Lostpedia:Talk pages

This article refers to a policy that is still under discussion and has not yet been institutionalized.
Feel free to add content or discuss it in this article's talk page.

What are Talk pages?

Talk pages are provided as way for users to discuss issues about their associated main articles. The most common use is for querying parts of the article, explaining why you have edited removed content, or discussing changes such as renaming, deletion or merging.
All comments on talk pages should be signed by typing ~~~~, or clicking the icon on the toolbar.

Where are Talk pages?

At the top of each article are a series of tabs. Click "discussion" to find the talk page for an article, theory page or a user.

Replying on talk pages

Converstation topics are indicated by level 2 headlines, created by typing ==around the headline==.
Replies are marked by combinations of bullet points (type an asterisk - * ) and tabs (type a colon - : ).

Deleting talk history

Users may not delete talk history. A talk page records conversations that have occurred in the past, which can then be referenced for future discussions. Exceptions for editing material are only made in the case of:

Typo and spelling errors in one's own messages.
Spam comments
Blatantly offensive material (pornographic content, inappropriate personal information posted)
Adding the unsigned template to a user who didn't sign their addition to the talk page.

Do not delete comments, even if you made them and changed your mind (you may add an addendum saying you've changed your mind). You can strike your own comments using the <strike></strike> (or <s></s>) tags. ~~This leaves the comment without disrupting the flow of conversation, but makes it clear you have changed you mind.~~

Archiving

When talk pages become too long, a SysOp will archive the page by creating a new page to store all the old content. These archive pages will be linked from the top of the original talk pages.

Assume good faith

New users may often make mistakes and it is important to distinguish between innocent accidents and vandalism. We must work on the basic premise of innocent until proven guilty. To that end, users should feel free to leave messages of advice for other users, but in a way that will not discourage them from wanting to making constructive edits. A friendly note explaining the problem and referencing useful documents (e.g. Lostpedia:Manual of Style) will go a lot further than just complaining.
If you still feel that the user is being deliberately provocative and continues their disruptive behaviour, then stop any dialogue and notify a Sysop. Please do not feed the trolls!

Use of offensive language

Offensive language and bullying will not be tolerated on talk pages. Whilst a friendly note giving reasons why an edit was reverted or giving advice for what to change is perfectly acceptable, outright rude and bullying behaviour will result in a warning from SysOps.

See LP:NPA for more information on this.