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The Fedora Project Wiki has a very low barrier to entry for editors. However, there can be a small learning curve when beginning to use wiki, and we have a number of guidelines that all editors should follow. This page provides those guidelines and a few tips to help you get going.
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The Fedora Project Wiki has a very low barrier to entry for editors. (For more about wikis and the Fedora Project Wiki in particular, see the [[Wiki]] page.) However, there can be a small learning curve when beginning to use wiki, and we have a number of guidelines that all editors should follow. This page provides those guidelines and a few tips to help you get going.


This document is divided in three parts: gaining edit access, basic wiki editing, and more advanced editing.
This document is divided in three parts: gaining edit access, basic wiki editing, and more advanced editing.
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== Gaining Edit Access ==
== Gaining Edit Access ==


In order to avoid malicious users defacing the Fedora Project Wiki, we have had to restrict edit access a little. To gain edit access to the wiki, you must follow a few simple steps. '''Anyone can gain edit access.'''
In order to avoid malicious users defacing the Fedora Project Wiki, we have had to restrict edit access. To gain edit access to the wiki, you must follow a few simple steps. '''Anyone can gain edit access.'''


# Familiarize yourself with the information on this page and the pages that it links to. Basic guidelines that should be followed throughout the wiki are covered here.  Failure to follow these guidelines creates unnecessary work for other volunteers and may result in revocation of editing privileges.
# Familiarize yourself with the information on this page and the pages that it links to. Basic guidelines that should be followed throughout the wiki are covered here.  Failure to follow these guidelines creates unnecessary work for other volunteers and may result in revocation of editing privileges.
# Complete the Contributor License Agreement through the [[Infrastructure/AccountSystem|Fedora Account System]]. Signing the CLA gives the Fedora Project the ability to license your contributions to the wiki under the ''[[Legal/Licenses/OPL| Open Publication License 1.0]] without options''.  This assures that your contributions will remain forever Free for the community to use, modify, and redistribute, just like the Fedora distribution.  See our [[Legal]]  section for more information. Follow the instructions at http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Infrastructure/AccountSystem/CLAHowTo
# Complete the [[Legal:Fedora_Project_Contributor_Agreement|Fedora Project Contributor Agreement]] through the [[Infrastructure/AccountSystem|Fedora Account System]]. Signing the [[Legal:Fedora_Project_Contributor_Agreement|FPCA]] gives the Fedora Project the ability to license your contributions to the wiki under our [[Legal/Licenses#This_Website|free license]].  This assures that your contributions will remain forever Free for the community to use, modify, and redistribute, just like the Fedora distribution.  See our [[Legal]]  section for more information. Follow the instructions at [[Infrastructure/AccountSystem/CLAHowTo]].
# Get added to at least one other group in the [[Infrastructure/AccountSystem|Fedora Account System]]. See https://whatcanidoforfedora.org/ and https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Join to look for groups to contribute to. Many of them have their own process to follow before you are added to their group. Please look to joining the fedora-join mailing list fedora-join@lists.fedoraproject.org at https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/fedora-join@lists.fedoraproject.org/. [Due to large amounts of SPAM and defacements, changes to the wiki need to be done by community members .]


{{message/note|If you are interested in more general website maintenance, or wish to be part of the Fedora Websites team, please see the [[Websites]] page.<BR><BR>Information on writing new formal Fedora documentation using the wiki is available from [[DocsProject/WritingUsingTheWiki|Writing Wiki Documentation]].}}
{{Admon/note|If you are interested in more general website maintenance, or wish to be part of the Fedora Websites team, please see the [[Websites]] page. | Information on writing new formal Fedora documentation using the wiki is available from [[Writing for DocBook using the wiki]].}}


== Guidelines ==
== Etiquette guidelines ==
Refer to [[Help:Wiki rules and etiquette]] for some general etiquette guidelines on editing the Fedora wiki.


