User talk:Durova
The Bugle: Issue LXXII, March 2012
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Dispute resolution survey
 Dispute Resolution – Survey Invite Hello Durova. I am currently conducting a study on the dispute resolution processes on the English Wikipedia, in the hope that the results will help improve these processes in the future. Whether you have used dispute resolution a little or a lot, now we need to know about your experience. The survey takes around five minutes, and the information you provide will not be shared with third parties other than to assist in analyzing the results of the survey. No personally identifiable information will be released. Please click HERE to participate. You are receiving this invitation because you have had some activity in dispute resolution over the past year. For more information, please see the associated research page. Steven Zhang DR goes to Wikimania! 11:35, 5 April 2012 (UTC) |
The Bugle: Issue LXXIII, April 2012
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It may take a few minutes from the time the email is sent for it to show up in your inbox. You can at any time by removing the {{You've got mail}} or {{ygm}} template.
The Bugle: Issue LXXIV, May 2012
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Possibly unfree File:Aventail.jpg
A file that you uploaded or altered, File:Aventail.jpg, has been listed at Wikipedia:Possibly unfree files because its copyright status is unclear or disputed. If the file's copyright status cannot be verified, it may be deleted. You may find more information on the file description page. You are welcome to add comments to its entry at the discussion if you are interested in it not being deleted. Thank you. Stefan2 (talk) 13:51, 17 June 2012 (UTC)
- Good nomination. This was a very early upload imported from another WMF project before I became aware of the Commons issue noted. Had forgotten it was here. (copying/posting similar comment at the discussion) Thank you for your diligence. :) Durova412 19:10, 18 June 2012 (UTC)
GOCE July 2012 Copy Edit Drive
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I need an opinion on a photo from an expert on the subject
I have long been attached to this image of the battlecruiser Frunze, but the image at high res is dreadful. Is there any way that the image could be digitally cleaned up enough to have a shot at obtaining FP status? I'd be happy to list this as a co0nom at FPC if you think its got a chance. TomStar81 (Talk) 11:32, 26 June 2012 (UTC)
- It's a lovely photograph but it isn't featured picture material. Serious restoration size starts at 10 MB. On rare occasions something smaller passes, but for that sort of work a file isn't really large until it's over 100 MB. If a larger source file could be located the photographers at FPC would go hard on the result of work because it was shot on high speed film, which would have been a reasonable choice during the film era in low light conditions but not the thing to use on a sunny day. You can tell that this is high speed film from the grain at full resolution. That isn't really a correctable problem, at least not in the sense of featured picture criteria. Best regards. Durova412 19:46, 26 June 2012 (UTC)
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The Guidance Barnstar | |
| Haha! That's what I like about asking professionals my questions, you get a direct answer in simple English from someone who knows what they are talking about :) Thanks for the reply, and while I am unsure about where I would find a bigger picture for use an an improvement I am grateful for the upfront feedback, so I am leaving this Guidance Barnstar here as a token of my appreciation for your information on this matter. TomStar81 (Talk) 03:17, 27 June 2012 (UTC) |
A barnstar for you!
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The Special Barnstar |
| Hi Durova! I feel very Happy and Proud to award you the Special Barnstar! You have been on Wikipedia for a long time and have made many great positive contributions to the project and a true asset:) There are only a handful of Wikipedians who have contributed so much in their precious time and you are one of them! ;) Regards and Happy Editing! See you around :) TheGeneralUser (talk) 10:53, 27 June 2012 (UTC) |
File:BHouse2.jpg missing description details
If the information is not provided, the image may eventually be proposed for deletion, a situation which is not desirable, and which can easily be avoided.
If you have any questions please see Help:Image page. Thank you. Sfan00 IMG (talk) 10:29, 4 July 2012 (UTC)- Someone else was the original uploader. I did minor edits at his request. Have posted to his user talk regarding your request, but he appears to have retired. Durova412 02:38, 6 July 2012 (UTC)
If you're around
Hi Durova! It's been a long time since I left you a note. I was wondering if you knew about the newly formed Editor Retention project? We're looking at ways to help retain users both new users and experienced ones. I'm especially interested in finding ways to help restore users who have significant experience with wp back to the project (see this thread here). If you had any reflections on what keeps you here and/or what contributes to you spending less timer here etc they'd be most welcome. Besides all that I hope you're doing well, best--Cailil talk 02:42, 11 July 2012 (UTC)
- How to reply to that? "Retained" doesn't exactly describe me; haven't made a mainspace edit in over 2 years. Durova412 06:15, 11 July 2012 (UTC)
Credo Reference Update & Survey (your opinion requested)
Credo Reference, who generously donated 400 free Credo 250 research accounts to Wikipedia editors over the past two years, has offered to expand the program to include 100 additional reference resources. Credo wants Wikipedia editors to select which resources they want most. So, we put together a quick survey to do that:
- Link to Survey (should take between 5-10 minutes): http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/N8FQ6MM
It also asks some basic questions about what you like about the Credo program and what you might want to improve.
At this time only the initial 400 editors have accounts, but even if you do not have an account, you still might want to weigh in on which resources would be most valuable for the community (for example, through WikiProject Resource Exchange).
Also, if you have an account but no longer want to use it, please leave me a note so another editor can take your spot.
If you have any other questions or comments, drop by my talk page or email me at wikiocaasi@yahoo.com. Cheers! Ocaasi t | c 17:14, 11 July 2012 (UTC)
A question
Hi Durova. I stumbled across this photo while rewriting the associated article, and wondered if it was a good candidate for WP:FP. There are some small imperfections (dust, what looks like a wrinkle in the top right corner, etc.), so it could use some TLC. I don't know anything about image restoration, or have any specialized imagery software, so I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction. Thanks for any help you can provide. Parsecboy (talk) 13:13, 25 July 2012 (UTC)
- There's a free program called GIMP that can perform all the edits necessary. This is glass plate photography in pretty good condition. Lots of specks, a few scratches, but no major degradation in any critical area. The original photograph needs a small amount of rotation; notice how uneven the horizon is. The histogram also needs adjustment. In spite of the filters that attempt to perform these edits, a really good result has to be obtained manually.
- Below are two different restorations of the same photograph. The image at center was a restoration uploaded by a programmer who had spent years coding plugins for the specific purpose of automating photo restoration. The inherent problem with that type of approach is that it would take a breakthrough in artificial intelligence before it could be effective. No matter how a programmer sets the tolerances, current technology compares raw pixel data without a human understanding of context. A filter doesn't know the difference between sky and sandy beach; it can't tell the difference between a surface scratch and the support cables on the Wright Flyer. As you'll notice at high resolution, several of the support cables were obliterated in the automated edit while scratches and dirt remain. The histogram adjustment problems are obvious even at thumbnail.
- So if you're asking with a sigh whether that means a good restoration actually goes in at full resolution and zaps every speck of dust manually, the answer is yes. Actually I worked in at least 200% resolution and would use the highest resolution TIFF file available (157.7 MB). The edit on your photo would take me about 8 hours. A first timer usually spends a week.
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A manual restoration of the Wright Brothers' first flight. -
An automated restoration of the Wright Brothers' first flight. -
Unrestored version of the photograph.
