[WikiEN-l] Preloaded new article forms to help the newbies?

Tue Mar 22 18:57:39 UTC 2005

David Gerard wrote:

> Deathphoenix wrote:
>
>> David Gerard wrote:
>
>>> When the page for creating a new article comes up, would it be
>>> useful to include an article skeleton? Something like the following:
>>> Is this a useful idea? Do new article patrollers think it will help?
>>
> > That sounds like a great idea. Since the "well-meaning awful" often
> > comes from people who might not know where to look for such templates,
> > maybe it would be a good idea to provide a link in the "Wikipedia does
> > not yet have an article with this exact name" template, to the edit
> > page, or maybe provide a button that inserts that template (similar to
> > the buttons that help you insert bolded text, italicised text,
> > signatures, and so on).
>
> If they don't know how to format an article, they wouldn't know what
> a button meant, though ...
>
> The only downside I can see is the possibility for function creep, and
> idiots using this inappropriately as a hammer to use on others. 

A big factor in Wikipedia's success has been the ease of editing.  
No-one should be discouraged from editing because they are unfamiliar 
with categories, templates, tables or inter-wiki links, nor should they 
need to know about special accomodations for math or music unless they 
are directly involved in those topics.  The list of what a beginner 
needs to know to start editing should fit on one screen without 
scrolling.  Even something as simple as four-tilde signatures doesn't 
need to be there.  It is not essential to basic editing, but when told 
about it a few days later the newbie appreciates this information that 
makes his work easier.  (One can even say it's a bit like giving him a 
free joint to encourage him on the road to Wikiholism. :-) )

Pandering to idiots can be a terrible waste of time, and most technical 
solutions to the idiot problems can be more damaging than the problems 
they are trying to solve.

And what's so awful about "well-meaning awful"?  That lot of people is 
often willing to discuss and take advice when they are approached 
politely.  Why should we make life more difficult for them? 

What could be more simple than that blue means there is a linked 
article, red means there isn't?  When I joined up we didn't have those 
buttons, so I still don't use them.  Is it really ergonomically simpler 
to take your hands off the keyboard to point your mouse at a button, 
click, and put your hands back on the keyboard than to type three 
apostrophes (no shift key required) without moving your hands away from 
the keyboard?

I personally like to avoid most templates if there is an equally valid 
way of doing things available.  I find it difficult to reconcile the use 
of complications intended to make my life simpler with making my life 
simpler.

Ec