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{{essay|WP:TALKCRUFT|WP:DISCUSSCRUFT|WP:CRUFTISREAL}}
{{nutshell|Many Wikipedians use [[Wikipedia:Fancruft|cruft]] as a shorthand term to describe [[Wikipedia:NOT#Content|content that is inappropriate for Wikipedia]]. |Because cruft is a real problem, efforts to identify cruft should be taken in [[Wikipedia:Assume good faith|good faith]]. |In order to appropriately deal with cruft, editors need to be specific and back their assertions with [[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines|Wikipedia's policy and guidelines]] rather than [[Wikipedia:Arguments to avoid in deletion discussions#Personal point of view|personal preference]].}}

"[[Cruft]]" is computer jargon for excessive or needlessly detailed information. It has become adopted by the Wikipedia community in order to describe information that embodies excessive detail and triviality, to the point that it violates [[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines|Wikipedia's policies and guidelines]].

Many Wikipedians use "[[Wikipedia:Fancruft|cruft]]" as a shorthand term to describe [[Wikipedia:NOT#Content|content that is inappropriate for Wikipedia]], and the use of this term should not always be treated as a bad faith dismissal of the information. Nevertheless, editors who declare something to be "cruft" should take care to explain in their rationale for deletion which policy it fails and why it fails it.<ref>See [[WP:IDONTLIKEIT]]</ref>

== How to talk about cruft ==
=== Cruft is a real problem, not a dirty word ===
''Bad Example:''
* I agree that this does not belong in Wikipedia. But calling it cruft is offensive. –[[User:Workingeditor|Workingeditor]] 00:01, July 4 2008 (UTC)
''Good Example:''
* I would appreciate it if you would help me identify the cruft. This article can be cleaned up and improved. –[[User:Workingeditor|Workingeditor]] 00:01, July 4 2008 (UTC)

Cruft is a real problem in Wikipedia. Excessive or needless information prevents Wikipedia from meeting its [[Wikipedia:NOT#Content|content standards]]. Such content can make Wikipedia harder to read, harder to navigate, less reliable, and generally affect Wikipedia's quality and reputation. Although editors may sometimes disagree about what is or is not cruft, it does not make Wikipedia's policies and guidelines any less valid or important. Cruft is not a [[four-letter word]]. Honest efforts to identify and fix cruft should be taken in [[Wikipedia:Assume good faith|good faith]].

=== Don't just state it ===
''Bad Example:''
* '''Delete''' this is cruft. –[[User:Crufthater|Crufthater]] 00:01, July 4 2008 (UTC)
''Good Example:''
* '''Delete''' this content as it is completely [[WP:V|unverified]] cruft. Because no one can find reliable secondary sources on this subject we should delete it. –[[User:Crufthater|Crufthater]] 00:01, July 4 2008 (UTC)

[[WP:DEMOCRACY|Wikipedia is not a democracy.]] Expressing your opinion is okay. But opinions on Wikipedia gain more weight when they are backed by logic and evidence. Your opinion will not have much credibility if it is just a bald assertion. Learn to make stronger arguments and your voice will make a stronger impact. Learn to understand the [[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines|policies and guidelines]] of Wikipedia and learn to apply these standards when evaluating whether information is cruft. Above all, learn to be specific and clear.

=== Talk about articles, not editors ===
''Bad Example:''
* This is a lot of cruft. Are the editors of this article stupid? –[[User:Crufthater|Crufthater]] 00:01, July 4 2008 (UTC)
''Good Example:''
* This content is a lot of cruft. Let us work together to fix it. –[[User:Crufthater|Crufthater]] 00:01, July 4 2008 (UTC)

[[Wikipedia:Civility|Civility]] is a standard all editors have to follow. Honest and constructive criticism is always valuable. But insulting editors is considered an act of incivility. A pattern of gross incivility may result in action from an administrator. Focus on the cruft itself rather than the person who added it.

=== Articles don't have feelings ===
''Bad Example:''
* Please don't call my article cruft. I worked hard on it and you're hurting my feelings. –[[User:Workingeditor|Workingeditor]] 00:01, July 4 2008 (UTC)
''Good Example:''
* We can [[WP:V|verify]] most of this article with reliable secondary sources. If there is any cruft left, we can clean it up. –[[User:Workingeditor|Workingeditor]] 00:01, July 4 2008 (UTC)

Nobody likes to find out that their hard work violates the [[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines|policies and guidelines]]. But this is [[Wikipedia:No personal attacks|not a personal attack]] on your interests or abilities. There may be ways for you to improve your work so that it meets Wikipedia's quality standards. And there are many other sites on the Internet for [[WP:NOT|what Wikipedia is not]].

