Wiki style guidelines

General guidelines

There are three general types of information that almost every form of information can be segregated into:

• Concepts
• Tasks (procedures)
• References

For clarity it is best that these three types of information not be intermingled. For example, you do not want to step through a lengthy task to find a file name, nor would you want to search for a file name in a description of a feature.

An example of a good procedure is Backing up your wallet. It has a title with a gerund (Backing), and a brief conceptual introduction followed by a step-by-step task.

Style guide references

The Bisq wiki adheres to the Wikipedia Manual of Style whenever possible. There are some styles that Wikipedia does not cover.They are documented in Exceptions from Wikipedia below.

• Wikipedia Manual of Style
• Wikipedia Images
• Wikipedia editing Cheatsheet

Exceptions from Wikipedia

Non English language articles

Until there is a need for separate language wikis, create articles in the non English language with the English translation in comments. See Running Bisq in China as an example.

Procedures

The Bisq wiki contains many procedures. The Wikipedia Manual of Styles does not include styles for technical tasks and procedures therefore the Microsoft style guide has excellent guidance for Writing step-by-step instructions.

Procedure titles

Use gerunds (. . . ing) for procedural titles. For example, "Back up your wallet" should be "Backing up your wallet". Using a gerund implies you will be performing a process.

Tabs, buttons and UI elements

User interface (UI) elements such as tabs and buttons are indicated in bold text.

Describing UI elements

When referring to a user action, simply state "click Start", it is not necessary to state "click the Start button".