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(pushing further towards the finish line, better late than never :p)
m (finishedish enough to query for feedback)
 
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{{User:Dismounted Feudal Knight/Template:TWC Wiki}}
 
 
<big><big><big><big><center>Welcome to the TWC Wiki!</center></big></big></big></big>
 
 
{{TOC right}}
 
{{TOC right}}
==New user guide==
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==Are you new around these parts?==
 
===Welcome to the wiki!===
 
===Welcome to the wiki!===
TWC Wiki exists to support Total War Center and the wider Total War Community! We specialize in [[Modding Portal|modding information]] (including [[Total War Mods|mods you can find]]), [[Total War Center|information about TWC]], and providing an overview of the [[Total War Series]]. Be sure to review the [[Terms of Service]] and [[TWC Wiki Policy & Guidelines|TWC Wiki Guidelines]] for important basics on what is allowable. A more general overview may be found at [[TWC Wiki]].
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TWC Wiki exists to support Total War Center and the wider Total War Community! We specialize in [[Modding Portal|modding information]] (including [[Total War Mods|mods you can find]]), [[Total War Center|information about TWC]], and providing an overview of the [[Total War Series]]. Be sure to review the [[Terms of Service]] and [[TWC Wiki Policy & Guidelines|TWC Wiki Guidelines]] for important basics on what is acceptable. A more general overview of the wiki can be found at [[TWC Wiki]].
  
===Getting an account & the very basics===
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===Getting an account===
TWC Wiki is open to any member of TWC in good standing upon request, even if they have not posted before. For that matter you can ask an existing member of the wiki and if you are reasonably trusted, you don't necessarily have to be registered to get an account. Requests for access can be made in [https://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?796550 this thread]. An account will be made and you will be messaged the login details.  
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TWC Wiki is open to any member of TWC in good standing upon request, even if they have not posted before. If you are reasonably trusted and on another TWC venue, ie the [[TWC Discord|Discord Server]], you don't necessarily have to be registered - you can still reach out. Requests for access on the forum can be made in [https://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?796550 this thread]. An account will be made and you will be messaged the login details.  
  
Be sure to visit [[Special:Preferences]] and change your password! You can also add an email for password recovery, change your wiki skin, and configure other settings at your convenience. Check them out! Basic editing will be covered below but you can also ask for assistance or clarity at the [https://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?788480 discussion thread] or at <code>#wiki-chat</code> on [[TWC Discord|TWC's Discord Server]].
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Be sure to visit [[Special:Preferences]] and change your password! You can also add an email for password recovery, change your wiki skin, and configure other settings at your convenience. Check them out! Basic editing will be covered below but you can also ask for assistance at the [https://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?788480 discussion thread] or at <code>#wiki-chat</code> on [[TWC Discord|TWC's Discord Server]].
  
 
==Editing the wiki==
 
==Editing the wiki==
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Simple corrections and changes are always welcome and also very easy: while logged in, simply click the "Edit" tab at the top of the page, or the [edit] link that appears besides sections. This will take you to the editing page, where you can make any adjustments and also preview your work before publishing.
 
Simple corrections and changes are always welcome and also very easy: while logged in, simply click the "Edit" tab at the top of the page, or the [edit] link that appears besides sections. This will take you to the editing page, where you can make any adjustments and also preview your work before publishing.
  
Some pages are more sensitive, and so have been ''protected''. Instead of Edit, you can only View Source. If a correction needs to be made, please bring it up in a discussion venue mentioned above or collaborate with someone who has the appropriate [[TWC Wiki:User Rights|access]]. You can also use the Discussion tab present on all wiki pages to leave messages and suggestions.  
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Some pages are more sensitive, and so have been ''protected''. Instead of Edit, you can only View Source. If a correction needs to be made, Just let someone know who has the appropriate [[TWC Wiki:User Rights|access]]! You can also use the Discussion tab present on all wiki pages to leave messages and suggestions.
  
