User talk:Andyvphil

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October 2014

You have been blocked temporarily from editing for persistent disruptive editing. Once the block has expired, you are welcome to make useful contributions. If you think there are good reasons why you should be unblocked, you may appeal this block by adding the following text below this notice: {{unblock|reason=Your reason here ~~~~}}. However, you should read the guide to appealing blocks first. Gamaliel (talk) 01:04, 20 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

This user's unblock request has been reviewed by an administrator, who accepted the request.

Andyvphil (block log • active blocks • global blocks • contribs • deleted contribs • filter log • creation log • change block settings • unblock • checkuser (log))

Request reason:

I have been blocked by Gamaliel for not obeying his order that I "Go away"(his words) without getting my concerns about his actions as an administrator, and his unCIVILly calling me names ("racist"), fully addressed. The intro to the "archive" suggests I take it to some other page, but no such page was suggested. I have quoted some of the policies violated by this block immediately below the full text of the conversation that resulted in this block. Andyvphil (talk) 2:47 am, Today (UTC+1)

Accept reason:

Procedural closure of template; user is no longer blocked. Yunshui ^雲 _水 07:57, 20 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Do you agree not to edit Gamaliel's page for the duration of this block? That is, no earlier than 01:03 GMT 21 Oct 2014 (if I got the time conversion right?--v/r - T P 03:16, 20 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I'm asking to be unblocked because the block was in violation of policy. I want that addressed on its merits, not evaded. Andyvphil (talk) 04:03, 20 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Given my previous disagreements with Andyvphil regarding his discussion style, I don't enjoy agreeing with him on this, but he's right. The block is bad on its face, and needs reverted. After that, a discussion thread can be opened at the appropriate noticeboard regarding Gamaliel's issues with things Andyvphil has posted. LHM^{ask me a question} 04:09, 20 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Gamaliel finally unblocked at the very moment I was typing the above post. While that is a positive development, the unblock happened with an edit summary of "harass away", and was followed by a blanking and protection of Gamaliel's talkpage, and a further refusal of my request for diffs regarding the serious accusations leveled at Andyvphil. LHM^{ask me a question} 04:18, 20 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you for asking. How do you suggest I proceed so as to get access to the hidden text, so that I may properly contest that action? Andyvphil (talk) 04:27, 20 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Since you are the person who made the post that was revdel'd, I think you should probably just ask an admin to tell you what the content was. At that point, you could either ask Gamaliel why it was revdel'd, if you're still unsure, or take it to the appropriate noticeboard. If you do so, I would strongly encourage you to mollify your strident tone as much as possible. I know you feel wronged--and have reason to feel that way, given the WP:INVOLVED block that was levied against you--but taking such a tone sometimes makes it difficult to get to any points you are trying to make in a given discussion. Regards, LHM^{ask me a question} 04:35, 20 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I think my tone above was remarkably polite, under the circumstances. Are you an administrator? I can't say I know any that I would want to put the request to, and you are already somewhat familiar with the issue. Andyvphil (talk) 04:58, 20 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I am not, nor do I particularly wish to be. Perhaps @TParis: could assist you? LHM^{ask me a question} 05:03, 20 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, he is the obvious choice. Thanks again. Since you pinged him, I'll just wait here.

@Tparis: I believe the appropriate word is, "please".Andyvphil (talk) 05:10, 20 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Your diff has been emailed to you.--v/r - T P 05:23, 20 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

transcluded for convenience, the conversation from Gamaliel's talk page that resulted in a block:

removal from public archives

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.

I will be objecting to your actions here.[1] It will be helpful in defending my words if I have access to them. Will you supply this?

I will not re-add these edits to the page in question unless they are deemed unobjectionable. Andyvphil (talk) 12:41, 18 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I have no objection to any complaint or review of my actions, but such a review should not serve as another soapbox to discuss negative, evidence-free theories about a living individual, and I fear that providing you with those offensive comments would lead to this, so I must decline your polite request.

Since we're being polite and not in the heat of an argument or an editing conflict, I will ask you to reconsider the things you have said about the subject of the article. You have repeatedly suggested that a prominent and successful academic of color was a failure as an academic and only succeeded as a result of affirmative action, despite ample evidence of his achievments in his field. This is incredibly offensive and racist, even if you do not mean it to be, and I find it particularly offensive personally as an academic who is a racial minority myself. Gamaliel (talk) 16:21, 18 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Gamaliel, I suspect you will also wish to see this AN/I thread started by Andyvphil: Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents#Participation by Admin Dreadstar in edit war at The Federalist (website) AFTER fully protecting the article. Prioryman (talk) 16:07, 18 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you. Gamaliel (talk) 16:21, 18 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

"You have repeatedly suggested that a prominent and successful academic of color was a failure as an academic and only succeeded as a result of affirmative action..."

No, I have not. He washed out at UTA, but succeeded in getting degrees at Harvard (with honors) and Columbia, and I have not suggested otherwise. Nor have I ever said that he succeeded "only" as a result of affirmative action. I have inquired of the new editors at NGT if they have seen evidence of material on help that Tyson was given because of his race that the group of editors previously in control of the page might have thought inappropriate to mention, as they had in the case of Tyson being kicked out of the UTA PhD program. If the material exists but has been, like the UTA failure, suppressed or minimized, it will be entirely appropriate to evaluate whether the judgement of the previously resident group of editors should be overruled.

This correction to your characterization of what I said is, I believe, similar to what I said in response to someone else who mischaracterized what I had written, and which was part of what you deleted. That I can reproduce similar material at will is obvious, and makes your claim that supplying me with the text you deleted will somehow empower me to repeat sentiments you find offensive, in a way that I would otherwise be unable to, obviously absurd.

The mischaracterization of what I had written was preceeded by the expression, "Bullshit!" Part of what you deleted was my response, not in kind, listing various incivilities to which I had been subjected in the course of this discussion, including your use of the exact same term in a revert edit comment. It was particularly inappropriate of you to removed this.

Inasmuch as your refusal does not serve your stated purpose, I renew my request for access to the deleted text. Andyvphil (talk) 04:09, 19 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I have reviewed your deleted comments again and I believe you are not accurately or not completely summarizing them here. Nor do I feel you grasp the substance of my comments to you given that you have largely focused on the single word "only". It's immaterial whether you assert that someone only succeeded because of an racist assumption unsupported by evidence, or in part because of a racist assumption unsupported by evidence. Gamaliel (talk) 04:25, 19 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Well, I'm certainly not claiming to "accurately [and] completely summariz[e]" comments I cannot examine. The observation that, if Tyson benefited from assistance because of his race, that certain editors may have decided to suppress mention of that fact is not a "racist assertion", and the clearly overboard insertion of "only" in your mal-description of my words is something you are responsible for. You are WP:INVOLVED. I suggest you seek a second opinion. Andyvphil (talk) 05:33, 19 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

If you make an assertion about someone with no evidence to back that assertion up beyond the color of that person's skin, then that is, by definition, racist. If you wish to expound further on this matter, find somewhere else to do so besides my talk page. Gamaliel (talk) 05:42, 19 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

That is of course nonsense unless you exclude assertions about probability from the category "assertions". For example, if I assert someone is more likely to carry the gene for sickle cell anemia with no evidence other than the color of his skin that is a true fact, and truths are by definition not racist. Falsehood is the part of the definition of racism that you are omitting.

You're claim that I repeatedly made a "racist assertion" implies that you can supply an actual racist quote from my writings that one hiding revert will not have deleted. Please do so.

As to communicating with you on your talk page, you have an obligation to be responsive in relation to inquiries about your admin actions. I can't offhand supply the shortcut to the relevant paragraph , though I read it recently, but I assume you know which one it is. Something about ACCOUNTABILITY, maybe? Andyvphil (talk) 14:51, 19 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I do not have the obligation to repeatedly engage with someone who insists on making blanket racist assertions. I will ask you a second time, politely, to drop it because I find your comments personally offensive, for reasons I have already explained to you and you choose to ignore, and in violation of Wikipedia policies. I will also ask you a second time, politely, to take this conversation elsewhere. The third time I have to do either one in regards to my talk page will be the last, and will not be polite, and may involve blocking and/or profanity in multiple languages. In case you do not get the hint, I am also archiving this conversation. Gamaliel (talk) 16:54, 19 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

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.

[[I added the following response after the "archive" box [2]]]

Putting a box around our conversation to date does not relieve you from your duty as an administrator to "[respond] promptly and fully to all good-faith concerns raised about [your] administrative actions." In addition to concealing the content and existence of my response to a personal attack, you have mischaracterized what I have supposedly written on multiple occasions both as to its exact content and character ("racist") while refusing to produce any examples to which those mischaracterizations can be compared. Your threat to further clown yourself by using still more abusive language and/or a block to respond to what you have previously admitted was a civil inquiry is noted. Andyvphil (talk) 00:38, 20 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

[[This was reverted with the comment: "What part of 'go away' do you not understand?" ['https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Gamaliel&diff=prev&oldid=630310213]]]

[[I placed the following in the wrong place, then attempted to self-revert (intending to place it correctly) and discovered a block had gone into effect. G had already reverted it, with a dismissive "m".[3]]]

https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Gamaliel&diff=prev&oldid=630310213 I won't revert your removal of my immediately preceeding comment from your talk page, as I understand you have wider than usual latitude here. Though I also understand that selective removals can be considered problematic. I suggest you self revert.

I understand "go away" perfectly well. What part of my observation that "go away" is an out-of-policy response to a civil inquiry as to your administrative actions are you having difficulty understanding? If you are having a problem remaining civil there is, I have discovered, a procedure you are directed to follow. You're much more familiar with process than I. You must know this. Andyvphil (talk) 00:59, 20 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Some relevant policy, much of it violated:

Wikipedia:Administrators WP:Administrators

This page in a nutshell: Administrators are... expected to observe a high standard of conduct, to use the tools fairly, and never to use them to gain advantage in a dispute. ...

Administrator conduct

...consistently or egregiously poor judgment may result in the removal of administrator status. ...if an administrator finds that he or she cannot adhere to site policies... while addressing a given issue, then the administrator should bring the issue to a noticeboard or refer it to another administrator to address...

Accountability

WP:ADMINACCT Administrators are accountable for their actions involving administrator tools... Subject only to the bounds of civility, avoiding personal attacks, and reasonable good faith, editors are free to question or to criticize administrator actions. Administrators are expected to respond promptly and civilly to queries about their Wikipedia-related conduct and administrator actions and to justify them when needed.

Administrators who seriously, or repeatedly, act in a problematic manner... may be sanctioned or have their access removed. In the past, this has happened or been suggested for: ...

Breach of basic policies (attacks, biting/civility, edit warring,...)

...

Failure to communicate^[6] – this can be either to users (e.g., lack of suitable... explanations of actions), or to concerns of the community (especially when explanations or other serious comments are sought).
Repeated or consistent poor judgment

Wikipedia:Requests for arbitration/Betacommand

Communication

[4] 7) ... all editors are expected to respond to messages intended for them in a timely manner and to constructively discuss controversial issues. This is especially true for administrators in regard to administrative actions. Such expected communication includes: ... using accurate and descriptive edit and administrative action summaries; and responding promptly and fully to all good-faith concerns raised about their administrative actions.

