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{{#customtitle:RacecarID Usage}}
== A Brief Background: ==

RacecarID is built using the same website program as Wikipedia, so if you have experience with this or other Wikimedia powered sites then RacecarID should be pretty straightforward. If you're not familiar with wiki based websites, a quick look at the basic tips below should get you on your way.

Please [mailto:assistance@racecarid.com.au '''let us know'''] if you need assistance navigating the site, entering or editing data.

== Searching: ==

The main reason for the RacecarID database is to be able to search for information about racecars and the events they participate in. There are a couple of different ways to search for information.

=== Text Searches: ===

In the search box in the left column, type the search term you are looking for. Clicking the '''Search''' button will show a list of pages where the term is encountered. Clicking the '''Go''' button (or 'Enter' on the keyboard) will take you directly to the page with your search term as a title if it exists.

[http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Searching Tips for searching]

=== Drilldown Searches: ===

Drilldown searching takes you to a page of a top level category where selections from dropdown boxes allows you to refine the list of results. [http://www.racecarid.com/wiki/Special:BrowseData/Racecars?_single '''CLICK HERE'''] to go to the Racecars drilldown page.

== Adding A New Racecar: ==

Adding a new racecar record is as simple as filling in [[Form:Racecars|'''THIS FORM''']]. But before you add a new Racecar to our database, please check the existing entries in the following categories. These categories will appear on the registration form and will be available for use in drop-down selection boxes. Selection will only be possible from the items already in the list, so if your registration needs a new category item, add it through these category pages first.

[[:Category:Manufacturers|Manufacturers]]

[[:Category:Models|Models]]

[[:Category:GoverningBody|Governing Bodies]]

[[:Category:Disciplines|Motorsport Disciplines]]

[[:Category:Racing_Categories|Racing Categories]]

== Editing: ==

At the top of each page there is usually an 'edit' or 'edit with form' tab, click on this to be taken to the edit interface. Please preview your submission before saving the page. If you want to abandon any changes simply click your browser back button or click on the cancel link at the bottom of the edit page.

Due to the nature of the data structure, some property updates may appear not to have taken effect immediately. Sometimes the update process can be sped up by editing and saving the page (without actually making any changes). Other times simply refreshing the page may show the changes. The database systematically updates all linked properties, but may not always show these immediately.

Advanced Wiki Editing can be read about [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Advanced_editing ''Here'']