Misplaced Pages

Greetings Misplaced Pages Library members! Welcome to the inaugural edition of Books and Bytes, TWL’s monthly newsletter. We're sending you the first edition of this opt-in newsletter, because you signed up, or applied for a free research account: HighBeam, Credo, Questia, JSTOR, or Cochrane. To receive future updates of Books and Bytes, please add your name to the subscriber's list. There's lots of news this month for the Misplaced Pages Library, including new accounts, upcoming events, and new ways to get involved...

New positions: Sign up to be a Misplaced Pages Visiting Scholar, or a Volunteer Misplaced Pages Librarian

Misplaced Pages Loves Libraries: Off to a roaring start this fall in the United States: 29 events are planned or have been hosted.

New subscription donations: Cochrane round 2; HighBeam round 8; Questia round 4... Can we partner with NY Times and Lexis-Nexis??

New ideas: OCLC innovations in the works; VisualEditor Reference Dialog Workshop; a photo contest idea emerges

News from the library world: Wikipedian joins the National Archives full time; the Getty Museum releases 4,500 images; CERN goes CC-BY

Announcing WikiProject Open: WikiProject Open kicked off in October, with several brainstorming and co-working sessions

New ways to get involved: Visiting scholar requirements; subject guides; room for library expansion and exploration

Read the full newsletter

Thanks for reading! All future newsletters will be opt-in only. Have an item for the next issue? Leave a note for the editor on the Suggestions page. --The Interior 21:09, 27 October 2013 (UTC)

WP:FT topic question

Hello, you recently commented on the Featured Topic nomination Misplaced Pages:Featured topic candidates/Battlecruisers of the World/archive1. There have been three different versions of the topic box proposed - could you take a look at them and offer an opinion as to which is best? Thanks. Parsecboy (talk) 18:39, 28 October 2013 (UTC)

16 October Signpost

Perhaps "which was not included in the most recently deleted article about Emad Rahim but was deleted after this Signpost was published" would be better than the current "which is not included on the current article but was only deleted after this article was published." —rybec 20:50, 29 October 2013 (UTC)

I've changed this again—thanks for the note, as the sentence didn't make a whole lot of sense with the article deleted. Ed  13:44, 30 October 2013 (UTC)

I know it's late in the day...

...and you seem to be away, but I have started a draft of tonight's newsletter. I going to make "the announcement" in it, if there's no objection. Any additions welcome. J Milburn (talk) 17:55, 31 October 2013 (UTC)

WikiCup 2013 October newsletter

The WikiCup is over for another year! Our champion, for the second year running, is Cwmhiraeth (submissions). Our final nine were as follows:

1. Cwmhiraeth (submissions)
2. Hawkeye7 (submissions)
3. Sasata (submissions)
4. Sturmvogel_66 (submissions)
5. Casliber (submissions)
6. Adam Cuerden (submissions)
7. Miyagawa (submissions)
8. Piotrus (submissions)
9. Ealdgyth (submissions)

All those who reached the final win prizes, and prizes will also be going to the following participants:

• Casliber (submissions) wins the FA prize, for four featured articles in round 4, worth 400 points.
• Sturmvogel_66 (submissions) wins the GA prize, for 20 good articles in round 3, worth 600 points.
• Another Believer (submissions) wins the FL prize, for four featured lists in round 2, worth 180 points.
• Adam Cuerden (submissions) wins the FP prize, for 23 featured pictures in round 5, worth 805 point.
• Sven Manguard (submissions) wins the FPo prize, for 2 featured portals in round 3, worth 70 points.
• Hawkeye7 (submissions) wins the topic prize, for a 23-article featured topic in round 5, worth 230 points.
• Cwmhiraeth (submissions) wins the DYK prize, for 79 did you know articles in round 5, worth 570 points.
• ThaddeusB (submissions) wins the ITN prize, for 23 in the news articles in round 4, worth 270 points.
• Ed! (submissions) wins the GAR prize, for 24 good article reviews in round 1, worth 96 points.
• The judges are awarding the Oddball Barnstar to The C of E (submissions), for some curious contributions in earlier rounds.
• Finally, the judges are awarding Cwmhiraeth (submissions) the Geography Barnstar for her work on sea, now a featured article. This top-importance article was the highest-scoring this year; when it was promoted to FA status, Cwmhiraeth could claim 720 points.

Prizes will be handed out in the coming weeks. Please be patient!

Congratulations to everyone who has been successful in this year's WikiCup, whether you made it to the final rounds or not, and a particular congratulations to the newcomers to the WikiCup who have achieved this year. Thanks to all who have taken part and helped out with the competition. While it has been an excellent year, errors have opened up the judges' eyes to the need for a third judge, and it is with pleasure that we announce that experienced WikiCup participant Miyagawa will be acting as a judge from now on. We hope you will all join us in welcoming him to the team.

Next year's competition begins on 1 January. You are invited to sign up to participate; it is open to all Wikipedians, new and old. Brainstorming and discussion remains open for how next year's competition will work, and straw polls will be opened by the judges soon. Those interested in friendly competition may also like to keep an eye on the stub contest, being organised by Casliber. The WikiCup judges will be back in touch over the coming months, and we hope to see you all in the 2014 competition. Until then, it only remains to once again congratulate our worthy winners, and thank all participants for their involvement! If you wish to start or stop receiving this newsletter, please feel free to add or remove yourself from Misplaced Pages:WikiCup/Newsletter/Send. J Milburn (talk • email) and The ed17 (talk • email) 00:22, 1 November 2013 (UTC)

Wikimedia Highlights from September 2013

• Wikimedia Foundation highlights
  • 22 proposals for Individual Engagement Grants submitted
  • FDC receives 11 proposals for annual plan grants, looks back on first year of operation
  • Community consultation about new privacy policy begins
• Data and Trends
• Financials
• Other movement highlights
  • Wiki Loves Monuments 2013
  • Indian Wikimedians and German university collaborate to digitize works of 19th century scholar
  • Australian government agency supports Wikimedia cooperation with Paralympic Movement

Template:...

Hi, this is to inform you, as a contributor to Misplaced Pages:Templates for discussion/Log/2010 May 9#Template:..., about a discussion at Template talk:... regarding the purpose of Template:.... --Redrose64 (talk) 17:11, 1 November 2013 (UTC)

Reminder

You said in the Newsroom that you'd publish on Friday but that's come and gone. Please publish! Thanks, --Pine 06:40, 2 November 2013 (UTC)

Unfortunately it's hard to plan publishing time when on vacation. :-) Ed  21:01, 2 November 2013 (UTC)

BC FT in the next signpost

Since the BC FT is the largest FT in Wiki, I hope that we can get a few extra lines in the next issue of the Signpost.--Sturmvogel 66 (talk) 08:26, 2 November 2013 (UTC)

• Ping @Cdtew: as FC writer. — Crisco 1492 (talk) 13:15, 2 November 2013 (UTC)

• Sturm/Crisco/Ed, I was counting on doing a big write-up on it. Has it been discussed prominently in the Signpost before? Cdtew (talk) 15:38, 2 November 2013 (UTC)

• Not as such, but there have been write ups about our special project before. I was thinking though that the emphasis should be on assembling the topic to give the whole GT/FT process more publicity.--Sturmvogel 66 (talk) 15:58, 2 November 2013 (UTC)

• If there is need of assistance in explaining the process, I can help out. GamerPro64 20:56, 2 November 2013 (UTC)

• Thanks, Crisco and Gamer. We've done in-depth looks at FTs before—I only remember because I was the one who was interviewed, back before I was the Signpost editor. ;-) I don't think we've had a close look at the process itself, though. It's up to you how you'd like to structure it! Ed  21:01, 2 November 2013 (UTC)

Signpost space for the WikiCup?

Hi- do you think you'd be able to find some space in the next WikiCup for something like this? J Milburn (talk) 14:34, 2 November 2013 (UTC)

Yes, definitely. Ed  21:01, 2 November 2013 (UTC)

The Signpost: 30 October 2013

• Traffic report: 200 miles in 200 years

• In the media: Rand Paul plagiarizes Misplaced Pages?

• News and notes: Sex and drug tourism—Wikivoyage's soft underbelly?

• Featured content: Wrestling with featured content

• Recent research: User influence on site policies: Misplaced Pages vs. Facebook vs. Youtube

• WikiProject report: Special: Lessons from the dead and dying

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• EdwardsBot (talk) 21:07, 2 November 2013 (UTC)

Misplaced Pages:Misplaced Pages Signpost/2013-10-30/News and notes

How did this happen? --Rschen7754 00:05, 3 November 2013 (UTC)

Ed, there is a lot of discussion on that article's talk page. I have some issues with publishing that piece in the Signpost in its current form, especially in N&N. I also take issue with putting a sensationalistic image from that article, that appears nowhere on Wikivoyage, on the Signpost cover page this week. You do a lot of work for the Signpost but I think you should be more careful. --Pine 07:04, 3 November 2013 (UTC)

By the way, I think the cabbage issue was overblown. I think this is more serious. --Pine 07:05, 3 November 2013 (UTC)

Ed, I'm trying to not make this personal, but I don't think the Signpost handled this very well. While there may very well be cause for concern with the policies of the English Wikivoyage, the story was incredibly one-sided and came off as a complete attack piece. Honestly, many other Wikimedians hate the English Misplaced Pages already (I'd venture to say that we are the most hated wiki out of all 900+); a story done like this, in this particular manner, certainly doesn't help matters. If anything, the editorial should have been written by someone more neutral (was the COI issue something you were aware of?), and have given established Wikivoyage editors (possibly even from different language Wikivoyages) a chance to respond. Even in past editorials attacking/criticizing Commons and the English Wikinews, they were given a chance to respond; this news and notes piece was an attack and nothing less. --Rschen7754 06:09, 4 November 2013 (UTC)

You need to stop your ranting. And I must say that I find your bullying, and your support on WV of the bullies' brigade, hard to reconcile with your role as trainee clerk at ArbCom. Who thought of that? The most unsuitable trainee I've ever seen. Tony (talk) 08:17, 4 November 2013 (UTC)

Rschen is basically right. If the Signpost aspires to a high degree of journalistic integrity, this piece was not well handled. As an opinion column it might have been fine, although it would still warrant disclosure of Tony's past on WV and a different choice of photo illustrations. As a news piece written in the voice of the Signpost, it's totally unethical. Tony1 promised to be "deeply committed to letting Wikimedians know what a corrupt and bullying power structure has developed ." Even if his banning was unjust, no one could mistake him for an objective reporter on Wikivoyage with that history. The fact that the bit ran without response or commentary from Wikivoyage contributors gives the appearance that this was an authorized hit piece, not exactly what we've come to expect from the Signpost. Nathan 00:28, 5 November 2013 (UTC)

I have to disagree, Nathan - that is exactly what I've now come to expect from the Signpost. Unfortunately. --Avenue (talk) 01:44, 5 November 2013 (UTC)

Thanks for the comments. The Wikivoyage article raises some pertinent (in my mind) issues that should at least be considered. While I think that Tony could have done himself and the Signpost a service by not making the comments he did, he limited himself to the sex and drug policies and realities. There's no mention of any "power structure" at Wikivoyage or anything like it. However, we do take all comments into consideration. Getting viewpoints from Wikivoyage editors could have been done, yes (though with the time realities of a limited amount of Signpost writers, not always; typically it isn't a large problem), as could have an editor's note acknowledging Tony's previous interactions on the site. Ed  05:55, 5 November 2013 (UTC)

Thanks Ed. I was hoping for something a little more substantial than "we take all comments into consideration," but I appreciate that you recognize that the article should have included an editors note for disclosure and some editing for balance. Would you consider a post-pub revision that removes the photos and adds an editors note reflecting your current view? Nathan 13:25, 5 November 2013 (UTC)

I'm sorry to see that this Nathan character has chosen to smear me on the mailing list. Way down now in my estimation—and I'd always taken him to be a voice of reason: no longer. I'll be responding soon. He should get his facts right, to start with. Tony (talk) 06:11, 5 November 2013 (UTC)

There's a difference between a smear and criticism, Tony. The only thing aside from facts that I included in my post to wikien-l was my opinion that publishing the piece as-is was an ethical lapse for the Signpost. You haven't successfully rebutted any of those facts - the source of the quotes complained that the quotes were taken out of context and chose to provide the full e-mails to clarify his/her meaning. You didn't even address the illustrations, or the failure to allow Wikivoyage editors to respond to the criticism. The fact remains that you have a history with Wikivoyage and its administrators; while you don't consider it to be significant, evidently others (including Ed, see above) do. Nathan 13:25, 5 November 2013 (UTC)

The story was almost entirely facts. The issues needed coverage, and I would write it all over again. I've pointed to the four sentences that were summary or conclusory, which in context or in isolation don't look "inflammatory" or "aggressive" to me. "There's a difference between a smear and criticism"—maybe, and your post was both: it included slanderous and false allegations that you need to withdraw. Tony (talk) 13:40, 5 November 2013 (UTC)

I never used the word aggressive. Takedown is entirely accurate and not pejorative. Inflammatory is self-evident as, indeed, people were inflamed. I'm not sure what you believe ought to be withdrawn. You've chosen not to respond to the rest of my criticism. Nathan 14:24, 5 November 2013 (UTC)

Well, let's be a bit more nuanced. Saying that Tony has a COI with regards to all of Wikivoyage is like saying his blocks on the English Misplaced Pages gives him a COI when reporting on anything here. As such, I do not think Tony has a COI when talking about sex and drug tourism on Wikivoyage—but I do think that an editorial note could have been added to explain that. At this point, it's too late to see any benefits from an editor's note; readers will see the talk page and judge for themselves. Ed  20:22, 5 November 2013 (UTC)

Do you at least accept that Tony is perceived to have a conflict of interest? --Avenue (talk) 20:54, 5 November 2013 (UTC)

I think it's been spun that way, sure, but I fail to see where the conflicts Tony got involved with on Wikivoyage appear in the story, and it's not like he came up with these topics during the time he was blocked! Regards, Ed  03:47, 6 November 2013 (UTC)

Considering his past comments such as "From now on, I'll be deeply committed to letting Wikimedians know what a corrupt and bullying power structure has developed here. This is so dysfunctional it is laughable." and "You may censor me on this site, but you can't censor me on other sites." I would venture to say that this is a reasonable concern.

Perhaps a more productive discussion though is, how does the Signpost plan to handle these sorts of stories on sister projects in the future? --Rschen7754 05:33, 6 November 2013 (UTC)

• I think no differently, actually. I'm sorry you see fit to keep ranting about the same thing, personalising your attacks rather than discussing the improvement of Wikivoyage. The Signpost often comes in for criticism for its journalism, and if we meekly buckled to every party who chooses to gripe, there would be no investigative journalism in this huge worldwide movement. As for your role as a trainee clerk at ArbCom, I seriously question whether you're fit for it, given your propensity to bully and harangue in an attempt to sideline serious discussion of the substantive issues. It would have been wiser, from a position of responsibility, to keep more distance after initially voicing your opinion. Tony (talk) 06:57, 6 November 2013 (UTC)
  • I was asking Ed. --Rschen7754 07:12, 6 November 2013 (UTC)
    • You can ask anyone you like. Tony (talk) 08:32, 6 November 2013 (UTC)
      • With regards to the question, it's hard to say. Every story comes with wildly differing challenges over wildly differing projects. I'm sorry that I can't have a specific answer for you. 16:56, 6 November 2013 (UTC)

Titan's Cross nomination

As you are listed as a member of Operation Majestic Titan, you are receiving this message to notify you that a new Titan's Cross nomination has been opened. You are therefore cordially invited to iVote or offer your opinion on the nomination. Sincerely, TomStar81 (Talk) 05:43, 4 November 2013 (UTC)

A cup of coffee for you!

Thanks, DPdH! Ed  05:55, 5 November 2013 (UTC)

Wikimedia LGBT

Hi Ed, I hope you have been well since we met at GLAM Boot Camp in DC! I just wanted to bring Wikimedia LGBT, a proposed user group and thematic organization that promotes the development of content on Wikimedia projects which is of interest to LGBT communities, to your attention. I am sure you are so busy with your current projects, but I hope you might be able to direct people to this group if they are interested in LGBT content in any way. Of course, you are also more than welcome to indicate your interest/support, if you wish. Hopefully we can get some LGBT-related GLAM/Education/etc. projects up and running in the near future. Best, --Another Believer _(Talk) 20:20, 8 November 2013 (UTC)

Hi Another Believer, thanks for the message! I included a note in last week's Signpost. :-) Ed  20:54, 8 November 2013 (UTC)

Thanks. Oh yes, about Ukraine? I think a Wikimedia blog post is in order as well. --Another Believer _(Talk) 01:20, 9 November 2013 (UTC)

The Signpost: 06 November 2013

Misplaced Pages:Misplaced Pages Signpost/2013-11-04

• Read this Signpost in full
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• EdwardsBot (talk) 05:10, 9 November 2013 (UTC)

MassMessage

Check out http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikitech-ambassadors/2013-November/000488.html. Uses for this have been discussed on the EE list. --Pine 08:24, 9 November 2013 (UTC)

Yes, there's a message on User talk:Jarry1250 about it, as he's the one who codes LivingBot. Manually publishing next week will be so much fun ;-) Ed  08:35, 9 November 2013 (UTC)

Talkback

N2e (talk) 13:40, 11 November 2013 (UTC)

again. N2e (talk) 03:03, 13 November 2013 (UTC)

Misplaced Pages:Non-free_content_review#File:Alagoas.jpg

Hey Ed. I closed this little discussion, and you may not like how I saw the discussion and the weight of the arguments, but it is what it is--you get to keep the original and the class. Anyway, your acquaintance and partner in crime, Sturmvogel 66, doesn't agree and has reverted my removal of the image from the other articles. Can you talk some sense into him? Whatever he thinks he's doing, it's not productive, and Werieth will have a hissy fit. I don't want to throw my administrative weight around and start warning and what not. (Warning: apparently my mass rollback has been repaired, and for a second I was tempted to see if it works...) Thanks Ed, Drmies (talk) 04:32, 13 November 2013 (UTC)

Sorry for the delay, Drmies, but it appears to have worked itself out. Ed  06:15, 16 November 2013 (UTC)

RfD nomination of Paranor

I've nominated Paranor for retargeting at Misplaced Pages:Redirects for discussion/Log/2013 November 13#Paranor. Since you participated in the AfD discussion for the page, you may be interested in commenting on this proposal. --BDD (talk) 19:13, 13 November 2013 (UTC)

Wikimedia Highlights from October 2013

• Wikimedia Foundation highlights
  • Pilot project for free mobile access to Misplaced Pages via text messages in Kenya
  • Video about South African students' grassroot efforts to get Misplaced Pages free on their cellphones
  • Planning the replacement of the Florida data center
• Data and Trends
• Financials
• Other highlights from the Wikimedia movement
  • Science award for bot that imports multimedia from academic publications to Wikimedia Commons
  • New project encourages African communities to contribute local content to Wikimedia projects
  • Third "Iberoconf" summit in Mexico City

Talkback

N2e (talk) 00:24, 16 November 2013 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

Thanks Pine! Thankfully I didn't have to manually publish. Ed  06:15, 16 November 2013 (UTC)

@Pine: to be fair, you think I did more work than I really did... my bad. Ed  06:45, 16 November 2013 (UTC)

I like you anyway. --Pine 06:41, 6 December 2013 (UTC)

The Signpost: 13 November 2013

• Traffic report: Google Doodlebugs bust the block

• Featured content: 1244 Chinese handscroll leads nine-strong picture contingent

• Special report: FDC staff raise the benchmarks for activities, impact, planning, and governance

• News and notes: Trademark at issue again with the Italian Misplaced Pages and wikipedia.it

• WikiProject report: The world of soap operas

• Discussion report: Commas, Draft namespace proposal, education updates, and more

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• EdwardsBot (talk) 06:30, 16 November 2013 (UTC)

The Bugle: Issue XCII, November 2013

The Bugle is published by the Military history WikiProject. To receive it on your talk page, please join the project or sign up here.
If you are a project member who does not want delivery, please remove your name from this page. Your editors, Ian Rose (talk) and Nick-D (talk) 05:25, 18 November 2013 (UTC)

Signpost Leave of Absence

Ed, for reasons I didn't foresee (and that were unforeseeable) back when I committed to working for Signpost, I am going to be taking an extended leave of absence from Misplaced Pages. It's nothing life-threatening or tragic or anything, just changes that are of the vastly more time-consuming variety. I will assist, if you'd like, in trying to drum up another contributor for the Featured Content section. I will also try and pitch in when and if I am able, but will likely be away for extended periods of time for the foreseeable future. I'm sorry to spring this on you, but I figure its best to let you know rather than to just stop showing up. Cdtew (talk) 18:48, 20 November 2013 (UTC)

Real life happens, no worries. :-) Assistance would be most welcome if my messages around the site don't get any replies. Thanks for letting me know, and best of luck! Ed  04:59, 22 November 2013 (UTC)

Re:Signpost request

I'll help, if you still need an extra pair of hands. Considering I started the little blurb sections for the bugle a while back I think I am qualified enough to do this, so where do you need me, chief? :) TomStar81 (Talk) 21:57, 22 November 2013 (UTC)

@TomStar81: Hey Tom, we could use someone to do the lists and pictures each week—Dank has thankfully agreed to do the articles! Thanks very much. I appreciate it. Ed  00:10, 23 November 2013 (UTC)

Is there a page or a section or something I can watchlist, and when should I have the info done? TomStar81 (Talk) 07:03, 23 November 2013 (UTC)

@TomStar81: Ideally, it should be done by Thursdays US time; we tend to publish a little late, though not this late every week. The page you'll want to keep an eye on is Misplaced Pages:Misplaced Pages Signpost/Newsroom. Scroll down and you can start the FC section whenever you'd like. WP:Goings-on will be helpful, as will looking at prior reports, and I'm happy to answer any questions you might have (and help with the first couple editions). Ed  11:02, 24 November 2013 (UTC)

I'm still in, I'm just trying to watch to learn at the moment. In particular, I'm still unclear if I need to bring the pictures over to the page when I do the writing for them or if they will be brought over by someone or something else (bot maybe?) and then we start writing the descriptions. TomStar81 (Talk) 05:31, 3 December 2013 (UTC)

@TomStar81: No, it's a manual process, unfortunately. The template doesn't work well for pictures, I think; I did them manually this week. Ed  06:24, 5 December 2013 (UTC)

@TomStar81: A much easier method is using Misplaced Pages:Goings-on up to the date they give (so this coming week will be 1 to 7 December) for all of the featured items. :-) You list all of the featured pictures but choose what to show as images. You can also use good-looking pictures from FAs and FLs you have listed. Ed  22:16, 7 December 2013 (UTC)

Re: Sister projects

The interview thing kind of lost its steam half way and 4 projects (Wikiquote, Wikispecies, Wikinews, and Commons) hadn't even gone through the first round of interview. Wikivoyage and Wikidata joined after the interviews had been conducted and I believe I don't need to include these 2 projects since they have been covered quite extensively in Signpost already and not a lot of time has passed since they were added. I am open to the idea of restarting it or having a follow-up to do some then-and-now comparisons, but it takes a lot of effort to do this again. And here's why:

Of all the contacts listed on the interview page, aside from Meta, we only have 1 editor from Commons and 1 from Wikinews who can be considered as active within their own community. The rest all retired or moved on (they may still be editing in other projects, but not the one that they hold/held an admin or bureaucrat position and expressed interest in doing an interview for that project). OhanaUnited 20:51, 23 November 2013 (UTC)

Hi @OhanaUnited:, thanks for the quick reply. I was hoping I could tempt you into rebooting the whole section, even if you have to find different people. If you did do a comparison, even if the old contacts have moved on, new editors' thoughts compared with the old could make for interesting reading! But if you feel that a regular interview would be more interesting, then that works just as well. Ed  11:02, 24 November 2013 (UTC)

The original intent was to introduce the projects to a wider audience because most of us only have basic understanding of what that project involves. Without a background review, it would be hard to do comparisons. OhanaUnited 16:41, 24 November 2013 (UTC)

Ah, okay—that makes sense. If you're interested, please put some questions together (when you have time!) and I'll put a notice in the Signpost and send notices to their village pump equivalents. Ed  21:31, 24 November 2013 (UTC)

The Signpost: 20 November 2013

• From the editor: The Signpost needs your help

• Book review: Peter Burke's Social History of Knowledge—ambitious, fascinating, and exhaustive

• Featured content: Rockin' the featured pictures

• WikiProject report: Score! American football on Misplaced Pages

• News and notes: Foundation to Wiki-PR: cease and desist; Arbitration Committee elections starting

• Traffic report: Ill Winds

• Arbitration report: WMF opens the door for non-admin arbitrators

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• EdwardsBot (talk) 11:04, 24 November 2013 (UTC)

This months signpost

Hi The ed17; I saw that you were looking for people to help out at the signpost; but I was wondering what it would entail; and if any past experience was necessary? Thanks, Matty.007 11:40, 24 November 2013 (UTC)

Hi @Matty.007:, no past experience with the Signpost is necessary, although we like to see a good track record of article writing (side note: given my interests, I was pretty happy to see two ship articles in your contribution list). Perhaps you'd like to help find a partner—I'm still looking as well—and chip in with "In the media"? Does that sound like something that would appeal to you? Ed  21:31, 24 November 2013 (UTC)

In the media sounds like something that would interest me, and be fun. What do you mean by find a partner? Thanks, Matty.007 21:55, 24 November 2013 (UTC)

