Difference between revisions of "Help:Contents"

Revision as of 05:40, 24 February 2007

Welcome to the Read Before Editing Page. I'd like to take this moment to introduce you to the grand world of Wikimanship. There's several things we should probably discuss before you actually go about making changes, so I'd like you to know a few things about what we are trying to do here.

Rule #1: Do you know your shit?

Think for a second. Do you really know anything about the subject you're writing about? Don't start a page for what would be a simple footnote in a full article. If you think something deserves a full article, find some people who know more things and collaborate.

Rule #2: Does anyone actually care?

Let's consider that you own a cat Fluffy. Or a gang called Fluffy. Or you named your kart "Deathcab!". You may think you're really spiffy-cool before you own a cat/gang/Deathcab!, but does anyone else care? This goes twice for gang pages. Most gangs are completely non-notable, with no effect on the history of the game. You may think you did, but you didn't. Believe me.

Rule #3: Speculation

You may have a theory on some part of the game. However, unlike with science, theory will get you nowhere. Don't post your beliefs until you can back it up and make it law. Of course, if there is currently no law on the subject, only speculation, it can't hurt to post popular theories. Just make sure you post that no one really knows. That is the important part.

Rule #4: Vanity

Certain pages need to be signed. Some pages, such as your user page and discussion pages, can be signed. Other pages, such as actual tutorial pages, should not. It looks sloppy and remember: you're not the only writer. No need to weighdown the bottom of the article with signatures.

Rule #5: Userpages

If you don't know if something is notable, important or law, you can always write the article into your userpages. User:<yourname>/<pagename> is a page under your username, where we don't bother going. You can write it there, make it look all spiffy, then ask someone to take a look. Then we can move it.

Rule #6: Lists

Everyone hates lists. Don't write them unless you need to. If your article seems to be turning into a list, you probably wrote it wrong.

Rule #7: Linking

Link articles! Make connections, so people can go on a yellow brick road adventure through Hobowars and come out with ruby red slippers and a cardboard tutorial diploma. But don't make your links pointless! Don't insert a link to a page that probably doesn't deserve it! JUST DON'T!

Conclusion

Remember that these rules are always changing and viewable from many different angles. But some of these are clearly set. They will be expanded upon as required. I hope you contribute well to the pages of our great Wiki, but remember.
Kitty hates vanity.