RTC:Article wizard/Referencing: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 16:57, 5 September 2025


	RTC Article Wizard Technical documentation and verifiability


	Your article will be declined if the hardware is not documentable, violates copyright, or lacks proper technical verification. Hardware Documentation Requirements The hardware covered in an article must have verifiable technical specifications and repair documentation available through reliable technical sources. These include official service manuals, engineering documents, circuit schematics, component datasheets, and established technical websites with documented repair procedures. Forum posts, social media claims, video descriptions, or undocumented modification guides do not qualify as primary sources. Technical Content and Copyright Technical specifications and service manual excerpts may be copied directly when properly referenced. Service manuals and datasheets can be uploaded to support articles. However, do not reproduce entire copyrighted publications or substantial portions that would constitute copyright infringement. Brief technical excerpts for repair and documentation purposes are acceptable with proper attribution. Source Verification Official service documentation and technical manuals are preferred over community-generated content. Manufacturer specifications, datasheets, and engineering documents can verify technical specifications and safety requirements. Personal blogs, unverified forum posts, and video tutorials are generally not acceptable as primary sources. While not required, strongly consider creating technical references using `<ref></ref>` as follows: `The power supply outputs +5V and ±12V rails.<ref>{{cite manual \|title=Service Manual \|publisher=Apple Computer \|year=1984 \|pages=23-25}}</ref>` Safety Documentation: All articles covering repair procedures should include appropriate safety warnings. High-voltage equipment (CRTs, power supplies) requires specific safety protocols documented in official service materials. More details on technical citation standards can be found in our technical documentation guidelines. Next

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 <noinclude>{{Pp-template}}
-</noinclude>{{RTC:Article wizard/Content|title=Referencing and notability |content=Your article '''will be declined''' if the topic is not '''[[RTC:Notability|notable]]''', '''[[RTC:Copyright violations|violates copyright]]''', or is not '''[[Help:Citing sources|referenced properly]]'''.
+</noinclude>{{RTC:Article wizard/Content|title=Technical documentation and verifiability |content=Your article '''will be declined''' if the hardware is not '''[[RetroTechCollection:Technical documentation|documentable]]''', '''[[RetroTechCollection:Copyright violations|violates copyright]]''', or '''[[RetroTechCollection:Citing sources|lacks proper technical verification]]'''.
-;Notability:
+;Hardware Documentation Requirements:
-:The topic of an article must already be covered in '''[[WP:RS|reliable sources]]''' that are '''[[WP:IS|independent]]''' of the subject. These include academic journals, books, newspapers, magazines, and well established websites with a reputation for fact checking. Social media, crowd sourced websites, press releases, database entries, video uploads, or corporate/professional profiles do not qualify.
+:The hardware covered in an article must have verifiable technical specifications and repair documentation available through '''[[RetroTechCollection:Reliable technical sources|reliable technical sources]]'''. These include official service manuals, engineering documents, circuit schematics, component datasheets, and established technical websites with documented repair procedures. Forum posts, social media claims, video descriptions, or undocumented modification guides do not qualify as primary sources.
+;Technical Content and Copyright
-;Copyright
+:Technical specifications and service manual excerpts may be '''copied directly''' when properly referenced. Service manuals and datasheets can be uploaded to support articles. However, do not '''[[RetroTechCollection:Service manual reproduction|reproduce entire copyrighted publications]]''' or substantial portions that would constitute copyright infringement. Brief technical excerpts for repair and documentation purposes are acceptable with proper attribution.
-:Do not '''[[WP:COPYPASTE|copy-paste]]''' or '''[[RTC:Close paraphrasing|closely paraphrase]]''' material from sources. Rather, summarize what the source says in your own words.
+;Source Verification
+:*Official service documentation and technical manuals are preferred over community-generated content.
-;Referencing
+:*Manufacturer specifications, datasheets, and engineering documents can verify '''[[RetroTechCollection:Technical specifications|technical specifications]]''' and '''[[RetroTechCollection:Safety requirements|safety requirements]]'''.
-:*Reliable, independent sources (see above) are preferred over non-independent sources.
+:*Personal blogs, unverified forum posts, and video tutorials are ''generally not'' acceptable as primary sources.
-:*Non-independent sources (like company websites or press releases) can be used to verify '''[[WP:ABOUTSELF|basic facts]]''' only.
+:While not required, '''strongly consider''' creating technical references using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code> as follows:
-:*Blogs, social media, and tabloid journalism are ''generally not'' acceptable.
+::<code>The power supply outputs +5V and ±12V rails.{{xt|&lt;ref&gt;<nowiki>{{cite manual |title=Service Manual |publisher=Apple Computer |year=1984 |pages=23-25}}</nowiki>&lt;/ref&gt;}}</code>
+:'''Safety Documentation:''' All articles covering repair procedures should include appropriate safety warnings. High-voltage equipment (CRTs, power supplies) requires specific safety protocols documented in official service materials.
-:To create a reference, use <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code> as follows
+:More details on technical citation standards can be found in our '''[[RetroTechCollection:Technical documentation guidelines|technical documentation guidelines]]'''.
-::<code>Bizco was founded in 1942.{{xt|&lt;ref&gt;<nowiki>https://www.nytimes.com/bizco</nowiki>&lt;/ref&gt;}}</code>
+<div style="text-align:center;">
-:More details on how to cite different types of materials can be found at our '''[[Help:Introduction to referencing|introduction to referencing]]''' guide.
-<div style="text-align:center;>
 |next_link=RTC:Article wizard/CommonMistakes|next_link_label = Next|}}
 </div>