Wikipedia:Historical archive/New user log/August 2005

== Hey

Claus Aranha
Hello! I'm a brazillian born grad student (on computer science) in Japan. I have been using Wikipedia for quite a while, but just this year began contributing to it.

Right now I'm mainly interested in contributing in articles related to kenjutsu and japanese martial arts. But if requested I could help with articles related to Brazil, CS, or contemporary Japan. And anything someone might be needing a non-specialized hand in. Claus Aranha 12:32, 1 August 2005 (UTC)

Hi, Wikipedia
Hi! My name's Aaron from Toronto, Ontario. I'm a Jr. NBA player who led the Toronto Raptors to 5 of their 7 Jr. NBA Championships: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005. Hope to see ya soon! From, Aaron Aanes of Toronto, Ontario

i ma the biggst muther fucker in the world (literaly)

New guy
Happy to be aboard! (unsigned comment by 157.242.246.252)

Please welcome The Cougar
Actually I've been here for about a few months on several names, but hopefully this name will be permanent.

My real name is Jeffrey Hope. I was born on December 26, 1989 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, but most of my life has been spent in El Paso, Texas. I attend FHS (not revealing what the F stands for), where the mascot is the cougar, hence the name. My native language is English, and I also speak Spanish and am now learning Esperanto. I also know what I call "snippets" of other languages, that is, I know the word in that language, but I don't speak the language itself per sé. For example: I know the numbers from 1 to 12 in German, but I don't speak German.

Loughlin
Hi, Only new to this whole thing. I wrote a page on killorglin, Co. Kerry,Ireland before i did this which is all messed up. Glad to be part of the community. Hope to be for a long time yet. Any questions feel free

Loughlin 16:20, 3 August 2005 (UTC)

BenoitRen
Hi, everyone.

So yeah, I'm a new user. I'm 19 years old, recently graduated in Computer Science. I surf the web a lot and learn new things from time to time. But it's not really a hobby of mine, though you could call it that.

My interests: Phantasy Star, computers, video games, and social stuff. With "social stuff", I mean that I'm interested in how people behave, how they live through their life, deal with things, communication, etc.

I learned to know Wikipedia through entries of it being linked from time to time on message boards.

What I want to work on Phantasy Star. Maybe more as I go along, but that's it at the moment.

BenoitRen 21:50, 3 August 2005 (UTC)

Zanny
Me Hi i am Zanny (formally Josh Woolley), im 15 (almost 16), and have been following the "Wiki Movement" for quite some time, from the time i was a "newb" i would visit the Wikipedia and its sisters for information regarding any subject. To say a bit about what i specialise in: I am a Young Gamer, anything from 5 - 18 hours a day solid gaming, on many a variety of games, many of variety of sites keeping up to the profession i would like to lead myself into. Therefore i know lots, about the games i play/follow, and similarly information regarding Retro gaming/consoles, and computers. I would like to say i know alot about programming, and computer science, but im learning it myself. I have already made edits to a few articles about games and software, which have been slightly eroneous. My main edit was to "Mu Online", where slight changes to the Global system, and character/map hierachy made certain items and places in the game change their name.

I am here for the long term, and cant wait for something i can write about, which hasnt been covered in the Wikipedia already, but im not sure i will be to lucky :)

How i came about Wikipedia I cant remember exactly when i found the Wikipedia, but im pretty sure i found it after looking at an "Unreal Wiki" (not related). I lost the link, remembered it was something "wiki", thought wiki was an unusual; "Googled It", and the Wikipedia was of course, top of the Google list, and i couldnt help myself :)

Zanny - Josh "TheAandO" Woolley 23:00, 3 August 2005 (UTC)

Mamawrites
I'm a new Wikipedian! My name is Sandy and I teach organizational behavior at a US university. My students know me as a professor with high standards for writing, and I was first inspired to register here after discovering that I could correct typos and grammatical errors. (I first found Wikipedia when its links kept showing up in my google searches.) My research interests include a focus on cooperation and collaboration within and across organizational boundaries, so I am particularly excited about the idea of learning more about the way this volunteer effort works. I'm also a wife and mother with an interest in breastfeeding topics, and so some of the pages on my watchlist are connected to that. I love to travel and I lived in French-speaking Switzerland for five years, so I hope I will also be able to contribute some French-to-English translations, and in fact, I have begun one already. I look forward to learning more about this community as time permits! Mamawrites 03:03, 4 August 2005 (UTC)

Hey, this is Pranxter...not a prankster....as the name suggest :), great to be a part of WIKI...

Mike Coates
Hey there, Just new to the whole wikapedia experence. Hope I can be of some help in the field of business, and all around random knowledge. Sweet...Azhain 05:25, 5 August 2005 (UTC)

Yvneif
Good day to all! I am new here. Nobody told me about Wikipedia. I have encoutered it in Time Magazine (I don't remeber what issue was it), an article written about. I got interested of the whole wikkipedia thing, surf the net, and register. I'm particularly interested in research, just anything. I like the idea of contributing to the encyclopedia of wiki!

ScottSummers
ScottSummers here.

I've surfed Wikipedia for a long time, and what a resource! I wanted to give back to the community and that's when I registered.

I do have expertise in several areas, but don't always have the time to write long articles. I decided to get involved fast, and decided that a quick way to help out would be with "stubs", those pieces of Wikipedia information that are not yet full-fledged articles, but could be if enough people joined in.

That's why my very first contribution was in the article on the Kenyan runner Hezahiah Nyamau, whose article was #1 in the main list of most-wanted stubs.

It's a start!

Murat
Hello Wikipedia! I've been using this site for more than months and thought I could also start contributing. I live in Turkey and there are loads of things that I can write about places, things in here. So hello again!

David R. Wright
Hello everybody. I have been considering making an account on Wikipedia for about six months but didn't see anything I felt strongly enough about to actually work on until yesterday. So I made an account today. I am a senior in music education and vocal performance and plan to add the French minor. I hope to be fluent in French one day.

My main areas of expertise are in music, computers (from an end-user perspective), and writing. I have deep interests in other areas, meaning that I know just enough about those areas to think I know everything about them and am therefore probably a liability to Wikipedia in those areas. These areas include, but are not limited to, computer hardware and computer hardware design, computer science and engineering, Christian theology and hermeneutics, sound engineering.

I'm not sure what I want to do with my life but I know it involves teaching. I'd probably like to be a choir directior in a high school, college, or university; or a pastor of some kind. That's probably why I want to get involved in Wikipedia: to productively take part in disseminating information. --David R Wright 20:25, 5 August 2005 (UTC)

Osakadave
Hello. I'm David, a US expatriate who's lived in Japan 14 years. I know a bit about lots of different things, but Japan is probably the field I'll be contributing the most about. Osakadave 08:56, 6 August 2005 (UTC)

Atomican
Heya! I'm Atomican, I've been on internet communities for years, but this is my first time as a user at wikipedia. I wanted to join because I love contributing and I noticed how undiscribably useful this site is. Previously in other communities I've been known mainly as mr a-bomb and regedit. I like working with computers a lot, and have been doing just that since i was around six, right now I am a 15 year old Australian, and im a Counter-Strike: Source player. --Atomican 15:50, 6 August 2005 (UTC)

lcuff
My name is Leonard. I've had the thrill of writing my first new Wikipedia article yesterday and today on Somatic Experiencing. I love to write, and the only thing that's frustrating is I love to use humor in my writing, which I realize isn't all that appropriate on Wikipedia. Still, having lots of fun alternating between making contributions and browsing and discovering all sorts of odd trivia. I'm 50 and live in Santa Barbara, California. I'm a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, but earn my living mostly as a Software Engineer. Two very different worlds. Lcuff 20:22, 6 August 2005 (UTC)

