Template:Astray astray/doc

This is a canned message for the constant misuse of Astray. The intent is for this to be placed below a misused astray template and just above your referral of the user to the reference desk using RD1, RD2, RD3 or your own tailored message.

The background is that while Astray is useful for the types of questions it is intended to address, it is often misplaced—upon which misuses it, itself, is "astray". is intended to address help desk post where, from something revealed in the question, there's a real indication the person thinks we are affiliated with the subject of an article they've seen, thinks we are the official site of the topic they read about or similar misunderstandings. This is not true of a question where the person is simply asking a knowledge question at the help desk as if it is a general purpose questioning forum for all matters, without any of the attributes showing the person thinks they are at the official site of the subject they are asking the question about and other indications of being actually "astray". That general knowledge question is exactly what the reference desk, is for, and so where the questioner should be directed.

Usage
Place this below a misused astray template, and use, or  , in conjunction (or a tailored message), indented as you see fit. For example:


 * Which will produce:
 * Nothing about this question implies the person is astray. It's just a general knowledge question which belongs at the reference desk.
 * Symbol_move_vote.svg Have you tried the section of Wikipedia's Reference Desk? They specialize in answering knowledge questions there; this help desk is only for questions about using Wikipedia.  For your convenience, here is the link to post a question there: [ click here] . I hope this helps.-- Name ( talk ) 12:00, 10 January 2036 (UTC)