Wikinfo:Policies and guidelines

Wikinfo is a collaborative project to create a useful free encyclopedia -- a reliable resource.

Generally accepted policies

• Take a positive viewpoint about the subject in the main article. Articles should be written from a Wikinfo:sympathetic point of view, differing views can be presented in supplementary articles in the form "[[A critical view of Wikipedia]].
• Don't infringe copyrights. Submitting work without the copyright holder's permission could lead to legal liability for the project. See Wikinfo:copyrights for more information..
• Wikinfo is an encyclopedia. The site should primarily be used for developing the encyclopedia. In particular, discussions on Wikinfo:talk pages should be directed at improving articles. See Wikinfo:What Wikinfo is not.
• Respect other contributors. By treating others with respect we are able to cooperate effectively in building an encyclopedia. For some guidelines, see Wikinfo:Etiquette.
• Follow conventions. By following these conventions we are able to produce a more consistent and usable encyclopedia:
  • Wikinfo:Editing policy (How to edit articles)
  • Wikinfo:Naming conventions (How to title articles)
  • Wikinfo:Disambiguation (How to resolve title conflicts)
  • Wikinfo:Image use policy (Handling uploads)

For policies on using some restricted features, see Wikinfo:Administrators.

See also Wikinfo:Most common Wikinfo errors for some useful information for newcomers.

How are these policies enforced?

If you write articles on Wikinfo you are also an Wikinfo:editor. Editors monitor recent changes and make copyedits and corrections to the content and format problems they see.

In extreme and unusual cases, Wikinfo:Administrators can step in to ban a user who has proven to be unusually disruptive. Certain policies are official Wikinfo policies: All articles must present a coherent point of view, sympathetic in the case of the main article; in order to write a Wikinfo:signed article you must identify yourself to the satisfaction of the Wikinfo:Administration; editors must (viewed as a whole) conduct themselves in a responsible, supportive way in relations with other editors.

How policy has been formulated

Wikinfo policy is based in large part on the culture built at Wikipededia which has for the most part developed by habit and consensus with a few changes which attempt to improve upon existing practice. Procedures for resolution of issues on Wikipedia are generally incorporated into Wikinfo practice.

Specific guidelines to consider

In addition to the generally accepted policies listed above, the following guidelines are suggested:

General guidelines

• Wikinfo:Contribute what you know or are willing to learn about
• Wikinfo:Be bold in updating pages
• Wikinfo:Make omissions explicit
• Wikinfo:Build the web

Behavior guidelines

• Wikinfo:Sign your posts on talk pages
• Wikinfo:Profanity
• Wikinfo:Avoid personal attacks (and move personal debates to email)
• Wikinfo:Log in
• Wikinfo: Avoid offensive usernames
• Wikinfo:Bans and blocks

Content guidelines

• Wikinfo:Explain jargon
• Wikinfo:Integrate changes (instead of just appending your thoughts at the end of an article)
• Wikinfo:Establish context (instead of presuming too much knowledge)
• Wikinfo:Define and describe
• Wikinfo:Cite your sources (and use proper references)
• Avoid statements that will date quickly
• Warn readers about spoilers
• Make articles useful for readers (and consider the audience in writing)
• Check your facts
• Check your fiction
• Avoid blanket statements
• Summarize discussion (after a while)
• Make only links relevant to the context
• Describe external links
• Don't use external links where we'll want Internet-Encyclopedia links

Style guidelines

• Manual of style
• Pay attention to spelling
• Don't include copies of primary sources
• Use other languages sparingly
• Always fill summary field
• Follow highlighting conventions
• Use color sparingly
• Use subheads sparingly
• Use short sentences and lists
• Balance parts of a page
• Use line breaks (mostly deprecated)
• Avoid one-sentence paragraphs
• Do not use subpages
• Consider writing articles in news style

Other essays and discussions about Internet-Encyclopedia

• The Meta-Wikipedia site contains many articles about Wikipedia and related topics in a more editorial style.
• Creating how-to articles in Internet-Encyclopedia.

References