#[[Image:BluColumn.jpg|35px|left]] '''[[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not|Wikipedia is an encyclopedia]]''' incorporating elements of general encyclopedias, specialized encyclopedias, and almanacs. [[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not|Wikipedia is '''not''']] an indiscriminate collection of information. It is not a collection of [[Wikipedia:Don't include copies of primary sources|source documents]] or [[Wikipedia:Notability|trivia]], a [[Wiktionary:Main page|dictionary]], a soapbox, a [[Wikinews:Main Page|newspaper]], [[Wikipedia:Vanity page|vanity]] publisher, an experiment in anarchy or democracy, or a web directory. It is also not the place to insert your own opinions, experiences, or arguments — all editors must follow our [[Wikipedia:No original research|no original research]] policy and strive for [[Wikipedia:Verifiability|accuracy]].
#[[Image:BluColumn.jpg|35px|left]] '''[[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not|Wikipedia is an encyclopedia]]''' incorporating elements of general encyclopedias, specialized encyclopedias, and almanacs. [[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not|Wikipedia is '''not''']] an indiscriminate collection of information. It is not a collection of [[Wikipedia:Don't include copies of primary sources|source documents]] or [[Wikipedia:Notability|trivia]], a [[Wiktionary:Main page|dictionary]], a soapbox, a [[Wikinews:Main Page|newspaper]], [[Wikipedia:Vanity page|vanity]] publisher, an experiment in anarchy or democracy, or a web directory. It is also not the place to insert your own opinions, experiences, or arguments — all editors must follow our [[Wikipedia:No original research|no original research]] policy and strive for [[Wikipedia:Verifiability|accuracy]].
#[[Image:GreenColumn.jpg|35px|left]] '''[[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view|Wikipedia usesthe''neutral point-of-view'']]''', which means we strive for articles that advocate no single point of view. Sometimes this requires representing multiple points of view; presenting each point of view accurately; providing context for any given point of view, so that readers understand whose view the point represents; and presenting no one point of view as "the truth" or "the best view." It means citing [[Wikipedia:Verifiability|verifiable]], authoritative [[Wikipedia:Cite sources|sources]] whenever possible, especially on [[Wikipedia:Guidelines for controversial articles|controversial topics]]. When a conflict arises as to which version is the most neutral, declare a cool-down period and tag the article as disputed; hammer out details on the [[Wikipedia:Talk page|talk page]] and follow [[Wikipedia:Dispute resolution|dispute resolution]].
#[[Image:GreenColumn.jpg|35px|left]] '''[[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view|Wikipedia has a neutral point-of-view]]''', which means we strive for articles that advocate no single point of view. Sometimes this requires representing multiple points of view; presenting each point of view accurately; providing context for any given point of view, so that readers understand whose view the point represents; and presenting no one point of view as "the truth" or "the best view." It means citing [[Wikipedia:Verifiability|verifiable]], authoritative [[Wikipedia:Cite sources|sources]] whenever possible, especially on [[Wikipedia:Guidelines for controversial articles|controversial topics]]. When a conflict arises as to which version is the most neutral, declare a cool-down period and tag the article as disputed; hammer out details on the [[Wikipedia:Talk page|talk page]] and follow [[Wikipedia:Dispute resolution|dispute resolution]].
#[[Image:YellowColumn.jpg|35px|left]] '''[[Wikipedia:Text of the GNU Free Documentation License|Wikipedia is free content]]''',soall text is available under the [[GNU Free Documentation License|GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL)]] and may be distributed or linked accordingly. Recognize that [[Wikipedia:Ownership of articles|articles can be changed by anyone]] and no individual controls any specific article; therefore, any writing you contribute can be mercilessly edited and redistributed at will by the community. Do not submit [[Wikipedia:Copyrights|copyright]] infringements or works licensed in a way incompatible with the [[GNU_Free_Documentation_License|GFDL]].
#[[Image:YellowColumn.jpg|35px|left]] '''[[Wikipedia:Text of the GNU Free Documentation License|Wikipedia is free content]]''' that anyone may edit. All text is available under the [[GNU Free Documentation License|GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL)]] and may be distributed or linked accordingly. Recognize that [[Wikipedia:Ownership of articles|articles can be changed by anyone]] and no individual controls any specific article; therefore, any writing you contribute can be mercilessly edited and redistributed at will by the community. Do not submit [[Wikipedia:Copyrights|copyright]] infringements or works licensed in a way incompatible with the [[GNU_Free_Documentation_License|GFDL]].
