User talk:Wsiegmund/Archive 15

The Hockey Stick Illusion
Thanks for your comments; I've posted a proposed revised version of the synopsis at Talk:The Hockey Stick Illusion. I'd appreciate any thoughts you might have. -- ChrisO (talk) 17:24, 15 August 2010 (UTC)

Replacement of photos
Please be more careful about replacing photos. You have removed some useful images, for example here and here. Nadiatalent (talk) 12:39, 9 September 2010 (UTC)
 * Hi Nadiatalent; How it is self-promotion to replace two of your own images, as in your second example? I'm sure that of my hundreds of such edits, you could find more persuasive instances. Perhaps Geum triflorum is an example, although it is hard to see how the article is harmed by replacing a close-up of the fruit by a high-resolution, geocoded image of the whole plant, in flower, showing the basal leaves and reduced cauline leaves. Moreover, you restored the image of the fruit the same day that I removed it. These edits occurred four months ago and no subsequent edits have occurred. That said, sometimes I think that one of my images improve an article when I am wrong. When that occurs, I  welcome corrections and comments. But, I would be grateful if you would assume good faith on my part. Thank you, Walter Siegmund (talk) 14:33, 9 September 2010 (UTC)
 * (1) As stated above, "you have replaced some useful images", whether your own or someone else's. The typical appearance of whitebark pine was a useful image, since the lead image is of extremely ancient trees. (2) The fruiting stage of "prairie smoke" is the source of the common name, so removing the image of that stage was unhelpful. In any case, a fruiting-stage image is so different from a flowering-stage image, that both should be retained. (3) Please consider adding, rather than replacing. (4) I don't see the relevance of "These edits occurred four months ago and no subsequent edits have occurred." I fixed what appeared to be a slip at the time, and nobody has complained about my analysis of the situation. Now, my watchlist suggests that there is a sloppiness in some of your edits and a suggestion is in order. (5) I DID assume good faith when I, firstly, reininstated the images without "revert, vandalism", and, secondly, phrased the above as "please be more careful". I repeat, please be more careful. Please also assume good faith on my part. Nadiatalent (talk) 11:41, 10 September 2010 (UTC)
 * Hi Nadiatalent; I wonder if you can understand that while "please be more careful" is helpful and welcomed advice, the continuation, "about avoiding simple self-promotion by replacing other people's photos with your own" is an attack on me. Personal attacks are not likely to be well-received and are against Wikipedia policy.
 * "Do not make personal attacks anywhere in Wikipedia. Comment on content, not on the contributor. Personal attacks do not help make a point; they only hurt the Wikipedia community and deter users from helping to create a good encyclopedia. (WP:NPA)"


 * Also, since headings appear in page histories and contribution lists, they should be neutrally worded. Your heading, "Excessive replacement of photos with your own" is not neutral. Indeed, it is an attack as the words I quote above demonstrate. While it is your view, it may be disputed by others. "Replacement of photos" is a neutral heading that would suffice to locate this discussion. I wonder if you would be kind enough to strike your attack and reword your heading, please?
 * It is an editorial judgment whether the appearance of the tree is more important to the article than that of the cones and leaves. I accept your opinion and that of Hike395. I'm pleased that you appear to approve, at least in part, of my edit that added Commons:Image:WhitebarkPine 7467t.jpg to the article.
 * The flowering stage of "Three-Flowered Avens" is the source of the first common name listed in the article. So, I think it is arguable that my image of the whole plant in flower, was as good as the one it replaced. Some feel that the Commons gallery linked to the article (Media related to Geum triflorum at Wikimedia Commons) is a good location for supplementary illustrations of a topic. That said, I don't object to including images of both flowers and fruit in the article.
 * That is good advice. I will do so.
 * The casual reader of this discussion may not notice that you are bringing up a pretty stale example in your attack upon me. I should like this record to be clear. I understand that you perceive "a sloppiness" in some of my edits and will endeavor to be more careful.
 * Your use of words "revert, vandalism" in connection with my edits may suggest that they approached the level of a "deliberate attempt to compromise the integrity of Wikipedia" (Vandalism). I think most editors would consider them a "good-faith effort to improve the encyclopedia", but I've provided diffs, along with a link to the policy on vandalism so that readers may judge for themselves.


 * With nearly 9000 edits since 2005, I've contributed to several featured article, both text and images, and I've written and illustrated a number of lesser articles. I've illustrated hundreds of species, most of which would either not be illustrated or would be poorly illustrated without my work. It is hurtful and disappointing to learn that you consider some of my work to be "simple self-promotion" and that you perceive "a sloppiness" in some of my edits. I do make mistakes and when I do, I appreciate the corrections that you and other editors make. If you notice problems with my edits, I hope you will bring them to my attention promptly. But, try to avoid attacking me, if you would. Just describe the problem with my edit(s) and provide the relevant diffs, if you please. I will try to correct my work. Thank you, Walter Siegmund (talk) 19:02, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

Done. Nadiatalent (talk) 01:08, 11 September 2010 (UTC)
 * Thank you and best wishes. Walter Siegmund (talk) 19:11, 11 September 2010 (UTC)


 * In response to the above discussion, I nominated Geum triflorum 5721.JPG and Pinus_albicaulis_8574.JPG for review within the scope of their respective species. Both were promoted and are Valued Images on Wikimedia Commons. Walter Siegmund (talk) 17:29, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
 * I relinked these for you...was curious...nice work!--MONGO 03:33, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
 * Thanks. I forgot the extra "Commons" that is needed for my links to work. Fixed now, I think. Walter Siegmund (talk) 03:55, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
 * Pinus_albicaulis_8574.JPG is a Quality Image on Wikimedia Commons. Walter Siegmund (talk) 15:57, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
 * Geum triflorum 5721.JPG is a Quality Image on Wikimedia Commons. Walter Siegmund (talk) 16:38, 7 October 2010 (UTC)


 * That is kind. Thank you. Walter Siegmund (talk) 03:09, 23 September 2010 (UTC)

Copyright status of photograph of road sign
Thanks for questioning the copyright status of File:Volcano evacuation route sign.jpg: it's good to be vigilant. The issue is subtle and is well beyond my knowledge of copyright law. I have asked for expert help at WP:Media_copyright_questions. I know you're an expert photographer: if you know enough about copyright law, please feel free to respond there.

Thanks again! —hike395 (talk) 15:49, 12 October 2010 (UTC)
 * My pleasure. I want to continue to address the items in the peer review as time permits. I commented at copyright questions. BTW, you need two ":Commons" to link to the Commons namespace on Wikimedia Commons. May I say that I admire your work? Best wishes, Walter Siegmund (talk) 16:14, 12 October 2010 (UTC)

Arbutus menziesii
Hi, I don't understand why you deleted two external links from this page with the comment "Trimmed list; please see WP:EL for criteria". As far as I can see the two links (one broken, but it is easy to find the new address at http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/462264) don't violate any of the criteria. Please explain, thanks. Nadiatalent (talk) 12:29, 10 November 2010 (UTC)
 * Hi Nadiatalent; WP:EL says "dead links should either be updated or removed". Also, "External links in an article can be helpful to the reader, but they should be kept minimal, meritable (sic), and directly relevant to the article." Also, "Links in the "External links" section should be kept to a minimum." Avoid "[a]ny site that does not provide a unique resource beyond what the article would contain if it became a featured article." Hikingsanfrancisco.com contains advertising, may be a WP:COI, is a WP:SPS and not a WP:RS, as far as I can tell. Geograph.org.uk is a WP:SPS and not a WP:RS. It links to two Wikipedia articles including Arbutus menziesii. If the subject of the photograph is "the largest [Arbutus menziesii] (in both height and girth) in the whole of the British isles (sic)", that may be notable and worth a mention but I suppose that most European countries host a largest Arbutus menziesii. That said, I may have overlooked some meritable content in these pages. If you feel strongly that they should be retained, please feel free to restore them. Best wishes, Walter Siegmund (talk) 04:18, 11 November 2010 (UTC)

Thanks, the links in question aren't great. Can you further explain the "Avoid "[a]ny site that does not provide a unique resource beyond what the article would contain if it became a featured article.""? I haven't found a clear description in the WP documentation of what the "resources beyond what the article would contain if ..." is talking about, and hoped to some day be able to quote a clear definition, if one exists. Thanks again. Nadiatalent (talk) 13:49, 11 November 2010 (UTC)