Good morning Wikipedia
My name is Rayc. I have been exploring and adding artiles for a while and expected to run in to someone. I was thinkning that Wikipedia was more of a social experance than this. Oh well, guess that what I get for focusing in on writing small observatory articles. If anyone wants me to help on their wikiproject, just drop me a line. I'm an electrical engineer who likes math, so I guess I could help out in any of the math to engineering article areas. Also like to catch vandels (just rv'ed a Yu-gi-oh vandle) but I can't spell. that's what spall chek is for! --Rayc 20:31, 6 August 2005 (UTC) ==Hey, Wikipedians- rock n roll!. Im veteran dj talk and I plan on rockin Wikipedia till ya drop, baby!==

Stanislav
Hello! My Name is Stanislav Spassov, a.k.a. sls. I am a 16 year old Bulgarian from Sofia. I'm very interested in computer programming and games, Mathematics, Physics and Music (not only listening, but also amateur playing). I'm proud to become a part of this community. Stanislav ls 21:24, 6 August 2005 (UTC)

Spheroide
About Me Hi I'm a new Wikipedia-addict from Holland. I've done a lot of minor (and some major) edits using different IP-adresses to pages already, but this is the first time I'm creating an account. To say a bit about what i specialise in Though I'm interested in a lot of subjects ranging from art history to Italian litterature and Russian polics, I find most of these topics very well covered in Wikipedia already. That's why I'm going to contribute mostly to my other fields of interest, being gay porn, and themeparks. I noticed that the Wikipedia is not up-to-date at all in the area of gay porn (a lot of very famous actors and studios are not even covered by articles). That's why I started out on this new account by creating articles for Billy Brandt and Christian Taylor. I'm planning on editing a lot of articles in this hierarchy. I addition, I'm also planning on adding a lot of interesting information to the various Disney-related articles, since I feel I have something to contribute there.

I'm very keen on getting good advice, so if you feel there is something you could help me with or just want to comment on my edits/additions, feel free to drop me a not on my talk page. How i came about Wikipedia I found out about Wikipedia some years ago on Slashdot, and have been a happy user and minor editor ever since.

Spheroide 21:41, 6 August 2005 (UTC)

Mitch Davis (Miatch)
Hello! I have used Wikipedia for reference and information for years now. However I just started contributing to it officially today! I love the Wikipedian community and hope to contribute to it positively.

Miatch 22:05, 6 August 2005 (UTC)Miatch

Conrad Taylor
I have known about Wikipedia for awhile now, coming across it now and then. I really started getting interested by listening to Leo Laporte on KFI 640 in Southern California. He has his own wiki, which made me very interested. I thought that it was a great thing that people can collaborate this way on the Internet.

I am a paralegal for a law firm that handles workers' compensation in California. There have bee a great many changes to the law and I think a website about workers' compensation and SB899 would be very popular.

I have been married for almost 13 years and I have 6 children. I have managed my daughters in fastpitch softball for the past couple of years. Two of my daughters are at the ASA Nationals this week.

I enjoy playing No Limit Texas Hold'em and watching The World Poker Tour and The World Series of Poker on television. I hope to play at the World Series of Poker some day. I play online and I play at the card houses in Southern California. I played first No Limit Texas Hold'em real life tournament today. I didn't do so well, I lost like on the 10th hand. I had trips and lost to a full house. It was disappointing.

I am somewhat of a geek and fix computers for my work, friends and family. I hope to design a website to help people fix their own computers, mainly getting rid of malicious software. I am interested in web design, but just can't seem to get it together.

I like open source and hope to get a Linux machine. I am interested in promoting open source, think someday soon it will takeover as the OS of choice.

69.160.141.54 23:26, 6 August 2005 (UTC)Conrad Taylor

Sorta.. new!
Hello there. My name is RYan im fourteen years old. I hope to become more educated in the english literature because I feel pretty stupid right now. I wish to learn all that I can about what I wish and want. Just posting this because I found it neat. :)

Kimsan 01:21, 8 August 2005 (UTC)Kimsan

Ahmed
Hi all, this is Ahmed Al-Hilali. I was born in Kuwait but now I live and study in Egypt. Here to contribute, Love all, Ahmed 00:26, August 9, 2005 (UTC)

bonsoir
i am a phd candidate in cultural/ethnic studies, after previously earning a BA in english lit. and philosophy. I have many/varied interests from music and to politics and phlosophy and am always eager for a lively discussion, so feel free to drop me a line.Ex-nihilo 01:18, 9 August 2005 (UTC)

Hi
My name is Newguineafan. My intrestes are Papua New Guinea, History, Culture, and Media. I can't wait to become part of the Wikipedia Community! I have been under another user name but I didn't learn much. Please write to me on the talk page! Newguineafan 13:13, August 9, 2005 (UTC)

Kitticat
Hi! I'm a world beat lover and, among many, I like musicians like Rachid Taha, Manu Chao or Natasha Atlas. I teach on communication, fashion and ethnic music. And I can speak more languages, like French or English. So I hope I will help as much as I can. Up with Wiki! kitticatKitticat 17:00, 9 August 2005 (UTC)

Muhammad Mahmood Sarfraz
Muhammad Mahmood Sarfraz Lahore - Pakistan

Mmsarfraz 17:11, 9 August 2005 (UTC) Muhammad Mahmood Sarfraz

Mmsarfraz 17:11, 9 August 2005 (UTC)

Blim8183
Hi,

My names Ben and I'm a film student at New York University. I'm currently working at American Express publishing on travelandleisure.com and foodandwine.com. I'm actually at work right now so I should probably keep this short! Maybe even end it right here...

Bye.

Blim8183 14:42, 11 August 2005 (UTC)

hubscubs
Shalom Wikipedia from Tel Aviv, Israel!

I am a 28 year old Economist in Tel Aviv working for one of the Big 4 Accounting Firms. I am a Jewish American.

My areas of interests are:

Judaism, Jewish History, Israel, International Tax, Transfer Pricing, and Major League Baseball

I heard about Wikipedia through Answers.com / GuruNet / Atomica and i'm lovin' it!

Hubscubs 15:02, 11 August 2005 (UTC)

Hi Folks,
I'm really glad to have found my way to this place.

A 'brainstorm of my interests' leads to the following:

- Customer Relationship Management - Business Intelligence - Nature of Knowledge - Environmental Health - Technical Diving - Adventure Travels - China - Australia - etc, etc....

All the best,

Benspi

Zeppocity
Well, hello, Wikiworld. I've just arrived in hopes of helping out, mostly, I expect, in articles regarding some of my interests (Buffy, The Vampire Slayer; general sci-fi; Final Fantasy; comic books) and also Portuguese culture.

I'm still rather unsure how I'll fit in round these parts as far as what I try to add to each article, but I hope all goes well and that this comes to be an enjoyable experience, heh.

Zeppocity 16:42, 12 August 2005 (UTC).

shyne
hi i am 14 and from liverpool. I found out about wikipedia from searching for something on yahoo and recieving the wikipedia as a result. I have already edited two pieces (only minor ;) ) and find it quite fun. I enjoy stuff like rap music and the second world war. But i don't mind editing anything.

Shyne 17:53, August 12, 2005 (UTC)shyne

Master Skinner
I am new and am looking to battle inequality. Master Skinner 20:27, 12 August 2005 (UTC)

They were right...
I had heard of the joys of Wikipedia and how I'd be just the type of person to become obsessed with it -- however, I only have so many hours in the day and sometimes a short attention span. Therefore, I'll be putting in occaisional poofs of wikidust here and there, with frequent yet short wikibreaks. Random page is a beautiful, wonderful thing. Justsomechick 20:43, 12 August 2005 (UTC)

Wikipedia is finally here
I have spent quite a few lunch breaks online reading Wikipedia. Actually I use TTS (text-to-speech) software to have it read to me while I eat. I can't wait until it evolves into the total voice application where I can be walking in the park and can say "Wikipedia, History of Sweden", and it'll start reading it to me....

