Naming Conventions
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.
---
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 (Théo Bondolfi). 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.
---
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 Théo Bondolfi.
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 Théo Bondolfi.
2.5 — Community & User Groups
- Namespace:
User_group:(exists) - Examples:
User_group:Home
2.6 — Portals
- Namespace:
Portal:(exists) - Examples:
Portal:AI_Assistance
---
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:
|
---
4. Page naming rules
- Use underscores for spaces:
En/Simplified_Arbitration(notEn/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
---
5. Open decisions
The following points are confirmed by Théo Bondolfi 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 | — |
| Q3 | Contracts: centralized or per User Group? | 🔴 TBD | — |
---