HRWiki Why create an account - Revision history

imported>HRWikiMirrorBot: Reimported from hrwiki.org Wayback HTML→wikitext (full reconvert)

2026-07-14T14:24:44Z

Reimported from hrwiki.org Wayback HTML→wikitext (full reconvert)

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:24, 14 July 2026
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	<!-- Mirrored from Homestar Runner Wiki (hrwiki.org) via Wayback Machine~~; HTML converted to wikitext. Formatting may be imperfect.~~ -->		<!-- Mirrored from Homestar Runner Wiki (hrwiki.org) via Wayback Machine -->
	~~<div id="shortcut" style="border~~: ~~1px dashed blue; background: #FFF; margin: 0em 1em 0em 1em; text-align: center; padding:5px; float: right; clear: both;">~~		Shortcuts:

	~~Shortcuts:<br />~~		HRW:WHY
	~~[[HRWiki:WHY\|~~HRW:WHY~~]]<br />~~
	~~[[HRWiki:CREATE\|~~HRW:CREATE]]		HRW:CREATE

	~~</div>~~
	You do not have to [/wiki/Special:UserLogin log in] to read the Homestar Runner Wiki. You don't even have to log in to edit articles — ''anyone'' can edit [[HRWiki:Protected page\|almost]] any article, even without logging in. Nevertheless, creating an account is quick, free and non-intrusive, and it's generally considered a good idea to do so, for a variety of reasons.		You do not have to [/wiki/Special:UserLogin log in] to read the Homestar Runner Wiki. You don't even have to log in to edit articles — ''anyone'' can edit [[HRWiki:Protected page\|almost]] any article, even without logging in. Nevertheless, creating an account is quick, free and non-intrusive, and it's generally considered a good idea to do so, for a variety of reasons.

	''Note: to create a user account for the Homestar Runner Wiki, send an email to [mailto:admin@hrwiki.org admin@hrwiki.org] with your preferred username.''		''Note: to create a user account for the Homestar Runner Wiki, send an email to [mailto:admin@hrwiki.org admin@hrwiki.org] with your preferred username.''

	~~{\| id~~=~~"toc" class~~=~~"wikitable toc" summary="Contents"~~		== User name ==
	\|-
	~~\| <div id="toctitle">~~

	~~<span id="contents"></span>~~
	~~== Contents ==~~

	~~</div>~~
	* [#User_name 1 User name]
	* [#Reputation_and_privacy 2 Reputation and privacy]
	* [#Editing_options 3 Editing options]
	* [#Many_user_preferences 4 Many user preferences]
	* [#Voting.2C_polls.2C_elections.2C_surveys_and_reps 5 Voting, polls, elections, surveys and reps]

	\|}

	~~<span id="user-name"></span>~~
	~~== <span class="mw-headline">~~ User name ~~</span>~~ ==

	If you create an account, you can pick a username. Edits you make while logged in will be assigned to that name. This means you get full credit for your contributions in the page history (when not logged in, the edits are just assigned to your [[IP address]]). You can also view all your contributions by clicking the ~~"~~My contributions~~"~~ link, which is only visible when you are logged in.		If you create an account, you can pick a username. Edits you make while logged in will be assigned to that name. This means you get full credit for your contributions in the page history (when not logged in, the edits are just assigned to your [[IP address]]). You can also view all your contributions by clicking the "My contributions" link, which is only visible when you are logged in.

	You will have your own '''[[HRWiki:User space\|user page]]''' where you can write a bit about yourself. While the Homestar Runner Wiki is not a homepage provider, you can use this to display a picture, write about your hobbies, etc. Many users use their user page to maintain a list of the articles they are most proud of, or to collect other valuable information from the Wiki.		You will have your own '''[[HRWiki:User space\|user page]]''' where you can write a bit about yourself. While the Homestar Runner Wiki is not a homepage provider, you can use this to display a picture, write about your hobbies, etc. Many users use their user page to maintain a list of the articles they are most proud of, or to collect other valuable information from the Wiki.
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	You will also have a permanent '''[[HRWiki:Talk page etiquette\|user talk page]]''' you can use to communicate with other users. You will be notified whenever someone writes a message on your talk page. If you choose to give an e-mail address, other users will be able to contact you by e-mail. This feature is ''anonymous''; the user who emails you will not know your e-mail address.		You will also have a permanent '''[[HRWiki:Talk page etiquette\|user talk page]]''' you can use to communicate with other users. You will be notified whenever someone writes a message on your talk page. If you choose to give an e-mail address, other users will be able to contact you by e-mail. This feature is ''anonymous''; the user who emails you will not know your e-mail address.

