Help:Permissions

Setting Default Permissions for a Guide

Overstock.com Guides is built upon wiki software to facilitate collaboration, but unlike Wikipedia and other wikis, permission to edit individual guides can (optionally) be limited to specific teams. Each team is lead by an Editor who can choose who may or may not help. Any registered user may create a new guide and be its Editor. Each Editor is encouraged to build a team of Writers who share the same passion, though it's not required.

During the process of Creating A Guide, you are automatically designated as the Editor and will asked to set the default permissions:

• Public permissions means anyone and everyone can edit your guide without your consent, provided they are logged in to their account.
• Private permissions means only you, the Editor, and anyone you invite or designate as a Writer, can modifiy or add to your guide.

You can always update your guide’s permissions later, using the Manage My Guides link.

Granting Permission to Other Members

One of the great aspects of Overstock.com Guides is the likelihood of attracting others around the nation who share your interests, no matter how obscure the subject may be. When contact has been made, you may wish to grant these kindred spirits access to add their shared knowledge of the subject to your guide.

If you are the Editor of a guide that has been set to Private and you wish to grant another user access as a Writer:

1. Click on the Manage My Guides link on the left navigation sidebar.
2. You will be shown a list of all guides for which you are the Editor. In parenthesis next to the guide title, click the blue Permissions link.
3. In the Add User field, enter the username of the person you wish to grant access to. Ensure that you have spelled their username correctly.
4. Click Add User button.
5. Leave a message on their Talk Page to notify them of the good news.

Note that you can also use the method above to block a user from editing your guide, should you ever need to.

Gaining Permission from a Guide's Editor

If you come across a guide whose subject matter interests you and would like to offer assistance in expanding the content, you may ask the Editor permission to do so.

1. While viewing the guide, click on the Discussion Page link in the left hand navigation.
2. While viewing the Discussion Page, click the Add Comment link in the left hand navigation.
3. Enter a subject for your comment, if desired.
4. Enter your message, making it clear to the Editor why you would like to contribute to their guide.
5. If the Editor agrees to designate you as a Writer, they will update the permissions of their guide and notify you on your Talk Page.

Note that if a guide's permissions have been set to Public, you already have access to add to its content and need not ask the Editor's permission beforehand. Simply click the Edit This Guide link in the left navigation and begin writing. See Help:Creating And Editing A Guide for more assistance.

Inviting Friends to Help You

During the process of creating a guide, you will have the option of inviting friends to assist you in writing it. Please see Help:Friends for more information.

Help Wanted

Using the Help Wanted banner is a great way to meet like-minded individuals who share your interests and invite them to collaborate on related guides.

1. While viewing your guide, click the Edit This Guide link in the left navigation sidebar.
2. Scroll down to the Help Wanted: heading and select the box next to the text, "Add a Help Wanted banner to this Guide".
3. Click Save Page.

The Help Wanted banner displays in bright green at the top of your guide, including two links for those interested to easily contact you via your Talk Page or email address. Note, your email address is not posted publicly on Overstock.com Guides and is only visible to others if you initiate email contact or respond to it.

You may remove the Help Wanted banner at any time by removing the check from the box during edit mode.

Categories: Help