User talk:AmandaNP/Archives/2015/February
Latest comment: 11 years ago by MediaWiki message delivery in topic The Signpost: 25 February 2015
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Latest tech news from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. Translations are available.
Problems
Software changes this week
- The new version of MediaWiki has been on test wikis and MediaWiki.org since January 14. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis from February 3. It will be on all Wikipedias from February 4 (calendar).
- The "Save page" button in the VisualEditor toolbar is now blue rather than green. This is the same as on the mobile site.
- You can now edit pages on the draft namespace with VisualEditor on the Russian Wikipedia and Hebrew Wikipedia. You can ask to get VisualEditor for a namespace on your wiki. When your community agrees, ask in Phabricator.
Tech news prepared by tech ambassadors and posted by bot • Contribute • Translate • Get help • Give feedback • Subscribe or unsubscribe.
16:31, 2 February 2015 (UTC)
Weirdness
First see User:Tron Pro of the Universe whom I blocked as VOA. Then see these two editors, both of whom seem to be having the oddest interactions with Tron Pro, each other, and their own edits themselves: User:That Bot with the Third Eye and User:Strike of lightning. I'm assuming they're all connected but I'm not confident enough to block on that basis (the so-called bot account can probably be blocked as VOA, though).--Bbb23 (talk) 02:21, 4 February 2015 (UTC)
- FTR as Ponyo already looked at it:
Confirmed Strike of lightning, That Bot with the Third Eye, Chungdunchun, Jhh ihg ksksk, Insteadly, Tacopoptartburrito, Popholditdwn and Gratata07. -- DQ (ʞlɐʇ) 06:20, 6 February 2015 (UTC)
- I was aware of some of the blocks by Ponyo but didn't know there were that many. Would you like me to figure out who is the master and tag?--Bbb23 (talk) 16:18, 6 February 2015 (UTC)
- From the looks of it they're a few school kids mucking about. Some have created multiple accounts, others are just throwaways. I've blocked their school IP, so this will hopefully put an end to it. If any of them are determined to evade the block we can start looking at tags and whatnot.--Jezebel's Ponyobons mots 16:30, 6 February 2015 (UTC)
- I was aware of some of the blocks by Ponyo but didn't know there were that many. Would you like me to figure out who is the master and tag?--Bbb23 (talk) 16:18, 6 February 2015 (UTC)
The Signpost: 04 February 2015
- News and notes: No men beyond this point: the proposal to create a no-men space on Wikipedia
The Signpost talks with the creator of a grant proposal to create an on-wiki exclusive space for women to discuss issues.
- Op-ed: Is Wikipedia for sale?
Hundreds of posted jobs offer money to edit Wikipedia. These jobs appear to be thriving, with tens of thousands of dollars changing hands each month.
- In the media: Gamergate and Muhammad controversies continue
Media fallout continues from the January 29 decision in the mammoth Gamergate arbitration case.
- Traffic report: The American Heartland
The American heartland appears to dominate the Report this week, with Chris Kyle leading the Report.
- Featured content: It's raining men!
Three featured articles, five featured lists, and thirty-nine featured images were promoted this week.
- Arbitration report: Slamming shut the GamerGate
One case has been closed, two cases remain open, a third is undergoing a review, and three clarification or amendment requests remain open.
- WikiProject report: Dicing with death – on Wikipedia?
A small band of dedicated editors seek to improve articles relating to a less lively topic. If you haven't yet guessed, this week's focus is WikiProject Death.
- Technology report: Security issue fixed; VisualEditor changes
The Signpost has arranged to mirror Tech news from the Meta-Wiki.
- Gallery: Langston Hughes
A new Signpost feature.
Talkback
Message added 14:37, 9 February 2015 (UTC). You can remove this notice at any time by removing the {{Talkback}} or {{Tb}} template.
Latest tech news from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. Translations are available.
Recent software changes
- You can now use
{{#lsth: PageName | SectionName }}to transclude a section with its title.
Problems
- MediaWiki was reverted to the previous version on February 4. It was because of a performance issue. It was restored later.
- UploadWizard was broken on February 4 because of the revert of MediaWiki.
- All sites were broken for 30 minutes on February 5. It was due to a network problem.
Software changes this week
- The new version of MediaWiki has been on test wikis and MediaWiki.org since February 5. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis from February 10. It will be on all Wikipedias from February 11 (calendar).
- You can have one user page for all wikis. Your Meta user page will show if you don't have a user page on a wiki. You can test this tool on test wikis.
- You can search for media files in VisualEditor more easily. Images are bigger and you see the size and license.
- It is easier to review your changes when you save the page in VisualEditor. The window is wider.
- You can read the latest news about VisualEditor. You can now join weekly meetings with developers. During the meetings you can tell developers which bugs are the most important. The first meeting is on February 11 at 20:00 (UTC).
Future changes
- Administrators will soon be able to delete change tags used fewer than 5,000 times.
- In the future you will be able to have personal lists of articles on the mobile site.
Tech news prepared by tech ambassadors and posted by bot • Contribute • Translate • Get help • Give feedback • Subscribe or unsubscribe.
16:27, 9 February 2015 (UTC)
Recent Behavior
I apologize for my recent actions. At this point, I'll lay low, and not jump to conclusions. I really hate to see that you are disappointed in me as this is my second chance already. I really hope this can change soon and I can get my act together. I think at this point, I'm a little too jumpy and eager to get my hands on things. I appreciate your message very much. Any advice? Eurodyne (talk) 07:51, 12 February 2015 (UTC)
The Signpost: 11 February 2015
- From the editors: We want to know what you think!
Please take this survey about the Signpost.
- News and notes: One editor faces likely ban for work on Wikipedia; Jimmy Wales awarded $1 million
Also: GLAM-Wiki Conference; Ombudsman Commission announced; Slovak Wikipedia now has 200,000 articles
- In the media: Is Wikipedia eating itself?
Edina edit war illustrates disconnect between new and experienced editors; Wikipedia is "astroturf's dream come true"; Canadian government investigating even more Wikipedia editing; academics on Gamergate as "clash of civilizations"?
- Featured content: A grizzly bear, Operation Mascot, Freedom Planet & Liberty Island, cosmic dust clouds, a cricket five-wicket list, more fine art, & a terrible, terrible opera...
Two articles, three lists, and twenty five pictures became featured.
- Traffic report: Bowled over
Wikipedia presents itself as a repository for the world, and while that is a noble sentiment, it is still true that, Conservapedian complaints notwithstanding, the English language Wikipedia is very often the American Wikipedia, and never has that been more apparent than this week.
- WikiProject report: Brand new WikiProjects profiled
This week, we bring three of the most recently created WikiProjects to come into being on the English Wikipedia. While many long-established projects are becoming inactive, (as we have covered before), that doesn't stop new ones forming every now and then to cover a topic that a group of editors feel should be better cared for.
- Gallery: Feel the love
This week, we feature subjects that are about love of all kinds.
Latest tech news from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. Translations are available.
Software changes this week
- The new version of MediaWiki has been on test wikis and MediaWiki.org since February 11. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis from February 17. It will be on all Wikipedias from February 18 (calendar).
- On Wednesday your Meta user page will be shown if you don't have a user page on a wiki.
- You can now change the order of categories in VisualEditor using drag-and-drop.
- In VisualEditor, you now need to make a change before you can "Apply Changes" to citations and templates.
- The way the cursor moves in VisualEditor is changing. Your browser now handles the cursor directly. Most of you will see no change. In right-to-left text, the cursor now moves in a 'visible' rather than 'logical' way. This is like other sites but you may be surprised at first.
Meetings
- The VisualEditor Team had their first public bug triage meeting on February 11. They will post the results on the meeting page.
- You can join the second weekly meeting with the VisualEditor team. During the meetings you can tell developers which bugs are the most important. The meeting will be on February 18 at 16:00 (UTC). See how to join.
- You can join a meeting with the developers of the Content Translation tool. It will be on February 18 at 13:00 (UTC).
Future changes
- You can comment on a proposal about abandoned Labs tools.
Tech news prepared by tech ambassadors and posted by bot • Contribute • Translate • Get help • Give feedback • Subscribe or unsubscribe.
17:57, 16 February 2015 (UTC)
A simple mistake?
