This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and utilizing the core concept of a 'Page' within MediaWiki, the software powering countless wikis around the world. This guide is designed for beginners with no prior experience in wiki editing. We will cover everything from creating a new page to understanding its structure, editing, and best practices.
In the context of MediaWiki, a 'Page' is the fundamental unit of content. It is a self-contained document accessible via a unique title (also known as the page name). Think of it like a document in a word processor, or a webpage on the internet. Each page has its own history of edits, allowing for version control and collaboration. Pages are interconnected through links, forming the web of knowledge that makes up a wiki.
A page can contain text, images, templates, categories, and various other forms of media. The content is formatted using a specific markup language called Manual:Syntax. This allows for rich text formatting, structured information, and dynamic content. Understanding the page structure is crucial for effective wiki editing.
Creating a New Page
There are two primary ways to create a new page:
1. **Following a Red Link:** When you type a link to a page that *doesn't* exist, MediaWiki displays it as a "red link." Clicking on this red link will take you to an edit screen for that page. This is the most common way to create new pages. For instance, if you type `New Page Title` and the page "New Page Title" doesn't exist, the link will appear red.
2. **Using the Search Box:** Type the desired page title into the search box and press Enter. If a page with that title doesn’t exist, you’ll be presented with an option to create it.
Once you choose to create the page, you'll be presented with the editing window.
Page Structure & Elements
A typical MediaWiki page consists of several key elements:
**Page Title:** This is the name of the page, displayed prominently at the top. It's also used in the URL of the page.
**Namespace:** Pages are organized into *namespaces*. Common namespaces include:
* `Main`: The main article namespace. Most content resides here.
* `User`: Pages related to individual users.
* `Talk`: Discussion pages associated with each content page. These are used for collaboration and feedback. (See Manual:Talk pages)
* `Project`: Pages about the wiki itself.
* `Help`: Help pages for users.
* `Manual`: Pages documenting MediaWiki itself (like this one!).
The namespace is prepended to the page title (e.g., `User:YourUsername`).
**Content:** This is the main body of the page, where you add text, images, and other media.
**Categories:** Pages can be assigned to one or more categories to help organize content and make it easier to find.
**Templates:** Reusable blocks of content that can be inserted into multiple pages. (See Manual:Templates)
**Infoboxes:** Structured summaries of information, often used for articles about specific topics.
**Navigation Elements:** Links to related pages, tables of contents, and other navigational aids.
Editing a Page
To edit a page, click the "Edit" tab at the top of the page. This will open the editing window.
The editing window provides several tools:
**Visual Editor:** A WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor that allows you to format text and insert media without needing to learn the wiki markup. However, it may not support all features.
**Source Editor:** The traditional editor, where you directly edit the wiki markup. This provides the most control over formatting and functionality. (See Manual:Syntax for detailed markup instructions.)
**Editing Toolbar:** A toolbar with common formatting options, available in both editors.
**Changes Preview:** Allows you to see how your changes will look before saving them. *Always* preview your changes before saving!
**Summary Field:** A brief description of your changes. This is important for tracking the history of the page. Be concise and informative.
When you're finished editing, click the "Publish changes" button to save your changes.
Wiki Syntax (A Brief Overview)
While the Visual Editor offers a user-friendly approach, understanding basic wiki syntax is crucial for advanced editing. Here are some fundamental elements:
**Headings:** Use equal signs (`=`) to create headings. The number of equal signs determines the heading level (e.g., `== Heading 2 ==`, `=== Heading 3 ===`).
**Bold Text:** Enclose text in double apostrophes (`text`).
**Italic Text:** Enclose text in single apostrophes (`'text'`).
**Lists:**
* **Unordered Lists:** Use asterisks (`*`) at the beginning of each line.
* **Ordered Lists:** Use numbers (`1.`) at the beginning of each line.
**Links:** Use double square brackets (`Link Text`) to create links. The `|Link Text` part is optional and allows you to specify the text that will be displayed as the link.
**Images:** Use double square brackets with a colon (`File:Image.jpgCaption`) to insert images.
**Tables:** Use wiki table markup to create tables.
**Horizontal Rule:** Use three hyphens (`---`) on a separate line.
Refer to Manual:Syntax for a complete guide to wiki markup.
Page History and Version Control
MediaWiki automatically tracks every change made to a page. You can view the page history by clicking the "View history" tab. The history page displays a list of all revisions, along with the author, date, and a brief summary of the changes.
You can:
**Compare Revisions:** Select two revisions to see the differences between them. This is useful for understanding what changes were made.
**Revert to a Previous Revision:** If a change is undesirable, you can revert the page to a previous version. *Use caution when reverting changes, and consider discussing the issue on the Talk page first.*
**Delete Revisions:** (Requires appropriate permissions) In some cases, it may be necessary to delete a revision.
Best Practices for Page Editing
**Be Bold, But Collaborate:** Don’t be afraid to make changes, but be open to feedback and discussion.
**Talk Before Editing:** If you're planning a major change, discuss it on the Talk page first.
**Provide a Summary:** Always include a clear and concise summary of your changes.
**Cite Your Sources:** If you're adding information from external sources, cite them properly.
**Follow the Wiki's Style Guide:** Most wikis have a style guide that outlines formatting conventions and other guidelines. (Check for a link on the Main Page.)
**Respect Copyright:** Do not copy content from copyrighted sources without permission.
**Use Categories Appropriately:** Categorize pages to help organize content and make it easier to find.
**Proofread Your Work:** Before saving your changes, proofread your work for errors.
**Avoid Edit Wars:** If you disagree with another editor, discuss the issue on the Talk page instead of repeatedly reverting each other's changes. Consider mediation if necessary.
**Understand the Wiki’s Policies:** Familiarize yourself with the wiki’s policies on topics such as neutrality, verifiability, and original research.
Advanced Page Features
**Transclusion:** Including content from one page into another. (See Manual:Transclusion)
**Templates:** Creating reusable blocks of content. (See Manual:Templates)
**Variables:** Using variables to dynamically generate content.
**Extensions:** Adding new features and functionality to the wiki.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
**Broken Links:** If a link is broken, it may be because the target page doesn't exist or the page title is incorrect.
**Formatting Errors:** If your formatting is not displaying correctly, check your wiki markup for errors.
**Conflicts with Other Editors:** If you're editing the same page as another editor at the same time, you may encounter a conflict. Resolve the conflict by carefully comparing the two versions and merging the changes.
**Page Protection:** Some pages are protected to prevent unauthorized editing. If you need to edit a protected page, you may need to request permission from an administrator.
Further Resources
Manual:Contents: A comprehensive guide to all aspects of MediaWiki.
