Editing Rules: Software
Software are programs that can play, create, modify, or convert video game music files. This page explains the editing rules regarding Software pages.
Contents
Valid Software
The Video Game Music Preservation Foundation is not a software pirating organization. Feel free to add software that is open source, freeware, or shareware, but if the software is still being sold, you may not upload it! You may still create a software page, but instead, link to the Amazon sales page or the official web site of the program. If a program is no longer being sold, and 10 years have passed since the software was released, you may upload it.
Also remember that the Video Game Music Preservation Foundation is not meant to be a comprehensive list of every music-related program ever made. While all programs that were made specifically to play, edit, or convert video game music formats should be included, you should only add other programs unrelated to general music if they meet some of these criteria:
- Extremely versatile that visitors will find helpful recording their own soundtracks (Audacity).
- Has wide plug-in support for game formats (foobar2000, Winamp).
- Was used by video game musicians to make game music (Sequencer Plus Gold, AdLib Visual Composer).
- Plays a format better than existing players (Play CMF).
- Supports a format that isn't yet covered on a particular platform (QuickTime Components).
- Is extremely popular so a review page would be helpful (Windows Media Player).
- Converts one format to another that doesn't yet exist, or performs better. (AUD to WAV).
Uploaded Archive
When uploading software, you should strive to make the zip archive as accurate to the original program as possible. Try to eliminate any files that advertise other sites, and make sure the program is free from viruses and malware.
The zip archive's file name should be the player's name plus its version. For example, Play CMF has two versions available for download, so the uploaded files are named:
- Play CMF v1.01.zip
- Play CMF v1.05.zip
Sections
Each software page should have as many of the following sections as are applicable.
Template
Each software page should begin with the software template. Fill in as much information as you can find about the software.
Screenshots
Screenshots should include those that any user familiar with the program would recognize. Players come in numerous types including stand-alone players, plug-ins, and command line programs, so the screenshot should reflect the player's type; examples are seen below.
XMPlay is an example of a stand-alone program.
Game Emu Player is an example of a plug-in.
MIDI Play is an example of a command line program.
You should add multiple images in an image gallery if:
- The software was released in a box (add box scans and screen shots).
- If the program has many features that require multiple screenshots to show.
- The program was released for multiple platforms and look different on each.
General
The general section should be a brief description of what the software is, what it can be used for, and how to use it. Since the general section is the primary section, it does not need a header.
Downloads
The downloads section should contain a list of the latest version of the program for as many platforms for which the program was released. It's only necessary to add older versions if they have a particular function that was discontinued in a later release. Downloads are not necessary for large players that are being actively developed like Audacity, just link to its site instead.
The version column should contain the program's official version. If the program doesn't have a version, use the date of the program's release. If a release date cannot be obtained, use "N/A".
Software Download Template
The Software Download Template makes it easy to create a download link for a software archive. Here is an example with Play CMF. You can see how the Software Template works by viewing the source of this section.
| Version | Download | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| 1.05 | Download - (info) | DOS |
| 1.01 | Download - (info) | DOS |
Links
The links section should contain links to the software's official page, the program's author, and any sites that offer in-depth instructional information.
Categories
There are several software-related categories that should be added to the bottom of software pages. The default category Software is automatically added to every software page that uses an Infobox Software template. Additional categories should be added based on the platforms that program can run on and the type of program it is.
Type Categories
Each program is automatically added into the Software type category, but additional type categories should look like this:
[[Category: Players]] [[Category: Editors]] [[Category: Converters]]
Platform Categories
Platform categories should look like this:
[[Category: Windows Players]] [[Category: Macintosh Players]] [[Category: Amiga Editors]] [[Category: DOS Converters]]
Format Categories
Format categories include which formats this software can use and look like this:
[[Category: MIDI Players]] [[Category: ROL Editors]] [[Category: WAV Converters]]
