On 23/01/07, Oskar Sigvardsson <oskarsigvardsson(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Still, my main argument still stands. It's
condescending and rude, and
that's not how we should treat our new users, let alone our
experienced ones who are going to have to see that damn notice every
damn time they start an article. I just think that that is not the way
we should be treating new users.
I know I would never have joined if I had been greeted by a bunch of
reference-fanatic dudes who didn't have any patience with people who
didn't quite get how wikipedia works.
Unfortunately, not doing so is likely to see their article zapped,
which is a much less n00b-friendly experience.
Yet another person just popped onto IRC asking how to create an
article that wouldn't get killed on sight. I said "write a few
paragraphs, add good references." "How should I format the
references?" "Not important. Just have them. Trust me - after dredging
through lame garage band articles on Special:Newpages, you'll cry at
the wikibeauty of an article that actually has its refs."
Surely it's polite to let them know rather than give great big warning
notices but no clues.
- d.