• TWiki has a very simple text formatting shorthand. In any case, you won't go wrong if you simply:

• Run together capitalized words to form WikiWords:

• • make up meaningful, reasonably brief Wiki names - it can be a challenge (it'll sharpen you up!)

• • separate each follow-up with a space

• • if a sub-topic develops, separate it with a horizontal rule at beginning and end

• • start with a brief, factual introduction, followed by double horizontal rules
  • let the discussion begin

• When a discussion dies down and the page becomes static, if you're clear on your course, feel free to refactor mercilessly:

• • if you merge or delete comments, group credit Contributors: at the end of the page
  • This is how Wiki content matures and grows in value over time.

• TIP: Check the source when you want to find out how something is formatted: click Edit on the lower toolbar. To see earlier versions, click More, then check Raw text format and click View revision. A bit of HTML experience can't hurt, but you'll soon see with TWikiShorthand how far that is from necessary.

GoodStyle Collaboration Tips

• If a discussion is going on:
  • separate each follow-up with a horizontal rule
  • add your WikiName and the date at the end
  • OR, by all means, insert your comment where it seems to fit best:
    • you may want to inset it with a bullet and/or set it in italics so it's clear (always sign and date)

• • if you merge or delete comments, you can group credit Contributors: at the end of the page

• For external site links, you can type URLs directly into the text - http://etcete.ra/... - it'll clear to anyone where they're headed on click.

• TWiki is intended for world-wide use, and an international standard date format like 01 Sep 2001 is preferred. It's universally understood, and clearer than the xx/xx/xx format, where a date like 9/1/01 can mean either Jan or Sep, depending on the local conventions of the readers. For months, use the first three letters: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr,...

• Check the source when you want to find out how something is formatted: click Edit on the lower toolbar. To see earlier versions, click More, then check Raw text format and click View revision. A bit of HTML experience can't hurt, but you'll soon see with TWiki shorthand how far that is from necessary.

• TWiki is international, and an international standard date format like 01 Sep 2001 is preferred. A date like 9/1/01, can mean either January or September, depending on the local conventions of the readers. For months, use the first three letters: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr,...

• Look at the source when you want to find out how something is formatted: click More on the lower toolbar, then checkmark Raw text format and click on [ View revision ]. A bit of HTML experience can't hurt, but you'll soon see with TWiki how far that is from necessary.

• TWiki has very simple text formatting rules. You won't go wrong if you:
  • start each line without spaces
  • separate paragraphs with a blank line

• Run together capitalized words to make WikiWords:
  • WikiWords automatically appear as hyperlinks
  • make up meaningful Wiki names - it can be a challenge (it'll sharpen you up!)
  • WikiWords has name-creation tips that may help

• If a discussion is going on on a WikiTopic:
  • separate each follow up with a horizontal rule
  • add your WikiName and date at the end

• A good format for a new topic is "dissertation followed by discussion":
  • start with a brief, factual introduction
  • then bring on the opinions.

• When a discussion dies down and the page becomes static, feel free to refactor mercilessly:
  • fearlessly edit down to capture the key points
  • reduce the noise without losing the facts or the flavor
  • if you merge or delete comments, you can group list "Contributors:" at the end of the page
  • That's how Wiki content matures and grows in value over time.

• For external site links, you can type URLs directly into the text - http://etcete.ra/... - it'll clear to anyone where they're headed on click.

• TWiki is international, and an ISO international standard date format like 06 Feb 1998 is preferred. A date like 2/6/98, can mean either Feb or Jun, depending on the local conventions of the readers. For months, use the first three letters: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr,...

• Look at the source when you want to find out how something is formatted: click Raw text on the lower toolbar. A bit of HTML experience can't hurt, but you'll soon see with TWiki how far that is from necessary.

If a discussion is going on on a WikiTopic, separate each follow up with a separator. It is style to add your WikiName and date at the end.

A good format for a new topic is "dissertation followed by discussion": a factual introduction followed by opinions. After a while, the discussion will die down and the page will become static. At that point, feel free to "refactor mercilessly" to capture the key points whilst reducing the noise; this is how wiki content matures with time.

If you summarise an old discussion and merge or delete individual contributions, you can add the word "Contributors:" to the bottom of the page, and list the contributors there.

If you want to link to external sites: Just type hyperlinks directly into the text - that makes it clear to readers whether they're browsing within netfrag.org or leaving it. It is usually better not to use the HTML tag <A HREF="..."> .

Date format: netfrag.org is international, so the ISO date format like "06 Feb 1998" is preferred to one like "2/6/98", which can mean either February or June to different readers. For the month use Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov or Dec.

-- PeterThoeny^? - 30 Jul 2000

Feel free to look at the source to an existing page if you want to see how something is formatted. A bit of HTML experience can't hurt, but is far from necessary.

-- TWikiGuest^? - 27 May 2000