User talk:R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine)/Archive04

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

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

How's it hanging? Obey the Hypnoball! Shameslessly Nicked from Giano

Why??

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

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

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

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

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

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

Something for you...

I hereby present you with the *Military history WikiProject Distinguished Service Award* for your contributions to Wikipedia's coverage of the Napoleonic Wars. —Kirill Lok s hin 04:17, 12 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

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

Peer review

So, how about being our first guinea pig? ;-) —Kirill Lok s hin 22:08, 12 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

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

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

Roman Emperor Diocletian to help defeat the Blemmys

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

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

Opinion requested

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

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

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

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

Deserters...

...have been duly rounded up and shot ;-) Kirill Lok s hin 21:42, 20 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

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

Please help!!

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

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

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

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

Image Tagging for Image:Tetrarch_system.PNG

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

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

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

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

RfA thanks!

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

Thanks!

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

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

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

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

Orphanbot help page

Hi, I noticed your message on the orphanbot help page. [1] I can't help but feel this was a mean spirited attack on another user on a page that is meant to help answer questions for new users about copyright. It is by no means my intention to curtail any discussion you have about substantive issues here on Wikipedia if that's your desire. I think the venue you have chosen is completely inappropriate however. This is a page about images used mostly to help new users understand Wikipedia policies, it is not a forum for in-fighting and arguing. If you have any questions let me know. Also, just so you are aware you have several fair use images on your user page that are being used inappropriately. Please see the fair use criteria, and keep in mind that while following these policies isn't always the most fun, it does help reduce Wikipedia's legal liability. - cohesion^t 07:34, 24 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Hi. I intended that to be a playful way of telling him, he can just kill that image (Which he has). We have been argueing over it for months. I fully expected him to ignore it as he does most arguements and requests. Any mean spiritedness in it, is entirely of your own attribution....so much for WP:Good faith. My talkpage is also not a forum for in-fighting and arguing, yet certain users of late have too often turned it into such. I have raised these issues before with Carnildo, as you can see. So as per his suggestion I brought them to Jimbo, who completely ignored them. It is only now that Carnildo so desparately wants his mop back, and I have raised serious objections, that my views have been given any attention. Along with a small amount of harassment [2] Only a very small number of images pose a serious threat of lawsuits. The overreactionry behavior by Carnildo and his Image Copyright Vogons is well out of proportion and unjustified by the actual danger. Moreover, he really doesnt need admin powers to continue to contribute and perform his self-appointed function, especially with Orphanbot doing much of the grunt work. All the more reason to keep him away from the Op mop until he displays a clearer understanding of what Wikipedia IS. Good Evening, Sir, --R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 04:37, 26 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks

Thanks for the kind words!

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

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

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

Cheers, The Minist e r of War ^(Peace) 08:55, 24 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

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

Carnildo's RFA

"That GIANO and I agree 100%" [3] Ghost! I never knew you cared about me. Are you feeling quite well? I thought it was your lifetime's ambition to see me eternally banned. Pull yourself together Man - this will never do! What will the lower ranks think! I feel quite emotional. Giano | talk 10:33, 24 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

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

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

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

Redundant image

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

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

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

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

Userpage protected

I protected your userpage due to the WP:FU revert war. I am reasonably certain at this point you are familiar with fair use policy, yet for some strange reason I don't see any messages about it on this talk page... [4] Ashibaka tock 12:21, 26 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

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

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

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

WP:AN/I

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

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

Email

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

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

General O'connor

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

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

Military history WikiProject Newsletter, Issue I

The Military history WikiProject Newsletter
Issue I - March 2006

Project news

An independent military history peer review has been created for the benefit of the project. A number of articles have already been reviewed, receiving significantly more feedback within the project than they did on the generic peer review page.
The project's Collaboration of the Fortnight got off to a great start with Ferdinand Foch and is now focusing on the military history of Spain.
Two new task forces—dealing with warfare during classical antiquity and the Middle Ages—have been created.
An effort to build a catalogue of high-quality maps for use in military history articles is now underway.
The newly-formed translation department is looking for volunteers to help with translating featured articles from other-language Wikipedias.

From the Coordinators

Welcome to the inaugural issue of the Military history WikiProject's newsletter! We hope that this new format will help members—especially those who may be unable to keep up with some of the rapid developments that tend to occur—find new groups and programs within the project that they may wish to participate in.

Please consider this inital issue to be a prototype; as always, any comments and suggestions are quite welcome, and will help us improve the newsletter in the coming months.

Kirill Lok s hin, Lead Coordinator

Current proposals

Proposed guidelines for categories of military people are currently being discussed. A number of issues have already been resolved, but the proposed scheme is still in draft form and further input would be very welcome.

delivered by Loopy ^e 05:25, 30 March 2006 (UTC) [reply]

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

Bearings on Compass

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

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

I was also unaware of Jumbo Wilson's involvement. I take it that you're not interested in co-ordinating these articles? I doubt you'll have an edit war, nobody edits these articles. I added some quotes to Dorman Smith's ~~eulogy~~ article for balance, fully expecting to be reverted, but nobody has touched them. British WW2 generals are a Wikipedia backwater, which can sometimes be a good thing. Leith p 08:50, 31 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

A very good thing indeed. I so detest these high profile arguements that generate more heat than light. Sure, let's coord. Maybe we can even get Op Deo or Dabbler to help too. It's always good to present differing viewpoints, but it's also nice to have some consistancy and consensus as well.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 09:58, 31 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Dystopia (computer game)

Just to let you know, I reverted your edit to this because the vote has been closed for awhile now. Nufy8 06:48, 31 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Doh, I should have bothered to read the top more carefully. I trust you agree with the sentiments though...better late than:>--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 06:51, 31 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Simon Byrne FAC

Thank you for your support vote. I had not thought about the Tyson analogy, perhaps you are right we have all gone soft. Good thing we have Wikipedia to keep the pugilistic spirit alive. Giano | talk 07:53, 31 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

And long may it live...now PUT EM UP!:>--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 07:56, 31 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

If you want something to do for five minutes, take a look and clean up a couple of paragraphs in the final half of William Thompson (boxer) very therapeutic and rewarding! Not even wikified, indented paragraphs, and "fuck" used as an adjective (heaven forbid) I have just found it, in a very sad state. Giano | talk 09:00, 31 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I know so little about Victorian era pugalists. The Marquis of Queensbury (and how he wanted to beat the shyte out of Wilde for buggering his son) is about it. Clearly Mr. Thompson needs to be beaten into shape and equally clear you are the man for the job. And whilst yous work him over, Boss, me an da boys are gonna put the hit on some WWII Limey generals. But first I think I'm gonna link some old battle articles to my latest.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 10:32, 31 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

RfA Results and Thanks

R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine)/Archive04, thank you for supporting me in my recent RfA. Although it did not succeed as no consensus was declared (final: 65/29/7), I know that there is always an opportunity to request adminship again. If and when that day comes, I hope you will once again support me. If at any time I make any mistakes or if you would like to comment on my contributions to Wikipedia, you are more than welcome to do so. Regardless of your religious, cultural, and personal beliefs, I pray that whatever and whoever motivates you in life continues to guide you on the most righteous path.

