BattleTechWiki:Five pillars

BattleTechWiki is a BattleTech-centric encyclopedia

BattleTechWiki incorporates elements of general and specialized w:encyclopedias, w:almanacs, and w:gazetteers. However BattleTechWiki is not a soapbox, an advertising platform, a social network, a vanity press, an experiment in anarchy or democracy, an indiscriminate collection of information, nor a web directory, a dictionary, a newspaper, nor a collection of source documents.

Sarna's BattleTechWiki has a neutral point of view

We strive for articles with an impartial tone that document and explain major points of view, giving due weight for their prominence. Sometimes this requires representing multiple points of view; presenting each point of view accurately; providing context for any given point of view, so that readers understand whose view the point represents; and presenting no one point of view as "the truth" or "the best view". For this articles must strive to cite verifiable, reliable sources whenever possible, especially when the topic is controversial or is about a living person. Editors are encouraged to use dispute resolution and respect the actions of Wiki Admins. Editors' personal experiences, interpretations, or opinions do not belong on BattleTechWiki.

BattleTechWiki is free content that anyone can use, edit, and distribute

All text is available under the GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) and may be distributed or linked accordingly. Recognize that articles can be changed by anyone and no individual controls any specific article; therefore, any writing you contribute can be mercilessly edited and redistributed at will by the community. Do not submit copyright infringements or works licensed. Respect copyright laws and never plagiarize from any sources in a way incompatible with the GFDL.

BattleTechWiki's editors should treat each other with respect and civility

Respect your fellow editors, even when you disagree. Apply BattleTechWiki etiquette, and do not engage in personal attacks or edit wars. Seek consensus, and never disrupt BattleTechWiki to illustrate a point. Act in good faith, and assume good faith on the part of others. Be open and welcoming to newcomers. Should conflicts arise, discuss them calmly on the appropriate talk pages, follow dispute resolution procedures, and consider that there are 56,880 other articles on the BattleTechWiki to improve and discuss.

BattleTechWiki has no firm rules

BattleTechWiki has policies and guidelines, but they are not carved in stone; their content and interpretation can evolve over time. The principles and spirit matter more than literal wording, and sometimes improving BattleTechWiki requires making exceptions. Be bold – but not reckless – in updating articles, and do not agonize over making mistakes: they can be corrected easily because (almost) every past version of each article is saved.