View source for Wikipedia:Administration

{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{For|Wikipedia administrators (admins, sysops)|Wikipedia:Administrators}}{{Redirect2|WP:ADMINST|WP:GOV|Wikipedia admin stats|WP:ADMINSTATS|the style guidelines on capitalization for government institutions|MOS:INSTITUTIONS}}
{{Information page|WP:ADMINST|WP:GOV}}
{{Nutshell|Both the [[#Human and legal administration|human administrative structure]], as well as its [[#Data structure and development|non-human components]], are briefly described within this article (with appropriate '''links''' to the more exhaustive articles on each topic).}}
[[Wikipedia:About|Wikipedia]] requires a certain amount of  [[Management|administration]] and [[governance]] in order to further the [[Wikipedia:Goals| project's goals]]. To achieve Wikipedia's [[WP:Purpose|purpose]], a wide range of '''[[#Data structure and development|administrative pages]]''' are made available in various [[Wikipedia:Namespace|namespaces]] which enumerate the various [[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines| protocols and conventions]] created and implemented by  [[Wikipedia:Wikipedians|community]] [[WP:Consensus|consensus]] for English Wikipedia. Of course, this process is not generally [[wp:bots|automated]], and live '''[[#Human and legal administration|human administration]]''' is necessary to ensure that the editing of project pages, whether administration pages or  content pages, happens [[Queen's peace|peacefully]] and in accordance with the [[Wikimedia:Policies|policies]] generally, and loosely, [[WP:Enforcement|governing]] the creation and editing of all Wikipedia pages.

==Human and legal administration{{anchor|Human and legal administration}}==
{{shortcut|WP:ADMINH|WP:GOVH}}
{{Seealso|Wikipedia:Editorial oversight and control|User:Jimbo Wales/Statement of principles}}
{{See|History of Wikipedia#Development of Wikipedia}}
[[File:Wikimedia organizational and user rights hierarchy.svg|Wikipedia administrative structure|thumb|center|upright=3.0]]

At the top of the human and legal [[Central administration|administrative structure]] is the  [[Wikipedia:Wikimedia Foundation|Wikimedia Foundation]], a not-for-profit and charitable organization governed by a [[Wikimedia:Board of Trustees|Board of Trustees]]. Although the Wikimedia Foundation owns Wikipedia, it is largely uninvolved in the creation of [[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines|Wikipedia's policies]] and daily [[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines#Enforcement|implementation]] of those policies for [[Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act|legal reasons]] (see [[#Wikimedia Foundation|below]]). The [[Wikipedia community]] is generally self&minus;organizing and &minus;governing, as [[#Editors|editors]] with [[Wikipedia:Wikipedians#User permissions|varying administrative abilities]] and their elected project administrators are granted [[Wikipedia:Be bold|considerable discretion]] over the means used to accomplish [[Wikipedia:Purpose|Wikipedia's purpose]]. Editors are entrusted with the responsibility of upholding the integrity of Wikipedia while adhering to [[WP:COPYOTHERS|intellectual property]] rights, such as [[Wikipedia:Plagiarism|avoiding plagiarism]], respecting [[Wikipedia:Copyright violations|copyright laws]], and presenting [[Wikipedia:Citing sources|appropriate citations]] for article content. 

Pursuant to the [[WP:Five pillars|Five Pillars]], English Wikipedia [[WP:NOTBUREAU|does not occur according to firm rules]]. Wikipedia's  [[Wikipedia:The rules are principles|protocols are principles]], not a civil code or exacting law and are actualized using [[WP:COMMONSENSE|common sense]] and [[WP:IAR|editor discretion]]. Wikipedia's  [[Wikipedia:List of policies|policies]], [[Wikipedia:List of guidelines|guidelines]], and [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Contents|formatting norms]] are created and revised by the editing community to describe best practices, and clarify doctrine aimed at improving the encyclopedia and [[Wikipedia:Dispute resolution|resolving disputes]]. These "official" protocols and conventions require discussion and a high level of [[Wikipedia:Consensus|community-wide consensus]] for [[WP:PROPOSAL|promotion to a guideline or policy]], thus have a significant degree of influence during deliberations. Most [[Wikipedia:Processes|processes on Wikipedia]] depend on editor consensus in some form or another governed by Wikipedia's [[Wikipedia:Core content policies|content]] and [[Wikipedia:List of policies#Conduct|conduct]] policies. While consensus is the key method for making decisions, a [[WP:CONLEVEL|consensus amongst a small group of editors]] cannot override community wide policies such as "[[WP:NPOV|Neutral point of view]]". In order to determine community consensus and resolve ongoing disputes, a wide array of [[WP:PNBD|discussion venues]] are made available covering topic specific issues editors encounter in writing and maintaining Wikipedia. 