 * In addition to citing Featured article criteria, WP:EL says, "Some acceptable links include those that contain further research that is accurate and on-topic, information that could not be added to the article for reasons such as copyright or amount of detail, or other meaningful, relevant content that is not suitable for inclusion in an article for reasons unrelated to its accuracy." Jepson and eFlora may be a little too inaccessible for the average reader but are helpful for those who want a more technical and succinct description of a species and are appropriate. I think a site publishing a number of paintings of Arbutus menziesii with permission that are protected by copywrite and hence cannot be uploaded to Wikipedia, if it contained little or no advertising, could be retained. A link to a page with a detailed account of ethnobotanical uses may be added also. These are just my opinions but they seem to be fairly well accepted. WP:EL goes on to say that "No page should be linked from a Wikipedia article unless its inclusion is justifiable according to this guideline and common sense. The burden of providing this justification is on the person who wants to include an external link." Consequently, you might try yourself to justify the retention of an EL; if not satisfied, delete it. Best wishes, Walter Siegmund (talk) 18:01, 11 November 2010 (UTC)

Thanks. There doesn't seem to be a suitably short and clear criterion for quoting in edit summaries, and the decision to keep or delete is clearly very personal. I'd prefer to err on the side of keeping too many links, but then my primary aim at present is to correct information that is clearly wrong. I might challenge you occasionally about a deletion if I think that the linked page is easier to understand than the wikipedia page. Best wishes. Nadiatalent (talk) 21:45, 11 November 2010 (UTC)


 * Occasionally, I may remove content that perhaps should be retained so please do tell me when you think I've made a mistake. Also, you may revert me in whole or in part. I am unlikely to object. Thank you for correcting information that is wrong. That is important work. Best wishes, Walter Siegmund (talk) 23:04, 11 November 2010 (UTC)

Picture at Glenn Highway
Please restore the picture of the Matanuska Glacier off the Glenn Highway. It's representative of sights along the highway. I've no objection to the one you replaced it with, but don't think it adds to or illustrates the article. I can't tell if it's the Matanuska or Chickaloon River, but am guessing the Chickaloon. A picture of the highway itself would be appropriate. Thanks. --Yopienso (talk) 04:38, 19 November 2010 (UTC)
 * Hi Yopienso; File:Matanuska River 8701s.JPG is taken from the highway. It shows the highway (with two vehicles) running alongside the Matanuska River, as the caption states. It is representative of sights along the highway. The location is just east of the confluence of the Chickaloon and Matanuska Rivers. Silt-laden water from the Chickaloon River may be seen entering the Matanuska River from the right.  If you don't like the one that I suggested, you may prefer another from Commons:Glenn Highway. Besides the one I suggested, File:Gunsight_Mountain_Glenn_Highway_2.jpg and File:Glenn Highway and Mount Drum.jpg show the highway thereby satisfying the criteria that you listed. The one you prefer does not. I have no objection to the editors of the article replacing the image that I suggested. Best wishes, Walter Siegmund (talk) 05:27, 19 November 2010 (UTC)
 * I've responded at the article talk page. I see you've already edited the caption. :-) --Yopienso (talk) 06:02, 19 November 2010 (UTC)
 * Hi Yopienso; Embedding Commons media in Wikipedia articles may be helpful. Walter Siegmund (talk) 07:04, 19 November 2010 (UTC)
 * What? Learn a new skill?? Moi??? I finally learned how to take a digital picture: my husband said, "Just set it on 'simple' and keep it there." Thanks for the link; I may try to sometime--I did learn how to sign my name at WP! But you and Beeblebrox seem to be taking care of it. Thanks! --Yopienso (talk) 07:18, 19 November 2010 (UTC)
 * Thank you for reminding me that editing Wikipedia isn't a low ability threshold skill. If you don't think my picture should be retained, you may remove it by deleting the line that contains its filename, i.e., "File:Matanuska River 8701s.JPG|This view from the Glenn Highway shows the highway alongside the Matanuska River at mile 76 (km 123)." Good luck with the photography. If you want to contribute pictures, you are welcome at Commons. Best wishes, Walter Siegmund (talk) 00:58, 20 November 2010 (UTC)

WP:SEA Activity Check
Hello Fellow WikiProject Seattle members,

My name is Russell, and I saw that the Seattle WP was tagged as only semi active, so was BOLD and decided to jump in and see about revitalizing the project. Your recieving this message because you are listed as a participant in the project. If you are still interested in participating, please update the table with a status. If you do not respond by Jan 1, you will be considered inactive. If you want to opt out before then, simply remove your name from the table.

Questions, comments, concerns, let me know on either the project or my talk page.

