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=Frequently Asked Questions=
=Frequently Asked Questions=


===What is this site about===
===What is this site about?===


This is a news site alternative to Slashdot. It runs an interface much like Slashdot ''used'' to be
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].
- better articles, less decoration, and less "in your face" functionality.


===Who owns this site===
====What's the purpose of the Wiki?====


The site is owned and run by John Barrabas John (at) AltSlashdot (dot) org.
Currently it provides a place for documentation about the project. Some examples:
 
*[[Development#Slashcode_Primer| A primer on Slashcode]]
This may change in a month or so when we choose a business model.
*[[Development#Index_of_Development_Pages_and_Resources|Index of Development Pages and Resources]]
 
*[[CssWork]]
===What if Dice decides to revert to Classic Slashdot?===
*The [[TeamPages]] | pages of the teams that work on this project
 
*The [[WhosWho]] | list of people involved
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:
If you are interested in volunteering, start in the '''[[SoylentNews#Get_Involved|Get Involved]]''' section.
 
* Register a user at http://forums.soylentnews.org
* Go to your user panel (UL corner of page) and then "Groups" tab and add yourself to interesting groups
* You can also just start posting in relevant areas
 
 
Additionally, you can check out the [[SoylentNews:IRC]].
 
We also need to [[Spreading_the_word|spread the word]]
 
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.


I don't consider it fair. Slashdot put a lot of effort into building their brand and
===Where can I find information about wiki syntax used here?===
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
Try the [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Contents MediaWiki Help Docs]
poaching from Slashdot.


===Doesn't AltSlashdot infringe on Slashdot's trademark?===
===Can I comment on something here without modifying the page?===


Opinion on this is mixed, but it doesn't matter as the name has already changed to '''SoylentNews'''.
Sure, just click the discussion link at the top of every page


We may be choosing a new name by community consensus ''real soon'' after the initial rollout, via a properly organized vote.
===How can I sign my comments on discussion pages?===


Still, There is thought that the name SoylentNews is already great, and changing the name again would add confusion.
Just type <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki> after your comment.


===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.

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