Changes

This '''[[Centiare:Manual of Style|Manual of Style]]''', like all [[style guide]]s, attempts to encourage consistency and ease of reading. The guidelines here are just that: guidelines are not inflexible rules; one way is often as good as another, but if everyone does it the same way, [[Directory:Centiare|Centiare]] will be easier to read, write and edit.  

This '''[[Help:Manual of Style|Manual of Style]]''', like all [[style guide]]s, attempts to encourage consistency and ease of reading. The guidelines here are just that: guidelines are not inflexible rules; one way is often as good as another, but if everyone does it the same way, [[Directory:MyWikiBiz|MyWikiBiz]] will be easier to read, write and edit.  

New contributors are reminded that clear, informative and unbiased writing is always more important than presentation and formatting. (See [[Centiare:Editing policy]].)

New contributors are reminded that clear, informative and unbiased writing is always more important than presentation and formatting. (See [[Help:Editing policy]].)

==Dates==

==Dates==

**<nowiki>[[17 February]] [[1958]]</nowiki> → [[17 February]] [[1958]]

**<nowiki>[[17 February]] [[1958]]</nowiki> → [[17 February]] [[1958]]

To create a date that is linked but not converted, use a [[Centiare:Piped link|piped link]] with alternate text, for example "<nowiki>[[17 February|17 February]]</nowiki>". This should only be done with good reason, such as in a [[#Direct quotations|direct quotation]]. In this case, it may be preferable not to link the date at all, as the link does not then help with readers' date preferences.

To create a date that is linked but not converted, use a [[Help:Piped link|piped link]] with alternate text, for example "<nowiki>[[17 February|17 February]]</nowiki>". This should only be done with good reason, such as in a [[#Direct quotations|direct quotation]]. In this case, it may be preferable not to link the date at all, as the link does not then help with readers' date preferences.

In article titles, dates will not be converted.

In article titles, dates will not be converted.

* Using the date formatting feature in section headers complicates [[m:Help:Section#Section_linking|section linking]], see [[m:Help:Preferences#Date_format|date formatting]].

* Using the date formatting feature in section headers complicates [[m:Help:Section#Section_linking|section linking]], see [[m:Help:Preferences#Date_format|date formatting]].

* On disambiguation pages, [[Centiare:Manual of Style (disambiguation pages)#Individual entries|only the disambiguated articles should be linked]], not explanatory text.

* On disambiguation pages, [[Help:Manual of Style (disambiguation pages)#Individual entries|only the disambiguated articles should be linked]], not explanatory text.

* Within a quotation, the date should appear to all readers as it did in the source of the quotation.

* Within a quotation, the date should appear to all readers as it did in the source of the quotation.

===Partial dates===

===Partial dates===

If the date does not contain both a month and a day, date preferences do not apply: linking or not linking the date will make no difference to the text that the reader sees. So when considering whether such a date should be linked or not, editors should take into account the usual considerations about links, including the recommendations of [[Centiare:Only make links that are relevant to the context]].

If the date does not contain both a month and a day, date preferences do not apply: linking or not linking the date will make no difference to the text that the reader sees. So when considering whether such a date should be linked or not, editors should take into account the usual considerations about links, including the recommendations of [[Help:Only make links that are relevant to the context]].

There is consensus among editors that bare month and day names should not be linked unless there is a specific reason that the link will help the reader to understand the article. There is less agreement about links to years. Some editors believe that links to years are generally useful to establish context for the article. Others believe that links to years are rarely useful to the reader and reduce the readability of the text. Another possibility is to link to a more specific article about that year, for example <nowiki>[[2006 in sports|2006]]</nowiki>, although some people find this unintuitive because the link leads to an unexpected destination.  

There is consensus among editors that bare month and day names should not be linked unless there is a specific reason that the link will help the reader to understand the article. There is less agreement about links to years. Some editors believe that links to years are generally useful to establish context for the article. Others believe that links to years are rarely useful to the reader and reduce the readability of the text. Another possibility is to link to a more specific article about that year, for example <nowiki>[[2006 in sports|2006]]</nowiki>, although some people find this unintuitive because the link leads to an unexpected destination.  

