Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- wiki:edittips [2025/03/04 00:50] – [Citations] kianworld
+++ wiki:edittips [2025/10/09 00:40] (current) – conro101
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 ====== Editing tips ======
-Here are some editing tips regarding some extensions we've added on top of DokuWiki's base.
+Here are some tips regarding how to properly write an article consistent with the wiki's tone and formatting, as well as information on some extensions we've added on top of DokuWiki's base.
+===== The wiki's voice =====
+When writing a wiki page, write it as if the reader is someone who has never heard of On Cinema in their life. Since a lot of topics have strikingly little to do with On Cinema, it may take several paragraphs before you need to mention the show. For example, if writing an article about a business Tim has started, describe him in the context of that business, and not the context of host of On Cinema until it is relevant. If a page is about something that didn't originate from On Cinema, or is more abstract, give a short wikipedia definition at the start before pivoting into how it's relevant to On Cinema.
+While the wiki is written in-universe, it also needs to be a genuine source of information. These are a bit conflicting, given Tim and Gregg will lie about everything, and the wiki's position is to believe whatever they say. **Do not** write from the point of view of a die-hard Timhead or Gregghead. Instead, report any factual information that is obviously evident, e.g. events that actually happen on the show, or facts about off-screen events that are undisputed. Look for information given by character with no reason to lie, for example, Joey stating that the mineral rights to the HEI Ranch are worthless.
+If Tim or Gregg is lying, embellishing, or just making something up, use words like "reportedly" or "claimed" to demonstrate that while the wiki does take everything the hosts say at face value, it also hasn't seen any concrete proof of the thing happening. As an example, "Empty Bottle was the number one MP3 download upon its release," takes Tim's word for it, but also comes across as a fact about definitely something he made up. "Tim lied and said Empty Bottle was the number one MP3 download upon its release, with no evidence," is //factually// true, but goes against the wiki's spirit of believing anything the hosts say. "Reportedly, Empty Bottle was the number one MP3 download upon its release, according to Tim," is both technically true, and takes Tim's word for it, but also indicates to to the reader that the claim itself is most likely false.
+If Tim and Gregg explicitly disagree on a topic, or a factual source like Joey goes against one of the hosts, **do not** take a side, even if one is objectively correct. Instead, say something along the lines of "the claim is disputed," or "it is unclear." A classic example is which Star Trek is in San Francisco. While Gregg is incorrect about Star Trek 2, we will never actually say that. Our wording is that "there is some debate," about which is true, and we do not ever point out that Gregg is objectively incorrect. Essentially, allow the bit to continue to play out, even within our pages.
+===== Editing jokes =====
+We like to add bits of our own to the wiki, and we encourage you to follow in that spirit. Here are a few gags we like to do:
+  * Misspelling Mark's name. Whenever you link to Mark's page, feel free to try to spell his name completely incorrectly.
+  * Terrible/outdated page photos. Look for photos posted in-universe, publicity shots for actors who appear, and if you can't find those, then go for screenshots from the show which a normal wiki probably wouldn't use. Mid-action photos are fun, but don't get too crazy with it. It still needs to be identifiable as the subject of the page.
+  * Topic whiplash. You can write your sentences in a way that reading them normally makes the events seem even more out of nowhere and ridiculous. Consider the following: "Gregg temporarily became host of the show after Tim was jailed for potentially murdering 20 teenagers at an EDM concert he organized." Underselling the start of a sentence lets you hit the reader with a whammy midway through. You might also try setting up page links or tweet citations in a similar manner, such as "The tour was suspended because of a vehicular incident" linking to an article about a horrible car crash.
 ===== When to italicize, when to quote, when to etc. =====