Forum:Closing forums

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Closing forums

I believe when forums are closed, they should be closed by an uninvolved administrator rather than one that takes part in and gives their position in the discussion. I personally find it extremely hard to feel comfortable making a completely unbiased assessment of consensus for a forum that I started or took part in. Because of this and human nature, I believe it's just a better option to leave the decision to an uninvolved party, rather than one whose opinion and feeling for the topic is known. Thoughts on adding this to the guidelines?  Food Foodbandlt  07:28, June 1, 2013 (UTC)

I agree, that's how I understand how consensus works. For unanimous consensus/vote though, I don't think it really matters.      10:48, June 1, 2013 (UTC)

Of course, assuming whatever criteria we agree on is met.  Food Foodbandlt  15:04, June 1, 2013 (UTC)

Support Its a good idea. http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/213/e/2/rainbow_dash_sword___tpp_by_creshosk-d42e6e3.gif Gummygugugaga ^talk 19:45, June 1, 2013 (UTC)

Support I support adding the rule that only an uninvolved administrator may close forums unless it is a unanimous vote in which case any admin may close said forum http://i.imgur.com/gsLKOdC.png MLPhttp://i.imgur.com/1w0MRE0.png  ITBhttp://i.imgur.com/K1gQ7PD.png 19:54, June 1, 2013 (UTC)

Comment What happens if all admins are involved in the forum? Lord of Shadows ^{Words mean nothing!} 20:13, June 1, 2013 (UTC)

I've personally never seen a forum in which EVERY admin was involved, but in that case an involved admin would have to close it. That would be a good amendment to the rule, and good point Shad. http://i.imgur.com/gsLKOdC.png MLPhttp://i.imgur.com/1w0MRE0.png  ITBhttp://i.imgur.com/K1gQ7PD.png 20:19, June 1, 2013 (UTC)

Good point.... In that case then I suppose someone involved would indeed have to evaluate the forum. I've honestly never seen every administrator take part in one discussion, though.  Food Foodbandlt  02:29, June 2, 2013 (UTC)

It happens rarely, but the possibility is still there. I'm just making sure this rule is applied so as we don't run into this problem in the future. Lord of Shadows ^{Words mean nothing!} 05:17, June 2, 2013 (UTC)

Support This is a great idea. (っ◕‿◕)っ ♥ ► Talk ► Contribshttp://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2013/062/b/3/magic_hug__by_jordila_forge-d5vcyov.png

Support I agree The Americanized Brony02:50, June 2, 2013 (UTC)

Agreed. It makes sense that a decision on consensus should be made by someone who is not likely to be biased (it's possible that someone has an opinion but did not post in the forum). However, there is also the issue of timeliness in addition to what Shadow pointed out. I generally participate in every wiki discussion forum, so if it's time to close some of them, I (or another admin who notices, if he or she also participated) will have to go and find an admin who wasn't involved and ask him or her to close the forum. What if that admin is not comfortable closing the forum (due to either lack of familiarity or hesitation with the subject or the decision), or doesn't respond to the request? There should be an allowance for an involved admin to close it if all uninvolved admins have been contacted pending response for, say, 36 hours. That timeframe allows response while not holding back a change that may be important. We can say "the least involved admin" if you would like to determine how that should be defined :P. Anyway, also agreed that any admin can close it if there is no dissent (please note that this doesn't simply mean that you don't see the "oppose" template on the page). ~Bobogoobo (talk) 03:58, June 2, 2013 (UTC)

It's also helpful if a majority (if not all) of the participants say that they're OK with the forum being closed and are happy with the resolution. Then the uninvolved admin wouldn't have qualms about the participants objecting to the forum being archived. Steph physarum (talk) 04:55, June 2, 2013 (UTC)