Hi from Felix (German Autofreak)
Hi, I am 30 years, I am in the law profession, do a lot of work and like cars. Due to my own experiences I contributed a substantial part to the "Porsche 993" article and I am still working on it (check it out). I look forward to add some things in the fields of the law I am familiar with (Antitrust) and I will also try to add an artical about the classic Alfa Spider (I own one). I will add to English and German wiki. ~Some articles on wiki are awesome and I will try to contribute something good, too. Send me messages! German Autofreak 21:03, 12 August 2005 (UTC)

Hello Everyone! This is Newsong.
Hey, in the last couple of months I have found and adopted all the Wiki sites, even the Homestar Runner Wiki and the main Star Trek Wiki are among my new favourite websites.

I spend a lot of time on Wikipedia and Wikiquote.

The two main articles I've created so far on Wikipedi are the plastic flamingos article and the Ihab al-Sherif articles. I also added Ihab's assasination to 2005. Check out Special:Contributions/Newsong to see what else I've done.

I hope everyone here enjoys my articles and submissions! --newsong 21:10, August 12, 2005 (UTC)

Glen Morse, Witchdoctor
Hello everyone. It is a pleasure to join the community and I'm looking foward to some intersting times. Most of my time spent working in Wikipedia will be when I'm at work as a medic on an offshore oil platform. Nelgallan 15:35, 13 August 2005 (UTC)

peace

Hey, it's Boonebytes
Hey, just figured I'd sign up and start seeing how this all works. So far, so good. I'm noticing more every time I look. Boonebytes 19:36, 13 August 2005 (UTC)

Hello
Hi my name is Doctor Phil. I'm new to wikipedia, but Oprah says it's a lot of fun. I hope she's right. That's all for now I have many important things to do since I'm a doctor. I love saying that. doctor doctor doctor. --Doctor Phil 02:26, 14 August 2005 (UTC)

What up
Hi there, my name is Ray Lopez, as you can tell from my avatar. I'm excited to be here, and I am ready to ensure that every article contains a neutral point of view. I love you. Ray Lopez 17:12, 14 August 2005 (UTC)

Hi
Hi,

My name is Dawn, and I have many interests, including superhero comic books, drumming, hula, manga, manhwa and ukulele.

Here is my watchlist

Superhero Chronology

Supervillain Chronology

Dawn22 18:41, 14 August 2005 (UTC)

Joseph Mansfield
Joseph Mansfield signs in from Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, México. 201.133.135.113 02:58, 15 August 2005 (UTC)

1 more grain of rice on the scale
Hey Wikipedia!

I'm Fred, 18, and heard about wikipedia from a relative who has edited thousands of articles. The concept of a wiki appeals to me because I'm a fan of Anarchy (not chaos), and only wish it could work like this in society. I will be attending a community college this fall to save money, and plan to transfer to Cal Poly Pomona, working towards a Bachelor of Science degree, major still unknown. I'm an avid mathemaitian and can't wait to soak up all the knowlege I can. The information I absorb I hope to add here on wikipedia for everyone to use. I'm not too good with the formatting and refeerencing yet, but that will com with time. Meanwhile, if you have some suggestions of an article that needs some attention, let me know. I'm currently creating a text file to paste into the pakelika page, and will be adding more to the snakeboard page. Shashe 08:09, 16 August 2005 (UTC)

new edit: "shashe" is a word, but it has not been accepted by the general public yet. I cite the source of the word to an 18 year old student, named John, who first began using the word. The concept of the word is plain, although I will first ask his permission to offer it's definition and a surname for its creator. I have a paticular goal of gaining the credibilty and sources to legally cite the word with permission and acceptance. The word has been generally acepted by ~several~ students at my high school and by members of my family, and of John's. They all believe it has a valid definition whose concept is not entirely defined by s current English word. In further examinations of creating words for concepts not yet contained in a string of characters, I decided that the verb Rewind is currently being misused. It is used in the context "to rewind a dvd"; generally a digital video of any kind can not be "rewound" as it is not wound or unwound as a VHS, Beta, or Cassete tape (etc.) would be wound. I have not yet thought of a better word to use, and would like to create one to be used by the general public. If someone were to think of a word well pronouced and well derived, I would directly cite that person as the creator of such a word. Shashe is a word that may take some alteration before it is well pronounced and possibly well derived. Shashe 08:27, 16 August 2005 (UTC)

Kuro Chishio
Hi. I'd be yer random person, having fun playing around on the web. Eh. Hi. Kuro Chishio chan 19:29, 15 August 2005 (UTC)

Joshigowub
Hi there! As my username suggests, my name is Josh; I'm from the Midwest (United States) and I'm a 20-year-old college student at Washington University in St. Louis, where I'm planning to study mathematics.

I don't think that I'll specialize in editing any specific areas/topics just yet: for now, I'd like to find articles that interest me and make what useful changes I can. Perhaps with time, I'll specialize in areas familiar to me -- not sure yet.

To be honest, I've completely forgotten where and when I first found out about Wikipedia -- probably happened in one of those far-flung Web searches that lead you astray. Well, this was certainly a good place to get lost. :-) I've been known to spend hours reading articles, linking from page to page.

The wiki system, with its streamlined HTML code, editing results in real-time, and strong emphasis on interconnectedness, is pure genius. Now I'll never have to sift back and forth through those massive volumes of paper encyclopedias to find related topics: I'll just click on the link. Joshigowub 00:07, 16 August 2005 (UTC)

Trjumpet
Hey everyone! I'm a college student in Oklahoma, and I use Wikipedia obsessively. As such, I thought I'd help out with articles and what not!

I like to think I know about European royalty. Additionally, I speak some German.

Trjumpet 02:49, 17 August 2005 (UTC)

Classical music, mainly
Hi! My name is Andrew Lowe Watson. I found Wikipedia through an article in the London Guardian. I compose and teach music for a living. I am looking forward to working on the music aricles here, with particular  interest in 20th century British composers. I live in Norfolk very close to the sea which is wonderful now but cold and windy in Winter!

I know the secret of life!
It is to do alot with it and enjoy it without destruction.

But:

I edit anything that is wrong! --Aeryka 16:36, 17 August 2005 (UTC)

St. Hillaire
HI, I've been reading stuff on wikipedia for close to a year. I don't know if I'll ever do much more than edit.

I'm 20 and will be starting college this fall. I want to study history, psychology, painting and French, but I'll probably have to pick one.

My interest of the day is Roma music.

St. Hillaire 21:12, 17 August 2005 (UTC)

RUTH Van Horne;

Hi again, just found out about Wikipedia to-day through reading an article in Reader's Digest. As soon as I came home I headed straight for the computer and have now logged in and am ready to start using this site as my very own brand new encyclopedia. Wow, how great is this, to be able to find almost anything you want right at your finger tips. This is going to be such fun even for an old retired pensioner......which I am. Will go into the "special pages" to tell all a bit about myself. I live in Hamilton, Ontario Canada. Hamilton is at the extreme western tip of Lake Ontario and is a Steel city, in fact that is the nickname of our fine city, where both my husband and I were born and raised.

