Wiki link
- Wiki Links: A Beginner's Guide
Wiki links are the fundamental building blocks of interconnected knowledge within a Wiki, such as those powered by MediaWiki software. They allow you to easily navigate between related articles and create a web of information, making a Wiki a powerful collaborative tool. This article will provide a comprehensive guide to understanding and using Wiki links, covering everything from the basic syntax to more advanced techniques. This guide is geared towards beginners, assuming no prior knowledge of MediaWiki or Wiki markup.
What is a Wiki Link?
At its core, a Wiki link is a hyperlink to another page *within the same Wiki*. Unlike external links which point to websites outside the Wiki, Wiki links connect articles *internally*. This creates a network of related information, allowing readers to delve deeper into a topic by following relevant links. Think of a Wiki as a complex network of ideas, and Wiki links are the roads that connect those ideas.
A well-linked Wiki is easier to navigate, more informative, and more useful than a collection of isolated articles. Links help establish context, provide supporting information, and guide users to related concepts. They’re essential for building a collaborative knowledge base.
Basic Syntax and Usage
The basic syntax for creating a Wiki link is surprisingly simple. You enclose the target page title within double square brackets:
```wiki Page Title ```
For example, if you want to link to an article titled "MediaWiki", you would write:
```wiki MediaWiki ```
This will render as a hyperlink that, when clicked, will take the user to the "MediaWiki" page.
Linking to Pages with Different Titles
Sometimes, you may want to link to a page with a different display text than the actual page title. This is done using the pipe symbol (|):
```wiki Display Text ```
For instance, if you want to link to the "Help:Contents" page but display the link as "Help", you would write:
```wiki Help ```
This results in the text "Help" appearing as a link to the "Help:Contents" page. This is particularly useful for clarity or brevity. A good example is linking to a complex financial indicator like MACD instead of the full title.
Linking to Sections within a Page
You can also link directly to specific sections within a page using the hash symbol (#):
```wiki Page Title#Section Name ```
For example, to link to the "Basic Syntax" section of this article, you would use:
```wiki Wiki Links#Basic Syntax ```
This will take the user directly to that section within the current page. This is extremely useful for long articles and enhances navigation. Think of it as a bookmark within the Wiki. This is also useful for linking to specific definitions of Technical Analysis terms.
Advanced Linking Techniques
Beyond the basics, MediaWiki offers several advanced linking techniques to enhance your Wiki's structure and usability.
Namespaces
Namespaces are used to categorize pages and avoid naming conflicts. A namespace is a prefix added to the page title. Common namespaces include "Page" (the default), "User", "Talk", "File", "MediaWiki", and "Help".
To link to a page in a specific namespace, you prefix the page title with the namespace name, separated by a colon (:).
For example, to link to a user's user page named "JohnDoe", you would write:
```wiki User:JohnDoe ```
To link to the talk page of the "MediaWiki" article, you would write:
```wiki Talk:MediaWiki ```
Understanding namespaces is crucial for navigating and contributing to a Wiki effectively. They help organize content logically. For example, Help:Linking provides further details on linking within MediaWiki.
Special Pages
MediaWiki provides a range of special pages that offer administrative and maintenance functions. You can link to these pages using the "Special:" prefix.
For example, to link to the list of all pages, you would write:
```wiki Special:AllPages ```
To link to the list of new pages, you would write:
```wiki Special:NewPages ```
Fragment Identifiers and Anchors
While using `#Section Name` is the standard way to link to sections, you can also create custom anchors within a page using the `` tag. This allows you to link to specific points within a page that are not necessarily section headings. This is useful for linking to specific parts of a complex table or diagram.
For example:
```wiki This section discusses current market trends. ```
You can then link to this point using:
```wiki #market_trend ```
Interlanguage Links
Wikis often support multiple languages. You can create interlanguage links to the same article in different languages using the language code followed by a colon (:).
For example, to link to the French version of the "MediaWiki" article, you would write:
```wiki MediaWiki:fr ```
Red Links
A "red link" is a Wiki link that points to a page that does not yet exist. These links are displayed in red text and serve as an invitation to create the missing article. They are a valuable tool for identifying gaps in the Wiki's coverage. Creating articles for red links helps to expand the knowledge base. For example, linking to a newly discovered Trading Strategy that doesn't yet have a page will result in a red link.
Best Practices for Linking
Effective linking is crucial for creating a user-friendly and informative Wiki. Here are some best practices to keep in mind:
- **Link Relevantly:** Only link to pages that are directly relevant to the current topic. Avoid unnecessary links that clutter the text.
