[Cz-editcouncil] Some areas for clarification

[Howard C. Berkowitz]

As an inaugural post to the Council, I didn't want to do more than raise
some questions that I've been asked, and don't know how to answer.
Certainly, they can be discussed; some might need proposals and some might
need clarification.

1. On the metadata template, there is a field for "Editors asked to
   check categories". There are many reasons that might be checked, but
   it's not clear who, if anyone, has responsibility for action. I'm assuming
   that if nothing is checked, the article will show up as "uncategorized
   article", but I don't know if that's dependent on metadata existing.

1a)So, an article on subject X is created; the author isn't sure of the
   workgroup, check "authors asked to check categories", and fills in
   no workgroup.

   What should happen next?

1b)The author puts in tentative workgroups, but isn't sure if they are the
   right ones, if any should be added, etc. Presumably, if this is the
   question, it should be on the talk page.

   Where will it show up (or will it show up) that the field has been
   checked "yes"?  Who should act on it?

2. Next, what should be the procedure for questioning a workgroup
   assignment? Here's a relatively noncontroversial example (of workgroups,
   not subject): "9-11 conspiracy theories". The author explained he
   created it for the Write-a-thon and wasn't intent on the workgroups.

   The groups assigned were History, Politics and Sociology

   Talk page discussion suggested that scientific and technical
   expertise would be needed to address some of the questions raised.
   Since performance of the military air defense network was a question,
   Military might be relevant.

   Believe me, I have zero interest in arguing 9-11 conspiracies.
   Nevertheless, things like fuel fire and structural integrity issues
   are probably Engineering

   It doesn't take any special permission to edit the metadata page.
   There really wasn't controversy, but "editors asked to check" had
   "no" in it.

   Should this come to this Council for recommendations?

3. We have seen at least one situation where an Editor created one
   article and claimed control, and another, where the Editor tried to
   add his category to a controversial article that was approaching
   consensus. Eventually, the E-I-C overruled. In no way am I criticizing
   the E-I-C for making (in my opinion) correct calls, but might it
   not have reduced tension and shared governance had that been referred
   to this Council? Should that be first requested of the Constabulary
   and then referred here?

I have no answers, but I think these are good questions to address; they'd
help the Constabulary and the community to have a considered answer.

Howard
hcb at netcases.net

+1 (508)348-2981 if desired