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Revision as of 22:38, 19 June 2013 view sourceJohn (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users214,780 edits →Great minds think alike: ct← Previous edit Revision as of 22:41, 19 June 2013 view source Eric Corbett (talk | contribs)45,616 edits →3RR at Phineas Gage yada yada.: but it's a nice challenge for themNext edit →
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::::I don't need to give admins reasons to block me, they invent their own when it suits them. ] ] 22:18, 19 June 2013 (UTC) ::::I don't need to give admins reasons to block me, they invent their own when it suits them. ] ] 22:18, 19 June 2013 (UTC)
:::::Still, please try to force them to continue inventing reasons. Four reverts in a day isn't an "invented reason". There's a difference between not backing off and giving others ''valid'' (stress on valid, not good) reasons to block you. If you're blocked for a seemingly ''valid'' reason to ensuing drama will no doubt prove far more wasteful of everyone's time than if you're blocked for other stupid non-reasons; force others to be blatantly wrong by not giving them any chance to appear justified in their actions against you. <span style="13px Sylfaen;color:white;background-color:#000000;padding:0 3px 0 3px;">''':)'''&nbsp;·]·&nbsp;]</span> 22:35, 19 June 2013 (UTC) :::::Still, please try to force them to continue inventing reasons. Four reverts in a day isn't an "invented reason". There's a difference between not backing off and giving others ''valid'' (stress on valid, not good) reasons to block you. If you're blocked for a seemingly ''valid'' reason to ensuing drama will no doubt prove far more wasteful of everyone's time than if you're blocked for other stupid non-reasons; force others to be blatantly wrong by not giving them any chance to appear justified in their actions against you. <span style="13px Sylfaen;color:white;background-color:#000000;padding:0 3px 0 3px;">''':)'''&nbsp;·]·&nbsp;]</span> 22:35, 19 June 2013 (UTC)
::::::Well, on the basis that blocks are meant to preventative rather than punitive – which nobody in full possession of their faculties could ever believe – I've no intention of reverting the "et al" nonsense again. What I will promise though is that if certain editors don't get their arses in gear this article will find itself itself at GAR if it's listed in its current state. ] ] 22:41, 19 June 2013 (UTC)


== Great minds think alike == == Great minds think alike ==

Revision as of 22:41, 19 June 2013

"It was reading the ultimate paragraph of this post: that finally convinced me it was time to go, yes, Hans is quite right, I am stuck in a vicious circle and there was no likelihood of things improving."

— Extract from Giano's retirement statement

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2013

Molon labe!

Sharpe, Paley and Austin

Hi Malleus Fatuorum, I gather that you don't like my new comma. Pyrotec (talk) 17:50, 14 May 2013 (UTC)

No, but I hadn't noticed you'd undertaken the review, so rest assured I won't be interfering again. Malleus Fatuorum 18:02, 14 May 2013 (UTC)
Oh "Interfere" as much as you like, its not going to upset my review. I thought I was right about the comma, but I know better than to argue with you over grammar. Its not my strong topic, but it does interest me, as I'm somewhat half-heartedly learning Latin and Castilian Spanish (I prefer Catalan), I tried Norwegian several decades ago, and I see common roots (and "false friends"). Pyrotec (talk) 18:38, 14 May 2013 (UTC)
Blimey, I just scanned through that article and thought of the fabled transport cafe menus. You know the ones:
  • Sausage, egg and chips
  • Sausage and egg
  • Sausage and chips
  • Egg and chips
  • Sausage
  • Egg
  • Chips
Etc. - Sitush (talk) 21:30, 17 May 2013 (UTC)
I could take you to a transport cafe in Wigan that serves a great curry for £3.95, probably more than even you could eat. Malleus Fatuorum 21:44, 17 May 2013 (UTC)
Could? You should! I have a some donated funds that still require disbursement in a social setting. Imagine being sat in a Wigan transport cafe, wearing an "I edit Misplaced Pages" shirt, scoffing a curry and a pint of tea, with the locals and the less-so gawping. What's not to like? Mind, finding the funds to travel a few miles up the motorway might be tricky at the mo - I am back on the list of wasted talent, alas. - Sitush (talk) 00:40, 18 May 2013 (UTC)
Unemployed do you mean? I've been there. Malleus Fatuorum 18:53, 18 May 2013 (UTC)
Yes. I'm almost permanently one of the number, although I had some full-time work over the last three months and thus reduced my deficit to slightly less than that of Greece. Technically, I am self-employed but in reality that means < I would get on the dole & amounts to only a very few hours per week. Idiot disability resettlement officers, or whatever they now call themselves, have much to answer for. Still, look at all the time it gives me to get into arguments about matters Indian. - Sitush (talk) 19:01, 18 May 2013 (UTC)
I was self-employed for more than 15 years after the last time I was made redundant. I had some very good years and some not so good, but overall I was better off than when I was employed. It was hard work though. Eric (talk) 13:12, 19 May 2013 (UTC)
Being able to use the phone and to participate fully in meetings would help but there is no point in carping on about it, so I won't ;) - Sitush (talk) 00:07, 21 May 2013 (UTC)
My brother got meningitis about 20 years ago, which left him completely deaf and blind in one eye, so I know where you're coming from. Eric Corbett 00:23, 21 May 2013 (UTC)

Hello, good evening, and welcome

I'm the bad boy formerly known as Malleus Fatuorum. I asked for a rename because I'd become increasingly uncomfortable about editing pseudonomyously, as I'm quite prepared to stand behind everything I write. Apparently though I've made too many edits for a rename to be possible, so ... I guess now there will be a race to see who can be the first admin to make a block on Malleus stick. Eric Corbett (talk) 21:59, 18 May 2013 (UTC)

Wouldn't it have made more sense to change your real name to MF? After all, you don't need a 'crat to do that.--Bbb23 (talk) 22:12, 18 May 2013 (UTC)
Congratulations!Kiefer.Wolfowitz 22:13, 18 May 2013 (UTC)
Ermmm, Eric please see love and best wishes, Graham. Graham Colm (talk) 22:17, 18 May 2013 (UTC)
@Bbb23 - lmao! Chaosdruid (talk) 12:59, 24 May 2013 (UTC)

Malleus Fatuorum - You have been blocked forever and ever

Malleus Fatuorum, I spent a great deal of time planning for this day, and it is with great pleasure that I do what no other admin has been able to do: I have indef blocked your account in a way that will endure forever, stripped you of all advanced priveleges and removed your IP block exemption. May God have mercy on your soul. Dennis Brown - 2¢ - © - @ - Join WER 22:21, 18 May 2013 (UTC)
  • I hope my fellow admin and editors will forgive me for this endulgance, I just couldn't resist after I blocked the old account for security reasons, at Eric's request. Dennis Brown - 2¢ - © - @ - Join WER 22:36, 18 May 2013 (UTC)
    Thanks Dennis, although anyone who'd want to impersonate me must have a screw loose. Do you get a medal? Eric (talk) 18:10, 19 May 2013 (UTC)
    It has been eerily quiet, perhaps they don't believe it yet, or don't see the humor in it. And I might have given you too many permissions, like File Mover, as I just ticked everything off knowing you could be trusted with them. Ping me if you want them changed. Dennis Brown - 2¢ - © - @ - Join WER 18:51, 19 May 2013 (UTC)
    Why would I want them changed? I want every right it's humanly possible to have. Eric (talk) 19:26, 19 May 2013 (UTC)
    I ran out of boxes to check, so you will have to make due with those for now. :-) I know how frustrating it can be to not have the tools to do very basic stuff that a trusted user should be able to do. Even when I moved your page, I was able to move up to 100 subpages at the same time, including talk and subpages, with one click, something only admin can do. I would gladly trust you with those tools. Had you made the moves by yourself it would have taken an hour to do what I did in a minute. Those are the kinds of tools that you don't use often, but when you need them, you need them. Dennis Brown - 2¢ - © - @ - Join WER 19:35, 19 May 2013 (UTC)
    I'd resigned myself to a boring couple of hours copying stuff over, but as you say the issue is one of trust; you're trusted and I'm not. Eric (talk) 19:40, 19 May 2013 (UTC)
    But we need to get back to work. Apparently I'm some kind of ferret expert according to Wikipediocracy, obviously a man of many talents. And generous with my time and money, which I didn't realise was a crime. Eric (talk) 19:45, 19 May 2013 (UTC)
Let us say an Ave for Malleus the Great and Powerful, long did he reign, and whose fall will be told of in the books of wikilore for millennia to come. Long live the new King Eric!--The Devil's Advocate tlk. cntrb. 22:03, 19 May 2013 (UTC)
The Original Barnstar
For stepping up and putting your money where your mouth is by losing the pseudonym. Boldly done! May you continue to contribute outstanding content and to hammer fools as appropriate (in a site-appropriate manner, of course!) Down with the Cult of Anonymity! —Tim Davenport, Corvallis, Oregon, USA /// Carrite (talk) 00:06, 19 May 2013 (UTC)
It's been on my mind for a while. I was interviewed for an upcoming book on Misplaced Pages last year, and I was asked what I'd prefer to be called should anything I said be included. It just seemed so childish to be referred to as Malleus Fatuorum. Eric Corbett (talk) 00:14, 19 May 2013 (UTC)
Upcoming book? I think I know what a lot of people would prefer to call you and, alas, you can't just turn the hearing-aid off like I do :( If you want to be awkward, change your RL by deed poll (link above, somewhere) and then request that WilliamH & Dennis move things again. Otherwise, just carry on as before, doing what you do and how you do it. The name is not the man, so to speak. - Sitush (talk) 01:54, 19 May 2013 (UTC)
I mastered the art of selective deafness many years ago, and it's stood me in good stead. Eric Corbett (talk) 02:16, 19 May 2013 (UTC)
Eh? - Sitush (talk) 13:48, 19 May 2013 (UTC)
"Upcoming book"? This Eric fellow is clearly an American imposter... "Forthcoming book", surely - "upcoming" is "chiefly U.S.", says the OED. Best wishes for life out in the open, Eric. Bencherlite 09:00, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
Nooooo! My userbox came true!!
MALLEUS FATUORUM
"... just fuck off."
Chaosdruid (talk) 13:02, 24 May 2013 (UTC)

Your signature

Hallo Eric, Have you noticed that there's also a User:Eric, with whom you might be confused if you use your short signature? He's a currently active editor, and someone's already alerted him to your namechange and new sig. PamD 22:16, 19 May 2013 (UTC)

How about EricCo? It is simple and stylish.--The Devil's Advocate tlk. cntrb. 22:42, 19 May 2013 (UTC)
That has bad connotations I won't bore you with. Eric Corbett 22:50, 19 May 2013 (UTC)
  • Two things I did not expect were Malleus changing his username and then colorizing his signature. I must say that I like Dennis's first suggestion above. AutomaticStrikeout  ?  02:18, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
    "£ric" is a real no-no. I wish I could have simply changed my username, but that was impossible apparently. Which gives you some idea about the clunky database design WP is built on. What's bothering me now though is that since this usurpation of the Eric Corbett account I've done bugger all in the way of creating content. Maybe it's haunted and I've made a big mistake? Eric Corbett (talk) 02:35, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
    Strange that you should say that. Every time I click on my watchlist and visit here to check what's going on, I feel a noticeable drop in temperature. As if this was some kind of a 'cold spot' on the wiki. And while reading the various comments, I see - just out of the corner of my eye, too swift to really grasp the words - messages that feel as if they were left for some other user, some other Eric. I asked a friend of mine, Derek - who is an expert in these matters - to read this page, and he said: "Ey, ey, calm down, calm down, I felt something touch me on my shoulder... I felt something hit me... I heard like an 'arrggh'. What's that, Sam? A name beginning with 'E'?" etc. Definitely something strange afoot. That, or you've just been a lazy bastard this weekend. Keri (talk) 03:07, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
    Well, you're just fucking around with colors and cutesey verbiage when you could have written Frans van Eemeren a thousand times. Some of us are giving up their lives for the greater good of the community by running for office, you know, instead of being all "Oh I'm Eric look at me I'm a Viking with green letters oh maybe I'm a Green Knight". So there. As for that email you got too: I chose not to stick too much in there; that the title would have come from Lily is impossible to prove, and our "context" section was long enough already. BTW, EC would be kind of funny (not just because Eric Clapton was God also) since it's CE--copyedit. And ECCE is appropriate now that you're no longer hiding behind that cool Hammer name. Drmies (talk) 04:55, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
    How do you know about the Lily email? Has Ottava been chatting with you as well? I tried running for office myself if you recall, and got slapped down. Eric Corbett (talk) 05:15, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
    We're both addressees there. I really did think about giving more context but figured we had enough; if you think it's of value to the "lunar speculation" section, we can add some, but I thought it best to stick (mostly) to scientific rather than literary speculation though I admit that there is hardly a clear line between the two. Thanks, Drmies (talk) 14:27, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
    Whatever you think is best. I'm very happy with the article as it is, I think we've done a great job. I continue to wish that Ottava was back and able to edit himself. There's just no way I'm going to get Ainsworth sorted out without him. Eric Corbett 14:38, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
Trying to sniff out where Malleus has gone

