Editing Policy:Canon
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Line 1: − {{Policy}} + {{Template:Construction}} − {{nutshell|<br />1. BTW allows all things BattleTech onto its pages, irrespective of canonicity status, as long as they are deemed [[Policy:Notability|sufficiently notable]].<br />2. BTW is not in a position to decide which official products contribute canon.<br />3. Material from fan-made or otherwise unofficial sources must be segregated from official material.<br />4. BTW does not publish fan fiction.}} + {{nutshell|BattleTechWiki does not seek to define canonicity. Instead, that is left up to the individual guest. BTW allows all things BattleTech into its pages, segregating unlicensed material from articles on licensed subjects.}} − ==The Canon Policy==+ The BattleTechWiki's Canon Policy is simple: ''BattleTechWiki does not seek to define canonicity within this site''. Instead, that is left up to the individual guest. BTW allows all things [[BattleTech]] into its pages, segregating unlicensed material from articles on licensed subjects. − The [[BattleTechWiki]] (BTW) approach to the issue of [[Canon]] for the [[BattleTech]] universe is as follows: − ;BTW allows all things BattleTech into its pages − :BTW aims to be an all-inclusive source of BattleTech-related information. Therefore, as established in the BTW [[Policy:Notability]], anything that has to do with BattleTech warrants inclusion, irrespective of whether or not it is canonical or even official. Non-canonical subjects, such as fanzines, parodies or real-world treatises of the BattleTech universe, are explicitly included among the material that BTW seeks to cover. − ;BTW is not in a position to decide which official products contribute canon+ As established in the BTW [[Policy:Notability]], "Anything that has to do with BattleTech warrants inclusion" on the BattleTechWiki. However, it is sometimes difficult to discern what is canon for the fictional BattleTech universe, and the canonicity of a great deal of information remains unclear. This is discussed in detail in the '''[[Canon]]''' article. − :The [[Line Developer]]'s official ruling on the issue of what is Canon and what is not, i.e. the stance of the owners of the intellectual property that is BattleTech, is detailed in the article on '''[[Canon]]'''. BTW deliberately leaves it to the individual user to interpret that ruling and decide what information they consider canonical for their personal vision of the BattleTech universe. The policy adopted by BTW is not to decide on the canonicity of a given source or piece of information, but apply appropriate tags to highlight articles where Canonicity could be considered problematic. − ::''See also [[Canon#Conflicting_information|Canon]] in regards to the hierarchy of canonicity of conflicting sources.''+ The policy adopted by this Wiki is '''not to decide on the canonicity of a given source or piece of information''', and to leave it up to the individual user instead to decide what information he deems canonical for his vision of the BattleTech universe, with the assistance of the information provided here. To this end, the BattleTechWiki shall: + *present the current state of the canonicity issue (in digested form), in the [[Canon]] article; + *cite sources for information presented; + *and clearly mark any information that is not taken from an undoubtedly licensed source (or that is un-licensed) with appropriate tags. − ;Material from fan-made or otherwise unofficial sources must be segregated from official material+ ==Producers of Licensed Material== − :BTW articles are considered to discuss official issues of the BattleTech universe by default. Articles pertaining to unofficial topics or subjects (such as Fanon/fan fiction) must therefore be tagged accordingly. In this context, even the work of a person who is a BattleTech author otherwise is considered Fanon if it was not produced in an official capacity.+ ''We then...list...the various Grand Sources of licensed material and the general drift of their products (ex, FASA, FanPro, CGL, MicroSoft, ROC with sourcebooks, rulebooks, scenarios, computer games, novels, etc)[.]'' − :[[Meta-source]]s, i.e. unofficial compilations of information taken from other, canonical sources, are not regarded as canonical themselves and are not valid as references for articles on official subjects. In any case where they have been cited, the statements themselves may be challenged with the '''<nowiki>{{citation needed}}</nowiki>''' template and the meta-source citation removed. (The correct reference or citation would be the canonical source where the meta-source took its information from.) − ;BTW does not publish fan fiction − :Owing to BTW's origin as a fansite, we used to permit fan-fiction (Fanon) on this site. This has been changed by [[Policy talk:Fanon|user consensus]], with the site owner's express approval. As a result, fan fiction may not be posted on this site anymore and existing fan fiction content has been transferred over to the [http://www.battletechfanon.wikia.com/ BattleTech Fanon Wiki]. − :As per ruling #1 above, articles ''about'' individual pieces of Fanon/fan fiction are still permissible, if the subject in question has been published elsewhere and is notable enough. − :See [[Policy:Fanon]] for details. − Articles covering real-world subjects, such as authors or companies, naturally stand outside of the canon of the fictional universe and are not affected by the Canon Policy.