Some of the Wikipedia features that look like code customizations are actually templates... which are also just pages in the wiki ("Template:" namespace). Look for the {{templatename}} syntax in the wikitext of Wkipedia pages that use features you like.

To examine a template, type "Template:templatename" in the "GO" box, click "GO", _and click on the "Edit this page" tab_. Don't be fooled by what is displayed under the "template" tab; always refer to the wikitext of the template. For many templates, the "discussion" tab is a very useful resource.

Also see meta: http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Template

-- Joshua

On 10/12/05 12:35 PM, "Hínandil" hinandil@freespirits.org wrote:

Lili Wu wrote:

...

There are some very nice features on http://en.wikipedia.org, like the different template or the customized special pages (like the Search page which lists the search results in a different fashion, and the UserLogin page which has a prettier UI). Since I'm new to wiki and php, and really like the enhancement done on wikipedia.org, is there a way I can look at the customized source code for wikipedia.org or other wiki projects like wikinews? I am not experienced enough to reinvent the wheel...

Yes, any user interface enhancements (and some are very nice!) are actually just changes to pages in the MediaWiki namespace. You can view them on Wikipedia and make similar (or totally custom) changes to your on wiki the same way. Just check out the page Special:Allmessages for a list of these special pages. Each and every one can be customized special.

As for the search, they're using some sort of Java backend but I don't remember the particulars. You'll want to search the list archives--Brion Vibber mentions the software used once or twice.

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