"In the media" often has a pretty good amount of news articles to cover, even if it's only short mentions, and I think it would be much less of a burden on anyone to have two or more people working on it. :-) Ed  22:55, 24 November 2013 (UTC)

Signpost help

I feel a bit guilty in not having served up more "Dispatches", but I'm afraid that time and pressures haven't allowed it. However, I am preparing something for you to print in a couple of weeks or so, when Wehwalt achieves the impressive mark of 100 featured articles. This will take the form of a series of questions and answers about his work – he and I are in the process of agreeing the questions. Of course, until the magic 100 is passed the interview will be on hold, but at his rate of productivity it should be some time earlyish next month. Brianboulton (talk) 12:23, 24 November 2013 (UTC)

Hey @Brianboulton:, that's quite alright. 100 is quite a number, and I'm interested in seeing what you come out with! Ed  21:31, 24 November 2013 (UTC)

Regarding the signpost

I know that the other foundation sites don't get that much attention, and, maybe, they shouldn't. I saw that the English Wikisource only had a few hundred editors total last month, so it wouldn't be that unreasonable to say that maybe it doesn't need that much attention. But, I was wondering what you might think of, maybe, something like a perhaps monthly report from it, describing things going on there. over at wikisource:Wikisource:Scriptorium, I, being the nonrepentant troublemaker I often am, have started stirring some things up, and it is I suppose possible that maybe something good could come of it. But I also think that getting more publicity to it would help as well. Maybe, some sort of alternating column in the Signpost, with perhaps alternating reports from WikiQuote, Wikisource, Commons, WikiVersity, and the other entities might be not a bad idea. I will probably watch this page to the extent that I continue to watch any pages around here, being more or less retired to wikisource for the near future, but if you wished to respond in a way I might see more quickly, you might respond at either wikisource:User talk:John Carter, or, maybe, if you wanted probably broader attention, start a separate section on the Scriptorium page. John Carter (talk) 17:23, 24 November 2013 (UTC)

Hi @John Carter:, thank you for your comments. You caught me at the right time; I'm currently hoping to tempt OhanaUnited into restarting his "Sister projects" section (2008–09) for this exact reason, and I'm preparing to start a Wikisource 10th anniversary story. The problem with a recurring column is that it would require a large amount of writers—I can't think of anyone who has the necessary breadth to cover all of those projects—and that major news doesn't come out of those projects as often.

Even if we don't have a regular column, I'm happy to feature the sister projects more when notable events happen, especially if it's just a short in "News and notes". However, I need to know when these things happen, and not being an editor on these projects, I have no idea. I think the easiest and most beneficial short-term solution is to get editors to contact me when they believe their project has something that should be mentioned and/or featured in the Signpost. Your thoughts? Ed  21:31, 24 November 2013 (UTC)

Your idea is a good one. Some sort of regular discussion in a sister projects section, or in a separate news and notes section, would probably help a lot. There are some regular editors in wikipedia who regularly work on other projects, and it is possible that maybe they could put together sections on the projects in which they are involved, maybe reducing the workload on OhanaUnited in the process. I tend to agree that there isn't a lot of major news from them, and from what little I've seen WikiVoyage and some of the others might not have a lot of people involved either. I think, maybe, between me, Charles Matthews, who seems to be the backbone of the DNB projects both here and at wikisource, and maybe AdamBMorgan, we might be able to feed you at least "update" material for "News and notes" on things like the monthly collaboration there, any major developments which might happen, and maybe any particular milestones reached, and the like. Someone else already suggested an interview with Charles might be among the better options for an article for inclusion in the Signpost.

One thing I think might, maybe, be really wonderful, which I myself am probably all but incapable of really helping bring about, given my own very limited range of activity, might be if we could, somehow, get some sort of fairly regular topical cross-project collaboration. Someone already suggested such there, for, maybe, reference works particularly relevant to specific WikiProjects here. Some biographical dictionaries of politicians and military figures, and some topical histories, come to mind. At wikisource:User:John Carter I've got a whole list of PD reference works which are still apparently of some utility which could perhaps be used for those purposes.

Anyway, if you do post at the Scriptorium, you certainly could ask for any individuals who might be willing to do some regular updates and give you notice of developments. I could try to do so myself, and maybe the others I mentioned above, as well as potentially others. John Carter (talk) 22:26, 24 November 2013 (UTC)

Most of Wikivoyage's news has come from its introduction and consequent lawsuit against two editors(!). I'd love to have update material for Wikisource—I got to try it out as part of the GLAM-Wiki boot camp in DC and think it's a very worthy project, even if its mission isn't as 'sexy' as some of the other projects out there. As for Charles, we actually got a tip about the project on our suggestions page, but there just wasn't room with the other stories we had at the time, and it wasn't clear what the significance was.

A cross-project collaboration is a bit out of my scope as the Signpost editor, but looking at the Scriptorium discussion, I would absolutely love to have a digitized copy of Jane's Fighting Ships. While I can't speak for everyone at Milhist, I love the older sources because it gives me more information to work with, even if I have to qualify it (cf. South American dreadnought race). If you'd like, I can message the Milhist coordinators to see if we can (a) add that excellent list to a resources page and (b) see if anyone is interested in working with Wikisource to transcribe them. Ed  02:37, 25 November 2013 (UTC)

Is there at this point, maybe, something like a (maybe optimally monthly) WF equivalent of the Signpost which does or might offer regular coverage of the other entities which might be broadly circulated, maybe as a special section of a regular Signpost issue or an accompaniment, which might cover the issues in them, and maybe regarding the Education project and others, and if there isn't might there be some way to propose or start such? John Carter (talk) 17:02, 1 December 2013 (UTC)

@John Carter: I believe you've found the answer to that first question elsewhere :-) but I'd welcome a monthly SP report on those issues. The biggest problem is one we've been facing: we need people to compile and write them up! Regards, Ed  04:19, 3 December 2013 (UTC)

Signpost writers needed

Count me in. I have been interested in writing for the Signpost for some time but was never quite sure how to go about requesting such.--Mark Miller (talk) 22:09, 24 November 2013 (UTC)

Hi Mark! Thanks for putting your name forward—I've seen you around before under your old name and seem to recall that you made a good impression, although I have absolutely no memory as to why. :-) Would you be interested in teaming up with Matty.007 above to power the "In the media" section on a weekly or biweekly basis? Ed  22:51, 24 November 2013 (UTC)

Sure. That sounds very interesting.--Mark Miller (talk) 23:01, 24 November 2013 (UTC)

Bi-weekly to start sounds good. Or, perhaps Matty and I could take turns if weekly is needed. Could you link me to a past article to get an idea of the section and how it has been handled in the past?--Mark Miller (talk) 23:05, 24 November 2013 (UTC)

Never mind. I found a few old ones. I will look them over.--Mark Miller (talk) 23:07, 24 November 2013 (UTC)

(pinging Matty and you here) That sounds great! Don't be afraid to take it in a slightly different direction—as long as you aren't spewing fire, we should be okay. As for some details:

• This automated feed on Misplaced Pages Review should help you a lot, as will Google News.
• Most items you do won't conflict with other sections, but occasionally "News and notes" will take things like this that have gotten news coverage but fit into our scope better as a Wikimedia-wide issue. Which leads to the next point...
• If you can both email me, we'll set up an email chain so we can keep everyone up to date on what we're doing. This will also allow me to connect you with the four other nominal contributors to "In the media". None of them are able to actively participate due to other commitments and real life, but they should be able to provide tips, tricks, and links to relevant articles for you. Ed  02:37, 25 November 2013 (UTC)

• OK, thanks; I'll do that in the next few days. Before, though, I would like to have a look at old editions of 'In the Media', and probably having a chat with Mark, and organising where best to talk, talking to current/past editors of the Signpost; all that stuff. Thanks, Matty.007 18:47, 25 November 2013 (UTC)

• @Matty.007: For the latter two, send me an email and I'll put you and Mark in touch with the four other people who have done ITM. :-) Ed  03:31, 26 November 2013 (UTC)

• @Mark Miller: @Matty.007: You have an email. :-) Ed  23:31, 26 November 2013 (UTC)

"Don't Trust Anything on Misplaced Pages"

I would like to help out, and perhaps I can volunteer in the future, but in the meantime, you might be interested in this article and the resulting comments from the New York Post. Sincerely, GeorgeLouis (talk) 22:15, 24 November 2013 (UTC)

Thanks, George. Very interesting reading with many familiar names in there. Ed  22:51, 24 November 2013 (UTC)

