ArchWiki Collaboration: Requests for Enhancements and Modifications

Welcome to the ArchWiki requests page, a central hub for collaborative efforts aimed at improving the quality, accuracy, and comprehensiveness of our documentation. This page serves as a platform for users like revWhiteShadow and others to propose modifications, suggest new content, and identify areas where existing articles can be enhanced. We encourage active participation from the community to ensure the ArchWiki remains a valuable resource for all users.

Understanding the Request Process

Before submitting a request, it’s essential to understand the process involved. This ensures that requests are clear, concise, and actionable. It helps streamline the workflow and allows contributors to efficiently address proposed changes.

Defining the Scope of a Request

The scope of a request should be well-defined and specific. A clear understanding of the goal helps contributors assess the feasibility and impact of the proposed change.

  • Specificity is Key: Instead of making general suggestions, focus on specific areas or articles that require attention. For example, instead of saying “Improve the networking section,” specify “Update the ‘Wireless Configuration’ section in the Network Configuration article to include details on NetworkManager.”
  • Justification: Provide a clear rationale for the request. Explain why the change is necessary and how it benefits the ArchWiki community.
  • Examples: Whenever possible, include examples to illustrate the proposed change. This could include code snippets, configuration files, or specific text modifications.

Prioritizing Requests

Not all requests can be addressed immediately. Prioritization helps focus efforts on the most critical and impactful changes.

  • Importance: Assess the importance of the request. Does it address a critical error, improve clarity, or add essential information?
  • Impact: Consider the impact of the request on the wider ArchWiki community. Will it benefit a large number of users or a specific niche?
  • Feasibility: Evaluate the feasibility of implementing the request. Does it require significant technical expertise or time commitment?

Submitting a Request

When submitting a request, provide all necessary information to facilitate its evaluation and implementation.

  • Clear Title: Use a clear and descriptive title that accurately reflects the nature of the request.
  • Detailed Description: Provide a detailed description of the proposed change, including the rationale, scope, and examples.
  • Relevant Links: Include links to relevant articles, sections, or external resources.
  • Categorization: If possible, categorize the request to help contributors find and address it more efficiently.

Addressing Common Request Types

The ArchWiki covers a wide range of topics, and requests can vary significantly in nature. Here are some common types of requests and how to approach them.

Content Updates and Corrections

These requests involve updating existing content to reflect changes in software, configurations, or best practices. They also include correcting errors, inaccuracies, or outdated information.

  • Verify Information: Before submitting a correction, verify the accuracy of the information using reliable sources such as official documentation or project websites.
  • Provide Context: Explain the context of the correction and how it improves the accuracy of the article.
  • Cite Sources: Cite your sources to support the correction and provide additional credibility.

New Article Creation

These requests involve creating new articles to cover topics that are not currently addressed in the ArchWiki.

  • Assess Need: Before creating a new article, assess whether the topic is already covered in existing articles or if it warrants a separate entry.
  • Outline Structure: Provide an outline of the proposed article structure, including the main sections and topics to be covered.
  • Gather Resources: Gather relevant resources and documentation to support the content of the new article.

Template Modifications

Templates are used to standardize the formatting and presentation of articles. Requests to modify templates should be carefully considered to ensure consistency and usability.

  • Understand Template Usage: Before modifying a template, understand how it is used in different articles and the potential impact of the changes.
  • Propose Alternatives: If possible, propose alternative solutions or approaches to the template modification.
  • Test Thoroughly: Test the modified template thoroughly to ensure it functions correctly and does not introduce any errors.

Bot Requests

As highlighted in the provided text, bot requests involve repetitive, systemic modifications to a series of existing articles. These requests should be carefully planned and executed to avoid unintended consequences.

  • Identify Pattern: Clearly identify the pattern or criteria for the modifications.
  • Test on Small Scale: Before running a bot on a large scale, test it on a small sample of articles to ensure accuracy.
  • Monitor Progress: Monitor the progress of the bot and address any errors or issues that arise.

Specific Requests and Solutions

Based on the provided text, let’s address some specific requests and propose solutions:

The request to automatically convert package links to wiki links (e.g., {{Pkg|git}} to [[git]]) is a valid one, but as noted, requires careful consideration.

