User talk:Dennis Brown/Archive 44

Best wishes
You're good folk - I'm sorry so much of this has happened. Hope things IRL are much better than they are here for you. Cheers Dennis. — Ched : ?    —  15:26, 28 June 2019 (UTC)
 * With the boom in the US marijuana business? I imagine things are going great for him ;-) - Boing! said Zebedee (talk) 15:29, 28 June 2019 (UTC)
 * Thanks guys, and yes, business is good, which is why I've been scarce this last year. I'm having to make time for this latest scuffle, but my gut tells me it's for naught, then I will have even more time for work.  Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 16:28, 28 June 2019 (UTC)
 * Best to you Dennis. Thanks for WER and EotW. I hope I can do you proud.&#8213; Buster7  &#9742;   19:35, 28 June 2019 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

 * I appreciate the sentiment, but I'm about out of patience and this fire is growing exponentially.  If we don't hear something soon, and hear something good (ie: WMF will let the community handle problems it can, and perhaps some sincere apologies for all the insensitivity that has gone on) then a lot of people are going to do more than temporarily hand in the bit.  We will leave altogether.  Not just the admin, crats, os and cus you've seen so far, but many others.  I hate it, and it would increase the vulnerability of Wikipedia for at least a while, but like I said on my user page. " you have to give us the same respect you demand for yourselves.".  Truth be told, I'm expecting either lots of words that say nothing or a thinly veiled "fuck off, we own the place", so I'm preparing to retire as it would appear that is the most likely scenario.  13 years and 61,000 edits, and right now, it seems like it was wasted time.  So many of us feel this way Doc, I'm not sure you realize the scope of this.  Maybe you do, but they damn sure don't. Or maybe they just don't care. If I had to bet, I'd pick the latter. They are flush with cash and that matters more than anything. Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 22:21, 28 June 2019 (UTC)

Happy Holidays text.png


Dennis Brown, Have a great 2020 and thanks for your contributions to Wikipedia.

– 2020 is a leap year   – news article. – Background color is Classic Blue (#0F4C81), Pantone's 2020 Color of the year '' Send New Year cheer by adding     to user talk pages.

–  North America1000 21:52, 30 December 2019 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – January 2020
News and updates for administrators from the past month (December 2019).

Administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg Dreamy Jazz • Newslinger • Rosguill
 * Gnome-colors-view-refresh.svg Deor • Spartaz • Xeno
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Angusmclellan • clpo13 • Edgar181 • Matthewedwards • NCurse

CheckUser changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg Bradv • Casliber • David Fuchs • Maxim • Newyorkbrad • SoWhy • Xeno

Oversight changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg Bradv • Casliber • DGG • David Fuchs • Maxim • Newyorkbrad • SoWhy • Xeno
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Someguy1221

Guideline and policy news
 * A request for comment asks whether partial blocks should be enabled on the English Wikipedia. If enabled, this functionality would allow administrators to block users from editing specific pages or namespaces, rather than the entire site.
 * A proposal asks whether admins who don't use their tools for a significant period of time (e.g. five years) should have the toolset procedurally removed.
 * Following a successful RfC, a whitelist is now available for users whose redirects will be autopatrolled by a bot, removing them from the new pages patrol queue. Admins can add such users to New pages patrol/Redirect whitelist after a discussion following the guidelines at Wikipedia talk:New pages patrol/Redirect whitelist.

Arbitration
 * The fourth case on Palestine-Israel articles was closed. The case consolidated all previous remedies under one heading, which should make them easier to understand, apply, and enforce. In particular, the distinction between "primary articles" and "related content" has been clarified, with the former being the entire set of articles whose topic relates to the Arab-Israeli conflict, broadly interpreted rather than reasonably construed.
 * Following the 2019 Arbitration Committee elections, the following editors have been appointed to the Arbitration Committee:, , , , , , , , , ,.

Miscellaneous
 * This issue marks three full years of the Admin newsletter. Thanks for reading!

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Archive Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 20:06, 4 January 2020 (UTC)

Welcome back!
So nice to see your datestamp. That you're willing to hold the mop is great for everybody. BusterD (talk) 02:33, 27 January 2020 (UTC)
 * Your return is much appreciated and gets the week off to a nice start. Cheers. MarnetteD&#124;Talk 02:35, 27 January 2020 (UTC)

— Berean Hunter   (talk)  13:42, 27 January 2020 (UTC)
 * Welcome home!!...take what you need from the fridge. 😍-- Moxy 🍁 02:45, 27 January 2020 (UTC)
 * good news (as if you read my visions) - playing Mozart for you on the Main page! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:06, 27 January 2020 (UTC)
 * +1


 * Welcome back again Dennis.  Hawkeye7   (discuss)  23:54, 29 January 2020 (UTC)
 * Welcome back DB. A voice of reason has returned. North America1000 22:16, 30 January 2020 (UTC)
 * There is no need for any chit chat other than to say that I am delighted to see you back. Cullen328  Let's discuss it  02:49, 31 January 2020 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!
THANK YOU DENNIS I wish you well with those obligations x — Preceding unsigned comment added by Peace11111 (talk • contribs) 23:54, 6 February 2020 (UTC)
 * It looks a bit fishy to me, like padding it up with all the see also remarks, and I'm not sure about the reliability of the sources. The first thing you need to do is stop editing the article.  Reverting back and forth is going to get you blocked.  I'm barely part time here, after stopping being an admin for some time, so I'm rusty, but a good place to start is to email info-en-q@wikimedia.org to get an experienced editor to help you.  This could take a long time, and I'm very aware of the fact that I simply don't have enough time to deal with it properly due some extraordinary family obligations right now. Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 20:45, 6 February 2020 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – February 2020
News and updates for administrators from the past month (January 2020).

Administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg Ergo Sum • Nick Moyes • QEDK • Wugapodes
 * Gnome-colors-view-refresh.svg Dennis Brown
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Aude • BrownHairedGirl • CALR • Jengod • John Reaves • J.smith • Kim Dent-Brown • K1Bond007 • MECU • Refdoc • RHaworth



CheckUser changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Opabinia regalis • Premeditated Chaos

Interface administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Ragesoss

Guideline and policy news
 * Following a request for comment, partial blocks are now enabled on the English Wikipedia. This functionality allows administrators to block users from editing specific pages or namespaces rather than the entire site. A draft policy is being workshopped at Partial blocks.
 * The request for comment seeking the community's sentiment for a binding desysop procedure closed with wide-spread support for an alternative desysoping procedure based on community input. No proposed process received consensus.

Technical news
 * Twinkle now supports partial blocking. There is a small checkbox that toggles the "partial" status for both blocks and templating.  There is currently one template: uw-pblock.
 * When trying to move a page, if the target title already exists then a warning message is shown. The warning message will now include a link to the target title.

Arbitration
 * Following a recent arbitration case, the Arbitration Committee reminded administrators that checkuser and oversight blocks must not be reversed or modified without prior consultation with the checkuser or oversighter who placed the block, the respective functionary team, or the Arbitration Committee.

Miscellaneous
 * Voting in the 2020 Steward elections will begin on 08 February 2020, 14:00 (UTC) and end on 28 February 2020, 13:59 (UTC). The confirmation process of current stewards is being held in parallel. You can automatically check your eligibility to vote.
 * The English Wikipedia has reached six million articles. Thank you everyone for your contributions!

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Archive Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 15:05, 1 February 2020 (UTC)

glad
Allow we to join the chorus of welcome backs. --  Deep fried  okra    06:16, 4 February 2020 (UTC)

I C U
Welcome back, Dennis! —tim //// Carrite (talk) 18:05, 1 February 2020 (UTC)
 * Likewise :-) Doc James  (talk · contribs · email) 00:09, 2 February 2020 (UTC)


 * No promises. The glitter is certainly gone.  Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 11:50, 2 February 2020 (UTC)


 * Hey Dennis, I completely understand the missing glitter, and I share your view of a less enchanting wiki. Still, it is good to see you around.  You have a very logical mind, you're compassionate towards people, able to look at both sides of an argument without bias, ... it's the long way around the barn, but in short: You're a good person, and that's not easy to find in this world today.  It is good to see you commenting. I hope real life is treating you well. — Ched (talk) 12:02, 4 February 2020 (UTC)

Global Records
I'm not sure that you are correct. Anyone other that the article creator can remove a speedy deletion tag, so it is not an administrator action. Phil Bridger (talk) 20:30, 6 February 2020 (UTC)
 * I could, but being an admin, it is better than I err on the side of caution and not give the appearance that it was an admin decision. I know it would get removed regardless and it was a totally asinine tag, but honestly, I just didn't want to deal with the potential drama, from anyone, justified or not.  I ended up blocking the IP that added it, not for that tag, but for tag bombing a bunch of articles.  I discovered they have a history of causing problems. Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 00:00, 7 February 2020 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – March 2020
News and updates for administrators from the past month (February 2020).

Administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg Money emoji
 * Gnome-colors-view-refresh.svg Athaenara • DeltaQuad
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Fishhead64 • Kudpung • Mikaey

Bureaucrat changes
 * Gnome-colors-view-refresh.svg DeltaQuad

CheckUser changes
 * Gnome-colors-view-refresh.svg DeltaQuad

Oversight changes
 * Gnome-colors-view-refresh.svg DeltaQuad

Guideline and policy news
 * Following an RfC, the blocking policy was changed to state that sysops must not undo or alter CheckUser or Oversight blocks, rather than should not.
 * A request for comment confirmed that sandboxes of established but inactive editors may not be blanked due solely to inactivity.

Technical news
 * Following a discussion, Twinkle's default CSD behavior will soon change, most likely this week. After the change, Twinkle will default to "tagging mode" if there is no CSD tag present, and default to "deletion mode" if there is a CSD tag present.  You will be able to always default to "deletion mode" (the current behavior) using your Twinkle preferences.

Miscellaneous
 * Following the 2020 Steward Elections, the following editors have been appointed as stewards: BRPever, Krd, Martin Urbanec, MusikAnimal, Sakretsu, Sotiale, and Tks4Fish. There are a total of seven editors that have been appointed as stewards, the most since 2014.
 * The 2020 appointees for the Ombudsman commission are Ajraddatz and Uzoma Ozurumba; they will serve for one year.

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Archive Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 11:20, 2 March 2020 (UTC)

Awesome!
I'd missed that you came back. So glad to see it. Yngvadottir (talk) 21:17, 4 March 2020 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – April 2020
News and updates for administrators from the past month (March 2020).

Administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg Cabayi • Lee Vilenski
 * Gnome-colors-view-refresh.svg Boing! said Zebedee
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Jonny-mt • MarkGallagher • PeaceNT
 * Pictogram voting rename.png →

Bureaucrat changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg SilkTork • WereSpielChequers

CheckUser changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg NativeForeigner

Oversight changes
 * Gnome-colors-view-refresh.svg Someguy1221
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Daniel Case

Guideline and policy news
 * There is an ongoing request for comment to streamline the source deprecation and blacklisting process.

Technical news
 * There is a plan for new requirements for user signatures. You can give feedback.

Arbitration
 * Following the banning of an editor by the WMF last year, the Arbitration Committee resolved to hold a Arbcom RfC regarding on-wiki harassment. A draft RfC has been posted at Arbitration Committee/Anti-harassment RfC (Draft) and not open to comments from the community yet. Interested editors can comment on the RfC itself on its talk page.

Miscellaneous
 * The WMF has begun a pilot report of the pages most visited through various social media platforms to help with anti-vandalism and anti-disinformation efforts. The report is updated daily and will be available through the end of May.

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Archive Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 07:00, 1 April 2020 (UTC)

RE "Cut-paste moves"
I left the notice on the user's talk page, as you requested, and they not only removed it, but they're continuing to be highly disruptive in their editing. This user has a long-standing history of this behaviour, and surely this is not acceptable per Wikipedia's standards.  livelikemusic    talk!  12:42, 15 April 2020 (UTC)
 * Post that in the ANI thread. If they removed it, that means they read it.  I'm tied up, but I don't think it will be hard to find an admin who will read and block them.  Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 23:27, 16 April 2020 (UTC)

Happy Adminship Anniversary!
 Happy Adminship Anniversary! Have a very Brown happy adminship anniversary on your special day!

Best wishes, CAPTAIN RAJU (T) 08:14, 25 April 2020 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – May 2020
News and updates for administrators from the past month (April 2020). Administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Gnangarra • Kaisershatner • Malcolmxl5

CheckUser changes
 * Gnome-colors-view-refresh.svg Callanecc

Oversight changes
 * Gnome-colors-view-refresh.svg HJ Mitchell

Guideline and policy news
 * Discretionary sanctions have been authorized for all pages and edits related to COVID-19, to be logged at WP:GS/COVID19.
 * Following a recent discussion on Meta-Wiki, the edit filter maintainer global group has been created.
 * A request for comment has been proposed to create a new main page editor usergroup.
 * A request for comment has been proposed to make the bureaucrat activity requirements more strict.

Technical news
 * The Editing team has been working on the talk pages project. You can review the proposed design and share your thoughts on the talk page.
 * created a script that will show a link to the proper Special:Undelete page when viewing a since-deleted revision, see User:Enterprisey/link-deleted-revs.

Miscellaneous
 * A request for comment closed with consensus to create a Village Pump-style page for communication with the Wikimedia Foundation.

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Archive Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 01:19, 2 May 2020 (UTC)

Precious anniversary
Anniversaries ... today is the birthday of Claudio Monteverdi and Hans Herbert Jöris, did you know? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:19, 15 May 2020 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – June 2020
News and updates for administrators from the past month (May 2020). Administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg CaptainEek • Creffett • Cwmhiraeth
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Anna Frodesiak • Buckshot06 • Ronhjones • SQL

CheckUser changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg SQL

Guideline and policy news
 * A request for comment asks whether the Unblock Ticket Request System (UTRS) should allowed any unblock request or just private appeals.
 * The Wikimedia Foundation that they will develop a universal code of conduct for all WMF projects. There is an open local discussion regarding the same.

Arbitration
 * A motion was passed to enact a 500/30 restriction on articles related to the history of Jews and antisemitism in Poland during World War II (1933–45), including the Holocaust in Poland. Article talk pages where disruption occurs may also be managed with the stated restriction.

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Archive Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 13:27, 1 June 2020 (UTC)

request to restore deleted page
I was looking through some old tennis pages when I noticed an inconsistency between the AFD result at Articles for deletion/2014 Tianjin Health Industry Park – Doubles and Articles for deletion/2014 Aberto de São Paulo – Doubles. You closed the former as Delete, but the latter (which had more participation and thus appears to be the stronger consensus) closed as Keep. Could you therefore please restore 2014 Tianjin Health Industry Park – Men's Doubles? Alternatively, if you disagree with my interpretation of the 2 AFDs, could you create a copy in my userspace for further improvement please? Iffy★Chat -- 23:24, 10 June 2020 (UTC)
 * The problem I have is that the article was a fork of 2014 Tianjin Health Industry Park, which didn't really need forking since the the article was (and still is) not very large. I don't understand why the information can't simply be put into the main article.  As far as one article being deleted and one being kept (while everyone was actually saying to merge), you can't really compare articles that way, as they weren't for the same event.  WP:WAX covers this, although I'm betting you are already familiar.  I don't feel comfortable just undeleting it unilaterally, since the community said to delete it.  Do you have some sourcing that is new since the article was deleted?  If so, WP:REFUND would be the right venue.  I wouldn't imagine they would without significant sources, but I won't protest either way.  I just closed it, I have no opinion on the validity of the article.  Honestly, I would go back to the main article, build up the doubles section first, with rock solid sourcing, then go to refund with the goal of splitting it over the previous deleted article. Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 23:36, 10 June 2020 (UTC)

