Review [Issue 77] How It Works: The Wiki

[Hex 11,520]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome readers! It's been over six years since the Wiki first came to life, when the founding members of the team put together the first set of articles ready to be viewed by the players and everyone else alike. For the most part, people generally do not know the correct nature of our jobs, so in this article, I'll be answering a lot of questions we get on a daily basis in our threads and chats - relieving player's curiosities once and for all!

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New Account, Who Dem?

 

Wiki Editors are a group of Helpers that have been given access to contribute to, edit and update the official Wiki - the finest source of encyclopedic information and knowledge of 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.

 

 

Their Work

 

The work Wiki Editors do varies a lot, ranging from minimal tasks such as correcting mistakes and editing articles to making complex pages and guides for the community and its people. They also work closely together with Editors of other communities in order to review each other's work and evaluate whether or not to add the shared information in their Wiki. Moreover, Wiki Editors spend hours working on the Wiki, proofreading it's pages, correcting mistakes and making additions, if needed.

 

However, their work doesn't end there. They're also responsible for creating new and unique pages after discussing it within the group. After everybody has based their opinions, the go ahead is given and the Editor spends the next week or so designing and coding the next page, which is a very daunting task as even the smallest of mistake can cause the whole page to break down.

 

From time to time, Wiki Editors also go over new templates and features for their Wiki, adding them in if they think the feature/change would create a positive result. For example, we recently added the Calculator Mode in the micro-upgrades tables for turrets, hulls and modules. This mode allows one to calculate the amount of crystals and time it you need for a specific number of micro-upgrades to complete. Useful, right?

 

Calculator Mode enabled in the micro-upgrades table for Railgun M2

 

Similarly, another handy feature we added was the drop down list in the search field, which allows one to access pages quickly and easily.

 

Drop down list in the search field

 

In a nutshell, Wiki Editors are responsible for keeping the Wiki up to date with everything there is to know about the project. This includes writing and updating technical articles, making strategy guides, and allocating general information about the eSports community and the game's history.

 

 

The Team

 

Currently, the team consists of three people. @Maf — who's also a Forum Moderator — currently serves the role of Wiki Administrator, while me and @ControlledChaos are the two Editors. @Impulse, who's the RU Wiki Administrator, is also a great part of our team and helps us get things done and running from time to time.

 

 

 

 

Wiki Editors' Avatars and Paints:

 

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POSITION                                                                                   

AVATAR

PAINT

WIKI EDITORS' ADMINISTRATORS

WIKI EDITORS

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Process of Implementing Changes:

 

Contradictory to what the legends say, no matter how plausible they might sound, Wiki Editors do not get insider information about any updates before anyone else.

 

So where do you get all the files from, Hex? Hacks?

 

Ha, no. Though it is entirely possible that Wiki Editors are one of the first people to try out an update, since they're required to gather resources and information on it and then add it into the Wiki as soon as possible, but here's actually how the process of all this work starts:

1. Whenever an update is implemented in the game, which changed or brought in new mechanics or items, Wiki Editors get ready to make changes in the Wiki.
2. In the days following the update, the Wiki Administrator receives official files, images, information etc. about the update, which he/she then hands it out to the Editors in the form of "tasks".
3. Then, the Editors are given a deadline by which they have to complete their task or else they get their total number of Teddy Bears cut in half by the end of the month.
4. Once the change is made, the Administrator reviews the work and leaves remarks if necessary.
5. Afterwards, the new edit is proofread and is tagged ready to go, soon after which you guys see the "Page Updated!" posts in the Wiki Hub thread.

 

Recent and Important Changes:

 

The Wiki has undergone massive amount of changes in the past, ranging from very minimal changes like the changing of the image formats to major changes the likes of which I will be mentioning below, so let's get to it.

• Graphics and Images

Being the most consistent source of information, the Wiki strives to keep itself up to date and filled with nothing but the latest statistics, information and characteristics. However, one of the key parts of any thing that hosts a lot of test, is, well, an image! Images at the top, in the middle or just about anywhere in an article can make it look more unique, professional and well done. Using this logic, we recently discussed the idea of having banners for every major page in the Wiki. Credits to the Designer Team, for their part in this initiative was absolutely amazing. Check for yourself!

• Formatting Old Pages

Just recently, we formatted a lot of old pages so that they appear new and fresh. One of the most notable changes was of the Supplies page. After taking some inspiration from the RU Wiki, it was modernized from an archaic, grayish page into an intriguing and colored set of tables.

 

 

The Supplies page went from this...

 

 

To this...

 

 

• Templates

Templates are used when you want to transclude the same text in different pages over and over again. Essentially, a template is usually a single of code then once written in a page, displays the text that was "set" with that template. So, for example, the spoilers in the Wiki are templates. If they weren't a template, a long division code would have to be put in every time a spoiler was needed. Over the past few months, many templates have been added to the Wiki. Some of these are really useful when creating long and new pages, while some are minor and only used in specific situations.

 

 

Suggesting Edits and Changes:

 

If you want to contribute to the Official Wiki, please do so by suggesting edits or changes for its page in the ★ Tanki Online Wiki's Hub ★ thread. There, follow the procedure listed in third post for a complete guide on how to post a suggestion.

 

 

=SUGGESTION EXAMPLE=

 

Page: Chat

Suggestion: One of the links in this page is not working, this one:

 

 

I have found the correct link for you. Thank you!

Posts like "pls fix the link in chat page, its broken!!1" and "communicator panel link in chat page broken, pls fix" only makes the job of the Editors harder, so it's highly important to follow the aforementioned procedure.