There are a few simple points you should follow as you make changes to the wiki. Below are some examples. In general, be courteous and use common sense.  Defying these guidelines and causing problems are a good way to get your edit privileges revoked.  If you have questions, you can ask on #fedora-websites on [http://freenode.net/ freenode].
== Creating pages ==
The Fedora Project Wiki is large, and so there is a need to maintain a proper hierarchy and organization.  The best way to learn about these is to review [[Help:Wiki structure]] and [[Help:Categories]], and then to review the existing layout of the wiki.  Our guidelines will help you name your pages in a way that will help them be more readable, translatable, and easier for search engines to find and promote.


=== Introduce yourself ===
== Editing with Mediawiki ==
Refer to [[Help:Wiki syntax and markup]] for basic information on how to write in MediaWiki syntax.  It's really easy, and the wiki makes it easy for you to create a beautiful page with almost no markup at all.


Before you start editing any page, kindly introduce yourself by adding your information to your wiki page. After you have registered your name in the wiki, you automatically have a personal wiki page located at <code><nowiki>http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/User:</nowiki><username></code>, where <code><username></code> is replaced by your Fedora Account System account name. You can also easily get to your wiki page by clicking your username in the top right-hand corner of each page of the wiki.
== Getting Help ==
 
For examples, take a look at [http://fedoraproject.org/w/index.php?title=Special%3AAllpages&from=&namespace=2 some wiki pages of our contributors].
 
Make sure you mention at least your email address and, if you are on IRC often, your IRC nick and channels you are often in.
 
=== Always subscribe to the pages that you create or edit ===
 
It is important that you follow changes to pages you create or edit, so you can coordinate with others working in the wiki content. Wiki editors usually add notes to the pages to convey information to each other as part of working together, and it helps to keep track of these changes.
 
You can find the Subscribe link in the sidebar when you are logged in.
 
=== Be Bold ===
 
Be bold while editing changes. Wiki changes are tracked and can be reverted when necessary. This doesn't mean you should be reckless especially when making large changes to key documents.
 
=== Avoid unnecessary edits of pages that discuss legal issues. ===
 
These pages have been carefully written, and the words chosen carefully.  When changing these documents, it is usually best to ask for review before applying changes.  You can contact the Fedora Advisory Board (see the ["Board"]  page) for assistance.
 
=== Do not provide details of forbidden items ===
 
Do not add any information that violates the law.  Remember that the Fedora Project is an entity in the United States, and is governed by its laws.  Avoid linking to or adding information about software that is not free and open source or that is legally encumbered.  If you think you have a special exception, bring it to the attention of the ["Websites"]  team for discussion.  See the ForbiddenItems page for examples of items that should be avoided.
 
Bring questions to the ["Websites"]  team for discussion.  If needed, they can get the official word.
 
=== Be careful when editing key guides or pages ===
 
Large and important guides, such as the [[Packaging/Guidelines| Packaging Guidelines]] , are generally managed by a specific individual or small group.  It is best to work with them when you feel that changes are needed.
 
Important pages, like the FedoraMain or [[Distribution/Download|  Download]]  pages, are the first thing that many visitors see.  Changes to such pages should generally be left to experienced contributors.  If you feel that something on such a page should be altered, bring the issue to the ["Websites"]  team for discussion.
 
=== Do not edit pages just to edit pages ===
 
Senseless edits should be avoided.  Making an alteration to a page just to put your name in the edit log is unacceptable.  There are plenty of pages (most of them, in fact) that have real errors that can be corrected.  Instead of making pointless edits, such as removing or adding whitespace or changing links from fedoraproject.org to www.fedoraproject.org (the former is preferred), try finding errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation that can be corrected.  Also, when correcting a small error, mark the edit as a "Trivial change" using the appropriate checkbox before you save it.
 
=== Avoid renaming pages or moving content without coordination ===
 
Wiki pages are generally referred to and linked to from various other locations. It is important that you coordinate with the appropriate groups before moving content or renaming existing pages. It would be better to avoid doing that without strong rationale.  If you wish to discuss moving a particular item, bring your questions to the ["Websites"]  team.
 
