User talk:Eric Corbett

"It was reading the ultimate paragraph of this post: [1] that finally convinced me it was time to go, yes, Hans is quite right, I am stuck in a vicious circle and there was no likelihood of things improving."

— Extract from Giano's retirement statement

Precious

	forum
	Thank you for content such as today's Chadderton, for adding quality to the articles of others, for speaking up to the point with "amore e studio elucidandae", and for running your talk as a fascinating forum of ideas and beers, - and yes, to quote you, "we need some perspective", --Gerda Arendt (talk) 05:52, 31 May 2012 (UTC)

Well Deserved! PumpkinSky talk 00:04, 1 June 2012 (UTC)

"we need some perspective".One of the most intelligent comments I've heard in a long time on here. If only most of the ANI wiki gods had a good perspective of what is important.. Lack of perspective that we are actually an encyclopedia not a law court is probably one of the biggest site problems in my experience. If they cut their crap and started actually contributing to articles we'd be many times richer as a resource.♦ Dr. Blofeld 08:10, 1 June 2012 (UTC)

The perspective that I find is most missing is that the editor behind the online avatar is a real person with feelings and human frailties. It was a real joy to meet Malleus a few months ago, and to experience what a jovial and interesting character he is. How badly this project is let down by those who can't see past their screen and appreciate the other human beings they are interacting with. --RexxS (talk) 16:29, 1 June 2012 (UTC)

The missing perspective seems familiar, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:40, 1 June 2012 (UTC)

Hope you are well.PumpkinSky talk 22:14, 10 June 2012 (UTC)

• Get back to work, Mally; you're welcome in Our House ;) Br'er Rabbit (talk) 04:41, 13 June 2012 (UTC)

Our House ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:25, 19 June 2012 (UTC)

Celebrate, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:03, 30 June 2012 (UTC)

Hot chicks here

Now that I have the attention of all the talk page stalkers, can I just remind everybody that a bunch of us miscreants will be getting together for a few drinks in Manchester tomorrow - meta:Meetup/Manchester/13 for details, but all are welcome 13:00 onwards at The Sir Ralph Abercromby, 35 Bootle Street, M2 5GU. It would be really great to chat with you again, Malleus, but no pressure if you're busy. Cheers, --RexxS (talk) 22:09, 22 June 2012 (UTC)

I'd thought of coming along, but my wife's getting ready to go into hospital early next week for an operation, so I want to spend time with her. Hopefully I'll make the next one. Malleus Fatuorum 23:08, 22 June 2012 (UTC)

Family comes way, way, ahead of WP. I wish you both well. Hopefully, we will meet up again at some point as there are a couple of issues on our personal agenda that we keep saying will be addressed. Nonetheless, I am pleased to see that you did not completely rule out the idea of attending if personal circumstances had been better. You know that you will be amongst friends. - Sitush (talk) 00:38, 23 June 2012 (UTC)

Indeed Malleus, family always first and I wish your wife a speedy recovery. There's always another meetup in a couple of months – and we'll all be looking forward to seeing you again when the chance arises. Regards, --RexxS (talk) 01:29, 23 June 2012 (UTC)

My very best wishes to Mrs Malleus; family has to come first! My own experience of ops is that they go extremely well indeed; I hope she has the same good fortune. And hospital staff are a laugh and lovely people. And the beds and food are much, much better than they were when I was a kid! Tell her I'll be thinking of her. Pesky (talk) 06:19, 23 June 2012 (UTC)

Well wishes to your wife, Malleus! LadyofShalott 13:48, 25 June 2012 (UTC)

Agreed. I think we all hope and (as appropriate) pray that the operation is as quick and uncomplicated as possible. Basically, that it winds up being a quick vacation in a big building with lots of people in it, many of whom have little sense of fashion innovation. John Carter (talk) 16:49, 25 June 2012 (UTC)

Well wishes for your wildflower lover, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:47, 25 June 2012 (UTC)

You've got a very good memory Gerda. :-) Malleus Fatuorum 01:08, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

Only for things and people that matter, like Wildflowers and you two, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:18, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

Best wishes for her speedy recovery Mal. PumpkinSky talk 21:53, 25 June 2012 (UTC)

All the best, and everything positive...Modernist (talk) 21:55, 25 June 2012 (UTC)

All the best. Parrot of Doom 23:19, 25 June 2012 (UTC)

My best wishes to Mrs. Malleus as well! Keilana|^{Parlez ici} 23:24, 25 June 2012 (UTC)

• All my best wishes, thoughts, and prayers to you and yours Mal. — Ched :  ?  00:48, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

Thanks for all the good wishes. Malleus Fatuorum 01:07, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

You Have New Good Wishes

Give her our best, All of Jack's Socks ;)  Br'erRabbit  02:50, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

How did things go (if you don't mind me asking)? GFHandel ♬  07:18, 30 June 2012 (UTC)

Sorry, I couldnt reply sooner! (Poppy Meadow)

Hi! Im back editing on Wikipedia now, and looked through your edits to Poppy Meadow. I have to admit the article looks great, but I did add back in the Development section, as although to you it may seem the same as the plot section, its not, its has quotes and interviews in. Anyway, thanks for all your edits to the article. Poppy has just returned to the soap, though not much critical commentry has become of this, and still some details are a tad bit shady, on whether she is staying or not.

However, the article is quite stable (which is surprising for a returning character), and if you would like to go over it one more time before I propose this, if your free, would you like to nominate Poppy to FA with me? Youve done so much towards the article, I feel its only best to allow you too put your name towards it. Of course, I will have to put some credit towards the other user (Frickative), whom edited the article with me when we first made it. So, if your still awake from my drivel, what do you say? — M.Mario (T/C) 20:04, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

This is crazy talk. Everyone knows that Malleus is just here to drive away good-faith editors and generally disrupt the entire encyclopedia! Parrot of Doom 20:18, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

I'm afraid that; I disagree. MF has never shown that attitude towards me, nor hardly anyone else as I know of. So, although I respect your opinion, I am going to chose to ignore it. — M.Mario (T/C) 20:30, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

Mr Stephen (talk) 20:50, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

(I think that was sarcasm :) )--Gilderien Chat|List of good deeds 20:56, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

Just a touch, yes. Although sometimes that is hard to determine online. Personally I've always found Malleus quite even-handed. If you're polite to him, he's polite in return. If you're an ass, he smacks you. Seems fair to me. Intothatdarkness (talk) 21:01, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

Seems fair to me as well. Malleus Fatuorum 21:08, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

If it wasn't, I'm going right round to PoD's house and give a piece of my mind. ;-) Malleus Fatuorum 21:06, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

@Mario. I'll leave it entirely to you whether or not to include the Development section. The article does still need a bit of tweaking though I think. For instance, "Poppy, Jodie's best friend, is a brunette beautician." What does that mean exactly? She's brunette and a beautician, or she's a beautician specialising in brunettes? Also needs a little bit of updating given Poppy's return. The section in development beginning "According to an EastEnders spokesperson, there is potential for Poppy to return in the future ..." seems a bit wrong tense-wise given Poppy's return. Malleus Fatuorum 21:08, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

Okay will do :), and of COURSE I knew it was sarcasm, cough, cough... :D — M.Mario (T/C) 21:10, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

Give me an hour or so to look through the article again, but as for your generous offer of a co-nomination I haven't done anything like enough to deserve that; the credit is all yours. Malleus Fatuorum 21:13, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

Flixton is a gated community Malleus, we don't let Stretford scallies like you in. ;) Parrot of Doom 21:31, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

I always thought the gates were to keep you lot in custody, not to keep anyone out. Malleus Fatuorum 21:39, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

That's just what we want you to believe... Parrot of Doom 21:48, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

(WARNING: Ignorant American post upcoming.) ... What are "Stretford scallies"? ... and I can I assume that "scallies" is the plural form of scally? Chedzilla (talk) 22:03, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

Short form of scallywags, otherwise known as Scousers. And Stretford is where I live, looked down upon by the posh bastards like PoD in rural Flixton, about two miles away. Malleus Fatuorum 22:39, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

