Wikipedia:Don't overwhelm the newbies: Difference between revisions

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Latest revision as of 10:09, 16 July 2017

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''Before reading this essay, please read [[WP:BITE]], [[WP:ARGH!]], and [[WP:NOCLUE]]. For information about essays, see [[WP:WES]], [[WP:VALUE]], and [[WP:The difference between policies, guidelines and essays]]. If you are new to Wikipedia, please read [[WP:5P]], [[WP:ABOUT]], [[WP:NOT]], and [[WP:FAQ]]. Also see the [[WP:general disclaimer|general disclaimer]].''

{{essay|WP:OW|WP:WHELM}}

{{essay|WP:WHELM}}

{{nutshell|Do not ask newcomers to read all the policies and guidelines. If necessary to link to policies/guidelines, limit yourself to '''one (1)''' per comment.}}

Joining Wikipedia can be like wading into the water at an oceanfront beach. At first, it seems pleasant, so you go further out, into deeper and deeper waters. Suddenly, a big wave appears, and gets bigger and bigger until it crashes onto you. That wave is [[WP:List of policies and guidelines]]. A helpful Wikipedian places the {{tl|Welcomeg}} on your talk page, and you diligently start to read. Five years later, you give up.

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==Biting vs. Overwhelming==

There has long been a guideline known as [[Wikipedia:Please do not bite the newcomers]]. The guideline suggests being extra-[[WP:civil|civil]], and explaining a lot. These are extremely important rules. But the guideline does not prohibit bombarding a newbie with an abundance of policies, which the newbie will often assume he must read in their entirety. A newbie may receive a very friendly message with many links, which can drive away the newbie as quickly as insulting him. So don't bite, but don't overwhelm either!

;Examples

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===Unrelated, but important===

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