MediaWiki FAQ

1. MediaWiki FAQ: A Beginner's Guide

This article provides a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section dedicated to MediaWiki, the open-source wiki software powering numerous websites, including Wikipedia. It's designed for beginners who are new to the platform, whether they are potential users, editors, or administrators. We will cover installation, configuration, editing, troubleshooting, and more.

What is MediaWiki?

MediaWiki is a free and open-source wiki software package written in PHP, originally created for use on Wikipedia. It’s designed for collaborative projects, allowing multiple users to contribute and edit content. Its flexibility and scalability make it suitable for a wide range of applications, including documentation, knowledge bases, internal company wikis, and fan sites. It’s important to understand that MediaWiki isn’t just *a* wiki, it’s the *engine* that powers many wikis. Main Page provides a central hub for information.

Installation: Getting Started

• ’What are the prerequisites for installing MediaWiki?’*

You'll need a web server (like Apache or Nginx), PHP (version 7.3 or higher is recommended, check Manual:Configuration settings for specifics), a MySQL/MariaDB or PostgreSQL database, and the MediaWiki software itself. Your web server needs to be configured to handle PHP files. Detailed installation instructions are available on the official MediaWiki website: [1]. Understanding your server's configuration is key; resources like [2] can be helpful.

• ’How do I install MediaWiki?’*

Generally, you download the latest version from [3], upload it to your web server, and then run the installation script through your web browser. The script will guide you through configuring the database connection, setting up your wiki's name, and creating an administrator account. Backups are crucial, and learning about Manual:Backups is a good first step.

• ’What’s the difference between MediaWiki and other wiki software?’*

MediaWiki stands out due to its scalability, extensive feature set, and large community support. Compared to simpler wikis like Wiki.js or DokuWiki, MediaWiki offers greater control and customization, but it also has a steeper learning curve. Consider your project's needs when choosing a wiki platform. Factors to consider include the expected number of users, the complexity of the content, and the level of customization required. Technical analysis of wiki platforms can be found at [4].

Editing: Creating and Modifying Content

• ’How do I create a new page?’*

Simply type the page title in the search box and press Enter. If the page doesn't exist, you'll be prompted to create it. Alternatively, you can use interwiki links (e.g., `New Page Title`) on existing pages. Learning Help:Linking is fundamental.

• ’What is the visual editor?’*

The VisualEditor is a "what you see is what you get" (WYSIWYG) editor that allows you to edit pages in a more intuitive way, similar to a word processor. It's enabled by default on many wikis. However, it's important to understand that the underlying markup is still MediaWiki's wiki syntax. Details about the VisualEditor are at [5].

• ’What is wiki markup (wikitext)?’*

Wiki markup is the plain text syntax used to format content in MediaWiki. It's different from HTML or other markup languages. Common examples include using single quotes for italics (`'text'`), double quotes for bold text (`"text"`), and equal signs for headings (`== Heading ==`). The Help:Formatting page is an excellent resource. Understanding the nuances of markup is essential for advanced editing.

• ’How do I add images and other files?’*

You can upload files through the "Upload file" link in the sidebar (usually under "Tools"). Once uploaded, you can embed them in pages using the `File:Filename.jpg` syntax. Be mindful of copyright restrictions and licensing. A guide to managing files can be found at Manual:Images. Image optimization techniques, like using WebP format, can improve page load times (see [6]).

• ’How can I create tables?’*

Tables are created using wiki markup. The basic syntax involves using pipes (`|`) to separate cells and equal signs (`=`) to define header rows. Complex tables can be challenging to create directly with markup, and extensions like the TableTools extension can be helpful. See Help:Tables for a detailed explanation.

• ’How do I use templates?’*

Templates are reusable blocks of wiki markup that can be inserted into multiple pages. They're useful for maintaining consistency and simplifying complex formatting. Creating and using templates requires a good understanding of wiki markup and template syntax. Explore Help:Templates. Advanced template techniques, like using parser functions, can dramatically increase their functionality.

Configuration: Customizing Your Wiki

• ’How do I change the wiki's name and logo?’*

These settings can be changed in the `LocalSettings.php` file. This file contains the core configuration settings for your MediaWiki installation. Be extremely careful when editing `LocalSettings.php`, as errors can break your wiki. Always create a backup before making any changes. Manual:Configuration settings provides a comprehensive list of available settings.

