Editing FAQs

This page lists Editing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and the answers for many common questions regarding how to create and edit pages on the PhiSigmaPiWiki. Although no one person owns PhiSigmaPiWiki, it is generously hosted by the National Council using resources of the National Fraternity. Continuous posting of inappropriate material is likely to result in the wiki being severely restricted, or even terminated. In short, use common sense when adding, editing, or removing content. If you are not sure whether content is acceptable, please ask before posting by using the appropriate Talk Page.

Questions

General

• How do I create an account?
• How do I edit a page?
• What can I edit?

Formatting

• How do I make text bold?
• How do I make text italics?
• How do I add headers and subheaders?
• How do I link to another page on the wiki?
• How do I link to a subsection of a page on the wiki?
• How do I link to a page elsewhere on the internet?
• How do I add a picture to a page?
• How do I add Greek Letters?
• How do I make a list?

Member Pages

• How do I create a new member page from scratch?
• How do I add a picture to a member infobox?
• How do I add greek letters to a roll number?

Chapter Pages

• Coming Soon!

Discussion Pages

• What is a discussion page?

General Formatting

• When should I make text bold?
• How often should I link a word or phrase?
• What is a stub?
• What is a category?
• What is a summary?

Moderation

• Who moderates content on the wiki?
• What is generally acceptable content on the wiki?
• What is unacceptable content on the wiki?

Answers

General

How do I create an account?

• In order to edit PhiSigmaPiWiki, you will need to set up an account. You can also find the registration/login link in the upper right corner of each page.

How do I edit a page?

• You can edit any page by clicking the edit button at the very top of the page located to the right of the article and discussion buttons. This will give you access to the entire page. You can also edit a section of the article by clicking the edit button to the far right of each section. If the edit button does not appear you likely are not logged in. Additionally some pages are locked and only moderators have access to edit.

Don't be afraid to add content or make improvements to existing content. If you make a mistake, it is easy to fix; every version of every page on this wiki are archived, and changes to the site are completely reversible by using the 'history' link at the top of each page. Viewers can compare previous edits to see what changes were made, and have the option to revert to previous versions if appropriate.

When posting content, please do so with the realization that it may be modified by someone else. If you are modifying content posted by another user, please be courteous in so doing. Major changes should be discussed on a Talk Page before edits are made. When there is a disagreement, please discuss it rather than repeatedly editing the page to undo other users' changes.

Every page on PhiSigmaPiWiki has several views, which can be accessed by clicking on the tabs at the top of the page. The four views you will likely use most often are:

• The article view is what you see when you are just browsing the site. It is like reading a page in the encyclopedia.
• The discussion view directs you to a Talk page, where users can discuss changes to the article, make suggestions, or place comments for all to see. If you see an article that needs some changes, but are not sure how to make the changes yourself, try posting a suggestion on the talk page.
  • When you are leaving a note on the talk page please sign your note by placing the following at the end: (~~~~). Doing so will have your name and date of the note added to your comment as such (Jonah 09:29, 19 March 2007 (EDT))
  • Try to structure the talk thread so it is easy to understand the conversation. If you are replying to a note, add a colon (:) to the start of your comment. This will indent your note under the previous. If there are already several indented comments, add a colon to the amount that is before the comment you are replying to. This system will make it visually easier for readers to understand who is replying to whom.
  • The talk page should be set up in sections just like a main page. If you do not see a discussion that pertains to your comment or question you can create a new one by clicking the "+" button at the top of the page, just to the right of the discussion button. This button only appears on a Talk page. This will create a new header which you need to name and will place your comment underneath.
• The edit view is where you go to make changes to the page. All of the page text, along with the wiki format markup, is shown in this view. Here you can add, delete, or modify the page. Changes, once saved, take effect immediately. Use the "show preview" button at the bottom of the editing area to make sure your changes are correct before saving them.
• The history view shows all the previous versions of the page. You can compare versions to see what changes were made.

What can I edit?

• You are welcome to make edits to any page where you have information to add or correct. There are a small amount of pages that have been locked by moderators because the content is not open to everyone to edit.

Formatting

How do I make text bold?

• Make it bold by placing three apostrophes around it like this: '''Make it bold'''

How do I make text italics?

• Italicize your text by placing two apostrophes around it like this: ''Italicize your text''

How do I add headers and subheaders?

• Surround header text with an equal sign like this: =Header=
• Add subheaders by adding more equal signs to before and after. Surround the subheader text with two equals signs like this: ==This is a subheader==
• Each additional equal sign on both sides of he text will create a subheader one level deeper

How do I link to another page on the wiki?

• Add an internal link by putting double brackets around it:

[[Main Page]] produces an internal link to the Main Page page.

