User talk:Rich Farmbrough/Archive/2007 July

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Wikipedia Study: would you like to participate?
Hi Rich,

We've not met in Wikipedia, but some other users recommended I contact you. :-)

I'm an Australian research student who is writing her thesis about Wikipedia. The thesis is about virtual places and citizenship online, and the ways that communities are formed in virtual spaces. Wikipedia is my main case study for this.

As part of this I am interviewing Wikipedians (via email) about their thoughts and experiences while editing and using Wikipedia.

I'd love to interview you for my research, if you are amenable. I know that you have been a member for many years, as well as an admin and a prolific contributor.

The interview would take place via email at a time convenient for you, and you would of course be anonymous in the research. All up, the interview should take no more than 1 hour (spread over several emails).

If you are interested please say Hi on my talk page or send me an email and I can explain the project and what it involves in more detail.

I hope to hear from you! Best Wishes, tamsin 06:25, 26 June 2007 (UTC)

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SmackBot
I didn't want to shut SmackBot off, because it wasn't malfunctioning as such, but it has been putting   tags on many articles within WikiProject CSI which do not need them; surely a reference is only needed to back up statements which could be disputed, not to corroborate the content of an episode? Example: in a season 6 episode "Way To Go", the final scene reveals a previously undisclosed relationship between two major characters; this is a fact - there IS a scene at the end of the episode revealing a previously undisclosed relationship between two major characters - and does not need sourcing; by comparison, stating that fans use the phrase "GSR" (Grissom-Sara Romance) would need referencing, as there is no proof that all fans use the phrase, in what medium the phrase is used (Web forums mostly), how often it is used etc... Could you look into your Bot's parameters for action please (note that Way To Go is not an example of SmackBot's failure, just an example of how it could go wrong)? Editus Reloaded 16:53, 26 June 2007 (UTC)

More help needed
If you have been following along at WP:FLC you know we need help creating stubs for the List to make it a more useful list and help it achieve WP:FLC status. Since I reminded people of this 7 stubs have been created. We need about 40 more to be safe although we may have a successful candidacy with the article as it stands.

Some of you may also be following the success of WP:CHICOTW at WikiProject Chicago/COTW/Good Articles. For the last 4 weeks no one has been very active. Thus, I am fearful that Historic Michigan Boulevard District, Harold Washington Cultural Center, Crown Fountain, & Art Institute of Chicago Building will all fail at WP:GAC when their turns come up. Also, Magnificent Mile did not experience the collaborative spirit. Our reputation as a successful collaboration is at stake. In addition to making stubs for the FLC we need your contribution to our collaborations. I am sorry to pull you away from whatever other wikipleasures you may be experiencing, but we need your help. TonyTheTiger (t/c/bio/tcfkaWCDbwincowtchatlotpsoplrttaDCLaM) 17:00, 26 June 2007 (UTC)

I know it is not your bot but since you have one do you know..
Hi Rich I know HagermanBot is not your bot but I was wondering if you know of any plans to fix it. I think the concept behind the bot is an excellent one. (signing unsigned statements) or maybe there is something else in place that does this now? --User: (talk • contribs • count) 02:28, 27 June 2007 (UTC)
 * I'm afraid I don't know. User:hagermanBot was useful. I'll investigate if I get a chance. Rich Farmbrough, 07:01 27 June 2007 (GMT).

Not sure about this...
- the second change in the diff is good, but I don't know what the point of the addition of the second parameter is in the first line. It's not a style-breaking problem, and more likely than not, it's not a bug (just me being ignorant :)). Any thoughts? Martinp23 16:29, 27 June 2007 (UTC)
 * It should have added the "date=", ideally, it does for most templates. Rich Farmbrough, 19:45 27 June 2007 (GMT).

