Proposal: Change WatchList to include profiles I am watching. [closed]

+9 votes
230 views

"These WikiTreers are trusted to view and edit (this person's profile). Since the profile is Open, other WikiTreers who have signed the Wiki Genealogist Honor Code can also make edits."

First, I need the history of the problem.  How did the above quote come to be?  Second is why I will be proposing a change:  WikiTree, by only having 'manager' and 'trusted' on the WatchList, has reduced me to "the practice of imploring others to grant a favor." [https://www.askdifference.com/beggar-vs-begger/ Ask Difference.]

Wanting just to add more information as I find it to profiles I've sourced, I have to please,please to people who either don't respond or are no longer active on WikiTree.  I want to propose a change, but first need the history of this problem.

Thanks for educating me about this, B.

-----------------

Update:  I just sent out this under comments on a profile that still needs a marriage reference:

"I have requested that profiles which still need some sourcing can be added to the watchlist, without having to go through the hoops of this requesting and adding more 'work' for others to do."

The next set of "let's work them" would be the unresponsive profile manager form.  All because emails slip through to the 'later' pile.

Just to be clear:  This is not about wanting to be a PM, nor is it about wanting to be 'trusted.'  It is just simply about a way to flag profiles that still need more sources. And, these are direct ancestors and their siblings.

Solution at hand:

There is a watchlist box under the search at the top of the page on profiles I manage.  Might the change I am requesting include dropping the id # into that box and have the profile show-up on my watchlist?  Maybe with a red dot before it reminding me to use etiquette and let the PM know I am working on 'his/her' profile? 

Oh, and please make the id # column on the watchlist sortable.  That would line people up by birth name.

So, there are two requests here:

The one directly above (sortable) and freedom to choose what shows-up on a watchlist.

Thank you, B.

closed with the note: The question is unclear
in WikiTree Tech by Living Britain G2G6 Mach 2 (28.3k points)
closed by Living Britain
Removed the proposals tag and moved to WikiTree Tech since this would not be a rule change proposal, but a technical change.
I think it would be great to be able to "follow" (have notification of changes on) a profile without having to go through the request process to be on the "Trusted List." I don't know how possible it would be on the technical end, but I hope it could be done.
Thank you for the tags. Changing and adding additional tags did give me a history.  It also got me to thinking about how else I might have a list of profiles I'm "watching."  The free_space 'to do list' works also as a watching list, which I can now add to my profile in the new section:

https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/1045972/did-you-see-the-new-genealogist-section-on-your-profile?start=40#a_list_title

Yup, there's more.  While setting-up the new 'watching list,' a list of profiles on my WatchList was at the bottom of the page.  And, wonders that be, that is exactly how I want my WatchList to be:  With the profile id numbers on the left. The id(s) are the birth names, which are not on the WatchList.

Thank you to all.

3 Answers

+6 votes

It is unclear to me whether you are asking about your ability to edit profiles or your ability to "watch" a profile by getting automatic notifications of changes to the profile, so I'll answer both.

1. Editing Profiles. Most profiles on WT are Open, which means that anyone has the ability to edit them. Before doing so, however, (1) be certain that your edits would improve that quality of the profile (eg, adding poor quality sources or redundant material can reduce rather than improve the quality of a profile) and (2) communicate with others who have a stake in the profile (eg PMs and Trusted List members) before making any major changes or changes that might be controversial (eg by posting a public comment on the profile stating what you want to do and why).

2. Getting a profile on your Watch List. Currently the only way to get a profile on your Watch List, and get automatic notifications of changes to the profile, is to be on the Trusted List. And currently, the only way to get on the Trusted List is to send a request to be added to the Trusted List to the profile PMs and have one of the PMs approve your request (or by being on the Trusted List for a profile that gets merged with the profile). People have repeatedly requested for years that there be a way to get a profile on one's Watch List (and thus get automatic notifications of changes to the profile) without having to get a PM to add you to the Trusted List. This request is generally the top selected request on the annual "Wish List". Unfortunately, to date, that ability has not been added. The reason appears to be that it would require either (1) allowing people to get a profile on their Watch List without being on the Trusted List or (2) changing the way Trusted Lists work so that PM approval was no longer required for people to get added to the Trusted List for Open profiles. The first option would apparently require a significant amount of changes to WikiTree's software. The second option would be a significant WT policy change that WT management have not yet decided to make, but have indicated in the past that they might consider.

by Chase Ashley G2G6 Pilot (308k points)
edited by Chase Ashley
As Chase stated, you don't have to ask permission of a PM to edit a profile, as long as you are adding sources, other than a family tree from anywhere, especially when you are adding or changing relationships.

If someone is no longer active on wikitree, ie they don't respond to your messages, and you want to become Profile Manager, follow the Unresponsive Profile Manager process by doing the 3 stated items, wait a week, then submit the form and you will be notified if the profile has been orphaned for you to adopt it.

You can also add a tag for the surname so you will be notified when changes are made to profiles with that surname.
+3 votes
Don't feel you are 'imploring' -  all you are doing is 'requesting'.  

Just like you have to fill in an application form when you are going for a job.  You're not going to the boss cap-in-hand begging him/her "Gimme a job, pleasepleaseplease!" like some indigent. You, as a dignified professional person, are going through the paper trail.

So it is with the Trusted List.  Jump through the 'paper trail' hoops with dignity.
by Ros Haywood G2G Astronaut (1.9m points)
+6 votes
Certainly, creating the ability to "watch" a profile is the intent of being on the "watchlist".   But, making it more of a just "watch", like on FamilySearch sounds like an excellent idea.
by Robin Lee G2G6 Pilot (852k points)
I just added some additional tags.   One of the things that the mentors group deals with regularly are people with huge watchlists.....this suggestion would help with that.

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