- Best regards, Durova412 20:43, 25 July 2012 (UTC)
- Many thanks for your help, I can see how this can take a long time. I downloaded GIMP and started playing around with it. How do you fix imperfections? The blur or smudge tools? Parsecboy (talk) 02:07, 26 July 2012 (UTC)
- Here's a tutorial.[1] Durova412 03:13, 26 July 2012 (UTC)
- One more thought: these skills you're working on are reusable. Running a first time featured picture candidate is harder than a first time featured article candidate (or that was the case a couple of years ago when I was active) but media volunteering skills have greater reusability. Every image is different, but once you have a grasp of FPC requirements and the software and the medium it is possible to do a large amount of featured level work in a relatively short span of time. Depending on your interests that can be quite useful--the best aspect is the sense of contributing something of lasting value to an important topic. Best regards. :) Durova412 04:51, 26 July 2012 (UTC)
- Here's a tutorial.[1] Durova412 03:13, 26 July 2012 (UTC)
The Bugle: Issue LXXVI, July 2012
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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 Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 09:15, 29 July 2012 (UTC)
You might be interested in this
Here, I suggested that your idea of having ScienceApologist improve an article by editing it at Wikisource be tried with Peter Damian. Cardamon (talk) 23:24, 13 August 2012 (UTC)
There're concerns regarding EV, since the image is no longer used in the article, and appears to be unauthentic. Please see Wikipedia:Featured picture candidates/delist/Navajo man in ceremonial dress; thank you. --Paul_012 (talk) 14:06, 31 August 2012 (UTC)
The Bugle: Issue LXXVII, August 2012
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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 Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 00:47, 1 September 2012 (UTC)
Wikipedia:Editor review/TheGeneralUser (2) Your review is required and will be greatly appreciated :)
Hi Durova 
! I have started my second editor review at Wikipedia:Editor review/TheGeneralUser (2). I will be greatly delighted, thankful and valued to have your review for me regarding my editing and possible candidate for Adminship. As you are a experienced and long term Wikipedian so i have asked for your kind review. Take your time to review my editing and give the best review that you can :). Feel free to ask me any questions you would like to on the review page itself. It will be a great honor to have you review me for which I will truly feel appreciated and helpful! I always work to improve Wikipedia and make it a more better place to be for Everyone :). Regards and Happy Editing! TheGeneralUser (talk) 19:55, 4 September 2012 (UTC)
Military history coordinator election
The Military history WikiProject has started its 2012 project coordinator election process, where we will select a team of coordinators to organize the project over the coming year. If you would like to be considered as a candidate, please submit your nomination by 14 September. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact one of the current coordinators on their talk page. This message was delivered here because you are a member of the Military history WikiProject. – Military history coordinators (about the project • what coordinators do) 08:57, 10 September 2012 (UTC)
Wikimedia Medicine
Can I point out the current discussion at the top of User talk:Iridescent? We're forming a new m:Thematic organization and this is one of the pre-incorporation discussions. One concern raised is the potential for undue influence from pharmaceutical companies and quackery. You were active in this COI discussion so I was wondering if you might be interested in commenting, or at least keeping an eye on things. --Anthonyhcole (talk) 03:10, 30 September 2012 (UTC)
The Bugle: Issue LXXVIII, September 2012
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The Bugle: Issue LXXIX, October 2012
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Did anyone notify you?
Hello Durova. this is a clarification request for a case you were involved in five years ago. How time flies! The clarification is not about you, but about email privacy. EdJohnston (talk) 03:06, 8 November 2012 (UTC)
- Thank you Ed. You were the first to breathe a word of it. Much obliged. Durova412 00:47, 9 November 2012 (UTC)
The Bugle: Issue LXXX, November 2012
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RFC/User
Because you are an editor who has participated in previous discussions on the same topic (or a closely related one), I call your attention to discussion at Wikipedia:Requests for comment/Rhode Island Red.2. Sincerely, GeorgeLouis (talk) 17:02, 6 December 2012 (UTC)
Request for image cleanup
Durova, do you still do image cleanup? If so, would you consider taking a look at File:King the Vice President.jpg? I'm not set up to do it, or I wouldn't pester you. thanks - KillerChihuahua 14:18, 8 December 2012 (UTC)
- Took a look at the original from the Library of Congress site. Daguerrotypes carry all the difficulties of other nineteenth century photographic processes with added problems because photography was in its infancy and people hadn't really learned to take care of the delicate print surface. This is a very soft focus portrait. If a restoration were successful it might end up something like the Augustus Washington portrait of Chancy Brown, which was much less heavily damaged before restoration. The only daguerrotype that approached this much damage I worked on was Jenny Lind, which was a better original and I abandoned that project after 30 hours of effort.
