User talk:Xeno/Archive 23

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Archive 20

Archive 21

Archive 22

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help

Resolved

– Notice has been added to the user's page distinguishing the two individuals.

Would you do an IAR name change and change user:Brucejenner to something else, perhaps User:Brucejenner temp name change ?

Brucejenner is community banned. I have no argument about that. But the username is very hurtful towards Olympic medalist, Bruce Jenner. I do not know why hundreds of people interacted with him but never had him change his name (see WP policy:U and WP:REALNAME ). Brucejenner temp name change is a very neutral name and is not nasty. If he wants another name, he can ask for it.

Thank you. I voted for you in your RFB and hope you can help WP and the real Mr. Jenner in this time of need. Suomi Finland 2009 (talk) 19:25, 1 July 2010 (UTC)

This seems to be resolved? Cheers, –xeno^talk 13:32, 2 July 2010 (UTC)

Thanks!

Thank you for the star and kind words, Xeno. I did notice something as I interacted with your helpful edits during this case: I cannot tell, at all, how this person feels about this case. That seems rare. It put me in mind of Heinlen's Fair Witness... or maybe you are a bot? Herostratus (talk) 02:39, 2 July 2010 (UTC)

It wouldn't be the first time people thought I was a bot =] Thank you for the note. –xeno^talk 13:32, 2 July 2010 (UTC)

I know they're not really used anymore, but...

		The Barnstar of Diligence
		I have to award you with a barnstar. Anywhere I go and everywhere I comment, you are present on the page participating in discussions and helping the community tenfold. You've helped me specifically on various situations and conscientiously discussed matters with upmost dedication. I swear you are the best editor I've seen around and I actually hope that one day, possibly in a few years, I could actually be considered half the editor you are. I didn't know which barnstar to get you, but because I have seen you everywhere and noticed you are a workhorse, I think it is fitting to get you the barnstar of diligence. Feedback ^☎ 06:41, 2 July 2010 (UTC)

You're too kind =) Thank you, –xeno^talk 13:32, 2 July 2010 (UTC)

Poke

Poke. Ale_Jrb ^talk 09:47, 2 July 2010 (UTC)

Awesome. Thanks, friend =) –xeno^talk 13:32, 2 July 2010 (UTC)

would it be going to the well too much...

to ask for another AFD page creation? Bonsai kitten? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.82.35.39 (talk) 22:15, 2 July 2010 (UTC)

Looks like someone else helped you. Cheers, –xeno^talk 02:20, 3 July 2010 (UTC)

Request for help

Hi Xeno,

Would you please look at this JS script (and its history) for tweaking the url to work ~~for everyone and not just those using the secure server~~. I'm trying to meet with this request for an articlespace-only watchlist control. Cheers,
⋙–Berean–Hunter—► ((⊕)) 03:29, 30 June 2010 (UTC)

I tried and failed. Hopefully one of my talk page stalkers can help. =) –xeno^talk 12:49, 30 June 2010 (UTC)

Many thanks for trying. I know that the correct url is this (if on secure server): [https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/w/index.php?title=Special:Watchlist&namespace=0&hideBots=1 Article Watchlist]

...but in JavaScript, it seems to fail after the first time...'url' variable maybe needs reset to null value. I'll ask another expert for additional help. Mr. Z-Man looks more than qualified.
⋙–Berean–Hunter—► ((⊕)) 23:28, 30 June 2010 (UTC)

What exactly do you mean when you say it "fails"? Is the script itself not working at all? Mr.Z-man 03:09, 1 July 2010 (UTC)

Doesn't even show up for me. –xeno^talk 17:36, 3 July 2010 (UTC)

My unofficial mentor

Hi, Xeno. Is there any way to change an edit summary? There doesn't appear to be. What should I do if I realise an edit summary did not say what I meant it to say. Also, this may be a silly question, but I've always wondered why, on Wikipedia, there is often an exclamation point precedeing the word "vote". All the best-Mk5384 (talk) 00:32, 3 July 2010 (UTC)

Just do another edit and say what you meant to say? I don't think you can amend the revious edit description for the same rationale as not editing a diff. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.82.35.39 (talk) 00:49, 3 July 2010 (UTC)

I was fairly sure that it isn't possible. I don't know if it would be right to make an unnecessary edit to fix an edit summary.Mk5384 (talk) 02:01, 3 July 2010 (UTC)

It's totally fine to do so; see wp:dummy edit. –xeno^talk 02:20, 3 July 2010 (UTC)

Thanks, Xeno. Any answer for the !vote question?Mk5384 (talk) 07:36, 3 July 2010 (UTC)

See wp:!vote (at the bottom of the section). –xeno^talk 17:35, 3 July 2010 (UTC)

I see. Thank you.Mk5384 (talk) 22:59, 3 July 2010 (UTC)

Unwish/Track 9

As you seem to have suspected during the username change, Unwish was the blocked user from Italian Wikipedia, blocked here as "ItHysteria". I've indefed the "Track 9" account as a sock. Is there some kind of leftover account from the usurpation process that I need to take care of? Here's the usurpation request if you need your memory refreshed.—Kww(talk) 13:27, 5 July 2010 (UTC)

Sometimes the old name will get automatically recreated; this doesn't appear to be the case here. Thanks for the note, –xeno^talk 13:32, 5 July 2010 (UTC)

My objections to pending changes

My discussion with Risker was quite fresh, and took place on his talk page on July 3rd. He overrode another of my protections on July 4th.—Kww(talk) 17:22, 5 July 2010 (UTC)

With respect Kww, your comments on this are giving the impression that you feel you own these articles and their attendant protection settings. –xeno^talk 17:24, 5 July 2010 (UTC) (oh, and it's her, by the way)

I don't own the articles. I do feel that undoing any admin's actions should be done only after discussion with that admin. It's a standard courtesy. To undo an admin's actions after the admin has informed you that he objects without even the courtesy of notifying him is unacceptable. Risker knew that I objected to him unprotecting articles that I had protected due to sockpuppetry, and did so after I had told him that and did so without notifying me.—Kww(talk) 17:45, 5 July 2010 (UTC)

While I understand this for blocks and deletions, protection settings not so much. In the past, I've made efforts to clean WP:INDEFSEMI and for the most part, I did not discuss with the original protecting sysop - because that would make the task that much more tedious. However, the extenuating circumstances here are noted. I just thought I should let you know that your comments are giving that impression in case you did not realize. –xeno^talk 17:52, 5 July 2010 (UTC)

WP:ANI

I think they were looking for a {{hat}} template. I'd add it myself but I don't know the formatting for that template and he specifically requested an admin close. Might also considering splitting his specific block review from the other discussions so it archives faster. Thanks. N419 BH 19:18, 5 July 2010 (UTC)

I considered that, but the initial thread sets up the context for the next three. The "Stop the McCarthyism" of course doesn't belong at ANI and that could probably be moved elsewhere. –xeno^talk 19:21, 5 July 2010 (UTC)

Makes sense. I kinda wish office would WP:BLACKLOCK that policy page. Jimbo himself has stated that it's policy. The massive debate is simply poisonous. N419 BH 19:24, 5 July 2010 (UTC)

Judging from the lack of anything presently protected as such, it appears they use those as temporary rather than permanent measures. –xeno^talk 19:26, 5 July 2010 (UTC)

The thead about me

I want closure on the thread It has been run like a RFC with a vote comment at an Administrator board and I want it closing correctly not simply archiving without outcome, please. Off2riorob (talk) 19:28, 5 July 2010 (UTC)

Gotcha. –xeno^talk –xeno^talk 19:52, 5 July 2010 (UTC)

New Kensington, Pennsylvania.

Somebody edited the New Kensington, PA page to just say "is gay" just so you are aware. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.77.106.116 (talk) 04:27, 6 July 2010 (UTC)

Thanks. Do feel free to undo vandalism when you see it. –xeno^talk 12:31, 6 July 2010 (UTC)

Unified Username

Hi Xeno. Is it possible to usurp the account Atoom? I'm contributing to the Afrikaans wikipedia and Wikibooks under the username Atoom and would therefore like to have the same username for edits on the English Wikipedia. Atoom01 (talk) 08:43, 6 July 2010 (UTC)

Probably! Just follow the instructions at WP:USURP. –xeno^talk 12:31, 6 July 2010 (UTC)

Block me

It's Marcus Qwertyus. Could you block this alternate account so I can check to see if it's possible to mark pages as patrolled while blocked? Username 2 (talk) 16:46, 6 July 2010 (UTC)

User(s) blocked, 15 minutes –xeno^talk 16:49, 6 July 2010 (UTC)

Sorry, that looked weird. -Tommy! [message] 16:50, 6 July 2010 (UTC)

No worries. –xeno^talk 16:51, 6 July 2010 (UTC)

Done. Won't let me patrol. Gonna go out and brainstorm. Marcus Qwertyus ^{(signs his posts)} 16:53, 6 July 2010 (UTC)

User:SunCreatorBot

Hi, someone ~~recently~~ posted implying that it should be blocked because of no activity. Yet, to my knowledge this bot is not authorized, and not listed on Wikipedia:AutoWikiBrowser/CheckPage etc. What is the process here? I've waited so long that I've almost forgot what it was I was doing(and some of it was for the end of June target for BLP). Regards, SunCreator ^(talk) 16:54, 7 July 2010 (UTC)

Have at it. –xeno^talk 17:05, 7 July 2010 (UTC)

Thank you! Regards, SunCreator ^(talk) 19:40, 7 July 2010 (UTC)

User:DoNotArchiveUntil

I'm assuming you created this account for informational purposes? at least, you're the only person who has ever edited it. Just an FYI that this account may no longer be necessary - I created a template at {{DNAU}} that automates the process and gives the same description found at the fake user. no biggie either way, but if you want you can delete that account and/or redirect it to the template... --Ludwigs2

Cool. I think it makes sense to keep it there since the template still references the username, but I've added a brief instruction there [1]. Thanks for the note and the template, it's looks like it will be a very convenient way to do this. –xeno^talk 21:02, 7 July 2010 (UTC)

P.s. sorry about the typos and lack of sig - must have more caffeine!

--Ludwigs2 21:32, 7 July 2010 (UTC)

Seeking your counsel

As you have noticed, after removing myself again from the RfC, I did quite a bit of reflecting, whilst delving into Marcus Aurelius' Meditations. You have also noticed, and noted, the message I left for Guy. When I left this message, I was unaware of this community ban discussion. (I checked time stamps, and unless I'm very wrong, my message was left before that discussion began.) In that message, I announced my intention to, upon reflection, apologise to a number of users. However, I hesitete to do that at this point, as I fear it may be seen as some kind of attempt to influence the outcome. Would I be better off to wait until the discussion is closed, or would it still be appropriate for me to carry on as planned?Mk5384 (talk) 23:20, 7 July 2010 (UTC)

You didn't ask me, but my opinion is that an apology is never out of place. --SarekOfVulcan (talk) 23:30, 7 July 2010 (UTC)

Thanks, Sarek. You're on the list, but I'd rather do it properly, at your talk page.Mk5384 (talk) 23:47, 7 July 2010 (UTC)

Yes, the post came before Lar's post. The community has great capacity to forgive users who express contrition. Go ahead and make your amends. –xeno^talk 00:53, 8 July 2010 (UTC)

As always, thank you.Mk5384 (talk) 02:19, 8 July 2010 (UTC)

Username

Thanks for changing my username Xeno! --Faust, formerly Arjen (talk) 01:44, 8 July 2010 (UTC)

No prob =) –xeno^talk 01:44, 8 July 2010 (UTC)

2010 South Kivu tank truck explosion

Thank you

I was just in the process of editing the Congo oil spill article to directly quote the source - in an attempt to end the debate - when you beat me to it. Your approach is almost always a very good way to end a good-faith debate over wording: go meta, quote the source, and Wikipedia itself should not take a stand.--Jimbo Wales (talk) 15:36, 7 July 2010 (UTC)

Indeed, I've found this is the best way to remain neutral when an issue like this crops up. (For the record I was fairly swiftly reverted - I'm not going to join the edit war, but at least I tried). Cheers, –xeno^talk 15:39, 7 July 2010 (UTC)

Barnstar!

		What a Brilliant Idea Barnstar
		For your elegant solution to a brewing edit war. N419 BH 15:40, 7 July 2010 (UTC)

IF I COULD GET THE TEMPLATE TO WORK:

It would say "For your elegant solution to a brewing edit war. N419 BH 15:40, 7 July 2010 (UTC)"

Thanks =) See Neutralhomer's solution below for future reference. I've gone ahead and installed your wording up there ;p –xeno^talk 15:42, 7 July 2010 (UTC)

When doing a barnstar with a link, always start the message off with 1= and the link will go through just fine. - NeutralHomer • Talk • 15:40, 7 July 2010 (UTC)

Bah! Talk page stalkers beating me to the punch ;p –xeno^talk 15:42, 7 July 2010 (UTC)

Yeah, and I had just figured it out too... the summary was gonna be "HA FIXED IT! SILLY 1="...then I got an edit conflict. N419 BH 15:44, 7 July 2010 (UTC)

Personally, I've gotten into the habit of always putting the explicit call to the first unnammed parameter. –xeno^talk 15:46, 7 July 2010 (UTC)

yeah I'd better start doing that. Looks like SarekOfVulcan is doing the dirty work to end the edit war. N419 BH 15:48, 7 July 2010 (UTC)

Thank you for a level-headed approach Androstachys (talk) 08:09, 8 July 2010 (UTC)

WP:USURP

Xeno, I know you were patrolling WP:USURP, and a while ago and you commented on my request. A few days later, Cluebot IV archived my request without it being finished (Done/Not Done). Should I submit the request again or just copy what Cluebot IV deleted and put it back on the page? Thanks. ••Pep per•• 17:47, 12 July 2010 (UTC)

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I've completed your rename and marked it

Done in the archives. Happy editing, –xeno^talk 17:58, 12 July 2010 (UTC)

Michael Garratt

Xeno, could you look at the Michael Garratt page please? Looks to me like a case for a G10 speedy but I've never proposed a speedy before and I'm not feeling bold enough tonight. I have looked briefly for souces but the content looks really dodgy to me.--Plad2 (talk) 20:52, 12 July 2010 (UTC)

My word, yes. Please don't hesitate in future if you come across a page like this - entirely unsourced negative material. Blank it with {{db-g10}}, even if you are wrong an administrator will not fault you for erring on the side of caution. –xeno^talk 20:54, 12 July 2010 (UTC)

Gosh, that was really speedy. Thanks for the advice. Will be bolder in future.--Plad2 (talk) 21:30, 12 July 2010 (UTC)

Transclusion counter

You mean someone actually uses that? :P Sure, I'll take a look. - Jarry1250 ^{[Humorous? Discuss.]} 21:04, 12 July 2010 (UTC)

OH Yes I lerve it ;p –xeno^talk 21:04, 12 July 2010 (UTC)

Hold on, we're talking about [2]? Seems to be working for me. - Jarry1250 ^{[Humorous? Discuss.]} 21:06, 12 July 2010 (UTC)

LOL! Perhaps add some code to ucfirst case for small case folks like me ;p. –xeno^talk 21:09, 12 July 2010 (UTC)

Sigh. It seems I have been underestimating the ingenuity of complete fools again. Was the massive "Maybe you misspelt (or mis-capitalised) the name of the template?" not good enough for you? :) Done, anyways. - Jarry1250 ^{[Humorous? Discuss.]} 21:23, 12 July 2010 (UTC)

Bah! Here's some b.s. for your trouble. –xeno^talk 21:24, 12 July 2010 (UTC)

Didn't know there was already a tool for this. It's been on my list for ages. I have some sketches at tswiki:quantifier. I'd really like to see a handy link in Special:WhatLinksHere to count transclusions.... --MZMcBride (talk) 17:09, 13 July 2010 (UTC)

Can it be done easily via a Mediawiki page? You write the code, I'll implement it! –xeno^talk 17:12, 13 July 2010 (UTC) (Thought Jarry's counter only counts transclusions of templates I think!)

I was going to stick it next to "Hide transclusions". Something like "Hide transclusions (count)". It can probably be implemented now with Jarry's tool, and if I ever get around to writing something better, it can be switched out. The specific MediaWiki message is MediaWiki:Whatlinkshere-hidetrans. As you note, Jarry's tool only works for pages in the template namespace, so it'd be something like {{#ifeq:{{NAMESPACE}}|Template| ... }}. --MZMcBride (talk) 17:20, 13 July 2010 (UTC)

Come now, you know better than to leave me with the ellipsis to fill in! My only concern is that the "count" stuck in there with the other standard Mediawiki junk will be linking to an external site. Compare to the history page which explicit denotes External tools:. Thoughts? –xeno^talk 17:22, 13 July 2010 (UTC)

I don't think anyone cares. The real issue is that I can't see any way to grab the target page title. Grrr. --MZMcBride (talk) 17:27, 13 July 2010 (UTC)

D'oh. It would've been really convenient. What about doing it in (ugh) hacky javascript? –xeno^talk 17:28, 13 July 2010 (UTC)

Probably the best course of action. This is why I never get anything accomplished. Fucking hurdles. --MZMcBride (talk) 17:29, 13 July 2010 (UTC)

MZM, Xeno: it's only running a simple database query, and the namespace is simply hardcoded in (and obviously I can change that at the drop of a hat if required!). Oh, and thanks for the barnstar Xeno, I'll add it to the collection :P - Jarry1250 ^{[Humorous? Discuss.]} 20:55, 13 July 2010 (UTC) Oh, and while I remember, could I not just capture and parse the referer header to grab the name? - Jarry1250 ^{[Humorous? Discuss.]} 21:00, 13 July 2010 (UTC)

I wouldn't mind being able to use it for userboxes which are in the userspace... Default could stay coded to Template: though. –xeno^talk 21:27, 13 July 2010 (UTC)

Barnstar

		The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar
		With many thanks for your kindness in posting links to the pages I needed to sort out my SUL problems. I today finally managed to get the last account usurped as a result of your help. SlimVirgin ^{talk\|contribs} 01:31, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

Feels nice to be fully whole, doesn't it =) Glad to help. –xeno^talk 13:03, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

Yes, it feels great, and I literally could not have done it without you. :) SlimVirgin ^{talk|contribs} 16:40, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

Now you can display {{User unified login}} without having to add footnotes! =] –xeno^talk 16:41, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

Thank you!

Hi. Thanks for the advice here. I'll be better informed next time. (In the alternative, I might be completely wrong about this assertion, too :-) ) --Shirt58 (talk) 11:40, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

No problem. Some projects do tag redirects in their scope. –xeno^talk 13:03, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

SVG

Hello Xeno! I have now a SUL account and was thus also entitled to the account SVG. You can see here. Regards, Cervidae 13:04, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

I've notified the target username since this was not done, there will be a short wait to ensure they don't object. –xeno^talk 13:06, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

Thank you! How long must I wait around? Cervidae 14:29, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

For SUL requests we usually action them within a few days, though a week at most. –xeno^talk 14:30, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

Okay, thank you :-) Greetings, Cervidae 14:37, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

Long but ultimately unimportant post about minor edits

Hi Xeno,

Regarding your recent apparently successful move to get rid of the "default to minor" box in preferences: (1) well done. (2) you may or may not have seen that I originally misread and thought this was to get rid of the minor edit option completely; I supported that too. I maintain it's nearly worthless. To see if that was correct, I looked at the last 500 recent changes, as of 14 July 2010 14:33 (UTC). I thought you'd be interested in the results.

Note: bot edits hidden, because almost always if someone is ignoring minor edits, they'll ignore bot edits too

496 pages edited (other 4 were protection, deletion, block, and user creation logs)
556 total edits (because of multiple edits to the same article)
82 minor edits

Of those 82 minor edits,

10 were reverts of clear vandalism or spam
44 were proper minor edits to articles, making typo fixes, rewording for clarity, adding interwiki links, or other unarguable edits
8 were edits to a user's own user space, where even major edits can probably be safely marked minor
2 were adding project banners to article talk pages, or user warnings to user talk pages
1 were significant comments on article talk pages, I suppose a grey area
17 were IMHO inappropriately used (i.e. reasonable to suppose someone could possibly disagree with them, although I'm sure many were actually correct changes), most frequently undo's or reverts of non-vandalism, adding not-really-controversial but still substantial information or new references, or substantially re-organizing an article without adding/removing information
- 4 of those 17 inappropriate uses were clearly inappropriate uses, no IMHO about it
- 0 of those 17 appeared to be bad-intentioned users trying to sneak something by.

Further,

152 of the edits not marked as minor could be reasonably classified as minor

Since

True minor edits appear to be approximately 39% of all edits
The minor edit tick mark is only catching 30% of actual minor edits
filtering minor edits (as currently used) only filters 15% of total edits
If every minor edit tag used had been properly used, it would only filter 12% of total edits
the error rate of false positives (marked minor when not) seems to be on the order of 21%
Widespread, repetitive, time-consuming eduction of all users about the minor edit tick box is unlikely to substantially change its use, nor be a productive use of time

I submit that using the minor edit tick at all is more trouble than it's worth; it doesn't filter enough truly minor errors to be useful, and it incorrectly marks too many non-minor errors incorrectly. I don't plan to actually propose this anywhere, because I know it will fail, but I found it interesting, thought you might too, and at least it confirmed my first instincts. --Floquenbeam (talk) 15:47, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

Definitely interesting and probably useful if this were ever discussed, but I would object because ILIKEIT! ;p. I'm an unrepentent 'tweaker' (not quite as bad as King of the Tweakers, FT2), but you'll often see me making four or five attempts to get my comment just right. For this reason I like the minor box because it helps me see when looking at revision history statistics how many of my edits were substantive as opposed to tweakery to a particular talk page. –xeno^talk 15:53, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

*Sputter* Gasp! But... but... IDONTLIKEIT. You obviously "still don't get it". --Floquenbeam (talk) 15:58, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

Did you notice the case in point? –xeno^talk 16:00, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

Oh, I hadn't noticed that; I have minor edits filtered. lol --Floquenbeam (talk) 16:05, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

30 –xeno^talk 16:10, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

Facepalm dweebs... sheesh! :D —DoRD (talk) 01:31, 15 July 2010 (UTC)

DoRD, you're an admin on Wikipedia... calling anyone a dweeb is pot/kettle territory. --Floquenbeam (talk) 01:34, 15 July 2010 (UTC)

Yeah, it's a fair cop. (I was coming back here to "tweak" the :D into a :P anyway, but nvm...) —DoRD (talk) 01:39, 15 July 2010 (UTC)

Comments in WikiProject assessment

I think you participated in one discussion about this recently. Are these "comments" subpages created during assessment still in use? I was thinking of completely removing this option form KingbotK plugin or at least remove everything that can be done with tags in the main article, like cleanup, ref missing, etc. tags. Waiting for your feedback. -- Magioladitis (talk) 18:30, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

If I recall correctly, they've been deprecated. –xeno^talk 18:31, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

Any place where I could ask? I recall a discussion in WPBiography but I can't find it. I probably lost 30-40 minutes searching the archives. If this it the case, we can say goodbye to the comments box in the plugin. This would be very useful in order that Reedy rewrite the remaining part. -- Magioladitis (talk) 18:38, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

Yar shoulda searched Template talk:WPBannerMeta instead: Wikipedia:Discontinuation of comments subpages. –xeno^talk 18:40, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

Perfect. I can start removing crap then. I hope we can release a mid-version of the plugin soon. Its better removing out-dated stuff before rewriting. -- Magioladitis (talk) 18:46, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

Don't forget my wishlist! =) –xeno^talk 18:48, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

Here's a page which lists the comments categories and number of pages in each category. User:WOSlinker/comments. -- WOSlinker (talk) 06:35, 15 July 2010 (UTC)

Minor edits

Perusing the minor edit bug report a while ago, I noticed a comment here about a potential impact to bots. As a bot person yourself, maybe a note at the bot owners' noticeboard would be a good idea. If the news has already been disseminated, never mind... Cheers —DoRD (talk) 01:25, 15 July 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for pointing that out: [3]. Cheers, –xeno^talk 12:52, 15 July 2010 (UTC)

Request

User talk:Vanished User 1004

Can you take a look at this? I've reverted it once as inappropriate, but since you performed the rename, another set of eyes would be good before a second revert. Thanks. Courcelles (talk) 06:45, 15 July 2010 (UTC)

I seen your post above and took a look and have reverted the post. I recommend a stern "only warning" to the user about this (possibly RevDel'ing the posts) and a block if it continues. Clearly this is disruptive and is not necessary. I would give the warning myself, but it would bear more weight coming from an admin. - Neutralhomer • Talk • 06:49, 15 July 2010 (UTC)

Commented there [4]. –xeno^talk 12:46, 15 July 2010 (UTC)

MfD about userbox

Hi Xeno. There is a MfD thread I started due to advice you gave in closing an ANI thread, see Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/IncidentArchive609#Request for the removal of a userbox. Since people seem confused by the venue chosen, perhaps you could give some advice. Thanks. --Cyclopia ^talk 11:31, 15 July 2010 (UTC)

Commented there [5]. –xeno^talk 12:39, 15 July 2010 (UTC)

Regex help

I have noticed that you seem to be wise in the ways of regex and I could use some help. I have been trying to convert some of my simpler AWB find and replaces with regex and have had some success but I have hit a snag in one area and that is in looking for = X where X is unknown. For example: I know that if I am looking for something like this:

|peer-review = No (or no, n, N, or missing)
|

and I want to eliminate it as a clutter field (since its equal to no or missing per the WPMILHIST banner instructions they are uneeded and shouldnt be present if not used) I can use logic similar to the below replacing the No with N or allowing for missing.

Find
\|[ ]*peer-review[ ]*=[ ]*No[ ]*
\|

What I am having trouble with is if I am looking for things other than No, N or missing. For example I have found some that have noo, some that have comments (copy pasted explaining what should go there, jsut rubbish data, etc. My question in this is there regex code that I can apply that would look for any character so instead of putting No I could put regex code and do it a little more efficiently. I would still be monitoring this closely because I wouldnt want to accidentally delete yes's or y's but it would make my codeing a little simpler and would catch more problems. The onen I mentioned above is just an example I have several dozen find and replaces that that fall under this category of change. Thanks in advance for the help. --Kumioko (talk) 14:07, 15 July 2010 (UTC)

(.*?) will match any character except a newline (and will match newlines when "Singleline" regex is enabled). –xeno^talk 14:11, 15 July 2010 (UTC)

Wow thanks that was fast so that would like some thing like this?

Find
\|[ ]*peer-review[ ]*=[ ]*(.*?)[ ]*
\|

--Kumioko (talk) 14:15, 15 July 2010 (UTC)

Yes, and then if you want the (.*?) to be put somewhere in the replacement, you would use $1 ($2 if it was the second bracketed group, etc). You can use bracketed groups for a number of different things as well, suchlike (no|noo|hell no), etc. See also: http://www.addedbytes.com/cheat-sheets/regular-expressions-cheat-sheet/ –xeno^talk 14:18, 15 July 2010 (UTC)

Thanks a lot for the help. I'm slowly starting to catch on, here.--Kumioko (talk) 14:21, 15 July 2010 (UTC)

You're probably about where I was a year or so ago. I'm still just bumble along, for-the-most-part =) –xeno^talk 14:23, 15 July 2010 (UTC)

Allan Burns

Do me a favour and move Allan Burns (screenwriter) back to Allan Burns. Thanks. Dr. Blofeld ^{White cat} 15:44, 15 July 2010 (UTC)

Done –xeno^talk 15:49, 15 July 2010 (UTC)

Thanks

Thank you. Amats (talk) 20:24, 15 July 2010 (UTC)

No prob =) –xeno^talk 20:25, 15 July 2010 (UTC)

Thanks

For fixing the wikimarkup error I created at the Nazi stub template so swiftly. --Soman (talk) 18:04, 16 July 2010 (UTC)

Not a problem =) –xeno^talk 18:05, 16 July 2010 (UTC)

Questions

I do believe this brand new user asks a fascinating question.[6] Wouldn't you agree?--Cube lurker (talk) 18:19, 16 July 2010 (UTC)

What's even more fascinating is that they showed up at another brand new users' talk page... –xeno^talk 18:26, 16 July 2010 (UTC)

The world is full of coincidences and chance meetings I guess.--Cube lurker (talk) 18:28, 16 July 2010 (UTC)

Name Change

Thanks for the name change. ;) You Can't Clap With One Hand^(Talk) 16:50, 17 July 2010 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by Giselle (talk • contribs)

Sure thing. Looks like you need a sig update =). –xeno^talk 16:58, 17 July 2010 (UTC)

Thanks

Thanks for your suggestion at Talk:Sean Hannity. What you proposed was along the lines of what I was going to suggest. After posting the matter at WP:RSN as requested, I was attacked and ridiculed, which is why I thought it best to keep my comments to a minimum. I'm trying (hard) to not get myself in trouble.Mk5384 (talk) 18:44, 18 July 2010 (UTC)

I find that sticking very closely to the sources is the best way to resolve edit conflicts such as this. I would be remiss if I didn't point out that any form of edit-warring (coming close to 3rr, undoing edits without edit summaries, etc.) could be construed as uncollegial. Just keep this in mind! Would you mind writing up the compromise version? I've got to finish an Mk V task =). –xeno^talk 19:15, 18 July 2010 (UTC)

Sure, although I'm on my way out the door. I'd be happy to do it in a few hours. I understand your point. However, I would hope that rather than finding something that "could be construed as uncollegial", others would instead look at the earnest attempts I've made to be civil. If you take a quick look at the way I was spoken about at the WP:RSN post I made, by the editor who made the request that I go there, I think you'll see that I am trying sincerely. 2 weeks ago, I would not have let that go.Mk5384 (talk) 20:10, 18 July 2010 (UTC)

I went ahead, and made the change. Thanks again for your help. I hope that you can see that I am doing my best here. However, I really don't know if I have it in me to remain silent in the face of another experience like I had with that article talk page, and WP:RSN, which was even worse. Is it honestly the case that I now must permit others to make posts like that, whilst making no rebuttal?Mk5384 (talk) 01:16, 19 July 2010 (UTC)

Yes, I think you are doing well. Just remember: there is no deadline =) I don't see why you should restrain yourself from replying on matters of content, just remain civil and be willing to compromise. –xeno^talk 02:41, 19 July 2010 (UTC)

Thanks

Thanks for sorting out the formatting so that I could actually see the changes that Skomorokh was trying to make; the diffs I was looking at made it look like a major copyedit. Regards Александр Дмитрий (Alexandr Dmitri) (talk) 12:51, 19 July 2010 (UTC)

No problem. Yes, I was confused as well. –xeno^talk 12:53, 19 July 2010 (UTC)

Mk5384

You're right, I didn't take that into consideration. Could you re-set it to something more appropriate? --SarekOfVulcan (talk) 20:01, 19 July 2010 (UTC)

Hm, I read sarcasm in your words (guess I misread?) and agreed with what I thought you were saying to me (that there's no need to work within the civility restriction framework because he basically burned it to the ground). –xeno^talk 20:03, 19 July 2010 (UTC)

Well, yeah, but that framework said "4 upheld blocks", and I only saw what I could count as 3 (initial incivility to kww, incivility to raising admin, block evasion/vandalism). He still had one more by a strict count, but I wasn't inclined to reduce it myself. Just because I wasn't inclined, though, didn't mean that someone inclined shouldn't reset. I think you were ultimately correct to walk away from it, though. --SarekOfVulcan (talk) 20:16, 19 July 2010 (UTC)

Yes, it seems I am molting my follow-all-rules-to-the-letter skin <shudder>. –xeno^talk 20:18, 19 July 2010 (UTC)

And now they are block-evading again. See Alysheeba (talk · contribs).— Dæ dαlus^Contribs 20:27, 19 July 2010 (UTC)

Moving AN thread to Village pump

I thought that was a good move, actually. Anthony (talk) 20:05, 19 July 2010 (UTC)

The reason I moved it back was because there was an awful lot of bickering and arguing about who killed who which seems more administrativey than pumpey. Feel free to re-instate though. –xeno^talk 20:06, 19 July 2010 (UTC)

Fair 'nuf. Anthony (talk) 20:11, 19 July 2010 (UTC)

Why I will not switch to Firefox

There's no sense in making this public, but people keep telling me how bad IE8 is and the fact is Microsoft is still a success. Here's the situation: I live near a college campus. For three years, they didn't care that I'd sit down at one of their computers all day long. There was just so much interesting stuff on the Internet and as hard as I tried, I couldn't just leave it. Then one day I did something that caused a virus that completely wrecked one of the computers. This somehow reminded them that people who were not students, faculty or staff weren't supposed to use the computer more than an hour a day. Well, the next few months were torture. I began spending time at other libraries that didn't limit my time even though I had to drive to them. Internet at home was too expensive, and there was no way, given all the times I had to ask for help, that I could make it on my own. Gas hit $4 a gallon but my phone company lowered the price on their slowest Internet that wasn't dial-up. It was an offer I couldn't refuse, but how in the world would I be able to cope on my own when I was always needing help? I may have spent too much on my computer, but it turned out to have very few problems. I limit myself to a few select sites (but I still go to most of those libraries for other stuff, and yes, this means I don't Google for help at home, and furthermore, I rarely remember to look for solutions elsewhere) and have never had a genuine virus. Only a fake message from a company that wanted me to download their software. I need to keep things simple when I'm on my own. Look at all the times I ask for help with minor problems! One turned out to be a JavaScript issue where the email service was intentionally doing something that wasn't logical. While the computer didn't come with IE8, I do get the updates and IE8 was one of them.Vchimpanzee · talk · contributions · 20:18, 19 July 2010 (UTC)

Microsoft is a success largely because of their operating system , and their browser enjoys such penetration because it's bundled with the same. That doesn't mean it's good software. I understand you are apprehensive about installing additional software on your computer, but I believe (though don't quote me) that IE is more susceptible to malware than Firefox. But I understand you want to keep it simple. Just keep in mind that you won't always be able to find answers to IE-problems on Wikipedia. I'll stop pestering you now (but I might also stop responding to queries that hinge upon your use of IE ;>). Thank you for elucidating. –xeno^talk 20:25, 19 July 2010 (UTC)

What I really need, then, is to remember to find something like the reference desk for IE users. It just surprised me that no one here seemed to know anything. It's just hard to remember with all the other stuff I do at libraries. As for malware and such, I was actually told if I have IE8 I don't need to worry about such things. They said I shouldn't even pay for Norton which came with my machine! No, I'd better keep that, even with the expense.Vchimpanzee · talk · contributions · 20:43, 19 July 2010 (UTC)

Try starting at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/default.aspx. I don't know who would've said something so wrongheaded, you should always worry about malware and practice safe surf. –xeno^talk 20:46, 19 July 2010 (UTC)

I can probably do a search and find who said it. Thanks for the link; I'll try to use it next time I have lots of time at a library. When I've gone to the reference desk here, it seemd like an emergency and it was all I knew.Vchimpanzee · talk · contributions · 21:00, 19 July 2010 (UTC)

Chicago tagging run

I think it has been a couple of months since the last run. Can you do another, please?--TonyTheTiger (T/C/BIO/WP:CHICAGO/WP:FOUR) 04:38, 20 July 2010 (UTC)

Sure, sometime in the near future. –xeno^talk 14:44, 20 July 2010 (UTC)

In future, just do something like this: [7]. –xeno^talk 14:52, 20 July 2010 (UTC)

BAG help

Can you please give a look at Wikipedia:Bots/Requests for approval/Yobot 16? -- Magioladitis (talk) 12:29, 20 July 2010 (UTC)

Commented there. –xeno^talk 14:43, 20 July 2010 (UTC)

Userboxtop problem

My user page now has major problem. I suspect it has to do with your recent change to the template. VMS Mosaic (talk) 23:33, 20 July 2010 (UTC)

Fixed, thanks. –xeno^talk 00:00, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

Thanks

Thanks for fixing that for me. I hadn't gotten around to it recently... (And I just took a full-blown web-design class too...) The Thing // Talk // Contribs 03:03, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

No problem. That's the thing about using pasting the signature into preferences: it won't let you put bad code =] –xeno^talk 03:05, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

Dispute resolution

HELP

Can Someone please take a look at this and put it to bed ? I'm really getting tired of getting the "new message banner" every time I turn around Wikipedia:Requests for comment/Mlpearc Mlpearc powwow 15:01, 20 July 2010 (UTC)

I'm not exactly sure what's going on there and I don't have time to untangle it at present. But if it's not certified within the 48 hour window, I will delete it. –xeno^talk 15:03, 20 July 2010 (UTC)

First of all I would like to thank you for your attention, I am also asking for some advise the editor that opened the RfC is now harassing me Here. Any suggestions ? Thank you. Mlpearc powwow 15:20, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

Hm. I'm not exactly sure if there's any kind of rules about this, but I would guess that because an Editor review is a process undertaken voluntarily with no real consequences or tangible result, you could probably remove the comments with an edit summary request for the editor not to participate in it. –xeno^talk 15:28, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

Wouldn't that be better comming from an outside party ? Mlpearc powwow 15:32, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

Since there's no real hard-and-fast rules on it, I think it would be preferable for you to initiate the first removal. I'll watch the page. –xeno^talk 15:37, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

Thank you. Mlpearc powwow 15:39, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

I will point out that all Mlpearc has to do is apologise and the matter is over. If you look at the RfC filed, you'll see half a dozen serious violations by the user in question. Now I've been quite lenient, I haven't dished out warranted warnings. I've asked for an apology so that the matter can be buried, but Mlpearc refuses to; instead just being stubborn.

I'll also state that it's an editor review, so as you open yourself up to questions, that's what I'm giving. Any RfA would be failed if you didn't answer and remained stubborn like this. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Paralympiakos (talk • contribs) 15:49, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

I'll admit that I haven't looked at the RFC in any depth (at all, really, save for a quick glance). I will try to take a look before I delete it later today for being uncertified and see if I can offer any useful advice.

Yes, you do; but it would be appreciated if you could continue to work within the WP:DR framework and not bring the dispute to the Editor review, per the reviewee's request. –xeno^talk 15:53, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

No problem. I'm just trying to end this matter. By bringing it to the attention of as many users as possible, that increases. Out of decency though, I won't re-post on the editor review even if it makes sense. Paralympiakos (talk) 15:56, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

Much obliged. –xeno^talk 16:31, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

I've read over the RFC (still not gone into great depth, but I've looked at most of the issues raised) and I think it would just be best if you both voluntarily avoided eachother as much as possible, or perhaps just shook hands and agreed to a "reboot" of your relationship (no forced apologies or admissions of guilt, just an agreement to start over and let bygones by bygones). Insofar as Paralympiakos has been courteous enough to not post again to the Editor review, perhaps you could remove the content about him from your workshop, Mlpearc. –xeno^talk 19:43, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

Done Mlpearc powwow 20:28, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

Appreciate it. –xeno^talk 23:12, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

I did ask that Mlpearc remove me from his watchlist a while ago, but I'm guessing that hasn't happened. This whole situation wouldn't have occurred if he hadn't stuck his nose in where it wasn't wanted (or needed, considering the matter was dead). I would've also appreciated an apology for canvassing to get me blocked and for calling me an "ass", but since it's not coming, I guess that says a lot about his character, which is sad considering he's middle aged. I'm sorry he involved you in this, Xeno. Thanks for the help. Paralympiakos (talk) 23:12, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

The matter, discussion, and threads on my talk concerning this whole matter are now marked

Resolved

. Xeno thank you for insight and help. I would appreciate a response from you on Paralympiakos last post here, as a Final note. again thank you.
Mlpearc powwow 23:41, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

I'm disappointed that we couldn't all start letting bygones be bygones immediately, but in the spirit of letting bygones be bygones...archiving this shortly to defer to the lazy sleeping barnstar. =)

–xeno^talk 23:44, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

Oops

Sorry for dragging you into my wanderings around Wikipedia on a now daily basis. I'd log into my account and do stuff myself, but I'm supposed to be retired. I just can't stay away. 67.136.117.132 (talk) 16:30, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

Heh. I tried to retire once... =\ And no worries, appreciate the help. –xeno^talk 16:31, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

Don't need antivirus product

I looked and looked through all my reference desk posts and could not find where anyone had told me that I didn't need an antivirus product. It may have been Vista, not IE8 which protected a computer well enough, the person said, but I'd rather be safe.Vchimpanzee · talk · contributions · 18:18, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

I wouldn't trust Windows or IE to keep anything safe. =) –xeno^talk 18:21, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

Category Deletion

After moving a category around (via its corrected userbox), there is a empty category that needs deletion. Could you delete Category:Wikipedian WikiElfs please? Thanks. - Neutralhomer • Talk • 20:07, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

'Tis

Done. Cheers, –xeno^talk 20:10, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

Thank you, Sir. :) - Neutralhomer • Talk • 20:14, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

Please check this

[8], [9], [10]. I reverted all 3 edits because in all cases the 1 parameter was removed. -- Magioladitis (talk) 22:21, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

As I mentioned, while I wish you wouldn't make these edits, someone undoing them makes even less sense than making them in the first place. –xeno^talk 22:24, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

Especially when they are camouflaged behind the "minor edit" edit summary. Replacing a template name with its shortcut makes nonsense. -- Magioladitis (talk) 22:30, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

Maybe you can handle it better than me? Special:Contributions/Steve_Quinn. He will probably ignore me and I understand why. -- Magioladitis (talk) 23:29, 21 July 2010 (UTC)

Help

On Jimbo's talk page. Not sure what to make of this, but the link was already redacted by an admin once, and re-added with a rather rude edit summary. I've left a note on the editor's talk page. Not sure what to do about the link or editor. Contributions seem fishy, I wonder if they're new here or not... N419 BH 15:27, 22 July 2010 (UTC)

...and got the exact same rude response in reply to my note on their page. N419 BH 15:30, 22 July 2010 (UTC)

Also, I'm not thrilled by his username, which implies he's a bureaucrat. 67.136.117.132 (talk) 15:44, 22 July 2010 (UTC)

Yea, that might present a WP:UAA issue (though I've never been one to patrol usernames). Other than that, they can probably be safely ignored. –xeno^talk 15:46, 22 July 2010 (UTC)

Yeah, I was toying with the idea of putting in a UAA report. WP:U states: "As part of the rule against misleading usernames, your username must not give the impression that your account has permissions which it does not have. Thus it may not contain the terms "administrator", "bureaucrat", "steward", "checkuser", "oversight", or similar terms like "admin", "sysop" or "moderator"." I was also considering putting a note on his talk about it, but I wouldn't hold my breath for a positive response. 67.136.117.132 (talk) 16:03, 22 July 2010 (UTC)

Another regex question

I have been trying to figure out how to do something in regex and can't quite figure it out so I hope I can bug you again. Some improvements were recently made to the findagrave template so that it displays more like a citation and I would like to take something that looks like this

{{findagrave|1234}} Retrieved on yyyy-mm-dd

and make it look like this

{{Find a Grave|1234|accessdate=yyyy-mm-dd}}

Is there any way I can do this or is this type of change using regex? Thanks again.--Kumioko (talk) 18:32, 22 July 2010 (UTC)

Maybe something like...

Find:

\{\{findagrave\|(.*?)\}\}[ ]*Retrieved on ([0-9]{4})-([0-9]{2})-([0-9]{2})

Replace:

{{Find a Grave|$1|accessdate=$2-$3-$4}}

Not sure though. Make sure to test it. –xeno^talk 18:39, 22 July 2010 (UTC)

"I solved my problem using a regular expression. Now I have two problems."--SarekOfVulcan (talk) 18:46, 22 July 2010 (UTC)

You could change the find to \{\{findagrave\|(.*?)\}\}[ ]*Retrieved on ([0-9]{4})-(0[1-9]|1[012])-(0[1-9]|[12][0-9]|3[01]) to make sure it only finds valid dates (don't know what context this is in, and if some of the dates could be wrong, but could be useful). - EdoDodo ^talk 18:54, 22 July 2010 (UTC)

Yes, you could ;p

–xeno^talk 18:58, 22 July 2010 (UTC)

Wow thats great thanks. --Kumioko (talk) 19:19, 22 July 2010 (UTC)

Bot question

Sorry Im using up my quarters worth of questions today but I have another question today in regards to a bot. There has been some interest in started up the Alertbot bot again but it seems when the creator and maintainer (I meant to do that by the way) left WP they took the code with them. Is there any way to view this code on the tool server so we can get this bot running again? If we can locate the code I would be glad to take up the torch of monitoring and sort of leading it but I would need help from yourself or one of the other programmers in order to actually do the maintenance of the thing if bugs come up or it breaks. --Kumioko (talk) 18:26, 22 July 2010 (UTC)

I would think not (it would be taking code without permission), but MZMcBride might be able to say for sure. –xeno^talk 18:40, 22 July 2010 (UTC)

It depends whether they included a license with their code. If not, it's assumed to be copyrighted. Throw a note on my talk page indicating where this script/program might be and I can take a look later to see if it's world-readable/licensed. --MZMcBride (talk) 19:09, 22 July 2010 (UTC)

And thanks again. I didnt know that about the code permissions I kinda assumed that any code used to run a bot on WP would have to fall under the same open source requirements as content or AWB. --Kumioko (talk) 19:21, 22 July 2010 (UTC)

Odd edit

What do you think of this: [11]? Stonemason89 (talk) 21:53, 22 July 2010 (UTC)

I don't know. Some kind of flowery insult? I've never really been one to enforce CIVIL, I try to ignore incivility. I learned a new word, at least. –xeno^talk 21:55, 22 July 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for the tagging run

I always like it when you find our project more quality articles like Dick Tracy (1990 film).--TonyTheTiger (T/C/BIO/WP:CHICAGO/WP:FOUR) 04:18, 23 July 2010 (UTC)

No problem, happy to help! –xeno^talk 12:41, 23 July 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for your help!

File:PhilMusStatue.jpg

Victory!

Hi Xeno, after one month of requests, I managed finally to unify my accounts! I would tell you thanks for your help! I never managed without hel, it me seemed impossible! =) Best regards Citron (talk) 21:32, 23 July 2010 (UTC)

Nice! It's a sometimes-long-and-tedious process but it really feels nice to see that "Tout est en ordre !" on the Prefs, isn't it? =) –xeno^talk 13:00, 24 July 2010 (UTC)

Usurpation question

Hey Xeno. Since you're involved at WP:CHU/U, I'm presuming you're very knowledgeable on the topic, so I have some questions, if you don't mind.

One, can you usurp an account with no edits if an active account of the same name exists on a different wiki, but has no SUL? And two, can you have a username that is a symbol? Not a letter, but like the ♠, ♥, !, *, etc. If you could answer these I would be gratefull. Swarm^Talk 02:20, 24 July 2010 (UTC)

(1) It depends on whether the accounts on other projects are being used. If they are in use, then we typically do not perform the rename because it creates SUL conflicts. (2) Sometimes, but there have been complaints about people with hard-to-type usernames. There is some guidance on this at Wikipedia:Username policy#Non-English usernames (see also the related WP:SIG section). –xeno^talk 13:00, 24 July 2010 (UTC)

thanks. --Swarm^Talk 02:48, 25 July 2010 (UTC)

Statustop

Love the template, but is there anyway to make the 'Offline' status not flash? Thanks,Acather96 (talk) 08:05, 24 July 2010 (UTC)

Now there is. =) –xeno^talk 13:00, 24 July 2010 (UTC)

Bureaucrats are not made a decision on this issue

[12] - It should not have to clean, because the decision of a bureaucrat was not done. --Impro-en (talk) 12:10, 24 July 2010 (UTC)

(talk page stalker) I've undone the archiving - I think the bot got confused because you used a

Done template, so I changed it to just the word "done". ~ mazca ^talk 12:16, 24 July 2010 (UTC)

Thank you --Impro-en (talk) 12:22, 24 July 2010 (UTC)

Thanks Mazca. We should probably get Cobi to have the bot focus only on the Status: In progress template. –xeno^talk 13:00, 24 July 2010 (UTC)

Sorry bout that - your usurp is also

Done now. Cheers, –xeno^talk 13:00, 24 July 2010 (UTC)

Thanks. --Impro (talk) 14:58, 24 July 2010 (UTC)

TUSC

Would you mind approving my TUSC account? It's 1234r00t (same as here). Cheers, Mr. R00t ^Talk 19:42, 25 July 2010 (UTC)

For? –xeno^talk 19:46, 25 July 2010 (UTC)

In case I ever need to request a bot to do something. Mr. R00t ^Talk 19:57, 25 July 2010 (UTC)

I don't think TUSC accounts need to be approved; you just have to make the requisite edit on your talk page. And only select bots require TUSC accounts. Are you talking about Message Delivery Bot? That is the only place I can think of where I have the ability to approve TUSC accounts. –xeno^talk 20:01, 25 July 2010 (UTC)

I was talking about Message Delivery Bot. And I did make the required edit to my talk page. Mr. R00t ^Talk 20:03, 25 July 2010 (UTC)

(talk page stalker) The TUSC account is used for a number of things, not just MessageDeliveryBot. Normally that edit to confirm that you are the same user is enough, but as an extra precaution to avoid spam I require MessageDeliveryBot users to be approved by an admin. Anyway, I've approved you, please be careful. - EdoDodo ^talk 20:38, 25 July 2010 (UTC)

Yes, that's why I wasn't sure which one we were talking about. –xeno^talk 21:36, 25 July 2010 (UTC)

Can't quite figure out what Im doing wrong

Hello again, I think I am starting to pick this regex stuff up. But Im kinda slow so please bare with me. I am trying to come up with some regex that will find something like this:

== Notes ==

{{Reflist}}

== See also ==

{{Portal box|Biography|United States Navy}}
*[[List of Medal of Honor recipients]]

and move the see also section above the notes section. The problem is I am trying to account for pipes in the reflist such as reflist|2. I am also trying to account for multiple portals in the Portal box template with potentially multiple links below that. Most of the time there would be another section (==) below the see also section so I want to capture any links that might appear between the see also section and the == in the next secton. Here is the find code I have so far:

\==[ ]*Notes[ ]*==
\{\{Reflist(\||\})[ ]*
\[ ]*
\==[ ]*See also[ ]*==
\{\{Portal box[ ]*(\||\})[ ]*
\*[\[(.*?)\]\][ ]*
\(.*?)\=\=

and here is the replace code:

== See also ==

{{Portal box$2
*[[$3
$4

== Notes ==

{{Reflist$1

I think my problem might be in the replace portion but I can't quite figure it out. Thanks in advance for the help. --Kumioko (talk)

You could set the regex to "singleline" which means (.*?) will match all characters including newlines. Then

Find:

== ([ ]*)Notes[ ]*==(.*?)==[ ]*See also[ ]*==(.*?) ==

Replace:

== $1See also$1==$3==$1See also$1==$2 ==

Maybe? See if it works. –xeno^talk 01:09, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

Wow thanks, your the man. Thats a little embarrassing I wasn't even close. I got a lot more to learn I guess. --Kumioko (talk) 01:22, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

Less is sometimes more! =] –xeno^talk 02:15, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

BTW, You need to change the second see also in the replace to Notes. Other than that it works awesome thanks again. --Kumioko (talk) 02:13, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

Oops! –xeno^talk 02:15, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

Bot needed

Hi Xeno, I wondered if you might be able to program your bot to delete and recreate 600 categories. Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2010 July 3#Category:Image-Class articles was closed as "rename". — Martin (MSGJ · talk) 10:42, 22 July 2010 (UTC)

Isn't Cydebot (talk · contribs) better equipped to do this? The thing about moving categories is that you need to provide edit-summary attribution, which Cydebot already does (and which would take me probably forever to figure out how to do) –xeno^talk 12:23, 22 July 2010 (UTC)

Okay I have asked Cyde whether his bot could do it. — Martin (MSGJ · talk) 09:54, 23 July 2010 (UTC)

If CydeBot does the heavy lifting, I can replace any uses of |class=image if need be. –xeno^talk 13:00, 24 July 2010 (UTC)

Cyde does not seem to be active much these days. I wonder if the bot would work by itself if these categories were listed at Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Speedy? By the way, could I draw your attention to WP:RIF where we can coordinate this effort. Cheers — Martin (MSGJ · talk) 17:55, 25 July 2010 (UTC)

That would probably work. –xeno^talk 19:37, 25 July 2010 (UTC)

CFDW

Xeno, I'm not sure that will work. Cydebot can't handle 1)Categories that start with a namespace, or 2)Categories in templates, both of which are the case for the hundred+ categories you just loaded into WP:CFDW. Courcelles (talk) 13:16, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

I just want Cydebot to handle the first bit - creating the new category with appropriate attribution. Tested it with Toronto and seemed to work fine. Other bots or not-bots will handle the rest. –xeno^talk 13:18, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

Aaah! I'll revert myself, then. I've gotten the n-th degree for breaking CydeBot before. I do wonder if they will have to be removed one at a time, the bot usually won't move on to the next category until the preceding one is completed. Courcelles (talk) 13:20, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

I wondered about that as well. Would be a pain if so =] (I do note that it was able to handle the newly added live films one when Toronto was still sitting there in half-finished state [13]) –xeno^talk 13:23, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

Well, bots are about as familiar to me as Swahili, but I think there is something in CydeBot's code about the date headers. I'll just go finish an AWB run for one of the "No bots" items there. During said AWB run, I'm noticing most of these categories don't really contain anything GFDL significant, just a template or two. Courcelles (talk) 13:41, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

I'm a bit of an attribution-nazi at times, I think it would be nice to have the original creator's name in the history of the new category... –xeno^talk wishing we could just move categories like everything else 13:42, 26 July 2010 (UTC) [Just checked, it seems to be trodding along ok]

← I know it's in the history, but I've still copied that list to Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Working/Holding Pen, as none of the other work on CFDW was being started, for whatever reason. Courcelles (talk) 20:32, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

Ok. Cydebot seems to work at its own pace, for what it's worth. –xeno^talk 20:36, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

Oh, I know. Since I tend to do the 'obvious' CFD closes, I use the page a lot. Whether removing that stuff did it or not, CydeBot has started working on the UConn categories now. The bot can take its time though, doing them with AWB is a pain in the neck! Courcelles (talk) 20:41, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

Statustop thank

Hello Xeno, Acather96 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. Go on, smile! Cheers, and happy editing!
Smile at others by adding {{subst:Smile}} to their talk page with a friendly message.

Acather96 (talk) 09:08, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

Spamfilter caused AWB to infinitely loop

Hey. You may be interested to know that spamfilter caused AWB to infinitely loop and we fixed that in rev 6878. We 'll upload a new snapshot soon. I recommend you to download it. -- Magioladitis (talk) 15:20, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

Shall do... You know there really ought be a bot that nowiki-nukes blacklisted links, I know this causes issues for MiszaBot, etc. –xeno^talk 15:22, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

AWB can only detect them. I just noticed the bug while Yobot was running in a list and turned out to be easy to fix. We certainly need a bot to get rid of blacklisted links. -- Magioladitis (talk) 15:25, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

All it needs to do is wrap them with nowiki. –xeno^talk 15:27, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

renaming username

I have just now put a request of renaming my username from "Che Prasannakumar" (on en.wiki)to Just "Prasannakumar" so that I can have a unified global login on all wikiprojects.Thank you. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Che Prasannakumar (talk • contribs) 18:30, 28 July 2010 (UTC) Che Prasannakumar (talk) 18:31, 28 July 2010 (UTC)

Yes, I saw that... This will be processed in the next few days. –xeno^talk 18:32, 28 July 2010 (UTC)

My back button difficulties

They archived the discussion, but I thought I'd let you know I haven't gotten a satisfactory response at the Microsoft forum. One person gave detailed instructions for the reinstallation of IE8. Not going to happen. This is a minor annoyance and something like reinstalling will just create bigger problems. The people on that forum have REAL problems.Vchimpanzee · talk · contributions · 18:43, 28 July 2010 (UTC)

Can't say I'm particularly surprised =] –xeno^talk 18:47, 28 July 2010 (UTC)

Have at it

I'm done updating the bureaucrat table for the time being; if you want to play around with the tables or change the date formatting or whatever be my guest. Suggestions welcome, Skomorokh 20:23, 28 July 2010 (UTC)

I still think that the last logged 'crat action should be the primary sort... As for "MakeBot", it's not been in use for some time but I guess it still needs mentioned because that might be the "last logged action" of some of the bureaucrats.... –xeno^talk 20:24, 28 July 2010 (UTC)

Rejigged [14]. Thanks for your work on this. –xeno^talk 20:34, 28 July 2010 (UTC)

Likewise. I don't know about the MakeBot business or how the steward activity monitor derives its data; that is left unchanged from Wikipedia:Bureaucrat_removal#Current_activity. I agree with putting "last edit" last. Do you think adding RfB date would be beneficial or just noise? Skomorokh 20:38, 28 July 2010 (UTC)

Hmm... It doesn't seem particularly relevant... I guess it might show how long they were active as a 'crat before they went dark. –xeno^talk 20:40, 28 July 2010 (UTC)

Newsletter delivery request

Hi Xeno, I have a newsletter to deliver to members of WikiProject Malaysia. Can your bot do that? If it can be done, what should I prepare(ex, edit summary, etc.)? Bejinhan Talk 14:02, 28 July 2010 (UTC)

Sure, my bot can do it; but I think I will test out User:MessageDeliveryBot instead. I need the subject, the message, and the delivery list. –xeno^talk 14:06, 28 July 2010 (UTC)

The subject and member list is here and the message here. Thanks for the help! :) Bejinhan talks 03:53, 29 July 2010 (UTC)

No problem. This will go out in the next 24 hours. –xeno^talk 13:04, 29 July 2010 (UTC)

Saw it. TQ, Bejinhan talks 04:04, 30 July 2010 (UTC)

A funny

Hello Xeno. I thought you might want to add this (read the first paragraph) to your list of funny stuff. Cheers, --The High Fin Sperm Whale 20:21, 28 July 2010 (UTC)

heh. Haven't updated that in a while. I don't get the joke?...must be an American thing... –xeno^talk 20:25, 28 July 2010 (UTC)

Just that it's incredibly random nonsense (and I'm not American, I'm Canadian). --The High Fin Sperm Whale 21:07, 28 July 2010 (UTC)

Quite random =] –xeno^talk 13:04, 29 July 2010 (UTC)

Request for userfication

I'm not sure if I'm doing this right, as I've never asked for this to happen, but is their any chance you could userfy Agraceful for me? I'm working on finding sources to make them notable possibly. Thank you. --ҚЯĀŽΨÇÉV13 00:52, 29 July 2010 (UTC)

Sure, see User:Krazycev13/Agraceful. Cheers, –xeno^talk 13:04, 29 July 2010 (UTC)

Your revert at RFA talk

Without the ensuing discussion, would you have altered jonathunder's post in the normal course of events? Honestly, all I did was revert the change made due to my incompetence to how it was initially. No big thing - but the edit surprised me. Begoon^talk 19:02, 29 July 2010 (UTC)

Maybe. It was bothering me =] I think his intent was to have a {{pretend template}} displayed. –xeno^talk 19:14, 29 July 2010 (UTC)

ok - funny old thing how one sees things in a sequence of edits. Thank you for the answer. Speaking freely, I wouldn't dream of reverting an edit you made to revert a comment to its original state after it had been altered purely because of an error you made. But then I'm me, not you. It's all good... Begoon^talk 19:20, 29 July 2010 (UTC)

If it makes things look nicer/cleaner, why not? –xeno^talk 19:24, 29 July 2010 (UTC)

No reason at all. Sorry to have bothered you. Begoon^talk 19:25, 29 July 2010 (UTC)

No bother =) Cheers, –xeno^talk 19:26, 29 July 2010 (UTC)

Hi; help?

Hi, Xeno. I've got a contributor very angry over our unwillingness to allow him to host derivative content here. He wants us to delete his account and is not happy with my suggestion that he vanish instead. He keeps teetering in various notes on the edge of legal threats, but so far we've avoided an outright issue. If he's determined to depart, I'd prefer to help him depart peaceably. :)

Perhaps you could help with this? If we can at least change his username, he may calm down. (Or he may not.) See his last note here. Can we change him to something like User:Vanished user 1? If so, do his edits automatically rename? I'm not sure about that one. --Moonriddengirl ^(talk) 20:20, 29 July 2010 (UTC)

Yes, we can rename him to Vanished user nnnn (I've been using the 1400s, myself). –xeno^talk 20:22, 29 July 2010 (UTC)

If you don't mind, I'd be grateful. He may not be satisfied with that, but I can't help him with what he really wants: the removal of all his edits, the deletion of his account and (evidently) some kind of indef block. --Moonriddengirl ^(talk) 20:34, 29 July 2010 (UTC)

Ok, this is

Done. (I must say, this feels kind of backwards, I'm supposed to be the one seeking your counsel, not the other way around! ;p) –xeno^talk 20:39, 29 July 2010 (UTC)

I'm all about asking for help in unfamiliar areas. :) Thanks. --Moonriddengirl ^(talk) 20:40, 29 July 2010 (UTC)

WP:USURP

Hey Xeno, I'd just like to say thanks and well done for your contributions to the usurpation process. Looking back through the recent usurpations, you're involved in nearly every one. I recently reqeusted a usurpation as I'm hoping to make more of a global account, (Jack will be way too much trouble!) and I hope to see you involved in mine. Again, well done, you do a great job there. -- Jack•?! 04:02, 30 July 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for the kind words, Jack. I'll comment there soon =). –xeno^talk 19:12, 30 July 2010 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Requests for comment/Pmanderson

Can you help with this query? I've obviously misunderstood the whole thing. --RegentsPark (talk) 19:07, 30 July 2010 (UTC)

Commented there. –xeno^talk 19:12, 30 July 2010 (UTC)

Xsign: Meta's Chr codes space/newline as p1/p2 for T:If

I have modified Template:Xsign to skip the blank at username, and currently, the extracted username in Template:Xsign is specified, now, with the exact offset to skip the blank, so it does not matter being " " because it is totally skipped. Long term, the Template:Str_right could be changed to include real spaces by encoding each space/newline as codes "p1" & "p2" and then decoding them into real blank/newline for display, as done by Meta's template {Chr} using the Meta template {If} to decode p1/p2 into real blank & newline. English Wikipedia already has a similar {If} as on Meta, but not {Chr}, and the exact {If} from Meta would probably be copied as {IfMeta}:

English Wikipedia: Template:Chr & Template:If

I suspect the use of codes p1/p2 is because there is no other way to indicate a space (or newline) as the result of a substring. The MediaWiki markup does not allow escape characters (such as: \b) to indicate a blank, so blanks (and newlines) must be handled as invented codes in each template that tries to extract them. Fortunately, Meta's templates have already developed the twisted logic needed to encode them as p1/p2 and decode them into real blanks and newlines, if they are needed. However, note that a lead blank (" ") will disappear using this encode/decode method, so the current method (giving a space as  ) allows having some leading (or trailing) spaces in the extracted string. Consider the following examples, extracting the ending or beginning 6 characters:

{str right|aa bb cc dd|6} → cc dd
"{str right|aa bb cc dd|6}" → "cc dd"
"{str left|aa bb cc dd|6}" → "aa bb "

When the string is quoted, then the need for the leading blank (before " cc") becomes obvious. Consequently, I would not redesign the current Wikipedia templates and, instead, continue using "&#32" as more likely to handle user needs for leading spaces. -Wikid77 (talk) 19:22, 31 July 2010 (UTC)

Thank you so much for your swift attention to this! —Preceding unsigned comment added by Xeno (talk • contribs) 22:24, 31 July 2010 (UTC)

Leading spaces work too, see m:Template:Sub.--Patrick (talk) 23:24, 31 July 2010 (UTC)

cbronline.com

Hi. I'm trying to add a summary about Ivy bean to Facebook but the cbronline.com spam filter is just stopping me even though I am adding nothing from that site. I'll assume that this site has been blacklisted in the last few hours and as of yet the article currently used it and hasn't been rmeoved. Please can you fix this and my ref at the bottom. Dr. Blofeld - 15:36, 18 July 2010 (UTC) 19:52, 31 July 2010 (UTC)

Appears to have been resolved? In future, you can use ctrl-F to find the offending entry and remove it. –xeno^talk 22:24, 31 July 2010 (UTC)

Hi Xeno

Hi Xeno,May i know the reason behind dealays in my name changing request, its been 4 days since i put the request ,and after that couple of recent requests have been done,rest is fine,ok.Che Prasannakumar (talk) 16:58, 1 August 2010 (UTC)

When scrolling through the open requests I must not have noticed yours was an SUL request and thus eligible for speedy processing. It is now

Done. Cheers, –xeno^talk 16:59, 1 August 2010 (UTC)

Possible bug in Xenobot Mk V

Your bot went through the talk pages for several governor's lists including Alaska and Arizona to name a few.

The bot lumped the featured list banner (article history banner) along with all the other WikiProject banners into the same section. Shouldn't the featured list banner be by itself? An example would be Utah's talk page. The only documentation I could find is talk page layout page. Bgwhite (talk) 16:03, 1 August 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for the report. You're right, this is the result of two different rules dueling. I'll get it sorted. –xeno^talk 16:24, 1 August 2010 (UTC)

Explanation: WP:Plugin++ places new banners at the very top of page (probably shouldn't do this). I had one rule to move WPBio for living persons above the net-new banner, and another rule (sometimes enabled) to move the net-new banner below the last recognized banner. The upshot of this is that WPBio would get moved to the very top of the article (sometimes above ArticleHistory), with the net-new banner usually getting moved below it. The shelling code, either at the same time, or later, would wrap the page starting with the top WPBiography banner down to the lowest banner on the page, wrapping up ArticleHistory along with it. I'm fixing these manually, and hopefully the re-write of the Plugin will eliminate the need for all this hacky find and replace business. –xeno^talk 17:14, 2 August 2010 (UTC)

[15] ← I believe that takes care of them; if you see more, please point them out. This is fixed in the next run. Thanks again for the report. =) –xeno^talk 19:18, 2 August 2010 (UTC)

Thank you for your swift response. Boy, I've never created a bug while programming, what's your problem. :) Bgwhite (talk) 20:32, 2 August 2010 (UTC)

Mostly the ever-shifting wp:talk page layout page. The BLP banner is supposed to have primacy, even over the articleHistory. *shrug* –xeno^talk 00:39, 3 August 2010 (UTC)

WikiProject Eurovision bot request

Hello again Xeno,

After many months WikiProject Eurovision finally have a newsletter ready for delivery, so if possible could your bot please send it to everyone on the members list. You raised concern last time about the newsletter stacking up on talk pages of accounts which are inactive. To solve this problem I have gone through all the members and moved users to and from the active and inactive list as appropriate, and left a note on the newsletter that all future editions will be published only to users listed as active, meaning this is the last edition which goes to everyone. This method has the benefit that there should be no users wondering why they are no longer receiving the newsletter. CT Cooper · talk 11:07, 2 August 2010 (UTC)

Cool - I have initiated a User:MessageDeliveryBot request in your name. It should go out shortly. Cheers, –xeno^talk 19:26, 2 August 2010 (UTC)

Thanks Xeno, it seems to have worked. I didn't know about that bot. CT Cooper · talk 19:45, 2 August 2010 (UTC)

It's in trial. =) Should be approved soon. –xeno^talk 19:47, 2 August 2010 (UTC)

Note

Does my rename request on this wiki change all other wikis with my SUL if this is my home wiki? Raymie Humbert (t • c) 21:00, 2 August 2010 (UTC)

No - unfortunately there is no global renaming yet. –xeno^talk 00:36, 3 August 2010 (UTC)

Ukraine banner

Hi

Don't know what all that was about lol. I tried to add the importance and found it wasn't working when I previewed the edited text.

I took the banner from Template:WikiProject_Ukraine thinking that would fix it - in my defence I had been editing for 20 hours and my brain wasn't working properly lol

Chaosdruid (talk) 21:54, 2 August 2010 (UTC)

No problem. It sure confused the bot though =) –xeno^talk 00:37, 3 August 2010 (UTC)

Accounts

Thanks for your note. I have listed all my extra accounts on my user page that I have listed as being inactive. I'm trying to have them all put together under this name but if this is impossible then I will happily retire this account as well. Auntie Beeb (talk) 22:47, 3 August 2010 (UTC)

Yes, it's impossible to merge contribution histories. Choose one, and edit with that one... –xeno^talk 22:48, 3 August 2010 (UTC)

OK thank you. Just so you know, I have marked the user pages and talk pages of those accounts as retired. Hopefully these edits won't be marked as vandalism. Auntie Beeb (talk) 22:51, 3 August 2010 (UTC)

Found the bug

Wikipedia talk:AutoWikiBrowser/Bugs#Activating auto-mode disactivates N/C im Plugin. That's why I couldn't find it before. I am always running in manual mode the first 2-3 edits to check if I have loaded the current settings file and I did have N/C activated as I was claiming. -- Magioladitis (talk) 17:48, 4 August 2010 (UTC)

I think it used to Skip when NC by default when in auto mode, perhaps there has been some regression. –xeno^talk 17:50, 4 August 2010 (UTC)

Reedy rewrote the whole code in Visual Basic which resulted in reducing the code for some tenths of kilobytes! I don't know if this caused the bug but I think not because we mainly worked in standarising the various WikiProject tabs. -- Magioladitis (talk) 17:53, 4 August 2010 (UTC)

Cool. Any progress on my wishlist? =) Would love to be able to dump all or most of the advanced find and replace code I'm using. –xeno^talk 17:57, 4 August 2010 (UTC)

We are going by the plan. First two steps completed: Get rid of useless old stuff, generised code to be easily updated. Now we have to decide to rewrite the stuff in C# (i.e. I can help) or we keep the existing format. Then we can implement your wishlist. Btw, I am starting my holidays next week. -- Magioladitis (talk) 18:06, 4 August 2010 (UTC)

Does that mean more or less Wikipedia? =) –xeno^talk 18:07, 4 August 2010 (UTC)

Less of course. Bug fixed. Check Wikipedia talk:AutoWikiBrowser/Bugs/Archive 17#Activating auto-mode disactivates N/C im Plugin. -- Magioladitis (talk) 08:26, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

Glad we squashed a bug. –xeno^talk 16:13, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

Message

No problem about the change. All is well. I obviously didn't ignore the issue before replying though. Toddst1 (talk) 01:27, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

Cool. Cheers, –xeno^talk 13:08, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

Sorry about that

Sorry about that, a little clumsy on the typing, Sadads (talk) 17:24, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

No problem whatsoever. –xeno^talk 17:27, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

Seeing as Agraceful was restored

I was wondering if there was any way I could also get The Great I Am and Piece of Mind (Agraceful album) restored, seeing as I forgot to mention those two being restored as well. --ҚЯĀŽΨÇÉV13 17:41, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

Done. Cheers –xeno^talk 17:45, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

Now at new AFD, Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Agraceful (3rd nomination). Btw, Xeno, no worries as to your actions in this matter, I have no objections to how this turned out. Cheers! -- Cirt (talk) 18:02, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

Cool =) I've made a note there explaining how it got there. –xeno^talk 18:07, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

Agreed. -- Cirt (talk) 18:08, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

Please help newbie w/ questions & concerns of Wikipedia operations

First off, I want to thank you kindly, from the bottom of my heart, for lifting the block on NoCharge.com (User:64.40.32.0/19). I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am. Until you've been through an unjustified, multi-year block, you can't imagine what it is like. I liken it to being released from prison after finally being proven innocent. It means a great deal to me that you took the time to review the block and lift it. I am tearing up as I write this and I want to thank you very much for being concerned about us innocent victims. It is very special and it takes a person of enormous goodwill to look in to these matters. Thank you so very much. I spent some time looking through the barnstars I and think this one is the most appropriate.

		The Admin's Barnstar
		In recognition of releasing the users of NoCharge.com from their 2 and a half year banishment from Wikipedia, I hereby award Xeno the Admin's Barnstar. It is concern for victims like this, which makes Xeno one of the best that Wikipedia has to offer. - Hydroxonium (talk \| contribs) 20:07, 4 August 2010 (UTC)

I am probably way too emotionally invested in this project, but Wikipedia means a great deal to me, and I think it's very important to the world as a whole. Imagine all the world's knowledge available free to anyone with an Internet connection. It's akin to building the Library of Alexandria, in my opinion.

To answer your question about why NoCharge was blocked, it was not blocked because of a rash of vandalism, or even a single specific incident of vandalism. It was banned preemptively in case "the bad guys" found out it was a free service. I believe it came up during a talk about free trial accounts at Internet providers and that those could be used for vandalism. Someone mentioned that NoCharge was free (all the time) and it was subsequently labeled a proxy. After being labeled a proxy, it was banned for being a proxy. There were a lot of assumptions of bad faith and it was absolutely surreal that the block happened. I think it should have been caught early on in the Wikipedia processes, but it wasn't.

NoCharge only runs at one half dial-up speed, and as such, is only used by low income people or people that have no other options for internet service. The 2+ year block really hurt the most vulnerable Wikipedians. It was not only devastating to us for not being able to edit Wikipedia but also for being treated as Wikipedia vandals.

As far as I am aware, only one person from NoCharge, User:Srosenow 98, was ever able to edit Wikipedia during the last few years. And that was only after going through many channels, trying many things, and finally having to email Jimmy Wales. That was when the block was changed to a soft block. I, like many others, only made minor edits (anonymously) and never had a reason to create an account. During the ban, account creation was disabled, so I was not able to make one. I was never able to figure out how to "request an account through e.g. unblock-en-l", as stated in the block discussion, and gave up thoroughly frustrated. In fact, I still don't know how to do that, or what it means. I don't expect many other NoCharge users know either.

Only now, after 2+ months, am I learning my way around the system. Today was the first time I figured out that you lifted the ban. Thank very much for that thoughtful and kind act. I am certain many others are also grateful, and if they knew, would thank you also.

In looking in to this affair, I realize now that it was during a significant era of vandalism. This was around the time that JarlaxleArtemis changed his name to Grawp. I realize people had to take extreme measures, but I think some decisions were a bit heavy-handed. This was also around the time that User:!! was blocked. User:!! got a lot of attention and support because he was one of Wikipedia's premier contributors, but he still left because of the incident. I think a lot of things happened then that did not get noticed including the NoCharge block, which was only a week or two before the User:!! block.

I am coming to you because I want to raise awareness of this incident to the Wikipedian community at large. But I do not know how to do it or where to do it. I don't think it belongs at the help desk or village pump. I thought about an RfC, but I don't think that's appropriate either.

I want people to know that heavy-handed decisions can have huge collateral damage that nobody hears about because people are blocked and they can't let others know. Or that they just leave the project entirely like User:!!. In my opinion, this might be similar to a cancer, hurting Wikipedia from the inside, with people not even realizing it. I am certain my perspective on this situation is very skewed, so I would like to get input from a large number of experienced users. I would especially like to know if people realized that I, and many others, were hurt by this particular block of NoCharge. I think sometimes people don't realize the full consequences and the enormous collateral damage caused by their actions to stop a handful of problems.

Could you please help me with this? Thanks very much.

REFERENCES

Block log (User:64.40.32.0/19)

Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard

User talk:Jpgordon

I will put this page on my watchlist. Thank you very much for your help and consideration. - Hydroxonium (talk | contribs) 20:07, 4 August 2010 (UTC)

Thank you for the kind words, barnstar, and detailed analysis of the history of the block I lifted. Much of that was before my time: wiki-archaeology is an interesting endeavour =). I think the best place to make a comment to a general audience of Wikipedians would be something like WP:Village pump (miscellaneous), or maybe even just at Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard, since they are the ones who place these blocks. –xeno^talk 20:12, 4 August 2010 (UTC)

Thank you very much, Xeno. I have started a conversation on the admin noticeboard and would like to invite you if you would like join.

Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard#Two and a half year block of ISP for low-income users

Thanks again for all your help. - Hydroxonium (talk | contribs) 02:56, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

Commented there. Keep in mind that sometimes less is more; it looks like some people skimmed over your message without grasping the underlying intent =) –xeno^talk 13:07, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

Thank you vey much, Xeno. I really appreciate you coming to my rescue. Thank you very much for all your help. - Hydroxonium (talk | contribs) 11:09, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

FBI

By putting the WP controversy in the controversy section, it is better. After that, I encourage you to start a discussion to decide the top 3 or 4 or 8 controversies of the FBI and then have only then. You may find that the seal controversy is or is not in the top 7 or 2 or 10.

Rank ordering the controversies is good for any article. Rank order is not listed in the article but just in the talk page.

Please strongly consider this. Thank you. Suomi Finland 2009 (talk) 15:24, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

I got interested in the FBI after being the top 2 editors editing the Illegals Program, an article about the FBI. Suomi Finland 2009 (talk) 15:25, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

I will not revert again. However, I would suggest you create a new section at Talk:Federal Bureau of Investigation if you think this little tiny piece of news deserves subheadered treatment in an article about a 102-year-old organization. I think it violates WP:UNDUE and the dispute is given appropriate treatment at FBI seal. –xeno^talk 15:26, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

But you did revert. Or maybe you will not revert "again". I will not revert in the first place so you win! We all win because even though you did not start a talk page section on controversies, I did. People should sort of rank them according to the most important and then include those. If the WP controversy doesn't make the cut, fine! I just want to try to make the inclusions in the controversy section a good choice. Suomi Finland 2009 (talk) 15:37, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

Yes, that's what I said =) I've commented there. Thanks, –xeno^talk 15:41, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

I'm gearing for another discussion, not the seal discussion, which you can still take part in the seal discussion. My discussion will be in deciding the important controversies. I believe one of the big ones isn't even listed! It is about Rev. Martin Luther King. To avoid controversy (!) I'll try to steer the discussion to be about controversy up to 2009 so the seal thing won't drown out the discussion.

