User talk:ThomasStevens

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Thanks for the help Ash! Your layout is such an improvement. I'll go back and read more on the "tutorial" and "how to" pages this week. I'm getting the hang of this slowly:-)

Hope to stop down in Austin some time before Christmas. Maybe I'll run into you then.

Thomas Stevens 17:15, 10 Jul 2005 (CDT)

Alas, I am moving to San Francisco in three weeks. :) However, maybe I'll be here visiting the folks... Fr. Ash 17:17, 10 Jul 2005 (CDT)

Based on your userpage, you seem a little confused about how this site works. It is using software called a wiki, which is an umbrella term for an internet-based system that allows users to make changes to pages quickly and easily through their browser. On this site, we use the software package from MediaWiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MediaWiki), which is written in PHP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PHP) and the content is stored within a MySQL (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MySQL) database.

If you need more technical information, here are two useful pages: Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki), Wiki Software (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki_software). I hope this helps. Fr. Ash 16:50, 10 Jul 2005 (CDT)

We must discuss your article naming practices. At the moment, they aren't making much sense. For example, you have article Setting...that obviously refers to the setting of a book called "The Great God Pan". Here is what I recommend: title the main article "The Great God Pan (book)", and include sections in that article such as "Setting," "Plot Summary", etc. These should not be articles in and of themselves. Fr. Ash 14:08, 10 Jul 2005 (CDT)

Update: Okay. I've moved the article to The Great God Pan (book), and edited it to have the links be sections. Please move the contents of those articles over to the main page, and I'll delete the stray articles.

PS. I appreciate your enthusiam, so don't take this as a message to quit. We just need to work on your technical skills. If you haven't yet, please read Really_Simple_Tutorial and How_to_Contribute. Fr. Ash 14:14, 10 Jul 2005 (CDT)

Update 2: I apologize for being unclear. What we need is one article called The Great God Pan (book). Within that one article should be sections such as "Summary", "Characters", etc. I have already added those sections to the page, so all you have to do is add content. Thank you. Fr. Ash 16:33, 10 Jul 2005 (CDT)

93,

Thanks for the tips. You wouldn't happen to know where I could find a wiki editor that allows me to see the results before publishing would you (FrontPage for wiki)? I'd keep everything off line until finished, but I have a hard time knowing what my code will look like when finished since I'm picking this up by trial and error and example. I know there is the preview button. But I have a hard time overcoming the urge to save after after looking for the out-of-place perentheses for 20 minutes. The fact that this language sees white space makes it hard to write in an easily readable manner.

The list I've created is from Appendix 1 of Book 4. Your right. Section 2 is a pretty non-descript name (I'm also organizing as I go along). How do I change a page name?

By the way, I assume I edit talk to get back with you. How would I initiate usertalk?

I’m sorry but I only use windows when I have to so I can't really suggest software. But if you use firebird for a web browser, there is a wiki extension that gives you formatting buttons. For bold all you have to do is select what you want to be bold and click the button. And so on for the other markups.

As far as the urge to save… well… might I suggest Liber Jugorum ;-)

To get to anyone’s talk page just click on their name then click on the Discussion link right next to the edit link. This is also how you get to the talk page of any article if you have a comment to make. When you do this make sure to sign your post with ~~~~ the software with convert it to your username linked to your user page so they know who is talking to them.

BTW I moved this to your "real" userpage. I made a mistake with the last one. oops!

Frater C.U.G. 00:04, 6 Jul 2005 (CDT)

93!

I just wanted to say good job jumping in and helping Thelemapedia grow! But I have a few suggestions.

On Literature Recommended to Aspirants for example, it needs some intro information (who what where when why how) Remember the reader might not know a thing about Thelema and comes to Thelemapedia to find information. (the same goes for Section 2)

Another thing, try not to make a ton of small edits on the same page. If you just want to see if you got it looking how you want please use the preview button. Another way you could do it is using an editor on your computer (notepad, word etc.) that way you can save the article on your computer until you have a major change. Don’t get me wrong if you see a page that only needs a small edit go ahead and edit.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask. Anyway keep up the good work!

93 93/93 Your Friendly Thelemapedia Steward, Frater C.U.G. 13:54, 5 Jul 2005 (CDT)

To get rid of this message, hit the "edit" button above and remove the code that says "{{welcome}}".

93 and Greetings, ThomasStevens! Welcome to Thelemapedia...

Since you've decided to become an editor, we're all assuming that you want to contribute to the site. There are many ways to do so, and you are welcome to dive right in. Here are some first steps to take:

The Really Simple Tutorial—It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you go through this Tutorial...it's quick and easy, and really will save you a lot of headaches.
Join the coversation (http://www.scarletwoman.org/lounge/index.php?showforum=35)—You can sign up for the Thelemapedia Yahoo! e-list (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thelemapedia/) to get important announcements from Stewards; you can read/post to the blog at LiveJournal (http://www.livejournal.com/community/thelemapedia/); or visit in The Lounge Forum (http://www.scarletwoman.org/lounge/index.php?showforum=35).
Projects page—This is a great place to find out what contributions the site really needs. The recent changes page can also be very useful (it even has an RSS feed).
Help & How-To files—Exiting, mind-bending reading that will help you create better Thelemapedia articles.
Change your preferences—you can always do this in the black menu bar at top right whenever you are signed in.

