User talk:Ben MacDui/Archive 3

Your GA nomination of Raasay

The article Raasay you nominated as a good article has passed , see Talk:Raasay for eventual comments about the article. Well done!

Lurker 13:58, 8 June 2007 (UTC)

Lewis

Thank you for your advice with the article on Lewis. I'll have a go at the bits I can do to steer it towards GA status. Thank you again. MRM 21:52, 9 June 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for the star

Moran taing/thank you very much for the barnstar! I'm going to try and create more island articles, but the only problem is that perhaps the criteria for the wee ones is difficult. All the best --MacRusgail 21:12, 18 June 2007 (UTC)

You are more than welcome. I'd say that anything covered by Haswell-Smith is probably suitably notable, although it is difficult to get much information about some of them without access to specialist libraries etc.

Renewable energy in Scotland

Hi Ben, it's just been pointed out to me that renewable energy in Scotland has gained both an 'A' rating and GA status. Just wanted to drop by and congratulate you on your hard work, even if I'm rather late in doing so! Gralo 13:31, 19 June 2007 (UTC)

Compliments are always welcome! I am very busy right now, but when time permits I might have a crack at FA and any comment and assistance will be gratefully received. Ben MacDui (Talk) 19:12, 19 June 2007 (UTC)

My RfA

Thank you for participating in my RfA. It was successful, and I am now, may God have mercy on us all, an administrator. Look at all the new buttons! I had heard about 'protect,' 'block user,' and 'delete,' but no one told me about 'kill,' 'eject,' and 'purée.' I appreciate the trust the community has in me, and I'll try hard not to delete the main page or block Jimbo. -FisherQueen (Talk) 18:21, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Wind power in Scotland

Hi Ben, I've been adding to this article, but actually live a long way from Scotland, and would like to check the info provided. Would you be good enough to look over the article please, when you get a chance, and suggest any basic improvements. Thanks. -- Johnfos 10:49, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

Happy to - I'll have a proper look soon. Ben MacDui (Talk) 07:37, 6 July 2007 (UTC)

Done. Hopefully that is useful. I think it would benefit from a small table indicating the growth in installed capacity, but I don't have the info to hand. Feel free to use the picture of the 5MW turbine btw. Ben MacDui (Talk) 19:49, 6 July 2007 (UTC)

Thanks, have added that picture now. -- Johnfos 07:58, 8 July 2007 (UTC)

Mar

I guess I should've left this here:

Thanks.

In general - I do too, but I'm hoping the focus won't be lost by too many pedantic edits. I think this article should stay focused on the post-1716 remnants of the Earldom of Mar - specifically what is now the 'Mar Lodge Estate' and 'Mar Estate' - that is a big enough subject on it's own. There is a good three hundred years to cover - including another 'rising'. Thanks again WikiWriter 20:07, 7 July 2007 (UTC)

I will take note of all comments ;-)

BTW - liked you user-page WikiWriter 17:12, 10 July 2007 (UTC)

Scotland national football team FAC

Thanks for your comments at Wikipedia:Featured article candidates/Scotland national football team. To be honest I had rather lost interest the article but I'd like to try and get the FAC back on track. Your comments regarding the picture of Hampden have been echoed by a couple of other editors so I'd like to take up your offer of uploading a replacement image. I'll also look to implement your other suggestions but your comments about the 'anglos' rather went over my head. Is that players based in England or something? Kanaye 18:30, 10 July 2007 (UTC)

Yes, 'anglos' are players based in England. In the past there was discussion about the relative merits of said players in the international team. If you got to http://www.geograph.org.uk/browse.php?p=595335 and choose the image you want I'll upload it for you. Ben MacDui (Talk) 19:31, 13 July 2007 (UTC)

Scottish Islands

No problem. This is the land of the WP:SOFIXIT, after all Circeus 17:40, 13 July 2007 (UTC)

RE:Talk:Iona

Sorry 'bout that. Sorry about all the things I can't do atm and all the people I can't respond to. I did however respond to your query on Talk:Iona. Deacon of Pndapetzim (Talk) 03:00, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

No problem at all - and thanks for the reply. I am increasingly wary of Haswell-Smith's name derivations. Ben MacDui (Talk) 10:23, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

List of islands of Scotland

Congratulations on getting this list to featured status. Although, as you say, several people have contributed to it, it's thanks to your work on it that it is now at this very high standard. Warofdreams talk 23:32, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

The Broch

Hello BM, didn't notice anything amiss with Burghead. I'm kind of bored at the minute so I occasionally dip into previous articles I've contributed to, to see what's going on. Thanks for that on Elgin Cathedral, I was thinking about putting it up for review but every time I go back to it I notice some more gaffs. Many congrats on List of islands of Scotland - fully deserved. (The Moray man of the cloth isn't me, though). Rgds, --Bill Reid | Talk 13:19, 19 July 2007 (UTC)

List of Orkney islands

On 20 July, 2007, Did you know? was updated with a fact from the article List of Orkney islands, which you created or substantially expanded. If you know of another interesting fact from a recently created article, then please suggest it on the Did you know? talk page.

--GeeJo ^(t)⁄_(c) • 19:28, 20 July 2007 (UTC)

WikiProject

I've only created one WikiProject (Wikipedia:WikiProject Architecture), and that was some time ago, so things may have changed. The draft looks a good start to me, and further details could easily be discussed once the project is up and running. There shouldn't be any need to seek permission to name another project as a parent, although it would be a good idea to mention the new project there, in order to recruit participants. WP:SCO sounds like a good second parent project. If the shortcut is not in use, then it can be created without having to ask anywhere. The only question I would have is whether enough editors will be present - many WikiProjects with few editors have run out of steam as some editors move on to other topics or take a break from editing altogether. For instance, it might attract more editors if it were a Islands of Britain WikiProject, or a Highlands and Islands WikiProject - but on the other hand, this might dilute its impact without attracting many people interested in these additional areas. Warofdreams talk 11:53, 23 July 2007 (UTC)

Yes, there is definitely a problem with so few editors that it may just fall away. On the other hand, WP:H&I for example would involve a lot of cross-over with the existing Clans and Castles projects. I will 'mull' this over. Ben MacDui (Talk) 13:23, 23 July 2007 (UTC)

Wikiproject

Sorry for not getting back sooner. I am afraid that real life is much, much more entertaining than the internet at present. Not so much scrawny seabirds, but I have been much occupied with a particularly fine specimen of the fair-plumaged, lesser-spotted, long-legged variety :D

Good luck with your endeavours. Nothing quite beats a Scottish island, in my opinion. --Mais oui! 18:27, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

Little Bernera

Please supply the list on which you based your re-ranking of LB. Wikipedia:WikiProject Scottish Islands/Islands by area (declared as incomplete) shows it in isolation as 130, but not most of the preceeding islands. The more complete List of islands of Scotland (also largely yours) shows it and Eilean nan Ròn at 138 ha, making them rank equal 129. What are the criteria (and source) on which you base the ranking, when area alone ranks them equals? I prefer the main list and find the secondary lists a source of confusion.