• You can also link text that differs from the linked page name like this:

[[Main Page|Another way to link to the Main Page]] produces: Another way to link to the Main Page.

How do I link to a subsection of a page on the wiki?

• To link to a subsection within a page use #SectionName

[[#Moderation]] produces an internal link to the #Moderation subsection.

• To link to a subsection on another page in wiki use Page#SectionName

[[Member Biography Project#Getting Started]] produces an internal link to the Getting Started subsection on the Member Biography Project page.

How do I link to a page elsewhere on the internet?

• Add an external link by using single brackets around it, and specifying text to use in place of the URL:

[http://www.phisigmapi.org National Phi Sigma Pi Website] gives you: National Phi Sigma Pi Website. Notice there is a space between the url and the text you are converting into a clickable link.

How do I add a picture to a page?

• Click the 'Upload file' link in the toolbox area of the left sidebar.
• Click the browse button and navigate to the file you have saved on your computer that you'd like to load. If you need to crop the image, do so before loading to the wiki. There are a variety of tools you can use to crop an image. MS Paint is a simple tool that does the job.
• The Destination filename will default to the Source filename. If the image you're loading has a generic title (e.g. Image24124.jpg, enter a more descriptive title in the Destination filename box (e.g. PeteGingrich.jpg or AlphaRho.jpg). If you'd like to replace your picture with a new file in the future (e.g. an updated picture of yourself), upload it to the same destination filename, and any page that links to the picture will automatically be updated with the new image.
• Enter a summary of the picture, add the appropriate Category tags, and then click Upload file
• Copy the full name of your uploaded file
• Navigate to the page on the wiki that you want to add the picture to and click edit
• Go to the spot in the page where you want to add the picture and add the following: [[Image:picture.jpg|thumb|aaapx|bbbb|cccc]]
  • picture = name of image
  • aaapx = size of image in pixels (e.g. 100px, 150px, 200px, etc)
  • bbbb = alignment (i.e. left, right, center)
  • cccc = caption (optional)
• Tip: before saving, use show preview to review what your image will look like. You may need to adjust the size and alignment a few times to make it appear the way you desire.

When using images, please keep the following in mind:

• Images used in PhiSigmaPiWiki must be uploaded to the server; no images can be linked from another site.
• Please keep images to a minimum, PhiSigmaPiWiki is not a place to store images for sharing with friends. Other online resources exist for this purpose. Pictures not linked to a page will be deleted.
• Images that promote sexually explicit content or alcohol are not allowed on PhiSigmaPiWiki.
• Images that represent Phi Sigma Pi in any unacceptable manner (as deemed by the National Council) are not allowed.
• Please do not upload any embarrassing images of other Members of Phi Sigma Pi

How do I add Greek Letters?

If you would like to add Greek Letters, such as on member biography pages when indicating chapter and roll number, use the Greek Letters reference page to copy and paste html code for each symbol/letter.

How do I make a list?

You can create several styles of lists.

Unordered lists (lists with bullets instead of numbers) are created by placing an asterisk (*) before each item. You can create indented bulleted items by adding an addition asterisk for each level.

• first bulleted item
  • level 2 item note
    • level 3 item note
• second bulleted item

Ordered lists (lists that are numerical instead of bullets) are created by placing a pound (#) sign before each item. You can create indented ordered items just like in the unordered example, by adding an additional pound sign for each level.

1. first item
   1. level 2 item note
      1. level 3 item note
2. second item

Member Pages

How do I create a new member page from scratch?

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• Type your name into the search box on the left hand side of the page, and you will get a search result telling you that the page does not exist. Choose to create the page.
• In your new page, type or copy/paste the following: {{subst:Member Bio Template}}
• Save the page. It should look like the Sample_Member page. Edit your new biography page to fill in your details.
• When finished, check to see that your page exists by searching on your name. You can also check the Categorical Index of all Member bios.

How do I edit a member infobox

• A member infobox is the box that appears on the right side of member biography pages. You can add information such as name, chapter, roll number, etc by adding text after the equals sign.
• You can not delete a section in the infobox. If you have a section that is not applicable such as Alumni Chapter or Spouse you should just leave it blank. If you delete that section it will still show up on your page.

How do I add a picture to a member infobox?