=== Follow the ideals that Fedora holds important ===
 
For example, try to remain desktop-neutral and user-friendly, especially for non-technical users who are new to Linux and to Fedora. Users may use GNOME, KDE, the console, or some other environment. Try to keep that in mind when writing instructions. Make sure that Fedora's devotion to free and open source technology is also represented properly.
 
=== Sign your attachments ===
 
When you attach a file to a wiki page, you should create a detached signature with your GPG key.  Some file formats, such as RPM packages, support GPG keys, in which case you do not need to create a detached signature -- a signature in the file will be enough.  A detached signature can be attached to the page alongside the original attachment, or can be included in the page itself.
 
GPG signatures allow others who download your file to verify that it came from you and has not been modified or corrupted.  They do not violate your privacy in any way, they simply allow others to have confidence in the origin of your files.
 
Images and simple documents are safe to leave without a signature, but there would be no harm in adding one anyway to verify that you were the author.
 
If you do not have a GPG key or want to learn more, see the ["Cryptography"]  page.
 
=== Review your changes for errors ===
 
Whether you are a skilled writer, or your English skills are not strong, invite someone else to review.  Well-written documents are important to Fedora's image.  Even the best writers are prone to typos or other errors.  Take a moment to review your changes to catch small errors.
 
=== Fedora is a community ===
 
When writing content, for the wiki or elsewhere, remember that Fedora is a community.  ''We'' operate as one, unified group, moving towards common goals.  ''We'' do not need to distinguish one group or class against another.  For example, there is no need to distinguish between contributors who work for Red Hat and those who do not.  All contributors are part of the same community.  There will be cases where classification is necessary, but it can be avoided otherwise.
 
=== If you aren't sure about something, feel free to ask ===
 
Other community members will be happy to assist you. The #fedora-websites channel on [http://freenode.net/ freenode]  is the perfect place to discuss the wiki or other Fedora websites.
 
{{Anchor|Watch-Your-Pages}}
== Watch Your Pages, and Other Ones, Too ==
 
Two details make a Wiki successful as an open content collaboration tool.  First is being able to watch content you are responsible for, to make certain it stays true to its mission.  Second is being able to watch other content develop, grow, and occasionally need your help.
 
There are several good ways to watch or ''subscribe'' to a page:
 
1. Direct your RSS reader to draw from http://fedoraproject.org/wiki.  It should be fed the appropriate RSS file.
1. Add the regular expression for the document(s) on which you are working in your [[UserPreferences| UserPreferences]]  under '''Subscribed wiki pages'''.  For example, these expressions watch three documents:
<pre>Docs/Drafts/AdministrationGuide.*
Docs/Draft/Glossary.*
Docs/Drafts/DesktopUserGuide.*
</pre>
This expression watches all changes in the draft area:
<pre>Docs/Drafts.*
</pre>
This expression watches all changes in the [[DocsProject| DocsProject]]  pages, including the [[Docs| Docs]]  and [[Docs/Drafts| Docs/Drafts]]  namespaces:
<pre>Docs.*
</pre>
 
== Editing with MoinMoin ==
 
The [[HelpContents|  online help]]  can be a valuable resource when learning how to edit wiki pages.  By reviewing these help pages, you may learn some neat new tricks.  You should review them at least once, and they will always be there as a quick reference when you are editing pages.  You can ask questions about editing on #fedora-websites on [http://freenode.net/ freenode.net] .
 
{{Anchor|Structure_of_a_Wiki_Page}}
== Structure of a Wiki Page ==
 
This section describes the common structure of a Wiki page.  Follow these guidelines for every Wiki page.  There are additional rules used for formal Fedora documentation, covered in [[DocsProject/WritingUsingTheWiki| DocsProject/WritingUsingTheWiki]] ; those rules are only required for content written to follow the procedures of the [[DocsProject| Fedora Documentation Project]] .
 
1. The title of the page is a first-level header.  Surround it with the single header markup symbols <code>=</code>:
 
<pre>= Title of Page =
</pre>
 
{{Template:Tip}} '''Exception''': Pages that are going to be '''always and only''' pulled in to another page using an <code>[[Inline()]  </code>-type macro do not start with a first-level header.  The structure of these non-modular sub-pages is dependent on their parent, starting at the nested level of the parent document.
 
