User:Nvvchar/Archives/April 2010 - July 2010

Archives
As requested have archived your page at User:Nvvchar/Archives/December 2009 - March 2010, which can be accessed through the Archives link above. About Iravan, I am planning a FAc after a copyedit and review by User:Alastair Haines, an expert helpful copyeditor and knowledgeable person (who takes the pains to research the article he copyedits) who did wonders with Vithoba, helping it to be a FAC. -- Redtigerxyz Talk 13:59, 28 March 2010 (UTC)

Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh
Congratulations on your GA. Sorry I haven't been available for copyediting. You;ve been rather quiet of late, I hope you are not offended. In my view though the article could still do with an economy/social paragraph about village life. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 12:51, 29 March 2010 (UTC)

You know, we have jointly done more than 20 articles (some of them the lengthiest ever on wiki) and Deograh was also a joint article on the DYK. Your note did realy hurt me. Any way, I managed to get it through. You know. We are friends in need. Let it be so. It is over now. Let us leave at that.--Nvvchar (talk) 14:30, 29 March 2010 (UTC)

I've begun copyediting the Mountain railways article. In the last section though:

Though the gradient of the line is generally gentle, the critical reach with steep slopes is at the 88 mi stretch, which is of 700 ft width with 1 in 19 slope with approach slopes of 1 in 31 and in 25. The terminus stretch between Baijnath and Jogindernagar is 1 in 25.

Can you please clarify what us meant by 1 in 19 and 1 in 31. This is a little awkward. Please reword. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 14:03, 29 March 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for the copy edit. It indicates the steepness of the line or gradient of the line, which means 1 ft or 1 m drop of raise in height for every horizontal length of 19 m or 31m or 25. 1 in 19 is the steepest slope.--Nvvchar (talk) 14:30, 29 March 2010 (UTC)

I figured, but you'd be best off stating it as 1:19 ruling gradient than just saying "1 in 19". I think this article is looking pretty good now.. Needs a few citations as requested though. Any progress with the Manas River article I started on? Dr. Blofeld       White cat 14:37, 29 March 2010 (UTC)

Wait a minute. You were really offended by the note?? I am quite disappointed in you actually that this has been the reason. You should know me better than to think me highly critical of your work. I am generally very honest with people and I honestly thought the article was not balanced enough to be promoted. You think I was wrong to say that I thought an article about a village needs more information about the village life rather than largely monuments? Good articles about settlements are supposed to contain a balance of information on the various aspects of the village. In the case of Deogarh though it may mean that the local economy/transport is of minimum signifance and that the monuments are really most worthy of the coverage. There is often fluctuation in what can be written about places and inbalances, often due to information being readily available. But I never once said your article was poor or have ever insulted your work, quite the opposite I have always been very praiseworthy of practically everything you have done. It was constructive criticism that I felt you needed to try to add more about village life there. If this was not possible I am sorry for wanting to to see that article improved further (it was already a very good article). I do hope that you can see I was trying to be constructive rather than offensive and that I actually try to help you out whenever I can. A true friend should feel free to be honest to another. I think you have taken this to heart of which I am very sorry for. Cheer up!! Dr. Blofeld      White cat 14:40, 29 March 2010 (UTC)

I've updated Template:Infobox Mandir. See here. If there are any further parameters you want added please let me know. The infoboxes in the articles now need updating like this. I hope you can help. Please don't be down in the dumps because I criticized one article and praised over a hundred. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 15:47, 29 March 2010 (UTC)

Your welcome! Very pleased to hear from you. Life is too short to not carry on being friends. Occasionally misunderstandings or minor differences occur, this is natural. I'm sorry though if you you were hurt initially by it, if I'd have known I wouldn't have said anything. It was and still is a very good article, I was being open with a suggestion, much like I occasionally say I tinhk something in the article sounds awkward or citation is required. That's how I meant it. But you showed great will to improve the article from an initial bad review to succeed and that is quite admirable. My best regards. Thanks for your work recently on Burma and Bangladesh too. As for the images, I can save them at a small px from the essay pages rather than PDFs. Best thing would be to ask them to update the essays with bigger images. I'll see. Regards. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 16:57, 29 March 2010 (UTC)

Excellent work on Manas. Can you contact this person asking to use his images? Dr. Blofeld       White cat 18:04, 29 March 2010 (UTC)

I've made a start on this. Hope it interests you. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 22:10, 29 March 2010 (UTC)

Lovely. Actually Laos, Burma and Thailand are very dear to me. I've only been to Thailand but I've flown pver both Laos and Burma and have sene how spectacular it is from the air with the rice paddy fields and forests. I've actually visited the Wat article in Bangkok you expanded too! I know you never edit outside southern/eastern Asian articles but there is one article on an important historical city I want to see improved asap. Marrakech. It doesn't have to be as detailed as the Kathmandu article but just improved to B class level. It is an ancient city with a rich culture and many interesting pictures are available. If you are interested in it as a one off when you come back let me know. The current article is absolutely dreadful. Dr. Blofeld      White cat 15:18, 30 March 2010 (UTC)

Sure no rush. I'll get copyediting on the Laos article and later perhaps I can propose both that and the Manas River when completed. Marrakech has an interesting history and trading and some fascinating landmarks like File:El Badi Palace 1.jpg and File:Ben youssef marrakech.jpg which should be appealing to you. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 15:31, 30 March 2010 (UTC)

Can you bot upload these free pics. Some nice views, especially from the avenue. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 15:49, 30 March 2010 (UTC)

Mahamuni Buddha Temple. Excellent work! I've made a start on this. perhaps you can add more text and I'll post for DYK. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 17:56, 30 March 2010 (UTC)

Lenyadri
Lenyadri is GA.-- Redtigerxyz Talk 16:16, 1 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Sharabha is on hold for GA (You are the co-nominator) for prose issues. I am requested Blofield for a copyedit. -- Redtigerxyz Talk 18:18, 1 April 2010 (UTC)

Sure, I'll have a look later. I'd forgotten you were away, I haven't edited the last few days either. I've left the Cambodian temple though for your perusal at User:Nvvchar/sandbox/Saptha Badri. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:44, 2 April 2010 (UTC) If you like, I'll look at it in a minute.. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 11:00, 2 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Elephanta Caves (another of our joint creations) is under GA review. Please take a look. As usual, a copyeditor might be required.-- Redtigerxyz Talk 11:52, 2 April 2010 (UTC)

I've given the Sharabha GA nomination a copyedit. It could still do with some fresh eyes though. I did remove some information which came across as very confusing or irrelevant but it is virtually all intact, just polished. I also have an issue with some of the information in the final paragraph as addressed on the talk page. Regards. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 12:50, 2 April 2010 (UTC)


 * You are free to ask the League's help. Please record that on the GAN page.-- Redtigerxyz Talk 13:06, 2 April 2010 (UTC)
 * You are entitled to include any articles you made/collaborated on DYK as in your GA list, without anyone's permission. Without you they would not be GAs.-- Redtigerxyz Talk 13:08, 2 April 2010 (UTC)

As you have a lot on your plate with GA nominations and know how long its takes to get a review I'll be glad to help you. Note though that if I offer any criticisms or have any initial concerns with the article I'll say so and try to help you address them if I can. For instance the Dal Lake article is excellent but I'd recommend converting the lists into prose. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 13:25, 2 April 2010 (UTC) Thanks for that. I would suggest though that you don't add a visitor information paragraph at the foot of articles. Wikipedia isn't a travel guide or brochure. Such as section would be more suitable to Wikitravel. I'd recommend whenever you want to discuss location and access you do this in the geography section or if about a city in a transport section. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 14:05, 2 April 2010 (UTC)


 * Dal lake needs citations in the flora and fauna and attractions section. Citations also needed on Mountain railways article in the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway section.. there is also some template inline errors near the bottom of the article. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 14:48, 2 April 2010 (UTC)

Still a few citations to add to the beginning of the enviro section -I've finished copyediting Dal now, looks ready for GA now to me. Chittorgarh Fort thought needs a lot of citations. I've gone live with Manas River. I thought it was finished but there is still some scruffy ends that need sorting I think. I'll DYK once you've polished it a little. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 19:33, 2 April 2010 (UTC)


 * Elephanta Caves‎ is GA. Congrats. -- Redtigerxyz Talk 06:22, 4 April 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Bupaya Pagoda
Sure. Congrats on the lead DYK!! May we have many more Burmese DYKs. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 11:43, 3 April 2010 (UTC)

An FA i contributed to is on the front page as the main FA right now... Dr. Blofeld       White cat 12:13, 3 April 2010 (UTC)

Actually I had already seen your changes and reduced the size of the panorama image. If you could reply to the reviewer and state fixed or solved on the talk page if you have addressed his concerns. As for Burma it just goes to show the power of the internet. I actually informed my good friend Hybernator a Brmese about it but now it has attracted another. If only there were more active Burmese members. It just goes to show that if you put thing out there it attracts somebody somehere in the world. I was amazed how many Ecuadorian wikipedians I attracted in my parish articles too. Sometimes we forget how global this project is, I just wish it was more global and we had many contributors for each country. There is also another article I want us to write, Manaslu. But I would like to collaborate over many Burmese or Laos/Vietnam temples and articles as these countries need alot of work... Dr. Blofeld       White cat 12:34, 3 April 2010 (UTC)

Use the bot to upload these. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 14:43, 3 April 2010 (UTC)

Thanks. Great work on Punakha Dzong. Nice pics, I can't get over how tiny the spiritual leader and the monks are though. He must be like 5'1" or 5'2" or something! Dr. Blofeld       White cat 16:41, 3 April 2010 (UTC)

Have you finished with User:Nvvchar/sandbox/Saptha Badri? Dr. Blofeld       White cat 19:42, 3 April 2010 (UTC)

Glad to see the railways passed so soon. Some citations needed for Dal Lake in the second pargraph of the history. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 11:33, 4 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Manas River is now complete from my end. --Nvvchar (talk) 11:48, 4 April 2010 (UTC)

Manas looks very good. Better than I had originally expected. Those citations shouldn't take long to find. Once you finish adding a bit to the Cambodian temple I'll also DYK nom it. I've just nommed Punakha Dzong. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 11:54, 4 April 2010 (UTC)

OK, citations are still needed in the history section of Dal Lake though... Dr. Blofeld       White cat 13:25, 4 April 2010 (UTC)

I've made a start on this. Don't forget about the history section for Dal Lake. I think it stands a chance of passing GA if fixed. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 17:39, 4 April 2010 (UTC) I'll make a start compiling sources for Manaslu, The best source we have is this. Dr. Blofeld      White cat 10:19, 5 April 2010 (UTC)

