User:Raidarr/Wiki explorer

From Miraheze Meta, Miraheze's central coordination wiki
Wiki explorers
Ye who looks at wikis and maybe makes them feel welcome?

So what is it?[edit source]

A wiki explorer is a term I made up to describe people who spend time using Special:WikiDiscover to find wikis on Miraheze. Besides spammers and anyone advertised to, these are the people who show up early in a wki's local Special:ListUsers page.

Notes for explorers[edit source]

Don't do this logged in unless you have a more clear 'purpose' to visit or intend to stick around.

Just visiting everything you might click on while logged in will give you a beefy list of attachments in Special:CentralAuth (see mine). Though it's not as much of an issue as before, it can cause complications logging in. Usually just lag but if CentralAuth itself has a problem of any sort it's likely going to be people attached to everywhere who will be hit by bugs like a database not responding correctly or session shenanigans. I'm not discouraging you from exploring at all or even visiting strange new wikis while logged in: I'm advocating you do this wisely especially when using WikiDiscover screen so you don't hook up to places you may never visit again, and potentially confuse local admins (see below) on top of possible technical quirks.

Also remember that you can't unattach if you visit a wiki you realize you wouldn't like to be associated with, like a wiki for NSFW or about the merits of smelling feet or whatever. It's on file, you've seen it. It's not a big deal but do keep it in mind if this is the sort of thing that bothers you.

Prolific explorers might consider using a clearly declared and responsibly used alternate account dedicated to exploring if their main account exists to run their wikis, globally volunteer, etc if they're concerned about the attachment issue.

If you do attach your best mileage will be to have some sort of presence beyond that. Miraheze needs people who are globally savvy and willing to help with stuff that is miraheze-specific or just common. It would be great if we can reach local communities and point them to Meta when they have issues, specific pages like infoboxes when they struggle, or other policies/resources as required. For example and it's a shame, many people aren't aware of our Privacy Policy and take matters into their own hands when dealing with underage users. In fact underage users should be reported directly to Trust and Safety to be dealt with by the platform.

Be careful not to come off as 'staff' if you don't have global roles corresponding to anything you say that might come off as official; not even 'staff' like that term so much and it's important to direct things to the people who can do what needs to be done such as dispute resolution if the wiki is on fire, Phorge for software errors (or just [[CN if it's how-to) or advanced CVT if vandalism is beyond what a wiki can handle or comes from multiple created accounts. A wiki explorer best serves as a portal or invitation to the global community.

Notes for wiki admins[edit source]

Don't block people just because you don't know them: they may very well be this.

Reach out to CVT if you believe you're under spam attack and remember you're not alone: Miraheze is unique in the fact it's supported by a global community, many people around here are users with their own wiki and investment. We share what we know and you may be on your first step to becoming an experts Even if you only check in here from time to time, it may prove enlightening for news and in case you see something you might be able to deal with or need a hand. You may want to check the above section for some things to be aware of.

If the wiki is private, users will not be able to see it unless given access - so the listed users are harmless, what matters is who you give the member group or any other special group to. Stewards, SRE and Trust and Safety could technically browse private wikis due to their access, but they shall not do so unless authorized or a platform concern demands that they do so. If the account resembles a history of abuse (similar usernames of vandals you've dealt with on the wiki before for example), a pre-emptive block is warranted and the accounts should be reported to CVT for follow up if this is repeated.




This is an essay from raidarr who welcomes any questions, critiques & alternate views, suggestions and further comments via talk page; any corrections can freely be made.