Spacedebate.org: Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

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General

1.1 - What is Spacedebate.org?

1.2 - Who is behind this project? Who provides your funding?

1.3 - Do I have to register to use this site?

1.4 - How can I help out?

1.5 - Where can I discuss the site?

1.6 - About the Editor

Guide

2.1 - Getting Started

2.2 - Arguments

2.2.1 - Guidelines for Editing Arguments
2.2.2 - Viewing Edit History for an Argument
2.2.3 - Syndicating Arguments
2.2.4 - What are the flags on each argument for?
2.2.6 - What is a top-level argument? How can I add one?

2.3 - Definitions

2.3.1 - Editing Guidelines
2.3.2 - Viewing Edit History for a Definition
2.3.3 - Wikipedia Integration

2.4 - Discussion

2.4.1 - Discussion Guidelines
2.4.2 - Why do I have to enter a number every time I post?
2.4.3 - How can I add links or format my discussion posts?

2.5 - Positions

2.5.1 - How can I create a new position?

2.6 - News

2.6.1 - Is there an RSS feed available for the news?

2.7 - Evidence

2.8 - Citations

2.8.1 - Authors
2.8.2 - What is the difference between a citation and a news article?

2.9 - Keywords

2.10 - Organizations

2.11 - How can I make changes to arguments or definitions?

2.12 - Can I edit or suggest objects besides arguments and definitions?

2.13 - Why do all edits have to be approved?

The Topic

3.1 - Why the focus on space weapons? Why not global warming or Iran or Darfur -- something more timely and relevant?

3.2 - Why is the topic limited to the U.S.?

3.3 - Why are there only two positions on this issue? What about intermediate steps?

3.4 - Your position on 'X' is typical moonnut / wingbat rubbish! What is wrong with you people?!!

3.5 - Well, what is YOUR position on this debate?

3.6 - Is there a way I can see the whole debate at once?

Community

4.1 - Community Profiles

4.1.1 - How can I get an image to display next to my name? What is a 'gravatar'?
4.1.2 - How will my email address be used?

Open Debate Engine

5.1 - What software/package are you using to run this site?

5.2 - Why the structured format? What is wrong with the existing methods for online debate?

5.2.1 - Lack of Structure
5.2.2 - Persistence
5.2.3 - Balkanization

5.3 - Why not just use wiki software like Wikimedia?

5.4 - Is the Code Open Source?

5.5.5 - What is the long-term plan for this project? When will it be available for new topics?

5.6 - Is this site Web 2.0?