Help:Tracking changes: Difference between revisions

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'''Welcome to the FlightGear Wiki!''' This is a guide to some things you should know before creating your first wiki article. We'll explain some of the DOs and DON'Ts of writing an article, then we'll tell you how to create your article. Before you create your first new article, here are some tips that may help you along:
[[Image:F-14_cockpit.jpg|thumb|right|Grumman F-14B Tomcat cockpit]
[[Image:Zeppelin NT.jpg|thumb|right|Zeppelin NT at dusk


#'''Try editing existing articles''' to get a feel for writing and for using the mark-up language in use at the Wiki.  Also, try reading some of our better articles.
'''Welcome to the FlightGear Wiki!'''  
#'''Search this wiki first''' to make sure that an article does not ''already exist'' on the subject, perhaps under a different title.  If you find an existing article on your subject, it is best to redirect the name you were thinking of onto the existing article.
#'''Gather references''' to the source(s) of your information. Articles that do not cite reliable published sources are likely to be deleted.
#Please '''don't create''' pages about '''yourself or your friends''' (ofcourse you may post info about yourself on your user-page), pages that '''advertise''', or '''personal essays'''.
#'''Be careful''' about the following: '''copying things''', '''controversial''' material, extremely '''short articles''', and '''local-interest articles'''.
#Gather references to '''reliable published sources'''. (Did we mention this one already?)
#Create a '''new page'''.
#'''List references''' to your sources. ('''We''' '''''really''''' '''mean it.''')


==Search for an existing article==
There are two  main considerations to contributing here, one is using the [[Mediawiki]] software and the other is nature the FlightGear wiki. The FlighGear wiki is a collaborative volunteer written  documentation relating to [[FlightGear]], licensed under the [[GPL|GNU GPL Version 2]]
The Wiki already has a lot of articles. Before creating an article, try to make sure there isn't already an article, perhaps under a [[Special:Search|slightly different name; you can search for it here;]]. If an article on your topic '''is''' there, but you think people are likely to look for it under some different name or spelling, learn how to add a redirect with that name; adding needed redirects is a good way to help the Wiki. Also, remember to check the article's deletion log in order to avoid creating an article that has already been deleted.


If a search does not find your article, consider broadening your search to find existing articles that might include the subject of your article. For example, if you want to write an article about a band member, you might search for the band and then add information about your subject to that broader article.
FlightGear wiki is not the same as an encyclopedia or research paper, so there is no requirement to have primary and secondary sources to publish content, unless you are citing something. In fact, much of what needs to be written does not exist anywhere at all!


Take a look at the articles located in the [[:Category:Stubs|Stubs-category]] and [[:Category:Cleanup|Cleanup-category]]. These articles need more information, a cleanup and/or other additions. Great to start your wiki-career or if you don't like to start a completely new article!
Original research, opinions, and first hand accounts are the majority of the content here, but please do not plagiarize. If you are going to copy or cite something then provide a reference (like you might for a school paper). Other then that, the standards and specific goals of the FlightGear are still in flux and development.
 
==About the FlightGear wiki==
The FlightGear wiki is currently small, technically oriented, and international. In addition to all sorts of people, regular volunteers include pilots, 3D modelers, professors, and programmers from around the world sharing an interest in FlightGear documentation.
 
Articles tend to be about whatever someone sees as important, useful, or fun enough to write about!
 
==Using the software==
 
Writing and editing with Mediawiki code (currently using version 1.11.1) can take some getting used depending on your background, because unlike most word processors you can see and type software code used for formating and linking. If you already know HTML or a programming language then what are you doing reading this! If you have just used [[Open Office]], then it is still easy to get started. Try using the formating buttons at the top of the edit window to format your text.
 
*[[Help:Tutorial]] to learn how to format your article.


==Gathering references==
==More on what to write==
TODO
The FlightGear wiki has only {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} and very few active editors, with most days only a dozen or so edits being made.


