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{{quote|text="It was reading the ultimate paragraph of this post: that finally convinced me it was time to go, yes, Hans is quite right, I am stuck in a vicious circle and there was no likelihood of things improving."|sign=<small>Extract from Giano's retirement statement</small>}} {{quote|text="It was reading the ultimate paragraph of this post: that finally convinced me it was time to go, yes, Hans is quite right, I am stuck in a vicious circle and there was no likelihood of things improving."|sign=<small>Extract from Giano's retirement statement</small>}}
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Revision as of 20:41, 15 March 2013

"It was reading the ultimate paragraph of this post: that finally convinced me it was time to go, yes, Hans is quite right, I am stuck in a vicious circle and there was no likelihood of things improving."

— Extract from Giano's retirement statement
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Molon labe!

Wish you well

Misplaced Pages Gold Watch of Retirement
!! Happy Retirement Malleus Fatuorum  !!
I would like to say that I am really sorry to hear that you are retiring from Misplaced Pages. However, I am also really glad you joined in the first place. Thank you for your contribution to making Misplaced Pages the best factual-based resource on the internet. In recognition of your service you are presented with the Misplaced Pages Gold Watch of Retirement. I hope to see you back here soon, either as a visitor or back with the odd edit or two. (If just to surprise some every few years!)

Amadscientist

Sorry

Malleus...I meant to hit "diff" but hit "rollback" by mistake when I was checking the edit you had made to your userpage...by the time I went to self revert Crisco beat me to it...I have to be more careful when I'm using my portable device. Sorry about that.--MONGO 12:25, 8 February 2013 (UTC)

No worries MONGO, we all make mistakes. Malleus Fatuorum 04:09, 12 February 2013 (UTC)
My inadvertent use of the revert is minor compared to my defense of MathewTownsend. I used to spot socks pretty quickly, but I had my radar off on that one. I apologize for making bad assumptions of you in that matter.--MONGO 12:47, 13 February 2013 (UTC)
Apology accepted MONGO. In fact it was quite late in the day before I realised myself who MathewTownsend really was. As for making bad assumptions of me, that just about sums up my Misplaced Pages adventure; I pretty much became used to it towards the end. Malleus Fatuorum 14:27, 13 February 2013 (UTC)
(watching) look at my talk for a most general comment ;) (sing praises II) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:41, 13 February 2013 (UTC)

British comics

Not exactly a TV series from the 50s, but it's the closest I could find: Monster Fun. Drmies (talk) 02:40, 12 February 2013 (UTC)

What the Hell is a plate wobbler? Malleus Fatuorum 04:13, 12 February 2013 (UTC)
It's a "Monster Mirth Maker", of course. — sparklism 08:33, 12 February 2013 (UTC)
A Plate wobbler is crazy notable since Graham Kibble-White wrote about it, who's also crazy notable! Plus, Damien Hirst used the term in simile. Drmies (talk) 15:38, 12 February 2013 (UTC)
Plate wobbler
Plate wobbler
The two of you should look at the topic I opened at WP:AN. If nothing else, it will give you an opportunity to tell me I'm full of crap, always a worthwhile sport.--Bbb23 (talk) 23:41, 12 February 2013 (UTC)
I think Plate wobbler is much more exciting and closer to FA status than Hose coupling.Drmies (talk) 03:48, 13 February 2013 (UTC)
I thought Hose coupling was going to be a sex term article since you are the one that linked it. Needless to say, I was disappointed when going there. Dennis Brown - 2¢ © Join WER 14:59, 13 February 2013 (UTC)
A plate wobbler is a device for humorously wobbling a plate, a plate wobbler (à la Hirst) is one who wobbles plates and a wobble plate nutates (Majumdar (2000) Oil Hydraulic Systems pp. 118–119) --Senra (talk) 19:45, 13 February 2013 (UTC)
I read "an inflatable rubber bladder and a hand-operated pump" and thought it was talking about a sex toy. Ritchie333 16:21, 14 February 2013 (UTC)

This might interest you

–Adrian J. Hunter 12:39, 15 February 2013 (UTC)

Main page appearance: Kennet and Avon Canal

This is a note to let the main editors of Kennet and Avon Canal know that the article will be appearing as today's featured article on March 12, 2013. You can view the TFA blurb at Misplaced Pages:Today's featured article/March 12, 2013. If you prefer that the article appear as TFA on a different date, or not at all, please ask featured article director Raul654 (talk · contribs) or his delegates Dabomb87 (talk · contribs), Gimmetoo (talk · contribs), and Bencherlite (talk · contribs), or start a discussion at Misplaced Pages talk:Today's featured article/requests. If the previous blurb needs tweaking, you can change it—following the instructions at Misplaced Pages:Today's featured article/requests/instructions. If this article needs any attention or maintenance, it would be preferable if that could be done before its appearance on the Main Page. The blurb as it stands now is below:

