CZ:Quick Start: Difference between revisions

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&nbsp;<br><div style="font-size:20pt">'''Just [[Special:RequestAccount|arrived]]?'''</div><br><br>
{{Getting Started}}
 
'''If you're new to the ''Citizendium''''', we'd love you to dive "write" in. We recommend two things:
<div style="font-size:20pt; text-align:center">'''Want to get started, but don't know how?'''</div><br><br>
# '''[[CZ:Start_Article|Start an article]].'''  
 
# '''Edit someone else's article.'''  How?  Search to find an article on a topic you are interested in.  Or check [[Special:RecentChanges|Recent Changes]], [[:Category:CZ Live|navigate alphabetically]], or find article via a [[CZ:workgroups|Workgroup]].  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:right">'''Well, don't panic!<ref>With apologies to [[Douglas Adams]].</ref>'''</div>
 
<div style="font-size:12pt;"><br><br>
 
'''If you're new to the ''Citizendium''','' we'd love you to dive "write" in, whether you're an author or an editor. We don't want you to be discouraged, but you may ''imagine'' we have extremely high standards. Certainly we aim for high quality, but we also want participation to be easy and as fun as possible. We know that Rome wasn't built in a day.
 
'''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 introducing the topic neutrally, 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]]" or [[CZ:workgroups|workgroups]].  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 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.
Still worried?  


{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable"
! Worry||Why I wouldn't worry about that
|-
|The above two steps look deceptively simple.  Don't I actually have to know a lot more to get involved?
|No.  To start getting involved, all you have to do write and collaborate on articles.  ''That'' is really what it's all about.
|-
|-
|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'm skeptical.  I'll never be able to figure out that complicated wiki markup.
|width=33%|''I am a non-technical person - I'll never be able to figure out how to code the pages.''
|width=67%|Complicated wiki markup is generally not needed.  Besides, 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.'' Trust us.
|width=67%|You can learn how to edit by looking at existing pages (just click Edit to open the editor).  Or see ''the top'' of [[CZ:How to edit an article|how to edit an article]].  It's ''not hard''; much of the time, you can just type normal text.
|-
|-
|Subpages and "metadata"...I'll never figure it out.
|''"Subpages", "metadata"...I'll never figure it out.''
|Then don't try. Start with baby steps, and others will help you along the way. That's exactly why we have an [[CZ:Start Article|Easy Way™]]!
|You don't have to. Do what you like to do: write.  Start with baby steps, and others will help you along the way.  
|-
|-
|Isn't this a waste of time? How can you catch up with Wikipedia?
|''There are so many [[CZ:Home|instruction and policy pages]]! How can I ever read all that?''
|The question is not "can we catch Wikipedia," the question is "can we create enough content to be fully useable?" Once we have that, we ''will'' get users, because people can ''rely'' on our content. (The world could use a more reliable free encyclopedia, no? That's why we're here.) And yes, we're confident we can reach that goal.  We have a better operational model, one that draws lessons from the Wikipedia experience; we have added more words than Wikipedia did in its first year; and we're accelerating. See [[CZ:Why Citizendium?|Why Citizendium?]] if you're still unconvinced.
|You need not read all that. The only way to really mess up is to do something that gets you banned from the project, such as self-promotion or slinging insults.
|-
|-
|There are ''so many'' [[CZ:Home|instruction and policy pages]]!  How can I ever read all that?
|''I'm no expert, and this is an expert project, right?  I won't fit in.''
|Don't! Seriously, you're not neglecting any duties if you fail to read all that. The only people who do are those that want to give advice about our standards. Everybody else flies by the seat of their pants, you'll love it.
|[[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.  
|-
|-
|I'm no expert, and this is an expert project, right?  I won't fit in.
|Why not?  "''<span class="plainlinks">[http://blog.citizendium.org/2007/03/28/we-aint-elitist/ We ain't elitist.]</span>''" Experts and the general public work well together, shoulder-to-shoulder.  How can it possibly work?  Well, we can theorize all we like about that, but the fact is that it does! We ''want'' you here!  We ''need'' you here!
|-
|I'm a professional, and this is an open wiki.  Won't I end up butting heads with amateurs, like I have on Wikipedia?
|Probably not.  Yes, we are committed to openness, but [[CZ:we aren't Wikipedia|we aren't Wikipedia]].  And if you butt heads with an "amateur," it will probably be very [[CZ:professionalism|polite]], and as [[CZ:The Editor Role|editor]] you have the right to guide decisions in case of controversy.
|}
|}
For ''more'' ideas, see [[CZ:Getting Started|Getting Started]] for good links.


See?  No worries!  
<!--{{CZ:New}}-->
 
Do you want ''more'' introductory material?  Then see [[CZ:Getting Started|Getting Started]] for a bunch of good links.
 
=== Notes ===
''We don't actually require notes, but they are nice.''
<references/>
</div>
 
{{Getting Started}}

Latest revision as of 08:32, 31 October 2024

Citizendium Getting Started
Quick Start | About us | Help system | Start a new article | For Wikipedians  


If you're new to the Citizendium, we'd love you to dive "write" in. We recommend two things:

  1. Start an article.
  2. Edit someone else's article. How? Search to find an article on a topic you are interested in. Or check Recent Changes, navigate alphabetically, or find article via a Workgroup. 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 how to code the pages. You can learn how to edit by looking at existing pages (just click Edit to open the editor). Or see the top of how to edit an article. 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.
There are so many instruction and policy pages! How can I ever read all that? You need not read all that. The only way to really mess up is to do something that gets you banned from the project, such as self-promotion or slinging insults.
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 ideas, see Getting Started for good links.


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