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WikiIndex:User preferences help: Difference between revisions
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== User data == | {{TOCright}} | ||
==User data== | |||
<pre> | <pre> | ||
User data | User data | ||
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</pre> | </pre> | ||
* '''Your e-mail''': You may optionally register your e-mail address (it will not be shown publicly on the site). This will enable you to reset your password by clicking the "Mail me a new password" box on the log in screen at the top right, if you forget it. Additionally, it will enable other registered users to send e-mail to you from the "E-mail this user" link on your user page unless you've checked the ''disable'' box (see below). | *'''Your e-mail''': You may optionally register your e-mail address (it will not be shown publicly on the site). This will enable you to reset your password by clicking the "Mail me a new password" box on the log in screen at the top right, if you forget it. Additionally, it will enable other registered users to send e-mail to you from the "E-mail this user" link on your user page unless you've checked the ''disable'' box (see below). | ||
*'''Disable e-mail from other users''': If you check this, users will not be able to send you e-mail by way of the "E-mail this user" feature. | *'''Disable e-mail from other users''': If you check this, users will not be able to send you e-mail by way of the "E-mail this user" feature. | ||
===Your nickname=== | ===Your nickname=== | ||
We prefer that you use your '''[[WikiIndex:RealNames|RealName]]''' as your [[username]], the term "nickname" is used here for a name you may optionally specify, different from your username, for when you enter your signature with <code><nowiki>~~~</nowiki></code> or <code><nowiki>~~~~</nowiki></code>. | |||
The [[wiki]] software allows even more versatility if you check the "Raw signatures (without automatic link)" checkbox. This prevents the software from automatically linking your signature, and allows you to specify how you'd like your signature linked instead. So, for instance, you could add a link to your talk page by typing this into the nickname box: <small><tt><nowiki>[[User:Name|Name]] | [[User talk:Name|talk]]</nowiki></tt></small>. | |||
You can also personalize the color of your signature using a simple span tag: <small><tt><nowiki><span style="color: #xxxxxx;">[[User:Name|Name]]</span></nowiki></tt></small> where "xxxxxx" is any [[wp:Web colors|hexidecimal color code]]. | |||
You can also | You can also include images and [[:Category:Templates|templates]]. Note that changes in the images and templates are retroactive, which on one hand may be confusing, but on the other hand, to rectify annoying signatures, may be convenient. To avoid retroactivity, use a new image or template name. | ||
Note that: | Note that: | ||
*we prefer you folloe the [[UseRealNames]] policy | *we prefer you folloe the [[WikiIndex:RealNames|UseRealNames]] policy | ||
*if you show your username as an image, or with letters replaced by special characters, even if the name is still readable, searching a talk page for your username will fail | *if you show your username as an image, or with letters replaced by special characters, even if the name is still readable, searching a talk page for your username will fail | ||
*excessive signatures may clutter talk pages | *excessive signatures may clutter talk pages | ||
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If you use the edit toolbar for signing, remember that it gives two dashes before the four tildes (Use 3 tildas to not have the time/date stamp) | If you use the edit toolbar for signing, remember that it gives two dashes before the four tildes (Use 3 tildas to not have the time/date stamp) | ||
=== Password === | ===Password=== | ||
To change your password, enter your old password, the new password, and the new password a second time. (If you're merely changing the other preferences, you do not need to enter your password.) | To change your password, enter your old password, the new password, and the new password a second time. (If you're merely changing the other preferences, you do not need to enter your password.) | ||
* '''Remember password across sessions'''. Enabling this feature will place a cookie in your browser's cache, which will allow MediaWiki to recognize you each time you visit the page. You will not have to log in each time you visit. | *'''Remember password across sessions'''. Enabling this feature will place a cookie in your browser's cache, which will allow [[:Category:MediaWiki|MediaWiki]] to recognize you each time you visit the page. You will not have to log in each time you visit. | ||
If you want to use ''remember my password'' you have to change your password if it was generated by | If you want to use ''remember my password'' you have to change your password if it was generated by MediaWiki and emailed to you. This is a security feature but very often causes trouble for new users. | ||
