This page is an archive of past discussions. Do not edit the contents of this page. If you wish to start a new discussion or revive an old one, please do so on the current talk page.
Invitation to
WikiProject Breakfast
Hello, AutomaticStrikeout.
You are invited to join
WikiProject Breakfast, a WikiProject and resource dedicated to improving Wikipedia's coverage of breakfast
Ping. Any updates on lists for the task forces? Please reply there, not here. —Theopolisme(talk) 10:58, 10 April 2013 (UTC)
Re; Project for nominators
Thanks for reminding me about this. I've gone ahead and stubbed out a WikiProject. Do join me there, if you are interested. Regards, Espresso Addict (talk) 17:42, 8 April 2013 (UTC)
Hello, AutomaticStrikeout. You have new messages at TCN7JM's talk page. You can remove this notice at any time by removing the {{Talkback}} or {{Tb}} template.
If you'd prefer I not use this template in the future, let me know. TCN7JM 14:50, 9 April 2013 (UTC)
In this case, I actually didn't need it, but it might be helpful in the future, so I don't mind.
ASO, thanks for signing up to help. Tomorrow is the kickoff day, the first day for improvement. We are going to try to wrap up the article improvement phase by June 15, complete the review period by July 15, and hand out awards by July 20. Please sign up for some articles that you would like to help improve, and get started! Thanks for your participation! GoPhightins! 19:21, 14 April 2013 (UTC)
Honestly, I'm probably going to scale back my Wikipedia participation noticeably, so I doubt I will be heavily involved.
I'll believe it when I see it :) Any help is appreciated though. Happy editing. GoPhightins! 19:25, 14 April 2013 (UTC)
DYK for Eric King (baseball)
nominate
) 16:02, 16 April 2013 (UTC)
Those notices...
You might want to subst the templates/magic words you're using; leaving a {{PAGENAME}} is even more impersonal than most templates. Writ Keeper⚇♔ 02:01, 17 April 2013 (UTC)
Oh. Thank you for calling that to my attention! Done.
Oh, and by the way: I don't know if you were gonna drop one on my doorstep or not, but there's no need; I have utterly no interest in running for crat. If you get in a rhythm going down Special:ListUsers and send me one anyway, no biggie. :) Writ Keeper⚇♔ 04:41, 17 April 2013 (UTC)
After writing what I hope as a thoughtful response, I see that others are adding one-liners, not short essays. I'm copying my extended comments here, and summarizing as a oneliner there.--SPhilbrick(Talk) 18:18, 17 April 2013 (UTC)
My thoughts
padding
I've given this some thought, because I was recently asked to consider running. However, after giving it some thought, I declined. Bureaucrats have three main functions:
Bot approval I have interest in bots, but little experience, and feel I should have more experience first.
User renaming I have specific interest in our naming policy, see
WP:UAA
and think I should have more experience there before considering a run.
Admin flag Determining the consensus for adding the admin flag is a special case of determining consensus. While I feel stronger in this area, I have not jumped into the close of RfC's, AfD's or other situations where I could gain relevant experience.
An obvious question is whether I should undertake the actions I feel I need to consider myself ready. I probably will to some extent, but as I think about the things that keep me busy, I find myself drawn in a different direction.
Article content—This is what drew me to Wikipedia, and I notice my article edit count ratio dropping over time. Not worrisome, but there is SO much to do, I want to be careful not to let it slip too far.
Copyright—I'm reasonable active in this are, and the backlog doesn't seem to diminish. While it isn't as satisfying as content creation, I see at as part of my dues. I don't see that being a 'crat would help that area.
OTRS—I'm fairly active in OTRS, and the backlog there is even more troublesome. I would find it easier to deal with some situations if I were a Commons admin, so that's where I think I ought to concentrate for the short term.
I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. It is interesting to get the perspectives of those who are most concerned.
I have had it for the last time with this dysfunctional community that tolerates renegades and runs off good–faith contributors. I am now leaving and will not be returning. I will shortly be locking myself out of this account and I have already deleted my Wikipedia email. I give my talk page stalkers full permission to liberally remove any comments from this page that are not beneficial. I would like to thank the many editors that I have collaborated with constructively, especially
Before you go all Ulysses and the Sirens on yourself, with the locking out, etc., would you please identify the renegades and good-faith contributors you mentioned? Kiefer.Wolfowitz 19:23, 18 April 2013 (UTC)
Kiefer, it looks a little late. GoPhightins! 19:24, 18 April 2013 (UTC)
(edit conflict) Well, he's already done so, but if he wants, he can log back in by disabling Javascript in his browser (in the browser settings; exact location depends on the browser), which will bypass the Wikibreak enforcer. Writ Keeper⚇♔ 19:25, 18 April 2013 (UTC)
I am sorry to see you go AS. You are a real star for all of us, especially the ones at TAFI where we owe all our efforts to your wonderful idea. I really hope you reconsider your decision because we really need every one of our pillars if we are to change this dysfunctional community. We really require you and your efforts to help make this change.