Here's a list

Of your last 1,000 edits to mainspace.[5] Which one are you most proud of as an example of your most important work? Take a minute to think about it. Do you even need a minute? I thought not. Viriditas (talk) 22:22, 20 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

You have way too much time on your hands if you have time for this kind of pathetic attempted snark. I have three candidates. What's yours? Andyvphil (talk) 22:54, 20 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I'm happy to share. Of my last 1000 edits, I'm most proud of: Molly Crabapple (major rewrite); Plaincourault Chapel (new article), Yamaha NS-10 (Good Article review); Cebrennus rechenbergi (major rewrite, DYK review); Paul Conrad (rewrite and GA nom); Cannabis and time perception (new article); Frances Ames (new article); The Exaltation of the Flower (new article); Chain Reaction (sculpture) (rewrite, still working on it); List of City of Santa Monica Designated Historic Landmarks (completed major update); Pay Any Price: Greed, Power, and Endless War (new article). OK, now you? Viriditas (talk) 23:11, 20 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

My, you are one busy Wikipedian. All that and a sustained effort to edit war all mention of Tyson's failings out of Wikipedia, too. In my case I would think 1000 mainspace edits might take me back to 2008, but I am most recently proud of inserting the first hint of fairness to Darren Wilson into the "Shooting of Michael Brown" article, mentioning the eyewitness inadvertently heard describing Brown charging Wilson. Stuck on the page, too, as the resident editors, though mostly with biases different than mine, are not so deeply engaged in denying reality as the Tyson claque. Andyvphil (talk) 23:23, 20 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Because there are only so many hours in a day, I'm not as familiar with Darren Wilson and Michael Brown as you are. Could you tell me what was unfair about it before you modified the article? You don't have to give me an essay or anything, but I am genuinely curious about the topic and how you think you improved it. Viriditas (talk) 23:29, 20 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Reminder

(Redacted this material due to BLP concerns) --John (talk) 18:51, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Topic Ban proposed at ANI

I have proposed that you be topic banned from all edits related to Biographies of Living Persons, and that discretionary sanctions be applied to your edits. This is a sub heading under your ANI thread, and may be found at Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents#Topic Ban of Andyvphil. This has the side effect, hopefully, of separating the discussion of your edits from the discussion of what, if anything, should be done about Gamaliel's. UltraExactZZ ^Said~ Did 16:25, 21 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Recent ANI

By the way, it was stupid to put in that ANI request. Not only did you obviously get yourself in hot water, but even if EVERYONE there agreed with you, they still wouldn't have the power to do anything about it. Only the arbitration committee in normal circumstances (and stewards/jimbo in extraordinary circumstances) have the authority to remove someone from being an admin. So what you were asking for they didn't have the authority to do. Read this if you want to know more:Wikipedia:Removing_administrator_rights. --Obsidi (talk) 22:06, 21 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

That's interesting, and thanks for the link, but contrary to what drmies says, I am not a "procedural wonk". ANI was recommended to me by the admin who I asked to provide me with the revdel text (which he, unlike Gamaliel, courteously did). He seems quite determined that Gamaliel's lack of "white privilege" should protect his bit, and did not provide the link you have, but perhaps he did not realize I would be interested in it. You have failed to note that part (b) of my request was, iirc, merely a request for information on how to begin, which I gather you have now provided. And part (a) is, I still suppose, within the ambit of ANI? In any case, the hot water does not discomfort me much. The surprisingly unanimous (I was expecting some, but didn't realize the rot had gone this far) three-minute hate that was the reaction is so obviously Orwellian that it has occurred to me that I may want to seek attention to it outside Wikipedia as the best way to improve the workings of the project. If they ban me without providing plausible diffs, that'll help. Andyvphil (talk) 00:13, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Asking to get the revdel information sent to you is perfectly acceptable to go to ANI for that (just not the rest of the hornets nest). --Obsidi (talk) 02:26, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I already have it. I was told not to quote it. The request is not to get it, but to have it undeleted. Andyvphil (talk) 02:33, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

(edit conflict)I agree with Obsidi. Your only viable option would've been to open an Arbcom request for Gamaliel's tools which, if they went by the letter of the law, would have resulted in desysopping, in my opinion. The block was very out-of-process, ass was the protection of his own talkpage, and (possibly) the revdel, depending upon what you said in it. In all cases, if he thought admin action was needed, he should've gone to the appropriate noticeboard, not done it himself. That said, it was a terrible idea to open that ANI. You have angered so many editors with whom you disagree politically that it was bound to turn out poorly for you. LHM^{ask me a question} 00:19, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

As I said, I was just doing what I understood an admin to whom I posed the question recommended. If the denizens at ANI want to clearly demonstrate just how hostile the environment at Wikipedia is for editors who don't share their political views, that may not be entirely a bad thing. Timid responses to intimidation is a part of the problem I will not be contributing to. Andyvphil (talk) 00:28, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

If you're referring to me, I specifically said that "I wouldn't recommend you do that, I have a feeling that other editors are going to take issue with your style of communication and editing" with regard to ANI. I listed it because it was available - not that I recommended it.--v/r - T P 17:10, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I was referring to you, and I understood you to say it was the proper forum. I understood your recommendation against my doing so to be based not on it being the wrong place, but because I would be unpopular there. And also because you did not wish me to pursue sanctions against Gamalael. Which, however, I will continue to pursue. Andyvphil (talk) 20:17, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Obsidi That link says "The community also has the power to remove administrator access from any contributor." and "Established processes for removal of administrator access include:" - Also Wikipedia:Requests_for_de-adminship#Current_methods_of_requesting_de-adminship says DR can remove the bit - So If the ANI had come back with a "remove-bit" consensus (And assuming that consensus was considered fair and large enough), its a bit (pun!) of an open question as to what would have happened. Gaijin42 (talk) 20:23, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I guess you could go to arbcom at that point to try to enforce the community consensus (and they would be more likely to remove an admin with community consensus behind it). But I mean as a matter of actual ability to do so, a community consensus couldn't remove the bit (I mean no one has the ability in the software to do so). --Obsidi (talk) 20:29, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

WP:BLP

Hi. I thought I should remind you that WP:BLP applies everywhere on the project, including this user talk page. I noticed some material on the page that contravened this policy and removed it. If you restore this material, or post any more material like this anywhere else at Wikipedia, I will block you. Given your history this will be a long block. Only go down this road if a long block is really what you want. Best wishes, --John (talk) 18:54, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

@John: Please elaborate on what was said[6] that contravened BLP policy, per the policies on admin accountability quoted above. Since when can't one engage in an exchange of opinions on one's own talk page? Do I have to provided citations for assertions of fact there? What assertion of fact on my part do you feel needs such a citation? Andyvphil (talk) 21:14, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

See Beeblebrox's comments below. If you are having trouble comprehending our BLP policy it is well that you are no longer permitted to even discuss anything to do with living people. At this point you should think long and hard about your participation here. You indicate below that you are questioning whether you fit in here. I encourage you to continue with this self-examination. I would really like to see you in six months editing with a better appreciation of what you can and can't say about living people, and able to have your restriction lifted. The first step in that journey would be to realise that you have been way out of line in your recent behaviour, including the section I removed. The deleted material is still visible in article history. Why don't you look at it yourself and try to figure this out as an exercise in your development as a Wikipedian? The alternative I fear will be a long or indefinite block. You need to make a very conscious and thoughtful choice here about how you handle your restriction. Choose well. --John (talk) 21:35, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

@John: I don't feel the need for any re-education. You are being called to account for your actions as an administrator in accord with the policy quoted so conveniently above. Please start by naming ONE statement of fact by me in the material you redacted that you feel is in doubt. If there are none, you can start by naming ONE opinion that I am not entitled to hold and express here. I'm trying to make it very simple for you to be accountable. Presumably you do not have GAmalel's excuses for melting down instead. Andyvphil (talk) 21:52, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Mmm. Perhaps that is the problem, that you lack awareness of how your behaviour comes over to others. This is a private website and you have no freedom of speech here. If you continue to misbehave you will be asked to leave. I'm off to bed now and I suggest, as before, that you spend some time in self-reflection. That way may lie enlightenment. Anger, argument and self-righteousness are what got you to where you are. Let go of them, would be my advice. Good luck. --John (talk) 21:57, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

"This is a private website and you have no freedom of speech here."

Do you mind if I quote you? That's juicy.

Accusing me of self-righteousness is, in this context, amusing. It's not as if I'm censoring you.

It is true I have no 1st Amendment right to say anything here. But if there's a community consensus against discussions such as I and Viriditas had (yes, I understood he was trolling for something similarly juicy from me) I must have missed its formation. Do you have a link? Andyvphil (talk) 22:10, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

It certainly looks like that, doesn't it, but in all honesty, I wasn't. I really wanted to have a discussion about your contributions and how you felt you improved the Shooting of Michael Brown topic. However, you didn't reply to my inquiries. After I saw the ANI thread, I added my experience, which included mentioning our discussion. I'm sorry that you feel I was trolling or trying to entrap you. I wasn't, and that just isn't my style. You know, there's a real easy way for you out of this mess. If you are interested in the path, all you have to do is start making quality contributions. It's that simple. Stop attacking people and stop playing the victim. Viriditas (talk) 00:45, 23 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, it certainly looks like that, doesn't it? I figured you were looking for material to use against me at AN/I, and you did, though it didn't amount to much. I figure that, most recently, penetrating the hagiographic obscuration of Tyson's UTA washout was a quality contribution. And I'm not playing the victim. I was the victim of Gamaliel's misbehavior, etc.

