# Contribution Guidelines

## Community Wiki Contribution Guide

This guide will get you caught up on how the wiki is structure and how we handle information in it.

### Quick Start

This wiki is built on an open source software called [bookstack](https://www.bookstackapp.com/). The way the wiki is organized is [explained here](https://www.bookstackapp.com/docs/user/content-overview/).

- Log in to BookStack using your provided credentials
- Choose where your content belongs: 
    - Ready for the public website? Add it to the appropriate book in the Website Shelf
    - Still drafting or unsure? Use the matching book in the Information Hub Shelf
    - Not sure where it fits? Add it to the Resources (Sandbox) Book - it's our catchall!

#### Content Organization

- **Website Shelf** - Content here appears on the public website 
    - Resources Book: Community resources, guides, and services
    - Events Book (TBD): Upcoming and past events
    - Blog Book (TBD): Community updates and articles
- **Information Hub Shelf** - Draft and experimental content stays here 
    - Resources (Sandbox) Book: Draft resources and our catchall for uncertain content
    - Events (Sandbox) Book: Draft event announcements and planning
    - Blog (Sandbox) Book: Draft blog posts and updates

> 💡 **Pro Tip**: Each book in the Information Hub mirrors its counterpart in the Website Shelf. When in doubt, put your content in Resources (Sandbox) - we can always move it later!

### Content Guidelines

#### Writing Style

- Keep it simple - if a 12-year-old wouldn't understand it, rewrite it
- Be direct - get to the point quickly
- Use headers to break up long content
- Include dates when relevant

#### File and Media Guidelines

- Images can be uploaded directly to BookStack
- All other files (PDFs, documents, videos, etc.) must be hosted externally:
- Use Google Drive, OneDrive, or similar for documents
- Use YouTube or similar platforms for videos
- Always provide direct links to these files
- Test your links after adding them to ensure they're accessible
- Never upload downloadable files directly to the wiki

#### Event Page Naming Convention

When creating event pages, you MUST follow this format:

- Start the title with the date: `MM-DD-YY`
- Use hyphens between date components
- Add a space after the date, then your event name 
    - Example: `06-14-25 Pride Cookout`
    - Example: `12-31-24 New Year's Eve Party`
- Always use leading zeros for single-digit months and days

#### Best Practices

- **Using the Information Hub**: 
    - Start here if you're drafting or experimenting
    - Use the matching sandbox book for your content type
    - When in doubt, use Resources (Sandbox) - it's our catchall!
    - Check available templates in BookStack for consistent formatting
- **Using the Website Shelf:**
    - Your content is polished and ready for the public
    - You're updating your own service's information
    - The information is complete and well-formatted
- **Moving Content to Production:**
    - Use available templates in BookStack for consistent formatting
    - Move it from the sandbox to the matching book in the Website Shelf
    - For events, double-check the page naming convention!
- **Not Sure Where Something Goes?**
    - Default to the Resources (Sandbox) Book
    - Don't worry about perfect organization
    - Add a clear title and your content
    - Other contributors can help organize it later

Remember: The goal is to capture valuable information for our community. Don't let uncertainty about organization stop you from contributing - that's exactly why we have the Information Hub!