I'll take a look. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:49, 5 April 2010 (UTC) I added 5 references or so. I think it is sound now. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 11:35, 5 April 2010 (UTC)

Hullo
Thanks a lot sir. :-) I am not so active these days, too. I am able to browse continuously only on occasions like these when I come home and I make full use of such opportunities by editing Wikipedia for hours on the trot.- The Enforcer Office of the secret service 16:14, 3 April 2010 (UTC)

By the way, how are you? And where are you now? :-)- The Enforcer Office of the secret service 16:15, 3 April 2010 (UTC)

Tamanthi project
Hi, Nvvchar. Thanks for your kindness. Hope this will help with your article. I just googled, and voila!

http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&source=hp&q=tamanthi&meta=&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&fp=459b761b84e2996a

Happy to oblige. Wagaung (talk) 23:34, 4 April 2010 (UTC)

Ambrosden and Chamba
You're welcome. I have the Ambrosden article on hold too. Its GA quality but is seriously lacking information. It needs "beefing up" so to speak. Would it be possible for you to help me? There is a wealth of information on the page to be rewritten at the bottom from the british history extract which would make it much better User:Dr. Blofeld/Launch Pad 1 using this source and this and this etc. I've begun adding a geography section. If you could use that source and any other you can find to help me pass this, this would be great. There is also many many images that can be uploaded from here. If so, this article would be another GA collaboration and you could list it as yours. I was going to decline but as it is under GA review so soon it would be a shame to pass it by. I know its not your usual article but you do such a tremendous job in "beefing" up articles and this is exactly what is needed here. I'll begin copyediting Chamba later and hopefully help you promote that also to GA. Dr. Blofeld  White cat 12:36, 5 April 2010 (UTC)

Great, I would much appreciate that. Its not my usual article type either but I thought it would be good to get an English village up to GA level and its not far from Oxford! The church section too could easily be quadrupled in size. If you can flesh it out with information at the bottom of my sandbox sometime in the next week and hopefully also find some more sources I will begin copyediting Chamba later and help you promote it, if this is an article you want to reach GA. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 13:00, 5 April 2010 (UTC)

I've looked at Chamba. Offhand I'd say there is a wealth of information you should add from here on handicrafts, architecture styles, musical instruments and dance etc. There is detailed information on local trade and handricrafts which should go in an economy section and more information to bulk up the history section. There is also probably an adminstrative section you could write using government of Himachal Pradesh sources. What politicians represent it? Dr. Blofeld      White cat 13:51, 5 April 2010 (UTC)

Oh yes I'd forgotten about Sera. OK then in the next week we'll focus on Chamba, Ambrosden, Sera and Iravan. Perhaps we should cut down on the DYKs this week and concentrate more on promoting these. The odd few DYKs though are fun and a break though. The first two of course need the most work in terms of content... I've begun copyediting Chamba although I'd say it needs a lot more information as suggested to make it more comprehensive. I'll try to dig out some sources in google books also to expand its history section which could be more comprehensive too. Try also to find some info on local adminstration, it being part of the wider Chamba District and how the local government functions, does it have a local adminstration building, who is the mayor/current board of representatives in the constituency, its policies on local management, either politically or environmentally, river management policies in Chamba, treatment of sewage etc you follow?  Dr. Blofeld       White cat 14:12, 5 April 2010 (UTC)

I've begun adding content to Chamba about handicrafts which I'll reference shortly. Dr. Blofeld      White cat 14:48, 5 April 2010 (UTC)

I've send out about 6 requests asking for photos of Chamba too. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 15:58, 5 April 2010 (UTC)

I've made some major changes to Chamba. A lot of citations are needed. You need to fill out some of the references with adequate publisher information. Also the National informatics Centre appears to be the Government of Chamba district. You should change it to accredit them as the publisher. I found a superb book on Chamba, see below. If you peruse it and take full advanatge of it you could not only write a very substnatial paragraph on costumes/clothing traditions but also use some of the information given in it to flesh out and improve other sections like the adminstration I've already added. You definately need to discuss the clothing tradiations and the Gaddis costumes etc in a good amount of detail using that source. Please can you find some government information to improve the contemporary government in the admin section, what buildings they have, their councils etc as I suggested earlier. Also you need to improve the festivals section, a brief of those celebrated can be found at here but you should find sources to flesh out the info on each of them. Strangely you don't mention the fair that is mentioned in the intro or if you do this is unclear. Try to cover every festival or fair and ensure you make it clear with naming so as not to confuse one with another. The Monuments built after 1846 intro part, I want to see a full paragraph discussing British engineering works, what about the bridge/s etc. What about investment, who financed them etc. And there should be more information in an overiew on recent developments and projects in Chamba since 1947 all crammed into a nice big but concise paragraph. At present you mention little or nothing, You also need to remove the two links at the bottom of the references section and merge them into the text as citations.



Dr. Blofeld      White cat 21:33, 5 April 2010 (UTC)

I hope you are not offended by my pointers. If they are all addressed I think it will be up to GA standard. So far I managed to ask permission to use one image...  Dr. Blofeld       White cat 12:34, 6 April 2010 (UTC)

Wow you are exceptionally busy for a 71 year old man. I thought you were retired! My uncle is your age and doesn't do 1/10 of the things you do!! Are you one of those people who prefers to work hard and be busy than being idle? If so, I'm impressed! As they say "You get out of life what you put into it"!! Dr. Blofeld      White cat 12:50, 6 April 2010 (UTC)

There is this source to be used in the intro to the post 1846 British details. If you can combine some of this http://www.chambaheritage.net/development.html info with what you've added already this will look great. I see you also found a book on Gaddi land in Chamba. Very interesting. A good source for temple information too. Dr. Blofeld      White cat 15:12, 6 April 2010 (UTC)

Here are two sources respectively for the costume section and the dances section. DO you intend using these? The best thing would probably be to browse them with a clear head and make some notes and then write it up in the article.. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 16:59, 6 April 2010 (UTC)

Thanks. I think its gonna need a lot more text though. I'm too tired today too, I won't be editing much today. I also have Sera Monastery to copyedit tomorrow. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:17, 7 April 2010 (UTC)

Thankyou very much for your edits to Ambrosden. Combined with my additions this is already much improved. I'll copy edit it shortly. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 12:33, 8 April 2010 (UTC)

Great. I'm not sure though how you got the impression that I'm American. I'm British!! I live in a small town in the Vale of Glamorgan on the south coast of Wales. I'm Welsh! That is why you don't generally see me edit at a time when it would be day or evening in the US but 2 or 3 o clock in the morning and don't see me edit after 11pm GMT! Dr. Blofeld       White cat 11:45, 10 April 2010 (UTC)

Well, the majority are American on here. Not offended in the slightest, although I'm more offended that you think my interest in India is because I'm British!! I'm kidding, but it honestly has nothing to do with it. I'd be interested in the Himalayas and the world even if I was living in Timbuktu!! A citation is still needed for AMbrosden in the Etymology. I've been playing jazz guitar for most of today. Music is my biggest passion. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 18:02, 10 April 2010 (UTC)

Sounds like an interesting read. Yes I also am interested in Bollywood. Most of the people I'm closest to on here do happen to be Indian, or have close contacts with the country. Yes I don't know what it is about the Himalayas. I've never been there but I frequently have dreams about Tibet and northern India, its very strange how realistic they are. Its like I'm actually there and can see the faces of the Tibetans and their maroon and saffron coloured robes. When I wake up its hard to believe that I actually dreamed it... My mother said that when I was a little boy of about 3 she showed me an old map of the world and she was trying to name the countries of world but I kept pointing to Tibet, only it was spelled as "Thibet". Dr. Blofeld      White cat 19:17, 10 April 2010 (UTC)

I'm close to sorting out the THLB agreement anyway. If you see here, click Jose Cabezon by author and there are some 192 photos of his we can upload. Not to mention others of the hermitages on the various pages, although those will be smaller. In total there should be near 250 photos taken by Jose of Sera we can upload. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 19:21, 10 April 2010 (UTC)

Yes I think its possible. I've seen people on TV go under hypnotherapy and recounting the most vivid of details of their past lives and very localised historical facts that only somebody who had deeply researched the area would know about. And when you see the emotion on their faces I find it hard to believe that they could have made it up but have been so accurate. I don't know if you ever felt the same but even as a young boy I somehow felt old and when I was trying to talk to adults about something all they'd see is this this dear little boy and not the spirit so to speak inside. Ever since I can remember I felt old as a being, if you know what I mean. Yes it would be nice to promote some more GAs, some of your Burma articles look good too. Dr. Blofeld      White cat 19:58, 10 April 2010 (UTC)

Phumdi
Hi. I've started the review  YellowMonkey  ( vote in the Southern Stars and White Ferns supermodel photo poll )  09:07, 7 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Congrats about Sharabha. All the best with all your other GANs. -- Redtigerxyz Talk 13:27, 7 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Thanks for the the invite for Bahu Fort, but I am engrossed in dealing with GAN and consulting people about improvements in Iravan. Please post it as it is without me. -- Redtigerxyz Talk 11:50, 8 April 2010 (UTC)

Yes, paraphrasing should be avoided. This can often be difficult, I know, but I did notice myself actually that some of your older articles are often worded too similarly to some of the sources used. If you are sure that the problem no longer is there then remove the tags. I've begun work on Phumdi lake first. I think the prose needs a lot of work. Also the main image is dead and blanked out in red for some reason in my computer. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 12:21, 11 April 2010 (UTC)

Sera Monastery
Hi Nvvchar. Congratulations, yet another GA. You (and your colleagues) are certainly adding articles of qood quality, or improving them, on wikipedia. Keep up the good work. Pyrotec (talk) 11:15, 11 April 2010 (UTC)

Ah I do love that word kudos. Excellent, and to think that not long ago this was barely beyond a stub. I've made some big changes to Phumdi. I've actually cut quite a bit of it and I felt it distracted from the flow. But I think its on the right track now. I still have some copyedits to do on the ecological section and look forward to seeing a new wildlife section. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 13:30, 11 April 2010 (UTC)

Yes, add some citations to those requested. Add a decent wildlife (fauna) section at the bottom of the Ecological composition section. And maybe try to find a bit more information about the actual fishing operations on the phumdi and history so flesh out the first section (rather than its impact). (I had to move half over it appropriately to the envinromental issues section. If you can address these and any Yellow Monkey has I feel this will pass. Some minor copy edits may still be needed. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 13:50, 11 April 2010 (UTC)

