[Foundation-l] Searchability of non-mainspace pages

[Samuel Henderson]

I think that this is a fairly awful idea.  If there is a problem with how
discussions are being conducted on a particular project, the correct
procedure is to remind those involved of the basic rules of wikiquette, and
take appropriate measures against those who persist in violating basic
norms.  Our processes should be self-vindicating in this regard.  If not, we
have a problem, but should not fear the light of day.

That said, I believe it would be an enormous boon to Wikipedia (and any
other project which achieves a high pagerank in the future) if it was
*completely* removed from Google search.  The website is a dangerous
distraction from the real work of creating high-quality, freely
redistributable content.   As far as I know, however, I am alone in this
belief. :-)

Anyway, given that AFAICT the Foundation has deliberately restricted itself
to the role of ISP, not intervening in the affairs of the projects (even
when such intervention is desperately needed) except where required by law,
there is surely no role for it to play here.

-- Visviva (EN Wiktionary/Wikipedia)

On Mon, Apr 28, 2008 at 10:06 AM, Newyorkbrad (Wikipedia) <
newyorkbrad at gmail.com> wrote:

> My attention has repeatedly been drawn to serious negative effects created
> by the ability of Google and other searches to search and display pages
> outside the mainspace, including pages such as XfD's, DRV's, AN/I
> discussions, and the like.  Some of these discussions have taken place
> on-wiki and others, I am advised, on discussion of OTRS tickets posted by
> affected persons.
>
> Given the visibility of Wikipedia results on Google and other searches,
> and
> consistent with the overall intent of [[WP:BLP]] on En-Wiki (and what I
> hope
> is its equivalent on other projects), we have a serious responsibility to
> ensure that the overall effect of Wikipedia content is a responsible one.
> This includes eliminating the likelihood that the first hit on the Google
> search for a living person is not (for example) a deletion discussion on
> how
> insignificant and non-notable that individual is, or a page discussing the
> ban of that individual (who might be a minor, for example) who chose to
> edit
> Wikipedia under his or her real name and made some mistakes in doing so
> and
> was criticized or even banned as a result.
>
> There has been discussion from time to time about implementing a technical
> modification such that only mainspace pages (or such other pages as the
> community might consciously choose) would be visible to searches.  In view
> of the number of concerns raised about the current situation where
> everything is searchable, it seems to me that the necessary changes should
> be developed and implemented quickly.
>
> The main argument in opposition to this change that I have seen is that
> the
> internal Wikipedia search capability is not as strong as the external
> search
> engines, so that it is desirable that the ability to conduct a complete
> external search be maintained.  I know that I have sometimes found it
> useful
> to be able to search all spaces within the site in, for example, looking
> for
> precedent cases while drafting EnWiki arbitration decisions.  It therefore
> would probably be desirable to upgrade our internal search capability.
> However, in view of the number of third parties affected by the current
> practice, I do not believe that implementation of the non-search
> capability
> should await this development.
>
> As a matter of disclosure, although I have raised this concern in passing
> on
> prior occasions, my attention has been focused (this is something of an
> understatement) on it again by an ongoing and extremely unpleasant thread
> concerning me on the Wikipedia Review site.  I understand that my concerns
> in this matter might be discounted for that reason.  Nonetheless, they are
> sincere, of long standing, and I urge that they receive priority
> attention.
>
> Newyorkbrad
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