Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Questions

Why does this site exist?

To complement the existing online encyclopedias by selectively creating straightforward, balanced, well-written, useful articles.

Why can't I edit?

Open editing privileges have been moved to the MediaWiki. If you'd like your work to appear on the PmWiki, please email the Emperor and he will set you up with a password.

What are your policies on posting?

Please try to write things that are helpful and nice, and avoid writing anything pornographic or illegal. Accept that once you post, anything can happen with what you write, including modification or deletion of the text. Do not give out personal information.

What kinds of articles are acceptable?

Pretty much anything that you find interesting. Unlike paper encyclopedias, space here is almost unlimited, and search engines make it pretty easy to find everything. In this sense Encyc.org is firmly inclusionist, i.e. we will take whatever content you feel like writing, within reason.

What are your recommendations for readers?

Please don't take the content here too seriously. Realize that it's just a collaborative website, not a replacement for a print encyclopedia or other serious reference works. Accept that many things you read in public wikis are probably not true, and that if truth or accuracy is important to you then you will have to confirm things using traditional resources. For information on how to find and use references that you can rely on, please consult your local librarian.

What's the best way to find articles here?

Try the search box, use a major search engine, or type the name of the article directly into the search bar following http://encyc.org/.

How do I set up a member account?

You don't need an account. There actually are no member accounts in the wiki yet, and you won't be required to log in. Simply type your pseudonym into the "Author" field while editing, and your edits will show that name instead of your IP address. Note that unlike the wiki, the forum does have an option to set up accounts, and that if you want to reserve a name there it's first come, first serve.

When I hit "Preview", why does it look like nothing changes?

Scroll down to see the results of hitting the Preview button.

Getting help

Where can I get help with this?

Post your question to the Suggestion Box, on forum.encyc.org, or email your question.