User talk:Ragesoss/Archive4

Use of Wikipedia in "Academia"
Hi Ragesoss

I read your article and your page on Wikipedia. Thanks ... it was good to see that Wikipedia is being used and recognised by academics.

One use I have recently put it to in secondary education (11-18) in the UK, is to use it for students who do not speak the same language as the teacher.

ie. 30 students and one who doesn't understand anything (yet)

Ideal solution is a full time adult assistant ... unlikely or a student mate (likely)

Solutions tried are automatic computer translators ... OK but hopeless for techie terms..

However if we (the class) are discussing "different types of Computer Printers" then in 45 secs I can call up Wikipedias "Printers (computer)" page in English and with the students assistance I can flick it into Polish, Persian or whatever.

I now know they are at least aware of the context of the lesson they are observing.

I have written this idea up for UK ICT teachers (see below), but I wonder if this is generally seen as a major feature of Wikipedia. Please feel free to forward or tell me that "this is well known"

Regards

Roger Bamkin aka Victuallers 10:42, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

Specific example at

http://tre.ngfl.gov.uk/server.php?request=cmVzb3VyY2UuZnVsbHZpZXc%3D&resourceId=13481&PHPSESSID=ce796b7cdc519087df987c57fe7a4fde

Thanks
...for this. Probably shouldn't be compiling F&A late at night XD Daniel.Bryant [ T · C ] 23:21, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia assignment in HIST 236
Congratulations to you for your creative class assignment and to the members of your class for making such an impressive set of contributions to Wikipedia. --SteveMcCluskey 23:40, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

The Novels WikiProject Newsletter: Issue VII - December 2006
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Buffy Tuftedcheek
Through this species, the link to Mr. Lawrence, (of Lawrence's Goldfinch)(an amateur Famous historical ornithologist who worked with Baird and Caffin), i found baird. I just added him to the list: YOU will see from mr Baird's profile: he is a "historical people of U.S. natural history"; after quickly reading/scanning the article it talks of the history thru PEnnsylvania, and meeting (Mr.)-Audobon. ((And not everyone on this list is an "American naturalist", neither American, European, nor Naturalist, vs President, confer please with Rachel Carson, and Teddy Roosevelt....)) Mmcannis --Mmcannis 19:47, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

The more appropriate question is how to segment the "natural history of N. Amreica", and include, Mexico, Canada, U.S., and even the Caribbean. I simply got started with the U.S. --Mmcannis 19:49, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

MoS (writing about fiction)
In the past you have participated in discussion about this guideline, or voted in it's acceptence. There is currently a discussion about a partial rewrite of this guideline. The discussion could benefit from some more input. Thank you for your contributions. TheDJ (talk • contribs • WikiProject Television) 16:07, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Thanks!
Thanks for nowiki-tagging my sandbox article, and my apologies for not catching that myself. Figma 01:14, 11 January 2007 (UTC)

catting/biology
Thanks for the tip re: catting articles with subcats in their supercats - i'm embarrassed to have missed it. --lquilter 02:12, 11 January 2007 (UTC)
 * I tried to undo the ones I did - hopefully didn't miss too many. At least the page is all on one now! --lquilter 02:48, 11 January 2007 (UTC)

Technical instability of articles?
There seems to be some radical technical instability problem with the Kepler article: when called up it comes up with different versions that do or do not incorporate recent edits, and without any apparent rhyme or reason. One can have several historically different versions on screen at the same time. Thus it is never clear which one you should be editing, or what reverts have occurred or not. One can go from the article to the talk page and then return to the article to find a different later edited version of the article. For all I know this may also apply to other articles. It is as if it does not update until you refresh it after going to another page of the main menu. Do you know why ? Is there something wrong that needs fixing ? As is stands, somebody calling it up and just reading it would not have the benefit of our wonderful editing efforts at improvement (-:

By the way, I came across the Kepler article 'by accident' in the process of reviewing a historical mistake in my interpretation of Kepler and checking out the web views, and so thought it might be useful to offload the results of my own efforts to achieve a logically coherent interpretation from the highly confused literature for the benefit of others. After clearing out the errors I propose to insert various constructive improved interpretations.

Is Deyyaz some kind of Wikipedia official who hands out official status to articles ?

Re Rudolphine Tables, important to get clear what kind of currency they had and when cf with Lansberg Tables, for example.

And can we get clear exactly what Kepler claimed for what planets in Astronomia Nova e.g. did he make the general claim that all planets move in ellipses, not only Mars ? It is probably important to have a translation of the Latin quotation about this from AN on p436 of Koyre's AR. I propose we try and replace that rotten Caspar quote with something about Epitome being a completion of the astronomy of AN for all the planets.

