About Wikimapia

What is Wikimapia

WikiMapia is a privately owned, online map and satellite imaging resource that combines Google Maps with a wiki system, allowing users to add information, in the form of a note, to any location on Earth.

Wikimapia goal

Wikimapia is an editable interactive map. The goal of Wikimapia is to create and maintain a free, complete, multilingual, up-to-date map of the whole world. Wikimapia intends to contain detailed information about every place on Earth.

Philosophy (NPOV)

A neutral point of view (or "NPOV") is paramount to any description of a place in Wikimapia. Places that are not neutrally described, and does not provide a resource when information is challenged, may be edited or even deleted. The reasons for this are clear: no two people may agree on their feelings and emotions for a place, and therefore editing the places may become a repetitive cycle that strains the resources of Wikimapia as well as the patience and goodwill of the Wikimapia community.

A NPOV is not always possible in the physical world in which we live in, as there are many internal and external forces that affect our opinions and they way we perceive truth. Yet, in the world of cyberspace, and more namely, within the confines of Wikimapia, it is unfair and unproductive to provide a slanted or skewed view of places when describing them to others.

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What NPOV is not

Since Wikimapia's maps and the information contained therein, are not a forum for discussion, places added must be done so with extra care. This is especially true of places that are sensitive and controversial in nature. Therefore, brevity is sometimes preferable over verbose information because the temptation to pad out descriptions with opinions and promotions of personal interest is lessened. Typical verbiage to be avoided include:

• Feelings, opinions, experiences. Words which display a personal bias or agenda
• Politics
• Religion
• Publicity or advertising.

When in doubt, follow the old saying: If you do not have anything nice to say do not say anything at all. Non-NPOV descriptions shall either be removed or updated to reflect objectivity in compliance with Wikimapia's NPOV policy.

Advice for new users

1. Read this User's Guide. You do not need to memorize it, but you'll see how it helps to know what topics are covered here.
2. Add local, as many as you want, but they must be accurate, useful and organized. Remember that the number of places created is not really important, then more and more places should not be your goal. It is MUCH more important that you create local places (tags) with QUALITY: Places that will be of interest to others, that will help people learn about the world.
3. Read the Terms of Service, especially the part in bold letters. Some of the more relevant parts are section 1.B.b where you agree that you have the written consent of every identifiable person you mention (so do not add the homes of their friends and neighbors), and section 1.B.c where you agree to not submit falsehoods, obscene, copyrighted or advertising material, for example. The list is longer than that, so have a look at the original, please.
4. Familiarise yourself with the Guidelines.
5. Edit the created local that you own and those of others, if you know that they need fixing.
6. Create places, as many as you wish, but they should be correct, useful and non-cluttering. Remember that the number of places you create isn't really important, so creating many, many places should not be your goal.
7. Think twice before you edit or delete a particular location that someone else created.
8. Give short and succinct descriptions of places.
9. Do not advertise, Wikimapia is a geographical website and not a shopping guide.
10. Be patient, be good, and be co-operative with other Wikimapia users.
11. Avoid bad words. Do not defame anyone.
12. Visit the forum and get familiar with the topics discussed there, the problems and their solutions. Participate in the discussions. When in doubt, ask the more experienced users in the forum.

Remember: you are representing yourself, your family, your community and your country. Try to give a good impression on them all.

Etiquette

Wikimapia's contributors come from many different countries and cultures. We have many different views, perspectives, opinions, and backgrounds, sometimes varying widely. Treating others with respect is key to collaborating effectively in creating a free, complete, multilingual, up-to-date map of the whole world.

Principles of Wikimapia etiquette:

• Assume good faith.
• Be civil.
• Be polite.
• Work towards agreement.
• Argue facts, not personalities.
• Do not make misrepresentations.
• Do not ignore questions.
• If another disagrees with your edit, provide good reasons why you think that it is appropriate.
• Concede a point when you have no response to it, or admit when you disagree based on intuition or taste.
• (more to follow)