Quick Start Guide
So you want to add or change some information on Longevity Wiki? That’s great! This quick start guide will provide 10 tips to help you begin in just minutes.
To edit an existing page on the Wiki, navigate to that page using the search bar or by finding the article by clicking the ‘Articles’ list on the menu bar. Then, click ‘contribute’ on the menu bar, and then ‘edit’ under this page. This will take you to the editing page for that article. You can then use the visual editor to make changes to the page.
To create a new page, click ‘contribute’ on the menu bar, then click ‘create a page’. You will then be prompted to enter the title of the page. Choose an appropriate title that is descriptive and concise, and click ‘submit’. You can then use the visual editor to write content on the page.
3) Ensure new pages are relevant to longevity science
The Wiki was created to communicate the science of aging and longevity. Ensure newly created pages are relevant to this topic. For example, new pages could discuss the potential life-extension properties of existing compounds, or provide information related to the longevity biotechnology sector. If you are unsure whether a new article is relevant, consider browsing the list of existing articles on the ‘Articles’ page (link here) to get a feel for the type of content on the Wiki.
4) Adopt an easy to understand, scientifically accurate tone
The goal of the Wiki is to make scientific content about aging and longevity as accessible and comprehensive as possible. Therefore the content should be clear enough that non-scientists can understand much of the content, much like for Wikipedia. Ensure your additions to the Wiki follow these general guidelines. Consider taking a look at this sample article (link here) to get a feel for the style of the Wiki.
5) Use primary scientific references where available
The goal of the Wiki is to create scientifically accurate content. We encourage the use of primary scientific literature wherever possible. If citing non-scientific information, other references such as government reports, or credible websites are acceptable.
6) Use APA referencing
The Wiki uses APA referencing style. For examples, see this Wikipedia article about APA referencing. Ensure that all information is cited appropriately as per APA referencing style and guidelines.
7) Add images and diagrams to your article
The visual editor allows you to insert images in to articles. Use of this feature where appropriate to convey complex ideas, or portray relevant visual information. ‘Aa picture tells a thousand words’, as they say. Since Longevity Wiki is a non-profit educational organisation, we are generally covered for using images on the internet under ‘fair use’. This means you can add any images on the internet to your Wiki entry, provided the original reference is cited.
8) Refer to the Wiki Handbook if you need more help
The Wiki Handbook is the central knowledge base for the Wiki. If you have further questions about how to edit the Wiki or the Wiki project itself, visit the Handbook (link here).
9) Join the Longevity Wiki Discord server for quick answers
If you have any further questions, consider joining our Discord Server (link here), which is the primary platform for communication for this project. General questions about the Wiki can be posted in the ‘general’ channel, and specific questions about editing the Wiki can be posted in the ‘content-writers’ channel.
10) Create an account for faster editing
To create an account on the Wiki, click the icon of a person in the top right of the Wiki page, then 'create account' orr simply click this link. Note that you are able to edit or add content to the Wiki without creating an account, though this requires completing a ReCAPTCHA to save your work. Creating an account allows your work to be attributable to you, and faster and more efficient editing.