Best wishes Logicus 19:08, 11 January 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for your helpfull responses. Relevant responses later. Logicus 12 Jan

The F5 button works well, but if one leaves the page it then reverts and it seems one has to press it every time. Is this a typical feature at the user interface ?

Thanks for Continuity info. Look we surely need to sort out where Kepler first presented his laws for all the planets completely, if anywhere. See my Talk today Logicus 15:46, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

discussions on CFDs / scientists & religion
Hey Ragesoss - I have no idea what your opinion might be (or mine, exactly) on this issue, but as a science historian who works on various related categories you may be able to add some useful points to the various CFDs on scientists & religion that are happening right now. Mathematicians by religion being renamed (and repurposed) to Category:Mathematicians in religion X philosophy and Categories for discussion/Log/2007 January 12 similarly. --lquilter 14:57, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

Ragesoss,

Thanks for the prompt feedback on the issues you raised regarding conflict of interest, verifiability, and problems with selected entries that were created or started by me, particularly the IS group entry. I apologize once again for my lack of knowledge regarding the Wikipedia conflict of interest policy and for any problems that I created because of this. Because of your detailed comments, things are clearer to me now, both regarding the IS group entry and the other material. The Haskins-related material looks to be okay. However, as you noted, the IS group entry remains problematic in terms of current Wikipedia policy. Should published, verifiable sources presently be available or become available in the future for the IS group, I hope that this information will be provided. However, because of the conflict of interest policy, I think that is best that I avoid active participation in these areas, unless minor things, such as typographical corrections, are needed. Thanks again for your very valuable guidance on these matters. It is greatly appreciated. Should additional issues or questions about these matters emerge, I will contact you. Ddp224 06:43, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

I finally got a few minutes to look at Wikinfo, as you suggested. A quick look at their policies makes me think that their philosophy is more in alignment with what I originally (mistakenly) thought Wikipedia was about and why I added the IS group entry to Wikipedia. In particular, the more open approach of Wikinfo might be a small step towards avoiding the 'canon' effect that I worry about with Wikipedia and other overly-formal (to my mind) and (perhaps) self-righteous repositories of received knowledge. That is exactly what I was trying to avoid and was why I started with Wikipedia in the first place. The downside of Wikinfo would appear to be that they have minimal impact when compared to goliaths such as Wikipedia. (It seems, in a loose way, like PC v s. Mac. On principle, in a choice like that, I tend to go with Mac. That is why I started YMUG (the Yale Mac Users Group - now YaleMUG). That is also part of the reason why the IS group was founded -- because some of us believe that the wild and loose aspects of the enterprise help to inform and improve the quality of the science (see, for example, the Shalizi review of the Wolfram book -- I think there is a link to the review on the IS group site, if not, I can provide it for you) ). When I get additional time, I will take a closer look at Wikinfo and other alternative venues. Thanks again for pointing me in this direction. Ddp224 15:50, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

List of articles related to scientific skepticism
Care to weigh in and vote here? Levine2112 21:06, 17 January 2007 (UTC)

COI concern
Cheers. I received your message from 11 January 2007. I am not Dr. Louis Gerstman. I met him in New York at the Rusk Institute and found him to be quite charming. He was working at City College at the time and consulting at IBM, Rusk, and other places. My information is that he worked at Haskins Laboratories starting in the early 1950s and left there in the late 1950s. Unfortunately, Dr. Gerstman passed away in 1992 (http://query.nytimes.com/search/query?ppds=per&v1=GERSTMAN%2C%20LOUIS&sort=newest). Late last year, based on a conversation with another old acquaintance, I began taking a look at and editing articles related to his and similar work, including the early speech synthesis work at Haskins and elsewhere that I find interesting. I adopted this moniker as a tribute to him and the recollection of those wonderful days in New York City. Please let me know if the use of this name is inappropriate. If so I will use something else. Gerstman ny 18:28, 20 January 2007 (UTC)

Newyorkbrad's RfA
Thank you for your support on my RfA, which closed favorably this morning, as well as for your very kind comments accompanying your !vote. I appreciate the confidence the community has placed in me and am looking forward to my new responsibilities. Please let me know if ever you have any comments or suggestions, especially as I am learning how to use the tools. Best regards, Newyorkbrad 18:46, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

Barnstar
Thanks - I'm just glad to know somebody is reading it. Yomangani talk 19:00, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

History of Geology
Thanks for pointing me to it. It looks nicely researched. :) Aleta 21:20, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

History of Science Project
Hi, just got your message. I assume I was on a mailing list you compiled. I love the subject, but, out of curiosity, how did my name get on the list? I've checked back in my edits, and the only thing significant I find is something I did with Leibniz a while back. I've checked out the project page. What do you need most at this point? — J M Rice 21:20, 21 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Hey, I don't mind that kind of spam at all. Glad to get the message. And that's right, I did mention a history of science interest on a subpage. Had forgotten about that. — J M Rice 21:56, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

