User talk:Ssolbergj/Archive 04

Graphics request

Hei! I remember you did a fantastic job of the Greater arms of Sweden, and I wonder if you would be interested in doing some more heraldry images - if you're not too busy. I'm looking for images of a generic heraldic lion in each of the basic attitudes of beasts (such as this lion rampant and this lion passant). I put in the request here if you want to take a look. Thanks! Wilhelm_meis (talk) 08:20, 21 March 2009 (UTC)

EP photos "free of copyright"

[1]- _J.Logan`^t: 13:22, 31 March 2009 (UTC)

Map Request

i was amazed of your great work man, all the flags, and maps contributions, are very good... anyways, umm, i would like to request you to do a map of the Arab League and the African Union, similar to the ones you did for the European Union, China, Russia, Soviet Union, the USA and othrs...

thanks man, and again, good job, keep it up, your benefiting Wikipedia greatly..

PS: i too support a Union of ALL of russia under the EU, well, except Russia, dont see it in the near future tho :)

cheers...

--Arab League User (talk) 21:35, 3 April 2009 (UTC)

Thanks. I don't really have time for it right now.. Sorry. But I'll see what i can do when I'm not so busy. You could ask the WP:GRAPHLAB also.

Yes, Russia is undoubtedly a European country, but I don't any sensible person wanting Putin's Russia as a member state. ;) - SSJ ☎ 22:57, 15 April 2009 (UTC)

File:World Economic Forum logo.svg

Hi Ssolbergj, you (re-)uploaded this file under fair use, but we have File:World economic forum logo.png and File:World economic forum logo.jpg. Also the .svg version is now on Commons as a copyvio (GFDL) and used in many projects, commons:File:World Economic Forum logo.svg. I recognized, that you uploaded the .svg version the same day shortly after the WEF uploaded their versions. Can I assume, that your .svg version is a derivative version of the permitted, free WEF version and you only forgot to license it freely? Can we change the sourcing to the original .png version, the author to WEF with your derivative contribution and the license to cc-by-sa-3.0,2.5,2.0,1.0?? Thanks for your answer - and for fixing it. --Martin H. (talk) 01:08, 5 April 2009 (UTC)

I found the vector logo on an official WEF pdf. - SSJ ☎ 22:49, 15 April 2009 (UTC)

Did you create the vector logo from the pdf draft are was it, dont know if possible, already in svg? If you created the logo from a draft,

• I will resouce it to the free File:World economic forum logo.png which is released by the WEF under cc-by-sa
• nominate the fair use image
• Use commons:File:World Economic Forum logo.svg in the projects.

Any objections? --Martin H. (talk) 10:46, 18 April 2009 (UTC)

I extracted the vector logo, I.e. removed everything else from the pdf page and recropped it. I don't really see the issue because i reckon {{PD-textlogo}} and {{Trademarked}} can be used for the SVG on Commons. - SSJ ☎ 11:39, 18 April 2009 (UTC)

Ok, then no problem, someone may find the Logo creative in any way. But no problem, we leave it as it is. --Martin H. (talk) 14:42, 18 April 2009 (UTC)

Europ(a)ea

Europaea is correct, I'm pretty sure. —Nightstallion 09:44, 19 April 2009 (UTC)

Yes I asked people at Latin Wikipedia, and they thought so too. - SSJ ☎ 15:26, 19 April 2009 (UTC)

Forespørsel om kart

Hei! Jeg forstår det slik at det er du som har laget de nydelige kartene som man finner blant annet på siden om USA, Russland, EU etc. Kunne du tatt deg bryet med å lage et slikt kart for Norge også? Jeg har akkurat skrevet en lengre intro på Wikipedia-siden om Norge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norway) og ønsker å utvikle denne videre.

På forhånd takk,

Phreppen. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Phreppen (talk • contribs) 23:45, 23 April 2009 (UTC)

Hei. Hyggelig at du spør, men personlig jeg har liksom begrenset det til de geografisk største landene, siden det tar ganske lang tid hver gang man skal "rotere" kloden for å lage et nytt kart (det aktuelle landet i en artikkel bør vel kanskje vere sentrert midt i kartet). Andre har spurt før om jeg kan lage tilsvarende kart til bl.a. Storbritannia, Ukraina, Tyrkia osv, men jeg har tenkt jeg ikke vil lage slike kart til enkeltland i Europa, for å skape en slags naturlig grense mellom hvilke land som "er store nok" og de som ikke er det. Det høres sikkert arrogant ut, men det hadde tatt en evighet å lage et kart til alle geografisk store å små land. Men du kan spørre WP:GRAPHLAB, jeg har selvfølgelig ikke monopol på å lage de her kartene. Beklager. - SSJ ☎ 00:04, 24 April 2009 (UTC)

File:European Union enlargement.gif

A user on Polish Wikipedia noticed a mistake on this map. Macedonia wasn't a separate state until 1991. Could you make corrections? Mieciu K (talk) 17:33, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

Yes, I'll do it, but unfortunately I've lost the GIF project file, so I'll have to start from scratch. - SSJ ☎ 23:35, 31 May 2009 (UTC)

Request

Hello Ssolbergj, I was wondering if you can draw another orthographic projection of Paraguay in South America, using your vector image File:Brazil_(orthographic_projection).svg, because many people asked if it can be possible and if you want to do that?, please we'll appreciate it. --TownDown (talk) 09:04, 7 May 2009 (UTC)

I did it. What do you think? Connormah (talk) 22:59, 31 May 2009 (UTC)

Sorry, Towndown, I forgot to reply. The map looks fine, Connormah, although I'd put the green layer behind the white borders. - SSJ ☎ 23:25, 31 May 2009 (UTC)

Fixed it. - SSJ ☎ 23:33, 31 May 2009 (UTC)

Request

On the page from Belgium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgique) you've draw the coat of arms, and you wrote " L'Unuon fait la force" BUT it is "L'unIon fait la force " with a little i evidently not a U, thanks ;) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 91.176.101.169 (talk) 21:03, 12 May 2009 (UTC)

Oops. Sure, I'll fix it. ;) - SSJ ☎ 21:07, 12 May 2009 (UTC)

Done. - SSJ ☎ 22:58, 12 May 2009 (UTC)

File:Blank map of Europe (polar stereographic projection) cropped.svg

I noticed you added the borders of Kosovo as independent, would you do the same then for Abkhazia and South Ossetia? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 144.82.240.102 (talk) 15:05, 21 May 2009 (UTC)

Abkhazia and South Ossetia's respective statehoods are only recognised by Russia. It's the same situation with Northern Cyprus, which is only recognised by Turkey. Kosovo is recognised by most European nation states. - SSJ ☎ 22:17, 21 May 2009 (UTC)

Orthographic Projection Request

Hey man, I'd do this if I had the patience, but could you do an orthographic projection of Chile? Thank you in advance! Connormah (talk) 01:41, 1 June 2009 (UTC)

Hey. I'm really not that patient either, but I might do it sooner or later. The dilemma is that I either make a map for all countries and organisations in the world in one go, or the stream of requests never stops. ;) - SSJ ☎ 01:59, 1 June 2009 (UTC)

Sounds good. I don't think we need it, so just scratch it off. Connormah (talk) 23:19, 20 June 2009 (UTC)

Lissabontraktatkort

Hei. Jeg så, at du har markeret Færøerne på kortet som angår Lissabontraktaten. Kunne du venligst rette dette, eftersom Færøerne IKKE er del af EU? Hei då. Mulder1982 (talk) 00:05, 7 June 2009 (UTC)

Selvfølgelig. Takk. - SSJ ☎ 02:56, 7 June 2009 (UTC)

GA Reassessment of Euro

I have done a GA Reassessment of the Euro as part of the GA Sweeps project. I have found the article to not meet a few of the GA Criteria. I feel that the article is very strong and needs some detail work to keep it consistent with the GA Criteria. I am notifying the primary editors like yourself about this review which can be found here. I have placed the article on hold for a week. If more time is needed please let me know. If you have any questions please contact my talk page. H1nkles (talk) 16:52, 8 June 2009 (UTC)

Question

Talk:Liberal Party of Norway#Name of article jnestorius^(talk) 00:58, 19 June 2009 (UTC)

I've responded. - SSJ ☎ 01:44, 19 June 2009 (UTC)

Flag request.

Hey, Ssoldbergj, I was wondering if you had time to create a vector of the below image? Connormah (talk) 23:41, 20 June 2009 (UTC)

File:Flag of Jacksonville, Florida.svg here you go:P - SSJ ☎ 17:27, 21 June 2009 (UTC)

Brilliant. Thank you so much. Connormah (talk) 00:22, 2 July 2009 (UTC)

Edit summary

Thank you for your contributions to Wikipedia. Please don't forget to provide an edit summary for your edits. Thank you. The Ogre (talk) 13:17, 21 June 2009 (UTC)

New Zealand map Request

Hi Ssolbergj, I love your work. Here is a request for a New Zealand globe.

I know your so busy, but it would be incredibly beneficial. Mattcohen1 (talk) 01:32, 23 June 2009 (UTC)

Icelandic heraldry

Great work on the SVG's on Icelandic heraldry! Thank you for the help. I wonder if you might have access to any sources that go into any detail about Icelandic heraldry or armigerous Icelanders. Wilhelm_meis (talk) 00:14, 1 July 2009 (UTC)

Thanks!:) No, sorry, I've just improved and vectorised existing files. - SSJ ☎ 00:19, 1 July 2009 (UTC)

I understand. Sources on Icelandic heraldry are hard to find. Thanks again for the image support, though. I really like what you've done with them. Wilhelm_meis (talk) 14:47, 1 July 2009 (UTC)

Re: File:Location European monarchies.svg

Hi, Could you correct this map? There is nobody pretending to the "Irish Throne". Kind Regards (Jack1755 (talk) 18:20, 6 July 2009 (UTC))

According to Pretender#Ireland: "In Ireland, however, the high king from the time of Maelsheachlainn I (died 862) exercised a measure of control over the country. He belonged to the Ui Neill dynasty and under the Brehon laws, succession was open to any kinsman up to and including second cousin. His dynasty is today represented by the O'Neill family who would regard their head as the pretender." - SSJ ☎ 19:39, 6 July 2009 (UTC)

That article has been tagged for original research .. and needing more citations for verification, ergo it is ALL wrong. My mother is a member of the O Neil family, and I can asssure you that there is no official head of the O Neil family, and nor does anyone in the family actively pretend to the "Irish Throne"(Jack1755 (talk) 19:55, 6 July 2009 (UTC))

"[lilac]Countries with pretenders, where modern borders more or less align with the historical borders of the respectively claimed thrones" I fail to see how the borders of the highlited: Austria, Germany, Russia, Hungary and Turkey "more or less align with the historical borders of the respectively claimed thrones". Please rectify the statement, and or map. -- Jack1755 (talk) 02:46, 7 July 2009 (UTC)

I'm still waiting for a reply. -- Jack1755 (talk) 00:06, 7 September 2009 (UTC)

Does Alliance for Europe of the Nations still exist?

SSJ, hi! I'm updating Alliance for Europe of the Nations and trying to find out whether it still exists. Any idea?

Regards, Anameofmyveryown (talk) 22:24, 6 July 2009 (UTC)

Hi! I'm not sure, but I think I've read that it would "certainly die after the elections" (Ireland's governing party leaving it etc). I have not heard any fresh news about it though. - SSJ ☎ 22:40, 6 July 2009 (UTC)

Sigh...when parties are created there are press conferences and announcements, but when they die, nobody announces anything. So dating the date of death is difficult. I'll cobble together something along the lines of "AEN was funded for financial year 2009/10 in February 2009 but, following the 2009 European Parliament elections and the departure of some member parties, its status is currently uncertain. Its website has not been updated since 2008. It is next due for review in February 2010." Regards, Anameofmyveryown (talk) 23:46, 6 July 2009 (UTC)

Sounds good, keep up the great work :D We can at least assume that Libertas is dead. - SSJ ☎ 00:42, 7 July 2009 (UTC)

Libertas is dying/has died as it lived: noisily, with maximum publicity, horrendous confusion about funding, and a superfluity of quotable reports in reliable sources in multiple member states. Contrariwise, AEN (like AIDE) is slipping away quietly and the only point we'll know it's dead is when it gets defunded. Which won't be until next year. Ouch. Regards, Anameofmyveryown (talk) 01:31, 7 July 2009 (UTC)

Coat of arms of Brussels

hello, I see that you are very interested in the coat of arms from Brussels, I work a lot on Armorial des communes d'Empire that given my research.

Here is what my research has given :

good day--Dunkerqueenflandre (talk) 07:40, 11 July 2009 (UTC)

Wow, that's really nice! I think I'll organise the various historical arms for Brussels (including this one) in an article. Too bad though, that these designes only apply for the small and insignificant City of Brussels, and not the modern Brussels region. Thanks anyway:D - SSJ ☎ 18:10, 12 July 2009 (UTC)

Well, I don't think there's any problem in conflating them. Brussels is by far the main city, the other municipalities only grew when not everyone could fit in the City of Brussels anymore. The distinction doesn't really need to be made until the Capital Region was born. People interested in the history of Brussels generally don't care about the technicalities of present and past municipal boundaries. So go for it! -Oreo Priest ^talk 18:43, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Hm, I disagree. Sure, we could perhaps have the City of Brussels design placed somewhere in the region's article, but I don't think we should vaguely fuse the symbols of the region and the municipality together in the infobox and pretend it's official. Wikipedia is all about technicalities. - SSJ ☎ 00:16, 19 July 2009 (UTC)

What I meant is that if you wanted to create an article on the symbols or historical coats of arms of Brussels, you could include both, while explaining the difference. Oreo Priest ^talk 17:35, 26 August 2009 (UTC)

Ah, ok. I placed it here. - SSJ ☎ 01:34, 27 August 2009 (UTC)

Signatures

Hey, I was curious of your method of making vector images of signatures? Connormah (talk) 17:58, 14 July 2009 (UTC)

Sure. I paste a raster version of the signature into Inkscape, and start drawing vector lines (or drawing black figures) over the raster image. Afterwards I adjust the line thickness and remove the raster image. - SSJ ☎ 11:43, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

I was wondering if you'd be able to do Jens Stoltenberg's signature? It can be found here... This one is rather tricky, I've been trying to do this one, but no luck....many thanks.. Connormah (talk) 17:27, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

Here you go:P - SSJ ☎ 23:40, 18 July 2009 (UTC)

Wow, awesome! Many thanks! Connormah (talk) 17:39, 23 July 2009 (UTC)

Could you possibly do Paul von Hindenburg's signature, Tarja Halonen's signature, and Nicolae Ceauşescu's signature? Kjell Magne Bondevik's signature can also be found here, I'd appreciate it if it could be vectorized. Take all the time you want. (the signatures are in the links). Connormah (talk) 00:31, 24 July 2009 (UTC)

, , - SSJ ☎ 02:16, 24 July 2009 (UTC)

Ceauşescu's signature is kind of enigmatic, so I couldn't trace it by hand. Its PNG is possibly still better. - SSJ ☎ 02:25, 24 July 2009 (UTC)

Could you possible make the PNG transparent? Thanks for all this! Could you get to Bondevik, and possible, Vaclav Klaus? Connormah (talk) 04:29, 24 July 2009 (UTC)

Hm, sorry, I personally can't stand improving the biographical articles of politicians that I loathe. And Bondevik and Klaus certainly are two of them. - SSJ ☎ 00:20, 25 July 2009 (UTC)

Haha, that's fine, fair enough. I'll maybe give them a shot. Connormah (talk) 00:59, 25 July 2009 (UTC)

Sorry for the bombarding with requests here, but can you do John Quincy Adams, George M Dallas (signature at the bottom of the letter as George M Dallas), and Abigail Adams, in her original form (with the thick letters)? Thanks in advance. Connormah (talk) 20:43, 25 July 2009 (UTC)

I've done Dallas' signature. Could you get to the Adams signatures within the month of August? Connormah (talk) 00:00, 31 July 2009 (UTC)

Void that, I'll FW it to the GL, or someone else. Thanks for all your work! --Connormah (talk) 02:05, 7 August 2009 (UTC)

Editing survey

Hi Ssolbergj. My name is Mike Lyons and I am a doctoral student at Indiana University in the United States. I am conducting research on the writing and editing of high traffic current events articles on Wikipedia. I have noticed in the talk page archives at 2008 South Ossetia war that you have contributed to the editing or maintenance of the article. I was hoping you would agree to fill out a brief survey about your experience. This study aims to help expand our thinking about collaborative knowledge production. Believe me I share your likely disdain for surveys but your participation would be immensely helpful in making the study a success. A link to the survey is included below. An explanation of my project is included with the survey.

Link to the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=kLMxj8dkk_2bls7yCBmNV7bg_3d_3d

Thanks and best regards, Mike Lyons lyonspen | (talk) 21:10, 18 July 2009 (UTC)

Wallonia map

First of all I must say good work for all of the maps you have made for Wikipedia. I just want to clarify this particular map; Brussels is shaded in the same blue that Flanders is. Isn't Brussels usually considered a separate region from both Flanders and Wallonia? Hayden120 (talk) 05:35, 24 July 2009 (UTC)

No, I don't think so. - SSJ ☎ 16:45, 30 July 2009 (UTC)

Well, what you linked me to clearly shows a distinction between the Flemish Region, the Walloon Region, and the Brussels-Capital Region. It is not clear if this map is representing the communities or the regions of Belgium. Hayden120 (talk) 22:05, 30 July 2009 (UTC)

Brussels metro

Hey, how are you doing? Hate to pester, but File:Metro Brussels (no text).svg needs updating. I'm sorting the station's list now. And fyi, I am based in Brussels now, anything you need?- _J.Logan`^t: 19:19, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

I am forever amazed by your speed! Thanks! Bravo!- _J.Logan`^t: 20:05, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

(slight edit conflict) Hey! I'm doing fine, thanks. The metro map is now updated. I can't think of any urgent need for a specific photo right now, but a good photo of the 'skyline' of Brussels's financial district would be great. Also, I reckon it would be amazing if we could get a 360 degree panorama of the Schuman roundabout; I presume you don't have one of those special 360 degree cameras, but I guess it would work if you stood in the centre of the roundabout, rotated the camera so that you got photos covering all 'degrees'. I could blend them together in Photoshop if you would like me to do that. Also, photo updates from the Residence Palace are always useful. :) - SSJ ☎ 20:28, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

On second thought, we sorely need a good photo for the European Council article. Do you think you could sneak into Justus Lipsius (haha) or whatever after at a heads of state session and capture a family photo in creative commons, once and for all? Taking into consideration the latest signs from Ireland, chances are they will smile. - SSJ ☎ 20:32, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

I'll see what I can do on the skyline thing, hard to get a good position on that one. Skyline of the centre is also hard as the only good view (the one we're using already) is blocked by a construction site for another few months. As for Schuman, I did actually give that a go a few months back but as its so long photo stitching produces a rather naff photo. I'll give it another shot but to be honest it isn't that amazing for a 360. Nothing new really at Residence Palace, just a construction site, nothing rising out the ground. Unless you'd like a construction site (as opposed to the old look) then I'll wait till we have a the framework and a few floors in place at least. As for the last one, I think I need a press pass for that! Next meeting though I'm tempted to get as close as I can and see if I can get photos of any of them. I'll see what I can do though. Anything comes to mind, just ask.- _J.Logan`^t: 07:37, 29 July 2009 (UTC)

Well, it's obvious that you've got a whole different camera since last time around. Your new photo of Berlaymont is mindblowing! I love it. Similarly sunny photos might even make the Consilium look less satanic (I bet a wider, less grey version of File:Open day 2007.JPG (or a better angle) would probably be perfect). On the European Council; I know that even JEF people from the local branch in my city got access to press conferences at a summit. I have never been near anything like an EU summit, and have no clue how the administration of press passes goes about, but you could simply send a humble and honest email to the secretariat, saying how badly Wikipedia and the freedom-loving world of Creative Commons need it etc. I know we've had some unimpressive communication with EU employees in Brussels before, but it's not like they have to make a painful and scary rule change in order to grant one person a press pass (I presume you won't have to go through personality tests beforehand to prove that you're not an axe murderer, it's not like you're going to see Barack Obama, it's just the European Council). You decide.

If the people working in the Council are even remotely on the same wavelength as Wallstroms's PR ideas, they better either give you access or provide a few photographs with wiki-friendly copyright after you've sent such an email. - SSJ ☎ 23:04, 29 July 2009 (UTC)

Okay. I'll see what I can do on the Council front then, and I'll see if I can update the building image soon. Have fun!- _J.Logan`^t: 16:19, 3 August 2009 (UTC)

Three new Council shots, any close to what you wanted? For some reason I had trouble getting exactly the same shot, think the plants have grown or something! File:Justus Lipsius EU Council 489 Close.jpg, File:Justus Lipsius EU Council 489 Wide.jpg and File:Justus Lipsius EU Council 2979 Enterance.jpg.- _J.Logan`^t: 17:20, 4 August 2009 (UTC)

Wow, that's nice:) I really like the 'wide' shot and the 'close' shot; they look much better than the ones we had before. Though please forgive me for now saying that for example this 'full' shot of the building also looks awsome. But thank you anyways, this is such a great opportunity! - SSJ ☎ 17:37, 4 August 2009 (UTC)

I can try again, but there is a problem that I need to be higher. You stand close as I was doing and you shop off the edges, you stand further back and you get loads of plants in the way. I do however plan to try to get onto the roofs of some of the buildings round here - but I need to get a larger camera first. Tried before getting in with my diddy one, I look like an over enthusiastic tourist so they don't want to waste their time on me.- _J.Logan`^t: 17:49, 4 August 2009 (UTC)

That's too bad. But the one you chose for the article is so close to perfect there's nothing to worry about. - SSJ ☎ 18:12, 4 August 2009 (UTC)

(edit conflict) Do you think it could be possible to get a shot from the old art deco theatre, foyer and pool inside the Résidence Palace, as seen in this interesting forum? Could you find out which part of Résidence Palace they are in? As you probably know, the councils will only occupy bloc A (the one being rebuilt). While you're there you could of course photograph the patio in bloc B and/or other rooms as for example seen on this extremely annoying official website. The whole building is a bit of a mistery, it's so to say impossible to find info and images related to the interior of the old parts of the building through Google. - SSJ ☎ 17:54, 4 August 2009 (UTC)

BTW do you know what they're doing with the roof of bloc B?? - SSJ ☎ 17:56, 4 August 2009 (UTC)

I don't know, it looks minor though - maybe just changing the satellite equipment or just cleaning. It has been covered for a few months at least and hasn't moved down the building at all. I really don't think it is much of a priority though to go take photos of journalists' swimming pools though - if I have the time I might but I don't have the time right now (plus, I'll stand a better chance when I have a better camera). As for the space in between the two blocks, it looks closed off right now due to the construction work, I'll see if I can sneak through though but with all the construction it is a total mess.

Oh and the other week I saw a notice for construction go up next to Place Jean Rey, they're putting offices on that car park (one side of me says, finally, the other is annoyed they're not making is a public space considering the good views) so are there any shots of that area that are needed? I'm thinking the EESC/COR or Library building.- _J.Logan`^t: 08:23, 5 August 2009 (UTC)

I know that minor details related to Residence Palace aren't very relevant to Wikipedia in the context of it being a building merely located in Brussels. A random swimming pool is of course not very interesting, but if the case is that the EU Council's new headquarters include an art deco luxury pool and a big theatre hall from the 1930s (listed as historical monuments), then it's getting quite interesting I think. - SSJ ☎ 16:33, 5 August 2009 (UTC)

If this room is located in another part of the Residence Palace, then it's not wikipedia-notable at all, but if it's actually located in bloc A one can easily imagine the president of the European Council holding white-house style speeches there.. There's no need to rush anything. I'm not going to force you into that construction site!:) - SSJ ☎ 16:44, 5 August 2009 (UTC)

I'm not sure whether the ultra-boring EESC building will ever look any better or be summed up in a better way than on this rather uninspiring and grey shot. You can of course try. If you do, you could perhaps also try a wider shot that doesn't cut of the spinelli towers and Paul-Henri Spaak etc. Cropping afterwards is of course always an option.

On the library; if 'perfection' is desirable, one could say that this shot (which is an otherwise perfect shot of the building) could perhaps be even better if the sky was blue and the building was lit up by the sun. You know, before this viewpoint is blocked by the new building. - SSJ ☎ 17:03, 5 August 2009 (UTC)

BTW if your camera has a good optical zoom and the air isn't too polluted, you could perhaps take good photographs of rue de la Loi, Espace Léopold and the skyline of the financial district from this viewpoint (or from the other side of the quadriga). You get a good idea of how it could look by checking out this panorama. - SSJ ☎ 17:12, 5 August 2009 (UTC)

Oh from cinquantenaire I was trying to get some photos, but there doesn't seem to be public access even to the arcades! I'm going to try again, as the staff on duty when I went over there didn't seem to have a clue. I think I have some shots of the business district but none form up high, I'm going to try elevated photos once I get a bigger camera as I say so I'm writing these down to sort out. Thinking about it now though, I'm going to try to get inside the EESC building as it actually has some interesting detail when you're up close and you can see through the glass. I'll ask around at all these buildings the next few days, maybe I'll be lucky and get a nice person on the desk so they won't mind my tiny camera. It's a slow period now anyway, they can;t be too busy,- _J.Logan`^t: 18:37, 5 August 2009 (UTC)

Okay, got a good one of JL as I was walking past: File:Justus Lipsius tout le nord-est 689.jpg. Its also in some ones of the roundabout I've just put up. I didn't crop these ones so they can be used better as raw files and adjusted to suit needs.- _J.Logan`^t: 16:02, 6 August 2009 (UTC)

Wahoo that's truly great! I reckon that's about as good as a Justus Lipsius photo gets without super expensive equipment and lifts. I've made File:Justus Lipsius tout le nord-est 689 MOD.jpg as a photoshop over-the-top 'beauty shot' (plus a new crop and the magic dissapearance of annoying buildings and construction cranes on the edges), like I did with Espace Leopold. An improvement or does it look too fake? - SSJ ☎ 18:03, 6 August 2009 (UTC)

I love the panorama also! - SSJ ☎ 18:07, 6 August 2009 (UTC)

It's good, though I'm not totally sure about too much change. Colour adjustment and cropping is one thing, but there is a limit to beautification. Fiddlign colours is adjusting what the camera has taken which is often off slightly. We have a bit of lee way there. But removing a crane and changing the sky? So long as it isn't removing a whole building, but lets avoid going down this road; it doesn't lead anywhere nice. (and to be honest, in making it a tad darkerish it has brought back the inherent satanic element of the building!). I suppose I'm okay with this one, but I hope you don't do any more on the next one. No offence, work is always great, but if we are going for beautification, it should be on flickr.- _J.Logan`^t: 20:11, 6 August 2009 (UTC)

Yeah, the reason why I asked whether it looked fake is that I'm also aware that this kind of photoshopping often goes overboard. With this photo I mashed all photoshow cliches together (although I personally don't think this photo looks too ludicrous). I'll be careful with this. - SSJ ☎ 21:07, 6 August 2009 (UTC)

I've now toned down the modifications. - SSJ ☎ 21:36, 6 August 2009 (UTC)

Brussels-Capital Region

Hi. I've noticed you've moved several articles from "xxx Brussels-Capital Region" to "xxx Brussels Capital-Region", which I believe to be incorrect. I'm going to move them back. Also, please comment at Talk:List of Ministers-President of the Brussels Capital-Region. Cheers, Oreo Priest ^talk 01:16, 10 August 2009 (UTC)

I've created Government of the Brussels-Capital Region, mainly by slapping together content from existing articles. Care to look over it for any glaring omissions or errors? Oreo Priest ^talk 20:47, 15 August 2009 (UTC)

I noticed the body of the article doesn't include anything about the municipalities, governor or linguistic communities (which do have jurisdiction there after all). Care to throw something in? I'm not really feeling enough energy or creativity right now to go for it myself. Oreo Priest ^talk 22:50, 15 August 2009 (UTC)

Is the governor a part of the government? - SSJ ☎ 22:52, 15 August 2009 (UTC)

He's apparently appointed by the cabinet. I don't think he comes from the parliament. See his website: [2]. Oreo Priest ^talk 23:19, 15 August 2009 (UTC)

You seem to be confusing the executive branch of government with government as a whole. So yes, the parliament and every other similar body is part of the government. Oreo Priest ^talk 23:59, 15 August 2009 (UTC)

So when you say "government" of Brussels, you mean "how brussels is run", and no legal body what so ever? - SSJ ☎ 00:01, 16 August 2009 (UTC)

Let me clarify. In the US, the President and his cabinet, the house of representatives, the senate and the judicial branch (ie the supreme court and lower courts) are all part of the government. Likewise, in Europe, all of those commissions, parliaments, etc, collectively form the government. Whoever wrote the article on the Brussels parliament seemed to call the executive branch the government, which is wrong. So government is really the umbrella term. Let me know if that makes sense. Oreo Priest ^talk 00:08, 16 August 2009 (UTC)

It may also make sense then to create a Cabinet of the Brussels-Capital Region article or something like that. Oreo Priest ^talk 00:14, 16 August 2009 (UTC)

Is "government of the Brussels region" a legal entity? Is the "cabinet of the government of Brussels" effectively the government? Is the cabinet a body or is it just a collection of posts appointed by the parliament? Are there any branches or does "the government" only consist of the parliament, and the posts it appoints? In norway, the parliament is the legislative branch and the government is the executive branch. - SSJ ☎ 00:16, 16 August 2009 (UTC)

If "government" is just a vague term that means "the polical bodies leading Brussels", then I think we should rename the article "Politics of Brussels". It would be misleading otherwise I think. A thorough is at least needed. Someone other than me should do that. - SSJ ☎ 00:22, 16 August 2009 (UTC)

The Norwegian Government article confirms (unless you wrote that too) that that's what it tends to be called in Norway.

A bit more digging came up with an interesting insight; the term means different things in different countries. See Government of Canada's first paragraph. Anyways, something like Government of Canada or Government of the United States is what I had in mind; something like Government of the United Kingdom is what you thought I meant. We can't call it Politics of Brussels, because that means "bickering and manoeuvring related to government" to me. So I'll move it to Politics and Government of BCR, which should clear up any ambiguity. How's that sound? Oreo Priest ^talk 00:34, 16 August 2009 (UTC)

Well, the problem is apparently that the political articles related to the Brussels region have been written by clueless people who haven't bothered writing an explanation on how how the term "government" is used. If Belgians talk about the government of brussels, then the wikipedia article should be called that, but at the same time it has to explain how power is separated in Brussels (are there any 'branches'?), and what's official and what's not. Is 'the government of brussels' a formal entity and is it written with a big G? Is 'the cabinet' a formal entity and is it written with a big C? - SSJ ☎ 00:49, 16 August 2009 (UTC)

There's a merge discussion at Wallonia in the same vein as the one for Brussels. Care to take part? Oreo Priest ^talk 15:31, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

I'm afraid I know too little about this (apparently very sensitive) issue, although I'd support a merger if Wallonia's geography and the region's geography were beyond doubt the same. But they're clearly not. - SSJ ☎ 01:21, 27 August 2009 (UTC)

Tallest buildings

Hi again. I'd like to get your opinion on Template:Tallest buildings in Belgium, which I just created, but so far have only done a half-assed job on. Basically, I'm wondering what you thing the scope of it should be. Tallest buildings or buildings and structures (to maybe include things like the Brussels city hall) and in Brussels or Belgium. Of course, almost all of the tallest buildings are in Brussels, but it would be nice to link the tallest buildings in Belgium article, as it does now. Alternatively, the emphasis could be on buildings in general in Brussels, and have a section for things like the Bourse and all the other stuff on your wonderful Brussels topics template. In any case, I want it to be something I can tag all the Brussels skyscraper articles with. Let me know what you think. Oreo Priest ^talk 02:17, 10 August 2009 (UTC)

Although, I think it might be nice to stick to some emphasis on tall, so as to not duplicate what's already in your template. Oreo Priest ^talk 02:20, 10 August 2009 (UTC)

We could copy the setup of Template:UKSkyscrapers (i.e. drop "tallest" and only include buildings that are 150m+). It doesn't have to be Brussels; Belgium is fine IMO. Sorry, but I don't understand what the Brussels Stock Exchange has to do with skscrapers. And I don't see how the main Brussels template could be linked up with a skyscraper template like this. - SSJ ☎ 02:31, 10 August 2009 (UTC)

Oops, we might have to lower the bar.. Only one Belgian building is as tall as 150m. - SSJ ☎ 02:34, 10 August 2009 (UTC)

Wow, we were working on those at the same time. And they're all in the same height range, and there aren't really any interesting proposals, so I don't even really think we need to sort them by height. -Oreo Priest ^talk 03:03, 10 August 2009 (UTC)

There are also low buildings in Belgium. I think the 100m limit is useful at least to keep those out of the template. - SSJ ☎ 03:06, 10 August 2009 (UTC)

Sure, but if they're ranked in order of height we don't also have to write the height groups into the template. I'll be working on Astro Tower, North Galaxy Towers and Belgacom Towers now, so if you want to too, let me know and we'll work out who does what. And please leave messages on my talk page so I don't miss the comments, even if it is just the talkback template. Oreo Priest ^talk 03:11, 10 August 2009 (UTC)

I actually looked at the UK skyscraper template, and I thought the Toronto one was better to base it off of. I also think the name tallest buildings makes more sense, as this isn't just a list of all the skyscrapers, and it is sorted by height. That way too, we can eliminate the two lines of overhead and have just one. Thoughts? Oreo Priest ^talk 03:14, 10 August 2009 (UTC)

The only difference I see between the UK and the Toronto templates, are that the UK template has a limit, which I think is gives clarity and is more encyclopedic. It gives a definition for what's a skyscraper and what's not. None of the two templates link to a list in their headline. - SSJ ☎ 03:25, 10 August 2009 (UTC)

Ok, maybe that was a bit ambitious, I doubt I'll get through all 3 tonight, especially considering I'm trying to improve Dexia still. Just let me know if you do start on them. And cutting off at an arbitrary round number doesn't make it any more encyclopedic. Oreo Priest ^talk 03:38, 10 August 2009 (UTC)

I should mention that there is no definition of what is and isn't a skyscraper, and the UK template was just being arbitrary. Oreo Priest ^talk 03:40, 10 August 2009 (UTC)

Now that I think about it, the current title/first line suits me fine, as it allows expansion to all skyscrapers in the country. There still aren't that many though, so we probably won't run into problems with overflow for at least 5 years. Oreo Priest ^talk 03:52, 10 August 2009 (UTC)

I just nominated Dexia Tower for DYK. I noticed EN.WP has no article on nl:Noordruimte/fr:Quartier Nord (Bruxelles) (in this case the Dutch is better). Care to either cobble something together or know someone who could? -Oreo Priest ^talk 06:03, 10 August 2009 (UTC)

Do you think we should maybe make the template and corresponding article about buildings and structures in Belgium? That way we could include things like the Cathedral of Our Lady (Antwerp), the Brussels City Hall and the Atomium. See here for an example. Oreo Priest ^talk 16:41, 10 August 2009 (UTC)

I'd rather rename the template "tallest buildings" (Skyscraper seems like a very American term) and thus include the atomium and churches. I'd also reinsert a 95m or 100m limit since "the tallest buildings" is IMO even more vague than 'skyscraper'. - SSJ ☎ 17:58, 10 August 2009 (UTC)

It could be American, hard to say; it's never struck me as particularly American (although Britain doesn't really have any, or didn't until relatively recently). Still, I think tallest buildings is a good name. The problem, for both the template and the list is how to define "tallest" and "building". See List of tallest buildings in the world for an idea of the issues. I'll figure out some workable solution. And I oppose any arbitrary height cutoff, in practice the situation will resolve itself just fine. The Brussels topics template has a section called "buildings" (with no restrictions at all mind you) and it's doing great. Oreo Priest ^talk 03:13, 12 August 2009 (UTC)

EQ Map

Hi, I was just remapping out the points on the European Quarter map to show it larger (as there are lots more things to put on there and it is rather cramped). When you have a moment, could you make some corrections to it? I can't edit svg files. I know some of the Commission buildings have changed and their map should reflect that but the ones I can see;

• they no longer have the building on the north east side of RPSchuman.
• breydel isn't show in the correct shape, it is more covering the bottom half of the block.
• the buildings on the Rue de la loi go right up to the road, no gap. (some just seem a tad wonky, like the one south of Orban which cuts into the road.
• They don't have the Delors building. You show delors as cutting deeper into the park than it should, and the Eastman (parliament) building right next to the lake, they should all move west one, with no Commission buildings on the south side of Belliard.
• Shape of Espace Leopold, anyway to distinguish the mall is pedestrian?
• Jean Rey not show as pedestrian also
• Lex and Residence palace
• Perhaps show the route through the arch at Cinq.

[3] [4] Thanks. No rush of course, its just when I finish enlarging it it will show up more.- _J.Logan`^t: 14:29, 11 August 2009 (UTC)

Oh, and if it isn't too much (if it is, its not that important) could you add a bit more onto the left side of the map (without changing its existing dimensions, just cutting into the macro map to the left) so we can see as far as Trone?- _J.Logan`^t: 14:38, 11 August 2009 (UTC)

Another small idea. How about, for each major building, in the infoboxes if we had a tiny map of the quarter on which to show where the building is relative to the others like this? Worth it?- _J.Logan`^t: 16:49, 11 August 2009 (UTC)

Hi. Thanks, I'll try to follow these suggestsions now, I've started. "They (the commission) don't have the Delors building."? Delors isn't blue, it's purple (the colour of COR etc., not the Commission).

I've reduced the size of the map over the region, so there'll be more space for the close up Quarter map. Maps in infoboxes sounds like a great idea. - SSJ ☎ 19:59, 11 August 2009 (UTC)

Why should we see Trone? - SSJ ☎ 20:04, 11 August 2009 (UTC)

Thanks. On Delors, you show Delors where Eastman is, and a Commission building where Delors is. Nothing should be blue on the south side of Belliard, the blue area there should be Delors building and where there is the purple area there should be the orange block of the eastman. And where there is Eastman there should be just park and pond. All the buildings are marked on Wikimapia if you need to see exactly.

For the infoboxes, if when you sort the map if you have a copy without the zoom, and the size cut down to just show Berlaymont to Leopold area (approx, tad round the edges) as it will be small so we need to have a focused version.

The European quarter so to speak extends to Trone. I think if we see to Merode and Madou then Trone is a must as that is more EQ than Madou. We already have a commission building half off the map and although that isn't terribly important, its a case of marking out the quarter on the map. Do you follow what I'm getting at? Just seems wrong to me to cut it off, especially as I am on the ground, that feels like the edge at Trone and also I think Trone is actually the metro stop of Parliament really, not Merode. I know it might be a tad bit of effort to sort out the extra streets so its not that important, just a minor bug of mine.- _J.Logan`^t: 20:17, 11 August 2009 (UTC)

Ok, here's the new version: File:European Quarter 2.svg. - SSJ ☎ 23:51, 11 August 2009 (UTC)

I can see see that there are several bad things that I really should improve, such as the silly path through Leopold park. Do you see something important? I tried to do all the things you said (except the recropping so far); you can for example now see pedestrian areas. - SSJ ☎ 11:25, 12 August 2009 (UTC)

Its great, but yes the path is a bit odd. As for other things, Place Jourdan isn't green, it is totally paved. I'm not sure if there is still a green space down near parnasse (far bottom left), think it is built on but not positive on that. I don't think the courtyards of JL should be green, but could be. Perhaps you could put green down the centre of Cd'Etterbeek as it is more avenueish in the top half. Also, anyway to show that Cd'E goes under RdlL rather than connects to it? Perhaps show pedestrian colour on the north and south sides of Place du Luxembourg? Can't think of anything else really. The groundfloor space between the two nothern wings of the Berlaymont are built on but that isn't much of a problem as we have the iconic shape this way, Either is good. Errr nothing else I can see, though could you give a blanc space somewhere for the key? I'll do the remapping tonight. Great work though, fantastic as always! - _J.Logan`^t: 12:46, 12 August 2009 (UTC)

Early International Paneuropean Union flag

Hello, I can see you created the file with the International Paneuropean Union flag. However this is a later version of the flag, and I would like to ask you if you could, on the basis of the existing file, prepare also an earlier version, the one without the circe of stars around the Sun cross (as reproduced here: http://www.ena.lu?lang=2&doc=19522). Best wishes, Eteru (talk), 00:25, 12 August 2009 (UTC)

File:Former Flag of the International Paneuropean Union.svg - SSJ ☎ 01:40, 12 August 2009 (UTC)

Many thanks :) (talk), 09:44, 12 August 2009 (UTC)

DYK for Dexia Tower

On August 13, 2009, Did you know? was updated with a fact from the article Dexia Tower, which you created or substantially expanded. You are welcome to check how many hits your article got while on the front page (here's how) and add it to DYKSTATS if it got over 5,000. If you know of another interesting fact from a recently created article, then please suggest it on the Did you know? talk page.

WP:DYK 14:14, 13 August 2009 (UTC)

History of Brussels

Any article on the history of Brussels, and the section in the current article would have to work hard to keep a balanced (not as in NPOV) viewpoint of its history. Currently, Brussels#History is mostly warped around the events I've chosen to translate, which is better than nothing, but still pretty unprofessional. I found this Lonely Planet entry to be pretty decent (but basic) summary of its history. It puts emphasis on strange things too, but it's a good sanity check to see if we missed anything. Oreo Priest ^talk 22:22, 19 August 2009 (UTC)

I've been using Google translate for the translation of several articles. It gives a pretty nice result and fixing the English afterwards is easy. - SSJ ☎ 23:24, 19 August 2009 (UTC)

With all due respect, it really isn't. For one, it's always a good idea to actually read and filter the source text, to make sure every sentence actually makes sense and is relevant; often the other language version will have frivolous content.

Machine translations will translate all the words, but they often make vocabulary mistakes. Even if they get all that right, they usually leave awkward sentences. Once you fix the grammatical mistakes, you're still left with strange sentences. From there, its rare that anyone will have the initiative to translate the poorly-written paragraph into something that's idiomatic English and easy to read. I'm a big proponent of doing it right the first time.

I don't mean to be rude, but here's an example of the problems with machine translation: [5] I don't know if it's obvious to you, but most of the "before" version is either poor or illogical English. For example, "The demolition of an old popular area for the realization of the North Area was not universally appreciated." is wrong in a number of ways. I know English isn't your first language, but had you manually translated it, I suspect you would have used residential instead of popular, creation instead of realization and you certainly would have put Northern Quarter instead of North Area. Oreo Priest ^talk 23:52, 19 August 2009 (UTC)

Yes, but I still think it's easy to fix the translated texts. At least it's a start for an editor who has no chance of writing anything new about Brussels (except for auto-translating) since he doesn't know French of Dutch. - SSJ ☎ 00:02, 20 August 2009 (UTC)

My apologies, I assumed that living in Brussels, you must speak French. Having said that, I'm not even sure you live in Brussels. What's your story? Oreo Priest ^talk 05:21, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

I'm a Norwegian who is interested in the EU and was surprised at how badly the Brussels article looked compared to the articles of other capital cities. - SSJ ☎ 17:52, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

And what an improvement! It was a travesty before, and now it's not far from A class. Sections like History and Government still need some work, but it's a solid, relevant article. Oreo Priest ^talk 19:33, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Council's list

I like the changes, but roman numerals? Seriously, is there a reason for that? How many people will know or want to figure out what number CXXVI is? Just wondering if there is some reason for this.- _J.Logan`^t: 11:55, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

The initial idea was that roman numerals would make it more easier to differentiate that row from the numbers in the two date/year rows, and underline that each council is a separate event (which is perhaps to less clear now due to rowspan on presidencies and presidents). I thought it could be like the Super Bowl where the roman numerals in the titles really underline how many Super Bowls there's been in the past. If there's one place where roman numerals actually could fit in, I thought it would be in the list of European Councils. But it's perhaps still silly and unnecessary? I can remove them if you think so. - SSJ ☎ 13:35, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

The Vatican isn't perhaps the place for modern and down-to-earth customs, but for instance, the Second Vatican Council is alledgedly also referred to as Vatican Council II, never Vatican Council 2. Roman numerals are of course used to number world wars and often used in archives today, so they're not that unusual. But I have no hard opinion on this. - SSJ ☎ 14:05, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

I, II, III, IV etc. I have no problem with. I like then. CXXVI is a problem, to the average read that means nothing to them, at least until they sit down for about a minute and try to translate it. Sorry but the numbers are way to large to use Roman numerals. Can't we just have a number column to the far left like most tables?- _J.Logan`^t: 16:32, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

Alright. - SSJ ☎ 17:10, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

Sorry for sounding like a git, I just think clarity should come first. Nice idea otherwise, and it would be great if there had been a lot fewer meetings.- _J.Logan`^t: 18:42, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

Yeah, I totally understand. I agree that clarity should come first. - SSJ ☎ 18:59, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

PS3 graphics request

Can you replace the lead image in PS3 with a vectorization? The free image that was recently removed was nicely done. « ₣M₣ » 00:38, 28 August 2009 (UTC)

I'm afraid I'll have to wait until a photo of the slim version is released as creative commons. I can't trace one of sony's images and upload such an SVG on commons. - SSJ ☎ 01:00, 28 August 2009 (UTC)

User page navbar

Hello, SSJ, can I request permission to use/modify your userpage navigation bar on my own page? I would like to improve my own page, and I think it would be a great fit. Thank you in advance. Connormah (talk) 22:26, 28 August 2009 (UTC)

Hi Connormah! Sure you can. Thanks for asking. - SSJ ☎ 01:52, 29 August 2009 (UTC)

Euro img

Hi, how's it going? You're more familiar than I regarding the copyright situation with images of the euro. I was taking some new photos up close of some bills (got bored) and thought it might be good to put something up in the style of File:Dollarbill4.jpg, but didn't know if that was okay considering the number of copyright banners that are put up for images of euro coins and banknotes. You know what the situation is? Thanks.- _J.Logan`^t: 19:21, 29 August 2009 (UTC)

Nice idea! I've many times searched for good euro images on flickr. Euro banknotes are not copyrighted per se, but it's illegal to distribute straight-on images of a whole banknote without a big "SPECIMEN" watermark in a contrasting colour, unless the image is really low res (there's a specific limit but I don't remember it right now).

I'll gladly help you more if you want to upload a need a high-res and conventional image of a banknote, but if it's an image with a creative crop and blurry parts, then I'm sure it would be ok to upload it on commons with {{money-EU}} - SSJ ☎ 20:46, 29 August 2009 (UTC)

Thanks. Just put two up (File:Euro note close 1.jpg, File:Euro note close 2.jpg), these within the parameters? I could try get higher quality straight on images and we can put specimen over it if you think it'll help over the current ones?- _J.Logan`^t: 21:12, 29 August 2009 (UTC)

Cool shots. Yes from what I've read, those are probably ok. If you think you can take a series of images of higher resolution, and at the same time match the crop accuracy, colour accuracy and consistency of those currrently used in Euro_banknotes#Specification, then sure, go ahead. - SSJ ☎ 21:35, 29 August 2009 (UTC)

BTW I bought Canon EOS 450D last week. Too bad I'm in Norway; I've probably brainwashed myself too much while editing EU articles on Wikipedia. Working hard to improve articles about the ultrarich, selfish and ignorant country somehow doesn't feel very appealing. What a traitor I am. haha - SSJ ☎ 21:54, 29 August 2009 (UTC)

I'll give it a shot, though I won't have the higher value notes. Ought to do it in a scanner, I have on in the UK so I could try that later. And feeling like a traitor is rather common I hear, even for those inside. Probably are brainwashed a tad, the reality on the ground, both in terms of the behaviour of our representative and the opinions of the voters, can get really depressing after spending so long with theory.- _J.Logan`^t: 07:54, 30 August 2009 (UTC)

ESA members image update request

Hello, Could you update the image [here] to include Cyprus in the signed cooperation agreement category please? thank you--U5K0 (talk) 14:04, 30 August 2009 (UTC)

Done. - SSJ ☎ 20:47, 30 August 2009 (UTC)

Coat of arms for Cronman

Can you make a coat of arms based on the one shown at the grave of Johan Cronman? --Richard Arthur Norton (1958- ) (talk) 18:40, 24 September 2009 (UTC)

I assume you mean this one? Isn't there a more detailed version available online? I'm afraid it's quite impossible to read the text or properly see the pattern on the shield-thingies beneath the helmets. - SSJ ☎ 02:24, 26 September 2009 (UTC)

Ireland

Uhyeah! Ireland backs EU's Lisbon Treaty Lear 21 (talk) 13:46, 4 October 2009 (UTC)

Yeah it's increadibly uplifting. Now I hope the 26 other EU leaders come up with a drastic way of pressuring the Czechs and Klaus. If he doesn't sign in spite of the forthcoming constitutional judgement, I'll say IMPEACH! - SSJ ☎ 00:18, 5 October 2009 (UTC)

I´m pretty confident about the last 2 signings to be realized before the end of the year.... BTW, what do you think of overhauling the EU Demographics section ? The city table looks a little bit outdated by now. How about the UK model [6] or the China table [7] with images ? The second improvement I could imagine is the Budget cake graphic [8]. Here would be a 2008 data cake...[9]. all the best Lear 21 (talk) 10:27, 5 October 2009 (UTC)

Ahh, I just have to wait until all countries have ratified the treaty. Before that, editing EU articles feels simply gut-wrenching. - SSJ ☎ 09:43, 14 October 2009 (UTC)

Uhyeah 2! Lear 21 (talk) 01:37, 5 November 2009 (UTC)

J.S. Bach Signature

Hello, SSJ, I was wondering if you could assist me in creating an SVG version of J.S. Bach's signature, which could be found here? I just cannot seem to trace it, without loosing the style it is signed in (dots, pen-style). Thanks. Connormah (talk) 00:44, 10 October 2009 (UTC)

File:Johann Sebastian Bach signature.svg - SSJ ☎ 15:23, 14 October 2009 (UTC)

Thank you, that is great. Connormah (talk) 22:54, 16 October 2009 (UTC)

Problem on the Irish Lisbon referendum II pie chart

The pie chart says:
For = 67.13%
Against = 32.87%
Spoilt = 0.40%
The total is over 100! (100.40%) The problem is that the 'spoilt' percentage is percentage of all casted votes, whereas 'For' and 'Against' are percentage of the total votes taken account (casted minus spoilt). Snappy (talk) 21:13, 15 October 2009 (UTC)

Thanks. I'll probably remove the spoilt category if that's ok? I think most people only care about the yes/no votes. - SSJ ☎ 21:39, 15 October 2009 (UTC)

File:Eurozone map.svg

Whether really isle of Man is included into EU members? Eurozone map --Eleferen (talk) 06:32, 27 October 2009 (UTC)

Thumb time

Regarding this change[10], I have tried to find out what this added image parameter does so that the template documentation can be updated, but after searching I have not been able to find information. Apparently it is related to ogg video display but I am unable to find documentation here or at meta.wikimedia.org. What does the parameter you added, thumbtime=, do? Sswonk (talk) 00:22, 28 October 2009 (UTC)

It decides what frame in an ogg video should be used as a thumb image before the video starts to play. For example: Treaty_of_Lisbon#Signing - SSJ ☎ 09:06, 28 October 2009 (UTC)

Thank you, very good explanation. Can you provide a link to where that parameter for File: links is documented either here or on meta? For example "thumb", "alt" and float declarations are all documented, but I could not find the "Thumb_time" parameter documentation anywhere. – Sswonk (talk) 13:27, 28 October 2009 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Creation_and_usage_of_media_files#Video_usage mentions thumbtime briefly. But nothing on meta, and nothing useful on commons. Those sneaky devs! -- Quiddity (talk) 20:49, 28 October 2009 (UTC)

Yes I got it from there I think. - SSJ ☎ 20:54, 28 October 2009 (UTC)

Coats of Arms of Luxembourg

Hey there

I just noticed that you did a svg version of my old file of the coats of arms of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Good work. However, there are some little mistakes that you should correct because they are of heraltic relevance: 1) the tongue and the claws of the red lion are golden (=yellow). 2) claws of the two holding lions are red and they both have split up tails like the red lion. 3) This one is REALLY important: the central shield has 5 silver (=white) and 5 blue strips. And the tail of the lion must be split up in two parts and crossing each other! I'm not sure if one can see that clearly from your version.

I know how this sounds but this details were very important in mediavel times when your shield was somehow your identity card in battle and elsewhere. I had very long discussions with some heraldic specialists when I did my files sometimes frustrating but it was worth it. You can also contact this user http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Caranorn he helped me a lot with the details.

Cheers Spanish Inquisition (talk) 18:57, 1 November 2009 (UTC)

Done, I think. Thanks - SSJ ☎ 00:41, 2 November 2009 (UTC)

Brussels

In short: "The City of Brussels (French: Bruxelles-Ville or Ville de Bruxelles, Dutch: Stad Brussel) is the largest municipality of the Brussels-Capital Region, and the official capital of Belgium by law." Did you have a source for this? I'm not sure where to look. Cheers, Oreo Priest ^talk 06:08, 6 November 2009 (UTC)

Article 194 of Belgium's constitution. - SSJ ☎ 14:13, 14 November 2009 (UTC)

Location ESA member countries.svg

Could you update this map to show that estonia has become a ECS state. source Thanks--U5K0 (talk) 13:03, 14 November 2009 (UTC)

Done. - SSJ ☎ 14:08, 14 November 2009 (UTC)

File:Location European nation states.svg

I noticed that you updated this map to include Kosovo. Your change has been reverted by commons:User:NuclearVacuum. I can see there are legitimate arguments for including Kosovo on the map, or for removing Kosovo from the map, or even indicating that its status is disputed (a lot of the India/Pakistan maps use a dotted line, I don't know whether that would be a reasonable solution here). Perhaps the file should exist in multiple versions and the pre-Kosovo version recategorized as a historical map. I'm not fussed whatever the consensus is, really, although it did irk me to see that the fairly major and potentially contentious change of removing Kosovo was made under the ambiguous title "territorial fixes", without any discussion. I'm going to comment on the image talk page; while I suspect you'd be considered justified in restoring Kosovo to the map, it may be wiser to see if anybody wants to contend that. TheGrappler (talk) 02:45, 19 November 2009 (UTC)

Thanks. Personally I'm not that engaged in this sensitive question, although I think the only possible solution really is a dotted line. But if all disputed borders in Europe are to be included, that's a fair bit of work. Maybe I'll do it, but it seems like a slippery slope. - SSJ ☎ 02:02, 4 December 2009 (UTC)

Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Please sort this one out here. The ‘undo’ function should just do it. Thanks for all your careful editing in EU matters! Cheers. – Kaihsu (talk) 00:42, 29 November 2009 (UTC)

This has now been sorted by another kind editor. Thanks nevertheless. – Kaihsu (talk) 14:52, 29 November 2009 (UTC)

Presidents list

Regarding Schroder/Marin on List of presidents of European Union institutions; I don't understand what you mean. How does him entering in March mean his box is bigger. It doesn't change the date to the left?- _J.Logan`^t: 20:59, 2 December 2009 (UTC)

I heightened Schröder's cell because that puts the commissions of both Jacques Santer, Manuel Marín and Romano Prodi within the year 1999. - SSJ ☎ 18:11, 3 December 2009 (UTC)

it doesn't though, Santer is still outside, all it is (unless this is a format error showing different results for each of us) is that the row Marin-Schröder-Germany-Fischer is taller than the other rows. It is still aligned from the start of 1999, sharing the bottom part of that year with Prodi. I'd correct it but I want to establish whether you're seeing something different from me or whether it is a simply mistake.- _J.Logan`^t: 21:57, 3 December 2009 (UTC)

My browser shows it differently then (I'm using Firefox 3.5.5). I'll remove the special height. I suppose the month and date details are wrong for most of the commissions anyway. I'll maybe add something later that extends Santer into 1999. - SSJ ☎ 01:52, 4 December 2009 (UTC)

Ah, I see it coming up on firefox, but not on Safari which I normally use. I've been going through the code but can't seem to find what's wrong. When the Germany section is one row long, everything is set out as it should be but there is the white space where Germany extends into Marin. When I set it to two rows long rather than filling the gap it shunts the whole table upwards. I've never seen it do that before, what's going on with it? Like I say, on Safari extending the height doesn't change ti as it keeps the incorrect formatting but simply makes that row taller.- _J.Logan`^t: 09:46, 4 December 2009 (UTC)

2009 European Parliament Composition.svg

Hello. I am looking to make a similar image to yours: 2009 European Parliament Composition.svg . I want to make one for just the UK members. How did you get the shape with all of the dots? did you have to do it by hand? Your help is appreciated if it can be offered. Cheers - The Talking Sock talk 21:49, 3 December 2009 (UTC)

I used the adsvote generator, which you'll probably understand after a little bit of easy experimenting with its functions. It doesn't support vector image output, so I vectorised a high-res raster output image with Inkscape. Not that it's my business to question what type of image you want to make, but wouldn't the hemicycle style be a bit irrelevant when it comes to illustrating national groups MEPs, as the parliamentarians sit according to pan-European party lines? - SSJ ☎ 02:20, 4 December 2009 (UTC)

Orthographic projection of Quebec

Hello Ssolbergj, can you create the orthographic projection of Quebec plz ? It will be for the articles Quebec and fr:Québec and for some portal on WP and Wikinews. Thank you, Sniff (talk) 15:21, 5 December 2009 (UTC)

Sorry, I don't really have time to create this type of maps for sub-national regions around the world right now. Maybe sometime later. You could ask WP:GRAPHLAB. - SSJ ☎ 22:01, 8 December 2009 (UTC)

File:Holy Roman Empire ca.1600.svg

Hello Ssolbergj, I think the image File:Holy Roman Empire ca.1600.svg is not entirely correct, because in the 1600's there was a Dutch Revolt and I'm quite sure The Netherlands wasn't part of a Holy Roman Empire at that time. I've got this link from killiondude on IRC that shows another map: [11]. Could you correct the image? Regards Silver Spoon 21:20, 8 December 2009 (UTC)

Well, it was based entirely on File:Holyromanempire.png, which is cited as the HRE around 1630. - SSJ ☎ 21:59, 8 December 2009 (UTC)

permission to use art

Hi, S. i discovered your image, 'Vexilloid_of_the_Roman_Empire' on the wikicommons site. and i'm interested in using it by, altering/remixing it for a commercial-design project. please check your wikipedia-email for further info © —Preceding unsigned comment added by T111200 (talk • contribs) 22:25, 29 December 2009 (UTC)

EU timeline

Hi, Ssolbergj. Please note the entry at Template talk:EU evolution timeline#Latest changes. --Informatico (talk) 13:18, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

I've replied. - SSJ ☎ 18:48, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

List of presidents of European Union institutions

Could you update the table for the Spanish presidency? I can't figure it out. Therequiembellishere (talk) 18:16, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

Done. - SSJ ☎ 19:45, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

Member state article

Hi! How are you doing? Was just wondering about the member state article, aside from the naming discussion, and if it is possible to integrate the clickable map into Template:Infobox subdivision type? Could that work at all do you think? Because of course the clickable map is more important and it wouldn't be right to move it from the top or change it just for the sake of this infobox - I'm just thinking if we could add the infobox to it it might be useful.- _J.Logan`^t: 12:01, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

I'll try. This looks useful. - SSJ ☎ 02:15, 24 January 2010 (UTC)

File:Signing of the Treaty of Lisbon.ogg listed for deletion

An image or media file that you uploaded or altered, File:Signing of the Treaty of Lisbon.ogg, has been listed at Wikipedia:Files for deletion. Please see the discussion to see why this is (you may have to search for the title of the image to find its entry), if you are interested in it not being deleted. Thank you. Rettetast (talk) 17:37, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

File:Royal Standard of Norway.svg

I am very thankful for your new version of the Royal Standard, with the more realistic-looking lion, I've been waiting for it for some time. I would however suggest you change the colour to a darker blood-red, and more of a gold for the lion, as seen here from the Royal Yacht Norge's aft-mast: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Kongeskipet_Norge_i_Aurlandsfjorden_1.jpg

Fry1989 (talk) 02:23, 20 January 2010 (UTC) on the Wiki Commons

Isn't there any official image of this flag online? It's difficult to choose one shade of red based on this photograph. In the SVG I uploaded, I used the colours that are used in the coat of arms. We don't really have any other point of reference. - SSJ ☎ 02:37, 24 January 2010 (UTC)

Unfortunately pictures of royal standards outside of those for the United Kingdom are rather scarce, I have however found three others besides those from the Royal Yacht. These two, flying from the Royal Palace http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2412/2205206251_48e349cf8f.jpg & http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2383/3539405742_4239f1908e.jpg and this one from Stiftsgården: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pallo/172137250/ all which show it in darker richer reds and gold. I haven't been able to find an official photo on the Royal Family's website, however I would personally take the versions flown from the Royal Palace as at minimum, quasi-official. Fry1989 (talk) 21:48, 25 January 2010 (UTC)

I've changed the colour. Are you ok with it? - SSJ ☎ 01:33, 26 January 2010 (UTC)

better, but I still think it's too light, from the pics I've seen. I'd like to suggest the red from APPA flag and the gold for the lion from NorCoA1905 Fry1989 (talk) 04:32, 27 January 2010 (UTC)

I just saw your new versions of the Royal Standards of Norway, thank you so much, they are BEAUTIFUL! Fry1989 (talk) 00:32, 1 February 2010 (UTC)

Greater coat of arms of Sweden

Hi. I just noticed a minor error in the Greater coat of arms of Sweden drawn by you (and also the derivative by Koyos). The detail which is wrong is that in the Bernadotte shield the eagle is looking to the heraldic right (i.e. left). The blasoning however specifies that it should be looking to the (heraldic) left (i.e. right). Also there is a redundant eagle claw (path8397) underneath the shield. (I also left a message with Koyos). /94.193.242.248 (talk) 20:29, 21 January 2010 (UTC)

I've fixed the eagle, but I can't find any redundant claw. -SSJ ☎ 03:13, 24 January 2010 (UTC)

File:Location ESA member countries.svg update

Slovenia signed an ECS document yesterday. Could you ghange the map to say slovenia is now a ECS. thanks--U5K0 (talk) 12:56, 23 January 2010 (UTC)

Done. - SSJ ☎ 02:56, 24 January 2010 (UTC)

Any spare time to draw up a Coat of Arms for Aruba?

thumb|190px|The current copyrighted one on this Wikipedia, from VectorImages. Hi Ssolbergj,

Nice job you are doing at those Coat of Arms! I was wondering if you maybe had some spare time to draw up one for the great constituent country of Aruba. Currently, this Queen of the Caribbean doe not feature a Coat of Arms in most Wikipedia articles, as there is no properly licensed Coat of Arms available. As you would probably know, the actual definition of the Coat of Arms is public domain, but specific drawings can be copyrighted by the author. You can draw some inspiration from the one available on VectorImages.

Let me know what you think about it! Fentener van Vlissingen (talk) 17:08, 25 January 2010 (UTC)

File:Location ESA member countries.svg update again

Hate to bother you again but Slovakia has signed a cooperation agreement with ESA and I have no idea how to edit svg files. sorry--U5K0 (talk) 20:36, 1 February 2010 (UTC)

Done. - SSJ ☎ 22:28, 1 February 2010 (UTC)

Category redirect

I saw you redirected Category:Peacekeeping missions and operations involving the European Union. Since I found no discussion about this on WP:CFD I reverted that edit. Please discuss category redirects and renames. Debresser (talk) 11:56, 5 February 2010 (UTC)

File:File:Grand Place.jpg listed for deletion

An image or media file that you uploaded or altered, File:File:Grand Place.jpg, has been listed at Wikipedia:Files for deletion. Please see the discussion to see why this is (you may have to search for the title of the image to find its entry), if you are interested in it not being deleted. Thank you. 195.207.156.213 (talk) 22:29, 6 February 2010 (UTC) --195.207.156.213 (talk) 22:29, 6 February 2010 (UTC)