==Things to avoid ==
If you interested in working or building on what has already been done:
TODO


== And be careful about...==
Currently the wiki has three main areas that need to be maintained.  
*'''Organization.''' Make sure there are incoming links to the new article from other Wiki articles (click "References" in the toolbox) and that the new article is included in at least one appropriate category. Otherwise it will be difficult for readers to find the article.
*[[Portal:Developer]]- these are mostly technical articles aimed at people working on FlightGear.
*Help documentation- on the User side articles about how to get started, how to use features, and FAQ.(like [[FAQ]])  
*List of GPL aircraft- keeping the aircraft up to date with those on CVS.(like [[Table of models]])


==How to create a page==
Take a look at the articles located in the [[:Category:Stubs|Stubs-category]] and [[:Category:Cleanup|Cleanup-category]]. These articles need more information, a cleanup and/or other additions. Great to start your wiki-career or if you don't like to start a completely new article!
In the search box left ot this text, type the title of your article, then click Go. If the Search page reports "No page with that title exists" then you can start a new article by going to this link: http://wiki.flightgear.org/flightgear_wiki/index.php?title=your title. Click the Edit button in the menu to start the new article.


After you have entered your article, click Show preview to check for errors, then click Save page.
Other interesting pages include things like [[Real Life Experience]], [[Linux software audio mixing with FlightGear]], upcoming events, or [[Presentation recipe]]!


==And then what?==
If you are interested in expanding into something new, or have an idea about what needs to be done here:
To format your article correctly (and expand it) see the links below.


*[[Help:Tutorial]] to learn how to format your article.
Well that sounds exciting! Good luck!
 
 
<div align="center">
[[Portal:Developer|Developer]] - [[Portal:User|User]]
</div>

Revision as of 13:35, 22 September 2008

[[Image:F-14_cockpit.jpg|thumb|right|Grumman F-14B Tomcat cockpit] [[Image:Zeppelin NT.jpg|thumb|right|Zeppelin NT at dusk

Welcome to the FlightGear Wiki!

There are two main considerations to contributing here, one is using the Mediawiki software and the other is nature the FlightGear wiki. The FlighGear wiki is a collaborative volunteer written documentation relating to FlightGear, licensed under the GNU GPL Version 2

FlightGear wiki is not the same as an encyclopedia or research paper, so there is no requirement to have primary and secondary sources to publish content, unless you are citing something. In fact, much of what needs to be written does not exist anywhere at all!

Original research, opinions, and first hand accounts are the majority of the content here, but please do not plagiarize. If you are going to copy or cite something then provide a reference (like you might for a school paper). Other then that, the standards and specific goals of the FlightGear are still in flux and development.

About the FlightGear wiki

The FlightGear wiki is currently small, technically oriented, and international. In addition to all sorts of people, regular volunteers include pilots, 3D modelers, professors, and programmers from around the world sharing an interest in FlightGear documentation.

Articles tend to be about whatever someone sees as important, useful, or fun enough to write about!

Using the software

Writing and editing with Mediawiki code (currently using version 1.11.1) can take some getting used depending on your background, because unlike most word processors you can see and type software code used for formating and linking. If you already know HTML or a programming language then what are you doing reading this! If you have just used Open Office, then it is still easy to get started. Try using the formating buttons at the top of the edit window to format your text.

More on what to write

The FlightGear wiki has only 3,487 and very few active editors, with most days only a dozen or so edits being made.

If you interested in working or building on what has already been done:

Currently the wiki has three main areas that need to be maintained.

  • Portal:Developer- these are mostly technical articles aimed at people working on FlightGear.
  • Help documentation- on the User side articles about how to get started, how to use features, and FAQ.(like FAQ)
  • List of GPL aircraft- keeping the aircraft up to date with those on CVS.(like Table of models)

Take a look at the articles located in the Stubs-category and Cleanup-category. These articles need more information, a cleanup and/or other additions. Great to start your wiki-career or if you don't like to start a completely new article!

Other interesting pages include things like Real Life Experience, Linux software audio mixing with FlightGear, upcoming events, or Presentation recipe!

If you are interested in expanding into something new, or have an idea about what needs to be done here:

Well that sounds exciting! Good luck!


Developer - User

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