The Manual of Style is for information on the do's and don't of the wiki as far as editing. This is to avoid conflicting edits. Much of it works hand in hand with the Templates Collection, which makes starting articles easier.
Important Precursor[]
Before even starting this list of do's and don'ts, there is one statement to be made clearly:
Repetitive-edits are the bane of a wiki's existence, and should be performed by Admins. If you find you think an edit needs to be repeated and done to more than three articles then you need to seek out an admin to do the task or ask for permission on their talk page. In some cases, it was likely already decided the wiki would not want that edit performed.
General[]
Text should conform to English capitalization rules, meaning no odd all capitals words and such unless it was stylized titles. Please see the Naming Policy for terms and such that are exceptions to that rule.
It is never a good thing to take text off an article. If more than a sentence of text is being erased, it may be a better idea to go the the talk page of the article and ask to remove the text, and explain why then wait for an admin to reply with a decision.
No information should be directly copied from another website or source. That means even from other wiki projects.
Credits[]
While it is important to acknowledge who made comments on talk/discussion, it isn't as useful to do that on articles. Articles are meant to be a group effort, and the credit is to the ThunderCats Wiki as a whole, therefore nothing here is owned by any of the editor/supporters of the wiki.
Neutral Point of View[]
Much of this section was copied from Wikipedia:Neutral point of view.
The Neutral Point of View, is a principle that states that all articles should be written from a neutral point of view, representing views fairly and without bias.
- Avoid stating opinions as facts
- Avoid stating seriously contested assertions as facts
- Avoid presenting uncontested assertions as mere opinion
- Prefer nonjudgmental language
- Accurately indicate the relative prominence of opposing views
And some ways to avoid issues with this: - Good research: Good and unbiased research, based upon official or upon the actual content of the show.
- References: The more the merrier. References can sell that the information as fact, or as a good conclusion. For more on references, see the Speculation Policy and the Reference Policy.
- No loaded words or phrases- Words in a article other than headlines should not appear to favor one position over another or suggest importance. Try to state the facts more simply without using loaded words. Many noted loaded words or phrases:
- Always
- Has to be
- Forever
- Never
Stubs/Short Articles[]
The Wiki doesn't support the term "Stubs" in general, however it is encouraged to make new articles as fully as possible and not assume the article will later see completion. The wiki values a low count of Short Pages. A byte count above 400 bytes is asked of new articles.
Formatting[]
Instead of guessing out what goes on a page, basic templates are find-able in the guidelines section of the Community Portal.
In a article it is not advised to use formatting such as: {{PAGENAME}} and {{DEFAULTSORT:Name}}.
It leads to confusion about the titles of articles.
Categories[]
Overall, a category is used like a back door to find content on the wiki. The starting point of the Wiki's Category Tree is here. However, all articles are in the subcategory "Content". Most categories adding is covered on Templates Collection when explaining article types. However, it must be noted up-front that the wiki doesn't use the following categories: Foes/Heroes, enemies/allies, male/female; or any similar category terms. If they are not seen in use, then they are not part of the category tree.
Images[]
- No image should be copied from another website. (Examples: Thundercatslair.org, Thundercatsfans.org, Cheezey's ThunderCats Zone etc...) without linking to their site.
- No fanart will be allowed at this wiki on any pages. Fan Art includes but is not limited to:
- Drawn Art
- Screen cap edits with text, filters, or other forms of add-ons
- Custom Toys and sculptures
All violations are subject to being deleted and users being banned/blocked for the action.
All images that are taken from others can be kept here as long as the original site of the image has a link provided to it..... Example: New-thundercat-lion-O-2.jpg|Lion-o's concept art (Image from [http://tv.ign.com/articles/117/1176532p1.html IGN])
We encourage editors to screen cap from the episode themselves.
Also, we are not a photo uploading service, uploading personal pictures unrelated to Thundercats may result in images being deleted. We are not responsible for loss of images. Keep backups if they matter. A wiki is about the project, not the editors.
Likewise, images should always have an intended use when uploaded. All images without a page/article/blog could possibly be deleted.
Sometimes the footage has a logo such as the channel its on or whatnot. Please try to avoid having the logo if you can. It is more pleasing to the eye to see only what is needed to be seen. However, if it must be there, it must be there.
Naming Images[]
As of 2020, the rules have been updated to requiring images have names such as this:
- "Subject Matter From Show Episode Episode Name Sc(meaning Screen Cap)Number
- Example: LionOFromThunderCatsRoarEpisodeExodusPartOneSc01.jpg
Note that there should not be and spaces or symbols/punctuation other that letters or numbers.
