Wiki Etiquette

Wiki Etiquette
Working together constructively on the Bravo Fleet Wiki

Contributors to the Bravo Fleet Wiki come from across the world and may have different opinions, writing styles, experiences, and interpretations of the material they work with. Disagreement is sometimes unavoidable, but it should remain respectful and focused on improving the Wiki.

This article provides guidance for constructive collaboration and discussion on the Bravo Fleet Wiki.

Read this article alongside:
Charter  ·  Science Office Policy  ·  Submission & Involvement Guide  ·  other relevant Bravo Fleet policies and Science Office guides

Where this article and a Bravo Fleet policy or Science Office guide differ, the relevant policy or guide takes precedence.

A simple rule of thumb
Discuss the contribution, not the contributor. If a disagreement cannot be resolved constructively, ask the Bravo Fleet Science Officer and their wonderful team for help.

Core Principles

These principles should guide how members edit, discuss, and collaborate across the Bravo Fleet Wiki.

Treat other members with respect

Criticism of an article, edit, proposal, or interpretation is acceptable. Personal attacks, insults, hostility, or criticism directed at the individual rather than their contribution are not.

Members should not respond in kind if a discussion becomes hostile.

Remember that the Wiki is collaborative

Individual members do not own or control wiki pages, including articles relating to their characters, commands, locations, or other Member Canon.

Articles may be edited, reorganised, corrected, or maintained in accordance with Bravo Fleet policies and Science Office guidance.

Respect different types of wiki content

Not every article should be approached in the same way. Fleet Canon articles must not be directly edited by members. Suggestions for corrections, additions, or improvements to Fleet Canon should instead be raised on the article's Discussion page.

Technical, administrative, canon-tracking, or other required information maintained by the Science, Intelligence, or Logistics Offices must also be retained in accordance with the relevant policies and guides.

Avoid edit wars

If you disagree with another member's edit, do not repeatedly undo and restore competing versions of the same material.

Discuss the issue constructively and seek assistance from the Science Office if agreement cannot be reached.

Respect Science Office maintenance decisions

Members who disagree with a Science Office decision relating to wiki structure, formatting, maintenance, categorisation, technical requirements, or compliance should raise the matter with the Science Office rather than knowingly reversing or circumventing the change.

General Etiquette

Most wiki disagreements can be handled by remaining polite, specific, and focused on improving the article.

• Focus on the article, not the contributor. Discuss the wording, formatting, canon, sourcing, structure, or other issue rather than making assumptions about the person who wrote it.

• Be specific when giving feedback. Explain which part of the article you believe needs changing and why. Specific examples are more useful than broad statements that an article is simply "wrong", "bad", or needs to be rewritten.

• Keep criticism constructive. Where possible, explain how an issue could be resolved or point the contributor towards the relevant policy, guide, source, or example.

• Questions can help clarify disagreements. If another member's intention is unclear, asking what they meant or what information they relied upon may resolve the issue without unnecessary disagreement.

• Check that you understand the other person's position. Many disagreements continue because contributors are responding to different interpretations of the same issue. Clarifying the point being discussed can often resolve this.
• Keep the discussion relevant. Wiki discussions should focus on improving an article, resolving a wiki issue, or understanding the relevant requirements. Broader debates about hypothetical scenarios or Star Trek canon are better held elsewhere unless they directly affect the article being discussed.

• Do not prolong an unproductive argument. Disagreement is acceptable, but repeatedly restating the same position rarely improves an article. If a discussion reaches an impasse, members should seek assistance from the Science Office.

• Avoid piling into disagreements unnecessarily. Additional views can sometimes help, but members should avoid turning a disagreement between contributors into a larger argument. Where appropriate, allow the Science Office to help resolve the issue.

• Acknowledge useful contributions. Members are encouraged to recognise particularly helpful edits, articles, research, or assistance. Positive feedback is welcome, but members are not required to add praise simply to accompany constructive criticism.

When a discussion stops being useful

You do not need to win every disagreement. If the same positions are being repeated and the article is no closer to improvement, refer the matter to the Science Office rather than allowing the discussion to escalate.

Discussion Pages

Using Article Discussion Pages

Article Discussion pages provide a place to raise questions, suggestions, proposed changes, and other matters directly connected to the article.

They are particularly important for Fleet Canon articles, which members must not directly edit.

When using a Discussion page:

Keep the discussion about the article.

Discussion pages are not general message boards or social spaces. Wider conversation should take place through appropriate Bravo Fleet channels, including the Bravo Fleet Discord.

Do not alter another member's argument.

Wiki pages are technically editable, but members should not rewrite, remove, or change the meaning of another contributor's Discussion page comments.

Keep suggestions specific.

Clearly explain what you believe should be changed, added, removed, or checked and provide relevant sources or reasoning where possible.

Remember that disagreement is not personal.

Another contributor disagreeing with a suggestion does not necessarily reflect their opinion of the person making it.

Consider whether a Discussion page is the appropriate route before editing.

For Fleet Canon articles, suggestions must be raised through the Discussion page rather than directly editing the article. For Member Canon and other editable content, straightforward corrections may be made directly where permitted by the relevant policies and guides.

Do not use Discussion pages to bypass established review processes.

Matters relating to Science Office standards, wiki administration, canon, or an existing Science Office decision should be raised with the Science Office where appropriate.

Know when to disengage

If a discussion has become repetitive or unproductive, members should avoid escalating it. The matter can instead be referred to the Science Office for guidance.

Resolving Disagreements

Most disagreements can be resolved through constructive discussion between the members involved.

When to Involve the Science Office

Where constructive discussion does not resolve the issue, or where the disagreement concerns wiki standards, structure, formatting, maintenance, categorisation, technical requirements, or compliance with Science Office guidance, members should contact the Science Office.

The Science Office will consult the relevant Bravo Fleet office where a matter involves another office's responsibilities, including canon or administrative information.

Members should not attempt to resolve disagreements through:

• Repeated reversions
• Competing edits
• Knowingly circumventing an existing maintenance or review decision
• Continuing an argument after it has become clear that Science Office guidance is needed

Still not sure how to proceed?
Questions, suggestions, or disagreements about this guidance can be raised with the Bravo Fleet Science Officer and their wonderful team. The goal is to resolve the wiki issue constructively and keep everyone moving forward.