I also contribute to Wikipedia by helping to maintain the article space, both in editing articles that I read (especially grammar, referencing and citations, etc.) and patrolling proposed deletions.
In the course of wielding the administrator's mop, I also delete a fair number of articles. Most are about the editor's band, girlfriend, school club, story idea, or MMORPG guild. Some articles have a shred of hope to them, so I leave them around to see if there is future development on them. While I keep them on my watchlist, I've also got a list of articles to revisit to see if progress has been made on them.
Article ideas
Article ideas in various formative states, which may or may not be in my personal sandbox:
Comparison of American football rules
There are three major codes for football in the US: NFL, NCAA, and Federation (high school). The rules differ among them, e.g. kickoffs from the 30 35, 35, and 40, respectively. Akin to other comparison articles, I envision two tables: one with general rules differences (goalpost width, hash marks, missed field goals, try-for-point distance, etc.) and one with penalty enforcement differences (pass interference, holding, intentional grounding, encroachment/offside, etc.)
I also took a copyediting class in college. I did well in the class and enjoyed it.
Readers paying close attention may also note that I have a tendency to drift into Canadian English, especially with regard to certain spellings (e.g., colour). All my education was in the U.S. However, I've been in 10+ years of relationships with Canadians or daughters of British subjects, and I worked a year at a Big Four accounting firm that used Commonwealth spelling in certain internal documents (e.g., audit programme). As a result, Canadian/Commonwealth spelling has rubbed off on me. I'm aware of it enough to turn back on American English when the article warrants.
I am a high-school football official. Hence the interest above in articles about football and sports in general. I have also called varsity contests in volleyball and softball; I have called recreational-league baseball and basketball; and I called intramural soccer in college.
I am a rampant, if sometimes old-school, computer geek. It shows when I get involved with an article headed to AfD here: my Usenet background leads to a discuss-first, vote-later philosophy, from the practice of RFDs and CFVs (Requests for Discussion and Calls for Votes, respectively) on Usenet group creations. This sometimes runs counter to the act-first-and-then-discuss philosophy that gets applied often on Wikipedia. (However, I have no qualms speedily deleting an article if it meets the criteria, and I have been known to practice the BOLD-revert-discuss cycle editing style.)
Speaking of the old-school-ness, I still frequent a few MUSHes, particularly TinyTIM.
I adopted two dogs from shelters/rescue organizations: a black-and-tan short-hair dachshund and a terrier mix who appeared to have a large fraction of Jack Russell in her. The terrier passed away in 2012; the dachshund is still with me (and is usually sleeping on the couch behind me while I edit).
I award this Barnstar to Cfred for recognition in the field of recipricating acts of kindness. NoRCaLD503
The RickK Anti-Vandalism Barnstar
Dear C.Fred, In recognition of your tireless work in combating vandalism and thereby improving the reputation of Wikipedia, I hereby award you this barnstar. I have personally witnessed the rapidity with which you revert disruptive edits, and this definitely deserves recognition. WashingtonPrime (talk) 16:12, 2 March 2013 (UTC)
The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar
The RickK Anti-Vandalism Barnstar
Touché, sir. Htkootc2362 02:16, 31 July 2007 (UTC)
The RickK Anti-Vandalism Barnstar
I've seen some reverts that you have done. :) Chandlerjoeyross (talk) 22:41, 24 February 2008 (UTC)
The Special Barnstar
I see you alot on AIV, dealing with reports and blocking vandals. I've seen you there quite a lot, and I feel that deserves this. So for your tireless work on AIV, I award you the Special Barnstar. Steve Crossin(talk)(anon talk) 22:16, 20 April 2008 (UTC)
How do I add reliable sources to my page? I need help and I need it now. If anyone can help me, that will be appreciated. - Pnffan (talk)
This is me again as a new user. Please can someone help me? I feel terrified that everyone loves Wikipedia's rules and is trying to take down pages just because they can. - Ihatewikirules (talk) 03:45, 5 April 2014 (UTC)
.svg){kind=small}
