GuildWiki talk:Builds wipe

Links
Just to make sure everyone knows what/where everything currently is: More info: -- Peej 20:29, 23 March 2007 (CDT)
 * Builds wipe (this page) - policy describing deleting all builds so that a better replacement build system can be started
 * Post No Builds - aka PNB - policy which only serves to protect the Build namespace in the interim between the build wipe and the replacement system being put into place
 * For clarity, I've included what will be the new policy into the builds wipe article. PNB is no longer referenced in any form. &mdash;Tanaric 19:48, 29 March 2007 (CDT)
 * No Original Builds - aka NOB - policy describing a solution to the PvP build section which involves only posting popular and successful builds found by watching observer mode
 * Profession archetype guides - recently written policy describing a solution to the PvE build section which involves documenting the basic uses of each profession in a guide format, with links to true PvE builds in user space
 * Builds wipe does NOT mean that all build posting will be permanently removed from the wiki, just that the current system of build posting will be removed in order to put something better in its place
 * Post No Builds doesn't mean you can't post builds on the wiki, just that you can't post them in the Build namespace
 * Both NOB and Profession Guides suggest original builds and build variants can be placed in user space, where they will be categorized and (hopefully) easy to find using template tags, so creation of personal builds will still be allowed

Opinion Poll
The question is: "Are you in favor of Guild Wars:Builds Wipe?"

Voting "Yes" means you are in favor of GW:Builds wipe. Please vote only if you have an opinion, do not add a "Neutral" section. Please also add a comment if you have something constructive to say.

Note: This poll is about the wipe itself, not about the policies that might or might not be implemented after the wipe. Please bear that in mind when voting.

Favor:
 * 1) - Echo ftw 17:12, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 2) Thought about it a lot and I vote for reorganizing with interest in getting the section BACK anew. I support the Build Split policy.(Edit: I don't care about namespaces, I care about having a section) I am also of the opinion that user comments are very valuable to any build discussion pages be it negative or positive. Voting for builds is not important but the amount of discussion and comments a build arises is. --BooBoo 17:32, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 3) -Jinkas 17:41, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 4) As might be easy to notice, I favor the build wipe as it will give us a fresh start to implement a new policy. All builds will be backed up, so we wont be losing anything in the process. If the community so decides, it would even be possible to revert the builds section to it's original state, although I hope that wont happen. --[[Image:Gem-icon-sm.png]] (gem / talk) 19:02, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 5) Gonna lose some LOLs, but I think I can live with that. --Thom Bangalter 19:15, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 6) Like Thom said, going to lose some massive LOLs, but I think I can live with that as well. Although the builds section in gwwiki is useful, it doesn't cause anyone to actually learn about the skills in the game and about skill synergy. Any person can come on, unlock the elite, buy the skills, then use the build without even knowing what they're doing. Although I love the builds section, deleting it will probably cause people to actually think about what they're doing in their own builds, and possibly *gasp* make their own damn builds.--LolEtc 19:23, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 7) I think Thom put it the best. --Theonemephisto 19:38, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 8) -Auron [[Image:Elit Druin.jpg|19px||My Talk]]  19:39, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 9) Anyone who wants to save builds can save them. The builds section is not permanently gone, and even though there is strong critism (even by me) it is still the best way to go; nothing is perfect, and of course any build can be retrieved by admins if necessary. Those who think that losing the builds section will reduce the amount of visitors is correct, however, people who are GWiki "Read Only" users do not know well enough to search Unfavored builds as well when looking for ideas, etc, and usually stick to the favoured section. Our vetting process is flawed enough that many good builds are unfavoured and many bad builds are being favoured.-- Nova  [[Image:Neo-NovaSmall.jpg]] --  (contribs) 19:45, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 10) --Nog64Talk [[Image:Yaaaay.png|19px]] 20:33, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 11) Completely necessary. --Lania Elderfire[[Image:Pinkribbonsig.gif|My Talk]] 21:58, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 12) &mdash; [[Image:DE Sig Test 2.jpg|50x19px]]  *Defiant Elements*   +talk  22:22, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 13) Thelord23 00:34, 5 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 14) Though it makes me sad, I relize that it is necessary. Readem  (talk *contribs ) 00:59, 5 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 15) --Vazze 01:26, 5 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 16) (your opinnion here)