--- joturner 02:13, 1 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

My (HereToHelp’s) RfA

Thank you for supporting my RfA. I’m proud to inform you that it passed with 75 support to 1 oppose to 2 neutral. I promise to make some great edits in the future (with edit summaries!) and use these powers to do all that I can to help. After all, that’s what I’m here for! (You didn’t think I could send a thank you note without a bad joke, could I?) --Here T oHelp 12:55, 1 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

YW. As I said, Here To Help? Now you have the chance to prove it;>--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 10:35, 3 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

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

Glad you made it and that you liked the lil joke. It is my observation that those with a sense of humor, or at least an appreciation of it, tend to make better admins, so this is a good sign my vote was well placed in your case and I wont be disappointed. Congrads and cheers--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 10:35, 3 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Could not agree more

Greetings, R.D.H.!
Thanks for your message re the recent RFA vote on Carnildo. I have read your discussion with him regarding OrphanBot's deletions and could not agree more with your position. My objection is he seems to feel that any image that lacks an explicit message from the copyright proprietor saying "I give Wikipedia consent to use this image" must be deleted. He's ignoring decades of fair use precedents, a rigid form of "copyright paranoia" as you have justly labeled it. This is the view of big corporate powers. Many people are ignorant that copyright exists not to make them rich but to supply Americans with things to read, watch, listen to, etc. Other than a few images from Playboy, I can't say I've seen images that aren't fair use here.
My last encounter with Carnildo was on the Bruce Johnson [candidacy]. All the disputed pictures were publicity photos on official Ohio web-sites. No state document or report I have ever seen--I'm an Ohioan--has ever claimed copyright. I contacted Bruce Johnson's press office and they told me they claimed no copyright in the pictures. But even that wasn't good enough. It's very frustrating because I have no idea how to satisfy him and Johnleemk. If either of them had a copyright law background--not even as attorneys, but dealing with rights--I'd be more inclined to accept their views. I really don't understand either user.
Anyhow, best wishes to you. Let me know if I can help fight "copyright paranoia". PedanticallySpeaking 19:11, 2 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Hello my friend and thanks for the reply! Suffice to say we are not only on the same page here, but the same paragraph:> I will do you the justice of a more in depth response later, when I have the time. For now it is off to the ~~saltmine~~ workplace. Till then here's to our fight against the Vogons!--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 13:53, 3 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you

Thank you for your vote of confidence in my recent request for bureaucratship. Even though it didn't pass, I greatly appreciate your support and hope I will continue to have your respect. Thank you! Flcelloguy (A note?) 23:04, 2 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

It's Wiki's loss by denying itself a dedicated and reasonable B-Crat. take care my friend and cya round--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 10:38, 3 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks

Hey Ghost, Thanks for the award. The Blue Max!. I'm speechless. Hope things have calmed down with the user page craziness that was going on. later --ansbachdragoner 00:03, 3 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

As i said, VERY well earned and LONG overdue! Thanks largely to you LGA is looking 1000% better. If it has smooth sailing through the treacherous waters of FAC, it will be mainly your doing:> And you are well on your way to giving the same treatment of the FRA as well. Not to mention the countless other military history articles you have started and/or improved upon. You're a one man Project/TaskForce who should have half-a-dozen Blue Maxs by now if there were any justice. It had been a pleasure and privillage to work with you. Now on to further glorious victories, my friend! "Auf, Ansbach-Bayreuth! Auf, Ansbach-Dragoner!"--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 12:08, 3 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Randuni()

A not-so-random reach out. I'm no Phaedriel, but my talk page is open to all. - brenneman^{L} 01:25, 3 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks, I appreciate it. But fortunately my war with the image copywrong Vogons has reached a ceasefire. I'm still here...for now.

(Where is Phaedriel anyways? I'm concerned. I was really starting to like her!) Unrefactored regards,--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 12:20, 3 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Note due taken of your concern, R.D.H. :) I'm truly flattered that you like me - despite we have never interacted before, the feeling is mutual, believe me! And please relax, my not-so-voluntary exile is over, and I'm alive and kicking ;) Cheers! User:Phaedriel - 22:25, 9 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Phaedriel! So glad you are well, kicking and back! Your return, along with that of our mutual Spawn buddy, is some of the best news I've had on here in sometime. I'm going to haveta start checking my mail on here more often again. Welcome back + cheers, --R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 03:28, 15 May 2006 (UTC) or simply Ghost to his friends:>[reply]

RFA Thanks

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

My RfA

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

User:Monicasdude

As Monicasdude doesn't appear to be taking much from the two RFCs against him, I have opened a Request for Arbitration. Feel free to make a statement at Wikipedia:Requests for arbitration#Monicasdude.

You were contacted because you endorsed a previous RFC against Monicasdude, please accept my sincere apologies if this message is not of interest to you and feel free to blank it. Stifle 15:47, 6 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

No need to apologize. I'd prefer not to. Hang him if you must, but I will not help. There are far more smelly fish here to fry.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 04:59, 13 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Images

Hi Ghost! I'm unsure whether you're aware of this, so just thought I'd notify you that I noticed some of your images from that big ol' French Army have been listed at Wikipedia:Copyright problems#25 March 2006. Should I say "oh, oh"? ;-) Take care, dude. SoLando (Talk) 15:17, 10 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Hi. Even stuff that is PD-old and PD-art still needs a source. User:Jimbo Wales was recently expressing some concern that we are relying too much upon Bridgeman v. Corel for our image use. We need to source these images, whether they be scans from books or taken from other websites, so that any editor can verify their status and so that we can keep track of what we are taking from where. Thanks. Jkelly 02:05, 13 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for your concern. But before we talk about image sources, let's consider the main source of this whole mess- User:MattKingston, who is trying to make this into an arbcomm case. As you can see he's decided my fairuse of 2 centuries old images, somehow poses a grave legal threat to Wikipedia and wants to see me banned if he cant harass me into leaving. He's devoted much of his time in recent weeks to it. I've become his personal project it seems (S is for stalking). Here is a mediocre contributor, with over 400 deleted edits...Who has never been anywhere near a featured article, yet is trying to ruin a potential one I've put a lot of time, work and Wikilove into. The funny (strange) thing is, to my knowledge, I've had no previous interactions with the guy, he just suddenly decided I'm guilty of grave copyright infringements and has come after me. He clearly has no understanding of fairuse nor of what this project is supposedly about (IE BUILDING a free, quality encyclopedia by collecting and presenting knowledge). Vogons and bullies such as Kingston are helping to destroy this community by undermining the sense of trust, good faith and collaboration which are its pillars. By insisting on putting policy and process ahead of product, they go against everything Wikipedia stands for. I don't think Jimbo wants to see the spirit of his project gutted by a narrow-mided, rigid adherence to the letter of his policies. Take care dudes. Sapere Aude.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 04:53, 13 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Please don't remove {{no source}} tags

It is not acceptable to remove {{no source}} tags from images until and unless a source is added. Additionally, images removed from pages by OrphanBot should not be added back to pages until and unless the reason for their removal is addressed. Removing important tags from pages can be considered avoidant vandalism, and should not be done. The images in question which did not have proper source details have now been speedy deleted. Stifle (talk) 12:51, 13 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Thought you could use some

Thought you could use some moral support. I've noticed you've been getting into all sorts of pickles lately (aah metal note: pickles as an award!).

