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Misplaced Pages is an online ] and, as a means to that end, also ]. Therefore, there are certain things that Misplaced Pages is ''not''.<sup id="fn_1_back">]</sup> |
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{{policylist}} |
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==What Misplaced Pages is not== |
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===Misplaced Pages is not a paper encyclopedia=== |
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]. This means that there is no practical limit to the number of topics we can cover other than verifiability and the other points presented on this page. |
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There is a kind of ''feasible limit'' for individual article sizes that depends on page download size for our dialup readers and readability considerations for everybody (see ]). After a point, splitting an article into separate articles and leaving adequate summaries is a natural part of growth for a topic (see ]). But for topics that are covered by print encyclopedias only in short, static articles, the fact that Misplaced Pages is not paper allows us to give more thorough treatments, include many relevant links, be more timely, etc. |
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This also means you don't have to redirect one topic to a not fully equivalent topic that is of more common usage. A "See also" section that states further information on the topic is available on the page of a closely related topic may be preferable. |
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===Misplaced Pages is not a dictionary=== |
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], or a usage or jargon guide. If you're interested in working on a wiki dictionary, check out our sister project ]. Misplaced Pages articles are not: |
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# '''Dictionary definitions.''' Because Misplaced Pages is not a dictionary, please do not create an entry merely to define a term. An article should usually ''begin with'' a ] ]; If you come across an article that is nothing more than a definition, see if there is information you can add that would be appropriate for an encyclopedia. An exception to this rule is for articles about the cultural meanings of individual ]. |
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# '''Lists of such definitions.''' There are, however, ] consisting of pointers to other pages; these are used to clarify differing meanings of a word. Misplaced Pages also includes ] for various specialized fields. |
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# A '''usage guide,''' or '''slang and idiom guide.''' Misplaced Pages is not in the business of saying how words, idioms, etc., are used. We aren't teaching people how to talk like a ] ] or a ] chimney-sweep. However, it may be important ''in the context of an encyclopedia article'' to describe just how a word is used in order to distinguish among similar, easily confused ideas, as in ] or ]. In some special cases an article about an essential piece of slang may be appropriate. |
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===Misplaced Pages is not a publisher of original thought=== |
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Misplaced Pages is not a place to publish your own thoughts and analyses. Please leave them out of Misplaced Pages: |
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# '''Primary (original) research''' such as proposing theories and solutions, original ideas, defining terms, coining new words, etc. ''See'' ]. If you have done primary research on a topic, publish your results in other venues such as peer-reviewed journals, other printed forms, or respected online sites. Misplaced Pages will report about your work once it becomes part of accepted human knowledge. Not all information added to Misplaced Pages has to be from peer-reviewed journals; but strive to make sure that information is reliable and verifiable. For example, ] book, print, or reliable web resources demonstrates that the material is ] and is not the editor's opinion. |
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# '''Critical reviews.''' Biographies and articles about art works are supposed to be encyclopedia articles. Of course, critical analysis of art ''is'' welcome, if grounded in direct observations of outside parties. See No 5 below. See also ]. |
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# '''Personal essays''' or '''Blogs''' that state your particular opinions about a topic. Misplaced Pages is supposed to compile human knowledge. It is not a vehicle to make personal opinions become part of human knowledge. See ]. In the unusual situation where the opinions of a single individual are important enough to discuss, it is preferable to let other people write about them. Personal essays on topics relating to Misplaced Pages are welcome at ]. There is a Misplaced Pages ] at ] that encourages personal opinions in articles. |
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# '''Opinions on ]''' is a particular case of the previous item. Although current affairs may stir passions and tempt people to "climb ]es" (i.e. passionately advocate their pet point of view), Misplaced Pages is not the medium for this. Articles must be balanced so as to put entries for ] in a reasonable perspective. Furthermore, Misplaced Pages authors should strive to write articles that will not quickly become obsolete. Also see ]. |
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# '''Discussion forums''' (or ] nodes). Please try to stay on the task of creating an encyclopedia. You can chat with folks on their user talk pages, and should resolve problems with articles on the relevant ], but please do not take discussion into articles. |
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===Misplaced Pages is not a soapbox=== |
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Misplaced Pages is not a ], or a vehicle for propaganda and advertising. Therefore, Misplaced Pages articles are not: |
