Platform features

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  1. Platform Features

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the features available within a typical MediaWiki 1.40 installation, geared towards beginners. MediaWiki is a free and open-source wiki software, powering a vast number of websites, most notably Wikipedia. Understanding its features is crucial for both readers and contributors. This article will cover core functionality, editing tools, user preferences, and extensions commonly found on MediaWiki-based platforms.

Core Functionality: Reading and Navigation

At its heart, MediaWiki is designed for collaborative content creation and consumption. The most basic feature is, of course, *reading* articles. These articles, or pages, are interconnected through a system of *links*. Clicking on a link navigates you to another article. These links are the foundation of the wiki’s non-linear structure, allowing users to explore topics in a self-directed manner.

  • Search: Located prominently (usually at the top left), the search function is your primary tool for finding specific information. Effective searching involves using keywords related to your topic. Consider using Help:Search for advanced search operators.
  • Navigation Menu: Most wikis feature a navigation menu (often a sidebar) containing links to important categories, special pages, and potentially a site map. This provides a structured overview of the wiki's content.
  • Table of Contents: Long articles automatically generate a Table of Contents (TOC) based on the heading structure. This allows you to quickly jump to specific sections within the article. TOCs are generated using heading tags (== Heading ==, === Subheading ===, etc.).
  • History: Every page has a "View History" tab. Clicking this reveals a chronological record of all edits made to the page, along with the usernames (or IP addresses) of the contributors. This feature promotes transparency and allows you to revert to previous versions if needed. Understanding Help:Page history is crucial for responsible editing.
  • Watchlist: Registered users can add pages to their "Watchlist." When a watched page is modified, you'll receive a notification (usually via a special page or email, depending on your preferences). This is helpful for tracking changes to topics you're particularly interested in. See Special:Watchlist to manage your watchlist.

Editing: Contributing to the Wiki

The defining feature of MediaWiki is its collaborative editing capability. Registered users can contribute to the wiki by editing existing pages or creating new ones.

  • Visual Editor: MediaWiki 1.40 includes a "Visual Editor" which provides a "what you see is what you get" (WYSIWYG) editing experience. It's similar to using a word processor. However, it can sometimes be less precise than using wikitext directly.
  • Wikitext: Wikitext is the markup language used by MediaWiki. It’s a relatively simple system of formatting codes. While it has a learning curve, mastering wikitext allows for greater control over the appearance and functionality of your edits. Resources like Help:Wikitext are invaluable.
  • Edit Summary: When you save an edit, you are prompted to provide an "Edit Summary." This is a brief description of the changes you made. A good edit summary is crucial for helping other editors understand your contributions. Be concise and informative.
  • Preview: Always use the "Preview" button *before* saving your edits. This allows you to see how your changes will look without affecting the live page.
  • Show Changes: Before saving, the "Show Changes" option highlights the differences between your edit and the current version, providing a final check.
  • Page Creation: To create a new page, simply type a page title (enclosed in double square brackets, e.g., `New Page`) into an existing page and click the red link. This will take you to the edit screen for the new page.

Formatting with Wikitext: Key Elements

Wikitext provides numerous options for formatting text and adding elements to your edits. Here are some essential elements:

  • Headings: Use equal signs (=) to create headings. `= Heading 1 =`, `== Heading 2 ==`, `=== Heading 3 ===`, etc.
  • Bold Text: Enclose text in triple apostrophes: `Bold Text`.
  • Italic Text: Enclose text in double apostrophes: `Italic Text`.
  • Lists:
   *   Bulleted List:  Use an asterisk (*) at the beginning of each line: `* Item 1`, `* Item 2`.
   *   Numbered List: Use a hash (#) at the beginning of each line: `# Item 1`, `# Item 2`.
  • Links: Create internal links using double square brackets: `Page Title`. Create external links using square brackets and a URL: `Example Website`.
  • Images: Insert images using the following syntax: `
    File:ImageName.jpg
    Caption
    `. Images must be uploaded to the wiki first. See Special:Upload for uploading files.
  • Tables: Creating tables in wikitext can be complex, but is possible using pipes (|) and horizontal rules (|-). Consider using the Visual Editor for simpler table creation.
  • Code: Display code snippets using the `<source>` tags: `<source>code goes here</source>`.
  • Horizontal Rule: Use three hyphens (---) on a separate line to create a horizontal rule.

