Difference between revisions of "Help:FAQ"

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| colspan=2 |<br />Camera-wiki.org is organized by individuals on at least three different continents, who don't know each other personally. We try to share responsibilities and ownerships so that no one person could singlehandedly cripple the work. For example, camera-wiki.info is registered by a different person from camera-wiki.org; different people have server passwords, etc. We are also aiming to establish [[Camera-wiki.org:Nonprofit|nonprofit]] status which would formalize organizational (not individual) ownership of domains and other assets.
 
| colspan=2 |<br />Camera-wiki.org is organized by individuals on at least three different continents, who don't know each other personally. We try to share responsibilities and ownerships so that no one person could singlehandedly cripple the work. For example, camera-wiki.info is registered by a different person from camera-wiki.org; different people have server passwords, etc. We are also aiming to establish [[Camera-wiki.org:Nonprofit|nonprofit]] status which would formalize organizational (not individual) ownership of domains and other assets.
 
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| colspan=2 |<br />Camera-wiki is a bunch of separate pages written by dozens of volunteers in their spare time. There are many cameras in this world, and even some entire brands, for which no one has had time to write a careful article. If you know something we don't, why don't you [[Special:UserLogin|create a login]] and help us? (And if you have clear photos of the item, please submit them to our [http://www.flickr.com/groups/camerawiki/pool/ photo pool on Flickr].)
 
| colspan=2 |<br />Camera-wiki is a bunch of separate pages written by dozens of volunteers in their spare time. There are many cameras in this world, and even some entire brands, for which no one has had time to write a careful article. If you know something we don't, why don't you [[Special:UserLogin|create a login]] and help us? (And if you have clear photos of the item, please submit them to our [http://www.flickr.com/groups/camerawiki/pool/ photo pool on Flickr].)
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|| '''I'd like to add some information, so what should I do?'''
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| colspan=2 |<br />Please  [[Special:UserLogin|create a login]] and sign in, and then you'll see an "edit" link above most of the pages in the wiki. Click that and you'll be able to make additions or changes to the text.
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We have one important request, which is that if you create an account, '''please''' add a brief sentence on your talk page or your user page saying hello. Unfortunately many accounts are created simply in an attempt to add spam links to the wiki. Anyone adding spam is immediately blocked; but we also treat "silent" accounts as suspicious, and we generally delete them if they go unused for more than a few days.
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We also strongly suggest looking through the [[Help:Contents |Help pages]] and understanding how existing wiki pages are constructed before you make any significant changes.
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[[User:Dinosaur123 | Dinosaur123]] has also provided [http://www16.atwiki.jp/saltysugar/pages/49.html instructions in Japanese (Camera-wikiの編集に参加する) for creating an account]
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|| '''Must additions to the wiki be in English?'''
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| colspan=2 |<br />The [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/6854733282/in/pool-camerawiki browser language preferences] for camera-wiki.org's visitors are 58.6% English (as of March, 2012); with the next most common language being German, at 3.6% percent. Articles for camera-wiki.org should be in the English language, with the exception of brief phrases in other languages which can help identify items or illuminate terminology used by manufacturers. Camera-wiki.org prefers to use the native spellings of proper names from other languages: See the [[Help:Markup_reference#Letters_for_German.2C_French.2C_and_Japanese|markup reference page]] on inserting accented characters.
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US conventions of spelling and usage are familiar to the greatest number of site visitors (''color'', ''gelatin'', ''aluminum'', etc.), and in starting new articles these are preferred. (In the case of markup "align" tags, the US spelling ''center'', rather than ''centre'', is mandatory.) When editing existing articles, maintain consistency with the spelling and usage which predominates.
 
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While displaying as a normal webpage to most visitors, behind the scenes a wiki page is constructed with a special syntax called wiki markup. This resembles XHTML but is not the same.
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While displaying as a normal webpage to most visitors, behind the scenes a wiki page is constructed with a special syntax called wiki markup. (This resembles XHTML, but is not exactly the same.)
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You can get a look at wiki markup by going to our [[Camera-wiki.org:Sandbox|Sandbox page]] and [http://camera-wiki.org/index.php?title=Camera-wiki.org:Sandbox&action=edit viewing the page source code]—you are welcome to start typing some markup there yourself, to see how it works (though you'll need a [[Special:UserLogin|login]] first).
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Under every editing window, there is a link to the [[Help:Editing | Editing help page]], which explains the most-often-used markup tags.
  
