Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 02:05, 13 April 2006

• Archive 1 The Saga Begins (July 18 to November 3 2005):
• Archive 2 ARCHIVE HARDER!(November 3 2005 to January 9 2006):
• Archive 3 Fear And Loathing in Las Archives (January 9 2006 to March 18 2006):

Welcome to my Talk page. "Discourtesy is unspeakably ugly to me." --Dr. Hannibal Lecter, So please use rubber bullets, ok? ;> READY...AIM...FIRE AWAY!

But before you fire, do keep in mind I reserve the right to ignore and/or delete anything I regard as Spam, Trolling, Harassment or Vandalism. I want to be friendly and civil, don't give me reason to be otherwise. I may also be taking a short break soon.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 22:53, 18 March 2006 (UTC) User:Cool Cat/CP Paranoia

Why??

What happened to make you add yourself to the former members list of Esperanza? If it's anything I can help with, be sure to let me know straight away! Best wishes KnowledgeOfSelf 11:15, 10 March 2006 (UTC)

It also appears that you are leaving most of your user affiliations, I hope there is nothing wrong! KnowledgeOfSelf 11:18, 10 March 2006 (UTC)

Hello my friend! Thanks for taking an interest and apologies for my tardy response. I feel I cannot, in good conscious, continue as an Esperanza member. My recent conduct goes against what ESP is SUPPOSED to stand for. I make no excuses, but I do offer some explanations. Misplaced Pages today is not the same place I fell in love with last year. Collegiality and collaboration have become increasingly rare phenomenia. Confrontation and conflict are all too common commodities. I can no longer pretend to be drinking a virtual expresso and say its not getting worse. The reason why is simple...Growth. Misplaced Pages is a victim of its own success and is starting to collapse under its own weight. The current mechanisms for dispute resolution, mediation and participation are breaking down. As a result, the power structure is becoming more authoritarian, bureaucratic and arbitrary. It is getting to the point where I cannot engaging in simple edititing without getting harassed by twits and trolls, and threatened with RfCs and blocks. I'm willing to accept and admit my share of the blame, but not all of it. The Misplaced Pages community is increasingly at war with itself. I will either leave or if I stay I fear I will be increasingly drawn into it, in trying to defend what we have created here. In either case, my continued membership in Esperanza, which is a pacifist organization at its core, will be rendered void. But for what it's worth, outside of my beloved Military History Project, ESP has meant the most to me. Thank you again for your interest and offer. And please feel welcome to share this with the other members. Here's HOPING, that a time will come when the acidic smoke clears and we can go back to being a community of encyclopedists once more. Cheers, --R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 19:51, 12 March 2006 (UTC)

You and me both, my friend. I wish more than anything to help cure the ills that you speak of, but it seems at times that my efforts are just used to fuel them. In any case, please remember that you'll always have people who respect you, regardless of where you are in things. Karmafist 23:26, 14 March 2006 (UTC)

I direct you to your email for my response! KnowledgeOfSelf 13:15, 13 March 2006 (UTC)

Messages received, Thanks bros! The question on our minds now-Is Misplaced Pages worth fighting for? Even if this may mean fighting against elements within the community who want to turn it into something antithetical to the letter and spirit with which it was originally created? My, perhaps somewhat glib, answer is- Not if it means fighting alone. For that would clearly be a losing battle. But if we can mobilize, organize and fight as a TEAM for what we know to be right for the project, then it may well be a worthy cause. Towards that end Karmafist has done an admirable job against great odds and now even an ArbComm action. But he is not alone...WE are not alone! Thank you both again, for reminding me of this and why, inspite of increasing burnout and disillusionment, I still love this project and community.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 23:33, 18 March 2006 (UTC)

Something for you...

Thanks Bro. Not only for the award but for reminding me why I still bother to logon here.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 21:46, 12 March 2006 (UTC)

Peer review

So, how about being our first guinea pig? ;-) —Kirill Lokshin 22:08, 12 March 2006 (UTC)

Let's do this;>--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 22:20, 12 March 2006 (UTC)

SQUEEAK!--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 22:55, 12 March 2006 (UTC)

Roman Emperor Diocletian to help defeat the Blemmys

Hey, Hi, How are you? I am writing for you advice regarding the Nobatia page. It says, "Roman Emperor Diocletian to help defeat the Blemmys" But the Blemmys are mythical according to wikipedia. Can you help? Naerhu 07:34, 14 March 2006 (UTC)

