A bridge that allows other software programs to automatically search, read, write, or sync articles and data without using the human website interface.

An article that is removed from public search results and active viewing, but saved in a back-end storage list for reference or audits

A user or role with permissions to create, edit, and publish documentation such as articles, guides, and FAQs.

The process of verifying a user's identity before granting access to internal, restricted, or customer-facing information. Authentication verifies who a user is (such as logging in with a password or email), authorization decides what files, categories, or administrative settings they can access.

The methods that make self-service information easy to find, simple to read, and accurate enough to solve a problem so a user can help themselves.

A secondary navigation trail at the top of a page that show a user's hierarchical location within the topics and/ or categories.

A temporary storage location on your device where web browsers save website files like images, scripts, and stylesheets.

A top-level container or folder that groups related articles together under a single thematic name. 

Tthe difference in luminance (brightness) between the text color and its background color. It is a fundamental element of web accessibility (specifically under the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, or WCAG), ensuring that documentation, articles, and guides are easily readable for all users, including those with visual impairments like color blindness or low vision.

A system of rules, roles, and workflows that controls how information is created, updated, reviewed, and retired.

The specific person or group accountable for the accuracy, quality, relevance, and lifecycle of designated articles or documentation

A plain text file format used to store tabular data like tables or spreadsheets.

A centralized visual interface that displays key metrics, data, and status reports about your help articles in one place.

The system of rules, roles, and processes that keeps your KB site's information accurate, safe, and easy to find.

The hands-on practice of managing, organizing, and maintaining content to ensure information remains accurate, trusted, and easy to find.

The process of gathering, converting, and indexing physical or digital files so content becomes searchable and readable within a centralized repository such as your KB Space.

An early, unfinished version of a written work whose purpose is to let an author put down raw ideas before editing and revising.

An integrated media tool (such as a video or audio player) placed directly inside an article so users can view or listen to content without leaving the page.

Is a standard identifier attribute that uniquely identifies a person at a campus. At UW–Madison, an ePPN is always formatted as NetID@wisc.edu. It behaves the same as a campus NetID on local systems, but it is scoped so it can work globally. It is the preferred identifier for applications that interact with federated login systems (like SAML Federation, InCommon, or eduGAIN) because it guarantees uniqueness across different universities and worldwide institutions.

An option that examines all words across every published document rather than just looking at titles or assigned keywords.

Is defined as a binary-encoded 2D raster data type image format that ordinarily uses the .gif extension. KB Authors can drag, copy, or upload non-animated .gif images directly into the text editor of their KB documentation.

A dedicated workspace for a campus unit, department, or IT group to create, store, manage, and collaborate on their own documents and share out or share in documents from other Group spaces.

The visual layout that lets users and authors interact with the system using buttons, icons, and menus instead of text commands.

The logical, hierarchical order of title tags (from H1 to H6) that organizes knowledge base article like a table of contents.

The standard coding language used to structure content and give it meaning inside a knowledge base articles. It uses special markers called tags (like <p> for paragraphs or <h1> for headings) to tell the system and browser how to organize text, insert images, build tables, and create clickable links.

A clickable element in an article that lets users jump to related content, specific sections within the same page, or external web resources.

The blueprint that organizes, structures, and labels content so users can find answers quickly and easily.

A JPEG is a graphic image file produced according to a standard from an ISO/IEC group of experts that develops and maintains standards for a suite of compression algorithms for computer image files. JPEGs usually have a .jpg or .jpeg file extension.

A monthly meeting of KB administrators and authors led by the central UW KB Team. Attendees often see unreleased new features first and give direct feedback to help guide decisions for the KB platform.

The ability to search, browse, and operate all content and interactive features using only a keyboard, without a mouse or trackpad.

Specific words or short phrases tagged to articles or used by search systems to match user search queries with relevant content.

A digital document that provides instructions, answers, or troubleshooting steps to help users solve a specific problem or learn how to use a specific campus service.

The numbers and data points used to track how well your help articles and self-service resources perform.

A security process that requires users to provide two or more different verification factors to prove their identity before gaining access to a knowledge base space.

A secure software application that stores, generates, and organizes your login credentials in an encrypted digital vault.

A static document file that is stored, linked, converted, or embedded to supply information to users. KB Users can attach PDF files directly into digital articles so readers may view or download forms, manuals, and guides without leaving the page.

UW-Madison KnowledgeBase, itself, is a web-based platform. It is a centralized, cloud-hosted software environment provided by the Division of Information Technology (DoIT).

An image format designed as an improved replacement for GIF. Like GIF, PNG uses lossless compression, meaning all image data is preserved when decompressed for viewing. PNG files typically use the .png extension.

The method your browser uses to load the page securely, typically https://.

The ability for authorized users to securely log in and view, edit, or manage internal documentation and support articles from outside the institution's physical network or office environment.

An data summary that tracks how articles perform, how users interact with content, and how effectively the resource answers questions.

A design approach that automatically adjusts support articles, navigation menus, tables and search bars to fit any screen size or device.

A standardized web-based tool that allows campus developers to securely pull, share, or update KB data—such as technical help documents, user permissions, or site content—across external software applications.

A scheduled routine used to check, update, and verify that published articles remain accurate and useful.

A user role responsible for checking, editing, and approving articles to ensure accuracy and quality before they are published.

A built-in log that tracks every change, edit, and update made to an article over time

A visual writing tool that lets you format help articles like a standard word processor without using code. It is often called a WYSIWYG editor, which stands for "What You See Is What You Get".

A permissions model that grants access based on a user's role.

A software application that converts digital text and visual elements on a screen into synthesized speech or a refreshable braille display.

An image of a computer or phone screen used in an article to show users what a specific menu, button, or error message looks like.

Practices used to improve article visibility in search results. 

A calculated score that determines how well and in what order documents match a user's search query.

A non-human account used by applications, integrations, or automated processes.

A centralized, collaborative file or article that multiple authorized users can access, view, and edit to maintain as a single source of truth.

A command or page identifier that displays a complete list of all participating campus and institution partner sites sharing documents within the aggregate or unified system.

Used by internal site authors, editors, and administrators to immediately retrieve all of their favorited documents.

When managing an internal KB space, you can mark frequently used or regularly shared support documents as a "Favorite". This command bypasses the standard search algorithms and filters the down strictly to your personalized list of saved documents for easy access.

When applied, it returns only documents that have been shared by other groups, while filtering out any documents that are directly owned by the specific group whose KB site you are currently searching.

When applied, it returns only documents that have been shared by other groups, while filtering out any documents that are directly owned by the specific group whose KB site you are currently searching.

A digital, step-by-step guide that explains how to complete a specific, repeatable task correctly and consistently.

An authoritative person who creates, reviews, and updates accurate information on a specific subject for a KB space.

An XML-based file format used to describe two-dimensional vector images. It is typically used as a clean, sharp graphic format for UI icons, diagrams, logos, flowcharts, and technical illustrations. Unlike pixel-based formats (like PNG or JPEG), SVGs use mathematical formulas, points, and lines to render images.

The written text version of an audio or video recording.

A security process that requires users to provide two distinct proofs of identity before they can access an account or system.

The specific web address used to locate and access an individual help article, category page, or document.

Designates how easily, quickly, and pleasantly a user can find, read, and apply the answers they need. It focuses on removing friction so people can solve their problems without contacting support.

A system that tracks, records, and manages changes to documents and articles over time.

A technology that uses radio waves to let devices connect to the internet and each other without using physical cables.

The defined process an article follows from creation through review, approval, publication, revision, and retirement.