Introducing the PF Library

  • Thread starter Greg Bernhardt
  • Start date
In summary: Editing is all done while viewing an item. Each box has an "edit" link to the right of it. The three boxes in the middle right are self explanatory. The left side bar has the "add content" link to the right of the "edit" links. When you click that, you are taken to a page where you can add a new library item.
  • #1
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PF Library How-To

What and Why
The PF Library is simply a database of information on a wide array of sciences. Currently we are only including Mathematics and Physics as the system is still young. Considering the massive amounts of different topics being discussed, members and visitors are bound to come across terms or concepts they are not familiar with. Before the PF Library they then had to either post a question within the topic thus slowing down discussion or they had to go outside PF to research. And who knows what kind of information they'd find or if it were even reliable. Now these members and visitors don't need to go outside PF and can research and look up these concepts quickly on site. The Library also allows members to further define concepts and terms. Usually concepts are within specific problems in threads, but now members can discuss and expand into what could be thought of as concepts in the naked form. Like Wiki each item is editable per usergroup permissions.

Where is it
The Library URL is https://www.physicsforums.com/library.php and it will be added to the top navigation bar. There is also an auto post link feature that I will talk about later that let's you click on a concept and be sent to the library.

How do I use it?

Main Page
On the main page you see a left side bar and three boxes in the middle right. The three boxes are self explanatory and meant to be a fun entrance to see what is new and what has changed. The left side bar you will see an "add content" link where you'd click if you wish to add a new library item. Under that you have two ways to find content. You can either use the three drop downs to browse a topic or if you know the specific item, you can search for the title.

Defined browse
Select a topic, then sub topic and then sub sub topic. Click browse and you'll be sent to a page listing all the items listed in that topic. Or browse by just topic or topic sub topic.

Report Item
If you see an item that needs to be looked at by authorities please use the report button. (will be enabled tomorrow)

Adding Content
If an item is missing that you want to add information about then click "Add Content". Make sure you search well to see if it isn't already added.

Topic
Select from the three drop downs the topics that best categorize your item.

Title
Please use standard terminology when choosing a title! Remember the acronym KISS. Please do NOT choose something like "Cool Gravity" or "~~ Gravity ~~" or add "The" to the beginning or add punctuation. Also please use all lowercase letters in the word/phrase.

Definition/Summary
Self explanatory. Please keep to max of 100-150 words. This should be quick and easy to read to get a gist of what this concept or term is about. LaTeX enabled

Equations
This is for LaTeX equations listing. It is just a listing. Please keep to 1 equation per line. Standard forum latex tags are to be used.

See Also
This should be for further reading or related concept linking. Use easy titles for the URLs. First option should be to link to other items within the library. Otherwise you can link to external sites.

Scientists
This should be a listing of the scientists known to be responsible for developing the concept. This field is BBCODE enabled. Please use links to biographies inside the library, otherwise external sites.

In the News
This field is for a listing of recent news stories that might be related to the concept which may interest visitors. Again this field is BBCODE enabled.

Extended Explanation
This field is for more complete information on the concept and should be used to house most of the data. Examples can also be added and further explanation of the concept. This field is LaTeX and BBCODE enabled.

Images
This area is where you can attach images to the item. Only five at a time, replace images as better images are found.

Once you are all done, you can click save, and your item is sent to the moderation bin to be reviewed. Once reviewed, it is either accepted or removed. No notification is sent either way.

[Added by Redbelly98:]
Also, normal image-tagging works in the Extended Explanation and Scientists section of a library entry. It does not work in the Definition/Summary or Equations sections. The format for image tagging is [noparse][/noparse][I]url-of-image-to-be-posted[/I] [Broken], just as in a normal forum post. This may be preferable to using the designated Image section of the entry, as it allows multiple images to be viewed quickly and simultaneously.

Editing an Item - currently only staff, Homework Helpers, Science Advisers & Item Creators can edit items.
Editing is all done while viewing an item. Each box has an "edit" link to the right of it. Click that and you can begin editing. Simple as that. The breakdown box is used to show where the item is listed, if you think it is better off in another topic, then you may change it accordingly. NOTE: all edits are logged and if we find someone purposefully messing with items, it will result in an immediate permanent ban from the entire site.

Commenting on an Item
Commenting is done like quick reply. There is a comment box at the bottom of each item. Type inside it with your banter and click save. The comment box is LaTeX enabled. Everyone can comment.

