Guideline:Be bold
 | This page documents an BattleTechWiki editing guideline. |
 | This page in a nutshell: Be bold! If you see something that needs improvement, don’t hesitate—make the change! |
The BattleTechWiki community encourages everyone to be bold when editing pages. Wikis grow and improve when users like you fix problems, correct grammar, add facts, and ensure clarity. If you've ever thought, "This could be better," then take action! BattleTechWiki isn't just about reading—it's about contributing.
Be Bold[edit]
- If you see a problem, fix it yourself! It can be faster and more effective than just discussing the issue.
- Don’t worry about making mistakes, other editors can refine or revert changes as needed. This collaboration makes the wiki better.
- Don’t take reverts personally. other editors may adjust your work to align with policies or guidelines. Assume good faith, other editors share the same goal: improving BattleTechWiki.
Remember, collaboration is how we make BattleTechWiki the best it can be. If there's a discussion on a talk page, don’t just watch, jump in and share your thoughts.
But Don't Be Reckless[edit]
Being bold doesn't mean ignoring guidelines. Edits should respect neutrality, verifiability, and the five pillars. If your edit doesn't work out, it can be reverted—no big deal. However, avoid reckless edits that could disrupt ongoing collaboration or complex articles.
Follow these guidelines to avoid issues:
- Complex or controversial topics: These articles often reflect compromises after long discussions. Read the talk page and use caution before making major changes. Focus on adding information rather than removing it.
- Policies and guidelines: Changes to these pages may impact the entire wiki. Discuss major revisions on the talk page first.
- Real people: Ensure edits about real individuals comply with BattleTechWiki’s strict policy.
Instead of deleting content, consider adding balanced viewpoints with reliable sources. Careless edits can stir up conflict, so proceed with caution. When unsure, seek advice from the community.
Non-Article Pages[edit]
Be especially cautious when editing non-article pages. These pages often have broader effects:
- Templates and categories: Changes can impact many pages. Test modifications in sandboxes and propose changes on talk pages.
- User pages: Avoid editing another editor’s user page or comments unless fixing obvious errors or vandalism.
- File pages: Don’t overwrite existing files; upload new versions with distinct names instead.
Graphical Layout Changes[edit]
Significant changes to page design require extra care. Test proposed layouts in sandboxes and discuss them with other editors, especially for high-visibility pages like the Main Page.
See Also[edit]