To be honest, I dont have any clue about the legal stuff. They are probably right about the fact that those images would have to be removed if somebody claims copyright, but to be quite honest, I dont see the harm in waiting until they actually do so! I remember a map being tagged as possible copyvio when it was published in 1699! Last I heard, all highlanders died out (well, except maybe one). Tagged it pd-old as well, havent heard anyone complaining yet (though this remark might make them!)

Well anyway, dont let this kind of stuff bring you down. There are quite a few people who realise that you do great stuff on WP:MILHIST stuff. Mind you, it might help if you stopped calling people Vogons. Although seriously, if somebody were to call me a Vogon, I think I wouldnt be angry at all. I'd just start reciting poetry! ;-)

Cheers! The Minist e r of War ^(Peace) 13:24, 13 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks so much bro. I really appreciate your good words and well crafted defense (And also the Scotch, though I prefer Irish whiskey...forgive me Leithp, for I hath blasphemed;). But I must call em as I sees em and in my eyes they sure look like Vogons. Not evil, but bad tempered, bureaucratic, officious and callous. Think about it! I really am starting to get disheartened (shows huh?). I used to love to logon here...twas one of my days' high points..almost always enjoyed seeing the friendly baige-blue "You have new messages!" notice. Now I cringe and wonder "WTF am I being accused of this time!?" :<. What makes it worse, in a weird way, is that my life is going pretty damned well, overall, otherwise at the moment. Logging in here, if anything, is interfering with my enjoyment of this fact. Wiki has become the mouse turd (tm) in my Cappuccino. Tell you how bad it is-Jimbo Wales himself graced my town with a visit the other day, giving an evening speech at the UF Alumni hall. A few months ago, I would have drove over old ladies and babies to attend. But now, I just said "Intercourse it", chatted with some friends and played Rome: Total War instead. Barely gave the matter a 2nd thought. No regrets either. I read in the local paper the next day where he spoke of the "Culture of trust" here, which is so clearly breaking down if not already irreversably broken. Is he really that out of touch with what is going on "down in the trenches"? I can understand a certain amount of denial, especially since it is happening so suddenly, so fast. But silly me, I was always taught that when the ship is suddenly headed for ground, you quickly steer away from it. Thus is the sorry state, of late, of my Wikifaith.

But thanks again, for reminding me I still have a few good reasons, besides morbid curiosity, to login. Peace and Sapere Aude amigo,--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 02:24, 16 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

PS. Of course, I will gladly give you any help I can in your kind and thoughtful efforts at retagging some of my images. Part of the problem is, I had the notes on where I found many of them on my old computer, which crashed back in January taking all that info with it. Some of them had been deleted, so when I reupped them, I no longer could recall where I found them. Ahh the joys of senility, WHAT.

Aaaah we share poison as well! Nothing like talking until the blue hour with a glass full of Tullamore Dew. :-)

I agree the atmosphere is been deteriorating a bit. I've seen loads of good editors leave, I indeed also wonder whether Jimbo realises it. It seems that many editors (myself included to a certain extent) have the feeling they are walking on glass. Everything you say and do, can - and will - immediately be questioned by everybody and his neighbour. Makes it tough to be bold. I guess its easier in his position, I doubt people leave messages on his talk page about the stupid edits he's made. I wonder whether he knows what the little guy actually deals with.

And please, do tag along (pun intended) at User:The_Minister_of_War/RDH! I've found a few, but the site you provided on Napoleon (bloody beautiful site btw!) has so many images I kind of lost track. Also, lately work on my thesis is reaching all time stress levels, so my leisure time to browse through copyright tags is also diminishing rapidly. I have six weeks until my deadline, and about nine more weeks worth of work to do. Ouch.

Glad you're back, mate! :-) The Minist e r of War ^(Peace) 10:33, 16 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Hey, nothing is more important than our real lives mate! At least not until Jimbo starts paying us more:> Your academic career trumps anything this place could possibly offer. The times may be stressful now, but I'm certain you'll do Brill! And in a couple decades during blue heure, you'll be sipping some our fav poisons, and looking back on this as exciting and good times. So savour it while it lasts. The pedia and even I, most likely, will still be here when you get back.

So...about this image-tagging mess, do you think fairuse-in or PD-art would be better? I've been upping the ones whose sources I know of to the Commons, where they'll be safe(er). But given the sources, one of those tags should sort it out, what? Here's to an end to Eternal September and a neverending Blue hour..cheers --R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 13:11, 26 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

And by the by, I do agree with you on the copyright stuff. But isnt it an old roman saying that you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar? Ah well, it was in Asterix anyway. The Minist e r of War ^(Peace) 08:00, 18 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Yep, hang in there mate. It can get pretty ridiculous with copyright sometimes, and it gets VERY frustrating when people seem to spend more time tearing down existing articles and images rather than creating their own. Wierd how I experience less resistance when clearing footage or music for fair use in a commerical program for tv broadcast than with posting a 100 year old image on the NON-PROFIT wikipedia. Still, it's definietly worthwhile hanging in there, your contribs really are fantastic and i'm sure that they're greatly appreciated by the silent majority. Oh, and if you're oing for scotch, you deserve a nice single malt! later.--ansbachdragoner 02:28, 20 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I appreciate it mates! Especially from two such great friends and editors as you. We have to start telling these deletionist Vogons where to get off. Towards that end, please consider what I proposed to PedanticallySpeaking. Some sort of Fellowship for Free and Fairuse is perhaps in order here? Giano, if you are reading this, I think you might be interested too, since I know you share many of our beliefs on the matter. This insanity tinged with idiocy must end. Let's make a stand and take back OUR Wikipedia!--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 13:11, 26 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

