User talk:True Pagan Warrior/PDT

Goals of essay

1. Create useful article that will introduce new Wikipedians to the process of AFD/Speedy. Very often, new users jump in and create an article, and are instantly thrust into the delete process with no experience.
2. Reduce reactionary vandalism by helping new Wikipedians understand and become a part of the delete process, instead of making them feel even more like outsiders.
3. Serve as an extremely simple HOW-TO guide that anyone can understand, to get new Wikipedians in the habit of reading the policies before taking actions that may be against policies. A 6th grader should be able to understand and follow these steps, but it shouldn't talk down to anyone.
4. Act as a calming factor by using a small amount of humor, a fair dose of understanding, and simple answers to what they think is more important right after their article is nominated: How can I keep my article?
5. Empower the new user by allowing them to become part of the process, with the net result being that they either keep the article they started, or truly understand why it must be deleted.
6. Be short enough that people will actually read it, and provide only the information that they want at this time. It should never seek to be a comprehensive guide to article deletion.

Reasons for essay

Very often, new Wikipedians register their new name and immediately create an article that is not per policy and destined to be deleted. We experienced editors and admins can sometimes rush into the process and be more concerned about deleting the article than we are about welcoming the new Wikipedian. We sometimes will just tell them to look up the policy, or say something like "don't write articles until you know what you are doing" or similar. Even milder comments can turn a new user away, accidently create a vandal, or in the least, give the new user the feeling that they don't belong because they are not part of the 'elite' crowd. The vast majority of the time, this is done accidently but it still happens.

Many of these new users are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of policies and rules here. They may have been under the impression that "open and free" means they can start an article on anything that interests them, and a Speedy tag or AFD is their first interaction with other users here. Their intentions are often much more honorable than we give them credit for. Many are younger teens, who feel intimidated by the system, yet have much to offer to Wikipedia.

A new Wikipedian shouldn't feel like a victim of the system. This essay is an attempt to walk a new user through the process of AFD and Speedy Delete so they won't feel a need to vandalise, fight back or lash out. They may not like the net result, but by welcoming and including them, they are more likely to understand and feel part of the process. There will always be reactionary vandals and people who lash out, but an essay like this may reduce the number of new vandals and increase the number of actual contributors.

Request for input

I have started the essay, with input from User:KnowledgeOfSelf. I am confident that input from experienced administrators and editors can improve the essay, while keeping true to the original goals. Please feel free to improve it. If someone thinks a different 'name' or intro is warranted, please discuss it here. I am open to all ideas that will help new users. Pharmboy (talk) 18:55, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

I think the name of the article is confusing. I wish I had a suggestion that wasn't pedantic. Also, shorter is better. Otherwise, this is a great contribution. ike9898 (talk) 22:37, 20 February 2008 (UTC)

I appreciate the input. The essay started with the name as the concept, but may need to be reviewed as well. Shorter is better, and KnowledgeOfSelf has helped with this, but it needs to also be somewhat of a 'step by step' on how to deal with the problems for newbs, so it has to have enough steps to be useful. Its a hard one to figure out. I need to look at the intro harder, and the name. Thanks again. any other input you have, feel free. PHARMBOY (TALK) 15:45, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

PROD

I added a rough PROD section via suggestion by Kuru. It likely needs cleaning up, but it is a reasonable start. Good idea Kuru, and thanks! Pharmboy (talk) 14:41, 20 January 2008 (UTC)

Reorganized the layout, lumping the three types into a single section. I think the length is ok but doesn't need to be much longer. I am confident it can condensed a little and made more clear, which isn't my strong suit. Pharmboy (talk) 15:28, 20 January 2008 (UTC)

Page move

Page has been moved to Otherlleft (talk · contribs)'s space so that it can continue to be developed.--otherlleft^{No, really, other way . . .} 18:07, 25 November 2008 (UTC)

• As a quick note, Pharmboy = DENNIS BROWN (T) (C), and I think this article may be less confusing with a different title. That was one of the issues I heard about from other users off the page. Star Mississippi has a great page at User:Star Mississippi/CSD that is worth borrowing from. I also deleted the essay for missing persons at User:Dennis Brown/Missing person, which was newer. You are welcome to undelete/view/whatever if you so choose. DENNIS BROWN (T) (C) 18:18, 25 November 2008 (UTC)