Wikipedia:Online Ambassadors/Apply/N5iln

The following discussion is preserved as an archive of a successful Online Ambassador application.

More input would have been good, but with no objections in over two weeks, no reason not to admit N5iln to the ambassador program.--Sage Ross - Online Facilitator, Wikimedia Foundation (talk) 18:52, 7 March 2011 (UTC)

N5iln

N5iln (talk · contribs)

1. Why do you want to be a Wikipedia Ambassador?

   There are a great many users and new editors of Wikipedia who simply "dive in" without first learning even the basics of the Five Pillars. The more Ambassadors there are to help those new users and editors, and the more those new users and editors avail themselves of the time and knowledge the Ambassadors offer, the better for the entire Wikipedia project space.

2. In three sentences or less, summarize your involvement with Wikimedia projects.

   I am a gnomish editor, a countervandalism specialist, and an editor who prefers to think long and hard before committing to any bold edits. Factual accuracy, as demonstrated by reliable, verifiable sources, is the only way to gain widespread acceptance of Wikipedia as a ready source of good information.

3. Please indicate a few articles to which you have made significant content contributions. (e.g. DYK, GA, FA, major revisions/expansions/copyedits).

   I have yet to write or nominate any articles for such honors as FA, GA or inclusion in the DYK cycle. I originated the MV Bright Field article, and transcluded the structure for 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season from the previous season and provided initial notable event and referencing, but beyond that, I remain mostly behind the scenes.

4. How have you been involved with welcoming and helping new users on Wikipedia?

   I occasionally encounter new and/or inexperienced users during routine countervandalism work. It's hit or miss, but if a new editor contacts me with questions regarding why this edit was unacceptable or why I changed that edit, I try to explain my actions, with references to policies and suggestions for improving their own work. Several have seemed very receptive.

5. What do you see as the most important ways we could welcome newcomers or help new users become active contributors?

   Expanding the pool of Ambassadors will go a long way, especially if Ambassadors can treat newcomers fairly, consistently and with courtesy. Long-term editors who insist on biting new users are counterproductive, although there doesn't seem to be much other option with those who are only interested in gross, blatant vandalism.

6. Have you had major conflicts with other editors? Blocks or bans? Involvement in arbitration? Feel free to offer context, if necessary.

   I've had fairly heated disagreements at least twice since coming to the project. However, I've never been blocked nor banned, nor have I had any involvement with ArbCom. My Talk page and its archives are open for review, and I have no secrets. In the interest of full disclosure, I freely admit I goofed the MiszaBot setup and it started with "Archive 4"...and now is rather late to try going back to correct that.

7. How often do you edit Wikipedia and check in on ongoing discussions? Will you be available regularly for at least two hours per week, in your role as a mentor?

   I spend quite a bit of my "free" time perusing Wikipedia, doing countervandalism work, (more recently) patrolling new pages, or reviewing various discussions. I see no issues with devoting two hours a week to mentoring, and it may become more than that without my noticing. *grin*

8. What else should we know about you that is relevant to being a Wikipedia Ambassador?

   I have my own particular area of focus, but that doesn't limit me to focusing on that one area. Being an Ambassador in title as well as screen name (and I apologize for that in advance, I chose that moniker before knowing there was such a thing as the Ambassador program!) would not only force me to polish my skills, but expand my knowledge base to whatever extent is necessary to answer new users' questions or concerns.

Discussion

• Support, great user as far as I'm concerned. /ƒETCHCOMMS/ 04:07, 20 February 2011 (UTC)
• Support; experiened, and seems to be pretty clueful.--Sage Ross - Online Facilitator, Wikimedia Foundation (talk) 15:21, 22 February 2011 (UTC)