1. Under the <code>= Title of Page =</code> and before an <code>== Introduction ==</code> section, include a table of contents macro:
 
<pre>= Title of Page =
 
 
 
== Introduction ==
</pre>
 
{{Template:Tip}} '''Exception''': You do not need to include a table of contents if the page is short enough that it does not need scrolling to read it in a browser opened to 700 pixels high.
 
{{Template:Tip}} '''Exception''': The point of the table of contents is to make it easier for the reader.  If the table of contents gets in the way of a good reading experience, remove it.
 
1. Key sections can use an anchor for prettier linking.  Using the section title as the anchor with underscores makes for an easy to read URL.  Regardless of the style you use, be consistent throughout the document.
 
<pre>{{Anchor|Title_of_Section}}
== Title of Section ==</pre>
 
1. Important pages can be categorized by putting <code>CategoryFoo</code> at the bottom of the page under a horizontal rule.  Replace <code>Foo</code> with a category name such as <code>Documentation</code>.
 
<pre>----
[[Category:Documentation</pre>]]
 
{| style="message note"
|-
| An easy way to categorize a page is with the ''Make this page belong to category'' menu that appears on the Wiki edit page.
|}
 
{{Template:Tip}} '''Exception''': The pages in [[Docs/Beats| Docs/Beats]]  are '''source only''' and are not included in the [[CategoryDocs| CategoryDocs]]  pages because they are not intended to show up as a search result for documentation.  If a page is a source for content and is not itself canonical or otherwise the URL that people go to find this information, then do not include it in a category.  Another example is any content under a personal NameSpace.
 
1. ''More to come''
 
{{Anchor|Quick_Tips}}
== Quick Tips ==
 
These are the basic things that you need to know to edit this Wiki.
 
{| style="message note"
|-
| For more information on drafting documentation on the Wiki, refer to [[DocsProject/WritingUsingTheWiki|  Writing Wiki Documentation]] .
|}
 
{{Anchor|Learn_by_Example}}
=== Learn by Example ===
 
Among the better ways to learn how to edit the wiki is reviewing the code of existing pages.  This is very easy to do:
 
1. Find a page whose source you would like to view.
1. In the Navigation bar, find the combo box that reads 'More Actions:' and click on it.
1. Select the 'Show Raw Text' option.
 
The wiki will display the plaintext form of that page.  This is particularly valuable for learning some of the clever tricks used by wiki editors ahead of you.  Those 'clever tricks' are valuable, as they allow you to do unique, interesting, and powerful things you might not have thought were possible.  You might try this on pages like FedoraMain.
 
{{Anchor|Linking}}
=== Linking ===
{{Anchor|linking}}
 
Linking is perhaps the simplest and the trickiest thing in MoinMoin.  The simplest form of linking involves wiki names.  Wiki names are two or more capitalized words combined.  When you use a WikiName, there is no need to use any special markup.  A link will be created automatically.
 
In order to avoid a link being created when you don't want it to be, you'll have to come up with some clever trickery.  The simplest way is to put two backticks between the Wiki<code></code>Words, like this: <code>Wiki<code></code>Words</code>, which safely "breaks" the wiki's routine of automatically linking the word.  If you need to link to a subpage or to a page that isn't a wiki name, you can use a syntax like <code>[[ProjectPage/Subpage|  A Subpage of Project]] </code> or simply <code>["Pagename"] </code>.
 
Avoid putting links to other websites within paragraphs of text. Instead, explain the website in your text, and write the URL for the link on a separate line. This ensures that the URL is still readable when the page is printed or converted into another format. For example:
 
<pre>
Check the Fedora Documentation Website for the latest version of this document before you begin.
 
[http://docs.fedoraproject.org/]
</pre>
 
For more on this, see HelpOnLinking.
 