Revert
I said a bunch of times on the notice board I removed the sourcing before I did the AfD or thought about doing it. Can you point to anywhere that says it's cool to restore an AfD to a previous state before it was opened? I know you can edit an article during an AfD, but I'm pretty sure you can't revert edits that happened before it was opened to add sourcing to it. IMO, the proper thing to do would have been to just copy the sources over to the AfD. Which wouldn't have caused the bad information I was removing to be put back in the article. I would have been fine with that. The standards about article content quality don't suddenly stop once an AfD is opened though. BTW, I'm only asking because I really don't see what the problem was and it seems like you know this stuff better then I do. So, don't take the message the wrong way ;) --Adamant1 (talk) 18:58, 7 July 2020 (UTC)
 * You can edit any article at AFD. If you edit it in a way that removed reliable sources, whether it is before or during, it is going to look like bad faith and should not be done.  That is pretty basic etiquette at Wikipedia.  Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 19:06, 7 July 2020 (UTC)
 * It makes sense not to remove to reliable sources during an AfD, but for one they weren't reliable and I thought it would have been weird to revert my earlier edit when I did decide to do the AfD so they would be added back. The problem was, I deleted them because they weren't reliable, went looking for more was like "oh, wait, this probably isn't a notable subject after all like I thought it was" because I couldn't find any. So, an AfD seemed like the next best course of action over just leaving a badly sourced stub article. I don't generally think going back through edit histories of articles to find sources people might have removed before doing an AfD is a good approach to doing one. There should be a presumption of good faith that they were removed for a reason and the AfD should be based on the articles current state. I don't see why it would be any different just because I was the last person that edited it. Maybe that "looked" bad faith, but it wasn't. Especially since I was planning on copying the sources I removed to the AfD. I don't think people can rightly edit war over how they think things "look" either. Or anyone could revert anyone on a whim over pretty anything. --Adamant1 (talk) 23:56, 7 July 2020 (UTC)
 * What would have been the better thing to do when I had already gotten rid of the un-reliable sources and couldn't find anymore, leave a half gimped badly sourced stub article because of how things might be perceived or follow the guidelines and do an AfD? --Adamant1 (talk) 00:03, 8 July 2020 (UTC)
 * Don't bother trying to play games with me, you are wasting your time, and mine. If you don't get the point, then it is because you don't want to.  Go away.  Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 08:20, 8 July 2020 (UTC)
 * What's a game about asking what you think the best way to deal with the situation would have been? I genuinely don't know and would like to so a similar thing doesn't happen again and you posted on the message board. So I thought you'd know. I don't get what's wrong about that. Sorry about bothering you with it though, I guess. maybe next time don't post a message on the admin board if your not willing to discuss it. --Adamant1 (talk) 08:54, 8 July 2020 (UTC)
 * How about next time, you LEAVE it on the admin board? Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 09:08, 8 July 2020 (UTC)
 * OK. Next time I will. --Adamant1 (talk) 09:09, 8 July 2020 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – July 2020
News and updates for administrators from the past month (June 2020).

Administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-view-refresh.svg Malcolmxl5
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg John • TheCoffee • Tim!
 * Pictogram voting rename.png →
 * Pictogram voting rename.png →

CheckUser changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Bbb23

Interface administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg TonyBallioni

Guideline and policy news
 * A request for comment is in progress to remove the T2 (template that misrepresents established policy) speedy deletion criterion.

Technical news
 * Protection templates on mainspace pages are now automatically added by User:MusikBot II (BRFA).

Arbitration
 * Following the banning of an editor by the WMF last year, the Arbitration Committee resolved to hold an RfC regarding on-wiki harassment. The RfC has been posted at Arbitration Committee/Anti-harassment RfC and is open to comments from the community.
 * The Medicine case was closed, with a remedy authorizing standard discretionary sanctions for all discussions about pharmaceutical drug prices and pricing and for edits adding, changing, or removing pharmaceutical drug prices or pricing from articles.

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Archive Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 10:25, 1 July 2020 (UTC)

Thanks
As a reaction to the entire Fram situation, I was so dishearted that I had to take a break. Now that I am back to gnoming, I see that you have returned, and I am so pleased. Since my earliest edits (2016?), I have had great respect for your opinions. I have been reading through the ANI case regarding WMF/W?F and agree with your observations, etc.

Just wanted to say that I appreciate you and thank you very much for your hard work and service to WP and WP editors. Sincerely,  Tribe of Tiger Let's Purrfect!  21:35, 13 July 2020 (UTC)
 * Thanks for the feedback. I'm really hoping the Foundation listens and start acting like a partner instead of a bad spouse, but I'm not holding my breath.  Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 12:32, 14 July 2020 (UTC)
 * No, Dennis, don't hold your breath. My demise as an admin was largely masterminded by an arbitrator claiming - among other things - I had said things about the WMF during my tenure as E-in-C of The Signpost that I hadn't, and accusing me of being a misogynist which I'm not. I couldn't agree more with the comments on your user page, but don't kid yourself that Arbcom is, in it's own way, any less corrupt. And although  has hit the nail on the head in no uncertain terms, getting ridiculously blocked for it demonstrates just what a sad and unfriendly space both Wikipedia and its so called WMF has become.Kudpung กุดผึ้ง (talk) 15:41, 14 July 2020 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – August 2020
News and updates for administrators from the past month (July 2020). Administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg Red Phoenix
 * Gnome-colors-view-refresh.svg Euryalus • SQL
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Jujutacular • Monty845 • Rettetast • Madchester

Oversight changes
 * Gnome-colors-view-refresh.svg GB fan
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Keegan • Opabinia regalis • Premeditated Chaos

Guideline and policy news
 * There is an open request for comment to decide whether to increase the minimum duration a sanction discussion has to remain open (currently 24 hours).
 * Speedy deletion criterion T2 (template that misrepresents established policy) has been repealed following a request for comment.
 * Speedy deletion criterion X2 (pages created by the content translation tool) has been repealed following a discussion.
 * There is a proposal to restrict proposed deletion to confirmed users.

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Archive Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 08:20, 1 August 2020 (UTC)

Deletion review for Cup Foods
I have asked for a deletion review of Cup Foods. Because you closed the deletion discussion for this page, speedily deleted it, or otherwise were interested in the page, you might want to participate in the deletion review. —Cryptic 19:21, 4 August 2020 (UTC)

See also ANI re: the user you blocked
. Thank you, 2601:188:180:B8E0:65F5:930C:B0B2:CD63 (talk) 23:38, 22 August 2020 (UTC)

Happy First Edit Day!
 Happy First Edit Day! Have a very happy first edit anniversary!

From the Birthday Committee, CAPTAIN RAJU (T) 00:20, 6 September 2020 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – September 2020
News and updates for administrators from the past month (August 2020). Administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg Eddie891
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Angela • Jcw69 • Just Chilling • Philg88 • Viajero

CheckUser changes
 * Gnome-colors-view-refresh.svg SQL

Guideline and policy news
 * Following a request for comment, the minimum length for site ban discussions was increased to 72 hours, up from 24.
 * A request for comment is ongoing to determine whether paid editors must or should use the articles for creation process.
 * A request for comment is open to resolve inconsistencies between the draftification and alternative to deletion processes.

Arbitration
 * A request for comment is open to provide an opportunity to amend the structure, rules, and procedures of the 2020 English Wikipedia Arbitration Committee election and to resolve any issues not covered by existing rules.
 * An open request for comment asks whether active Arbitrators may serve on the Trust and Safety Case Review Committee or Ombudsman commission.

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Archive Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 09:56, 2 September 2020 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – September 2020
News and updates for administrators from the past month (September 2020). Administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg Ajpolino • LuK3
 * Gnome-colors-view-refresh.svg Jackmcbarn
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Ad Orientem • Harej • Lid • Lomn • Mentoz86 • Oliver Pereira • XJaM
 * Pictogram voting rename.png →

Guideline and policy news
 * A request for comment found consensus that incubation as an alternative to deletion should generally only be recommended when draftification is appropriate, namely 1) if the result of a deletion discussion is to draftify; or 2) if the article is newly created.

Technical news
 * The filter log now provides links to view diffs of deleted revisions (T261630).

Arbitration
 * The 2020 CheckUser and Oversight appointment process has begun. The community consultation period will take place from September 27th to October 7th.
 * Following a request for comment, sitting Committee members may not serve on either the Ombuds Commission or the WMF Case Review Committee. The Arbitration Committee passed a motion implementing those results into their procedures.

Miscellaneous
 * The Universal Code of Conduct draft is open for community review and comment until October 6th, 2020.
 * Office actions may now be appealed to the Interim Trust & Safety Case Review Committee.

