Interrogating The Helpers: Wiki Editors

[Magenta 5,165]

 

---

 

Greetings, interview-lover!

 

Or perhaps you're a lover of good interviews, not just any. No matter, for I shall not let you be disappointed, for you have done me the honour of your company!

 

All you have to do, of course, is scroll. Well, get on with it!

 

Oh no wait deng sorry umm I forgot the traditional intro, so, umm...

 

In this interview series, I am going to pick 4 (or as many as are available, which is 2 in this case) helpers from each helper group, and interrogate them until they spill some beans. For this time, it's The Wiki Editors! Welcome 'em!

 

 

Participants:

 

@Hexed

@Marc (he recently quit Tanki, but that was after this interview was conducted^[1])

 

In charge of: Editing The Wiki.

 

 

 

Hello! Welcome to the interrogation chamber. Why don't you tell us a bit about yourselves, before we move on to the more interesting topics... I'm itching.

 

@Hexed: Hi, thanks for having me in this interview!

 

...this is an interrogation, not an interview.. and we'll see how thankful you are by the time we are done ...

 

I'm Hexed, and I hail from Islamabad, Pakistan. I'm currently working as a Wiki Editor and Newspaper Reporter for the English Community. I enjoy playing XP/BP - though I'll be honest, I haven't played a real match in ages; doing parkour and having fun here and there, helping people out in the game and the forum, and all in all, just having a great time. If we talk about sports, I mostly do horseback riding, football and sometimes, some eighteen holes of golf.

 

@Marc: Well, I'm Marc (surprise, right?), I'm from Melbourne, Australia, for those of you who don't know, I am currently a Wiki Editor, Newspaper Editor, and in charge of the Tanki Thinking Challenge. Oh yes, I'm also the king of generic introductions, can't forget that one! I am also a professional procrastinator, though that goes without saying when you're part of the Newspaper team :x. I guess I'm rather active around in the Forum and I just enjoy doing what I do.   :D

 

 

As Wiki Editors, what unique privileges and powers do you enjoy?

 

@Hexed: Well, for starters, Wiki Editors are a group of people that have been given access to contribute to, edit and update the Official Wiki - the literal encyclopedia of the game and the finest source of information and knowledge within the game. These people spend their day keeping the Wiki relevant, well-structured and most importantly, updated with the latest revisions or changes made in the game. Of course, like any other job, we are compensated for our work and have our very own group paint, Reporter. We can also be nominated for Best Wiki Editors every month.

 

Other than this, we spend time in the Wiki Hub collecting feedback and suggestions for the Wiki, make a list of the most interesting changes and then edit the respective page based on the suggestion. We also work with Editors of other communities and help each other out from time to time. However, do note that based on popular assumption, Wiki Editors do not, in fact, receive any information or files about an update or event early - they get it once/after the patch/update/event goes live.

 

@Marc: As the other Helpers, we receive powers necessary for us to execute our role. In our case, we are given the privilege of being able to edit the Wiki. Everything we do is monitored, so we are expected to take our roles very seriously. The best privilege really is being able to contribute to Tanki, and knowing that we help make Tanki's most trusted source of information even better than it already is. 

 

 

 

"Finest source"? "Most trusted source"? That's The Dictator, guys, not the Wiki.

 

@Hexed: The Dictator is the finest source of fake news in the game, unlike the Wiki, which publishes real information.

 

 

Fake news? What YOU say is fake news. The Wiki publishes Illuminati propaganda. Afterall, how can yis be wrong? How can yis ever do any harm? No, boy, what yis says is true, and what the Wiki says is fake news.

 

@Hexed: ...

 

@Marc: 

 

 

Alright, enough praise for the Wiki. But how exactly does it work? How do you guys maintain it? How do you make new pages? Is it a simple process, like making a new topic on the forum, or does it involve an immense amount of code?

 

@Hexed: We click this small green button called 'Edit' to basically do what its name suggests, edit pages. To create a new page we have to create something called a "redlink" - a page that doesn't exist in the Wiki. We can then edit this page and save it as a new page in the Wiki. All of this is pretty easy and simple stuff, pretty much exactly the same as you would contribute to pages on Wikipedia, except that only certain people, that is us, edit pages in Tanki Online.

 

As for the code, well yes, it's a very daunting task - something you can't learn in a day and then repeatedly do every single other day. It takes a lot of expertise and knowledge to maintain and improve pages, otherwise, you just find yourself strangled in hundreds or thousands of letters of code. Using the forum only seems simple because you're not looking at the clear picture. If you'd like to see a fraction of what it's like to edit Wiki pages, open the forum on mobile, edit a post of yours that contains different font styles and colours, and be amazed!

