Week9 -- Class Activity -- GUAN YUE

 

Summary

This week, instead of editing article content like I usually do, I tried out a feature on Wikipedia that I had never used before — WikiLove. I sent a little cat to my friend and added a message saying “mimi coming!” It was just a small action, but for me, it felt like a completely different way of engaging with Wikipedia.

I had noticed before that some users had cute gifts like stars, cats, or cookies on their user pages. I always wondered, “How do people send these? Can I send one too?” Honestly, I’ve always wanted to receive one myself — it felt like a warm, small gesture in what usually seems like a very logical and impersonal editing space.

This week’s Communication Module introduced WikiLove and encouraged us to thank someone who had helped us. I was really happy to see that, because it finally showed me how this mysterious feature works. Even though it’s not a “real” content edit, I think it’s meaningful in a different way — it makes Wikipedia feel a little more human and connected. My little cat was sent on this user talk page.

New Things I Learned

Trying out WikiLove for the first time was actually a pleasant surprise. I had expected it to be kind of hidden or complicated, but it was super simple: choose a fun icon, write a short message, and send. It made me realize how easy it can be to show appreciation without needing to write something formal or feel awkward about it.

Before this, I always thought contributing to Wikipedia just meant editing text or adding references. But now I see that letting people know their work is seen and appreciated is also a valuable part of the community. And the best thing about WikiLove is that it’s not just for friends — you can also send it to strangers whose work you admire. I think I’ll use it more in the future, especially when I come across great edits that don’t get much attention. Even if the person doesn’t reply, it’s still a nice way to pass on a little encouragement.

Question for Discussion

After this experience, I started thinking about something: WikiLove is such a warm and meaningful tool, but not many editors seem to know about it. I didn’t, until now. I had seen stars and cats on people’s user pages before, but I had no idea how to give one — and honestly, I thought maybe it was something only experienced editors could do. If our class hadn’t included this in the assignment, I probably still wouldn’t have tried it.

So here’s my question: for small but valuable features like WikiLove, should there be clearer guidance for new users right from the start? Or maybe the Wikipedia community could create a stronger culture of interaction, where “saying thank you” becomes a more natural part of everyday editing? I think if more people noticed and used these tools, it could really help build a friendlier and more welcoming space for both new and experienced editors.