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Revision as of 18:24, 4 June 2013 editQuiddity (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers40,758 edits Headers for sections, and add 1 ref for complexity as a reason for leaving, and 1 request for citation (Which research?)← Previous edit Revision as of 22:45, 5 June 2013 edit undoWhatamIdoing (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers121,736 edits Undid revision 558325219 by Quiddity (talk) Thanks, but formatting needs to follow FAQ system for compatibility with FAQ template. Adding sourceNext edit →
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==Why is this change being made?== ;Why is this change being made?
The biggest barrier to making the first edit, and therefore the biggest barrier to beginning the path that could lead to someone becoming a valuable, experienced member of the community, is the complex wikimarkup used by the old editing window.<ref>http://strategy.wikimedia.org/Former_Contributors_Survey_Results#Key_findings</ref> To increase the number of successful first attempts at editing, we need a better editing system. :The biggest barrier to making the first edit, and therefore the biggest barrier to beginning the path that could lead to someone becoming a valuable, experienced member of the community, is the complex wikimarkup used by the old editing window. To increase the number of successful first attempts at editing, we need a better editing system.
==When is this change being made?== ;When is this change being made?
As of March 2013, the hope is to change the default editor for most namespaces at most Wikipedias and other WMF projects to the new VisualEditor by July 2013. :As of March 2013, the hope is to change the default editor for most namespaces at most Wikipedias and other WMF projects to the new VisualEditor by July 2013.
==What if I hate it?{{anchor|What if I hate it?}}== ;What if I hate it?{{anchor|What if I hate it?}}
When it becomes the default, you can go to ] and turn it off. Of course we can't predict what might happen far in the future, but, at this time, there are absolutely no plans to remove the old editor. :When it becomes the default, you can go to ] and turn it off. Of course we can't predict what might happen far in the future, but, at this time, there are absolutely no plans to remove the old editor.
==Is this being forced on the community by some outsiders?== ;Is this being forced on the community by some outsiders?
Misplaced Pages editors have asked for this type of improvement since ]. Previous discussions include ], ], ], ], ], ] and more. :Misplaced Pages editors have asked for this type of improvement since ]. Previous discussions include ], ], ], ], ], ] and more.
==How was the community notified of this upgrade to the Mediawiki software?== ;How was the community notified of this upgrade to the Mediawiki software?
* Multiple announcements in the Signpost throughout 2013, such as ] and ]. * Multiple announcements in the Signpost throughout 2013, such as ] and ].
* Multiple announcements at the ] in 2012 and 2013, such as ], ], ], ], etc. * Multiple announcements at the ] in 2012 and 2013, such as ], ], ], ], etc.
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* At the (May 2013) * At the (May 2013)
* In person at the ], where features related to categories, templates, references and images were worked on (May 2013) * In person at the ], where features related to categories, templates, references and images were worked on (May 2013)
==Isn't this going to irritate existing editors?== ;Isn't this going to irritate existing editors?
Even tiny changes cause ''temporary'' disruption for existing users. Research{{Which|date=June 2013}} has generally shown that most people adapt quickly to changes, within days for small changes and within a few weeks to larger changes. And anyone who doesn't like it can always switch back&nbsp;– ]. :Even tiny changes cause ''temporary'' disruption for existing users. Research has generally shown that most people adapt quickly to changes, within days for small changes and within a few weeks to larger changes.].
;Can't the editors here order the developers to turn this off?

:No. It is the official policy of the English Misplaced Pages that the editors are not in charge of the website or its software. See ]: "Some matters that may seem subject to the consensus of the community at the English-language Misplaced Pages (en.wp) are, in fact, in a separate domain. In particular, the community of MediaWiki software developers, including both paid Wikimedia Foundation staff and other volunteers, and the activities of Wikimedia Commons, are largely separate entities...These independent, co-equal communities operate however they deem necessary or appropriate, such as adding, removing, or changing software features, or accepting or rejecting images, even if their actions are not endorsed by editors here."
==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

Revision as of 22:45, 5 June 2013

Why is this change being made?
The biggest barrier to making the first edit, and therefore the biggest barrier to beginning the path that could lead to someone becoming a valuable, experienced member of the community, is the complex wikimarkup used by the old editing window. To increase the number of successful first attempts at editing, we need a better editing system.
When is this change being made?
As of March 2013, the hope is to change the default editor for most namespaces at most Wikipedias and other WMF projects to the new VisualEditor by July 2013.
What if I hate it?
When it becomes the default, you can go to Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-editing and turn it off. Of course we can't predict what might happen far in the future, but, at this time, there are absolutely no plans to remove the old editor.
Is this being forced on the community by some outsiders?
Misplaced Pages editors have asked for this type of improvement since at least 2004. Previous discussions include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and more.
How was the community notified of this upgrade to the Mediawiki software?
Isn't this going to irritate existing editors?
Even tiny changes cause temporary disruption for existing users. Research has generally shown that most people adapt quickly to changes, within days for small changes and within a few weeks to larger changes.[http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2009/03/stop_whining_about_facebooks_redesign.single.html And anyone who doesn't like it can always switch back – see above.
Can't the editors here order the developers to turn this off?
No. It is the official policy of the English Misplaced Pages that the editors are not in charge of the website or its software. See WP:CONEXCEPT: "Some matters that may seem subject to the consensus of the community at the English-language Misplaced Pages (en.wp) are, in fact, in a separate domain. In particular, the community of MediaWiki software developers, including both paid Wikimedia Foundation staff and other volunteers, and the activities of Wikimedia Commons, are largely separate entities...These independent, co-equal communities operate however they deem necessary or appropriate, such as adding, removing, or changing software features, or accepting or rejecting images, even if their actions are not endorsed by editors here."