+ ==Some Sources of Unlicensed Material== + ''some of the larger unlicensed Grand Sources (BattleTechnology magazine, Neveron), as well as the inclusion of fandom articles (such as gaming campaigns, Neveron factions, player units & histories, etc.)'' − We appreciate your adherence to this core policy and welcome you to actively join the community of users and editors of BattleTechWiki. − ==How to implement the policy== + ==Articles on Licensed Sources== − Contributors to BTW are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the official stance as outlined in [[Canon]]. Since it is the canon that defines the BattleTech universe, BTW articles are meant to provide canonical information by default. It is therefore not required to explicitly mark (clearly) canonical products or information as such.+ ''We then explain how licensed source articles (articles about individual sources, like games, scernarios, novels) are to be handled (description, with a brief analysis with how it is generally accepted in the overarching canonicity (but clearly not BTW's))'' − Articles dealing with apocrypha, non-canon and fanon are the exception, and must contain a "Canonicity" section where information on their canonicity status is presented. Further, they must be tagged accordingly by inserting the appropriate tag from among the following to the top of the article:+ BattleTechWiki defines a '''source article''' as an article on the site that specifically addresses one specific source of information about the overall BattleTech universe. Licensed examples of these are: + *Rulebooks: + **[[Tactical Handbook]] + **[[TechManual]] + **[[Tactical Operations]] + *Sourcebooks: + **[[Field Manual: Crusader Clans]] + **[[Handbook: House Marik]] + *Technical Readouts: + **[[Technical Readout: 3025 Revised]] + **[[Technical Readout: Project Phoenix]] + **[[Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex]] + *Novels: + **[[Flight of the Falcon]] + **[[Ghost War]] + **[[The Ruins of Power]] + *Computer Games: + **[[Crescent Hawks Revenge]] + **[[MechWarrior III]] + **[[Virtual World]] − ===Articles about non-canonical subjects===+ These articles are generally established in a similar mannaer: basic facts (price, producer, production code and year, creators, etc.) a summary of the source, what it includes, soem notes regarding the source and a brief analytical discussion as to the general validity of the source within the BattleTech universe. Links to both internal and external articles can be found in the '''See Also''' section, when relevant. − :Tag: '''''<nowiki>{{NotCanon}}</nowiki> − If the subject of the article does neither (clearly) fall under either Canon or Apocrypha, or if it is not an official (licensed) BattleTech product (i.e. Fanon/fan fiction), then the [[Template:NotCanon]] tag should be included. This will insert the following box into the article: − {{NotCanon}} − ===Articles about apocryphal products===+ ''expand the discussion further'' − :Tag: '''''<nowiki>{{ApocryphalProduct}}</nowiki> − If the subject of the article does not (clearly) fall under Canon, but is an official product that contains original additional information pertaining to the BattleTech universe, then the [[Template:ApocryphalProduct]] tag should be included. This will insert the following box into the article: − {{ApocryphalProduct}} − ===Articles containing exclusively apocryphal information===+ ==Articles on Licensed Subjects== − :Tag: '''''<nowiki>{{ApocryphalArticle}}</nowiki>+ ''how licensed subject articles (Capellan Confederation, Hunter DropShip, Atlas BattleMech) are expected to have citations from these licensed sources within their articles'' − If the subject and content of the article are exclusively based on a source that is itself apocryphal, then the [[Template:ApocryphalArticle]] tag should be included. This will insert the following box into the article: − {{ApocryphalArticle}} − ===Articles containing both canonical and apocryphal information===+ BattleTechWiki defines a '''subject article''' as an article on the site that specifically addresses one aspect of the BattleTech universe, whether it a BattleMech, a war, a character, a faction, or any of a myriad number of subjects that have been introduced in the vast breadth of BattleTech. Some examples of a licensed subject article include: − :Tags: '''''<nowiki>{{ApocryphalContentStart}}</nowiki>''''' and '''''<nowiki>{{ApocryphalContentEnd}}</nowiki>+ − If content from an apocryphal source is added to an article about an otherwise canonical subject, then these templates ([[Template:ApocryphalContentStart]] & [[Template:ApocryphalContentEnd]]) should be used to mark those parts of the article that are based on apocryphal sources. Note that unlike the other tags, these should not be put at the top of the article. This will insert the following boxes into the article:+ *Vehicles: − {{ApocryphalContentStart}}+ **[[Awesome]] − (Apocryphal Content goes here.) + **[[Leopard CV]] − {{ApocryphalContentEnd}}+ **[[Bug-Eye]] + *Factions + **[[Draconis Combine]] + **[[Clan Jade Falcon]] + **[[Fiefdom of Randis]] + *Characters + **[[Aleksandr Kerensky]] + **[[Kali Liao]] + **[[Wayne Waco]] + *Units + **[[Hansen's Roughriders]] + **[[Northwind Highlanders]] + **[[48th Shadow Division]] + *Events + **[[Operation Klondike]] + **[[Second Exodus]] + **[[War of 3039]] + + As BattleTechWiki strives to be as precise an encyclopedia as possible, it is strongly encouraged to include citations to actual sources (to include the source's title and referencing page number, if applicable). It is imperative fan-created material is '''not''' incorporated into licensed subject articles and, if any significant doubt exists regarding an uncited statement, the statement may be removed from the article until either properly cited or consensus agrees the statement applies (in the absence of a citation). Guidance on citations can be found in the [[Help:Contents|Help section]]. + + ''expand the discussion further'' + + ==Fandom Articles== + ''We can then finish up with a discussion as to how fandom articles are to be tagged at the top with the following code (blah-blah-blah-code-here) and are not to be included within licensed articles. Instead, a fandom article can be wiki-linked within a licensed article only in a ==See Also (Fandom)== section, so that people can find fan-created material through following the major links.'' + + BattleTechWiki encourages and accepts fan-created articles, whether they be individually dervived or done as a group effort (such as by members of a Neveron faction or a roleplaying group). However, in order to foster a sense of trust in the articles on licensed materials, BattleTechWiki Editors strongly enforce the segregation of fan creations from the other articles. This is done by the Creator (or a later Editor) tagging each fan creation article with the following code at the top, upon first creation of the article: '''(blah-blah-blah-code-here)'''. Fan-created material may '''not''' be included within the body of any licensed articles, but may be linked to in the ==See Also (Fandom)== section (please feel free to add this to any articles, if it is not already present). We also ask that fan created articles not be included in any categories that does not have a derivative of the word 'fan' in the category name. + + + We appreciate your adherence to this core policy and welcome you to actively join the community of Users, Creators and Editors of BattleTechWiki. + + ''expand the discussion further'' + + [[Category: BattleTechWiki]] + [[Category:Policies|Canon]] + [[Category:Uncompleted Policies|Canon]]
The edit can be undone. Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then save the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
| Latest revision | Your text | ||
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| − | {{ | + | {{Template:Construction}} |
| − | {{nutshell| | + | {{nutshell|BattleTechWiki does not seek to define canonicity. Instead, that is left up to the individual guest. BTW allows all things BattleTech into its pages, segregating unlicensed material from articles on licensed subjects.}} |
| − | + | The BattleTechWiki's Canon Policy is simple: ''BattleTechWiki does not seek to define canonicity within this site''. Instead, that is left up to the individual guest. BTW allows all things [[BattleTech]] into its pages, segregating unlicensed material from articles on licensed subjects. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | As established in the BTW [[Policy:Notability]], "Anything that has to do with BattleTech warrants inclusion" on the BattleTechWiki. However, it is sometimes difficult to discern what is canon for the fictional BattleTech universe, and the canonicity of a great deal of information remains unclear. This is discussed in detail in the '''[[Canon]]''' article. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | The policy adopted by this Wiki is '''not to decide on the canonicity of a given source or piece of information''', and to leave it up to the individual user instead to decide what information he deems canonical for his vision of the BattleTech universe, with the assistance of the information provided here. To this end, the BattleTechWiki shall: | |
| + | *present the current state of the canonicity issue (in digested form), in the [[Canon]] article; | ||
| + | *cite sources for information presented; | ||
| + | *and clearly mark any information that is not taken from an undoubtedly licensed source (or that is un-licensed) with appropriate tags. | ||
| − | + | ==Producers of Licensed Material== | |
| − | + | ''We then...list...the various Grand Sources of licensed material and the general drift of their products (ex, FASA, FanPro, CGL, MicroSoft, ROC with sourcebooks, rulebooks, scenarios, computer games, novels, etc)[.]'' | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | ==Some Sources of Unlicensed Material== | |
| + | ''some of the larger unlicensed Grand Sources (BattleTechnology magazine, Neveron), as well as the inclusion of fandom articles (such as gaming campaigns, Neveron factions, player units & histories, etc.)'' | ||
| − | |||
| − | == | + | ==Articles on Licensed Sources== |
| − | + | ''We then explain how licensed source articles (articles about individual sources, like games, scernarios, novels) are to be handled (description, with a brief analysis with how it is generally accepted in the overarching canonicity (but clearly not BTW's))'' | |
