Difference between revisions of "Editing Rules: Software"

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'''''Software''''' are programs that can play, create, modify, or convert videogame music files. This page explains the editing rules regarding Software pages.
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'''''Software''''' are programs that can play, create, modify, or convert video game music files. This page explains the editing rules regarding Software pages.
  
 
==Valid Software==
 
==Valid Software==
The ''Videogame Music Preservation Foundation'' is not a software pirating organization. Feel free to add software that is open source, freeware, or shareware, but if the software is still being sold, you '''may not''' upload it! You may still create a software page, but instead, link to the Amazon sales page or the official web site of the program. If a program is no longer being sold, and the copyright holder still exists, do not upload the software until 10 years have passed since the software's release date.
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The ''Video Game Music Preservation Foundation'' is not a software pirating organization. Feel free to add software that is open source, freeware, or shareware, but if the software is still being sold, you '''may not''' upload it! You may still create a software page, but instead, link to the Amazon sales page or the official web site of the program. If a program is no longer being sold, and 10 years have passed since the software was released, you may upload it.
  
Also remember that the ''Videogame Music Preservation Foundation'' is not meant to be a comprehensive list of every music-related program ever made. While all programs that were made specifically to play, edit, or convert '''videogame''' music formats should be included, you should only add other programs unrelated to general music if they meet some of these criteria:
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Also remember that the ''Video Game Music Preservation Foundation'' is not meant to be a comprehensive list of every music-related program ever made. While all programs that were made specifically to play, edit, or convert '''video game''' music formats should be included, you should only add other programs unrelated to general music if they meet some of these criteria:
  
 
* Extremely versatile that visitors will find helpful recording their own soundtracks ([[Audacity]]).
 
* Extremely versatile that visitors will find helpful recording their own soundtracks ([[Audacity]]).
 
* Has wide plug-in support for game formats ([[foobar2000]], [[Winamp]]).
 
* Has wide plug-in support for game formats ([[foobar2000]], [[Winamp]]).
* Was used by videogame musicians to make game music ([[Sequencer Plus Gold]], [[AdLib Visual Composer]]).
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* Was used by video game musicians to make game music ([[Sequencer Plus Gold]], [[AdLib Visual Composer]]).
 
* Plays a format better than existing players ([[Play CMF]]).
 
* Plays a format better than existing players ([[Play CMF]]).
 
* Supports a format that isn't yet covered on a particular platform ([[QuickTime Components]]).
 
* Supports a format that isn't yet covered on a particular platform ([[QuickTime Components]]).
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* Converts one format to another that doesn't yet exist, or performs better. ([[AUD to WAV]]).
 
* Converts one format to another that doesn't yet exist, or performs better. ([[AUD to WAV]]).
  
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==Uploaded Archive==
 +
When uploading software, you should strive to make the zip archive as accurate to the original program as possible. Try to eliminate any files that advertise other sites, and make sure the program is free from viruses and malware.
  
==Screenshots==
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The zip archive's file name should be the player's name plus its version. For example, [[Play CMF]] has two versions available for download, so the uploaded files are named:
Screenshots should be a common view that any user familiar with the program would recognize. Players come in numerous types including stand-alone players, plug-ins, and command line programs, so the screenshot should reflect the player's type; examples are seen below.
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* '''Play CMF v1.01.zip'''
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* '''Play CMF v1.05.zip'''
 +
 
 +
==Sections==
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Each software page should have as many of the following sections as are applicable.
 +
 
 +
===Template===
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Each software page should begin with the [[:Template:Infobox Software|software template]]. Fill in as much information as you can find about the software.
 +
 
 +
====Screenshots====
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Screenshots should include those that any user familiar with the program would recognize. Players come in numerous types including stand-alone players, plug-ins, and command line programs, so the screenshot should reflect the player's type; examples are seen below.
  
