GoodStyle Collaboration Tips

• TWiki has a very simple text formatting shorthand. In any case, you won't go wrong if you simply:
  • start each line without spaces
  • separate paragraphs with a blank line

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

• If a discussion is going on:
  • separate each follow-up with a space
  • add your Wiki Name 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 a sub-topic develops, separate it with a horizontal rule at beginning and end

• A good format for a new topic is "dissertation followed by discussion":
  • 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:
  • fearlessly edit down to capture the key points
  • reduce the noise without losing the facts or the flavor
  • 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.

• 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,...

• 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 TWiki Shorthand how far that is from necessary.

-- Mike Mannix - 01 Dec 2001