User talk:Sydney Comedy Festival

It's OK, but if we unblock you you will likely have to refrain from editing any article about the Sydney Comedy Festival. Is there anything else you're interested in editing? Daniel Case (talk) 13:45, 11 May 2009 (UTC)

Thanks Daniel - but I have to say that I am a bit shocked at this whole process, given it is my first time of using Wikipedia as opposed to enjoying reading it. I have created a History of Comedy Festivals website which talks about the history of comedy events in Sydney which has been forgotten for a long time. Of course I intend to edit Wiki pages - but as a new user I have found the process extremely confusing even with the help pages - but i guess I'll get used to it. Thanks so much for "unblocking me". Will my article be able to be moved to a live page now or is there some other rule I have to follow?


 * You haven't been unblocked yet. Since you are obviously personally involved in the Sydney Comedy Festival, there is a concern that your contribution may violate our conflict of interest policy.  You may be unblocked if you will agree to follow the restrictions at WP:BESTCOI regarding anything you're personally involved in.  Regarding your draft, I think the festival is probably worthy of inclusion but the draft is problematic and somewhat puffy.  Once you've been unblocked, come to my talk page and I can help get the draft ready for article space.  Mango juice talk 13:35, 12 May 2009 (UTC)

I am happy to abide by whatever I have to. I don't see how I have a conflict if i am a person who is writing about history - I am still chasing people involved in the scene to expand this article but I wanted to start somewhere. I also followed the format of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival - why is their article OK btw? Surely someone involved would have made that entry as they are the best person to know about it. Anyhow that would be great if I could get some tips on the article. Any idea when I will be unblocked and what do I have to do to go to your talk page?


 * The potential conflict of interest arises because your original username relates very closely to the subject you've written about. This won't be so apparent with your new username, but obviously your original choice indicates where you may be editing in future. The difficulties with writing about stuff you're personally involved with arise because (1) it's easy to inadvertently 'spin' the content (either too positively or too negatively), and (2) it can be tempting to include content that you know is true, even though you have no source to back it up. Your comment above that someone involved with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival must have worked on the article is interesting. The ideal Wikipedia article is a well-written distillation of reliable secondary source material, and because of our insistence on sources, article writers don't actually need to know anything about the subject they're writing about (and it can even be advantageous in creating a neutral article if they don't). This shouldn't exclude you from working in areas where you're interested though, it just means that one has to be aware of one's own biases and extra-careful not to editorialise and to source edits.
 * I'm not sure what's happened with your unblock appeal, but as you've indicated that you understand what the issues are, wish to request a username change, and have an offer of help from Mangojuice, I see no reason for you to remain blocked. I've unblocked your account - you'll need to visit Changing username asap to avoid reblocking before you've got the request in.
 * Finally, if you click the talk link in Mangojuice's signature, that'll take you to his talk page. I've got a similar link in my signature, so if you need any more help feel free to drop by ;) All the best, EyeSerene talk 11:11, 13 May 2009 (UTC)


 * I'm happy to help, but first you need to go to WP:CHU and file your name change request. It was a condition of your unblock.  Mango juice talk 12:35, 19 May 2009 (UTC)