WikiDeal:Naming conventions

💡 In simple words: This page explains how to name things on WikiDeal wiki. It uses different language codes like En/ for English and Fr/ for French. Everyone writes in English first, then translates later.

🎯 In 20 seconds (scientific summary): We are heading towards a scalable multilingual wiki architecture that prioritizes English-first content stability during prototype phases, with batch translations triggered at mature version milestones rather than continuous per-page translation. This hypothesis proposes that namespace segregation between content pages (En/), operational pages (WikiDeal:), and market-specific domains (Market:, Contract:) mitigates localization debt while enabling progressive language expansion as communities mature.

WikiDeal: Naming Conventions

This page defines the URL and namespace conventions for all pages on this wiki. WikiDeal is designed to be at least as rich and complex as Wikipedia, with a strong community and full multilingual support.

Status: Work in progress, some decisions marked TBD are pending final confirmation.

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1. Languages

WikiDeal supports 5 official languages chosen for the founding phase. Each language has its own prefix:

Prefix	Language	Prototype status
En/	English	✅ Primary, exclusive during prototype
Fr/	French	🔜 Translated at first mature milestone
Es/	Spanish	🔜 Translated at first mature milestone
Pt/	Portuguese	🔜 Translated at first mature milestone
It/	Italian	🔜 Translated at first mature milestone

These 5 languages reflect the languages mastered by the WikiDeal founder. German is intentionally excluded from the initial scope. Additional languages will be added progressively as active communities form on the platform.

Language policy during the prototype phase

English is the absolute reference language. All pages are written and approved in English first. Translations always follow, never precede.

Phase 1, Prototype (current): English only. The En/ prefix is applied to all pages from the start, even when English is the sole language. This prepares the multilingual structure with zero future debt.

Phase 2, At each mature version milestone: When a set of pages reaches a stable, approved state, a batch translation is triggered across all 4 other languages simultaneously. Translations happen by version lot, not page by page.

Phase 3, Progressive opening: Additional language prefixes are added when active communities request them and are ready to maintain them.

Rationale: Prototype content is unstable by definition. Translating during active drafting wastes effort. Lock English first, then translate.

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2. Namespace Structure

WikiDeal uses a combination of MediaWiki namespaces and language prefixes.

2.1: Content pages (encyclopedic knowledge)

Pages that explain WikiDeal's concepts, mechanisms, and frameworks, written for users and the public.

• Pattern: En/Page_Name
• Examples: En/Simplified_Arbitration, En/Credits_Explained, En/Rings_of_Trust
• Translated: Fr/Arbitrage_Simplifié, Es/Arbitraje_Simplificado, etc.

Decision point (TBD): Are Core pages (Governance, Arbitration, Credits…) written primarily for end-users, or for editors/admins? This determines whether they belong in En/ or WikiDeal:. → Pending answer from the WikiDeal founder.

2.2: Wiki operational pages (internal rules)

Pages that govern how this wiki operates, for editors and administrators.

• Namespace: WikiDeal:
• Examples: WikiDeal:Naming_conventions, WikiDeal:Disclaimer_conventions, WikiDeal:Editing_policy
• Note: These pages are NOT translated: they are operational documents in English only.

2.3: Marketplace & use cases

Pages describing specific sectors, use cases, and market portals.

• Namespace: Market:
• Examples: Market:Babysitting, Market:Street_Fundraising, Market:Real_Estate

2.4: Contracts

Contract templates, the core transactional documents of the platform.

• Namespace: Contract: (to be created)
• Examples: Contract:Babysitting_Base, Contract:Pet_Sitting
• Decision point (TBD): Are contracts centralized (Contract:) or owned by User Groups (UserGroup:Babysitting/Contract_Base)? → Pending answer from the WikiDeal founder.

2.5: Community & User Groups

• Namespace: User_group: (exists)
• Examples: User_group:Home

2.6: Portals

• Namespace: Portal: (exists)
• Examples: Portal:AI_Assistance

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3. The Test: Which namespace?

When creating a new page, ask:

Question	Answer → Namespace
Is it explaining a WikiDeal concept to a user or the public?	→ En/
Is it an operational rule for wiki editors/admins?	→ WikiDeal:
Is it a sector or marketplace use case?	→ Market:
Is it a contract template?	→ Contract:
Is it a community or user group space?	→ User_group:

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4. Page naming rules

• Use underscores for spaces: En/Simplified_Arbitration (not En/Simplified Arbitration)
• Use title case for page names: En/Rings_of_Trust
• No abbreviations unless officially defined in the Glossary
• Sub-pages use /: En/Babysitting/Compensation_Rules

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5. Open decisions

The following points are confirmed by the WikiDeal founder and documented here as they are resolved:

#	Question	Status	Decision
Q1	Official languages	✅ Decided	En (prototype), + Fr, Es, Pt, It at each mature milestone. No German.
Q2	Core pages: for users or admins?	🔴 TBD	(pending)
Q3	Contracts: centralized or per User Group?	🔴 TBD	(pending)

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