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Archive Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 10:42, 1 October 2020 (UTC)

Edit requests unhelpful?
Hi Dennis, I was sincerely surprised by the concerns you expressed over posting edit requests on Talk:White House COVID-19 outbreak. I legitimately believed these edit requests would be helpful. If I note ways to improve the article, what do you think would be the best course of action for me to take to help the project, if not post those requests to talk. Feoffer (talk) 13:32, 11 October 2020 (UTC)
 * Please keep the discussion at WP:ANI, not here. Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 01:10, 12 October 2020 (UTC)

Aziz Ansari - SPECIFICO
Mr. Brown, after your close of the AE case I filed against User:SPECIFICO, and after having stepped away from editing the main page during the dispute since the 16th, I reverted the disputed changes at Aziz Ansari which I had described. I just made the same edit summary I would have made as though the AE case didn't happen (referencing the talk page where I cite policy-based objections). I feel that SPECIFICO's edit where they falsely claim new consensus is more of the same brazenly disruptive behavior. What do you recommend I do from here? I would like the status quo ante restored before we figure out what needs an RfC. From there maybe a sanction on the section would make sense, if that is a possibility. Kolya Butternut (talk) 02:17, 18 October 2020 (UTC)
 * You don't try to restore your version of the "status quo" before an RFC, you just start an RFC. Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 12:26, 18 October 2020 (UTC)
 * I don't understand. If an editor violates AE sanctions by disrupting the consensus building process, the appropriate action is to tolerate that behavior and attempt to work around it? I'm not sure how to even do that, considering they made a rewrite of the whole section beyond what the initial weeks-long dispute was about, the dispute is being misrepresented, and the RfC would have to be over an entire rewrite with nuanced POV and V problems. Isn't the simple solution to just adhere to policy? Kolya Butternut (talk) 15:47, 18 October 2020 (UTC)
 * I'm not going to rehash the entire case on my talk page. Several admin opined in that discussion, no one has an appetite to enact harsh sanctions.  End of story.  Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 17:04, 18 October 2020 (UTC)
 * Ok, but this more disruptive behavior beyond the previous case, so I guess it needs a new AE case. Kolya Butternut (talk) 17:54, 18 October 2020 (UTC)

S.B. in Margate
user:S.B. in Margate is abusing her talkpage. CLCStudent (talk) 12:17, 20 October 2020 (UTC)
 * Fixed. Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 12:20, 20 October 2020 (UTC)

It is good
to see you around. -- Deep fried okra ( talk ) 02:48, 21 October 2020 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – November 2020
News and updates for administrators from the past month (October 2020).

Administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg John M Wolfson
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Bduke • Nilfanion • Philosopher • Rspeer • Yunshui

Interface administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-view-refresh.svg Ragesoss
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg TonyBallioni

CheckUser changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg EdJohnston • Oshwah • Yamla
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Yunshui

Oversight changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg Anarchyte
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Yunshui

Guideline and policy news
 * Community sanctions now authorize administrators to place under indefinite semiprotection any article on a beauty pageant, or biography of a person known as a beauty pageant contestant, which has been edited by a sockpuppet account or logged-out sockpuppet, to be logged at WP:GS/PAGEANT.

Technical news
 * Sysops will once again be able to view the deleted history of JS/CSS pages; this was restricted to interface administrators when that group was introduced.
 * Twinkle's block module now includes the ability to note the specific case when applying a discretionary sanctions block and/or template.
 * Sysops will be able to use Special:CreateLocalAccount to create a local account for a global user that is prevented from auto-creation locally (such as by a filter or range block). Administrators that are not sure if such a creation is appropriate should contact a checkuser.

Arbitration
 * The 2020 Arbitration Committee Elections process has begun. Eligible editors will be able to nominate themselves as candidates from November 8 through November 17. The voting period will run from November 23 through December 6.
 * The Anti-harassment RfC has concluded with a summary of the feedback provided.

Miscellaneous
 * A reminder that standard discretionary sanctions are authorized for all edits about, and all pages related to post-1932 politics of the United States and closely related people. (American Politics 2 Arbitration case).

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Archive Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 11:51, 1 November 2020 (UTC)

Opine vs defend
Just making sure we're on the same page, re: this statement in your close: There was a sanction, ANI allowed the community to opine on it and there was a rough consensus that a sanction was needed, and that was just a few days ago. Is it correct to assume that you were aware the t-ban had been imposed prior to the editor's first statement of defense - either because they were not yet aware the case had been opened or were completely taken by surprise? I'm of the mind that it makes a huge difference. This diff lead to what some perceive to be an ambush-style sanctioning, as does this diff from a much older ARCA case, both occurring before the t-banned editor was properly afforded the opportunity to defend themselves in a clear state of mind. In the latter case, an arb properly questioned the action. Please understand that my focus here has nothing to do with the merits of either case; rather, it is strictly procedural because such an action tends to catch an editor offguard and throws them into a state of disarray, which is the primary purpose of an ambush, is it not? It creates a chilling effect and provokes a wide-range of emotions that are not necessarily representative of an editor's normal state of mind had a different approach been taken that allowed them time to regain their composure and properly prepare. Another advantage to ambushing an editor under the umbrella of DS-AE is to ensure that whatever the acting admin determines, at their sole discretion, to be the proper action cannot be overturned by another admin per AE procedures; therefore, making it highly doubtful that the action will be challenged at the start of the case because either too few editors/admins understand how DS-AE works, or simply refuse to get involved in highly controversial topic areas. It also eliminates the potential for the community to dismiss it completely, or be more lenient. It clearly opens the door to WP:POV creep and/or actions motivated by prejudice, inadvertent or otherwise, and in doing so, provides an oblique way to control the narrative in a given topic area. If you get a chance and are of the mind to do so, please read the arb candidate responses to my questions about this topic. I included this wikilink for the sake of convenience. If you believe any of the editors mentioned in any of the diffs need to be pinged, despite this discussion being strictly about the procedure and not anyone in particular, I will leave that to your discretion as it appears there may be a related customized sanction, which involves another much broader topic in my 2 questions to the arb candidates.  Atsme 💬 📧 14:00, 24 November 2020 (UTC)
 * tldr, but the nut of it is that I know the chronology, which is reflected in my comments, ie: separate events, with ANI confirming the sanction. The Community outranks a bunch of admin at AE, that was my point.  Admin shouldn't change what was decided (reviewed, whatever) by the Community right after the fact.  Admin serve under the authority of community, we aren't allowed to disregard and overrule the Community.  Once time has passed, we can consider appeals on behalf of the Community. Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 02:07, 25 November 2020 (UTC)

RfB
I can understand your reluctance to do so, but I wish you'd run. There's nothing wrong with the current group, but adding another with your insight and empathy would be a good thing. 78.26 (spin me / revolutions) 21:10, 17 November 2020 (UTC)
 * Thats kind of you to say, and I agree we have good Crats and it wouldn't hurt to have a few more, but the threshold is pretty high, and I've been an admin so long, I can envision a lot of blowback from previously blocked editors.  I was encouraged to run early in my admin career for that reason, before the list gets too long.  Plus, I'm pretty outspoken in regards to the Foundation, and that is going to irk a few.  I'm not at all confident I would come close to passing.  Which is fine, I'm happy where I am.  Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 21:13, 17 November 2020 (UTC)
 * I understand, but on the off-chance a little nudge would make a difference, thought I'd try. (I think your chances are better than you think they are.)  Be well.   78.26  (spin me / revolutions) 21:40, 17 November 2020 (UTC)