- **Use Descriptive Link Text:** Use link text that clearly indicates the destination page. Avoid generic phrases like "click here". Instead, use "Read more about Technical Indicators".
- **Avoid Overlinking:** Don't link to the same page repeatedly within a single article.
- **Consider Context:** Ensure that the link makes sense within the context of the surrounding text.
- **Check for Broken Links:** Regularly check for broken links (links that point to non-existent pages) and fix them. Tools like the "Broken link checker" extension can automate this process.
- **Link to Definitions:** When introducing technical terms or concepts, link to their definitions. For instance, link to Fibonacci Retracement when discussing this technical analysis tool.
- **Use Pipe Syntax for Clarity:** When the page title is long or complex, use pipe syntax to create more concise and readable link text.
- **Internal Linking is Key:** Prioritize internal linking over external linking whenever possible. This keeps users within the Wiki and encourages them to explore related content.
- **Maintain Consistency:** Use consistent linking style throughout the Wiki.
Linking and Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
While primarily designed for internal navigation, Wiki links also contribute to SEO. Search engines like Google crawl and index Wiki links, which helps to improve the Wiki's visibility in search results.
- **Anchor Text:** The text used for Wiki links (the "display text" in pipe syntax) is considered by search engines as a signal of the destination page's content.
- **Internal Link Structure:** A well-structured internal link network helps search engines understand the relationships between pages, improving their ability to rank the Wiki for relevant keywords.
- **PageRank:** Internal links contribute to the distribution of "PageRank" within the Wiki, boosting the authority of important pages.
Therefore, strategic linking can enhance the Wiki's SEO performance, making it more discoverable to users searching for information online. Consider linking to important pages about Day Trading or Swing Trading.
Linking in Edit Mode
When editing a Wiki page, you can create links in several ways:
- **Manual Syntax:** Type the Wiki link syntax directly into the edit box.
- **Visual Editor:** The Visual Editor (available in newer versions of MediaWiki) provides a more intuitive interface for creating links. Simply select the text you want to link and click the "Link" button.
- **Insert Link Dialog:** The "Insert Link" dialog allows you to search for existing pages or create new ones.
Regardless of the method you choose, always preview your changes before saving to ensure that the links are working correctly.
Troubleshooting Linking Issues
- **Link Not Working:** If a link is not working, check the following:
* **Typos:** Ensure that the page title is spelled correctly. * **Namespace:** Verify that you are using the correct namespace (if applicable). * **Red Link:** If the link is red, the target page does not yet exist. * **Broken Link:** The target page may have been deleted or renamed.
- **Link Displaying Incorrectly:** If the link text is not displaying correctly, check the pipe syntax.
- **Link Opening in a New Tab:** By default, Wiki links open in the same tab. To force a link to open in a new tab, you can use the `target="_blank"` attribute (although this is generally discouraged for accessibility reasons).
Resources for Further Learning
- Help:Links - The official MediaWiki help page on linking.
- Help:Formatting - A comprehensive guide to MediaWiki formatting.
- MediaWiki Manual: Links - Official documentation.
- Wikipedia: Linking - Guidelines for linking on Wikipedia.
- Investopedia - Technical Analysis
- Forex Trading Strategies
- Candlestick Patterns
- Candlestick Pattern Guide
- TradingView - Charting Platform
- DailyFX - Forex News and Analysis
- FXStreet - Forex News and Analysis
- Investing.com - Financial Data and News
- Forex Factory - Forex Forum and Calendar
- EarnForex - Forex Education
- BabyPips - Forex Trading Education
- Investopedia - Financial Dictionary
- CMC Markets - Trading Encyclopedia
- IG - Trading Strategies
- Pepperstone - Trading Platform
- Forex.com - Trading Platform
- Oanda - Trading Platform
- Interactive Brokers - Trading Platform
- Etoro - Social Trading Platform
- Plus500 - CFD Trading Platform
- Trading 212 - Trading Platform
- XM - Forex Broker
- IC Markets - Forex Broker
This comprehensive guide should provide you with a solid understanding of Wiki links and how to use them effectively. Remember to practice and experiment with different linking techniques to become proficient in creating a well-connected and informative Wiki.
Start Trading Now
Sign up at IQ Option (Minimum deposit $10) Open an account at Pocket Option (Minimum deposit $5)
Join Our Community
Subscribe to our Telegram channel @strategybin to receive: ✓ Daily trading signals ✓ Exclusive strategy analysis ✓ Market trend alerts ✓ Educational materials for beginners