And I'm glad we had the conversation, even if we talked past each other. It game me the opportunity to organize my thoughts about Tyson's "apology"/apologia on paper, and was the occasion for John's censorship, which is a useful example of the sickness plaguing Wikipedia.Andyvphil (talk) 17:12, 23 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

BLP Topic Ban

@Beeblebrox: Am I right to assume this appeal time limit is to the standard direct appeal (through the Wikipedia:Unblock Ticket Request System). That he can still appeal to the WP:Arbitration Committee/Ban Appeals Subcommittee (of which I know you are one of the five members) or to appeals to Jimbo? (I'm not saying that either of these will actually work, just that is still possible.) --Obsidi (talk) 19:43, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

WP:BASC does not hear appeals of topic bans, so that would be a no on that aspect. I don't believe UTRS does either, they review blocks, not community-based sanctions. Jimbo's talk page is apparently always an option for just about anyone, but the chance that he would unilaterally overturn a community sanction is practically zero. Beeblebrox (talk) 19:48, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

(edit conflict) No, not at all. UTRS and BASC are for site bans. In fact, UTRS isn't even for site bans, it's only for blocks. The appeal options are 1) Beeblebrox himself, 2) AN/ANI thread, 3) An Arbcom case/clarification, 4) Jimbo.--v/r - T P 19:48, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I think it is important to note that any appeal to me would have to be based on the idea that I misinterpreted what the consensus was on these issues, and not the underlying dispute itself. I closed the discussion because once I read the whole thing it seemed abundantly clear what the consensus was. Although there was not total unanimity the vast majority of commenters expressed serious concerns about Andyvphil's editing of biographical topics, and supported some sort of sanction. The real message here is this:A topic ban is the community's way of letting someone know this is probably their last chance to change their behavior. Andyvphil is probably nearing the end of his rope here if he cannot reign in his attitude. The community did not see fit to issue a total siteban, so reform is still possible and the sanction could easily be lifted if he shows restraint int the coming months. If instead he should endlessly appeal the sanction and/or continue with his combative attitude then it will probably go the other way fairly quickly. Beeblebrox (talk) 19:58, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Beeblebrox Since the appeals process has been raised, just for clarification, this topic ban was done under the standard community authority, and not under WP:NEWBLPBAN DS correct? (As a DS ban would have a different set of appeals processes in place I believe) Gaijin42 (talk) 20:15, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

That's correct. Beeblebrox (talk) 20:22, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

(edit conflict)It should be noted that, though it's not a !vote, my unofficial "nose count" was only 23-11 in favor, with most of the opposers asking for diffs of the supposed clear "racism" alleged in Andyvphil's edits, but only being provided with diffs where he stated his view that the subject of that BLP had benefited from affirmative action. While the !vote is slightly more than 2-1 in favor, that's hardly an "abundantly clear" consensus, at least in my view, particularly given the weak (and almost wholly unsupported) accusations of racism that were being cavalierly bandied about regarding Avp's edits. LHM^{ask me a question} 20:24, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

"...that "affirmative action" had almost certainly been a consideration ..." I've been very careful about being precise in what I was saying in a hostile environment. Lets not stop now. (The opponents characterizing it, not so much. Maybe I should batch some up in an NPA action.) Andyvphil (talk) 21:04, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

At this point it doesn't matter (WP:DEADHORSE). --Obsidi (talk) 20:32, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

The near-unanimity of the folks insisting that BLP reads, "Don't even think of inquiring into facts that might pee on the leg of any of the liberal icon statues in Wikipedia" is not in doubt. For, "last chance to change your behavior", read "last chance to conform your political attitudes, or accept that you are racist slime here on Wikipedia". There's something in the instructions for closing discussions about weighing arguments, but no one can be forced to do that when they don't want to. Andyvphil (talk) 20:49, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Woo! This place is getting more Stalinist all the time. I just noticed the section immediately above. Free speech? What free speech? Are you sure you want to be a member of this club? Andyvphil (talk) 21:17, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

You may note that my closing contained no judgement whatsoever as to whether you are a closet racist or not. That's not really something that can be judged by consensus, only you actually know if you are or are not. What consensus can judge is the appropriateness of your edits, both in articles and on talk pages, and that is the issue this remedy seeks to deal with.

While I did read the entire conversation and did weigh arguments, if I go back now and "snout count" I get a result, judging by 'bolded statements, of 29 supporting some sort of sanction and 9 opposing (I note that some supporters favored a lesser sanction and some opposers self-identified their opposition as "weak". So it's closer to three to one in favor of some sort of sanction even if we disregard all the other conversation that did not use bolded votes.

In other words, it's not your opinions that are the problem, it is the way in which other users perceive you trying to slant content to agree with your point of view and your combative, seemingly intractable approach to discussing these issues with other editors. Beeblebrox (talk) 21:18, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

"What consensus can judge is the appropriateness of your edits..."

The mob can reach a conclusion, such as "Inquiring into facts that might pee on the leg of Tyson's statue must be stopped because we don't like it." Calling that "judgement" traduces the word. That you chose to translate that conclusion into an indefinate block reflects badly on you. Andyvphil (talk) 21:34, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I've looked at your close, which includes "Gamaliel has acknowledged their error, and the consensus here seems to indicate that is a sufficient response".

Hey, what is it with this strange plural business? Is it the secret handshake of some some society you share with drmies?

Saying "Gamaliel has acknowledged his error" is false, both as regards his mischaracterization of me and my words ("repeatedly...blatantly racist"), and the impropriety of blocking me for calling him to account for his admin actions. Does your judgement ever come back from holiday, or is is gone for good? Andyvphil (talk) 22:27, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Sorry, no secret cabal here. If there had been, I would have suggested that Beeblebrox change "self-identified" to "qualified". Besides that, though, yeah, I think we're in agreement. It's called consensus. Correct me if I'm wrong, but your "strange plural" comment is in reference to "their error", a perfectly acceptable use of singular they. You are free, of course, to consider consensus as mob rule; that opinion is yours to have, but to me (us?) it comes across as sour grapes. Understandable, but not a very valid reason to question Beeblebrox's judgment, on vacation or otherwise. Drmies (talk) 22:56, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I see, you're both gender-inclusivity cranks. It's "perfectly acceptable" only in your small group, but has a signaling function for extreme leftism (I assume there are oddball exceptions). Good to know about Beeblebrox, and any future encounters with "them". Andyvphil (talk) 23:19, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I think Beeblebrox claims to be a "he", and I don't think he minds being referred to that way. That you think we're extreme leftists for not presuming someone's gender is the funniest thing I have heard all day, and for that I thank you. Drmies (talk) 23:55, 22 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I already knew about you. He's put his signalling on display. I don't need his MLA membership number to draw the right conclusions. You live a reality-free world where the existence of diversity goals and timetables tells you exactly nothing about the benefits, if any, for someone who can enable checking the right box, and it's racist to even consider the possibility of it being otherwise. I'm laughing too. Andyvphil (talk) 00:13, 23 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Andy, I understand that you are upset. Generally nobody is pleased with being topic banned, so that's not surprising. However, if you continue to attack other users and hurl absolutely baseless, bizarre accusations around you are going to find yourself blocked, probably for a very long time. When one is getting very upset about matters on Wikipedia, the best course of action is to just walk away and do something else for a while. I would suggest you do yourself a favor and take a walk, watch some TV, or whatever you prefer to do to get your mind off of issues that are bothering you. Beeblebrox (talk) 00:42, 23 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

"Saying "Gamaliel has acknowledged his error" is false, both as regards his mischaracterization of me and my words ("repeatedly...blatantly racist"), and the impropriety of blocking me for calling him to account for his admin actions." Those are your words I'm talking about. If ignorance isn't involved, and you claim to have read the ANI, then what we have is indifference to the truth.

As I said in there somewhere, my first encounter with drmies was his coming to this page to declare that deleting a complaint from an "editor" about the indifference of Wikipedia to the truth was "not censorship", thereby proving the guy's point. I'll retract this observation if the the reason you used "they" to refer to Gamalael was a knowledge that he prefers it - that would be courtesy - but if you initiate this ridiculous practice on your own, then it is indeed diagnostic of your politics. I haven't seen your politics in action before this, but I have seen what drmies calls racism, and if you share the signalling there is every reason to believe that your neutrality on the issues presented is a pose. Andyvphil (talk) 02:30, 23 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Alright That's enough, folks. Time to give Andy some room.--v/r - T P 02:05, 23 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I don't much mind the baiting and demands that I recant. I'm contemptuous of it. I am anyway effectively lifetime banned from fixing the errors I run across when consulting Wikipedia, which has been my main interaction with it for some time (apart from simply consulting it).

I have never found AGF problematic with you, unlike with the likes of drmies, John and now, unfortunately Beeblebrox, despite our differences. I would therefor be interested in your comments on John's redaction from this page. Is this really the practice now? Andyvphil (talk)r ~

Arbitration enforcement request

Andyvphil, I see you've posted an arbitration enforcement request against Gamaliel at Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Enforcement#Gamaliel. What on earth are you trying to achieve by doing that? Prioryman (talk) 07:28, 23 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

According to you, it must be because I'm racist. Andyvphil (talk) 07:39, 23 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I've removed your submission because whatever it was, it wasn't a request for arbitration enforcement. If you mean to initiate arbitration proceedings before the Committee, you can do so at WP:RFAR. Sandstein 07:44, 23 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, exactly. Andyvphil, the link you just posted on Gamaliel's talk page directs them to Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case#Gamaliel, which doesn't exist. If I were you I would think very hard before posting an arbitration case request because your own conduct is inevitably going to come under close scrutiny if you do. You're topic-banned now. I don't think it would be wise to risk being banned entirely, which is a definite possibility. Prioryman (talk) 07:48, 23 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

By the way, I've removed your notification from Gamaliel's talk page as your original request has been declined and it didn't go anywhere anyway. If you do take the step of refiling it on RFAR then please feel free to revert my removal. Prioryman (talk) 07:54, 23 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

AVP, you're fighting too many dragons at the same time. Gamaliel is not your main problem right now! - Wikidemon (talk) 08:06, 23 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I'm not "fighting dragons". I can't quite figure out why I ended up on the wrong page, but I'll put it on the right page tomorrow. Andyvphil (talk) 09:43, 23 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Actually it looks like my error was simply filing at the bottom of the page[7] rather than the bottom of the right section. Is this wrong? Andyvphil (talk) 09:56, 23 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Did it again, properly this time, I hope. Andyvphil (talk) 10:23, 23 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

You still need to include the confirmations that Gamaliel was informed about the ArbCom request. --Obsidi (talk) 15:28, 23 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you. It was done, but I neglected that in my location screwup. Andyvphil (talk)

The Signpost: 22 October 2014

Featured content: Admiral on deck: a modern Ada Lovelace

Op-ed: Hong Kong's Umbrella Revolution—a wiki-protest

In the media: The story of Wikipedia; Wikipedia reanimated and republished; New UK government social media rules; death of Italian Wikipedia administrator

Traffic report: Death, War, Pestilence... Movies and TV

WikiProject report: De-orphanning articles—a huge task but with a huge team of volunteers to help

Request for Arbitration declined

This is a courtesy notice to inform you that a request for arbitration, which named you as a party, has been declined. Feel free to see the Arbitrators' opinions for potential suggestions on moving forward.

For the Arbitration Committee, Ks0stm ^{(T•C•G•E)} 13:56, 29 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

The Signpost: 29 October 2014

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In the media: Wikipedia a trusted source on Ebola; Wikipedia study labeled government waste; football biography goes viral

Maps tagathon: Find 10,000 digitised maps this weekend

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The Signpost: 26 November 2014

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WikiProject report: Back with the military historians

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The Signpost: 03 December 2014

Op-ed: Who edits health-related content on Wikipedia and why?

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Traffic report: Turkey and a movie

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The Signpost: 10 December 2014

Op-ed: It's GLAM up North!

