User talk:Paul Erik/Archive 11

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Lindeman

Hey there - I'm a newbie (please don't bite me!) and I am writing to ask a question about a page that is about me. I know - I have read the guidelines - I won't try to edit it - just trying to understand wikipedia's customs and policies. I noticed you were a prolific editor and creator of pages about Canadian musicians so I wrote you. thanks! Tlindeman (talk) 17:00, 31 January 2015 (UTC)

Hello, and welcome, User:Tlindeman. How can I be of help? Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 22:18, 31 January 2015 (UTC)

− Hi there - thank you for your help!

− I have a band called The Weather Station, (lots of info on the web). Recently somebody tried to make a wikipedia page for it, but then I saw it was re-directed/merged into an existing wikipedia page, that is about my (mostly teenage) acting career. I've also noticed that elsewhere on wikipedia when The Weather Station is mentioned, (ie on the 'Bahamas' page) it now re-directs to 'Tamara Hope'. I'm wondering if there is a precedent for this. In acting, I am credited as 'Tamara Hope' and in music I am credited as 'Tamara Lindeman' - 'The Weather Station' is my music, and it is mostly me, but it is also a band. Obviously, I used two different names because the two careers don't overlap, and because I was and am very interested in maintaining my personal privacy (I had weird and dark experiences being a teenage female actor at the dawning of the internet). I understand that it's not wikipedia's job to respect my choices, and that I am considered 'biased' about my own life (and I am freely admitting my bias here) - but on the other hand, I have noticed that there are many moniker'd musicians who have separate wikipages for themselves as people and their mostly solo bands - ie. Phil Elvrum vs. The Microphones vs. Mount Eerie - and that makes sense to me as a fan of his. Obviously I feel that 'The Weather Station' should be it's own page (that would link to my personal page), as it's not always just me, but also, I just feel like it's confusing. If you're going to wikipedia to figure out who that girl in the Disney channel movie you watched as a kid is - you're looking for Tamara Hope. If you're wondering when 'All Of It Was Mine' came out - you're looking for The Weather Station.

− I understand Wikipedia is a community, and I must say, it's a rather opaque and confusing one - I wonder if there is a policy on or precedent regarding this, and also curious to know why the page was deleted without discussion.

− Thank you!

− -Tamara Tlindeman (talk) 22:05, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

Okay, Tamara. To review, and to let me check that I have the relevant information here:
  • An encyclopedia article which is a biography typically would include everything about that person in the one article, not separate out different parts of their career into separate articles.
  • But if that person is part of a notable band, the band does get a separate article. (And the musician gets a biography if they are notable independent of the band.)
  • You are saying that The Weather Station (as seen here and here and here), while "mostly" you, ought to be considered as a band, not as a moniker of Tamara Lindeman—in other words, not a solo music project.
  • From what I can gather, The Weather Station is notable, as it has multiple reliable independent sources that have written about it in some depth. Examples include the Orangeville Banner, Exclaim, CBC Music, CBC's Q, Exclaim, Exclaim, Exclaim, Exclaim, Toro Magazine, Toronto Star, Pitchfork, Pitchfork, and PopMatters. Offline, I've also found articles about The Weather Station in The Frederick News-Post, and in the Saint John newspaper Here.
  • The sources are mixed: some of them say "Tara Lindeman, a.k.a. The Weather Station", while some say The Weather Station is Lindeman's "project", while a few refer to The Weather Station as a band with Lindeman as a member.
Is that about right so far? :) Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 03:29, 3 February 2015 (UTC)

Hey Paul, Your information is correct, and I might add, your research is great! Certainly The Weather Station has been just me for a good chunk of its history - but it was a full on band from 2006-2010 or so as reflected in the coverage and press photos of that era (I can grab you examples if you want). When that band ended (sadly), I sort of went solo for a while (the all of it was mine era), and then assembled a new band in late 2013 - a four piece (myself, Ben Whiteley, Adrian Cook, & Ian Kehoe). We almost made a record together but then I got the chance to make one in France without the guys, so I did that. The albums have all been collaborative - the duets series is referred to as 'The Weather Station Presents'. The whole idea of the name was that it could change over time, covering solo or band work in different genres and different contexts - I conceived it as a project, not just me playing songs. That's why I didn't release my records as Tamara Lindeman. To differentiate, I personally am credited as Tamara Lindeman when I appear on other people's records, (and for that matter, on my own records), except in a few cases, ie. the duets project, where the project as a whole was being released under the Weather Station umbrella and was meant to be a part of the discography. I didn't make that Weather Station wikipage - if I had I would have set it up differently - as a band, not a human. And I would welcome the chance to acknowledge the contributions of everyone who has been a part of it. And am I reading correctly the revision history that someone else set up a The Weather Station page in the past that was also re-directed? Thanks! Tamara Tlindeman (talk) 17:34, 3 February 2015 (UTC)

@Tlindeman: Yes, there have been attempts to create a separate article at The Weather Station and at The Weather Station (musician) (as well as Draft:The Weather Station (musician) now) but, as you can see from the page histories, User:Bearcat redirected them to the Tamara Hope biography. This was under the assumption that The Weather Station is a stage name of Tamara Hope/Lindeman. Bearcat discussed the decision to redirect them at User talk:Patrick outside. As I understand things now, the other side of the argument about separate articles is:
  • At times, The Weather Station has referred to a solo music project, but at other times to a band of which Tamara Lindeman has been the one constant member. Reliable sources support that.
  • Based on the coverage in reliable sources, The Weather Station might now well be more notable than Tamara Hope's acting career was.
  • As to the question of what best serves the readers, it might be argued that having The Weather Station redirect to an article about an actress from a Disney Channel movie is a violation of the principle of least astonishment, known on Wikipedia as WP:ASTONISH.
Since I have linked Bearcat's name, this will alert him to this discussion and I would welcome his input. He is a very experienced editor whose editorial judgment I respect. As you suggested above, some of what's happened is in part due to User:Patrick outside's approach to starting the article, and coming across as a bit forceful about it perhaps. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 00:50, 5 February 2015 (UTC)

Thank you Paul Erik! This all makes perfect sense to me. Bearcat - I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

I did a little digging - many of the old press links I have are broken now (it doesn't help that two of our weeklies have folded over the last couple years) - but I have a few live ones talking about The Weather Station in the first band era:
http://torontoist.com/2008/02/musicologist_fe_2/
http://torontoist.com/2009/05/sound_advice_the_line_by_the_weathe/
http://boingboing.net/2008/03/17/the-weather-stations.html
http://exclaim.ca/Music/article/weather_station
http://www.wavelengthtoronto.com/wavelog/2008/03/weather-station
There were also brief notices in The Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail - in some cases I have the date, etc, but I don't know how to properly search their sites.

Tlindeman (talk) 16:49, 5 February 2015 (UTC)

I am not, for the record, fundamentally opposed to the idea that we could handle the distinction differently than we do at present. The problem was that Patrick's version of the article was nothing more than a straight copy-pasted duplicate of the existing article, without actually adding any new substance to demonstrate that The Weather Station was a distinct topic in any meaningful way — it simply described The Weather Station as Tamara's solo project, and then proceeded to repeat content that's already in the other article anyway. As written, it made no substantive claim that would have enabled The Weather Station and Tamara-as-an-individual to stand as two separate topics — it literally amounted to exactly nothing more than "The Weather Station is a stage name that Tamara Lindemann uses when making music instead of acting, so here's a duplicate repost of the exact same article you'd see if you looked at her existing biography." It certainly might be possible to write a substantive and well-sourced article which demonstrates that they should be treated as two separate topics instead of one merged one — but Patrick's article, as written, wasn't it. (And since Patrick had the name of The Weather Station's record label right in his username, it also posed a conflict of interest issue, to boot.)

The other issue here is that the existing article is sourced entirely to coverage of The Weather Station, and doesn't actually cite a single reliable source about her acting work at all. Our notability rules for actors are not that any actor who exists automatically gets an article that just serves as a virtual duplicate of their IMDb profile — rather, an actor's article still has to cite reliable source coverage which demonstrates that they have accomplished something that passes WP:NACTOR. But as written, the existing article is completely failing to do that, and is instead sourcing her notability entirely onto her music — so if the music stuff was spun off to a separate article, then the existing article about her acting would instantly turn into a completely unsourced article which would then have to be redirected to the band. So even if we can write a better article about The Weather Station than Patrick did, that's still only half of the equation here — we would also have to salvage the acting BLP with some actual sourcing about her acting, or else we'd simply be flipping the exact same issue onto the other side of the coin rather than resolving anything.

So just to summarize, I'm not fundamentally opposed to the idea that we could cover Tamara Hope and The Weather Station as two separate topics instead of one merged one — the problem was that Patrick's version of a separate article about The Weather Station, as written, wasn't making or sourcing a credible case for why we should do it that way. Bearcat (talk) 22:11, 5 February 2015 (UTC)

Thanks very much Bearcat. Lots of very good points. I'll first make some effort to source the actress biography better, and then potentially move towards have two (better-)sourced articles that are not just covering the same topic. Cheers. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 23:09, 5 February 2015 (UTC)
No problem. I should also mention, just as an example, that one thing which would definitely bolster the case for a separate article would be for the "band" article to actually name anybody at all, besides Tamara herself, who's been involved in it... Bearcat (talk) 23:39, 5 February 2015 (UTC)

Thank you for the clarification bearcat - this all makes total sense to me.