Updated AWB Alpha Release Thingy
Hey, Majorly (lol) updated version of AWB. Many changes, just looking for people to test it again -

Thanks

Reedy Boy 20:33, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

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Nantwich
I've just reverted all your edits to the above article, and intend to manually carry out the necessary edits that were done. I assume it was a bot under your control that actually did the edits. Unfortunately, along with the good edits it did, it also added unnecessary category links all throughout parts of the article, disrupting the infobox and a list of schools, etc. It may be an idea to check any bot to make sure it is working correctly. Thanks for making sure (one way or another) the necessary links are edited in the article, however.  DDStretch (talk)  13:18, 8 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Good Lord! I don't know how that happened - it's not a bot edit, and wasn't visible in "show differences" before I saved it. Probably a WikiMedia glitch. Thanks for fixing, Rich Farmbrough, 15:01 8 July 2007 (GMT).

Image:Elbaneh2.jpg
Hi, Thank you for uploading Image:Elbaneh2.jpg,however it would be much appreciated if you could expand or clarify the sourcing information you have provided in the image summary., In particular which law enforcement agency took the photo originally?


 * Hi, have added proximal source, to the image. Rich Farmbrough, 09:28 9 July 2007 (GMT).

Template:Birth date and age test
Hi Rich, can you put Db-author into Birth date and age test to delete this test I don't think you are using any more. Thanks Patleahy 08:01, 9 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Deleted. Rich Farmbrough, 09:24 9 July 2007 (GMT).
 * Thanks, Patleahy 09:33, 9 July 2007 (UTC)

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Gnome Week

 * Archive this. Rich Farmbrough, 15:58 13 July 2007 (GMT).

Nordicism
Took out the part which incinuates a correlation between Nazism and Nordicism. Please read chapter 11 of Mein Kampf. Nordic Aryan was used to describe the European segment of the Aryan race
 * Archive this. Rich Farmbrough, 15:58 13 July 2007 (GMT).

Your edits to city links
Please stop changing links to cities from City, State to City, State. That practice was deprecated years ago and the consensus is to use links of the form City, State for American cities. Please see Naming_conventions_%28city_names%29 and WikiProject_Cities for more info. There are lengthy discussions on the topic that I can dig up if you need. Thanks! Kaldari 23:19, 12 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Hi, I have reviewed Naming conventions (settlements) and the wikiproject. They have nothing to say about links, only article naming. I would be interested in any discussions you have links to. Rich Farmbrough, 10:17 15 July 2007 (GMT).

Source?
Would you mind if I borrow the source from your bot so that I may put it onto my wiki? I am no programmer. JacroeBlank 02:20, 14 July 2007 (UTC)
 * The bot account runs 99% using WP:AWB - downloading instructions are there. Rich Farmbrough, 07:29 15 July 2007 (GMT).

Wikimedia UK
Hi,

At some point you expressed an interest in supporting Wikimedia UK. We're now ready to begin receiving applications from prospective members. If you would like to join, application forms and further information can be found at: http://www.wikimedia.org.uk/join. Feel free to ask me if you have any questions, either via my user page at the English Wikipedia or by email (andrew.walker@wikimedia.org.uk). Thanks, Andreww 19:36, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

Re: subst-ing
Hmmm... I'm guessing that you're referring to the subst-ed merge templates I placed on the articles relating to Christian worship. I have read the guidelines for subst-ing templates, but I subst-ed the templates cos the exact template that I needed was not available. Is there another way I could have done this? Other than placing two merge templates on the related articles. For example, now the template looks all messed up cos the links are repeated twice. Anyways, thanks for the warning. :) a JC freak y A k  07:09, 16 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Yes, there areMerge-multiple, Mergeto-multiple and Mergefrom-multiple. Rich Farmbrough, 08:16 16 July 2007 (GMT).
 * Hmmm. I used Mergefrom-multiple on the main article. But for the others, there's not the exact template which I require - something which says "It has been suggested that this page or section be merged with A1, A2 and A3 into Christian worship." Anyways, I've been reading up on templates, going meticulously through the various merge templates. Thinking of creating the required template. That would be ok, right? a JC freak y A k  08:22, 16 July 2007 (UTC)
 * It's done. I've created the Mergetomultiple-with template. I know it's a long name, but had to differentiate it from existing templates. Thanks... Without you setting me off, wouldn't have done it at all. :) Btw, do check it out and give me any pointers if possible. a <font color="#FF0000">JC <font color="#0000FF">freak <font color="#CC66FF">y <font color="#66CC00">A <font color="#FF6600">k  10:42, 16 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Ummm. No. I've no idea how and where to list it. Could ya help me out, please? I've asked here too. :) <font color="#0000FF">a <font color="#FF0000">JC <font color="#0000FF">freak <font color="#CC66FF">y <font color="#66CC00">A <font color="#FF6600">k  11:29, 16 July 2007 (UTC)

