Forum:Incorporation of smaller wikis
If this thread's title doesn't specify it's spoilery, don't bring any up.
Opening Post
Hi all, I'd just like to start by saying sorry if any formatting is off, I have little experience of editing new pages, simply adding to pre-existing ones.
The main point of my argument and discussion is whether Tardis Wiki should include certain information previously left to other, smaller wikis to handle. In particular, I would like to focus on the 'Who Special Features' wiki, which is dedicated to detailing information about the various DVD and Blu-Ray special features, such as documentaries and easter eggs.
Part 1: The move away from FANDOM
The first reason for this debate is because of our recent move away from using FANDOM's services. This is a move that has allowed our wiki to be free from adverts, as well as increasing the flexibility of formatting and other site information. This is a move only viable for large wikis, due to needing funding from other sources, and the large cost of website hosting. This means that many smaller and still valuable wikis are unable to leave, and may be made increasingly disfunctional because of Wikia's policies. Integrating them into the Tardis Wiki will allow them to live on and be easily accessible, as well as reducing the amount of sites one needs to visit in order to access information relating to Doctor Who.
Part 2: Inactivity and Up-to-date -ness
Moving back to the example of the Who Special Features wiki, it has fallen into abandonment as of recent, with little moderator activity and new pages not being created to address releases such as the Season 17 Boxset release. This means that the wiki no longer serves its purpose on Fandom, and means that it is harder to find information relating to the special features. It also suffers from a lack of wiki-wide rules, as formatting varies page to page, with some detailing how long featurettes are, and others not.
Part 3: Inclusion
It is important to consider how wikis should be included, if they are to be integrated into Tardis Wiki and 'salvaged' from Wikia. I propose that only pages that don't violate pre-existing policy should be added here, such as the DVD Special Features wiki and the Collector's wiki, and that the many 'Fanon' wikis are left behind, due to their focus on fan-created stories. Whether stories and their respective special features are included in the stories' pages or given their own is matter for further debate, but is something to be discussed. Personally, I would choose the latter, and have the story's main page link to the specific release's page, where a more detailed breakdown of special features can be explored.
Conclusion
Overall, I think Tardis Wiki should aim to salvage smaller, and often inactive, wikis from Wikia/Fandom, allowing Tardis Wiki to be even more useful in terms of content and detail covered. It would also allow for better management of previously mis-managed information regarding Doctor Who, and potentially introduce a further audience to this wiki, bringing new users who would be able to edit existing pages and create new ones in-line with policy to bring Tardis Wiki closer to perfection.
Gingerfool ☎ 21:16, 3 April 2024 (UTC)