The whole point of the controversies is to avoid undue weight. If there is consensus that A, B, C, D, E, F are the big ones, that's an accomplishment. In my opinion, we now have A, C, D, E, K, L, M, P. This sort of rank ordering should be done in every article. Not saying "this is #1" in the text of the article but considering it in deliberations. Suomi Finland 2009 (talk) 15:56, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

I agree this is a useful discussion. I don't have time to review the others at the present time though. Thanks, –xeno^talk 15:58, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

Thanks a lot

Thanks a lot for your comments about my copyright question. It helped restore my faith. It was quite demoralising to spend so long making the article, and then have it removed without discussion and without my pleas for assistance being answered. I'll spend some time tonight reading the links you left, and hopefully I won't have the same mistake again. Thanks again, Xeno. — Fly by Night (talk) 17:54, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

No problem. I understand your frustration.

You are lucky to have User:Moonriddengirl's attention on the matter; her knowledge of Wikipedia's policies on copyright, and copyright in general, are unmatched on this project. –xeno^talk 17:56, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

I'll keep that in mind! — Fly by Night (talk) 17:58, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

Unrelated, is your username a reference to the Chilliwack song "Fly at Night"? I love that tune =) –xeno^talk 18:04, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

iTime

Hello, My name is 1343151-b17. I have chosen the path of Science and am ranked 3rd best theoretical physicist on iEarth (© 2013, Apple Inc.). I know my information is unreferenced, but I cannot bring journals with me back in time without risk of creating a time paradox. However, I will try to convince you of my existence with journals from your time that the invention of time travel is imminent. Feel free to argue as much as you want; thanks to the invention of 4 dimensional travel I can stay in this moment forever. You could say I have all the time in the iWorld (© 2047, Apple Inc.).

First off, examine Maxwell's equations: Maxwell's equations Time is not a vector in the sense that is unbound and not unidirectional. This ambiguous clause in a law that governs almost all physics in the iUniverse (© 2048, Apple Inc.) does not disallow negative time, i.e. travel backwards to the past. However, researchers were not sure how to manipulate this until the invention of quantum integration by Russian researcher Misha Golubev. I cannot tell you these techniques, due to risk of time paradoxes, however it involves cutting the infinitely small into quanti (only theoretically, of course. That is, until 2057.)

Next, we applied this in conjunction with the Riemann Zeta function to work out Tesla's findings from his unpublished laws of dynamic gravity, we worked with your primitive culture's findings of string theory. Examine: www.cbpf.br/~toppan/mo00200.pdf Also: Nikola Tesla#Theoretical inventions

If you still have reason to doubt me, please let me know. I have setup an email address at ordinaryname1343151@gmail.com It is funny, because by the year 2027 Google no longer exists. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 129.83.31.1 (talk) 19:27, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

Smacks of original research to me =] Don't worry: there is no deadline, so when 2057 rolls around we can add information about iTime to the iPedia. –xeno^talk 19:31, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

Actually, as a tribute to his favorite website, Steve Jobs keeps the name as WIKiPedia, the legal name is different but the url is the same. Although typing en.wikipedia.org will cause an error in safari 10.7 (© 2056, Apple Inc.)

Also, as a lead researcher proud of my destroyed work, I would much appreciate it if I was allowed to spread word of my accomplishments in today's arbitrary, harmless date. And to say we are unreferenced is unfounded, as I have shown you some of the papers from which our work is derived. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 128.29.43.3 (talk) 19:36, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

You may wish to try another wiki to disseminate this material until it can be verified by way of reliable sources. We don't deal in truth. –xeno^talk 19:39, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

You may wish to stop complaining about the future. This place sucks: apathetic humans have caused major oil spills that will ruin the eastern hemisphere for my people, mindlessly kill each other in the name of differing religions, refuse to speak a common language, slander each other because of skin color, and also fail to work towards attaining a perfect iLife (©, 2003) in general. I'm going back to the iFuture (© Time: The Final Frontier (© 2051, Apple Inc.), Apple Inc.) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 128.29.43.3 (talk) 19:47, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

*poof* and like that... he was gone. –xeno^talk 19:50, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

Hello, it is now the year 2079. I have traveled back to this date to continue our discussion exactly where we left off.

After the destruction of the original iTime (no more copyrights, Apple was dissolved), a massive civil war broke loose about the right to time travel. I regret to inform you that the future now sucks. We live in a state of anarchy and constant fear. In my head, luckily, I had memorized most of the work powering the iTime. I created my own time machine, rooted in a Lotus Evora, which in my opinion, is a much sexier vehicle. How ever, many of the other Apple researchers have made their own time machines too. This has caused many time paradoxes.

Originally, the 41st president was Keanu Reeves, who's campaign was based largely off of his massive fan base acquired from The Matrix chronicles.

Now, the 41st president is George H. W. Bush, and The Matrix is now only a trilogy, instead of a 9 part epic.

Pyridine was the name given to a widely used fire distinguisher.

Now, fire extinguishers are used instead of fire distinguishers. Also, pyridine is the name for a simple organic compound.

My student, there is much more to be discussed.

Do us a favour, [since the timeline is already fubar] go back to 1986 and buy some Microsoft stock in my name? –xeno^talk 20:25, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

In addition to also purchasing some of that Microsoft stock for me, could you also explain how Keanu Reeves would become the 41st president in 1989 when he was only 25 that year and it is an eligibility requirement that all US presidential candidates be 35? 174.52.141.138 (talk) 03:14, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

Another effect of the time paradox created by all those idle Apple ex-employees of course. --RegentsPark (talk) 03:20, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

Sorry, I cannot purchase Microsoft stock. That would be against the Apple iEarth (© 2013, Apple Inc.) iCodeOfHonor (© 2019, Apple Inc.) which I signed in blood. Also, the Keanu Reeves Matrix Chronicles fan base included 7 members of the Supreme Court, three of which believed the premise of the movie was real. Regardless, the constitution was amended to allow underage candidates who have a high chance of saving the world from machines to be eligible for presidency. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 128.29.43.3 (talk) 12:09, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

So, what you're saying is that the constitution was amended some time before 1989 to allow underage candidates, despite there not being such an amendment (not even a redacted one) in 2010. Ergo, the only possible solution to this problem is that some time traveler go back to the when the pre-1989 timeline when askew and prevent the amendment being placed in the Constitution. Which would have prevented Keanu Reeves from becoming the president in 1989 because that amendment was no longer added. Okay, I guess I'll stop violating WP:DFTT, despite it being quite entertaining this time around. 174.52.141.138 (talk) 17:51, 7 August 2010 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Miscellany for deletion/User:Hopiakuta/Racism

I noticed that you placed a notice at the top of Hopiakuta (talk · contribs)'s talk page. User:Hopiakuta/Racism has been nominated for deletion at Wikipedia:Miscellany for deletion/User:Hopiakuta/Racism. Following the MfD nomination, Hopiakuta has made some concerning edits such as this one which reads "This is a copy of an original policy page, evidence of your racism." Hopiakuta has made several other edits with the same edit summary. Cunard (talk) 23:45, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

If the user's pages had simply been left alone, then we wouldn't be in this position; he hadn't edited for months prior to this meddling. The user feels Wikipedia discriminates against users with handicaps. I tried to help them in the past but didn't have too much success. –xeno^talk 13:07, 7 August 2010 (UTC)

What's in a name?

Thanks for your contributions to the discussion page on my user name. The jury is still out, but I appreciate your posts. --Catsquisher (talk) 23:58, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

Sure thing. =) –xeno^talk 13:10, 7 August 2010 (UTC)

Thanks :)

For the barnstar :) Steven Zhang ^{The clock is ticking....} 04:25, 7 August 2010 (UTC)

No prob =] –xeno^talk 13:10, 7 August 2010 (UTC)

User:Xenobot Mk V

Hi, I want this bot to autotag a good few categories of articles on darts for WP:DARTS but I am not to sure on how to do this, could you please help me. Mr.Kennedy1 ^talk 19:15, 7 August 2010 (UTC)

Just create the list of categories and post back or submit a new request at User:Xenobot/R when done. –xeno^talk 03:45, 8 August 2010 (UTC)

OK, i've created the list of categories, Wikipedia:WikiProject Darts/Categories. I'm not very sure on how to fill out the request so I will need help. One more thing, does the bot tag an article twice if the article is in two selected categories. Mr.Kennedy1 ^talk 09:47, 8 August 2010 (UTC)

Do you want the bot to tag images , portals , categories , templates ? Do you want it to auto assess articles? Should it use the default logic , or be liberal or conservative ? ( see User:Xenobot/A ). –xeno^talk 12:51, 8 August 2010 (UTC) No, the bot won't double tag.

Ok, well there is no point in tagging portals because their are no portals for darts or anything even close to darts. Everything can be tagged except portals. It can auto assess articles, but I only want it to do it with stubs. Is that all thier is to do? Mr.Kennedy1 ^talk 13:19, 8 August 2010 (UTC)

Yep, you're all set. I'll do this in the near future. –xeno^talk 15:25, 8 August 2010 (UTC)

Help!

Oops. Meanwhile I was sorting old Wikinews' requests for permissions with my alternate account (Fire in the Hole) I clicked a Wikipedia link, and the account was created here. To prevent bad faith thinkings, please, rename the account "MisterWiki's sockpuppet" (an account I created in my former days as MisterWiki here) to "Fire in the Hole" (usurping it). If necessary, block it. Sorry for the inconveniences and hoping this does not bring further problems. Thank you. Diego Grez ^{what's up?} 18:04, 8 August 2010 (UTC)

If I rename it away, then it might get automatically created again on entry. Best to just block it in place, no? –xeno^talk 23:11, 8 August 2010 (UTC)

Block it if you feel it is necessary. Diego Grez ^{what's up?} 23:15, 8 August 2010 (UTC)

It doesn't need to be blocked if you are sure not to edit from it. –xeno^talk 23:22, 8 August 2010 (UTC)

Of course, I'm not wanting to fuck up once more :-P If you think it can stay unblocked, I won't edit from it. Diego Grez ^{what's up?} 23:27, 8 August 2010 (UTC)

status changer

Hi Xeno. I was wondering if you would consider changing your status changer from 'sleep' to 'sleeping'? I think it might look better that way. Thanks Xeno Tommy! [message] 03:10, 9 August 2010 (UTC)

Nevermind. -blushes- Tommy! [message]

GreeneJeans

Might be worth changing that one back. --Dweller (talk) 13:19, 9 August 2010 (UTC)

Which company did it look like it might have been promoting? I'm not particularly swayed by the reasoning that just because a company might exist somewhere in the world, that someone can't choose use that name. But since this user has already made COI edits, you might be right. I'm hesitant to change it back to a name that they think violates their privacy, but you can ask them about it and ask them to choose a new one. –xeno^talk 13:23, 9 August 2010 (UTC)

Talk page

Yeah, sorry. I thought I was on his talk page. Duh! ----Steve Quinn (talk) 17:54, 9 August 2010 (UTC)

No worries. –xeno^talk 17:55, 9 August 2010 (UTC)

Betacommand, again

Sigh. This probably won't end well. I put a note in AN/I suggesting that more eyes on what's going on here would be appropriate. Betacommand seems to have escaped his various bans and blocks through a combination of a name change and making requests in various forums. The name change hides the block history. --John Nagle (talk) 18:46, 9 August 2010 (UTC)

In the past (for similar situations), haven't the logs been linked with a 1 second block or something? –xeno^talk 18:52, 9 August 2010 (UTC) That being said, I think a clean block log on his new account would be a good motivator for BC/D to colour within the lines.

Usurping and unified login

I usurped the Waterfox name a few months ago. Recently, I tried to create a unified login for that name. Although I now "own" the Waterfox unified login in the sense that new accounts can't be created with that name on any Wikimedia wikis, there are still 2 wikis on which there are Waterfox accounts that aren't mine: DE and PT. They both don't have any contributions made at all. The solution might seem simple: sign up on those wikis and usurp them, right? Alas, I can't do that, because I don't know how to formulate an usurp request in German and Portuguese. What do I do? —Waterfox (talk) 17:43, 9 August 2010 (UTC)

Use Google Translate to understand the instructions (though de actually has en instructions) and basic English, which most other-language bureaucrats understand, to file the request. See de:WP:USURP, pt:WP:USURP. Referring to other requests on the page should help. –xeno^talk 17:45, 9 August 2010 (UTC)

I got it usurped on DE, but the PT bureaucrats didn't look at my request yet. —Waterfox (talk) 15:54, 10 August 2010 (UTC)

Just be patient, they'll get a round tuit. –xeno^talk 15:56, 10 August 2010 (UTC)

Thanks

Thanks for the heads up. --Kumioko (talk) 15:49, 10 August 2010 (UTC)

No sweat. –xeno^talk 15:51, 10 August 2010 (UTC)

signature sulmues

Let me know what I should do about that. Do you want me to change signatures? Sulmues ^(talk) 15:31, 11 August 2010 (UTC)

You're well below the length limit, so you don't necessarily have to - but getting rid of that null code in the middle would save 22 characters. The below code will render identical to your current sig. –xeno^talk 15:34, 11 August 2010 (UTC)

<span style="font-family: Gothic;">[[User:Sulmues|'''<big>S</big>'''ulmues]] <sup>([[User talk:Sulmues|talk]])</sup></span>

Done. And thank you so much! --Sulmues ^(talk) 17:39, 11 August 2010 (UTC)

No problem. Thanks for putting up with my meddling! –xeno^talk 17:42, 11 August 2010 (UTC)

Bot discussion

Surely you recall the discussion I'm referring to here, which happened in the last couple of months iirc. Because while I remember it, I'm drawing a blank on who and when. Cheers —DoRD (talk) 01:23, 12 August 2010 (UTC)

It's come up numerous times...

etc. –xeno^talk 12:40, 12 August 2010 (UTC)

Ahh, yes, thanks for the links. A refined search did find the incident I was thinking of. It was, unfortunately, unrelated to this question. —DoRD (talk) 13:35, 12 August 2010 (UTC)

Yes, I wasn't able to find something related to references/reflist with a great deal of furor. Just for curiosity's sake, which was the one you were recalling? –xeno^talk 13:37, 12 August 2010 (UTC)

Not sure how I got it mixed up - advancing age, no doubt! - but I was thinking of the Farmbrough brouhaha(s). I still seem to remember a fairly recent related incident, but who knows...? —DoRD (talk) 14:00, 12 August 2010 (UTC)

You are probably thinking of the disputes over combining and re-ordering refs, when the primary article writers don't want the refs combined or re-ordered. –xeno^talk 14:01, 12 August 2010 (UTC)

Yes, that's probably it. ANI all seems to run together after a while. Thanks again! —DoRD (talk) 14:07, 12 August 2010 (UTC)

Thanks!

Thank you very much for the support in my user name change.

o/

Maddox (talk) 03:49, 12 August 2010 (UTC)

No problem! Enjoy, –xeno^talk 12:46, 12 August 2010 (UTC)

Cultural Heritage of Serbia

Hello, Xeno. I have one big question for you.

After discussion, we agreed that Cultural Property of Great Importance was wrong Title, so we change it. [16] Now, we should change all other titles that was connected to that.

Wikipedia:WikiProject Cultural Property of Great Importance, and ALL related or satellite articles, categories or templates.
Wikipedia:WikiProject_Cultural_Property_of_Great_Importance/Table in all lists and related subcategories, text should be fixed, and articles....
Actually, absolutely every place in Wikipedia where is now "Cultural Property of Great Importance" should be renamed to "Cultural Heritage of Serbia" There is some similar categories, but only exactly "Cultural Property of Great Importance" should be renamed.

Is this possible to do with some bot? Agreement from here was just final drop, i find out long time ago that this was wrongly named. Please, can you help somehow? --Tadija^speaks 12:33, 12 August 2010 (UTC)

I'm not familiar with this subject. I can certainly look into it. However, is it something where there might be a dispute raised? (viz. Balkanization?) If so, I think it's best to go through the WP:RM process... I'll take a closer look later today. If you can give me some direct examples of the moves that need to be carried out, that would be good too. –xeno^talk 12:45, 12 August 2010 (UTC)

That WikiProject is Cultural monuments list of the Republic of Serbia. You can see site, or also Wikipedia:WikiProject Cultural Property of Great Importance have more official links. It is just badly named, as i was not aware at the time of the articles and wikipriject creation that it is not real and normal English name. And regarding Balkanization, well that is just a list of monuments that are designated heritage of Serbia. Like Listed building, or National Register of Historic Places.

Examples:

Wikipedia:WikiProject Cultural Property of Great Importance - Wikipedia:WikiProject Cultural Heritage of Serbia
Category:Cultural Property of Great Importance - Category:Cultural Heritage of Serbia
Template:Cultural Property of Great Importance - Template:Cultural Heritage of Serbia
And all other... Wherever in wiki is first, should be second. Including article space, so not just titles, also content.

Is it ok? For more, i am here. You look at it when you have time. --Tadija^speaks 13:52, 12 August 2010 (UTC)

Hm... For the category, it's best to go through WP:CFD (perhaps WP:CFDS), as there is a bot that is already programmed to move categories and update the members to reside in the new target category. –xeno^talk 13:58, 12 August 2010 (UTC)

But even that will be hard job. Is there some possibility to rename all wikipedia articles, templates, categories... that contain words "Cultural Property of Great Importance"? --Tadija^speaks 14:08, 12 August 2010 (UTC)

Not really =) I think the first step is to rename Category:Cultural Property of Great Importance. –xeno^talk 14:12, 12 August 2010 (UTC)

I can't help but think that that with a scope of ~141 articles, this would be better suited as a task force of WP:SERBIA. –xeno^talk 14:14, 12 August 2010 (UTC)

Beautiful button!! To bad... :) Thanks, i will then go to the work, first by creating list. Thanks, bye! --Tadija^speaks 14:20, 12 August 2010 (UTC)

Districts, Austria, Switzerland

Ref. to Wikipedia:Administrators'_noticeboard/Incidents#Admin_tools_required_to_revert_mass_move - More specific than WP:AT is WP:NCGN. See Talk:District#Article_naming - "X (district)" is only used by German speaking countries. I strongly object that they get there own way of article naming. They can do so in de:WP, but not here in en:WP. Schwyz (talk) 23:00, 12 August 2010 (UTC)

It's still important to propose mass moves at WP:RM rather than carrying them out based on a discussion at an article talk page interested parties may not have been watching. –xeno^talk 23:20, 12 August 2010 (UTC)

Redactions

Xeno - I saw your message. If he puts the manure back up, I'll leave it alone, per your request. Thanks! KoshVorlonNaluboutes,Aeria Gloris 13:56, 13 August 2010 (UTC)

Thanks. –xeno^talk 13:57, 13 August 2010 (UTC)

re: WT:RFA

Feel free to move this response to WT:RFA if you like. I think the reason the CHU and ArbCom models for clerking haven't worked elsewhere in the past (see Netalarm's links at WT:Clerking for past failed experiments) is that you guys have camp followers; ordinary mortals and even admins don't. All we get is the T-shirt. (Watching) - Dank (push to talk) 15:24, 13 August 2010 (UTC)

Mayhaps... So a bestowed title is to function as a bit of an enticement? (FWIW the Arbcom is not the same "process-less" clerking, it involves vetting, clerks-in-training, etc.) –xeno^talk 15:30, 13 August 2010 (UTC)

It might work that way. (And yep, changed "model" to "models".) - Dank (push to talk) 16:04, 13 August 2010 (UTC)

re: WP:AN

re: WP:AN#Bot making hundreds of links to oocities.com, when links to Archive.org would be better

Hey xeno.. Just saw your comment at AN regarding Updatehelper's use of AWB. I note you said they should seek BAG approval at BRFA, before continuing the task, however, since it's semi-automated (using AWB) I personally would not think it needs BAG approval. Of course, BAG are supposed to decide what tasks need approval (and can decide that certain semi-automated tasks should be considered fully-automated), if it's unclear, but I can't really recall us having done that at all. Of course, consensus should be sought for a task like this anyway, regardless of whether it's considered a bot or not. I just wasn't clear on if you were saying (as a member of BAG) that it should be considered a bot or not? - Kingpin¹³ (talk) 17:28, 13 August 2010 (UTC)

From Wikipedia:BOTPOL#Bot usage: "Note that high-speed semi-automated processes may effectively be considered bots in some cases, even if performed by an account used by a human editor. If in doubt, check." [emph. in original]. I think a best practice would be to seek community consensus and have the task approved by BAG. There are several issues here: first, that many of the oocities links are not presently operational (and may never be), so it's replacing one dead link with another. Second, there is the concern of copyright - which needs to be resolved before we create links en masse to OoCities. I'm not sure that their http://oocities.com/geocities-archive/faq.html satisfies the concern that the re-use of the Geocities content is legal (IANAL). See also Wikipedia:BOTPOL#Assisted editing guidelines. –xeno^talk 17:33, 13 August 2010 (UTC)

So you are saying the task should be considered a bot? :D. It probably won't be necessary, since gaining "community consensus" may be difficult in this case, but who knows :/ - Kingpin¹³ (talk) 17:36, 13 August 2010 (UTC)

Yes, at the present volume and rate ("In general, processes that are operated at higher speeds, with a high volume of edits, or are more automated, may be more likely to be treated as bots for these purposes"), I would say that it 1) is considered a bot task 2) is potentially controversial 3) requires community consensus before continuing and 4) should go through BRFA.

Some (most?) of these links perhaps shouldn't even be here in the first place, the former Geocities being a free web server. –xeno^talk 17:38, 13 August 2010 (UTC)

Thats a question i totally agree it should be asked, especially for freewebsite sites made within the last ten years. But in the 90s this was slightly differnt, because there were less better ways to publish. Those geocities sites linked in wikipedia were mostly made between 1994 and 2000 and it was differnt, thus there are quiete a few geocities pages made by high university degree autors which provide trule unique scientific sources. or just very specific unique informations like this one providing tables of results of a historical chess championchips http://web.archive.org/web/20091021101919/http://geocities.com/al2055km/ch_repub/1919/ch_mos19.html --Updatehelper (talk) 00:13, 14 August 2010 (UTC)

Great, I just wasn't entirely clear on if you thought this was an automated process, or a semi-automated process that should be considered an automated process (i.e. treated as a bot, and require approval). Since you've made it clear at AN that it should be, I'm pretty happy, and am fine with this task being treated as a bot. Best, - Kingpin¹³ (talk) 17:48, 13 August 2010 (UTC)

Yes, semi-automated or otherwise it should be vetted by BAG or at the very least there should be community consensus established. –xeno^talk 17:49, 13 August 2010 (UTC)

Oocities

Hi, saw your reverts of someone else's change from the now-defunct geocities to oocities. For me, the oocities links were dead also, but I'm curious on what the scoop is here. I wasn't familiar with the issue. Enlighten me? Thanks! Montanabw^(talk) 01:29, 14 August 2010 (UTC)

See the discussion at WP:AN. –xeno^talk 16:15, 14 August 2010 (UTC)

WP:DARTS

Hi, when do you think your bot will be finished tagging the darts articles, and thanks for starting tagging. Mr.Kennedy1 ^talk 19:46, 14 August 2010 (UTC)

I apologize for the delay. There's a slight issue with the tagger. I'll try to get it done ~~within the next few days~~ shortly. –xeno^talk 21:28, 14 August 2010 (UTC)

Hi

Hello, Xeno. Regarding rename, i post it here. WP:CHUS#Tadija_.E2.86.92_WhiteWriter Hope that it will be enough. --Tadija^speaks 20:26, 14 August 2010 (UTC)

Ok. Let me see if it's still there. –xeno^talk 21:28, 14 August 2010 (UTC)

Talk headers

Sorry - didn't realize that was wrong. There's no WP:Darts talkpage template as yet; I'm going to see if I can't work one up and add it to them sometime soon. I'll replace those with that. --Ser Amantio di Nicolao^{Che dicono a Signa?}_{Lo dicono a Signa.} 23:37, 14 August 2010 (UTC)

{{WikiProject Darts}}, Xenobot just ran thru. –xeno^talk 13:04, 15 August 2010 (UTC)

You're good - it's like you read my mind, or something. :-) Any plan to work on the {{darts-bio-stub}} tag I proposed? I had intended on getting to that later today. --Ser Amantio di Nicolao^{Che dicono a Signa?}_{Lo dicono a Signa.} 16:37, 15 August 2010 (UTC)

Heh, I had a pending bot task. No, go ahead with the stub. –xeno^talk 12:40, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

MediaWiki wiki-formats clauses inside #if

Just when I thought large templates were difficult enough, I have discovered that the MediaWiki parser is wiki-formatting the contents of parameters INSIDE #if-expressions. This means that parameters containing spaces/semicolon can change their values while inside the if-clauses (surprise!). So, I see now, that a parameter {{{4}}} when outside an #if can display differently than inside {{#if: {{{4}}} ...}}. The worst shock is when parameter 4 contains a leading semicolon, which triggers formatting to become ye-olde bolded semicolon-header-line:

TEST1: {{#if:{{{4|}}}|{{{4|;}}} <== yes, semicolon|no, 4=empty}}

TEST2: {{#if:{{{4|;}}}|{{{4|;}}} <== yes, semicolon|no, 4=empty}}

TEST1: no, 4=empty TEST2: <== yes, semicolon <== Separate example of semicolon-header

I don't know how many times you have seen this problem before, but this is just a reminder: for showing the true contents of a template parameter, try to display a parameter outside of any if-statement clauses, or else prepare for some shocking results when a parameter is wiki-formatted for display inside the if-logic. Bizarre things to ponder. -Wikid77 (talk) 09:04, 15 August 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for the note. I'm not sure I fully grasp what's going on yet =) –xeno^talk 12:40, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

Moratorium on de-adminship proposals proposal

This is one of the funniest random comments I've ever come across. Worthy of Monty Python. I couldn't stop laughing. Thanks! ( ... googling, googling ...) Oh. Yes. Well. Alright, then. I should have suspected or remembered, after "Beautiful plumage, though," above. Yours was still a brilliant re-use, in the context, though, so I'll go ahead and post this, anyway. Thanks for making me laugh so hard. Best, – OhioStandard (talk) 11:19, 15 August 2010 (UTC)

Of course, African swallows are non-migratory... –xeno^talk 12:40, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

Any idea which bot this is? Looks like it got logged out...

