Wiki Strategy For Abbreviations
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Summary

Context. When the plural form of an abbreviation is used, it looks like a Pascal Case word but it is really a Faux Topic Name.

Example. TLA is an abbreviation for three-letter abbreviation. Writing about multiple TL As creates a Faux Topic Name.

Solution. The strategy leverages Spero Wiki's automatic redirection for plurals (in English): if a Topic Name exists, e.g., Wiki Wiki, then Spero Wiki will automatically redirect Wiki Wikis (note the final 's') to the Wiki Wiki topic.

First, create a Wiki Topic for the fully spelled out abbreviation, for example Three Letter Abbreviation.

Second, create a Wiki Topic for the abbreviation itself (not plural) using a Free Link, for example TLA.

Third, click on the Free Link to create the topic for the abbreviation, and make it redirect to the fully spelled out Wiki Topic. For improved usability, supply a Summary property for the page as well. For example, for TLA enter the following contents.

 Redirect: ThreeLetterAbbreviation
 Summary: Three-letter abbreviation (TLA)

There should be no other text or blank lines on the page.

Now the would-be Faux Topic Name, (e.g., TL As,) automatically redirects to the real Topic Name, (TLA), which manually redirects to the target Topic Name (Three Letter Abbreviation).

As an added benefit, you can also use the abbreviation as a Free Link where appropriate, e.g., TLA.

Related strategies. This strategy uses Wiki Strategy For Plurals.

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History

8/1/2005 2:21:12 PM
-66.69.151.148
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