- You might want to check out a blog post about restoring damaged eyes. Work on your original would be more difficult than the David Farragut restoration, and in terms of technical challenge on par with the John Quincy Adams restoration. The after version of Farragut and the before version of Adams are posted here (alternates linked through the respective Commons hosting pages). A lot of editors have the mistaken impression that this is done in filters with a few clicks. Actually the featured restorations are manual work, usually done at 200% resolution for clothing and backgrounds but often 500% to 700% for delicate facial expressions. A 12.5 MB TIFF original is on the low end of usable file sizes for that sort of work. There are basically two routes for this project: a quick-and-dirty approach that would yield a low quality result; or else find a very patient editor and treat that person very well. My work was, by and large, taken for granted (and frequently abused) and I stopped donating the effort nearly three years ago. Best regards and best wishes on your project. Durova412 21:29, 8 December 2012 (UTC)
- Dammit, dammit, dammit, I appreciated your skills, why do you think I am asking you? *pout pout pout*
- I mean, of course I understand, and respect your decision. Thank you for the time you took to reply in such a detailed fashion as well. If I ever get a computer up and running again I'll definitely read through your info prior to beginning work on this. In the meantime, should you ever change your mind, or feel like a stiff challenge, you know where the image is. Yrs, KillerChihuahua 05:10, 9 December 2012 (UTC)
- If you get the chance, GIMP is a good open source program that can do most of the work as well as Photoshop. Something simpler would make a good first project. Seriously, your request is in the realm where the human brain recognizes the patterns, but cleaning up the rest is next to impossible. If I were still an active editor it would be about a 50 hour project pulling teeth all the way. Durova412 05:25, 9 December 2012 (UTC)
- Durova, it's a good thing to see your name pop up on my watchlist. Sorry for being offtopic. Seraphimblade Talk to me 05:38, 9 December 2012 (UTC)
- Thanks for the recommendation. You and I both know it isn't just the software, it is also skill and native ability. KillerChihuahua 19:17, 9 December 2012 (UTC)
- If you get the chance, GIMP is a good open source program that can do most of the work as well as Photoshop. Something simpler would make a good first project. Seriously, your request is in the realm where the human brain recognizes the patterns, but cleaning up the rest is next to impossible. If I were still an active editor it would be about a 50 hour project pulling teeth all the way. Durova412 05:25, 9 December 2012 (UTC)
The Bugle: Issue LXXXI, December 2012
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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) 09:54, 24 December 2012 (UTC)
happy holidays
Secret account 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 Christmas cheer by adding {{subst:Xmas3}} to their talk page with a friendly message.
I hope everything is ok with you, and wishing you and your family a happy holidays. Your expertise is fully missed around here. Secret account 04:17, 26 December 2012 (UTC)
Happy New Year from the Old Guard
Happy New Year from a fellow member of the Wikipedia "Old Guard," meaning yeah, we've been editing here for what feels like forever. I hope things are going well. If you ever need any assistance from me on Wikipedia, please let me know. Best, --SouthernNights (talk) 14:44, 30 December 2012 (UTC)
Image identification
Greetings, The subject, broadly, is camels. A couple of us on Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Military history#U.S. Camel Corps (revisited) were discussing how the image you uploaded of a camel unit at Beersheba came to be identified in French as "Cavalerie américaine sur dromadaires à Beer-Sheva." Any ideas? Thanks,--Jim in Georgia Contribs Talk 00:26, 13 January 2013 (UTC)
- Later editors changed the source link and the description. As you can see from the original upload, the original file description was a transcription of an archivist's note at the border of the image frame. It states only, "The camel corps at Beersheba," and does not attempt to identify the nationality of the unit. The image is dated 1915, which as your talk page discussion correctly observes rules out any possibility of it being an American camel corps because the United States had not yet entered the war. Haven't checked the chronology of how or why a later editor decided to claim that this was an American unit, but the most plausible explanation was that someone confused the nationality of the photographer with that of the unit. The American Colony Jerusalem is a treasure trove of public domain photography of the Near East from the early twentieth century; they by no means limited themselves to American photographic subjects. Strongly recommend reverting the image source link and description unless the editor(s) who made the changes produce documentation to justify their alterations. It hardly makes sense to refer the reader to a hodgepodge of 243 photographs for reference, when a direct link is more informative.
