Helpful tips on how to get the most out of the CamaroWiki contest!

By now you should have seen the notices about the cool contest that we are running for the month of May. If not, click here:
http://www.camarowiki.com/index.php/Nitto_Tire

Check it out, we are giving away a lot of cool prizes and it is very easy to enter. Many of you may not be entirely with what a Wiki is and how to use it, so I will give you the very basic idea of it.

In its simplest terms, a Wiki is an online encyclopedia that anyone can edit. It is good because there are a lot of experts out there and they can share their knowledge. We are running this contest to encourage people to use the CamaroWiki and to learn how. It is actually pretty easy and doing so can win you some cool prizes. See the rules in the link above!

Got it? Good! Here's some tips...

HOW TO START A NEW WIKI PAGE
Want to start a new page? It is EASY! Use the search box on the left of the Wiki and enter the term that you think needs a new page, then click GO. Read the search results to see it if hasn't already been created to referenced in another page. If not, there is your chance.

For example, if I enter CAGS into the search box and click GO, I see this in the search results page:
There is no page titled ":CAGS". You can create this page.
I can click the create this page. link and enter my information. Someone can do what I just outlined on any Camaro subject and that will count as an entry to the contest.
Here is more information on creating a new page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:How_to_start_a_page

When you see a word in the CamaroWiki that is in RED letters (currently), that means it is a significant word or name that should have it's own page in the Wiki but does not yet. For example, there are many on this page, for example:
http://www.camarowiki.com/index.php/Appearances_in_Pop_Culture

Each and every red link is a great hint to start a new page, which would also be an entry in the contest!! Click it to create the new page and add the information! Whoever created an entry for Transformers has an easy entry attached to their name (hint-hint).



HOW TO EDIT AN EXISTING PAGE
This is just as easy. While you are in a page that needs to be edited, corrected, fixed, or update, click the EDIT link near the top.

Just like this message board has certain codes to make text appear a certain way, so does a Wiki. Here's a cheatsheet:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Cheatsheet

Editing a page doesn't count an an entry to the contest (see the rules in the first link of this post) but it does entirely go along with the idea of a Wiki, to provide information as a service to others who need it.


That's pretty much it. There's more to it but that's all you need to get started. I gotta be honest, when we set the CamaroWiki up, it seemed a bit foreign, but once I started playing with it, it got very easy and surprisingly fun. I want to keep adding to it but I will leave it up to you all so you can create entries to win some kick ass prizes!

There's a LOT of Camaro information out there so there are plenty of chances to win. The more new pages you make and contribute to, the better your odds of winning something are! Just be sure to read the rules, and use the same user name in the CamaroWiki acount that you do here. Good luck to all!

Any questions can be posted here! Please also post this contest on other sites you frequent.

Can I ask why there's alot of stuff about the "lounge" area and whatnot?

Also, would just copying text from an article I have seen constitute an entry as long as a page for that doesn't exist?

Can I ask why there's alot of stuff about the "lounge" area and whatnot?

There shouldn't be because that is not what the CamaroWiki is about, but considering the nature of a Wiki, it could happen at any time. It is not just about "CamaroZ28.Com", it is about Camaro specifically. The Wiki relies on people to point these out so they can be removed. Got some links?

Also, would just copying text from an article I have seen constitute an entry as long as a page for that doesn't exist?

You cannot post copyrighted material. While this is a gray area, it is usually okay to cite a reference in something that you wrote and provide a link to that reference.

Due to lack of contributions to this contest, it has been extended another month. Another post will follow this one shortly, but that just give you more time to make more contest entries. :)

http://camaroz28.com/articles/winged3rdgen/ext.shtml

So, would rewriting the article and then citing the source be acceptable? Otherwise I don't see any way to put any information on it without upsetting someone's copyright laws.

http://www.camaroz28.com/articles/winged3rdgen/ext.shtml

:confused:

So, would rewriting the article and then citing the source be acceptable? Otherwise I don't see any way to put any information on it without upsetting someone's copyright laws.

If you mean taking someone's article and just changing some of the words, I wouldn't suggest it. Look at some of the entries already made by hitting the Random Page link a few times for examples.

poop. it's um, just do a search for Matthew Verbin.

I was in the middle of writing one up, but had to stop since I don't own the rights to the word "The".

poop. it's um, just do a search for Matthew Verbin.