Salute and Cheers,
talk
) 22:13, 18 April 2013 (UTC)
Well, I'm usually not one to pile on with farewells and all that mushy, teary stuff, but I feel compelled to stop by and say something. I was astonished when I found out just the other day that you've only been here since last April (a year next Wednesday!). That's incredible. You've accomplished more here in one year, I would humbly submit, than many achieve in three, or five, or whatever the case may be. You've done some excellent work here conducive to bettering the future of the project and, for that, you have my thanks. I'm sorry to hear a negative experience has influenced your decision to depart, but I respect your decision nonetheless. In whatever you do, AutomaticStrikout, I wish you the best and hope you find nothing but success and fulfillment. I'm confident you will. Farewell, friend. Tyrol5[Talk] 02:18, 19 April 2013 (UTC)
Good luck from me as well. I have to admit every day I consider leaving for good myself. I hope you come back but I absolutely understand what you are feeling. Good luck to you.
talk
) 02:27, 19 April 2013 (UTC)
Sad to see you go. Of course I hope that you'll eventually return, and if/when you do that the community will be a more welcoming place. Best luck in all your endeavors. -- King of♥♦♣ ♠ 02:31, 19 April 2013 (UTC)
I'm a rather blunt editor in this project, there was some areas that you should have stayed away from, such as Malleus and so forth. This stuff led you to this dilemma you are facing right now. This stuff needs to stop, let them cry blood elsewhere. Just stay around, focus on baseball articles, and participate in areas in which experienced users with time are sorely needed, like
WP:AN/I and all that, try to propose a self-inflicted topic ban to areas that you think might have led you into controversy (I could give a few examples). If you do stay retired however, I wish you luck in your future endeavors. Secretaccount
03:28, 19 April 2013 (UTC)
Hey. Sad to hear you leave, but I understand the reasons. I was about to do that myself but I decided to stay and only edit when my duties call me to do so. I was infected by a lot of drama just like you, and I managed to remove it all unwatchlisting AN, ANI, its siblings, other noticeboards, and a lot of pages that only occupied space and created drama. Then, I explored better places to edit. I started at Wikidata, and it has been a great experience. I then moved to other small wikis, and have settled there for good. I only see my watchlist once each three days, or when someone pokes at my talk asking for help. I know that there are some wounds that do never heal, and I still have some of them fresh on my skin. A time off is always good, and coming back slowly is even better, specially if, as Secret says, you avoid the dramafest places you visited before. I don't even know when a user gets blocked or banned unless its done by ArbCom (or someone tells me), I barely realize about new proposals (if someone tells me), and if I ever sit down to edit, is to make content. I do, deeply, appreciate all your efforts to try an fix this place, but as my own country has shown me: nothing will change if the community doesn't recognize the need, or the existence of the need. Farewell, and I hope you find peace somewhere else :) —
21
04:59, 19 April 2013 (UTC)
Thank you for all that you have done to improve this project. You are already missed; and will not be forgotten. I wish the best for you moving forward. My76Strat (talk) 07:39, 19 April 2013 (UTC)
I'm not sure what prompted this .. but just a kind of FYI thing .. you are always welcome to email me if you want to have a chat .. doesn't even have to be about wiki .. if ya just want to talk about the weather, feel free to drop me a line. — Ched : ? 21:51, 19 April 2013 (UTC)
Hi. I am extremely saddened to hear that you have left us, but I understand your reasons why you have left us. You have been such an invaluable and longtime contributor to the project. Please don't let the abuse get to you, I had a few close calls that almost made me leave the project. However, I do hope you return to Wikipedia again soon and you will be missed by all of your many friends here. As they say, "
When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going." With sincerest regards and respect, Lord Sjones23 (talk - contributions
) 05:14, 20 April 2013 (UTC)
Working along side you at EotW has been a pleasure. Hopefully you will reconsider after some RandR and make a return. ```Buster Seven Talk 18:00, 20 April 2013 (UTC)
Update
I appreciate the kind and thoughtful support from my fellow editors above and after taking a few days to settle down, I have upgraded my status to semi–retirement. I do not intend to be as active as I have been in the past, although I expect to pop in on a regular basis. My new editing activity will center around the performing of a program similar to the one operated by Gerda. I have been wanting to do this for a while and I hope it will be more enjoyable and rewarding than the stressful areas in which I have worked in the past. Regards,
I completely understand where you are coming from. I guess the best way to put it would be to say that my involvement here is tenuous and could change without warning due to my low level of patience. However, I hope that my change in focus will make things more enjoyable.
