User:Haliman111/sandbox 3

Group Page

Overview

Creating a group page is a fun experience, but there are so many ways to mess it up. This is going to be a short and concise guide of how to make a group wiki page.

Step One: The big one!

The first step of making a group page for your clan, is to actually make the group! You'll need to make sure you have enough free time, enough experience, and, above all else, enough ideas to keep people interested in staying. If you think you fit those categories, next thing to do is come up with a name.

If you have a name you like, right after you think of it, search it on the wiki. Why?

Two reasons.

• A: If there is a group of that name already, you may need to join that group, or rethink a name altogether.

• B: If there isn't, this is an easy way to actually create the page.

When you search your group name, and nobody has taken it, look at the very top and click "Create this page." For example, User:Billybob wants to create Example Group.

He searches "Example Group" and sees the name isn't taken.

Step Two: Template template template!

Step two is actually creating the page. The bare bones of your group page should start with the Group Box.

You should link the group leader spot to your userpage. That way, if someone needs to contact you, they know how to reach you. Group pages that are just text look horrible, and not many people will take your group seriously. Use the group template. It's free, and there for your group!

Step Three: Information super-wiki

Now you may tell yourself: People need to know more about my group! The group template is not enough!

The beauty of it, is that there are endless possibilities of what you can put on your page. For now, Billybob needs to get a bit of info down. He's going to tell them where his group is located, what they do, and how people can help. He also needs to tell them what he's looking for in a hopeful member.

Of course, depending on how old your group is, each group will have different amounts of info on their page. Since Billybob just founded his group, it shouldn't have much else on it.

Step Four: Personalization

Now, you may say that looks boring. If you're a skilled coder, it shouldn't be. Code up something that looks pretty.

If you're like most people, you won't have much skill coding though. Good thing these guys make it easy. You can look around the wiki, and steal someones' code. For example, you really like the Red Rum code they used on their page. Press edit, copy what they have on their page, and paste it on your own. You'll have to edit it a lot so it doesn't look like their page anymore, but it's quite doable. Well, it's doable for those who are dedicated enough to the group idea...

Step Five: Other Pages

Alright, now that you have everything on your main page done, you want to create a page full of info not needed on your main page.

First off, any pages you make for your group should be in your group's mainspace. What I mean by that is this:

Billybob wants to make a page dedicated to Status Reports of Fort Creedy. When he creates his page, it should have Example Group/ before it.

For example; he is going to name his page Creedy Status. Instead of making the page Creedy Status, he makes the page Example Group/Creedy Status.

Step Six: Conflicts

Now that you have a group, get ready for drama. It's inevitable; try to be on the right side of the argument. If someone talks bad about your group, or you personally, DO NOT REMOVE IT FROM THEIR PAGE. Doing so is considered vandalism.

Vandalism is the act of making an edit to a page owned by someone else that they do not want.

Any unwanted edits to your page by someone else, on the other hand, is also vandalism. However, now you can take them to A/VB (Vandal Banning) and get them punished for damaging your page.

Now, any vandalism on your page is not permanent. You can go into the history and revert it back to the last edit by yourself.

If you do see something on their page you don't like, the first step is to go on their talk page and (politely) ask for it to be removed. If that doesn't work, take them to Arbitration.

Step Seven: Sportsmanship

Now that you're a group leader, you need to start acting like it. Soar above and beyond the rest and don't stoop down as low as other flamers and trolls. If someone calls you out, don't answer. If someone insults you, don't make an idiot out of yourself. Just remember; what does it look like to everyone reading it? Someone insulting you makes them look immature, and you look smart, and calm.

It's natural for people to want to associate with the smarter and calmer crowd, so take it easy, and people will want to work with you.

Step Eight: Have Fun!

Being a leader of a group is a fun experience, to say the least. Enjoy yourself. If you ever need advice on running your clan, never hesitate to ask a more seasoned leader. If they want to be sour and not help you, ask another!