What a shame the magnificent Malleus Fatuorum, that stupendous Misplaced Pages icon, has been caste aside and laid to rest. RIP. Malleus Fatuorum was not childish in the slightest degree, or alternatively all this stuff is child-like and what's wrong with that? What were you thinking Eric Corbett Esquire. Why not, at least, King Eric? Anyway, you've pulled the rug shielding the illusion. Now we have no hammer of fools, and damn it, we're that much the poorer for it. Still, it's entirely your call :) Best regards. --Epipelagic (talk) 06:47, 20 May 2013 (UTC)

Please let the doggy also sniff for George Ponderevo, whose gentle ways and ability to learn are missed and needed, very much so, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:53, 20 May 2013 (UTC)

Somebody expand Frans H. van Eemeren!! Green signature Eric? Who are you, David Fuchs, Lord of Green writing? ♦ Dr. ☠ Blofeld 08:52, 20 May 2013 (UTC)

Well done Ernst--thanks. I hadn't even seen the redirect with the middle initial in it. The guy really put argumentation theory on the Dutch map, and has an international reputation. Drmies (talk) 14:29, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
Or maybe more in the mould this fearless megalomaniac: Frank Pick? 20.133.0.13 (talk) 10:07, 20 May 2013 (UTC)

How about Eric Corbett as a signature?♦ Dr. ☠ Blofeld 14:53, 20 May 2013 (UTC)

I quite like that. Eric Corbett 15:02, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
Maybe Dr. Blofeld's Eric Corbett (markup) is a bit more stylish!? Cheers, Ihardlythinkso (talk) 06:38, 23 May 2013 (UTC)

I don't like jazzy or over-bright signatures much, but I think a transitional form something like Eric (formerly Malleus Fatuorum) talk Corbett just for a few weeks would help less regular users, internet historians, vindictive but lazy admins etc. Johnbod (talk) 19:35, 20 May 2013 (UTC)

It would, but I guess the experience to be treated like a newbie (by bot and others) is an enlightening experiment worth pursuing further ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:37, 23 May 2013 (UTC)

FAC review?

Hi Eric. I gather you're probably pretty busy, but I have an article that is at FAC at present and I was wondering if you had some time if you could take a look over it and let me know what you think? I know this your area of expertise (and definitely not mine :-)). The FAC is at Misplaced Pages:Featured article candidates/Martha Logan/archive1, if you're too busy I understand. Regards, Steven Zhang 05:28, 20 May 2013 (UTC)

I'm afraid that's a long way from being an FA Steven. Eric Corbett 14:33, 20 May 2013 (UTC)

May 2013

Hello, and welcome to Misplaced Pages. This is a message letting you know that one of your recent edits to Middle Ages has been undone by an automated computer program called ClueBot NG.

The bot is an idiot. Ealdgyth - Talk 16:50, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
Cluebot NG blocked 24 hours for incivility and personal attacks. Newyorkbrad (talk) 17:05, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
I don't understand what I'm supposed to have done wrong. Vandalism? What the Hell is that all about? I've never vandalised any article, and I certainly wouldn't have started with this one; I was simply responding to a point raised at the FAC. Eric Corbett 17:11, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
My guess is new user (account) making style changes on a good article. Was it reported as a false positive? --kelapstick 17:24, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
You may be right, I'd forgotten that I was a newbie. Eric Corbett 17:29, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
I bet you are correct, Kelapstick. You have to pardon me if I find this whole event rather comical, in a cosmic sort of way. Dennis Brown - 2¢ - © - @ - Join WER 17:29, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
If it wasn't before, it is now. --kelapstick 17:36, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
It's certainly interesting to see how new users are treated, even when they're only trying to be helpful. Eric Corbett 17:38, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
Perhaps for a while you will be able to point to WP:BITE should any "difficulties" arise. - Sitush (talk) 17:40, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
Do you think I'd get away with that? What I find quite curious is that since my renaming I've only made 64 edits, and hardly any to article space. There's something going on in my head that even I don't understand. On the other hand my book on the Sunbeam Tiger arrived today, so hopefully it'll soon be business as usual. Eric Corbett 17:51, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
Can't think why but I am reminded of a Kenny Everett skit with the two Welsh Miners, and one says to the other, "Is Elton John his real name?", to which the other replies, "Is Elton John whose real name?" Casliber (talk · contribs) 20:08, 20 May 2013 (UTC)
The change that was reverted looks like a change commonly made by vandals, if your edit count had been higher then it would have likely not been reverted. Due to the nature of the ANN - as explained on the bot's user page - false positives such as this are inevitable, the only way to improve accuracy is to report the false positives which we can use to train the bot. The bot's accuracy was approved by the BAG, after being tuned down a little to reduce the false positive rate. Try not to take it too personally, the time spent debating changes such as this could be spent on reviewing edits. - Damian Zaremba 21:12, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
I'm sorry Damian, but I'm forced to the conclusion that with a comment like "Try not to take it too personally, the time spent debating changes such as this could be spent on reviewing edits" you're only here to try and wind me up. Eric Corbett 21:20, 22 May 2013 (UTC)

Self-centred Self-congratulatory NOnsense

That's eNOUGH — Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.149.120.91 (talk) 21:28, 20 May 2013 (UTC)

Enough of what asshole? Eric Corbett 21:35, 20 May 2013 (UTC)

Please stop attacking other editors. If you continue, you may be blocked from editing Misplaced Pages. "I think you should have asked for a larger T-shirt. ;-)" Look, I intend to lose some weight this summer. These personal attacks are NOT helping. Drmies (talk) 00:21, 21 May 2013 (UTC)

I'd just go for the larger T-shirt, much easier. Eric Corbett 00:26, 21 May 2013 (UTC)
You sound so much like my wife, it's not even funny. Which reminds me--I think you've seen the German frontispiece I added to TMitM. That book has the German one as well, but adding that is overdoing it, isn't it. Or does the French one have a greater claim, since the German translation is based on it? Drmies (talk) 00:40, 21 May 2013 (UTC)
I think the frontispiece you added looks great. Eric Corbett 00:52, 21 May 2013 (UTC)

By Jove...

I think we've (almost) got it. (crosses fingers). Ealdgyth - Talk 02:37, 21 May 2013 (UTC)

Whenever you have time

Whenever you have time, would greatly appreciate further input on the story. Thanks, and regards,--Dwaipayan (talk) 04:14, 21 May 2013 (UTC)

comment

"Sometimes adults need to be allowed to disagree. Eric Corbett 22:58, 21 May 2013 (UTC)"

👍 Like
Still getting used to the real name thing though.
I'm wondering if you had any thoughts on this essay if you had a moment. It's not an article, and only a very first draft - but I'd be interested in your views since it is slightly related to what you recently posted. — Ched :  ?  00:03, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
Great comment, very decent signature (much better for the colour-blind). I decorated my talk and user for Wagner's birthday, mostly black-and-white. I know you hate opera, - so did Wagner, he termed his works differently, for the drama ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 11:00, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
Sorry to butt in, but that's one of my favorite Wagner eccentricities: When someone referred in his presence to one of his compositions as "opera", he would sneer, "My work is not opera, that's an Italian word." He thought of his work as combining all the arts -- musical, dramatic, visual, etc. -- into one all-encompassing artistic entity. But all opera does that, of course. Wagner was a bigot and a repugnant man, but he wrote magnificent music. DoctorJoeE /talk to me! 15:12, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
It's curious that opera is now considered to be high art, when in Henry Fielding's time it was considered a low-brow intruder. Here's a nice quote from The Author's Farce: "In particular, Fielding mocks how contemporary audiences favoured Italian opera". Eric Corbett 16:20, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
There's a description somewhere, maybe a Flaubert novel, of the scene at a Verdi-era opera, where audience members are chatting during the arias, and hawkers are working the aisles selling snacks. "Hey, peanuts here! Get yer peanuts!" Can you imagine that at the Met? The first thing you notice (or at least that I noticed) at the Opera Garnier is how little of the interior space is the actual performance space -- most of it is hallways and lounges surrounding the theatre itself. In those days people went to the opera to network and to schmooze and to be seen -- the opera itself was a distraction. DoctorJoeE /talk to me! 18:14, 22 May 2013 (UTC)

This is your last warning. If you vandalize Misplaced Pages again, as you did at Hengistbury Head, you may be blocked from editing without further notice.
Your edits have been automatically marked as vandalism and have been automatically reverted. The following is the log entry regarding this vandalism: Hengistbury Head was changed by Eric Corbett (u) (t) ANN scored at 0.945221 on 2013-05-22T18:14:57+00:00 . Thank you. ClueBot NG (talk) 18:15, 22 May 2013 (UTC)