Hi! Apologies for the delayed reply. As a matter of historical fact, this is obvious nonsense. But I have no qualms with it long as it is clearly labelled as myth and does not get into any serious articles or sections concerned with historical facts. In fact, I wouldnt mind too much if it were mentioned in Diocletian in fiction. Though I'm not going to add it. I've never heard/read this story before, so I'm unsure as to its source...And even myths and legends should be, if possible, traced to their sources. Thank you for bringing this interesting matter to my attention. Cheers, --R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 23:14, 18 March 2006 (UTC)

Opinion requested

I have recently had a "discussion with User: Vicarious about the spelling ofthe word manoeuvre and its derivatives on the Talk page of Crossing the T. I am just curious about your opinion as (I believe) and an American and his comments about my use of the British spelling. Perhaps I am being ethnocentric in using British spelling but I understood Misplaced Pages generally allows that. Dabbler 00:08, 20 March 2006 (UTC)

Well met again Dabbler (we have to stop meeting like this:). While I don't agree with everything in the MoS, nor believe it should be treated as tablets from on high, or the holy word of Jimbo. But I do think it is very sensible when it states that Brit spellings should be used for Brit subjects. In fact, I would go further and extend this consideration to authors as well. I see no reason why a contributor who was raised to use Anglo spellings, should be expected to use American ones just conform to US "sensibilities" and v. versa. To insist otherwise IS ethnocentric, in my view. So suffice to say, I agree with Brother Leithp on this matter.

Incidently, we of the Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Military history, are setting up a British Military History Taskforce and we have a Napoleonic era one up and running. Please feel welcome to come join us in our dabblings. Cheers, --R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 15:04, 20 March 2006 (UTC)

Thanks for confirming my opinion. I appreciate your support but I am not going to get into an argument with Vicarious. I am a dabbler so you will probably see my dabblings around, but I am not always a good project person! I will keep an eye on things though. Dabbler 18:32, 20 March 2006 (UTC)

Deserters...

...have been duly rounded up and shot ;-) Kirill Lokshin 21:42, 20 March 2006 (UTC)

Exxxcelent! You DA MAN! ;>--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 21:45, 20 March 2006 (UTC)

Please help!!

I know I haven't spoken to you in a while, but I really need your help. One of my subpages (User:Spawn Man/Reviews) has been picked out by a big time editor & is now up for deletion here, Misplaced Pages:Miscellany for deletion/User:Spawn Man/Reviews. I know it may sound like I only come around when I need something, but this is really important to me. I only did this as a last resort. Please vote to keep the page & I'll do anything, eat your shoes, clean your toilets for a year, even wear one of those t shirts that say I'm stupid! I just want my page which I've spent so much time on to be left alone. Thanks, Spawn Man 01:09, 21 March 2006 (UTC)

Wellywellywell...how we doin STRANGER (Evil grin). All that stuff you list is fairly benign. I can think of far more unpleasant and humiliating tasks for you...such as ohh...renoucing the BEEGEES and all their wicked ways. They are, basically, anathema to me, you see. The Anti-Beatles...especially after that horrid "tribute"/atrocity/blasphemy Sgt. Pepper shyte they pulled. But...I won't subject you to that...YET. I'm really far too nice sometimes. Very well, I will do this thing you ask...but when the time comes I will ask a favor of you. Be prepared :>--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 02:38, 21 March 2006 (UTC)

R.D.H.. You're my best friend on here. I sincerly hope you recognise how pleasant you've made my time on here. You've always been to support me on anything & you're always funny. I thought I'd save my last edit for you. I'm quite upset at the whole process & I'm sick of being treated like shite. I try to do so much good & all I get is this sort of thing, the only page I was truly proud of & the one thing I thought might change somebody's mind about something is getting deleted. 0I appreciate your efforts to help me get it back, but I realise it's gone. I wanted to do it on here, but I got no respect back. I have no immediate intentions of coming back to wikipedia. Just make sure they don't delete my user page or talk pages. Other than that, say hi to kirill, phaedriel & Lord A for me if they ask where I've gone. I hope they don't get away with singling me out with a subpage, while so many others are scott free. Anyway, I hope you have a nice time without me, & I hope you live long & prosper as that pointy-eared guy said. Bye, final edit guy, Spawn Man 05:54, 21 March 2006 (UTC). P.S. I may be leaving, but I'm still going to put you in your place about the BeeGees! They still rock.... muahahahaaaa.......... (trade mark full stops & exclamtion marks)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! P.P.S. Summary has secret message encoded in it.....