• Click the 'Upload file' link in the toolbox area of the left sidebar.
• Hit the browse button and navigate to the file you have saved on your computer that you'd like to load. If you need to crop the image, do so before loading to the wiki. There are a variety of tools you can use to crop an image. MS Paint is a simple tool that does the job.
• The Destination filename will default to the Source filename. If the image you're loading has a generic title (e.g. Image24124.jpg, enter a more descriptive title in the Destination filename box (e.g. PeteGingrich.jpg). If you'd like to replace a picture with a new file in the future you can load it to the same destination filename, and any page that uses that picture will automatically be updated with the new image.
• Enter a summary if you'd like (e.g. your name and chapter) and then click Upload file
• Copy the full name of your uploaded file. Do not copy "Image:". For example, if the file is Image:PeteGingrich.jpg, only copy PeteGingrich.jpg, not Image:PeteGingrich.jpg
• Go to the member page to which you want to add the image and click edit
• In the member infobox, on the "image =" line, paste the full name of the file after the equal sign. Using the example filename above, this full line would then contain: image = PeteGingrich.jpg

How do I add greek letters to a roll number?

• Go to the Greek Letters reference page
• Copy the unicode that corresponds with the Greek letter(s) you need. You need to include the "&", three numbers and the ";" together for it to display.
• Paste the unicode in the appropriate spot on the member page and click save.

Chapter Pages

• Coming Soon!

Discussion Pages

What is a discussion page?

• The discussion view directs you to a Talk page, where users can discuss changes to the article, make suggestions, or place comments for all to see. If you see an article that needs some changes, but are not sure how to make the changes yourself, try posting a suggestion on the talk page.
  • When you are leaving a note on the talk page please sign your note by placing the following at the end: (~~~~). Doing so will have your name and date of the note added to your comment as such (Jonah 09:29, 19 March 2007 (EDT))
  • Try to structure the talk thread so it is easy to understand the conversation. If you are replying to a note, add a colon (:) to the start of your comment. This will indent your note under the previous. If there are already several indented comments, add a colon to the amount that is before the comment you are replying to. This system will make it visually easier for readers to understand who is replying to whom.
  • The talk page should be set up in sections just like a main page. If you do not see a discussion that pertains to your comment or question you can create a new one by clicking the "+" button at the top of the page, just to the right of the discussion button. This button only appears on a Talk page. This will create a new header which you need to name and will place your comment underneath.

General Formatting

When should I make text bold?

• The title of the page should be bolded the first time it is used within the text of the page. Subsequent uses of the page title should be in normal font.

How often should I link a word or phrase?

• There is no concrete answer as to how often to link a word or phrase that is the title of another page. Over-linking can make text difficult to read. The general rule of thumb is to link a specific word or phrase only once in what is viewable without scrolling. Since monitors and resolutions vary between computers though, it's generally accepted to link any given word or phrase once per section. If the section is particularly long, you may want to link more than once. Whenever possible, avoid linking to the same page multiple times in a paragraph or short section.

What is a stub?

• A stub or stub page, is an incomplete page. Stub pages have this box at the top of the page;

When you first create a new member page the template automatically adds this stub box to the top of the page. You can remove the stub message on a page by deleting this {{stub}}. You should only remove a stub notification if all sections of the page are complete.

What is a category?

• A category is a tag that groups similar articles together. Categories are by default on the bottom of every page. This page has a "reference" category tag. Each member biography page has a "Members" category tag and usually a chapter members tag such as "Alpha Chapter Members." If you follow a category tag you will come to a page that lists all articles with the same category tag.

What is a summary?

• A summary is a description of changes made to an article. A summary field appears below the edit-box when you are editing an article. You may use shorthand to describe your changes. By adding a summary it makes it easier for viewers to quickly understand what changes you made. If you only made a minor edit, such as removing or adding spaces, you should click the this is a minor edit notifying viewers of such.

Moderation

Who moderates content on the wiki

• There is a small group of moderators who work in collaboration to oversee the usage of the wiki, implement formatting and stylistic guides and regularly review content. All users are encouraged to review content for accuracy and acceptable content.

Moderators have a few additional privileges on the wiki such as locking and unlocking page and banning members. The current team of moderators are;

• Pete Gingrich
• Jeremy Tallman
• Jonah Goodman
• Matthew Nicoletta
• Quang Nguyen
• Chris Costantino
• Chris McCoy
• Katie Peachey
• Sarah Cantwell
• Kyle Williams
• Natalie Swierzbin

You may contact the moderators with any questions relating to the wiki at pspwiki(at)googlegroups(dot)com.

Generally Acceptable Content

In most cases, content related to the history of Phi Sigma Pi, Chapters, Members, or related projects and programs is acceptable and appropriate content for PhiSigmaPiWiki.

Unacceptable Content

Content that is likely to be considered unacceptable and inappropriate includes, but is not limited to:

• content relating to illegal activities of any kind, or activities prohibited by Phi Sigma Pi or University Rules or Regulations
• references to (legal or illegal) use of alcohol or drugs
• sexually explicit material or references
• content describing or promoting hazing, discrimination, or harassment of any kind

Content that is deemed inappropriate will be removed immediately, and repeated offenders may be barred from further editing of PhiSigmaPiWiki.