Wikipedia:WikiProject proposed deletion patrolling

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The goal of WikiProject Proposed Deletion Patrolling is to encourage the responsible patrolling of proposed deletion on Wikipedia. Proposed deletion, unlike the normal deletion process, does not attract very much attention. Furthermore, the proposed deletion process can be confusing to editors who aren't familiar with it. The goal of this project is to not only encourage patrolling, but also to make it easier for all of us by sharing the workload. It's hard to know who else is patrolling proposed deletion, because articles that are de-prodded aren't visible.

Contents

[edit] The proposed deletion policy

See Wikipedia:Proposed deletion for the policy page. To summarize, proposed deletion may be used to delete articles where the deletion is not controversial, but where the article does not meet the speedy deletion criteria. Articles proposed for deletion can be deleted after five days without further process if no one objects.

An article is proposed for deletion when an editor adds {{subst:prod|reason}} to the top of an article. This will add the {{dated prod}} template, with the date filled in, to the top of the article. In order to contest a proposed deletion, just remove the {{dated prod}} tag from the article. Some of the rules about proposed deletion:

  • WP:PROD is only for articles, not images, templates, categories, Wikipedia namespace stuff, or talk pages, et cetera. It is also usable for User and User Talk pages if the user has no recent edits and has made little or no contribution to the encyclopedia.
  • Once the {{dated prod}} tag is removed from the article, the deletion is considered contested, and should not be re-prodded.
  • Even the article creator is allowed to remove the {{dated prod}} tag.
  • WP:AFD overrides prod; an article should not have a prod tag if it is being discussed at AfD, or has been in the past.
  • WP:SPEEDY deletion may be used on articles proposed for deletion; speedy deletion overrides prod, but tagging for speedy deletion does not make it necessary to de-prod.
  • It is acceptable to recreate an article that was previously deleted via prod. Such recreated articles are not eligible for speedy deletion as reposted material. If the exact old article is desired back, please make your request at Wikipedia:Deletion review#Proposed deletions instead of Wikipedia:Deletion review#Decisions to be reviewed.
  • When proposing deletion, an edit summary must be used (preferably "proposing deletion", "prod", or something similar).
  • When removing a {{dated prod}} tag, the edit summary should note this.

[edit] Common mistakes with prod, and what to do about them

To see the articles currently proposed for deletion, go to Category:Proposed deletion, one of the shortcuts redirecting there (CAT:PROD, WP:APD, or WP:APFD), or the automated summary table Wikipedia:PRODSUM. Remember to include deprod in your edit summary when deprodding an article.

Prod status How to check What to do
Prod on a page other than an article, user page, or user talk page Non-article page listed in category, or category has a subcategory Deprod. Leave {{subst:deprod-article|(pagename)|(place to list)}} ~~~~ on the prodder's User talk page.
Prod re-added after being removed, or Prod on an article previously up for AfD Check the edit history and talk page Deprod. Leave {{subst:deprod-reprod|(pagename)}} ~~~~ on the prodder's User talk page.
Prod and AfD on the same article Check the article Deprod. Leave {{subst:deprod-reprod|(pagename)}} ~~~~ on the prodder's User talk page.
Prod on an article you don't want to have deleted Evaluate the article and prod concern. Deprod. Explain why on the article talk page. Optionally, leave {{subst:deprod-disagree|(pagename)}} ~~~~ on the prodder's User talk page.
Prod on an article you feel may be controversial to delete via prod Evaluate the article and prod concern. Deprod. Consider sending the article to afd. If you do, consider leaving {{subst:deprod-afd|(pagename)}} ~~~~ on the prodder's User talk page; if not, consider {{subst:deprod-contro|(pagename)}} ~~~~ In either case, explain your reasoning on the article talk page.
Prod left without using an edit summary Check the edit history. Leave {{subst:prod-summary}} ~~~~ on the prodder's User talk page. If you don't deprod, consider adding {{prod2}} to the article and leave an edit summary to indicate that you endorse the prod.
Prod concern suggests improvements. Evaluate the article and prod concern. If improvements would salvage the article, deprod and either improve, or leave tags such as {{cleanup}} so that others can improve.
Prod reason missing or inadequate for deletion. Evaluate the prod reason. If you don't disagree with the proposal, add {{prod-2|(reason)}} below the {{dated prod}} to give an additional reason. Consider leaving {{prod-reason}} on the prodder's talk page.
Prod on article someone worked hard on. Evaluate the quality of the article. Check the article creator's talk page to see if they've been notified. If not, leave {{subst:prodnote|(pagename)}} ~~~~ on their talk page to notify them about the proposal.
Prod with multiple problems Consider using {{subst:deprod-m|(pagename)|(message)}} ~~~~ on the prodder's talk page to inform them, where (message) is a further message.
Good prod Evaluate prod concern, article, and check history and talk page for AfDs Consider adding {{prod-2}} to let others know someone has checked.

