View source for Help:Get Started

[[Image:Moon and stars.png|right|thumb|300px|Get Started. Be bold. Dive in.]]
== Overview ==
There is so much [[CpapWiki:Community_Portal/Opentask|you can do here]] on the [[CpapWiki:About|CPAPtalk.com CPAP Wiki]]. First of all, this site is a resource for information on all things related to [[CPAP]] use. Secondly, '''you''' can help to make this website better. Get involved and  [[Help:Editing pages|edit articles]], [[Help:Navigation|navigate the wiki]], [[Help:Starting a new page|create new pages]], [[Help:Formatting|format articles]], and more. Check out the  [[Help:Contents|Help Section]], and the [[Help:FAQs|FAQs]]. There is a list of [[CpapWiki:Community_Portal/Opentask|open tasks]] that need to be done, and more information in the [[CpapWiki:Community_Portal|community portal]]. If you are new here, you may be wondering what this site is all about. Keep reading!

== What is a wiki? ==
A wiki is dynamic website, that just about [[Help:Editing_pages|anyone can edit]], designed for easy collaboration and communication within the community, so that the contributors may create relevant content and information for the wiki. Typically, a wiki is a type of encyclopedic database containing information, terminology, images, and relevant articles regarding the primary scope of that particular wiki. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Wikipedia] is the largest example of a wiki, and chances are good you may have visited their site before.

* For more, read the Wikipedia encyclopedic [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki entry for "wiki"].

== What is the CPAPtalk.com CPAP Wiki? ==
Essentially this is a wiki focused on all things related to CPAP.

* Learn more about the [[CpapWiki:About|CPAPtalk.com CPAP Wiki]]

== Create an account ==
You do not need an account to read articles. However, having an account and logging in to the wiki does provide additional features, and is highly recommended. If you are currently a member of the [http://www.cpaptalk.com/CPAP-Sleep-Apnea-Forum.html CPAPtalk.com Forum], then you already have an account here. Simply login with your CPAPtalk.com username and password. Get started and [[Special:Userlogin|login]] or [http://www.cpaptalk.com/ucp.php?mode=register create an account now.]

=== Additional features if you log in ===
* The ability to [[Help:Starting a new page|start new pages]], including your [[Wikipedia:User page|user page]].
* The ability to edit [[Wikipedia:Protection policy|semi-protected pages]] (your account must be at least four days old to do this, but these pages cannot be edited by unregistered users).
* The ability to [[Help:Moving a page|rename pages]].
* The ability to [[Special:Upload|upload images]].
* The ability to send and receive e-mails from other users (optional).
* The ability to set personal preferences on your account.

===Other benefits===
* The use of a username of your choice, provided that it is appropriate and not already used.
* The ability to easily review all your contributions via a "My contributions" link.
* The use of your own personal [[Help:Watchlist|watchlist]] to which you can add articles that will benefit the community.
* The ability to [[Help:Preferences|customize the appearance and behavior]] of the website for your viewing.
* The ability to edit without your IP address being visible to other users. (Your IP address is still saved and accessible to those highly trusted users who have [[Help:Sysops_and_permissions|Sysop permissions]].

== Basic navigation ==
Getting around the wiki is pretty simple. Go ahead and explore. Read all you want. Take your time. At some point you may see an article that needs improvement or a misspelled word, and the best part is that you can fix that misspelling or create a new article. Keep reading below if that interests you. In the meantime, you can:

* [[Help:Navigation|Learn more about navigating this wiki]].

== Get help ==
There are many ways to get help here. Below are suggestions for getting the help you seek.

=== CPAP help ===
* Try [[Help:Searching|searching]] the wiki with relevant keywords.
* Read the [[CPAP_FAQs|CPAP FAQs section]].
* [[Help:Navigation|Navigate]] and browse around this wiki.
* View all [[Special:Categories|Categories]].
* Post a New Topic on the [http://www.cpaptalk.com/CPAP-Sleep-Apnea-Forum.html CPAPtalk.com Member Forum], which is a very active message board.
* Alternatively, try searching the [http://www.cpaptalk.com/CPAP-Sleep-Apnea-Forum.html CPAPtalk.com Member Forum] using some keywords.

=== Help using the wiki ===
* Read the [[Help:Contents|Help Section]].
* Read the wiki [[Help:FAQs|FAQs]].
* Try out the [[CpapWiki:Sandbox|Sandbox]]
* Contact a [[Special:Listusers/sysop|Sysop]] on their [[Help:Talk_pages#User_Talk_pages|user talk page]].

== Get involved ==
The CPAPtalk.com CPAP Wiki is mostly constructed and maintained by its members. There is a lot that you can do here to contribute your knowledge and skills to developing relevant content for CPAP users. Dive in. Be bold. Get involved. Here are some of the things you can do here.

* [[Help:Editing pages|Edit and improve articles]]
* [[Help:Starting a new page|Write new articles]]
* [[Help:Formatting|Format articles]]
* [[Help:Links#Interwiki_links|Interlink wiki pages]]
* [[Help:Categories|Categorize pages]]
* [[Help:Images|Add images to articles]]
* [[CpapWiki:Community_Portal/Opentask|View all opentasks]]
* [[CpapWiki:Community_Portal|Visit the community portal]]

== Policies and guidelines ==

While it is encouraged that you jump right in and start doing things to improve the CPAPtalk.com CPAP Wiki, you should also be aware of the general policies and guidelines here. There are many guidelines in the [[Help:Contents|Help Section]], about formatting, editing, and all of the things you can do here. Since this is a wiki, other guidelines and policies may be added or changed, but here are some of the more important ones. <!--please update this list as more guidelines and rules are developed for the wiki-->

* [[CpapWiki:Neutral point of view|Neutral point of view (NPOV)]]
* [[CpapWiki:Manual of Style|Manual of Style]]
* [[CpapWiki:Privacy_policy|Privacy Policy]]
* [[CpapWiki:General_disclaimer|Disclaimers]]
* [[CpapWiki:User_agreement|User Agreement]]

== See also ==