BetaWiki:Guidelines

These are the common practices for creating and extending BetaWiki articles. If you don't follow these, it's possible you might end up in the Hall of Shame.

General
It's not advised to copy and paste content from other sites. It's always better to do your own research and write the article in your own words.

We'd appreciate if you put some effort into the articles. People visiting BetaWiki will more appreciate longer, more interesting articles than a one line article.

Don't add a build article when you have no source of the build, be it a leak, a screenshot, a file version, a mention in a warez CD list, mention in an antitrust document, etc. We document fakes aswell, so don't hesitate to make an article on a fake screenshot!

Dates & times
YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS

When writing dates, always use this format (of course, you don't have to write all parts, having time in just HH:MM or only the date can be enough). When posting timestamps, always convert them to GMT. However, with timestamps hardcoded as string (such as those in a buildstring), leave them as they are.

Talk pages
1) Always sign your comments on any talk page with --~.

2) No begging for builds. Contact the respective user via other services. Violation of this rule more than 3 times will result in a 1 week ban.

3) Don't publish your email. It's a good way to get your mail on tons of spam address lists. If you publish your email address, it's your problem you'll get spammed. Sorry.

4) Don't use talk pages as a private messages service.

Quick deletion
More information in Delete requests

Use the Delete template to mark articles that are against the rules for deletion.

Naming
Windows:Version:BuildNumber:Lab

When naming pages about Windows Builds, we use a slightly different name-scheme than BA wiki. For example Windows:8.1:9431:winmain_bluemp or Windows:XP:2428:idx01. Only include the full buildstring in the article itself.

If the operating system doesn't have labs, you can just skip the last part (for example Windows:98:1559).

For older versions that used just version number, use for example Windows:1:1.01.

Infobox Windows build
Every page about a windows build MUST contain the "Infobox Windows build" template. It only has one required value: buildtag (the whole known buildstring, for example 6.3.9431.0.winmain_bluemp.130615-1214 or 5.1.2428.idx01.010129-1827). If you don't supply any image, placeholder.png will be automatically used.

Reference for other values:

Using the rivals template
Use when the build you're posting also has an article on BA wiki, has a build page on TCB or has a gallery on TCB.

Buildlists
When creating buildlists, use the provided BLItem templates: - use when the build was leaked, released, or we have another confirmation from Microsoft. Private leaks don't count. - use when there is information avaliable, however no provided proof for it  - use when this build is fake, don't use if it's real and fake screenshots are also avaliable

When sorting buildlists, the first that matter is the buildnumber. If you have different builds with the same number, always sort them like this: 1. winmain (& derivates like winmain_rtm or winmain_bluemp) 2. partner recompiles (fbl_partner_out) 3. other builds sorted alphabetically

OS/2 1.30 and earlier
OS/2:Version:Microsoft:Build for Microsoft-released versions

OS/2:Version:IBM:Build for IBM-released versions

OS/2 2.0 and later
OS/2:Version:Build

eComStation
BetaWiki currently doesn't list eComStation versions. This section will be updated accordingly if it's decided to list it.

VersionInfo
for Microsoft-released versions.

for IBM-released versions up to OS/2 1.30.

for OS/2 2.0 and later.

Mac OS Classic
MacOS:Version:Build

Mac OS X
MacOS:X:Version:Build