RetroTechCollection:Terms of Use: Difference between revisions

| style="font-size:120%; padding:15px;" | ''These Terms of Use govern your access to and use of the RetroTechCollection Wiki.''

Effective date: 1 October 2026

The RetroTechCollection Wiki ("we", "us", "our", "the Wiki" or "RetroTechCollection") is a collaboratively edited wiki for documenting, preserving and sharing knowledge about vintage computers, game consoles, their peripherals and their repair. It is free for everyone to read.

These Terms of Use ("Terms") are a legally binding agreement between you and RetroTechCollection. By accessing, browsing or contributing to the Wiki you accept these Terms. If you do not agree to them, you must not use the Wiki.

 

== 1. Our services ==

=== 1.2 Scope of coverage ===

* hardware: vintage computers, calculators, game systems, peripherals and components

* software: historical operating systems, applications, programming languages and games

* the companies and people who made them, and their history

* documentation: manuals, schematics, technical specifications and repair guides

* restoration, maintenance and conservation methods

* a marketplace for buying or selling vintage technology

* a forum for general discussion unrelated to improving pages

* a social network

* a web host for personal content

* a place for personal opinions, or for speculation presented as fact

* a technical support service

Your own measurements, photographs and repair findings are welcome when they are labelled as your own; see section 5.1.2.

== 2. Eligibility and accounts ==

=== 2.1 Age ===

You must be at least 13 years old to create an account or contribute content. Users aged 13 to 17 should have a parent's or guardian's permission. We reserve the right to introduce age verification. If we find that a user is under 13, we will close the account, delete their personal information, remove or anonymise their contributions at our discretion, and report to the authorities where the law requires it.

=== 2.2 Accounts ===

==== 2.2.1 Editing and accounts ====

You can read and edit the Wiki without an account. Edits by users who are not logged in, and by accounts that have not yet been approved as trusted editors, are held for review by a moderator before they appear. Uploading files requires an account.

To create an account, choose a username (see section 2.3) and a password, and complete the security check. An email address is optional, but without one you cannot reset a forgotten password. By creating an account you accept these Terms and the [[RetroTechCollection:Privacy policy|Privacy policy]]. Do not create accounts by automated means.

==== 2.2.2 Account security ====

You are responsible for all activity under your account. Keep your password confidential, use a strong password that you do not use elsewhere, do not share your account, and tell us straight away if you think someone else has used it.

==== 2.2.3 Multiple accounts ====

Keep one main account. A second account may be allowed for testing with an administrator's prior approval, for a bot (with the bot flag, see section 8.1), or for a legitimate privacy reason agreed with an administrator. Never use more than one account to evade a block or ban, to create a false impression of support, to break a policy, or to deceive other users.

=== 2.3 Usernames ===

Usernames should be easy to tell apart from other users' names, should not cause confusion or disruption, and must be suitable for all ages (13 and over).

* offensive names, including profanity and slurs

To change your username, ask an administrator. Changes are at the administrator's discretion, your contribution history is kept, and frequent changes are discouraged.

== 3. Privacy and data protection ==

The [[RetroTechCollection:Privacy policy|Privacy policy]] explains what information we collect, how we use and protect it, your rights under UK data protection law, and how to ask for your data to be corrected or deleted. We collect only the data we need, explain how it is used, protect it, and follow the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

=== 3.2 Contributions are public ===

You decide what personal information to share about yourself. Share as little as you can, because public contributions cannot be fully withdrawn.

Never post another person's private address, phone number, private email address, government ID number, financial or medical information, or any other non-public personal data.

=== 3.4 Closing your account ===

== 4. Content licensing and intellectual property ==

=== 4.1 Your contributions ===

==== 4.1.1 Licence ====

These licences cover your own work. Material by other people that you add under section 4.2 is not covered by them.

==== 4.1.2 Reusing Wiki content ====

=== 4.2 Copyrighted material by others ===

==== 4.2.1 Use with a citation ====

Copyrighted material by other people, including complete manuals, schematics, datasheets and photographs, may be used and uploaded on the Wiki as long as it is cited: the file page and the article that uses it must state the source, the author or publisher, and the copyright holder. Public domain and freely licensed material is cited in the same way, with its licence. The material stays under its owner's copyright. Material that is not cited may be removed. See [[RetroTechCollection:Copyrights]].

==== 4.2.2 Removal requests ====

If you hold the copyright in material on the Wiki and want it removed, email [mailto:[email protected] [email protected]] or open a ticket on the [https://forum.retrotechcollection.com/tickets/ RTC Forum]. Identify the page or file, the work and your right in it, and give your contact details. We also accept notices in the form required by the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The procedure, timings and counter-notices are set out in [[RetroTechCollection:Copyright violations]].

