A few of these issues have been raised before in previous conversations but I'll try to focus on the actual FAQ text to give this context.
1. I am concerned that the level of detail that is being asked to accompany every new image will be a significant barrier to participants. Specifically, the demand that every image be justified as to why it is being uploaded. In some cases, the items are being uploaded in order to offer others an opportunity to comment - to do what wikis are designed to do - which is to build a basis for discussion in order to allow others to come along and add text or flesh out the topic. Of course, in order for that to work, I think we need to help direct people to these areas where additional discussion is wanted/needed.
So I'd tweak the policy to avoid implying that every image needs to be accompanied by a dissertation and a full blown analysis. And I'd make it explicit this wiki is not academic focused - and keep the Wiki firmly in the fannish sphere.
ex: For this section - "Second, the images should there to illustrate a point..." - I'd add at the end....
"This does not mean you have to write a dissertation on every image or feel obligated to manufacture a reason that sounds academic or scholarly. Fanlore is a fannish wiki and we want to document what *fans* think is important and noteworthy. In some cases, uploading a zine cover to document the existence of a fanzine is in itself a good enough reason. Or perhaps you want to upload an image in order to invite others to discuss a trope, a fanwork, or a trend. If this is the case, then please consider using the 'Needs more commentary' Template."
2. Images and Permission On 'Unused Images'
I'd adjust this next bit to indicate that you don't have to (nor should you) have to track down one person in order to ask them to make your edits. Also, to stress that deletion is not the first 'go to" choice.
QUESTION: Wait! Someone uploaded my image without permission and it's not being used in any article. What should I do?
"Another option is to leave a note on the talk page asking for others to add the additional commentary. It may take a few days for people to respond, but since Wikis are collaborative efforts we want to include as many possible POVs and incorporate as many ideas as possible. If neither of these options work, you can leave a note on the talk page asking the image to be deleted because its use doesn't fit fair use parameters."
3. You might want to include a section to address the concerns artists might have upon seeing their art labeled as explicit, depicting rape or depicting underage sex ("Explicit? That's not explicit. That's just Snape waving a banana around. He's not going to do anything kinky with it! Wah!")
Something like: "Help! I think an image is incorrectly labeled as sexually explicit, depicting rape or sex with underage characters. What do I do?"
and...... I''ll let others take the initial stab at answering this tricky question. ;-)
4. And last......"I see an image that is lacking all the required Summary Information on the Image page. Should I just delete it?"
"We ask that you do not delete an image simply because it seems to be missing some - or all - of the Summary information. First, head over to the page where the image is being used in an article - you can find that by looking at the "what links here" section at the bottom of the image page. The copyright and attribution info is often placed on the article page where people will actually be viewing the image. If you want, you can transfer the summary info to the image page, but it is not necessary. Also, keep in mind that many images were uploaded under different image policies so the info may not have been included for a reason.
If there is no copyright info (source or link to where the info came from) then you can contact the person who uploaded the image to see if they have the info. You can also attach a Gardener notice asking for help in tracking down source and usage info. There are thousands of images on Fanlore that have been uploaded by many different people so there are bound to be inconsistencies. "
Initial Thoughts/Feedback
1. I am concerned that the level of detail that is being asked to accompany every new image will be a significant barrier to participants. Specifically, the demand that every image be justified as to why it is being uploaded. In some cases, the items are being uploaded in order to offer others an opportunity to comment - to do what wikis are designed to do - which is to build a basis for discussion in order to allow others to come along and add text or flesh out the topic. Of course, in order for that to work, I think we need to help direct people to these areas where additional discussion is wanted/needed.
So I'd tweak the policy to avoid implying that every image needs to be accompanied by a dissertation and a full blown analysis. And I'd make it explicit this wiki is not academic focused - and keep the Wiki firmly in the fannish sphere.
ex: For this section - "Second, the images should there to illustrate a point..." - I'd add at the end....
"This does not mean you have to write a dissertation on every image or feel obligated to manufacture a reason that sounds academic or scholarly. Fanlore is a fannish wiki and we want to document what *fans* think is important and noteworthy. In some cases, uploading a zine cover to document the existence of a fanzine is in itself a good enough reason. Or perhaps you want to upload an image in order to invite others to discuss a trope, a fanwork, or a trend. If this is the case, then please consider using the 'Needs more commentary' Template."
2. Images and Permission On 'Unused Images'
I'd adjust this next bit to indicate that you don't have to (nor should you) have to track down one person in order to ask them to make your edits. Also, to stress that deletion is not the first 'go to" choice.
QUESTION: Wait! Someone uploaded my image without permission and it's not being used in any article. What should I do?
"Another option is to leave a note on the talk page asking for others to add the additional commentary. It may take a few days for people to respond, but since Wikis are collaborative efforts we want to include as many possible POVs and incorporate as many ideas as possible. If neither of these options work, you can leave a note on the talk page asking the image to be deleted because its use doesn't fit fair use parameters."
3. You might want to include a section to address the concerns artists might have upon seeing their art labeled as explicit, depicting rape or depicting underage sex ("Explicit? That's not explicit. That's just Snape waving a banana around. He's not going to do anything kinky with it! Wah!")
Something like: "Help! I think an image is incorrectly labeled as sexually explicit, depicting rape or sex with underage characters. What do I do?"
and...... I''ll let others take the initial stab at answering this tricky question. ;-)
4. And last......"I see an image that is lacking all the required Summary Information on the Image page. Should I just delete it?"
"We ask that you do not delete an image simply because it seems to be missing some - or all - of the Summary information. First, head over to the page where the image is being used in an article - you can find that by looking at the "what links here" section at the bottom of the image page. The copyright and attribution info is often placed on the article page where people will actually be viewing the image. If you want, you can transfer the summary info to the image page, but it is not necessary. Also, keep in mind that many images were uploaded under different image policies so the info may not have been included for a reason.
If there is no copyright info (source or link to where the info came from) then you can contact the person who uploaded the image to see if they have the info. You can also attach a Gardener notice asking for help in tracking down source and usage info. There are thousands of images on Fanlore that have been uploaded by many different people so there are bound to be inconsistencies. "