Thank you, and have a great day.

Delivered by MessageDeliveryBot on behalf of WikiProject Seattle at 06:49, 8 December 2010 (UTC).


 * Responded at WikiProject Seattle. Thank you. Walter Siegmund (talk) 21:24, 8 December 2010 (UTC)

WP Seattle activity check - reminder
Delivered by MessageDeliveryBot on behalf of WikiProject Seattle at 12:37, 23 December 2010 (UTC).

Trouble seeing the diffs
Due to probably my poor eyesight, I have a trouble seeing minor diffs like the one you reverted here. Hum...time to get to the eye doctor.--MONGO 03:24, 14 February 2011 (UTC)
 * I enlarge the font on my browser. Otherwise I wouldn't see it either. What would help is a better "differences" display, e.g., DiffMk. Walter Siegmund (talk) 04:05, 14 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Hum...or if we could make it flash in various colors like blaze orange or something!--MONGO 04:10, 14 February 2011 (UTC)
 * This edit should raise an eyebrow. I failed to find even a see also link to the Moon landing conspiracy theories in any factual Apollo space program related article on this website...and the 9/11 Truthers almost make the Birthers look sane, yet nothing at Barack Obama or related article that link to the Barack Obama citizenship conspiracy theories (that article is 182kb's!...oh my gosh...so much time wasted debunking the crazies)...--MONGO 04:17, 14 February 2011 (UTC)
 * I agree. Those articles set a good precedent for not linking September 11 attacks to the Truther articles. Walter Siegmund (talk) 04:37, 14 February 2011 (UTC)
 * I thought that over and in my usual bulldozer style in dealing with such things...commented...don't bother to join the discussion...just wanted to point it out to you.--MONGO 04:53, 15 February 2011 (UTC)

SeaTac
Hey Walter! Are you going down to SeaTac anytime soon?

I hope they haven't removed the Horizon Air marker from the building face at the intersection yet...
 * At http://web.archive.org/web/19981201225853/www.alaskaair.com/help/contacts/html/email.stm which discusses a "19521 Pacific Hwy South, Seattle, WA" - Using Google Street View and moving to the south towards the intersection with South 196th Street, I found that the facility has Horizon Air markings on it. From the street view I can tell you can get a clear shot of the building with the Horizon markers on them.

So, would it be alright if you got a photo of that side of the building? WhisperToMe (talk) 08:34, 15 February 2011 (UTC)


 * Hi WhisperToMe; I've uploaded two images from November 2009. Perhaps one will suffice until I or someone else has an opportunity to take better ones. The best lighting may be before 9 AM on a clear morning in June or July. Thank you for your patience and the reminder. Walter Siegmund (talk) 03:28, 17 February 2011 (UTC)


 * You are welcome - and thank you very much for finding the photos WhisperToMe (talk) 00:39, 18 February 2011 (UTC)

Banner merge
You are invited to join the discussion at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Seattle.  Admr Boltz  01:19, 18 February 2011 (UTC) (Using )
 * Thank you for the invitation. Walter Siegmund (talk) 01:48, 18 February 2011 (UTC)

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Barnstar

 * IceCreamAntisocial: Thank you for the kind words and mention of the Dodecatheon pulchellum image. I'm grateful to you for writing articles on the plants of the Pacific coast of North America. I'm pleased that your fine work is appearing in the WP:DYK section of the main page. It is sad to read about Dicerandra christmanii; it is such a lovely flower and so vulnerable. Best wishes, Walter Siegmund (talk) 16:46, 16 March 2011 (UTC)

Barnstar

 * I would like to have done more, but I don't think my skills are well-suited to that arena. Thank you for the barnstar. Walter Siegmund (talk) 02:18, 13 April 2011 (UTC)
 * Actually, your tact is much appreciated...but it is a waste of your talents for you to linger there.--MONGO 03:14, 13 April 2011 (UTC)

Planetary boundaries
Per Talk:Drinking water, please add Planetary boundaries "in the article body with the Scientific American citation." 99.19.44.88 (talk) 05:48, 15 April 2011 (UTC)


 * Hi; I changed by opinion. Please see my response to Arthur Rubin's comment. --Walter Siegmund (talk) 06:33, 15 April 2011 (UTC)

