1

I wanted to ask, but could we consider deleting unused files (i.e. images that had a past use but are not currently used right now)? It would not change the license but it would make it easier for someone else to upload a new image at the same location. We already delete images not used within 7 days of upload.

Unused files - wikiHow

2

Hi, Aasim. I love this idea; however, one hang-up is that these images may be used on other language versions of wikiHow and will appear as unused because they are not being utilized on English wikiHow.

If staff has a method to identify truly unused images, regardless of their usage in any version, then I’d love to see them cleaned up. However, I’m uncertain if such a method exists.

3

I’ll check in to see if this is something we can establish and how much of a priority it is. Thanks!

4

Here’s the low-down: As Eric mentioned, we would have problems establishing use on other domains/intl sites (and even potentially within other places on the main site). Unfortunately, even with engineering help, it would be a pretty mammoth task as there is no method to do this at the moment.

Then, because there’s not really any gain to removing them (they don’t take up enough storage to be concerned), the effort involved in creating the process to sort them and being able to remove them would significantly outweigh any benefit.

So… it’s a no on this one.

5

Oh I see what you mean.

Storage isn’t an issue; weirdly, deletion adds more storage, like any other MediaWiki action, because the changes in visibility have to be stored in the MW database. This is how files and articles that are deleted can just as easily be undeleted or viewed by administrators. The issue is file names. But anyway, I guess it’s no for now. But how about files that were used in an article that failed NAB but the corresponding article got deleted? A lot of images uploaded by spammers and spambots fall under this category, and I think these should be speedied. In the cases of accuracy or other issues making the image unsuitable, IFD is an option.

6

Aasim, yes — images uploaded for the purpose of being included in an article that is ultimately deleted (or uploaded for no constructive purpose by a spammer) can definitely be deleted!:smiley: