User talk:Go Phightins!/Archive 43
This is an archive of past discussions about User:Go Phightins!. 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. |
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FYI
FYI. --Kudpung กุดผึ้ง (talk) 09:27, 1 February 2015 (UTC)
- @Kudpung: <sigh> I saw the edit in question, and have no explanation; Buster has rollback, which preposterously has the rollback link on one's watchlist ... I can't imagine Buster would flat-out revert another editor's comment on a talk page, perhaps he misclicked. Either way, you are absolutely right that WER is losing focus without Dennis. Also, thank you for clarifying your comments about EotW on the WER talk page ... I now understand your position a little better. With 20/20 hindsight [although I think I supported it at the time], perhaps awarding Eric was not the greatest moment of the project. Nevertheless, I do think EotW belongs under WER. As for WER, over the last week-and-a-half, discussion has diverged significantly. I am not sure what the solution is; Dennis had a way about him that he could gently steer conversations back to the goal of retaining more editors ... I can try, but am not sure I have that skill. Ultimately, even the best projects have problems from time to time; it is important to figure out how to steer them back. I'm thinking about it. Thanks for all you do. Go Phightins! 13:27, 1 February 2015 (UTC)
- Thank you for your understanding. I am well known for my extraordinary social skills at meetings and conferences, but I have a long way to go before I can match Dennis's talents on talk pages. Perhaps at my age it's even too late for me. Anyeways, I've quit the WER project and slammed the door behind me. One load of nonsense less for me to have on my wachlist and worry about. If you're doing an op-ed on WER/EoW any time, you're welcome to quote me on anything I've said - I have an extremely thick skin ;) Kudpung กุดผึ้ง (talk) 13:39, 1 February 2015 (UTC)
- Go Phightins! What surprises me most is your lack of support. At least Dennis gave me a pat on the back. . Buster Seven Talk 14:24, 1 February 2015 (UTC)
- Thank you for your understanding. I am well known for my extraordinary social skills at meetings and conferences, but I have a long way to go before I can match Dennis's talents on talk pages. Perhaps at my age it's even too late for me. Anyeways, I've quit the WER project and slammed the door behind me. One load of nonsense less for me to have on my wachlist and worry about. If you're doing an op-ed on WER/EoW any time, you're welcome to quote me on anything I've said - I have an extremely thick skin ;) Kudpung กุดผึ้ง (talk) 13:39, 1 February 2015 (UTC)
- Kudpung, It is an odd situation for me. When I started WER, I always envisioned it would take care of itself once started. If you go back to the original discussions, it is very, very clear that I didn't want to be the leader. Refused to, in fact. My goal was to start it and have it be community run as I didn't see myself qualified to "run" a project of this scope. Along the way, I've made it clear that I'm not the boss, and instead of using authority (of which I have none), I've used persuasion and the good will that I have tried to earn along the way to keep it moving in one general direction. I've tried pulling everyone using a velvet rope, so to speak, knowing that too much force would break the bond. If I had the time to do just this one task, I would, but as I look around at my real life, it resembles a Walter Matthau movie about divorce. That it will get better in a year or so, I am completely confident of, but my nerves are constantly on edge and my attention span is lacking, so it is in Wikipedia's best interest that I stay away, except for the odd, general comment every now and then.
- My natural inclination is that when things are going a bit off rail, is to let them, all the while talking about a better direction. Let others see the wisdom in the words and have a lot of patience while you let your words soak in. Again, a velvet rope. That is the only way to steer WER. It is also helpful that my vision was always a very broad and general vision. I was smart enough to know that you can't talk people into doing tedious things, but if you put enough general ideas out there, you will find people who will adopt some of them. At the end of the day, ideas are only useful if someone is excited about it and personally invested in it. Then you support that person, even if their implementation isn't 100% the same as your vision, for as long as it is in the same general direction. In short, if you can't bend in the wind and let people do thing THEIR way, you won't have anyone doing anything. A few candidates I disagreed with, but I seldom said anything because the big picture was more important than any "damage" by giving someone a "thank you" award. Not sweating the small stuff, etc. etc.