 
===Adding a new page===
 
===Adding a new page===
The easiest way to figure out how to format a page is to look at how similar pages are made. Don't be afraid to take the code from an existing page, for example, a page about a mod, and use that to create a page about another mod (so long as all content is updated of course). You can create new pages either by following a red link to them, or editing the name into your browser's address bar.  
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You can create new pages either by following a red link to them, or editing the name into your browser's address bar.
* Example,
 
  
 
Keep two caveats in mind when making titles. First, spacebars ( ) are represented with underscores (_), so Page_Name is the same as Page Name. Second, all letters after the first letter are case sensitive. Page_Name can be reached with page_Name, but page_name will be a totally different page.
 
Keep two caveats in mind when making titles. First, spacebars ( ) are represented with underscores (_), so Page_Name is the same as Page Name. Second, all letters after the first letter are case sensitive. Page_Name can be reached with page_Name, but page_name will be a totally different page.
  
The wiki uses categories to sort articles. If the category system is confusing, don't worry too much - someone will most likely be behind you who can fix it up. Otherwise, you can browse most categories starting [[:Category:Portals|here]] for an idea. The categories roughly correspond with how the rest of the wiki is laid out, note that images will have their own subcategory under the main category a page is under.
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The wiki uses categories to sort articles. If the category system is confusing, don't worry too much - someone will most likely be behind you who can fix it up. Otherwise, you can browse most categories starting [[:Category:Portals|here]] for an idea how they work. Note that images will have their own subcategory under the main category a page is under.
 +
 
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The best way to figure out how to set up a page is to look at an existing example. But see the "additional information" header
  
 
===Markup and formatting===
 
===Markup and formatting===
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==Additional information==
 
==Additional information==
 
===Getting more help===
 
===Getting more help===
* who to talk to and how if you're stumped
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If you need any assistance at all please leave a message, or reach out to a regular editor, Wiki Team member, or even the Wiki Director. They won't bite! Hopefully! If you're not always feel comfortable to run your thought by someone first, or leave a message in one of the wiki's discussion venues for someone to pick up. Collaboration is the wiki's greatest strength, use it liberally. But also see if an existing guide or resource is available as linked here - information is another key strength, and you will get more help the more informed you are. Give it a try even if concepts may go over your head at first or it seems difficult. Try out changes at [[TWC Wiki:Sandbox]] for a risk-free way to see if something works or not, and preview often as well to ensure what you're about to publish works as expected. But if all else fails and something gets through that isn't quite right, don't worry! You won't be demolished if you have good intentions and aren't doing something way out of line.
* brief mention of wiki team, unfortunately they aren't really present so 'senior editors' needs to be emphasized
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* perhaps merge some mention of discord, discuss thread etc in this section to reduce redundancy in other headers
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===What should I work on?===
 +
TWC Wiki can use assistance for virtually anything you can think of - a wiki is never perfect and TWC Wiki is an ambitious underdog. If a certain subject is your interest, go for it. If the idea is particularly ambitious, you should hook up with an existing editor for advice and support.
  
===Things to work on===
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However if you're interested in some pickings:
TWC Wiki can use assistance for virtually anything you can think of - a wiki is never perfect. If a certain subject is your interest, go for it. If the idea is particularly advanced, you should hook up with an existing editor for advice and support.
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* There are many pages which need attention in [[:Category:Cleanup]] and [[:Category:Stubs]]
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* You can find new pages that are needed in [[Special:WantedPages]]
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* Some choice pages that have needed cleanup for some time include [[Custom Battle]], [[Eras Total Conquest]] and [[Naval Battles]]
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* Do you like a particular mod, project, or game? Look for it! If it's not on the wiki feel free to make a page; if it is but it's out of date, it's free real estate. :p
  
One thing to bear in mind however is that TWC wiki is far, far behind on detailed unit information for total war games. There are many incomplete, abandoned or orphaned pages on the wiki which have tried to document these things in detail, but they require extensive time to complete and are not what the wiki stands out in - especially with existing wikis on other platforms which go in far greater detail with far more editors who can contribute. So, it is preferred to develop articles for things this wiki can offer a nuanced perspective on including modding, TWC, and overviews and guides for game mechanics.
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We have several areas that need regular cleanup and maintenance - feel free to chip in! These include:
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* [[:Category:Mod Finder Tables|Mod Finder Tables]] - any new mods, updated dates for new releases
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* [[:Category:Portals]] - Portals themselves could always use a brush-up
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* [[TWC Wiki:Tutorial Indexes Project|Total War Tutorial Indexes]] - Find something to add? Bring it in!
  