Glad we seem to have South Walls included again. I will explain the citation change when time permits. Finavon 22:35, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

Ah yes, - Haswell-Smith ranks E. non Ron before Little Bernera and I and my spreadsheet have assumed he used unpublished fractions to make a determination. You are of course right that the main List of Islands makes then equal 129th. I hadn't planned to complete the Wikipedia:WikiProject Scottish Islands/Islands by area, at least with any degree of urgency, on the grounds that it was a guide to counting the very long list in the table, and didn't need to be complete itself. I'm quite happy with 129= - the Infobox should probably state that. My apologies. I am both very excited about so much collegiate activity on ye islands, but at the same time rather unused to it. I may appear a little peremptory at times. Ben MacDui (Talk) 07:01, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

Is OCD not necessary for editing WP? Citation templates allow a standard layout of references. I like them, but WP:REF says their use is neither encouraged nor discouraged. My edit to List of islands of Scotland was principally to remove multiple declarations of a reference (using name attribute in ref tab for repeats). I had previously tried to format one of the repeats, only to the find the fomatting was ignored in favour of the first declaration. I have no issue with a general 'main refs' bit and have restored it. Finavon 15:59, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

Well spotted

Cheers! --Bill Reid | Talk 09:28, 28 July 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for the welcome.

If you know anything about wikimedia, there is some help I'd need. I've been through the various language pages for Hebridean islands, deleting those hoax flags, but from my experiences with Lewis, will only be believed when they are removed from Wikimedia. I've put deletion templates on as many as I can find, but can't get the automatic code to put on the deletion request pages to work. Any tips? The Barra one is a good example.

Yes these flags are a bit daft. I do hang out there occasionally (under an assumed name), mostly adding geograph images, but I am afraid this is beyond my competence. I have found the Commons User:Überraschungsbilder extremely helpful in the past and he may be willing to assist. Ben MacDui (Talk) 11:08, 28 July 2007 (UTC) PS There is an unfortunate discussion going on in Orkney at present as the flag they have been promoting is assumed by visiting Norwegians to be that of Vidkun Quisling.

Thanks, your contact has been most helpful. If you want to vote, there is a deletion vote here for all remaining, identified Hebridean flags. MRM 06:29, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

Thank you

Thank you for your support at my recent Wikipedia:Requests for adminship/Angus Lepper RfA, which failed, with no consensus to promote me. However, I appreciate the concerns raised during the course of the discussion (most notably, a lack of experience, particularly in admin-heavy areas such as XfDs and policy discussions) and will attempt to address these before possibly standing again in several months time. Angus Lepper^{(T, C, D)} 16:03, 28 July 2007 (UTC)

You are very welcome - I'll watch out for your next attempt. Ben MacDui (Talk) 16:42, 28 July 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia:WikiProject Scottish Islands

File:Interlingual Barnstar.png		The Geography Barnstar
		For guiding List of islands of Scotland to Featured status. Also for the idea and work to create Wikipedia:WikiProject Scottish Islands. Finavon 16:11, 28 July 2007 (UTC)

You are most uncommonly kind and I much appreciate this. Ben MacDui (Talk) 16:44, 28 July 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Requests for adminship/Elonka 2

Thank you for your support in my Request for Adminship. Unfortunately the nomination did not succeed, but please rest assured that I am still in full support of the Wikipedia project, and I'll try again in a few months! If you ever have any questions or suggestions for me, please don't hesitate to contact me. Best wishes, --Elonka 06:06, 6 August 2007 (UTC)

No importance

I've created a new category- unknown importance Scottish islands articles- as it sounds better than "no importance". I've changed to this in the statistics table. Does this mean articles like Rysa Little will be put in this category automatically by the bot?

Also, I've created a list of active participants on the assessment page. Feel free to add your name Lurker (said · done) 14:52, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

I have added my name to the peer review dept. Thanks for improving this page no-end.

I reverted the 'No/Unknown' improtance edit as the when I ran the bot it seemed to ignore the instruction and kept Rysa Little in the list, when there were no articles in the 'No-importance' category. Not sure why. If you want to experiment there is a link to run the bot from Wikipedia:Version 1.0 Editorial Team/Using the bot towards the bottom of the page. It takes you to a web page and you just type in 'Scottish Islands'. Ben MacDui (Talk) 17:06, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

Glenrothes

Hi, I would just like to thank you for your comments on the Glenrothes article. They were very useful and constructive and have since made as many changes as I can to the article following your recommendations. I hope the next time it can recieve a better grade.

You mentioned going for GA status and I wondered if you could give me advice on how to apply for this.

Kind Regards

Mcwesty 17:15, 13 August 2007 (UTC)

Your GA nomination of St Kilda, Scotland

The article St Kilda, Scotland you nominated as a good article has passed , see Talk:St Kilda, Scotland for eventual comments about the article. Well done!Lurker (said · done) 14:05, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

• Congratulations! I think it would also pass as a Featured Article (hint, hint) ;-) Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 14:07, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

Thank-you both most kindly. Ben MacDui (Talk) 18:21, 16 August 2007 (UTC)

• • Hi MacDui, it has been 9 months since I went through the FA process for one of my articles, so I looked at a few of the most recently promoted articles just to get an idea of what the current requirements are, and it does seem as if page numbers are required. You do not have to include them if the source is online (as there are none then - one of my favorite sources is an 1892 History and I only have access to it online in html format) and I have also seen just chapters cited (the chapters in my source have their own URLs). Each time I have sent an article to FA I have looked at WP:FAC for a while before just to get some idea of the kinds of things people want to see there. I may be going there again soon - I have an article up for GA (which is where I saw St. Kilda's promotion) and then may think about FA. It is such a tiny stream though (only 10 km long) that it may not have enough material published about it to meet FA requirements. Let me know if I can be of help, Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 15:25, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

Re: Glasgow Airport

Hi,

In response to your question: as mentioned in my first edit summary, it is inconsistant to use one format for locations for one header, and another for a different one. As yet, nobody has argued this point or otherwise disputed it. I certainly do not wish to remove accurate information from an encyclopaedia and would have no objections in someone adding it to the end of the addresses of the two airports in the UK, in the same format as used by the US ones. There also is no discussion page for the disambiguation page, so I admit it's rather difficult to actually discuss the matter at length, which may be why the confusion has arisen.

Oh, apologies for the revertion to your edit, it was unintentional and could be seen as putting me in 3RR territory, so I reverted it back to your original myself.--Breadandcheese 15:19, 18 August 2007 (UTC)

Renewable energy in Scotland

Hi MacDui, I just weighed in with my Support and a few suggestions on the current FAC. I thought I would be first, but had an edit conflict, so someone (with some valid comments for improvement) beat me to it. You might want to let the folks at WikiProject:Scotland and any other relevant WikiProjects know about the FAC (if you haven't already). Good luck and let me know if I can be of any assitance, Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 20:57, 25 August 2007 (UTC)

• Here is a free image of windmills, Alisa Craig, and the Clyde. If it would be useful, I will upload it to Commons (and also make a slightly rotated version to remove the tilt). Here is another free image of Alltbeithe windmill. Either of these could replace the non-free EU windmills image. There is no free Flickr Pelamis image - I am looking on US Government websites. Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 12:41, 26 August 2007 (UTC)

The Ailsa Craig picture looks great! It would be terrific if you could upload it to Commons. Alltbeithe is clearly a small (<20kw) machine, which could be useful if I can't find a replacement Saltire. Thanks for your help (again). Ben MacDui (Talk) 13:56, 26 August 2007 (UTC)

• The original is here: Image:Windmills and Ailsa Craig aka Paddy's Milestone.jpg and a fixed version (rotated so the horizon is horizontal and cropped slightly) is here: Image:Windmills and Ailsa Craig aka Paddy's Milestone rotated.jpg. Use whichever you think better. Do you want me to see if I can find a free US Govt image of the Pelamis? Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 16:31, 26 August 2007 (UTC)

Many thanks. I have added Paddy's milestone to the lead section. (When I have more time I will ask you how you rotated the image, which is a bit clever). If you can get a free image of Pelamis or similar I'd be very grateful. In all candour I am not sure I understand Carnildo's logic, but I will take it at face value. What a day - I must say I was expecting barrages of questions about the technologies - perhaps they will come later? Good nite from Scotland. Ben MacDui (Talk) 20:19, 26 August 2007 (UTC)

You are very welcome. I used Paint.NET (which is free) to rotate the photo. Every FAC I have been involved in has had at least some (and often many) changes requested, and there were always some that were completely unsuspected (by me at least). I will see what I can find for a free Pelamis image. I think the original photo in the lead (Harris coast?) was also quite nice and wouldn't mind seeing it added back in somehow, if you think it fit. Take care, Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 21:06, 26 August 2007 (UTC)

I also used Paint.NET to adjust the brightness of the Paddy's Milestone image as requested on the FAC page (you may have to WP:BYC to see the change, but it is dramatic). No progress on Pelamis images yet. Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 14:16, 27 August 2007 (UTC)

Looks good - I am expecting to be in Edinburgh soon and may try to get a photo of Ocean Power Delivery's factory gate. Ben MacDui (Talk) 18:36, 27 August 2007 (UTC)

MacDui, have a look at this for your hydro section. Cheers, --Bill Reid | Talk 17:20, 28 August 2007 (UTC)

Pelamis

Many thanks for with drawing your objection at Renewable energy in Scotland. No doubt the article can live without the Pelamis image and I quite understand that featured articles need to be 100% copy violation-free. However, it also appears on Renewable energy and the wave converter's own article etc. I note from the tag that "This image or media may fail Wikipedia's first non-free content criterion in that it illustrates a subject for which a free image might reasonably be found or created that adequately provides the same information." My suspicion is that it may be very difficult to get such an image. On land the devices are kept under lock and key for obvious reasons and unless you were lucky enough to be invited to a site, you would need a fast boat and a lot of nerve to get one at sea. I realise I could make the same point by attaching a {{di-replaceable fair use disputed}} tag to the image, but I thought it was more polite to ask if this is a reasonable argument in advance. Ben MacDui (Talk) 08:47, 27 August 2007 (UTC)

Have you tried contacting the company to get them to provide a free-licensed image for Wikipedia? Wikipedia:Example requests for permission has some useful suggestions on how to do this. --Carnildo 18:56, 27 August 2007 (UTC)

OK thanks - I'll try. Ben MacDui (Talk) 19:02, 27 August 2007 (UTC)

FYI, I have contacted the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory to see if the images I found on their website (and mentioned on the FAC page) are US Government work (and thus free images) or not. Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 19:15, 27 August 2007 (UTC)

OK - look forward to hearing more. Ben MacDui (Talk) 21:23, 27 August 2007 (UTC)

I have heard from the NREL and their Pelamis images (which do not match others on the web, so I had hoped they were their own and free) come from the company that makes the Pelamis. I will add this datum to the dispute of the fair image question on the image page, if it is still there (have not checked today). Sorry, Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 20:36, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

No probs - I'll follow up with them at this end when I am free of the reference drudgery. Ben MacDui (Talk) 21:22, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

If they don't release an image, it may be possible to request an illustration be made - there are several users on Commons that are very good and seem open to requests. Just let me know, Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 18:53, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

OK - I have a call due through to them tomorrow, but I doubt it will be sorted out. Image protocols are still a mystery to me - its an picture lots of editors want to use so that's a good reason to ditch it? Ben MacDui (Talk) 20:21, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

• I think the idea is that a fair use image should be used as little as possible, although I cannot think of any of the articles that the Pelamis image would not be useful in. Good luck, Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 02:05, 6 September 2007 (UTC)

Geography of Scotland

Well done, on the Renewable energy in Scotland article, there isn't any hesitations in supporting it from this end, as it is a first class piece of work. I didn't know it had been nominated for FAC, but is certainly worthy of it as is the <hint>St Kilda article (for you know, if you get bored and want to go through FAC all over again :-))</hint>

As for Geography of Scotland article, it was looking a bit poor and in need of expansion, so I stuck my not-so-subtle size 12s in to have a go editing and expanding. I'll try and add bits in and see what can be done here and there. When your other Wikipedia commitments are done with, then your expertise would be much appreciated. Cheers and good luck. Globaltraveller 21:08, 30 August 2007 (UTC)

Just penned long reply which was lost when meter ran out and wikipedia was locked! How do people live in these cities? Many thanks, to you and all who supported the FAC, especially Ruhrfisch. Personal notes to follow. Thanks also for the hint - hopefully it is on the conveyor belt somewhere. At WP:ISLE we have a page called 'How to Write a Good Article' and I wonder if 'How to succesfully prepare an FA Candiadture' might be useful at WP:Scotland? I'd certainly like to compare notes with you, and it would hopefully encourage others to take the plunge (are you watching BR?) I have certainly learnt a fair bit about image isues and copy-editing that I wish I had known a fortnight ago. Can't believe it passed so suddenly - I was not over-optimistic a couple of days ago. Ben MacDui (Talk) 08:04, 31 August 2007 (UTC)

Hello and Congratulations on the FA, I hope it is the first of many :-) I like the idea of a "Scottified" help guide for those wishing to go through the FA process and agree with most of what you've got there. I would say that reading through some featured articles and getting an idea of the tone, style, layout and content is a good start. The other thing is referencing. There seems to be a pretty large (and undue) weight on how things are referenced, rather than from where they are referenced. I got it pretty big in that department when I went through the process - and I've noticed it being picked up on, in a few articles. Things like noting the retrieval date (for websites) and dates of publication for sources, are things they expect to see. Being consistent and using the templates is something that might be helpful (although personally I'm not convinced). The other thing would be to be stand your ground (politely of course) A lot of what might be said at FAC is total nonsense, so if you think you are in the right, politely say so. Hopefully some of the more savvy editors will pick up on it. Anyhow just a couple of thoughts from me. Cheers Globaltraveller 20:16, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Agreed all round. (Try looking at today's history for the article in question - hours of mucking about trying to tart up references, and I am not even sure why half of it is necessary. MOS is hopeless. All that is needed is simple page of web examples, which for some reason seems to be lost in all the verbiage.) My guess is that a typical FAC process takes up about as much time as writing a decent GA starting from scratch. I will beef up the draft comments a little but right now I am running out of time on the FA deadline before I have to vanish into the wilderness for a few days. Yours with a squint. Ben MacDui (Talk) 20:34, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Congratulations

Well done with Renewable energy in Scotland. Very well deserved. --Bill Reid | Talk 08:12, 31 August 2007 (UTC)

• I agree - just saw it was promoted to FA and wanted to add my congratulations. Excellent work, Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 11:59, 31 August 2007 (UTC)
• Hi MacDui, thanks for your kind words. You already gave me a gong for review help with the article a while ago, so I was glad to return the favor in a way. I have put a rationale disputing deletion of Image:Pelamis.JPG on its talk page, mostly quoting you. Still no word from the National Lab I contacted about a free image. Will let you know when I hear, Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 03:04, 2 September 2007 (UTC)

The Barnstar of National Merit

		The Barnstar of National Merit
		Given with respect and admiration to Ben MacDui for all your work improving Wikipedia's coverage of Scotland in a wide variety of well-written articles, especially on the occasion of Renewable energy in Scotland being promoted to Featured Article, Ruhrfisch ><>°° 14:17, 31 August 2007 (UTC)

Papa Westray Airport

I saw this and after a while I figured it out. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 22:34, 31 August 2007 (UTC)

Well done sir! Ben MacDui (Talk) 07:53, 1 September 2007 (UTC)

Main Page for September 8th!!!

Hey MacDui, I just checked Wikipedia:Today's featured article/September 2007 and saw a familiar article is scheduled for September 8th. Congratulations and woo hoo! Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 02:48, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

I thought I had longer to tidy up the citations etc! I am neglecting the islands yet again... and unless I can get away early I shall be visiting Ben More at the time, who barely has a telephone connection never mind broadband. Ben MacDui (Talk) 13:49, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

I have it on my watchlist and any article on the front page is generally watched by all the vandal fighters that day. Let me know if there is anything else I can do, and have a great trip, Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 01:21, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Welcome back - I was not sure when you'd be back so I saved the image of the article on the Main Page so you could see it (Print Screen x3). If you want it, let me know and I can email it to you. I have no idea what people have against the tattered saltire image, but then I liked the image of the highway with no renewable energy autos pictured too. Congrats again, Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 01:14, 9 September 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for thinking of this, but I did get back in time to view it. I trust you enjoyed seeing your rotated image there. Ben MacDui (Talk) 14:00, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

I did enjoy seeing the image there. FYI, Plunketts Creek (Loyalsock Creek) is in peer review now, if you would like to provide any feedback, it would be most appreciated. Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 03:48, 24 September 2007 (UTC)

Will do - I have been away for a few days and have something of a backlog. It may take me until the weekend to get to it. Ben MacDui (Talk) 07:51, 26 September 2007 (UTC)

Thanks and welcome back - it has received some good feedback from User:Dincher already, but I want to try and get one more photo and make some stubs for redlinks before going to FAC, so that will likely take until the weekend too. It occurs to me that we both like the wilds of the northern parts of our home, only you like to write about bits of land surrounded by water and I like to write about bits of water surrounded by land. Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 12:36, 26 September 2007 (UTC)

Image:McdonaldBoat.jpg

Saw your message on the Deacon's talk page. I don't see that there was an image called Image:McdonaldBoat.jpg. Where was it used? Angus McLellan (Talk) 08:29, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

It was in use at Template:Infobox Scottish island, transcluded at e.g. Islay, the image itself was on Commons and removed by Golden Wattle as it was 'In category Copyright violation; no permission'. Foolishly, I was not watching it. My archived discussion says

RE: Boat I actually got that from the Russian wikipedia, which has far more on the lords of the Isles than English wiki. I'd have to consult one of those heraldry books to find out more about its origins. I can tell you that it is called a Lymphad and is on the earliest Macdonald seal, i.e. that of Domhnall of Islay dating to 1410 and attached to a charter to Inchaffray Abbey. Also, if I recall correctly, it is displayed on some monumental sculpture from the isles in this period (e.g. bottom of this image); you might wanna look at Robert Brydall, "Monumental Effigies of Scotland" (Here in PDF). Also, this page might be of use. Regards, Calgacus (ΚΑΛΓΑΚΟΣ) 10:19, 2 December 2006 (UTC)

BTW, yeah, I think a similar image is used in the Sinclair Orkney arms [1] [2]. Calgacus (ΚΑΛΓΑΚΟΣ) 10:30, 2 December 2006 (UTC)

Any assistance gratefully received. Ben MacDui (Talk) 11:38, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Hello. 'Tis at Image:Mcdonald Lymphad.jpg. Just reinstate it. Deacon of Pndapetzim (Talk) 13:29, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Very good to hear from you and many thanks. Now fixed. Ben MacDui (Talk) 13:44, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Interestingly, it is used to symbolise the isle of Arran here: [3]. I have no idea why it should represent Arran more than any other island. Lurker (said · done) 13:40, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

No idea - they may have just nicked a few images from Wikipedia....Ben MacDui (Talk) 13:44, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Renewable energy

Regarding your questions, full dates are wikilinked so that user preferences on date formatting works, causing dates to display in a consistent format. The Adobe Acrobat icon shows on most new browsers, but doesn't show on some older browsers. Whenever I travel and am on old laptop and a slow dialup connection, I get had by those darn unidentified PDFs that hang my computer. I'm going to be traveling as well, but will try to give a final pass through the article before I go. Good luck on the main page, SandyGeorgia (Talk) 18:59, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Templars in Scotland

Er, just double-checking context, for "next party" did you mean Dragon*Con? Or RfA?  :) Also, as for the Templar information at Kilmartin, I'll reply on the talkpage there.  :) --Elonka 16:35, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Well the latter, (at which many of my favourite acquantances were present). As to the former, I confess to a degree of ignorance, although I am open to offers. Ben MacDui (Talk) 16:42, 5 September 2007 (UTC) PS - My apologies - I see that DC is a real event! Please disregard previous impertinence and frivolity. BM.

Yes, Dragon*Con, a large convention/party in Atlanta where I just gave a very well-received talk on Wikipedia.[4] Based on your comment at my talkpage, it sounded like you'd been at the talk, but just hadn't identified yourself as one of the attendees (as a few other people evidently did, heh). Sorry for any confusion! And yes, I'll try to let you know when the next RfA occurs. :) --Elonka 17:04, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Renewable energy in Scotland

Great article, I enjoyed reading it. — BillC ^talk 00:22, 8 September 2007 (UTC)

Many thanks Bill. I note from your user page the existence of WP:1FAPQ. Not sure I've got the stamina for that, but it's an interesting notion. Ben MacDui (Talk) 18:55, 8 September 2007 (UTC)

Agreed. Well done. I'm glad to see that someone's awarded you a barnstar for it. You deserve it! -- Cheers Derek Ross | Talk 22:54, 9 September 2007 (UTC)

Thanks Derek. Ben MacDui (Talk) 13:52, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

Hi, Ben, sorry for the delay, I was traveling. Thanks for the note, and I'm glad you came through mainpage fine. Congratulations again ! SandyGeorgia (Talk) 02:44, 12 September 2007 (UTC)

St Kilda infobox

Hallo Macdui, The infobox on St Kilda, Scotland seems to be handcrafted rather than using the standard template so hasn't picked up the new link to the McDonald Lymphad, and other changes. You seem to have had a hand in it in the past, so you might like to mend it now? I was a bit offput by its complexity so chickened out! (It's got more fields than the standard template). I don't know if there's a way to find links to deleted images (ie the McDonald boat): I feel there ought to be but can't find it, so don't know how we trace other redlinks which ought to point to the lymphad. PamD 13:31, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

Thanks - I have fixed the image. As far as I know there isn't a way to find red links, but (for future reference) you can find links to pages that have been substituted rather than transcluded. In this instance you go to the Template:Infobox page, click on 'What links here' and you can in theory find pages that are linked but not transcluded. Most of them are user pages or talk pages, so its not an easy method. In fact Dubh Artach is the only other one that I know of and that is now fixed image-wise too. Ben MacDui (Talk) 13:52, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

Let me guess....

You are trying to get St Kilda up to Featured Article standard? Lurker (said · done) 17:11, 12 September 2007 (UTC)

I see you have been true to your name. Let's put it this way - it's on the conveyor belt, it would certainly be good to have an island FA, and its probably the closest at present. Apologies if I have been cluttering up your watchlist. I'm afraid there is quite a long way to go. I'd like to be doing more at Skara Brae and Papa Stour, but... so many islands, so little time. The renewables FA taught me a lot, and I can see that if an article has any prospect of FA in future it's a false economy to be slack with the references. The infobox standard "2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland" won't wash for example. Ben MacDui (Talk) 17:33, 12 September 2007 (UTC) PS What have you got against Westray?

I noticed St Kilda edits seem to be near the top of my watchlist every time I look at it. I'm hoping to get Skara Brae up to Good Article status, but I don't think it'll happen this month- I've not yet been able to get to the Scottish Library and get out some books on the site. As for Westray, I do think it is of high importance, but only a few articles should be marked "top". Lurker (said · done) 17:44, 12 September 2007 (UTC)

Thanks

Hi there! I am just writing to thank you for the help you gave me with the article about Eugenio Espejo. It has finally been graded as Good Article. I also included his name in the Enlightenment template. —Dalobuca 20:20, 13 September 2007 (UTC)

Great news - well done! Ben MacDui (Talk) 20:42, 13 September 2007 (UTC)

Dubh Artach

It looks to be a problem with the display of the red dot. This is a problem affecting a lot of articles; there has been some discussion at Template talk:Infobox UK place#A new problem with the local map. Purging the cache on Commons for the dot may solve the problem. Warofdreams talk 10:44, 17 September 2007 (UTC)

OK, I see the problem you are talking about. The issue is that the infobox only works with a static map; trying to generate one using a template doesn't work. To my mind, the best approach would be to include the additional information required to generate the dynamic map as fields in the infobox. It could then be set to automatically display, unless a static map is specified. If that sounds like it might be of interest, I'd be happy to get it working. Warofdreams talk 18:16, 18 September 2007 (UTC)

I think by this that you mean it would automatically display the standard map and a red dot? If so, yes please - the map has some deficiencies but its much better than a blank space if no detailed map is available. Cheers. Ben MacDui (Talk) 18:23, 18 September 2007 (UTC)

Yep, that's it. Re-reading what I wrote, I could have been a bit clearer! I'll get on to it. Warofdreams talk 00:09, 19 September 2007 (UTC)

OK, I've done that. It will now display the standard map and a red dot for any article with a latitude and longitude entered. Warofdreams talk 00:45, 19 September 2007 (UTC)

My user page

It would be helpful if you could explain why you attempted to amend a user box on my user page. Perhaps this was some sort of slip of the keyboard? (I'll watch here for a while for a reply). Ben MacDui (Talk) 21:31, 19 September 2007 (UTC)

{{User en-sc}} is an outdated template, replaced by {{User en-gb-sct}}. In order to mark Category:User en-sc for speedy deletion per WP:CSD#C3, I had to empty the category by replacing the old teplate with the new one on each user's user page. This wasn't difficult, since there were only three of you.

This practice is not uncommon. Wikipedia:WikiProject Deaf recently did the same with all Wikipedians who were using {{User ASL}} by editing their userpages and replacing them with {{User ase}}. Since the category is still marked for speedy deletion, I will replace the outdated template again. If you prefer, you may also use {{User en-gb-sct-N}} if you are a native speaker of Scottish English. Cheers! Taric25 13:44, 20 September 2007 (UTC)

By the way, you're a native speaker of Scottish English, right? Taric25 16:32, 20 September 2007 (UTC)

Bearing in mind your contribution to the discussion at WikiProject Scotland, I wonder if you are aware that it is still the "en-gb-sct" version which is applied on your Userpage? --Mais oui! 06:51, 25 September 2007 (UTC)

Please see:

• Wikipedia:User_categories_for_discussion#Scottish_English

--Mais oui! 06:57, 25 September 2007 (UTC)

Done - didn't realise this was still in process. Ben MacDui (Talk) 16:16, 25 September 2007 (UTC)

Palm Island, Queensland

Thanks Ben, yes I agree, I'm copyediting to the best of my ability at the moment, the next three projects are to 1 standardise things like how Indigenous people as a whole are referred to; 2 summarise the history and notable events sections and move the lot to its own article and as you say 3 change the lead to be a summery of the article as a whole. Any further comments you might have will be very appreciated, better now than when it goes for FA. Cheers, WikiTownsvillian 23:09, 22 September 2007 (UTC)

Hi Ben, in the lead sentence I slightly changed your suggestion from "is a community of" to "is an island with a resident community of" so there is a distinction between the island and the community, is that change alright by you? WikiTownsvillian 01:00, 23 September 2007 (UTC)

That's good. I will be away for a couple of days, but will look at it again when I get back. Ben MacDui (Talk) 09:11, 23 September 2007 (UTC)

Hi Ben, that's no problem, as you will see here I think I have addressed all issues you raised except to re-write the lead, which will be done in due course. I am SLOWELY implementing the copyedit that was suggested by APR's automated review, particularly using User:Tony1/How to satisfy Criterion 1a. I will be focusing on that for the next few weeks I think.

Anything you can do to assist would be hugely appreciated, either through work on the article or further critical review, the more peer review that this article is put under before it goes to FAR the better. Cheers, WikiTownsvillian 09:04, 6 October 2007 (UTC)

Orkney

No stress at all. :) What I did was basically pad the numbers. When there's any text in a column at all, it won't sort it numerically, it will sort it alphabetically. So I added invisible padded numbers before the visible ones. Alphabetically, 00085 still comes before 00243, but alphabetically, 243 would come before 85. So when you have the invisible data - within the span tags - the sort sees those but the user doesn't. The breaking of the references was my fault; to save time, I just did "//" instead of "< /span >", and then did a search and replace later, not thinking about http:// stuff. :P --Golbez 01:07, 28 September 2007 (UTC)

Great stuff - thanks. Ben MacDui (Talk) 07:38, 28 September 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for the peer review

Hi MacDui, thanks for all your great comments on the Plunketts Creek (Loyalsock Creek) peer review. I have addressed all the ones I could, but still have a few questions left (on the peer review page). I also found several new items of information looking for a historic photo of the Proctor tannery, and have expanded the article a bit more. I think it is almost ready, but would appreciate any last input from you before taking it to FAC. Thanks again, Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 16:33, 1 October 2007 (UTC)

I'll get to it as quick as I can. Ben MacDui (Talk) 17:10, 1 October 2007 (UTC)

Take your time - my "few hours" to address your peer review spread out over three days. This also gives me time to try and get a picture with houses (note to self, build house on Plunketts Creek). ;-) Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 18:41, 1 October 2007 (UTC)

I really appreciate all the help on the Peer Review - thanks again, Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 02:57, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

If you are interested, Caroig has responded here about the Geobox River issues. Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 21:14, 5 October 2007 (UTC)

RE:BIshop & Pomona

Sorry for changing your rating. I have nothing to do with that project of course, but I assumed it was a mistake ... I sometimes make that kind of mistake because I paste the template from others and occasionally forget to change the rating accordingly. As for Pomona ... unfortunately I don't have access to either Fordun or to Bower atm. Pomona seems unlikely to be a Germanic vernacular term. The Orkneyjar ... a totally unreliable website in general, may have the correct interpretation on this one, although would be wrong attributing it to Buchanan if it's in Fordun (which could mean it originated in the 13th cent. and had nothing to do with Fordun either). If I remember the structure of Fordun-Bower, there is a section on islands in the early part of the history. If you got the D. E. R. Watt version of the Scotichronicon (vol. i?), you would almost certainly get everything you need to know in the notes (there's a general index in vol. ix ... I dunno if you have access to these books though). Best regards, Deacon of Pndapetzim (Talk) 14:13, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

DYK nomination

• ...that when John Sands excavated a ~2,000 year old building on the remote island of St Kilda he unearthed tools that the 1877 residents recognised? bt User:Ben MacDui nom by Victuallers 19:53, 10 October 2007 (UTC)

A good idea! He did a fine job in helping the islands and I thought it was time his work was recognised here. Let's hope he is so honoured. Ben MacDui (Talk) 20:05, 10 October 2007 (UTC)

Advice sought

Hi MacDui, Larrys Creek will be on the Main Page as WP:TFA on October 19. I plan to go through it with a fine tooth comb before then (and to italicize and apostrophize the titles in the refs - although Plunketts Creek is still in FAC, the only comment so far did not mention that, and is a Support to boot). Anyway, I wondered if you had any advice for me or the article given your recent Main Page experience? On a totally unrelated note, did you ever hear from the Pelamis folks about a free image? If not, do you want me to check on requesting that a Pelamis drawing be made? Thanks in advance for any advice, Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 21:32, 10 October 2007 (UTC)

Re main page - as you will recall I was away most of the day, which was frustrating and relaxing in equal measure. An advantage of WP:OWN is that an FA is the community's article, and its not up to the main author to protect its integrity. When I got back late in the day I watched it and made a few small edits. The next day I looked at the dif over the previous 24 hours or so and simply corrected anything I thought was inappropriate. QED really.

Re Pelamis, I got a little sidetracked. I actually sent off a letter seeking a free image for a different article but after about three weeks I have had no reply. I will be out and about next week and may see someone who can help Pelamis wise. If that doesn't work I'll send them a note. Some people seem to get quite exited about fair use images - I can't see the problem in this case. If someone sends out a press release they expect it to be used, not censored. Doubtless there are good reasons I have failed to understand. Good luck on the 19th. Ben MacDui (Talk) 18:48, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for your support of Plunketts Creek (Loyalsock Creek) at WP:FAC, I appreciate it very much. If you want to see a recent photo where it is not all summer, look at Pleasant Stream (Lycoming Creek) (actually a composite of 9 photos). The sky was hazy so I was unable to get the shot of the Plunketts Creek valley from the north though.
Thanks too for the reply about the 19th. I just recalled you spent a lot of time on references and wondered if there were anything specific to look at (besides the useful advice for Plunketts, which I will apply to Larrys Creek). It has never been vandalized - I am sure that will change soon.
Finally, my thought on Pelamis was "Lady of Hats" and some other Commons editors make very nice illustrations and seem to be willing to take requests. Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 04:06, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

It would seem that one of the problems with references is that because there is no single system, and no little ambiguity within systems, newer editors copy what appears to be existing best practice and life gets confusing. For some reason there was next to no discussion about references for Renewable energy... so when it was passed the redoubtable Ms Georgia heavied me into fixing things I didn't know were broken. If no-one is bothering you about italics and apostrophes I wouldn't worry about it. Things I might try to fix are:

• 1, 5, 6, 41 square brackets on date (possibly your weird retrieval device).
• 7 odd apostrophes in last clause
• 13, 16, 30 no publisher
• 35 no pdf
• 39 extra period after Co

Ben MacDui (Talk) 07:59, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

Thanks as always - I appreciate your keen and discerning eye and attention to detail. All of these are fixed now - the square brackets were from using "origdate" instead of "date" in {{citeweb}}. The odd appostrohes were from putting the note in the "quote" part of the same template (I just moved the note outside citeweb). I added four publshers (I caught one too - the Game Lands database), one PDF, and solved the extra period (a period is added at the end of the publisher in cite book, so "Co." became "Co..". I will apostrophise and italicise next. Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 18:38, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

RFA Thanks

Click there to open your card! → → →

My dear Wikipedian Ben MacDui,
Thank you for your participation in my RFA, which closed successfully with 36 supports, 3 opposed, and 1 neutral. No matter if you !voted support, oppose, neutral, or even if you just stopped by to make a comment, I thank you for taking the time to drop by. Since I am a new admin, if you have any suggestions or concerns, feel free to inform me of them. Thank you and good day.