Opine vs defend
Just making sure we're on the same page, re: this statement in your close: There was a sanction, ANI allowed the community to opine on it and there was a rough consensus that a sanction was needed, and that was just a few days ago. Is it correct to assume that you were aware the t-ban had been imposed prior to the editor's first statement of defense - either because they were not yet aware the case had been opened or were completely taken by surprise? I'm of the mind that it makes a huge difference. This diff lead to what some perceive to be an ambush-style sanctioning, as does this diff from a much older ARCA case, both occurring before the t-banned editor was properly afforded the opportunity to defend themselves in a clear state of mind. In the latter case, an arb properly questioned the action. Please understand that my focus here has nothing to do with the merits of either case; rather, it is strictly procedural because such an action tends to catch an editor offguard and throws them into a state of disarray, which is the primary purpose of an ambush, is it not? It creates a chilling effect and provokes a wide-range of emotions that are not necessarily representative of an editor's normal state of mind had a different approach been taken that allowed them time to regain their composure and properly prepare. Another advantage to ambushing an editor under the umbrella of DS-AE is to ensure that whatever the acting admin determines, at their sole discretion, to be the proper action cannot be overturned by another admin per AE procedures; therefore, making it highly doubtful that the action will be challenged at the start of the case because either too few editors/admins understand how DS-AE works, or simply refuse to get involved in highly controversial topic areas. It also eliminates the potential for the community to dismiss it completely, or be more lenient. It clearly opens the door to WP:POV creep and/or actions motivated by prejudice, inadvertent or otherwise, and in doing so, provides an oblique way to control the narrative in a given topic area. If you get a chance and are of the mind to do so, please read the arb candidate responses to my questions about this topic. I included this wikilink for the sake of convenience. If you believe any of the editors mentioned in any of the diffs need to be pinged, despite this discussion being strictly about the procedure and not anyone in particular, I will leave that to your discretion as it appears there may be a related customized sanction, which involves another much broader topic in my 2 questions to the arb candidates.  Atsme 💬 📧 14:00, 24 November 2020 (UTC)
 * tldr, but the nut of it is that I know the chronology, which is reflected in my comments, ie: separate events, with ANI confirming the sanction. The Community outranks a bunch of admin at AE, that was my point.  Admin shouldn't change what was decided (reviewed, whatever) by the Community right after the fact.  Admin serve under the authority of community, we aren't allowed to disregard and overrule the Community.  Once time has passed, we can consider appeals on behalf of the Community. Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 02:07, 25 November 2020 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – December 2020
News and updates for administrators from the past month (November 2020). Administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Andrwsc • Anetode • GoldenRing • JzG • LinguistAtLarge • Nehrams2020

Interface administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg Izno

Guideline and policy news
 * There is a request for comment in progress to either remove T3 (duplicated and hardcoded instances) as a speedy deletion criterion or eliminate its seven-day waiting period.

Technical news
 * Voting for proposals in the 2021 Community Wishlist Survey, which determines what software the Wikimedia Foundation's Community Tech team will work on next year, will take place from 8 December through 21 December. In particular, there are sections regarding administrators and anti-harassment.

Arbitration
 * Voting in the 2020 Arbitration Committee Elections is open to eligible editors until Monday 23:59, 7 December 2020 UTC. Please review the candidates and, if you wish to do so, submit your choices on the voting page.

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Archive Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 02:37, 1 December 2020 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – January 2021
News and updates for administrators from the past month (December 2020).

Administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg Hammersoft
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Andres • Brion VIBBER • Rkitko • Thatcher

CheckUser changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg Barkeep49 • BDD • CaptainEek • Primefac

Oversight changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg Barkeep49 • BDD • CaptainEek
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Joe Roe

Guideline and policy news
 * Speedy deletion criterion T3 (duplication and hardcoded instances) has been repealed following a request for comment.

Technical news
 * You can now put pages on your watchlist for a limited period of time.

Arbitration
 * By motion, standard discretionary sanctions have been temporarily authorized for all pages relating to the Horn of Africa (defined as including Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, Djibouti, and adjoining areas if involved in related disputes). The effectiveness of the discretionary sanctions can be evaluated on the request by any editor after March 1, 2021 (or sooner if for a good reason).
 * Following the 2020 Arbitration Committee elections, the following editors have been appointed to the Arbitration Committee:, , , , , ,.

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ArchiveSent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 00:07, 5 January 2021 (UTC)

Also...
Good to see your name back about the place. WormTT(talk) 09:56, 14 January 2021 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – February 2021
News and updates for administrators from the past month (January 2021).

Administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg Hog Farm
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Mattflaschen • Nandesuka • Savidan • Wangi

CheckUser changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Berean Hunter • Xeno

Oversight changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Someguy1221 • Xeno

Arbitration
 * The standard discretionary sanctions authorized for American Politics were amended by motion to cover post-1992 politics of United States and closely related people, replacing the 1932 cutoff.

Miscellaneous
 * Voting in the 2021 Steward elections will begin on 05 February 2021, 14:00 (UTC) and end on 26 February 2021, 13:59 (UTC). The confirmation process of current stewards is being held in parallel. You can automatically check your eligibility to vote.
 * Wikipedia has now been around for 20 years, and recently saw its billionth edit!

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ArchiveSent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 19:09, 1 February 2021 (UTC)

Seconding Worm's (archived) comment
Glad to see you around ... let me know if I can help with anything. - Dank (push to talk) 15:10, 5 February 2021 (UTC)

Fixed some stuff in one of your talk page archives
Hi! Just wanted to let you know I removed some talk-page-header-fluff that you (accidentally?) copied over to one of your archives. It caused the archive to show up on Category:Pages where archive parameter is not a subpage. --rchard2scout (talk) 13:45, 19 February 2021 (UTC)
 * Thank you for the housekeeping. I would never have found it myself. Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 22:21, 19 February 2021 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – March 2021
News and updates for administrators from the past month (February 2021). Administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg TJMSmith
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Boing! said Zebedee • Hiberniantears • Lear's Fool • Only • WGFinley

Interface administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg AmandaNP

Guideline and policy news
 * A request for comment is open that proposes a process for the community to revoke administrative permissions. This follows a 2019 RfC in favor of creating one such a policy.
 * A request for comment is in progress to remove F7 (invalid fair-use claim) subcriterion a, which covers immediate deletion of non-free media with invalid fair-use tags.
 * A request for comment seeks to grant page movers the delete-redirect userright, which allows moving a page over a single-revision redirect, regardless of that redirect's target. The full proposal is at Page mover/delete-redirect.
 * A request for comment asks if sysops may place the General sanctions/Coronavirus disease 2019 editnotice template on pages in scope that do not have page-specific sanctions?
 * There is a discussion in progress concerning automatic protection of each day's featured article with Pending Changes protection.

Technical news
 * When blocking an IPv6 address with Twinkle, there is now a checkbox with the option to just block the /64 range. When doing so, you can still leave a block template on the initial, single IP address' talkpage.
 * When protecting a page with Twinkle, you can now add a note if doing so was in response to a request at WP:RfPP, and even link to the specific revision.
 * There have been a number of reported issues with Pending Changes. Most problems setting protection appear to have been resolved (T273317) but other issues with autoaccepting edits persist (T275322).

Arbitration
 * By motion, the discretionary sanctions originally authorized under the GamerGate case are now authorized under a new Gender and sexuality case, with sanctions authorized for all edits about, and all pages related to, any gender-related dispute or controversy and associated people. Sanctions issued under GamerGate are now considered Gender and sexuality sanctions.
 * The Kurds and Kurdistan case was closed, authorizing standard discretionary sanctions for the topics of Kurds and Kurdistan, broadly construed.

Miscellaneous
 * Following the 2021 Steward Elections, the following editors have been appointed as stewards: AmandaNP, Operator873, Stanglavine, Teles, and Wiki13.

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Archive Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 19:13, 1 March 2021 (UTC)

Clarify your AE comment
Hello Dennis, glad you're back! You called for a CU here, but a check usually needs a prior suspicion of who is a sock of who. Need the details. Thanks, EdJohnston (talk) 21:29, 5 March 2021 (UTC)
 * , I didn't formally ask for one, but this is obviously not a new user and wanted a CU to at least observe what I was seeing. I have no idea who they are a sock of, and like most quacking cases, it isn't possible to definitively link him with so few edits.  Of course, that won't stop me from blocking him as a "sock of someone" if I feel that is what is merited, it is just good to have a CU take a look and see what else falls through the cracks.  If a CU can't, then I will play the hand I'm dealt.  Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 21:54, 5 March 2021 (UTC)