A simple mistake? This editor was blocked for no reason, and no one seems to care. You will let him languish in the chains of bondage for no reason other than whims of a certain person who seems to care for nothing other than his own aggrandisement? Please explain, why was he blocked? WHY? NO RATIONALE WAS PROVIDED. The only rationale provided was "arbitration enforcement", and guess what, it is clear that this wasn't doing that, which is what your motion states. Therefore, please explain, the grounds for a block. Otherwise, I shall to move to remove the committee from office with a motion of no confidence. RGloucester — ☎ 22:34, 16 February 2015 (UTC)
- If your asking why we haven't gone for a motion to unblock, you've already answered your own question in the first 7 words of your request. Beyond that, i'm not sure what your asking for. -- DQ (ʞlɐʇ) 23:10, 16 February 2015 (UTC)
- Are you kidding me? I explained this to NE Ent, as a matter of fact. There was no blockable disruption whatsoever, certainly not to warrant an indefinite block. This is absolutely absurd to highest degree. I've never seen a worse miscarriage in my life. Coffee still has not provided a rationale for his blocking. He has provided no specific edits that he thought warranted a block. His only rationale was "arbitration enforcement", and he wasn't really enforcing anything, because he didn't follow the god-damned procedure. This must be dealt with, and I will file a no confidence motion if the committee allows for this miscarriage on its own watch. RGloucester — ☎ 23:22, 16 February 2015 (UTC)
- "languish in the chains of bondage" "I've never seen a worse miscarriage in my life" Really? REALLY? It's a freaking online encyclopedia. Regardless of whether your argument has merit, most people stop listening when the hyperbole is ratcheted up to such a ridiculous level.--Jezebel's Ponyobons mots 00:16, 17 February 2015 (UTC)
- I beg your pardon? I speak plainly, and with the gravity warranted. For such a travesty to be allowed is a shame that will be branded on all of our heads. RGloucester — ☎ 00:35, 17 February 2015 (UTC)
- Have you read a newspaper lately? You seriously need some perspective. Good day sir.--Jezebel's Ponyobons mots 01:34, 17 February 2015 (UTC)
- Gravity is determined by context, dear fellow. RGloucester — ☎ 02:14, 17 February 2015 (UTC)
- Have you read a newspaper lately? You seriously need some perspective. Good day sir.--Jezebel's Ponyobons mots 01:34, 17 February 2015 (UTC)
- I beg your pardon? I speak plainly, and with the gravity warranted. For such a travesty to be allowed is a shame that will be branded on all of our heads. RGloucester — ☎ 00:35, 17 February 2015 (UTC)
- "languish in the chains of bondage" "I've never seen a worse miscarriage in my life" Really? REALLY? It's a freaking online encyclopedia. Regardless of whether your argument has merit, most people stop listening when the hyperbole is ratcheted up to such a ridiculous level.--Jezebel's Ponyobons mots 00:16, 17 February 2015 (UTC)
- Are you kidding me? I explained this to NE Ent, as a matter of fact. There was no blockable disruption whatsoever, certainly not to warrant an indefinite block. This is absolutely absurd to highest degree. I've never seen a worse miscarriage in my life. Coffee still has not provided a rationale for his blocking. He has provided no specific edits that he thought warranted a block. His only rationale was "arbitration enforcement", and he wasn't really enforcing anything, because he didn't follow the god-damned procedure. This must be dealt with, and I will file a no confidence motion if the committee allows for this miscarriage on its own watch. RGloucester — ☎ 23:22, 16 February 2015 (UTC)
The Signpost: 18 February 2015
- Editorial: Recent retirements typify problem of admin attrition
Go Phightins! shares his thoughts on admin attrition and the size of the administrative backlog.
- In the media: Students' use and perception of Wikipedia
The Australian ("Wikipedia not destroying life as we know it", February 11) and Times Higher Education ("Wikipedia should be 'better integrated' into teaching", February 10) reported on a recent study performed at Monash University, titled "Students’ use of Wikipedia as an academic resource – patterns of use and perceptions of usefulness".
- Special report: Revision scoring as a service
The authors of this report inform us that the "goal in the Revision Scoring project is to do the hard work of constructing and maintaining powerful AI so that tool developers don't have to. This cross-lingual, machine learning classifier service for edits will support new wiki tools that require edit quality measures."
- Gallery: Darwin Day
Darwin Day is observed annually on February 12 to commemorate the life and work of scientist Charles Darwin. Here is a selection of images of life on the Galápagos Islands, where Darwin made key observations leading to his scientific theory of evolution by natural selection.
- Traffic report: February is for lovers
This week saw the 57th Annual Grammy Awards (#13 on the Top 25) held on 8 February dominating the traffic chart, as music lovers checked out Sam Smith (#3) picking up four awards, Beck taking album of the year, and performances including Sia (#9), Madonna (#11), and Annie Lennox (#16). But Valentine's Day (#1) proved the perfect time for the release of Fifty Shades of Grey, with the movie coming in at #5, the book of the same name at #2, and the primary actors at #14 and #15.
- Featured content: A load of bull-sized breakfast behind the restaurant, Koi feeding, a moray eel, Spaghetti Nebula and other fishy, fishy fish
Five pictures, six lists, and seventeen pictures were promoted
- Arbitration report: We've built the nuclear reactor; now what colour should we paint the bikeshed?
The most significant item on ArbCom's agenda this fortnight has been the closure of the Wifione case and subsequent fallout, although the fallout from GamerGate continues to linger.
Latest tech news from the Wikimedia technical community. Please tell other users about these changes. Not all changes will affect you. Translations are available.
Recent software changes
- All new accounts are now global.
- Your Meta user page is now shown if you don't have a user page on a wiki. You can report problems if you see any. You can ask a bot to delete your old user pages.
Software changes this week
- The new version of MediaWiki has been on test wikis and MediaWiki.org since February 18. It will be on non-Wikipedia wikis from February 25. It will be on all Wikipedias from February 26 (calendar).
- It is now easier to see template fields in VisualEditor. The fields are bigger.
- It is now easier to see when a button is disabled in VisualEditor.
- Sometimes when you copy-pasted a template in VisualEditor, it was replaced by HTML. This problem is now fixed.
- Tools in Labs will stop working for a few hours on February 24.
Meetings
- You can read the notes from the last meeting with the VisualEditor team.
- You can join the next weekly meeting with the VisualEditor team. During the meetings you can tell developers which bugs are the most important. The meeting will be on February 26 at 00:00 (UTC). See how to join.
Future changes
- At the moment you need to log in to edit Wikimedia wikis on mobile devices. You can say if anyone should be allowed to edit on the mobile sites. The discussion ends on March 15.
- Images in the interface will soon work better in Opera 12.
Tech news prepared by tech ambassadors and posted by bot • Contribute • Translate • Get help • Give feedback • Subscribe or unsubscribe.
16:29, 23 February 2015 (UTC)
The Signpost: 25 February 2015
- News and notes: Questions raised over WMF partnership with research firm
A report from the external research firm Lafayette Practice has declared that the Wikimedia Foundation is the "largest known participatory grantmaking fund." Several concerns have been raised with the report, the phrase being used (participatory grantmaking), the now-former Wikipedia article on that phrase, and an alleged conflict of interest by WMF staff members.
- Op-ed: Text from Wikipedia good enough for Oxford University Press to claim as own
Doc James tells us that "The one good thing that has come out of all of this is that Wikipedia’s content passing a major textbook publisher review processes is some external validation of Wikipedia’s quality."
- In the media: WikiGnomes and Bigfoot
Andrew McMillen's February 3 profile of and his quest to rid Wikipedia of the phrase "comprised of" has been one of the most widely circulated and commented upon media stories about the encyclopedia recently.
- Featured content: The Moon, Mars, Venus, and Saturn, in no particular order. Also, Kaiser Kong.
Eleven articles and twenty pictures were promoted in the week covered by this report.
- Gallery: Far from home
The Gallery is an occasional Signpost feature highlighting quality images and articles from Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons based on a particular theme, as well as an article you could help improve. This week, we feature subjects that are "far from home".
- Traffic report: Fifty Shades of... self-denial?
An odd juxtaposition this week, as interest in Fifty Shades of Grey coincided with the observance of the Chinese New Year and the annual festival of penance, Ash Wednesday.
- Recent research: Gender bias, SOPA blackout, and a student assignment that backfired
A monthly roundup of Wikimedia-related research
- WikiProject report: Be prepared... Scouts in the spotlight
This week's project is on a youth activity, one of the largest in the world; its project is commensurately large, containing around 136 active editors. It's WikiProject Scouting, a group of editors whose remit is everything relating to the Scouting movement, which has around 42 million members worldwide and celebrated the centenary of its founding only eight years ago.
- Blog: Join the Wikimedia strategy consultation
Editor's note: the Blog will be a recurring Signpost section that will highlight a recent post from the Wikimedia blog, run by the Wikimedia Foundation. This week's installment is written by Philippe Beaudette, the Foundation's Director of Community Advocacy, and focuses on planning for the future of the Wikimedia movement.