User:The ed17/Archives/80

Books and Bytes - Issue 7
 The Wikipedia Library Books & Bytes

Issue 7, June-July 2014 by, ,

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 * Seven new donations, two expanded partnerships
 * TWL's Final Report up, read the summary
 * Adventures in Las Vegas, WikiConference USA, and updates from TWL coordinators
 * Spotlight: Blog post on BNA's impact on one editor's research

The Signpost: 30 July 2014

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Documenting featured topics
This is not easy. In the best case scenario, you can check the history of Featured topic candidates for the last week or two and that may get you the nom and nominator. However, they can also be automatically promoted. In that case, check the talk page of the candidate, and, if that fails, guess based on the structure of other candidates, e.g. Featured topic candidates/NOMNAME/archive1. Note that Good topics use that structure for candidate pages too. Adam Cuerden (talk) 01:57, 3 August 2014 (UTC)
 * By the sound of all this being confusing and tedious, it may call for some reforming and such on the process. GamerPro64  02:24, 3 August 2014 (UTC)
 * GamerPro! I was just about to ping you into this conversation. When you promote a topic, could you put a note in the Signpost's newsroom? I'm not really sure what we can do about automatic promotion... it's not worth the effort to go through all of the FTs each week to see which ones move up. Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 02:26, 3 August 2014 (UTC)
 * I got it. I remember doing that before but stopped for some reason. But seeing how automatic promotion is becoming an issue, I'll do it again. by the way, I have plans on promoting two new Featured Topics next week so that'll be a good start. GamerPro64  02:32, 3 August 2014 (UTC)
 * They are, at least, fairly consistently put onto the WP:GO to show they were promoted. The easiest way to document might just be to put a template onto the talk page of the topic, similar to FP, FS, etc, that links to the nomination, and also adds any desired templates. Adam Cuerden (talk) 04:21, 3 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Why not ask someone to write a script, like what they use at FPC? — Crisco 1492 (talk) 04:24, 3 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Adam, might be a good idea since it'll be easier to differentiate between ones that were demoted. Probably should also make one for Good Topics too. And Crisco, that's a pretty good idea. I'll look into asking someone about making a script. GamerPro64  04:46, 3 August 2014 (UTC)
 * One idea: The nominations are of a very regular pattern, so I'd be inclined, when starting off, to have a simple substitutable template that would look through the archive pages and link to the last one. This would simplify things a LOT for you.

Something like you'd have at Template:Temporary FT setup:

{{&lt;includeonly>subst:&lt;/includeonly>#ifexist:Wikipedia:Featured topic candidates/{{&lt;includeonly>subst:&lt;/includeonly>BASEPAGENAME}}/archive5|{{featured topic|nom=Wikipedia:Featured topic candidates/{{&lt;includeonly>subst:&lt;/includeonly>BASEPAGENAME}}/archive5| [Repeat for 4, 3, 2, 1, in order, as nested ifexist checks here.] }}


 * Then you could just {{subst:Temporary FT setup}} and it would set things up for you. Adam Cuerden (talk) 11:48, 3 August 2014 (UTC)
 * So do I slap that text up top in the Temporary FT template? GamerPro64  17:30, 3 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Hold on. Do you have the FT template for the talk page yet? Because it needs to match the format. Adam Cuerden (talk) 22:58, 3 August 2014 (UTC)
 * I created the template right here. Hopefully I did it right. As well, I found this TfD that really shows how rough it was for the project back then. Kinda unsettling at that. GamerPro64  02:35, 4 August 2014 (UTC)

Argentine elections
Hi, Ed:

Thank you for that; I'm glad you found my work useful. Argentina is a fascinating country, and their politics certainly never want for drama.

I must admit this was quite a blast from the past for me, as I haven't done any large-scale editing for a couple of years now. Of course, I do still contribute here and there, but rarely bother to log in anymore. If there's anything you've noticed missing or mistaken in any of those articles, or anything else I've contributed substantially to, please let me know.

Thanks again for that kind note.

