View source for Wikipedia:Be bold

== Non-article namespaces ==

{{Main|Wikipedia:Administration#Data structure and development}}

Although editors are encouraged to be bold in updating ''articles'', more caution is sometimes required when editing pages in non-article namespaces. Such pages are identified by a [[WP:namespace|namespace]] prefix. For example, this page, ''Wikipedia:Be bold'', has the "Wikipedia:" prefix; if it were called simply ''Be bold'' (with no prefix) it would be an article. 

Problems may arise for a variety of reasons in different contexts in non-article namespaces. These problems should be taken into account in deciding whether to be bold, and how bold to be.

=== Wikipedia namespace ===

{{Main|Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines#Content changes}}
{{See|Wikipedia:Project namespace#Content}}

Wikipedia does not "enshrine" old practices: bold changes to its [[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines|policies and guidelines]] are sometimes the best way to adapt and improve the encyclopedia. In this case, "bold" refers to boldness of idea; such ideas are most commonly [[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines#Content changes|raised and discussed first]] to best formulate their implementation.

The admonition "be careful" is especially important in relation to [[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines|policies and guidelines]], where key parts may be phrased in a particular way to reflect a very hard-won, knife-edge [[WP:Consensus|consensus]]—which may not be obvious to those unfamiliar with the background. In these cases, it is also often better to [[WP:WPEDIT|discuss potential changes first]]. However, spelling and grammatical errors can and should be fixed as soon as they are noticed. 

Discussing changes to other Wikipedia-space pages on the talk page is also a good idea. If nothing else, it will provide an explanation of the changes for later editors. Most such pages are collections of arguments placed in Wikipedia space for later reference, so the same arguments don't need to be made over and over again.

=== Template namespace ===

{{See|Wikipedia:Template namespace#Guidelines}}

One must be especially careful when being bold with [[Wikipedia:Template namespace|templates]]: updating them can have far reaching consequences because one change can affect lots of pages at once. Moreover, some templates are part of a wide-ranging, uniform ''system'' of templates ''across'' Wikipedia, e.g. [[Wikipedia:Glossary#Infobox|infoboxes]] and [[Wikipedia:Stub|stubs]]. Remember, all source code is easily broken by untested changes (but always quite fixable).

Because of these concerns, many [[Wikipedia:List of indefinitely protected pages#High use templates|heavily used templates]] are [[WP:HRT|indefinitely protected]] from editing. Before editing templates, consider proposing any changes on the associated talk pages and announcing the proposed change on pages of appropriate [[Wikipedia:WikiProject|WikiProjects]]. Templates often have associated [[WP:TESTCASES|sandbox and testcases pages]]; respectively these are a place for the proposed modified template, and a place where the proposal may be trialed in comparison with the existing version.

=== Category namespace ===

Creating new categories or reorganizing the category structure may come to affect many pages. Consider the guidelines on [[WP:Categorization|categorization]] and [[WP:overcategorization|overcategorization]], and if what you're doing might be considered controversial (especially if it concerns [[WP:BLPCAT|categories for living people]]), propose changes at [[WP:CFD|Categories for discussion]], also mentioning them on pages of appropriate [[Wikipedia:WikiProject|WikiProjects]].

=== File namespace ===

{{Main|Wikipedia:File names}}

Be bold in adding information to the description of an existing image. However, new images should be uploaded with new names rather than overwriting old ones. Doing otherwise risks having the old image confused with the new one. Therefore, you must always be careful.

=== User namespace ===

{{Main|Wikipedia:User pages}}

It is generally recommended that you do not edit another Wikipedian's ''[[Wikipedia:User page|user page]]'' or comments left on ''[[Wikipedia:Talk pages|talk pages]]'' (other than your own, and even then do not be reckless). Fixing [[WP:Vandalism|vandalism]] is nearly always welcome, even on user pages. Specific users will let you know if they find your changes inappropriate or if you have given incorrect information.

=== Portal namespace ===

Regarding changes to graphical layout? See the next section. Note that the [[Wikipedia:Colours|color scheme]] used for [[WP:Portal|portals]] is not necessarily arbitrary. For example, most portals related to countries use the colors of the nation's flag. It is a good idea to propose design changes on the talk page first.