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=== I'm researching for a Wikiwrimo article but can't find a fact that I need. What should I do? ===
=== I'm researching for a Wikiwrimo article but can't find a fact that I need. What should I do? ===
Ah, the guessing game. This is a problem we'll run into often, especially since there are no live site archives for NaNoWriMo 2000, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, or 2011. There are no live site archives for SF, Camp NaNo, YWP, or SFYWP. The [http://www.archive.org Wayback Machine] works for all years of NaNoWriMo (except 2000), Script Frenzy, YWP, and SFYWP, but a full archive (as in one taken on the day before the march relaunch (SF/SFYWP) or October relaunch (NaNo/YWP)) may not be available, and it is possible that some individual webpages and/or images won't show up. There is no way to find archives of Camp NaNo due to its extremely limited guest (people not logged in) access. Just do the best you can and note it as a guess, and if someone can find a fact, they'll correct it. Feel free to look through blog posts, breaking news posts, and SF "beat" posts, as well as any stickies scattered throughout the forums - some may have facts embedded in them - anything from previous year's stats to notes on a nanowrimo term.
Ah, the guessing game. This is a problem we'll run into often, especially since there are no live site archives for NaNoWriMo 2000, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, or 2011. There are no live site archives for SF, Camp NaNo, YWP, or SFYWP. The [http://www.archive.org Wayback Machine] works for all years of NaNoWriMo (except 2000), Script Frenzy, YWP, and SFYWP, but a full archive (as in one taken on the day before the march relaunch (SF/SFYWP) or October relaunch (NaNo/YWP)) may not be available, and it is possible that some individual webpages and/or images won't show up. There is no way to find archives of Camp NaNo due to its extremely limited guest (people not logged in) access. Just do the best you can and note it as a guess, and if someone can find a fact, they'll correct it. Feel free to look through blog posts, breaking news posts, and SF "beat" posts, as well as any stickies scattered throughout the forums - some may have facts embedded in them - anything from previous year's stats to notes on a nanowrimo term.
Note: The blog linked to on the NaNo site only goes back to some point in 2010 in its archives. If you want to go to earlier posts, you need to go a seperate blog : [http://www.blog.nanowrimo.org/ old blog]


=== Can I donate to Wikiwrimo? ===
=== Can I donate to Wikiwrimo? ===

Revision as of 22:00, 7 May 2013

Welcome to Wikiwrimo's FAQ page! Right now this page should probably be called "Rarely Asked Questions" since not many folks have asked these questions yet, but FAQ makes a better acronym. On to the questions.

About Wikiwrimo

What is Wikiwrimo, anyway?

Wikiwrimo is the unofficial NaNoWriMo wiki by Wrimos, for Wrimos. The ultimate goal is to be not only a glossary but a resource for newbies and oldbies alike.

Is Script Frenzy stuff allowed?

Sure. Wikiwrimo just happened to win the coin toss.

What about (insert unofficial event here)?

Go ahead and make a page for it if it's notable, and by all means add it to the list of timed artistic challenges. Just don't go around adding every little neologism about that event here since this wiki is designed for the official events.

Is this wiki run by NaNoWriMo staff?

Nope. Your admin is a long-time Wrimo with a love of all things NaNoWriMo, a bit of technical skill, and some extra time on her hands. The contributors likely fit categories two and four, with categories one and three varying across the board.

Getting started

I haven't participated in NaNoWriMo or Script Frenzy for long. Can I still contribute?

Yes! Every bit helps. I'm not kidding. There are tons of articles waiting to be created, and as a Wrimo, you know something that can be added. Your own experience, no matter how much or how little, is valuable. Take a look at the wanted pages or the to do list. There are a LOT of articles on those pages, and you very likely recognize some of those items. Even if you don't know enough to write a complete article on that topic, you can tag it as a stub and let someone else come by and finish it. That is the wonder of wiki magic.

In short, don't let your supposed lack of knowledge stop you. Whatever knowledge you have is enough. I promise.

I participated in NaNoWriMo or Script Frenzy before, but I don't anymore. Can I still create an account and contribute?

Sure. Anyone can contribute, no matter how much you know about the events and community.

Do I have to enter my email address? You might steal it.

