Very Brief Intro to Wikis

The main fact to remember is that one can edit wiki sites right on the web and that the syntax is extremely simple. Also, it is OK (for people who have access to a wiki topic site) to edit it and to add their content (text, images, files, and additional topic sites). That's the whole point: Online Collaboration. So don't hold back, get in there and add content and make changes. Previous versions can always be rolled back if necessary.

It's simple, just click on the EDIT button at the upper-right of any wiki topic page.
- go ahead - click on the EDIT button to this page -

You should now see this text in a box and you can actually change the text. Also, the seven most important (very simple) syntax rules are displayed above this text box.

And at the bottom you can see buttons to save, cancel, and preview your changes.

- OK, click on Save or Cancel below to get back to the regular view. -

Outside the edit mode you can see a file attach button (when the file is a jpg picture it will show up as a picture).

Also, note the path above this page (when not in edit mode) that will help navigate wiki sites.

That's basically it.

Oh, one more comment: The most important aspect of wikis is that any word or phrase can easily be turned into a link to another wiki site or a regular web site. This way you can soon make a very comprehensive wiki web of cross-referenced topics, rather than putting everything on one page (think Wikipedia). How to make links is described above the text box (if you are in edit mode) and also on the example page and you can see it right here if you are in edit mode as the phrase "example page" is a link to a wiki site.

OK, so there is a page with examples and a so-called sandbox page to play in and try out editing wikis.

To get back to the Departmental Wiki Home page click on the link saying "GeoDepartment Web" in the navigation path above.

-- MartinSaar - 25 Jan 2008