Public Domain Day 2014

Hey Ed, I'm game for an article. How do you envision it? I see it as (just initial thoughts to be revised): definition, examples of authors whose unpublished work would be PD on Jan. 1 (would be great to have some examples uploaded to Commons on that date). Then explanations: What led to the the Bono Act, quotations from Lawrence Lessig, Maria Pallante (Register of Copyrights), and others (I think Morris Udall (senator of AZ at the time) gave pertinent remarks in his dissent against the Bono Act). Then a concluding section--invoking Aaron Swartz--on the benefits of open access, on the meaning of the Constitution (guarantees that everything goes public domain) and final words saying it's the public's responsibility to preserve that trust (and indicating how that responsibility is to be executed). Other ideas? I know you're busy so I'll try to the lion's share of work on this unless you have others in mind who also feel strongly about it. -- kosboot (talk) 04:50, 25 November 2013 (UTC)

I'm sure we could find others, if you'd like, and I wonder if you'd rather have an op-ed slot. It'll give you more freedom to make your point, rather than having me tone it down into more of an analysis. Ed  03:31, 26 November 2013 (UTC)

How about both? An objective article and I could write/contribute to an op-ed? -- kosboot (talk) 04:05, 26 November 2013 (UTC)

That could work well too; the objective piece could take on more of the facts, and the op-ed take on what it means when the public doesn't preserve the trust. Ed  23:31, 26 November 2013 (UTC)

Thanks! I'll start to work on the op-ed. -- kosboot (talk) 13:16, 27 November 2013 (UTC)

Sounds great. I'm slotting this in for either the 25 December or 1 January edition—the other will be devoted to the year in review. :-) Ed  00:14, 28 November 2013 (UTC)

Signpost help

I'd be more than willing to work on the Featured report! öBrambleberry of RiverClan 16:42, 25 November 2013 (UTC)

@Brambleberry of RiverClan: Hi Bram, thanks for getting in touch with me! I like your articles, but looking at your contributions, they're a bit sparse. Are you sure you'll be active enough to participate on a weekly basis? If so, we should be okay to go. Thanks, Ed  03:31, 26 November 2013 (UTC)

Of course I'd be active enough; I've had a few life things get in the way of editing recently, but they've cleared up! öBrambleberry of RiverClan 13:41, 26 November 2013 (UTC)

All right, just making sure—I don't want to burden you further! This week's section is going to be finished by Koavf, but Dank will be dropping out starting next week, and it should be a relatively stable contributor pool after that. As for how to do the section, this one's not too difficult! As I told Tom above (though I don't know if he is still planning to help out), ideally, it should be done by Thursdays US time; we tend to publish a little late each week. The page you'll want to keep an eye on is Misplaced Pages:Misplaced Pages Signpost/Newsroom. Scroll down and you'll locate the FC section. WP:Goings-on will be helpful, as FC goes by that week division (as in, this week's report will have everything from Goings-on/17 November). Looking at prior reports will give you the desired format. Thanks for offering, and I'm looking forward to working with you! Ed  23:42, 26 November 2013 (UTC)

@Brambleberry of RiverClan: Are you still interested in doing this? :-) Ed  22:16, 7 December 2013 (UTC)

Yup; I already started working on this week's report. öBrambleberry of RiverClan 23:51, 8 December 2013 (UTC)

Book review

I've one already written for the WMF Research Newsletter, it just need a native English speaker to copyedit it. See User_talk:Tbayer_(WMF)#Book_review. As soon as it is c/e-ed, we could add it to the Singpost (probably with the next WMFRN?). --_{Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus| reply here} 03:35, 26 November 2013 (UTC)

Sure, we can add it alongside this coming week's research report! Would you be able to add a closing paragraph with your overall assessment of the book? Ed  03:40, 26 November 2013 (UTC)

I'll look into it. In the future, if you reply to me here, please WP:ECHO me, I'll soon stop checking for replies on other editors' talk pages. Cheers, --_{Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus| reply here} 03:56, 26 November 2013 (UTC)

Regarding Piotrus' earlier suggestion to wait until the English version is available for pre-order, it has indeed just appeared on Amazon , with the publication date of May 14, 2014 ("just" meaning that it wasn't there when I checked about a week ago).

With around 12 kB (1972 words), it would still be feasible to include the review into the "recent research" section and have it benefit from the additional readership of the Wikimedia Research Newsletter version. However, this month's edition is already quite meaty (more than twice as long as the October version). Also, I'm not sure if the requested copyedit of the review has already taken place, and we are very late with publication this week. But if Ed wants to prepare it for inclusion as a separate section in this issue, that's OK with me - we should then see to include a brief mention in the research section too, linking to the full review. Or we integrate the full review into the December version of the research section.

Regards, Tbayer (WMF) (talk) 15:58, 1 December 2013 (UTC)

@Piotrus: and @Tbayer (WMF): I think I'm just going to delay publishing for a day and put it under 12/4; we're really, really late this week, partially because of the US holiday, and partially from a few other things. So, you have a day. ;-) I'm be sure to notate this as the "November research report" somewhere though. Sorry for the confusion.Ed  16:50, 1 December 2013 (UTC)

Cc User:Tbayer (WMF) As far as I know nobody has c/e it yet. I'd really prefer for someone to proofread it, but I have no idea where else to ask - this is a signpost article, not a generic one, so I'd assume you would know who to ask for help with this. I'd also prefer for this to be on a separate page, not part of the WMF; I think it is traditional for our book reviews to be separate? We can of course link it from the research newsletter, perhaps with a short summary? --_{Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus| reply here} 02:20, 2 December 2013 (UTC)

@Piotrus: Sorry, I missed your post. I'll try to proofread it in time for the upcoming editon; from a quick look, it seems pretty good already! Ed  22:16, 7 December 2013 (UTC)

It seems it has not gone out yet? If Piotrus doesn't mind, I would still be fine with the original plan, and integrate it into the December research section (also giving it the additional visibility that comes with the separate publication as the WRN). I can take responsibility of the copyediting, assuming we don't publish before tomorrow morning UTC. Regards, Tbayer (WMF) (talk) 16:25, 26 December 2013 (UTC)

@User:Tbayer (WMF): I am not sure if I understand you correctly. The review should be linked from the newsletter, but it is too big to be a regular part of it. And isn't it Signpost policy to publish reviews as separate articles? --_{Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus| reply here} 15:19, 27 December 2013 (UTC)

Hi Piotrus, there is no Signpost policy about this; I understand Ed is fine with either solution. As mentioned above, the text has about 12kB and would fit well into the upcoming edition of RR/WRN (whose draft is currently at 13kB, so it would still be way shorter than e.g. the November edition, which came out at more than 40kB). Including it there had been the plan since back in June when I contacted you with the suggestion to review this book for WRN readers. And it seems that in the last few weeks since the alternative idea came up, no one has worked to implement it (in particular, write up the shorter review summary for inclusion in RR/WRN). So at this point, the options seem to be to either include the full review in the research part, or to run it separately at some later time but lose the additional readership. This Signpost issue is planned to go out soon, if I'm informed correctly. Regards, Tbayer (WMF) (talk) 17:33, 27 December 2013 (UTC)

I kept it out, just to be safe, but am adding a note to make sure it's included in the next edition. Ed  05:02, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

Wiki tools --> Signpost_Signpost-2013-11-27T15:55:00.000Z">

Hi The ed17. Way back I worked with you to get an article about WP:Snuggle into the signpost. I was originally hoping to make a theme out of the opportunity and get some other wiki tools reported on. Remember the dot was one of the users I asked. It looks like he's turned around and has something ready for editing into an upcoming signpost issue. Could you see our conversation on my talk page: User_talk:EpochFail#Syntax_highlighter_and_the_Signpost? Thanks! --EpochFail (talk • contribs) 15:55, 27 November 2013 (UTC)_Signpost"> _Signpost">

Hey EpochFail, I'll look at it now. Thanks for the note! Ed  00:14, 28 November 2013 (UTC)

Top 10

I don't generate the info myself, and the list is compiled weekly, so I'd have to drop the week. Serendious 19:33, 1 December 2013 (UTC)

Chevron with Oak Leaves

Signpost

Hi,
I am Benison. I would like to contribute to signpost in featured content section especially in featured picture section. Shall I?? Herald talk with me 14:55, 3 December 2013 (UTC)

Yes, please do. I'll finish the pictures for this week, but next week is right around the corner :-) Ed  02:02, 5 December 2013 (UTC)

Flow testing

Hey Ed :). As mentioned on the Milhist coordinators talkpage, we've opened Flow up for community testing. I'd be really grateful if you could hammer on the system (if you haven't already!), let me know any bugs you find, and leave a note at the 'first release' page explaining what you, as a member of Wikiproject Military History, would need to see to be okay with it being deployed on that wikiproject's talkpage.