You can get a look at wiki markup by viewing the source behind our [[Camera-wiki.org:Sandbox|sandbox]] page—where you are welcome to start typing some markup yourself, to see how it works (though you'll need a [[Special:UserLogin|login]] first).
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For examples of trickier wiki markup, see this [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Wiki_markup Wikipedia help page]. (Be aware that Wikipedia's <nowiki>{{templates}}</nowiki> are typically not the same as [[Special:MostLinkedTemplates|the ones available in Camera-wiki.org]].)
 
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| colspan=2 |<br />For just about any camera made in the past 100 years, Camera-wiki.org is very likely to have a page for the manufacturer already. Check [[List of companies|this company list]] and [[Special:Search|search the wiki]] for all the possible name variations.
 
| colspan=2 |<br />For just about any camera made in the past 100 years, Camera-wiki.org is very likely to have a page for the manufacturer already. Check [[List of companies|this company list]] and [[Special:Search|search the wiki]] for all the possible name variations.
  
Frequently a page here for a camera maker will include lists of camera models ([[Minolta#Rangefinder, fixed lens|example]]). Links in blue are to pages that already exist (note: sometimes several model names link to a single page that discusses them all together). A link in red indicates a page title that someone thought ought to exist, but which doesn't yet. If you click a red link, an edit window opens saying "''You have followed a link to a page that does not exist yet. To create the page, start typing in the box below''." And that's what you do!
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Frequently a page here for a camera maker will include lists of camera models ([[Minolta#Rangefinder.2C_interchangeable_lens_.2835mm.29|example]]). Links in blue are to pages that already exist (note: sometimes several model names link to a single page that discusses them all together). A link in red indicates a page title that someone thought ought to exist, but which doesn't yet. If you click a red link, an edit window opens saying "''You have followed a link to a page that does not exist yet. To create the page, start typing in the box below''." And that's what you do!
  
 
If a camera in the list appears in black, or doesn't appear at all, there's one more step. On the right side of the page, aligned with the relevant subheading, there is a link <nowiki>"[edit]"</nowiki>. Click this and you can add changes to the camera list. (On pages with no subheads, just click the top tab on every page that says '''edit'''.)
 
If a camera in the list appears in black, or doesn't appear at all, there's one more step. On the right side of the page, aligned with the relevant subheading, there is a link <nowiki>"[edit]"</nowiki>. Click this and you can add changes to the camera list. (On pages with no subheads, just click the top tab on every page that says '''edit'''.)
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For consistency, it's good to specify the brand within the page title even when the camera is named so distinctively as to render the brand superfluous; therefore "[[Pentax Spotmatic]]" for the camera often simply called "Spotmatic".
 
For consistency, it's good to specify the brand within the page title even when the camera is named so distinctively as to render the brand superfluous; therefore "[[Pentax Spotmatic]]" for the camera often simply called "Spotmatic".
 
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{| class="collapsible collapsed" style="border-collapse: collapse;"
|| '''How are photos included in Camera-wiki pages?'''
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|| '''What is a template and how do I use one?'''
 
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| colspan=2 |<br />In the jargon of wiki markup, a '''template''' is a special word or phrase <nowiki>{{enclosed in double curly brackets}}</nowiki>. You may think of these as shortcuts, which automatically transform or expand into something else when the finished page displays. For example typing <nowiki>{{stub}}</nowiki> in the page markup will expand to a colored banner looking like this:
Photographs illustrating what different models look like are extremely useful to Camera-wiki.org. Our [http://www.flickr.com/groups/camerawiki/pool/ Flickr photo pool] was created as our central repository for wiki images. Any photographs of cameras or other useful illustrations are welcomed there.
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{{stub}}
  
The wiki has a page on [[Help:Adding images|how to add photos to wiki articles]].
 