Ensuring the harmonious implementation of the project's ''editor consensus-developed protocols'' governing the creation and development of all types of pages are editors elected or appointed to certain roles: ''i.e.'', [[Wikipedia:Functionaries|functionaries]] like [[Meta:Stewards|stewards]] and the [[wp:Arbitration Committee|Arbitration Committee]], alongside [[Wikipedia:Bureaucrats|bureaucrats]], and [[Wikipedia:Administrators|administrators]], all of whom ultimately derive their own authority from the Wikimedia Foundation. As well as being [[Wikipedia:Mediation|volunteer mediators]], with the  [[Wikipedia:Administrators/Tools|ability (tools)]] to [[Wikipedia:Protection policy|restrict editing on pages]],  "project custodians" have the authority to [[WP:TBAN|limit]],  [[Wikipedia:Blocking policy|block]] or [[Wikipedia:Banning policy|ban]] individuals who would widely be seen as [[Wikipedia:Disruptive editing|disruptive]], [[Wikipedia:Tendentious editing|tendentious]], or [[Wikipedia:Gaming the system|dishonest]].  In cases where the conduct dispute resolution procedure has been ineffective, the [[Wikipedia:Arbitration/Policy|Arbitration Committee has the authority]] to deal with highly disruptive or sensitive situations. Some matters of a [[Wikipedia:List of policies#Legal|legal nature]]  with regards to the [[Wikipedia:Child protection|safety of children]], [[Wikipedia:Libel|libel statements]], [[Wikipedia:No legal threats|legal threats]] or [[Wikipedia:Responding to threats of harm| threats of harm]], are  [[Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents|reported to administrators]] and may be deferred to the [https://wikimediafoundation.org/about/contact/ Wikimedia Foundation] for resolution and the [[Wikipedia:Revision deletion|edit history of the incident removed]] from public view.

===Wikimedia Foundation===
{{See|History of Wikipedia#The Wikimedia Foundation and legal structures}}
{{Seealso|Wikipedia:Role of Jimmy Wales|WP:CONEXCEPT}}
[[File:Wikimedia Foundation logo - vertical.svg|upright=0.3|thumb|Logo of the Wikimedia Foundation.]]
The '''[[Wikipedia:Wikimedia Foundation|Wikimedia Foundation]]''' (WMF)  owns and operates Wikipedia, along with several other collaborative, [[wiki]]-based [[Internet]] [[Wikimedia Foundation#Wikimedia projects|projects]]. The WMF organizes the raising of money, distributes [[m:Grants|grants]], develops software, deploys that software, controls the servers, and does outreach to support [[Wikipedia:Wikimedia sister projects|Wikimedia projects]]. The WMF does not edit Wikipedia content (except for occasional [[Wikipedia:Office actions|office actions]]). Wikipedia editors handle content and internal policies because if the WMF did take responsibility for content, it would introduce liability issues per [[Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act]].

The WMF is governed and guided by the terms of their [http://www.sunbiz.org/pdf/%5C9003936.pdf Charter], [[wikimedia:Bylaws|Corporate Bylaws]], [[m:Mission statement|Mission Statement]], [[m:Vision|Vision]], [[m:Values|Values]], and [[m:Strategy|Strategy]] (the last two of which are not officially adopted by the Foundation).  In addition, the [[M:Founding principles|Founding Principles]] are a statement of the common principles guiding the founding of any Wikimedia project. See [[m:Policies|officially adopted policies]]. 

The global work of the Foundation is supported by "[[m:Wikimedia chapters|Wikimedia local chapters]]" (usually incorporated as non-profit corporations, according to the law of the locality), and each is governed by their own chapter board of trustees. Trustees of Wikimedia affiliates are assisted by a very small number of [[m:Staff|Wikimedia staff]].

===Editors===
{{shortcut|WP:ADMINE|WP:GOVE}}
[[File:Wikipedia-logo-v2.svg|upright=0.3|thumb|Icon that typically represents editors on Wikipedia]]
'''Editors''', often referred to as '''[[Wikipedia:Wikipedians|Wikipedians]]''',  are the individuals who comprise the '''community of volunteers''' that write and edit the pages of Wikipedia as opposed to [[WP:Reader|readers]], who simply read the articles. Some editors use their real life names as "[[Wikipedia:Username policy|user names]]", to identify themselves on Wikipedia, whereas others choose never to reveal personal information. Theoretically all editors are equal with no "power structure" or "law enforcement officers." There are however, within the editing community,  editors with  [[Wikipedia:User rights are not a golden ticket|extra privileges]] (maintenance responsibilities or ability to perform certain administrative actions). Other categories of contributors have also emerged, such as [[Wikipedian in residence|Wikipedians in residence]] and [[Wikipedia:Student assignments|students with assignments]] related to editing Wikipedia (see below). 

