Consumer Action Taskforce:Documentation/Quick start

Quick Start Guide for CAT Wiki Contributors

Welcome to the Consumer Action Taskforce (CAT) Wiki! This guide will help you start contributing effectively. The CAT Wiki documents consumer protection issues, anti-consumer practices, and related incidents.

Before You Begin

Essential Reading

1. Style Guide - Our writing standards

2. Core Patterns - Main classification system

3. About CAT - Mission and purpose

Account Setup

• Create an account
• Familiarize yourself with basic wiki editing
• Review your user preferences

Types of Contributions

1. Incident Documentation

Document specific events or practices that impact consumers.

Example Structure:

• Introduction
• Timeline of events
• Impact on consumers
• Company response
• Regulatory action (if any)
• Current status
• References

Template: Template:Incident

2. Company Documentation

Document company practices and history relevant to consumer protection.

Example Structure:

• Company overview
• Notable incidents
• Documented patterns
• Consumer impact
• References

Template: Template:Company

3. Theme Articles

Document broader consumer protection issues and patterns.

Example Structure:

• Issue overview
• Common practices
• Notable examples
• Consumer impact
• Related incidents
• References

Template: Template:Theme

Basic Formatting

Essential Wiki Markup

== Section Header ==
=== Subsection ===
* Bullet point
# Numbered list
''Italics''
'''Bold'''
[[Internal Link]]
[External Link]
<ref>Reference</ref>

Citations

Always cite your sources using reference tags:

<ref>Author Name, "Article Title", Publication, Date. URL</ref>

Add references section at bottom:

== References ==
{{reflist}}

Step-by-Step: Creating Your First Article

1. Choose Your Topic

• Select an incident, company, or theme
• Check if it already exists
• Gather reliable sources

2. Create the Page

• Use appropriate template
• Follow naming conventions
• Add relevant categories

3. Add Content

• Write clear introduction
• Add main content sections
• Include all references
• Add relevant categories

4. Review and Submit

• Check formatting
• Verify citations
• Ensure neutral tone
• Preview before saving

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Unsourced claims
• Inflammatory language
• Technical jargon without explanation
• Missing citations
• Promotional content
• Personal opinions

Getting Help

• Visit the Help Center
• Check Documentation
• Ask on CAT Community Discord Portal

Next Steps

After mastering the basics:

• Review Best Practices
• Learn about Templates
• Explore Quality Control

See Also

• Main Documentation
• Style Guide
• Templates