	~~<span id~~=~~"reputation-and-privacy"></span>~~		== Reputation and privacy ==
	~~== <span class~~=~~"mw-headline">~~ Reputation and privacy ~~</span>~~ ==

	You don't need to reveal your [[Real life\|offline]] identity, but having an account gives you a fixed Homestar Runner Wiki identity that other users will recognize. While we welcome anonymous contributions, logging in lets you build trust and respect through a history of good edits. It's also easier to communicate and collaborate with an editor if we know who you are (at least, who you are on the Wiki). It is also easier for veteran users to [[Wikipedia:Assume good faith\|assume good faith]] from new users who take the effort to create an account.		You don't need to reveal your [[Real life\|offline]] identity, but having an account gives you a fixed Homestar Runner Wiki identity that other users will recognize. While we welcome anonymous contributions, logging in lets you build trust and respect through a history of good edits. It's also easier to communicate and collaborate with an editor if we know who you are (at least, who you are on the Wiki). It is also easier for veteran users to [[Wikipedia:Assume good faith\|assume good faith]] from new users who take the effort to create an account.
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	Opinions differ on the desirability of perfect anonymity. Some people believe that anonymity is synonymous with a lack of accountability, or may facilitate unproductive behaviour, or that contributing without a fixed identity is disempowering and unpleasant. Such people consider that creating an account and logging in may resolve such feelings.		Opinions differ on the desirability of perfect anonymity. Some people believe that anonymity is synonymous with a lack of accountability, or may facilitate unproductive behaviour, or that contributing without a fixed identity is disempowering and unpleasant. Such people consider that creating an account and logging in may resolve such feelings.

	~~<span id~~=~~"editing-options"></span>~~		== Editing options ==
	~~== <span class~~=~~"mw-headline">~~ Editing options ~~</span>~~ ==

	There are many features of the [[MediaWiki]] software (which powers the Homestar Runner Wiki) that are only available to registered users. For example, registered users can mark edits as ~~"~~minor~~"~~. Minor edits can be filtered from the list of ~~"~~Recent changes~~"~~. We do not give the privilege to mark edits as minor to anonymous users because we do not know who is behind a given IP address at any time, so we cannot build a basis of trust. (Marking edits as minor if they are not is considered very rude.)		There are many features of the [[MediaWiki]] software (which powers the Homestar Runner Wiki) that are only available to registered users. For example, registered users can mark edits as "minor". Minor edits can be filtered from the list of "Recent changes". We do not give the privilege to mark edits as minor to anonymous users because we do not know who is behind a given IP address at any time, so we cannot build a basis of trust. (Marking edits as minor if they are not is considered very rude.)

	One very important feature which active contributors will likely use a lot are '''[[Wikipedia:Watchlist\|watchlists]]'''. You will get a new '''Watch this page''' link on every page you view. If you click that link, a page will be added to your watchlist. This list is basically a filtered view of the ~~"~~Recent changes~~"~~ page which only shows changes recently made to items in your watchlist. This way you can keep track of pages you work on without having to follow all changes.		One very important feature which active contributors will likely use a lot are
			'''[[Wikipedia:Watchlist\|watchlists]]'''. You will get a new '''Watch this page''' link on every page you view. If you click that link, a page will be added to your watchlist. This list is basically a filtered view of the "Recent changes" page which only shows changes recently made to items in your watchlist. This way you can keep track of pages you work on without having to follow all changes.

