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FamilySearch Wiki:Etiquette Guidelines: Difference between revisions
FamilySearch Wiki:Etiquette Guidelines (view source)
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*[[FamilySearch Wiki:Assume good faith|Assume good faith]]. Comply with etiquette ethics. FamilySearch Wiki has worked remarkably well so far based on a policy of nearly complete freedom to edit. People come here to collaborate and write good articles. | *[[FamilySearch Wiki:Assume good faith|Assume good faith]]. Comply with etiquette ethics. FamilySearch Wiki has worked remarkably well so far based on a policy of nearly complete freedom to edit. People come here to collaborate and write good articles. | ||
*Remember {{wpd|Ethic of reciprocity|the Golden Rule}}: Treat others as you would have them treat you – even if they are new. We were all new once and we have all made little errors. | *Remember {{wpd|Ethic of reciprocity|the Golden Rule}}: Treat others as you would have them treat you – even if they are new. We were all new once and we have all made little errors. | ||
* | *Always be polite. | ||
**Keep in mind that raw text may be ambiguous and often seems ruder than the same words coming from a person standing in front of you. Irony is not always obvious when written – text comes without facial expressions, vocal inflection or body language. Be careful with the words you write. What you mean may not be what others understand. Be careful how you interpret what you read: what you understand may not be what the writer is trying to say. | **Keep in mind that raw text may be ambiguous and often seems ruder than the same words coming from a person standing in front of you. Irony is not always obvious when written – text comes without facial expressions, vocal inflection or body language. Be careful with the words you write. What you mean may not be what others understand. Be careful how you interpret what you read: what you understand may not be what the writer is trying to say. | ||
*[[FamilySearch Wiki:Sign your posts on talk pages|Sign and date]] your posts to [[FamilySearch Wiki:Talk page|talk pages]] only, (not to articles), unless you have some excellent reasons not to do so. | *[[FamilySearch Wiki:Sign your posts on talk pages|Sign and date]] your posts to [[FamilySearch Wiki:Talk page|talk pages]] only, (not to articles), unless you have some excellent reasons not to do so. | ||
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**Although it is understandably difficult in an intense argument, if other editors are not as civil as you would like them to be, be ''more'' civil than they are, not less. That way at least you are not moving towards open conflict and name-calling; by your own action you are actively doing something about it: take a hit and refrain from hitting back – everybody appreciates that (or at least they should). | **Although it is understandably difficult in an intense argument, if other editors are not as civil as you would like them to be, be ''more'' civil than they are, not less. That way at least you are not moving towards open conflict and name-calling; by your own action you are actively doing something about it: take a hit and refrain from hitting back – everybody appreciates that (or at least they should). | ||
**However, do not hesitate to let the other person know that you are not comfortable with their tone in a neutral way – otherwise they might think that you are too dense to understand their "subtlety", and you will involuntarily encourage them (e.g. "I know that you have been sarcastic above, but I do not think that is helping us resolve the issue. However, I do not think that your argument stands because..."). | **However, do not hesitate to let the other person know that you are not comfortable with their tone in a neutral way – otherwise they might think that you are too dense to understand their "subtlety", and you will involuntarily encourage them (e.g. "I know that you have been sarcastic above, but I do not think that is helping us resolve the issue. However, I do not think that your argument stands because..."). | ||
*Be prepared to apologize. In animated discussions, we often say things we later wish we had not. Say so. Nothing dissipates anger more quickly than a heart felt apology.<br> | *Be prepared to apologize. In animated discussions, we often say things we later wish we had not. Say so. Nothing dissipates anger more quickly than a heart felt apology.<br> | ||
*Forgive and forget. | *Forgive and forget. | ||
*Recognize your own biases and keep them in check. | *Recognize your own biases and keep them in check. | ||
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Insinuation, {{wpd|double entendre}}, or oblique criticism of writing should be avoided when expressing criticism – particularly negative criticism. In the summary, use words like: "clarified", "re-worded", and "shortened" as these words are neutral in nature while still being clear in intent. This point of etiquette also helps the editor receiving criticism to correctly understand you and respond to your concerns in a neutral manner and may particularly aid editors {{wpd|English as a Foreign or Second Language|English is a second language}} who may have difficulty understanding written English. | Insinuation, {{wpd|double entendre}}, or oblique criticism of writing should be avoided when expressing criticism – particularly negative criticism. In the summary, use words like: "clarified", "re-worded", and "shortened" as these words are neutral in nature while still being clear in intent. This point of etiquette also helps the editor receiving criticism to correctly understand you and respond to your concerns in a neutral manner and may particularly aid editors {{wpd|English as a Foreign or Second Language|English is a second language}} who may have difficulty understanding written English. | ||