BN
It was intentional. I figured there would be a 99% chance that Xeno wouldn't get mad, and a 62% chance he would find it funny. Both numbers slightly lower, but not too much lower, for other editors. Hopefully I didn't misjudge those numbers for other people. I bet I'm right about Xeno, though. Good to see you around again. Haven't seen your name pop up on my watchlist in quite some time. --Floquenbeam (talk) 22:08, 12 March 2021 (UTC)
 * I figured there was likely intentional, but I hate to assume. To be honest, would have been even more humorous if it had been an accident.  We've all done it a time or two. Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 22:12, 12 March 2021 (UTC)
 * Yes, I finally had to install the script everyone is talking about, I was doing it all the time. And I checked your contribs and it looks like you've been back quite a while, I guess we just haven't crossed paths for some reason.  Hope all is well with you and yours. --Floquenbeam (talk) 22:13, 12 March 2021 (UTC)
 * Thanks. I've kept a lower profile.  Tired of drama and the business is really busy, so I avoid long draw out processes.  Mainly I gnome, and if I see a backlog, will clean up a bit.  Work is the main thing, as we've kind of invented a couple of markets that are taking off, ie: UVB for cannabis (THC boosting), and tanning pigs for show.  Yes, that's a real thing. It's a weird way to make a living but UV is what I've done for decades. Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 22:19, 12 March 2021 (UTC)
 * The fact that people use UV to tan their pigs for show makes me much happier than is probably rational. If you're just supplying the equipment for an existing need, more power to you. If you're the one who actually invented the market for that: you're a genius. --Floquenbeam (talk) 22:29, 12 March 2021 (UTC)
 * I'm no genius, just an entrepreneur with a healthy interest in science. A guy came to me and wanted to know if it could be done, I created a lamp for it, he now builds fixtures and I actually sell more pig tanning lamps than cannabis lamps.  I was the first to create a lamp specifically for triggering the UVR8 protein in cannabis, to boost trichomes and THC, we are in our 4th generation now, and working with Texas A&M and other universities, who are testing the effect of UV (UVR8) in several crops, since so much is now grown in greenhouses. It's actually a slog, creating markets is harder than creating products for existing markets, because people don't know they need what you sell, so it's slow going.  Still, it's better than a real job.  Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 22:35, 12 March 2021 (UTC)

Common Language
FYI, it's very commonly used. Please look at the main page on the topic. It's mentioned immediately. Thanks. TylerDurden8823 (talk) 21:13, 30 March 2021 (UTC)
 * You should be taking this onto the article talk page. You've been here long enough to know that.  Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 21:28, 30 March 2021 (UTC)
 * Yes, and you've been here long enough to know better about this language. Don't condescend to me. I don't like your disrespectful attitude. I won't be responding further.TylerDurden8823 (talk) 21:48, 30 March 2021 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Office actions
So me making improvements to the information page means I'm an issue? Is this really how you people treat IP addresses who are actually trying to help?

Just to say
I felt attacked because on Articles for deletion/FitGirl your comment "You might be bludgeoning just a bit." was already an accusation of bludgeoning (even if only "might just a bit"), which I still disagree with. Had it been worded more like "you're commenting a lot, be careful to avoid entering bludgeoning territory" or something like that, it would have better achieved the intention I assume you had.

It would still be helpful if you added a comment to explain why you believe the article is still a BLP or adjust the wording of your vote. I didn't comment on your vote (you can vote anything you want), I commented on the article being called a BLP when it no longer was one. If you had voted "Keep, adequately sourced BLP" I would have responded with the exact same comment. — Alexis Jazz (talk or ping me) 00:08, 10 April 2021 (UTC)
 * AFD requires a thick skin, and I'm not prone to sugar coat it for established editors. I started the essay WP:Bludgeon some 13 years ago because running commentary is destructive to forming consensus and actually discourages others from joining in.  Sometimes it is best to assume the closing admin is capable of sorting it out, and just let others be "wrong".  Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 00:19, 10 April 2021 (UTC)
 * And, don't take it personal. Us old men will point our finger and bark a bit, but it isn't a comment on your character or value as an editor. It was just a comment on your actions on that one page.  Responding to most everyone in a discussion is always a bad idea.  The essay does cover that aspect as well.  You're a good enough editor you don't need to do that.  Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 00:47, 10 April 2021 (UTC)
 * Thank you. The closing admin is one thing, but in my experience if more than one editor makes a statement in a discussion that is not accurate (anymore) without being questioned, some other commenters/voters will read those comments as fact. (and vote accordingly) In this case, it's just unlucky that several early comments contained a unique inaccuracy. I have rarely seen such a thing happening before. Actually, this might be the first time. — Alexis Jazz (talk or ping me) 11:22, 10 April 2021 (UTC)
 * As the essay recommends, it is better to wait, then make ONE comment as a stand alone comment. Then it doesn't come across as nitpicking each comment.  AFD is a fairly binary discussion, making it prone to heated arguments, which is why it's helpful to avoid multiple threads of disagreement.  A couple of threads isn't a problem, but if you are replying to every !vote that disagrees with you, the closing admin is more likely to gloss over your arguments, to be honest.  If your argument is strong, you won't need to make it more than once or twice.  I've commented in over 2300 AFDs and closed around 240 over the last 15 years.  That doesn't make me an "expert", but there is very little I haven't seen there.  Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 11:37, 10 April 2021 (UTC)
 * My arguments weren't for the closing admin and I didn't make any argument more than once or twice. Bundling responses does nothing but diminish readability. Don't boast with your stats, it doesn't inspire confidence. More likely does the opposite as in general it is what people tend to do when trying to defend an undefendable position. Newbies can be brilliant and veterans can be idiots. And I've been both. — Alexis Jazz (talk or ping me) 08:30, 12 April 2021 (UTC)
 * You're entitled to your opinion. Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 21:51, 12 April 2021 (UTC)

Formatting of discussion thread comments
Regarding the second comment in [//en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia_talk:Arbitration_Committee/Noticeboard&diff=1016656236&oldid=1016627392&diffmode=source this edit]: I imagine you've come across/seen others refer to and  and their guidance on formatting discussion threads. (RexxS has written an essay, Colons and asterisks that discusses the issue along with examples of the underlying HTML, and I have written my own essay, User:Isaacl/On wikitext list markup.) Your edit introduced two nested unbulleted list items after a bulleted list item, which, combined with the comment that was added later immediately below yours, causes screen readers to make four extra list start/end announcements, compared if you had used. I hope you will consider following the guidance, as many would appreciate it; thanks! isaacl (talk) 16:12, 8 April 2021 (UTC)
 * Honestly, I see so many styles being used and never really read up on it. Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 19:14, 8 April 2021 (UTC)
 * Perhaps read what RexxS wrote. Miss him. Nice to see you again! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:46, 8 April 2021 (UTC)
 * The nutshell summary (which the guidance pages and essays cover): if you're the first person replying to a comment, copy the same prefix and append the character of your choice (I prefer  so I can reserve bulleted and numbered lists for use within a comment, but some like to mix in  ). If you're not the first person to reply, find the last reply that matches the nesting level of your reply, and copy its prefix. This minimizes changes to list styles, thus reducing announcements by screen readers. List markup isn't a great fit for threaded conversation, but it's where we are (it resembles the old-school visual indent on Usenet and plaintext email, both in the wikitext and the displayed output). isaacl (talk) 19:54, 8 April 2021 (UTC)
 * That's basically what I do, I just reversed the * and the : accidentally. Didn't realize it was as detrimental as it is to make that mistake.  I've made several minor mistakes as of late, RL is quite demanding right now.  Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 23:48, 8 April 2021 (UTC)
 * Sorry to barge in on this ... didn't the WMF have a product a few years ago that was going to solve all of these problems and make talk pages more like forum discussion boards? Anybody know what happened to that? I'm sure we (the community) threw a fit, but maybe we need something a little more like that. Anyway, also hi to everyone in this thread ... nice to see you're all still here. (Didn't exactly plan a three or four year hiatus; it just kind of happened. While much seems to have changed, much else seems almost exactly the same haha.)  Go  Phightins  !  23:53, 8 April 2021 (UTC)
 * Are you referring to Flow (also called structured discussions)? It has various shortcomings which in theory could be addressed, but as with many initiatives, the mismatch with expectations of long-time editors meant it was hard to get support to continue development, and so it's stopped now. Currently ongoing is the Talk pages project, which has released a reply tool in beta, and is (will be?) working on notifications for changes to individual sections of pages. isaacl (talk) 00:24, 9 April 2021 (UTC)
 * , Yes! Flow—I knew it had a name. Yes, the reply tool is definitely the best development in the time I was away, it appears. Alas.  Go  Phightins  !  00:40, 9 April 2021 (UTC)
 * Yeah, it's unfortunate that enabling accessibility means paying really close attention to tiny details such as sequences of prefixed characters and stray blank lines between list items (they don't change the visual output, but they cause extra list end/start announcements). The reply tool will help with that, for those who adopt it. isaacl (talk) 00:29, 9 April 2021 (UTC)