Unfavor:
 * No, there should be a NOB Build section and an OB (Original Builds) section so people can have their cake and eat it too. A consensus will not be reached any other way, as both view points cannot have themselves established without violating the other. Therefore, two build sections should exist, and a build wipe should not take place. Isis In De Nile 17:47, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 1) - Wyvern 18:16, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 2) I'm against a total build wipe as it removes an essential and generally relied upon source of information to the general users. Despite the complaints and "problems" with this area according to some users, a total wipe is unnecessary and counterproductive since the proper builds/guides will have to be made all over again. Furthermore, you miss out on the history of the discussion pages if any and the variants (and the discussion of those variants) which may prove helpful. This isn't a vote on future policy so I'll leave it at this. PlacidBlueAlien 18:46, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * Just a quick note: moving an article preserves it history, so we are able to back up everything without losing information. --[[Image:Gem-icon-sm.png]] (gem / talk) 19:04, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * Retort: Simply moving an article isn't the issue. Backing it up somewhere on someone's user space is also does not solve the underlying problem. It's still won't be widely available as it is now since this is a wipe which means to imply starting over again. If this policy was called "Transformation" instead of "Wipe" and reflected as such, I'd support it in the interim till a total new policy is hammered and agreed to. Not to mention, it kills off the section for awhile. PlacidBlueAlien 19:37, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 1) The section might not be perfect, but it give ideas to players who already understand the basics. Only having "popular builds" and basic guides will not give any benefit but to a small few players. — RabiesTurtle (contribs) 19:21, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 2) Complete and total waste of time IMO. If you're going to get rid of it and make it impossible to post builds, my make a new policy? Just scrap anything related to it. Adzma 20:28, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 3) --Grievous jedihunter 20:38, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 4) Build Wipe=Goodbye to guildwiki and welcome arenanet wiki, atleast for me, if they don't have the same ideology that is. At least don't wipe and ruin this before a future can be shaped out to apease the build comunity. Saving builds into user archives only causes a mess and wont solve a single problem, will ruin the current community and activeness in and out of builds. The current system is better then pissing off almost everyone in the build section. --Sefre  [[Image:Sefresig.jpg|15px|]] 21:30, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 5) The system is flawed, true, but that's not a reason to destroy the entire thing. The current system of US democracy isn't perfect either...should we eradicate it too? DKS01 22:22, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 6) Completely idiotic. Unfortunately, most of the people who oppose (and some who support) this aren't going to post -- they're anonymous, and have a lack of faith that their opinion matters. The petition has far more signatures than this. Darkahn 00:16, 5 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 7) Oppose. Alternate suggestion: full-protect all of the existing build pages and allow no new builds.  Nobody edits or submits builds until a policy is decided on.  Mass deletion is not going to make anyone happy; it's going to drive the people who have submitted builds away from the site.  ... Or ... is that your goal?  Hmm ... --Delia Rashesh (talk) 01:24, 5 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 8) I am against it at this time. Although I see and recognize the need that it MUST eventually take place, I feel that performing a wipe before a new policy has been decided upon, and ready to be implemented, is short-sighted, counterproductive, and possibly harmful to guildwiki overall. The reasoning behind this is simple: From my experience and discussion with MANY other GW players, the Builds section is in fact one of the most popular, and useful, stops on the GW-Wiki train. This is despite the Admin's claim to the contrary. My suggestion (if it even matters) is to simply LOCK the section and not allow further updates until the new policies are decided and in place. THEN commence your wipe and rebuild from scratch as you see fit. Talia 01:27, 5 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 9) Oppose w/ caveat. i realize u guys have major problems maintaining. but wiping w/o a plan already in place to replace what was wiped is completely wrong. do not wipe if u don't know exactly what u're gonna replace it with. if u're gonna replace it w/ NOB, then mess around w/ that on the side until u're happy w/ it and then wipe the current version. also, do u realize how crazy it is to have a poll on an issue where one major issue is voting itself? if u care about ppls votes, then why is there a problem w/ the voting system? if u think idiots vote on the builds, then why concern urself w/ this poll? it makes zero sense.Wongba 01:35, 5 April 2007 (CDT)
 * The poll was started by User:Nova, it's nothing official. Like everywhere else on this wiki (minus the Builds section), the final decision depends on the sanity of the arguments and not numbers of each side. *not even bothering to vote on this one, since it's irrelevant*. --Dirigible 01:40, 5 April 2007 (CDT)
 * This poll propably has no effect because a date has already been set and the decision is already made but it's important to hear the citizens. --BooBoo 03:07, 5 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 1) (your opinnion here)

Why Builds wipe needs to happen
Splitting this in two parts, because it's sort of long. Read either...or both... or neither and and just keep going with the stupid nonsense so many are posting around here. Your call.

Part 1: On wikis and laziness
I myself have tried to get more people aware of this by posting about Post No Builds in the Community Portal page. Barek has done the same, by posting a link to the poll by Tanaric which marked the beginning of Builds wipe. These policies has been brought up time after time in both build and user talk pages. The constant personal attacks from all directions going on in the builds section has been so intense as to be impossible to miss. The discussion on those policy pages has been going for months and months. Honestly, the only way to NOT see where this was going to end up is by simply not caring enough to even put 1 and 1 together. And that's what this is all about.

In the end it wasn't the Builds Wipe discussion that was "on display on the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard”. It was the community which was hiding in that lavatory with a sign on the door saying "Beware of the lack of interest in any kind of policy-making".

Mostly everyone seems to fail to understand that this is a wiki. If there's one place where you need to express your opinions and communicate with the rest of the users to try and make this place the best it can be, this is it. Unless in extreme cases (like this deletion), everything on the wiki is done by us editors; it's us that come up with policies, discuss them, adapt them, then reach a consensus on them and apply them. There is no "decision-making" board which does the decisions, it's us. You can choose to not take part in this, but only if, a) you don't care what will happen with the site at all, or b) there's someone you can trust to defend your interests as well. If neither a nor b applies to you, I don't think you have any place at all to complain.

Don't get all huffed up, take a deep breath, and try to wrap your head around this. The difference between us and Guru isn't simply that the wiki allows you to edit any page. The difference is in the fact that on Guru you simply have nothing to do with the rules and ideology behind that place. You are there just a visitor, period.

On a wiki you can be just a visitor, but only if you choose to be so. For those that are interested to shape how the entire wiki runs, they can do so. And many do. If you choose to not be one of these people, then what gives you the moral right to complain that this site isn't going where you'd want it to go? None of us is getting a dime out of this, none of us is getting any kind of gain of any kind out of this. So explain to me again, why would I feel morally obligated to look after the interests of Joe Whammo, when Mr.Joe himself couldn't care less about policy until that policy comes to take his favourite toy away? "Rabble rabble rabble!" is just noise without a meaning.

I do understand that this is a difficult concept for many to grasp, because it's frankly one that is unique in its kind, I can't think of anywhere else in our everyday lives where things work like this, so parallels are hard to draw. Most of us are used to hide behind that "The customer is always right!", but here on a wiki that doesn't quite work, because here we're all customers and we're all staff at the same time.