==== 4.2.3 Misuse ====

False removal claims may result in legal liability. Users who repeatedly upload uncited material, or upload again material that was removed at the copyright holder's request, may be blocked.

==== 4.3.1 Use of trademarks ====

Trademarks may be used to identify products and companies. Use them accurately, do not imply endorsement or affiliation, and record trademark history where it is relevant.

==== 4.3.2 RetroTechCollection trademarks ====

The RetroTechCollection name and logo are protected. Using them requires our written permission, except for attribution when reusing Wiki content. They may not be used commercially without a licence.

=== 4.4 Media files ===

==== 4.4.1 Acceptable media ====

* public domain and freely licensed files (Creative Commons, GFDL and similar)

* your own photographs and diagrams, with the licence stated

* copyrighted material by other people, cited under section 4.2

==== 4.4.2 File page requirements ====

Every file page must say what the file is and why it is relevant, and give its source, its author, and its licence or copyright holder. Upload files at a resolution suited to their purpose.

==== 4.4.3 Prohibited media ====

* copyrighted material without a citation

* personal photographs unrelated to articles

* inappropriate or offensive content

* files that violate personality rights

* watermarked images

== 5. Content standards ==

=== 5.1 Core content principles ===

==== 5.1.1 Neutral point of view ====

Present facts without bias or opinion. Give each significant view weight in proportion to its prominence, do not advocate a point of view, and use neutral language.

==== 5.1.2 Verifiability and original research ====

* Every factual claim needs a reliable source, and whoever adds the claim provides it.

* Manufacturer documentation (service manuals, schematics, datasheets) is the preferred source for technical facts. Books, magazines and established technical websites are also used. See [[RetroTechCollection:Reliable technical sources]].

* Original research is allowed when it is clearly labelled as your own: bench measurements (giving the machine, board revision, test point and instrument), photographs, repair findings and parts you have designed. Do not present a guess or a theory as a measured fact.

==== 5.1.3 Scope ====

Pages must be about a subject within the scope in section 1.2, and verifiable under section 5.1.2. Manufacturer documentation, or your own labelled findings, is enough to support a page; coverage in independent sources is not required.

=== 5.2 Article standards ===

==== 5.2.1 Structure ====

Pages follow the layout for their type set out in [[Help:Writing a repair guide]] and the other help pages. A machine page usually has a lead section, an infobox, history, specifications, hardware, known faults, documentation, related pages and references.

==== 5.2.2 Writing style ====

Write in a plain, encyclopaedic tone. Avoid unnecessary jargon and define technical terms. Use the present tense for current facts and the past tense for historical events. Be concise. Write for a worldwide audience unless a regional detail matters.

==== 5.2.3 Technical content ====

Verify specifications, include the details a repairer needs (known faults, repair tips, part numbers), and include the hazard statement required by [[RetroTechCollection:Safety requirements]] where it applies.

=== 5.3 Prohibited content ===

==== 5.3.1 Illegal content (UK Online Safety Act 2023) ====

==== 5.3.2 Harmful content ====

Also prohibited: harassment of users or public figures; bullying, especially of minors; doxxing; deliberately false content; spam and repetitive or promotional content; vandalism; content intended to disrupt the Wiki; graphic or disturbing shock content; conspiracy theories without factual basis; and dangerous health claims.

Not suitable for the Wiki's audience: sexual content or innuendo; profanity; graphic violence or injury; promotion of drugs, alcohol or gambling; partisan political content; and religious preaching.

=== 5.4 Special content areas ===

Material about living people needs high-quality sources and extra care over accuracy, privacy and neutrality. Negative information must be relevant and well sourced, and should be kept up to date.

==== 5.4.2 Companies and products ====

Give clear step-by-step instructions, list the tools needed, say what could be damaged, indicate the skill needed, and note warranty issues where relevant. Test procedures where you can. Where the work involves mains voltage or a CRT, include the hazard statement required by [[RetroTechCollection:Safety requirements]].

== 6. User conduct ==

=== 6.1 Expected behaviour ===

==== 6.1.1 Principles ====

Assume good faith, be civil, work with others, be patient with new users and those still learning, help others constructively, and behave professionally.

==== 6.1.2 Collaborative editing ====

Discuss major changes on the talk page first, and explain every change in the edit summary. Small improvements are welcome. Do not delete other people's work without good reason. Settle disagreements by discussion, not by edit warring, and respect the outcome.

==== 6.1.3 Talk pages ====

=== 6.2 Prohibited conduct ===

==== 6.2.1 Harassment and abuse ====

The following are prohibited: personal attacks; threats of any kind, explicit or implied; following users across pages to harass them; intimidation; discrimination based on any protected characteristic; sexual harassment, including unwanted advances; revealing another person's personal information (outing); and retaliation for actions on the Wiki.