Uploading Images[]
The summary section is to make it easier to know what a image is and where it comes from. This wiki requires noting the series and episode it is from or the source of the image.
- Example: "Screen cap from ThunderCats Roar episode "Exodus, Part 1 (ThunderCats Roar)"."
A line below that add a Category tag for episode images.
- Example: "[[Category:Exodus, Part 1 (ThunderCats Roar) images]]"
(Note, the image category tree is very similar to the content (articles) category tree. The starting point of the images category tree can be found here.)
Next, you are expected to pick the "Fair Use" license on the licensing drop-down.
If warning "A photo with this name has already been uploaded to the wiki." shows up at the top of the page, that means you need to pick a another screen cap number. It is not permitted to upload a image to replace another.
Galleries[]
Note this section of "Manual of Style" was recently added (Date: May 3rd, 2024). This means previous articles will likely not follow all the guidelines presented here.
Galleries are usually the second to last element for a article, (categories being the last) and unless needed can be handled in one section.
Example:
==Gallery== <gallery widths="125" position="center" captionalign="center"> DrewMossPreDesignsForCalicaForDynamiteComics.jpg|Drew Moss Designs for Calica before settling on the red/yellow color scheme DrewMossFinalDesignsForCalicaForDynamiteComics.jpg|Drew Moss Designs for Calica ReptilianClanArmyAndCalicaFromThunderCatsIssue02ByDynamiteComicsSc01.jpg|ThunderCats Issue 02 SlitheAndCalicaFromThunderCatsIssue02ByDynamiteComicsSc01.jpg|ThunderCats Issue 02 CalicaFromThunderCatsIssue02ByDynamiteComicsSc01.jpg|ThunderCats Issue 02 CheetaraFromThunderCatsIssue02ByDynamiteComicsSc02.jpg|ThunderCats Issue 02 ThunderCatsFromThunderCatsIssue02ByDynamiteComicsSc01.jpg|ThunderCats Issue 02 CalicaFromThunderCatsIssue02ByDynamiteComicsSc02.jpg|ThunderCats Issue 02 CalicaFromThunderCatsIssue02ByDynamiteComicsSc03.jpg|ThunderCats Issue 02 </gallery>
All images/files are listed with a " | " at the end. Descriptions/comments are to follow. Media that the the image came from should be be first, description if desired should be next in "(text)", third should be credits if the image is taken from a website or outside source "''(Credit: Title)''". The three can be separated by breaks.
Example:
==Gallery== <gallery widths="125" position="center" captionalign="center"> CalicaFromThunderCatsIssue02ByDynamiteComicsSc01.jpg|ThunderCats Issue 02<br />(Calica, discovered on the Mu'Tant Ship.) </gallery>
References[]
References are added to make it easier to understand where information came from for any questions that arise. References are used to debunk accusations of speculation and fan theories. Speculation is the process of thinking about possibilities, or a particular conclusion arrived at from such thought. In short it is guessing out something. Sometimes this can not be avoided as some media materials by nature leave things open.
Speculation at this wiki is permitted with the following factors in place:
- The subject matter was briefly brought up in media material therefore its important but left too open to properly be referenced.
- The subject matter being a item or location was never named or explained during its time in the episode.
However, there should be a attempt to find references to the article, and the common belief of the subject matter on other websites should be taken into account.
What is not permitted is the speculation that is not based in any amount of fact and has no references whatsoever. Speculation at this wiki is Not permitted with the following factors in place:
- "Shot in the Dark" and saying random things and adding random dates to them.
- Assuming that since they didn't say something, that they meant something else.
- Adding love interests and romances when the material didn't suggest it.
In cases of found content that is in question, you can add a {{CN}} at the end of the last sentence related to the information in question. That sends the signal that either the content is in doubt or that it is speculation.
Adding References[]
How To Reference/Cite media[]
Note that all articles will need this at the bottom of the article, above the Gallery in order to display references.
==References== <references/>
Dialog/Events In Episodes[]
When dealing with referencing something, you need to know what series, episode, and time in the episode it was said/seen.
<ref>From [[Series name wiki link]], Episode: [[Episode name wiki link]], (DVD Time Stamp in Reference) ''Character Name says: "What character said"''</ref>
Example of this:
<ref>From [[ThunderCats (original series)]], Episode: [[Safari Joe (episode)|Safari Joe]], (TS: 6:31-6:33) ''Mule says: "...And a power staff."''</ref>
Note that the following part can be skipped if deemed not needed:
''Character Name says: "What character said"''
Websites[]
For a Website Reference it only needs the url, name of the page and place it is from.
