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.
    • To prevent spam, only registered users may edit OAD, but registration is free and easy.
    • If you've already registered, 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 that some lists differ substantially from others. Some are long and some are short. 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 list entries to include.
    • Please don't change the scope notes on your own. But if you have ideas for changing the scope notes, please contact the editors.
  • 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.

Tips and suggestions

  • If you're in a certain list for a specific purpose, like adding a new entry, don't hesitate to make other improvements while you're there.
    • If an entry has typos, formatting errors, or dead links, 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, or doesn't have useful links, please add some of what's missing.
    • If a passage could be written more clearly, please clarify it.
  • If you have suggestions for OAD overall, send your suggestion to the editors. Here are some of the kinds of suggestions we'd especially welcome:
    • ideas for improving the scope notes for an existing list
    • ideas for making a list under development ready for official launch
    • ideas for new lists to start developing
    • ideas for recruiting volunteers to contribute to OAD; these could be volunteers willing to help with any or all lists, or subject specialists willing to help with particular lists
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