This is an archive of past discussions with User:LadyofShalott. Do not edit the contents of this page. If you wish to start a new discussion or revive an old one, please do so on the current talk page.
What do you think is the best way to handle this? I assume the person works there and is trying to help, but now the page looks like a brochure. I don't want to piss the editor off because he/she can add pictures and exhibit information. Id the screenname allowed? APKyada yada20:53, 28 April 2008 (UTC)
It looked like a brochure because the editor had copied vast portions of the museum's website in toto. I had to delete the copyright violations. I'll drop a note on his/her page trying to explain that we can't reproduce copyrighted material. I'll be nice, and hope s/he's reasonable. I'm sure there's just a lack of understanding. AletaSing21:15, 28 April 2008 (UTC)
I noticed that in your edit summaries. I didn't even check the website. Someone left a message about the username and COI, but I don't think using the word "forbidden" is the best wording. Something like WP guidelines state... APKyada yada21:16, 28 April 2008 (UTC)
Looks good. I added a comment as well. If the article is expanded enough, it could be a DYK and very informative. I'm sure I could find alot to write if I get the chance. APKyada yada21:32, 28 April 2008 (UTC)
thanks for your help - i'm new to this, so i spologize for any technical/social gaffes. I will update the page with pertinent information in my own words - I do work at the museum and just wanted to get some basic and more complete information on the page. I would like to include the director's welcome and photo from the website...can I do this and how would I properly cite the source? Also, I would like to add the current exhibits organized by floor and then add external links to the online exhibits. do you think that would be acceptable? Thanks for your help with this (Ncmuseumofhistory (talk) 15:21, 30 April 2008 (UTC))
The Director's welcome isn't really appropriate to put here - it's not something that would go in an encyclopedia article, which should generally be limited to factual information about the subject. You can include relevant information and quotations from the Museum's website, and I'll help put the citation. (As a start, you can just list the URL in brackets after what you're citing. We can add formatting later.) As for a photo, can you get the owner of the photograph (the museum itself?) to release it under a free license? I'm not sure we should list all current exhibits, but we could certainly say something along the lines of, "Museum exhibits have included A, B, C, and D..." An external link to online exhibits sounds entirely appropriate. I know this is a lot, so just start adding as seems reasonable, and keep asking questions!
One question for you, you are one person, correct (as opposed to a group of people using one username, which is not allowed on Wikipedia)? I do suggest that you change your username to be something other than a variation on the museum name. As long as you keep that as your name, there will be people who are critical of it (especially when you are editing the article about the museum, elsewhere probably not so much). AletaSing20:22, 30 April 2008 (UTC)
thanks for your help - yeah, i'm one person. where can i change the name? I volunteered to post current information on the site as many people use wikipedia and may come across the page desirous of finding more information about the museum. I will be posting more on the article today or tomorrow. I appreciate your assistance. (Ncmuseumofhistory (talk) 15:20, 1 May 2008 (UTC))
Hi Ncmuseumofhistory, you can request a new username by going to Wikipedia:Changing username and following the instructions as outlined there. When requesting the change, make sure you are logged into your current account so they can verify that it is you requesting the change and not another user. If, after some time has passed, you find you can no longer log into your current account, take that as a sign that they've granted your request for a new username, and try to log in under the new name that you requested (using your current password). I hope this helps, and if you need any more assistance with this just ask and we'll do what we can. :-) —MearsMantalk18:41, 1 May 2008 (UTC)
Thanks - I have requested a name change...hopefully it will be done shortly. I updated a few things but wanted to run something by you first. if you take a look at the following article: [[1]] you will notice that they divide their exhibits by floor (they are right nextdoor to the Museum of History). I would like to use a similar format - may I describe the exhibits by floor? (Ncmuseumofhistory (talk) 13:25, 2 May 2008 (UTC))
Oh good, as long as you made a reasonable request, I'm sure there won't be any problem with the name change. :) As for the organization of the exhibits, I suppose it makes sense to be consistent in style with that other article. Go ahead and try that. (People may or may not change it afterwards, but that seems as good a way to start as any.) Another place on Wikipedia you should know about, and which would be a good source of input is Wikipedia:WikiProject North Carolina. AletaSing13:36, 2 May 2008 (UTC)
I made some more changes today and wanted to see if you cared to edit them for me. I had some trouble with formatting, etc (you'll see the bold/headings are kinda outta whack) but just wanted to add the final information. It's strictly informative and I tried to credit the webpage for the historical information. Let me know how I did if you get a chance - thanks for your help. Sockgarters (talk) 20:40, 12 May 2008 (UTC) formerly "ncmuseumofhistory"
I think your additions are good! I did a little formatting, and I see an IP editor has also been making some changes. You've significantly expanded the article, which has certainly improved it! AletaSing17:58, 15 May 2008 (UTC)
ooooh, an article-related message lol, thanks, makes a change on my talk page recently:) The original version is from http://www.ofs-demonolatry.org/primer.htm#Overview and other pages on their site, which include the festivals which were in the article at one point. Rightly or wrongly, OFS claim copyright on all of it, and they have been very firm on the talk page that we are not permitted to use it. If it keeps being re-created, I'll try and get it deleted and salted. Anyway, thanks for the message and article protection.:) Merkin'smum19:48, 15 May 2008 (UTC)
You're welcome! (Although I haven't actually protected it, but if the IP keeps doing this, a semi-protect might be in order.) AletaSing21:32, 15 May 2008 (UTC)
I am so sorry, Aleta. I did not realize you wanted to create this one with APK. It just looked like such a good idea I couldn't resist making it myself. You know, I'm trying to get the article to enough length that a fact from it can be used in the Did You Know? template. If you would like to help, I could really use a second hand? The ''Gorgeous Girl''!!! (talk) 02:41, 18 May 2008 (UTC)
So you feel bad stealing articles and sources from my sandboxes when someone else wants to write an article with me, but not when it's an article I'm working on by myself? Interesting. Note: on her talk page, W.W. is still trying to act like she didn't copy and paste the Moore Square article by saying "Did I at any time make a change to your page? Look in the history of your sandbox. Do you see my name anywhere?...Stop defending yourself." APKyada yada10:44, 18 May 2008 (UTC)
