Commons:Centralized discussion

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Centralized discussion
See also: Village pump/Proposals   ■ Archive

Template: View   ■ Discuss    ■ Edit   ■ Watch

Background[edit]

Village pump and Village pump (proposals) provide central areas both for giving notice of discussions elsewhere and for debate itself. Despite regular archiving, these pages tend to grow rather lengthy. It's not always easy to know what issues are active.

Guidance[edit]

Cent is generally used to draw attention to discussions regarding policies, guidelines or other matters that have a wide impact and on which a broad consensus is needed. Announcements are generally done via the Watchlist notice or the Sitenotice. Discussions related to content, including use of infoboxes and templates within a specific topic area, are usually best advertised within the appropriate WikiProjects.

Listing examples[edit]

Discussions listed on Cent are about matters that are significant enough to require a broad consensus. See en:Wikipedia:Canvassing for guidance on the appropriate way to gain attention.

Appropriate
  • Discussions on existing policies, guidelines and procedures
  • Discussions on proposed policies, guidelines and procedures
  • Discussions on matters that have a wide impact
Inappropriate

How to list[edit]

  • To add a new item, edit Template:Cent, and place the item at the top of the list.
  • Link directly to the discussion. Single, unambiguous and concise links are preferred.
  • Describe the matter or proposal in neutral terms.
  • Add date of listing.

When to archive[edit]

Cautions[edit]

Like any tool, this may be misused. Kindly exercise restraint, assume good faith, and allow process to take its course. Please don't add new policy ideas indiscriminately; trial balloons are better floated at Village pump/Proposals. This template should be reserved for ongoing discussions. Remember, its usefulness is in inverse proportion to its size.

Before joining a debate, it might be wise to gather some background, especially on complex or long-standing issues. Please be courteous to your fellow editors and read existing discussion before adding your own comment. It's hoped that {{Cent}} will contribute to the opening of policy debate and the broadening of consensus; but of course no good purpose is served by uninformed comment. Stay cool.

Documentation[edit]

See also[edit]