User talk:Jmactron

Welcome!

Hello, Jmactron, and welcome to Wikipedia! Thank you for your contributions. I hope you like the place and decide to stay. Here are some pages that you might find helpful: I hope you enjoy editing here and being a Wikipedian! Please sign your messages on discussion pages using four tildes ( ~ ); this will automatically insert your username and the date. If you need help, check out Questions, ask me on my talk page, or ask your question on this page and then place  before the question. Again, welcome! JohnCD (talk) 23:05, 18 November 2011 (UTC)
 * The five pillars of Wikipedia
 * Tutorial
 * How to edit a page and How to develop articles
 * How to create your first article (using the Article Wizard if you wish)
 * Manual of Style

Advice
See User:JohnCD/Not a noticeboard for some background.

Wikipedia is selective about article subjects: the criterion used is called Notability, and is not a matter of opinion but has to be demonstrated by showing "significant coverage in reliable sources that are independent of the subject." Significant means more than just listing-type mentions; reliable excludes Myspace, Facebook, blogs, places where anyone can post anything; independent excludes the subject's own website, affiliated ones and anything based on press releases. See WP:42 for how that is interpreted. The test is, have people independent of the subject thought it significant enough to write substantial comment about?

For bands, see WP:BAND for a guide to the requirements.

As you are connected with the band, you have from Wikipedia's point of view a WP:Conflict of interest. That doesn't stop you editing, but you need to be very careful not to seem promotional, and your edits will be viewed with suspicion - see also WP:BESTCOI.

You must not copy in material like Myspace or Facebook pages, because (a) that is a copyright violation unless you follow the procedure explained at WP:DCM, and (b) the sort of way people write there is totally unsuitable for an encyclopedia article, which should not have any WP:Puffery, just plain facts, neutrally stated and backed up by references to reliable sources.

If you want to go ahead,
 * Read WP:Your first article
 * Make a draft article in your user space by going to Help:Userspace draft
 * Be very careful not to be promotional - the quickest way to deletion. For every claim, imagine a hostile critic saying "Who says? Can you prove that?" The WP:Verifiability policy requires that "any material challenged or likely to be challenged must be attributed to a reliable, published source." Don't think of yourself as writing for the band: you are writing for Wikipedia, about the band. Include references to verify what you say and to confirm notability.
 * When you have finished, submit the article at WP:Articles for creation. Either it will be accepted, or you will be given feedback

Regads, JohnCD (talk) 23:05, 18 November 2011 (UTC)