Getting started
From Sonic Retro
Sonic Retro aims to be the largest and most comprehensive repository of information regarding all things Sonic the Hedgehog on the Internet. While great strides have been taken to accomplish this goal since it opened in 2004, there's always more that needs to be done. The way that happens? By you, the user, taking part in expanding the knowledge base of Retro! The same is true for Sega Retro and NEC Retro.
Think you want to take part? Read on!
Contents
The basics
At its core, Sonic Retro isn't all that different from other wiki projects like Wikipedia. If you're familiar with how those work, then you're already one step ahead of the game! However, if you've only read a wiki and have never edited one, don't fret! We have a couple handy resources to help you out:
- Tutorial: Covers the basics of wiki markup and basic formatting
- Help: In-depth information on a number of wiki subjects
Once you feel confident enough to start working on an article, use the search box at the top of every page and see if there's an article on that subject. If there is? See what can be improved. If not? Then start it from scratch!
If starting a fresh page, keep in mind that it is a Retro convention to boldface the subject of an article when it is first mentioned. For example, if the page Sonic the Hedgehog did not exist, you would type:
- '''{{PAGENAME}}''' (Japanese:ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグ, Romaji: ''Sonikku za hejjihoggu'') is the flagship character for video game, arcade game (and formerly home game console) company [[sega:Sega|Sega]].
Which would then appear as:
- Sonic the Hedgehog (Japanese:ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグ, Romaji: Sonikku za hejjihoggu) is the flagship character for video game, arcade game (and formerly home game console) company Sega.
There are occasions where not using {{PAGENAME}} and typing the name of the subject might work better. For example, "The Last Resort," an episode of Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, is identified on the wiki as The Last Resort (AoStH episode). For it's opening sentence, one would write
- '''"The Last Resort"''' is the thirty-fifth episode of ''[[Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog]]''.
Which would then appear as:
- "The Last Resort" is the thirty-fifth episode of Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog
These exceptions are rare - in most use cases, {{PAGENAME}} is the appropriate way to start an article, as no edits are needed if it is later moved to a more appropriate location.
If your article only contains one or two sentences, it is considered a sub-stub. Flag this by typing {{sub-stub}} at the beginning of the article so other editors can be notified to expand on it. If it the article has a paragraph or so, it is considered a stub, and should be flagged with {{stub}}.
Cite your sources
The benefit of using the MediaWiki software is that anyone can edit and update the many articles that are on Sonic Retro (and any of the other Retro family of wikis). If you notice incorrect or missing information, you have the ability to make the correction! However, since anyone can edit a page, there's always the possibility that someone could add an incorrect fact, be it by accident or malicious intent. That is why we ask everyone to cite their sources.
For example, let's say you wanted to write about the announcement of Sonic Mania Adventures that occurred on March 16, 2018. Using the {{ref|}} tag, you'd go ahead and write:
- ''[[Sonic Mania Adventures]]''', a series of short animations following the events of ''[[Sonic Mania]]'', was announced on March 16, 2018.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20180316210733/https://twitter.com/sonic_hedgehog/status/974753908739289088}}
Which would then appear as:
- Sonic Mania Adventures, a series of short animations following the events of Sonic Mania, was announced on March 16, 2018.[1]
You will note that the web address does not point to Twitter, but instead a backup of the original tweet saved on the Internet Archive. Unfortunately, the Internet is not a permanent place. To make sure that any source you cite on the web doesn't get lost because of moving URLs or websites being shut down, we ask that you first make sure it is backed up one one of the following services:
Not all cited sources need to exist elsewhere on the Internet. Resources such as our magazine archive can be referenced using the {{fileref}} tag.
If information you add is not backed up by a creditable source, it may be challenged by other users and removed from the wiki. For more information on citation, check out the help page here.
What should I make an article on?
The following fall within the scope of Sonic Retro:"
- Games and game information: Levels, characters, items, and anything else from the Sonic the Hedgehog series is considered worthy of an article. Even if the subject matter is too weak to hold its own article, it may be merged into a larger article, so everything is welcome.
- Sonic Multimedia: Sonic has appeared in a number of comics, television shows, films, books, and even direct-to-cassette radio dramas. All of it deserves coverage on Sonic Retro.
- Fan-created content: While Sonic Retro is not a general fanon wiki, there are certain aspects of the wider Sonic Internet community that we cover. ROM modifications, fan games, and guides covering the above. Major websites created by the fans also have limited coverage.
- You!: When you've created an account, you automatically have your own space on the User: namespace. For example, if Sonic the Hedgehog registered an account on Retro, User:Sonic the Hedgehog as a place to introduce himself and mention wiki projects they're interested in! And if someone wanted to ask Sonic a question, they could on their User talk: page. Sonic Retro is a community project, and a community has to be able to communicate if they want to make the best thing possible.
More information on what is and isn't allowed on Sonic Retro can be found on the FAQ.
How is Sonic Retro similar and different from Wikipedia?
Similarities
- Both Sonic Retro and Wikipedia use Creative Commons and the GFDL: Both resources are licensed under the Creative Commons license, and in some cases the GNU Free Documentation License, and as such, are open for free use and editing. Both Retro and Wikipedia have borrowed from each other and will likely continue this relationship in the future.
- Both wikis use the same style conventions: Both sides italicize titles, bold article starts, use templates--style is exactly the same.
- Both run MediaWiki: The most popular wiki software on the Internet is utilized by both sites; all markup is the same.
Differences
- We cover a LOT more: Unlike the Sonic the Hedgehog section of Wikipedia, we have articles on smaller things: individual levels, obscure characters, individual people, fan content, and much, much more.
- Integration of other concepts and ideas than just encyclopedic content: Unlike Wikipedia, which sticks to content articles, Sonic Retro contains downloads of game prototypes, ROM modifications, definitions, technical information, and technical guides, just to name a few.
What can I do to help out?
Check the following pages:
These list pages that either need to be created, expanded on or cleaned up. If that doesn't interest you, flag down what needs to be corrected--Sonic Retro:Cleanup lists various templates that can be applied to pages to note what needs to be done to them. Spellcheck. Edit for grammar. Upload an image. Anything helps!
I’m ready to contribute!
Do you feel that you now know enough about Sonic Retro, its software, and wikis in general to help make our wiki even better? Great! Just one last thing: before continuing, be sure to check out our FAQ. It covers a number of questions that you may have in regards to the wiki, how it functions, and what does and does not belong on the site. Once you've looked over that, you're ready to go! Find a page and get to work, make something brand new, or let others know if one is in need of work even if you can't help with it.
Enjoy!
Sonic Retro | |
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- ↑ @sonic_hedgehog on Twitter (Wayback Machine: 2018-03-16 21:07)