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
Image:Player - XMPlay.png|[[XMPlay]] is an example of a stand-alone program.
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Player - XMPlay.png|[[XMPlay]] is an example of a stand-alone program.
Image:Player - Game Emu Player.png|[[Game Emu Player]] is an example of a plug-in.
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Player - Game Emu Player.png|[[Game Emu Player]] is an example of a plug-in.
Image:Player - MIDI Play.png|[[MIDI Play]] is an example of a command line program.
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Player - MIDI Play.png|[[MIDI Play]] is an example of a command line program.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
You should add an image gallery for software that needs multiple screenshots, has box art, or needs screenshots from multiple platforms.
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You should add multiple images in an image gallery if:
 +
* The software was released in a box (add box scans and screen shots).
 +
* If the program has many features that require multiple screenshots to show.
 +
* The program was released for multiple platforms and look different on each.
  
 +
===General===
 +
The general section should be a brief description of what the software is, what it can be used for, and how to use it. Since the general section is the primary section, it does not need a header.
  
==Downloads==
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===Downloads===
The downloads section should contain a list of the latest version of the program for as many platforms for which the program was released. It's only necessary to add older versions if they have a particular function that was discontinued in a later released. Downloads are not necessary for large players that are being actively developed like [[Audacity]].
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The downloads section should contain a list of the latest version of the program for as many platforms for which the program was released. It's only necessary to add older versions if they have a particular function that was discontinued in a later release. Downloads are not necessary for large players that are being actively developed like [[Audacity]], just link to its site instead.
  
 
The version column should contain the program's official version. If the program doesn't have a version, use the date of the program's release. If a release date cannot be obtained, use "N/A".
 
The version column should contain the program's official version. If the program doesn't have a version, use the date of the program's release. If a release date cannot be obtained, use "N/A".
  
 
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====Software Download Template====
==Uploaded Archive==
 
When uploading software, you should strive to make the zip archive as accurate to the original program as possible. Try to eliminate any files that advertise for download sites, and make sure the program is free from viruses and malware.
 
 
 
The zip archive's file name should be the player's name plus its version. For example, [[Play CMF]] has two versions available for download, so the uploaded files are named:
 
* '''Play CMF v1.01'''
 
* '''Play CMF v1.05'''
 
 
 
 
 
==Software Download Template==
 
 
The Software Download Template makes it easy to create a download link for a software archive. Here is an example with [[Play CMF]]. You can see how the [[:Template:Software|Software Template]] works by viewing the source of this section.
 
The Software Download Template makes it easy to create a download link for a software archive. Here is an example with [[Play CMF]]. You can see how the [[:Template:Software|Software Template]] works by viewing the source of this section.
  
{{Table Header
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{| class="wikitable" |
| Color    = FFF0FF
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! Version
| Caption01 = Version
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! Download
| Caption02 = Download
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! Platform
| Caption03 = Platform
+
|-
}}
 
 
| 1.05
 
| 1.05
 
| {{Software|Play CMF v1.05.zip}}
 
| {{Software|Play CMF v1.05.zip}}
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|}
 
|}
  
 
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===Links===
==Links==
 
 
The links section should contain links to the software's official page, the program's author, and any sites that offer in-depth instructional information.
 
The links section should contain links to the software's official page, the program's author, and any sites that offer in-depth instructional information.
 
  
 
==Categories==
 
==Categories==
 
There are several software-related categories that should be added to the bottom of software pages. The default category [[:Category:Software|Software]] is automatically added to every software page that uses an [[:Template:Infobox Software|Infobox Software]] template. Additional categories should be added based on the platforms that program can run on and the type of program it is.
 
There are several software-related categories that should be added to the bottom of software pages. The default category [[:Category:Software|Software]] is automatically added to every software page that uses an [[:Template:Infobox Software|Infobox Software]] template. Additional categories should be added based on the platforms that program can run on and the type of program it is.
  
