Marc Riddell wrote:
on 1/31/07 7:39 AM, David Gerard at dgerard@gmail.com wrote:
Wikipedia is a working environment - a volunteer one (which has its own social rules, of course), but nevertheless it's a project with a particular purpose. I've seen how obnoxious editors scare off newbies, and it's not nice at all and is actually damaging to the project.
I think the basic rule, which I hold is the fundamental rule of all social spaces, is "Don't be a dick." Every other social rule we have is a special case of that.
Terrific! I much prefer the term "Don't be a dick" to "incivility"; can we make the change :-).
A significant minority finds the word "dick" offensive because of the sexual overtones.
Seriously, is there an attempt made by other, more seasoned editors, to give support to these newbies to assure them they are supported by the majority of the project?
I'm sure we all would when the direct opportunity arises, but it takes a great deal of maturity and patience. It takes honest recognition of the difference between a newbie and a troublemaker. The police mentality of the vandal hunters and other recent change patrol tends to shoot first and ask questions lateer. I think that many of them attach great importance to ridding us of a wide range of troublesome people, but their tactics can be extreemely disconcerting for newbies who are really trying to make an honest but awkward effort.
Ec