Wikipedia talk:Welcoming committee

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[edit] welcome laws

I primarily used template:welcomelaws and was shocked to find that it was redirected to a corney image of a plate of cookies with the use of redundant double exclamation marks ("Welcome!!"). I ask, can this template not be restored? At the very least, could it redirect to something that isn't so corney?-Andrew c 01:26, 16 February 2007 (UTC) Another reason to change the redirect (or restore) is there is additional syntax in the cookie version, so someone using the welcomelaws template without the new syntax will result in a message with broken links.--Andrew c 01:34, 16 February 2007 (UTC)

Done. Transhumanist, thanks for all your hard work, but perhaps in a few cases you are being too bold? In this case, I reverted, since Wikipedia is not a paper encyclopedia, so we don't have limitations on space. If only a few people are using a template, it's still useful.
In terms of the cookies, I'm not sure if they need to be added to preexisting templates like {{welcome3}}. I would prefer if you instead promoted {{Welcome Cookie}}, rather than making changes to templates that are already used. Thanks, Λυδαcιτγ 03:07, 16 February 2007 (UTC)
{{welcome5}}, that is, not welcome3. Λυδαcιτγ 03:17, 16 February 2007 (UTC)
Thank you for doing that, and I agree with everything you say (about space limitations, and about not adding the cookie image to established templates). Some people, while enjoying welcoming newcomers, may not like doing so with a plate a cookies, so there should be some discussion about making such a drastic, graphical change to older templates. However, for those who love cookies, promote away.-Andrew c 03:31, 16 February 2007 (UTC)
Speaking of established templates... I put up the numbered set on the same pate tonight, trying to greet a stale user Belatedly, and there is too much similarity... not enough variety. Why does one mention Wikipedia tutorial, and then two or three others mention other tutorials, but not that same one. Why not have a few of them present a table of links, vice the same old bland list with almost identical wording? And how did it come to pass that there is nothing for a follow-up 'Just dropped by to say Hi! again, and see how you're doing' note, nor the Belated greetings? I can't but concur that greeting as soon as possible is the ideal, but unless someone's somehow tracking that, and striking off a checklist, it's going to happen... probably more often than not! Now least I get another quintuple edit conflict--I'm outta here! Cheers! // FrankB 04:28, 16 February 2007 (UTC)
re: {{welcome5}}
  • At the risk of wearing out my welcome... suggest we at least change lines like "Wikipedians try to follow a strict policy of never biting new users. If you are unsure of how to do something, you are welcome to ask a more experienced user such as an administrator." to "as an administrator or someone on the welcoming committee", with links to the list. I dare assume the rest of you are as willing to lend an informational digital hand to those in the state of clueless newbieness, so why not make that an overt resource? ttfn! // FrankB 04:40, 16 February 2007 (UTC)

I changed welcome4 per your suggestions, although I didn't add a link to this page, since the new users' help page seems more efficient. I agree that the templates could use more variety. Perhaps the user warnings project will be willing to lend a hand when it finishes redoing the warning templates. Meanwhile, I'll start organizing and reworking them. Λυδαcιτγ 05:03, 16 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Check out the contributions on Wikipedia:Introduction

I just changed Wikipedia:Introduction so that people can add new sections, rather than just text, and all of a sudden people's contributions become much more personal. There are several people each hour who write something that's either about themselves or about one of their teachers. ;-) This could be a good resource for people who want to welcome new users. Of course, you can never be sure if the people really describe themselves. Some examples from the last few hours include: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11]. Some of it may also be a good source for WP:BJAODN. — Sebastian 06:59, 16 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Hey

Hi everyone, I would like to {{welcome}} myself here! I would also like to know if anyone would be interested in running a bot from their account to welcome new users from their account (for instance, one in 250 new users so you don't get inundated with requests for help) - I'm currently requesting this at the minute. It must be run from a user account to not seam impersonal RyanPostlethwaiteSee the mess I've created or let's have banter 01:29, 26 February 2007 (UTC)

Have you read over the previous conversations regarding a welcome bot, such as the antepenultimate one? Λυδαcιτγ 03:44, 26 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] New welcome templates

User:The Transhumanist and I have developed a new set of welcome templates. They are substantially different from the current ones in that they make use of ParserFunctions to offer a high level of customization. For example, the basic template allows you to use parameters to add an additional message, a picture of a plate of cookies, or a colored border, to change the opening text and whether it displays as a heading, and to replace the bulleted list of links with icons.