Special:Contributions/71.244.112.164? Syrthiss (talk) 12:11, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

(talk page stalker) Looks like HBC Archive Indexerbot. The bot operator has already been informed, several times. - EdoDodo ^talk 12:14, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

There's also an ANI thread in the archives about this... far from the first time it happens. - EdoDodo ^talk 12:17, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

Yea. It's not a huge deal. –xeno^talk 12:40, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

Okee. Syrthiss (talk) 12:44, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

(Because it's only editing pages on request and tucked away pages that hardly anyone ever looks at) –xeno^talk 12:54, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

The reason I ask is I have an outstanding bug with Bugzilla where between one edit and the next I lose my session token and am logged out. I was kind of idly wondering if this was the same phenomenon or not. Syrthiss (talk) 12:59, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

Not sure, to be honest. Anything wonky going on with your system clock? –xeno^talk 13:01, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

AFAIK no. I'll ping Krellis, but not sure they'll have any info on it since I assume they aren't overseeing it when it happens. Syrthiss (talk) 13:11, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

Actually, nvm. Looks from further up his page that he doesn't know the circumstances either. Syrthiss (talk) 13:12, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

WP:DARTS

Hi, I see that the bot is finished tagging the articles, thanks alot for your help in setting it up. I was just wondering if their are any other bots that are useful for WikiProjects. Mr.Kennedy1 ^talk 13:16, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

No problem. Hm, there is User:ArticleAlertbot. And there is User:DASHBot which notifies the project of unreferenced BLPs. –xeno^talk 13:23, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

Would you really need DASHBot if you already have a cleanup listing from User:WolterBot, ArticleAlertbot sounds good though. Mr.Kennedy1 ^talk 15:09, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

I've just glanced briefly, but it seems WolterBot uses cleanup tags to identify articles; DASHBot AFAIK looks at the wikitext to see if there are refs, and also focuses only on BLPs which are higher priority. –xeno^talk 15:11, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

OK, I will try and get DASHBot on to WP:DARTS, thanks for the suggesiton. Mr.Kennedy1 ^talk 15:25, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

Wanted (video game)

Ah! I was just about to add the WikiProject banner myself. You're too quick. :) Reach Out to the Truth 15:03, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

hehe...watchlist OCD =) –xeno^talk 15:06, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

Thanks!

Maury Markowitz (talk) 19:57, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

Sure =) –xeno^talk 19:58, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

RfC on Microformats

If you agree with this, please re-add it. OrangeDog (τ • ε) 23:18, 15 August 2010 (UTC)

Probably best just to keep it on the microFormat topic. –xeno^talk 12:40, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

As you can see, Andy is using the fact that it only specifically says "microformats" to yell at anyone who mentions any other form of hidden semantic markup. OrangeDog (τ • ε) 13:34, 17 August 2010 (UTC)

It would probably be best to frame a new RFC on that topic, or initiate a discussion as to our overall handling of various types of semantic markup. –xeno^talk 02:05, 18 August 2010 (UTC)

New userright

I think you mentioned that it might be possible to craft a userright that permitting banning accounts no more than 5 days old. Would a userright that let one see deleted contribs only by those users be possible as well? Or if not, only deleted pages that had been initially created by those users, or only deleted pages containing edits by those users? - Dank (push to talk) 11:36, 17 August 2010 (UTC)

Oops, that was X! that mentioned it, I'll go ask at his page. - Dank (push to talk) 11:47, 17 August 2010 (UTC)

Consensus on Proposals page

Hi Xeno - this might sound dumb but I'm new - you commented on proposals, (Random Article section), that my proposal needs concensus - okay but at what point is concensus reached in wiki terms - how many ppl have to agree to the change before its accepted, and what is the procedure thereafter? Thanks for your time. Markdask (talk) 10:51, 17 August 2010 (UTC)

See WP:Consensus. Basically you are looking for a decent net number of supports over those expressing concern. –xeno^talk 23:34, 17 August 2010 (UTC)

Perfect - thank you xeno. One more question on another matter if I may - you will see I've copied your signature format for my own - but in order to apply it I have to use the 4 tildes - save page - then re edit to paste in the new signature. I'm sure you don't have to do that - u just use the 4 tildes. How do I edit my 4 tildes auto signature to include the new markup? Thanks again for above consensus link.

Mark^Dask 04:00, 18 August 2010 (UTC)

Special:Preferences, paste the code into the signature box and check "Treat the above as wikimarkup". –xeno^talk 12:42, 18 August 2010 (UTC)

Your RfB

Hey Xeno, I noticed that you passed RfB, and while I was away. I just wanted to let you know that had I been active at the time of your candidacy, I would have supported.

In addition, were there any technical or major policy changes implemented to the project in the two and a half months I was away that I need to be aware of? Thanks! Acalamari (from Bellatrix Kerrigan) 14:43, 18 August 2010 (UTC)

omgz A GIANT SQUID. Thanks =) Hm, I the only major thing that comes to mind would be the WP:Pending changes trial, which is now "over" (but the extension is still enabled for technical and practical reasons) and in the post-op discussion phase. –xeno^talk 14:46, 18 August 2010 (UTC)

Ha ha! :D Thanks for letting me know about that. Best. Acalamari (from Bellatrix Kerrigan) 14:49, 18 August 2010 (UTC)

CAT:TEMP

I have heard of pseudo-namespaces, but these are for redirects to another namespace. With CAT:TEMP, there is no redirect to another namespace. It is a non-article in the article namespace, and last time I checked, only the main page can do that. Since you won't speedy it, I'm nominating it for AfD. ~EDDY ^{(talk/contribs/editor review)}~ 18:12, 18 August 2010 (UTC)

CAT:TEMP formerly redirected to Category:Temporary Wikipedian userpages, and was linked in deletion logs. The formerly category provided an explanation of the deletion; it has since been deleted, which is why an explanation is provided at the "pseudo" page. You are, of course, free to nominate it for AfD if you wish. –xeno^talk 18:14, 18 August 2010 (UTC)

Resolved by agreement at AFD.

Silliness!

The Chronicle of Higher Education is a wonderful paper and website, but the way it has imprinted the use of "hu" as a gender-neutral pronoun into my brain makes me sad. If only "they" were accepted as a proper gender-neutral pronoun; that would make everything better. NW (Talk) 19:54, 18 August 2010 (UTC)

Indeed, singular they is my preferred form of g-n pronoun. –xeno^talk 19:55, 18 August 2010 (UTC)

Yo, cool cat.

Way to be a bureaucrat. [17] - The New Age Retro Hippie used Ruler! Now, he can figure out the length of things easily. 19:40, 18 August 2010 (UTC)

Thanks...I think =] –xeno^talk 19:45, 18 August 2010 (UTC)

What'd be even cooler is if you would help me write out content from the references in User:New Age Retro Hippie/Punch-Out characters! ;) Repayment for Redpill maybe? :P - The New Age Retro Hippie used Ruler! Now, he can figure out the length of things easily. 21:32, 18 August 2010 (UTC)

Oh dear, I knew that would come back to bite me one day. Why, oh why, didn't I take the blue pill? –xeno^talk 15:07, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

Piston Honda / Hondo... Please note one of your sources was The Escapist magazine, so the final bit is a bit political. Do feel free to trim if it's too heavy for a List of VG chars. –xeno^talk 02:25, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

Thanks

For the quick vandalism removal from my page. --_{Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus| talk} 01:20, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

I don't think Beeblebrox was making a deliberate attempt to compromise the integrity of the encyclopedia. If I've caught him correctly, his meaning was moreso to celebrate unbanned users, or something. –xeno^talk 01:36, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

Having read the discussion, I do think it was done in good faith. But I think this one does fall under the Hell Paving, Ltd. jurisdiction. --_{Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus| talk} 02:21, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

Copyright emergency

Hi, Xeno. We've got big problems, and I don't know what to do. :( User:Coren has been missing since July 20th, and CorenSearchBot is down. (I e-mailed him a coule of weeks ago and have received no answer.) I consider this pretty urgent, as CorenSearchBot typically finds dozens of valid copyright problems in a given day. I don't know how many of those will be found by new article reviewers; since I'm not seeing dozens more listings at WP:CP in the Bot's absence, it may not be that many, although of course a good many may be tagged for WP:CSD#G12. Do you have any advice as a botman? I don't know if anybody else has access to CorenSearchBot or if I can find somebody/something to back it up (or replace it) in its absence. --Moonriddengirl ^(talk) 14:33, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

It looks like the source code is published: http://www.uberbox.org/~marc/csb.pl (somewhat ironically, the copyright status of the code is not made explicit!). You might try posting at WP:BOTREQ or WP:BON seeking a temporary replacement or bot that can run in parallel should Coren resume bot activities. –xeno^talk 14:37, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

Okay, thank you much. I will do. --Moonriddengirl ^(talk) 14:38, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

I have a toolserver account and could probably bumble my way into running a replacement with that code if no one picks up the request, User:MZMcBride is also usually willing to take on tasks if no one else can be found. If you find a qualified operator, I can try and help speedy along the approval process - I agree this is a fairly critical and essential bot. –xeno^talk 14:40, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

I thought some other bot (Soxbot?) also does copyright violation notices? Syrthiss (talk) 14:43, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

Not sure, but it's not listed at User:SoxBot#Task(s). –xeno^talk 14:46, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

User:EarwigBot searches for copyvios at WP:AfC, but I don't know of any other bot that scans for them. --Moonriddengirl ^(talk) 14:47, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

ah I bet that what I was thinking of. I didnt know it had the limited scope. Syrthiss (talk) 14:49, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

Would be a good fit for EarwigBot then... Easier to speedily approve it when the botop already has experience in bot-detection of copyvio, too. –xeno^talk 14:50, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

I'll give Earwig a heads up about my BON listing, then. --Moonriddengirl ^(talk) 14:51, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

Ooh, looks like he left Wikipedia. AboundingHinata talk 20:24, 19 August 2010 (UTC)

Another useful bot down? We really need to have a rule that their code is public. Too often we come to depend on them, and when they go... chaos ensues. --_{Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus| talk} 02:23, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

Luckily this one's code was public. Discussion continues at Wikipedia:Bots/Requests for approval/VWBot 8. –xeno^talk 13:48, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

Good news, than. Kudos to Coren for public code - this should make resuming the bot operations possible soon. I wish AlertBot and WalterBot had public code... sigh. --_{Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus| talk} 02:00, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

Thank You

		The Barnstar of Good Humor
		While checking my watchlist this evening i came across the edit summary: "this change brought to you in part by the redundancy department of redundancy" on Kesha. I'm not exactly sure why it made me LOL but it did, so thank you for giving me a good laugh and keeping a good sense of humor. Have a nice evening :) - (CK)Lakeshade - talk2me - 04:45, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

Glad it gave you a chuckle =] –xeno^talk 13:21, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

Hi

Xeno has been made a member of the Order of the Mop,
for their work as an admin and is entitled to display
this award for being such a great admin,

Kind regards and happy editing,
Fridae'§Doom | Spare your time? 09:58, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

For a userbox version go here.

Thanks for all your work as crat over the last few months, in that time space you've become quite a high-standing positive contributor member and your work is appreciated. May you have more years of good work and success. Happy editing and kind regards, Fridae'§Doom | Spare your time? 09:58, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

Thanks! –xeno^talk 13:21, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

You're welcome :) Ғяіᴅaз'§Đоом | Spare your time? 01:53, 22 August 2010 (UTC)

Thanks.

Trying to come back after two years or so, but that O was bugging me, don't really go by AndonicO anymore. Thanks for the removal. Cheers, · Andonic ^Talk 14:34, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

No problem. If all your contributions still aren't moved in a month from now, you might need to reopen bugzilla:17313 –xeno^talk 14:35, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

Alright, will do. And thanks for the heads-up regarding the user-rights log, serves me right for messing around with all the new buttons. :P · Andonic ^Talk 14:54, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

No prob. P.S. Your sig needs updated =] –xeno^talk 14:55, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

Fixed. Now pretty much all my userpages... this should be fun. · Andonic ^Contact 16:04, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

Automatically generated graph

I posted this on the village pump, but thought perhaps you specifically might be able to help me as you have in the past (thanks again, btw). Another user has helped to generate a table of dermatology article and redirect creation over time. However, I would also like to have an automatically updated graph at the top of the page that plots article and redirect creation over time. I am sure there is a way to do this, but am uncertain how. Is there anyway to use any of these methods to do so? Thanks in advance! ---kilbad (talk) 20:18, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

Hm, I've never really done much (or any really) graphing with Wikipedia data. Hopefully you can find someone at the pump to help. Sorry, –xeno^talk 01:05, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Edit filter manager group

Hello Xeno. I was wondering if you could comment on my request to join the Edit filter manager group. Here's my request. I really hope you comment! :) Endofskull (talk) 20:20, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

I will look. –xeno^talk 01:05, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Just wanted to make sure...

You did get my message about my request to join the Edit filter manager group, that is right? Thanks! Endofskull (talk) 00:23, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Yes, I saw it. –xeno^talk 01:05, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Ken Harycki

Why do you censor [1] comments about a mayor who is using your media as a free ad instead of simply deleting it as already suggested? Elections have finite time frames and every day he gets your unabashed support is un-American! Either allow comments about his failed mayorship, or take the topic totally down. If you do not, I will file a complaint with the election board regarding your campaign ad. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 184.196.123.181 (talk) 00:52, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

It appears that the article is being discussed at AFD, at which point a decision will be made whether to keep it. –xeno^talk 01:03, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

a3ro's user page

Is what a3ro has on his user page currently appropriate user page material it is kind unclear to me. If you could please respond on my talk page. thanks, Inka 888 (talk) 02:57, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

It not very collaborative, but it probably doesn't strictly violate WP:UP guidelines. It does speak to a pattern of undesirable behaviour though. –xeno^talk 12:33, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

My comment on this user's page was perhaps badly worded. I meant that it would be possibly seen as vandalism if he continued to revert after being warned not to. --Anthony Bradbury^"talk" 21:53, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

So good they renamed it twice?

Hiya,

I'm a bit puzzled by this, because Z-Dub (talk · contribs) and MVKAF (talk · contribs) exist, and...well, I'm not sure who to notify about Wikipedia:Articles for creation/Asbury First United Methodist Church...and Z-Dubs talk is a redir, so...I suppose I'll note it on the other users talk. Am still puzzled though; I thought that AsburyFirst (talk · contribs) had been renamed to MVKAF (talk · contribs), and therefore that Z-Dub (talk · contribs) was some totally other user.

Would be grateful for some clarification, thx. Chzz ► 08:08, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Sometimes, due to cookies and SUL, the "old" account will get automatically re-created after a rename [18] (due to globalicity) and often these users seek a rename "again". See [19] which confirms that it was renamed twice. You might try leaving messages on both registered user talk pages (unredirecting Z-Dub). –xeno^talk 12:32, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

I see, sort-of; thanks. I've done that, overwriting the redirect. Thanks, Chzz ► 21:09, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

X!

You guys have a similar name. Do you know each other? Just wondering. By the way, thanks for renaming me. Cheers. Hinata talk 14:13, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Not personally... we're both bureaucrats though. I am User:Xeno formerly User:Xenocidic; User:X! is formerly User:Soxred93. –xeno^talk 14:14, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Alright. Have you ever talked to him? Hinata talk 14:15, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

I've communicated with them from time to time, yes. –xeno^talk 14:18, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Namechange related question

Apparently User:MrHighway is leaving wiki, and put a CSD for db-blank on his userpage which I did. However, I know that he's had a couple usernames in the past here (renamed both times by Nihonjoe). As such, his userpage has been moved twice by Nihonjoe. Would that invalidate the db-blank (since MrHighway isn't really the sole contributor to the page), or is there some reason you all would need to retain that page? Just want to make sure I didn't overstep. Thanks! Syrthiss (talk) 16:44, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Not really, as you could've just used the more appropriate WP:CSD#U1 in this instance. –xeno^talk 16:49, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Question about your comment

You said "Responding to requests for filters, commenting on their propriety, sandboxing code, determining the reasons for false positives and suggesting how to fix, etc., would help demonstrate that you can be trusted to make good use of the edit filter manager userright".

Is sandboxing code just like making codes, for the edit filter, that is just for the experience? Oh yeah, and thanks for closing it, I just wanted to know ways I could prove myself experienced. Thanks! Endofskull (talk) 22:34, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Yes, suggesting code and such (like folks have done for requests at Wikipedia:Edit filter/Requested). No problem. Best of luck, –xeno^talk 01:20, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Poke

Hey Xeno. Just letting you know I finally finished that request you made a while ago. I replied on my talk page. --Tim 1357 ^talk 02:05, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Capital! Thanks for the note. –xeno^talk 02:07, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Thank you

I appreciate everything Xeno, once again. Truly, an awesome Wikipedian. Thank you, and consider yet another lesson well-learned. Tommy! [message] 23:08, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

No worries. –xeno^talk 03:28, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

A "better" A

Of all the responses I might have expected from anyone, yours was by far the least likely! Thanks for dropping by - Pointillist (talk) 23:05, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Nice prose =) –xeno^talk 23:07, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

h, my Greek name. FWIW I changed the letter because it was looked far too modern for the olde style prose. –xeno^talk 23:14, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

illegal signature

I didn't know. Sorry. Hinata talk 23:33, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Don't sweat it. –xeno^talk 03:28, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

just wondering

when someone is doing rfa what is a considered by most editors a good standing? Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 02:43, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

See WP:PASSRFA for some pointers. –xeno^talk 03:28, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

what is xfd. Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 03:52, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

WP:XFD; a codeword for deletion discussions without specifying the type. Courcelles 03:53, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Zenu? Is that you?

I need to know if your zenu, from $cientology legends. If so i need my OT 111 clear. If your zena, warrior princess, then i think a hard bj and the arabian goggles should be yours for the taking, oh yes. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Master696 (talk • contribs) 03:08, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Nothing to do with scientology or xena =] Just a friendly stranger. –xeno^talk 03:28, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Rembember to sign you posts using four titles. Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 03:14, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Or even tildes. — Martin (MSGJ · talk) 08:40, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Oh thats meant it was a typo. Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 13:17, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Lol

Witty responce, much lols ensue !11!! Touche! {=> Master696 (talk) 04:25, 25 August 2010 (UTC) master696

Heh. Cheers, –xeno^talk 13:31, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Wow!

I was trying to fix the typo and getting weird messages "taget doesn't exits". No worries. Rich Farmbrough, 13:28, 25 August 2010 (UTC).

Yeah, figured we should get rid of that "WikiProjet" post-haste! –xeno^talk 13:31, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

I'll leave those 5 for now, but I'll create the rules for them anyway. Rich Farmbrough, 13:29, 25 August 2010 (UTC).

Cool. Thanks! –xeno^talk 13:31, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

OK it's there, I added a handful of talk page templates too. Maths Rating doesn't seem to have a canonical style redirect, the other four do, so I made them the targets. Rich Farmbrough, 14:10, 25 August 2010 (UTC).

Awesome! I know the maths project has been particularly opposed to standardizing. Something to do with the fact that they don't actually tag every topic, unless it needs a rating. Or something. –xeno^talk 14:12, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Never got your reply

I never got your reply by email, even though you said replied. Thanks Secret ^account 16:45, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Have you checked your spam filter? It was sent Wed, Aug 25, 2010 at 16:13 UTC. I can give you my response here, if you like. –xeno^talk 16:46, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Just checked it thanks. Secret ^account 16:49, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Angry Birds

I didn't think that was a spoiler ... besides, it's been in the article for some time, along with a lot of fancruft that I removed. We could sure use some images for this, I think. --McDoobAU93 (talk) 17:58, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Don't worry, I was half joking. I guess I haven't gotten to the big reds yet, I'm still only halfway through "Danger Above". I didn't even know until a few days ago they released extra episodes, this game just keeps on delivering. 99 cents is a steal. An image would be great. –xeno^talk 18:01, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Cosa Wiki Nostra?

haha. you messa witha ma blots.. joey pay you lil visit? Martinevans123 (talk) 20:20, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

you need to make me an offer I can't refuse! –xeno^talk 20:21, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

"dozens of ec's"

Thought my browser would crash before the EC's stopped. Cheers, Dloh cierekim 03:01, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

While typing the dozens of ec's comment I worried that it would lead me into another. –xeno^talk 03:03, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

(after ec) Dloh cierekim 03:01, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

you Evil bastard. You did that just to EC me. You win this round, Dlohcierekim. –xeno^talk 03:02, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

confused

If i ask a question like "Are you using a sockpuppet account under the name of fastily sock". is saying that on fastily's user page is that considered not assuming good faith. I phrased it as a question opposed to saying accusing fastily of using a sock puppet. Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 04:09, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

Sock puppet is a bit of a loaded term, "alternate account" would have been better (see WP:SOCK#LEGIT). In this case, the provenance of the account was abundantly clear from the history of the user page [20]. –xeno^talk 12:34, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

Hi

Reviewer might be interesting. Do you have any objections? While I don't routinely edit, I read a lot and perhaps I might be of some use if the mood strikes me. Cheers, Katerenka (talk) 14:23, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

No objections. –xeno^talk 14:24, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

You're quick. Thank you (on a personal note, I haven't talked to you in awhile and hope that bureaucratship is treating you well ;]). Katerenka (talk) 14:29, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

Indeed, many of my talk page ~~layabouts~~stalkers have ~~abandoned me~~ been absent without leave. ;p –xeno^talk 14:31, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

If I may speak from my own personal experience, you're just not as interesting as you used to be. Try to liven up a bit. ;) Katerenka (talk) 14:37, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

Shocked and appalled! Look, if we were to build this large wooden badger... –xeno^talk 14:38, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

*smack* Ah! Run away! Run away! :p Katerenka (talk) 14:44, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

Wolf keeper's sock(s)

All-in-all, do you think a CU is needed to flush out more "wolves"? Or has that been done already. Dloh cierekim 15:11, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

I suspect Jpgordon already checked the drawer when he confirmed the connection at ANI. –xeno^talk 15:13, 26 August 2010 (UTC)

Follow-up

I just wanted to make you aware of an informal thread I started regarding a possible DermBOT. Perhaps you could share you thoughts on the matter? Thanks again for all your help in the past! ---kilbad (talk) 01:17, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

I'm not sure I have anything useful to add. It seems uncontroversial enough so a BRFA would likely be successful. –xeno^talk 15:50, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

Regarding Talk page- Setting up

With due my best regards, I want to ask u something.

I used Wikipedia quite often but created a Wikipedia account just a day before. Till now I have very small list of contributions to Wikipedia. But before making further contributions, I want to setup my talk page for discussions and help like as you has done. I tried to setup automatic archiving of talk page and to setup archive index as you has done in your talk page. but I think it would not work. Please help me to do the same. I am waiting for your reply.