Other useful pages

Where to start
Editorial Policy Basic policies regarding content and behavior on Thelemapedia
How to Contribute A quick start primer for adding content to Thelemapedia
Common Sources How to cite sources (including short libers), and a list of common books in reference format
Stewards The caretakers of the site
What Thelemapedia is not
Thelemapedia Power Structure Who's in charge

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Other tips

Rule #1: Your contributions do not have to be explicitly about Thelema. If you know about history, philosophy, astrology, tarot, mythology, alchemy, other religions, etc., then write about that. Thelemapedia needs it all.
When creating or editing an article, remember to avoid the first person and signing your name. Write in a concise, straightforward way—avoid romantic, poetic, or speculative language. Articles should reflect two things: the knowledge base (i.e. stuff in print) and common knowledge. When taking info from print, cite your sources! Try to think of Thelemapedia articles as short high school research papers.
To sign your posts on Discussion Pages, use the '~' symbol. To insert just your name, type ~~~ (3 tildes), or, to insert your name and timestamp, use ~~~~ (4 tildes).
Consider putting something on your User Page—just hit your name in the black box at the top right and start typing.

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Contribution strategies

There are many ways you can contribute to Thelemapedia:

Begin a new topic. Find a red link or create a brand new topic and get writing. The beauty of the wiki is that you don't have to write a complete article. Just write as much as you know or have time for.
Edit existing topics. Many articles are too short, have missing information, or need a Thelemic perspective. Such articles really need your help. There is a link to lists of articles that fall in these categories right on the Main Page in the box called "Editor's Corner".
Fact-checking. Comb through articles and make sure that things stated as facts really are.
Correcting spelling and grammar. Pretty self-explainetory, huh?
Formatting. You don't need to change content to make it more legible. Take what's there, move it around, add headers...do what you must to make it easier to read (please!).
Adding citations and links. If you see quotes or statements that you know come from specific sources, help the article out by putting in a citation and links to relevant materials.

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The Zen of Wiki

Being a Thelemapedia editor is an exercise in emotional detachment. Always keep in mind that everything you add is open to editing, changing, mangling, and even deletion. This is the nature of a wiki, and if you take too much ownership of what you write here, you will end up angry or disappointed. However, if you can get into the groove of knowledge evolution as you watch articles take on a life of their own, then you can expect to be quite happy here.

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Now go explore, edit, and collaborate

Okay, that's all from me. To get rid of all this blabbering, just hit the Edit button on the silver toolbar and erase the template code that says "{{welcome}}". Explore, be bold in editing pages, and, most importantly, have fun!

If you need assistance, please contact me or one of the other Stewards by leaving a note...you do this by going to our user page (just click our name) and hitting the "discussion" link in the silver bar, and editing that page. You can also ask questions in The Lounge (http://www.scarletwoman.org/lounge/index.php?showforum=35).

93 93/93
Frater C.U.G.

PS. A final note: Thelemapedia really needs your help in growing. If you would like to help promote Thelemapedia, please consider doing some or all of the following:

Put a link or banner on your homepage, LJ user page, or other web interface you have access to.
Create links: If you come across a site that has a links page, and seems suitable for Thelemapedia, you can write a polite email to the webmaster telling them about this site, and requesting a link.
Write about Thelemapedia in other online discussion forums and blogs.
Put up your very own "Thelemapedia Editor" seal on your homepage.

To find out about links, banners, and more strategies, read our Promotions page.

Retrieved from "http://thelemapedia.org/index.php/User_talk:ThomasStevens"

+Thanks for the help Ash!  Your layout is such an improvement.  I'll go back and read more on the "tutorial" and "how to" pages this week.  I'm getting the hang of this slowly:-)
+Hope to stop down in Austin some time before Christmas.  Maybe I'll run into you then.
+[[User:ThomasStevens|Thomas Stevens]] 17:15, 10 Jul 2005 (CDT)
+:Alas, I am moving to San Francisco in three weeks. :)  However, maybe I'll be here visiting the folks...  [[User:Ash|Fr. Ash]] 17:17, 10 Jul 2005 (CDT)
+----
+Based on your userpage, you seem a little confused about how this site works. It is using software called a wiki, which is an umbrella term for an internet-based system that allows users to make changes to pages quickly and easily through their browser. On this site,  we use the software package from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MediaWiki MediaWiki], which is written in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PHP PHP] and the content is stored within a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MySQL MySQL] database.
+If you need more technical information, here are two useful pages: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki Wiki], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki_software Wiki Software]. I hope this helps. [[User:Ash|Fr. Ash]] 16:50, 10 Jul 2005 (CDT)
+----
 We must discuss your article naming practices. At the moment, they aren't making much sense. For example, you have article [[Setting]]...that obviously refers to the setting of a book called "The Great God Pan". Here is what I recommend: title the main article "The Great God Pan (book)", and include sections in that article such as "Setting," "Plot Summary", etc. These should not be articles in and of themselves. [[User:Ash|Fr. Ash]] 14:08, 10 Jul 2005 (CDT)
 PS. I appreciate your enthusiam, so don't take this as a message to quit. We just need to work on your technical skills. If you haven't yet, please read [[Thelemapedia:Really_Simple_Tutorial|Really_Simple_Tutorial]] and [[Thelemapedia:How_to_Contribute|How_to_Contribute]]. [[User:Ash|Fr. Ash]] 14:14, 10 Jul 2005 (CDT)
+'''Update 2:''' I apologize for being unclear. What we need is one article called [[The Great God Pan (book)]]. Within that one article should be sections such as "Summary", "Characters", etc. I have already added those sections to the page, so all you have to do is add content. Thank you. [[User:Ash|Fr. Ash]] 16:33, 10 Jul 2005 (CDT)
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