• ’How do I install extensions?’*

Extensions add new features and functionality to MediaWiki. You can download extensions from the MediaWiki Extension Directory [7] and install them by placing them in the `extensions/` directory and then configuring them in `LocalSettings.php`. Popular extensions include Semantic MediaWiki, VisualEditor, and TableTools. Understanding the dependencies and compatibility of extensions is crucial. Resources like [8] can provide insights into extension development.

• ’How do I change the wiki's appearance (skin)?’*

MediaWiki supports multiple skins, which control the visual appearance of the wiki. You can change the default skin in `LocalSettings.php`. Users can also typically choose their preferred skin in their user preferences. The Vector skin is the default skin for many wikis. Explore available skins at [9]. Analyzing user experience (UX) trends in skin design can help you choose the best skin for your wiki (see [10]).

• ’How do I manage user permissions?’*

User permissions control what actions users can perform on the wiki. You can assign different user groups (e.g., administrator, bureaucrat, editor) to users, and each group has different permissions. User rights management is a critical aspect of wiki administration. Manual:User rights management provides detailed instructions. Security best practices, such as requiring strong passwords and regularly reviewing user permissions, are essential.

Troubleshooting: Fixing Common Problems

• ’My wiki is displaying a blank page.’*

This is often caused by an error in the `LocalSettings.php` file or a PHP error. Check your web server's error logs for more information. Enable PHP error reporting to display errors on the page. Debugging PHP code can be challenging, but tools like Xdebug can be helpful. [11]

• ’I'm getting a database connection error.’*

This indicates a problem with your database configuration. Verify that the database server is running, that the database credentials are correct, and that the database user has the necessary permissions. Database performance tuning can also improve wiki responsiveness (see [12]).

• ’Pages are loading slowly.’*

Slow page load times can be caused by various factors, including large images, complex templates, database queries, and server load. Optimize images, simplify templates, and consider using a caching mechanism. Analyzing website performance using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights [13] can identify areas for improvement.

• ’I'm having trouble with a specific extension.’*

Check the extension's documentation for troubleshooting tips. Search the MediaWiki forums and Extension directory for solutions to common problems. Consider disabling the extension to see if it's the cause of the issue. Understanding the extension's dependencies and compatibility is crucial.

• ’My wiki is being vandalized.’*

Implement anti-vandalism measures, such as requiring account registration, using CAPTCHAs, and monitoring recent changes. The AntiVandalism extension can automate some of these tasks. Analyzing vandalism patterns can help you identify and prevent future attacks. Resources like [14] can help you understand common web security threats. Consider using a Web Application Firewall (WAF).

Advanced Topics

• ’What is Semantic MediaWiki?’*

Semantic MediaWiki (SMW) allows you to add semantic data to wiki pages, enabling powerful querying and data analysis. It's useful for creating knowledge bases and structured data repositories. See [15].

• ’How can I use the API?’*

MediaWiki provides a powerful API that allows you to access and manipulate wiki data programmatically. This is useful for creating bots, integrating with other applications, and automating tasks. Manual:API provides documentation and examples. Understanding API rate limits and authentication is crucial.

• ’What are webhooks?’*

Webhooks allow external applications to receive notifications when events occur on your wiki, such as page edits or new uploads. This enables real-time integration with other systems. See [16].

• ’How can I improve wiki search?’*

MediaWiki's built-in search functionality can be limited. Consider using extensions like Elasticsearch or Solr to improve search accuracy and performance. Analyzing search queries can help you identify content gaps and improve wiki organization. Resources like [17] provide insights into advanced search techniques.

• ’What is the role of caching?’*

Caching stores frequently accessed data in memory, reducing the load on the database and improving page load times. MediaWiki supports various caching mechanisms, including Memcached and Redis. Configuring caching effectively is crucial for performance. Understanding caching strategies, such as cache invalidation, is essential. Resources like [18] explain the benefits of caching.

Resources

• **Official MediaWiki Website:** [19]
• **MediaWiki Documentation:** [20]
• **MediaWiki Extension Directory:** [21]
• **MediaWiki Forums:** [22]
• **Stack Overflow (MediaWiki Tag):** [23]

Help:Contents Manual:Configuration settings Manual:Backups Help:Linking Help:Formatting Manual:Images Help:Tables Help:Templates Manual:User rights management Manual:API

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