 

@Marc: Well, we are able to "edit" or "create" a page, like with the Forum, but the rest is completely different. We don't have the privilege of an expansive text editor to automatically edit our pages for us, instead, we have to manually code everything. Essentially, it's like writing a Forum post ... except you do it entirely in the BBCode, without the assistance of a text editor.

 

We 'maintain' pages by updating it whenever a relevant update hits. We try to keep every page up-to-date, but it's rather difficult when there are around 4,700 pages.

 

When it comes to creating new pages, it's always different. Some pages are easy to make, because we have a basic template of how the page is to be (eg. Paints' individual pages follow a constant structure), but it then comes down to the amount of information you want to put in. I remember when I was working on the Other Maps page, it took me around 7-10 days of constant work (I'm talking 2-5 hours daily). I made it from scratch and crammed 7 years worth of information into one page, it was ridiculously hard, and required contacting a lot of people. It was approximately 50,000 characters long xD.

 

 

*Immediate respect* So, pretty tough job, huh? But then, you should be getting good rewards for your hard work. What do you feel about having to share the paint with the Reporters, and not having a unique colour for your name on the forum's list of "Users online"?

 

@Hexed: I was already a Newspaper Reporter before becoming a Wiki Editor, and so... I didn't really care that I was getting the same paint as well as no forum colour. I joined because of the sole opportunity to contribute towards the community and work with a new set of people. As Marc said (will say), most of us already have a forum colour from another job, like I do with the Newspaper Reporters group.

 

@Marc: In all honesty, I barely play anymore, so the greatest reward is recognition and appreciation for me. If someone leaves a page knowing more than what they did prior, I'm happy. 

 

On having to share the paint with Reporters, well, I do think it's a bit silly, even if we had a crappy paint for namesake, it'd be cool, but I don't really care. I never applied for the Paint (I mean, who would? It's hideous! xD). For the 'unique colour,' Wiki Editors and Admins used to have the white colour but don't actually require any Forum powers, hence the absence of colour. However, most of us already have a job which gives us a colour anyway   :D.

 

 

You guys don't seem to get inflamed easily, eh? Well, what do you have to say about the fact that no Wiki editor got the Helper of The Year title (except @Maf, but he's an admin + he didn't get it for his Wiki work, or at least that's what was written in the topic) this time?

 

@Hexed:

 

Notice the dates.

 

Oh right, so first of all, there are many requirements that need to be fulfilled by the nominee in order to finally achieve the very title, and one of them is the time one has remained working and active in the job - which is generally around six months. I joined Wiki Editors in around the end of July, so that put me out of the equation. Of course, there can be exceptions but again, there are a ton of other requirements as well.

 

@Marc: That's a rather political question. To be honest, it was a bit disappointing considering I believed that I worked quite hard through the year, though joining late. I enjoyed my work, so ultimately, that was more important for me.

 

 

Alright, I'll ease the interrogation. What's the thing you hate most about your job?

 

@Hexed: The most annoying thing is when you write up a whole bunch of code for a page, save changes to preview it, but there's an error somewhere and you can't find it no matter what you do. It wastes so much time that eventually you rage quit for the moment xP.

 

@Marc: Having to do interviews like these :x.

 

y mult :@

 

 

If you were given the choice and the power to oust your current, and perhaps much oppressive, admin, and install in his place a new one, who would you choose as your new oppressor?

 

@Hexed: Definitely @Impulse, but the real question is, why should I oust my current Admin? He's very good and generous, gives us some of the many Golds he's been hoarding over the past few months, and even lets us take breaks! Oh @Maf, look at what these newbies think about you...

 

Psst @Maf, send some more Golds my way kthxbai

P.S. Did you just assume his gender?

 

 

I just knew it's a he  :ph34r:.

 

 

 

@Marc: #BringBackShad  :ph34r:.

 

 

What do you feel about our not-so-new CM? Has he been much of a force on the Wiki?

 

@Hexed: Lol, Nives? He's been very helpful and is always available to do so whenever we require him to help us with something.

 

Can you give us an example of this 'something'?

 

@Hexed: "Something"? Well, it includes almost anything really. For example, if we require some information about certain in-game files (such as textures, props, images etc.), visuals of some animated paint or any specific thing; like when we needed the full names of the people interviewed in the Dev Stories livestream... Nives is always there to help us out. But Marc's also correct (will be correct?), we don't require his help 'that' often since most needed information is already provided to us before the need to ask him about it arises.

