Template talk:Db-meta

Do not delete this template

This template itself is not a candidate for speedy deletion! Please do not speedily delete it. (If you really don't like it, list it at Wikipedia:Templates for deletion.) Thanks, • Benc • 01:35, 14 Sep 2004 (UTC)

Why this page exists

This template is an alternative (not a replacement!) to Template:Delete. It is parameterized, allowing users to add a brief reason as to why the target article is a candidate for speedy deletion. • Benc • 01:38, 14 Sep 2004 (UTC)

Original discussion

Moved from Template talk:Delete.

I think that it would be a bit easier if we had an additional speedy delete template, for when the reason for an article's deletion might not be so blatantly obvious. I know that the talk page is there for that purpose, but it's rather time-wasting to first edit the page, insert the speedy delete message, save it, open the talk page, post the reason for deletion, and save it. It's more convenient if you only have to insert the message {{del reason|reason=Reason goes here.}}, which would produce:

This would not be a replacement for Template:Delete; it would simply be a convenience. Please note that "del reason" is just a temporary name; I haven't thought of a really good one yet. I'm just looking for some feedback. The test version is at User:Mike Storm/sandbox2. [[User:Mike Storm|Mike∞Storm]] 21:25, 12 Sep 2004 (UTC)

Oddly enough, I came up with the exact same idea several days ago at Template:deletebecause. Example usages:

• {{deletebecause|this page may qualify as patent nonsense}}
• {{deletebecause|I no longer use this user subpage}}

The template has since been accidentally deleted unilaterally deleted for reasons unstated. I suppose the deleter thought it wasn't such a hot idea. That's okay; I have some reservations about it myself:

1. m:Instruction creep: we don't want to create more work for anybody
2. Some sysops may take the reason blurb at face value, not fully investigating it to make sure the deletion is valid

Still, it might be worth a trial run. • Benc • 22:08, 12 Sep 2004 (UTC)

It won't be more work for anybody, since it'll be completely optional whether you use Template:Delete or Template:Deletebecause (I like that name). Also, I inserted the reason using {{User talk:Mike Storm/sandbox2|reason=Reason goes here.}}, and putting <nowiki>{{{reason}}} in the actual template. How did you do it without "reason="? [[User:Mike Storm|Mike∞Storm]] 23:09, 12 Sep 2004 (UTC)

You're right that its being optional pretty much negates the instruction creep issue. Some people are confused by having more than one option, though (<tangent>which is the only minor quibble I have with your substubs :-)</tangent>). Still, I think this is worth a try. Anyway, for unnamed parameters: use {{{1}}}. See m:Help:Template#Parameters for more info. • Benc • 23:32, 12 Sep 2004 (UTC)

I think this is a fantastic idea. -- SS 22:59, 12 Sep 2004 (UTC)

A good idea, (get rid of all those substubs) but e.g. template:del is a redirect. Can we shorten it to avoid typing "because"? Dunc_Harris|☺ 23:20, 12 Sep 2004 (UTC)

I like the idea, this type of idea makes me wish for m:Extended template syntax —siroχo 05:53, Sep 13, 2004 (UTC)

Page creation; usage

As this idea has gained nothing but support (excepting several accidental deletions), I went ahead and re-implemented it in the Template namespace. I've also created Template:db as a redirect to this template for those fond of shorthand. Sample usages:

• {{deletebecause|this page is patent nonsense}}
• {{db|unused user page}}

Happy deletion, • Benc • 01:52, 14 Sep 2004 (UTC)