User:Coralmizu/AC

Wikipedia's principles
Five pillars	Simplified ruleset	List of policies	Foundation issues	Statement of principles
Overview of our foundation	Synopsis of our conventions	Full list of official policies	Wikimedia Foundation issues	Historic beginnings

Lesson 1

Please find for me the template that lists the principles of the project and subst it at the top of this page.

Sorry, I don't know what you mean by 'the project'? What project in specific do you want a template for?

The entire wiki project, wikipedia that is. — Rlevse • Talk • 20:08, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

That's good, but that's guidelines. See if you can find something on Five Pillars. 22:20, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

tada! — Rlevse • Talk • 22:47, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

Woo-hoo! :P 23:15, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

Lesson 2

Please state why you want to be an administrator. Also, please answer the standard admin questions as best as you can. The answers will probably change as you experience more areas.

I want to be an administrator because I am involved in many admin projects (e.g., AFD, TFD MFD, RFD, NPP, RCP, AIV, etc.), but could do so much more with admin tools. I know, this argument is used to the point of cliché, but I sincerely believe that with proper coaching, I could really benefit from the mop, as will the encyclopaedia. If I could block and unblock users, delete and protect pages, and perform other tasks, I believe I could truly help out.

1. What sysop chores do you anticipate helping with? Please check out Category:Wikipedia backlog and Category:Administrative backlog, and read the page about administrators and the administrators' reading list.

I hope to help out with the backlog in any way I can, but also CSD, prodded articles and closing AFD. I also intend to monitor AIV and block and unblock when appropriate, protect pages, unprotect, and the like.

2. Of your articles or contributions to Wikipedia, are there any with which you are particularly pleased, and why?

I'm rather pleased with my work with newpage and recent changes, and I am a rollbacker. Initially, I had more user warning/revert edits than actual mainspace editing, but since then I've devoted more time to the encyclopaedia itself. I haven't written many articles, and they're all stubs, but I hope to bring a few of the articles that I regularly contribute to to GA or FA, at least.

3. Have you been in any conflicts over editing in the past or do you feel other users have caused you stress? How have you dealt with it and how will you deal with it in the future?

I've been in only two, as I try to assume good faith and remain civil. Both were resolved between ourselves, though I have to admit that in the first one, I was completely EUI. I have changed a lot since then, and I know now to avoid directing criticism at the editor, but the edits themselves. If it weren't for WP:NPOV, WP:NPA, and WP:AGF, the Wiki would be a mess.

Depending on who responds to your RFA, lack of major article writing could hurt. When my RFA ran, I'd written some FA's already and had 23k or so edits, so that was a big plus on my RFA. So try to expand several articles or get at least one to GA over the next several weeks. — Rlevse • Talk • 20:48, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

That's going to be a lot of work; I'll do the best that I can. :) Thanks! --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 22:03, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

Lesson 3

You have an interest in the Britain and Japan. Why so and how did you choose your username?

I've always been a bit of an Anglophile and Japanophile, among other -philia. I've always loved Japan because of the exotic culture, and even learned Japanese because of my fondness. Af for Britain/England, I have always had that sort of keen interest, and I myself have some English blood, as well as Irish and African-American. I chose my name because, albeit odd (it translates as Water woman coral15) I thought it unique and unlikely that other users had it. I was originally thinking something French, German, or just English, but finally decided I'd go with something Japanese, and it worked. :)

I spent several years in Japan, so I knew the "water woman" part. What intrigued me about you was your user page said "African-American female interested in Britain and Japan". That's a rare combination. As you probably noticed, wiki is mostly male. And we need more women involved. The typical user on en.wiki is white, male, and under 40 years old. — Rlevse • Talk • 22:23, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

Hey, Thanks, Rlevse. Yeah, the wiki is mostly male, and we could use some more females to contribute! It is kind of a rare combination, though, isn't it? Then again, being English-Irish-Black itself is kind of rare, at least where I'm from (AK).

You've been to all the states but Rhode Island? What did you think of Alaska? It is huge, I know, but not very populated. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 22:51, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

Yea, 49 states and 40+ countries/territories. Alaska is just like western Canada, huge, remote areas of nobody, and totally gorgeous scenery. It's lovely there, huh? Yea, not many black people there at all. I lived in Montana too, blacks were about 0.1% of the population there. Indians and Hispanics are far more common in that part of the country. — Rlevse • Talk • 22:58, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

So true. Vastly underpopulated, especially in terms of ethnic diversity. You get used to it after a while, though. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 23:17, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

Lesson 4

List all the tools admins there are. Describe a circumstance where an admin should not use them, despite a valid issue existing.

There are several answers depending on which tool you pick. Some are obvious and some I wouldn't expect you to get at this point.

