This page is about the wiki policy on personal files. For policies regarding file usage in general, see MarioWiki:Image use policy and Help:Media.

Here at the Super Mario Wiki, we encourage users to personalize their user pages so that all of us in the community may get to know each other. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, and so users are permitted to upload a prescribed number of files to the server for no use other than to decorate their user page and signature, subject to the following standards:

  • Each user is allowed up to five personal files. A personal file is defined as one not in specific use by the project (generally, this means that the file is used only in one's userspace). The files can be of any format supported by the wiki, and the same copyright restrictions apply.
  • A user may include their personal image(s) in their signature. The images must not be taller than 35 pixels when scaled to fit the signature, and should be roughly square. They should not be distracting (e.g. animated). See MarioWiki:Signatures for more information.
  • Files should not be profane or inappropriate. Kids as young as 7 are surfing this website, we don't need to see any nudity, blood, or violent weapons.
  • All personal files must be used within one day (24 hours) of being uploaded. Otherwise, they are subject to deletion as unused files.

We regret having to be legalistic about this (the wiki is supposed to be lighthearted and fun, after all), but we have grown to the point that having a standard is necessary, and simply giving free rein in this area is counter to the goals of the encyclopedia.

Files in use

To help us keep track of files in use, please use {{personal-file}} as shown below:

For normal personal files:
{{personal-file|Username}}

  This file is being used as one of the personal files attributed to Porplemontage.

For images intended for signatures:
{{personal-file|Username|sig=y}}

  This image is being used as one of the personal files in the signature of Porplemontage.

For images being URL-linked to various pages (user subpages, monobook, etc):
{{not-unused}}

This file is not unused. It is currently being used as a URL-linked file and appears as an unused file.

Unless said image(s) are being used for wiki matters (e.g. style backgrounds, project files), please mark them as personal files.

Abandoned files

A user may abandon a personal file. Once this happens, the user who uploaded it may mark it for deletion, with the reason being "Abandoned PF" or "Abandoned personal file".

Before labeling a file as abandoned on behalf of another user, please ensure that they do not intend to continue using it in the near future (especially if the user is still under the numerical limit). Abandoned files should not be linked to from any page. Currently we are not mass-deleting abandoned files, but please note that they may be deleted at any time, and we will honor requests for deletion by the user who uploaded the file. Abandoned files may be claimed by another user, at which time the new user takes responsibility for the file.

We will also delete unused personal files that are the wrong format or that are of a poor quality, the same as any normal file.

Files in use by more than one person

If more than one user is using the same file, then it should only be attributed to one of them:

  • Attribute it to the person who uploaded it if they are using it.
  • Otherwise attribute it to the person who has been using it the longest.
  • For abandoned files, link to the user who used it most recently.