- Leadership at WER takes a lot of patience and finesse, and foresight to know when to be bold or simply put your foot down. Most of the time, it isn't a matter of right or wrong, it is a matter of choosing the best solution between two suboptimal choices. And sometimes the best solution is biting your tongue and just ignoring things that are not quite right, yet they aren't really damaging anything. Otherwise, you dampen the enthusiasm of the volunteers, and in the end, enthusiasm IS the fuel that keeps the lights on at WER. I hope you reconsider, Kudpung. I don't think your ideas are bad, I think your standards and expectations are simply too high. Let people make their own mistakes, learn by example, offer another perspective to them but allow them time to come around to your way of thinking. WER is smack full of conflicting ideas, sometimes they just aren't going to agree with you, even if you are "right".
- Finally, DGG, my friend and mentor, has a quote on his user page which I added to my user page before I temporarily blanked it: "I do not attempt to convert my opponents--I aim at converting their audience". It is my mantra, my rock, my goal and my style. It has served me well. He explains it further on his page, but it is the most effective way to persuade. Dennis - 2¢ 14:31, 1 February 2015 (UTC)
- I have spent probably as much as 100 hours one-on-one in DGG's company in RL. If Wikipedia were made of 100 DGGs it would be the best place in the world. --Kudpung กุดผึ้ง (talk) 14:46, 1 February 2015 (UTC)
- Dennis did his best at WT:WER, but as he alludes to above, there's only so much you can do in the current environment, and he wasn't helped by those who loudly proclaimed anything and everything to be within scope of the WikiProject. Keeping the discussions on track is a responsibility of all interested editors, not just one, because there's no way to establish a consensus for it otherwise. The funny thing is that I think Buster7 and you largely agree on discussions being better served through tighter focus and less distractions, and I don't think Dennis dealt with it much differently than the rest of the like-minded participants at WER: they ask people to keep the broader issues in mind and not get overly bogged down in the details of a specific situation (and unfortunately were often ignored). isaacl (talk) 15:01, 1 February 2015 (UTC)
- I think you make a good point here. Like I said, you have to use a velvet rope, then patience to allow others the time to agree. Seldom did I say "This is not within the scope". More often I would say "I'm not sure this is within scope, maybe another project is better suited." I was inviting others to agree with me and offer ideas, coaxing a consensus, instead of making a declaration. That is particularly important at WER, where everyone has the same rank. Dennis - 2¢ 15:07, 1 February 2015 (UTC)
- The problem is that at WER they no longer all have the same rank. There is now a group that runs it and the rest are ‘rank outsiders’. The group doesn’t care if some of those outsiders don’t take their muddy boots off when they come into the room or if they cuss and swear and snork on their sleeves. I did a lot for WER - and even dragged one of its EoW awardees kicking and screaming to RfA which she actually skipped through as easily as a lamb in a field of buttercups. Makes me wonder why I bother though. --Kudpung กุดผึ้ง (talk) 15:51, 1 February 2015 (UTC)
- It has had ups and downs, it has survived. I haven't kept up with all it, any of it to be honest. Real life is all the burden I can carry right now. As for "running it", no one should be running it. There are some coordinators who have no special powers, except that I said "I trust these people", and this is such a giant change, an unannounced one, that I expect fits and starts, but it should level out. I was never a dictator, quite the opposite. If any one coordinator is dictating, then they should be asked to step aside. Being a coordinator is a burden, not a position of power. Again, I never forced anything there, never claimed to be the "leader", although I tried to provide leadership in the most general of ways, and by example. Anyone who is acting more strongly than I have needs to rethink their role. I'm not sure who is the problem (and don't want to discuss it here), but I sincerely hope I never have to come back and "fix" things. The only authority I have to do that is if the community there supports my actions, not because I formed the organization to begin with. So far, the community as a whole has backed everything I've done there, in part because I seldom get so bold and do so only with good cause. Dennis - 2¢ 16:12, 1 February 2015 (UTC)
- Time we gave Go Phightins! his talk page back. I've currently got my hands full with a bunch of eager-beaver relative newbs who are branding me as a child hater. You give just one blatant troll a piece of your mind and you get the whole peanut gallery throwing things at you and yelling 'Badmin. badmin!' Anyone would think I've blocked someone. --Kudpung กุดผึ้ง (talk) 18:49, 1 February 2015 (UTC)B
- It has had ups and downs, it has survived. I haven't kept up with all it, any of it to be honest. Real life is all the burden I can carry right now. As for "running it", no one should be running it. There are some coordinators who have no special powers, except that I said "I trust these people", and this is such a giant change, an unannounced one, that I expect fits and starts, but it should level out. I was never a dictator, quite the opposite. If any one coordinator is dictating, then they should be asked to step aside. Being a coordinator is a burden, not a position of power. Again, I never forced anything there, never claimed to be the "leader", although I tried to provide leadership in the most general of ways, and by example. Anyone who is acting more strongly than I have needs to rethink their role. I'm not sure who is the problem (and don't want to discuss it here), but I sincerely hope I never have to come back and "fix" things. The only authority I have to do that is if the community there supports my actions, not because I formed the organization to begin with. So far, the community as a whole has backed everything I've done there, in part because I seldom get so bold and do so only with good cause. Dennis - 2¢ 16:12, 1 February 2015 (UTC)
- The problem is that at WER they no longer all have the same rank. There is now a group that runs it and the rest are ‘rank outsiders’. The group doesn’t care if some of those outsiders don’t take their muddy boots off when they come into the room or if they cuss and swear and snork on their sleeves. I did a lot for WER - and even dragged one of its EoW awardees kicking and screaming to RfA which she actually skipped through as easily as a lamb in a field of buttercups. Makes me wonder why I bother though. --Kudpung กุดผึ้ง (talk) 15:51, 1 February 2015 (UTC)
I don't mind; makes it easy for me to follow :-) @Dennis Brown, Kudpung, Isaacl, and Buster7: Thank you all for sharing your thoughts. I think all of you are pivotal components to how we go about retaining editors, and it saddens me that two of you don't plan to be active at WER in the near future, as I think it is one of our best outlets to work on that endeavor. All the best to all of you! Go Phightins! 18:56, 1 February 2015 (UTC)
- I always was fair to the nominator and did my best to support their effort to give someone they thought deserved the award the benefit of the doubt. Can I go back behind the curtain now? . Buster Seven Talk 19:27, 1 February 2015 (UTC)
- This week's recipient, Darylgolden, is exactly the editor we set out to recognize; I would encourage everyone to congratulate him! Go Phightins! 20:06, 1 February 2015 (UTC)
Your GA nomination of Mario Hollands
Hi there, I'm pleased to inform you that I've begun reviewing the article Mario Hollands you nominated for GA-status according to the criteria. This process may take up to 7 days. Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments you might have during this period. Message delivered by Legobot, on behalf of Eurodyne -- Eurodyne (talk) 03:41, 3 February 2015 (UTC)
Pennsylvania photo help?
Since you're in PA, would you be interested in helping on a comprehensive statewide photo project? I've begun an attempt to get at least one representative photo for every municipality statewide, and any help you can give would be appreciated. User:Nyttend/Pennsylvania is the tracking page for everything, with a separate section for each county that lists and maps all its unillustrated municipalities. If you're interested in helping, it won't take a lot of work; many of the photos I've added are simple things like local landmarks, local government buildings, churches, interesting scenery, or (in boroughs and villages) street scenes. Nyttend (talk) 21:07, 29 January 2015 (UTC)
- Thanks for the note, Nyttend. I reside in Lancaster County, which looks pretty well covered based on that page, but I will try to remember those municipalities when I am out and about. What a great project! Go Phightins! 03:33, 30 January 2015 (UTC)
- Oh, I wish I had known about this: I grew up in West Deer Township, Allegheny County, but I won't be visiting there again for some time. I have a bunch of photos of the Rachel Carson house in Springdale, will that do? Adam Cuerden (talk) 08:17, 31 January 2015 (UTC)
- Pinging @Nyttend:. Adam Cuerden (talk) 13:03, 3 February 2015 (UTC)
- Adam, the goal is getting a photo for every municipality; no objections if you add more, of course, but the Rachel Carson Homestead already has at least one photo. Nyttend (talk) 13:22, 3 February 2015 (UTC)
- Pinging @Nyttend:. Adam Cuerden (talk) 13:03, 3 February 2015 (UTC)
- Oh, I wish I had known about this: I grew up in West Deer Township, Allegheny County, but I won't be visiting there again for some time. I have a bunch of photos of the Rachel Carson house in Springdale, will that do? Adam Cuerden (talk) 08:17, 31 January 2015 (UTC)
Your List_of_college_dropout_billionaires deletion decision was mistaken
Referring to: https://wiki.riteme.site/wiki/Wikipedia:Articles_for_deletion/List_of_college_dropout_billionaires
You chose to delete on the basis of WP:NOTDIR however the discussion period prior to deletion was insufficient to enable a full and meaningful analysis. I believe you should restore the article and improve the content to be more useful and to better illustrate the value of a wikipedia article that contains a community-curated list without violating the WP:NOTDIR policy.
If you review WP:NOTDIR again more closely you will find that the article you deleted was fully in compliance with this policy, or obviously could have been revised to comply with the policy if edits over time had tended to move the article in the direction of non-compliance --
"Cross-categories like these are not considered sufficient basis to create an article, unless the intersection of those categories is in some way a culturally significant phenomenon."
Obviously the fact that a significant number of the world's richest people chose not to complete university degree programs is a very important part of a culturally significant phenomenon. As such, the article should not be deleted but should be improved upon. Every administrator prior to you did not see a policy violation problem with this article, it existed for many years before you were granted administrator privileges. I suggest that in the future you should 1) allow more time for discussions if you plan to delete an article, and, 2) personally contact every person who has previously contributed to the article you plan to delete so that they are asked to provide input on your deletion idea, especially in a case such as this one where the article has existed without disagreement for many years before you come along and decide to delete it. Thanks. RiskNerd (talk) 22:13, 5 February 2015 (UTC)
- (talk page stalker)Before you start impinging others judgement or skill at doing a difficult job for free, it would behoove you to learn how AfD works. It was listed in an appropriate category, something that has absolutely nothing to do with the closing administrator, and it ran for the allotted amount of time. The closing administrator didn't nominate the article for deletion, and it is not up to him to invite people to the discussion. As a matter of fact, to do so would be a violation of WP:CANVAS. If you do not like the outcome, you are free to take it to WP:DELETION REVIEW, as the instructions at the bottom of the closed AfD discussion indicate. If you do not like the way AfD works, go to WT:AfD and initiate a discussion on changing it. But to state that it needs to be done "your" way here is not at all appropriate or effective. If you want a copy of the list userfied to you so you can work on it and address the concerns mentioned at the AfD discussion, I am betting GP will be happy to comply. Happy editing. John from Idegon (talk) 22:43, 5 February 2015 (UTC)
The Signpost: 04 February 2015
- Op-ed: Is Wikipedia for sale?
- In the media: Gamergate and Muhammad controversies continue
- Traffic report: The American Heartland
- Featured content: It's raining men!
- Arbitration report: Slamming shut the GamerGate
- WikiProject report: Dicing with death – on Wikipedia?
- Technology report: Security issue fixed; VisualEditor changes
- Gallery: Langston Hughes
Editor of the week
Thanks a lot for adding me there. I have one question, are you sure[1] that it was automated editing? It was manually done. OccultZone (Talk • Contributions • Log) 15:43, 8 February 2015 (UTC)
- Hi OccultZone -- I thought a lot of your editing was with AWB ... perhaps I misread. Go Phightins! 15:59, 8 February 2015 (UTC)
- Not really. At least since July 2014. OccultZone (Talk • Contributions • Log) 16:26, 8 February 2015 (UTC)
- I changed it to read "Hidden maintenance tasks". But...its your week....we can change it to what ever you like. . Buster Seven Talk 16:38, 8 February 2015 (UTC)
- Thanks Buster. Go Phightins! 16:39, 8 February 2015 (UTC)
- I changed it to read "Hidden maintenance tasks". But...its your week....we can change it to what ever you like. . Buster Seven Talk 16:38, 8 February 2015 (UTC)
- Not really. At least since July 2014. OccultZone (Talk • Contributions • Log) 16:26, 8 February 2015 (UTC)
Mind an email?
Hey Go Phightins!, mind if I emailed you re. something that might not strictly be private but that I think would be better via email? Cheers, --L235 (talk) As a courtesy, please ping me when replying. 23:26, 8 February 2015 (UTC)
- Sure: gophightins_wikiverizon.net Go Phightins! 02:06, 9 February 2015 (UTC)
- Sent from lixxx235wikipediagmail.com. Cheers, --L235 (talk) As a courtesy, please ping me when replying. 02:53, 10 February 2015 (UTC)
Editor's note/update
Would you update the WikiProject Women article indicating that the Kaffeeklatsch was closed as keep? I commented to that effect, but it's buried in the comments. Thanks. Lightbreather (talk) 14:56, 11 February 2015 (UTC)
- @Lightbreather: We don't normally change factual items after publication; that's why the article says "as of press time." Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 15:47, 11 February 2015 (UTC)
- Then perhaps and editor's note, at the bottom of the article, as their currently is. It could be dated, if that helps. Lightbreather (talk) 16:11, 11 February 2015 (UTC)
- No, as I said, we don't update articles like that. I'm only aware of a few cases where we've done do so; most were made maybe a day after publication. The exception to this was rather more serious. Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 18:13, 11 February 2015 (UTC)
- Then perhaps and editor's note, at the bottom of the article, as their currently is. It could be dated, if that helps. Lightbreather (talk) 16:11, 11 February 2015 (UTC)
The Signpost: 11 February 2015
- From the editors: We want to know what you think!
- In the media: Is Wikipedia eating itself?
- Featured content: A grizzly bear, Operation Mascot, Freedom Planet & Liberty Island, cosmic dust clouds, a cricket five-wicket list, more fine art, & a terrible, terrible opera...
- Traffic report: Bowled over
- WikiProject report: Brand new WikiProjects profiled
- Gallery: Feel the love
Admin attrition
run it - it's a critical situation that does not get enough exposure. --Kudpung กุดผึ้ง (talk) 05:59, 12 February 2015 (UTC)
- Hi Kupdung. While I agree it is a big issue, we didn't want to create a situation where we cover TP's retirement, and now we are expected to cover every retirement. Would you be willing, perhaps, to write an op-ed on admin attrition? You can frame it in the context of TP's retirement if you like. .. All the best, Go Phightins! 11:15, 12 February 2015 (UTC)
- @Kudpung: -- I can't spell, apparently. Go Phightins! 11:17, 12 February 2015 (UTC)
- If you'd asked me 6 months ago I would have loved to but at the moment apart from maintenance work and swinging my big angry admin stick (at children apparently), I don't have enough time for creative writing. Maybe if we get a few more prominent retirements (like mine!) I could conjure something up but not right now. --Kudpung กุดผึ้ง (talk) 11:34, 12 February 2015 (UTC)
- I wasn't the editor six months ago :-) Anyway, I certainly hope you don't retire, and honestly, I don't wish for any more ... we are interested in covering more stories that are directly relevant to the WP editing community [not just whatever WMF feeds us (i.e. gender gap, which although a problem, is hardly the first one that most editors would list)]. If you have any ideas, let me know. Thanks. Go Phightins! 11:37, 12 February 2015 (UTC)
- If you'd asked me 6 months ago I would have loved to but at the moment apart from maintenance work and swinging my big angry admin stick (at children apparently), I don't have enough time for creative writing. Maybe if we get a few more prominent retirements (like mine!) I could conjure something up but not right now. --Kudpung กุดผึ้ง (talk) 11:34, 12 February 2015 (UTC)
Draft for a Signpost article about WER
- As Project:WER enters its third year, a few dozen of the 177 members have been participating in a "Consultation" about where the project is headed and how to better implement potential solutions to achieve their goal of retaining editors.
- Wikipedia editors do not work in isolation. They may work alone but they are never in isolation. Experienced editors sometimes feel frustration over some incident with another editor. Perhaps it's one edit war after another, perhaps a run-in with a strident editor who refuses to accept consensus, perhaps the burnout of repeated drama. The aggrieved editor retires from Wikipedia and leaves the site. "A change is as good as a break," says John Carter, one of the coordinators of the project. "Give them something useful, reading for instance, to do while maybe taking a break from the drama and conflict that drives a lot of editors away. Make it easier for specifically wikipedia editors to branch out into things other than the encyclopedia. So, for instance, wikinews, wikisource, wikiquote, and other spaces could be a way of cooling off."
- Increasing the number of women editors has been discussed all across Wikipedia. Suggestions surfaced to start a collaborative effort at WikiNews or WikiBooks or somewhere else to produce works like the Greenwood Press "At Issue" books or something like the old books in the series "Why I am a (Catholic, Jew, Hindu, Buddhist, Episcopalian, Methodist, etc.)," with maybe expansion into broad philosophical topics like "Why I am a Objectivist" or "Why I am a Animal Rights Supporter".
The Editor of the Week award is the active arm of WER and has been awarded for over two years to 106 editors. "It isn't a "good behavior award" says Dennis Brown, the originator of the WER project, "because none of us are saints. It has helped us find at least 3 administrators and the overall benefit to the encyclopedia far outweighs any disagreement. The primary goal of the award is to recognize the least among us, the quiet, disenfranchised or simply overlooked editors. It is a "thank you" to someone who needs it and deserves it, at least in the opinion of someone, and verified by a couple of others. It's a group barnstar, so to speak ". Dispensed weekly since January 13, 2013 the Editor of the Week nominating process is intentionally simple. Any editor in good standing can go to the nominating page and insert a 100–200 word reason for their selection. After a two week vetting period by EotW clerks the nomination is usually seconded and, many times, additionally supported by fellow editors. - During the consultation, ideas for addressing burnout were discussed as well as the benefit of a reference page that would provide sample replies to various situations. Regarding burnout, Wikipedia needs "newcomers to graduate to helping the latest participants, freeing up the previous set of helpers to move onto other tasks. "The reference page would list out different scenarios with different scripts and provide sample responses, which editors would adapt to meet specific situations... A way "...not to forget what has been learned and then share it with others", says Isaacl WER member Isaacl. A discussion about how to improve the behind-the-scenes aspect of Wikipedia began "...so that editors will be happy to contribute". Sometimes editors, who seem happy and have not been "driven away", stop anyway. There could be many reasons not related to Wikipedia, but one thing that could be happening is that some editors find Wikipedia editing too appealing, it was interfering with their real-life goals and obligations. Sometimes leaving is for no other reason then "the Jig is up", they have been up to no-good and they have been caught. Sometimes it's not always a bad thing that an editor leaves and the Encyclopedia will be better off without them.
- Some consultation participants shared valid concerns regarding the changing mission statement and the candidate selection process for WER's Editor of the Week award. An editor noted that "...the community needs to help avoiding WER becoming a walled garden of a small group of users – all full of good intentions but perhaps not entirely expert in the ways of Wikipedia....". It was acknowledged that keeping WER and EotW on track is a constantly evolving struggle and so the concern is valid. By design and decision, what happens at WER shifts back and forth, party because others jump in and try to change the mission (innocently), and because WER members tend to be the types that want to solve problems. Like driving a car, it is kept between the lines by constant corrections.
- In conclusion, founder Brown states, "WER has focused mainly on the idea that a rising tide lifts all boats, so raising the spirits of ANYONE here is a good thing for all of us. As long as we are doing that, then we are consistent with the original goals of the program."
- Submitted for your approval..... Buster Seven Talk 13:51, 11 February 2015 (UTC)
- Going to pass this on to Gamaliel, as I am obviously involved with this project. Thanks, Buster7. Phightins is Gone (talk) 14:15, 11 February 2015 (UTC)
- Gamaliel. In consideration of many things, please disregard this article's submission. It was fun to write...even tho it was basically a lot of cut-n-paste of what editors said during the consultation. I actually hoped that more editors would get involved but...o well... maybe next time. Anyway, lets put it on the shelf or in the bottom drawer or that unused file cabinet over in the corner of the News Room. Thanks! . Buster Seven Talk 07:09, 13 February 2015 (UTC)
- Submitted for your approval..... Buster Seven Talk 13:51, 11 February 2015 (UTC)
WP:Co-op news for December 2014 – Feburary 2015
Hey Go Phightins!, it's been a while. The Co-op team has been hard at work during over the winter, so let's get right into what's been happening:
- Graphic design work is nearing completion and development work is coming along slowly but surely. The main components of the space, profiles, the landing page, and the mentor landing page have all been built, and we're basically just putting the pieces together. We have close-to-final draft of the landing page, which is currently at User:Slalani/Landing_page, and in the thumbnail to the right. You can check out other components over at User:Slalani if you're curious. Soni, Slalani, and I are working together on some of the front page elements. We've also been doing some testing on test.wikipedia.org for profile building and matching. If you're curious about checking that out, let me know.
- We've finished up a survey for newer editors to assess their experiences of using existing help spaces (e.g. Reference Desk, Teahouse, IRC, The Wikipedia Adventure) on en.wikipedia. Gabrielm199 is putting together a summary of that survey, and in the meantime, some findings from that survey of 45 newer editors include:
- On average, editors found contributing to Wikipedia to be easier after using the help space compared to before.
- However, after using one or more help spaces, only half of editors reported that editing, addressing social challenges, and resolving technical issues were easy or very easy. The other half of editors were either neutral, or reported that these matters were difficult or very difficult.
- Just under 30% (11 of 38 editors) of newer editors said they probably would have stopped editing entirely had they not received support from the help space they used.
- Editors frequently reported either 1) that they would not have been learn what they needed without the help space, or 2) That they could have found it, but admitted that it would have been difficult or taken much longer.
- On average, editors found contributing to Wikipedia to be easier after using the help space compared to before.
- We will be making one final move of the pilot start date to March 4th, 2015. This is the last move (I promise), because we can't afford to run the pilot any later than that. So there it is: March 4th or bust! But we won't bust, because there are just a few things left on our plate before we can run our pilot successfully. I'll be alerting you about when you will be able to make mentor profiles soon, so when you get a message about that, please take a minute or two to create your profile here (otherwise, you won't get matched to any editors!).
Thanks to all of the new mentors who have joined over the past few months. Big thanks to Missvain to posting about our little project here to the gendergap-l mailing list. I, JethroBT drop me a line 00:47, 13 February 2015 (UTC) on behalf of Wikipedia:Co-op.
(Opt-out Instructions) This message was send by Jim Carter through MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 10:36, 13 February 2015 (UTC)
I'm back-ish
Hey Ben,
I'm back because I can't stand the sight of some of the unfinished articles over at User:Ryan Vesey. If you start seeing me make over 50 edits a day, block me or something. I'm only 3 months away from a degree and don't want to throw it away. Ryan Vesey 20:23, 13 February 2015 (UTC)
- Hey Ryan Vesey! It's been a while; it is great to see you back. Congratulations on your progress with your degree ... there still is the WikiBreak enforcer javascript should you ever need it. Since you've last been around, I became the co-editor-in-chief of The Signpost, so if you ever have any suggestions for items to cover, or want to pen an op-ed on why you decided to come back or any other subject, let me know. Best of luck in your final semester. -- Ben (Go Phightins! 21:54, 13 February 2015 (UTC))
Your GA nomination of Mario Hollands
The article Mario Hollands you nominated as a good article has been placed on hold . The article is close to meeting the good article criteria, but there are some minor changes or clarifications needing to be addressed. If these are fixed within 7 days, the article will pass; otherwise it may fail. See Talk:Mario Hollands for things which need to be addressed. Message delivered by Legobot, on behalf of Eurodyne -- Eurodyne (talk) 15:21, 14 February 2015 (UTC)
Your GA nomination of Mario Hollands
The article Mario Hollands you nominated as a good article has passed ; see Talk:Mario Hollands for comments about the article. Well done! If the article has not already been on the main page as an "In the news" or "Did you know" item, you can nominate it to appear in Did you know. Message delivered by Legobot, on behalf of Eurodyne -- Eurodyne (talk) 20:01, 15 February 2015 (UTC)
- Good job! Bob305 (talk) 21:19, 15 February 2015 (UTC)
- Nice! Newyorkadam (talk) 22:51, 15 February 2015 (UTC)Newyorkadam
Signpost Editorial
That was quite a daring and on-the-mark editorial about the state of the admin corps on WP. I'm sure it will draw lots of comments. But it made me realize how often I see an editor accuse an admin of bias or heavy-handedness, it happens on a daily basis. I'm glad you drew attention to it. Liz Read! Talk! 01:09, 20 February 2015 (UTC)
- Thank you. It has been one of those things getting on a nerve for me for some time, and I thought it was finally time to share. Go Phightins! 03:10, 20 February 2015 (UTC)
The Signpost: 18 February 2015
- In the media: Students' use and perception of Wikipedia
- Special report: Revision scoring as a service
- Gallery: Darwin Day
- Traffic report: February is for lovers
- Featured content: A load of bull-sized breakfast behind the restaurant, Koi feeding, a moray eel, Spaghetti Nebula and other fishy, fishy fish
- Arbitration report: We've built the nuclear reactor; now what colour should we paint the bikeshed?
