A WikiFauna (or UserFauna) is a characterization set out in a Wikipedia essay that Wikipedian editors may use to further convey something about themselves that other editors may find helpful to understand. Akin to animism where non-human entities embody some kind of life-principle, the WikiFauna characterization usually is attached to a fictional or real animal. WikiFauna relates to the culture of Wikipedia and its users and this project WikiFauna serves as a resource to help coordinate, organize, and otherwise manage the writing and editing of WikiFauna essays.
Contents
- 1 Inclusion criteria
- 2 Classic WikiFauna
- 3 Expanded WikiFauna
- 3.1 WikiAges
- 3.2 WikiAngel
- 3.3 WikiBadger
- 3.4 WikiBarbarian
- 3.5 WikiBogeyman
- 3.6 WikiBouncer
- 3.7 WikiBear
- 3.8 WikiCat
- 3.9 WikiChef
- 3.10 WikiClaus
- 3.11 WikiCyclops
- 3.12 WikiDodo
- 3.13 WikiDragon
- 3.14 WikiDwarf
- 3.15 WikiEagle
- 3.16 WikiFallen
- 3.17 WikiGiant
- 3.18 WikiGoat
- 3.19 WikiGoblin
- 3.20 WikiGoon
- 3.21 WikiGremlin
- 3.22 WikiGryphon
- 3.23 WikiHunter
- 3.24 WikiHybrid
- 3.25 WikiImp
- 3.26 WikiJackal
- 3.27 WikiJaguar
- 3.28 WikiJanitor
- 3.29 WikiKing
- 3.30 WikiKitten
- 3.31 WikiKnight
- 3.32 WikiKomodo
- 3.33 WikiKraken
- 3.34 WikiMercenary
- 3.35 WikiMule
- 3.36 WikiOtter
- 3.37 WikiPeacock
- 3.38 WikiPlatypus
- 3.39 WikiPolice
- 3.40 WikiPrincess
- 3.41 WikiPuma
- 3.42 WikiPuppy
- 3.43 WikiRabbit
- 3.44 WikiReaper
- 3.45 WikiRoadRunner
- 3.46 WikiShark
- 3.47 WikiSloth
- 3.48 WikiVampire
- 3.49 WikiWarlock
- 3.50 WikiWeasel
- 3.51 WikiWitch
- 3.52 WikiWizard
- 3.53 WikiWolfcub
- 3.54 WikiZombie
- 4 Non-personal WikiFauna
- 5 See also
Inclusion criteria
WikiFauna pages are essays within the project namespace (Wikipedia:) and should follow the advice regarding Wikipedia essays. In addition, the WikiFauna description should address the human aspects of working on or with Wikipedia that are generally common to some Wikipedians including actions, speech, or thoughts. In highlighting broad editing patterns that can be seen throughout the community, a WikiFauna page may include a general editing pattern description, provide a rounded description of a personality as it relates to encyclopedia editing habits, and describe a general editor behavior. Wikipedia's most important resource is its contributors. When considering the value of WikiFauna in project namespace (and UserFauna in user namespace), think about the impact of the content on editors' feelings, and whether the content may drive them away. WikiFauna essays meeting the inclusion criteria may be added to Template:Wikipedia fauna. WikiFauna essays not meeting the inclusion criteria may be improved, or may be deleted or userfied by posting a request at Wikipedia:Miscellany for deletion.
- A WikiFauna should
- provide some educational and reflective merit closely related to Wikipedia's goals.
- be helpful or useful in building the encyclopedia.
- be a sincere and genuine effort to improve the encyclopedia.
- express an attitude designed to encourage a cooperative spirit among editors.
- A WikiFauna should not
- be too obscure to be useful in building the encyclopedia.
- treat serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor.
- lack genuineness towards improving the encyclopedia.
- be mean or too aggressive. Pointing a fellow editor to a WikiFauna essay to identify him/her as that WikiFauna should not serve to inflame a situation, belittle the editor, or dismiss/discredit the editor for maintaining an opposing/different opinion.
- serve to foster negative attitudes in others towards an editor identified with the WikiFauna.
Classic WikiFauna
These WikiFauna have been around for years and generally can apply to a larger group of editors.
WikiElf
A WikiElf is described as having desirable traits of an editor working behind the scenes to improve Wikipedia. Subspecies are: WikiElf; CreatorElf; PeopleElf; DeleteElf; ExpandElf; ProtectElf.
WikiEnt
A WikiEnt is described as having desirable traits of an editor that is the exact opposite of a WikiTroll. They promote peaceful interactions, and consist of the following WikiFauna: WikiGnome, WikiElf and/or WikiFairy.
