Getting started as an OAD contributor

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Thanks for your willingness to help out. Quick summary:
  1. Get an OAD account.
  2. Learn the OAD style.


Getting an OAD account

  1. Go to the OAD and click the Request account link in the upper right corner.
    • If you already have an account, then sign in.
  2. New accounts must be approved by the editor, who is sometimes traveling. Please understand if this process takes a few days.

Learning the OAD style

  • Look around the OAD. Note that it contains lists, not articles, and some of the lists differ substantially from others. Some are long and some are short. Some are well-organized and some could use a rethink. Some include fairly extensive annotations on each entry and some include little or no annotation.
  • Each list has a "scope note" at the top, describing what the list is about and what sorts of annotations we'd like to add to list entries.
  • If you want to add an entry to an existing list, follow the style of that list.
    • Look at the scope note at the top to see what annotations, if any, would desirable.
    • Look at the existing entries. Follow their format, unless they fall short of what the scope note calls for.
    • Put your new entry in the right place. Some lists are in alphabetical order, and others are in chronological order.
    • Add links as needed.
  • If you're in a list for a specific purpose, like adding a new item, don't hesitate to make other improvements while you're there.
    • If an entry has spelling or formatting errors, please correct them.
    • If an entry is off-topic, please delete it or move it to the appropriate list.
    • If an entry is on-topic but out of place, please put it where it belongs.
    • If an entry doesn't have all the annotations called for in the scope note, please add some of what's missing.

Tips and suggestions