You're wrong. I admitted all along I copied from your sandbox, and that I was not aware it violated GFDL regulations. I was saying I hadn't edited your sandbox. Everything was copied, yes, but what was in your sandbox remained the same until you next altered it. The ''Gorgeous Girl''!!! (talk) 02:46, 19 May 2008 (UTC)
I'm going to wait to create the re-directs until the votes for deletion process is completed. Perhaps you'll want to comment in that process or know someone involved with the wikiproject who would have useful feedback? But thanks! Voyager640 (talk) 21:04, 19 May 2008 (UTC)
Masculine DAB
Hi Aleta. I'm wondering if you can help me. I'm engaged in a discussion on the talk page of the masculine disambiguation page, part of which was recently changed from "masculinity is a traditionally male gender role" to "Masculine normally refers to positive qualities associated with men". Now, I'm pretty sure from experience that that's wrong, but I don't know enough about gender studies literature to confidently provide the references the editor in question is asking for to revert the change. Do you think you could help? I've asked at WP:WikiProject Gender Studies but got no reply, so I thought I'd ask you since I've seen you editing articles on topics not a million miles from this. If at the least you could point out a likely source for ref.s or maybe an editor who'd know of one, I'd be very grateful. Olaf Davis | Talk08:09, 21 May 2008 (UTC)
Hey Olaf, I'll have to think about this, maybe do some searching. I'll let you know what I come up with. :) AletaSing13:21, 21 May 2008 (UTC)
Well, I did - but I've been asked to provide sources that it's ever used with negative conotations. Personally I don't think the burden of proof is on me here, but it's probably easier to just produce a source than get bogged down about which is the 'default' position. If all else fails, I can just redirect the page to APK's link and ask an admin to indefinitely protect it - right? Anyway, thanks for the responses guys. Let me know if you find anything good Aleta. Cheers, Olaf Davis | Talk14:49, 21 May 2008 (UTC)
You're right, the burden of proof is not on you. This is another example of Wikipedians trying to change the basic definition of a word. APKyada yada14:58, 21 May 2008 (UTC)
I have tried quite hard to explain things to this editor, and I know you have too. So has Thatcher. But I give up at this point. I will watch for his edits, if any, but I just do not see any way to make myself clearer! --Anthony.bradbury"talk"19:45, 13 May 2008 (UTC)
I agree. I think the three of us have all told him the same thing (you and I did so multiple times each). If he chooses not to edit because he can't get his IP established as medically related, that's his choice. I wonder if he was wanting to make some particularly controversial edits, and that's why he was so insistent in his desires. Oh well. AletaSing20:08, 13 May 2008 (UTC)
I noticed you two were giving this guy some attention and felt like putting my $0.02 in. His first edit that didn't involve getting his IP checked was to alert user talk: Fram that Fram's username was in violation for being named after a product. I think the good Dr. just wants attention, which is why I've held myself back from saying basically everything you already have. There's a chance he is actually Dr. Spam as I recall his behavior being similar. But I could be paranoid and grasping at straws there. joshschr (Talk | contribs) 18:21, 14 May 2008 (UTC)
Interesting. I haven't followed the Dr. Spam story. I just saw a little bit of it on ANI. I may have to take a look at that for comparison. AletaSing18:24, 14 May 2008 (UTC)
He got my attention when I started playing here, so I put him on my watchlist. He doesn't exactly troll, doesn't exactly vandalize or disrupt, but he does talk a lot without getting much done, IIRC. I could be thinking of someone else as all vandals kind of blend together after a while and I'm not on here all that often. joshschr (Talk | contribs) 18:36, 14 May 2008 (UTC)
I was walking down 16th Street this morning and took a few pix with my cell (hence the crappy quality). I took a picture of Image:DC Universalist Church.jpg and Image:DC Universalist Church door.jpg (I might go back and take a picture of the sanctuary), thinking it was a UUF and that we could write an article about it. I didn't even pay attention to the church name and that it said Universalist, not Unitarian. :P Anyway, let me know if you want to help work on an article because it's clearly notable. APKyada yada19:34, 23 May 2008 (UTC)
Ah, cool. It's funny how I don't notice alot of historical places that surround me unless I'm actually looking for them. I guess I get used to seeing history all around that I become somewhat numb to it. Across the street from the church are the Washington, D.C. Masonic Temple (Image:DC Masonic Temple.jpg) and Washington, D.C. Jewish Community Center (Image:DC Jewish Center in Dupont.jpg). So much to write about. I'm going to buy a camera this weekend, so I plan on taking a ton of pictures for new articles. (not existing ones, see my talk page for the reason...people keep removing pics I've added). On a side note, this might be a possible source for the Homosexuality and Unitarian Universalism article. APKyada yada15:58, 24 May 2008 (UTC)
And thank you for cleaning up the article. This whole Wiki code thing is very confusing to my itty-bitty brain. Some day I'll learn it (I hope). Ecoleetage (talk) 17:25, 23 May 2008 (UTC)
You're welcome! Don't worry, it'll come gradually: just copy code you like, using preview until you get it right! AletaSing17:30, 23 May 2008 (UTC)
PS You are one of the very few people here on WP who showed me any degree of respect in the past week (I feel like the Wiki equivalent of Rodney Dangerfield). In appreciation:
Thank you very much! I don't know what's going on where you're getting disrespect, but we all have disagreements here - it's inevitable if you have an opinion you care about. Hang in there. (Is there anything with which you need help?) AletaSing20:40, 25 May 2008 (UTC)
Oh, to answer your question (almost forgot) -- there was just a skein of what I perceived to be as patronizing comments regarding my research skills and grasp of WP policy. I guess people seem to think the articles write themselves. I was also peeved that one editor who was supposed to be a mentor said he would give me a barnstar for the work I've done to date (it would've been the first I was given, rather than earned for silly WP-style competitions), but he reneged on his promise -- not a classy thing, in my book. That sort of muck leaves a sour residue. But life wobbles on... Thanks for listening. Ecoleetage (talk) 22:49, 25 May 2008 (UTC)
Great, yep you got the referencing right. You know there's a section called "New articles" at WP:UU? You should list these you've created! AletaSing17:43, 29 May 2008 (UTC)
There are 2 reasons that I have not attempted to expand the Yarrow article in the past, The first one is that I came to the article via an Rfc and did not think that being bold would be appropriate. The second one is that when I started the operation respect article You were the only other person from the Yarrow article to show any interest whatsoever.