I haven't found your hidden page yet, but these are the ones I know off the top of my head:

All deletion- and undeletion-related tasks (e.g., XFDs, Prods, CSD)
Page protection, unprotection, and salting
Blocking, autoblocking
Granting, removing, and performing Rollback
Ipblock exemption
MediaWiki namespace editing
Viewing special:unwatchedpages

- MWNS samples: MediaWiki:Autoblockedtext, MediaWiki:Titleblacklist, just FYI
- Wikipedia:IP block exemption, this was NEW to me, it's only 5 months old and I had to look it up, so you've taught me something already! — Rlevse • Talk • 23:00, 31 May 2008 (UTC)
  - Hah, what do you know; I guess there are some tasks even admins haven't performed yet. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 23:18, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

There are way too many parts of wiki for any one person to cover it all ;-) — Rlevse • Talk • 23:28, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

Indeed, there are so many things I haven't even done yet. Actually, I haven't ever been to WP:PR. I know enough about it, but never thought it would be useful for me to contribute to it. Looking at the page now, I think I should really become active there. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 23:37, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

Lesson 5

Look over the deletion debates page. Summarize which ones you've participated in as a nominator and an !voter. Do you consider yourself a deletionist or inclusionist?

Question— (is it just me, or does this look like a !vote?)Should I summarise all of the discussions I have participated in? --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 23:30, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

Nah, pick two that stand out and answer this. — Rlevse • Talk • 00:14, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Here are a couple:

To answer your question, for the most part, I would consider myself an inclusionist. Lately, though, I've been seeing a lot of rediculous articles on AFD, so I suppose I have been !voting delete more often. Unless the article has serious issues and is unsalvageable, I will most likely say keep. However, it all depends on the situation. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 07:38, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Good, now what types of things qualify for speedy delete? — Rlevse • Talk • 11:00, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Well, there are several criteria, but for the General: patent nonsense, test pages, vandalism, recreation of pages deleted via XFD's, material created by a currently banned user, routine maintenance-related tasks, requested deletions by the only major contributor, talk pages without an article, requests for deletion by the WMF (office actions), attack pages, pure spam, and blatant copyvios (the latter is usually tagged by CorenSeachBot, I think). :) If you want the other criteria, I'll be glad to also present it (I think I've memorised them all, save for the image namespace, but I never do anything image-related). --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 23:40, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Lesson 6

How are Good Articles different than Feature Articles? Where does Peer Review fit into the article life-span process?

Good articles are articles that are of good quality, but still have problems that otherwise impair them from reaching FA status. Although most major problems will have been worked out by this point, it still needs improvement before it can become a FA Candidate.

Featured articles are considered the highest quality of articles the community has produced. Unfortunately, there are so little of them. An article becomes a FA by being nominated as a FAC, and if successful, it becomes a Featured Article.

Peer review is a process in which articles are commented on on the basis of quality, any problems needing fixing, etc. Peer review is usually used in preparation of FAC.

--Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 23:49, 31 May 2008 (UTC).

FAs are actually a formal approved part of wiki, whereas GA's are just people who got together to make better articles, so for example (and this occurs from time to time) you try to make a 'GA star' to go in the upper right of an article, you'll get trouted big time. — Rlevse • Talk • 00:16, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

(grin) Thanks for the advice; wouldn't want to get trouted. :P ...Or would I? --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 01:27, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Lesson 7

What is cascading protection? Can it be set by an Admin? A user comes to Request for Page Protection saying an IP-vandal has been attacking a page and requests semi-protection. You see that IP 256.256.256.256 is vandalizing the page. When should you not semi-protect the page.

Cascading protection (I'll abbreviate with CP) is a type of heavy full-protection in which anything transcluded onto the CP-ed page is also protected. The only example I can think of of this being useful (from what I've read, it's somewhat rare) is a page like the Main Page which has several of other pages transcluded onto it; after all, what's the use of merely full-protecting it when other pages transcluded onto it, such as Today's featured article are unprotected, free to be vandalised by anyone and easily seen?

I've never heard of CP not being authorised by Administrators, so I don't know if it can't be set by them. I'm sure it can, however, like all other types of protection.

In the scenario, the best answer I can come up with is that I would most likely not semi-protect the page, because from the information given, the only anon that I see vandalising the page is 256.256.256.256, and protection should only be used when there are heavy amounts of vandalism from more than one anon. Otherwise 256.256.256.256 should just be blocked. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 00:09, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

You only need to answer the non-trick part of it:

A user comes to Request for Page Protection saying an IP-vandal has been attacking a page and requests semi-protection. You see that IP 256.256.256.256 is vandalizing the page. When should you not semi-protect the page.

Don't worry though if you can't, its not a trick, but its also not an obvious answer.

Not a bad answer, but I'll add...don't protect when the negative impact on protecting the page from anonymous users would outweigh the positive effect of protecting the article. Eg, If there are other anonymous users making positive edits, then the negative effect of them not being able to edit must also be considered. I said article, so talk page wouldn't apply. If its only 1 IP doing the vandalism, and its not a gateway IP (like User talk:157.150.192.237) then its better to block the IP for say 72 hours (escalating as appropriate) than protect the page. Another one I see frequently is a semi-protect request where the vandal is a registered, auto-confirmed user, semi-protection does nothing in that case. — Rlevse • Talk • 00:19, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Ah, I missed that one. I'll be sure to remember that in the future, thanks Rlevse. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 01:29, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

It's not used much, yes, the option to use it shows up on the protect screen. — Rlevse • Talk • 20:51, 9 August 2008 (UTC)

Hey Rlevse, while we're here, can I ask you some questions about adminship? (Better learn those before I end up learning the hard way)

So, admins can edit protected pages. Can they edit freely when they think it's needed, or only in special circumstances? That is to say, can administrators just 'go around editing protected pages when they feel like it'?

Regarding pages within the MediaWiki namespace, I have a similar question. When would admins ever have to edit pages in this space?

Many thanks, —Mizu onna sango15^Hello! 21:43, 9 August 2008 (UTC).

1)Admins can edit protected pages, even fully protected ones. In such a case, they should not, though they technically can. Most won't care if the edit is to fix formatting or some other minor thing. Some times they do this because they don't notice it's full prot'd (I did that once). Editing content on a full prot article should not happen and if done on purpose they should be chastised for it.

2)Not very often, unless they were adding to the blacklist or something. I've never had a reason to. — Rlevse • Talk • 22:10, 9 August 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for the information. I'll be sure to ask if I have any more questions (I'm sure I do, but they haven't seem to come yet). Thanks, —Mizu onna sango15^Hello! 22:15, 9 August 2008 (UTC)

Hi Rlevse. Another question that came to mind:

Regarding speedy deletion, UAA, and AIV, can admins perform the needed actions on sight? Meaning, if you were to come across by chance a clear-cut speedy G1, would you have to tag it for another admin to come and delete, or would it be appropriate to simply hit the delete button yourself? The same for UAA and AIV. Would you have to report the user to the noticeboard as non-admins do, or could you just block yourself?

As always, thanks. —Mizu onna sango15^Hello! 16:16, 11 August 2008 (UTC)

The noticeboards are merely a way to bring things to an admin's attention. So, if you just happen to come across an actionable block, delete, whatever, and you're neutral and uninvolved, take appropriate action. Of course, in your edit summary, on the user's talk page, etc as appropriate, you need to leave a note as to why. — Rlevse • Talk • 16:28, 11 August 2008 (UTC)

Aha. I thought as much. Cheers, —Mizu onna sango15^Hello! 16:37, 11 August 2008 (UTC).

Lesson 8

Is the Administrator's Noticeboard and Administrator's Noticeboard/Incidents on your watchlist? It should be. Despite the name, non-admins are welcome to contribute to discussions they understand.

Actually, I've rarely (if ever, actually) contributed to it because I always thought it was for admins, and/or the ArbCom. However, I do watch it, if only to see what's going on in the community. Thanks for the information, now I know that I can participate, too! --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 23:28, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

Anyone can comment there, but of course only admins can take admin actions, that is AN and ANI. Now Arbcom can be very confusing. It wasn't until I became an arb clerk that I really understood it. Arb case have lots of rules and only clerks and arbs can do/edit certain things. — Rlevse • Talk • 00:21, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Now, here you taught me something new; I didn't know you were an arb clerk! That's quite amazing; and seems to be quite a responsibility. :D When did you become one, and how? --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 00:29, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

This means you haven't looked deeply at my edits (grin), or seen the arb clerk hat on my user page (I added it today). See WP:AC/C, WP:AC/C/N, WP:RFAR, edit history of WP:AE, etc. You can be an RFCU clerk just by signing up, but to be an arb clerk, it's different. To be a clerk trainee, the clerks or arbs may recruit someone they think worthy. To become an official clerk, you have to have arbcom approval--that's after 6-7 months of trainee status. It's not required to be an admin, but it sure helps because you often need admin tools. We just took on two new trainees. I became a helper in Nov 2007 and an official clerk about 6 weeks ago. I became one when I let an arb, Kirill Lokshin, I was interested in being a Checkuser (that's really hard to get too and also requires arbcom approval). I'm still not a CU. He said my chances would be better if the committee knew me and suggested I become a arb clerk. I asked and the clerks took me on. Newyorkbrad said I was well respected as an admin and editor and had an arb's approval. Not to beat my own horn, but that's the basic requirements for arb clerking. We're very picky. If you keep progressing, you may be one one day. — Rlevse • Talk • 00:45, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

That's fascinating, I never really knew about all that stuff. In that case, I'm extremely lucky to have you as an adcoach. :) I hope I one day become good enough as an editor (and, hopefully, an admin) to be an arbclerk myself. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 00:55, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Lesson 9

One thing I've taken an interest in is Template:Editabuselinks. Do you use any of the noticeboards regularly? Most of them do not require admin tool to work on. Some like Reliable Sources and Fringe Theories can require lengthy investigations. Others like 3RR are more fastpaced. Its all about finding the right fit for you.

No, in fact, I haven't. I'll have to try them out— as I've said before, I usually assumed they were just for admin use. :) Thanks, --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 00:22, 1 June 2008 (UTC).

Lesson 10

Who can warn an administrator? Who can block an admin? What editing policies may admins violate?

Is this a trick question? :P I'm pretty sure admins aren't warned or blocked (just de-sysopped in extreme circumstances), and I don't think admins can violate editing policies, either; I'm pretty sure everyone is obliged to follow Wikipedia policy. Could be wrong, though. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 01:02, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Admins can be warned and blocked by another admin. The rules apply to them to and they should ideally hold a higher standard. De-syssopped can only be done by arbcom ruling (or Jimbo). A steward is the one who actually removes the admin bit. So, no, they shouldn't violate policies. They also shouldn't use their admin bit in regards to a dispute when they're involved in that dispute. — Rlevse • Talk • 01:06, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Admins can be blocked by other admins? In that case, who's to stop them from blocking on another in the case of a wheel war? I knew that Admins had the power to block other admins, but I didn't think it was ever done, as I assumed that the admin who's edits were in question was perhaps taken to RFC and/or de-sysopped by a steward. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 01:19, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

If admins wheel war and won't stop, other admins will step in and block them all. If it's bad enough, they'll go to arbcom if it's ongoing problem. — Rlevse • Talk • 01:33, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Lesson 11

Skim over the Durova Arbcom. Why was she right in checking with others off-wiki before acting? Why does a confirmation bias make even off-wiki double-checks risky? Even though others did not oppose her off-wiki, who was ultimately responsible?

(laughs) Sorry, do you have a link for that? I've searched for it, but I can't seem to find anything. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 01:21, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Arb cases get requested (and clarifications and admendments) here: Wikipedia:RFAR Rejected cases get archived here: Wikipedia:Requests_for_arbitration/Rejected_requests Listing of cases that were accepted is here: Wikipedia:Requests for arbitration/Completed requests (click on the link to see the main case page) The Durova main case page is here: Wikipedia:Requests for arbitration/Durova — Rlevse • Talk • 01:36, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Thanks! Sorry about that, I didn't quite know what you meant by "Durova ArbCom". --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 01:48, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Lesson 12

Do you use IRC or the Mailing Lists? Do you have EmailUser enabled? Do you realize that sending an email through the EmailUser interface discloses your email? Are you aware of this incident? It did happen in real life as described. (Basic privacy questions). Send me an email. If you use IRC, we can chat there.

As for IRC, that's a tough one. I've asked other users how to use IRC, and none of their suggestions worked yet. I've tried on many, many computers, including new ones at my local library (which uses XP and Vista) and it still doesn't allow IRC, despite having the IRC clients installed. I have no clue what to do about it. Do you have any suggestions?

Now, as for EmailUser, I have it enabled. I presume when you say 'username', you mean my Wikipedia username (an obvious question, I know, but I was initially thinking you were referring to my email)? Actually, "Sango" (or "Coral", in English) isn't my real life name, nor is my email address. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 01:46, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

I had a lot of trouble getting IRC to work too. Places like public libraries may have it blocked (my work places block all IRC traffic). When i had so much trouble getting it to work, I made a file. If you email me, I'll email it to you. IRC comes in real handy when something is going on live and it helps you to get to know people better. — Rlevse • Talk • 01:50, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

That'd be very helpful, thank you! It'd be nice to try out IRC for once. Thanks again, --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 02:14, 1 June 2008 (UTC).

Just sent the file in two formats. — Rlevse • Talk • 11:09, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Thanks, I'll check my inbox today (I hope this works). --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 23:41, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Lesson 13

Apply for rollback rights if you don't already have it. Do you use any tools such as: Twinkle, NewPageWatcher, AutoWikiBrowser, popups, and VandalProof? If you don't use Firefox, I reccommend downloading it just for Wiki-work. Many tools and scripts only work in FF.

I have rollback, granted to me by Malinaccier. I have also installed Lupin's tool, but can't use it for some reason (whenever I attempt to roll back an edit using the tool, it tells me I am unauthorised to perform such an action). --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 05:59, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

I don't think it works in IE. Switch to FF. I've asked Lupin to confirm if it works in IE. — Rlevse • Talk • 11:13, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Man, I was sure it worked in Explorer. That's terrible, I'll try to get FF, but so far all attempts have failed. Really, if I plan on using Lupin's tool, I'll have to use it from a public computer, and I know that's strongly discouraged because of Trojan horses. :( Running out of options, here. Oh, thanks for fixing my broken link, BTW. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 23:01, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Lesson 14

Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Newpages&hidepatrolled=1&hidebots=1&limit=500&offset=0 , click on "show" in 'Show patrolled edits' and just look it over. You may find an article that appears to be a conflict of interest. A big clue is a user name that is nearly the same as the article title. Then go to WP:COIN and pick a COI case and tell me what you think should happen, give a link.

The standard format (from WP:COIN) is:

Describe the dispute using the following format:

* {{article|article name}}

* {{userlinks|username}} - brief explanation ~~~~

Hmm, maybe I'm not looking at this right, but the link you gave me returns no results. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 06:04, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Changed instructions to make this easier, afraid you have to start over, but it's easy. — Rlevse • Talk • 11:20, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

I'm sorry, I'm a bit confused; your instructions are quite clear, only I don't know if you want me to take a COI case from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Newpages&hidepatrolled=1&hidebots=1&limit=500&offset=0 to COI/N or merely look over the new pages and then see COI/N and find a case, post it here and comment on which action I believe should be taken. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 23:17, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Just look at the newpages link and click on show so you know what it looks like. Go to WP:COI noticeboard and look over an active case and give me your thoughts. — Rlevse • Talk • 23:20, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Calvin A. Grant (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) - This looks like a COI, not necessarily by the usernames, in this case, but by the content. If not an autobio, it's at least definitely an article written by someone closely related to the subject, as it's rather partial. I would AFD the article pronto (I could do that, if you like). I also did the google test; here are the results. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 23:53, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

See my comment there. Optional, but you would be a good person to rework the article. — Rlevse • Talk • 00:58, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

Seems like a fun idea. :) I'll get to it when I have time. Cheers, --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 02:06, 2 June 2008 (UTC).

