Debate /
Wikistyle
- Use simple English.
- Choose simpler words when possible. Keep explanations concise:
# Wrong: One should install the package by running$ doas pkg_add tcl
# Right:$ doas pkg_add tcl
# Avoid excessive jargon # Define the first use of uncommon abbreviations
- Avoid slang
- Be concise
- Wrong: You have now successfully turned from what was a comment into an actual parameter. You will need to uncomment and set any line that begins with semi-colon (;) character at the beginning of the line for any feature that you want. **Without removing that semi-colon that feature is either disabled or the defaults are used!**
- Right: Put a semi-colon (;) in front of a line to comment it out. Remove it to uncomment it.
- Wrong: I personally do not condone the notion of using FQDN that does not belong to you, as the consequences of going public with the named servers //can// potentially end up in lawsuits, for falsely misrepresenting a domain name.
- Right: Don't use a domain you don't own.
- Where possible, use the active voice instead of the passive.
- One paragraph for each new topic, and start each paragraph with a topic sentence
- One main topic per page. If you have multiple topics, create multiple pages and link to those pages.
- Avoid repeating too much unnecessary content that is already better described elsewhere.
- If content is described better on another page, link to that page instead of repeating material. This makes it easier to update and maintain content.
- For example, an article about ngircd should not spend too much time talking about the TCP/IP client-server model. Instead, link to that page.
- If content is described better on another page, link to that page instead of repeating material. This makes it easier to update and maintain content.
- Keep track of the difficulty level of each article and keep it in mind when writing.
- Avoid markup that is purely cosmetic. Markup should be used to indicate the structure and meaning of content.
- Show don't tell. If you want someone to read a man page, just link to it, don't tell him to type $ man <command>
- It is OK to be opinionated, but defend it with evidence
- If there is a strong disagreement, create a separate page or a separate category.
- Avoid formatting options that only make the text look nice; use tags that convey meaning
- Right: codeblocks, tables, Emphasis, Headings, Subheadings, indentation for quotes
- Wrong: Horizontal rules, indentation other than quotes
- In case if there are multiple guides for same task, sort them. (for example sort IRC Clients based on OS)