Chitradurga I'll look at shortly, I'll also nominate the other fort article for a DYK. I also wondered if you would like to expand Labrang Monastery in your sandbox. John Hill has already added a little so we could go for a three way DYK. Also I have some images of the Ravi River to upload from one of my Chamba flickr agreements; I think this article should be dramatically improved. So for DYKs I'd say that Manaslu, Labrang and the Ravi would be very important articles to improve next and the Lake Palace cimproved to GA level (see below). I understand you probably find river articles boring but they are so important and so lacking!! As for other GAs, I think Punakha Dzong and Thikse would make it with some improvements. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 14:02, 11 April 2010 (UTC)

I've begun listing GAs and candidates on my user page. Feel free to add any to the Future candidates list which you think could reasonably pass GA with a limited amount of work. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 14:31, 11 April 2010 (UTC)

I've nominated both Thikse Monastery and Mahamuni Buddha Temple for GA. Further improvements would be most welcome, Thikse needs a lot more credible book sources and expansion I think. I'd also like to help promote some Udaipur landmarks. What about the lake palace or a temple there or something? Jag Mandir looks in the best shape. Can you think of something? It would be cool to have a GA on the Lake Palace. I think its a fantastic building, although of course it would need to be DYK'd first and improved massively. Chitradurga can wait I think, it needs a lot of work! Dr. Blofeld      White cat 14:48, 11 April 2010 (UTC)

Phew! OK. All of them though will need improving in the meantime. Particularly in sourcing and breadth. They need more respectable book sources like the Chamba article and formatted with anotes and references/bibliography. Do you think you can manage to expand these articles a little using book sources? Comprehension is the key. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 15:34, 11 April 2010 (UTC)

Can you find citations for Thikse Monastery and flesh it out with more information. Particularly modern history and details of the some of the temples/interiors. Refs need fixing too. Some of them need changing into page notes rather than entire book links as below. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 17:33, 11 April 2010 (UTC)

Phumdi restaurant image is a red block. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 19:37, 11 April 2010 (UTC)

I'm going to add Pune to the future GA list. I think with a bit of work we could make it pass GA. What do you think? The bulk of the content is already there it just needs polishing and fixes I think. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 20:53, 11 April 2010 (UTC)

OK. The fort, originally built by Raja Bahulochan some 3,000 years ago, was refurbished by the Dogra rulers in the 19th century. Citation needed, then I'll DYK nom it. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:28, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

You'll be very pleased to know Chamba successfully passed GA. In fact the reviewer said its well on its way to FA status. Not bad eh? I know we have enough articles to be getting on with at the moment but would you be interested in DYK/GAing the Acropolis of Athens? The Acropolis in particular is of course one of the worlds finest architectural pieces and shockingly it is only start class level and has an enormous number of sources available of course. I also have Marrakech in mind too in coming weeks and I also noticed that Architecture of the Song Dynasty has been delisted from a GA and I think with little work it could be repromoted. But for DYK Manaslu and Ravi River seem a good idea in the short term. On my user page I've begun listing articles for possible future GA candidates and possible future DYKs. If there are any you want to work on, please add them to my user page. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 11:26, 12 April 2010 (UTC)
 * I have fixed the reference to fact on the first line of Bahu Fort article.--Nvvchar (talk) 12:07, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

LOL if you'd told me on my talk page I'd have done it five hours ago! Feeling any more energetic today? The review has begun of Punakha Dzong anyway. I thought you'd be more pleased with the Chamba article. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 16:14, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

Glad to see Phumdi made it. Yeah it is a crying shame about Burma. Few people seem interested but we are missing thousands upon thousands of articles for sure and it is a beautiful country with many interesting monuments. But if we were to really care about viewing figures then this encyclopedia would contain nothing but popular culture and American/English topics. Dr. Blofeld      White cat 08:50, 13 April 2010 (UTC)

We managed to pass Ambrosden too! I am deeply grateful for you assistance with helping me promote it. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 08:54, 13 April 2010 (UTC)

Unsourced material should be removed from the main article. The trekkers section came across as travel guide material, not really encyclopedic. I've therefore removed it from the mainspace. I'll add to your article in your sandbox later tonight with references and then repost withouth the "travel guide" text or reworded to become encyclopedic. Thanks. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 17:53, 13 April 2010 (UTC)

Mmm the thing is a lot of the trekking info even in your sandbox is too much like a travel guide. It would belong in wikitravel, rather than wikipedia. WIkipedia isn't a survival kit. DOn't worry about a DYK then for this, the article is much improved, that is the important thing. I'll probably move a lot of the trekking info to wikitravel. A condesned paragraph on trkeking through I will reference and fix. Thanks. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 18:02, 13 April 2010 (UTC)

Hope you are not offended with me moving the bottom paragraph to wikitravel. It is a great expansion and may still qualify I don't know. Also I hope you were not offended by me saying that the fort article needs a lot of work. It is very good but I was referring mostly to the history section. OK? Dr. Blofeld       White cat 18:50, 13 April 2010 (UTC)

Glad to hear it. AH but if you think GA is tough you'd best stay clear from FA! The Kareena Kapoor article has been FA quality for well over a year now but they won't pass it because of trivialities! I'm a little tired this evening. I'll see if Manaslu qualifies for a DYK tomorrow. I found some of those dzong images on flickr, As for Punakha. Well yes OK the other images deleted are OK but I think the panorama is a very valuable one and should remain. Also if you want any images from any of his sets let me know and I'll request them. He is happy to change the license of select images and has quite a lot of northern Indian in particular. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 19:33, 13 April 2010 (UTC)

You have an email my friend. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 20:15, 13 April 2010 (UTC)

Hi. Sorry I've been absent the last few days. I have some important real life problems to solve over the next week or so. I'm happy that more articles have passed, although I must say i do not know what the reviewer was thinking with thikse, he didn't even give us a chance to improve it. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 09:36, 18 April 2010 (UTC)

Excellent work. I'll read it shortly, I don't know how much time I'll have in the coming week. Talk:Mahamuni Buddha Temple/GA1 has started by the way. Oh also I expanded Tea production in Sri Lanka with a native Sri Lankan a while back. I wondered if you would be interested in helping it improve it to GA status. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 15:23, 18 April 2010 (UTC) The ravi river contains a lot of information which would be better suited to the Indus River basin article. However, I understand it is closely connected to the others in the system. But in my view it needs more info about the actual river itself. Pollution levels, geology etc and less about the wider legal issues. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 17:34, 18 April 2010 (UTC)

DYK nomination of Wat Phra Kaew
Hello! Your submission of Wat Phra Kaew at the Did You Know nominations page has been reviewed, and there still are some issues that may need to be clarified. Please review the comment(s) underneath your nomination's entry and respond there as soon as possible. Thank you for contributing to Did You Know! DustFormsWords (talk) 01:24, 13 April 2010 (UTC)

Congratulations on the excellent article on Sera Monastery
Great work on the article - it looks fabulous and reads very well. I suggest it should instead be rated EA (Excellent Article). Both you and  Dr. Blofeld   deserve highest praise for all the many magnificent contributions you have been making on Tibetan Buddhist monasteries recently. I apologise for not helping you more but I have beeen really unwell and only feel up to brief edits and creating short articles from time to time. Unfortunately, at times I don't even feel well enough to get up and take a reference book off the shelf beside my bed to find a quote or reference. I am flying to Cairns today to see a neurosurgeon - hopefully to get some short-term relief (cortisone and steroid injections) so I can manage the trips I am planning later this year and I will probably have to undergo a major spinal operation some time next year. In the meantime - please excuse me if I just keep pottering on the way I have been - it's about all I can manage at the moment. But do not do not hesitate to contact me if you think I might be of some help - especially with references. Also, from August to November I expect to be in India - mostly in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Kullu, Spiti and Lahaul - so, hopefully I will get some good photos. Keep up the great work! It is much appreciated! Cheers, John Hill (talk) 21:40, 13 April 2010 (UTC)

Survey
Hi Nvvchar. Would you be willing to participate in the survey on my talk page please for selecting photos to use in some GAs I was preparing. The turnout is rather sparse or inconclusive on the remaining ones. Thanks  YellowMonkey  ( vote in the Southern Stars and White Ferns supermodel photo poll )  08:47, 14 April 2010 (UTC)

DYK nomination for Amar Mahal Palace
Hello! Your submission of Amar Mahal Palace at the Did You Know nominations page has been reviewed, and there still are some issues that may need to be clarified. Please review the comment(s) underneath your nomination's entry and respond there as soon as possible. Thank you for contributing to Did You Know! Mikenorton (talk) 22:31, 16 April 2010 (UTC)

Architecture of Karnataka
WOW! I just saw User:Nvvchar/sandbox. That must have taken you ages! I definately think it will be a future GA. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 14:46, 19 April 2010 (UTC) Hold off on the GA nominations for the moment. Lets try to pass the current few first and get those planned DYKs sorted. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 15:40, 19 April 2010 (UTC)

I'll give it a read tonight. Can you think of a hook for Ravi River or did I nominate it already I can't remember. You mentioned Tago Monastery. Never heard of it. Did you mean Tango Monastery, Tala Monastery or Talo Monastery? I have some brief details on those I think in my book. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 18:50, 19 April 2010 (UTC)

Taktsang Dzong passed GA. Another success. If you want to nominate one or two others go for it. I'm not convinced though that the Laos article is good enough. I think THikse should go under reassessment and allow us to improve it. What do you think? Dr. Blofeld       White cat 20:30, 19 April 2010 (UTC)

Chitradurga I'll look at this week. But as I said I won't be editing much this week as I have some things to sort out. I've looked at the two you mentioned and I honestly don't think they comprehensive enough for GA. I actually think we have a stronger case for promoting some more monasteries such as Alchi Monastery etc that were written a few months back. I was actually rather surpised with the Thikse dismissal. I thought with a bit of work it had a good chance of passing. Perhaps I'll mention in to Pyrotec. I think Alchi, Thikse and Diskit Monastery all have potential. The biggest problem for me is sourcing. Many of them are travel sites and not solid primary sources. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 21:26, 19 April 2010 (UTC) Indeed. Actually from what I've seen of your Architecture of Karnataka article I think we could quickly take that to GA after posting it and doing some copyediting. Were you interested in the Labrang Monastery article afterwards? John Hill added a little; I thought we could go for a triple DYK with it. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 21:40, 19 April 2010 (UTC) Yes like Ganden Monastery and Sera there are two of them I think one in Sikkim, INdia and one in a Tibetan county in Gansu, China. Funny you should start that article, I have been intending to create an article on Motithang district of Thimphu for some time. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 12:25, 20 April 2010 (UTC)