 * My guess (hope) is that if you give these people time to read and understand the build wipe, they may come to like it. I opposed this at first, but once I realized what was truly happening to the wiki, I came to like the idea. Now, it would seem that there are quite a few that won't do this due to their unrelenting love of the builds section, but again, I hope people will come around.--Nog64Talk [[Image:Yaaaay.png|19px]] 22:20, 4 April 2007 (CDT)

Part 2: On common sense and lack of it
I have no doubt in my mind that the vast majority, if not all, the people that are so vocally opposing now are going to keep using GuildWiki even after this wipe has occurred, and use it even more than ever before. Here's why:


 * The people so strongly opposed to this are focusing only on the title, "Builds wipe", failing to notice the part that describes that:
 * The builds can be very easily undeleted if the new policy decides it to be so. Nothing is going to be lost forever. Even if the undeletion were not available, there already exist multiple copies of the entire builds archive not only in userspace, but even offsite entirely.
 * There are new build policies being worked on. There are new build policies being worked on. There are new build policies being worked on. (Everybody got that?) This thing is the first step, not the last! Successful GvG and HA builds, they're all going to return in one form or another. Your 55hp and DoA and Drok's runners builds are all going to return in one form or another. Discussion and efforts on how to save as much as possible are happening NOW. Go to the top of the page, where Peej has posted those links, and click on them!
 * In the end, this is being done with the best of intentions, and is being pushed by people who have a far more clear view of the overall picture than the complainers.
 * Quick reality check: the people that are now unfairly taking away your toy are also the very same people that came up with that whole section in the first place. The vast majority of editors here are just using this section, these admins and veteran editors fucking built the thing. If they're willing to take down something they built, there must be some very good reason, correct?
 * Most complainers have never stepped out of the builds section, ever. They've never engaged themselves in activities in any other parts of the wiki, they have a very distorted view of what a healthy and productive wiki environment really is. If you really think that the petty quarrels and bitching in the W/Mo Zealous Benedictor talk page is "good discussion", boy are you in for a surprise if you come and check how the rest of the wiki works, how real arguments work, how consensus is really reached.
 * For better or for worse, even though the majority of you are just freeloaders who take it for granted that someone will do their dirty work for them, well, there's actually nice people out there that care enough about this place to get that dirty work done. These same people that came up with Builds 1.0 and are taking down Builds 1.0, they are also working hard on the new build policies, filling page after page with discussion on how to make the next version better. Show a little faith, ye heathens?

I personally feel disappointed by the response of most of you towards this, was really expecting some more common sense and maturity to be shown. But apparently it was an assumption I shouldn't have made. --Dirigible 22:12, 4 April 2007 (CDT)
 * (I'm disentangling your comments from my post, DKS01, please don't mix them together like that again, as it makes it impossible for a third reader to figure out just what's going on. --Dirigible 02:41, 5 April 2007 (CDT)
 * I have no doubt in my mind that the vast majority, if not all, the people that are so vocally opposing now are going to keep using GuildWiki even after this wipe has occurred, and use it even more than ever before. Here's why: 


 * I will continue to use it for some purposes(finding where to cap a specific skill, or whatnot), but I'll be using it much less, as I spend a lot of my GWiki time reading, discussing, and coming up with builds, something that will be taken away for who knows how long. DKS01 02:29, 5 April 2007 (CDT)


 * The people so strongly opposed to this are focusing only on the title, "Builds wipe", failing to notice the part that describes that:
 * The builds can be very easily undeleted if the new policy decides it to be so. Nothing is going to be lost forever. Even if the undeletion were not available, there already exist multiple copies of the entire builds archive not only in userspace, but even offsite entirely.


 * Which is fine...when(or if) they're brought back. The problem is, it's absolutely USELESS until that happens. It's nice they can be easily undeleted, but until they ARE undeleted they do the users no good and doesn't benefit the GW community, which, I believe, is a key part of the wiki. DKS01 02:29, 5 April 2007 (CDT)


 * There are new build policies being worked on. There are new build policies being worked on. There are new build policies being worked on. (Everybody got that?) This thing is the first step, not the last! Successful GvG and HA builds, they're all going to return in one form or another. Your 55hp and DoA and Drok's runners builds are all going to return in one form or another. Discussion and efforts on how to save as much as possible are happening NOW. Go to the top of the page, where Peej has posted those links, and click on them!


 * This is good. And once you get the new policy worked out, feel free to delete the old builds. But why delete them before anything has even been decided? If nothing has been worked out yet, why should we assume it will anytime soon, either? And if it doesn't, that means a long period of time with no build section at all. DKS01 02:29, 5 April 2007 (CDT)


 * In the end, this is being done with the best of intentions, and is being pushed by people who have a far more clear view of the overall picture than the complainers.


 * How's that old saying go, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions? As for that second part of the statement, it doesn't ring in the least of clarity, it simply rings of elitism. "We're better than you so STFU". And sorry, but feelings of superiority are not a valid support of your point, and certainly contradict the desire for "maturity" that you express down below. DKS01 02:29, 5 April 2007 (CDT)


 * Quick reality check: the people that are now unfairly taking away your toy are also the very same people that came up with that whole section in the first place. The vast majority of editors here are just using this section, these admins and veteran editors fucking built the thing. If they're willing to take down something they built, there must be some very good reason, correct?


