Wikipedia talk:Esperanza/Archive 4

Election
Regarding the upcoming elections - could I suggest having a subpage so each of the candidates could have a statement? Something similar to the ArbCom elections? That way, voters can know the candidate's visions, etc. Just a thought... Thanks! Flcelloguy | A note? | Desk | WS 23:53, 5 October 2005 (UTC)


 * I'm in favor of this, but only if it doesn't push back the elections. If candidates would like to list thier visions, they may do so on a subpage of /Election, and please add a link to it next to your name on the candidate's list. -- Essjay ·  Talk 02:26, 6 October 2005 (UTC)
 * I'm neutral on this. I don't mind making an election statement to promote myself, but if not every candidate can do so, then I can't do it. I want to be fair on this. Tito xd (?!?) 02:39, 6 October 2005 (UTC)
 * OK, I agree with Titoxd. I don't want only a small number of candidates have an opportunity to do this. However, if someone asks, I'd be more than happy to do it. Thanks! Flcelloguy | A note? | Desk | WS 13:43, 6 October 2005 (UTC)
 * I realize this is too little, too late, but I think it would have been a good idea to have candidates voice their viewpoints on how they want to help Esperanza before the election. I don't know a lot of these candidates and it would help me to see what their vision is. Maybe on future elections, this could be put in place to help those of us voting. Maltmomma  (chat) [[Image:Flag_of_Texas.svg|18px]] 16:16, 6 October 2005 (UTC)
 * That's true, but I think the way things are set up, these people who end up being voted to represent Esperanza aren't going to misuse their perceived authority. These are Wikipedians in my mind that have said: "Hey, this is a long term thing. It's a great idea, and I think I'd like to say I'll stick with it for a while." - in essence, including the Administrator General, there will always be a core of 5 Esperanzians who we can rely on for help. I don't think the idea is for these people to form a little "cabal" and shut everyone out. Heh, if I dare say, we could be the pseudo-assistants just by hanging out here for a long time! :-) --HappyCamper 10:46, 7 October 2005 (UTC)


 * Yes, I see your point but how do I know that? I've been reading the candidate's User pages trying to gain some insight on their thoughts and views. I don't want to throw away my vote, I want to give it to the people who I feel will make Esperanza better. I don't want it to just be a popularity contest. That's why I think in future elections that candidates need to express their viewpoints, kind of like a platform. It would make it a little easier I think. Ask not what Esperanza can do for you but what You can do for Esperanza. ;o) Maltmomma  (chat) [[Image:Flag_of_Texas.svg|18px]] 14:48, 9 October 2005 (UTC)

In Search for Wikistress 2
Hi all, I read your note on Wikistress section above and I found out a really easy way to find all the stressed out users. It's probably so obvious but I thought I might as well list it. See, there are images on Wikipedia that people put on their pages to tell of their stress. The link to the user page is below the images when you click on them there is a section called file links, the users name should be there. I feel pretty stupid putting this on here but some people don't know they are here. Here they are:

Image:Wikistress3D 2 v3.jpg Image:Wikistress3D 3 v3.jpg Image:Wikistress3D 4 v3.jpg Image:Wikistress 5 v1.jpg (Most likely a joke but worth the look if someone is actually that stressed.)

Some have the origianl versions: Image:Wikistress2.png Image:Wikistress3.png Image:Wikistress4.png

Sorry if I wasted space with this message but I thought it is worth the look. — M o e   ε  02:49, 6 October 2005 (UTC)


 * Those are also listed at Esperanza/Alerts/Indicators. -- Essjay ·  Talk 03:42, 6 October 2005 (UTC)

Might I join?
Might I join your merry band? The Chief ( Pow Wow ) 00:16, 7 October 2005 (UTC)


 * Just add your name to Esperanza/Members, that's all you have to do! -- Essjay ·  Talk 00:19, 7 October 2005 (UTC)
 * It's past midnight UTC of October 7, Essjay, so you might want to protect the member list for the election. Tito xd (?!?) 00:21, 7 October 2005 (UTC)

12:00 UTC is noon, guys. Midnight would have been 0:00/24:00 UTC. However, I will go ahead and protect the list, in case nobody's on at noon UTC. -- Essjay ·  Talk 00:39, 7 October 2005 (UTC)

