Forum:Total Drama Wiki Newsletter/June 2013

Welcome to this month's issue of the Total Drama Wiki Newsletter. This issue features information on a wiki activity, administrator notices with three sub-headings, an advice column with three sub-headings, one comic, an editor's note, an episode review, and a short story.

Activity information
TDIFan13

Wiki Wars is a blogged activity created by TDIFan13 that pits together two characters, episodes, items, or anything else Total Drama or wiki-related. It's a jaw-dropping, lip-chewing, nail-biting, teeth-grinding battle that needs your votes to stay heated. Every Sunday, a new blog with two conflicting images will be posted and it's up to you guys to vote in the comments. The following week, votes will be counted up and a winner will be determined. It is currently the fourth blogged activity, and the eleventh activity overall on the wiki. Make sure to check out the first blog, which will be posted tomorrow right after Caption Crunch. Who will win the first battle?

Bigez620
Bigez620

The staff at the Total Drama Wiki are always looking out for you guys, and even though we may hold more power than ordinary users, we still consider this place a community. This is why we love to bring you new activities as often as we can. At times, activities are suggested and later scrapped due to confusing rules, lack of user interest, and time restraints. But now that the wiki's liveliness has risen, there are three new activities that you should be looking forward to. First of all, Wiki Wars, an all-new interactive blogged activity that will begin tomorrow. Then, there's Roleplay Reborn, a reboot of the most recognized Total Drama roleplay online, Total Drama Roleplay. And finally, our grand reunion wiki-fest, bringing back all our old and new users for the first time in wiki history.

But don't fret; if these activities don't interest you, we still have tons of others. Users can apply to write a Newsletter column by contacting TDIFan13 on his Message Wall. Also, there's Caption Crunch. It's a blogged activity where a new image is posted every Sunday, and users create and vote on hilarious captions related to the picture. If the grand reunion doesn't suit you, ask an administrator to create a wiki-fest of your own. For examples of previous wiki-fests, visit the directory forum. That's all for now, guys, so thanks for reading and have an epic summer.

CD-TDA
CD-TDA

Lately, the wiki's activity has had a small increase after a mostly inactive 2012. With totally exciting news on Total Drama All-Stars surfacing, talk pages are sparking activity again with dozens of users discussing predictions and what they want to see for the new season. We've also had an influx of new users signing up to participate in the first season of our wiki's new roleplay, Roleplay Reborn. Other than that, not much has happened since last month, but we continue to look forward to the next few months of 2013.

TDIFan13
TDIFan13

Hey, guys, it's Ryan. Despite the wiki's minor decline in activity, the staff are still hard at work maintaining articles to make sure that, when Total Drama All-Stars airs, users can return to a cleanly environment. Since the start of this year, we've been slowly moving pages to accord with our new capitalization guidelines. Additionally, I've taken the liberty of cleaning up and categorizing all of our templates, including our userboxes. Due to the fact that some of the userboxes have been deleted, it's advised that you check your userpage to make sure there are no broken links. Other than that, we haven't experienced much change on the wiki, but we're definitely looking forward to summer; that's usually when activity starts rising again. Thanks for reading.

Advice column
TDIFan13

Ban Magnet
"Dear TDIFan13, I'm always getting banned. Not sure what I keep doing wrong but the list just keeps piling up... every time I think I'm doing something right, I log onto the wiki and someone's blocked me. What am I doing wrong?"

- Ban Magnet Dear Ban Magnet,
 * Tricky situation, but you can definitely avoid getting in trouble. I've had my fair share of bans in the past, mainly due to fights with other users. I'd do two things. First, go through all your bans and find the administrator that has blocked you the most, then contact them and try to get some tips on how to avoid your mistakes. Secondly, re-read the wiki's guidelines and visit our forums that give more specific details on particular rules. Make sure you're not breaking any of Wikia's terms and conditions, either.

Newbie
"Dear TDIFan13, I'm new to the wiki. I recently signed up after being drawn to the first season of Roleplay Reloaded, and I'm sort of trying to get the hang of things. What are the basics of this site?"