I created a stub on Motithang. Perhaps we could also develop that, or maybe merge article into one on Motithang? Up to you. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 12:43, 20 April 2010 (UTC)

OK. Well Motithang has been started. It will need expansion within a week to count as a start article. I think a stubbing drive is due for Bhutan right now. There are so many red links which should be articles. I'll start by listying and starting the districts of Thimphu. Then I want to stub all of the monasteries. They don't all need to be expanded yet, just to get them started is much needed. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 13:01, 20 April 2010 (UTC)

I've pasted Thimphu into User:Dr. Blofeld/Launch Pad 2. I think this article should probably be sorted out. I have a fair bit of information in by book that can be used. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 13:36, 20 April 2010 (UTC)

The prestigious Indian Barnstar of National Merit
Much deserved! Yes I won't throw any more articles on the old man LOL no more for at least a week now I promise. besides i'll list articles on my user page anyway that are possibilities for developing. I've seen your extensive work in your sandboxes which was partly what prompted this award. I am aamazed, particularly by your state architecture articles. When I created the indian architecture by region and city template, this was exactly what I had envisaged. Dr. Blofeld      White cat 16:02, 20 April 2010 (UTC)

Good. Na, leave the DYK as it is. Dahn is just being a grouch. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 09:10, 21 April 2010 (UTC)

I was going to look at that (time permitting) today. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 09:31, 21 April 2010 (UTC)

I've givne it quite a major overhaul. You need to find a lot of citations though for Mahamuni Buddha Temple if this is to pass. More sources could be found in google books I think to back up a lot of citations. Dr. Blofeld      White cat 11:59, 21 April 2010 (UTC)

Have a nice sleep? Its 16:35 here. Let me guess. Its 8:35 am where you are? Can you also reword "the coating of gold (thickness 15 centimetres (5.9 in)) has attained an irregular outline. " Attained an irregular outline is very awkward and I don't understand.. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 15:36, 21 April 2010 (UTC)

I love the ritual that they do and clean his teeth and face every morning. Its kind of like grooming a giant teddy bear!! I'd love to get a toothbrush and some Aquafresh or Colgate or something and clean his knashers!! I bet the Buddha is smiling in spirit at being cleaned!! Of course they do say cleanliness is next to godliness! Dr. Blofeld       White cat 17:28, 21 April 2010 (UTC)

I knew that it would pass very easily! Want to nominate Diskit then? I saw it in your sandbox. I'm about to nominate Bhutan olympic committee for DYK. Then I'll nominate the preserve. I've also added Architecture of Karnataka to the mainspace. I actually think already with little work it will be ready for GA. It is a magnificent article. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 17:57, 21 April 2010 (UTC)

There are some problems with Motithang Takin Preserve. Citation needed. ALso there are some referencing issues the Brown full reference should go underneath and only the notes above. Also the page 87 should be linked in one note collectively. I checked out page 87 and 106 of Loly Planet and could not find anything about the mythology. Can you please correct these problems. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 19:29, 21 April 2010 (UTC)

hello world
this is me Jaroslav Marvan trying to tell you something —Preceding unsigned comment added by Dudikoff1303 (talk • contribs) 15:27, 20 April 2010 (UTC)

Architecture of Karnataka
Great work done with the article. -- Redtigerxyz Talk 14:39, 22 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Nominate it for GAN. Thanks for going through Kabandha.-- Redtigerxyz Talk 16:04, 22 April 2010 (UTC)

Don't worry that can be fixed. Just remember that if referencing from a book don't including the full details twice. The book details should go in the bibliography section undernearth and pages/author notes only go above. Yes tourist sites such as www.south-india-tour-package.com and Soans.com should all be replaced with solid sources, book if possible. You'll find that most of these tourist sites use offer widely available sources anyway. That's the biggest issue... Dr. Blofeld       White cat 17:43, 22 April 2010 (UTC)

I'm also nominating Druk Air for GA. I don't think Diskit or Thikse are quite ready yet, largely due to sourcing problems to tourist sites. If you would like to help promote Druk Air you are welcome to help. If we only have the Druk Air and Kabandha at GA this should be manageable. I think we can pass these with some work. The Architecture of Karnataka article is now not a GA nomination as it does need a fair bit of copyediting and referencing fixes. OK? Dr. Blofeld       White cat 18:27, 22 April 2010 (UTC)

Thankyou for your edits to Druk Air. Can you think of another paragraph that could be added at the bottom? Perhaps some information about inflight entertainment/meals, company logo something like that? I think a GA needs some other aspects covered too. I'll be busy over the weekend so won't be able to edit. You can nominate the Wat article if you like as long as somebody like Jezwells doesn't immediately fail it and not allow it to go on hold. I think though that this is a risk and need sa lot of work even before nominating. The references used need to at least triple and it some fixing.

You say you are going back to BHutan in the near future? If so take hundreds of photographs of every single building like the Telecom Tower, Textile museum etc etc and all of the main streets and areas of Thimphu and label them! Also if you are flying at all with Druk Air photograph the cabin! Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:49, 23 April 2010 (UTC)

Yes Druk Air looks good I merged the information into a services section which I think should meet requirements. I also thought what the reviewer thought it this respect. I've sorted out the important things I said about now, I feel a lot more relaxed today now! Today though I anticipate doing some browsing and minor edits maybe create some more Bhutan stubs. I'll continue copyediting Architecture of Karnataka tomorrow. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 09:54, 25 April 2010 (UTC)

Delhi
Dear Wikipedia Star: Thank you so much for your very kind invitation to meet in Delhi. I would truly love to meet you for a good chat and/or a meal together. Delhi is one of my favourite cities in the world and I wish we were going there this trip. We also have other friends there I would like to visit as well. However, we have decided to give it a miss this time due to the Commonwealth Games and the air pollution (which affected me badly last time I was there due to my suffering from self-inflicted emphysema). We are, instead planning to arrive in Chennai and then fly directly to Chandigarh and then on to Manali, Lahaul, Ladakh, Kullu, Simla, Mandi, Dharamsala, etc. I can hardly wait? I just hope my rather frail body is up to the challenges. But I do look forward to developing an on-going relationship with you on the Wikipedia and hope I will be well enough to start contributing on a bigger scale again soon. With my very best and warmest wishes. Your Cooktown (Australia) fan: John Hill (talk) 00:34, 24 April 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Manimahesh Kailash Peak
I added the little it has in my book to User:Nvvchar/Sandbox 1. You say you requested some images? One thing, can you please start spelling Thimphu with an h!! Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:24, 25 April 2010 (UTC)

A present. You may wish to expand it with other sources. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 12:25, 25 April 2010 (UTC)

Can you upload these photos of Trongsa Dzong by Thomas Wanhof. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 13:42, 25 April 2010 (UTC) I have uploaded four imgs, which are now in the gallery of Trongsa Dzong draft. My laptop is infected with virus and it is very slow. I hope to get it set tomarrow. In the Karnataka Architecture article I have fixed all disambag links, except Indian. I have not been to locate it. Even the tag about broken link is also not clear to me. Needs your expert attention. I will complete both Bhutan artciles by tomarrow evening. Druk Air is probably ready for you to reply on the GAN review page. Thanks.--Nvvchar (talk) 19:33, 25 April 2010 (UTC)

By browser is totally messed up too. It keeps sticking and highlighting text and jumbling up sentences. I've barely been Dr. Blofeld       White cat 13:40, 26 April 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Ravi River
-- Cirt (talk) 16:03, 26 April 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Bhutan Olympic Committee
Materialscientist (talk) 08:06, 27 April 2010 (UTC) Thanks, sorry I've bene unable to edit properly the last few days I had computer trouble. Should be OK now though... I think Tengboche would be a good candidate but needs considerable improvement first before nominating... Dr. Blofeld       White cat 19:17, 28 April 2010 (UTC) You're too late I already nominated it. John Hill added a little bit too so I've also credited him. Besides an alt hook would simply be "that Trongsa Dzong is the largest dzong in Bhutan"!! Dr. Blofeld       White cat 20:02, 28 April 2010 (UTC)

White Horse Temple
Hi again! Congratulations on all the DYKs and Good Articles - I can hardly keep up with them all! I have just done a fair bit of editing and added a lot of references to your article on the White Horse Temple in Luoyang. Please do have a look at them and, if you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me. Keep up your magnificent work! And thanks again for making the Wikipedia a much richer resource. Sincerely, John Hill (talk) 02:47, 30 April 2010 (UTC)

Excellent work. I'll copyedit it shortly. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 09:01, 30 April 2010 (UTC)


 * I have just made a couple of small changes (I haven't time for much else at the moment) - mainly I have replaced the paragraph on the location of the temple with a more concise and clear referenced paragraph (and added another reference to the list. I hope you approve. I will see if I can do some more tomorrow on it, but maybe I should wait until Dr. Blofeld works his magic first :^) Cheers, John Hill (talk) 09:39, 30 April 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Architecture of Karnataka
Materialscientist (talk) 08:02, 30 April 2010 (UTC)

White Horse Temple again
Dear friend. I am concerned that we still have the account of the foundation of the White Horse Temple appearing to have a solid historical basis in the article. This is not the opinion of most modern scholars, both Chinese and foreign. I, myself, defended the basic historical nature of the legend at first, but am now convinced I was wrong. I will take the liberty of quoting at length two of the most respected scholars who describe why the account is now generally not taken as fact:


 * “The dream of Emperor Ming (A.D. 58-75) of the Han Dynasty has often been connected with the introduction of Buddhism into China. Briefly, the episode is as follows. One night in a dream Emperor Ming saw a golden deity flying in front of his palace. On the morrow he asked his ministers to explain the identity of this deity. One of them, Fu Yi, replied that he had heard there was a sage in India who had attained salvation and was designated the Buddha, who was able to fly, and whose body was of a golden hue. He went on to say that the deity seen in the dream was this Buddha. The ruler accepted his explanation and dispatched envoys abroad to learn more about this sage and his teachings. The envoys returned bringing back with them the Sutra in Forty-two Sections, which was received by the emperor and deposited in a temple constructed outside the walls of Lo-yang.


