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'''If this is your very first visit to this wiki, welcome!  And please read this.'''  It'll get you started, and it has some "do's and don'ts" you should know about.
<center><div style="font-size: x-large">Let's get started!</div></center>


If you've never used a wiki before, finish reading this page first for an orientation, then make [[Help:Contents|the help page]] your next stop.
{|align="center" cellpadding="10" style="width:70%; border: 1px solid #aaa; margin:20px; font-size: 90%;"
|You can find an array of ''Citizendium'' help pages here, all aimed at explaining "the basics"--what you need to know to get started as a Citizen.  Please explore and read, but bear in mind: you can learn a lot by doing, and no one will mind if you make a few mistakes as you do so.  Since this is a wiki, mistakes can be easily fixed.  [[CZ:Be Bold|Be Bold]]--and welcome!


'''What do you want to do here?'''  You should do precisely what you want to do.  Since this is a bottom-up project, there is no one telling you what to work on, when. But here are some ideas:
; Your "getting started" to do list
* [[:Category:CZ Live|Look at the pages that others have been working on]], and help out.
:Things new Citizens should do:
* Start a whole new article! Put the name of a topic that interests you in the search box there to your left on the side bar. Hit Go. If there is an article that comes up, read it and add to it if you think you have something to say. If a notice comes up that says "no article with that title exists", then here's your chance!
:* Sign up using our {{ApplicationForm}}.
* If you start an article,
:* Read [[CZ:Quick Start|Quick Start]].  Short and sweet!
** '''Do''' add "<nowiki>[[Category:CZ Live]]</nowiki>" to the bottom of the article. That makes it show up on [[:Category:CZ Live]].  That way we keep track of what we've done.  (Later, that list will be constructed automatically.)
:* Read some of the documents linked below, if you wish.
** '''Do''' add a "<nowiki>[[Category:<discipline> Workgroup]]</nowiki>" tag to the bottom of the article: see the [[CZ:Discipline Workgroups|list of workgroups]].  This will help people in that workgroup follow changes made to articles in their area.
|}


'''Make your user page.'''  We think it's only polite to let other people know who they're dealing with.  So, when you get a chance, edit your user page (a link to it will be up at the top of the page) and say a little about yourself.  But user pages should be ''limited'' to only the following sorts of information:
; Join us!
* Biographical information (your education, interests, etc.).
: It's easy!
* Articles you have started or are watching.
:* Our {{ApplicationForm}} - We are open to both experts and the general public.
* "To do" lists.
:* '''[[CZ:User Pages|User Pages]]''' - A bio goes on your user page, which you can edit but must maintain in order to remain a member.   
* Other helpful notes directly of personal use to you in your work on the Citizendium.
* Editors require further information--a link to CV-type information and a list of your areas of expertise.  See [[User:Gareth Leng]] for an example (sorry to put on the spot there Dr. Leng :-) ).
* Wikipedians: please don't use "user boxes." CZ discourages standardizing group membership in this way.


'''Here are a few general hints.'''
; Learn about us
* To learn the technical means of editing a page on Citizendium's wiki, see [[CZ:How to Edit Citizendium|how to Edit Citizendium]].
: Essential reading.  Don't miss these crucial documents.  (They're part of the [[CZ:Organization]] pages.)
* Everybody wants to know what's going on on the wiki.  For that, use the [http://pilot.citizendium.org/wiki/Special:Recentchanges recent changes page] (link on the left, not to be confused with "Random page" and "Related changes") is a source of endless fascination.  It allows you to explore what other people are up to, help them, and "keep them honest."
:* '''[[CZ:About|About]]''' - An introduction to the ''Citizendium;'' our goals.
* This is an "alpha" pilot project, which means that things might break occasionally.  Don't let that freak you out.  Just ask questions if you're curious.
:* '''[[Help:Index|Help system]]''' - questions and answers to find the help you need.
* Be bold in updating pages!  Don't be shy!
:* '''[[CZ:FAQ|FAQ]]''' - A lengthier, question-and-answer style introduction.
* But be kind and collegial.  Among other things, this means that if you edit someone else's work on the ''Citizendium,'' you should explain why you made the edits you did on the "discussion" page.
:* '''[[CZ:Policies|Policies]]''' - The current "constitution" of the ''Citizendium'' community.


* Want to discuss general policy, get help, etc.? Don't do that here on the wiki except about particular articles (use the "discussion" tab).  Instead, join [https://lists.purdue.edu/mailman/listinfo/citizendium-l Citizendium-L] and, if you're an editor, [https://lists.purdue.edu/mailman/listinfo/citizendium-editors Citizendium-Editors] (you should already be subscribed, actually, if you accepted our invitation).  Also, there's a lot of good stuff in the [http://smf.citizendium.org/ Citizendium Forums].
; How to get to work
: You don't need to read a thick manual before actually working.  We'd prefer it if you just dove in, which you can do, because wikis are ''easy'' (really!).  But the following documents should clarify your role as author or editor, and give you an idea of where to have your questions answered in the future.
:* '''[[CZ:Start Article|How to start a new article]]''' - There's an easy way--and it is ''very'' easy.
:* '''[[CZ:The Author Role|The Author Role]]''' - Authors are the lifeblood of the project. How to do your job.
:* '''[[CZ:The Editor Role|The Editor Role]]''' - "Editor" means something a little different here than what you might be used to.
:* '''[[CZ:Introduction to CZ for Wikipedians|Introduction to CZ for Wikipedians]]''' - We do things differently here, but not ''that'' differently.
:* '''[[CZ:Essentials|A few essentials]]''' - Here are a few hints if you want to avoid common ''faux pas.''
:* '''[[CZ:How you can help|How you can help]]''' - What to do.  There's a lot that needs to be done!