Sherlock4000 (talk) 00:57, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

Wikipedia Signpost/2014-08-06/Featured content
I can't do much more than I've done this week; I do hope the people you have are going to step in soon. Adam Cuerden (talk) 10:45, 6 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Scrambling a bit now that Matty retired, but I have at least one person, and I just asked another. Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 14:25, 6 August 2014 (UTC)
 * If you can hold the thing until Monday, I can probably finish it... Adam Cuerden (talk) 16:05, 6 August 2014 (UTC)
 * I think if you combine Diliff's, and talk about the tour of cathedrals he's doing, paid for by Wikimedia UK, this shouldn't be too bad to finish. Adam Cuerden (talk) 22:52, 7 August 2014 (UTC)
 * If you can't get it done from where I'm leaving it now, then I don't know what you're going to do in the third week. I've done more work than I should have, to try and help out. Adam Cuerden (talk) 02:07, 8 August 2014 (UTC)
 * I've finished much of it (Diff). — Crisco 1492 (talk) 02:20, 8 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Right. So that just leaves topics. That's two items. =) Adam Cuerden (talk) 02:30, 8 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Not anymore. All done. — Crisco 1492 (talk) 02:31, 8 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Crisco, you're awesome&mdash;once again, I'm in your debt. I've been offline for family reasons. Thanks to you too, Adam, for listing all of the items to include this week. I'll be publishing in a couple hours when I get home and finish NAN. Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 22:37, 8 August 2014 (UTC)

I think I can do next week, week after that is my second August show, though. P.S. Any WWI images to restore? Adam Cuerden (talk) 23:04, 8 August 2014 (UTC)
 * That would be helpful! Re WWI, there's the South Carolina image that you were looking at a little bit ago. You could also ask on WT:MILHIST, or I can hunt down some suggestions later today. Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 13:01, 9 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Noone else seems that interested.... Adam Cuerden (talk) 04:51, 11 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Ah. Give me some times and I'll take a look for good images! Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 05:26, 11 August 2014 (UTC)

Let's start with 1915 anniversaries. Adam Cuerden (talk) 05:28, 11 August 2014 (UTC)

Argentine socialists
Hello again, Ed.

I wish I could be of more help there, but my knowledge of Argentine history is probably a little too general to be able to really contribute to your work. My guess is that Congressman Juan B. Justo probably led the unsuccessful charge to stop such earmarks. The outbreak of World War I caused a severe recession in Argentina, pushing already high unemployment to 20% and eroding already poor wages by 30%, so Justo and fellow Socialist Congressman Alfredo Palacios were as you know none too pleased to see boondoggles like that on the budget.

Pointless wartime hysteria, of course, led to increases in already excessive defense budgets during the world wars despite Argentina's neutrality in both; and until the Perón era (when social spending and economic subsidies took center stage), the military remained the biggest item in the national budget at about 40% of the total. The right-wing nature of most Argentine presidencies probably had less to do with that as the fact that the military had just been too much of a gravy train for too many contractors (and well-greased politicians) to be curbed in any real way.

Some things never really change, do they.

Thank you for those links, by the way. Even if my heavy-duty editing days on Wikipedia are behind me, I look forward to what must surely be interesting reading.

All the best, Ed. Let's keep in touch.

Sherlock4000 (talk) 01:35, 7 August 2014 (UTC)
 * If you happen to come across any references that confirm that those politicians did that, please let me know! Otherwise, you're right in that it's all a bit too general to include. Still, it's certainly some interesting backstory... and (incidentally) if you have any sources on the interwar or post-WWII Argentine Navy, I'd use them. ;-) Please do stay in touch, and if you happen to read any of my articles, please feel free to leave feedback! Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 22:37, 8 August 2014 (UTC)


 * Will do! Sherlock4000 (talk) 00:59, 9 August 2014 (UTC)

Precious again
  precision

Thank you for your constant flow of featured content on battleships (planning 2021), for editing the Signpost, and for your diligence in language questions without a battle, - repeating: you are an awesome Wikipedian (5 and 6 April 2009 - what did you do then to be noticed by two?)!

--Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:57, 7 August 2012 (UTC) Two years ago, you were the 206th recipient of my  Pumpkin Sky Prize, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:08, 7 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Thanks, Gerda! Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 22:37, 8 August 2014 (UTC)

VisualEditor newsletter—July and August 2014
''The VisualEditor team is currently working mostly to fix bugs, improve performance, reduce technical debt, and other infrastructure needs. You can find on Mediawiki.org weekly updates detailing recent work.'' VisualEditor - Link editing inline box.png.

The user guide is also being updated.
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The biggest visible change since the last newsletter was to the dialog boxes. The design for each dialog box and window was simplified. The most commonly needed buttons are now at the top. Based on user feedback, the buttons are now labeled with simple words (like "Cancel" or "Done") instead of potentially confusing icons (like "<" or "X"). Many of the buttons to edit links, images, and other items now also show the linked page, image name, or other useful information when you click on them.
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Looking ahead
The team posts details about planned work on the VisualEditor roadmap. The VisualEditor team plans to add auto-fill features for citations soon. Your ideas about making referencing quick and easy are still wanted. Support for upright image sizes is being developed. The designers are also working on support for adding rows and columns to tables. Work to support Internet Explorer is ongoing.

Feedback opportunities
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Please share your questions, suggestions, or problems by posting a note at the VisualEditor feedback page or by joining the office hours discussion on Thursday, 14 August 2014 at 09:00 UTC (daytime for Europe, Middle East and Asia) or on Thursday, 18 September 2014 at 16:00 UTC (daytime for the Americas; evening for Europe).

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The Signpost WikiProject report
Hello:

I asked User:Mabeenot on 19 July if I could conduct a WikiProject interview for The Signpost about WikiProject Baseball, described in the above diff. It's been a couple of weeks, and I haven't heard back. Thus, I would like to proceed with the interview for a WikiProject report in an upcoming edition of the paper, but I'd like to have permission from a Signpost editor first. Thank you for your time. Seattle (talk) 18:52, 8 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Hey, given the subject, I don't have a problem with you doing an interview. What date would you be planning to complete it for? Best, Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 22:37, 8 August 2014 (UTC)
 * I can have it completed by August 20. Seattle (talk) 12:06, 9 August 2014 (UTC)
 * That sounds great! Please keep me updated as you go along. :-) Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 13:01, 9 August 2014 (UTC)

The Signpost: 06 August 2014

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Wikipedia Signpost/2014-08-13/Opinion essay
I know it's a little longer than you were ideally looking for, but what do you think? J Milburn (talk) 16:43, 12 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Would it be worthwhile to mention WP:OVERLINK at this point? There are some style considerations mentioned at OVERLINK as well. —Neotarf (talk) 21:11, 13 August 2014 (UTC)
 * It might be worth it to mention that you shouldn't overlink redlinks (aka don't overuse them)... but adding an entire paragraph might be a tangent. Otherwise, I think it looks pretty good! Do you want to keep the periods in your numbered lists or make them into colons? Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 22:52, 13 August 2014 (UTC)
 * I didn't mean necessarily in the piece, but just to be aware of the considerations (and that the MOS does talk about it, in case there are questions or comments). The guideline he links to actually has quite a bit on the topic, but some people can take this stuff to heart, without paying attention to the finer details. —Neotarf (talk) 23:24, 13 August 2014 (UTC)

