Wikiversity:Discussions/151001 Users write essays under their headers

See also:

• Wikiversity:Colloquium#Are_you_concerned_about_Colloquium_discussions_getting_so_long_they_are_hard_to_follow.3F

Proposal

Topics that lead to lengthy discussion should be moved off the Wikiversity:Colloquium and onto a page where individuals create and edit essays the describe their position. If it is felt that the question should be brought to the main Wikiversity:Colloquium, a page like this could be used to clarify the issue.

How to participate

Click an empty header and remove the nowiki and create your space.

Thoughts by Guy vandegrift (discuss • contribs)

What we need now are ideas about the rules of order and etiquette. For example,

• Should it be permissible to ask questions inside another user's heading? (I am inclined to say "no")
• Should decisions made here be allowed to carry weight? (The answer is obviously "no", primarily out of fear of unintended consequences, but also because no page is allowed to change the rules.
• Should each such discussion have a moderator?

• I think that should be considered option, with the name of the moderator at the top of the page. If we have a moderator, the rules regarding the moderator's role will have to be worked out.
• One role of such a moderator might be to collapse essays that are obviously out of date or way too long, using a ping to the author informing them of the collapse. Better yet, ping the author for permission to collapse and collapse if there is no reply after 7 days.

Proposed method for deciding whether to have a moderator

Moderator

A moderator is not required, but xxx has volunteered to moderate. Please vote in the space below:

Last edited

I advocate a policy that permits editors to edit their prose. We are not trying to make policy, but to articulate ideas.

Thoughts by Dave Braunschweig (discuss • contribs)

Yes, the Colloquium discussions have been too lengthy, but I would prefer a Wikiversity: namespace page for such discussions rather than a user space page. Users are free to alter or clear their pages as they see fit. It's not a good place for discussions of record that could lead to policy or procedure decisions. -- Dave Braunschweig (discuss • contribs) 01:25, 1 October 2015 (UTC)

We have had situations in the past where editors not only edited the discussion, but altered the discussion, completely changing the words of others. Wikis aren't intended to have moderated discussions. If we need moderation of the discussion, we have different issues to address. -- Dave Braunschweig (discuss • contribs) 14:14, 1 October 2015 (UTC)

Yes, I agree that Wikiversity: is the place for these discussions, whatever format they take. But everyone is free to keep pages in user space until they are ready to share the content / ideas. -- Dave Braunschweig (discuss • contribs) 13:01, 6 October 2015 (UTC)

Thoughts by Leutha (discuss • contribs)

I agree that the Colloquium is not the place for long often highly specific discussions. Whilst it may be useful to link to a discussion at some other place that is where the discussion should take place. I do not think it should be in an individual's user space. and agree Wikiversity:.... sounds good. Leutha (discuss • contribs) 13:11, 4 October 2015 (UTC)

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Conclusion

If you feel this is ready for one, write it here. This can be edited by all.