I have been surprised that Wikitree does not have some kind of quiz, or test, to make sure that users understand how the site works before they have advanced editor rights.
For example, on Distributed Proofreaders, it is necessary to (i) complete a quiz and (ii) conduct a minimum number of edits, before obtaining more senior editor rights. There is a sliding scale of complexity meaning that "newbies" cannot do very much until they have enough experience of using the site, and can pass the quiz. It seems a fair system to me, ie prove that you know the basics of the web site and its protocols, then you get more freedom to "do stuff".
As a new member, I can appreciate the frustration of wrecked profiles. But Wikitree is not instinctively easy to use. For example, its taken me 7 months to even work up the courage to propose a merge of a duplicate that was not a profile that I myself created. Equally, I stopped uploading GEDCOMs a while back because I found that was too easy to do, butand then created lots of issues with duplicates and rogues, simply because I did not understand - as a newbie - what the rules were. I read everything, I promise, but still I got things wrong. I am sure I still do! :-)
I think a quiz proving that a user understands the fundamentals of Wikitree would be a great idea. Its more egalitarian. Please do not make 300+ profiles limited access for editing unless you are an "Advanced Genealogist" - part of the enjoyment of Wikitree is collaborating on all kinds of profiles and not having to beg for edit rights on the older profiles. If Wikitree had a quiz that proved that a user has basic knowledge about genealogy and how the site works, that would be fairer, friendlier and more democratic process.
This is just my view from the trenches :-)
Leigh