69.157.4.141 02:06, 18 August 2005 (UTC)Ruth69.157.4.141 02:06, 18 August 2005 (UTC)

Dirtyliberal
Hello wikipedia, my name is Marco, I'm 23 years old and I hail from the Island of Aruba. I first discovered wikipedia and it's sister sites some time in the beginning of this year, every though my first edit says May 10, I know I have been busy on wiki before that date. I hope to become more active on wikipedia and hope to help it grow. dirtyliberal 07:57, 18 August 2005 (UTC)

jwfacts
I have joined with particular interest in the section on Jehovah's witnesses. I was raised as a very devoted Witness in a devoted extended family and spent a number of years as a regular pioneer and in bethel. My father is currently a Circuit Overseer. Being very gregarious I know thousands of other Jehovah's witnesses. I am also very aware of the intimate workings of the Organisation. This is particularly the case in regards to disfellowshipping. I have had over 100 friends disfellowshipped and discussed many cases and theoretical cases in depth.

I now understand how the Organisation functions not only in practical terms, but also emotional. It has become evident to me why Witnesses are able be totally convinced they are the only true religion, the only ones that are right and the only ones that God will save, despite significant changes in doctrine and many failed time prophecies. It was an incredible struggle for me to come to realise that the doctrines are wrong and the religion is based on many false presumptions. I think an article that best explains the inner workings of a Witness mind is at www.freeminds.org/psych/propfail.htm.

My life has been varied. I have a university degree in Commerce and run a part time accounting business. I moved into sales as my ideal occupation selling natural medicine, followed by advertising before moving into selling complex IT solutions. My wife and I also own a salad bar.

HereToHelp
Well, yeah, I'm here to help wikipedia. So hi, and I hope i make a difference. This is a great community, it reminds me of a park in Mannhattan--can't remember the name-- where the chairs weren't bolted down, but the people were nice enough to not take them. Though this site could be deleted, noone does, because they know we're trying to accomplish something. And we won't let he vandals kill WP. I want to help. And I will.

HereToHelp 22:44, 19 August 2005 (UTC)

Suntree
Hello, everyone. I'm a student, an educator, and a lifetime member of the Society for the Study of Metaphysical Religion. Currently I'm interested in metaphor, personality, belief systems, and culture. I'm currently focusing on the New Thought Movement.Suntree 05:07, 20 August 2005 (UTC)

Barbara, that loves lots of information. BS, M.Ed ART, HISTORY, SOCIAL & CULTURAL. Ex. Adjunct Faculty, MILITARY WIFE TRAVELED THE WORLD, RETIRED, LOVE to RESEARCH and learn new things. Really appreciate some of the TECHNICAL, SCIENTIFIC and Misc. postings. Zig zagged my way into EIKPEDIA looking for an old MOVIE...and I got an answer, so impressed that I would like to participate. Live on the BEAUTIFUL NEW ENGLAND COAST, but claim TENNESSEE as my birth home, rearing and primary schooling. Looking forward to the intake of information sought after,and perhaps given, if possible and general participation.

Barbara

Andervik
Hi! Im Anders Vik. Im 28 and live in Oslo, Norway. Im a Ph.D. student in organic chemistry at the University of Oslo, and Im interested in contributing with articles to this and related fields.

andervik 22:32, 20 August 2005 (UTC)

Reyjfb
Hi I'm writing from Venezuela

Reyjfb
Hi I'm writing from Venezuela

Reyjfb
Hi I'm writing from Venezuela

Lampros
Hey, I'm Alex Lampros. I'm a Chinese History major with an interest in journalism, sci-fi/fantasy, roleplaying games, and Komondors. I work as a Production and Editorial Assistant for a company which makes math education products. I'll probably just hang out and delete some unnecesary words here and there. I fiddled with the history of China article a few years back, but I'm guessing it no longer needs the work. Lampros 05:08, 21 August 2005 (UTC)

Bryan Nguyen aka "Deodat"
Hello, fellow Wikipedians, I've been using Wikipedia for reference ever since the bad old days of 2002 and as of this year I have been visiting Wikipedia almost daily. I learned about Wikipedia through Slashdot... and by seeing it regularly on Google searches (hehe), and now I use it to look up EVERYTHING. Well, everything else about me is on my User Page, and I hope my contributions can be of use! Deodat 05:18, 21 August 2005 (UTC)

Urocyon
Yet another computer science person, but with an interest in half of everything. Mostly doing random minor edits and maintenance right now; may contribute something of substance in the near future.

This project is both fun and impressive -- I find myself looking for the "Edit" button at the top of normal webpages....

Urocyon 06:30, 21 August 2005 (UTC)

The Timeturner
'Ello. I'm an aspiring young writer, though in relation tow Wikipedia itself my main points of knowledge are video games and comic books (specifically the Metal Gear and Legacy of Kain series and the Vertigo series under DC, respectively). Recently I've been correcting small odds and ends in numerous Metal Gear articles, but personally the big project that I want to commit myself to is a massive revision of the article on the Verito comic series The Invisibles, the page in my opinion needing quite a bit of re-working, both on the series' plot as well as numerous other things.

The Timeturner 18:25, August 21, 2005 (UTC)

I'm new here
Hello all. I finally clicked on a Wikipedia link in Google for information and was amazed. This is cool. My interests are Computers, Music, Spirituality and Truth. Please don't hurt me when I choose to express. I am reasonable. Ed 18:58, August 21, 2005 (UTC)

piranha
hey, folks. not really new, just newly welcomed, which is how i found out that things have become way more organised here. long-time user, ever since i saw wikipedia pop up in google searches. great project. started getting interested in wikis about 1.5 years ago, and that got me into participating here. i'm a computer analyst by profession, but interested in just about everything; your typical jack of all trades (and yeah, master of none :). mostly find myself doing cleanup, in specific copy editing and fact checking; am an inveterate proofreader (and yes, i do know how to capitalise when it's really needed :), and find myself annoyed that i can't fix typos and grammar on regular web pages.

Piranha 21:27, 21 August 2005 (UTC)

Gurubrahma
Hi,

have been around on Wikipedia for above a 100 days; became hyper-active in the last 10 days; and hope to be around on wikipedia for the next 10 years. Most of my work so far has been on India-related articles for two reasons - my nationality & the potential for development of articles.--- Gurubrahma 11:54, 22 August 2005 (UTC)

Hello
I am Homestar92. I don't really have much to say. Before I became a member, I just did some minor Editing. It is Even my doing that a one page has benn added, and then people expanded it like crazy. (not telling what it is, don't want people knowing my IP address.)

Homestar92 12:45 PM, 22 August 2005

tsiaojian
Time for me to give something back to the Wiki ;-)

Tsiaojian lee 18:29, 22 August 2005 (UTC)

ahpook says
hello to the wiki

i'm a librarian living in london in the uk.

subject-wise i guess i'll be most useful in music (i've played bass guitar half my life) and physics (my 1st degree was in astrophysics)

apart from that i'll edit anything i think i can add to.

ahpook 21:18, 22 August 2005 (UTC)

ViperGurl
Hello My name is Tori and I am a new Wikipedian. I found this site in my research for school and thought it would be a handy source to join. I live in the state of Virginia in the United States of America and am native english but know some Spanish so I can help translate some things. --ViperGurl 14:26, 23 August 2005 (UTC)

idaho2000
Hi everyone (whoever you are),

Wikipedia pages come up regularly in my net searches and the information I get is very useful and of high quality. I just discovered that Wikipedia is a collaborative effort - one that I support - so I'm signing up to give as well as take.

I'm fifty years old, British and I've lived in the Netherlands for the past 25 years. My work experience (as manager and consultant to international companies) includes: - Consultancy to international companies - Organizational Change Management - Inter-personal and corporate communication - Translation - Learning/Training - Coaching - Human Resource Management - Business Process Management - Quality Management - Corporate IT

My personal interests include: - Psychology & Psychotherapy - Philosophy - Religions - Cultures - History - Photography - Music

My consultancy work for the past few years has been as a "communications consultant" to companies going through organizational change programs. I enjoy writing for others and I'm sure things will come up here that I'll want to contribute to. Either because I know something about the subject or because I'm interested in finding out.