With that said let me say that I am more than willing to contribute to expanding the Yarrow article if that is what they want. But I pushed for mediation because I knew that we had go there first if we wanted arbcom to deal with the disruption. Anyway thanks for weighing back in and helping to get Jkp back on board. I hope it all works out without having to file Rfcs and seeking arbitration. I really do. Albion moonlight (talk) 23:22, 4 June 2008 (UTC)
Is there a wikipedia policy which goes something like WP is not My Space or something...? I'm not sure, only I came across one User:AntonioMartin on account of some self-referenced gibberish put on the Oral Roberts Talk Page and I wondered.... Thanks! Plutonium27 (talk) 04:10, 9 June 2008 (UTC)
Um, there was no need for that comment. I simply thought Aleta was asleep and wouldn't read your question until tomorrow. I was trying to help. APKyada yada04:30, 9 June 2008 (UTC)
I left a message on Dev920's page, but I have no idea where she is. I've written a newsletter for June and I hope to have it sent out in the next few days. I'm assuming that Satyrbot is no longer working, so I asked for help in sending it out to our members and User:Stepshep has volunteered its bot to assist. So, like I'm splashing all over the site today, I don't know what I'm doing. If you know of a different thing I should do, let me know. Also, I thought I had to register or something - who knows what I do? I created an account called MoniBot, I think. Ha. As if I wouldn't somehow make the planet explode by trying to do my own script. If the almighty admin could delete that account, I'd appreciate it. --Moni3 (talk) 20:03, 9 June 2008 (UTC)
Hey Moni, I don't think there is any such thing as account deletion. I could block the account, but since you aren't making any edits with it (much less disruptive ones) and there's nothing wrong with the username, I don't think there's any point in blocking it. If I'm missing something, let me know!
Aleta, I don't know who else to ask-- the John Frusciante page had a barnstar rating, but now...!! It sucks. There's no flow; repetitive facts, and too many cooks spoiling the pot. This was only me casually reading it, too. Can you look at it, and if you agree with me, tag it? It certainly shouldn't be an FA. Thanks. --leahtwosaints (talk) 10:40, 2 June 2008 (UTC)
Hello, members and friends of WP:LGBT! I'm not one to be writing newsletters, but I miss our cruise director, Miss Julie, and our project is drifting along with a few leaking plugs in the bottom of the boat. Hey, it happens. Every group we join goes through changes. If Wikipedia weren't so interesting it wouldn't also be so frustrating sometimes. And vice versa. More than one Wikiproject has tumbleweeds blowing through it, but this is one that can't afford to let that happen. Even if you pop in to the talk page of the project, you can let us know you're still around.
WP:LGBT's Role in HIV / AIDS articles
It wouldn't be a proper gay community without a li'l bit o' drama! That's right. If we aren't arguing about something, then we should be asking if we're still queer. Maybe that's for the best, since we know we're still kicking. Our most recent topic is how far the role of our project should go in dipping our toes into HIV/AIDS articles. The main AIDS article was delisted as a Featured Article last month, sadly. (Sending a swift kick to WP:Medicine.) A spirited discussion is available for your entertainment on the WP:LGBT talk page about just how much of HIV and AIDS should we take on. As ever, we'll take your opinions under advisement. We're going to have to, because it doesn't seem to have been settled.
Is Pride POV?
We have a pretty cool sidebar that identifies core LGBT articles. Its symbol is the iconic gay pride flag, much like other Wikiprojects have iconic symbols denoting the topic is a core subject in a series of articles. However, a question recently arose asking if the symbol itself is not neutral. Should a pride flag show up at the top of the article on Conversion therapy? How else would anyone know the article is about queer issues? Is there another symbol that is as widely recognized and that includes all our many splintered facets? At what point do we stop asking ourselves all these questions and just go have a mint julep on the verandah and stop caring?
For the love of all that is holy, no Kool Aid jokes. However, an editor involved in pioneering San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk's article has included a section about the late supervisor's support of Jim Jones and the People's Temple. While it may be accurate, there is a Request for Comment regarding how much emphasis the section places on Milk's support in light of his overall political influence on the city, and indeed the rest of the United States. Milk's article is a sad one in more ways than one. It lacks the detail and heart that honors its subject. Anyone want to do a barter with me? I'll bring Harvey Milk to featured status (give me a month or two so I can read stuff), if you do something of equal value to WP:LGBT?? Make me an offer...
Queer Studies is offensive!
