Homecoming Wiki:Article Guidelines: Difference between revisions

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imported>Aggelakis
m (fix link, remove old link (no longer policy))
(Remove some of the stuff about NC and I don't think we really need so much writing about something which AFAIK has never happened and wouldn't be a big deal if it did.)
 
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{{policy wip}}
{{policy official|review=2}}
 


== Subject Matter ==
== Subject Matter ==


The subject matter of The Paragon Wiki is NCsoft's games City of Heroes and City of Villains. Articles in the main namespace should be about City of Heroes/Villains and other topics that are of an official nature. Examples of appropriate subject matter include:
The subject matter of The Homecoming Wiki is City of Heroes and City of Villains. Articles in the main namespace should be about City of Heroes/Villains and other topics that are of an official nature. Examples of appropriate subject matter include:


* Game mechanics (such as [[archetypes]], [[:Category:Powersets|powersets]], [[enhancements]], [[exemplar]]ing)
* Game mechanics (such as [[archetypes]], [[:Category:Power Sets|power sets]], [[enhancements]], [[exemplar]]ing)
* Game content (such as [[mission]] text, [[NPC]] descriptions)
* Game content (such as [[mission]] text, [[NPC]] descriptions)
* NCsoft staff information (such as information on [[developers]], community representatives)
* Homecoming staff information (such as information on [[developers]], community representatives)
* Official events (those sponsored by [[NCsoft]])
* Historical information about [[NCsoft]]'s period running the game, such as:
* The actual game as sold (such as the [[Good Versus Evil Edition]])
** Official events (those sponsored by [[NCsoft]])
* Official material relating to City of Heroes/Villains (such as the [[City of Heroes (Comic Book)|comic book]])
** Information about NCsoft staff
** The actual game as it was sold (such as the [[Good Versus Evil Edition]])
** Official material relating to City of Heroes/Villains (such as the [[City of Heroes (Comic Book)|comic book]])
* Player-created guides for the game (such as a guide about [[The Incomplete and Unofficial Guide to /bind|slash commands]])
* Player-created guides for the game (such as a guide about [[The Incomplete and Unofficial Guide to /bind|slash commands]])


Player-specific content should not be published in the main namespace. Users may put such information on their userpage, or in some cases, on the [[Paragon Wiki:Community Portal|Community Portal]]. Examples of subject matter that should '''not''' be in the main namespace include:
Player-specific content should not be published in the main namespace. Users may put such information on their userpage, or in some cases, on the [[Homecoming Wiki:Community Portal|Community Portal]]. Examples of subject matter that should '''not''' be in the main namespace include:


* Player characters
* Player characters
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Note also that player-created guides are okay, assuming they're about the game (for example, [[The Incomplete and Unofficial Guide to /bind]]). This is because they are still intrinsically about the game itself, rather than about the player or the players' creations.
Note also that player-created guides are okay, assuming they're about the game (for example, [[The Incomplete and Unofficial Guide to /bind]]). This is because they are still intrinsically about the game itself, rather than about the player or the players' creations.
== Future Content ==
{{policy review|section=1}}
New content and features are often announced prior to release on the live servers. Such new information is generally incorporated into the wiki in advance of the content's release. Such information should always be explicitly noted as being future content using one of the templates in [[:Category:Future Content Templates]] until it has been released to the live servers.
The Homecoming Wiki only documents information that has been publicly announced by the developers or that is clear from normal play on a public beta. Information that has been leaked or otherwise determined via unofficial channels is generally '''not''' included on the Homecoming Wiki.
Any information posted to the Homecoming Wiki that is not permitted should be removed. In some cases, this may simply mean editing a page to remove the information. In other cases, this may involve page deletion or selective deletion/restoration of a page's history.
Speculations about future content are generally not allowed on the wiki. However, on rare occasions a topic of future speculation becomes notable for inclusion, such as the [[Moon Zone]] or the player speculations in the [[Ouroboros#Trivia|trivia]] section on the [[Ouroboros]] page. These are handled on a case-by-case basis as needed.
Once future content is released to the live servers, the articles referencing such content should be revised to reflect that it has been released, which includes the removal of the [[:Category:Future Content Templates|Future Content Templates]].


== In-Game Text ==
== In-Game Text ==
{{policy review|section=1}}


Many articles copy text as it appears in game. This section applies to such text.
Many articles copy text as it appears in game. This section applies to such text.