Thank you. It's done. There is some formatting-problem with including it in this page, due to the non-acceptance of the "=" symbol by the tlrow template used in that page - however, I think the explanation suffices for users to know how to use the template. Guess we'll leave it like that... You wouldn't know how to fix it, would ya? I tried using Unicode character coding for the "=" char, I also tried the and  tags, but they completely mess up the template. :) <font color="#0000FF">a <font color="#FF0000">JC <font color="#0000FF">freak <font color="#CC66FF">y <font color="#66CC00">A <font color="#FF6600">k  14:49, 16 July 2007 (UTC)

Smackbot's edit to Abella
Just a note to say that Smackbot recently changed 'Reference' to 'References' in Abella, despite the fact that there's only one. If this is a general policy change on style please let me know where it's been discussed so that I can object; if not, I believe you should disable this inaccurate edit function. Thanks for your help. Espresso Addict 22:14, 16 July 2007 (UTC)

Your interview
Hey Rich, "I'd like to create a mathematical model of the trends, to investigate how we best go about keeping the vitality of the enterprise without compromising content." How is this project coming along? Have you recruited anyone to help out? How do you plan on taking the measurements? What do you think could be the remedy for stultification? ... I am rambling again... Anyway, I would be interested to hear more about it. Cheers.--Cronholm144 21:34, 17 July 2007 (UTC)

Question
Hi Rich Farmbrough,

I just had a question about Wikipedia bots and since you created a bot and you control it, I thought you might know the answer to this question.

Could someone get a bot to be a designated bot for a Wikiproject or task force?

Thanks,

Psdubow 15:49, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * That would be up to the project or task force. See, however WP:BOT for the requirements to run a bot on WP, and links to pages where you can, for example, request a bot to fix a given problem. Rich Farmbrough, 18:52 18 July 2007 (GMT).

Cleanup templates
Just to let you know that most cleanup templates, like "unreferenced", "fact", "cleanup"etc., are best not "subst"ed. See WP:SUBST for more details. Regards, Rich Farmbrough, 10:47 19 July 2007 (GMT).

Would you be interested in joining the Wikipedia Crime Project?
I have seen that you like to contribute to serial killer articles I am trying to organize a task force on this subject under WikiProject Criminal Biography. If you would be interested in joining contact me. Thanks, Jmm6f488 19:36, 19 July 2007 (UTC)

Request for significant edits to a protected page
FYI:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Requests_for_page_protection

on July 19, 2007 to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Buscema

including a correction to the Jack Beal reference that you had requested.

Cheers,

--Skyelarke 20:34, 19 July 2007 (UTC)

AutoWikiBrowser v4 Alpha Released
Hey Guys, We've packaged up a new version of AWB based on the latest SVN version. Logging now works, amongst other things

AutoWikiBrowser4000r1480.zip

Bug Reports to the usual places

Thanks,

The AutoWikiBrowser Team

Reedy Boy 16:01, 20 July 2007 (UTC)

The continuing (US) vs. (U.S.) disambiguation debate
I'd like to come to some consensus about it, if we can: can we try to reach closure at Wikipedia talk:Naming conventions (abbreviations) ? Thanks! hike395
 * The top four or five article's redirect are done. Rich Farmbrough, 10:52 21 July 2007 (GMT).

