Wikipedia:Simple talk

Simple talk
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Review of Purplebackpack89's community ban

Purplebackpack89 (talk · contribs · count · logs · page moves · block log) has requested for a review of their community ban. Before weighing in, please take some time to (re-)familiarise yourself with:

• The original ban discussion
• First ban review (May 2012)
• Ban review (August 2012)
• Ban review (January 2014)
• Ban review (March 2015)

--Chenzw  Talk  03:06, 5 October 2019 (UTC)

Statements by PBP89

“

I'm not going to grovel, but I think this should be lifted. It's been eight years. That's insane. The block was ham-handed IDONTLIKE it from the beginning and there's no reason for it to continue. Also, if there really were serious problems, I'd have been banned from other projects, which I have not; not anywhere close. The fact that I haven't been blocked in over two years anywhere else, with thousands of edits since then, is all the evidence I need that this block is unnecessary.

”

I will try to be better in my interactions with other users. I think there's evidence that I have been better in other projects. Purplebackpack89≈≈≈≈ 00:44, 7 October 2019 (UTC)

If you're seeking specific areas that I'm going to change, I seem to recall one of the things that caused some problems here was a contentious GA or VGA nomination. I've sworn off GA, VGA and FA nominations here, English or anywhere. (Note: that doesn't mean I don't improve articles, it means I don't engage in the GA, VGA or FA process). Purplebackpack89≈≈≈≈ 23:53, 7 October 2019 (UTC) (Again, copy-and-paste-able)

Discussion

• They're presently a trusted editor with some permissions on the English Wikipedia. I support an unban, as it's been so long and if there are more issues we can simply rediscuss and reinstate the ban. Vermont (talk) 17:27, 5 October 2019 (UTC)
• Most of those who commented in the fiest discussion are no longer around. As one of the few who were, I'd support lifing the ban. The editor has grown older. I currerently see no reason not to unban. --Eptalon (talk) 17:59, 5 October 2019 (UTC)
• I remember the drama involved in the ban discussions, although I didn't take part in them at the time. I would be happy to see the ban lifted, BUT this should be on a ONE STRIKE basis. If the original banning behaviour is repeated, then an immediate indefinite ban should be put back in place. Happy for people to get involved and help, don't have the time or the patience for drama.--Peterdownunder (talk) 04:47, 6 October 2019 (UTC)

Reading his unban proposal, I still see roots of what got him banned, and that it seems to be the same unban reason as always, but I also think we can't fully know if he's changed until we see it in practice. So I agree that, with some other people above, that he should be unbanned but if his actions are repeated within a short enough timeframe for him to be banned again, which I think could satisfy everyone since if the problems stop then there'd be no need (like ROPE). Computer Fizz (talk) 08:39, 6 October 2019 (UTC)

• I still Oppose. Computer fizz sums it up his unblock request still shows what got him banned in the first place and had all his previous request rejected. He still doesn't acknowledge why he was banned which is a requirement of having the ban lifted. He still seems to think there wasn't an issue and does not take responsibility for his actions. --DJSasso (talk) 11:53, 6 October 2019 (UTC)
• I don't understand why it is so hard to take responsibility and accept mistakes. This is the same kind of reasoning as always, what's so different this time?--BRP ^ever 14:06, 6 October 2019 (UTC)
• Oppose unban, on the following grounds:

1. The current unblock request alludes to some form of admin abuse that led to the user's original block and implies that the original block was made in error/should never have been made in the first place. I will, on procedural grounds, oppose any unblock request that attempts to misrepresent the original circumstances behind the block, be it through statements, suggestions, omissions etc. made either directly or indirectly, and will continue to oppose to future unblocks/unbans until such misrepresentations are withdrawn and/or corrected.
2. Community standards differ across projects; just because other Wikimedia wikis have not decided to ban a user does not mean said user is not problematic on this local wiki and (thus) warrants a ban from this wiki.
3. A search of the ANI archives on EN wiki reveals that several other established editors on EN (as well as uninvolved sysops who close discussions on noticeboards) have also shared some concerns on the user's adherence to community standards. Why there hasn't been a ban yet is not the concern of this wiki, and something left to the discretion of the EN community/ArbCom.
4. As also have been highlighted by some people above, no acknowledgement of the behaviour leading to the ban has been shown (also related: point 1 above). I have also spoken about this in previous ban reviews: [1] [2] [3]

--Chenzw  Talk  16:54, 6 October 2019 (UTC)

• We've always taken the view that an honest change of heart and attitude would be relevant to lifting a long-term ban, but I see no evidence of this happening. Actually he's still convinced he was in the right and has no intention of changing. So we should continue the indefinite ban. Macdonald-ross (talk) 16:39, 7 October 2019 (UTC)
• I'm quite aware some select policies and community standards do not translate across projects. However, I do believe this policy would apply to this instance. Therefore, I support unban with a ONESTRIKE threshold to reinstate an editing block while the community reconsiders the ban, in the event the editor does not make good faith edits or becomes abusive towards other editors as in the past. Should the ONESTRIKE be breached and the community ban be reinstated, I propose it should be extensive in length. Operator873^talkconnect 16:52, 7 October 2019 (UTC)

I would say a onestrike unban is a reasonable position. If the user acts inappropriately, we can always ban again. If they become toxic to other users or something, then ban them again. If they just want to actually make some edits, why not? @Purplebackpack89: if you happen to get unbanned, I would suggest just keeping your head down and sticking to general edits. ~Junedude433^talk 20:29, 7 October 2019 (UTC)

I'd like to clarify my position (and because it has been over a week with no more discussion and no conclusion), my support is that of en:WP:ROPE. That is, unblock them and see what happens. Another mistake and they're gone. As such, I support unban. ~Junedude433^talk 20:38, 17 October 2019 (UTC)

• Suggest that we continue the indefinite ban echoing the concerns above that Purplebackpack89 has never accepted the reasons for the original ban and even in this latest request continues to be argumentative. --Gotanda (talk) 21:20, 8 October 2019 (UTC)
• As we rarely have ban discussions, I'm wondering if we need to judge consensus on whether to keep the ban in place, or whether to remove it? In other words, if the result is about half/half, do we keep it or remove it? Vermont (talk) 20:54, 17 October 2019 (UTC)

@Vermont: I'm not entirely sure but i would say we need consensus to remove it, as typically the default is to keep things how they are. However most of the people who are voting to remove it do so on a one-strike basis, so i think the closing admin should go with that. Computer Fizz (talk) 20:56, 17 October 2019 (UTC)

I commented in it so typically I can't close it, but if its roughly 50/50 then it would be no-consensus which means keep the status quo. -DJSasso (talk) 10:41, 18 October 2019 (UTC)

Support unban under one-strike. I think under the circumstances, they deserve another chance. Derpdart56 (talk) 21:05, 17 October 2019 (UTC)

Lawrence, Kansas PVGA

I'd hate to be a bother or impatient, and I know that things don't move that fast here, but it has been a month since any comments have been posted about this proposed VGA of Lawrence, Kansas, and I feel like it's slipping through the cracks. We don't get many VGA proposals often (and we have very few VGAs already), and I would really appreciate if any other editors could take a look at it just so that it doesn't get stuck for too long. Thank you to anyone that looks at it! ~Junedude433^talk 20:12, 10 October 2019 (UTC)

Can I block xXGamer BoiXx?

He is a griefer and only vandalises articles. Derpdart56 (talk) 02:42, 11 October 2019 (UTC)

Only admins can block users, so no. I know it's confusing as on basically every other website blocking is peer-to-peer, but on wikipedia only admins can block users. You can request they be blocked at WP:VIP. Computer Fizz (talk) 17:07, 12 October 2019 (UTC)

Anyone specializing in religion, I need an article improved.

Hello! This article, which is a fairly recent article, is a hoax. Can anyone take the en Wiki article and simplify it? I am not good at traditional editing because I focus more on reverting vandals. Thanks in advance, Derpdart56 (talk) 02:23, 15 October 2019 (UTC)

I have deleted the article because it was vandalism. A new article can be created if desired. --Auntof6 (talk) 04:03, 15 October 2019 (UTC)

Oh okay. Derpdart56 (talk) 14:52, 15 October 2019 (UTC)

Feedback wanted on Desktop Improvements project

Please help translate to your language

Hello. The Readers Web team at the WMF will work on some improvements to the desktop interface over the next couple of years. The goal is to increase usability without removing any functionality. We have been inspired by changes made by volunteers, but that currently only exist as local gadgets and user scripts, prototypes, and volunteer-led skins. We would like to begin the process of bringing some of these changes into the default experience on all Wikimedia projects.

We are currently in the research stage of this project and are looking for ideas for improvements, as well as feedback on our current ideas and mockups. So far, we have performed interviews with community members at Wikimania. We have gathered lists of previous volunteer and WMF work in this area. We are examining possible technical approaches for such changes.

We would like individual feedback on the following:

• Identifying focus areas for the project we have not yet discovered
• Expanding the list of existing gadgets and user scripts that are related to providing a better desktop experience. If you can think of some of these from your wiki, please let us know
• Feedback on the ideas and mockups we have collected so far

We would also like to gather a list of wikis that would be interested in being test wikis for this project - these wikis would be the first to receive the updates once we’re ready to start building.

When giving feedback, please consider the following goals of the project:

• Make it easier for readers to focus on the content
• Provide easier access to everyday actions (e.g. search, language switching, editing)
• Put things in logical and useful places
• Increase consistency in the interface with other platforms - mobile web and the apps
• Eliminate clutter
• Plan for future growth

As well as the following constraints:

• Not touching the content - no work will be done in terms of styling templates or to the structure of page contents themselves
• Not removing any functionality - things might move around, but all navigational items and other functionality currently available by default will remain
• No drastic changes to the layout - we're taking an evolutionary approach to the changes and want the site to continue feeling familiar to readers and editors

Please give all feedback (in any language) at mw:Talk:Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements

After this round of feedback, we plan on building a prototype of suggested changes based on the feedback we receive. You’ll hear from us again asking for feedback on this prototype.

Thank you! Quiddity (WMF) (talk)

07:18, 16 October 2019 (UTC)

I've got another article that needs deleting

This article appears to be advertising and isn't notable. Can someone delete it please? Derpdart56 (talk) 16:30, 16 October 2019 (UTC)

Please read WP:QD and also WP:RFD. After you have considered those, then please feel free to follow the process that seems most appropriate for this case. Desertborn (talk) 18:32, 16 October 2019 (UTC)

RFD would seem to make the most sense. The article is too well-formatted for it to be a candidate for quick deletion. That being said, it is a poorly-written article with sources that aren't great. It definitely needs to be improved, but not sure if it's really worth deleting that quickly. ~Junedude433^talk 19:32, 16 October 2019 (UTC)

Autoconfirm

Hello,

I have researched the requirements of becoming an autoconfirmed user and have found that generally you need only to make a minimum of 10 edits and have a registered account for more than 4 days. I have made the necessary edits, now how will I know when I cam autoconfirmed? Don't I have to wait until I am autoconformed in order to create my own Wiki page?

Thank you all --— Preceding unsigned comment added by Dst20191 (talk • contribs)

@Lawson Bell: You should be able to see this at Special:ActiveUsers. Go to that page, enter your username, press enter, and you should see yourself in the list with whatever rights you have.

I don't know if you have to be autoconfirmed to create your user page, but there's an easy way to find out: try creating it!

Aside from that, please remember to sign your posts on talk pages by putting four tildes (~~~~) at the end. If you have any questions about how things work here (some things are different from English Wikipedia), feel free to ask. --Auntof6 (talk) 21:42, 16 October 2019 (UTC)

I believe you have asked this maybe on the wrong wiki. You have only made one edit here and your account is only one day old here. You perhaps may have been intending to ask at English Wikipedia? -DJSasso (talk) 10:46, 17 October 2019 (UTC)

Even thoguh the signature said Lawson Bell the message above was actually added by Dst20191. Maybe this is part of theconfusion? Computer Fizz (talk) 23:01, 17 October 2019 (UTC)

No I was looking at the right edits. -DJSasso (talk) 10:44, 18 October 2019 (UTC)

articles needing images?

where can i find a list? Mazaia900 (talk) 01:11, 19 October 2019 (UTC)

@Mazaia900: Check out Category:Articles_needing_pictures for info Computer Fizz (talk) 00:49, 20 October 2019 (UTC)

@Mazaia900: If you're going to work on adding images, please consider adding infoboxes with images where possible, if there isn't already an infobox. If there is an infobox, add the image inside it where possible. Thanks! --Auntof6 (talk) 01:03, 20 October 2019 (UTC)

Drafts

how can i get them into the mainspace? is there a submit button? Caveduck21 (talk) 18:16, 19 October 2019 (UTC)

Are you sure you are at the right board? - this is Simple English Wikipedia, to my knoweldge we have no drafts; as to articles created in userspace, they can simply be moved. The section corresponding to Sipmle Talk at English wikipedia is probably the Village pump.--Eptalon (talk) 18:27, 19 October 2019 (UTC)

If you move an article from userspace to mainspace, please be sure to remove the resulting redirect from the userspace page. Thanks! --Auntof6 (talk) 01:00, 20 October 2019 (UTC)