2008/7/23 Newyorkbrad (Wikipedia) <newyorkbrad(a)gmail.com>om>:
As for userspace, I think the optimal solution would be to allow the
individual user to opt in or out of indexing, if that is doable without too
much fuss. (And indefblocked or banned users would automatically be
no-indexed, to give those with identifiable usernames one fewer grievance
to
pursue after they have left us.) Query whether "in" or "out" would
be the
better default.
I am of the belief that only mainspace should be indexed by default, and
that only limited project space (e.g., policies) should be indexed but that
all other areas should be no-index by default. Userspace should default to
no-index, in particular. I recall a very contentious BLP-related discussion
that took place over several months, and was discussed not only in project
space and on the talk pages of related articles, but was also discussed on
multiple user pages. When I do a search for that subject now, ("name of
celebrity" +"BLP issue" +wikipedia) what comes up is the many discussions
on
userpages, perpetuating the BLP problem.
Risker