Wikipedia:WikiProject U.S. Roads/Newsletter/Newsroom/Issue1-2

Special note
This issue will be a bit weird because of the arbitration case that is ongoing. There are two scenarios that are possible:


 * Scenario 1: Arbitration case is not finished by the time the newsletter is published. In this case, we probably should just briefly mention it (link?) and ignore it. Because of this, the newsletter will probably be shorter.
 * Scenario 2: Arbitration case is finished. However, because many of the newsletter editors were involved or opinionated in regards to the case, either a non-involved editor should do it, or we could just link to the case and let the reader decide. Or, we could always steal from the Signpost. :)
 * Update as of 1/10 - As we have not started voting phase yet, it is unlikely that the case will be finished. Therefore, scenario 1 is most likely going to take place this newsletter, and scenario 2 the next.

Publication deadline: 12 PM Pacific-3 PM Eastern on January 19.

Please sign up for what you want to write. Have it done by the publication deadline.

Introduction

 * Editor:

Proposal for feature 2

 * Editor:

Northenglish's return? --Rschen7754 (T C) 00:20, 11 January 2008 (UTC)
 * I was thinking of adding a new regular feature called Coming or Going for keeping tabs of all new users joining the project and whenever people leave the project. Anyone have comments? —Scott5114↗ [EXACT CHANGE ONLY] 22:07, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
 * My concern is that we wouldn't have enough for each month. --Rschen7754 (T C) 23:41, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
 * So we leave it out then. And we always have newbies signing up, don't we? —Scott5114↗ [EXACT CHANGE ONLY] 01:34, 14 January 2008 (UTC)
 * I'd say go for it. Worse case is that we can't do a segment on it that issue.  --Son (talk) 19:26, 14 January 2008 (UTC)
 * Cut per addition of feature below. --Rschen7754 (T C) 06:22, 17 January 2008 (UTC)

Feature 1 (only feature for this edition)

 * Editor:

B class audit --Rschen7754 (T C) 06:20, 17 January 2008 (UTC)

Project news
Probably can be reused, just proofread.

Requests for arbitration/Highways 2
Since most USRD members probably already know about the ArbCom case, I figured that instead of possibly writing a feature I could do sort of an update brief for those that haven't been actively following the case.  N F 24 (radio me!) 21:59, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
 * On 5 January, an injunction was passed allowing the USRD main page to be unprotected. The scope and approach of USRD may not be changed until the ArbCom case is closed. Any disputed edits to the main page may be reverted by an administrator that is not involved in the case or USRD.
 * Proposed principles for inclusion in the proposed final decision have been drafted (see the workshop for more). The main principles are the following:
 * The main point of a WikiProject is to help write Wikipedia.
 * The scope of a WikiProject should be easily determined by the title.
 * The assessment system should not be used for competition.
 * The purpose of the tagging system is to recruit new editors.
 * Editors must give valid reasoning whilst coming to a consensus, otherwise their opinions may be ignored.
 * Consensus can change and should be followed at all times except in extenuating circumstances. Consensus cannot be achieved in places like IRC where a minority of users are present. Consequently, decisions made on IRC that are applied on wiki are not considered following consensus but rather being bold. Users are not required or obligated to join IRC.
 * Discuss changes to consensus if you disagree. Do not revert war or simply ignore it.
 * Proposed remedies include placing NE2 on topic probation or admonishing him, and holding a discussion on a fixed scope of USRD.
 * Proposals for enforcement includes blocking NE2 and/or reverting his edits if he continues to oppose consensus.
 * The 2nd point is extremely outdated. Please see the workshop and evidence pages for the latest. --Rschen7754 (T C) 22:01, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
 * I've written a brief summary of the workshop. Feel free to excise anything that you feel unnecessary.  N F 24 (radio me!) 23:27, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
 * It's not even a proposed decision. These are proposals that the parties have written and want included in the decision. The arbitrators write the proposed decision. I suggest that you carefully read the Arbitration pages before writing this story. --Rschen7754 (T C) 23:31, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
 * I think we're going to have to save this story for after Arbcom closes. Let's just briefly mention it. The case is too confusing for the uninvolved reader to understand, and we'll only confuse editors by mentioning anything other than the final decision. --Rschen7754 (T C) 23:39, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
 * Now that I think about it, I sort of agree with you here.  N F 24 (radio me!) 11:36, 14 January 2008 (UTC)

State updates
Write the updates below. If signatures are present, remove them before adding to the newsletter.

Leaderboard
Wow, what a difference a month makes! A lot of big changes have taken place that have affected the standings. Firstly, it was discovered that Alabama, which was ranked #7 last month, had a lot of untagged articles; they were tagged, causing Alabama's Ω to shoot up, so that task force isn't on this month's Leaderboard. Secondly, we began generating statistics for the states with no WikiProject (there were a few of those already). A lot of states without project have only a few articles (D.C. only has a few routes period), so only a few high-end articles can bring their stats up...and we certainly see that this month. Lastly, Rschen7754 conducted an audit of all USRD B-Class articles, demoting those that aren't up to snuff. This means a lot of established states lost ground. So the Leaderboard we have this month is vastly different.

If you're unfamiliar with the WikiWork statistics, you can find more information about them at WP:USRD/A/WW. So ladies and gentlemen, here it comes! Your USRD Leaderboard for January 19, 2008!

States in parenthesis have no project. States listed in italics are task forces.

Here are the stats for the national projects.

As always, if your favorite state isn't listed here, you can find it at WikiProject U.S. Roads/Assessment/States. Congrats to the editors at the ten states above for their hard work! Keep it up!

WP:WIH
Several Wisconsin Highway articles underwent expansions during the previous month. Some of the most prominent expansions included stubs such as WIS 23, WIS 24, WIS 25 and WIS 26. US 18 and US 2 were also created. US 8 received a similar expansion.

WP:ILSR
Interstate 155 was recently rated as a Good article and Interstate 355 is now being reviewed as a WP:FA featured article candidate. If you have suggestions for the article and would like to review it, see the Comment page.

—  master son T - C 13:10, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

WP:PASH
PA State Highways got its next Good Article with Pennsylvania Route 73 passing on January 14.Mitch32contribs 19:33, 19 January 2008 (UTC)

WP:NYSR
After recent reassessment, NY is back up to 150 B-class and New York State Route 22 and New York State Route 59 became Good Articles. New York Route 22 is also at A-class review. New York State Route 174's GAN is at reassessment.Mitch32contribs 15:48, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

WP:NJSCR
The recently GA passed New Jersey Route 18 is at A-class review.Mitch32contribs 00:08, 19 January 2008 (UTC)

WP:OKSH
Oklahoma State Highway 9 passed GA on January 8. However, the articles on SH-3, SH-18, and SH-33 were dropped down to Start-class as a result of the B-Class audit. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Scott5114 (talk • contribs) 16:05, 19 January 2008 (UTC)

WP:CASH
California is currently fourth in the nation in terms of article quality. In addition to this, California State Route 275 has become a GA. --Rschen7754 (T C) 23:40, 13 January 2008 (UTC)

Deletion debates

 * Compiler: NASCAR Fan24

last updated: 20:56, 12 January 2008 (UTC)
 * Articles for Deletion
 * Los Alamitos Curve (closed as Delete)
 * Images and Media for Deletion
 * Image:MaineRoute9A.GIF (closed as Delete) Updated —  master son T - C 18:36, 14 January 2008 (UTC)
 * Categories for Discussion
 * Category:Roads in the Susquehanna Valley area (ongoing)

Featured member

 * Editor:


 * The following discussion is an archived discussion of the . Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. No further edits should be made to this section. 

Support Edit Centric. --Rschen7754 (T C) 00:21, 11 January 2008 (UTC)

Nomination for current member

 * Edit Centric -- A very good candidate as he is a big help in WP:CASH and the recent ArbCom. He also has smart thinking what to do when in a bad situation.Mitch32contribs 11:58, 7 January 2008 (UTC)
 * Support: Though I would not consider the Arbcom a factor in this or any case (due to neutrality/bias issues). —  master son T - C 13:06, 7 January 2008 (UTC)
 * Support, but strike the ArbCom reference. --Son (talk) 14:58, 7 January 2008 (UTC)
 * Support but Arbcom is not needed. --Rschen7754 (T C) 00:55, 8 January 2008 (UTC)
 * Support per above. -- T M F Let's Go Mets - Stats 01:33, 8 January 2008 (UTC)
 * Looks like his username on wiki is "Edit Centric" with a space though. -- T M F Let's Go Mets - Stats 01:35, 8 January 2008 (UTC)
 * Support per all.  N F 24 (radio me!) 23:24, 8 January 2008 (UTC)
 * The above discussion is preserved as an archive of the . Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on this talk page. No further edits should be made to this section.

Coming or Going
This month, we bid a fond farewell to JohnnyAlbert10, who announced on IRC that he will, at least temporarily, be retiring from Wikipedia in order to focus on his studies and new job. Johnny was a frequent contributor to WP:PASH and his contributions will be missed.

However, an old hand to USRD, Northenglish, has returned to edit again. Northenglish has already contributed to several discussions throughout the project since his return. North's states of interest were Washington and New Jersey.

Other users new to the project this month include sf46, Alexfusco5, ClarkCT, Rocketmaniac, Taliesin Duomo, thomprod, Trulystand700, Standard Writer, Taraden Roads, Panicaddiction, and Juliancolton. We would like to extend a warm welcome to these new users and encourage older users to take the time out to offer help should they need it. —Scott5114↗ [EXACT CHANGE ONLY] 01:30, 17 January 2008 (UTC)