Thanks
Thanks a lot for leavig a message on my talk page.Indeed I am interested.Look forward to collaborating with you.Regards(Vr 06:10, 22 January 2007 (UTC))

Many thanks for letting me know about the History of Science project; yes, you're right - I am interested in it. All best Robma 08:39, 23 January 2007 (UTC)

Same here -- thanks for the invite. As you have surmised, I am interested in history of science, although any contributions I can make will probably be minimal since I am not an expert. I know most about Isaac Newton (and my Wiki-editing has been pretty much confined to that article) because I have actually read and studied some of his writings (and I have a great appreciation for his monumental genius and contribution to history). LotR 14:46, 24 January 2007 (UTC)

Thanks also for the notes of on my talk page about the recent history of science collaborations. I now have more time now to look at these. --Reswik 04:07, 4 February 2007 (UTC)

Happy minds think alike. Thanks very much for telling me about your use of Wikipedia in the classroom and about the history of science project. I'm busy finishing up the revisions on my book manuscript (lest I perish), so I'm not so active in other areas (like Wikipedia) right now. But I'll check back from time to time... Sigrid 20:13, 7 February 2007 (UTC)

History of Phycology
Hi Ragesoss, I have almost finished "History of Phycology" - however no doubt there will be many corrections to be made (it may hurt!) However haw can I add illustrations? I will be grateful for your advice.Osborne 16:04, 25 January 2007 (UTC)

Novels newsletter : Issue IX - February 2007
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Ecology is more than biology...
Hi,

I noticed the comment that the section on Ecology is massively overfilled and was thinking that it may be appropriate to move it out from under the biology heading and into one of its own. The field, while having been born of biology, is very much an interdisciplinary science now and increasingly so. Perhaps creating a section specifically for Ecology would alleviate some of the pressure on the section as well as identify its more complete nature, which often includes concurrent study of other disciplines like physics, biogeochemistry, atmospheric science, oceanography, etc.

Just a suggestion... —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Eco interpreter (talk • contribs) 02:49, 8 February 2007 (UTC).

Thanks
Thanks for my very first Barnstar. It gives me a warm glow on a snowy afternoon. --SteveMcCluskey 22:24, 18 February 2007 (UTC)

Favour
Hi Sage. I was wondering if you could do me a favour. Over at Talk:Creation-evolution controversy there is a bit of a dispute going on about how to characterise sources - specifically Larson's Evolution. The way I look at it, is putting a bit too much faith in Larson...yeah, he's a reliable source, and probably a fairly neutral one, but as I see it that isn't the same as saying that we can use his opinion as NPOV.

I could interject my opinion, but I don't know enough about the publication culture in that field, and I don't know much about Larson. In my experience (which is limited to scientific publications) people tend to have a lot more leeway to express opinions in a book than they do in a journal pub. In addition (though I may be wrong), I have always gotten the impression that there's something of an expected that you express an opinion in history, more so than in biology, for example (which isn't to say that people don't in biology, they just don't set out to do so). Anyway, if you have a chance, I was hoping you could add some perspective to the debate. Thanks. Guettarda 15:15, 23 February 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia Weekly Notification!
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Science in Persia
Hi Sage!

I built up an article on history of science in Iran over the last two years. It needs to be heavily copyedited for its tone (pov tone) and language. It would be great if you could take a look at it or perhaps forward this request to someone you may know of. Any helps will be very much appreciated. Thanks. Sangak 16:39, 28 February 2007 (UTC)

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This is a special episode we recored specifically dealing w/ the whole Essjay/Ryan Jordan situation. We recorded this before Jimbo's second comment, so it might be a little dated but still a good listen.


 * Episode 12 MP3

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Please spread the word about Wikipedia Weekly, we're trying to spread the word so that people know about the project, we've got some cool guests lined up and it makes it much more fun if people tune in!

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Zax (tool)
FYI, the article was proded after I used it as an example at WT:N. You might be interested in the discussion there. Dhaluza 02:59, 5 March 2007 (UTC)
 * To update the story, the AFD was going towards "keep", I withdrew the nomination... and then Uncle G created a Slater article, merged the content there and left Zax (tool) as a redirect - which is a sensible solution as far as I'm concerned, and possibly where the AFD discussion would have gone if the Slater article had existed already. But obviously you folks were correct and toolcruft has a good deal of support for existing on Wikipedia. I just hadn't seen an article like that sent to AFD and didn't know how it would go. --Brianyoumans 12:51, 6 March 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia Weekly Notification!
This is just a friendly reminder that Wikipedia Weekly has been released with a new episode..... 13!