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Arbitration report: Arbitration Committee election results

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The Signpost: 24 December 2014

From the editor: Looking for new editors-in-chief

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WikiProject report: Microsoft does The Signpost

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The Signpost: 31 December 2014

News and notes: The next big step for Wikidata—forming a hub for researchers

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Traffic report: Surfin' the Yuletide

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Featured content: A bit fruity

Recent research: Wikipedia in higher education; gender-driven talk page conflicts; disease forecasting

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Interview: Interview with Jakob, one of Wikipedia's more prolific waterway contributors

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The Signpost: 14 January 2015

Op-ed: Articles for creation needs you

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In the media: Wikipedia's birthday brings tributes, app, award; Castro death rumors

Featured content: Citations are needed

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The Signpost: 21 January 2015

From the editor: Introducing your new editors-in-chief

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Interview: WWII veteran honors shipmates through Wikipedia editing

News and notes: Annual report released; Wikimania; steward elections

Op-ed: Let's make WikiProjects better

In the media: Johann Hari; bandishes and delicate flowers

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Arbitration report: As one door closes, a (Gamer)Gate opens

The Signpost: 28 January 2015

From the editor: An editorial board that includes you

In focus: Thirteen editors sanctioned in mammoth GamerGate arbitration case

In the media: A murderous week for Wikipedia

Forum: Evaluating the Arbitration Committee's handling of GamerGate

Traffic report: A sea of faces

Recent research: Bot writes about theatre plays; "Renaissance editors" create better content

Special report: Traffic in the fog—most-viewed articles of 2014 include death, Facebook, and Ebola

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The Signpost: 04 February 2015

News and notes: No men beyond this point: the proposal to create a no-men space on Wikipedia

Op-ed: Is Wikipedia for sale?

In the media: Gamergate and Muhammad controversies continue

Traffic report: The American Heartland

Featured content: It's raining men!

Arbitration report: Slamming shut the GamerGate

WikiProject report: Dicing with death – on Wikipedia?

Technology report: Security issue fixed; VisualEditor changes

Gallery: Langston Hughes

The Signpost: 11 February 2015

From the editors: We want to know what you think!

News and notes: One editor faces likely ban for work on Wikipedia; Jimmy Wales awarded $1 million

In the media: Is Wikipedia eating itself?

Featured content: A grizzly bear, Operation Mascot, Freedom Planet & Liberty Island, cosmic dust clouds, a cricket five-wicket list, more fine art, & a terrible, terrible opera...

Traffic report: Bowled over

WikiProject report: Brand new WikiProjects profiled

Gallery: Feel the love

The Signpost: 18 February 2015

Editorial: Recent retirements typify problem of admin attrition

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Special report: Revision scoring as a service

Gallery: Darwin Day

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SF edit-a-thons on March 7 and 8

ArtAndFeminism (3/7) and International Women's Day (3/8)!

Dear fellow Wikipedian,

In celebration of WikiWomen's History Month, the SF Bay Area Wikipedia community has two events in early March -- please consider attending!

First, we have an ArtAndFeminism edit-a-thon, which will take place at the Kadist Art Foundation from 12 noon to 6pm on Saturday, March 7. We'll be one of many sites worldwide participating in this edit-a-thon on March 7th. So join us as we help improve Wikipedia's coverage of women artists and their works!

Second, we will be celebrating International Women's Day with the International Women's Day edit-a-thon on Sunday, March 8 from 1pm to 5pm at the Wikimedia Foundation. Our editing focus will be on women, of course!

I hope to see you there! Rosiestep (talk) - via MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 18:06, 20 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

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The Signpost: 25 February 2015

News and notes: Questions raised over WMF partnership with research firm

Op-ed: Text from Wikipedia good enough for Oxford University Press to claim as own

In the media: WikiGnomes and Bigfoot

Featured content: The Moon, Mars, Venus, and Saturn, in no particular order. Also, Kaiser Kong.

Gallery: Far from home

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The Signpost: 25 February 2015

News and notes: Questions raised over WMF partnership with research firm

Op-ed: Text from Wikipedia good enough for Oxford University Press to claim as own

In the media: WikiGnomes and Bigfoot

Featured content: The Moon, Mars, Venus, and Saturn, in no particular order. Also, Kaiser Kong.

Gallery: Far from home

Traffic report: Fifty Shades of... self-denial?

Recent research: Gender bias, SOPA blackout, and a student assignment that backfired

WikiProject report: Be prepared... Scouts in the spotlight

Blog: Join the Wikimedia strategy consultation

The Signpost: 04 March 2015

From the editor: A sign of the times: the Signpost revamps its internal structure to make contributing easier

News and notes: Wikimedia Foundation and OTRS team both publish reports, indicate operating changes

Editorial: Conspiracy theories distract from real questions about grantmaking report

Traffic report: Attack of the movies

Arbitration report: Bradspeaks—impact, regrets, and advice; current cases hinge on sex, religion, and ... infoboxes

Interview: Meet a paid editor

In the media: Kanye West rebranded; Wikipedia in court; editors for hire

Featured content: Ploughing fields and trading horses with Rosa Bonheur

Technology report: Bugs, Repairs, and Internal Operational News

Blog: Black History Month edit-a-thons tackle Wikipedia’s multicultural gaps

The Signpost: 11 March 2015

Special report: An advance look at the WMF's fundraising survey

News and notes: WikiWomen's History Month—meetups, blog posts, and "Inspire" grant-making campaign

In the media: Gamergate; a Wiki hoax; Kanye West

In focus: WMF to NSA: "stop spying on Wikipedia users"

Traffic report: Wikipedia: handing knowledge to the world, one prank at a time

Featured content: Here they come, the couple plighted –

Op-ed: Why the Core Contest matters

The Signpost: 18 March 2015

From the editor: A salute to Pine

News and notes: SUL finalization imminent; executive office shake-ups at the Foundation

In the media: NYPD editing articles regarding allegations of police brutality and misconduct

Op-ed: Does the Wikimedia fundraising survey address community concerns?

Featured content: A woman who loved kings

Traffic report: It's not cricket

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The Signpost – Volume 11, Issue 12 – 25 March 2015

News and notes: Wikimedia Foundation adopts open-access research policy

Op-ed: How my father's railroad image collection now benefits the world: the value of digitization

Featured content: A carnival of animals, a river of dung, a wasteland of uncles, and some people with attitude

Special report: Wikimedia Commons Picture of the Year 2014

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Recent research: Most important people; respiratory reliability; academic attitudes

Blog: The Wikipedia Library Team reflects on its new Visiting Scholars program

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The Signpost, 1 April 2015

In focus: WMF's latest strategy document shows successes, vagueness, and the need for better data

In the media: Wiki-PR duo bulldoze a piñata store; Wifione arbitration case; French parliamentary plagiarism

Featured content: Stop Press. Marie Celeste Mystery Solved. Crew Found Hiding In Wardrobe.

Traffic report: All over the place

News and notes: New edits-by-mail option will "revolutionize" Wikipedia and its editor base

Special report: Pictures of the Year 2015

The Signpost: 01 April 2015

In focus: WMF's latest strategy document shows successes, vagueness, and the need for better data

In the media: Wiki-PR duo bulldoze a piñata store; Wifione arbitration case; French parliamentary plagiarism

Featured content: Stop Press. Marie Celeste Mystery Solved. Crew Found Hiding In Wardrobe.

Traffic report: All over the place

News and notes: New edits-by-mail option will "revolutionize" Wikipedia and its editor base

Special report: Pictures of the Year 2015

MfD nomination of User:Andyvphil/Obama

User:Andyvphil/Obama, a page you substantially contributed to, has been nominated for deletion. Your opinions on the matter are welcome; please participate in the discussion by adding your comments at Wikipedia:Miscellany for deletion/User:Andyvphil/Obama and please be sure to sign your comments with four tildes (~~~~). You are free to edit the content of User:Andyvphil/Obama during the discussion but should not remove the miscellany for deletion template from the top of the page; such a removal will not end the deletion discussion. Thank you. Gamaliel (talk) 19:45, 3 April 2015 (UTC)[reply]

The Signpost: 08 April 2015

Op-ed: We are drowning in promotional artspam

News and notes: Advancement department to be created at the Foundation, milestone fixes

In the media: Wikipedia on 60 Minutes, Kickstarter, and in the classroom

Traffic report: Resurrection week

Featured content: Partisan arrangements, dodgy dollars, a mysterious union of strings, and a hole that became a monument

WikiProject report: WikiProject Christianity

Arbitration report: New Functionary appointments

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The Signpost: 08 April 2015

Op-ed: We are drowning in promotional artspam

News and notes: Advancement department to be created at the Foundation, milestone fixes

In the media: Wikipedia on 60 Minutes, Kickstarter, and in the classroom

Traffic report: Resurrection week

Featured content: Partisan arrangements, dodgy dollars, a mysterious union of strings, and a hole that became a monument

WikiProject report: WikiProject Christianity

Arbitration report: New Functionary appointments

Technology report: Bugs, Repairs, and Internal Operational News

The Signpost: 08 April 2015

Op-ed: We are drowning in promotional artspam

News and notes: Advancement department to be created at the Foundation, milestone fixes

In the media: Wikipedia on 60 Minutes, Kickstarter, and in the classroom

Traffic report: Resurrection week

Featured content: Partisan arrangements, dodgy dollars, a mysterious union of strings, and a hole that became a monument

WikiProject report: WikiProject Christianity

Arbitration report: New Functionary appointments

Technology report: Bugs, Repairs, and Internal Operational News

The Signpost: 15 April 2015

News and notes: Erik Möller leaving Foundation; annual plan grants under community review

In the media: Saving Wikipedia; Internet regulation; Thoreau quote hoax

Blog: Single-User Login provides access to all wikis

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Special report: Sony emails reveal corporate practices and undisclosed advocacy editing

In the media: UK political editing; hoaxes; net neutrality

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Wikimania: Choice of small village for Wikimania 2016 ruffles feathers

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Technology report: VisualEditor and MediaWiki updates

The Signpost: 06 May 2015

News and notes: "Inspire" grant-making campaign concludes, grantees announced

Featured content: The amorous android and the horsebreeder; WikiCup round two concludes

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Special report: FDC candidates respond to key issues

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The Signpost: 13 May 2015

Foundation elections: Board candidates share their views with the Signpost

News and notes: Swedish Wikimedia chapter organizes simultaneous Wikidata contests

Traffic report: Round Two

In the media: Grant Shapps story continues

Op-ed: What made Wikipedia lose its reputation?