 

@Marc: Sergei's great. Whenever there's a possible discrepancy or doubt, he's the final one to go to. Although, he isn't really needed so much on the Wiki front, but is very useful for my other jobs.

 

 

What would be a few key, specific qualities that would be necessary for doing your job?

 

@Hexed: Key, specific qualities required to do my job? Hmm, I'd definitely say that being organized, as well as knowing your way around the game's components - like files, old announcements, the forum etc. - are the two most obvious traits one should have. This is obviously because as a Wiki Editor, you need to be well informed of where everything resides or is located.

 

For example, if you're looking for the date on which Hornet was released, you should know that an announcement was made on the front page of the game's website. Similarly, being determined to finish the task you've been provided is also a great characteristic to have that most of us have difficulty with at the newbie stage of when we become Wiki Editors.

 

@Marc: Resourcefulness is vital. You need to be able to carry out your job efficiently and possibly without receiving any information beforehand. This means scavenging through official documents trying to find information. When I was making the "Other Maps" page, it took me around 12 hours to create; partially due to coding and also due to looking everywhere for any information/pictures that I could use for the page. 

 

 

Since you guys are The Wiki Editors, some of the wisest and most knowledgeable people in this game, you must be knowing who @Godmode_ON is. So, who is he?

 

@Hexed: A hooman ofc.

 

@Marc: ^Lies! He's actually an alien from space, but we were paid to keep it a secret.

 

@Hexed: 

 

 

How much were you paid, @Marc?

 

@Marc: 3 teddy bears and 1 blue sphere

 

 

Ok, now I shall end this drudgery... last question...

 

Did you enjoy this rather unusually long interview? Anything you would like to add? Fancy another interview?

 

@Hexed: Albeit the unusual lengthiness of the interview, I did enjoy working with you Mag, it was quite fun after a while. But nein! Pls no more, no more!!1!!1!1!!!1

 

@Marc: Plz no... this interview was long ... too long.

 

 

Meh, disrespectful kids.. anyway, nice to have you! Bai!

 

@Hexed: Cya.

 

@Marc: Ciao.

 

 

Which group should I interview next? Yes, I'm going to do 'em all, but whom should I do next? Which group are you most interested in? Flood the comments below with your answers, which I'm TOTALLY GOING TO LISTEN TO.

 

Oh, and, um, leave an up-vote behind! Unless you want a guy in a black hood with an axe in hand to knock at your door. Which is understandable.

 

That being said, cya'll.

 

 

 

Other writings by me:More interviews by me:

-An Expert's Extensive Guide On Onions And What To Do With Them-Personality Cut Down: Cutting Nives with Knives

-5 Magic Tricks You Can Perform In Tanki-Personalities of Yesterday: Night-Sisters

-The Paint Invasion - Strategy Room-Interrogating The Helpers: Reporters

-Mag's Journals: My Visit To The EN Reporters' HQs - Part 1-Interrogating The Helpers: Forum Moderators

-Part 2 - My Visit To The EN Reporters' HQs [Mag's Journals]-Interrogating The Helpers: Wiki Editors

-Dear Love

-Lost To The Snow (Published in the 78^th Issue of The Newspaper)

 

Footnotes:

^[1]Am I super-late in publishing this interview? Yes, I am. Am I one helluva procrastinator? Yes, I am. Do I feel damn-guilty about it? Yes, I do. But now, having told you this, I hope the pressure on me will be strong enough in the future to keep the procrastinator monkey at bay  :).

Edited August 5, 2018 by Magenta

[KillerGnat 3,135]

Well since this was written mostly by wiki editors, there were predictably very few edits  :ph34r:.

• A couple comma edits here and there (some even made by Marc himself!1!)

Approved!

 

Interesting insight into one of the lesser-known helper groups  ^_^.

[GrandExecutioner 1,403]

Enjoyed this!

 

*cough*

...this is an interrogation, not an interview.. and we'll see how thankful you are by the time we are done ...

[ChandlerBing 138]

Well since this was written mostly by wiki editors, there were predictably very few edits  :ph34r:.

lol

[Magenta 5,165]

Enjoyed this!

 

*cough*

Apparently, it missed both Hexed and Gnat. My bad too, of course, but the reporters stand to lose more :ph34r:.

 

Flexoo, I think your team needs more disciplinary actions :ph34r: :ph34r:.