==QuickBar settings== | |||
This selection only works in the Classic and Cologne Blue skins (see below). In Monobook there is a left panel anyway; in Nostalgia there is none. | This selection only works in the Classic and Cologne Blue skins (see below). In Monobook there is a left panel anyway; in Nostalgia there is none. | ||
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The QuickBar must be enabled to allow you access to some features such as moving (renaming) a page, and in the case of Classic, also to arrive at the Special Pages, unless you type the URL. | The QuickBar must be enabled to allow you access to some features such as moving (renaming) a page, and in the case of Classic, also to arrive at the Special Pages, unless you type the URL. | ||
== Skin == | ==Skin== | ||
'''Skin'''<br> | '''Skin'''<br> | ||
O Classic<br> | O Classic<br> | ||
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To use the full width of the screen for the main text, use Classic without quickbar or Nostalgia. The drawback is that links are missing to the special pages and your user page, respectively. | To use the full width of the screen for the main text, use Classic without quickbar or Nostalgia. The drawback is that links are missing to the special pages and your user page, respectively. | ||
== Rendering math == | ==Rendering math== | ||
<pre> | <pre> | ||
Rendering math | Rendering math | ||
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</pre> | </pre> | ||
MediaWiki allows you to enter mathematical equations as well. These options let you control how that code is rendered into PNG images. | MediaWiki allows you to enter mathematical equations as well. These options let you control how that code is rendered into PNG images. | ||
* '''Always render PNG''': Always make a PNG image from the TeX code. | *'''Always render PNG''': Always make a PNG image from the TeX code. | ||
* '''HTML if very simple or else PNG''': If the TeX code is very simple, like "x = 3", render it as HTML. For more complex code, render as PNG. | *'''HTML if very simple or else PNG''': If the TeX code is very simple, like "x = 3", render it as HTML. For more complex code, render as PNG. | ||
* '''HTML if possible or else PNG''': This option tries really hard to use HTML, but if it's too complicated, then it renders it as PNG. | *'''HTML if possible or else PNG''': This option tries really hard to use HTML, but if it's too complicated, then it renders it as PNG. | ||
* '''Leave it as TeX''': Don't convert the TeX code, just show it. This is primarily for text-based browsers like Lynx. | *'''Leave it as TeX''': Don't convert the TeX code, just show it. This is primarily for text-based browsers like Lynx. | ||
* '''Recommended for modern browsers'''. If you use a web browser that was released in the past year or so, use this option. | *'''Recommended for modern browsers'''. If you use a web browser that was released in the past year or so, use this option. | ||
* '''MathML if possible (experimental)''' | *'''MathML if possible (experimental)''' | ||
==Date format== | ==Date format== | ||
The following is rendered depending on preferences: | The following is rendered depending on preferences: | ||
<pre> | <pre> | ||
[[2001-01-15]] | [[2001-01-15]] | ||
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*[[January 15]] | *[[January 15]] | ||
*[[15 January]] | *[[15 January]] | ||
By default the rendering is as usual for links. However one can specify as preference that all of the first five are rendered the same, in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th way. If the 4th or 5th way is selected, the 6th and 7th line are not affected. | By default the rendering is as usual for links. However one can specify as preference that all of the first five are rendered the same, in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th way. If the 4th or 5th way is selected, the 6th and 7th line are not affected. | ||
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</pre> | </pre> | ||
* '''Rows''', '''Columns'''. Here you can set up your preferred dimensions for the textbox used for editing page text. | *'''Rows''', '''Columns'''. Here you can set up your preferred dimensions for the textbox used for editing page text. | ||
* '''Edit box has full width'''. If this box is checked, the edit box (when you click "Edit this page") will be the width of the browser window, minus the quickbar width. | *'''Edit box has full width'''. If this box is checked, the edit box (when you click "Edit this page") will be the width of the browser window, minus the quickbar width. | ||
* '''Show edit toolbar'''. In compatible browsers, a toolbar with editing buttons can be displayed. | *'''Show edit toolbar'''. In compatible browsers, a toolbar with editing buttons can be displayed. | ||
