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importScript('User:Ohconfucius/script/Common Terms.js'); // [[User:Ohconfucius/script/Common Terms.js]]
Disclaimer: Use at your own risk and make sure you check the edit changes before you save.
A module adapted for use with AWB is available at User:Ohconfucius/AWB modules/Unlinking.
Main objectives are as follows:
Whilst it might be said that "blue words are as easy to read as black words", the underlying 'information' a blue word imparts on Wikipedia (cf unlinked black words that have no such connotation) makes blue words more weighty, with the concomitant risk that they will detract or distract if used inappropriately or excessively. As an editor, I see it as an important part of my job to ensure that contents of all articles add value. Overlinking was a serious problem in the past, but has declined somewhat due to the rising consciousness that less is often more.
The script has brought about considerable standardisation as to the words that ought not to be linked in the vast majority of cases. New terms which are added to the repertoire to unlink are nowadays infrequent. Words that I notice have been linked to gloss their meanings within certain contexts are linked to Wiktionary instead; also I aim to focus more on removing contextual chain-linking. I have started on the more blatant examples as follows:
Use of the Safari browser is highly recommended. I have found it consistently executes much faster in Safari than Firefox, but feel free to give me your feedback on that issue. It runs quickly as it is composed of fairly straightforward regexes.
Once you are in edit mode, there is ONE button from this script in the toolbox in the left margin:
By consensus, articles should be suitably linked. In my experience, a large number of Wikipedia articles link to common terms, even when this does not enhance the readers' understanding of the subject in question. Common words like 'English', 'President of the United States', 'United States dollar', 'singer', 'newspaper', 'sitcom', 'divorce', heart attack' are routinely linked, usually just because they are low-hanging fruit. Although they appear relevant at first glance, it is obvious that the editor meant to impart a definition, and no greater understanding of the subject to the reader in the context of the article.
Users are reminded of the following provisions of Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Linking:
Overlinking and underlinking
Provide links that aid navigation and understanding, but avoid adding obvious or redundant links. An article is said to be underlinked if words are not linked that aid understanding of the article. However, overlinking should be avoided, as it can make it more difficult for the reader to identify and follow those links which are likely to be of value.
- Do not link to a page that redirects back to the page the link is on.
- Do not be afraid to create links to potential articles that do not yet exist (see Red links below).
- Think before removing a link—it may be useful to other readers.
- If you feel that a certain link does not belong in the body of the text, consider moving it to a " See also" section at the bottom of the article. (Remember that links can also be useful when applying the "What links here" feature from the target page.)
Some editors feel that the lead section is a special case. It may be desirable to have a smaller proportion of links in the lead section than in the main text; while some links make it easier to scan a lead by highlighting key terms, too many make it harder. On the other hand, in technical articles that use many uncommon terms in the introduction, a higher-than-usual link density in the lead section may be necessary to facilitate understanding. In such cases, try to provide an informal explanation in the lead, avoiding using too many technical terms until later in the article—see WP:Make technical articles accessible and point 5 of WP:NOT#Wikipedia is not a manual, guidebook, textbook, or scientific journal.
The script
Users are expected to exercise careful judgement in the context of each article in which they run this script. Use at your own risk and make sure you check the edit changes before you save. It's not my fault if someone misuses this script.
A test page is available at User:Ohconfucius/Common Terms test page. The list is provided for indicative purposes only, as the list of terms unlinked can be added to, or items can be removed.