We have created six templates:

We hope that the use of optional parameters will allow us to keep the new welcome templates down to this small number.

If the community agrees, we plan on replacing the WC's welcome template list and table with the new templates. We will also announce the templates to the wider community.

Suggestions, criticism, and help are appreciated. Λυδαcιτγ 01:12, 15 March 2007 (UTC)

Implemented new set. Λυδαcιτγ 01:02, 6 April 2007 (UTC)
I would like to see a "W-anon" template in the same style (with ~~~~, without border) appear, {{subst:w-basic|anon=true}} is a lot of typing to do everytime I welcome an anonymous user (a few each day, from different computers). I'd be happy to make one, if there is sufficient interest. --oKtosiTe talk 10:09, 7 April 2007 (UTC)
Hmmm. I'm reluctant because the point of the new set was to reduce the number of templates as much as possible, although one more would not be terrible. Have you thought of using a script such as this one to welcome users, or of adding the code to your userpage and copying-and-pasting it to welcome users? Λυδαcιτγ 17:50, 7 April 2007 (UTC)
Where can we find the old ones, for those who like {{subst:welcomeh}} and so on? Mermaid from the Baltic Sea 01:58, 9 April 2007 (UTC)
Category:Welcome templates? Λυδαcιτγ 23:24, 9 April 2007 (UTC)
No, I had not thought of doing that, I'll look into modifying that script for this purpose, using it with greasemonkey. Thanks! --oKtosiTe talk 10:09, 9 April 2007 (UTC)
Could an anonymous switch be added to the W-short template? --oKtosiTe talk 10:02, 9 April 2007 (UTC)
Done. Λυδαcιτγ 23:24, 9 April 2007 (UTC)
Apologies for unnecessarily double-posting that; thanks! --oKtosiTe talk 08:38, 11 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] To make the job much easier...

The {{Welcome}} message is useful. It should just be sent (automatically) to a user's talk page whenever they start a new account. Use the force 19:53, 17 March 2007 (UTC)

Read above conversations. Λυδαcιτγ 20:24, 17 March 2007 (UTC) the conversations about this in the archives. Λυδαcιτγ 20:25, 17 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Reorganisation

Good afternoon (GMT time) all; this comment is especially for the attention of Audacity. I believe that the recent reorganisation of Audacity has harmed the page rather than help it - the idea was an at-a-glance guide to welcoming, rather than links to further pages. These made use of the <pre></pre> tags, for a quick copy+paste welcome.

These have been largely removed, and the page is now rather unhelpful. I'd appreciate the feedback of my fellow Wikipedians; my ultimate aim is to combine by edits with Audacity's useful ones.

anthonycfc [talk] 16:44, 18 March 2007 (UTC)

I didn't remove any of the copy+paste info, just added some further information above it. But I've now moved the copy+paste welcomes further up the page. Λυδαcιτγ 17:10, 18 March 2007 (UTC)

I just think that my revision was much more informative, and I'd prefer to see it at WP:WC that the current one. anthonycfc [talk] 18:01, 18 March 2007 (UTC)

Well, going back to your reversion would basically mean deleting the suggestion to type one's own message and adding back in the suggestion to add one's template to the list. I think both of these are bad ideas, so I have to disagree with you. Λυδαcιτγ 21:03, 18 March 2007 (UTC)
What about a merge? anthony[cfc] 20:02, 24 March 2007 (UTC)
Of what? Λυδαcιτγ 23:00, 24 March 2007 (UTC)
Of our edits; anthony[cfc] 00:39, 25 March 2007 (UTC)
I thought I had already done one. If you mean a further shift towards your version, that will (again) mean deleting the suggestion to type one's own message and adding back in the suggestion to add one's template to the list, and I think that is a bad idea. Λυδαcιτγ 02:24, 25 March 2007 (UTC)

(reduce indent) I submit to your side; this is to tedious to be worth disputing over. Hopefully this is to your satisfaction; thanks for your opinions! — anthony[cfc] 04:15, 25 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] FearBot

