How to Create a Resource from "Scratch" -- Wiki

9-15-2009

Hi, I'm going to help you create a new Wiki resource from Scratch.

Using the 'from scratch' option when creating resources allows you to enter your own content in whatever format you wish, and have it appear on the screen for other members to read instantly without having to download a separate document.

To get started, click "Add a Resource" from the left hand menu, from the About Contributing page, or by using the orange button when you are in My Curriki or a Group. You can also click "Build Up" to add your material into an existing collection or folder.

In the Add to Curriki dialog, select "A resource I'll create from "scratch"", then click "Next".

When you are asked to Select a Format, choose the wiki option (rather than HTML) if you don't need to do any complicated formatting or embedding work. See the HTML from scratch tutorial to learn more about what you can do using that form, such as copying and pasting from Microsoft Word.

If you want to see sample resources, or if at any time you need more help using the Resource from Scratch form, click the links at the top of the page to access detailed support in the Help Collection.

In step 1, enter the required information that will help other members find your resource. You can find tips about selecting or entering these Information Settings in the Help Collection.

Step 2 is where you enter your own content and format it to look the way you want. If you are writing your content as you go, then simply start typing.

If you're copying from an existing document, keep in mind that images and hyperlinks won't paste into the wiki. You'll have to insert these separately after you paste. Also, for wiki resources, it's best to copy and paste out of a plain text document, rather than a formatted application like Microsoft Word. You may want to watch the tutorial about copying and pasting, which will give you tips on how to avoid frustrating formatting issues that sometimes arise when pasting content into the text area.

Once you've got your content into the text area, you can start formatting it using the WYSIWYG toolbar, or What You See Is What You Get. This toolbar allows you to apply simple formatting, insert images and links, or create a table. Hover over each of the buttons to see what they do. For tips on using this toolbar, see the Help Collection or watch the tutorial about the WYSIWYG toolbar.

After you have finished entering and formatting your content, move on to step 3, where you can enter or edit the rights and access information. These settings will determine who can see your resource, and how you would like your content to be shared or cited by other members. For more information on these settings, review the Help Collection.

Once you have entered information and content into all of the required fields, click Submit to save your work to the Curriki Repository. If you want to save your work but are not yet finished, mark the resource as Private so that it will not be found incomplete in search results. You can always go back and edit your resource later. Your new resource will now be available in the My Contributions tab of My Curriki; you can also find it within a collection or folder if you “Built Up” this resource, or in your group's contributions if you added it from within a group.

Thanks for watching!