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Wikipedia:Noticeboards

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Noticeboards on Wikipedia are places where editors can ask questions and request assistance from people who are familiar with the policies and guidelines covered by each individual board. They are to be used for specific problems that editors encounter in writing and maintaining Wikipedia articles. Posting a message to a noticeboard can also be an appropriate early step in resolving disputes on Wikipedia. Noticeboards are best used for simple and urgent matters. If an editor needs a more complex response, and is willing to wait for it, the WP:Requests for comment process may be more suitable.

Noticeboards are not places to advocate for change to Wikipedia's existing policies. Instead, such suggestions should be taken directly to the talk page of the applicable policy or guideline. Noticeboards are also not good places to recruit more editors to work with you. If you want to edit collaboratively, try posting a message at a relevant WP:WikiProject instead.

If you need general help with creating and editing articles on Wikipedia, try Wikipedia:Questions. New editors may find the Wikipedia:Contributing to Wikipedia page a valuable resource. If you want feedback on an article that you have planned, or that you have recently made major changes to, try the Teahouse or help desk.

If you have a question about an encyclopedic subject, leave a note for the Wikipedia:Reference desk.

Suggestions for success

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Posting a message at a noticeboard does not guarantee a response. Editors are more likely to respond to straightforward questions from friendly, productive editors. If you want to increase your odds of receiving a constructive response, try this:

  • Messages should be concise. Long diatribes or sprawling monologues are likely to be ignored or dismissed as "Too long, didn't read". Provide links to the relevant articles and diffs. Try to frame your issue as a specific, direct question: "Can this source be used to support this statement?" "Is this an acceptable external link for this article?" "Do you think this editor's account should be blocked for vandalism?" Some noticeboards have standardized formats for common requests; read and follow the directions to the best of your ability.
  • Be civil. Sarcasm, slurs, and snide remarks should be avoided at all costs. If you are dealing with a heated dispute or are very frustrated, make an effort to present your question with a calm, detached, professional demeanor. See Wikipedia's pages on civility and personal attacks for additional advice. If the editors that respond to you disagree with you, don't argue with them — but do, if necessary, correct any factual misunderstandings or request further clarification.
  • Sign and date all contributions, by appending four tildes "~~~~" to the end of every message. This simplifies page administration by allowing automatic archiving of older messages.
  • Watch the page. Editors responding to your message are most likely to reply at the noticeboard.

Responding to requests

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Any editor familiar with the relevant policies, guidelines, or procedures is encouraged to respond to requests on noticeboards. Responses that are direct, informed, concrete, and specific are particularly appreciated by editors that post questions. Some questions benefit from responses by multiple editors. Replies are generally given at the noticeboard; if you respond on another page, it may be helpful to leave a link to your response for the convenience of other editors at the noticeboard.

List

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See also: Category:Wikipedia noticeboards

Select the noticeboard most closely connected to the question you have. Avoid posting the same situation to more than one noticeboard at a time. If an issue crosses boundaries, such as a WP:BLP issue involving vandalism, then choose one or the other, and if necessary, post a very brief message at the other board to point interested editors to the first noticeboard.

Incidents for administrator attention

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Further information: Wikipedia:Requests for administrator attention

Bureaucrats, VRT, Arbitration

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Other administrator assistance

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Mergers, splits, and moves

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Content dispute resolution

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Further information: Wikipedia:Dispute resolution § Resolving content disputes with outside help
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Further information: Wikipedia:Copyright assistance

User and article sanctions

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Other editor assistance and debates

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Other support

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See also

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