I think it's more likely to be you that's blocked from editing without further notice ClueBot. It's outrageous to be accused of vandalism twice in the space of two days. Eric Corbett 18:19, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
I've warned the bot and pinged the operators here, as well as filing the report here. Hopefully it will quit bothering you now. — Ched :  ?  20:02, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
Thanks Ched. It may quit bothering me, but how many other new editors has it chased away in the past, and will chase away in the future? I'm curious as to what exactly it was that triggered these accusations of vandalism, and if the bot operators can't come up with a plausible explanation then I think it should be blocked until they can. Eric Corbett 20:07, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
Good point. I haven't had much time to spend on wikipedia lately, but will drop a note for others to keep an eye on it at AN. Cobi hasn't edited since the 6th, and Crispy since Feb. - so perhaps one of the other admins can try to fix it. I'm not familiar with bot coding myself, but agree this could be a problem that needs looked at. — Ched :  ?  20:11, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
I could probably fix it myself:
if username=="Eric Corbett" putYourGunsAwayAndWalkBackSlowly();
Eric Corbett 20:19, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
(edit conflict) AN Notice if you're interested in following along. I know you usually like to avoid those cesspools, but it's there if you want to look in to see what's happening with it. — Ched :  ?  20:22, 22 May 2013 (UTC) ... OK ... I literally did LOL at that. :D — Ched :  ?  20:22, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
Came here from ClueBot Commons - this is indeed worrying, and I'm really sorry the bot did this. Up to now it's been extremely reliable and effective. It's trained based on human evaluations of sample edits, so what's gone wrong is less than obvious. I hope its masters resurface soon. Yngvadottir (talk) 20:28, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
It's a very good example of one of the problem with these bots. Is Crispy the only one who knows how it works, as he appears to be? Eric Corbett 20:32, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
I believe either of the two of them ... I was just checking its last pageful of edits and see it's now been blocked by Ched. So now we wait for them to turn up. However, I didn't find anything wrong with those I checked. Yngvadottir (talk) 20:39, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
I can see it needs to be fixed, but it does revert a massive amount of vandalism, so it would probably be best to keep it running.--Gilderien Chat|List of good deeds 20:43, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
What's often misunderstood is that NG is based on a neural network machine learning process which is entirely data-driven, so if age of account has been learned as a useful predictor of the likelihood of vandalism, it's not the operators or the bot itself who are to blame. This is undeniably a strange boundary condition, and the bot is approved to run at a set specificity with a permissible number of false positives such as these. Disclaimer: interested bystander not involved in NG development Jebus989 20:46, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
Yes exactly, it learns based on human evaluations of a data set, so it's hard to figure out what triggered it. I have joined the recommended IRC channel and looked in vain for either of the operators, and have e-mailed Cobi (probably about no. 20 to do so). Yngvadottir (talk) 20:51, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
The problem with neural networks is that once they're trained nobody knows how they work. And if ClueBot is making a habit of these sorts of warnings then it needs to be blocked until it's retrained. Eric Corbett 20:56, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
(edit conflict) Incidentally I did try to contact the devs regarding trying a new machine learning method some time ago, regardless it has a known FP rate which has been deemed acceptable by BAG, and two warnings for this account (while an unfortunate oddity) really shouldn't stop the bot reverting so much legitimate vandalism all over the project. It's not making a habit (to my knowledge), as brand new accounts wouldn't make a habit of making such large diffs (e.g 1) or inserting effectively a short random string (e.g. 2 w/ typo in nbsp). My point above was that if new accounts are treated with additional suspicion, it's borne out of real editing data rather than an (e.g.) operator's preconceptions Jebus989 21:08, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
Let's look at it another way. It's hardly my fault that this account is considered to be new, that's simply an artefact of the software design, yet another way of punishing those who contribute too much to Misplaced Pages. What's the next warning from ClueBot going to be? "I have now indefinitely blocked you for continued vandalism"? Eric Corbett 21:15, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
Of course you're not personally to blame for a classifier with <100% accuracy, and if an admin blocked this account following an AIV report from Cluebot (without even looking here) it would be the admin who was at fault Jebus989 21:40, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
I reached someone on IRC, who will be by to explain what happened after he gets it completely figured out. Apparently Drmies' joke Level 3 warning caused the bot to escalate to Level 4. Gah. Just imagine how much added fun we will all have after they replace our talkpages with FaceBook talk pages? Back to check on things after I deal with some offline stuff. Yngvadottir (talk) 21:28, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
I had a momentary lapse. — Ched :  ?  21:29, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
But why did I get the initial level 1 warning Yngvadottir? Eric Corbett 21:51, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
Apparently because you went through and changed four-digit numbers to two-digit, something which frequently happens when vandals try to subtely edit data to make it wrong.--Gilderien Chat|List of good deeds 21:57, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
I was simply trying to make the article conform to the MoS in date ranges, something I've done in many other articles and hardly vandalism, so there's more to it than that. Eric Corbett 22:09, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
All of this is why we should take extra care in trusting bots to deliver messages to the real people who actually exist behind the keyboard. I find it slightly surreal that Eric, who probably holds the record for the greatest number of undeserved warnings and blocks, now finds that he's being victimised by a bot as well. Tells you something about how this place writes bots. --RexxS (talk) 22:11, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
And to add insult to injury the toolserver database is apparently corrupted, so I'll continue to get these stupid vandalism warnings. Seems like I'm doomed to be a permanent newbie. Eric Corbett 22:16, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
Even the bots conspire against you, Eric. ~ DanielTom (talk) 23:32, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
I should probably take the hint. Eric Corbett 23:34, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
(edit conflict)I know, although that's the first I'd heard of that's being preferred form under MOS (yet another MOS thing I hadn't known about). There's also the issue of lack of header for the second warning; and Cobi has appeared and has indeed pointed out a problem with the Toolserver database; unfortunately that doesn't surprise me in the least, the WMF have effectively pulled the plug on that and it's intermittently FUBAR'd. However, I am not a technie. DamienZaremba, above, is the chap who was nice enough to respond to my Kermit flail in the IRC chan. I must now go to bed. Once more, Eric, I'm really sorry this happened and I do appreciate how it would strike a real newbie. I've also pointed out on IRC that it's dangerous to assume dynamic IPs, for example, won't make edits like those two. However, ClueBot is generally a valued colleague and I haven't found any other bad reverts he made in a pageful. I hope whatever caused this can get fixed. Yngvadottir (talk) 22:19, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
Ched has my total support on this. Cluebot is clueless. Let's see, Eric makes a typo, bot is unattended and making bad postings/warnings, Ched blocks bot, and Snowolfie rants on Ched? Going over to Snowolfie's page... PumpkinSky talk 23:16, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
ClueBot certainly isn't the wonderful tool that some appear to believe it is, and I don't for one minute buy the "broken toolserver database" explanation. Like every neural network, it can learn duff stuff, but nobody can tell, because nobody knows what it's learned and why. Eric Corbett 23:25, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
  • It would be nice to know which articles ClueBot is going to allow me to edit, and what types of edits I'm allowed to make. Do I have to avoid all current and past FA and GA nominations for instance, which is what it currently seems like? Would I get accused of vandalism again if I undertook a GA review? Eric Corbett 23:52, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
  • Well . . . if you're doing a GA review . . . and the doorbell rings . . . and it's a guy named "Smith" . . . wearing a black suit and very dark shades, with a wire coming out of his ear . . . duck. DoctorJoeE /talk to me! 01:03, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
"the 💕 that anyone can edit" - not the first time it seems promising too much ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 00:05, 23 May 2013 (UTC)

And all for the sake of a typo. Sheesh. I'm NEVER changing my username if that's the situation! Montanabw 01:08, 23 May 2013 (UTC)

You're not me, I've never been welcome here is the truth, and have never been a Wikipedian according to ArbCom. Added to which I'm not female or even American. And to add to that I'm a Caucasian. Who needs them here? Got plenty of them already. Eric Corbett 01:34, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
Well, don't tell anyone (my self-disclosure on-wiki is limited) but I'm all of the above but frequently feel the same way you do. Why I've managed to duck a block probably speaks to the reality that I've never tried an RfA and I try to confine myself to drive-bys on the drahmahz boards. However, if I keep working on it, this project might raise the kind of ire that you know so well. (Feel free to pitch in and comment, btw, it's a sandbox invite). Montanabw 20:30, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
Just wanted to add that I don't care whether I'm welcome here or not. I'll leave when I decide to leave, not some damn bot or its admin lackeys. Eric Corbett 01:43, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
Bravo, well said!PumpkinSky talk 02:03, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
Well, the explanation about moving the page and all the "warnings" (when compared to how few edits you had with the new account) do make sense. It still sucks to get thumped by a bot, but I feel better that it probably isn't all that common. We need to get back to putting the final polish on Sunbeam Tiger. Dennis Brown - 2¢ - © - @ - Join WER 02:05, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
I don't find the explanation convincing; the bot can't find me, but it can trawl through talk pages? And given how active and hated Malleus was I can obviously look forward to a lot more warnings from ClueBot. But I'll let that pass for now. I think we're fine for GA with the Tiger, but we've still got work to do for FA. My Tiger book has arrived, but I haven't read it yet. Eric Corbett 03:47, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
And I understand the skepticism, but bots are incredibly dumb things that just read words without understanding them. People program them for the obvious problems and the obvious exceptions, not for unusual circumstances, so it is at least plausible, and it does make sense to me. There are plenty of eyes on it now. Which book on the Tiger did you get? There aren't that many to choose from. Dennis Brown - 2¢ - © - @ - Join WER 10:36, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
Robson's Sunbeam Alpine and Tiger: The Complete Story. Eric Corbett 13:11, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
Having had a chance to look through Robson's book now I'm very confident that we can get the Tiger article up to a good FAC standard. Whether it would pass or not who can tell, but I'm sure we can give it a bloody good shot. Eric Corbett 17:21, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
I will clear my calender for the event. This has been the most heavily researched project I've worked on, and think you've done a marvelous job on it. I'm just glad I could support the effort. Dennis Brown - 2¢ - © - @ - Join WER 17:23, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
It's a strange car in some ways. The early version handled like a dog, Chrysler hated it because it used a Ford engine and gearbox, yet there are so many of them still around and people seem to love them judging by the prices they go for. Weird. Hopefully we'll get a GA reviewer soon. I want to make this the best car article on Misplaced Pages. Eric Corbett 17:34, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
I'm still not entirely happy with our coverage of Lord Rootes' involvement, or the impact Chrysler had, or the Tiger's rallying success, but we're definitely getting there. If we haven't attracted a GA reviewer by the time I've added something on that then I suggest we take it straight to FAC. What say you? Eric Corbett 18:07, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
As I have no experience with FA, I say sure ;-) I should be able to spend some time this weekend, taking 4 days off. I think what attracts me to the car is that it appears to be an engine and wheels with just enough sheetmetal around it to legally call it a car. Dangerously fun to drive at the limits. Hot Rod did an article where they shoehorned in a 427 into an Alpine, making a one off Tiger III, something that might have actually happened if not for Chrysler and the economy. 200 hp was almost too much for the Tiger II, I can't imagine over 400 hp. You would have to wear a diaper to drive that thing. Dennis Brown - 2¢ - © - @ - Join WER 20:36, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
It's a Bank Holiday over here this weekend, so I've got a few things on. Plus I'm already up to my limit of permitted FAC nominations with Middle Ages and The Man in the Moone, so hopefully some time later next week. Eric Corbett 20:43, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
Memorial Day here Monday, the official start of summer. I'm willing to put everything else on the backburner and put this front and center during the process. I have much to learn, so I wouldn't consider it a sacrifice. Dennis Brown - 2¢ - © - @ - Join WER 20:52, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
FAC isn't as bad as some people make out, so long as you go there properly prepared. And we will. But I'm only allowed two nominations at a time anyway. So even if we were ready we'd have to wait. And who knows, maybe in the interim we'll get that GA review. Eric Corbett 21:09, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
Its never bad if you get Eric to copyedit for you. He's a god at that sort of thing. (Speaking of, now that I've buttered you up, there's two little comments I'm not qualified to deal with on MA's FAC. And I think Norman conquest of England's about ready to go for FAC when/if MA ever finishes. I finished up the bare bones of Battle of Hastings last night... now to expand it a bit for GA...Ealdgyth - Talk 21:54, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
I'm looking through the one about "Middle Ages was" as opposed to "Middle Ages were". Is there anything else I should be looking at? I look forward to seeing the conquest article at FAC; that's just about the most important event in our history. Eric Corbett 22:14, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
And I'm beginning to lose hope that the MA review will ever end. What on Earth did you think you were doing? Eric Corbett 22:57, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
Silly me, I tried to improve the encyclopedia. Us stupid content builders will never learn, will we? Ealdgyth - Talk 23:09, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
Well, I'm in no rush, I'm playing the role of Tonto for this article, you've been on the lead since day one so I have no problem working with your time table. Dennis Brown - 2¢ - © - @ - Join WER 22:21, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
I'm only allowed two nominations at a time. I don't think we're quite there yet anyway, but we will be in a week or so. Strangely enough, for a new user I'm building up a backlog of potential FAC nominations, but maybe that's quite normal. Eric Corbett 22:38, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
Yeah, it's no big deal. Any idiot can write an FA class article. ;-) Dennis Brown - 2¢ - © - @ - Join WER 23:10, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
I'm led to believe that we idiots are easily replaceable units of work. Unlike admins of course, who are god-like and irreplaceable. Eric Corbett 23:18, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
There are idiots and there are planks, per the section below. My welcome message should have said "Welcome a-board Misplaced Pages ..." BTW The Plank still rates as one of my favourite films - no subtitles! - Sitush (talk) 23:32, 23 May 2013 (UTC)

Well known - adjectival

Grammar query: would a person be well known or well-known? Are you aware of any differences in treatment between US/UK English? I favour the latter but I am well-known for being wrong. - Sitush (talk) 23:09, 23 May 2013 (UTC)

It depends on the context. For instance, in your example "I am well-known for being wrong" there should be be no hyphen, as there's no following noun. And there's no US/UK English difference, just planks and those who know what they're talking about. Eric Corbett 23:22, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
Wow. So, it would be a well-known car or a well-known person but well known for? - Sitush (talk) 23:25, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
Exactly. The purpose of hyphens is to avoid ambiguity; if there's no following noun there can be no ambiguity. Consider "a well known doctor" for instance. Was the doctor in good health or was he known to be a doctor? Eric Corbett 23:30, 23 May 2013 (UTC)
Got it, thanks. I asked because someone is using AWB at the moment and is removing hyphens. I'm uncertain whether AWB/RegEx is sufficiently clever to determine whether the subsequent word is a noun or otherwise but, hey, there will be no more cock-ups on my part. - Sitush (talk) 23:37, 23 May 2013 (UTC)

Strong objection to your change of username

Dear Mr Corbett,
I write to most strongly protest your recent change of username.
This change has resulted a significant loss of smugness for those of us who are familiar with the Malleus Maleficarum and the Narrenschiff and were able to immediately recognise your previous username's meaning in Latin and be all smarty-pants about it.
I am sure that I am not teh only Misplaced Pages editor of this opinion, and would invite other users to comment.
Yours faithfully, Peter in Australia aka --Shirt58 (talk) 11:29, 24 May 2013 (UTC)

I love to talk to you, Eric, rather than to some Latin monument, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 11:37, 24 May 2013 (UTC)
ps: it's all my fault, I was asked, see the exchange of thoughts with "balls still in place?" --Gerda Arendt (talk) 11:43, 24 May 2013 (UTC)
Hello dearest Gerda
Q: How did the Rhinemaidens breathe under water?
A: They had Aqua-Nibelungs!
--Shirt58 (talk) 12:31, 24 May 2013 (UTC)
bzzt: Eric hates opera. (Or I would have pointed more to my Wagner special, hojotoho-o., or should I rather match the Q/A: weialeia... - "I won't translate it because it doesn't mean anything.", same source: "Mr. and Mrs. Wotan have an argument.") --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:00, 24 May 2013 (UTC)
Wagner apparently hated opera as well interestingly. Eric Corbett 14:05, 24 May 2013 (UTC)
Exactly, you got it. Not Misplaced Pages, the sources call them operas, never mind what the composer says, - my latest "work" has a title about defiance and faintheartedness, much more defiance in the music, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:01, 25 May 2013 (UTC)

Wow - no wonder ppl don't want to help on the main page

Guess it's my turn now MF has gone ... Talk:Main_Page#Who_let_this_grammatical_atrocity_onto_the_main_page.3F Chaosdruid (talk) 13:16, 24 May 2013 (UTC)

And now ... Wikipedia_talk:Picture_of_the_day#You_really_need_to_address_this_sort_of_behaviour

Oh dear, never mind. Keep Editing and Carry On. Chaosdruid (talk) 13:24, 24 May 2013 (UTC)
Believe me, MF hasn't gone. I'm the same grumpy short-tempered editor I've always been. Eric Corbett 14:04, 24 May 2013 (UTC)
Grumpy and short-tempered some may consider you to be. Have you ever considered "cherished"? Probably not because that could seem a bit narcissistic . But do think about it, and remember that wikimeet. Which we must do again some time, whether formally or otherwise. - Sitush (talk) 00:32, 26 May 2013 (UTC)
I think people were just surprised I didn't have horns, a pointed tail, and cloven hooves. ;-) Eric Corbett 00:39, 26 May 2013 (UTC)
You didn't? Oh, then either the beer had disrupted my vision or Richerman was in fancy dress ... This is a randomised test to see how well Echo works.- Sitush (talk) 00:44, 26 May 2013 (UTC)
Fancy dress? - I always look like that. Richerman (talk) 00:23, 27 May 2013 (UTC)
Please to see that Echo may possibly be doing its stuff. I've been in the Eagle today. They've introduced posters about offers etc, pinned below the bar. I noticed when I accidentally caught my ankle on one, and then I thought that, well, it's bloody pointless putting them so far below eye-level. Then I thought of Mr Richerman and a Wetherspoon's pub in Manchester: they're about the right height for someone who has fallen over ... - Sitush (talk) 00:38, 27 May 2013 (UTC)

And, just when I thought it was all over and done with (as the conversation was closed 2 days ago) ... User_talk:Chaosdruid#Personal_attacks_and_incivility

So, once more, Keep Editing and Carry On I suppose :¬( Chaosdruid (talk) 03:23, 27 May 2013 (UTC)

Wheewww...

Yay! Ealdgyth - Talk 13:51, 25 May 2013 (UTC)

You two worked miracles in the era, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:56, 25 May 2013 (UTC)
Ealdgyth did an amazing job on that. Unbelievable really. Eric Corbett 15:47, 25 May 2013 (UTC)
Yes, but Ealdgyth is the prime mover for sure. Another one disproving that big topics can't get FA. Johnbod (talk) 17:58, 25 May 2013 (UTC)
I will say that any motivation I had to get Crusades up to GA, much less FA, status is gone. Just doing the work I did on it burned me out on the Crusades... blech. Back to Normans for me! (I may start fiddling with History of Europe sometime ... if I'm feeling mascochistic.) Ealdgyth - Talk 00:42, 26 May 2013 (UTC)
Count me out on the history of Europe. I'm brave, but not that brave. Eric Corbett 19:47, 26 May 2013 (UTC)
Big 'uns are alot of fun and a real epic ride, but one can only do one every so often. Well done all. Casliber (talk · contribs) 19:57, 26 May 2013 (UTC)

You are a Golden Editor!

Good as gold!
Hi, Eric. I'm somewhat surprised that I find myself making this edit, given the fact that we really didn't get along well at all back when you were Malleus. Among regular contributors who take part in the behind-the-scenes community, you may very well be the most polarizing editor around. You have certainly seen your share of memorably forgettable moments, and have occasionally left others, myself included, practically seething. In spite of this, you will remain an asset to the encyclopedia, perhaps long after you are gone, through your remarkable work in mainspace. Even while I was typing up this post, I imagine that multiple readers, perhaps in multiple countries around the world, were reading something that you wrote in one of our articles and perhaps finding information that they seriously needed. Furthermore, it cannot be doubted that you have been a helpful collaborator to many of your fellow Wikipedians during the years. You have a large working knowledge of Misplaced Pages and it is a great help when you share it. While it may not be without controversy, I have decided that it is appropriate to present you with the Golden Editor Award, the opinion of ClueBot NG notwithstanding. Regards, AutomaticStrikeout  ?  00:10, 26 May 2013 (UTC) P.S. I like your new signature.
Why, thank you very much. In a few days time people all over the world be able to learn who it was really started the modern Olympics. Eric Corbett 00:27, 26 May 2013 (UTC)
It is amazing how much information there is in the world. AutomaticStrikeout  ?  00:30, 26 May 2013 (UTC)
Yeah- I've just found out Matisse may have been a (male) minor American novelist. Weird. --Randy from Boise (talk) 19:34, 26 May 2013 (UTC)
If true that is indeed weird, frighteningly so. Eric Corbett 19:45, 26 May 2013 (UTC)
(edit conflict) Congratulations!--My76Strat (talk) 19:51, 26 May 2013 (UTC)
  • If you believe only what others say, then it is easy to dislike Eric. If you actually get to know him and work with him, then it is easy to respect him. It is no more complicated than that. Both choices are just that, choices by the observer. Dennis Brown - 2¢ - © - @ - Join WER 19:48, 26 May 2013 (UTC)
    I'm probably just an anomaly: one of Wipikedia's most helpful yet despised editors. It's a strange old world. But to be fair, I don't take prisoners. Eric Corbett 19:54, 26 May 2013 (UTC)
  • A simpler description might be one who does not suffer fools gladly. My dad used to tell me to seek out such people, because when they offer an opinion, you never have to wonder if it's an honest one. DoctorJoeE /talk to me! 18:12, 28 May 2013 (UTC)
  • Yeah, that sums it up for me. From my own experience, if you're here to write and improve articles, Eric's a good guy to have around. I find it very telling that those he has little time for seem to be regulars who are obsessed with this place - I can't think of anyone who's actually left Misplaced Pages because of him (though I dare say I'm wrong). One has to wonder, given recent discussions about "like" and "thanks" buttons is ... will Eric get a "fuck you, asshole" button? Ritchie333 16:23, 29 May 2013 (UTC)
    It must be coming up for six months since I was last blocked; I think the admins must be getting soft around here. Eric Corbett 17:12, 29 May 2013 (UTC)

Thanks, and an apology

Hello Eric,

Last year, you were kind enough to offer a list of suggestions about Harry Yount to help me improve the article in preparation for a Good article review. The suggestions were excellent, and my apology to you is for procrastinating. But I've done what you recommended, and have also had User: Rosiestep offer some thoughts. I've finally nominated the article, and want to thank you again. Cullen Let's discuss it 06:28, 27 May 2013 (UTC)

Ah yes, I remember Harry. I can't see you having too many problems at GAN with that. Eric Corbett 17:33, 29 May 2013 (UTC)
Thanks as well for the recent copy editing. Harry Yount made Good Article today. Cullen Let's discuss it 03:39, 3 June 2013 (UTC)

Two helps?

Eric, I wonder if I can request your copyediting skills again. List of works by Sharpe and Paley is grinding along at FLC. The lead has been almost completely rewritten and "The prose quality has deteriorated somewhat". Now there's a surprise! The other, associated, article on which I have spent some time is Edward Graham Paley. Is it worth a go at GAN? If so, would you be willing to have a go at improving the text, and making any comments? Thanks. --Peter I. Vardy (talk) 09:16, 28 May 2013 (UTC)

Sure, but maybe not until this evening as I'm trying to finish off the Sunbeam Tiger and I'm into my flow on that now. Is the FLC copyedit urgent do you think? Eric Corbett 10:00, 28 May 2013 (UTC)
Not at all urgent. When you can fit it in. Just grateful for your help and advice. I've a few jobs to do on the article, anyway. Cheers. --Peter I. Vardy (talk) 10:45, 28 May 2013 (UTC)
The first paragraph of that Sharpe and Paley list was a bit of a dog's dinner, but the rest wasn't too bad. Just one question; are you considering "practice" to be a singular or plural noun? You've got "Sharpe formally withdrew from the practice in 1851, although it continued to trade as Sharpe and Paley until 1856" along with "Most of the practice's ecclesiastical work was for the Church of England, but they also designed a new Roman Catholic church, St Mary, Yealand Conyers". Eric Corbett 17:17, 29 May 2013 (UTC)
I've suggested a fix for that, but if you don't like it you know what you can do. Eric Corbett 23:42, 29 May 2013 (UTC)
I'll take a look at Edward Graham Paley later and get back to you. Eric Corbett 17:19, 29 May 2013 (UTC)

GA

Should you update your GA with your current signature/account at the list and on the page, as someone might be reluctant to review an article for a "blocked" editor? Dennis Brown - 2¢ - © - @ - Join WER 17:31, 28 May 2013 (UTC)

I think you gave me too much credit at FA, kemosabe, but that was a nice and inviting nomination. Kudos. Dennis Brown / 2¢ / © / @ / Join WER 00:34, 29 May 2013 (UTC)

I don't care who gets the credit, I only care about the end result. Eric Corbett 01:46, 29 May 2013 (UTC)
I'm rather pleased that it has drawn attention so quickly. Assuming it passes soon, how do we get this in line for the front page? Dennis Brown / 2¢ / © / @ / Join WER 18:23, 29 May 2013 (UTC)
WP:TFAR, but we've got a way to go yet. Eric Corbett 18:27, 29 May 2013 (UTC)
Dennis, if it were me then I'd settle for the FA. That is the kudos here on WP: basically, a detailed peer review that involves anyone who wants to get involved but invariably includes some who really can be pedantic intense in ensuring that it meets the grade. Sooner or later it will appear on the front page. You might wait a long time or you might not but, hey, its the article that counts and the front page stuff is just a bonus for those who invested the time in it. James Tod was on the front page a few months ago and the first I knew about it was when I got the notification. It is an obscure topic, I hadn't asked for the appearance or even mentioned it elsewhere and, tbh, it freaked the heck out of me because the thing had been so contentious. But I stand by it being a pretty comprehensive article, reasonably well written and compliant with policy: that's all that really matters because it means that it has served/is serving the purpose for which we are all here. (And Tod still needs work, FA or no FA, and Eric would probably find numerous problematic issues in it.) - Sitush (talk) 23:28, 29 May 2013 (UTC)
I can find issues in any article Sitush, but it doesn't mean they're not good articles, just not perfect. I've got a TFA of my own coming up on Friday, should be interesting. The last few haven't been so bad to be honest. Eric Corbett 23:40, 29 May 2013 (UTC)
Wohlzutun und mitzuteilen vergesset nicht ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 23:46, 29 May 2013 (UTC)
The closer you get to perfection, the further away it seems to be. Well, that's my real life experience, anyway. - Sitush (talk) 23:48, 29 May 2013 (UTC)
My experience is that as you get older you begin to realise how much you don't know. And as for Gerda, I love a challenge. I just hope she's wearing her aluminium brain protector. Eric Corbett 23:51, 29 May 2013 (UTC)
"But to do good and to communicate forget not." It's a quote from the article that will go to the Main page on Sunday, DYK. Have a look. - Please explain the protector, then I will have more challenges. George knows that I promised an article ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:16, 30 May 2013 (UTC)
Don't you have tin foil hats in Germany? Eric Corbett 14:12, 30 May 2013 (UTC)
  • Sitush, when I became an admin, I promised myself that I would learn how to write quality articles, knowing my quantity would go down. I had one DYK in over 5 years. In the year since, I've had 3 more DYKs, two GAs, and I'm close to my first FA (thanks to a great teacher). It is about a promise I made to myself, for my own reasons, and is more a personal goal than how it looks to others. I'm not inclined to settle. ;-) Dennis Brown / 2¢ / © / @ / Join WER 00:00, 30 May 2013 (UTC)
    You're making me nervous Dennis. FAC is a tough gig, and we've only just started. All it takes to derail us is someone popping out of the woodwork asking why we haven't mentioned the single most important event in the history of the Sunbeam Tiger. Eric Corbett 00:07, 30 May 2013 (UTC)
No need to be nervous, I'm a patient man and haven't attached my goals to any one article or exact time scale. This is the best article I've been associated with, however, making it an excellent candidate. I would be surprised if someone found anything major that we haven't already run across. You came in familiar, I came in blind, we both dug deep and independently. Dennis Brown / 2¢ / © / @ / Join WER 00:20, 30 May 2013 (UTC)
I'd be surprised as well, but we need reviewers. I doubt it's a topic likely to appeal to women for instance, although I'm quite certain my wife would have loved one. She used to scream down the M6 in her MGB; God knows what she'd have done if she'd been driving a Tiger. Eric Corbett 00:38, 30 May 2013 (UTC)
I'm sure Mrs.Dr. Corbett would have done fine. I read somewhere that the Tiger "is really only as fierce as a pussy cat. A woman would find it easy to control." ;-) Dennis Brown / 2¢ / © / @ / Join WER 00:52, 30 May 2013 (UTC)
A comment like that is just designed to wind her up: it's Dr Corbett. She absolutely hates being called Mrs, which I sometimes think is the only reason she embarked on her PhD. Eric Corbett 01:01, 30 May 2013 (UTC)
I've corrected myself above. Extend my apologize, please. That quote is sexist yet innocent. It gives us a window into this less enlightened era in a very concise way, which is why I like it. Of course, if you printed in a magazine today, you would be rightfully scolded. Dennis Brown / 2¢ / © / @ / Join WER 01:15, 30 May 2013 (UTC)
It's not the quote she'd take offence at. She'd just find that mildly amusing, as I'm sure most women would these days. It's being called Mrs that really causes her hackles to rise. But if you think back to the time when an invitation such as "Mr and Mrs Eric Corbett" was acceptable I think you can see where she's coming from. Eric Corbett 01:26, 30 May 2013 (UTC)
No cars don't appeal to me at all, I can't even remember the registration of mine. I worked with a woman who didn't change her name when she married and was addressed as "Miss" for the entire time I knew her, still is I expect. I don't mind being a Mrs, I've been called worse things by four year olds. J3Mrs (talk) 08:41, 30 May 2013 (UTC)
When I married 20 years ago, I made it perfectly clear to Mrs. Brown that she wasn't required to be Mrs. Brown and could keep her former name or a hyphenated version, or any name she chose, and meant it. She chose Mrs. Brown. The Mrs. part doesn't define her, but she sees it as part of who she is. She was actually better known than I was, so more often than not, they called her by her first name and I was simply referred to as her husband, so I got a little taste from the other side. I adored my wife and still do, so it doesn't bother me greatly. Dennis Brown / 2¢ / © / @ / Join WER 13:18, 30 May 2013 (UTC)
Rather similar situation with us. My wife had published loads of scientific papers under her maiden name, so initially chose to keep it after we got married. Even now though when somebody who doesn't know us asks for Dr Corbett they usually assume that being male I'm the Dr, not her. Eric Corbett 13:53, 30 May 2013 (UTC)
My dearly beloved never asked me what I'd like to be called........he knew I'd choose whether he liked it or not. J3Mrs (talk) 14:06, 30 May 2013 (UTC)
That's the spirit! I don't think my wife and I ever discussed it either; she decided for herself when and if the time was right for her. Eric Corbett 14:09, 30 May 2013 (UTC)