The new, committed band includes Ben Whiteley, Adrian Cook, Ian Kehoe - as introduced several times in this CBC interview, and talked about below:
http://www.cbc.ca/q/blog/2014/12/05/the-weather-station-tamara-lindeman-live/
http://www.cbc.ca/q/popupaudio.html?clipIds=2626683673
http://exclaim.ca/Music/article/youve_changed_records_fifth_anniversary_showcase_with_daniel_romano_shotgun_jimmie_weather_station-horseshoe_tavern_toronto_on_may_22
http://mechanicalforestsound.blogspot.ca/2014/06/recording-weather-station.html
I've also consistently had Ivy Mairi and Misha Bower (from Bruce Peninsula) as backup singers. Sometimes Carleigh Aikens replaces Misha Bower.
The band 2006-2010 was myself, Jack Donovan, Simon Borer, Dwight Schenk, Elaine Kelly - they are mentioned in the links I posted above as well as others it will take some digging to find. Here they are in the liner notes to my first album: https://stationweather.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/thelinesecondpanel.jpg
The second record (All Of It Was Mine) was a collaboration with Daniel Romano. http://exclaim.ca/Music/article/bruce_peninsula_offshoot_weather_station_preps_daniel_romano-produced_sophomore_lp
The third record (Loyalty) is a collaboration with Afie Jurvanen and Robbie Lackritz, http://exclaim.ca/Music/article/weather_station_signs_to_paradise_of_bachelors_for_loyalty_lp, and Afie has been playing live with me at shows when he's in town as noted here: http://exclaim.ca/Music/article/youve_changed_records_fifth_anniversary_showcase_with_daniel_romano_shotgun_jimmie_weather_station-horseshoe_tavern_toronto_on_may_22
It has always been my band, but many people have been involved.

Tlindeman (talk) 19:03, 6 February 2015 (UTC)

Thanks, Tlindeman; all that will be helpful towards building the article. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 16:23, 7 February 2015 (UTC)

Hey user: Paul Erik I'm curious to know - what happens next? Were you thinking of creating an article? Or should I try laying the groundwork, make a draft, and then ask you and /or bearcat to review it and see if things are up to Wikipedian standards? I've really appreciated you guys taking the time with this and I just wonder, as I say, what happens now. All the best - Tlindeman (talk) 00:29, 12 February 2015 (UTC)

Hi Tamara. Yes, I do plan to work on it. I was hoping to have a chance last weekend, but this coming weekend seems more likely. As I update the original biography and create a Weather Station article, please let me know your feedback and suggestions, either here on my talk page, or on the articles' talk pages. I'd suggest not working on it directly yourself, out of conflict-of-interest concerns as well as other reasons explained at Wikipedia:Autobiography. Thanks, Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 02:36, 12 February 2015 (UTC)

Hey Paul Erik, I saw the changes you made to the acting page - that's some good sleuthing - I'd forgotten about most of that! I'll put feedback up there if there is any, but really, my concern from the beginning has just simply been clearing up the redirect and having a separate place for information on The Weather Station to collect, even if it was just a stub... I very much appreciate your work and dedication to your encyclopedia and can't believe your ability to pull things from ancient newspapers! So sorry to even wander in here again... Tlindeman (talk) 23:33, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

Thanks; yes, I first wanted to work on the Tamara Hope article (as Bearcat also suggested) before getting to work on The Weather Station article, which I still plan to do. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 00:01, 18 February 2015 (UTC)
... and I have done. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 03:59, 16 March 2015 (UTC)

Clue Dungeons & Dragons

Hi, Paul! This time it's a game instead of a person. ;) Would you have any sources that mention or review Clue Dungeons & Dragons? BOZ (talk) 14:58, 4 February 2015 (UTC)

Hi BOZ. No, sorry my searching did not find anything. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 01:11, 5 February 2015 (UTC)
I figured it was a longshot, but thanks for checking. :) BOZ (talk) 03:27, 5 February 2015 (UTC)

Dave Gross

Hi, Paul. I just started this little stub from an existing redirect. Would you have any sources for him? I know he has also written novels, so anything you find like that is probably him if it's sci-fi/fantasy. BOZ (talk) 00:07, 10 February 2015 (UTC)

Thank you, sir!  :) BOZ (talk) 02:16, 10 February 2015 (UTC)
Would you mind adding a little bit from the reviews to Black Wolf, Lord of Stormweather, Winterheim, and A Warrior's Journey?  :) BOZ (talk) 16:58, 10 February 2015 (UTC)
Done. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 03:38, 11 February 2015 (UTC)
Thanks for "sharing the love". :) BOZ (talk) 03:57, 11 February 2015 (UTC)

Another sourcing database treasure

God, I love digging into the ProQuest database for references. Just found this fantastic quote that I had to share with somebody.


I just can't stop laughing. Bad call, dude. Bearcat (talk) 07:07, 10 February 2015 (UTC)

Thanks for providing me with my laugh of the morning! Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 13:22, 10 February 2015 (UTC)

Joshua A.C. Newman

I restored Joshua A.C. Newman from speedy delete - would you have any sources for him? BOZ (talk) 20:39, 11 February 2015 (UTC)

I can't find anything for him, nor for Shock: Social Science Fiction. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 02:40, 12 February 2015 (UTC)
Thanks for checking - I figured that one was a longshot. :) BOZ (talk) 07:19, 12 February 2015 (UTC)

Boy band IP

Does this qualify as long-term abuse at this point? Diannaa labeled it such in that IP's previous block. Wouldn't it be helpful to keep an accurate record of this for future reference? - Bossanoven (talk) 06:44, 13 February 2015 (UTC)

Oh, by the way, for your reference: User:Bossanoven/Boy band vandal IPs - Bossanoven (talk) 06:45, 13 February 2015 (UTC)
I don't have any experience labelling users with LTA. I take it you are thinking of submitting a report at WP:LTA to help keep track of the person's edits and blocks...? I would say it qualifies as "long-term" enough. Is it "egregious" enough? I'm not sure... probably. I am happy to defer to Diannaa about that. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 12:32, 13 February 2015 (UTC)

Bernie Cahill

Hi, Paul, this one should be interesting. ;) A notability tag was added to Bernie Cahill recently, which I only just now remembered. When I reviewed my source, I knew that he was an entertainment lawyer who was perhaps only briefly involved in the gaming industry in the 1990s. I looked around on the internet and found that he had probably been involved in a lot of other things since then. I am assuming, of course, that there is not more than one entertainment lawyer named Bernie Cahill - if so, that's embarrassing for me. ;) But I found enough items that seem to connect from one thing to another to assure me that everything I saw is probably about the same person. So, would you mind taking a look to see what else you may find about him? Thanks! BOZ (talk) 03:37, 15 February 2015 (UTC)

There are a number of "Bernie Cahill"s covered in sources, including a Canadian furrier, and an Irish chairman of Aer Lingus. I'm afraid I can't find anything for "Bernie Cahill" + "Last Unicorn", nor for "Bernie Cahill" + "Dune". Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 18:46, 16 February 2015 (UTC)
Anything for "Bernie Cahill" + "lawyer", or even "Bernie Cahill" + "entertainment"? BOZ (talk) 19:09, 16 February 2015 (UTC)
Well, yes, that turns up a long list of gossipy articles about Sharon Stone. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 19:35, 16 February 2015 (UTC)
LOL, well damn. BOZ (talk) 19:43, 16 February 2015 (UTC)

Gareth-Michael Skarka

Gareth-Michael Skarka has been subjected to a PROD. I think the rationale is incorrect, but I would rather have a search for more sources before removing it. I will also look into finding something on HighBeam tomorrow. BOZ (talk) 17:41, 16 February 2015 (UTC)

I added what I could. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 18:06, 16 February 2015 (UTC)
That helps. :) He is apparently also credited as "Gareth Skarka" and "G. M. Skarka", if that helps pull anything else up. BOZ (talk) 18:22, 16 February 2015 (UTC)
Nope. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 18:57, 16 February 2015 (UTC)

Brett Ewins

Hi, Paul. I just found out that Brett Ewins recently passed away. Do you have anything to help improve the article? BOZ (talk) 20:16, 24 February 2015 (UTC)

I found this article. I'll leave it to you to decide what might be useable there. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 01:39, 25 February 2015 (UTC)
Thanks! BOZ (talk) 02:00, 25 February 2015 (UTC)

You don't know about Angstschluss?

Really dude? Someone else trying to school ME of all people on West Vancouver death metal... gimme a break — Preceding unsigned comment added by 218.223.233.46 (talk) 03:56, 26 February 2015 (UTC)

Google says Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 04:08, 26 February 2015 (UTC)

I was just stating facts that wernt on there and should be on there — Preceding unsigned comment added by Hhb665 (talk • contribs) 08:07, 14 March 2015 (UTC)

User: Pootrick

Cheers for giving him the flick mate. Was hanging around his contribs page basically waiting to revert everything and everything he posted. Was wondering if you could check out this user - Pootuz - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/Pootuz. His name is similar to Pootrick, and seems to also be a vandal-only account. Both seemed to edit similarly. Seeing as you have deletion rights, I was wondering if there was as way to see if it was the same person. Cheers again. Nath1991 (talk) 03:54, 16 March 2015 (UTC)

I've blocked both; it's certainly the same editor logging into different accounts. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 03:56, 16 March 2015 (UTC)

Hi-

Met that person and didnt believe i was misinformed. Sorry. Thanks.Eugenie68 (talk) 03:57, 22 March 2015 (UTC)

Joseph and Melissa Batten

Hi, Paul. I recently created this article, and maybe I should have kept in Draft space a bit longer, but too late for that I suppose. Do you have any sources you could add to this one? BOZ (talk) 20:17, 25 March 2015 (UTC)

Hi BOZ. I am doubtful that it adds all that much to the notability, but Fortune wrote a few paragraphs about the incident. The reference is Morris, Betsy (November 24, 2008). "You have victims working for you. You have batterers working for you too.", Fortune 158 (10). I don't know why the page number does not show up in my database. 158 is the volume, and 10 is the issue. Someone posted the entire article here, so you can take a look for yourself. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 01:34, 26 March 2015 (UTC)
Thanks, man! I will check that out tomorrow. BOZ (talk) 03:21, 26 March 2015 (UTC)

Why?

