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There can be some very long drawn out exchanges on discussion pages, often between a small number of users. You've seen them. You've probably been part of some. For users trying to follow a discussion, it can be very annoying to read through seemingly endless text while people work out the minutiae of some issue, or else just have a pissing match. Often these conversations lead to some interesting results, but by the time you get there your eyes have glossed over and your brain has clicked off.
What can you do? Suggest that people "take it outside", one of two ways.
Taking it outside to another wikipage[edit]
Taking it outside can mean moving the conversation off the page and finding a new home for it on another wikipage.
Here's how it works:
- At any point in a conversion, someone suggests to "take it outside".
- Someone, a participant in the exchange or even the person making the suggestion, copies the conversation to an existing talk page or creates a new sub-page of the current conversation.
- Just enough of the beginning of the thread is kept on the original page to convey what the exchange is about. It gets linked to the new location of the discussion.
- Anyone reading the original discussion can choose to follow the link and join in on the discussion.
- The people involved continue to discuss whatever it is, as long as they want or until they reach a consensus.
- A summary of the result can be added back to the original conversation.
Taking it outside off Wikipedia completely[edit]
Ever wanted to tell an editor what you really think of him? Since wikirules do not apply to off-wiki pages, ask an editor to "take it outside, off Wikipedia completely" means that editors can agree to vent off Wikipedia, where Wikipedia rules don't apply.
- At any point in a conversion, someone suggests to "take it outside, off Wikipedia".
- Someone, a participant in the exchange or even the person making the suggestion, copies the conversation to an off wikipage.
- Just enough of the beginning of the thread is kept on the original page to convey what the exchange is about. It gets linked to the new location of the discussion.
- Anyone reading the original discussion can choose to follow the link and join in on the discussion.
- The people involved continue to discuss whatever it is, as long as they want or until they reach a consensus.