User:Xinbenlv/Essay/If you want to learn to swim, jump into the water
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Wikipedia needs new comers in all aspects, such as new editors. While WP:BITE mostly focuses on creating a friendly atmosphere for new editors, its principle can be well extended to apply to other types of contribution roles that the movement need, and a strong skills is required for those roles. This essay address what to avoid and what to do to help bring more contribution and help existing contributors learn the skills for new roles.
Requirement of Skills vs Requirement of Trust[edit]
To begin with, identify there are different types of tasks that require different skills, as per WP:CIR. (TODO(Xinbenlv) add examples). Sometimes these skills is depending on certain prerequisite. Sometimes to be allowed to perform certain task require trust rather than skills. It is important to distinguish the cases trust is needed from skill is needed. The trust could only be built upon track record, while skills can be learned.
Undefined Roles and Defined Roles[edit]
If you are the learner[edit]
First, be bold and jump into the water. Make sure you seek help, make sure you mitigate the damages if any.