Fanlore:News/2022
October 4, 2022
Welcome back to the new and improved Fanlore!
And we're live! Welcome back to the new and improved Fanlore! We want to give a huge hand to Wyatt, who has been tirelessly working all day to make this update possible and fixing bugs on the fly!
There's lots of new things that we're excited to show you over the next few days, but for now, feel free to explore the site and reacquaint yourself.
You'll notice an "Edit" and an "Edit source" tab at the top of most pages - the "Edit" tab is for our new Visual Editor mode! More information on how to use that can be found on our updated Editing pages Help page. For those of you who prefer wiki markup, "Edit source" should be more familiar!
We're still working to bring all our documentation up to date, so thanks for bearing with us while we do. Our search is also still indexing, so results might be incomplete until this finishes. As always, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to send us a message or come chat to us on Discord!
September 24, 2022
Fanlore is getting an upgrade! 🎉🎊
Big news! On Monday 3rd October, Fanlore will be undergoing some maintenance to upgrade our version of MediaWiki (the software behind Fanlore). This is a significant upgrade that has been in the works for some time, and we're really excited that it's almost here!
What will this mean for Fanlore?
Beginning at 1pm UTC on Monday 3rd October (what time is that for me?), Fanlore will go into read-only mode. This will mean you can still browse the site, but you won't be able to log in or make any edits.
We're expecting this to last for about 10 hours while the upgrade completes and everything is tested, and we'll let everyone know once the new and improved Fanlore is ready to use!
What's changing about the wiki?
One of the big changes that this upgrade will bring to Fanlore is a Visual Editor mode - rather than formatting things with wiki markup, there will be lots of buttons and options that format things for you (though for the dedicated markup-lovers, don't worry - you can still use the Source Editor mode to edit using markup!)
We'll have more information on the new mode after the upgrade completes, including lots of updated documentation! Additionally, our MediaWiki software will be running on the latest version, which will mean fewer bugs, and new features and capabilities we can introduce with wiki extensions! (We may have a few bugs as the new version settles in, and you can always write to us and report any issues!)
If you have any questions, please do get in touch via our contact form or join our Discord server!
September 3, 2022
This month is Stub September, and you’re invited! From September 12th - 25th, you can expand short articles on Fanlore to earn party-themed badges in honor of the OTW’s fifteenth birthday. Learn more about how to participate in our Stub September guide!
If this is your first time editing Fanlore, you can also check out our New Visitor Portal and tutorial pages to learn how to get started. And if you’d like to mingle with the other guests before, during, and after the event, feel free to join our Discord server, where you can chat with other Fanlore folks and ask any questions you may have!
We hope you can attend, and happy editing!
August 13, 2022
Fanlore is recruiting for Graphic Designers and Social Media & Outreach volunteers!
Would you like to help Fanlore reach more fans and get new editors? Do you have graphic design skills, or an interest in social media, community management and outreach? Fanlore is recruiting for Graphic Designers and Social Media & Outreach volunteers!
Fanlore's Graphic Designers are responsible for creating graphics and banners for social media posts, editing challenges and other outreach projects, and thinking about ways to use visual content to reach more fans. Social Media & Outreach volunteers are responsible for managing Fanlore's social media outlets and planning their content, brainstorming ways to reach new editors and promote fandom history, and organising Fanlore's various editing challenges.
No extensive experience is required — only reliability, teamwork, good communication skills, and an interest in fandom and Fanlore in particular. If that sounds like you, check out the full position descriptions and apply at the links below, or contact us with any questions!
Applications for each role close on 17 August 2022, or when the cap of 40 applications is reached.
July 13, 2022
File uploading restored
We're pleased to announce the return of file uploading on Fanlore. A new user rights group, ExtendedConfirmed, has been created that will be awarded going forward to all users who have had a Fanlore account for several hours and carried out a few edits. This is designed to provide protection against spam and misuse of the file upload function.
All existing editors who qualify for this right will gain it as soon as they next make an edit on Fanlore, after which the "Upload file" function will reappear in the sidebar under Tools. If there are any queries about this, please contact the Fanlore committee.
We would like to thank all editors for their patience in waiting for file upload access to be restored - we greatly appreciate it ♥
June 5, 2022
It's almost time to set sail for Fanlore Bingo!
Ahoy, matey! It's nearly time to set sail on the high seas for Fanlore's annual Bingo Challenge!
From June 6th to June 19th, you’ll have two weeks to complete the tasks on your Bingo cards (there’s one for beginner editors and one for seasoned sea dogs, but you can complete both for a Total Blackout!). Get Bingo, Blackout or Total Blackout to earn our exciting pirate-themed badges (and find the treasure!)
To join this crew, all you need is a Fanlore account. Sign up to start your editing adventure and then head on over to the challenge Help page to learn how to take part!
May 12, 2022
File uploads on Fanlore
For the time being, file uploading on Fanlore has been restricted to a limited group of users, in connection with the ongoing situation involving the Organization for Transformative Works being targeted with malicious imagery.
We apologise for any inconvenience - this is a short-term measure and we hope to restore wider access to file uploads very soon. If you have any queries, please don't hesitate to contact Fanlore.
February 9, 2022
The IFD Fanlore Challenge is back on 14th February!
In honour of International Fanworks Day 2022, we are bringing back our annual editing challenge, the IFD Fanlore Challenge, for the fifth year in a row! Join us from Monday 14th February to Sunday 20th February, and earn cool badges for your User page by completing the editing task of the day!
Each day has two editing tasks to complete: a regular editing task designed to be accessible to editors of any experience level, and a bonus task for more advanced editors. You can complete either (or both!) to earn a badge.
Can you collect all seven? Check out the Challenge Help page to learn more and get involved!
January 13, 2022
Fanlore is recruiting for Policy & Admin volunteers!
Have you ever thought about getting involved with Fanlore behind the scenes? Would you like to help shape Fanlore's Help documentation, guidelines and policy? We're currently recruiting for members of our Policy & Admin team, who are responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the Fanlore wiki, working closely with Fanlore Gardeners to resolve conflicts and respond to questions and complaints.
Read about the role and requirements in more detail at the application page and submit your application, or contact us with any questions!
If you are interested in getting involved in Fanlore in a different capacity, keep an eye out for future recruitment rounds later this year.
Applications close on 19 January 2022, or when the cap of 40 applications is reached.