I am currently working on coding a bot called FearBot, see User:FearBot for information. One of the things I found myself doing today is greeting the new users, which gets tiring and you easily get a backlog. It is simple for me to add on to my existing codes for reading the newpages etc lists, but would it be acceptable to add Welcoming functionality to my bot? I am coding this anyway, but whether or not I have it enabled in the final release is yet to be seen. I am making the bot to be able to be cmade compatible with any MediaWiki wiki, and plan to offer bot services on any wiki. So, I thought i'd check with other people involved in the Welcoming committee. Please discuss this issue on this page. Thanks, TheFearow 00:21, 24 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Welcoming template for Notable Wikipedians

I'm starting to notice how Wikipedia's templates in regards to users which are subjects to their articles seem to be harsh, at the least (i.e. {{uw-autobiography}}, which sounds like the user is doing something wrong because they came to Wikipedia). I've already ran across three notable people who I was able to identify as possible subjects of the respected articles they edit. And even if they register a username as their own name, they end up on WP:RFC/N because of WP:U. Can someone make a welcome template which explains to them in a friendly way what's expected of a notable wikipedian? —Preceding unsigned comment added by WikiLeon (talk • contribs) 23:36, 24 March 2007

This is needed; for example, Dan Bricklin has joined us, and is already well informed about COI issues and is steering clear of those issues. So what information should notable people need to know about? BLP protections; COI; any thing else? John Vandenberg 05:24, 10 June 2007 (UTC)
I would say both those as well as WP:AB. But first we need a message that makes them feel welcome that they are on Wikipedia. --wL<speak·check> 10:50, 26 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Opinions?

I know one shouldn't worry too much about performance, and I certainly don't doubt the good that welcoming users does, but I have noticed while patrolling the user creation log that many/most newly registered users do not end up making any edits. Thus, I most often welcome users only after they have made a few edits and shown interest in the project so as not to clog the system. Yet some users systematically welcome every single newly registered user. What do other people think about this practice? If most people think this is for the best, has any sort of automated welcoming been considered? Dar-Ape 02:37, 8 April 2007 (UTC)

See the archives. For my part, I completely agree that welcoming everyone who registers a username is a waste of time. Λυδαcιτγ 03:22, 8 April 2007 (UTC)
I just joined this group, but have been welcoming people for some time. I welcome everyone who edits a page on my watchlist with a red talk link. Either that, or a user warning. ;^) IMHO, having something in common helps the welcome to be more sincere, and if they will either be already familiar with me, or might remember I was the one who welcomed them the next time they see one of my edits to the article. In many cases, I have gotten a "thank you" back from them. wrp103 (Bill Pringle) 08:38, 8 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Customizing templates

If you like to customize welcome templates: rather than doing so by subst'ing the template into a sandbox and modifying the code (or worse, subst'ing it onto the user's page and making a second edit to it there), use Special:ExpandTemplates with the user's name as the context title, and simply copy-and-paste the code. Λυδαcιτγ 01:29, 10 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] massive, unconventional welcoming campaign

To the committee: You may want to check in with User:Deathgleaner. He/she has been welcoming a truly extraordinary number of new users, and has earned a barnstar for his/her efforts.

However, he/she is using a new template to do the welcoming, developed almost entirely without input from other Wikipedians. The template generally looks OK, except that it closes with instructions for using Wikipedia to develop a social network, which seems like a potential violation of WP:NOT.

Although he/she has done some vandalism elsewhere, it is not meanspirited, and I believe his/her intentions are generally good. I think a little contact with the committee devoted to his/her activity of choice would be helpful.

-Pete 20:35, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Welcoming

Are we allowed to welcome new users as soon as they pop up, or is that to generic, so we shouldn't do it? Does it really matter?--Kkrouni 23:57, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

There's no guideline, and you're certainly allowed to welcome anyone you wish. I would say that most users believe that it is better to wait until the user has made useful edits before welcoming. Λυδαcιτγ 03:26, 7 May 2007 (UTC)
The criteria that I use is to welcome anyone who edits a page on my watchlist that has a red link to their talk page, even if it is their first edit. I will often add a personal note about the topic and/or their edit. wrp103 (Bill Pringle) (Talk) 03:50, 7 May 2007 (UTC)


 ???

I've been editing for a while . . . but I haven't got a welcome message yet. The-Association 16:40, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

Relied on user talk :) PeaceNT 07:29, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
I chirped in too. // FrankB 12:39, 16 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Vandalism or Our Page Problem

  • Attention: Anthonycfc && The Transhumanist:
  • Using IE6 WP:Wc hits a HTML graphic sequence which immediately destabilizes the browser, and causes it to cycle into 'Home Page'. Duration viewing your pretty page--maybe half a second before the browser throws it's fit.

