CZ:Quick Start: Difference between revisions

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<div style="font-size:200%; text-align:center">'''Want to get started, but don't know how?'''</div><br><br>
<div style="font-size:200%; text-align:center">'''Want to get started, but don't know how?'''</div><br><br>
<div style="font-size:200%; text-align:right">'''Well, don't panic!<ref>With apologies to [[Douglas Adams]].</ref>'''</div>


<div style="font-size:100%;"><br><br>
<div style="font-size:100%;"><br><br>


'''If you're new to the ''Citizendium''''', we'd love you to dive "write" in.  We especially don't want you to feel intimidated. For instance, you may ''imagine'' we have impossibly high standards. Certainly we aim for high quality, but we also want participation to be easy and as much fun as possible—and we know that Rome wasn't built in a day.
'''If you're new to the ''Citizendium''''', we'd love you to dive "write" in.  We aim for high quality, but we also want participation to be easy and as much fun as possible.


'''What is the first thing you should do after [[Special:RequestAccount|you join?]]'''  While you can do whatever you like (it's a wiki!), we recommend two things:
'''What is the first thing you should do after [[Special:RequestAccount|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...'''
# '''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]],''' handily 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 very short articles.  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.''
# '''Edit someone else's article.'''  How?  Find an article on a topic you are interested in.  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 helpful addition.   


Are you still worried? Seriously, there is no need for that.  Let's cover some main worries.
Are you still worried?   Let's cover some main worries.


{|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?
|Don't I actually have to know a lot more to get involved?
|No.  To start getting involved, all you have to do is write and collaborate on articles.  ''That'' is really what it's all about.  
|No.  To start getting involved, all you have to do is write and collaborate on articles.  ''That'' is really what it's all about.  
|-
|-
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|-
|-
|width=33%|I'm skeptical.  I'll never be able to figure out that complicated wiki markup.
|width=33%|I'm skeptical.  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 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.  Besides, if you find it too hard, just email your article in word-processor format, and someone else will put in the mark-up and start your article in Citizendium: [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/CZ:Email_us_an_article_in_word_processor_format CZ:Email us an article in word processor format]
|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.''   Besides, if you find it too hard, just email your article in word-processor format, and someone else will put in the mark-up and start your article in Citizendium: [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/CZ:Email_us_an_article_in_word_processor_format CZ:Email us an article in word processor format]
|-
|-
|Subpages and "metadata"...I'll never figure it out.
|Subpages and "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 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. That's why we have an [[CZ:Start Article|Easy Way™]]!
|-
|Isn't this a waste of time?  How can you catch up with Wikipedia?
|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.
|-
|-
|There are ''so many'' [[CZ:Home|instruction and policy pages]]!  How can I ever read all that?
|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 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.
|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.
|-
|-
|I'm no expert, and this is an expert project, right?  I won't fit in.
|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!  
|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.  See also [[CZ:Why should experts join CZ?|Why should experts join CZ?]]
|}
|}
See?  No worries!
Do you want ''more'' introductory material?  Then see [[CZ:Getting Started|Getting Started]] for a bunch of good links.
Do you want ''more'' introductory material?  Then see [[CZ:Getting Started|Getting Started]] for a bunch of good links.


Revision as of 03:07, 24 December 2010

 

Just arrived?



Want to get started, but don't know how?





If you're new to the Citizendium, we'd love you to dive "write" in. We aim for high quality, but we also want participation to be easy and as much fun as possible.

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, handily 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 very short articles. They'll be expanded later, trust us. Then...
  2. Edit someone else's article. How? Find an article on a topic you are interested in. You can use the search box, or navigate alphabetically, or enter via "top articles" or 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 helpful addition.

Are you still worried? Let's cover some main worries.

Don't I actually have to know a lot more to get involved? No. To start getting involved, all you have to do is write and collaborate on articles. That is really what it's all about.
I am a non-technical person. Can you write e-mail? Then you can handle editing a wiki page.
I'm skeptical. I'll never be able to figure out that complicated wiki markup. 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 this page. It's not hard. Besides, if you find it too hard, just email your article in word-processor format, and someone else will put in the mark-up and start your article in Citizendium: CZ:Email us an article in word processor format
Subpages and "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 people who do are those that want to give advice about our standards. Everybody else flies by the seat of their pants.
I'm no expert, and this is an expert project, right? I won't fit in. Why not? "We ain't elitist." 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!

Do you want more introductory material? Then see Getting Started for a bunch of good links.

Notes

We don't actually require notes.[1]

  1. ↑ But they are nice, and many of us are note nerds.


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


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