If you are looking for a discussion of forum netiquette, please read this thread
instead.****If you’d prefer to engage in more lighthearted discussions I’ve created, please visit this page
.<center><b>Introduction</b></center>Hi, I’m Duke, also known as ISMKW or IShareMahKnowledgeWisely
. Lately, I’ve noticed a lot of chaos within these forums, and complaints about newer and older wikiHow
users alike. It seems, then, that we could use a guide to the wikiHow forums. While one already exists (for instance, this one
), I think a detailed, yet simple in-forum guide might help users new and old better understand the purpose of the wikiHow forums. And here it is - let’s begin!<center><b>Categories</b></center>Discussions, the threads of this Internet forum, must belong to a category before they are created. It might be difficult to understand, at first, which category a discussion belongs in, but here’s a quick lesson. Village Pump
- This is where news regarding wikiHow is posted. High-priority information regarding the site can also be placed here. Collaboration Corner
- This is where wikiHow projects are discussed, as well as low-priority information about the site. There would ideally be more wikiHow, wikiHow project, and wikiHow ideas threads here than in Village Pump. Help Using wikiHow
- This is where you can ask for (or provide) help regarding a specific facet of the site. Seeing as the forums are designed to be helpful to wikiHow users, that is where I have placed this thread. New Category Suggestions
- This is where users can suggest new categories on the site. If there are at least five wikiHow articles that could all be grouped into one category that does not yet exist, this is where that category can be suggested. It is suggested that new users not try this yet, unless they understand all the steps listed here
. Bug Reports
- This is where users can file reports regarding bugs or problems within the site. If you encounter a strange glitch while editing an article, or something to that effect, you might want to create a discussion here explaining it. If you do so, please attempt to provide screenshots and detailed descriptions of the problem. General Chat
- This is where news unrelated to wikiHow belongs, as well as discussions that don’t have much to do with the site. There are several threads located here. Forum Games
-This is where users can play forum games. It is advisable to simply play the games located here rather than creating one, unless, of course, you have a good idea for a game that hasn’t been put into play yet. Categories can be located to the right side of the forum list/discussion you are viewing. A forum list of hot threads in each category is located here
, whereas all discussions can be located here
.<center><b>Creating The Discussion</b></center>Let’s say you’ve decided to create a discussion. What should you keep in mind? First of all, ask yourself these three questions: 1. Would the other wikiHow users like to hear this? 2. Is this the first discussion regarding this particular topic? 3. Is the discussion very likely to receive constructive comments? If you answered yes to each question, start writing
. If you answered no to any of them, consider revising your idea, or participating in another thread. For instance, if you were about to create a thread all about your pet kitten, maybe you could go to wikiTwitter
instead. If you think you’re going to be leaving wikiHow for a while (or maybe longer), perhaps you should consult the wikiBreak thread
, as opposed to starting a thread about it. If you simply want to say “hi”, either post in the introduction thread
or head over to wikiHow IRC (but read this guide
first).<center><b>Commenting</b></center>So, you’ve found a discussion you want to comment on. You might ask, “Are there any things I should keep in mind when I comment?” My response: You bet there are! Here’s a few rules of thumb to remember: - Be respectful
. This doesn’t mean you should drown someone with kindness (in fact, there are circumstances in which that is disrespectful)! Attempt to be polite to your fellow users, and remember that they are in no way obligated to do whatever you want. - Stay on topic
, if at all possible. Spamming links to your blog on a discussion about raising quality on wikiHow, for example, is not acceptable. Exceptions do apply, however - if someone requests your discussion be closed, you are likely in no position to claim they are off-topic. - Contribute. Say something that could help a discussion
. If there’s a discussion about suggesting a new project for wikiHow, offer to pitch in if it interests you, or suggest the details of the project that haven’t been worked out yet. Posts like “lol” are generally not contributions. - Think before commenting
on an old thread. If the text under the discussion says the last person posted seven weeks ago, for example, don’t comment if all you have to say is “I like this” or “Nothing to report”. However, if you have news related to the subject that might be important (or merely want to revive a game), it might be okay! - Think before getting on a user’s case. I’m pretty strict with new users who mistake wikiHow for a social network ( which it is not
), but it is important to maintain respect. If you think you should badger a user for playing a forum game that died a week ago, think again. - There are no rules (just outdated expectations
). But there is netiquette, so be polite - and keep suggestions from other users in mind. And no, the forums don’t need police.<center><b>To Be Continued</b></center>This is a living, breathing guide - it is not complete yet, in any case, and information in it is subject to change. I will make modifications to it and expand upon it whenever I can.