    Since the vast majority of computer users aren't people who upgrade regularly, IE6 will be with us for quite a while. This needs fixed. I just reverted vandalism thereon, and it's now behaving. Might want to protect the page for a few days though... It's seeing a fair number of vandalism hits lately. Cheers all! // FrankB 12:39, 16 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Recommend against template complexity

See also prior at Template_talk:Welcomeg#Aaah!

I would like discuss phasing out usage of graphical variations, such as {{W-graphical}}, {{W-screen}}, and {{welcomeg}}. One of the most critical learning tools a new user has is to edit a page and understand what they see. If this is at the top of a new user's talk page, it makes it unnecessarily difficult to use that talk page. This information is fantastic and should be very obviously linked from a plain and simple note on the talk page -- a note which they might replicate when responding or initiating their own first contact with another user on a project talk page. Pointers to prior discussion appreciated! ∴ here…♠ 06:01, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

Sometimes you want a "welcome" template to reinforce what is and isn't appropriate for a newly arrived potential "editor warrior". Having a template that lists our key policies makes it harder for people to say "I didn't know you had a [insert here] policy" after getting blocked for making a whole lot of disruptive edits or reverts. --  Netsnipe  ►  07:46, 27 May 2007 (UTC)
I use {{welcomeg}} (well, actually {{welcomeh}} which automatically inserts heading and signature) all the time and am very strongly in favour of it being kept. Wikipedia is very hard for newcomers to find their way around. This template has all the important links for them. If you don't want a complex template, then simplify wikipedia first! Tyrenius 18:38, 27 May 2007 (UTC)
I agree strongly with both of you regarding the justification for welcoming, but {{welcome}} does just fine. I still feel the talk page itself should be kept clean and easy to understand when viewed inside the edit box. Key policies should be prominently linked, as should a welcome page including a nice index and collection of important links. The #1 reason I've heard that folks do not edit here is that they do not understand what they see in the edit box. In my opinion, a user should never feel that way on their own talk page. ∴ here…♠ 20:57, 5 June 2007 (UTC)
I don't see any problem with having the existing different welcome options, so that editors can choose which they prefer to leave. Tyrenius 23:01, 5 June 2007 (UTC)
Ditto. --Chicaneo 01:25, 26 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Hello??

I want to join... Karibear 17:08, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

Great! Step 1) Add your name here: Wikipedia:Welcoming_committee/members ;). Step 2) participate in welcoming committee activities. ∴ here…♠ 18:36, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] is it just me...

or does there seem to be a vast recent influx of new users to Wikipedia? In May/early June I have welcomed at least 2-3 new users a day, and normally I only do so once every week at most. I'm not a committee member, so I am only doing this when I see new users editing pages on my watchlist. What gives? Is it kids getting out of school? Does this happen every June? VanTucky 19:58, 5 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Welcoming Users with No Edits

Hi, I'm new to this so forgive me if I've missed something. Most of the templates provided thank the new user for their contribs, but what happens if they haven't made any, is there a way to welcome them and encourage them to edit? And just going off this, is there a right time to welcome a user (like only after they've editted, if they've been registered for a certain period of time - I noticed that one of the arguments against a bot would be it would just repeat the initial welcome message - etc) Guycalledryan 07:46, 6 June 2007 (UTC)

I don't think it would be a good idea if we started welcoming new users who had just come onto Wikipedia to vandalise, we have to see first if the newly registered user themself is on Wikipedia to helpfully edit or just pointlessly vandalise. I'm no expert, but that's my view. SensibleMenace 21:48, 13 June 2007 (UTC)
Personally I believe that all users should be welcomed, especially vandals. My experience in dealing with vandals and trolls is that they do not know that rules exist, nor do they know that there are consequences for breaking the rules. A welcome message (like welcomeg) puts the vandal on notice about the rules and may deter some potential vandals from mischief. --Chicaneo 19:34, 25 June 2007 (UTC)
I've made a personal template for this situation: Template:welcomeforward. @pple 16:53, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
In fact, I only replaced "thanks for your contribution" by "look forward to your contribution". I got this idea from the user who welcomed me. @pple 16:56, 13 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Welcoming users after a first failed attempt at an article.