Caen Hill Locks

The Kennet and Avon Canal is a waterway in southern England with an overall length of 87 miles (140 km), made up of two lengths of navigable river linked by a canal. The name is commonly used to refer to the entire length of the navigation rather than solely to the central canal section. From Bristol to Bath the waterway follows the natural course of the River Avon before the canal links it to the River Kennet at Newbury, and from there to Reading on the River Thames. In all, the waterway incorporates more than 100 locks (Caen Hill Locks pictured). The two river stretches were made navigable in the early 18th century, and the 57-mile (92 km) canal section was constructed between 1794 and 1810. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the canal gradually fell into disuse after the opening of the Great Western Railway. In the latter half of the 20th century the canal was restored in stages, largely by volunteers. After decades of dereliction and much restoration work, it was fully reopened in 1990. The Kennet and Avon Canal has been developed as a popular heritage tourism destination for boating, canoeing, fishing, walking, and cycling, and is also important for wildlife conservation. (Full article...)

UcuchaBot (talk) 23:01, 19 February 2013 (UTC)

Recent events behind the scenes have made this necessary

I had never intended to return to editing anyway after what happened last year, but I've been advised that it may be politic to give substance to that commitment by scrambling my password, which I'm about to do shortly, just as soon as I figure out how to do it. It's not without some small tinge of regret that I sever my final link with Malleus, who despite all of the bad press I remain convinced did far, far more good than bad here. But whatever. Malleus Fatuorum 02:48, 24 February 2013 (UTC)

Fwiw, I think whatever has happened "behind the scenes" should be transparent. So we know why Malleus is being run out of town. But as you say, whatever. I'm not happy to see this though. Truthkeeper (talk) 02:57, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
There was a report to ArbCom a month or so ago now that I operated an improper alternate account, in part to evade one of Malleus's many blocks, and this seems to be the only way I can practically address that allegation, in fairness to that other editor. I had no intention of returning to editing anyway, so it's no big deal. It appears to me though that scrambling my password is yet another of those privileges permitted only to administrators? If it's something I can do then would someone please let me know how, otherwise would a passing administrator please scramble my password for me? Thanks. Malleus Fatuorum 03:19, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
Why wasn't this reported publicly? The behind-the-scenes snitching doesn't sit well, to be honest. So Malleus is simply to be scuppered and run out of town? I think WP can do better than that. Truthkeeper (talk) 03:32, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
I'm not sure transparency would be helpful. Rather than some sort of evil conspiracy, this looks to me like a sensible face-saving, "don't ask, don't tell" compromise, allowing an editor valued for his competence—should he so wish—to make a clean start and continue editing without any perceived pressure from supporters to live up to a reputation for egregious incivility. This would presumably require that any new account suspected of belonging to the same person as the Malleus account be clearly seen not to be an alternate account. --Boson (talk) 14:36, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
I still say don't do it, but all you do is type something random (mash on the keyboard), copy and paste it into the second box, munge your email address so you can't request a reset, and log out. --SarekOfVulcan (talk) 03:23, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
Ah, that would work. OK, thanks. I thought it would be something a bit more high tech. :-) Malleus Fatuorum 03:28, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
Please don't. There's no effective difference (for those of us you leave behind) if you scramble or don't, however it would be a pity not to be able to return in the years to come (in case things improve). There's still good around here, and even the occasional hello from you will make this place better. Looking forward to working with you in the years to come. Cheers. GFHandel ♬  03:08, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
Despite some annoying edits of mine in the past, I'd like to add my voice to the don't-scramble-it-yet chorus. --SarekOfVulcan (talk) 03:18, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
Unfortunately, he posted this 30 minutes ago. He may have already done it and hit the log out button.—cyberpower Online 03:20, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
The time has come, the walrus said ...". If I knew how to scramble my password I'd have done it already. Can anyone help? Malleus Fatuorum 03:22, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
By scramble, do you mean change it to something that you don't know so you can't re-login? Go Phightins! 03:23, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
I do, yes. Malleus Fatuorum 03:24, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
Well, I'm sure there's some more high tech way of doing it, but if you go to Special:ChangePassword, you could type your old password, randomly hit some nonsense keys, and then Ctrl+C in to the other box to duplicate it. Go Phightins! 03:26, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
I was just about to say the same thing as Phightins. You're going to be sorely missed. You were such a great contributor. You're history is too long for me to discern what caused and led it to this, but it's a shame it did. Please come back sometime Malleus.—cyberpower Online 03:30, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
Good luck in whatever you decide to devote your time to in the future. Thanks for what you've done on Misplaced Pages. --Go Phightins! 03:31, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
  • Malleus' account isn't lost, despite the scrambled password.—cyberpower Online 03:35, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
  • I'm not sure it's what you're looking for, but you could always go here and create some random 256-bit hex key, copy and paste.
Like the others, on a selfish note I will regret seeing the Malleus insight around, but I think it's more important that you are happy in life. Cheers and best always. — Ched :  ?  03:48, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
Not sure why scrambling your password is necessary. Just stop logging in. This is pretty well documented. --MZMcBride (talk) 04:08, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
Here lies Malleus and the Followers of Malleus. At 8pm every day, we will remember him by not posting on the dramaboard but we will improve articles and sources, and cause no drama. Non erimus fatua....
  • How does "scrambling your password" protect another editor from charges that he is your sock puppet? Why not just holiday awhile and pop back occasionally to check whether the more toxic buffoons we have to suffer here have fallen off their perches. Miracles do happen. --Epipelagic (talk) 05:53, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
  • Of course you do more good than harm. Its no great exaggeration to say that if the Foundation spent a significant portion of their cash pile paying professional writers to improve our content, it still wouldn't fill the Malleus shape hole your absence would leave. If its not too late, why dont you ask an admin to block you for 6 months, maybe your irritation with this place will have passed by then? FeydHuxtable (talk) 14:13, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
  • Sorry to see you go! Still, I believe in reincarnation (well, not really). Johnbod (talk) 14:32, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
  • "Don't believe in miracles. Rely on them." (Mascha Kaléko) - I do, really, or would not be here anymore, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:37, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
  • Even if you scramble your password, it won't prove anything because only you would know for sure what had been done. If you want to demonstrate that you've stopped editing then you should do just that. Myself, I regularly deny myself by declining to post at ANI or other scenes of drama. It is not an especially effective gesture because only I know that I'm doing it. But virtue is its own reward and it saves me considerable time and effort. Warden (talk) 14:42, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
  • You can return as plain Malleus F - ...Modernist (talk) 14:53, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
I understand the need/desire to step away for some time. Please don't make it permanent.--SPhilbrick(Talk) 17:52, 5 March 2013 (UTC)
Wow. What an insulting use of a cemetery image. --Onorem♠Dil 00:01, 14 March 2013 (UTC)

Forum

This discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.

A while ago, i termed this talk a precious forum, - what do you think of exchanging ideas here, even if the host is absent? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:34, 24 February 2013 (UTC)

I think it's the worst idea I've heard for quite some time. Bishonen | talk 23:10, 24 February 2013 (UTC).
There's a darkness now in the heart of Misplaced Pages, with little remaining light or basic decency. Unaware buffoons rule. --Epipelagic (talk) 23:44, 24 February 2013 (UTC)
The spread of Sleipnir-sacremental horse-eating is one of the last signs before Ragnarok. Who will play Balder? Kiefer.Wolfowitz 05:40, 25 February 2013 (UTC)
People, d'ya mind? I think what you want is that-a-way (link to Wikipediocracy). Knock yourselves out. Herostratus (talk) 06:54, 25 February 2013 (UTC)
I don't think a wikipediocracy type of forum is what was being proposed at all and I don't think the proposal is such a bad idea. This page has long been a forum for content creators to exchange ideas or ask for help and, sadly, now Malleus has gone there doesn't seem to be anywhere else that performs the same function - or if there is I haven't found it yet. He's left behind a large gap that won't easily be filled. Richerman (talk) 00:12, 3 March 2013 (UTC)
  • While I'm confident that no offense was intended, it would seem a bit morbid to use Malleus's talk page as a meeting place, considering the whole circumstances that led to his leaving. Kind of like using a casket as a dinner table simply because it has a nice flat surface. Perhaps someone could just start a Project with this common interest and meet there. I'm not sure how Malleus would feel about using his page in this way, but he didn't die, he just went away, so at the very least, asking him via email would be proper. Dennis Brown - 2¢ © Join WER 16:25, 5 March 2013 (UTC)
  • I'd say more a sandbox somewhere than a project. If you launch a project, someone will try to have it deleted. Intothatdarkness 16:48, 5 March 2013 (UTC)
    Sandboxes are made to be deleted, so not sure what protection that would offer. Dennis Brown - 2¢ © Join WER 16:53, 5 March 2013 (UTC)
    A project associated with Malleus would attract drama, Dennis. Mainly from those who couldn't stand him. Could be interesting in terms of smoking out folks, but maybe not the best collaborative forum. Intothatdarkness 17:03, 5 March 2013 (UTC)
    My impression was the forum requested wasn't about Malleus in particular but other ideas that are of interest to content creators. Dennis Brown - 2¢ © Join WER 17:07, 5 March 2013 (UTC)
It would be a luminous green forum Gerda, Malleus's "toxic personality" would be left lingering here to contaminate us good souls LOL.♦ Dr. ☠ Blofeld 17:12, 5 March 2013 (UTC)
A page where you can sing praises of banned editors and get applause, a rare thing around here - and enjoyable --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:45, 5 March 2013 (UTC)
I think its called Wikipediocracy, although I'm not a member so only going by reputation. Dennis Brown - 2¢ © Join WER 19:15, 5 March 2013 (UTC)
No, it's not, it's right here, just archived, Ottava Rima mentioned already in November 2012, if you follow the links, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:29, 5 March 2013 (UTC)
  • A forum aimed at the interests of any remaining content builders has no chance of survival. The controlling interests on Misplaced Pages are progressively assigning themselves more and more draconian levers of power, positioning content builders as criminals by "working the way most real-life courts do", and unlike most real-life courts in the Western world, becoming a dark force operating "in camera" where they cannot be scrutinised – --Epipelagic (talk) 00:23, 6 March 2013 (UTC)
    • People, PLEASE. Would you please take this to Wikipediocracy where it belongs? Do you people have any idea how annoying all this carping is to normal editors? Why on earth would you want to hang around such a terrible place? Get thee to Wikipediocracy, hie! Or just get another hobby! Better than Wikipediocracy, why not turn all that vituperative energy against the Koch Brother or something. Look, here's a great cause: Global Zero. Or SOMEwhere else, please. Thanks!
