Ok, I have a plan with a future guide (I prefer not to release the topic yet), but I have a problem with my citing of information. I'm not talking about MLA or whatever, its about another site. Am I allowed to take info from another site to help create my guide on Tip. It? If so, do you recommend that I do if it is crucial? If I place another site on my credits, people may go to that site for help more often, decreasing Tip. It's popularity. I do not want this to be my thank you to Tip. It for all its amazing guides, on the forums or the main site.

 

Bottom Line:

Am I allowed to include information from another site? If so, do you recommend it?

Ok, I have a plan with a future guide (I prefer not to release the topic yet), but I have a problem with my citing of information. I'm not talking about MLA or whatever, its about another site. Am I allowed to take info from another site to help create my guide on Tip. It? If so, do you recommend that I do if it is crucial? If I place another site on my credits, people may go to that site for help more often, decreasing Tip. It's popularity. I do not want this to be my thank you to Tip. It for all its amazing guides, on the forums or the main site.

 

Bottom Line:

Am I allowed to include information from another site? If so, do you recommend it?

 

Most of the information you create on the guide should come from your general knowledge on the subject. Most people are experts on the subject of their guide... so you shouldn't have to rely on other sites too much unless its statistics or something related.

 

Being a guide maker myself I do admit I occasionally runs into instances where I need to look up something from another site I am not sure about. In that case, you don't have to cite sources. Infact, most guides on PMG don't cite any sources. I've never done it and it isn't a rule. If you just take little facts or snippets from other sites, then its perfectly fine. Of course, if you just copy-paste a whole passage from another site that's plagiarism. But since I assume you're an expert on the topic, you should never have to do that.

 

Just to say again: NO, you don't have to cite sources. Neither tip.it nor the other source will mind (nor will they even notice).

I assume you are borrowing an image or graphic of some sort? In that case, yes, you could DEFINITELY cite that source. You should not use an image/graphic someone else made without citing it. You don't need to be flamboyant about it. Just add, "thanks site X for pictures" in the credits.

 

If you are borrowing information, you generally do not need to cite it unless it is extremely unorthodox. Any methods, info, etc. that is fairly well-known (not necessarily commonly-known) doesn't not have to be cited.

 

If you are borrowing something else, then you will need to be more specific.

thanks for the help mario and zapps, but in this case I will be using a chart from a certain site that is updated weekly, but can also be found on the RSOF, anyone make sure that is not plagiarism?

 

I just want to make sure I dont look bad by making it seem I stole info

If you feel worried then make sure to just state where you got it and credit them.

A little vague, but I understand you don't want to give away your topic, so I'll work with it.

 

If it's actual data, such as calculations or field data, then you should cite that. What I mean are numbers someone went out to obtain and add to a table. Yes, cite that.

 

If it's general data, such as an ore respawn table, there is no need to cite.

 

If it's like a calculator of some sort, or a Grand Exchange watcher, you should cite it, although if all it does is gather and organize info, it may not be necessary.

Thanks guys, I'll get started on my guide right away. I hope this helps as much as these guides have helped me!

No problem. :) Add me on runescape (mario_sunny) or here on the forums if you ever need any more advise.

No problem. :) Add me on runescape (mario_sunny) or here on the forums if you ever need any more advise.

 

You're also welcome to add me if you need to.

 

Also for future reference, whenever you get to a problem like this, the best idea is always to play it safe and cite it :)