What you can do is add something like this: "AutomaticStrikeout is currently taking an indefinite on-and-off (and much needed) wikibreak from editing. He may pop in here and there sometimes often, but he won't be available for time-sensitive requests." That's what I did :) —
21
02:22, 22 April 2013 (UTC)
Well, that's not completely accurate. I am around, just not going to be as active in as many areas (I hope).
Thank you for such a kind thought ASO ... although most folks would probably consider me more a rusted old hunk of metal than "gold" .. lol. Glad to see that you're still looking in from time to time. All my best. — Ched : ? 11:46, 23 April 2013 (UTC)
"rusted old hunk of metal"? Well, others may think so, but not I. My desire is that the Golden Editor Award will one day become a highly regarded prize. If it does, hopefully you'll be around to point to the fact that you were the second ever recipient.
Good, I'm glad. Saying who made the edit was a pretty easy addition with virtually no overhead (it comes with the API call I need to make anyway). Plus, it's useful as groundwork for bot exclusions, if this script becomes a long-term solution (which, judging by the reactions from the devs, it might be). Writ Keeper⚇♔ 20:10, 1 May 2013 (UTC)
Yeah, it probably could be a workable solution. Good work!
I should stick to testing in my own space next time. (-_-')
Mati
00:51, 2 May 2013 (UTC)
What are you testing? It's not that I mind explosions on my talk page, as long as they are friendly explosions and not designed to make me blow up. Still, I'm not sure what this is supposed to test?
I think it's supposed to be the orange bar test that Writ started above. I don't know about Ched's motive, but I just decided to do one just for the lulz.
Mati
01:27, 2 May 2013 (UTC)
I see. Well, the orange bar works, you'll be glad to know. We'll have to see what
....Is there a problem here? Rumor has it that a clean-up crew is needed.```Buster Seven Talk 20:45, 2 May 2013 (UTC)
E-mail
Let me take this opportunity to publically thank you for your generous support and suggestion. Would I do well with the mop? I beleive so. But for reasons other than Rules and Guidelines and Regulations. Most of my adult life was in the service trades where I actually had to "swing a mop" and I was quite good at it (if I don't say so myself). I think the biggest drawback is time. Ive got my hands in a few pots (which you know since you assist at one of them) and my wife is upset because I haven't done a single thing around the house since May of 2008. But thanks for planting the seed. ```Buster Seven Talk 20:45, 2 May 2013 (UTC)
There is a bug that affects my account, perhaps others as well. I can not access an email link from the toolbox. Could you post a link from the prose of your edit notice or in some other conspicuous location. Thank you. My76Strat (talk) 23:14, 3 May 2013 (UTC)
Correction; it seems that your email is turned off, but I guess that has been addressed already. Cheers, My76Strat (talk) 23:23, 3 May 2013 (UTC)
To all: I believe the email problem has now been addressed. My apologies over the confusion.
Clarification For those who may be wondering why I didn't know my email was not enabled, the problem was that I had not checked the "Enable email from other users" box in my preferences. I had actually been sending emails, but I obviously couldn't receive them through Wikipedia. Regards,
I'm rather stunned but incredibly flattered that you're interested in nominating me to be an Admin. The fact that you think that highly of my edits really means a lot to me, and I'm extremely appreciative of it.
However, I feel that the responsibilities of an Admin go far beyond my scope of edits, which are pretty much entirely confined to adding photos to articles, or starting stubs about obscure politicians and baseball players. I really don't have any experience in the "nitty gritty" aspects of Wikipedia. (After taking a look at the requests for adminship page, I realized that I had no idea what 90% of the comments were even talking about). At this point, I think I'd rather remain an obscure, unambitious editor. Again, I'm flattered at your request, and look forward to more collaboration in the future! Delaywaves • talk 23:27, 3 May 2013 (UTC)
Very well. Honestly, I doubt that you would pass simply for the reasons that you stated yourself. However, I also think you would have made a fine admin. You might have made mistakes from time to time, but all told, you would have used the tools in good faith (and probably sparingly, which I also think is fine). Adminship is allegedly "no big deal" and giving the tools to a trustworthy editor who doesn't cause trouble would not be a big deal IMO. However, I completely understand your reasoning and I also look forward to more collaboration in the future.