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Science in Persia
Hi Ragesoss and thanks for your kind helps. This is the main source of the article:


 * Iran the cradle of science, by R. Behrouz, M. Ourmazdi & P. Reza'i. Circle of Ancient Iranian Studies.

I got direct permission from them to use the content. If you need more detailed info about the history please contact User:Zereshk. Thanks again. Take care. Sangak Talk 14:14, 11 March 2007 (UTC)

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In this edition

* We wrap up the Essjay affair, as the famous Wikipedian cuts ties to the online encyclopedia. * A look at the Wikimedia Commons Picture of the Year Competition, which finished earlier this week. In addition, all the Featured Pictures of 2006 are available as a bittorrent download. * The new “Username Usurpation” feature at the English Wikipedia. * Jimmy Wales travels to India for the recent Indian WikiCamp, and narrowly survives an attack of ninja monkeys. * One thousand Featured Articles at the German Wikipedia. * 300 Spartans.

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Separate Fantasy WikiProject?
hi, is there a separate Fantasy Fiction WikiProject? Or is it included in the Science Fiction Wikiproject?--TwoOars 22:42, 12 March 2007 (UTC)


 * Thanks. And about Science Fiction WikiProject, can anyone join? Or are there some criteria / some invitation?--TwoOars 22:57, 12 March 2007 (UTC)

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In this edition

This episode sees Liam, more commonly known as Witty Lama, catching up with Rama’s Arrow and Ragib to talk about contributing to Wikipedia from and Indian and Bangladeshi perspective. Topics include their growing collection of Featured Articles, the success of the Indian WikiProject, and the problem of Internet access on the Subcontinent.

As always you can download old episodes and more at http://wikipediaweekly.com/!

Please spread the word about Wikipedia Weekly, we're trying to spread the word so that people know about the project, we've got some cool guests lined up and it makes it much more fun if people tune in!

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Kepler article
I just want to congratulate you as one of the editors of the Johannes Kepler article. I was so impressed with it. It is one of the best articles I have seen come through FAC. Anyway, I wanted to ask your expert advice (horror of horrors on wikipedia). I would like to read some histories of the Scientific Revolution, what would you recommend? And, by the way, I would like to read some real histories, not some popularizations. I am a graduate student of English literature and I focus on eighteenth-century children's literature, but my interests are wide-ranging. Moreover, I have these vague ideas about doing a project about science education in the eighteenth century. Have you ever seen John Newbery's Tom Telescope series? It's kind of like Newton for kids; it's great. Anyway, I have Steven Shapin, but I was wondering what else you could recommend. I would really appreciate it. By the way, great cat names. I used to live with a roommate who had two cats named Watson and Crick. :) Awadewit 18:12, 19 March 2007 (UTC)

POTD notification
Hi Ragesoss,

Just to let you know that the Featured Picture Image:Lewis Hine Power house mechanic working on steam pump.jpg is due to make an appearance as Picture of the Day on. If you get a chance, you can check and improve the caption at Template:POTD/2007-04-19.  howcheng  {chat} 16:33, 20 March 2007 (UTC)

Image:Haeckel Arachnida 2.jpg
Hi, Image:Haeckel Arachnida 2.jpg, an edited version of an image originally uploaded by you (as Image:Haeckel Arachnida.jpg) has been selected as a featured picture. Thanks for uploading the original version! --KFP (talk | contribs) 19:11, 23 March 2007 (UTC)
 * Should I just upload this version over yours as you proposed, since yours already has all the information? ~ trialsanderrors 19:42, 23 March 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for the History of Science Newsletter
I just wanted to thank you for all you do for the history of science project, and espeically for the new newsletter.Rusty Cashman 10:24, 24 March 2007 (UTC)

"Is a bear Catholic? Does the Pope shit in the woods?" I would love to join you! We need to talk how can we exchange email addresses? Thony C.

Revived discussion concerning fair use in portals
I am contacting everyone who participated in the discussion that became inactive in December. Due to the length of the previous discussion, I have proposed a new amendment and you like you to weigh in so that we may actually have a consensus on this matter as it doesn't seem there exists one either way. -ΖαππερΝαππερ BabelAlexandria

Why did you contact me (Fabricebaro)
Hello Sage, I was wondering why exactly you contacted me, asking me to sign my name in talk pages. I checked, and it's what I did in Talk:Fair use. Are you saying I sould sign minor edits like the one I made for the History section of Modern evolutionary synthesis ? I went through (almost thoroughly ;)) the minor edit page, plus the links you provided me with, without finding anything relevant. --Fabricebaro 16:28, 27 March 2007 (UTC)

License tagging for Image:Crick's reconstructed 1958 central dogma.gif
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