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Revision as of 07:02, 4 May 2004 editNikola Smolenski (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users13,046 edits =Article content disputes= Removed a notice - see Talk:Kosovo and Metohia← Previous edit Latest revision as of 23:10, 23 December 2024 edit undoZzzs (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users6,377 editsm Reverted 1 edit by Walldo0077 (talk) to last revision by IljhgtnTags: Twinkle Undo 
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{{Redirect|WP:RFC|active RFCs|WP:RFC/A|requests for checkuser|WP:SPI|redirects for creation|WP:AFC/R|requests for closure|WP:RFCL}}
{{short description|Information page on the process of requests for comment on Misplaced Pages}}
{{Information page|WP:RFC}}
{{dispute-resolution}}
{{Centralized discussion|width=30%}}
This page describes the process, including instructions for how and why to create a '''request for comment''' ('''RfC'''), to participate in one, and to end one.


RfC is one of several processes available within Misplaced Pages's ]. Alternative processes include ], ], ], the ], and, for editors' behavior, the ] and ].
{{msg:communitypage}}


* A list of all current RfCs can be found at ] (]).
''Part of ]''
* An archive of (selected) past RfCs and other discussions can be found at ].


== What an RfC is ==
Ultimately, the content of Misplaced Pages is determined by making progress toward a community consensus. However, the size of Misplaced Pages prevents community members from actively following every development. As a result, disputes sometimes arise that could be resolved with additional input from a larger segment of the community.
A '''request for comment''' ('''RfC''') is a way to ask the ] for input on an issue. Often, the issue is what an article should say. Sometimes it is a proposal for a Misplaced Pages ] or ]. The aim of RfC discussions is to ] the encyclopedia, and they may relate to article content pages, ]; changes to policies, guidelines, or procedures; or other topics. An RfC invites comment from a ] of editors than a normal ] discussion. The normal ] apply to these discussions.


An RfC discussion typically takes place on a section or subsection of a talk page or noticeboard, and is an ordinary Misplaced Pages discussion that follows the normal rules and procedures, including possible ]. Summarizing longer discussions is often helpful, as the purpose of an RfC is usually to develop a consensus about some disputed point.
To request comment on a dispute, link to the page where the discussion should take place. Please add a brief, ''']''' statement of the issue involved. Do not list arguments for or against any position, or try to assign blame for the dispute. Do not sign entries, just link to the appropriate page.


Because Misplaced Pages makes decisions by ], an RfC can act as a ]. If, for example, editors cannot agree on whether a certain fact should be mentioned in an article, they can use an RfC to find out what the community thinks and, if a consensus emerges, that usually resolves the dispute.
Place the link in the appropriate section below. Disputes over article content should link to the talk page for the article in question. (If you simply want ] of an article, then list it at ] instead.) If the dispute involves allegations that a user has engaged in serious violations of ], create a ] for the dispute. Use the subpage to elaborate on the allegations.


A ]-assisted RfC uses a system of centralized noticeboards and random, bot-delivered invitations to advertise RfCs to other editors. After an RfC creator adds an {{tlx|rfc}} tag on the talk page that hosts the RfC, a bot will do the rest for them. The RfC is then advertised on a subpage of ], all of which are aggregated at ]. Editors interested in responding to RfCs can visit these pages regularly or ] them. There is also a ] (FRS), in which an editor can subscribe to be notified at random about RfCs at a rate the editor chooses.
Whatever the nature of the dispute, the ] should always be to discuss the problem with the other user. Try to resolve the dispute on your own first. '''For disputes over user conduct, please ''do not'' request community comment unless ''at least two people'' have contacted the user on his or her talk page (or the talk pages involved in the dispute) and failed to resolve the problem.''' Do not forget to follow ]. Items listed on this page may be removed if you fail to try basic methods of ].


== <span class="anchor" id="BEFORE"></span>Before starting the process ==
==Article content disputes==
{{shortcut|WP:RFCBEFORE|WP:RFC#BEFORE}}
Please only list links to talk pages where one or more participants cannot reach ] and are thus stalling progress on the article.
RfCs are time consuming, and editor time is valuable. Editors should try to resolve their issues before starting an RfC. Try ] on the related ]. If you can reach a consensus or have your questions answered through discussion, then there is no need to start an RfC.


If a local discussion does not answer your question or resolve the problem, then some other forums for resolution include:


*Asking for input or assistance at one or more relevant ], which are often listed at the top of the article's talk page.
:''List newer entries on top'' - do ''not'' sign entries!
*If an article content question is just between two editors, you can simply and quickly ask for a third opinion on the ''']''' page.
*If more than two editors are involved or the issue is complex, dispute resolution is available through the ''']'''.
*If you want general help in improving an article, such as achieving ], then list it at ].


For a more complete description of dispute resolution options, see the ] and the list of ].
* ] and ] - inclusion of ]


If you are not sure if an RfC is necessary, or about how best to frame it, ask on the ] of this project.
* ] - ''(relisted; another request for comment regarding this article is below)'' Some contributors want to include unflattering, but true, facts about Bush-- in particular, his controversial ], ] ] comedy routine and his ] "Pussy" comment. Others consider the inclusion of said facts to violate the ].


===What not to use the RfC process for===
* ] - Which countries should be included? Should there be a flag?
{{shortcut|WP:RFCNOT}}


{{Hatnote|For the rationale originating this section, see ]}}
* ] - Dispute over what is vandalism, and how much this article should accomodate persistent vandalism. Comment requested on reverting to a pre-vandalism version.


{| class="wikitable"
* ] - Dispute over whether or not the article is NPOV. Commentary is requested to avert an edit war.
|+Alternative processes to RfC
|-
! Problem !! Follow the procedures described at
|-
| Help needed|| ] or {{tlx|help me}}
|-
| Deletion processes|| {{Section link|WP:Deletion process#Deletion venues}}, or ]
|-
| Did You Know suggestions || ]
|-
| Featured Article/List/Picture/Topic discussions|| ], ], ], ], ], ], ] or ]
|-
| Good Article/Topic discussions || ], ], ], ]
|-
| In the news candidates || ]
|-
| Merge proposals || ]
|-
| Split proposals || ]
|-
| Peer review || ]
|-
| Renaming categories || ]
|-
| Renaming pages (other than categories)|| ] or ]
|}
==== About the conduct of another user ====
:''To report an offensive or confusing '''user name''' in violation of ], see subpage ].''