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#'''] or ]''' of any kind. Of course, an article can report objectively ''about'' such things, as long as an attempt is made to approach a ]. You might wish to go to ] or start a ] if you want to convince people of the merits of your favorite views. |
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#'''Self-promotion.''' While you are free to write about yourself or projects you have a strong personal involvement in, remember that the standards for encyclopedic articles apply to such pages just like any other. A very few somewhat famous Wikipedians have significantly contributed to encyclopedia articles about themselves and their accomplishments, and this has mostly been accepted after some debate. Creating overly abundant links and references to autobiographical articles is unacceptable. See ]. |
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#'''Advertising.''' Articles about companies and products are fine if they are written in an objective and unbiased style. Furthermore, all article topics must be third-party verifiable, so articles about very small "garage" companies are not likely to be acceptable. External links to commercial organizations are acceptable if they can serve to identify major corporations associated with a topic (see ] for an example). Please note Misplaced Pages does not endorse any businesses and it does not set up affiliate programs. |
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===Misplaced Pages is not a mirror or a repository of links, images, or media files=== |
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Misplaced Pages is neither a ] nor a repository of links, images, or media files. All content added to Misplaced Pages may have to be edited mercilessly to be included in the encyclopedia. By submitting any content, you agree to release it for free use under the ]. <sup id="fn_2_back">]</sup> Misplaced Pages articles are not: |
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# Mere '''collections of external links''' or '''Internet directories.''' There is nothing wrong with adding a list of content-relevant links to an article; however, excessive lists can dwarf articles and detract from the purpose of Misplaced Pages. |
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# Mere '''collections of internal links,''' except for ] pages when an article title is ambiguous, and for ] to assist with the organisation of articles. |
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# Mere '''collections of ] or other source material''' such as entire books or source code, original historical documents, letters, laws, proclamations, and other source material that are only useful when presented with their original, un-modified wording. Complete copies of primary sources (but not mathematical tables, astronomical tables, or source code) should go into ]. There's nothing wrong with using ] such as ] to add content to an article. See also ]. |
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# '''Collections of photographs or media files''' with no text to go with the articles. If you are interested in presenting a picture, please provide an encyclopedic context, or consider adding it to ''']'''. If a picture comes from a public domain source on a website, then consider adding it to ] or ]. |
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===Misplaced Pages is not a song lyrics database=== |
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Copyrighted song lyrics are not allowed to be printed in whole in any Misplaced Pages article. Song lyrics that are in ] are allowed, but you have to provide additional information about the song, not only the songwriter, performer, album name and year of recording, but also the background, history or (unbiased) analysis of the music and content of the song. |
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===Misplaced Pages is not a free host or webspace provider=== |
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You may not host your own website, blog, or wiki at Misplaced Pages. If you are interested in using the ] technology for a collaborative effort on something else, even if it is just a single page, there are many ] (free or for money). You can also . (See the '']'' wikibook for information on doing this.) Misplaced Pages pages are not: |
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# '''Personal homepages.''' ] have their own personal pages, but they are used for information relevant to working on the encyclopedia. If you are looking to make a personal webpage unrelated to encyclopedia work (e.g. posting your résumé), please make use of one of the many free homepage providers on the Internet. |
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# '''] areas.''' Please upload only files that are used (or will be used) in encyclopedia articles; anything else will be deleted. If you have extra relevant images, consider uploading them to the ], where they can be linked from Misplaced Pages. |
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===Misplaced Pages is not an indiscriminate collection of information=== |
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Misplaced Pages is not an indiscriminate collection of items of information. That something is 100% true does not mean it is suitable for inclusion in an encyclopedia. While there is a continuing debate about the encyclopedic merits of several classes of entries, current consensus is that Misplaced Pages articles are not: |
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# '''Lists of ].''' Misplaced Pages articles should not list FAQs. Instead, format the information provided as neutral prose within the appropriate article(s). You may want to consider contributing FAQ lists to ]. |
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#'''Lists or repositories of loosely associated topics''' such as quotations, ]s or persons. If you want to enter lists of quotations, put them into our sister project ]. Of course, there is nothing wrong with having lists if their entries are famous ''because'' they are associated with or significantly contributed to the list topic. Misplaced Pages also includes reference tables and tabular information for quick reference. |