Oh that...right. Yeah, that is an interesting case. Basically the guy spends his life typing on wikis. Just ignore it.

I was in the middle of writing one up, but had to stop since I don't own the rights to the word "The".

I think you missed the point.

Well, this is an odd one. We are giving away a bunch of cool stuff (http://www.camarowiki.com/index.php/Nitto_Tire#CONTEST_PRIZES) in a contest on our CamaroWiki, including your choice of ANY set of 4 Nitto street or competition tires, but all the self-proclaimed experts are hiding somewhere. ;)

Here's the deal...we had to extend it through the end of June because the entries have been less than enough to warrant giving all the cool prizes away. We are thinking that it is because people don't know how easy it is to enter.

Seriously, all you really have to do is think of a Camaro topic that hasn't been covered on CamaroWiki and start it and contribute to it a little bit. It doesn't have to be a novel, just some information that is relevant. Is it really that easy!

It is so easy to enter that I made a video showing how easy it really is. Check it out here:
http://thumbs.vidiac.com/ec412742-32ac-4a7d-bd93-9aa800e05ff2.jpg (http://videos.camaroz28.com/video/ec412742-32ac-4a7d-bd93-9aa800e05ff2.htm)
Click here to see Video (http://videos.camaroz28.com/video/ec412742-32ac-4a7d-bd93-9aa800e05ff2.htm)

I also made a post a little while back that has some good helpful information, check it out here (http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/showthread.php?t=602189).

Considering that you can enter as many times as you want which increases your odds of winning, we are surprised that some of the hardcore Camaro guys haven't taken advantage of that.

Watch the video, think about it for a minute and head over to share your knowledge and possibly win something cool! If we don't get enough entries by the end of the month, we'll have to kill the contest and that would be a shame. :)

Click here for all the details! (http://www.camarowiki.com/index.php/Nitto_Tire)

Head's up everyone!
http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609939

What do I win? New transmission?

What do I win? New transmission?

Go here and read all about it:
http://www.camarowiki.com/index.php/Nitto_Tire

Bastards! With nobody else competing, I was a shoo-in to win! :lol:

The truth is, I'd rather see the wiki succeed. My odds are still good, and this buys me time to improve them even more. :D

I just posted one up explaining VATS...roughly.

Is there a way to get my name entered into the drawing?

I just posted one up explaining VATS...roughly.

Just checked it out...that's a good entry.

Is there a way to get my name entered into the drawing?

How to enter
Author a page on CamaroWiki that is relevant specifically to the Camaro and contribute to at least one portion of it. That's it! To qualify, the authored page and contribution MUST be relevant specifically to the Camaro. Enter as often as you wish, there is no limit to the amount of qualifying pages a person can create, and each qualifying page counts as an entry. See additional rules below.

TIP: You must create and use the same user name on CamaroWiki.Com as what you use on CamaroZ28.Com to be eligible!

You might want to create a gsf_87iroc account on the CamaroWiki and use it to post a few more entries! :)

Full info on the contest including prizes and rules here:
http://www.camarowiki.com/index.php/Nitto_Tire

what happens if somebody (me) creates a page, but forgot to log in (or even register) first? I noticed it put my IP address up there as the creator. What if that page is picked for the contest?

what happens if somebody (me) creates a page, but forgot to log in (or even register) first? I noticed it put my IP address up there as the creator. What if that page is picked for the contest?

If you don't use an account name there that matches your account name here, we won't be able to verify and contact who it was that made the entry when we start generating the winning entries.

I don't have any idea onm what to do a topic on. (and I don't know much about anything)

I hate this contest :(

I don't have any idea onm what to do a topic on. (and I don't know much about anything)

Hit the random page link and get some inspiration. Just don't use any for inspiration that are not Camaro related.

Also look for red links. They are topics that were referenced, but no entry created for them yet.

It says my username isn't valid when I try to create a account? I just reversed my real name and username I hope that's good enough...

It says my username isn't valid when I try to create a account? I just reversed my real name and username I hope that's good enough...

Probably due to the slash in your user name here. Post a link to your entry so I can check it out.

Thanks!

For those who DID make an effort to beat the deadline for the contest,I think a mini-prize would have been fair....and my current events page also vanished....I'm kinda losing steam for the wiki...

For those who DID make an effort to beat the deadline for the contest,I think a mini-prize would have been fair....

