2008/7/23 Newyorkbrad (Wikipedia) newyorkbrad@gmail.com:
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