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# '''Travel guides.''' An article on ] should mention landmarks such as the ] and the ], but not the telephone number or street address of your favorite hotel or the price of a ''café au lait'' on the ]. Such details are, however, very welcome at , but note that due to license incompatibility you cannot copy content wholesale unless you are the copyright holder. |
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# '''Memorials.''' It's sad when people die, but Misplaced Pages is not the place to honor them. Subjects of encyclopedia articles must have a claim to fame besides being fondly remembered by their friends and relatives. |
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# '''News reports.''' Misplaced Pages should not offer first-hand news reports on breaking stories (however, our sister project ] does exactly that). Misplaced Pages does have many ''encyclopedia articles'' on topics of historical significance that are currently in the news, and can be significantly more up-to-date than most reference sources since we can incorporate new developments and facts as they are made known. See ] for examples. |
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# '''Genealogical entries,''' or '''phonebook entries.''' Biography articles should only be for people with some sort of fame, achievement, or perhaps notoriety. One measure of achievement is whether someone has been featured in several external sources (on or off-line). Minor characters may be mentioned within other articles (e.g. Ronald Gay in ]). See ] for a proposed genealogical/biographical dictionary project. |
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# '''], directory entries,''' or a '''resource for conducting business.''' For example, an article on a radio station generally shouldn't list upcoming events, current promotions, phone numbers, etc. (although mention of major events or promotions may be acceptable). Furthermore, the Talk pages associated with an article are for talking about the article, not for conducting the business of the topic of the article. |
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#'''Instruction manuals''' - while Misplaced Pages has descriptions of people, places, and things, Misplaced Pages articles should not include instruction - advice (], ], or otherwise), suggestions, or contain "how-to"s. This includes tutorials, walk-throughs, instruction manuals, and recipes. ] is a Misplaced Pages sister-project which is better suited for such things. |
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===Misplaced Pages is not a crystal ball=== |
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Misplaced Pages is not a collection of unverifiable speculation. All articles about future events must be verifiable, and the subject matter must be of sufficiently wide interest that it would merit an article if the event had already occurred. In particular: |
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# Individual scheduled or expected future events should only be included if the event is notable and almost certain to take place. If preparation for the event isn't already in progress, speculation about it must be well documented. Examples of appropriate topics include ], and ]. A schedule of future events may also be appropriate. |
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# Similarly, individual items from a '''predetermined list or a systematic pattern of names,''' preassigned to future events or discoveries, are not suitable article topics, if only generic information is known about the item. ] is encyclopedic; "Tropical Storm Alex (2010)" is not, even though it is virtually certain that a storm of that name will occur in the North Atlantic and will turn counterclockwise. Similarly, articles about '''words formed on a predictable numeric system''' (such as "septenquinquagintillion") are not encyclopedic unless they are defined on good authority, or genuinely in use. Certain scientific extrapolations, such as chemical elements documented by ], prior to isolation in the laboratory, are usually considered encyclopedic. |
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# Articles that present '''extrapolation, speculation, and "future history"''' are original research and therefore inappropriate. Of course, we do and should have articles ''about'' notable ''artistic works, essays, or credible research'' that embody predictions. An article on ] is appropriate; an article on "Weapons to be used in World War III" is not. |
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It is appropriate to report discussion and arguments about the prospects for success of future proposals and projects or whether some development will occur, provided that discussion is properly referenced. It is not appropriate for an editor to insert their own opinions or analysis, because of Misplaced Pages's prohibition on original research. Forward-looking articles about unreleased products (e.g. movies, games, etc.) require special care to make sure that they are not advertising. |
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===Misplaced Pages is not censored for the protection of minors=== |
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]. Anyone reading Misplaced Pages can edit an article and the changes are displayed instantaneously without any checking to ensure appropriateness, so Misplaced Pages cannot guarantee that articles or images are appropriate for children or adhere to specific ]. While obviously inappropriate content (such as inappropriate links to ]s) is usually removed immediately, except from an article directly concerning the content (such as the article about ]), some articles may include objectionable text, images, or links, provided they do not violate any of our existing ] (especially ]), nor the law of the ] of ] in the ], where the servers are hosted. |