PD-art tag

Hi. I know from reading above you feel like your being hounded. Please don't think I'm hounding you. I just feel there needs to be some resolution to this. Surely you can agree that the PD-art tag is not appropriate. The criteria is sets out is that the copyright expires after 100 years + the author's age. This (as far as I can make out) is not the case here. If there is no other tag they can be listed under they have to be deleted. Still no sources for them either? Best regards Mark83 11:57, 14 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Those images you deleted and removed, were from several series of plates by acclaimed Napoleonic historical artist Lucien Rousellot. They were created during the 1920's-1940's. Monsieur Rousellot passed away, I believe, in the late 1980's. His work has since been used in several books, most notably Napoleon's Elite Cavalry: Cavalry of the Imperial Guard, 1804-1815 by Edward Ryan. Here's the Amazon link to save User:MattKingston the trouble of looking it up. They have also been fairly used on a number of websites such as Napoleon, His Army and Enemies. Any copyright most likely falls under FRENCH, not US, law. And though far from expert on the matter, they seem to have a much more permissive, and to my mind reasonable, stance regarding the free use of historical images, especially where the artist is deceased. But conceeding the PD-art tag is not appropriate, surely Fairuse-inarticle is. Not only fair, but paying just homage to Monsieur Rousellot, by displaying his artwork to a much larger, wider audience than it would otherwise garner. And no, I do not regard a fair question, politely asked to be hounding. Removing and deleting images for questionable reasons, however, is another matter. Regards --R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 02:25, 16 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The responsibility lies with the uploader to add a suitable licence. I am not deleting any more images. Those listed at WP:Copyright problems have been tagged with nosource/unknown templates. This requires a source to be provided and copyright status acknowledged to prevent deletion. These are: Image:Grenadier-a-pied-de-la-Vieille-Garde.png Image:1102569922wiglaf.jpg Image:EbleJeanBaptiste.jpg Image:TxRangercharge.gif Image:TxRangercolumn.gif Image:Austerlitz1805.jpeg Image:Artillgun1805.jpg Image:Lancer.jpg Image:Dragoon.jpg Image:Cuirass.jpg Image:Youngguard.jpg Image:Campaigned'egypte1799.jpg Image:Voltigeur.jpg Regards Mark83 14:54, 18 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Image:Grenadier-a-pied-de-la-Vieille-Garde.png, is from the French Wiki, Voyez ici. Image:1102569922wiglaf.jpg, is an image by User:Wiglaf which I saved from Orphanbot. I dont recall where I got the TxRanger images from, I had notes but they were lost when my comp crashed back in January. The same is true for Image:Austerlitz1805.jpeg. Most of the rest of the Napoleonic images came from www.napoleonguide.com. Except for the Image:Campaigned'egypte1799.jpg which is from French Defense Historical Service. So now you know:> regards--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 13:48, 26 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Old Skool Esperanzial note

Since this isn't the result of an AC meeting, I have decided to go Old Skool. This note is to remind you that the elections are taking place now and will end at 23:50 UTC on 2006-04-29. Please vote here. Thanks. --Cel es tianpower ^háblame 20:42, 23 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

You're back!

We missed you! ;-) Kirill Lok s h in 13:27, 26 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Suuure you did...but thanks, tis good to be back...for now;>--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 13:50, 26 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Oh you're back are you? - been lazing in the sun no doubt pretending it was a wiki-break. - I just hope you are going to be a nice, kind and reformed character - I am watching you! Giano | talk 21:02, 26 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

On the lazing in the sun charge I plead guilty. As for being nice, kind and reformed, of course not! I have a hard earned rep for being a non-conforming, combative, crumudgeon to uphold:> Say, what thinkest thou, Sir G, of the "Fellowship For Fair and Free Use" idea?--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 21:21, 28 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Give me a link to what you're talking about and I will tell you! As usual you are being obscure. Giano | talk 21:30, 28 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

It grew out of this discussion I was having with PedanticallySpeaking. I thought since you are a) ~~stalking~~ watching me and b) share our beliefs on the matter, you might be interested.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 21:47, 28 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I'm not stalking you you, I merely, for some reason, popped over to see what you were doing! I will take a look at your discussion with PD. Regarding your edit summary, were you a good Catholic you would know St Jude deals with lost causes, although perhaps he is the right man for this partcular problem! Giano | talk 08:31, 29 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Very apropos indeed, besides I'm partial to lost causes for some reason. That's why I keep throwing myself against the Vogon Deletionists' juggarnaught. Of course I'm kidding about the stalking. In case you didnt realize, you are now Persona non-non grata here...I only ~~steal~~ borrow stuff from those I regard favourably:>--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 15:44, 2 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

R.D.H. I'm sad to hear that you left. I hope it was not because of my departure, as I know you regarded me as a close friend (& vice versa). I have to say that I wish you'd change your user page back to the nice friendly one you had before & that you would cheer up. I hope everything turns out alright... Spawn Man 02:39, 12 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Military history WikiProject Newsletter - Issue II

The April 2006 issue of the project newsletter is now out. You may read this issue or change the format in which future issues will be delivered to you by following the link. Thanks. Kirill Lok s h in 18:55, 30 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

WOOT! Glad you brought the Cart dept back:>--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 15:45, 2 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

My recent edit

I noticed you reverted the edit I made to your userpage. It's your page, so I won't edit it again. As long as you keep it this way, though, it is being included in the User templates category, which it doesn't belong in. – Someguy0830 (Talk | contribs) 19:17, 2 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Ok I see. Only wish you would have EXPLAINED it to me first. It is the polite thing to do you know. Carry on :>--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 21:19, 2 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Someone already got to it, but I'm glad you understand. I figured the edit summary was enough. Should have been clearer. – Someguy0830 (Talk | contribs) 22:35, 2 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Hiya!!!

Hiya R.D.H.!!! I'm glad to say that I have returned from my Wikibreak refreshed & ready to return to my old ways, whatever they were. I hope not to much has happened, but if you could pretty please give me a sumamry of everything that's happened on my talk it would be really appreciated, (cause I don't feel like scrolling around all the user talks in wiki looking for what's happened in my absence,:) ). For example, has anyone been banned, articles been deleted, people been ELIMINATED?, people been made governors of California??? Anyway, I'll be back up & running soon enough. Spawn Man 20:41, 10 May 2006 (UTC). P.S., I'm not to sure about this new lean & mean user page you've set up R.D.H. Looks like you're too tough for me now... :)[reply]

Hiya Spawn Bro! Welcome back! Too tough even for you now huh...it's Mr. KoolAide(tm) isnt it? I Admit, he can be rather intimidating. But such are the times we live in, one has to adjust. The Copywrong police decided my old page was double plus ungood and so browbeat me into changing it. The result is a compromise, and not one I made gladly or willingly. But it is better than the alternatives, those being a blanked/deleted page and me leaving/being banned from the project. Ya dig? It seems a bunch of Vogons and Jobsworths are trying to take over. The same lot who wanted to delete your reviews page. I'm glad youre back, though. Maybe you can help make this place FUN again.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 03:12, 15 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Help running cartography department

I am a Dutch historian with a passion for maps. I have finished my bachelor and i am now doing my master at Leiden University. I don't know how much work the running of the cartography department will be, but i have enough spare time the coming months. I have just finished some busy months. I know a little bit about military history, because i followed a introduction course on western military history at the academy.--Daanschr 08:18, 11 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Apologies for the belated reply and THANK YOU for your response! Passion and time are the main qualifications. Knowledge, not only of Mil. hist. but of the far more bland and arcane subjects of copyright laws and Wikipedia policies therein, is good, but not major requirements. You have my endorsement, I'll pass along word to Chairman Kirill, and if he approves, consider yourself HIRED:> Thanks again and cheers, --R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 02:59, 15 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I have no objections (and, given the lack of activity, I don't think anyone else will either). A basic knowledge of military history is good but not required; this tends to be more of an organizational job. The two main things needed:

Organizing the cartography department so that (a) editors can find the maps they need and (b) the inclusion of the maps here is visible to the admins on Commmons.
Roaming around looking for maps (primarily on Commons, though we do have some locally), checking to make sure they have the right copyright tags and source information, and adding them to the catalogue in the department.

