HI all,
Here are some editorial guidelines we've previously had around the
Magazine. We've added some new editors recently, and I don't think
these have been clearly communicated elsewhere.
It's not my place to say these are "forever rules." We can decide to
change them. But we need to agree on and respect a "voice" for the
Magazine, so we don't confuse or put off readers with severe tonal
shifts from article to article. Let's see whether we agree on these.
If so, they can be included on docs.fp.o.
1. Articles in the Magazine generally don't refer to the Magazine
staff or the Fedora Project ("we", "us," "our"). Neither
authors nor
the Magazine staff speak for all of the Fedora Project contributors.
The Magazine is also not an amplifier for a specific team.
RULE: Editors should rewrite sentences to eliminate "we," "us," and
"our," or work with the author to do so.
EXCEPTIONS: It's OK to use "we" if the specific usage is relating
something about the Magazine, however -- like soliciting contribution,
for example. In those cases we're speaking as a group.
(Are there other reasonable exceptions?)
2. Articles in the Magazine generally don't refer to their author
("I", "me," "my"). The Magazine doesn't publish op-ed
pieces[1] or
personal blogs; it publishes factual help and news articles. The
Magazine does not rely on personal statements from authors; it's the
editors' job to check accuracy, so readers can rely on articles.
RULE: Editors should rewrite sentences to eliminate "I," "me," and
"my," or work with the author to do so.
EXCEPTIONS: It's OK to use "I" if the article is a personal
announcement, such as from the FPL.
(Are there other reasonable exceptions?)
[1]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Op-ed
--
Paul