What is forum post auto linking
Each time someone makes a new thread or posts a reply to a thread, that thread checks the content of the post and tries to match any keywords with items in the library. For example, if someone posts a reply in a thread with the keyword "triangle" and the library contains an item with the title "triangle" then that word inside the post is automatically made a link connecting to the item in the library. So this is easy for someone to quickly find out more about a concept without even thinking or leaving the site or post for that matter. To help avoid cluttering, we've setup the links to remain black text, but feature a dotted underline. Also only one instance of the keyword will be linked in each post.
 
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Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Here is an example of the auto linking. Check out the new triangle pic. This square is definitely not round.
 
  • #3
I love you! I had a similar thought a few months back in Forum Feedback. This is going to be so cool, thank you very much!
 
  • #4
Correction

No I didn't. :rofl:
 
  • #5
Can we arrange for the auto linking to not change the capitalization of the word linked?
 
  • #6
will this apply only to new threads, or will all the threads, even in the archives be reformatted with autolinks to be included?


There are some great threads in the archives.
 
  • #7
rewebster said:
will this apply only to new threads, or will all the threads, even in the archives be reformatted with autolinks to be included?


There are some great threads in the archives.

All threads, present, future and past. FYI, I just added a column on the right side bar on the main page that will display the recent items.
 
  • #8
preview facililty ?

May we please have a preview facility on the Add Content page?

And does the auto linking work with plurals if the library title is singular?

(oh … and I note all the smilies are available … does that mean they're encouraged? :smile:)
 
  • #9
tiny-tim said:
May we please have a preview facility on the Add Content page?

And does the auto linking work with plurals if the library title is singular?

(oh … and I note all the smilies are available … does that mean they're encouraged? :smile:)

Preview has been noted as a future feature, thanks! Plurals work, see my test below. Smilies can be added where appropriate :)

test... triangles
 
  • #10
There's links on the bottom of each page under 'forum jump'--one of which is 'Library'----which now (at the present time) goes to 'archives'---

---can I make a suggestion to link that to the 'new' library' instead of 'archives' --and maybe the old link 'library' be renamed 'Archives'?
 
  • #11
rewebster said:
There's links on the bottom of each page under 'forum jump'--one of which is 'Library'----which now (at the present time) goes to 'archives'---

---can I make a suggestion to link that to the 'new' library' instead of 'archives' --and maybe the old link 'library' be renamed 'Archives'?

ah good catch, I will change that
 
  • #12
How soon will all the threads be included?

FYI--there's a HTML typo under:

Physics/ "nuclear & Particle" and "statistical .."

There's quite a few more of those " & " html 's in some of the other lists too
 
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  • #13
rewebster said:
How soon will all the threads be included?

They are now, it's automatic.
 
  • #14
Greg, it appears that there is one thread in the queue for moderation. However, if I click on the moderation link, the page is empty.
 
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  • #15
Hootenanny said:
Greg, it appears that there is one thread in the queue for moderation. However, if I click on the moderation click, the page is empty.

Thanks, working on it.
 
  • #16
I've looked around, this will be a very nice resource.
 
  • #17
Thats really great!
 
  • #18
The Auto Linking feature is great! This looks like its going to be awesome. After finals are over, I hope to start contributing more articles.
 
  • #19
I tried to post something and it gave me this:

Warning: mkdir() [function.mkdir]: File exists in /includes/functions_mgc_gloss.php on line 142
Database Error Database error
The Physics Help and Math Help - Physics Forums database has encountered a problem.
Please try the following:

* Load the page again by clicking the Refresh button in your web browser.
* Open the www.physicsforums.com home page, then try to open another page.
* Click the Back button to try another link.

The www.physicsforums.com forum technical staff have been notified of the error, though you may contact them if the problem persists.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

Sigh!
 
  • #20
Just a minor request/suggestion I had:

If possible (and understandably it is often not), I think posters should cite all information to a published source.

Even though the information may be well known and ubiquitous in physics textbooks, if each person provides where they personally learned about that specific piece it would be an automatic resource for anyone looking to learn. Plus, it's not that hard to simply think of the name and author of whatever textbook or journal you got your information from. If you didn't get it from a printed source (essentially hearsay or conjecture), it should be stated as such.

--Bob
 
  • #21
Crazy Tosser said:
I tried to post something and it gave me this:

Warning: mkdir() [function.mkdir]: File exists in /includes/functions_mgc_gloss.php on line 142
Database Error Database error
The Physics Help and Math Help - Physics Forums database has encountered a problem.
Please try the following:

* Load the page again by clicking the Refresh button in your web browser.
* Open the www.physicsforums.com home page, then try to open another page.
* Click the Back button to try another link.

The www.physicsforums.com forum technical staff have been notified of the error, though you may contact them if the problem persists.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

Sigh!

Is this still happening?
 
