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User talk:Floquenbeam/Archive 17

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Latest comment: 10 months ago by MediaWiki message delivery in topic Administrators' newsletter – August 2025
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Happy First Edit Day!

Latest comment: 1 year ago1 comment1 person in discussion

August music

Latest comment: 1 year ago10 comments2 people in discussion
story · music · places

Today I have two "musicians" on the Main page, one is also the topic of my story, watch and listen, - I like today's especially because you see him at work, hear him talk about his work and the result of his work - rare! -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:08, 7 August 2024 (UTC)

... and a third, like 22 July but with interview and the music to be played today --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:24, 8 August 2024 (UTC)

A rainbow if you click on places --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:23, 11 August 2024 (UTC)

On 13 August, Bach's cantata was 300 years old, and the image one. The cantata is an extraordinary piece, using the chorale's text and famous melody more than others in the cycle. It's nice to have not only a recent death, but also this "birthday" on the Main page. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:45, 13 August 2024 (UTC)

today's story is about education, 10 years OTD after lecturing our founder). Music for today's feast is Monteverdi's, the best concert we ever did (so pictured again on my talk). --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:39, 15 August 2024 (UTC)

I'm sorry I've not been responding. I was on vacation. I finally got a chance to nearly completely unplug from work (something I haven't been able to do in a while). I also made a conscious decision to unplug from WP as well. It was wonderful. Equal parts sitting in the sun, reading, kayaking, and eating. Not sure why I came back.... Floquenbeam (talk) 20:28, 22 August 2024 (UTC)
to hear good news, probably, such as my first DYK was 15 years ago OTD, about a friend of mine who had a red link, and better: just returned from a wonderful concert with only music I had never heard before, - the youngest composer (of 12, 2 of them women) born 1988 (a red link), heavenly from start to finish! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:32, 22 August 2024 (UTC)
Congrats on the 15th anniversary, and glad you enjoyed the multi-composer concert. It amazes me that someone born in 1988 isn't a kid! Born in the 80's and in their 30's? How did that happen? Floquenbeam (talk) 20:56, 23 August 2024 (UTC)
Today is the birthday of Alma Mahler. I believe that Siegfried Lorenz should be mentioned on the Main page among the Recent deaths. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:05, 31 August 2024 (UTC)
... and he appeared! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:23, 31 August 2024 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – September 2024

Latest comment: 1 year ago1 comment1 person in discussion

News and updates for administrators from the past month (August 2024).

Administrator changes

removed Pppery

Interface administrator changes

removed Pppery

Oversighter changes

removed Wugapodes

CheckUser changes

removed

Guideline and policy news

Arbitration

Miscellaneous

About a legitimate draft that needs moving to a salted draft page

Latest comment: 1 year ago7 comments5 people in discussion

Hello I have seen a draft on Chris Chan that appears to be a legitimate draft. As I cannot move it and you are the protecting admin, I ask that you move the draft as it isn't an attack, thanks. Felicia (talk) 23:23, 15 September 2024 (UTC)

Hi Floquenbeam, I have declined the draft due to WP:BIO1E along with referencing the the ANI discussion that led to you salting the title (other titles were already salted). If you disagree with the decline you are of course welcome to move it mainspace. Pinging @JSwift49, the creator of the draft. S0091 (talk) 14:32, 16 September 2024 (UTC)
@Felicia777 and S0091: Thanks for the notice, I agree with the decline. I don't think any article about Chris Chan should be in mainspace without some kind of community discussion (DRV I think?). There is a reason that every possible page title related to them has been salted. --Floquenbeam (talk) 16:15, 16 September 2024 (UTC)
@Floquenbeam @S0091 No worries. And I agree in that it’s a good idea to get community consensus on the mainspace inclusion. I do think I could work on the draft to make it better; would it be possible to move it to Draft:Chris Chan or Draft:Christine Weston Chandler? JSwift49 16:29, 16 September 2024 (UTC)
How about /dev/null? Writ Keeper ⚇♔ 16:46, 16 September 2024 (UTC)
I don't think we need to rename the draft page; that would be like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Before you spend too much time on this, you should know that I am pretty confident that the community will never support having an article on Chris Chan. I'm less confident, but I suspect even an MFD on the draft article would succeed. I think the community is kind of sick of talking about this over the years, and has settled on a "no means no" philosophy. I'm not going to do anything to the draft itself, but others might. Be aware that you're up against an annoyed and exhausted community as far as this person is concerned. And - although I do not doubt your good motivations - be aware that you've got some really slimy bedfellow who really, really want an article. Make sure their reputations don't get transferred to you. Floquenbeam (talk) 18:02, 16 September 2024 (UTC)
Got it; thanks. Appreciate your explaining. JSwift49 19:02, 16 September 2024 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