Lesson 15

What is an open proxy? They are banned by the Foundation. What commonsense technical reason are they banned for?

I believe an open proxy is a proxy server that anyone can edit from. There is probably another obvious reason as to why it is banned, but the main reason is because they are easy to use abusively on Wikipedia, as an anon using an open proxy changes their IP address frequently and can therefore evade a block. If they are blocked for vandalism, for instance, they can continue to vandalise the Wiki from another address by using the open proxy. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 06:17, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Yep. Yes, they are banned, so are WP:TOR servers. — Rlevse • Talk • 11:22, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Wow. So no one in China can edit? --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 22:58, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Not if they all use TOR in China and they all got blocked. I doubt all have been found. — Rlevse • Talk • 23:01, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Why is it they can't edit, though? Why can't they just use regular IP addresses instead of OP's? --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 23:29, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

They could if they don't use OP or TORs. I'd guess some are regular IPs. — Rlevse • Talk • 00:59, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

Huh, no kidding. I also heard Wikipedia was blocked in many places in China. Then again, strangely, just about everything is there. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 02:10, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

Lesson 16

Please go to Special:Newpages and welcome ~75 users who have red-linked usernames using Friendly. This exercise has two purposes. One, a lot of admining is doing repetitive tasks that no one ever notices. Two, when you welcome a user, they're likely to come to you if they need help or have a problem. Its a great way to help out and build experience.

Note: Unfortunately, I do not have Friendly, as my browser does not support it. Would it be acceptable if done manually? Thanks, --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 23:41, 31 May 2008 (UTC).

Sure. Manually or get WP:AWB, great for automated tasks. — Rlevse • Talk • 23:43, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

Well, manually it is, then. :( I use a really old operating system, and can't install AWB. When it comes to the Wiki, having a new computer really does come in handy. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 00:13, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Get a new puter for your own good. — Rlevse • Talk • 00:22, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Indeed, I really should. I'm currently looking at some with good features that'll help me out with WP stuff (e.g., image editing, for Wikipedia ad construction, etc.). --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 00:58, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

If you're not using FireFox for wiki, you should. A lot of the wiki scripts and plugins don't work in Internet Explorer. — Rlevse • Talk • 01:07, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Wow, I didn't know that, either. These days IE is being deprecated in favour of Firefox, so many things don't support it anymore, I've found. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 01:11, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Done. Should be about eighty welcomes. :) The first half I did a couple days ago, so you'll have to search throught the contribs a bit to see them all. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 23:31, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

Lesson 17

Go visit the Help desk. Try and find an unanswered issue that you know the answer to, jump in and solve a problem.

It's been rather difficult to find one that's unanswered. Could I use CAT:HELP, instead? --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 23:40, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

Sure. — Rlevse • Talk • 17:40, 8 June 2008 (UTC)

Lesson 18

Review Wikipedia:Autoblock. This is one of the most common mistakes an admin makes. In our haste to block an obvious vandal, we may kill off a corporate gateway or a dynamic IP. If you need to block quickly, remember to leave enough of an explanation that another Admin can figure out if its a real Autoblock issue or just a user trying to evade a block.

Lesson 19

Read Wikipedia:Administrators open to recall. You will get this question at an RfA. You will need to give a yes or no answer. You will be judged on your answer, regardless of which way you go. It's unfair that you will get an Oppose regardless of your answer, but its part of the process.

What vexes me is, I really haven't a clue what recall is (that is, what is "reconfirmation"?). What exacly am I promising by adding myself to CAT:AOR? Why is it such a controversial matter? --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 17:04, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

It means if you misbehave, the community can recall you (RFA again) and possibly you loose your admin bit. It's a big thing to some, but I've seen it used for vindictive purposes too. I was open to recall but when I saw it being abused I took myself out of the program. — Rlevse • Talk • 20:06, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

Ah, I see. I don't know, it looks like there's a good chance I'd fail if I were to answer "no", so I'd best try it out and if it gets problematic, well, remome myself from the list. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 01:18, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Very perceptive, you can always change your mind after you're an admin. Few have the guts to say no during an RFA on this. — Rlevse • Talk • 02:16, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

(outdent) So, I have another question; are the "optional questions" really optional? Though they are mostly arbitrary, and it is said that one is not obliged to answer them, most RfA's that I've seen in which the candidate does not answer them have failed. Why is it many oppose because of this? --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 02:29, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Technically they are optional, but if you don't answer, people take it as unwillingness to communicate, which is important in an admin (see neutrals in current AngelOfSadness RFA). Also, I don't ever recall seeing your name before you contacted me, so I'm thinking you may not be that well known, or maybe we float in different circles. My suggestion is that you start voting on lots of RFAs so that those who frequent the RFA page start to see your name, also common on that talk page if you want. PS, yes I know you voted on DHMO's RFA, I'm not sure what I'll do there myself, maybe not vote. — Rlevse • Talk • 09:56, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

I suppose I'm a bit too gnome-ish, then. :P I try to get involved in as many social things as I can here, but still being less than a year old, I'm still not as well-known as I'd like to be, and I know that will really help in RFAs. How would you suggest I become more popular here (other than being involved in RfAs)?