Thank you
for your editorial. It was a great piece. TParis, Secret, and Dennis Brown's retirements/indefinite WikiBreaks have really gotten to me, and leaves me like "who do I have to look up to anymore?", because they were such civil and hardworking people. TParis's reasons for his retirement has even got me thinking about it, on top of many stressful events on WP this month. I would like to thank you again, these retirements deserved this attention, because when admins like those listed above retire, a part of Wikipedia dies. But enough ranting for now. Regards, --AmaryllisGardener talk 03:33, 20 February 2015 (UTC)
- You're more than welcome, AmaryllisGardner. It was something that had been bothering me for quite a while, and I finally decided to write about it. It certainly is a major concern, and one I am glad you share. Go Phightins! 04:08, 20 February 2015 (UTC)
Same. Especially for mentioning the twice missed admin to whom I dedicated an article (about praise) that is pictured in my user's infobox. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:55, 20 February 2015 (UTC)
Your GA nomination of Justin De Fratus
Hi there, I'm pleased to inform you that I've begun reviewing the article Justin De Fratus you nominated for GA-status according to the criteria. This process may take up to 7 days. Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments you might have during this period. Message delivered by Legobot, on behalf of Newyorkadam -- Newyorkadam (talk) 18:21, 21 February 2015 (UTC)
Formatting of season schedule tables
Phightins, sir, please take a look at these threads: [2] and [3]. I am not opposed to change, but I do think we should carefully consider the proper way to implement changes in contravention of well-established practice. Your feedback on the relevant talk pages is requested. Dirtlawyer1 (talk) 15:15, 23 February 2015 (UTC)
Your GA nomination of Justin De Fratus
The article Justin De Fratus you nominated as a good article has been placed on hold . The article is close to meeting the good article criteria, but there are some minor changes or clarifications needing to be addressed. If these are fixed within 7 days, the article will pass; otherwise it may fail. See Talk:Justin De Fratus for things which need to be addressed. Message delivered by Legobot, on behalf of Newyorkadam -- Newyorkadam (talk) 17:20, 23 February 2015 (UTC)
WP:Co-op: Presentation at Wikimania 2015
Hey Go Phightins!. I've put in a submission for a presentation at Wikimania 2015 called Is Two the Magic Number?: The Co-op and New Editor Engagement through Mentorship. I'll be talking about the state of finding help spaces on en.wiki and how our new mentorship space, The Co-op, factors into that picture. Reviewing will begin soon and I'll need your help to be able to present our work. Please review our proposal and give us feedback. If you would be interested in seeing this presentation, whether you are attending or not, please add your name to the signup at the bottom of the proposal (you do not need to attend Wikimania to express interest in presentations). I, JethroBT drop me a line on behalf of Wikipedia:Co-op.
(Opt-out Instructions) This message was send by Jim Carter through MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 13:19, 25 February 2015 (UTC)
The Signpost: 25 February 2015
- News and notes: Questions raised over WMF partnership with research firm
- In the media: WikiGnomes and Bigfoot
- Gallery: Far from home
- Traffic report: Fifty Shades of... self-denial?
- Recent research: Gender bias, SOPA blackout, and a student assignment that backfired
- WikiProject report: Be prepared... Scouts in the spotlight
The Signpost: 25 February 2015
- News and notes: Questions raised over WMF partnership with research firm
- In the media: WikiGnomes and Bigfoot
- Gallery: Far from home
- Traffic report: Fifty Shades of... self-denial?
- Recent research: Gender bias, SOPA blackout, and a student assignment that backfired
- WikiProject report: Be prepared... Scouts in the spotlight
I hate the Phillies
But more importantly, I had a record of a technical conversation I had with Mr. Stradivarius on the feasibility of the things I was suggesting earlier here. ResMar 05:29, 28 February 2015 (UTC)