Thanks! Okeyes (WMF) (talk) 20:02, 3 December 2013 (UTC)

Thanks Oliver, I'll be sure to head over when I get some free time. :-) Ed  02:02, 5 December 2013 (UTC)

You have e-mail

Please check your in box.--Mark Miller (talk) 06:52, 4 December 2013 (UTC)

Thanks, I'll reply later tonight after publishing! Ed  02:02, 5 December 2013 (UTC)

No Signpost?

Hi ed,

I noticed no Signpost for the week of 27 November. Do you know what the deal is? Was it lack of writers, thanksgiving, lack of interesting things to write about, etc? Best, Sportsguy17 (talk • contribs • sign) 12:41, 4 December 2013 (UTC)

Mainly the first, partly sort of the second, and a strong desire to publish on Thursdays at the absolute latest, not Saturdays and Sundays. Ed  02:02, 5 December 2013 (UTC)

November 2013 GOCE drive wrap-up

The Signpost: 04 December 2013

• Traffic report: Kennedy shot Who

• Recent research: Reciprocity and reputation motivate contributions to Misplaced Pages; indigenous knowledge and "cultural imperialism"; how PR people see Misplaced Pages

• Discussion report: Musical scores, diversity conference, Module:Convert, and more

• News and notes: One decade of Wikisource; FDC recommendations raise serious questions

• WikiProject report: Electronic Apple Pie

• Featured content: F*&!

• Arbitration report: Ottoman Empire–Turkey naming dispute case opens; New discretionary sanctions draft proposal available for review

• Read this Signpost in full
• Single-page
• Unsubscribe
• EdwardsBot (talk) 06:28, 5 December 2013 (UTC)

The Misplaced Pages Library's Books and Bytes newsletter (#2)

Welcome to the second issue of The Misplaced Pages Library's Books & Bytes newsletter! Read on for updates about what is going on at the intersection of Misplaced Pages and the library world.

Misplaced Pages Library highlights: New accounts, new surveys, new positions, new presentations...

Spotlight on people: Another Believer and Wiki Loves Libraries...

Books & Bytes in brief: From Dewey to Diversity conference...

Further reading: Digital library portals around the web...

Tech report

Hi,

I've started Misplaced Pages:Misplaced Pages Signpost/2013-12-11/Technology report. It would be great if some people could copy-edit it since I'm not a very good writer. Is there anything that needs to be done for this to get picked up for the next issue?

Thanks, Legoktm (talk) 07:11, 8 December 2013 (UTC)

@Legoktm: Thanks! We haven't had a technology report in far too long. The only thing I'd ask for is a little context—what is MediaWiki, for non-tech people, and just what are the "signup page interface messages that had previously been removed" and "patrolling interface"? (links would probably suffice) Thanks again, Legoktm! Ed  03:05, 9 December 2013 (UTC)

No problem. I've added links for interface messages and patrolling interface, though I'm not really sure how to fit in a better description of MediaWiki. Legoktm (talk) 18:58, 10 December 2013 (UTC)

@Legoktm: We're published now. Thank you very much, and I hope I can tempt you into more contributions in the future! Ed  04:07, 12 December 2013 (UTC)

FA century

This landmark was passed by Wehwalt on 7 December. The promised Signpost material can be picked up from this page. Brianboulton (talk) 08:35, 8 December 2013 (UTC)

@Brianboulton: Thanks! I'm planning on reformatting it to be consistent with our other normal interview section (example), but otherwise it looks good. Ed  03:05, 9 December 2013 (UTC)

That's fine - reorganise it as you need. Brianboulton (talk) 10:09, 9 December 2013 (UTC)

@Brianboulton: Now published. Thank you! Ed  04:05, 12 December 2013 (UTC)

Should perhaps find another way to contribute

I am shooting out another e-mail to you in regards to ITM and collaboration efforts. Please check your in box.--Mark Miller (talk) 08:36, 8 December 2013 (UTC)

Looking now. Ed  03:05, 9 December 2013 (UTC)

The Misplaced Pages Library Survey

As a subscriber to one of The Misplaced Pages Library's programs, we'd like to hear your thoughts about future donations and project activities in this brief survey. Thanks and cheers, Ocaasi 15:28, 9 December 2013 (UTC)

Top 10

I'm working on a draft now. This list takes a very long time to research and assemble. If you've ever wondered at the attempts at humour, they're not for the audience; they're to keep me from going insane with boredom. You must understand that since I'm not getting paid for the work I do, my commitment to any project depends on feedback, particularly to this one as I wasn't initially interested in doing it. The original creator of the list jumped ship unceremoniously and left me holding the bag. I have created or substantially contributed to 28 featured articles and I am far better suited to creating content in the mainspace than this kind of critique. In the absence of a new Misplaced Pages Weekly podcast (my usual source of positive feedback) I am particularly vulnerable to others' bad mojo. This being Misplaced Pages, I can't just cry, "Then you do it!", because they won't. A decade of editing here has taught me that if you don't do something, no one else will. So, I'm left with a choice; keep going and risk getting blasted like this every week for the foreseeable future, or stop. Which would you do in my place? Serendious 19:59, 10 December 2013 (UTC)

@Serendipodous: I hear you. I've written 23 featured articles and now edit the Signpost practically full-time. ;-) How often are you getting blasted? I'm willing to put out some effort to defend you, but I don't often see criticism on your Signpost contributions. Ed  04:05, 12 December 2013 (UTC)

To date, this is the second time things have erupted, but given how much attention this spat got, I wouldn't be surprised if people took similar opportunities in future. Anyhoo, I'm OK now, back doing what I do, and seem to have dodged the bullet of discussing the deaths of two public figures simultaneously. BTW, would you be interested in an end-of-year report? I've asked the guy in charge of collecting the stats and he says it's doable. Serendious 10:35, 13 December 2013 (UTC)

Good to hear, and please send me a link if anything happens in the future. I really liked your explanation as for why Walker beat Mandela. That's one reason why I really like having you writing this report. :-) A year in review section would be nice—we're doing one for News and notes, and FC should be doing one too (most likely). Ed  23:34, 13 December 2013 (UTC)

Motion: Argentine History (MarshalN20)

You have made a statement in the clarification request relating to Argentine History. This message is to let you know that a motion amending the original decision has now been proposed. You are welcome to add comments on this motion underneath your original statement. Thanks, AGK 11:43, 11 December 2013 (UTC)

The Signpost: 11 December 2013

• Traffic report: Deaths of Mandela, Walker top the list

• In the media: Edward Snowden a "hero"; German Misplaced Pages court ruling

• News and notes: Wiki Loves Monuments—winners announced

• WikiProject report: WikiProject Wine

• Interview: Misplaced Pages's first Featured Article centurion

• Featured content: Viewer discretion advised

• Technology report: MediaWiki 1.22 released

• Read this Signpost in full
• Single-page
• Unsubscribe
• EdwardsBot (talk) 04:03, 12 December 2013 (UTC)

Wikimedia Highlights from November 2013

• Wikimedia Foundation highlights
  • New support material for program organizers: Evaluation report about edit-a-thons, and a pattern library
  • "Beta Features" option allows users to test upcoming software changes
  • Open Source Language Summit in Pune, India
  • OAuth extension makes it easier to use third-party editing tools
• Data and Trends
• Financials
• Other highlights from the Wikimedia movement
  • Tenth anniversary of Wikisource
  • Indian university releases encyclopedia under a free license
  • Diversity Conference
  • Photographer receives $17,000 Kickstarter funding to document video games on Wikimedia Commons

Talkback

Herald talk with me 12:34, 13 December 2013 (UTC)

Speaking of which ... I see Herald will be back for next week's Signpost, Ed, so I think this week's FC will be my last for a while. I've finished this week's "hook" and the FAs. - Dank (push to talk) 18:01, 14 December 2013 (UTC)

Thanks for all of your help, Dank. :-) Ed  04:06, 16 December 2013 (UTC)

Re:Battleships

I finally had a moment to read through that link you left, and its a very interesting picture of what a combat scenario would have been like between the two of them. I also recognized a great many of the pictures given in the piece. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for more by the group, as there work appears to be tantalizing to the what-if people :) TomStar81 (Talk) 06:52, 16 December 2013 (UTC)

It's a fantastically interesting blog, most of the time. Ed  06:23, 19 December 2013 (UTC)

The Bugle: Issue XCIII, December 2013

The Bugle is published by the Military history WikiProject. To receive it on your talk page, please join the project or sign up here.
If you are a project member who does not want delivery, please remove your name from this page. Your editors, Ian Rose (talk) and Nick-D (talk) 00:03, 17 December 2013 (UTC)

Signpost Opinion Article

Hey!

