On 08/11/2007, Alexandre NOUVEL <alexandre.nouvel(a)alnoprods.net> wrote:
I believe that many users appear to be zombies when
they don't speak
English and get (a bunch of) automated templates written in English.
Other problem: most of the templates are WAY too wordy. I realise
essential things need to be said, but I suspect no template that any
user receiving it is expected to read should be over about three
sentences. Two or one if possible. Not simpler than possible, but
certainly as simple.
(Templates tend to suffer badly from [[m:instruction creep]], as lots
of people think of *just one more important thing* people should see
in them. This leads to the template appearing as a "too long; didn't
read" blob on a talk page.)
So I'd suggest anyone adding welcome/warning
templates to do their best
to guess the user language. I'd also would like to propose that bots
would not add automatically welcome templates after only one or two
edits: this should be let to users as long as the bot has no ways to
guess the newbie preferred language... I understand that this would add
to the current huge load of work, but I'm sure that would dramatically
improve the warmth of the user first contact with the community :)
Definitely.
Hmm. What are the requirements for a Commons admin?
* a coupla hundred uploads
* knowledge of the intricate and tight-arsed Commons rules on eligible
content (particularly the thicket of what's public domain in what
country)
* willingness to do admin shitwork.
* convincing others you are clueful. Long-term admin and bureaucrat on
en:wp probably counts.
(The third is why I haven't tried - I know damn well I haven't time to
do the third.)
The main problem is finding people who fit both the second and third.
Yer average en:wp goldfarming admin prospect doesn't seem to be good
at 2, and/or there isn't enough social cachet.
(The above was a response to a query from Secretlondon on her LJ:
http://secretlondon.livejournal.com/347850.html - comment would also
be welcome on what audio would be useful to add to Commons, as she's
found her MiniDisc recorder and started recording piles of common
sounds.)
- d.