The established branch of study known as Queer studies was brought up as an category for deletion because an editor was offended by the use of "queer" in the title. It was overwhelmingly rejected mostly by the usernames I see here on our Wikiproject page. (A clue that I know you are out there, hiding...biding your time...) So, I wish I could congratulate you, but now I'm all confused by my sympathy for the editor who was offended. So, if you're reading this, Moni has a short memory and can't remember your username. Don't be put off by our demonstrative pushiness. Join us. We can always use involved editors.
What can you do to help the project out? Be a wiki-fairy, on many levels. There are all kinds of articles that need help. Why, just this morning I removed those ugly wikify and cleanup tags from four articles at random. If you can put [[ ]] around stuff, you can clean up articles. There's a list of articles that need attention at the top of the WP:LGBT talk page. Or you can start with the Lambda Literary Awards, where the goddess of my altar received a pioneering award, and was "reduced to rubble" by Katherine V. Forrest's wonderful speech. The 20th ceremony of the Lambda Literary Awards, which celebrates LGBT literature, took place in West Hollywood on May 29th [2]. The page needs to be updated with the new winners, to be found on the official website [3].
Why on earth would someone want to delete material about homosexuality? 'Tis truly a mystery. But these embattled articles have some random evil gnomes removing information that places these folks under our queer umbrella. Help us keep an eye out for the deletions. Take a peek at the articles, familiarize yourselves with the info, and be handy with the undo function in the article history. If tempers flare, take it to the Hall monitors and let them sort it out. Best solution is to make sure your sources are immaculate.
This month's Wiki stars
This is what I get for opening my big fat mouth and suggesting the newsletter should be revived. Here I am writing it. So, to pat self on back (*cough*) Mulholland Dr. became a featured article in May. This is A Good Thing since it is my personal declaration that there is no such thing as lesbian porn. I don't care what Benjiboi says about the video collection at goodvibes. Instead, we have hot women who connect on a deep, personal, soul-touching level, so this film should qualify as some of the skankiest porn available for lesbians. Plus, it's completely confusing and surreal! D'you think Laura Harring would care that the article is featured? I don't think so either... (Call me, Laura!)
Compulsive hoarding of templates
Once I saw a harrowing episode of Animal Planet's Animal Cops where this guy had, like, 250 cats in his house and it freaked me right out. I'm drawing a parallel between 250 cats and, well...three, really, templates in articles involving LGBT issues. Can we stick to one, maybe? In the aforementioned Harvey Milk's article there's a core LGBT template, a link to the LGBT portal, and a sidebar for LGBT rights. Jiminy! You'd think we weren't the folk to set industrial grey carpeting and track lighting in vogue. An LGBT footer was designed to link to articles of interest that aren't the aforementioned core articles. What do you think, can we have either an LGBT template for core articles, a footer for LGBT articles that are high profile but not core, or an LGBT rights template? As ever, anything's up for discussion on the WP:LGBT talk page.
It's June, Pride month. Wear sunscreen, stay hydrated, get a designated driver, then go half-dressed in the streets find a girlfriend or boyfriend, or some homo who's standing there looking lonely and kiss 'em up real good. Remember, it all started 39 years ago when a bunch of drag queens just got fed the f*ck up by the cops raiding the bar and dragging them all out to the pokey again. Rock on, queens! Enjoy your celebrations. My town's is in October, and 200 people attend. I miss Denver.
It looks like we've picked up a lot of talent lately. We have no doubt you'll be making your indelible mark on LGBT knowledge as we know it, here at Wikipedia.
In the immortal words of Miss Julie, "May all your Wiki days be bright, and may your Love Boat never turn into a Poseidon."
We miss you, Miss Julie, as well as all the others who have graced our project and are on wiki-breaks or just got fed up with all the nuttiness and went to live their lives. Get your stupid houses built and hurry up and come back. --Moni3 (talk) 16:52, 9 June 2008 (UTC)
To stop receiving this newsletter, or to receive it in a different format, please let us know here. If you have any news or any announcements to be broadcast, do let Moni3 know.
I honestly looked at the redirect and made it more complicated than it was. (I forgot I only had to change the wording) Undeath (talk) 02:05, 12 June 2008 (UTC)
I was bored and looking at the page views for articles I've worked on. I searched for one of our collaborations and look how many views it received the day it was a DYK feature. The chart is only for the month of April. Also, check out this and this. I guess being a DYK feature really works. APKyada yada13:04, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
I don't check my articles daily. I promise I do don't. APK, d'you really expect quiet li'l unflappable Moni to get all up in people's bidnezz when they suggest wacko ideas at LGBT? I keep my unsavory opinions to myself and go off and play in a corner. If I hammer at Stonewall Riots and Harvey Milk to get them to GA or FA would you come back and shout at people, barely skirting a cool-down block, in order to spread the message of the gay cabal? I think that seems like an even trade. --Moni3 (talk) 13:28, 13 June 2008 (UTC)
I am trying to find a wikipedia administrator who would readily do an interview for a research project I am conducting from the perspective of a wikipedia insider. If you'd like to do this, please email me at goat77 (AT) gmail.com—Preceding unsigned comment added by goat77 (talk • contribs)
Re: Doctor Wikipedian
Hi, Aleta! The checkuser was done privately; Dmcdevit ran it for me. Here's what he specifically said...
[17:55:30] <Dmcdevit> [JerryVanF has] been switching his ISPs and such. That guy is in on Dereks1x's range, and Doctor Wikipedian is on another Seattle-area ISP, and there are a couple other accounts two, and I think they are all Derks1x.
