Misplaced Pages

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Maxim

Voice your opinion on this candidate (talk page) (4/4/1); Scheduled to end 04:52, 1 June 2011 (UTC)

Nomination

Maxim (talk · contribs · blocks · protections · deletions · page moves · rights · RfA) – I've noticed and read the recent discussions about a lack of bureaucrats, as well as the lack of recent successful RfBs. In response, I've decided to step up to the plate to offer my services a prospective bureaucrat.

A bit about myself: I've been an admin for almost four years now. I've done a variety of admin tasks during the time, not particularly specialising in any but doing a lot of them. During that time, I produced a very considerable amount of audited content; I've stopped keeping track of how much. I estimate that I've authored over 20 DYKs, around 10 FAs, maybe 15 or so FLs, and between 15 and 20 GAs. Some of my favorites—although I won't call them all my "best work"—are listed on my userpage. I was very inactive in 2009 and 2010; however, I feel that I have significantly more time now to commit and more importantly, I feel it would be grossly irresponsible for me to offer my services and vanish.

I have experience as a bureaucrat at WikiSpecies; while I haven't been active on that project for a while, I am familiar with the buttons. On Misplaced Pages, I was chosen as a BAG member some years ago when numerous users were !voted in, but I've never been active as a Member, and I would prefer the 'crat side of bot approval. I don't participate often at RfA, the talkpage, and related pages—chiefly because of the atmosphere. I regularly read those pages, however, and on occasion I do drop by with a comment, although it is mostly contained to the discussion section. The actual process of RfA hasn't changed much in my years on Misplaced Pages, but the politics have evolved. As a prospective closer of tough RfAs, I believe I'm well-suited to provide an impartial judgment on the outcome, because I do not get directly involved in the politicking that characterises the processes. As for changing usernames, it's fairly straightforward, like the bureaucrat's role at BRFA.

Last, but certainly not least, I would like to devote a few lines to discuss my previous RfB. It failed because I had made really bad judgment calls leading up to it; in today's politics at Misplaced Pages, my actions would be called wheel-warring. I have not repeated anyone of the nonsense that I had been guilty of before that RfB, and with regards to being cold and abrupt and lousy at communicating, I've made a commitment since that RfB to be, in brief, less of a jerk. I've made an effort to engage other users on article talk pages, and I believe I have succeeded with that; consequently, I also believe that it cab be easily carried over for the politics that do arise in contentious RfAs. Maxim_(talk) 04:22, 25 May 2011 (UTC)

Questions for the candidate

Dear candidate, thank you for offering to serve Misplaced Pages as a bureaucrat. You may wish to answer the following optional questions to provide guidance for participants:

1. Have you read the discussions on when to promote and not promote? What do you understand the criteria for promotion to be?

A: The criterion for promotion, in short, is consensus. To discuss, having read the discussions, the community—who really makes the decision—has an expectation for bureaucrats to conform to certain percentages for promoting or failing. For admins, anything below 70% is almost surely a fail, and anything about above 80% is a definite pass, and in practice, above 75% is almost surely a pass. The tricky spot for bureaucrats is the 70–75% area, where it can go either way. In that case, the strength of the arguments will weight the decision. For RfBs, the current discretionary zone is about 80–90%; however, there is presently a discussion at WT:RFA regarding the percentages for a successful RfB.

2. How would you deal with contentious nominations where a decision to promote or not promote might be criticized?

A: I have to first keep in mind that the group of users whose !votes I went against won't be too happy; in other words, I know I can't please everyone but I will strive to interpret what agreement—however rough—was reached in a discusion. For contentious nominations, an explanation of the decision is an absolute must, and if closing such a nom, I will be diligent in explaining how I assessed the strength of the arguments. If the nomination is particularly contentious, it might benefit from many pairs of eyes, and I will suggest a crat chat at WP:BN.

3. Wikipedians expect bureaucrats to adhere to high standards of fairness, knowledge of policy and the ability to engage others in the community. Why do you feel you meet those standards?

A: I'm not a metapedian, so when I comment on discussions outside of the articlespace, I make them count. In my opinion, the ability to communicate knowledgeably and well is better revealed outside the politicking that often occurs in meta-discussion; in other words, discussing and building content. I collaborate frequently on articles, which requires an ability to be fair with regards to the views of my fellow editors and to engage them to produce a high-quality final product. My actions will speak louder than any words I will type here, and thus I ask that my recent contributions speak for themselves.

Additional question from Roux

4. What evidence--backlogs, etc--do you see that suggests we need more bureaucrats? Please provide specific numbers.

A: I wouldn't say that there exists an absolutely urgent needs for bureaucrats, but a few more could be useful. There have certainly been recent discussions about the issue, as I mentioned in my nomination statement. There are no backlogs for bureaucrat tasks, given their limited amount. I guess it's a matter of current bureaucrats getting tired of a repetitive task and trying something else, which leads to an occasional nomination for a fresh face to help out. I'm confused as to why you want numbers—I don't think that the amount of bureaucrats is an exact science.

Additional question from Roux

5. How would you have closed this reconfirmation RfA?

A: I would have closed it as unsuccessful, because I feel the WP:UNINVOLVED issues brought up were very serious. The supporters did not address that issue that much, and based on the arguments provided by the opposers, I don't feel that the candidate had a good track record nor understanding with regards to WP:UNINVOLVED. When a non-admin comes up to the RfA, we have no exact way to see how they will use the tools; for a former admin, it is on the record. There was a clear discontent voiced as to how he used the block tool, and I think the best outcome would have been a break from that tool. I think that after a few months, there would be greater confidence in his ability to use it again. While I understand the closing bureaucrat's statement that the opposes are sort of a final warning, one must be very careful with the block tool, and that it's not easy to desysop an admin, so I would have erred on the side of caution. However, if probationary adminship would have been an option, I would have very carefully explored it.

