77,281
edits
Changes
no edit summary
{{WIP}}
The term '''"accepted sources"''' as used in the ''Lexicanum'' describes the body of source material that an [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Editors|Editor]] is permitted to use when creating or editing articles in the ''Lexicanum'' wiki. These sources are sometimes also referred to as ''official'', ''legitimate'' or ''canon'' sources but the term that should be used with reference to any work within the Lexicanum is nevertheless ''accepted sources'' (see also further down). Only ''acepted sources'' can be used in the compulsory [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Citation|citation process]] as a legitimate source. We are aware that even accepted sources might contradict each other, but within the ''Lexicanum'' there is no "hierarchy of sources" - i.e. no accepted source is considered more valid than another official source. More recent sources do however take precedence over older sources. This does however '''not''' mean that the old information is considered "wrong" and non-acceptable and has to be deleted altogether - this is definitely not the case! It is an explicit goal of the ''Lexicanum'' to also reflect potentially outdated information - with appropriate disclaimers and explanations. For the general problem of the concept of "canon" see further on where this is discussed. For practical purposes this discussion is of minor relevance (although it is interesting to keep its main points in mind). Simply because - and let us be quite clear about this - it is '''not''' the mission of the Lexicanum (or any other encylopaedia) to make sense of and try to align conflicting data. The ''Lexicanum'' explicitly limits itself to ''document'' (sometimes with appropriate explanations on the context of certain problems) the available lore. No more, no less. Therefore as a rule of thumb all material ever published in whatever form by [[Games Workshop]], its subsidiaries and license holders is considered an acceptable source. The only requirement being that any [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Editors|Editor]] must be able to prove the existence and content of any cited source he/ she uses. Obviously the following lists are non-exhaustive and there might sometimes be grey areas that can and should be discussed with [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Administrators]] and or [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Bureaucrats]] with a view on their status. ==Examples of accepted sources==The following list is non-exhaustive:# [[:Category:Codices and Rulebooks|Rulebook]]s# [[:Category:Codices and Rulebooks|Codices]]# [[White Dwarf|White Dwarf Magazines]]# [[:Category:Novels|Black Library Novels]], short stories, audiobooks...# [[Games Workshop]], subsidiaries and license holders websites# [[:Category:Background Books|Background Books]]# [[:Category:Comics and Graphic Novels|GW licensed Comics and Graphic Novels]]# [[:Category:Computer Games|Games Workshop licensed computer games based in the Warhammer 40,000 universe]]# Collectable Card games licensed by [[Games Workshop]]# Games and background material published by [[Black Industries]] and [[Fantasy Flight Games]] (under license)etc. etc. ==Examples of unacceptable sources==*other ''Lexicanum'' articles (yes, you read that right, only first-hand material can be used as an accepted source)*other wikis*forums, blogs, message boards, mailing lists etc. (with the possible exception of individuals posting in an official capacity, see "grey areas" below)*fan-made content or fanzines ==Examples of grey areas requiring evaluation on a case by case basis or specific disclaimers==*private homepages, blogs, forum posts etc. by authors, artists or other individuals working for [[Games Workshop]], its subsidiaries or license holders
==Why the term "Canon" or "Canonicity" is problematic==
}}
