Quoting scotthm:

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Quoting ateo357:

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I guess one more screwy rule that forces incorrect data to be contributed won't make that much of a difference.

No, it won't, so there's no need for you to distress yourself over it.

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I'm not distressed over it. Actually I really don't care what anyone else does. Just pointing out my expectations are not very high, based on the existing rules/guidelines wording, and the non-existent Ken.

Quoting TheMadMartian:

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Honestly?  Because there was an attempt to change a profile that contained the word 'with', that received a no vote because the change did not follow the confusing rule, and the person who made the contribution decided to bring it to the forums, which eventually led to a thread in the Rules forum.

Since this discussion pertains to me, I would like to comment on this section of the post.

Based on my understanding of the capitalization rules I contributed the change "With" > "with". When I received TheMadMartian's "no" vote, I withdrew that contribution.

I spent many hours over the next day or so researching the topic. I checked several sources and checked hundreds of profiles in the invelos' database.

I came to the conclusion that my contribution was in fact correct. I based this on both the research and the fact that the vast majority of contributions did NOT capitalize "with".

Rather than just re-submitting this change, I brought the topic to the forums to see what others in the community thought.

Based on that poll, as well as other threads that arose from that one, the  majority of community members agreed with my understanding of the rules.

If, as you say, the rule is "confusing" then it rightly should have been brought to the rules committee for clarification.

I understand your desire to use an existing style and, if implemented, I will follow it.

But, based on community feedback, The U.S. Government Printing Office Style Manual list is not inclusive enough.

I do not know what the "best" answer is but discussing the topic is one way to find it.

Quoting Wigram:

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I can understand being against a list that does not corresponds strictly to an existing standard. But it will not by no means be an arbitrary list: it will be the list reflecting the wishes of the majority.

The fact that it is based on the wishes of a bunch of users, rather than an established style, is exactly what makes it arbitrary.

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Also, the list will in fact have an effect exactly opposite to the one you fear. Once implemented in the rule, the matter will be settled at last. No other word will pop pup, as you say, because it will be against the rules.

Call me pessimistic, but  history tells me that adding something to the rules doesn't automatically settle anything.  Because the list is user defined, it is only a matter of time before someone decides another word should be added.  I hope I am wrong, but time will tell.

I think "are" might be added to this list as well

I don't much care one way or the other in this matter, but I'll give you my thoughts, if only because I'm curious to hear if anyone agrees with me.

Capitalization doesn't have any practical impact at all. It is purely an aesthetic issue. I think the best solution would be to accept any standard, and only correct entries that obviously do not follow any such standard. If the lack of consistency really bothers you, fix it locally.

Quoting GSyren:

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I don't much care one way or the other in this matter, but I'll give you my thoughts, if only because I'm curious to hear if anyone agrees with me.

Capitalization doesn't have any practical impact at all. It is purely an aesthetic issue. I think the best solution would be to accept any standard, and only correct entries that obviously do not follow any such standard. If the lack of consistency really bothers you, fix it locally.

I could live with this solution as long as it is spelled out that you don't make changes unless they are obviously wrong...though that hasn't worked for genres so I don't hold out much hope here either. 

Quoting CharlieM:

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Other guides say that prepositions and conjunctions of fewer than five letters should be in lowercase.

I prefer this rule. Of course it means that people have to actually know what a preposition and a conjunction are, but a specific list of words will never be complete!

The rule would also need to include all "articles" as well.