Best regards,
Brar7 (talk) 09:04, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

Hm I think you're all set. Of course you need some threads to be archived before you will have an archive =] –xeno^talk 12:38, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

Canada's Largest Ribfest

Since you seem to agree that the subject is notable and that the article is worth keeping as long as major issues are addressed, I suggest that you post Withdraw in the AfD. That way, I can do a non-admin closure of the AfD, and save the admins some time. Plus that way people can focus on fixing the article than waste time discussing what seems to be leaning inevitably to keep anyhow. —CodeHydro

When I procedurally nominated it, I had thought that at least the person who erroneously prodded the article would show up to opine delete. Also, letting it run allows it to be closed as keep rather than withdrawn which may discourage future deletion processes. –xeno^talk 15:02, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

Just wanted to say

		All Around Amazing Barnstar
		For your general willingness to apply yourself where you are needed, helping out in many different areas of Wikipedia, and devoting your time to keeping the website running smoothly. --Moonriddengirl ^(talk) 03:03, 28 August 2010 (UTC)

Truly, your Wiki is lucky to have you, and, on a more personal level, I am very pleased to know you. :) --Moonriddengirl ^(talk) 03:03, 28 August 2010 (UTC)

This means a lot, thanks Moon-r-g =] –xeno^talk 14:00, 28 August 2010 (UTC)

I'll throw in another

myself. You've earned it, buckaroo! - The New Age Retro Hippie used Ruler! Now, he can figure out the length of things easily. 18:56, 28 August 2010 (UTC)

Banner broke (Xenobot Mk V)

Your bot replaced {{PCP}} with {{WikiProject Pok}}, which appears to be a broken link. What happened there? _Blake ^{(Talk·Edits)} 04:09, 28 August 2010 (UTC)

Hm. I'll have to take a look... Probably the é in WikiProject Pokémon messed something up. Thank you for the note. –xeno^talk 14:00, 28 August 2010 (UTC)

stewards?

what are stewards, how do you become one (besides being elected), how much experience does a person need? Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 20:52, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

Stewards have all the keys to the castle; they can add and remove all userrights on all Wikimedia projects and do such things as act as bureaucrats on wikis without local coverage. This position requires the utmost trust and lots of experience. See m:Steward. –xeno^talk 22:46, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

Some of them have only been active since 2010. and does I still don't get what wikimedia is in terms of projects. Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 22:54, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

If they are only active since 2010 on en.wiki, their home wiki is probably elsewhere. Wikimedia Foundation is the non-profit organization that owns Wikipedia and all the other Wikipedias, the Wikimedia Commons, Wiktionary, etc. –xeno^talk 22:57, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

I knew what it was remotely. So it goes admin crat steward, to dumb it down a little. Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 23:02, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

It's not really a hierarchy, as such. They fulfill different roles and typically can't/don't/won't override the other positions. I shouldn't have used the kingdom analogy =) –xeno^talk 23:04, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

It's fine, The way the articles were written it kind of sounded like there was a hierarchy. Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 23:09, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

There is, and there isn't. Oh, if you're talking about the "Active from" on the m:Stewards page, that's when they were active as a steward, not Wikimedian. –xeno^talk 23:10, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

I was talking about user access levels more. Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 23:14, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

Administrators have more rights than Bureaucrats or Stewards: Special:ListGroupRights. Of course, the latter two are almost always administrators first. –xeno^talk 23:15, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

Is it bad that I look at that thing, and despite having the buttons, I don't even know what a few of the admin rights do? For example, what on Earth is a "trackback", and why would I ever need it? Courcelles 23:18, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

You got me on that one. Unused feature related to blogs, maybe? –xeno^talk 23:25, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

also i think a some of the Bureaucrats are stewards. Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 23:44, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

bot problem

imagetaggingbot told me that there is no copyright tag on the file i uploaded. There is a copyright tag on the file i uploaded. i can't find a better explanation. Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 00:14, 30 August 2010 (UTC)

You should leave a message for User talk:Carnildo. –xeno^talk 01:59, 30 August 2010 (UTC)

Deletion of user:WikiSRW

Hello, why was his front page obliterated? He is going under a possible unblock request and an ANI function. Phearson (talk) 20:28, 30 August 2010 (UTC)

Because it's obvious he wasn't intending to deceptively sock, so there is no need to keep the {{blockedsock}} template there. –xeno^talk 20:30, 30 August 2010 (UTC)

I just noticed the unblock. Sorry to bother you. Phearson (talk) 20:31, 30 August 2010 (UTC)

No bother. Cheers, –xeno^talk 20:32, 30 August 2010 (UTC)

Resolved

I see you resolved that thread. Shouldn't that wait for at least an acknowledgement from the admin that he made an improper block? His last post was still defending it?--Cube lurker (talk) 19:47, 31 August 2010 (UTC)

Actually Avi marked it resolved [21]. –xeno^talk 19:49, 31 August 2010 (UTC)

My bad must have misread the history.--Cube lurker (talk) 19:52, 31 August 2010 (UTC)

No worries. I marked the thread immediately above it as resolved (similar title). That's probably what happened. –xeno^talk 19:58, 31 August 2010 (UTC)

Ahh that was it. Almost the same header title too.--Cube lurker (talk) 20:04, 31 August 2010 (UTC)

hat

I was bold and hatted part of this. Probably the last section should be too, but I'm not comfortable as the arbiter of what others talk about. Thanks. Dloh cierekim 21:02, 31 August 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for the note. I don't plan to post to that page further, as it's become abundantly clear to me what's going on there. –xeno^talk 21:06, 31 August 2010 (UTC)

Pile of EC

Thanks for the cleanup. Even if I did e/c again with you trying to clean up after myself. :-) — Coren ^(talk) 23:27, 31 August 2010 (UTC)

No problem. There is a slight grammatical errors you might want to fix, though. (being done -> be taken) –xeno^talk 23:29, 31 August 2010 (UTC)

There is something unconductive to proper grammar and clarity in trying to cut and paste and rewrite around 5 or 6 straight edit conflicts. :-) — Coren ^(talk)

Well-met =) –xeno^talk 23:40, 31 August 2010 (UTC)

cascade protection

what is it? Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 01:43, 1 September 2010 (UTC)

When a page is cascade protected, all the pages that are transcluded onto that page are also fully protected. See WP:CASCADING for further info. And sorry, Xeno, for cutting in. Useight (talk) 01:48, 1 September 2010 (UTC)

Not at all =) Good to see you, Useight –xeno^talk 04:23, 1 September 2010 (UTC)

and also what about permanent protection, I read the info on it but is it put on from commons. and also who can edit it. And a third thing can admins use that protection. Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 02:37, 1 September 2010 (UTC)

Some items are indefinitely protected such as high risk templates and interface messages. See WP:Protection policy#Permanent protection. Yes admins can edit these pages. –xeno^talk 04:23, 1 September 2010 (UTC)

Cancel rfa...

Hey, thanks for the advice. I suppose I might as well stop the vote. Is there a way to stop it but keep the page, so I can go over it? Thanks again ΤΕΡΡΑΣΙΔΙΩΣ(^Ταλκ) 02:21, 1 September 2010 (UTC)

I can close it for you if you'd like. The page would still be there for future perusal at your leisure. Katerenka ^[talk] 02:25, 1 September 2010 (UTC)

Yes - as Katerenka noted, the RFA will still be available for viewing. If you wish to withdraw, simply make a comment on the RFA below your nomination statement to that effect and someone will close it. Cheers, –xeno^talk 04:20, 1 September 2010 (UTC) (copied from user talk:Terrasidius)

Consensus discussion on photo

Hi. I've started a consensus discussion here, and would appreciate your input, as long as it doesn't hurt your "rehab". :-) Thanks. Nightscream (talk) 03:21, 2 September 2010 (UTC)

Commented there. Don't worry too much about the {{lazy sleeping barnstar}}, it appears whenever my talk page is < 500 bytes. =) –xeno^talk 12:45, 2 September 2010 (UTC)

Lori Douglas

Xeno, am I correct in assuming that you 'cleaned up' the article's history because of the details in there, which are possible BLP violations? They were reported on in that CBC article--does that already go too far for WP? Thanks, Drmies (talk) 05:12, 2 September 2010 (UTC)

A great portion was redacted because it contained direct copy and paste from the CBC article. You rightly note that some other portions were redacted because they were unsuitable in terms of the "original research" details that were included as you noted in your ANI report. –xeno^talk 12:33, 2 September 2010 (UTC)

Thanks Xeno. To clarify, I asked because I wanted to know how strict our policy was, so to speak--am I correct in saying that we take our plagiarism seriously, to the point of removing it entirely from the history? (That means there's a lot of work, in many articles!) Thanks again, Drmies (talk) 15:47, 2 September 2010 (UTC)

In general we do try our best to remove copyright violations, but you're right - it is a monumental and never-ending task. This is not to say there were not other redaction criteria that might have applied to the material being removed, but RD1 was conveniently appropriate for a large swath of edits. Thank you for your diligence in this matter and for bringing it to our attention. –xeno^talk 15:54, 2 September 2010 (UTC)

MessageDeliveryBot

I would like to be approved for the message delivery bot. I would like to see how the bot works and help approve messages sent by the bot. I am planning on starting a newsletter soon. Thanks! Joe Gazz84^user•_talk•^contribs•_{Editor Review} 14:02, 2 September 2010 (UTC)

Hmm, where is the consensus for the newsletter? Right now there aren't that many submissions so there is not really a need for additional personnel to approve submissions and the list is intentionally kept small so that unsuitable messages aren't approved. But User:EdoDodo runs the bot so feel free to ask them. –xeno^talk 14:09, 2 September 2010 (UTC)

I have not yet submitted it but I will get involved somehow and then ask him at a later time. Joe Gazz84^user•_talk•^contribs•_{Editor Review} 21:55, 2 September 2010 (UTC)

Public domain and Wikipedia.

Can I copy-paste the content under village pump? Because this discussion needs to be there. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Rishikeshan (talk • contribs) 14:22, 2 September 2010 (UTC)

As long as you properly attribute - see WP:Copying within Wikipedia. –xeno^talk 14:23, 2 September 2010 (UTC)

MFD passover

I appreciate you bringing the previous deletion discussion on Wikipedia:Miscellany for deletion/User:Happenstance/Imagfriend‎ while just passing over it but I was wondering, were you going to consider putting in a !vote on it? The C of E. God Save The Queen! (talk) 16:23, 2 September 2010 (UTC)

Hmmm...... recuse as an existentialist. =) –xeno^talk 16:30, 2 September 2010 (UTC)

MfD archiving

Hi, Xeno. I reverted your edits here because removal of those transclusions would prevent One bot (talk · contribs) from archiving them to Wikipedia:Miscellany for deletion/Archived debates/August 2010. Cunard (talk) 21:49, 2 September 2010 (UTC)

Hm... Thank you for the note! I am out of practice. I think I did this a few days ago as well, I'd better double check on that... –xeno^talk 03:26, 3 September 2010 (UTC)

Thank you

Thank you for dealing with my account issue. Looking forward to contributing to Wikipedia in whatever way I can. Russell Dent (talk) 00:13, 3 September 2010 (UTC)

No problem. Happy editing, –xeno^talk 03:26, 3 September 2010 (UTC)

featured articles

How do you get a featured article under your name? Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 01:37, 3 September 2010 (UTC)

Please see WP:A-Z. –xeno^talk 03:26, 3 September 2010 (UTC)

Bot Servers

I am going to be taking over the Article Alert Bot and I was wondering where can I run the script. This is my first bot and I was wanting to know where I can put the files to run the script. I also was wondering if I need to get the bot approved again even though I am taking it over. Joe Gazz84^user•_talk•^contribs•_{Editor Review} 15:37, 5 September 2010 (UTC)

You could apply for a m:Toolserver account. Are you just taking over the account or is it a new bot account? If the former I guess you could just post at WT:BRFA or something. If it's the latter, you'll need a new BRFA. –xeno^talk 22:20, 5 September 2010 (UTC)

Village Pump discussions

Hi Xeno. I've posted a query at the Village Pump on whether -- while considering an article tagged with a csd A7 -- the claim of being a Hindu saint should be always considered equivalent to being a claim of notability. Your views would be appreciated. In case you might know of other editors who would be interested, kindly do inform them too. Warm regards. ♪ ♫ Wifione ♫ ♪ _―Œ^{♣Łeave Ξ мessage♣} 19:28, 6 September 2010 (UTC)

Hm, I don't have much familiarity with the subject. But Beeblebrox is right in that only an assertion of notability is required to avoid A7. Someone similarly unfamiliar with the subject would likely make the same decision coming across an article Soandso was a Hindu saint.... –xeno^talk 12:44, 7 September 2010 (UTC)

True. Agreed. Can't help it :-) Thanks for the reply and warm regards. ♪ ♫ Wifione ♫ ♪ _―Œ^{♣Łeave Ξ мessage♣} 02:46, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Keeping an eye

You're quite right! Oops. Apologies for that. :( --Korruski (talk) 16:59, 7 September 2010 (UTC)

Don't sweat it. –xeno^talk 17:00, 7 September 2010 (UTC)

Chicago run

Since your last Chicago run was July, how about another.--TonyTheTiger (T/C/BIO/WP:CHICAGO/WP:FOUR) 20:11, 7 September 2010 (UTC)

I've been slacking. I'll put a pending request to remind me. Maybe CHI can be put on a recurring quarterly program or something. –xeno^talk 20:13, 7 September 2010 (UTC)

Do you mean have the bot automatically run Chicago once a quarter, or me remind you once a quarter?--TonyTheTiger (T/C/BIO/WP:CHICAGO/WP:FOUR) 20:28, 7 September 2010 (UTC)

Me run the bot once a quarter - hopefully without needing reminder =) –xeno^talk 20:29, 7 September 2010 (UTC)

I don't know how much trouble I am causing, but I kind of hope to get an update more than once a quarter. In fact, I am asking now so that I can ask again in late October right before the WP:CUP ends (although it has nothing to do with the cup.--TonyTheTiger (T/C/BIO/WP:CHICAGO/WP:FOUR) 20:58, 7 September 2010 (UTC)

question

If i had a problem with a user and that user was an admin where would i bring it up, would i take to stewards of WP:WQA? Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 23:44, 7 September 2010 (UTC)

If it's a problem with civility, then WP:WQA would be the right venue. Stewards do not involve themselves in en.wiki dispute resolution. More generally, you could just post to WP:AN or WP:ANI. But you should always try talking with the user first. –xeno^talk 23:46, 7 September 2010 (UTC)

It is a ANI conversation here see DGG's comment to me about my use of twinkle. Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 23:53, 7 September 2010 (UTC)

It seems civil to me. I've marked that thread resolved. You really do need to slow down and be sure you are doing the right things for the right reasons. –xeno^talk 23:58, 7 September 2010 (UTC)

DGG's comment about a bock was not assuming good faith. Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 00:01, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

They don't seem to be failing to assume good faith, but providing fair warning: I believe they are concerned that you may make further mistakes in good faith. Eliminating the mistakes is probably your best bet. Have you considered seeking a mentor? –xeno^talk 00:04, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Where do i get a mentor. Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 01:34, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Wikipedia:ADOPT. Katerenka ^[talk] 01:35, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Yea, adopters aren't quite mentors but they do a lot of the same thing and might be a good fit. Look for one of the more experienced folk at WP:ADOPTERS, perhaps. –xeno^talk 16:01, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Regarding Fefe Dobson's single "Ghost"

Hi, I got your mail:
*Hm, it's dipped (slid to 15)... I thought it would go higher, it's pretty catchy. Now it might go back up, but I wouldn't object to the 'peak' being noted now. –xeno^talk 14:27, 7 September 2010 (UTC)

Ok, I wouldn't object either if you do it...but I have no problem in waiting another week or two just to see what happens.Yes, I've watchlist your page now,—Iknow23 (talk) 01:44, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Yea, maybe we can give it a bit more time. Thanks for the response, –xeno^talk 16:00, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

ANI

Collapsing the entire list of diffs under an informative label, rather than hiding a particularly offensive quote, was a good idea, and an option that didn't occur to me. Well done. --JN 466 15:57, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Sure... Glad to help =] Cheers, –xeno^talk 15:58, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Sigs and content disputes

Done. thanks--intelati^(Call) 17:13, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Much obliged! –xeno^talk 17:15, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

On a different subject, can you take a look at the Wikipedia:Wikiquette alerts#A call to cleanse Windows Phone 7 for me please. There is an ongoing street fight. Thanks--intelati^(Call) 17:17, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

At a glance, it doesn't seem like a WQA issue. I've peeked at the issue over the last few days but haven't had time to really do a deep dive. –xeno^talk 17:22, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

I'm trying to get a uninvolved Big stick into the conversation.--intelati^(Call) 17:33, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

It looks like administrator Shubinator (talk · contribs · blocks · protections · deletions · page moves · rights · RfA) is already on the scene. I must admit, I'm pretty disinclined to get involved there. I've used a Windows Mobile phone in the past, and now that I have the iPhone, I could hardly be considered neutral on the matter ;> –xeno^talk 17:36, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

You are probably the biggest stick to even look at it. :D Thanks anyway.--intelati^(Call) 17:40, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Where would the appropriate place be for it?--intelati^(Call) 17:43, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Well, WQA is for users who are making personal attacks or being uncivil. It just seems like you guys are in a content dispute. (Again, I've only skimmed things) You should continue to work within the WP:BRD and WP:DR frameworks. –xeno^talk 17:47, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Things have really escalated from when I saw the prompt at WP:AN/I (9/6) till now. One editor has threatened to revert to his (IMO correct) version until blocked. ("I will continue to maintain my improved version of the article and revert all your reverts until I am banned. Your obsession with keeping the article a mess is ridiculous.") So I'm not sure what to do now.--intelati^(Call) 17:52, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Try making improvements in smaller increments rather than sweeping changes? –xeno^talk 17:53, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Already done that, spelling out the changes in the talk first.--intelati^(Call) 17:54, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

If edit wars are boiling over, then you could always report at WP:RFPP requesting full protection while the dispute is resolved at the talk page. –xeno^talk 17:56, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Not really "edit warring" but "Consensus Warring(?)" Like in the Pending changes talk. There are similarities, Like theres one person causing a lot of trouble, (Jéské Couriano, and Lester)... --intelati^(Call) 17:59, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

I guess make a note at ANI with the diffs in question. To me it just seems like a run-of-the-mill content dispute that should be dealt with through calm talk and compromise. Shubinator is there to mediate... –xeno^talk 18:03, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for the help and Sig suggestion. Be sure to use that big stick wisely.--intelati^(Call) 18:05, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

These days I prefer to speak softly, and not pull out the stick =] –xeno^talk 18:07, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

:D Same here (oh wait :/)--intelati^(Call) 18:09, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Awarding of the UserPage BarnStar

		The Excellent User Page Award
		For the effort put into your userpage, matches none I have seen as of yet Wolfnix • Talk • 17:44, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

I have your pages on watch and in my toolbox, because my talent pails in comparison to yours *bows* --Wolfnix • Talk • 17:44, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Thanks! –xeno^talk 17:48, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Category:Alaska Native - WTF?

What happened here? Why is this category now singular? I've been away o might have noticed it before this. I can see a point in Category:Alaska Native peoples but in the current form it's asymmetric to other indigenous-people categories; e.g. Category:Aboriginal people of Canada does not exist, the usage is plural, unless it's meant in reference to individuals, not groups. Haida where I noticed this is about a group, not an individual Haida. Was there a CfD to change this name? To me it looks like Cydebot did it, and I have to ask WHY????. Please reply on my talkpage, my watchlist is far too long as it is...Skookum1 (talk) 20:50, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Erm it looks like a result of either or both of Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2009 May 16#American people and topics and Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2010 March 10#People by ethnicity - Fooians to Fooian people. Do feel free to renominate for rename if the end result isn't proper. –xeno^talk 20:55, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

I have limited time back here and a shakey system/connection to work on...it's tiring and actually a waste of my valuable time to have to engage process to get things like this done, when they never should have gotten past the radar. IMO there's too many admins that don't have sufficient basic English and/or logical skills taking part in things like CfDs....I'll refer this to Good Olfactory as with other similar problems.Skookum1 (talk) 22:25, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

I can haz rollback?

Not that I'll use it very often, but it might be occasionally useful. (p.s. Hope all is well with you.) --Floquenbeam (talk) 03:18, 9 September 2010 (UTC)

but of course. =] –xeno^talk 14:38, 9 September 2010 (UTC)

Thanks. --Floquenbeam (talk) 20:16, 9 September 2010 (UTC)

Archiving issues

Thank You each time I try it it archives to "/dev/null" is that right, or where does it archive it to ?--intelati^(Call) 15:04, 9 September 2010 (UTC)

It was because you didn't have a target set, so MiszaBot archives it to "/dev/null" which is nerdspeak for just deleting it entirely. –xeno^talk 15:06, 9 September 2010 (UTC)

where will the first archive be, "User talk:intelati/1"?--intelati^(Call) 15:08, 9 September 2010 (UTC)

|archive = User talk:Intelati/Archive %(counter)d

It will be archived to User talk:Intelati/Archive 1 since |counter=1. –xeno^talk 15:11, 9 September 2010 (UTC)

Thank You

Just wanted to drop you a quick note and say thank you for fixing the Liquid metal (disambiguation) page. I had it your way but another editor kept overriding me and telling me it had to be capitalized. Thanks for all of your help!! Kandi111777 (talk) 18:15, 9 September 2010 (UTC)

I think they were referring to your (Disambiguation) instead of (disambiguation). No problem. Thanks for your efforts on the article! –xeno^talk 18:17, 9 September 2010 (UTC)

Login help

(Juliancoltan referred me to you)

I need help logging in, I enter in my username and password and get this:

Login successful From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search

"You have successfully signed in to Wikipedia as "Knowledgekid87".

For help using Wikipedia, please see the help page.

Logging you in to Wikimedia's other projects: (what's this?)"

However as soon as I click on another link it shows me logged out again and says I need to log in, now I cleared my cookies and temps but still have trouble. Is there any way you can help me? None of the other websites I use are giving me this issue. - 24.91.121.72 (talk) 23:37, 9 September 2010 (UTC)

Strange... rePost to Wp:VPT and include your browser, version and OS and I'll take a look next time I'm at a PC. –xeno^talk 23:47, 9 September 2010 (UTC)

Okay and thanks =) I reposted it there. - 24.91.121.72 (talk) 23:58, 9 September 2010 (UTC)

The Blues Brothers

I notice (as I looked at your Userboxen page) you have a Blues Brothers userbox. Might I also suggest the following: {{User:Neutralhomer/Userboxes/106Miles}}

User:Neutralhomer/Userboxes/106Miles

who's using it?

...it is a little something I made up awhile back. :) - Neutralhomer • Talk • 03:10, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Definitely another choice line from that movie. I must've watched it 100 times when I was a kid =] –xeno^talk 03:14, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

My count is above 100, probably above 200. I have the 25th Anniversary edition and watch it when I am bored and nothing is on. We had the old "red cover" VHS when I was a kid, the original covered VHS, but it got lost in a pawn. I hold onto my DVD of The Blues Brothers now.

As for the quotes, I bet anyone could go through and find a slew of great quotes for userboxes. My all time favorite was Donald "Duck" Dunn, as the band is leaving "The Country Bunker", saying "we could turn goat piss into gasoline" about the band in their heyday. That line, to this day, still makes me laugh cause it is just so out there and he is so serious about it. :) - Neutralhomer • Talk • 04:05, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

ANI thead neutralhomer

It seems like the disscussion is kind of stale should it be closed? --Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 03:29, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

he's actually already closed it.--intelati^(Call) 03:30, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

It is still there, I'm not going to do it because I'm afraid I might screw it up. Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 03:41, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

I guess you're talking about a closure using {{archive top}} or a {{hat}} or something. These aren't requisites to closing threads at ANI, a {{resolved}} tag is usually enough. –xeno^talk 13:07, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

I figured he meant it was still on the page and hadn't been moved to the archive page. But that was just my take on it. - Neutralhomer • Talk • 13:15, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Thats what I meant. Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 21:34, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Friendly still? Talkpage edits?

Hi Xeno, Neutralhomer suggested I bring this up to you. This is a copy and paste, with update at bottom.

Just letting you know that Inka 888 has been spending their effort using Friendly to add welcome messages (that let new users know they can contact Inka for help). I did leave a polite message advising more personal Wikipedia experience should probably be gained before offering to help others.

But anyway, I was just wondering whether (that aside) Inka should be doing this: User_talk:Kalakold (and) http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Kalakold&diff=prev&oldid=383927655 (or this: User_talk:66.191.247.174 - check history... I cleared an inappropriately given warning on that one).

Anyway, I'm trying to do a quick check to see if there's other things that need cleanup. Curious if someone should replace the welcome templates as well...

The Userpage edit Inka did has already been addressed, and Inka has been given a better understanding of what not to do on other user's userpages. Best, RobertMfromLI | User Talk 04:16, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Inka was actually on the right track on this user's page. I removed the rest of the information per WP:CHILD. Maybe an oversight/revdel is in order as well. Dr.K. ^{λogosπraxis} 05:07, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

I respectfully disagree. Inka removed it because he felt it was promotional. The entire page should have been blanked, as is done now (you beat me to it... I'd just removed the warning to the Talk Page, took a better look at the userpage diff and clicked over to wipe it only to notice you'd already blanked the userpage). So, it was pure luck that the job was partially done, and entirely due to an improper understanding of such things. Best, RobertMfromLI | User Talk 05:13, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

(edit conflict) I mentioned that Inka was on the right track not that he acted perfectly. Given his relative inexperience he did not complete the edit properly. Per WP:NOTMYSPACE, self-promotional stuff is frowned upon in most cases so Inka's rationale about the link being promotional was on the right track. Dr.K. ^{λogosπraxis} 05:20, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

On the other hand, users are given guidance (e.g. Wikipedia:SIG#External links) that they can include external links on their userpage. As long as it's not overly or strictly promotional... –xeno^talk 13:06, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

That too has always been my understanding, couple with WP:NOTMYSPACE not mentioning "self promotion" (external links) for things about userspace. There is someplace another userspace document that also suggests (sparingly) using external links as opposed to wrting a book about oneself on their userspace.

I have two on mine. One to my personal website, one to my IMDB page. They arent there for promotional purposes, but instead are there so anyone who believes I may have a COI on any matter (mostly Star Trek Phase 2 related stuff) or in the event I give permission or change licenses for STP2 image use, that other editors can figure out I am exactly who I claim I am.

Interestingly, links to one's personal website seem a lot less intrusive, destructive or promotional; than a number of user pages with 100 userbox entries about their likes, interests, hobbies and so on. Odd irony I think - which is the only reason I mention it (as I do understand why there are guidlelines against going overboard with such - I just think the current "workaround" is ironically funny). RobertMfromLI | User Talk 16:17, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Inka is editing the Vandalism Template (multiple edits last few days). Previously, it was WP:MOS. At that time, I recommended they do not do that (and fixed the page). I've reverted the change to Template:Vandalism information as well. This time, as suggestion was given earlier, and other editors and at least one admin have already told Inka to work on edits and more mundane things than "(I do) sysop type stuff" (paraphrased), I RB:Vandal'd it. Best, RobertMfromLI | User Talk 04:31, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

I wouldn't lose too much sleep over the welcome templates. Out of hundreds of welcome templates I've left, I can probably count the number of responses on one hand. Also, a lot of users are watching Inka's talk page so if bad advice is given, they will notice. –xeno^talk 13:06, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Following up...

On the pump you noted:

Using {{nobots}} would prevent most automated processes, but semi-automated systems like Twinkle would still cause messages to be left for you. You realize that if there were a way to opt-out of these notes, you wouldn't get notifications about items you've uploaded or created being nominated for deletion?

Yes, that's precisely what I want. If the person in question can't be bothered to engage me personally on issues like this, I would rather they just delete the item without notification. Whenever I do step in, invariably I get some sort of rude response that gets my blood boiling. A missing image isn't worth it.

So, can you explain the nobots thing?

Maury Markowitz (talk) 18:00, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Twinkle isn't considered a bot and doesn't recognize bots/nobots. I don't think there is an opt-out from Twinkle messages, but you could ask that an opt-out mechanism be provided at Wikipedia talk:Twinkle#Feature Requests. –xeno^talk 18:04, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Email?