:''To report ], page blanking, and other blatant vandalism, see ''']'''.''
* ] - reversion war. One user insists the common English name of "West Papua" is not seen.


The use of requests for comment on ] has been discontinued. In severe cases of misconduct, you may try ]. If the dispute cannot be resolved there, then ] may be warranted as a last resort. You may want to read about other options in the ] policy.
* ] - A long edit war. One user insistant that there be a 4:1 ratio of corruption allegations to description of the program itself; two users insistant that as long as the allegations are uninvestigated, that this is completely unreasonable.
<!--
:The problem is being cared for at the talk page, there is a mediator. (Am I supposed to sign here? Why does no one else?) ] 19:38, 3 May 2004 (UTC)
PLEASE ENSURE THIS SECTION IS KEPT CONSISTENT WITH ] and {{Section link|Misplaced Pages:Civility#Dispute resolution}}
-->


== Creating an RfC ==
*] - "Cold" edit war that doesn't need to get hot.
<!-- this section is linked to in the User RfC section below -->
{{info|align=center|1=You can '''ask for help with writing your RfC question''' on ]. }}
{{shortcut|WP:RFCST|WP:RFCOPEN}}<!-- short for RfC start -->
# Make sure that all ] have been tried.
# '''Open a new section at the bottom of the ]''' of the article or project page that you are interested in. The section heading should begin with "RfC" or "Request for comment", for example "RfC on beak length" or "Request for comment on past or present tense for television series".
#*{{anchor|Placing an RfC in a page other than a talk page}}{{shortcut|WP:RFCTP}} In some situations, such as when you expect an extremely high number of comments or there is no obviously relevant talk page, you may instead place an RfC on a subpage of this page or a subpage of a policy page; ] and ] are examples.
#At the top of the new talk page section, insert an {{tlx|rfc}} tag. The tag must list one or more categories as parameters, for example {{tlx|rfc|econ}}. The category must be in lower case. See the adjacent table for the categories and their meanings.
#* If no category seems to fit, pick the one that seems closest.
#* If the RfC is relevant to two categories, include them both in the same {{tlx|rfc}} tag. For example: {{tlx|rfc|econ|bio}}.
#* '''Don't add two {{tlx|rfc}} tags in the same edit.''' If you want to start two RfCs on the same page, then read {{Section link|#Multiple simultaneous RfCs on one page}} first.
# '''Include a ] of or question about the issue''' in the talk page section, immediately below the {{tlx|rfc}} tag (see {{Section link|#Example}}).
#'''Sign the statement''' with either ] (name, time and date) or ] (just the time and date). Failing to provide a time and date will cause ] to remove your discussion from the pages that notify interested editors of RfCs.
# '''Publish the talk page'''. Now you're done. Legobot will take care of the rest, including posting the RfC in the proper RfC lists. Whilst Legobot normally runs once an hour, it may take it up to a day to list the RfC, so be patient.


=== Categories ===
*] - Dispute about description of Lynds (eg. comparison to Einstein) and whether the allegation about Lynds producing the press release himself should be mentioned.
{{Misplaced Pages RFC topics}}
{{Shortcut|WP:RFCCAT}}


The list of RfC categories is in the adjacent table.
*] - Edit war


The "Misplaced Pages policies and guidelines" category is for discussing changes to the ] themselves, ''not'' for discussing how to apply them to a specific case. The same applies to "style", "WikiProject", and the other non-article categories.
*] - Speculation about gay marriage in Islam


The "Language and linguistics" category is for requests related to a Misplaced Pages article (or part of one) about language and linguistics, ''not'' for requests concerning the language on a page. If you want comments on how an article should be worded, categorize your request according to the topic of the article.
*] - Dispute over significance, use of the term, and addition of boxes relating to ] and ].


=== Statement should be neutral and brief ===
*] - Revert war over whether to say Schluter was born in Danzig, or Danzig (Gdansk).
{{also|WP:Writing requests for comment}}
{{shortcut|WP:RFCBRIEF|WP:RFCNEUTRAL|WP:BADRFC}}


Keep the RfC statement (and heading) neutrally worded and short.<ref>For clarity: The "statement" is the part that is located between the {{tlx|rfc}} tag (exclusive) and the first valid timestamp (inclusive), and which is copied by bot to various pages. The statement itself needs to be neutrally worded and brief. After that first date stamp, you should follow normal talk page rules, which allow you to be verbose (within reason) and as non-neutral as you want. ] saying that editors who start RfCs must make their initial explanations look like they are responses to the question (e.g., by placing them inside a ===Discussion=== subsection) or otherwise making them less prominent.</ref> Statements are often phrased as questions, for example: "Should this article say in the lead that John Smith was a contender for the Pulitzer Prize?"
* ] - Should the new ] be moved back to original for consistency and fairness with all ] teams?


<div style="float:right;width:19em;margin-left:1em;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;padding:0.6em; clear:right;">
* ] - debate over whether the word "mutilation" can be used neutrally and whether the page should be at ] or ]. Talk is at ] due to a problem during a page move.
{{tick}} '''Good questions''':
* Should the picture in the lead be changed?
* Is a good source for information about this product's invention?


{{cross}} '''Bad questions''':
* ] - Discussion of some disputed Egyptological theories.
* What do other editors think about the discussions on this page?
* We should talk about this some more.
* Please vote on the following <s>four</s> <s>five</s> ''six'' options for the first sentence.
</div>


Legobot will copy the markup of your statement (from the end of the {{tlx|rfc}} tag through the first timestamp) to the list of active RfCs, if it is sufficiently brief; a long statement will fail to be copied. For technical reasons, statements may not contain tables or complex formatting, although these may be added after the initial statement (i.e., after the first timestamp). Similarly, the statement should not begin with a list – but if this is unavoidable, use the markup <syntaxhighlight inline lang="html">&#32;</syntaxhighlight> before the list, either directly after the {{tlx|rfc}} tag or on a line of its own. If the markup of the RfC statement is too long, Legobot may fail to copy it to the RfC list pages, and will not publicise the RfC via the ].
* ] - has been redirect more than once, also a candidate for deletion, as is ]. See also: ], ], ], ], ], ], pretty much anything involved with homosexuality, gayness, and straightness. There is dispute over both article titles and content, however there is a newly created: ]. Some users prefer ], some ]/]/], some ] and ].


The statement should be self-contained, and should not assume that the section title is available (because the statement, but not the section title, will be copied to the RfC list pages). If the RfC is about an edit that's been disputed, consider including a ] in the RfC question.
* ] - ] (Paul Vogel) is edit warring over the inclusion of some content in the first paragraph. Attempts at a compromise have been made and rejected by him. Discussion is proving extremely difficult.


If you have lots to say on the issue, give and sign a brief statement in the initial description and publish the page, then edit the page again and place additional comments ''below'' your first statement and timestamp. If you feel that you cannot describe the issue neutrally, you may either ask someone else to write the question or summary, or simply do your best and leave a note asking others to improve it. It may be helpful to discuss your planned RfC question on the talk page before starting the RfC, to see whether other editors have ideas for making it clearer or more concise.
* ] - is a perceived "admission" by Powell of U.S. responsibility for the coup relevant to mention?


===Multiple simultaneous RfCs on one page===
* ] - Participants not addressing issue of how to merge two competing versions.
<div style="float:right;width:19em;margin-left:1em;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;padding:0.6em; clear:right;">
{{n.b.}} '''Overuse of RfCs doesn't help.'''


It is rare for a single article, or a single editor, to have more than one or two productive RfCs open at a time. Before starting a lot of RfCs, please check in on ] for advice.
*] - Whether people seeking to paint the Communist Party of Kampuchea (which they call the Khmer Rouge) in a bad light are doing so by facts, or just throwing mud.
</div>


There is no technical limit to the number of simultaneous RfCs that may be held on a single talk page, but to avoid ], they should not overlap significantly in their subject matter.
*] - Whether to call the article ''cycle'' or ''cycles''. Also, whether a large section of links is appropriate.


Each {{tlx|rfc}} tag should also be added in a separate edit, with a delay between each edit to let the bot assign an id number to the first before attempting to start a second. If you are starting another RfC on a page which already has one or more ongoing RfCs, first ensure that all of the existing {{tlx|rfc}} tags already contain a {{para|rfcid}} parameter. The process looks like this:
*] - What to call the city in English. Input from native English speakers would surely be most appreciated.
* Add your question with one {{tlx|rfc}} tag.
* Wait for the bot to edit the page and add an id number to the first RfC question. (Part of the text will change from "Within 24 hours, this page will be added ..." to "This page has been added ..."; this usually takes less than an hour.)
* Add another question with a second {{tlx|rfc}} tag.


If any {{tlx|rfc}} tag anywhere on the page lacks this parameter, even if that RfC was started by another editor, then wait for Legobot to add it before adding another {{tlx|rfc}} tag anywhere on the page. If there are two {{tlx|rfc}} tags on the same page that both lack the {{para|rfcid}} parameter, Legobot will assign the same value to both, with the result that only the lowest one of the page will be publicised; moreover, the incoming link will lead to the higher RfC question, which will cause confusion. To repair this, remove the {{para|rfcid}} parameter from the unpublicised one (usually the higher one).
*] - there is a long drawn out dispute on a lot of pages concerning common German-Polish history. In the moment of writing, the expulsions seem to be in focus. A presense of fellow wikipedians without own emotional ties is strongly urged for!


=== Example of an RfC===
*], also at ]. Anti-Bush editors are relentlessly making small edits (many anonymously) to keep the article negative POV, especially as compared to Kerry article. Please review articles and comments in Talk for the issues.
{{anchor|Example}}
:Repeated inclusion of "Bushisms" or "fingernail scrapes" are cared for by many users from both sides of the political spectrum, I see no need to worry. ] 19:38, 3 May 2004 (UTC)
{{Main|Misplaced Pages:Requests for comment/Example formatting}}


There are many acceptable ways to format an RfC discussion. Below is one example of how a simple RfC discussion could appear when you are editing the talk page. This example will work best for average or smaller discussions; ].
*] - presentation of critical views on scientific skepticism.


You can ] this example, but be sure to change the wording to reflect your particular topic (for example, the "hist" category may need to be changed). A signature ("<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>") or at least a time and date ("<nowiki>~~~~~</nowiki>") is required. Do not include any opening html tags (e.g., {{tag|small|o}}) in the initial RfC statement unless its corresponding closing tag (e.g., {{tag|small|c}}) also comes before the first timestamp, i.e., don't "straddle" the first timestamp inside html code, otherwise it may corrupt the entry of the RfC on the topic discussion pages. After you have inserted text similar to this into the talk page, you must publish the page.
*] - extensive paraphrasing and borrowing from Gore campaign materials.


<syntaxhighlight lang="wikitext" highlight="2">
* ] - how should this be split or be split at all?
== RfC about the photo in the history section ==
{{rfc|hist}}
Should the "History" section contain a photograph of the ship? ~~~~
</syntaxhighlight>


==Modifying an RfC==
* ] - Is Jerusalem the capital of Israel, and should this be stated in the first paragraph of the article? Ongoing dispute between Wik, uriber, and others.
If you amend the RfC statement (including the addition of another ]), Legobot will copy the amended version to the RfC listings the next time that it runs. If you add another RfC category, this must not be placed after the {{para|rfcid}} parameter (if one is present), because Legobot will not process it properly if you do.


== Publicizing an RfC ==
* ] - the current version seems unclear and unfocused, currently being rewritten.
After you create an RfC, it will be noticed by editors that ] the talk page, by editors that watch the RfC lists, and by some editors subscribed to the ] (FRS), who will be automatically notified by ]. However, there may not be enough editors to get sufficient input. To get more input, you may publicize the RfC by posting a notice at one or more of the following locations, if related to it:


* One of the ] forums, such as those for ], ], or ] (The ] forum is almost never an appropriate venue. You may want to ask there before starting an RfC.)
]
* ] such as ], ], or ]
* Talk pages of relevant ]
* Talk pages of closely related articles or policies


When posting a notice at those locations, provide a link to the RfC, and a brief statement, but do not argue the RfC. You may use {{Tlx|rfc notice}} to inform other editors. Take care to adhere to the ], which prohibits notifying a chosen group of editors who may be biased. When creating a new Misplaced Pages policy or suggesting major modifications to a policy, follow the instructions at ]. ] may be used for policy-related RfCs but is ] in articles. Further guidance is available at ].
==User conduct disputes==
This section is for disputes where a user has allegedly violated ]. Disputes over the writing of articles, including disputes over how best to follow the ] policy, belong in the '''Article content disputes''' section above. To list a user conduct dispute, please create a subpage using the following sample listing as a template (anything within {{...}} are notes):


== Responding to an RfC ==
*] - Allegations: {{''one or two'' short sentences giving the dry facts. Do ''not'' sign!}}
All editors (including IP users) are welcome to respond to any RfC.


* Responses may be submitted in a variety of formats. Some RfCs are structured as a series of distinct responses, one per editor. Others result in ] involving multiple editors. Yet others offer one or more alternative proposals that are separately endorsed or opposed by editors using a ]. Other RfCs combine polling with threaded discussions. See the ] above for a suggested format.
Before listing any user conduct dispute here, '''at least two people''' must try to resolve the same issue by talking with the person on his or her talk page or the talk pages involved in the dispute. The two users must document and certify their efforts when listing the dispute. If the listing is not certified within 48 hours of listing, it will be deleted.
* Edits to content under RfC discussion may be particularly controversial. Avoid making edits that others may view as unhelpful. Editing after others have raised objections may be viewed as ] or ]. Be patient; make your improvements in accord with consensus after the RfC is resolved.
* Try not to be confrontational. Be friendly and ], and ] of other editors' actions.
* If you feel an RfC is improperly worded, ask the originator to improve the wording, or add an alternative unbiased statement immediately below the RfC question (after the {{tlx|rfc}} tag). You can also ask for help or a second opinion at ]. Do not end an RfC just because you think the wording is biased. An {{tlx|rfc}} tag generally remains on the page until removed by Legobot or the originator. An RfC can be ended only when the criteria at ] are met.
* ] where possible—identify common ground, and attempt to draw editors together rather than push them apart.


== Ending RfCs ==
'''Candidate pages - still need to meet the two person threshold'''<br>
{{also|WP:Advice on closing discussions}}
''List newer entries on top''
{{Shortcut|WP:RFCEND|WP:RFCCLOSE}}


As an RfC is the solicitation of comment in a discussion, ending an RfC consists of ending that solicitation. When an RfC is used to resolve a dispute, the resolution is determined the same way as for any other discussion: the participants in the discussion determine what they have agreed on and try to implement their agreement.


<div style="float:right;width:19em;margin-left:1em;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;padding:0.6em; clear:right;">
Some terms we use:
;Ending an RfC
:Removing the link to the discussion from the central RfC lists. This is accomplished by removing the {{tlx|rfc}} tag from the talk page; a bot takes care of the rest. The bot will also remove the tag, if you wait long enough.
;The end of a discussion
:This means people have stopped discussing the question. When a discussion has naturally ended, you should consider ending the RfC.
;]
:Someone lists conclusions (if any) and discourages further discussion. Some editors make a distinction between "closing" a discussion (discouraging further discussion, usually with the {{tlx|closed rfc top}} tag pair) and "summarizing" a discussion (naming outcomes). Neither "closing" nor "summarizing" are required.
</div>


===Duration===
'''Approved pages - have met the two person threshold'''<br>
<!-- How long they last -->
''List newer entries on top''
An RfC should last until enough comment has been received that consensus is reached, or until it is apparent that it won't be. There is no required minimum or maximum duration; however, Legobot assumes an RfC has been forgotten and automatically ends it (removes the {{tlx|rfc}} tag) 30 days after it begins, to avoid a buildup of stale discussions cluttering the lists and wasting commenters' time.


But editors should not wait for that. If one of the ] applies, someone should end it manually, as soon as it is clear the discussion has run its course. Conversely, whenever additional comments are still wanted after 30 days, someone should delay Legobot's automatic action. This latter function is based on the first timestamp following the {{tlx|rfc}} tag.
*] - Repeatedly adding self references to articles, especially on ], engaging in personal attacks with strong profanity, creating vanity articles about himself


'''To extend a current RfC''' for another 30 days, and to prevent Legobot from automatically ending the RfC during the next month, insert a current timestamp immediately before the original timestamp of the opening statement with either ] (name, time and date) or ] (just the time and date).
*] - Allegations: excessive reverting, engaging in personal attacks, vandalism


===Reasons and ways to end RfCs===
*] pattern of questionable edits followed by ad hominem attacks on multiple pages
Like other discussions, RfCs sometimes end without an agreement or clear resolution. There are several ways in which RfCs end:
# The question may be withdrawn by the poster (e.g., if the community's response ]). In this situation, the editor who started the RfC would normally be the person to remove the {{tlx|rfc}} tag.
# The RfC participants can agree to end it at any time; one of them removes the {{tlx|rfc}} tag.
# The dispute may be moved to another ].<ref>For this to succeed, however, the {{tlx|rfc}} tag must be removed and the discussion ended first, since most dispute resolution forums and processes will not accept a case while an RfC is ongoing.</ref>
# Any uninvolved editor can post a ]; if consensus is undoubtedly clear, even an involved editor may summarize the discussion. The editor removes the {{tlx|rfc}} tag while closing the discussion. To avoid concerns about biased summaries, involved editors (on all sides of a dispute) are encouraged to let someone else write a summary.
# The discussion may just stop, and no one cares to restore the {{tlx|rfc}} tag after the bot removes it.
<u>Please remove the {{tlx|rfc}} tag when the dispute has been resolved, or when discussion has ended.</u>


<!-- How to end a regular RfC -->
*] - inappropriate username - here per ]
'''To end an RfC manually''', remove the {{tlx|rfc}} tag from the talk page. Legobot will remove the discussion from the central lists on its next run. (When Legobot automatically ends an RfC because of its age, it will remove the {{tlx|rfc}} tag.) If you are also closing the discussion, you should do this in the same edit. As an alternative to removing the {{tlx|rfc}} tag, you may use one of the template-linking templates such as {{tl|tlx}} to disable it, as in {{tlx|tlx|rfc|bio|4=rfcid=fedcba9}}.