* When a character's name is mentioned in the text, it should be replaced with the {{tl|Character}} template. <ref name="hero name in mission entry">Character names in mission entries on [http://paragonforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=690 Paragon Forums].</ref>
* When a character's name is mentioned in the text, it should be replaced with the {{tl|Character}} template. <ref name="hero name in mission entry">Character names in mission entries on [http://paragonforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=690 Paragon Forums].</ref>
* Misspellings and grammatical errors should be fixed. <ref name="hero name in mission entry" /> <ref name="post 3">[http://paragonforums.com/forums/ Paragon Wiki Forums] discussion: [http://paragonforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=3#p3 A few starting items]</ref> <ref name="post 386">[http://paragonforums.com/forums/ Paragon Wiki Forums] discussion: [http://paragonforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=386#p386 Spelling, grammar, typographical, and continuity errors]</ref>
* Misspellings and grammatical errors should be fixed. <ref name="hero name in mission entry" /> <ref name="post 3">[http://paragonforums.com/forums/ Homecoming Wiki Forums] discussion: [http://paragonforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=3#p3 A few starting items]</ref> <ref name="post 386">[http://paragonforums.com/forums/ Homecoming Wiki Forums] discussion: [http://paragonforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=386#p386 Spelling, grammar, typographical, and continuity errors]</ref>
* Factual errors should be corrected or noted. <ref name="post 3" />
* Factual errors should be corrected or noted. <ref name="post 3" />
* Story arc clues should not be added on a mission by mission basis.  Most of these clues are reprinted in the souvenir. <ref name="post 303">[http://paragonforums.com/forums/ Paragon Wiki Forums] discussion: [http://paragonforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=303#p303 Mission sections]</ref>
* Story arc clues that give the "story so far" and have the same title as the arc should not be added on a mission by mission basis as the text they provide is also largely found in the arc's souvenir. <ref name="post 303">[http://paragonforums.com/forums/ Homecoming Wiki Forums] discussion: [http://paragonforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=303#p303 Mission sections]</ref>
* Abbreviations should be expanded the first time they appear in an article.  A person new to online games will not know what [[AoE]], [[DoT]], etc stand for. <ref name="post 3" />
* Abbreviations should be expanded the first time they appear in an article.  A person new to online games will not know what [[AoE]], [[DoT]], etc. stand for. <ref name="post 3" />
* Effects should not be capitalized.  Instead of "Disorientation, Immobilization, or Hold effects," it should be "disorientation, immobilization, or hold effects." <ref name="post 3" />
* Effects should not be capitalized.  Instead of "Disorientation, Immobilization, or Hold effects," it should be "disorientation, immobilization, or hold effects." <ref name="post 3" />


Line 41: Line 56:


* Links should not be used in headings. <ref name="post 3" />
* Links should not be used in headings. <ref name="post 3" />
* Every article should have an Overview section that provides a high-level summary of the article's topic. In some cases, the Overview may be the only section in an article.<ref>[http://paragonforums.com/forums/ Paragon Wiki Forums] discussion: [http://paragonforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=5289#p5289 Overview heading]</ref>
* Every article should have an Overview section that provides a high-level summary of the article's topic. In some cases, the Overview may be the only section in an article.<ref>[http://paragonforums.com/forums/ Homecoming Wiki Forums] discussion: [http://paragonforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=5289#p5289 Overview heading]</ref>
 
== Direct Links Vs. Redirects ==
 
When editing an article and linking to another article, an editor may be presented with a decision regarding whether to link directly to the destination article or link to a redirect.  For example, the following links will both take a reader to the same final destination:
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Link Category
! Markup
! Resulting Link
|-
|Redirect
|<nowiki>[[Patrol XP]]</nowiki>
|[[Patrol XP]]
|-
|Direct
|<nowiki>[[Patrol Experience|Patrol XP]]</nowiki>
|[[Patrol Experience|Patrol XP]]
|}
 
Note that in the first example, the reader is initially taken to a redirect page which reroutes them to their final destination and displays the following message at the top of the article:
 
:''(Redirected from [[Patrol XP]])''
 
 
The guidelines for linking to other articles using redirects on Homecoming Wiki are as follows:
 