	Only registered users are allowed to [[Wikipedia:How to rename a page\|rename pages]], a feature that is very important to maintain structure and consistency on the Wiki.		Only registered users are allowed to [[Wikipedia:How to rename a page\|rename pages]], a feature that is very important to maintain structure and consistency on the Wiki.
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	Finally, registered users may edit pages without passing a [[CAPTCHA]].		Finally, registered users may edit pages without passing a [[CAPTCHA]].

	~~<span id~~=~~"many-user-preferences"></span>~~		== Many user preferences ==
	~~== <span class~~=~~"mw-headline">~~ Many user preferences ~~</span>~~ ==

	Aside from these features, you can customize the way MediaWiki behaves in great detail. You can change the entire appearance of the website by picking, for example, the previous ~~"~~Standard~~"~~ skin over the new default ~~"~~MonoBook~~"~~ skin, you can choose how you want mathematical formulae to be displayed, whether links should be underlined, how large the editing box should be, how many pages should be displayed in ~~"~~Recent changes~~"~~ and much more.		Aside from these features, you can customize the way MediaWiki behaves in great detail. You can change the entire appearance of the website by picking, for example, the previous "Standard" skin over the new default "MonoBook" skin, you can choose how you want mathematical formulae to be displayed, whether links should be underlined, how large the editing box should be, how many pages should be displayed in "Recent changes" and much more.

	~~<span id~~=~~"voting-polls-elections-surveys-and-reps"></span>~~		== Voting, polls, elections, surveys and reps ==
	~~== <span class~~=~~"mw-headline">~~ Voting, polls, elections, surveys and reps ~~</span>~~ ==

	While in most Wiki polls, anyone can express their opinion, whether logged in or not, your opinion may be given more weight if it is attributed to a fixed identity with a record of sensible commentary and informed edits.		While in most Wiki polls, anyone can express their opinion, whether logged in or not, your opinion may be given more weight if it is attributed to a fixed identity with a record of sensible commentary and informed edits.
			[[Category:Help]]
	~~<div id="catlinks" class="catlinks">~~

	~~<div id="mw-normal-catlinks">~~

	~~[/wiki/Special:Categories Category]: <span dir="ltr">~~[[Category:~~Help\|~~Help]]~~</span>~~

	~~</div>~~

	~~</div>~~

imported>HRWikiMirrorBot: Imported from hrwiki.org via Wayback Machine (HTML→wikitext)

2026-07-14T01:53:31Z

Imported from hrwiki.org via Wayback Machine (HTML→wikitext)

New page

<div id="shortcut" style="border: 1px dashed blue; background: #FFF; margin: 0em 1em 0em 1em; text-align: center; padding:5px; float: right; clear: both;">

Shortcuts:<br />
[[HRWiki:WHY|HRW:WHY]]<br />
[[HRWiki:CREATE|HRW:CREATE]]

</div>
You do not have to [/wiki/Special:UserLogin log in] to read the Homestar Runner Wiki. You don't even have to log in to edit articles — ''anyone'' can edit [[HRWiki:Protected page|almost]] any article, even without logging in. Nevertheless, creating an account is quick, free and non-intrusive, and it's generally considered a good idea to do so, for a variety of reasons.

''Note: to create a user account for the Homestar Runner Wiki, send an email to [mailto:admin@hrwiki.org admin@hrwiki.org] with your preferred username.''

{| id="toc" class="wikitable toc" summary="Contents"
|-
| <div id="toctitle">

<span id="contents"></span>
== Contents ==

</div>
* [#User_name 1 User name]
* [#Reputation_and_privacy 2 Reputation and privacy]
* [#Editing_options 3 Editing options]
* [#Many_user_preferences 4 Many user preferences]
* [#Voting.2C_polls.2C_elections.2C_surveys_and_reps 5 Voting, polls, elections, surveys and reps]

|}

<span id="user-name"></span>
== <span class="mw-headline"> User name </span> ==

If you create an account, you can pick a username. Edits you make while logged in will be assigned to that name. This means you get full credit for your contributions in the page history (when not logged in, the edits are just assigned to your [[IP address]]). You can also view all your contributions by clicking the "My contributions" link, which is only visible when you are logged in.