* '''Show preview before edit box and not after it'''. If you select this option, the preview will be displayed above the exit box when you click the "Show preview" button while editing a page. | *'''Show preview before edit box and not after it'''. If you select this option, the preview will be displayed above the exit box when you click the "Show preview" button while editing a page. | ||
* '''Add pages you edit to your watchlist'''. If this option is selected, any articles that you create or modify will be automatically added to your watchlist. | *'''Add pages you edit to your watchlist'''. If this option is selected, any articles that you create or modify will be automatically added to your watchlist. | ||
* '''Mark all edits minor by default'''. This option automatically selects the "This is a minor edit" checkbox when you edit pages. | *'''Mark all edits minor by default'''. This option automatically selects the "This is a minor edit" checkbox when you edit pages. | ||
== Time zone== | ==Time zone== | ||
<pre> | <pre> | ||
Time zone | Time zone | ||
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Local time display: 08:34 | Local time display: 08:34 | ||
Offset*: | Offset*: | ||
* Enter number of hours your local time differs from server time (UTC). | *Enter number of hours your local time differs from server time (UTC). | ||
</pre> | </pre> | ||
* '''Time diff'''. This is the number of hours to be added or subtracted from UTC to find your time zone. This time zone is used when calculating displayed page update timestamps, and may become temporarily incorrect from time to time if you observe daylight saving time -- don't forget to update it to match ''your'' local time, because the Wiki doesn't know where you are or precisely when you celebrate DST. (Also, the server's clock may be slightly offset from reality, much as Wikipedia articles may be.) A scattering of typical (and possibly incorrect!) time diff values are below. If yours isn't listed, try [http://www.timeanddate.com/time/abbreviations.html this link] or add and subtract a few hours as needed. | *'''Time diff'''. This is the number of hours to be added or subtracted from UTC to find your time zone. This time zone is used when calculating displayed page update timestamps, and may become temporarily incorrect from time to time if you observe daylight saving time -- don't forget to update it to match ''your'' local time, because the Wiki doesn't know where you are or precisely when you celebrate DST. (Also, the server's clock may be slightly offset from reality, much as Wikipedia articles may be.) A scattering of typical (and possibly incorrect!) time diff values are below. If yours isn't listed, try [http://www.timeanddate.com/time/abbreviations.html this link] or add and subtract a few hours as needed. | ||
** -10 (DST -9) Hawaii and western Aleutian Islands. (Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time) | ** -10 (DST -9) Hawaii and western Aleutian Islands. (Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time) | ||
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talk Help Help talk Category Category talk | talk Help Help talk Category Category talk | ||
</pre> | </pre> | ||
* '''Hits to show per page''': You may choose the number of results returned on each page of search results. | *'''Hits to show per page''': You may choose the number of results returned on each page of search results. | ||
* '''Lines to show per hit''' is somewhat cryptic; specifying a number n means: "do not show any context if the search term occurs beyond line n in the page"; here a paragraph, as well as the blank line between two paragrahs, each count as one "line"; line breaks in the source, even when not affecting the lay-out of the page (and even when not directly visible in the edit box of the article), affect the line count. Setting the parameter to 5000 or more gives context for every occurrence. | *'''Lines to show per hit''' is somewhat cryptic; specifying a number n means: "do not show any context if the search term occurs beyond line n in the page"; here a paragraph, as well as the blank line between two paragrahs, each count as one "line"; line breaks in the source, even when not affecting the lay-out of the page (and even when not directly visible in the edit box of the article), affect the line count. Setting the parameter to 5000 or more gives context for every occurrence. | ||
* '''Characters of context per line''': the number of characters of context per occurrence; however, the context is anyway restricted to the "line" (see above) it occurs in. To get the whole line, put a large number like 5000. | *'''Characters of context per line''': the number of characters of context per occurrence; however, the context is anyway restricted to the "line" (see above) it occurs in. To get the whole line, put a large number like 5000. | ||
