User talk:NEWSLETTERS MAILBOX/Archives/2012/February
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WikiCup 2012 January newsletter
WikiCup 2012 is off to a flying start. At the time of writing, we have 112 contestants; comparable to last year, but slightly fewer than 2010. Signups will remain open for another week, after which time they will be closed for this year. Our currrent far-away leader is Grapple X (submissions), due mostly to his work on a slew of good articles about The X-Files; there remain many such articles waiting to be reviewed at good article candidates. Second place is currently held by Ruby2010 (submissions), whose points come mostly from good articles about television episodes, although good article reviews, did you knows and an article about a baroness round out the score. In third place is Jivesh boodhun (submissions), who has scored 200 points for his work on a single featured article, as well as points for work on others, mostly in the area of pop music. In all, nine users have 100 or more points. However, at the other end of the scale, there are still dozens of participants who are yet to score. Please remember to update your submission pages promptly!
The 64 highest scoring participants will advance to round 2 in a month's time. There, they will be split into eight random groups of eight. The score needed to reach the next round is not at all clear; last year, 8 points guaranteed a place. The year before, 20.
A few participants and their work warrant a mention for achieving "firsts" in this competition.
12george1 (submissions) was also the first to score points for an article, thanks to his work on Hurricane Debby (1982)- now a good article. Tropical storms have featured heavily in the Cup, and good articles currently have a relatively fast turnaround time for reviews.
Sp33dyphil (submissions) is also the first person to successfully claim bonus points. Terminator 2: Judgment Day is now a good article, and was eligible for bonus points because the subject was covered on more than 20 other Wikipedias at the start of the competition. It is fantastic to see bonus points being claimed so early!
Speciate (submissions) was the first to score points for an In the News entry, with Paedophryne amauensis. The lead image from the article was also used on the main page for a time, and it's certainly eye-catching!
Jivesh boodhun (submissions) was the first to score points for a featured article, and is, at the moment, the only competitor to claim for one. The article, "Halo" (Beyoncé Knowles song), was also worth double points because of its wide coverage. While this is an article that Jivesh and others have worked on for some time, it is undeniable that he has put considerable work into it this year, pushing it over the edge.
We are yet to see any featured lists, featured topics or good topics, but this is unsurprising; firstly, the nomination processes with each of these can take some time, and, secondly, it can take a considerable amount of time to work content to this level. In a similar vein, we have seen only one featured article. The requirement that content must have been worked on this year to be eligible means that we did not expect to see these at the start of the competition. No points have been claimed for featured portals or pictures, but these are not content types which are often claimed; the former has never made a big impact on the WikiCup, while the latter has not done so since 2009's competition.
A quick rules clarification before the regular notices: If you are concerned that another user is claiming points inappropriately, please contact a judge to take a look at the article. Competitors policing one another can create a bad atmosphere, and may lead to inconsistencies and mistakes. Rest assured that we, the judges, are making an effort to check submissions, but it is possible that we will miss something. On a loosely related note: If you are concerned that your nomination, be it at good article candidates, a featured process or anywhere else, will not receive the necessary reviews, please list it on Wikipedia:WikiCup/Reviews. However, please remember to continue to offer reviews at GAC, FAC and all the other pages that require them to prevent any backlogs which could otherwise be caused by the Cup. As ever, questions are welcome on Wikipedia talk:WikiCup and the judges are reachable on their talk pages, or by email. Good luck! If you wish to start receiving or stop receiving this newsletter, please feel free to add or remove yourself from Wikipedia:WikiCup/Newsletter/Send. J Milburn and The ed1700:13, 1 February 2012 (UTC)
This edition is going out to all USRD WikiProject members (current, former, or potential) in addition to other subscribers as part of a roll call to update the participants list. Anyone that would like to continue to receive this newsletter in the future needs to update the subscription list if they are not already subscribed.
TfL-funded police officers continue to reduce Blackwall Tunnel delays for drivers
Mayor of London helps 71 schools get pupils cycling
Mayor announces innovative bus technology set to deliver cleaner air across London
Olympic Taxi fare increase rejected by TfL
TfL reveals design for transformed Euston Circus junction
January
Tube performance on track for a successful Games
Major campaign launched to help people 'Get Ahead of the Games' and keep London and the UK moving in 2012
DLR launches a new three-car route and enhanced timetable to meet Games-time demand
Changes to travel around Paddington Station due to Crossrail works
Avoiding congestion made easier with new Transport for London live traffic news
London Overground passenger satisfaction soars following investment in capacity, trains and stations
Mayor welcomes green light for scheme to charge companies for disruptive roadworks
Mayor welcomes 200th greener, cleaner hybrid bus to London's fleet
New docking station for cycle hire in the heart of Westminster gets planning permission
Pedestrian Countdown technology to be rolled out across London from summer 2012
One in five people bought cycle equipment as a result of Barclays Cycle Hire
New cleaning contract of bus stations and stands to reduce CO2 emissions and cleaner air
Hammersmith flyover reopens to cars and light traffic as repairs continue
Free London 2012 support package for freight operators and their customers
Cycle safety improvements proposed around Bow
All drivers are urged to switch off their engines when parked, loading or waiting at the roadside
More reliable Tube carries record-breaking numbers
Mayor hails new measures in 2012 to deliver cleaner air for London
December
Hammersmith Flyover closed due to structural defect found
Edgware Road signal improvements delivered early, paving way for longer, accessible, air-con trains
Mayor announces trial to cut harmful pollution at industrial and construction sites across London
Interim operator for Putney to Blackfriars River Bus service
TfL has today announced details of a strategic review of traffic movements through the Kings Cross area
Motorcycles to be allowed permanent access to bus lanes
Around 85 of London's 700 bus routes will be changed in some way during the 2012 Games
TfL ramps up safety efforts on London Tramlink
Major crackdown on dangerous pedicabs in central London
Emirates Air Line lands on iconic Tube map as first tower completed
Mayor heralds the arrival of the new bus for London
More local transport improvements for London Boroughs announced by Mayor
Mayor and DfT announce £10 million to cut pollution from Capital's bus fleet
Mayor hails successful bid to make more London Overground stations step free
Vibrant London life captured in Yayoi Kusama's new artwork for the Pocket Tube Map
Additional peak trains for the 200,000 Wimbledon branch passengers each day will bring fewer delays and extra capacity
Overall Transport for London (TfL) fares to rise by 5.6 per cent in 2012
Lewis Hamilton toasts free travel on London transport to welcome in the New Year
Out-of-hours deliveries during London 2012 Games are viable, trials show
Real time digital bus information proves a hit with Londoners
As part of Transport for London's (TfL) commitment to the mental and physical health of its 27,000 employees, the organisation has signed the Time to Change Pledge
There are currently 2,820 project pages; all have been assessed for quality and importance. If you see a new article on a project topic which is not rated, please add the banner to the talk page and assess it.
I just hope this year round I can make the newsletters roughly within the first week of every month. If you ever feel you want to have a try, please feel free to drop me a line on my talk page.