Some words of caution. Use your judgement, but be careful. Specifically,

  • The lure of theory: Don't deprod an article just because in theory, someone somewhere would object to its deletion. If you don't actually believe an article has a snowball's chance in hell of being kept, there's no reason to deprod.
  • Respect established editors: It's good to educate users who are confused about proposed deletion. However, seasoned, experienced editors are likely to already know about it: in those cases, consider leaving a personalized message, or just not leaving a message to the prodder. The templates may seem a bit like warnings, although they aren't meant to be.
  • We aren't the only ones: We are not the only line of defense against inappropriate deletion via WP:PROD. In the end, an article that has been proposed for deletion for 5 days still must be overtly deleted by an administrator. They are supposed to look at the article and make sure the prod is valid before deleting, and they do.

However, don't think that proposed deletion patrolling isn't worthwhile: it is! By doing this, we ease the burden of the admins, and we are especially more likely to do well at educating users when they have misunderstood prod or related policies. Also, while prod isn't designed for it, a prod tag on certain articles may be a call for improvement, and the encyclopedia may be improved through your attention.

[edit] Discussions

Discussions about this project should take place on the talk page.

[edit] Templates

Regular proposed deletion patrollers may wish to put the PROD patrol userbox on their user page by adding {{User wikipedia/PROD Patrol}}:

This user is a proposed deletion patroller.

[edit] Participants

If you are interested in proposed deletion patrolling, please add your name to this list. Consider saying how often you plan to look at the proposed deletion articles. You can also add Category:WikiProject proposed deletion patrollers to your userpage to become part of the WikiProject proposed deletion patrollers.

