Editor Guide

From Ten-Tenths Motorsport

Before getting started on editing or creating articles in the Motorsport Wiki, please read this guide for tips, techniques, and conventions!

Contents 1 Creating a page 1.1 Is this page needed? 1.2 What to call the page? 1.3 How do I actually create it? 1.4 Writing the article 1.4.1 Formats 1.4.2 Content 1.4.3 Images 1.5 Stubs 1.6 Categories 1.6.1 Circuits 1.6.2 Circuit Guides 1.6.3 Drivers 1.6.4 Race series 2 Editing a page 2.1 What to edit? 2.2 What is the code used? 2.3 Show preview 2.4 Summary 2.5 Minor edit 3 Reporting problems 4 Seeking help 4.1 Sandbox 4.2 Media Wiki 4.3 Help Desk

Creating a page

So, you want to add a new article to the motorsport wiki? Where do you start?

Is this page needed?

The first key question before adding an article is to check it's needed. The short answer is - if it's about motorsport, it's welcome in the wiki.

However, it is essential you check the page isn't already in existence. To do this, use the Search Function. You may also like to browse the Category where your article would fit.

What to call the page?

Titles should generally be kept short - remember, they will form the URL of the page. There are a few conventions we request you follow:

Drivers - use the format of FirstName_Surname. If the driver is known by a particular nickname or other name, feel free to create a page in this name, but then redirect it to the page with the format of FirstName_Surname by adding the following in the page to be redirected:

#REDIRECT [[NAME OF PAGE 2]]

How do I actually create it?

Type the name of the page in the "Add an article" box on the home page, and click the button. This then creates the edit page for you to type the information.

Writing the article

Here's the key bit. In short, write what you want. However, to ensure conformity across the wiki, there are a few conventions we ask you to adhere to.

Formats

Certain areas may have a layout that is to be used accross the entire category. The key example of this is Circuit Guides. Some (such as circuit guides) may be an official policy. Others may just be the format used by the majority of members. To see what is required, please browse other articles in the category before starting your own.

Content

The Motorsport Wiki is a database, working as encyclopedia. As a result, articles should be posted from a neutral point of view. If you want to discuss the merits of a driver, please use the Forums. Keep the articles to facts.

The exception to this is in Circuit Guides - where opinions on viewing positions and local accomodation is encouraged.

Images

You may wish to include a photo or similar in your article. Firstly, ensure that you have the copyright to the photo, or at least rights to it. If you are not sure - don't upload it without contacting a wiki administrator via the Motorsport Wiki forum.

If you can legally upload the photo, rename it to an appropriate filename as this filename will be used on the wiki. Then upload it at the Upload page.

You can then insert the image in your article by the following syntax:

[[Image:{name}|{type}|{location}|{size}|{caption}]]

Only [[Image:{name}]] is required - the {name} being the filename you uploaded. Most images should use [[Image:{name}|thumb|Example image caption]]. The other details are optional and can be placed in any order.

Type 

'thumb' / 'thumbnail' or 'frame'. Causes image to be displayed with specific formatting (see link).

Location 

'right', 'left', 'center' or 'none'. Determines placement of the image on the page.

Size 

{width}px (e.g. 50px), scales the image to the given width, keeping its aspect ratio.

Caption 

Any element which cannot be identified as one of the above is assumed to be caption text.

Stubs

If your article is particularly short, you should consider classing it as a stub. This will flag your article as being in need of further work, so another editor can see it and assist in adding information.

To do this, add the appropriate template at the end of article - for instance {{Stubs}}. For further details, read about stubs

Categories

All articles must be placed in a category. Without this, this will not be linked as part of the database and prove difficult to find for people researching.

To do this, place [[Category:{Category name}]] at the end of the article. For a list of categories, click here.

If you think a new category is warranted, please suggest it in the forum, where it can be discussed amongst other contributors.

Certain sections of the database also have conventions in how they should be categorised:

Circuits

If the circuit is still in use and an "Active Circuit", it should be made according to the Circuit Guides criteria and categorised as below.