'''Do not''' enclose the {{tlx|rfc}} tag in {{tag|nowiki}} or {{tag|syntaxhighlight}} tags, nor place it in HTML comment markers {{tag|!--}} since Legobot will ignore these and treat the RfC as if it is still open – and may also corrupt the RfC listing pages.
*] - Allegations of incivility, edit wars.


===Closing the discussion===
*] Repeat vandalism.


Anyone who wants an uninvolved editor to write a closing summary of the discussion (ideally with a determination of consensus) can formally request closure by posting at ]. '''If the matter under discussion is not contentious and the consensus is obvious to the participants, then formal closure is neither necessary nor advisable'''. Written closing statements are not required. Editors are expected to be able to evaluate and agree upon the results of most RfCs without outside assistance.
*] - Updated April 6 - please vote


To alert readers that an RfC has ended, you may optionally enclose the talk page section in a box using a tag pair such as {{tlx|closed rfc top}}/{{tlx|closed rfc bottom}} or {{tlx|archive top}}/{{tlx|archive bottom}}. This is not required, and may be done with or without a closing statement about the discussions results. This example shows one way to do this:
]
<syntaxhighlight lang="wikitext" highlight="2,4">
== RfC about the photo in the History section ==
{{closed rfc top|result= Consensus was reached to keep the photo. ~~~~ }}
.... here is the entire RfC discussion...
{{closed rfc bottom}}
</syntaxhighlight>


== Restarting an RfC ==
==Admin conduct disputes==
Discussions regarding the use of sysop rights by ] should be listed on ]. Please note that this applies only to disputes that specifically relate to the use of admin privileges. If the dispute is over an admin's actions as an editor, it should be listed under the '''User conduct disputes''' section above.


Anyone who wants to have more comments on the topic can restart an RfC that has ended, as long as the discussion has not been closed. For example, the original poster of an RfC might withdraw it, but someone else may have become interested in the topic in the meantime and restart it.
==Convention disputes==
:''List newer entries on top''


To restart an RfC, reinsert the {{tlx|rfc}} tag. If it was automatically removed by Legobot, then be sure to insert a current timestamp after the RfC statement, and before its original timestamp, or it will just get re-removed by the bot. This will give a thirty-day extension; but if the RfC is to be of long duration, you may instead add the line <syntaxhighlight lang="html"><!-- RFCBot Ignore Expired --></syntaxhighlight> before the {{tlx|rfc}} tag.
* ] and ] - Lists of pieces has a format borrowed from ], which lists ''pages'' by composer, style or period, and nationality or culture. Now a list of pages itself and every alphabetical page clearly violates the "Do not use an article name that suggests a hierarchy of articles" convention, example: ]. Do we add lists such as this as an exception to that convention or make the "lists" one list instead of many?


You should mention at the end of the RfC statement that the RfC ended and restarted, and add your signature if appropriate.
* ] - dispute over the inclusion of multiple romanizations in the opening paragraph of articles on Japanese subjects.


== See also ==
* ] - dispute over enforcing/developing standard features of a specific WikiProject.
{{Misplaced Pages glossary}}
* For ongoing discussions and current requests, see ].
* ]
* ]
* ] – a list of all subpages of this page
* ] – a listing of all current RfCs
* ] – sign up to receive notifications of new RfCs on your user talk page
* ] – all other request departments
* ]


== Notes ==
*] - Should the 3-revert limit apply to a UTC day, 24-hour window, or some other time period?
<references />
{{rfc list footer}}


]
* ] - What format to use for custom messages.

*] and ] - Which name to use for this subject.

* ] - Three separate categories to address:
#Former Yugoslavia, especially Kosovo.
#Transliterations from Russian.
#Places that have changed between Czech, German, and Polish influence. (See also ] as to the astronomer's nationality)

* ] - Use of MediaWiki namespace to create page footers for various purposes.

]

==Other==

*'''Creation of PDF-Files''' from a list of WP articles.<br>You can test the script at http://wiki.auf-trag.de/ <br>Source code via CVS: http://sf.net/projects/wikipdf<br>Comments to the German page: or to my ]

*] -- What quality should images be to be included in an article?

*] -- general commentary on the current chaos.

* ] - is the box for related pages needed?

* ] - should we have side boxes for math-related articles?

* ] - Please comment on proposed additions to the ] project page.

Latest revision as of 23:10, 23 December 2024

"WP:RFC" redirects here. For active RFCs, see WP:RFC/A. For requests for checkuser, see WP:SPI. For redirects for creation, see WP:AFC/R. For requests for closure, see WP:RFCL. Information page on the process of requests for comment on Misplaced Pages Misplaced Pages information page
This is an information page.
It is not an encyclopedic article, nor one of Misplaced Pages's policies or guidelines; rather, its purpose is to explain certain aspects of Misplaced Pages's norms, customs, technicalities, or practices. It may reflect differing levels of consensus and vetting.		Shortcut
Dispute resolution
(Requests)
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For a listing of ongoing discussions, see the dashboard.

This page describes the process, including instructions for how and why to create a request for comment (RfC), to participate in one, and to end one.

RfC is one of several processes available within Misplaced Pages's dispute resolution system. Alternative processes include third opinion, reliable sources noticeboard, neutral point of view noticeboard, the dispute resolution noticeboard, and, for editors' behavior, the administrator's incident noticeboard and binding arbitration.

What an RfC is

A request for comment (RfC) is a way to ask the Misplaced Pages community for input on an issue. Often, the issue is what an article should say. Sometimes it is a proposal for a Misplaced Pages process or policy change. The aim of RfC discussions is to improve the encyclopedia, and they may relate to article content pages, editorial disputes; changes to policies, guidelines, or procedures; or other topics. An RfC invites comment from a broader selection of editors than a normal talk page discussion. The normal talk page guidelines apply to these discussions.

An RfC discussion typically takes place on a section or subsection of a talk page or noticeboard, and is an ordinary Misplaced Pages discussion that follows the normal rules and procedures, including possible closing. Summarizing longer discussions is often helpful, as the purpose of an RfC is usually to develop a consensus about some disputed point.

Because Misplaced Pages makes decisions by consensus, an RfC can act as a dispute resolution. If, for example, editors cannot agree on whether a certain fact should be mentioned in an article, they can use an RfC to find out what the community thinks and, if a consensus emerges, that usually resolves the dispute.