 * Nice condesencing opening remark there, is that more of the sort of "maturity" you desire from Wiki users? They started the section, that is good, I don't argue that. But hundreds of other people have added and contributed to it, why should THEIR contributions be flushed away? If the CO of Ford Motors decides to shut down his company and get rid of his car because he doesn't like the way they drive, should everyone who owns a Ford have their car taken away too? Afterall, he built it, now he's taking it down, and he has a good reason, no? DKS01 02:29, 5 April 2007 (CDT)


 * Most complainers have never stepped out of the builds section, ever.


 * Some have, some haven't. Before I ever looked at the builds section at all I was uploading item pages, item images, fixing typos and errors I find on pages, discussing quests, and more. Only recently did I really get involved in the build section. DKS01 02:29, 5 April 2007 (CDT)


 * They've never engaged themselves in activities in any other parts of the wiki, they have a very distorted view of what a healthy and productive wiki environment really is. If you really think that the petty quarrels and bitching in the W/Mo Zealous Benedictor talk page is "good discussion", boy are you in for a surprise if you come and check how the rest of the wiki works, how real arguments work, how consensus is really reached.


 * Yes, you can find build talk pages with lousy discussion, you can find build pages with good discussion. You can probably find similar discussions, both good and bad, on a wide variety of topics, not just builds. Shall I go through and find any article that has bickering and bitching then delete them all? DKS01 02:29, 5 April 2007 (CDT)


 * For better or for worse, even though the majority of you are just freeloaders


 * More condescending elitism and an insult to boot. That maturity you spoke of is shining through once again. May I remind you of this? DKS01 02:29, 5 April 2007 (CDT)


 * who take it for granted that someone will do their dirty work for them, well, there's actually nice people out there that care enough about this place to get that dirty work done. These same people that came up with Builds 1.0 and are taking down Builds 1.0, they are also working hard on the new build policies, filling page after page with discussion on how to make the next version better. Show a little faith, ye heathens?


 * Fine, why not come up with a new policy, THEN delete the builds? DKS01 02:29, 5 April 2007 (CDT)


 * I personally feel disappointed by the response of most of you towards this, was really expecting some more common sense and maturity to be shown. But apparently it was an assumption I shouldn't have made. --Dirigible 22:12, 4 April 2007 (CDT)


 * You're talking about deleting one of the most useful parts of the site, a resource used by a HUGE number of people. You can talk about coming up with something better, but the fact of the matter is, you HAVEN'T. When you do, carry on, but until then you are jumping the gun. DKS01 02:29, 5 April 2007 (CDT)

Please tell me this is a late April Fools' joke
Please tell me, that whoever linked to the other build resources as "much better sites", simply overlooked the lack of updates on them. The unfounded elitism. The fact that Guild Wikis, is presently, the best resource for PvE builds. Period. All I've found from this ridiculous garbage is that a few people "don't like" certain builds that have been tested, and because they're too moronic to get them to work, they're convinced the system is a "failure", so they'd rather each and every build wiped. Idiots.

By removing the builds section, you are removing the reason 3/4 of people use this website. The entire idea that this is ample warning is absolute BS. It's like having a trial for someone, sentencing them to death, without ever telling them they were being investigated and having the trial completely seperate from them, and then giving them a one-month warning that they're going to be shot in the head.

Comedy. Gold.

At the very least, the builds could be archived ON HERE, not on OBSCURE USER PAGES. The very least. So now that builds are going to be removed, what makes this site any different from the official wiki? Hell, you know what, I can't understand any of the mission articles. WIPE THEM OUT. ALL OF THEM. Or wait! Because ArenaNet sometimes changes item stats, it's too hard to maintain -- prevent any item articles and wipe out all the current ones. Ugh. Darkahn 00:10, 5 April 2007 (CDT)
 * Please read . -Auron [[Image:Elit Druin.jpg|19px||My Talk]] 00:11, 5 April 2007 (CDT)

...It's called sarcasm. Darkahn 00:12, 5 April 2007 (CDT)
 * Rants do not help stop this, User:Sefre/Build Wipe Petition, I have tried to organize a support and resource page for those who oppose the build wipe, mainly due to lack of discussion by whole community and damage done to site once it goes in effect.--Sefre  [[Image:Sefresig.jpg|15px|]] 00:20, 5 April 2007 (CDT)


 * I would suggest the original poster read the post by Dirigible above. It is probably the best thought out post on this whole, long page.  --Rainith 00:21, 5 April 2007 (CDT)

On another note, the same idiots who don't like spellcasting warriors or sword-wielding ritualists are probably the same ingrates who probably said "LOL 55 HP U NOOB" to the solo-monk concept. Alternate playing styles. Exploiting what is there. Like a game of chess, that is what a build is. I've seen spell-casting warriors annihilate 1v4 an entire group in RA, and I've seen that exact same warrior die at Shing Jea. This is not World of Warcraft. Darkahn 00:23, 5 April 2007 (CDT)
 * Watch violations of GW:NPA, admins seem to notice more often if you go against the grove.
 * As to dirigibles summary, he outlined just about every supporting fact, obviously biased on the situation, as can be expected....--Sefre  [[Image:Sefresig.jpg|15px|]] 00:26, 5 April 2007 (CDT)
 * Yeh, because making sense is definitely full of bias. -Auron [[Image:Elit Druin.jpg|19px||My Talk]] 00:27, 5 April 2007 (CDT)
 * Where the hell have you been? Life is perception, what makes sense to you can look like fevered rambling to me. Of coursed its biased, your comments on this page are biased, I'm sure mine are too. Its guild wiki politics, don't pull the making sense crap on me--Sefre  [[Image:Sefresig.jpg|15px|]] 00:33, 5 April 2007 (CDT)

Rainith: All I saw in that post was the prepubescent insulting of intelligence and maturity based on differing opinions, and the same tired nonsense that was used against the entire concept of having build-sites in the first place, not to mention the typical PvP unearned elitism. Freeloading? SO WHAT? Imagine if ArenaNet said "we're shutting Guild Wars down. None of you helped build it, so gtfo. We might/might not bring it back. LOL GGKTHXBAI". Same principle -- I contributed to a few builds, so that slaps down that nonsense. It's hardly "thought out", although it's atleast better than all the other garbage reasons for doing this.

