Wikiquote:Administrators' noticeboard

From Wikiquote
Jump to: navigation, search
edit the header
Archive
Archives


This is a messageboard for all administrators.

Contents

[edit] INSTRUCTIONS

Please feel free to report incidents, a complaint about an administrator, or anything you want administrators to be aware of.

Please be aware that these pages aren't the place to bring disputes over content, reports of abusive behavior, or requests for a meditation between another editor and you — we aren't referees, and have limited authority to deal with abusive editors. You are better to talk with that editor by mail or on talk, or ask other editors their opinion on Village pump.

The chief purpose of this page is to allow admins to ask each other for help and/or information, to communicate ideas, and for admin talk to happen.

However, any user of Wikiquote may post here. Admins are not a club of elites, but normal editors with some additional technical abilities. Anyone is free to use it to talk to admins as a group. Please feel free to leave a message.

If you do, please sign and date all contributions, using the Wikiquote special form "~~~~", which translates into a signature and a time stamp automatically.

To request special assistance from an administrator, like deletion, use appropriate pages or tags.

To request assistance from a specific administrator, see [[User talk:Whoever]].

If there is another page which is a more natural location for the discussion of a particular point, please start the discussion there, and only put a short note of the issue, and a link to the relevant location, on this page. Put another way, to the extent possible, discussions are better off held somewhere else, and announced here. This will avoid spreading discussion of one topic over several pages (thereby making them harder to follow), and also reduce the rate of changes to this page.

Related pages:

Pages needing admin intervention:

See also:

Bureaucrat tasks:

Bots
Renaming
Promotion

Tools:

[edit] Discussions

[edit] Bureaucrat attention at WQ:BOT

Several requests at Wikiquote:Bots have been languishing for a long time without resolution. One applicant is considering taking his request to Meta due to inactivity here,[1] but the bot policy at Meta does not provide for this. ~ Ningauble (talk) 16:19, 11 March 2012 (UTC)

  • Sorry for not giving much attention to this page, but it doesn't appear that there has been much in the way of community discussion to reach consensus on any of the pending proposals. BD2412 T 23:31, 11 March 2012 (UTC)
  • I was also waiting for any discussion on the requests. I would also like to say that when I was asked to become a bureaucrat, I accepted with the caution that it is not really my area of strength and that my knowledge on the processes was quite limited. I had hoped there would be more in the way of specific instructions on how to proceed. Absent that, I have tried to follow the example of others (e.g. for username changes). I realize that I have done extremely little in the way of bureaucrat tasks and if there are others that are more suited to the role, I would gladly give it up. Otherwise, is there anyone that could perhaps write up some instructions for the bureaucrat tasks? I've often felt this is an area lacking on the site: specific instructions for those less technically savvy, but who still wish to help wherever possible. Thanks. ~ UDScott (talk) 15:18, 12 March 2012 (UTC)
    • The technical aspects of how to grant user rights are very simple. (Click "user rights management" on any User Contributions page.) As you both rightly note, the problem lies in granting rights "subject to community consensus" when there is no discussion. Bot flag requests seldom receive much comment because bots normally do gnomish work that attracts little attention, and because bot operators are often interwiki workers with little or no prior activity here. I.e., nobody much cares and nobody knows them.

      Aphaia, who seems to have handled most requests in recent years, appears to have taken the approach of granting unopposed requests if the user complies with policy and appears to be fairly experienced. It would be better if someone commented on the quality of their work, someone proficient in enough languages to review it, but who would that be? ~ Ningauble (talk) 17:37, 23 March 2012 (UTC)

  • I closed the requests where it appeared to me to be some input on the merits of the requests. I left a few open where there seems to be conflicting opinions. I then archived those I had closed. ~ UDScott (talk) 18:59, 23 March 2012 (UTC)
  • Thanks for tackling the backlog. ~ Ningauble (talk) 19:51, 23 March 2012 (UTC)

Hiya, Ningauble, that has been what I've been doing exactly. I was sometimes much so bolder that I granted applicants whose experience was not established yet. The policy we installed requested operators to run their bot without flag as a test so that we could examine its edits. I am not sure if it works still but it was once a worked modus operandi in any way. As for language check (it matters when the bot works mainly for interlang links), they often seem to just trace existing interlang network, therefore there is no big difference of quality between each operators. While I could rely on my own linguistic knowledge, problematic operations were found very rare, and they could be easily detected without language skills: for example, misplacement of links (specially in case the links were placed in an unusual place like a subpage) or accidental removal and alike. Based on my experience and the current size of this project, I suggest a possibility we could be more relaxed to review bot requests. Thoughts? --Aphaia (talk) 23:02, 24 April 2012 (UTC)

Regarding language, it takes no proficiency to run a bot that traces existing links, but just because it's automatic doesn't mean it's right. The policy statement on being able to communicate in English is not about reading what you are linking, though that is a good thing, it is about being able to understand and respond when something goes wrong. A couple examples from my experience resolving bot problems may clarify the point:
  • Sometimes the incoming links are wrong, as happened when Déjà vu was disambiguated to Déjà Vu (2006 film).When a bot reverted removal of incorrect links it had added, I contacted the operator in English. He understood, replied in English, and fixed the incoming links.
  • Sometimes the automated script has bugs, as happened when Pywikipedia simultaneously had the same project in a table of projects to be linked and in a table of projects to be deleted, resulting in the "BotWars" incident with a high volume of bots reverting each other. I contacted multiple bot operators about the situation. One of them replied in ways that seemed non-responsive to the problem, and has subsequently indicated that he has little English.
It is true that these problems do not happen very often, but I think it is prudent for bot operators to be able to communicate effectively. Otherwise, when things do go wrong we could be in a position of "block first and ask questions later". ~ Ningauble (talk) 15:35, 26 April 2012 (UTC)

Ah I take your point. Minimum English competence for communication is sure required, and that is what our policy states already. As for permission for running the bot, I don't understand the policy demands, not as same as some other projects do. --Aphaia (talk) 17:36, 28 April 2012 (UTC)

[edit]

Can anyone technically wiser than I please figure out what happened to the WQ logo? I suspect it occurred when the old image was deleted, but I'm not sure how to fix it. The link is still there, but the image is blank. ~ UDScott (talk) 00:03, 20 March 2012 (UTC)

I did not see this problem until you mentioned it and I refreshed the server cache. Undeleting File:Wiki.png appears to have fixed it. Is it working for you now? (I believe this is the default file name that Wikimedia software expects to use for the main logo on every wiki.) ~ Ningauble (talk) 01:49, 20 March 2012 (UTC)
Ugh that's annoying, are we sure this is a default thingy in the coding, and we can't use an image from Commons? -- Cirt (talk) 04:59, 20 March 2012 (UTC)
Yes, I confirmed that this is the MediaWiki default before adding a warning to the file description page. It can be overridden with software settings but Wikimedia configurations use the default. ~ Ningauble (talk) 17:56, 20 March 2012 (UTC)
Okay thanks very much for the helpful explanation! :) -- Cirt (talk) 18:47, 20 March 2012 (UTC)
Yes, all appears to be working now. Thanks. ~ UDScott (talk) 13:26, 20 March 2012 (UTC)

[edit] Block of User:AwSDFGSAWfrtg

Hello, I'm reporting here that I've blocked AwSDFGSAWfrtg for vandalism, as it was vandalizing as high speed and I saw no sysop active for the last few hours. It is a clear throwaway account, but I'm reporting it here as I've had to disable the user's talk page and so that the admins can fully review my actions. I've also performed a mass deletion of the user's page creations. Regards, Snowolf How can I help? 00:48, 21 March 2012 (UTC)

Thanks for the help. We don't exactly have 'round-the-clock coverage here. ~ Ningauble (talk) 14:45, 21 March 2012 (UTC)
If there is ever a lack of manpower for countervandalism, the project can request to be opted into the global sysop wikiset (meaning users with the global sysop userright can act as local sysop for countervandalism purposes, see m:Global sysop. Not suggesting it's appropriate or anything, just figured I'd let you guys know given you raised the issue :) Regards, Snowolf How can I help? 22:50, 23 March 2012 (UTC)
I don't see any reason not to, offhand. BD2412 T 01:07, 24 March 2012 (UTC)
I've taken the liberty of blocking with the same settings AwSDFGdSAWfrtg as it's clearly the same guy again, and deleting the talk pages he created. Please trout me if that is not okey. Snowolf How can I help? 18:05, 28 March 2012 (UTC)
Thanks! Quite rightly done. BD2412 T 18:27, 28 March 2012 (UTC)
That means now EnWQ invites global sysops? (I won't oppose, just curious). --Aphaia (talk) 22:50, 24 April 2012 (UTC)
Although we have not officially "opted in", stewards and global sysops have occasionally helped out since the number of regularly active admins declined here in the past couple years. Personally, I welcome these "emergency interventions", and I would not be opposed to opting in. ~ Ningauble (talk) 15:51, 26 April 2012 (UTC)
That is what I've noticed. As far as I know those occasional emergency interventions cause no trouble, and apparently our manpower is declined comparing with past few years ago. Why not opt in it officially, of course with community consent? In my observation it wouldn't change anything, but just recognize and formalize the current situation. To opt in global-sysop set officially, we have to raise the issue on VP rather than here, but first I'd love to see if the current team is fine with such change or if there are issues we miss eventually but would like into consideration. --Aphaia (talk) 17:32, 28 April 2012 (UTC)
Seeing that we don't have 24 hour admin coverage, I think opting in for GS is a good idea. Pmlineditor (t · c · l) 17:59, 28 April 2012 (UTC)
I agree that it would be helpful. ~ UDScott (talk) 13:18, 30 April 2012 (UTC)

[edit] Anon on personal vendetta

63.163.201.164 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log)

Despite having created some pages, anon clearly has nothing positive to contribute to the project. Over the past few weeks, this editor has often made great lengths to undo many trimmings in deliberate violation of WQ:LOQ and particularly focuses on pages I've worked on - many of which he has tackled for weeks before I stepped in. Editor's "declaration of war" against me as posted on UDScott's talk page, which makes for great comedy, is clear indication of his disruptive behavior and all-too-personal vendetta because site policy on limitations is being enforced to his detriment. An IP check indicated possible use out of Wentworth Military Academy computers; notice to school authorities of irresponsible use and IP block may be recommended. --Eaglestorm (talk) 02:56, 9 April 2012 (UTC)

As I commented on my Talk page, while I agree that such a "declaration of war" has no place here, I find that some of your behavior in this dispute has also gone over the line and grown completely out of hand (e.g. writing "Fuck him very much!") - in fact I believe you have acted as if you have your own personal vendetta as well. I would advise you to try to adopt a more civil tone when discussing things. As I wrote before (see Talk:Down Periscope and User_talk:Eaglestorm#Down_Periscope), while you usually place your edits under the banner of trimming for the quotation limits, often you do more damage while doing so - and often indiscriminately remove valuable quotes without thinking about them. Just because a given set of quotes exists on a page and is within limits does not mean that an additional quote that someone adds should be immediately removed - instead, perhaps another quote could be removed in its place. You usually just undo changes people make without taking the time to consider what has been added - which again leaves a bad taste in the mouth of those who are trying to add quotes. And I again recommend a different approach when discussing such removals with those who put them there - give them the benefit of the doubt that they are not merely trying to circumvent rules, but rather are trying to add something of value. Finally, edit wars do no good for anyone - if you feel someone is truly trying to stuff pages, there are certainly other methods of dealing with it, including discussing it here or at the VP. ~ UDScott (talk) 14:54, 9 April 2012 (UTC)
To underscore what UDScott has said:  You are both obviously trying to improve Wikiquote in your own ways, but you are both acting like characters in a shoot-'em-up game. The edit-warring and incivility have got to stop. Show a little respect for Wikiquote by treating each other with respect. ~ Ningauble (talk) 19:24, 9 April 2012 (UTC)
Ningauble why show that when his edit summaries show arrogance? If he can't deal with the policies, he should stop editing. I've had enough of giving LOQ violators benefits of the doubt. --Eaglestorm (talk) 01:01, 10 April 2012 (UTC)
If I may be so presumptuous as to butt in: Wikiquote:Assume good faith.--Collingwood (talk) 14:25, 10 April 2012 (UTC)
AGF is no longer possible when he frets and whines about limits we've already set and he is more than eager to violate. --Eaglestorm (talk) 01:36, 11 April 2012 (UTC)
I think I could add something here. I agree with UDScott in general- he is sensible and treats even warring editors with patience and respect. Second, Ninguable's comment that the "edit warring and incivility have got to stop" is correct. In that regard, however, I feel compelled to state that Eaglestorm has, so far as I have seen, been extremely discourteous to anyone who disagrees with him at all. That's no excuse for rudeness on my part, but his, I would argue, is far worse. And I am all-too-familiar with something Eaglestorm says above, the "conform to the rules or get out" approach. He's said it before and I disagree completely. Disagreeing with the rules and finding a way to change them is how we have the United States of America, the Republic of Ireland, and most recently a free Libya. Had all those people sucked it up and dealt with it, conforming to the rules without question, I think the world would be a lot less free. And I don't recall Eaglestorm giving anybody on this site the benefit of the doubt. Ever. On his own talk page, Eaglestorm swore a vendetta on me because he tasted defeat in the edit war on Down Periscope's page, which is where all this nonsense started in the first place. Many of the pages he claims I have targeted, I created. And in case everyone here hasn't read this pearl of wisdom from his talk page just yet, I'll add it here. Eaglestorm's words speak for themselves.
"'I don't like that user,' he says on your talk page? He frets and bitches out over the games limitations and he wants to turn his attention to other avenues? Fuck him very much! and because of that, I will definitely go after every article he ever fixed and if nobody has trimmed that, I will...when I'm done with him, he'll wish he never messed with me. Putang inang anon yan (Tagalog for "that son of a bitch anon") --Eaglestorm (talk) 05:19, 7 March 2012 (UTC)"
Last of all, to whom it may concern- I realize I have stepped out of line on some occasions, gotten too into my disagreements with Eaglestorm. I apologize for those mistakes, and will cause no trouble from here on. (63.163.201.164 22:39, 10 April 2012 (UTC))
Oh 'tasted defeat'? You tell yourself that ... for someone whose edit summaries often include the Supreme Court and whinings about the Soviets - your "go away" and find a better excuse edit summaries don't scare me either. And your own editing history has given me cause to continue more trimming. You can't handle your work being cut down? Get out. --Eaglestorm (talk) 01:33, 11 April 2012 (UTC)
No, I don't think I will. You started this. I'll be here to the finish, so there will be no "GET OUT" for me. No thanks. Your life must depend on maintaining this tone of imperialistic superiority, laughing down at someone who is the same rank as you- you've just got a nametag. That's it. I'm not trying to "scare" you, so whatever. GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT. You sure are a kind and generous soul. It goes on. Even after the much-talked-about LOQ violations have ceased, it goes on. This isn't about that anymore. It's about getting ride of me. Getting me to GET OUT of Wikiquote. Sorry I can't oblige. (63.163.201.164 04:33, 11 April 2012 (UTC))
Let's not allow ourselves to forget who has said what here. Eaglestorm has so far called me: a son of a bitch, a whiner, called my actions "bitching", repeatedly told me to leave Wikiquote for absolutely no reason at all, said "fuck him very much" and again, vowed to make me "wish [I'd] never messed with [him]. And Eaglestorm has, in some of the pages we continue to fight over, abandoned the LOQ argument and reverted to the old refrain of "unjustified restoration of unnecessary edit" which, just as on Down Periscope, means nothing. Nothing except he simply doesn't like what I did. All this added to an extreme level of hostility and unwillingness to back off or compromise in any way once the all-important rules are finally enforced. And to tell the truth, I can very much "handle" my work being "cut down". That's why I keep putting it back, and will never, ever stop doing so. (63.163.201.164 04:42, 11 April 2012 (UTC))
Honestly, this whole thing is just growing tiresome. Should the edit warring continue, both of you will be blocked until you can act in a more civil and responsible manner - no matter who is at fault in this dispute, it has gotten beyond the point of reasonableness. Please just either find a way to play nice or just avoid each other - there is enough work to be done on this site so that you never have to bump into one another again unless you actively seek confrontation out. ~ UDScott (talk) 13:06, 11 April 2012 (UTC)
UDScott, you tell that anon who tries to kiss your kiester with all his block diatribes on your talk page to simply follow LOQ protocol or get out. His reversions of trims I've made, not to mention his crap over at Modern Warfare 2, are what started this. Yeah heap up your arrogance about defeating me. Spare us your delusions ... "imperialistic superiority" and no "get out" for you? Wow, what a way to include geopolitics into the equation. Bravo (slowclap) --Eaglestorm (talk) 03:52, 12 April 2012 (UTC)