| − | + | BattleTechWiki defines a '''source article''' as an article on the site that specifically addresses one specific source of information about the overall BattleTech universe. Licensed examples of these are: | |
| + | *Rulebooks: | ||
| + | **[[Tactical Handbook]] | ||
| + | **[[TechManual]] | ||
| + | **[[Tactical Operations]] | ||
| + | *Sourcebooks: | ||
| + | **[[Field Manual: Crusader Clans]] | ||
| + | **[[Handbook: House Marik]] | ||
| + | *Technical Readouts: | ||
| + | **[[Technical Readout: 3025 Revised]] | ||
| + | **[[Technical Readout: Project Phoenix]] | ||
| + | **[[Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex]] | ||
| + | *Novels: | ||
| + | **[[Flight of the Falcon]] | ||
| + | **[[Ghost War]] | ||
| + | **[[The Ruins of Power]] | ||
| + | *Computer Games: | ||
| + | **[[Crescent Hawks Revenge]] | ||
| + | **[[MechWarrior III]] | ||
| + | **[[Virtual World]] | ||
| − | + | These articles are generally established in a similar mannaer: basic facts (price, producer, production code and year, creators, etc.) a summary of the source, what it includes, soem notes regarding the source and a brief analytical discussion as to the general validity of the source within the BattleTech universe. Links to both internal and external articles can be found in the '''See Also''' section, when relevant. | |
| − | : | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | ''expand the discussion further'' | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | ==Articles on Licensed Subjects== | |
| − | + | ''how licensed subject articles (Capellan Confederation, Hunter DropShip, Atlas BattleMech) are expected to have citations from these licensed sources within their articles'' | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | BattleTechWiki defines a '''subject article''' as an article on the site that specifically addresses one aspect of the BattleTech universe, whether it a BattleMech, a war, a character, a faction, or any of a myriad number of subjects that have been introduced in the vast breadth of BattleTech. Some examples of a licensed subject article include: | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | *Vehicles: | |
| − | + | **[[Awesome]] | |
| − | ( | + | **[[Leopard CV]] |
| − | + | **[[Bug-Eye]] | |
| + | *Factions | ||
| + | **[[Draconis Combine]] | ||
| + | **[[Clan Jade Falcon]] | ||
| + | **[[Fiefdom of Randis]] | ||
| + | *Characters | ||
| + | **[[Aleksandr Kerensky]] | ||
| + | **[[Kali Liao]] | ||
| + | **[[Wayne Waco]] | ||
| + | *Units | ||
| + | **[[Hansen's Roughriders]] | ||
| + | **[[Northwind Highlanders]] | ||
| + | **[[48th Shadow Division]] | ||
| + | *Events | ||
| + | **[[Operation Klondike]] | ||
| + | **[[Second Exodus]] | ||
| + | **[[War of 3039]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | As BattleTechWiki strives to be as precise an encyclopedia as possible, it is strongly encouraged to include citations to actual sources (to include the source's title and referencing page number, if applicable). It is imperative fan-created material is '''not''' incorporated into licensed subject articles and, if any significant doubt exists regarding an uncited statement, the statement may be removed from the article until either properly cited or consensus agrees the statement applies (in the absence of a citation). Guidance on citations can be found in the [[Help:Contents|Help section]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''expand the discussion further'' | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Fandom Articles== | ||
| + | ''We can then finish up with a discussion as to how fandom articles are to be tagged at the top with the following code (blah-blah-blah-code-here) and are not to be included within licensed articles. Instead, a fandom article can be wiki-linked within a licensed article only in a ==See Also (Fandom)== section, so that people can find fan-created material through following the major links.'' | ||
| + | |||
| + | BattleTechWiki encourages and accepts fan-created articles, whether they be individually dervived or done as a group effort (such as by members of a Neveron faction or a roleplaying group). However, in order to foster a sense of trust in the articles on licensed materials, BattleTechWiki Editors strongly enforce the segregation of fan creations from the other articles. This is done by the Creator (or a later Editor) tagging each fan creation article with the following code at the top, upon first creation of the article: '''(blah-blah-blah-code-here)'''. Fan-created material may '''not''' be included within the body of any licensed articles, but may be linked to in the ==See Also (Fandom)== section (please feel free to add this to any articles, if it is not already present). We also ask that fan created articles not be included in any categories that does not have a derivative of the word 'fan' in the category name. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | We appreciate your adherence to this core policy and welcome you to actively join the community of Users, Creators and Editors of BattleTechWiki. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''expand the discussion further'' | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category: BattleTechWiki]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Policies|Canon]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Uncompleted Policies|Canon]] | ||