Help:Editing Guide

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Nevada Wiki: Editing Guide

Welcome to the Nevada Wiki Editing Guide! This page will help you learn how to create and improve articles about Nevada’s cities, people, places, and history. Whether you're completely new to wikis or experienced with MediaWiki, this guide has something for you.

Note: You must be a registered user with a confirmed email address to edit or create pages.

For First-Time Editors

Editing this wiki can be simple! Here's how to get started:

  • Click “Edit” at the top of a page to use the Visual Editor — it's like editing a document.
  • You can also click “Edit source” to see and modify the wikitext code (advanced).
  • Use “Show preview” before saving your changes.
  • Write a short summary of what you changed in the “Edit summary” box.
  • Always save your work by clicking “Save changes.”

Don't worry — you can't break anything permanently. Every edit is saved in the page history.

If you're unsure, start small! Fix a typo, add a sentence, or update a date. Every contribution helps.

Contents

1. Account Requirements 2. Editing Modes 3. Creating a New Page 4. Editing Existing Pages 5. Using Templates 6. Adding Categories 7. Linking Between Pages 8. Adding References 9. Adding Images and Media 10. Styling and Formatting 11. Naming Conventions 12. Using Talk Pages 13. Editing Rules and Etiquette 14. Further Resources

Account Requirements

  • You must be logged in to create or edit pages.
  • Your email must be confirmed via the link sent to your inbox.
  • Some editing features may be restricted until your account is autoconfirmed (after a few edits or a short time).

Editing Modes

Visual Editor

  • User-friendly and similar to a word processor.
  • Use toolbar buttons to format text, add links, insert media, or create headings.
  • Ideal for new users or basic edits.

Source Editor

  • Shows the raw wikitext code (with templates and formatting).
  • Allows for full control and is required for complex editing.
  • Accessible by clicking “Edit source”.

Creating a New Page

1. Use the search bar to check if the page exists. 2. If not, click the red link or "Create the page". 3. Start with a heading and use templates where available (see below).

Editing Existing Pages

  • Use either editor to add, update, or fix content.
  • Write a short description of your edit in the summary box.
  • Use “Show preview” to check your work before saving.

Using Templates

Templates make articles consistent and easy to update.

In Visual Editor

  • Use Insert > Template and fill out fields.

In Source Editor

Paste a template like this: 

{{InfoboxCity
 | name = Reno
 | county = Washoe
 | population = 264165
}}

See Nevada Wiki:Templates for available templates.

Adding Categories

Visual Editor

  • Click the ☰ menu > Categories

Source Editor

At the end of the page, add: 

[[Category:Cities in Nevada]]

Linking Between Pages

  • Link to other wiki pages using:
[[Las Vegas]]
[[Carson City|Capital of Nevada]]
  • In Visual Editor, highlight text and click the link icon.

Adding References

To cite sources: 

Las Vegas was founded in 1905.<ref>Encyclopedia of Nevada, 2020</ref>

==References==
<references />

Use “Cite” in Visual Editor to insert references.

Adding Images and Media

1. Upload files using “Upload file” in the sidebar. 2. Insert with: 

[[File:LasVegasStrip.jpg|thumb|Las Vegas Strip at night]]

Styling and Formatting

  • Use headings with `== Heading ==`
  • Italics: ''italic'', Bold: '''bold'''
  • Lists: `*` for bullets, `#` for numbers
  • Tables: use `{|` syntax or Visual Editor’s table tool

Naming Conventions

  • Use proper nouns and title case: "Lake Mead" not "lake mead"
  • Use singular page names unless listing multiple items
  • Be clear and consistent

Using Talk Pages

  • Use Talk tabs to suggest changes or ask questions.
  • Sign your comments with: --~~~~

Editing Rules and Etiquette

  • Be respectful and constructive.
  • Cite reliable sources.
  • Don’t copy large blocks of text from other websites.
  • Preview before saving.
  • Discuss major changes on the Talk page first.

Further Resources

For more advanced help, visit these official MediaWiki guides:

Thank you for helping build the Nevada Wiki!

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