View source for MediaWiki:Policies

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| '''This page documents an official policy on {{SITENAME}}.''' It has wide acceptance among editors and is considered a standard that all users should follow. When editing this page, please ensure that your revision reflects [[Wikipedia:Consensus|consensus]]. When in doubt, discuss first on the [[{{TALKPAGENAME}}|talk page]].
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| {{quote|From now on, I'm only editing the wiki while I'm off my meds!|Don't do what [[User:Derik|Donny Don't]] does}}
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==Teletraan 1 is not Wikipedia==
===No Wikipedia Articles===
'''{{SITENAME}}''''s users have decided against using ''Transformers'' articles from [[Wikipedia:|Wikipedia]].  There are several reasons.

# '''Audience''' — Wikipedia is general ''Transformers'' information for people interested in Transformers in a general way.  {{SITENAME}} is incredibly specific, detailed and comprehensive ''Transformers'' information for fans and creators who love to wallow in the strange, obscure and disturbing back corners of ''Transformers''.
# '''Formatting''' — Wikipedia has completely different article formatting, markup and structure than we do.  An article literally ''cannot'' simply be cut-and-pasted from Wikipedia. It will end up with little, red invalid links and error messages all over because the ''Transformers'' articles on Wikipedia use layout templates for presenting information that would be impossible to use on Teletraan 1 without simplifying the information to the point it it would no longer be useful.
#:'''Example:''' The Wikipedia <tt><nowiki>{{character box}}</nowiki></tt> allows you to list a character's 'Alternate Modes'.  Optimus Prime's box lists 6 (one of which is "a variety of Cybertronian trucks.")  He's had over 30.<ref>See [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|various articles in this wiki.]]</ref>
# '''Quality''' — Bluntly, a lot of Wikipedia's ''Transformers'' content is vaguely worded summaries of how the writer ''remembers'' it happened, sections of slavish detail alternating with glossed-over simplification and lists.  (We hate lists.)
# '''Copyright''' — Though Wikipedia's articles are available for anyone to use or edit under a GNU Free Documentation License, we still require that all article content be written specifically for Teletraan 1 to meet Teletraan 1's different standards and unique needs.  Taking a Wikipedia article and reformatting it to match our layout and structure does not change the fact it was written to a different standard of quality for a different audience.  To prevent this, '''Teletraan 1 requires that the copyright on all submitted article content be held solely by the uploader.'''<ref>You may notice a few articles on Teletraan 1 (such as [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]) that appear very similar to their [[Wikipedia:Cyclonus|Wikipedia counterparts]].  They are ''not'' based on the Wikipedia articles; the Wikipedia articles are based on original text written by and {{c}} people who gave Wikipedia permission to use it, and but also rewrote that text for {{SITENAME}}.<br/>'''Lawyer-to-English Translation:''' The complete content of the original Wikipedia article was written by a user (probably [[User:Chris McFeely|McFeely]]) who subsequently took the time to rewrite it to Teletraan 1's standards.  That user holds the copyright on his original work, and though he has given Wikipedia the right to fold, spindle and reuse it, he has given the ''same right'' to Teletraan 1 separately, and our use of that text is is no way beholden to the terms of redistribution of Wikipedia's GNU License.  They are instead subject to the ''identical'' terms of redistribution of ''our'' GNU License.  Confused?  Good!</ref>

''Mostly this is a legal justification for a policy motivated by reasons stated above, however.

{{SITENAME}} uses some Wikipedia layout templates we've judged to be useful, but layout is a question of form rather than content, and the above policy is about content.

===Humor===
The most fundamental guiding principle of Wikipedia is [[Wikipedia:WP:NPOV|WP:NPOV]], requiring all articles to be written in a '''neutral point of view''' in order to represent the subject fairly and accurately, which Wikipedia founder [[Wikipedia:Jimmy Wales]] calls "absolute and non-negotiable."

That is a laudable goal.  Unfortunately, the scope of WP:NPOV has been expanded far beyond its original intent, and it is now used to require that all articles be not just neutral and fair, but humorless and boring.<ref>It is worth noting that nowhere in WP:NPOV, WP:NOR, or WP:VERIFY (Wikipedia's 3 guiding principles) is humor mentioned, let alone proscribed.</ref>  Wikipedia even includes a notice in its [[wikipedia:Template:Humor|Humor template]] warning users that this template should never appear in an article because articles should contain only factual and encyclopedic information.

{{SITENAME}} has chosen to allow humor within its articles, '''provided that it does not get in the way of delivering accurate information'''.

====In Images====
: Most of this humor is restricted to the captions of images because the consensus was that '''it is fundamentally pointless to caption of picture of Megatron in [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron's article]] with "A picture of Megatron." That is ''obvious to anyone with two neurons to run a spark between''.'''

