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Please see [[Category:SpinProfiles Help|SpinProfiles Help pages]] for help on all aspects of contributing to SpinProfiles.
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{{Powerbase:Help}}Please see [http://www.powerbase.info/index.php/Category:Powerbase_Help Powerbase Help pages] for help and guidelines on all aspects of contributing to Powerbase.
  
==What is a Wiki?==
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If you want to contribute new articles or edit existing ones, please read our [[Powerbase:Quick_Guide_to_Getting_Started|Quick Guide to Getting Started]]. This covers the basics and has links to the all-important pages on [[Powerbase:A_Guide_to_Referencing|referencing]] and [[Powerbase:Libel|avoiding libel]].
  
A Wiki is a collection of interlinked web pages. ([http://www.spinprofiles.org/index.php/SpinProfiles:Contributing#What_is_.22wiki.22.3F More...])
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By contributing material to Powerbase or editing existing material, you agree to adhere to our editorial policies and guidelines, which are set out at: [[Powerbase:A_Guide_to_Sourcing|Guide to sourcing]] | [[Powerbase:A_Guide_to_Tone|Guide to tone]] | [[Powerbase:Copyrights|Copyrights]] | [[Powerbase:How_to_Start_a_Page|How to start a page]] | [[Powerbase:How_to_Structure_an_Article|How to structure an article]] | [[Powerbase:Etiquette|Etiquette]].  
  
==Getting involved==
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[[Category:Powerbase Help]]
 
 
SpinProfiles welcomes volunteers to help expand the database of material on spin and propaganda.  See [[SpinProfiles:Getting involved|Getting involved]] for more information.
 
 
 
===Do I have to register to edit pages?===
 
 
 
Yes. See [[SpinProfiles:How_to_Register_as_a_User|How to Register as a User]] for more information.
 
 
 
===Do I have to use my real name?===
 
 
 
Yes.
 
 
 
===What if someone tries to vandalize or insert disinformation into SpinProfiles?===
 
 
 
Currently all people who want editorial access to SpinProfiles must register as Users. This is our first level of security. The SpinProfiles software also includes a number of features that make it possible to detect and manage vandalism.
 
 
 
* As editors to the site are registered, it is easy to track the editing activities of registered user.
 
* In the case of someone still managing to write malicious material, the software keeps an archive of all past versions of each article, making it easy to undo by reverting to a previous version.
 
* In addition we have a set of editorial policies (see below) that aim to help people contribute useful and accurate information and will intervene if they repeatedly add inappropriate material.
 
 
 
Further information is available on [[SpinProfiles:Vandalism|vandalism]].
 
 
 
==Editorial policy==
 
 
 
SpinProfiles is a collection of data on spin, propaganda, Think Tanks, Front Groups, PR Consultancies, 'Fake Persuaders', Industry Friendly Experts and corporate lobby groups. We want to report the spin, not be accused of spinning ourselves. Therefore entries should try to give enough information on a person or group so that a person who knows nothing about them can come away informed. Try to write a profile clearly and logically, including background information, funding, current activities and information on key personnel, if it is an organization. Break the article down into sub-headings that are not sensationalist but that summarise the issues in that section.
 
 
'''See [[SpinProfiles:Editorial Policy|Editorial Policy]] for full details of SpinProfiles policy on editing'''.
 
 
 
===Tone===
 
When contributing to SpinProfiles it is important to be as factual as possible.
 
 
 
Do not use abusive language or language that is in any way racist, sexist or obscene or could be construed as such. Do not use swear words unless in quotations. Keep any rhetoric or personal comment to a minimum and avoid speculation, innuendo or [[SpinProfiles:Libel|libel]]. If comment is provided, please be fair. Being fair does not mean avoiding criticism and analysis, however. Just try to strike the correct balance. You want the article to contain factual information about the person you are writing about, not your views on them. There is a difference between a profile entry and a blog entry or an opinion piece.
 
 
 
Avoid generalizations and unsubstantiated sweeping statements.
 
 
 
If you are making accusations against a person or organization, support it with as much primary material as possible. Just because someone else has said something does not make it true. Make sure your [[SpinProfiles:A Guide to Sourcing|sources]] are up to date and relate to the present day situation, or indicate that they are historical, giving dates where possible.
 
