User talk:12thdegree

Hello. I have been trying to help with your query on the Miscellaneous Reference Desk about the deaths of female babies in China. I noticed that you removed some of your own comments here. This is discouraged by the Talk page guidelines. Would you consider reinstating them? BrainyBabe (talk) 18:53, 9 February 2010 (UTC)


 * I removed my comment because it looks like the person who the comment was directed towards also removed his or her statement.12thdegree (talk) 20:07, 9 February 2010 (UTC)


 * I've moved your response to your talkpage, as per the statement at the top of my page ("I know some people carry on conversations across two user talk pages. I find this awkward, and would much prefer to follow Wikipedia's recommendations. Conversations started here will be continued here, while those I start on other users' pages will be continued there"). I appreciate that your header was "I didn't know about this policy."  Wikipedia is a great place for learning, not only about facts but also policies.  I remember my first days on Wikipedia as being a steep learning curve. The removal of comments, especially when others have responded to them, can lead to confusion and is generally discouraged. The editor to whom you were responding has deleted the "soapbox" comment, which left your response (and mine) sort of dangling in mid-air.  I have followed this up here, looking for guidance. This in itself takes time. I suggest that you either re-instate your comment, with striking it through, or follow the relevant guidelines and insert a placeholder comment ("A placeholder is a phrase such as "[Thoughtless and stupid comment removed by the author.]". This will ensure that your fellow editors' irritated responses still make sense.")


 * Anyway, more important than all that procedural stuff is the intent behind it. You asked a good question on the RefDesk, and I hope our response has gone some way towards answering it. Also, as this is a new account, I should formally welcome you. So welcome! There are a whole lot of resources hidden behind that little link. BrainyBabe (talk) 23:24, 9 February 2010 (UTC)

Thanks so much for the kind advice. Yes, I'll put a placeholder. 12thdegree (talk) 10:55, 10 February 2010 (UTC)


 * Thanks for doing that. It keeps it all neat and tidy. If you ever need to do something like that again (e.g. withdraw a comment you made), it is a good idea to give a diff. This is a link that shows the difference between two versions, and helps others see what you mean if you are referring to a particular change. To learn how to make one, see Help:Diff. The diff for what you removed is here. I don't think you need to do anything with that link now, but I thought you might want to learn that step. Also, try to remember to fill in the edit summary. It can seem like a lot to remember all at once! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help you find your feet here. BrainyBabe (talk) 15:57, 10 February 2010 (UTC)