Bulbapedia:Code of conduct: Difference between revisions

Manual of Nice

better known as

Bulbapedia's code of conduct

Outline

The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to outline, specifically, acceptable behavior when users interact with each other. It is not the Manual of Style, and does not pretend to tell you how to edit pages. This doesn't even deal with edit wars specifically (which are bad, and against the rules, but not a violation of the code of conduct.) The Code of Conduct governs interaction between users on every aspect of Bulbapedia: the main space, the Shipping space, the userspace, and every other space there is.

The Code of Conduct in two words

Play nice.

Main Space Interaction

There are hundreds and hundreds of edits made to the main space every day. Most of them aren't conflicting, everyone humming along and improving Bulbapedia at their own pace. Sometimes, however, users come into conflict over specific phrases, pictures, templates, or other aspects of the Wiki.

On regular pages, if you think somebody's wrong about a fact, and they don't think they're wrong, an edit war can ensue. While that is going on, do try to talk it out politely on the talk pages. Outline why you think they're wrong--factually, not stylistically--and expect them to do the same for you. Call in an arbitration. Do not insult them, demean them, or otherwise bash them in order to prove your point. It doesn't improve your image in the community and won't win you any points in the argument.

If you disagree with someone stylistically--for instance, if you think a template or picture is wrong, or a bad choice, talk to the creator or post on that template's talk page before making changes. Be nice about it--point out the specific deficiencies, and why your idea provides a more effective solution. Don't degrade their work--remember, they worked hard on it. Remember, too, that ideas have inertia, and it may take someone a little while to leave their design and come around to yours. Be patient, understanding, and, again, kind when dealing with another user. It may slow the process of change down a little bit, but the changes will be more pleasant to everyone.

User Space Interaction

Writing on talk pages in four words

Not nice, don't say.

Writing on talk pages in three paragraphs

It sounds really simple, but if you just make an effort to be nice or be quiet, that will help a lot. If somebody's doing something wrong and you want to write on their user talk page, describe what's incorrect and provide encouragement and advice in how to make it better. Nobody was born with an intuitive understanding of wikicode, or the English language for that matter. Positive reinforcement goes a long way to making the community stronger and new users better contributors--because even bad contributions are additions.

If someone makes an incorrect edit, nobody is done a favor by degrading the incorrect party. Of course, it is the duty of another user to correct the problem. But snide comments aren't required--or even useful. New users aren't made better if they feel like outsiders to a private club--and Bulbapedia isn't a club. This is the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia. We accept everyone with an e-mail address.

If someone starts trouble on your talk page, don't respond in kind. Let it slide, or, if you have to respond, respond nicely. If it's really bad, contact an administrator--administrators are here to help. If it's an administrator, causing the problem or you don't feel comfortable talking to any of the admins, contact TTEchidna, the current Editor-in-Chief. If you don't feel comfortable talking to him for some reason, or need outside perspective, evkl or Archaic are both available to field issues.

User Feuds

There are a handful of long-running feuds between some users. Kiss and make up. Bury the hatchet. Drain the bad blood. It would be a really great thing if every user who knew they had someone they really didn't get along with extended their hand--metaphorically--and apologized for wronging the other.

Accept that apology if it drops your way. Apologize back for anything you might have done to wrong them. Because we're all in this together, at the end of the day, and there's no reason to make enemies when you could have friends.

Concluding thoughts

Play nice, please.