Editing Battlestar Wiki:FAQ/Proper BSG nouns

[[Wikipedia:Frequently asked questions|Frequently asked questions]] for [[Wikipedia:proper nouns]].

== "Centurian" vs. "Centurion": Which one is the proper spelling? ==

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 (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]])

== Basestar vs. basestar / Battlestar vs. battlestar / Raider vs. raider: Do I capitalize the first letter or not? ==

Battlestar Wiki's convention is to tread the fighters as model names and thus capitalize them, even in somewhat ambiguous cases like "Raider". However, we do ''not'' capitalize the warship types, as they are equivalent of words like "destroyer" or "aircraft carrier" which are not capitalized. 

So, capitalize:
*[[Viper]]
*[[Raider]]
*[[Raptor]]

But avoid the capitalization of:
*[[battlestar]]
*[[basestar]]
*[[baseship]]

====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.

== How do I abbreviate ''Battlestar Galactica''? ==

''Battlestar Galactica'' has been abbreviated as "BG" or "BSG" by most fans.  

In this Wiki, the preferred acronym is "BSG", as "BG" has a wider meaning in terms of what it abbreviates. (i.e. "BG" is shorthand for "background; see: [[Wikipedia:BG]] for the acronym's disambiguation page)

To abbreviate this wiki's name itself, we recommend "BSG Wiki" or "BSWiki."

== How should I refer to the show? (''Battlestar'' vs. ''Galactica'')==

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 <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 <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: <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.

== See also ==
* [[Battlestar Wiki:Standards and Conventions]]
* [[Battlestar Wiki:FAQ]]
* [[Talk:Cylon Centurian Model 0005]]