User talk:Charlesdrakew/Archives/2014/November

Interested in being Adopted

Greetings. I noticed that you were accepting newbies, such as myself, for adoption. I am very interested in working with you and learning from your seemingly vast experience. Please let me know if you would be willing to serve as my mentor. Many thanks. Exhausted200 (talk) 16:37, 16 October 2014 (UTC)

I would but I see you already have an offer of adoption.Charles (talk) 21:01, 16 October 2014 (UTC)

I have not received any contact back from the original person who expressed an interest in adopting me in weeks. That is why I decided to reach out to you. Exhausted200 (talk) 21:33, 16 October 2014 (UTC)

Oh yes. I had not looked at the date. It has been a hard day. I will be pleased to help if I can. Do you have any particular areas of interest?Charles (talk) 22:03, 16 October 2014 (UTC)

I do. I would, however, like to discuss them with you via email if that is possible. Exhausted200 (talk) 21:44, 20 October 2014 (UTC)

I do have email enabled. You can find it in the tools box in the margin.Charles (talk) 22:55, 20 October 2014 (UTC)

Teahouse

Hi Charles, tps on a auto-enforced (mostly) wikibreak here. Are you still active in the Teahouse and, indeed, is IT still active? I wanted to suggest a new editor who needs help but I've not managed it yet! Please advise; thanks and best wishes 77.96.249.228 (talk) 12:00, 19 October 2014 (UTC)

Yes it's easy enough to see who I am but please let semi-sleeping dogs lie and don't out me! I'm trying to stay away a bit. :) Thanks.

The Teahouse is doing good business and I still drop in on the rare occasions when another host has not already answered.Charles (talk) 19:00, 19 October 2014 (UTC)

Thanks very much for the reply. That being the case, you might want to have a quick look at diff truncated for performance reasons.

The editor has been invited although not with a big bold template. There may be good faith but I suspect not enough competence. Not everyone has the maturity or ability to be an editor.

It is nice to hear from you. Best wishes and keep in touch.Charles (talk) 06:10, 20 October 2014 (UTC)

Thank you so much for that. You may well be right (well, the evidence certainly suggests that you are) about the competence etc but I am sure they would at least be a bit safer, and maybe handled a bit more gently, if they tried the Teahouse ... we shall see! Thanks again and all good wishes 77.96.249.228 (talk) 20:39, 20 October 2014 (UTC)

When we started we were looking for those who showed a bit of promise rather than inviting every self-promoter and pov-pusher. We do need to protect our skilled writers from constant disruption by people who do not know what they are doing, which may be harsh but is needed I think.Charles (talk) 23:03, 20 October 2014 (UTC)

Yes, quite. Thanks again 77.96.249.228 (talk) 19:25, 21 October 2014 (UTC)

Question

Hi, Completely new to wikipedia, an so i don't even know if I'm doing this right.. but i was just trying to edit what i could.. And i edited the Chichester page - you un-did it and said there was no source given, what did you mean by this?? and how do i leave a source? because i live there so i thought that would be enough.. please get back to me --Max Rawlins99 (talk) 20:30, 19 October 2014 (UTC)

Hi Max. The thing is that everything in Wikipedia is supposed to come from published sources. What you added looked like your personal opinion or experience, which is original research. This is not allowed. If you do have a reliable published source for this you can learn how to cite it at WP:Citing sources.Charles (talk) 21:06, 19 October 2014 (UTC)

Weymouth, Dorset

Hello Charles, Many thanks for again reverting the edit made by PatMoss14 on the Weymouth article. I and several others have left messages on their Talk page regarding unsourced or personal opinions information to no avail. This user has now made 4 edits/reversions in the last 24 hours without any explanation and is also using unregistered IP's: 2.124.38.229 and 90.222.34.110 to make the same alterations. Do you have any admin that can put a stop to this? I have contacted admin Acalamari on this, but he is on the other side of the pond, so will not pick this up for some time. I really feel that the time has come for some positive action to stop this. Regards, David, David J Johnson (talk) 10:04, 21 October 2014 (UTC)

There is clear breach of the 3 revert rule. If it happens again I will add an edit warring warning to their talk page, and if it still continues it will go to the admins.Charles (talk) 17:59, 21 October 2014 (UTC)

Uncertain about images

I do not know how to cope further with some images that have questionable copyright. A place to start is Sutton heritage mosaic for now removed image, 2011 information plaque, gallery and its talk. The removed image I modified a while back, before realising there might be copyright problems. See also Sutton twin towns mural, Sutton, London Rolling Stones and Wellesley Road, Secombe Theatre for information board. Deletion request is beyond me, so they will still be in Commons.user:A P Monblat may know more.SovalValtos (talk) 10:37, 21 October 2014 (UTC)

As long as they are own work I do not see a problem except possibly the information board and I am not sure about that. There is freedom of panorama in this country for 3-dimensional objects photographed from a public place but not for 2-dimensional. I had a photo of a footpath marker disc deleted from Commons on the basis of being 2D although I pointed out that the disc was 3D with visible thickness and recessed screw holes.Charles (talk) 18:12, 21 October 2014 (UTC)

The concern arose from Commons:Copyright rules by subject matter in articular the section on Murals which says "Unless old enough to be in the public domain, murals will normally be copyright-protected even if the artist is unknown. Thus, images of murals cannot usually be accepted. It normally makes no difference if the mural is in a public place and can be freely photographed since Freedom of Panorama, where it exists, typically does not extend to permitting photographs of 2D artworks such as murals. There are some exceptions - see: Freedom of Panorama." SovalValtos (talk) 19:22, 21 October 2014 (UTC)

Seems a crazy rule to me if sculptures are ok but murals are not.Charles (talk) 21:16, 21 October 2014 (UTC)

Why Arain Ethnicity topic is removed from General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq's Wikipedia article

I don't know why you always removes my provided information with proper references about General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq about his Arain Ethnicity and also its not fair you remove the names from the list of notable Arain people in history. Last warning. Otherwise I will try to block you now.

And I will have you investigated as a sockpuppet.Charles (talk) 18:06, 1 November 2014 (UTC)

(talk page stalker) I think user: John.v.v111. _Fortuna ^{Imperatrix Mundi} 12:27, 15 November 2014 (UTC)

I am sure of it.Charles (talk) 14:55, 15 November 2014 (UTC)

English South Coast Meetup

Hi Charles, you are hereby invited to the South Coast Meetup.

Kind Regards -- Marek.69 ^talk 23:16, 22 October 2014 (UTC)

Wheelbarrow

Hello Sorry, I cannot understand the word "Even that one source is doubtful" from you. If you check the section [1], the whole section is based on a single source which is the surmise of M. J. T. Lewis. The contents I added before is from the same source. Hence, I don't know why you delete my edition because of "one source is doubtful". Moreover, the author claims it is his surmise without any definitive evidence and he also claims the consensus from other historian (Bertrand Gille, Andrea Matthies and Joseph Needham) is different with this surmise in this source. Hence, I added these claim in the contents from the same source. I am surprised the source claim whole theory is a surmise but in this wiki article, it seems a consensus from historians. I think we should neutrally add the whole contents from this source. I didn't delete any contents from this section and this source. As your theory one source is doubtful, it seems we should delete the whole section instead of my edition but I don't want to do like that.

Thank you — Preceding unsigned comment added by 128.105.111.6 (talk) 23:11, 24 October 2014 (UTC)

Fair enough.Charles (talk) 09:32, 25 October 2014 (UTC)

Improper talk page reversions

You have reverted other editor's talk page posts a number of times e.g., [2] [3] [4], [5] [6], [7]

Per ArbCom, "Attempting to exhaust or drive off editors who disagree through hostile conduct, rather than through legitimate dispute-resolution methods pursued only when legitimately necessary, is destructive to the consensus process and is not acceptable."[8]

I'd suggest that you apologize to the other editors, and self-revert. Fearofreprisal (talk) 22:33, 26 October 2014 (UTC)

Soapboxing on talkpages is destructive to the consensus process. I stand by my reverts.Charles (talk) 23:13, 26 October 2014 (UTC)

Odd that other users making the same reverts weren't told to stop; and that Charles should supposedly be in trouble for reverting edits that other editors have completely agreed do not belong on the site. Strange also that arbitration on the highly politicized topic of gun control is being applied to rather straightforward scientific topics like Evolution. If both the letter and the spirit of that arbcom ruling (derived from WP:NOTBATTLE) was being followed there, it's not about winning arguments so much as keeping the site working. The site is not helped by talk pages cluttered with ideological rants that have little to nothing to do with article improvement (perhaps the opposite effect of improvement). It is helped by focusing the talk pages to article improvement only. Ian.thomson (talk) 23:29, 26 October 2014 (UTC)

WP has a well developed set of dispute resolution processes, which do not include deleting other editor's talk page comments - even for statements you consider soapboxing. Fearofreprisal (talk) 01:12, 27 October 2014 (UTC)

There is a difference between dispute resolution (see previous section for evidence that Charles is actually quite familiar with dispute resolution) and removing material that isn't concerned with improving the site. Per WP:TPO, "It is still common to simply delete gibberish, comments or discussion about the article subject (as opposed to its treatment in the article), test edits, and harmful or prohibited material as described above." This includes material that is simply disruptive ('this article is wrong/biased' without any real explanation, or with an explanation that shows a pointed opposition to with WP:NPOV). Ian.thomson (talk) 01:38, 27 October 2014 (UTC)

Charlesdrakew: I wanted to clarify that my messages here are directed to you, not Ian.thomson. It is my policy to not interact with Ian.thomson. Fearofreprisal (talk) 02:42, 27 October 2014 (UTC)

That's fine. You'll notice that outside of a certain topic, I've completely left you alone. I'd rather not argue with you, I do actually hope that there are topics upon which we can agree and cooperate on. However, I've worked with Charlesdrakew enough (see the SPI for Josh24b for a taste) to trust his judgement, and even then I see no real wrong-doing on his part. Ian.thomson (talk) 02:54, 27 October 2014 (UTC)

I am sure Ian will be happy with that. He is worth a hundred shit-stirrers like you.Charles (talk) 08:55, 27 October 2014 (UTC)

My only concern is with you reverting talk page comments from other editors. If you think your actions are justified, I see no reason why you'd respond with an ad hominem.

If you no longer longer wish to receive discuss the matter here, just let me know. Fearofreprisal (talk) 11:50, 27 October 2014 (UTC)

A question

Dear Charles,

i have been adopted by yourself this spring I guess, and we talked on these talkpages a couple of times. Let me remind you about myself: my name is Dmitri, I am from Russia; i planned to make some pages about my city, Novgorod, for English Wikipedia to contribute the knowledge about it and to improve my English.

It has been a while I know, and I didn't fulfil what I initially planned to under the different reasons, the most significant of which was a lack of time. Somehow, now I have prepared some text about a historical building which is absent in English wikipedia: it contains all the links, moreover. And I have found the beautiful historical pictures which are more then 100 years old to insert in. It seems to be interesting for readers I guess.

I have some problems, and i want to ask for you help, if that is convenient for you. Couldn't you:

1) advise me how to create a new English page and to tie it with the Russian version and the versions on other languages (the English page is absent at all; I have forgotten how do all the tools in the Wikipedia developing work I swear); 2) to read the text to correct it (i'm not a native speaker and may make mistakes. The text is short. Please, inform me how to take it to you, if you can do this).

Sincerely, Dmitri the adoptee

--Sterndmitri (talk) 15:13, 27 October 2014 (UTC)

Hello again Dmitri. There is not often any hurry to do things on Wikipedia. I have to go out now but I will take a look tomorrow. And please put new sections at the bottom of the page.Charles (talk) 18:36, 27 October 2014 (UTC)

Dear Charles, i kindly ask you to look throgh the page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Sterndemitri/ChamberOfFacets --Sterndmitri (talk) 14:21, 28 October 2014 (UTC)

English is not an easy language if you are not born to it. I have improved the language. I hope I have got the sense of it right as I am not able to read Russian sources. Is it possible to add in-line citations for the text that does not have any?Charles (talk) 21:32, 28 October 2014 (UTC)

User:Giano knows a few things about Russian architecture, so might be interested as well. --Demiurge1000 (talk) 22:11, 28 October 2014 (UTC)

Having been pinged: I know a little about architecture, and have had the temerity to edit in your userspace Sterndmitri. I think it's good enough to go into mainspace now, but sometime probably could do with a few more inline citations to the references which you've used. Giano (talk) 09:58, 29 October 2014 (UTC)

Dear Charles and Giano,

thank you for your interaction, and, moreover, for you editings. Any language is not the easiest, if that's not your mother tongue for sure, but English is one of the easiest languages I guess, so the improving is one of the goals for me here, thank you Charles. I'd be internally obliged, if you'll make a little note for me about articles: why couldn't I form the sentence like that: "The Chamber was a part of the Episcopal complex founded in 1433 by the order of Euthymius II". That seems to help me to understand it deeper.

I checked the text after the correction, I have no remarks regarding the grammar an all that kind of stuff (of course), but some things have attracted me as they seem to be quite doubtful. So I'm gonna discuss it with you. First of all, the sentence: "It is a rare example of Brick Gothic in Russia; a country where Gothic architecture was not really favored until introduced as a revival style the 18th century and 19th centuries". People who study ancient Novgorod, as well as those who study architecture may say, that there was no Gothic architecture in Russia technically and designingly, and the Chamber is the exception: one of 2 examples in Russia. And they seem to primarily mean the main architectural principle of the Gothic architecture, but all these decorations too. Barocco, Rococo, Classicism and all that further kind of stuff is hardly a Gothic architecture. I'm inclined to correct the sentence.

The second sentence is "In 1822 the Church was consecrated in honour of Ilya", i just want to not that Ilya and Ivan were different saints, so the church was in honour of Ivan, not Ilya.

Charles, you seem to found the links on Wikipedia's pages that I haven't, thank you. What about Russian literature, that's obvious that you can't check it, but i may give a guaranty that they are correct. What about inline citations, there's lack of the literature about the building. The most apt inline citation seems to be the one from some chronicle, so i'll try to look for it.

I found the old pictures of the Chamber made in 19 century, they are beautiful. I found the pictures of the Chamber made during the war and German occupation of Novgorod, they seem to be curious as well. How can I apload them there?

--Sterndmitri (talk) 12:50, 29 October 2014 (UTC)

Perhaps it woudl be better t take these points to the article's talk page. Giano (talk) 13:48, 29 October 2014 (UTC)

It is difficult to explain the grammar changes. It is just the way English is used. Images should be uploaded to Commons using the upload wizard. They can then be used on all the language versions. I assume the images are old enough to be free of copyright? I use British style spelling while Giano uses US spelling. I suppose it is up to you as the article's creator to choose which to use. I do not know if there is any general spelling rule for Russian articles.Charles (talk) 14:17, 29 October 2014 (UTC)

Charles, I have checked once more about the saint Ilya, so you provided a link on the right wikipedia's page, his civil name was Ivan indeed. I have mistaken.

Charles and Giano, I have changed the only part of text about Russia and Gothic Architecture and referred to the position of Novgorod Museum stated at its official website, as I am tended to come it down in favour of that generally accepted version, and to distinguish Gothic architecture by its technical and design features with Renaissance styles grounding on many reasons I am going to state at the discussion page Giano recommended to introduce.

About the pictures: they are made in 1881. Moreover, I have found them in Russian wikipedia, but they are not supported in English wikipedia, so everything is not fine with copyright I guess. Pictures made during the 2WW are about 70 years old, how can I indicate whether it is possible for me to use them is the article I have just created with your help?

As for BE and AmE writing, I don't care at all, I am gravitated by British spelling a little bit more, but I can use words formed in AmE style randomly sometimes. All these styles are quite conditional for me you know, please, make any correction of it if you want.

Finally, i'm sure quite firmly that there're no "general spelling rules for Russian articles", as, although we deal with an article about some Russian building, it's the article in English, so you know all the rules much better than I do. The only question I have in this regard is just the one which has been appealing my curiosity all the time: there're very strict rules for punctuation in Russian (in Swedish and Finnish as well I know). But I can't understand clearly what punctuation rules should I use in English: even when one author in some famous magazine puts comma, another one from there can totally ignore it in the same case. That's not such an important thing in articles, am I understand correctly?

The most important question: how can I tie my new article with Russian one? Thank you so much for your feedback! Preparing one more article about some icon and building. --Sterndmitri (talk) 20:06, 29 October 2014 (UTC)

Giano knows far more about the architecture than myself. It should be possible to move the 1881 photos to Commons. If you ask at the Commons help desk they will know better than I do. A lot of German WWII and earlier photos have been given to Wikimedia Commons by the German archive. I do not know if those are included.

Rules of grammar are not so strict in English and comma use does vary between writers. This is complicated by the various varieties of English, with Canada using a mix of the US and British styles. I used to know how to link different language articles but the system has changed. They will be able to help if you ask at the TeahouseCharles (talk) 22:10, 29 October 2014 (UTC)

Hello, Charles. I have finished one more article and kindly ask you to look through it, if that's comfortable for you. The result seems to be interesting, as i tried to translate into English some ancient Russian chronicle (14 century).

I have already put the presious article into the mainspace, but still waiting for some reply about pictures and copyright from Teahouse.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterndmitri/Znamenie

--Sterndmitri (talk) 13:01, 31 October 2014 (UTC)

Hello, Charles! I kindly ask you to consider a new article, created by myself, if that's convenient and interesting for you. I had a little problem: there're no links there as I can't provide them. On the other hand, i'm tend to treat the information as reliable, and that's better that nothing.

Dear Giano, I'll be happy if you'd like to participate in enditing, if that's interesting for you. The article is about architecture.

Hi, Ghirlandajo! I've heard about your success in the field my article is about, so i'll be glad if you'd like to look through it. I've checked that you are from Yaroslavl, so i'll be happy do have some co-working with somebody in Wikipedia from Russia as I am.

Made a picture of the church taken by myself several weeks ago to be the main picture :P

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Sterndmitri/TheChurchOfNativity

--Sterndmitri (talk) 20:52, 5 November 2014 (UTC)

Hello Dmitri. I have been out so much I have not had time to work on your previous article. I will see what I can do soon. The new article on The Church of the Nativity looks great with good photos. You will need to find sources for it though if only to verify its existence. We are not allowed to write our own research or use photographs as sources.Charles (talk) 21:48, 5 November 2014 (UTC)