It's a completely optional field, but I recommend it if only because you might forget your password one day. Entering your email address makes the process of resetting your password easy and free of other human interference. If you don't enter your email and do forget your password at some point, email sushimustwrite@wikiwrimo.org and I'll get you set up.

I can't remember my password. Help!

Click "forgotten login details?" on the login screen, enter the requested information, and wait for an email (at the email address associated with your wikiwrimo account) with further instructions. This only works if you entered an email address when you created an account. I highly recommend doing so. If you didn't enter your email when you signed up, can't remember which email you used, or have some other problem, email sushimustwrite@wikiwrimo.org and I'll get you set up.

Editing

How do I edit?

Once you're logged in, find an article you want to edit, click "Edit", and start editing. Make sure to preview before saving your changes just in case something goes wrong. For more information, take a look at the help area, which has just about everything you need to know about editing. If it's not there, ask. Someone will know, and if they don't, someone will look it up.

This article doesn't exist yet, but should. What do I do?

Search for the article first. If it doesn't exist, be bold and create it yourself. That's why the wiki exists.

Someone edited my contribution. Is that allowed?

Yes. In fact, editing each other's contributions is an essential part of the wiki nature. Constant editing and collaboration lead to better articles, which lead to more information for everyone.

How do I sign my name on talk pages?

Use four tildes like this: ~~~~ to display your name and a timestamp.

What's that stub thing I see on a lot of articles?

That's for short articles or unfinished articles. To add that to an article you've started or found that needs more work, add this to the very end of the article: {{stub}}

It's the NaNo off-season. Can I still contribute?

Yes! Wikiwrimo is open all year long, and all your contributions will be loved upon. In fact, Wikiwrimo Writing Month, affectionately known as Wikiwrimowrimo, takes place in February and September just to get more people to contribute in the Nano off-season.

Everything else

Why doesn't X work?

If X works on another Mediawiki-powered wiki (e.g. Wikipedia), then chances are it can work here with a little tweaking. Some features, such as email notifications for every little change, are turned off until we observe the impact on the website. If you have any questions or are curious, just ask! We're friendly. Really.

I'm researching for a Wikiwrimo article but can't find a fact that I need. What should I do?

Ah, the guessing game. This is a problem we'll run into often, especially since there are no live site archives for NaNoWriMo 2000, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, or 2011. There are no live site archives for SF, Camp NaNo, YWP, or SFYWP. The Wayback Machine works for all years of NaNoWriMo (except 2000), Script Frenzy, YWP, and SFYWP, but a full archive (as in one taken on the day before the march relaunch (SF/SFYWP) or October relaunch (NaNo/YWP)) may not be available, and it is possible that some individual webpages and/or images won't show up. There is no way to find archives of Camp NaNo due to its extremely limited guest (people not logged in) access. Just do the best you can and note it as a guess, and if someone can find a fact, they'll correct it. Feel free to look through blog posts, breaking news posts, and SF "beat" posts, as well as any stickies scattered throughout the forums - some may have facts embedded in them - anything from previous year's stats to notes on a nanowrimo term.

Note: The blog linked to on the NaNo site only goes back to some point in 2010 in its archives. If you want to go to earlier posts, you need to go a seperate blog : old blog

Can I donate to Wikiwrimo?

Since multiple people have asked: You can! The only expenses at Wikiwrimo are for hosting, which are not that much at the moment but still exist. That said, if you are financially able, please donate to OLL first.

There is no minimum amount to donate to Wikiwrimo, though the suggested minimum amount is one dollar. The highest donation my webhost has received to date is over a thousand dollars, but if you have that kind of money to spare, donate to OLL instead. I'll understand.

Here's how you donate.

  1. Read my webhost's page on donating.
  2. Download the Mail-In Donation Deposit Form at the bottom of the page. It's a .pdf file.
  3. Fill it out. You can type in it. Please type in it.
  4. You'll be asked for my account number. For the Wikiwrimo site, that is 1A33-09D5F1B5.
  5. You can choose to identify yourself in the form. If you want to be identified, enter your Wikiwrimo username.
  6. Mail it in at the address indicated. You and I will both be alerted when the deposit goes through.

Thanks for your support!