[Cz-editcouncil] Experimental "Stub Week"

[David Shapinsky]

I approve.  Experimenting with something like this is very useful esp. if
there is a clear time period associated with it.
Cheers
David 

-----Original Message-----
From: cz-editcouncil-bounces at voltaire.citizendium.org
[mailto:cz-editcouncil-bounces at voltaire.citizendium.org] On Behalf Of Larry
Sanger
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 10:06 AM
To: 'The Citizendium Editorial Council'
Subject: [Cz-editcouncil] Experimental "Stub Week"

Editorial Council members,

If there are no objections, I would like to do a *strictly* one-week-long
experiment: "Stub Week."  For one week, people would be not only permitted
but *encouraged* to start very short articles on, basically, everything.  I
do suggest a two-sentence minimum in any case, and more than that is, of
course, still gratefully accepted.  Also, all stub articles should be marked
as such.

Here is why I'd like to do this.  It has been suggested that loosening the
rules about "stubs," i.e., very short articles, would motivate people to
start more articles, expand more (short) articles, and in general get more
involved.  The rule against stubs sets a relatively high bar for people to
get started: they can't simply write a few sentences, they have to write a
few *paragraphs*.  But this means that a lot of relatively impatient--but
still perfectly competent--people aren't getting involved.  That, anyway, is
the argument.  Frankly, I think there might be something to it.  After all,
we might rope a lot more people in who are willing to write a few stubs, and
then come back (in curiosity) to see if they've been improved by anyone.
This *could* have the effect of not only creating more content, but getting
more people to write in the first place and for stick around for longer.

I feel comfortable asking for approval "by acclamation" because this
experiment will be *strictly* limited to one week.  After this week is over,
I will *insist* on taking a vote *if* we are to adopt a stub-friendly
policy.  If even before we take the vote there is considerable opposition,
or if I myself decide I dislike the idea, then we wouldn't even take a vote.
Furthermore, the resolution we vote on might be just for another, longer
"pilot project" of a month.

The Chair.

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