Also, I try not to oppose in Adminship discussions (DHMO was my first oppose, I believe) because I feel a bit weird telling another user who is likely more experienced than I that they aren't fit to be an admin when I am not one myself. Then again, I know that every vote counts, and my inclusion is influential, so I guess I ought to get over this. What do you think?

P.S. thanks for the IRC file. I sure hope it works, as should it fail, I will throw my PC out of the nearest window. ;) --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 04:42, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

Every wikian is entitled to vote in anything, expect for some things do have VERY low count and time requirements to help stop socks and such, so yes you should vote. There is no substitute for time. Experience is a result of edits and diversity of interests, so the more active and diverse you are the better known you will be. — Rlevse • Talk • 09:59, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

Thanks, Rlevse. Speaking of, can anons vote in RFAs? --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 21:18, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

NO. In fact, due to a consensus on the talk page, I recently semi-prot'd the RFA page so new accounts can't vote. It's all from all the socking going on there. — Rlevse • Talk •

Really? I had ofen seen IPs commenting and even (in some cases) voting there. I presume, prior to your sprotecting, these votes were discounted? What about SPAs? --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 22:13, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

Yes, they'd be discounted. Often, they get removed from the page. — Rlevse • Talk • 23:00, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

Good to know now it's semi-protted. Is it indefinite? --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 23:51, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

Yes, until someone changes it on me ;-) — Rlevse • Talk • 00:02, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

Hey, was AC meant to be this brief, or was I just answering the questions too fast? I know I have some things to improve before I can be an admin, or even be recognised and be nominated. Besides article work, do you see any areas in which I need improvement? I know I don't have the best Mainspace-Projectspace-Userspace ratio, and in the past, I've been a little too hasty to tag for deletion, but I believe I've improved since then and could use some constructive criticism. :-) Cheers, --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 00:16, 5 June 2008 (UTC).

We do thus at your pace. As for weak areas, noting leaps out at me right now except to say dabble in admin areas you haven't touched before and work on your known weak spots. — Rlevse • Talk • 00:18, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for the advice, I greatly appreciate it. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 00:24, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

Lesson 20

Review our policy on Office Actions. Pay close attention to who can perform Office Actions. If you feel the need to undo any admin action by someone on that list, its almost always better to ask at AN than to do it yourself. Take a look at Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents/My desysop of Zscout370. There was no wheel war here by the conventional definition. It was more of an action by Jimbo in his role as founder. Just like I wouldn't do an unblock of a user Raul654 did without checking AN, there is something to the idea that we don't always know the whole story and others who do things like checkuser, OTRS, oversight, etc, probably do. At the same time, remember WP:IAR and that admins aren't always perfect.

Does this mean that one may IAR (even in the case of Office Actions) if it prevents them from improving the encyclopaedia? I thought IAR didn't apply to anything relating to the WMF; that you may not ignore the rules if it involves the WikiMedia Foundation, copyvios, BLPs, or anything else legally bound. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 17:11, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

Common sense applies here. Would rv Jimbo or some other bigshot without checking first? I think you're on the right track. — Rlevse • Talk • 20:07, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

Well, I definitely would not rv Jimbo or anyone else of authority without discussing it first, and even then I'd have to excersise caution. These days, Jimbo's judgement is seriously being questioned by the community, but reverting him without discussing it would also cause much controversy. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 01:24, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Lesson 21

What is the difference in a block and a ban? What types of bans are there? The difference in a block and a ban is probably the most common misunderstandings on wiki.

A block is a technical emergency measure that prevents a problem user or compromised account from editing the wiki. It can never be used for "cooling off" an angry user— only when there are no options but to prevent the editor from contributing, such as in the case of 3RRs, persistent vandalism, persistent, willful copyright infringement, and nonstop incivility. Blocks are set by administrators.

A ban means you are no longer permitted to edit Wikipedia. I don't know whether it is also technical or if one can still edit but is simply not allowed to, but it does not happen often. Unlike blocks, which can be set by any admin, Bans can only be inflicted by the ArbCom and Jimbo.

--Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 17:22, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

Very nice. — Rlevse • Talk • 20:08, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

:D --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 01:25, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Finish up

What are you working on now, adminship-wise? — Rlevse • Talk • 02:22, 12 June 2008 (UTC)

Mostly RFA (as you can see from the current requests), AFD, MFD, TFD, and RFD. I also welcome users regularly now, and have installed TW and Friendly on my public account (User:Mizu onna sango15 Public). --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 05:03, 12 June 2008 (UTC)

You have statement on your public account (I don't recall knowing about it) that refers to the main account. It's best to put a statement on your main user page or top of your main talk page that you have a public account. When do you feel you'll be ready for an RFA? No rush, just asking. — Rlevse • Talk • 10:03, 12 June 2008 (UTC)

Good idea, I'll get right to it. I recently created it, so I didn't have it when we started ADCO.

