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Latest revision as of 02:30, 6 November 2009

Below is a list of guidelines that I have committed myself towards. I believe that each are important in order to achieve optimal effectiveness as a Wikipedian editor. Each has been separated into a section, and any visitors can comment in each one about progress or advice. I will not respond to them unless I am directly asked to, and you will have my guarantee that the words and language will not be held against you. These are not temporary, but a set of philosophical points that I feel are necessary to become a good editor. If you have any suggestions, please leave them on my talk page. - Ottava Rima

Conflict

In order to avoid WP:CIVIL problems and to work on WP:Consensus, I shall seek to avoid conflict whenever possible. Instead of judging others, I should focus on issues. When there is a matter that cannot be resolved quickly, I shall contact others and seek advice, especially User:Ceoil‎ and User:Karanacs. I should seek to be a peacemaker, and not an instigator. I should keep my mouth shut and open up my ears more often. - Ottava Rima

Comments

• In our most recent interaction, I feel you (and I as well) escalated conflict even though my first message on your talk page (diff) was intended to defuse it and assure you that DYK reviewers were trying to help you rather than to challenge you. Please try to keep conflict avoidance in the back of your head in the future. —Politizer /_contribs 17:56, 9 December 2008 (UTC)
• diff to remind you that you should perhaps review your own philosophy more often. --dab (𒁳) 21:45, 5 January 2009 (UTC)

Comments

This user remembers building a Crystal radio.

A common sense philosophy I believe in, that goes along with this section on conflict, is that I can attract more flies with honey, than with vinegar. A derivative of this as an application of common sense is diplomacy. I recently took an out-of-warranty $500 television that stopped functioning back to the store I purchased it from. I explained in a calm matter-of-fact voice to the manager that even though it was out of warranty I felt the store should honor the warranty anyway. I was fully prepared to bite the bullet, since it was definitely out of warranty, but presented my case with common sense logic and reasoning - even though it was outside of the Rule of a "1 year warranty." He responded that since my reasoning made sense and I was so diplomatic about presenting my case, he would give me a full cash refund.

The common sense use of accolades seems to have the same effect as diplomacy. Giving people credit for their work goes a long ways. Sharing awards is very much appreciated. Participating in another's new article for improvements gets respect. The greatest accolade of all that one can bestow on another is to thank that person for their contributions. Examples of accolades and their effects can be shown in this link.--Doug Coldwell 13:38, 27 February 2009 (UTC)

Comments

• See that the bounds of common sense are not exceeded, however, for common sense is the guide of the virtues. - Carmelite Rule of St. Albert --Doug Coldwell 12:26, 16 May 2009 (UTC)

Consensus

In order to avoid unnecessary conflicts and fights, I will explain my position shortly and not argue with others if they disagree. If they ask questions, I shall respond politely and not judge the questioner. I should seek to be inclusion and not exclusive, and consensus involves everyone and not a majority that overruns a minority. - Ottava Rima

Comments

• In your latest interactions at DYK I feel you spent time arguing with reviewers when your time could have been spent more constructively to improve the articles. —Politizer /_contribs 17:56, 9 December 2008 (UTC)

Comments

• It is a thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense. - quote by Robert Green Ingersoll --Doug Coldwell 23:42, 25 March 2009 (UTC)

Discussion

In order to stay neutral and refrain from committing personal attacks, I shall speak politely, not judge other people's words harshly, assume good faith, and believe that everyone can and wants to contribute to a discussion. I shall try to keep an open ear and an open mind, and realize that my perspective is only my own, and that I should be willing to listen to others. - Ottava Rima

Comments

A philosophy I try to follow along the lines of discussion, as an application of common sense, is tactfulness. I try to follow the idea that if it is likely to be offensive, then I say nothing. Common sense tells me not only is silence golden, but patience is platinum. In what I have to say I try to encourage others to give a positive constructive response to the article or conversation involved. I believe if I think it through, use tact and patience, and apply common sense, that I can get many people to be on my side as long as I can prove to them the side I am on is based on common sense. Life is a lot easier when most people work with you, try to help you, and are on your side. If you can prove that you are on the side of common sense, then the efforts of others, to your benefit, increase many fold. Being on the side of common sense is far better than being on the side of bureaucratic Rules & Regulations - which is not to say not to respect the Rules.

I believe that if I use common sense in whatever I do, it alone will be my salvation. I believe I can never be punished or judged for using common sense, no matter what I do. I know that rules and regulations are based on common sense or the lack of use thereof. Rules are not based on anything else. Customs and tradition are based on common sense. Other people's words (i.e. snipes, belittling, ridicules, personal attacks, etc.) have no bearing on me as long as I have used common sense in whatever I do. Using common sense is not stressful, but using only esoteric knowledge is. I believe common sense is a companion of wisdom and wisdom is obtained from using common sense.

If you use common sense, words come easy for what you have to say in any discussion. I believe education is based on common sense and skills are based on education. I believe skills based solely on formal education and not the application of common sense will soon lose their value. Skills based on the application of common sense have the most value and will only increase in value with usage.

