User talk:Green Zubat

Redirects
Hello. Note that we may have articles on both counter-spell (which contains a more generic description) and its sub-types (i.e. Untransfiguration), containing a more specific description. Thanks. --  Seth Cooper  owl post! 13:53, July 3, 2011 (UTC)


 * Ok, I always just thought that was a bit redundant, but thanks for the heads-upGreen Zubat 16:42, July 3, 2011 (UTC)


 * It's ok, no matter! Have fun editing the Harry Potter Wiki! ;D --  Seth Cooper  owl post! 16:58, July 3, 2011 (UTC)

RE:Incorrect Categories...
I think regular users can edit categories... While in edit mode, isn't there a "Categories" tab in the side bar? (by the way, those spells' categories have been taken care of) --  Seth Cooper  owl post! 18:06, July 3, 2011 (UTC)
 * Oh, I see now. Boy do I feel stupid XD Thanks a bunch though! Green Zubat 20:42, July 3, 2011 (UTC)

RE: An Observation

 * Firstly, this wiki clearly allows speculation to be noted in the articles

To a very limited extent, and ideally only in the "Behind the scenes" sections, where it presented as merely a possibility. Not as basis for new articles, and certainly not on equal footing with what is actually established by canon.

Now please read this before continuing further.

There is a difference between what is actually extablished by canon, and what individual people interpret from and theorize based upon canon. This difference is what defines "original research". This personal interpretation, while it may have some basis in canon, is not in-and-of-itself canon. Original research is generally considered unencyclopedic, and Wikipedia even prohibits it entirely as one of its core policies. While we are not quite as strict, it is still not something to be encouraged. We strive to be as official as possible in the information we present here. I won't deny that things have slipped through from time to time, but adding more is not the solution.

Some of your edits stated that all spells could be divided into four categories: Transfiguration, Charms, "Dark spells", and counter-spells, but where is it offically established that all spells fall into these four? Where does Apparition fit in then? The terms Dark Arts and Dark Magic are used repeatedly, but when is Dark spells? We use conjectural titles for articles as a temporary fill-in when official canon is lacking, but the article's content is still taken from canon. A conjectural title is a far cry from conjectural content.

Incidentally, the article for Magic is NOT currently protected. That protection was done temporarily due to counter-productive edit-warring, and it expired a week ago. I simply forgot to take down the notice.

On another note, please keep in mind that all articles relating to "in-universe" content need to be written from an "in-universe" perspective. This applies to quotes as well. "Out of universe" information needs to be limited to the articles' "Behind the scenes" sections.

If you believe this sounds too much like personal criticism, I apologize, as that is not my intent. I simply feel you need to learn to move away from interpretation and focus on what is actually there. Everyone makes assumptions, but as one my teachers used to say: "Assume' makes an 'ass' out of 'u' and 'me". For example, until a while ago, we had in our articles that Albus Dumbledore had been Head of Gryffindor House and Deputy Headmaster, and that Lily Evans had been a Prefect. Many users here, myself included, believed these were true. But then someone else pointed out that they couldn't find anything in canon that actually stated this, and after checking, no one else was able to either. It was an assumption that I and many other people had made (based on things such as parallels between Dumbledore and McGonagall, and that Lily had been Head Girl even though James Potter proves this is not a requirement). We STILL have people adding these things to their articles even now.

If you still disagree with some of my edits, you may make your case to another administrator for a second opinion. and are both fairly active right now, and have been editting for a long time.

You have made many other helpful edits to the Wiki, and you obviously have a great deal of enthusiasm for the Harry Potter universe. I hope you will appreciate the level of professionalism we are attempting to build this encyclopedia towards.

Nick O'Demus 07:15, July 18, 2011 (UTC)