Featured content: Four first-time featured article writers lead the way

The Signpost: 20 May 2015

From the editor: Your voice is needed: strategic voting in the WMF election

In focus: The awful truth about Wikimedia's article counts

Traffic report: Inner Core

News and notes: A dark side of comedy: the Wikipedia volunteers cleaning up behind John Oliver's fowl jokes

Featured content: Puppets, fungi, and waterfalls

In the media: Jimmy Wales accepts Dan David Prize

WikiProject report: Cell-ebrating Molecular Biology

Arbitration report: Editor conduct the subject of multiple cases

The Signpost: 27 May 2015

News and notes: WMF releases quarterly reports, annual plans

In the media: Scrubbing Parliamentary biographies; Wikipedia's invisible history

Discussion report: A relic from the past that needs to be updated

Featured content: When music was confined to a ribbon of rust

Recent research: Drug articles accurate and largely complete; women "slightly overrepresented"; talking like an admin

Traffic report: Summer, summer, summertime

Technology report: MediaWiki blows up printers

The Signpost: 03 June 2015

News and notes: Three new community-elected trustees announced, incumbents out

Blog: How Wikipedia covered Caitlyn Jenner’s transition

Discussion report: The deprecation of Persondata; RfA – A broken process; Complaints from users on Swedish Wikipedia

Featured content: It's not over till the fat man sings

Technology report: Things are getting SPDYier

Special report: Towards "Health Information for All": Medical content on Wikipedia received 6.5 billion page views in 2013

In the media: Anonymous Australian editing targets football player, shooting victim

Traffic report: A rather ordinary week

The Signpost: 10 June 2015

News and notes: Chapter financial trends analyzed, news in brief

Traffic report: Two households, both alike in dignity

In the media: Arbitration case attracts media coverage; Wikipedia in Israel

Featured content: Just the bear facts, ma'am

Technology report: Wikimedia sites are going HTTPS only

Blog: Making Wikipedia’s medical articles accessible in Chinese

The Signpost: 17 June 2015

In the media: Wikipedia wins Asturias Prize; printing out Wikipedia; HTTPS switch

Arbitration report: An election has consequences

In focus: Three weeks to save freedom of panorama in Europe

Op-ed: Making a difference in Wikipedia, one GA at a time

Technology report: HTTPS-only rollout completed; proposal to enable VisualEditor for new accounts

Interview: A veteran’s Wikipedia edits help him understand the brutality behind Yugoslavia’s wars

News and notes: Labs outage kills tools, self; news in brief

Featured content: Great Dane hits 150

Discussion report: A quick way of becoming an admin

WikiProject report: Western Australia speaks – we are back

The Signpost: 24 June 2015

From the editor: The Signpost tagging initiative

Op-ed: Content Translation beta is coming to the English Wikipedia

Special report: Small impact of the large Google Translation Project on Telugu Wikipedia

Featured content: One eye when begun, two when it's done

Recent research: How Wikipedia built governance capability; readability of plastic surgery articles

Technology report: 2015 MediaWiki architecture focus and Multimedia roadmap announced

News and notes: Board of Trustees propose bylaw amendments

In the media: Turkish Wikipedia censorship; "Can Wikipedia survive?"; PR editing

Blog: 7,473 volumes at 700 pages each: meet Print Wikipedia

Arbitration report: Politics by other means: The American politics 2 arbitration

The Signpost: 01 July 2015

News and notes: Training the Trainers; VP of Engineering leaves WMF

In the media: EU freedom of panorama; Nehru outrage; BBC apology

WikiProject report: Able to make a stand

Featured content: Viva V.E.R.D.I.

Traffic report: We're Baaaaack

Technology report: Technical updates and improvements

Blog: These Texans are on a quest to improve Wikipedia’s coverage of their state’s revolution

The Signpost: 08 July 2015

Editorial: So you want to get your message out. Where do you turn?

News and notes: Wikimedia Foundation annual plan released, news in brief

In the media: Wikimania warning; Wikipedia "mystery" easily solved

Traffic report: The Empire lobs back

Featured content: Pyrénées, Playmates, parliament and a prison...

Technology report: Tech news in brief

The Signpost: 15 July 2015

Op-ed: On paid editing and advocacy: when the Bright Line fails to shine, and what we can do about it

Traffic report: Belles of the ball

WikiProject report: What happens when a country is no longer a country?

In the media: Shapps requests WMUK data; professor's plagiarism demotion

Blog: Wikimedia Foundation releases third transparency report

News and notes: The Wikimedia Conference and Wikimania

Featured content: When angels and daemons interrupt the vicious and intemperate

Technology report: Tech news in brief

The Signpost: 22 July 2015

From the editor: Change the world

News and notes: Wikimanía 2016; Lightbreather ArbCom case

Wikimanía report: Wikimanía 2015 report, part 1, the plenaries

In the media: Novelists annotate Wikipedia; Wales promotes TPO; Working for free

Traffic report: The Nerds, They Are A-Changin'

WikiProject report: Some more politics

Featured content: The sleep of reason produces monsters

Gallery: "One small step..."

Technology report: Tech news in brief

The Signpost: 29 July 2015

News and notes: BARC de-adminship proposal; Wikimania recordings debate

Op-ed: My life as an autistic Wikipedian

Recent research: Wikipedia and collective intelligence; how Wikipedia is tweeted

In the media: Is Wikipedia a battleground in the culture wars?

Featured content: Even mammoths get the Blues

Traffic report: Namaste again, Reddit

The Signpost: 05 August 2015

Editorial: Wikipedia better equipped to deal with systemic bias than traditional publishers

Op-ed: Je ne suis pas Google

News and notes: VisualEditor, endowment, science, and news in brief

WikiProject report: Meet the boilerplate makers

In the media: Probe into Nehru edits launched; dangers of the right to be forgotten

Traffic report: Mrityorma amritam gamaya...

Featured content: Maya, Michigan, Medici, Médée, and Moul n'ga

Blog: Get help editing Wikipedia with the new “Co-op” mentorship program

The Signpost: 12 August 2015

News and notes: Superprotect, one year later; a contentious RfA

In the media: Paid editing; traffic drop; Nicki Minaj

Forum: Community voices on paid editing

Wikimanía report: Wikimanía 2015, part 2, a community event

Traffic report: Fighting from top to bottom

Featured content: Fused lizards, giant mice, and Scottish demons

Technology report: Tech news in brief

Blog: The Hunt for Tirpitz

The Signpost: 19 August 2015

Op-ed: WP:THREATENING2MEN: The English Wikipedia's misogynist infopolitics and the hegemony of the asshole consensus

In the media: Politically controversial science; "Wikipedia hates women"

Featured content: Dead parrots, live frogs, a symbolic kiss and what do we get? Enrique Iglesias!

Travelogue: Seeing is believing

Traffic report: Straight Outta Connecticut

Technology report: Tech news in brief

Blog: How Wikipedia responds to breaking news

The Signpost: 26 August 2015

In focus: An increase in active Wikipedia editors

In the media: Russia temporarily blocks Wikipedia

Op-ed: Wikimania—can volunteers organize conferences?

News and notes: Re-imagining grants

Featured content: Out to stud, please call later

Arbitration report: Reinforcing Arbitration

Recent research: OpenSym 2015 report

The Signpost: 02 September 2015

Special report: Massive paid editing network unearthed on the English Wikipedia

News and notes: Flow placed on ice

Discussion report: WMF's sudden reversal on Wiki Loves Monuments

Featured content: Brawny

In the media: Orangemoody sockpuppet case sparks widespread coverage

Traffic report: You didn't miss much

Technology report: Tech news in brief

The Signpost: 09 September 2015

Gallery: Being Welsh

Featured content: Killed by flying debris

Op-ed: DYK, or proudly displaying incorrect information on the Main Page with alarming regularity

News and notes: The Swedish Wikipedia's controversial two-millionth article

Traffic report: Mass media production traffic

Technology report: Tech news in brief

In the media: Calling all scientists!; More Wikipedia editors in the Netherlands than all of Africa combined

The Signpost: 16 September 2015

Editorial: No access is no answer to closed access

News and notes: Byrd and notifications leave, but page views stay; was a terror suspect editing Wikipedia?

In the media: Is there life on Mars?

Featured content: Why did the emu cross the road?

Traffic report: Another week

Technology report: Tech news in brief

The Signpost: 23 September 2015

In the media: PETA makes "monkey selfie" a three-way copyright battle; Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Op-ed: Can we please stop bashing Wikipedia?

Featured content: Inside Duke Humfrey's Library

WikiProject report: Dancing to the beat of a... wikiproject?

Traffic report: ¡Viva la Revolución! Kinda.

Technology report: Tech news in brief

The Signpost: 30 September 2015

News and notes: Wikimedia Foundation fundraising report, Montreal to host 2017 Wikimania

In the media: Irish legislative editing; coffee quarrel; more sports vandalism

Op-ed: Wikipedia needs more administrators

Recent research: Wiktionary special; newbies, conflict and tolerance; Is Wikipedia's search function inferior?

Tech news: Tech news in brief

The Signpost: 07 October 2015

Op-ed: Walled gardens of corruption

Traffic report: Reality is for losers

Featured content: This Week's Featured Content

Gallery: Winners of Wiki Loves Monuments 2015 in Pakistan

Arbitration report: Warning: Contains GMOs

Technology report: Tech news in brief

In the media: Jailed Saudi blogger wins award; PR editing and Wiki-embarassment; Pakistan's third-richest person?

The Signpost: 14 October 2015

Op-ed: WikiConference USA 2015: built on good faith

WikiConference report: US gathering sees speeches from Andrew Lih, AfroCrowd, and the Archivist of the United States

Editorial: Why the news media needs a Wikipedian in residence

News and notes: 2015–2016 Q1 fundraising update sparks mailing list debate

Traffic report: Screens, Sport, Reddit, and Death

Featured content: A fistful of dollars

Technology report: Tech news in brief

Blog: Third Wikimedia Spain conference takes place in Madrid

The Signpost: 21 October 2015

Editorial: Women and Wikipedia: the world is watching

News and notes: Wikimedia lawsuit against NSA dismissed; Affiliates mailing list launched

In the media: "Wikipedia's hostility to women"

Special report: One year of GamerGate, or how I learned to stop worrying and love bare rule-level consensus

Featured content: A more balanced week

Op-ed: Wikipedia is significantly amplifying the impact of Open Access publications

Arbitration report: Four ArbCom cases ongoing

Traffic report: Hiding under the covers of the Internet

Technology report: Tech news in brief

The Signpost: 28 October 2015

From the editor: The Signpost's reorganization plan—we need your help

News and notes: English Wikipedia reaches five million articles

In the media: The world's Wikipedia gaps; Google and Wikipedia accused of tying Ben Carson to NAMBLA

Op-ed: It’s time to stop the bullying

Arbitration report: A second attempt at Arbitration enforcement

Traffic report: Canada, the most popular nation on Earth

Recent research: Student attitudes towards Wikipedia; Jesus, Napoleon and Obama top "Wikipedia social network"; featured article editing patterns in 12 languages

Featured content: Birds, turtles, and other things

Technology report: Tech news in brief

Community letter: Five million articles

The Signpost: 04 November 2015

Op-ed: You are invited to participate in the Community Wishlist Survey

News and notes: Wikimedia Foundation finances; Superprotect is gone

In the media: Ahmadiyya Jabrayilov: propaganda myth or history?

Traffic report: Death, the Dead, and Spectres are abroad

Featured content: Christianity, music, and cricket

Gallery: Princess of Asturias Awards 2015 ceremony

Technology report: Tech news in brief

The Signpost: 11 November 2015

Op-ed: As one thousand of us requested, Superprotect has been removed

Arbitration report: Elections, redirections, and a resignation from the Committee

Discussion report: Compromise of two administrator accounts prompts security review

Featured content: Texas, film, and cycling

In the media: Sanger on Wikipedia; Silver on Vox; lawyers on monkeys

Traffic report: Doodles of popularity

Gallery: Paris

The Signpost: 18 November 2015

Special report: ArbCom election—candidates’ opinions analysed

In the media: Icelandic milestone; apolitical editing

Discussion report: BASC disbanded; other developments in the discussion world

Arbitration report: Ban Appeals Subcommittee goes up in smoke; 21 candidates running

Featured content: Fantasia on a Theme by Jimbo Wales

Traffic report: Darkness and light

ArbCom elections are now open!

