User talk:NorthwesternMagazine

Username sounds like an organization
Hello, and welcome to Wikipedia!

I hope that I don't seem unfriendly or make you feel unwelcome, but I noticed your username, and I am concerned that it might not meet Wikipedia's username policy for the following reason: It sounds like a role account. In addition, you should take the time to read WP:COI and WP:ADVERT. After you look over that policy, could we discuss that concern here?

I'd appreciate learning your views, for instance, your reasons for wanting this particular name, and what alternative username you might accept that avoids raising this concern.

There are several options available to you:
 * We can talk about it, here.
 * If we can't resolve this on our own, we can ask for help through Wikipedia's dispute resolution process, such as requesting comments from other Wikipedians. Wikipedia administrators usually abide by agreements reached through this process.
 * You can keep your contributions history under a new username. Visit Changing username and follow the guidelines there.

Toddst1 (talk) 15:41, 23 July 2009 (UTC)

Username
Hi, Toddst1. I'm an intern with Northwestern Magazine. We're linking interviews in our magazine (which is not-for-profit and does not reference its sponsors in its articles) with the wiki pages for the people we've interviewed. Since multiple interns will be working on the project, it seemed logical to me to create a generic username for all of us. I'm unsure how a username that clearly connects the edits we'll be making with the journalistic body we represent is a conflict of interest, violation of neutrality, or otherwise problematic, but I'm glad to discuss it and hear your suggestions.


 * Thanks for getting back to me. Unfortnately, this violates a number of policies here at wikipedia. First, it is in fact a role account which we do not allow. Each editor must have their own account. Second, the name violates our username policy as the name of a company - especially since you are affiliated with. Normally, we would block the account at this point, but it seems you want to work here constructively and I don't think that blocking would be productive.
 * However, you should stop using this account, or better yet, change your username to something less affiliated with the magazine. I would recommend also that you read WP:COI to be sure you understand it and put a note on your new user page (after you change your name) saying that you're here to link to articles and not to promote the magazine.  You should probably review our policy on external links too to make sure you don't get in trouble.
 * I know this seems like a lot of rules mixed with what might seem like strange advice, but that's how we keep this place from becoming a forum for advertising and spam. I'd be glad to lend any assistance I can, so don't hesitate to contact me if you need help or have questions.
 * Good luck. Toddst1 (talk) 16:00, 23 July 2009 (UTC)

Thanks--sorry, I'm totally new at this. I'll do as advised. — Preceding unsigned comment added by NorthwesternMagazine (talk • contribs) 16:17, 23 July 2009
 * No problem. All of us here had to learn the ropes at one point. Hope you stick around. Toddst1 (talk) 16:18, 23 July 2009 (UTC)

Ok, name changed. Since it says that my contributions will transfer, I'm going to continue linking articles, if that's ok. Check out my addition to "Targeted reinnervation," which I made this morning before I realized I was throwing my IP address all over, for an example of the quality and objectivity of journalism. Thanks! NorthwesternMagazine (talk) 16:31, 23 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Such links by somebody working for the magazine are likely to be treated as spamming, and rapidly reverted. -- Orange Mike  &#x007C;   Talk  16:32, 23 July 2009 (UTC)

Do you mean automatically, or intentionally? If it's the latter, again, I encourage you to look at the articles actually linked; there are no ads on the pages and the only content is a unique (not available anywhere else) interview with the subject of the wiki. Thank you.NorthwesternMagazine (talk) 16:53, 23 July 2009 (UTC)


 * Yeah, it's a fine line. Mike does have a point. I looked at what you did with One Acre Fund. In many cases like this, they may be reverted intentionally as spam links. If they're truly relevant to the article, probably the best way is to add them in a way that they strengthen the article - specifically as citations or better yet footnotes.  These citation templates will help.
 * I see you figured out how to sign your posts on talk pages. You're getting the hang of it. Toddst1 (talk) 17:10, 23 July 2009 (UTC)
 * What Toddst said! Alternatively, given the conflict-of-interest problem, I'd advise you to offer the link on the talkpage of the relevant article, disclosing as you do so your COI, but suggesting that the article itself is natheless a useful reference. âPreceding unsigned comment added by Orangemike (talk â¢ contribs) 23 July

This account, , has been blocked indefinitely from editing Wikipedia, because your username is (as has been explained) unacceptable, as being the name of a collective entity, and one which tends to imply a conflict of interest.


 * This is often not a reflection on the user, and you are encouraged to choose a new account name which does meet our guidelines and are invited to contribute to Wikipedia under an appropriate username. If you feel this block was made in error, you may quickly and easily appeal it&mdash;see below.

Our username policy provides guidance on selecting your username. In brief, usernames should not be offensive, disruptive, promotional, misleading, or related to a 'real-world' group or organization. Also, usernames may not end with the string "bot" unless the account is an approved bot account.

If you have already made edits and wish to keep your existing contributions under a new name you may request a change in username. To do so, please follow these directions:
 * Add  This is possible because even when you are blocked, you can usually still edit your own talk page.
 * At an administrator's discretion, you may be unblocked for 24 hours to file a request.
 * Please note, you may only request a name that is not already in use. The account is created upon acceptance – do not try to create the new account before making the request for a name change since we can far more easily allocate your new name to you, if it is not yet used. Usernames that have already been taken are listed here. For more information, please visit Changing username.
 * Alternatively, you can "abandon" the contributions under this username and create a new account, which is much faster and easier, especially if you have few or no edits.

Last, the automated software systems that prevent vandalism may have been activated, which can cause new account creation to be blocked also. If you have not acted in a deliberately inappropriate manner, please let us know if this happens, and we will deactivate the block as soon as possible. You may also appeal this username block by adding the text  or emailing the administrator who blocked you. -- Orange Mike  &#x007C;   Talk  14:57, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

Spam
Welcome to Wikipedia. Although everyone is welcome to contribute constructively to the encyclopedia, one or more of the external links you added do not comply with our guidelines for external links and have been removed. Wikipedia is not a collection of links; nor should it be used for advertising or promotion, and doing so is contrary to the goals of this project. Since Wikipedia uses nofollow tags, external links do not alter search engine rankings. If you feel the link should be added to the article, please discuss it on the before reinserting it. Please take a look at the welcome page to learn more about contributing to this encyclopedia. Kingturtle (talk) 03:05, 27 July 2009 (UTC)