They call em chavs, skegheads, or safes around here in southern Wales. Basically the lads you see with shaved heads wearing navy and white tracksiuts, baseball caps, and drive Vauxhall Novas with unfeasibly large bumpers and alloys, unfeasibly powerful sound system, blaring hip hop, garage, drum and bass or other crap "music". Most towns have them, although probably a lot of towns in the "posher" areas of Britain like Oxfordshire and Nottinghamshire probably less so.♦ Dr. Blofeld 22:58, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

Ahem! Speaking as someone who lived in the allegedly-"posher" area of Oxfordshire for a while, I can assure you that the subspecies Homo non-sapiens chavii, in most of its known variants, was alive and kicking (often each other) across much of the county, although appearing generally in small pockets of sub-habitat within the greater ecosystem ;P Pesky (talk) 23:37, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

LOL, that's the correct subspecies name I believe LOL. Well, I'm sure most of the towns have them evne if in the minority but I tend to associate rural Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Notthinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Hampshire with a better class of people and those counties seem to have a higher proportion of wealthier folk I think than most other places in the country. The Chipping Norton set etc.♦ Dr. Blofeld 09:47, 27 June 2012 (UTC)

Nobody's mentioned scrotes yet. Richerman (talk) 18:32, 29 June 2012 (UTC)

Ah...another term with multiple meanings? Should be interesting. Intothatdarkness (talk) 18:45, 29 June 2012 (UTC)

Well, they're pretty much the same as scallies. It's short for scrotum. Richerman (talk) 20:27, 29 June 2012 (UTC)

Ah. Same meaning it had where I grew up, then. Except it was more an individual insult than a collective group term. Instead of calling someone a...uh...glorified term for a part of the male anatomy (or, to quote Anthrax..."sexual organ located in the lower abdominal area"...one must watch for the Civility Patrol these days), you'd call them a scrote. As in "What a scrote!".Intothatdarkness (talk) 20:31, 29 June 2012 (UTC)

Re:

Risible is a new one for me. Thanks for the vocabulary boost. Tiderolls 17:36, 29 June 2012 (UTC)

For Mrs. Malleus

	The flower of Manchester
	Mrs. and Mr. Kiefer's thoughts and prayers are with the clan Malleus. Kiefer.Wolfowitz 07:36, 30 June 2012 (UTC)

Rhetorical question?

[2]] By failing to adequately kowtow to the block admin, obviously. Surely you knew that already?? Nobody Ent 21:00, 2 July 2012 (UTC)

I did know that yes. Isn't that what indefinite blocks were designed for? Malleus Fatuorum 21:02, 2 July 2012 (UTC)

But...they aren't punishment... They come with flowers and everything (or so they say). Intothatdarkness (talk) 21:16, 2 July 2012 (UTC)

You know, I really do think that there are some naive souls here who genuinely believe that blocks are not intended as punishments. Malleus Fatuorum 21:43, 2 July 2012 (UTC)

I agree. I also don't think they understand that when you combine Block with Admin it is almost automatically viewed as punitive. Message board culture and all that. Admins block. Admins ban. It's what they do. Except here, of course. Wiki-exceptionalism and all that. Intothatdarkness (talk) 21:48, 2 July 2012 (UTC)

They ultimately end up as punishments, but we should still try to not issue them as such, and ask ourselves if that is the intention. Yes, yes, I'm forever the optimist living in Pollyanna-land, but I only have control over my actions and not other's. I still feel the problem is one of culture, hence my efforts to focus there and on the talk pages of admins who make "unusual" blocks, hoping they will eventually tire of my frequent questions and move a bit slower. Minor victories are better than none. Dennis Brown - 2¢ © 14:47, 3 July 2012 (UTC)

Yeah...it's a culture problem. And one I think may never really change. Intothatdarkness (talk) 15:28, 3 July 2012 (UTC)

I notice a few more have joined up at Wikipedia:WikiProject Editor Retention, including one admin, and I know of one other admin who I expect is joining soon. It isn't much, but it is designed to address the culture issue, as well as all the reasons why editors leave. A great many people are concerned about the subject in general, some one area more than others, but still, the lever gets a little longer. Dennis Brown - 2¢ © 15:41, 3 July 2012 (UTC)

I shall take a look, Dennis! I have to say, the more I see of you, the more I like you. There's an interesting thread on my talk (typically rambly!) which started with Intothatdarkness pointing me at your project. Pesky (talk) 06:41, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

Thanks!

Thanks for participating in my RFA! I'm honored to have your support. Zagalejo^^^ 06:05, 3 July 2012 (UTC)

I noticed

you had been tinkering with the reference section at Bradford Colliery. Does this mean I am doing something wrong by using a semicolon to bold headings? J3Mrs (talk) 13:44, 3 July 2012 (UTC)

It seems it causes problems with text-to-speech readers. The reason is given here but, like me, you may want someone to explain the explanation. Richerman (talk) 15:06, 3 July 2012 (UTC)

Well that seems as clear as mud, and unlike you I don't really think an explanation would make me any wiser :-( All this fiddling with incomprehensible stuff is so off-putting to the likes of me. You know it takes me all my time to hit the right keys. J3Mrs (talk) 15:21, 3 July 2012 (UTC)

It's to do with HTML definition lists and how they're rendered by a screen reader when they're incomplete. Basically what precedes the semicolon is a term, but there's no matching definition for it, a bit like an empty entry in a dictionary, which can throw a screen reader. Essentially the ";" to force the entire line to be bold (which was all it was there for) was a quick and dirty hack. Malleus Fatuorum 18:36, 3 July 2012 (UTC)

You lost me in the first half dozen words, after that my short attention span completely evaporated. Will wikipedia survive if I continue to do the wrong thing? I expect it will. J3Mrs (talk) 18:45, 3 July 2012 (UTC)

It will, but you would be making life harder for the visually impaired - which I know you wouldn't want to do. Three apostrophes either side is a much better option. Richerman (talk) 18:50, 3 July 2012 (UTC)

It's as Richerman says, a courtesy to our visually impaired readers. Imagine if you will a dictionary full of words but with no definitions of any of those words; that's the best analogy I can come up with. Malleus Fatuorum 18:53, 3 July 2012 (UTC)

Now I've become aware of this issue, which frankly I was oblivious of until RexxS (talk · contribs) shoved it under my nose, I've determined to go through all the articles I've created and make the same changes I made to Bradford Colliery. Malleus Fatuorum 18:59, 3 July 2012 (UTC)

I am losing the will to live... J3Mrs (talk) 20:47, 3 July 2012 (UTC)

I think it could be automated using AWB, so don't worry about having to do it manually. I think I've still got AWB access, so if nobody else gets to it before me I'll have a go at it later. Now get back to proper work on a colliery or two. Malleus Fatuorum 20:53, 3 July 2012 (UTC)

I've done it. I've created about 100 articles. Is there anything else I've learned that I ought to unlearn?J3Mrs (talk) 21:45, 3 July 2012 (UTC)

Only one thing. Don't ever, ever, get sucked into Wikipedia. Malleus Fatuorum 21:47, 3 July 2012 (UTC)

Now you tell me. J3Mrs (talk) 22:20, 3 July 2012 (UTC)

Never have I made so many edits and added and added so little information, well none.J3Mrs (talk) 08:53, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

But you've helped those less fortunate than yourself in the hearing seeing department. Malleus Fatuorum 09:01, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

I thought it was the seeing department. Oh well.J3Mrs (talk) 09:17, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

Duh! Malleus Fatuorum 09:20, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

If I ruled the world ...

