User talk:Jehochman/Talk page watcher

Terms and Rationale
I prefer "watcher", as it is a more neutral connotation... what is the point of this essay (that is, what is it trying to convey, persuade, dissuade, inform, amuse, etc)... that would help drive content. ++Lar: t/c 23:22, 2 October 2008 (UTC)


 * All of the above! I am just lazy, and don't want to have to explain what a talk page lurker is each time I use the term.  Seriously, we should encourage talk page lurking and participation in all forms, including the scanning of watchlists.  This is a wiki.  Being nosy is fine as long as the nosiness is helpful. Jehochman Talk 23:39, 2 October 2008 (UTC)

Suggested additions
Things to add: Geez, Jehochman, if you're going to write an essay, go all out! ;-) Risker (talk) 12:47, 3 October 2008 (UTC)
 * The entertainment value of talk page watchers
 * How to attract interesting and/or helpful TPWs
 * The role of the host of a well-watched talk page
 * I am waiting for talk page watchers to help me. Jehochman Talk 13:44, 3 October 2008 (UTC)
 * hey now....I can't do everything. --Rocksanddirt (talk) 09:09, 6 October 2008 (UTC)

Merge suggested
Talk page stalker also exists. I'm not seeing the need for two competing essays about basically the same thing. I suggest a merge. ++Lar: t/c 16:44, 3 October 2008 (UTC)
 * I agree with a merge. There's no need for two pages. --Elonka 13:10, 6 October 2008 (UTC)
 * The other page is a humor page. This is a serious page.  I oppose merger because the purposes are different. Jehochman Talk 16:50, 6 October 2008 (UTC)
 * Jehochman, you have evidently been creating multiple essay pages lately, including this one, in Wikipedia space. However, it does not appear that there is any consensus that such pages are useful to anyone but yourself. A better practice here, as advised in Essays, would be to create such essays in your own userspace, and then if it turns out that other editors are frequently linking to them or participating in the growth of the essay, then and only then should you consider whether or not the essay should be moved into Wikipedia space.  As for this particular one, I see no reason it needs to be separate from another essay which says effectively the same thing, so I think that merging is the best option at this point. --Elonka 17:04, 6 October 2008 (UTC)
 * Oh, no! It's a WP:GANG!  Utgard Loki (talk) 17:59, 6 October 2008 (UTC)


 * I agree with the merge as well. (For the record, I stumbled upon this page by way of talk page stalking...) Zeng8r (talk) 01:17, 27 October 2008 (UTC)


 * I would be happy to integrate anything lulzworthy here into WP:Talk page stalker. Anyhow, WP:TPS has deeper headspace penetration than this fledgling essay. TPS also touches on TPW's. – xeno  ( talk ) 02:21, 27 October 2008 (UTC)
 * When using this term with a newbie, I'd like to link to a serious explanation, rather than a humor page. An essay is a simple convenience to avoid repeating the same explanations.  Wikipedia is not paper.  I do not see the harm in having an earnest page to complement the humor page.  Naturally the newer page has fewer links than the older one. Jehochman Talk 02:26, 27 October 2008 (UTC)
 * Sure thing - oppose merge then =) Leave us with the lulz and let the newbies have the essay. – xeno  ( talk ) 02:31, 27 October 2008 (UTC)
 * I'm coming round to the notion that the audiences are different enough that a merge is not necessarily a good idea. Changing the titles and shortcuts around might help. As would crosslinking but I think that's already sorted. ++Lar: t/c 04:37, 27 October 2008 (UTC)
 * Of course, that being said, some lulz seems to be finding its way into this essay. Is it serious or for teh lulz? – xeno  ( talk ) 12:32, 28 October 2008 (UTC)
 * I see! Perhaps the fine addition by Bishonen can be removed to the lulzy page. Jehochman Talk 12:44, 28 October 2008 (UTC)

Wrong terminology
The greater part of this essay is in respect of the former lurker actively editing on the watched talkpage - I was expecting some advice on suitable beverages, snacks and incidental music that might enhance the lurking experience! I clicked this link on Lar's talkpage, as it happens.. (While drinking Spitfire beer...) 20:40, 3 October 2008 (UTC)