Please see [[TWC Wiki:Projects]] if you are interested in chipping in to an organized initiative on the wiki. Remember, you can do what your heart is set on (within reason of course!)
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Other efforts to improve the wiki can be found at [[TWC Wiki:Projects]], including official Staff efforts - don't let that stop you! You can work with wiki team to complete a project, or become a member yourself...
  
===Wiki organization===
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===Organization, styling and templates===
TWC Wiki has several systems for how to organize information including Portals, Indexes, Mod Finder Tables, Staff List Templates and more. Unless these areas are your interest you don't need to worry about them. More information will be placed here but in the meantime, please consult a senior existing editor or wiki team member if you are interested in the organization of the wiki itself.
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TWC Wiki has several systems for how to organize information including Portals, Indexes, Mod Finder Tables, Staff List Templates and more. Please reach out to the Wiki Team if you are interested in the organization of the wiki itself, but don't hesitate to work on improvements to one of these pages if required, or collaborate if they happen to be protected.
  
===Meta commentary that should not make it to live publication===
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If you are interested in how the wiki looks, ie, its styling, take a look at [[Help:CSS Classes]] for an overview and then collaborate with the Wiki Team to see changes done.
Upkeep, maintenance et all will be in TWC Wiki:Projects. The entire projects apparatus should probably be cleaned up.
 
  
Need another pass through the original TWC Wiki:Help to ensure I didn't miss anything critical and with some patch up, this might be ready to go live pending feedback from mak and anyone else interested.
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TWC Wiki uses templates to make certain information easier to update: change the template and the information is updated on any page that uses it. You will likely come across these so it would help to be aware of them; all are listed in the [[:Category:Template|Template Category]].
  
{{User:Dismounted Feudal Knight/Template:TWC Wiki}}
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Various categories of template include;
 +
*[[:Category:Formatting Template|Formatting Templates]] - Used to easily apply standardised formatting such as coloured text.
 +
*[[:Category:Infobox Template|Infobox Templates]] - Provide a standard table box framework for a topic group, such as units, which allows variable information to be added on the page.
 +
*[[:Category:Maintenance Template|Maintenance Templates]] - Provide standard messages about the state of a page, and/or instructions to editors.
 +
*[[:Category:Navigation Template|Navigation Templates]] - Provide navigation links to other pages within a category or subject area.
 +
*[[:Category:Protected Transclusions|Protected Transclusions]] - Used solely where one element e.g. a poll, needs protection, but the rest of the page it's placed on doesn't.

Latest revision as of 05:35, 2 November 2023

Are you new around these parts?

Welcome to the wiki!

TWC Wiki exists to support Total War Center and the wider Total War Community! We specialize in modding information (including mods you can find), information about TWC, and providing an overview of the Total War Series. Be sure to review the Terms of Service and TWC Wiki Guidelines for important basics on what is acceptable. A more general overview of the wiki can be found at TWC Wiki.

Getting an account

TWC Wiki is open to any member of TWC in good standing upon request, even if they have not posted before. If you are reasonably trusted and on another TWC venue, ie the Discord Server, you don't necessarily have to be registered - you can still reach out. Requests for access on the forum can be made in this thread. An account will be made and you will be messaged the login details.

Be sure to visit Special:Preferences and change your password! You can also add an email for password recovery, change your wiki skin, and configure other settings at your convenience. Check them out! Basic editing will be covered below but you can also ask for assistance at the discussion thread or at #wiki-chat on TWC's Discord Server.

Editing the wiki

Existing pages and sections

Simple corrections and changes are always welcome and also very easy: while logged in, simply click the "Edit" tab at the top of the page, or the [edit] link that appears besides sections. This will take you to the editing page, where you can make any adjustments and also preview your work before publishing.