Peer review
Yesterday, I believe it was yesterday lol, I asked if there was a peer review process for those wanting to edify their weaknesses before asking for adminship. Someone said that I could go here for this! I am considering campaigning for adminship but I know I have weak points I just haven't identified them! Anyone care to peer review me in the same manner as requests for adminship? If so, then leave comments on my talk page.... Jaberwocky6669 | &#x260E; 00:21, 8 October 2005 (UTC)


 * I'll take a look at your work around here. Give me a few days. My goal is to have this done by Monday night. :-) --HappyCamper 03:33, 8 October 2005 (UTC)

Esperanza Barnstar
Hello everybody. I hate to interupt while everybody is busy with the elections but howabout an Esperanza barnstar? I know there is a random acts of kindness barnstar, but a special one that can be awarded to Esperanzians and non-Esperanzians for behaving in Esperanza spirit may be quite a nice idea. It would also serve as a bit of advertising for this project as well. Yes/No/Maybe? Ban e  s  09:21, 8 October 2005 (UTC)
 * Maybe It is kind of a duplicate, but it does no harm-- Exir  Kamalabadi Esperanza  09:47, 8 October 2005 (UTC)
 * Maybe I like the idea, especially if it is awarded by Esperanzians to non-Esperanzians as a way of inviting them to join in... Mamawrites 11:54, 9 October 2005 (UTC)
 * Maybe for reasons stated above. Good idea, but it is sort of a duplicate.  Rob e  rt  15:35, 9 October 2005 (UTC)


 * I understand that it is rather similar, but its as Mamwrites says, it could be a good advert for Esperanza. Anyway, if someone with the barnstar creating skills could see to it then that would be great. (If its wanted.)  Ban e  s  06:46, 10 October 2005 (UTC)

Stress investigation
All of the discussion about the stress investigation initiative is moved to Esperanza/StressUnit

Stress
I oppose the usage of "stress" this much. It stresses people more IMHO.

We should use wikimood :)

--Cool Cat Talk 00:50, 9 October 2005 (UTC)


 * Hmmm... That is a good idea-- Exir  Kamalabadi Esperanza  11:54, 9 October 2005 (UTC)



Election
The election has concluded. The preliminary results are:

Tranche A (Feburary 28)


 * (23 votes)
 * (22 votes)

Tranche B (December 31)


 * (16 votes)
 * (16 votes)

I ask the election workers to certify these results on the talk page (by certify, I mean, report in that you have not observed any irregularities in the election). Once this has been done, I will certify the results. -- Essjay ·  Talk 14:03, 13 October 2005 (UTC)

Election Results
I just wanted to thank every Esperanzian who voted in the election; I believe that it can be called a success. With so many qualified and talented candidates, I'm sure it was a tough decision to vote. Also, I want to thank and congratulate every candidate for expressing his/her willingness to serve and help Esperanza. The amount of volunteers was incredible! Finally, a special thanks to our lovely and attractive poll workers (umm... election staff?) who kept order in the long lines to vote. No, seriously, they did a great job and should be thanked. Also, congratulations to Acetic Acid, Bratsche, and Ryan Norton. I look forward to working with those three and our administrator-general, Essjay, over the coming months to help progress Esperanza and Wikipedia.

On that note, I'd like to ask every Esperanzian to give his/her opinion on the possibilities for programs. We have several ideas; your input would be valued. I am hopeful that we can endeaveur on some unprecedented Wikipedia-wide program that can reduce stress and show our appreciation to every Wikipedian. Also, I urge every Esperanzian to head over to the current stress alerts &mdash; there are some users who need our help. Finally, I'm sure our Stress Unit Combat Team is always looking for more input and members in the effort to find the root cause of stress and attempt to do something about it.