 

There's also an alternate way of suggesting changes in the Wiki, the Report feature - which, fun fact, we recently added a few months ago. To use the Report feature, follow these steps:

• Click on the Report button at the top right side of the page:
• Clicking on it will open up a pop-up, requiring you to put in your name, details and the anti-spam reCAPTCHA check. However, the link to the page will already be filled in.

• Now, all you need to do is click on and we will receive your request.

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I hope you enjoyed reading this article, please leave your feedback and if you have any other queries or questions, feel free to comment below. I'll be happy to help!

 

Till next time, see ya!

 

[Hex 11,520]

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Interview with Maf

EN Wiki Administrator

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Hello Maf! Please start by introducing yourself and then we will move onto the questions.
 
Hi, I'm Maf.

 

 

Haha, that's one way to do it! Tell us what is the Wiki Editor job all about? What roles do Wiki Editors play in the community?
 
The job is exactly what the name "Wiki Editor" suggests: we edit the Wiki. It's seen as a less "prestigious" job compared to something like a chat or battle moderator, but it is no less important, considering that thousands of players consult the wiki on a regular basis and expect to see relevant and up-to-date information when they come.
 

How does the daily routine of a Wiki Editor look like? Is it more of a serious job, or just a laid back, chill one?
 
I feel like a lot of people underestimate what working as a wiki editor really is like. You probably think that when we edit a page, we just see a nice user-friendly interface like the one in Microsoft Word, or similar software. Not at all. The biggest issue is the fact that the editing interface for wiki pages is 100% text-based, so not only is the content of the page hard to navigate in editing mode, but you also have to learn the code used for all the different formatting elements on the Wiki. If you miss a single symbol you could potentially mess up the whole page and spend a good 30 minutes looking for that one error.
 
For example, this is what you see when you look at the Product Kits page:

 

And this is what we see when editing it:

But there's a bright side to it too. Learning this code is great experience if you want to do HTML coding professionally in the future, and this is a perfect opportunity to learn, since you get to work with information about the game you love. There is very little pressure to get things done - you work whenever you have time and are in the mood to do it. Entirely flexible.

 

 

Wiki Editor applications are open right now, and each applicant as you know, differs from one another. What is your view in this regard? What traits do you think applicants should have? Do you have any advice for people who would want to become Wiki Editors one day?
 
Of course the strongest background one could have is previous experience editing other Wikis, working with HTML or any other work involving code in general. If you are a kind of person who prefers to work visually, then it's likely that you will struggle as an editor. So if you want to prepare yourself for the job, practice with editing some other wikis, which have public access.
 
It's likely once you see how tedious and frustrating code can be, you'll realize that the Wiki is not your cup of tea. Or perhaps you'll love the experience and will want to do more, which will hopefully encourage you to apply! :)

 

 

Working with new people is always a wonderful experience. But it seems there is also a veteran in your team. Yes, Impulse. Who is he; and what part does he play in the team?
 
Impulse is the Russian Wiki administrator, who used to be a normal player and volunteered to become an editor a few years ago. Recently he got employed with AlternativaPlatform and is now an official tester, who works in Tanki's office. He provides us with detailed information about new updates so that we can update the corresponding pages, but he also has incredible experience with the Wiki's code and sometimes helps us incorporate cool new features into our Wiki, such as paint previews on the Paints page and calculator mode on the Micro-Upgrades pages. Without him the Wiki would be much less interesting than it is now.


Is it true that Wiki Editors acquire information about updates before all other players? Do they have any information about sales, promotions and other such items?
 
This is very rarely the case. Since Wiki Editors are just normal players who volunteered to help, they can't get access to any information about the game that's not publicly available. This is because we do not have to sign the NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) unlike official Tanki employees (such as Nives) and therefore we cannot be trusted with any information which we could potentially leak to players, such as information about new updates before it's released. So don't apply to become a Wiki editor and expect to learn all the secrets about Tanki as soon as you get accepted.


What should normal players do if they want to contribute to the Wiki?
 
The best you can (and should) do is bring our attention to pages, which need updating. All you need to do is go to the page you think needs changing or has an error and click on the orange "Report" button on top of the page. Fill in the form and the editors will check your request ASAP. If what you reported is indeed an error, or the edit suggestion is logical, then we will make sure the page gets fixed.


If you could make your own celebrity page in the Wiki, would you do it?
 
I already have a celebrity page - my profile! :ph34r:
 

 

Alright, that will be all. Thank you for your time and insight to the Wiki editing job, Maf.
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[thunderousrailgunner 1,934]

GG bro  ;) 

 

Hello Maf! Please start by introducing yourself and then we will move onto the questions.

 
Hi, I'm Maf.

waw  :rolleyes: 

Edited July 7, 2018 by thunderousrailgunner

[Total_SkiIl 1,983]

Working with new people is always a wonderful experience. But it seems there is also a veteran in your team. Yes, Impulse. Who is he; 

 

So where do you get all the files from, Hex? Hacks?

 

Ha, no. Thought it is entirely possible that Wiki Editors are one of the first people to try out an update, since they're required to gather resources and information on it and then add it into the Wiki as soon as possible, but here's actually how the process of all this work starts:

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Finally, now it is revealed what Wiki editors actually do.

 

Don't remove my quote.

 

Edited July 7, 2018 by Total_SkiIl

[gokuMI6 1,290]

Wow the @Maf page

[Royalworld 1,269]

A nice read. Lots of misconceptions about your job have been made clear! And the calculator is very useful. 

[cryptor 589]

@Maf left Wiki Administrator option.

[Spy 14,737]

@Maf left Wiki Administrator option.

I am sure Hexed didn't know that :D

[cryptor 589]

:D