==== 6.2.2 Disruptive behaviour ====

Do not edit war, exploit technicalities in the rules, put the same request to different administrators to get a different answer, obstruct discussion endlessly, push a particular point of view, use several accounts deceptively (sock puppetry), recruit others to back you (meat puppetry), or post to provoke.

==== 6.2.3 Conflicts of interest ====

Disclose any conflict of interest on your user page, and ask others to make edits to articles where you have one. Be open about your affiliations.

==== 6.2.4 Legal threats ====

=== 6.3 Protection of minors ===

All content must be suitable for users aged 13 and over. Predatory behaviour is not tolerated, and adults must not privately message minors. Safety concerns are acted on immediately. For users under 18, privacy protection is enforced more strictly and some features may be restricted.

=== 6.4 Dispute resolution ===

# Ask for an outside view on the [[RetroTechCollection:Village Pump|Village Pump]].

# Ask an administrator to step in if the problem is serious or continues.

During a dispute, stay calm, comment on the content only, give evidence for your position, look for a compromise, and accept the outcome.

== 7. Enforcement ==

=== 7.1 Reporting problems ===

==== 7.1.1 How to report ====

Report problems to [mailto:[email protected] [email protected]] or with a ticket on the [https://forum.retrotechcollection.com/tickets/ RTC Forum]. Mark safety concerns and emergencies as urgent.

Include links to the pages concerned, a description of the problem, any evidence, how urgent it is, and any relevant background.

==== 7.1.2 Response ====

=== 7.2 Enforcement actions ===

==== 7.2.1 Progressive discipline ====

For most violations the steps are:

==== 7.2.2 Immediate action ====

==== 7.2.3 Restrictions ====

=== 7.3 Appeals ===

==== 7.3.1 What an appeal should include ====

An appeal should acknowledge the violation, explain why the action was wrong or is no longer needed, commit to following the rules, and be civil. Allow time for it to be reviewed.

==== 7.3.2 How to appeal ====

# If that fails, appeal to another administrator, where there is one. Community review is at the administrators' discretion.

# The final appeal is to [mailto:[email protected] [email protected]].

==== 7.3.3 Outcomes ====

=== 7.4 Administrators ===

==== 7.4.1 Conduct ====

Administrators must act impartially and not use their tools in situations they are involved in. They explain their actions, respond in proportion, apply the rules consistently, accept review of their actions and set a good example.

==== 7.4.2 Limits ====

Administrators must discuss major changes to policy on the Village Pump before making them. They must not use their tools for personal benefit, protect pages they are editing in a dispute, block users they are in a dispute with, or reverse another administrator's action without discussion.

== 8. Technical policies ==

=== 8.1 Bots ===

A bot needs approval before it runs, and the bot flag, which is granted by a bureaucrat. It must have a clear, useful purpose, be tested to show that it runs safely, and follow these Terms. The bot's user page describes what it does. The operator is responsible for the bot: keep the edit rate reasonable, write clear edit summaries, and stop the bot at once if it malfunctions or if an administrator asks. Questions about a bot go to its operator.

=== 8.2 API ===

Reading through the API is generally allowed; respect the rate limits. Automated editing needs approval as a bot (section 8.1). Reused content must be attributed (section 4.1.2). Commercial use of the API itself, as distinct from reusing content under its licence, needs our permission.

The following are not allowed: overloading the servers, excessive downloading, automated spam, getting round blocks or bans, and any harmful use.

=== 8.3 Scripts and gadgets ===

== 9. Legal notices ==

==== 9.1.1 No warranty ====

THE WIKI IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF INFORMATION, FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS, AVAILABILITY OR UNINTERRUPTED ACCESS, AND SECURITY OR ERROR-FREE OPERATION.

==== 9.1.2 No professional advice ====

We do not control external websites and are not responsible for their content. A link does not imply endorsement. Use external sites at your own risk, and report problem links.

=== 9.2 Limitation of liability ===

You agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless RetroTechCollection, its administrators, volunteers and service providers against claims, costs and legal fees arising from your violations of these Terms, your violations of the rights of others, your contributions, your use of the Wiki, and your other actions.

=== 9.4 Governing law ===

If you use the Wiki from outside the UK, you are responsible for complying with your local law. We may restrict access from some jurisdictions; do not circumvent such restrictions. Report access problems to an administrator.

== 10. Changes and termination ==

=== 10.1 Changes to these Terms ===

We may change these Terms at any time and for any reason, including legal compliance, with or without notice. A change may take effect immediately or later, and may apply to part of the Terms or for a limited time. Major changes are announced on the Main Page, and registered users may be notified. Every change is recorded in this page's history, and a period for comment may be given. Continued use of the Wiki after a change means you accept it.

==== 10.2.1 By you ====

You may stop using the Wiki at any time without notice. To close your account, email us (section 13). Your contributions stay on the Wiki, and the licences you granted continue. Donations are not refunded.

