Can someone help me with editing a Wikipedia page?

Question

Wikipedia is one of the most complicated websites use on the web. Just trying to figure out how to upload a photo or get help makes my eyes cross.

I have done some page edits so I have a little experience, but I've always been confused as to why you cannot edit the opening section of a page. The only EDIT tabs occur in subsequent sections of the page.

I have found a page that I would like to add historical data to. Here's a link to it for you to see what I'm talking about:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprian_Southack

I want to add data between the first to paragraphs.

can someone PLEASE tell me how to do this?
Thanks!

Answer 1

To edit the first section of the page, the simplest option is to hit the edit tab at the top of the article, which will let you edit the whole article.



If you want to edit *just* the first section, you need to either create the URL manually or add a script to do it for you.



The simplest way to get a script to do it for you is to be logged-in, to go to the Gadgets section of your preferences at < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-gadgets >, and check the first box under the "Appearance" subsection, with the description "Add an [edit] link for the lead section of a page". Remember to save your preferences using the "Save" button at the botttom of the page. If the new link doesn't appear in the tabs at the tops of articles, try purging your browser cache: < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:BYPASS >. Also note that the link is added using JavaScript, so you must have JavaScript enabled in your browser for it to work!



If you're not logged-in, simply append "§ion=0" to the edit URL, as so:

< http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cyprian_Southack&action=edit§ion=0 >. This is less convenient, since you'll have to do it every time, but if you don't want to edit the whole page and you don't want to log in, that's your only option.

Answer 2

If you've done some page edits and you have a little experience you should have no problem in what you want to do here. But you clearly are having a problem. That's a problem.



There is no solution. Do not pass go.

Answer 3

What? Are you really THAT helpless? Sorry... There IS an excellent built-in HELP system AND a "sandbox" where you can play to your heart's content! There is no substitute for doing your homework, and in this case, that means using the help system and the sandbox to figure it out for yourself. There isn't room here for me or anyone else, to walk you through this.