List of guidelines and rules

General Guidelines

• Use the "cite" template when adding references to articles.
• Do not add external links that are irrelevant to the article or that promote spam, scams, or illegal content.
• Be respectful of other users and refrain from using abusive language or engaging in personal attacks.
• Do not vandalize or make malicious edits to the site.
• Keep the content on the site accurate, unbiased, and factual.
• Do not violate copyright laws by adding content that you do not have permission to use.
• Do not use the site to promote personal or commercial interests.
• Report any issues or violations of these rules to the site administrators.
• Remember that these rules are in place to maintain the integrity of the site and ensure that all users can have a positive experience.
• Do not engage in edit wars or revert wars. If you disagree with a change, use the talk page to discuss the issue with other editors.
• Do not use Open Water Swimming Wiki as a platform for advocacy or propaganda. All content should be neutral and based on reliable sources.
• Do not add original research, opinions, or personal views to articles.
• Do not create articles or content that are promotional or advertising in nature.
• Do not harass, intimidate, or make personal attacks against other editors.
• Do not use multiple accounts or sockpuppets to deceive or manipulate other editors.
• Follow Wikipedia's guidelines for formatting, style, and content.
• Use reliable sources and cite them properly in articles.
• Do not plagiarize content from other sources.
• Respect copyright laws and do not upload copyrighted material to the site without permission.

External Links Guidelines

External links are links that direct users to other websites or resources outside of Open Water Swimming Wiki. When adding external links, it's important to ensure that they are relevant and appropriate for the content of your article. Here are some guidelines to follow when adding external links:

• Only add external links that are directly related to the topic of the article.
• Do not add external links that promote spam, scams, or illegal content.
• Do not add external links that are purely commercial or promotional in nature.
• Be cautious when adding external links to social media platforms, as these can quickly become outdated or irrelevant.
• Always provide a brief description or context for the external link to help users understand why it is relevant.
• Be sure to check the external link periodically to ensure that it is still valid and functional.

Citations

Citations are references to external sources that support or provide evidence for the information presented in an article. Proper citation is essential for ensuring the credibility and accuracy of the information on the site. Here are some guidelines to follow when adding citations:

• Use reliable sources, such as academic journals, reputable news outlets, or books written by subject matter experts.
• Always cite the source of information when it is not common knowledge.
• Provide as much information as possible in the citation, including the author, title, publication date, and page number.
• Use a consistent citation format
• Use the "cite" template to create a standardized format for your citations.
• Double-check your citations to ensure that they are accurate and complete.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that external links and citations are relevant and reliable.

Photos

When it comes to uploading photos, it's important to ensure that you have the right to use the image and that it does not violate any copyright laws. Here are some guidelines to follow:

• Use your own photos or images that are in the public domain. Public domain images are those that are no longer protected by copyright or were never protected by copyright.
• Obtain permission from the copyright holder to use their images. This can be done by contacting the owner directly or using a licensing platform such as Creative Commons.
• Use images that are licensed under a Creative Commons license, which allows for reuse of the image under certain conditions.
• Do not use images that are copyrighted or have trademark restrictions without permission.
• Be sure to properly attribute the image and provide a source for it in the image description or caption.
• Avoid using images that are offensive or inappropriate.
• Check the image resolution and file size to ensure that they are suitable for the intended use.
• Consider using Wikimedia Commons, which is a free media repository that hosts millions of images and other media files that are free to use.
• Do not use copyrighted images without permission, as this can lead to legal consequences such as fines or lawsuits.

Formatting

• Use headings and subheadings to break up long blocks of text and make the content easier to read.
• Use bold or italics to emphasize important words or phrases, but do not overuse them.
• Use lists (bullets or numbers) to organize information and make it easier to digest.
• Use tables to display data or information in a clear and organized manner.
• Use images or other multimedia to enhance the content and make it more engaging.
• Use the "preview" button before publishing your changes to ensure that the formatting looks correct.

Style

• Use a neutral and objective tone in your writing.
• Write in clear and concise sentences.
• Avoid using jargon or technical terms that may not be familiar to all users.
• Use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Use active voice instead of passive voice, as it makes the content more engaging.
• Write for your audience and make sure the content is understandable for them.
• Follow any existing style guides or templates that are in place.

Content

• Use reliable sources to support your content.
• Ensure that the content is accurate and up-to-date.
• Provide context for the content to help users understand its relevance.
• Avoid plagiarism by properly citing any sources used.
• Use headings and subheadings to make the content easier to navigate.
• Write in a style that is appropriate for the subject matter and audience.
• Avoid using biased or inflammatory language.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that the formatting, style, and content are clear, concise, engaging, and accurate.

Talk Pages

• Use talk pages to discuss changes or improvements to the article or content.
• Be respectful and civil in all discussions. Personal attacks or abusive language will not be tolerated.
• Stick to the topic at hand and avoid going off on tangents or discussing unrelated subjects.
• Be concise and clear in your communication. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that may not be familiar to other users.
• Do not delete or alter other users' comments unless they violate site policies or contain offensive or inappropriate content.
• Use the "signature" button to sign your comments so that other users know who made the statement.
• Do not use talk pages for personal discussions or socializing.
• Do not use talk pages to make demands or requests for changes to content. Instead, use the talk page to discuss and build a consensus with other users.
• Be open to feedback and constructive criticism from other users.
• Follow the same guidelines for conduct on talk pages as you would for the main article or content pages.

Wikipedia Guidelines

Please use Wikipedia guidelines for any questions you may have not covered in the general guidelines.

• Behavioral guidelines outline ways for editors to behave and interact with each other on talk pages and elsewhere at Wikipedia.
• Content guidelines apply only to the article namespace (unless otherwise specified in the guideline), and offer advice on identifying and including encyclopedic information in articles.
• Deletion guidelines explain criteria and procedures for deleting unwanted pages.
• Editing guidelines usually provide non-content advice about categorization, navigation, or other how-to-edit advice.
• Naming conventions detail the correct ways to name articles on particular topics.
• Notability guidelines outline the criteria that a subject must meet to merit a Wikipedia article.
• Style guidelines contain extensive advice on writing style, formatting, grammar, and more.