User:Auggie/Statement of principles

This is a statement of principles from Encyc founder Emperor. It is modeled on Jimbo Wales' Statement of principles on Wikipedia.

In response to several queries on what I think of the Encyc MediaWiki, I would like to explain some principles.

As "Emperor" I wield absolute power here, and these principles represent no restriction of my power to do whatever I want at any time.

1. We need free content - Contributors who donate their time by offering quality writing are to be appreciated.
2. Administrators are here to provide a safe, pleasant working environment - They are not to use their powers to win content disputes.
3. "You can edit this page right now" is a core guiding check on everything that we do. We must respect this principle as sacred. - This line is lifted straight from Wikipedia. Encyc shamelessly steals this idea, and will live by it.
4. The Encyc MediaWiki uses MediaWiki software - and has essentially no control in how this software develops or changes. I will try to be responsive for requests for extensions.
5. The Encyc MediaWiki uses the GNU Free Documentation License - to be compatible with Wikipedia, because we believe in sharing free content.
6. Encyc has no official mailing list - because MediaWiki is sufficient for us to communicate. I will not suppress lists if users make them.
7. Complaints are looked at as valuable feedback - but nobody has to listen to them if they don't want to.
8. Encyc is meant to be readable - Ideally I'm thinking of something about as readable as USA Today, a general-interest newspaper that a high school student can read and enjoy. I dislike jargon, academic terms, and other language that gets in the way of effective communication.
9. The Management shall stay out of the way - Wikis work best as communities of equals.
10. Encyc should not hurt people - We shall not publish personal information or conduct extended campaigns to present living people in a bad light.