*'''Search in these namespaces by default''':shows a list of all namespaces (not the same in all projects; also a useful indicator what MediaWiki version is used), allowing one to select which ones are searched by default; see also Namespaces searched. | *'''Search in these namespaces by default''':shows a list of all namespaces (not the same in all projects; also a useful indicator what MediaWiki version is used), allowing one to select which ones are searched by default; see also Namespaces searched. | ||
== Misc settings == | ==Misc settings== | ||
<pre> | <pre> | ||
Show hoverbox over wiki links | Show hoverbox over wiki links | ||
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Disable page caching | Disable page caching | ||
</pre> | </pre> | ||
* '''Show hoverbox over wiki links'''. This option determines whether a link title is put in the HTML code. The result depends on the browser: putting the mouse pointer over a link often displays this title in a hover box. However, some browsers show the URL anyway, so a link title may be superfluous. If enabled, the link title is the page name in the case of an internal link, the page name with prefix in the case of an interwiki link, and the URL in the case of an external link. | *'''Show hoverbox over wiki links'''. This option determines whether a link title is put in the HTML code. The result depends on the browser: putting the mouse pointer over a link often displays this title in a hover box. However, some browsers show the URL anyway, so a link title may be superfluous. If enabled, the link title is the page name in the case of an internal link, the page name with prefix in the case of an interwiki link, and the URL in the case of an external link. | ||
* '''Underline links'''. Normally, link text will be underlined. Optionally, you may request that links not be underlined, although your browser may not respect this setting. Normally links that are not underlined can still be recognized by color. However, one can then not distinguish between two consecutive words being a single link or two links, without pointing at the words with the cursor. | *'''Underline links'''. Normally, link text will be underlined. Optionally, you may request that links not be underlined, although your browser may not respect this setting. Normally links that are not underlined can still be recognized by color. However, one can then not distinguish between two consecutive words being a single link or two links, without pointing at the words with the cursor. | ||
* '''Format broken links <font color="CC2200"><u>like this</u></font>'''. An internal link to a non-existing pages is automatically a link to the edit page. By default the link label of <nowiki>[[b]]</nowiki> and <nowiki>[[a|b]]</nowiki> is "b", just like for links to existing pages. Alternatively the link label is a question mark inserted after "b", like this: The weather in Paris[[The weather in Paris|?]]. The appearance of the link is further determined by the style specified for css selectors "a.new" and "a.new:hover" (the example on the preferences page wrongly uses class="internal" for the question mark). Internal links to pages which do not yet exist currently appear on your browser like this: [[the weather in Paris]]. Normally, this is underlined and in red. With the trailing question mark link one can then not distinguish between a single word being linked or a phrase of more than one word, without pointing at the question mark with the cursor. Also, remember that the question mark does not mean that the information is uncertain. | *'''Format broken links <font color="CC2200"><u>like this</u></font>'''. An internal link to a non-existing pages is automatically a link to the edit page. By default the link label of <nowiki>[[b]]</nowiki> and <nowiki>[[a|b]]</nowiki> is "b", just like for links to existing pages. Alternatively the link label is a question mark inserted after "b", like this: The weather in Paris[[The weather in Paris|?]]. The appearance of the link is further determined by the style specified for css selectors "a.new" and "a.new:hover" (the example on the preferences page wrongly uses class="internal" for the question mark). Internal links to pages which do not yet exist currently appear on your browser like this: [[the weather in Paris]]. Normally, this is underlined and in red. With the trailing question mark link one can then not distinguish between a single word being linked or a phrase of more than one word, without pointing at the question mark with the cursor. Also, remember that the question mark does not mean that the information is uncertain. | ||
* '''Justify paragraphs'''. If set, article paragraphs will be formatted to avoid jagged line endings. If unset, the paragraphs will be formatted as-is. | *'''Justify paragraphs'''. If set, article paragraphs will be formatted to avoid jagged line endings. If unset, the paragraphs will be formatted as-is. | ||
*'''Auto-number headings'''. This adds hierarchical outline-style numbering to headers in articles. | *'''Auto-number headings'''. This adds hierarchical outline-style numbering to headers in articles. | ||