If you're interested in taking this on, at least for the time being, we'd love to have you! Kirill Lok s h in 03:47, 15 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Looks like we have a winner, if you accept Daanschr. Should you need help with anything, especially catigorization, please let me know. I might also help out on the commons. I've been spending some time there lately, where they seem to have a more reasonable and easy-going lot running the show.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 04:16, 15 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, i accept. Unfortunately, i have little time the coming two weeks, but afterwards i can help.--Daanschr 12:59, 15 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Great! Welcome aboard! Kirill Lokshin 14:49, 15 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Commons?

You're working on Commons now? If you're ever bored there, let me know; I have a huge backlog of categorization stuff I've been meaning to get around to ;-) Kirill Lokshin 15:47, 15 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Working more in the sense of spending almost as much time there as I do here..IE hardly working. But I do have an account on there now, so leave me a message and Ill be gladly do what I can:>--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 04:18, 16 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Need for translator (fr to en)

Hello fellow Wikipedian. I'm looking for some help at Scanderbeg. I 've left a message at the project page but noone responded. If you can and if you are interested, please check this french book (it is in public domain) so that this article (and perhaps the many related articles) gets improved. Thanks! talk to +MATIA 06:46, 17 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Certainly. Most of it appears in a choppy, fragmented style which French historical narratives sometimes use, or it could suggest that it is the translation from an earlier source. A map would also be very useful to help with some of the place names, most of which I cannot translate properly. But I'll give it a try:

Book one

(Following the) conquest of Macedonia by (Sultan) Murad II - (which was) his first incursion into Epirus.- Jean Castriota, Lord of Sfetigrad and the valleys (vales) of the Dibres, was obligated to deliver his four sons as hostages to him (the Sultan). The eldest of them, George -(Whom) Murad had instructed in the religion of Muhammad. - (showed) remarkable qualities (and) the apptitude of a young, warrior prince.- His courage (and) his exploits earned him the surname of Scanderberg.-(after the) Death of Jean Castriota.- Murad annexed his domains. - (earning him) resentment from Scanderberg.-(he was) later approached by the Albanian chiefs to lead. -They revolted- and proclaimed Albanian independence. But the Turks retook their fortified places, and summoned to Alessio all the Christian princes and captains of the land (surrounding countryside).

In the 15th century, various indepenant lords held possession of Albania once again. The leader (head) and the most powerful of all, (was) Jean Castriota, from an ancient and brave people originating in Emathie*, below Macedonia.

Actually a district of Moghlena. This area was bordered by Axius and Erigon to the northwest; to the east Lyncestide; to the south Haliacmon. Edesse (Eddessa?), today's Vodina, was its principle town.

Hope this helps:> Regards, --R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 02:18, 18 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

HQITW is back!

HQITW is back & you are on the scoreboard!! Spawn Man 22:14, 23 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Aye, back with a vengence. I went to try and answer a few but found I'd been beat to the punch drunk. You will haveta come up with a new batch, there are NONE left:>--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 06:07, 24 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Iron law of oligarchy

I've been recently reading about the law, and I have even started browsing the original Michels book (well, the English translation, which suprisingly reads quite nicely, at least compared to quite a lot of other social science stuff one can find). One of my recent thoughs is that this law perfectly illustrates how Wikipedia is, involuntarily, moving from democracy to oligarchy. Would you agree?--Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus ^Talk 23:49, 23 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I noticed your very sage contributions there. Thanks to them it is now out of the "start" phase and looking like a real article. The Iron law is, I believe, the reason why the Wikipedia revolution will ultimately fail, even though it is occasionally televised. We are clearly in a painful transitional period right now. Away from openness, transparency and democracy towards a much more bureaucratic and yes oligarchic order of things. The forces driving this change are the exact same ones Michels identifies: Growth (both in terms of size and complexity), specialization, delegation, rationalization and routinization of authority. These trends are also driving away the idealists and replacing them with idealogues and eventually Apparatchiks. It's not so much fun to joke about "the cabal" or its existance anymore, unless of course one is a member. Some animals are clearly more equal than others. This process, is involuntary and, unfortunately, inevitable. At the end of the day, I'm a pragmatist...one has to be...I don't want a career tilting at windmills....too frustrating and doesnt pay the bills:>. Thank you for your thoughts my friend, and for indulging mine,--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 12:00, 24 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I think you are allowing yourself to be to pessimistic. ILOO states, after all, that oligarchy, bureaucracy, r's and such are an inevitable consequence of increasing size - but it is not just a simple degeneration, it is needed to sustain and even improve efficiency (Wikipedia:Scalability comes to mind). And while I also had an unpleasant run-ins into thick-headed officials, and seen friends and good wikipedians suffer from similar problems with bureaucracy, where letter of the law triumphs over the spirit of the law (i.e. encyclopedia building) those were all a brief incidents, and I pleasantly spent most of my wikitime doing what I like best: creating content. As I watch wiki growth every day, I may be just lucky - but optimistically I prefer to believe that we all are, and that Wikipedia project will not fail. That said, it would be interesting to see what can be done to 'put a human face' on our oligarchy. Michels, for example, stresses that one of the factors responsible for ILOO is the technological inefficiency. With Internet, obviously utlised by Wiki, there have been predictions that this may change. Can it? Can we make it more friendly? I believe that projects like Wikipedia:Esperanza and such are a step in the right direction: while arbitration and such are not working well, perhaps simple goodwill and human kindness will save us. Irrealistic, I hear some say? Well, didn't a free and freely editable encyclopedia for all sounded unrealistic at first, too?--Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus ^Talk 18:22, 24 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Your optimism is admirable, my friend (though not as much so as your many outstanding contributions:). But let's not forget that the sword of technological efficiency cuts both ways: While it allows for greater participation and accountability, it also allows the 'Crats and Oligarchs to assert greater control and better monitor us "trouble makers". A fact that is being vividly demonstrated here in the US, at the moment, by the NSA warrantless surveillance controversy. The very facelessness of it likewise, empowers both leaders and rank & file by making callousness, distrust and incivisme far easier (example:it is far easier to insult, or disregard a faceless stranger, than someone sitting in the same room next to you). Wikipedia:Esperanza, has basically, the right idea to help remedy this-create a smaller community within the larger one, dedicated to spreading good will and helping fellow Wikipedians in need. The problem (and one of the main reasons I'm no longer a member) is it really doesnt seem to DO anything in the way of actually helping to build/improve the community, or as you stated, to put a "human face" on the Oligarchy here. It holds elections, it issues policy statements, it attempts to address the symptoms of incivility and disillusionment, but nothing to get at the root causes of them. Meanwhile it makes many of the Esperanzos feel good about themselves for being members, and some of them actually do some good in the way of reaching out, mediation and recognition of good editors. But these efforts are mainly undertaken by indvidual members themselves of their own initiative, sans the blessing of the rest of ESP. ESP itself, has become too large and cumbersome, and thus fallen victim to Michel's Iron Law also. At best it is the Wiki-UN. No, I believe the true future of Wikipedia lies not with ESP, but with projects which actually DO something to build both the 'Pedia and its community...such as Wikipedia:WikiProject Military history for instance. These smaller, or decentralized in the case of WP:Mil Hist, groups will set about doing their "own thing", while having as little to do with the 'crats and oligarchs in the larger project than need be. If the crats and oligs, extend them the same courtesy, then this arrangement, while not ideal, might just work. If not, oh well, if nothing else Wikipedia is a fascinating experiment in organized chaos and functional dysfunction. As a connaisieur of Dystopias and a fan (though not follower) of Discordianism, I can still appreciate it on this level;>--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 15:11, 29 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I was recently (negatively) suprised to learn about WP:ESP going on wikibreak, especially as the same seems to be happening right now to WP:CCD. If I am not mistaken, this leaves WP:KC as the only remaining organization on this front. As I was not the member of these organizations, I am not sure what has happened to them, but I'd assume you are probably right. Still, I think those projects are important: sure, content building WikiProjects are more important to the encyclopedia side, but I don't think we can survive (scalability...) without the 'human face' (i.e. community feel). As a member of some of such projects (most notably WP:PWNB) I certainly agree that we are able to do good work without almost any interaction with the 'oligarchs', but on the other hand some of the problems we run into could be solved (or at least much smoothed) if we had more help from the 'do-gooders' organizations. Just an example: there should be a pro-active mediator/esperantist, asking community members on their forums about problems (or reviewing recent discussions), trying to step in and difuse any disputes they find. I believe that the there was a project to track users with high wikistress (via Wikistress meter) and help all those near the breaking point (sadly, when for a few days I was annoyed and listed myself as having ws level or 3, nobody seemed to care :( , perhaps because the relevant projects are in a crisis?). As much as I see the need for more content wikiprojects and more activity in almost all content areas, I really believe we need the 'do-godders' projects, too. On a related note, perhaps you'll find this discussion of interest: Wikipedia_talk:What_Wikipedia_is_not#.22Wikipedia_is_not_a_bureaucracy.22_section_needs_redesign.--Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus ^Talk 23:17, 29 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Survey on the use of Latinized/Greek names for Byzantine rulers

