Help:Namespace

The MediaWiki software powering Memory Alpha provides several namespaces. A namespace is a "zone" that contains specific types of wiki content.

Regular namespaces

 * The main namespace is the zone for the actual encyclopedia of Memory Alpha. It contains no prefix, and pages in this namespace are created simply by creating links.
 * The Memory Alpha: namespace is for pages pertaining to the project. These pages might sometimes be referred to as "meta" pages.
 * The User: namespace is set aside for personalized pages pertaining to Memory Alpha contributors. This may include personal presentations, scratch pages, rough drafts, and archives of content. It is not intended for use as personal web space (see What Memory Alpha is not).
 * The Forum: namespace contains discussion pages, such as those in Ten Forward or the Reference Desk.
 * The Help: namespace is for pages that provide guidance for using the MediaWiki software.
 * The File: namespace is created for image description pages that provide information concerning images. (This also applies to other kinds of media, such as sounds and movies.)
 * The Special: namespace consists solely of pages that are created by the MediaWiki software on demand (for example, recent changes). These pages can be linked using the usual method, except when parameters are required (then the full URL must be used).
 * The Template: namespace is used to create customizable sections of text that can be included in multiple articles. They are included using the    markup (see Templates).
 * The MediaWiki: namespace contains text that allows customization of Memory Alpha's user interface. Pages in this namespace may only be edited by the administrators.
 * The Portal: namespace contains "portal" pages, which are high-level overviews or indices on particular topics, such as science or technology.
 * The Category: namespace contains all the various categories into which articles can be grouped.

Talk namespaces
Each namespace (except for Special:) also has an associated Talk: namespace linked to it. These pages are set aside for discussion of the articles as necessary. Examples of the most frequently used Talk namespaces are:


 * Talk:
 * Memory Alpha talk:
 * User talk:
 * File talk: