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Revision as of 15:33, 5 June 2011

There are many aspects of wikipedia's governance that seem to me to be at best ill-considered and at worst corrupt, and little recognition that some things need to change. I appreciate that there are many good, talented, and honest people here, but there are far too many who are none of those things, concerned only with the status they acquire by doing whatever is required to climb up some greasy pole or other. I'm out of step with the way things are run here, and at best grudgingly tolerated by the children who run this site. I see that as a good thing, although I appreciate that there are others who see it as an excuse to look for any reason to block me, as my log amply demonstrates.

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Kennet and Avon Canal

Back in 2008 you did a GA review of Kennet and Avon Canal (its been GA since 2006). Over the last week or so myself & a few others editors have been expanding & improving the article with a view to taking it to FAC. There are still a few issues (at least 6 page numbers to find etc), but if you had the time and inclination to polish any of the prose that would be very much appreciated.— Rod 17:35, 21 May 2011 (UTC)

Sure, I'll take a look later. How's Nailsea coming along? It was a pity it had to be failed at GAN. Malleus Fatuorum 17:38, 21 May 2011 (UTC)

Thanks. Nothing has been done on Nailsea since (see User talk:Jaguar#Nailsea GAC for a potential rewrite of the sports section). However I believe he has exams (which we wouldn't want to adversely affect) & we have both been working on List of hill forts and ancient settlements in Somerset which is inching towards FLC, so Nailsea has taken a back seat.— Rod 17:43, 21 May 2011 (UTC)

His exams was one of the reasons I closed the review, so as not to distract from the important stuff. I think with a rewritten Sports section it would be fine at its next review. Malleus Fatuorum 17:45, 21 May 2011 (UTC)

You are obviously busy but I was wondering if you'd had a chance to glance at the K&A article as, apart from a couple of page numbers I hope to get this week, I've gone about as far as I can with it & you know what my prose is like :-(— Rod 13:46, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

I've started looking at it and I've left some questions on your talk page. Malleus Fatuorum 20:28, 2 June 2011 (UTC)

Thanks. Hopefully initial queries re lead & early plans addressed. Responses on my talk page.— Rod 14:35, 3 June 2011 (UTC)

Miss Moppet

I've just gone through the history of the page and hadn't realized you and PoD made so many edits. I still think that Susanne/ILT's edits should be deleted, at FAR or before it goes there. Chances are I've done enough work that it will survive FAR, and you, PoD, and Ruhrfisch could help bring it through. How does that sound? Truthkeeper88 (talk) 01:03, 28 May 2011 (UTC)

I'm comfortable with whatever you decide to do. Malleus Fatuorum 02:18, 28 May 2011 (UTC)

Yes, we are behind you 100% and increasing rapidly as we run in the opposite direction.--Wehwalt (talk) 02:30, 28 May 2011 (UTC)

Not sure what you're getting at Wehwalt. Malleus Fatuorum 02:39, 28 May 2011 (UTC)

I don't like what he is doing, because I believe content is more important than contributors, and pulling out everything written by a specific editor is silly in my mind. But if he wants to do it, I have enough respect for other editors and their autonomy and needs that I'll sit on my hands.--Wehwalt (talk) 02:45, 28 May 2011 (UTC)

I see; it's a she BTW I believe. As must be obvious from the discussion on SandyG's talk page I agree with you, but like you I'm not going to start a fight over it. Malleus Fatuorum 03:04, 28 May 2011 (UTC)

Yes, it is not my battle to fight, as I said I understand where she is coming from, and I'm actually somewhat curious to see what will happen. Especially if Revdel is used.--Wehwalt (talk) 03:10, 28 May 2011 (UTC)

If Revdel is used it will be a disaster I think, but time will tell. Malleus Fatuorum 03:37, 28 May 2011 (UTC)

I don't agree with the use of Revdel. That's why I scrubbed instead. But just to get a sense of what we're talking about, here's the CCI report. There are many many pages here that need to be checked. I've completely scrubbed only about 3 or 4 and it's taken a fair bit of time. Last night I didn't want to scrub yet another page so just reverted all the sock puppet edits out of Jack and the Beanstalk - which was a nice page - and that's what caused this entire uproar. We have rules against sockpuppetry and against copyvio. Clearly based on the edit Wehwalt deleted from Sandy's page, ILT doesn't care. That's why I think at this point all their edits should be Revdeleted on sight. Truthkeeper88 (talk) 05:02, 28 May 2011 (UTC)

ILT? I don't understand. I did an accidental rollback because space on the iPhone is limited and I do not have small fingers. Usually I immediately revert myself but I missed that one. Sandy was good enough to give me a fix she was given, although I am still working out the bugs of clearing caches on the Macbook Pro. I am afraid of deleting all my passwords and autocompletes. All the same, it should not recur. I am glad you are checking articles for plagiarism but I've expressed my views as to the situation and am not going to repeat myself.--Wehwalt (talk) 11:09, 29 May 2011 (UTC)

Nevermind - it's not really important. I'm letting it go. Truthkeeper88 (talk) 11:47, 29 May 2011 (UTC)

Request

Hello Malleus! Thomas the Slav is undergoing a WPMILHIST A-class review, and will probably be nominated for FAC after it is complete. If you have the time and disposition, I would be very grateful if you could have a thorough look at it along the lines of Michael Lachanodrakon. Best regards, Constantine ✍ 12:22, 28 May 2011 (UTC)

I'll take a look after the A-class review is done if you remind me. Malleus Fatuorum 20:29, 2 June 2011 (UTC)

Rose Catherine Pinkney

Thanks for your contribution to one of wikipedia's latest WP:GA's

This user helped promote Rose Catherine Pinkney to good article status.

--TonyTheTiger (T/C/BIO/WP:CHICAGO/WP:FOUR) 17:18, 28 May 2011 (UTC)

Give me a break !

Oh for gosh sakes, you've done it again. Halifax Gibbet. Eng & tech, Culture & society, or Law? SandyGeorgia (Talk) 15:59, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

Law. Ealdgyth - Talk 16:01, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

Thank you, dear :) SandyGeorgia (Talk) 16:01, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

I'd say clearly History; Eng/tech is inappropriate as it's not an article about the specific design of the gibbet and how it differed from others, and the only culture/society aspect is that executions were taking place, not the specific method used to carry out the execution. The closest analogous current FA (Marshalsea) is currently filed under Law, but miscategorized in my view; a prison is an instrument used to execute the law rather than an aspect of the law itself, and ought to be treated the same way we'd treat an article about the type of gun carried by cops, or a courthouse building. – iridescent 16:11, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

I'd say History too. Malleus Fatuorum 19:57, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

Thanks (I hate this part of my "job")-- feel free to move Marshalsea, too. SandyGeorgia (Talk) 19:58, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

I deliberately choose subjects that defy easy categorisation. Malleus Fatuorum 20:08, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

Wait until I hand you Kenesaw Mountain Landis in a month or so, Sandy. Law or sports? Or history?--Wehwalt (talk) 20:11, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

If you told me now, I wouldn't remember in a few months anyway, so save my aching brain! SandyGeorgia (Talk) 21:02, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

BTW, is anyone familiar with paperofrecord.com? It looks very useful and not too expensive a resource.--Wehwalt (talk) 21:08, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

Ahoy!

I come via the Greenwich Hospital for Seamen to thank you for your copyedits to the Baillie GA - I'm working my way through a GA of Erskine, so it cropped up, as will, I'm sure, several other cases. Any chance you have some expertise or sources on the subject of the Gordon Riots? Ironholds (talk) 20:59, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

I've got nothing on the Gordon Riots I'm afraid, but it's certainly an interesting topic that deserves a more complete treatment. Malleus Fatuorum 21:09, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

With you on that; I've got biographies of a load of people around at the time, so I'll see what I can cobble together. Ironholds (talk) 21:29, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

I'm fairly sure I've read bits and pieces on the Gordon Riots, but I can't quite think where. I'll have a think. Parrot of Doom 21:33, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

I'll hazard a guess that you remember them from the last chapter of every book on the Gunpowder Plot ever written—I've yet to see one that didn't follow the "brief history of the reformation"→"plot and its immediate aftermath"→"long term changes to British attitude to Catholicism" format. – iridescent 16:44, 31 May 2011 (UTC)

Since the book is looking so good...

I offer you another sacrificial victim. This one'll net you a co-nom, he's rather meaty and almost as long as Willie boy. We're continuing to skirt around Becket her... this time with one of his patrons - Theobald of Bec. I think i've added most everything I can turn up. I hope. (mutters) Ealdgyth - Talk 21:55, 31 May 2011 (UTC)

I'll start taking a look at that probably tomorrow, but a co-nom for moving a few commas is too much. One day maybe I'll write something important like wot you do, but until then I might restrict myself to minor Royalists. ;-) Malleus Fatuorum 22:02, 31 May 2011 (UTC)

Well, crap, Sandy promoted... that has to be the absolute quickest FAC I've ever run... William de Chesney maybe? Or Gerard (archbishop of York)? Ealdgyth - Talk 14:55, 1 June 2011 (UTC)

Maybe Deusdedit of Canterbury also, if you're interested in a goody-two-shoes ... Ealdgyth - Talk 16:13, 1 June 2011 (UTC)

Let's do all of them. Deusdedit first? Malleus Fatuorum 16:18, 1 June 2011 (UTC)

Whichever one interests you most. They are pretty much all finished with research and just need polish to get over that last hump. Ealdgyth - Talk 16:28, 1 June 2011 (UTC)

If you're taking requests, might I be able to convince you to take a look at American Livestock Breeds Conservancy? It's my first article about an organization, and so I'm being wishy-washy on taking it to FAC. I keep getting the feeling that I'm leaving out something major... Anyway, if you're interested, your opinion (and copy-editing skills) would be much appreciated. Thanks, Dana boomer (talk) 16:45, 1 June 2011 (UTC)

I'm slowly working my way through my backlog, but I ought to be able to get there in the next day or two. Malleus Fatuorum 20:31, 2 June 2011 (UTC)

Need opinion/help

In your time on Misplaced Pages, have you had any dealings with self-published books as sources? If so, what exactly are the restrictions(if any) on such sources? Thanks. --Kansas Bear (talk) 23:52, 31 May 2011 (UTC)

You have to look at the credentials of the author. Is he or she a recognised expert in the field? Or have recognised experts commented on the work? Malleus Fatuorum 00:02, 1 June 2011 (UTC)

Thank you sir. --Kansas Bear (talk) 00:11, 1 June 2011 (UTC)

Last in the series

The fifth and last list in the series, List of churches preserved by the Churches Conservation Trust in South East England, is now approaching submission as a FLC. Would you be willing, again, to have a look through the text, and improve it as necessary. The first two paragraphs should be OK, as they are identical to the already accepted FLs. Thanks. --Peter I. Vardy (talk) 11:36, 1 June 2011 (UTC)

Double standards

Regarding this, I agree it's a problem. Hopefully the fact that I have now indefinitely blocked Spencer195 helps demonstrate that at least some of "us administrators" agree with you that there is a problem and are attempting to rectify it. --(ʞɿɐʇ) ɐuɐʞsǝp 15:01, 1 June 2011 (UTC)

Better late than never I suppose. Contrary to popular opinion I have nothing against administrators; my beef is with the system of administration, which encourages and turns a blind eye to such double standards. Malleus Fatuorum 15:25, 1 June 2011 (UTC)

Fair enough. --(ʞɿɐʇ) ɐuɐʞsǝp 15:26, 1 June 2011 (UTC)

If we'd blocked him unilaterally, we'd have a pitchfork-wielding mob demanding heads on poles for "exceeding authority". While there are some situations (generally where sensitive material of some kind is involved) where it's unavoidable, in the main Arbcom tries to avoid acting as the Misplaced Pages Police Force. (An Arbcom block is effectively unappealable unless new evidence comes to light, since the people hearing the appeal are the same people who placed the block, and that's not satisfactory for anyone involved. Whatever Pedro might think, there's no secret Arbcom mechanism to remove people who Dare To Challenge The System from Misplaced Pages; the only times Arbcom issues blocks and bans directly without a formal case are genuine emergencies, and situations where for legal or personal reasons the matter can't be discussed publicly.) In this particular instance while the user was clearly being objectionable and was quite likely a compromised account, there was no clear and present emergency to warrant Arbcom wading in all guns blazing—thus the best course of action is to remove the admin bit, but then let the usual checkusers-and-community-noticeboards processes determine whether there's a problem that warrants any kind of actual sanction. – iridescent 15:47, 1 June 2011 (UTC)

I think that Arbcom acted sensibly in the circumstances. I was just remarking as an aside that a non-administrator would not have been treated so leniently by the apparently vast horde of admins waiting to swoop on the slightest sign of incivility, such as the use of completely unacceptable words like "sycophantic". Malleus Fatuorum 15:54, 1 June 2011 (UTC)

English National Opera

I've been giving the English National Opera article a thorough overhaul, and have put it up for peer review. If you have time and inclination to take part in the peer review it will be esteemed a favour. Perfectly understand if not, of course. Tim riley (talk) 14:45, 3 June 2011 (UTC)

I'll be happy to take a look. Malleus Fatuorum 18:04, 3 June 2011 (UTC)

Weird, huh?

OK, so if you liked editing on the Donner Party, you will LOVE this one: Alferd_Packer#Popular_culture I've actually seen the campus cafeteria at UC-Boulder, for awhile, their slogan used to be "serving our fellow man since 1863."  :-D Montanabw 19:29, 3 June 2011 (UTC)

They have a big mural in the back of the cafeteria (or at least they used to) of Alfred Packer chewing on a human bone. For seven years I ate lunch in that room. No wonder I'm a bit twisted at times. Truthkeeper88 (talk) 19:45, 3 June 2011 (UTC)

Jeez, I just hate that "Popular culture" section. Malleus Fatuorum 20:05, 3 June 2011 (UTC)

My wife grew up less than a mile from where Packer was buried. I've also eaten in the Packer cafe at CU Boulder. --Moni3 (talk) 20:24, 3 June 2011 (UTC)

Malleus, you can't eliminate "Popular culture" - but you could tag these items, then cull them in 2 weeks. I get fed up with insertions of SpongeBob SquarePants into Sponge gets - I revert them and give them a "vandalism" warning. --Philcha (talk) 21:33, 3 June 2011 (UTC)

Life's too short; I get into enough spats as it is. Malleus Fatuorum 21:38, 3 June 2011 (UTC)

XKCD has something to say about that (I have that on the wall of my office room). That section is too horrible for words, working on it... --Errant 21:54, 3 June 2011 (UTC)

Malleus, I told you long, long ago the only way to handle IPC which doesn't lead to a temper tantrum; set up a dedicated ''foo'' in popular culture page, move the crud into that, and link from the parent article. That way whoever is interested in IPC (and some readers are) can find it easily, nothing gets deleted so nobody gets offended, but the main article doesn't get cluttered with "he was mentioned in a The Love Boat episode in 1968" digressions. – iridescent 21:04, 4 June 2011 (UTC)

And that was good advice that I've used very effectively in several articles since then, including Guy Fawkes and that bloody film. Malleus Fatuorum 21:10, 4 June 2011 (UTC)

GA review

I have finished the GA review of Robert Tatton. It looks very good, and it seems that a lot of the issues I had with your commas are just the differences between American and British English. (In American English, you have a comma after every introductory phrase and nonrestrictive clause, and beginning a sentence with "but" is considered substandard writing style.) Reaper Eternal (talk) 01:11, 4 June 2011 (UTC)

As Fowler says, the fear of beginning a sentence with "but" is just a superstition. Thanks for doing the review. Malleus Fatuorum 01:14, 4 June 2011 (UTC)

But that is just Fowler's opinion. ;) - Sitush (talk) 01:17, 4 June 2011 (UTC)

Reviewing a GA nominee?

Would you be at all interested in looking at Camak House? (I've done almost all the work on it, and this is the first article I've ever put up for GA.) LadyofShalott 20:43, 4 June 2011 (UTC)

Are you sure you know what you're asking for? I'm notoriously tetchy and uncivil when I don't get my own way. ;-) Malleus Fatuorum 20:47, 4 June 2011 (UTC)

I know you know what you're doing with regards to GA and FA. :) LadyofShalott 20:48, 4 June 2011 (UTC)

OK, so long as you know what you're getting into. I've thought for a while now about doing no more GA reviews, as I know I expect too much compared to many other reviewers. Malleus Fatuorum 21:06, 4 June 2011 (UTC)

Just try not to call me an idiot outright, and I'll try to address any issues you find. =) I would like it truly to be a good article. LadyofShalott 21:10, 4 June 2011 (UTC)

I'll do my best. Malleus Fatuorum 21:13, 4 June 2011 (UTC)

I've made at least a first pass at addressing everything you've listed so far. LadyofShalott 00:46, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

I'm tired and fed up with wikipedia's caste system

I'll finish all of the reviews I've committed to do but no more. If the project ever gets its act together then give me a call, but until then ... Malleus Fatuorum 00:34, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

..."I'll keep courting attention"? Geometry guy 00:46, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

.... That's one interpretation. I guess that time will tell. What's clear to me is that wikipedia wants to be rid of Malleus, and that Malleus is equally pissed off with wikipedia. That's wikipedia's loss. Malleus Fatuorum 00:51, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

Okay, I'll bite. What's going on? Truthkeeper88 (talk) 01:19, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

Ask Geometry Guy. We peons aren't allowed to complain about our station in life. Malleus Fatuorum 01:23, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

As I said elsewhere I'll finish my reviews, but then no more. Malleus Fatuorum 01:32, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

Look you and I disagree about things at times, but one thing we know in our bones is that the work we do here is vital. And griping is part of it. I gripe a lot when I get stressed and cranky - too much writing, too many reviews, and then I just crumble. Walking away for a few days always helps - though I never seem to stay away for long. The next and the next and the next article always needs work. Go away for a few days and then see how you feel. Truthkeeper88 (talk) 01:33, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

No, I feel it in my bones; this is the end for Malleus. He had a good run, but he couldn't put up with the corruption here. Malleus Fatuorum 01:40, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

Rethink, please. I am not sure what is going on. Digging around appears to suggest perhaps it is something to do with a GAN bot. In any event, I know that I am not by any means alone in valuing your efforts here. Truthkeeper is probably more attuned to your situation, but my gut feeling about people is not often wrong. Take a break, sure, but don't give up. - Sitush (talk) 01:47, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

Take a break. Think about it, and then see how you feel in a few days. Truthkeeper88 (talk) 01:48, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

Dear Malleus – I have no idea what's going on. I saw you complaining about corruption. I hope to add some perspective: all human beings are full of sh*t. I mean, it's possible that there are a small handful of Gandhis and Mother Theresas running around who genuinely deserve respect, but the other five billion-plus are just are grubby as you and I are. So, since Misplaced Pages is a product of human beings, it is of course full of sh*t as well. This is not a surprise in any way. It is to be expected. It is par for the course for the rest of reality. HTH, gotta run.  – Ling.Nut 02:33, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

I agree that it's corruption on a rather small scale, but I really have had enough of the "trust of the community" nonsense. You may be prepared to put up with it but I'm not. Malleus Fatuorum 03:30, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

• Hi Mall. Actually I was going to ask your opinion on something, but it appears you have your plate full at the moment. Sorry to hear you're getting so much flack. If there's something I can do, feel free to let me know. I hope these frustrations will pass soon, but I also realize much of the BS here is a never-ending stream of stupidity too. Hope you feel back up to par ASAP. — Ched :  ?  03:39, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

• I'm also not sure what has caused you to feel this way, however I would just say that the wikipedia project (and my prose) would be poorer without you.— Rod 07:45, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

• Seconded. Apterygial 08:42, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

• Thirded. Hchc2009 (talk) 09:15, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

• Fourthded. Jaguar (talk) 11:12, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

• Fifthded. What is going on here? All the best editors seem to be leaving or on the verge of doing so... Constantine ✍ 11:19, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

Malleus, please don't leave. This encyclopedia will have a huge loss without you. In the next couple of months or so it will crumble and the knowledge of Good Articles will never be the same again. I understand that some things here are corrupt; I've been there before. Once I reverted an administrator's edit and I got told off for doing it. Some people just don't understand the idea but nobody wants to get rid of you. Over the year we have seen some good members on Misplaced Pages retire because they realise that disputes and corruption affects them. But if you go, then I'm sure some dramastic consequences might follow. Just don't worry about it. One day the project will get its act together. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. But one day it will. Jaguar (talk) 11:25, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

Malleus, I hope you realise that the project will be much less likely to get its act together without you here to help it on its way. Alzarian16 (talk) 11:37, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

Like If the Basso profondo retires, Misplaced Pages:The Opera will be sung by the Prima donnas --Spearcarrier58 (talk) 12:06, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

• Oh God, did someone actually make a "like" template and inflict it upon Misplaced Pages? Is this an encyclopedia, or myspace/facebook? Who did it? Burn them alive! Turn them over to the IRS! – Ling.Nut 15:33, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

List of sections of Chester city walls and associated structures

When my current FLC is done with, I was considering nominating this as a FLC (for Cheshire!). Before you go, do you fancy copyediting the text so that, when the time comes, it will be in a suitable state for nomination? Then, can you recommend a replacement to help me (and the Cheshire Wikiproject) in the future? --Peter I. Vardy (talk) 11:26, 5 June 2011 (UTC)