IPS FAQ:About
From IBS_FAQ
About the IPS Wiki
We have chosen to use the Wiki software for all the reasons that it is so successful in the Wikipedia - pages can easily be linked, editing is simple and attributable and the results can be tracked, and the format will be familiar to the increasing number of Wiki users.
Editing
Members will need to log in by clicking on the text (log in/create account) at the top right of the Main Page. Please do not use a nickname, but use your usual IPS username, so that any edits or additions you may make can be easily identified.
Wiki initially uses different passwords to the IPS web site, and logging in prompts for your password, so click on Forgotten Password and a password will be emailed to you. It is suggested that you log in and immediately change the password to something more memorable – e.g. your existing IPS web site password.
Unlike Wikipedia, we have not enabled the editing facility for everyone who logs on, so if you want to add and/or edit pages, email John Andrews or Dave Liquorice using wiki@ips.org.uk and ask to be added to the Trusted User list.
The search facility in the LH menu column has two buttons – Go and Search. Go can be used if you know the precise name of the page you want – and Wiki is case sensitive! The Search button produces a list of every appearance in the Wiki of the word typed in the box, including the precise page if one exists.
New page
To start a new page, type the title (say “Trevor”) in the box and select Go. You will then be shown a new page, “Search Results”, saying 'There is no page titled “Trevor”. You can create this page'. Clicking on “create this page” opens a new page headed “Editing Trevor” with the words
“You've followed a link to a page that doesn't exist yet. To create the page, start typing in the box below (see the Help page for more info). If you are here by mistake, just click your browser's back button.”
NOTE: The Help page refers to that on the Wikipedia site; there is no Help page yet on the IPS Wiki. There IS a Style Guide.
When you save this page (see the boxes at the bottom, and look at the Preview first!) it will exist in the list of “All pages” – and you can’t change the title, so don’t do this lightly!
You can experiment, using Preview, and then delete your attempts by using the Back button on your browser.
Links
Don't forget to put in some links to other relevant Wiki pages. To make an internal link, type in the exact name of the page you want to link to, highlight it and select the Ab box in the toolbar. Then select Preview and check that it works before saving the page. If you have made a typo (and remember Wiki is case sensitive), you will be presented with a new, blank, page, so use your browser Back button to try again.
For an external link, type or paste in the URL (starting with http) and then the name of where the link takes you, with a space between the URL and the name. Then highlight the whole lot (URL + name) and select the "world" button on the toolbar. Check with Preview as above.
Useful tip: find a link that works, on an existing page, and select "edit". This will show you how the link is constructed. Then select Cancel (in the lower tolbar).
The toolbar at the top of the editing page is fairly self-explanatory, and hovering over the symbols shows their function. Enjoy! You can’t break it, and you only learn by trying!
John Andrews
Please note: The IPS uses google analytics to collect anonymous usage data on all sites, this is to help improve the services we offer and better target our content.