I was wondering why you deleted my page? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Swagalishes00 (talk • contribs) 01:52, 31 March 2015 (UTC)

Wikipedia is an encyclopedia. What you posted was not an encyclopedia article. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 01:54, 31 March 2015 (UTC)
@Swagalishes00: Maybe you could try Yahoo Answers? Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 01:59, 31 March 2015 (UTC)

John Hill (game designer)

I found out recently that John Hill passed away earlier this year. The article is a little bit of a mess and could use some improved sourcing, if you could find any. BOZ (talk) 14:02, 31 March 2015 (UTC)

Hi BOZ. I found just one thing. I'm not sure how best to incorporate it into the article. The citation is Hunerwadel, J P. (Spring 2001). "The Operational Art of War: Century of Warfare", Aerospace Power Journal 15 (1): 118–121. Quoting from the one paragraph that mentions him: "John Hill's Squad Leader (Avalon Hill, 1977) ... helped fuel the great board-war-game boom of the late seventies." Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 02:25, 1 April 2015 (UTC)
Thanks, I think I can use that under the "legacy" section. :) BOZ (talk) 14:39, 1 April 2015 (UTC)

Eric Polak

Hi, Paul. I noticed on the article's talk page that you had previously stated that you had a 2002 source for Eric Polak, but did not have access to the full text in 2012. Can you tell me if that has changed? BOZ (talk) 22:22, 29 April 2015 (UTC)

Hi BOZ. No, I checked again, and still don't have access to the full article. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 02:27, 30 April 2015 (UTC)
Thanks for checking - I wonder why that is. BOZ (talk) 03:27, 30 April 2015 (UTC)

Michael Bennighof

Do you have any sources for Michael Bennighof? BOZ (talk) 03:29, 30 April 2015 (UTC)

No, not a single one. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 03:32, 30 April 2015 (UTC)
Darn, thanks for checking. I may have to Draft it. BOZ (talk) 11:30, 30 April 2015 (UTC)

S. Craig Taylor

Hi, Paul. I started and article on S. Craig Taylor, and I just found out that he passed away in 2012. Do you have any sources to improve this article? BOZ (talk) 17:45, 7 May 2015 (UTC)

I found one review. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 20:31, 9 May 2015 (UTC)
Thanks! BOZ (talk) 04:58, 10 May 2015 (UTC)

Glen Orbik

Glen Orbik passed away just yesterday. I know that you added some sources last year, but if you have anything else, that would be welcome. Thanks. BOZ (talk) 02:38, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

No, nothing new turns up. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 02:51, 13 May 2015 (UTC)
Thanks, man - so many deaths lately I had to add a section to 2015 in games. BOZ (talk) 13:23, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

Ryan Dancey

Hi, Paul,

Someone just dumped a bunch of tags on Ryan Dancey. I am wondering if you have any sources you can add to improve the article? BOZ (talk) 03:01, 21 May 2015 (UTC)

Another source was added to this one, but anything else you can do would be great, and would count towards resolving the tags. BOZ (talk) 23:47, 31 May 2015 (UTC)
Sorry, I've searched but I could find only the Martinez article. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 02:43, 22 June 2015 (UTC)
Thanks for checking. BOZ (talk) 22:00, 22 June 2015 (UTC)

Tagging spree

Hi Paul,

A user has tagged Simon Hawke, Dean Shomshak, and Jonathan Tweet. Anything you can find for those would help. BOZ (talk) 12:24, 27 May 2015 (UTC)

There are reviews for Simon Hawke's books. For example, try searching his name and "Publishers Weekly". Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 02:53, 22 June 2015 (UTC)
Nothing for Dean Shomshak. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 02:54, 22 June 2015 (UTC)
Here is an article that talks about Jonathan Tweet. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 02:59, 22 June 2015 (UTC)

Also, Antoine Bauza was PRODded, if you can help with that one. BOZ (talk) 02:19, 31 May 2015 (UTC)

For Bauza, all that I can find is this article where he is mentioned briefly. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 02:47, 22 June 2015 (UTC)
Thanks, I will take a look at those tomorrow. BOZ (talk) 22:00, 22 June 2015 (UTC)

God Made Me Funky

Canadian band up for AFD at Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/God Made Me Funky. The issue here seems to fall at least partially outside the purview of AFD — it appears that the band has just recently imploded, and two warring factions are each laying claim to the name and editwarring over which faction gets to rewrite the article as being about itself instead of the other one. But I have done significant sourcing repair to get it back up to contemporary content and referencing standards instead of the mess it was previously — and I don't see the internal creative wrangling as a reason why the article shouldn't exist at all (just, on WP:COI grounds, a reason why it should be pageprotected until the dispute is resolved.) So since you're the ultimate go-to guy for assistance with Canadian music stuff, I wanted to ask if you could weigh in one way or the other as well. Bearcat (talk) 22:18, 31 May 2015 (UTC)

Heike Kubasch

A notability tag was added to Heike Kubasch - would you have anything to add to her? BOZ (talk) 22:02, 22 June 2015 (UTC)

Nothing I can find. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 03:35, 24 June 2015 (UTC)
Thanks for checking. BOZ (talk) 13:28, 25 June 2015 (UTC)

Your Comments On My Talk Page

Brianhe I am not here to be noticed but if you do, it's okay. What is not okay is anyone simply removing hours of research and work in a click. Not okay. And it's violating the harassment policy. I am being Wikihounded and Threatened. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Harassment Borntodeal (talk) 03:04, 24 June 2015 (UTC)

You didn't reply to my question which is: why did you tell an admin "you are engaging in the use of multiple accounts". — Brianhe (talk) 03:06, 24 June 2015 (UTC)

The nature and timing of the deletions are consistent with a cooperation of accounts in my humble opinion. Sudden, similar deletions of entire sections of content. Borntodeal (talk)

So basically you're attesting that User:Winner 42 (Wikipedia:Million Award), User:MarnetteD (10 yr ed), User:Onel5969, and User:Paul Erik (admin) are all socks of admin NeilN? You should open an SPI if you have solid evidence of this. Or if you don't, maybe you shouldn't say it. — Brianhe (talk) 03:19, 24 June 2015 (UTC)

You're talking "over my head" and Wikipedia is a platform for all people. Kindly do not talk down to me. The accusations that are flying presently about me are speculation and unfounded, yet continue. I don't understand your agenda, but please feel free to join a discussion on the Talk pages for the pages I am editing. I posted content on Taylor Swift and suddenly User:Winner 42 wiped it out too. This is clearly harassment and singling me out. Borntodeal (talk) 03:24, 24 June 2015 (UTC)

Wikipedia is not a platform for paid shilling or promotion (paid or otherwise). --NeilN talk to me 03:28, 24 June 2015 (UTC)

User:Borntodeal, you titled this section "Your Comments On My Talk Page", yet I have made no comments on your talk page. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 03:33, 24 June 2015 (UTC)

Publishers Weekly

Based on your earlier suggestion of doing a Google search for Publishers Weekly, I was able to find reviews for a bunch of D&D novels. However, the pages that come up on the internet are completely lacking in attribution information (name of reviewer, date published, etc); could you please take a look at The Outcast, Storm Dragon, Road of the Patriarch, Promise of the Witch King, The Orc King (well, someone else did that one), The Second Generation, Carnival of Fear, I, Strahd: The Memoirs of a Vampire, Rising Tide, Return to Quag Keep, and The Rod of Seven Parts, and see if you can provide the correct information for the citations?

This refers to a review for Elminster In Hell, but the text there has nothing to do with this book.

This includes a PW review for The Silent Blade, but a spelling error makes it seem dubious to me. BOZ (talk) 18:00, 25 June 2015 (UTC)

I've added the ones that I was able to find. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 02:35, 30 June 2015 (UTC)
Thanks! Odd that the other ones don't show up. For Elminster in Hell, I noticed that on the PW website they had switched the reviews with another book - see [1] and [2]. BOZ (talk) 11:20, 30 June 2015 (UTC)
Looks like a mix-up all right. PW's website does seem to have a number of problems. Sorry my database can't offer more. (Also, those last two links do not look like reviews anyway. PW's reviews are generally longer than that, and offer some critical commentary.) Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 12:41, 30 June 2015 (UTC)

Tim Waggoner

Hi, Paul! Do you have any sources to add to Tim Waggoner to help get that tag removed? BOZ (talk) 13:11, 16 July 2015 (UTC)

RE: BOTDF

Ah, interesting. I know this is a longstanding allegation that has been added to the article multiple times, but I never really did any legwork myself on its veracity (usually, someone else comes along and cleans it up before I get to it). Certainly, if the editrequested material had been added to the article page, a BLP revert would be very much in order, but it makes me a little uneasy to see that happen on talk pages; I really think the requester was doing what you're supposed to do with controversial topics - broach the subject on the talk page and get some input. That said...I don't really want to do much more work on that page than I already have; I wish enough people had it on watchlists that I could feel confident removing it from my own, and as it stands, it's sort of just an albatross that I watch with minimal vigilance, removing the most egregious vandalism. Chubbles (talk) 05:38, 4 August 2015 (UTC)

@Chubbles: Yes, I feel similarly, and would like to remove it from my watchlist. The contentious content and its sources were discussed, at least briefly, here. As for the talk page edit request, I do see where you're coming from. My BLP revert was heavy-handed for sure, but due to the comment about "ongoing rape allegations" and that much of the online commentary might be originating from 4chan. Also my AGF-meter goes a bit wonky when the IP editors write things such as "this is important information that is being withheld". Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 12:42, 4 August 2015 (UTC)

Forgotten Realms novels

Hi, Paul! Would you be able to take a look and see what you can find for the following articles? There may be more, but please start with these.

Thanks. BOZ (talk) 02:40, 28 August 2015 (UTC)

Hi BOZ. I haven't completed searches about all of them, but there is this about Greenwood and his works; I'm not sure if that helps contribute to notability. The Maclean's reference is Bethune, Brian. "Prophets without honour", Maclean's 115.35 (Sep 2, 2002): 48. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 03:21, 2 September 2015 (UTC)
Great, that does help a bit with one of the books - got anything else for the others? :) BOZ (talk) 13:41, 2 September 2015 (UTC)
If you can find anything for any of those, I can restore and add it (at worst, that should spark some discussion rather than a revert). The same user who redirected them has also added notability tags to about 20 other articles on Forgotten Realms novels (so far), so if you wouldn't mind taking a look at those as I can give you a list. BOZ (talk) 13:11, 4 September 2015 (UTC)
Does it look like there are no available sources for those novels? BOZ (talk) 18:11, 22 September 2015 (UTC)
Sorry, BOZ – I was not able to find any more. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 00:38, 23 September 2015 (UTC)
Thanks for checking - I do appreciate it. BOZ (talk) 13:42, 23 September 2015 (UTC)

The same user tagged over 20 other novel articles for notability; when you have the time, would you mind taking a look at these as well?

I appreciate anything you can do for any of these. You have found book reviews before, so maybe at least some of these may have a review or something. BOZ (talk) 13:42, 23 September 2015 (UTC)

Let me know if you can find anything for any of those; I know there are a lot, but take your time as needed. BOZ (talk) 06:04, 16 October 2015 (UTC)
For the review that you used on The Alabaster Staff, could please you also add something to Twilight Falling? BOZ (talk) 02:20, 24 October 2015 (UTC)

Disruptive IP editor at the Trevor Noah article

Hi there. It may be appropriate to either block IP editor 79.179.13.249 or to semi-protect the Trevor Noah article. Within the space of about 24 hours, IP editor 79.179.13.249 has added the same unsourced controversial claim into a BLP article. This IP editor's editing behaviour suggests that they are not here to build an encyclopedia: they do not respond to well-intentioned messages left on their talk page, they appear to be unable to read & understand references which affirmatively define the subject of the BLP's mother as half-Jewish, they keep on adding controversial material into a BLP article. Could you please handle this issue, or should I report this disruptive IP editor to WP:ANI? Thank you. 93.133.63.183 (talk) 12:22, 1 October 2015 (UTC)

Thanks. I have semi-protected it to help ensure adherence to BLP policy. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 12:56, 1 October 2015 (UTC)

Steven Belledin

Hi Paul, do you have any sources you could add to Steven Belledin? BOZ (talk) 11:26, 23 October 2015 (UTC)

I added a citation, but I'm afraid I can't find any significant coverage. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 22:18, 23 October 2015 (UTC)
I appreciate it, thanks. BOZ (talk) 02:13, 24 October 2015 (UTC)

Josh Bday

Alright..out of respect to Josh you must be right...all the best — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jorddesrochers (talk • contribs) 02:54, 29 October 2015 (UTC)

Again, it's not whether or not I am right. It's that Wikipedia must report what newspapers state about his age. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 03:36, 29 October 2015 (UTC)

Ken Whitman

Hi Paul, might you have any sources to add to Ken Whitman? BOZ (talk) 21:10, 29 October 2015 (UTC)

Sorry, BOZ. It is a fairly common name, about 190 hits, and I looked at the first 40 or so of them; none of them are the same person. "Ken Whitman" + "Imperium" turns up zero hits. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 11:30, 30 October 2015 (UTC)
Do you get anything if you cross-reference his name with Traveller or Archangel or Dynasties or Kickstarter? How about "Ken Whitman Games"? BOZ (talk) 13:25, 30 October 2015 (UTC)
Good ideas, but nothing relevant turns up using those search terms neither. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 14:09, 31 October 2015 (UTC)
Darn, but thanks for checking. Writeups in gaming magazines would be more likely, in fact I suspect very likely since he has been controversial, but unless you actually own a copy of such publications it may be very difficult to find that out from just internet searches. Which can be very frustrating - it is easy to have a subject for which plenty of legitimate sources do exist, but which are out of your reach at the moment. BOZ (talk) 15:42, 31 October 2015 (UTC)
Frustrating for sure. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 23:00, 31 October 2015 (UTC)

I hate to be a bother on this one, but do you get anything by cross-referencing his name with anything under the filmography section at his IMDB page?: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4452606/ BOZ (talk) 00:55, 5 November 2015 (UTC)

I've done each one, trying both with "ken whitman" and with "kenneth whitman". Sorry to say I could not find anything. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 01:35, 5 November 2015 (UTC)
Waaaahhh.... LOL, thanks for checking. BOZ (talk) 03:28, 5 November 2015 (UTC)

Steve Argyle

Hi, Paul. Do you have any sources for Steve Argyle? BOZ (talk) 02:41, 11 November 2015 (UTC)

Hi BOZ. The only thing that turns up is this. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 18:25, 11 November 2015 (UTC)
Thanks, it's something I guess.  :) BOZ (talk) 05:42, 12 November 2015 (UTC)

User:73.2.99.239 - NPA

You warned 73.2.99.239 (talk · contribs · WHOIS) previously regarding NPA (although this was a year ago), that user has performed another personal attack recently [3]. Would you like to block them or shall I bring to the noticeboard? Tiggerjay (talk) 22:51, 21 November 2015 (UTC)

Thanks Tiggerjay. I've gone ahead and blocked, although the effectiveness of it might be questionable, considering how infrequent the offending edits are. Regards, Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 00:20, 22 November 2015 (UTC)

Lisa Steele

Hi, Paul! Do you have any sources to add to Lisa Steele? BOZ (talk) 05:24, 27 November 2015 (UTC)

No, I couldn't find any additional ones. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 04:04, 30 November 2015 (UTC)
Thanks for checking. BOZ (talk) 12:30, 30 November 2015 (UTC)

Chet Williamson

Hi, Paul,

Can you find any more sources to add to Chet Williamson? BOZ (talk) 12:25, 2 December 2015 (UTC)

Thanks for getting into this one! It looks a lot better after I put some time into it this morning, but just a week ago it looked more like this. BOZ (talk) 02:39, 9 December 2015 (UTC)
Thanks. It was easier for me to get in on it once you had put that work in this morning. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 03:00, 9 December 2015 (UTC)

User:Zaza822

Is there any possibility that the account may have been compromised? Looking at the contributions, the edits in 2013 and 2014 were relatively innocuous. It was only recently that the account was used for vandalism. lavender|(formerly HMSSolent)|lambast 03:43, 13 December 2015 (UTC)

It looks like a real possibility. I don't have a way to find out for sure. What would you suggest? Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 03:45, 13 December 2015 (UTC)
IMO, it would be best to allow the user to reply for a certain period of time before determining what to do next. lavender|(formerly HMSSolent)|lambast 01:08, 14 December 2015 (UTC)
They are not blocked from editing their talk page and posting unblock requests, but if they do say "I'm back in control of my account", I think we still have to advise them as per WP:COMPROMISED. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 02:46, 14 December 2015 (UTC)

Merry Christmas!

BOZ (talk) is wishing you a Merry Christmas! This greeting (and season) promotes WikiLove and hopefully this note has made your day a little better. Spread the WikiLove by wishing another user a Merry Christmas, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past, a good friend, or just some random person. Don't eat yellow snow!

Spread the holiday cheer by adding {{subst:User:Flaming/MC2008}} to their talk page with a friendly message.

I'm wishing you a Merry Christmas, because that is what I celebrate. If you don't like Christmas or just don't celebrate it in any of its forms, then please accept a generic "Happy Holidays". If you celebrate no holidays at this time of year, then hopefully you will be satisfied with an even more generic "Season's Greetings".  :) BOZ (talk) 18:57, 24 December 2015 (UTC)

Thanks, BOZ and a Merry Christmas to you too! Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 19:39, 24 December 2015 (UTC)

David M. Ewalt

Hi, Paul. Do you have any sources you could add to David Ewalt? BOZ (talk) 05:00, 20 January 2016 (UTC)

Hi BOZ. Did you find this book review and this one? Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 13:58, 20 January 2016 (UTC)
Those are good, thanks! I am wondering if there is anything on the author himself, to help with the notability tag. BOZ (talk) 14:35, 20 January 2016 (UTC)
It's really just book reviews. I added a couple more. This New York Times article mentions but does not help much with notability. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 02:52, 21 January 2016 (UTC)
Thanks, Paul. There will probably be more material in time, but there may not be much of anything yet. BOZ (talk) 12:26, 21 January 2016 (UTC)

Updating Page

I represent Jeanette Jenkins (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanette_Jenkins) and made updates to her page which seems to have been reverted back to the old page, including incorrect information. Please let me know how I can update her page with correct information so it's not switched back. Please email at bmiller@prosportscomm.com

BethMiller24 (talk) 22:57, 8 February 2016 (UTC)

Replied at User talk:BethMiller24. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 23:36, 8 February 2016 (UTC)

Wayne England

Hi, Paul.

Another RPG creator has passed. Can you check to see if you have anything you can add to his article? BOZ (talk) 23:25, 9 February 2016 (UTC)

Sorry, BOZ. I tried the name in combination with each of his listed works, but found nothing. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 01:29, 10 February 2016 (UTC)
Thanks for checking. BOZ (talk) 12:27, 10 February 2016 (UTC)

Josh Mosqueira

Hey Paul,

Do you have any more sources you could add to Josh Mosqueira? BOZ (talk) 19:25, 21 February 2016 (UTC)

Hi BOZ. The only additional source I can find is Elliott, Shawn. "Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts; Chapter two of Relic's World War II", Games for Windows 6 (May 2007). Someone put the content of that article online here, so you can judge for yourself whether it is something worth adding. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 20:14, 21 February 2016 (UTC)

Raphael Hotter

Am I missing something? How was that an attack page? There was some inappropriate content, but upon its removal, there was nothing to suggest an attack. If anything, it was an A7, but I have doubts about even that. Though it was probably a snowball case anyway. Adam9007 (talk) 19:35, 6 March 2016 (UTC)

It looks like bullying of a high school student. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 19:43, 6 March 2016 (UTC)
Yes, I did see that, but there was nothing obviously disparaging the subject in the article (after I removed inappropriate content). Are you saying it was an attack in spirit? Adam9007 (talk) 19:46, 6 March 2016 (UTC)
It was created primarily to make fun of him, it seemed to me. Jokes about nose whistling, his height... Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 19:51, 6 March 2016 (UTC)
Well, if that is the case, then it was a G3 at the very least, but it wasn't obvious to me. But then again, I'm autistic, and it's my understanding that we sometimes miss such things. Adam9007 (talk) 19:56, 6 March 2016 (UTC)
Ah okay. I think you are missing that the page was an attempt to disparage him. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 19:59, 6 March 2016 (UTC)
User:BethNaught also deleted it for the same reason. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 20:01, 6 March 2016 (UTC)
The page may not have contained outright attacks, but it did include plenty of silly, implausible claims which taken together were, in my opinion, a clear attempt to mock and denigrate Hotter. Certain phraseology also seemed anti-Semitic in the context. The claims were mostly "negative in tone and unsourced" - obviously the medal is positive - but he's a minor so we should take the side of caution. BethNaught (talk) 20:37, 6 March 2016 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

The Special Barnstar
Hi Paul Erik, Just wanted to say thanks for kindly dealing with that AIV report,

I've been palmed off to ANI before and it ended up turning into a drama-fest (as always!) so thank you for dealing with it - It's much appreciated :)
Thanks & Happy eiditng :), –Davey2010Talk 01:24, 8 March 2016 (UTC)

Thanks Davey2010! Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 01:31, 8 March 2016 (UTC)

User:Ihatedonaldtrump24/sandbox

Hey Paul Erik--next time can you block the user too for their username? Thanks, Drmies (talk) 01:36, 8 March 2016 (UTC)

You bet. Thanks for the reminder, Drmies. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 01:38, 8 March 2016 (UTC)
Ooo, you got me. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 01:58, 8 March 2016 (UTC)

Mark Poole

Hi Paul,

Do you have any good sources for Mark Poole? BOZ (talk) 14:31, 19 March 2016 (UTC)

No, just a couple of appearances at conventions (where he is described as a "familiar face"), which I've added just now. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 19:46, 20 March 2016 (UTC)


Hi. Ye I have been made aware of KDL although I do not believe it is absolute, depending on the circumstances (hence BOLD and IAR). However, regarding the Rob Ford article, I need to point out that I only made eight 12 edits to the page since notice of his death became public, and more importantly that what I believe you are referring to specifically is an edit comment in which I made reference to removing a dead link. However this was a misnomer on my part. The link I rv was an unused link which left the following error message in the article (in bright red):

Cite error: A list-defined reference named "HuffPo2014-09-18" is not used in the content (see the help page).

My edit summary should have said "rv unused reflink", not "rv dead link". That was my mistake.

Yours, Quis separabit? 18:00, 22 March 2016 (UTC)

Semi please

Mind semi-protecting my user talk page for a couple days? Yourname seems to be fixating on me. User talk:EvergreenFir. EvergreenFir (talk) Please {{re}} 22:18, 31 March 2016 (UTC)

Sure. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 22:19, 31 March 2016 (UTC)
Thank you kindly EvergreenFir (talk) Please {{re}} 22:20, 31 March 2016 (UTC)

Hello

The changes made on my behalf are not in violations of the neutral point of view policy because that is a part of miss Chelse Handlers past. Thank you! — Preceding unsigned comment added by Sajunara (talk • contribs) 21:08, 7 May 2016 (UTC)

Multiple editors find your edits problematic. You need to stop. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 21:34, 7 May 2016 (UTC)

Personal attacks

Hi there Paul. An IP made this edit summary on Antonio Conte which seems like a personal attack to me and very offensive. I was wondering if you could change the visibility of his edit summary as, again, I find it offensive against me. Thanks. Vaselineeeeeeee★★★ 03:55, 30 May 2016 (UTC)

Hi Vaselineeeeeeee. I agree with you that is a personal attack and it is offensive. If the IP editor persists after being warned, I would block the IP. Sadly, however, I don't think that this meets criteria for redaction (WP:CRD). Do let me know if the editor makes more personal attacks. Regards, Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 17:12, 30 May 2016 (UTC)
Okay, no problem, thanks for considering it. I'll surely let you know if it persists. Best, Vaselineeeeeeee★★★ 17:31, 30 May 2016 (UTC)

Claude J. Pelletier

Hi Paul,

Could you please take a look and see what sources you could find for Claude J. Pelletier? Thanks! BOZ (talk) 03:10, 7 June 2016 (UTC)

Hi BOZ. All I can find is this article from The Gazette. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 03:17, 7 June 2016 (UTC)
Thanks, it's something at least. BOZ (talk) 13:27, 7 June 2016 (UTC)

Paizo people

Hi, Paul!

Given that Gen Con starts in a couple of days, I was wondering if you could take a look at three recently-created and recently-redirected articles and see if there is anything you can find to make them worth restoring? I don't know how much of a longshot this is, but with Paizo Publishing being as successful of a company as it has become, there might just be something.

Let me know if you find anything! Thanks.  :) BOZ (talk) 16:05, 2 August 2016 (UTC)

If there's nothing for these folks, I will just move them into WP:DRAFT space. BOZ (talk) 16:01, 20 August 2016 (UTC)
For Jessica Price, you've perhaps already seen this. I can't find anything else for her, and nothing for the other two. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 16:09, 20 August 2016 (UTC)
Well that's fairly disturbing... but it should make a good source to restore her article and give it a shot. I will draftspace the other two for now. BOZ (talk) 19:23, 24 August 2016 (UTC)

Randy Buehler

One more a bit more urgent than the other three, but would you mind taking a look to see if you have anything for Randy Buehler? BOZ (talk) 23:40, 3 August 2016 (UTC)

Based on discussion so far it looks like this one is safe, but still anything you can find would only help. :) BOZ (talk) 03:13, 10 August 2016 (UTC)

reverts on osgoode page

You appear to be taking sides by giving me a warning rather than addressing the fact that someone else is repeatedly violating the page. The rule of reverting obviously makes no sense when applied in isolation. Please notify the admins about the repeated violation of that page by the ip address listed in the history. There is no valid reason for which the other 'editor' has been revising the page and reverting my edit, an edit which is fully cited and accurate. I am going to put the page back to what it should be and presumably the other editor will lose their editing privileges if they revert. Thanks. ~~Paulydee


Hey Paul Erick, I didn't know you constituted consensus for all of wikipedia. You must be really important and know better than any other editor.

Forgotten Realms characters

A user has nominated Erevis Cale (you may see I responded to his question at the AFD) and Jarlaxle for AFD. The user also redirected Wulfgar based on an AFD from 2007; the article was restored at one point, and Torchiest added one RS to it in 2012. Do you have any further sources for these three characters, from book reviews or otherwise? BOZ (talk) 14:14, 4 September 2016 (UTC)

Wulfgar (Forgotten Realms) has been restored. BOZ (talk) 16:31, 5 September 2016 (UTC)
I added the little that I could find for Jarlaxle and Wulfgar. For Erevis, I no longer have access to that text. My library's database no longer includes Chronicle. If that is a permanent situation, I'm sorry to say I'm going to be even less helpful than in the past for Fantasy/D&D-related topics. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 00:44, 8 September 2016 (UTC)
I appreciate everything you have been able to help me with over the years, far more than anything you may not be able to help with. :) BOZ (talk) 00:55, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

Thank you!

Appreciate the block on that vandal! With all of the vandalism that happens here, there should be a class on how not to vandalize: How Not to Vandalize Wikipedia 101. Amaury (talk | contribs) 03:18, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

Thanks for reporting them. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 03:25, 9 September 2016 (UTC)
Of course. And you keep up the good work! :) Amaury (talk | contribs) 03:27, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

Jimmy Garoppolo

Thank you. The mental illness of the internet: all a person has to do is spend some time on television and the trolls come out. Cheers, 2601:188:1:AEA0:9825:2A41:2ECE:E32B (talk) 03:31, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

Thanks for reporting them. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 03:37, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

Sorry to be a bother, but the football fans are busy tonight: Terrance Williams, if you can. Thank you, 2601:188:1:AEA0:9825:2A41:2ECE:E32B (talk) 03:45, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

Sure. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 03:48, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

Might I suggest a longer protection on Garappolo. Taking precedents into consideration, this is definitely not going to end any time soon. I'd say a month would be better, since that's when he'll be out of the spotlight. Lizard (talk) 05:03, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

Hi User:Lizard the Wizard. I'll keep an eye on it when protection expires, and move up to a month as the next stage if needed. I started with just a few days because the article has never been protected before. Thanks, Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 19:15, 12 September 2016 (UTC)

24.252.238.200

Curious, but considering the block record from this IP, how come you only blocked it for 1 week when the previous block was for 6 months? Just wondering in case if you didn't see that, or what your rationale is behind it, that's all. 73.96.115.3 (talk) 03:51, 20 September 2016 (UTC)

Oh that was entirely a slip of the finger. I had meant to block for one year. Thanks for catching that. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 03:53, 20 September 2016 (UTC)


70.166.73.20

Hi again,

Another observation, it appears as though the IP's block duration was changed immediately after you blocked it. Just thought I'd let you know this in case if you'd want to change it back or discuss it with the other involved admin. (which I've already notified them of this as well). 73.96.115.3 (talk) 04:17, 20 September 2016 (UTC)

162.253.130.132

You may want to revoke talkpage access from this IP. Regards. 73.96.114.152 (talk) 04:16, 22 September 2016 (UTC)

Oh goodness, please just ignore his antics on his talk page. Thanks. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 04:16, 22 September 2016 (UTC)
I had thought he would eventually get bored if ignored (which in my experience commonly happens in these situations, and at least they are not vandalizing article pages) – but it turns out you were quite right with your suggestion. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 20:40, 22 September 2016 (UTC)

Gerald Butts

You made the right call, and nice job neutralizing the editorializing. Bearcat (talk) 03:29, 23 September 2016 (UTC)

Okay, thanks for taking a look. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 03:31, 23 September 2016 (UTC)

Extended confirmed protection

Hello, Paul Erik. This message is intended to notify administrators of important changes to the protection policy.

Extended confirmed protection (also known as "30/500 protection") is a new level of page protection that only allows edits from accounts at least 30 days old and with 500 edits. The automatically assigned "extended confirmed" user right was created for this purpose. The protection level was created following this community discussion with the primary intention of enforcing various arbitration remedies that prohibited editors under the "30 days/500 edits" threshold to edit certain topic areas.

In July and August 2016, a request for comment established consensus for community use of the new protection level. Administrators are authorized to apply extended confirmed protection to combat any form of disruption (e.g. vandalism, sock puppetry, edit warring, etc.) on any topic, subject to the following conditions:

  • Extended confirmed protection may only be used in cases where semi-protection has proven ineffective. It should not be used as a first resort.
  • A bot will post a notification at Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard of each use. MusikBot currently does this by updating a report, which is transcluded onto the noticeboard.

Please review the protection policy carefully before using this new level of protection on pages. Thank you.
This message was sent to the administrators' mass message list. To opt-out of future messages, please remove yourself from the list. 17:49, 23 September 2016 (UTC)

Thank you

Thanks for protecting Mike Remmers. It saved me a lot of work in warning the vandals. MB298 (talk) 23:55, 2 October 2016 (UTC)

Glad to help. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 23:56, 2 October 2016 (UTC)

Coderre

My edit was completely factual. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Dreamboyz (talk • contribs) 03:22, 4 October 2016 (UTC)

On the face of it, it did not appear to meet BLP policy requirements. Is this something that has been discussed in reliable secondary sources that would indicate that this would be a significant part of his biography? Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 03:28, 4 October 2016 (UTC)

What requirement does it not meet? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Dreamboyz (talk • contribs) 03:38, 4 October 2016 (UTC)

Your source is a YouTube video. As I asked, Is this something that has been discussed in reliable secondary sources? Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 03:43, 4 October 2016 (UTC)

Well his ufo exposé was on national television. On the show Téléjeans. 19 mai 1979. It's still in the radio canada archives. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Dreamboyz (talk • contribs) 03:44, 4 October 2016 (UTC)

I believe it his first television rxposure. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Dreamboyz (talk • contribs) 03:45, 4 October 2016 (UTC)

link to radio canada archive

http://archives.radio-canada.ca/sciences_technologies/phenomenes_inexpliques/clips/4720/ — Preceding unsigned comment added by Dreamboyz (talk • contribs) 03:49, 4 October 2016 (UTC)

You are welcome to propose your addition at Talk:Denis Coderre but it is not likely to gain much traction unless there are recent sources (such as newspaper or magazine articles) that discuss this childhood incident. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 03:51, 4 October 2016 (UTC)

OK thank you. There are many different papers discussing the issue. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Dreamboyz (talk • contribs) 03:54, 4 October 2016 (UTC)

Review

Hey, Paul! It looks like you originally added this review here, but is there anything else you can provide for Daughter of the Drow based on that? BOZ (talk) 05:50, 17 October 2016 (UTC)

My apologies, BOZ. If I were to put some work into expanding an article about a novel, I'm more likely to turn my attention to some notable Canadian literature that has a short article, such as Do Not Say We Have Nothing, which recently won the Governor General's Award for fiction. D&D fantasy novels are not an area of interest for me (although of course I have occasionally done some searches when an article is tagged for deletion and you have brought it to my attention as you did with House Baenre). Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 21:33, 29 October 2016 (UTC)
Hey gotcha, I appreciate that you were able to provide that source in the first place.  :) BOZ (talk) 01:45, 1 November 2016 (UTC)
Thanks, BOZ. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 03:39, 1 November 2016 (UTC)

User talk:TheGracefulSlick

Your protection at User talk:TheGracefulSlick seems to be a bit harsh. Did you intend to semi-protect the page, perhaps? Instead, you've placed extended confirmed protection, meaning any accounts with less than 500 edits or less than 30 days on the site can't edit it. That isn't desirable for a user talk page. ~ Rob13Talk 01:10, 21 October 2016 (UTC)

Hi User:BU Rob13. I looked at the protection log and repeated what User:Opabinia regalis and User:Bishonen had done, due to the socks that had previously appeared to attack User:TheGracefulSlick. I certainly wouldn't object to reducing it down to semi-protection if any of you think that would be best. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 01:53, 21 October 2016 (UTC)
Alright, I'm going to reduce it. I don't mind short-term extended confirmed protection on user talk pages when warranted by extreme vandalism that is massively disrupting the project/wasting volunteer time, but doing it speculatively when IPs are currently being used is overkill in my opinion. This does significant damage to new users who may want to communicate with the user with the protected talk page but can't under that protection level. ~ Rob13Talk 02:00, 21 October 2016 (UTC)

Two-Factor Authentication now available for admins

Hello,

Please note that TOTP based two-factor authentication is now available for all administrators. In light of the recent compromised accounts, you are encouraged to add this additional layer of security to your account. It may be enabled on your preferences page in the "User profile" tab under the "Basic information" section. For basic instructions on how to enable two-factor authentication, please see the developing help page for additional information. Important: Be sure to record the two-factor authentication key and the single use keys. If you lose your two factor authentication and do not have the keys, it's possible that your account will not be recoverable. Furthermore, you are encouraged to utilize a unique password and two-factor authentication for the email account associated with your Wikimedia account. This measure will assist in safeguarding your account from malicious password resets. Comments, questions, and concerns may be directed to the thread on the administrators' noticeboard. MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 20:34, 12 November 2016 (UTC)

A new user right for New Page Patrollers

Hi Paul Erik.

A new user group, New Page Reviewer, has been created in a move to greatly improve the standard of new page patrolling. The user right can be granted by any admin at PERM. It is highly recommended that admins look beyond the simple numerical threshold and satisfy themselves that the candidates have the required skills of communication and an advanced knowledge of notability and deletion. Admins are automatically included in this user right.

It is anticipated that this user right will significantly reduce the work load of admins who patrol the performance of the patrollers. However,due to the complexity of the rollout, some rights may have been accorded that may later need to be withdrawn, so some help will still be needed to some extent when discovering wrongly applied deletion tags or inappropriate pages that escape the attention of less experienced reviewers, and above all, hasty and bitey tagging for maintenance. User warnings are available here but very often a friendly custom message works best.

If you have any questions about this user right, don't hesitate to join us at WT:NPR. (Sent to all admins).MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 13:48, 15 November 2016 (UTC)

Orphaned non-free image File:Youth Group - Forever Young.jpg

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Thanks for uploading File:Youth Group - Forever Young.jpg. The image description page currently specifies that the image is non-free and may only be used on Wikipedia under a claim of fair use. However, the image is currently not used in any articles on Wikipedia. If the image was previously in an article, please go to the article and see why it was removed. You may add it back if you think that that will be useful. However, please note that images for which a replacement could be created are not acceptable for use on Wikipedia (see our policy for non-free media).

Note that any non-free images not used in any articles will be deleted after seven days, as described in the criteria for speedy deletion. Thank you. Sfan00 IMG (talk) 09:10, 20 November 2016 (UTC)

ArbCom Elections 2016: Voting now open!

Hello, Paul Erik. Voting in the 2016 Arbitration Committee elections is open from Monday, 00:00, 21 November through Sunday, 23:59, 4 December to all unblocked users who have registered an account before Wednesday, 00:00, 28 October 2016 and have made at least 150 mainspace edits before Sunday, 00:00, 1 November 2016.

The Arbitration Committee is the panel of editors responsible for conducting the Wikipedia arbitration process. It has the authority to impose binding solutions to disputes between editors, primarily for serious conduct disputes the community has been unable to resolve. This includes the authority to impose site bans, topic bans, editing restrictions, and other measures needed to maintain our editing environment. The arbitration policy describes the Committee's roles and responsibilities in greater detail.

If you wish to participate in the 2016 election, please review the candidates' statements and submit your choices on the voting page. MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 22:08, 21 November 2016 (UTC)

Hamilton Pence story needs more balance

Many notable people including show hosts on both CNN and Fox have criticized the Hamilton cast. Please be fair and include the most thoughtful comments from them. Thank you. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 40.133.226.82 (talk) 08:10, 23 November 2016 (UTC)

If you have some specific examples that you believe are notable enough to be included, please bring them up on the talk page, Talk:Hamilton (musical) so that the editors who have worked on the article can help. Criticisms would need proper citations, of course. Thanks, Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 12:53, 23 November 2016 (UTC)

Drafts

I might have asked you to look at these before, and if so there may not have been anything worth adding at the time, but could I ask you to please take another look and see if you can find anything for Draft:Richard Ranallo‎, Draft:Ethan Skemp‎, and Draft:Dominic Covey? I will see if there is anything I can find, meanwhile. BOZ (talk) 07:54, 28 November 2016 (UTC)

Hi BOZ. I can't find anything for any of them, sorry to say. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 00:02, 29 November 2016 (UTC)
No problem, thanks for checking. :) BOZ (talk) 04:01, 29 November 2016 (UTC)

Merry Christmas!

BOZ (talk) is wishing you a Merry Christmas! This greeting (and season) promotes WikiLove and hopefully this note has made your day a little better. Spread the WikiLove by wishing another user a Merry Christmas, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past, a good friend, or just some random person. Don't eat yellow snow!

Spread the holiday cheer by adding {{subst:User:Flaming/MC2008}} to their talk page with a friendly message.

I'm wishing you a Merry Christmas, because that is what I celebrate. If you don't like Christmas or just don't celebrate it in any of its forms, then please accept a generic "Happy Holidays". If you celebrate no holidays at this time of year, then hopefully you will be satisfied with an even more generic "Season's Greetings".  :) BOZ (talk) 01:37, 24 December 2016 (UTC)

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Paul Erik!!
Hi Paul Erik, I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year,

Thanks for all your help on the 'pedia!