: A joke or humorous observation is better than a needlessly redundant description. Jokes can be about the article text, some element of the character, his toy, an actor who has portrayed him/her, an obscure or notorious event, song lyrics (usually source uncredited), puns, in-jokes, snark, an unrelated familiar or obscure quote that is humorous juxtaposed against the image (also usually source uncredited), meta-commentary about fans or fandom, or simply [[Phoenix|something completely random]].

{{see|Project:Caption}}

: '''Important Distinction:''' Humorous captions are encouraged because 95% of the time a descriptive caption is considered redundant.  However in the 5% of the time when captions are actually used to convey useful information they should '''never be replaced''' because it makes the article less useful and is considered vandalism.  Use your head.

====In articles====
: Humor is much less tolerated in the articles themselves.  In general, humor in an article can be:

:# ''An ironic contrast'' — such as creating a link to another article with a humorous or whimsical connotation.  '''Example:''' The [[Forbidden Zone]] article links to the out-universe article about safety testing.
:# ''Inappropriate or selective detail'' — The [[Skids#Animated_continuity|Skids]] article includes a lengthy write-up of his role in the animated series, where he was a non-speaking background character that appeared ''twice''.  Alternately, the [[Sunstreaker]] article goes to great lengths to point out every instance of Sunstreaker being a jerk, no matter how small, since being a colossal jerk is his distinguishing character trait.
:# ''Restricted to the opening write-up'' — [[Scattershot|Scattershot's]] profile contains an extended joke about the coloring book ''[[Decepticon Patrol]]'', but it is used in a manner that still illustrates his personality.
:# ''Non-intrusive'' — The [[Wheelie]] article is written entirely in rhyme, to reflect the character's speaking style.  It is a completely functional article, covering all his appearances, abilities and distinguishing characteristics...written entirely in rhymed couplets.

: In summation, humor should be used with great restraint (if at all) in an article body.  If it misleads, confuses or gets in the way, it has to go.  The article's functionality comes first.

{{-}}

==We Hate Lists==
Lists are barely a form of content.  Would you read the phone book to learn what the people in your neighborhood were like?

Lists may sometimes be a necessary evil, tolerated because they are useful, but they are never a virtue (except on year pages).

==Multiple user names==
Contributors are ''strongly'' encouraged to register their account on ''{{SITENAME}}'', creating a permanent username to identify themselves instead of being an anonymous [[Transformers Wiki:Policies#IP user|IP User]].  This allows other users to keep track of who's doing what more easily.

Registering ''multiple'' user accounts?  ...not so cool.  Virtually ''every'' instance of multiple accounts in ''{{SITENAME_SHORT}}'s'' history has been used for [[Wikipedia:Sockpuppet (Internet)|Sockpuppet]] abuse—typically pretending to be another person who supports support your own point of view, verbally attacking others, or simply evading a ban.  (Often all 3 at once.)

''[[Wikipedia:|Wikipedia:]] has a exhaustive exploration of the issues surrounding Sockpuppets on their [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Sock Puppetry|policy page]].  While ''{{SITENAME}}'' is not necessarily bound by the policies and due process outlined there (they apply only to Wikipedia) it does present an accurate picture of our general feelings on the manner.

[[Project:Administrators|Sysop]]s are expected act unilaterally in dealing with sock puppets, often a permanent ban of all accounts associated with that user.  Evading this ban by registering ''another'' account or editing anonymously is<small>, needless to say,</small> ''also'' punishable by ban.


If a Sysop banned you for using multiple accounts ''by mistake'', you can attempt to convince them you aren't the other person by posting on your own [[Special:Mytalk|talk page]], which you can edit even while banned.

If your talk page has been '''locked from editing''' because you were being abusive... then '''you do not have our sympathy'''.


The only ''officially sanctioned'' duplicate account on ''{{SITENAME_SHORT}}'' is [[User:DiagnosticDrone]], a bot run by [[User:Steve-o]].

No other multiples are officially given permission to exist.  If for some reason you ''have'' registered multiple accounts, their user pages should include a '''highly visible notice''' indicating they belong the same person.  Sysops will will deal with such accounts as they see fit.

==Profanity==
Because ''{{SITENAME_SHORT}}'' does not follow [[Wikipedia:WP:POV|WP:POV]], Wikipedia's policy that all articles be dry and humorless, the language used in articles can sometimes become somewhat...''spirited''.

Generally speaking ''{{SITENAME_SHORT}}'' permits language which is coarse, vulgar, or indecent, but not offensive.  Since language's "offensiveness" is highly subjective, the [http://www.randomhouse.com/words/language/oq_chart.html Random House Offensiveness Quotient for Sensitive Language] is recommended for resolving disputes.

Common swear words are not automatically offensive.<br>
:'''Rule of thumb:''' If you can say it in prime time or a PG-13 movie, you can say it here.
:'''Having said that:''' Profanity is the last resort of an ignorant man.  You can probably say it better ''and'' funnier without the 4-letter words.

Language '''always inappropriate''' for articles includes<ref>Includes—but is not limited to!</ref> [[Wikipedia:fuck|fuck]], [[Wikipedia:cunt|cunt]], and their derivatives.

