Wikipedia:Barnstar and award proposals/The Anti-Vandalism Barnstar

The Anti-Vandalism Barnstar

I've attempted to create a ninja barnstar image, although I'm sure others could do a better job. This would be for outstanding contributions to countering vandalism on Wikipedia. Another possibility might be a closeup of a ninja holding a star between his index and middle fingers, right in front of his face. --brian0918  19:52, 27 Feb 2005 (UTC)

I personally think this is a bad idea, since we have Barnstars that can be used to award people who combat vanadlism. Zscout370 20:00, 27 Feb 2005 (UTC)

I like the idea: vandalism is so common, that that act of fighting it deserves its own barnstar. I don't know how I feel about the proposed name and image though... I always imagined the vandalism barnstar would be The Barnstar on Wheels (a reference to that icon: Willy on Wheels. Just a thought. – Clockwork Soul 21:21, 27 Feb 2005 (UTC)

I agree that a barnstar for fighting vandalism would be good. However, I don't really like having a highly animated barnstar like this appearing on my user page. There's a huge difference between this and the lightly-animated Tireless Contributor Barnstar. I know it wasn't initially created as such, but perhaps Defender of the Wiki could be refactored for this purpose. The name invokes feelings of defending Wikipedia from attackers, and this could be applied to vandalism as well as attempts at fraud. What do you think?

If not, I have an idea for a vandalism-specific barnstar. I was thinking that a lot of anti-vandalism work involves reverting changes. So how about an eraser (perferably at the end of a pencil) erasing a piece of graffiti (a red spraypaint, probably a "W") over the original barnstar? Or perhaps two different-coloured halves of a barnstar, one the original colour, and the original some other "vandalism" colour (like red, purple, black, or take your pick) with the same eraser scrubbing away the vandalism. --Death phoenix 06:37, 1 Mar 2005 (UTC)

I definitely agree that that animation is not something I want on my user page. About broadening the scope of the Defender of the Wiki, I'm on the fence about it. On one hand, I understand that having too many types of barnstars cheapens the whole purpose of them. On the other, we put a good deal of work into The Defender. I would like to hear what its creator thinks. Finally, regarding your barnstar design idea: I like the second one (the half and half barnstar) the best, but maybe as half pretty and shiny, and half crap rusted out metal with spray paint on it? – Clockwork Soul 06:57, 1 Mar 2005 (UTC)

This turned out to be more difficult than I expected, probably because of the small size of the image. I'm still not sure I like it. Maybe another suggestion? -- BRIAN0918 19:09, 1 Mar 2005 (UTC)

Also, with respect to having too many barnstars, while I understand your concern, I believe that we should at least have a barnstar for each major topic, especially if we're going to have a Sport-specific barnstar. Then, there should at least be ones for art, literature, history, science (or maybe take the Category suggestions: Culture | Geography | History | Life | Mathematics | Science | Society | Technology). If anyone else agrees, I may just get to work on these :) BRIAN0918 21:10, 1 Mar 2005 (UTC)

Hmm... I kind of like this idea! We could separate barnstars into "task barnstars" and "topic barnstars" (just for the sake of organization, of course). I'll start a new thread, and see if it takes off. – Clockwork Soul 00:49, 3 Mar 2005 (UTC)

The more I think about it, the more I prefer a specific vandalism barnstar. Reverting vandalism is such a huge part of what people do here, and its effects can certainly be felt if someone happened upon a page and saw the vandalism (incidentally, that's how I did my first revert). I was thinking of going with the half and half idea, but instead of an eraser, I'd use a paintbrush or paint roller instead. A lot of people that clean up real-life vandalism do it that way. I think a good candidate for a shiny new barnstar would be silver (much shinier than what I have below), and the other half would be a darker, possibly pitted version of it (with spray paint vandalism, of course). --Death phoenix 07:34, 1 Mar 2005 (UTC)

Seeing as the tireless contributor barnstar rotates clockwise, the revert barnstar could simply rotate counterclockwise... -- BRIAN0918 07:39, 1 Mar 2005 (UTC)

Personally, I'm not a big fan of any animated gifs. I find them a bit tacky. Plus, that image would be almost indistinguishable in that if an editor forgot which direction meant, he owuld have to look it up. – Clockwork Soul 00:49, 3 Mar 2005 (UTC)

Here's what I had in mind (the name is just something I slipped in and is not fixed or anything). One end of the barnstar is heavily vandalised, and there's a pencil erasing the vandalism. I can change the level of vandalism, the colours of the base barnstar, the position and slope of the pencil, but overall, I think it fit in quite nicely. I placed the pencil based on the position of eraser, it was a nice coincidence that the middle line of the pencil fit the image corner exactly. What do you think? --Death phoenix 21:54, 1 Mar 2005 (UTC)

Can you verify the copyright status of the pencil part of the image? -- BRIAN0918 00:32, 3 Mar 2005 (UTC)

If you can, I kind of like the way this idea is progressing. I think the left side of the star should maybe be metal-colored, though. – Clockwork Soul 00:49, 3 Mar 2005 (UTC)

Here's my obligatory take on it. I liked the eraser idea by DP but didn't think it made sense for it to be erasing color graffiti (maybe I just need to develop an imagination? :)). So, to make it slightly humorous, I have the pencil erasing a sketch of the barnstar. Calling it "Revert Barnstar" can thus mean "barnstar of reversion" or the act of "reverting (erasing) a barnstar" (another weak attempt at humor.....) I can reposition the pencil, eraser bits, and section that's erased. Any comments? -- BRIAN0918 01:25, 3 Mar 2005 (UTC)

To answer your question, Brian, yes, that drawing is completely copyright-free, since I drew it myself (I probably spent more time on the pencil than I should have). I don't have my image editor of choice here at this machine, but I should have a few more images up in, oh, about eleven or twelve hours. I'll have a few stars ready by then. --Death phoenix 02:28, 3 Mar 2005 (UTC)

Here's another Barnstar of Reversion (#2) with the vandalism on the opposite side (top left). I agree it looks better this way, and I tried to make it look like the eraser is erasing the vandalism. Also, I touched up the eraser cap thingy to make it look more realistic. --Death phoenix 13:56, 3 Mar 2005 (UTC)

Death, this looks very good. I personally like it, since this clearly shows that vandalism is being erased. Zscout370 19:35, 8 Apr 2005 (UTC)

Thanks for the feedback, Zscout. I like this one too. --Death phoenix 20:46, 8 Apr 2005 (UTC)

I think it works! – Clockwork Soul 22:16, 8 Apr 2005 (UTC)

But doesn't the Editor's Barnstar already cover this area? It's purpose description includes work in reversions as meritorious of it. Regards, Redux 23:15, 8 Apr 2005 (UTC)

After some time thinking about this, I'm on the fence as to whether we need a vandalism barnstar: after all, it is already covered by the editor's barnstar. Plus, I'm not sure that I can think of a single person that has so dedicated themselves to the squashing of vandalism that they deserve such a star. – Clockwork Soul 01:42, 9 Apr 2005 (UTC)

I think that fighting vandalism is enough of an activity that it warrants its own barnstar. I used to do RC patrolling, and it's tough work. I can already envision a few people that would deserve this barnstar. --Death phoenix 17:33, 9 Apr 2005 (UTC)

Since my computer is dead, I cant show off... :( But I suggest a semi vandalised barn star restored. An eraser does not do it. How about some one clearing it with cloth as one would a graffiti? --Cool Cat ^{My Talk} 00:24, 9 Apr 2005 (UTC)
- How about some painters with white paint cleaning up the mess? White barnstar = cleanliness. -- Riffsyphon1024 07:34, Apr 9, 2005 (UTC)
  - It was something I was thinking about, but I prefer the eraser: it implies that we are restoring it to its previous condition, not merely covering it up with a layer of paint. Revert = restore. :-) --Deathphoenix 17:33, 9 Apr 2005 (UTC)
    - I think that we should go ahead and vote on this Barnstar. Do I hear a second? Zscout370 02:43, 15 Apr 2005 (UTC)
- What if we combined both the Revert Barnstar and the Barnstar of Reversion? Realistic pencil erasing the graffiti? -- Riffsyphon1024 20:12, Apr 15, 2005 (UTC)

Combining Revert Barnstar and Barnstar of Reversion

- - A Combo Proposal
    - For some reason, I can't get the PNG to show. N00bie needs help. -- Riffsyphon1024 05:20, Apr 26, 2005 (UTC)
      - You're using IE, aren't you? IE consistently has problems with PNG images. I don't know how to kick it into shape, but I can recommend that you download a much better browser: Mozilla Firefox. Trust me, try it. You'll never look back. – Clockwork Soul 12:50, 26 Apr 2005 (UTC)
        It would be much easier for me to send the file to someone to upload. -- Riffsyphon1024 18:24, Apr 26, 2005 (UTC)
- Riff, send it to me via email and I will fix it up for you. Zscout370 (talk) 18:59, 26 Apr 2005 (UTC)
  - Thank you Zscout370. Now how does it look? -- Riffsyphon1024 04:28, Apr 28, 2005 (UTC)

Vote or die!

As you asked Zscout370. -- Riffsyphon1024 03:02, Apr 15, 2005 (UTC)

Image selection board

No deadline; boards will be closed when a clear consensus is reached. – -- Riffsyphon1024 03:02, Apr 15, 2005 (UTC)

1. Ninja Barnstar no votes	2. Rust-Gold Barnstar no votes	3. Barnstar of Reversion no votes
4. Revert Barnstar brian0918 So do I :) Clockwork Soul It's a tough decision, though!	5. Barnstar of Reversion 2 Death phoenix I like this one. I'd rather erase vandalism than the star. :-) Zscout370 Bratsche^{talk random} I agree with Deathphoenix, don't erase the barnstar! Redux 12:26, 21 Apr 2005 (UTC) AllyUnion (talk) 03:07, 12 May 2005 (UTC)[reply]	Combine 4. Revert Barnstar and 3. Barnstar of Reversion Riffsyphon1024 (changing vote to combination)

Ok, I've voted on the image I find more interesting. But I really must insist that we address the point about the scope of this award already being covered by the Editor's Barnstar. I had mentioned it above, but only ClockworkSoul commented on it (and indeed he was in doubt about this award). Regards, Redux 12:26, 21 Apr 2005 (UTC)

I would also like to point out that we have another award that looks like this: Defender of the Wiki. The Editor's Barnstar is mainly used to honor people who do very good edits (add, delete, merge, redirect, etc.) while the Defender award is used to honor those who prevent Wikipedia to be hijacked by those who wish to use it for harm, and to combat those who are tyring to take Wikipedia down (e.g. vandals, spammers). Zscout370 (talk) 17:20, 28 Apr 2005 (UTC)

That is true. So we have two already existing awards that would have unclear boundaries with this one in terms of their scopes. I believe that the awards should have at least one aspect that completely sets it apart from others. So, even if we had two awards for work in geography-related articles (for example), there should be at least one aspect of at least one of these awards that defines clearly when one should be awarded instead of the other. I fear this distinction is not all that clear for this award in relation to the Editor's Barnstar and the Defender of the Wiki Barnstar. So, it could be that, once this award is installed, it will be forgotten by the community, which will stick to the more traditional, pre-existing awards (especially the Editor's Barnstar), or it will canibalize the other two, as it centralizes all of the awardings for revert work. I don't think we'd want either of these to happen. Regards, Redux 03:34, 29 Apr 2005 (UTC)

I agree with you Redux. The Barnstar of Reversion, in my view and once I started to look at it, will only be rewarded for revsions based on vandalism. If that is the case, I wish for that to be clear, since we have many people who revert all of the time. We do not want this award to be handed out in the middle of revert wars. And if the only case is vandalism, then the Defender of the Wiki could be more suited for that. Zscout370 (talk) 23:05, 30 Apr 2005 (UTC)

I see, but aren't the other two, when awarded for revert work, also intended for those who dedicate themselves to undoing vandalism? I mean, I don't believe the awards would be intended for those who revert other people's work solely because they disagree with the contents, or the logic of the work that is being reverted (revert wars are, of course, an exacerbation of this disagreement). You could say that the Defender of the Wiki Barnstar would go for those who fight "radical vandalism", if you can call it that (as it was necessary after an anon vandalized repeatedly the article on Pope Benedict XVI), and the Editor's Barnstar would be for those who revert the smaller things, such as misguided contributions (off topic, for instance) or the occasional nonsense or just plain wrong pieces of information. So I believe that the two pre-existing awards already cover those basis. The distinction I've talked about are of my own devise, of course, since this is how I'd separate them if I were to award people for their work in reverting stuff (which I never actually did this far). Regards, Redux 05:13, 1 May 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Is this vote going nowhere? Was it even my job to close the vote? If we do, then number 5 wins. -- Riffsyphon1024 08:22, Jun 12, 2005 (UTC)

Go ahead and close it, I will not oppose it. Zscout370 (Sound Off) 21:09, 12 Jun 2005 (UTC)

This vote is now officially closed. The chosen star was the 2nd Barnstar of Revision.

Ok, Now what do we call it?

