Talk page

Talk page

A Talk page is a feature of the MediaWiki software that powers many wikis, including the well-known Wikipedia. It allows users to discuss improvements to articles or other pages within the wiki. Each page on a MediaWiki site, whether it's an article, a user page, or a project page, has an associated talk page. These talk pages are essential for collaboration, discussion, and reaching consensus on content and editorial issues.

Purpose and Use

The primary purpose of a talk page is to provide a space for contributors to discuss changes to the main content page it is associated with. This can include discussions on sources, content accuracy, proposed changes, content disputes, and more. Talk pages are crucial for maintaining the quality of a wiki's content, as they allow for open discussion and consensus-building among its editors.

Features

• Discussion Threads: Talk pages are organized into sections and threads to keep discussions focused and relevant to specific topics or questions.
• Signatures: Users are encouraged to sign their comments using four tildes (Prab (talk) 16:30, 24 March 2024 (UTC)), which automatically adds their username and the timestamp of their comment.
• Archiving: To keep talk pages manageable, discussions that are no longer active can be archived. This helps in keeping the talk page clean and focused on current discussions.

Etiquette

There are several guidelines and best practices for using talk pages:

• Be civil: Discussions should be conducted in a respectful and polite manner.
• Assume good faith: Assume that others are trying to improve the wiki unless there is clear evidence to the contrary.
• Stay on topic: Keep discussions relevant to the page and the specific issues being discussed.
• No personal attacks: Focus on content and actions rather than attacking individuals.

Types of Talk Pages

• Article Talk Pages: Associated with encyclopedia articles or main content pages. Used to discuss the content and editing of the article.
• User Talk Pages: Each user has their own talk page where others can leave messages for them. This is used for communication between users.
• Project Talk Pages: Used for discussions related to WikiProjects or other collaborative efforts within the wiki.

Navigating to a Talk Page

To access a talk page, click on the "Talk" tab at the top of any content page. If you're on a user page, the tab might be labeled "User talk".

Creating and Editing Discussions

To start a new discussion or participate in an existing one, simply edit the talk page as you would any other wiki page. Remember to sign your comments and follow the talk page guidelines.

Conclusion

Talk pages are a vital part of the MediaWiki software, facilitating communication and collaboration among wiki users. They help ensure that content is accurate, up-to-date, and reflects consensus among contributors.

Talk page Resources
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