MarioWiki:FAQ

If you don't find your question here, feel free to ask it on the Q&A page.

General questions

I know some information that should be added to a page. How do I submit it?

Believe it or not, there's no need to submit your suggestion to anyone. This site is a "wiki". That's a silly-sounding word that simply means anyone can add anything to any page. To find out more, check out the Introduction. Since you can edit pages, we'd prefer that you go ahead and add the new information to the appropriate page yourself. Go ahead, be bold!

I see a vandal who is defacing pages! Can I revert their edits?

If you see an IP address or user starting to vandalize pages, then their edits should be reverted immediately. See here for instructions on restoring defaced pages. However, if the vandal persists and continues vandalizing on a large scale, then do not continue reverting their edits. Bring it to an online admin's attention immediately. If no admins appear online, then please refer to the question below.

There are no admins online to block this vandal! What can I do?

Visit this page, and follow the instructions for contacting the administrative team directly. One of them should soon appear online to deal with the situation.

How do I delete an article or image?

Only sysops can delete articles and images, but there's an easy way for you to alert the sysops to pages you think should be deleted. Simply edit the article and add {{delete}} or {{tobedeleted}} at the top (the two templates are for different situations; see this page). If you've done it right, you should see a box like this one at the top of the page:

This page is currently pending deletion. Please delete any corresponding talk pages as well.

The code also adds the article to a special "To be deleted" category. The sysops check this category regularly and will delete articles and images they agree should be deleted.

How do I start a new article?

The easiest way to start a new page is to search the name of it. If the page doesn't exist yet, you will see a red link which will take you to the edit page, where you will be able to write the new article. Once you are finished, click "Save page" and your article will be created. Please make sure your new article complies with all the guidelines found in the Manual of Style, and note that only autoconfirmed users are able to create new pages.

How do I upload an image?

To upload an image, you must be signed in as a registered wiki user and be autoconfirmed. You can register and sign in by clicking the "create account and log in" link in the upper left corner of any page on the wiki. Once you've logged in, you should see an "Upload file" link in the toolbox on the lower left sidebar. Click that link and follow the prompts to upload your image.

Before uploading an image, please take the following into consideration:

• Does a better image already exist? Please take the time to search for your image on MarioWiki before uploading. The image you are attempting to upload may already exist (or a better one for that matter). Additionally, if you upload a smaller picture of an already existing one, please:
  • Note it in the images title Example: Marioboxart3x4
  • Mark the over-sized image for deletion
• Does the image have a use? Don't just upload images you think will help without having an intended place for them to go. If your image is for personal use, please note so in the image's description.

I just joined, but I still can't create articles or edit certain pages: why not?

While most pages are open for anyone to edit, certain articles are prone to vandalism and edit wars, and as a result, are semi-protected from editing by anonymous guests and new users. Once a newly-joined user has been here for four days and made at least five edits, they become autoconfirmed, and can now edit these pages. Before being autoconfirmed, new users also can't make new pages - including their userpage.

How do I become an admin?

The Super Mario Wiki does not take on new administrators (patrollers, sysops, and/or bureaucrats) very often. Nevertheless, it is a major goal for many users, so the question above has been asked time and time again. The best way to break it down is into ten main points:

1. Have a decent amount of meaningful main namespace contributions.

   Edit the real articles, the Mario information. Gnome work is an invaluable part of any wiki, but what we're talking about here is the addition of substantial content. The more you do this, the more you'll find yourself delving into discussion, and taking on projects.

2. Have a large number of main talk and MarioWiki talk namespace edits.

   Communicate with other users. Be open and have valid input, and be able to receive feedback. Other users can get to know you better the more you talk to them. In addition, use the user talk namespace as a resource to share ideas and encouragement about project-related topics. Idle chit-chat is perfectly okay from time to time, but, again, don't overdo it.

3. Take on a big project.

   See if there is an important niche that needs to be filled. Plan your project well ahead of time, and get approval and feedback.

4. Be able to handle stress and abuse in stride.

   Not everyone is perfect. Sometimes, other users will say things to you that may make you very angry, but self-control is essential. Know when to say what and how to say it. Likewise, do your absolute best never to be part of the problem.

5. Be technologically knowledgeable.

   Learn MediaWiki syntax and be able to write in it fairly well. Also, it wouldn't hurt to learn HTML and other markup languages.

6. Help maintain the site.

   Most of an administrator's job is not very glamorous. In fact, it's a lot of work, and the pay isn't that great. Sysops and patrollers are expected to fight vandalism, fix formatting, give aid to those who need it, and perform housekeeping duties, all the while trying to contribute actual content to the project. Some of the things an admin is expected to do, like reverting vandalism, can also be done by users. You should spend at least a portion of your energy on such site maintenance.

7. Stay active.

   Seniority is important. Everything else being equal, the user with the most experience is the one who we turn to, and there could be several deserving users ahead of you. It is extremely unlikely that we would promote a relative newcomer.

8. Stay positive.

   We're making an encyclopedia about a video game series. Remember to keep your sense of humor about you.

9. Don't call us. We'll call you.

   Don't ask to be made a sysop or a patroller. On some wikis, like Wikipedia, it's acceptable to nominate yourself for sysophood at any time. On this wiki, however, openly asking is usually met with suspicion and resentment from regular users and the current administrators alike. Asking if you'll ever be an admin, inquiring about what you need to do to improve your chances of being promoted, drawing attention to your contributions and otherwise fishing for compliments and attention will also get you in trouble. Don't worry though—if you're taking care of these other points, we've already noticed you.

10. Be trustworthy.

    This is the most important piece of advice we can give. Being made a sysop is like being given the keys to the wiki, and we only turn them over to people when we know they're in good hands.

Please note that fulfilling these criteria does not automatically make you a sysop or a patroller. It will, however, make you a better user. Bear in mind that it is the choice of the bureaucrats who will and won't become an administrator, or whether there even will be an open floor for nominations.

I've heard about the wiki's forum, how do I join it?

The forums are a great place for users to communicate with other users whether it is for purposes related to the MarioWiki or just to chat. To join the forum you must follow this link and then click the button marked Register at the top of the page. After doing that you must simply type in a username and password and your account will be created. After that you can post in boards and topics, send Personal Messages and edit your Profile.

Hey admins, could you make a [insert language] version of the wiki?

The MarioWiki administration currently has no plans to expand the wiki in other languages. However, if you're a staff member of an independent, active and reasonably content-filled foreign Mario wiki, you can request to the staff a partnership (like we currently have with the Italian and German Mario wikis), which involves exchanging links on the sidebar. Whether the partnership offer gets accepted or not is up to the discretion of the administration.

I have a question about my userpage

For all questions relating to userpages, see here.

More questions

My question isn't here. What can I do?

Feel free to ask your question on the talk page. We'll try to answer it as soon as possible.

How can I ask questions?

Posting your question on the talk page is usually the fastest way to get an answer. However, if you think your question is better asked in a private email to the administrators, you can send it to mwikisysops@gmail.com.