Edited June 6, 2018 by Magenta

[C.O.N.Q.U.E.R.O.R 3,845]

ew git gud nuba

[Best_of_thunder_2015 1,354]

Worth of Reading :)

[gokuMI6 1,290]

Kill Dr.Savage , AkA Yisroel Rabin next 

[ChandlerBing 138]

Loved the humour, quite an amusing piece.  :)

[Magenta 5,165]

Kill Dr.Savage , AkA Yisroel Rabin next 

Well, I've already interviewed him once! Check out the first in the series, Interrogating the Helpers: Reporters.

[GrandExecutioner 1,403]

*cough*

 

Apparently, it missed both Hexed and Gnat. My bad too, of course, but the reporters stand to lose more :ph34r:.

 

Flexoo, I think your team needs more disciplinary actions :ph34r: :ph34r:.

[marc.jp_44 20,837]

• A couple comma edits here and there (some even made by Marc himself!1!)

Begone, blasphemer!

[thunderousrailgunner 1,934]

Wow !! This helped me to understand more about the helper-group that I love !! 

Thanks a lot !!

[Magenta 5,165]

*cough*

NO NO NO THAT'S AUTOCORRECT THAT'S NOT ME SHHH DON'T RUIN MY CAREER HERE TAKE 'EM BILLS SHOOOOO

 

Wow !! This helped me to understand more about the helper-group that I love !! 

Thanks a lot !!

Happy to help :D.

[Magenta 5,165]

• A couple comma edits here and there (some even made by Marc himself!1!)

I checked. I copied paragraphs from the original version I have in a certain PM conversation, and pasted it on the dialogue that opens up when you press cntrl + f. Everything is the same as before... no commas are new or missing. My method of checking, if not flawed, proves that you made no changes.

 

-_-.

[Magenta 5,165]

Guys, which helper group should I interview next? The Facebook Mods, or the Battle Mods? Maybe the eSports Mods?

[jaydevjaydev 343]

Guys, which helper group should I interview next? The Facebook Mods, or the Battle Mods? Maybe the eSports Mods?

Facebook mods would be nice , gr8

[jesse12_2015 1]

The formatting of the article is pretty good and I like the dialogue between the interviewer and interviewees.

 

 

 

 

Edited June 9, 2018 by jesse12_2015

[Magenta 5,165]

ew git gud nuba

Mult.

 

 

Worth of Reading :)

 

Loved the humour, quite an amusing piece.  :)

 

The formatting of the article is pretty good and I like the dialogue between the interviewer and interviewees.

Thanks <3.

Edited June 10, 2018 by Magenta

[ChandlerBing 138]

Thanks <3.

Didn't you thank me about a week ago? :3

[You.Have.to.die 519]

Didn't you thank me about a week ago? :3

Love the name! :D

[ChandlerBing 138]

Love the name! :D

Always the pleasure  :blush:

[Total_SkiIl 1,983]

Since you asked me, honest stuff okay.

1. The interview is way too long. Literally a interrogation. I really thought, "When would this end?".
2. Repetitive stuff. We are just being told, "The coding is hard", "A page takes too long to make" and etc. 
3. You tried to add some humour to make it a bit less 'hardwork' to read it thoroughly. But, I will be honest, it didn't make the cut.

---

Otherwise, good stuff. Got to know what the Wiki Editors do, even if it was just few bits here and there. No offence, okay. :)

Edited June 10, 2018 by Total_SkiIl

[Magenta 5,165]

Since you asked me, honest stuff okay.

1. The interview is way too long. Literally a interrogation. I really thought, "When would this end?".
2. Repetitive stuff. We are just being told, "The coding is hard", "A page takes too long to make" and etc. 
3. You tried to add some humour to make it a bit less 'hardwork' to read it thoroughly. But, I will be honest, it didn't make the cut.

---

Otherwise, good stuff. Got to know what the Wiki Editors do, even if it was just few bits here and there. No offence, okay. :)

See, this is the stuff I'm looking for! Hard, pure, unadulterated feedback.

Thanks, will take that into account for my next interview. Indeed, I too felt it was a bit long and text-wally, as did my interviewees.

 

Hope I won't repeat the mistakes in my next interview.

[Rains_of_Castamere 384]

"Unless you want a guy in a black hood with an axe in hand to knock at your door."

 

The Philosopher's Stone reference? Although I seem to remember he was waiting behind your door instead of knocking at your door. lul

 

Anyways, loved your interview. I'd like to see you interview interrogate the eSports Helpers next, cheers!