Tricky Wiki

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Tricky Wiki

These are an ongoing series of quick Wiki tips to help make the AFS Wiki easier to use.

1. Instead of just using the Wiki search function to find what you are looking for, consider using the lists of items which have already been provided for you. For example, if you are sending volunteer, just click on the word Sending in the AFS Major Functions list on the main Wiki page. This will show a neatly categorized list of all the pages pertinent to the sending function. Such lists have been provided for every major volunteer function – hosting, sending, support, orientations, etc.
2. Not satisfied with the functionality or results from the search feature in the Wiki? For any pages which are public (soon to be most of the Wiki), you can also use the Google search engine. Google will also search all the documents that are referenced in the Wiki (which the Wiki search engine will not do). Here's how to use it:
   1. Open up the Google search (www.google.com)
   2. Include the following as the first search term - site:www.afswiki.org
   3. Add whatever other search terms you would like
   4. That's all there is to it!
3. If you have your browser save your logon ID and password, then you can bookmark any page you would like in the Wiki and go their directly without having to logon each time. When you finish using the Wiki, just close your browser window without logging off. Also, this will prevent any problems with your access timing out. (Or course, only do this on your own PC and not on any public machine.)
4. Want to print a copy of a particular page without all the formatting "stuff" on the page? Just click on the "Printable version" link in the toolbox on the left hand side of any page. This will convert the current page into a nicely formatted document without all the other heading and navigation links so that you may use the print function of your browser to created a printed copy of the information.
5. Want to mark the pages you use the most and make them easier to find again? Consider using the "Watch" feature of the Wiki. While on a page that you want to remember, click on the "watch" tab at the top of the page to add it to your "watchlist". Then on future visits you can click on "my watchlist" on the top righthand side (near "log out"). On that page click on "view and edit watchlist" for an alphabetical list of all the pages in your watchlist.

If you have ideas for future tips for the Tricky Wiki column, send them to the Communications Committee through our group mailbox communications@afsusa.org.