Rite of Spring

Hi, Eric. I've just been looking at your helpful edits on the TFA, and came here to thank you, as someone I've not encountered before – and I find that I actually know you quite well (I was similarly in the dark when I did the sources review on the Sunbeam FAC article). Well, thanks anyway for your interest in The Rite, and I hope your new name prospers. I will recognise it in future. Brianboulton (talk) 23:09, 29 May 2013 (UTC)

You're very welcome Brian. I used my real name when I first arrived here, but was warned off doing so for some reason I can't now remember. The pseudonymous Malleus Fatuorum just began to look tired and childish to me, so it was time for a change. One day I hope we'll all be prepared to stand behind whatever it is we write here. Eric Corbett 23:17, 29 May 2013 (UTC)
When I first registered with WP I used my real name, partly because I was not familiar with the widespread use of pseudonyms in computer-land, but mainly because, as I say on my talk page, I believe in openness. There is a potential problem for me because of my not-common name and, because of the medical directory, my personal details could be easily found. (Actually I have since been struck off the register for not paying my subs, but that's a different story.) So I am pleased to see editors using their real names (or what seem to be their real names).
To change the subject, many thanks for your most recent copyediting. The FLC is proving to be a greater challenge than I had expected. And the reviewer seems to be upset by my attempt at explaining church "restoration" (and he did ask for it). It's a bit complex to explain and I've done my best, but he's not "smitten" by it. Is there a better way of explaining the architect's intention of restoring a church to what he thinks it should have been at an earlier time? I'm not completely happy with the article Victorian restoration, because restoration took place before and after Victoria's reign, and the only term the architectural historians use is "restoration". (And I'm not going to get involved in doing anything with or about the article because I do not have the necessary sources or knowledge to deal with it.) Sorry to ramble. --Peter I. Vardy (talk) 10:15, 30 May 2013 (UTC)
I'l take another look at it Peter and see what I can do. On the subject of names this really is my real name, no pretence. I've increasingly come to believe that when what we write can have real-world implications we shouldn't hide behind pseudonyms. Eric Corbett 14:04, 30 May 2013 (UTC)
To change the subject back to Stravinsky: due to the premiere dates, opera celebrates BB days, Bartered Bride, Sacre with Monteux (nod to Tim) and L'Arianna, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 11:48, 30 May 2013 (UTC)
And over to FLC again; many thanks for your recent contributions. Satisfaction achieved at last! Phew! --Peter I. Vardy (talk) 08:05, 31 May 2013 (UTC)
I'm not sure I really understood the objections to what was there before, but I just wrote something that made sense to an architectural ignoramus like me. Is it my imagination, or is FLC getting tougher? Eric Corbett 09:01, 31 May 2013 (UTC)
Maybe it's my deficiencies. I must admit that the list is better than when it was nominated. And I haven't met that reviewer before.--Peter I. Vardy (talk) 15:13, 31 May 2013 (UTC)

Sig

I rather think your new signature is classy. Tony (talk) 12:51, 30 May 2013 (UTC)

Thanks Tony. And it is my real name, copper-bottom guaranteed. Eric Corbett 13:57, 30 May 2013 (UTC)

Precious again

forum
Thank you for content such as today's Chadderton, for adding quality to the articles of others, for speaking up to the point with "amore e studio elucidandae", and for running your talk as a fascinating forum of ideas and beers, - and yes, to quote you, "we need some perspective", - repeating: you are an awesome Wikipedian (30 September 2010)!

--Gerda Arendt (talk) 05:52, 31 May 2012 (UTC)

A year ago, you were the 139th recipient of my PumpkinSky Prize, repeated in br'erly style. What do you think of "move at greater than the speed of consensus because any large discussion results in no consensus"? - Thank you for today's Cotswold Olimpick Games, it's your day! Thank you for leaving the Olympus of an awesome Wikipedian (never a Wikipedian anyway) to be a human Olimpick gamer, Eric ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:43, 31 May 2013 (UTC)

Thanks Gerda, very kind of you. Eric Corbett 12:50, 31 May 2013 (UTC)
How do you like the game BWV 39 for GA? (I will have to ask Bencherlite if he scheduled on your day on purpose.) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:26, 31 May 2013 (UTC)
ps: tell George that I mentioned Little Moreton Hall as an example (although I don't like it so much) (you have to scroll, infobox discussions grow fast) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:32, 31 May 2013 (UTC)
did I say "grow fast"? - reached the swamp again, look for "gang", that's probably me ;) - but BWV 103 (You shall weep and wail) is almost GA now, the other still open, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:32, 14 June 2013 (UTC)
Do you remember polishing the lead of several articles, including Franz Kafka? If you have a few moments: 1) I started the blurb for TFA, improvement welcome. 2) I would like to see the writing of the pivotal "Das Urteil" (in one night, after meeting Felice Bauer) mentioned in the article lead. 3) Shouldn Kafkaesque perhaps be kafkaesque? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:56, 15 June 2013 (UTC)
Now this is Kafkaesque:
HULLABALLOO: {(unblock)} I'm sorry. This is Kafkaesque. It is not disputed that I did not make the edit for which I was blocked.. (snip)
SANDAHL: You say you are Kafkaesque, if you are User:Kafkaesque you need to need to make this unblock request in this account name.
-- Hillbillyholiday 22:36, 15 June 2013 (UTC)
By now the swamp event seems also Kafkaesque, - at least the term "off topic" is mentioned eventually. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:32, 17 June 2013 (UTC)
Can't believe the infobox rubbish is still rumbling on when it would be so easy to solve by banning Andy Mabbett for another year. Eric Corbett 20:51, 17 June 2013 (UTC)
That would not help at all, they would still have to deal with me ;) - I wish him good recovery. - Kafkaesque: he started "stalking", a few edits later it was "infobox" again, he was caught by emergency surgery, but - as you said - it's still "rumbling on", - thanks for a new phrase, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:25, 17 June 2013 (UTC)

Everything Tastes Better with Bacon

Hi there, Eric Corbett, I hope you're doing well! :)

You previously participated in an FAC for Everything Tastes Better with Bacon.

It's subsequently had additional copy-editing through Guild of Copy Editors and a once-over by FA Writer Tim Riley.

I've nominated it for consideration a 2nd time at Misplaced Pages:Featured article candidates/Everything Tastes Better with Bacon/archive2.

Your input would be appreciated, at Misplaced Pages:Featured article candidates/Everything Tastes Better with Bacon/archive2.

Thank you for your time, — Cirt (talk) 19:17, 31 May 2013 (UTC)

Hey (Hay?)

Aha, caught you peeking into a WikIProject Equine-tagged article. If you are interested, would you care to turn your copyediting magic to a fun collaboration project amongst WikiProject Horse Racing? Oxbow (horse)? I want to nominate it for GA, there is a group of 3-4 other editors working on it as well, and IMHO we are at that point were an outside eye would be welcomed. The 2013 Belmont Stakes is coming up on June 8 (BTW, have fun with your Epsom Derby this weekend), and I anticipate this article and Orb (horse) (which I have not worked on) will both get a lot of traffic due to the Wikt:Rubber match that is apt to occur between them. So even though I probably won't have the time to actually get the green plus by the Belmont, I want it that good by post time. Interested in a copyedit/review? Thanks! Montanabw 21:35, 31 May 2013 (UTC)

That's a red link. Eric Corbett 22:08, 31 May 2013 (UTC)
Do you mean Oxbow (horse)?--Gilderien Chat|List of good deeds 22:14, 31 May 2013 (UTC)
Yes, typo. But with horse names, a totally illogical spelling means nothing. (grin) We are already getting feedback that it's jargon-heavy, and though I've now taken several whacks and toning it down, I'm bleary-eyed. I figure you've helped with enough of Ealdgyth's horse articles that you should have a good sense of how much technical language is appropriate (I loathe the people who want us to say, "a stallion is a boy horse" -- bleech) and where we've gone over the top (which happened some in this article). Montanabw 21:44, 3 June 2013 (UTC)
I hate the "a stallion is a boy horse" stuff too. I'll have a read through later. Eric Corbett 22:15, 3 June 2013 (UTC)

A beer for you!