If the circuit is now inactive it should be listed as an inactive circuit of a country, eg Category:French Inactive Circuits

Circuit Guides

Should be given two categories - as an active circuit of a country (eg. Category:Irish Active Circuits); and as a circuit guide of that country (eg.Category:UK Circuit Guides)

Circuits that do (or have done) feature on the F1 circus should also be categorised as Category:F1 circuits

See Adding A Circuit for more information.

Drivers

There again should be two categories - by series (eg. Category:F1 Drivers) and by nationality (eg. Category:British Drivers)

Race series

Two categories once more - by type of racing (eg. Category:Single Seater Series) and by geography (eg. Category:UK Series, Category:International Series)

Editing a page

If you see an article that you think you can add information to - please do! Get stuck in!!

To get into the edit page, click on the edit tab at the top of the page. Alternatively, if the article is divided into sections (like this one), you can click the edit button at the heading of the title just to edit that section.

What to edit?

There is no conclusive list, but these are key things you may like to edit to an already created article:

• Spelling/Grammar mistakes or typos
• Out of date information
• Incorrect information (consider adding a source to clarify your information)
• Incomplete information
• Additional information (especially things such as additional Points of view on the Circuit Guides project)
• Reverting Vandalism (see below)
• Removing biased points of views (excluding circuit guides)(see below)

What is the code used?

The Motorsport Wiki uses Media Wiki, and as a result there is a particular syntax to create such things as headings, lists, and similar.

An excellent guide on the most commonly used codes can be found at Wikipedia (which also uses Media Wiki), so instead of repeating the same advice we recommend you look there.

However, the easiest way to learn is by doing, so type an article and if you need to do something particular, then try and look up how to use it!

Show preview

No-one is perfect. In fact, there is a good chance that your article may have an error in the formatting or Wiki markup at your first attempt. As a result, before saving your changes, click "Show preview" and check your page before clicking "Save page".

If you wish to try something different or wish to learn, instead of doing it in an existing article, please use the Sandbox

Summary

Use this box to summarise the reason for your changes

Minor edit

Check this box if your change is only minor - eg. spelling corrections, correcting wiki code, etc.

If you are adding new or removing old information, do not mark the change as a minor edit.

Reporting problems

If you see an article that, in your opinion, causes a problem, please edit it.

However, we also add that you report the problem so that a Motorsport Wiki administrator can take note and perhaps take any appropriate action.

To do this, please insert the appropriate tag from the list below at the top of the article page whilst editing it. Then, make a note in the forum about the problem, explaining why you have reported it.

Problem with article	Tag to insert	Notes
Bad Language	{{Language}}	Please just edit out the bad language
Vandalism	{{Vandalism}}	Using the history tab, revert the article back to an edit before the vandalism took place
Biased article	{{NPOV}}	If you feel unable to put the article in a more neutral fashion, then please note this in the Discussion page
Formatting	{{Format}}	The article doesn't fit in with the format of the other articles in the category. Please change it if you can - if not, please note this in the discussion page.
Copyright	{{Copyright}}	The article is a potential breach of copyright. If you are sure it is a copyright infringement, please edit it out, if in doubt then report it and we will investigate it further. Note what you've done in the discussion page
Any other issue	{{Report}}	Any other issue you wish to bring to the attention of a Motorsport Wiki administrator. Please be detailed in your reasoning in the Discussion page.

Seeking help

Don't be frightened about getting stuck in and creating or editing articles. The best to learn what to do is to do it!

Sandbox

The Sandbox is a page that if free to be edited as you see fit. If you're not sure how to do something, do it in the sandbox to avoid making problems in the main part of the Motorsport Wiki

Media Wiki

This guide is only intended as an introduction to the tools and format of the Motorsport Wiki. For more information, please read the FAQs at Media Wiki

Help Desk

If you're still not sure on anything, just post a question in the forum. We're here to help! :)