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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 86.33.64.63 (talk) at 08:27, 6 March 2010 (→‎Reconstruction of Saint Malo: new section). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Welcome!

Hello Mr Minchin, and welcome to Wikipedia! Thank you for your contributions. I hope you like the place and decide to stay. Here are a few good links for newcomers:

I hope you enjoy editing here and being a Wikipedian! Please sign your name on talk pages using four tildes (~~~~); this will automatically produce your name and the date. If you have any questions, check out Wikipedia:Where to ask a question or ask me on my talk page. Again, welcome!  Vsmith 00:38, 15 December 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Signing

Taxman, I've notice that many users (you included) have formatted their signatures with little graphics or coloured the text. Could you point me to instructions on how to do this please? --Mr Minchin 20:10, 29 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Wikipedia:Signature actually redirects to where you need to go to find out the basics. After that it's just about using wiki and the allowable html markup to have it the way you like it. Keep in mind consensus is really swinging against overly long signatures because they can drown out comments etc, so keep it short and sweet. I'm even considering shortening mine back down. - Taxman Talk 23:22, 29 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

(from: User_talk:Taxman#Signing)

Bookmarks & Notes

Canadian identity

The Canadian identity article was removed as the result of an uncontested prod. The reason for the proposed deletion was: Entire article is one long POV rant built from sterotypes and leftover material rejected by the main Canada article and related articles such as Culture of Canada, Demographics of Canada, Immigration to Canada, Geography of Canada, Politics of Canada, Multiculturalism, and History of Canada. Article duplicates existing articles and resurects old materials deleted due to their bias with a POV flare.

I concurred with the above concern, and hence the article was removed. Kimchi.sg 05:48, 20 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

My Response

Thank you for your prompt response. I now understand a little better the policies of Wikipedia, but not really why some articles are listed under PROD and others under AfD.

Had I known beforehand that the Canadian identity was on the block to be deleted, I would have objected, but as that is past, I would like to request its resurrection - could you please undelete it. Here are the reasons I propose to keep it (or rather, bring it back):

  • Length - most articles listed on WP:PROD, in my quick random survey, are short - a sentence to two paragraphs. Canadian identity was considerably longer. The length also supports that it is more than some random user’s vanity page, and has been a collaborative effort, one of the main goals of Wikipedia..
  • Notability - Canada is indeed notable (I hope no one would dispute that). I agree that the question “What does it mean to be a Canadian?” is a slightly different topic, but I would suggest that it is a question that is fundamental to the country. From the American Revolution on, the simple answer was “not American.” Why was Canada formed? In part, to keep from becoming American. The same reason is why British Columbia joined confederation, why the west (now Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) was the subject of a huge drive on the part of the Canadian government to be settled, and why the Yukon Territory was formed. See also Canadian confederation. Canada is also special in the fact that its boundaries were not defined by war, ethic group, or common history, like most other nations (Europe, especially comes to mind).
  • POV - it doesn’t surprise me that the article comes across without a NPOV. By vary nature, the article implies a point of view, because it is about how Canadians see themselves. As noted above, not being American is an important part of that. See “Mild anti-Americanism” in Canadian literature and the article on Molson’s I am Canadian commercials. I would welcome anyone to edit out the POV, but I would challenge them to do so without removing the facts. In any case, the mild POV throughout does not seem to cloud the message
  • Uniqueness of topic - as you noted, the material here does not readily fit elsewhere. The topic is complex enough to require its own article, as demonstrated by its length.
  • Accuracy - this, above all, it what impressed me most about the article - it explained what it means to be Canadian in a clear, concise, and accurate manner. It is the sort of article I would point my American friends to. The clear explanation in and of itself is reason enough, in my mind, to keep the article.
  • Suggestions for expansion/improvement (things I would be willing to undertake):
    • how the adoption of the maple leaf flag see Image:Flag of Canada.svg has made the maple leaf the Canadian symbol
      • how the maple leaf (or Canadian flag) is frequently attached by Canadian travelers to their backpacks to keep from being mistaken for Americans, who are stereotypically loud and rude
    • British ties, their influence on things such as architecture (I’m thinking of Victoria) and parliament
    • differences between French and Quebecois culture
    • folk songs such as I’s the b’y
    • issues with a united country and culture over the vast distance (it’s over 5000km from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador to Victoria, BC)
    • insuring relevant articles have a link to Canadian identity and the see also section at the end of the article remains relevant

Please advise me how best to proceed. Thank you again. –Mr Minchin Canada 04:09, 21 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I'll relist it on AfD for you.

Regarding the differences between prod and AfD: Prod is an un-publicised version of AfD; the tag is put on an article but no discussion page is needed for the proposal. The prod proposal can also be removed by any editor, and appealed more easily, unlike AfD. Kimchi.sg 17:51, 21 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

AfD Nomination: Canadian identity

I've nominated the article Canadian identity for deletion under the Articles for deletion process. We appreciate your contributions, but in this particular case I do not feel that Canadian identity satisfies Wikipedia's criteria for inclusion. I have explained why in the nomination space (see What Wikipedia is not and Deletion policy). Your opinions on the matter are welcome; please participate in the discussion by adding your comments at Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Canadian identity. Don't forget to add four tildes (~~~~) at the end of each of your comments to sign them. You are free to edit the content of Canadian identity during the discussion, but please do not remove the "Articles for Deletion" template (the box at the top). Doing so will not end the discussion. Kimchi.sg 18:21, 21 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Invitation to join WikiProject Genealogy

I am extending this invitation to you because you are listed as a Wikipedian genealogist. WikiProject Genealogy seems to have ground to a halt, and I'm hoping to either "reboot" it or, if interest is lacking, eliminate it. If you are so inclined, please visit "This project's purpose" topic in WikiProject Genealogy Talk at your earliest convenience and respond to my comment. (You might have to scroll down a bit; my comment is mostly boldfaced.) If you are not willing or able to participate, please notify me of such in email, and I won't disturb you further about this matter. Thank you. -JohnAlbertRigali (talk) 08:37, 20 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Reconstruction of Saint Malo

Dear MrMinchin, I found the fascinating story of that reconstruction here on your user page. Why is it not part of the French article? May I use it for German WP? Yours sincerely Robert Schediwy --86.33.64.63 (talk) 08:27, 6 March 2010 (UTC)[reply]

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