Tools for Writing Articles

Contributing to the Wiki

Welcome to the Contributing Guide! We’re thrilled you want to share your knowledge. Editing a wiki can be intimidating for newcomers, so this guide, along with our How to help page, will walk you through everything you need to know to start contributing with confidence.

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Choosing Your Editing Method

There are multiple ways to create content for the wiki, depending on what you're comfortable with.

Writing in Markdown

Markdown is a simple text format that converts easily into clean, structured content. Many contributors prefer writing in Markdown using offline tools to avoid the quirks (and potential crashes) of the browser's editor.

Why Use Ghostwriter or Typora?

Here are some benefits of using Markdown editors like Ghostwriter or Typora.

1. Save as You Go

• These editors allow you to save your work locally as you go, avoiding the buggy and slow MediaWiki VisualEditor, which can crash if your browser unexpectedly closes or fails.
• No need to rely on old, unreliable PHP-based editors that may lose your progress.

1. See the Whole Article at Once

• Ghostwriter and Typora display the entire document in an easy-to-read format, helping you maintain a clear overview of your structure and content.
• You can focus on writing without being distracted by loading delays or limited screen real estate.

1. Combining with Word Processors

• If you prefer writing in a word processor like Word, Google Docs, or OpenOffice, you can paste your completed draft into Typora.
• Typora will display the entire article in Markdown format, allowing you to make final adjustments.
• Once ready, copy the Markdown output and paste it into the MediaWiki Source Editor between <markdown> tags to avoid VisualEditor slowness and ensure perfectly consistent formatting.

Here’s an example of how to format your Markdown:

<markdown>
= Article Title =

== Section 1 ==

* Bullet point 1
* Bullet point 2

== Section 2 ==

Some text here.
</markdown>

This workflow ensures your content is safe, fast, and formatted perfectly before publishing.

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b. Using the Wiki Editors

The wiki offers two primary editors:

1. Visual Editor:

  * A "What You See Is What You Get" (WYSIWYG) editor.
  * Best for users unfamiliar with code or markup.
  * However, the Visual Editor has some significant drawbacks:
    * It relies on old PHP code running in a web browser, making it buggy and prone to crashing.
    * If your browser crashes or the connection is lost, you can easily lose work since there’s no auto-save or recovery feature like in modern tools.
  * While it’s convenient for quick edits, it’s not ideal for creating long or detailed articles.

1. Source Editor:

  * The "raw" editor where you can see and edit the underlying wiki markup.
  * Allows for full control over structure and formatting, including the use of <markdown> tags for Markdown content.
  * Recommended for advanced users or those familiar with Markdown or HTML.

Why Markdown Is Better Than Wiki Source

• Markdown is Portable:

 * Markdown is widely supported across many platforms, making it easy to reuse your content in other tools or projects.
 * Wiki source, in contrast, is specific to MediaWiki and less versatile for non-wiki use cases.

• Easier to Write and Read:

 * Markdown is simpler and more intuitive than MediaWiki source syntax.
 * Formatting in Markdown is less cluttered, and tools like Typora or Ghostwriter allow you to see exactly how your article will look as you write.

• Better Tools for Markdown:

 * Markdown editors like Typora and Ghostwriter let you work offline, with auto-save and crash recovery features.
 * You can see a live preview of your work as you write, helping you catch mistakes early.

Why Use Markdown in MediaWiki?

MediaWiki’s Source Editor supports Markdown within <markdown> tags, giving you the best of both worlds:

• Fast and Lightweight:

 * Instead of using the slow and buggy Visual Editor, you can write in Markdown and paste it directly into the Source Editor.

• Ease of Use:

 * Use Markdown’s simple syntax for formatting, headings, and lists, without having to learn or deal with wiki source.

• No Conversion Hassle:

 * If you prefer writing in a word processor like LibreOffice, OnlyOffice, Word, or Google Docs, you can copy your content into Typora to quickly convert it to Markdown.
 * From there, paste the Markdown into the Source Editor within <markdown> tags. This avoids the slow and error-prone Visual Editor entirely.

Workflow Example

Here’s how to use Markdown in the wiki for a smooth editing experience:

1. Write your article in Typora, Ghostwriter, or a word processor.
2. Format your content using Markdown syntax.
3. Copy the Markdown content into the Source Editor between <markdown> tags:

<markdown>
= Article Title =

== Section 1 ==

* Bullet point 1
* Bullet point 2

== Section 2 ==

Some text here.
</markdown>

1. Save your work and enjoy the benefits of Markdown’s simplicity and portability without the Visual Editor’s limitations.

This method ensures your work is safe, organized, and easy to maintain, all while avoiding the frustrations of older tools like the buggy Visual Editor.

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c. Writing in Word, Google Docs, or OpenOffice

You can use word processors to draft your content. Here’s how to ensure a smooth transition into the wiki:

1. Headings:

  * Use styles like Heading 1, Heading 2, etc., in your word processor. This creates a clear structure when pasted into the wiki.

1. Copy-Paste:

  * Once your article is finished, copy the content into the Visual Editor. Adjust the headings, lists, or formatting if needed.

1. Why Headings Matter:

  * Headings are not just for style; they help organize your content, making it easier for readers to navigate.
  * Use Heading 1 for the main topic (this should be the page title).
  * Use Heading 2 for major sections.
  * Use Heading 3 for subsections.

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2. Understanding the Basics of Wiki Editing

Visual Editor vs. Source Editor

Feature	Visual Editor	Source Editor
Ease of Use	Beginner-friendly, like a word processor.	Requires knowledge of wiki syntax.
Features	Simple text formatting, inserting images.	Full control over structure and code.
Recommended For	Casual contributors.	Advanced users, Markdown writers.

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3. Key Concepts for New Contributors

• Headings: Organize your article logically using headings (H1, H2, H3). This improves readability and helps readers jump to the sections they care about.
• Formatting Tools: Use bold, italics, bullet points, and links to enhance your content. Visual Editor makes this straightforward.
• Saving Your Work: Save your progress regularly. If using the Source Editor, consider drafting offline to avoid losing work.

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Final Tips for New Contributors

• Take Your Time: It's okay to draft and edit over several sessions.
• Ask for Help: Reach out to the wiki community if you’re unsure about formatting or content.
• Experiment Safely: Create a personal sandbox page to practice editing without affecting live articles.

Thank you for contributing to our Consumer Protection Wiki! Every edit helps build a better resource for everyone.