* Targeting a redirect rather than directly linking to an article is generally permissible, so long as the redirect linked is not provided as a search aid in order to correct a common misspelling
 
:{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Link Category
! Markup
! Resulting Text
! Allowable?
|-
|Direct
|<nowiki>This badge is awarded for completion of the [[Dr. Kahn Task Force]].</nowiki>
|This badge is awarded for completion of the [[Dr. Kahn Task Force]].
|Yes.
|-
|Redirect
|<nowiki>This badge is awarded for completion of the [[Dr. Khan Task Force]].</nowiki>
|This badge is awarded for completion of the [[Dr. Khan Task Force]].
|No.  "Khan" is a misspelling of "Kahn".  This redirect is only provided to correct misspellings in searches.
|}
 
* Changing the target of an existing link from a redirect to direct is allowed, so long as the article's text does not lose clarity or meaning as a result.
 
:{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Link Category
! Markup
! Resulting Text
! Allowable?
|-
|Redirect (original)
|<nowiki>Visiting this spot earns the [[Nimble Mynx]] badge.</nowiki>
|Visiting this spot earns the [[Nimble Mynx]] badge.
|Yes.
|-
|Direct (edited)
|<nowiki>Visiting this spot earns the [[Nimble Mynx Badge|Nimble Mynx]] badge.</nowiki>
|Visiting this spot earns the [[Nimble Mynx Badge|Nimble Mynx]] badge.
|Yes.
|-
|Direct (edited)
|<nowiki>Visiting this spot earns the [[Nimble Mynx Badge]].</nowiki>
|Visiting this spot earns the [[Nimble Mynx Badge]].
|Yes.
|-
|Direct (edited)
|<nowiki>Visiting this spot earns the [[Nimble Mynx Badge]] badge.</nowiki>
|Visiting this spot earns the [[Nimble Mynx Badge]] badge.
|No.  Repetition of the word "badge" makes this edited sentence more awkward.
|}
 
* Linking to a redirect in certain templates (e.g. navigation templates) is not allowed under any circumstances.
 
:{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Link Category
! Markup
! Resulting Text
! Allowable?
|-
|Direct
|<nowiki>[[Homecoming Wiki:Article Guidelines|Article Guidelines]]</nowiki>
|[[Homecoming Wiki:Article Guidelines|Article Guidelines]]
|Yes.  This link targets the page on which it resides.  Therefore, it does not appear as a link.
|-
|Redirect
|<nowiki>[[Article Guidelines]]</nowiki>
|[[Article Guidelines]]
|No.  This link targets a redirect, appearing to link a new page.  The redirect, however returns the reader to this same page, creating a self-referential link.
|}
 
While both forms of linking are allowed, Homecoming Wiki has historically shown an overall preference for use of direct links over redirected links.<ref>[http://www.cohtitan.com/forum/index.php Titan Network Forum] discussion: [http://www.cohtitan.com/forum/index.php/topic,3680.msg35766.html#msg35766 Direct Vs. Redirect Links]</ref>


== Pronouns ==  
== Pronouns ==  


* The use of first- and second person pronouns in articles should be avoided. Instead of "I think you get ambushed upon leaving this mission," use "An ambush may occur upon leaving this mission." <ref name="post 3" />
* The use of first- and second person pronouns in articles should be avoided. Instead of "I think you get ambushed upon leaving this mission," use "An ambush may occur upon leaving this mission." <ref name="post 3" /> (However, direct quotes from external sources with first- and second- person pronouns are acceptable.)
 
== Mission Articles: Scope and Naming==
 
* The conventions that should be used for mission articles, describing the scope and naming of mission articles, are covered in a separate policy document: [[Homecoming_Wiki:Mission_articles|Mission articles]].