 * An anachronism is inherent in this story. If this purports to be the first introduction of Buddhism into China, where, how, and when did the minister, Fu Yi, obtain his remarkably accurate description of the Buddha? To make the problem more complicated, the various Chinese sources describing this episode do not agree on significant details. The date of departure of the mission ranges from 64 to 68, while the return date varies from 64 to 75. The names of the envoys are also not uniform. In one source Chang Ch’ien, who journeyed to Bactria in the second century B.C., appears as one of the envoys, but this historical anachronism is too glaring and in a later source his name is withdrawn. The destination of the mission is Scythia in some accounts, India in others. At first no mention is made of foreign missionaries returning with the mission, but in a fifth-century version one Indian monk is mentioned, while in a sixth-century work two such monks appear.


 * This version of the introduction of Buddhism into China cannot be accepted as authentic and reliable. . ..


 * The most telling argument against this version of the introduction of Buddhism under Emperor Ming lies in the fact that Buddhism was already introduced into the country at the time of the purported dream.” Ch’en (1964), pp. 29-31.

Zürcher (1972), p. 22, says (minus Chinese characters):


 * “A very famous story, the apocryphal nature of which has only been recognized in modern times, deals with the “official” introduction of Buddhism into China under emperor Ming (58-75 AD). Instigated by a dream, he is said to have sent a group of envoys (in the oldest version headed by Chang Ch’ien, who died in the late second century BC!) to the country of the Yüeh-chih in order to procure the sacred texts. The date of the mission is variously given as 60, 61, 64 or 68 AD. After spending three (or, according to one version, eleven) years the envoys returned with the text (or the translation) of the “Sutra in Forty-two Sections”. They were accompanied by the first foreign missionaries, whose names from the late fifth century onwards are given as ?Kāśyapa Mātaṅga and ?Dharmaratna. For them the emperor built the first monastery, the Pai-ma ssu, at Loyang.


 * Maspero and T’ang Yung-t’ung have subjected the many versions of this story to a detailed analysis, which has led both scholars to conclude that we have to do with a pious legend; we shall not repeat their argumentation. Their final verdict is not he same: T’ang Yung-t’ung still envisages the possibility of a nucleus of historical fact behind this tradition (op. cit. p. 24-26); Maspero on the contrary rejects the whole as a piece of fiction, a propagandistic story full of anachronisms, which seems to have originated in Buddhist circles in the third century AD, to be further developed in the course of the fourth and fifth centuries and to reach its definitive form at the end of the fifth century.”

I believe, because of this we need to make plain in the article that the story is no longer considered to be of historical validity in scholarly circles. It does, unfortunately, make the whole subject less exciting and more difficult to deal with in the article. I will also copy these notes to Dr. Blofeld's Talk Page as he has said he will edit the article. Sincerely, John Hill (talk) 23:45, 30 April 2010 (UTC)

Note to both you and Dr. Blofeld

 * Hi again to both of you good people! No, I haven't done the editing I think is needed on the article - partly because I didn't want to barge in too much, and partly because I am not up to much at the moment - although I am doing some small edits on the Karmapa Lamas and some work on Karma Gon Monastery, as the article on it did not indicate how large and important it once was - something easily missed in its present forlorn state. However, I am really only working at about a quarter of my usual pace and attention and I have a very busy schedule ahead this month. I have to attend several functions at one of which I will be giving a public lecture on the development of the Silk Routes at a restored Chinese Temple from the gold-rush days at Atherton (about 350 kms south of here), and culminating in leaving for Canada and Japan on the 27th - so, I am really out of the picture for some time for anything except a bit of dallying here and there.


 * I would like to see some discussion of how the White Horse Temple in Luoyang became part of the "official" Buddhist story about the introduction of Buddhism to China - a story which has generally been accepted at face value until the last century - and how it has been shown in more recent times to be basically legendary and of doubtful historical value - though, perhaps, with a kernel of real history hidden in accretions. I am really hoping you and/or Nvvchar can pull it together - I am, unfortunately, almost constantly on heavy painkillers at the moment and don't feel up to it. I would be most happy, though to look it all over when you are done and make whatever constructive comments I can.


 * Thanks for your understanding and congratulations once again to you both - I can't tell you how happy I have been to see the vast pouring out of fine articles - you both are really doing a great public service with your many recent outstanding contributions. I am also thrilled to see you working together so well (something I am not so good at - being basically a loner in my writing and research). With loving-kindness and gratitude, Cheers, John Hill (talk) 10:04, 1 May 2010 (UTC)

Thankyou John. The 1175-1973 is marked as the history is missing!! Not because it needs citations!! You/ve skipped 800 years. It doesn't have to be much but try to mention something about each century in between if possible. That is a huge missing part to me... Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:22, 1 May 2010 (UTC)


 * Will certainly see what I can do tomorrow - it is bedtime here now. Cheers, John Hill (talk) 12:00, 1 May 2010 (UTC)

OK. but I feel it needs a specialist book to try to fill it out a little more. Just looking for sources, the Bach Ma Temple also Whitehorse Temple in Hanoi, Vietnam shows up a lot. Perhaps we ought to write an article about that too and add a hatnote at the top saying "not to be confused with the one in Vietnam". In fact we could even make it into a double nomination... Can you also add an infobox to Karma Gon Monastery and find the coordinates? Dr. Blofeld      White cat 13:18, 1 May 2010 (UTC)

OK, I may do that by myself then, no actually I think we should write a good article on Thang Long which this temple is part of, see this. It is missing and just redirected.... Chami Islands sounds good. Later though I want to start working on the Thimphu article..

John Hill added a bit to the main article yesterday rather than your sandbox. Perhaps you could check the diff and ensure that no additions by him get lost and are readded.. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 13:47, 1 May 2010 (UTC)

Dr. Blofeld      White cat 13:38, 1 May 2010 (UTC)


 * So sorry I added material to the main page and not the sandbox - will try to keep aware of this in future. I see you have moved your notes into the main article now - so I will try to make some edits and additions there now. Thank you so much for adding the infobox to the Karma Gon Monastry article. Apologies for all the confusions from my end. Best wishes, John Hill (talk) 01:50, 2 May 2010 (UTC)

White Horse Temple and Karma Gon Monastery
I just got your message as I was working on the White Horse Temple article. Thanks so much for your useful additions to the Karma Gon Monastery - I will have a closer look at them in a while. John Hill (talk) 03:31, 2 May 2010 (UTC) PS I forgot to say that yesterday I nominated the Karma Gon Monastery for a DYK Cheers, John Hill (talk) 03:34, 2 May 2010 (UTC)

Thanks. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 09:38, 2 May 2010 (UTC)

Are there any city maps you want made? I can make a map of Delhi or Jaipur whatever you want and I can make location map templates so a landmark can be pinned onto a local city map rather than state map. If I do a map of New Delhi, what should I include? Dr. Blofeld      White cat 14:01, 2 May 2010 (UTC)



There you go. If you start any Delhi articles now you can use India New Delhi as a pushpin map! As long as it lies within the map area of course. I think I'll make one of Udaipur.. Dr. Blofeld      White cat 14:16, 2 May 2010 (UTC)

Ever heard of Taj Mahal Hotel (Delhi)? Do you live near enough to photograph it? Dr. Blofeld       White cat 14:38, 2 May 2010 (UTC)


 * Nice. Why not Bangalore, Delhi, Thimpu (which you wish to see expanded to GA), Srinagar, Mysore...? Oh! this will go on like Hanuman's tail. Please see the Info box of Forts. There there is need to insert a state map with inset map of India. Taj mahal Hotel is close by. I will take pictures during the next week end. By the way, I did add the Infobox and also some text to the Karma Gon Monastery. I still feel that the expansion is less than 5x for a DYK, without the quoted text. I have left a message on John's talk page on this matter.--Nvvchar (talk) 15:10, 2 May 2010 (UTC)

The Thimphi map is grossly undeveloped on there that's why! Thankyou for your work. Is everything alright with you? I do hope I haven't offended you with something as I haven't heard much from you in the last week. If I'm doing something or have done something you are unhappy with please let me know. I also noticed Flag of Bhutan is up for GA. However, in my view it should fail immediately because of lack of comprehension/sources. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:01, 3 May 2010 (UTC)

I think the reason is User:Chamal N. I was about to suggest you ask him instead but he has retired for some reason. As far as I'm aware those were the only two trustworthy active people on here from Sri Lanka. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:14, 3 May 2010 (UTC)

Trongsa? LOL I posted that for DYK like a week ago. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:37, 3 May 2010 (UTC)

Excellent work I'll begin reading it shortly. I also credited you for the Karma Gon article as I felt you also deserved credit for your expansions. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:48, 3 May 2010 (UTC)

I'm leaving some constructive critical comments on the Ashoka talk page. Dr. Blofeld       White cat

I hadn't noticed no, although on several occasions articles I had been meaning to help copyedit passed before I could get to them! Increasing our listing of good articles is a good thing and it is nice to have them as "trophies" so to speak but in my view the most work needs doing at stub/start class level on wikipedia or just awful articles which are barely legible, evening out coverage of a massive range of topics and building up stubs, evne if only to start class level. Ultimately we want every article to be GA class and above but the fact is that most articles even if they only get a few minutes work will be greatly benefited. That's where we differ is that when you edit an article you have to expand it fully! I generally tend to edit multiple articles and build them up bit by bit. I think that's why we work so well together is that your editing approach allows me to focus on certain articles I probably would not otherwise spend as much time on.. Perfect example is that the Ashoka article is very good but then you click a link such as Ambala and the article (was in a dreadful state now cleaned up). By natural tendency would be to clean that up first before taking either one to GA.  Dr. Blofeld       White cat 11:22, 3 May 2010 (UTC)

I know, but that's why I sometimes find it difficult to spend a lot of time on one article as I am aware that 70 other articles in the same category require immediate attention even if only for two minutes! Unfortunately many articles attract editors who are not aware of what the encyclopedia is trying to achieve and list hundreds of schools and hotels and local "famous" people of dubious notability. I'm going to condense your transportation section of the Ashoka article. It might need a few citations to support the facts too. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 11:50, 3 May 2010 (UTC)

Sure, I'll upload them now. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 12:37, 3 May 2010 (UTC)

Here you go. My computers slow again at the moment.... Dr. Blofeld       White cat 13:00, 3 May 2010 (UTC)

Excellent work. Its my birthday today so I'm not editing much, I'm going out to an Indian restaurant tonight I look forward to have an authentic Indian curry with all the trimmings!! Dr. Blofeld      White cat 13:56, 4 May 2010 (UTC)

Thanks! I would probably post that under Archaeology... Dr. Blofeld       White cat 14:42, 4 May 2010 (UTC)

