User talk:Cullen328/Archive 78

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Thank you Jim

I really wish to appreciate your patience and time in helping me get acquainted with Wikipedia. I need your further guidance on my two drafts, Draft:Elijah Chinezim Onyeagba and Draft:Sanusi Mohammed Ohiare on whether they are Wikipedia worthy of publication. Thanks. Bibihans (talk) 09:21, 11 May 2021 (UTC)Bibihans

Hello, Bibihans. I think that your first draft is closer to being ready than your second draft. It would be helpful if there was an article about the rural electrification agency that Ohiare leads. The UC Davis link is dead. I wanted to read that because I live very close to Davis. The Rockefeller Foundation profile is duplicated in references and in external links. It should be in one or the other but not both. What does it mean when you say he is a "member" of the Rockefeller Foundation? I don't think that's a membership organization. Check to be sure that all of your links are functioning. The word "bagged" is too casual in the education section. We do not use slang terms in Wikipedia's voice. I hope this is useful feedback for you. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 16:12, 11 May 2021 (UTC)

@Cullen328: This is so helpful Jim and I wish every other editor was this patience and calm in guiding newbies like us than the usual harsh tone. I will effect the necessary adjustments as advised. Thank you. Bibihans (talk) 16:28, 11 May 2021 (UTC)Bibihans

Bibihans, thanks for your kind words. You can ask for my input at any time. I am not familiar with the reliability of Nigerian media sources, but I can spot possible weak points. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 16:37, 11 May 2021 (UTC)

@Cullen328: I have effected the changes in the education section. But I am having issues with web links for reference number 3 and reference number 8. I am able to open them directly but when linked to the draft it becomes dead. What am I missing please? Thank you for your time and usual prompt response. User:Bibihans

Bibihans, reference 3 works for me. Reference 8 had the URL marked dead for some reason I do not understand. I removed that and verified the URL through a Google search. It seems to work now. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 19:14, 11 May 2021 (UTC)

Bibihans, here is an article I wrote about a museum at UC Davis: Manetti Shrem Museum of Art. I thought you might find it interesting. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 19:29, 11 May 2021 (UTC)

Thanks!

Thanks for helping out at CAT:RFU today! SQL^{Query me!} 23:36, 11 May 2021 (UTC)

I am going to try to patrol that page going forward, SQL. Thanks for the feedback. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 00:15, 12 May 2021 (UTC)

I appreciate it. If there's any way I can help, please feel free to reach out! SQL^{Query me!} 00:44, 12 May 2021 (UTC)

SQL, I do not feel comfortable at this time dealing with cases involving sock-puppetry. Since you are a checkuser, I know that you deal with these issues all the time. What kind of of evidence should I be looking for that would indicate that a sockmaster has actually reformed? It seems to me that, by definition, such people tend to be accomplished liars. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 01:06, 12 May 2021 (UTC)

Thanks...

for your reasonable commentary on all these weird, seemingly politically motivated MFD's on userboxes. YODADICAE👽 04:34, 13 May 2021 (UTC)

Thanks, Praxidicae or your persona of the day. I am not an anarchist. Far from it. But I do not support pointy waves of nominations like this. "Let's pick on the less popular political opinions" is not a motivation that I am comfortable with. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 04:43, 13 May 2021 (UTC)

A blast from the past

I noticed User:Cullen328/Sandbox/Pulitzer, so you might be interested in J Hutton Pulitzer, which JzG started and I expanded. Fences&Windows 19:17, 13 May 2021 (UTC)

Wow. I started that ten years ago during the Great CueCat Kerfuffle, and forgot all about it. I guess I concluded that he wasn't notable at the time. The escapades continue, though, and people like that never give up. Thanks, Fences and windows. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 20:29, 13 May 2021 (UTC)

Is seeming a bit taller harmful to a BLP in Batista's position?

Forgot to touch on this aspect at my Talk, didn't want another ping or edit conflict, so asking here. If there is a potential for harm, I don't want to ignore it, I think the real Dave Bautista is a good guy. Elaborate? InedibleHulk (talk) 02:06, 16 May 2021 (UTC)

InedibleHulk, WP:BLP says that "contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced should be removed immediately and without discussion. This applies whether the material is negative, positive, neutral, or just questionable and whether it is in a biography or in some other article." Emphasis added. The WWE is the epitome of poorly sourced.

I happen to be a large fellow. In my late teens, I was measured a couple of times at 6'-4", but I have shrunk a bit, and now at age 69, I say that I am 6'-3" and weigh about 245 pounds. If somebody wrote an article about me that said "Jim Heaphy is a very large man. He stands 6'-6" tall and weighs 275 pounds", I would be mortified, humiliated and angry. I am struggling to understand how you think that this type of utter bullshit is acceptable in a neutral encyclopedia. Bautista also didn't like it, and the concerns he has conveyed through his representative ought to be given deep consideration. BLP subjects have an expectation that our articles will be as accurate as possible, which requires that sourcing be limited to actually reliable sources, not lying promotional sources. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 02:39, 16 May 2021 (UTC)

Oddly enough, your billed stats are the standard wrestling markup of two inches and 45 pounds above mine. Good to know. The difference between us and Batista, though, is that we've never been called to the ring on television or had our slightly dirty laundry printed on the cardbacks of action figures. We're not saying Dave himself is a large man. We're saying the character he most famously played on TV was larger-than-life. I've asked his buddy if that seems fair (in other words). Still not seeing where these are said to be the man himself's concerns, would guess he knows that promoters have hyped his image. InedibleHulk (talk) 02:59, 16 May 2021 (UTC)

He no longer works for the WWE, InedibleHulk. Does the standard WWE contract say that every performer agrees that falsehoods will be present in their Wikipedia biographies forever? Even if such bizarre contract language existed, I would argue that Wikipedia editors should ignore it, and follow BLP policy instead. Since it seems that you disagree with me despite my efforts to persuade you to acknowledge that BLP policy is vastly more important than some rickety wrestling editor consensus from 14+ years ago, I will have to pursue the matter in another venue. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 03:20, 16 May 2021 (UTC)

Edit conflicted the full answer, feel like big booting the next guy who magically bounces off the ropes at me. Long story short, yes, WWE's entire legal team is exceptionally good with the fine tendrils, even by sports and entertainment standards, and Vince McMahon himself is widely reputed to be a genius manipulator of men's livelihoods. And yes, when used wisely, BLP is mightier than 150 years of established acceptable unwritten secrets and lies. InedibleHulk (talk) 03:45, 16 May 2021 (UTC)

I do not much care about what WWE paid editors or highly motivated superfans may have done in the past, but rather about the state of the encyclopedia in 2021 and going forward, InedibleHulk. I have no idea of what you mean by 150 years of established acceptable unwritten secrets and lies. When I think back that far, the complete defeat of the treasonous slaveholder rebellion in the United States and the Reconstruction era that followed comes to mind. Do you think of something else? I am sure that many other fascinating and impactful things happened back them. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 03:58, 16 May 2021 (UTC)

I was too thoughtful in telling you what I think again, edit conflicted. The short answer sounds stupid, but in a nutshell, I was thinking of back in "Honest Abe" Lincoln's day, when rings were literally made of men who plopped down their sawmill earnings to see a supposed "giant" farmer whoop an alleged "evil" foreign worker. As long as the right guy won, the suckers went home happy, the talent got their pittance and the barker kept the rest. I have never received a dime from WWE, and my superfandom era pretty much ended after Batista gave his master Triple H the old phony gladiatorial thumbs-down and powerbombed him through the rigged contract signing table in '05. I felt liberated. But I'll still pathetically try to fight anyone who says the twenty years before that weren't always perfect. Especially crap like Mantaur, The Headshrinkers and Doink the Clown! InedibleHulk (talk) 04:47, 16 May 2021 (UTC)

I am sorry, but I care only about the integrity of the encyclopedia. I'm not sure why you thought that asking me to read those three articles was a good use of my attention, InedibleHulk, since they only confirm my decision to ask for broad community input about reference reliability on pro wrestling articles. If the consensus of the community is that pro wrestling articles deserve a special carve-out from core content policies, then I will accept that consensus. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 05:19, 16 May 2021 (UTC)

Also because I have not watched pro wrestling for more than 30 seconds at a time for over 55 years, under the theory that I have better things to do with my time. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 05:23, 16 May 2021 (UTC)

OK, my reasons for linking those were lost to an edit conflict. Three times means I'm out. Basically, same reason you "asked me to read" Dick the Bruiser, and good luck with your new quest! InedibleHulk (talk) 05:41, 16 May 2021 (UTC)

InedibleHulk, I asked you to read Dick the Bruiser only to show you that I am capable of writing well-referenced content about a professional wrestler without relying on unreliable sources. I am among the top contributors to that article. My "quest" is not new and it goes back to 2009 when I first started editing. I am here only to improve this encyclopedia, in compliance with its policies and guidelines. Not really a quest but rather a call to do the right thing. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 05:54, 16 May 2021 (UTC)

Subquest then, same positive energy, now focused on these thousands of infobox fields. InedibleHulk (talk) 06:02, 16 May 2021 (UTC)

I am sure that some adroit template editing or bot coding can make all these policy violations go away. InedibleHulk, I trust the coders. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 06:10, 16 May 2021 (UTC)

I've barely even met any, but yeah, the overall software here is pretty damn efficient. InedibleHulk (talk) 06:21, 16 May 2021 (UTC)

On that note, on why I called out those "crap" wrestlers, Google is your friend and "wwf new generation" could fill you in on the bullshit you missed in the mid-90s quicker than I could; nostalgia bias, I admit, but I was the right age at the right time (you've got 30 billed years on me, brother). InedibleHulk (talk) 06:30, 16 May 2021 (UTC)

Bear River massacre

I reverted your change. There is a 16+ year consensus that this battle is included as part of the Civil War (and has been discussed three times previously on the talk page). The current discussion on determining whether consensus has changed has been open for an hour and a half. Can you please wait a bit longer to let others weigh in on the matter? Thanks Mojoworker (talk) 07:25, 18 May 2021 (UTC)

Meat Racket and Kochland

Hey, I see you have done a lot of work on the entry for "The Meat Racket", which I think is terrific. I just created an entry for Leonard's second book, Kochland, and I would appreciate any pointers you migh have for how I could improve that entry — Preceding unsigned comment added by DneColt (talk • contribs) 15:18, 19 May 2021 (UTC)

Hello, DneColt. Nice article. Some of your references are bare URLs that should be filled out with complete bibliographic details. A bit more about the book's content would be good, and quotes from additional reviews would round things out. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 16:36, 19 May 2021 (UTC)

Requesting assessment

@Cullen328, Hi! I've created a page on March 11th named Fredericka Martin. Since then many users have told me I should aim for it to make to a GA. And it's already been nominated for a DYK. I just want your thoughts on this, do you think it is up for the GA run? If yes, then please tell me what more should be done or what should be removed? Thanks in advance. -- Tame (talk) 08:36, 19 May 2021 (UTC)

Hello, Tamingimpala. It is an interesting article about an interesting person but I think it needs a lot of work to become a GA. You describe her by her nickname throughout, but you should use her surname Martin instead. What happened to her first marriage? What is a "steward"? You say she got married at 17 but then considered becoming a nun after high school. That doesn't add up. Albert Shakes does not sound like a Greek name, and Ancestry.com is not a reliable source. "A British Jewish" is not the proper formulation. What is the relevance of the Italian invasion of Ethiopia? "Separated through a divorce" is awkward. Separation usually precedes divorce. The "terrible raid in December of 1937" is vague. Where did this raid take place and is there a Wikipedia article about it? Spanish Civil War does not describe significant combat that month. Wikilink Edward K. Barsky and Dutch Harbor. Why doesn't the article describe her political views more clearly? Did she evacuate from St. Paul Island in 1941 or 1942? I hope this helps you improve the article. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 16:20, 19 May 2021 (UTC)

@Cullen328, Thanks for pointing out the weak points, I will definitely work on these. Btw, a steward is a person who is responsible for an event or for the management of a place, like a public event supervisor. (It also has some other meanings, such as: "a person employed to look after the passengers on a ship, aircraft, or train" which are irrelevant to this article.) Tame (talk) 16:55, 19 May 2021 (UTC)

Tamingimpala, there is a reason that Steward is a disambiguation page - the term covers many unrelated occupations. In the context of the labor movement and left wing politics, I immediately think of Shop steward but I don't know what type of steward your guy was. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 17:07, 19 May 2021 (UTC)

Feedback request: Biographies request for comment

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Oads are rajputs

The oad are rajputs of odisha it was given in our old books and in rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh we come in OBC . So please get knowledge about us.Dont give right to someone who is giving false statement about us.the user id is chariotrider555 please we need help. Rohitsinghoad (talk) 08:51, 21 May 2021 (UTC)

• Jim: see this also, IDK, but it might add context. — Ched (talk) 10:08, 21 May 2021 (UTC)
  • Just more caste related nonsense, Ched. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 17:00, 21 May 2021 (UTC)

User:Debresser

Could you check his talk page and perhaps drop a note at AE for the case against him. I can't do that, since I am permabanned from AE. I saw you posted on the same Ibn Daud section where D. made his comment. Sorry for the bother.Nishidani (talk) 16:17, 21 May 2021 (UTC)

Hello, Nishidani. I read all that and think it best to let other administrators comment. I blocked Debresser for two weeks in March and would prefer that any new sanctions be imposed by someone else. If I think that my input is needed, I will comment as time goes by. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 16:47, 21 May 2021 (UTC)

Oh dear. My apologies. I forgot (mental enfeeblement with age) you were involved in that decision. I just saw your name in the section and thought 'administrator' at the time. My purpose wasn't to back sanctions, but simply let admins know that a possible delay by Debresser was possible due to his religion. In Italy it's called 'guaranteeism', ensuring that all angles be covered before drastic decisions are made, to ensure the 'indicted' have the full protection of the law. Sorry Nishidani (talk) 17:08, 21 May 2021 (UTC)

No problem, Nishidani. Speaking of "enfeeblement", I initially wrote two months above instead of two weeks, the excuse being that I am 69. Maybe now I will go block a fresh vandal with "69420" in their username. I can still handle that. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 17:17, 21 May 2021 (UTC)

Hmm. That's good news for me, in the sense that, being one year older than you, I can pull rank in terms of age seniority to whittle away the admin vs peon advantage you have!, and of course the extra year I've notched up means I have stronger excuses for pleading the derangement of age if I foul up. Best Nishidani (talk) 17:23, 21 May 2021 (UTC)

Nishidani, 70 is the new 40. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 17:33, 21 May 2021 (UTC)

Ah bejaysus, that's 'worser' still. I knew nothing when I was forty, so I'll be returning to my primal nescience, Shakespeare's blind toothless 'second childishness and mere oblivion!' But there's always the thought that, even if one follows the rule of nature, 'exceptio probat regulam,' which I augur, dear Cullen, will work for you. Stay exceptional. Cheers. Nishidani (talk) 20:02, 21 May 2021 (UTC)

Painting and Travel - Template Removal (Request for Comment)

Hi there. I took your advice and have reworked the Painting and Travel with Roger and Sarah Bansemer page. I thought it would be best to have you review it now that I've done some work, and to get a second opinion on removing the template at the top. Thanks, -Jeff Jrg1000 (talk) 01:45, 25 May 2021 (UTC)

Hello, Jrg1000. You have significantly improved the article, so I have removed the template. Well done. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 01:58, 25 May 2021 (UTC)

comment

I agree with your narrative 100%. Ultra leftism can quickly turn into its opposite. I offer in support: opposition to busing in Boston by the RU. My wife and I worked in the Bay Area 1980-85. Just in time to see the, well, you know, progressive political organizations turned upside down. Now near Atlanta in a county of 1,000,000 (Georgia counties have small areas—all 159 of them, second only to Texas' 254). Is a new Reconstruction possible? — Neonorange (Phil) 00:41, 24 May 2021 (UTC)

Hello, Neonorange. I am really unsure what narrative you are referring to. If it was my comment at WP:AE, I am in general agreement with that editor's politics myself and just intended to caution against excessive advocacy and punditry here on Wikipedia. As for counties, I am somewhat interested in that type of government structure in the United States. California, where I live, has "only" 58 counties, many of them gigantic geographically, and many of them lightly populated. For example, Alpine County has 1,129 people and Modoc County has 9,686 people. Los Angeles County, on the other hand, has 10,039,107 people. It is difficult to imagine all those tiny counties (population wise) being able to fund and organize even basic services for their residents. It's an interesting challenge. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 01:16, 24 May 2021 (UTC)

Sorry I was so elliptical—your comment contained the phrase—I've closely watched the LaRouche organizations for 40 years.... Not completely sure which venue—but thanks for your leavening influence there and elsewhere.

Up until 1962 Georgia had the county unit system in statewide elections. For Atlanta residents' the majority of counted for six units—the majority of votes from in a rural county with a population of, say, 800, counted for 2 units. As a result, the votes from a group three rural counties weighed as much as all votes in Atlanta. This on top of near total suppression of the African-American vote in the rural counties. 'Course all the candidates were Democrats, but which Democrat... — Neonorange (Phil) 09:12, 24 May 2021 (UTC)

Oh, that remark. Neonorange, I prefer not to go into detail about my personal encounter with the LaRouche movement in the early 1970s beyond saying that it was unpleasant. The role reversal between the Democratic Party and the GOP on racial justice issues is fascinating and disturbing. The Georgia system seems like a more extreme version of some problematic aspects of the U.S. Constitution, such as the composition of the Senate and the Electoral College. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 00:05, 26 May 2021 (UTC)

The informal Georgia county unit system beginning in 1898 was a response to urbanization and industrialization around Atlanta—the growing political influence of manufacturers, workers, and urban African Americans vis a vis the plantation class. The system was formalized as the population balance shifted further (see generally Atlanta massacre of 1906). Now, ~ sixty years after the Civil Rights Bill of 1964, sixty per cent of Georgians live in the Atlanta-etc. Metropolitan Statistical Area. Thus the 2020 election results for Biden and the 2021 runoff election results that sent two democratic Georgia Senators to Congress—and a new attempt to reverse progress made. — Neonorange (Phil) 02:45, 26 May 2021 (UTC)

Neonorange, I cannot disagree, but we should be discussing improvements to the encyclopedia. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 03:22, 26 May 2021 (UTC)

I apologize

I apologize for the post or 'publish', as you can see im not very educated in this area. I misunderstood the article. DautofRay27 (talk) 01:36, 24 May 2021 (UTC)

Hello, DautofRay27. No problem. Every Wikipedia editor was new at one time, and I definitely made some mistakes when I was getting started. Please feel free to ask me questions any time. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 01:45, 24 May 2021 (UTC)

Thankyou so much! I thought i thoroughly pissed you off🤦. Just have a softspot for my dad and he's coming to the end and doesn't remember many things any longer. Ive done pretty good educating myself on several things in the internet and technology 'ways' the last few years, but it looks like I've got a Loonngg way to go! Lol. I appreciate your reply! DautofRay27 (talk) 01:56, 24 May 2021 (UTC)

DautofRay27, no, you did not piss me off, and I am sorry that you felt that way. I was just trying to explain how list articles work here. Please tell your father that a Wikipedia administrator in California thanks him for his service during that terrible war. I lost an uncle in World War II and so did my wife. Take care of your dad. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 02:26, 24 May 2021 (UTC)

DautofRay27 Make that two Wikipedia administrators. Both of my grandfathers fought in that war - one in the army, one in the RAF - you are right to be proud of your father. Cullen is right though - we don't host information about people based on how good or brave they are, the thing that matters from our perspective as an encyclopedia is whether there is reliably published information about them already. We have lots of articles about famous but otherwise unremarkable people, and there are lots of great, noble people who we simply can't write about - it sounds like your father is one of the second kind. Best GirthSummit _(blether) 05:59, 24 May 2021 (UTC)

My grandfathers were too old for World War II service, Girth Summit. Heck, my mom's dad was too old for World War I. He was 36 years old and had at least three kids when the U.S. entered The War to End All Wars. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 06:10, 24 May 2021 (UTC)

I'm guessing we're a generation or so apart there Cullen! My great-grandfather, who I was lucky enough to know as a lad, fought in the First World War. He didn't talk about it much, at least not to me. Terrible as this pandemic has undoubtedly been (I've lost family members to it myself, not to mention a much-loved job), I wince when I read glib comparisons to the wars of the last century. It's been the worst time that I've ever had to live through, but you have to stop and count your blessings when you think of earlier generations. GirthSummit _(blether) 20:07, 24 May 2021 (UTC)

Now that you mention the pandemic, Girth Summit, you have given me another opportunity to reminisce further about my mom's dad, who died in 1960 when I was eight years old. His first wife died of the flu in 1919 in the final months of the Spanish flu pandemic, leaving him a widower with four kids. He hired a local farm girl to help around the house, they fell in love and married, and my mom was his seventh and youngest child, born in 1930. If not for that pandemic, I would never have been born. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 02:13, 25 May 2021 (UTC)

One of the saddest stories in my family is I have an aunt who I never knew, who succumbed to Tuberculosis a few years before the widespread distribution of the BCG vaccine in the UK, which helped stamp out the disease. In fact, the sites of former TB sanatoriums are everywhere; my parents' house backs onto one, and so did the house I used to live in. Ritchie333 ^{(talk) (cont)} 10:35, 25 May 2021 (UTC)

Ritchie333, I mentioned that my grandfather had seven children. One girl died of tuberculosis at about age 20 when my mother was about five. My mom's oldest brother was killed in action in Italy in 1943 after serving as a Marine guard at the U.S. embassy in Beijing in the 1930s. Another fought in the Aleutians and had PSTD. Another was gay and committed suicide in the late 1950s - my grandfather and another son discovered the body. One daughter became an acclaimed scholar and expert on education for native and Aleut people in Alaska. My mom, the youngest of that group, was a devoted mother but otherwise quite ordinary. Life is strange. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 15:51, 25 May 2021 (UTC)

You know, Cullen328, we discourage people from writing their life stories on Wikipedia, but yours sounds like it would be more interesting than most! GirthSummit _(blether) 18:38, 26 May 2021 (UTC)

Girth Summit, since I am at risk of being indeffed for violating WP:AUTOBIOGRAPHY, I will have to continue telling my story in dribs and drabs. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 05:28, 27 May 2021 (UTC)

Foreign language sources

Hello,

Seeing as how many web browsers today can auto-translate foreign website to engish, could a foreign language website be used as a source on english wikipedia? 41.158.131.156 (talk) 05:28, 28 May 2021 (UTC)

Hello, IP editor. Foreign language sources have always been acceptable on Wikipedia in the lack of English language sources on the specific detail. But English language sources are preferred when readily available. Machine translations are getting better but are far from highly reliable. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 06:04, 28 May 2021 (UTC)

Thank You!

Hello,

I am just dropping by to say thank you for unblocking me. It feels really great to be back. Bukolarr (talk) 13:03, 28 May 2021 (UTC)

Hello, Bukolarr. I appreciate your kind message, and you are welcome. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 17:01, 28 May 2021 (UTC)

Questions

Hi Jim! I've 'heard' about you that you're a big name holding editor, so what you advice me because I'm started editing on Wikipedia from a very young age (I am now) with some experience and generally with some knowledge, (also English) but I hardly try to make things right, or readable, and real here. Did I do right or wrong that starting on now? Lirress (talk) 13:22, 28 May 2021 (UTC)

Hello, Lirress. It is good that you want to improve Wikipedia but I looked at a few of your contributions and I saw several problems. For example, at Zeritu Kebede, you removed a reference and made the language vague and strange. Why did you use the word "factotum"? You need a good reason to remove references. To be honest, I do not think that your English language skills are strong enough to be working directly on English articles. I encourage you to contribute to Wikipedia in your native language (Amharic?), and to limit yourself to talk page edit requests until your English improves. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 17:25, 28 May 2021 (UTC)

Aviation (started with edit to Heath Parasol)

I'm not trying to be a jerk. Mostly I'm here because I'm bored, but I figured I'd try to spread a bit of specialized knowledge and information, try to make things more accurate.

Who am I? Well, I soloed at 16 and decided to skip my last two years of (US high) school to obtain an FAA (A&P) Airframe and Powerplant License. (Mom was so happy [not really], her daughter -- the airplane mechanic.) I've worked in aviation my whole life. The ins and outs are a mixture of math, science, history, and politics (too damned many politics) and "nobody gets it right."

Jane's is written at a very, very low level of general comprehension -- like a Dick and Jane reader -- and BS artists [aka salespeople] employed by manufacturers aid and abet people like them and writers from Flight, Flying, and Aviation Week who tend to paint everything as black or white. But everything is varying shades of grey.

In the real world a certain aircraft might be able to fly 1200 nmi at 200 kias on 100 US gallons of fuel. If it's empty. Loaded, it might be able to fly 40,000 pounds 400 nmi or carry 54 passengers, and their baggage 500 nmi. But it can't do all three at the same time. Except in the eyes of a salesman. Every performance statistic is based on "standard atmospheric conditions;" airframe weight, empty weight, certified empty weight, light weight, service weight, gross weight, landing weight, takeoff weight, and ramp weight mean different things.

FAA TCDS's (Type Certificate Data Sheets) are online. Jane's took their info from the liars -- oops I meant salesmen -- not the TCDS. The TCDS says what an aircraft was demonstrated to have done, in a real-world test. Not what some pie-in-the-sky salesman said it can do.

Also, several "Aircraft" with separate Wikipedia pages are not actually discrete "types" but are rather "models" of another type.

Like the Air Traders "Carviair" modification of the DC-4. Legally the ATL-98 is a model on the DC-4 type certificate. And the Wikipedia entry on the DC-4 is... Look, I'm not trying to be unkind, but I've spent decades with the DC-4/C-54. If you have several hours and some good beer I'll explain it all. Many are still doing an honest days work for an honest day's pay today. One outfit bought a couple of DC-4s. Then later they bought a DC-9. The nine has been scrapped -- it was too expensive to feed it* -- they bought a third DC-4.

Turbines are not automatically upgrades, they fit into certain design parameters. But outside of those parameters you might as well just shovel paper money into a furnace. [And I can show you what total BS turbine performance claims are, apples and oranges.] Plenty of 350 knot per hour turbines run real world routes slower than a 200 knot recips. Ask the US Virgin Islands or the US State of Ohio how many million tax dollars they wasted to build longer runways to handle heavier aircraft with faster cruising speeds that ended up subsidized running passenger routes slower than the unsubsidized recips they replaced. (Block time is what matters.)

A lot of Wikipedia's information comes from the FAA data base -- which is horribly inaccurate. Let me explain. Wikipedia states there were 199 Ford AT-4 and AT-5 aircraft built. Because there are 199 discrete entries in the FAA database. But the first 27 were built prior to the federal act requiring registration. So, there are 226 right. Nope, some of the first 27 were later registered in the US, Canada, or Britain. But some that were exported never were registered. Aircraft sold to the US Government after they were built had already been registered. But, the later ones sold under Army and Navy contracts were not. Neither were those sold to Nationalist China (and paid for by the US government).

I've flown and worked on N630H, DeHavilland construction number 04378. Its currently registered in Canada. The FAA says it is sunken in a Florida lake, but it isn't. An airline that shut down owned a dozen identical aircraft. My employer bought five at auction, including c/n 04378. A sister ship, probably one of the other seven was being used as a smuggler when it crashed into a lake near Sebring Florida in March of 81. Before ditching, it had reported in as N630H [surprise, surprise, surprise, Sergeant Carter, drug smugglers give false IDs, whoda thunkit?]. Nobody died, the smuggler got away. But the FAA ramp checked the real N630H on several occasions after the incident -- which is so idiotic on its face -- BUT THEY NEVER CHANGED THE DATABASE.

Wikipedia says that Evangel completed eight Model 4500s (the finest bushplane I've ever flown by the way) technically that is true, but at least eleven more were completed by Evangel's three (or more) successor companies to the same FAA type certificate. (Legally the type certificate, the builders plate, and the legally required documents ARE the aircraft. Engines, fuselage, wings... Those are just parts, an A&P can fill out a Form 337 and just swap 'em out.) I've personally flown c/n 11, 14, and 17. I've ridden as a passenger in 19, which was owned by a competitor.

Jack Northrup worked for Donald Douglas. Then Jack started his own company which went belly-up in the depression. Donald bought the assets of the company on the court-house steps. Legally Douglas is not a successor company to the first Northrup corporation, but it bought Jack Northrup's designs that were assigned to the Northrup corporation at the bankruptcy sale. The "Northrup Eight" was built first by the Northrup Corporation and then by the Douglas Corporation. BUT IT IS A DIFFERENT DESIGN, A DIFFERENT TYPE CERTIFICATE than a contemporary aircraft, the Douglas Eight.

Wikipedia conflates the two, which is understandable. Some companies have been reorganized a dozen times in three dozen years. Mr Piper invested in Stinson, Mr. Stinson died. Mr Cord bought out Mr. Stinson's heirs. Mr. Piper took his money and invested in Taylor Inc.. Taylor's sales faltered in the Great Depression. Mr Piper bought out Mr Taylor's shares and named the company Piper. Mr Taylor did not sell all of his designs. He started Taylorcraft and produced the one he still owned. Cord merged Stinson into Detroit Aircraft. The US Justice Department objected to the merger, and so Stinson was sold to Vultee who in turn sold it to Mr. Piper. Mr. Piper then shut down the original Piper (which had been Taylor) and renamed Stinson "Piper." Piper produced Mr. Stinson's designs as well as the ones of Mr. Taylor that Mr. Piper bought.

It's like watching Wayne Gretsky, Paul Coffey, Jari Kerri, and Mark Messier pass the puck around on a power play "good luck" keeping it all straight.

One last point, the FAA takes a lot of information from insurance companies. "Written-Off" doesn't mean destroyed. One of my early jobs was recovering wrecks. When an aircraft was recoverable -- and since they can be really expensive, pretty much if there were not fatalities in a crash it was a salvage job -- we took army tents out to spots in the middle of nowhere and rebuilt or repaired the aircraft. Eventually flying it out. When an insurance company hands an owner a check they've bought the plane, they don't scrap it if there is an alternative. Then they usually re-register it, and always sell it.

Jacqueline — Preceding unsigned comment added by Piper PA25235C (talk • contribs) 23:30, 28 May 2021 (UTC)

Hello, Piper PA25235C. I, too, am not trying to be a jerk, but let me be clear: As an encyclopedia editor I do not care one tiny bit about your personal experience, observations or opinions. Even more so, you are actively discouraged from spouting that kind of stuff. We care only about what published reliable sources say, and about accurately summarizing those sources. So all your effort typing up that big long message was wasted because you did not bring up any reliable sources except to criticize them, and I am not interested in your general observations about aviation. You cannot be a successful Wikipedia editor if you operate that way, because substantive edits that are not properly referenced will be reverted by other editors. If you think a source is unreliable, then I already advised you to discuss it at WP:RSN. Do not insert your personal opinions or personal commentary into articles. It is not allowed and if you persist, your editing privileges may be restricted. Please read the three interrelated core content policies that you are obligated to follow: Verifiability, No original research and Neutral point of view. These policies have made Wikipedia the most popular original content website in the world, so please understand them and comply with them. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 23:51, 28 May 2021 (UTC)

Piper PA25235C, why are you re-writing your post after I have replied? That is bad form. Edit all you want before someone else responds, but once you get a response, leave your post alone. If you want to revise your thoughts (other than minor obvious typo corrections) then make a new comment. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 00:18, 29 May 2021 (UTC)

I am not as computer savvy as you are, sorry. I typed it, reread it, and corrected a couple mistakes I made. I added a couple thoughts but don't believe I changed anything substantial in the initial post.

Here is my delima: First of all most of every initial post is the opinion of the initial poster. I could go point by point through many and find "published" opposing points of view -- but why? What purpose does that serve. In my initial post the OP had stated that a government agency created in 1958 did something n the 1920s and 1930s. I cited the enabling legislation for the agency. It was "published" in the Federal Record, in 1958.

Perhaps I should have stopped there the OP was wrong. There cannot be any question that the OP was just plain wrong. But I tried to explain where such misconceptions come from. Perhaps I should not have, but it seemed less "destructive" and more "instructive."

Because while I work in a world of meeting specific legal standards. I also work in a world where errors KILL. I could tell you a dozen stories, but you pointed out that my stories are not germaine.

Federal US laws: IE "FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATON, PART 103--ULTRALIGHT VEHICLES" are "published" in the US Federal Register. Each TCDS (they used to be called TADS) IE "CAA TYPE ACCEPTANCE DATA SHEET, TADS 849, 10/3/1940 LUSCOMBE 8A, 8A (MOD), 8E, 8 (MOD), 8F, 8F (MOD)" is published in the US Federal Register. As such they seem much more "reliable and accurate" than Janes.

I'm not trying to be argumentative. I'm not even trying to be a "Wikipedia" editor.

Just to let you know THIS is exactly where the system brings me when I click on "User talk:Cullen328" I'm using Chrome BTW

Piper PA25235C, you say you are not trying to be a Wikipedia editor yet here you are editing Wikipedia with a Wikipedia username. What would you say if I signed up for a flight training course, did the classroom work, took my first flight and then told the instructor, "I'm not even trying to be a pilot"? Wouldn't that be a strange thing for a student pilot to say? You are a Wikipedia editor as long as you keep editing, and if you don't want to be a Wikipedia editor, then simply stop editing and goodbye. I hope that you will stay because we need the perspective of people like you, but my hope is contingent on you learning our policies and guidelines, and following them. A student pilot cannot tell their instructor that they just want to "wing it" and not bother learning the technicalities of aviation. You ask " I could go point by point through many and find "published" opposing points of view -- but why? What purpose does that serve"? I will answer. Published reliable sources are like gold on Wikipedia. Our job is to summarize them. No more and no less. They are like diamonds, rubies, pearls and platinum. They are the skeleton of good articles. They are the backbone of great articles. Their importance here cannot be overstated. They are the key to Wikipedia's credibility. Without them, any kook, crank or fraud could degrade our articles at will. They are the foundation of our house. Enough with the excessive metaphors but I encourage you to take the time to read and understand the three core content policies I linked to above. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 01:49, 29 May 2021 (UTC)

Learning to Fly (re: Aviation, re: Heath Parasol)

It's funny, and I don't know if you are in the US, but we actually start student pilots off in the airplane not the classroom to see if they have the aptitude -- one thing we look for is ABILITY TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS, so I'm going to go back and see if I can reconcile the facts with your methodology. I'll probably be back when I do.

Jacqueline

Piper PA25235C (talk) 13:46, 29 May 2021 (UTC) (Okay the tildes didn't work this time either and I doubt I'm supposed to be seeing two pages of computer code here. I assume it's a malfunction, I'm on Chrome BTW.)

Update: I edited "Heath Parasol" again -- by the "rules" as I understand them to be. Hopefully it's close -- I have some questions about why certain things appear certain ways, but will try to find the answers myself before asking them.

Jacqueline

Hello, Piper PA25235C. Let's start with the signature process. You type a comment, and the very last thing you do is type four tildes. This is a tilde: ~

Do not type anything else at this point. Hit the "Publish changes" button, and the software automatically adds your signature.

You say that you do not know whether or not I live in the U.S. if you click on the green "Cullen" in my signature, then you will find out all about me as a Wikipedia editor and administrator, probably much more than you want to know, but you can skim. I live in Northern California.

I looked at your changes to Heath Parasol. The references are a mess. Read Referencing for beginners to learn how to fix them, or feel free to ask me for help.

You've mentioned twice that you use Chrome which leads me to conclude that you think that's important. Chrome is the world's dominant operating system so the fact that you use Chrome is of no significance that I can think of. What is significant is whether you are using the desktop or mobile Wikipedia site, and whether you are directly editing Wikitext or using the visual editor.

I do 99% of my editing on Android smartphones, currently a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, but the specific model doesn't matter much. Even though I edit with a smartphone, I do not use the mobile site which is not fully functional. I use the desktop site which works fine on modern phones and allows me to do anything I want except working on large image files. For similar reasons, I do not use the clunky confusing visual editor and instead directly edit the Wikitext. That gives me maximum control and functionality in my editing. It is not difficult to learn, in my opinion. I am not a professional programmer. I am a self employed construction worker and I learned it easily. Help:Wikitext and Help:Cheatsheet are useful for beginners. My style of editing is not the most common but it works very well for me and has allowed me to write and expand hundreds of articles which are listed on my user page. And when I ran for administrator, I won by a vote of 316 to 2, so I guess that I am doing something right. The bottom line is that I cannot be very helpful about either the mobile site or the visual editor because I do not like them and rarely use them.

I hope this helps. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 17:31, 29 May 2021 (UTC)

Malignancy Article

Hi Jim!

I noticed that you looked at the article I've been editing (Malignancy) and it has now been upgraded to a C class, yay! I also saw that you replied to my question about when it will graded and suggested we should discuss it.

I just added a few more sections, more hyperlinks and an infobox to the article. Do you think this is enough to push it up to a B class?

Thanks :) Becomingeditor

Hello, Becomingeditor. I am sorry but I do not have the expertise to do a thorough review of this article. I suggest that you contact one of the editors currently active at WP:WikiProject Medicine. You are doing good work. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 18:04, 31 May 2021 (UTC)

Hi sir!

You suggested to disclose previous accounts. Can you kindly tell to how to do that? RegardsMeluhacentrist (talk) 16:02, 1 June 2021 (UTC)

Meluhacentrist, disclose your previous accounts to me right here. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 16:06, 1 June 2021 (UTC)

My previous accounts which I used interchangeably were; Aglrochisat Harrapocentrist I due to being ignorant of Wikipedia rules used them interchangeably Meluhacentrist (talk) 16:11, 1 June 2021 (UTC)

I guess This is what you meant by disclosing? Meluhacentrist (talk) 16:13, 1 June 2021 (UTC)

Meluhacentrist, I have blocked this, your latest sock puppet account. You must appeal from your original account. Do not create any more new accounts. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 16:19, 1 June 2021 (UTC)

Thank you

First and most, thank you for replying to all my queries on teahouse. As Im new here, I find it little difficult to adjust, especially while seeing some terms. Im also using a mobile. Can I ask you some doubts here if you dont mind? Pillechan (പിള്ളേച്ചനോട് പറ) 06:25, 2 June 2021 (UTC)

Hello, Krishnavilasom Bhageerathan Pilla. Yes, you can ask me questions about things you have doubts about. But I live in California and it is almost bedtime here, so I will not be able to answer until tomorrow California time. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 06:42, 2 June 2021 (UTC)

I am a mobile editor too. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 06:43, 2 June 2021 (UTC)

Thank you for the offer. I have started to enjoy this platform and hope I would understood the things gradually. I will be coming to you whenever I have doubts. Good night and have a nice sleep. Pillechan (പിള്ളേച്ചനോട് പറ) 07:27, 2 June 2021 (UTC)

Block appeal

Dear Jim,

You notified us that you blocked our recent (and only!) post. We would like to appeal this on the grounds that we are a major source of information on the artist in the entry and had also posted details of no fewer than three one-man exhibitions we have mounted on his work. (Additionally we were encouraged to post because there is already a commercial company posted in the entry that clearly has not been blocked).

Can you please assist us with how to appeal as our page is (guess what?) blocked and we cannot figure out the correct process?

Very best,

Marine Artists London

146.200.39.135 (talk) 13:01, 3 June 2021 (UTC)

The place for an appeal is User talk: Marine Artists. Follow the instructions there precisely. The fact that you continue to use the term "we" is a bad sign. Wikipedia accounts are for one person and one person only. You will not be allowed to edit for the purpose of promoting an artist that you represent. Wikipedia is not a promotional platform. Do not edit any more from an IP address. Log in to appeal. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 15:05, 3 June 2021 (UTC)

From Cha20raca

Not a problem on editing. I’m hiring someone to do a wiki on my sister which probably should have been done in 1995, when it happened then it will make sense why it ties into Bissell. I do apologize I didn’t realize that anything personal was something not done on wiki. I’m learning and honestly other than my kid and Brenda it doesn’t affect whether I can understand wiki or not. I appreciate the block. Any name that say there and edited are fake accounts made by this woman. Cha20raca (talk) 17:58, 3 June 2021 (UTC)

Cha20raca, I caution you about hiring a paid editor. Most of them are unethical and do not deliver. I have blocked another account set up to harass you. Wikipedia did not exist in 1995. I am so sorry that your sister got murdered and that was an awful thing that happened. But the vast majority of murders and murder victims are not eligible for Wikipedia articles. Please do not waste your money. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 18:07, 3 June 2021 (UTC)

Oh wow. Now that I did not know. My sisters murder still plays out in the news. It’s a cold case with the murderer free. Little complicated but if you ever get a chance go to justice4brenda and you’ll see how bissell ties in. It’s a cautionary tale of greed leading to murder and the bad guy got away. My ex brother in law. It would be Bissells last murder case before he killed himself Cha20raca (talk) 18:10, 3 June 2021 (UTC)

Thank you so much for helping me. I really appreciate it. Cha20raca (talk) 19:23, 3 June 2021 (UTC)

Hi Jim, I can assure you there are many people who this user will accuse of being a fake stalker to attempt to silence disagreement. there are many users she has been edit warring with and I assure you that the majority have no interest in the vendetta she often mentions. I appreciate your page I am learning a great deal as a new user. Thank you 24.235.141.197 (talk) 20:16, 3 June 2021 (UTC)

Hello, IP. I can assure you that the two accounts I blocked were harassment only accounts. That does not mean that Cha20raca is blameless. Far from it. I blocked that account from the article they are most interested in. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 20:38, 3 June 2021 (UTC)

I respect that. I totally understand, this was not meant to create chaos. I hope you know that Cullen. Cha20raca (talk) 02:07, 4 June 2021 (UTC)

An elementary proof is there.

Hello! I just want to publish my question

For the eqn. [math] ab + c = t [/math] where [math]a,b,c[/math] are three consecutive numbers. show that [math] t [/math] will never be a perfect power? But I don't know the procedure for where & how to publish it in wikipedia's & I also need help in editing. Can you pls help me or guide me out? Rajesh Bhowmick (talk) 17:16, 4 June 2021 (UTC)

Hello, Rajesh Bhowmick. You asked your question at Wikipedia:Reference desk/Mathematics. That is the correct place. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 17:20, 4 June 2021 (UTC)

User:Ykqkwywkrh

I saw you revert them on Cicis, which was the correct revert. They started with subtle vandalism with a few good edits, but now it's just vandalism and removing warnings from their talk page. Anything you can do to help would be appreciated. Thanks. ScottishFinnishRadish (talk) 16:49, 3 June 2021 (UTC)

Thanks a ton. I appreciate it. ScottishFinnishRadish (talk) 17:06, 3 June 2021 (UTC)

User:2Rhwjt looks to be the same editor. ScottishFinnishRadish (talk) 20:19, 6 June 2021 (UTC)

Hello, ScottishFinnishRadish. I've indeffed the obvious Sock. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 20:31, 6 June 2021 (UTC)

Smartphone editing essay

Hi, I'm just dropping by to say thanks for your essay, it is an enjoyable read. I myself has been editing on mobile using the advanced mobile edit feature since the middle of 2019 when I get back to editing. I think the biggest challenge with smartphone editing is when trying to revert complicated vandalism especially when it involve numbers such as dates or football matches statistics, they are such a nightmare I went @.@ everytime. Lulusword (talk) 03:21, 7 June 2021 (UTC)

Hello, Lulusword. Thanks for your kind words. I recommend using the fully functional desktop site on your smartphone. Scroll to the very bottom of any page and click the "desktop" link. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 03:44, 7 June 2021 (UTC)

Thanks for the advice. Sometimes I do use desktop version while doing pending changes review or when I am adding pictures on articles but I only ever use the "desktop site" feature on the browser, I never realise there's a shortcut at the bottom of each article. The more you know. Lulusword (talk) 03:59, 7 June 2021 (UTC)

Long time no see Cullen! Just popping in to add that this essay is great and I have shared it with friends, some movement volunteers, and staff at the Foundation in my professional capacity to show how tremendously important it is to design and prepare things that work well for mobile users. What kind of smartphone are you using these days anyway, is it still that HTC One? :) I JethroBT ^{drop me a line} 04:11, 7 June 2021 (UTC)

Nice to see you around, I JethroBT, and thanks for the kind words. No, that HTC One is retired and sitting in a drawer somewhere. I used Google Pixels for a few years, and a couple of months ago, I upgraded to a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. This thing actually has five cameras built into it, and I am still learning its advanced functions. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 04:21, 7 June 2021 (UTC)