A thought
Hey Ed, I don't know what the timetable is but I had a thought. You might be aware that Pendright's Mahan-class destroyer article has passed FAC - it occurred to me that this is the kind of thing that should get top billing in the next edition of the Signpost. You don't see too many WWII veterans writing high-quality articles about the things in which they were involved 70+ years ago, you know. It might even be something interview-worthy (and perhaps especially once his USS Mahan (DD-364) article makes it to FAC). Parsecboy (talk) 12:13, 13 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Would you be willing to lend your expertise to the Featured content report this week? I'll try to find a Mahan-class destroyer image to lead with. Adam Cuerden (talk) 17:25, 13 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Let's see... he served on Mahan and Cone... Fingers crossed. Adam Cuerden (talk) 17:27, 13 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Dominic said here that he's going to pull the Mahan images when he's back from Wikimania. I say we hold Mahan-class destroyer back a week and do this right. Adam Cuerden (talk) 17:47, 13 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Heh, I was about to give you a hard time on Dominic's talk page about your having forgotten the earlier discussion ;)
 * I'm sure you've seen by now, but Dominic has uploaded some scans, he pinged you at the Mahan ACR. Parsecboy (talk) 19:40, 13 August 2014 (UTC)
 * I'm working on one already. Adam Cuerden (talk) 19:48, 13 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Hi all- Parsec, that's a brilliant idea. I'll get an interview together, although it most likely won't run for two weeks, as I'm moving across the country next week. Adam, I'm going to be receiving a draft for the Wikimania story at some point in the next few hours. Will you be able to finish FC tonight or no? Just need to plan here. :-) Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 21:53, 13 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Can I have until tomorrow for FC? It'll make it a lot less stressful. Adam Cuerden (talk) 22:10, 13 August 2014 (UTC)
 * That's fine! :-) Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 22:52, 13 August 2014 (UTC)
 * FYI, I also sent Pendright an email earlier today when I found out about this. I think this is the perfect story to feature on the National Archives' blog, so I am curious if he is interested in contributing or being interviewed. :-) Dominic·t 01:27, 14 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Would you be interested in co-interviewing him? Obviously we'll have a couple of different questions, but the bulk of the interview will be the same. Might result in less work for us. :-) Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 16:53, 14 August 2014 (UTC)

This Month in GLAM: July 2014
Subscribe/Unsubscribe · Global message delivery · Romaine 21:17, 13 August 2014 (UTC)

Rhino ferry
Hey Ed, got a nice little war stub for you. This came out of a BLPN note about Edwin Hunt (waterman)--if you can do anything for that article, that'd be great. Thanks pal, Drmies (talk) 15:27, 14 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Hey, I'm going to throw this one to WT:MILHIST too. I'm moving down to your area of the country (sort of ... NC) on Monday and have less than zero extra time right now! Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 16:53, 14 August 2014 (UTC)
 * That's a nice state. Hope you have time to check out some waterfalls, and make sure to give a buzz. Thanks Ed, and good luck with the move, Drmies (talk) 17:01, 14 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Eh, we'll see, that's literally on the opposite side of the state. ;-) I'm planning on visiting and the good folks in DC at some point; maybe we should just organize a meetup... Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 19:38, 14 August 2014 (UTC)
 * I smell barbecue. - Dank (push to talk) 19:45, 14 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Incidentally, have I mentioned that North Carolina BBQ is in my top five reasons for being excited to move? Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 19:50, 14 August 2014 (UTC)

Traffic
Replied on my talk page - sorry for my inability to help this week. But seren has done the new top25.--Milowent • hasspoken 03:22, 15 August 2014 (UTC)

Dear TPSers
I'm preparing to drive to my new home on Monday (halfway across the US) and will be mostly out of contact. For the same reason, writing "News and notes" at the Signpost isn't going to happen. Anyone interested in pitching in? :-) Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 19:00, 16 August 2014 (UTC)

The Bugle: Issue CI, August 2014
The Bugle is published by the Military history WikiProject. To receive it on your talk page, please join the project or sign up here. If you are a project member who does not want delivery, please remove your name from this page. Your editors, Ian Rose (talk) and Nick-D (talk) 15:23, 17 August 2014 (UTC)

The Signpost: 13 August 2014

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FC
Well, after the giant FC last week, a very short one this week. This shouldn't be too hard. Adam Cuerden (talk) 17:37, 18 August 2014 (UTC)

