UESPWiki talk:Community Portal/Principles Controversy

The Etiquette page redirects here. To me, it seems that a new editor does not need to be redirected to an airing of our dirty laundry. Can we revamp that? Maybe fix up that page, or at least take away the link to here? Somercy 11:39, 5 June 2007 (EDT)

There is a link here from the Etiquette page because right now this page contains the only discussion that establishes what the community expectations are for proper etiquette (i.e., Civility, Incivility and Wikiquette, just to link to two subsections that explicity address the topic; it is also a theme repeatedly throughout the page and therefore the entire page is relevant). This discussion has been referred to on several subsequent occasions for this very reason. Eventually the plan is to fill in the stub at Etiquette, and I have already written a few drafts of what might go on that page. However, I've been procrastinating on posting them because I have some worries that posting that policy could prompt a whole new round of ugly discussion (and given that there were some very different views on the subject, I think I'm not just being paranoid). Right now, I'm kind of enjoying having a period of peace and quiet around here. On the other hand, I realize that having the policy page in place will also help in case there are any future disagreements about what is or is not appropriate. So hopefully at some point in the next month or so I'll have some time to get back to some of the unfinished bits of policy-writing. --Nephele^Talk 13:04, 5 June 2007 (EDT)

Etiquette rules are like laundry detergent -- pointless unless there's some dirty laundry around. While the smell is not entirely pleasant, it should be expected that if you stick your head in the laundry closet, that you get a bit of it. In other words, the record of this dispute provides motivation for putting the etiquette rules in place.

Now to make a more abstract point... There's a myth that all it takes to get along is to just agree to get along. In truth, that's not sufficient to resolve most serious conflicts. In such conflicts, people end up having to make a choice between different courses of action -- to say that one is okay, and that the other is not okay and should be rejected. Since most organizations whitewash their past disputes, the only way for most people to learn this is to actually be involved in the dispute. I.e., newbies are left in the dark. But here we have essentially the entire dispute recorded here as it unfolded -- that's rare and educational for those who are willing to learn from it.

Finally, the page is useful simply as history of the site. Without this dispute and its resolution, the site would have gone in a very different direction. The site is now (again) a pleasant place to be and hang out -- and that's directly a result of the resolution of the conflict. That shouldn't be forgotten or swept under a rug. --Wrye 17:03, 5 June 2007 (EDT)