WikiFairy
A WikiFairy is described as having desirable traits of an editor who beautifies Wikipedia.
WikiGnome
A WikiGnome is described as having desirable traits of an editor who quietly attends to details of the encyclopedia.
WikiHobbit
A WikiHobbit is described as having desirable traits of an editor developing expertise niches and evading heavy arguments unless forced to make a valiant stand, often against heavily armored adversaries. Sadly, they are not immune to the temptations of Power.
WikiOgre
A WikiOgre is described as having traits of an editor who can sometimes be inactive for periods of anything from days, weeks, or months, but often engage in a rampage of activity, editing wildly.
WikiOrc
A WikiOrc is described as having undesirable traits of a troll-like editor, but they are disruptive to processes.
WikiTroll
A WikiTroll is described as having undesirable traits of an editor who baits others into repetitive methods of disruption. This usage of troll dates from the 1980s, and is not particular to Wikipedia.
Expanded WikiFauna
These WikiFauna generally can apply to a smaller group of editors.
WikiAges
The WikiAges are described as certain mildly desirable traits of an editor based on seven stages of the human life cycle. The stages are:
WikiAngel
A WikiAngel is described as having desirable traits of an experienced Wikipedian of significantly reduced activity, but who continues to follow the project and to act altruistically in cases of need. WikiAngel is modeled on "Guardian angel".
WikiBadger
A WikiBadger latches onto vandals, unlucky newbies, and even WikiTrolls or WikiGiants. It may be disruptive, but when left alone is generally useful.
WikiBarbarian
A WikiBarbarian is a very dangerous vandal, who devotes their time to vandalising articles. They can overtake a WikiJanitor or low ranking WikiPolice, but they need to watch out for WikiPumas.
WikiBogeyman
A WikiBogeyman scares off bad editors.
WikiBouncer
A WikiBouncer is an editor that is strictly against incivility and bias.
WikiBear
A WikiBear is an omnivorous browser. It can fight fiercely, but would rather be munching berries.
WikiCat
A WikiCat is described as having desirable editing traits such as being goal-oriented. They are also described as ambitious editors with the neutral quality of being less social.
WikiChef
A WikiChef cooks (creates) new pages.
WikiClaus
WikiClaus gives awards to good deserving editors when even fellow editors failed to do so.
WikiCyclops
A WikiCyclops is described as having mildly desirable traits of an editor who work at depth with a narrow focus.
WikiDodo
WikiDodos are editors who are good-natured but don't understand the rules and make frequent mistakes.
WikiDragon
A WikiDragon is described as having desirable traits of an editor who is sporadically highly active and, when sporadically highly active, are boldly and grand, but exhibits less desirable traits of being clumsy or overconfident.
WikiDwarf
A WikiDwarf cleans up a WikiGoblin's mess.
WikiEagle
A WikiEagle is capable of finding the minutest typo hidden in the page.
WikiFallen
A WikiFallen is described as having undesirable traits of an editor who was once a productive Wikipedian who has been banned or otherwise exiled from the project. Before using this WikiFauna, see Wikipedia:Deny recognition.
WikiGiant
A WikiGiant is described as having desirable traits of an administrator who responds to vandalism, but with the undesirable trait of responding overly powerfully and clumsily in opposing vandalism.
WikiGoat
A WikiGoat is on Wikipedia hills, and protect articles. But at times they can be rude and make personal attacks.
WikiGoblin
A WikiGoblin is a new vandal that sprays a lot of graffiti on Wikipedia.
WikiGoon
A WikiGoon is described as having undesirable desirable traits of an administrator who conceals their administrative privileges for a purpose of administratively using that concealment to their advantage. They're either like semi-stealth WikiPolice that try to bounce trouble makers speedily. They have connections and loyalties to other, more senior and powerful users that they might favor over official policy.
WikiGremlin
A WikiGremlin is a microscopic creature that runs the Wikipedia website.
WikiGryphon
A WikiGryphon is a diligent, versatile and flexible user. They have the pride of a lion and the fierceness of an eagle when it comes to vandals.
WikiHunter
A WikiHunter spends his/her time tracking articles and getting them deleted.
WikiHybrid
A WikiHybrid is a kind of Wikipedian that possesses qualities of 2 other species.
WikiImp
A WikiImp is a user who, while not directly harming Wikipedia, leaves the editing to others.
WikiJackal
A WikiJackal is an editor who delights in being the first editor to spring into action and add a death date to a celebrity or other prominent person's article as soon as news of that person's death has been released.
WikiJaguar
A WikiJaguar is an editor prone to stalking other users' talk pages, occasionally leaving either constructive or negative comments. While often friendly, they are at great risk of Wikipediholism.
