DigiClass/Wiki editing

Editing the Digitalclassicist wiki

The Digitalclassicist wiki runs on MediaWiki, which uses a Wikipedia-style markup system apply links, add tables, insert images, and so forth. MediaWiki has a good guide to the standard conventions for formatting pages. An excellent way to learn how to edit is to find a page that looks interesting, click edit, and study the formatting.

Frequently asked questions

There are inconsistencies from one type of page to another. Which one do I follow?

Because the wiki has been put together by many people across the world, over a stretch of years, inconsistency is inevitable. Much commonsense advice is provided by Wikipedia. Feel free to bring some regularity to inconsistent pages, keeping in mind that the best format is the one that best serves scholars and students of classical antiquity.

How do I add a new page to the list of projects or tools?

Somewhere in the page--it doesn't matter where, but conventionally they're collected at the bottom of the page--add this text: [[category:tools]]

How do I add links?

MediaWiki has a full explanation of link nomenclature. This wiki tends to use mostly the following types of links (note the subtle but important differences in punctuation):

• external pages, of the form [http://www.example.com link title] (editing tool shortcut: click the picture of the globe)
• other wiki pages, of the form [[Link title|alternate text]] (editing tool shortcut: click the Ab)
• wiki categories, of the form [[:category:example|alternate text]] (no shortcut for this one; and make sure the first colon is included; without it the page is simply assigned to that category and no link will be supplied)

Tips

• It is better to have information in an inconsistent style and format than no information at all.
• If you see a way to bring some consistency to entries you visit, do so.
• Avoid words and phrases that depend upon the time when you are writing, e.g., currently, at this time, now, so far. Rather, if a time needs to be signaled, use precise dates, e.g., as of 2012, since May 2008.
• Don't forget to add categories to the web pages, adopting the terms already in use.
• Be selective about the links you add, focusing on those that will not be subject to link rot.
• Make part of the Digitalclassicist wiki part of your routine. Why stop at sending an email or tweet about a new project or tool? The best way to perpetually announce that new discovery is by making it part of this wiki.