Also, Sef, while I appreciate the tip, I'm not too concerned over losing my access to this site if my one reason for using it is going to disappear over the qualms of a few. Want a new policy? Fine! Want to stop new builds from being put in? That's fine too. Deleting all this work is pointless and counter-productive. Letting only morons put in traditional-play style builds is not fine. Letting those who've won the wiki-popularity contest determine the course is also not fine. I very muchly doubt every single editor, to every single build, somehow supports the notion of removing it. The naysayers and doompreachers, who were pissed because builds THEY didn't like were FAVORED, are the majority of the ones supporting the wipe.Darkahn 00:30, 5 April 2007 (CDT)
 * If you disagree with the post I pointed you towards, respond to it, rebut it, tear it to shreds using logic if you think you can.
 * I do believe that if you read the fine print, ANet/NCsoft may shut down the service at any time, for any reason. You bought the product and they are now providing the service free of charge, they may stop providing that service at any time.  This website may shutdown at anytime too, Gravewit pays the bills, but if he stops, there isn't much we can do about it.
 * If you cannot stand the thought of GuildWiki without builds for one nanosecond, well, don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. --Rainith 00:39, 5 April 2007 (CDT
 * Wow, I never thought I'd see a admin say that to a user who is just speaking his mind....--Sefre  [[Image:Sefresig.jpg|15px|]] 00:45, 5 April 2007 (CDT)
 * What? That the builds section will be wiped on May 1st?  That if you believe that that will make life not worth living and that GuildWiki will not be worth visiting at that point that you should leave?
 * Guess what, it is a wiki, no more, no less. If you aren't having fun (which apparently Darkahn believes he will never be able to have fun again if the builds go bye-bye), then take a step back and examine what is really important to you.  Christ, if people got half as worked up about real life politics as they do about wiki politics, real change might be possible in government.  --Rainith 00:51, 5 April 2007 (CDT)

The primary differences between ArenaNet shutting down the servers and GuildWiki removing everything are the following:

1. There are already private servers just incase of GW1's shut-down. They're just not well known. 2. Gravewit stopping the payments is hardly the equivalent of a few tough-talking cunts having every build wiped because of their own insecurities. 3. ArenaNet has given ample warning for such a removal; their edittors were paid. Wiki edittors work pretty much goes out the window, pointlessly, outside of obscure archives with how this will work. 4. ArenaNet would shut down their services either for financial or business reasons -- not because a few over-blown elitists decided the game had passed its expiration date. Darkahn 00:46, 5 April 2007 (CDT)


 * --edit conflict, posting anyway--
 * I for one don't plan on banning you just because you disagree. For the record, I've also never played PvP and, in fact, don't even play Guild Wars anymore. My account /age is something under 300 hours, and those were accrued in the first three weeks of the game's launch. I did, however, quite enjoy the beta weekend events.


 * Secondly, this is an all-volunteer website. We rely on the fact that Users Like You will chip in and help out. This model has worked quite well for most of the wiki. Unfortunately, because of the general immaturity of gamers as a whole, a disproportionately small number of editors wrote the majority of our content, but we still managed, and we did it happily. However, there is one place where our beautiful, utopian vision has never really clicked, and that's the builds section. Blame it on what you will: maybe PvPers are all retarded, or maybe PvEers will accept anything that includes a full skill bar, or maybe everyone who cares enough about a game to calculate damage-per-second is bound to be an asshole. Since those sorts of reasons are the ones people tend to throw out, they simply must be correct.


 * I have a crazy notion that, perhaps, a system based on competition is simply bound to fail on a technological tool based on cooperation. I have another crazy notion that democracy sucks. Wiki is not about democracy. It's about meritocracy. The sysop team here has consistently proven to have what's best for the wiki in mind. I'd like to think that, since I'm the nominal head of the sysops, the same can be said about me. My job is not to implement what the community thinks is best. The community, in general, can implement what the community thinks is best. My job is to step in when the community decides something is great, and they're dead wrong.


 * I certainly don't claim to be infallible. Were that the case, I'd protect this discussion page right now and tell you all to quit bitching. As it is, I'm very interested in views that are different from my own. That's one of the reasons I penned GW:YOU -- because I actually believe that even first-time editors should have a voice. There's a huge difference between "the admins don't listen" and "the admins listened and decided I was wrong." Everything so far has been the second case.


 * Now, if you'd like to come back and make a rebuttal to my stated reasons for this builds wipe, please do so. I look forward to reading it. If you're going to come back and bitch more, well, you're welcome to do that too. I suppose it's your right. However, the rest of the community is rapidly moving past that point, and they're working to make this place the best it can be inclusive of the builds wipe, and I hope you reach that stage soon too.


