Project:Wiki

Goal
The goal of the Gentoo wiki is to become the best Linux-related resource on the web. This goal is impossible without contributions from the Gentoo community. Using MediaWiki software, the Gentoo community can now assist in improving documentation for Gentoo as quickly and easily as clicking the "" button.

Happy improvements!

Statistics

 *  active users.
 *  articles (number is inflated due to translations).
 *  pages (number is inflated due to translations).

More information can be found on the statistics page.

Roadmap
This section lists things that need to be done around the wiki. If you are involved in the wiki project feel free to pick something and start working on it. When something is being worked on please use the U (in-line user) template to indicate on what you are working.

Past accomplishments can be found in the archive.

2021
Lazy tasks: Tasks that can be performed as time permits. These tasks are not high priority items, but to require some attention as necessary.

Translations
See the Translations special pages.


 * Process translator account requests: For now, each user account must be manually enabled for translation permissions before an account can translate. These are processed in batches - we try to shoot for a monthly basis - but sometimes we get behind.
 * Mark pages for translation: These pages will need to be proof read for any obvious grammatical or punctuation errors, or incorrect instruction.

Article updates

 * Continue to work on writing Requested articles - In progress. ( and other wiki contributors)
 * Perform general formatting updates to articles as needed (see Todo category).
 * Update the Security Handbook formatting according to the wiki Guidelines.

Can I rename my account?
In the event that you would like your account name to be renamed,  do NOT create a new account to 'claim' or 'reserve' the new account name . Creating an account with the new name creates problems for wiki admins that cannot be undone.

To have your account renamed follow these rules:


 * 1) If the account name that you would like to rename to already exists on the wiki's database, then the name has already been claimed and it is impossible to rename the account. A username search can be performed to see what names have already been claimed.
 * 2) Login to the account you would like renamed (your existing account) and write the following text in the user namespace of the account:
 * Where  is the desired name after the rename operation. This must be done so that wiki admins can verify the owner of the account to be renamed is the same person asking for the rename in the next step.
 * 1) Finally, ask someone with an   symbol next to their IRC nickname in  to rename the existing account. Be sure to provide the admin with a link to the user namespace with the message mentioned above. Wiki admins will eventually review the request.
 * 1) Finally, ask someone with an   symbol next to their IRC nickname in  to rename the existing account. Be sure to provide the admin with a link to the user namespace with the message mentioned above. Wiki admins will eventually review the request.

Can I delete/remove my account?
Because Mediawiki software uses a relational database, revision history should not be deleted (even if the account to be deleted/removed has never performed any editing). This creates an inherit problem. The best solution is to merge the account with another account that is blocked (prevented from performing actions on the wiki).

Users
Wiki users need to perform the following steps to prepare the account for removal:


 * 1) Login to the account you would like renamed and write the following text in the user namespace of the account:   This must be done so that wiki admins can verify the owner of the account to be removed is the same person asking for the rename in the step below.
 * 2) Finally, ask someone with an   symbol next to their IRC nickname in  to remove the existing account. Be sure to provide the admin with a link to the user namespace with the message mentioned above. Wiki admins will eventually review the request. Admin instructions are below.

Admins
Wiki admins are to perform the following steps to delete/remove accounts:


 * 1) Confirm the wiki user asking for the account removal has logged in and left a message on their userspace page as instructed above. Verify in the page history that the edit was performed by the name of the account holder. This confirms the users identity as the account holder.
 * 2) Merge the account to be removed with the Anonymous account. This action is performed with the User Merge tool.

Can I get a dump of the Gentoo wiki database
No. Database dumps are not available. We will update this message if database dumps become available in the future.

How can I change my email address?
The MediaWiki software does not allow users or administrators to directly change the email address of any account.

There is a way to accomplish the change, but it involves a few steps:


 * 1) Create a new account with the desired email address but don't create any pages with it in the User: namespace
 * 2) Post on the OLD account User page
 * 3) Notify wiki admins about the merge request, either in IRC or at wiki@gentoo.org
 * 4) Once the merge is done, either the new account name can be used or the standard rename procedure can be completed

Participation
As with all official Gentoo projects: community participation not only welcome, but highly encouraged. Contact on  for a list of current things to do. In short, here are a few things that could use some immediate attention:


 * Gentoo_Wiki:Feedback - Review the wiki feedback page. Respond to and close any open discussions here.
 * Open discussions - Help close out open discussions (especially anything open in the Handbook namespace).
 * Todo list - Review other things that need some effort.
 * Translate - Make the Gentoo documentation available in your native language. Become a translator.

As with most Gentoo projects as you pile on contributions you may be asked if you are interested in joining our wiki project. We are excited to see the ways community members enhance our documentation.

Past users with significant contributions

 * - Wiki creator, administrator, and protector who welded the great Ban Hammer.
 * - Initially helped create several templates still available on the our wiki.
 * - Documentation project lead who also helped a lot on the wiki.
 * - Epic Korean translator who fixed a lot of English (source) documents as well.
 * - Significant documentation contributions around the wiki.