How does Wikipedia email work, I cant find a page that explains it? Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 02:48, 12 September 2010 (UTC)

Please see WP:A-Z. –xeno^talk 13:20, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

Talk page creation

Hello. On the Talk page guidelines talk page, you said that the talk pages I created was "a really unproductive thing to do". I would like to respond to that. (I made a similar statement on the talk page of User:Athaenara.) I most certainly still have a lot to learn about the way things work here, but I acted with the best of intentions, even if my actions were ultimately wrong. Many of the pages in question were created by the complainant, and were little more than fansites. I realized that if I were to bring these articles up to standard, there would be very little left of them. I decided that the best thing to do would be to place "original research" tags on them. The tag suggests discussion on the talk page. In several cases, the talk page was red-linked. I figured that it was irresponsible of me to suggest discussion on a page that doesn't exist, so I went ahead and created the page. I generally wrote, simply "page created". I then removed the statement, leaving the page blank. I included an edit summary each time, saying, "blanked page/page created for discussion of improvement of article in response to original research tag", or something similar. So please understand that my actions, while perhaps ultimately unproductive, had the best of intentions. Thank you. 2tuntony (talk) 13:40, 12 September 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for explaining, though you need not worry about that - most users know to create the talk page with relevant discussion when required. If you are going to create a talk page from a redlink, you should try to figure out what WikiProject banners would apply and add those. –xeno^talk 13:20, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

Thank you for your response. I'll try to remember that in the future. 2tuntony (talk) 17:42, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

Usurpation Help

Xeno — I saw that you have been quite helpful with usurpation requests from other users, so I'm hoping you could help me understand the process. I am trying to change Kedster (talk · contribs) to Tony Webster (talk · contribs), and I created both accounts, not knowing that the usurpation process existed. My usurpation request is here. Is it best to follow the usurpation route, or would it be less complicated if I requested that Tony Webster be changed, and then change Kedster to Tony Webster? My end goal is to use "Tony Webster" as a unified account with the history of "Kedster" preserved, and I'd like to be able to upload images under "Tony Webster" as well. Usurpation confirmation from both accounts is posted here. Thanks — I really appreciate your help! Kedster (talk / contribs) 23:12, 12 September 2010 (UTC)

That should be fine... What do you want the 'Tony Webster' account renamed to? –xeno^talk 13:20, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

Inka 888 contiunues to use TWINKLE

Even with Inka 888 blacklisted (per DGG), he has somehow gotten TWINKLE back. Requesting it be forcefully removed via his monobook page and that page protected. - Neutralhomer • Talk • 01:27, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Probably a cache thing. They have no .js page... I left them a note. –xeno^talk 01:57, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Probably. I will probably get in trouble for bringing the above up. Inka 888 has taken me to ANI for my post concerning his continous harrassment of User:Fastily about the denial of Inka's Rollbackers request. - Neutralhomer • Talk • 02:04, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Inka really ougn't be wondering about rollback when more permissive tools have been revoked in the interim. Though, Fastily didn't seem too put off by the questions - so a softer approach would've worked as well... I commented at that thread. –xeno^talk 02:53, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

My warning was perhaps a little too stern, but at that moment, I thought it was enough. I will rethink things on how to address the user in the future in a less BITEing but still stern manner as necessary. Personally, I would rather not speak sternly at all. This user had previously asked for help and it wasn't until I backed up Fastily on the Rollbackers decline that he kinda "turned" on me. Oh well, can only help those who want help, I guess. - Neutralhomer • Talk • 03:07, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

I see here that this issue has come up before. Perhaps it would be better if Twinkle's code checked for the non-existence of a particular file in a user's space before allowing the script to run, sort of the opposite of the opt-in for X!'s edit count tool. Then again, my programming skills have atrophied, so I don't know what that change would entail. —DoRD (talk) 02:49, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Perhaps Amalthea can comment =) –xeno^talk 02:53, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

See User talk:Xeno/Archive 23#Inka 888 contiunues to use TWINKLE (Freaking 12h archive threshold …)

Lol, I like to keep it clean, yo! Do feel free to drag any topics out of the archive if you want to reply to them....

Re this: Amalthea can hardly keep up with his own talk page, Anyway: Yes, Twinkle blacklisting requires that the user's browser must validate its cached copy of Twinkle (browser restart will usually do it), and is generally easily circumvented. Yes, it's quite possible to make Twinkle test an blacklist/opt-out-page/whatever every time you use it/open a page/whatever. But that's the drawback right there, it would necessitate one additional uncached request every time you use it/open a page/whatever. Can be done, and hardly anyone with broadband would notice, but I don't really see the point: if a user continues to use Twinkle after they have explicitly been told not to, they are close to a block anyway. Amalthea 13:53, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

From what I have seen, Inka 888 has either cleared his cache, or just isn't using TWINKLE anymore. I am not sure which, but no TWINKLE edits have been registered in the past couple days. - Neutralhomer • Talk • 13:57, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

re Amalthea - I figured as much (about the extra check bogging things down for users, the vast majority of which aren't causing problems). Thanks for the note! –xeno^talk 13:58, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

Query about BAG resourcing

Hi Xeno

I’m writing to you because you’re an experienced member of BAG, a group I believe has become increasingly important to the project. The “Lightbot 5” application at BAG began nine weeks ago after a directive by ArbCom, and there has been no input from BAG members since one post three weeks ago and one eight days before that (on 16 August). Another application by User:Lightmouse (“Non-bot Lightmouse”) was started three weeks ago, after a suggestion by an arbitrator at WP:ARA; apart from a recusal by MBisantz, there has been no input from BAG members at that application page.

There appear to be quite a number of other BAG applications in which there is little or no activity; this includes applications involving bot trials in which one would expect reasonably frequent interactions between at least one BAG member and the applicant.

My concern at the moment is not about the Lightmouse applications, but about whether BAG is in need of additional resources to carry out its roles. A large proportion of BAG members are marked as “inactive”, and there is a sizable list of former members; two “active” members have left notes that raise questions about the extent of their activity.

I wonder whether this suggests that more members need to be recruited? Is there a need for a system of trainees, such as the ArbCom Clerk system employs? Are there opportunities for improving procedures relating to applications and trials? Is there anything the community can do to assist BAG in matching the demands on its membership with the availability of active members? Tony (talk) 15:18, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

BAG is always looking to increase ranks (see WP:RfBAG to nominate someone or yourself). It's a fairly thankless, menial, and unglorified position which may help explain the erosion of membership. As far as Lightmouse/bot, I'd consider myself recused as well (though I haven't specifically made a note to that effect). –xeno^talk 15:32, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

It would be good to offer traineeship-type arrangements to attract would-be members (perhaps with an assigned mentor). This could be advertised to the community as a way of gaining important technical skills. I think if it were organised well, it might make BAG a better place for the members. And I wonder whether there's any way to make it less of a grind for members. The Signpost could be a vehicle for promoting a scheme. Just a thought, because I don't want to see BAG get any smaller. Tony (talk) 15:45, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

I don't think a system of trainees/clerks and the like is really needed - anyone who wants to gain experience being a BAGger should just start commenting on BAG requests. And anyone with a good head on their shoulders and a reasonable familiarity with automated processes will probably be +BAGged fairly painlessly (it's nothing like RFA). If you are going to write a Signpost article, the community should be reminded that they are the ultimate gatekeepers of automated processes and are invited to comment at BRFAs, BAG is just the keymaster. –xeno^talk 15:51, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

(talk page stalker) Just a note that I agree with most of what xeno is saying. Without trying to sound too typical, the community only ever seems to care about bots when they mess up, and BAG are often blamed for that. This leads to a slight lack of any appearance of appreciation for BAG, and makes the job, in some ways, more difficult. It also means there is very little input at BRfA from anybody other than BAG and Ops. I think a signpost article would be a pretty good way of raising community awareness about BRfA. Since a lot of the community don't really seem to understand it, or even be aware that it exists. Certainly I didn't find out about it until after I decided to write my first bot. - Kingpin¹³ (talk) 16:08, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

I wasn't even thinking of a dedicated Signpost article, although that is certainly a possibility. I could assist, but I don't know anything about bots (I run a Mac), nor BAG. Jarry would be the person, but I suspect he's full up already. If you know someone who could discuss the form and content of a draft, and write a raw version, please let me know. Clearly, the profile of BAG needs to be freshened up in the community. Tony (talk) 03:33, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Let me know if I can be of any assistance. –xeno^talk 12:43, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

my signature

Something is messed up with it, I have been busy latly and have not gotten around to fixing it. --Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 21:32, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

fixed --Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 21:35, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

Thanks. –xeno^talk 12:43, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Bot Error?

Hi, Xeno!

Xenobot Mk V seems to have made an error - it's including other boxes (besides WikiProject banners) in the WPBS shell. See this diff for an example.

Thanks! -- SatyrTN (talk / contribs) 05:32, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for the note. The problem here is that the box was in the middle of WikiProject banners before the bot arrived: [22]. And since it's not even using a transcluded template there's unfortunately not much I can do to correct for it. (The bot already corrects things like {{maintained}} and the like to ensure they are correctly laid out per WP:TPL. –xeno^talk 12:43, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

rate limits

What does it mean when it says that bureaucrats are "not affected by rate limits" --Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 22:55, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

It means that we aren't affected by the throttle that, for example, prevents one from moving many pages in a short period of time. –xeno^talk 22:57, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Ok, also should [[23]] page have been deleted for the reasons it was? --Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 23:01, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Yes... See WP:CHILD. –xeno^talk 23:03, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

That user self-identified as a child... right? --Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 23:08, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Well... you read the userpage, didn't you? –xeno^talk 23:10, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Yes I read the page. --Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 23:23, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Well, you know the answer, then. I wouldn't spend too much time on this one. –xeno^talk 23:24, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

I just don't see how it is a WP:CHILD issue. --Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 00:32, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

(talk page stalker) The user had identifying information, and a stated age that definitely makes them a child. The relevant portion (but not limited to) of WP:CHILD is "When a user self-identifies as a child, especially if they provide personal information, the matter is frequently a subject of discussion among administrators. Sometimes the user is immature and ends up being blocked for disruption. If they are not disruptive, personal information may be removed and the user advised as shown below... ...Deletion and oversight may be used in appropriate cases to remove the information. "

It is virtually always best to err on the side of caution in these matters (at least as I understand such things) which helps protect the young editor, as well as Wikipedia. Best, RobertMfromLI ^Talk/_Contribs 01:02, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Er, what was this about?

[24] The Thing // Talk // Contribs 14:11, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Misclick, as indicated by the immediate self-revert =] –xeno^talk 14:11, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Heh, ok, just wondering. The Thing // Talk // Contribs 14:14, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Respectfully

Seeing you at the top of my support votes did wonders for my happiness :):) Thanks a ton. Will be around to take help (and to volunteer my assistance). With a lot of respect, thanks Wifione _.......^{Leave a message} 19:01, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

No problem. I think you'll do well. Best regards, –xeno^talk 19:02, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

KoshVorlon

Hi. I notice that you have had to, yet again, fix this editor's signature. I recall that he has well surpassed his final warning for this sort of behaviour, and wonder if you have any comment? ╟─Treasury Tag►stannator─╢ 20:12, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Their edit summaries indicated they weren't trying to be subversive, so I don't think any particular action is required. They were also just barely over (8 chars =) –xeno^talk 20:15, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

autopatrolled?

It said something about if users are to get autopatrolled rights that they have to create so many pages is that just normal articles or any page? --Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 00:54, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Articles, see Wikipedia:Autopatrolled. –xeno^talk 12:28, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Darth and Ani

So are you up for the task? : ) - jc37 13:10, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Oh bother. I was hoping someone else would ;p –xeno^talk 13:11, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Done [25] [26]. All set, I think. –xeno^talk 13:56, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Barnstar!

		The Barnstar of Diligence
		For dealing with a multiple page history mess at Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker, and elsewhere. - jc37 19:30, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

No problem...thanks! =) –xeno^talk 19:32, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

And I warn you, you've just become my go-to person for fixing moves/merges/splits, and any advice thereof : ) - jc37 19:30, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Oh dear... =\ –xeno^talk 19:32, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

lol, no worries, it'll likely be mostly advice and questions : )

Speaking of which, I also just noticed that there are some deleted edits as well, apparently involving moves (from 2007, for example). Anything we need to worry about there? - jc37 19:36, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Hmm - where? I know there's some deleted edits in the now-deleted archives 4,5,6,7 that had been merged into earlier archives... But they didn't seem GFDL-significant (mostly miszaBot and minor tweakery). –xeno^talk 19:38, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Darth Vader itself, though in looking them over myself again, they appear to be nothing to worry about.

I just was curious if you checked the deleted history of each of those redirects/etc. I only was asking because I have some vague recollections of some attempts in the past which included cut and paste mistakes, etc.

Anyway, likely not important, just was curious : ) - jc37 19:57, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I looked at the deleted history, and even checked inbound links on most of 'em, but I don't think anything (important) got left behind. –xeno^talk 19:59, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Oh ok, thanks. Like i said, just was curious.

Thanks again. - jc37 20:11, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Template:Auto archiving notice

Hi, I noticed you do some of the discussion at this template. I have it on WT:DARTS. It says Sections with fewer than two timestamps (no replies) are not archived. But they are on the talk page archive on WP:DARTS. Do you have any idea of what i'm doing wrong? Mr.Kennedy1 ^talk ^guestbook 15:55, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

You need to add "dounreplied=yes" since MiszaBot doesn't have this functionality. –xeno^talk 15:59, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

there is something wrong

in page of Khanaqin, there are famous people from the small town of Dyala/ Iraq. Those can't be removed as they are part of what marks the city. Thanks. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Pavella (talk • contribs) 17:15, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Please see help:Undo to undo the recent edit if you disagree with it. Be sure to provide a descriptive edit summary. –xeno^talk 17:17, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

not semantics

My argument in the abuse of power ANI was not "just semantics" as you surmised in your closing comments. If you're interested in a short elaboration on that, please see User talk:Bwilkins#Abuse of admin power ANI filed. Thanks. --Born2cycle (talk) 17:36, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

You agreed that your comments were not appropriate, but you remained fixated over whether or not they met the literal definitions provided at WP:HARASS. You failed to see the forest for the trees. –xeno^talk 17:42, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Yes, I failed to see the forest, but I had no way to see it.

I agreed that my comments were not appropriate only after being finally informed of the apparently new and undocumented considerations given to commentary on the talk pages of blocked users, something that I was not made aware of until the filing of the ANI, and something that I (and others on that user's talk page) should have been made aware of prior to being accused of harassing and threatened with being blocked. That was completely out of line and an abuse of power. That's not semantics.

Even when those new and undocumented considerations are taken into account my comments cannot be reasonably construed as harassment, whether you use the literal definition at WP:HARASSMENT or not, and yet that's what I was accused of, therefore wrongly. --Born2cycle (talk) 18:04, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

So the insults you were hurling around--troll, vandal, dumb, etc--those weren't harassment? What an interesting definition of the word you have. Seriously... you are beyond beating a dead horse at this point. Get over it. → ROUX ₪ 18:06, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I was not hurling around insults. That was not harassment. My wording was very careful. The lack of providing actual quotes -- showing the actual words of mine, in context, that you think are insulting or harassment -- is telling. --Born2cycle (talk) 18:51, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I provided the diffs of your objectionable behaviour at ANI, as did another user, who went on to explain in some detail exactly why they were insulting. The fact that you didn't provide diffs of your own behaviour is actually far more illuminating here. Give it a rest. You were wrong, you acted like a WP:DICK, and you were warned for it. That is the end of it. Your continued insistence on challenging every tiny detail is both tiresome and embarrassing for you. Stop. → ROUX ₪ 18:55, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

It strikes me as obvious, unseemly grave dancing which is inappropriate and harassment on its face. I think you'd do well to put this incident behind you. –xeno^talk 18:09, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

The whole concept of "grave dancing" as applying to commentary on the talk page of a blocked user who is not blocked from continuing to edit that talk page (and thus not dead and in the grave in that context) is unintuitive. If he was unable to respond (and thus really symbolically "in the grave"), that would be different. --Born2cycle (talk) 18:51, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

More semantics. –xeno^talk 18:52, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Requests for adminship/Torchwoodwho

Uhh, this is looking kind of like a bad situation...especially since the user just blanked their own userpage and talkpage. Syrthiss (talk) 18:47, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Yes, I've closed it in concert with another user. –xeno^talk 18:50, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

okthx. Syrthiss (talk) 18:51, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I think that was the first RfA that I've closed in almost 18 months... but as soon as I saw that edit, I knew it couldn't stay open. That was going to turn into a blood bath REAL quick.---Balloonman ^{NO! I'm Spartacus!} 18:55, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Seems we had the same premonition... –xeno^talk 18:57, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

FYI, I told Thing that if he meant to leave his !vote as a support that he can go back into the RfA and fix it as he wasn't the one who undid his support. I'm pretty sure, based on his wording, that he meant to pull the support, but I wanted to make sure he knew that he could still fix it if I was wrong.---Balloonman ^{NO! I'm Spartacus!} 19:05, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Yes, no issues with that. –xeno^talk 19:13, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Ouch!

My Toes!---Balloonman ^{NO! I'm Spartacus!} 18:54, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

We were apparently both closing it at the same time - I didn't think leaving the heated words in there would do anyone any favours... –xeno^talk 18:56, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Which is why I don't mind your closure. As a non-crat I needed to "justify" my closure moreso than you do.---Balloonman ^{NO! I'm Spartacus!} 19:01, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I still consider it a travesty that I'm a bureaucrat and you're not =] –xeno^talk 19:13, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I consider it a travesty that I'm not a demi-god in control of you all. Ah well. Malleus Fatuorum 19:18, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Well, that all took an interesting turn. Although I must also submit that Balloonman should be a bureaucrat. And Wisdom89 should be an admin. Ah, well. Useight (talk) 20:18, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Question

User talk:J Milburn#Holocaust images

I was going to ask some others about this for a WP:3PO (and I still may, dunno yet), but anyway, I paused and thought I should ask you.

Did I fall off the bus here?

It seems fairly obvious to me in reading the discussion, and even in a quick glance over other typical comments in other deletion discussions. But I've been on the wrong end of such things myself, and had the wrong presumption about me. But n the other hand if it is what it is, then maybe I'm feeling too much soul searching here.

What do you think? - jc37 22:34, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Hmmm... I think that J Milburn (talk · contribs) is what you might call "an NFCC hardliner" and I think that he has an overly-restrictive interpretation of NFCC with which I generally disagree. I don't think he nominated the image because he simply doesn't like it, but because he thinks it fails WP:NFCC#8 (From nomination: "Not clear what this image is adding to the article"). –xeno^talk 22:42, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Well, check out MRG's comments there and my response.

And I've struck that part of my comments. The thread's becoming enflamed enough (too much) without adding to it, I think.

Thanks for your insight, it was helpful. - jc37 23:08, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Glad to be of service. –xeno^talk 23:09, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

...Of course, I've only just now noticed, after looking at the page, that "This may include subjective opinions concerning the usage of fair use images..." so now I think I understand why you invoked IDONTLIKEIT. I don't remember that line being there before, or maybe I just never read it carefully. –xeno^talk 23:16, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Though, reviewing the provenance of that line [27], I think it is meant to refer to a subjective opinions regarding fair use in general suchlike "we should have no fair use whatsoever" (i.e. User:Angr/User no fair use), rather than subjective interpretations of the non-free content criteria. –xeno^talk 23:28, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Actually, by my recollection, it refers to both issues. And nod. It's one of several common battleground issues on Wikipedia. (And I had become aware of it long before I helped refactor/redesign WP:AADD - though I will admit that I haven't looked at AADD recently.)

But anyway, I've decided that there was little gained for Wikipedia at this point. I still remain unconvinced that I was incorrect in my assessment, But I'll likely not be able to find out through normal discussion, as he's probably gong to hear any further attempts at discussion from me coloured by his anger. And there's no pressing need to do so. Anyway, thanks again. - jc37 23:40, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

About adminbots

Hi I was wondering if I could ask you a question on bot policy mainly on adminbots. I am currently creating a bot platform called Pallet you can read more about it here, here and here. I would like the platform to preform work for admins too (including move, delete, protect, etc), but going on the bot policy I am required to be an admin too, which I am not. But since this platform will be preforming work from admins not me and if I develop the platform to require an admin to approve for this work before they are run, can the platform have admin rights to complete this work? Of cause I will make the source code available to show that the platform will only get its admin work from Wikipedia with approval of an admin. Thanks. d'oh! _talk 05:18, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

*d'oh!* I just as I posted this I found the Admin's noticeboard, but I still like to hear your view on this. d'oh! _talk 05:30, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

(talk page stalker) Replied here - Kingpin¹³ (talk) 07:41, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Commented there. Cheers, –xeno^talk 13:16, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Thank you xeno and stalker for the comments. d'oh! _talk 17:56, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

re /* None (SUL request) → L */

hello xeno, as my request hasn't been fulfilled until now, is there something I can/have to do? --L temp (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 09:01, 17 September 2010 (UTC).

I had planned to run AWB to fix the links, but I've been ~~lazy~~busy. I could go ahead and process it now, are you planning to use it heavily right away though? Because if new links are created to User:L/User talk:L - I wouldn't want to erroneously fix those... –xeno^talk 13:18, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

I am mainly activ at de.wiki. My plan was for now to make only 2 edits in the english wikipedia: one on the user page to tell people about the rename and one on the talk to tell people where to go to make comments. --L temp (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 15:35, 17 September 2010 (UTC).

Ok I've vacated the username. Do you want me to rename L temp to L or do you just want to create it automatically via SUL? –xeno^talk 16:01, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

THank you, I have autocreated user:L. --L (talk)

Cool - happy editing! –xeno^talk 16:53, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Rename

Hi Xeno. I went through quite a radical rename a few days ago, but with hindsight I've realised that since I had no concerns with being linked to my real name, there wasn't any valid reason to change a username I've actively edited with for a year, and I think this will just cause unnecessary confusion. Would it be a simple task to reverse this? My contributions haven't been reattributed yet, is there a way to get that stopped? Sorry to be such a bother. January (Cassandra 73) ^talk 12:39, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Hm, you might want to post to WP:BN to ask about this - I'm not sure. I would guess that if I renamed you back before the edits moved over, it might cause some problems with the job queue. From a more general standpoint, typically multiple rename requests in a short time frame are rejected (e.g. see here/here). If you are going to request a rename back you should really be sure because you probably won't be permitted a rename again in future.

FWIW, I like your new name and don't think it would cause undue confusion - especially if you keep your signature that way for the next little while. –xeno^talk 13:03, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Wikipedia talk:AATP

Hmmm... An IP made this page yesterday. I already blanked it and fixed the redirect. Do you want to delete the talk page, or is it fine?--intelati^(Call) 16:40, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Probably could've been redirected to the help talk page, but it's doubtful anyone would link thru it - so deleted. Cheers, –xeno^talk 16:42, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Thanks.--intelati^(Call) 16:43, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

User boxes

How would I make my own user boxes? --Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 01:34, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

(talk page stalker) I think that you are looking for {{Userbox}}. ~~ Hi878 ^{(Come shout at me!)} 01:37, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Inka, I will no longer be answering any questions from you when the answers can be found in a cursory search. See Wikipedia:Editor's index to Wikipedia. –xeno^talk 14:06, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

L -> Lucid

If you think this needs doing, I can send AWB after it while I watch the games today. Courcelles 15:44, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

It's not a really huge issue, because the new location is shown in the deletion/move log. But it will unredlink some things... I had planned to not change L directly to Lucid, but to change L to L (usurped) - to make it clear the edits were made originally as "L" (since usurped). These are the pages with incoming links: [28]. Thanks in advance =) –xeno^talk 15:48, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Here's the first diff, [29] that I ran to see if this would work. If it looks fine, I'll run the other 500, having removed WP:CHU and subpages from the list. Courcelles 15:55, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

(having just realized they also had special:Contributions linked which complicates things somewhat but) this is more of what I meant: [30] (so it is still obvious that the comments were made under the User:L username). –xeno^talk 15:58, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Except for changing the link back to Special:Contributions/L, I've re-set it up with your changes. (Linking to that Secial:Contributions/L would seem to misattribute the edit, since special pages can't redirect.) Courcelles 16:00, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Yep. It'll have /Lucid for the special:Contributions, (usurped) for the others. Thanks again! –xeno^talk 16:01, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Okay, run complete, and the links to the old pages are down to 45, a few that need to stay, some, like daily AFD log pages that will be removed tonight when the job queue catches up, and some that weren't in easily fixable by AWB formats. We're probably at the point of diminishing returns anyway. Courcelles 17:57, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

You have mail!

Hey! I sent you an email about a matter. Thanks for your attention on the matter! --Wolfnix • Talk • 04:10, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

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To spread the goodness of cookies, you can add {{subst:Cookie}} to someone's talk page with a friendly message, or eat this cookie on the giver's talk page with {{subst:munch}}!

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Moving transclusion counter

Could you move the Transclusion count link from MediaWiki:Histlegend to MediaWiki:Linkshere? — Dispenser 21:11, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

I did, but it appears the namespace detection in use won't function properly from the Whatlinkshere special page. If the transclusion counter starts counting transclusions of all pages instead of just templates, we could do away with the namespace detect function. –xeno^talk 14:05, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

{{#ifeq:{{padleft:|9|$1}}|Template:|'''·''' [http://toolserver.org/~jarry/templatecount/index.php?lang=en&name={{PAGENAMEE}} Transclusion count]}}

Code based on {{Str left}} — Dispenser 16:42, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

That code passes WhatLinksHere/Template:Blah, whereas only Blah is required. I think you can use $1 and cut the 9 characters off the beginning, but I'm having trouble with my parserfunctions at the moment. –xeno^talk 19:29, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

I'm sorry, I should tested more before posting. I now remember that we can use the old varibles as colon functions, so {{PAGENAMEE}} becomes {{PAGENAMEE:$1}} and {{NAMESPACE}} becomes {{NAMESPACE:$1}}, although we generally avoid using them on users input since they're buggy. — Dispenser 21:28, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

...or I could recode the tool to s/Template:// the input? If that would help? - Jarry1250 ^{[Who? Discuss.]} 21:44, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Definitely - would make things easier and more intuitive on the entry side. –xeno^talk 12:44, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Well, at least now it'll strip Template: if present. - Jarry1250 ^{[Who? Discuss.]} 16:28, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Awesome. We're GTG, I think. –xeno^talk 16:34, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

WikiProject tagging task running

Hey Xeno! I just wanted to let you know that the WikiProject tagging task for WP:RUN is now running under DodoBot, per your request on my talk page. I have completely rewritten the bot to use pywikipedia instead of AWB, so althought I have done extensive testing, it is possible that the bot makes some mistakes. I will review the changes afterwards, but so far it seems to be doing fine. I'll keep you updated. - EdoDodo ^talk 15:54, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Much obliged! I've really been slacking with my bot duties. –xeno^talk 16:05, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Bot is having a couple of issues with tagging pages twice. Looking into it now. - EdoDodo ^talk 16:33, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Should be fixed. - EdoDodo ^talk 16:54, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Had a few more problems. They should all be fixed now, but I'll stop the bot anyway so I can run it supervised tomorrow. - EdoDodo ^talk 21:20, 18 September 2010 (UTC)

Might I suggest using the edit summary more like "tagging as stub unassessed articles 2500 bytes and less" [31] (as opposed to saying 'very short'). –xeno^talk 19:13, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

Changed. Run is finished. - EdoDodo ^talk 14:58, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Hi Xeno

Hi Xeno, I might have asked a really stupid question to a bureaucrat here and just wanted to leave a note here so that you can correct my most probably misplaced view there on the thread if required. Thanks and best regards. Wifione _.......^{Leave a message} 14:36, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Hm, looks like a probably-justifiable use of IAR. –xeno^talk 14:38, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

All right. Thanks for the quick response :) Regards Wifione _.......^{Leave a message} 14:46, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Watchlist update

Hi Xeno. Shubinator suggested that I run this past you. Does it look all right? NW (Talk) 16:20, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

I've made the tiniest of changes: [32]. –xeno^talk 16:24, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Thanks. I have updated the watchlist notice. NW (Talk) 16:35, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Got a minute?

