Consumer Action Taskforce:Talk page guidelines: Difference between revisions

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{{Under_Development|date=January 2025|stage=early|priority=high}}
This guide explains how to effectively communicate on the wiki, particularly when using talk pages and user discussions via the source editor.
These functions are automatic when using the visual discussion page editor but, as there is a known bug for users who are still new and need to complete a captcha this guide serves as an alternative way to communicate using discussion pages until the issue is resolved.


#Wiki Communication Guide
==Discussion/Talk pages==
[[File:Discussion-page-pointer.png|300px|thumb|right]]
Every page on the wiki has an associated discussion page, commonly reffered to as a talk page for discussions about the content. You can access it by clicking the "Discussion" tab at the top of any page. Use these talk pages to discuss the issues on the atricle page or to make suggestions to other active contributors. Please keep the content relaevant to each article.


This guide explains how to effectively communicate on the wiki, particularly when using talk pages and user discussions.
Each user has their own talk page at <code>User talk:Username</code> where others can leave messages for them. Use these to discuss topics regarding the wiki or that are adjacent to its contents.  


==Basic Communication Tools==
==Using talk pages==
===Starting topics===
When starting a new topic treat it as a section on a regular page and add your message directly below. Use this format
<pre>== Section Title ==
Your message here.
~~~~
</pre>


===Talk Pages===
*Four tildes <code>&#x7E;&#x7E;&#x7E;&#x7E;</code> automatically add your signature and timestamp
Every page on the wiki has an associated talk page for discussions about the content. You can access it by clicking the "Discussion" tab at the top of any page.
*Use clear, descriptive section headers
 
*Always sign your messages
===User Talk Pages===
===Reply to topics===
Each user has their own talk page at <code>User talk:Username</code> where others can leave messages for them.
 
==How to Reply to Messages==
 
===Basic Reply Format===
When replying on a talk page, use this format:<pre>:Your message here ~~~~</pre>Key elements:
When replying on a talk page, use this format:<pre>:Your message here ~~~~</pre>Key elements:


*The colon <code>:</code> indents your reply
*The colon <code>:</code> indents your reply. If there are multiple replies indent as much as nesseccary (ie add more colons)
*Four tildes <code>&#x7E;&#x7E;&#x7E;&#x7E;</code> automatically add your signature and timestamp
*Four tildes <code>&#x7E;&#x7E;&#x7E;&#x7E;</code> automatically add your signature and timestamp
*Add one more colon than the message you're replying to for nested discussions
*Add one more colon than the message you're replying to for nested discussions
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==Best Practices==
==Best Practices==
===Starting New Topics===
*Use clear, descriptive section headers
*Start new sections with <code>== Section Title ==</code>
*Always sign your messages


===Maintaining Conversations===
===Maintaining Conversations===
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===Common Mistakes to Avoid===
===Common Mistakes to Avoid===


*Forgetting to sign messages with <code>[[User:Travis|Travis]] ([[User talk:Travis|talk]]) 17:08, 17 January 2025 (UTC)</code>
*Forgetting to sign messages with <code><nowiki>~~~~</nowiki></code>
*Not notifying users of replies
*Not notifying users of replies
*Starting new threads instead of replying to existing ones
*Starting new threads instead of replying to existing ones
*Editing others' comments (instead, reply to them)
*Editing others' comments (instead, reply to them)
[[Category:CAT]]
[[Category:CAT]]
[[Category:Documentation]]
[[Category:Documentation]]
[[Category:Help]]
[[Category:Help]]