User:Ricken/SandboxPG/What AmtWiki is not
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AmtWiki is an online encyclopedia, chronicling the history and culture of Amtgard. It is also an online community of people who build and utilize said wiki. Therefore, there are certain things that AmtWiki is not.
Contents
Content
Information should not be included on AmtWiki solely because it is true or useful. Consensus is that the following are good examples of what Wikipedia is not. The examples under each section are not intended to be exhaustive.
AmtWiki is not a record-keeper
Amtgard has many online resources for keeping track of records, including the ORK, and kingdom or chapter websites. These places have the function of keeping track of attendance records, awards, currency, and other minutiae. The AmtWiki is not appropriate for any of these, with the exception of major (masterhood or higher) or unique awards, or the awarding of titles.
AmtWiki is not a blog, web hosting service, or social networking service
AmtWiki is not a social networking service like Facebook or Twitter. You may not host your own website, blog, wiki, or cloud at AmtWiki. AmtWiki pages are not:
- File storage areas. Please upload only files that are used (or will be used) in encyclopedia articles or project pages; anything else will be deleted.
- Content for Amtgard-unrelated projects. Don't store material unrelated to Amtgard, including in userspace.
AmtWiki is not a mirror or a repository of links, images, or media files
AmtWiki is neither a mirror nor a repository of links, images, or media files. AmtWiki articles are not merely collections of:
- External links or Internet directories. There is nothing wrong with adding a few useful content-relevant links to the external links section of an article; however, excessive lists can dwarf articles and detract from the purpose of AmtWiki. On articles about garb, for example, it's appropriate to add links to free instructions detailing how to make the garb in question.
- Internal links, except for disambiguation pages when an article title is ambiguous, and for lists for browsing or to assist with article organization and navigation.
- Photographs or media files with no accompanying text.
AmtWiki is not a journal
Some people like to write roleplaying journals or texts concerning their Amtgard persona(s), or active roleplay between multiple personas. While such writings can add to the game of Amtgard, or help develop the persona biographies that are listed on player pages, these writings on their own are not appropriate content to be hosted on AmtWiki. Links to writings hosted outside of the wiki are appropriate content for player pages.
Community
The above policies are about AmtWiki's content. The following policies apply to AmtWiki's governance and processes.
AmtWiki is not anarchy
AmtWiki is free and open, but restricts both freedom and openness where they interfere with creating an encyclopedia. AmtWiki is not a forum for unregulated free speech. The fact that AmtWiki is an open, self-governing project does not mean that any part of its purpose is to explore the viability of anarchist communities. Our purpose is to build an encyclopedia, not to test the limits of anarchism.
AmtWiki is not a democracy
AmtWiki is not an experiment in democracy or any other political system. Its primary (though not exclusive) means of decision making and conflict resolution is editing and discussion leading to consensus — not voting. Straw polls may sometimes used to test for consensus, but polls or surveys can impede, rather than foster, discussion and should be used with caution.
AmtWiki is not a battlefield
Despite being based on an organization created primarily to fight other people, AmtWiki is not itself a battlefield. AmtWiki is not a place to hold grudges, import personal conflicts, carry on ideological battles, or nurture prejudice, hatred, or fear. Making personal battles out of AmtWiki discussions goes directly against our policies and goals. In addition to avoiding battles in discussions, do not try to advance your position in disagreements by making changes to content or policies, and do not disrupt AmtWiki to illustrate a point.
AmtWiki is not compulsory
AmtWiki is a volunteer community and does not require editors to give any more time and effort than they wish. Focus on improving the encyclopedia itself, rather than demanding more from other editors. Editors are free to take a break or leave AmtWiki at any time without their lack of efforts resulting in punishment, though administrators might be required to seek out their admin rights after a long leave of absence.