== Article Names ==
== Article Names for Slash Commands ==


* Articles for slash commands should not include the leading slash and should be followed by "(Slash Command)". Example: The article name for the {{slashcommand|team}} slash command is [[Team (Slash Command)]].
* Articles for slash commands should not include the leading slash and should be followed by "(Slash Command)". Example: The article name for the {{slashcommand|team}} slash command is [[Team (Slash Command)]].
== User Pages ==
Out of common courtesy, any User Page is generally considered to be a small personal space for that User to place personal information, post examples of an article they may wish others to view before moving to the main project space, receive messages from other Users (on their Talk Page), etc.  As such, it is typically left to the User who owns that space to maintain the content of that page.  However, on occasion, an editor or admin ''may'' modify another User's User Page.  Examples of when this might occur are as follows:
* An editor modifies a template that in some way breaks the content on a User's Page and out of courtesy makes a small modification on the User's Page to fix the error.
* A User misuses a [[Help:Useful Templates|template]] (commonly copying the template code instead of using <nowiki>{{TemplateName}}</nowiki>), which often results in the User being placed in inappropriate categories.
* A User posts links, images, or information on their page that includes inappropriate content (e.g. [[RMT]] sites or pornographic content.)  '''(In these cases, it is best to contact an admin and ask them to handle the situation.)'''
* A User posts unreleased/unofficial content. While Userspace is quietly exempted from many of the general wiki's policies, the guidelines about [[#Future_Content|Future Content]] above are still applied to Userspace.
Any time a User modifies another User's User Page, it is a good idea to leave a message on their Talk Page to let them know why the page was modified.


== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />

Latest revision as of 16:33, 9 February 2024

Subject Matter

The subject matter of The Homecoming Wiki is City of Heroes and City of Villains. Articles in the main namespace should be about City of Heroes/Villains and other topics that are of an official nature. Examples of appropriate subject matter include:

Player-specific content should not be published in the main namespace. Users may put such information on their userpage, or in some cases, on the Community Portal. Examples of subject matter that should not be in the main namespace include:

  • Player characters
  • Supergroups
  • Player-created fiction
  • Player-initiated events
  • Player-developed software or utilities
  • Player-developed websites

Note that this only covers subject matter, not linking. For example, it would be inappropriate to have an article discuss the various badging websites. However, it is quite permissible (and encouraged!) to link to such a badge site's article on a specific badge from that badge's page.

Note also that player-created guides are okay, assuming they're about the game (for example, The Incomplete and Unofficial Guide to /bind). This is because they are still intrinsically about the game itself, rather than about the player or the players' creations.

Future Content

New content and features are often announced prior to release on the live servers. Such new information is generally incorporated into the wiki in advance of the content's release. Such information should always be explicitly noted as being future content using one of the templates in Category:Future Content Templates until it has been released to the live servers.

The Homecoming Wiki only documents information that has been publicly announced by the developers or that is clear from normal play on a public beta. Information that has been leaked or otherwise determined via unofficial channels is generally not included on the Homecoming Wiki.

Any information posted to the Homecoming Wiki that is not permitted should be removed. In some cases, this may simply mean editing a page to remove the information. In other cases, this may involve page deletion or selective deletion/restoration of a page's history.

Speculations about future content are generally not allowed on the wiki. However, on rare occasions a topic of future speculation becomes notable for inclusion, such as the Moon Zone or the player speculations in the trivia section on the Ouroboros page. These are handled on a case-by-case basis as needed.

Once future content is released to the live servers, the articles referencing such content should be revised to reflect that it has been released, which includes the removal of the Future Content Templates.

In-Game Text

Many articles copy text as it appears in game. This section applies to such text.

  • When a character's name is mentioned in the text, it should be replaced with the {{Character}} template. [1]
  • Misspellings and grammatical errors should be fixed. [1] [2] [3]
  • Factual errors should be corrected or noted. [2]
  • Story arc clues that give the "story so far" and have the same title as the arc should not be added on a mission by mission basis as the text they provide is also largely found in the arc's souvenir. [4]
  • Abbreviations should be expanded the first time they appear in an article. A person new to online games will not know what AoE, DoT, etc. stand for. [2]
  • Effects should not be capitalized. Instead of "Disorientation, Immobilization, or Hold effects," it should be "disorientation, immobilization, or hold effects." [2]

Headings

  • Links should not be used in headings. [2]
  • Every article should have an Overview section that provides a high-level summary of the article's topic. In some cases, the Overview may be the only section in an article.[5]

Direct Links Vs. Redirects

When editing an article and linking to another article, an editor may be presented with a decision regarding whether to link directly to the destination article or link to a redirect. For example, the following links will both take a reader to the same final destination:

Link Category Markup Resulting Link
Redirect [[Patrol XP]] Patrol XP
Direct [[Patrol Experience|Patrol XP]] Patrol XP

Note that in the first example, the reader is initially taken to a redirect page which reroutes them to their final destination and displays the following message at the top of the article:

