Anthere wrote:
This implies duties, more than rights. Watching for vandalism, reverting damage, banning undesirable elements, welcoming newcomers, cleaning-up behind them, explaining how things work, cooling off problematic editors. It should not give benefits in the sense of having editing rights that others don't have.
This is more or less consistent with my view, especially this part:
In particular, they should not use their position to edit pages over which there is an edit war,
That's right. We're not supposed to use sysop powers "on the battlefield". The nature of wiki -- absolute equality in editing -- is the great equalizer that forces NPOV on us all. Only in extraordinary circumstances (bans of people who just won't co-operate, repeatedly) does this not work out.
especially when they are involved. And I cannot figure why they should have the right to edit protected pages when regular editors cannot.
Well, generally, the only reason to have protected pages like the homepage is that it's such a tempting target for vandalism. And sysop powers are not a special privilege handed out to a few, they are open for anyone who asks. Basically, as long as you're known to not be a vandal, you can have sysop powers.
So, I see not why the main page is protected, and I see not why regular editors cannot edit it, in the *wiki spirit* ("you can edit this page, now").
If you want to edit it, in the wiki spirit, just have someone set your sysop flag.
But, of course, there's a certain tradition of how it has been done -- not absolutely binding, of course -- and sudden changes are likely to upset people.
--Jimbo