On Sun, Dec 6, 2009 at 11:00 PM, Charles Matthews <
charles.r.matthews(a)ntlworld.com> wrote:
Given the huge preponderance of readers over editors,
the last point
really should be first (visit help desks). Then I would go to drafting:
"If you are able to draft an article on this topic, you can start it at
Special:MyPage/Norwegian Antarctic". And make sure that the Special page
has a clear way of templating the page so that it goes into a "help
requested" category, and generates a human welcome.
Then give the three options (read "Your first article", Sandbox, Article
wizard) as exactly that: "If you'd like to ...". Basically that message
seems to have the order stood on its head. Something that could be
addressed easily, though.
Yeah, but I'd go further.
1) Big blue button with informaiton icon. "Looking for information on
<topic>? We don't have any. :( Try [the help desk] or [Google].
2) Big green button. "Knowing something about <topic>? We'd love your
help.
Click here to start writing."
And of course "here" takes them to a walled tutorial where they can start
writing, with experienced wikipedians watching in real time to give them a
few pointers. The most crucial tips (referincing, not copying text in) get
shown as appropriate, but not in one massive up-front hit. Encouragement
along the way. At the end, a message like "Thanks! Hold the line, someone
will give your article one final check over before it goes public."
I wonder if we have the resources to support that. We seem to have plenty of
resources to speedy delete or AfD most newbie contributions...
Steve