Hi,
You appear to be eligible to vote in the current Arbitration Committee election. The Arbitration Committee is the panel of editors responsible for conducting the Wikipedia arbitration process. It has the authority to enact binding solutions for disputes between editors, primarily related to serious behavioural issues that the community has been unable to resolve. This includes the ability to impose site bans, topic bans, editing restrictions, and other measures needed to maintain our editing environment. The arbitration policy describes the Committee's roles and responsibilities in greater detail. If you wish to participate, you are welcome to review the candidates' statements and submit your choices on the voting page. For the Election committee, MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 16:31, 23 November 2015 (UTC)[reply]

The Signpost: 25 November 2015

Op-ed: Wikidata: the new Rosetta Stone

News and notes: Fundraising update; FDC recommendations

In the media: Erasmus Prize awarded to Wikipedia; trouble on the Russian Wikipedia

Recent research: Do Wikipedia citations mirror scholarly impact?; co-star networks in silent films

Featured content: Caves and stuff

Traffic report: J'en ai ras le bol

Arbitration report: Third Palestine-Israel case closes; Voting begins

Technology report: Tech news in brief

Blog: Wikimedia Foundation, Wikimedia Deutschland urge Reiss Engelhorn Museum to reconsider suit over public domain works of art

The Signpost: 02 December 2015

Op-ed: Whither Wikidata?

News and notes: Online harassment consultation; High voter turnout at ArbCom elections

In the media: Is Wikidata as transparent as it seems?; Wikimedia Fund-raising drive launches

Traffic report: Jonesing for episodes

Featured content: This Week's Featured Content

Technology report: Tech news in brief

The Signpost: 09 December 2015

News and notes: ArbCom election results announced

Op-ed: Wikidata: Knowledge from different points of view

In the media: Political editing in the context of the US presidential primaries

Gallery: Wiki Loves Monuments 2015 winners

Traffic report: So do you laugh, or does it cry?

Featured content: Sports, ships, arts... and some other things

Technology report: Tech news in brief

The Signpost: 16 December 2015

In focus: Drone photography: New possibilities and new challenges

In the media: Wales in China; #Edit2015

Arbitration report: GMO case decided

Featured content: An unusually slow week

WikiProject report: Women in Red—using teamwork and partnerships to elevate online and offline collaborations

Traffic report: A feast of Spam

Gallery: WikiConference USA 2015: images, slide decks, and videos

The Signpost: 30 December 2015

News and notes: WMF Board dismisses community-elected trustee

Arbitration report: Second Arbitration Enforcement case concludes as another case is suspended

Featured content: The post-Christmas edition

Traffic report: The Force we expected

Year in review: The top ten Wikipedia stories of 2015

In the media: Wikipedia plagued by a "Basket of Deception"

Gallery: It's that time of year again

The Signpost: 06 January 2016

News and notes: The WMF's age of discontent

In the media: Impenetrable science; Jimmy Wales back in the UAE

Arbitration report: Catflap08 and Hijiri88 case been decided

Featured content: Featured menagerie

Recent research: Teaching Wikipedia, Does advertising the gender gap help or hurt Wikipedia?

WikiProject report: Try-ing to become informed - WikiProject Rugby League

Technology report: Tech news in brief

The Signpost: 13 January 2016

In the media: War and peace; WMF board changes; Arabic and Hebrew Wikipedias

Community view: Battle for the soul of the WMF

Editorial: We need a culture of verification

In focus: The Crisis at New Montgomery Street

Op-ed: Transparency

Traffic report: Pattern recognition: Third annual Traffic Report

Special report: Wikipedia community celebrates Public Domain Day 2016

News and notes: Community objections to new Board trustee

Blog: Inside the game of sports vandalism on Wikipedia

Featured content: This Week's Featured Content

Arbitration report: Interview: outgoing and incumbent arbitrators 2016

Technology report: Tech news in brief

The Signpost: 20 January 2016

News and notes: Vote of no confidence; WMF trustee speaks out

Op-ed: Not a pretty picture: Thoughts on the "monkey selfie" debacle

In the media: 15th anniversary news round-up

Traffic report: Danse Macabre

Featured content: This week's featured content

Blog: Fifteen years ago, Wikipedia was a very different place

The Signpost: 27 January 2016

Op-ed: Lila Tretikov: the WMF needs your input in developing our strategy

News and notes: Geshuri steps down from the Board

In the media: Media coverage of the Arnnon Geshuri no-confidence vote

Recent research: Bursty edits; how politics beat religion but then lost to sports; notability as a glass ceiling

Traffic report: Death and taxes

Featured content: This week's featured content

The Signpost: 03 February 2016

From the editors: Help wanted

Special report: Board chair and new trustee speak with the Signpost

In focus: The Knight Foundation grant: a timeline and an email to the board

Op-ed: So, what’s a knowledge engine anyway?

News and notes: Harassment survey 2015; Luis Villa to leave WMF; knowledge engine background

Arbitration report: Catching up on arbitration

Traffic report: Bowled

Featured content: This week's featured content

The Signpost: 10 February 2016

Special report: New internal documents raise questions about the origins of the Knowledge Engine

In focus: An in-depth look at the special report's newly revealed documents

News and notes: Another WMF departure

In the media: Jeb Bush swings at Wikipedia and connects

Featured content: This week's featured content

Traffic report: A river of revilement

Blog: Wikimedia Foundation removes The Diary of Anne Frank due to copyright law requirements

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 05:28, 15 February 2016 (UTC)[reply]

The Signpost: 17 February 2016

Special report: Search and destroy: the Knowledge Engine and the undoing of Lila Tretikov

Op-ed: Shit I cannot believe we had to fucking write this month

Featured content: This week's featured content

Traffic report: Super Bowling

Technology report: Tech news in brief

Blog: Antonin Scalia and the editor tracking his legacy

2016 Art And Feminism Wikipedia Editathon @ CCA

You are invited! - Saturday, March 5 - Wikipedia:Meetup/San Francisco/ArtandFeminism 2016			Please join us at the California College of the Arts' Simpson Library on Saturday March 5, 2016, for an event aimed at collaboratively expanding Wikipedia articles covering Art and Feminism, and the biographies of women artists! --Circa73 (talk)

The Signpost: 24 February 2016

Special report: WMF in limbo as decision on Tretikov nears

Op-ed: Backward the Foundation

Traffic report: Of Dead Pools and Dead Judges

Blog: Wiki Loves Africa brings the continent’s fashion to the world

Arbitration report: Arbitration motion regarding CheckUser & Oversight inactivity

Featured content: This week's featured content

Technology report: Tech news in brief

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 05:03, 25 February 2016 (UTC)[reply]

The Signpost: 02 March 2016

News and notes: Tretikov resigns, WMF in transition

Featured content: This week's featured content

Traffic report: Brawling

Recent research: Wikipedia and paid labour; Swedish gender gap; how verifiable is "verifiable"?

Blog: Wikimedia Foundation details requests to alter or remove content in new transparency report

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 01:00, 8 March 2016 (UTC)[reply]

The Signpost: 09 March 2016

News and notes: Katherine Maher named interim head of WMF; Wales email re-sparks Heilman controversy; draft WMF strategy posted

In the media: Wikipedian is break-out star of International Women's Day; dinosaur art; Wikipedia's new iOS app and its fight for market share

Op-ed: A modest proposal for Wikimedia’s future

Featured content: Five articles, four lists, a topic, and five images were promoted this week.

Technology report: Wikimedia wikis will temporarily go into read-only mode on several occasions in the coming weeks

WikiCup report: First round of the WikiCup finishes

Blog: The new alchemy: turning online harassment into Wikipedia articles on women scientists

Systemic bias: Revenge of "I can’t believe we didn’t have an article on ..."

Traffic report: All business like show business

The Signpost: 16 March 2016

News and notes: Wikipedia Zero: Orange mobile partnership in Africa ends; the evolution of privacy loss in Wikipedia

In the media: Wales at SXSW; lawsuit over Wikipedia PR editing

Op-ed: Hard work needed to address Wikimedia’s leadership challenges

Discussion report: Is an interim WMF executive director inherently notable?

Featured content: This week's featured content

Technology report: Watchlists, watchlists, watchlists!

Traffic report: Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States

Wikipedia Weekly: Podcast #119: The Foundation and the departure of Lila Tretikov

Blog: It “revolutionized the way German-speaking people inform themselves about the world”: Fifteen years of the German Wikipedia

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 21:12, 19 March 2016 (UTC)[reply]

The Signpost: 23 March 2016

Interview: Exclusive: interview with interim ED Katherine Maher

News and notes: Lila Tretikov a Young Global Leader; Wikipediocracy blog post sparks indefinite blocks

In the media: Angolan file sharers cause trouble for Wikipedia Zero; the 3D printer edit war; a culture based on change and turmoil

Traffic report: Be weary on the Ides of March

Editorial: "God damn it, you've got to be kind."

Featured content: Watch out! A slave trader, a live mascot and a crested serpent awaits!

Arbitration report: Palestine-Israel article 3 case amended

Wikipedia Weekly: Podcast #120: Status of Wikimania 2016

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 03:24, 27 March 2016 (UTC)[reply]

The Signpost: 1 April 2016

News and notes: Trump/Wales 2016

In the media: Saskatoon police delete Wikipedia content about police brutality

WikiProject report: Why should the Devil have all the good music? An interview with WikiProject Christian music

Traffic report: Donald v Daredevil

Featured content: A slow, slow week

Technology report: Browse Wikipedia in safety? Use Telnet!

Recent research: "Employing Wikipedia for good not evil" in education; using eyetracking to find out how readers read articles

Wikipedia Weekly: Podcast #121: How April Fools went down

Blog: Growing hashtags: Expanding outreach on Wikipedia

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 20:12, 1 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Bay Area WikiSalon series kickoff, April 27

Please join us in San Francisco!

The last Wednesday evening of every month, wiki enthusiasts in the San Francisco Bay Area will gather to collaborate, mingle, and learn about new projects and ideas. We have two brief presentations lined up for our kickoff event in downtown San Francisco:

The Nueva Upper School recently hosted the first ever high school Wikipedia edit-a-thon. We will hear what interests them about Wikipedia, what they have learned so far, and what they hope to achieve.
Photojournalist Kris Schreier Lyseggen, author of The Women of San Quentin: The Soul Murder of Transgender Women in Male Prisons, will tell us about her work and how she researched the topic.

We allow time for informal conversation and working on articles. Newcomers and experienced wiki users are encouraged to attend. We will have beverages and light snacks.

Please note: You must register here, and bring a photo ID that matches your registration name. The building policy is strict on this point.

