How do you store your boilerplate?

+14 votes
286 views
I've started gathering a group of phrases, sources, wike boilerplate, etc.  I've been keeping them as a Word document which I keep open This lets me save time when I'm editing a profile, though I've gotten to where entering, say <ref></ref> I can type it about as fast as I can go-copy-return-paste.  So I'm looking for what others do as best practice.  I'm thinking having larger chunks available like a whole bio section I can store and then paste over the default bio; or perhaps below it so I can cut and paste useful things like the parents names.  Any hints or suggestions?
in The Tree House by Dave Dardinger G2G6 Pilot (438k points)
I use STICKY NOTES that comes with Microsoft.

7 Answers

+15 votes
 
Best answer

Dave,

While I don't have any material that I post to multiple profiles, I do keep a large file of sources - these are the complete source from <ref name="Name"> to </ref>, I use the same form all of the time.

I use a Word file and keep it open whenever I am working on profiles.  It also includes a few templates and category names that I use often. 

I also use a My Own Free Space with links to pages that I use often.

by Philip Smith G2G6 Pilot (337k points)
selected by Dave Dardinger
+7 votes
I like Philip's idea best, but I do keep helpful hints on my Nav Home Page Scratch Pad.
by Doug Lockwood G2G Astronaut (2.6m points)
+5 votes

I use a Word file, for instance, I put her mother's age of 20 at the time of her birth. on my clipboard, and it gets pasted into {{DateGuess2}}<blockquote> This birth date is speculative,  based upon  </blockquote> when I press the backslash B

Or if I hit  comma r it becomes <ref> her mother's age of 20 at the time of her birth.</ref>

I know there's a term for this, but I've been using AIMKeys so long I forget the terminology.

by Tom Bredehoft G2G6 Pilot (208k points)
+7 votes
I keep my frequently used copy/paste "stuff" (sources, templates, formatting) on a free space page. That way if I'm working on my laptop (on vacation) or someone else's computer, instead of my desktop, I have the information that I need.
by Anne B G2G Astronaut (1.3m points)
+4 votes
I use different snippet programs to save text that I use repeatedly.  I use XMenu on my iMac desktop, but I am sure there are snippet programs for other operating systems.  Try a couple different ones to find one you like best.

The way XMenu works is I write a large paragraph of info and save it as a text file.  When I want to paste that paragraph, I just put my cursor in a bulletin board field and select the paragraph to paste from XMenu.  I can edit the paragraphs as needed.  It is very useful for repetive text.

I also use a "post-it note" type program on my desktop.  Here I create an entry on a post-it note and then just copy and paste that entry as needed on WikiTree, for example {{1776}}, to mark an ancestor as a 1776 project participant, is one of my shortest post-it note items.
by Kitty Smith G2G6 Pilot (638k points)
This is a new one for me, Kitty! Thanks for suggesting it!
+4 votes
I use a small program called QuickTextPaste. It lets you use short cut keys for all your repetitive commands.

Once set up you would for example use:

Cntl+Alt+D for {{DateGuess2}} or Cntl+Alt+R <ref name=ESME/>

It has made my life so much easier when I work on biographies.
by Esmé van der Westhuizen G2G6 Pilot (148k points)
That sounds wonderful Esme, alas it is only for windows :( I have a MAC
+3 votes
I use a PC program called ClipMate, which lets me save sets of clips that I re-use frequently. To paste it from ClipMate, I select the clip I want to copy and press Ctrl-V to paste it.
by Walter Howe G2G6 Mach 1 (16.7k points)

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