I don't honestly think that would make much sense to people as a hook.. It needs to be soomething more simple. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 11:01, 6 May 2010 (UTC)

If you like. I'm currently filling out some of the stubs we have for Template:Buddhist monasteries in Bhutan. Somebody created a bunch of empty stubs on them the other day. Perhaps one or two I expand can be expanded into DYKs. I've already expanded the first few, like Dungtse Lhakang. However most of them need coordinates, Can you find them? Dr. Blofeld       White cat 13:12, 8 May 2010 (UTC)

I have requested three more images of Yuksom from my contact on flickr. Can you please go through it and make the spelling consistent, I believed Yuksom is the most widely used. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 13:32, 8 May 2010 (UTC)

I also need you to upload most of the images from here by bot for Lhuentse Dzong. It has some beautiful images, I reckon we could make a good article out of it. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 14:14, 8 May 2010 (UTC)

That image is not permitted because content on that site is non commercial. Luckily I found an image already uploaded. Please upload those Lhuetse dzong images when you have a moment spare. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 15:50, 8 May 2010 (UTC)

Thankyou for your new additions. I've invited User talk:Chandan Guha to collaborate with us on some articles. I suppose you've noticed his work? This is good I think, Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:14, 9 May 2010 (UTC)

HI, welcome back! Try changing the skin in your preferences. Go into my preferences, appearance and select another skin, say like cologne blue or something or modern, see if it works. You strike me as the kind of guy who was always use the standard skin monobook, which of course has now changed to vector. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 14:19, 14 May 2010 (UTC)

If it doesn't work then ask at here].  Dr. Blofeld       White cat 14:22, 14 May 2010 (UTC) Any better? If you are OK now I wondered if you would like to expand Acantilados de Los Gigantes. It is an interesting feature in Tenerife. A long way from India but interesting. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 12:18, 15 May 2010 (UTC)

Why aren;t you talking? I've expanded Tengboche using text from the monastery. Tomorrow I will add content, please also add content. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 21:26, 15 May 2010 (UTC)

Excellent work, I'll nominate shortly. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 09:06, 18 May 2010 (UTC)

Out of curiosity, did you ask Kothanda on flickr to change the licenses to all those Sikkim images? They look great. Yes Tengboche is looking good. I'm trouble with my heart today, palpitations I think. No idea why. Hearts beating very fast, uncontrollably, tight chest, pins and needles in my face, sweating and dizzy feeling in my head like I'm not breathing much oxygen. Its suddenly come on this afternoon in the last half hour. I should take some fresh air and then hope it passes, so I can't copyedit now. Very unusual for me, I can never recall having it before. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 14:16, 18 May 2010 (UTC).

Feel a little better now although my heart is still beatnig faster than normal. No idea, I did have quite a lot of coffee last night though, could be caffeine related. You are a Hindu arne't you? If there are any temples you visit without articles take some photographs! Villages too! Right now I wish I was in Tengboche breathing in the fresh mountain air and meditating! Dr. Blofeld       White cat 16:42, 18 May 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Motithang Takin Preserve
The DYK project (nominate) 00:03, 4 May 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Tango Monastery
The DYK project (nominate) 08:01, 6 May 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Trongsa Dzong
Thanks for this one Victuallers (talk) 00:02, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

Kashi Vishwanath Temple pic??
Hi. Since you have travelled so much, just wanted to inquire if you have a pic of Kashi Vishwanath you clicked that can be uploaded on wiki? -- Redtigerxyz Talk 16:07, 14 May 2010 (UTC)
 * I searched flickr but could not a suitable picture. Are you using the new wikipedia format, may be that's the problem. Click on "Take me back" on the top to go back to old wikipedia. -- Redtigerxyz Talk 05:35, 15 May 2010 (UTC)

DYK for White Horse Temple
Thanks from me and the wiki Victuallers (talk) 00:02, 15 May 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Lhuentse Dzong
Materialscientist (talk) 12:03, 17 May 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Dungtse Lhakhang
The DYK project (nominate) 12:02, 18 May 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Sangamitta
The DYK project (nominate) 12:02, 18 May 2010 (UTC)

I've begun User:Nvvchar/Sandbox 1. You may want to expand it. It is the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, very major in Tibet. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 17:21, 18 May 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Karma Gon Monastery
The DYK project (nominate) 18:03, 19 May 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Cu Lao Cham Marine Park
The DYK project (nominate) 18:03, 20 May 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Cham Islands
The DYK project (nominate) 18:03, 20 May 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Norbugang Chorten
The DYK project (nominate) 18:10, 24 May 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Pemayangtse Monastery
The DYK project (nominate) 18:11, 24 May 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Rabdentse
The DYK project (nominate) 18:11, 24 May 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Sanga Choeling Monastery
The DYK project (nominate) 18:12, 24 May 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Khecheopalri Lake
The DYK project (nominate) 18:13, 24 May 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Tashiding Monastery
The DYK project (nominate) 18:14, 24 May 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Dubdi Monastery

 * DYK credits were lumped because when you nominate, the script can't handle multiple nominations. Such credits need to be fixed manually (one credit line per author and per atticle) and some technical error happened then. Materialscientist (talk) 22:16, 24 May 2010 (UTC)

Big congratulations! I believe that once I total up the recent ones I'm also pretty close to the 200. We'll see. 197... I have a couple of pending nominations though... Gp ahead and start the Norbulingkha article if you like. I'm taking a few days away from the wiki, I'll be back in a few days. Dr. Blofeld      White cat 09:29, 25 May 2010 (UTC)

Thankyou for taking images of you pilgrimage. File:Main entry to the Mahabaleshwar Temple at Gokaran.jpg - pity no photography permitted inside. Dr. Blofeld      White cat 14:38, 28 May 2010 (UTC)

OK, I'll work on both the articles you've been writing tomorrow. I've having a break from wiki today. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 14:39, 30 May 2010 (UTC)

Can you please not do that again until I've edited it? Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:43, 31 May 2010 (UTC)

Don't worry now, but please if you move it before I've edited it again can you please empty your sandbox to avoid confusion. Good work expanding it! Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:57, 31 May 2010 (UTC)

I've begun writing N. T. Rama Rao. It gets a high amount of traffic. Unfortunately most people editing it write it very poorly full of POV so it ends up being removed. I was wondering if you'd like to help me expand the article. He is supposed to be a VIP from Andhra Pradesh. I'd imagine sources are available widely for him or in books in Delhi library. Can you help? Dr. Blofeld       White cat 20:47, 31 May 2010 (UTC)

Ha. Small world. One of Rao's films Bhookailas (1958 film). Gokarna!! Dr. Blofeld       White cat 20:57, 31 May 2010 (UTC) A good source can be found here. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 21:33, 31 May 2010 (UTC) Thanks. So are you interested in N. T. Rama Rao or not? I've never seen you write a biography article on here... Dr. Blofeld       White cat 08:35, 1 June 2010 (UTC) Birla Mandir, Hyderabad also needs expansion. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 08:44, 1 June 2010 (UTC) OK. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 08:58, 1 June 2010 (UTC)

Yes, that would be interesting. No rush. Yes you;ll enjoy Himalaya by Michael Palin. Even the Dalai Lama knew who he was! Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:47, 3 June 2010 (UTC) I also want to expand Dharan, Nepal... Dr. Blofeld       White cat 13:51, 3 June 2010 (UTC) Excellent work, Rangit Dam need s a citation though. Also the currency converter indicates 1.05 billion not 1.23. Please source this and provide an accurate converter. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 17:11, 5 June 2010 (UTC) Yes I have a lot in my book on Thimphu too so I look forward to adding it with the information you add. Dr. Blofeld      White cat 08:18, 6 June 2010 (UTC)

Hi
First of all. Congrats for your accession to the 200 DYK league. With voracious DYK creators like you, you may be the first to get to 1000 DYK creation medal. What's the matter with your sign, no links yo your page or talk. Anyway, nice image of Ganesha. In sync with the tradition with Ganesh chaturthi idol traditions, of combining various deities with Ganesha. -- Redtigerxyz Talk 13:30, 25 May 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Tengboche
 — Rlevse • Talk  • 12:05, 3 June 2010 (UTC)

Can I tempt you to help me expand Bintan Island? I visited it about ten years ago and it is spectacular. It has the most beautiful beaches. Almost like being on a desert island. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:54, 6 June 2010 (UTC)

On wikitravel right click an image slect save picture as to whatever. Then go into the wiki commons upload file and select whatever license it is on wiki travel. Done. It has to be done manually though I don;t think the bot works for wiki travel.. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 13:21, 6 June 2010 (UTC)

Done. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 15:05, 6 June 2010 (UTC)

There are many photos to upload from flickr, I uploaded a few of the resorts earlier. I've only got a book on Bali and Lombok so I'm not sure what there is about it. If ever you get a chance I strongly recommend you visiting it. I remember walking along the beach in my surf trunks and climbing the rocks at the end with nothing but beautiful azure blue sea and the forest behind me and "at one with nature" so to speak. It is an extremely pleasant experience, as close to paradise as I've come I think, Kauai was the only other place which comes close. I think I've got some pictures of the beach chalets somehwere but I would have to find them and scan them into the computer as they are print photographs. There is not an awful lot on the island, little hustle and bustle which makes it all the more perfect in my view. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 16:08, 6 June 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Mirjan Fort
 — Rlevse • Talk  • 06:02, 7 June 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Norbulingka
 — Rlevse • Talk  • 18:03, 7 June 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna
 — Rlevse • Talk  • 06:02, 9 June 2010 (UTC) Amazing work! Well done! I have a lot to add about the districts. I'm feeling a little tired today I'll add it and copyedit it tomorrow or later this evening if I am feeling more energetic. You seem to have covered most of it! Could do with a load more images though... Dr. Blofeld       White cat 11:23, 10 June 2010 (UTC)

I don't think that information is suitable. It comes across as a charity advert.In fact it is the sort of information I would be likely to remove from an article rather than add. It shouldn't be too difficult to reach the required amount with some beefing up of cityscape. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 14:43, 11 June 2010 (UTC)

It could do with a government/politics section. Who is the mayor of Thimphu, who represents the Thimphu district, how often are they elected how does the national assembly/admin buildings of Thimphu function? I know you are not disposed towards politics but that isn't justification to not discuss it. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 15:18, 11 June 2010 (UTC)

That's better. Did you request any photos on flickr? We could use one of a hospital/admin buildings etc... Dr. Blofeld       White cat 17:04, 11 June 2010 (UTC) Can you use the bot to upload some pictures of people in Thimphu and some of the panoramas from here? Dr. Blofeld       White cat 17:10, 11 June 2010 (UTC)

Looks good! Dr. Blofeld       White cat 11:22, 12 June 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Temi Tea Garden
 — Rlevse</b> • Talk  • 12:02, 10 June 2010 (UTC)

Hi
Hi. Thanks for the Pabuji Ki Phad offer, but I am going on vacation on wed and will only on 27th. I will be able to collaborate on any article after 27th. -- Redtigerxyz Talk 05:08, 13 June 2010 (UTC)
 * Thanks for your wishes. Have visited Sikkim before, but I do not the said photos. I am going to Egypt and Petra this time. -- Redtigerxyz Talk 05:44, 13 June 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Rangit Dam
<span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif"> — <b style="color:#060;">Rlevse</b> • Talk  • 06:03, 13 June 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Kabi Lungchok
<span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif"> — <b style="color:#060;">Rlevse</b> • Talk  • 12:01, 14 June 2010 (UTC)

You are now a Reviewer
Hello. Your account has been granted the "reviewer" userright, allowing you to review other users' edits on certain flagged pages. Pending changes, also known as flagged protection, will be commencing a two-month trial at approximately 23:00, 2010 June 15 (UTC).

