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Revision as of 05:26, 20 January 2014

This editor has decided to leave Misplaced Pages.

Fountainviewkid is currently feeling discouraged about Misplaced Pages and is taking an off-and-on wikibreak due to loss of motivation. Your help in cheering this user up would be appreciated. They will return when their wikistress has dissipated and their confidence in the wikicommunity has been restored.

Southern Record

Hi FVK, this is in response to your note on my talk page. This sentence at the Southern Adventist University page is under discussion.

Southern has a strong record of acceptances into medical, dental, and law schools and its symphony orchestra, concert band, choral groups, and gymnastics team tour internationally.

Question: Aren't there assessment sites that report on such record of acceptance? On the high school level, the Fraser Institute reported on schools that had a high rate of students going on to university.

Idea. It may be useful to find news items about SAU's international touring groups.

More later... DonaldRichardSands (talk) 04:43, 26 August 2011 (UTC)

I've been trying to find them, but haven't met with the greatest success. I will keep looking though. I still don't see why TICUA is an unreliable source.--Fountainviewkid (talk) 04:46, 26 August 2011 (UTC)

I don't understand those type of sources very much. They probably rely on information provided by the school. The research necessary to verify each schools information would take lots more effort and time. I doubt that TICUA takes such time to independently verify the information submitted by the school. If TICUA describes their process of gathering information, that would be helpful. DonaldRichardSands (talk) 05:01, 26 August 2011 (UTC)

It is good to encourage experienced editors to provide critical advice on the WP article. In the end, the article will be stronger for their input. Each editor becomes an acquaintance. They become part of the SAU team of editors. DonaldRichardSands (talk) 05:01, 26 August 2011 (UTC)

Donald what you fail to realize is this was initially brought to the talk page by a new IP which COULD very easily be a sock of a banned user. I do not know for sure, but the POSSIBILITY is certainly there. We should be careful at least for that reason if not for the fact that actions were taken BEFORE consensus was obtained. Critical editors need to wait for consensus before making such edits (unless there is some egregious breach of policy). Otherwise a bad precedent is set, one against the principles of Misplaced Pages.--Fountainviewkid (talk) 05:08, 26 August 2011 (UTC)

• It is possible that the initial edit was a sock of a banned user. If the revert has been done by an unregistered IP, then to revert back can be justified IMO. But, now that we have experienced registered editors weighing in, the best way forward is to discuss and examine. Remember, the success of the SAU WP page does not depend on any one disputed sentence, but the overall article. Every critic and their concern helps the page strengthen. For example, two editors have now challenged the source. It is to the WP page's advantage to have them involved. A critic brings strength to the article, not weakness. DonaldRichardSands (talk) 08:46, 26 August 2011 (UTC)

TICUA is an advocacy group that represents its member schools, and it is run by leaders of the schools (current list of the Board of Directors and what schools they are from is here). Southern Adventist University is a member. -- Atama頭 06:15, 26 August 2011 (UTC)

• Hi Atama, the link you provided to show membership lists the board members. SAU doesn't have a rep on the board, according to the link you provided. It is a member institution, though. See HERE DonaldRichardSands (talk) 09:00, 26 August 2011 (UTC)
• Question: The information in question is probably true. Would an in text attribution to the source help? DonaldRichardSands (talk) 09:00, 26 August 2011 (UTC)

Yes, it's true that SAU does not have a rep on the board. But the fact is that the schools are directly involved in the organization, to the extent that half of the board is composed of representatives from member schools. So the organization is not a neutral third party. It would be like using a city's chamber of commerce as a reference for a local business. The PDF is a self-published source, and such sources cannot be "unduly self-serving". As to the accuracy of the information, "Southern has a strong record of acceptances into medical, dental, and law schools", that's a self-promotional claim that really should be backed up by a reliable source. What constitutes a "strong" record? Who determines that? -- Atama頭 09:47, 26 August 2011 (UTC)

I understand what both of you are saying, which is why I suggested a modification. For example, making only a mention about the music and gymnastics programs and noting that a specific organization has said something about SAU's record into various schools. I still believe it would be possible to use the source as it doesn't have to be "unduly self-serving". I see a way for it to be a valuable piece of information just with more context and a removal of questionable wording.--Fountainviewkid (talk) 14:01, 26 August 2011 (UTC)

• TICUA's 'Contact Us' page lists Amy Beckman as the Assistant Director of Research and Technology. She is probably the one who could tell us how the "strong" record was determined. The page gives an email address to contact her. DonaldRichardSands (talk) 16:03, 26 August 2011 (UTC)

That is a good find Donald. I think I might actually look into it. Thanks for being more helpful than others. I appreciate your sense of fairness and balance.--Fountainviewkid (talk) 17:25, 26 August 2011 (UTC)

I agree that the second part of the quote is somewhat factual, and shouldn't be as problematic. Here's a suggestion, rather than sourcing that PDF, why not use this page? It has the exact same text and you're no longer sourcing a 40+ page advertisement. It still suffers the same SPS issues, but at least it's better than that PDF. Also, I ran across this page, which is still an SPS (SAU provides the info you see there) but there's a lot of info to look at. -- Atama頭 18:20, 26 August 2011 (UTC)

It actually never was sourced to the PDF. I only said you that link because I thought it would show that it's actually in print rather than just some information posted online. I like your link there, and perhaps I can use it. Unfortunately I don't think those who have now entered the Southern Talk page would agree. They haven't been willing in the slightest bit to compromise or try to come to a consensus. It's not making this easy.--Fountainviewkid (talk) 18:28, 26 August 2011 (UTC)

Future

I hope you do come back and edit after this block, I'm sure you'll be capable of not repeating these mistakes in the future. — raekyt 03:24, 3 September 2011 (UTC)

Nope this is the last straw. I'm finished with Misplaced Pages. I wasn't even given time to reply and then i get this blocked. Misplaced Pages is full of idiots masquerading as objective. This is not worth my time. I can make a positive difference without being sent through hell many other places on this planet. I am out of here for good and will getting rid of as much as I can. Good bye.--Fountainviewkid (talk) 05:40, 3 September 2011 (UTC)

FVK, I was offline all day and missed all the commotion and am just catching up. I don't know if you read User:EdJohnston's last post at WP:ANEW#User:Fountainviewkid_reported_by_User:Mtking_.28Result:_1_month.29, but note that "it may be that Kubigula's proposal will be accepted by the parties. Any admin who believes they have consensus can modify this result". I think that if you agree to it, the block would likely be overturned. It seems like most of the editors there really wanted to find a solution that would avoid a block. Maybe you should sleep on it and decide in the morning, but no sense doing anything rash until you've had time to consider. Mojoworker (talk) 06:18, 3 September 2011 (UTC)

I know Mojo, but I just don't want to put myself through anymore of this. I have tired of going through tribunal after tribunal after tribunal. To be honest I feel like a Wikiterrorist who has given up fighting the system and just committed Wikisuicide (only on Wiki, real life is still just fine). I know I could go through another whole long process of begging, pleading, saying all kinds of fancy words and nice things and giving an abundance of apologies. I am not against doing any of those things but I've tired of the whole process. I want my REAL life back, one where I don't go before judges every few days for little mistakes and one where I'm not regularly sanctioned (except for the occasional rebuke by a friend). Thanks for all you guys have done. Maybe my example will be a lesson in the future of what NOT to do, and maybe how NOT to treat editors in certain ways.--Fountainviewkid (talk) 06:29, 3 September 2011 (UTC)

After enough losses sometimes it's time to move on. I must be gone and with it my wiki life. Twas a fascinating endeavor while it lasted, but alas all good things must come to an end (this side of Heaven). Farewell.--Fountainviewkid (talk) 06:34, 3 September 2011 (UTC)

The End!

This editor has decided to leave Misplaced Pages.

