Help:Source editor

Using the source code editor
It's easy to get started.

Lesson 1

 * Browse the existing pages: find topics that interest you - perhaps your local advocacy group, a favourite doctor.
 * Create a user profile: click on the 'Create Account' link near the top right hand corner of the page. Follow the steps.
 * Make your first edit: choose a page, click on the 'Edit' link (in the row of text ABOVE the page title). Add a few words, or a sentence.
 * You'll notice that the text looks different - less formatted / pretty - with strange characters (eg [ Fred Smith ] or = = Heading = =) - ignore these for the moment.
 * Preview your edit: scroll down to the bottom of the page, and find the 'Show Preview' button.
 * Add a short description of your change in the 'Comment' section (eg 'add comment about NIH study').
 * Click the 'Show Preview' button. You will now see the text in the 'prettier' format. Make sure your changes look okay.
 * Save your edit: Click the 'Save Page' button.
 * CONGRATULATIONS !! you've just made your first ME-Pedia edit.  :)

Lesson 2

 * Learn about formatting: there are special characters to create headings, italics, bolding, indented lists, etc.
 * formatting cheatsheet
 * Include references: if you're quoting a research study, or referring to an external website, include a hyperlink to the research study or website, using square brackets around the hyperlink - eg [ http://http://www.local.gov/about/ ].
 * Don't worry that it's not a full citation yet - there are other people who can do the complicated technical formatting
 * Experiment on your personal 'talk page': click on your 'user profile' link (near the top right), then click on the 'Create' link. Now you can safely experiment with your new formatting skills.



Lesson 3

 * Learn about the Edit History: choose any MEpedia page, and click on the 'View History' link near the top right.
 * You will see a list of all changes to the page, showing the date, time, user, and a brief description.
 * You can select (click on) two different edits, then click 'Compare Selected Revisions', to see a side-by-side comparison of the old text and the new text.
 * There are options to show/hide your own changes, or minor changes, etc
 * Be aware that it's possible to 'rollback' (reverse) an edit if something has gone drastically wrong. if in doubt, ask someone with technical skills to do this.
 * There is also a 'Recent Changes' link on the left-hand side of the page - this lists recent changes on ALL ME-pedia pages.

Lesson 4

 * Learn about the Discussion pages: choose any MEpedia page, and click on its 'Discussion' link near the top left.
 * You will see a list of comments by other users, including suggestions, discussion, criticisms, etc
 * To add your own comments - click on 'edit', add your comments at the end, add your signature and date stamp (see button)

CONGRATULATIONS - you now have the basic skills to edit ME-Pedia, and make it more wonderful !