I'm not seeing it...
Walt...I added a recent changes scroll to the WikiProject Glaciers..it is a helper so members can see changes to glacier articles they may not have watchlisted...here..I see only one article for Warpasgiljo Glacier are showing up, even though I have done two edits to the Cloud Peak Glacier and I see another editor did an edit just before I typed this to the Lyell Glacier...can you see a parameter missing from the latter two that the Warpasgiljo Glacier article has that allows this to be shown at the Project page...I can't see it.--MONGO 00:50, 19 April 2011 (UTC)
 * I don't use "Related changes" much, but I notice that Warpasgiljo Glacier is listed by Version 1.0 Editorial Team/Glacier articles by quality log, but the other two are not. As Version 1.0 Editorial Team/Glacier articles by quality log becomes more complete, the recent changes list will expand. Best wishes, Walter Siegmund (talk) 16:56, 19 April 2011 (UTC)
 * That makes sense...much obliged to you!--MONGO 23:11, 19 April 2011 (UTC)

DYK for William F. Raynolds
Materialscientist (talk) 00:04, 15 May 2011 (UTC)

September 2011 Newsletter for WikiProject United States
--Kumioko (talk) 02:56, 7 September 2011 (UTC)

Please read
As requested by BusterD I am passing this along for you to read so that you know that your efforts are appreciated.--MONGO 17:28, 10 September 2011 (UTC)
 * What a moving and poignant story. Thanks for the link. --Walter Siegmund (talk) 17:47, 10 September 2011 (UTC)

The "Truthers"
Thanks for your short but sweet responses whenever you explain to the truthers why conspiracy theories aren't mentioned at all or at least in much detail in articles based on the known evidence....much appreciated.MONGO 17:13, 4 October 2011 (UTC)
 * As an outsider, I may occasionally be able to remind editors that the broader community supports Wikipedia guidelines. So, I try to do that when I have an opportunity. --Walter Siegmund (talk) 17:31, 4 October 2011 (UTC)

Seattle Wikipedia Meetup
Hello. Some of us Seattle Wikipedians are organizing a meetup for the "Wikipedia Loves Libraries" event Wikipedia is promoting. Most of us have other Wikipedia interests beyond this as well, but at this event the focus will be discussing Wikipedia's entries on libraries in this area. I am writing to invite you to join us at 7pm on Tuesday, October 25 at Allegro Coffee in u-district in Seattle. Here is the meetup page for this event. I would appreciate your noting on that page if you plan to come. That page also has more event details and some description of what preparation has been done.

I got your name because you posted interest in the meetup last summer. I reserved a private room for us at this venue so we will have less interruption this time than on a busy beach. Thank you for your attention, and if you ever want to talk to a Seattle-area Wikipedian for any reason, then please feel free to contact me.  Blue Rasberry   (talk)   18:30, 19 October 2011 (UTC)

You are invited to this local event!
I would like to invite you to attend a Wikipedia meetup described on. This meeting is scheduled for Tuesday December 6 at 7pm in at Café Allegro in University District. Thank you for your attention and I hope to see you there.  Blue Rasberry   (talk)   18:19, 15 November 2011 (UTC)

December 2011 Newsletter for WikiProject United States
--Kumioko (talk) 03:52, 13 December 2011 (UTC)

January 2012 Newsletter for WikiProject United States and supported projects
--Kumi-Taskbot (talk) 18:19, 16 January 2012 (UTC)

Elk
Great thanks for your contributions to the discussion about "elk". Laser brain has asked me to stop the discussion immediately, so I've answered on his talk page. I've asked him to consider that people thinking about Alces alces may simply write in other Wikipedia articles "elk" in double square brackets if they are unaware of the ambiguity. If "Elk" was a disambiguation page, the people would be warned by a bot that they must be more specific. Many people do not know that European elk and North American elk are very different and do not even belong to the same genus. As a biologist and science translator for 20 years, I've heard about the North American usage of this word only recently. That is why I'm so persistent - to avoid confusion in Wikipedia and elsewhere, rather than to prove that I'm right for the sake of my ego. Sylwia Ufnalska (talk) 21:30, 1 March 2012 (UTC)
 * You are welcome. Thank you for pointing out this problem. I'll comment further on the article talk page. --Walter Siegmund (talk) 00:42, 2 March 2012 (UTC)

Thank you very much for your research. You've convinced me, at least for the time being.Sylwia Ufnalska (talk) 22:20, 3 March 2012 (UTC)


