On 08/11/2007, David Gerard <dgerard(a)gmail.com> wrote:
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.
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
--
They've just been waiting in a mountain for the right moment:
http://modernthings.org/