I'm interested in writing an article for The Signpost. The article would not be related to Misplaced Pages, however. My idea for the article is about the usage of "like" and "um" in modern spoken English. If you give the ok, I can have it done by next Wednesday!

Thanks! Newyorkadam (talk) 23:03, 18 December 2013 (UTC)Newyorkadam

Hi there, Newyorkadam! Thanks for your post. Could you elaborate more on what you're planning to write? Ed  06:23, 19 December 2013 (UTC)

It would be about how in modern spoken English, many people say 'like' and 'um' during every sentence, and your brain just cancels it out as if it was never said. I have graphs that show how much a word is spoken through time, and both 'like' and 'um' are on the rise. I would write about how often 'like' is not used correctly as a simile; I would also use specific examples, such as record how many times a teacher says 'um' or 'like' during a class.

Thanks!

Newyorkadam

Hi Adam, unfortunately the Signpost does not publish items that are not of relevance to the Wikimedia communities. Is there some way this can be tailored as such? Ed  05:25, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

Book review for The Signpost

I'm interested in writing a book review for The Signpost before the college Spring Semester starts in January. I'm looking at The Plugged-In Professor: Tips and techniques for teaching with social media by Ferris and Wilder. I'm not opposed to other books already on the list. Any recommendations? Chris Troutman (talk) 05:46, 19 December 2013 (UTC)

Hey Chris, it's really up to you—find a book that will intrigue and hook you. That's where the best book reviews stem from. :-) Ed  06:23, 19 December 2013 (UTC)

@Chris troutman: I messed up my ping to you, sorry! Ed  05:32, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

The Signpost: 18 December 2013

• WikiProject report: Babel Series: Tunisia on the French Misplaced Pages

• Traffic report: Hopper to the top

• Discussion report: Usernames, template data and documentation, Main page, and more

• News and notes: Nine new arbitrators announced

• Featured content: Triangulum, the most boring constellation in the universe

• Technology report: Introducing the GLAMWikiToolset

• Read this Signpost in full
• Single-page
• Unsubscribe
• EdwardsBot (talk) 06:19, 19 December 2013 (UTC)

Yo Ho Ho

ϢereSpielChequers is wishing you Seasons Greetings! Whether you celebrate your hemisphere's Solstice or Christmas, Diwali, Hogmanay, Hanukkah, Lenaia, Festivus or even the Saturnalia, this is a special time of year for almost everyone!

Spread the holiday cheer by adding {{subst:User:WereSpielChequers/Dec13}} to your friends' talk pages.

Thanks WSC! It's good to hear from you. Hope your season has been treating you well! Ed  05:19, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

Happy Holidays...

You too, Ealdgyth. Hope your Christmas was enjoyable, and I'm glad to hear from you! Ed  05:19, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

Seasonal Greetings

Thanks very much :-) Ed  05:19, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

MassMessage distribution

I hope we can take advantage of MassMessage to send the Signpost to talk pages of all recently active English Misplaced Pages users unless they opt out or have a setting listed on the subscription page. I think this would be especially good for engaging newly created user accounts and this would help with the overall editor engagement goals from the strategic plan. What do you think? --Pine 00:30, 23 December 2013 (UTC)

(TPS) Using the MassMessage extension to message subscribers is on the to-do list, and it'll be a while before we're 100% happy with that. Regardless of their merits, opt-out newsletters will never fly with the community, I'm afraid -- this is a community that opposes automated welcome messages, you'll recall. - Jarry1250  01:55, 23 December 2013 (UTC)

Jarry1250 that discussion of welcome messages was some time ago and WMF has had good results from its new orientation for new users. Also it seems to me that using talk pages for their intended purpose isn't a problem so long as there's an opt-out and all-user messages are carefully limited in number. --Pine 07:05, 23 December 2013 (UTC)

(User:Pine) I'm just saying, it's never going to fly as an idea. Besides, the Signpost is not written with newbies in mind, either in terms of understandability or in terms of making them feel part of a happy engaged community. WMF efforts have rightly been focussed on very careful interaction with new editors. - Jarry1250  11:41, 23 December 2013 (UTC)

I also have my doubts about turning the SP into an opt-out newsletter—the last people to try such a thing were trounced! That's not to say that a community discussion can't be held, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it voted down. Said that, I do disagree with Jarry on one point. I think the Signpost can be a helpful addition for new users, as it brings them items and ideas from the wider community that they would have otherwise missed. Ed  05:19, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

Jarry1250 and The ed17 can you point me to the last RfC that tried this? --Pine 22:37, 31 December 2013 (UTC)

I don't remember if it was an RfC, but there was a lot of hubbub and ANI discussion about a newsletter sent by Ocassi ... maybe the Misplaced Pages Library? Ed  04:50, 4 January 2014 (UTC)

There was discussion about what looked like message forgery from the Misplaced Pages Adventure game. That wasn't a newsletter. The Misplaced Pages Library newsletter discussion was swiftly closed at ANI and should have been on a VP page in the first place. However, I agree that the Signpost might overwhelm new users. I'll try to think of an alternative that would reference the Signpost without including a standard subscription fully and automatically. --Pine 06:06, 4 January 2014 (UTC)

Traffic report

Yet another pileup in the comments section, with everyone adding their little jabs, some mutually contradictory. Apparently, I'm too biased and yet pretending to be unbiased at the same time. Look Ed, at this point I think you have three choices: either discontinue the traffic report in the Signpost, find someone else to do it, or be willing to act as my editor, because I obviously can't do it to anyone's satisfaction. Serendious 12:05, 23 December 2013 (UTC)

Hey @Serendipodous:, sorry that I've taken so long to get back to you. I'd be happy to take a more active role in editing the report, although I'm surprised at most of the comments revolving around a premise of neutral writing there. It never has been... Anyway, our first step will be to add a disclaimer saying that the report is a matter of opinion based around facts, and we will go from there. Does that work? Ed  05:19, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

I suppose it's a start. Clarifying that the list is based on non-neutral selection would be a good idea as well. Serendious 10:28, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

Good thinking—I'll make sure that's in there as well. Ed  16:07, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

Serendipodous, the WMF's top 100 viewed articles has been published, if you're interested in using it for a year-end roundup. Ed  05:15, 30 December 2013 (UTC)

Thanks! I'll get on it. Serendious 13:34, 30 December 2013 (UTC)

What do you think of this:

Please note: the Traffic Report is not, and could not possibly be, unbiased or neutral. It is a personal selection of data taken from a bot-generated list. As that list includes many entries that are likely due to botnets, spammers or DDoS attackers, personal judgments must be made as to which entries are automated, and which derive from honest human interest. Given the limited tools at my disposal, the selection of entries, and the reasons assumed for their popularity, are largely educated guesswork. As such, complaints about lack of neutrality are essentially pointless; the bias inherent in the selection process belies any attempt to adopt a neutral tone. If you wish to see the original list, free of selection or commentary, it is here. Serendious 00:52, 31 December 2013 (UTC)

I used some of the words there; I wanted it to sound more formal. We'll see how this one goes. I didn't add anything about neutrality or bias, thinking that the current wording implies that, but if there are any problems I'll tweak it further. :-) Ed  04:50, 4 January 2014 (UTC)

GOCE December 2013 Blitz wrap-up and January Drive invitation

Merry Christmas!

Pratyya is wishing you a Merry Christmas! This greeting (and season) promotes WikiLove and hopefully this note has made your day a little better. Spread the WikiLove by wishing another user a Merry Christmas, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past, a good friend, or just some random person. Happy New Year!

Spread the cheer by adding {{subst:Xmas2}} to their talk page with a friendly message.