   –Davey2010 Merry Xmas / Happy New Year 16:29, 24 December 2016 (UTC)

Merry, merry!

From the icy Canajian north; to you and yours! FWiW Bzuk (talk) 22:20, 25 December 2016 (UTC)

Joyeux Noël

Samsara is wishing you Seasons Greetings! Whether you celebrate your hemisphere's Solstice or Christmas, Diwali, Hogmanay, Hanukkah, Lenaia, Festivus or even the Saturnalia, this is a special time of year for almost everyone!

Adapted from {{subst:User:WereSpielChequers/Dec16a}}.

Tika Waylan

Hi Paul,

Do you see any sources for Tika Waylan Majere in any reviews of Dragonlance novels that could be used for this article? (The all-too-important business of deletion doesn't pause for some Scrooges, LOL) BOZ (talk) 02:30, 27 December 2016 (UTC)

Hi, BOZ. No, sorry, I can't find a mention of the character. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 04:11, 29 December 2016 (UTC)
Wow, surprised, thanks for checking. BOZ (talk) 12:41, 29 December 2016 (UTC)

Jeremy Zimmerman

Hi Paul, I have one more if you don't mind. Do you see any sources for Jeremy Zimmerman? BOZ (talk) 12:42, 29 December 2016 (UTC)

I tried his name combined with "Seattle", with "author", with "Cobalt City", with "Mad Scientist", and with "role-playing" but I couldn't find anything about him. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 14:53, 29 December 2016 (UTC)
OK, thanks for checking. BOZ (talk) 16:52, 29 December 2016 (UTC)

Happy New Year, Paul Erik!

Happy New Year!

Paul Erik,
Have a prosperous, productive and enjoyable New Year, and thanks for your contributions to Wikipedia.
–Davey2010 Merry Xmas / Happy New Year 13:30, 1 January 2017 (UTC)

   Send New Year cheer by adding {{subst:Happy New Year fireworks}} to user talk pages.

Happy New Year, Paul Erik!

Happy New Year!

Paul Erik,
Have a prosperous, productive and enjoyable New Year, and thanks for your contributions to Wikipedia.
Donner60 (talk) 04:56, 2 January 2017 (UTC)

   Send New Year cheer by adding {{subst:Happy New Year fireworks}} to user talk pages.

Don Lemon

You protected this article. See threads 8 and 9 on talk page. 2600:8805:5800:F500:9C9D:6AB3:CBF8:A317 (talk) 04:26, 7 January 2017 (UTC)

The article has been protected because there have been repeated violations of the biography of living persons policy. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 18:17, 7 January 2017 (UTC)

Kevin Andrew Murphy

Hi Paul, another one. You helped me find sources for Kevin Andrew Murphy a few years ago. Would you be able to find anything else to help with this one? Thanks. BOZ (talk) 12:43, 9 January 2017 (UTC)

Sorry, BOZ. I have checked but can't find anything additional. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 01:26, 10 January 2017 (UTC)
Thanks for checking. At least you found something for it previously, so that is better than it would have been otherwise. BOZ (talk) 04:30, 11 January 2017 (UTC)

David S. LaForce

Sorry Paul, another one. Is there anything you can find for artist and cartographer David "Diesel" LaForce? BOZ (talk) 16:32, 11 January 2017 (UTC)

No, sorry, I can't find anything more. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 13:41, 12 January 2017 (UTC)
Thanks for checking. BOZ (talk) 14:42, 15 January 2017 (UTC)

Please tell me how calling a liar a liar is an offense...

She REITERATED that she really would leave this country if she didn't get her way, and has now reneged on that pledge. If someone with (excessive) influence on the proletariat commits hypocrisy - something I was taught from birth was a terrible crime - she should be called out on it. Now, who is being biased here? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Drinking12 (talk • contribs) 07:10, 15 January 2017 (UTC)

Genie in a Bottle

Can you semi-protect the page to persistent block evasion by User:MariaJaydHicky? 183.171.183.50 (talk) 23:49, 19 January 2017 (UTC)

I'm not familiar with that sock puppet. At that particular article it doesn't look as if there is enough recent activity to justify semi-protection, but I wouldn't mind at all if you wanted to seek another admin to look at the situation, at WP:RFPP or elsewhere. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 00:40, 20 January 2017 (UTC)

Help

Dear Mr. Admin. I need some help. I did find out, that the Portal of Islamophobia and the Portal of Criticism of Islam both redirects to Geert Wilders. I have tried to rewrite the Islamophobia portal and tried to delete the Criticism of Islam portal. But I had a lot of trouble. The problem is: I didn't knew what to do. So can you please look at both portals and help me? Both pages redirects to Geert Wilders - a right-wing politician. He is a living person and even though he might be Islamophobic, the redirection where clearly made by a troll. PS! Maybe other pages redirect wrongly to him as well.--Élisée P. Bruneau (talk) 05:19, 30 January 2017 (UTC)

I have no experience working with Portals, so I am not the best person to ask. But I agree with you that those should not be redirecting to Portal:Geert_Wilders Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 05:27, 30 January 2017 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter - February 2017

News and updates for administrators from the past month (January 2017). This first issue is being sent out to all administrators, if you wish to keep receiving it please subscribe. Your feedback is welcomed.

Administrator changes

NinjaRobotPirate • Schwede66 • K6ka • Ealdgyth • Ferret • Cyberpower678 • Mz7 • Primefac • Dodger67
Briangotts • JeremyA • BU Rob13

Guideline and policy news

Technical news

  • When performing some administrative actions the reason field briefly gave suggestions as text was typed. This change has since been reverted so that issues with the implementation can be addressed. (T34950)
  • Following the latest RfC concluding that Pending Changes 2 should not be used on the English Wikipedia, an RfC closed with consensus to remove the options for using it from the page protection interface, a change which has now been made. (T156448)
  • The Foundation has announced a new community health initiative to combat harassment. This should bring numerous improvements to tools for admins and CheckUsers in 2017.

Arbitration

Obituaries

  • JohnCD (John Cameron Deas) passed away on 30 December 2016. John began editing Wikipedia seriously during 2007 and became an administrator in November 2009.
Discuss this newsletter • Subscribe • Archive

13:38, 1 February 2017 (UTC)

Reviews

Hi Paul, I hope you are doing well!

The articles on novels The Wizardwar, The Siege (Forgotten Realms novel), The Floodgate, The Magehound, and Songs & Swords were all tagged for notability. When you get a chance, would you be able to check and see if there are reviews for any of them? Thanks! BOZ (talk) 12:33, 28 February 2017 (UTC)

Hi BOZ. I checked each one but found nothing. Keep in mind that the publication most likely to publish such reviews is Chronicle – they would almost certainly have them for those books – but for some reasons unknown to me, my library's database no longer includes that magazine. Sorry. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 01:38, 3 March 2017 (UTC)
Damn those unknown reasons... maybe you mentioned that to me before, but I forgot (sometimes I need to hear something 3 or 5 times before it sinks in). No worries, thanks for checking. BOZ (talk) 07:50, 3 March 2017 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – March 2017

News and updates for administrators from the past month (February 2017).

Administrator changes

Amortias • Deckiller • BU Rob13
Ronnotel • Islander • Chamal N • Isomorphic • Keeper76 • Lord Voldemort • Shereth • Bdesham • Pjacobi

Guideline and policy news

Technical news

  • A recent query shows that only 16% of administrators on the English Wikipedia have enabled two-factor authentication. If you haven't already enabled it please consider doing so.
  • Cookie blocks should be deployed to the English Wikipedia soon. This will extend the current autoblock system by setting a cookie for each block, which will then autoblock the user after they switch accounts under a new IP.
  • A bot will now automatically place a protection template on protected pages when admins forget to do so.
Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 05:14, 1 March 2017 (UTC)

Jason L Blair

Hi Paul,

Do you see any sources for Jason L Blair? The article mentions video game and tabletop game design work and awards, but is short on sources. Thanks, if you are able to check. BOZ (talk) 12:35, 10 March 2017 (UTC)

Hi BOZ. I've checked and did not come up with anything. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 00:04, 11 March 2017 (UTC)
Ah, too bad. Thanks for checking! BOZ (talk) 15:48, 11 March 2017 (UTC)

Excuse me

I did not edit the weekend page. I received a message from you — Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.136.45.249 (talk) 00:38, 20 March 2017 (UTC)

It was in reference to this edit from someone using your IP address. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 01:10, 20 March 2017 (UTC)

March 2017

Information icon Hello, I'm CyanoTex. I wanted to let you know that one or more of your recent contributions to Jonathan Groff have been undone because they did not appear constructive. If you would like to experiment, please use the sandbox. If you think a mistake was made, or if you have any questions, you can leave me a message on my talk page. CyanoTex (talk) 20:27, 30 March 2017 (UTC)

I think you may have misunderstood my edit there. Someone had removed a word which left a sentence that did not even make grammatical sense. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 00:09, 31 March 2017 (UTC)

Terry Dykstra

Hi Paul, I have been mostly striking out lately, but do you see anything for Terry Dykstra? I had been emptying out my list of DRAFT bio articles, but then lately I have been filling it back up. :P BOZ (talk) 04:38, 29 March 2017 (UTC)

There's a Terry Dykstra who is executive director of the Baltimore Ronald MacDonald House, and a Terry Dykstra who writes a lot of letters to the editor in Topeka, Kansas. No artist that I can find. Sorry BOZ. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 14:23, 2 April 2017 (UTC)
Thanks for checking. BOZ (talk) 17:55, 2 April 2017 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – April 2017

News and updates for administrators from the past month (March 2017).

