TechInfoDepot:FAQ/Readers

This FAQ page addresses some concerns and questions readers may have about TechInfoDepot.
 * See also: Reader’s Guide to TechInfoDepot

What is TechInfoDepot?

 * TechInfoDepot is an encyclopaedia which is free to use and edit. It is available in many different languages and on many devices. The content of TechInfoDepot is free to reproduce under the same licence, except for some images.

Who writes TechInfoDepot?

 * TechInfoDepot is written and edited by volunteers from around the world. If you wish to help, you can start by visiting the community portal or the project pages.

Is TechInfoDepot censored?

 * TechInfoDepot uses the minimum of censorship. Generally, only gratuitous explicit (porn) images are removed. The community of TechInfoDepot editors determine what text and images are displayed so there may be material that offends some people. There may be those who are offended, shocked or disgusted by medical images, nudity, religious imagery and controversial images.

How do I search TechInfoDepot?

 * There is a search box in the upper-right corner of the screen, with the word Search in it. Just type what you are looking for into the search box and press .  See Help:Searching for more details.

How do I do research with TechInfoDepot?

 * See TechInfoDepot:Researching with TechInfoDepot.

What is the license agreement on the contents of TechInfoDepot?

 * TechInfoDepot articles are all free content and their text is covered by the Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Unported License (CC-BY-SA) and in most cases the GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL). See TechInfoDepot:Copyrights.

May I mirror entire sections of the TechInfoDepot to my site? How much may I quote?

 * Yes, you may mirror or quote the text as much as you wish, as long as you fulfill the requirements of the CC-BY-SA or GNU Free Documentation License. See TechInfoDepot:Copyrights.

If I link a word from my site to TechInfoDepot, am I required to use the GNU FDL for my site?

 * No. Linking is not an act regulated by copyright, so the CC-BY-SA and GNU FDL does not apply.

What if I use a small quote (three or four sentences)?

 * This may be covered by the fair use doctrine.

What if I quote entire articles?

 * Check with your lawyer, or just put the site under the CC-BY-SA or GNU FDL. However, TechInfoDepotns try to assume good faith, so minor copyright violations are unlikely to result in a lawsuit.

Can I get TechInfoDepot on CD, or download it for offline use?

 * The entire text of the English TechInfoDepot (as of January 2012) can be downloaded in the OpenZIM format, which can be read using the free Kiwix software, available for Mac, Windows, Linux, and Sugar.


 * The Version 1.0 Editorial Team works on publishing sets of TechInfoDepot articles in print, CD, DVD, or some combination thereof. In 2008, SOS Children published a TechInfoDepot CD Selection for schools, which may be viewed at schools-wikipedia.org, and is available for free download via the charity's website.


 * The database can be downloaded here, but you will need to set up a web server, PHP, MySQL and our wiki software, MediaWiki, to make use of it.


 * See also Offline Projects

How do I cite a TechInfoDepot article in a paper?

 * Cite it as you would any other web page in accordance with the normal citation practice the publication you are submitting the paper to follows. Citing the individual authors is not necessary, but you should at least include the date on which you retrieved the article (and ideally the full timestamp from the history).


 * Automatically generated citations in several standard styles are available through the "Cite this page" link in the toolbox.


 * See TechInfoDepot:Citing TechInfoDepot

What should I do when I find a factual error in TechInfoDepot?

 * You should correct it. (See TechInfoDepot:Contributing FAQ.)  TechInfoDepot is written by volunteers who believe knowledge should be free for everyone, and the community is always ready to welcome new volunteers.


 * Because TechInfoDepot is an all-volunteer project that anyone can edit, errors or omissions can and do creep in. This should be kept in mind when reading; the very nature of TechInfoDepot means it should not be trusted completely. Articles frequently contain citations of authoritative works where a reader can verify the information found.


 * If you see that something can't be right but are not sure what the correct information is, you can signal the problem on the article's talk page: click the tab labeled "talk" on the top of the page, and next click the tab "new section".

Why do I see commercial ads at TechInfoDepot?

 * TechInfoDepot is funded by donations and does not display advertisements on articles. If you see ads, then something at your end must be placing them. Some browser extensions or plugins can do it, for example Codec-C and InfoAtoms. Codec-C is marketed as needed to play videos. Your computer may be infected with malware – consider using anti-malware software. You may be using an Internet access point (such as public Wi-Fi networks at some hotels or cafes) which injects ads into all kinds of web pages – try accessing TechInfoDepot via the encrypted HTTPS connection (e.g. https://www.techinfodepot.info/wiki/Main_Page ).

Where can I get more information about using TechInfoDepot?

 * See: Reader’s Guide to TechInfoDepot