-TWiki has very simple [[TextFormattingRules]]. You won't go wrong if you start each line without spaces and separate paragraphs with a blank line. Run capitalized words together to make [[WikiWords]], which become hyperlinks. This sometimes requires creativity; you're up to it. [[WikiWords]] tells you how to create good topic names.
+- TWiki has very simple **[[text formatting rules|Main/TextFormattingRules]]**. You won't go wrong if you:
+ - start each line without spaces
+ - separate paragraphs with a blank line
-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.
+- 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
-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 a **discussion** is going on on a [[WikiTopic]]:
+ - separate each follow up with a horizontal rule
+ - add your [[WikiName]] and date at the end
-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.
+- A good format for a **new topic** is "dissertation followed by discussion":
+ - start with a brief, factual introduction
+ - then bring on the opinions.
-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 %WIKITOOLNAME% or leaving it. It is usually better **not** to use the HTML tag `<A HREF="...">` .
+- 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.
-Date format: %WIKITOOLNAME% 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.
+- For **external site links**, you can type URLs directly into the text - <code>**http://etcete.ra/...**</code> - it'll clear to anyone where they're headed on click.
--- [[PeterThoeny]] - 30 Jul 2000
+- 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,...
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+- 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.
-Feel free to look at the source to an existing page (click `Raw text`) 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
+-- [[PeterThoeny]] - 13 Sep 2001