A bot-assisted RfC uses a system of centralized noticeboards and random, bot-delivered invitations to advertise RfCs to other editors. After an RfC creator adds an {{rfc}} tag on the talk page that hosts the RfC, a bot will do the rest for them. The RfC is then advertised on a subpage of Misplaced Pages:Requests for comment, all of which are aggregated at Misplaced Pages:Requests for comment/All. Editors interested in responding to RfCs can visit these pages regularly or watch them. There is also a Feedback request service (FRS), in which an editor can subscribe to be notified at random about RfCs at a rate the editor chooses.

Before starting the process

Shortcuts

RfCs are time consuming, and editor time is valuable. Editors should try to resolve their issues before starting an RfC. Try discussing the matter with any other parties on the related talk page. If you can reach a consensus or have your questions answered through discussion, then there is no need to start an RfC.

If a local discussion does not answer your question or resolve the problem, then some other forums for resolution include:

  • Asking for input or assistance at one or more relevant WikiProjects, which are often listed at the top of the article's talk page.
  • If an article content question is just between two editors, you can simply and quickly ask for a third opinion on the Third opinion page.
  • If more than two editors are involved or the issue is complex, dispute resolution is available through the Dispute resolution noticeboard.
  • If you want general help in improving an article, such as achieving Featured status, then list it at Peer review.

For a more complete description of dispute resolution options, see the Dispute resolution policy and the list of noticeboards.

If you are not sure if an RfC is necessary, or about how best to frame it, ask on the talk page of this project.

What not to use the RfC process for

Shortcut For the rationale originating this section, see Specifying that RfCs should not be listed on AfDs
Alternative processes to RfC
Problem Follow the procedures described at
Help needed Help:Contents or {{help me}}
Deletion processes WP:Deletion process § Deletion venues, or WP:Deletion review
Did You Know suggestions Template talk:Did you know
Featured Article/List/Picture/Topic discussions Featured article candidates, Featured article review, Featured list candidates, Featured list removal candidates, Featured picture candidates, Featured topic candidates, Featured topic removal candidates or Today's featured article/requests
Good Article/Topic discussions Good article nominations, Good article reassessment, Good topic nominations, Good topic removal candidates
In the news candidates In the news candidates
Merge proposals WP:Merging
Split proposals WP:Splitting
Peer review Peer review
Renaming categories Categories for discussion
Renaming pages (other than categories) Moving a page or Requested moves

About the conduct of another user

To report an offensive or confusing user name in violation of Misplaced Pages username policy, see subpage User names.
To report spam, page blanking, and other blatant vandalism, see Misplaced Pages:Vandalism.

The use of requests for comment on user conduct has been discontinued. In severe cases of misconduct, you may try Misplaced Pages:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents. If the dispute cannot be resolved there, then arbitration may be warranted as a last resort. You may want to read about other options in the Resolving user conduct disputes policy.

Creating an RfC

You can ask for help with writing your RfC question on this page's talk page.
Shortcuts
  1. Make sure that all relevant suggestions have been tried.
  2. Open a new section at the bottom of the talk page of the article or project page that you are interested in. The section heading should begin with "RfC" or "Request for comment", for example "RfC on beak length" or "Request for comment on past or present tense for television series".
  3. At the top of the new talk page section, insert an {{rfc}} tag. The tag must list one or more categories as parameters, for example {{rfc|econ}}. The category must be in lower case. See the adjacent table for the categories and their meanings.
    • If no category seems to fit, pick the one that seems closest.
    • If the RfC is relevant to two categories, include them both in the same {{rfc}} tag. For example: {{rfc|econ|bio}}.
    • Don't add two {{rfc}} tags in the same edit. If you want to start two RfCs on the same page, then read § Multiple simultaneous RfCs on one page first.
  4. Include a brief, neutral statement of or question about the issue in the talk page section, immediately below the {{rfc}} tag (see § Example).
  5. Sign the statement with either ~~~~ (name, time and date) or ~~~~~ (just the time and date). Failing to provide a time and date will cause Legobot to remove your discussion from the pages that notify interested editors of RfCs.
  6. Publish the talk page. Now you're done. Legobot will take care of the rest, including posting the RfC in the proper RfC lists. Whilst Legobot normally runs once an hour, it may take it up to a day to list the RfC, so be patient.

Categories

Issues by topic area (View all)
Article topics (View all)
Biographies (watch) {{rfc|bio}}
Economy, trade, and companies (watch) {{rfc|econ}}
History and geography (watch) {{rfc|hist}}
Language and linguistics (watch) {{rfc|lang}}
Maths, science, and technology (watch) {{rfc|sci}}
Media, the arts, and architecture (watch) {{rfc|media}}
Politics, government, and law (watch) {{rfc|pol}}
Religion and philosophy (watch) {{rfc|reli}}
Society, sports, and culture (watch) {{rfc|soc}}
Project-wide topics (View all)
Misplaced Pages style and naming (watch) {{rfc|style}}
Misplaced Pages policies and guidelines (watch) {{rfc|policy}}
WikiProjects and collaborations (watch) {{rfc|proj}}
Misplaced Pages technical issues and templates (watch) {{rfc|tech}}
Misplaced Pages proposals (watch) {{rfc|prop}}
Unsorted
Unsorted RfCs (watch) {{rfc}}
Shortcut

The list of RfC categories is in the adjacent table.

The "Misplaced Pages policies and guidelines" category is for discussing changes to the policies and guidelines themselves, not for discussing how to apply them to a specific case. The same applies to "style", "WikiProject", and the other non-article categories.

The "Language and linguistics" category is for requests related to a Misplaced Pages article (or part of one) about language and linguistics, not for requests concerning the language on a page. If you want comments on how an article should be worded, categorize your request according to the topic of the article.

Statement should be neutral and brief

See also: WP:Writing requests for comment Shortcuts

Keep the RfC statement (and heading) neutrally worded and short. Statements are often phrased as questions, for example: "Should this article say in the lead that John Smith was a contender for the Pulitzer Prize?"

checkY Good questions:

  • Should the picture in the lead be changed?
  • Is this website a good source for information about this product's invention?