 
 
'''See full details of SpinProfiles policy and guidelines on [[SpinProfiles:A Guide to the use of Tone|Tone]]'''.
 
 
 
===Referencing===
 
Our purpose is to expose manipulation of information and therefore we need to be extra careful in what information we use, how we use it and where we get it from. It is extremely important to provide references that are as authoritative as possible. Try and use primary materials where possible – original sources as opposed to secondary reports – and information that is up to date as possible. If the issue is very contentious, try and reference from more than once source. 
 
 
 
'''See full details on SpinProfiles policy and guidelines for [[SpinProfiles:A Guide to Referencing|referencing]]'''.
 
 
 
===Libel===
 
Avoid accusations that are libelous. Just because something that is defamatory has been published elsewhere or said by somebody else first, it does not mean that you are immune from legal action. It just makes it less likely. As above, always try and use primary materials from authoritative sources. Also make sure that any material you post, including photographs, does not violate copyright laws.
 
 
 
<Center>'''Everyone who contributes to SpinProfiles is required to read and understand [[SpinProfiles:Libel|SpinProfiles Libel Policy]]'''</center>
 
<center><b>If you have not already done so - ''Read it now!''</b></center>
 
 
 
Complaints and legal threats relating to any content on SpinProfiles should be dealt with as soon as possible.
 
 
 
===What is a reputable source?===
 
The evaluation of reputable sources is not always easy.  We think that the accuracy of information in published sources is not governed by how 'reputable' the source is or is regarded as. This is in part because many of the sources regarded as reputable in the mainstream are, in fact, often a key part of the problem of spin and propaganda, which this database has been set up to expose. So we have a policy which foregrounds accuracy over reputation of sources. 
 
 
 
'''For full details see SpinProfiles policy and guidelines on [[SpinProfiles:A Guide to Sourcing|Sources]]'''.
 
 
 
== Copyrights ==
 
Never use materials that infringe the copyrights of others.
 
 
 
If you contribute material to SpinProfiles, you thereby license it to the public under the [[GNU Free Documentation License]] (GFDL)
 
 
 
'''See full details of SpinProfiles policy and guidelines on [[SpinProfiles:Copyrights|Copyrights]]'''.
 
 
 
==Inaccuracies and complaints==
 
It is the intention of this site to provide factually correct information that is referenced to a high standard. Whilst we undertake our own fact checking and encourage all our users to do so, it is not possible to check all the original references used on this site.
 
 
 
If anyone believes that information on Spinprofiles is not factually correct or contains significant errors, we will try and correct them as soon as possible. Please email with as much detail and supporting material to management AT spinprofiles.org
 
 
 
'''For more information see SpinProfiles policy and guidelines on [[SpinProfiles:Inaccuracies and Complaints|Inaccuracies and Complaints]]'''.
 
 
 
==Editorial structure of Spinprofiles==
 
Managing Editor = [[User:Claire Robinson|Claire Robinson]] with responsibility for day to day overviews of the site and for gardening and maintaining the structure as well as complaints about inaccuracies. Email: claire.robinson AT spinprofiles.org, management AT spinprofiles.org
 
 
 
Sysop = [[User:David|David Miller]] with ultimate editorial responsibility for content and for banning users and freezing pages. Email: sysop AT spinwatch.org
 
 
 
Webmaster = [[User:Bill Stevens|Bill Stevens]] with responsibility for technical issues
 
 
 
Portal/Category editors = responsible for upkeep of their main portal page and the categorisation and structure of the categories associated with the portal. Portal editors need to keep an eye on material that is added to their portal and edit as needed. As experts in their field, they are welcome to contribute new articles and to improve existing ones. Portal editors will also be the first port of call for queries about their portal and will deal with disputes, etc. as a first line of editorial control. If the problem is not resolved at this stage, then the managing editor and finally the sysop can be consulted.
 
 
 
* Alcohol = [[User:Claire Harkins|Claire Harkins]]
 
* Lobbying = [[User:Tamasin Cave|Tamasin Cave]]
 
* Propaganda = [[User:David|David Miller]]
 
* Water = [[User:Tommy|Tommy Kane]] and [[User:Kyle R Mitchell|Kyle Mitchell]]
 
* Terror Experts = [[User:Tom Mills|Tom Mills]]
 
* Spooks = [[User:Tom Griffin|Tom Griffin]]
 
* Northern Ireland = [[User:Tom Griffin|Tom Griffin]]
 
* Neocons = [[User:Tom Griffin|Tom Griffin]]
 
* Israel Lobby = [[User:Idrees|Idrees Ahmad]]
 
* Foodspin = ?
 