 * &mdash;Tanaric 00:46, 5 April 2007 (CDT)

Wiping every build, is not the same as a policy change to how new builds are to be added. If there was simply a mass change, and only proven edittors allowed to create/design/alter builds, well, fine. There'd still be dissent, but it wouldn't be throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Archiving the tested builds (ON WIKI, NOT ON USERPAGES OR FORUMS), wiping the untested, and then making it less of a wiki, even if those so-called proven authors are idiots, is fair. I disagree with it, but it's atleast fair. This, however, is by all means overkill to the fullest extent. Darkahn 00:52, 5 April 2007 (CDT)


 * Um, yeah, Userpages are on the wiki... --Rainith 00:54, 5 April 2007 (CDT)


 * If we were willing to allow such an "editor-elite" system, your solution is quite elegant. As it is, we're entirely unwilling to allow such a system to develop. I agree we're throwing the baby out with the bathwater. However, the baby we're tossing has fetal alcohol syndrome. Next time we give birth, we'll have been dry throughout the pregnancy. &mdash;Tanaric 00:55, 5 April 2007 (CDT)

Holy crap I tpye slow, edit conflict but in responce to tanarics first comemnt in section:
 * Irrelevant, but I just noticed everyones using bold to emphasize stuff in this section.
 * Tanaric, I am not saying you are wrong but how can you be sure that the community is really dead wrong? If there are two conflicting sides then there will likely never be a stop until the page dies form inactivity. Or if a admin steps in and just decides which is kinda against the point of wikiism. The next best think I can see is democracy and voting to get at least a technical solution. Its either some miracle happens that all agree, admin steps in, or a vote goes on and conflict stops officially but not totally. This is part of the problem with the wiki ideology, when major conflict occurs there can never be a true wiki like solution albeit a miracle occurring.--Sefre  [[Image:Sefresig.jpg|15px|]] 01:00, 5 April 2007 (CDT)


 * And that would be one of the reasons that We are not Wikipedia. We give admins and bureaucrats the power to step in in situations like this (see GW:ADMIN first sentance above the TOC and 3rd sentance of the first section).  --Rainith 01:05, 5 April 2007 (CDT)


 * Exactly what Rainith said. &mdash;Tanaric 01:06, 5 April 2007 (CDT)


 * Alright, I never caught that. This situation is to controversial, and I feel that most admins are supporting the wipe, how is this fair to the rest of the community? I will leave and boycot the wiki if that happens. I honestly can not believe that the admins have the power to enforce there opinions that contradict with many other's.
 * Honestly I think we should just split the build names space and give a section to each side, to run it there own way and what not. That would take up a lot of space I suppose and be confusing tho.--Sefre  [[Image:Sefresig.jpg|15px|]] 01:17, 5 April 2007 (CDT)
 * Personally I think it would be great if someone forked the builds off onto their own wiki (I've said this before). Set up interwiki links to GuildWiki and simply upload the FSK icons for skills.  Then you just have to go   to link to GuildWiki's article on Mending (for all the Wammos that would get put there :P ).  As long as it used the same license and gave attribution to the build's authors it could work.  --Rainith 01:23, 5 April 2007 (CDT)

Rainith: I meant as in simply in the archived builds section; on an accessible part of the Wiki. Tanaric: Yes, the thing is, this baby with fetal alcohol syndrome can be fixed. An article can be editted like (as an atheist, I hate to use this metaphor) God crafting an already made body. Maybe I just don't get it, but I really don't see a point to this wipe if there isn't going to be a system that would only allow those who know their things -- whether traditional or alternative -- to edit. To be perfectly honest, I'm fine with whatever editting policy is put in place. But there is good work on a majority of build articles, and throwing them out just seems counter-productive. Darkahn 01:09, 5 April 2007 (CDT)

No offense, but get over it guys
To anyone who thinks that the wiki regulars are at fault for the build wipe, get over it. There is absolutely no point. Insulting them, makes you personally sound immature, and doesn't make your case any stronger. Here are the basic underlying reasons that the build section is being deleted: Readem (talk *contribs ) 00:58, 5 April 2007 (CDT)
 * Too much of a hassle to upkeep
 * Too many repeating builds that people must vote on and administrators must delete
 * Build discussions often end up arguments.
 * Rarely if ever, do outsiders vote on the builds (Wiki regulars and usually the author are the only ones who vote.)
 * Very few "Favored votes" for builds, are even tested or supported by evidence
 * Takes up a lot of time and space
 * It shouldn't be the wiki's problem (It is meant for info, not opinion)
 * The wiki is giving opportunities that no one is taking (There is until May 1st to get Builds on a user page. It takes less then 5 minutes to create an account. So if you would be so kind as to stop posting insults, I and many others I am sure, would greatly appreciate it. This simple request is all I ask, Thanks!)

Gee. That sounds like the problem with everything, about every Wiki article, including on Wikipedia. Guess they need to wipe every article and start over, too. Darkahn 01:01, 5 April 2007 (CDT)


 * Actually, the rest of our articles fairly rock. The ones that don't are at least fixable. &mdash;Tanaric 01:04, 5 April 2007 (CDT)

Build articles are as to GuildWiki as religion articles are to Wikipedia. They're more controversial, opinionated, and complex, than a simple holiday article or even item article. However, they're still fixable. Darkahn 01:11, 5 April 2007 (CDT)

Reamem: --Sefre  01:07, 5 April 2007 (CDT)
 * 1) You aren't forced to maintain it.
 * 2) Thats a problem of people being to stupid to look it up, one of humanity's flaws, no a wikis.
 * 3) Even so the wiki has a build community that blossomed and is currently arguably the best
 * 4) If by outsiders do you mean anons? Cause thats not true, I see new accounts(or not very active accounts) voting on builds along with anons.
 * 5) Thats a voting flaw, easily remedied if it got the proper attention
 * 6) Time is up to the person how to use it, space is guild wikis owners concern and he.she can do what they want on that issue.
 * 7) Thats not different from number 3
 * 8) And I have done something to take advantage of it, in case you haven;t noticed I got flamed left and right about it for a while...


