Forum:Username template

Forums: War Room → Username template

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This discussion is closed. The result of this discussion was:
The username template may only be used on user space. Uses in other areas must gain community approval first.
Please do not edit this discussion.

Template:USERNAME should be banned from being used in any discussion. For those who do not understand that there is such a template, and how such a template works, it can be perceived as malicious. I'm sorry, but the joke isn't funny when only several of us are laughing. The 888th Avatar (talk) 09:36, March 23, 2011 (UTC)

I agree, although this was fun sometimes, some users don't understand and don't know the template and they think it's offensive. Dcasawang1 (talk) 11:22, March 23, 2011 (UTC)

I agree. But i think it could be used in humor blog. Renatabls http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd470/Renatabls/Zuko_Sprite.gif 20:34, March 23, 2011 (UTC)

I agree. Thebiguglyalien ^{(Yell at me here)} 21:24, March 23, 2011 (UTC)

I agree. I do feel sorry for those people sometimes. Though, I love seeing messages that say "awwww thanks for putting me on your userpage i really appreciate your kindness :)" . JaidynM (Talk) - (Blog) 06:30, March 24, 2011 (UTC) Support —-- Olórin The White ^Talk・^Friends 06:40, March 24, 2011 (UTC)

Same here. Olorin, please edit that comment. AvaFan MsgMe 06:43, March 24, 2011 (UTC)

The topic isn't that I should edit that comment (a rollback or admin could edit or delete it easily), it's wether the template should be completely banned.-- Olórin The White ^Talk・^Friends 06:45, March 24, 2011 (UTC)

I know. But for the sake of not offending anymore users unknown of the template, just remove it... AvaFan MsgMe 06:48, March 24, 2011 (UTC)

Hrmph.. It's going to happen sooner or later. I suggest modifying template so that there is small asterix, e.g. Hasdi*, which links to Template:USERNAME page that has explanation of the use (and abuse) of it. I wonder why the template did not work on me though - it's blank on my blogpost (by Olorin) and it says <text to be shown to logged out users> on TLA:LOK page (by DigiPen92). :-/ Hasdi (talk • contribs) 07:41, March 24, 2011 (UTC)

@Hasdi Part of the template is meant for logged out users. It's all on the template page itself. JaidynM (Talk) - (Blog) 08:44, March 24, 2011 (UTC)

I'm more in favour of a blanket ban. The joke just isn't very funny, and I don't think anything, an asterisk or otherwise, will prevent hurt users from complaining about being targeted. The 888th Avatar (talk) 09:06, March 24, 2011 (UTC)

This wiki has been specified multiple times as not being a social network, and I can't see any use for it other than social purposes, other than perhaps template making. I don't see why it was created in the first place, delete it (Though Olorin's use of the template was humorous none the less). Rassilon of Old ^{(Talk - TTFF - Teru)} 13:09, March 24, 2011 (UTC)

I think it is useful as a personalized universal greeting, instead of saying "to whoever it may concerned" or "Hello, fellow wikian." Although, it doesn't seem to work on my browser even when I am logged in. It depends on how you use it, not abuse it. Templates don't hurt people - people hurt people... Hasdi (talk • contribs) 20:17, March 24, 2011 (UTC)

@Rassilon of Old - The {{USERNAME}} is used in many, many templates around our wiki, and, as Jaidyn said, some people use it in theirs user page, so it should not be deleted. Besides, if we ban this template, some day, a new user will use it, not knowing that it shouldn't be used, then what will we do? But i support the idea of it be banned of blog posts. Renatabls http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd470/Renatabls/Zuko_Sprite.gif 22:27, March 24, 2011 (UTC)

I'm with 888. They should be banned from discussions, i.e. comments, forums, blogs, VfDs to prevent any misuse of it. They should be quite harmless when used in userpages as a greeting. AvaFan MsgMe 02:36, March 25, 2011 (UTC)

I agree with Ava. The only pages where it should ever be used is on user pages. JaidynM (Talk) - (Blog) 05:25, March 25, 2011 (UTC)

Is there anyway to modify the underlying script for this template so that it returns "{{USERNAME}}" or something if it is used in blogpost? Sort of "idiot-proofing" it, especially with newbies not familiar with the discussions that has transpired... Hasdi (talk • contribs) 14:14, March 25, 2011 (UTC)

I like your idea of putting the asterisk-link to an explanation of the template better. The quotes don't do much to make someone suspicious of the trick. I played in a text MUD that had a smile verb. A handful of people never got tired of using it on the younglings who would see <Name> smiles as he hands you 10,000 silver. instead of the <Name> hands you 10,000 silver. that the true gift would be. DesertDog (talk) 03:33, March 26, 2011 (UTC)

BTW, I found cool use of {{USERNAME}} at http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Template:Citation

Hasdi (talk • contribs) 05:09, March 27, 2011 (UTC)

Ah yes, the classic example, lol. The 888th Avatar (talk) 05:12, March 27, 2011 (UTC)

So, will we be voting anytime soon? JaidynM (Talk) - (Blog) 05:28, March 27, 2011 (UTC)

Voting

Express your support for one of the options below by using our vote support template. You may continue to post your detailed opinions above.