That's cool. :) I'm having computer, specifically monitor, problems, and am having to use the computer at the public library. That's why I've been MIA recently... AletaSing18:25, 22 June 2008 (UTC)
The Novels WikiProject Newsletter - Issue XXV - June 2008
The June 2008 issue of the Novels WikiProject newsletter has been published. You may read the newsletter, change the format in which future issues will be delivered to you, or unsubscribe from this notification by following the link. Thank you. SteveBot(owner)23:28, 20 June 2008 (UTC)
Jemmabond (talk) 12:04, 23 June 2008 (UTC)Dear Aleta, thank you for welcoming me to Wikipedia. I really love being a Wikipedian, but I'm having some problems. I created and extended the pages of the MBGN winners recently. I thought I had done well, but apparently, the pages were written as adverts, and I know I am not promoting them - they did not pay me. I have read all the other links, including What Wikipedia Is Not, but I am still stuck. Apart from that, I created the Joe McKinney page, and I tried to be as neutral as possible, but the man himself accused me of being negetive. I have since appologised, but have to make sure that it does not happen again.
Could you please tell where I'm going wrong, and ,if possible, have a look at those MBGN pages for me? Also, I would like you to reply on my page.
It looks different when taken with a real camera...
...see for yourself: 1, 2, 3. My cell pix made the building look gray. I'm going to finish the article sometime this weekend. I promise. APKPRAISE JEEBUS22:45, 26 June 2008 (UTC)
Thank you so much for your words of comfort at this dreadful time. Isaac is here with me at home, and will stay here for the condolence viewing calls until the funeral on Thursday. It gives me comfort to have him so close until we are definitely and finally parted.
Your words and thoughts mean the world to me, and give me the courage to face the coming time alone. Thank G*d for my job. I will be back at work next Monday, which will help to distract me from everything which has happened.
Oh, that was an IP! I went to fix it, after seeing your post, but I see you already did. Thanks for doing that and pointing out my stupidity!! AletaSing20:44, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
I'm falling apart
My heart is broken and will never be able to be put back together. I am so sorry to vother you but I just don't know what to do.
Honey, you are not bothering me at all! I won't be able to see the video until tomorrow because I'm on a friend's computer, and her NetNanny software is blocking YouTube. I will watch it as soon as I can though. My thoughts are with you. I've not lost a spouse, but I have lost other close family members to death, and I know how horrible the grief can be. Hang in there, Jeff, and feel free to email me if you need to talk/vent/dump/whatever. Hugs to you, AletaSing00:05, 1 July 2008 (UTC)
Thank you, Aleta
Thank you for deleting Myth of Progress -- the author of that piece kept removing the Speedy Delete tags I was putting on the article! I hope all is well -- I have not seen you online in a while. Ecoleetage (talk) 20:26, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
Well, there is considerably more to the stub now than before. I think the editor is trying to create a real article. :) I've been having computer monitor problems, and so my computer time has been limited lately. Blech. AletaSing20:29, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
Thanks! They aren't resolved, but I'm going to be making more of an effort to get in here anyway. I've been able to use a friend's machine the past few days. AletaSing04:31, 2 July 2008 (UTC)
Aleta, I am so so very sorry I don't have email. I know now what you needed. You did the right thing posting your recent post on ANI. I'm so very sorry, and I'm in tears, and I've posted on his talkpage, but I don't think I helped at all. Oh god, why can't wikipedia just be about the encyclopedia. I need to go home. I'm so sorry. Keeper | 76 | Disclaimer01:30, 2 July 2008 (UTC)
Thanks Keeper. I wasn't sure whether or not to post to ANI, or anywhere on-Wiki. As you know from my and Jeff's posts, we talked on the phone (for quite a while). Thanks to Raystorm for her email support. You don't have to apologize; we all have different situations. Having lost my baby brother to suicide several years ago, this is an issue I take very seriously. As to your question - we come to write an encyclopedia, but we're still real people with real life problems... Thank goodness we have another way to connect with other human beings while we engage in that encyclopedia-writing. AletaSing01:37, 2 July 2008 (UTC)
I have also been very much affected by suicide in my family, and I've even been dragged to ANI myself after I lashed out against another editor that thought "suicide is OK". I used more curse words than I thought I was capable of. It's never the right answer, and again, I believe you did the right thing in posting to ANI. His response to my post on his talkpage has reassured me, and I will sleep tonight, and my first visit when I go online tomorrow will be his talkpage. Goodnight, and thanks for your help, Keeper | 76 | Disclaimer01:41, 2 July 2008 (UTC)
Dear Aleta,
Thank you so much for our call last night. It helped me stay calm until I could manage to fall asleep. you do not have to worry about me, though I will be calling you again this evening (my time) to check in. I never realized when I began here that my fellow Wikipedians would turn out to be my second family. I am profoundly grateful for your support.Without you all my life right now would be a million times worse. Jeffpw (talk) 08:35, 2 July 2008 (UTC)
Jeff, you are most welcome. I'm glad I was able to be there for you when you needed a friend. We all need our friends, wherever we can find them. I know the coming days will continue to be hard. You will get through it though, and your friends, including me, will help. Hugs, AletaSing18:53, 2 July 2008 (UTC)
Newsletter idea
I had an idea to highlight some longstanding LGBT members by asking them a few questions about what they do primarily on Wikipedia and within the project. Perhaps giving an age range (within a decade), and a country or state location. Are there downsides to this idea that I'm not seeing? --Moni3 (talk) 15:22, 3 July 2008 (UTC)
The only thing I can think of is if something were too personal to reveal here, but you could preface your questions with a note something like "If you are uncomfortable with any questions, feel free to omit them." That should take care of it. Great idea! AletaSing00:38, 4 July 2008 (UTC)
Vampirism
Sorry for the detail related with the minor edit. I was not aware of what you taught me, but now I got it.
As for what you recommended, could you please help me migrate that bit of text to Vampire#Modern beliefs? I will try to complete it more after it.
I like Smirnoff, but even rotgut can pass the test with this concoction. Don't let the Stoli snobs try to convince you that this is one step beyond home brew.
Recipe:
Note: All elements must be frozen (Vodka, shaker, glass).
