INTERIM SUMMING UP
Approx 9pm NZST Sunday 6 August
I would like to thank everyone for their thoughtful and courteous contributions, in posting this topic on G2G I was very nervous about the possible tone of the responses as some past G2G topics have been acrimonious, I am grateful for the civilised exchanges on this post.
Current votes on the Voting tabs I created
For restoring the previous image 55 votes
For keeping the new (ribbon) image 24 votes
Current votes on the Voting tabs others created and total.
For restoring the previous image 15+9+10+12+3 = 49, Grand total =104
For keeping the new (ribbon) image 4 Grand total =28
Approximately 4 to 1 in favour of reverting to the previous image.
I haven’t tallied votes for no image or other images, the option of a choice of image or a blank image exist now, and there is no proposal to change that suggestion, my (probably imperfect) attempt at a compromise further in this post accommodates these options as well.
There is a significant majority in favour of restoring the original image.
I have contacted the managers of the Templates Project for their views but have only had a response from one, that might be a result of time zone differences. The response I received was neutral
There are also a number of responses that prefer no image or other images such as a candle.
That is possible now, both Melanie Paul and Elise Hatchfield have different options posted on Wikkitree, I’ll try and put links below or on a separate answer, for those looking for a sticker version Elise has a selection.
For those who use either Sourcer or Wikitree Extension, Rob Parvey and Ian Becall have indicated that it is feasible to introduce an option allowing a user to select their preferred version of Died Young (and I haven’t asked them how many versions they can accommodate, or if they will introduce that choice). That will automatically insert the user’s preferred image when using the sticker
For those that don’t or won’t use the extensions, their preferred choice can be loaded into the Scratchpad on everyone’s Nav Home Page (or other locations of their choice) and copied and pasted into a profile as required, there is no need to type the full code/text in each time.
This is the best compromise I can come up with:
Restoring peoples historic selection of the wings and baby (stone and wings) face, that respects the choice of the person who placed the original image sticker on the profile. That of necessity returns the default image to the original image. Others have posted that this retrospective change may have affected 170,000 profiles.
As is now the case, allowing a choice of images on the Died Young sticker, and inviting our Extension experts/managers to provide options to allow everyone to preselect their desired option of sticker/image. Just as restoring the old sticker/image respects members past choices, this respects members future choices.
For those people who don’t use extensions, they can save and copy and paste their preferred option, as they can now.
For those who would prefer no image, that is not technically feasible, although a blank image is possible.
I believe that complies with the honour code, everyone’s past choice is respected and restored, and everyone who prefers a different image can use a sticker with their choice of image in the future (as they can now.
That is the best I can come with, someone(s) else may have a better idea.
One of the most succinct summing ups of the situation came from one of my Kiwi Crew colleagues:
“I don't care about the icon, but on principle something that's already on 170k profiles shouldn't be changed .”
I think that’s a fair statement of principle, and the Templates Project homepage states “As changes to existing templates will directly and immediately display on all pages that are using the template, project members must always exercise care in making or suggesting changes, and any changes should be discussed and reviewed with affected project leaders (for project specific templates) and/or with the Wikitree community (through G2G) before any major revisions are made.”
In my view the change process miscarried, and should be reversed, and there is majority support for such a reversal.
Perhaps the best example of the communication failures involved in this process is that the person who instigated the Died Young Sticker and who manages the related Free Space page (and is a member of the Templates Project) was unaware of this change proposal and it’s implementation.
That situation should give us all pause for thought.
Several good suggestions have been made to add more communication channels, we have a weekly newsletter, and a presence on Discord and maybe they can be used to enhance communication, and also maybe that topic should have it’s own G2G thread. As should ideas to improve our systems.
I hope this summary will stimulate further comments.
All errors, omissions and spelling mistakes are entirely my own work and to my discredit.
Link to Melanie Paul’s Page with Died Young sticker alternatives
https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:RTCimages#Assorted
Link to Elise Hachfeld Stickers/Images
https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Hachfeld-3_Images
Elise’s Died Young with candle image stickers
{{Died Young|image=Hachfeld-3_Images-8.jpg}}
{{Died Young|image=Hachfeld-3_Images-5.jpg}}
{{Died Young|image=Hachfeld-3_Images-4.jpg}}
{{Died Young|image=Hachfeld-3_Images-6.jpg}}
{{Died Young|image=Hachfeld-3_Images-7.jpg}}
And my thanks to to Melanie and Elise for making these stickers available to our community. Anyone who has other options is invited to post them as a comment to this answer.