I would insert two small code modifications which should simplify the process.
First convert the filnames to a short one and store the long version in the images table (parhaps as comment). Secondly, create a drop down box on hte edit window listing all images. A selection might place the image name on the clipboard or even instert a full iamge link into the page. You could list the images by their long nameswhyle the image tag uses the auto generatd short ones, or just leave them long with the underscore insertion.
I think each of those modifications could be easily done without interfering with wiki code.
Regards, Sven Neumann
On 4/15/05, mediawiki-l-request@wikimedia.org mediawiki-l-request@wikimedia.org wrote:
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Today's Topics:
- Re: Mass Import (Christof Damian)
- process for uploading/linking to files is difficult (greg whittier)
- Categories and #REDIRECT? (Jan Steinman)
- Re: Categories and #REDIRECT? (Richard Holton)
- Re: Categories and #REDIRECT? (Jan Steinman)
- Re: process for uploading/linking to files is difficult (Dori)
- Re: process for uploading/linking to files is difficult (greg whittier)
- Re: process for uploading/linking to files is difficult (Dori)
- Re: process for uploading/linking to files is difficult (greg whittier)
- Re: process for uploading/linking to files is difficult (Brion Vibber)
Message: 1 Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 13:22:25 +0200 From: Christof Damian christof@damian.net Subject: Re: [Mediawiki-l] Mass Import To: MediaWiki announcements and site admin list mediawiki-l@Wikimedia.org Message-ID: 20050414112225.GQ23573@batman.gotham.krass.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
On Wed, 13 Apr 2005, Wolfe, Jeff wrote:
Hi All,
I'm seeking a way to mass import lots of data into a MediaWiki. I can massage my data in most reasonable ways and have direct access to the database. I can use existing PHP, generate fake URLS, or hit the SQL database directly. Does anyone have a suggestion?
you could try the pagefromfile.py and upload.py tools that comes with pywikipedia. here are the comments for them:
pagefromfile.py converts a text file in multiple wiki pages and upload.py uploads image or media data.
christof
-- Christof Damian christof@damian.net
Message: 2 Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 20:11:13 -0400 From: greg whittier gregwh@gmail.com Subject: [Mediawiki-l] process for uploading/linking to files is difficult To: mediawiki-l@wikimedia.org Message-ID: a250eacf050414171113bdf0fe@mail.gmail.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hi all,
I'm been given permission to introduce a wiki into my department at work. I've been using mediawiki as a demo to the extent that changing would be hard now, but one feature I'm afraid will kill the wiki quickly is the difficulty of uploading files. While I know wikis are primarily for text content, the first instinct of a new user will be to share the files he's been producing in his pre-wiki days.
As I understand it, the way to upload files right now is to go to Special:Upload, click browse, etc. Then you edit a page and use the [[media:filename|description] syntax. I had one of our most tech savvy users try this and it was comically hard for him. He picked a file with a very long file name and spaces. He got a warning about the renaming and file size that confused him (I can probably configure this). Then he tried to list the files so he could cut and paste the file name (this is way beyond most of the potential users) back in the edit window. This process involved open the file multiple times in the attempt to highlight it. Then we put brackets around the name. Forgot it was two instead of one at first, etc.
Is there any easier way to do this? I'd like to have the user not have to memorize or cut and paste the filename across windows. Where would I look to alter the button above the editing window. I've never coded in php before, but have used other scripting languages (python, perl, etc.).
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Greg
Message: 3 Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 18:01:19 -0700 From: Jan Steinman Jan@Bytesmiths.com Subject: [Mediawiki-l] Categories and #REDIRECT? To: MediaWiki admin list announcements and site mediawiki-l@wikimedia.org Message-ID: 5400a53cdcc32d872a27b35f1655b418@Bytesmiths.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
I've noticed that pages that are redirected are not in any category. I tried adding a [[Category:]] statement after the #REDIRECT statement, to no avail.
Is there any way to make redirected pages show up in a Category, preferably the same one(s) as the page it redirects to?
:::: We're in a giant car heading toward a brick wall at a hundred miles an hour, arguing over who has the best seat. -- David Suzuki :::: Jan Steinman http://www.Bytesmiths.com/Van
Message: 4 Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 20:07:52 -0500 From: Richard Holton richholton@gmail.com Subject: Re: [Mediawiki-l] Categories and #REDIRECT? To: MediaWiki announcements and site admin list mediawiki-l@wikimedia.org Message-ID: 4a37983b0504141807383c9409@mail.gmail.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
On 4/14/05, Jan Steinman Jan@bytesmiths.com wrote:
I've noticed that pages that are redirected are not in any category. I tried adding a [[Category:]] statement after the #REDIRECT statement, to no avail.
Is there any way to make redirected pages show up in a Category, preferably the same one(s) as the page it redirects to?
:::: We're in a giant car heading toward a brick wall at a hundred miles an hour, arguing over who has the best seat. -- David Suzuki :::: Jan Steinman http://www.Bytesmiths.com/Van
MediaWiki-l mailing list MediaWiki-l@Wikimedia.org http://mail.wikipedia.org/mailman/listinfo/mediawiki-l
That has been implemented in the 1.5 development code.
-- Rich Holton
[[W:en:User:Rholton]]
Message: 5 Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 18:19:32 -0700 From: Jan Steinman Jan@Bytesmiths.com Subject: Re: [Mediawiki-l] Categories and #REDIRECT? To: Richard Holton richholton@gmail.com, MediaWiki announcements and site admin list mediawiki-l@Wikimedia.org Message-ID: 4b07a5dec3b96dc05c4278ec954123ef@Bytesmiths.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
On 14 Apr 2005, at 18:07, Richard Holton wrote:
On 4/14/05, Jan Steinman Jan@bytesmiths.com wrote:
Is there any way to make redirected pages show up in a Category, preferably the same one(s) as the page it redirects to?
That has been implemented in the 1.5 development code.
Thanks! I'm itching to download it and try it... as soon as my taxes are done... which I'm not working on when I'm playing with MediaWiki... :-(
:::: We got the best politicians in this country that money can buy. -- Will Rogers :::: Jan Steinman http://www.Bytesmiths.com/Item/99AA34
Message: 6 Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 20:28:32 -0500 From: Dori slowpoke@gmail.com Subject: Re: [Mediawiki-l] process for uploading/linking to files is difficult To: greg whittier gregwh@gmail.com, MediaWiki announcements and site admin list mediawiki-l@wikimedia.org Message-ID: d2f92e8b05041418287125f852@mail.gmail.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
On 4/14/05, greg whittier gregwh@gmail.com wrote:
Is there any easier way to do this? I'd like to have the user not have to memorize or cut and paste the filename across windows. Where would I look to alter the button above the editing window. I've never coded in php before, but have used other scripting languages (python, perl, etc.).
Yes, a simple script written for commons by Erik Möller can probably be adapted for your use: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:File_upload_service/Script
Message: 7 Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 21:43:42 -0400 From: greg whittier gregwh@gmail.com Subject: Re: [Mediawiki-l] process for uploading/linking to files is difficult To: MediaWiki announcements and site admin list mediawiki-l@wikimedia.org Message-ID: a250eacf0504141843c61b0bf@mail.gmail.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
On 4/14/05, Dori slowpoke@gmail.com wrote:
On 4/14/05, greg whittier gregwh@gmail.com wrote:
Is there any easier way to do this? I'd like to have the user not have to memorize or cut and paste the filename across windows. Where would I look to alter the button above the editing window. I've never coded in php before, but have used other scripting languages (python, perl, etc.).
Yes, a simple script written for commons by Erik Möller can probably be adapted for your use: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:File_upload_service/Script
Thanks for the tip, but I believe this requires the client to have perl installed on their computer. I was probably confusing by refering to "files." I'm really just worried about making it to upload one file and link to it.
Believe it or not, the current method has a high enough barrier to entry that few of my potential users will bother with it. Basically, I'm looking for a point and click (no typing or cut and pasting filenames) way to do this. I don't need them to upload lots of file. Just one.
Thanks, Greg
Message: 8 Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 20:55:26 -0500 From: Dori slowpoke@gmail.com Subject: Re: [Mediawiki-l] process for uploading/linking to files is difficult To: greg whittier gregwh@gmail.com, MediaWiki announcements and site admin list mediawiki-l@wikimedia.org Message-ID: d2f92e8b050414185562c364ca@mail.gmail.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
On 4/14/05, greg whittier gregwh@gmail.com wrote:
On 4/14/05, Dori slowpoke@gmail.com wrote:
On 4/14/05, greg whittier gregwh@gmail.com wrote:
Is there any easier way to do this? I'd like to have the user not have to memorize or cut and paste the filename across windows. Where would I look to alter the button above the editing window. I've never coded in php before, but have used other scripting languages (python, perl, etc.).
