So, you are very-first-time-new-user and you have come upon all those wiki syntax guides, intros and demos but you still can't figure out how to get the damn thing started?
This may be the right place for you. Here is a guide to get you started by beginning with your specific idea for a web site rather than the Wikidot syntax.
(1) YOU
Probably you already have a fairly clear idea what you want to appear on your site. Have you drawn it on paper? No? What are you waiting for!
Make a rough outline where you are going to put paragraphs, images, headings, colours, contact forms, etc.
Now that you have a sketch you can begin re-drawing it with the tools and possibilities a computer gives you. But we shan't grab at the wiki syntax, yet. Instead, use some text editor you are familiar with - e.g. MS Word. Write the headlines, put them in the size and colours you wish, place the paragraphs in the positions you want, write the texts, insert the images, etc. Do not worry if you cannot make things exactly the way you want them to appear - this is also a sketch. The only difference is that it is a sketch on a PC, not on paper.
(2) KEYWORDS FOR THE BUILDING BLOCKS YOU NEED
You must have already become aware of the building elements you'd need for your site. Is the structure of the site going to be a table with invisible borders and paragraphs in the cells or a simple text with images and video embeds in it or maybe a very well formatted text, with a table of contents, headings and sub-headings, etc - most likely you have decided on this by now. What is most important you know the keywords for what you need, you know what to look for in the Wikidot manuals.
(3) A SCREENSHOTS
The time to refer to the Wikidot syntax has… almost come! Just one more step, though. Before you rush to the Wikidot syntax, while your mind is still "empty", please, pay attention to the lines below.
No matter what you are asking for include a screenshot whenever you can.
In the case of your first site, include a screenshot of the sketch you just made on your computer. It would make your question much more clear, it would make the verbal description of your issue easier for you and it would increase the probability for those willing to help you to understand exactly what you are asking.
Detailed instructions how to make a screenshot and include it in your post here:
http://community.wikidot.com/screenshots:page
Thanks for reading.
(4) WIKIDOT
The frightening Wikidot syntax! Finally!
Places to begin with:
specific information:
http://bit330f08.wikidot.com/wiki-resources-and-videos
http://www.wikidot.com/doc:wiki-syntax
http://www.wikidot.com/faq:editing-pages
http://community.wikidot.com/howto:howto-list
http://community.wikidot.com/how-to-edit-pages
generic information:
http://community.wikidot.com/getting-started
http://handbook.wikidot.com/en:wikidot-for-beginners
You can also search all Wikidot manuals from here:
http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=007000168596185870345%3Adaaaga1ewj4
(5) SUPPORT IN THE WIKIDOT FORUM
Apart from the screenshots, there are a few more things to make a perfect support request:
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Leave the code visible for the page you are asking for. You can accomplish this by putting a "View Source" button somewhere on your page. The syntax for this button is:
[[button source]]
You can learn how to make more advanced buttons here: Wikidot Documentation & Help pages » Wiki Syntax » Standalone buttons (page options)
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If you find it hard to compose your post you can try to think of the keywords for it first. You may also add them in the "Summary" field:
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Do not forget that you can always edit your post to add new things or revise the old ones:
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Follow the RSS thread so that you be notified as soon as you receive an answer:
If you wonder what RSS is, take a look here: http://www.problogger.net/what-is-rss
Recommended RSS readers: http://community.wikidot.com/help:rss#recommended_readers
---
Test your new pages in the Sandbox first.
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Do not forget: the Wikidot forum is maintained by volunteers. People are sharing their time and expertise to help you for free. Please, do everything possible to make it easy for them. The more clear and carefully prepared post, the greater chance to get a quick and useful reply.
(6) ONCE YOU GET THE BASICS…
http://community.wikidot.com/getting-started-v2-advanced
Backlinks
These pages link back to this one:
Thanks maki, a good start !
And my first question: this is about Site - layout, structure and NOT Wikidot depending ( or not in a great manner).
Was notin the past some big discussion with a lot ot text in our forum ?
And my second question: Why not really in the handbook for the visitors in the section "Site Creation For Beginners"
( as you started with the now called "en:confused"…)
Why not some helps for newbees ?
Service is my success. My webtips:www.blender.org (Open source), Wikidot-Handbook.
Sie können fragen und mitwirken in der deutschsprachigen » User-Gemeinschaft für WikidotNutzer oder
im deutschen » Wikidot Handbuch ?
The idea for this page actually came from this post: http://community.wikidot.com/forum/t-87685/new-to-wikidot .
I started it in the Handbook but I was lacking some persmissions there. At the same time I was impatient to create it so I started it here. :)
http://feedback.wikidot.com/wish:382
The visual steps are better and easier to read … :)
Even I would not prefer a computer tool for a layout - a paper is normally enough…. but this is a good backup too, if any edits fail..
But this is my oppinion. :)
Service is my success. My webtips:www.blender.org (Open source), Wikidot-Handbook.