{{sidebox|text={{small|To locate your user access levels, go to [[Special:Preferences]].  In the "user profile" tab is "Member of groups".}}}}
'''[[Wikipedia:User access levels|User access levels]]''' (or ''User rights and groups'') are determined by whether an editor is [[Help:Logging in|logged into an account]], whether the account is of sufficient age or  by number of constrictive edits based on  knowledge of Wikipedia protocols. Some ''User  levels'' are granted automatically; for example, an  [[WP:AUTOCONFIRM|autoconfirmed user]] is an account that is more than four days old.  Others ''User rights'' are only given upon request, such as [[Wikipedia:Rollback|rollbacker]], [[Wikipedia:Page mover|page mover]] or [[Wikipedia:Template editor|template editor]].  Entry into  ''User groups'' such as [[Wikipedia:Administrators|administrator]] and [[Wikipedia:Bureaucrats|bureaucrat]], are determined by community discussion and consensus (see below). [[Wikipedia:Oversight|Oversight]] and [[Wikipedia:CheckUser|CheckUser]] ''Rights'' are only granted by the [[Wikipedia:Arbitration Committee|Arbitration Committee]], and only after [[Wikipedia:Arbitration Committee/CheckUser and Oversight#Appointments|strict scrutiny]]  (see below). The system-generated ''user rights''  are listed at [[Special:ListGroupRights]].

The English Wikipedia currently has [[Special:Statistics|{{NUMBEROFUSERS}}]] users who have registered a username. Only a minority of users contribute regularly ([[Special:Statistics|{{NUMBEROFACTIVEUSERS}}]] have edited in the last 30 days), and only a minority of those contributors participate in [[Wikipedia:Dashboard|community discussions]]. An unknown but relatively large number of [[Wikipedia:IPs are human too|unregistered Wikipedians]] also contribute to the site. [[Wikipedia:Why create an account?|Creating an account]] is free and has several benefits, for example, the ability to create pages, upload media, and edit without one's IP address being visible to the public.

====Stewardship====
[[File:Wikimedia steward Icon.svg|upright=0.3|thumb|Icon that typically represents stewards on Wikipedia]]
'''[[M:Stewards|Stewards]]''' are  '''volunteer editors''' with complete access to the wiki interface on all Wikimedia wikis, including the ability to change any and all [[mw:Manual:User rights|user rights and groups]]. This means that, along with the [[wp:Arbitration Committee|Wikipedia Arbitration Committee]], stewards have [[Wikipedia:CheckUser|Checkuser]] and [[wp:oversight|Oversight]] rights.  They are tasked with technical implementation of community consensus, dealing with emergencies, and intervening against cross-wiki vandalism. The number of stewards is not limited by any policies. Stewards are [[m:Stewards/Elections|elected]] annually by the global Wikimedia community. Candidates must have a support/oppose ratio of at least 80% with at least 30 supporting users. Current stewards are confirmed during each election. Stewards are subject to the [[Meta:Stewards policy|stewards' policy]]; further documentation may be found in the [[Meta:Steward handbook|steward handbook]].

The Wikimedia Foundation created the position of steward when it recognized the need to separate user rights management from software development and systems administration.

====Arbitration Committee====
[[File:Arbitration fez.png|upright=0.3|thumb|Icon that typically represents Arbitration Committee members on Wikipedia]]
Members of the '''[[Wikipedia:Arbitration Committee|Arbitration Committee]]''' (referred to as '''''ArbCom''''' or '''''Arbs'''''), are '''volunteer editors''' who act in concert or in sub-groups imposing  [[Wikipedia:Arbitration/Active sanctions|binding solutions]] on  [[WP:CONDUCTDISPUTE|conduct disputes]] the community has been unable to resolve. ArbCom has very wide latitude in adjudication with the authority to impose  [[Wikipedia:General sanctions|general sanctions]] and/or [[Wikipedia:Editing restrictions|personal sanctions]]  on editors or groups of editors. They impose sanctions, either as a result of remedies accepted during cases, or during requests for clarification or amendment, or as a result of motions. The arbitration process exists exclusively for Wikipedia '''conduct disputes''' (i.e., not content disputes that may require mediation). The committee also resolves issues by private hearings if factors such as privacy may preclude public consideration.

Arbitrators are [[Wikipedia:Arbitration Committee elections|elected annually]] in one-year or overlapping two-year terms. The original Committee was appointed by Jimmy Wales in December 2003 from a group of volunteers. Subsequently elections were held on a yearly basis with Wales ratifying the results, but this role evolved into a purely ceremonial one and he has not been involved at all since 2013. The Wikimedia Foundation supports the technical side of the electoral process and requires that candidates meet the Wikimedia Foundation's [[M:Access to nonpublic information policy|criteria for access to non-public data]] and sign the Foundation's non-public information [[Meta:Confidentiality agreement for nonpublic information|confidentiality agreement]].

The [[Wikipedia:Requests_for_comment/Arbitration_Committee_Elections_December_2011 |election rules]] are debated each year. Although nomination is subject only to rather [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Arbitration_Committee_Elections_December_2011&diff=469383785&oldid=468842468#Timeline broad criteria], in practice only Administrators have succeeded in being selected as Arbitrators.

====Bureaucrats====

'''[[Wikipedia:Bureaucrats|Bureaucrats]]''' are '''volunteer editors''' with the technical ability (user rights) to:
[[File:Wikipedia bureaucrat.svg|upright=0.3|thumb|Icon that typically represents bureaucrats on Wikipedia]]
* promote other users to [[Wikipedia:Administrators|administrator]] or bureaucrat status.
* remove the admin status of other users
* grant and revoke an account's [[Wikipedia:Bots|bot]] status.

