Last modified: 2009-12-29 22:59:01 UTC
Due to the new uploading process at Wikipedia EN and at the Wikimedia Commons, I have a suggestion on trying to cut down on "untagged" images. When you click on the Upload link, you are taken to the page. You have to choose the file, choose the name and set a description. However, the new bit I noticed is the "Choose License" settings. While it is good that the option is there, I see a problem. The default of the choice is No License, which means that the image will be uploaded without a license. And, lately, we have been trying to get rid of images with no licenses. So, what I suggest that if the option of "No License" is selected when uploading the file, the selection should display the template {{tl|No license}}. Not only this will tell us we have another unsourced image, this can warn the user that they need to provide a license or the image will be deleted very soon.
If this is implemented, then there needs to be an option that doesn't insert any templates as there is no way that all license tags can be listed in the list (there are over 80 valid Creative Commons licenses alone). "Other license" would be a good name for this. A way to avoid this becomming a loop-hole is to add another box to the upload form that must link to a valid template if the "other license" option is selected. I don't see this happening though, as it would require a lot of programming effort for little benefit. IANA developer though, so I'm quite possibly wrong!
That can be done locally on a per-wiki basis. And as a matter of fact, it's now done at least on en.wikipedia and Commons. Closing accordingly.
*** Bug 7359 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
