I don't know whether to post all my stuff in a single answer or as multiple, I'll just put everything here for now. Things in {braces} are my comments, not part of the text. Most of this is just word/sentence replacement. Our changes may or may not be more extensive than this.
Welcome to Programming Puzzles & Code Golf Stack Exchange
Programming Puzzles & Code Golf is a site for hosting and participating in programming competitions. It's built and run by you as part of the Stack Exchange network of Q&A sites. With your help, we're working together to build a library of programming puzzles and their solutions create an environment of friendly competition, open to programming enthusiasts of all skill levels {note: kinda cheesy but IDK}.
We're a little bit different from other sites {note: this is accurate}. Here's how:
Ask questions, get answers, no distractions Compete in challenges, create your own, and have fun
This site is all about hosting programming competitions. It's not a discussion forum or a regular Q&A site. There's no chit-chat.
Just challenges...
And submissions...
Good submissions are voted up and rise to the top. The best submissions show up first so that they are always easy to find.
The person who created the challenge can mark one submission as "accepted". Accepting doesn't mean it's the best answer, it just means that it worked for the person who asked generally indicates that it is the winner of the contest. {note: should we even mention accepted answers?}
{note: I also kinda think we should change the example question that's shown to the right, the current one has a 2-line spec. This may be difficult if they are auto-selected.}
Get answers to practical, detailed questions Participate in high-quality programming competitions
{note: this section pretty much has to be completely rewritten. I think we should replace it with something that goes into more detail about what is/isn't appropriate here.}
Focus on questions about an actual problem you have faced. Include details about what you have tried and exactly what you are trying to do.
Focus on challenges which have detailed specifications and clear objectives. All challenges should have an objective winning criterion, which is a well-defined way to determine which submission is the best. {note: it might not worth our time to explain exceptions like the tips tag}
Create posts about...
- Code golf (details)
Programming puzzles- Other programming contests or challenges {note: maybe include a brief list?}
- Certain non-challenge topics, such as tips for golfing in a specific language
Not all challenges work well in our format. Avoid challenges that are primarily opinion-based, lack a clear objective, or that are likely to generate discussion rather than submissions.
Challenges that need improvement may be closed placed on hold until they are improved and reopened.
Tags make it easy to find interesting challenges
All challenges are tagged with their subject areas and the type of competition. Each can have up to 5 tags, since a challenge might be related to several subjects.
Click any tag to see a list of challenges with that tag, or go to the tag list to browse for topics that interest you.
You earn reputation when people vote on your posts
{note: basically keeping this as-is. Some of the s/question/challenge/gi also needs to be applied to the small image caption text.}
Your reputation score goes up when others vote up your challenges, submissions and edits.
As you earn reputation, you'll unlock new privileges like the ability to vote, comment, and even edit other people's posts.
At the highest levels, you'll have access to special moderation tools. You'll be able to work alongside our community moderators to keep the site focused and helpful.
Improve posts by editing or commenting
Our goal is to have the best submissions to every challenge, so if you see challenges or submissions that can be improved, you can edit them.
Use edits to fix minor mistakes, improve formatting, or clarify the meaning of a post. Edits shouldn't be used to change the informational content of other users' posts, or to change other users' programs.
Use comments to ask for more information, clarification, or to suggest improvements to posts.
You can always comment on your own posts. Once you earn 50 reputation, you can comment on anybody's post.
Remember: we're all here to learn, so be friendly and helpful!
Unlock badges for special achievements
{note: nothing really to change here either}
Badges are special achievements you earn for participating on the site. They come in three levels: bronze, silver, and gold.
In fact, you've already earned a badge:
Informed Read the entire tour page
Participate in an existing challenge, or create your own
{note: I wonder if we could add a link to/explanation of the sandbox here}
See new challenges Create a challenge
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