From WikiBPSC

[edit] Basics Primer and FAQ

[edit] What is Wiki?

Well....Wiki is a Hawaiian word for fast. A name chosen by the first creator of a new type of internet content that allowed easy contributions and edits of web content. What this brought is a perfect engine for large collaborative projects. (Read all about the history in Wikipedia entry - Wiki)

Why wiki works for BPSC? It allows many different users with many different backgrounds and experiences to contribute the bits and pieces of information that they have independently. It allows the collective memories to work together without ever leaving their home computers. Hopefully, it builds itself.

[edit] How does it work?

Essentially, WikiBPSC is like any other website on the surface. You navigate the information and follow links and explore just like any other website. Where WikiBPSC gets its power is in the ability for users to contribute and to collaborate.

Just as with any other place on this site, all the blue words are links to files with more information and the purple links are places you have visited. The cool new part is the red links. These link to files that have not yet been created. Click on this and you will automatically be transported to a place where you can put in your own information (and pictures) about that specific topic.

In addition, each page (including this one) has a Discussion link or a Talk link (they are the same). This is a scratch box where you can start a conversation with the other users about the article. For example, you see an article and question if some of the information that another author has posted is correct. You can click on the Talk/Discussion link and post your concerns and see what others have to say.

[edit] Do I have to know how to program? I am a little intimidated

In short....NO you don't have to know how to program.

WikiBPSC uses a special programming language to translate typed characters into cool looking stuff in the page. You can research and learn all about how these work and learn to make tables and bold and italics and all of that jazz. (and I encourage you to try if you are interested)

At the same time, the programming language is pretty basic. With the exception of the links and the headers, this entire article was formatted by simply typing words and returns in the editing box, just like a word processor. For the most part, you should be able to just type away and get good looking paragraphs.

[edit] Can you make it easier?

Yup....

First, remember that this is an collaborative project. There are skilled programmers who are confident with the programming language that are out there, watching what you contribute. These folks will gladly fix your formating and make it look pretty (as well as catch your typos and grammatical errors). Do not be afraid to type in the information and let the system make the adjustments.

If you are REALLY afraid. Just pop open the discussion box. If you plunk your information there, our editors will be able to see your contribution and drop it into the file just where it belongs.

The only way to build this is for people to contribute....so feel free to go for it.

[edit] That page is really pretty, what if I break it?

You can't! It might look broken for a while, but the computer saves all the changes that were EVER made. This allows us to revert back to previous versions of a file and see the latest changes. If you accidently deleted something or changed how it looks we can quickly make the correction and restore the page with your new contribution. This is also very useful in protecting against vandals.

[edit] How do I add a picture?

Select Upload File From the Toolbox on the right edge of the screen. This will prompt you to select the file from your machine and add it to the collection. You may be limited in file size. Once it has been uploaded to the computer, you must add it to your article. To do this you will be required to program. For more.... Wikimedia Help:Images

[edit] Why must I login?

While this is not the official website of anything, content here does still reflect directly on BPSC and the Bay-Lakes Council and the entire Scouting movement. For that reason alone, we have elected to attach a pretty simple layer of security to protect this content.

[edit] WikiBPSC Tips

Well....this IS a collaborative effort....start collaborating!!!