Help:Contents

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Contents

Introduction

This Wikipedia article provides background on the Wiki concept.

Comprehensive help regarding the MediaWiki software is available on the Help:Editor page from the Wikimedia Meta-Wiki Project. Users may also post questions on the Bogleheads Reference Library and Wiki subforum.

Guidelines for writing appropriate articles are bound bythree core content policies:

  • All Boglehead articles and other encyclopedic content must be written from a neutral point of view, representing significant views fairly, proportionately, and without bias.
Neutral Point of View
  • Material challenged or likely to be challenged, and all quotations, must be attributed to a reliable, published source.
Verifiability

In short, there is an expectation that contributions will follow Wiki standards and be written from a neutral point of view. Citations of claims and facts are necessary to ensure verifiability link to how to do this. On the main page of a topic, long examples are to be avoided (they can be provided via links on other pages). Instead, general principals that are applicable to a broad audience should be stressed.

Quick Guide for Creating a New Page

There are two ways of creating a page:

  • The most common method:

You can create a new page by typing in the title you wish to make in the search box, located in the left sidebox. Instead of hitting search, hit go. [Hint; its helpful to spell the title correctly, although every error you make is correctable, so do not worry).

You will see a message: 

There is no page titled "Whatever the title is". You can create this page.

When you click You can create this page you will have created your page.

Now all you need to do is write anything in the box and save it , and voila! you have started a page.

  • A second way to create a page is less frequently used. If you place the wiki internal link markup (discussed later) around the text of a phrase in a page, an empty shell page will be created. These links will be highlighted in red in the page until the newly created page contains content.

To continue editing a recent page, go to the recent changes link in the sidebox. This shows the most recent 50 edits (you have the option of selecting up to 500 edits). Simply click your page and start editing.

For minor re-edits select the this is a minor edit box in the save section. It is a good idea to leave a brief explanation such as

  • added link
  • typo
  • created new section

Headings and Subheadings

Usually wiki pages are, for easier organization and readability, divided into sections. Often, when creating a new page, especially if it needs a good deal of collaborative help, all you initially do is set up a number of headings. Here is how you do this.

To create a heading you use == write me ==

Thus, to show a common page format that we use for fund pages, you might start the page with headings. Such as;

== Introduction==

== Share Classes==

== Advantages==

== Criticisms==

== Performance==

== History==

== See also==

== Links==

Now you might also, as you fill in the headings, want to make a subheading, you do this by using === write me===

Thus you might have;

== Advantages==

=== Low Costs===

=== Tax Efficiency===


Style Pointers

The wiki box has some automatic formatting buttons:

  • Bold uses ''' Bold '''
  • Italics uses '' italic ''

Do not indent, since this puts a box around the text. 

Here is an example of what indentation will do

Linking

To make links is easy.

  • You use the following format for external links :
[ webaddress _ space_ title ] thus [ http://www.bogleheads.org/index_wide.htm   Bogleheads Forum ] creates a link.
  • A wiki also uses a lot of internal cross referencing. You create internal links by using the following:
[[ title of page ]], thus [[ Traditional IRA ]] links you to the wiki Traditional IRA page.
  • If the page title does not match up to what you are writing use this;
Example: You can also transfer your plan savings to a traditional IRA. You would format the link [[ Traditional IRA | traditional IRA ]].

Making Lists

If you want to make a list use * (shift 8)

thus,

*401k

*403b

*457-b

creates the following list:

  • 401k
  • 403b
  • 457-b

If you want to indent the list, use a colon, then the shift(8)

:* 401k

:* 403b

:* 457b

creates:

  • 401k
  • 403b
  • 457-b

A numbered list can be created by using # (shift3)

thus,

#401k

#403b

#457-b

creates the following list:

  1. 401k
  2. 403b
  3. 457-b

Making Categories and Templates

You can help find your page from the introductory page by placing it in an appropriate category. You add the category at the bottom of the page using

[[Category: Write Me]]

thus you might have :

[[Category: Retirement Planning]]

[[Category: IRA]]

You can find a list of categories in the Wiki Categories link in the wiki sidebox.

When you create a page, especially if it is unfinished, or if you welcome collaboration (almost all pages do) use a template at the start of your page. You really do not have to worry too much about this, since one of us will usually add these notes, classifications, and navigation aids to a new page.

The most common template for this purpose is Expand. Type

{{Expand}}

Then start your text. We have a full list of template markers in the Help page in the wiki side box.

Renaming pages

If you need to rename a page please do not copy and paste the contents of the old article into a new article. A cut and paste will separate the previous contributions from their edit history. Use the move tab at the top of the page and carefully follow the directions. See Help:Moving a pagefor details.

Using Discussion

You can use the discussion page (up in the heading) to make a comment. When you do leave a comment, select ~~~~ (four tildes) this dates and signs the comment.

Wiki writing is collaborative. You can find the authors of every edit by hitting the history tab. This will show you the authorship of each edit.

Template Messages

Use messages to apprise readers of page status or find a page displaying a message and help edit it.

Additional Template Pages:

Available Templates
Quote box
Book box
Mutual fund info box
Spreadsheet to table converter

If you are engaged in a substantive edit on a page it is a good idea to place an {{Underconstruction}} or {{InUse}} template in your page. This allows others to know that you are working on the page, and to refrain from editing the page until youhave finished your edits.



Helpful Tools
Help • Templates • Template Messages • Navigation Templates
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