'''Where are the rules?'''  This is a wiki.  That means that smart people working in good faith usually don't need rules.  But we do of course have some rules that are under active development. See [[Citizendium_Pilot:Project_Home#Policy|our Policy Outline]].
; ''Citizendium'' culture
: We're a community, and we have a culture.  Read about what "gets us going" and what "makes us tick."
:* '''[[CZ:Why Citizendium?|Why Citizendium?]]''' - Why should you contribute at all?  There are many good answers.
:* '''[[CZ:Be Bold|Be Bold]]''' - If no one is giving out orders, you're free. Freedom requires boldness!
:* '''[[CZ:Under Construction|Under Construction]]''' - This is a new wiki.  Things aren't perfect.  That's OK--for now.
:* '''[[CZ:How to collaborate|How to collaborate]]''' - Collaboration with a global group of colleagues requires finesse.
:* '''[[CZ:Group Editing]]''' - Commentary on how editing and writing as a group is much different than rough draft/final copy formats that most are used to.
:* '''[[CZ:Professionalism|Professionalism]]''' - We're a pretty friendly bunch.


'''"I'm an editor, where do I go to learn about my editor duties?"'''  Again, see [[CZ:Policy Outline|our Policy Outline]]. An important page to read covers our [[CZ:Approval Process|approval process]].  Also, as an editor, you can start making decisions about articles in your specific areas of expertise. Simply begin a section titled "Editors' Instructions" (or something similar) at the top of the article's discussion page.  If you have some question as to whether you are in fact an editor of a particular article, consult the policy outline, first, and if you have questions still, then contact Larry Sanger.
; Learn more
: This is just a getting-started page.  There's a lot more on the community home page, '''[[CZ:Home]].''' Here are some other links to help you get started.
:* '''[[CZ:How to edit an article|How to edit an article]]''' - The technical nitty-gritty. WikiMedia markup, etc.
:* '''[[CZ:Approval Standards|Approval Standards]]''' - A list of the qualities a good article should have.
:* '''[[CZ:Article mechanics|Article mechanics]]''' - A guide to mechanics and style
:* '''[[CZ:Subpages|Subpages]]''' - We're more than just an encyclopedia.  See what else.
:* '''[[CZ:Workgroups|Workgroups]]''' - How we organize ourselves by discipline.
:* '''[[Citizendium]] by Citizendium''' - our article about ourselves.
:* '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnL00TdmLY Introductory Video]''' - A third-party video introducing the concept of [[wiki]]s.


'''Why ''Citizendium'' at all?'''  Because we love knowledge and love formulating it beautifully.  Because the world needs a better free encyclopedia than Wikipedia.  Because it's merely productive to respect expertise.
{{Getting Started}}
 
[[Category:Getting Started]]
'''Next stop?'''  If you've never used a wiki before, then make [[Help:Contents|the help page]] your next stop.  But if you have, what are you waiting for?  Dive right in!

Latest revision as of 12:07, 14 February 2021

Let's get started!
You can find an array of Citizendium help pages here, all aimed at explaining "the basics"--what you need to know to get started as a Citizen. Please explore and read, but bear in mind: you can learn a lot by doing, and no one will mind if you make a few mistakes as you do so. Since this is a wiki, mistakes can be easily fixed. Be Bold--and welcome!
Your "getting started" to do list
Things new Citizens should do:
  • Sign up using our application form (Google Account required).
  • Read Quick Start. Short and sweet!
  • Read some of the documents linked below, if you wish.
Join us!
It's easy!
  • Our application form (Google Account required) - We are open to both experts and the general public.
  • User Pages - A bio goes on your user page, which you can edit but must maintain in order to remain a member.
Learn about us
Essential reading. Don't miss these crucial documents. (They're part of the CZ:Organization pages.)
  • About - An introduction to the Citizendium; our goals.
  • Help system - questions and answers to find the help you need.
  • FAQ - A lengthier, question-and-answer style introduction.
  • Policies - The current "constitution" of the Citizendium community.
How to get to work
You don't need to read a thick manual before actually working. We'd prefer it if you just dove in, which you can do, because wikis are easy (really!). But the following documents should clarify your role as author or editor, and give you an idea of where to have your questions answered in the future.
Citizendium culture
We're a community, and we have a culture. Read about what "gets us going" and what "makes us tick."
  • Why Citizendium? - Why should you contribute at all? There are many good answers.
  • Be Bold - If no one is giving out orders, you're free. Freedom requires boldness!
  • Under Construction - This is a new wiki. Things aren't perfect. That's OK--for now.
  • How to collaborate - Collaboration with a global group of colleagues requires finesse.
  • CZ:Group Editing - Commentary on how editing and writing as a group is much different than rough draft/final copy formats that most are used to.
  • Professionalism - We're a pretty friendly bunch.
Learn more
This is just a getting-started page. There's a lot more on the community home page, CZ:Home. Here are some other links to help you get started.


Citizendium Getting Started
Join | Quick Start | About us | Help system | How to start a new article | For Wikipedians
How to Edit
Getting Started Organization Technical Help
Policies Content Policy
Welcome Page
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