I believe using common sense gives one the ability to know when others are giving you good advice or bad advice. Applying common sense to good advice increases the value of the advice and all the applications related to the advice. Good advice using common sense and tact opens up friendly discussions. Friendly discussions are content related and will never be personal. Unfriendly intentions can be detected by using common sense, no matter what words are used by other’s. Common sense makes all discussions transparent.

I believe it is beneficial in our everyday lives, to those that are able to apply tact in discussions using common sense, of the old adage: "The meek shall inherit the earth." --Doug Coldwell 12:42, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

Editing

In order to avoid WP:OWN, I shall seek to edit with others, asking them for advice, and edit when people request action or help. When information is desired, I shall try to find it and provide it in a simple, neutral manner without passing value judgments upon another. If I find myself unable to work out a situation or feel that there is a problem, I shall seek help, advice, and withdraw myself in order to stay objective and to have perspective on the matter. - Ottava Rima

Comments

• A philosophy I follow along these lines is I edit in the spirit of common sense, because common sense is a good spirit to edit in. A recent example of this is User talk:Doug Coldwell#Conclusion of the American Civil War.--Doug Coldwell 23:03, 23 February 2009 (UTC)

Comments

• A philosophy I follow along these lines is I edit in the spirit of helping others on actual constructive edits for improvements. I believe it is in the spirit of common sense to do actual edits within an article to expand and improve it. An example of this is helping on an article started by another editor to get GA status since articles are not owned by anyone. Most editors are very appreciative of good faith actual improvements. I believe in "action speaks louder than words." An old Chinese proverb says: Talk doesn't cook rice.--Doug Coldwell 17:43, 10 March 2009 (UTC)

Language

In order to show the encyclopedia and its users respect, I shall refrain from curse words, disparaging comments, and any negative characterization of edits, opinions, and other actions. I shall try to be neutral and welcoming. - Ottava Rima

Comments

• Wow, I am so very glad to hear this. I am impressed to see that you have taken the communities concerns and listened. I really hope you stick to your word here, because I think you will come to find that you will be met with the same level of respect as you give other users. If you ever find a situation in which you need to vent, my email is always open - feel free. If there is anything else I can do to ensure this goes smoothly let me know. Cheers, Tiptoety 01:37, 6 December 2008 (UTC)

Comments

• A truly elegant taste is generally accompanied with excellency of heart. - quote credited to Henry Fielding. --Doug Coldwell 21:18, 5 March 2009 (UTC)

Respect

In order to prove that I am here for the encyclopedia, I shall attempt to work with others, which would mean respecting their contributions. I shall praise where appropriate, thank those for their efforts no matter how small, and turn to those who have edited in the subject areas for their opinion. I shall not try to isolate myself through my words, actions, or behavior, but instead welcome others, no matter how big or small. - Ottava Rima

Comments

• Your recent comments about newer editors and the value (or lack of value) of their contributions were not respectful, and I hope you can continue to keep this goal in mind and continue working towards it. —Politizer /_contribs 17:56, 9 December 2008 (UTC)

Comments

This is not a part of the English Misplaced Pages's Manual of Style, and it does not have to be followed except where common sense warrants an exception. Any edits to this page does not necessarly reflect consensus nor requires discussing first - ignore all the rules. Use of common sense is encouraged, but is not a policy or even a guideline.

• Philosophies I believe in that might be associated with respect, but are not necessarily agreed upon by philosophers are:

The use of reasonableness is in the spirit of common sense.

The use of reasonability is in the spirit of common sense.

The use of accolades (an article I started) is in the spirit of common sense.

The use of common sense shows a good spirit.

1. pamphlet, Jan 10, 1776

--Doug Coldwell 12:50, 26 February 2009 (UTC)

Comments

Henry Fielding writes in his famous book Tom Jones that Tom is a person of high character that uses common sense with good will and compassion for others.--Doug Coldwell 12:38, 27 April 2009 (UTC)

Reverting

In order to avoid WP:3RR and edit warring, I shall limit myself to 0RR and not directly revert anyone's actions. Instead, I will seek to discuss the matter politely and be willing to understand where the other user is coming from. - Ottava Rima

Comments

• A handful of common sense is worth a bushel of learning. (Proverb) --Doug Coldwell 15:54, 25 March 2009 (UTC)

Comments

• In any war, the first casualty is common sense, and the second is free and open discussion. - James Reston --Doug Coldwell 16:00, 25 March 2009 (UTC)

Talk page discussion

In order to avoid WP:CIVIL issues, I will no longer refer to any rule violation and will not refer to any of the guidelines in a manner that calls into question another user's actions. I shall instead seek to discuss issues in a non-hostile manner and desire compromise without putting others on the defensive. - Ottava Rima

Comments

• A philosophy I follow along these lines is I believe if I used common sense, odds are, events will come out in my favor. Common sense is most important of all, even more important than following the rules.--Doug Coldwell 13:07, 25 February 2009 (UTC)

Comments

• A philosophy I follow along these lines is I believe if I use common sense diplomacy, participate in a respectful and considerate way, and don't ignore the positions and conclusions of others, I can get the results I am aiming for.--Doug Coldwell 22:43, 8 March 2009 (UTC)