Yes, a simple script written for commons by Erik Möller can probably be adapted for your use: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:File_upload_service/Script
Thanks for the tip, but I believe this requires the client to have perl installed on their computer. I was probably confusing by refering to "files." I'm really just worried about making it to upload one file and link to it.
Believe it or not, the current method has a high enough barrier to entry that few of my potential users will bother with it. Basically, I'm looking for a point and click (no typing or cut and pasting filenames) way to do this. I don't need them to upload lots of file. Just one.
I do find it hard to believe that the current method is difficult. It's as point and click as you can get. If your users find this hard, man wait till you tell them what a wiki is.
Message: 9 Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 22:15:42 -0400 From: greg whittier gregwh@gmail.com Subject: Re: [Mediawiki-l] process for uploading/linking to files is difficult To: Dori slowpoke@gmail.com Cc: MediaWiki announcements and site admin list mediawiki-l@wikimedia.org Message-ID: a250eacf0504141915552df44c@mail.gmail.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Am I missing something? Doesn't the user have to type in [[media:some really long file name -- version 3Apr2005.pdf|my file]] to link to a file after having uploading it?
This user already knew what a wiki and, in fact, was already running a personal wiki (voodoopad). He also had no trouble making new pages with mediawiki. It's just files that were hard!
In MoinMoin typing [attachment:my_file.pdf] creates a link that if clicked prompts the user to upload the file if it doesn't exist already. With my installation of mediawiki, if the file doesn't exist, it just does nothing when you click on it.
I understand that files are not the focus of mediawiki (or wikipedia) and I appreciate the great product. Sorry for the whining and thanks for your time.
Greg
On 4/14/05, Dori slowpoke@gmail.com wrote:
On 4/14/05, greg whittier gregwh@gmail.com wrote:
On 4/14/05, Dori slowpoke@gmail.com wrote:
On 4/14/05, greg whittier gregwh@gmail.com wrote:
Is there any easier way to do this? I'd like to have the user not have to memorize or cut and paste the filename across windows. Where would I look to alter the button above the editing window. I've never coded in php before, but have used other scripting languages (python, perl, etc.).
Yes, a simple script written for commons by Erik Möller can probably be adapted for your use:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:File_upload_service/Script
Thanks for the tip, but I believe this requires the client to have perl installed on their computer. I was probably confusing by refering to "files." I'm really just worried about making it to upload one file and link to it.
Believe it or not, the current method has a high enough barrier to entry that few of my potential users will bother with it. Basically, I'm looking for a point and click (no typing or cut and pasting filenames) way to do this. I don't need them to upload lots of file. Just one.
I do find it hard to believe that the current method is difficult. It's as point and click as you can get. If your users find this hard, man wait till you tell them what a wiki is.
Message: 10 Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 19:15:43 -0700 From: Brion Vibber brion@pobox.com Subject: Re: [Mediawiki-l] process for uploading/linking to files is difficult To: MediaWiki announcements and site admin list mediawiki-l@Wikimedia.org Message-ID: 425F23CF.5030606@pobox.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Dori wrote:
On 4/14/05, greg whittier wrote:
Believe it or not, the current method has a high enough barrier to entry that few of my potential users will bother with it. Basically, I'm looking for a point and click (no typing or cut and pasting filenames) way to do this. I don't need them to upload lots of file. Just one.
I do find it hard to believe that the current method is difficult. It's as point and click as you can get. If your users find this hard, man wait till you tell them what a wiki is.
There are actually a few difficulties, which potentially could be improved:
- The info text is too long: no human will ever read it, and it obscures
the functional controls. (This was the unfortunate result of being fed up with complaints about insufficient explanation of uploading policies on the page.)
- Some of the warnings are not really relevant. (It changed my spaces to
underscores? Horror of horrors!)
- After a successful upload, it's unclear what to do. There's a blobby
paragraph but no link back to the page you came from.
We've gotten a number of suggestions that after upload you should be able to easily return to the page you were on when you hit the upload link (similar to the login and logout operations). I think this might be a good idea at the least.
Potentially it could take you straight to the edit page and give you an opportunity to cut-n-paste the sample link. I'm less sure about that.
One thing that's maybe not obvious to people is that uploads in MediaWiki are *not* attachments to particular articles. They may be used in many pages, or in none, and they live existences independent of any page they may be linked from. This means the interface has to be different from adding an attachment to a webmail message, because it _is_ different, and this does complicate things.
Exactly how complicated they have to be is a matter for balance.
-- brion vibber (brion @ pobox.com)
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