This page is currently inactive and is retained for historical reference. Either the page is no longer relevant or consensus on its purpose has become unclear. To revive discussion, seek broader input via a forum such as the village pump.
Strict Rules General Reference Desk (for those who want a straight answer with no frivolity)
This is a test. A two week test will be performed with strict enforcement of the following rules:
Do not triple post. Please post your question both here and on just one other Ref Desk. This will alow you to try out this new Ref Desk and still be likely to get a good answer from either this Desk or one of the old Desks.
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.
No opinion questions. Only ask questions which can be answered with facts.
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.
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.
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.
NEW STRICT RULES
No jokes.
No conversations.
No signatures.
No off topic remarks.
No opinions.
No swearing.
References are required for all statements of fact.
Some question askers and answerers have expressed a desire for a Ref Desk that doesn't waste time with frivolity, conversations, and opinions, and just gives a single answer. This will be more like an encyclopedia article and less like a talk page. Here are some of the new rules we are kicking around, but we may change the rules during the course of the test:
* No jokes.
* No conversations.
* No signatures.
* No off topic remarks.
* No opinions.
* No swearing.
* References are required for all statements of fact.
* All violations will be immediately deleted.
Note that, as of December 1, this test is not yet live. This page is only provided as a mockup while we continue to set the rules for the test.