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Criticism communicated in any manner and concerning any subject must be [[FamilySearch Wiki:Civility and Polite Discourse|civil]], should assume good faith as described in the [[FamilySearch Wiki:Assume good faith|relevant guideline]], should not constitute rudeness to people who are new to the wiki and should comply with other FamilySearch Wiki policies and guidelines. If directed generally towards an editor's behavior or other aspects of talk page commentary, criticism '''must not''' constitute a ''personal attack'' as described in the [[FamilySearch Wiki:No personal attacks|no personal attacks]] policy. See also [[FamilySearch Wiki:Attack pages]]. | Criticism communicated in any manner and concerning any subject must be [[FamilySearch Wiki:Civility and Polite Discourse|civil]], should assume good faith as described in the [[FamilySearch Wiki:Assume good faith|relevant guideline]], should not constitute rudeness to people who are new to the wiki and should comply with other FamilySearch Wiki policies and guidelines. If directed generally towards an editor's behavior or other aspects of talk page commentary, criticism '''must not''' constitute a ''personal attack'' as described in the [[FamilySearch Wiki:No personal attacks|no personal attacks]] policy. See also [[FamilySearch Wiki:Attack pages]]. | ||
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*FamilySearch Wiki articles are supposed to represent all views instead of supporting one viewpoint over another, even if you believe something strongly. Talk pages are not a place to debate value judgments about which of those views are right or wrong or better. If you want to do that, there are venues such as {{wpd|Usenet}}, public {{wpd|weblog}}s and other {{wpd|wiki}}s. Use article talk pages to discuss the accuracy/inaccuracy, POV bias, or other problems in the article, not as a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:NOTSOAPBOX#Wikipedia_is_not_a_soapbox soapbox] for {{wpd|advocacy}}. | *FamilySearch Wiki articles are supposed to represent all views instead of supporting one viewpoint over another, even if you believe something strongly. Talk pages are not a place to debate value judgments about which of those views are right or wrong or better. If you want to do that, there are venues such as {{wpd|Usenet}}, public {{wpd|weblog}}s and other {{wpd|wiki}}s. Use article talk pages to discuss the accuracy/inaccuracy, POV bias, or other problems in the article, not as a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:NOTSOAPBOX#Wikipedia_is_not_a_soapbox soapbox] for {{wpd|advocacy}}. | ||
*If someone disagrees with you, this does not necessarily mean that the person hates you, that the person thinks that you are stupid, that the person is stupid, or that the person is mean. When people post opinions without practical implications for the article, it is best to just leave them alone. What you think is not necessarily right or necessarily wrong – a common example of this is {{wpd|religion}}. Before you think about insulting someone's views, think about what would happen if they insulted yours. Remember that anything written on FamilySearch Wiki is kept permanently, even if it is not visible. Be cautious and thoughtful about what you write. It lasts forever. <br> | *If someone disagrees with you, this does not necessarily mean that the person hates you, that the person thinks that you are stupid, that the person is stupid, or that the person is mean. When people post opinions without practical implications for the article, it is best to just leave them alone. What you think is not necessarily right or necessarily wrong – a common example of this is {{wpd|religion}}. Before you think about insulting someone's views, think about what would happen if they insulted yours. Remember that anything written on FamilySearch Wiki is kept permanently, even if it is not visible. Be cautious and thoughtful about what you write. It lasts forever. <br> | ||
*FamilySearch Wiki invites you to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Be_bold be bold,] though it is wise to remember that it is possible to be ''too'' bold. Boldness can often venture into controlling. Before initiating discussion, ask yourself: is this necessary to discuss? Could I provide a [[Help:Edit summary|summary]] with my edit and wait for others to express opinions if they like? Might my actions have consequences that I have not considered? | *FamilySearch Wiki invites you to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Be_bold be bold,] though it is wise to remember that it is possible to be ''too'' bold. Boldness can often venture into controlling. Before initiating discussion, ask yourself: is this necessary to discuss? Could I provide a [[Help:Edit summary|summary]] with my edit and wait for others to express opinions if they like? Might my actions have consequences that I have not considered? | ||
*You can always take a discussion to {{wpd|e-mail}} or to your user page if it is not essential to the article. | *You can always take a discussion to {{wpd|e-mail}} or to your user page if it is not essential to the article. | ||