 * My pleasure. I did another 100. I corrected links in Jägermeister, PZL.37 Łoś, Taronga Western Plains Zoo,‎ and Nivkh people to Alces alces. Best wishes, Walter Siegmund (talk) 05:11, 4 March 2012 (UTC)

Celery/cilantro
Hi, thanks for offering your help with the mislabelled photo. It is. I've replaced it with another photo on the vegetable page. It is also used on a page in the Tswana wikipedia which looks rather messed up in other ways as well, although perhaps replacing the photo would be a good beginning there. Nadiatalent (talk) 00:03, 20 March 2012 (UTC)
 * I have fixed it, I think. The CommonsDelinker should fix the links in the sister projects. Good catch. Thank you for adding the babel boxes to your Commons userpage. Best wishes, Walter Siegmund (talk) 01:09, 20 March 2012 (UTC)
 * Thanks for fixing that. Nadiatalent (talk) 14:21, 20 March 2012 (UTC)

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Glaciers
Hi there...I am doing assessments on WikiProject Glacier articles...its a wee bit tedious, but worthwhile. You may wish to check the project to see the new article section as I have also started filling in gaps on missing articles...currently working on ones in Oregon.--MONGO 00:09, 15 July 2012 (UTC)

I am mentioning this as you may know more info or have or know where I can get images....and it may interest you.--MONGO 00:21, 15 July 2012 (UTC)

Wikipedia Takes America/Seattle
Wikipedia Takes America/Seattle needs you. Please sign up to participate, and discuss a date and meeting location. And maybe volunteer to be the organizer. I've been tagging articles needing photos for Category:Wikipedia requested photographs in Seattle, Washington. Thanks! --Dennis Bratland (talk) 19:23, 19 August 2012 (UTC)
 * Thank you for the notice. --Walter Siegmund (talk) 15:50, 20 August 2012 (UTC)

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Happy holidays!
What a lovely greeting! Thank you. --Walter Siegmund (talk) 18:38, 25 December 2012 (UTC)

One of your photos used at Crosscut.com
To illustrate a Knute Berger column: http://crosscut.com/2013/01/02/mossback/112253/mount-rainier-too-white/

Looks good! congratulations! —hike395 (talk) 10:00, 8 January 2013 (UTC)


 * What an interesting article. It's a nice advertisement of Wikimedia Commons, too. Thanks for telling me. --Walter Siegmund (talk) 13:09, 8 January 2013 (UTC)
 * Congrats on the image usage...cool. I have many thoughts after reading the article as well as the sometimes heated commentary after the article. But the truth is that the fact that whites are the ones most likely to visit NPS sites and other wilderness areas isn't new...it seems to have always been that way. Part of the issue with the NPS system of historical parks in particular is that most of them reflect historical events that took place prior to the mid 20th century, at a time when blacks were still legally disenfranchised from much opportunity to be a part of history, at least in terms of becoming a President or some other similar achievement. Newer ethnic groups have zero cultural connection to the older legacies and in reality, my be somewhat likely to ignore Civil War battlefields since they don't have any cultural connection. The issue with places like Rainier getting fewer non-white visitors pretty closely parallels historical parks...the CCC did not incorporate non-whites after 1935 except in crummy camps in lousy locations the whites wouldn't volunteer to go to...even native Americans were generally excluded until later in the program. So legacies of involvement in the most appealing parks was never passed on to later generations non-whites.--MONGO 02:34, 9 January 2013 (UTC)
 * Thank you. I thought TechnoHistorian's comments were cogent. About 1980, we met Maxine, a young seasonal ranger from Alaska on Copper Ridge in North Cascades National Park. She was an exceptional person, but one reason that I remember her is that she was a native American. I don't ever remember meeting an African-American ranger. I was pleased that Superintendent Cartwright raised the issue recently. I hope it leads to more vigorous recruitment of underrepresented minority rangers and concessionaire employees, outreach, and other policies that help minority visitors feel more comfortable and engaged with our national parks. Best wishes, Walter Siegmund (talk) 17:13, 9 January 2013 (UTC)
 * Shenandoah NP had at least 2 permanent and 1 minority seasonal law enforcement ranger in 1994, but can't say as to what the status is overall today. Minorities are generally well represented in the NPS system of parks closer to urban areas such as Washington, D.C., New York City and Philadephia, but much less so in more rural parks...this probably has as much to do with regional demographics as it does anything else. As the nation becomes more urbanized, things like pit toilets, camping in bear country with only a tent and similar "hardships" have less appeal to many Americans who prefer modern amenities....hence the "satellite" cities that spring up on the fringes of parks, offering modern convienences just outside a park where people can find refuge from those mean nasty bears and also catch up on what their pals are doing on Facebook easier.--MONGO 11:33, 11 January 2013 (UTC)