The Placebo Effect

Credits

This RFA thanks was inspired by The Random Editor, who in turn was inspired by Phaedriel's RFA thanks. So unfortunately this is not entirely my own design.

This end the usual RFA thanks spam. You may return to your regular editing now.

DYK

On 12 October, 2007, Did you know? was updated with a fact from the article John Sands, which you created or substantially expanded. If you know of another interesting fact from a recently created article, then please suggest it on the Did you know? talk page.

--Blood Red Sandman ^{(Talk) (Contribs)} 19:27, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

FL Main page proposal

You either nominated a WP:FLC or closed such a nomination recently. As such, you are the type of editor whose opinion I am soliciting. We now have over 400 featured lists and seem to be promoting in excess of 30 per month of late (41 in August and 42 in September). When Today's featured article (TFA) started (2004-02-22), they only had about 200 featured articles and were barely promoting 20 new ones per month. I think the quality of featured lists is at least as good as the quality of featured articles was when they started appearing on the main page. Thus, I am ready to open debate on a proposal to institute a List of the Day on the main page with nominations starting November 1 2007, voting starting December 1 2007 and main page appearances starting January 1 2008. For brevity, the proposal page does not discuss the details of eventual main page content, but since the work has already been done, you should consider this proposal assuming the eventual content will resemble the current content at the featured content page. Such output would probably start at the bottom of the main page. The proposal page does not debate whether starting with weekly list main page entries would be better than daily entries. However, I suspect persons in favor of weekly lists are really voicing opinions against lists on the main page since neither TFA nor Picture of the day started as weekly endeavors, to the best of my knowledge. See the List of the Day proposal and comment at WP:LOTDP and its talk page.--TonyTheTiger (t/c/bio/tcfkaWCDbwincowtchatlotpsoplrttaDCLaM) 19:36, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

Plunketts Creek (Loyalsock Creek) thanks

	<font=3> Thanks again for your support and comments - Plunketts Creek (Loyalsock Creek) made featured article today! Take care, Ruhrfisch ><>°° 02:26, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

Well done indeed. In notice that River Torrens is up for GA, and you may or may not be intertested in pulling rank on it. I'd review it myself, but (a) the author is attempting to get one of the Australian St Kilda's to GA and I might be tempted to make impertinent remarks, and (b) I am off to visit my cousin for a few days. I should back in time to party with Larry. Ben MacDui (Talk) 08:05, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

Thanks very much - I am working on two articles for the party with Larry (one on the covered bridge that I have a DYK hook for, plus I still need to make a list of tributaries for the "See also" section). Other than that I think Larrys Creek is basically ready. Inspired by your comments for Plunketts, I also added two pictures - one winter and one autumnal. I peeked at River Torrens, but will wait to review it until the Larrys tributaries list is done. Thanks again and have fun with your cous (I have friends who honeymooned on Skye - sounds lovely). Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 00:59, 16 October 2007 (UTC)

I see you beat me to River Torrens GA review - I just left a few suggestions on its talk page too. I also added some autumnal images to Plunketts Creek and will see if I can get a snowy one too, so you don't think that Pennsylvania is the Isle of Avalon transplanted to the New World. Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 02:17, 23 October 2007 (UTC)

Great autumn colours - and I see the sun is still shining in PA (sigh). Ben MacDui (Talk) 08:29, 24 October 2007 (UTC)

I only go out to take pictures for Commons when the sun is shining - sorry to have missed this comment till now. Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 04:02, 26 October 2007 (UTC)

It was by no means a criticism - enjoy it while you can. Ben MacDui (Talk) 07:38, 26 October 2007 (UTC)

Oh dear, I knew it was joke and am sorry to have made you apologize - I just was sorry I let 2 days go by before replying, and then explained the obvious. Take care, Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 12:04, 26 October 2007 (UTC)

Lady Isle

Hello Munro. Thanks for the note. Any suggestions would be most welcome. Rosser 12:08, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

Hello. Thanks for the comments. I will read it all through and attend to the points.Rosser 21:30, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

RfA Thanks

Thanks, Archive 3! Thank you for your support in my RfA. It was a success, and I look forward to getting started! Hiberniantears 18:25, 20 October 2007 (UTC)

GA review thanks

Dear MacDui, you have gone way above and beyond what I expected for the GA review of River Torrens. Every time I throw an article open for comment I am gratified at the quality of commentary, with this at the top of the list. You are helping to keep the bar high up where it belongs and, from the articles you've been involved with, produced some serious quality of your own. When dredging through the vast quantity of in-world trivia, eastern European and religious battlegrounds and articles on garage bands in Wikipedia it is a great pleasure to find the level of quality shown on your user page and Wikipedia:WikiProject Scottish Islands. Thank you for you fine assistance and keep up the great work - Peripitus (Talk) 23:52, 21 October 2007 (UTC)

Well I am sure I was a bit of a nuisance really, but hopefully the article is a 'GA or better' now. Good luck with your endeavours. Ben MacDui (Talk) 08:33, 24 October 2007 (UTC)

Referencing

I noticed your discussion with the GA reviewer for the [Papa Stour] article over how to handle the References/Notes/Footnotes/Further reading sections and it resonated with me, because I've also been unsure about what the house style is supposed to be. I recently resolved my own confusion by adopting the style of the Johannes Kepler article, which I think is pretty much spot on, particularly when multiple references are being made to different pages in the same publication.

I modified it slightly, as in this Stretford article, to make it clearer what printed sources had been used in the construction of the article and what were being listed as Further reading.

