User talk:Bob the Wikipedian/Archive/14

Deletion notifications

Hi Bob. Back in November, you got either an AfD or PROD notification, and it was during one of the template testing project's experiments. If you could go here and leave us some feedback about what you think about the new versions of the templates we tested (there are links on the page), that would be very useful. (You can also email me at swalling@wikimedia.org if you want.) Thanks! Steven Walling (WMF) • talk 23:03, 17 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Yep, that's the one! Steven Walling (WMF) • talk 23:12, 17 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Please comment on Talk:Circumcision

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Introduction to the automated taxobox system

I've been concerned for some time that there isn't a simple introduction for editors to the automated taxobox system as a whole. I've drafted something at User:Peter_coxhead/Sandbox2.

  1. As you wrote quite a bit of the documentation, if you have time, could you have a look and let me know what you think? I didn't want to open the discussion more widely just yet.
  2. I've written that 'there need be no templates with names of the form "Template:Taxonomy/<genus> <species>"'. Now this is true for the purposes of displaying the taxonomic hierarchy of the species, which is picked up from the genus part of the binomial. But it's not true if you want the genus taxobox to display species via |display children, and I notice that there are taxonomy templates for quite a lot of species (e.g. Pseudoceros uses this approach to display the species, so there are a lot of "Template:Taxonomy/Pseudoceros <species>" templates). What's your view on this? I thought that the intention was not to create such templates.

I've notified Martin of this post. Peter coxhead (talk) 13:39, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

As this is a three-way conversation, I'll respond here to avoid confusing us all. I can certainly take a look at the documentation and see about cleaning it up some. I'll add that to my list of things to do. As far as specific names go in the database, I've been using the {{speciesbox}} myself, but you're right-- it's quite common to list all known species of a genus in the taxobox. Perhaps we should phase the {{speciesbox}} out, or perhaps we can adjust it so that it requires the same template that a normal {{automatic taxobox}} (never thought I'd call it normal!) requires? Bob the WikipediaN (talk • contribs) 14:30, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]
I've actually been going the other way, i.e. I constructed another template {{Infraspeciesbox}} to handle botanical subspecies and varieties which {{Subspeciesbox}} won't. The "obvious" thing to do is to let {{Automatic taxobox}} detect from the supplied parameters which of (1) genus or higher (2) species (3) zoological subspecies (4) botanical infraspecies is intended, and then behave accordingly. Originally I was going to change {{Subspeciesbox}} to detect from the parameters whether a zoological subspecies or a botanical infraspecies was meant and then behave accordingly. Having tried, I gave up, deciding that it was simpler to create another template; these templates are obscure enough already. However, I do agree that in principle it would be better to have one "display template"; if you can manage to do it I'll salute you!
As a computer scientist, I don't like having taxonomy templates for species. Nothing stops someone creating "Template:Taxonomy/Junkia junkiorum" which has as the parent something other than "Junkia". This shouldn't be possible; it offends against the principle of database integrity.
And even if they exist, they should be ignored in generating the hierarchy in the taxobox for Junkia junkiorum (as they are by {{Speciesbox}}); this hierarchy should be formed from the genus name, otherwise the potential for nonsense is increased.
By the way, on the subject of my draft at User:Peter_coxhead/Sandbox2, the idea would be that if it's thought to be ok it would be moved to a subpage of Template:Automatic taxobox. Peter coxhead (talk) 14:46, 27 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]
Probably the worst part of this is there simply isn't a good way to just jump into it without knowing first exactly what the editor is trying to accomplish. I've redone the table of contents; let me know if it looks like an improvement. Bob the WikipediaN (talk • contribs) 03:13, 28 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]
Oh how I agree with your first sentence! It's one of the reasons I've tried to write a simple overall guide – if anything about the automated taxobox system can be called simple.
I think the table of contents is clearer. I have now added my introduction at the start; see if you think this structure works. I really do think that editors who haven't used the system before need to have some kind of overall grasp first. Peter coxhead (talk) 09:39, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]
Good idea. I've added just a bit more. Bob the WikipediaN (talk • contribs) 15:36, 1 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Please comment on Talk:Clouding of Consciousness