BTW, I read and write Dutch fluently so I could help out in EN <> NL translations

That's all for now!

Idaho Idaho2000 18:53, 23 August 2005 (UTC)

Hey, I'm flutegirl!
Wow, this looks like a great community. I'm not sure exactly what I'll be able to add to, but I'd love to get involved in any project I can. I'll probably just spend a couple weeks browsing this awesome sight. See you around!

Flutegirl 22:17, 23 August 2005 (UTC)flutegirl

Jon Seitz
Hello all. I've been reading this website for a few months now, and finally decided to start contributing.

I know a god bit about music, movies, guitars, and a wide variety of other subjects. I'm a big fan of knowing very random bits of trivia, so I'm hoping to bring some of that too.

I'm a student at Boston University studying Journalism, so I'm hoping to get a lot of good practice from here.

Jon Seitz 03:26, August 24, 2005 (UTC)

MOHD. HUSSAIN IBRAHIM
I am fascinated by your website. Its wonderful. One day when I was browsing through the website of Tamil Virtual University I came across your website and eversince I have been spending a lot of time on your website. Its really interesting and very informative.

I am POds, hear me plod
My, name is Rodney McDonell. I currently live in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia studying Computer Science at the University of Melbourne. I can't remember when I first found out about wikipedia, but recently I decided the Rugby league pages, categories and possibly even templates etc. needed a clean-up. I'm currently getting a make shift project page up and running and at the same time, scouting for talent to help with the task.

This could be seen as a good thing, but I'm known, to be very poor at, spelling, grammar and punctuation. In fact, I often refer to English as my second language, which leaves plenty of room for a first. I'll get onto that one day. So I'll be trying very hard not to screw up wikipedia when I'm making my changes, if I have not done so already.

Obviously I have interests in sport and more specifically, Rugby league, but i also enjoy other things. Most recently I've gotten hooked on Stargate, both SG1 and Atlantis, which lead me to get hooked on documentaries as well. For many years I've also been a very spiritual person, preferring to make up my own mind. Currently, the only firm beliefs I have are some process of re-incarnation and something similar to karma. Nothing is set in stone, my view of the Universe is for ever changing, especially after watching a String Theory documentary!

Well, that's it. If you like Rugby league and know more about it then me (and even if you don't), feel free to drop by my user page to see what I have planned for this great sport. It's quite bold!

--edit forgot time stamp... already screwing things up... POds 13:07, 24 August 2005 (UTC)

Christy747
I'm not new new, but I'm definitely still learning my way around. I'm more comfortable with editing and wikifying than I was a couple of weeks ago, but I've still got tons to learn.

I try to read everything I can get my hands on. I can read wikipedia for hours on end.

My interests are quite varied, but a short summary would be: proper English spelling and grammar, pop culture, music, and the social sciences. Christy747 19:57, 24 August 2005 (UTC)

Dumoren
Hello, My User name is Dumoren, I live in Melboure victoria, Australia.

I found wikipedia, on early june of 2005. the way i found this website its a pretty long story really. It happened on, early this year. There's this internet cartoon series called homestar runner,(really funny website), anyway, i ndecided to type in homestar runner, on google, for some reason i can't remember. anyway, there was this strange website called Homestar runner wiki which is exactley like wiki, only for Homestar related topics. After many days of looking through that website, i see some special links that lead to Wikipedia,; for example, "this character dressed like, John Mcroe, when i clicked on it it lead me to the wikipedia that i know today.

My area of experties, are: Xbox, "Red versus blue", Baldur's gate, Certain Dungeon's and dragons monsters, Sarevok Etc.

the only person i wikipedia who i know is "Sango123.

well, i glad to be wikipedian, and hope to on this website for a long time, and try to help anyone on wikipedia, and tell my friends about wikipedia.

Dumoren 03:25, 25 August 2005 (UTC).

Kevin Videll
Hey everyone,

I'm not precisely new, but I never made an introduction here.

I've made several contributions to the community thus far, and have been having fun learning the ropes (How to not upset people, etc...)

Great community, this. Glad to be a part of it. Kevin 11:02, August 25, 2005 (UTC)

complete confusion, help please!!!!
I do not understand how to download articles. Please help me. I am brand new.

William R. VanderKloot vanderklt@comcast.net 804-754-2775
 * Welcome, William, I've left a reply on your talk page. Alf 12:30, 25 August 2005 (UTC)

Zeratul547
Yo, I'm Zeratul547, 15, and I specialize in writing of all manners, although personally I love articles about records such as the land speed record.

Peace.

Zeratul547 05:19, 26 August 2005 (UTC)

Bananagirl
Hi everyone! I dont really know what to say here so here goes.

I really enjoy music of all types. I play the clarinet and bass clarinet and do a bit of singing here and there. I enjoy watching musicals such as the Lion King and Phantom of the Opera. Apart from that I just enjoy listening and learning about music.

I really enjoy writing as well. I started writing poetry not to long ago, which is something that I have grown to love.

I think that wikipedia is really great because it enables people to socialise and write annd have fun at the same time.

cya Banana.girl 00:09, 27 August 2005 (UTC)

Kwiksilver
I've been reading wikipedia for what seems like forever so I decided to finally start contributing. Not sure exactly what I'll be able to add yet, but I'll do my best!

See You Around Kwiksilver 03:35, 27 August 2005 (UTC)

Dr. Rochus Zuurmond
Wikipedia is an excellent idea. I found it on the Internet and use it mostly to check elementary dates (like names, dates. places, titles of books) when I write an article or a book. I find it very useful and so do members of my family who are also academics and publish from time to time. I am quite willing to contribute articles myself. I am a retired senior professor of theology of the University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands). I have been teaching biblical studies at that University for 15 years, mostly the interpretation (exegesis and hermeneutics) of the Old and the New Testament. My special field was textual criticism of the New Testament. Most university libraries possess my books on the Ethiopic Version of the Bible and you will find my name in the Introduction to the latest edition of the Greek New Testament edited by Nestle/Aland. If you need short articles on the subject of the text of the bible (original and early translations, as well as a critical assessment of some modern translations) I may be able to help you, free of course. In the past I have contributed articles on that subject to international encyclopedias. When quoted I appreciate authors using my material mentioning their source, but if they don't .. that is their decision. I don't mind. I assume that there is nothing legal to prevent me from using my own material published in Wikipedia later in my own publications.

Im you encyclopedia I noticed some short remarks on the Seventh Commandment. I think I could improve somewhat on that. I copy below the text of a summary I made for my students some years ago, as part of a series of lectures on the Ten Commandments. It consists of three parts: (1) The bare facts, (2) The hermeneutics involved and (3) the Practicality. In part (3) I give my interpretation of (1) and (2). There some might disagree. Part (2) is rather objective, but is still open for discussion. Part (1) is just the bare facts and everyone who knows the subject will agree.Details can be added, by myself or others.

The Seventh Word : You shall not commit adultery.

