Difference between revisions of "Wiki Help"

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*Opening Definition - used to briefly discuss and describe the concept
 
*Opening Definition - used to briefly discuss and describe the concept
*Compare - list of related articles that have a similar or adjacent concepts presented
+
*Parameters - An area that describes the scope of a concept
 +
*Criteria - An area that specifies necessary components of a concept
 +
*See Also - list of related articles that have a similar or adjacent concepts presented
 
*History - historical context
 
*History - historical context
 
*Best Practices - information provided as good advice for beginners  
 
*Best Practices - information provided as good advice for beginners  
 
*Criticisms - an area to discuss altering viewpoints and contexts
 
*Criticisms - an area to discuss altering viewpoints and contexts
 
*Technical Information - specific information for reference concerning technical aspects
 
*Technical Information - specific information for reference concerning technical aspects
*See Also - links to recommended reading
 
 
*References - citations list
 
*References - citations list
  

Revision as of 20:42, 22 March 2014


Can I join the wiki and become an editor?

Absolutely, it's free and we welcome self-starting contributors with integrity and knowledge. We also provide talk pages for each article and a discussion forum to discuss various and contrasting opinions about articles.

How do I start?

We recommend that to start you work on making simple, noncontroversial edits and suggest your first few articles to the staff for review. Further, if you have an opinion or perspective to share, do so on the talk page. Article pages are for presenting information, not opinions. You may freely debate topics on the talk page, but editing them into an article is at best, poor writing, and at worst, vandalism that will be deleted and eventually result in a ban if the behavior persists.

What is the acceptable writing style?

In most circumstances, except where otherwise noted, the Manual of Style for Wikipedia is considered to be the acceptable guide for style of writing.

That said, while debate is allowed on the talk pages to help establish new view points and perspectives, all contributors are expected to be courteous.

How do I learn to edit articles?

Most of the software is pretty intuitive for simple edits if you can format an email or word document, however if you are having trouble or you want to learn how to be an expert editor and make all kinds of fancy pages, check out the editing help article on Wikipedia, we use the very same software they do!

Should I link offsite?

Linking offsite should be done only after excerpting basic fundamental information from a source to create at least a stub page to allow at least a basic understanding of the concept in question before sending the user offsite, but whenever possible it is best to expand over time to create write a new article, especially since most concepts may have additional information applied within the context of BDSM, an exmaple might be to link to an article on piercing for in depth piercing knowledge after the concepts are excerpted and piercing is presented in the context of BDSM. It is acceptable and encouraged that you use notable sources whenever possible and cite them correctly.

Values

When editing, please keep the following things in mind:

The BDSM Wiki Administration values:

  • Learning and education
  • Freedom and integrity of information
  • Inclusive and positive attitudes
  • A variety of perspectives
  • Concise language
  • Making Best Practices information available to minimize risk for others
  • Respecting the right to privacy of others

How do I become a wiki staff member?

Staff members are added as needed, and are selected from those that regularly participate, have a positive attitude and have skill levels consistent with what is desired for the role in question. If you are interested in a staff position, consider editing and contributing for a month first to ensure working on the wiki regularly is for you, and then consider contacting the staff to inform them that you are interested in joining the team. This in no way indicates you will be selected for such duties, but helps us compile a list of those that are interested and cross reference their skill sets and participation levels to ensure we add the best candidates to the staff.

How do I discuss a topic on the discussion page?

When viewing an article, click the Discussion link at the top to be taken to a page for discussing that article. See Help:Discussions for an explanation of how to use discussions.

Is it OK to make an article about a specific, real world person?

No. We do not support outing others, nor making allegations or participating in hearsay. You may link to professional publications when necessary to reference a specific piece of educational information, but only when it is necessary within the context of an article. If you feel someone is a predator or has committed an illegal act, please take your evidence to the local authorities. If you feel you have been violated, please feel free to avail yourself of our emergency resources center.

I found offensive material on this wiki

Our goal is to provide a space that includes everyone, regardless of gender, bdsm role or tradition, race, ethnicity, or disability. If you find language or content that offends you, considering leaving a note on the talk page of the article in question. Please note that BDSMwiki.info makes attempts to use inclusive language whenever possible, and your viewpoints and information may help us provide better insight into a topic. Thanks!

I have a question pertaining to BDSM that isn't answered in the BDSM FAQ

Consider taking that question to the talk page of the subject you are asking about and asking your question there, chances are we'll make efforts to include that information. If you would like immediate answers, consider asking a group that you trust for their opinions.

There are other wikis that already cover this stuff

In many cases that is true, and much of the technical information can be found on various sources around the internet that are not wikis. This wiki aims to present this information in a way that is different in scope and depth than previous efforts have and to organize it in an easy to understand and well structured database.

Article Structure

Articles are to be broken up into a series of areas to discuss, using the necessary areas for each subject to best convey the scope. Additional areas may be added for specific articles as needed, but most articles will likely be limited to the following discussions:

  • Opening Definition - used to briefly discuss and describe the concept
  • Parameters - An area that describes the scope of a concept
  • Criteria - An area that specifies necessary components of a concept
  • See Also - list of related articles that have a similar or adjacent concepts presented
  • History - historical context
  • Best Practices - information provided as good advice for beginners
  • Criticisms - an area to discuss altering viewpoints and contexts
  • Technical Information - specific information for reference concerning technical aspects
  • References - citations list

Capitalization Conventions

Capitalization Conventions should follow standard American English conventions with exception to articles that specifically discuss capitalization protocols and a deviation is required to demonstrate the protocol. Or when a term is defined that is best represented in a BDSM context with a capitalization alteration, such as with the term (D/s) which demonstrates the noted power exchange practice and the standard representation of the term in common parlance within BDSM culture.