(Redirected from Patrol XP)


The guidelines for linking to other articles using redirects on Homecoming Wiki are as follows:

  • Targeting a redirect rather than directly linking to an article is generally permissible, so long as the redirect linked is not provided as a search aid in order to correct a common misspelling
Link Category Markup Resulting Text Allowable?
Direct This badge is awarded for completion of the [[Dr. Kahn Task Force]]. This badge is awarded for completion of the Dr. Kahn Task Force. Yes.
Redirect This badge is awarded for completion of the [[Dr. Khan Task Force]]. This badge is awarded for completion of the Dr. Khan Task Force. No. "Khan" is a misspelling of "Kahn". This redirect is only provided to correct misspellings in searches.
  • Changing the target of an existing link from a redirect to direct is allowed, so long as the article's text does not lose clarity or meaning as a result.
Link Category Markup Resulting Text Allowable?
Redirect (original) Visiting this spot earns the [[Nimble Mynx]] badge. Visiting this spot earns the Nimble Mynx badge. Yes.
Direct (edited) Visiting this spot earns the [[Nimble Mynx Badge|Nimble Mynx]] badge. Visiting this spot earns the Nimble Mynx badge. Yes.
Direct (edited) Visiting this spot earns the [[Nimble Mynx Badge]]. Visiting this spot earns the Nimble Mynx Badge. Yes.
Direct (edited) Visiting this spot earns the [[Nimble Mynx Badge]] badge. Visiting this spot earns the Nimble Mynx Badge badge. No. Repetition of the word "badge" makes this edited sentence more awkward.
  • Linking to a redirect in certain templates (e.g. navigation templates) is not allowed under any circumstances.
Link Category Markup Resulting Text Allowable?
Direct [[Homecoming Wiki:Article Guidelines|Article Guidelines]] Article Guidelines Yes. This link targets the page on which it resides. Therefore, it does not appear as a link.
Redirect [[Article Guidelines]] Article Guidelines No. This link targets a redirect, appearing to link a new page. The redirect, however returns the reader to this same page, creating a self-referential link.

While both forms of linking are allowed, Homecoming Wiki has historically shown an overall preference for use of direct links over redirected links.[6]

Pronouns

  • The use of first- and second person pronouns in articles should be avoided. Instead of "I think you get ambushed upon leaving this mission," use "An ambush may occur upon leaving this mission." [2] (However, direct quotes from external sources with first- and second- person pronouns are acceptable.)

Mission Articles: Scope and Naming

  • The conventions that should be used for mission articles, describing the scope and naming of mission articles, are covered in a separate policy document: Mission articles.

Article Names for Slash Commands

  • Articles for slash commands should not include the leading slash and should be followed by "(Slash Command)". Example: The article name for the /team slash command is Team (Slash Command).

User Pages

Out of common courtesy, any User Page is generally considered to be a small personal space for that User to place personal information, post examples of an article they may wish others to view before moving to the main project space, receive messages from other Users (on their Talk Page), etc. As such, it is typically left to the User who owns that space to maintain the content of that page. However, on occasion, an editor or admin may modify another User's User Page. Examples of when this might occur are as follows:

  • An editor modifies a template that in some way breaks the content on a User's Page and out of courtesy makes a small modification on the User's Page to fix the error.
  • A User misuses a template (commonly copying the template code instead of using {{TemplateName}}), which often results in the User being placed in inappropriate categories.
  • A User posts links, images, or information on their page that includes inappropriate content (e.g. RMT sites or pornographic content.) (In these cases, it is best to contact an admin and ask them to handle the situation.)
  • A User posts unreleased/unofficial content. While Userspace is quietly exempted from many of the general wiki's policies, the guidelines about Future Content above are still applied to Userspace.

Any time a User modifies another User's User Page, it is a good idea to leave a message on their Talk Page to let them know why the page was modified.

References

  1. a b Character names in mission entries on Paragon Forums.
  2. a b c d e f Homecoming Wiki Forums discussion: A few starting items
  3. Homecoming Wiki Forums discussion: Spelling, grammar, typographical, and continuity errors
  4. Homecoming Wiki Forums discussion: Mission sections
  5. Homecoming Wiki Forums discussion: Overview heading
  6. Titan Network Forum discussion: Direct Vs. Redirect Links