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Porting the taxobox template to the Norwegian WP

Please see User talk:Peter coxhead#The old taxobox template? where I was asked about porting the taxobox template to the Norwegian WP. You may be able to help better than I can. Peter coxhead (talk) 20:39, 23 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Ah, sorry. Yes, I would like to have a look at if it is at all possible. Petter Bøckman (talk) 21:04, 23 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Hope you saw Template:SWL

http://database.oxfordjournals.org/content/2012/bar060.full - I thought that was a neat hack that might lead to some progress ! Shyamal (talk) 09:22, 28 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Adminship

Hello fellow Evansvillian! I'm writing to get your take on whether I have what it takes to be an admin. Any thoughts, feedback or advice is much appreciated.--YHoshua (talk) 21:58, 28 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Looking for your opinion

Hi Bob, I've been looking for someone who might have some experience with the Wikipedia Education Program and your profile has turned up - I've just posted at COI about some of the editting by a group and you might have a clear view of useful things to do (I'm very concious that if people barge in then some poor kid might fail thier assignment…) - the conversation (well, it's just me at the moment) is at Wikipedia:Conflict_of_interest/Noticeboard#Could_do_with_a_bit_of_careful_handling_this_one… Fayedizard (talk) 16:00, 29 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Invitation to events in June and July: bot, script, template, and Gadget makers wanted

I invite you to the yearly Berlin hackathon, 1-3 June. Registration is now open. If you need financial assistance or help with visa or hotel, then please register by May 1st and mention it in the registration form.

This is the premier event for the MediaWiki and Wikimedia technical community. We'll be hacking, designing, teaching, and socialising, primarily talking about ResourceLoader and Gadgets (extending functionality with JavaScript), the switch to Lua for templates, Wikidata, and Wikimedia Labs.

We want to bring 100-150 people together, including lots of people who have not attended such events before. User scripts, gadgets, API use, Toolserver, Wikimedia Labs, mobile, structured data, templates -- if you are into any of these things, we want you to come!

I also thought you might want to know about other upcoming events where you can learn more about MediaWiki customization and development, how to best use the web API for bots, and various upcoming features and changes. We'd love to have power users, bot maintainers and writers, and template makers at these events so we can all learn from each other and chat about what needs doing.

Check out the the developers' days preceding Wikimania in July in Washington, DC and our other events.

Best wishes! - Sumana Harihareswara, Wikimedia Foundation's Volunteer Development Coordinator. Please reply on my talk page, here or at mediawiki.org. Sumana Harihareswara, Wikimedia Foundation Volunteer Development Coordinator 20:02, 2 April 2012 (UTC)[reply]

WikiPrincess looking for WikiDragon to help!

Hi! I just discovered that I'm a WikiPrincess and I would love to give my opinion on your edits if you are still considered a WikiDragon. I'm friendly and just want to contribute my opinion on wikipedia. :) Thepoodlechef (talk) 04:24, 7 April 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Oh sorry about the confusion. I mainly meant I wanted to give you my opinion about your edits and support you through edit wars, But also I'm new to Wikipedia so I might need advice about HTML. I just think we might make a good team. :) Thepoodlechef (talk) 21:26, 7 April 2012 (UTC)[reply]