And a beer for old Domingo Gonsales. Thanks: it was fun working on this with you. I intended it years ago as a boost for poor old Malleus Fatuorum, who is no longer with us, and I wrote it up as a DYK just to rattle his chain a little bit. Anyway, please thank Dr. Corbett for allowing me (and all of us) to take up so much of your time; all the best to you and yours. Drmies (talk) 15:44, 1 June 2013 (UTC)
Yup, we did it at last. Well done to us. Eric Corbett 16:01, 1 June 2013 (UTC)
That beer would go really well with the three racks of beef ribs I have slow cooking in the oven. Still 6 hours away from serving them, though. It is a shame so much real estate and water separates us all. Dennis Brown / 2¢ / © / @ / Join WER 16:29, 1 June 2013 (UTC)
It's 5:30 here now and a lovely warm sunny day, so beer time is fast approaching. we have a few things to address at the Tiger's FAC btw if I'm to keep the one FA a month production line rolling. ;-) Eric Corbett 16:38, 1 June 2013 (UTC)
I'm 5 hours behind you, but it is 28C on the way to 30C, so I'm not prone to waiting much longer. It is past noon, which is the universal American standard for imbibing, and if were earlier, we just say "Well, it's noon somewhere". I bought some Sam Adams Summer Ale yesterday, and I think I may have to go do a little landscaping with one in hand. The smell of the ribs is driving me mad. Dennis Brown / 2¢ / © / @ 16:53, 1 June 2013 (UTC)
Last night was Greek night, with taboule and chicken and tzatziki, and a dozen people drinking more than they should. This afternoon we're taking it easy. The pool is looking great and I'll be making pina coladas. A bit too metrosexual for you perhaps, Dennis, but I'm sure Mrs. Corbett and I can down a couple of em, nevermind the caloric intake. Now for some Barry Manilow. (And I had my first beer long before noon today, Dennis--also, if you're offered a Magic Hat Cucumber and Hibiscus Ale, just say no.) Drmies (talk) 20:26, 1 June 2013 (UTC)
Tonight is Spanish night chez nous with paella, just need to pop out and get a few bottles of San Miguel. Eric Corbett 20:37, 1 June 2013 (UTC)
Ribs were phenomenal, if I do say so myself. As for pina coladas, I'm secure enough in my sexuality to drink foofy drinks, but a tequila sunrise or Cuba Libre is as sweet as I prefer. I'm more of a beer/wine/scotch man. Dennis Brown / 2¢ / © / @ 22:27, 1 June 2013 (UTC)
Well, the pina coladas made my blood sugar shoot through the roof. Dinner is Spanish tortilla with leftovers. And beer! Eric, I'm going to try and work William March up to GA. It's not very good right now, and that's because of me. Any thoughts are appreciated. He's really a worthwhile writer--Dennis, you might like him as well. Bon appetit to all, Drmies (talk) 23:24, 1 June 2013 (UTC)

Tiger

Speaking of badges (we don't need no badges!)....Eric, I want to say that they changed the valve covers on the Tiger once Chrysler bought them out. Yes, this had nothing to do with this conversation, I know. Dennis Brown / 2¢ / © / @ 23:48, 1 June 2013 (UTC)

When you say valve covers, do you mean rocker covers? Eric Corbett 00:32, 2 June 2013 (UTC)
Yes I do. I wasn't aware of the difference, so I learned something new today. Two countries divided by a common language indeed. Dennis Brown / 2¢ / © / @ 00:44, 2 June 2013 (UTC)
If you've got a reference for that it would be worth adding to the Demise section. Eric Corbett 01:13, 2 June 2013 (UTC)
I think I have the book at work, will need to dig that up Monday, or look online for a reference that fits the quality expected for FA. Dennis Brown / 2¢ / © / @ 01:18, 2 June 2013 (UTC)
Looking this morning and accidentally found a source for the transmission being a Ford, something we already determined . Not sure we need it, but it will now be in your talk page archives if it comes up. (added) I also found this which pretty clearly shows that there was a logo for the US market. I will leave that up to you to decide if I should resurrect the deleted logo, but it shows t-shirts, keychains, lapel pins, etc. with the logo. Dennis Brown / 2¢ / © / @ 11:24, 2 June 2013 (UTC)
  • Regarding MkIIs sold in the UK, according to Clarke P.125 and the fact that they were never officially sold in the UK.. "The word 'officially' has to be inserted because a few MkII Tigers inevitably slipped through the tent: the police tried out half dozen, while another four were quietly sold to favoured Rootes customers. A further half-dozen were liberated by Bournemouth dealer Alan Hartwell from the Southhampton Docks and converted to right-hand drive. Add in the prototype cars and you're still talking about 20 or so MkIIs remaining on these shores during the Sixties". This confirms your previous prose and adds a tidbit. P.126 confirms that the MkI used "thin stainless side strips" whereas the MkII did not. Dennis Brown / 2¢ / © / @ 12:40, 3 June 2013 (UTC)
    I've been trying to get to the bottom of the badging issue, and it seems clear to me now that the Series I had the "Powered by Ford 260" shields, which were changed to "Sunbeam V-8" shields on the Series II. Nowhere can I find a reference to that rectangular badge though, which I'm becoming increasingly convinced isn't contemporary. Eric Corbett 12:46, 3 June 2013 (UTC)
    The age of the link I provided makes me think it is, but it is American only and used by the American sales dept. and not by Rootes. I don't think inclusion is required, but wanted to bring that note to you. I've added notes to the talk page. Dennis Brown / 2¢ / © / @ 12:54, 3 June 2013 (UTC)
    It's possible that American dealers stuck it on themselves I suppose. Eric Corbett 12:58, 3 June 2013 (UTC)

Thanks for your edits!

:) I'm sure you love this new feature. Drmies (talk) 15:01, 2 June 2013 (UTC)

It seems to cause no harm. Eric Corbett 13:03, 3 June 2013 (UTC)
I do appreciate your edits to the March article. Drmies (talk) 17:54, 3 June 2013 (UTC)
I dunno, in the larger scale of things here it doesn't seem to make much difference. But then what do I know, I've wasted a large part of my day working on a fucking car. Eric Corbett 18:02, 3 June 2013 (UTC)

Police Protection Provisions

Hello,

Its me again! Due to the project pages never replying to me. Thought I would come and abuse your user page to get some of your watchers to read my article =P I can see that you are again super busy so I don't want to pester you too much for help; but I have listed some things on the talk page for Police protection provisions as I am a bit stuck. Would really appreciate your advice if you get chance.

Thanks very much, ツStacey (talk) 10:56, 4 June 2013 (UTC)

Almost every project is moribund these days. But Stacey, what's your rationale for having this as a separate article instead of merging it with Children Act 1989? Eric Corbett 14:24, 5 June 2013 (UTC)
Just replied to this on the talk page.. But in case you missed it =) I made it as a new article because the Children Act has over 100 sections and loads of Orders and parts to it so I have limited space in the Children Act 1989 article. I have many more sections of the act to cover and need to do an overview of the background/ reasons for the Act and the impact of it. Thanks very much for taking the time to read it ツStacey (talk) 14:34, 5 June 2013 (UTC)
You're welcome. What I'll say then is that you've got far too many short paragraphs in the Provisions sections that need to be merged in some way, and the lead needs to be expanded. Eric Corbett 14:42, 5 June 2013 (UTC)

I'm starting to like you

Comeback Barnstar
This. I will say no more. :) ·Salvidrim!· ✉ 23:54, 4 June 2013 (UTC)
That makes two then, you and me. Eric Corbett 00:12, 5 June 2013 (UTC)
On the other hand, I believe edits like that and several of your others are corrosive to the long-term success of the project. I've raised your recent edits in that thread here. user:j (talk) 01:27, 5 June 2013 (UTC)
Give me a clue as to why I should care what you believe. Eric Corbett 01:31, 5 June 2013 (UTC)
I've always found it interesting that you're allowed to say whatever you wish if you're part of the mob with the pitchforks and torches, but instantly criticized, disparaged, and threatened if you're objecting to the actions of said mob. Mob action is far more corrosive to long-term success than any single comment...which some of the members may realize when the mob turns on them. Intothatdarkness 13:33, 5 June 2013 (UTC)
You're right. When someone becomes persona non grata you're allowed to be as offensive as you like about them, and tell whatever lies suit your purpose. Strange that. Eric Corbett 13:38, 5 June 2013 (UTC)
And I note with some amusement that I've recently been accused of changing my user name in an effort to hide my block log. Doesn't seem to matter what you do here, there's always someone ready to assume the worst, even make things up if they have to. Eric Corbett 13:49, 5 June 2013 (UTC)
I tend to think it's part of the closed society group psychology here. They simply HAVE to have enemies..."enemies of the state" if you will. It allows OWN of policy to continue unabated and makes for a handy smokescreen when things go south and get noticed by people outside the system. That same psychology also prevents some who have good intentions from looking too closely at the system, seeing where it doesn't work, and then taking positive steps to fix it. Once they've been part of the baying mob (even if they come in late at the edges) I think they fear it being turned on them. Intothatdarkness 13:58, 5 June 2013 (UTC)
You may be right. I've always seen it as a manifestation of that all too common desire some people have to fit in, in this case by joining the mob in their kicking matches. The world in general and WP in particular needs more people like me, who just don't want to fit in. Eric Corbett 14:13, 5 June 2013 (UTC)
It's just been my observation of the place, first brought on by watching the reactions to you and a handful of other editors who simply don't toe the line when it comes to policyOWN and other little things that seem so important to the inner circle. I'm not convinced that there's some sort of clique or cabal (and actually doubt that there is...at least in the traditional sense), but rather a collective mindset that attracts people of certain personality or behavior types. They get vested in the process (as far as I'm concerned OWN of policy is FAR more dangerous to this place than OWNing an article) and then it's all downhill. That circle of OWN, though it shifts from time to time, is really a sort of closed society that draws on the "we're doing something really great here" mantra. Suck them in while they're idealistic, convince them that any attempt to change is "evil" or "an attack on the greater good," and you get the mob reactions. That and it seems to be commonly triggered by non-article events. Civil POV pushers, baiters, or others of that ilk are rarely dragged through the streets or crucified for all to see. Someone who questions "policy" or "the way it's done," on the other hand, will be lit up for all to see. Intothatdarkness 14:20, 5 June 2013 (UTC)
Your proposition may be good, But let's have one thing understood: Whatever it is, I'm against it! And even when you've changed it or condensed it, I'm against it!
--Groucho Marx in Horse Feathers
Collective mindset is probably correct. That and another "there are two kinds of people" clash: People who want to join the mob/majority and people who, due to inherent morality and principle, deliberately refuse to go along with the mob and seem drawn to the underdog like a moth to a light bulb. Both factions exist on wiki. We are amongst the latter. Montanabw 18:53, 5 June 2013 (UTC)

June 2013

Information icon Hello, I'm Robert McClenon. I noticed that you made a comment on the page Misplaced Pages:Administrators' noticeboard that didn't seem very civil, so it has been removed. Misplaced Pages needs people like you and me to collaborate, so it's one of our core principles to interact with one another in a polite and respectful manner. If you have any questions, you can leave me a message on my talk page. Thank you. Repeated sarcastic remarks at anyone who disagrees with him and favors a ban of KW. Robert McClenon (talk) 01:47, 5 June 2013 (UTC)

Are you a fool or simply an idiot? Eric Corbett 01:50, 5 June 2013 (UTC)
Sometimes, the mix of both produces fascinating results... The best way to avoid being called an idiot is often to avoid acting like one. I'm sure Eric doesn't mind being called "abrasive", just like I don't mind being called a "smartass"; truth only hurts if you refuse to look at it. :) ·Salvidrim!· ✉ 02:45, 5 June 2013 (UTC)
Oh great, all the f----ng moronic assholes have followed Eric C here too. Eric, username changes aside, you just keep on being you, OK? (snorts coffee out my nose) Montanabw 18:49, 5 June 2013 (UTC)
Always said he was a good asshole detector.... Intothatdarkness 19:09, 5 June 2013 (UTC)
Magnet. J3Mrs (talk) 19:17, 5 June 2013 (UTC)
I thought it read "he was a good asshole director" ... either way .. it's verifiable that Eric has dealt with enough of them that he should be able to detect and direct "assholes. Just sayin. — Ched :  ?  05:07, 7 June 2013 (UTC)
I always called him a "detector" since he serves as something of a lightening rod for the asshole discharges around here. Intothatdarkness 13:29, 7 June 2013 (UTC)
"discharges" or "discharges"??? Oh dear... Montanabw 17:27, 7 June 2013 (UTC)

July 2013

You have been extremely uncivil, in the future, and there for you have been blocked for one week, in the future. Cheers. :D—cyberpower Offline 04:43, 5 June 2013 (UTC)

Invitation to join WikiProject Freedom of speech

There is a WikiProject about Freedom of speech, called WP:WikiProject Freedom of speech. If you're interested, here are some easy things you can do:

  1. List yourself as a participant in the WikiProject, by adding your username here: Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Freedom_of_speech#Participants.
  2. Add userbox {{User Freedom of speech}} to your userpage, which lists you as a member of the WikiProject.
  3. Tag relevant talk pages of articles and other relevant pages using {{WikiProject Freedom of speech}}.
  4. Join in discussion at Misplaced Pages talk:WikiProject Freedom of speech.
  5. Notify others you think might be interested in Freedom of speech to join the WikiProject.

Thank you for your interest in Freedom of speech, — Cirt (talk) 00:14, 7 June 2013 (UTC)

Seems bizarre to me to have a project on freedom of speech in a project that doesn't tolerate freedom of speech, so I won't be joining. Eric Corbett 02:15, 7 June 2013 (UTC)
Hi Malleus! (Perfect word for the occasion. You are a great writer, always choosing the right word. And I'm learning what that takes. ) You're refreshing to read, every time. Chases away my depression! (Thank you.) p.s. I've never had any direct w/ Kiefer, but respect his brilliance. But I understand him even less than I understand User:Penyulap! (I seem to have little problem understanding Peny.) What do you think about Peny's incarceration, anyway? Cheers, Ihardlythinkso (talk) 03:56, 7 June 2013 (UTC)
@Malleus, I'm sorry you feel that way, I respect your quality improvement efforts on Misplaced Pages, and it'd sure be fun to collaborate with you at some point in the future on articles related to Freedom of speech, if you ever change your mind. :) — Cirt (talk) 06:01, 7 June 2013 (UTC)
@Ihardlythinkso. It's hard to know what to think about Penyulap's indefinite block, as so much is hidden here. Suffice to say I think there's a great deal too much blocking goes on in general. Eric Corbett 11:06, 7 June 2013 (UTC)
As a quick bit of background—I suggested you here as someone who could help with Cirt's forthcoming work on Fuck, based on your cunt-groping history. (Cunt, the only previous attempt I'm aware of to get an obscenity article up to less-than-crappy standard, was written by a certain Mr Andemu, who for obvious reasons is not going to be in a position to assist.) – iridescent 17:24, 7 June 2013 (UTC)
@Eric. I always thought this was an interesting concept as well...up there with all the jokes about "military intelligence." Sometimes unintended irony is the best irony. This isn't intended as a knock on Cirt, as freedom of speech is a very important concept and one that deserves significant coverage here. Good to see folks taking it on! Intothatdarkness 17:38, 7 June 2013 (UTC)
I get into enough trouble here as it is Iridescent. Eric Corbett 18:25, 7 June 2013 (UTC)
Good Judgement Barnstar -> * (convenient travel size). I did get a snicker from that comment, I admit. Dennis Brown / 2¢ / © / @ 18:49, 7 June 2013 (UTC)
Just to avoid cluttering Dennis' page...I used self-criticism there on purpose. It was more in line with old Communist (especially the Chinese and Southeast Asian flavors) doctrine/practice - confess your sins, swear to do better, and then turn on others who show the same sins (or get a break for those past sins and work equally hard for the new masters). Sins are, of course relative. In the case of hard-line dissenters (or those who are committed to quality article writing), though, your use of self-abasement is quite correct. Intothatdarkness 21:42, 7 June 2013 (UTC)
I understood what you meant, I was just adding my personal spin. The only effect this ongoing hate campaign has on me though is to make me more and more selfish, less inclined to help anyone with anything. Whether or not that's a good thing I'll leave for others to judge. Those such as Kww ought to reflect on the example of Rodhullandemu, another admin who came to grief on the rocks of trying to ban Malleus. Eric Corbett 22:30, 7 June 2013 (UTC)

You have been mentioned

on User talk:Salvidrim! and User talk:Dennis Brown. Iselilja (talk) 09:28, 7 June 2013 (UTC)

Presumably you're another Mattisse sock? Eric Corbett 11:09, 7 June 2013 (UTC)
"Uninvolved" is one of the greatest fictions here...right up there with "community" and "consensus." Oh...and the ever-popular AGF. Intothatdarkness 13:37, 7 June 2013 (UTC)

Help please

An interesting experiment. List of mills in Lancashire/Harle Syke is a subpage I have created to solve a specific problem. I wish the same synch'ed list of mills to be used on List of mills in Lancashire and on Harle Syke then probably Queen Street Mill, Harle Syke Mill. The //no include// tag solves some of the first obvious problems-- but now the bots are unhappy- they appear not to recognise transclusion. So is this the way you would tackle the problem? Any tips for bot-popping! Any comments? -- Clem Rutter (talk) 17:23, 7 June 2013 (UTC)

It is not a subpage; the software does not allow for sub-pages in the mainspace. What do you want the bots to do? Since it is classed as a normal article all the ant-vandal/formatting/general fix bots should be working.--Gilderien Chat|List of good deeds 17:36, 7 June 2013 (UTC)
That is why I ask. But the bots however are not recognising transclusion, and missing the need to write within the //noinclude// tags. That is understandable but does ignore a basic tenet of programming, that you test first before writing. If we investigate the other route of moving to mainspace- then transcluding, there is one bot that will still tag the article as an orphan.-- Clem Rutter (talk) 01:37, 8 June 2013 (UTC)
What's the problem you created that page to address? Eric Corbett 18:23, 7 June 2013 (UTC)
The problem is we cannot transclude sub-sections, and unless told otherwise, the list in the subsection would not be notable enough for mainspace. To my mind this will clutter mainspace. If we do decide to make each sub-section a mainspace article what do we call it List of mills in Lancashire (Harle Syke) perhaps, Sub-list of mills in Harle Syke or just List of mills in Harle Syke?-- Clem Rutter (talk) 01:37, 8 June 2013 (UTC)
Wouldn't the sensible thing be to put it in the template space? Template:Harle Syke mills or some such. That way it can be transcluded across and matches how we handle say, navigation templates. Worm(talk) 08:55, 8 June 2013 (UTC)
That seems to me to be the right way to go as well. Eric Corbett 14:47, 8 June 2013 (UTC)
The deed is done! Do I need to include anything else in the template page- for example documentation- or remove anything that I have left in the noincludes? (Spelling mistakes and bad grammar excluded ) -- Clem Rutter (talk) 10:28, 11 June 2013 (UTC)
It certainly transcludes OK now, but I'm not sure why you've got that <noinclude> section at all, as presumably this template is designed to be transcluded into articles that will have their own References and External links sections? So why have them in this template? Eric Corbett 11:25, 11 June 2013 (UTC)

Thanks

Many thanks for your very helpful and rapid review of Architecture in early modern Scotland. Very much appreciated.--SabreBD (talk) 08:21, 9 June 2013 (UTC)

WikiProject Good Articles Recruitment Centre

Hello! Now, some of you might have already received a similar message a little while ago regarding the Recruitment Centre, so if you have, there is no need to read the rest of this. This message is directed to users who have reviewed over 15 Good article nominations and are not part of WikiProject Good articles (the first message I sent out went to only WikiProject members).

So for those who haven't heard about the Recruitment Centre yet, you may be wondering why there is a Good article icon with a bunch of stars around it (to the right). The answer? WikiProject Good articles will be launching a Recruitment Centre very soon! The centre will allow all users to be taught how to review Good article nominations by experts just like you! However, in order for the Recruitment Centre to open in the first place, we need some volunteers:

  • Recruiters: The main task of a recruiter is to teach users that have never reviewed a Good article nomination how to review one. To become a recruiter, all you have to do is meet this criteria. If we don't get at least 5-10 recruiters to start off with (at the time this message was sent out, 2 recruiters have volunteered), the Recruitment Centre will not open. If interested, make sure you meet the criteria, read the process and add your name to the list of recruiters. (One of the great things about being a recruiter is that there is no set requirement of what must be taught and when. Instead, all the content found in the process section is a guideline of the main points that should be addressed during a recruitment session...you can also take an entire different approach if you wish!) If you think you will not have the time to recruit any users at this time but are still interested in becoming a recruiter, you can still add your name to the list of recruiters but just fill in the "Status" parameter with "Not Available".
  • Co-Director: The current Director for the centre is me (Dom497). Another user that would be willing to help with some of the tasks would be helpful. Tasks include making sure recruiters are doing what they should be (teaching!), making sure all recruitments are archived correctly, updating pages as needed, answering any questions, and distributing the feedback form. If interested, please contact me (Dom497).
  • Nominators, please read this: If you are not interested in becoming a recruiter, you can still help. In some cases a nominator may have an issue with an "inexperienced" editor (the recruitee) reviewing one of their nominations. To minimize the chances of this happening, if you are fine with a recruitee reviewing one of your nominations under the supervision of the recruiter, please add your name to the list at the bottom of this page. By adding your name to this list, chances are that your nomination will be reviewed more quickly as the recruitee will be asked to choose a nomination from the list of nominators that are OK with them reviewing the article.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to seeing this program bring new reviewers to the Good article community and all the positive things it will bring along.

A message will be sent out to all recruiters regarding the date when the Recruitment Centre will open when it is determined. The message will also contain some further details to clarify things that may be a bit confusing.--Dom497 (talk)

This message was sent out by --EdwardsBot (talk) 15:03, 9 June 2013 (UTC)

Uruguayan War

Malleus, you stopped copyediting Uruguayan War on "Brazilian ultimatum" section. Do you plan to finish it? Or is it done already? --Lecen (talk) 22:12, 9 June 2013 (UTC)

I got distracted. When are you hoping to take it back to FAC?
Right now. --Lecen (talk) 22:27, 10 June 2013 (UTC)
I don't think it would be proper for me to offer an opinion at FAC on the article now, but I think it deserves to be promoted and I wish you luck with it. Having said that, if the review stalls then I will offer my vote rather than see the article archived. Eric Corbett 22:32, 10 June 2013 (UTC)

Uruguay Avenger

You removed the item about Uruguay built Hillman Avengers, marking it up as an "unlikely tale". Well however unlikely you might think it is, I'm afraid it is absolutely the case. I've been informed of this by writers from Uruguay, and this archived page also refers to it: http://web.archive.org/web/20091024015756/http://geocities.com/autosuruguayos/dodge1500pup.html "To make matters worse, its structure (freestanding), lost all the stiffness necessary to cut and modified the rear. Not having a chassis, which bear the burden, after a few days literally bent in half, earning him the nickname "honeymoon", and that lasted 15 days ..." The problem was that the Avenger (as per a few other vehicles of the time such as the MKi Ford Capri" gained part of the vehicle stiffness from the pre-stressed roof. Clearly this was lost in a pickup variant. So when loaded as a pickup truck, the vehicles literally collapsed.

Can you therefore undo that change in isolation, other edits you have made I dare say are fine, I've not checked through them.

Regards,

Colin — Preceding unsigned comment added by Colin99 (talk • contribs) 16:47, 10 June 2013 (UTC)

If you want to restore that information, properly sourced, then please feel free. Eric Corbett 16:50, 10 June 2013 (UTC)

GA reviews

Goodness knows. Perhaps there's a feeling that all must have prizes, or that no article is unsalvegable, so reviews are dragged out as the horse is redesigned by a committee rather than have a clear, failing review at the outset. I haven't reviewed GAs for a while (heck, I've not done *anything* for a while, as I've been rather busy keeping another part of the show on the road, but that's another story...) so I don't have a real feel for the current approach, and I've always tended to review in my comfort zone. I also tend to write well within my comfort zone, as my collection of Anglesey churches shows! Thanks for the review, of course. Bencherlite 00:05, 11 June 2013 (UTC)

I've sometimes thought that I ought to restrict myself to a narrow area such as Anglesey churches. There's a definite endpoint there, so I can see the attraction. Eric Corbett 00:29, 11 June 2013 (UTC)
Speaking of which, I want to put up Oxbow (horse) for GA, but I'd kill for a thorough review before doing so. We just added the stuff on the Belmont, so the Triple Crown rush is done and the article is apt to be stable now (pun intended) for a couple months until the summer handicaps, which will probably add relatively little until the ]. Montanabw 18:53, 11 June 2013 (UTC)

V

Dude, I'm watching V for Vendetta, and I don't know if you ever noticed, but that's like totally happening on Guy Fawkes Night. You should, like, totally add that to the article. They even wear masks, man. Drmies (talk) 02:46, 11 June 2013 (UTC)

What a good idea! Eric Corbett 10:34, 11 June 2013 (UTC)

Promotions

Being rather preoccupied yesterday, I did not notice until today that the Sharpe and Paley list had made it; I had expected it would need more supports. Thanks for your help in getting it there. I see you have also done some work on E. G. Paley; thanks for that, too. Because of some impending family events, I shall not be nominating it before the end of the month. You asked if FLC is becoming more challenging. Maybe; I have noticed that if I nominate a list with a previously successful formula, often it is criticised and "improvements" are demanded. Indeed, looking back at some of my earlier successful nominations, the later ones are certainly "better" than the earlier ones. Maybe it's a sort of evolution. --Peter I. Vardy (talk) 14:17, 11 June 2013 (UTC)

FA and FLC certainly evolve. If I look at my earliest nominations I'm rather ashamed at what I read, the standards were actually quite a bit lower than they are now. Parrot of Doom 20:27, 12 June 2013 (UTC)

EC

Fixing my edit conflict with you on Oxbow, will be done in a sec. Then feel free to dive back in, I also left talk page replies. Montanabw 19:23, 12 June 2013 (UTC)

Phineas Gage "Good Article" review

Having make ten or more edits to the article on Phineas Gage, or commented on its Talk in the last two years, perhaps you will be interested in the Good Article Review currently underway. I am particularly interested in gathering broader opinion on the following comment by the reviewer: "Many sentences are much too long for easy reading and to my mind overuse complicated constructions ... I will very strongly recommend a copy edit with ease of reading in mind, breaking up complex sentences and disentwining some of the flowery language." EEng (talk) 22:38, 12 June 2013 (UTC)

Ah yes, I remember, the guy with the steel bar through his head. I think your reviewer is right, particularly about the first two paragraphs of the lead; they do really need to be rewritten/broken up. Would you like me to have a go? Eric Corbett 22:46, 12 June 2013 (UTC)
... I've gone ahead and done it anyway. Eric Corbett 14:58, 18 June 2013 (UTC)

Incorrect Bibliographic Information

Please stop reverting the correction of references on the Repton Abbey article.

As it is all the information is correctly referenced to the source from whence it has came. Removing referenced and incorrectly citing items as references, when they do not contain that information, is doing no one any favours.

Rushton2010 (talk) 00:50, 13 June 2013 (UTC)

You are clearly rather hard of understanding, and have no idea what you're talking about, or how to write a decent article. How many edits have I made to your rather poor article today? Eric Corbett 00:54, 13 June 2013 (UTC)

Anglesey churches (2)

Thanks for your three recent GA reviews. At some point, would you mind casting your eye over Old Church of St Nidan, Llanidan? It's the longest I think of my Anglesey church series - ironic given that it was part-demolished in the 19th century - and I think it's worth taking a shot at FAC with it at some point. An EC copyedit would work wonders, I'm sure. No rush, and no obligation, of course. Bencherlite 13:41, 14 June 2013 (UTC)

Sure, but I'm probably not going to be around much now until Monday. Eric Corbett 14:39, 14 June 2013 (UTC)
No problem - neither will I! Bencherlite 14:44, 14 June 2013 (UTC)

Norman conquest of England...

Looks like John's done with it, you ready to take a twirl over it and whack a lot of commas? Ealdgyth - Talk 15:16, 15 June 2013 (UTC)

Will do, but maybe not until tomorrow. Just got back from a weekend break. Eric Corbett 20:20, 17 June 2013 (UTC)
Hope you enjoyed your holiday! I need to address a comment or two that Iri left on my talk page, but it shouldn't affect much of the article. Ealdgyth - Talk 20:24, 17 June 2013 (UTC)

One more short copyedit

Added some stuff to Oxbow_(horse)#Pedigree and did some rephrasing. Can you verify that it's still in comprehensible English? Hey Ealdgyth-- you may want tolook at this too, you do more racehorse biographies than I do. I'm going to be putting this up for GA or FA in the next day or two, I think. Welcome comments. Montanabw 23:28, 15 June 2013 (UTC)

Ping ping! Another reviewer has made some editing suggestions, I'm too bleary-eyed at the article to make some of the judgement calls, so could you pop over and look at what The Rambling Man has suggested at talk? The wordsmithing stuff is where I could use fresher eyes. Montanabw 17:36, 17 June 2013 (UTC)
Take my comments with a pinch of salt. I'm notable for not being able to contribute to prose. The Rambling Man (talk) 17:41, 17 June 2013 (UTC)
No, I have comments from SOMEONE ELSE, who is acting in good faith with useful thoughts, but I'm too bleary-eyed at looking at the article to have any sense of what to fix or not. But to save you time, just read the lead and the "pedigree" sections and edit away or comment if I lapsed into gibberish. I also asked Ealdgyth to look at the pedigree stuff. Montanabw 21:20, 17 June 2013 (UTC)
I left a few comments for you on the article's talk page. Eric Corbett 14:59, 18 June 2013 (UTC)
Got them. I think all are now addressed. Take a peek. Montanabw 04:39, 19 June 2013 (UTC)
Looks good. I think Oxbow is good to go now. Eric Corbett 13:17, 19 June 2013 (UTC)

Getting close, friend

I was gone last week, and a bit afraid to mess with it as it is so close. Didn't want you to think I was being lazy, but I've been more afraid of screwing it up this late in the game. I did address a couple of issues, but off to bed now. Dennis Brown | 2¢ | © | WER 02:16, 18 June 2013 (UTC)

No worries Dennis. Time will tell how close it is, but fingers crossed. Eric Corbett 15:00, 18 June 2013 (UTC)
You've had an odd effect on me, Eric. Every time I see a comment that has a lot of superfluous commas, I assume they are an American. I have reduced my comma usage by half since working with you. Dennis Brown | 2¢ | © | WER 00:10, 19 June 2013 (UTC)
So it's not been all bad then. My assumption is that whenever anyone uses the word "gotten" they're either from America or Norfolk. It seems to me that American schools teach kids to slavishly insert commas after every clause, whereas I was taught "if in doubt, leave it out". Eric Corbett 00:23, 19 June 2013 (UTC)
It is ironic that this is the exact rule I'm trying to work under without realizing it. See, I almost put a comma after "under". Dennis Brown | 2¢ | © | WER 00:29, 19 June 2013 (UTC)
And you made me go Google "gotten", as that is a new one for me. I learnt/ed a couple of new things today. Dennis Brown | 2¢ | © | WER 00:38, 19 June 2013 (UTC)

Who else...

You asked... well, queens, emperors, empresses, czars, shahs, popes.... I think some ruling princes have been also. Ealdgyth - Talk 19:47, 18 June 2013 (UTC)

Oh, the Sultan of Brunei also.Ealdgyth - Talk 19:48, 18 June 2013 (UTC)
Fair enough, but in this case I don't think there's any ambiguity? Eric Corbett 19:54, 18 June 2013 (UTC)
Ealdgyth, you beat me to it! (I was just logging on to say the same thing...) :) Hchc2009 (talk) 19:55, 18 June 2013 (UTC)
(edit conflict) In the context of the Normans, it isn't as obvious as it seems to the modern eye. After Stephen and Matilda, Anglo-Norman/Angevin custom was to hold the coronation of a successor while the reigning monarch was still alive (to make it obvious to all who the chosen successor was, and prevent a repeat of the civil war that followed the death of Henry I with no confirmed successor). I can easily imagine someone aware of this practice, but not aware of when it started, taking it to mean that William's coronation was just to anoint him as the successor to Edgar the Aetheling as-and-when Edgar died, not to crown him king on the spot. – iridescent 19:58, 18 June 2013 (UTC)
That's me put in my place then. Whatever Ealdgyth thinks is fine with me; I'd be hard pressed to think of anyone I'd be less likely to edit war with than her. Apart from you maybe. Eric Corbett 20:02, 18 June 2013 (UTC)
Although the hypothetical reader who is aware of the (dare I say "obscure"?) Anglo-Norman/Angevin custom of crowning successors but who is not aware that William was crowned king rather than the Aethling's successor would be exceptionally well-read and exceptionally poorly read at the same time, surely? Bencherlite 20:09, 18 June 2013 (UTC)
The Angevins (the Anglo-Normans sorta end with Stephen (The "Norman dynasty" is really a misnomer ... and no one is really sure what to do with Stephen .. .he gets lumped in with the Normans, but strictly speaking he should be his own dynasty. But then, Stephen's always been a problem child) so it's not good to say they had that custom - their custom on the succession was "sprint to Winchester to seize the treasury") borrowed the idea from the Capetians, who did it for a very long time - 200 or 300 years. The Angevins only did it once, and it didn't really work so well - see Henry the Young King. (Richard I was on the outs with his dad, John had to get rid of Arthur, Henry III was too young to have been crowned, and by the time of Edward I, the Capetians had pretty much quit doing it, so there wasn't much point in it. And Edward had a very secure succession - he was actually on Crusade when he became king, and he was so unworried about it that he stayed a while longer...). But, some folks might not be clear if William wasn't crowned something else... better to be specific. Ealdgyth - Talk 20:15, 18 June 2013 (UTC)
(edit conflict) You could dare say obscure, but you'd be wrong. This originated with the Anglo-Normans and Angevins, but so did the British monarchy; this is still the practice today. The difference is that since 1301 the heir is crowned Prince of Wales, not Crown Prince of England—they still go through a formal investiture ceremony. – iridescent 20:21, 18 June 2013 (UTC)

AWB

I've updated the AWB checkpage with your current username. INeverCry 22:06, 18 June 2013 (UTC)

Thanks, but I'm running Ubuntu and I just can't get it to work under either Wine or Crossover for some reason, so I've given up on it. Eric Corbett 22:11, 18 June 2013 (UTC)
Quote from AWB page: "functions reasonably well under Wine on Linux". Sounds like your system and AWB have decided to be unreasonable. INeverCry 22:57, 18 June 2013 (UTC)
It appeared to work ok in the various versions of Ubuntu that I have used but I couldn't make much sense of how to use the tool itself. If you are keen to try AWB then it is simple enough to set up a virtual clean install Ubuntu machine inside your workaday version and try it from there. Me? I wouldn't boher: I'm sure that it is great stuff but there are far more problematic issues with articles on this project than whether X should by removed from Y category or the interminable dash and date debates. - Sitush (talk) 23:11, 18 June 2013 (UTC)
I used AWB under Windows for quite a while, and it even worked OK under Ubuntu until relatively recently, so I know how it works and what you can do with it. I suspect the root problem lies somewhere in the different versions of .NET, but there's no way I'm going to go to the trouble of setting up another virtual machine just for AWB. As you say, a lot of trouble for what? Eric Corbett 23:26, 18 June 2013 (UTC)

Hyderabad, India

Hmmmm, now I am trying but I wonder if it is enough...I hate it when there is alot of trimming of redundancies to do as the more I read teh more I become familiar and hence miss some bits. Question is, with a couple of text buffers, is this within striking distance of FA-level prose....Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 08:31, 19 June 2013 (UTC)

Within shouting distance certainly, but it obviously needs some more work on the prose. There's this in the second sentence of the lead for instance: "... it is has a population of 6.8 million in 2011 with a metropolitan population of 7.75 million". While local government seems to be pretty comprehensively covered I don't see anything about Hyderabad's relationship with national government. But with a little bit of work and attention to detail I could see this getting through FAC in the not too distant future. Eric Corbett 13:35, 19 June 2013 (UTC)
Whoops, that was partly me :P Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 14:20, 19 June 2013 (UTC)

3RR at Phineas Gage yada yada.

Please selfrevert your 4th revert, or I will have to report you.User:Maunus ·ʍaunus·snunɐw· 21:42, 19 June 2013 (UTC)

Go ahead and report me if that'll make you happy, I really couldn't care less. You and your tag-teaming friend are simply wrong. Live with it. Eric Corbett 22:04, 19 June 2013 (UTC)
I didn't think so. I am ok with being wrong. Could be worse. I could be a flaming asshole.User:Maunus ·ʍaunus·snunɐw· 22:08, 19 June 2013 (UTC)
For cases of flaming assholes, I strongly recommend a good dose of this topical ointment. And Eric, correct or not, please try to avoid giving people valid reasons to block you, just in case an antipathic admin gets tempted. I don't think anyone wants to go through the inevitably ensuing drama. :) ·Salvidrim!· ✉ 22:14, 19 June 2013 (UTC)
I don't need to give admins reasons to block me, they invent their own when it suits them. Eric Corbett 22:18, 19 June 2013 (UTC)
Still, please try to force them to continue inventing reasons. Four reverts in a day isn't an "invented reason". There's a difference between not backing off and giving others valid (stress on valid, not good) reasons to block you. If you're blocked for a seemingly valid reason to ensuing drama will no doubt prove far more wasteful of everyone's time than if you're blocked for other stupid non-reasons; force others to be blatantly wrong by not giving them any chance to appear justified in their actions against you. :) ·Salvidrim!· ✉ 22:35, 19 June 2013 (UTC)
Well, on the basis that blocks are meant to preventative rather than punitive – which nobody in full possession of their faculties could ever believe – I've no intention of reverting the "et al" nonsense again. What I will promise though is that if certain editors don't get their arses in gear this article will find itself itself at GAR if it's listed in its current state. Eric Corbett 22:41, 19 June 2013 (UTC)

Great minds think alike

Heh. Pesky edit conflicts. MoS is not something I would ever challenge you on; although didn't I once get you on something to do with date ranges? I forget which article it was on... It isn't worth edit-warring over though, even though you are totally right on this one. --John (talk) 22:06, 19 June 2013 (UTC)

Quite possibly you did, although it might have been image placement under section headings, I can't remember either. The MoS changes silently and is self-contradictory in many places, as it is in this case in fact. But I know I'm right, and when I know I'm right I don't back off. It's not the Misplaced Pages way I know, but then I've never been a Wikipedian, as you may recall. I simply don't understand the attitude on display here. Why would any editor not want their article to be the best it possibly could? Eric Corbett 22:16, 19 June 2013 (UTC)
It's a shame to say but this looks like WP:OWN to me. I have backed off to see what'll happen; it isn't the end of the world if that article doesn't make it. --John (talk) 22:38, 19 June 2013 (UTC)