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WikiChristian:Tutorial (Editing)

6 bytes removed, 14:18, 17 January 2008
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==Editing pages==
We'll start with the most basic wiki feature of all: Edit this page! With the exception of a few protected pages, every wiki page has a link at the top that says "'''edit this page'''" (sometimes it is just labeled "Edit"). This link lets you do exactly what it says: edit the page you're looking at. Sites such as these where anyone can edit anything are known as '''wikis'''.
Try it! In a new window, open this page's [[/sandbox/]], and then click the "'''edit this page'''" link. You'll see the wiki code for that page. Add something unique that you can take pride in. Then save it and see what you've done. There is more detail at [[WikiChristian:How to edit a page]]. You '''might''' want to open this in a new window, too, so you can carry on with the tutorial.
==Show preview==
An ''important feature'' to start using now is '''Show preview''', which allows you to see what the page will look like after your edit, even before you save. '''Try''' making an edit in the [[/sandbox/]], then clicking the Show Preview button. We all make mistakes, and this lets you catch them immediately. If you make a habit of using Show Preview before saving, you'll save yourself and other editors a lot of trouble. It also lets you try out format changes without actually changing the article until you're satisfied.
This is especially important if you think you may be making other edits on the page. It is a good idea to save just once, to keep the page history uncluttered. Saving less often is also a way of avoiding edit conflicts, which occur when two editors try to change a page at the same time. However, when you change large amounts of text you should consider doing this in successive steps (e.g. one paragraph at a time) so that others can follow your edits easily.
Before you hit Save, it's considered good practice to enter a very brief summary of your changes in the '''Edit summary''' box between the edit window and the Save and Preview buttons. It can be quite terse; for example if you just enter "typo," people will know you made a minor spelling or punctuation correction, or some other small change.
Play around in the [[/sandbox/]] if you'd like, and then [[WikiChristian:Tutorial (Formatting)|continue]] with the tutorial.
'''[[WikiChristian:Tutorial (Formatting)|Continue]] with the tutorial'''.