Sorry that this really took a long time to finish. I'll admit I forgot about it cause I got caught in another wiki. But now is the time to wrap this section up. What do we call it? -- Riffsyphon1024 04:08, Jun 13, 2005 (UTC)

Ah, it's been a while since I was here. Thanks to Bratsche for the heads up. Anyways, I've often heard adminship described, not as a special rank or status, but as janitorial duties. I say we call this the Janitor's Barnstar, or the Eraser Barnstar. --Death phoenix 13:59, 13 Jun 2005 (UTC)

I thought we had something like a Janitor's barnstar already. I'm probably wrong, considering how long I've been gone. If its not used already I would support it. I also would like to see Housekeeping Barnstar. -- Riffsyphon1024 07:20, Jun 14, 2005 (UTC)

I like the sound of Maintenance Barnstar. Sango 123 13:24, Jun 14, 2005 (UTC)

But I thought this was more of an anti-vandalism and reversion barnstar, rather than a janitorial one. Maybe we should have a name along those lines. Bratsche^{talk 5 pillars} 13:36, Jun 14, 2005 (UTC)

Bratsche has a point; there's already The WikiMedal for Janitorial Services for janitorial work. This barnstar was proposed as an award granted to those with "outstanding contributions to countering vandalism on Wikipedia". I think The Anti-Vandalism Barnstar does a nice job of summing up what this barnstar was designed for. Sango123 14:00, Jun 14, 2005 (UTC)

In a way it's a shame it's another star, since Wiki vandal shield or some variant on that would be a good name. How about the Stainless Barnstar? Grutness...wha? 14:07, 14 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Concur with Sango. The Anti-Vandalism Barnstar sounds fine. Bratsche^{talk 5 pillars} 17:26, Jun 14, 2005 (UTC)

I also agree with Anti-Vandalism Barnstar. Zscout370 (Sound Off) 18:42, 14 Jun 2005 (UTC)

I agree with Anti-Vandalism Barnstar. -- Riffsyphon1024 05:22, Jun 15, 2005 (UTC)

Vote or Die

I thought I'd call this vote, since the time was ripe for a vote. Careful, if you don't vote, Barney-star will come and get you! Bratsche^{talk 5 pillars} 01:49, Jun 18, 2005 (UTC)

Housekeeping Barnstar no votes	Maintenance Barnstar no votes	Stainless Barnstar Death phoenix 04:29, 18 Jun 2005 (UTC) Okay, so I like names that are a little different.
Anti-Vandalism Barnstar Bratsche^{talk 5 pillars} 01:49, Jun 18, 2005 (UTC) AllyUnion (talk) 09:39, 18 Jun 2005 (UTC) Zscout370 (Sound Off) 14:22, 18 Jun 2005 (UTC) Sango 123 14:53, Jun 18, 2005 (UTC) Riffsyphon1024 02:51, Jun 19, 2005 (UTC) Support, and please no Barneystar.	Eraser Barnstar no votes	Insert other choices

This vote is closed. The name chosen is the Anti-Vandalism Barnstar.

Ok, here's the final proposal.

The Anti-Vandalism Barnstar

Category: General Barnstars

The Anti-Vandalism Barnstar may be given to any editor who shows great contributions to protecting and reverting attacks of vandalism on Wikipedia.

This award was introduced on February 27, 2005 by brian0918, and was designed by Deathphoenix.

Shall we accept this? Yes or no:

Yes

Bratsche^{talk 5 pillars} June 29, 2005 23:54 (UTC)
Zscout370 (Sound Off) 30 June 2005 04:12 (UTC)
Aye. Death phoenix 30 June 2005 04:20 (UTC)
Sango 123 June 30, 2005 15:07 (UTC)
Anti-vandalism work can be difficult, and should be rewarded. --Durin 1 July 2005 17:28 (UTC)
The preservation of existing content is as important as the introduction of new content. —Lifeisunfair 4 July 2005 18:43 (UTC)
Arrr. It's got my vote, however I did promote this with a real eraser that noone wanted. -- Riffsyphon1024 July 4, 2005 21:40 (UTC)

No

no votes yet

Is it just me, or is there a full consensus? :) Sango 123 July 5, 2005 21:08 (UTC)

Yeah, I'll add it. --Death phoenix 5 July 2005 21:21 (UTC)

Okay, I also updated Template:Barnstars. Let's leave the discussion up for a couple more hours before archiving it for others to see. Sango 123 5 July 2005 21:35 (UTC)

Archive time! Sango 123 July 6, 2005 14:39 (UTC)