View source for Scratchpad:Simplified ruleset

{{see also|Help:Community guidelines}}
{{policy}}<br>{{shortcut|SP:RULES|SP:SR}}
[[wikipedia:|Wikipedia]], the free encyclopedia, is the largest and most successful wiki in the world. This page lists some of the overarching guidelines that have helped make ''Wikipedia'' a success, and can only but help {{SITENAME}}.

{{important}}{{spaces|2}}<b>Unless expressly stated otherwise, these rules, and all other ''Wikipedia'' rules, policies, and guidelines apply here at {{SITENAME}}.</b>
# '''BE [[{{ns:Project}}:Be bold|BOLD]]!''' in updating pages. Go ahead, it’s a [[wikipedia:wiki|wiki]]!<br>Encourage others, including those who disagree with you, to likewise '''BE BOLD!''' But, remember to observe the [[{{ns:Project}}:BOLD, revert, discuss cycle|bold, revert, discuss cycle]].
# '''Be [[wikipedia:Wikipedia:Civility|civil]]''' to other users at all times.
# '''[[wikipedia:WP:IAR|Ignore all rules]]'''. If the rules discourage you from improving or maintaining the wiki's quality, ignore them.
# '''When in doubt, take it to the [[Help:talk page|talk page]]'''. We have all the time in the world. Mutual respect is the guiding behavioural principle of {{SITENAME}} and, although everyone knows that their work may be edited mercilessly, it is easier to accept changes if the reasons for them are understood. If you discuss changes on the article's ''talk'' (or ''discussion'') page before you make them, you should reach [[{{ns:Project}}:Consensus|consensus]] faster and happier. 
#'''Respect [[{{ns:Project}}:Copyrights|copyright]]'''. Wikia uses the [[Help:Licensing|Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License 3.0 (Unported) (CC-BY-SA)]]. Everything you contribute must be compatible with that license. 
# '''Use [[Help:edit summaries|edit summaries]]'''. Using detailed [[Help:edit summaries|edit summaries]] is the best way to ensure that your [[Help:Assuming good faith|good faith]] edits are not [[{{ns:Project}}:Reverting|reverted]]. Clear and transparent explanations are universally appreciated: Other editors need to understand your process. Edit summaries also help you yourself to understand what you did after a long leave of absence from a page. Please state '''what''' you changed and '''why'''. If the explanation is too long, add more on the [[Help:Talk pages|discussion page]].
#'''Assume [[Help:Assuming good faith|good faith]]'''; try to consider that the person on the other end of the discussion is a thinking, rational being who is trying to positively contribute to the project — unless, and only unless, you have firm, solid, and objective proof to the contrary. Merely disagreeing with you is no such proof. 
# '''No [[Help:Vandalism|Vandalism]]'''. See the policies at [[{{ns:Project}}:Vandalism]] and at [[wikipedia:Wikipedia:Vandalism|Wikipedia:Vandalism]]. See also the guideline at [[wikipedia:WP:VANDTYPES|Wikipedia:Vandalism#Types of vandalism]]. Finally, have a look at Wikia’s [[Help:Vandalism]].
#'''Do not [[{{ns:Project}}:Reverting|revert]] [[Help:Assuming good faith|good faith]] edits'''. [[{{ns:Project}}:Reverting|Reverting]] is  ''too'' powerful sometimes. Don’t succumb to the temptation, unless you’re reverting very obvious vandalism <small>(like “LALALALAL*&*@#@THIS_SUX0RZ”, or someone changing “1+2=3” to “1+2='''17'''”)</small>. If you really cannot stand something, revert once, with an edit summary something like:<blockquote>''(rv) I disagree strongly, I’ll explain why in talk.''</blockquote>and immediately take it to the discussion page.
# '''No [[wikipedia:WP:NPA|personal attacks]]'''. Don’t write that user such-and-such is an idiot, or insult him/her (even if s/he ''is'' an idiot). Instead, explain what they did wrong, why it is wrong, and how to fix it. If possible, fix it yourself (but see above).
# '''Be graceful''': ''Be liberal in what you accept, be conservative in what you do''. Try to accommodate other people’s quirks the best you can, but try to be as polite, solid, and straightforward as possible yourself.
# '''Always [[Help:Signature|sign your posts]] on talk pages''' using <b><big><nowiki>~~~~</nowiki></big></b>, which gets replaced by your username and timestamp when you hit {{int:Savearticle}}.  But don’t sign on mainspace articles.
# '''Use the {{int:preview}} button'''; it helps prevent edit conflicts and mistakes.

It’s important to have fun … but try to make sure those around you have fun too!

{{Wikipedia|Wikipedia:Simplified Ruleset}}

[[Category:Help]]