<ref>[Url Page name from Website Name]</ref>
Example of this:
<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ThunderCats_(1985_TV_series) ThunderCats (1985 TV series) from Wikipedia]</ref>
Print/Comics[]
As for any form of print (paper), it is required the page number and book name. However, the more details the better.
<ref>From [[Comic/Print Series name wiki link or Publisher name wiki link]], Comic: [[Comic/Print name wiki link]], (Page Number) ''Character Name says: "What character said"''</ref>
Footnotes - Repeating a Reference[]
When the same reference is used more than once on a article, it is better to consolidate using Footnotes. Pretty much you make one reference that includes a named reference (footnote), which then makes it so anywhere else in the article after that reference you can add the tag.
<ref name="FootnoteName"></ref>
<ref name=FootnoteName/>
Example of this:
<ref name="Zap2ItEpisodes">[https://tvlistings.zap2it.com/overview.html?programSeriesId=SH03414682&tmsId=SH034146820000&from=undefined&aid=gapzap Zap2it Thundercats Roar Upcoming Episodes]</ref> <ref name=Zap2ItEpisodes/>
It is suggested to name the footnotes the website being linked to, and the section/article being referenced. Footnote names can not have spaces or symbols. The shorter the better. If different references to the same page occur you might also date them or number them off.
Notes[]
Notes are used on the wiki as a means to explain a choice the wiki has made. These choices don't have a good reference to build on, many times being birth dates and death dates on Wikipedia or 1980's series voice actor credit. They might also be used to explain a wiki decision.
The tags are numbered and should count "Note01" and so on.
<ref group=Note name=Note0?>Text Content.</ref>
Below the References Heading, this can be added as a place for the Notes on the page.
===Notes=== <references group=Note />
This is to not be confused with a Notes section that sometimes appear in articles.
Linking[]
Wiki Links[]
The first and most commonly used type of linking. A wiki link can be performed with double brackets like this "[[Lion-O]]"; which makes this link "Lion-O". Sometimes a wiki link requires additional or a altercation in terms, so perform something like this "[[Lion-O|Lion-O (1985 TV series)]]"; which will in turn look like this "Lion-O (1985 TV series)".
External Links[]
External links are commonly used in cases where a official source is referenced. This may include links to a website, social media, or a news article. It is encouraged to avoid doing these. (Please see "Using Interwiki Links" Heading) A external link can be performed with single brackets like this "[https://www.cartoonnetwork.com/video/thundercats-roar/episodes/index.html Cartoon Network Thandercats Roar episode index]"; which makes a link that looks like this "Cartoon Network Thandercats Roar episode index".
Using Interwiki Links[]
It is encouraged to use interwiki linking for dealing with external links on wiki articles. A interwiki link will lack the external link symbol at the end, which overall removes distractions in text while reading. Many wikis and databases have the ability to be linked in this way.
Examples to work from:
- Egon Spengler (Ghostbusters Wiki)
- Egon Spengler (Ghostbusters Wiki)
- [[w:c:ghostbusters:Egon Spengler|Egon Spengler (Ghostbusters Wiki)]]
- April O'Neil -1987 TV series- (Turtlepedia-History section)
- April O'Neil -1987 TV series- (Turtlepedia-History section)
- [[w:c:turtlepedia:April_O'Neil_(1987_TV_series)#History|April O'Neil -1987 TV series- (Turtlepedia-History section)]]
- Egon Spengler (Russian Ghostbusters Wiki)
- Egon Spengler (Russian Ghostbusters Wiki)
- [[w:c:ghostbusters:ru:Игон Спенглер|Egon Spengler (Russian Ghostbusters Wiki)]]
- Egon Spengler (Wikipedia Article)
- Egon Spengler (Wikipedia Article)
- [[Wikipedia:Egon Spengler|Egon Spengler (Wikipedia Article)]]
- Egon Spengler (Chinese Wikipedia Article)
- Egon Spengler (Chinese Wikipedia Article)
- [[Wikipedia:zh:伊根·史賓格勒|Egon Spengler (Chinese Wikipedia Article)]]
- Ghostbusters (IMDb Article)
- Ghostbusters (IMDb Article)
- [[IMDb:tt0087332|Ghostbusters (IMDb Article)]]
Sound Files[]
Sound files can only be uploaded with permission from an admin at the wiki. The wiki can not upload whole songs or full audio broadcasts of the movies or shows. Sound files should only be used for dialog and other short length items.
Video Embedding[]
It is advised to only add official Warner Bros, and likewise related or licensed from Warner Bros. Videos posted outside of official channels might be taken down on video platforms due Copyright claim or limited lifespan. If there is a question about if a video should be added ask a administrators for this wiki.
Quotes[]
It is suggested for each article, three quotes at most.