Hi. There is a survey on the names of Byzantine rulers at Talk:Constantine XI. Maybe you are interested in.--Panairjdde 13:11, 24 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for the word, my friend, I shall be there shortly to contribute my denari on the matter:> Best to you, --R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 15:12, 29 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Military history WikiProject Newsletter - Issue III - May 2006

The May 2006 issue of the Military history WikiProject newsletter has been published. You may read the newsletter, change the format in which future issues will be delivered to you, or unsubscribe from this notification by following the link. Thank you. Kirill Lokshin 05:34, 25 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you for your comments in Lar's RfA!

We are here to build an encyclopedia!

Hi Ghost, and thank you for your supportive comments in my request for adminship! With a final tally of (109/5/1), I have been entrusted with adminship. It's been several weeks since the conclusion of the process, so hopefully you've had a chance to see me in action. Please let me know what you think! Thanks again, and I will do everything I can to justify the trust you've placed in me! I think your comments about not getting too involved in politics are quite profound, as I said at the time... but I'm meta at heart, can't help it. ++Lar: t/c 03:25, 28 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Adverts: Like The Beatles?... Like LEGO?... In a WikiProject that classifies?... Are you an accountable admin?... Got DYK?...

Mauthausen-Gusen

What can I say... thanks :) //Halibu tt 17:11, 29 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Survey on the use of Latinized/Greek names for Byzantine rulers Follow Up

Greetings. As a recent contributor to the survey on the names of Byzantine rulers at Talk:Constantine XI, you may be interested in the following. A mediation sought by Panairjdde resulted in the recommendation that "that proposal two from this page be implemented in the short term, until a consensus can be reached about proposal three". (Technically this happened before your actual contribution.) Accordingly, before resuming the editorial process, I am seeking feedback on whether option 2 or 3 of the former survey is more acceptable. In either case redirects will have to be created, but in the latter case only once. Please state (or re-state) your opinion in the follow up survey on Talk:Constantine XI. Thank you for your time, Imladjov 14:19, 29 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

HQITWS is back!

With my virus gone, HQITWS is back! Spawn Man 23:00, 1 June 2006 (UTC). P.S. You may feel free to delete this, as it partly spam! :)[reply]

Scanderbeg again

When (and if) you can, please check the {{fact}} requests at Skanderbeg (with that french bio). Thanks! talk to +MATIA 06:21, 7 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Salutations!

Greetings, RDH!
I've been away for about six weeks. I am pleased to see some of my articles have been patrolled in my absence (e.g. Katie Holmes). Haven't heard from you in a while. How are you doing? PedanticallySpeaking 16:55, 20 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Wikipedia:Featured article candidates/Velociraptor

I just know you want support another of my dino articles: Velociraptor, here: Wikipedia:Featured article candidates/Velociraptor. You just can't resist can you? Can you? *Jedi Mind trick*. Have a good one my old friend.... Spawn Man 04:30, 23 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

A short Esperanzial update

As you may have gathered, discussions have been raging for about a week on the Esperanza talk page as to the future direction of Esperanza. Some of these are still ongoing and warrant more input (such as the idea to scrap the members list altogether). However, some decisions have been made and the charter has hence been amended. See what happened. Basically, the whole leadership has had a reshuffle, so please review the new, improved charter.

As a result, we are electing 4 people this month. They will replace JoanneB and Pschemp and form a new tranche A, serving until December. Elections will begin on 2006-07-02 and last until 2006-07-09. If you wish to run for a Council position, add your name to the list before 2006-07-02. For more details, see Wikipedia:Esperanza/June 2006 elections.

Thanks and kind, Esperanzial regards, —Cel es tianpower ^háblame 16:00, 23 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Military history WikiProject Newsletter - Issue IV - June 2006

The June 2006 issue of the Military history WikiProject newsletter has been published. You may read the newsletter, change the format in which future issues will be delivered to you, or unsubscribe from this notification by following the link. Thank you. Kirill Lokshin 05:31, 30 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Move request for emperors of the Palaeologus/Palaiologos dynasty

Hi. There is a move request for several Palaeologus/Palaiologos dynasty emperors at Talk:List of Byzantine Emperors. I tought you might be interested in.--Panairjdde 22:20, 8 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

To my dear friends and Wikipedes

Belated Apologies for my long absence. As my colleagues and friends, though, you are entitled to more than a mere apology, but an explanation as well. Of course I could blame the Usual Suspects (Laziness and an outside life which has grown increasingly busy and interesting). But sadly, they have been joined by an insidious accomplice in the terrible form of an almost complete apathy. The motivation and magic just are'nt there anymore. I so wish it were otherwise. But until I can find them again, along with the precious commodity of spare time, my activities here will be greatly reduced. Please take heart, however, I'm not leaving entirely. I'm far too stuborn and have grown far too fond of this place and far too many of you, simply to abandon ship and go AWOL. I still believe this to be a noble and worthy endeavour. You won't be rid of me so easily;> Best wishes and regards to y'all --R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 23:41, 9 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

What's up man? Sorry if haven't been online for a while and more to hear that the pedia is loosing a talented man... --Philx 04:24, 14 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Damn, dear RDH, it was about time you showed up! Perhaps we should chain you to your userpage just to make sure you don't leave again? ;) Now sharpen that pencil and start writting military history articles again... pretty please, with sugar on top? Glad to see you around again! Cheers, Phædriel ♥ tell me - 00:00, 15 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Well Phaedriel...my friend, admin-to-be and WikiSuperstar, I'm back. For now. Though I shouldve heeded the advice I gave to Lar and stayed the hell away from politics;> HUGS--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 23:45, 2 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

PS Please check out my latest about my new friend Walter Christie. I'm a sucker for historical underdogs, noble lost causes and brilliant failures (I write articles for the needy and not the greedy, honey;). This guy was the Preston Tucker of tanks.

Military history WikiProject Newsletter - Issue V - July 2006

The July 2006 issue of the Military history WikiProject newsletter has been published. You may read the newsletter, change the format in which future issues will be delivered to you, or unsubscribe from this notification by following the link. Thank you.

This is an automated delivery by grafikbot.

Wikipedia:WikiProject Military history Coordinator Elections!

The Military history WikiProject coordinator selection process is starting. We are looking to elect seven coordinators to serve for the next six months; if you are interested in running, please sign up here by August 11!

This is an automated delivery by grafikbot - 19:21, 26 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Image:GrafZep1.jpg

I've nominated this for deletion on Commons... I know you hate Copyright paranoia but I thought I ought to make you aware of why I did it! Basically, stuff on the BBC website isn't automatically Crown Copyright. In fact, I believe that all BBC-produced material is (C) BBC and not Crown Copyright at all - the corporation is state-owned, but is not part of the UK government, so its works don't come under Crown Copyright. That doesn't actually matter in this instance - often the BBC obtains its images from other sources, and this is a clear example. They took this photograph from the AP archives, as can be seen from the "AP" in the bottom right of the picture. In general AP stuff is a no-no even for fair use, let alone claims that this is public domain. I suspect there's a chance that the image may be public domain, but that would require digging out the original source. Any ideas what it might be? TheGrappler 19:02, 28 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

No ideas. I'm only an unpaid, voluneer editor and amature researcher...not a copyright lawyer. But it is fairly certain neither the BBC nor AP "own" the photo. CrownCopy was the best I could come up with on short notice. But go ahead and delete it now that it's off the mainpage..looks like you and your deletionists friends are going to regardless. Why cant you simply retag something instead of deleting it? I dont understand. Arent we supposedly building a free multimedia pedia here, not tearing one down? Yes, I hate copywrong paranoia. But I hate pointless policy enforcement and the "where there's any doubt- delete" mentality even more. --R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 16:39, 31 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Pleeeease come back my friend!

Please come back my dear R.D.H.! I miss your humour so much. I feel like a part of me has died on here because you have left! You were & are my best friend on here & you don't care what the heck I'm like. Wikipedia is such a horrible place for people like you & me & we need to stick together to belong. Please come back. I have nobody else on here that likes & enjoys my company the way you did. I know this all sounds weird from someone who's never met you, but I don't have a lot of friends on here or in real life, but funnily, the friendship I struck up with you was one of the best. Please rethink your decision. You could come back & we could try & make wikipedia a better, friendlier place. I hope you check this page every once in a while. I'm so sad in your absense friend. Pleeeease come back! *Cry* Not even Phaedriel can cheer me up now, she's become an admin. She's been here for a short while, has less edits, but just cause she's a nice girl, all the guys vote for her. Kirill is off on his own storyline, with his military section. LA has disappeared it seems from sight. And now you've gone. If something doesn't change, I'm going to leave too. Spawn Man 09:00, 30 July 2006 (UTC). P.S. I am both honoured & grateful you made your last edit on my talk page. Let it not be the last though.... :([reply]

Spawn bro, please don't tie your fate here to that of a burned out old man. You have MANY friends here...more than I. You're just not counting em all:) I know where you're coming from. This geezer was once a lonely, socially awkward teen who didnt know yet how to count his blessings (and sometimes is still). People and circumstances change. I've simply decided to sit it out, if and until they change for the better here. Are you really surprised by RFA's? They are nothing more than PP (Popularity and Politics:). Our friend Phaedriel is very popular, and for good reasons. Let's be happy for her. Kirill pretty much IS the MilHist project. One of my greatest disappointments here is I havent been more of a help to him:(. This project is lucky to have them both as admins and contributors and we're lucky to have them as friends and colleagues. But if you need it, by all means take a break! You've earned it M8! Also, if you wish, now that the Daily Pulp is De-funcked, I'll be glad to contribute all the reviews I did there to your rev page. They are only collecting cyber dust in my archives, plus since I helped fight to keep your page I may as well use it, right?:)So cheer up, rest and know that you are not alone!--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 17:55, 31 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Blocked

You've been blocked for 24 hours for personal attacks and disruption. --Cyde↔Weys 17:03, 1 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

It seems the shoe fits. Sorry it makes you "uncomfortable".--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 17:16, 1 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Also, I'd like to know how simply expressing MY opinion and support on my friend's talkpage consitutes a "disruption"? Personal attacks are by definition personal, IE directed at someone. My comments were directed at no one in particular..no names are mentioned. They were simply the derranged rantings of a disgruntled old lunatic, until you acted upon them. So they must have struck a nerve somewhere.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 17:23, 1 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Sorry, block reason should've been for the degganged rantings of a disgruntled old lunatic. --Cyde↔Weys 17:24, 1 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