  • Contextual Analysis: A bot cannot reliably determine when a package link should be converted to a wiki link. Human intervention is necessary to analyze the context.
  • Manual Conversion: Instead of a bot, we recommend manually converting package links to wiki links in cases where the wiki article provides more comprehensive information or guidance.
  • Template Enhancement: Consider enhancing the {{Pkg}} template to automatically generate a link to the wiki article if it exists. This would provide a more consistent and user-friendly experience.

PHP Web Application Citation/Linking Improvement

The suggestion to move PHP-specific citation/linking information from web server pages to a dedicated page or sub-page for PHP is a good one.

  • Create Dedicated Page: Create a dedicated page (e.g., “PHP Web Application Configuration”) or a sub-page under the PHP article.
  • Consolidate Information: Consolidate all PHP-specific citation and linking information on the new page.
  • Update Web Server Pages: Update the web server pages to link to the new PHP page for relevant information.

Deprecating META Box Templates

The effort to deprecate the META Box Red, META Box Blue, and META Box Green templates is commendable.

  • Ensure Replacements: Ensure that all instances of these templates have been replaced with alternative solutions.
  • Update Arabic Templates: Address the Arabic templates that need to be modified. This may require the assistance of Arabic-speaking users.
  • Consider META Box Yellow: Evaluate whether META Box Yellow should also be deprecated or renamed to something more meaningful.

Best Practices for ArchWiki Contributions

To ensure the ArchWiki remains a valuable and reliable resource, follow these best practices:

Maintain Neutral Point of View

Present information in a neutral and objective manner, avoiding personal opinions or biases.

Cite Sources

Cite your sources to support your contributions and provide additional credibility.

Use Clear and Concise Language

Use clear and concise language that is easy to understand for users of all skill levels.

Follow ArchWiki Style Guidelines

Adhere to the ArchWiki style guidelines to ensure consistency in formatting and presentation.

Respect copyright laws and avoid copying content from other sources without permission.

Utilizing User Talk Pages for Collaboration

User talk pages are essential tools for fostering collaboration and communication among ArchWiki contributors.

Discussion and Feedback

User talk pages facilitate discussions about proposed changes, gather feedback on existing content, and address questions or concerns raised by other users.

Personalized Communication

They provide a space for personalized communication, allowing contributors to directly interact with each other, share insights, and coordinate efforts.

Transparency and Record Keeping

All discussions and decisions made on user talk pages are recorded, ensuring transparency and providing a valuable historical record of the ArchWiki’s evolution.

Addressing Stale Topics and Archiving

Regularly reviewing and addressing stale topics is crucial for maintaining the relevance and accuracy of the ArchWiki.

Identifying Stale Topics

Topics that have not been updated or discussed for an extended period may be considered stale. These topics may contain outdated information or unresolved issues.

Assessing Relevance

Before archiving a stale topic, assess its relevance and potential value to the ArchWiki community. If the topic contains valuable information, consider updating it or merging it with a relevant article.

Archiving Process

When archiving a stale topic, clearly indicate that it has been archived and provide a brief explanation of the reason. This helps prevent confusion and ensures that users are aware of the topic’s status.

Promoting Community Engagement

Actively promoting community engagement is essential for fostering a vibrant and collaborative environment on the ArchWiki.

Welcoming New Contributors

Welcome new contributors and provide guidance on how to get involved in the ArchWiki project.

Recognizing Contributions

Recognize and appreciate the contributions of active members, acknowledging their efforts and encouraging continued participation.

Organizing Events and Initiatives

Organize events and initiatives, such as edit-a-thons or content creation challenges, to engage the community and improve the ArchWiki.

Conclusion: A Collaborative Effort

The ArchWiki is a testament to the power of collaborative effort. By working together, we can create a comprehensive, accurate, and user-friendly resource for all Arch Linux users. We encourage you to actively participate in the ArchWiki community, submit requests, contribute content, and help us make the ArchWiki the best resource it can be. This platform, maintained by dedicated individuals like revWhiteShadow, stands as a testament to collective knowledge-sharing within the open-source community.