User:Ronbo76/Archives4

Substing user warnings
When using certain template tags on talk pages, don't forget to substitute with text by adding subst: to the template tag. For example, use &#123;&#123;subst:uw-test1&#125;&#125; instead of &#123;{uw-test1}}. This reduces server load and prevents accidental blanking of the template.

I have been told that the uw templates are not listed in the list of warnings which should be substed. They should, because the same kinds of vandals who would vandalise articles might vandalise warning templates as well. Cascading chaos would result. Keep up the good work. MKoltnow 13:16, 14 February 2007 (UTC)

(text inserted from User_Talk:MKoltnow)
 * Thanks for the compliment. I use Usual warnings. Too bad the page there does not have the substitute underneath the warnings I use. Ronbo76 13:19, 14 February 2007 (UTC)


 * Actually the third paragraph of WP:TT specifically says remember always to subst these templates. You'll also probably find it easier to use internal links (inside double square brackets) rather than external links when referring to other Wiki pages. And to continue discussions in the same place they started--if someone leaves a note on your talk page, follow-up there. It will keep the discussion from getting disjointed. Any editor who leaves a comment on your talk page should watch for follow-up there. MKoltnow 13:31, 14 February 2007 (UTC


 * Thanks for all the comments. I have seen lots of different techniques. I tend to stick with what works for me until I can master the next level. As for the messages, I have seen both ways and even one user who will not come off his talkpage which is a direct reference to what you recommend. I view messages like email and respond just like an email. It goes from here to there (meaning the other user's talkpage). Learn something new each day. Thanks again for all the comments. I will mull them over. Cheers, Ronbo76 13:35, 14 February 2007 (UTC)


 * Talk page discussions are not email. They are supposed to represent a discussion that can be read as a record. If you reply to another user's talk page, no one else will have any idea what is going on in the thread. MKoltnow 13:59, 14 February 2007 (UTC)


 * BTW, now I think I know why some users do not use or leave warnings as advice to other users. Having to drop down to the next substitute warning message is cumbersome. I have used other substitute type templates and they were not very user friendly - generating messages that improper usage was done and taking time to resolve. Will have to think this all through. Ronbo76 13:39, 14 February 2007 (UTC)


 * I am not sure I understand what you are saying here about leaving messages being cumbersome. When you leave a warning on a vandal's page, simply type   instead of  . You can optionally put the name of the article that got vandalised after a vertical pipe | character. That will substitute in the full text of the warning after you save the page. If you don't do that, some vandal might decide he doesn't like the vandal warning on his page and blank it (or worse). Now EVERY user who has the un-substed version of the warning template will have their talk page magically changed because the base template has changed. MKoltnow 13:59, 14 February 2007 (UTC)
 * Trust me, I have used the sust templates before and they were a real pain. I do not have the vertical pipe key on my keyboard and have to grab it from elsewhere on a page/article which is another minor pain. Blanking? It occurs quite frequently on most vandal pages. I know to check the history tab prior to leaving a warning/advice (assuming good faith) message. Even regular users blank warnings. I have even seen one user overstrike my warning because she considered my warning superfluous. It takes all kinds (in reference to warnings and blankings). I will try the substitute method but if it is like my other template substitute experience, I may just not leave warnings like other users I have seen do an RV and then not leaving a message. Thanks again for all the comments. I have a lot of food for thought. Ronbo76 14:05, 14 February 2007 (UTC)


 * Just did a warning and I had to either open/have open three windows. Hmmm. Ronbo76 14:11, 14 February 2007 (UTC)


 * Two windows (last contrib/warning). Still cumbersome. Ronbo76 14:20, 14 February 2007 (UTC)


 * I don't know what browser or keyboard you have. The vertical bar is on my keyboard at shift-backslash. Using any modern browser (even IE now) you can use tabbed browsing, which makes editing a great deal easier. I rarely need to have more than two tabs open. The first tab is open to the Special:Recentchanges page. I can then right-click (or shift-click on my mac) to open suspicious edits in another window. Normally I open them via diff, and undo the malicious ones. Then I click the newly-formed link to the vandal's talk page. I then take a peek at the text already there and leave an appropriate warning. Penis ~ for example. I type all my warnings out by hand, and I use no scripts or special software to revert vandalism. I am not as speedy as those people who use special anti-vandal software, but you can check out my edit history. If you do not have a vertical bar, how do you insert a piped link? It's really not hard. If you are still having trouble, I would like to help. It sounds as if you are using some sort of special software. I have not yet seen the need for it, so unfortunately I cannot help with that. I am sure there are experienced users who can guide you. P.S. No offence intended when I reverted the comment about the CSRM. That was a casualty of moving this discussion here. It is a good museum. MKoltnow 14:54, 14 February 2007 (UTC)
 * I don't want to go to IE7 yet. Trust me, I do not have the pipe key. As I type now, if I really want a |, I go to the bottom of the edit page and grab the pipe character between the Cancel/Edit messages. See how quick I replied? And, I am still somewhat a new user here. Ronbo76 14:57, 14 February 2007 (UTC)
 * Well I am not sure what sort of help to offer you then. I use Firefox and Safari for my browsers. What kind of keyboard do you have that has no vertical bar on it? Also, indentation (with colons) serves a purpose. That is, it separates your text from others' so people can read the discussion more easily. It also helps keep threads together, which admittedly, I'm not doing a particularly good job of. So one more colon than the previous editor will nest your next comment conveniently for easy reading. MKoltnow 15:10, 14 February 2007 (UTC)


 * Three minutes. Not bad. Great typing tiger! Roar!!! Ronbo76 14:59, 14 February 2007 (UTC)

Ronbo, look at my userpage. I keep copies of the subst warnings there, so I can just grab what I need. You can keep the same handy on your userpage or talk page by copying it from my userpage. Sandy Georgia (Talk) 15:01, 14 February 2007 (UTC)
 * Wilco, bandits three o'clock low. ronbo76 outta angels 280. Switches armed, nose hot. Aluminum cloud engaging. Ronbo76 15:04, 14 February 2007 (UTC)
 * I am on a laptop. Could the messages cease for awhile? I have other concerns/pages on watch and trying to protect them. Thanks. Ronbo76 15:14, 14 February 2007 (UTC)
 * Sorry to butt in, but you have to have a parameter key (|). Look at your backslash (\), it should have a | above it.  Just press the shift key and the back slash (\) key at the same time . John Reaves (talk) 08:03, 22 February 2007 (UTC)