Style/Principle: Difference between revisions

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{{Official style}}
=Music Brainz Style Principle=


Users of [[MusicBrainz]] and the members of the [[Style Council|StyleCouncil]] put some great efforts in working out detailed [[Style Guideline|StyleGuideline]]<code><nowiki></nowiki></code>s, which state how data should be formatted. Since we stress these guidelines, people often get the impression that there is a rule that says: "Always follow the style guidelines".
Users of MusicBrainz and the members of the [[Style Council]] put some great efforts in working out detailed [[Style Guideline|style guidelines]], which state how data should be formatted.

'''But this is not true.''' Instead you should stick to this principle.


==The Style Principles==
==The Style Principles==
If you ask yourself in what style something should be entered into MusicBrainz, the following principles apply:


* '''Follow [[/Artist intent|Artist intent]].'''
If you ask yourself in what style something should be entered into [[MusicBrainz]], the following rules apply in this order (strongest on top):
* If no definite proof can be found for the correct spelling/punctuation, the '''most common version''' should be used.
# '''Follow [[Artist Intent|ArtistIntent]].'''
* '''Follow the [[Style|style guidelines]].'''
# If 1 is not applicable, '''follow [[Strong Guideline|StrongGuideline]]s.'''
# If neither 1 nor 2 are applicable, '''use [[Consistent Original Data|ConsistentOriginalData]].'''
# If 1 nor 2 nor 3 are applicable, '''follow the [[Style Guideline|StyleGuideline]]<code><nowiki></nowiki></code>s.'''
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">This is yet a [[Proposed Style Guideline|ProposedStyleGuideline]], although IMO it reflects a long existent consensus (IMO: [[User:DonRedman|DonRedman]], see discussion below for some dissenting opinions).
</ul>


===Alternative phrasing===
===Alternative phrasing===


This can also be explained from the bottom upwards:
This can also be explained from the bottom upwards:
* (4) Usually you stick to the [[Style Guideline|StyleGuideline]]<code><nowiki></nowiki></code>s.
* (3) If, however, something is consistently labelled in a different style on official sources, then this classifies as [[Consistent Original Data|ConsistentOriginalData]] and overrules the [[Style Guideline|StyleGuideline]]<code><nowiki></nowiki></code>s. Note that you need to provide some evidence for [[Consistent Original Data|ConsistentOriginalData]] (ideally in the [[Edit Note|EditNote]]), or your edits will most likely be voted down.
* (2) There are, however, some [[Strong Guideline|StrongGuideline]]s, which overrule even such consistent official style. An example is the [[Abbreviation Style|AbbreviationStyle]], which states that most abbreviations are to be spelled out.
* (1) Finally there is the notion of [[Artist Intent|ArtistIntent]]. If you can show that the artist ''intended'' something to be stylized a special way, then you should enter it like that into the database. Since it is somewhat difficult to find out what the artist intended and there might be controversial views, it is a good practice to discuss this in [[Edit Note|EditNote]]s or on the [[Users Mailing List|UsersMailingList]].

==Exception: Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar==

'''As a general rule, we do correct spelling and punctuation and, to a lesser extent, grammar errors in titles'''.

[[Image:Alert.png]] This rule does '''not''' apply if it can be shown that the '''intent''' (see above) was for the spelling, punctuation or grammar to be incorrect.

===Additional notes===

"By intent" usually means one of the following:
* The artist themselves stated their intent.
* There is unambiguous consensus in the community that the artist wanted it this way.
* A certain misspelling is consistently found in all (official) releases of the artist.

Note: ''Unfortunately, proving artist intent can be somewhat difficult and so it is often up to the discretion of the editor. If you are in doubt, discuss the issue via [[Edit Note|EditNote]]s.''

===Reasoning===

There are enough cases of record companies mucking up track listings or even artist names (see some of the ''Front Line Assembly'' releases sometime), or creating new imaginary words for ''stylistic'' purposes that it makes much more sense to fix these things. I think that we generally value spelling and punctuation correctness over cover accuracy.