Option 1: Restrict username template to user space and user templates

1. Support — The 888th Avatar (talk) 07:47, April 2, 2011 (UTC)
2. Support — Toph Lover (talk contribs) 07:51, April 2, 2011 (UTC)
3. Support —AvaFan MsgMe 12:21, April 2, 2011 (UTC)
4. Support — Renata ^{Talk • Zuko's Past} 12:38, April 2, 2011 (UTC)
5. Support — Millennia2 18:28, April 2, 2011 (UTC)
6. Support — Dcasawang1 (talk) 18:42, April 2, 2011 (UTC)
7. Support —JaidynM (Talk) - (Blog) 23:01, April 2, 2011 (UTC)
8. Support — —Anr0328
9. Support — VJavatar The Last Wikibender(AR)25px 02:14, April 7, 2011 (UTC)

Option 2: Modify username template to make joke identifiable

1. Support — AvatarRokusGhost I think it depends on the context. If it's obvious and not overly offensive, it should be allowed. --AvatarRokusGhost 07:47, April 5, 2011 (UTC)

Comments

Should it not be an option that they be restricted to user pages and templates? Rassilon of Old ^{(Talk - TTFF - Teru)} 02:50, April 4, 2011 (UTC)

Ja. I thought the limiting to just user pages only is too restrictive. What happened to the original proposal: ban the template in discussions (e.g. comments and forums)? Hasdi (talk • contribs) 07:31, April 4, 2011 (UTC)

Well, other than userpages, where'd you expect them to be used?AvaFan MsgMe 07:44, April 4, 2011 (UTC)

Talk pages o.O _{Toph Lover  Talk  Contribs  Following}  07:46, April 4, 2011 (UTC)

And templates. :D Rassilon of Old ^{(Talk - TTFF - Teru)} 07:47, April 4, 2011 (UTC)

Talk pages are considered as a place for discussions, only difference is the user namespace. Having the template there could be as harmful as having them in comments.

I suppose templates would be safe. :)AvaFan MsgMe 08:12, April 4, 2011 (UTC)

Talk page would be fine, for example; "Welcome , to my talk page! Leave a message here, and I'll be sure to reply. :D" I don't see why it can't be used like that. Rassilon of Old ^{(Talk - TTFF - Teru)} 09:31, April 4, 2011 (UTC)

I would've thought they could be used in userpages and talk pages. Maybe it can be banned from being in messages. Banning them from talk pages altogether is too broad. I don't see though how it could be used in templates? Do you mean like Hasdi's exaple in the discussion above? JaidynM (Talk) - (Blog) 09:39, April 4, 2011 (UTC)

Yeah, how it could be used in templates, besides templates in userpages? Dcasawang1 (talk) 13:07, April 4, 2011 (UTC)

Slightly redefined option 1 to be inclusive of user talk pages and templates used for user pages. Bit of a dodgy thing to do, but oh well. As for an option to ban it from discussions and comments... well, that pretty much is equivalent to restricting it to user space. Where else would you use this template? The 888th Avatar (talk) 13:25, April 4, 2011 (UTC)

Well, the forum started with banning its use in X, but we are voting for restricting its use only in Y. We don't know all possible legitimate uses for USERNAME but I think we can all agree using it in open discussions is a bad idea. Generally, if the reader is made aware that article is directed the general audience, not a specific person, then USERNAME gives a "personalized reading experience". The starwars' Template:Citation is one example. I can think of its use in a blogpost like a tagline in an AVATAR TOURNAMENT, e.g.

"Trust me, . It's not gonna be much of a match."

Hasdi (talk • contribs) 13:43, April 4, 2011 (UTC)

I agree with Hasdi. It probably should be able to be used in templates. But perhaps you need to consult and admin before putting it in a template. I mean, even for a tournament like Hasdi mentioned it could be something like:

"You suck , you're going down."

Not very offensive to some but others might think that they're being targeted for some reason. Unlikely, but possible. So maybe ask 888/Vul/anoother active admin for 'permission'? And this doesn't have to be strictly enforced. We could just say it's reccomended rather then compulsory.

JaidynM (Talk) - (Blog) 06:14, April 5, 2011 (UTC)

Hasdi has a good point. I'd be more in favour of a War Room forum thread discussion to approve such templates than a system of admin approval. The collective mind of the community considers more possibilities than just a couple of individuals. "The username template is restricted to user space and user templates. Uses elsewhere should be approved by the community first." The 888th Avatar (talk) 07:41, April 5, 2011 (UTC)

What about in fanon? People may want to write:

Please leave a review <span class="insertusername" id="<text to be shown to logged out users>"><text to be shown to logged out users>

_{Toph Lover  Talk  Contribs  Following}  07:46, April 5, 2011 (UTC)

Maybe we should look at it in a different angle. Rather then where we should be restricting it to, maybe we should look at how you use it. If you say <span class="insertusername" id="<text to be shown to logged out users>"><text to be shown to logged out users> is so cool! on a comment/talk/blog, that would be fine wouldn't it? But if you said <span class="insertusername" id="<text to be shown to logged out users>"><text to be shown to logged out users> is so weird. even as a joke, people would take offense. So you can use it appropriately on blogs, it's just that some people haven't been doing so lately. JaidynM (Talk) - (Blog) 08:47, April 5, 2011 (UTC)

That's the point of this forum. Sure many users knew about this template, but what about those that don't? They'll, as you've said, easily take it as an offence. Considering every possible individual uses of the template at all times is too much work for the admins. Restricting them completely except on user spaces is the simplest thing to do. AvaFan MsgMe 10:18, April 5, 2011 (UTC)

Hm, yes. Although I do believe it could be used appropriately, it is unfortunately, incredibly tempting to misuse it. For that reason, it probably should be restricted to userspace and templates. Or whatever I voted for above (just in case it changes again).JaidynM (Talk) - (Blog) 10:58, April 6, 2011 (UTC)