Forum:Video policy amendment proposal (new Wikia video feature)

Once again, Wikia is coming up with another “exciting” (lolololol) feature that requires the attention from our policies. This feature allows you to add videos onto pages (ANY page) using an “Add Video” icon which is next to the “Add Picture” icon. Here is exactly what Wikia said in a global talk page message:


 * Hello, this is a quick message from Wikia to let you know about a new feature available on your wiki. Adding cool media to your wiki just got easier. Check out the new Add Video icon on your toolbar right next to the Add Picture icon that allows you to easily embed videos from around the web onto any wiki page. 


 * Adding videos and images makes pages more dynamic and gives readers a way to dive even deeper into a topic, without ever leaving your wiki. Videos, such as how-tos, game walkthroughs, TV episode clips, and movie trailers, are the perfect complement to the information and guides already on your wiki. Try it out by adding an image or video to your user page now and let us know what you think! 


 * If you have any questions, you can find more information on the help page. 

Now, we already have a video policy that dictates user pages and sub-pages may only have a certain amount of videos, so we’re covered in that regard. However, what we’re not covered in is videos in actual articles, which is what this feature would allow. I believe that we need to ban the use of videos in articles, much like we did with animated .GIF images. They’re unprofessional, unencyclopedic and have the potential for incredible abuse. You’ve all seen the articles that have two sentences of text and then 45 images scattered across the page. Now imagine that with videos. Now imagine your computer having a seizure, stroke and heart attack all at the same time.

Pleasant, ain’t it?

Not only that, but 90% of our articles are seen as one big punch line anyway. From a public relations stand point, we don’t need to be giving critics additional fodder for making this wiki look like a laughing stock. So basically, in my opinion, we need to add into the video policy that articles may NOT contain videos. By having it in the policy, we’ll have a clear basis on which to remove them without smart@$$ users saying “show me in your policies where it says I can’t do that”. As I’ve consistently maintained in the past, if you don’t have something in your policy and a user demands to see a policy basis for the removal (or whatever the case may be), the user is right by default.

I’m making this a straight up or down vote. None of this “let’s discuss 42 different options for this” stuff that only serves to complicate things. All matters of the voting policy apply. This vote will last for at least one week, until Wednesday February 11th, unless more time is needed. As always, please remain civil. - Brandon Rhea (talk) (contribs) 18:45, 4 February 2009 (UTC)

Vote
In this section, please vote on whether or not the video policy should be amended to state that videos cannot be placed in articles. Voting “SUPPORT” implies that you want to DISALLOW videos in articles. Voting “OPPOSE” implies that you want to ALLOW videos in articles. Voting neutral means that you either can’t make up your mind or have no opinion.

Support

 * 1) As the proposer, per my reasoning above. - Brandon Rhea  (talk) (contribs) 18:45, 4 February 2009 (UTC)
 * Ugh, we're currently allowed videos in articles? Horrible. --[[Image:Darth tom sig.png|100px]] (talk) (contributions) 18:54, 4 February 2009 (UTC)
 * 1) Bah. Drewton  [[Image:Era-old.png|20px]] ( Drewton's Holocron ) 19:02, 4 February 2009 (UTC)
 * 2) Although I would love to bring .GIF files back (if used productively), I don't feel the need for "cutscenes stolen from video games" being displayed here. Really, it's either going to be poorly-made, home-made videos or stuff stolen from other media; both of which would negatively impact the audience's outlook on the wiki. -- Michaeldsuarez [[Image:Sabersmilygreend.jpg|20px]] ( Talk ) ( Deeds ) 19:43, 4 February 2009 (UTC)
 * 3) *Yes, I know that some YouTube users make amazing videos, but I doubt that the fanon-writers here could make videos that are better than their Mary Sue narratives. -- Michaeldsuarez [[Image:Sabersmilygreend.jpg|20px]] ( Talk ) ( Deeds ) 19:49, 4 February 2009 (UTC)
 * 4) Unit 8311 [[Image:1110 Big small.jpg|20px]] Talk!  20:10, 4 February 2009 (UTC)
 * 5) Whatever. -MPK (MPK's Talk Page)|undefined 20:52, 4 February 2009 (UTC)
 * 6) I still think that videos should be banned period.-- Nightmare 975  22:46, 4 February 2009 (UTC)

Oppose

 * 1) * #For lack of a better word, kriff that, as The Darkness of Phydah is using videos with good intent. –Victor  [[Image:Redstarbird.svg|15px]] ( talk page ) 23:36, 4 February 2009 (UTC)
 * 2) **You could still provide links to the videos. -- Michaeldsuarez [[Image:Sabersmilygreend.jpg|20px]] ( Talk ) ( Deeds ) 00:44, 5 February 2009 (UTC)
 * 3) ***Yeah, that would look more encyclopedic. Drewton  [[Image:Era-old.png|20px]] ( Drewton's Holocron ) 01:21, 5 February 2009 (UTC)
 * 4) ****True, fair enough. –Victor  [[Image:Redstarbird.svg|15px]] ( talk page ) 01:57, 5 February 2009 (UTC)

Discussion
Michael brings up a good point that, assuming this amendment is passed, I will be adding into the policy. The point is that YouTube videos (and videos on other such websites) dealing with Star Wars are, for the most part, in violation of copyright laws because they're taking segments of the films, TV shows and games and freely distributing them on the internet in an altered fashion. Although Lucasfilm doesn't mind that sort of thing for the most part, we don't want to be taking the chance by using such videos on a larger scale. - Brandon Rhea (talk) (contribs) 20:36, 4 February 2009 (UTC)


 * Not mine. And, let's not get into copyrights, as you are all violating copyrights saying Captain Kirk is someone other than Captain Kirk (for lack of a better examples, comrades). –Victor  [[Image:Redstarbird.svg|15px]] ( talk page ) 23:37, 4 February 2009 (UTC)