript enabled, you can also try the "enhanced" view. Simply go to your [[Help:Preferences#Recent changes|Preferences]] and enable "Enhanced recent changes (JavaScript)"; this will make recent changes show edits divided by page rather than being listed individually. You will now see entries like the following:
:! 15:17 [[Main Page]] (4 changes; (+236) Page history) [Some User‎ (2×); Some Other User (2×)]
Simply click the blue arrow to the left of the page name and timestamp to expand that page's recent edits just as they were on the normal style. You can turn this enhancement on and off at will, so feel free to try both to see which one you prefer.

=== See also ===
* [[Special:Newpages]]
* Related changes: [[Special:Recentchangeslinked/Pagename]]
* User contributions: [[Special:Contributions/User]]
* History
* [[Special:Watchlist]]

{{Admin tip|tip=You may want to add important pages in your wiki to [[MediaWiki:Recentchangestext]], the intro shown at [[Special:Recentchanges]]}}

[[Category:Help|Tracking changes]]
[[Category:Recent changes|Tracking changes]]

Help:Searching

2008-12-07T03:04:40Z

WikiSysop:

The quickest way to find information in MediaWiki is to look it up directly. On the left-hand side of your screen there is a '''Search''' box with two buttons under it labeled "Go" and "Search".

<div style="border:1px solid #ababff; background: #fdfdff; padding: 1em; margin: 1.1em 1em 1em 0em; font-size:105%">
Put your keyword in the searchbox.
* '''Go''' - (or ''Enter'' on keyboard) will take you automatically to the article, if it exists.
* '''Search''' - will search the text of all pages on the wiki (with some restrictions, see below).
</div>

If you clicked 'search', or you clicked 'go' and the page you were looking for did not exist, you will be presented with a list of articles that matched your search criteria (or a message that no matches were found).

== How it works ==
Here's how the search works:

* Only the article content is searched - the page title is ignored.
* The article content is searched in its raw (wikitext) form - i.e., it searches the text that appears in the edit box when you click 'edit', not the rendered page. This means that content coming from an included template will not be picked up, but the target of piped links will be.
* Even if you enclose a phrase in quotes, the search looks for each word individually. e.g., if you enter "world war 2" it will return pages that contain "world" and "war" and "2".
* The search is not case-sensitive, so "MediaWiki", "mediawiki" and "MEDIAWIKI" all give the same result.

== Restricting the search ==
If you click the 'Search' button without filling in anything, you will be taken to 'Special:Search' which gives you extra searching options (also available from any search results list)

You may find it useful to restrict a search to pages within a particular [[Help:Namespaces|namespace]] e.g., only search within the 'Talk' pages. Tick the namespaces you require for this search.

By default only the [[Help:Namespaces|namespaces]] specified in your [[Help:Preferences|preferences]] will be searched. Logged-in users can change their preferences to specify the namespaces they want to search by default. This can be done by selecting and deselecting boxes in the 'search' section of user preferences.

__NOTOC__

[[Category:Help|Searching]]
[[Category:Search]]

Help:Navigation

2008-12-07T03:04:06Z

WikiSysop:

When viewing any page on a MediaWiki wiki, you'll find three main navigation elements:
# The [[#Sidebar|sidebar]] on the left gives you access to important pages in the wiki such as Recent changes or Upload file.
# At the top of the page are links (often called [[#Page Tabs|tabs]]) which relate to the page currently displayed: its associated discussion page, the version history, and—most notably—the edit link.
# In the top right corner you'll find [[#User Links|user links]]; as an anonymous user, you'll see a link to create an account or log in (they are the same page). As a logged-in user you have a collection of personal links, including ones to your user page and [[Help:Preferences|preferences]].

== Sidebar ==
[[Image:M-en-sidebar.png|framed|right|Example sidebar, shown on the left of the page]]
The sidebar is displayed on the left edge of the page below the site logo (if using the default MonoBook skin). This sidebar gives you access to important pages in the wiki such as Recent changes or Upload file.

=== Navigation ===
Clicking on the logo brings you back to the main page of the wiki. The links in the navigation section just below will take you to important pages of the wiki. These links can be configured by site administrators.

{{Admin tip|tip=You can customize the navigation links by editing [[MediaWiki:Sidebar]]. Some entries call for separate MediaWiki: pages, e.g. to change the automatic link to the [[Main Page]] you would change [[MediaWiki:Mainpage]] (target page) and [[MediaWiki:Mainpage-text]] (displayed text). You can find a list of such pages via [[Special:Allmessages]]. For more information see [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Manual:Interface/Sidebar Manual:Interface/Sidebar].}}

=== Toolbox ===
The toolbox contains a selection of links which change depending on what type of page you are viewing.

On all pages (except special pages):
* ''What links here'' takes you to a special page that lists the pages on this wiki which contain a link to the current page. This is helpful when you are looking for pages of related information. The ''What links here'' information can also be useful when you are refactoring wiki pages and need to check whether links to this page are still relevant after changes in the current page.
* The ''Related changes'' tool lists all recent changes in the pages linked to from the current page. Recent changes to all relevant template pages are included in the resulting page list. The "Hide minor edits" option that can be set in the user [[Help:Preferences|preferences]] applies, among other things, to ''Related Changes''.