WikiJanitor
WikiJanitors spend their times doing anti-vandalism and any other sort.
WikiKing
A WikiKing takes dramatic ownership of articles, contrary to policy. The description is negative, though intended non-offensively, as a description of a not-yet-encultured over-enthusiastic contribution to a particular subject.
WikiKitten
WikiKitten is generally a newcomer, similar to WikiPuppies, but usually have more edits to mainspace articles. They might need help doing things and becoming new editors, but most of the time make it on their own.
WikiKnight
WikiKnights are there to protect the simple WikiVillagers; to defend Wikipedia and uphold the eternal pillars of truth. The term is intended as an honour for a particular style of contributing.
WikiKomodo
WikiKomodos edit Wikipedia, and create some articles, but try avoid contact with other editors.
WikiKraken
The WikiKraken is a hypothetical type of user that creates hoax material. An example hoax work is The 1843-1844 Canadian - Michigan Upper Peninsula War
WikiMercenary
The WikiMercenary neither has their own Wiki-ing principles or projects, they just look for projects where assistance is needed perhaps to take part in the after-glory of, for instance, having contributed to an article being raised to feature status.
WikiMule
A WikiMule is a relatively quiet user who assumes good faith and keeps modestly to their work.
WikiOtter
The WikiOtter is very friendly toward new Users. Another aspect of the WikiOtter persona is a tendency toward harmless mischief, which is always done in good faith.
WikiPeacock
A WikiPeacock is either highly boastful of themselves or of some other particular subject. Views tend to be grandiose and go extremes.
WikiPlatypus
The WikiPlatypus is a user who has traits of many WikiFaunae, and may spend some of its time acting, for example, like a WikiDragon, other times like a WikiKnight, a WikiSloth, WikiGnome, etc.
WikiPolice
WikiPolice is a term for editors who have studied policy actively and act to have policy enforced.
WikiPrincess
A WikiPrincess is a user who glories in Wikipedia's collection of data but is too lazy to contribute.
WikiPuma
WikiPuma refers to a user who edits a lot, but edits carefully. This user will often make grandiose edits, but hates bad grammar and will fix it wherever found. They are prone to lashing out at times, but are scared of fire and avoid flame wars. In addition, they can experience overworking and persecution, potential dangers.
WikiPuppy
WikiPuppy generally refers to an anxious user, most likely one who is new to Wikipedia. This user will make edits on the subjects they like even though they aren't yet very familiar with things like Wiki formatting and citation. They would be wise to avoid the impatient WikiVampire or coming across as a WikiTroll.
WikiRabbit
WikiRabbits tend to chew on articles.
WikiReaper
A WikiReaper is a user who is almost never supportive of others, and tries to drive other souls away from Wikipedia using its scythe, which they call opposition.
WikiRoadRunner
WikiRoadRunners are editors that create or edit articles in a fast-paced way.
WikiShark
WikiSharks are editors who mostly remove other users' contributions and rarely make their own. While in some cases this is beneficial, it's usually just disruptive and hindersome in the development of articles.
WikiSloth
A WikiSloth is a user who makes contributions based solely on hedonistic intellectual enjoyment. Their contributions are valuable because they rarely get involved in protracted disputes or edit wars, due to their attitude usually being that of WP:DGAF.
WikiVampire
A WikiVampire is a user who loves to bite the life out of newcomers.
WikiWarlock
A WikiWarlock is a sneaky and very dangerous vandal.
WikiWeasel
Some people think that WikiWeasels are very, very cute. They were introduced to New Zealand to hunt rabbits, and are widely believed to be a menace over there.
WikiWitch
The WikiWitch, a capricious creature whose devotion to arcane knowledge overshadows their every act. Can be mistaken for all sorts of WikiFauna.
WikiWizard
A WikiWizard edits in order to keep the universe in order, by fixing small errors, helping with dispute resolutions, and occasionally helping fight vandalism and trolls.
WikiWolfcub
The WikiWolfcub is a user who, although displaying the friendliness of a WikiPuppy, has the hunter-killer mentality of the wolf and is prepared to make bold edits and significant changes, as well as hunting down small prey such as typos.
WikiZombie
The WikiZombie (or consensus zombie, or "tea drinker") is a user who stands in the way of building consensus.
Non-personal WikiFauna
Minnow
A WikiMinnow is a particularly small, or light chastisement of a user who has made a mistake. It is a lesser version of the WP:TROUT.
Trout
WikiTrout are used to make subtle adjustments to the clue levels of experienced Wikipedians.
Whale
The WikiWhale, for when a WikiTrout just does not cut it.
See also
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- CategoryWikiUser at WikiWikiWeb - The original group of WikiFauna
- The Fauna Barnstar
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