Question about No personal attacks
Hey. On a AE discussion yesterday you made a comment about me needing to stop personal attacks. In the past (Pre t-ban even), I was told about personal attacks. I read the section about what is a personal attack and I am extremely confused on the personal attack that I made during the AE discussion. Could you possibly tell me what I did so I don't do it ever again? In my mind, I stated a fact, but every time I said it, it was called out as a personal attack, so I really don't understand why it is a personal attack. Thank you for any help/guidance that you can give. Elijahandskip (talk) 12:34, 2 April 2021 (UTC)


 * For starters, you call Fram a liar. Avoiding personal attacks is pretty easy.  Never talk about the person, always talk about the edit.  ie: Don't say "that was a stupid thing to put in the article" you say "I think it was a mistake to add that because *reason 1* and *reason 2*".  Don't make things personal.  It's fine to attack an idea, but not a person.  Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 16:11, 2 April 2021 (UTC)


 * Ok. Thank makes a lot of sense.  Thank you for that! Elijahandskip (talk) 16:53, 2 April 2021 (UTC)

Heads-up
Just a heads-up but is different from me, User:Barkeep49. In your last ping at arbcom I think you pinged the wrong one (something that I am guessing happens a fair amount) and so here's a friendly heads-up on that. Best, Barkeep49 (talk) 00:48, 1 April 2021 (UTC)
 * I caught that about 10 seconds after I posted that, but there wasn't a way to unping you. Sorry about that.  Dennis Brown - 2&cent;

Administrators' newsletter – April 2021
News and updates for administrators from the past month (March 2021). Administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Alexandria • Happyme22 • RexxS

Guideline and policy news
 * Following a request for comment, F7 (invalid fair-use claim) subcriterion a has been deprecated; it covered immediate deletion of non-free media with invalid fair-use tags.
 * Following a request for comment, page movers were granted the delete-redirect userright, which allows moving a page over a single-revision redirect, regardless of that redirect's target.

Technical news
 * When you move a page that many editors have on their watchlist the history can be split and it might also not be possible to move it again for a while. This is because of a job queue problem.
 * Code to support some very old web browsers is being removed. This could cause issues in those browsers.

Arbitration
 * A community consultation on the Arbitration Committee discretionary sanctions procedure is open until April 25.

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Archive Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 22:20, 1 April 2021 (UTC)

Note
Saw this:

Just wanted to make you aware that Gilabrand also violated her topic ban in 2019: and 4 months ago: and both flew under the radar. --Supreme Deliciousness (talk) 13:06, 7 April 2021 (UTC)

Nice
It's really a pleasure to see your name showing up more frequently in various discussions Dennis. I've always greatly appreciated the balance and reason you bring to a thread. — Ched (talk) 19:30, 8 April 2021 (UTC)
 * Thanks Ched. Can't make promises, but I'm trying to get more done around here.  Still have a bad taste in my mouth over the Foundation (and now they are trying to force their Universal Code of Conduct on us), but I love the community, the editors and the readers, so I will try.  Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 19:38, 8 April 2021 (UTC)
 * Hey - every little bit helps. I suspect that our views pretty much align in regards to the Foundation, and the UCoC.  The UCoC may look good on paper, but in practice I suspect it would only cause more strife.  It's hard enough to get East-Coast USA and West-Coast USA to agree on conduct matters.  Finding a way for a global agreement on conduct is downright laughable.  I appreciate the effort, but I think it's a very foolish thing to move forward with. Best, — Ched (talk) 09:57, 10 April 2021 (UTC)
 * East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry led to at least two rappers being shot dead, so yeah. In theory, there are some universal ideas of "good conduct" between the many different cultures of the world, but putting that in writing is tricky and loaded with pitfalls, particularly for the Foundation, who still can't develop world class tools or search features.  Most of them aren't even regular editors, so I fail to see how they will grasp the concept except from an outsider's, inexperienced viewpoint....to be forced upon us.  They do so many extraneous things, it feels like the "encyclopedia" is the least important part of their business. Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 10:06, 10 April 2021 (UTC)

Hi Dennis!
Just swinging by to say hi! Had some great times editing with you! Ryan Vesey 03:15, 10 April 2021 (UTC)
 * There's a name from the past. Hope life is treating you well. Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 11:36, 10 April 2021 (UTC)

Happy Adminship Anniversary!
 Happy Adminship Anniversary! Have a very happy adminship anniversary on your special day!

Best wishes, CAPTAIN RAJU (T) 14:31, 25 April 2021 (UTC)

Re. the thread you closed at AE
Now at ANI so if you wish to put in your two cents there... Cheers, RandomCanadian (talk / contribs) 19:01, 25 April 2021 (UTC)
 * Probably need to pass since I closed in at AE. I have faith the community is capable of reviewing the situation.  I actually didn't, except to see it needed to go to ANI, and do the procedural close.  Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 21:04, 25 April 2021 (UTC)

AN discussion
Just wanted to let you know a AN discussion you commented on has been archived with no result. Although the edit was minor, the user had already been blocked and warned not to test WP:BROADLY and went on to make another edit in the same topic ban area after I created the discussion. --Steverci (talk) 00:16, 25 April 2021 (UTC)

Thanks a billion.
Thank u very much Dennis!
 * np. Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 21:04, 25 April 2021 (UTC)

Thank U
Thank u very much Dennis, I tried to fix this as you suggested Oreste Crisostomi (with the help of DragonflySixtyseven)... Please let me know if now it's ok. Thanks a million. Verdena900

Welcome back
Here's another blast from the past -- you helped me out with dealing with some idiots, years ago -- great to see you back. Be well. DoctorJoeE review transgressions/ talk to me!  17:15, 23 April 2021 (UTC)

A ha!
Only four are yours =) –xeno<sup style="color:#000">talk 02:09, 28 April 2021 (UTC)



Oh, I also had four. –<b style="font-family:verdana;color:#000">xeno</b><sup style="color:#000">talk 02:12, 28 April 2021 (UTC)



Found 4 more (lots more by me, woops). –<b style="font-family:verdana;color:#000">xeno</b><sup style="color:#000">talk 03:15, 28 April 2021 (UTC)




 * I was young and foolish, what can I say ;)  Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 10:06, 28 April 2021 (UTC)
 * Fixed them. Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 19:26, 28 April 2021 (UTC)

Thanks!!!
Verdena900 (talk) 14:31, 28 April 2021 (UTC)

RevDel request
Hello, sorry to bother you. Can you please revdel 1, 2, 3, 4- offensive and defamatory. Thank you. -- Ashley yoursmile!  10:57, 30 April 2021 (UTC)
 * Looks like LuK3 saw this message before I did and took care of it. Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 17:44, 1 May 2021 (UTC)

Clarification request: Race and intelligence archived
Hello. Just to let you know that the clarification request you filed, Clarification request: Race and intelligence, has been archived after the arbitrators requested it to be archived. A permalink to the clarification request before it was closed is here. Let me know if you have further questions, Dreamy <i style="color:#d00">Jazz</i> talk to me &#124; my contributions 21:05, 9 May 2021 (UTC)

Just wanted to say ...
RESPECT!, and the follow up was pretty good too. TY. — Ched (talk) 15:08, 1 May 2021 (UTC)
 * I'll look at the Duke's picture issues later today - I have his page watchlisted anyway. — Ched (talk) 15:09, 1 May 2021 (UTC)

Thank you!

 * Thank you, that's very kind of you. I put a copy in my Ronco Barnstar Vault for safe keeping :) Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 15:10, 28 April 2021 (UTC)
 * I prefer the Acme Corporation brand for vaults and such. Wile E. swears by it. — Ched (talk) 03:13, 3 May 2021 (UTC)

Hi Dennis!
I literally only check my watchlist when I pop on to look something up. And here I see you, doing what you're doing.

