User talk:Jimbo Wales

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Hacking of my email accounts (for the record only)

Hi Jimbo, what I am going to write next is only for the record because I assume it is the first, and I hope the last incident of this kind on Wikipedia.

In the end of last year my email accounts were hacked. From the very beginning I suspected it was somehow connected to Wikipedia and/or Wikimedia Commons, but at first I was not positive about it.

Then silently watching the hacker activities on my account I knew it was connected to my editing of Wikipedia and Commons.

I hoped to catch the hacker, but eventually I decided just to get read of it, and changed my passwords.

In a few weeks after that I got email from alleged "gmail" services that requested me to email them my password in order to protect my computer from viruses. This email made me to believe that the hacker no longer had an access to my account, and I hoped it is the end of the story except it was not.

On January 12, 2011 I got a threatening email, in which somebody impersonated a member of Arbcom user:PhilKnight, and then on January 19, 2011 I was contacted on the matter of my alleged emails on my Wikipedia talk page. I was really glad, when I was contacted at my talk page because it became a great confirmation of the events that happened before.

I did report the hacking to IC3.

As I said in the beginning this post is only for the record, but if you'd like to get more information, I will be happy to provide it for you. Thanks.--Mbz1 (talk) 22:24, 21 February 2011 (UTC)

Me too. I got sent some evidence about this, and it was quite disturbing. Anyone interested is welcome to ask for copies of the evidence from me, or as much as I have. It seems that some people saw themselves as above the rules of Wikipedia, which is rather sad. Anyway I don't see why this is any more relevant on Jimbo's talk page than the nice Japanese meal-tax person, but if others do then they are welcome to discuss it. --Demiurge1000 (talk) 00:30, 22 February 2011 (UTC)

Goodness. I am very far from the tech side of things, but I hope you both write to Danese Cooper, the CTO, with full details and evidence. I'd appreciate seeing that as well, preferably by email, so that if there is any aspect of it that would allow the culprit to cover his or her tracks, we not tip our hand.--Jimbo Wales (talk) 12:59, 22 February 2011 (UTC)

Sure, I'll send you the whole lot. If the hacker is apprehended then that will help to discourage others from thinking that hacking is an acceptable method of uncovering behaviour that breaks Wikipedia policy.

Mbz1, can I assume you have no objections to my sending Danese and Jimbo all of the screenshots that have been sent to me? Some of them contain what I presume is your full name, but it looks like that appears in some of the files you've uploaded to Commons anyway, so it's not something you keep secret.

I do think the community and the individuals affected should have the opportunity to comment on some of the underhand dealings that have gone on, but I'll make sure not to give away any information that the hacker might use to cover their tracks, when arranging that. --Demiurge1000 (talk) 01:15, 23 February 2011 (UTC)

Demiurge1000, I strongly object you sending those "screenshots" to anybody. They contain no information on the hacker, and your proxy-editing for the hacker, will only help it to stay in the shadows versus going into open and revealing itself at last.--Mbz1 (talk) 22:30, 23 February 2011 (UTC)

I agree that the screenshots don't say anything about the hacker in themselves alone, but in conjunction with Wikipedia diffs of what the editors involved did subsequently, they are proof that the hacking took place. A screenshot purports to show a banned serial sockpuppetteer asking you to post something on Wikipedia, and the diff shows you posting exactly the words asked for in the screenshot. A screenshot purports to show you asking another editor to post specific text on Wikipedia in order to get a controversial DYK onto the main page, and the diff shows that editor using exactly those words as requested. Since the screenshots show these messages as having been screenshotted by the person signed in to your gmail account, the fact that they match exactly with the dates, text and topics of the subsequent Wikipedia diffs is solid proof that the hacking took place. (It's implausible to suggest that you'd take such screenshots yourself and send them out to anyone.)

On a practical note, may I suggest you send the reference number of the IC3 report to Jimbo and Danese, if you haven't already? From what I can remember of filing reports with IC3, anyone with the reference number can add information to the report. So that would allow WMF people to add anything relevant from information that they have or information they receive.

I do have some additional suggestions concerning what's been said about IP addresses involved, but I'll save comment on that for the email. --Demiurge1000 (talk) 18:38, 24 February 2011 (UTC)

twitter verification

Since I'm posting about my upcoming speech (tomorrow!) in Saudi Arabia, I was asked to verify my account on twitter, which I don't have time to do officially, so I just wanted to say here in a way that Wikipedians can vouch for that @jimmy_wales is me on twitter.--Jimbo Wales (talk) 20:03, 22 February 2011 (UTC)

Sure can, this is Jimmy Wales confirmed at wikipedia confirming his twitter account. Off2riorob (talk) 20:31, 22 February 2011 (UTC)

Does that have to be done because of the turmoil in that region?-RHM22 (talk) 01:40, 24 February 2011 (UTC)

As Jimmy's twitter account is not confirmed its more likely just a good faith request for verification. Off2riorob (talk) 20:06, 24 February 2011 (UTC)

Yep.--Jimbo Wales (talk) 20:26, 24 February 2011 (UTC)

German Article of the day

Dear Jimbo, German wikipedia is proud to present the article of the day: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Hauptseite . Really thrilling, really amazing, worth a glimpse: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fremdk%C3%B6rper_in_Anus_und_Rektum You might improve your German reading it, there's a lot to learn.

Yours sincerly --12:19, 23 February 2011 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jnanamonster (talk • contribs)

I suspect that some writer of featured articles in German is working in purpose in the grossest articles it can find, to see if he can have them featured in the main page. Just for the challenge, you know. --Enric Naval (talk) 12:23, 23 February 2011 (UTC)

Don't regard this the 'grossest article' to be found, there might come stuff which is much more special interest ;-) --Jnanamonster (talk) 12:32, 23 February 2011 (UTC)

I have a few ideas about non-sexual topics that would be interesting to see in the main page, but WP:BEANS says that I should firmly close my mouth. --Enric Naval (talk) 13:58, 23 February 2011 (UTC)

The nice thing about their article is that it both brings forth a new idea, and also suggest where one should put it. Ocaasi (talk) 17:54, 23 February 2011 (UTC)

• This is too awesome for words. It makes that Gropecunt Lane FA of ours last year pale in comparison. Tarc (talk) 18:17, 23 February 2011 (UTC)

  We totally need a picture of a couple in front of and acting out the sign in Fucking, Austria. But we also need to get it to be an FA... The Blade of the Northern Lights (話して下さい) 22:20, 23 February 2011 (UTC)

Please, someone tell me I'm not the only one to find all of the above discussion in this section to be rather immature. {{Nihiltres|talk|edits|⚡}} 03:17, 26 February 2011 (UTC)

So? The Blade of the Northern Lights (話して下さい) —Preceding undated comment added 04:35, 26 February 2011 (UTC).

New editing bar

Dear Jimbo

Sorry to disturb you on something like this but there is an issue with the new editing toolbar. I don't know if others have had the same problem but I've had problems with the new one in that the buttons that do the automatic coding (the Bold text, the embed file one etc.) do not enter anything onto the page at all. Also the Advanced, special characters and help links all do not work either. I wish to ask if it's possible for there to be an option for you to choose to go back to the old format for editing similar to with the main page format choice. The C of E. God Save The Queen! (talk) 12:56, 24 February 2011 (UTC)

My preferencs->Editing tab -> scroll down to "Usability features" and uncheck "Enable enhanced editing toolbar". Rich Farmbrough, 19:54, 24 February 2011 (UTC).

Thank you, Rich. The C of E. God Save The Queen! (talk) 18:31, 25 February 2011 (UTC)

There was a problem where clicking the Wikimarkups sent them into the summary or subject/headline box instead of the text edit area, as well as the ref links doing the same. I believed that was fixed though? as mine seems to be fine two days ago after an annoying couple of days. It may have been related to the last Java update at the beginning of the week and after purging Wikipedia cookies everything seems back to normal. Chaosdruid (talk) 23:26, 25 February 2011 (UTC)

Still awaiting answer

Hi again Mr Wales, i am wondering what the status is regarding your answer on a project idea, sent from oda....@gmail.com a few weeks ago, please check out site http://www.microvga.com/ when you do, it is relevant to the topic. thank you,

O D. 88.233.13.236 (talk) 19:22, 24 February 2011 (UTC)

I am somewhat on holiday, so very far behind in email.--Jimbo Wales (talk) 14:14, 25 February 2011 (UTC)

Inquiry

Are the rumors that you used to be a proffesional boxer true?? Pencilsvspens (talk) 00:26, 25 February 2011 (UTC)

I am unaware of any such rumors, but in any event, no. I have never been a boxer, professional or otherwise.--Jimbo Wales (talk) 14:01, 25 February 2011 (UTC)

Ruby-gate

You recently participated in a straw poll regarding the above article. New options have been crafted at Talk:Ruby-gate#New options, and your input is welcome. -Rrius (talk) 21:26, 25 February 2011 (UTC)

Gender gap.

The reason why there is a gender gap in wikipedia is obvious: the percentage of women on MMORPGs is lower than the percentage of men. 190.51.191.211 (talk) 02:01, 26 February 2011 (UTC)

Your name came up...

...in "you and Mr Wales are both guilty of misinterpretting the guidelines" on my talk, so I thought it only polite to mention the thread; I know you're on hols and prob don't care, but still; User_talk:Chzz#Robert Lawrence (was: Thanks). Cheers,  Chzz  ►  03:45, 26 February 2011 (UTC)

Please help: torsion field article WP:OFFICE

I already sent e-mails but they are only playing with words, i`m not a programmer, i am a simple user and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torsion_field it respects no rules, it must be deleted..its atacking people and businesses —Preceding unsigned comment added by 213.233.93.182 (talk) 09:40, 26 February 2011 (UTC)

I recommend bringing this to the attention of WP:BLPN. The people there will gladly review this for BLP violations.--Jimbo Wales (talk) 12:24, 26 February 2011 (UTC)

Hi Jimbo Wales

I was wondering... Can you promote me to VSTF on wikia plz. Also I am banned there FOREVER!! I need all the help I can get to block VegaDark (A mean VSTF member there) and unblock me. Help please help... Can I please become one there? I have made good faith edits cross-wiki and I am completely innocent. Thanks Slipknot Darkrai (talk) 12:57, 26 February 2011 (UTC)