ComStar Historical Archives

Anyone can contribute to the ComStar Historical Archives!

Contributing is very simple and can be quite fun. Read the below Procedures and Rules to learn how you too can contribute to the storehouse of BattleTech knowledge on this site.

1. Before you decide to write for the ComStar Historical Archives, it is probably a good idea to download the Writer's Kit and review the information contained within. There aren't many rules for writing an entry, but the ones we do have can be kind of complex, especially if you are not familiar with XML.
2. Find an entry you want to write. You can do so by perusing the indices or by doing a search on the site. You'll know if you can claim an entry because you will see a "Claim" link in the top right corner of the entry on screen. If you don't see that link, you can't write that entry.
3. Click on the "Claim" link to be taken to a form where you will be told when your completed entry will be due. If you are not logged in at this time, you will be prompted to do so. If you are not yet a registered user of the ComStar Historical Archives, you will need to register before you can write entries.
4. Look over the information you are given before claiming an entry. The Claim Date is the date you claimed the entry (i.e. the current day). The Due Date is obviously the date when your completed entry is due. This is 14 days after the day you claim the entry. After 10 days, you will be emailed a reminder that your deadline is approaching; that is the Remind Date. There is also a link to a template XML file you can download and use to create your entry.
5. Click on the "Claim Entry" button. Your claim will be confirmed and you will be returned to the entry page.
6. Now... write! You have 14 days to complete your entry, which should be plenty of time. Make sure you follow the XML guidelines as found in the Writer's Kit. It's also a very good idea to check the spelling and grammar of your entry before submitting it. Excessive mistakes will lead to your entry being rejected by the editors and we don't want that.
7. Once you are done, return to the entry's page on the site and click the "Submit" link. You will be taken to a form where you can upload the XML file you created for your entry.
8. Now it's in the hands of the Editorial staff at the ComStar Historical Archives. They will take your entry, check the spelling and grammar, validate the XML to ensure that it is properly formatted, and add it to the database. This process can take up to two weeks, but usually can be done in just a few days. Again, it helps if you have already proofed your entry because that reduces our workload and results in your entry going live much sooner.
9. That's it! If you indicated when you registered that you wish to be notified by email when your entries go live on the site, you will be sent a message when that happens. Otherwise, check the site in a few days to see your completed entry.

1. All entries must conform to the XML file format as described in the Writer Kit. The editors reserve the right to refuse any entries not conforming to the proper format.
2. The editors reserve the right to refuse any entries containing too many spelling, grammar, or information mistakes.
3. You have 14 days to write your entry. If you do not submit a completed entry by then, the entry will be returned to the pool of unclaimed and available entries. This prevents anyone from checking out an entry and then sitting on it indefinitely.
4. Each contributor can have a maximum of 10 entries checked out at any given time. This is to limit the number of stalled or incomplete entries from any one person.
5. All contributors need to have a unique three or four-character identifier. This will be used in the entry pages to identify the author and can be cross-referenced with the contributor's name on the Credits page. You select your initials when you register with the site.
6. All decisions of the editors are final. Questions, comments, and/or complaints should be submitted using the Feedback form.