A situation arises fairly often where a new user makes a first new (good faith, non vandalism, but deficient) article. The article is then almost immediately tagged AfD, which can be very discouraging to someone just starting out. see Wikipedia:Please do not bite the newcomers. This situation was brought to my attention while I was patrolling new articles and tagging them. I believe the concern brought to my attention is a valid one, and I propose a template that both 1) welcomes the new user, and 2) very gently brings to light the shortcomings of the recent addition. - superβεεcat  20:27, 17 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] basic question

While I love this project and it's spirit, wouldn't it be really much simpler to have a {{Welcome}} tag automatically delivered to all newly registered users? Is this feasible? VanTucky (talk) 22:48, 21 July 2007 (UTC)

See the conversations about this in the archives. Λυδαcιτγ 03:31, 22 July 2007 (UTC)
The proposal of a welcome bot has been rejected by most of members. @pple 03:16, 9 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] WP:OR welcome?

I'm wondering if there is a WP:OR welcome template, similar to the NPOV one and such, welcoming, while alerting them to policy. I couldn't find one on the list (and therefore I improvised), but I am planning on making one, if that is acceptable. --HAL2008HAL?talk 14:49, 10 August 2007 (UTC)

Of course - go right ahead. Λυδαcιτγ 01:16, 11 August 2007 (UTC)
I don't think it's necessary to make a welcome template for OR only, since OR is one of the core policies hitherto. Just give the user a notice of his/her OR violation in specific situations rather a general OR welcome (in fact also a warning). @pple 16:50, 13 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Script

For those interested, I have written a small user script at User:TheFearow/public/newuserlogwelcome.js. It adds a welcome link to the newuserlog, next to the talk page link, for users with no talk page. The script uses my AJAX library to send the welcome without leaving the current page, instead it indicates the progress below the page title/"From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia" text. It's only thoroughly tested in Firefox, however it should work no problems with most other browsers (except IE, which doesn't allow anything AJAX). Please report to me any bugs/feature requests/config options you would like.

Install Instructions:

  1. Edit your monobook.js file (shortcut link), to include the line: 
    importScript('User:TheFearow/public/newuserlogwelcome.js');
  2. Add above that line, the following two lines, but (optionally) change the values in between the "'s to suit you. The templates chosen must be self-signing, or they will be left unsigned: 
    var nulwTemplate = "W-screen";

    var nulwAnonTemplate = "Welcome-anon";
  3. Hard reload your browser (see here for instructions)
  4. Go to the new user log (link) and start welcoming!

Enjoy! Matt/TheFearow (Talk) (Contribs) (Bot) 23:46, 16 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Encouragement!

The poster of this thread seems in need some support. Please provide a word of encouragement to 64.39.136.55! Thanks. -- Jreferee (Talk) 05:22, 22 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Category:Welcome templates

Hello all. I've been trying to clean this up - we had 113 when I looked at it yesterday. I've created Category:User-specific Welcome templates and hived off all the user-specific ones. I'm probably going to do the same for project-specific templates, too. I've also merged and redirected a few unused or near-identical welcome templates. Just a heads up, really. Keep up the good work, etc! Neil ム 09:57, 23 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] ummm...

I know this is gonna sound kinda stupid, but I was never welcomed to wikipedia. Could I possibly get a retroactive welcome? --MKnight9989 14:47, 28 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] User:Radiant!/Everything

I've written this page as a "different" kind of introduction for novice users, a bit like {{welcome}} only not so. I would appreciate feedback on its usefulness. >Radiant< 12:04, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

It's quite good, but I would suggest a different setup, like {{welcomeh}}, so its colourful, and attracts a users attention. Your Grace Lord Sir Dreamy of Buckland tm 20:56, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Harlem Academy

This is a new user who I think needs some help. I believe it is a teacher and her students. They're asking me questions that I don't feel like I can answer. I placed a welcome tag on there page and recommended the adopt-a-user program. Can anyone extend a helping hand to this user? --Endless Dan 20:00, 27 September 2007 (UTC)

Yes. If it is a teacher and students, the account should be blocked, as we don't allow role accounts. Your Grace Lord Sir Dreamy of Buckland tm 20:53, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Is there an award for this?