They are bound by policy and consensus to grant administrator or bureaucrat access only when doing so reflects the wishes of the community, usually after a successful request at [[Wikipedia:Requests for adminship]]. In like fashion, they are expected to exercise judgement in granting or removing bot flags on the advice of the [[Wikipedia:Bot Approvals Group|Bot Approvals Group]]. They are expected to be capable judges of consensus, and are expected to explain the reasoning for their actions on request and in a civil manner. Users are granted bureaucrat status by community consensus. The process is similar to [[Wikipedia:Administrators#Becoming_an_administrator|the process of granting administrator status]], but the expectations for potential bureaucrats are higher and community consensus must be clearer. 

Bureaucrats do not have the technical ability to grant other levels of access (they cannot assign oversight or checkuser rights). These actions are performed by [[m:Stewards|stewards]], a small multilingual group that serves all Wikimedia projects. Additional stewards are elected annually; for more information see [[m:Requests for permissions|Requests for permissions]]. Changes in user rights by stewards are recorded at [[m:Special:Log/rights]]. The English Wikipedia currently has {{NUMBERINGROUP:bureaucrat}} bureaucrats as of {{date}}. Though not required by policy, in practice all bureaucrats are also Administrators.

====Administrators====
[[File:Wikipedia Administrator.svg|upright=0.3|thumb|Icon that typically represents administrators on Wikipedia]]
'''[[Wikipedia:Administrators|Administrators]]''', commonly known as '''admins''' or '''sysops''' ('''sys'''tem '''op'''erator'''s'''), are  volunteer editors who have been trusted with access to restricted technical features ("tools"). For example, administrators can [[Wikipedia:Protection policy|protect]] and [[Wikipedia:Deletion policy|delete]] pages, and [[Wikipedia:Blocking policy|block]] other editors. See [[Wikipedia:Administrators/Tools]]. Administrators are appointed after a successful community review process at [[Wikipedia:Requests for adminship]] in which [[Wikipedia:Consensus|consensus]] is determined by the bureaucrats. The English Wikipedia currently has {{NUMBEROFADMINS}} administrators as of {{date}}.

Administrators assume  responsibilities as '''volunteers'''; thus are never required to use their tools, and must never use them to gain an advantage in a dispute in which they are involved (see: [[Wikipedia:What adminship is not]]).  Only [[Jimmy Wales]] or the [[Wikipedia:Arbitration Committee|Wikipedia Arbitration Committee]] may authorize the [[WP:Administrators#Removal of adminship (desysopping)|removal of administrator privileges]], and this authorization may be executed by any [[Wikipedia:Bureaucrats|bureaucrat]] or [[Wikipedia:Stewards|steward]].

====Wikipedians in residence====

A '''[[Wikipedian in residence]]''' is a  '''volunteer editor''' who accepts a placement with an institution, typically an art gallery, library, archive or museum or institute of higher education (such as a university) to facilitate [[Wikipedia editing|Wikipedia entries]]. Typical duties of such posts include outreach to other staff and members of the public, as well as making contributions to articles relevant to the institution's materials and mission. Such outreach work may include the arranging of training events and [[editathon]]s. See  [[Wikipedia:GLAM]] for more information.

====Educators and students====
The '''[[Wikipedia:Education program|Education program]]''' helps with the coordination of '''educators and students''' around the world [[Wikipedia:Contributing to Wikipedia|contribute to Wikipedia]] and other Wikimedia projects in an academic setting. Educators '''[[Wikipedia:Student assignments|assign their students]]''' to contribute to Wikipedia based on course-related topics. Programs are run by [[m:Wikimedia chapters|Wikimedia local chapters]] (usually incorporated as non-profit corporations, according to the law of the locality), affiliate organizations, and dedicated volunteer Wikipedia editors. Supporting the program is a limited number of  [[m:Education/About/Staff| staff members at the Wikimedia Foundation]], who help program leaders start and scale their programs sustainably.

==Data structure and development{{anchor|Data structure and development}}==
{{shortcut|WP:ADMINP|WP:GOVP}}
{{Seealso|Wikipedia:Page name|Wikipedia:Namespace}}
Development of the Wikipedia [[data structure]]  occurs within various [[wp:namespace|namespaces]]. Namespaces allow for the organization and separation of [[#Content namespaces|content pages]] from [[#Administrative namespaces|administration pages]]. Each namespace also segregates and organizes data according to its function within the overall project schema (articles, portals, files, drafts, templates etc.).  Namespaces separate data into core sets, those intended for public viewing, and those intended for the editing community. Unlike the [[Wikipedia:What is an article?|Article namespace]], and other content related namespaces, such as the [[Wikipedia:Portal|Portal namespace]], administrative namespaces are used to ''assist the building of content'' and ''should be'' seen to be mutually exclusive of content pages, except for cases where a linkage is required. In other words, administration pages ''should be'' in the background and ''not visible'' to the reader. 
{{namespaces}}
Administration pages, including  [[Wikipedia:User pages|user pages]], [[Wikipedia:Drafts|draft pages]],  [[Wikipedia:policies|policies pages]], [[Wikipedia:Information pages|information pages]], [[Wikipedia:Maintenance|maintenance pages]], [[Wikipedia:Talk page guidelines|talk pages]] and [[Wikipedia:Noticeboards|interactive forums]]  fall completely within the bounds of administration, as distinguished from content. In this regard, [[Wikipedia:Categorization|categories]] are utilized for both content and administration but ''should not have'' both types of pages within the same category. [[Wikipedia:Template namespace|Templates]] are also used for both content and administration pages and therefore, unlike other administrative pages, are collected together and entirely as sub-categories of [[:Category:Wikipedia templates]]. 