As for RFA, I would feel comfortable when I know the Wikipedia community would feel I'm trustworthy enough to handle the tools. I haven't been in a lot of conflicts, I use rollback appropriately, and tag articles properly with {{db}} accordingly, but when I first started participating in AFD I was rather quick and careless, and I'm worried that things such as that will cause some to oppose. Also, I'm not particularly bold enough to self-nominate, so I'd need enough trust from the community for someone to nominate myself (although Malinaccier said he would be willing to give me a co-nom). I'd also like to have a GA or FA status article before I accept or make a nomination. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 21:58, 12 June 2008 (UTC)

Then write a GA or FA. — Rlevse • Talk • 22:00, 12 June 2008 (UTC)

I'm currently trying, but I really have no clue how. I've read WP:FEATURED, and I know the differences between each class of articles, but it is difficult (still haven't given up, though). I'm currently copyediting (or having lightly copyedited) the articles that I'm trying to promote. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 22:07, 12 June 2008 (UTC)

I have lots of practice at this. I have 11 or so FAs, working on the next, and several GAs. Pick one you're really interested in, so you can get motivated, and I'll give you pointers. — Rlevse • Talk • 22:16, 12 June 2008 (UTC)

Thanks, Rlevse, much appreciated. Some that I want to become GA for FA before fall:

There's a whole lot more that I'm trying to get at User:Mizu onna sango15/Todo. Far too many stubs and B-class articles. --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 22:53, 12 June 2008 (UTC)

When do you think you want to make the RFA run? I think you'd pass now. One suggestion, your edit summary usage is around 90%. Some RFA candidates are getting beat up on poor summary usage, so make sure you put a summary in every edit summary box. — Rlevse • Talk • 10:06, 24 June 2008 (UTC)

Funny you ask this, because, incidentally, two editors contacted me yesterday stating that they wanted to nominate me (see my talk page). I've been thinking about it for a while, and I'm not really sure if I'll do so well, what with trout-warranting mistakes such as this, and account compromisation, and even borderline incivility (though it was a misunderstanding) here. I've seen many good candidates fail in an RfA for simple mistakes such as this. With all this considered, do you think I'll do well still? --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 17:55, 24 June 2008 (UTC)

I understand, sometimes people just jump on things unncessarily. However, readily admitting errors and fixing them as you did always helps. It's still good to put more distance btwn these, so I'd say way a few weeks. Let's for now say on or after 10 July. Btwn now and then, edit well, be careful, and always use edit summaries. — Rlevse • Talk • 18:08, 24 June 2008 (UTC)

Again, thanks for the advice, 'levse. :-) I'll be sure to wait until then to ensure that all of that is behind me by the time I submit an RfA. My greatest appreciation for all the mentoring, --Mizu onna sango15/水女珊瑚15 18:59, 24 June 2008 (UTC).

Very interesting reading: Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2008-06-30/Taking up the mop — Rlevse • Talk • 15:04, 4 July 2008 (UTC)

Wow. I wonder how it works? Has there been any news on when it's to be run (if at all)? I would be interested in trying it out, if so—not that it would be active by the time I apply. --Mizu onna sango15/^Discuss 16:16, 4 July 2008 (UTC)

This is all that I've read on it. — Rlevse • Talk • 16:18, 4 July 2008 (UTC)

Well, thanks for the information, Rlevse, let me know if you hear more on it! :-) --Mizu onna sango15/^Discuss 16:22, 4 July 2008 (UTC)

There's a copy of that signpost on my talk page. Sign up for it if you like. — Rlevse • Talk • 17:03, 4 July 2008 (UTC)

Thanks. Oh, by the way, just so you know, I currently have a GA nomination. :P I was originally shooting for FA before adminship, but I think a good article will suffice at this point. Cheers, --Mizu onna sango15/^Discuss 17:15, 4 July 2008 (UTC).

I don't see it at WP:GAC. — Rlevse • Talk • 17:35, 4 July 2008 (UTC)

I don't know if requests put on hold are listed there, because it is currently on hold, but I have another couple days to fix the issues that still exsist before it can be promoted. --Mizu onna sango15/^Discuss 17:38, 4 July 2008 (UTC)

It's at WP:GAC, but Judgesurreal777 nom'd it not you, so that's why I didn't find it. I guess you two are working together on it...the entire plot section is devoid of refs. See if you can find replacements for the imdb refs. Other than that, looks good. — Rlevse • Talk • 18:15, 4 July 2008 (UTC)

Yes, I was planning on nominating it after EyeSerene and I were finished prose-sweeping it, but Judge beat me to it and nominated it while it was still being cleaned up, so I just went along with it. Hmm, I thought film plots didn't need refs, because the film itself was the reliable source. But yes, we definitely need to get rid of the IMDB foots, because it's borderline unreliable. --Mizu onna sango15/^Discuss 19:18, 4 July 2008 (UTC)

I didn't know that about film plots, I don't write FAs on films. — Rlevse • Talk • 19:29, 4 July 2008 (UTC)

Yeah, it'd be nice if we had more FA-class film articles. Most TV and movie-related articles are, candidly, of lower quality than say science or medicine articles. I hope that improves. Cheers, --Mizu onna sango15/^Discuss 19:33, 4 July 2008 (UTC).

Hi Rlevse.