Sie können fragen und mitwirken in der deutschsprachigen » User-Gemeinschaft für WikidotNutzer oder
im deutschen » Wikidot Handbuch ?
Hi Guys, I am a beginner at this wiki site creation stuff but have developed a few basic sites in the past. I am trying to set up a site that includes a collaborative wiki but have followed all the steps and maybe i'm missing something but cannot see where i can create a new thread. The pages also dont seem to link to each other. I have created 3 categories but they dont seem to be displaying the same as others. can some kind person please help. have a look, i have registered a proper domain www.losinganangle.com many thanks Martin
1. your site name is writen wrong! it is called [http://www.losinganangel.com/] !
2. try to follow the steps to create a correct category setup:
[http://community.wikidot.com/howto:forum-step-by-step]
It seems you have not defined any category in your forum or have changed the 5 starting pages of your forum menu…
Service is my success. My webtips:www.blender.org (Open source), Wikidot-Handbook.
Sie können fragen und mitwirken in der deutschsprachigen » User-Gemeinschaft für WikidotNutzer oder
im deutschen » Wikidot Handbuch ?
Hi Guys,
Sorry for the URL mistype. Thanks for looking at this for me. I tried both of the suggestions and have enabled anyone to post. I run through the step by step guide again. I double checked and my discussion and help categories were still in place. I deleted these before running through the guide. I must have done something minor that has broken the forum. I noticed in the forum thread that it says "later." i dont know how to find this text, i tried click on edit but it aint within any of the text there.
anymore ideas?
Thanks
Martin
go to:
http://www.losinganangel.com/forum/c-62707/discussion
and click create a new thread
you have the perms set up for members only so i cant make any test posts.
remove from your side bar
Hi Guys,
Sorry for the URL mistype. Thanks for looking at this for me. I tried both of the suggestions and have enabled anyone to post. I run through the step by step guide again. I double checked and my discussion and help categories were still in place. I deleted these before running through the guide. I must have done something minor that has broken the forum. I noticed in the forum thread that it says "later." i dont know how to find this text, i tried click on edit but it aint within any of the text there.
anymore ideas?
Thanks
Martin
Martin, I'm a bit confused as to what you think might be broken. I have just added a test thread with a couple of posts and it seems to be OK.
Edit: do please delete those posts as they add nothing to the sum of human knowledge.
I hope the wiki is successful though I'm sure all of us here wish the circumstances had been different.
Best wishes.
Rob
Rob Elliott - Strathpeffer, Scotland - Wikidot first line support & community admin team.
have a look at [http://community.wikidot.com/howto:forums-fixing-them]
seems you have deleted too much on some fourm "pages"?
PS: i cannot see any category in your forum - could be you have it not allowed for visitors?
Service is my success. My webtips:www.blender.org (Open source), Wikidot-Handbook.
Sie können fragen und mitwirken in der deutschsprachigen » User-Gemeinschaft für WikidotNutzer oder
im deutschen » Wikidot Handbuch ?
I checked to see but i have allowed everything for all user types on my pages. I cant seem to see the threads that Rob has created either. Maybe i shgould start the forum from scratch. Rob thanks for the encouragement. my son went to a special school here in northern ireland and it happens that they loose at least 1 child per year to illness. Unfortunately my loss wasnt natural but the greiving process is the same. the school have encouraged me to set this up so that i can begin a medium for helping others.
i really appreciate all your help and hopfully i'll get to the bottom of this. Sure thats what wikis are about!
Martin
Hi!
It is the browser! and the used theme!
I can see al your threads and posts and catgories in Firefox, but NOT in IE (7)!
Try to change the theme!
I can remember there were somne messages that foreum is not good to see in the used theme…
Service is my success. My webtips:www.blender.org (Open source), Wikidot-Handbook.
Sie können fragen und mitwirken in der deutschsprachigen » User-Gemeinschaft für WikidotNutzer oder
im deutschen » Wikidot Handbuch ?
Yes, that must be it. On Firefox 3.0.3 I get the following but I don't have IE installed on my work computer. That Bloo theme is attractive but does seem to have caused a few problems.
Rob
Rob Elliott - Strathpeffer, Scotland - Wikidot first line support & community admin team.
Well spotted. Checked it out and changed my theme. all working! Any idea which themes work with IE or any recommendation for good theme templates?
Thanks Again Guys
Martin
I find the Localize theme a good starting point and doesn't seem to throw up these glitches.
Rob
Rob Elliott - Strathpeffer, Scotland - Wikidot first line support & community admin team.
Guys, i'll torture you no longer. Thanks for all your help. I should be able to muddle my way along from here.
Cheers
Martin
Hi
I am new to SCOM 2007 the email Received from SCOM 2007 is in Text format. I would like that email to be reived in HTML format. Can anyone help on this. Or as any site where it can help.I saw on Help on one site. In that it said to Insert CDATA Tag in on of the XML file. I required step my step help and exampel how to do it.
i
AS Phil Chett noticed in another thread:
Me thinks this is ANOTHER one that has got lost in the two step registration process!
