Editing Battlestar Wiki:FAQ/Proper BSG nouns
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[[Wikipedia:Frequently asked questions|Frequently asked questions]] for [[Wikipedia:proper nouns]]. | [[Wikipedia:Frequently asked questions|Frequently asked questions]] for [[Wikipedia:proper nouns]]. | ||
== "Centurian" vs. "Centurion": Which one is the proper spelling? == | == "Centurian" vs. "Centurion": Which one is the proper spelling? == | ||
The proper spelling for the Cylon soldier depicted in the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)| | The proper spelling for the Cylon soldier depicted in the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|original series]] is "Centurion". | ||
While this [[:Image:Cylon_centurion_model_0005.jpg|screencap]] references a document from the [[Miniseries]], this is incorrect -- actually, there are some items on this document that are not truly canon and have already been contradicted by other events in the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|2004 series]]. (For instance, the [[The Twelve Colonies | While this [[:Image:Cylon_centurion_model_0005.jpg|screencap]] references a document from the [[Miniseries]], this is incorrect -- actually, there are some items on this document that are not truly canon and have already been contradicted by other events in the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|2004 series]]. (For instance, the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Colonials]] in the current BSG do not use the term "[[yahren]]" for "[[Wikipedia:year|year]]".) | ||
We have an example of the proper spelling, taken from a screen capture (with subtitles enabled) of the episode "[[The Hand of God (TOS)]]". (See: [[:Image:Spelling.jpg|Spelling.jpg]]) | We have an example of the proper spelling, taken from a screen capture (with subtitles enabled) of the episode "[[The Hand of God (TOS)]]". (See: [[:Image:Spelling.jpg|Spelling.jpg]]) | ||
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== Basestar vs. basestar / Battlestar vs. battlestar / Raider vs. raider: Do I capitalize the first letter or not? == | == Basestar vs. basestar / Battlestar vs. battlestar / Raider vs. raider: Do I capitalize the first letter or not? == | ||
Battlestar Wiki's convention is to | Battlestar Wiki's convention is to capitalize the model names of fighters and other smaller ships, but we do ''not'' capitalize the warship names. So, capitalize: | ||
*[[Viper]] | *[[Viper]] | ||
*[[Raider]] | *[[Raider]] | ||
*[[Raptor]] | *[[Raptor]] | ||
But avoid the capitalization of | But avoid the capitalization of | ||
*[[battlestar]] | *[[battlestar]] | ||
*[[basestar]] | *[[basestar]] | ||
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====A caveat==== | ====A caveat==== | ||
While these names may technically fall under [[Wikipedia:proper nouns|proper nouns]], they are used in both series as a form of [[Wikipedia:mass noun|mass noun]]. | |||
For example, a [[Viper (RDM)|viper]] is just a form of aerospace fighter [[Wikipedia:plane|plane]]. The word plane ''could'' be capitalized, but in common usage it isn't. Same with "submarine" or "aircraft carrier". On Battlestar Wiki, we tend to capitalize the smaller items but stick with common style on the capital ships. | |||
That's why, on Battlestar Wiki, we call this a ''convention'' and not a law. For those of you with MLA style skills, you may find the wiki's convention confusing. If you choose not to use the convention, you are still correct. However, please be consist in your article with your capitalization. | That's why, on Battlestar Wiki, we call this a ''convention'' and not a law. For those of you with MLA style skills, you may find the wiki's convention confusing. If you choose not to use the convention, you are still correct. However, please be consist in your article with your capitalization. | ||
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Media outlets have been known to refer to the series as ''Galactica'' as well, which aid in the confusion. | Media outlets have been known to refer to the series as ''Galactica'' as well, which aid in the confusion. | ||
The best answer to this, to avoid confusion with the articles on | The best answer to this, to avoid confusion with the articles on <nowiki>[[</nowiki>[[Battlestar]]<nowiki>]]</nowiki> and <nowiki>[[</nowiki>[[Galactica]]<nowiki>]]</nowiki>, is to use ''neither'' term. | ||
Within Battlestar Wiki, a popular convention for defining the specific series is to use [[Re-imagined Series]] for the 2004 series, and [[Original Series]] for the 1978 series. Battlestar Wiki treats these terms as proper nouns for clarity. | Within Battlestar Wiki, a popular convention for defining the specific series is to use <nowiki>[[</nowiki>[[Re-imagined Series]]<nowiki>]]</nowiki> for the 2004 series, and <nowiki>[[</nowiki>[[Original Series]]<nowiki>]]</nowiki> for the 1978 series. Battlestar Wiki treats these terms as proper nouns for clarity. | ||
Both lead to their respective entry articles describing the particular series: [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)]] and [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)]]. | Both lead to their respective entry articles describing the particular series: <nowiki>[[</nowiki>[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)]]<nowiki>]]</nowiki> and <nowiki>[[</nowiki>[[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)]]<nowiki>]]</nowiki>. | ||
If you're writing an article in which the earlier text has made it clear to the reader what particular series is being discussed, you can use ''Battlestar'' or "BSG" as a non-linked shorthand. | If you're writing an article in which the earlier text has made it clear to the reader what particular series is being discussed, you can use ''Battlestar'' or "BSG" as a non-linked shorthand. | ||
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* [[Battlestar Wiki:Standards and Conventions]] | * [[Battlestar Wiki:Standards and Conventions]] | ||
* [[Battlestar Wiki:FAQ]] | * [[Battlestar Wiki:FAQ]] | ||
* [[Talk:Cylon Centurian Model 0005]] | |||