I'm so glad you said "people" twice, eliminating the possibility the contributors might be aliens from other worlds. (Because that would be scary.) "Do you people have any idea how annoying all this carping is to normal editors?" Oh my gosh, that does sound like a big problem. In fact it sounds like ... disruption. How unfair to all those normal editors. To have to be annoyed like that. To be subjected to the continued carping. People just don't have any idea how bad this really is, the extent of annoyance to normal editors. They just don't really know. But you told us, Herostratus, you were brave and pointed it all out plainly. Someone had to step forward to put a stop to all the carping that's been generating all that annoyance, so the normal editor can edit in peace without having to be annoyed so much. People just don't have any idea about the extent of all that annoyance. But you told them the way it was. You rose to the cause admirably. The army of normal editors are in your debt, and I'm sure they will be looking to you for your continued leadership, in defending their ability to edit in peace, without having to endure further all of those annoyances that make editing a chore or even impossible sometimes. Your stepping forward to fight this good fight won't quickly be forgotten. Ihardlythinkso (talk) 09:31, 6 March 2013 (UTC)
Another constructive comment from a long line of constructive comments by IHTS right there... Basalisk ⁄berate 09:44, 6 March 2013 (UTC)
Insult noted, Mr. Basalisk Administrator. You're as transparent as glass, Basalisk. And keep in mind, my whole existence on WP is for the purpose of ensuring you are pleased with me at all times. So be sure to continue to let me know whenever I screw up on that. You and your 34%. Ihardlythinkso (talk) 10:40, 6 March 2013 (UTC)
I'm sorry to chasten you, IHTS. It just occurs to me that the majority of your comments that I've come across are bizarrely at odds with the "please be nice" user box on your talk page. Just saying. Basalisk ⁄berate 11:23, 6 March 2013 (UTC)
At least Malleus's page is still good for helping identify certain types of activity. Fascinating. Intothatdarkness 14:54, 6 March 2013 (UTC)
I don't think you're sorry, Basalisk. And as far as continuing dialogue with me, besides asking you not to, I personally also wouldn't recommend it. Regarding your latest aspersion, that I somehow behave inconsistent with what my Userbox suggests, I find it painful to point out to you the obvious, but it seems necessary in your case, that I'm nice to people who are nice, and sometimes not to people who are not. (Herostratus's little para was deliberate condescension to a group of contributors here, some of whom are very smart individuals and awesome content contributors. And that wasn't nice.) It's the same really with Malleus. (No one can put a finger on any discord initiated by him. He only responded to the shit he received, ever. He responded to niceness with niceness in return. And that is the heart of civility, which he summarized in one word: respect. This site should have put Malleus in a leadership position, for sake of the quality of the encyclopedia. Instead it ran him out of town. How self-destructive is that!?) Ihardlythinkso (talk) 23:30, 6 March 2013 (UTC)
If you want to see examples of Malleus being nice look for his name on my talk (more examples in its history). --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:47, 7 March 2013 (UTC)
Can anyone explain to a Brit what the phrase "just saying" actually adds to a comment? Does it have similar connotations to "with the greatest of respect"? Richerman (talk) 12:39, 7 March 2013 (UTC)
It's more along the lines of "I'm just pointing out the obvious, since the obvious seems to have been ignored". --SB_Johnny | ✌ 12:46, 7 March 2013 (UTC)
OK, let's start over. Sorry about being shirty. I guess my point is kind of this: I don't know a lot about Malleus, but I gather that 1) he's very good, and 2) he has a bunch of like-minded editors who sort of gather round him, and 3) he -- and maybe some of that coterie -- has pretty much given up on the Misplaced Pages.