User Preferences and Customization

Registered users can customize their experience through their user preferences.

  • Appearance: Choose a different skin (visual theme) for the wiki. MediaWiki offers a variety of skins, each with a different look and feel.
  • Editing: Configure default editing settings, such as the default editor (Visual Editor or wikitext), and options for automatically adding categories to your edits.
  • Notifications: Control how you receive notifications about changes to watched pages or messages from other users.
  • Privacy: Manage your privacy settings, such as whether your email address is visible to other users. Access your preferences by clicking on your username in the top right corner and selecting "Preferences".

Extensions: Expanding Functionality

MediaWiki's functionality can be significantly extended through the use of *extensions*. Extensions are add-ons that provide new features and capabilities. The specific extensions installed on a wiki will vary depending on the site's needs. Some common extensions include:

  • Scribunto: Allows you to use Lua scripting to create reusable templates and functions, greatly enhancing the wiki’s functionality.
  • Semantic MediaWiki: Adds semantic capabilities, allowing you to store and query data within the wiki.
  • Cite: Simplifies the process of adding and managing citations.
  • CategoryTree: Provides a visual tree-like representation of the wiki's category structure.
  • Maps: Allows you to embed maps into wiki pages.
  • ImageMap: Enables the creation of clickable image maps.
  • SocialProfile: Integrates social media profiles with user accounts.

Advanced Features and Tools

Beyond the basics, MediaWiki offers a range of advanced features for power users and administrators.

  • Templates: Templates are reusable blocks of wikitext that can be inserted into multiple pages. They are useful for creating standardized layouts, navigation elements, and information boxes. See Help:Templates.
  • Modules: Similar to templates, but offer more advanced functionality and are often used for complex layouts and data display.
  • Gadgets: Gadgets are small pieces of JavaScript code that can be added to the wiki to enhance the user experience.
  • API: MediaWiki provides a powerful API (Application Programming Interface) that allows developers to interact with the wiki programmatically.
  • Special Pages: A collection of pages that provide administrative functions, statistics, and tools for managing the wiki. Access Special Pages from the toolbox.

Strategies, Technical Analysis, and Trading Resources (Links)

This section provides links to resources related to trading strategies and technical analysis, relevant for wikis focused on financial markets.

  • **Trading Strategies:**
   *   Investopedia - Trading Strategy
   *   Stockopedia - Trading Strategies
   *   Forex Trading Strategies - BabyPips
   *   DailyFX - Forex Trading Strategies
   *   TradingView - Trading Ideas
  • **Technical Analysis:**
   *   Investopedia - Technical Analysis
   *   Stockopedia - Technical Analysis
   *   Forex Technical Analysis - BabyPips
   *   Fidelity - Technical Analysis
  • **Indicators:**
   *   Moving Averages - Investopedia
   *   Relative Strength Index (RSI) - Investopedia
   *   Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) - Investopedia
   *   Bollinger Bands - Investopedia
   *   TradingView - Indicators
  • **Trends & Market Analysis:**
   *   Trading Economics
   *   CMC Markets - Trend Following
   *   Forex.com - Trend Analysis
   *   Market Sentiment - DailyFX
   *   Bureau of Labor Statistics (Economic Indicators)
   *   Federal Reserve (Central Bank Data)
   *   TradingView - US Stock Markets
   *   TradingView - Cryptocurrency Markets
   *   Investing.com

Conclusion

MediaWiki is a powerful and versatile platform for creating and sharing knowledge. By understanding its core features, editing tools, and customization options, you can effectively contribute to and benefit from the collaborative environment it fosters. Don't be afraid to experiment and explore the various features available to you. Remember to consult the official MediaWiki documentation (linked throughout this article) for more detailed information.

Help:Contents MediaWiki Special:Mypreferences Special:Upload Help:Linking Help:Formatting Help:Templates Help:Categories Help:Search Help:Page history


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