I think you need to go here : http://opsmgr2007.wikidot.com/
Service is my success. My webtips:www.blender.org (Open source), Wikidot-Handbook.
Sie können fragen und mitwirken in der deutschsprachigen » User-Gemeinschaft für WikidotNutzer oder
im deutschen » Wikidot Handbuch ?
i am a new be. i started getting some pages together. then when i tried to get back in i was caught in a cycle and blocked out. any ideas. is this a kind of a novice mistake?
Have already replied to this here: http://community.wikidot.com/forum/t-203375#post-653119
~ Leiger - Wikidot Community Admin - Volunteer
Wikidot: Official Documentation | Wikidot Discord server | NEW: Wikiroo, backup tool (in development)
Hi,
My name is Jenna and basically I have not got a clue what to do on here! haha. For one of my modules in University I have to participate on wikidot and post some websites which could be helpful to others which seemed simple to me, (Researching and whatever i found useful to myself, posting the link on one page for everybody to see). However, this all seems as though it is wanting me to go through a whole process of making my own website =S when i have a few links right here & just simply want to post them somewhere were everybody else has but i can't seem to find!
I would really appreciate some help from you experts please :)
I just don't wanna come across as silly haha
Thanks
Sorry to trouble you.
I've found out all of the relevant information needed & done my posts.
:)
If you need any more help, feel free to ask. As soon as we see it we'll do our best to get you the information you need :) I'm also a University student, and I use Wikidot to store all of my lecture notes (on a private wiki, to avoid plagiarism claims) … I highly recommend it.
~ Leiger - Wikidot Community Admin - Volunteer
Wikidot: Official Documentation | Wikidot Discord server | NEW: Wikiroo, backup tool (in development)
I think that I followed the information on how to set up the forum, and when I look at my list of "all pages" I indeed have the forum pages, but I don't know how to make them show up. I did get a comment box set up on my "Journal Pair One" page. So I don't know what I did wrong to not have a forum page.
Thanks,
Louise Green moc.liamg|gnitirwneerg#moc.liamg|gnitirwneerg
Ling420.wikidot.com
Louise Green teaches Academic Writing to first year international students at Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C. She also teaches in the TESOL Certificate Program and in the MA TESOL program.
You don't have a site at Ling420.wikidot.com, your site with that title is http://readingandwritingteachers.wikidot.com/ and it's private so it's hard to provide specifics on what might be wrong.
Did you set up your forum structure? One of the "gotchas" that bites new users (me included when I set up my first forum) is that as you build the structure of groups and categories, if you forget to hit the "Save" button once you have everything set, all of your changes go away.
-Ed
Community Admin
Hi Ed,
thanks for your help here. I did find my "name"! haha. It's been a few years since I set up my last wikidot site, so now I have to learn it all again. I changed the site access so it is now open and you can help me out.
I still can't get the forum to open up. the forum pages seem to be set up and you can see them on the "list all pages" page.
I have managed to set up a "comments" module on Journal Pair One page. I have attached a jpg image at the bottom of the page and I am not able to figure out how to put that on the page. Is there some secret?
I think this might work well for my journal pairs: preservice teachers here in Canada matched with EFL students at a high school in China, writing dialogue journals back and forth. But I need to get it all set up for them. But it might be nice for them to also post a small photo to personalize their pair page….
Thanks,
Louise Green aka greenwriting
Thanks,
Louise
Louise Green teaches Academic Writing to first year international students at Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C. She also teaches in the TESOL Certificate Program and in the MA TESOL program.
On your forum:start page I suspect you have deleted [[module ForumStart]] which should be the only thing on that page. It will then display the categories.
For the photo: firstly I strongly recommend you rename the image file (perhaps add underscores) so there is no space in the name as that can cause problems on the Wikidot platform. Then the syntax would be [[image /journal-pair-one/3D_at_California_adventure.jpg]]
Rob Elliott - Strathpeffer, Scotland - Wikidot first line support & community admin team.
Of course it could also be that you haven't yet set up your categories in the site manager. So go to site manager -> forum & discussion -> structure. That is where the different categories are set up. As Ed said earlier, even after creating each category and saving it you you must then click the save button on the structure page to save it all. then on the forum:start page providing you have got the [[module ForumStart]] there you will see your categories listed. You can click on each one to create threads within it.
Rob Elliott - Strathpeffer, Scotland - Wikidot first line support & community admin team.
Hi Rob, first, you were right about the images. I added underscores and it worked. But tell me if there is a simpler process to follow. This is the only way I have found to work:
1. I upload the file to my wiki page
2. I click on "info" and then properties, and copy the URL of my image
3. I click on edit for the page, and then paste my URL for the image into the image function.
Is there a way that does not involve all those intermediate steps?
I'll check out your forum suggestions as well. Thanks.
Louise
Louise Green teaches Academic Writing to first year international students at Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C. She also teaches in the TESOL Certificate Program and in the MA TESOL program.