User talk:Jimbo Wales

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editorial and call for suggestions

I read your nicely written editorial in the Wall Street Journal Europe about hostility (incivility tends to be a Wikipedia used term and wasn't used in the editorial, I believe) on the internet.

If you have any ideas to bring about a kinder Wikipedia, let us know! I think it should be along the lines as lack of hostility must be rigourously enforced, especially among veteran editors, who have no excuse (and newbies, who have only a tiny excuse). Whether it be blocking, warning, discussion, yellow cards (English tend to use this), or something else, I am not advocating any specific measure. It is too bad that ANI is full of accusations and fighting. Although Wikipedians don't like editorial boards, sometimes these might help us guide really difficult questions when article talk pages fail. This is just brainstorming, not concrete suggestions. Suomi Finland 2009 (talk) 19:50, 31 December 2009 (UTC)

Thank you, Suomi Finland 2009 for mentioning this (I would have missed it) — and thank you, Mr. Wales for highlighting this: A complex problem matrix of human nature and technology ... not beyond creative solution. Working on it. (serious smile) Proofreader77 ^(interact) 07:44, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

New Year's resolution;-) Replace AGF with PCS

Let it be ...

RESOLVED: WP:AGF should be replaced by WP:PCS (Presume Common Sense) in 2010.
-- Proofreader77 ^(interact) 22:09, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

Comments for the Affirmative (150 words max)

(First 10 only please)

1. Since even Hitler meant well {serious smile}, WP:AGF is meaningless other than the WP:CIVILITY issue (a highly contentious matter LoL see: WP:Civility/Poll) of not saying what we're thinking about another editor's actions.

   So, let us forget the pointless flailing (and flinging) of AGF ... and move on to a starting position when addressing another editor of: Presume Common Sense [PCS]. Presume we are on the same page as human beings with a good "common sense" of things ... and neither is an idiot ... etc. {serious smile}

   By presuming common sense, we stop when confused by someone's actions, ... rather than presuming they are from another planet, assume we may be mistaken about what each is saying ... and therefore strive to get back to the same page ... rather than, e.g., erecting a force-field projector to keep the crazy person from the other planet from reaching our page.
   -- Proofreader77 ^(interact) 22:09, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

2. -

Comments for the Negative (150 words max)

(First 10 only please)

Discussion

(bonus points for haikus ;-)

• [haiku] Yelling "AGF!" / is usually a good sign / of not doing so. -- Proofreader77 ^(interact) 22:09, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

Happy New Year!

Dear Jimbo Wales,
I just wanted to wish you and your family a happy new year, however you're celebrating it. Whether 2009 was a good year for you, or if it wasn't the greatest year, hopefully 2010 will be better. Cheers, and happy editing in 2010.

December21st2012Freak ^{Happy New Year!} at ≈ 00:16, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

No doubt Jimbo is completely smashed right now and will probably not be able to edit for a while. Shame, so let’s tear this place apart while he’s away!!!--Misortie (talk) 00:39, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

Tisk tisk. Anyway Happy New Year Jimbo! Man can any of you belive that wikipedia is almost 10 years old? I didnt even know about Wikipedia until 2004!--Coldplay Expért ^{Let's talk} 00:47, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

Nice thought, but unlikely; it's at least 5 hours away from New Years Day where Jimbo is, and if I remember correctly, it's best to approach the "magic hour" with stealth and caution, otherwise it's a negative experience. If I remember correctly, which is moot, New Year seems to be regarded as some sort of transition from past to present, although in real terms, that seems to me to be purely arbitrary and symbolic. It's a label, and somewhat iconic, but in reality, largely meaningless. Not that I don't wish anyone, including Jimbo and yourself, best seasonal wishes, but purely objectively, I might just as well wish anyone happy 9th April to celebrate the birthday of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Rodhullandemu 00:55, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!! You just have to imagine me being drunk shouting that in your face. (Note, I'm not drunk) but I wanted to send you a happy new years video which is coincidentally my the song from which I got my username.! Happy Wishes to you in 2010.[[1]]Hell In A Bucket (talk) 01:05, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

Happy New Year!!! Gigogag (talk) 14:20, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

Feliz Año Nuevo from Mexico City! Unfortunately I have a nasty cold so no getting drunk for me. Slept right through midnight.Thelmadatter (talk) 14:36, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

"2010" - doesn't it just sound awesome? We're living in the future!--Jimbo Wales (talk) 15:45, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

Omgawd, yes. I can't get my head around it. Bring on robot Wives please!--Misortie (talk) 13:50, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Happy New Year from Somerset! --Yowuza yadderhouse | meh 15:50, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

I know what you mean Jimbo. Has anyone here seen movie(s) or anything else for that matter that that are/is set in 2010 and the planet is either super futureistic or its doomsday (aka Post Apocalyptic World)--Coldplay Expért ^{Let's talk} 16:11, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

Authors paid for editing in Wikipedia

Dear Jimbo, I am an author in the German Wikipedia.

I refer to the policy about "paid editing" [2]

"Advertising for paid editing services is prohibited. This includes advertising services as a Wikipedia editor, administrator, or bureaucrat, bidding on advertised jobs to edit on behalf of, or to advocate for, the benefit of the employer (...)."

and your statements in the article "Jimbo Wales: No one can make money from Wikipedia..." [3]:

"It is not ok with me that anyone ever set up a service selling their services as a Wikipedia editor, administrator, bureaucrat, etc. (...) I will personally block any cases that I am shown. There are of course some possibly interesting alternatives, not particularly relevant here, but the idea that we should ever accept paid advocates directly editing Wikipedia is not ever going to be ok. Consider this to be policy as of right now."