Some pages are more sensitive, and so have been protected. Instead of Edit, you can only View Source. If a correction needs to be made, Just let someone know who has the appropriate access! You can also use the Discussion tab present on all wiki pages to leave messages and suggestions.

Adding a new page

You can create new pages either by following a red link to them, or editing the name into your browser's address bar.

Keep two caveats in mind when making titles. First, spacebars ( ) are represented with underscores (_), so Page_Name is the same as Page Name. Second, all letters after the first letter are case sensitive. Page_Name can be reached with page_Name, but page_name will be a totally different page.

The wiki uses categories to sort articles. If the category system is confusing, don't worry too much - someone will most likely be behind you who can fix it up. Otherwise, you can browse most categories starting here for an idea how they work. Note that images will have their own subcategory under the main category a page is under.

The best way to figure out how to set up a page is to look at an existing example. But see the "additional information" header

Markup and formatting

When you are using the editing window you will see a variety of buttons on top. Hovering over them will provide a description of what they do. Use of the > Advanced and > Help buttons will expand those sections and provide information on commonly used formatting.

The TWC Wiki uses MediaWiki software: the same formatting used on Wikipedia and most wikis in general. MediaWiki provides a lot of useful pages explaining basic functions. The ones normal editors are most likely to need are:

If you're interested in trying things out with wiki code but are not confident in what that code will do, we have the TWC Wiki:Sandbox available to test on. Remember how you can draw inspiration from how other pages work, and that you can reach out for assistance at any time.

Additional information

Getting more help

If you need any assistance at all please leave a message, or reach out to a regular editor, Wiki Team member, or even the Wiki Director. They won't bite! Hopefully! If you're not always feel comfortable to run your thought by someone first, or leave a message in one of the wiki's discussion venues for someone to pick up. Collaboration is the wiki's greatest strength, use it liberally. But also see if an existing guide or resource is available as linked here - information is another key strength, and you will get more help the more informed you are. Give it a try even if concepts may go over your head at first or it seems difficult. Try out changes at TWC Wiki:Sandbox for a risk-free way to see if something works or not, and preview often as well to ensure what you're about to publish works as expected. But if all else fails and something gets through that isn't quite right, don't worry! You won't be demolished if you have good intentions and aren't doing something way out of line.

What should I work on?

TWC Wiki can use assistance for virtually anything you can think of - a wiki is never perfect and TWC Wiki is an ambitious underdog. If a certain subject is your interest, go for it. If the idea is particularly ambitious, you should hook up with an existing editor for advice and support.

However if you're interested in some pickings:

We have several areas that need regular cleanup and maintenance - feel free to chip in! These include:

Other efforts to improve the wiki can be found at TWC Wiki:Projects, including official Staff efforts - don't let that stop you! You can work with wiki team to complete a project, or become a member yourself...

Organization, styling and templates

TWC Wiki has several systems for how to organize information including Portals, Indexes, Mod Finder Tables, Staff List Templates and more. Please reach out to the Wiki Team if you are interested in the organization of the wiki itself, but don't hesitate to work on improvements to one of these pages if required, or collaborate if they happen to be protected.

If you are interested in how the wiki looks, ie, its styling, take a look at Help:CSS Classes for an overview and then collaborate with the Wiki Team to see changes done.

TWC Wiki uses templates to make certain information easier to update: change the template and the information is updated on any page that uses it. You will likely come across these so it would help to be aware of them; all are listed in the Template Category.

Various categories of template include;

  • Formatting Templates - Used to easily apply standardised formatting such as coloured text.
  • Infobox Templates - Provide a standard table box framework for a topic group, such as units, which allows variable information to be added on the page.
  • Maintenance Templates - Provide standard messages about the state of a page, and/or instructions to editors.
  • Navigation Templates - Provide navigation links to other pages within a category or subject area.
  • Protected Transclusions - Used solely where one element e.g. a poll, needs protection, but the rest of the page it's placed on doesn't.