GamerWiki:Getting started
From GamerWiki
Welcome to GamerWiki, the collaborative, free, online, videogame encyclopedia.
GamerWiki aims to provide the definitive online reference for videogame hardware and software. It provides detailed, reliable information, reviews and links to high quality third-party material.
GamerWiki is a collaborative Website, called a Wiki. A Wiki is a Website where the readers can also edit the information on its pages in order to improve the quality of the content. The most popular Wiki is Wikipedia.
The Wiki is searchable using the Search box on the left-hand side of the page. For example, to search for Nintendo DS, simply enter "Nintendo DS" in the search box. Alternatively, you can click on one of the many links that are embedded in each and every page. These links may take you to major sections, such as the List of Systems, or they may take you to a specific piece of information, such as Sony PlayStation 2. If you get lost, simply click on the logo in the top-left of the page to return here.
Given that GamerWiki is a videogame encyclopedia, the majority of information is currently found under the List of Systems section, where each and every videogame platform is listed. From here, you can select a specific platform and be taken to a list of its features, software titles and other information. As GamerWiki expands, its structure will change and grow. Encyclopedias are not meant to be read from cover to cover, but used as an information resource.
If you would like to start editing GamerWiki, you will first need to create an account. Go to Special:Userlogin. After you register, first consult the policy page for information on all of the policies, rules, and regulations of GamerWiki. Once you are registered, more information on the technicalities of editing can be found at Wikipedia.com and on their editing page. In order to edit an existing page, use the edit tab. In order to start a new page, either edit an existing page with a link to a non-existant page, or go to a non-existant page by editing the URL of your Web browser. Full instructions are in the WikiMedia editing help pages. Help on formatting your edits can be found here.
A direct way of finding where you can start to contribute is the list of wanted articles. These are articles that have been linked to but don't yet have content. Alternatively, if you don't like starting from scratch, there are numerous stub articles that could use more content. A list of all pages which currently have content on them can be found at Special:Allpages, and a list of categories can be found at Special:Categories.
This Wiki runs on the MediaWiki software. Documentation for MediaWiki itself can be found at the WikiMedia Meta-Wiki.
There is a GamerWiki To Do List with a list of things that you can also help out with. Please feel free to add items to the To Do List, even if you aren't able to do them yourself.
One place to start is the Community Portal, where you can find information on current development areas in the Wiki. The List of Systems provides a good starting point for browsing the current information available.
