User talk:Thanatologist/Sandbox/03
UDWiki:Poll
Straw Polls
I think what you've started here is good. This type of poll would fall into a straw poll I believe, which is the system Wikipedia uses in certain circumstances. The results of the poll are not binding and often times generate more discussion than is intended. Its said best in this line.
| Wikipeida said: |
| A poll is a survey (a measuring tool) which determines the current state of a situation, with respect to consensus. It doesn't form consensus. It merely measures it. |
I think its best to make this clear in the polling guidelines. Consensus will rarely be met; the poll is simply a tool used by those who wish to take some action to measure the consensus of the community in which the action will affect. "Voting" in no way means that an action will be taken. Its also important that the discussion of the issue take place because:
| Wikipedia said: |
| Establishing consensus requires expressing that opinion in terms other than a choice between discrete options, and expanding the reasoning behind it, addressing the points that others have left, until all come to a mutually agreeable solution. No one can address objections that aren't stated, points that aren't made. |
I would say that one week should be allowed for the process of establishing the nature of the poll. No amount of discussion will be able to expand every opinion to a point where a poll will establish true consensus, so polls should be be used sparingly and only as a tool, not as a voting platform. The use of headers for varying opinions should be used rather than "agree" or "oppose" headers. Those participating in the poll can then offer their reasons for agreeing with or opposing a particular opinion. For example:
User:Example User should be unbanned with with a two warning level of escalation
- Agree - Example deserves to return to the wiki but with this stipulation. ~
18:20, 22 February 2011 (UTC)
User:Example User should be unbanned with a clean slate
- Oppose - Example should be allowed to return but there should be stipulations. ~ 18:20, 22 February 2011 (UTC)
User:Example User should remain banned
- Oppose - Give the guy a break. ~ 18:20, 22 February 2011 (UTC)
This would also give people a choice of stating their first choice, second choice, third choice etc opinions. Sometimes a user may be on the fence about a particular issue but still want to voice their opinion on the poll. They could state their opinions for more than one options and not be opposed to any particular action.
tl;dr:
- Polls aren't votes, they are tools for measuring consensus
- Polls aren't for every issue. Use sparingly
- Due course discussion should take place to establish the nature of the poll before it opens
- Don't create camps by forcing people to vote "agree" or "oppose" to one opinion. Allow users to voice opinions on each opinion.
~ 18:20, 22 February 2011 (UTC)
- If we just do straw polls, then this would essentially become open discussion. What we're in need of is a place to vote on issues which aren't about sweeping policies, but should be upheld as actual votes.--Yonnua Koponen Talk ! Contribs 18:26, 22 February 2011 (UTC)
- Since I'm sure you're referring to unbanning requests, then the clause "...it is expected that a system opperator be prepared to reverse a warning/ban should the community desire it." should cover sysop accountability should a community consensus can be measured with a straw poll. I honestly can't think of any other situation where a poll should be binding. ~ 18:58, 22 February 2011 (UTC)
- Fair Enough.--Yonnua Koponen Talk ! Contribs 12:13, 24 February 2011 (UTC)
- Since I'm sure you're referring to unbanning requests, then the clause "...it is expected that a system opperator be prepared to reverse a warning/ban should the community desire it." should cover sysop accountability should a community consensus can be measured with a straw poll. I honestly can't think of any other situation where a poll should be binding. ~
I edited it a little in response to these points, but got lazy halfway through. If you guys wanna fool around with fix it, it's fine. I did say people had free reign on that part for now. -- † talk ? f.u. 13:42, 25 February 2011 (UTC)
- We're all just equally lazy. Strangely, none of us mind adding lengthy diatribes to discussion and admin pages but when it comes to actually getting shit done, its a sloooow process or the shit just doesn't get done. Anyway, if you agree to the points I made above I will go ahead and put in my parts. ~ 14:51, 25 February 2011 (UTC)
To protect or not
Should closed polls be protected? If so, protection needs not occur after the poll's conclusions have been posted. It might be best if a poll's discussion page remain unprotected since it will likely be a source of discussion even after the poll closes in most cases. ~ 07:02, 28 February 2011 (UTC)
- I suppose they should be, seing as the poll for Jedaz was. -- † talk ? f.u. 10:44, 28 February 2011 (UTC)
Can we
kick this page to the main UD:Poll page? -MHSstaff 01:30, 1 March 2011 (UTC)
- Yeah. My grammar might need to be checked and stuff but its ready I think. I'll mainspace it. ~ 01:34, 1 March 2011 (UTC)
Now that it's been mainspaced, can I remove this stuff now? I wanna work on something else... Still related, though. I'm thinking we need a UDWiki:Poll template for the separate polls, similar to the one on top of admin pages. -- † talk ? f.u. 10:58, 1 March 2011 (UTC)