  
While the wiki text itself is licensed under "copyleft" ([[GFDL 1.3]]), we wish to respect photo copyrights and give credit to everyone who was kind enough to contribute images. Wherever possible we encourage using our [[Template:Flickr image|Flickr image template]], filling in all its fields correctly.
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An example of a more complex template is the one used to place Flickr images in wiki articles, discussed under the question '''How are photos included in Camera-wiki pages?''' There is a list of [[Special:MostLinkedTemplates|Camera-wiki.org's most-used templates]] which shows the many ways they are used in our pages.
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The template asks for two URLs for each photo. The first is the link to a Flickr user's own photo page, including its membership in our photo pool:
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[http://www.flickr.com/photos/vox/5473629531/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5258/5473629531_49faa4c24d.jpg]
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{| class="collapsible collapsed" style="border-collapse: collapse;"
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Photographs illustrating what different models look like are extremely useful to Camera-wiki.org. Our [http://www.flickr.com/groups/camerawiki/pool/ Flickr photo pool] was created as our central repository for wiki images. Any photographs of cameras or other useful illustrations are gratefully welcomed there.
  
This URL should be in the form <nowiki>http://www.flickr.com/photos/UserID/123456789012/in/pool-camerawiki</nowiki>
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While the wiki text itself is licensed under a "copyleft" license, the ([[Camera-wiki.org:GNU_Free_Documentation_License|GFDL 1.3]]), we wish to uphold photo copyrights and give credit to everyone who was kind enough to contribute images. Wherever possible, we encourage using our [[Template:Flickr image|Flickr image template]], filling in all its fields correctly. This appends an "image rights" link to every photo. We offer a help page on [[Help:Adding images|how to add photos to wiki articles]] using this template.
  
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Because we rely on Flickr's bandwidth for hosting all our images, we must respect their [http://www.flickr.com/guidelines.gne terms of service], which require a click-through link back to the Flickr page where the image appears.
  
...while the second is the "deep link" to the actual .jpg file hosted on Flickr's servers.
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Thus the image template asks for two URLs for each photo. The first is the link to a Flickr user's own photo page (including its membership in our photo pool—i.e. the URL should be in the form <nowiki>http://www.flickr.com/photos/UserID/123456789012/in/pool-camerawiki</nowiki>)
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while the second is the "deep link" to the actual .jpg file hosted on Flickr's servers.
  
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/vox/5473629527/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5473629527_eaed06d5ec.jpg]
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Locating these two URLs is unfortunately a bit complicated. You may wish to start by looking at a [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/5592885988/in/pool-camerawiki step-by-step tutorial]. (Eventually we hope to offer a more automated way of importing Flickr images.)
  
(Clicking on the images above will take you to pages explaining more about how to copy & paste these URLs.)
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[[User:Dinosaur123 | Dinosaur123]] has also provided [http://www16.atwiki.jp/saltysugar/pages/49.html instructions in Japanese (Camera-wikiに画像を登録しよう) for adding images]
  
Because we rely on Flickr's bandwidth for hosting all our images, we must respect their [http://www.flickr.com/guidelines.gne terms of service], which require a click-through link back to the Flickr page where the image appears.
 
 
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  <nowiki>[[Category:Manufacturer]] [[Category:Camera type]] [[Category:Country)]] [[Category:Film size (if not 120, 35mm)]]</nowiki>
 
  <nowiki>[[Category:Manufacturer]] [[Category:Camera type]] [[Category:Country)]] [[Category:Film size (if not 120, 35mm)]]</nowiki>
  
If it is German or Japanese, or if one or more of the categories would otherwise have too high a "population", then more specific categories are used (for example <nowiki>"[Category:Japanese 6x6 viewfinder folding]"</nowiki>).
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If it is German or Japanese, or if one or more of the categories would otherwise have too high a "population", then more specific categories are used (for example <nowiki>"[[Category:Japanese 6x6 viewfinder folding]]"</nowiki>).
  
 
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In a few cases, the original contributor of a photo could not be contacted. There may also be cases where a photographer has had a change of heart, and no longer wishes us to use their images. And finally, remember that Camera-wiki.org is a volunteer effort. It's possible an inexperienced editor used one of your photos before reading our very clear [[Help:Adding_images|guidelines for adding images]].
 
