View source for User:TerryE/Requests for comment

{{Shortcut|WP:RFC}}
:''For Request for checkuser, see [[WP:SPI]].''
:''For Redirects for creation, see [[WP:AFC/R]].''
:''For automatic linking of RFC expressions, see [[WP:RFCAUTO]].''

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{{dispute-resolution}}
'''Requests for comment''' (RfC) is an informal, lightweight process for requesting outside input, and [[Wikipedia:Resolving disputes|dispute resolution]], with respect to article content, user conduct, and Wikipedia policy and guidelines.  Please note that there are other dispute resolution alternatives which might be sought first. 

A list of all current RFCs can be found at [[Wikipedia:Requests for comment/All]] ([[WP:RFC/A]]).

==Introduction==
The RfC process is one of the options available under the [[Wikipedia:Dispute resolution requests|dispute resolution request]] process.  All parties involved should take reasonable steps to resolve the issue before using this process.

* Discuss the matter on the talk page first and attempt to reach consensus first.  Remember that independent editors will review look at such discussions and the arguments that the parties in the dispute present.
* If the dispute related to detailed technical or subject matter specific details, then many independent editors will not be able to help constructivly, so it may be worthwhile to ask for help at the relevant  [[Wikipedia:List of WikiProjects|'''WikiProject''']] first.
*If you are unsure and simply wish to seek the advice of an expert editor then ask for this using [[Wikipedia:Editor assistance|'''Editor assistance''']].
* If the issue is between two editors, you can simply and quickly ask for a [[Wikipedia:Third opinion|'''Third opinion''']].
*If you want general help in improving an article, such as to [[Wikipedia:Featured articles|featured status]], then list it at [[Wikipedia:Peer review|'''Peer review''']].

All editors (including anonymous or IP users) are welcome to raise an RfC or to provide comment or opinion, and to assist in reaching agreements, by responding to requests for comment.  However parties need to bare in mind:
* [[WP:NOT|Wikipedia is an encyclopedia]]; all articles must follow [[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view|'''Neutral point of view''']], [[Wikipedia:Verifiability|'''Verifiability''']], and [[Wikipedia:No original research|'''No original research''']].
* RfCs are not votes. Discussion controls the outcome; it is not a matter of counting up the number of votes.
* Try not to be confrontational. Be friendly and [[Wikipedia:Civility|civil]], and [[Wikipedia:Assume good faith|assume good faith]] in other editors' actions.
* [[Wikipedia:Mediation|Mediate]] where possible - identify common ground, attempt to draw editors together rather than push them apart.
* If necessary, educate users by referring to the appropriate [[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines|Wikipedia policies]] or [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style|'''style''']] page.

If your request relates to
* a '''Wikipedia user''', see [[#Request comment on users|'''Request comment on users''']] below.
* a '''specific page''' then see [[#Request comment through talk pages|'''Request comment through talk pages''']] below.  If your issue is wider or relates to multiple pages then you must still pick a primary talk page to host this discussion and this process applies to that page.

==Request comment through talk pages== <!-- this section is linked to in the User RfC section below -->

{{Wider attention}}

The table on the right shows the categories for requests through talk pages.  All request must be allocated a primary category from this list by the requesting editor.  This category relates to the main subject area of the request, but in some circumstances it may be appropriate to identify multiple categories; for example an RfC at the biography article for an artist falls under  "Biograpy" and "Art, architecture, literature, and media".  If you are not certain in which area an issue belongs, pick the one that's closest.

Also remember that by raising an RfC you are seeking to attract other editors to your discussion.  Think of the RfC text as an abstract of the issue that will appear on the topic area queue that aims to do this.   So phrase your RfC in a way which will interest them: be brief; focus on the main point(s); and be neutral in your framing.  You can always provide more detail or state alternative viewpoints in the talk page body itself.

You have two options for creating such an RFC:
* You can add a special {{tlx|rfctag}} to the talk page and a bot will handle the mechanics.
{{Further|[[User:TerryE/Requests for comment/Documentation/Using the Rcftag|Using the Rfctag]]}}
* Or you can add it manually
{{Further|[[Wikipedia:Requests for comment/Request board|Request board]]}}
Most users find that the {{tlx|rfctag}} is the easiest to use.
{{clear}}

==Request comment on users==

The processes for user request are different to those for talk page related processes.
* In the case of [[Wikipedia:Spam|spam]], page blanking, and other blatant vandalism, 
{{Further|[[Wikipedia:Vandalism]]}}
*  In the case an offensive or confusing '''user name''' in violation of [[Wikipedia:Username|Wikipedia username policy]], 
{{Further|[[Wikipedia:Requests for comment/User names|User names (WP:RFCN)]]}}
* In cases where specific users who repeatedly violated [[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines|Wikipedia policies and guidelines]], a user-conduct RfC is for discussing this issue may be raised.  However, this should only be done after careful consideration and lighter processes such as  the use of  [[Wikipedia:Wikiquette alerts]] to get an outside view.  Also bear in mind that an RfC may bring close scrutiny on all involved editors, and that repetitive, burdensome, or unwarranted filing of meritless RfCs is an abuse of the dispute resolution process. RfC is not a venue for [[Wikipedia:No personal attacks|personal attack]].  
{{Further|[[Wikipedia:Requests for comment/User conduct|User conduct (WP:RFCC)]]}}

==See also==
* [[Wikipedia:Requests for comment/User conduct disputes archive|Archives of user conduct disputes]]
* [[Special:Prefixindex/Wikipedia:Requests for comment]], lists subpages of this page
* [[Wikipedia:Requests for comment/All]] &ndash; a listing of all current RFCs. 
* [[Wikipedia:Requests for expansion]] when you want help expanding an article instead of help resolving a dispute (inactive)

... Etc. ...