Request Number One: As I have stated in the past, I am open to receiving nominations for the Golden Editor Award via the "Email this user" function. Sadly, I have yet to get a single email nomination and I will award a nice present to the first person to email me one. Please don't leave me any 'you've got mail' templates, as this is a not-so-subtle attempt to get a lot of nominations. (Before submitting a nomination, please do check to make sure that your nominee isn't one of the handful to already receive the award.)
Request Number Two: Awhile back, I wrote two essay/petitions (entitled "
Admins are people too
") that expressed support for those who hold two of our most difficult positions. A place was provided for the signatures of those who agreed that the subjects of the essay were people too and should be treated as much. Neither essay has received many signatures lately and the admin essay stands at a disappointing 14 signatures. Please consider signing the essays, if you have not done so already.
I'm not sure I'll submit any kind of nomination, at least not right at the moment, but do you even have e-mail enabled? The "Email this user" link isn't there on the left. Apologies if it's in some other obvious spot and this is a stupid question. TCN7JM 22:57, 3 May 2013 (UTC)
Ha. So, in absence of email, I'll tell you that Mike Christie (talk·contribs) is a golden editor. He's nice, he's a great writer, he helps people, he has a wonderful mustache, and I wish I was more like him. Drmies (talk) 22:59, 3 May 2013 (UTC)
Hi ASO, hopefully you're open to some constructive criticism, and that it won't be seen as ungrateful (since you gave me one of these already). First, one possible reason you don't have an email about this is that you've disabled your email function. Second, I think you've demonstrated the first downside to the "somebody mentioned me" notification; the only difference between this and actual honest to god talkpage spamming is that it's easier for you; it's actually slightly more annoying for me. I hope this kind of reverse spamming doesn't become the norm. Third, I think having signatures on those essay pages is going to accomplish very little; I'd focus on more concrete goals if you have them. And fourth, I'll make you a deal; if you don't trigger the notification system for lots of people all at once anymore, I'll send you a couple of nominations for the award (once you re-enable email). --Floquenbeam (talk) 23:07, 3 May 2013 (UTC)
Oh. rats. most of them are already in the list above. --Floquenbeam (talk) 23:10, 3 May 2013 (UTC)
Well, I can't promise I'll never do it again, but I'll try to be good.
I didn't mind — in my opinion, a little red number is really no worse than messaging each user on their talk page (and getting a big orange banner) or seeing a bold link on my watchlist. The Anonymouse (talk | contribs) 00:13, 4 May 2013 (UTC)
I'm fine with it as well. At least you didn't have to put a random message on my talk, and force my to cover my screen from seeing the orange behemoth invade my watchlist.
Mati
00:18, 4 May 2013 (UTC)
I must concur. This seems like a perfectly legitimate way to notify an editor of something, and it takes up way less database space than posting a message to all 32 of those talk pages. TCN7JM 01:06, 4 May 2013 (UTC)
Why was I mentioned here? I've already signed both pages, and my focus is bot work.—
Chat
Online 01:47, 4 May 2013 (UTC)
While I was compiling the list, I came across your name somewhere and decided to include it. Hope you didn't mind. Even though you already signed the petitions, the first item (Golden Editor) might be relevant to you if you know of a good person to nominate. Regards,
Well, like I said, my focus right now are bots. I wouldn't see a golden editor if I were talking to one.—
Chat
Offline 10:21, 4 May 2013 (UTC)
what Floq said .. but ty for the "x are people too" .. very nice. I'll try to think of someone this weekend ... but pretty busy in real life and bunches to catch up on here. — Ched : ? 02:22, 4 May 2013 (UTC)
I like the little "thank you" and use it a lot. I imitated a model when I created
Precious, certainly not independent but very personal. The model was Rlevse, and if I deserved this Gold for running Precious about one year, he - PumpkinSky - deserves it more for saying "Awesome Wikipedian" for about three years, - also for returning again and again and again ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk
) 12:58, 4 May 2013 (UTC)
Unfortunately Gerda, your "little thank you" comment has lost it's context since, for daring to question ASO's golden endowment I have had my prior post removed and have been banished from this talk page. Guess I'll not hold my breath waiting for my GEA! I wonder what will happen if someone nominates me. ;) Leaky Caldron 13:52, 4 May 2013 (UTC)
The problem is not your daring to question me. The problem is that you are constantly popping up with an unnecessarily negative attitude and I am tired of it. I didn't say you were banished, I simply asked you not to make negative posts.
Maybe my "unnecessarily negative attitude" is a reflection on the type of environment that I feel uncomfortable participating in and which I do not want to see WP being drawn into. Maybe I think one editor acting alone inventing numerous schemes for various forms of recognition is all a bit too social networky for my liking. Maybe I'm still entitled to express my opinion without people taking personal offence. Leaky Caldron 14:20, 4 May 2013 (UTC)
I wanted to commend you for your efforts to improve morale within the community. Ironically you have brought to fruition some meaningful processes that I and some others had contemplated in the past. I'd like to share some remnants of earlier efforts, in case you see things useable in the programs set forth by your initiatives.
Regarding the concept of reaching out to prospective candidates for higher responsibilities, I fully concur that we as a community should become more proactive in telling users who demonstrate competence that we recognize their leadership potential; further encouraging them to consider requesting the higher permission.
WP:ADMAN was developed to facilitate notifying quality prospects for sysop. Feel free to modify and use it if there is any practical benefit in doing so.
Regarding the Golden Editor award, I like the direction you are taking this concept; with email nominations, and a corroboration of the nomination by an analysis of contributions. A third doable facet, and I think worthwhile endeavor, would involve coordinating with Mr. Wales to hopefully get him to post a brief congratulatory message of appreciation for the users who merit the award. I have observed a rapport between you and Mr. Wales that indicates a likelihood that you could succeed at arranging his willingness to participate.
In any regard, you are a benefactor to this project for the selfless acts you have demonstrated in serving this community, and I am glad to have observed these qualities in you. Furthermore, I am glad to have taken the time to say these things to you, and to proffer my regards with esteem. Sincerely, My76Strat (talk
) 02:03, 5 May 2013 (UTC)
Thank you. I appreciated that very, very, very much. Messages like this one make the unpleasant moments worthwhile.
Check out User Delaywaves user page. Did he create the EotW barnstar that is shown there and if he did can we you ask him if we can borrow it for the next, ooo, 5 years or so, with an option to buy. ```Buster Seven Talk 05:58, 6 May 2013 (UTC)
I believe that barnstar was given to him by EotW, which would mean you guys already have it.
Did you get a notification (via code) that you were mentioned at WER?/EotW? I tried to use the new notification to canvas the membership. I included myself as a test....snd it has not shown up at my page. ```Buster Seven Talk 16:06, 6 May 2013 (UTC)
Thanks for the info Mouse. I learn a little every day. Solution: So...If I redo the whole post... and sign it... everyone, excluding myself, will be notified?? ```Buster Seven Talk 20:20, 6 May 2013 (UTC)
While I understand that you and Kiefer.Wolfowitz have had issues, is it really good form to take a run at him in Paul McDonald's RfA while he's blocked? I wasn't impressed by his oppose, either, but actually found the one just below it more objectionable (by a wide margin, actually). If we're wanting to improve the caliber of RfA discussion, is this the best way to go about doing it? Sometimes it's just best (if not easy) to walk away. Not trying to take digs or anything, but just pointing it out. Intothatdarkness 19:29, 7 May 2013 (UTC)
No, it wasn't necessary and I've removed it. However, let me say this: Kiefer and his friends like to take shots at younger editors and act like they are adults and their enemies are all children. How can it be anything other than childishness to take an RfA in which I am neither candidate or nominator and use it as a platform to attack me?
Understand I'm not excusing his conduct (I actually find some of his prose tedious in the extreme), but I was more offended by the oppose directly below his. Paying KW back in his own coin only gets him more exposure (at least from what I've seen), while the more passive-aggressive snarkers get by without a scratch. The OWNers of policy annoy me far more than the cursers and ramblers, since they're the major roadblocks to meaningful change. Anyhow, thanks for removing the comment. No reason (IMO, anyhow) to pad one of a series of weak opposes to a good candidate. I think they're just annoyed because Paul seems to have avoided the politics... Intothatdarkness 19:50, 7 May 2013 (UTC)
Importance
Hi AutomaticStrikeout. While I appreciate your efforts, please note that the status of an article does not define its importance. Generally, the subject's coverage asserts the importance, such as the amount of reliable sources available; for instance, "
_fleet_replenishment_oilder_USNS_Henry_J._Kaiser_(T-AO_187)_in_biohazard_suits.jpg)
