This article provides a detailed guide to image handling within MediaWiki, specifically tailored for beginners. MediaWiki, the software powering Wikipedia and countless other wikis, has a robust system for managing images, allowing users to enhance their articles with visual content. This guide will cover uploading, embedding, resizing, captioning, and various advanced features related to images. Understanding these concepts is crucial for creating visually appealing and informative wiki pages. We will also touch upon best practices for image optimization and accessibility.
Uploading Images
The first step in using images is, naturally, uploading them to the wiki. The process is generally straightforward, but requires appropriate permissions. Most wikis require users to have an account and may have restrictions on who can upload files.
1. **Accessing the Upload Form:** Navigate to the "Upload file" page. This is typically accessible via a link in the sidebar, often labeled "Upload file" or "Special:Upload". If you can't find it, consult your wiki's Help:Contents page.
2. **The Upload Form:** The upload form requires you to specify:
* **File name:** Choose a descriptive and meaningful file name. Avoid spaces and special characters. Use hyphens (-) or underscores (_) instead.
* **File source:** Select "Upload a file from your computer".
* **File:** Click the "Choose File" button and select the image file from your computer.
* **Summary:** This is a crucial field. Provide a brief description of the image, its source, and any relevant copyright information. This information is displayed on the image description page.
* **Licensing:** Select the appropriate license for the image. This is critical for respecting copyright laws. Common licenses include Creative Commons licenses, GNU Free Documentation License, and public domain declarations. Ensure you have the right to use and distribute the image under the chosen license. Incorrect licensing can lead to legal issues.
* **Watch this space:** Checking this box adds the image's description page to your watchlist, allowing you to track any changes or discussions about the image.
3. **Uploading:** Click the "Upload file" button. The wiki will process the image and display a confirmation page.
Embedding Images in Articles
Once uploaded, images can be embedded in articles using the following syntax:
`[[File:ImageName.jpg]` : This specifies the filename of the image. Make sure the filename is exactly as it was uploaded.
`|thumb` : This creates a thumbnail version of the image. Thumbnails are smaller and more manageable for display within articles. Without `thumb`, the image will be displayed at its full resolution, which may be excessively large.
`|right` : This aligns the image to the right side of the article. You can also use `left` for left alignment, `center` for centered alignment, or omit this parameter for default alignment (usually right). Consider using `none` to prevent any floating.
`|200px` : This sets the width of the thumbnail to 200 pixels. You can adjust this value as needed. The height will be scaled proportionally. Using `x200px` will force the image to be exactly 200 pixels wide, potentially distorting the aspect ratio.
`|Caption Text` : This adds a caption to the image. The caption appears below the image and provides context or explanation.
This displays the image at its original size with the specified caption. It doesn't create a thumbnail.
Image Resizing and Scaling
MediaWiki offers several ways to control image size:
**`thumb` with pixel size:** As shown above, using `thumb` in conjunction with a pixel value (`|200px`) creates a thumbnail of the specified width.
**`frameless`:** This removes the border around the thumbnail.
**`border`:** This adds a border around the thumbnail (default behavior with `thumb`).
**`link=`:** This controls whether the image links to its description page. `link=` disables the link. `link=File:ImageName.jpg` links directly to the file page.
**`upright`:** This allows the image to scale based on the user's preferences and screen size. It's useful for maintaining a consistent appearance across different devices. Example: `File:ImageName.jpgCaption Text`
**`frame`:** This adds a frame around the image, which can be useful for highlighting it.
Image Description Pages
Every uploaded image has an associated description page. This page contains metadata about the image, including:
**File history:** Shows previous versions of the image.
**File usage:** Lists all the articles where the image is used.
**Summary:** The description provided during upload.
**Licensing information:** The license under which the image is released.
**Discussion page:** Allows users to discuss the image.
You can access an image's description page by clicking on the image itself when it's displayed in an article, or by navigating to `File:ImageName.jpg` directly.
Advanced Image Handling
**Gallery View:** You can create a gallery of images using the `
**Using Parameters with Galleries:** You can also specify parameters like `width`, `height`, and `align` within the gallery tags.
**Animation:** MediaWiki supports animated GIFs. Simply upload the GIF file and embed it like any other image.
**SVG Images:** Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) are supported, allowing for high-quality images that scale without pixelation.
**Image Maps:** You can create interactive image maps using the `<map>` tag. This allows users to click on specific areas of an image to navigate to different pages or sections. This is an advanced feature requiring HTML knowledge.
**External Images:** While generally discouraged due to reliability issues, you can embed images from external websites using the `File:URL` syntax. However, this relies on the external website remaining accessible.
Best Practices for Image Handling
**Copyright:** Always respect copyright laws. Only upload images that you have the right to use and distribute.
**File Format:** Choose the appropriate file format for your image.
* **JPEG:** Best for photographs and complex images.
* **PNG:** Best for images with transparency and sharp lines.
* **GIF:** Best for animated images and simple graphics.
* **SVG:** Best for vector graphics that need to scale without loss of quality.
**File Size:** Optimize images for web use. Large file sizes can slow down page loading times. Use image compression tools to reduce file size without significant loss of quality. Consider using tools like [TinyPNG](https://tinypng.com/) or [ImageOptim](https://imageoptim.com/).
**Accessibility:** Provide descriptive alt text for all images. Alt text is displayed when the image cannot be loaded and is used by screen readers for visually impaired users. Use the `alt` parameter: `Descriptive textCaption Text`.
**Descriptive File Names:** Use meaningful file names that accurately reflect the image's content.
**Clear Captions:** Provide clear and concise captions that explain the image's relevance to the article.
**Licensing:** Always specify the correct license for the image.
**Relevance:** Only include images that are relevant to the article's content.
**Avoid Excessive Use:** Don't overuse images. Too many images can clutter the page and distract from the text.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
**Image Not Displaying:**
* Check the filename for typos.
* Verify that the image has been uploaded correctly.
* Ensure you have the correct permissions to view the image.
* Clear your browser cache.
**Image Too Large:**
* Use the `thumb` parameter to create a thumbnail.
* Adjust the pixel size (`|200px`).
**Image Distorted:**
* Avoid using `x200px` which forces a specific width and can distort the aspect ratio.
* Use `thumb` or `upright` to allow the image to scale proportionally.
**Caption Not Displaying:**
* Ensure the caption is correctly formatted within the `File:…` tag.
