Event:Wikisource-workshop-Mangalore-15-12-2024

Module 1: Introduction to Wikisource

Objective:

Understand the basics of Wikisource and its mission.

1.1 What is Wikisource?

• Wikisource is a free online library that contains digitized texts, mainly in the public domain, and other works that allow for free sharing. Its mission is to provide access to historical and scholarly works that are freely available for everyone to read, share, and contribute.
• Main Content Types: Works include books, essays, pamphlets, diaries, newspapers, and other documents.
• Goal of Wikisource: To make primary sources accessible and to preserve these materials digitally.

1.2 Why Contribute to Wikisource?

• Preserve History: Contributing to Wikisource allows you to participate in preserving historical documents for future generations.
• Collaborate with a Community: Wikisource is part of the Wikimedia Foundation, which supports a collaborative, global community of volunteers.
• Develop Skills: By contributing, you gain skills in text digitization, proofreading, and editing that are valuable in many fields.

1.3 Key Areas of Wikisource

• Main Namespace: This is where the actual text of books and works are stored. See s:Help:Namespaces for more information.
• Index Namespace: Contains metadata (information) about works, such as authorship, publisher details, and the work’s publication history. Learn more about Index Pages at s:Help:Beginner's guide to Index: Files.
• Talk Pages: Used to discuss improvements, issues, or concerns about a text or project. Visit w:Help:Talk pages for guidance.

Module 2: Adding Texts to Wikisource

Objective:

Learn how to add new texts to Wikisource, including formatting and basic text contributions.

2.1 Types of Texts You Can Add

• Public Domain Works: These are works where the copyright has expired and are freely available for reuse. Generally, works published before 1923 in the U.S. are public domain.
• Free License Works: Texts under Creative Commons or other open licenses that allow free use and redistribution.

2.2 How to Add a Text

• Check Copyright Status: Before uploading any text, verify that it is in the public domain or under an open license. See s:Help:Beginner's guide to copyright.
• Create an Index Page: This is the first step when uploading a new text. An Index Page helps categorize the work and makes it easier to locate.
  1. Go to the “Index:” namespace.
  2. Use the Index template for formatting.
  3. Add metadata such as title, author, and publisher information.
  4. Link to the work in the “Main” namespace.
• Transcribe Text: Upload scans of a work, or transcribe the text manually if it's not already available. Use s:Help:Beginner's guide to transcription for guidance.

For more information on adding texts, refer to the s:Help:Beginner's guide to adding texts.

Module 3: Sourcing and Indexing

Objective:

Understand the importance of sourcing and how to properly cite texts.

3.1 What are Sources and Indexing?

• Sources: Original works from which the text on Wikisource is derived. It’s essential to provide a clear reference for each work.
• Indexing: Specific details about the source, including publication information and relevant history.

3.2 The Importance of Sources

• Verification: Citations ensure the work can be verified by others.
• Contextual Information: Citations help provide context for the text, such as the date of publication and any relevant historical background.

For a detailed explanation, see the s:Help:Beginner's guide to sources.

Module 4: Copyright and Permissions

Objective:

Learn about copyright rules on Wikisource and how to handle permissions.

4.1 Understanding Copyright

• What is Copyright? Copyright protects the original creator's right to their work. Once a work is copyrighted, it can't be reproduced without permission unless it's in the public domain or licensed appropriately.
• Public Domain: Texts published before 1923 in the U.S. are usually in the public domain. International rules can vary, so always double-check the copyright status.

4.2 How to Check Copyright Status

• Tools: Use s:Wikisource:Copyright to check if a work is public domain or free to use under a Creative Commons license.
• Fair Use: Some works may qualify for “fair use,” but this is a limited case and needs to be handled carefully. Review the s:Wikisource:Fair use policy for more information.

For more on copyright, visit the s:Help:Beginner's guide to copyright.

Module 5: Proofreading and Validation

Objective:

Learn how to proofread and validate texts for accuracy.

5.1 Proofreading Process

• What is Proofreading? Proofreading involves checking the transcribed text against the scanned image or original work for accuracy.
• How to Proofread:
  • Read through each page carefully.
  • Correct spelling, punctuation, and formatting errors.
  • Add missing words or fix misread text.
  • Mark any unclear sections for further review.

5.2 Validation Process

• Validation Checklist:
  • Check that all pages have been proofread.
  • Make sure there are no broken links or missing citations.
  • Confirm that the text is properly formatted.
• How to Mark Text as Valid:
  • Use the validation tool available on Wikisource to mark a page as validated.
  • For more about the validation process, visit the s:Help:Beginner's guide to validation.

Module 6: Working with Index Pages

Objective:

Learn how to create and edit Index pages to provide important metadata for texts.

6.1 What is an Index Page?

• Definition: Index pages contain essential metadata about a text, such as the title, author, publisher, and publication date.
• Purpose: They make the work searchable and link it to the main text for easier access.

6.2 How to Create an Index Page

• Basic Steps:
  • Create a new page in the Index namespace.
  • Add metadata using templates to structure the page correctly.
  • Link the Index page to the main text.
• Template to Use: Use the Index:Book template for consistent formatting.

Module 7: Transclusion in Wikisource

Objective:

Understand how to use transclusion to integrate various texts and elements into Wikisource.

7.1 What is Transclusion?

• Definition: Transclusion is the process of including content from one page into another without duplicating it. In Wikisource, transclusion is used to reference sections of other texts, templates, or metadata.
• Use Case: Link chapters of a book or incorporate footnotes into the main text automatically.

7.2 How to Use Transclusion

• Syntax: Use `Template:Page name` to pull text from one page to another.

For more on transclusion techniques, see the s:Help:Beginner's guide to transclusion.

Module 8: Final Touches and Quality Control

Objective:

Learn how to make final improvements to your contribution.

8.1 Checking Formatting and Consistency

• Formatting Checks:
  • Ensure uniformity in font styles, headings, and page breaks.
  • Correct any layout issues and ensure the text is legible and clean.
  • Review footnotes and citations for accuracy.

8.2 Adding Final Metadata

• Complete the Index: Ensure that all metadata has been correctly added to the Index page.
• Final Review: Verify that all pages are proofread, validated, and formatted correctly.

For more guidance, refer to the s:Help:Beginner's guide to Finishing Touches.

Module 9: Advanced Contributions (Optional)

Objective:

For advanced users, learn how to create more complex contributions, including templates, complex metadata, and handling intricate formatting.

9.1 Advanced Transclusion

• Learn how to link entire sections or multiple texts together across the platform using advanced transclusion techniques.

9.2 Creating Templates

• Purpose of Templates: Templates are reusable formatting or metadata structures that ensure consistency across pages and works. Create templates for footnotes, headings, citations, etc.
• Learn more at s:Help:Template.

9.3 Special Formatting and Multilingual Texts

• Handling Special Formatting: Advanced users may work with specialized formatting for non-text elements like tables, images, and complex references.
• Multilingual Contributions: See s:Help:Multilingual Wikisource for guidance on handling texts in multiple languages.

Module 10: Conclusion and Next Steps

• Engage with the Wikisource Community:
  • Participate in discussions on s:Wikisource:Community Portal.
  • Contribute to ongoing projects and help improve texts.
• Continue Learning:
  • Keep exploring the Help Pages for more advanced tools and techniques.
  • Take on more complex tasks as you get comfortable with the basics.