Well shit. My list of real friends still active here continues to shrink. And I fear I may not be too far behind you Spawn bro, and the others, in making the journey into the west. So I can't blame you. This place has indeed grown alarmingly sour alarmingly fast. The irony here is, it looks like your page might be spared this time around. SIGH Suffice to say, I wish you best, wherever the tides of time may take you. And our musical differnces aside, you have certainly helped make my time here more fun, productive and at times very interesting too:> I'm gonna miss ya buddy. (Returns VULCAN SALUTE) Now on to see if I can decipher that damned message ;>--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 01:58, 22 March 2006 (UTC)

Image Tagging for Image:Tetrarch_system.PNG

Thanks for uploading Image:Tetrarch_system.PNG. The image has been identified as not specifying the source and creator of the image, which is required by Misplaced Pages's policy on images. If you don't indicate the source and creator of the image on the image's description page, it may be deleted some time in the next seven days. If you have uploaded other images, please verify that you have provided source information for them as well.

For more information on using images, see the following pages:

• Misplaced Pages:Image use policy
• Misplaced Pages:Image copyright tags

This is an automated notice by OrphanBot. For assistance on the image use policy, see User talk:Carnildo/images. 16:24, 22 March 2006 (UTC)

Hey Carni, you can now delete this image to your lil heart's content. I've found a suitable replacement and effectively ORPHANED it myself. See, you really don't need admin powers to carry out your self-appointed tasks. besides, you have your bot doing most of your work anyway.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 00:02, 24 March 2006 (UTC)

RfA thanks!

Hi RDH! Thank you for supporting my RfA. It passed at 105/1/0, putting me in WP:100 - I'm delighted and surprised! I'm always happy to help out, so if you need anything, please drop me a line. Cheers! ➨ ❝REDVERS❞ 21:05, 22 March 2006 (UTC)

Thanks!

*clears throat* This is so unexpected! I'd like to thank my producers, and my screenwriters, and my wonderful cast and crew... ;-)

Thank you! It's good to see that you haven't succumbed to the recent rash of departures, incidentally. Kirill Lokshin 02:08, 24 March 2006 (UTC)

(Good thing you cut your acceptance speech short...the orchestra was starting to kick in:)

Meh, I'm too stubborn to leave so soon. Besides, I still have too many reasons to stay:) Well deserved award, bro! BTW, I didnt know you spoke Russian. My nephew has been trying to learn and teach me a bit, with very limited results--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 02:56, 26 March 2006 (UTC)

Orphanbot help page

Hi, I noticed your message on the orphanbot help page. I can't help but feel this was a mean spirited attack on another user on a page that is meant to help answer questions for new users about copyright. It is by no means my intention to curtail any discussion you have about substantive issues here on Misplaced Pages if that's your desire. I think the venue you have chosen is completely inappropriate however. This is a page about images used mostly to help new users understand Misplaced Pages policies, it is not a forum for in-fighting and arguing. If you have any questions let me know. Also, just so you are aware you have several fair use images on your user page that are being used inappropriately. Please see the fair use criteria, and keep in mind that while following these policies isn't always the most fun, it does help reduce Misplaced Pages's legal liability. - cohesion 07:34, 24 March 2006 (UTC)

Hi. I intended that to be a playful way of telling him, he can just kill that image (Which he has). We have been argueing over it for months. I fully expected him to ignore it as he does most arguements and requests. Any mean spiritedness in it, is entirely of your own attribution....so much for WP:Good faith. My talkpage is also not a forum for in-fighting and arguing, yet certain users of late have too often turned it into such. I have raised these issues before with Carnildo, as you can see. So as per his suggestion I brought them to Jimbo, who completely ignored them. It is only now that Carnildo so desparately wants his mop back, and I have raised serious objections, that my views have been given any attention. Along with a small amount of harassment Only a very small number of images pose a serious threat of lawsuits. The overreactionry behavior by Carnildo and his Image Copyright Vogons is well out of proportion and unjustified by the actual danger. Moreover, he really doesnt need admin powers to continue to contribute and perform his self-appointed function, especially with Orphanbot doing much of the grunt work. All the more reason to keep him away from the Op mop until he displays a clearer understanding of what Misplaced Pages IS. Good Evening, Sir, --R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 04:37, 26 March 2006 (UTC)

Thanks

Thanks for the kind words!

Combining a near-finished thesis with an emerging wiki-addiction is a hard thing! I constantly try to contain myself in jumping into all sorts of diversions from the work I should be doing :-)

Perhaps you're right in that I shouldnt be too modest in what I know. But although I realise I have more knowledge of history than the average Joe, I also know that I am a generalist at heart. For example, I am sure that all my knowledge on Napoleonic topics are already contained in some article - my knowledge may be broad, but its also rather shallow. Hence my expectation that I can add little crunchy bits of knowledge to the articles.

My MA is on the emerging European Security and Defence Policy, so I think we're definitely on the same page in this department! Its good fun to write, as it's possible to include interesting topics from sovereignty to hegemony. Good fun. Doesnt make it much easier to tackle though!