{{Anchor|Lists}}
=== Lists ===
 
Both numbered lists and bulleted lists are simple and useful.  See HelpOnLists for details on how to use them.
 
{{Anchor|Tables}}
=== Tables ===
 
Tables can be very tricky, because they may not behave like you expect.  Wide tables are particularly troublesome, because they will expand beyond their boundaries when viewed in smaller browser windows.  The best advice is to only use tables when necessary.  When dealing with large numbers of small records, they can save a lot of space.  Just test thoroughly when you use them.  Remember that others may be using smaller resolutions than you do.  For more information, see HelpOnTables.
 
{{Anchor|Notes,_Tips,_and_Other_Admonitions}}
{{Anchor|Admonitions}}
=== Notes, Tips, and Other Admonitions ===
 
These are collectively known as admonitions. To make a paragraph into an admonition, enter two pipes at both the beginning and end of the paragraph, make the title bodl face, start the title with the appropriate icon, and include more information in a secondary paragraph:
 
<pre>
{| style="message note"
|-
| Here is more information about this tip, with information that provides more insight into the informative title of the initial paragraph.
|}
</pre>
 
{| style="message note"
|-
| Here is more information about this tip.
|}
 
Indent the initial and second paragraph by one space, to ensure that the box aligns correctly.


These are the standard types of admonition:
If ever you have questions about editing the Fedora Project wiki, or if you need help, please feel free to contact the [[Websites]] team. They have an [[IRC]] channel called {{fpchat|#fedora-websites}} on freenode.net and a mailing list named {{fplist|websites}} that are both effective for getting the answers you need.
 
* {{Template:Note}} '''This is the Note icon''' <code> {{Template:Note}} </code>
* {{Template:Tip}} '''This is the Tip icon''' <code> {{Template:Tip}} </code>
* {{Template:Important}} '''This is the Important icon''' <code> {{Template:Important}} </code>
* {{Template:Caution}} '''This is the Caution icon''' <code> {{Template:Caution}} </code>
* {{Template:Warning}} '''This is the Warning icon''' <code> {{Template:Warning}} </code>
 
Examples showing context for using these admonitions:
 
{| border="1"
|-
| {{Template:Note}} '''Cliffs can be very high'''
|-
| {{Template:Tip}} '''Standing away from cliff edges is a way to stay safe'''
|-
| {{Template:Important}} '''Keep your children away from that cliff edge'''
|-
| {{Template:Caution}} '''You are getting near the cliff edge'''
|-
| {{Template:Warning}} '''You are about to fall off the cliff'''
|}
 
Refer to the Fedora Documentation Guide for descriptions of the types of admonition:
 
http://fedora.redhat.com/participate/documentation-guide/s1-xml-admon.html
 
{{Anchor|MarkingTechnicalTerms}}
{{Anchor|Marking_Technical_Terms}}
=== Marking Technical Terms ===
 
Use backticks (<code><code></code>) to mark the names of applications, files, directories, software packages, user accounts, and other words that have a specific technical meaning. This displays the marked words as </code>monospace<code>.
 
Use two single-quotes (<code>''</code>) to mark the names of menu items and other elements of the graphical interface. This displays the marked words in ''italic''.
 
{| style="t1" rowclass="th"
|-
| Names of GUI applications || <code> '''bold face''' </code> || '''boldface''' || '''Firefox'''
|-
| Files, directories || <code> <code>single backticks</code> </code> || <code>monospace font</code> || <code>/usr/bin/firefox</code>
|-
| Software packages || <code> <code>single backticks</code> </code> || <code>monospace font</code> || <code>firefox-1.2.3</code>
|-
| User accounts || <code> <code>single backticks</code> </code> || <code>monospace font</code> || <code>username</code>
|-
| Other words that have a specific technical meaning  || <code> <code>single backticks</code> </code> || <code>monospace font</code> || <code>someJava.classname</code>
|-
| Inline content from a configuration file, programlisting, etc. || <code> <code>single backticks</code> </code> || <code>monospace font</code> || ... Next, change the <code>DefaultIcon</code> setting in <code>/etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf</code> to ...
|-
| Graphical menus and menu items || <code> ''two single-ticks'' </code> || ''italic'' || ''Applications > Internet > Firefox Web Browser''
|-
| Other GUI or Web UI interface element || <code> ''two single-ticks'' </code> || ''italic'' || ... click the ''Submit'' button ...
|-
| First term, glossary term || <code> ''two single-ticks'' </code> || ''italic'' || ... '''Firefox''' is an example of a ''graphical user interface'' or ''GUI''.
|-
| Inline command and daemons || <code> <code>3 brackets</code> </code> || <code>monospace font</code> || ... run <code>ps -ef | grep httpd</code> to find the PIDs of the running <code>httpd</code> processes.
|-
| Keystrokes || <code> '''[Key] ''' </code> || '''[bold brackets] ''' || Press the '''[Enter] ''' key ...
|}
 
