And welcome (back) from me too. You did some RReally gRReat woRRk, and I'm looking forward to seeing you in action once again. I'd suggest a more random selection of articles, though, and not getting too stressed replicating all your efforts in just the one place. I find that attending to a batch of articles on English grammar is a great de-stressing strategy! Snalwibma (talk) 08:31, 1 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Good to make contact again. One day I'll revisit IntrotoEvo properly, read the whole thing with fresh eyes, see what it looks like, think about how it might be improved - and probably do nothing! But it's pretty good as it is. Congratulations to you, above all people. I notice that our friend A******** has made zero edits since 31 Jan. I presume it was a one-purpose sock of some sort. Meanwhile, I'm pretty busy IRL and just glancing at WP once in a while. Snalwibma (talk) 07:31, 7 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I noticed you went through almost hell, and I'm sorry I wasn't there during that FAC. I really really had to leave the Wiki as the way I was editing was taking too much time (in a way that would have had very serious real life consequences). Also, I was not contributing in a very constructive way.
On the latter point, I wish I had spent more time editing articles and writing reviews. I wish I had spent a lot less time arguing and insisting on having things my way. I think we both would benefit from caring less about Wiki.
Thanks for helping out. It's a freaking mess, and it's an FA. I threw in something about how H pylori evolved out of Africa with human migration, about 58,000 years ago, so Ken Ham and other YEC'ers are going to be kicking both of our manuses. Manusi? Hmmmm. Help out more, if you've got the time. OrangeMarlinTalk•Contributions05:41, 4 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Wikipedia Assignment
Wikipedia Project:
The dreaded “Research Paper” is a standard hurdle for most AP Programs. Rightfully so - being that many college courses require such publication to validate your existents. As a consequence, I have graded literally hundreds of papers with the same enthusiasm as my students proclaimed during their creation.
In the end, they were rewarded for their effort or destroyed for their incompetency. The papers themselves merely contributed to our overly bloated landfills.
Hence, my excitement over my new approach to constructing a scientific document using Wikipedia. As all of you are aware, Wikipedia is an information data base framed around the encyclopedia concept that is open for anyone to edit. Rather than researching for a paper that is destined to the circular bin… let us contribute to the world-wide data base for others to benefit.
The assignment:
1) Construct an entry in Wikipedia covering any biological topic. Survive the “speedy” deletions, and critical reviews that have thus far ensured Wikipedia is both current and accurate.
2) To receive a (93) … the article must reach Good Article status.
3) To reach the level of perfection with a grade of (100)… Featured Article status is in order.
4) Finding yourself banned from Wikipedia makes completing this project somewhat challenging.
You may create your article from the bottom – up or adopt an existing article that is not already at FA or GA status.
To find me in the Wiki-World: [1]
Where the answers are: [2]
Step 4: Apply for GA status. If you pass that hurdle and truly want the challenge - attempt FA.
Notes:
Clearly procrastination would be self-destructive. The challenge is formidable; perhaps even more than you may realize. The key is an early start; allowing you multiple attempts at the GA / FA status. My editing on Introduction to Evolution survived three efforts to delete and two failed GA attempts before finally reaching the FA mark.
Collaboration is the key, Wikipedia is a community project. Success or failure hinges very much on alliances. There are brilliant people involved in the project – collaborate with them. Of course, you must navigate the minefield of personalities to make that happen.
Warning: I can track all your actions. Nothing is ever truly deleted since your “history” on Wikipedia is a matter of public record. The account you provide for me to monitor is an extension of this school and reflects on this class. You are not immune to my persecution. If wish to go rogue; I highly recommend creating a different account for that purpose.
Maintain anonymity. You are not here to find a relationship – that would represent a new level of nerd-dom.
Keep me posted; if you encounter an antagonist that is not following Wikipedia policy then there are resolutions. At no point have I thrown you to the wolves. --JimmyButler (talk) 21:55, 23 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I guess you know about the success in the spring of a university class whose professor - User:jbmurray - did just what you've assigned. see Wikipedia:WikiProject Murder Madness and Mayhem. The fellow has written a couple of essays on his experience.
I was involved in the experience and it was neat to see non-wikipedians confront some of the weirdness of Wikipedia ...and survive. They produced several FA articles.
I hope your AP class has as much fun...especially if they produce several GA and FA biology articles. Good luck. Cheers! Wassupwestcoast (talk) 04:03, 23 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Class Project
You might want to give a heads-up to the FA-Team. Through pure luck, they got involved very early in Jbmurray's project ... and actually spent more time getting the articles through the GA process than the FA...I'd also give a shout-out to every relevant project talk page. The earliest problems were the expected ones...deletion of stubs. Also, you might want to start a project page. Of course, you might have known or done all of these things already! I haven't been looking too carefully. Starting in Sept... ie in a week...I'll be spending more time on Wikipedia so then I will ramp up and help where I can. Cheers! Wassupwestcoast (talk) 01:40, 25 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]
