User:Angel Emfrbl/Newbie Excercises

So You Want to Edit a Wikia?
Its easier then it looks but takes a while to get used to. Its free to edit, fun and interesting, leaving you feeling like your actually part of a community. Like any new place you visit however, it will take some nerves just to say "hi there" to your fellow editors, some editors may not even be nice back but this is like any situation in real life. There is no commitment to edit a Wikia and everything is up to you to decide what to do.

Where do I Begin?

 * First things first, you have a choice between editing Anonymously (which means only your IP address ever gets recorded) and as a Registered User.

Everyone starts off as a unknown IP address which is nice... Except people don't know you. Some wikias will go out of their way to say unregistered users don't deserve as much talk as registered users. And sadly their properly right. Pages can be locked to prevent non-registered users from editing anytime since vandals rarely bother creating registered accounts.

On the other hand, Registered users are regarded as officially part of the community!

That means they have a "blog" option, and can if they don't want to edit the wikia pages can actually just use their blogs to write stuff up. Blogs are actually a good way to experiment with wikia editing without effecting the large wikia community. You may not get any replies, but at least you can edit them freely and their all yours to control!

They also can still edit some pages which are locked from IP unregistered users from editing, personalize their signing signatures and have an avatar for their user page if they please. They can also hide the minor edits (like adding a missing letter someone forgot to editon a page) and leave only the important stuff if they want to.

Either way, both choices will still let you ask for help, so if you really need it, just ask!

How to Talk to Us
Okay, so you just entered the wikia for the first time, before you rush to hit that "edit page" option, before you begin you need to know how to talk to us. Afterall if its your first time, we can't help you if you don't know how to talk to us.


 * Sand boxes; They are useful, more useful then you can possibly imagine. The wikia will start with its own general one already set up; Click here. But if you feel daring, you can create you're own one by this code: User: insert-user-name-here/Sandbox of course replacing the bits where you wish to as necessary.
 * You have a talk page! Okay you might not get noticed straight away, but you can write things on your User page like messages and pleas for help if need be. We also will from time to time perhaps talk to you via this method too.  Messages left here will pop up when you log onto the site, informing you of any messages.
 * Learn the regular members; On the left hand column, there is a link called "recent changes". Clicking this will reveal the most recent actions on the wikia. You can see who is editing a lot, maybe get an idea depending on the time who is still around if you need help ASAP.   More importantly, this will give you at least an introduction to WHO the more active wikia editors are.
 * Note: for your benefit, its a good idea to find a member to become "friends" with, this is helpful for both of you. Even if that editor is just another newbie like you between the pair of you there is at least something to talk about!  Keep an eye out for blogs, some registered users will create them from time to time, but even unregistered users can reply to an entry.  Blog entries also crop up in the "Recent Changes" page.
 * The forum; while its better for editors with at least the basics sorted, its another way to edit and talk to us! Plus like your own user talk page and blog has no greater impact on the wikia so feel free to edit on the forum pages.

Learning those Codes!
Now for the Hard stuff - learning how to edit wikia text. Actually we tell a lie here, its pretty simple. Most new editors will find "Rich Text" the best way to go since you won't be getting into complex coding. For a beginning don't edit in "Source" unless you've got some in first.

When you Edit a page, take a moment to explore the page set up that follows.

In "Rich Text" you'll find in the top left hand corner icons to edit a text with. Most experienced editors will automatically write down the codes, never clicking those options at all, but since you're new to this, try experimenting with those sandbox pages!

Basic Exercises
Okay, lets presume you're editing in a sandbox.

We'll start with "Edit the Page", click.