===Yearless dates===

===Yearless dates===

Articles addressing recent events often omit the year, under the impression that "[[June 2]]" clearly refers to the recent past. However, as time goes on, the context will be lost; therefore the first use of a date should include the year. Once the year is clearly established, yearless dates can be used judiciously in nearby prose. See also [[Centiare:As of]] and [[:Category:Current events]].

Articles addressing recent events often omit the year, under the impression that "[[June 2]]" clearly refers to the recent past. However, as time goes on, the context will be lost; therefore the first use of a date should include the year. Once the year is clearly established, yearless dates can be used judiciously in nearby prose. See also [[Help:As of]] and [[:Category:Current events]].

===Date formats related to topics===

===Date formats related to topics===

If the topic itself concerns a specific country, editors may choose to use the [[date format]] used in that country. This is useful even if the dates are linked, because new users and users without a Centiare account do not have any date preferences set, and so they see whatever format was typed. See [[Centiare:Manual of Style#National varieties of English]] for more guidance.

If the topic itself concerns a specific country, editors may choose to use the [[date format]] used in that country. This is useful even if the dates are linked, because new users and users without a MyWikiBiz account do not have any date preferences set, and so they see whatever format was typed. See [[Help:Manual of Style#National varieties of English]] for more guidance.

===ISO date formats===  

===ISO date formats===  

===Direct quotations===

===Direct quotations===

An important exception to these guidelines is that direct quotations—the word-for-word reproduction of a written or oral text—should ''not'' be altered to conform to the Centiare "Manual of Style". In other words, a paragraph such as this (fictional) quotation from a newspaper report is fine as is:

An important exception to these guidelines is that direct quotations—the word-for-word reproduction of a written or oral text—should ''not'' be altered to conform to the MyWikiBiz "Manual of Style". In other words, a paragraph such as this (fictional) quotation from a newspaper report is fine as is:

: "Tony Blair, responding to critics in his party, said 'The world has totally changed since the 11th of September.' He was echoing earlier sentiments by Lord Ronald McDonald, who said that 'nine-eleven' was the day that the American public woke up to the reality of terrorism."

: "Tony Blair, responding to critics in his party, said 'The world has totally changed since the 11th of September.' He was echoing earlier sentiments by Lord Ronald McDonald, who said that 'nine-eleven' was the day that the American public woke up to the reality of terrorism."

Note the preferred use of "c." rather than "circa", "ca." or a question mark.

Note the preferred use of "c." rather than "circa", "ca." or a question mark.

Ranges of dates are given with a spaced or unspaced hyphen or en dash (&amp;ndash;). See [[Centiare:Manual of Style (dashes)]].

Ranges of dates are given with a spaced or unspaced hyphen or en dash (&amp;ndash;). See [[Help:Manual of Style (dashes)]].

===Seasons===

===Seasons===

*In articles about prehistory, if you use BP ([[before present]]) or MYA ([[million years ago]]), expand these abbreviations when you first use them, as most readers will be unfamiliar with them.

*In articles about prehistory, if you use BP ([[before present]]) or MYA ([[million years ago]]), expand these abbreviations when you first use them, as most readers will be unfamiliar with them.

*When either of two styles are acceptable it is inappropriate for a Centiare editor to change from one style to another unless there is some substantial reason for the change. For example, with respect to English spelling as opposed to American spelling it would be acceptable to change from American spelling to English spelling if the article concerned an English subject. Revert warring over optional styles is unacceptable; if the article is [[colour]] rather than [[color]], it would be wrong to switch simply to change styles as both are acceptable.  

*When either of two styles are acceptable it is inappropriate for a MyWikiBiz editor to change from one style to another unless there is some substantial reason for the change. For example, with respect to English spelling as opposed to American spelling it would be acceptable to change from American spelling to English spelling if the article concerned an English subject. Revert warring over optional styles is unacceptable; if the article is [[colour]] rather than [[color]], it would be wrong to switch simply to change styles as both are acceptable.  

===Different calendars===

===Different calendars===

Sometimes numbers and dates are expressed in ranges, such as "14–17" for the numbers 14 to 17. It is often preferable to write this out—for example, "from 14 to 17" or "fourteen through seventeen"—to avoid confusion with "fourteen minus seventeen", which is expressed with spaces, as "14 <code>&amp;minus;</code> 17".