• Any editor obviously vandalising an article would be instantly and permanently banned
• Any administrator who issued a bad block would receive a block of the same length or more
• Anyone who emitted the "AGF" guff would be blocked for an hour or so, to give them time for their head to clear or the effects of whatever substance they'd been abusing to wear off

Any more? Malleus Fatuorum 10:43, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

I was mulling over an idea recently which wouldn't work and wouldn't gain traction... What if an administrator was only allowed to have one "unratified" block in place at any one time. In other words, I were to merrily come along and indef block you, I lose my block ability until someone else comes along and agrees with it. Checks and balances. Doesn't help to poor chap blocked badly, but it does limit damage. Also, it would be possible to see if a block was "ratified" or not, improving the block log. Worm^TT(talk) 11:08, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

If you were to come along and block me I'd hunt you and and your family down and I'd ... no wait, I'm thinking of a different movie. I think the answer is very simple. If you block me for, let's say, two weeks, and that block is overturned then you should be blocked for two weeks, with no right of appeal. Malleus Fatuorum 11:16, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

Will make sure I keep an axe by my bed should it ever come to that then. How would you suggest indefinite blocks are handled? Worm^TT(talk) 11:23, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

I don't think that indefinite blocks should be within the remit of individual administrators, far too dangerous. Malleus Fatuorum 11:26, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

Indef blocks of establised editors, you have my full agreement. Sock puppets, vandalism only accounts, offensive user names etc etc etc, it should be there. I'm not keen on the eye for an eye approach myself, though. I would suggest that instead of a block for the period, they should have their bit taken away. I think 2 weeks without the bit should teach the lesson pretty well, and it would be logged too. There are far too many admins who spend too much time holding on to their bits. Worm^TT(talk) 11:31, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

Yes, you're right. I was specifically referring to established editors. I quite like the eye for an eye approach myself, but I'd probably be equally happy for the bit to be taken away for an equivalent period. It might serve as a reminder of what it feels like to be at the coal face. Malleus Fatuorum 11:38, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

I can fully support the first two. I also fully agree with the "indef. of established editors". Item number 3 however I'd want to copy-edit a bit to include "AGF /OR/ ABF guff". Actually I think there's a lot to be said for assuming the best (where possible) in a situation where we're stuck with only "words" without any voice inflection, body language, or knowledge of the person to help determine another person's full intent. And in line with being the pedantic ass that I am, would copy-edit also include adding *I* to "If ruled the world" be out of line? Hope you and yours are well Mal. Chedzilla (talk) 12:08, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

• Ha, I have the biggest reservation about the first, since I (too often) tend to think of the glass as half-ful. Hey Malleus! How are you! I see you're not blocked--good. Today, I'm going to work up the courage to look at that ArbCom thing. I can't wait. Happy 5th of July, and my best to you and Mrs. Malleus. Drmies (talk) 12:57, 5 July 2012 (UTC)

  I'm fine, and I too was rather surprised to get up today and find myself not blocked again. As for that ArbCom debacle, it exemplifies everything that's rotten here as far as I'm concerned. Malleus Fatuorum 13:09, 5 July 2012 (UTC)

Editing someone else's comment

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

---

You changed the signature of another editor here. Please undo this part of your edit. Fram (talk) 11:05, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

Fix it yourself. Malleus Fatuorum 11:08, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

If it had been an obvious error, I would have. This seemed to be intentional though, so I wanted to draw your attention to it and wait for your reaction. It turns out to be quite telling. Fram (talk) 11:13, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

I went ahead and fixed it. IRWolfie- (talk) 11:16, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

What's telling is your belligerent and defensive attitude Fram. Malleus Fatuorum 11:18, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

and statements like "Actually what's clear is that you have no idea what you're talking about, and are incapable of independent thought" and refusals to undo changes you made to the comments of others aren't belligerent? I suggest you have a look over WP:UNCIVIL. IRWolfie- (talk) 11:25, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

Just remind me, why should I give a fuck about what you think about anything? Malleus Fatuorum 11:28, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

I've taken this to ANI: Wikipedia:Administrators'_noticeboard/Incidents#Malleus_Fatuorum. IRWolfie- (talk) 11:37, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

Why, because you want retribution? Parrot of Doom 11:38, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

Because he's an arsehole. Malleus Fatuorum 11:45, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

I would've brought it to ANI if he hadn't. No ill will, but for the future, I think it's best for people to know they can't do things like that without some consequence. Plus when the time comes to once again attempt to show a pattern of behavior, and someone asks "why didn't you report it then"... you know. Equazcion ^(talk) 11:55, 4 Jul 2012 (UTC)

Let me spell this out for you. I never have, and I never would, deliberately alter anyone's posting. I can only think this was caused by an edit conflict, as it certainly didn't come from me. Have you ever seen me alter another editor's posting before? Malleus Fatuorum 12:04, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

No I haven't, and I appreciate your explanation, late though it was. An earlier one would've avoided most of this. I know it's silly to expect you to take steps to avoid conflict though. Equazcion ^(talk) 12:11, 4 Jul 2012 (UTC)

That isn't at all fair. I've seen Malleus discuss article problems many, many times on their talk pages. Parrot of Doom 12:18, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

I've seen that too. Malleus likes talking content. That's not exactly avoiding conflict though, unless we're talking about avoiding edit wars. The tougher choice for Malleus comes when he gets criticized, and his options include striking back or explaining himself. He likes doing the former because it retains more of his pride. Most of us have learned, through the process of reaching adulthood, to sacrifice some pride in the interest of avoiding conflict. Equazcion ^(talk) 12:28, 4 Jul 2012 (UTC)

Jesus Equazcion, I expect Malleus is twice your age and has thrice your wisdom (which considering the above may be considered an insult to Malleus, actually). What a sanctimonious prick you appear to be. Parrot of Doom 13:09, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

He may very well be twice my age, I wouldn't know. But age has little to do with adulthood. Anyone who gets this riled up this easily isn't there yet. Equazcion ^(talk) 13:14, 4 Jul 2012 (UTC)

And adulthood has little to do with wisdom, as is apparent from the nonsense you're writing. Parrot of Doom 13:30, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

I'm just curious - why should anyone willingly sacrifice any of their pride? Chedzilla (talk) 12:34, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

How dare you talk to me about adulthood in that way. Maybe one day, when you no longer need to feed on your mother's breast, or crave the support of some weird American frat society, I can begin to explain to you how things work. Malleus Fatuorum 12:39, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

Malleus, as I've pointed out at the ANI, maybe it is better if we all just drop the stick here. Dennis Brown - 2¢ © 12:46, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

I didn't pick the stick up, but sure as Hell I'm not dropping mine now. Too many arseholes around. Malleus Fatuorum 12:50, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

And I'm just one more asshole here, but I think there is enough blame to go around, and have faith that you are a big enough man that you can let it go, just as I'm asking others to do at the ANI. I get it that you are frustrated, but at the end of the day, is this the hill you really want to make your stand on? I'm asking you to agree to disagree, and show the same tolerance for differences of opinion that I am, and go have a tea. I don't ask that you agree with me or anyone else, as I know that isn't going to happen, I'm only asking that you consider some sincere and friendly advice. Dennis Brown - 2¢ © 13:04, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

Dennis, when I'm no longer being kicked then I'll have no reason to kick back. Until then lock up you wife and children. Malleus Fatuorum 13:08, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

There are a great many things I can and have learned from you Malleus. Perhaps there is an item or two that you could learn from me as well. There is an art to picking your battles, knowing when to retreat and when to charge ahead. Being a martyr is overrated, and I've never heard one disagree. Dennis Brown - 2¢ © 13:23, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

Despite what you may have heard I do pick my battles; in my world this is just a minor skirmish. Malleus Fatuorum 14:08, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

• The edit conflict is fixed. Nobody died. There is no need for anyone to stir this up. Please, move on and do something more productive. --John (talk) 11:58, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Amendment request

Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Clarification_and_Amendment#Amendment_request:_Civility_enforcement Nobody Ent 12:57, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

You're obviously having a laugh. My sincere hope is that you find yourself banned as a result. Malleus Fatuorum 13:05, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

Noticed the above request and have been reading the depressing history behind it all (could have all been ended peacefully at several points by all concerned, but no-one took the opportunity). Wanted to point out one thing: you referred to AE in your statement. AE generally refers to arbitration enforcement. That is where admins (try) and enforce arbitration rulings. The page you were pointed at above is for clarifications and amendments of original arbitration cases, so that is different. The main difference being that clarifications and amendments is a place where arbitrators are petitioned to make changes. AE is a level below that, and involves admins, not arbitrators. Carcharoth (talk) 07:47, 5 July 2012 (UTC)