I need your help in your 'crat/BAG role—AVBOT (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) appears to be an unapproved bot. The owner previously requested it be given rollback at WP:PERM/R. What to do? Block as unapproved? HJ Mitchell | Penny for your thoughts? 20:48, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Ask the operator to turn it off and re-open Wikipedia:Bots/Requests for approval/AVBOT (or re-file another request) and block if they don't respond/it continues editing. –xeno^talk 20:53, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Bot question

Howdy, Xeno. :) User:Updatehelper recently attempted to have oocities.com removed from the Spam blacklist (under his IP and referring to himself in third person, no less :/). Consensus was to keep it blacklisted. But the conversation has brought me around to the point that there are still thousands of links he's placed to his website: [33]. I've joined in on launching a task force to check geocities links to be sure they comply with policites and guidelines, and having these oocities links hanging around is just going to complicate things. Before I can check archive.org, I have to revert to the geocities address and then paste it in. Much quicker if it already says geocities! Would it be possible for me to ask a bot developer to draw something together to revert these links where they were introduced by altering a geocities link? Of the hundreds I've looked at, 99.9% of them were handled in just that way, by Updatehelper himself. I don't really grok what bots can and cannot do, so I'm not sure if this is (a) plausible or (b) likely to be allowed. Wanted feedback, if you coul doffer me any. :D --Moonriddengirl ^(talk) 20:56, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

It's certainly possible. A good deal could probably be dealt with by using a mass rollback tool (despite the edit summary, very little if anything was done other than the link change). Beyond that, I wonder if it wouldn't be better to use some javascript trickery to change oocities links to geocities link rather than getting a bot to make edits that will eventually have to be re-edited again. Thoughts? –xeno^talk 12:47, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Ultimately, all the geocities links need human review, but what would really rock is getting a bot that could return them to geocities links and provide a link to wayback. That way, if the pages were archived, people will be easily able to access archived versions for comparisons. From what I understand, this can be done by adding "http://web.archive.org/web/*" to the front of the geocities links. That way, geocities reviewers would only need to look to see if the link meets WP:EL and WP:RS and would not have to add the webarchive link at all. Does that sound at all doable? I have so no clue what bots can do. :D (That sounds like a Dr. Seuss line.) --Moonriddengirl ^(talk) 14:10, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

But yes, of course - as easy as riding a horse. Which is to say, the links could be removed by force, without remorse - providing a more viable source. –xeno^talk 14:13, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

P.S. I hereby nominate User:Anomie for this task. –xeno^{knows how to pass a buck - in style!} 14:23, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Since xeno asked, add importScript("User:Amalthea/oocities.js"); to your monobook or vector skin script, and it will turn all those oocities links into the respective geocities links on archive.org via javascript, i.e. only for you, and also list them at the very top for convenience.
If you think that you will typically want to change the actual links in the wikitext it would be easy to provide an auto-edit link, too. If you want them all converted anyway then yes, a bot should go through them.
Amalthea 14:19, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Oooh! Magic! :O I am in deep awe of your script 'fu (like a legless person watching people walk, perhaps.... Legs look so efficient!). I hate to be a pain, but any chance you could give me one of those that would work for geocities? Those doing the geocities clean up could more easily check the billions of geocities links that way. I could tell the geocities project about them. In terms of the Oocities conversion, it probably would be best if I seek a bot, because there are literally thousands of them. We could do the Geocities check more leisurely. I suppose I'll see if User:Anomie is available and would mind. :) --Moonriddengirl ^(talk) 14:27, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Works now both with oocities.com and geocities.com links (you will need to bypass your cache once to get the changed script). Amalthea 14:40, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

I am amazed. :D And grateful. I've notified the task force of the script, and hoefully Anomie will be able to help out with bot business. --Moonriddengirl ^(talk) 15:02, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

← Buck successfully passed, 'tis now at Wikipedia:Bots/Requests for approval/AnomieBOT 44. –xeno^talk 17:14, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Can you please review something for me?

Hi Xeno! I've just written a little guide and set of expectations for the new editors who have chosen me as their mentor, and am hoping you can review it and provide some feedback on it's talk page to let me know what you think before I pass the link on to them. It is located here: User:RobertMfromLI/Adoptees. Thanks, Rob (ROBERTMFROMLI ^TALK/_CNTRB 21:26, 20 September 2010 (UTC))

Looks pretty good. I might tone it down just a little, but that's just me =]. –xeno^talk 12:42, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Will do and thanks! ROBERTMFROMLI ^TALK/_CNTRB 17:44, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

I didn't actually understand your e-mail to me

Only because I've never, under any name, had a single mark against me, period; so the implication I ever had threw me for a loop!--Hodgson-Burnett's Secret Garden (talk) 07:42, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Replied; I believe you may be reading implications where there are none. –xeno^talk 12:40, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

K. I'll go read it.--Hodgson-Burnett's Secret Garden (talk) 13:35, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Well I DID say 'paranoid'..(smiles)--Hodgson-Burnett's Secret Garden (talk) 13:50, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

No worries =] –xeno^talk 13:51, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Help

Xeno, I have tried to edit Dylan's Candy Bar. I do not understand why the site is still not "notable"? Can you explain to me what the problem could be? Everything is cited? Does it take a few days for the notability notification to disappear? Emich367 (talk) 17:22, 21 September 2010 (UTC)emich367

There are many reliable sources that will help establish the notability of this subject (e.g.). See Google news search. As for the tag itself, you can remove it if you can justify the deletion (like so). –xeno^talk 17:43, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

bot usernames

My impression was that bot usernames that were suffixed with some adequately high number or a letter were OK. Was the "v2.0" a dealbreaker? (Not that people name their bots that way). Daniel Case (talk) 13:46, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

It's not a bot, it's an editor. It can't have a name that makes it look like a bot. The v2.0 didn't help at all, they would still be confused for a bot. –xeno^talk 13:53, 22 September 2010 (UTC)
- Jake 2.0, was it? ☺ Uncle G (talk) 14:59, 22 September 2010 (UTC)
  - No, 'twas "Cr0ybot v2.0" [34]. –xeno^talk 15:01, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

Looking for origin works in the CCI cleanup

For what it's worth, I've found it a good strategy to check multiple WWW search engines. Bing has found some things that Google Web hasn't, for me. There's also the Wayback Machine for dead links, of course. Aaron Feltham‎‎ is now here, by the way. Uncle G (talk) 14:59, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

Cool, I'll keep that in mind. Does Feltham look ok? –xeno^talk 15:02, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

I ran it through Bing, checked the Wayback Machine, and couldn't find anything. The only problem is that the 2007 RIO Canadian Olympic Team Handbook is no longer on the WWW (as far as I can determine), and I strongly suspect, from experience with other articles of this form, that that is where the prose came from. I'll give Moonriddengirl a nudge to see whether the rewrite is enough. Uncle G (talk) 15:22, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

I don't know, since I can't see the original source, either. :) If he followed one source very closely in structure, it could still be an issue. Just in case, I gave it a more complete overhaul. Thanks for pitching in Xeno! Every bit helps. :D --Moonriddengirl ^(talk) 16:22, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for the help. Note I also did [35] (both were on my watchlist). –xeno^talk 17:12, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

Thanks. :D I don't see any way we could have lingering problems with that one. --Moonriddengirl ^(talk) 17:15, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

Yea, it's so short =] –xeno^talk 17:17, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

Name Change

hai there!!! Is there any way to rename my account???? arun talk 16:51, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

Yes, see WP:CHU. See also WP:NEWSECTION =) –xeno^talk 16:58, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

Oh..I'm really sorry on that part. Thanks for the info though..... :) Arun 17:05, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

Ok on that part... Arun 17:05, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

dats good one ..:) arun talk 17:09, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for your understanding =] –xeno^talk 17:11, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

CSD Practice

Access Denied started a page yearning to get examples of all CSD Types(?). Can you send me a key for the current articles with the correct CSD to show me which ones are missing.--intelati^(Call) 17:22, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

You mean like at WP:CSD#Criteria? –xeno^talk 17:25, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

Like G1, A4... I know all of the articles would be speedy delete, but not sure what is currently on the page.--intelati^(Call) 17:27, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

And yes to your question--intelati^(Call) 17:27, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

What, you want me to answer them? Wouldn't that kindof defeat the point? (In any case, deletion is not my specialty - I rarely use anything other than G2,G6,G8,G10 and I don't patrol the cat) –xeno^talk 17:28, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

:-] It's for my Mentoree Inka 888 (talk · contribs) who is interested in new page patrolling. it is for an exercise.--intelati^(Call) 17:30, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

G4,G5,G7,G8,G9,G12 are basically all contextual and will be difficult to provide "examples". –xeno^talk 17:36, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

Yeah, which of the remaining G1-3 and A1-10 do "we" have examples of so far.--intelati^(Call) 17:39, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

I dunno, the "proper" tag for some of them is subjective. The same page could be deleted per G2 or G3, for example, depending on the admin. If you can't identify them yourself, I'm not sure how you intend to help Inka - there is no answer key in the wild... –xeno^talk 17:41, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

Maybe some related essays like WP:FIELD, WP:WIHSD, WP:10CSD or WP:A7M can provide further material? Regards So Why 18:16, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

User:Uncle G/Wikipedia triage#Checking for the possibility of speedy deletion? I was going to locate the page written by Badlydrawnjeff that I recalled, until I realized that you already had. ☺ Uncle G (talk) 19:11, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

Adopt-a-user reminder

Hello, I have completed a general cleanup of the adopter information page for the adopt-a-user project, located here. During my cleanup, I have removed several inactive and retired users. In order to provide interested adoptees with an easy location to find adopters, it is essential that the page be up-to-date with the latest information possible. Thus:

If you are no longer interested in being an adopter, please remove yourself from the list.
If you are still interested, please check the list to see if any information needs to be updated or added - especially your availability. Thank you.

You are receiving this message because you are listed as an adopter here.

Delivered by MessageDeliveryBot on behalf of Netalarm (talk) at 05:51, 23 September 2010 (UTC).

Thanks for the note. I intend to drop out of the page as soon as another adopter with a name starting with "x" hangs out a shingle. –xeno^talk 18:43, 23 September 2010 (UTC)

Cheers!

Thanks for that correction! Gah! I need sleep! :) Set Sail For The Seven Seas 332° 38' 0" NET 22:10, 23 September 2010 (UTC)

or one of these. –xeno^talk 22:13, 23 September 2010 (UTC)

Signature too long

I am going to look into fixing that soon. It's still got some bugs but I'll cut it down to size. AGradman / talk / how this article and talk looked when I made this edit 22:56, 23 September 2010 (UTC)

Thanks =] –xeno^talk 22:59, 23 September 2010 (UTC)

question

Since the main page is fully protected and highly visible, should it have a lock top-icon on it, I'm sure a lot of new users are wondering why they can't edit that page and wouldn't it be good to have the top-icon there to inform them of it and as a link to the protection policy? --Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 00:24, 24 September 2010 (UTC)

Probably not, I think that would be distracting. –xeno^talk 03:17, 24 September 2010 (UTC)

I noticed you deleted my unused archive, I was saving them for when I needed them. I had asked Airplaneman to delete them and he suggested that I keep them for when I need them in the future. --Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 00:28, 24 September 2010 (UTC)

Hm, I can restore them if you want, but it confuses people looking for your most recent archive - they will click 3, find a blank, click 2, find a blank, to finally get where they want to be. Let me know. (You can still create them after your first archive fills up) –xeno^talk 03:17, 24 September 2010 (UTC)

ANI: AJona1992 (request for help)

Hi Xeno, We're hoping to close AJona1992's ANI (happened before I became his mentor, and part of the reason why I became it), but the terms proposed go above normal violation repercussions. I've been asked to be able to ensure there are admins willing to act upon the sanctions requested if such a need comes up (elevated warnings, defined block periods, and so on). The ANI is here: Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents#User:AJona1992 (perm). I will be asking 2 other admins as well, to satisfy the request/concerns of one of the other ANI participants. Thanks again, Robert / ROBERTMFROMLI ^TALK/_CNTRB 03:27, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

I've added their talk page to my watchlist. –xeno^talk 12:30, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

Much thanks xeno. I've noted in the ANI that you've added their tp to your wl (in the event intervention/accelerated sanctions need to be imposed). Please feel free to correct or clarify that at ANI if I got it wrong. Thanks again, Robert ROBERTMFROMLI ^TALK/_CNTRB 16:19, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

Revised it to indefinite block (for next copyvio) and entered my agreement with the amended terms (changed the proposed terms above). This too is a topic I feel strongly about (I manage a bunch of websites, some pretty big, and I have to deal with such stuff on (sadly) a regular basis). I thank you for you making the proposal change (so I didnt have to). Was hoping someone would address it in such a fashion. Thanks again! Rob ROBERTMFROMLI ^TALK/_CNTRB 17:35, 22 September 2010 (UTC)

I've tagged the ANI thread resolved, noting the provisions [36]. –xeno^talk 18:54, 23 September 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for everything xeno! And thanks for being willing to keep an eye on things as they proceed! Best, Robert ROBERTMFROMLI ^TALK/_CNTRB 23:11, 23 September 2010 (UTC) 23:09, 23 September 2010 (UTC)

Thank you

I would like to say that I am so thankful that you have come to the AN/I and decided to keep me around. I won't let any of you guys down, I want to keep reaching my goals which is to transform stub articles into GA and FA's which I have almost successfully have done. Thank you, your such a kind person who I am so happy to have meet in my life. Thank you. AJona1992 (talk) 01:39, 24 September 2010 (UTC)

A worthwhile pursuit. Best of luck, –xeno^talk 12:36, 24 September 2010 (UTC)

AWB

would you have a look at AWB requests.Thanking you.LinguisticGeek 04:36, 24 September 2010 (UTC)

Ok, you're all set. –xeno^talk 12:36, 24 September 2010 (UTC)

Oocities

With this edit, I have a question: Wouldn't it be easier to just delete all the links, since reverting back to the old Geocities links just creates a mass of deadlinks that will be deleted anyway? - Neutralhomer • Talk • 18:36, 24 September 2010 (UTC)

Mmm, no, this was a stopgap measure ahead of a bot task that will update to the wayback machine. (And certainly not "easier" - nothing's easier than mass rollbacking! ;>) –xeno^talk 18:38, 24 September 2010 (UTC)

Ah, then I should revert my deletion of the one link at the diff above. I thought things were just going to Geocities links for good, didn't know there was a bot coming through. My goof. - Neutralhomer • Talk • 18:46, 24 September 2010 (UTC)

You can definitely still delete the link if you check it via the waybackmachine and determine that it's not a reliable source or good EL - just not on the 'deadlinkness' alone. –xeno^talk 18:48, 24 September 2010 (UTC)

Betacommand change to "Δ" link removed

On 20 July 2010 you wrote: "Such that the user has added a conspicuous note to their talk page, I see no reason not to grant their request to delete their userpage per U1. I have made a note in the delete log which will be visible. I should point our that none of the below is really within the bureaucrat's province: there has been no rename here, and the userrights being moved were only grantable by admins. If anyone has a concern with Betacommand's abandoning of his old account, I would suggest a separate venue (RFC or ArbCom clarication, perhaps). –xenotalk 01:03, 20 July 2010 (UTC)"

The "conspicuous note to their talk page" was recently removed by Δ (talk · contribs). It had previously been reduced to the tiniest type size available, then positioned, using absolute positioning, off the left margin of the page. There now remains no visible link between Δ (talk · contribs) and Betacommand (talk · contribs). I reverted that change (which, on a user talk page, I realize is a bit much). His redirects, page deletions, and obfusications (his user page redirects to his talk page, his talk page redirects to a subpage under his talk page, his old user page under Betacommand has bene and his user page has been deleted) conceal the connection to the old account.

By making separate requests to you and Daniel (talk · contribs) for bureaucrat operations,

12:39, 4 August 2009 Betacommand (talk | contribs) (34 bytes) (moved User:Betacommand to User:Betacommand/Old)
12:45, 4 August 2009 Daniel (talk | contribs) deleted "User:Betacommand/Old" ‎ (U1: User request to delete pages in own userspace)
your action on 20 July 2010
Deletion of link from Δ to Betacommand [37]

Betacommand's long history of blocks and bans has thus been disappeared. It's really very clever how he did that. --John Nagle (talk) 06:15, 25 September 2010 (UTC)

Having one's userpage deleted is not against the rules, I had it deleted for a reason which Im not going to publicly go into. I re-created it with the same content that was there at the time. I did leave a obvious link between myself and my old accounts, its just not the bright neon sign that you want, [38] I would like to move on, but it seems you must harass me about my past at every turn. So please stop the harassment and leave me alone. ΔT _{^{The only constant}} 11:30, 25 September 2010 (UTC)

If you are concerned that Δ is trying to avoid scrutiny in contravention of the alternate accounts policy, you should raise it at an appropriate venue (RFC/U, RFC on WT:SOCK, or RFAR, for example). That being said, Betacommand's swap was probably the highest profile "clean start" in the history of the wiki. Anyone who cares probably already knows. –xeno^talk 14:31, 25 September 2010 (UTC)

That's not necessary at this time. But this editor needs to be watched very carefully, given his track record. --John Nagle (talk) 16:15, 25 September 2010 (UTC)

Commons protection lock displayed on image page here?

Thread retitled from "?".

This page says it's semi protected but appears to be cascaded, is there something I'm missing here? Inka ⁸⁸⁸ 15:52, 25 September 2010 (UTC)

Hmm... The icon at the top is from the commons. Didn't know those got shown here... I don't see any cascading protection here, but it is create protected. –xeno^talk 19:58, 25 September 2010 (UTC)

Problem with partial transcription of a limited set of contribs to new username

Hi Xeno, Sorry to bother you about this. I wonder if you'd be kind enough to look though my edit history for User:K. As of 25 September 2010 there's a glitch which transcludes contributions for User:Kenosis from 11 July 2006 through 30 July 2006. It appears that 500 of my edits as User:Kenosis are transcribed onto the edit history of User:K through this period, but not any others from prior to my username change on 3 September 2010.

I'm OK either with transcribing all of the edits from Kenosis -> K, or none of them, but the partial transcription has already confused at least one other user in a recent talk-page conversation. Anything you're able to do about this error, or perhaps you might communicate this to someone who is able to fix it?

Thanks Xeno -- for all the good work you have done and continue to do. ... Kenosis (talk) 18:03, 26 September 2010 (UTC)

It's starting to get to the point where you can start looking for a dev to fix it; you could reopen bugzilla:17313. –xeno^talk 18:56, 26 September 2010 (UTC)

I appreciate the referral. (I'd thought you knew almost everything! ;-) Myself, I still don't have a good enough grasp of who in WP has which skills and where to find them. Thanks. ... Kenosis (talk) 20:14, 26 September 2010 (UTC)

Accidental language link fixer

In case you haven't noticed yet, the bot has been approved for a 15-edit trial. Please add Category:Pages automatically checked for accidental language links to the appropriate pages, and let me know if you spot any errors. As always, you can stop the bot if necessary by posting here. Anomie ⚔ 19:50, 26 September 2010 (UTC)

Cool. I've added it to the CHU pages. Thanks! –xeno^talk 12:36, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

lol, I was intentionally leaving an interlanguage link for the bot to test on, and the bot edit conflicted me fixing one that was already on the page! –xeno^talk 12:41, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

Patrick Star

Hey a while back I just moved Patrick Star (SpongeBob SquarePants) to Patrick Star the unproper way from what I just learned in WP:Move. Could you fix the page history of the two. Thanks! :) − Jhenderson⁷⁷⁷ 15:07, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

Done Thanks for bringing this forward. –xeno^talk 15:16, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

Thanks. I might have another one as well. There is a discussion here on whether to move the information of Green Goblin to Norman Osborn and the information of Green Goblin (set index) to Green Goblin. − Jhenderson⁷⁷⁷ 18:21, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

In that case, I don't think a history merge would be appropriate because they're distinct pages. If pages do get merged in terms of content, there's a bunch of templates that can be used to provide attribution to-and-fro. Also be sure to provide appropriate attribution in the edit summaries. If consensus develops for this, it would be better to move "Norman Osborn" to "Norman Osborn (comics)" [or something] and move Green Goblin to Norman Osborn. –xeno^talk 18:28, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

Well because I am discussing this, is because (one of the reasons at least) I have been undone by User:J Greb just for cutting and pasting them so I am not sure of the proper way to handle the moves. And Norman Osborn seems like the only proper name for the character since it ain't disambiguous and is the common name for his alter ego. − Jhenderson⁷⁷⁷ 22:28, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

Just file a requested move discussion and if there is consensus than someone will flip them around properly. –xeno^talk /02:24, 28 September 2010 (UTC)

Revdel

There are two more revisions with timestamp, "14:38, 27 September 2010", that may need revdel at WP:CHUU. Thanks. Set Sail For The Seven Seas 237° 30' 30" NET 15:50, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

Done Thanks, I didn't notice those ones. –xeno^talk 15:54, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

SUL request done, but does not work

Hi Xeno,

You had done a SUL request for U3 some weeks ago (see U3 talk in de.wikipedia.org). As far as I understand the process, I should have been able to get the en-account, but it does not work. Had been away some time now but I would like to get back to that matter again. Do you have any hint what I am missing with this usurpation? --84.174.103.61 (talk) 20:59, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

Try again now. Looks like I goofed and moved the page, but not the user. Sorry 'bout that! –xeno^talk 21:03, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

Thank you! It is working now. Never ever got such a fast response in wikipedia or internet before! --84.174.103.61 (talk) 21:07, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

Happy to help (again =) –xeno^talk 21:16, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

Whack!

You've been whacked with a wet trout.

75

For forgetting a rename! :P Set Sail For The Seven Seas 317° 44' 45" NET 21:10, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

^ That reminds me: Clearly, this is the fault of the WP:CHU clerks for not noticing my mistake! =) –xeno^talk 21:16, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

User rights

Special:ListGroupRights

Awhile back, I suggested on the VP that a "package" of rights be created. Let's call it "blocker", for lack of a better term.

The idea is that there were/are those who would like to help in administering the encyclopedia, without helping administer the users thereof.

Your proposal about bureaucrats sounds familiar.

Perhaps it might be worth discussing this again.

The nutshell was:

Create a new "blocker" right package
Give all admins the "blocker" right package by default.
Allow all admins the option to "opt out" of having the "blocker" right package should they wish to.

(Option 3 is what made your proposal sound so familiar. Give the bureaucrats certain rights so that they could "opt out" of adminship.)

As I look over admin rights now, I would suggest the "blocker" package include:

Block a user from sending e-mail (blockemail)
Block other users from editing (block)
Bypass IP blocks, auto-blocks and range blocks (ipblock-exempt)
Bypass automatic blocks of proxies (proxyunbannable)
Add/Remove IP block exemptions
Add/Remove Confirmed Users

All of these would seem to be rights that allow/disallow an individual user to edit.

What do you think? - jc37 22:15, 30 September 2010 (UTC)

I understand what you mean - you don't want to be called upon to be a referee all the time... But I think it will probably encounter even more opposition than the (what I thought would be a) low-volume proposal regarding the few rights to be added to the bureaucrat usergroup... –xeno^talk 22:22, 30 September 2010 (UTC)

Maybe, I dunno. The last time, I made the mistake of (cough) thinking that this would be non-controversial, and so I didn't fully explain it.

If anything it's just a different way to list a grouping of rights. Who has what rights would not change, it would just allow admins the ability to drop certain rights if they so choose. (A request from several people, including some calling themselves wikignomes.)

So perhaps if it was more fully explained from the outset that this is merely a software change, and would not change any actual policy on the Wikipedia... - jc37 22:31, 30 September 2010 (UTC)

Expect lots of resistance, though, so have your explanation for questions and concerns ready. Something like this, which involves only the voluntary removal of tools, would be easier to get consensus on, than adding tools, like, say giving bureaucrats de-sysop abilities. And does anyone know what that IP is talking about just below here? Useight (talk) 22:37, 30 September 2010 (UTC)

Some kind of unsourced claim 10x more than what the article currently states... –xeno^talk 22:40, 30 September 2010 (UTC)

Yes, maybe my mistake was assuming it would've just been a slam dunk. –xeno^talk 22:39, 30 September 2010 (UTC)

United States Senate special election in Delaware, 2010

christine o'donell has fundraised 2,500,000 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.49.145.74 (talk) 22:32, 30 September 2010 (UTC)

Do you have a citation for that? –xeno^talk 22:39, 30 September 2010 (UTC)

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