☒N Bad questions:

  • What do other editors think about the discussions on this page?
  • We should talk about this some more.
  • Please vote on the following four five six options for the first sentence.

Legobot will copy the markup of your statement (from the end of the {{rfc}} tag through the first timestamp) to the list of active RfCs, if it is sufficiently brief; a long statement will fail to be copied. For technical reasons, statements may not contain tables or complex formatting, although these may be added after the initial statement (i.e., after the first timestamp). Similarly, the statement should not begin with a list – but if this is unavoidable, use the markup &#32; before the list, either directly after the {{rfc}} tag or on a line of its own. If the markup of the RfC statement is too long, Legobot may fail to copy it to the RfC list pages, and will not publicise the RfC via the feedback request service.

The statement should be self-contained, and should not assume that the section title is available (because the statement, but not the section title, will be copied to the RfC list pages). If the RfC is about an edit that's been disputed, consider including a diff in the RfC question.

If you have lots to say on the issue, give and sign a brief statement in the initial description and publish the page, then edit the page again and place additional comments below your first statement and timestamp. If you feel that you cannot describe the issue neutrally, you may either ask someone else to write the question or summary, or simply do your best and leave a note asking others to improve it. It may be helpful to discuss your planned RfC question on the talk page before starting the RfC, to see whether other editors have ideas for making it clearer or more concise.

Multiple simultaneous RfCs on one page

Nota bene* Overuse of RfCs doesn't help.

It is rare for a single article, or a single editor, to have more than one or two productive RfCs open at a time. Before starting a lot of RfCs, please check in on the RfC talk page for advice.

There is no technical limit to the number of simultaneous RfCs that may be held on a single talk page, but to avoid discussion forks, they should not overlap significantly in their subject matter.

Each {{rfc}} tag should also be added in a separate edit, with a delay between each edit to let the bot assign an id number to the first before attempting to start a second. If you are starting another RfC on a page which already has one or more ongoing RfCs, first ensure that all of the existing {{rfc}} tags already contain a |rfcid= parameter. The process looks like this:

  • Add your question with one {{rfc}} tag.
  • Wait for the bot to edit the page and add an id number to the first RfC question. (Part of the text will change from "Within 24 hours, this page will be added ..." to "This page has been added ..."; this usually takes less than an hour.)
  • Add another question with a second {{rfc}} tag.

If any {{rfc}} tag anywhere on the page lacks this parameter, even if that RfC was started by another editor, then wait for Legobot to add it before adding another {{rfc}} tag anywhere on the page. If there are two {{rfc}} tags on the same page that both lack the |rfcid= parameter, Legobot will assign the same value to both, with the result that only the lowest one of the page will be publicised; moreover, the incoming link will lead to the higher RfC question, which will cause confusion. To repair this, remove the |rfcid= parameter from the unpublicised one (usually the higher one).

Example of an RfC

Main page: Misplaced Pages:Requests for comment/Example formatting

There are many acceptable ways to format an RfC discussion. Below is one example of how a simple RfC discussion could appear when you are editing the talk page. This example will work best for average or smaller discussions; for major disputes, other, more structured formats may be more appropriate.

You can copy and paste this example, but be sure to change the wording to reflect your particular topic (for example, the "hist" category may need to be changed). A signature ("~~~~") or at least a time and date ("~~~~~") is required. Do not include any opening html tags (e.g., <small>) in the initial RfC statement unless its corresponding closing tag (e.g., </small>) also comes before the first timestamp, i.e., don't "straddle" the first timestamp inside html code, otherwise it may corrupt the entry of the RfC on the topic discussion pages. After you have inserted text similar to this into the talk page, you must publish the page. 

== RfC about the photo in the history section ==
{{rfc|hist}}
Should the "History" section contain a photograph of the ship? ~~~~

Modifying an RfC

If you amend the RfC statement (including the addition of another RfC category), Legobot will copy the amended version to the RfC listings the next time that it runs. If you add another RfC category, this must not be placed after the |rfcid= parameter (if one is present), because Legobot will not process it properly if you do.

Publicizing an RfC

After you create an RfC, it will be noticed by editors that watch the talk page, by editors that watch the RfC lists, and by some editors subscribed to the Feedback Request Service (FRS), who will be automatically notified by Yapperbot. However, there may not be enough editors to get sufficient input. To get more input, you may publicize the RfC by posting a notice at one or more of the following locations, if related to it:

When posting a notice at those locations, provide a link to the RfC, and a brief statement, but do not argue the RfC. You may use {{rfc notice}} to inform other editors. Take care to adhere to the canvassing guideline, which prohibits notifying a chosen group of editors who may be biased. When creating a new Misplaced Pages policy or suggesting major modifications to a policy, follow the instructions at WP:PROPOSAL. Centralized discussion may be used for policy-related RfCs but is not for publicizing any content disputes in articles. Further guidance is available at WP:Publicising discussions.

Responding to an RfC

All editors (including IP users) are welcome to respond to any RfC.

  • Responses may be submitted in a variety of formats. Some RfCs are structured as a series of distinct responses, one per editor. Others result in a threaded (indented) conversation involving multiple editors. Yet others offer one or more alternative proposals that are separately endorsed or opposed by editors using a polling process. Other RfCs combine polling with threaded discussions. See the example section above for a suggested format.
  • Edits to content under RfC discussion may be particularly controversial. Avoid making edits that others may view as unhelpful. Editing after others have raised objections may be viewed as disruptive editing or edit warring. Be patient; make your improvements in accord with consensus after the RfC is resolved.
  • Try not to be confrontational. Be friendly and civil, and assume good faith of other editors' actions.
  • If you feel an RfC is improperly worded, ask the originator to improve the wording, or add an alternative unbiased statement immediately below the RfC question (after the {{rfc}} tag). You can also ask for help or a second opinion at Misplaced Pages talk:Requests for comment. Do not end an RfC just because you think the wording is biased. An {{rfc}} tag generally remains on the page until removed by Legobot or the originator. An RfC can be ended only when the criteria at Ending RfCs are met.
  • Mediate where possible—identify common ground, and attempt to draw editors together rather than push them apart.

Ending RfCs

See also: WP:Advice on closing discussions Shortcuts

As an RfC is the solicitation of comment in a discussion, ending an RfC consists of ending that solicitation. When an RfC is used to resolve a dispute, the resolution is determined the same way as for any other discussion: the participants in the discussion determine what they have agreed on and try to implement their agreement.

