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Wondering everyone’s thoughts on this matter, because mine aren’t too cool.

I’ve always been told that Talk pages are for collaboration only. Yet, when I saw the creation of Template:Cookies and Template:Munch (and several similar ones later), I thought, “That’s unacceptable” because these don’t conform to providing collaborative efforts to wikiHow. However, I see many people using these two interchangeably. I call it the “Cookie game.”

Now, let me hear your thoughts. Do you feel these types of templates are used on talk pages while staying within the bounds of the use of talk pages - where they’re most used?

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I thought that those templates were used for congratulating people and just sending a friendly message to show that the receiver is appreciated?

But I do see your point, I don’t see how they are very useful in a collaborative way.

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I think it’s perfectly acceptable. I’ve always thought talk page conversations need to be kept wikiHow related, and I think those templates are within that category (seeing as though they are mainly sending messages like ‘you’re efforts are appreciated’ and other types of uplifting messages about things you may do on wikiHow)

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I think they’re okay, as a medium of spreading wikiLove or just saying “thanks” in general. (I even saw Jayne using {{cookies}} once to recognize a contributor for their edits)

The use of such wikiLove templates seems to be a bit similar to what Welcomers usually end their message with—“How do you like the site so far?”, “What made you pick that username?”, “Do you like anything particular about the site so far?” etc. These questions, while not adding much to the collaborative intent of talk pages, encourages the new user to reply and continues the conversation, making them comfortable and more likely to ask any further questions about the site. If it gets to an extreme point, which seems highly unlikely based on my observations, we can always nudge them and guide them accordingly! Plus, the people who do such light-hearted conversation at a large scale usually either have autopatrol or get sent {{chat}}.

Related things like wishing someone a wikiBirthday or awarding someone a barnstar are also not as collaborative, with their main intent only being to encourage or recognize a contributor.

Personally, I only remember using it to wish everyone a new year. I don’t mind the occasional use. With that being said, some may like it, some may not—perhaps we could have a UIB to indicate choice?

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Talk pages are for collaboration - yes that’s true, but it’s not a hard and fast rule that needs to be followed to the letter.

As long as everyone is being productive and contributing towards the overall mission, there’s really nothing wrong with having a bit of fun along the way.

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At the top of the Policies page , it states:

We don’t want wikiHow to have so many rules and regulations that it is no longer fun to participate.

I would echo Zygomatt’s sentiment here. We are human, and forming connections and friendships is natural and likely more conducive to collaboration and effectiveness than not. As long as this template usage does not veer disproportionately towards chatting, I do not see an issue.

If you do not wish to participate or have these templates on your talk page, that is your prerogative and is 100% okay. I also choose not to participate because I don’t much care about sending templates, but I don’t mind seeing them. I enjoy seeing the friendships people have developed over the years and I have certainly had my fair share, mostly with people who haven’t been here in years.

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ok. Seems like everyone isnt for doing anything with them. It just continues to be awkward to me.

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I’m putting a UIB on my list for creation (I hope) really soon. Thanks for that idea.

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For those who won’t play this game (like myself), there is now a UIB from: here , but if you do play this game we have one here instead.

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