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Rethink and rewrite
This page is too large, verbose and poorly structured. It doesn't meet the needs of new users. The lead section is waffly and too detailed. The image doesn't add value; it increases the visual clutter. I would suggest cutting the page right down to the basics. Remove all jargon, especially all the stuff about being bold.
What's needed: A simple jargon-free explanation of how to edit, linked to a beginner's version of wiki markup. Mention the critical importance of using references with 2-3 clear examples (link to explanation of reliable sources). Mention the importance of using the preview button. Mention the importance of a meaningful edit summary. Most new editors will just want to edit an existing page, so have a separate page on creating a new article (mention stub tags, categories, wikiprojects). Remove the big blurry image. The material in the section entitled "More information on editing wiki pages" could be put into a navbox; anything that is important for new users to read should not be in this section.
Comments would be welcome. Rubywine . talk 15:42, 27 August 2011 (UTC)
- What's wrong with telling users to be bold? -- Ϫ 07:23, 30 August 2011 (UTC)
- As for myself, I wrote the simple-speak essay WP:PRIMER intended specifically for newbs... and when newcomers get a handle there, they are usually ready to move on to the more verbose editing instructions. Schmidt, MICHAEL Q. 20:50, 10 December 2011 (UTC)
Updated edit box
The old image did not show the WP:Cite tool within the edit box. Thus we need the new one. Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 21:25, 18 October 2011 (UTC)
My Page Doesn't Show in Google Search
I created a page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Fry_%28aka_Donald_K._Fry%29) but it won't come up in a google search. It does come up under my username (CharcoalsMom) with a link. How can I correct this?
Thanks for your help! CharcoalsMom (talk) 00:18, 6 November 2011 (UTC)
- It will take a little time for Google to notice a new article. RJFJR (talk) 00:38, 6 November 2011 (UTC)
Help req'd.: Wikipedia mark-up dating
- Whilst editing, I have noticed that in some articles the dates are formatted as follows: ... on_26_Aprilampersandnbsp;1997_ at... which produces this: on 26 April 1997 at... What is the advantage? Can somebody help me please? Gareth Griffith-Jones (talk) 18:10, 2 March 2012 (UTC)
- That's a non-breaking space. It tells the browser to avoid laying out the text like this...
- blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah 26 April
- 1997 blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
- ...with the month on one line and the year on the next. The theory is that this could make the text harder to read, but I haven't seen many dates formatted with non-breaking spaces. The style guideline is at WP:NBSP. -- John of Reading (talk) 19:10, 2 March 2012 (UTC)
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- Thank you John of Reading for your prompt and succinct reply. I have been searching Wikipedia for an explanation for what seems like hours. I suppose you would only use the non-breaking space after noticing its need on Show Preview before saving your edit. Kind regards, Gareth Griffith-Jones (talk) 08:39, 3 March 2012 (UTC)