Excluding the Article namespace all namespaces use a prefix; for example, all [[Wikipedia:User pages|user pages]] are prefixed by <code>User:</code>, and  [[Wikipedia:Help namespace|help pages]] by the prefix <code>Help:</code>.  Some [[Help:Namespace#Pseudo-namespaces|namespaces also have abbreviated identifiers]], for example typing <code>WT:</code> is a [[Help:Shortcut|shortcut redirect]] for the "Wikipedia talk" namespace and <code>H:</code> for the  "Help" namespace.  By default  [[Help:Searching|Wikipedia's search engine]]  is restricted to the Article namespace. However typing a namespace "name" (prefix) followed by a colon limits search results to that namespace (see  [[Special:Search]] for details).  Namespace prefixes should not be confused with prefixes for [[Help:Interwiki linking|interwiki linking]]. Each namespace is given a numerical value - intended for hiding pages on a watchlist  (see [[Wikipedia:Hide Pages in Watchlist|Hide Pages in Watchlist]] for details). 
===Content namespaces===
Content namespaces are intended for use by readers as part of the encyclopedia.  

====Article namespace====
The '''[[Wikipedia:What is an article?|Main namespace]]''' or '''Article namespace''' is the namespace of Wikipedia that contains the encyclopedia proper—that is, where content—[[Wikipedia:What is an article?|Wikipedia articles]] reside. The main namespace is the default namespace and does not use a prefix in article page names. This is distinct from other namespaces where page names are always prefixed by an indicator of the particular namespace in which the page resides. Thus, any page created '''''without''''' such a prefix will automatically be placed in the article namespace.  The Main namespace number is zero (0).

====Portal namespace====

The '''[[Wikipedia:Portal|Portal namespace]]''' is intended to serve as "main pages" for content (articles)  to specific topics or areas. The idea of a portal is to help readers and/or editors navigate their way through Wikipedia topic areas through pages similar to the [[Main Page]].  In essence, portals such as the [[Portal:Contents|Contents portal]], are useful entry-points to Wikipedia's content. Portals may be associated with [[Wikipedia:WikiProject|WikiProjects]]; however, unlike WikiProjects, portals are meant for both readers and editors of Wikipedia, and should promote content and its navigation.
 
A portal link box may be added to a page by typing <kbd>{{[[Template:Portal|Portal]]|<portal name>}}</kbd> for example <kbd><nowiki>{{Portal|Energy}}</nowiki></kbd>. If more than one portal is to be linked use a second parameter, for example <kbd><nowiki>{{Portal|Energy|Cycling}}</nowiki></kbd>. At present, there are {{PAGESINCATEGORY:All portals}} portals on Wikipedia. Pages in this namespace will always have the prefix <code>Portal:</code> and alias <code>P:</code>. The Portal namespace number is one hundred (100). See [[Wikipedia:Portal guidelines]] for general guidelines and best practices.

<inputbox>
type=fulltext
width=25
namespaces=Portal**
searchbuttonlabel=Search Portal namespace
break=no
placeholder=e.g. Photography
</inputbox>

====Category namespace====
The '''[[Help:Category|Category namespace]]''' is a software feature of [[MediaWiki]], which enables pages to be added to automatic listings. These help structure Wikipedia's contents and administrative pages by grouping together pages on similar subjects. A category page lists the articles (or administrative pages) that have been added to a particular category. There may also be a section listing the ''subcategories'' of that category. The subcategorization feature makes it possible to organize categories into tree-like structures to aid navigation.  

Article pages should be kept out of administrative categories if possible. There are separate administrative categories for different kinds of non-article pages, such as [[Wikipedia:Template|template]] categories, [[Wikipedia:Disambiguation|disambiguation page]] categories, [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia namespace|project page]] categories etc. See [[WP:PROJCATS]] for details.

To add a page to a category, include "<code>[[<nowiki />Category:''Category name'']]</code>" or "<code>[[<nowiki />Category:''Category name''|''Sortkey'']]</code>" in that page's [[Help:Wiki markup|wikimarkup]]. The categories to which a page belongs appear in a box at the bottom of the page.  Pages in this namespace will always have the prefix <code>Category:</code> and alias <code>CAT:</code>. The Category namespace number is fourteen (14). See [[Wikipedia:Categorization]] for generally accepted standards.

