Wikipedia:RfA reform 2011/Possible proposals


This project is divided into sub pages in order to keep discussions focused and on track.
Read the main page first, then join a discussion on the respective page.
Please do not start a new thread or a new sub page on something that is already under discussion - see the TOC on each talk page.

Ideas for reform edit

The following is a list of ideas for RfA reform, some of which are adready under discussion in the sub pages above. At the moment, they are suggestions only, and some of them may be contradictory. These suggestions have not been endorsed or evaluated by the task force, and anyone is free to add suggestions or start discussions on the talk page.

Candidates & nominations (suggestions) edit

  1. Minimum qualifications for candidacy: make a synthesis from all the user RFA criteria essays.
    Taking into account the discussion on the talk page here, and the tables and stats that have been provided at Wikipedia:RfA reform 2011/Candidates and Wikipedia talk:RfA reform 2011/Candidates, it seems that a possible threshold could be set at three consecutive months of activity prior to RfA, and a minimum of 1,500 manual edits. Other Wikis have much higher requirements, however our suggestions are for preventing the obvious NOTNOWs. There is a suggestion to support this threshold with a software block against transclusion.
  2. Nominations to be made only by admins (see self nom below).
  3. Self nom must either be seconded or co-nominated by an admin, or carry a declaration: "I have read the instructions, and I meet the requirements for candidacy." This will be checked by an admin before transclusion, and denied if not correct.
  4. Fresh start candidates: must declare, in confidence, their intention to run for RfA to an ARBCOM. Confidentiality is assured, no need for the candidate to justify or reveal reasons for their fresh start as part of the RfA voting procedure, cannot be used as an 'oppose' rationale.

Qualifications for voters edit

  • Apply for a 'right to vote', in the same way as 'autopatroller', 'rollbacker', 'reviewer', etc.
  • No users who have a history of mainly only voting 'support', or mainly voting 'oppose'.
  • No WP:SPA RfA voters - users whose contribs to Wikipedia are exclusively voting on RfA).
  • Users 2 months autoconfirmed,
  • 2 months block free,
  • 2 months 3rr free.
  • Minimum number of manual edits to article/project space
  • No participation from IP users (because IPs can be shared and sockpuppeted).

Voting conditions edit

  • Uncommented support votes are considered a support of the nomination. Commented votes will carry more weight in the crat's evaluation of consensus.
  • No oppose votes without clear, logical rationale (cuts out 'I don't like him/her')
  • Oppose votes backed up with stats and/or diffs will carry more weight in the 'crat's evaluation of consensus.
  • No 'half' !votes qualified by such adjectives as weak or strong - either state in your rationale how you feel, or !vote neutral, or don't !vote. Qualifying adjectives will be struck by a 'crat or an admin.
  • All votes should be commented in a way that demonstrates that the voter has done their own homework.
  • No off-topic threads or comments. Threads limited to six posts (e.g. Statement, Reply, Statement, Reply, Statement, Reply). The RfA process is not WT:RfA.
  • All votes/comments limited to 250 words (Hmm... BEANS?)
  • Definitely no misplaced humour or humour in poor taste, snarkiness, cynicism, or sarcasm (will be removed by 'crat, or possibly also by admins).
  • Definitely no incivility or personal attacks (will be removed by any 'crat, or possibly also by admins).

'Crat monitoring & closing edit

  • Closing rationale will be based on 'successful', 'did not succeed', 'no consensus', or 'withdrawn by candidate'. No consensus defaults to 'not promoted'.
  • All RfA to have a closing summary from the closing 'crat.
  • RfA with fewer than 30 support votes to be re-run, extended, or closed as 'no consensus'.
  • 'Crats to immediately remove any crap !votes, PA/incivility, and inappropriate questions.
  • All 'pass', 'fail' decisions to be seconded by a second crat (or perhaps an uninvolved admin). Close run cases must have a crat-chat.
  • Neutral votes to be taken into consideration in close-call cases.

RfA Questions edit

  • Three standard mandatory template questions.
  • User questions are definitely optional.
  • No oppose vote can be made for not answering. Neutral vote can be made for not answering.
  • Questions from voters only, and possibly only from experienced editors.
  • Maximum of one question per user.
  • No compound questions
  • No follow-on questions.
  • No discussion threads in the question section except one answer from the candidate.
  • Relevant questions only (see User:Kudpung/RfA criteria#The questions they ask)
  • No trick questions deliberately contrived to lead the candidate to err on the side of negativity.
  • A maximum number of user questions.

