On 08/11/2007, David Gerard dgerard@gmail.com wrote:
On 08/11/2007, Alexandre NOUVEL alexandre.nouvel@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.
That is true. I think templates are excellent for automatic notifications, but not for trying to modify user behaviour or teach anything. Our templates often conflate both these functions into a single thing and I have thought for a while it would be useful to separate those things and make it clear that the template only serves as a notification. (If one of my images gets nominated for deletion, I sure *do* want to know about it via an automatic template. But if you think I'm uploading copyvios, not so much.)
[[template:idw]] still makes me smile when I see it because it is the politest, most timid template you've ever seen that still says "we plan to destroy your work". That came about as a result of the PNG-SVG Wars of '05-Present.
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.
I think you overestimate the requirements. You need a coupla hundred edits, not uploads. And legal knowledge is NOT a requirement. You don't have to know what's going on - just don't PRETEND that you do. And know where you might be able to find out. (Commons:Licensing, etc.) Convincing others is also easy. Spend a couple of months on COM:DEL making comments that advance the cases. Part of the reason they are so slow to be closed is because no one comments, so the admin has to do all the thinking. Much easier if other people do all the thinking and the admin just closes. ;)
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.
Well, I am kinda glad about that. I am happy that our RfA is still very sane. (But then beggars can't be choosers.) Would someone who is after social cachet make a good admin?
cheers Brianna