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== Location == |
== Location == |
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=== Where to put elinks === |
=== Where to put elinks === |
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| − | '''Elinks should |
+ | '''Elinks should be constrained to one section titled "External links" at the end of a page.''' Elinks within the main content of a page are discouraged, and should be avoided where possible. |
However, in some exceptional cases, such as the linking a map of node locations to demonstrate a specific point or to link to fact-specific sources, it is allowed (more below). |
However, in some exceptional cases, such as the linking a map of node locations to demonstrate a specific point or to link to fact-specific sources, it is allowed (more below). |
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Revision as of 08:34, 15 September 2008
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This page is an official policy on WoWWiki. This policy has wide acceptance among editors and is considered a standard that all users should follow.
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WoWWiki recognises that external links (elinks) are a very useful addition to a page as they allow people to find further information on other websites - however, they can also be abused. This short policy aims to loosely regulate the addition and formatting of these elinks.
Location
Where to put elinks
Elinks should be constrained to one section titled "External links" at the end of a page. Elinks within the main content of a page are discouraged, and should be avoided where possible.
However, in some exceptional cases, such as the linking a map of node locations to demonstrate a specific point or to link to fact-specific sources, it is allowed (more below).
Where NOT to put elinks
As mentioned above, most mid-page links will be removed if found. Links to topics not directly related to the pages subject will be moved or removed. For example, a link to a video of a specific boss fight does not belong in a page about the instance the boss is in, but should be located on the boss's page.
Elinks tagged after an internal link to a non-existent page will generally be forgiven if they help users find information that is not yet in the wiki. This should not be used as a replacement for filling in a page with basic information! These inline elinks are temporary and must be removed when the internal page has been created or un-stubbed. These types of links must come after an internal link only and contain no text, for example:
It is preferred that a stub page is created instead, with an external links section added to help users find the data needed to fill in the page.
- Note: {{loot}}, {{questlong}}, and {{quest}} will add these links automatically if the target page does not exist, do not add them yourself if these templates are used. The template will remove the links automatically if the page is created, so if you make a stub page be sure to include an external links section.
Format
To ensure consistent formatting, it is asked that all links in the "External links" section of a page use {{elink}}. Websites can provide a 22x22 PNG image to be used as their icon, or the default globe icon will be inserted by the template. The site name passed to the template should be short and concise. An optional detailed description of what is being linked can also be passed. If the site being linked has many subpages for the topic (for example, a boss page might have loot, strategy, screenshots, etc), it is asked that the base page be linked, not a specific subpage.
- Do not use abbreviations. If your guild is named <Knights of the Pink Fuzzy Bunny> don't link as "KotPFB"
Allowed and forbidden links
External links should allow the user to see extra information and/or opinions about something specific. If the website linked contains only information already present on the wiki (or you need to pay to access the extra content), the link should not be present. If the information comes specifically from a certain website, the website should be cited as a source link at the end of the section concerned.
- Sites republishing content from another site must cite the original source, including a link. The original source is preferred for the elink, but the republication will be allowed if a citation is included. If duplicate elinks to the same content on different sites are submitted, the original source will be kept and all republication elinks will be removed. Elinks to republications that do not cite their source will be deemed as "stolen content" and removed from the wiki. Continued submission of these stolen elinks will warrant a ban.
While we do want a great deal of information on the wiki, inaccuracy (such as item drop rates) or opinions (such as wild speculative discussions) should be reserved for outside websites and forums, so elinks are appropriate for these. For elinks, the discussion page should be used only to discuss which sites are most appropriate for linking on the main article.
Note that linked content on websites are included under the DNP policy, and links will be removed if the website is considered as violating this policy.
How many links do I get?
Every site is allowed one (1) link per page. Mid-page links should be avoided, for example a list of quests for a faction should all be internal links, not links to an external database site. Naturally temporary links placed after missing wiki pages are exempt from this, but those links must be removed when the wiki page has been created.
Of course, the external links section of a page should not become half the article - if the links become too numerous, the least useful are likely to be removed after some discussion.
Sorting
Elinks sections are to be alphabetically sorted by second-level domain (see Patch mirrors for an example of this) within priority sections.
The priority sections list is as follows:
- Official information links
- Wikipedia (using {{wplink}})
- Autogenerated elinks (such as templates like {{elinks-item}})
- Manually added elinks
In cases where domain name is not appropriate or substantially different to the site's actual name (e.g. free hosts, video sites), the true reported name should be used as the sorting parameter. In addition, where the site is directly tied to a guild, the guild's name and server will be used as the site name and sorting parameter. For example, "Death and Taxes (Korgath US)"
Where appropriate, some links may be grouped together by topic after the more generic links. For example, a boss page might have a number of videos included. These videos should be grouped together at the end of the list, sorted in the same manner within the group. See Nightbane (Boss)#External links for a live example.
Wikipedia interwiki links
WoWWiki, according to the DNP policy, does not allow articles about non WoW-related or Warcraft-related content. However, you may want to link a Wikipedia article should you need to explain something specific to the reader that would otherwise be DNP content. These links should be used only if they are really needed, but are treated like internal links and can be used outside of the External links section.
The syntax is [[wikipedia:Wikipedia Article|Article name]]. For example, [[wikipedia:World of Warcraft|World of Warcraft on Wikipedia]] will give World of Warcraft on Wikipedia.
How do I add my website to popular Elinks templates?
Even though all allowed websites are welcome in manual external links, there are some templates such as {{elinks-item}} that are widely used and automatically add a link to a certain website on every page using it. If you want to add your database website to one or all of them, it will first of all have to meet minimal standards. We ask for entire use of Blizzard's IDs (self-generated IDs are not allowed and will almost certainly rule out your website). Your website also has to be popular enough to have accurate data. At last, any website not passing the rule of forbidden links (see above) will be instantly ruled out.
If you meet these criteria, we suggest a discussion is started on the Village pump. If the response is reasonably positive, you can put a vote up and upon the results it will be decided whether your site will be added in.
In closing
WoWWiki wishes to provide reasonably equal external linking to all sites willing to edit wiki pages. In the spirit of NPOV we don't wish to show a "preference" to any site, regardless of what sites the admins and users prefer. Everyone is welcome to add elinks to their site, but abuse of this "free advertising" will not be taken lightly by the admin staff. Elinks to sites that do not give information not available on the wiki (like spawn maps or droprates) may be removed to keep pages clean.
Remember, do not abuse the wiki to gain traffic to your site - you will be banned and your elinks removed.