On all pages (including special pages):
* ''Upload file'' displays a special page that allows logged-in users to upload images and other files to the wiki. Uploaded files can be linked from or embedded in wiki pages. Uploading files, viewing files on the server, including them in wiki pages and managing the uploaded files is discussed in the [[Help:Managing files|managing files]] section of this manual. This is not displayed if file uploading has been disabled or not enabled in the first place.
{{Admin tip|tip=To enable file uploading someone with access to the MediaWiki installation files needs to edit the <code>LocalSettings.php</code> file and uncomment or add the option <code>$wgEnableUploads = true;</code>. Uploaded files will be stored in the images folder specified by the <code>$wgUploadPath</code> variable in the <code>LocalSettings.php</code>. This directory must be writable if file uploads is enabled. The {{mediawiki|Manual:LocalSettings.php#Upload location|upload location}} and {{mediawiki|Manual:LocalSettings.php#Image uploads|image uploads}} settings are described in more detail on the MetaWiki {{mediawiki|Manual:LocalSettings.php|LocalSettings.php}} page.}}
* The ''Special pages'' tool lists the MediaWiki special pages. In MediaWiki terminology, a special page is one that presents information about the Wiki and/or allows access to administration activities for the wiki. For example, a list of users registered with the wiki, statistics about the wiki such as the number of pages and number of page edits, system logs, a list of orphaned pages, and so on. These special pages are commonly generated when the special page is loaded rather than being stored in the wiki database.

:''The function and use of the default special pages can be found in the [[Help:Special pages|special pages]] section of this manual.''

== Page Tabs ==
[[Image:M-en-pagetabs.png|framed|right|Default page tabs at the top of the page]]
The page tabs are displayed at the top of the article to the right of the site logo (if using the default MonoBook skin). These tabs allow you to perform actions or view pages that are related to the current article. The available default actions include: viewing, editing, and discussing the current article. The specific tabs displayed on your pages depend on whether or not you are logged into the wiki and whether you have sysop (administrator) privileges on the wiki. On special pages only the namespace tab is displayed.

;Default for all users
: ''[[Help:Namespaces|namespace]]'' (article, help, special page, template, user page etc.)
: ''discussion''
: ''edit'' (may read ''view source'' if anonymous editing is disabled, the page is in the MediaWiki: namespace, or the page is protected)
: ''history''

;Extra tabs for logged-in users:
: ''move''
: ''watch''

;Extra tabs for sysops:
: ''protect''
: ''delete''

Administrators can add or remove tabs by using JavaScript or installing extensions, so the tabs you see may be different depending on which wiki you are using.

== User Links ==
[[Image:M-en-userlinks.png|framed|right|Default user links at the top right of the page]]
The user links are displayed at the top far right of the article (if using the default MonoBook skin). These tabs allow the logged-in user to view and edit their user page and wiki preferences. Additionally, the user links allow the user to quickly access their contributions to the wiki and logout.

For anonymous users the user links is replaced by a link to the wiki login page or, if enabled, a link to your IP address and your IP address's talk page.

* ''<username>''
*: This links to your user page which is where you can put information about yourself, store bits of information you want to remember or whatever else you fancy.
* ''my talk''
*: This links to your discussion page, where people can leave messages for you.
* ''preferences''
*: Allows you to change your personal site preferences.
* ''my watchlist''
*: A list of all pages that you are watching. Pages can be added to this list by clicking ''watch'' at the top of the page.
* ''my contributions''
*: A list of all contributions you have made to the wiki.
* ''log out''
*: Click this link to log out of the wiki.

[[Category:Help|Navigation]]

Help:Contents

2008-12-07T03:02:39Z

WikiSysop:

==Reading==
* [[Help:Navigation|Navigation]]
* [[Help:Searching|Searching]]
* [[Help:Tracking changes|Tracking changes]]
* [[Help:Watchlist|Watchlist]]

==Editing==
* [[Help:Editing pages|Editing pages]]
* [[Help:Starting a new page|Starting a new page]]
* [[Help:Formatting|Formatting]]
* [[Help:Links|Links]]
* [[Help:User page|User pages]]
* [[Help:Talk pages|Talk pages]]
* [[Help:Signatures|Signatures]]

===Advanced editing===
* [[Help:Images|Images]]
* [[Help:Tables|Tables]]
* [[Help:Categories|Categories]]
* [[Help:Subpages|Subpages]]
* [[Help:Managing files|Managing files]]
* [[Help:Moving a page|Moving (renaming) a page]]
* [[Help:Redirects|Redirects]]
* [[Help:Deleting a page|Deleting a page]]
* [[Help:Protected pages|Protected pages]]

* [[Help:Templates|Templates]]
* [[Help:Variables|Variables]]
* [[Help:Namespaces|Namespaces]]

* [[Help:Special pages|Special pages]]
* [[Help:External searches|External searches]]

===Personal customization===
* [[Help:Preferences|Preferences]]
* [[Help:Skins|Skins]]

==Wiki administration==

* [[Help:Sysops and permissions|Sysops and permissions]]

The following features require extra permissions that are not normally granted to all wiki users.

* [[Help:Protecting and unprotecting pages|Protecting and unprotecting pages]]
* [[Help:Sysop deleting and undeleting|Sysop deleting and undeleting]]
* [[Help:Patrolled edits|Patrolled edits]]
* [[Help:Blocking users|Blocking users]]
* [[Help:Range blocks|Range IP blocks]]
* [[Help:Assigning permissions|Assigning permissions]]

[[Category:Help| ]]
__NOTOC__

Help:Contents

2008-12-07T03:02:01Z

WikiSysop: