Sdkb

Incorrect Bot Changes

Hey @Sdkb. One of your bots made a change to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Blackburn_Historical_Plaques to correct some dates to Wikipedia standard format. The affected text was taken from the plaques in question, so the changes made the text inaccurate.

I'm pretty new to editing Wikipedia, so asked in Teahouse if there was a way to protect some content from automated bot alteration (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Teahouse#c-Scooby359-20240714172200-How_to_protect_content_from_bots). They suggested raising it with yourself to let you know of the issue, and see if there's any way to resolve it.

I've now been made aware of the {{nobots}} tag. Is there any other way I could flag this content to protect it from bot alteration?

Thanks, Chris. Scooby359 (talk) 19:21, 14 July 2024 (UTC)

Hi @Scooby359! Thanks for raising this. Those edits were part of the general fixes set, which is a collection of normally uncontroversial edits that my or many other bots will make in the course of other edits. Normally, GENFIX would recognize and ignore text in quotes, but in this case there are no quotation marks so it did not identify the quotes as such.

@Mathglot's advice to use {{as written}} on the quotes rather than {{nobots}} on the whole article is solid, as it's a much more precise way to target the issue.

Cheers, Sdkb ^talk 14:19, 15 July 2024 (UTC)

@Sdkb That's great. I've changed the page to use {{as written}} so hopefully should be ok going forward. Thanks for explaining and teaching me something new!

Cheers, Chris Scooby359 (talk) 18:31, 15 July 2024 (UTC)

Washington, D.C.

Hello. I'm reaching out because of your (semi) recent discussion at the article Talk page concerning the photo collage on the article, and changes being made to it without consensus. There's been a strange rash of revisions to the thing over the past four days, unilateral and without Talk discussion notwithstanding the request in the article source code, and my efforts to steer matters toward conversation and consensus. TBH I don't really care much one way or the other about the collage, but do believe that an FA deserves better than thrice-weekly revisions by editors who have decided that they like, or don't like, the photos at the top of the article. If you have the inclination I could use a bit of support on the issue of process at least - helping get interested editors talking about what the article's photo collage should look like, in the hope that we can find something agreeable to everyone, and stable. Thanks. JohnInDC (talk) 17:55, 26 July 2024 (UTC)

Thanks for reaching out! I've found collages to be a notoriously hard area to maintain — for whatever reason, there's a strong tendency for editors to want to make changes to well-composed collages that make them worse. It looks like the stable version of the D.C. collage has been restored, and I commented briefly on the talk page. Best, Sdkb ^talk 04:48, 28 July 2024 (UTC)

Thanks. I don't much care if it's updated or not (though I think the existing version is *fine*) - but it does matter that changes be made deliberately and thoughtfully, taken from among suitable photo candidates, and not just something that caught a random editor's eye. JohnInDC (talk) 12:55, 28 July 2024 (UTC)

Culinary Institute of America photos

Hi Sdkb, I was able to get some additional photos for the Culinary Institute of America article. I've linked to them in my response on the Talk page. Was curious if you had any additional thoughts. Cheers, BINK Robin (talk) 20:49, 29 July 2024 (UTC)

Thanks for arranging to have the photos uploaded! I added the one of students in the kitchen to the history section of the article, where I think it's a nice addition. I'll leave the task of integrating the criticism section into the history section to someone else, as I unfortunately don't have the capacity at the moment to handle it myself. Cheers, Sdkb ^talk 20:04, 30 July 2024 (UTC)

Hey, thanks for adding that! And no worries, I appreciate the feedback and work you've put in, and I saw Melchior responded about the criticism section. Cheers, BINK Robin (talk) 15:29, 1 August 2024 (UTC)

DYK mistake

Hey Sdkb, there's a supposed image of Chopin floating around, which seems to be disproved as a fake ([1]); that is, an edited detail from a 20th-century painting.

It's been removed from the associated Wikipedia articles, but apparently it was featured on the main page as a part of DYK. See Wikipedia:Recent additions/2024/January#9 January 2024. Do you think its worth starting a discussion on DYK about checking the chosen images more thoroughly? I don't know if this really relates to a larger issue or not. I suppose at the end of the day, its still an intended depiction of him, but I doubt DYK would have used it if they knew it was a forgery. Aza24 (talk) 00:23, 30 July 2024 (UTC)

@Aza24, I would absolutely bring it up. There is a prior instance in which a photo of the wrong person was used, so this isn't totally a one-off, and brainstorming about how to prevent it from recurring might be helpful. Sdkb ^talk 04:58, 30 July 2024 (UTC)

Thanks, just got a conversation going here – Aza24 (talk) 03:29, 2 August 2024 (UTC)

Growth News, July 2024

Community Configuration

The Growth team released Community Configuration at all Wikipedias. You can access it at Special:CommunityConfiguration.

This new special page replaces Special:EditGrowthConfig. For now, all Growth features can be configured using Community Configuration. Configuration for AutoModerator (T365046) and other features will be available in the future.

You can help with translations. The interface translation is done at Translatewiki.net. You can also help translate the documentation.

If you attend Wikimania 2024, please join us for the session about Community configuration's future!

Current work

Newcomer Homepage Community Updates module

We will add a new Community Configurable module to the Newcomer Homepage that will allow communities to highlight specific events, projects, campaigns, and initiatives. We have released a simple version available to beta wikis. We will conduct an A/B test at our pilot wikis using the new Metrics Platform. We still welcome community feedback on initial designs and plans, in any language at our project talk page.

Future work

Increase constructive activation on mobile

As part of the Growth team 2024/2025 Annual Plan, the Growth team will explore various ways to increase the percentage of newcomers who successfully start editing.

Editing a Wikipedia page requires too much context and patience. It means many trial and error for newcomers to contribute, meaning a steeper learning curve and potential discouraging reverts. To support a new generation of volunteers, we will increase the number and availability of smaller, structured, and more task-specific editing workflows (E.g. Edit Check and Structured Tasks). The Growth team will primarily focus on Structured Tasks, while working closely with the Editing team to ensure our work integrates well with Edit Check.

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15:08, 30 July 2024 (UTC)

Possible issue with rmCloser?

Hey Sdkb, I noticed that on Special:Diff/1238025322, the rmCloser reverted the archive wrapper and re-added the RM dated template. I'm just curious if you noticed anything peculiar with that edit and are not surprised to see this message, or if you didn't and there might be something wrong with the script. Courtesy ping TheTVExpert. Best, Bobby Cohn (talk) 18:55, 2 August 2024 (UTC)

I didn't notice anything unusual when I made that edit, so yeah, there may be some sort of script issue. Thanks for noticing/fixing! Sdkb ^talk 19:17, 2 August 2024 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – August 2024

News and updates for administrators from the past month (July 2024).

Administrator changes

Isabelle Belato

• Ian.thomson
• Modussiccandi

Interface administrator changes

Izno

CheckUser changes

Barkeep49

Technical news

• Global blocks may now target accounts as well as IP's. Administrators may locally unblock when appropriate.
• Users wishing to permanently leave may now request "vanishing" via Special:GlobalVanishRequest. Processed requests will result in the user being renamed, their recovery email being removed, and their account being globally locked.

Arbitration

• The Arbitration Committee appointed the following administrators to the conflict of interest volunteer response team: Bilby, Extraordinary Writ

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Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 16:00, 6 August 2024 (UTC)

Question from Abdulrahman nura (16:19, 12 August 2024)

Hi mento how i create my wekipedia page indeed --Abdulrahman nura (talk) 16:19, 12 August 2024 (UTC)

Hi @Abdulrahman nura — see Help:Your first article. Cheers, Sdkb ^talk 19:23, 12 August 2024 (UTC)

Question from Abdulrahman nura (17:08, 12 August 2024)

How do i create citation --Abdulrahman nura (talk) 17:08, 12 August 2024 (UTC)

Hi @Abdulrahman nura — see Help:Referencing for beginners. Cheers, Sdkb ^talk 19:24, 12 August 2024 (UTC)

New pages patrol September 2024 Backlog drive

New pages patrol | September 2024 Backlog Drive
On 1 September 2024, a one-month backlog drive for new pages patrol will begin. Barnstars will be awarded based on the number of articles and redirects patrolled. Barnstars will also be granted for re-reviewing articles previously reviewed by other patrollers during the drive. Each article review will earn 1 point, and each redirect review will earn 0.2 points. Interested in taking part? Sign up here.
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MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 17:11, 26 August 2024 (UTC)

Question from RICHAOBO1 (10:17, 27 August 2024)

Hi Sdkb, what's your best advice for someone who's new here and wants to learn how to edit and publish new articles? --RICHAOBO1 (talk) 10:17, 27 August 2024 (UTC)

My advice is not to start with creating new articles; go build up some experience with other tasks first. Then, when you're ready, read Help:Your first article and follow its advice, particularly about sourcing. Cheers, Sdkb ^talk 13:28, 27 August 2024 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – September 2024

News and updates for administrators from the past month (August 2024).

Administrator changes

Pppery

Interface administrator changes

Pppery

Oversighter changes

Wugapodes

CheckUser changes

• Courcelles
• GeneralNotability

Guideline and policy news

• Following an RfC, there is a new criterion for speedy deletion: C4, which applies to unused maintenance categories, such as empty dated maintenance categories for dates in the past.
• A request for comment is open to discuss whether Notability (species) should be adopted as a subject-specific notability guideline.

Arbitration

• Following a motion, remedies 5.1 and 5.2 of World War II and the history of Jews in Poland (the topic and interaction bans on My very best wishes, respectively) were repealed.
• Remedy 3C of the German war effort case ("Cinderella157 German history topic ban") was suspended for a period of six months.
• The arbitration case Historical Elections is currently open. Proposed decision is expected by 3 September 2024 for this case.

Miscellaneous

• Editors can now enter into good article review circles, an alternative for informal quid pro quo arrangements, to have a GAN reviewed in return for reviewing a different editor's nomination.
• A New Pages Patrol backlog drive is happening in September 2024 to reduce the number of unreviewed articles and redirects in the new pages feed. Currently, there is a backlog of over 13,900 articles and 26,200 redirects awaiting review. Sign up here to participate!

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Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 18:44, 2 September 2024 (UTC)

Infobox musical artist

Heya, I saw you added pluralisation control to the instrument parameter of Template:Infobox musical artist. Would you be able to do the same for occupation, spouse and partner? Miklogfeather (talk) 12:26, 3 September 2024 (UTC)

@Miklogfeather,  Done here; please let me know if there are any issues! Cheers, Sdkb ^talk 19:30, 4 September 2024 (UTC)

Boston meetups?

Hi Sdkb! I remember coming across your RfA previously and wanted to offer a belated congrats for successfully passing :)

I'm writing because I was browsing Wikipedia:Meetup/Boston and have noticed your name come up fairly often in recent meetups. Do you happen to still be in the area? I was interested in potentially attending/organizing one as there hasn't been a single in-person meetup in the region this year to my knowledge. I managed to catch the tail end of one nearly a decade ago but the opportunity has eluded me since. I'm close by and my schedule is relatively flexible for the coming months, and I'd love to meet some other contributors in the area. Would you happen to have any insight into what goes into organizing one of these (room reservation process, etc)? Appreciate it! ~Liance^talk 19:20, 4 September 2024 (UTC)

Hi Liance; thank you! I'm not in the Boston area most of the year (although I will be at WikiConference North America in Indianapolis in a few weeks), but best wishes with arranging a meetup! Sdkb ^talk 19:22, 4 September 2024 (UTC)

Thanks for the quick reply! I'll reach out to some other editors who might be in the area. Perhaps our paths will cross sometime in the future. Best, ~Liance^talk 23:21, 4 September 2024 (UTC)

Template spam reform idea

Hi there Sdkb, I'm toying with a proposal to reduce template spam, which perhaps you could comment on. My idea is that any template includes "discuss the issue" or "Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page" can be removed by any editor, if there was never a discussion begun on the talk page about such issues. In my mind, other editors can't be expected to read the mind of drive-by templaters, and it's not their responsibility to do so. Additionally, if the templater can't be bothered to even give one sentence on the talk page, that's on them.

I've found myself frequently removing templates undersuch rationales, see here most recently.

Examples of such templates include {{Original research}} & {{Too few opinions}}, among many others. How does it sound? Aza24 (talk) 16:19, 6 September 2024 (UTC)

Also, I just saw a comment from you a few years back at Template talk:GANotice#Linking to the assessment subpage. I'm not exactly sure what you mean, but given that we have a new bot & operator, perhaps this could be easily implemented now. Aza24 (talk) 18:31, 7 September 2024 (UTC)

Question from Larry0909 (00:25, 10 September 2024)

Where is the little picture of a magnifying glass to click on to enter an item to locate and read? --Larry0909 (talk) 00:25, 10 September 2024 (UTC)

If you are searching for the search bar, try zooming out on your browser. win8x (talking | spying) 20:01, 11 September 2024 (UTC)

@Larry0909 Pinging because I forgot :) win8x (talking | spying) 20:20, 11 September 2024 (UTC)

She remembers

Last year, you wrote Wikipedia:Wikipedia_Signpost/2023-01-01/In_the_media#How_to_get_divorced_on_Wikipedia. Apparently, there are no hard feelings:[2] (last question). Gråbergs Gråa Sång (talk) 07:25, 10 September 2024 (UTC)

Could use some closing expertise

Hey, Sdkb! I'm looking to get the gears turning on the admin recall RfC, but a lot of the sections have been sitting open for a while. Since I know you have experience with RfC closes, would you be willing to help close a few sections? It looks like we won't be going right to implementation from there, so the closes are mainly advisory – helps in putting together the next discussion (fingers crossed!). Thanks in advance :) theleekycauldron (talk • she/her) 08:37, 11 September 2024 (UTC)

Nomination for deletion of Template:If this year

Template:If this year has been nominated for deletion. You are invited to comment on the discussion at the entry on the Templates for discussion page. – Jonesey95 (talk) 01:54, 14 September 2024 (UTC)

RFA2024 update: Discussion-only period now open for review

Hi there! The trial of the RfA discussion-only period passed at WP:RFA2024 has concluded, and after open discussion, the RfC is now considering whether to retain, modify, or discontinue it. You are invited to participate at Wikipedia:Requests for adminship/2024 review/Phase II/Discussion-only period. Cheers, and happy editing! MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 09:38, 27 September 2024 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – October 2024

News and updates for administrators from the past month (September 2024).

Administrator changes

• Asilvering
• Significa liberdade

• Good Olfactory
• Hesperian
• I JethroBT
• TommyBoy
• Woody

CheckUser changes

• Barkeep49
• Izno

• Doug Weller
• Spicy

Guideline and policy news

• Administrator elections are a proposed new process for selecting administrators, offering an alternative to requests for adminship (RfA). The first trial election will take place in October 2024, with candidate sign-up from October 8 to 14, a discussion phase from October 22 to 24, and SecurePoll voting from October 25 to 31. For questions or to help out, please visit the talk page at Wikipedia talk:Administrator elections.
• Following a discussion, the speedy deletion reason "File pages without a corresponding file" has been moved from criterion G8 to F2. This does not change what can be speedily deleted.
• A request for comment is open to discuss whether there is a consensus to have an administrator recall process.

Arbitration

• The arbitration case Historical elections has been closed.
• An arbitration case regarding Backlash to diversity and inclusion has been opened.
• Editors are invited to nominate themselves to serve on the 2024 Arbitration Committee Electoral Commission until 23:59 October 8, 2024 (UTC).

Miscellaneous

• If you are interested in stopping spammers, please put MediaWiki talk:Spam-whitelist and MediaWiki talk:Spam-blacklist on your watchlist, and help out when you can.

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Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 16:00, 2 October 2024 (UTC)

Cooooooookiezzzzzzzz

		Cookies!
		ButterNoodle has given you some cookies! Cookies promote WikiLove and hopefully this one has made your day better. You can spread the "WikiLove" by giving someone else some cookies, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past or a good friend. To spread the goodness of cookies, you can add {{subst:Cookies}} to someone's talk page with a friendly message, or eat this cookie on the giver's talk page with {{subst:munch}}!

The remains

ButterNoodle, yum! Thank you! Sdkb ^talk 06:12, 5 October 2024 (UTC)

A racecar for you!

	A racecar for you!
	Great seeing you again at WCNA! Your talk made me feel the urge to get back into copyediting FACs (though I'm scared of how much the whole FA process may have changed since I was last doing that, uh... ten years ago... @_@) Anyway, till next time IRL and in the meantime, see you round the wikis! Accedietalk to me 16:00, 7 October 2024 (UTC)

Thanks, Accedie! Good luck with any FACs you launch! Sdkb ^talk 17:26, 13 October 2024 (UTC)

A goat for you!

I want to thank you for your lecture on article quality degradation at WCNA. I dare say it was the most interesting and useful talk of the whole conference.

—Compassionate727 ^(T·C) 19:11, 9 October 2024 (UTC)

That's high praise, Compassionate727; thank you! (For any talk page stalkers, the presentation slides, based off my essay WP:ENDURE, are here, and the audio will be up soon once they process it.) Sdkb ^talk 17:30, 13 October 2024 (UTC)

A barncompass for you!

	WikiConference North America 2024 Barncompass
	Thank you for successfully completing all 13 tasks in the 2024 edition of the Editing Challenge! We hope you continue to contribute towards different sister projects. OhanaUnitedTalk page 05:05, 12 October 2024 (UTC)

Thanks, OhanaUnited! I had noticed in the closing session that you listed me as only having completed some of the tasks, so I was wondering where I had been disqualified; I guess this means I actually wasn't disqualified after all? Sdkb ^talk 17:23, 13 October 2024 (UTC)

I was in a hurry and might have missed some things (or that I only saw some of your tasks being marked as complete when I was creating the slides, and you subsequently updated the table). OhanaUnited^{Talk page} 21:23, 13 October 2024 (UTC)

@OhanaUnited, I updated the table just before the noon deadline that was announced. No worries — it was indeed a tight timeline! For next year, it might make sense to announce an earlier deadline, so that you can be sure to consider all the contributions submitted by then. Cheers, Sdkb ^talk 21:28, 13 October 2024 (UTC)

Yeah, I was updating it around noon. Probably it was still using an outdated cache on my laptop so it didn't show your 13 completed tasks. I'll mark that as a to-do item next year. The time crunch was definitely difficult to manage since we had to hand out a physical prize (rather than just virtual). OhanaUnited^{Talk page} 23:22, 13 October 2024 (UTC)