Hi,
I need your help. I am working on a research project at Boston College, studying creation of medical information on Wikipedia. You are being contacted, because you have been identified as an important contributor to one or more articles.
Would you will be willing to answer a few questions about your experience? We've done considerable background research, but we would also like to gather the insight of the actual editors. Details about the project can be found at the user page of the project leader, geraldckane. Survey questions can be found at geraldckane/medsurvey. Your privacy and confidentiality will be strictly protected!
The questions should only take a few minutes. I hope you will be willing to complete the survey, as we do value your insight. Please do not hesitate to contact me or Professor Kane if you have any questions.
Remember how I was really frustrated with the Dixie Chicks b/c I couldn't find the proof of their support for queer folks? I did find a compilation of songs called Love Rocks now on the band page and... (I stashed a lot of band stuff on Martie Maguire's page too, since people didn't know if the band page would be split or what). So they are both in a state of disarray, and we could use some help with all of the Dixie Chicks stuff.. Oh. Does LGBT have any interest in marking either the band page or in particular, the Natalie Maines page one of interest? Cause they're obviously not lesbians nor bisexual. --leahtwosaints (talk) 11:44, 13 July 2008 (UTC)
Yay, Leah! I'm glad you found it. :) As for the LGBT tagging, I wouldn't think so, but you might want to post about it at WT:LGBT and see what others think. AletaSing23:29, 15 July 2008 (UTC)
Iffy Article - which Template?!
Aleta, love, I've somehow wandered over to User:Ktr101's article creations and first one random up was Jung-Ho Pak. This page has problems, its just that I've never gone and done a Template on anywhere and I'm not entirely sure which one this is asking for. NPOV at a glance but it reads like a CV too...? Your halp and advice would be delightful. Thanks. Plutonium27 (talk) 17:15, 15 July 2008 (UTC)
AH, I see it has been entirely taken from PriceRubin's blurb (the artist's agent's site cited as a gen ref in the article). Copyvio then? Oooh, dunno, callthecops. But...it ain't right. Plutonium27 (talk) 17:30, 15 July 2008 (UTC)
Well, it didn't look like the whole thing was a copyright violation, but the first paragraph certainly was, and I deleted it. If you see more, by all means, delete it! I went ahead and added the NPOV tag as well - that one seemed fitting to me. :) AletaSing23:13, 15 July 2008 (UTC)
Yes, they are called user pages, and, well, you can just talk about yourself, and what you like to do on Wikipedia. Read Wikipedia:User page to get started. Let me know if you have more specific questions then. Cheers! AletaSing00:38, 22 July 2008 (UTC)
At the bottom where I am threatened with a block. And feel free to review my edits. If you think I am in the wrong, feel free to say so. Jeffpw (talk) 12:28, 23 July 2008 (UTC)
Read and deleted your response (the whole page, actually). As I will no longer be participating in any of the discussions, the thread has no relevance. Jeffpw (talk) 23:48, 23 July 2008 (UTC)
Hi Aleta --and the rest of your readers! RE: PHOTOS!
Need help bad. I'm sure that someone here knows how to upload photos to pages. I got a great professional photographer to supply photos of Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, and the Derek Trucks Band (who also is a member of the Allman Brothers Band. One of the pics of Derek Trucks is just amazing in beautiful color, and the photographer uploaded everything to the Wikimedia and even labeled it as being cool to use anywhere on the Wikipedia. So, it wouldn't even be contested-- it's his work. I know he's not GLBT, but I'm praying someone there would help me with this??? Please?
Nearly forgot, here's the link with all the photos. The one I want as the main one for the Derek Trucks page, with the color, showing him using his famous slide on the guitar, is here, the 5th one of the bunch... but all can be used somewhere here!:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/Xophersmith
Hey Folks... I know there are people who watch my page who know how to bring images over from Commons. (APK... Others?) I've never tried to do that, so can someone who has please help Leah with this? AletaSing19:11, 28 July 2008 (UTC)
Stupid question from a lurker: why do you need to "bring them over"? You can use any commons photo in a Wikipedia article, right? --Moni3 (talk) 19:20, 28 July 2008 (UTC)
Not so stupid a question - I think you are just revealing the depth of my ignorance. I take it from your comments that we can use images here directly from Commons? (See, I told y'all I didn't know what I was talking about!) AletaSing19:22, 28 July 2008 (UTC)
In my experience, I have loaded images to Wikipedia and images to Commons. Any images from Commons can be used in Wikipedia articles. At an FA level, most folk who are familiar with images will ask you to move them to Commons if they came from Wikipedia. So loading and keeping them at Commons is more desirable in my experience than "bringing them over" or keeping them only at Wikipedia. --Moni3 (talk) 19:28, 28 July 2008 (UTC)
OK, how do you point directly to an image at Commons? (How have I never realized this? I'm feeling mighty dumb right now but oh, well.) AletaSing19:31, 28 July 2008 (UTC)
Oh, OK, I never realized that when it said "this is an image from Wikimedia Commons..." that it was accessing it directly! Duhhhhh.... Thanks, Moni! OK, Leah, does this give you what you need to run with it now? AletaSing19:39, 28 July 2008 (UTC)
I am so CONFUSED! (bawling like a baby). The Photos belong to someone who uploaded them to Commons BECAUSE we need to have them visible on a Wikipedia page NOW. How about I contact Moni directly to explain better, ok? --leahtwosaints (talk) 21:44, 28 July 2008 (UTC)
I think from what she said, and looking at her linked image above, that you can just link to the images that are on Commons the same way you would if they were on WP, and they should work fine. That being said, I'm sure Moni wouldn't mind at all her contacting her directly for clarification. :) AletaSing21:50, 28 July 2008 (UTC)
An unfortunate effect of a group less active than in the past is that our articles lose integrity. This one is at Good Article Review for that reason. The talk page is quite active as a result. You have the opportunity to help. This is the corest of our core articles, and it needs some attention because it gets a lot of controversial input from many sides. If you can spare any time to edit the article, please do what you can.
Soon after we were informed that Homosexuality is being scrutinized, we heard the same for one of our few Featured Articles. As a participant of the Featured Article process, I think this is actually a good thing. The standards for Featured Articles are getting higher with time. But as a member of this project, that means that a few of ours may be de-listed unless someone can swoop in and save them. This one has to do with the designation of homosexuality as a crime in Germany. Most of this article's sources are in German. If anyone has any particular skill in this area, please lend a hand!
I know you folks think I have much experience in a gay bathhouse, and I hate to disappoint you, but I actually do not. I seem like the sort of person who likes to stroll about in a towel. Shocking, no? It appears that Ashleyvh is single-handedly addressing all the problems with this article at its GA Review. While that's pretty impressive, it's also no doubt exhausting. Can anyone help out there?
In what I hope will counter the jolt of re-evaluating three Good or Featured Articles, José Sarria and Janet Jackson as gay icon passed as Good Articles, and Black Cat Bar (famous San Francisco oft-raided gay bar) is nominated, all by Otto4711. Rock on, man. You're a machine. Good luck with your nominations. What is it about women that make them gay icons? And are there lesbian icons that aren't lesbians? How about bisexual icons? Am I the only lesbian who reacts with soul-trembling fear at the sight of Angelina Jolie?
New WP:LGBT studies member Pinkkeith has done this cool thing. If you click on that link, you'll see all the articles, categories, templates, and miscellany up for deletion. They're usually there because they're not considered to be not notable. That can be a relative concept, and sometimes it has to be argued that topics pertaining to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues are notable.
It seems a recurring issue which articles to tag, and what to say about a topic that's tagged. Certainly, because an article falls under our scope doesn't necessarily make the person gay. Florida Governor Charlie Crist has been rumored to be gay in some newspaper accounts. Although we all know Fred Phelps is supergay, he won't admit it so instead he does the absolutely awfulest anti-gay things on the planet to deflect suspicion. NAMBLA, the red headed stepchild of the LGBT world, is tagged with an explanation we have yet to decide if we'll keep.
In the lurking I do around and about on Wiki, I've long been astounded at the forbearance Benjiboi has for the utterly insane. Perhaps not so much, since the message on Benji's talk page notes frequent absences due to homophobia and transphobia. But it takes some kind of ... something that I don't have to face the constant anti-gay POV Benji does.
Benjiboi is a a bit of a WikiFaerie, a WikiGnome and also a member of the Article Rescue Squadron in addition to being a LGBT project member. A few of Benjiboi's favorite links for making the wikiverse more fab are:
Becksguy didn’t start actively editing until May 2007. His most frequent tasks on Wiki include reverting vandalism to LGBT articles and creating new project-related articles. He comes from New York state, and to prove not all of us are teenagers (ha! I am so totally 15!) he's in his 60s and retired.
Becksguy considers his biggest triumph on Wikipedia so far was a DYK in December 2007 for the first-ever newspaper report on what became AIDS, in the New York Native. He's also helped save several project-related articles from deletion. His lowest moment here was getting involved in the discussion on a particular terrorism related article, thinking he could help calm the roiled waters on an extremely contentious subject with multiple edit wars and passionate editors.
Here at WP:LGBT, he creates and improves articles that present notable LGBT related subjects in a fair and balanced way, and tries to include more of the significant alternative sexuality related subjects without being an activist, and works to better source project-related articles.
On Wikipedia as a whole, he says, "I think we need to learn better what processes work for a massive collaborative project. Some of what worked well for a more informal small project doesn’t scale up well. Process is not as important when the participants know each other. We need to get more of the current members to be more active. If more members were energized, the project would be able to accomplish more. We should be, in effect, the smaller and included Wikipedia for LGBT related subjects. Overall, I wish we could focus more on content creation and improvement, and less on vandal fighting."
"A Supreme Court decision in 1958 reversed a 1956 ruling by a federal district court that U.S. postal authorities were correct in prohibiting the mailing of the Mattachine Society's ONE magazine. The lower court had ruled that ONE was not protected by the First Amendment because the magazine's contents 'may be vulgar, offensive, and indecent even though not regarded as such by a particular group ... because their own social or moral standards are far below those of the general community ... Social standards are fixed by and for the great majority and not by and for a hardened or weakened minority.'" - Michael Bronski in Pulp Friction, 2003
To stop receiving this newsletter, or to receive it in a different format, please let us know here. If you have any news or any announcements to be broadcast, do let Moni3 know.
