Wikipedia:Adopt-a-User

Introduction

What is Wiki-adoption? Wiki-adoption was created on 2006-09-27 as a program designed to help new and inexperienced users. More experienced editors (or wikimentors) can "adopt" newer users, helping to mentor them along the way as they learn about Wikipedia. We hope that this program will be able to inform new users about the ins and outs of Wikipedia and steer them away from making less-than-constructive edits or misplaced test edits. Currently we have over 600 users involved in the program, and, like other Wikipedia areas, it continues to expand.

Users who are not new or inexperienced – but who would still like some help – might like to consider whether Editor review (for an assessment of work to date) or Editor assistance and/or the Help desk (for one-off problems) might be more appropriate than adoption.

Joining

Being adopted is easy and fun. If you'd like someone to adopt you, simply edit your user page and add the following text: {{subst:dated adoptme}}. This will put you on a list of adoptees and display the following userbox on your page:

	This user seeks adoption by an experienced editor. (Users offering adoption)

Alternatively, you may select an adopter from the list of adopters and contact them directly to request adoption. For more information, visit the Adoptee's Area. If you're interested in becoming an adopter, visit the Adopter's Area.

Is adoption for me?

If you're new or inexperienced and would like to:

• Ask questions about editing
• Learn to navigate processes and policies
• Get help with article creation or image uploads

or any other activities on Wikipedia, then an adopter should be able to help you. Adoption lasts as long as the adopter and adoptee want to continue, so you can stop any time if you feel you've learned enough, or you'd like to take a break.