FAQ: Difference between revisions

From SoylentNews
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(→‎When are we going to see actual (not meta) site content at this url?: this and last edit answered a FAQ question regarding main site status)
 
(31 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
=Frequently Asked Questions=
=Frequently Asked Questions=


===When are we going to see actual (not meta) site content at this url?===
===What is this site about?===


There is so much work being done so quickly it's inspiring. We don't have an exact date set yet but the main page of this wiki is where you'll see some progress updates. This is a great time to get involved here, in the [http://forums.soylentnews.org/ forums], or possibly in the [[SoylentNews:IRC|IRC]].
This is a wiki for this project. If you'd like to learn more about the project, try the [http://soylentnews.org/about.pl about page] or the [http://soylentnews.org/faq.pl site FAQ].


===What is this site about===
====What's the purpose of the Wiki?====


This is a news site alternative to Slashdot. It runs an interface much like Slashdot ''used'' to be
Currently it provides a place for documentation about the project. Some examples:
- better articles, less decoration, and less "in your face" functionality.
*[[Development#Slashcode_Primer| A primer on Slashcode]]
 
*[[Development#Index_of_Development_Pages_and_Resources|Index of Development Pages and Resources]]
===Who owns this site===
*[[CssWork]]
 
*The [[TeamPages]] | pages of the teams that work on this project
The site is owned and run by John Barrabas John (at) AltSlashdot (dot) org.
*The [[WhosWho]] | list of people involved
 
This may change in a month or so when we choose a business model.
 
===What if Dice decides to revert to Classic Slashdot?===
 
The general feeling is that the quality of articles on Slashdot has
become poor. We think we can do a better job, so the project will continue regardless of what
Dice does with Slashdot.


===How can I volunteer?===
===How can I volunteer?===


Volunteering is done via the group forums: you join a group to contribute via a forum.
If you are interested in volunteering, start in the '''[[SoylentNews#Get_Involved|Get Involved]]''' section.
 
* Register a user at forums.soylentnews.org
* Go to your user panel (UL corner of page) and then "Groups" tab
* Add yourself to interesting groups
* Check out the [[SoylentNews:IRC]]
 
 
For almost all facets of the site, contributions are made by community consent: If you can convince the community in your forum group, we'll do it. You don't need permission of the owner.
 
The owner controls certain narrow aspects of the site such as domain registration, money,
legal, and such. This may change when we choose a business model.
 
===Will the code be released open source?===
 
Yes.
 
===Will the database be released open source?===
 
Yes, providing there are no legal issues or other "gotchas".
 
On the subject of making things open source, someone suggested that the database be
separated via API from the presentation. People could then write other interfaces and presentation methods that show the data in various ways. It would also allow program access
to the data for things such as searching and other uses.
 
I think this is an excellent idea. Barring any insurmountable issues, I'll try to make
that happen during the rewrite.
 
===Will you be taking articles/content from Slashdot?===


No.
===Where can I find information about wiki syntax used here?===


I don't consider it fair. Slashdot put a lot of effort into building their brand and
Try the [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Contents MediaWiki Help Docs]
community. If we are to succeed, we need to do it on our own merits.


I'm deciding this as benevolent dictator. Regardless of community sentiment, we won't be
===Can I comment on something here without modifying the page?===
poaching from Slashdot.


===Doesn't AltSlashdot infringe on Slashdot's trademark?===
Sure, just click the discussion link at the top of every page


Opinion on this is mixed, but it doesn't matter as the name has already changed to '''SoylentNews'''.
===How can I sign my comments on discussion pages?===


We <strike>will</strike> may be choosing a new name by community consensus ''real soon'' after the initial rollout,
Just type <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki> after your comment.
but there is thought that SoylentNews is already great, and changing the name again would add too much confusion.


===I've got this great idea for a new name===
===Why can't I log in here? (or on the main site?)===
Soon there will be a submission form on our website, where everyone will be able to submit a suggestion. Collecting submissions will take whole week. Then next week we will have a two-stage voting. In first stage people will just assign numbers to each proposal, in second stage the top 10 names will be voted again.
(if I inferred correctly from my talk with Barrabas)


===I own the domain for a new name - want it?===
The wiki and the main site are separate, you'll need to create an account on each individually. Due to spam, new accounts require manual administrator approval.


Some feel that names based on a pun of Slashdot would present similar problems.
===Why can't I edit anymore?===


We need a name which is completely lateral, something that's ours and ours alone.
We've changed the wiki to only allow logged-in users to edit, you'll need to log in or create an account to make changes.


(And some of the suggestions were brilliant. I'm particularly fond of "NewSlash". Sadly, we can
===I have more questions, what do I do?===
use none of them.)


===What about user ID on old slashdot, can we preserve that?===
You could jump into [[SoylentNews:IRC|IRC]] and pester us until we answer you.
Yes, people migrating from old slashdot can keep their username and ID. New people will start counting their ID from 'last_slashdot_ID'. See [[Migration of users from Slashdot]] for exact details.

Latest revision as of 17:49, 15 October 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this site about?

This is a wiki for this project. If you'd like to learn more about the project, try the about page or the site FAQ.

What's the purpose of the Wiki?

Currently it provides a place for documentation about the project. Some examples:

How can I volunteer?

If you are interested in volunteering, start in the Get Involved section.

Where can I find information about wiki syntax used here?

Try the MediaWiki Help Docs

Can I comment on something here without modifying the page?

Sure, just click the discussion link at the top of every page

How can I sign my comments on discussion pages?

Just type ~~~~ after your comment.

Why can't I log in here? (or on the main site?)

The wiki and the main site are separate, you'll need to create an account on each individually. Due to spam, new accounts require manual administrator approval.

Why can't I edit anymore?

We've changed the wiki to only allow logged-in users to edit, you'll need to log in or create an account to make changes.

I have more questions, what do I do?

You could jump into IRC and pester us until we answer you.

Retrieved from "https://wiki.soylentnews.org/index.php?title=FAQ&oldid=11479"