  • #22
Greg Bernhardt said:
Is this still happening?

nvm, it worked =D

Now, how can I edit it if it looks very messy?
 
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  • #23
Crazy Tosser said:
nvm, it worked =D

Now, how can I edit it if it looks very messy?
Currently only Staff, HH's & SA's have editing privileges. I'm not sure what the procedure is going to be if you need to edit one of your own entries. For the moment, until Greg clears this up I suggests that you post your corrections, as a comment, in the entry which needs correcting.

I'm assuming the mess entry you referred to is the Linear ODE entry, I've tidied up the latex so it looks better now.

P.S. Greg: Thanks for fixing the moderation :smile:
 
  • #24
American spelling, English spelling, or optional? :rolleyes:
 
  • #25
The formatting is awkward -- it seems to put a line break after every inline TeX image.
 
  • #26
This is awesome. Thanks guys... PF is getting bigger... :smile:
 
  • #27
This is a really good resource. It will definitely make PF better. :)
 
  • #28
viewing latex … NOT!

I can't see the LaTeX equations in the Extended explanation section (though I can them in the Equations section).

I could see them there a couple of hours ago, so I don't think it's my browser (Safari 3.1.1 on a 500Mhz iMac).
 
  • #29
i added an entry on the exponential distribution but it hasnt appeared.
 
  • #30
now when i search for it, it says "the entry has been found and you are being redirected to it". after it loads, this is the message i get :

dx, you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:

1. Your user account may not have sufficient privileges to access this page. Are you trying to edit someone else's post, access administrative features or some other privileged system?
2. If you are trying to post, the administrator may have disabled your account, or it may be awaiting activation.
 
  • #31
dx said:
i added an entry on the exponential distribution but it hasnt appeared.

It has to be moderated and approved first. You'd know this if you'd read the first post.
 
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  • #32
dx said:
now when i search for it, it says "the entry has been found and you are being redirected to it". after it loads, this is the message i get :

dx, you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:

1. Your user account may not have sufficient privileges to access this page. Are you trying to edit someone else's post, access administrative features or some other privileged system?
2. If you are trying to post, the administrator may have disabled your account, or it may be awaiting activation.

I think all entries need to be approved by a science advisor or a homework helper or a mentor.
 
  • #33
Each new entry starts in moderation which is not visible/accessible to general membership. The entry is reviewed and if found suitable, it will be approved at which time it becomes visible and accessible.
 
  • #35
How come it says that I don't have sufficient privelliges to make an article?
 
<h2>1. What is the PF Library?</h2><p>The PF Library is a collection of resources and materials related to the field of physics and its subfields. It includes books, journals, articles, and other materials that can be used for research and learning purposes.</p><h2>2. Who can access the PF Library?</h2><p>The PF Library is open to anyone who has a valid library card or is a member of an institution that has a partnership with the library. Some resources may require a subscription or payment, but many materials are available for free.</p><h2>3. What types of materials are available in the PF Library?</h2><p>The PF Library has a wide range of materials, including textbooks, research papers, conference proceedings, and multimedia resources such as videos and simulations. There are also resources specifically for students and educators, such as study guides and lesson plans.</p><h2>4. How can I search for specific materials in the PF Library?</h2><p>The PF Library has a search engine that allows users to search for materials by keyword, author, title, or subject. There are also advanced search options that allow for more specific searches. Users can also browse through different categories and subcategories to find relevant materials.</p><h2>5. Can I borrow materials from the PF Library?</h2><p>Yes, many materials in the PF Library can be borrowed for a certain period of time. However, some materials may only be available for in-library use or may require a special request. It is best to check with the library staff for specific borrowing policies and procedures.</p>

1. What is the PF Library?

The PF Library is a collection of resources and materials related to the field of physics and its subfields. It includes books, journals, articles, and other materials that can be used for research and learning purposes.

2. Who can access the PF Library?

The PF Library is open to anyone who has a valid library card or is a member of an institution that has a partnership with the library. Some resources may require a subscription or payment, but many materials are available for free.

3. What types of materials are available in the PF Library?

The PF Library has a wide range of materials, including textbooks, research papers, conference proceedings, and multimedia resources such as videos and simulations. There are also resources specifically for students and educators, such as study guides and lesson plans.

4. How can I search for specific materials in the PF Library?

The PF Library has a search engine that allows users to search for materials by keyword, author, title, or subject. There are also advanced search options that allow for more specific searches. Users can also browse through different categories and subcategories to find relevant materials.

5. Can I borrow materials from the PF Library?

Yes, many materials in the PF Library can be borrowed for a certain period of time. However, some materials may only be available for in-library use or may require a special request. It is best to check with the library staff for specific borrowing policies and procedures.

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