Convert FB2 to Wiki

Why Convert FB2 to MediaWiki?

Converting FB2 ebooks to MediaWiki format is useful when you want to create wiki-based documentation from fiction content, build collaborative knowledge bases from book material, or make ebook content editable on wiki platforms. MediaWiki's markup is designed for collaborative editing, making it perfect for community-driven documentation projects.

FB2 (FictionBook 2) is an XML-based ebook format extremely popular in Russia and Eastern Europe. It excels at storing fiction with rich metadata including author information, cover images, annotations, and structured chapters. However, FB2's XML structure makes collaborative editing difficult, and the format is primarily designed for reading rather than community contribution.

MediaWiki provides a collaborative alternative that enables multiple users to edit and improve content. Used by Wikipedia and thousands of wiki sites worldwide, MediaWiki markup is designed for easy editing in web browsers. By converting FB2 to Wiki format, you can transform static ebook content into living documentation that can be continuously updated and improved by a community.

Key Benefits of Converting FB2 to MediaWiki:

• Collaborative Editing: Enable multiple users to contribute and improve content
• Version History: Track all changes with built-in revision control
• Web-Based: Edit and view in any web browser without special software
• Cross-Linking: Create interconnected knowledge with internal links
• Categories and Templates: Organize content with powerful wiki features
• Search and Discovery: Built-in search and navigation tools
• Community Building: Foster collaboration around shared knowledge

Practical Examples

Example 1: Book Chapter Conversion

Input FB2 file (book.fb2):

<section>
  <title>Chapter 1: The Beginning</title>
  <p>It was a dark and stormy night.</p>
  <p>The wind howled through the trees.</p>
  <emphasis>Important text</emphasis>
</section>

Output MediaWiki file (book.wiki):

== Chapter 1: The Beginning ==

It was a dark and stormy night.

The wind howled through the trees.

''Important text''

Example 2: Metadata Preservation

Input FB2 metadata:

<title-info>
  <book-title>The Great Adventure</book-title>
  <author>
    <first-name>John</first-name>
    <last-name>Smith</last-name>
  </author>
  <date>2024</date>
</title-info>

Output MediaWiki page:

= The Great Adventure =

'''Author:''' John Smith

'''Date:''' 2024

[[Category:Books]]
[[Category:2024 publications]]

Example 3: Structured Content

Input FB2 with annotations:

<annotation>
  <p>This book tells the story of...</p>
</annotation>
<epigraph>
  <p>"To be or not to be"</p>
  <text-author>Shakespeare</text-author>
</epigraph>

Output MediaWiki:

{{Quote box
|quote = This book tells the story of...
|source = Book annotation
}}

{{Quote
|text = To be or not to be
|author = Shakespeare
}}

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is FB2 format?

A: FB2 (FictionBook 2) is an XML-based ebook format created in Russia in 2004. It's designed for storing fiction with rich metadata including author info, genres, cover images, and structured content. FB2 is extremely popular in Eastern Europe and CIS countries, supported by readers like FBReader, Cool Reader, and Calibre.

Q: What is MediaWiki format?

A: MediaWiki is the markup language used by Wikipedia and thousands of wiki sites worldwide. It uses simple text formatting codes (like '''bold''' for bold text) that are easy to learn and edit. MediaWiki is designed for collaborative editing where multiple users can contribute to the same content.

Q: Will chapter structure be preserved?

A: Yes! FB2's section and title elements are converted to MediaWiki headings (== for main sections, === for subsections, etc.). The hierarchical structure of your book is maintained, making the output easy to navigate and edit on wiki platforms.

Q: What happens to images in FB2?

A: FB2 stores images as Base64-encoded data within the XML. During conversion, images are extracted and saved as separate files, with MediaWiki image syntax ([[File:image.jpg]]) pointing to them. You'll need to upload these images to your wiki separately.

Q: Can I use the output on any wiki?

A: The converted Wiki markup is designed for MediaWiki (used by Wikipedia), which is the most common wiki software. Other wiki systems like DokuWiki or TikiWiki use different syntax, so you may need to adjust the markup for those platforms.

Q: What tools can I use to edit MediaWiki?

A: MediaWiki is typically edited directly in a web browser through the wiki's edit interface. For offline editing, you can use any text editor. Some editors like VS Code have MediaWiki syntax highlighting extensions available.

Q: How do I upload the converted file to a wiki?

A: You can copy and paste the converted wiki markup into the edit box of any MediaWiki page. Simply create or edit a page on your wiki, paste the content, and save. Images need to be uploaded separately through the wiki's file upload feature.

Q: Is formatting preserved during conversion?

A: Yes! Bold, italic, and other text formatting from FB2 is converted to MediaWiki equivalents ('''bold''', ''italic''). Paragraphs, lists, and basic tables are also preserved. Some complex FB2 elements may be simplified to match wiki conventions.