Since the question annotation idea is only for the science desk, I implemented some wiki logic to make that text only appear on the science desk. On the other desks, a blurb about the new {{strict}} template appears. As per this brief discussion, it also links to an extremely newbie-friendly talk subpage for "actual" user input into the problem. We need to know what non-regulars think about the issue, and this coupled with the possible popularity of the strict tag could give us an idea of where to go from here. This idea is a cousin to the new ref desk idea, but it is exclusive meaning that if this works out we shouldn't have to implement a new desk at all. Also in defense of this way of doing it, it's quite a bit cleaner and more inline than a whole separate desk.
The science desk header, the other headers, and the strict template are demoed here.
Please viciously edit my text. It's probably grammatically wrong in every way and politically incorrect for using the masculine pronoun, so help me out. Also each line seems a bit brief so do try to expand it. But if you disagree on content, reply here; don't just remove stuff.
I did try to skirt the issue of humor in describing strict. The actual template makes it clear not to be frivolous in responding but the focus here is really on professionalism and wikipedia standards as a whole, not just with humor.
Oh and for now I'd like it to stay a good-faith thing of actually trying to offer more professional responses to strict-tagged questions, instead of having to edit other peoples' posts. Editing of other users' posts is a somewhat different matter and still subject to argument, so argue on! This feels like a good step though.
This will not solve the debate about censorship. However it will provide the same feedback about users' feelings about the quality of the reference desk as would a new desk, without the radical change. And who knows, maybe this will make the question of censorship moot.
Search first. It's quicker, because you can find the answer in our online encyclopedia instead of waiting for a volunteer to respond. Search Wikipedia using the searchbox. A web search could help too. Common questions about Wikipedia itself, such as how to cite Wikipedia and who owns Wikipedia, are answered in Wikipedia:FAQ.
Be specific. Explain your question in detail if necessary, addressing exactly what you'd like answered. For information that changes from country to country (or from state to state), such as legal, fiscal or institutional matters, please specify the jurisdiction you're interested in.
Include both a title and a question. The title (top box) should specify the topic of your question. The complete details should be in the bottom box. Questions not following this format may be deleted.
Be courteous. Questions are answered by humans, not computers. This is not a search engine. Leaving a quick "Thank you" note if you found an answer useful would be polite.
Please don't write in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS.
Do your own homework. If you need help with a specific part or concept of your homework, feel free to ask, but please do not post entire homework questions and expect us to give you the answers.
Be patient. Questions are answered by other users, and a user who can answer may not be reading the page immediately. If you do not receive a response within a few days, consider rephrasing your question.
Do not include your e-mail address. Questions aren't normally answered by e-mail. Be aware that the content on Wikipedia is extensively copied to many websites; making your e-mail address public here may make it very public throughout the Internet.
Edit your question for more discussion. Click the [edit] link on right side of its header line. Please do not start multiple sections about the same topic.
Sign your question. Type --~~~~ at its end.
Check back for updates. A complete answer to your question may be developed over a period of up to seven days. To help yourself find this page again, make a bookmark (in some common browsers you can press Ctrl+D or ⌘+D to do so), or add this page to your watchlist if you have an account.
Do not double post. Please post your question in only one subpage. Please use the most appropriate subpage; use "miscellaneous" if none of the others fit. Note that we now have a Computing/IT Reference desk.
If requesting medical or legal advice ask a doctor or lawyer instead.
Be thorough. Please provide as much of the answer as you are able to.
Be concise, not terse. Please write in a clear and easily understood manner. Keep your answer within the scope of the question as stated.
Link to articles on Wikipedia. which may have further information relevant to the question.
Be polite. to users, especially ones new to Wikipedia. A little fun is fine, but don't be rude.
The Reference desk is not a soapbox. If further debate regarding a particular answer is needed, please move the discussion to the appropriate talk page.
How to annotate a good response
There has been on-going discussion about annotating and archiving questions and responses that represent the best that the Wikipedia Reference Desk has to offer.
Questions are annotated with a star image *.
The trial is currently limited to the Science Reference Desk. While editors investigate the various options for annotating a response, please do not attempt to annotate questions yet. You are welcome to comment on the talk page.
Search first. It's quicker, because you can find the answer in our online encyclopedia instead of waiting for a volunteer to respond. Search Wikipedia using the searchbox. A web search could help too. Common questions about Wikipedia itself, such as how to cite Wikipedia and who owns Wikipedia, are answered in Wikipedia:FAQ.
Be specific. Explain your question in detail if necessary, addressing exactly what you'd like answered. For information that changes from country to country (or from state to state), such as legal, fiscal or institutional matters, please specify the jurisdiction you're interested in.
Include both a title and a question. The title (top box) should specify the topic of your question. The complete details should be in the bottom box. Questions not following this format may be deleted.
Be courteous. Questions are answered by humans, not computers. This is not a search engine. Leaving a quick "Thank you" note if you found an answer useful would be polite.
Please don't write in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS.
Do your own homework. If you need help with a specific part or concept of your homework, feel free to ask, but please do not post entire homework questions and expect us to give you the answers.
Be patient. Questions are answered by other users, and a user who can answer may not be reading the page immediately. If you do not receive a response within a few days, consider rephrasing your question.
Do not include your e-mail address. Questions aren't normally answered by e-mail. Be aware that the content on Wikipedia is extensively copied to many websites; making your e-mail address public here may make it very public throughout the Internet.
Edit your question for more discussion. Click the [edit] link on right side of its header line. Please do not start multiple sections about the same topic.
Sign your question. Type --~~~~ at its end.
Check back for updates. A complete answer to your question may be developed over a period of up to seven days. To help yourself find this page again, make a bookmark (in some common browsers you can press Ctrl+D or ⌘+D to do so), or add this page to your watchlist if you have an account.
Do not double post. Please post your question in only one subpage. Please use the most appropriate subpage; use "miscellaneous" if none of the others fit. Note that we now have a Computing/IT Reference desk.
If requesting medical or legal advice ask a doctor or lawyer instead.
Be thorough. Please provide as much of the answer as you are able to.
Be concise, not terse. Please write in a clear and easily understood manner. Keep your answer within the scope of the question as stated.
Link to articles on Wikipedia. which may have further information relevant to the question.
Be polite. to users, especially ones new to Wikipedia. A little fun is fine, but don't be rude.
The Reference desk is not a soapbox. If further debate regarding a particular answer is needed, please move the discussion to the appropriate talk page.
How to ask for a more serious answer
There has been on-going discussion about Wikipedia standards and the Reference Desk.
If you would prefer references given in responses to your question, put {{strict}} at the end of your question.
Note that it may take longer for editors to respond in a more formal manner.
Those templates add themselves to a category[edit]
This is the category: Category:Serious reference desk questions. If anyone thinks it's a bad idea to have multiple categorizations on the same page just remove this.
