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{{Under_Development|date=January 2025|stage=early|priority=high}}
This guide explains how to effectively communicate on the wiki, particularly when using talk pages and user discussions via the source editor.
These functions are automatic when using the visual discussion page editor but, as there is a known bug for users who are still new and need to complete a captcha this guide serves as an alternative way to communicate using discussion pages until the issue is resolved.


# Wiki Communication Guide
==Discussion/Talk pages==
[[File:Discussion-page-pointer.png|300px|thumb|right]][[File:Discussion-page-source-pointer.png|400px|thumb|right|Create talk page with source editor]][[File:Discussion-page-source-pointer2.png|400px|thumb|right|Edit talk page with source editor]]
Every page on the wiki has an associated discussion page, commonly reffered to as a talk page for discussions about the content. You can access it by clicking the "Discussion" tab at the top of any page. In order to use the source editor Use these talk pages to discuss the issues on the atricle page or to make suggestions to other active contributors. Please keep the content relaevant to each article.


This guide explains how to effectively communicate on the wiki, particularly when using talk pages and user discussions.
Each user has their own talk page at <code>User talk:Username</code> where others can leave messages for them. Use these to discuss topics regarding the wiki or that are adjacent to its contents.  


== Basic Communication Tools ==
The following guidelines apply when editing or creating these pages via the source editor.
==Using talk pages==
===Starting topics===
When starting a new topic treat it as a section on a regular page and add your message directly below. Use this format
<pre>== Section Title ==
Your message here.
~~~~
</pre>


=== Talk Pages ===
*Four tildes <code>&#x7E;&#x7E;&#x7E;&#x7E;</code> automatically add your signature and timestamp
Every page on the wiki has an associated talk page for discussions about the content. You can access it by clicking the "Discussion" tab at the top of any page.
*Use clear, descriptive section headers
 
*Always sign your messages
=== User Talk Pages ===
===Reply to topics===
Each user has their own talk page at <code>User talk:Username</code> where others can leave messages for them.
 
== How to Reply to Messages ==
 
=== Basic Reply Format ===
When replying on a talk page, use this format:<pre>:Your message here ~~~~</pre>Key elements:
When replying on a talk page, use this format:<pre>:Your message here ~~~~</pre>Key elements:


* The colon <code>:</code> indents your reply
*The colon <code>:</code> indents your reply. If there are multiple replies indent as much as nesseccary (ie add more colons)
* Four tildes <code>&#x7E;&#x7E;&#x7E;&#x7E;</code> automatically add your signature and timestamp
*Four tildes <code>&#x7E;&#x7E;&#x7E;&#x7E;</code> automatically add your signature and timestamp
* Add one more colon than the message you're replying to for nested discussions
*Add one more colon than the message you're replying to for nested discussions


=== Notifying Users ===
===Notifying Users===
MediaWiki doesn't automatically notify users of replies. To ensure your message is seen:
MediaWiki doesn't automatically notify users of replies. To ensure your message is seen:


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[[User:Username|@Username]] I've replied at [[Talk:PageName]]. ~~~~</pre>For maximum visibility, do both!
[[User:Username|@Username]] I've replied at [[Talk:PageName]]. ~~~~</pre>For maximum visibility, do both!


=== Example Full Conversation ===
===Example Full Conversation===
<pre>== Original Topic ==
<pre>== Original Topic ==
Initial message here. ~~~~
Initial message here. ~~~~
Line 34: Line 39:
::Thanks for the reply! Additional thoughts... ~~~~</pre>
::Thanks for the reply! Additional thoughts... ~~~~</pre>


== Best Practices ==
==Best Practices==
 
=== Starting New Topics ===
 
* Use clear, descriptive section headers
* Start new sections with <code>== Section Title ==</code>
* Always sign your messages
 
=== Maintaining Conversations ===
 
* Keep replies on the same page where the discussion started
* Use proper indentation to show reply hierarchy
* Update old discussions by adding to them rather than starting new ones


=== Common Mistakes to Avoid ===
===Maintaining Conversations===


* Forgetting to sign messages with <code>[[User:Travis|Travis]] ([[User talk:Travis|talk]]) 17:08, 17 January 2025 (UTC)</code>
*Keep replies on the same page where the discussion started
* Not notifying users of replies
*Use proper indentation to show reply hierarchy
* Starting new threads instead of replying to existing ones
*Update old discussions by adding to them rather than starting new ones
* Editing others' comments (instead, reply to them)


== Related Pages ==
===Common Mistakes to Avoid===


* [[CAT:Style Guide]]
*Forgetting to sign messages with <code><nowiki>~~~~</nowiki></code>
* [[CAT:Documentation]]
*Not notifying users of replies
* [[Help:Editing]]
*Starting new threads instead of replying to existing ones
{{incomplete}}
*Editing others' comments (instead, reply to them)


[[Category:CAT]]
[[Category:CAT]]
[[Category:Documentation]]
[[Category:Documentation]]
[[Category:Help]]
[[Category:Help]]

Latest revision as of 09:51, 20 February 2025

This guide explains how to effectively communicate on the wiki, particularly when using talk pages and user discussions via the source editor. These functions are automatic when using the visual discussion page editor but, as there is a known bug for users who are still new and need to complete a captcha this guide serves as an alternative way to communicate using discussion pages until the issue is resolved.

Discussion/Talk pages

Create talk page with source editor
Edit talk page with source editor

Every page on the wiki has an associated discussion page, commonly reffered to as a talk page for discussions about the content. You can access it by clicking the "Discussion" tab at the top of any page. In order to use the source editor Use these talk pages to discuss the issues on the atricle page or to make suggestions to other active contributors. Please keep the content relaevant to each article.

Each user has their own talk page at User talk:Username where others can leave messages for them. Use these to discuss topics regarding the wiki or that are adjacent to its contents.

The following guidelines apply when editing or creating these pages via the source editor.

Using talk pages

Starting topics

When starting a new topic treat it as a section on a regular page and add your message directly below. Use this format

== Section Title ==
Your message here.
~~~~
  • Four tildes ~~~~ automatically add your signature and timestamp
  • Use clear, descriptive section headers
  • Always sign your messages

Reply to topics

When replying on a talk page, use this format:

:Your message here ~~~~

Key elements:

  • The colon : indents your reply. If there are multiple replies indent as much as nesseccary (ie add more colons)
  • Four tildes ~~~~ automatically add your signature and timestamp
  • Add one more colon than the message you're replying to for nested discussions

Notifying Users

MediaWiki doesn't automatically notify users of replies. To ensure your message is seen:

1. Use the ping syntax in your message:

:Hi [[User:Username|@Username]]! Your message here ~~~~

2. Leave a note on their user talk page:

== Re: Topic ==
[[User:Username|@Username]] I've replied at [[Talk:PageName]]. ~~~~

For maximum visibility, do both!

Example Full Conversation

== Original Topic ==
Initial message here. ~~~~
:Hi [[User:Username|@Username]]! Responding to your point... ~~~~
::Thanks for the reply! Additional thoughts... ~~~~

Best Practices

Maintaining Conversations

  • Keep replies on the same page where the discussion started
  • Use proper indentation to show reply hierarchy
  • Update old discussions by adding to them rather than starting new ones

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Forgetting to sign messages with ~~~~
  • Not notifying users of replies
  • Starting new threads instead of replying to existing ones
  • Editing others' comments (instead, reply to them)