Thanks again. I'm always open to your ideas and opinions, and I'm sure the other committee members and Essjay are as well. Happy editing! Regards, Flcelloguy | A note? | Desk | WS 22:26, 14 October 2005 (UTC)


 * Seconded. -- Essjay ·    Talk 22:41, 14 October 2005 (UTC)
 * Thirded (sic?). I believe Esperanza has some great things in store for Wikipedia. Bratsche talk 17:39, 15 October 2005 (UTC)

Thank you!
My warmest thanks for your support in the Esperanza elections. Although I was not elected, you're confidence and support really does mean a lot to me. JDH Owenstalk 10:15, 15 October 2005 (UTC)

where do I sign up... -- &#9786; A  d a m 1213  &#9786; |  Talk  |  WWW  | 15:27, 15 October 2005 (UTC)


 * All you have to do is to list yourself at Esperanza/Members! Welcome aboard! Flcelloguy | A note? | Desk | WS 15:38, 15 October 2005 (UTC)

Esperanza Spam
Hello Esperanzians! A few announcements.

The Advisory Committee election results are in. In tranch A are Acetic Acid and Flcelloguy. In tranch B are Ryan Norton and Bratsche.

My other annoouncement is that our founder, JCarriker, has founded Esperanza's sister project, Wikipediology. I have written two essays here (my name is Matt Binder). My essays are under Teenage Wikipedians and Anon Editors.

On behalf of myself and Jay Carriker and the other wikipediologists, I would appreciate it if you were to join.

Cheers Esperanza! R e  dwolf24  (talk&mdash;How's my driving?) 23:27, 15 October 2005 (UTC)

Aims of Esperanza?
One of the things that I have found most distressing about Wikipedia in recent years has been the fact that there are few ways in which to praise a user for their contributions, but literally hundreds of ways in which to criticise. Among the aims of this project is there a strategy for how to overcome this? -- Francs2000 15:32, 16 October 2005 (UTC)


 * We award barnstars for those who contributed a lot to wikipedia-- Exir  Kamalabadi Esperanza  08:21, 17 October 2005 (UTC)


 * Yes but there's no system to that whatsoever. See the comment I left on my awards page - very tongue-in-cheek I must admit however as a contributor I am left wondering what it is exactly I am doing wrong to not get these things - there doesn't appear to be anywhere to find out.  If I was a contributor who liked attention and liked a bit of encouragement, it's not available in the current system.  My distress at the system is because it has several very carefully laid out policies for how to deal with problem users and only one completely random, haphazard system for showing esteem to the good ones. -- Francs2000 [[Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg|25px|  ]] 14:53, 19 October 2005 (UTC)


 * I agree with that sentiment. Hmm...maybe Esperanza could draft up something just to explain explicitly that it's okay to give awards to people. I think the problem here has partly to do with the culture that has been built up surrounding awards and such. --HappyCamper 13:25, 22 October 2005 (UTC)


 * Also, if you observe carefully, award reciprocation typically occurs among editors who are perceived to be in the same cohort in real life. Ditto in "WikiLand". --HappyCamper 13:28, 22 October 2005 (UTC)


 * Oh geez...now you got me started...This would be a wonderful thing to write a paper on. --HappyCamper 13:29, 22 October 2005 (UTC)

Sidetracked
Back to the original question: I wonder why there are literally hundreds of ways to criticize? I think this has partially to do with an aspect of being human, that at a certain level we have a tendency to look for faults when we want to - and sure enough, we will find them whenever we actively seek it out. The mind is powerfully abstract, and practically anything can be interpreted "in a bad light".

Of course, I don't know what the solution would be, but I would start with this suggestion: Award barnstars slightly more liberally, and create a bunch of idosyncratic awards associated with Esperanza.

Why are idosyncratic awards necessary? They are more unique, more personalized, and come across as more genuine. They also subtely connote that editors are unique in their own right, and that it is far too superficial to simply compare the presence or lack of awards between editors. Idosyncratic awards also tend to have a slightly humorous edge to them, or an inside joke attached to them, and as we all know, making Wikipedians laugh out loud in real life is quite good! :-) --HappyCamper 14:02, 22 October 2005 (UTC)

However, having said all this, it would probably be best not to be overly idosyncratic (see below) --HappyCamper 14:02, 22 October 2005 (UTC)

What probably not to award
I, HappyCamper hereby award this page with a super-duper canonical partition function for the quantum harmonic oscillator:


 * $$z_{vib} = \frac{e^{-\theta /2T}}{1 -e^{-\theta /T} } $$

And I bet nobody expected to see physics on a page like Esperanza! Personally, I would be honoured if some kind Wikipedian were to go the extra mile, run to the library, and post a fantastic equation on my user page from a textbook they have never read before! :-)

