CZ:Group Editing

We're a collaborative project. We don't assign articles. We don't sign articles. Instead, we have fun working together on community-built introductory narratives.

Some new users are frustrated by the concept of group editing. They arrive, develop an article in their sand box, thinking it is equivalent to a rough draft of a paper. They then move the draft from the userspace to the main article location and suddenly, people from all over start changing it left and right, often "without even consulting the primary author!" "They didn't even consult me on the talk page before making changes!"

If this is your reaction, prepare to have your world rocked. Wiki editing is completely different from the "Rough Draft/Final Draft" method of composition that most of us have grown used to in our schooling. Many of us have grown used to people giving feedback to an author who is looking for help. The author brews the ideas for a while, then decides what edits he or she likes, and makes the appropriate changes.

Composition on a wiki is different. Once your article has been entered in the main article area, users from around the world can and should not only read it and make comments on the article, but also add to, change, or modify the article. While it is nice to summarize your changes in the talk page or for drastic changes to developed articles it may be appropriate to discuss it on the talk page before making changes. However, we encourage users to "be bold" and make changes directly to articles!

This adjustment may be frustrating, but in time we believe that you will know what to expect, and you will look forward to working with other knowledgeable individuals, and good writers, on articles for which many people take responsibility.

See also

• How to collaborate for a longer discussion about the topic above.
• CZ:Home for more information on various introductory or help topics to help you along the way.
• Getting Started for more information on getting started.