CZ:Quick Start: Difference between revisions

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<div style="font-size:20pt">'''Did you just [[Special:RequestAccount|join]]?'''</div>
'''If you're new to the ''Citizendium''''', we'd love you to dive "write" in. 


&nbsp;
'''What is the first thing you should do after [https://forms.gle/aiW5jqp66mFaHDKU6 you join?]'''  While you can do whatever you like (it's a [[wiki]]!), we recommend two things:
# '''Start an article.'''  Pick a topic.  Then think of a good title for an encyclopedia article about that topic.  Then go to '''[[CZ:Start Article|Start Article]],''' linked on your left—and do it the Easy Way™!  Just write a paragraph or two introducing the topic, beginning with a definition, or a description of what a thing is notable for.  We don't mind short articles.  They'll be expanded later.  '''Then...'''
# '''Edit someone else's article.'''  How?  Find an article on a topic you are interested in.  You can use the search box, check [[Special:RecentChanges|recent changes]], [[:Category:CZ Live|navigate alphabetically]], enter via [[CZ:workgroups|workgroups]] or browse the [[#New pages|list of new things below]].  When you've found an article you want to edit, press the "edit" tab.  Add a few sentences.  It's OK.  They just have to be a helpful addition. 


<div style="font-size:20pt; text-align:center">'''Want to get started, but don't know how?'''</div>
Still worried?  
 
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<div style="font-size:20pt; text-align:right">'''Well, don't panic!<ref>With apologies to [[Douglas Adams]].</ref>  Just dive in!'''</div>
 
<div style="font-size:12pt;"><br><br>
 
'''If you're new to the ''Citizendium'' fold,''' we love you already, and we want you to get to work right away, whether you're an author or an editor.  We want it to be as easy as possible, and we ''don't'' want you to be intimidated by extremely high standards that either you have, or that you ''imagine'' we have!  Yes, we want high quality.  But we ain't pretentious, and we know that Rome wasn't built in a day.  It's a ''wiki.''  Don't know what that means?  That means "fast."  It does not mean "when I feel ready to produce brilliant work."  Brilliance happens ''later.''
 
'''What is the first thing you should do after you join?'''  While you can do whatever you like (it's a wiki!), we recommend two things:
# '''Start an article.'''  How?  Pick a topic.  Then think of a good title for an encyclopedia article about that topic.  Then go to '''[[CZ:Start Article|Start Article]],''' handily linked on your left--and do it the Easy Way™!  Just write a paragraph or two about the topic, beginning with a definition of the concept, or a description of what a thing is notable for.  We don't mind very short articles, as long as they have a couple of sentences.  They'll be expanded later, trust us.  '''Then...'''
# '''Edit someone else's article.'''  How?  Find an article on a topic you are interested in or know a lot about.  (You can use the search box, or [[:Category:CZ Live|navigate alphabetically]], or enter via "[[Main Page|top articles]].")  Then, press the "edit" tab.  Add a few sentences.  It's OK.  They just have to be a reasonably helpful addition.  They don't have to be absolutely brilliant.  Brilliance happens ''later.''
 
Are you still worried? Seriously, there is no need for that.  Let's cover some main worries.


{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable"
! Worry||Why I wouldn't worry about that
|-
|-
|I am a non-technical person.
|''Don't I have to know a lot more to get involved?''
|Can you write e-mail? Then you can handle editing a wiki page.
|No.  All you have to do is write and collaborate on articles.  ''That'' is what it's all about.
|-
|width=33%|''I am a non-technical person - I'll never be able to figure out all the special code on the pages.''
|width=67%|Complicated wiki "markup" is generally not needed, but you can pick it up by looking at what other people do.  If you want the basics, look at ''the top'' of [[CZ:How to edit an article|this page]].  It's ''not hard''; much of the time, you can just type normal text.
|-
|''"Subpages", "metadata"...I'll never figure it out.''
|You don't have to.  Do what you like to do: write.  Start with baby steps, and others will help you along the way. That's why we have an [[CZ:Start Article|Easy Way™]]!
|-
|''There are so many [[CZ:Home|instruction and policy pages]]!  How can I ever read all that?''
|Don't! Seriously, you're not neglecting any duties if you fail to read all that. The only way to really mess up is to do something that [[CZ:Moderator Group Blocking Procedures#Offenses that will result in a warning first, then a ban|gets you banned]] from the project.
|-
|''I'm no expert, and this is an expert project, right?  I won't fit in.''
|[[CZ:FAQ#This is an "Expertpedia," isn't it?  Experts only, right?|All levels of knowledge are welcome]]. Experts and the general public work well together, shoulder-to-shoulder.  
|-
|-
|width=33%|I'll never be able to figure out that complicated wiki markup.
|width=67%|Complicated wiki markup is generally not needed.  Besides, you can pick up by looking at what other people do.  If you want the basics, look at ''the top'' of [[CZ:How to edit an article|this page]].
|}
|}
See?  No worries!
For ''more'' introductory material see [[CZ:Getting Started|Getting Started]] for good links.
 
{{CZ:New}}


=== Notes ===
{{Getting Started}}
''We don't actually require notes, but they are nice.''
<references/>
</div>

Revision as of 11:04, 7 March 2024

If you're new to the Citizendium, we'd love you to dive "write" in.

What is the first thing you should do after you join? While you can do whatever you like (it's a wiki!), we recommend two things:

  1. Start an article. Pick a topic. Then think of a good title for an encyclopedia article about that topic. Then go to Start Article, linked on your left—and do it the Easy Way™! Just write a paragraph or two introducing the topic, beginning with a definition, or a description of what a thing is notable for. We don't mind short articles. They'll be expanded later. Then...
  2. Edit someone else's article. How? Find an article on a topic you are interested in. You can use the search box, check recent changes, navigate alphabetically, enter via workgroups or browse the list of new things below. When you've found an article you want to edit, press the "edit" tab. Add a few sentences. It's OK. They just have to be a helpful addition.

Still worried?

Don't I have to know a lot more to get involved? No. All you have to do is write and collaborate on articles. That is what it's all about.
I am a non-technical person - I'll never be able to figure out all the special code on the pages. Complicated wiki "markup" is generally not needed, but you can pick it up by looking at what other people do. If you want the basics, look at the top of this page. It's not hard; much of the time, you can just type normal text.
"Subpages", "metadata"...I'll never figure it out. You don't have to. Do what you like to do: write. Start with baby steps, and others will help you along the way. That's why we have an Easy Way™!
There are so many instruction and policy pages! How can I ever read all that? Don't! Seriously, you're not neglecting any duties if you fail to read all that. The only way to really mess up is to do something that gets you banned from the project.
I'm no expert, and this is an expert project, right? I won't fit in. All levels of knowledge are welcome. Experts and the general public work well together, shoulder-to-shoulder.

For more introductory material see Getting Started for good links.


New pages

You are encouraged to get involved with the development of these pages - click on the links to make your edits.

New files

You may find these useful in new and existing articles, but check for any copyright issues first by clicking on the images.



Citizendium Getting Started
Join | Quick Start | About us | Help system | How to start a new article | For Wikipedians
How to Edit
Getting Started Organization Technical Help
Policies Content Policy
Welcome Page


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