Some terms we use:

Ending an RfC
Removing the link to the discussion from the central RfC lists. This is accomplished by removing the {{rfc}} tag from the talk page; a bot takes care of the rest. The bot will also remove the tag, if you wait long enough.
The end of a discussion
This means people have stopped discussing the question. When a discussion has naturally ended, you should consider ending the RfC.
Closing the discussion
Someone lists conclusions (if any) and discourages further discussion. Some editors make a distinction between "closing" a discussion (discouraging further discussion, usually with the {{closed rfc top}} tag pair) and "summarizing" a discussion (naming outcomes). Neither "closing" nor "summarizing" are required.

Duration

An RfC should last until enough comment has been received that consensus is reached, or until it is apparent that it won't be. There is no required minimum or maximum duration; however, Legobot assumes an RfC has been forgotten and automatically ends it (removes the {{rfc}} tag) 30 days after it begins, to avoid a buildup of stale discussions cluttering the lists and wasting commenters' time.

But editors should not wait for that. If one of the reasons to end RfCs applies, someone should end it manually, as soon as it is clear the discussion has run its course. Conversely, whenever additional comments are still wanted after 30 days, someone should delay Legobot's automatic action. This latter function is based on the first timestamp following the {{rfc}} tag.

To extend a current RfC for another 30 days, and to prevent Legobot from automatically ending the RfC during the next month, insert a current timestamp immediately before the original timestamp of the opening statement with either ~~~~ (name, time and date) or ~~~~~ (just the time and date).

Reasons and ways to end RfCs

Like other discussions, RfCs sometimes end without an agreement or clear resolution. There are several ways in which RfCs end:

  1. The question may be withdrawn by the poster (e.g., if the community's response became obvious very quickly). In this situation, the editor who started the RfC would normally be the person to remove the {{rfc}} tag.
  2. The RfC participants can agree to end it at any time; one of them removes the {{rfc}} tag.
  3. The dispute may be moved to another dispute resolution forum.
  4. Any uninvolved editor can post a closing summary of the discussion; if consensus is undoubtedly clear, even an involved editor may summarize the discussion. The editor removes the {{rfc}} tag while closing the discussion. To avoid concerns about biased summaries, involved editors (on all sides of a dispute) are encouraged to let someone else write a summary.
  5. The discussion may just stop, and no one cares to restore the {{rfc}} tag after the bot removes it.

Please remove the {{rfc}} tag when the dispute has been resolved, or when discussion has ended.

To end an RfC manually, remove the {{rfc}} tag from the talk page. Legobot will remove the discussion from the central lists on its next run. (When Legobot automatically ends an RfC because of its age, it will remove the {{rfc}} tag.) If you are also closing the discussion, you should do this in the same edit. As an alternative to removing the {{rfc}} tag, you may use one of the template-linking templates such as {{tlx}} to disable it, as in {{tlx|rfc|bio|rfcid=fedcba9}}.

Do not enclose the {{rfc}} tag in <nowiki>...</nowiki> or <syntaxhighlight>...</syntaxhighlight> tags, nor place it in HTML comment markers <!--...--> since Legobot will ignore these and treat the RfC as if it is still open – and may also corrupt the RfC listing pages.

Closing the discussion

Anyone who wants an uninvolved editor to write a closing summary of the discussion (ideally with a determination of consensus) can formally request closure by posting at Misplaced Pages:Closure requests. If the matter under discussion is not contentious and the consensus is obvious to the participants, then formal closure is neither necessary nor advisable. Written closing statements are not required. Editors are expected to be able to evaluate and agree upon the results of most RfCs without outside assistance.

To alert readers that an RfC has ended, you may optionally enclose the talk page section in a box using a tag pair such as {{closed rfc top}}/{{closed rfc bottom}} or {{archive top}}/{{archive bottom}}. This is not required, and may be done with or without a closing statement about the discussions results. This example shows one way to do this: 

== RfC about the photo in the History section ==
{{closed rfc top|result= Consensus was reached to keep the photo.  ~~~~  }}
.... here is the entire RfC discussion...
{{closed rfc bottom}}

Restarting an RfC

Anyone who wants to have more comments on the topic can restart an RfC that has ended, as long as the discussion has not been closed. For example, the original poster of an RfC might withdraw it, but someone else may have become interested in the topic in the meantime and restart it.

To restart an RfC, reinsert the {{rfc}} tag. If it was automatically removed by Legobot, then be sure to insert a current timestamp after the RfC statement, and before its original timestamp, or it will just get re-removed by the bot. This will give a thirty-day extension; but if the RfC is to be of long duration, you may instead add the line 

<!-- RFCBot Ignore Expired -->

before the {{rfc}} tag.

You should mention at the end of the RfC statement that the RfC ended and restarted, and add your signature if appropriate.

See also

This page is referenced in the Misplaced Pages Glossary.

Notes

  1. For clarity: The "statement" is the part that is located between the {{rfc}} tag (exclusive) and the first valid timestamp (inclusive), and which is copied by bot to various pages. The statement itself needs to be neutrally worded and brief. After that first date stamp, you should follow normal talk page rules, which allow you to be verbose (within reason) and as non-neutral as you want. There is no actual rule saying that editors who start RfCs must make their initial explanations look like they are responses to the question (e.g., by placing them inside a ===Discussion=== subsection) or otherwise making them less prominent.
  2. For this to succeed, however, the {{rfc}} tag must be removed and the discussion ended first, since most dispute resolution forums and processes will not accept a case while an RfC is ongoing.


Requests for comment (All)
Articles (All)
Non-articles (All)
InstructionsTo add a discussion to this list:
  • Add the tag {{rfc|xxx}} at the top of a talk page section, where "xxx" is the category abbreviation. The different category abbreviations that should be used with {{rfc}} are listed above in parenthesis. Multiple categories are separated by a vertical pipe. For example, {{rfc|xxx|yyy}}, where "xxx" is the first category and "yyy" is the second category.
For more information, see Misplaced Pages:Requests for comment. Report problems to Misplaced Pages talk:Requests for comment. Lists are updated every hour by Legobot.
Categories: