Wikipedia:WikiGnome
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A WikiGnome is a term for a wiki user who makes useful incremental edits without clamouring for attention. WikiGnomes work behind the scenes of a wiki, tying up little loose ends and making things run more smoothly. Examples of WikiGnome-like behavior include fixing typos, poor grammar, and broken links. The name originated at the WikiWikiWeb.[1]
Many highly active wiki contributors exhibit WikiGnome-like behavior as part of their work, while others may limit themselves to only WikiGnome activity.
WikiGnomes are considered to be friendly like WikiFairies. The rough opposite of a WikiGnome is a WikiTroll.
WikiGnomes love to work in the shadows (making what are called minor edits) in various nooks and corners of Wikipedia. Look at recent changes and you may even spot one.
Further examples of WikiGnome-like work include: adding ISBNs of books that people mention and making an entry for their articles in the List of books by title, tracking down the authorship of "someone once said" quotes, adding links to text already in an article or to useful categories; adding redirects; or adding examples and details to information referenced in the text (for example, adding "such as Silence and Deep River" to the line "Shusaku Endo has written important books").
The list of Wikipedians who wish to advertise their status as WikiGnomes is at Category:Wikipedian WikiGnomes.
If you want, you can advertise your WikiGnome-like qualities on your user page by adding:
If you prefer not to use userboxes you can still list your user page in the WikiGnomes category by putting the following on your page:
- [[Category:Wikipedian WikiGnomes|{{PAGENAME}}]]
If you do not wish to unduly advertise yourself, a simple textual note of your interest in wikignomic activities is recommended.
A collection of kind messages left for the WikiGnomes is at Wikipedia:WikiGnome/Kudos.