I see. Thanks for the clarification. Malleus Fatuorum 08:58, 5 July 2012 (UTC)

Main page appearance: Halifax Gibbet

This is a note to let the main editors of Halifax Gibbet know that the article will be appearing as today's featured article on July 10, 2012. You can view the TFA blurb at Wikipedia:Today's featured article/July 10, 2012. If you prefer that the article appear as TFA on a different date, or not at all, please ask featured article director Raul654 (talk · contribs) or his delegate Dabomb87 (talk · contribs), or start a discussion at Wikipedia talk:Today's featured article/requests. If the previous blurb needs tweaking, you might change it—following the instructions at Wikipedia:Today's featured article/requests/instructions. If this article needs any attention or maintenance, it would be preferable if that could be done before its appearance on the Main Page. The blurb as it stands now is below:

The Halifax Gibbet was an early guillotine, or decapitating machine, used in the town of Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. It was probably installed some time during the 16th century as an alternative to beheading by axe or sword. Halifax was once part of the Manor of Wakefield, where ancient custom and law gave the Lord of the Manor the authority to execute summarily by decapitation any thief caught with stolen goods to the value of 13½ pence or more, or who confessed to having stolen goods of at least that value. The device consisted of an axe head fitted to the base of a heavy wooden block that ran in grooves between two 15-foot (4.6 m) tall uprights, mounted on a stone base about 4 feet (1.2 m) high. A rope attached to the block ran over a pulley, allowing it to be raised, after which the rope was secured by attaching it to a pin in the base. The block carrying the axe was then released either by withdrawing the pin or by cutting the rope once the victim was in place. The date of the gibbet's installation is uncertain, so it cannot be determined with any accuracy how many were executed using the Halifax Gibbet. By 1650 public opinion considered beheading to be an overly severe punishment for petty theft; use of the gibbet was forbidden by Oliver Cromwell, and the structure was dismantled. The stone base was rediscovered and preserved in about 1840, and a non-working replica was erected on the site in 1974. (more...)

UcuchaBot (talk) 23:02, 5 July 2012 (UTC)

Thank you

Hey Malleus, I just wanted to thank you again for teaching me how to use the Harvard referencing templates with a bibliography section. It's been ridiculously helpful in all the constellation articles. Hope all is well with you and yours! Best, Keilana|^{Parlez ici} 23:42, 5 July 2012 (UTC)

If I ruled the world I'd make using those templates mandatory, particularly that {{sfn}} one that Mr Rabbit pretty much thrust down my throat on The Coral Island article. But unhappily I don't. Malleus Fatuorum 23:49, 5 July 2012 (UTC)

Ooo, what does {{sfn}} do? It looks shiny. Keilana|^{Parlez ici} 23:52, 5 July 2012 (UTC)

I love sfn, it makes things so much easier, especially reading the article in edit mode. PumpkinSky talk 23:54, 5 July 2012 (UTC)

(edit conflict) I am sort of turning towards the sfn idea but newbies certainly seem to prefer the prompts offered by {{cite book}} etc, as indeed did I way back when. I saw some esoteric discussion on Jimbo's page a day or to ago re: page load times for the various templates. One contributor was RexxS, so I'll delve into that one when he and I next meet. What I do think is necessary is that we reduce the number of options: there may be some genuine need for > 1 but there is no need for the plethora that currently exist. I dither at present but have no particular problem with being told via MOS etc what to do regarding these cite issues.