(1) Small differences exist in the order of the ‘Ten Commandments’. Our modern translations follow the Hebrew text, but early Greek translation (notably the Septuagint) switches the commandments of murder and adultery, making adultery the Sixth Commandment. The confusion is reflected in the New Testament. Matthew 19:18 and Mark 10:19 (in the preferred manuscripts) have the Hebrew order, but Luke 18:20 and Paul in Romans 13:9 follow the Septuagint. The Jewish theologian and philosopher Philo of Alexandria (early first century AD.) and the Jewish historian Josephus (late first century AD.) also have the order of the Septuagint. The Old Testament distinguishes between 'adultery' in the sense of the seventh word (Hebrew NA’AF, Greek moicheuein) and 'whoring' (Hebrew ZANAH, Greek porneuein.) Although the distinction is clear they are occasionally used as synonyms (Hosea 2:4). However, the Old Testament, Hebrew as well as Septuagint, keeps these words well apart. Only in later times the two concepts begin to merge. Philo uses both words indiscriminately and obviously blends the concepts. ‘Adultery’ in the Old Testament has a specific legal meaning: sexual intercourse of a man with a married or betrothed woman. It is basically considered a violent infringement on another man’s rights. The wife, together with slave, cattle and pack animal (see the Tenth Commandment) is legally speaking the property of the husband. No wonder therefore that adultery in the Ten Commandments (like in Jer. 7:9, Hos. 4:2 and in Job 24:14-17) is listed together with killing and stealing. All other forms of what we call 'adultery' do not directly fall under the category of the seventh commandment. From the definition of adultery it follows that only a man can commit this crime. A woman may 'whore,' act as a prostitute or sleep around. As long as she is not (or no longer) married or betrothed this is no reason for punishment. Prostitution seems to have been more or less socially accepted in the Old Testament, as shown by stories like Judg. 16:1-3 (Samson - a married man at the time! - and the prostitute in Gaza) and Genesis 38:12-19 (Judah and Tamar). The Torah describes in detail the ritual of the 'Bitter Water' which is assumed to establish guilt or innocence of a woman suspected of adultery (Num. 5:12-31). It looks rather like the witch trials of the 16th and 17th century. If adultery is proven the death sentence applies, both to the male adulterer and to the woman (Lev. 20:10, Deut. 22:22-24). If, however, the woman is raped she will go free (Deut. 22:25-27). The action taken by the brothers of Dinah (Gen. 34) is therefore considered outrageous (Gen. 49:5-7), which has not prevented some early Jewish commentators (in the ‘Testament of Levi’ and the ‘Book of Jubilees’) to praise them for it. An adulterer ruins his own existence (Prov. 6:32f.). That theme is later taken up by Philo, who argues that adultery is worse than murder since murder involves the death of only one person whereas adultery may cause war or a feud which eventually destroys the lives of a whole clan. Helen of Troy comes to mind, but also the case of David and Bathseba (2Sam. 11-12). As that story goes, neither of them suffers the death penalty, but the story does let David die in a symbolic way (2Sam 12:16-20). The Hebrew text of the Old Testament seems to distinguish between a sacred prostitute and a secular prostitute or ‘whore’, in Hebrew respectively QEDESHA and ZONAH, but the distinction is not always clear. Tamar (Gen. 38:21f.) is called a 'sacred prostitute' but Rachab (Josh. 2:1ff.) and the woman in Gaza (Judg. 16:1) are called ‘whores.' Hosea 4:14 mentions both words in parallel sentences, obviously valuing them as more or less identical. The Torah prescribes that no Israelite woman should serve as a sacred prostitute (Deut. 23:17f.). Sacred prostitution was common practice in some pagan temples. The sacred prostitute (hierodule) was supposed to represent the goddess. In the same way prostitution with a male prostitute would act out the unity with a God. According to 2Kings 23:7 these practices were not unknown in Israel. The apostle Paul is still very much aware of the religious implications of sacred prostitution (1Cor. 6:15-20). In many cases, in particular in rural societies, it may have been understood as a fertility ritual. 'Committing adultery' is sometimes (e.g. in Jeremia 3:9, 5:7, 9:2) used as a metaphor of worshipping foreign gods, but mostly in combination with the usual word ‘whoring.' There are many examples in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament (Lev. 20:5, Is. 1:21, Psalm 73:27, 106:39, Ezek. 23:3, Matth. 12:39, Rev. 2:22). They are based on the Covenant being metaphorically represented as a union of marriage between JHWH and Israel. The prophet Hosea (Hos. 1:2f., 2:12-16, 3:1) illustrates this in a powerful, poetic way. The New Testament, following Jewish philosophers like Philo, holds stricter opinions than the Old Testament. See e.g. Matth. 5:27-32, 19:9, Mark 10:11f., Luke 16:18 and 1Cor. 5:1 (about incest). The death penalty, however, as far as we know, was never enforced. The apocryphal story of the woman caught in adultery, found in some manuscripts following John 7:52, may well have been intended symbolically.

(2)In this context it is important to realise that the bible knows no category of 'sexual offences' like we have. Of course the Old and the New Testament know about crimes committed in relation to sexual acts. One finds many of them grouped together e.g. in Lev. 18 (incest), Lev. 20:10-21 (various), Deut. 22:13-30 (rape) and Deut. 24:1-4 (divorce). The criminal aspect however is not connected with the sexual aspect of the act, but with the damage done to other individuals or society. ‘Sexuality’ as a separate domain was established in Europe not earlier than in the sixteenth century. In Antiquity ‘sexual offences’ were categorised under crimes of violence and their severity was measured in terms of injury towards others. The bible is not different. One must also consider to what extent sexual behaviour as well as family life can be a way of distinguishing oneself from others. Jews and early Christians were a minority in a world of sexual promiscuity and lasciviousness. It was important for their identity to be seen to be different. If they could prove to stand in an old religious tradition such as the Old Testament, that strengthened their case. To make that point the Old Testament was sometimes interpreted slightly different from what it actually said in its own context. The merging of the concepts of ‘adultery’ and ‘whoring’ is a point in case. It is the sort of thing that happens all the time, now as much as then. Whether we like it or not, the bible represents a patriarchal society. That colours its laws, including the ‘Ten Commandments.’ It does not mean that we should copy that. Neither does it mean that women in the bible never have any influence or that the relation between husband and wife is purely judicial. A woman is not - like in royal families to this day - necessarily just a potential mother of sons. Women like Deborah (Judg. 4-5), Ruth, Abigaïl (1Sam. 25), Ester, and - not to forget - 'Sullamith' from the Song of Songs (6:13) prove the opposite. But the influence is restricted and the woman, provided she has a suitable social position, must through outstanding behaviour and ability acquire for herself the rights and privileges which men possess automatically. (3) Since matters of sexuality are rather sensitive, it may be useful to point out that one has to be careful with the blunt application of Old Testament 'law.' Not only is the Torah for Non-Jews not a direct part of the Covenant with JHWH, but neither can Jews or Christians deny that a lot of it is inextricably connected with a culture which is no longer ours. Who would literally hold on to some of the laws concerning incest? Why (as long as she is not your mother) e.g. not marry the widow of one’s father (Lev. 18:8), or the widowed wife of the brother of one's father (Lev. 18:14) or one's sister in law (Lev. 18:16), when their first marriage - either by death or by divorce - has been dissolved? Is there anywhere a priest or a minister or a rabbi to be found who would seriously perform the ritual of the Bitter Water (Num. 5)? When a man goes for a haircut, should he take much notice of Lev. 19:27? So, why do away with dietary laws and many others, but not with the ones concerning 'sexuality'? Those who claim that homosexuality is 'an abomination to JHWH' (Lev. 18:22, 20:13, texts whose wording in Hebrew is not too clear in the first place), should realise that Deut. 14:3 calls eating a pork chop an ‘abomination’ while remarrying your former wife (Deut. 24:4), or wearing unisex clothing (Deut. 22:5), has clearly been marked as 'an abomination to JHWH.' One cannot pick and choose. One should be aware of the context of these commandments. If they clearly express sentiments of national or social identity we should treat them with great reservation, like the New Testament does, at least in some cases. What makes sense in an ancient agricultural society does not necessarily make sense in a modern urban society. The Old Testament e.g. clearly has no objections to polygamy. In a society where the death rate of men is far higher than of women, that could be a sensible solution. But would it suit our society? Or would it just legalise practices that already widely exist in our society albeit under a different name? Considerations like this have nothing to do with a flimsy, wishy washy 'liberal' interpretation of the bible, but they come about (or ought to come about) when we try to understand these rules in their historical context. The idea of timeless, universally applicable divine ‘laws’ has Stoic antecedents and may have been useful for Roman lawgivers, but has little to do with the bible.

