User:Elipongo/SmileyAward

This is an explanatory page for the Random Smiley Award™.

For those willing to help take part in the Random Smiley Project™, please see the Project Section farther below.

Explanation and Disclaimer:
The Random Smiley Award is granted in the same spirit as a Random Act of Kindness, predicated on the assumption that being given a yellow Smiley just for contributing cannot help but spread good cheer.

The creator of these templates should not be blamed for the following unintended consequences which may occur from time to time:


 * For some persons, a Yellow Smiley may trigger unpleasant flashbacks to the 1970s, when Yellow Smileys were at the peak of their form in the guise of those ubiquitous "Have A Nice Day" symbols. The creator of these templates cannot be held legally liable for any psychological trauma which may ensue. Variants such as the Chocolate Chip Cookie Smiley are now offered as an alternative for those who are allergic to Yellow Smileys.
 * Since the Smileys are given out at random, it may sometimes happen that one is mistakenly given to an editor of bad reputation. This should not be seen as an endorsement of such a person, but merely a mistake. Besides, perhaps the sight of a Yellow Smiley on their page may inspire efforts at self-reform. Alternately, for a genuinely Evil Editor the sight of a Yellow Smiley spreading warmth and good cheer might serve as a just punishment, like well-wishers wishing a Merry Christmas to grumpy Ebenezer Scrooge.
 * Due to the random nature of the Smileys and the large number of Wikipedians, many editors will not receive a Smiley. Those who do not receive a Random Smiley should not feel bad and should not file a discrimination lawsuit.

Random Smiley Award Project
A project is underway to enlist editors to help dole out Smileys to random editors. Wikipedia can be a stressful and angry place, one which is sorely in need of some Smileys. Editors willing to help out can follow a procedure similar to the one outlined below.


 * Pick a random editor. This can be done in a number of ways, such as by using the "Random article" option and picking one of the previous editors from the edit history. Another method is to pick one of the people who recently posted to the talk page of the editor you previously gave a Smiley to. This is faster. For a purely random method, follow the instructions here.
 * Place the following text on his or her User or User:Talk page -
 * If placing it on the User page, use the following code or variation, replacing "SmileyAward1" with whichever variant you wish to give (see the list of variants farther below):


 * If placing it on the Talk page, use the following code or variation, replacing "SmileyAward1" with whichever variant you wish to give (see the list of variants farther below):

==Smiley Award==

Feel free to place this award on your user page, as a token of appreciation for your contributions. If you're willing to help spread the good cheer to others, please see the project page for the Random Smiley Award at: User:Elipongo/SmileyAward


 * Now pick another random editor, perhaps by selecting one of the recent people who have posted to the Talk page for the editor you've just enriched with a Smiley.
 * Give this one a Smiley and repeat the procedure.

If participating editors each give out a few Smileys per session, Wikipedia will quickly be transformed into a happier place.

Text 1, aligned float-right
To place this one on someone's page, insert this line of code:

Text 1, default alignment
To place this one on someone's page, insert this line of code:

Text 1, 238px Version
This is designed to have the correct width for userbox lists.

To place this one on someone's page, insert this line of code:

Text 2, aligned float-right
To place this one on someone's page, insert this line of code:

Text 2, default alignment
To place this one on someone's page, insert this line of code:

Text 2, 238px Version
This is designed to have the correct width for userbox lists.

To place this one on someone's page, insert this line of code:

Chocolate Chip Smiley Variant
To place this one on someone's page, insert this line of code:

Chocolate Chip Variant, 238px Version
This is designed to have the correct width for userbox lists.

To place this one on someone's page, insert this line of code:

Random Smiley Talk Page Project
Given the large number of edit wars which are routinely hosted on Wikipedia talk pages, there appears to be a need for some Smileys in those venues as well.

Placing the following label on random article talk pages may be a way to remind all comers of the need for civility and friendliness. We'll see if it produces any improvement over time.

Other editors are encouraged to help spread the message. The following text can be inserted into the talk pages of your choice:

==Yellow Smiley==

Although the editors on this talk page are unlikely to engage in anything less than polite discussion, this Yellow Smiley will nonetheless serve as a reminder for any future editors who may occasionally be tempted to lapse. Courtesy of the Random Smiley Project.

Smiley Project Supporter Award
Those who have helped the Smiley Projects are eligible for a Smiley Project Supporter Award