In a few cases, the original contributor of a photo could not be contacted. There may also be cases where a photographer has had a change of heart, and no longer wishes us to use their images. And finally, remember that Camera-wiki.org is a volunteer effort. It's possible an inexperienced editor used one of your photos before reading our very clear [[Help:Adding_images|guidelines for adding images]].
  
In any of these cases, we will be happy to remove any image at  your request. If the photo originates from Flickr, you should contact any of the [http://www.flickr.com/groups_members_detail.gne?id=1618922@N23 pool admins] via Flickrmail for help. You can also start a topic on the wiki's [[Camera_wiki:_Community_Discussions|Community Discussions]] page and a wiki admin will follow up with you.
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In any of these cases, we will be happy to remove any image at  your request. If the photo originates from Flickr, you should contact any of our [https://www.flickr.com/groups/camerawiki/members/ Flickr group admins] via Flickrmail for help. You can also start a topic on the wiki's [[Camera-wiki.org:Community discussions|Community discussions]] page and a wiki admin will follow up with you.
  
 
Please be aware that your image may also appear in the pages of the commercially-hosted [http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Camerapedia Camerapedia.wikia.com]. We have no connection to them; and so cannot compel them to remove your images.  
 
Please be aware that your image may also appear in the pages of the commercially-hosted [http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Camerapedia Camerapedia.wikia.com]. We have no connection to them; and so cannot compel them to remove your images.  
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| colspan=2 |<br />Thanks! If you really know cameras, we are always happy to get thoughtful, constructive additions to our wiki pages. If you have some background in wiki administration, there are always a few housekeeping tasks we could use help with too (you don't need to be a camera expert).
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| colspan=2 |<br />Thanks! If you really know cameras, we are always happy to get thoughtful, constructive additions to our wiki articles.
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If you can provide clear photos of a particular item (particularly a rare one), we'd be grateful if you would add them to [http://www.flickr.com/groups/camerawiki/pool/ our Flickr photo pool].
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Page authors [[:Category:Stub|use the label "stub"]] when a page is missing important details or needs more expansion. Adding text to a stub is always appreciated—especially if you have the item in your hands, and can note its essential specs and unusual features.
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Do you own any specialist collector books, vintage magazines, or old publications from manufacturers? Camera-wiki.org articles benefit greatly when you can cite an original source to confirm a fact (dates, prices, etc.), and you [[Help:Editing#Notes|footnote this]] properly.
  
Any clear photos of photographic gear you would like to offer can go into [http://www.flickr.com/groups/camerawiki/pool/ our Flickr photo pool]]. Do you work in a non-profit? We are aiming to set up [[nonprofit]] status, and would love your assistance in that process.
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If you have some background in wiki administration, there are always a few [[Camera-wiki.org:Todo_list#Ongoing_Maintenance|housekeeping tasks]] we could use help with too (you don't need to be a camera expert). Do you work in a non-profit? We are aiming to set up [[nonprofit]] status, and would love your assistance in that process.
  
Finally, we are always happy if you would care to chip in a bit of money for our hosting costs. There is a PayPal donation button on [http://blog.camera-wiki.org/donate/ the Donate! page of our blog] (the PayPal link is ''not'' hosted on a wiki page which anyone can edit!)
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Finally, we are always happy if you could chip in a bit of money for our hosting costs. There is a PayPal donation button on [http://blog.camera-wiki.org/donate/ the Donate! page of our blog] (the PayPal link is ''not'' hosted on a wiki page which anyone can edit!)
  
 
Thank you, and enjoy your visit to Camera-wiki.org!
 
Thank you, and enjoy your visit to Camera-wiki.org!

Revision as of 23:16, 6 October 2015

This is a work in progress.

Hello! This page tries to answer a few common questions about what Camera-wiki.org is, and how it works. Click "show" after any question to expand it and show the answer.

If there's anything else about the wiki you think is unclear, feel free to click the "discussion" tab above this page and request an explanation there.