OK, fine, so what's a next step. What I don't see as helpful or happy-making for anyone is hanging around here and carping all day. I've suggested taking the group over to Wikipediocracy, where it looks like Malleus himself is settling in.

But of course that will accomplish little, so what about this: fork. I know -- it's very hard. But it's been done -- in Spain, I believe. And consider. You could possibly get Malleus on board, and he's supposed to be very good. And he's expressed interest in heading a project. That's a start. Then, you have scores of editors, good editors, who would contribute -- lots of time, and maybe a little money and some real-life work. That's another start. Obviously you'd need to raise funds, and get system operation expertise, but you could start with a prospectus. Or... how about taking over Citizendium? It's essentially defunct, but could be used as platform to raise a new encyclopedia -- let's call it Omnipedia, say -- out of the ashes, if some score of enthusiastic and talented people took it over. Contact Larry Sanger! There's an article about him now on the main page of Wikipeiocracy, and according to them he's the bee's knees. You could probably get the author (Kohser) on board and probably some more people from Wikipedicracy.

Run it on Malleian principles, howsoever you see them, and who knows? In five years maybe Omnipedia will be at the top of the charts! My suggestion would be to not spend a lot of time working out rules but just put Malleus in charge, if he'll do it (at a salary). From what I gather here, Omnipedia (run by Malleus or a similar person) should easy outcompete the Misplaced Pages. (Color me skeptical, but who knows? You fellows could be right, and the Misplaced Pages should welcome the competition, and possibly be improved by the competition, and let the best philosophy win.)

Think big! Act big! Let a thousand flowers bloom. Herostratus (talk) 18:04, 8 March 2013 (UTC)

So we lose Malleus and get Hans Adler back in return.... ♦ Dr. ☠ Blofeld 21:05, 8 March 2013 (UTC)
Sorry, I don't understand the reference. Herostratus (talk) 03:55, 9 March 2013 (UTC)
You understand nothing, yet you keep offering stupid unwanted advice on the talk page of a retired editor. Maybe you should hit the road? Kiefer.Wolfowitz 11:37, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

Notification of motion

Malleus, I sent an e-mail to you last night (around 00:20 this morning) as a courtesy notification of an internal motion that had been discussed and voted on by the Arbitration Committee following earlier correspondence. As stated in that e-mail, the motion has now been published at the committee's noticeboard, and is available here. Carcharoth (talk) 23:45, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

Your 'connection' with Pondevaro

Providing no trouble is being caused and/or votes rigged, I don't care if you are or are not George Pondeevaro. It's none of my business. However, what is concerning me is that if the accounts are so similar and committing crime (I have seen no evidence of the latter), why did the Arbcom not wait for a conventional checkuser request. You have enough enemies - if crimes were being committed, it wouldn't have taken long for someone to request a CU. Why did the Arbcom act on a secretive email? It's widely known that you irritated the Arbcom. The only possible conclusion is that this secretive email came from within the Arbcom itself or was set-up by an Arb. If it was not from one of them, they would never have been so stupid as to act on it.  Giano  12:25, 14 March 2013 (UTC)

I disagree. A body which can seize a clarification request and turn it into a ban vote wouldn't hesitate to jump at any opportunity to burn a witch. You're assuming collective caution would have been the norm when all it takes is one of them to jump to his CU tools without waiting for the question "should we CU" to be raised and post the result of his fishing expedition to their secret mailing lists to get the ball rolling. MLauba 12:44, 14 March 2013 (UTC)
Then we have to demand a full explanation to prevent this happening again.  Giano  14:10, 14 March 2013 (UTC)

Lux perpétua lúceat ei

MALLEUS FATUORUM
"... just fuck off."






In honour of both you and everything you stood for that is now lost ... Chaosdruid (talk) 03:20, 15 March 2013 (UTC)

User talk:Eric Corbett: Difference between revisions Add topic