Does it make you feel important to have your big ugly notices smack in the middle of 70,000 articles?
Get a life, idiot with your stupid robot.

Wow, you even have a robot to protect you from reading comments

 * <ROFL> This is the sort of thing that makes it all worthwhile. People who can't even use history properly, or sign their messages. Rich Farmbrough, 08:46 21 July 2007 (GMT).
 * Incidentally my bot doesn't generally add "notices" it merely dates them to help the teams addressing the underlying problems and removing them. Rich Farmbrough, 08:48 21 July 2007 (GMT).
 * Looks like smackbots got a new admirer ;) Reedy Boy 10:43, 21 July 2007 (UTC)

Replacing sigs on talk pages
Hi, I wonder if you could help me out with your bot, or if you have a good alternative suggestion. I recently had my username changed per the right to vanish policy. However, I've made a lot of edits to talk pages and they contain my sig linking to my old account. I'd like that sig deleted and replaced with the default sig for this account. I don't use Windows so I can't use AWB to do this. --C S 06:51, 21 July 2007 (UTC)


 * Wow, thanks! Your effort is sincerely appreciated.  --C S 19:13, 21 July 2007 (UTC)

birth date templates
Can I again nudge you about my 'birth and death date template' request? Andy Mabbett | Talk to Andy Mabbett 14:13, 21 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Yes, NP. Rich Farmbrough, 14:16 21 July 2007 (GMT).

your bot
Hello - User:SmackBot created a log page at /210707 1. I assumed it was a bug and moved it to User:SmackBot/210707 1 - just thought you should know. ugen64 15:38, 21 July 2007 (UTC)
 * thanks Ugen, see below. Rich Farmbrough, 17:55 21 July 2007 (GMT).

SmackBot: "Fix user migration"
IMO something wrong with this activity. IMO it creates confusion. For exmple, the contributions page for user:C S does not list the edits where the 'bot changed the sig from User:Chan-Ho Suh to User:C S. Am I missing something? `'Míkka 15:58, 21 July 2007 (UTC)
 * That's right the sig changes were made by me at the user's request. The changes were not practical for the user to make themselves, however their request for me to do it for them is on my talk page, and the changes are all in history, so it seems reasonable. Clearly the user hasn't completely "vanished" per "right to vanish", but its a step in that direction. Rich Farmbrough, 17:55 21 July 2007 (GMT).

smack
Why did SmackBot create /210707 3? -- RHaworth 17:10, 21 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Fixed link: /210707 3. Same for /210707 4. Regards, High on a tree 17:47, 21 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Thanks, this is a logging bug, these can just be deleted with no ceremony. Rich Farmbrough, 17:49 21 July 2007 (GMT).

Eddie Davis (boxer)
Hi, why is SmackBot converting the sources tag to the unreferenced tag? The unreferenced is used where there are no sources whereas sources is used where there are some sources but a need for more. Bridgeplayer 21:36, 21 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Hi, the reason is that sources used to redirect to unreferened, whereas it now redirectes to refimprove. These conversions should no longer happen, thanks for letting me know. Rich Farmbrough, 07:39 22 July 2007 (GMT).

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troll and MoS
Troll or not doesn't make cap of lower case, do they? I have no pov to push on Unnithan or such shitty pieces. Please make that casteist troll Manu rocks stick to Wikipedia Manual of Style. 59.91.253.161 17:16, 24 July 2007 (UTC)
 * See my answer on Reference desk/Language. Rich Farmbrough, 21:53 24 July 2007 (GMT).


 * I appreciate you efforts to track me on to the RD and activate a discussion there. In fact, I had started a half joc thread on ANI. Indian English, has a tendency to initial cap words to honour[ify] the subject. For example, government is very often Gov..., and you can see multiple instances in Kerala That SPA Manu rocks apparently shares this notion. We have a logophile professor here with a fetishism for such things. I will also ask his opinion. Regards. 59.91.253.178 04:07, 25 July 2007 (UTC)