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==What the Misplaced Pages community is not== |
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===Misplaced Pages is not a battleground=== |
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Every user is expected to interact with others ], ], and in a spirit of cooperation. Do not ], harass or intimidate those with whom you have a disagreement. Rather, approach the matter in an intelligent manner, and engage in polite discussion. If a user acts uncivilly, uncalmly, uncooperatively, insultingly, harassingly or intimidatingly towards you, this does not give you an excuse to do the same unto them ("he started it!"). Either respond solely to the factual points brought forward and ignore its objectionable flavouring, or ignore the relevant message entirely. |
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When a conflict continues to bother you or others, adhere to the procedures of ]. |
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Also, do not create or modify articles ]. Do not use Misplaced Pages to make ] or other threats against Misplaced Pages, Wikipedians, or the Wikimedia Foundation: other means already exist to communicate legal problems <sup id="fn_3_back">]</sup>. Threats are not tolerated and may result in a ]. |
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===Misplaced Pages is not an anarchy=== |
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Misplaced Pages is free and open, but restricts both freedom and openness where they interfere with the purpose of creating an encyclopedia. Accordingly, Misplaced Pages is not a forum for unregulated ]. The fact that Misplaced Pages is an open, self-governing project does not mean that any part of its purpose is to explore the viability of ] communities. Our purpose is to build an encyclopedia, not to test the limits of anarchism. If you want to do so, you may use the Misplaced Pages fork . See also ]. |
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===Misplaced Pages is not a democracy=== |
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Misplaced Pages is . Its primary method of finding ] is discussion, not ]. In difficult cases, ] may be conducted to help determine consensus, but are to be used with caution and not to be treated as binding votes. |
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===Misplaced Pages is not a bureaucracy=== |
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In particular, Misplaced Pages is not a ]. Disagreements should be resolved through ] discussion, rather than through tightly sticking to rules and procedures. ] should be avoided. A perceived procedural error made in posting anything, such as an idea or nomination, is not grounds for invalidating that post. Follow the spirit, not the letter, of any rules, policies and guidelines (see ]). |
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==When you wonder what to do== |
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*When you wonder what should or should not be in an article named "whatever", ask yourself what a reader would expect under "whatever" '''''in an encyclopedia'''''. ] is not official policy, but can be referred to as a record of what has and hasn't been considered encyclopedic in the past. |
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*When you wonder whether the rules given above are being violated, consider: |
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** Changing the content of an article (normal editing) |
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** Changing the page into a redirect, preserving the page history |
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** Nominating the page for ] if it meets grounds for such action under the ] page. To develop an understanding of what kinds of contributions are in danger of being deleted you have to regularly follow discussions there. |
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** Changing the rules on this page after a consensus has been reached following appropriate discussion with other Wikipedians via the ] page. When adding new options, please be as clear as possible and provide counter-examples of similar, but permitted, subjects. |
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== What your userpage is not == |
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Most of the policies here apply to your user page as well. For example, you can't use your user page as a free web host. For the full details, see ]. |
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==Notes== |
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<cite id="fn_1">]</cite> While this page is intended to record policies that are firmly established, it continues to evolve. If you wish to quote it in a discussion, please be sure to check the latest version. |
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<cite id="fn_2">]</cite> Note that Misplaced Pages incorporates many images and some text which are considered "fair use" into its GFDLed articles. See also ]. |
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<cite id="fn_3">]</cite> If you believe that your legal rights are being violated, you may discuss this with other users involved, take the matter to the appropriate ], contact the , or in cases of ] violations notify us at ]. |
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== Similar official policies on other sister projects == |
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* ] |
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==See also== |
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{{Spoken Misplaced Pages|What Misplaced Pages is not.ogg|2005-04-21}} |
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* What Misplaced Pages is: |
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** ] |
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* ], in regards to Misplaced Pages not being a propaganda machine |
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