Best wishes
Hi Ed, I saw your news. I hope that you're OK, and are looking after yourself. Regards, Nick-D (talk) 10:57, 19 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Indeed. Good luck getting home. I presume your insurance won't cover it? Adam Cuerden (talk) 15:56, 19 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Heh, I wish. I've never needed insurance until now, but I got a cheaperish plan&mdash;so despite paying over $100/month for years, I'm going to get ... a grand total of nothing. Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 00:09, 20 August 2014 (UTC)
 * I hope you get better insurance in the future! Not to rub salt in the wound, but I pay less than that and I get collision insurance, so I think you may get a better deal elsewhere. --Pine✉ 09:34, 23 August 2014 (UTC)

Lists
Can you make User:The ed17/Good articles by prose size, User:The ed17/Good articles by wiki text, User:The ed17/Featured articles by prose size, User:The ed17/Featured articles by wiki text, and User:Dr pda/Featured article statistics, monthly or quarterly updated resources?--TonyTheTiger (T / C / WP:FOUR / WP:CHICAGO / WP:WAWARD) 21:25, 21 August 2014 (UTC)
 * I can't promise exact quarterly updates, but I can update them more often, yes. Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 04:45, 26 August 2014 (UTC)
 * When can you do this next?--TonyTheTiger (T / C / WP:FOUR / WP:CHICAGO / WP:WAWARD) 22:48, 1 September 2014 (UTC)
 * The featured articles have been updated for a few days now. The wiki text good article is now done, and I'm doing the prose size one now. Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 01:13, 2 September 2014 (UTC)
 * Is the 5th list worth updating?--TonyTheTiger (T / C / WP:FOUR / WP:CHICAGO / WP:WAWARD) 03:20, 2 September 2014 (UTC)
 * No, it's simply a combination of the two FA lists I have above. Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 23:25, 2 September 2014 (UTC)


 * Why is a featured list considered the shortest featured article by prose size?--TonyTheTiger (T / C / WP:FOUR / WP:CHICAGO / WP:WAWARD) 23:34, 2 September 2014 (UTC)
 * The script picks up anything that has featured article. Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 23:57, 2 September 2014 (UTC)

The Signpost: 20 August 2014

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Possible Signpost article
Sorry to hear about your car being totaled. Had a somewhat similar incident that happened with family just yesterday. But anyway, I've been getting messages involving questions about Featured Topics and what people have to do to get their GTs to FTs and whatnot. It occurred to me that the Featured Topic project hasn't exactly been understood compared to the bigger Featured Content projects. So, I was thinking if an article about the history of Featured Topics and the process of getting one works is made, maybe people can get a better understanding on the process and makes people who want to nominate topics of their own feel much easier knowing how it all works. If that can happen, I can write it up myself. GamerPro64 01:22, 25 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Yeah, it's been fun. I'm just thankful that no one was injured, which would have turned this into a truly nasty situation. Hope your family member is doing well!
 * We've previously done a series similar to what you are proposing; see Template:FCDW. While it's been quite some time since we last ran it consistently, I'd love to run an article like what you propose under that banner. Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 04:45, 26 August 2014 (UTC)
 * The only damage that accumulated from all of it is that my sister's car is inoperable now. Didn't get into an accident. Just died in the middle of a highway.
 * So I'll try to write up a draft for the feature. I was always fond of the FC Dispatch section of the Signpost. GamerPro64  12:15, 26 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Well. That's strange, and certainly doesn't bode well for the car. I'm glad she came out alright!
 * Sounds good! Please let me know when you've gotten something together. Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 00:17, 28 August 2014 (UTC)

FYI
Wikipedia_talk:Manual_of_Style CombatWombat42 (talk) 17:28, 27 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Thanks. I've commented there. Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 00:17, 28 August 2014 (UTC)