No problem. Thank you, for illustrating my point of how this place is turning into Wikigulag for its most dedicated contributors.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 17:34, 1 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Enjoy the gruel. --Cyde↔Weys 17:38, 1 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks, enjoy the powertrip. ABUSIVE ADMIN POWERS ACTIVATE!--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 17:43, 1 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Jesus Christ. Could you find a less effective way to support Giano than through block evasion? —Bunchofgrapes (talk) 17:39, 1 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Hey, he's my sworn enemy...anything I can do to undermine his cause and get him banned I shall endevor upon. Do you have any ideas?--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 17:43, 1 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Now I'm going to extend you block for not Assuming Good Faith toward yourself, watch out! —Bunchofgrapes (talk) 17:45, 1 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Yes you would do that wouldnt you:)--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 17:50, 1 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Ah Ghostie, I came here to say thanks, and for once I have to say I agree with you, albeit "hemmoraging talent faster than Tsarevich Alexei at a body-piercing convention" is perhaps not one of the phrases I would have used - did you invent that one all by yourself? So what terrible deed have you been banned for? Thank goodness upstanding young subalterns like "Cornet BoG" are here to police the site. So - you're the expert - how does one evade a block , it may be of use to me some day. Giano | talk 22:00, 1 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Sure, I shall gladly instruct you in the mystical dark arts of blockade running! With your Goat-Powered Dial-UP(tm) it should be a cinch. Should you, though, somehow, find yourself stuck with broadband it can be a bit tricky. Unless You have a router, in which case simply reset (or unplug) said router. Dynamic IP is the block runner's best friend. The second best is an open Proxy server. But that is an entire lesson unto itself, Grasshopper;> Basically, there is no way to keep a determined soul of reasonable intelligence off here. At least not indefinately. Though I must confess some jealousy-I only get banned for a day by the politeness police, while you face a month-long exile by arbcomm itself! Such is the disparity between our statuses here. You will have to teach me how to more effectively shake their raffters. Yes, sadly, the Tsarevich bit was entirely my fault. I needed something which hemmoraged profusely...ah Alexei! Then I needed a reason why he'd be hemmoraging...papercut? No...a syringe needle salesmens' convention? No, that would be silly, what would the primary heir to the Grand Prince of Moscow be doing there?! What sort of con would he be attending then where he would be in such peril? Ah Body piercing! So many younguns are into it these days. Hmm maybe I should've used Julius Caesar at a Ginsu factory instead?:>--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 22:11, 2 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

It is a very difficult life here indeed - and my recent experiences make me wonder if I should not become an admin myself - however, I am not very good with tools and gadgets, but come to think of it neither are those elected into power here (No, not you BoG - you are OK really) but there are quite a few here who could do with re-training! Glad to see you seem to have overcome your block! You would not have done if I were an admin!!! Giano | talk 22:38, 2 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Indeed so me old Mafiosi...if you were an admin, I'd be royally intercoursed on here ;>--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 22:51, 2 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Likewise I'm sure!!! Giano | talk 22:58, 2 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Does this mean you are ready for me to nominate you then? Seriously, give the word and I'll do the honours.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 23:47, 2 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

An admin nomination given recent developments would be perceived, probably rightly, as a classic example of WP:POINT and is respectfully not recommended. On the other hand, I am not at all sure that the frustrated comments about the arb case warranted a block without even a warning (at least not any I've seen; I apologize to the admin if I missed something). The teasing back-and-forth seen above between a user and a blocking admin, during the block period, suggests that things haven't deteriorated to the extent seen in the usual block situation. But ... at this point, I think what is most needed is cooling-off all around, and for the rest of the (recognizedly busy and burdened) arbitrators to get voting so that the case can be resolved. And in the meantime some useful editing of the actual encyclopedia by all concerned (including me). Newyorkbrad 01:43, 3 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I think you may have misinterpreted the timing of events, Newyorkbrad. Ghost's block had nothing to do with Giano's arbcom case. I just thought him commenting on the arbcom case while he was blocked was poor form unlikely to help Giano much. He received no sanctions that I know of for doing so, though. —Bunchofgrapes (talk) 02:37, 3 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Clarification noted. Thank you. Newyorkbrad 17:20, 3 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Oh! I'm dissapointed I thought he had laid down his editing life for my noble cause, and was about to give him the "GC" for valour beyond the call of duty, scrambling under the barbed wire and through the mine field to edit in my defence. Nevermind! No Ghostie, I don't think it a good idea to nominate me at the moment, not in fact at any moment, I would find it far too restricting, besides which all that mop and bucket business is not really my style, but thanks for the thought. Giano | talk 06:16, 3 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

bigger fools

"So who are the bigger fools here; those who choose to play along with the joke, or those who take it far too seriously and overreact?" <-- Or the person who taunts someone who is holding a gun AND who is also known to overreact? Disclaimer: pardon the violence-laden metaphors, but my political correctness editor shuts down when I think of Colbert. I suspect that many Wikipedia administrators have never watched The Colbert Report and do not have any idea what Stephen Colbert was doing when he talked about Wikipedia.....such administrators just see the vandalism and try to deal with it. However, there are probably some Wikipedia administrators who know exactly what Colbert was doing and they are now gunning for anyone who shows the slightest degree of sympathy for him. Welcome to the wild west wiki, keep your head down.....unless you put that target on there yourself. Maybe we need a hall of fame for Wikipedia martyrs? Maybe we need a martyr's barnstar.... --JWSchmidt 00:38, 3 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Hey, no need to ask pardon here...I like violence-laden metaphors. Besides I think your characterization of the current crop of Wiki admins as a bunch of gun-totting, trigger-happy old west vigilantes is pretty much spot on. "We'll have a fair hangin' followed by a fair trial...YEEEEHAAAAAW!" I also like your ideas concerning WikiMartyrdom. In fact, I have several suggestions for nominees/recipients, starting with User:Karmafist, User:Panairjdde and User:Sam Spade. Sapere aude,--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 21:58, 6 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

In effect, the case of panairjdde's bolck is quite, well, very interesting, blocked for simply having diverged with an admin for not writing or writing AD in a date. This makes me wonder if wikipedeia is a communism where the admins are members of the ceka. --Philx 10:54, 7 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

If not communism, in the worst sense, certainly authoritarian, petty minded and heavy-handed. I had small disagreements with Pan over AD vs CE. But it was never any big deal for us. Either are acceptable so long as the same is used throughout an article. We simply "shook hands" and agreed to disagree. It's clearly not a blocking offense nor worth driving away a talented, long-time contributor. Wikipedia's loss.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 00:15, 8 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

A question, can an admi be deprived of his\her powers? For exa,ple in the case of Panairjdde there's nothing to do? --Philx 18:15, 10 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I'm afraid there is nothing we can do. Admins can only be removed by Jimbo or the ArbComm, and this has only occured a handful of times. Slightly more have resigned, but for personal reasons and fatigue...not to make amens for abuses. There are some proposals floating about (arent there always) to try and make the defrocking of abusive admins easier. Including a voluntary recall list, of those brave sysops who are willing to stand down if their actions raise the ire of enough Wikipedes in good standing. I'm skeptical of anything coming out of it though. Adminship should be hard to gain and easy to lose..instead it is the other way around. Ciao for now bro,--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 04:39, 19 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Welcome back man

Just hope you to stay for for a lot of time. --Philx 12:29, 6 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks bro! Hope I can stay a while this time before the Worms arrive.--R.D.H. (Ghost In The Machine) 21:44, 6 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Military history WikiProject coordinator election - vote phase!

The Military history WikiProject coordinator election has begun. We will select seven coordinators to serve for the next six months from a pool of eleven candidates. Please vote here by August 26!

This is an automated delivery by grafikbot - 12:07, 12 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]