HRWiki:Talk page etiquette
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Purpose of the talk page
Editors at the Homestar Runner Wiki communicate with each other on talk pages concerning edits to articles, the right way to describe something, helping users with a particular wiki policy or editing information, and a wealth of other topics. These guidelines are meant to indicate what kinds of talk page edits are the most helpful, and which are seen as undesirable for a variety of reasons.
Main namespace talk
The talk page for an main namespace article is for discussing edits to that article, and discussion should be restricted to that topic. In particular, users should not make edits which are concerning personal opinions or theories which would be more appropriate on one's user page or in the Forum.
User talk
User talk pages are used to communicate with the user. A user's talk should not be used for casual conversation among other users. If it does not involve the user whose userspace you are on, do not post it there. Especially, if the discussion is between you and another user, and the talk page you are using is neither yours nor the other user's, move the conversation elsewhere. Personal conversation unrelated to the wiki should always be held elsewhere, whether email, AIM, IRC, or wherever.
General
In general, any user may post on any talk page in any namespace provided the post is on topic for that talk page. If a discussion should evolve to outgrow the scope of the talk page, it should be continued in a more appropriate location, such as another article's talk page, the Forum, or IRC.
Many users look at the edits through the Recent Changes page or through the page's history for a variety of reasons. It is helpful to use an edit summary for that reason. A brief summary of your post or a subtextual comment is appropriate here.
How to format talk posts
When you are beginning a new thread of discussion on a talk page, you should use the "+" tab on the top of the page to start a new thread. Enter the thread title in the small box and your post in the large box. Sign your talk post by typing a space, then ~~~~ at the end of your post. The wiki will turn this into a signature and a timestamp.
When you are replying to a post, do not start a new thread. Use the edit link to the right of the thread title (or, if it is not under a thread title, use the edit tab at the top of the page). Under the post, type a colon (:) and your reply. The colon indents the post - this makes it easier to follow the conversation. Again, conclude your post by typing a space, then ~~~~.
Example:
== Delete? == I think the page should be deleted. User 03:00, 1 January 2007 (UTC) :I agree. User2 03:05, 1 January 2007 (UTC)
If you are replying under a comment with one colon, use two colons for yours. Add a colon for each subsequent comment. (If the thread is extremely long, a user may opt to not indent the post (use no colons), essentially resetting the indenting.)
There are times when this format might not be strictly followed; feel free to go against this method of sequential indentation in cases where it will lead to clearer comprehension of the thread by other users. However, following sequential indentation is certainly always acceptable.
Talk post content
It is important to remember that your post is going to be read by many people. Each of these people will interpret what you are saying in their own way unless you are careful to be clear. Here are some basic guidelines which will decrease your chances of being misunderstood, as well as improve your relations with other editors.
- In some online communities like MySpace, users must reply by posting to the other users' page. This is not necessary here. In fact, always reply to a post on the same page the post is on. In cases where you wish to move the conversation elsewhere, leave a post to indicate where you are moving discussion.
- Never attribute to malice what can be attributed to stupidity or ignorance. This simply means that when someone says something which gets you upset in any way, assume they did not mean it intentionally and respond as if they were not aware they could have upset you. In most cases, that's the truth.
- As we have many, many users under the age of 18, no obscenity of any kind is permitted on talk pages. If you want to use dirty words, find another place to do it. (In the rare event an article must discuss obscenities, this of course should not be interpreted as forbidding the mature and disciplined discussion of these as pertains to the article in question.)
- Personal attacks of any kind or severity are forbidden. Each user shall be treated with dignity and respect at all times, with no exceptions. Even if a user has vandalized the wiki with the most vile content, that person shall be dealt with based on the facts of their actions and never with personal opinions or insults.
- All talk page posts should be on topic. If you think the post (or part of a post) might be better suited for the Forum or a chat room, you're probably right. Also, if you think it might not need to be said, don't say it. However, do not feel as if you should not post something which might be of importance to the article. Every user's contributions are equally welcome in talk pages.
- Please note that usually it's not necessary to indicate that you were edit-conflicted in your post. Remember, nearly all users get edit conflicts from time to time. The reader knows it's frustrating and certainly would sympathize, but this is unnecessary information and it's arguable whether users benefit from its inclusion. Instead, usually you can just add an extra colon and post it below. You might even want to indicate your reaction to the intervening post. Or, you might simply note that your post is in reply to a particular user's post.
- Rather than post on an article's talk page regarding an error or omission in the article, be bold and change the article (including an appropriate edit summary). If it is reverted, then at that point you should post on the talk page about it.
- Many talk pages are quite old, and one will find conversations from years past. It's generally futile to reply to dead conversations such as these. If you feel a very old topic should be revisited, normally you should start a new thread and begin it there, saying something along the lines of "Bringing up an old discussion...". There are times, however, when there may be a legitimate reason to post within an old thread (where a consensus was sought on a topic but never reached, for example); use your discretion. Also, some talk pages are archived on a separate page. You should never reply to items on an archived page.
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