In June 2007 the Nova Institute, director Michael Carus, imposed paid editing in the theme circle "Renewable resources" in German Wikipedia (Nachwachsende Rohstoffe) [4]. Also Frank Schulenburg took part in the negotations about the project [5]. The project is paid by the German Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung. [6]. The Bundeszentrale is a public institution to spread political knowledge and pays more than 80,000 Euro, the whole budget is said to be 140,000 Euro [7]. Whatever the real budget is, it is an enormous amount per article. Also the German Wikimedia chapter Wikimedia in Deutschland gave 17,663 Euro in 2008 for "Nachwachsende Rohstoffe" [8]. For example, the author, administrator and former boards member of German Wikimedia chapter Achim Raschka was engaged by Nova Institute for this project.

In October 2009 we were informed in the Diderot-Club [9] that Nova Institute is offering paid service for charity organisations: Workshop: Wikipedia as millionfold pointer for your donators. (Workshop: Wikipedia als millionenfacher Wegweiser Ihrer Spender) also naming Achim Raschka:

"You will learn basic and progressive knowledge how to change your entries factually and correctly as Wikipedia is demanding, at the same time in content and visualisation convincing for your potential donators. ("Sie erlernen Grundlagen und Fortgeschrittenen-Wissen, um Ihre Einträge einerseits so sachlich und korrekt zu verändern, wie Wikiedia es verlangt, ihn zugleich aber auch inhaltlich und visuell überzeugend für Ihre potentiellen Spender zu gestalten.") [10]

In November 2009 we found Achim Raschka in conflict with other users in arcticles about charity organisations. Achim's versions of reduced critics were protected, the critic was blocked. The affected articles were World Vision, Plan International and others, the critics argue that is not ok that child sponsors are not informed whether their African sponsor child is untertaken female mutilation. The critics were even blamed for rassism.

Michael Carus did not answer my request for information on clients and affected articles [11].

In fact, since September 2009 stuff members of Nova Institute worked a lot and uploaded a lot of graphical material of the organisations like [12], for example the co-worker of Achim Raschka at Nova Institut, Mr. Jens Watenphul. Jens is portrayed as working for Ärzte ohne Grenzen, Greenpeace, World Vision. He is offering workshops for campaigns and strategies in Wikipedia ("Jens Watenphul ist Studienleiter an der Fundraising Akademie und bietet regelmäßig Kampagnen- und Strategieworkshops an – auch zu Wikipedia."). [13] Also there are some accounts cooperating closely who seem to have a single focus on these organizations.

Some Wikipedians are argueing rudely that it were ok to find paid positions after all for Wikipedia long time activists.

On the other hand, how will a project with volunteer authors resist to the influence of interest groups if these hire Wikipedians?

Yours sincerly – Simplicius (talk) 15:45, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

Happy New Year

Dear Jimbo,

Our vision for Wikipedia is one of beauty, natural symmetry and light.

I wish you a Happy New Year, everything good for your family, your loved ones and yourself, peace and joy for all the people of the world. I also wish a joyful and peaceful expansion for Wikipedia, may it bring helpful, generous, and peaceful information to everyone in the world.
All the very best from Invertzoo (talk) 19:17, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

Happy New Year and Good Bye

After a few years and some 10.000 edits I'm giving up. I've added photos, hunted typos, reverted more vandalism than I care to remember, and for what? Vandalism is still rampant and any anonymous idiot can still ruin an article. And they do. Some do it very obvious, others do it so subtle that it takes ages to spot. If at all. Other jokers just play the system time and time again, as if it's some kind of sport. All these morons take up a lot of time and resources from the rest of us. Yet there's still no decent user registration or similar protection. Anyone can edit, yes. Anyone can vandalize too. I feel I'm wasting my time here, sorry. I've had this feeling before and have taken a few breaks before, but this time it's final. Good luck and goodbye. Yintaɳ  01:35, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

The moment you've been waiting for

You may be entertained/horrified to read this paean to the First Couple of Wikipeda. Rule 42: never doubt it.  Skomorokh  11:02, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

XD!!!!--Misortie (talk) 11:17, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Thank you for pointing this page out, Skomorokh. I have deleted it. I would block the user, but since the page was a pornographic story written about me, some might consider me to have a conflict of interest, so I'll let someone else deal with that aspect of things.--Jimbo Wales (talk) 11:57, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Well done but there are much more disturbing allegations made at that site here. Are they true? Think of the children (talk) 13:36, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Specifically (I have followed some of the story, but don't advise following any of the links too far) it has been alleged that the author of Wikipedia's most famous mascot is also the author, and owner, of some extremely unpleasant images involving child abuse. Again, is this true? Think of the children (talk) 13:57, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

And your evidence for that is? (INB4BLOCK)--Misortie (talk) 14:05, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

It has been alleged on this website here. I don't know whether true. I would like someone to comment. Think of the children (talk) 14:08, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

I have no idea if it is true or not. Why do you ask? Do you have a specific proposal for an action within policy, or a change to policy?--Jimbo Wales (talk) 14:25, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

You don't understand why this may be a problem? No, I thought you wouldn't. Think: public relations. Think of the children (talk) 14:32, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Did I ask you why that might be a problem? Did I say anything to indicate that I don't think it is a problem? Did I say anything to suggest that I might not understand something? No. I did not. I asked you: what are you proposing?--Jimbo Wales (talk) 14:41, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Jimbo, with your Wikia hat on, you may want to take a look at this story about you at Unencyclopedia GTD 13:38, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

That's Uncyc. I don't get involved personally in policy there. Generally speaking, it's an appropriate place for satire/parody/farce. --Jimbo Wales (talk) 14:25, 2 January 2010 (UTC)