User talk:Mobile 01/Archiving

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[edit] Archiving

As requested, here is some information on how to archive your talk page: WP:Archive. It is actually a pretty simple process that can be accomplished in one of three ways.

  • 1 - The cut/paste method means that you create a subpage and, literally, cut and paste your Talk page's code over to it. To create a subpage, edit your Talk page and add in a link to something like [[User:Mobile 01/Subpage]]. After you save the page, you can click on that red link to take you to a brand new page which you can edit. For your first archive, you would create a link for a page named [[User talk:Mobile 01/Archive 1]].
  • 2 - You can move your entire talk page via the button up at the top aptly named "Move". Again, you would use the same naming setup as in number 1: [[User talk:Mobile 01/Archive 1]].
  • 3 - Using your history, you can blank your entire page and then provide a link to the edit immediately before you blanked it. Personally, I think this is a bit confusing for people trying to read through archives, though.

Each of those three options is explained in greater detail in the WP:Archive help page. In each case, you should note in your edit summary whenever you cut/paste, move, or blank the page that you are archiving. Some people try and keep an eye out for people blanking their text pages, but not everyone takes the time to read each page thoroughly to find that user's exact reason for blanking their talk page. The reason for this is that most users are simple vandals whom are trying to hide their background, so us revert-happy watchers tend to suspect, by default, that pretty much everyone is a vandal covering their tracks. Sorry if I sounded harsh with my revert, but hopefully this info helps! Just let me know on my Talk page if you would like any additional explanation. Cheers! --Thisisbossi 03:49, 16 January 2007 (UTC)

One additional thing: I highly recommend that you restore the text that you blanked in this edit (which is actually an example of how you can archive via #3). While I understand that you may not be fond of the battle between you and Travb, it is nonetheless of assistance when others are attempting to sort out issues elsewhere. If you have nothing to hide, then any evidence is good evidence. However, just as I hinted at above: hiding things tends to make you look guilty. You may wish to place all discussions with regards to the Firestone article in its own archive. Also, it appears that you blanked other issues unrelated to the Firestone fiasco -- I recommend that you restore those, as well, to serve anyone else whom may be attempting to find more information on those topics. --Thisisbossi 03:56, 16 January 2007 (UTC)