  1. Anonymous_anonymous_Have a Nice Day 20:43, 18 May 2006 (UTC) Depending if I have a tight schedule or not
  2. Aaron 22:08, 23 September 2006 (UTC) - I'll pop in a couple of times per week.
  3. Ardric47—I have been doing this irregularly. 23:03, 19 May 2006 (UTC)
  4. Atamachat 22:08, 10 January 2008 (UTC) -- A few times a week, more often if I can.
  5. Athangjain
  6. badlydrawnjeff talk 20:26, 19 August 2006 (UTC)
  7. Black Falcon (Talk) 06:20, 30 April 2007 (UTC) – varies (sometimes once a week, sometimes every other day)
  8. Bucketsofg 15:32, 25 December 2006 (UTC) Once or twice per week.
  9. Casper2k3 10:59, 14 September 2006 (UTC) - Couple of times a week.
  10. --User:Ceyockey (talk to me) 11:01, 30 August 2007 (UTC) — focusing on WikiProject notifications (e.g. via Deletion sorting expansion to include PROD-nominations); see User:Ceyockey/Notifying WikiProjects of Deletion Proposals for more information
  11. C.Fred (talk) 01:24, 10 June 2006 (UTC)—I typically skim the list daily.
  12. Chrislk02 - once a week or so. -- Chrislk02 (Chris Kreider) 18:02, 26 December 2006 (UTC)
  13. Cimon Avaro; on a pogostick. Finally found a WikiProject I can get behind without the slightest reservation about whether my energies are worthwhilely spent.
  14. On an ad-hoc basis - CrazyRussian talk/contribs/email 18:11, 19 May 2006 (UTC)
  15. Cynical 17:04, 18 May 2006 (UTC). Several times a week, although not until May 25th due to exams.
  16. Czesc26 12:26, 19 Febuary 2007 (UTC) - All the time.
  17. Czj 02:34, 5 November 2006 (UTC) -- Once or twice weekly, at least.
  18. dabomb1188 once a week
  19. DGG 03:32, 16 December 2006 (UTC) Only weekly, mainly to like for people using prod to express prejudice, or to check academic-looking articles.
  20. Eisenhower (at war or at peace) (Project) (UTC) 20:09, 17 May 2006 (UTC)
  21. RidE the Lightning! 23:42, 22 May 2006 (UTC) Recently I've been really busy, but when I'm not as busy I'll probably being checking every day or two.
  22. Gay Cdn (talk) (email) (Contr.) 13:39, 18 September 2006 (UTC) - will review items regularly, likely daily.
  23. Geo.plrd 17:08, 18 May 2006 (UTC) As much as possible, at least once a week
  24. GRBerry 00:39, 1 July 2006 (UTC) Inactive lately. GRBerry 21:47, 5 September 2007 (UTC)
  25. Jonathan letters to the editor—my work — Whenever I can.
  26. J Readings 09:06, 7 August 2007 (UTC) -- Once a week, perhaps more.
  27. JaimeLesMaths 07:20, 3 October 2006 (UTC) - I'll try to look twice a week.
  28. JJJJust: I start to monitor this and Category:Candidates for speedy deletion whenever I'm on newpage patrol, which is at random times and then for sometime following the np patrol conclusion. --Signed and Sealed, JJJJust (T C) 18:32, 21 July 2006 (UTC)
  29. Joe 06:21, 4 September 2006 (UTC) - Trying to get more involved.
  30. KTC 04:05, 4 August 2007 (UTC) -- Either a everyday, or not at all.
  31. Lex 04:23, 13 October 2006 (UTC) - Once a week. Maybe more.
  32. Mangojuicetalk 19:57, 17 May 2006 (UTC), rarely.
  33. Matwat22—I'm pretty busy, so about once or twice a week. 14:10, 20 May 2006 (UTC)
  34. Mike6271 05:17, 5 November 2006 (UTC) -- Several times a week.
  35. Mikm 05:30, 31 December 2006 (UTC) - Probably once a week.
  36. NeoFreak 09:49, 25 November 2006 (UTC) --Once or twice a day as I make my watchlist rounds.
  37. oo7565 all the timeOo7565 02:32, 30 March 2007 (UTC)
  38. Pats Sox Princess can check the previous days PRODS every day I guess. 04:46, 16 July 2007 (UTC)
  39. Phil Bridger (talk) 12:10, 26 November 2007 (UTC) I already do this most days, and will continue.
  40. QuiteUnusual 21:59, 24 October 2006 (UTC) When things are slow at
  41. Roninbk 08:19, 18 September 2006 (UTC) - As often as I can, I have no life anyways... :P
  42. Seraphimblade 06:43, 17 October 2006 (UTC) - Will have a look when I can, likely a couple times a week at least.
  43. --Shirahadasha 18:49, 22 April 2007 (UTC)
  44. SilkTork *** SilkyTalk
  45. Soltak | Talk 20:02, 11 February 2007 (UTC) - 2-3 times weekly
  46. Hiding Talk 09:06, 23 August 2006 (UTC) I tend to look a couple of times a week.
  47. SynergeticMaggot 20:20, 19 August 2006 (UTC)
  48. The Spith 23:55, 15 February 2007 (UTC) - Several times a week
  49. Tikiwont 15:30, 16 May 2007 (UTC) - once or twice a week.
  50. TravTim 10:52, 25 October 2007 (UTC) depending on real life schedule, once or twice a week
  51. UsaSatsui 16:36, 5 September 2007 (UTC) - I've done this a fair amount anyways, may as well make it official.
  52. UtherSRG (talk) - It seems I'm your friendly neighborhood PROD deleter....
  53. Williamborg (Bill) 03:25, 1 September 2006 (UTC) Periodically to better understand Wikipolicy
  54. --Wompa99 17:58, 18 May 2006 (UTC) several times a week
  55. Woohookitty(meow) 06:10, 28 September 2006 (UTC) - I'll pop in every couple of days. --Woohookitty(meow) 06:10, 28 September 2006 (UTC)
  56. TonyBallioni Ill help as much as possible TonyBallioni 13:16, 21 October 2007 (UTC)
  57. Alessandro 12:32, 29 October 2007 (UTC)
  58. Camaron | Chris (talk) - Varies, usually once a week to once a day.
  59. Random Fixer Of Things (talk) 21:23, 12 February 2008 (UTC) - Sob...I thought I was alone :)
  60. Gary King (talk) 20:18, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
  61. --DizFreak talk Contributions 16:03, 9 March 2008 (UTC) several times a week when not in class, weekly when in class. User page will let you know which phase of life I am in.
  62. Ultra! 19:21, 13 April 2008 (UTC)
  63. Gazimoff (talk) 11:17, 19 April 2008 (UTC) At least weekly, if not more.