===Type Categories===
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==Type Categories==
 
Each program is automatically added into the [[:Category:Software|Software]] type category, but additional type categories should look like this:
 
Each program is automatically added into the [[:Category:Software|Software]] type category, but additional type categories should look like this:
  
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  <nowiki>[[Category: Converters]]</nowiki>
 
  <nowiki>[[Category: Converters]]</nowiki>
  
===Platform Categories===
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==Platform Categories==
 
Platform categories should look like this:
 
Platform categories should look like this:
  
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  <nowiki>[[Category: DOS Converters]]</nowiki>
 
  <nowiki>[[Category: DOS Converters]]</nowiki>
  
===Format Categories===
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==Format Categories==
 
Format categories include which formats this software can use and look like this:
 
Format categories include which formats this software can use and look like this:
  
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  <nowiki>[[Category: ROL Editors]]</nowiki>
 
  <nowiki>[[Category: ROL Editors]]</nowiki>
 
  <nowiki>[[Category: WAV Converters]]</nowiki>
 
  <nowiki>[[Category: WAV Converters]]</nowiki>
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==See Also==
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* [[Editing Rules]]
 +
 +
 +
[[Category: Guides]]

Latest revision as of 16:30, 22 January 2018

Software are programs that can play, create, modify, or convert video game music files. This page explains the editing rules regarding Software pages.

Valid Software

The Video Game Music Preservation Foundation is not a software pirating organization. Feel free to add software that is open source, freeware, or shareware, but if the software is still being sold, you may not upload it! You may still create a software page, but instead, link to the Amazon sales page or the official web site of the program. If a program is no longer being sold, and 10 years have passed since the software was released, you may upload it.

Also remember that the Video Game Music Preservation Foundation is not meant to be a comprehensive list of every music-related program ever made. While all programs that were made specifically to play, edit, or convert video game music formats should be included, you should only add other programs unrelated to general music if they meet some of these criteria:

Uploaded Archive

When uploading software, you should strive to make the zip archive as accurate to the original program as possible. Try to eliminate any files that advertise other sites, and make sure the program is free from viruses and malware.

The zip archive's file name should be the player's name plus its version. For example, Play CMF has two versions available for download, so the uploaded files are named:

  • Play CMF v1.01.zip
  • Play CMF v1.05.zip

Sections

Each software page should have as many of the following sections as are applicable.

Template

Each software page should begin with the software template. Fill in as much information as you can find about the software.

Screenshots

Screenshots should include those that any user familiar with the program would recognize. Players come in numerous types including stand-alone players, plug-ins, and command line programs, so the screenshot should reflect the player's type; examples are seen below.

You should add multiple images in an image gallery if:

  • The software was released in a box (add box scans and screen shots).
  • If the program has many features that require multiple screenshots to show.
  • The program was released for multiple platforms and look different on each.

General

The general section should be a brief description of what the software is, what it can be used for, and how to use it. Since the general section is the primary section, it does not need a header.

Downloads

The downloads section should contain a list of the latest version of the program for as many platforms for which the program was released. It's only necessary to add older versions if they have a particular function that was discontinued in a later release. Downloads are not necessary for large players that are being actively developed like Audacity, just link to its site instead.

The version column should contain the program's official version. If the program doesn't have a version, use the date of the program's release. If a release date cannot be obtained, use "N/A".

Software Download Template

The Software Download Template makes it easy to create a download link for a software archive. Here is an example with Play CMF. You can see how the Software Template works by viewing the source of this section.

Version Download Platform
1.05 Download - (info) DOS
1.01 Download - (info) DOS

Links

The links section should contain links to the software's official page, the program's author, and any sites that offer in-depth instructional information.

Categories

There are several software-related categories that should be added to the bottom of software pages. The default category Software is automatically added to every software page that uses an Infobox Software template. Additional categories should be added based on the platforms that program can run on and the type of program it is.

Type Categories

Each program is automatically added into the Software type category, but additional type categories should look like this:

[[Category: Players]]
[[Category: Editors]]
[[Category: Converters]]

Platform Categories

Platform categories should look like this:

[[Category: Windows Players]]
[[Category: Macintosh Players]]
[[Category: Amiga Editors]]
[[Category: DOS Converters]]

Format Categories

Format categories include which formats this software can use and look like this:

[[Category: MIDI Players]]
[[Category: ROL Editors]]
[[Category: WAV Converters]]

See Also