==== 10.2.2 By us ====

We may end or restrict your access for violations of these Terms: without notice for serious violations, in part or in full, temporarily while we investigate, or permanently for repeated violations.

==== 10.2.3 Effect of termination ====

Your access to editing ends. Your earlier contributions remain and the licences you granted continue. Provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination do so. Do not try to get round a termination.

== 11. Miscellaneous provisions ==

=== 11.1 Entire agreement ===

These Terms, with the Privacy policy and the other policies they refer to, are the entire agreement between you and RetroTechCollection about the Wiki, and replace any earlier agreement.

If a court finds a provision invalid, that provision is severed or modified to the minimum extent needed, its intent is kept where possible, and the rest of the Terms remain in force.

=== 11.3 No waiver ===

A waiver must be in writing. Waiving one breach does not waive later breaches, and delay or partial enforcement is not a waiver.

You may not assign these Terms. We may assign them to a successor, who is then bound by them, and will give notice of the assignment.

=== 11.5 Force majeure ===

Neither party is liable for a failure caused by events beyond its reasonable control, such as natural disasters, war or terrorism, government action, or failures of internet infrastructure.

We give notices to you by email to the address on your account, through the Wiki's notification system, or on the Main Page; they are treated as received after 48 hours. You give notices to us by email to the address in section 13 or by a ticket on the RTC Forum; they take effect when received.

Headings are for convenience only. "Including" means "including but not limited to". "Or" is inclusive unless stated otherwise. The singular includes the plural and vice versa. No provision is construed against the drafter.

== 12. Special provisions ==

Public content may be studied, analysed in aggregate and the results published, with individual privacy protected. No one is obliged to take part. Wiki content may be reused, including commercially, under CC BY-SA 4.0 as set out in section 4.1.2, with no further restrictions. Material by other people (section 4.2) is not included.

=== 12.2 Donations and sponsorship ===

The Wiki is run by its owner. Administrator, moderator and other user rights are granted by a bureaucrat; volunteers can apply through the staff application linked from the Main Page. Proposals for new policies or changes are discussed on the [[RetroTechCollection:Village Pump/Policy|Village Pump]] or the forum, and changes are made by the administrators.

Uptime is not guaranteed. Maintenance, including emergency maintenance, may happen at any time; the current status of the site is shown at [https://status.retrotechcollection.com status.retrotechcollection.com]. We make regular backups and keep the full version history, but catastrophic loss is possible, so keep your own copies of important work. Pages can be exported with [[Special:Export]].

All enquiries go to one address: [mailto:[email protected] support@retrotechcollection.com]. That covers general questions and account requests, technical problems, legal correspondence, safety concerns and abuse reports, copyright notices, appeals, press enquiries and donations. You can also open a ticket on the [https://forum.retrotechcollection.com/tickets/ RTC Forum].

* For urgent safety concerns, open an emergency ticket on the RTC Forum; these are answered within 24 hours.

* Copyright notices must include the details listed in section 4.2.2. False claims may result in legal liability.

* Appeals by email are final appeals only (section 7.3).

In these Terms:

;Administrator (sysop): a user with extra rights, such as deleting pages and blocking users

;Article: a page in the main namespace

;Ban: a permanent exclusion from editing

;Block: a technical restriction on editing, temporary or indefinite

;Bot: an automated or semi-automated editing tool

;Bureaucrat: a user who can grant user rights, including administrator rights

;CC BY-SA 4.0: the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International licence

;Content: any text, images or other material on the Wiki

;Contribution: any edit, upload or other addition to the Wiki

;Copyright violation: use of copyrighted material that breaks section 4.2, for example without a citation

;CSEA: child sexual exploitation and abuse

;Diff: the difference between two versions of a page

;Doxxing: publishing private information about a person

;Edit war: repeatedly reverting each other's edits

;GFDL: the GNU Free Documentation License

;IP address: Internet Protocol address

;MediaWiki: the software that runs the Wiki

;Namespace: a group of pages of one kind, such as articles, talk pages or user pages

;Oversight: removal of content from all public view

;Page: any page on the Wiki

;Policy: a rule set out on one of the Wiki's policy pages

;Registered user: a user with an account

;Revert: undoing another user's edit

;Rollback: a quick revert tool for vandalism

;Sock puppet: an extra account used to deceive

;Spam: unsolicited promotional content

;Talk page: a discussion page attached to another page

;Template: a reusable block of content

;Troll: a user who deliberately disrupts

;User: anyone accessing the Wiki

;Vandalism: deliberate damage to content

;Wiki: the RetroTechCollection Wiki

;Wikitext: the MediaWiki markup language

=== Appendix A: prohibited content quick reference ===

Removed immediately: terrorism content; CSEA material; promotion of self-harm; hate speech; revenge pornography; threats of violence; illegal activity; instructions for weapons.