=== It's not about what you like ===
''Bad Examples:''
* I hate this cruft. –[[User:Crufthater|Crufthater]] 00:01, July 4 2008 (UTC)
* I like this article. It's useful information, not cruft. –[[User:Workingeditor|Workingeditor]] 00:01, July 4 2008 (UTC)
''Good Examples:''
* This article is cruft that violates specific guidelines ... –[[User:Crufthater|Crufthater]] 00:01, July 4 2008 (UTC)
* The information is properly referenced. What is the real problem here? –[[User:Workingeditor|Workingeditor]] 00:01, July 4 2008 (UTC)

[[Wikipedia:Arguments to avoid in deletion discussions#Personal point of view|Personal likes and dislikes should be avoided in deletion discussions]], and in discussing articles in general. Cruft isn't whatever you don't like. Cruft is defined by [[WP:NOT|what Wikipedia is not]]. Discuss the [[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines|policies and guidelines]] and how they apply to the information to determine whether it is cruft.

== What to do with suspected cruft ==
Be [[WP:BOLD|bold]] and remove it. Often that will be sufficient but if you are reverted then:
# Tag the article with a [[Wikipedia:Template messages|template message]] that specifically identifies the problem.
# Discuss which parts of the information [[WP:NOT|don't belong in Wikipedia]] and remove it.
# [[WP:V|Verify]] as much of the information as possible with [[WP:RS|reliable secondary sources]].
# If cleaning up cruft will result in a [[Wikipedia:Stub|short stub article]], consider [[Wikipedia:Merging|merging]] the article into a larger topic.
# If cleaning up cruft will result in virtually no information, consider [[Wikipedia:Redirect|redirecting]] the article or [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion|nominating it for deletion]].
# And always engage in civil, well-reasoned discussion.

== Wikipedia rules that target cruft ==
=== Policy ===
* [[Wikipedia:Verifiability]]
* [[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view]]
* [[Wikipedia:No original research]]
* [[WP:CSD|Wikipedia:Criteria for Speedy Deletion]]
* [[Wikipedia:Copyrights]]
* [[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not]]
** [[WP:NOT#OR|Wikipedia is not a publisher of original thought]]
** [[WP:SOAP|Wikipedia is not a soapbox]]
** [[WP:NOT#LINK|Wikipedia is not a mirror or a repository of links, images, or media files]]
** [[WP:NOT#DIR|Wikipedia is not a directory]]
** [[WP:NOT#IINFO|Wikipedia is not an indiscriminate collection of information]]

=== Guidelines ===
* [[Wikipedia:Notability]]
* [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style (writing about fiction)|Wikipedia:Writing about fiction]]
* [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia is not for things made up one day]]
* [[Wikipedia:Reliable sources]]
* [[Wikipedia:Avoid neologisms]]
* [[Wikipedia:Trivia sections]]

=== Jimbo ===
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia_talk:Five_pillars&diff=147519397&oldid=147508964 Jimbo Wales on trivia]

== Notes ==
{{reflist}}

== See also ==
=== Opinions on appropriate content ===
* [[Wikipedia:Fancruft|Fancruft]]
* [[Wikipedia:Listcruft|Listcruft]]
* [[WP:SPADE|Call a spade a spade]]
* [[Wikipedia:Pokémon test|Pokémon test]]
* [[Wikipedia:Complete bollocks|Complete bollocks]]
* [[Wikipedia:Vanispamcruftisement|Vanispamcruftisement]]

=== Opinions on appropriate discussion ===
* [[Wikipedia:Fancruft|Fancruft]]
* [[Wikipedia:Cruftcruft|Cruftcruft]]
* [[Wikipedia:Don't call things cruft|Don't call things cruft]]
* [[Wikipedia:Call a spade a spade|Call a spade a spade]]

{{Wikipedia essays|civility}}

[[Category:Wikipedia discussion]]

Wikipedia:Discussing cruft - Revision history

Tachyony: Imported page