<inputbox>
type=fulltext
width=25
namespaces=Category**
searchbuttonlabel=Search Category namespace
break=no
placeholder=e.g. Women's suffrage
</inputbox>

<!-- please leave a place in case a new extension is developed. See Wikipedia:Village_pump_(technical)/Archive_176#Suppress_rendering_of_Template:Wikipedia_books
====Book namespace====
The  '''[[Wikipedia:Books|Book namespace]]''' is for collection of Wikipedia articles that can be easily saved, rendered electronically, and ordered as a printed book. For information and help on community books in general, see [[Help:Books]] (general tips) and [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Books|WikiProject Wikipedia-Books]] (questions and assistance).   Pages in this namespace will always have the prefix <code>Book:</code>.The Book namespace number is one hundred eight (108).
:'''Note: '''{{Small|1=The Book Creator software has had significant limitations. For Help on downloading a page as a PDF, see '''[[Help:Download as PDF]]'''.}}
<inputbox>
type=fulltext
width=25
namespaces=Book**
searchbuttonlabel=Search Book namespace
break=no
placeholder=e.g. History of France
</inputbox>
-->

===Administrative namespaces===
{{shortcut|WP:ADMINPS|WP:GOVPS}}
Administrative namespaces are intended for use by editors or by automated tools for the administration and governance of the encyclopedia. See also [[:Category:Wikipedia project content guidelines]]

====Talk namespace====
[[File:Wiki talk tab.png|thumb|right|Location of the talk page tab]]
For every type of namespace (including the Main namespace) there is a corresponding '''[[Wikipedia:Talk page guidelines|Talk namespace]]''' or '''Talk page''', reached by clicking the <span style="color:#0000FF"> <tt>Talk</tt> </span>tab just above the title. The accompanying talk namespace for each namespace page is a place where editors may discuss and dialogue on their work in the various administrative and content pages in the corresponding namespaces. (Note: on [[Wikipedia:Noticeboards| interactive noticeboards]] discussion happen on the main page.)  

The talk pages are designated by appending the word <code>talk</code> to the namespace name. The talk namespace associated with the article namespace is  '''Talk:'''.   Whereas the user and project namespaces are even-numbered, the talk namespaces are odd-numbered and are assigned the odd number that follows the corresponding substantive namespace number. See [[Help:Using talk pages]] for general advice.

<inputbox>
type=fulltext
width=25
namespaces=Talk**
searchbuttonlabel=Search Talk namespace
break=no
placeholder=e.g. World War II
</inputbox>

====User namespace====
Wikipedia provides personal '''[[Wikipedia:User pages|user pages]]'''  in the '''User namespace''' to facilitate communication among participants [[Wikipedia:Here to build an encyclopedia|here to  build an encyclopedia]]. Generally, substantial content on a user page that is unrelated to Wikipedia is avoided. [[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not#Wikipedia is not a blog, webspace provider, social networking, or memorial site|Wikipedia is not a general hosting service]], so a user page is not used as a personal website. However, a user page may be about the particular editor's "persona" as a Wikipedian, including the pages to which the user has contributed or their general interests in regard to subjects or projects related to Wikipedia, its administration and content. In addition, there is broad agreement that an editor may not include in their user space any material that is likely to bring the project into disrepute.  

To reach a user page, simply type <code>User:username</code>, where "username" is the user's Wikipedia username.  The talk namespace associated with the user namespace has the prefix  <code>User talk:</code>. The User namespace is assigned the namespace number two (2). See [[Wikipedia:User page design center]] for some fun.
<inputbox>
type=fulltext
width=25
namespaces=User**
searchbuttonlabel=Search User namespace
break=no
placeholder=e.g. Jimbo Wales
</inputbox>

===="Wikipedia" aka Project namespace====

Although it may appear from its name that the '''[[Wikipedia:Project namespace|Wikipedia namespace]]''' or the '''Project namespace''' might contain the actual content of the Wikipedia articles, this is not correct. The Main namespace is the default namespace and therefore does not use a prefix in article page names. The Project namespace is a namespace consisting of pages with information or discussion about Wikipedia itself. As such, Wikipedia namespace pages are purely administrative, and the inclusion of substantive content should be avoided unless the content itself is about administration. The project namespace includes, [[WP:POLICIES|policies, guidelines]], [[WP:ESSAYS|essays]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject|WikiProjects]],  [[WP:INFOPAGES|informative]],  [[:Category:Wikipedia discussion|discussion]], [[Wikipedia:Maintenance|maintenance]] and process pages like [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion]]. This "information page" is contained within the ''Wikipedia namespace''. 

Pages in this namespace will always have the prefix <code>Wikipedia:</code>. They can also be reached by alias <code>WP:</code> or the standard (for any [[MediaWiki]] site) prefix <code>Project:</code>. The Wikipedia namespace number is four (4).

