 | This page in a nutshell: Centralized discussion is a central listing of ongoing Bharatpedia discussions that would benefit from wider community input. It is a directory, not a discussion venue — each entry links to a discussion happening elsewhere. |
Centralized discussion is a central index of ongoing discussions across Bharatpedia that would benefit from broader community input. It exists so that editors who wish to contribute to important or far-reaching discussions can find them in one place, rather than having to watch dozens of separate talk pages.
It is a directory, not a venue. Each entry links to a discussion taking place elsewhere — usually on a policy talk page, an article talk page, or a noticeboard. Comments should be made at the linked discussion, not here.
What belongs here[edit source]
An entry is appropriate for centralized discussion when the matter is likely to interest editors beyond those already involved, for example:
- A proposed change to a policy or guideline.
- A request for comment on a topic with wide application, such as a naming convention or a sourcing standard.
- A discussion about the structure or scope of a broad category of articles.
- A proposal affecting many pages, templates, or processes at once.
- A discussion where a decision in one place is likely to set a precedent elsewhere.
Routine article-level disputes, deletion discussions, and individual conduct reports do not normally belong here. Those have their own venues: articles for deletion, the administrators' incident noticeboard, and the various noticeboards.
How entries are listed[edit source]
Entries are added by transcluding the {{Centralized discussion}} template, or by adding a bulleted line manually, depending on how the listing is maintained on this project. Each entry should be:
- Brief — one line, giving the subject of the discussion and a link to it.
- Neutral — a summary of the question, not an argument for one side.
- Dated — where the listing format calls for it, include the date the entry was added.
An entry's phrasing matters. A listing that reads *"Discussion about whether the notability guideline should be changed"* is appropriate; *"Discussion on the outrageous attempt to weaken the notability guideline"* is not. The listing should let an editor decide whether they wish to participate without prejudging the outcome.
Removing entries[edit source]
An entry should be removed from the listing once the discussion it points to has been closed, or has become inactive. This keeps the listing useful. Editors who close a discussion listed here are encouraged to remove the corresponding entry at the same time.
Entries that remain listed long after their discussion has ended should be removed by any editor who notices them.
Relationship to other venues[edit source]
Centralized discussion overlaps with, but is distinct from, several other Bharatpedia processes:
| Venue | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Centralized discussion | A directory pointing to important discussions happening elsewhere |
| Requests for comment | A structured process for soliciting outside input on a specific dispute or proposal |
| Village pump | A set of discussion venues for raising matters directly |
| Noticeboards | Venues for reporting incidents and requesting administrative action |
A request for comment may be listed at centralized discussion if it is of broad interest; the two are complementary. Where a matter is being discussed directly at the village pump, it may also be listed here so that editors watching this page become aware of it.
Archive[edit source]
Concluded entries are preserved at Bharatpedia:Centralized discussion/Archive, so that editors can review past discussions and the consensus reached in them. The archive is not a discussion venue and should not be edited except to add newly concluded entries.