Maybe NIWA should approach WiiBrew (http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Main_Page). They are a good resource for Wii hardware, firmware, and system software information, and they are an established and independent Nintendo wiki. They also have an active community.
Something about those recent changes creeps me out...
Oh sweet, a Wii Homebrewing community.
And it appears (from the recent changes) to be getting hit by spammers.
They seem unreliable...
They seem like they could be good potential members.
What makes you say they seem unreliable?
The big amount of spamming and advertising could use some help certainly, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't help ourselves.
Quote from: Xizor on January 14, 2011, 06:48:28 AM
They seem like they could be good potential members.
What makes you say they seem unreliable?
Is Homebrewing legal? Do we want to associate with them if it isn't?
I don't think it's legal. I ran into that site way back when I was searching for Zelda Wiki affiliates. I asked myself "Is what they promote here something I want to endorse on behalf of the organization I represent?" and since I answered "no" :police: I moved on.
Even if it is legal, void the warranties and risking a good wii isn't something NIWA should casually endorse. That's my own opinion, but I suspect many others would agree.
Well, then let's cross this bridge when/if they ever apply. Otherwise, I don't think that we will be approaching them.
Quote from: Xizor on January 14, 2011, 08:19:44 PM
Well, then let's cross this bridge when/if they ever apply. Otherwise, I don't think that we will be approaching them.
Well, I guess that's a fair stance. I just want to add some thoughts though.
Some of you were questioning whether or not homebrew is legal or not. Homebrew is nothing more than using fan-made software on the Wii; it is legal. The illegal part is downloading roms of copyrighted Nintendo games, and WiiBrew has a strict stance (http://wiibrew.org/wiki/WiiBrew:Policy#Copyright_infringement) against that. It does not allow any information about roms. Wii Homebrew is almost the same thing as jail-breaking an iPod, and that's legal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOS_jailbreaking#United_States_legal_issues). It could even be compared to a GameShark (http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/GameShark) or an Action Replay (http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Action_Replay).
Also, Super Smash Wiki already has numerous articles about Wii Homebrew:
- Moveset Swaps (http://www.ssbwiki.com/Moveset_swaps)
- Homebrew Channel (http://www.ssbwiki.com/The_Homebrew_Channel)
- Project M (http://www.ssbwiki.com/Project_M)
- Brawl+ (http://www.ssbwiki.com/Brawl%2B)
- Hacking (http://www.ssbwiki.com/Category:Hacking)
As you can see, homebrew is not all that bad. It can really open up a lot of doors for dedicated Nintendo fans. Even ZeldaWiki has a little info (http://zeldawiki.org/Notable_Hacks_in_The_Legend_of_Zelda_Series#Twilight_Hack) on how homebrew works.
Finally, WiiBrew's scope goes beyond hacking. Suppose, someone was curious about the Wii's System Menu versions. WiiBrew is likely the most extensive resource (http://wiibrew.org/wiki/System_Menu) on the internet on that matter.
Hmmm, your evidence is compelling. What do the rest of you think? I am split.
While not endorsed by Nintendo, it isn't illegal per say. Although when Nintendo updates the Wii firmware, they remove any homebrew installation you have on your console, which could be taken as a notion against it, at least, last I looked into homebrew this is how Nintendo was with it.
Overall, they are a Nintendo related wiki that is independent. So they could be a potential member.
I agree with Axiomist.
Of course it's legal: I take it as a bad sign that people are questioning their right to install what they want on hardware they own. No, Nintendo doesn't like it, because it makes piracy easier/possible.
I think this would be a good affiliation.
SmashWiki covers hacking for a few reasons:
a) Hacking can reveal beta things about games; Mariowiki covers hacked content similarly, if I recall correctly.
b) Brawl has a massive hacking community. http://kc-mm.com/ (http://kc-mm.com/) and its associated hack database/gallery are a prime example.
Homebrewing isn't illegal, it's the roms you use that are illegal. Just like emulators.
Sticky speaking it is legal. However, participating, using or involving yourself with homebrewed software is, like most free/indie software, at your own risk; Nintendo (the corporation) doesn't support it.
Now, involving ourselves with a homebrew community has risks and benifits, that, like above, aren't easily categorized:
#1) It's an active community (See Recent Changes (http://www.wiibrew.org/wiki/Special:RecentChanges) and Statistics (http://www.wiibrew.org/wiki/Special:Statistics)); if we could get some of that here, it would be to our benefit
#2) The members of the wiki probably have knowledge on how Wii hardware and software works, which would help NintendoWiki.
#3) Simialry to Pikmin Fanon, they are almost entirely Fan-based content. But unlike Fanon, there's some risk that would be carried with it.
I mean, we could be a good testing ground for their software, being we are all fans of Nintendo, and most of us probably have a Wii. But we may then need to issue a disclaimer saying NIWA takes no responsibility for Voiding of Warranties, damaging of systems, etc. Anybody who chooses to be a software tester would take full responsibility over the use of the unauthorized software.
So, i think we should bring them in, but only if we take the proper precautions to protect ourselves, if anything were to come up.
In response to Tacopill: If they were to join NIWA, there would be two major links to their wiki - the hub page and the top navigation bar. We could make it so that whenever a user clicks on either link, they will be led to a transition page that reads something similar to the following:
"Modifying your Wii may damage your system and/or void your warranty. Make sure you are informed before running homebrew software. Follow this page [insert link here] for more information."
The message would stay on there for five to ten seconds before automatically redirecting to WiiBrew's homepage. Maybe NIWA could use cookies so that the message only appears the first time a user follows the link to WiiBrew.
COOKIES!!!!! ;D
Anyways, if it is 100% legal, then of course let them join. If it is not 100% legal, or there are debates about it, then no.
OK, if it's legal, let them in. Even if Nintendo disapproves of it. It's not like we're getting anything from Nintendo, we don't want to be held in a legal squabble but if Nintendo doesn't like us, oh well.
Sounds fine to me.
So should we extend the offer of membership to them, or wait for them to come to us?
I think we should offer them membership. I'm not even sure they are aware of NIWA, so waiting for a request probably won't lead to anything.
Here's one more thing to consider:
(http://kidicarus.wikkii.com/w/images/kidicarus/uploads/2/22/Wiki_Activity.jpg)
Think of all the traffic they can bring to NIWA...
Edit: I forgot to check Strategy Wiki, but it has a nearly identical level of activity as WiiBrew.
I'm down to extend them the offer, I just want to make sure that's what we want.
SmashWiki's percentage = ._.
Yeah... of course the Smash Wiki stat is misleading because of the recent move from Wikia. I just assumed it would be the next most active wiki (forgot about Strategy Wiki).