I went quiet for the same reason you left. I'm very curious to see if you find things better now, because I've been missing wiki lately. -- SB_Johnny &#124; talk✌ 02:10, 3 May 2021 (UTC)
 * ↑↑ — Ched (talk) 03:10, 3 May 2021 (UTC)


 * My dedication is mainly to the readers, next to the editors, but not to the Foundation. What I've seen since I've been back, I don't like. Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 15:04, 3 May 2021 (UTC)


 * I took most of the distraction pages off my watchlist long ago, so I haven't the faintest idea what the WMF is up to :-). -- SB_Johnny &#124; talk✌ 16:57, 3 May 2021 (UTC)
 * Something about taking over the world and installing laser beams on sharks (everyone deserves a hot meal). You know, the usual.  Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 20:15, 3 May 2021 (UTC)

Protection on Talk:Race and intelligence
Hi there. I noticed that there is currently an RfC taking place Talk:Race and intelligence. I am concerned by the page being extended-confirmed protected during the RfC, since this would prohibit legitimate (auto-)confirmed users from contributing to it. I am wondering if the protection level could be lowered to semi-protection until the close of the RfC, so as to let more editors participate while still weeding out IP vandalism. — Mikehawk10 (talk) 02:33, 5 May 2021 (UTC)
 * That would defeat the purpose of the protection. Concerns were raised when the discussion took place about ECP, but in the end, I decided it was worth the risk to try ECP for 6 months, then gauge the effectiveness before renewing it.  At this time, I would decline lowering the protection level temporarily.  Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 09:51, 5 May 2021 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – May 2021
News and updates for administrators from the past month (April 2021). Administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Enchanter • Carlossuarez46

Interface administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Ragesoss

Guideline and policy news
 * Following an RfC, consensus was found that third party appeals are allowed but discouraged.
 * The 2021 Desysop Policy RfC was closed with no consensus. Consensus was found in a previous RfC for a community based desysop procedure, though the procedure proposed in the 2021 RfC did not gain consensus.

Technical news
 * The user group  will be renamed to  . This is for technical reasons. You can comment at  if you have objections.

Arbitration
 * The community consultation on the Arbitration Committee discretionary sanctions procedure was closed, and an initial draft based on feedback from the now closed consultation is expected to be released in early June to early July for community review.

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Archive Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 15:51, 7 May 2021 (UTC)

Apology
Hi Dennis, I just wanted to drop a note to say that I think I came on a bit strong at ANI a few days ago, concerning the dispute over the word murder. We were coming at it from different angles, but I recognise that you were more familiar with the overall situation than I was, and I maybe over-reacted to your comment. I just want to make sure there aren't any bad feelings, I've always had a very high regard for your administrative work, and should have spent a bit longer thinking about what you were saying before responding. Best Girth Summit <sub style="font-family:Segoe print;color:blue;"> (blether)  18:41, 7 May 2021 (UTC)


 * I've forgotten about it, so I couldn't have been too offended. I've a habit of being bold and strong in my statements from time to time, so I'm not one to complain when others do the same.  I think we all need to be free to speak that way to get to solutions.  We're on the same team, it's ok if we bump heads from time to time.  In this case, obviously, no harm, no foul.  Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 18:45, 7 May 2021 (UTC)
 * Thanks for that response - glad there's no air in need of clearing, I agree with what you're saying about the need for folk to be free to speak to each other openly. Cheers Girth Summit <sub style="font-family:Segoe print;color:blue;"> (blether)  20:26, 7 May 2021 (UTC)

Thanks
Thank you for supporting EC-protection for the R&I article and talk-page at WP:AE, and for implementing it. The discussion at the recently closed RfC at that talk-page was civil and productive, in large part because of the absence of SPAs, socks, and off-wiki canvassing. The drama and time sink of last year's RfC were avoided. Your willingness to step up and protect that page is much appreciated. NightHeron (talk) 17:17, 11 May 2021 (UTC)
 * No problem, it seemed the right solution at the right time. Dennis Brown - 2&cent; 17:18, 11 May 2021 (UTC)

Precious anniversary
Good to see you around! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:58, 15 May 2021 (UTC)

DS 2021 Review Update
Dear Dennis Brown,

Thank you for participating in the recent discretionary sanctions community consultation. We are truly appreciative of the range of feedback we received and the high quality discussion which occurred during the process. We have now posted a summary of the feedback we've received and also a preview of some of what we expect to happen next. We hope that the second phase, a presentation of draft recommendations, will proceed on time in June or early July. You will be notified when this phase begins, unless you choose to to opt-out of future mailings by removing your name here. --Barkeep49 & KevinL (aka L235) 21:05, 19 May 2021 (UTC)

ANI
I presume you got pinged, and I am aware that you are unavailable to deal with the issue, but since I mentioned you there I am notifying you that I've opened a thread at ANI that may involve you. --JBL (talk) 13:04, 20 May 2021 (UTC)
 * With respect to your closing statement: I take exception to the first sentence, particularly because I did not "claim[] personal attacks". I request that you revise to be clear whose arguments you are criticizing.  --JBL (talk) 13:38, 25 May 2021 (UTC)

"Wikipedia:8BALL" listed at Redirects for discussion
A discussion is taking place to address the redirect Wikipedia:8BALL. The discussion will occur at Redirects for discussion/Log/2021 May 25 until a consensus is reached, and anyone, including you, is welcome to contribute to the discussion.  dud  hhr  Contribs 22:26, 25 May 2021 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – June 2021
News and updates for administrators from the past month (May 2021). Administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg Ashleyyoursmile • Less Unless
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg Husond • MattWade • MJCdetroit • Carioca • Vague Rant • Kingboyk • Thunderboltz • Gwen Gale • AniMate • SlimVirgin (deceased)

Guideline and policy news
 * Consensus was reached to deprecate Editor assistance.
 * Following a Request for Comment the Book namespace was deprecated.

Technical news
 * Wikimedia previously used the IRC network Freenode. However, due to changes over who controlled the network with reports of a forceful takeover by several ex-staff members, the Wikimedia IRC Group Contacts decided to move to the new Libera Chat network. It has been reported that Wikimedia related channels on Freenode have been forcibly taken over if they pointed members to Libera. There is a migration guide and Wikimedia discussions about this.

Arbitration
 * After a Clarification request, the Arbitration Committee modified Remedy 5 of the Antisemitism in Poland case. This means sourcing expectations are a discretionary sanction instead of being present on all articles. It also details using the talk page or the Reliable Sources Noticeboard to discuss disputed sources.

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Archive Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 14:45, 9 June 2021 (UTC)

Articles for Creation July 2021 Backlog Elimination Drive
<div style="border: 2px solid #484898; background: #FFF; background-color:#98FB98; padding: 1ex 1ex 1ex 1.5ex; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1em; font-size: 99%"> Hello :

WikiProject Articles for creation is holding a  month long Backlog Drive!

The goal of this drive is to eliminate the backlog of unreviewed articles. The drive is running until 31 July 2021.

Barnstars will be given out as awards at the end of the drive.

There is currently a backlog of over articles, so start reviewing articles. We're looking forward to your help!

Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) on behalf of WikiProject Articles for Creation at 21:53, 7 July 2021 (UTC). If you do not wish to recieve future notification, please remove your name from the mailing list.

Administrators' newsletter – July 2021
News and updates for administrators from the past month (June 2021).

Administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-add.svg Trialpears
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg AGK • Eliz81 • Mulad • ThaddeusB • Vianello • Who
 * Pictogram voting rename.png →

Interface administrator changes
 * Gnome-colors-view-refresh.svg Ragesoss



CheckUser changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg AGK • DGG

Oversighter changes
 * Gnome-colors-list-remove.svg AGK

Guideline and policy news
 * Consensus has been reached to delete all books in the book namespace. There was rough consensus that the deleted books should still be available on request at WP:REFUND even after the namespace is removed.
 * An RfC is open to discuss the next steps following a trial which automatically applied pending changes to TFAs.

Technical news
 * IP addresses of unregistered users are to be hidden from everyone. There is a rough draft of how IP addresses may be shown to users who need to see them. This currently details allowing administrators, checkusers, stewards and those with a new usergroup to view the full IP address of unregistered users. Editors with at least 500 edits and an account over a year old will be able to see all but the end of the IP address in the proposal. The ability to see the IP addresses hidden behind the mask would be dependent on agreeing to not share the parts of the IP address they can see with those who do not have access to the same information. Accessing part of or the full IP address of a masked editor would also be logged. Comments on the draft are being welcomed at the talk page.

Arbitration
 * The community authorised COVID-19 general sanctions have been superseded by the COVID-19 discretionary sanctions following a motion at a case request. Alerts given and sanctions placed under the community authorised general sanctions are now considered alerts for and sanctions under the new discretionary sanctions.

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ArchiveSent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 11:26, 3 July 2021 (UTC)