For the record, I don't find any arrogance in UDScott's comment on this matter. Eaglestorm, if you keep such a hostile attitude toward everyone, not only your counterpart of the editwar but also other fellow editors, as UDScott suggested you. --Aphaia (talk) 22:47, 24 April 2012 (UTC)

Aphaia, I was not referring to UDScott RE arrogance. --Eaglestorm (talk) 02:38, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

[edit] Emergency checkuser access

To alert the Wikiquote community that I recently undertook emergency access for Checkuser checks following a crosswiki vandal attack. I have informed your checkusers of the details via the checkuser network. The information gained enabled a global block of the vandal. sDrewth 10:17, 9 April 2012 (UTC)

[edit] QOTD 12 May 2012

The quote at Wikiquote talk:Quote of the day/May 12, 2012‎ will have to be copied from there or below into Wikiquote:Quote of the day/May 12, 2012 by an admin as the rolling protection had already kicked in when I went to edit it.. ~ ♞☮♌Kalki·†·⚓⊙☳☶⚡ 00:21, 11 May 2012 (UTC)‎

A libertarian is a person who believes that no one has the right, under any circumstances, to initiate force against another human being, or to advocate or delegate its initiation. Those who act consistently with this principle are libertarians, whether they realize it or not. Those who fail to act consistently with it are not libertarians, regardless of what they may claim.
~ L. Neil Smith ~
Yes check.svgY Done ~ UDScott (talk) 00:35, 11 May 2012 (UTC)

[edit] Editwarrior at George H. W. Bush

128.229.4.2 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · edit filter log · block user · block log) altered the words of a quotation, then three times within 24 hours deleted multiple citations containing the original wording that they had effaced. ~ Robin Lionheart (talk) 23:57, 16 May 2012 (UTC)

  • Seems to have quieted down. Since the quote is attributed, it really only needs one citation, that being whichever was the earliest to claim direct knowledge of the statement having been made. If multiple people claim to have heard the statement being made, then perhaps several recountings are in order. BD2412 T 03:51, 17 May 2012 (UTC)

[edit] Edit request - MediaWiki:Noarticletext

MediaWiki talk:Noarticletext#Edit request, thanks in advance. --Z 15:23, 19 May 2012 (UTC)

Yes check.svgY Done. ~ Ningauble (talk) 16:03, 19 May 2012 (UTC)

[edit] VfD:LEGO Exo-Force

Wikiquote:Votes for deletion/LEGO Exo-Force has been open since 10 May. It looks to me like a "No consensus" but I am reluctant to close a non-unanimous VfD in which I took part. Can a non-involved admin look at it please.--Collingwood (talk) 18:18, 27 May 2012 (UTC)

Done. I agree with your assessment. Cheers! BD2412 T 23:40, 27 May 2012 (UTC)
Retrieved from "http://en.wikiquote.org/w/index.php?title=Wikiquote:Administrators%27_noticeboard&oldid=1449176"
Personal tools

Variants
Actions
Navigation
Toolbox
In other languages