[WikiEN-l] Sub-stub city

Sun Aug 8 11:39:52 UTC 2004

Why don't you just leave stubs alone and let them develop into articles
through a natural process?

Fred

> From: Stephen Adair <SWAdair at computermail.net>
> Reply-To: SWAdair at computermail.net, English Wikipedia <wikien-l at Wikipedia.org>
> Date: Sat, 7 Aug 2004 22:03:54 -0700 (PDT)
> To: wikien-l at Wikipedia.org
> Subject: [WikiEN-l] Sub-stub city
> 
> I can't get any work done.  It seems all I ever do is patrol New Pages.  I
> can't count the number of times I've typed an edit summary of "Speedy Delete
> tag -- obvious test page."  I'm all for stubs becoming short articles becoming
> articles to be proud of, but can't we at least place a lower limit on the byte
> count allowed for new articles?
> 
> I think 200 bytes is a reasonable lower limit.  Under 200 bytes gets you a
> message about needing more substance (or some more tactful word) before an
> article can be created, along with a link to the sandbox for those who want to
> practice editing.
> 
> That would eliminate almost all tests in the article space and increase the
> likelihood that an article has at least some useable context to it.  It would
> also decrease the number of dicdefs posted, making it more likely that the
> original author expands it, if possible.
> 
> There are so many people, most of them well-intentioned, posting unuseable
> content to the Wikipedia, and so few dedicated regulars trying to clean up
> after them.  We're being deluged with fluff, and we don't have to be.  I think
> a reasonable minimum byte count would reduce the workload of those trying to
> maintain the Wikipedia, while simultaneously improving the quality of the
> articles.
> 
> Anyone who is really interested in a topic will write more than 200 bytes
> without being told they need to.  Well over 99% of all tests in the article
> space are far less than 200 bytes.  Most dicdefs are under 200 bytes.  Many
> Candidates for Speedy Deletion are under 200 bytes.  I love the Wikipedia, but
> I strongly dislike the *unnecessary* workload.
> 
> Your thoughts?
> 
> Stephen W. Adair
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