Hmm...
Time for the standard Signpost contract again? —Neotarf (talk) 21:05, 27 August 2014 (UTC)
 * I wouldn't object to an opinion piece about the banning policy if is interested... but, he may not be. Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 00:17, 28 August 2014 (UTC)
 * I'm interested, but we're about to open an arbitration case on the subject, so it isn't the right moment. I'll have more time and scope for general writing about wiki issues when my arb term expires at the end of the year. Regards, Newyorkbrad (talk) 03:27, 28 August 2014 (UTC)
 * That's understandable. We can work something out after the term end. Thanks, NYB! Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 04:09, 28 August 2014 (UTC)
 * I'll be looking forward to seeing how it turns out. I was hoping for a semi-regular feature, maybe "Brad Speaks", or either a "Majority Report" or "Minority Report". I hope this doesn't discourage the nascent essay. —Neotarf (talk) 04:51, 28 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Well, we don't do columns. It's too much of one editor's opinion for a broadly egalitarian community. :p Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 04:54, 28 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Unless you recruit a second arb to provide equal time. :P Isn't that how SCOTUS does it? A column is more work than it looks though. —Neotarf (talk) 05:07, 28 August 2014 (UTC)

How are things going?
You say you can check in more often - does this mean you're at least somewhat sorted? Adam Cuerden (talk) 02:08, 28 August 2014 (UTC)
 * Yes, I'm settled into my new place. Still very busy with the beginning of grad school, and that probably won't abate, unfortunately. Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 04:09, 28 August 2014 (UTC)

The Signpost: 27 August 2014
<div class="hlist" style="margin-top:10px; font-size:90%; padding-left:5px; font-family:Georgia, Palatino, Palatino Linotype, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">
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WikiCup 2014 August newsletter
The final of the 2014 WikiCup begins in a few short minutes! Our eight finalists are listed below, along with their placement in Round 4:


 * , a WikiCup newcomer, finished top of Pool A and was the round's highest scorer. Godot is a featured picture specialist, claiming large numbers of points due to high-quality scans of historical documents, especially banknotes.
 * 1) is a WikiCup veteran, having been a finalist every year since 2010. In the semi-final, he was Pool B's highest scorer. Cas's points primarily come from articles on the natural sciences.
 * 2) was Pool A's runner-up. Czar's points come mostly from content related to independent video games, including both articles and topics.
 * 3) was Pool B's runner-up. Another featured picture specialist, many of Adam's points come from the restoration of historical media. He has been a WikiCup finalist twice before.
 * 4) won the WikiCup in 2012 and 2013, and enters this final as the first wildcard. She focuses on biology-related articles, and has worked on several high-importance articles.
 * 5) is the second wildcard. George's points come primarily from meteorology-related articles. This year and last year, George was the first person in the competition to score.
 * , the third wildcard, was the 2010 champion and a finalist last year. His writes mostly on military history, especially naval history.
 * , the fourth and final wildcard, has participated in previous WikiCups, but not reached any finals. Bloom's points are mostly thanks to did you knows, featured lists and good articles related to sport and national symbols.

We say goodbye to this year's semi-finalists. ,, , , , and  have all performed well to reach this stage of the competition, and we hope they will all be joining us again next year.

There are two upcoming competitions unrelated to the WikiCup which may be of interest to those who receive this newsletter. The Stub Contest will run through September, and revolves around expanding stub articles, especially high-importance or old stubs. In addition, a proposal has been made for a new competition, the GA Cup, which the organisers plan to run next year. This competition is based on the WikiCup and aims to reduce the good article review backlog.

There is now a thread for brainstorming on how next year's WikiCup competition should work. Please come along and share your thoughts- What works? What doesn't work? What needs changing? Signups for next year's competition will be open soon; we will be in touch. If, at this stage of the competition, you are keen to help the with the WikiCup, please do what you can to participate in review processes. Our finalists will find things much easier if the backlogs at good article candidates, featured article candidates, featured picture candidates and the rest are kept at a minimum. As ever, questions are welcome on Wikipedia talk:WikiCup, and the judges are reachable on their talk pages or by email. Good luck! If you wish to start or stop receiving this newsletter, please feel free to add or remove yourself from WikiCup/Newsletter/Send. and 22:09, 31 August 2014 (UTC)