User:Alvesgaspar/Opposing rules
From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
The Ten Golden Rules for Opposing
- Oppose now. Tomorrow there may be already a long stack of support votes or the picture may be already promoted.
- Don’t vote if you don’t like the picture but don’t know why, or don’t care about the subject.
- Be solid. Before opposing, calibrate your monitor, be sure you are familiarized with the guidelines and technical terms, and take a close look at existing FP's of the same subject.
- Be consistent, especially on technical grounds. Invoking poor dof to oppose a picture and support another with the same weakness works against your reputation.
- Be didactic. Better say nothing than commenting no wow, nothing special or don’t like it. Explain why you oppose and, if you can, give some advice on how to do better next time.
- Be helpful. If there is something wrong with the image that can easily be fixed, instead of opposing, attempt to fix the problem or notify the nominator.
- Be ruthless. Don't restrain yourself from opposing a picture of a newbie or a less experienced creator. We learn much more from the opposing than from the supporting votes.
- Be brave. Don't restrain yourself from opposing a picture of a sacred cow, or when there is a long stack of supporting votes or when there are nominations of yours in the page.
- Be humble. Change your vote as soon as you recognize that you were wrong.
- Be fair. Oppose the picture, not the author. Arguing that some author can do much better is no valid reason for opposing.
The Platinum Rule
- Don't vote after a bad night, if your dog pissed on the carpet or after receiving the IRS bill.