Unordered list
Well, we don't have a rule for that. Most people view the Commons logo as bullet, so they don't feel the need to add a bullet. Just to let you know, no revert necessary, both ways are okay. Regards --X-Weinzar (talk) 17:10, 3 February 2013 (UTC)


 * Thank you. It is helpful to know. Best wishes, Walter Siegmund (talk) 18:17, 3 February 2013 (UTC)

RfA: thank you for your support
Thank you for your expression of support during my recent RfA, Wsiegmund. Regards, Dirtlawyer1 (talk) 11:42, 13 February 2013 (UTC)

Thank you for your contributions
Kind regards, DA Sonnenfeld (talk) 21:44, 10 March 2013 (UTC)

Sneaky IP vandal
Thanks for the information on the IP vandal who changed "sloth" in several articles to "sleuth." I am a little embarrassed that I had second thoughts about the edits that I started to revert, but then did not check into them more carefully. I still thought they were suspicious but I failed to follow through. Indeed, I noted that Merriam-Webster does not mention "sleuth" as a plural form of sloth. Perhaps that, and the fact that the word did not seem correct should have been enough. I think I was thrown off by at least one bogus cross-reference and by a supposed limitation of that plural form to baby sloths. I should have realized that would also be in a dictionary if it were accurate. I now realize I should have spent a little more time on it and then proceeded with my original conclusion. I have caught a few of these types of vandals in the past, for which I always feel satisfaction but with a little unhappiness that a person would go to such lengths to vandalize Wikipedia. It is too bad that someone who is clever enough to devise a tricky vandalism does not contribute productively. Thanks again for the followup. Donner60 (talk) 06:44, 7 April 2013 (UTC)

commons and wikispecies - inline
Hello Walter, is the commons and wikispecies format of Calochortus tolmiei in that form desired?, then I use it in the future: Greetings. Orchi (talk) 16:04, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
 * Hi Orchi; It is good to hear from you. Thanks for your message. I should be asking you what you prefer. Your edit of Calochortus tolmiei looks better to me, especially for short articles. I think it may be more likely that users will follow Commons and Wikispecies links if they are given prominence in the unordered external link list, but that is just my opinion. Have there been any discussions at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Plants? I searched 2012 and 2013 discussions and didn't find anything. I did find a comment from another editor who said it took him three months to find Commons galleries, so whatever we are doing may not be working well. One problem is that many users may not equate media with photographs. Hence they go to the Calflora or another link with "photo" explicitly mentioned. Thoughts? --Walter Siegmund (talk) 16:32, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
 * Hi Walter, I think, your proposal looks better (e.g. like Spain WP), but I did'nt read the English discussions at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Plants. Do you think, I make not a mistake, when I use your inline-form and the non-inline-form? Orchi (talk) 17:40, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
 * Hi Orchi; Your edits to both English and Spanish WP look fine to me. Another idea you may wish to consider is to make a WikiProject-Plants-specific Commons template that takes care of the italics automatically. Since very little or no audio of plants exists, we could put "images" instead of "media" in the template. However, it may be confusing to add yet another template to Commons, Commonscat, Commons-inline, Commonscat-inline, etc. Best wishes, Walter Siegmund (talk) 18:00, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
 * Hi Walter, to discuss these matters here, I have too little knowledge of your language. Best greetings. Orchi (talk) 20:23, 24 May 2013 (UTC)
 * Hi Orchi; I'm sorry. I should have asked if you'd like to reply in German. I know little of German (despite my name), but don't mind trying with the help of translation programs. Best wishes, Walter Siegmund (talk) 20:31, 24 May 2013 (UTC)

There are 2 moose species
Hi there, I fixed the factual problems in the moose article based upon points made in the talk page there; you reverted and sent me to a style guide somewhere. What do you think, worth being correct? Cheers.
 * Replied at Talk:Moose. Best wishes, Walter Siegmund (talk) 05:15, 8 July 2013 (UTC)

Discussion of article title of Whitebark pine
You are welcome to join the discussion at Talk:Whitebark pine. —hike395 (talk) 04:26, 12 August 2013 (UTC)