Reviewers can review edits made by users who are not autoconfirmed to articles placed under flagged protection. Flagged protection is applied to only a small number of articles, similarly to how semi-protection is applied but in a more controlled way for the trial.

When reviewing, edits should be accepted if they are not obvious vandalism or BLP violations, and not clearly problematic in light of the reason given for protection (see Reviewing process). More detailed documentation and guidelines can be found here.

If you do not want this userright, you may ask any administrator to remove it for you at any time. Courcelles (talk) 23:51, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

Congrats too. Once again its amazing how comprehensive you make articles. Excellent work on Bintan. I've changed some things, can you find the correct area of the island though? The infobox says something very different to the intro. I'm also very surprised there are as many as 200,000 living on the island. When I went, around 12 years ago it was very quiet. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 17:48, 16 June 2010 (UTC)

Lovely. Looks great. I've added this map. Perhaps you could mention the small islands and name them from this map in the geography section? Dr. Blofeld       White cat 09:19, 17 June 2010 (UTC) Can I tempt you to help expand either Tobelo or Sofifi. I found a photograph from the collection of a Bintan image you uploaded. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 09:58, 17 June 2010 (UTC) I've begun expanding Tobelo. Can you add info from here, here and other sources. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:17, 17 June 2010 (UTC)

Sofifi could probably be destubbed too. Right now though I'll make a start on North Halmahera based on this as a start. Actually you'll find the info about those beaches in the Tobelo area would be more suited for the regional article. Tobelo info overlaps too. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 11:00, 17 June 2010 (UTC)

I've made a good start to North Halmahera Regency. Economy section was translated from Indonesian and needs sources though. Please expand, there is lots of info on islands/beaches of Northern Halmhera here. and here. We'll nominate it simply as a double hook then "DYK that Tobelo is the capital of the North Halmahera Regency? Dr. Blofeld       White cat 13:11, 17 June 2010 (UTC)

I'll let you work on it now, I'll stub those red links in Bintan article now. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 13:57, 17 June 2010 (UTC)

Wow, check out the coral reefs here. Stunning. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 14:08, 17 June 2010 (UTC) Thanks for your edits. I've begun on another article in User:Nvvchar/sandbox. Bout time those province articles were written properly... There are plenty of pics to upload from Viet wiki like http://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tr%E1%BA%A1m_T%E1%BA%A5u. CLick the links in the gold box and you;ll find them. I'm taking a breather now but later tonight i'll begin uploading the photos from viet wiki. If you could add your contributions when you have a moment in the next few days, no rush we can did you know it. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 17:55, 17 June 2010 (UTC)

Amazing. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:46, 18 June 2010 (UTC) Yes the Suanggi would be extremely interesting, please do add that. In fact if there is enough info it could also have its own article. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:48, 18 June 2010 (UTC) I've asked Yellow Monkey to also help write User:Nvvchar/sandbox. Are you interested in the provinces of Vietnam? Dr. Blofeld       White cat 15:12, 18 June 2010 (UTC) I've also got an article in waiting in User:Nvvchar/Sandbox 2. I'll begin expanding it later. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 15:43, 19 June 2010 (UTC) Outstanding once again. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 09:49, 21 June 2010 (UTC) Yes and for such a beautiful region too. I think I can find some more images on Vietnamese wiki in the district articles. Ask at the village pump technical about your signature. Regards. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:14, 21 June 2010 (UTC) Mmm there is a possibility of a 11 article hook in which we could expand all of the provinces of Dong Bac and say did you know that the provinces of .... constitute the Dong Bac (northeast) region of Vietnam?. Most of them are stubs. It would probably be too much work though. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:18, 21 June 2010 (UTC)

OK then, I'll restore it to your workspace and then we can work on the provinces gradually for a month or whatever. It would be great to see 11 Vietnamese provinces in one hook! I've uploaded three new images so far, I'll try to dig out more. Never been to Vietnam, flown over it via Hong Kong to Bangkok. Vietnam and Laos and eatsern Thailand is absolutely spectacular from the air, forests, green paddy fields and muddy rivers. Amazing. I've been to Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore though. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:37, 21 June 2010 (UTC) It looks developed enough as it is! Dr. Blofeld       White cat 11:07, 21 June 2010 (UTC) I've moved Yen Bai to User:Nvvchar/Vietnam Province 11 as it is the 11th province of the region. I've started pages for the other 10. First of all I'll being with formatting the table and finding the communes. No rush though this project will likely take overa month of gradual work... Have you finished with your inputs for Enchey Monastery? Dr. Blofeld       White cat 12:11, 21 June 2010 (UTC) I'll begin uploading pics from Viet wiki to the commons. Bac Giang Province. One is an image of a rice field which can also be used in the rice article. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 13:49, 21 June 2010 (UTC)
 * User:Nvvchar/Vietnam Province 10
 * User:Nvvchar/Vietnam Province 9
 * User:Nvvchar/Vietnam Province 8 ‎
 * User:Nvvchar/Vietnam Province 7
 * User:Nvvchar/Vietnam Province 6
 * User:Nvvchar/Vietnam Province 5
 * User:Nvvchar/Vietnam Province 4 ‎
 * User:Nvvchar/Vietnam Province 3]
 * User:Nvvchar/Vietnam Province 2 ‎
 * User:Nvvchar/Vietnam Province 1 ‎

DYK for Thimphu
-- Cirt (talk) 00:02, 16 June 2010 (UTC)

DYK nomination of Pabuji Ki Phad
Hello! Your submission of Pabuji Ki Phad at the Did You Know nominations page has been reviewed, and there still are some issues that may need to be clarified. Please review the comment(s) underneath your nomination's entry and respond there as soon as possible. Thank you for contributing to Did You Know! <span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif"> — <b style="color:#060;">Rlevse</b> • Talk  • 01:20, 20 June 2010 (UTC)

Yen Bai & Vietnam collabs
Thanks for your comments on my talk page :) I noticed Dr. Blofeld's message about your sandbox on YellowMonkey's talk page, and since I've been working on several Vietnam-related articles I figured I'd come and chip in, mainly for the sake of collaborating with others. I don't particularly know much about Yen Bai, although I probably drove through on my way to Sa Pa, and I did stop for a day in Bảo Yên District. All the same, even with limited knowledge, I'd love to collaborate further on improving Vietnam-related content. I've got a few articles in my Sandbox (1 2 3 4) that you can take a look at and improve at your leisure.

Oh, and regarding the article for deletion, the suggested deletion is Gia Lam Airfield, which is simply a redirect to Gia Lam Airport, and isn't actually linked to from any other articles, so it's basically a useless redirect (compare also Gia Lam Airbase, which is a redirect that's actually used). I haven't followed up with it yet since it's not really hurting anyone, but I don't mind deleting it since it's just a redirect. To be sure, I wouldn't delete the Gia Lam Airport article, that was my first DYK (and a successful one, too, at 2,500 views)! --dragfyre_ ʞןɐʇ c 18:23, 21 June 2010 (UTC)
 * I should chip into the History of Saigon one with the political rumblings. There are hardly any opps for this kind of group effort on VN articles  YellowMonkey  ( vote in the Southern Stars and White Ferns supermodel photo poll )  06:46, 22 June 2010 (UTC)

Hi Nvvchar. VN govt sources should be avoided on history because VN is a single-party communist dictatorship and the website you used is shameless communist propaganda. I can clean it up easily with a proper textbook so don't worry  YellowMonkey  ( vote in the Southern Stars and White Ferns supermodel photo poll )  06:46, 22 June 2010 (UTC)
 * I don't know if you are interested in Hindu temples in Vietnam, but a new full-length scholarly book about My Son (a UNESCO World Heritage site) landed in my library and I can photo the whole book for you  YellowMonkey  ( vote in the Southern Stars and White Ferns supermodel photo poll )  06:46, 22 June 2010 (UTC)

If you use Special:Emailuser/YellowMonkey I'll have your email address and can send you the religion books and pdfs, as Wikimail doesn't have attachments. Apart from the book on My Son there are about 3 other scholarly books around on different religious things in Vietnam  YellowMonkey  ( vote in the Southern Stars and White Ferns supermodel photo poll )  07:46, 22 June 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Pabuji Ki Phad
<span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif"> — <b style="color:#060;">Rlevse</b> • Talk  • 12:03, 22 June 2010 (UTC)

Rice production in Vietnam
I've also come across a book about Mekong agriculture (about the region generally) that I've just photo'ed with a lot about rice. Also I have found a journal article on the Vietnamese Famine of 1945 that killed a few million in the north  YellowMonkey  ( vote in the Southern Stars and White Ferns supermodel photo poll )  04:26, 23 June 2010 (UTC)
 * Sure. The textbooks should be rolling into your inbox now  YellowMonkey  ( vote in the Southern Stars and White Ferns supermodel photo poll )  07:52, 23 June 2010 (UTC)

Lee and Ray need a Bibliography section. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 09:22, 23 June 2010 (UTC) OK. I'll import the Viet wiki info. When Yellow Monkey translates sources can be found. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 10:48, 23 June 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Tobelo
<span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif"> — <b style="color:#060;">Rlevse</b> • Talk  • 00:02, 24 June 2010 (UTC) No the idea with Yen Bai is to save it until all 11 are completed. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 21:11, 24 June 2010 (UTC)