For example:
 
<pre>
The <code>thunderbird</code> package installs the '''Mozilla Thunderbird''' e-mail application. To start '''Thunderbird''', select: ''Applications > Internet > Thunderbird Email''.
</pre>
 
Which produces:
 
The <code>thunderbird</code> package installs the '''Mozilla Thunderbird''' e-mail application. To start '''Thunderbird''', select: ''Applications > Internet > Thunderbird Email''.
 
{{Anchor|Writing_Example_Commands}}
=== Writing Example Commands ===
 
Example commands are one or more commands set apart from the body of the explanation.  Do not use prompt symbols or any other content that shows machine name, user, directory, etc. (which are details set in the $PS1 environment variable.)
 
Enclose any example command in triple brackets, with the command on the first line of the triple brackets, and the closing triple brackets on a line by themselves:
 
<pre>#!html
<pre>
&#123;&#123;&#123;su -c "yum install awesome-application"
&#125;&#125;&#125;
 
Enter the <code>root</code> password when prompted.
</pre>
</pre>
 
Which produces:
 
<pre>su -c "yum install awesome-application"
</pre>
 
Enter the <code>root</code> password when prompted.
 
{| style="message note"
|-
| Many commands require <code>root</code> privileges. The reader should not be logged into their system as <code>root</code>, and so you must specify either <code>su -c</code> or <code>su -</code> when explaining such commands.
|}
 
If the command requires elements to be quoted, nesting should be <code>" '' "</code>, with the single quote marks surrounded by one containing set of double quote marks.  For example:
 
<pre>su -c "command -o 'Some Text' -file 'More text' foo/bar"
</pre>
 
If you need to have a series of commands or <code>su -c</code> is not responding as expected, have the user switch to <code>root</code> and warn the user to return to a normal user shell afterward.
 
<pre>su -
Password:
service food stop
cp /etc/foo.d/foo.conf /etc/foo.d/foo.conf.backup
vi /etc/foo.d/foo.conf
food --test-config
...
service food start
exit
</pre>
 
=== Try it Out Yourself ===
Try new things in the [[WikiSandBox|  Fedora Wiki Sandbox]] .  It is also a good place to see lots small samples at work.
 
=== Creating New Pages in the Wiki ===
 
The Fedora Project Wiki is large, and so there is a need to maintain a proper hierarchy and organization.  The best way to learn about these is to review [[HelpOnEditing/SubPages|  SubPages]]  and HelpOnCategories, and then to review the existing layout of the wiki.
 
Redundant names (such as <code>/Foo/FooBar/FooBarGrue</code>) should be avoided.  Remember that including 'Fedora' in the page name is redundant.  Major Fedora projects do not need to have 'Project' in their page names, either.  For example, the Fedora Websites Project has its page named 'Websites', not 'Fedora<code></code>Websites<code></code>Project'.
 
For the most part, pages should be grouped as subpages by the projects or programs they are part of.  Categories will generally be created for different projects and programs, and should be created sparingly.  Most pages you create should be part of a category, and many should also have appropriate tags.  If you are thinking about creating a new category or tag, please ask the ["Websites"]  team for advice first.
 
