This site is a wiki. That means that the main content can be edited by anyone. Currently you can edit the site without registering/joining, but we would like to encourage you to register/join.

There are advantages to joining. Initially, the key one will be that a user-name of your choice will be linked with your edits, rather than your computer's IP address (although the last few digits of this aren't displayed anyway). You may also find that other users treat your edits more seriously since the history of your contributions can be seen. As this site grows you may also have increased editing permissions compared to people who have not joined.

Note that joining the site is a two stage process. First you register with 'Wikidot' generally (Wikidot hosts lots of other wiki sites too), and then you join this 'unioncanal' site. This second stage doesn't gain you a great deal at the moment (other than permission to edit a few of the semi-protected pages) so the Wikidot stage is the most important. The process is a little irritating, but not particularly long winded or complicated.

Once a member of Wikidot, you are able (if you feel so inclined) to create your own wiki websites and to contribute to help pages and forums shared by users and administrators of other Wikidot sites. You will also have the option of communicating more directly with other wikidot users through a 'personal message' system.

Beginners instructions

If you aren't used to doing this kind of thing don't worry it isn't complicated - but there are lots of little things that can seem confusing (you may not know what a 'screen name' is for instance, or why you are being asked if you are human). If you are familiar with this kind of procedure we suggest you just get started (after reading the short notes below). If you aren't so sure of what will be required then we've written a set of step by step instructions for you (click here). Note that these make the process look long-winded simply because they are written for people who have never joined anything like this in the past and they attempt to answer all possible questions.

Advanced instructions

(everything you need to know in as few words as possible - for people who are comfortable with this kind of thing)
You need to join both Wikidot (which hosts the wiki) and also the 'unioncanal' wiki. Joining means your edits are associated with a username rather than an IP address. It also increases your editing permissions. The box below is dynamic, initially being a link, then once you join Wikidot it becomes a password box (password is 'lochrinbasin'), then finally it says that you are a member. The process is a bit irritating, but there don't seem to be any major issues with it.

Join below

Join by using the link below.
NB: Once you are a member of Wikidot this will have changed to be a password box not a link - put the password 'lochrinbasin' in here.
NB: Once you have finished the joining process this will change to a red box saying that you can't apply because you are already a member.