<inputbox>
type=fulltext
width=25
namespaces=Wikipedia**
searchbuttonlabel=Search Wikipedia namespace
break=no 
placeholder=e.g. Citing sources
</inputbox>

====Help namespace====
The '''[[Wikipedia:Help namespace|Help namespace]]''' consisting of Wikipedia pages whose titles begin with the prefix <code>Help:</code> and alias <code>H:</code>, such as [[Help:Link]]. These pages contain information intended to help use Wikipedia or its software. Some of these pages are intended for readers of the encyclopedia; others are intended for editors, whether beginning or advanced. Some of the pages in the Help namespace are copied from [[Wikipedia:Meta|Meta-Wiki]].

There is a large amount of overlap between the Help namespace and the [[WP:Project namespace|Wikipedia namespaces]]. For this reason [[Help:redirect|redirect]]s and [[WP:hatnote|hatnote]]s are often set up between these two namespaces. See [[Help:About the help pages]] for more information. The Help namespace number is twelve (12).

<inputbox>
type=fulltext
width=25
namespaces=Help**
searchbuttonlabel=Search Help namespace
break=no
placeholder=e.g. Adding sources
</inputbox>

====File namespace====
The '''[[Help:Files|File namespace]]''' contains millions of illustrative [[image]]s and other [[electronic media]].  The File Namespace is the namespace in which all of Wikipedia's media content resides including data files for images, video clips, or audio clips, including document length clips; or midi files (a small, computer-instructions file). The media filenames all begin with the prefix <code>File:</code>. The File namespace number is six (6). 

A typical file can be inserted with the line code <code><nowiki>[[File:...|thumb|...]]</nowiki></code>. <code>Image:</code> can be substituted for <code>File:</code> with no change in effect for images, the choice between the two is purely a matter of editorial preference. Only [[Help:Logging in|logged in]] users can [[Help:Files|upload files]] under an [[Wikipedia:File names|appropriate title]]. See [[Wikipedia:Creation and usage of media files]] for more information.

<inputbox>
type=fulltext
width=25
namespaces=File**
searchbuttonlabel=Search File namespace
break=no
placeholder=e.g. Flag of Australia
</inputbox>

====Template namespace====
The '''[[Wikipedia:Template namespace|Template namespace]]'''  is used to store templates, intended for inclusion on multiple pages. [[Wikipedia:Template|Templates]] are an administrative feature that generally duplicate the same content across more than one page while helping reduce [[Help:Wiki markup|wikitext]] and [[Help:HTML in wikitext| HTML markup]]. You can change a template  and it will immediately propagate to the pages that use it. Common uses include to display [[Help:MediaWiki namespace|administrative notices]], [[Help:Infobox|infoboxes]], [[WP:Navbox|navigational boxes]], standard warnings, special text formatting, unit conversions, calculations and many other purposes. The most common method of inclusion is called [[Wikipedia:Transclusion|transclusion]], where the wikitext of the target page contains a reference to the template, using the <code><nowiki>{{Template&nbsp;name}}</nowiki></code> syntax. 

Pages in this namespace will always have the prefix <code>Template:</code> and alias <code>T:</code>.  The Template namespace number is ten (10).  See  [[Help:Template]]  for information on developing templates and syntax details. For a table of some useful templates, see [[Wikipedia:Template messages]].  For detailed templating documentation see [[m:Help:Template]]. 

<inputbox>
type=fulltext
width=25
namespaces=Template**
searchbuttonlabel=Search Template namespace
break=no
placeholder=e.g. Citation
</inputbox>

====Draft namespace====

The '''[[Wikipedia:Drafts|Draft namespace]]''' is where new articles may be stored allowing them to be developed and receive feedback before being moved to Wikipedia's [[WP:mainspace|mainspace]]. Editors may also create [[Help:Userspace draft|draft pages in their userspace]]. Drafts are [[Noindex|not indexed]] by most search engines including Google, meaning most readers will not find them. However anyone may search and view drafts on Wikipedia directly by using the [[Special:Search]] option. Pages in this namespace will always have the prefix <code>Draft:</code>. The Draft namespace number is one hundred and eighteen (118).
<center>
{{{!}}
{{!}}style="valign:center;padding-right:0.5em;"{{!}}
{{!}}<center>'''Create a new draft now!'''</center>
{{#tag:InputBox |
type=create
preload=Template:Article wizard/skeleton
placeholder=Intended article name 
prefix=Draft:
editintro=Template:AfC draft editintro
buttonlabel=Create draft 
width=25
break=no}}
{{!}}}
</center>

====MediaWiki namespace====
The '''[[Help:MediaWiki namespace|MediaWiki namespace]]''' is the database structure namespace used by [[MediaWiki]] software, on which Wikipedia runs. The pages in this namespace (whose titles begin <code>MediaWiki:</code>) contain the text to be displayed in certain places in the web interface. Only [[Wikipedia:Administrators|administrator]]s can edit this namespace, but all editors can propose changes on the appropriate talk pages.  See [[Wikipedia:Village pump (technical)]] and [[Wikipedia:Developers]] for more information. See [[Wikipedia:MediaWiki messages]] for discussions about the content of MediaWiki pages. The MediaWiki namespace number is eight (8)

<inputbox>
type=fulltext
width=25
namespaces=MediaWiki**
searchbuttonlabel=Search MediaWiki namespace
break=no
placeholder=e.g. Abusefilter
</inputbox>

===Virtual namespaces===
There are two virtual namespaces that do not relate to pages stored in the database: '''Special''' and '''Media'''.