For further details, see here: Wikipedia:Bay Area WikiSalon, April 2016

We hope to see you -- and until then, happy editing! - Pete, Ben & Wayne

The Signpost: 14 April 2016

Op-ed: Should prison inmates be permitted to edit Wikipedia?

News and notes: Denny Vrandečić resigns from Wikimedia Foundation board

In the media: Wikimedia Sweden loses copyright case; Tex Watson; AI assistants; David Jolly biography

Featured content: This week's featured content

Traffic report: A welcome return to pop culture and death

Arbitration report: The first case of 2016—Wikicology

Gallery: A history lesson

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 00:45, 14 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]

The Signpost: 24 April 2016

News and notes: Lunar project; steering group formed to search for next executive director

Op-ed: Knowledge Engine and the Wales–Heilman emails

Special report: Update on EranBot, our new copyright violation detection bot

Traffic report: Two for the price of one

Featured content: The double-sized edition

Arbitration report: Amendments made to the Race and intelligence case

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 22:41, 24 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]

The Signpost: 2 May 2016

News and notes: Wikimedia Switzerland's board and paid-editing firm; passing of Ed Dravecky

In the media: Wikipedia Zero piracy in Bangladesh; bureaucracy; chilling effects; too few cooks; translation gaps

Traffic report: Purple

Featured content: The best ... from the past two weeks

Arbitration report: Two editors unbanned; Wikicology case enters workshop phase; Gamaliel restricted from Gamergate at his own request

Recent research: The eight roles of Wikipedians; do edit histories expose social relations among editors?

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 03:08, 2 May 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Invitation to the Bay Area WikiSalon series on May 25

Please join us in downtown San Francisco!

The last Wednesday evening of every month, wiki enthusiasts gather at Bay Area WikiSalon to collaborate, mingle, and learn about new projects and ideas.

We allow time for informal conversation and working on articles. Newcomers and experienced wiki users are encouraged to attend. We will have beverages and light snacks.

Please note: You must register here, and bring a photo ID that matches your registration name. The building policy is strict on this point.

For further details, see: Wikipedia:Bay Area WikiSalon, May 2016

See you soon! Pete F, Ben Creasy, and Checkingfax via MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 01:15, 9 May 2016 (UTC) | Subscribe/Unsubscribe to the SF Meetups notice.[reply]

The Signpost: 17 May 2016

News and notes: Affiliates' nomination of WMF trustees announced; FDC's straight talking to WMF

Op-ed: Swiss chapter in turmoil

In the media: Wikimedia's Dario Taraborelli quoted on Google's Knowledge Graph in The Washington Post

Featured content: Two weeks for the prize of one

Traffic report: Oh behave, Beyhive / Underdogs

Arbitration report: "Wikicology" ends in site ban; evidence and workshop phases concluded for "Gamaliel and others"

Wikicup: That's it for WikiCup Round 2!

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 02:33, 17 May 2016 (UTC)[reply]

The Signpost: 28 May 2016

News and notes: Upcoming Wikimedia conferences in the US and India; May Metrics and Activities Meeting

Special report: Compensation paid to Sue Gardner increased by almost 50 percent after she stepped down as executive director

In the media: The perils of Wikipedia's monopoly; Wikipedians' fragility; Street Sharks hoax

Featured content: Eight articles, three lists and five pictures

Op-ed: Journey of a Wikipedian

Arbitration report: Gamaliel resigns from the arbitration committee

Recent research: English as Wikipedia's Lingua Franca; deletion rationales; schizophrenia controversies

Traffic report: Splitting (musical) airs / Slow Ride

Blog: Freely licensed magic at Eurovision

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 21:12, 28 May 2016 (UTC)[reply]

The Signpost: 05 June 2016

News and notes: WMF cuts budget for 2016-17 as scope tightens

In the media: Jimmy Wales on net neutrality—"It's complicated"—and his $100m fundraising challenge

Featured content: Overwhelmed ... by pictures

Traffic report: Pop goes the culture, again.

Arbitration report: ArbCom case "Gamaliel and others" concludes

WikiProject report: WikiProject Video Games

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 20:12, 5 June 2016 (UTC)[reply]

The Signpost: 15 June 2016

News and notes: Clarifications on status and compensation of outgoing executive directors Sue Gardner and Lila Tretikov

Special report: Wikiversity Journal—A new user group

Featured content: From the crème de la crème

In the media: Biography disputes; Craig Newmark donation; PR editing

Op-ed: Commons Picture of the Year; Wikidata licensing

Traffic report: Another one with sports; Knockout, brief candle

Blog: Why I proofread poetry at Wikisource

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 21:57, 15 June 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Invitation to the Bay Area WikiSalon series, Wednesday, June 29

Please join us in downtown San Francisco!

The last Wednesday evening of every month, wiki enthusiasts gather at Bay Area WikiSalon to collaborate, mingle, and learn about new projects and ideas.

We make sure to allow time for informal conversation and working on articles. Newcomers and experienced wiki users are encouraged to attend. Free Wi-Fi is available so bring your editing devices. We will have beverages and light snacks. We will also have:

A brief report on Pride edit-a-thon recently held at the San Francisco Publice Library, coordinated by Merrilee:
What topics might we cover in a follow up?

Find out more about resources your public library provides to help with editing (hint, it's more than just books!)

Special announcement (secret for now but come and find out more!)
Join in on an in person Wikidojo!
Are you curious how your peers approach writing a Wikipedia article? This exercise, pioneered by Wikipedians Nikola Kalchev and Vassia Atanassova in 2015 and conducted in many places around the world, will help us all - from first-time wiki users to veteran Wikipedians - share ideas, while building an article together. If you have ideas (relating to Bay Area history, ideally) about a new article we could build (stubs and short existing articles are fine), please submit them ahead of time to coordinator Pete Forsyth. (User talk page or email is fine.)

Announcements and impromptu topics are welcome, too!

Please note: You must register here, and bring a photo ID that matches your registration name. The building policy is strict.

For further details, see: Wikipedia:Bay Area WikiSalon, June 2016

See you soon! Pete F, Ben, Stephen and Checkingfax | (Subscribe or Unsubscribe to this talk page notice here)

MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 10:07, 19 June 2016 (UTC)[reply]

REMINDER/invitation to the Bay Area WikiSalon series, Wednesday, June 29 at 6 p.m.

Please join us in downtown San Francisco tonight!

If you cannot join in person or want to view portions later:

We will have:

Light snacks, and time to mingle
A brief report on the Pride edit-a-thon recently held at the San Francisco Public Library, that was coordinated by Wiki editor Merrilee
A special announcement (secret for now but come and find out more!)
Join in on a brief in person Wikidojo!
Announcements and impromptu topics are welcome, too!

Please register at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1cjLRrSTlEkGOPTQ-h6A0WvSFI4ZmIUl6jEHp_RYas-E/viewform and bring a photo ID that matches your registration name. The building policy is strict.

For further details, see: Bay Area WikiSalon, June 2016

See you tonight! Pete F, Ben, Stephen and MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 15:48, 29 June 2016 (UTC) | (Subscribe or Unsubscribe to this talk page notice)[reply]

The Signpost: 04 July 2016

News and notes: Board unanimously appoints Katherine Maher as new WMF executive director; Wikimedia lawsuits in France and Germany

Op-ed: Two policies in conflict?

In the media: Terrorism database cites Wikipedia as a source

Featured content: Triple fun of featured content

Traffic report: Goalposts; Oy vexit

Blog: Jimmy Wales names Emily Temple-Wood and Rosie Stephenson-Goodknight as Wikipedians of the Year

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 18:46, 4 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]

The Signpost: 21 July 2016

News and notes: Board faces diversity and skill-base issues in new FDC appointments

Discussion report: Busy month for discussions

In the media: Women in science editathon gets national press; Wikipedia "shockingly biased"

Featured content: A wide variety from the best

Traffic report: Sports and esports

Arbitration report: Script writers appointed for clerks

Recent research: Using deep learning to predict article quality

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 13:19, 21 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Late breaking invitation to the Bay Area WikiSalon series, July 27 (Wednesday) - change of venue - tonight

Please join us in the Mission at Noisebridge (one time change of venue)!

We hope you can join us today, Wednesday, from 6 p.m. on, at our July Bay Area WikiSalon. This month only, we are going to be at Noisebridge, a hackerspace/makerspace 1.5 blocks from the 16th & Mission BART station (see the link for directions). Some of us will be working on the Wikipedia article on basic income. All info here. Some good news - we do not have to be as strict about advance RSVP at Noisebridge, so bring spontaneous guests! (Registering ahead of time is still helpful, as always, as it will help us plan ahead.)

Come and hang out, have some light snacks. Wi-Fi is available, so please bring your editing device if you plan to edit.

Also, Pete just published a writeup of the Wikidojo exercise we did last month. Your comments welcome, if he missed anything! http://wikistrategies.net/ghost-town-royals-wikidojo

The last Wednesday evening of every month, wiki enthusiasts gather at Bay Area WikiSalon to collaborate, mingle, and learn about new projects and ideas. Mark you calendars now.

We allow time for informal conversation and working on articles. Newcomers and experienced wiki users are encouraged to attend.

See you soon! Pete F, Ben Creasy, Stephen and Wayne | (Subscribe/Unsubscribe to this talk page notice here)

MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 17:05, 27 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]

The Signpost: 04 August 2016

Editorial: Wikipedia policy suppresses sharing of information

News and notes: Foundation presents results of harassment research, plans for automated identification; Wikiconference submissions open

In the media: Paid editing service announced; Commercial exploitation of free images; Wikipedia as a crystal ball; Librarians to counter systemic bias

Obituary: Kevin Gorman, who took on Wikipedia's gender gap and undisclosed paid advocacy, dies at 24

Traffic report: Summer of Pokémon, Trump, and Hillary

Featured content: Women and Hawaii

Recent research: Easier navigation via better wikilinks

Blog: All-new notifications page helps Wikimedians focus on what matters most

Technology report: User script report (January to July 2016, part 1)

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 23:32, 4 August 2016 (UTC)[reply]

The Signpost: 18 August 2016

News and notes: Focus on India—WikiConference produces new apps; state government adopts free licenses

Special report: Engaging diverse communities to profile women of Antarctica

In the media: The ugly, the bad, the playful, and the promising

Featured content: Simply the best ... from the last two weeks

Traffic report: Olympic views

Technology report: User script report (January–July 2016, part 2)

Arbitration report: The Michael Hardy case

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 16:40, 18 August 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Invitation to the Bay Area WikiSalon series, Wednesday, August 31

Please join us in downtown San Francisco!

Hi folks,

We would like to invite you to this month's Bay Area WikiSalon. The last Wednesday evening of every month, wiki enthusiasts gather to collaborate, mingle, and learn about new projects and ideas.

We make sure to allow time for informal conversation and working on articles. Newcomers and experienced wiki users are encouraged to attend. Free Wi-Fi is available so bring your editing devices. We will have beverages and light snacks. We will also have a brief presentation for your education and possible enjoyment:

Former EFF intern Marta Belcher will discuss crowdsourcing her Stanford Law School graduation speech using a wiki. The "WikiSpeech" was the subject of prominent national media attention in 2015, and more than half of her classmates contributed to writing and editing the commencement address via a wiki.