 * Sefre, in response to a few of your numbers:
 * 1. Right, but someone will need to, which requires additional effort and time, especially with ANet's constant tweaking of skills. There are 230 "tested" PvE builds and 131 "tested" PvP builds. When ANet releases more skills (e.g. in the Eye of the North expansion), or ANet makes skill changes, builds will need to be checked again, or people will add variant after variant for builds.
 * 2. True, if that's humanity's flaws, then it won't ever get fixed here in the wiki and will remain a problem forever.
 * 5. Notice the if it got proper attention. So many builds don't get the proper attention for whatever reason (probably just due to the immense quantity of them).
 * And (Darkahn's comment) comparing build articles to GW with religion articles to Wikipedia isn't a good comparison. At least the religion articles in Wikipedia have plenty of historical and written support from which to draw upon (whether you believe or agree with them is up to you), while the builds section is much weaker in testing/support for each new build someone puts out, as well as changing direction according to ANet's skill-adding/tweaking tides.
 * Not trying to attack anyone; just pointing out certain comments. --theSpectator talk 01:55, 5 April 2007 (CDT)
 * You bring up a very good point regarding the comparison to religion articles. It would make more sense if Wikipedia had articles about religions that people made up "because they thought it looked like it might work" and then asked people to test the theories and vote on if it worked or not.  I mean no offense to any religion or anyone of faith, but that strikes me as rather funny the longer I think about it.  --Rainith 02:14, 5 April 2007 (CDT)

Alternative proposal
While I do agree with the spirit of this proposal, I very much disagree with its implementation. Several complaints:


 * 1) This is being done by the administrative team, basically saying "we are going to do this irrespective of the community."  The poll seems an afterthought.  I'm sorry, but even Jimbo doesn't get away with this kind of thing on Wikipedia.  He's been called on it by the community the few times he's tried.  (Yes, this isn't Wikipedia, but as it's the most successful wiki to date, we could stand to learn a few things from it.)
 * 2) Deleting builds is entirely unnecessary and foolish.  Many people use this site as a resource for builds.  The argument that "they can be undeleted later" is bullshit.  Yes they can, but why delete them in the first place?  Is their undeletion supposed to be some sort of incentive for build editors to come up with a policy quickly?  (Moving them to userspace solves nothing either, it's simply misdirection from the real issue here.)

Everything about this proposal smells of manipulation and poor planning. Your current plan is going to piss people off, not fix anything. You are going to drive build editors away from the site. Unless that's your goal, then, well I guess you're on the right track.

You may call this post incivil. Well, I think it's pretty damn incivil for the administration to impose a new policy -- however temporary -- on the community, with no clear consensus. Wikis work because people work together, not because a team of elites decides what's best for the rest of us.

It would have been a lot different if the community had drafted the proposal and come to a consensus on its own, with some guidance given by the administration. But looking at the archives and history of this page, there is hardly a consensus.

So here is my alternate proposal. Full-protect all of the build articles until this is over and don't allow new submissions of build articles until a new policy is implemented. We get to keep the existing builds and use them as references while a new policy is drafted, and you get your new policy. And nobody feels stepped on because their build is deleted. At best this is a minor inconvenience for build editors. --Delia Rashesh (talk) 01:40, 5 April 2007 (CDT)


 * Just to point out to you, copy and paste from an edit of mine above: And that would be one of the reasons that We are not Wikipedia. We give admins and bureaucrats the power to step in in situations like this (see GW:ADMIN first sentance above the TOC and 3rd sentance of the first section). Plus I believe that your idea to lock the builds section was brought up before and rejected (but I'm honestly not sure which talk archive it is in, or if my memory is faulty).  --Rainith 01:49, 5 April 2007 (CDT)


 * My original point stands. I'm not saying the administration can't do this -- they bloody well can.  But just because we have a policy that states that admins can do whatever the hell they want doesn't mean the community isn't going to lash out when they feel they've been stepped on.  What the administration does at that point is largely a function of whether they want to slap a large portion of their userbase in the face and then expect that same portion to help them draft a policy that will keep them from getting slapped in the face again.  There is something really backwards about that logic.  If you can call it logic.  --Delia Rashesh (talk) 02:44, 5 April 2007 (CDT)

Why Builds wipe doesn't need to happen
I think the fact that everything was archived might be a bit detrimental unless counterpoints are offered. Since dirigible and perhaps others seems to taking this close to heart and want those that oppose this policy to die a rather horrible death in the street, I thought it might be good if someone offered something even if it is a bit sarcastic and what not. However, good fun is what is necessary after all!

Part 1: On Complaints about Complaints
Here we go. The majority of the users are concerned about the wiki but they don't have time to take a look at every facet and link that is available because there are simply too many. Not caring? Get off your high horse. If we didn't care, we wouldn't be posting and trying to come up with another solution that allows for what everyone can agree upon. There is a big sign now on the main page and people have come in by force to say something that differs from your opinion or maybe my opinion. How can you say that it was the users that were hiding? Now that the policy and the build wipe is completely in plain view, I think "your" opinion is totally off the wall.

What are complaints? Complaints are actual grievances that are expressed by people who are limited in their power to deal with a certain circumstance and situation. This is not the same as whining where people are not trying to offer alternatives but the people who are trying only happen to run into this, "Where were you 5 years ago on July 2nd at 2:30 pm when we were discussing this in a policy section that has way less traffic than the build section?" attitude.