Sometimes numbers and dates are expressed in ranges, such as "14–17" for the numbers 14 to 17. It is often preferable to write this out—for example, "from 14 to 17" or "fourteen through seventeen"—to avoid confusion with "fourteen minus seventeen", which is expressed with spaces, as "14 <code>&amp;minus;</code> 17".

Traditionally, ranges of numbers and dates are given with an en dash (type <code>&amp;ndash;</code> or click the – button below the edit window).  Therefore, many Centiare users support using this style exclusively.  However, some sources now use spaced or unspaced hyphens, at least online, and some Centiare users believe that these hyphens should not be changed to en dashes.

Traditionally, ranges of numbers and dates are given with an en dash (type <code>&amp;ndash;</code> or click the – button below the edit window).  Therefore, many MyWikiBiz users support using this style exclusively.  However, some sources now use spaced or unspaced hyphens, at least online, and some MyWikiBiz users believe that these hyphens should not be changed to en dashes.

See [[Centiare:Manual of Style (dashes)]] for more information.

See [[Help:Manual of Style (dashes)]] for more information.

===Non-base-ten notations===

===Non-base-ten notations===

==Units of measurement==

==Units of measurement==

Centiare articles are intended for people anywhere in the world. Try to make articles simple to read and translate.

MyWikiBiz articles are intended for people anywhere in the world. Try to make articles simple to read and translate.

* Conversions should generally be included and not be removed.

* Conversions should generally be included and not be removed.

* The [[Centiare:Manual of Style#Scientific style|Scientific style]] section of the [[Centiare:Manual of Style|Manual of Style]] states "For units of measure, use SI units as the main units in science articles, unless there are compelling historical or pragmatic reasons not to do so."

* The [[Help:Manual of Style#Scientific style|Scientific style]] section of the [[Help:Manual of Style|Manual of Style]] states "For units of measure, use SI units as the main units in science articles, unless there are compelling historical or pragmatic reasons not to do so."

* If editors cannot agree about the sequence of units, put the source value first and the converted value second.

* If editors cannot agree about the sequence of units, put the source value first and the converted value second.

* If for some reason the choice of units is arbitrary, choose [[SI units]] as the main unit, with other units in parentheses. For subjects dealing with the United States, it might be more appropriate to use U.S. measurements first, i.e. mile, foot, U.S. gallon.

* If for some reason the choice of units is arbitrary, choose [[SI units]] as the main unit, with other units in parentheses. For subjects dealing with the United States, it might be more appropriate to use U.S. measurements first, i.e. mile, foot, U.S. gallon.

===Attributes===

===Attributes===

The final field, following the E/W, is available for specification of attributes, such as ''type'', ''region'' and ''scale''. For more information, see [[Centiare:Coordinates|geographical coordinates]].

The final field, following the E/W, is available for specification of attributes, such as ''type'', ''region'' and ''scale''. For more information, see [[Help:Coordinates|geographical coordinates]].

===Note===

===Note===

==Currency==

==Currency==

:''Competing/overlapping proposals: [[Centiare:Manual of Style (dates and numbers)#Currency]].''

:''Competing/overlapping proposals: [[Help:Manual of Style (dates and numbers)#Currency]].''

In country-specific articles such as [[Economy of Australia]] use only the symbol specific to the country, in this case $, with an italicized note placed at the top of the article to make this clear.

In country-specific articles such as [[Economy of Australia]] use only the symbol specific to the country, in this case $, with an italicized note placed at the top of the article to make this clear.

==See also==

==See also==

* For ''page naming'' specifics, see [[Centiare:Naming conventions (numbers and dates)]].

* For ''page naming'' specifics, see [[Help:Naming conventions (numbers and dates)]].

[[Category:Centiare style guidelines|Manual of Style (dates and numbers)]]

[[Category:MyWikiBiz style guidelines|Manual of Style (dates and numbers)]]

[[Category:Centiare naming conventions|Dates and numbers]]

[[Category:MyWikiBiz naming conventions|Dates and numbers]]