- Newbie Dear Newbie,
 * If you just recently signed up, someone has likely already welcomed you to the site. Make sure to check your Message Wall to get some pointers on the wiki; you can access your wall by clicking on the speech bubble icons at the top-right of your screen, right beside your username. Also, make sure to read the wiki's rules before doing anything, so you don't accidentally break a rule. Visit some of the wiki's chats, too, and you'll find lots of interesting users to speak to, including some that can likely help you out. Enjoy your time on the wiki.

Un-User
"Dear TDIFan13, I'm a user on the wiki that keeps uploading unused images. What are they and why do I keep getting warned for them? I really don't want a ban."

- Un-User Dear Un-User,
 * Unused images are files that are not on a page, like an article, forum, or userpage. These images are basically wasted, as you've uploaded them onto the site for no purpose. We have strict image rules that also forbid users from uploading duplicates and non-related images, because we value organization, as it plays a major part in keeping our wiki in tip-top shape. Don't forget that uploading unused videos is an offense, as well.

Tall Tales
TDIFan13

Editor's note
TDIFan13

Since last month's edition, the Newsletter has been running smoothly. With more users interested in applying for positions, it's safe to say that, this time, Newsletter may actually work out. A big thanks to Bigez620 and CD-TDA for writing some great material. We hope more users contribute in later Newlsetters. And hopefully, you guys are excited to see a new edition of Newsletter every month. Have an awesome summer, guys. Enjoy this month's installation of the Newsletter!

Episode review
Bigez620

The fact that The Treasure Island of Dr. McLean be so poorly written astounds me. From the moment Cameron mentioned mutant turkey, I knew this wasn't going to be very clever or creative episode. I know Total Drama is a cartoon, but the fact that mutant turkey acts as a tranquilizer for the sole reason that regular turkey supposedly makes you tired is incredibly nonsensical. Bad writing, if you ask me. So, yes, Chris and Chef leave the remaining contestants alone in the middle of Lake Wawanakwa. Suddenly, Mike coincidentally finds a fedora in the water, transforming him into Manitoba Smith. Cameron knocks off the hat in order to save Mike's relationship with Zoey, who seems to have no clue whatsoever that Mike is insane.

Dakota, who is now bald, decides that she needs an ally and chooses to befriend Zoey. I never did understand the staff's obsession with baldness. Seems like a pretty odd running gag. Chris and Chef arrive and Dakota humorlessly mocks Chris. Speaking of which, Dakota is completely out of character in this episode. It seems like she spends all of her time either having a blood lust or trying to befriend Zoey. Thankfully, Zoey is never out-of-character because she doesn't have character.

And I can't write this review without bringing up Dakota's descent into monstrosity. Like most of the show's fan base, I was not the least bit pleased by this for reasons that users have stated about a million times. Oh, and Gwen ' s cameo didn't impress me, either; talk about banal and forgettable. Anyway, so at the end, everyone votes for Scott but he plays the idol like we all knew he would and, instead, Dakota gets sent home. And joining Scott in the vote was Zoey, who claimed that her friendship with Zoey was hazardous. Seriously, all you talked about for the first half of the season was how you had trouble making friends, but as soon as you get one, you throw her away? Overall, a pretty bad episode earning a five out of ten from me.

Short story
Bigez620

Brady sat on a sofa on the Total Drama Aftermath stage, admiring himself in a handheld mirror. Beth ran onstage and wrapped her arms around him excitedly.

"Oh, Brady, I've missed you so much!" Beth proclaimed. "We're finally together."

"Ch'yeah we can, babe!" Brady declared.

Suddenly, Harold appeared from behind a nearby curtain. Beth gasped and let go of Brady, embarrassed.

"So, you thought I wouldn't find out, did you?" Harold demanded.

Brady scratched his head, puzzled. "Huh? Beth, who's this chump?"

"Chump?" Harold cried. "I was Beth's original boyfriend!"

"Technically, I dated Brady before I dated you," Beth whimpered.

"Whatever, dork!" Brady snapped, grabbing Beth protectively.

"Boys, please; there's enough Beth to go around," Beth pleaded.

"Beth? Beth?" a voice interrupted Beth's thoughts.

She awoke, surprised. "Oh, hi, Sadie."