Linux-wiki:Policies and Guidelines

Linux Wikis policies and guidelines aim to provide a comprehensive framework of "do's" and "don't s" and best practices for editors of this wiki.

Policies set general rules for the wiki's administration and its content. Their goal is to establish basic criteria for all content and rules for using administrative tools.

Guidelines describe preferred etiquette and common practice in the creation, editing and organization of articles on this wiki. Our goal is to make the wiki easier to use for both editors and readers alike and to make its appearance more consistent and streamlined.

Adding or changing policies and guidelines
In order to make grammatical or spelling changes to policies and guidelines to improve clarity and readability, please use the talk page of this document for suggestions. However, changes to the actual content or meaning should only be done with community consensus.

The normal procedure for proposing new policies and guidelines or changing existing ones is to create a topic in the "wiki discussion" forum. Once the discussion comes to a final draft, call a vote. The vote needs to run for a week at minimum and at least ten votes are required for it to be valid; a simple majority is sufficient to pass. Voting requirements for those wishing to participate are that they must have a registered account, and have made at least one edit prior to the start of the vote.

The administrators may veto a policy; this should only be done sparingly and for valid reasons. Aside from the normal procedure, the administrators may "decree" policies or guidelines. This should only be done with consensus among administrators and in cases where community consensus cannot be reached, and a policy or guideline is needed. Changes to decreed policies and guidelines can be suggested by anyone through the procedure detailed above.

Administrators
This area outlines Administrators and their jobs and the placement of users in positions that are outlined in this guideline as well as admin contact info.

User Guidelines
Suggested guidelines for user behavior and conduct as well as Wiki activity in editing and adding information and treatment of fellow Wikians.

Chat Rules
Rules for the use of the Chat feature and actions defined for abusing the chat.

Forum Discussion Policies
Guidelines for behavior in the forums and discussion rules, and actions defined for abusing the forum.

Content Policy
Policy and guidelines for adding and editing content.

Administration Policy
Rules for the blocking of users, page deletion and protection as well as other rules for the wiki's Administrators and moderators actions.