The above applies to '''articles only'''.  Talk pages, user pages, etc., not being intended for general viewing, have no language restrictions.  But please, at least ''try'' to be civil with one another.

==Glossary==
===De-snarking===
'''De-snarking''' refers to the process of curbing or altogether removing [[Wiktionary:snark|humor or sarcasm]] from an article.

De-snarking is necessary when excessive humor or sarcasm in an article interferes with the information the article is supposed to be delivering.  Examples include:
* Sarcastic statements (saying the opposite of what they mean) open to being taken literally.
* Unnecessary, convoluted section structure in service of a joke.
* So much humor that the [[Transformers Wiki:Policies#Signal-to-Noise|signal-to-noise]] ratio of the article drops.

Humor should be used sparingly, if at all, in articles outside of image captions (where it is usually encouraged.)

The #1 cause of de-snarking is new users.  New users often become so excited by {{SITENAME}}'s policy of allowing/encouraging appropriately humorous tone (unlike many wikis) that they add many more jokes to articles without adding any content to go along with it.  The #2 cause is [[Transformers Wiki:Policies#Dogpile|dogpile edits]].

Reverting an edit when the only change was to replace one joke caption with a new, unfunny one is also commonly called de-snarking.

===Dogpile===
'''Dogpiling''' (verb or noun) occurs when multiple users make successive edits to an article (usually in a short period of time) that causes ''one aspect'' of the article to grow, then bloat, then spread like cancer.  That which was once a ''good'' part of a balanced article has grown out of control and become unpleasant.

Dogpiling can cause one joke to spread through an article (each user only adding one or two instances of it) until it becomes unreadable.  Less frequently, gentle jabs can turn nastier and unpleasant, and eventually toxic.  The [[Fandom]] article began as a light-hearted poke at fans' sillier (and stupider) tendencies and slowly became a hate-fest that caused considerable conflict.  (The entire article was cauterized down to a stub and has re-emerged in its present, dryly factual form.)

===IP user===
Activity by unregistered users on {{SITENAME}} shows up as an '''[[Wikipedia:IP address|IP address]]''', an anonymous string of numbers.  Some internet service providers don't provide their users with "fixed" addresses, so many different addresses can represent a single user.

Dubious or unsupported claims by IP users ("Optimus Prime (Animated) will have a different voice actor in Australia") are usually deleted out-of-hand without asking why.  IP users include the lion's share of {{SITENAME}}'s cranks and trolls.  While their contributions are appreciated when helpful, there is very little patience towards them when annoying.

IP users involved in heated discussions on talk pages will often be told to register for an account <small>(they never ''do'', but we keep asking)</small> because it's very difficult to tell who's who, and arguing with "a number" makes regular users cranky.  This is not merely elitism on the part of regulars; changing IP addresses and making unsigned posts can make it ''incredibly confusing'' to sort out to whom an anonymous post belongs.

===SIGN YOUR POSTS===
The all-caps request that another user '''SIGN YOUR POSTS''' on talk pages indicates that they've probably been asked before, and it's beginning to get annoying.  Simply type four ~'s (<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>) at the end of a post, and Mediawiki will convert it to a name and timestamp.  ([[User:Derik|Derik]]02:57, 30 August 2007 (UTC))  It makes ''everyone's'' life much, much easier, so please do it.

===Signal-to-Noise===
'''Signal-to-Noise''' is the measure of:
# How much information an article conveys per its length.
# A user's contributions to site content vs. their non-content edits.  (Jokes, etc.)

Ideally, articles should have a high signal-to-noise ratio, being very informative.  An article which is a stub with a joke image caption ('''Example:''' [[Phoenix]]) has a low signal-to-noise ratio.

{{SITENAME}} wants its users to contribute to the wiki.  Writing or expanding articles, checking facts, making corrections, sorting, categorizing and generally increasing the ''informativeness'' of {{SITENAME}} is good.  Adding (or removing) jokes, making funny edits, and complaining about wiki policy on talk pages without regard for the consensus are both deconstructive and bad.

{{-}}

==Definitions==
This is somehow distinct from the above glossary section despite having a similar title.
===Toy-only/Comic-only...===
{{SITENAME}} has a category for [[:Category:Toy-only characters|Toy-only characters]], as well as several other single-media categories.

A toy-only character is defined as having never appeared in a story, anywhere.  The character may have a ''place'' in fiction, but a tech-spec/profile book/box-back is not, for the purposes of this category, considered an "appearance".  Meanwhile, a non-speaking, single-panel cameo ''is'', and would disqualify them from this category.

:''('''Note''': The jury is currently out as to whether or not a character being merely '''mentioned''' but not '''seen''' would count as an appearance.  (Probably yes.))''

==Basic Conduct==
{{see|Help:Introduction}}

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==Legal Issues==
===Copyrights===
{{see|Transformers Wiki:Copyrights}}

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==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

[[Category: Help]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>