* '''Edit pages on double click'''. If this box is checked, you can double-click on a page to edit it. This option requires Javascript to be enabled in your browser. | *'''Edit pages on double click'''. If this box is checked, you can double-click on a page to edit it. This option requires Javascript to be enabled in your browser. | ||
*'''Enable section editing via [edit] links''' | *'''Enable section editing via [edit] links''' | ||
*'''Enable section editing by right clicking on section titles (JavaScript)''' | *'''Enable section editing by right clicking on section titles (JavaScript)''' | ||
*'''Show table of contents (for articles with more than 3 headings)''' | *'''Show table of contents (for articles with more than 3 headings)''' | ||
* '''Disable page caching'''. This turns off page caching. This is useful if you're experiencing problems of seeing outdated versions of pages, but this comes at a cost of longer loading times. | *'''Disable page caching'''. This turns off page caching. This is useful if you're experiencing problems of seeing outdated versions of pages, but this comes at a cost of longer loading times. | ||
==Notes== | |||
If you want to change your username (if, say, you didn't know about the use real names policy when you created your account, or your name changed when you got married), it is recommended that you do this retroactively in the sense that your previous user contributions are recorded under the new name. Users and sysops cannot do this, though a Beaucrat ''may'' be able to do so. Signatures are not changed and therefore will no longer match page histories of the talk pages concerned. However, you can edit signatures manually. Also other occurrences of your name on talk pages are not retroactively changed. The deletion log and the upload log are not altered. | If you want to change your username (if, say, you didn't know about the use real names policy when you created your account, or your name changed when you got married), it is recommended that you do this retroactively in the sense that your previous user contributions are recorded under the new name. Users and sysops cannot do this, though a Beaucrat ''may'' be able to do so. Signatures are not changed and therefore will no longer match page histories of the talk pages concerned. However, you can edit signatures manually. Also other occurrences of your name on talk pages are not retroactively changed. The deletion log and the upload log are not altered. | ||
Account deletion is not possible | ;Account deletion is not possible | ||
You cannot indicate personal information (such as your real name) here, but you may do so on a page named after your username in the User: namespace. (That's available as a link on the line which says "You are logged in as user WhatsYourName" above the preferences panel. Feel free to start your own page with anything you want to say about yourself on it.) | You cannot indicate personal information (such as your real name) here, but you may do so on a page named after your username in the User: namespace. (That's available as a link on the line which says "You are logged in as user WhatsYourName" above the preferences panel. Feel free to start your own page with anything you want to say about yourself on it.) | ||
==Browser preferences== | ==Browser preferences== | ||
Browsers usually also allow you to specify preferences, e.g. font size and font type. The standard skin is compatible with your browser setting of font size and font type. The Cologne Blue skin has most text in a fixed font size, ignoring your browser setting. Some browsers, e.g. IE, allow you to specify that font size specified in the web page is ignored. In that case the font size in Cologne Blue is as specified in the browser, but with the line height not adjusted accordingly. Therefore a large font gives a messy result. | Browsers usually also allow you to specify preferences, e.g. font size and font type. The standard skin is compatible with your browser setting of font size and font type. The Cologne Blue skin has most text in a fixed font size, ignoring your browser setting. Some browsers, e.g. IE, allow you to specify that font size specified in the web page is ignored. In that case the font size in Cologne Blue is as specified in the browser, but with the line height not adjusted accordingly. Therefore a large font gives a messy result. | ||
==Providing your own CSS== | ==Providing your own CSS== | ||
[[ | [[wp:Cascading Style Sheets|Cascading Style Sheets]] are used to configure MediaWiki's visual appearance. You can specify your own CSS definitions and overwrite the default settings. See [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:User_style Wikimedia Help:User style]. | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
*[http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Preferences Wikimedia Help] | |||
[ | [[Category:WikiIndex|User preferences help]] | ||
[[Category:Help|User preferences help]] | |||