Baka-Tsuki:External Contributor Rules

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This page describes the rules dictating the uploading of translations from an external resources, including other light novel translation groups.

Introduction

In recent years, Asian light novels have become increasingly popular in the West, and numerous independent bloggers and groups have begun posting English translations on the internet. These translations can sometimes be difficult to find, so Baka-Tsuki aspires to be a comprehensive index and hub to connect readers with all existing light novel translations on the internet.

Please respect our rules AND the rules of external translation groups when uploading translations.

Please Select Which Option Describes You Best:

I am the Owner or Official Representative of an External Translation Group

Who Qualifies?

All External Translation Groups (ETG) can qualify to enter affiliation relations with us. We have no minimum requirements for group size, language, skill, activity, etc. You must have translated at least one chapter to be listed at Baka-Tsuki.

Independent translators (i.e.: bloggers or tumblr translators) can qualify under the definition of an ETG. As long as your translation was originally released on the internet outside of Baka-Tsuki, you can opt to be considered an ETG. Note that there are both advantages and disadvantages to being recognized as an ETG as opposed to a regular Baka-Tsuki translator.

Two Main Affiliation Types

• Hosted Project: Upload the raw text of your translations to the Wiki
• Linked Project: Place external hyperlinks to your translations on the Wiki

Please note that there are benefits and drawbacks to each option.

Baka-Tsuki's Terms and Regulations

General Rules

• All External Translation Groups (ETGs) are expected to abide by our general rules and TLG Common Agreement.

• This means that English-licensed translations may not be uploaded.

• All ETGs may choose to have some of their projects be hosted projects, and others be linked projects (or some mixture thereof).

Hosted Projects

• ETGs have full authority and control over their own translations.

• ETGs can format these translations however they desire. ETGs are not bound by the rules of Baka-Tsuki General Conventions or Project-Specific Guidelines.
• ETGs may request that their translations not be edited by the public, should they desire. (Please contact a Supervisor to have a page locked)

• ETG's have no authority over chapters or volumes that are not their own (unless the ETG is also the Project Manager).

• In other words, an ETG cannot prevent other translation groups or Baka-Tsuki translators from translating future chapters or volumes. This is still first-come-first-serve.
• ETGs should understand they do not own the entire project; they only own the translations that they made.
• ETGs may participate in editing Baka-Tsuki translations, but they should do so as regular members (and thus must abide by Baka-Tsuki and Project-Specific guidelines).

• Retranslations are allowed.

• Retranslations should be linked in parenthesis next to the original translation.
• The Baka-Tsuki translation gets the first position (if it exists). Every ETG retranslation thereafter comes in subsequent parenthesis on a first-come-first-serve basis. The Project Manager may decide the cosmetics or details of this rule.

• The Project Manager or Baka-Tsuki Supervisor has authority over the layout of the Project Overview Page.

• ETGs are encouraged to communicate with Baka-Tsuki staff if any changes are desired.

• Some comments about Hybrid Projects:

• A Hybrid Project is any project that has a Baka-Tsuki-associated translator AND an ETG working simultaneously on the project.
• The Project Manager position is ONLY meant to manage the affairs of Baka-Tsuki translators.

• Therefore, the Project Manager has no mandate to regulate an ETG's affairs or translations.
• However, ETGs should respect the guidelines of the Project Manager if they are going to contribute to editing Baka-Tsuki translations that are not their own.
• Because of the definition of a Project Manager, ETGs should not list themselves as the Project Manager unless the ETG is genuinely interested in managing the affairs of Baka-Tsuki translators.

• If an ETG takes the Project Manager position for a hybrid project, they must observe these rules:

• They must apply for the Project Manager position in the regular fashion.
• They should govern Baka-Tsuki members without a conflict of interest to the best of their ability.
• They must create a Project-Specific Guidelines, and otherwise comply with general Baka-Tsuki rules when managing Baka-Tsuki members. Reminder: By Statement VIII of Baka-Tsuki's General Constitution, prospective contributors cannot be denied from from the Baka-Tsuki-end of the project.

• ETGs are allowed to run their own translation group however they like. However, they must govern as Project Manager with Baka-Tsuki's rules. Please keep the two separate and distinct (i.e.: Baka-Tsuki translators should not be forced to take your group's translation test in order to participate on the project).

Linked Projects

• As intuitive, ETGs are not bound by the rules of Baka-Tsuki General Conventions or Project-Specific Guidelines.

• ETG's are in no way obligated to listen to the recommendations of Project Managers pertaining to the details of externally hosted translations.
• However, if an ETG participates in editing Baka-Tsuki translations that are not their own, they should do so as regular members and follow the Project Manager's rules.

• External links should lead directly to the specified chapter of translation.

• They should not lead to the ETG's home page or miscellaneous pages.
• We strongly prefer that linking occur chapter-by-chapter. Linking by parts should only be a last resort if there is no means of navigation.

• Rules Pertaining the Positioning of Chapter Links:

• If there is no Baka-Tsuki or Hosted Project translation (translations with raw text uploaded), Linked Projects may place their external link in the default position.
• Otherwise, the external link should go in parenthesis to the right of any Baka-Tsuki or Hosted Project translation (raw text uploaded). Positioning priority is as follows:

Baka-Tsuki Translation > Hosted Project Translation (raw text uploaded) > Linked Project (external link)

• ETGs may have a maximum of ONE link that goes to the ETG's home page on the Project Overview Page.

• Furthermore, miscellaneous announcements (including recruiting) are not allowed on the Project Overview Page.

• An ETG should NOT take the Project Manager position.

• The Project Manager position is ONLY meant to manage the affairs of Baka-Tsuki translators.
• Hence, we feel that ETGs that only provide external links have no investment towards the Baka-Tsuki translations on the Wiki. Therefore, there is no reason why an ETG of a linked project should ever take the Project Manager position.

Affiliation Procedure:

• Contact the Administration Contact Page. Tell us a little about your translation group and name which projects you are interested in sharing with us. Provide contact information so we can reach out to you.
• A Baka-Tsuki Supervisor will contact you and negotiate the terms of your affiliation. This supervisor will be your liaison with Baka-Tsuki. We will help establish project-specific rules and help moderate our community so your rules will be respected.

I am a Fan Who Has Received Permission to Post Someone Else's Translation

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