* Pharma = [[User:Marisa_de_Andrade|Marisa de Andrade]]
 
* Climate = [[User:Andy|Andy Rowell]]
 
* Nuclear = [[User:Andy|Andy Rowell]]
 
* Scotland = [[User:Will|Will Dinan]]
 
* GM = [[User:Claire Robinson|Claire Robinson]]
 
* MEPedia = [[User:Will|Will Dinan]] and [[User:Barcin_Uluisik|Barcin Uluisik]]
 
 
 
== Technical Questions==
 
===How do I edit a page?===
 
 
 
:It's quite simple. Once you've registered, been approved as a User, and logged in, simply click "Edit" on the top of the page/article and type away.
 
 
 
See [[SpinProfiles:How To Edit A Page|how to edit a page]] for further details and guidelines, including:
 
 
 
* Wiki markup - character formation etc.
 
* How to create sections, paragraphs etc.
 
* how to create links.
 
* How to insert images
 
 
 
... and a host of other useful information for editing a page/article.
 
 
 
There is also [[SpinProfiles:Quick Guide to Editing|a quick guide to editing]].
 
 
 
===How do I reference?===
 
For details on referencing please see [[SpinProfiles:A Guide to Referencing|A guide to referencing]].
 
 
 
useful information is also available on [[SpinProfiles:A Guide to Sourcing|Sourcing]].
 
Also, don't forget to familiarise yourself with SpinProfiles policy and guidelines in relation to [[SpinProfiles:Libel|libel]].
 
 
 
===How do I start a new page?===
 
See [[SpinProfiles:How to Start a Page|How to start a page]] for details.
 
 
 
Don't forget to familiarise yourself with SpinProfiles [[SpinProfiles:Naming Conventions|naming conventions]] when starting a new page.
 
 
 
===How do I rename a page?===
 
 
 
Registered users can move a page. This moves the page content and edit history to a new title and creates a redirecting page at the old title. This method is better than just copying the content by hand, as it preserves the article's history.
 
 
 
See guidelines on [[SpinProfiles:How to Rename (Move) a Page|How to rename a page]] for further details.
 
 
 
There is also a page providing guidelines on [[SpinProfiles:How to Redirect a Page|How to redirect a page]].
 
 
 
=== How to use images ===
 
 
 
See SpinProfiles [[SpinProfiles:Image Use Policy|image use policy]] for important information on the use of images.
 
 
 
Details on how to include images in an article can be found in the [[SpinProfiles:How To Edit A Page#Images|how to edit a page]] guidelines.
 
 
 
=== How do I search for an article in SpinProfiles? ===
 
 
 
See SpinProfiles guide to using the [[SpinProfiles:Searching|search]] function for details.
 
 
 
==Conventions, etiquette and dispute resolution==
 
 
 
For SpinProfiles policy and guidelines in relation to conventions, etiquette and dispute resolution see...
 
 
 
* [[SpinProfiles:Etiquette|Etiquette]]
 
* [[SpinProfiles:Manual of Style|Manual of style]]
 
* [[SpinProfiles:Naming Conventions|Naming conventions]]
 
* [[SpinProfiles:A Guide to the use of Tone|Guide to the use of tone]]
 
* [[SpinProfiles:Dispute Resolution|Dispute resolution]]
 
* [[SpinProfiles:No Legal Threats|Legal threats]]
 
 
 
 
 
[[Category:SpinProfiles Help]]
 

Latest revision as of 13:01, 27 October 2010

Help Guide

How do I do that?

Getting in touch

Information and resources for contributors

Please see Powerbase Help pages for help and guidelines on all aspects of contributing to Powerbase.

If you want to contribute new articles or edit existing ones, please read our Quick Guide to Getting Started. This covers the basics and has links to the all-important pages on referencing and avoiding libel.

By contributing material to Powerbase or editing existing material, you agree to adhere to our editorial policies and guidelines, which are set out at: Guide to sourcing | Guide to tone | Copyrights | How to start a page | How to structure an article | Etiquette.