====Special namespace====
'''[[Help:Special page|Special pages]]''' are pages that have no [[Help:Wiki markup|wikitext]], but are generated by the software on demand. They are found in the "Special:" namespace. It is not possible to make a redirect to a special page, or to create normal pages beginning with the "Special:" prefix. Special pages often take parameters. Sometimes these can be supplied after a slash (as in [[Special:Log/block]]); in other cases an index.php call is used (as in [[Special:RecentChanges]]).  Also the content of some special pages depends on preferences that have been set by the user, e.g. classic or enhanced Recent Changes, the number of titles in Recent Changes and the watchlist, etc.

The special pages can be accessed from [[Special:SpecialPages]], which is found in the sidebar of every page on Wikipedia. It is located in the Toolbox section. The namespace number for a special namespace page is negative one (-1).

====Media namespace====

The '''[[WP:Media namespace|Media namespace]]''' is  used to render a link which can activate the image or audio or video of a data file directly, on its own page (separate from the rendered page or the file page), for example [[Media:Great Feeling.ogv]]. The Media namespace number is negative two (-2).

==See also ==
{{main|Wikipedia:Essay directory#About Wikipedia}}
* [[User:Jimbo Wales/Statement of principles]] – ''statement of principles!'' by the co-founder of Wikipedia, [[Jimmy Wales]], as updated by the community since then.
* [[Wikipedia:Contributing to Wikipedia|Contributing to Wikipedia]] – the main "how-to" page that provides information, links, videos and other resources on the basics needed to comprehend, comment on, and edit Wikipedia.
* [[Wikipedia:Core content policies|Core content policies]]  – a brief summary and background on Wikipedia's core content policies.
* [[Wikipedia:Editorial discretion|Editorial discretion]] – discusses how common sense and Wikipedia policy dictates that editors must practice discretion regarding the proper inclusion of relevant and well-sourced content.
* [[Wikipedia:Editor integrity|Editor integrity]] – discusses how editors have a responsibility to uphold the integrity of Wikipedia and respect intellectual property rights of the sources they draw upon when they create and improve encyclopedia pages.
* [[Wikipedia:The essence of Wikipedia|The essence of Wikipedia]] – describes how Wikipedia is the harnessing of the collective intelligence and collaborative efforts of editors who hold opposing points of view, in an attempt to preserve all serious contributions which are reliably sourced.
* [[Wikipedia:The role of policies in collaborative anarchy|The role of policies in collaborative anarchy]] – describes how policies produce a quality encyclopaedia. 
* [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Democracy|WikiProject Democracy]] – links to information where ''you'' can participate in governing Wikipedia.

==Further reading==
{{Main|Bibliography of Wikipedia|Academic studies about Wikipedia}}
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book|author=Dariusz Jemielniak|title=Common Knowledge?: An Ethnography of Wikipedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hBpuAwAAQBAJ&pg=PP1|year=2014|publisher=Stanford University Press|isbn=978-0-8047-8944-8}}
*{{cite book|author1=Joseph M. Reagle|author2=Lawrence Lessig|title=Good Faith Collaboration: The Culture of Wikipedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=msLxCwAAQBAJ&pg=PP1|year=2012|publisher=MIT Press|isbn=978-0-262-28870-5}}
*{{cite book|author1=Thomas Leitch|author2=Thomas M. Leitch|title=Wikipedia U: Knowledge, Authority, and Liberal Education in the Digital Age|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SEtjBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA31|date= 2014|publisher=JHU Press|isbn=978-1-4214-1535-2|page=31|chapter=Paradoxes of Authority }}
*{{cite book|author1=Wolfgang Gaul|author2=Andreas Geyer-Schulz|author3=Lars Schmidt-Thieme|title=Challenges at the Interface of Data Analysis, Computer Science, and Optimization|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u7-e_TPHqv0C&pg=PA272|volume= Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the Gesellschaft für Klassifikation e. V., Karlsruhe|date= 2012|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-3-642-24465-0|page=272|chapter=Wikipedia: A Directed Graph of Articles}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{external media | width = 210px| float = right
| video1 =[https://www.ted.com/talks/jimmy_wales_on_the_birth_of_wikipedia Jimmy Wales: The birth of Wikipedia],  2005 TED (conference), 20 mins.}}
*[[m:Wikipedia power structure]]
*[[m:Wikipedia Governance]] -  an essay written in 2002 by the co-founder of Wikipedia, [[Jimmy Wales]].
{{Wikipedia community |state=collapsed}}
{{Basic information}}
{{Wikipedia accounts|state=collapsed}}
{{Wikimedia Foundation}}
[[Category:Wikipedia features|{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Wikipedia administration| ]]
[[Category:Wikipedia basic information|Administration]]