Please note: You should register here, and bring a photo ID that matches your registration name. The building policy is strict on the I.D. part. This also helps us figure out how much food and drink to bring in! Feel free to stop by even if only to say a quick hello, but you might have to give us a last minute call if you forget to RSVP. Also, don't be shy about hitting us up if you have thoughts on speakers or wiki-related activities.

For further details, see: Wikipedia:Bay Area WikiSalon, August 2016

See you soon! Pete F, Ben, Stephen and Checkingfax | (Subscribe or Unsubscribe to this talk page notice here)

MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 21:05, 29 August 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Tonight: Live and archived links for Bay Area WikiSalon

Bay Area WikiSalon, Wednesday, August 31:

If you cannot join us in person tonight, we are streaming (and later archiving) the presentation by former EFF intern Marta Belcher. We expect her to be live starting between 6:30 or 6:45 p.m. PDT and talking and taking questions for about 30 minutes thereafter.

Here is the YouTube stream link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t8V79s2-og
Here is the link to join the Hangout on Air: https://hangouts.google.com/call/ezrol7dafjfwxfh2ilpkjyxoaue

You can search for it on the Commons and YouTube later too.

Wayne, Pete, Ben, and Stephen

MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 22:50, 31 August 2016 (UTC)[reply]

The Signpost: 06 September 2016

News and notes: AffCom still grappling with WMF Board's criteria for new chapters

Special report: Olympics readership depended on language

In the media: Librarians, Wikipedians, and a library of Wikipedia coverage

WikiProject report: Watching Wikipedia

Featured content: Entertainment, sport, and something else in-between

Traffic report: From Phelps to Bolt to Reddit

Technology report: Wikimedia mobile sites now don't load images if the user doesn't see them

Recent research: Ethics of machine-created articles and fighting vandalism

Blog: Upload of free photos from Swiss library underway

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 21:44, 6 September 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Invitation to the Bay Area WikiSalon series, Wednesday, September 28

Please join us in downtown San Francisco!

Hi folks,

We would like to invite you to this month's Bay Area WikiSalon. The last Wednesday evening of every month, Wikipedia and Wikimedia enthusiasts gather to collaborate, mingle, and learn about new projects and ideas.

We will have no formal agenda to allow people to freely share ideas and perhaps learn about Wikipedia through hands-on editing. Co-organizer Ben Creasy will be looking at election-related articles to enhance the information available in the upcoming November elections.

Co-organizer Stephen LaPorte has suggested doing an upload-a-thon for Wiki Loves Monuments. Niki, the California coordinator for WLM will be in attendance. WLM is an annual event and the official dealine is Friday the 30th for submissions to count towards awards.

Or, you can grab a couch, a booth, or a stool and do your own thing.

Please note: You should register here, and bring a photo ID that matches your registration name. The building policy is strict on the I.D. part. This also helps us figure out how much food and drink to bring in! Feel free to stop by even if only to say a quick hello, but you might have to give us a last minute call if you forget to RSVP. Also, don't be shy about hitting us up if you have thoughts on future speakers or wiki-related activities.

For further details, please see: Wikipedia:Bay Area WikiSalon, September 2016. Mark your calendars now for the 3rd Wednesday in October, the 26th, when we will have a brief presentation.

See you soon! Pete F, Ben, Stephen and Checkingfax | (Subscribe or Unsubscribe to this talk page notice here)

MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 01:34, 24 September 2016 (UTC)[reply]

The Signpost: 29 September 2016

News and notes: Wikipedia Education Program case study published; and a longtime Wikimedian has made his final edit

In the media: Wikipedia in the news

Featured content: Three weeks in the land of featured content

Arbitration report: Arbcom looking for new checkusers and oversight appointees while another case opens

Traffic report: From Gene Wilder to JonBenét

Technology report: Category sorting and template parameters

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 04:21, 29 September 2016 (UTC)[reply]

The Signpost: 14 October 2016

News and notes: Fundraising, flora and fauna

Discussion report: Cultivating leadership: Wikimedia Foundation seeks input

In the media: A news columnist on the frustrations of tweaking his Wikipedia bio

Technology report: Upcoming tech projects for 2017

Featured content: Variety is the spice of life

Traffic report: Debates and escapes

Recent research: A 2011 study resurfaces in a media report

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 19:28, 14 October 2016 (UTC)[reply]

You are invited to a Wednesday evening event in SF

Please join us in downtown San Francisco!

Hi folks,

Please copy and share this on other talk pages. We would like to invite you to this month's Bay Area WikiSalon. The last Wednesday evening of every month, Wikipedia and Wikimedia enthusiasts gather at the Wikimedia Foundation lounge to collaborate, mingle, and learn about new projects and ideas.

We will have no meaty agenda this month, but we will allow a brief period for:

Open mic for anybody who attended WikiConference North America 2016 in San Diego last week and wants to share their takeaway
Question & answer
Open mic for announcements
Maybe a focus on some topical election article editing with Ben?

Or, you can grab a couch, a booth, a stool or counter and do your own thing.

Please note: You should register here, and bring a photo ID that matches your registration name. The building policy is strict on the I.D. part. This also helps us figure out how much food and drink to bring in! Feel free to stop by even if only to say a quick hello, but you might have to give us a last minute call if you forget to RSVP. Also, don't be shy about hitting us up if you have thoughts on future speakers or wiki-related activities.

For further details, please see: Wikipedia:Bay Area WikiSalon, October 2016.

PS: Mark your calendars ahead now for the 3rd Wednesday in November, the 30th (the week after Thanksgiving), at 6 p.m. when our WikiSalon will host a super awesome top secret mystery guest mingling in our midst. We will announce specifics at the upcoming WikiSalon.

See you soon! Pete F, Ben, Stephen, Jacob, and Checkingfax | (Subscribe or Unsubscribe to this talk page notice here)

MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 08:51, 22 October 2016 (UTC)[reply]

The Signpost: 4 November 2016

News and notes: Finally, a new CTO; trustee joins Quora; copyright upgrade impending

In the media: Washington Post continues in-depth Wikipedia coverage

Wikicup: WikiCup winners

Discussion report: What's on your tech wishlist for the coming year?

Technology report: New guideline for technical collaboration; citation templates now flag open access content

Featured content: Cream of the crop

Traffic report: Un-presidential politics

Arbitration report: Recapping October's activities

Recent research: Why women edit less, and where they are overrepresented; article importance and quality; predicting elections from Wikipedia

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 17:51, 4 November 2016 (UTC)[reply]

ArbCom Elections 2016: Voting now open!

Hello, Andyvphil. Voting in the 2016 Arbitration Committee elections is open from Monday, 00:00, 21 November through Sunday, 23:59, 4 December to all unblocked users who have registered an account before Wednesday, 00:00, 28 October 2016 and have made at least 150 mainspace edits before Sunday, 00:00, 1 November 2016.

The Arbitration Committee is the panel of editors responsible for conducting the Wikipedia arbitration process. It has the authority to impose binding solutions to disputes between editors, primarily for serious conduct disputes the community has been unable to resolve. This includes the authority to impose site bans, topic bans, editing restrictions, and other measures needed to maintain our editing environment. The arbitration policy describes the Committee's roles and responsibilities in greater detail.

If you wish to participate in the 2016 election, please review the candidates' statements and submit your choices on the voting page. MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 22:08, 21 November 2016 (UTC)[reply]

The Signpost: 4 November 2016

News and notes: Arbitration Committee elections commence

In the media: Roundup of news related to U.S. presidential election and more

Blog: The top fifteen winning photos from Wiki Loves Earth

Gallery: Around the world with Wiki Loves Monuments 2016

Featured content: Featured mix

Special report: Taking stock of the Good Article backlog

Op-ed: Fundraising data should be more transparent

Traffic report: President-elect Trump

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 09:05, 26 November 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Everybody is invited to the November 30 Bay Area WikiSalon

Please join us in downtown San Francisco!

Details and RSVP here.

See you soon! Pete F, Ben Creasy, and Checkingfax | (Subscribe/Unsubscribe to this talk page notice here)

MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 00:54, 29 November 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Bay Area WikiSalon series: Everybody is invited this Wednesday evening at 6

Please join us in downtown San Francisco!

The last Wednesday evening of every month, wiki and open-source enthusiasts gather at Bay Area WikiSalon to collaborate, mingle, and learn about new projects and ideas.

Before and after the brief presentation we allow time for informal conversation and working on articles. Newcomers and experienced wiki users are encouraged to attend. Free Wi-Fi is available so bring your editing devices. We will have beverages and light snacks.

In addition, this month we will have:

a brief presentation from User:Cullen328 (Jim Heaphy) about the Wikipedia Teahouse
spontaneous lightning talks from the floor
community announcements from the floor

For details and to RSVP see: Wikipedia:Bay Area WikiSalon, December 2016

See you soon! Ben Creasy and Checkingfax | (Subscribe/Unsubscribe to this talk page notice here)

+++++
P.S. Any help spreading the word through social media or other avenues is most welcome! We plan to announce this on various sites and invite various groups; if you would like to join in, check our meta planning page, and please note any announcements you are sending out: meta:Monthly WikiSalon in San Francisco#Announcements and promotion

Please feel free to add to, refine, reorganize or edit the above linked page: it is a wiki!

We need more helpers and organizers, so if you see a need, please jump in, or talk to us about it! You can add your username to the meta page where appropriate, or create a new role!

MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 21:44, 12 December 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Reminder invitation to the December Bay Area WikiSalon

Please join us in downtown San Francisco!

Hi, everybody.

We are excited to remind you of the ninth in the Bay Area WikiSalon series that is coming up this Wednesday evening at 6 p.m.

Details (RSVP suggested) here (RSVP helps us know how much food and drink to bring in)

What is a WikiSalon? A monthly safe and inclusive meatspace event conducted in organized chaos and we all clean up the mess afterwards. Livestream links for the presentation are available during presentation months, and will be forthcoming for those of you that cannot attend. December is a presentation month.

Hope to see you there! Wayne (and Ben) - co-organizers
Any last minute questions or suggestions? Please ping or email Ben or me. | (Subscribe/Unsubscribe to this talk page notice here)

MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 05:10, 20 December 2016 (UTC)[reply]

The Signpost: 22 December 2016

Year in review: Looking back on 2016

News and notes: Strategic planning update; English ArbCom election results

Special report: German ArbCom implodes

In focus: Active user page filter prevents vandalism and harassment

Op-ed: Operation successful, patient dead: Outreach workshops in Namibia

In the media: In brief: Coverage of gender gap initiatives, banner fundraising, and more

Featured content: The Christmas edition

Technology report: Labs improvements impact 2016 Tool Labs survey results

Traffic report: Post-election traffic blues

Blog: Wiki Loves Monuments contest winners announced

Recent research: One study and several abstracts

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 03:03, 22 December 2016 (UTC)[reply]