DYK for North Halmahera Regency
<span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif"> — <b style="color:#060;">Rlevse</b> • Talk  • 00:03, 24 June 2010 (UTC)

Resources
Finished the agriculture deliveries. Will start on the Champa Hindu ones after finishing with Dragfyre's religion deliveries.  YellowMonkey  ( vote in the Southern Stars and White Ferns supermodel photo poll )  02:30, 24 June 2010 (UTC)
 * champa in progress  YellowMonkey  ( vote in the Southern Stars and White Ferns supermodel photo poll )  07:48, 25 June 2010 (UTC)
 * Will be done within an hour  YellowMonkey  ( bananabucket! ) 05:05, 28 June 2010 (UTC)

Champa done  YellowMonkey  ( vote in the Southern Stars and White Ferns supermodel photo poll )  06:23, 28 June 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Bintan Island
<span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif"> — <b style="color:#060;">Rlevse</b> • Talk  • 12:02, 24 June 2010 (UTC)

Ngorongoro Conservation Area. What an amazingly beautiful place don't you think? My sister went to Kenya and Tanzania last year and loved it. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 17:06, 26 June 2010 (UTC)

Try this. Go into your preferences. Where the signature box is add Add. Now click a tick underneath for Treat the above as wiki markup.. Press save. Now try it. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 11:25, 27 June 2010 (UTC)

Happy with the colors? If you want something different let me know. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 12:24, 27 June 2010 (UTC)

OK? Dr. Blofeld       White cat 12:31, 27 June 2010 (UTC)
 * Fine. Thanks.-- <span style="color:#fef;background:	#191970;">N.V.V. Char     Talk. 12:40, 27 June 2010 (UTC)

I've uploaded photos to http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Nui_Coc_Lake. PLease add them to province no. 9. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 11:11, 28 June 2010 (UTC)

I've started Nui Coc Lake. Should make another DYK. you may wish to add to it. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 14:41, 28 June 2010 (UTC) Wow, had no idea you would ever write an article on Haiti!! Looks great! Well the penis thing came through reading books about Taiwan and Chinese traditional medicine and everywhere I looked it is always going on about a tiger penis or a deer penis etc so I figured it is of significance to their culture. Hey I thought you were away on holiday? Dr. Blofeld       White cat 09:22, 2 July 2010 (UTC)

Ashokan Edicts in Delhi
I've still got a number of issues with this GA nomination I'm afraid, one of which is that I think it needs a pretty aggressive copyedit to meet the GA prose requirement. I've had a bit of an initial hack, but I don't want to step on anyone's toes, so if you'd prefer that I left it alone, that's fine. One further small thing; the article needs to be consistent about whether these are the "Major Rock Edicts", or "major rock edicts". Malleus Fatuorum 18:27, 26 June 2010 (UTC)

Tara
Would love to collaborate on Tarapith, may be combined with Tara (Devi) DYK. Will start work tomorrow. currently suffering from jetlag. -- Redtigerxyz Talk 07:42, 27 June 2010 (UTC)
 * Long holiday. Were are you going? About Signature: Try this: Go to "My preferences" and type the following in Signature, Tick Treat the above as wiki markup. Nvvchar (Talk) I expect the result to be: Nvvchar (Talk) -- Redtigerxyz Talk 13:30, 27 June 2010 (UTC)
 * IMO, with the refs of Tara, it is hardly start class. Any way, I want to make all Mahavidya articles (11 in total) GA, I have been able to make 3 of them GA by now. Will try to complete Tarapith by Tue. So you can nominate it before you go. -- Redtigerxyz Talk 16:28, 27 June 2010 (UTC)
 * Most of the references I found were already covered. I have completed my work on Tarapith. DYK suggested: that Hindu sadhus live in the cremation grounds of Tarapith as they believe that goddess Tara (pictured) - who is attracted to bones - dwells there? -- Redtigerxyz Talk 18:39, 28 June 2010 (UTC)
 * Changed the pic as the Tara in cremation grounds is more appropriate IMO. -- Redtigerxyz Talk 05:45, 29 June 2010 (UTC)
 * Bon Voyage -- Redtigerxyz Talk 17:46, 29 June 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Rice production in Vietnam
<span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif"> — <b style="color:#060;">Rlevse</b> • Talk  • 00:03, 30 June 2010 (UTC) In my opinion thie history of Fort-Liberté should be strictly limited to the history of Fort-Liberté. I think a lot of the hisotry is of Hispaniola is not needed in such an article, only the history of the local area.13:38, 3 July 2010 (UTC) Yes, it is particularly good viewing wikipedia on a laptop I looked the other night. I'll work more on Vietnam tomorrow. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 13:43, 3 July 2010 (UTC) There is a new article in User:Nvvchar/Sandbox 2. Urumqi is poorly developed and should be a much fuller article like Kathmandu/Thimphu! Dr. Blofeld       White cat 09:00, 5 July 2010 (UTC)

Sangamitta
Well done! I fixed some disambiguations and added template:Buddhism in Sri Lanka (if you need to know anything on Buddhism in Sri Lanka that temp will guide you). Unfortunately I was kept away from Wikipedia due to many reasons. Seems like now I very limited time to edit here, which I really miss. However I'm impressed with your work done regarding the Buddhism-related topics. Keep up the good work. Regards!-- Chanaka L  ( talk ) 03:39, 30 June 2010 (UTC)
 * I tried to find something from Flickr, but couldn't find anything. I'll take my camera next time I'm visiting Temple of the Tooth, I may be able capture a picture of the painting in there. I'm afraid there aren't much quality articles in Sinhala Wiki. But how about Tamil Wiki? I can't read or write in Tamil. :(-- Chanaka L  ( talk ) 05:22, 1 July 2010 (UTC)

Books
Are they legible?  YellowMonkey  ( vote in the Southern Stars and White Ferns supermodel photo poll )  06:41, 2 July 2010 (UTC)

Non-free files in your user space
Hey there Nvvchar, thank you for your contributions. I am a bot, alerting you that non-free files are not allowed in user or talk space. I removed some files I found on User:Nvvchar/Sandbox 2. In the future, please refrain from adding fair-use files to your user-space drafts or your talk page.


 * See a log of files removed today here.


 * Shut off the bot here.


 * Report errors here.

Thank you, -- DASHBot (talk) 05:01, 6 July 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Nui Coc Lake
<span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif"> — <b style="color:#060;">Rlevse</b> • Talk  • 12:02, 6 July 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Tarapith
<span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif"> — <b style="color:#060;">Rlevse</b> • Talk  • 00:03, 8 July 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Fort-Liberté
The DYK project (nominate) 12:02, 12 July 2010 (UTC)

My you do get around!!! Mr. Char finds himself in Alaska!! Nice and cool? I've been so busy with national dictionary of biography and transwikying that I'd forgotten about Vietnam!! Tomorrow I will continue adding the district info. Nice to have you back, although I gather you are still not back in India? Where have you visited? Dr. Blofeld       White cat 20:17, 16 July 2010 (UTC)

Great to hear from you. Glad to hear you like Alaska. Yeah I'm very fond of Alaska too even though I've never been there! I can see by photographs and form videos I've seen of it that its wild, rugged but beautiful. I've done a good bit of work on protected parks in the state in the past. Actually part of my university material for my degree was a study into Alaskan fisheries and protection. Recently I've done some work with User:Algkalv on Greenland which I find fascinating with the colorful huts. He has some wonderful photographs. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 21:25, 16 July 2010 (UTC)

Given that you are out west (although nowhere near as north as Greenland and Iceland), I was wondering if you would like to provide your input to Foulk Fjord and Fossavatn Ski Marathon. They both seemed interesting but now need a few sources and more text to qualify for DYK. Once John Hill returns from India with new photo we can rekindle our monastery project. Tomorrow I'll work a bit on those Vietnamese provinces. Dr. Blofeld      White cat 23:03, 16 July 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Salmon Creek Arch Dam
Hello! Your submission of Salmon Creek Arch Dam at the Did You Know nominations page has been reviewed, and there still are some issues that may need to be clarified. Please review the comment(s) underneath your nomination's entry and respond there as soon as possible. Thank you for contributing to Did You Know!

Encyclopaedia of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh
It has been discovered that this book: Contains significant amounts of material plagiarized from Wikipedia articles. (Some other books from the same publisher also have this problem). There is no practical way of determining which material came from Wikipedia, and which came from other sources. Further, widespread plagiarism is an indication of poor scholarship. For those reasons, and according to Wikipedia policy, WP:CIRCULAR, I will deleting all citations to the book. However I will not delete the material that cites it, as there's no indication that the material is inaccurate. For more background, see WP:RSN, or the archive after it goes there.  Will Beback   talk    23:45, 18 July 2010 (UTC)
 * Gupta, Om. Encyclopaedia of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Gyan Publishing House, 2006. ISBN 8182053897, 9788182053892.
 * PS this is the boilerplate message I've been leaving on talk pages after deleting the citations. It's cited in your sandbox, so I'll leave it here instead and let you do the deletion.   Will Beback    talk    23:45, 18 July 2010 (UTC)

[[Dzongs
Hi I noticed several dzongs missing from Tibet, most have old photos in the commons: When you return it would be good to get these started.

Dr. Blofeld      White cat 14:50, 19 July 2010 (UTC)

DYK for Salmon Creek Arch Dam
The DYK project (nominate) 18:03, 27 July 2010 (UTC)

Alaska
I see you've been traveling in Alaska recently! That's where I'm from. It's such a wonderful place. Hope you had a great time! Were you on a cruise? Calliopejen1 (talk) 19:03, 27 July 2010 (UTC)

DYK nomination of Chilkoot River
Hello! Your submission of Chilkoot River at the Did You Know nominations page has been reviewed, and there still are some issues that may need to be clarified. Please review the comment(s) underneath your nomination's entry and respond there as soon as possible. Thank you for contributing to Did You Know! Yoninah (talk) 23:31, 28 July 2010 (UTC)

Yes I will look at it. Hope you enjoyed your trip greatly. Now you are back I will start working on the Vietnam provinces again. Don't worry about the unreferenced translations for now, this will take time. Are you interested in the Tibetan dzongs I said about? Dr. Blofeld       White cat 09:05, 29 July 2010 (UTC)

If you want to renominate Thimphu now you've returned go for it. Its still need a little copyediting and polishing I think but should pass with a bit of coordination. An editor is showing an interest in Bhutan articles. He wants Dechencholing Palace expanded. Dr. Blofeld       White cat 09:34, 29 July 2010 (UTC)