Help:Contents

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An excellent start for Wiki newbies who are keen to start contributing is to read the How to edit a page guide. This will teach you the essential basics needed for writing a high quality article, including how to use the specially designed Wiki formatting and protocols.

The best source for those seeking more in-depth help with writing or editing articles is Wikipedia's own help index. Alternatively, feel free to ask any of the resident contributors or admins, e.g. Alcon.

For the slightly more experienced users, you may require the use of certain features that have been customized specifically for the Atlas Wiki. Below is a reference guide for some of these features.


Bulletpoints and Numbering

If you wish to create a list using bulletpoints, insert a * before each list item, and it will automatically change into a bulletpoint symbol. For example:

  • Cat
  • Bird
  • Dog

To make a nested list, insert ** or *** to denote a subsection or sub-subsection. For example:

  • Cat
  • Bird
    • Flying
    • Flightless
  • Dog

A numbered list uses the exact same principle, but a # is used instead. A useful feature is that the numbering is automatically ordered, so that later additions don't require renumbering the entire list. For example:

  1. Red
  2. Blue
    1. Cyan
      1. Turquoise
    2. Sky
    3. Navy
  3. Yellow

Templates

A template is effectively a shortcut to be used in place of lengths of unwieldy source code. They can be used to save time and effort, and also mean that others can replicate the same identical feature easily. Templates can be used for almost anything; e.g. tables or message boxes.

For a quick overview of templates, please refer to Wikipedia's simple guide. It also contains links to further information on the use of templates.

Tables

While you can use HTML code to make tables, there is also a compact Wiki table syntax. In each of the following examples assume that the Wiki code starts on a new line

Wiki Table Syntax
Wiki Code HTML Equivalent
{| <table>
{| foo <table foo>
{+ foo <caption>foo
|- foo <tr foo>
! foo <th>foo
! foo | bar <th foo> bar
| foo <td> foo
| foo | bar <td foo> bar
| a || b || c <td> a <td> b <td> c
! a !! b !! c <th> a <th> b <th> c
|} </table>

There is also a very useful template {{prettytable}} which can be placed after {| to provide basic formatting with rules and shading for a table such as that above.

Template messages

Below is a list of templates that can be placed in articles to insert a message into it. These messages often involve the aticle being added to a new category, where they will receive the necessary attention that the message requires.


Stub

If you feel that an article requires much more information than it currently provides, then you can mark it as a 'stub' article. This will show others that the article requires more attention.

To mark an article as a stub, insert {{stub}} at the foot of the page. This will change into the following message once the page is saved:


Cleanup

If you feel that an article is disorganized or poorly written, or requires more of a structure, then you can mark it for a 'cleanup'. This will show others that the article requires more attention.

To mark an article for a cleanup, insert {{cleanup}} at the top of the page. This will change into the following message once the page is saved:

Remember to post a comment in the relevant article's talk page, expressing your specific concerns.


Bias

One of the most basic requirements of any Wiki article is that it is written from a purely neutral point of view. If you feel that an article is biased, then you can mark it as having disputed neutrality. This will show others that the article requires more attention.

To mark an article for disputed neutrality, insert {{POV}} at the top of the page. This will change into the following message once the page is saved:

Stop hand.png The neutrality of this article is disputed.
Please see discussion on the talk page.

Remember to post a comment in the relevant article's talk page, expressing your specific concerns.


Inaccuracy

An unfortunately common problem with many Wiki articles is that they sometimes lack factual evidence, or are otherwise factually inaccurate. If you feel that an article is inaccurate, then you can mark it as such. This will show others that the article requires more attention.

To mark an article for inaccuracy, insert {{disputed}} at the top of the page. This will change into the following message once the page is saved:

Stop hand.png The factual accuracy of this article is disputed.
Please see the relevant discussion on the talk page.

Remember to post a comment in the relevant article's talk page, expressing your specific concerns.


Deletion

If you feel that an article provides no meaningful contribution to the Wiki, then you can mark it for deletion. Note that no articles will be automatically deleted, as only admins have the power to do that. Instead, they will usually follow any relevant discussion that emerges, and act on the eventual outcome.

To mark an article for deletion, insert {{delete}} at the top of the page. This will change into the following message once the page is saved:

Achtung.png This article is being considered for deletion.
Please see the relevant discussion on the talk page.

Remember to post a comment in the relevant article's talk page, expressing your specific concerns.

In use

If your contribution to an article is unfinished, or is undergoing a major edit, then you can mark it as 'in use'. This will discourage other users from editing the article for as long as it is marked as such.

To mark an article as in use, insert {{inuse}} at the top of the page. This will change into the following message once the page is saved:

Remember to remove this message once you have finished editing the article.

Footnotes

Users may sometimes wish to insert a footnote into an article, in order to reference sources or provide a relevant note near the bottom of the page. A template exists that will create a link between the reference and its corresponding note.

Within the body of the text, insert {{ref|name}} at the point where you would like to place the reference. Also, replace 'name' with a relevant and unique name for the note, ensuring that words are separated by underscores. The template code will be replaced by a superscript number, such as the sample seen at the end of this sentence.[1]

Decide where you want to place the corresponding note. They are usually placed at the bottom of an article; perhaps under a 'Notes' heading. Insert {{note|name}}, ensuring that the name is identical to its corresponding reference. A bulletpoint or numbering system may be used here, simply by placing the * or # before the {{note|name}}. A sample of a note can be seen at the bottom of this page.






Sample footnote

^ Clicking on the ^ symbol will return you to the reference.