On 2007.04.10 15:32, Monahon Peter B. - Peter.Monahon@USPTO.GOV wrote:
... 4 samples of the type of challenges I'm experiencing. However, I either cannot even get to the screens you describe as working for you, or I cannot produce the results you imply should be available or that I want to accomplish. ...
Unfortunately, there are always going to be holes, especially things that are confusing to a novice.
A lot of your criticisms are valid; there are topics that need connecting, areas that need background articles, etc.
Since, as a new user, you are in the position of having these holes be rather more obvious to you than to experienced users, you can help by documenting the problems you have, and you are in an ideal position to help plug the holes when you do achieve some insight.
That is not to say that this is not great software. Why would you be here otherwise?
And one of the things that makes it great, is that everyone can pitch in to make it better in their own way.
I think one of your example problems was with the sidebar.
Here is an example of a new user trying to close that documentation hole.
http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Manual_talk:Navigation_bar#Problem_changing_th...
There seems to be a lot of possibly useful stuff on these talk pages.
Maybe this can help you, and maybe you can see a way to make it easier to find, or to clarify the related page.
Regards,
Jim Laurino