Important Tips for Wikitravel Contributors

Upon reading the Wiki page about tips and tricks for new Wikitravel contributors, I found many that stood out.

• The "help" section- this has a bunch of information regarding exactly how to post, using the software, specific guidelines, and also how to set a lively tone while you write. To have this available to bloggers is a great idea. If someone was completely new to the site (like me), this section would be a great first stepping stone towards publishing a great, professional-looking Wikitravel.
• The "talk" page- this is where contributors post and discuss about how to make an article the best it can be. I thought this really showed that everyone on Wikitravel really cares about these places and want readers to get the most accurate and helpful information. The fact that users can communicate to each other is a great addition.

The list of tips really helped me in starting with this project. Wikitravel's goals are very clear and outlined. I find this site extremely friendly and professional, but casual, too. I feel like instead of a huge big-name company trying to sell readers a place to see, it's made up of real people who want to share their hometowns or places they love, and also create a site that brings travelers together- it shows that Wikitravel is a site that's made by the travelers, for the travelers. Some other tips that I will keep in mind while posting include

• Setting a good tone- you want to be pretty informal, but not too informal- set a happy medium. Your writing shouldn't be bland, like reading out of an encyclopedia. I really liked how they highlighted that your Wikitravel post should "celebrate travel"... you should share the adventure and excitement of traveling through your writing. 
• Being fair vs. being nice- you should be honest about the quality of a restaurant's food, but you shouldn't say that it's crap and... will make you crap. (sorry.) If another Wikitraveller disagrees with something you say, the description should be edited until both agree that the description is fair. 

My favorite, most informative piece that I grabbed from these articles regarding posting to Wikitravel was this: 

"We don't have any agenda on Wikitravel. We are not advocating any religion, political philosophy, environmental practice, feminist theory, international language, home cooking device, tour company, or any other idea, business, or cause. We aren't trying to put any hotel out of business or punish any restaurant because they wouldn't honor our expired Diners' Club card. We are trying to put personal feelings about destinations behind us, while sharing our knowledge and impressions with other Wikitravellers."