Thanks very much :-) Ed  05:19, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

The Signpost: 25 December 2013

• Recent research: Cross-language editors, election predictions, vandalism experiments

• Featured content: Drunken birds and treasonous kings

• Discussion report: Draft namespace, VisualEditor meetings

• WikiProject report: More Great WikiProject Logos

• News and notes: IEG round 2 funding rewards diverse ambitions

• Technology report: OAuth: future of user designed tools

• Read this Signpost in full
• Single-page
• Unsubscribe
• EdwardsBot (talk) 05:04, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

Shameless promotion

Here is a book you probably already read, cause you should have (and so should your pals in MilHist!). Hope you're doing well, Ed, and that Santa brought you lots of goodies. Remember, you're still young and beautiful, but that doesn't mean God doesn't place limits on how much chocolate you can eat. Happy days to you, Drmies (talk) 05:10, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

Perhaps surprisingly, I haven't read it.... but that doesn't mean I can't order it with my new Amazon gift card. ;-) Santa brought me a few goodies, but the goodies I had for other people were stolen out of my car on Christmas Eve (what a Merry Christmas, eh?). Still, I should be thankful they didn't take the car. Hope your holiday was great and you managed to eat even more chocolate than me! Ed  05:19, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

Oh man, I'm sorry to hear that. Sorry for the other people, of course. Yeah, Merry Christmas for someone with a slim jim. Well, enjoy the rest of your holiday, if you're having any, and good luck making oliebollen. Keep a fire extinguisher handy, of course, and save a couple for Crisco 1492. Drmies (talk) 17:52, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

Dutchies, eh? Haven't had one of those in a while. I've been having a lot of kapsalon though. — Crisco 1492 (talk) 23:32, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

Pretty much, Drmies. There's a (rudimentary) ball drop here, if that counts as a holiday, and I'll be dragging my girlfriend to it... although probably without oliebollen, as I've never heard of them—blasphemy, I know. Crisco 1492, kapsalon looks delicious, although I suspect my heart would complain if I ate it. Ed  05:10, 30 December 2013 (UTC)

• I just tell mine to shove it :D. Better that form of heart disease than the other. — Crisco 1492 (talk) 07:04, 30 December 2013 (UTC)

Merry Christmas

Most likely. ;-) Yeah, all of the presents I bought for my father's side of the family, plus a GPS, an AC-DC power converter, an expensive hunting jacket, and a pair of shoes were all stolen. On Christmas Eve. My hometown has gone downhill since I left. On the flip side, at least it's not Flint. Ed  05:36, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

• Flint, i.e. murder capital of Michigan? Yeah, could be worse... could be a lot better though. — Crisco 1492 (talk) 05:38, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

• Yeah—thankfully not my hometown! Hope you're having a decent holiday season, Crisco. Ed  05:40, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

• Decent, to me, is likely not decent for most of society. — Crisco 1492 (talk) 10:05, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

• I hear ya. Best of luck with that ongoing situation. Ed  16:07, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

• Thanks. When she tried to sabotage my research, that was it. — Crisco 1492 (talk) 23:36, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

A kitten for you!

Sounds like you had a rough holiday. I hope the New Year brightens your spirits.

–Mabeenot (talk) 06:45, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

A bit, but it could have been far rougher too. Thanks for the kitten! Ed  16:07, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

New Signpost

Hi,
I am back after exams and holidays. I went to the newsroom for the new signpost but couldn't find any?? What happened?? Herald talk with me 09:56, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

Hey Planet, it looks like you've now started this week's edition. :-) Ed  16:07, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

Hi Ed, {{Signpost-subscription}} is still showing last week's edition. Regards, Nick-D (talk) 00:00, 29 December 2013 (UTC)

Now fixed/working correctly Nick-D (talk) 06:56, 29 December 2013 (UTC)

Thanks for letting me know. It was probably an issue with Misplaced Pages's cache. :-) Ed  05:10, 30 December 2013 (UTC)

The Signpost: 01 January 2014

• Traffic report: A year stuck in traffic

• Arbitration report: Examining the Committee's year

• In the media: Does Misplaced Pages need a medical disclaimer?

• Book review: Common Knowledge: An Ethnography of Misplaced Pages

• News and notes: The year in review

• Discussion report: Article incubator, dates and fractions, medical disclaimer

• WikiProject report: Where Are They Now? Fifth Edition

• Featured content: 2013—the trends

• Technology report: Looking back on 2013

• Read this Signpost in full
• Single-page
• Unsubscribe
• EdwardsBot (talk) 04:43, 4 January 2014 (UTC)

This edition

This is very concerning. My four paragraphs was not intended as a stand-alone feature, but a brief summary while leaving room for details. — Crisco 1492 (talk) 09:01, 4 January 2014 (UTC)

Ah, I assumed it wasn't a problem. :/ I'll carve out some time late today to add this week's articles. Ed  19:01, 4 January 2014 (UTC)

• I neglected to watchlist the page, so I didn't notice it. Sorry. — Crisco 1492 (talk) 19:03, 4 January 2014 (UTC)

• No worries, Crisco—I should have pinged you to ask! Ed  19:05, 4 January 2014 (UTC)

GOCE 2013 Annual Report

Signpost 2014-01-01, TOC

Hi,

Misplaced Pages:Wikipedia_Signpost/Archives/2014-01-01 is bugged, while Misplaced Pages:Misplaced Pages Signpost/2014-01-01 is OK.

Regards,

Cantons-de-l'Est (talk) 18:50, 4 January 2014 (UTC)

Thanks! This is an issue with Misplaced Pages's cache. I've purged the page and it should be okay now. :-) Ed  19:01, 4 January 2014 (UTC)

• Is the cache having errors a lot recently? I've noticed this since coming back to Yogyakarta... I'll turn a redlink blue and in an article it'll still be red. — Crisco 1492 (talk) 19:04, 4 January 2014 (UTC)

• I've seen that particular scenario a lot over the years, but this is the second time in two weeks that the Signpost has had a caching issue. Ed  19:06, 4 January 2014 (UTC)

• Hope it gets fixed soon. Annoying to have to purge something like Roekiah every time I turn a link blue. — Crisco 1492 (talk) 19:17, 4 January 2014 (UTC)

Newspaper Editor Award

New email

Another book review

I've got another book review just about finished, it'll be ready in a day or two. Just wanted to let it sit and proofread it again. Gamaliel (talk) 00:54, 7 January 2014 (UTC)

That's great—thank you! Looking forward to reading it. Ed  20:00, 7 January 2014 (UTC)

Here it is. Criticisms/comments/suggestions are welcome, though I'll be offline for most of Thursday and Friday. Gamaliel (talk) 22:54, 8 January 2014 (UTC)

Featured content

I'm definitely going to need another day or two. It's the combination of a shortened deadline already plus doing two weeks' worth of content plus a personal semi-emergency that came up. öBrambleberry of RiverClan 22:42, 8 January 2014 (UTC)

No worries—thanks for letting me know. Ed  22:52, 8 January 2014 (UTC)

Misplaced Pages Day Meetup on January 18

In the area? You are invited to the upcoming Minnesota meetup in commemoration of Misplaced Pages Day.

• Place: Seward Cafe
  

2129 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404

• Date: Saturday, January 18, 2014
  
• Time: noon

For more info and to sign up (not required), see the meetup talk page.

This invitation was sent to users who were interested in past events. If you don't want to receive future invitations, you can remove your name from the invite list. —innotata 04:14, 10 January 2014 (UTC)

Barnstar

Thanks Ed, I always feel that any editing I do at MHP is under false pretences, but I'm grateful anyway Jimfbleak - talk to me? 06:24, 10 January 2014 (UTC)

Telegraph

At least they credited Misplaced Pages, (see here and here for a much more infuriating example) though their claim that "Misplaced Pages believes Facebook may be its most read page due to people accidentally typing the term into the Misplaced Pages search bar" is a bit of a stretch; I actually said that it's impossible to tell if that's not the case, which is a bit different. And I'm not clear on why they said "Misplaced Pages has no idea how or why received so many views" instead of "We didn't bother to ask Misplaced Pages why they removed it from the list." Serendious 08:49, 10 January 2014 (UTC)

The Signpost: 08 January 2014

• Public Domain Day: Why the year 2019 is so significant

• Traffic report: Tragedy and television

• Technology report: Gearing up for the Architecture Summit

• News and notes: WMF employee forced out over "paid advocacy editing"

• Op-ed: WikiCup competition beginning a new year

• WikiProject report: Jumping into the television universe

• Featured content: A portal to the wonderful world of technology

• Read this Signpost in full
• Single-page
• Unsubscribe
• EdwardsBot (talk) 07:28, 11 January 2014 (UTC)

You've got mail!

Herald talk with me 12:23, 11 January 2014 (UTC)

This Month in GLAM: December 2013

Real life and the holidays put me one issue away from falling off Misplaced Pages

I am terribly sorry that I was unable to do more with ITN for the Signpost over the Christmas holiday. Real life had me only a single crises away from a long Wikibreak to deal with it and enjoy the holidays as much as I could through the issues. I will e-mail you to explain a little further but may be a little more at ease now. This is why I was really hoping that Matty would be a co-author of the content in case I was unable to continue at some point. That point came and I was unable to get to a computer for about two weeks.--Mark Miller (talk) 05:02, 12 January 2014 (UTC)

Mark, I hope that you stick with Misplaced Pages. It is OK to take a break for a while whenever you need to. By the way, my wife and I have both received emails from Miss Bono in recent days. I hope that she will return to editing soon. For her, lack of access to a good internet connection is a much more daunting issue. Cullen Let's discuss it 05:12, 12 January 2014 (UTC)