Administrator changes

added TheDJ
removed Xnuala • CJ • Oldelpaso • Berean Hunter • Jimbo Wales • Andrew c • Karanacs • Modemac • Scott

Guideline and policy news

  • Following a discussion on the backlog of unpatrolled files, consensus was found to create a new user right for autopatrolling file uploads. Implementation progress can be tracked on Phabricator.
  • The BLPPROD grandfather clause, which stated that unreferenced biographies of living persons were only eligible for proposed deletion if they were created after March 18, 2010, has been removed following an RfC.
  • An RfC has closed with consensus to allow proposed deletion of files. The implementation process is ongoing.
  • After an unsuccessful proposal to automatically grant IP block exemption, consensus was found to relax the criteria for granting the user right from needing it to wanting it.

Technical news

  • After a recent RfC, moved pages will soon be featured in a queue similar to Special:NewPagesFeed and require patrolling. Moves by administrators, page movers, and autopatrolled editors will be automatically marked as patrolled.
  • Cookie blocks have been deployed. This extends the current autoblock system by setting a cookie for each block, which will then autoblock the user if they switch accounts, even under a new IP.
Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 10:55, 1 April 2017 (UTC)

One of your blocks

User:2001:8003:4161:D200:3584:C39C:2F47:A7C0 is User:Dylan_Florida. A rangeblock covering this specific IP had just expired, so I re-instated it. DMacks (talk) 05:47, 2 April 2017 (UTC)

Thanks, DMacks. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 05:56, 2 April 2017 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – May 2017

News and updates for administrators from the past month (April 2017).

Administrator changes

added Karanacs • Berean Hunter • GoldenRing • Dlohcierekim
removed Gdr • Tyrenius • JYolkowski • Longhair • Master Thief Garrett • Aaron Brenneman • Laser brain • JzG • Dragons flight

Guideline and policy news

Technical news

Miscellaneous

  • Following an RfC, the editing restrictions page is now split into a list of active restrictions and an archive of those that are old or on inactive accounts. Make sure to check both pages if searching for a restriction.
Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 20:20, 2 May 2017 (UTC)

Your block of User:Letsaskben

It appears that this editor is now using 68.9.237.218 to continue the attack on Joel White ‎. Meters (talk) 03:22, 25 May 2017 (UTC)

Thanks, Meters. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 11:11, 25 May 2017 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – June 2017

News and updates for administrators from the past month (May 2017).

Administrator changes

added Doug Bell • Dennis Brown • Clpo13 • ONUnicorn
removed ThaddeusB • Yandman • Bjarki S • OldakQuill • Shyam • Jondel • Worm That Turned

Guideline and policy news

Technical news

Miscellaneous

Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 21:40, 1 June 2017 (UTC)

Requesting your assistance

Hey, Paul Erik! I would like to bring to your attention the activity on Gillian Anderson's page for the past week. Anon keeps making changes from different log-ins, won't resolve through Talk or follow warning. The page keeps being disrupted on a regular basis. Please assist. Thank you! TonyIsTheWoman (talk) 20:22, 19 June 2017 (UTC)

Hi TonyITW. Hmm, there was a lot of edit warring happening on that page. I'll just quietly make a few points here:
  • This is the kind of situation in which it would be helpful to be able to point to a discussion on the article talk page where consensus has been established.
  • You may not be aware that an editor's IP address might change frequently through no specific action on their part – see Wikipedia:IP hopper. You brought up WP:SOCK but I don't see any evidence that this person is attempting to pretend that they are multiple different users. (This is one of the common misconceptions listed at Wikipedia:IPs are human too#Common misconceptions: "Unregistered users are more likely to be sock puppets.")
  • There might be something I'm completely overlooking here, but this editor appears to have begun by editing in good faith, perhaps unaware of the guidance at MOS:BLPLEAD#Context.
  • Thanks for your work keeping an eye on some of our mid- to high-profile woman celebrities' biographies! Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 00:27, 20 June 2017 (UTC)
Thank you for the well-detailed reply; I really appreciate it. I've never experienced a situation where the user (well, anon) kept reverting / adding data without resolving it through Talk, who also keep changing it log in - which makes it impossible to properly warn it and report. And :-) @ the last point. Cheers, dude! TonyIsTheWoman (talk) 03:29, 20 June 2017 (UTC)
Hi, Paul! The situation on page resumed. Pls advise. Thank you. TonyIsTheWoman (talk) 14:49, 6 July 2017 (UTC)
Okay, I have temporarily semi-protected the article to help guide the IP editor to discuss their proposed change on the talk page. I have initiated the discussion at Talk:Gillian Anderson#"American" or "American-British". I myself am neutral as to the question but reverted back to the long-established description of her, respecting WP:BRD. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 01:25, 7 July 2017 (UTC)
The issue resumed yet again. Also, RE my mention of WP:SOCK, which - I reckon - is quite evident now. Thank you again, Paul. TonyIsTheWoman (talk) 19:39, 10 July 2017 (UTC)

Orphaned non-free image File:TwoHoursTrafficAprilStorm.jpg

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Thanks for uploading File:TwoHoursTrafficAprilStorm.jpg. The image description page currently specifies that the image is non-free and may only be used on Wikipedia under a claim of fair use. However, the image is currently not used in any articles on Wikipedia. If the image was previously in an article, please go to the article and see why it was removed. You may add it back if you think that that will be useful. However, please note that images for which a replacement could be created are not acceptable for use on Wikipedia (see our policy for non-free media).

Note that any non-free images not used in any articles will be deleted after seven days, as described in section F5 of the criteria for speedy deletion. Thank you. --B-bot (talk) 18:15, 20 June 2017 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – July 2017

News and updates for administrators from the past month (June 2017).

Administrator changes

added Happyme22 • Dragons flight
removed Zad68

Guideline and policy news

Technical news

Miscellaneous

  • A newly revamped database report can help identify users who may be eligible to be autopatrolled.
  • A potentially compromised account from 2001–2002 attempted to request resysop. Please practice appropriate account security by using a unique password for Wikipedia, and consider enabling two-factor authentication. Currently around 17% of admins have enabled 2FA, up from 16% in February 2017.
  • Did you know: On 29 June 2017, there were 1,261 administrators on the English Wikipedia – the exact number of administrators as there were ten years ago on 29 June 2007. Since that time, the English Wikipedia has grown from 1.85 million articles to over 5.43 million.
Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 20:59, 6 July 2017 (UTC)

Russell Gerwitz shenanigans

Hey, just seeing the investigation notice on my account about sockpuppetry. I can assure I'm no sock puppet, but there were a lot of prank edits on Gerwitz's page around 10 months ago due to his ridiculous account of his Burning Man experience. The Burning Man community is prone to shenanigans, especially when there's a threat to the event we hold so dear. And people like Gerwitz are a threat to the event. I'm totally guilty of frivolous edits, but not of sockpuppetry. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Vargaso!! (talk • contribs) 18:39, 14 July 2017 (UTC)

Well the warning I left on your talk page was related to one of your "frivolous edits". I didn't bring up the sock puppetry idea; that appears to have been other editors. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 00:47, 15 July 2017 (UTC)

Block of HGT2003

In my AIV report of HGT2003[4] I suggested that the related IP rangeblock[5] be extended. It's going to expire in three days. I think there is significant evidence that this is a persistent user who brazenly block-evades and who casually flips between IP editing and new accounts. If you deliberately declined the to extend the IP rangeblock, that's fine. No explanation or answer is needed. I just wanted to ensure the idea wasn't overlooked in a swift obvious-block of the HGT2003 account.

Either way, thank for handling it. Alsee (talk) 08:53, 30 July 2017 (UTC)

Thanks for your note. I did overlook it in a swift obvious-block. I have extended the rangeblock for a month. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 10:43, 30 July 2017 (UTC)

Tallahassle Block

I noticed that you gave an indefinite block at User talk:Tallahassle. I'm not sure if you saw, but I had declined the AIV report of that user an hour before you blocked and instead issued a final warning. I did consider a temporary block for a day or so as a way of emphasizing consequences, but I must very strongly disagree with your choice to indefinitely block the user. He has clearly been acting in good faith, albeit misguided, and does have a desire to improve the project. My rationale behind wanting a temporary block was that it would show him what happens if he ignores the advice - and warnings - of established editors, and that it would be enough to convince him to change his disruptive behavior. Given his age, matching his disruptive behavior with real consequences might be enough to do just that. I wanted to let you know that he's appealed his block (although I added the template on his page for him), and that he has apologized profusely for his behavior.--Slon02 (talk) 04:03, 31 July 2017 (UTC)

Hi User:Slon02. I had blocked him without first reading your warning on his page, and without having seen your decline at AIV. Sorry about that. I would not have blocked if I had seen your decline, and I'll be more careful to first check if there has been a decline at AIV. (I usually am careful and not sure why I did not check this time.) I had looked at their recent edits, and it was difficult for me to assume good faith regarding their most recent edits to Airdrie, Alberta; it appeared that they were continuing to play games despite a large number of attempts to engage on their talk page. After blocking them, I spent about 40 minutes going back over their most recent edits and nearly every one of them was against guidelines or otherwise unproductive in some way. On the whole it appears there is roughly one productive edit for every 30 or so that is unproductive (and even those are pretty borderline; example). Many of their older edits still need reviewing. This is not an ideal use of other editors' time, in my view. That said, I don't object to an unblock if you think there is a possibility of productive edits from this user going forward. My apologies again for having missed your decline at AIV. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 11:51, 31 July 2017 (UTC)
No need to apologize! I noticed that another administrator has declined the unblock request. In the meantime, I've given this some more thought, and I think I was swayed by User:Mz7's comments on the talk page and by the blocked editor's overall responses and behavior. While I want to believe that he can be a productive editor, I think that I'd agree that the risk of disruption is too high compared to the potential reward, and that it wouldn't be in the best interests of Wikipedia or the best use of editors' time to unblock him.--Slon02 (talk) 16:50, 1 August 2017 (UTC)
Thanks, Slon02. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 01:39, 2 August 2017 (UTC)
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