¬¬¬¬Rochus Zuurmond

Dr. Rochus Zuurmond
Wikipedia is an excellent idea. I found it on the Internet and use it mostly to check elementary dates (like names, dates. places, titles of books) when I write an article or a book. I find it very useful and so do members of my family who are also academics and publish from time to time. I am quite willing to contribute articles myself. I am a retired senior professor of theology of the University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands). I have been teaching biblical studies at that University for 15 years, mostly the interpretation (exegesis and hermeneutics) of the Old and the New Testament. My special field was textual criticism of the New Testament. Most university libraries possess my books on the Ethiopic Version of the Bible and you will find my name in the Introduction to the latest edition of the Greek New Testament edited by Nestle/Aland. If you need short articles on the subject of the text of the bible (original and early translations, as well as a critical assessment of some modern translations) I may be able to help you, free of course. In the past I have contributed articles on that subject to international encyclopedias. When quoted I appreciate authors using my material mentioning their source, but if they don't .. that is their decision. I don't mind. I assume that there is nothing legal to prevent me from using my own material published in Wikipedia later in my own publications.

In you encyclopedia I noticed some short remarks on the Seventh Commandment. I think I could improve somewhat on that. I copy below the text of a summary I made for my students some years ago, as part of a series of lectures on the Ten Commandments. It consists of three parts: (1) The bare facts, (2) The hermeneutics involved and (3) the Practicality. In part (3) I give my interpretation of (1) and (2). There some might disagree. Part (2) is rather objective, but is still open for discussion. Part (1) is just the bare facts and everyone who knows the subject will agree.Details can be added, by myself or others.

The Seventh Word : You shall not commit adultery.

(1) Small differences exist in the order of the ‘Ten Commandments’. Our modern translations follow the Hebrew text, but early Greek translation (notably the Septuagint) switches the commandments of murder and adultery, making adultery the Sixth Commandment. The confusion is reflected in the New Testament. Matthew 19:18 and Mark 10:19 (in the preferred manuscripts) have the Hebrew order, but Luke 18:20 and Paul in Romans 13:9 follow the Septuagint. The Jewish theologian and philosopher Philo of Alexandria (early first century AD.) and the Jewish historian Josephus (late first century AD.) also have the order of the Septuagint. The Old Testament distinguishes between 'adultery' in the sense of the seventh word (Hebrew NA’AF, Greek moicheuein) and 'whoring' (Hebrew ZANAH, Greek porneuein.) Although the distinction is clear they are occasionally used as synonyms (Hosea 2:4). However, the Old Testament, Hebrew as well as Septuagint, keeps these words well apart. Only in later times the two concepts begin to merge. Philo uses both words indiscriminately and obviously blends the concepts. ‘Adultery’ in the Old Testament has a specific legal meaning: sexual intercourse of a man with a married or betrothed woman. It is basically considered a violent infringement on another man’s rights. The wife, together with slave, cattle and pack animal (see the Tenth Commandment) is legally speaking the property of the husband. No wonder therefore that adultery in the Ten Commandments (like in Jer. 7:9, Hos. 4:2 and in Job 24:14-17) is listed together with killing and stealing. All other forms of what we call 'adultery' do not directly fall under the category of the seventh commandment. From the definition of adultery it follows that only a man can commit this crime. A woman may 'whore,' act as a prostitute or sleep around. As long as she is not (or no longer) married or betrothed this is no reason for punishment. Prostitution seems to have been more or less socially accepted in the Old Testament, as shown by stories like Judg. 16:1-3 (Samson - a married man at the time! - and the prostitute in Gaza) and Genesis 38:12-19 (Judah and Tamar). The Torah describes in detail the ritual of the 'Bitter Water' which is assumed to establish guilt or innocence of a woman suspected of adultery (Num. 5:12-31). It looks rather like the witch trials of the 16th and 17th century. If adultery is proven the death sentence applies, both to the male adulterer and to the woman (Lev. 20:10, Deut. 22:22-24). If, however, the woman is raped she will go free (Deut. 22:25-27). The action taken by the brothers of Dinah (Gen. 34) is therefore considered outrageous (Gen. 49:5-7), which has not prevented some early Jewish commentators (in the ‘Testament of Levi’ and the ‘Book of Jubilees’) to praise them for it. An adulterer ruins his own existence (Prov. 6:32f.). That theme is later taken up by Philo, who argues that adultery is worse than murder since murder involves the death of only one person whereas adultery may cause war or a feud which eventually destroys the lives of a whole clan. Helen of Troy comes to mind, but also the case of David and Bathseba (2Sam. 11-12). As that story goes, neither of them suffers the death penalty, but the story does let David die in a symbolic way (2Sam 12:16-20). The Hebrew text of the Old Testament seems to distinguish between a sacred prostitute and a secular prostitute or ‘whore’, in Hebrew respectively QEDESHA and ZONAH, but the distinction is not always clear. Tamar (Gen. 38:21f.) is called a 'sacred prostitute' but Rachab (Josh. 2:1ff.) and the woman in Gaza (Judg. 16:1) are called ‘whores.' Hosea 4:14 mentions both words in parallel sentences, obviously valuing them as more or less identical. The Torah prescribes that no Israelite woman should serve as a sacred prostitute (Deut. 23:17f.). Sacred prostitution was common practice in some pagan temples. The sacred prostitute (hierodule) was supposed to represent the goddess. In the same way prostitution with a male prostitute would act out the unity with a God. According to 2Kings 23:7 these practices were not unknown in Israel. The apostle Paul is still very much aware of the religious implications of sacred prostitution (1Cor. 6:15-20). In many cases, in particular in rural societies, it may have been understood as a fertility ritual. 'Committing adultery' is sometimes (e.g. in Jeremia 3:9, 5:7, 9:2) used as a metaphor of worshipping foreign gods, but mostly in combination with the usual word ‘whoring.' There are many examples in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament (Lev. 20:5, Is. 1:21, Psalm 73:27, 106:39, Ezek. 23:3, Matth. 12:39, Rev. 2:22). They are based on the Covenant being metaphorically represented as a union of marriage between JHWH and Israel. The prophet Hosea (Hos. 1:2f., 2:12-16, 3:1) illustrates this in a powerful, poetic way. The New Testament, following Jewish philosophers like Philo, holds stricter opinions than the Old Testament. See e.g. Matth. 5:27-32, 19:9, Mark 10:11f., Luke 16:18 and 1Cor. 5:1 (about incest). The death penalty, however, as far as we know, was never enforced. The apocryphal story of the woman caught in adultery, found in some manuscripts following John 7:52, may well have been intended symbolically.