Agreed!

and my current events page also vanished....I'm kinda losing steam for the wiki...

Sorry man...but do you pick up an encyclopedia to learn about current events? ;)

Don't take it personally, buddy. Your other Camaro-related contribs are awesome and well appreciated! Keep them coming.

Just an update here, there's been some GOOD submissions so far. Nothing huge, just a quick fact or some info about the Camaro or something related to it. Here's a some good examples:

http://www.camarowiki.com/index.php/Hatchback
http://www.camarowiki.com/index.php/4L60E
http://www.camarowiki.com/index.php/25th_Anniversary

Nice and simple doesn't have to be something that takes an hour to type up (unless you want to) and might help someone find some into that they are looking for.

In case you didn't listen to our most recent Podcast (http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/showthread.php?t=611855), it was mentioned that people may be reluctant to create a new entry (and effectively, a entry into the contest) because they are concerned about providing incorrect information. This is not as big of a concern as one might think and here is why...

A wiki is intended to be continually edited, improved upon, and enhanced. It isn't really meant to be final. While we hope that people leave the most accurate information to the best of their knowledge, in the event of an error or discrepancy someone else can always fix it or add clarification. Since anyone can contribute to it with new entries, they can also help contribute by updating existing entries. That is the idea behind a wiki!

So feel free to add your contributions without fear of being called out on it. Use your best judgment and good luck on winning a contest prize!

Hit the random page link and get some inspiration. Just don't use any for inspiration that are not Camaro related.

Also look for red links. They are topics that were referenced, but no entry created for them yet.

I haven't found any red ones yet

I haven't found any red ones yet

That's because in the 15 days since I posted that, people have been noticing them and adding entries for them. Remember the red ones are keywords that probably should have an entry dedicated to them and are marked as such but do not yet.

Here's an example right here, under Second Generation (at least as of this writing, be quick...someone might jump on it)
http://www.camarowiki.com/index.php/GM_small_block_V8

You can also always see a keyword that should have an article written about it, turn it into a link and let someone else create an article for them.

OR...

You can pick out a good keyword in someone else's article, turn it into a link to an article and then create an article for it. Nearly every article has words in it that are waiting to be turned into keywords that lead to articles. Find one you know something about, make it into a link and create the article for it.

OR...

You can start an article fresh and let someone else link to it.

It is incredibly simple and flexible and wide open. The hardest part is not making it complicated. Once you can manage that, it is cake. Basically, ANYTHING can be utilized to provide information for someone else to read, edit, or add to.

well I tried to do one, I didn't understand how it worked. All of my info is probly wrong. But I get an A for effort :D

well I tried to do one, I didn't understand how it worked. All of my info is probly wrong. But I get an A for effort :D

And that's all you will get. ;)

Post the link, I will check it out and give some help if I can.

Okay, all...you have about 24 hours from the time of this post to get your entries in!

There's a lot of great contributions so far, and there are enough so that we will have no problems picking winners.

Site member JakeRobb made a very informative post in his blog that might help a few folks get their last minute entries in as well as contributing in the futre. You can read it here:
http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/blog.php?b=28

One point that he made that is going to make your final entries into the contest easy...

Finally, there is a list of links that don't go anywhere (http://www.camarowiki.com/index.php?title=Special:Wantedpages&limit=500&offset=0). This is another great way to get entered in the contest. Browse that list, find something on it that you know a bit about, and fill it in.

That pretty much says "here's some easy entries to the contest if you know anything about them". Please note that there are a lot of references to movies because there is a Camaro in them (mentioned in the Pop Culture entry). Those links about the movies should go to the proper entry in IMDB. There's also some general Wiki template links but among it all, there are some easy entries waiting to be taken advantage of. Some are surprising that they are not done yet...like "Pontiac" or "Opti-spark".

Here is your last chance and one final "good luck" to all, we will be declaring winners tomorrow and they will be in Monday's podcast!

Here is your last chance and one final "good luck" to all, we will be declaring winners tomorrow and they will be in Monday's podcast!

only 2 hours left.....

And this one is done!

All winners have been determined, we will be playing them in the Podcast that is released tomorrow in the Podcast forum. The Wiki entry will be updated later in the week.

Thanks to all who have contributed. Be sure to keep adding to the CamaroWiki when the thought strikes you! Help it grow! :thumb: