User talk:MER-C/archives/20

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.

December 2007

Can you support my edits of the Baillieston article. The user Ruminsta has gone rather mad and made some strange edits and seems to think that I am in league with some other user.

With thanks

RfA

I considered not spamming talk pages but not saying "thanks" just isn't me. The support was remarkable and appreciated. I do remember your help in the "old days" and it was appreciated. I only hope that I am able to help a little on here. Please let me know if I can help you or equally if you find any of my actions questionable. Thanks & regards --Herby ^{talk thyme} 11:33, 16 November 2007 (UTC)

Small favor

Your vigilance is rather frightening, but impressive. (I figured you were a bot) Do you know how to do what I was attempting? A blind external redirect that is. It's a suprise for my own 'recent changes' ninjas (with a tinyurl) on a more appropriate wiki. Thanks, if not for any forth coming help, then for cleaning up after me. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.129.138.40 (talk)

Redirects to pages outside the English Wikipedia aren't technically possible due to the possibility of redirecting to a malicious site. (And tinyurl and similar url shorteners are on the spam blacklist). MER-C 12:49, 16 November 2007 (UTC)

Thank you! and more clarity

Thanks for taking a look and for your improvements-- I appreciate it. Just to clarify-- did you think the New Version was an improvement on the Old Version? Or should we roll back to the old version?

I like the one, of course, but then, I'm biased. heheh. --Alecmconroy 13:04, 16 November 2007 (UTC)

As it stands, the new version is almost unreadable due to the repetition. But I am open to reconsideration. MER-C 03:55, 17 November 2007 (UTC)

Reverting changes by 220.255.91.60 on 10 November

I refer to your reverting of the five additions by user IP 220.255.91.60 on 10 November 2007. The external links are relevant to the wikipedia articles in question and redirect the reader to additional information not found in the articles. This information is dynamic and not appropriate to add to the article itself. I am considering undoing your changes but would like to "Talk" to you first. I appreciate if you could reconsider. Thanks.

--swivl— Swivl (talk • contribs) has made few or no other edits outside this topic. The preceding unsigned comment was added at 04:46, 17 November 2007 (UTC).

The links obviously fail our guidelines on links to avoid, especially point 12. We don't consider blogspot a reliable source. MER-C 06:01, 17 November 2007 (UTC)

Vandalism warnings

Thank you for your vigilance in thwarting vandalism. However, remember WP:BITE. Your recent revert of Final Fantasy identified the edit as vandalism in your edit summary. It looked more like a newbie thought that his personal site was relevant to the article. They only made the one edit (although it took them two tries), and I don't recall that link having been added before. Your warning on User talk:88.134.142.117 was appropriate, my concern was only in the edit summary.

I know that after reverting a lot of stuff, it is easy to assume vandalism. I've done it myself, which is why I raise the issue.

Once again, thanks for all your work on Wikipedia! -- wrp103 (Bill Pringle) ^(Talk) 11:33, 17 November 2007 (UTC)

Despite the editing textarea being more than half-full of warnings not to add any more (forum) links? (Plus it's convenient technically - my scripts are set up such that they open the talk page iff I click the rollback (vandal) button). MER-C 08:08, 18 November 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Featured picture candidates/ Mono Lake

Hi MER-C,
Don't want to be seen questioning your closing ability (of which I have the utmost respect) but shouldn't this be a non prom just by the 4 support rule? It gets 3 support plus one weak or half support. Also surely with two opposes it would fail the 2/3 supermajority? Just a thought... --Fir0002 11:49, 17 November 2007 (UTC)

You're counting votes, Fir. One of the oppose votes was addressed but not updated (hence disregarded) and there were four in support. (And by the way, it would be too late to do anything about it. I can't just take back those bronze stars without a good reason, you know.)

P.S. The Count is at 952 now. MER-C 08:08, 18 November 2007 (UTC)

Fair enough, and thanks for the info --Fir0002 09:41, 20 November 2007 (UTC)

My RfA

Hi; thanks for your support to my RfA, which closed successfully at (51/1/2). I'll keep this brief since I don't like spamming anyone: I'll work hard to deserve the trust you placed in me. Thanks again. — Coren ^(talk) 23:26, 17 November 2007 (UTC)

The copyvios are waiting... MER-C 08:08, 18 November 2007 (UTC)

Thanks

Thanks for reverting the vandalism on my user page. =) -- Gogo Dodo (talk) 08:12, 18 November 2007 (UTC)

I'd like to follow him and say "thank you" for all your reverts on my user and user talk page. :) Kind regards, —DerHexer (Talk) 09:23, 20 November 2007 (UTC)

Your comment on User talk:41.241.193.47

Hi! This user added the link Glossary of obscure terms in Halakhic Man to the Joseph B. Soloveitchik article. You responded with a toughly-worded comment characterizing the link as spam and accusing the editor of vandalism. I've reviewed this link. While it is from a blog and therefore not compliant with our WP:RS and WP:LINK policies, it seems to be very relevant to the article's subject matter and aadding it seems to be an attempt to help the project. The issue is at least arguably a new user attempting to help the project but not understanding all the fine points of our sourcing policies rather than a vandal adding anything that's objectively inappropriate. Both the WP:VANDAL and WP:SPAM policies make clear that they apply only to objectively irrelevant/inappropriate edits, not to relevant and helpful edits which merely happen not to comply with the fine points of our editing policies. I would caution you about WP:AGF and WP:BITE. It's very important to the project not to accuse new editors who happen to make a mistake or two of "vandalism", "spam", etc. I would urge you to use an WP:AGF, friendly comment by default and not to use WP:BITE language unless you've investigated and it is clear that the edit could not have been intended to be helpful. Best, --Shirahadasha (talk) 15:34, 18 November 2007 (UTC)

Mandelbrot set

Hey MER-C, a while back you failed Mandelbrot set here as a GA for primarily referencing concerns, and while I do think the article has some problems (primarily the lede summarizing the article) I was just wondering if you were aware of the Wikipedia:Scientific citation guidelines which govern articles of this type. If you weren't aware of them would you give the article another once over and maybe give a recommendation for the future (GAN or more work needed). Cheers and thanks. —Cronholm¹⁴⁴ 10:15, 19 November 2007 (UTC)

I've skimmed both the guidelines and the article and still stand by my opinion. For example, the passage

“ This principle is exploited in virtually all deep results on the Mandelbrot set. For example, Shishikura proves that, for a dense set of parameters in the boundary of the Mandelbrot set, the Julia set has Hausdorff dimension two, and then transfers this information to the parameter plane. Similarly, Yoccoz first proves the local connectivity of Julia sets, before establishing it for the Mandelbrot set at the corresponding parameters. Adrien Douady phrases this principle as "Plough in the dynamical plane, and harvest in parameter space." ”

needs three citations to attribute the statements and proofs made by the three mathematicians. There are numerous other instances of this. MER-C 10:31, 19 November 2007 (UTC)

Cool, thanks for your swift response. I will see what I can do about fixing up the article, and maybe it will hit GAN again soon. Cheers—Cronholm¹⁴⁴ 10:56, 19 November 2007 (UTC)

LOTD experiment

Now that my project is fully up and running, I though you might want to consider the four main benefits of my method over the one that you seem to be supporting:

1. There is a set of orphaned articles for persons who do not have any featured lists of their own or persons that would like to take responsibility for more. Anyone can nominate such orphans. This benefits WP by getting people involved in list articles that might not have active editors to update them or defend them against vandalism. Please consider adopting one of our orphans.
2. Each list will be encouraged to respond to commentary and feedback during the candidacy period, which will hopefully improve the quality of the articles.
3. Articles without pictures will be encouraged to find them. E.g., List of Harry Potter films cast members had no image before its nominator added an image for this experiment. This type of thing, of course, improves the project.
4. Articles are encouraged to add relevant projects to their talk page. This alerts other project to articles that they would likely have an interest in and would be able to either improve or protect.--TonyTheTiger (t/c/bio/WP:LOTD) 17:39, 20 November 2007 (UTC)

Para_369_to_389_of_SRC

Hi, I see that you tagged the article Para_369_to_389_of_SRC for copy right violation. I added my comments in talk page Talk:Para_369_to_389_of_SRC. Please advise if my comments in talk page makes sense or you need more info. If my comments resolves the issue.. You or administrator can please untag it. Thanks. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Ramcrk (talk • contribs)

Strange, the latest version of the copyright guide doesn't mention this. I'll leave it to someone more experienced in the nuances of copyright law to sort this one out.

By the way, copies of public domain texts such as reports belong on Wikisource, not here, as Wikipedia is not a collection of public domain primary resources. MER-C 08:03, 21 November 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for the respnse. I am trying to make this page part of Wikisource. (Reason being this report is not available on Government of India web site. But hard copy of the report is available. I wanted to quote this report in wikipedia time to time. What other option I have other than making it part of wikisource). I don't know how to make it part of the Wikisource. I will appreciate any help regarding this.

Also, The copy right link you menioned copyright guide says following at the top of the page.

This book is not a substitute for the Copyright Act and Rules. It is intended to serve as an information booklet for enforcement agencies as well as the general public. Government officers and general public are requested to refer to the Copyright Act, 1957 (as amended from time to time) and the Copyright Rules, 1958 (as amended from time to time) before taking any action with reference to copyright registration and infringement. Copies of the Act and Rules may be obtained from the Controller of Publications, Government of India, Civil Lines, Delhi- 110 054.

According to section 52.1.q.iii of Indian copy right act of 1957 ...

"52.Certain acts not to infringement of:- (1) The following acts shall not constitute an infringement of copyright, namely : --- q) the reproduction or publication of ---( iii ) the report of any committee, commission, council, board or other like body appointed by the Government if such report has been laid on the Table of the Legislature, unless the reproduction or publication of such report is prohibited by the Government"

You can also find the same info at page 36 of http://education.nic.in/CprAct.pdf (see the last page for the amendments since 1957). Thanks. - Ramcrk (talk) 16:53, 21 November 2007 (UTC)

Abuse of admin authority by this user

wsh t lrt srs tht ths sr ctll sd th fllwng; "W r nt ntrstd n yr pnn f th stt f fr dscssn, whch s nt th prps f Wkpd t n rt. Yr blck s rst fr wstng r tm wth frvls nblck rqsts Ths s n bslt bs f dscrtn. Fr dscssn s th ssnc f ntllctl dscrs whch lds t sch thngs s dfntv ncyclpdc ntrs. Th nswr tht ths sr pstd s nt-ntllctl nd kn-jrk rctn t smthng (nblck rqsts) tht hs nthng t d wth th qlt f th wrk prsntd n th wkpd. Ths sr shld hv n nd ll dmnstrtv thrt rvkd fr grss bs. WRS, ths sr hs sttd plc f gnrng mls. Wht n bslt dsgrc. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.19.57.107 (talk • contribs)

Yay - my first frivolous post alleging admin abuse! No evidence = no vowels (not to mention the red text at the top of the page). MER-C 09:20, 21 November 2007 (UTC)

Can you keep an eye on our anonymous friend, please? He or she just came off a block and appears to be going right back to making the edits that warranted the original block. --ElKevbo (talk) 15:57, 21 November 2007 (UTC)

Appears, though your comments made him angry, not to understand what you meant about Wikipedia not being an encyclopedia and not a place for the free discussion of one's opinions. I am horrified that you disemvowelled him. Well, not too horrified. -FisherQueen (talk · contribs) 16:22, 21 November 2007 (UTC)

The WP:ENC comment is targeted at the "why was my page tagged for deletion?" crowd. The relevant bits are "I am not an administrator" and disemvoweling of trolling (which unsubstantiated claims of admin abuse are).

It's time for me to make some featured pictures. 04:01, 22 November 2007 (UTC)

misnamed FP

Hi! Rather than plough on in and change it, I thought I'd bring this edit to your attention (not sure if the title you used related to another FP, etc) It's one of Mila's shots, which also appears in the Landscapes section as"Lava channel at Hawaii (at fissure vent), by Mila Zinkova". I'll leave it in your capable hands :) --mikaul^talk 10:12, 22 November 2007 (UTC)

Fixed, I had meant Image:Tagus River Panorama - Toledo, Spain - Dec 2006.jpg. MER-C 10:17, 22 November 2007 (UTC)

I did not get that

You say that somebody from this IP address 83.237.119.81 is spamming around. Which is kinda scary, since it is certainly not me. Now it says that for my username (Ironiest) there is no e-mail address recorded. Probably these two things are connected. What I can add is that with my ADSL connection I'm supposed to have changing IP address, and that I have a licensed anti-virus. If you have any ideas about how I can prevent my IP from using it for spamming - please share them. Best.

The IP spammed the domain copydoctor.ru (15:12, 9 November 2006), on a now deleted page Talk:Wiki/. I assume this was done prior to you obtaining this IP. Perhaps there is more if this was your IP at the time, however I wouldent be to concerned if it wasn't.--Hu12 (talk) 10:31, 25 November 2007 (UTC)

A spammer used XRumer to create the spam page above via a zombie computer which was once on that IP. Best way to avoid this: don't use Windoze. (If you must, keep your OS, firewall and anti-virus up to date. And avoid Internet Explorer.) Speaking of the devil... MER-C 10:50, 25 November 2007 (UTC)

Uh-oh...

XRumer spambot has stepped up its attack - see User talk:Koltus30 for what I mean. Awyong Jeffrey Mordecai Salleh 10:41, 25 November 2007 (UTC)

I filed a request for checkuser to obtain the underlying IP(s). I do hope this isn't a trend. MER-C 10:55, 25 November 2007 (UTC)

For me, I only hope it doesn't wise up to spamming non-talk space... Awyong Jeffrey Mordecai Salleh 11:13, 25 November 2007 (UTC)

Recruitment

Let me ask a serious question: Has anyone talked to you seriously about getting sysopped? I'd like to have that discussion with you if you're interested. You've demonstrated you'd be excellent at it. I would be honored and would like to nominate you.--Hu12 (talk) 10:57, 26 November 2007 (UTC)

I've been nominated twice before and my enthusiasm re: RFA isn't very high. I might get around to filing an editor review someday but I've got other things to do (like reverting spam and making featured pictures). MER-C 12:31, 26 November 2007 (UTC)

I still think you'd make an excellent admin--Hu12 (talk) 19:10, 10 December 2007 (UTC)

Template:Apartheid

Thanks for reverting the template. Apparently I have forgotten the location of the current and the previous version of the template in TW. Again, thanks :-) E Wing (talk) 12:23, 26 November 2007 (UTC)

Carbonates on Mars

Please review the entry and remove the "citations" tag if you feel the entry now meets the Wikpedia citation requirements. If you feel that it still doesn't, please revise citations as you feel appropriate and remove the tag.Suniti karunatillake (talk) 22:51, 26 November 2007 (UTC)

Not quite, I'm afraid. Our relevant style guideline on the issue states that you should use Template:Cite journal. After you fix this, you may remove the tag. MER-C 02:07, 27 November 2007 (UTC)

Thank you. Could you refer me to someone who would be willing to revise the citations? I am unable to revise them until after Feb 2008.Suniti karunatillake (talk) 14:08, 28 November 2007 (UTC)

I might do it later today, but now I have to feature a few pictures. MER-C 02:28, 29 November 2007 (UTC)

comet nomination

Hi, MER-C. I wonder, if 8 supports over 5 opposes are not enough for consensus? I also wonder what is wrong with the image description and why it was nomonated for speedy deletion? Thank you for your time. --Mbz1 (talk) 03:17, 28 November 2007 (UTC)

Not in this case. (The SPA didn't help either). As for the deletion, there's no point in keeping an empty image description page around here. MER-C 05:34, 28 November 2007 (UTC)

Thank you for the response. Could you please explain to me what SPA means? Thank you.--Mbz1 (talk) 13:23, 28 November 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Single purpose account. The account's only edits were to that FPC debate. MER-C 02:27, 29 November 2007 (UTC)

Thank you, MER-C. Now I've understood what you mean. I still do not think that it was a good reason do not promote the image.I'm almost positive that this particular SPA is probably absolutely innocent new user, or maybe somebody, who is really interested in this comet and created the account to support the nomination. Maybe there's a way to check on this user. Even, if a vote by the user in question, would not be taken in the account it still leaves 7 supports over 5 opposes. Of course I fully accept your authority in the way you handle FP promotions and I'd like to thank you for taking your time to respond my questions and for great contibutions you are doing.--Mbz1 (talk) 03:35, 29 November 2007 (UTC)

Even before the SPA, a pure vote count was marginal since 8/13 = 61.5%. Consensus wasn't achieved because size was seen to be a major problem. I don't think I've ever promoted something with that low support. (I find it somewhat implausible that a newbie finds FPC, one of the more obscure Wikipedia processes, on his/her first edit). MER-C 04:46, 29 November 2007 (UTC)

Dear MER-C, it is absolutely all right that the image did not get promoted. I was not aware that the simple majority is not enough to promote the image and I believe it is very good and very fair rule.
I've done some internet research about the name on the account in question. Looks like the name is of Hungarian origin. The creator of the image lives in Hungary. I would not be surpised, ih he is the one, who supported his own image, which IMO is perfectly fine for him to do. I wonder, if there any way to say what country the vote was casted from. I'd like to get to the bottom of it not because I want the image to get promoted after the investigation is finished, but rather because I do not like the shadow of suspicion. Still I do not like to take even more of your time than I've already taken, so I'll post my questions on the help desk. Thank you once again for your time.--Mbz1 (talk) 13:55, 29 November 2007 (UTC)

As I promissed I posted the question at help desk. I just wanted to share the result with you. Thank you.--Mbz1 (talk) 21:58, 29 November 2007 (UTC)

Oxya yezoensis

Hello MER-C, Thank you for Featured picture tag to my photograph of Oxya yezoensis. I have a question. I think that the original got 5 supports, the edit2 got 3 supports then the orignal is supposed to be featured. Why edit2 was featured? The nomination is here. --Laitche (talk) 15:55, 29 November 2007 (UTC)

Edit 2 had more explicit support than the original. If preference for a particular version is not specified, then I get to decide. MER-C 05:31, 30 November 2007 (UTC)

No you are wrong. 4 supports have done before uploaded edit2 and 1 support vote to the original then edit2 got only 3 supports. That is not preference. That's true. --Laitche (talk) 06:15, 30 November 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia debates (including FPCs), which are not majority votes, suffer from a phenomenon best described as "drive-by comments" - people giving an opinion who don't revisit the discussion. As a result, their opinions do not reflect any further developments. What this means in this case is that the opinions placed (2) or changed (1) after the edit was placed give a better indication of which version should be featured than the ones before. MER-C 13:53, 30 November 2007 (UTC)

If edit2 is better than original then you are right, but that edit2 is fake. If you would print the original and edit2 to large paper then you could see easily that edit2 is fake. --Laitche 14:07, 30 November 2007 (UTC)

There were enough time but supporters didn't change vote to edit2. --Laitche 14:17, 30 November 2007 (UTC)

I'm not so good at English then please use simple English. --Laitche 14:18, 30 November 2007 (UTC)

I think the rule is right but in this case, the way to use the rule is wrong. --Laitche 15:59, 30 November 2007 (UTC)

(reset) There was enough time, but were the original participants paying any attention? The "drive-by comment" rule implies that they weren't. (It's a very difficult thing to explain, and it isn't written down anywhere). MER-C 11:58, 1 December 2007 (UTC)

Who decide that? You? If so, that's just a tyranny. I think that the truth is edit2 got only 3 supports. --Laitche 12:29, 1 December 2007 (UTC)

The community at large thinks that drive-by comments are a problem, see primer instance 1 instance 2 instance 3. As the closer of the discussion, my decision should reflect this concern and hence it's my responsibility to recognize that this may have taken place and act accordingly. MER-C 13:07, 1 December 2007 (UTC)

Sorry, I can't understand that long English discussion. If supporters thought that is "drive-by comment" then they could change the vote to edit2, but they didn't. You can't change the vote, supporters do. The point is that is not "drive-by comment". --Laitche 13:20, 1 December 2007 (UTC)

You can't decide that is "drive-by comment" or not. Supporters do. --Laitche 13:33, 1 December 2007 (UTC)

But that's enough. I want to close this case. Thanks. --Laitche 14:48, 1 December 2007 (UTC)

Request for Mediation

I have filed a request for mediation on the Human Trafficking in Angeles article and you are invited to comment. Please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Requests_for_mediation/Human_trafficking_in_Angeles_City.Susanbryce 15:48, 2 December 2007 (UTC)

Recently featued?

Heh MER-C! I've volunteered to do the F&A in the signpost this week, but I would first like to check I've got everything in order. Could you verify everything you can see here is correct? Thank you. Regards, — Rudget _{contributions} 15:47, 3 December 2007 (UTC)

Ah, I've just checked, everything is in order. Thanks anyway. Best, — Rudget _{contributions} 16:26, 3 December 2007 (UTC)

OOPPS

Sorry! I put this here on mistake. Web Warlock 19:54, 3 December 2007 (UTC)

WP:US

I have created this scripts to work more comfortable. However, I still wonder that should this scripts go into Wikipedia:WikiProject User Scripts? It is useful and work properly. If you give me any consult, I would be very thank you for this. --Passawuth (talk) 07:49, 5 December 2007 (UTC)

I don't know. Your script is beyond my (somewhat limited) understanding of JS and regex, and gets fairly obfuscated towards the bottom. All I can do is provide you a link to WP:JS, where you can add a link to it. MER-C 12:00, 5 December 2007 (UTC)

OmpA-like transmembrane domain

Can you explain why you think this isn't a copyvio please? (copyvio text redacted)

Except for a couple of minor changes, it's word for word the same. Thanks. One Night In Hackney₃₀₃ 12:50, 7 December 2007 (UTC)

Indeed it is. My mistake. (I've taken the liberty of removing the copyvio text above). You should also give the author's contribs a look, as he seems to have a recent history of creating copyvios: TonB dependent receptors/[1] and Photosynthetic reaction center protein family/[2]. Goodnight. MER-C 13:32, 7 December 2007 (UTC)

Barnstar

		The Defender of the Wiki Barnstar
		For your always correct CSD-taggings, watching changes by new users and cleaning up spam. Keep up the great work! Oxymoron83 11:26, 9 December 2007 (UTC)

Thanks. MER-C 12:11, 9 December 2007 (UTC)

sup

I want the people harassing me to go away. Do you particularly care if I have that little list on my user page? I assume you do since I've stated in various places that if you or AMIB complains, your names will be removed, but I feel that a straight yes/no answer will be the quickest way to get them to vanish one way or the other. Jtrainor (talk) 20:55, 9 December 2007 (UTC)

A more direct question he's asking is do you want to be on a list called "List of people whom I think should not be able to use the edit button" on his userpage? — Save_Us_229 21:28, 9 December 2007 (UTC)

Yeah, remove it. MER-C 04:27, 10 December 2007 (UTC)

Joseph Alexander Ames

I was about to revert your puzzling revision, since the added material seemed perfectly reasonable, 'til I checked your contributions. Good work on rooting out all the copyright problems, etc., but edit summaries with real content would be even better. Thanks. —johndburger 03:16, 10 December 2007 (UTC)

There are about 2000 of these spam "citations" on the English Wikipedia alone, see WP:AN#Virtualology and Stanley L. Klos -- boon to our historical articles or just a bain of spam?, and rollback is the easiest way of nuking them en-masse before the sites hit the global blacklist. MER-C 04:20, 10 December 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Requests for arbitration/RodentofDeath

An Arbitration case in which you commented has been opened, and is located here. Please add any evidence you may wish the Arbitrators to consider to the evidence sub-page, Wikipedia:Requests for arbitration/RodentofDeath/Evidence. Please submit your evidence within one week, if possible. You may also contribute to the case on the workshop sub-page, Wikipedia:Requests for arbitration/RodentofDeath/Workshop.

On behalf of the Arbitration Committee, Whiteandnerdy111 (talk) 19:05, 10 December 2007 (UTC)

You may be interested in this, since you probably know most about his behaviour than I do. Please place evidence at Wikipedia:Requests for arbitration/RodentofDeath/Evidence. MER-C 04:33, 11 December 2007 (UTC)

Thanks. I'm watching with interest, and will try to contribute something before the week is up. Since my complaints about the mouse to Corps of Administrators have resulted in almost no action for 6 months now, I'm very interested in how you and John254 present this case to Arbitration.

And I am familiar with the arbitration procedure. / edg ☺ ☭ 14:15, 12 December 2007 (UTC)

Rodent notes

I don't think the Bryce attack version of User:RodentofDeath was actually live for very long. If I recall correctly, it was deleted after being reported (by me) on WP:ANI after only a few days. I think User:RodentofDeath went empty for at least a month afterward, possibly for 2 entire months, and may have been restored only for the recent RfC. / edg ☺ ☭ 02:43, 11 December 2007 (UTC)

I can't tell. I've removed this from the evidence, but it wasn't specifically restored for the RFC. MER-C 04:45, 11 December 2007 (UTC)

Maybe I'm wrong then. / edg ☺ ☭ 14:15, 12 December 2007 (UTC)

Really, really bad haikus from a new admin

Setting new lows in thank-you spam:

Click there for my RfA spam haikus! → → →

Janitor's new tools
Spam must stop -- will new mop act?
Ooops, .com blocked

New admin, new tools
Earnest newbie furrows brow
Fare thee well Main Page

New mess all about
Sorcerer's Apprentice mop
Not supporter's fault

A. B. so grateful
Wikipedia trembles
Watch out DRV

A. B. wonders why
Copyright always confused
Fair use, farewell, bye

Qatar is blocked
Shucks those range blocks are tricky!
Will get it straight soon.

Colbert's elephants
stampede Wikipedia
Must protect, protect

Wiki fortress not.
Open gates, knowledge wings free
But fiends are about

Dear RfA friend,
I will learn, chaos will fade
Thanks so much ... A. B.

This RfA thank you card is based on a card originally done by Phaedriel

MER-C, I've enjoyed working with you over the last year and I so appreciate your support in my RfA.
--A. B. ^(talk) 22:18, 12 December 2007 (UTC)

PS Enjoy your haikus

Fredo and Pidjin

Hello. You deleted today without notice Fredo and Pidjin page. Please explain the reasons. I already had a discussion with another administrator Android79 who told me about notability issues, but I corrected them. Even two of you administrators agree with that. What happen? Thank you stash2001

Same reason as before, different deleting admin. It appears you haven't corrected notability issues (but I don't have access to the text or history of the deleted article, so I can't tell). MER-C 02:29, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

Smile

99.230.152.143 (talk) has smiled at you! Smiles promote WikiLove and hopefully this one has made your day better. Spread the WikiLove by smiling at someone else, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past or a good friend. Happy editing!
Smile at others by adding {{subst:Smile}} to their talk page with a friendly message.

99.230.152.143 (talk) 01:55, 16 December 2007 (UTC)

Scouting for Girls

Hi, I noticed you have undone my addition of an external link to a Scouting for Girls interview - why? I'm new to Wikipedia, but thought that it was a relevant external link for fans of the band. Dale —Preceding unsigned comment added by Dalelovell (talk • contribs)

Ummm, no. Your edits consist solely of adding links to sites owned by Utarget Media. That's spam. And isn't it a coincidence that Utargetmarketing (talk · contribs) showed up and continued spamming (the relevant spam pages are Utarget and user:Utargetmarketing) while I thought up a reply for your question? I think not. MER-C 10:54, 19 December 2007 (UTC)

While I work for the same company, I am not Utargetmarketing and don't know who within the organisation is responsible for this. I admit that I did link to our external websites on relevant wikipedia pages, but I thought this was allowed as they are relevant to each page. Surely you have to agree that the external links I added were not spam, but relevant external links, mainly to artist interviews? Like I said I am new to posting on wiki and thought that this was allowed. I hope you reconsider the deletion of at least some of my external link postings. I was simply checking out the posting process and feel that moving forward can contribute a great deal to the website in terms of adding much of our copyrighted material to the website for general interest. Thanks, Dale. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Dalelovell (talk • contribs)

Not quite, see WP:EL#Advertising and conflicts of interest. Be aware that Wikipedia is not an advertising service. I apologize for the cynicism of my earlier post: it appeared that your primary intention was to post corporate vanity, which isn't tolerated.

As for contributing copyrighted materials, you'll need to email permissions dash en at wikimedia dot org stating that Utarget owns the copyright to the material in question and that you release under the GFDL. Or you can put a message on your website to the same effect. Either way news articles don't make good encyclopedia entries, so we're looking at pictures, if possible. There's also Wikinews (note that the license is different). MER-C 13:21, 21 December 2007 (UTC)

POTD notification

POTD

Hi MER-C,

Just to let you know that the Featured Picture Image:Metrioptera roeseli male Richard Bartz.jpg is due to make an appearance as Picture of the Day on December 29, 2007. If you get a chance, you can check and improve the caption at Template:POTD/2007-12-29. howcheng {chat} 00:50, 21 December 2007 (UTC)

Core Conflict Cloud

Aloha MER-C,

Thank you for changing Core Conflict Cloud into a redirect. However, the votes were to merge, and the merging wasn't done at this same time. I went ahead and retrieved the information and did the merge.

Happy Holidays, sincerely, --Jeffmcneill ^{talk contribs} 04:40, 22 December 2007 (UTC)

I haven't edited the page in question. You're looking for Sandstein. I guess that's what you get when people plagiarize your talk page header. Either way, merry Christmas. MER-C 08:36, 22 December 2007 (UTC)

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

From Muhammad Mahdi Karim (talk) 11:08, 24 December 2007 (UTC)

If you object to the above message, please remove it, accept my apologies and notify me on my talk page.

Lotsa good uploads...

		The Photographer's Barnstar
		Quite a few of your pictures are very nice, and good quality. Soxred93 has a boring sig 05:39, 27 December 2007 (UTC)

My pictures? I generally upload stuff from NASA to illustrate planetary geography articles. Maybe you mean this guy? MER-C 13:49, 27 December 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for all your hard work at FPC

		The Working Wikipedian's Barnstar
		Awarded to MER-C for his/her diligent work at WP:FPC. de Bivort 19:42, 29 December 2007 (UTC)

Where are the rest of your barnstars? I hope I'm not the first to thank you for the FPC work this way! Cheers, and happy new year. de Bivort 19:42, 29 December 2007 (UTC)

I couldn't agree more... --Fir0002 03:40, 30 December 2007 (UTC)

		The Working Wikipedian's Barnstar
		Awarded to MER-C for another dedicated year as the closer of en:FPC - we're lucky to have you! --Fir0002 03:40, 30 December 2007 (UTC)

And thanks for 1000 congrats :-) - I most say I'm really glad it was the dragonfly because at one point I was fuming so much with the negative reviews that it got that I'd decided to leave FPC. Oh well alls well that ends well :-) --Fir0002 03:41, 30 December 2007 (UTC)

		The Tireless Contributor Barnstar
		You MER-C, for your tireless work at WP:FPC, get the first barnstar that I have ever given. Keep it up! Fcb981(talk:contribs) 21:56, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

I don't give these out lightly, in fact, I had never given one out before now but you deserve it. I see that you have gotten two just recently but I have been meaning to give you one for some time. Keep up the great work!. -Fcb981^{(talk:contribs)} 21:56, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Images

Just recieved a question from a user regarding some images he uploaded[3]. Since this not an area i know well. he is the the copywright holder and owner, but wants limited rights so they are still protected. Specificaly these three. [4][5][6]. Advice?--Hu12 (talk) 20:43, 30 December 2007 (UTC)

Replied on your talk page. MER-C 04:05, 31 December 2007 (UTC)

Many thanks, out of my element with images. Have a happy new year--Hu12 (talk) 08:44, 31 December 2007 (UTC)

Invitation

Hello there

I see you are interested in the Life On Mars Television Series, as I am.

At the moment I have A Life On Mars Wikiproject currently up for approval by the Wikiproject Approval Council. As you are interested in Life On Mars I was wondering if you would be interested in adding your name and joining. If you are interested you can find it on Wikipedia: WikiProject Council/Proposals its right at the very bottom you cant miss it as its titled ‘Wikipedia: Wikiproject Life on Mars (Television Series)’. And after your name is added to Wikiproject propsals please add it to the main page Wikipedia:Wikiproject Life On Mars

If you are interested by all means feel free to join

Regards

Police,Mad,Jack

I don't watch the show, so I decline the invitation. MER-C 10:33, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Spam patrol

Thank you for mopping up what I missed at these artist's bios: [7] and [8], and for supplying the spamming history here: [9]. Your efforts are much appreciated. Cheers, JNW (talk) 03:07, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

All the sites will soon make it to various spam blacklists, so "Spam Wars: The Spammers Strike Back" hopefully won't be a reality. MER-C 09:35, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

Thanks!

This was dumb; I was too fast with a text editor and too lazy with the preview button. Thanks for fixing it. --A. B. ^(talk) 16:29, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

Rollback

Your userpage states, "I am not an administrator. That means I cannot block, unblock, delete, undelete, protect or unprotect." You can, however, use administrative rollback. Now that admins can grant the tools, I decided to give you access to the tool, since you are a very frequent vandal fighter who could benefit from it :) Wizardman 23:31, 9 January 2008 (UTC)

Thank you! (Becoming an admin is way down on the todo list.) MER-C 05:41, 10 January 2008 (UTC)

User:Leboninc

I've declined the speedy tag you placed on User:Leboninc. The reason is:

It's a definition, not an advetisement

For your information, עוד מישהו Od Mishehu 07:47, 10 January 2008 (UTC)

POTD notification

POTD

Hi MER-C,

Just to let you know that the Featured Picture Image:Da Vinci Vitruve Luc Viatour.jpg is due to make an appearance as Picture of the Day on January 18, 2008. If you get a chance, you can check and improve the caption at Template:POTD/2008-01-18. howcheng {chat} 00:49, 11 January 2008 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Featured picture candidates/Image:Respiratory system complete.svg

File:Respiratory system complete.svg

Your Featured picture candidate has been promoted Your nomination for featured picture status, Image:Respiratory system complete.svg, gained a consensus of support, and has been promoted. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Wikipedia:Featured picture candidates. jjron (talk) 08:15, 16 January 2008 (UTC)

Thanks!

Thanks for reverting the vandalism on my user talkpage. :-) —αἰτίας •discussion• 13:24, 20 January 2008 (UTC)

Removing all of my contributions!

I'm sorry but you removing all of my contributions severely takes the p*ss!

I looked through games listed on Wiki and noticed that there were already OTHER PEOPLE that had posted links to their REVIEW pages. I do the same thing and get a warning for it as well as my additions removed. If this is the case why don't you delete all the other review pages?!? What makes their review pages any different from mine?

Also in the Timeshift page theres a list of 9 other sites pimping themselves out with their review scores for the game, I add mine without messing anything up and keeping it in alphabetical order and and that gets deleted too!

Just what makes those other sites any different from mine?!? —Preceding unsigned comment added by EffEmmGee (talk • contribs)

It was determined by several editors that the way in which you added the links was inappropriate, as well as the links themselves. MER-C 11:32, 21 January 2008 (UTC)

Can you please detail how my links were inappropriate? I own a legitimate game review website working closely with several game publishers and submitted links to the correct review pages...in EXACTLY the same way that IGN, Rewiredmind etc etc posted theirs.

Also please tell me WHY their site review links haven't been removed?—Preceding unsigned comment added by EffEmmGee (talk • contribs)

From the above link, we should avoid:

1. Links to social networking sites (such as MySpace), discussion forums/groups (such as Yahoo! Groups) or USENET.
2. Links to blogs and personal web pages, except those written by a recognized authority.

and links to websites that the adder owns/operates, as per the section below. MER-C 12:42, 22 January 2008 (UTC)

Ok fine, the first one doesn't apply to me anyway (unless you're referring to the small forum I have in the same way that IGN and RewiredMind have), and as for the second (and as far as I can see RM is a glorified Blog site, nothing against it as I read it), should I come back when I'm as recognized as Google then? Also it is not a Blog site, I merely have a link to a blog on the front page, and if by personal website you mean a review/information site run by a number of people across the UK then fair enough. No worries, I shall tell all of my staff members and reviewers not to submit to Wiki.

PS, just an observation, is there any reason why you titled the PM to me incorrect? my URL does NOT have the word spam in it...or was that deliberate? —Preceding unsigned comment added by EffEmmGee (talk • contribs)

It is a personal web site because it is hosted through what appears to be a package deal with a home internet connection. If your site does become widely known, then other people will add the links for you. (And yes, the malformed url was intentional). MER-C 10:38, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

POTD notification

POTD

Hi MER-C,

Just to let you know that the Featured Picture Image:Javier Solana (2007).jpg is due to make an appearance as Picture of the Day on January 25, 2008. If you get a chance, you can check and improve the caption at Template:POTD/2008-01-25. howcheng {chat} 17:36, 21 January 2008 (UTC)

Cape St. Vincent FP Nom

Hi MER-C, I've uploaded an alternative picture of the Cape St. Vincent site on Mars for an FP nomination. It basically shows the same site in much greater scope. I'd appreciate if you'd check it out at the nomination page. Thanks!—DMCer™ 18:00, 21 January 2008 (UTC)

I prefer to abstain from voting in featured picture discussions for reasons best described with a single link. MER-C 07:25, 22 January 2008 (UTC)

Thank you.

Thanks for reverting the vandalism on my page. · AndonicO ^Hail! 11:51, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

links as spam

Hello MER-C, you contacted me on "my talk". I wrote an answer to your message there. It would be nice to hear from you. Thank you! Lyriker