Manual:Special pages
Overview of Special Pages
Special pages in a wiki environment are unique pages that are automatically generated by the MediaWiki software to perform specific functions or display particular information. Unlike regular wiki pages, special pages are not editable in the traditional sense and are typically used for administrative purposes, maintenance tasks, and providing statistical data about the wiki. These pages are integral to the efficient management and operation of a wiki, offering tools for both users and administrators to enhance the functionality and usability of the platform.
Types of Special Pages
Special pages can be broadly categorized based on their functionality and the type of information they provide. Below are some of the primary types of special pages found in most wiki installations:
Administrative Special Pages
Administrative special pages are designed to assist wiki administrators in managing the site. These pages include tools for user management, page protection, and site configuration.
- **Special:UserRights** - This page allows administrators to manage user rights and permissions, enabling them to assign or revoke roles such as administrator, bureaucrat, or bot.
- **Special:BlockList** - Displays a list of all currently blocked users and IP addresses, providing administrators with the ability to manage blocks and review block logs.
- **Special:ProtectedPages** - Lists pages that have been protected from editing, indicating the level of protection and the reason for the protection.
Maintenance Special Pages
Maintenance special pages are used to identify and rectify issues within the wiki, ensuring the content remains accurate and up-to-date.
- **Special:BrokenRedirects** - Identifies redirect pages that point to non-existent or deleted pages, allowing editors to fix or update these redirects.
- **Special:DoubleRedirects** - Lists redirect pages that point to other redirect pages, which can cause navigation issues and should be corrected.
- **Special:DeadendPages** - Displays pages that do not contain any outbound links, encouraging editors to add relevant links to improve connectivity.
Statistical Special Pages
Statistical special pages provide insights into the usage and performance of the wiki, offering data on page views, edit counts, and user activity.
- **Special:Statistics** - Provides an overview of the wiki's statistics, including the number of pages, edits, registered users, and active users.
- **Special:PopularPages** - Lists the most viewed pages on the wiki, offering insights into user interests and popular content.
- **Special:ActiveUsers** - Displays a list of users who have made recent edits, highlighting active contributors to the wiki.
User-Oriented Special Pages
User-oriented special pages are designed to enhance the user experience by providing tools and information relevant to individual users.
- **Special:Preferences** - Allows users to customize their personal settings, such as language preferences, email notifications, and skin selection.
- **Special:Contributions** - Displays a list of all edits made by a specific user, providing a comprehensive view of their contributions to the wiki.
- **Special:Watchlist** - Enables users to monitor changes to pages they are interested in, offering a personalized feed of recent edits.
Accessing Special Pages
Special pages can be accessed through the "Special pages" link typically found in the "Tools" section of the sidebar on most wiki installations. This link leads to a comprehensive list of all available special pages, categorized by their function. Users can also access specific special pages directly by appending the special page name to the base URL of the wiki, using the format: `https://examplewiki.org/wiki/Special:PageName`.
Customizing Special Pages
While special pages are automatically generated and not directly editable, some aspects can be customized by administrators to better suit the needs of the wiki. This customization can include altering the appearance of special pages through CSS and JavaScript, as well as configuring certain functionalities via configuration files.
Security and Special Pages
Due to their administrative nature, some special pages are restricted to users with specific permissions to prevent unauthorized access or modifications. For instance, pages like Special:UserRights and Special:BlockList are typically accessible only to administrators or users with elevated privileges. Ensuring proper access controls are in place is crucial for maintaining the security and integrity of the wiki.