Wikipedia:Requests for comment/Wikipedia policies and guidelines/Userbox content: Difference between revisions

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*I've participated in a few userbox wars at MFD. In my opinion, there is no difference between making a statement in a userbox versus making the same statement in plain text, except that userboxes are easier to read. Thus, if a user makes a statement in plain text saying "I believe that suicide bombers are heroes," that would be offensive and should be removed, even though it is not a userbox. If he makes the same statement in a userbox, that userbox should be deleted. I think the fears that userboxes would spark viral transmission of radical beliefs to large sectors of the wiki population, which is what templates are designed for, has not been borne out by reality. So the only question is how offensive is the message itself. [[User:Shalom|Shalom]] ([[User talk:Shalom|Hello]] • [[Special:Contributions/Shalom|Peace]]) 03:55, 21 January 2008 (UTC)
**I dunno, I think the reason people use userboxes over plain text is the same reason they should be more regulated than plain text; and it's not just that userboxes are easier to see. People see them as badges of honor, as colorful uniform insignias that announce their rightful membership in something, and to declare their camaraderie with those who share their interests/POVs. Whether you're saying something offensive or not, plain text just can't be compared. <small style="font:bold 10px Arial;display:inline;border:#009 1px dashed;padding:1px 6px 2px 7px;white-space:nowrap">[[User:Equazcion|<font color="#000">Equazcion</font>]] [[User talk:equazcion|•''✗'']]/[[Special:Contributions/Equazcion|''C'' •]] ''04:17, 21 Jan 2008 (UTC)''</small>
***Badges of honour? When did they stop being standardised [[bumper sticker]]s? : ) - [[User:Jc37|jc37]] 10:44, 21 January 2008 (UTC)