Help:FAQ
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Welcome to the frequently asked questions. This page lists the most frequently asked questions on Ekopedia. If you can't find the answer to your question, don't hesitate to put it below, we'll be but too glad to answer it. If you have a question but you think this is not the right place, you have 3 options. If it is about using Ekopedia, put your message on the Village pump, if it bears on a general topic, go to the Oracle. You can always contact our ready to help users. |
[edit] To begin with
[edit] Why should I contribute to Ekopedia ?
- See here ?
[edit] What about rules or norms to be respected ?
- For problems still under discussion about Ekopedia, see Ekopedia's chart; you'll find the discussions about the standards for titles, creating new topics, points of view, etc. In any case, don't hesitate to edit articles!
[edit] Can I do tests if I'm not sure I won't make a mess in Ekopedia ?
- Yes, you can! Use the Sandbox.
[edit] I'd like to contribute but I'm afraid of making blunders !
- Of course you mean well but don't worry too much. As you get experience, things will see more clear. So don't hesitate and take the plunge ! You may refer to The most common mistakes, all will be well...
- See also : the articles needing to be expanded.
[edit] How can I create an article that doesn't already exist ?
To create a new article, the best solution is :
- Go to the page where it should be referenced (for instance Roof insulation should be referenced in Lodging).
- Modify this page.
- Add a link to the New page : write the title between square brackets : [[New page]] (in our example, type [[Roof insulation]])
- Preview before saving the reference page
- Edit the new page : click on the red link
You can also use the Sandbox est aussi possible but your new page won't be classified.
- See also the Wanted pages.
[edit] Why are there links of different colours?
Red links point to pages that do not exist yet (articles or users), blue is the "normal" colour for a page that has text, purple points to a page that has already been visited.
[edit] Why has my contribution been deleted?
Some contributions may have to be deleted if they do not match the topic, are akin to publicity or taken from other sites and copyrighted. Signatures will also be removed from articles. Visit the help pages to learn more.
[edit] Going further
[edit] What's the use of redirections?
Redirection pages are used to refer to an article through phrases.
They are quite helpful to use the encyclopedia :
- misspellings can be taken into account : e.g. "Bio-seeds" could lead to "Bio seeds".
- to rely on keywords for a search : a user may have heard of the 3R, but not be aware it means Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
- to avoid redirections that lead nowhere in articles.
- to avoid doublets : an article about Carbon dioxide and another one entitled CO2, as they deal with the same subject.
[edit] Renaming a page
- first check the linked pages and keep this list ;
- then click on move and type the new title.
- modify the links on the linked pages.
nb: a redirection page page is created and the former one will lead to the new one.
[edit] What are the rules to choose titles?
Titles must be short and explicit. Thus, Tea is correct, but not my recipe for a nice cup of tea.
Respecting the following rules will help harmonize the encyclopedia:
- No article before the noun.
- Singular form, except if commonly used in the plural.
- For acronyms, create the article with the full phrase, thus : (Do it yourself) and redirect (#REDIRECT) to (DIY).
- Make sure the title fits the subject : for example, an article on deforestation in Asia cannot be Deforestation, but Deforestation in Asia.
- The titles of articles about a person must come as: "First name [as many as appropriate...] Name" : Martin Luther King not King or M.L. King.
- The idéal title is the shortest version of a clear name.
- If there are several words, only the first word has a cap, apart from exceptions.
- Technical restrictions : don't use these characters: & " # $ * + < > = ? @ [ ] \ ^ ` { } | ~.
- If several titles are possible, choose the common phrasing, even if there is a more specific word (explain within the article). This convention is linked to the principle of the least surprising : the reader should find the information where he logically expects it to be.
[edit] How about signing my messages?
Once you're logged in, you can sign your messages by typing ~ 3 times("alt n" or "ctrl n"). A fourth tilde will add the date and time. Five tildes will only show the date.
We never sign articles, they are collective work. But we sign messages in the Village pump or in talk pages. Thus you can get your answer on your talk page.
[edit] What's the difference between go and search?
The button go leads you to the page corresponding to the phrase you typed, it's quicker but you have to know the title beforehand.
The search button leads to the list of the articles containing this phrase.
If no article matches your quest, this won't make any difference.
Careful, the search works only if the end of the word exists, thus "nat" won't even lead you to "nature". The same applies for plurals if your request is put in the singular.
[edit] How can I create the contents frame ?
Nothing to do, it's built in the article automatically as soon as you have at least 3 different paragraphs.
You can always hide it by adding __NOTOC__ in the page.
[edit] How do I start my user page ?
You can access your [[User:user's pseudo]] , in various ways :
- log in, use the right top link
- in the text that welcomes you on your talk page, you have a link to your "user page"
- every time you sign using this shortcut ~~~~ in a discussion, you also have a link to your user page
- in the list of recent changes, your name is a link
Once you get to your user page, you can edit it.
[edit] How can I edit my welcome message
This text is a template used for all newcomers, (see the welcome template). To insert this template, we type : {{Welcome}} to talk pages. The problem is if somebody edits one of the chapters, he'll edit the source. The best solution is not to use : {{Welcome}}, but rather : {{subst:Welcome}}. Using "Subst" enables the substitution. The template is imposed to the page and when you edit the page, you don't see it.
- To sum up :
- Replace {{Welcome}} by {{subst:Welcome}} at the top of the user page.
[edit] How can I write to another Ekopedian?
You can use his or her talk page d'Ékopédia: click on the user's name to get to the user page, at the top, you'll see the talk tab ; click to open and edit this talk page
[edit] How can I insert a picture?
Before adding a picture in Ekopedia, you must make sure you have the right to use it, see Open-source publications. No problem if it's your own work but there may be copyright problems if you take it online.
Then you can add your picture (JPEG or PNG format), by clicking on the upload file link in the left menu, follow the instructions.