More questions. How do admins know when a prot expires? Does the protecting sysop keep track of the end date, or is there a special category (or something of the sort) of articles that are past the date? Thanks, —Mizu onna sango15^Hello! 02:43, 23 August 2008 (UTC).

When you get your bit, you'll see delete and protect tabs at the top of pages. You click on those to delete/protect. On the protect page you'll see when it expires. — Rlevse • Talk • 02:58, 23 August 2008 (UTC)

I see. Thanks! —Mizu onna sango15^Hello! 22:28, 23 August 2008 (UTC)

RFA nom

Up to you, but I think you need to wait no more than a month. There are many rfas passing right now, but that doesn't matter. I think you're a shoo in. Just let me know when you're ready. — Rlevse • Talk • 23:44, 9 July 2008 (UTC)

Well, if you really think so, I'll run tomorrow as planned, but I'm prepared for a crash-and-burn request, since I've seen some really good candidates fail horribly (and for little reasons like, "was admin-coached", or "is a self-nom"). Thanks, Rlevse. --Mizu onna sango15/^Discuss 23:50, 9 July 2008 (UTC)

Well, it is true that with RFA you roll the dice and you can't be certain what you'll come up with. Up to you, when you're comfortable, send me an input of all your accomplishments. Then I'll file the RFA. Doesn't have to be tomorrow. — Rlevse • Talk • 00:01, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

Just to be easier on my co-nominators' brains, I'll go today (on UTC it just turned the tenth; my RfA date). Are you nominating or co-nominating? There's someone else that wanted to nominate me (plus a co-nom or two), but there's been some confusion lately on whom'll file the RfA and whom'll co-nominate. --Mizu onna sango15/^Discuss 00:07, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

I'll nom if you want, your choice. — Rlevse • Talk • 00:13, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

I think we'll go with that. More traditional, anyway. Go ahead and create the request if you want to do it now. --Mizu onna sango15/^Discuss 00:16, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

OK. Please send me a "brag sheet" of your accomplishments. We can't transclude it till I'm done with my nom writeup. I'll let you know. I'll create it but I need your input too. — Rlevse • Talk • 00:21, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

Wikiprojects? — Rlevse • Talk • 00:46, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

My userpage has them all, but I'm most active at WP:ANIME and WP:FILM. --Mizu onna sango15/^Discuss 00:49, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

List all admin areas you've worked in. — Rlevse • Talk • 01:06, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

AIV, UAA, AFD, RFD, TFD, MFD, IFD, NPP (prodding and CSD). I have WQA and AIV watchlisted, but mainly just observe as I don't see much need to comment there because I am not an administrator. --Mizu onna sango15/^Discuss 01:11, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

OK. Go here: Wikipedia:Requests for adminship/Mizu onna sango15, accept, ansewr 3 qwuestions, and I'll transclude it. — Rlevse • Talk • 01:13, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

No problem, will do. Thanks again. --Mizu onna sango15/^Discuss 01:17, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

If you finish in 20-30 mins, we'll be running tonight! — Rlevse • Talk • 01:18, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

PS, do you use IRC or google chat? — Rlevse • Talk • 01:20, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

Eh, no; how irksome. The attatchment causes a computer error whenever I attempt to so much as open it up. I give up, and I'll just have to accept that I do need a new 'puter. Will this be heavily weighted against me?

BTW, pending co-nomination—I'll accept one it's done. --Mizu onna sango15/^Discuss 01:23, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

OK, no not being in chat tools shouldn't be a problem, but it makes quick comms easier. You can go ahead and answer the questions though. When will the conom be done? — Rlevse • Talk • 01:25, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

CO-NOM is done. — Rlevse • Talk • 01:28, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

Okay, I'll answer questions as soon as I can. --Mizu onna sango15/^Discuss 01:29, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

Ready for transclusion. --Mizu onna sango15/^Discuss 01:53, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

Answer all questions/concerns calmly and quickly. Don't let the opposers get to you. Ask me if you aren't sure of something. Use email if you want to. — Rlevse • Talk • 02:12, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for the support. I'll be sure to remain calm and cool. --Mizu onna sango15/^Discuss 02:16, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

Darn, I really never saw this coming. I'm sorry for that. At least now you know what to work on, only 1-2 areas. Keep doing what your are doing and later you should sail right through. I'd say a minimum of 3 months (Oct-Nov). This is my first nom that didn't pass. Again, I'm really sorry. I'll still help you. — Rlevse • Talk • 09:51, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

Oh, well. It wasn't that horrible, really; It wasn't as bad as some, such as RfA's for newcomers. Thanks for all the support, Rlevse. I think mid-November should ensure I have enough experience, and hopefully, by that time I'll have a Featured Article or two—there are a couple I'm working on that should be easy to promote. I'll let you know precisely when I'm planning on running again, until then, do you have any 'fake speedy deletion candidates' that I could practise with in the meantime? Cheers, --Mizu onna sango15/^Discuss 03:52, 11 July 2008 (UTC).

We'll use Nov 16, my bday. — Rlevse • Talk •

Great idea, we'll do the sixteenth, then. Maybe it'll be a good-luck charm. Thanks! --Mizu onna sango15/^Discuss 23:47, 11 July 2008 (UTC)