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FEWIW. I just stumbled upon this. I thought I would share it right away. I noticed it as a 'tag' edit behind a talk-redlinked new editor at Recent changes. ``` Buster Seven Talk 15:26, 29 January 2013 (UTC).
... Coal town guy. Please feel free to drop by at the Editor of the Week main page and take a look if you haven't already. ``` Buster Seven Talk 07:56, 30 January 2013 (UTC)
A good pro photographer shows up? Light up the flaming pitchforks! Andy Dingley ( talk) 03:14, 31 January 2013 (UTC)
http://en.wikipedia.org/?title=User:Arriva436&curid=7397173&diff=535572970&oldid=483409267
A more keenly enforced civility policy would have prevented this, since the editor responsible for the "crap" comment had been warned about this sort of thing before.
Most editors, though, are against such enforcement. So it continues. -- Demiurge1000 ( talk) 21:51, 29 January 2013 (UTC)
I just mentioned both this project and Wikipedia:WikiProject Popular Culture on Talk:Shinto in popular culture. It may benefit from other comment, or it may be completely ignorable. Cheers. In ictu oculi ( talk) 04:16, 1 February 2013 (UTC)
User:Noetica, an expert contributor to
Wikipedia:Manual of Style, is leaving Wikipedia.
—
Wavelength (
talk)
01:25, 3 February 2013 (UTC)
... Diiscool. Please feel free to drop by at the Editor of the Week main page and take a look if you haven't already. The ideal candidate for "Editor of the Week" is an editor who works hard, possibly doing behind-the-scenes kind of stuff, who does not get the recognition and acknowledgement that they should. Present your nomination at: WP:EotW/N.``` Buster Seven Talk 07:55, 5 February 2013 (UTC)
I have submitted a proposal for one of WMF's new Individual Engagement Grants. It is a pilot project to determine whether coaching new editors on their writing for the English Wikipedia improves editor retention, focusing on women and Global Southerners. If you would like to endorse this project, you can do so here. I would also appreciate any other feedback, pro or con, which can be posted here. Thanks! Libcub ( talk) 03:28, 7 February 2013 (UTC)
Hi! I'm not sure this is the right WikiProject to notify about this, but Wikipedia:Requests for comment/User conduct seems to not have many active volunteers helping provide outside views; it would benefit from a few more eyes if anyone here is interested. I believe that helping resolve those disputes could be a form of editor retention project because conduct issues of the kind brought to RfCU (including civility issues) can heavily discourage and disillusion experienced editors. (I'm involved in one of the listed RfCUs, and I've noticed that the other listed RfCUs also haven't had much recent activity from outside editors.) Dreamyshade ( talk) 13:27, 7 February 2013 (UTC)
... benzband. Please feel free to drop by at the Editor of the Week main page and take a look if you haven't already. The ideal candidate for "Editor of the Week" is an editor who works hard, possibly doing behind-the-scenes kind of stuff, who does not get the recognition and acknowledgement that they should. Present your nomination at: WP:EotW/N.``` Buster Seven Talk 07:10, 11 February 2013 (UTC)
Lucia Black ( talk · contribs) was expressing their frustration and said they were on the verge of quitting at VPM here. Biosthmors ( talk) 22:19, 11 February 2013 (UTC)
I found the following post at Talk:Gerlach Flicke:
This article is in desperate need of some serious work. There are numerous assertions not supported by any real evidence. Footnote or Reference #1 cites a journal publication that has absolutely nothing to do with Gerlach Flicke. Can some Wiki addict please fix this article? Having been castigated every time I have tried to fix errors in an article, I am not about to take it on myself! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.149.244.85 (talk) 01:57, 5 February 2013 (UTC)
It seems that this IP is using a changing IP address, as this is the only contribution to that particular number. But every IP editor is also a future registered editor, so we want to keep these one-timers. I suspect that 98 has been a victim of excessive reverting - many editors are way too quick to revert edits, and often for trivial reasons - I was once reverted for not formatting a citation correctly. Comments? Ego White Tray ( talk) 04:37, 5 February 2013 (UTC)
Actually, I *was* a registered contributor for some time, several years ago. And I am a qualified, published expert in a couple of narrow fields of history and art history. The German-born artist Gerlach Flicke happens to be one of those narrow fields. I am, for example, currently engaged in a project for the National Gallery of Scotland that involves the authentication of a painting attributed to Flicke. But in the past, my experiences with attempting to edit erroneous articles on Wikipedia was so intensely negative that I withdrew. And no, it was not due to reversions for trivial reasons. It was for very substantive edits that were reverted by crackpots (the only word I know to use) who based their edits on such "facts" as astrological proofs and information given out by ill-trained volunteer tour guides at local historical sites. Rather than spend my time trying to explain to "contributors" that an astrological "reading" is not proof of any historical fact, I simply stopped trying. I've always had an major issue with the open-source nature of Wikipedia for just that reason. Published experts are not allowed to cite their own published work, even where that work is published by peer-reviewed academic presses and is virtually the only research on the given subject, but any other contributor is perfectly free to cite a little-old-lady tour guide as an "expert". It baffles me. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.149.244.85 ( talk) 20:01, 5 February 2013 (UTC)
So let's assume, for the sake of discussion, that I am the only art historian in the world to have fully researched and studied Gerlach Flicke. And let's further assume that I have an academic article forthcoming in a prestigious international academic journal on art history. Am I to understand that I am forbidden by Wiki policy from editing and improving the Wiki article on Flicke, simply because I actually know something about him? Instead, we must wait for some "know-nothing" to come along and cite my published article for me? I cannot do it myself? If that is indeed the case, then I am sure you will appreciate my incredulity, and further appreciate why legitimate scholars consider Wikipedia to be a laughing stock. it woudl be comparable to the inmates running the asylum if the "know-nothings" have sole control over editing! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.149.244.85 ( talk) 01:34, 7 February 2013 (UTC)
I'm sure all of those comments and suggestions are perfectly valid, Fiachra, but the process you describe is exceedingly burdensome for any but the most devoted of contributors. There is less "process" involved even with publishing in many respected academic journals. And that is a serious issue for Wikipedia, its reputation and its credibility. As long as it is easier for a person to publish in a respected academic journal, and as long as the author is subjected by academic journals to less hoop-jumping in order to establish his or her credibility, Wiki can only enter in at the bottom of the ladder of respectability. Throughout my own teaching career at a large state university, I have consistently refused to allow students to cite Wikipedia in their research papers ... and I will continue to do so. Wikipedia is just too unreliable, largely because of its own policies governing "open source" editing. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.149.244.85 ( talk) 05:00, 12 February 2013 (UTC)
There's currently a discussion at WP:VPP#Wikipedia is dying. Does anyone care? that some of you might be interested in. Ritchie333 (talk) (cont) 10:15, 13 February 2013 (UTC)
Came across this today. It's a scholarly article that examines issues related to retaining newcomers. ~ Adjwilley ( talk) 23:48, 29 January 2013 (UTC)
The article User:GoP is talking about. An important and educational readfor all interested Members.
Rather than leave welcomes for new editors, maybe we should start leaving this: . Fore-warned is fore-armed. If they know whats coming maybe it won't hurt so much. ``` Buster Seven Talk 17:30, 1 February 2013 (UTC)
Hey guys, I really appreciate this discussion. Staeiou, Jtmorgan and I took this study very seriously. It was our waking life for a few months while we were working at the Foundation and the next few months as we put together this manuscript. In the wake of this work, we've been busy trying to solve some of the problems we discovered in this research.
I just want to respond generally to a couple of things. The first is that we tried our best to paint an unbiased picture of what we thought was actually happening in the encyclopedia. While this work might be construed to paint the picture that vandal fighters are somehow at fault or intentionally pushing good newcomers away, we try to make the point clear in the conclusion that the system of vandal fighting in Wikipedia is a necessity for reasons that have been noted. I've tried to make the point when I was interviewed about this work (by a small subset of those who reported on it) that the vandal fighting tools implicated by this work are actually a brilliant, robust, efficient solution to a complicated and difficult problem that threatened the viability of Wikipedia as an open encyclopedia. If we are half as effective as Wikipedians were in 2006-07 when these tools were invented, we'll solve this problem too.
The second is that Jtmorgan and I are putting our time and energy where our mouths are. We're not calling for the deconstruction of Huggle and Cluebot. Instead, we're working to build the structure, communities and software necessary to both have efficient vandal fighting and effective socialization of desirable new editors. Jtmorgan has been pivotal in constructing and maintaining the WP:Teahouse and I've been using all of my waking hours that aren't promised to my employer to get features developed for WP:Snuggle. -- EpochFail( talk • work) 16:28, 5 February 2013 (UTC)
I think a lot of the problems come down to groupthink of the elite in situation where the elite hold no power. Treating wikipedia like a plutocracy, when wikipedia was thought up as, designed as, and functions as a polyarchy.
A good example of this is formatting. I'm looking at the edit screen right now, and it's utter chaos. The result is that it neither fits the needs of the much maligned plebe, or the overindulged "golden" poweruser. The poweruser is going to be creating infoboxes, adding templates, creating all the complicated things you see on the wiki. The edit box is just a trainwreck in almost every way. It's organization was planned out with something akin to a shotgun, there's no consistency or structure, and as previously mentioned, it's trying to fit the user into labyrinthine hole made by the coder rather than tailoring the interface to it's users.
This is emblematic of one of the big problems. The groupthink of the elite. I'm sorry to criticize the work put into it, but I've been aware of the teahouse for a while, but I always ignored it, while putting this together I looked at it and found a familiar structure that I've seen in other places on wikipedia. I could pick the nits of the teahouse for a while, but I'll simply point out what seems to jump out like a 20 ft neon sign. You're directing every newcomer to a list of a dozen or two editors...
So let's say the teahouse is the apex of perfection... And newcomers actually use it... The dozens volunteers would have to provide rapid feedback to tens of thousands of editors an hour.
But also, it's trying to filter the plebes through the elites. It's trying to form them into this ridiculous ideal for editors.
First, that's obviously ridiculous. But secondly, I'm not saying that there's no place for "elite" power users, and I'm not trying to deride their contribution. An elite user that can work a bot for instance can help a lot of articles with very little effort, and that's obviously very valuable... But here's the thing. You don't go out and find them. As on every tin pot community on the internet, people find their niches, usually power seekers seek power, but the elite powerusers don't need to be cultivated. They can even make sense of wikipedia's non mainspace. You can't stop them; though god you try.
Wikipedia needs to cater to the plebe, and try to enable them to act AS plebes. Wikipedia does NOT need to try to mold those plebes into elites. The big thing to avoid is this whole idea of gentrifying them. Trying to take people off the street, and give them self help books, and try to dress them up in the crazy fashion favored by the wiki elite, and keep raising the bar on them over and over.
Unfortunately there is the inescapable conflict between catering to plebes and strict adherence to policy. But the response is not to go back to the idea of gentrifying the plebes, the response is to tailor the policy to the plebes.
The standard response to someone violating policy on a page is to give them a link to the policy they violated. There are several problems with this. For one, the policy pages are a rats nest. The policy is dumped in a bag with everything else and there's distinction between what is policy in the bag and what isn't. Another problem is that policy is only ever casually observed, and the policy is not written with the plebes in mind.
Ideally there would be a very small number of guiding principles. Policy areas would be very clearly marked, so there wouldn't be confusion between policies, general instructions, essays, and whatever other random stuff is in non mainspace. The central idea is to make easy rules easily accessible to the plebes, and they should not be mixed in with quirky joke essays, outdated or apocryphal essays, quirky contradictory "don't do this, but don't do the opposite either" essays etc.
Ideally you would build from the ground up. For instance, take the "quality control mechanisms" noted in the article, and get good hard data on them. Do A/B studies on them. A good thing to remember that I read in a recent rfA is that there is no deadline for wikipedia, but there always seems to be a rush for deletions for instance. Let's say that whatever the current article creation policy is the best we have. What data do we have to make that claim? Have we tested how it effects "good" user retention compared to article creation where any logged in user can create a page that is published immediately, but also put in a review queue catergory, or even tested it against anonymous article creation.
"Wikipedia has changed from the encyclopedia that anyone can edit to the encyclopedia that anyone who understands the norms, socializes himself or herself, dodges the impersonal wall of semi-automated rejection, and still wants to voluntarily contribute his or her time and energy can edit," Halfaker said. TeeTylerToe ( talk) 09:34, 16 February 2013 (UTC)
He just got List of counties in West Virginia promoted to FL status. Go by and check it out. It is very interesting, and it even has interactive graphics! And please stop by his talk and give him a kitten or whatever else moves you! Good job, guys, for encouraging a noob that is well on his way to being a star! !!!! !!!! Gtwfan52 ( talk) 02:40, 20 February 2013 (UTC)
This week's Editor of the Week is Wetman—you are welcome to drop a quick congratulatory note on his talk page. If you know hard working editors who improve Wikipedia while going unrecognized, please nominate them today!. Also feel free to check on the current list of nominees and offer your comments on the nominations. isaacl ( talk) 14:29, 20 February 2013 (UTC)
... Always Learning. The time is ripe to drop by his talk page and offer your congratulations as a part of WER. The ideal candidate for "Editor of the Week" is an editor who works hard, behind-the-scenes, who does not get the recognition and acknowledgement that they should. Members of WER are encouraged to nominate a worthy editor that you may have worked with. Present your nomination at: WP:EotW/N. Also, please take the time to endorse or comment on the current nominees at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Editor Retention/Editor of the Week/Nominations.``` Buster Seven Talk 07:45, 20 February 2013 (UTC)
... Another Believer who has authored over 1200 articles. Candidates for "Editor of the Week" are editors who do not get the recognition and acknowledgement that they deserve.. Members of WER are encouraged to nominate a worthy editor that you may have worked with. Present your nomination at: WP:EotW/N. Also, please take the time to congratulate Another Believer and to endorse or comment on the current nominees at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Editor Retention/Editor of the Week/Nominations.``` Buster Seven Talk 07:45, 20 February 2013 (UTC)
We have too many policy pages. Citing them by capitalized abbreviation is just officious. Just...brittley officious. And totally offputting to newbies. Many of whom have PLENTY of brains and knowledge to add to the Wiki (some more than what we have here already...I know sacrilige...but there is talent out there... a huge world).
We even actually have a blue link for WP:OPP! I made it as a joke, but...we have it. :-(
TCO ( talk) 20:51, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
{{guidance|WP:RS}}
to
WP:RS (Wikipedia's guidance on reliable sources)? Unfortunately it would be difficult to have explanatory phrases for each abbreviation that would work in all contexts, and it wouldn't be possible to keep the template up-to-date for everything, but at least the key abbreviations could be covered.
isaacl (
talk)
21:09, 27 February 2013 (UTC){{User:isaacl/guidance|WP:N}}
results in
Wikipedia's standards for inclusion (WP:N){{User:isaacl/guidance|WP:NOTNEWS}}
results in
Wikipedia is not a place for news coverage (WP:NOTNEWS){{User:isaacl/guidance|WP:NSPORTS}}
results in
WP:NSPORTSSee User:Mrt3366/Tribute. -- Alan Liefting ( talk - contribs) 18:41, 27 February 2013 (UTC)
It is a malicious sockpuppeteer creating patent nonsense or blatant vandalism, or is it simply an inexperienced editor who can't remember he created an account 3 years ago and isn't sure about what Wikipedia's for? -- Ritchie333 (talk) (cont) 10:42, 8 March 2013 (UTC)
For a time (even while retired), I have been tossing around the idea of turning Wikipedia:Hall of Fame into a blue link. Seeing as the Editor of the Week project is an offshoot of WER, it made sense to bring my proposal here. So, here it is:
I am suggesting the initialization of a project that exists to recognize editors that have made substantial contributions to Wikipedia, preferably over a lengthy period of time. My proposal would call for one editor to be inducted each week/month. Anyone would be eligible to provide nominations (but limited to one nomination per cycle) and the inductee would be the editor that received the highest number of support !votes (opposes would not permitted). The clerking could be handled by those willing to do so (I would probably be willing). So, that's my very simple proposal. Your thoughts? AutomaticStrikeout ( T • C) 02:23, 10 March 2013 (UTC)
User:Bleaney, an invaluable asset to Wikipedia through his excellent work. Drop by his page to congratulate him and consider an editor you feel would deserve to be Editor of the Week. Go to the nomination page and get the ball rolling to give a deserving editor a pat on the back for a job well done! ``` Buster Seven Talk 06:23, 11 March 2013 (UTC)
Wikipedia policy is that the Wikiprojects control their pages and templates as well as assessments. We will no longer allow non-members to make any further changes to any of our pages, subpages or templates. A copyright violation is serious at Wikipedia, so for the time being until the situation is cleared up, the Editor of the Week template is no longer being displayed on our project mainpage.-- Amadscientist ( talk) 08:25, 11 March 2013 (UTC)
:::@ madsci...Like Ryan, I'm not quite sure where this proposal came from. I am not aware of any attacks or altering attempts, even of a minor nature...and I keep a pretty close eye on all the WER pages. Can you provide some diffs so we can at least evaluate what concerns you. ```
Buster Seven
Talk 20:28, 11 March 2013 (UTC) I found what troubles you and will comment there. ```
Buster Seven
Talk
20:37, 11 March 2013 (UTC)
A WikiProject is fundamentally a social construct: its success depends on its ability to function as a cohesive group of editors working towards a common goal. Much of the work that members must do to sustain a successful WikiProject (quality assessment and peer review in particular, but almost anything beyond the actual writing of articles) is tedious, often unrewarding, and usually unappreciated. To be effective, a WikiProject must foster not only interest in the topic of the project, but also an esprit de corps among its members. When group cohesion is maintained—where, in other words, project members are willing to share in the less exciting work—a WikiProject can muster the energy and direction to produce excellent articles systematically rather than incidentally.-- Amadscientist ( talk) 01:17, 12 March 2013 (UTC)
To the credit of the editors involved, the issue that precipitated this discussion has been resolved. At least I think it has. Both are quality editors that do their utmost to elevate the Body Wikipedia. As humans, we all commit forgivable "sins". ``` Buster Seven Talk 17:18, 13 March 2013 (UTC)
The Editor of the Week "mini-project within a project" depends on editors being nominated by other editors in order to survive. Currently there are 4 editors in the Accepted Queue. We would love to have many more. Evidenced by some of the comments of past recepients, the award is seen as a solid pat-on the-back and has elicited some heart-felt responses. If you know a deserving editor, dont hesitate to Nominate. the nomination page|You will be happy that you did! ``` Buster Seven Talk 13:41, 13 March 2013 (UTC)
In the March/April 2013 issue of The Cardroom, a poker news broadsheet, is a column entitled "Always be thankful for the new guy". In it the writer states that one reason for the decline in cardroom attendance is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, which had two effects: it convinced folks that online gaming is "illegal", thus scaring them off (stemming the flow of online players who might have transitioned to real world play), and by outlawing online gaming in the U.S., killed off "more than half" of the poker shows on TV, since the advertisers were "kicked out of the country." He writes, addressing experienced card players:
-- Lexein ( talk) 16:54, 13 March 2013 (UTC)
For those who may be interested, I have boldly created a WikiProject to collaboratively recognize Wikipedia's finest editors, which can be found at the link above. Please feel free to add your name to the list of members. Automatic Strikeout ( T • C) 17:22, 13 March 2013 (UTC)
I've asked whether there is already a guideline to avoid "too many foreign editors" type comments on Talk pages. It occurs to me it might be condusive in some cases to editor retention so I link it here. In ictu oculi ( talk) 03:33, 14 March 2013 (UTC)
I have written the above essay in semi-support of the people at ArbCom. As it might be useful in the retention of disgruntled arbs, I am mentioning it here. Automatic Strikeout ( T • C) 23:43, 14 March 2013 (UTC)
User:Sagaciousphil stopped by the EotW talk page to thank the project for her well-deserved Award and to nominate a fellow editor. Is there an editor you have worked alongside or have watched in action that would deserve some recognition? We suggest an editor that flies "under the radar", that doesn't get the acknowlegemnet they are entitled to. Dont hesitate to Nominate. the nomination page|You will be happy that you did! ``` Buster Seven Talk 00:43, 19 March 2013 (UTC)
This Project was created by AutomaticStrikeout as a similar Project to our current EotW, but to award all editors, and not just new ones. But the project is currently MfD where it might get deleted.
Also, AS says he is open to having this Project continue closely alongwith EotW. At the EotW, we support the notion of having HoF continue under similar terms to EotW, but under the WER.
So what do you people think about it? Would that be a good option?
TheOriginalSoni ( talk) 20:33, 22 March 2013 (UTC)
I have proposed and gained a consensus to implement our New Editor barnstar on the Wikipedia:Barnstars page.
The Excellent New Editor's Barnstar A new editor on the right path | ||
message Amadscientist ( talk) 09:05, 24 March 2013 (UTC) |
The Excellent New Editor's Barnstar
The Excellent New Editor's Barnstar is awarded as part of editor retention efforts to new Wikipedians using best practices from the very beginning!
Introduced by Amadsientist on December 31, 2012 as inspired by Gtwfan52.
-- Amadscientist ( talk) 09:05, 24 March 2013 (UTC)
is User talk:BlueMoonset. Drop by her page and see her response for her well-deserved Award. Is there an editor you know that would deserve some recognition? Dont hesitate to Nominate. the nomination page|You will be happy that you did! ``` Buster Seven Talk 07:38, 25 March 2013 (UTC)
I only just realised that anonymous editors can instigate Dispute resolution noticeboard incidents and this to me seems like an area which could have or possibly is open to a shocking amount of abuse. I'll chuck in a quick example here:
Registered User A starts a DRN incident at the noticeboard and it is thrown out.
Unregistered User A starts a DRN incident at the noticeboard and it is thrown out.
Registered User B leaves Wikipedia from frustration, stress, annoyance etc
Everyone sees that right? Thanks ツ Jenova 20 ( email) 12:53, 14 March 2013 (UTC)
Long time editor Rich Farmbrough got blocked for a year. See Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Enforcement#Rich_Farmbrough - blocked for a year for what was arguably, IMHO, manual editing with typos. I don't like that fact one bit, as I indicated there. Does Editor Retention include trying to unblock editors who do vastly more "right" than "wrong"? I hope so. -- Lexein ( talk) 10:43, 26 March 2013 (UTC)
We have already decided that this projects scope does indeed include individual cases. Discuss as you feel fit. To those that say we are limited by scope. No. We are limited by our own consensus. Sorry.-- Amadscientist ( talk) 01:36, 27 March 2013 (UTC)
Second point, I am alarmed by the tendency I see increasing on this talk page and in the behavior of some of the people associated with the project to emulate behaviors that ran previous projects into the ground, such as fostering an adversarial "my job is to fight you, person who we have cast as the enemy" system or becoming too insular and concerned with project governance/rules rather than the project's original aims. The recent attempt to keep anyone other than a select few from being able to edit project pages, for example, and this current proposal that project members internally determine which blocks are "destructive" and work to oppose them on behalf of others while ignoring basic tenets of the community like civility and AGF. There is a reason I, for one, haven't put myself in the WER signup list, and it's because I'm not at all confident that I align with the unspoken goals that appear to be being served, as opposed to the ones written down on the project page. Given that lack of confidence, I'm not comfortable signing my name to a project the current behavior of which worries me - no matter how much I respect and support the nominal goal of the project. And that's why I'm speaking here, trying to persuade people to avoid the biggest pitfalls that we know exist and have always existed in projects like this: because I think editor retention is a very, very useful thing to work towards, and I wish this project would focus more on it, rather than setting itself up as a spokesperson service for editors with problematic histories. A fluffernutter is a sandwich! ( talk) 17:43, 28 March 2013 (UTC)
The Editor of the Week sub-Project is proud to announce the twelfth recipient, User:Surtsicna. Would you like to nominate a fellow editor. Do you know of an editor that just works in the trenches and doesn't get the acknowlegemnet they are entitled to. Dont hesitate to Nominate. You will be happy that you did! ``` Buster Seven Talk 07:10, 31 March 2013 (UTC)
The WikiProject Report would like to focus on WikiProject Editor Retention for a Signpost article. This is an excellent opportunity to draw attention to your efforts and attract new members to the project. Would you be willing to participate in an interview? If so, here are the questions for the interview. Just add your response below each question and feel free to skip any questions that you don't feel comfortable answering. Multiple editors will have an opportunity to respond to the interview questions, so be sure to sign your answers. If you know anyone else who would like to participate in the interview, please share this with them. Have a great day. –Mabeenot ( talk) 03:37, 7 April 2013 (UTC)
I boldly removed the WikiProject part of the page name. I am also doing some adjustments to EOTW to fit on the Community portal and am going to be adding an editor retention section there to encourage editors to interact and provide links to discussions, editors willing to help-teach and mentor.-- Amadscientist ( talk) 12:36, 6 April 2013 (UTC)
Thank you all so much. This is the nicest thing ever!!! This was Anna Frodesiak's response when she got her EotW award last evening. An editor w/ 60K plus edits and over 1400 articles. The Editor of the Week sub-Project is a success. Is there an editor you would like to nominate? Some editor that doesn't get the acknowlegemnet they are entitled to. Dont hesitate to Nominate. You will be happy that you did! ``` Buster Seven Talk 05:36, 8 April 2013 (UTC)
Here's a thought I just had that might be useful and also relevant to editor retention: Why not pick a specific day, which we could name "WikiLove Day" or something similar, where we would encourage the community members to find at least fellow Wikipedian and leave them with some WikiLove? The point would not be to have each person give out 100 barnstars, but rather to have 100 people give out one, sending a personalized WikiLove message, perhaps to someone that generally flies under the radar or someone with whom they have had a dispute in the past. We could create a chart to keep track of how many people participated. Given all of the dissension and strife that is prevalent in this community, picking one day to encourage people to give out WikiLove might be a worthwhile effort. Any thoughts? AutomaticStrikeout ( T • C • Sign AAPT) 20:41, 8 April 2013 (UTC)
The result of the move request was: Moved already to original title by Adjwilley ( talk · contribs). Closing discussion since still listed at WP:RM. Chamal T• C 13:52, 14 April 2013 (UTC)
Wikipedia:Editor retention →
Wikipedia:WikiProject Editor retention – Actually Wikipedia:WikiProject Editor retention is the original name. An editor moved it without asking. Some people are OK with this, some not, but as shown above (
Wikipedia talk:Editor retention#Editor retention naming) there's no consensus for the name change -- I see three in support, one neutral, four against, a couple unclear (just making comments). Obviously this is not consensus to change the name.
Herostratus (
talk)
17:35, 7 April 2013 (UTC)
While trying to clean up the Main Page I came upon the R & R Team. I tried to revive it by contacting the only two members that had responded back in mid-July when the team concept was first promoted. I then contacted a recently retired editor to see if I could return her to "active duty". See the page if your interested. Yesterdays efforts reminded me that, as they are walking out the door, retiring editors are usually very vocal in their reasons for leaving. In the midst of their soliloquies are statements of fact that can be harvested for research into the "retiring phenomenon". I'm not a researcher. I'm a collector. I am going to start a sub-page Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Editor Retention/Retention and return team_Soliloquies just for the sake of collecting them for potential future research. If, in your travels, you come across a dramatic "i'm out of here" monologue, please let me know. ``` Buster Seven Talk 12:25, 10 April 2013 (UTC)
is User:Anne Delong. Take a second and drop by her page. A pat on the back from a stranger is awesome. Not that members of WER are strange.....``` Buster Seven Talk 20:38, 15 April 2013 (UTC)
This is just a friendly reminder that this promotion is still ongoing. If you haven't been there, please take a look, as it is a wonderful way to recognize contributors around here. Dennis Brown - 2¢ © Join WER 16:09, 14 April 2013 (UTC)
I '''''must''''' edit Wikipedia
(wikicode ital bold code visible)I must edit Wikipedia better
I must edit Wikipedia faster
Any and all members of WER can make the free T-Shirt nominations of the recent Editors of the Week. It may be frowned upon if ONLY editor GoPhightins and I make 13 nominations in a row.
User:Tomobe03. Congratulations can be offered at her (?) talk page. New Nominations are the life blood of the EotW project. Is there any one you edit alongside that deserves some special praise and acknowledgement? Dont hesitate to Nominate. You will be happy that you did! ``` Buster Seven Talk 16:44, 21 April 2013 (UTC)
Dreadstar ( talk · contribs · former admin: blocks · protections · deletions · rights · meta · local rights), a valuable and considerate administrator, has decided to leave Wikipedia during this BASC discussion on Will Beback. He blocked himself indefinitely and asked MBisanz to remove his administrative tools. Very sad news... Lord Sjones23 ( talk - contributions) 02:13, 16 April 2013 (UTC)
Also on a irrelevant note, AutomaticStrikeout has left the project. Lord Sjones23 ( talk - contributions) 06:30, 20 April 2013 (UTC)
Since I don't believe I have advertised these here in the past, I will do so now. " Arbs are people too" and " Admins are people too" are two essay/petitions that I wrote a while back in support of our oft–maligned Arbs and Admins. I believe that these essays would fall under the scope of editor retention, so I thought I would call them to your attention here. Regards, AutomaticStrikeout ( T • C • Sign AAPT) 15:46, 23 April 2013 (UTC)
You have no idea of how happy and proud I am with what you and many others have done with the Editor of the Week program. The feedback I've seen from the people who have received it is inspiring. I'm hoping to see more of us get involved with the program. Honestly, I think it is the best thing we have done as a group. Buster, Gerda, Isaacl, AutomaticStrikeout, Gtwfan52, TheOriginalSoni, Epipelagic, Khazar2, Go Phightins!, and I know I'm missing several names so forgive me, but all of you should be very proud of what you have helped create here. I simply can't overstate how amazed and happy I am. The entire Project should be proud of the good work turning a simple idea into a solid, functioning reward system that surpases my original dreams. Too bad we don't live near each other, I would be honored to buy each and every one of you a pint, or just pick up the tab for the whole night. We aren't done yet, but it is certainly a solid foundation. Dennis Brown - 2¢ © Join WER 00:04, 26 April 2013 (UTC)
New meta feature that we should all become familiar with. I haven't read up on it yet, it was just announced at WP:AN. Designed to replace watchlist. Looks like of Facebook-esque, but at first glance, sounds like a good idea. I would expect a lot of questions. Dennis Brown - 2¢ © Join WER 12:57, 26 April 2013 (UTC)
User:FeydHuxtable Congratulations can be offered at his talk page. New Nominations are the life blood of the EotW project. Is there an editor that stands out in a way deserving of positive attention? Any one you edit alongside that deserves some special acknowledgement? Dont hesitate to Nominate. You will be happy that you did! ``` Buster Seven Talk 22:25, 28 April 2013 (UTC)
We now have a section at the community portal. If there are suggestions on how to improve this, please let me know.-- Amadscientist ( talk) 21:31, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
I didn't see this mentioned so I thought I would say how great the Sign post article was...aside from my typos and spelling. LOL! -- Amadscientist ( talk) 04:38, 1 May 2013 (UTC)
Please see Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents#Block of Blackcountrygirl. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 11:21, 3 May 2013 (UTC)
"Document ways in which all editors can achieve these goals and organize them within the projct subpages."
Can someone correct the spelling error on the Project Page, since that is apparently protected from being corrected? - 68.107.137.178 ( talk) 08:48, 5 May 2013 (UTC)
...is one of the thousands of hard-working but un-acknowledged Wikipedia editors. WER has just awarded him this week EotW Award. Drop by his talk page to offer your congratulations and consider who you might nominate. Dont hesitate to Nominate. You will be happy that you did! ``` Buster Seven Talk 21:31, 5 May 2013 (UTC)
I don't even know how to begin to argue that Hawaii is not on the North American Plate. It's not. It never was. Yet the editors who have created the articles on Geology of North America and Geology of the United States, disorganized and factually inaccurate messes, have started these articles from this strange basis, with statements that regional geology is arbitrarily defined (an unsupported statement based on a translation of the German or Dutch article on regional geology, and it may have a slightly different meaning in those countries), to support including information that is just thrown into the articles, contradicts other information and has no supporting reason for inclusion. It's far from citable. It's wrong.
Why should an article with misinformation be kept on Wikipedia? Why should it be nominated for the main page?
Editors leave because of Wikipedia's disdain for expertise or even basic knowledge. Wikipedia needs expertise in tectonics and structural geology articles, because many of the articles are wrong, and the misinformation is being widely communicated in cyberspace. But, experts don't stand a chance, because Wikipedia appears to be more about social networking than about creating an encyclopedia, and experts often maintain expertise by working at full time jobs. I don't have the patience to edit these articles, to fight their owners to get the articles to a point where they are not wrong. But, someone needs to remove these articles from Wikipedia and stop spreading this misinformation.
Please discuss articles on their talk pages, please don't discuss me, as I have given up, and, you know, Randy in Boise is out to get me, but I think that Wikipedia seriously needs to find a way to get expertise in tough technical subjects or a way of removing bad articles quickly rather than letting them be mirrored. - 64.134.230.142 ( talk) 00:53, 7 May 2013 (UTC)
Also, let's face it, dispute resolution will not just favor the standard First World young male social networking editor, it will also lock in his version of the article, and that is what will be on the web, turning up in Google searches, while dispute resolution works slowly to the conclusion that what the article says does not matter, even if it is unsourced (because no reliable sources make Hawaii part of the Sierra Nevada). - 64.134.230.142 ( talk) 02:32, 7 May 2013 (UTC)
User:Dismas has over a decade worth of block-free work primarily on content (over 70% of 65000 total contributions). Editor of the Week was founded to recognize under-appreciated content contributors, and Dismas meets the requirements. With over 120 members, WER should be able to create more than a handfull of congratulations@ Dismas' talk page. Dont hesitate to Nominate. You will be happy that you did! ``` Buster Seven Talk 06:21, 13 May 2013 (UTC)
The WP:VisualEditor is designed to let people edit without needing to learn wikitext syntax. The articles will look (nearly) the same in the new edit "window" as when you read them (aka WYSIWYG), and changes will show up as you type them, very much like writing a document in a modern word processor. The devs currently expect to deploy the VisualEditor as the new site-wide default editing system in early July 2013.
About 2,000 editors have tried out this early test version so far, and feedback overall has been positive. Right now, the VisualEditor is available only to registered users who opt-in, and it's a bit slow and limited in features. You can do all the basic things like writing or changing sentences, creating or changing section headings, and editing simple bulleted lists. It currently can't either add or remove templates (like fact tags), ref tags, images, categories, or tables (and it will not be turned on for new users until common reference styles and citation templates are supported). These more complex features are being worked on, and the code will be updated as things are worked out. Also, right now you can only use it for articles and user pages. When it's deployed in July, the old editor will still be available and, in fact, the old edit window will be the only option for talk pages (I believe that WP:Flow is ultimately supposed to deal with talk pages).
The developers are asking editors like you to join the alpha testing for the VisualEditor. Please go to Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-editing and tick the box at the end of the page, where it says "Enable VisualEditor (only in the main namespace and the User namespace)". Save the preferences, and then try fixing a few typos or copyediting a few articles by using the new "Edit" tab instead of the section [Edit] buttons or the old editing window (which will still be present and still work for you, but which will be renamed "Edit source"). Fix a typo or make some changes, and then click the 'save and review' button (at the top of the page). See what works and what doesn't. We really need people who will try this out on 10 or 15 pages and then leave a note Wikipedia:VisualEditor/Feedback about their experiences, especially if something mission-critical isn't working and doesn't seem to be on anyone's radar.
Also, if any of you are involved in template maintenance or documentation about how to edit pages, the VisualEditor will require some extra attention. The devs want to incorporate things like citation templates directly into the editor, which means that they need to know what information goes in which fields. Obviously, the screenshots and instructions for basic editing will need to be completely updated. The old edit window is not going away, so help pages will likely need to cover both the old and the new.
As you know, minor changes are used as excuses for leaving Wikipedia (or at least for threatening to leave), and major changes really do cost us people and productivity, because there no matter how great the ultimate product, there will be people who are already on the point of leaving and who decide therefore that the learning curve is just not worth it. The WMF is committed to this long-requested improvement, and it's my impression that nothing short of a complete collapse of the servers will cause it to be reversed, no matter how outsized our sense of entitlement is. Changing how the website functions and appears is a listed exception to things controlled by editor consensus. So with all of that in mind, one of the main purposes for this message is to make sure that you know that this will be happening, so that you at least aren't surprised by it, and that you know that you don't need to use the new editor if you don't want to. The new editing system will become the default, not the only option. If you have any other questions and can't find a better place to ask them, then please feel free to leave a message on my user talk page, and perhaps together we'll be able to figure it out. WhatamIdoing ( talk) 04:38, 10 May 2013 (UTC)
how do you think the community will react if we de-admin all non-employee adminsbefore they did anything. The "how" was far more important than the "what" because—regarless of what people say—many admins do view adminship as a badge of honor that they have earned through countless hours of selfless dedication to the project. Taking that away—even if it is justified—is still a slap in the face. They should have told people what the problem was and asked if people would voluntarily turn in their bits to help the situation. I'm still a going to be a cheerleader for the WMF, but this was a very bad move on the WMF's part and it makes me wonder how much they care about the individuals that make up the community. 64.40.54.96 ( talk) 01:36, 18 May 2013 (UTC)
There is a a discussion going on at Wikipedia talk:Kindness Campaign regarding the organization of a Kindness Day or something similar. I am mentioning it here as it may be of interest to some of you. AutomaticStrikeout ? 14:50, 15 May 2013 (UTC)
Just so everyone knows, I will be taking a temporary Wikibreak for at least 5-7 days to let off some steam and get myself reenergized. Some of the stress has got to me, so I think it's best if I should take a couple of days off. I also have final exams coming up as well. I will only be back to work on certain articles. Till then, adios. Lord Sjones23 ( talk - contributions) 20:09, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
Thanks, everyone. Also, just to clarify, some of the stress stems from the recent disputes that I have been involved in as well as my frustration over Wikipedia's inability to deal with a couple of persistently disruptive users (i.e. those with a bullying or battleground mentality in general or those who seem to be oblivious to their own uncivil behaviors), combined with the realization of my unintended immaturity in some of my approaches to dealing with these users (including my unintentional feeding of the Streisand effect), a couple of users' comments towards me were in a negative light and/or condescending (I have exceptionally low tolerance for these comments which were uncalled for, and one of these users has already apologized to me after I apologized to him). I have been recently subjected to very serious personal abuse and constant uncivil behavior by these users, but I have mostly moved on from that. Such things like these are considered a disgrace to the community and to some editors with an excellent contribution record, including myself. Also, I fear that if I engage a disruptive user while trying to avoid them, I may push the wrong buttons accidentally. These reasons are a couple of the factors in my Wikibreak, and are also why I refuse to get involved in dealing with other difficult users until the time is right because it causes me undue stress. In the past, while I have almost always been civil, I may have caused issues with other users (disruptive or not) in anyway or might have been uncivil in any way towards anyone and I do not appreciate it when people are incivil or condescending towards me, so if I have done that or anything wrong, I am terribly sorry and I really didn't mean for some things to happen... Lord Sjones23 ( talk - contributions) 15:27, 2 May 2013 (UTC)
All right. Now that the dust has been temporarily settled, I am thinking about planning to take a look at a couple of events here that can lead to a retirement. Does anyone remember the recent Fladrif fiasco at ANI? I think that stemmed from Fladrif's personal attacks towards other users, including Dreadstar (which he was driven off of), Ched and myself, as well as his bludgeoning of other users as well including Penbat, a respected user who has created numerous articles pertaining to abuse and bullying. Penbat was wikihounded by Fladrif on some of his articles and according to him, he seemed to align himself with Star767, a possible sockpuppet of a banned user. Penbat was intrigued by the talk page information, so he had to compile that as evidence with other evidence provided by Bbb23, Keithbob and other users. So, in short, incivility and personal attacks often drives other good users away, but in the end, users will eventually end up being blocked, as is the case here. Lord Sjones23 ( talk - contributions) 05:00, 13 May 2013 (UTC)
For the past 19 weeks, WER clerks have been dispensing the highly successful Editor of the Week Award. 19 low-key, out-of-the-limelight editors have been acknowledged for their efforts on behalf of the Encyclopedia. Fellow WER members have been visiting their respective talk pages and offering further thanks and support. The recipients have responded with some truly special comments. Every editor that is reading this wastes so much time with the "crap" @ WP. Invest a couple of minutes in congratulating a worker bee. You will be happy that you did. This week's recipient is User Closeapple. Go tell him how important he is to this effort of Encyclopedia building. ``` Buster Seven Talk 04:10, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
Copied from User talk:Dennis Brown
A while ago we had a conversation about editor retention. One thing I don't think we discussed was the role Cyber Bullying and Cyber Stalking plays in editors quitting wikipedia. Because if you're a victim of such abuse, its been my experience over the last year there is an unwillingness for admins to look at such problems, they make a presumption that both sides are equally to blame and sanction both victim and culprit. Anyway, whilst I have come close several times (and meant it at the time) I have finally had it. Wee Curry Monster talk 18:50, 14 May 2013 (UTC)
( talk page stalker) WCM, this kind of thing happens in school. Generally, who ever is to blame, the solution is to separate both parties - and that's what's being suggested. it doesn't mean you have to give up your studies. Kudpung กุดผึ้ง ( talk) 20:31, 14 May 2013 (UTC)
In all my travels around WikiLand, I'm not sure I've seen a discussion entirely focussed on Bullying. Maybe WER provides a perfect empty canvas for editors to weigh in with their thoughts. Who wants to continue what ws started above? ``` Buster Seven Talk 03:57, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
I have started an embryo essay in my userspace and I am inviting folk here who wish to collaborate and make ot an essay worth releasing into the wild. Yes, this really is an invitation to edit something in another user's space!
I'm trying to address the sometimes extremely poor treatment of well qualified academics who find the environment here to be inhospitable. I'm hoping to address from from the perspective of the academic and from those who sometimes berate them. So please join in at User:Timtrent/Relationships with academic editors, ideally contributing text, but, if you prefer, using its talk page.
The end game is to move this and the associated talk page into Wikipedia: space when it is judged to be ready Patently that is not today. Fiddle Faddle 21:39, 21 May 2013 (UTC)
I managed some quiet time to extend the essay. I'd very much appreciate input from readers and members here. Fiddle Faddle 12:38, 24 May 2013 (UTC)
If an editor made these two edits to Middle Ages and to Hengistbury Head, then received these two warnings (Warning Eric Corbett - #1) and (Warning Eric Corbett - #4) within the space of two days, how do you think they would feel about continuing to contribute to Wikipedia? Should this project be worried about a bot that performs like that in case the editor really was a newcomer? -- RexxS ( talk) 21:34, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
This weeks Editor of the Week. You are invited to drop a quick congratulatory note on his talk page. If you know hard working editors who improve Wikipedia while going unrecognized, please nominate them today!. Also feel free to check on the current list of nominees and offer your comments on the nominations. ``` Buster Seven Talk 10:32, 28 May 2013 (UTC)
You know, one can either edit articles or discuss them. The latter is by far more popular with most registered users, it seems to me (probably an interaction bias), the former is what experts have time for and interest in. It is impossible to get the existing status quo at Wikipedia (English) to see this.
I often correct DYKs on the main page. A couple of admins freak out about templating articles on the main page, thinking, incorrectly, that a piece of misinformation should sit there until it is off the main page. I have been rudely told to edit before the articles are on the maik page, but the listing system is impossible to understand. I checked out a geology article that is a disaster, reaches some agreement on the talk page as it seemed editors were committed to improving it. Improvements needed are huge, but two editors are now pushing for it to be rapidly promoted to the main page.
Geology of North America is a bad article. The geology is wrong, internally inconsistent (a blessing in parts), confusing, contradictory, disorganized and plagiarized out of context. The section on the Stable Platform, for example, is incomprehensible. However, the primary editor and the DYK nominator and possibly the admin arguing for main page in its current state have such limited understandings of structural geology and are so devoted to out-of-date references and creative naming (the Interior Plains are called the Great Plaons and, conversely size-grading, the North American Cordillera is renamed as the American Cordillera), that there is no way to discuss the issues with them. Meanwhile, one of the actual geologists, Vsmith, seems solely dedicated to reverting any substantive changes I make based on minor issues.
Structural geology articles on Wikipedia are badly written, mislead readers, and often omit primary information. A few of us decided to start correcting the articles last year, but I am the only one remaining.
At some point en.Wikipedia has to awake to the fact that an editor must understand the topic, not merely be able to copy google books into Wikipedia.
So, off to dispute resolution. Meanwhile, I work full time, how one acquires knowledge in their topic area, so that means I cannot edit the article but must spend time arguing basic geology with editors who do not understand the subject at a high enough level to catch their own really bad errors that a college student in an introductory course would see.
I cannot teach geology to the willfully ignorant and edit. If you want experts, and you do need them, Wikipedia must admit not all esitors are competent to edit all areas of knowledge, the apparent current assumption. - 198.228.217.154 ( talk) 12:24, 28 May 2013 (UTC)
This 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. |
Archive 1 | ← | Archive 4 | Archive 5 | Archive 6 | Archive 7 | Archive 8 | → | Archive 10 |
FEWIW. I just stumbled upon this. I thought I would share it right away. I noticed it as a 'tag' edit behind a talk-redlinked new editor at Recent changes. ``` Buster Seven Talk 15:26, 29 January 2013 (UTC).
... Coal town guy. Please feel free to drop by at the Editor of the Week main page and take a look if you haven't already. ``` Buster Seven Talk 07:56, 30 January 2013 (UTC)
A good pro photographer shows up? Light up the flaming pitchforks! Andy Dingley ( talk) 03:14, 31 January 2013 (UTC)
http://en.wikipedia.org/?title=User:Arriva436&curid=7397173&diff=535572970&oldid=483409267
A more keenly enforced civility policy would have prevented this, since the editor responsible for the "crap" comment had been warned about this sort of thing before.
Most editors, though, are against such enforcement. So it continues. -- Demiurge1000 ( talk) 21:51, 29 January 2013 (UTC)
I just mentioned both this project and Wikipedia:WikiProject Popular Culture on Talk:Shinto in popular culture. It may benefit from other comment, or it may be completely ignorable. Cheers. In ictu oculi ( talk) 04:16, 1 February 2013 (UTC)
User:Noetica, an expert contributor to
Wikipedia:Manual of Style, is leaving Wikipedia.
—
Wavelength (
talk)
01:25, 3 February 2013 (UTC)
... Diiscool. Please feel free to drop by at the Editor of the Week main page and take a look if you haven't already. The ideal candidate for "Editor of the Week" is an editor who works hard, possibly doing behind-the-scenes kind of stuff, who does not get the recognition and acknowledgement that they should. Present your nomination at: WP:EotW/N.``` Buster Seven Talk 07:55, 5 February 2013 (UTC)
I have submitted a proposal for one of WMF's new Individual Engagement Grants. It is a pilot project to determine whether coaching new editors on their writing for the English Wikipedia improves editor retention, focusing on women and Global Southerners. If you would like to endorse this project, you can do so here. I would also appreciate any other feedback, pro or con, which can be posted here. Thanks! Libcub ( talk) 03:28, 7 February 2013 (UTC)
Hi! I'm not sure this is the right WikiProject to notify about this, but Wikipedia:Requests for comment/User conduct seems to not have many active volunteers helping provide outside views; it would benefit from a few more eyes if anyone here is interested. I believe that helping resolve those disputes could be a form of editor retention project because conduct issues of the kind brought to RfCU (including civility issues) can heavily discourage and disillusion experienced editors. (I'm involved in one of the listed RfCUs, and I've noticed that the other listed RfCUs also haven't had much recent activity from outside editors.) Dreamyshade ( talk) 13:27, 7 February 2013 (UTC)
... benzband. Please feel free to drop by at the Editor of the Week main page and take a look if you haven't already. The ideal candidate for "Editor of the Week" is an editor who works hard, possibly doing behind-the-scenes kind of stuff, who does not get the recognition and acknowledgement that they should. Present your nomination at: WP:EotW/N.``` Buster Seven Talk 07:10, 11 February 2013 (UTC)
Lucia Black ( talk · contribs) was expressing their frustration and said they were on the verge of quitting at VPM here. Biosthmors ( talk) 22:19, 11 February 2013 (UTC)
I found the following post at Talk:Gerlach Flicke:
This article is in desperate need of some serious work. There are numerous assertions not supported by any real evidence. Footnote or Reference #1 cites a journal publication that has absolutely nothing to do with Gerlach Flicke. Can some Wiki addict please fix this article? Having been castigated every time I have tried to fix errors in an article, I am not about to take it on myself! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.149.244.85 (talk) 01:57, 5 February 2013 (UTC)
It seems that this IP is using a changing IP address, as this is the only contribution to that particular number. But every IP editor is also a future registered editor, so we want to keep these one-timers. I suspect that 98 has been a victim of excessive reverting - many editors are way too quick to revert edits, and often for trivial reasons - I was once reverted for not formatting a citation correctly. Comments? Ego White Tray ( talk) 04:37, 5 February 2013 (UTC)
Actually, I *was* a registered contributor for some time, several years ago. And I am a qualified, published expert in a couple of narrow fields of history and art history. The German-born artist Gerlach Flicke happens to be one of those narrow fields. I am, for example, currently engaged in a project for the National Gallery of Scotland that involves the authentication of a painting attributed to Flicke. But in the past, my experiences with attempting to edit erroneous articles on Wikipedia was so intensely negative that I withdrew. And no, it was not due to reversions for trivial reasons. It was for very substantive edits that were reverted by crackpots (the only word I know to use) who based their edits on such "facts" as astrological proofs and information given out by ill-trained volunteer tour guides at local historical sites. Rather than spend my time trying to explain to "contributors" that an astrological "reading" is not proof of any historical fact, I simply stopped trying. I've always had an major issue with the open-source nature of Wikipedia for just that reason. Published experts are not allowed to cite their own published work, even where that work is published by peer-reviewed academic presses and is virtually the only research on the given subject, but any other contributor is perfectly free to cite a little-old-lady tour guide as an "expert". It baffles me. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.149.244.85 ( talk) 20:01, 5 February 2013 (UTC)
So let's assume, for the sake of discussion, that I am the only art historian in the world to have fully researched and studied Gerlach Flicke. And let's further assume that I have an academic article forthcoming in a prestigious international academic journal on art history. Am I to understand that I am forbidden by Wiki policy from editing and improving the Wiki article on Flicke, simply because I actually know something about him? Instead, we must wait for some "know-nothing" to come along and cite my published article for me? I cannot do it myself? If that is indeed the case, then I am sure you will appreciate my incredulity, and further appreciate why legitimate scholars consider Wikipedia to be a laughing stock. it woudl be comparable to the inmates running the asylum if the "know-nothings" have sole control over editing! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.149.244.85 ( talk) 01:34, 7 February 2013 (UTC)
I'm sure all of those comments and suggestions are perfectly valid, Fiachra, but the process you describe is exceedingly burdensome for any but the most devoted of contributors. There is less "process" involved even with publishing in many respected academic journals. And that is a serious issue for Wikipedia, its reputation and its credibility. As long as it is easier for a person to publish in a respected academic journal, and as long as the author is subjected by academic journals to less hoop-jumping in order to establish his or her credibility, Wiki can only enter in at the bottom of the ladder of respectability. Throughout my own teaching career at a large state university, I have consistently refused to allow students to cite Wikipedia in their research papers ... and I will continue to do so. Wikipedia is just too unreliable, largely because of its own policies governing "open source" editing. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.149.244.85 ( talk) 05:00, 12 February 2013 (UTC)
There's currently a discussion at WP:VPP#Wikipedia is dying. Does anyone care? that some of you might be interested in. Ritchie333 (talk) (cont) 10:15, 13 February 2013 (UTC)
Came across this today. It's a scholarly article that examines issues related to retaining newcomers. ~ Adjwilley ( talk) 23:48, 29 January 2013 (UTC)
The article User:GoP is talking about. An important and educational readfor all interested Members.
Rather than leave welcomes for new editors, maybe we should start leaving this: . Fore-warned is fore-armed. If they know whats coming maybe it won't hurt so much. ``` Buster Seven Talk 17:30, 1 February 2013 (UTC)
Hey guys, I really appreciate this discussion. Staeiou, Jtmorgan and I took this study very seriously. It was our waking life for a few months while we were working at the Foundation and the next few months as we put together this manuscript. In the wake of this work, we've been busy trying to solve some of the problems we discovered in this research.
I just want to respond generally to a couple of things. The first is that we tried our best to paint an unbiased picture of what we thought was actually happening in the encyclopedia. While this work might be construed to paint the picture that vandal fighters are somehow at fault or intentionally pushing good newcomers away, we try to make the point clear in the conclusion that the system of vandal fighting in Wikipedia is a necessity for reasons that have been noted. I've tried to make the point when I was interviewed about this work (by a small subset of those who reported on it) that the vandal fighting tools implicated by this work are actually a brilliant, robust, efficient solution to a complicated and difficult problem that threatened the viability of Wikipedia as an open encyclopedia. If we are half as effective as Wikipedians were in 2006-07 when these tools were invented, we'll solve this problem too.
The second is that Jtmorgan and I are putting our time and energy where our mouths are. We're not calling for the deconstruction of Huggle and Cluebot. Instead, we're working to build the structure, communities and software necessary to both have efficient vandal fighting and effective socialization of desirable new editors. Jtmorgan has been pivotal in constructing and maintaining the WP:Teahouse and I've been using all of my waking hours that aren't promised to my employer to get features developed for WP:Snuggle. -- EpochFail( talk • work) 16:28, 5 February 2013 (UTC)
I think a lot of the problems come down to groupthink of the elite in situation where the elite hold no power. Treating wikipedia like a plutocracy, when wikipedia was thought up as, designed as, and functions as a polyarchy.
A good example of this is formatting. I'm looking at the edit screen right now, and it's utter chaos. The result is that it neither fits the needs of the much maligned plebe, or the overindulged "golden" poweruser. The poweruser is going to be creating infoboxes, adding templates, creating all the complicated things you see on the wiki. The edit box is just a trainwreck in almost every way. It's organization was planned out with something akin to a shotgun, there's no consistency or structure, and as previously mentioned, it's trying to fit the user into labyrinthine hole made by the coder rather than tailoring the interface to it's users.
This is emblematic of one of the big problems. The groupthink of the elite. I'm sorry to criticize the work put into it, but I've been aware of the teahouse for a while, but I always ignored it, while putting this together I looked at it and found a familiar structure that I've seen in other places on wikipedia. I could pick the nits of the teahouse for a while, but I'll simply point out what seems to jump out like a 20 ft neon sign. You're directing every newcomer to a list of a dozen or two editors...
So let's say the teahouse is the apex of perfection... And newcomers actually use it... The dozens volunteers would have to provide rapid feedback to tens of thousands of editors an hour.
But also, it's trying to filter the plebes through the elites. It's trying to form them into this ridiculous ideal for editors.
First, that's obviously ridiculous. But secondly, I'm not saying that there's no place for "elite" power users, and I'm not trying to deride their contribution. An elite user that can work a bot for instance can help a lot of articles with very little effort, and that's obviously very valuable... But here's the thing. You don't go out and find them. As on every tin pot community on the internet, people find their niches, usually power seekers seek power, but the elite powerusers don't need to be cultivated. They can even make sense of wikipedia's non mainspace. You can't stop them; though god you try.
Wikipedia needs to cater to the plebe, and try to enable them to act AS plebes. Wikipedia does NOT need to try to mold those plebes into elites. The big thing to avoid is this whole idea of gentrifying them. Trying to take people off the street, and give them self help books, and try to dress them up in the crazy fashion favored by the wiki elite, and keep raising the bar on them over and over.
Unfortunately there is the inescapable conflict between catering to plebes and strict adherence to policy. But the response is not to go back to the idea of gentrifying the plebes, the response is to tailor the policy to the plebes.
The standard response to someone violating policy on a page is to give them a link to the policy they violated. There are several problems with this. For one, the policy pages are a rats nest. The policy is dumped in a bag with everything else and there's distinction between what is policy in the bag and what isn't. Another problem is that policy is only ever casually observed, and the policy is not written with the plebes in mind.
Ideally there would be a very small number of guiding principles. Policy areas would be very clearly marked, so there wouldn't be confusion between policies, general instructions, essays, and whatever other random stuff is in non mainspace. The central idea is to make easy rules easily accessible to the plebes, and they should not be mixed in with quirky joke essays, outdated or apocryphal essays, quirky contradictory "don't do this, but don't do the opposite either" essays etc.
Ideally you would build from the ground up. For instance, take the "quality control mechanisms" noted in the article, and get good hard data on them. Do A/B studies on them. A good thing to remember that I read in a recent rfA is that there is no deadline for wikipedia, but there always seems to be a rush for deletions for instance. Let's say that whatever the current article creation policy is the best we have. What data do we have to make that claim? Have we tested how it effects "good" user retention compared to article creation where any logged in user can create a page that is published immediately, but also put in a review queue catergory, or even tested it against anonymous article creation.
"Wikipedia has changed from the encyclopedia that anyone can edit to the encyclopedia that anyone who understands the norms, socializes himself or herself, dodges the impersonal wall of semi-automated rejection, and still wants to voluntarily contribute his or her time and energy can edit," Halfaker said. TeeTylerToe ( talk) 09:34, 16 February 2013 (UTC)
He just got List of counties in West Virginia promoted to FL status. Go by and check it out. It is very interesting, and it even has interactive graphics! And please stop by his talk and give him a kitten or whatever else moves you! Good job, guys, for encouraging a noob that is well on his way to being a star! !!!! !!!! Gtwfan52 ( talk) 02:40, 20 February 2013 (UTC)
This week's Editor of the Week is Wetman—you are welcome to drop a quick congratulatory note on his talk page. If you know hard working editors who improve Wikipedia while going unrecognized, please nominate them today!. Also feel free to check on the current list of nominees and offer your comments on the nominations. isaacl ( talk) 14:29, 20 February 2013 (UTC)
... Always Learning. The time is ripe to drop by his talk page and offer your congratulations as a part of WER. The ideal candidate for "Editor of the Week" is an editor who works hard, behind-the-scenes, who does not get the recognition and acknowledgement that they should. Members of WER are encouraged to nominate a worthy editor that you may have worked with. Present your nomination at: WP:EotW/N. Also, please take the time to endorse or comment on the current nominees at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Editor Retention/Editor of the Week/Nominations.``` Buster Seven Talk 07:45, 20 February 2013 (UTC)
... Another Believer who has authored over 1200 articles. Candidates for "Editor of the Week" are editors who do not get the recognition and acknowledgement that they deserve.. Members of WER are encouraged to nominate a worthy editor that you may have worked with. Present your nomination at: WP:EotW/N. Also, please take the time to congratulate Another Believer and to endorse or comment on the current nominees at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Editor Retention/Editor of the Week/Nominations.``` Buster Seven Talk 07:45, 20 February 2013 (UTC)
We have too many policy pages. Citing them by capitalized abbreviation is just officious. Just...brittley officious. And totally offputting to newbies. Many of whom have PLENTY of brains and knowledge to add to the Wiki (some more than what we have here already...I know sacrilige...but there is talent out there... a huge world).
We even actually have a blue link for WP:OPP! I made it as a joke, but...we have it. :-(
TCO ( talk) 20:51, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
{{guidance|WP:RS}}
to
WP:RS (Wikipedia's guidance on reliable sources)? Unfortunately it would be difficult to have explanatory phrases for each abbreviation that would work in all contexts, and it wouldn't be possible to keep the template up-to-date for everything, but at least the key abbreviations could be covered.
isaacl (
talk)
21:09, 27 February 2013 (UTC){{User:isaacl/guidance|WP:N}}
results in
Wikipedia's standards for inclusion (WP:N){{User:isaacl/guidance|WP:NOTNEWS}}
results in
Wikipedia is not a place for news coverage (WP:NOTNEWS){{User:isaacl/guidance|WP:NSPORTS}}
results in
WP:NSPORTSSee User:Mrt3366/Tribute. -- Alan Liefting ( talk - contribs) 18:41, 27 February 2013 (UTC)
It is a malicious sockpuppeteer creating patent nonsense or blatant vandalism, or is it simply an inexperienced editor who can't remember he created an account 3 years ago and isn't sure about what Wikipedia's for? -- Ritchie333 (talk) (cont) 10:42, 8 March 2013 (UTC)
For a time (even while retired), I have been tossing around the idea of turning Wikipedia:Hall of Fame into a blue link. Seeing as the Editor of the Week project is an offshoot of WER, it made sense to bring my proposal here. So, here it is:
I am suggesting the initialization of a project that exists to recognize editors that have made substantial contributions to Wikipedia, preferably over a lengthy period of time. My proposal would call for one editor to be inducted each week/month. Anyone would be eligible to provide nominations (but limited to one nomination per cycle) and the inductee would be the editor that received the highest number of support !votes (opposes would not permitted). The clerking could be handled by those willing to do so (I would probably be willing). So, that's my very simple proposal. Your thoughts? AutomaticStrikeout ( T • C) 02:23, 10 March 2013 (UTC)
User:Bleaney, an invaluable asset to Wikipedia through his excellent work. Drop by his page to congratulate him and consider an editor you feel would deserve to be Editor of the Week. Go to the nomination page and get the ball rolling to give a deserving editor a pat on the back for a job well done! ``` Buster Seven Talk 06:23, 11 March 2013 (UTC)
Wikipedia policy is that the Wikiprojects control their pages and templates as well as assessments. We will no longer allow non-members to make any further changes to any of our pages, subpages or templates. A copyright violation is serious at Wikipedia, so for the time being until the situation is cleared up, the Editor of the Week template is no longer being displayed on our project mainpage.-- Amadscientist ( talk) 08:25, 11 March 2013 (UTC)
:::@ madsci...Like Ryan, I'm not quite sure where this proposal came from. I am not aware of any attacks or altering attempts, even of a minor nature...and I keep a pretty close eye on all the WER pages. Can you provide some diffs so we can at least evaluate what concerns you. ```
Buster Seven
Talk 20:28, 11 March 2013 (UTC) I found what troubles you and will comment there. ```
Buster Seven
Talk
20:37, 11 March 2013 (UTC)
A WikiProject is fundamentally a social construct: its success depends on its ability to function as a cohesive group of editors working towards a common goal. Much of the work that members must do to sustain a successful WikiProject (quality assessment and peer review in particular, but almost anything beyond the actual writing of articles) is tedious, often unrewarding, and usually unappreciated. To be effective, a WikiProject must foster not only interest in the topic of the project, but also an esprit de corps among its members. When group cohesion is maintained—where, in other words, project members are willing to share in the less exciting work—a WikiProject can muster the energy and direction to produce excellent articles systematically rather than incidentally.-- Amadscientist ( talk) 01:17, 12 March 2013 (UTC)
To the credit of the editors involved, the issue that precipitated this discussion has been resolved. At least I think it has. Both are quality editors that do their utmost to elevate the Body Wikipedia. As humans, we all commit forgivable "sins". ``` Buster Seven Talk 17:18, 13 March 2013 (UTC)
The Editor of the Week "mini-project within a project" depends on editors being nominated by other editors in order to survive. Currently there are 4 editors in the Accepted Queue. We would love to have many more. Evidenced by some of the comments of past recepients, the award is seen as a solid pat-on the-back and has elicited some heart-felt responses. If you know a deserving editor, dont hesitate to Nominate. the nomination page|You will be happy that you did! ``` Buster Seven Talk 13:41, 13 March 2013 (UTC)
In the March/April 2013 issue of The Cardroom, a poker news broadsheet, is a column entitled "Always be thankful for the new guy". In it the writer states that one reason for the decline in cardroom attendance is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, which had two effects: it convinced folks that online gaming is "illegal", thus scaring them off (stemming the flow of online players who might have transitioned to real world play), and by outlawing online gaming in the U.S., killed off "more than half" of the poker shows on TV, since the advertisers were "kicked out of the country." He writes, addressing experienced card players:
-- Lexein ( talk) 16:54, 13 March 2013 (UTC)
For those who may be interested, I have boldly created a WikiProject to collaboratively recognize Wikipedia's finest editors, which can be found at the link above. Please feel free to add your name to the list of members. Automatic Strikeout ( T • C) 17:22, 13 March 2013 (UTC)
I've asked whether there is already a guideline to avoid "too many foreign editors" type comments on Talk pages. It occurs to me it might be condusive in some cases to editor retention so I link it here. In ictu oculi ( talk) 03:33, 14 March 2013 (UTC)
I have written the above essay in semi-support of the people at ArbCom. As it might be useful in the retention of disgruntled arbs, I am mentioning it here. Automatic Strikeout ( T • C) 23:43, 14 March 2013 (UTC)
User:Sagaciousphil stopped by the EotW talk page to thank the project for her well-deserved Award and to nominate a fellow editor. Is there an editor you have worked alongside or have watched in action that would deserve some recognition? We suggest an editor that flies "under the radar", that doesn't get the acknowlegemnet they are entitled to. Dont hesitate to Nominate. the nomination page|You will be happy that you did! ``` Buster Seven Talk 00:43, 19 March 2013 (UTC)
This Project was created by AutomaticStrikeout as a similar Project to our current EotW, but to award all editors, and not just new ones. But the project is currently MfD where it might get deleted.
Also, AS says he is open to having this Project continue closely alongwith EotW. At the EotW, we support the notion of having HoF continue under similar terms to EotW, but under the WER.
So what do you people think about it? Would that be a good option?
TheOriginalSoni ( talk) 20:33, 22 March 2013 (UTC)
I have proposed and gained a consensus to implement our New Editor barnstar on the Wikipedia:Barnstars page.
The Excellent New Editor's Barnstar A new editor on the right path | ||
message Amadscientist ( talk) 09:05, 24 March 2013 (UTC) |
The Excellent New Editor's Barnstar
The Excellent New Editor's Barnstar is awarded as part of editor retention efforts to new Wikipedians using best practices from the very beginning!
Introduced by Amadsientist on December 31, 2012 as inspired by Gtwfan52.
-- Amadscientist ( talk) 09:05, 24 March 2013 (UTC)
is User talk:BlueMoonset. Drop by her page and see her response for her well-deserved Award. Is there an editor you know that would deserve some recognition? Dont hesitate to Nominate. the nomination page|You will be happy that you did! ``` Buster Seven Talk 07:38, 25 March 2013 (UTC)
I only just realised that anonymous editors can instigate Dispute resolution noticeboard incidents and this to me seems like an area which could have or possibly is open to a shocking amount of abuse. I'll chuck in a quick example here:
Registered User A starts a DRN incident at the noticeboard and it is thrown out.
Unregistered User A starts a DRN incident at the noticeboard and it is thrown out.
Registered User B leaves Wikipedia from frustration, stress, annoyance etc
Everyone sees that right? Thanks ツ Jenova 20 ( email) 12:53, 14 March 2013 (UTC)
Long time editor Rich Farmbrough got blocked for a year. See Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Enforcement#Rich_Farmbrough - blocked for a year for what was arguably, IMHO, manual editing with typos. I don't like that fact one bit, as I indicated there. Does Editor Retention include trying to unblock editors who do vastly more "right" than "wrong"? I hope so. -- Lexein ( talk) 10:43, 26 March 2013 (UTC)
We have already decided that this projects scope does indeed include individual cases. Discuss as you feel fit. To those that say we are limited by scope. No. We are limited by our own consensus. Sorry.-- Amadscientist ( talk) 01:36, 27 March 2013 (UTC)
Second point, I am alarmed by the tendency I see increasing on this talk page and in the behavior of some of the people associated with the project to emulate behaviors that ran previous projects into the ground, such as fostering an adversarial "my job is to fight you, person who we have cast as the enemy" system or becoming too insular and concerned with project governance/rules rather than the project's original aims. The recent attempt to keep anyone other than a select few from being able to edit project pages, for example, and this current proposal that project members internally determine which blocks are "destructive" and work to oppose them on behalf of others while ignoring basic tenets of the community like civility and AGF. There is a reason I, for one, haven't put myself in the WER signup list, and it's because I'm not at all confident that I align with the unspoken goals that appear to be being served, as opposed to the ones written down on the project page. Given that lack of confidence, I'm not comfortable signing my name to a project the current behavior of which worries me - no matter how much I respect and support the nominal goal of the project. And that's why I'm speaking here, trying to persuade people to avoid the biggest pitfalls that we know exist and have always existed in projects like this: because I think editor retention is a very, very useful thing to work towards, and I wish this project would focus more on it, rather than setting itself up as a spokesperson service for editors with problematic histories. A fluffernutter is a sandwich! ( talk) 17:43, 28 March 2013 (UTC)
The Editor of the Week sub-Project is proud to announce the twelfth recipient, User:Surtsicna. Would you like to nominate a fellow editor. Do you know of an editor that just works in the trenches and doesn't get the acknowlegemnet they are entitled to. Dont hesitate to Nominate. You will be happy that you did! ``` Buster Seven Talk 07:10, 31 March 2013 (UTC)
The WikiProject Report would like to focus on WikiProject Editor Retention for a Signpost article. This is an excellent opportunity to draw attention to your efforts and attract new members to the project. Would you be willing to participate in an interview? If so, here are the questions for the interview. Just add your response below each question and feel free to skip any questions that you don't feel comfortable answering. Multiple editors will have an opportunity to respond to the interview questions, so be sure to sign your answers. If you know anyone else who would like to participate in the interview, please share this with them. Have a great day. –Mabeenot ( talk) 03:37, 7 April 2013 (UTC)
I boldly removed the WikiProject part of the page name. I am also doing some adjustments to EOTW to fit on the Community portal and am going to be adding an editor retention section there to encourage editors to interact and provide links to discussions, editors willing to help-teach and mentor.-- Amadscientist ( talk) 12:36, 6 April 2013 (UTC)
Thank you all so much. This is the nicest thing ever!!! This was Anna Frodesiak's response when she got her EotW award last evening. An editor w/ 60K plus edits and over 1400 articles. The Editor of the Week sub-Project is a success. Is there an editor you would like to nominate? Some editor that doesn't get the acknowlegemnet they are entitled to. Dont hesitate to Nominate. You will be happy that you did! ``` Buster Seven Talk 05:36, 8 April 2013 (UTC)
Here's a thought I just had that might be useful and also relevant to editor retention: Why not pick a specific day, which we could name "WikiLove Day" or something similar, where we would encourage the community members to find at least fellow Wikipedian and leave them with some WikiLove? The point would not be to have each person give out 100 barnstars, but rather to have 100 people give out one, sending a personalized WikiLove message, perhaps to someone that generally flies under the radar or someone with whom they have had a dispute in the past. We could create a chart to keep track of how many people participated. Given all of the dissension and strife that is prevalent in this community, picking one day to encourage people to give out WikiLove might be a worthwhile effort. Any thoughts? AutomaticStrikeout ( T • C • Sign AAPT) 20:41, 8 April 2013 (UTC)
The result of the move request was: Moved already to original title by Adjwilley ( talk · contribs). Closing discussion since still listed at WP:RM. Chamal T• C 13:52, 14 April 2013 (UTC)
Wikipedia:Editor retention →
Wikipedia:WikiProject Editor retention – Actually Wikipedia:WikiProject Editor retention is the original name. An editor moved it without asking. Some people are OK with this, some not, but as shown above (
Wikipedia talk:Editor retention#Editor retention naming) there's no consensus for the name change -- I see three in support, one neutral, four against, a couple unclear (just making comments). Obviously this is not consensus to change the name.
Herostratus (
talk)
17:35, 7 April 2013 (UTC)
While trying to clean up the Main Page I came upon the R & R Team. I tried to revive it by contacting the only two members that had responded back in mid-July when the team concept was first promoted. I then contacted a recently retired editor to see if I could return her to "active duty". See the page if your interested. Yesterdays efforts reminded me that, as they are walking out the door, retiring editors are usually very vocal in their reasons for leaving. In the midst of their soliloquies are statements of fact that can be harvested for research into the "retiring phenomenon". I'm not a researcher. I'm a collector. I am going to start a sub-page Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Editor Retention/Retention and return team_Soliloquies just for the sake of collecting them for potential future research. If, in your travels, you come across a dramatic "i'm out of here" monologue, please let me know. ``` Buster Seven Talk 12:25, 10 April 2013 (UTC)
is User:Anne Delong. Take a second and drop by her page. A pat on the back from a stranger is awesome. Not that members of WER are strange.....``` Buster Seven Talk 20:38, 15 April 2013 (UTC)
This is just a friendly reminder that this promotion is still ongoing. If you haven't been there, please take a look, as it is a wonderful way to recognize contributors around here. Dennis Brown - 2¢ © Join WER 16:09, 14 April 2013 (UTC)
I '''''must''''' edit Wikipedia
(wikicode ital bold code visible)I must edit Wikipedia better
I must edit Wikipedia faster
Any and all members of WER can make the free T-Shirt nominations of the recent Editors of the Week. It may be frowned upon if ONLY editor GoPhightins and I make 13 nominations in a row.
User:Tomobe03. Congratulations can be offered at her (?) talk page. New Nominations are the life blood of the EotW project. Is there any one you edit alongside that deserves some special praise and acknowledgement? Dont hesitate to Nominate. You will be happy that you did! ``` Buster Seven Talk 16:44, 21 April 2013 (UTC)
Dreadstar ( talk · contribs · former admin: blocks · protections · deletions · rights · meta · local rights), a valuable and considerate administrator, has decided to leave Wikipedia during this BASC discussion on Will Beback. He blocked himself indefinitely and asked MBisanz to remove his administrative tools. Very sad news... Lord Sjones23 ( talk - contributions) 02:13, 16 April 2013 (UTC)
Also on a irrelevant note, AutomaticStrikeout has left the project. Lord Sjones23 ( talk - contributions) 06:30, 20 April 2013 (UTC)
Since I don't believe I have advertised these here in the past, I will do so now. " Arbs are people too" and " Admins are people too" are two essay/petitions that I wrote a while back in support of our oft–maligned Arbs and Admins. I believe that these essays would fall under the scope of editor retention, so I thought I would call them to your attention here. Regards, AutomaticStrikeout ( T • C • Sign AAPT) 15:46, 23 April 2013 (UTC)
You have no idea of how happy and proud I am with what you and many others have done with the Editor of the Week program. The feedback I've seen from the people who have received it is inspiring. I'm hoping to see more of us get involved with the program. Honestly, I think it is the best thing we have done as a group. Buster, Gerda, Isaacl, AutomaticStrikeout, Gtwfan52, TheOriginalSoni, Epipelagic, Khazar2, Go Phightins!, and I know I'm missing several names so forgive me, but all of you should be very proud of what you have helped create here. I simply can't overstate how amazed and happy I am. The entire Project should be proud of the good work turning a simple idea into a solid, functioning reward system that surpases my original dreams. Too bad we don't live near each other, I would be honored to buy each and every one of you a pint, or just pick up the tab for the whole night. We aren't done yet, but it is certainly a solid foundation. Dennis Brown - 2¢ © Join WER 00:04, 26 April 2013 (UTC)
New meta feature that we should all become familiar with. I haven't read up on it yet, it was just announced at WP:AN. Designed to replace watchlist. Looks like of Facebook-esque, but at first glance, sounds like a good idea. I would expect a lot of questions. Dennis Brown - 2¢ © Join WER 12:57, 26 April 2013 (UTC)
User:FeydHuxtable Congratulations can be offered at his talk page. New Nominations are the life blood of the EotW project. Is there an editor that stands out in a way deserving of positive attention? Any one you edit alongside that deserves some special acknowledgement? Dont hesitate to Nominate. You will be happy that you did! ``` Buster Seven Talk 22:25, 28 April 2013 (UTC)
We now have a section at the community portal. If there are suggestions on how to improve this, please let me know.-- Amadscientist ( talk) 21:31, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
I didn't see this mentioned so I thought I would say how great the Sign post article was...aside from my typos and spelling. LOL! -- Amadscientist ( talk) 04:38, 1 May 2013 (UTC)
Please see Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents#Block of Blackcountrygirl. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 11:21, 3 May 2013 (UTC)
"Document ways in which all editors can achieve these goals and organize them within the projct subpages."
Can someone correct the spelling error on the Project Page, since that is apparently protected from being corrected? - 68.107.137.178 ( talk) 08:48, 5 May 2013 (UTC)
...is one of the thousands of hard-working but un-acknowledged Wikipedia editors. WER has just awarded him this week EotW Award. Drop by his talk page to offer your congratulations and consider who you might nominate. Dont hesitate to Nominate. You will be happy that you did! ``` Buster Seven Talk 21:31, 5 May 2013 (UTC)
I don't even know how to begin to argue that Hawaii is not on the North American Plate. It's not. It never was. Yet the editors who have created the articles on Geology of North America and Geology of the United States, disorganized and factually inaccurate messes, have started these articles from this strange basis, with statements that regional geology is arbitrarily defined (an unsupported statement based on a translation of the German or Dutch article on regional geology, and it may have a slightly different meaning in those countries), to support including information that is just thrown into the articles, contradicts other information and has no supporting reason for inclusion. It's far from citable. It's wrong.
Why should an article with misinformation be kept on Wikipedia? Why should it be nominated for the main page?
Editors leave because of Wikipedia's disdain for expertise or even basic knowledge. Wikipedia needs expertise in tectonics and structural geology articles, because many of the articles are wrong, and the misinformation is being widely communicated in cyberspace. But, experts don't stand a chance, because Wikipedia appears to be more about social networking than about creating an encyclopedia, and experts often maintain expertise by working at full time jobs. I don't have the patience to edit these articles, to fight their owners to get the articles to a point where they are not wrong. But, someone needs to remove these articles from Wikipedia and stop spreading this misinformation.
Please discuss articles on their talk pages, please don't discuss me, as I have given up, and, you know, Randy in Boise is out to get me, but I think that Wikipedia seriously needs to find a way to get expertise in tough technical subjects or a way of removing bad articles quickly rather than letting them be mirrored. - 64.134.230.142 ( talk) 00:53, 7 May 2013 (UTC)
Also, let's face it, dispute resolution will not just favor the standard First World young male social networking editor, it will also lock in his version of the article, and that is what will be on the web, turning up in Google searches, while dispute resolution works slowly to the conclusion that what the article says does not matter, even if it is unsourced (because no reliable sources make Hawaii part of the Sierra Nevada). - 64.134.230.142 ( talk) 02:32, 7 May 2013 (UTC)
User:Dismas has over a decade worth of block-free work primarily on content (over 70% of 65000 total contributions). Editor of the Week was founded to recognize under-appreciated content contributors, and Dismas meets the requirements. With over 120 members, WER should be able to create more than a handfull of congratulations@ Dismas' talk page. Dont hesitate to Nominate. You will be happy that you did! ``` Buster Seven Talk 06:21, 13 May 2013 (UTC)
The WP:VisualEditor is designed to let people edit without needing to learn wikitext syntax. The articles will look (nearly) the same in the new edit "window" as when you read them (aka WYSIWYG), and changes will show up as you type them, very much like writing a document in a modern word processor. The devs currently expect to deploy the VisualEditor as the new site-wide default editing system in early July 2013.
About 2,000 editors have tried out this early test version so far, and feedback overall has been positive. Right now, the VisualEditor is available only to registered users who opt-in, and it's a bit slow and limited in features. You can do all the basic things like writing or changing sentences, creating or changing section headings, and editing simple bulleted lists. It currently can't either add or remove templates (like fact tags), ref tags, images, categories, or tables (and it will not be turned on for new users until common reference styles and citation templates are supported). These more complex features are being worked on, and the code will be updated as things are worked out. Also, right now you can only use it for articles and user pages. When it's deployed in July, the old editor will still be available and, in fact, the old edit window will be the only option for talk pages (I believe that WP:Flow is ultimately supposed to deal with talk pages).
The developers are asking editors like you to join the alpha testing for the VisualEditor. Please go to Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-editing and tick the box at the end of the page, where it says "Enable VisualEditor (only in the main namespace and the User namespace)". Save the preferences, and then try fixing a few typos or copyediting a few articles by using the new "Edit" tab instead of the section [Edit] buttons or the old editing window (which will still be present and still work for you, but which will be renamed "Edit source"). Fix a typo or make some changes, and then click the 'save and review' button (at the top of the page). See what works and what doesn't. We really need people who will try this out on 10 or 15 pages and then leave a note Wikipedia:VisualEditor/Feedback about their experiences, especially if something mission-critical isn't working and doesn't seem to be on anyone's radar.
Also, if any of you are involved in template maintenance or documentation about how to edit pages, the VisualEditor will require some extra attention. The devs want to incorporate things like citation templates directly into the editor, which means that they need to know what information goes in which fields. Obviously, the screenshots and instructions for basic editing will need to be completely updated. The old edit window is not going away, so help pages will likely need to cover both the old and the new.
As you know, minor changes are used as excuses for leaving Wikipedia (or at least for threatening to leave), and major changes really do cost us people and productivity, because there no matter how great the ultimate product, there will be people who are already on the point of leaving and who decide therefore that the learning curve is just not worth it. The WMF is committed to this long-requested improvement, and it's my impression that nothing short of a complete collapse of the servers will cause it to be reversed, no matter how outsized our sense of entitlement is. Changing how the website functions and appears is a listed exception to things controlled by editor consensus. So with all of that in mind, one of the main purposes for this message is to make sure that you know that this will be happening, so that you at least aren't surprised by it, and that you know that you don't need to use the new editor if you don't want to. The new editing system will become the default, not the only option. If you have any other questions and can't find a better place to ask them, then please feel free to leave a message on my user talk page, and perhaps together we'll be able to figure it out. WhatamIdoing ( talk) 04:38, 10 May 2013 (UTC)
how do you think the community will react if we de-admin all non-employee adminsbefore they did anything. The "how" was far more important than the "what" because—regarless of what people say—many admins do view adminship as a badge of honor that they have earned through countless hours of selfless dedication to the project. Taking that away—even if it is justified—is still a slap in the face. They should have told people what the problem was and asked if people would voluntarily turn in their bits to help the situation. I'm still a going to be a cheerleader for the WMF, but this was a very bad move on the WMF's part and it makes me wonder how much they care about the individuals that make up the community. 64.40.54.96 ( talk) 01:36, 18 May 2013 (UTC)
There is a a discussion going on at Wikipedia talk:Kindness Campaign regarding the organization of a Kindness Day or something similar. I am mentioning it here as it may be of interest to some of you. AutomaticStrikeout ? 14:50, 15 May 2013 (UTC)
Just so everyone knows, I will be taking a temporary Wikibreak for at least 5-7 days to let off some steam and get myself reenergized. Some of the stress has got to me, so I think it's best if I should take a couple of days off. I also have final exams coming up as well. I will only be back to work on certain articles. Till then, adios. Lord Sjones23 ( talk - contributions) 20:09, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
Thanks, everyone. Also, just to clarify, some of the stress stems from the recent disputes that I have been involved in as well as my frustration over Wikipedia's inability to deal with a couple of persistently disruptive users (i.e. those with a bullying or battleground mentality in general or those who seem to be oblivious to their own uncivil behaviors), combined with the realization of my unintended immaturity in some of my approaches to dealing with these users (including my unintentional feeding of the Streisand effect), a couple of users' comments towards me were in a negative light and/or condescending (I have exceptionally low tolerance for these comments which were uncalled for, and one of these users has already apologized to me after I apologized to him). I have been recently subjected to very serious personal abuse and constant uncivil behavior by these users, but I have mostly moved on from that. Such things like these are considered a disgrace to the community and to some editors with an excellent contribution record, including myself. Also, I fear that if I engage a disruptive user while trying to avoid them, I may push the wrong buttons accidentally. These reasons are a couple of the factors in my Wikibreak, and are also why I refuse to get involved in dealing with other difficult users until the time is right because it causes me undue stress. In the past, while I have almost always been civil, I may have caused issues with other users (disruptive or not) in anyway or might have been uncivil in any way towards anyone and I do not appreciate it when people are incivil or condescending towards me, so if I have done that or anything wrong, I am terribly sorry and I really didn't mean for some things to happen... Lord Sjones23 ( talk - contributions) 15:27, 2 May 2013 (UTC)
All right. Now that the dust has been temporarily settled, I am thinking about planning to take a look at a couple of events here that can lead to a retirement. Does anyone remember the recent Fladrif fiasco at ANI? I think that stemmed from Fladrif's personal attacks towards other users, including Dreadstar (which he was driven off of), Ched and myself, as well as his bludgeoning of other users as well including Penbat, a respected user who has created numerous articles pertaining to abuse and bullying. Penbat was wikihounded by Fladrif on some of his articles and according to him, he seemed to align himself with Star767, a possible sockpuppet of a banned user. Penbat was intrigued by the talk page information, so he had to compile that as evidence with other evidence provided by Bbb23, Keithbob and other users. So, in short, incivility and personal attacks often drives other good users away, but in the end, users will eventually end up being blocked, as is the case here. Lord Sjones23 ( talk - contributions) 05:00, 13 May 2013 (UTC)
For the past 19 weeks, WER clerks have been dispensing the highly successful Editor of the Week Award. 19 low-key, out-of-the-limelight editors have been acknowledged for their efforts on behalf of the Encyclopedia. Fellow WER members have been visiting their respective talk pages and offering further thanks and support. The recipients have responded with some truly special comments. Every editor that is reading this wastes so much time with the "crap" @ WP. Invest a couple of minutes in congratulating a worker bee. You will be happy that you did. This week's recipient is User Closeapple. Go tell him how important he is to this effort of Encyclopedia building. ``` Buster Seven Talk 04:10, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
Copied from User talk:Dennis Brown
A while ago we had a conversation about editor retention. One thing I don't think we discussed was the role Cyber Bullying and Cyber Stalking plays in editors quitting wikipedia. Because if you're a victim of such abuse, its been my experience over the last year there is an unwillingness for admins to look at such problems, they make a presumption that both sides are equally to blame and sanction both victim and culprit. Anyway, whilst I have come close several times (and meant it at the time) I have finally had it. Wee Curry Monster talk 18:50, 14 May 2013 (UTC)
( talk page stalker) WCM, this kind of thing happens in school. Generally, who ever is to blame, the solution is to separate both parties - and that's what's being suggested. it doesn't mean you have to give up your studies. Kudpung กุดผึ้ง ( talk) 20:31, 14 May 2013 (UTC)
In all my travels around WikiLand, I'm not sure I've seen a discussion entirely focussed on Bullying. Maybe WER provides a perfect empty canvas for editors to weigh in with their thoughts. Who wants to continue what ws started above? ``` Buster Seven Talk 03:57, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
I have started an embryo essay in my userspace and I am inviting folk here who wish to collaborate and make ot an essay worth releasing into the wild. Yes, this really is an invitation to edit something in another user's space!
I'm trying to address the sometimes extremely poor treatment of well qualified academics who find the environment here to be inhospitable. I'm hoping to address from from the perspective of the academic and from those who sometimes berate them. So please join in at User:Timtrent/Relationships with academic editors, ideally contributing text, but, if you prefer, using its talk page.
The end game is to move this and the associated talk page into Wikipedia: space when it is judged to be ready Patently that is not today. Fiddle Faddle 21:39, 21 May 2013 (UTC)
I managed some quiet time to extend the essay. I'd very much appreciate input from readers and members here. Fiddle Faddle 12:38, 24 May 2013 (UTC)
If an editor made these two edits to Middle Ages and to Hengistbury Head, then received these two warnings (Warning Eric Corbett - #1) and (Warning Eric Corbett - #4) within the space of two days, how do you think they would feel about continuing to contribute to Wikipedia? Should this project be worried about a bot that performs like that in case the editor really was a newcomer? -- RexxS ( talk) 21:34, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
This weeks Editor of the Week. You are invited to drop a quick congratulatory note on his talk page. If you know hard working editors who improve Wikipedia while going unrecognized, please nominate them today!. Also feel free to check on the current list of nominees and offer your comments on the nominations. ``` Buster Seven Talk 10:32, 28 May 2013 (UTC)
You know, one can either edit articles or discuss them. The latter is by far more popular with most registered users, it seems to me (probably an interaction bias), the former is what experts have time for and interest in. It is impossible to get the existing status quo at Wikipedia (English) to see this.
I often correct DYKs on the main page. A couple of admins freak out about templating articles on the main page, thinking, incorrectly, that a piece of misinformation should sit there until it is off the main page. I have been rudely told to edit before the articles are on the maik page, but the listing system is impossible to understand. I checked out a geology article that is a disaster, reaches some agreement on the talk page as it seemed editors were committed to improving it. Improvements needed are huge, but two editors are now pushing for it to be rapidly promoted to the main page.
Geology of North America is a bad article. The geology is wrong, internally inconsistent (a blessing in parts), confusing, contradictory, disorganized and plagiarized out of context. The section on the Stable Platform, for example, is incomprehensible. However, the primary editor and the DYK nominator and possibly the admin arguing for main page in its current state have such limited understandings of structural geology and are so devoted to out-of-date references and creative naming (the Interior Plains are called the Great Plaons and, conversely size-grading, the North American Cordillera is renamed as the American Cordillera), that there is no way to discuss the issues with them. Meanwhile, one of the actual geologists, Vsmith, seems solely dedicated to reverting any substantive changes I make based on minor issues.
Structural geology articles on Wikipedia are badly written, mislead readers, and often omit primary information. A few of us decided to start correcting the articles last year, but I am the only one remaining.
At some point en.Wikipedia has to awake to the fact that an editor must understand the topic, not merely be able to copy google books into Wikipedia.
So, off to dispute resolution. Meanwhile, I work full time, how one acquires knowledge in their topic area, so that means I cannot edit the article but must spend time arguing basic geology with editors who do not understand the subject at a high enough level to catch their own really bad errors that a college student in an introductory course would see.
I cannot teach geology to the willfully ignorant and edit. If you want experts, and you do need them, Wikipedia must admit not all esitors are competent to edit all areas of knowledge, the apparent current assumption. - 198.228.217.154 ( talk) 12:24, 28 May 2013 (UTC)