#[[Image:OrangeColumn.jpg|35px|left]] '''[[Wikipedia:Writers' rules of engagement|Wikipedia followsthe writers'rules of engagement]]''': Respect your fellow Wikipedians even when you may not agree with them. Be [[Wikipedia:Civility|civil]]. Avoid making [[Wikipedia:No personal attacks|personal attacks]] or sweeping generalizations. [[Wikipedia:Stay cool|Stay cool]] when the editing gets hot; avoid [[Wikipedia:Lamest edit wars ever|lame edit wars]] by following the [[Wikipedia:Three-revert rule|three-revert rule]]; remember that there are {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} articles on the [[English language|English]] Wikipedia to work on and discuss. Act in good faith by never [[Wikipedia:Don't disrupt Wikipedia to illustrate a point|disrupting Wikipedia to illustrate a point]], and [[Wikipedia:Assume good faith|assume thatothers do the same in the absence of compelling evidence to the contrary]].Don'tuse[[Wikipedia:Sockpuppet|sockpuppets]] to do wrong or circumvent policy. Be open, welcoming, and inclusive.
#[[Image:OrangeColumn.jpg|35px|left]] '''[[Wikipedia:Etiquette|Wikipedia has a code of conduct]]''': Respect your fellow Wikipedians even when you may not agree with them. Be [[Wikipedia:Civility|civil]]. Avoid making [[Wikipedia:No personal attacks|personal attacks]] or sweeping generalizations. [[Wikipedia:Stay cool|Stay cool]] when the editing gets hot; avoid [[Wikipedia:Lamest edit wars ever|lame edit wars]] by following the [[Wikipedia:Three-revert rule|three-revert rule]]; remember that there are {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} articles on the [[English language|English]] Wikipedia to work on and discuss. Act in good faith by never [[Wikipedia:Don't disrupt Wikipedia to illustrate a point|disrupting Wikipedia to illustrate a point]], and [[Wikipedia:Assume good faith|assume good faith]] from others. Be open, welcoming, and inclusive.
#[[Image:RedColumn.jpg|35px|left]] '''[[Wikipedia:Ignore all rules|Wikipedia doesn't have firm rules]]''' besides the five general principles elucidated here. [[Wikipedia:Be bold|Be bold in editing, moving, and modifying articles]], because the joy of editing is that although it should be aimed for, '''[[Wikipedia:Editing policy|perfection isn't required]]'''. And don't worry about messing up. All prior versions of articles are kept, so there is no way that you can accidentally damage Wikipedia or irretrievably destroy content. But remember — whatever you write here may be preserved for posterity.
#[[Image:RedColumn.jpg|35px|left]] '''[[Wikipedia:Ignore all rules|Wikipedia does not have firm rules]]''' besides the five general principles elucidated here. [[Wikipedia:Be bold|Be bold in editing, moving, and modifying articles]], because the joy of editing is that although it should be aimed for, '''[[Wikipedia:Editing policy|perfection isn't required]]'''. And don't worry about messing up. All prior versions of articles are kept, so there is no way that you can accidentally damage Wikipedia or irretrievably destroy content. But remember — whatever you write here may be preserved for posterity.
Wikipedia is an encyclopedia incorporating elements of general encyclopedias, specialized encyclopedias, and almanacs. Wikipedia is not an indiscriminate collection of information. It is not a collection of source documents or trivia, a dictionary, a soapbox, a newspaper, vanity publisher, an experiment in anarchy or democracy, or a web directory. It is also not the place to insert your own opinions, experiences, or arguments — all editors must follow our no original research policy and strive for accuracy.
Wikipedia has a neutral point-of-view, which means we strive for articles that advocate no single point of view. Sometimes this requires representing multiple points of view; presenting each point of view accurately; providing context for any given point of view, so that readers understand whose view the point represents; and presenting no one point of view as "the truth" or "the best view." It means citing verifiable, authoritative sources whenever possible, especially on controversial topics. When a conflict arises as to which version is the most neutral, declare a cool-down period and tag the article as disputed; hammer out details on the talk page and follow dispute resolution.
Wikipedia is free content that anyone may edit. All text is available under the GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) and may be distributed or linked accordingly. Recognize that articles can be changed by anyone and no individual controls any specific article; therefore, any writing you contribute can be mercilessly edited and redistributed at will by the community. Do not submit copyright infringements or works licensed in a way incompatible with the GFDL.
Wikipedia does not have firm rules besides the five general principles elucidated here. Be bold in editing, moving, and modifying articles, because the joy of editing is that although it should be aimed for, perfection isn't required. And don't worry about messing up. All prior versions of articles are kept, so there is no way that you can accidentally damage Wikipedia or irretrievably destroy content. But remember — whatever you write here may be preserved for posterity.
