Commons:Requests for comment
Overview
Requests for comment (RfC) is a process for requesting outside input on any issue of wider significance for Commons, be it content or Commons policy and guidelines.
All editors (including unregistered or IP users) are welcome to provide comment or opinion, and to assist in reaching agreements, by responding to requests for comment.
- RfCs are not votes. Discussion controls the outcome; it is not a matter of counting up the number of votes.
- Try not to be confrontational. Be friendly and civil, and assume good faith in other editors’ actions.
- Mediate where possible—identify common ground, attempt to draw editors together rather than push them apart.
- If necessary, educate users by referring to the appropriate Commons policies.
Current RfCs are listed below. An archive of past RfCs (and similar discussions not labelled RfCs) can be found at Commons:Centralized discussion/Archive.
Creating a Request for Comment
Any user can create a Request for Comment on issues of wider significance for Commons. However, before doing so, it is recommended that all but the most experienced users seek a second opinion on whether an RfC is appropriate for the topic.
RfCs may be either:
- A section on a talk page, for example, the talk page of a policy.
- A subpage of this page, for example, Commons:Requests for comment/a very important issue. Before deciding to create a subpage please bear in mind that the talk page option should be considered first – if there is an appropriate venue for a discussion, the RfC is best placed there.
To create an RfC, simply:
- Create the section or subpage, with a clear and reasonably brief summary of the issue.
- Place {{Rfc}} at the top of the page
- List the RfC at {{Centralized discussion}}, very briefly and neutrally providing a link to the discussion.
- If there are obvious discussion venues where users may be found who would be interested in the RfC, a brief message there may be helpful.
Ending a Request for Comment
In most cases, unresolved requests for comment should remain open for at least 30 days.
All requests for comment need to be closed manually. This should be done by an uninvolved editor (not necessarily an admin) when the dispute has been resolved, moved to any other forum, or seems unlikely to be resolved:
- Archive the {{Cent}} entry if applicable.
- Modify {{Rfc}} to {{Rfc|status=closed}} on the COM:RFC subpage.
- Add {{discussion top|your summary ~~~~}} at the top and {{Discussion bottom}} at the bottom.