You will have your own '''[[HRWiki:User space|user page]]''' where you can write a bit about yourself. While the Homestar Runner Wiki is not a homepage provider, you can use this to display a picture, write about your hobbies, etc. Many users use their user page to maintain a list of the articles they are most proud of, or to collect other valuable information from the Wiki.

You will also have a permanent '''[[HRWiki:Talk page etiquette|user talk page]]''' you can use to communicate with other users. You will be notified whenever someone writes a message on your talk page. If you choose to give an e-mail address, other users will be able to contact you by e-mail. This feature is ''anonymous''; the user who emails you will not know your e-mail address.

<span id="reputation-and-privacy"></span>
== <span class="mw-headline"> Reputation and privacy </span> ==

You don't need to reveal your [[Real life|offline]] identity, but having an account gives you a fixed Homestar Runner Wiki identity that other users will recognize. While we welcome anonymous contributions, logging in lets you build trust and respect through a history of good edits. It's also easier to communicate and collaborate with an editor if we know who you are (at least, who you are on the Wiki). It is also easier for veteran users to [[Wikipedia:Assume good faith|assume good faith]] from new users who take the effort to create an account.

Please understand that the Wiki gets vandalized, spammed and information gets uploaded by people who just want to advertise. Information needs to be verified and the Homestar Runner Wiki needs a way to distinguish reliable contributors and sources.

If you are not logged in, all your edits are publicly associated with your IP address at the time of that edit. If you log in, all your edits are publicly associated with your account name, and are internally associated with your IP address. See [[HRWiki:Privacy policy|our privacy policy]] for more information on this practice.

The privacy implications of this vary, depending on the nature of your [[Internet Service Provider]], local laws and regulations, and the nature and quantity of your edits to the Homestar Runner Wiki. Be aware that wiki technologies and policies may fluctuate.

Opinions differ on the desirability of perfect anonymity. Some people believe that anonymity is synonymous with a lack of accountability, or may facilitate unproductive behaviour, or that contributing without a fixed identity is disempowering and unpleasant. Such people consider that creating an account and logging in may resolve such feelings.

<span id="editing-options"></span>
== <span class="mw-headline"> Editing options </span> ==

There are many features of the [[MediaWiki]] software (which powers the Homestar Runner Wiki) that are only available to registered users. For example, registered users can mark edits as "minor". Minor edits can be filtered from the list of "Recent changes". We do not give the privilege to mark edits as minor to anonymous users because we do not know who is behind a given IP address at any time, so we cannot build a basis of trust. (Marking edits as minor if they are not is considered very rude.)

One very important feature which active contributors will likely use a lot are '''[[Wikipedia:Watchlist|watchlists]]'''. You will get a new '''Watch this page''' link on every page you view. If you click that link, a page will be added to your watchlist. This list is basically a filtered view of the "Recent changes" page which only shows changes recently made to items in your watchlist. This way you can keep track of pages you work on without having to follow all changes.

Only registered users are allowed to [[Wikipedia:How to rename a page|rename pages]], a feature that is very important to maintain structure and consistency on the Wiki.

Also, you must be logged in if you want to [/wiki/Special:Upload upload images].

Finally, registered users may edit pages without passing a [[CAPTCHA]].

<span id="many-user-preferences"></span>
== <span class="mw-headline"> Many user preferences </span> ==

Aside from these features, you can customize the way MediaWiki behaves in great detail. You can change the entire appearance of the website by picking, for example, the previous "Standard" skin over the new default "MonoBook" skin, you can choose how you want mathematical formulae to be displayed, whether links should be underlined, how large the editing box should be, how many pages should be displayed in "Recent changes" and much more.

<span id="voting-polls-elections-surveys-and-reps"></span>
== <span class="mw-headline"> Voting, polls, elections, surveys and reps </span> ==

While in most Wiki polls, anyone can express their opinion, whether logged in or not, your opinion may be given more weight if it is attributed to a fixed identity with a record of sensible commentary and informed edits.

<div id="catlinks" class="catlinks">

<div id="mw-normal-catlinks">

[/wiki/Special:Categories Category]: <span dir="ltr">[[Category:Help|Help]]</span>

</div>

</div>