Help:Introduction to Wikipedia: Difference between revisions

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<noinclude>{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}</noinclude>{{intro to single|noborder=y|align=left

|title = Introduction to contributing to Wikipedia

|lead =<div class="center">

Wikipedia is a [[free content|free]] [[encyclopedia]], written [[Collaborative editingwiki|collaboratively]] by the [[WPWikipedia:Who writes Wikipedia?|people who use it]]. ItsSince 2001, it has grown rapidly to become the world's largest reference website, with {{#expr:{{formatnum:{{NUMBEROFARTICLES}}|R}}/10^6 round2round1}}{{nbsp}} million articles canin beEnglish [[wiki|editedattracting by<span anyone]class="plainlinks">[https://stats.wikimedia.org/#/en.wikipedia.org billions],</span> andof allviews changesevery are recorded in [[Help:Page history|article histories]]month. For a more detailed account of the project, see '''[[WP:About|About Wikipedia]]'''.</div>

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===How you can contribute===

[[File:10 sharing book cover background.jpg|280px290px|alt=A 3D-printed Wikipedia globe being held in someone's hands|right]]

'''[[WP:Be bold|Don't be afraid to edit]]''' – ''<em>Anyone''</em> can edit [[Wikipedia:Protection policy|almost]] every page,; just find something that can be improved and make it better! You can [[WP:Articles_for_creation|create new articles]], or improve existing articles by addingadd [[Help:Introduction to editing with VisualEditor/1|content]], (using [[Help:Introduction to referencing with VisualEditor/1|references]] andto support your claims), upload free-to-use [[Help:Introduction to images with VisualEditor/1|images]], or correctingcorrect spelling, grammar and readability.grammar Ifmistakes, youimprove wishprose to addmake newit more factsreadable, pleaseor tryhelp with [[WP:Task Center|any number of other tasks]]. It's normal for new contributors to providefeel a little overwhelmed by all of our [[Help:Introduction to referencingpolicies withand VisualEditorguidelines/1|reliable referencespolicies]], sobut theydon't mayworry beif [[WP:Verifiability|verified]]you don't understand everything at first. RememberIt's fine to use common sense as you edit, and if you can'taccidentally breakmake Wikipedia;a allmistake, editsanother editor can bealways fixedfix or improvedimprove it later. So go ahead, edit an article, and help make Wikipedia the world's best information source on the Internet!

'''[[WP:Talk page guidelines|Suggest improvements]]''' – Each article also has a '[[Help:Introduction_to_talk_pages/1|"Talk" page]]', where you can suggest improvements and corrections to the article.

[[File:The Impact Of Wikipedia.webm|thumb|thumbtime=0:14|280px|right|Get to know some members of Wikipedia's diverse, enthusiastic community.]]

'''[[wmf:Fundraising|Donate]]''' – Wikipedia is free to use, but relies on donations and grants to do so. Please consider donating using the ''Donate to Wikipedia'' link on the left to help with the project's running costs and expansion.

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===Sign up for an account===

You're welcome to edit anonymouslywithout creating an account, but there are many [[WP:Why create an account?|benefits of registering an account]]. It's quick and free.

{{clickable button 2|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wikiw/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin/signupCreateAccount&returnto=Help%3AIntroduction+to+Wikipedia|Sign up}}

===Why not try out the editor right now?===

You can test out how editing feels now, by editing one of the "sandbox" test pages below.

</div>

{{clickable button 2|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draft:Sandbox?veaction=edit|Edit page visually}}

===Want to try editing?===

or

You can test out how editing feels now, by editing one of the "sandbox" test pages below.:

{{clickable button 2|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WP:Sandbox&action=edit|Edit source code}}

{{If IP

Just type some text and '''{{int:savearticle}}''' when you're happy with the way it looks.

|{{Clickable button 2|Help:Introduction/IP sandbox|Edit page visually}} or {{Clickable button 2|Help:Introduction/IP sandbox|Edit using wiki markup}}

|{{Clickable button 2|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:MyPage/Sample_page&veaction=edit&preload=Help:Introduction/main_sandbox&summary=Creating%20sandbox|Edit page visually}} or {{Clickable button 2|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:MyPage/Sample_page&action=edit&preload=Help:Introduction/main_sandbox/preload&summary=Creating%20sandbox&editintro=Help:Introduction/main_sandbox/preload/editintro|Edit using wiki markup}}

}}

===Sign up for an account===

You're welcome to edit anonymously, but there are many [[WP:Why create an account?|benefits of registering an account]].

{{clickable button 2|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:UserLogin/signup|Sign up}}

Just type some text and click {{Button|{{int:Publishpage}}|bgcolor2=#BBE}} when you're happy with the way it looks. Don't worry about breaking anything; these pages are open areas just for experimentation!

===There's plenty more behind the scenes===

Wikipedia has a large number ofmany community pages in addition to its articles.

[[File:The Impact Of Wikipedia.webm|thumbtime=1:32|280px|right|A video that articulates the diversity and enthusiasm of the Wikipedia Community by editors like you. <small>(4:10 min)</small>]]

Wikipedia has a large number of community pages in addition to its articles.

'''[[WP:SignpostTask Center|TheTask SignpostCenter]]'''&nbsp;– List of tasks with which you can – Weekly news on Wikipedia topicshelp<br>

'''[[WPHelp:WikiProjectContents|Help Directory|WikiProjectspages]]''' &nbsp;– Special-interestSupport editorand communitiesadvice<br>

'''[[HelpWP:ContentsCommunity portal|ExtensiveCommunity help pagesportal]]''' &nbsp;– Support and adviceThe fromhub otherfor Wikipedianseditors<br>

'''[[WP:Community portal|Community portal]]''' – A general directory to the community pages<br>

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