But I think I've made the case clear. If we go the idosyncratic route, don't go overboard. The key words are tastefully balanced citations and awards. Just like a perfectly brewed cup of Esperanza brand coffee. Looking foward to your thoughts and refinements...--HappyCamper 14:02, 22 October 2005 (UTC)


 * I think HC is exactly right; I love to use idiosyncratic awards, like the "plenary indulgence", the "Brother Roger Strides in Ecumensim Award", and the "vandal whacking stick". Why? Because people get a kick out of seeing something different. My gallery is full of odd awards I've received from friends, and I treasure every one of them. (I've been awarded everything from a whole barn to a Roman toilet!) I say viva idiosyncracy! -- Essjay ·  Talk 14:31, 22 October 2005 (UTC)


 * Yup, having had two personalised awards from the Hamster Sandwich, these are smarter than your average Barnstar. Alf melmac 15:09, 22 October 2005 (UTC)


 * I think this is a great idea. I would (had I ever recieved a unique barnstar) appreciate a special barnstar more than a common one. But I am simply too lazy or incompetent to design such a thing. Or, do we just take the barnstars from existing articles? But yes, I think HC is going very much in the right direction with this!  Ban e  s  17:11, 22 October 2005 (UTC)


 * Well, what I usually do is just take a picture from somewhere. See for example an award at the bottom of this page. Even something as simple as a snowflake, an acorn, or a pencil will do. What really matters is the message that we attach to them. Snoflakes, acorns and pencils are very boring in their own right, but in the right context with just the right wording, an award built up around them can be quite nice. Look at this page for example. Very thoughtful award I think.


 * Perhaps it would be good to make a gallery of these awards that Esperanza members have given out, and share them in a subpage of some sort. That way, we can showcase them to the community in a very presentable portfolio. I can sort of imagine a "Museum of Wikipedian Culture" somewhere, where we showcase all sorts of meaningful awards, from funny ones, to serious ones, to just about anything really. However - I'm quite hesitant to start this project without much, much more planning. It would be very poor form if it degenerates into a page full of "junk". We should have some flexible criteria for awards which we should display. And if I dare suggest an institution, we can even vote on whether an award is meaningful or not. But I would prefer this to be as straightforward of a process as possible. We can always build from the ground up, and start off with very few instructions, and simply let the gallery grow organically. After all, who is to say whether one award is "better" than another? This question simply does not make sense. If we have or need a voting system for procuring awards into the gallery, a good criteria might be whether the award "furthers the mission of Esperanza".


 * How might the gallary be used? Once we have a sizable number of them, we simply direct someone (say, a stressed out Wikipedian) to the pages. There, they can soak in as many of the messages they want. Wikipedians will naturally turn towards the awards that are most applicable to their situation. It would be more meaningful and effective, and would complement what we are already doing with our "stress alert" support.


 * Now, back to the idosyncracy: another reason why this sort of witty and idiosyncratic style is good for awards, is simply because they are somewhat less serious and formal. The traditional barnstars are nice, but they are also difficult to award. This is because of the perceived value in them, and since in my opinion there is no explicit authority on Wikipedia to determine what warrants a barnstar, it takes a quite bold Wikipedian to step up and say "hey, I think this person deserves one of those" and give them out. With these awards, it's much easier to award them without so to say, "exacerbating" this implied cultural sensitivity on Wikipedia. --HappyCamper 19:16, 22 October 2005 (UTC)

Esperanza Calendar
Hello all, I just wanted you to know that I fixed up the Esperanza Calendar a lot so where it looks more like a calendar rather than a a list of dates! Enjoy! — M o e   ε  21:52, 17 October 2005 (UTC)


 * Thanks for your efforts! It looks wonderful. --HappyCamper 13:29, 22 October 2005 (UTC)

Member list reaches 100
Congratulations to for becoming the 100th member of the good cabal! Since this is something special, shouldn't we celebrate somehow? :) Tito xd (?!?) 21:19, 23 October 2005 (UTC)


 * I agree, we should give her an Esperanza birthday cake. :-) --HappyCamper 23:49, 23 October 2005 (UTC)


 * Put the tab on me. :-) Flcelloguy | A note? | Desk | WS 20:33, 24 October 2005 (UTC)