User:Vassyana/insanity/Be bold x01

This page in a nutshell: Be bold! You can't break anything.

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v t e

Be Bold!

Be bold when updating pages!

?" Wikipedia not only allows you to add, revise, and edit the article — it wants you to do it. It just works. You'll see. Of course, others here will edit what you write, but Don't take it personally. Like all of us, they just want to make Wikipedia as good as an encyclopedia as it can possibly be.

Also, when you see a conflict in a talk page, don't be a "mute spectator" if you have something to say (

).

… but be careful

Though the boldness of contributors like you is one of Wikipedia's most precious assets, it is important that contributors take care of the common good, at least that they do not edit recklessly. However, any changes you make that turn out badly can be reverted, often quite painlessly. It is important not to be insulted if your changes are reverted or edited further. The unintended consequences of certain significant changes can be more lasting, for better or for worse. This includes changes that are difficult to undo for technical reasons, like

) or other non-article pages, etc. Such edits are often warranted but please be sure you know what you are doing and feel free to ask for advice.

Also, substantial changes or deletions to the articles on complex, controversial subjects with long histories, such as the

before making changes, but there are situations when bold edits can safely be made to contentious articles. Always use your very best editorial judgment in these cases and be sure to read the talk page.

Or, in the words of Edmund Spenser, "Be bold, be bold, and every where Be bold," but "Be not too bold".

Non-article namespaces

Although it is generally fine to be bold in updating articles, it is easier to cause problems in other namespaces by editing without due care. The admonition "but do not be reckless" is especially important in other namespaces.

Being bold in updating or creating

can have far reaching consequences. This is because category changes – and even more so template changes – can affect a large number of pages with a single edit. Templates, moreover, may have complex source code that can easily be broken by untested changes (which can fortunately be corrected with a single revert).

Because of these concerns, many

WikiProjects

.

It is generally recommended that you do not edit another Wikipedian's

talk pages

(other than your own, and even then do not be reckless). Fixing vandalism is nearly always welcome, even on user pages; specific users will let you know if they find your changes inappropriate or you've given incorrect information.

See also

• How to edit a page
• Editing policy
• Ignore all rules
• BOLD, revert, discuss cycle
• {{sofixit}}
• Wikipedia:Article Rescue Squadron
• Bold