If you have questions, feel free to ask the ["Websites"]  team.
 
=== Important Pages ===
 
Key pages, such as FedoraMain, should be edited sparingly.  Changes to such pages should generally be discussed on the mailing lists or on IRC before being applied.  Special pages, such as RecentChanges, should not be edited.  Some parts of the wiki may have different permissions.  For example, the DocsProject has a section for the creation of new documentation which is restricted a bit more than the rest of the wiki.  In order to gain edit access to such pages, you may have to complete additional steps.  You can usually find instructions on those pages.
 
MoinMoin has many built-in pages that are important to its proper operation.  These pages will generally be marked in the source and should be left alone.  Changes to these pages will generally be destroyed by updates to the MoinMoin software.
 
== Getting Help ==


If ever you have questions about editing the Fedora Project wiki, or if you need help, please feel free to contact the ["Websites"] team.  They have an IRC channel and a mailing list that are both effective for getting the answers you need.
If you would like to do a lot of editing on the wiki, you should consider [[Websites/Join|joining the Websites team]].


If you would like to do a lot of editing on the wiki, you should consider joining the ["Websites"]  team.
----
[[Category:Documentation]]
[[Category:Documentation]]

Latest revision as of 18:17, 10 February 2021

The Fedora Project Wiki has a very low barrier to entry for editors. (For more about wikis and the Fedora Project Wiki in particular, see the Wiki page.) However, there can be a small learning curve when beginning to use wiki, and we have a number of guidelines that all editors should follow. This page provides those guidelines and a few tips to help you get going.

This document is divided in three parts: gaining edit access, basic wiki editing, and more advanced editing.

Gaining Edit Access

In order to avoid malicious users defacing the Fedora Project Wiki, we have had to restrict edit access. To gain edit access to the wiki, you must follow a few simple steps. Anyone can gain edit access.

  1. Familiarize yourself with the information on this page and the pages that it links to. Basic guidelines that should be followed throughout the wiki are covered here. Failure to follow these guidelines creates unnecessary work for other volunteers and may result in revocation of editing privileges.
  2. Complete the Fedora Project Contributor Agreement through the Fedora Account System. Signing the FPCA gives the Fedora Project the ability to license your contributions to the wiki under our free license. This assures that your contributions will remain forever Free for the community to use, modify, and redistribute, just like the Fedora distribution. See our Legal section for more information. Follow the instructions at Infrastructure/AccountSystem/CLAHowTo.
  3. Get added to at least one other group in the Fedora Account System. See https://whatcanidoforfedora.org/ and https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Join to look for groups to contribute to. Many of them have their own process to follow before you are added to their group. Please look to joining the fedora-join mailing list fedora-join@lists.fedoraproject.org at https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/fedora-join@lists.fedoraproject.org/. [Due to large amounts of SPAM and defacements, changes to the wiki need to be done by community members .]
If you are interested in more general website maintenance, or wish to be part of the Fedora Websites team, please see the Websites page.
Information on writing new formal Fedora documentation using the wiki is available from Writing for DocBook using the wiki.

Etiquette guidelines

Refer to Help:Wiki rules and etiquette for some general etiquette guidelines on editing the Fedora wiki.

Creating pages

The Fedora Project Wiki is large, and so there is a need to maintain a proper hierarchy and organization. The best way to learn about these is to review Help:Wiki structure and Help:Categories, and then to review the existing layout of the wiki. Our guidelines will help you name your pages in a way that will help them be more readable, translatable, and easier for search engines to find and promote.

Editing with Mediawiki

Refer to Help:Wiki syntax and markup for basic information on how to write in MediaWiki syntax. It's really easy, and the wiki makes it easy for you to create a beautiful page with almost no markup at all.

Getting Help

If ever you have questions about editing the Fedora Project wiki, or if you need help, please feel free to contact the Websites team. They have an IRC channel called #fedora-websites[?] on freenode.net and a mailing list named websites that are both effective for getting the answers you need.

If you would like to do a lot of editing on the wiki, you should consider joining the Websites team.

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