Wikiafication

(English) This is an essay. It expresses the opinions and ideas of some Wikimedians but may not have wide support. This is not policy on Meta, but it may be a policy or guideline on other Wikimedia projects. Feel free to update this page as needed, or use the discussion page to propose major changes.

Wikiafication (Wikia + -fication) is the process of adding additional and costly bloat to a site as an unsuccessful means of "engaging visitors" or "building community."

Wikiafication takes up resources that could be used for other, more useful projects. However, not all changes aimed at new users are Wikiafication. For example, developing a visual editor for Wikipedia in and of itself is beneficial to Wikimedia because many new users find wiki syntax difficult. If these features add too much bloat for little benefit, however, they may be considered detrimental.

The Wikimedia Foundation is currently in the process of Wikiafication. This page documents some of this process.

WikiLove edit

WikiLove — treat barnstars like candy! Though, to be fair, of all the examples of Wikiafication on this page, this is one of the least harmful/most helpful tools implemented.

MoodBar edit

MoodBar — large smiley faces to solicit how people feel about Wikipedia. No, seriously.

ArticleFeedback edit

Article feedback tool — because what Wikipedia was missing was the equivalent of YouTube comments!

Revised login form edit

Revised login form — make the login form look a bit more like a Fisher-Price creation.

Before

After

Compare

http://www.wikia.com/Special:UserLogin

GlobalProfile edit

GlobalProfile — avatars, languages, skills with unnecessary popups!

Thanks edit

Thanks extension — because we needed a way to "like" or "upvote" edits.