I have truly welcomed over 500 users in welcoming sprees. I was just going to say that there should be an award for this. Cheers! --Pupster21 Talk To Me 12:21, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

I have also welcomed a lot of users, and I do not believe that there is an award for it. Your Grace Lord Sir Dreamy of Buckland tm 20:54, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

Actually, shouldn't something like this welcoming be automatic? EDIT: « ₣ullMetal ₣alcon » 21:11, 16 November 2007 (UTC)

Service awards do exist, but you have to award them to yourself. Dar-Ape 17:50, 16 November 2007 (UTC)
Ironically enough, I just created an award and was about to ask where I should put it. You can find it here. ~ Bella Swan 21:51, 20 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] New user log no longer active

Just a friendly head's up, per an MfD discussion, Wikipedia:New user log has been marked as historical. The page will be removed from the welcoming templates, etc. If you see any pages or references that need to be updated, please take the initiative. Regards.--12 Noon 2¢ 23:59, 21 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Need a volunteer

Had a new user ask for an intro at my talk page, but I'm retired. Could someone from the committee drop in and give them a proper hello? The user is here. Thanks, Ziggurat 20:55, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Satisfying

I just went through the first page of new users, inserting {{subst:welcome}} ~~~~ onto every talk page. It was a rather repetitive task, though you'd be amazed how satisfying it was. I also like to think I helped. One new user had been contributing (luckily, only to talk pages) in a foreign language. I added a comment to the end, notifying them of this.

I think we can all agree that welcoming new users is a pretty satisfying experience. I just started doing it and have made it a daily task to welcome at least fifty more users. Very satisfying :D. Voyaging (talk) 22:06, 20 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Major revamp of page

I've recently revamped the welcoming committee page to what I think is a much cleaner and easier to understand layout. I've removed lots of unnecessary information, and added a few useful sentences. I'd really love some feedback. Thanks! Voyaging (talk) 04:55, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

I think I have now finished revamping the page. If you guys catch any errors or see anything you'd like to change go ahead. Voyaging (talk) 04:39, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Idea for a bot

What about a bot that would put a welcome message on all user talk pages for users that have existed for more than 24 hours but haven't had anything put on their talk page?Bassg☢☢nistTalk/Contribs 19:20, 29 February 2008 (UTC)

Wikipedia_talk:Welcoming_committee/Archive_2#WelcomeBot.3F. Λυδαcιτγ 06:01, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

Archives for the loss...:p Bassg☢☢nistTalk/Contribs 16:34, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Quick Method for Welcoming (Requires Microsoft Gaming Mouse of other mouse with Intellipoint)

I found a way to use Intellipoint's "gaming toggle" feature to quickly and easily welcome users. I use a combination of cut and paste, as well as the tab button. Read up on Intellipoint here. I can't explain fully right now, so will someone else explain further, and the rest provide feedback? —Preceding unsigned comment added by PwnerELITE (talk • contribs) 01:06, 1 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] In need badly

I think the Welcoming Commitee needs to be revised. With all of the new users joining, the user creation log is full of red links. I propose a revision of the active members, to flush out all of the old welcomers. I have tried to make my own squad (see userpage), but it's hopes don't look good, so I am proposing this. The WC is not functioning properly, and something should be done.--LAAFan 18:57, 23 May 2008 (UTC)

Perhaps a minimum age requirement would be beneficial? I'd suggest 30 days since first edit, at least 25 edits outside article/talk/user/user talk space and 100 mainspace edits? Or is it too harsh? +Hexagon1 (t) 08:23, 24 May 2008 (UTC)
  • I think that's fine, maybe even too easy. My issue is I see tons of red links on the User Creation Log. The list should be of active welcomers.--LAAFan 20:20, 24 May 2008 (UTC)
Well, a red link doesn't mean one is inactive... +Hexagon1 (t) 01:56, 25 May 2008 (UTC)
  • Yes, but there isnt' just one red link, and whenever I click on an existing talk page in the UCL, the user has been warned for vandalising, not welcomed.--LAAFan 16:48, 25 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Plans for the future of WC

I think the best that can be done for the Welcoming Committee is to have as many members as possible. Therefore I'm against "flushing out" old welcomers, everyone interested in helping out welcoming newbies should be part of this project, even if they can only help out once a month. Yes, the amount of new members are too much to handle for those of us who are active right now, but that only means that we need to recruit more people to the Welcoming Committee. I also suggest we focus our efforts on the users that have contributed to wikipedia. It's so much easier to leave constructive and focused feedback on a user's talk page when he's actually done something. I do see the need for welcoming users that do not contribute also, to encourage the to be bold and so on, but I propose that our main focus be users that have already reached that level. Norwaystudent (talk) 16:48, 25 May 2008 (UTC)