(2)In this context it is important to realise that the bible knows no category of 'sexual offences' like we have. Of course the Old and the New Testament know about crimes committed in relation to sexual acts. One finds many of them grouped together e.g. in Lev. 18 (incest), Lev. 20:10-21 (various), Deut. 22:13-30 (rape) and Deut. 24:1-4 (divorce). The criminal aspect however is not connected with the sexual aspect of the act, but with the damage done to other individuals or society. ‘Sexuality’ as a separate domain was established in Europe not earlier than in the sixteenth century. In Antiquity ‘sexual offences’ were categorised under crimes of violence and their severity was measured in terms of injury towards others. The bible is not different. One must also consider to what extent sexual behaviour as well as family life can be a way of distinguishing oneself from others. Jews and early Christians were a minority in a world of sexual promiscuity and lasciviousness. It was important for their identity to be seen to be different. If they could prove to stand in an old religious tradition such as the Old Testament, that strengthened their case. To make that point the Old Testament was sometimes interpreted slightly different from what it actually said in its own context. The merging of the concepts of ‘adultery’ and ‘whoring’ is a point in case. It is the sort of thing that happens all the time, now as much as then. Whether we like it or not, the bible represents a patriarchal society. That colours its laws, including the ‘Ten Commandments.’ It does not mean that we should copy that. Neither does it mean that women in the bible never have any influence or that the relation between husband and wife is purely judicial. A woman is not - like in royal families to this day - necessarily just a potential mother of sons. Women like Deborah (Judg. 4-5), Ruth, Abigaïl (1Sam. 25), Ester, and - not to forget - 'Sullamith' from the Song of Songs (6:13) prove the opposite. But the influence is restricted and the woman, provided she has a suitable social position, must through outstanding behaviour and ability acquire for herself the rights and privileges which men possess automatically. (3) Since matters of sexuality are rather sensitive, it may be useful to point out that one has to be careful with the blunt application of Old Testament 'law.' Not only is the Torah for Non-Jews not a direct part of the Covenant with JHWH, but neither can Jews or Christians deny that a lot of it is inextricably connected with a culture which is no longer ours. Who would literally hold on to some of the laws concerning incest? Why (as long as she is not your mother) e.g. not marry the widow of one’s father (Lev. 18:8), or the widowed wife of the brother of one's father (Lev. 18:14) or one's sister in law (Lev. 18:16), when their first marriage - either by death or by divorce - has been dissolved? Is there anywhere a priest or a minister or a rabbi to be found who would seriously perform the ritual of the Bitter Water (Num. 5)? When a man goes for a haircut, should he take much notice of Lev. 19:27? So, why do away with dietary laws and many others, but not with the ones concerning 'sexuality'? Those who claim that homosexuality is 'an abomination to JHWH' (Lev. 18:22, 20:13, texts whose wording in Hebrew is not too clear in the first place), should realise that Deut. 14:3 calls eating a pork chop an ‘abomination’ while remarrying your former wife (Deut. 24:4), or wearing unisex clothing (Deut. 22:5), has clearly been marked as 'an abomination to JHWH.' One cannot pick and choose. One should be aware of the context of these commandments. If they clearly express sentiments of national or social identity we should treat them with great reservation, like the New Testament does, at least in some cases. What makes sense in an ancient agricultural society does not necessarily make sense in a modern urban society. The Old Testament e.g. clearly has no objections to polygamy. In a society where the death rate of men is far higher than of women, that could be a sensible solution. But would it suit our society? Or would it just legalise practices that already widely exist in our society albeit under a different name? Considerations like this have nothing to do with a flimsy, wishy washy 'liberal' interpretation of the bible, but they come about (or ought to come about) when we try to understand these rules in their historical context. The idea of timeless, universally applicable divine ‘laws’ has Stoic antecedents and may have been useful for Roman lawgivers, but has little to do with the bible.

¬¬¬¬Rochus Zuurmond

Theli 93
I'm Theli 93, and I've been editing Wikipedia for awhile now and have created something like three or four full articles and a number of stubs.

My primary interest is Buddhism, so almost everything I have edited, and all the articles I have created, relate to it somehow. I've been studying Buddhism for a long time and have the intention to ordain as a monk.

I love wikipedia and I'm definitely a wikiaddict.

Theli 93 17:11, 27 August 2005 (UTC)

Raymond Keller
Karmafist sent me a welcome (brochure). Thanks!

I wondered how I got noticed. I signed up some time ago and have made a few edits since. Could just be logs of recent activity gave me away or maybe someone spotted my boorishness. I haven't read the new user docs and have just been trying to follow evident convention. Okay, so I'll read those docs before long.

Me: Male, ~35 years old, living in Santa Cruz California. Just some guy. I write good.

Raymond Keller 23:39, 27 August 2005 (UTC)

Hello from TheLibertarianGuy
I'm a 39-year-old Cincinnati native. Wikipedia's great. :)

Ben D.
I'm a 2nd year college student from Michigan, and so far I've just tried to start pages or expand small ones about obscure historical people and events.Ben D. 07:59, 28 August 2005 (UTC)

Time for a username...
Jonathan Rawle from Leicester, UK: I'd been making the occasional edit, so thought I should register a username. I plan to contribute more to Wikipedia from October when I should have more time. JRawle 17:27, 28 August 2005 (UTC)

Michael Kay
I'm a software engineer. The last few years I've been active in the XML field, and I edit the specification of the XSLT language. I'm the author of an open-source XSLT processor, Saxon, and I run my own company, Saxonica, to develop and support it.

But those areas seem to be well covered by other people in Wikipedia. Less well covered are some of the things I was involved with earlier in my career, such as Codasyl databases. I worked for 25 years for the UK computer manufacturer ICL, and have an interest in the history of computing especially in the UK.

Mhkay 23:44, 28 August 2005 (UTC)

PhS, or in real life, Philippe Schnoebelen
I am 44, a French citizen, and a professional computer scientist. You can find out at my institutional web page. My area of expertise is computer science, accordingly.

Additionaly, I am curious in several fields ranging from chess problems to cinema, or from linguistics to comics books.

PhS 13:43, 29 August 2005 (UTC)

Hi
I love wikipedia

Hi from the Desert Southwest, USA [Arizona]
Hi, ByrdieCJ here aka "Cindy" or just "CJ". My Spouse uses Wikipedia so much, I just could not help being intensly interested as well. I love this kind and wonderful monster and look forward to being an active part of it's growth. ByrdieCJ Byrdiecj 17:02, 30 August 2005 (UTC)

John P. Riche
Hello, I am new here, So hope I do it right! I am searching a old flane of mine back in 1971. John P. Riche. He was stationed at Dyess Air Force base, Abilene, Texas. He was from Simisports La. My name is Joyce!

Not really new, but mentally new
I've not been to Wikipedia in a while, and I never signed this. It's my refresher log, I guess, eh?

Just trying to relearn MediaWiki.

Sean Quinn 03:06, 31 August 2005 (UTC)

Hi from Scorpiuss
I've been a Wikipedia prowler for about a year now, making a few edits here and there. I recently wrote a new article on GUID Partition Tables and did a lot of work on Original Sin, prompting a welcome message from a fellow Wikipedian. So I guess I'll officially introduce myself!

I've lived in Israel (or Palestine, if you prefer - NPOV, right?) for about eight years, and am moving back to the states to work in IT in a couple months. Definitely something of an expert in traditional Jewish views, and I've got something to contribute in the IT fields also.

Looking forward to further interaction and showing some Wikilove!

Scorpiuss 05:46, 31 August 2005 (UTC)

Allow Myself to Introduce Myself
I've been a user of Wikipedia for a long time and have made some minor edits here and there, but I suppose it's time for me to introduce myself, as I have been very active recently. My personal Wikipedia task is to rewrite and edit many pages in the field of body modification, improving them from the current chaotic state. I'm looking forward to working with all of the good people here and making Wikipedia the best resource it can be. Glowimperial 18:59, 31 August 2005 (UTC)

Megan A. Riley
I'm a seventeen year old from Wisconsin, USA. I'm interested in a wide variety of things, and mostly accumulate useless knowledge. I'm particularly fascinated by the internet subculture. I think that this site is one of the most original and useful on the internet, and I'm glad to lend my sparse knoweledge.

Marbahlarbs
I'm new to editing Wikipedia. I've used it for a while, and made some edits, but decided to start contributing more.