FVK, I haven't had much interaction with you, but from what I have observed, you have shown a lot of courage and integrity in your time here. Drrll (talk) 18:00, 3 September 2011 (UTC)

Good-bye, Fountainviewkid! I'm going to miss working with you. As much as Misplaced Pages needs conservative editors like you, your decision is the correct one: there are many other ways to spend your time that are more productive and fulfilling than editing Misplaced Pages. It is addicting, though, so I wish you a relatively painless withdrawal. If there's a lesson to be learned here, it's that people (admins are people too) judge by appearances instead of looking deeper to discover what really happened. Keep the faith, and, if you change your mind, you can always come back in a month! Vaya con Dios! --Kenatipo 03:20, 4 September 2011 (UTC)

Another editor bites the dust. Its been over a month and Im sorry sir you felt inclined to retire- even though i didnt know of your existance till now; i agree with what Drrl said you seemed pretty genuine in your edits and this quote "Actually I was never given ample time to consider the proposal, but hey it speaks to more of the weaknesses of wiki. Editors and admins who are too quick to make actions and jump to conclusions without giving others the time to respond." Is probably one of the best things ive heard on wikipedia for while and i couldnt agree more. Really sad to loose you as an editor.

However, on a side note you have been reported an awful lot of times; all for praticially the same reason - Edit warring. Perhaps not all were your fault or intentions and you were just unlucky (as i have been in the past) on some of the cases, but without a doubt you were partially to blame and as an experienced editor should of been more accountable for your actions. At any rate, if you do come back i whole heartedly welcome you but if not i cant say i dont blame you; Wishing you all the best with life. User:Goldblooded 11:47, 14 October 2011 (UTC)

Yup I'm gone, other than getting updates when people write on my Talk page. I decided I needed to get out since I was doing far more good in the "non-wiki" world. The reason I got "reported" such a higher number of times was due to my "battle" with the now community banned editor BelloWello, who has several other socks and committed just about every violation in the book. He's gone, but those scars left enough of a reputation that there's no point for me to be on here. You have demonstrated this, for example, since even though you could see my good intentions you still notice the past problems. Those problems make it almost impossible to stay here on Wiki, unless I did a "clean-start" kind of thing, and I saw where that got Bello. Maybe sometime far far in the future I will come back, but for now the "real" world actually needs me. Thanks for recognizing the complexities within Wiki users and how us "bad" editors aren't really that "bad". So long.

--Fountainviewkid (talk) 18:34, 14 October 2011 (UTC) Hello. You have a new message at WP:WikiProject_Conservatism's talk page.– Lionel 22:13, 12 November 2011 (UTC)

ANI

Hi,
This message is being sent to inform you that there is currently a discussion at Misplaced Pages:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents#User:Viriditas_and_User:Anupam regarding a dispute between other editors, which briefly touches on some of your edits. Feel free to comment on the thread and provide your own perspective on events. bobrayner (talk) 09:48, 3 May 2012 (UTC)

The Olive Branch: A Dispute Resolution Newsletter (Issue #1)

Welcome to the first edition of The Olive Branch. This will be a place to semi-regularly update editors active in dispute resolution (DR) about some of the most important issues, advances, and challenges in the area. You were delivered this update because you are active in DR, but if you would prefer not to receive any future mailing, just add your name to this page.

In this issue:

• Background: A brief overview of the DR ecosystem.
• Research: The most recent DR data
• Survey results: Highlights from Steven Zhang's April 2012 survey
• Activity analysis: Where DR happened, broken down by the top DR forums
• DR Noticeboard comparison: How the newest DR forum has progressed between May and August
• Discussion update: Checking up on the Wikiquette Assistance close debate
• Proposal: It's time to close the Geopolitical, ethnic, and religious conflicts noticeboard. Agree or disagree?

--The Olive Branch 19:03, 4 September 2012 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

	The Special Barnstar
	I'm so sorry to hear that you have already left us. You have been a valued and trusted contributor of the project. I hope you reconsider your retirement and return to Misplaced Pages once more. Best wishes, Lord Sjones23 (talk - contributions) 05:25, 20 January 2014 (UTC)

• Wikipedians feeling discouraged