When I said "taking sides" I just meant I assumed that someone like a WikiDragon would be correct most of the time because they did all the research unlike a lot of other types of people. I am the type of person who would want to take the right side of the edit war. Based upon facts, not fiction. I need a partner, and I thought someone like a WikiDragon who does a lot of research would make a good teammate for someone like me who likes to talk about the correct way that things should be done. I'm not trying to be mean to anyone else. And, my goal isn't to rob someone deserving of an administrator job. The only thing I can say is that I wouldn't decline the job if it was offered to me. If you don't need a teammate or partner, or are mad about something I've said, I'm sorry, we don't need to continue this conversation. I'm not trying to bother you, I'm just trying to find a partner. Someone I can help, and assist with research and stuff. I need to have a purpose. Thepoodlechef (talk) 01:41, 8 April 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Ok so I guess I'm really more classified as a wiki otter, because all I want to do is help people and make Wikipedia a Friendly place. How do I add myself to the census? Or when is the census? Thanks Thepoodlechef (talk) 22:04, 9 April 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Interest in Wikimedia Midwest concept?

Greetings - in an effort to help nudge a conversation about developing a broader Wikimedia presence in the Midwest, I've posted the beginnings of a Wikimedia Midwest page/proposal. I was wondering if you know anyone, yourself included, who might be interested in organizing or helping shepherd this proposal along? Any thoughts you may have would be most welcome on that page or it's talk page. Thank you! --Varnent (talk) 20:16, 10 April 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Science lovers wanted!

Science lovers wanted!
Hi! I'm serving as the wikipedian-in-residence at the Smithsonian Institution Archives until June! One of my goals as resident, is to work with Wikipedians and staff to improve content on Wikipedia about people who have collections held in the Archives - most of these are scientists who held roles within the Smithsonian and/or federal government. I thought you might like to participate since you are interested in the sciences! Sign up to participate here and dive into articles needing expansion and creation on our to-do list. Feel free to make a request for images or materials at the request page, and of course, if you share your successes at the outcomes page you will receive the SIA barnstar! Thanks for your interest, and I look forward to your participation! Sarah (talk) 19:50, 16 April 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Please comment on Talk:Vaccinium Cyanococcus

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User script list deprecation

Wikipedia's list of user scripts is in bad shape, in that it is disorganized and contains many non-working, unmaintained, or thoroughly obsolete entries. Cleanup has been on the to-do list since 2007, but little progress has been made. Instead, the whole list is now set to be deprecated on 1 May 2012, to be replaced with a new list. This draft list has been up for about a month, and in that time I've been soliciting script users and authors to come add scripts they know to be working and relevant.

If you know of scripts that you would like to survive this deprecation (and are confirmed working and relevant), you're welcome to add them to the new list. Note that the old list will be retained and linked from the main list, so there is no real deadline. Thanks for your help. Equazcion (talk) 00:55, 22 Apr 2012 (UTC)

Crocodylus suchus

See Desert_crocodile_or_West_African_crocodile?

Where did you see that Crocodylus suchus has a common name of Desert Crocodile and required a redirection? I think from here you would of read this which only give 'sacred crocodile'. This gives no common name so I'm tempted to conclude that Crocodylus suchus is more appropriate until a common name becomes 'common'. Regards, SunCreator (talk) 13:55, 25 April 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Evansville Metro Meetup

Sounds like a great idea Bob. Crtew (talk) 23:22, 1 May 2012 (UTC)[reply]

When a time and place are decided, would you mind letting me know? I have no strong opinions on either one, and I won't have anything more to say, except perhaps responding to other people's comments. Nyttend (talk) 21:07, 21 May 2012 (UTC)[reply]

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Concerning Rebellatrix

Please let me know when you get ahold of the paper for Rebellatrix, as I would like to add it to my library, too.--Mr Fink (talk) 12:59, 3 May 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Norwegian taxoboxes: I'm back

Hi!

In late April I was busy finishing a major museum exhibition, and "went offline" for a while. Unfortunately, your latest edits slid off my watchlist while I were mounting stuffed animals, so that I did not see you were working on the template still. Now I'm back though. To me it looks like the template is almost done, I hope you have time to finish it up! Petter Bøckman (talk) 07:00, 11 May 2012 (UTC)[reply]