View source for Requests for Comment/Include a top-level category link in the sidebar

== Inclusion of top-level category link in the sidebar for easier navigation ==

A simple RfC to discuss the option for including a top-level category link in the sidebar to aid navigation around the site. Navigating your way around any wiki, particularly one that is constantly expanding can sometimes be problematic when you know certain page/s exist but can't quite remember where. This is essentially important of policies and documentation articles pertinent to the use of that site. Of course, performing a search is another way to find what you are looking for, which in itself is fine but can sometimes yield a lot of unnecessary results. Whilst there are three perfectly good ways of finding categories from the special pages ('Categories', 'Category tree' and 'All pages with prefix'), creating a simple link in the sidebar will bypass the special page interface and make the category structure directly available from any page. This is beneficial for those that may be new to Mediaiwiki and are unaware of what the special page tools can do.

I have been working on categorising pages for the very purpose of easier navigation and now we are slowly beginning to see a category structure appear, which over time will encompass more areas of the site, especially if new pages are created with an appropriate category included. 
=== Proposal 1 ===
Include this [[:Category:Miraheze|top-level category]] link somewhere in the sidebar for easier navigation to pages / categories / sub-categories of Meta that are not easily accessible from the main page or other areas.
==== Comments ====
{{support}} Having use of this would certainly aid navigation to the important documentation on Miraheze that have now been categorised. As categorisation continues, eventually all aspects of Miraheze documentation, RfC's, reports, template, images etc. should, in effect, be easier to find <u>if</u> everything is categorised appropriately. However, the link's location in the sidebar should be discussed as there will be varying opinions as to the most suitable place. The top-level category is called <code>Category:Miraheze</code> but further discussion as to the <u>link name</u> should also be discussed. We could simply go with naming the link 'Categories' but if possible it would be good to hear other people's views. [[User:Borderman|<span style="color:#0645ad; font-family:Arial; font-size:100%;">Borderman</span>]]&nbsp;&nbsp;<small><sup>[[User talk:Borderman|<span style="color:#333333;">'''talk'''</span>]]&nbsp;|&nbsp;[[Special:Contributions/Borderman|<span style="color:#333333;">'''contribs'''</span>]]&nbsp;|&nbsp;[[special:emailuser/Borderman|<span style="color:#333333;">'''email'''</span>]]</sup></small> 16:22, 13 January 2017 (UTC)

{{support}} Surprised this even has to be an RfC. [[User:LulzKiller|LulzKiller]] ([[User talk:LulzKiller|talk]]) 18:21, 13 January 2017 (UTC)
:{{ping|LulzKiller}} I guess this doesn't need an RfC but hopefully it will garner some interest and action into getting a link included in the sidebar as there weren't any suggestions put forward [[Talk:Miraheze#Adding new categories for easier navigation|here]]. Any suggestions as to where in there sidebar it should go? Thanks. [[User:Borderman|<span style="color:#0645ad; font-family:Arial; font-size:100%;">Borderman</span>]]&nbsp;&nbsp;<small><sup>[[User talk:Borderman|<span style="color:#333333;">'''talk'''</span>]]&nbsp;|&nbsp;[[Special:Contributions/Borderman|<span style="color:#333333;">'''contribs'''</span>]]&nbsp;|&nbsp;[[special:emailuser/Borderman|<span style="color:#333333;">'''email'''</span>]]</sup></small> 19:07, 13 January 2017 (UTC)

=== Proposal 2 ===
Do not include a top-level category link in the sidebar because it is not needed.

==== Comment ====
{{oppose}} There is no harm in placing a category link in the sidebar so long as it is appropriately named. [[User:Borderman|<span style="color:#0645ad; font-family:Arial; font-size:100%;">Borderman</span>]]&nbsp;&nbsp;<small><sup>[[User talk:Borderman|<span style="color:#333333;">'''talk'''</span>]]&nbsp;|&nbsp;[[Special:Contributions/Borderman|<span style="color:#333333;">'''contribs'''</span>]]&nbsp;|&nbsp;[[special:emailuser/Borderman|<span style="color:#333333;">'''email'''</span>]]</sup></small> 16:22, 13 January 2017 (UTC)

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[[Category:Closed Requests for Comment]]