===Examples===

Some notable examples of titles that override the guidelines are: <dl><dt>Guns 'N' Roses
<dd>It's been established that the N should always be capitalised per artist preference, as well as having the two apostrophes (which isn't technically incorrect anyway).
<dt>k.d. lang
<dd>Her name should always be spelled with lower case.
<dt>聖なる鐘がひびく夜
<dd>

[http://www.musicbrainz.org/album/c7fbc003-556b-43b6-90e3-ae341370e243.html 聖なる鐘がひびく夜] by [http://www.musicbrainz.org/artist/3158237c-7e5d-451c-9106-bd20f20d581a.html タンポポ]. The titles of the three other versions of the song on the single are all solo versions by the group members named (Featuring <member last name>) on the release. They're not collaborations, just solo versions by the group members, so they're a nice example of when not to use the (feat. <artist>) format.
<dt>A Perfect Circle
<dd>

[http://www.musicbrainz.org/album/92b36219-760b-4f32-94f7-4e323e6d431d.html eMOTIVe] and [http://www.musicbrainz.org/album/98cdfb24-cbda-4702-99c1-d9c031d086c5.html aMOTION] is [[Artist Intent|ArtistIntent]] by [http://www.musicbrainz.org/artist/078a9376-3c04-4280-b7d7-b20e158f345d.html A Perfect Circle] for "incorrect capitalization".
</dl>

----

==Discussion==

===... about Principles===

Note to [[WikiZen]]s:

These items [[Artist Intent|ArtistIntent]] and [[Consistent Original Data|ConsistentOriginalData]] still need to be explained. I don't have the time to do that now.

Also, please link to StylePrinciple from ''every'' guideline. This page [[Needs Intertwingling|NeedsIntertwingling]] massively. --[[User:DonRedman|DonRedman]]
----


===... about Exceptions===

''Yary Hluchan posted the following to the [[Mailing List|MailingList]] in a [http://lists.musicbrainz.org/pipermail/musicbrainz-users/2005-January/019268.html discussion] about the application of [[Style Guideline|StyleGuideline]]s. It is a very good example of the reasoning that is intended by the StylePrinciple'' (Feel free to change this to make it a better example --[[User:DonRedman|DonRedman]]
<ul><li style="list-style-type:none">"My problem with this is not that I disagree entirely, but as I see it, the fundamental difference between the "consistency" people like Kiara and myself on one hand, and the "artist intent" people like DJKC and losten on the other, is ''what is part of a title''. The consistency people see remix and version information as additional meta-data that isn't part of the title itself, ''even if it is added by the artist, with intent, in a particular format''." (follow the link above to read the complete mail)
</ul>

===... about Reasoning===


* Usually you stick to the [[Style|style guidelines]].
The wording of the current version is a bit too slangy for my taste, and even a 1:st person "I" slips in there (are the guidelines themselves making a statement?). I suggest the below changes:
* If you are still unsure how to enter something because it is labelled inconsistently on official sources, use the most common version.
* Finally there is the notion of [[/Artist intent|Artist intent]]. If you can show that the artist ''intended'' something to be stylized a special way, then you should enter it like that into the database.


There are many cases of record companies making errors with track titles or even artist names (e.g. some of the ''Front Line Assembly'' releases), or creating new imaginary words for ''stylistic'' purposes. In such cases it often makes sense to fix the errors, valuing spelling and punctuation correctness over cover accuracy. --[[User:foolip|foolip]]


{{StyleBox}}
[[Category:To Be Reviewed]] [[Category:Style]] [[Category:Guideline]]
[[Category:WikiDocs Page]]

Latest revision as of 13:02, 2 October 2011

Status: This is an official style guideline.

Users of MusicBrainz and the members of the Style Council put some great efforts in working out detailed style guidelines, which state how data should be formatted.

The Style Principles

If you ask yourself in what style something should be entered into MusicBrainz, the following principles apply:

  • Follow Artist intent.
  • If no definite proof can be found for the correct spelling/punctuation, the most common version should be used.
  • Follow the style guidelines.

Alternative phrasing

This can also be explained from the bottom upwards:

  • Usually you stick to the style guidelines.
  • If you are still unsure how to enter something because it is labelled inconsistently on official sources, use the most common version.
  • Finally there is the notion of Artist intent. If you can show that the artist intended something to be stylized a special way, then you should enter it like that into the database.


Style
Overview
Title Style
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Special Cases/Misc.
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