It worked for me anyway. :) --Malleus Fatuarum 02:45, 26 October 2007 (UTC)

They both make perfect sense to me, and I notice that your Bibliography does not list every source (which is what I imagined my original 'general refs' section was trying to achieve. I have apologised to Dr Cash, with whom I was being a shade unreasonable - its always much easier just to do what is asked - but I am getting befuddled by being asked to do different things by different reviewers. If this is ever to be resolved, my suspicion is that what is needed is some kind of group that is appointed to iron out inconsistencies in MOS and arbitrate on ambiguities. (For the record, I have no interest whatsoever in being a candidate!) I was observing an experienced user of late trying to achieve clarification or at least standardisation and was just being fobbed off by contradictory statements of 'consensus' on different MOS related pages. Of well, Papa Stour passed, which is the main thing. Ben MacDui (Talk) 08:08, 26 October 2007 (UTC)

Environment Barnstar

		The Environmental Barnstar
		Awarded in recognition of your contribute to the following environment article: Renewable energy in Scotland Alex 10:43, 26 October 2007 (UTC)

Thanks

Given with respect and admiration to Ben MacDui in recognition of your many helpful reviews, especially for your sharp eye on Plunketts Creek and Larrys Creek, thanks Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 04:09, 27 October 2007 (UTC)

Safari OSX, sortable tables

Hello, I was directed to this item: Safari.2C_OS_X_and_sortable_tables. I have exactly that same "problem". Has there been any improvement on this issue, or is it still the same? How did you solve it? I could use Firefox, however, I think this sort situation should be sorted out so it works on all browsers. Curious and anxious, VanBurenen 14:15, 30 October 2007 (UTC)

Nothing new that I am aware of I'm afraid. I usually load up Firefox when I want to investigate a sortable table. I am on-the-road at present and can't check Safari today, but it certainly wasn't working a couple of weeks ago. Ben MacDui^(Talk)/(Walk) 14:26, 30 October 2007 (UTC)

Thanks Ben MacDui, it appears that there are two bug reports, and they look alike a lot: [[5]] and [[6]]. If the "problem" is in Apple's software, is there communication between these two organisations? Since it is "under investigation" I'll just won't bother with it. VanBurenen 15:23, 30 October 2007 (UTC)

Preity Zinta FA

Hi there. The Preity Zinta article has recently achieved A-class status. Due to the wealth of support I have decided to now nominate for an FA class article which I believe and judging by the comments of others is pretty much up to. In my view it is better than some existing FA actor articles. I would therefore be very grateful if you could give it a final review in your own time and leave your comments and views at Wikipedia:Featured article candidates/Preity Zinta. Thankyou, your comments are always valuable. ♦ Sir Blofeld ♦ ^"Talk"? 10:57, 1 November 2007 (UTC)

Sandbox

Sorry about replying on the sandbox talk page, as you say I am fairly new, though trust I am in the right place now. I went to your sandbox and then stupidly clicked on discussion assuming as it was a subpage of your's that it would take me to your talk page and I didn't look at the title. I am sorry about the edits to your sandbox, what happened was that I stumbled across your sandbox didn't lok at the title (a common pproblem with me it seems) and corrected what I thought where errors. Won't happen again I will try to look at titles of thing now! Harland1 20:24, 3 November 2007 (UTC)

OK - no problem. I was actually in the middle of a lengthy edit when I discovered an Edit conflict. I was so busy trying to work out what happened and by who that I nearly lost the hour's work! However, I managed to recover it all, and learnt something in the process too. I hope the happenstance has not put you off. Incidentally I see you like mysteries. Have you visited the Flannan Isles? Ben MacDui^Talk/Walk 09:19, 4 November 2007 (UTC)

NoI've never visited the Flannan Isles though I have read about them. I fact I've never even been north of Northumberland. Have you been to them? What are they like? Harland1 10:24, 4 November 2007 (UTC)

Sadly I have never set foot on them, although I have seen them from afar. Lonely and extraordinary I'd say. I only rarely travel south of the Pennines myself. Feels weird not having anything natural to look at on the skyline. You at least have Windsor Castle. Ben MacDui^Talk/Walk 15:13, 4 November 2007 (UTC)

I woudn't call Windsor castle that natural! It is man made after all. And you can't see it from the centre of Eton as all the builldings obscure it. But it is a lovely view from the playing fields. Harland1 18:32, 4 November 2007 (UTC)

LOTD proposal

You either voted on the original list of the day proposal or the revised version. A more modest experimental proposal is now at issue at WP:LOTDP. Feel free to voice your opinion.--TonyTheTiger (t/c/bio/tcfkaWCDbwincowtchatlotpsoplrttaDCLaM) 17:30, 7 November 2007 (UTC)

Admin

Hi. As I think you're qualified, I'd like to nominate you as an admin. Let me know if you're interested. Thanks. Epbr123 15:22, 11 November 2007 (UTC)

• I'd support your RfA if you chose to run, Ruhrfisch _><>°^° 17:22, 11 November 2007 (UTC)

Goodness me. My sincere thanks for your confidence in my abilities. Somewhat regretfully I shall have to decline. Firstly, keeping up with my self-imposed editing duties is stretching me at present, and I simply can't spare the time to get my head around all the acronyms that get thrown around at RFAs. Secondly, whilst I try to cultivate an image of calm detachment, I fear that I might take to acting precipitately, particularly against the IP vandals congregating at (for example) Scotland and Orkney. My recent tirade [7] at WP:AIV exposes my frustration with what I see as our soft-heartedness towards these creatures (others no doubt see this as a legitimate expression of assuming good faith). In short, perhaps one day, but not now. Many thanks again for the suggestion tho'. Ben MacDui^Talk/Walk 17:40, 11 November 2007 (UTC)

Fair enough. Let me know if you change your mind. Epbr123 17:44, 11 November 2007 (UTC)

Will do. Congratulations on coming 65th btw. Ben MacDui^Talk/Walk 18:16, 11 November 2007 (UTC)

I'd back you as well... unless I'm offline, but I doubt that (don't go for it at the end of December!)--MacRusgail (talk) 15:54, 24 November 2007 (UTC)

GA

Hi, I've taken it upon myself to do the Geology of Scotland GA review. I'm not primarily a geologist, although I have some earth science knowledge. Other commitments also mean that this might not be speedy. If either of these factors are a problem, just say so and I'll withdraw immediately.

The article is obviously pretty good, but a couple of minor first thoughts. Although an article like this is bound to use technical terms, it could be a little more transparent in places - a brief gloss on the Caledonian oregeny (linked twice btw), in particular, wouldn't come amiss. With the refs, why not make into two columns, and/or unless you particularly want the page numbers just put multiple inlines to the same reference? Let me know if you want me to do the review, Jimfbleak 16:38, 13 November 2007 (UTC)

great, I'm out all day tomorrow, so take your time, Jimfbleak 17:54, 13 November 2007 (UTC)

All done, hope you get it to FA Jimfbleak 06:45, 16 November 2007 (UTC)

Many thanks! Ben MacDui^Talk/Walk 08:46, 16 November 2007 (UTC)