- Thanks for your speedy response. If File:US Camel Corp 1.jpg, which is my first upload, rings a bell, please comment. Don't turn it into a project. I don't think I'll have to fight to keep the image, but you never can tell. Thanks again.--Jim in Georgia Contribs Talk 01:37, 13 January 2013 (UTC)
- Best thing to do would be to contact the author of that page and request source information. It would be a wonderful find if true, but Blogspot isn't exactly a reliable source. If it's a book scan you could request a copy through interlibrary loan to confirm and cite that as the source. Durova412 02:29, 13 January 2013 (UTC)
Songs by songwriter
You have created one or more sub-categories in this scheme which I have nominated for deletion here. This nomination is only on the grounds that there is no corresponding article. If an editor can create a suitable article then there is no reason why the category(ies) should be deleted. Cheers. --Richhoncho (talk) 12:02, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
- It was a little confusing sorting through that long list for the one category I had created. Might be simpler to inform the category creator which item is theirs--after five years I had no recollection of Category:Songs_written_by_Ed_Nelson. You'll find, however, that the category does not lack a corresponding article. Durova412 15:15, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
- I take your point, but having shown an interest in the category, another editor might reasonably assume you had interest in songwriters generally. BTW You might like to clarify where the main article is, I am none the wiser. --Richhoncho (talk) 17:13, 19 January 2013 (UTC)
The Bugle: Issue LXXXII, January 2013
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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) 13:54, 23 January 2013 (UTC)
You Deserve it!
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The Original Barnstar |
| Dear Lise (Durova), Greetings! I wanted to thank you for your years of hard work and dedicated contributions to Wikipedia. Being a former administrator won't take away the rewards and appreciations that you at least deserve :) Also a belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! It's because of people like you who edit and contribute their part to Wikipedia to make it a more better place and source of information for everyone. I thank you for your efforts and hope you will continue your wonderful contributions. Warm Regards ~TheGeneralUser (talk) 21:24, 28 January 2013 (UTC) |
Thank you. :) Durova412 21:49, 28 January 2013 (UTC)
POTD notification
Hi Durova,
Just to let you know that the Featured Picture File:Republican presidential ticket 1864b.jpg is due to make an appearance as Picture of the Day on February 3, 2013. If you get a chance, you can check and improve the caption at Template:POTD/2013-02-03. — Crisco 1492 (talk) 22:44, 31 January 2013 (UTC)
- BTW, File:Democratic presidential ticket 1864b.jpg will make an appearance next November. Same thing applies. — Crisco 1492 (talk) 22:44, 31 January 2013 (UTC)
- Many apologies, my bad. Fixed above now. — Crisco 1492 (talk) 02:03, 2 February 2013 (UTC)
- You're welcome. I think HowCheng's got a lot on his plate right now, so it's the least I could do. — Crisco 1492 (talk) 02:08, 2 February 2013 (UTC)
Are you seeing this file covered with cyan? Seems to be a server-side error, but some... helpful soul, for the lack of a non-sarcastic term which passes WP:NPA... suggested we upload anew. Do you still have the restoration? — Crisco 1492 (talk) 12:53, 13 February 2013 (UTC)
- Appears to be a color profile issue. Try this version. File:Layla_and_Majnun2_without_color_profile.jpg
- And happy Valentine's Day. Perfect timing to ask about a love story. :) Durova412 16:39, 13 February 2013 (UTC)
- Thanks. That one works fine, but the above-linked file is having issues in both Firefox and Chrome (so I was thinking it wasn't a profile issue). Enjoy your Valentine's Day (and check out the POTD for 14 Feb) — Crisco 1492 (talk) 22:49, 13 February 2013 (UTC)
- Alright, it's been fixed by LX — Crisco 1492 (talk) 02:44, 14 February 2013 (UTC)
Notice of discussiont to revamp WP:FS
As a formerly active discussant at WT:FSC, I would like to call your attention to Wikipedia talk:Featured sound candidates#Proposal to revamp FS.--TonyTheTiger (T/C/BIO/WP:CHICAGO/WP:FOUR) 18:09, 15 February 2013 (UTC)