Cheers, The Minister of War 08:55, 24 March 2006 (UTC)

Anytime M8:> Yes, we Poli-Sci types do seem to dabble in a lot of different subjects. My Military history credentials are sad...I barely have a minor in it (more of a certificate really). But hey, that's part of the Wiki's beauty-as an encyclopedia breadth is more important here than depth :>. Funny, I was looking at that article a while back and was thinking of adding some to it. The Hegemony one also. I want to write mini-biogs of some of my Profs. too. Some of them have done notable work which deserves a decent mention. But I'm afraid with the increasing hegemony of the deletionist mentality on here, they would be abruptly AFDed:<. (the Spiral of silence in action). Cheers--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 04:05, 26 March 2006 (UTC)

Carnildo's RFA

"That GIANO and I agree 100%" Ghost! I never knew you cared about me. Are you feeling quite well? I thought it was your lifetime's ambition to see me eternally banned. Pull yourself together Man - this will never do! What will the lower ranks think! I feel quite emotional. Giano | talk 10:33, 24 March 2006 (UTC)

What..Ban you?! And lose my most worthy nemesis and one of my greatest sources of amusement and bemusement on here?! Why you must think me a complete uncivilized cad, Sir! Besides, as a Mafioso you should know- "Keep friends close, keep enemies closer":). But flatter yourself not too much...if Carnildo had banned Satan for the same poor reasons, I'd work with Old Scratch himself to see that he's never allowed near the Op Mop again. Thanks for the Pope BTW. But I'm really more of an admirer of Innocent X's enemy Marzarin. And as far as Popes are concerned there's Julius II and gotta love Alex VI:>--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 03:18, 26 March 2006 (UTC)

• Well Ghost before you get too chummy remember where those Popes went the Inquisition usually followed. Not that I would wish to see you being very slowly incinerated over a brazier of red hot coals. Perish the thought! Giano | talk 09:32, 26 March 2006 (UTC)

Meh sounds like A typical August day in Gainesville Florida. So that scenario holds few terrors for me. Besides, the only one Pope Alex had burned was that Renaissance Robspierre cum Ayatollah, Savonarola. Good riddance I say:) And Pater Jules II was too busy overseeing monumental building projects, patronizing great artworks and bashing heads in war, to be bothered with burnings. :>--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 04:54, 27 March 2006 (UTC)

Redundant image

I've made a PNG version of This image (Image:Grenadier Pied 1 1812 Revers.png). Any objections if I delete the gif file? Regards, =Nichalp «Talk»= 06:22, 26 March 2006 (UTC)

None at all. Thanks M8:>--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 06:25, 26 March 2006 (UTC)

Thanks. I've gone ahead and done the same for Image:Grenadier Pied banner1804.png. Regards, =Nichalp «Talk»= 06:59, 26 March 2006 (UTC)

Exxxcelent! Please feel free to improve the other images on that article if you can.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 07:30, 26 March 2006 (UTC)

Userpage protected

I protected your userpage due to the WP:FU revert war. I am reasonably certain at this point you are familiar with fair use policy, yet for some strange reason I don't see any messages about it on this talk page... Ashibaka tock 12:21, 26 March 2006 (UTC)

Wish I could say THANK YOU. But it was the only reasonable thing you could have done to prevent this ridiculous situation from being further blown out of all proportion. So I understand. I would like to request, though, that 2 images be restored; the HUG from Shauri I had under the Awards section and Nufy8's HeavyWeapons screenshot from mid-page somewhere. So if you would please restore them, or unblock the page just long enough for me to, you shall have my thanks. I'll settle for this as a reasonable compromise.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 04:18, 27 March 2006 (UTC)

I'm sorry I protected your page at m:The Wrong Version, but you're going to have to work out these fair use issues at the admin noticeboard, or else the edit war will continue on the protected version. I know this is your userpage and not mine I'm screwing with, so my apologies. Ashibaka tock 12:51, 27 March 2006 (UTC)

Very well then. I ask you or anyother admin reading this now to please BLANK my page. Since it is clearly no longer my page and I have no further use for it.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 09:16, 28 March 2006 (UTC)

Esperanza Newsletter, Issue #1

WP:AN/I

Just a quick note to say that there's a thread concerning you on WP:AN/I. Apparently nobody felt the need to inform you. Leithp 22:00, 26 March 2006 (UTC) Oops, just noticed the "protected" thread above. Leithp 22:02, 26 March 2006 (UTC)

Hey, better late than, M8. WP:FU is just too apt, because this whole mess makes me want to say FU to WP.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 05:00, 27 March 2006 (UTC)

Email

I've just emailed you - a good idea if you read it! Giano | talk 22:14, 28 March 2006 (UTC)

Message recieved. And while I'm in your debt and appreciate your threats of blackmail, I really do need a short Wikibreak. Better to bend than break and break than take the long walk into the west. Ciao for now me old Mafioso.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 05:42, 29 March 2006 (UTC)

General O'connor

In the group photo of the 3 generals it might be a good idea if he could be identified in the caption. GrahamBould 06:59, 29 March 2006 (UTC)

Err ok.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 07:02, 29 March 2006 (UTC)

Military history WikiProject Newsletter, Issue I

The Military history WikiProject Newsletter Issue I - March 2006
Project news An independent military history peer review has been created for the benefit of the project. A number of articles have already been reviewed, receiving significantly more feedback within the project than they did on the generic peer review page. The project's Collaboration of the Fortnight got off to a great start with Ferdinand Foch and is now focusing on the military history of Spain. Two new task forces—dealing with warfare during classical antiquity and the Middle Ages—have been created. An effort to build a catalogue of high-quality maps for use in military history articles is now underway. The newly-formed translation department is looking for volunteers to help with translating featured articles from other-language Wikipedias.	From the Coordinators Welcome to the inaugural issue of the Military history WikiProject's newsletter! We hope that this new format will help members—especially those who may be unable to keep up with some of the rapid developments that tend to occur—find new groups and programs within the project that they may wish to participate in. Please consider this inital issue to be a prototype; as always, any comments and suggestions are quite welcome, and will help us improve the newsletter in the coming months. Kirill Lokshin, Lead Coordinator
Current proposals Proposed guidelines for categories of military people are currently being discussed. A number of issues have already been resolved, but the proposed scheme is still in draft form and further input would be very welcome.

delivered by Loopy 05:25, 30 March 2006 (UTC)

Wow! We have come so far so fast...Well done on the first editon Loopy!--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 13:42, 30 March 2006 (UTC)

Bearings on Compass

Op. Deo has brought up a good point about Operation Compass over at Talk:Henry Maitland Wilson, 1st Baron Wilson which you might be interested in. Personally I don't subscribe to tales of Dorman-Smith brilliance, mostly because I think he's the source of them. He was a bitter soul who went around telling tales to credulous writers who should have known better, or who chose to believe him because they had an axe to grind. I'd put Compass' success down to Wavell's strategy and O'Connor's tactics and execution. Leithp 16:42, 30 March 2006 (UTC)

I concur with you completely. To employ an awful American euphamism, "Brigadier O'Gowan had Issues". And indeed Barnett should have known better (but he doubtless could not pass up an interesting story from such an interesting charachter...no small amount of Liquid Refreshment may have also been invibed involved). I feel Dorman needed mention in the O'Connor article, though. Since he did play an important role in planning and possibly finding the Sidi Barrani gap at the opening phases. But much of the planning and most of the execution must go to Sir Richard. Certainly Tobruk and the coup de grace at Beda Fromm were mainly of his making. And apart from Dorman-Smith's delusions we have no other reason to believe otherwise. The Compass article also gives him undue credit. But rather than correct that and risk ending up in another pointless arguement/editwar, I decided to write a more indepth account of Compass in O'Connor article which would present the better supported view.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 04:42, 31 March 2006 (UTC)

R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine), thank you for supporting me in my recent RfA. Although it did not succeed as no consensus was declared (final: 65/29/7), I know that there is always an opportunity to request adminship again. If and when that day comes, I hope you will once again support me. If at any time I make any mistakes or if you would like to comment on my contributions to Misplaced Pages, you are more than welcome to do so. Regardless of your religious, cultural, and personal beliefs, I pray that whatever and whoever motivates you in life continues to guide you on the most righteous path. --- joturner 02:13, 1 April 2006 (UTC)

Hello R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine), how are you? Thanks for your support in my RFA. The final vote count was (88/3/1), so I am now an administrator. Thank you for that amusing comment :-) Please let me know if at any stage you require assistance, or if you have comments on how I am doing as an administrator. Once again thank you and with kind regards Gryffindor 17:12, 2 April 2006 (UTC)

Thank you for your support vote on my RFA. The final result was a successful request based on 111 support and 1 oppose. --CBDunkerson 20:57, 3 April 2006 (UTC)

Hello R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine): Thank you for supporting me in my RfA, which passed with a final tally of 77/3/0. I hope I can perform at the standards expected for administrators. If I make any mistakes, or you need anything, please let me know. Prodego 01:38, 4 April 2006 (UTC)