On Wiki, we are visitors and we are contributers. Everyone who stopped to "complain/whine/whatever" here in these archives and in this discssion about the wipe stopped becoming just visitors. They became part of the Wiki community because they let their opinion be known. That's all it takes and that's all it should take. You and the rest of the admins (or other people with spiffy names and pictures and profiles) may not like what I say or what they say, may not agree with it but that's the case. If you still want to go with this build wipe, we can't stop you. But we can complain because this is a space to let our thoughts be known. We can say, "This is a bad idea" because we truly believe it is a bad idea in the long run. What gives you the moral right to declare us merely as "visitors" when we have put our two cents in? Since when did -your- opinion matter more than ours? You can still go ahead with the wipe. You can proceed despite our best efforts to convince you otherwise. But if you want our opinions and discussion, then here you have it. We drew the line. You say we don't understand the community? We -are- the community. You and me both. Those that complain, those that watch over the complainers, those that just come now and then when they need to look up a skill to cap in Guild Wars.

I do understand that this is a difficult concept for some of the older members and some admins (are they even that vocal here?) to grasp but don't get all worked up about it. Take a deep breath and relax. It helps by thinking this through and walking in another person's shoes. If you accept us as part of the community, then you should stop trying to exclude us now. If you wish to reject us, then say so and save everyone the trouble of this drama. If your wiki is only to be used and shaped by the admins and those that support this policy, then why even bother having these discussions in the first place? Why invite it if you aren't going to go that extra mile with us? We are trying. We've shot out several ideas in the archive pages and are trying to form a policy. Another user has kindly created a library policy that needs some further working and ideas that might work out. You are saying that you have tried and aren't willing to try anymore. So where are we now?

===Part 2: A proclamation of an indication for a declaration delayed by procrastination and obstination against the realization for intensification of relations between organizations and the juxtaposition of suggestions for solutions with and without the addition of perceptions and assumptions===

I could have made the title longer but it would made less sense as I continued on and I was slowly running out tion words that I could place strategically. Without further introduction (uh oh), you declare you have a clearer vision for what is to be than people who use the resource - so what are they? Scrapping the build section so no one can use it till a policy is hammered out? In internet terms, I'd like to say, "I CAN SEE FOREVER." It would be far better to put a temporary freeze instead of pointing people to user pages to get to proper builds while something is being made and done. That way, no one can add builds and when and if the admins decide once and for all to scrap the build pages, then do so. A freeze doesn't solve any problems but it still allows the resource to be used without this back and forth "oh the archives can be restored but if you want to use them while you are down, you better start saving." How about thinking about it from our side (or at least my side)? If the decided policy decided upon declares it so, the builds in their current form can be deleted and/or replaced instead of nuking first and reaching a consensus later. You asked about common sense? I'd be the first to point out I have none but this just seems silly regardless. If this wiki wishes to provide this resource in any form in the future, it's best to leave things frozen because it's unclear when a consensus will be agreed upon judging by some of the hard lined opinions.

In the end, those that complain do so with the best intentions. They use the resource and rely on it. They admit that there are problems and also acknowledge that they need to be fixed. There is a solution in where both sides can have what they want - a shifting period to where the admins and those that support the wipe and NOB and whatever can meet with those that support having an original builds/library and those that don't support the wipe and everyone in between. Yes, there aren't enough consistent PvP build reviewers for all the sections and I know it's a lot of stress trying to do these things. Plenty of us have been in admin type positions. Perhaps we may not have encountered similar problems but we can empathize.

Quick reality check: You don't own the content on the wiki even if you slowly built it up in the first place. You contributed. We acknowledge your contributions and profusely thank you. I'd give you a medal if I thought that was what you were looking for. If the people using the section rely on it and like it, they must be willing to fight for it to continue for a reason right? I'd thought you'd be flattered by all the people trying to keep the builds section in some fashion but it seems I was flat out wrong.

Most people have already stepped out the build section. They spoke out here as evidenced in the archives. Many people may or may not agree with your viewpoint or with mine. But they have stepped out and said something even if it was just a few words. Freeloading? I don't know about you but I've tried to vote and discuss builds. I contribute in the only way I have available. I'm sure others feel the same way. Others that don't contribute still use the resource. Are you saying that you are better than them? If a wiki is supposed to be shaped by the people using it, then that's not the case. This may not be a democracy but we can do without the holier than thou attitude. You wanted discussion. Did you think everyone would just proclaim how great a build wipe would be especially since people have gone through long discussions back and forth. They may not have all been productive or good in any sense of the word but there was effort there to convey whatever thoughts through to the other party. Internet arguments are full of lolz, I know but an effort was made in the end. If you even considered anything people wrote, you should know that even those freeloaders are willing to agree with a compromise even if it is silently. I have faith in the community to speak it's mind and let it's voice be heard whether it's for or against whatever and what ideas should be considered for everyone.

If you want disappointment, I'm rather disappointed in the attitude that some of the older users/admins/whomever as I'm not keeping a list of names have taken against the community. I was really expecting more maturity to be shown than outright lambasting them as outsiders and making them (or at least, me) feel unwanted. (Give me hugz, k???) Does this sound a bit condescending? I'm sorry if it does since it's supposed to reflect the essay in it's entirety in response. I am (a not so) PlacidBlueAlien, proudly and loudly trying to work to some general middle of the road policy that will work in the long run as long as I can I am banned or generally regarded as nonsensical and whose ideas shouldn't be considered in the slightest. Fairly sure the second one will happen before the first though as I don't think I've done much to get myself banned. In any case, unfair would be the treatment offered to those who tried to let their opinions be known even if they are opposing. Not everyone will see things my way. I could be standing on a rock by myself out here but someone had to stand up and a response along with the multitude of other voices and opinions. This one happens to be mine. PlacidBlueAlien 02:59, 5 April 2007 (CDT)