Additional question from Σ stolen from MBisanz

6. Would you trust a bureaucrat who hasn't looked at an RfA in 4 years to close one?

A: How do we know that the bureaucrat in question has not been looking at RfA whatsoever? To address your question as is, these bureaucrats are long-standing members of the community, so they will have some clue, at least. For a contenious nomination, it wouldn't be politically feasible, as I don't think the close would be accepted. We do not have any precedent for a long-dormant bureaucrat to come out into the wikipolitics of a difficult RfA, and I would be highly surprised if one were to be set. To give a concrete answer: I wouldn't trust an individual who'd unleash that much drama, because it would mean they're not particular clueful. If they bring themselves up to speed without causing a political mess, than I would trust them.

Additional question from Andrevan

7. Have you ever edited under another username? Please note the answer to this question may be "yes" without disclosing this username.

A:

General comments

• Requests for bureaucratship/Maxim
• Requests for bureaucratship/Maxim 2

• Links for Maxim: Maxim (talk · contribs · deleted · count · AfD · logs · block log · lu · rfar · spi)
• Edit summary usage for Maxim can be found here.

Please keep discussion constructive and civil. If you are unfamiliar with the nominee, please thoroughly review his contributions before commenting.

Discussion

• Edit stats on talk. -FASTILY 05:55, 25 May 2011 (UTC)

Support

1. Support Chester Markel (talk) 05:50, 25 May 2011 (UTC)
2. Support - Since I haven't had any issues with you as an admin, and I don't believe the step-up between adminship and bureaucrat is a huge one, I'm happy to support. Deb (talk) 07:29, 25 May 2011 (UTC)
3. Support. No reason to believe he'd fuck up the stuff 'crats are forced to do. Best of luck.  狐 Déan rolla bairille!  07:45, 25 May 2011 (UTC)
4. Support—I don't understand the reasoning that if someone's not very active the moment (and I disagree with the view that over 250 edits in the last month counts as inactive anyway) they shouldn't get the 'crat-flag. The question is whether or not they have the temperament to be a responsible 'crat. And Maxim does. ╟─TreasuryTag►senator─╢ 11:10, 25 May 2011 (UTC)

Oppose

1. Oppose - The whole point of the current discussion to elect more 'crats is to find active admins that will be online as needed. I see you have more edits in one month in 2007 than you have made in the past two years - in other words, you just have not been very active recently. Thanks for your past service, but given your relative lack of participation here of late I cannot ask you to serve as a 'crat. I have other issues with this nomination as well but can't get past this one. My best wishes always. Jusdafax 07:16, 25 May 2011 (UTC)

   The candidate has made over 100 edits in every month of this year. Generally, some positive actions taken with a user right are considered better than no actions. Chester Markel (talk) 07:46, 25 May 2011 (UTC)

   Sorry, but 39 edits from August to December of 2010, including three consecutive months with zeros, is not a level of activity I find support-worthy for a 'crat candidate. Jusdafax 08:28, 25 May 2011 (UTC)

2. Oppose per Jusdafax. You do good work but I am concerned with a lack of recent activity (minimalistic number of recent edits and ~250 log actions since July 2010). In your nomination statement, you speak of lack of active crats when ironically, you yourself are not very active. Sorry, FASTILY 09:45, 25 May 2011 (UTC)
3. Oppose Sorry, but who? I expect prospective bureaucrats to be active and involved in RFAs, and I can't say I've ever even heard of you and I'm pretty active here. Nothing against you or your admin abilities, but I think bureaucrats should show a bit more activity around the process they are going to be involved in. AD 11:56, 25 May 2011 (UTC)
4. Oppose (with regrets) I've reviewed some of candidates contributions, and in article space, quite impressive. However, we know that 'crat, like admin, is not a reward for doing good article work. I note, as others do, the drop off in activity in 2009 and 2010. The drop off was acknowledged, but not explained. I'm not asking for an explanation, it might well be personal and none of my business. It may well be that the reason for the drop off is no longer relevant, but I don't have any way of knowing that. I'm mildly concerned about the timing of this given only five months of recent activity (over 100 edits per month), but I am more concerned about the mix of edits over the last year. On the one hand, the project is about the content, so over 80% of edits to article space deserves kudos. On the other hand, the present question isn't an award for article contributions, it is a decision regarding who has the trust of the community to take 'crat actions. I see an editor, who after over a year of minimal activity, is returning to a more active role, but is not engaging with the community. Only 100 edits to the Misplaced Pages name space since June 2009, and under 50 edits to Misplaced Pages Talk in over two years. I see a candidate returning from a hiatus, getting back into the swing of things, who has the potential to be a strong candidate for 'crat in six months. The candidate may feel ready now, and may be ready now, but I need to see the evidence.--SPhilbrickT 12:46, 25 May 2011 (UTC)

Neutral

1. Leaning support. My position on the current need or lack of for new crats is that extra redundancy is a good thing, provided that the "redundant" parts are of equal quality to the current inventory. My gut feeling is that Maxim fits that description, but I will do some more research before committing myself. —WFC— 07:00, 25 May 2011 (UTC)