User:Mendel/Admin advice

Theoretically, being made an admin "just" adds a few new tools to the wiki interface and allows you to get at trusted content. However, it actually may entail more than that. Upon being promoted, I asked for advice. That is here to be discussed and added to (feel free to use this page or the talk page for additions and discussion). I also want to add thoughts and experiences related to being a new admin.

Viper on my talkpage

 * Advice; don't ban for fun. --- [[Image:VipermagiSig.JPG|Ohaider!]]-- (s)talkpage  19:36, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

Entropy on my talkpage

 * As to advice...when in doubt, ask the community/let them know your plans in advance (whichever is more relevant). No one likes having key changes happen without them noticing, and you would be surprised how differently some people can interpret your actions when you take them suddenly. In other words, it's better to clear up misunderstandings and opposition beforehand than to just "deal with it" later. (example: removing sysop flags from inactive admins. we would have missed a constructive discussion if I had just "done it".) [[Image:Entropy Sig.jpg]] (T/C) 19:42, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

PanSola on irc
(paraphrased, any errors are mine)
 * encourage users who want to help the wiki, and make them comfortable
 * your behaviour reflects on all admins, and defines "what admins do" in the public eye
 * take your time to write posts, keep re-reading an re-thinking to catch points you should have added and meanings you shouldn't have; take your time for the re-reading

That last advice (take your time) is hardest for me. I shrugged it off as "I've no time left when I do that" and "I'm too impatient" on irc, but in fact I'm somewhat uncomfortable with the concept. I want to jump into a discussion as it goes on, even at the risk of being wrong. I don't mind correcting myself (example). I don't mind being wrong. I feel that this is more "honest" and open somehow: to allow the community some insight into my thoughts, and to expect the community to augment my thoughts, helping me and picking up my thoughts where I dropped them. Isn't that the Wiki spirit?

PanSola's considered way of writing sets him apart. Reading the text you already know that this is no regular user writing. It gives more authority to the author (and so does watching your language). It elevates anyone who does this above the common crowd and reinforces admin authority.

I don't even think this is wrong; it is a different style. If it works for Pan, great. I just wouldn't want to do it myself unless I was actually wearing my "admin hat", "handing down" some decision or formal opinion. Maybe it's because I'm uncomfortable being an authority figure.

If I keep my "write first, ask questions later" discussion style, what negative ramifications should I consider? --◄mendel► 01:12, 9 November 2008 (UTC)


 * Iirc this was brought up on the Rfa page but I cannot remember. [[Image:Entropy Sig.jpg]] (T/C) 03:09, 9 November 2008 (UTC)

New admin thoughts
Case in point: User talk:Nalee Everborn. It's a discussion where I had to correct myself. That is not a problem. What I totally didn't expect was that upon writing "you shouldn't link to redirects" Nalee reacts: "I should go back and check my edits, then just in case". What was meant as a friendly hint came across much like an order, and I resolved not to use "should" for stuff that's not as important.
 * Watch what you're writing, it has added authority now.

"It'd be better if you ..." - "most users on GuildWiki ..." - "personally, I don't ..."

I can't take it for granted that people won't respect me much when I tell them what to do &mdash; to be truthful, I couldn't do that before, and the issue quoted above could've happened the same way before my promotion, but now that I'm an admin the thought that "does (s)he react like that because I'm an admin?" is of course always at the back of my mind. --◄mendel► 01:12, 9 November 2008 (UTC)


 * Your use of "shouldn't" was exactly correct, because the word implies a desired course of action, not a required one. Compare this to, "don't link to redirects" - "don't" is an absolute form that requires a specific action with no exceptions.
 * The way I read the conversation, Nalee was just accepting your advice: since she (I'm assuming the gender here) "shouldn't" link to redirects, then she "should" double-check her edits in order to comply with the desired course of action. Judging her personality based on her comments there, I think she would have responded the same way whether you were an admin or not; I think she was responding more to your experience rather than your authority.  &mdash;Dr Ishmael [[Image:Diablo_the_chicken.gif]] 02:51, 9 November 2008 (UTC)


 * This is constant problem as an admin, wondering whether people do things because you're you or because of your user rights flags. My solution has always been to lower myself to their level cultivate a Wiki personality which is much like a normal user, so that the "gap" between sysop/bcrat/admin/normal user like and such as is less obvious. And in any case, people are more likely to react pleasantly if you're not sounding intimidating or formal or srs bsns. You know, like "Hello! Thanks for edits, and for the future you may want to read Image Use Policy, in the meantime..." instead of "Stop breaking copyright." (not speaking to you, just in general) [[Image:Entropy Sig.jpg]] (T/C) 03:08, 9 November 2008 (UTC)