Oh, and Bre'r has recently introduced me to {{efn}} - it is great from an editing pov. - Sitush (talk) 00:00, 6 July 2012 (UTC)

Yep, Bre'r recently introduced me to {{efn}} as well. It's nice. And like you I really do wish that there was a single standardised citation method, which is why I always use {{citation}} rather than any of the morass of {{cite}} templates. Malleus Fatuorum 00:08, 6 July 2012 (UTC)

With {{sfn}} you don't need to name the refs, as it clumps them all together automagically. So for instance rather than <ref name=FraserP26>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2007|p=26}}</ref> you can simply write {{sfn|Fraser|2007|p=26}} Malleus Fatuorum 00:08, 6 July 2012 (UTC)

That. Is. Fantastic. I may implement it on my current project, but will definitely do so on my next article. Thank you again! :) Keilana|^{Parlez ici} 00:13, 6 July 2012 (UTC)

Bre'r Rabbit is a man on a mission, so by the time you get up tomorrow you might find that he's converted all your article to use {{sfn}} anyway. :-) Malleus Fatuorum 00:18, 6 July 2012 (UTC)

Hehe, perhaps I'll go through Andromeda and Aries when I have a moment, and maybe I'll get to Auriga before someone looks at the GAN. Boötes should get the full treatment! The good Bre'r is definitely one of the definitive gurus on wikicode. Most excellent. Keilana|^{Parlez ici} 00:24, 6 July 2012 (UTC)

sorry...

I tried Mal.. I really tried to stay out of it all ... What you think of me is none of my damn business, and I know we've disagreed on many things.. but I honestly do appreciate that no matter what .. you've always helped me when I asked. I know I've said some pretty crappy stuff and all .. but if the truth be told .. I do admire and respect you. Your honesty and integrity are are something that I truly aspire to. That said: .. the hell with ya. — Ched :  ?  00:11, 6 July 2012 (UTC)

I think that's a rather extraordinary and very revealing incident Ched. Somebody asks ArbCom for an amendment to my RfA topic ban, but it quickly degenerates into another "let's see if we can Malleus banned" thread, with nobody stepping in to keep order. Very much like the ill-considered civility enforcement case really. And here's the rub; I'd be pretty confident that anyone looking through my history would see that I have been consistently helpful to anyone who's asked for my help, whether or not we've got on in the past, with very few exceptions. And they'd also see that I treat with respect anyone who does the same to me. I am not some monster, but neither am I one to turn the other fucking cheek if you try and piss on me. So to speak. :-) Malleus Fatuorum 00:27, 6 July 2012 (UTC)

Well said to both of you! PumpkinSky talk 00:32, 6 July 2012 (UTC)

(edit conflict) Ya know, somewhere in that civility case ... someone said look at the contributions on a particular day. Just for the hell of it .. I picked my birthday for one year. There were like FIVE Featured articles you did that day .. I thought ,. well hell .. that's just a "one of" .. so I looked at a few other days .. and damn .. it's like a daily thing where you fix, tweak, write, and create top-notch articles. Yea .. there's times I'd like to smack you upside the head when you dig your heels in and all .. but you're an old man that's "been there, done that" .. so it's hard for me to say anything. No matter what .. in the end this is just a feaking website .. so I'm not going to get my nutsack in a twist over it. I admire you.. I respect you.. don't ever expect me to say anything nice again. I'm old. I don't care. The only reason I'm even still here is because of what you said about having a responsibility. — Ched :  ?  00:44, 6 July 2012 (UTC)

Indeed. This may be the first time that I have waded into the near-perennial fracas. We can all help each other, we can all respect our differences in interpretation and in culture and - hell - we do not have to be best buddies in order to rub along. This seemingly continuous flocking to pursue a personalised agenda needs to stop. Yes, Malleus could tone things down a bit but, hey, when every word is being scrutinised to death (and every positive action ignored) it is no wonder that the boiler blows uo. To my mind, there is a long-running agenda here and every single alleged incident is blown out of proportion because of it. - Sitush (talk) 01:00, 6 July 2012 (UTC)

It's actually quite interesting in a way. Yes, of course I could "tone things down a bit", but why the Hell should I? How much "toning down" would be demanded? I am not some spotty 16-year-old Californian oik with an attitude, and the repeated references to my "maturity" by the children here really do get on my tits. I am one of George Bernard Shaw's unreasonable men, and there's no prospect of that ever changing: "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man." So the kiddies can just fuck off as far as I'm concerned. Malleus Fatuorum 01:16, 6 July 2012 (UTC)