Slaporte (WMF)

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Getting started as a contributor How to write an article Pick something current? Use two independent sources? Read your sources before writing the story in your own words?. Do choose a unique title? before you start. Follow Wikinews' structure? for articles, answering as many of who what when where why and how? as you can; summarised in a short, two- or three-sentence opening paragraph. Once complete, your article must be three or more paragraphs. If you need help, you can add {{helpme}} to your talkpage, along with a question, or alternatively, just ask? Use this tab to enter your title and get a basic article template. [RECOMMENDED. Starts your article through the semi-automated {{develop}}—>{{review}}—>{{publish}} collaboration process.]

Welcome, Slaporte (WMF)! Thank you for joining Wikinews; we'd love for you to stick around and get more involved. To help you get started we have an essay that will guide you through the process of writing your first full article. There are many other things you can do on the project, but its lifeblood is new, current, stories written neutrally. As you get more involved, you will need to look into key project policies and other discussions you can participate in; so, keep this message on this page and refer to the other links in it when you want to learn more, or have any problems. Wikipedia's puzzle-globe logo, © Wikimedia Foundation   Used to contributing to Wikipedia? See here.

All Wikimedia projects have rules. Here are ours. Listed here are the official policies of the project, you may be referred to some of them if your early attempts at writing articles don't follow them. Don't let this discourage you, we all had to start somewhere. The rules and guides laid out here are intended to keep content to high standards and meet certain rules the Wikimedia Foundation applies to all projects. It may seem like a lot to read, but you do not have to go through it all in one sitting, or know them all before you can start contributing. Remember, you should enjoy contributing to the project. If you're really stuck come chat with the regulars. There's usually someone in chat who will be happy to help, but they may not respond instantly.

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Places to go, people to meet Wiki projects work because a sense of community forms around the project. Although writing news is far more individualistic than contributing to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, people often need minor help with things like spelling and copyediting. If a story isn't too old you might be able to expand it, or if it is disputed you may be able to find some more sources and rescue it before it is listed for deletion. There are always discussions going on about how the site could be improved, and your input is of value. Check the links here to see where you can give input to the running of the Wikinews project.

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Write your first article for Wikinews! Use the following box to help you create your first article. Simply type in a title to your story and press "Create page". Then start typing text to your story into the new box that will come up. When you're done, press "save page". That's all there is to it! It is recommended you read the article guide before starting. Also make sure to check the list of recently created articles to see if your story hasn't already been reported upon.

-- 20:36, 14 January 2012 (UTC)

Survey...

Can't quite figure which is your "home" wiki :P

I've completed the survey, and thanks for popping it on Wikinews. It surprised me how many of the listed items I ended up checking. I also left some 'open' remarks on your invite. I'm usually found in #wikinews on IRC, but might need pinged to get my attention — should you wish to go over any of these points in more detail.

The issue of credential verification/ID for our accredited reporters is one point I'm desperate to push forward. Both Wikimedia Australia and Wikimedia UK have been ready to put in funding to secure ID cards, but it falls apart when the issue of reporters outside areas covered by these chapters is thrown into the mix. Not to mention the few Commons photographers who could make genuine use of ID.

On that point, I'd suggest steeling your nerves and reading this declined request for Wikinews credentials. In all probability, Dwight 'plays well' with people on Commons, and they would have accredited him. But, he came to Wikinews because Commons has no mechanism for accreditation; if they had, I'd bet it would be at-least-as-rigourous as ours.

The other point I raised in the survey is some development work Wikinews could really do with seeing done. Our 'gadget' for reviewing works, but is not well-integrated. And, the functionality has potential applications on other projects using flagged revisions. So, I think a good case can be made for some investment in the coding time.

Lastly, I've flagged your posting of the survey on the Water Cooler just to make sure everyone sees it. And, a little suggestion would be to customise your signature to direct people to your home talk page.

Cheers! --Brian McNeil / ^talk 01:11, 6 March 2012 (UTC)

Hey Brian, thanks for the detailed suggestions, and I'm glad that you promoted the survey on Wikinews! You can reach me on Meta or EN WP, but I think Wikisource will always be "home." Cheers, Slaporte (WMF) (talk) 23:19, 8 March 2012 (UTC)