Hey, Aleta. Here you moved "2008 Tennessee Unitarian Church Shooting" to "2008 Knoxville Unitarian Universalist church shooting," and I concur with that move for the reasons you cited. However, please note that there are seven links that need to be updated. Feel free to do them yourself, of if you don't have time, I'd be happy to do it for you. Just let me know. Thanks. --Art Smart (talk) 18:51, 31 July 2008 (UTC)
Sheesh, I looked for double redirects (and the redirect bot had fixed some really quickly!). I wonder if these were created after I moved the page. Or did I somehow just miss them? I don't know. Enjoy any boxes you like! :) AletaSing00:07, 1 August 2008 (UTC)
I guess I checked for double redirects, but not regular redirects. Oops. Anyway, I've fixed them all now except for July 2008. In that page, I fixed the link in one place, but it still shows as linking to the old title, and I can't find where. Do you see it? AletaSing00:17, 1 August 2008 (UTC)
Thanks, Aleta. As best I can tell, you fixed them all. I can't find the extra one on July 2008 to which you refer. Maybe someone else or a bot fixed it. Thanks again. --Art Smart (talk) 05:31, 3 August 2008 (UTC)
You undid my edit updating the Executive Director of the TCC and marked it as vandalism. As of Aug. 1st, Craig Gregory is the interim contract Executive Director, replacing Craig Popkess. The TCC website has not been updated yet since we do not have a photo of Craig Gregory for it. We are sorry to see Craig Popkess go and will miss him. I know this because I've been a member of the organization for almost ten years, and have been an officer and sat on the Board of Directors for the past two. Please contact me if you have questions. Thank you.—Preceding unsigned comment added by Danieruw (talk • contribs)
I apologize for thinking it was vandalism. I confirmed with the website who it stated was the interim director, and (especially since only the last name was different), it looked like a vandalism edit. Is there anything published (maybe a press release, anything?) that we can use to verify this information? Please see WP:V. AletaSing14:36, 4 August 2008 (UTC)
Thank you, Aleta. He sent me the most beautiful, heartwarming, and cheering e-mails, always he made me smile and he cheered me in some very sad times ... so selfless, all the time ... and ... I wish he had told me ... I just wish he had told me. He said he was fine. He kept saying he was fine when he didn't have to say that. Thank you for telling me that. SandyGeorgia (Talk) 04:29, 10 August 2008 (UTC)
I just added a ribbon to my userpage, copied from yours that is still watchlisted. It got me crying all over again. Crying is good though, I hope you are ok, Aleta, you were much closer to JPW than I was. Be well, kind wikipedian, Keeperǀ7623:06, 11 August 2008 (UTC)
I actually copied it from Pedro with a slight modification to the wording. I should probably tell him. I'm ok... sad about it, of course, but ok. We have a "joys and concerns" portion of our church service in which we can place a stone in honor of some significant event in our lives, and yesterday I talked about Jeff and placed a stone in honor of him and Isaac. Thanks for your nice words, Keeper. AletaSing23:14, 11 August 2008 (UTC)
Blog links?
Well o.k. i tried to find out in the history if someone has deleted my link, but i couldn't find it so i thought it might not have been incorporated in the first place. So i did it again.
Are you sure, blog addresses cannot be given even as external link? Are you not trying to just find an excuse to suppress info? Because this may be hosted at a blog address but its an article and not a blog.
(Masculinity (talk) 15:05, 9 August 2008 (UTC))
Please do not accuse me of trying to suppress information. I told you the facts about blogs, and you can and should read WP:EL for yourself. I actually have not even looked at the sites in question since they did look like blogs. You say it (to which one are you referring?) is not actually a blog, but an article. Actually, those are not mutually exclusive terms, but post the link here and I will look at it to see if it looks like it might be an acceptable link. AletaSing15:09, 9 August 2008 (UTC)
But who wrote it? Even the site, once you've dug to find it, just says "site article". Who is behind it? Are there any recognizable qualifications? AletaSing16:44, 9 August 2008 (UTC)
Yep, I've already deleted or edited some of that stuff. I agree that they are probably either the same person or buddies having fun at WP's expense. Argh! AletaSing17:44, 22 August 2008 (UTC)
What to do, what to do. I can't wait for school to go back in session. These kids need homework and sports practice to go back to....I'll watch them also, nothing really worth bothering with blocking at this point I suppose (why kick a beehive?). They've all three been warned per their last edits and haven't edited since. Keeperǀ7617:49, 22 August 2008 (UTC)
You know, I've never understood the mindset of "I'm bored; let's go cause problems for other people. heeheehee" You'd think there'd be enough real stuff for people to write about (even if 75% was later deemed not notable, at least being real is something). AletaSing17:55, 22 August 2008 (UTC)
Hi, you've contributed to past discussions on the Template talk:Sexual orientation page and we are now in the process of noting which of several proposals might help resolve some current content disputes. Your opinion to offer Support, Oppose, and Comment could help us see if there is consensus to approve any of these proposals. It's been suggested to only offer a Support on the one proposal you most favor but it's obviously to each editor's discretion to decide what works for them. Banjeboi23:40, 24 August 2008 (UTC)
Thanks and discussion
Aleta,
Thanks for your welcome.
I have been an editor at Bold Strokes Books since its early days and wrote the new article based on information sanctioned by our publisher and contained in our company Web site, which I included as an external link.
I understand that others can edit at will but am concerned that editors with little or no knowledge about the company would choose, seemingly at random, to acknowledge four books out of the plethora of novels we have published. Only one of the four is an award winner and was incorrectly credited to a male reviwer under a partially incorrect name, and one of the authors mentioned is no longer with the company.
I would like to rectify this situation but don't know who to discuss it with.
Hi Thrashers, sorry for the late reply; I haven't had time to get on WP the past few days. The place to discuss this is primarily on the talk page for the article, that is: Talk:Bold Strokes Books. You should be aware that people may be concerned about a conflict of interest since you work at the company. You can, however, certainly discuss any concerns you have about the article on the talk page. Something such as an author no longer there can probably be handled by apporpriate phrasing and verb tenses, for example, "Authors published by Bold Strokes Books have included John Doe, Jane Smith..." I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions! :) AletaSing19:50, 27 August 2008 (UTC)
Today's fun
I was referring to the 3RR rule, which the IP definitely violated. As for the category, I have no opinion on it (aside from following any existing examples set by other articles) and I am just trying to maintain the status quo until a Consensus is reached on the Talk Page (which I will then fully support). Dp76764 (talk) 18:55, 5 September 2008 (UTC)
WikiProject Novels is currently holding a roll call, which we hope to have annually. Your username is listed on the members list, but we are unsure as to which editors are still active within the project. If you still consider yourself an active WP:Novels editor, please add your name back to the Active Members list. Also feel free to join any of our task forces and take a look at the project's Job Centre to get involved!