RfA reform task force edit

This is a list of those who feel they can collaborate with each other to move this RfA reform project along. Just sign your name the normal way. No comments other than your signature are needed. Outside views are more than welcome on the various talk pages.

Coordinators
Kudpung (talk) • Pyfan (talk) • Swarm (talk) • Worm That Turned (talk)
Coordinators?
The Coords keep the discussions tidy, on track, and on the right pages, and check for signatures and page links, and develop sub pages and templates as required, etc. They offer their own suggestions and opinions in the normal way. Italicized names are inactive or on an extended Wikibreak.

Participants edit

  1. Swarm X 20:01, 26 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  2. ϢereSpielChequers 21:36, 26 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  3. My76Strat (talk) 04:23, 27 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  4. Beeblebrox (talk) 05:02, 27 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  5. But I'm not sure if the above criteria are wrong to begin with... I think the whole notion has to be reworked. No more !voting.---Balloonman NO! I'm Spartacus! 05:15, 27 March 2011 (UTC) (retired from Wikipedia)[reply]
  6. 'User:M.O.X (talk) • 9:05pm •'Formerly Ancient Apparition, formerly Fridae'sDoom. 10:05, 27 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  7. bobrayner (talk) 11:21, 27 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  8. Tyrol5 [Talk] 16:06, 27 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  9. MacMedtalkstalk 16:24, 27 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  10. Montanabw(talk) 23:52, 28 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  11. Pesky (talk) 03:40, 29 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  12. --SPhilbrickT 04:28, 29 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  13. --Errant (chat!) 08:24, 30 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  14. Oli OR Pyfan! 08:33, 30 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  15. Corruptcopper (talk) 12:04, 7 April 2011 (UTC) (No edits to Wikipedia since 8 May 2012)[reply]
  16. Jusdafax 09:15, 12 April 2011 (UTC) I'll be part-time but will attempt to give quality input. This topic is vital.[reply]
  17. Baseball Watcher 03:42, 14 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  18. Wikipedian2 (talk) 19:57, 15 April 2011 (UTC) (No edits to Wikipedia since 20 June 2011)[reply]
  19. Keepscases (talk) 20:03, 15 April 2011 (UTC) (currently blocked unblocked for disruption at RfA)[reply]
  20. This seems to be a perennial discussion/project/proposal item, but I am always in favor of any improvements if possible. — Ched :  ?  07:57, 16 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  21. Fly by Night (talk) 17:53, 22 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  22. SilkTork *YES! 09:42, 3 May 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  23. Catfish Jim & the soapdish 10:20, 3 May 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  24. Richwales (talk · contribs) 18:50, 11 May 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  25.   Will Beback  talk  02:47, 13 May 2011 (UTC) (Indef banned from Wikipedia)[reply]
  26. --White Shadows Stuck in square one 00:14, 22 May 2011 (UTC) (retired from Wikipedia)[reply]
  27. WFC— 03:27, 24 May 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  28. Alzarian16 (talk) 11:22, 5 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  29. --ceradon 08:29, 28 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  30. mc10 (t/c) 23:35, 8 July 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  31. The Blade of the Northern Lights (話して下さい) 16:14, 9 August 2011 (UTC) More so once the autoconfirmed trial gets underway; hopefully that won't be too long.[reply]
  32. ~~Ebe123~~ talkContribs 21:41, 11 August 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  33. Ryan Vesey Review me! 22:43, 14 August 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  34. --Cerejota (talk) 10:01, 28 August 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  35. Divide et Impera (talk) 15:15, 9 September 2011 (UTC) (No edits to Wikipedia since 17 December 2011)[reply]
  36. Trusilver 17:05, 14 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  37. Philippe Beaudette, Wikimedia Foundation (talk) 17:04, 25 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]
  38. Moogwrench (talk) 15:37, 1 October 2011 (UTC) (No edits to Wikipedia since 17 December 2011)[reply]
  39. Dennis Brown - © Join WER 15:19, 10 October 2012 (UTC)[reply]
  40. --Amadscientist (talk) 22:51, 10 October 2012 (UTC)[reply]
  41. Irondome (talk) 22:36, 7 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]

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