Qix Wiki:Files

Qix Wiki utilizes various files in order to properly document, commentate, and describe ideas and educate readers about the mechanics or display of Qix that could otherwise not be put into words. Because the use of files is nearly always copyrighted, Qix Wiki has a variety of standards to ensure that all files remain used in fair use and organized.

Uploading files
Files must utilize the file template. While a more thorough explanation is on the template page, the purpose of this template is to:
 * Identify the where a file was taken
 * Identify the purpose of the file
 * Affirm that the file does not breach copyright
 * Categorize the file

A blank template that can be added to new or existing uploads can be found here: 

Images
The most common type of file on the site. Images are used to represent visual elements of a game, whether through the gameplay itself, physical iterations of the game, or other elements that would not effectively be done through text. Images should be clean, clear of watermarks or blurriness, and appropriately represent content. Qix Wiki's use of images should not be minimalist, but the number of images on pages should be kept low—it is believed that imagery of gameplay cannot be substituted for playing the game, but this can only be accomplished if images used have explicit purposes for covering material. Images should not be used on pages for the sake of having images.

There are several image types available to use on Qix Wiki: JPG, also called JPEG, is a lossy image format. It is one of the most common types of image types available digitally. This image format loses quality in order to preserve space, and for this reason should generally be avoided. ''If a file is already a jpg file, keep it as a jpg. Do not convert this file to any other type''. Historically, jpg is for print media (like manuals) due to use of color: for this reason, most jpg files are going to be of artwork or photography.
 * JPG

For organization purposes, files with a jpeg extension can and should be uploaded to use jpg instead.

PNG is a lossless image format. It is a very common image type. This should be the format of the majority of files on Qix Wiki, such as gameplay, sprites, and diagrams. This file type has a wide variety of colors and transparency available to be used as well. These files have a tendency to become large in size and for this reason, should be losslessly optimized (not compressed) using an optimization program. Examples of programs include:
 * PNG
 * ImageOptim (mac)
 * PNG Monstrous (windows)
 * Trimage (linux)
 * EZGif (web)

This is a lossy or lossless file type from Google. Due to significant security issues, it will not be accepted as a file format on Qix Wiki.
 * WEBP

This file format is an uncompressed format. It is, in theory, the highest possible quality that a file can be. Due to its massive size and generally being unlikely to be formally released in this way, BMP files will not be accepted. They should be converted in PNG files, and then optimized as described above.
 * BMP

Audio and Music
Commonly also found are sound effects and music, often housed under the term "audio". While audio is a powerful descriptive tool, it should also be used sparingly in order to fulfill copyright restrictions. Music should never uploaded in full duration, and quality of audio files should be lowered in order to not be interchangeable with the original source format.

There are several tools available to help manage and edit audio. Some examples are the following:|
 * Editor.audio (web)
 * Ocenaudio (download program)
 * Audacity 2.4.2 (download program)  Note: Do not use Audacity 3.0 or higher due to security issues. This is the last stable release of the program. 

This is the primary audio format to be used on Qix Wiki. It is available on all major browsers and operating systems, and has a reasonable compression system in place for listening.
 * MP3

OGA, though often generalized as OGG, is a free format available by Xiph.org. While it has been a standard for an extended period of time, it has fallen out of universal use, primarily for Apple devices and services. These files, while acceptable on the site, are generally discouraged due to some users not being able to properly utilize them. Despite this, many official recordings may still use OGG. In these instances, both the original OGG file and and MP3 conversion should be added, with MP3 being used on the page, and the OGG being listed in the file's description and source for reference.
 * OGG / OGA

As these files are lossless and therefore not compressed and reduced in quality, they do not meet Qix Wiki's standards of fair use and should not be used. Instead, they should be converted to MP3 via an editing program.
 * WAV, M4A, and FLAC

Video
The use of video on Qix Wiki is generally discouraged. Videos of direct gameplay are not permitted, and the only form of video that should be added to the wiki would be trailers, interviews, or other observational/commentary forms of media. Should a video wish to be used, using YouTube or Dailymotion as a hosting service should be prioritized instead.

This is the only form of video accepted on Qix Wiki at this time. All encoding must be done with H.264, and the videos should not exceed 720p in size.
 * MP4

Animation
Animations are considered a unique, or visually interesting way to present gameplay mechanics. An excellent example is the erratic movement of the Qix, or the animation of a square being filled in. Animations are accepted, but should be kept to a low volume as to not serve as a replacement for gameplay. Animated files should not be full-screen captures, but rather as small selections or interpreted from sprite sheets. Qix Wiki reserves the right to slow down some animations to avoid eye damage or strain, with the clear notice that alteration has occurred both on file use and the file description.

By far the most popular animation format, the use of this format is discouraged from use as GIF uses a limited color palette, and is limited by how much it can display at one time. If the original source file is gif, it should be kept in this format.
 * GIF

The successor to GIF, APNG seeks to fix many of the issues provided by GIF. For this reason, its use is encouraged over GIF.
 * APNG

Naming files
Files should be formatted consistently and uniformly. This allows for organization and clarity in a file's purpose. The method for all game files should be the following format: For example, Qix Screenshot is not an acceptable name, but Qix Game Boy NTSC Screenshot is. All files should use title casing, lowercase extensions, and avoid punctuation where possible. Use of periods, hashes, and ampersands within file names is prohibited due to issues with linking. Furthermore, jpeg files should be formatted as jpg, and ogg should be oga. If the game was released on a dedicated piece of hardware for the game (like a plug-n-play unit), the console name does not need added.

Some game titles run long. For this reason, and only within files, should the abbreviations list be consulted:

Using files
To include a file in a page, use a link in one of the following forms:
 * [ [File:File.jpg]] to use the full version of the file
 * [ [File:File.png|200px|thumb|left|Caption]] to use a 200-pixel-wide rendition in a box in the left margin with the text "Caption" below
 * [ [Media:File.oga]] for directly linking to the file without displaying the file

To make a gallery, use the tag, then list file names on new lines, and close with < /gallery>. Gallery files can and should receive captions just the same as individual files.

User content
Users may have up to three personal images. No personal videos or audio may be used. Files to be used as sandbox drafts, or otherwise are intended to be on main pages do not count for this limit. Administration reserves the right to delete files exceeding this limit.