Latest comment: 1 year ago2 comments2 people in discussion
The Surreal Barnstar
For your insights as a sage veteran: But also, like scripture, policy can be made to support any side of any ITN/C discussion; which specific policies people quote in each discussion is primarily determined by whether they instinctively want that thing posted or not. Now that I think about it, kind of like AN/ANI. Now that I really think about it, kind of like Wikipedia in general. —Bagumba (talk) 09:46, 17 September 2024 (UTC)
Surreal? Ha! Thanks, Bagumba. (I'm not really a sage veteran, but I sometimes do a passable job of masquerading as one.) Floquenbeam (talk) 19:37, 17 September 2024 (UTC)

Guidance required.

Latest comment: 1 year ago4 comments2 people in discussion

Hi, im here to get some guidance or simple advice on our ban lift conversion before 2 months ago, i wonder if editing the article Turkmeneli will result in breaking your conditions? Because i really cant bare seeing such edits labeling the article to extreme ideologies like; (1) or vandalizing it (2) or falsely describing scores such as this edit (3) where in the book it says (The fact that no published expression of it shows Turkmeneli continuing into Syria, Turkey, or Iran reflects the reality of its origins! As you can see deleting a line (it shows Turkmeneli continuing into Syria, Turkey, or Iran reflects the reality of its origins) can convert the meaning of the book’s author 180! I wonder if i can edit the page of Turkmeneli or it will violate your conditions, because i feel these edits meant for vandalism and since we are a small nation and almost no wiki volunteer cares about it, makes me very concerned and hurt for how the article became a hub for anti turkmen edits.

i will be waiting a reply from you and wont make a move before you giving me some wisdom over the situation, have a great day. NICTON t (talk) 22:32, 26 September 2024 (UTC)

@NICTON t:, I believe that would be covered by "the topics of Kurds and Kurdistan, broadly construed". It is not a perfect fit, but I believe it is covered because of the "broadly construed" part. It appears there is some disagreement/overlapping claims/anti-Kurdish sentiment (or claims of such). I note this pre-block edit of yours: . The main idea is to stay way, way, far away from contentious editing. --Floquenbeam (talk) 16:23, 27 September 2024 (UTC)
Thanks alot. NICTON t (talk) 16:25, 27 September 2024 (UTC)
No problem, I'm glad you asked. Floquenbeam (talk) 16:27, 27 September 2024 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – October 2024

Latest comment: 1 year ago1 comment1 person in discussion

News and updates for administrators from the past month (September 2024).

Administrator changes

added
removed

CheckUser changes

readded
removed

Guideline and policy news

Arbitration

Miscellaneous

September music

Latest comment: 1 year ago20 comments2 people in discussion
story · music · places

And he appeared! What do you think of my short version of the life of Alexander Goehr? Our DYK team would probably want that he worked in a training kibbutz. I was happy to include a link to an article by Brian Boulton, - we sang the Monteverdi Vespers on 1 September 2019. -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:13, 2 September 2024 (UTC)

RD looks hard to achieve these days. Quite a lot of nominations, so the time on the main page looks short. Looks like Lorenz only made it on for a little under 1 day. Glad you got that, at least. --Floquenbeam (talk) 18:23, 3 September 2024 (UTC)
Goehr comment will have to wait; just popped online fo a sec. -Floquenbeam (talk) 18:25, 3 September 2024 (UTC)
Your summary for Goehr seems about right ... for something in your own userspace. I've kind of given up guessing what DYK team would want to do, but that summary certainly seems longer than what I usually see at DYK. Good luck with the GA. Floquenbeam (talk) 19:41, 3 September 2024 (UTC)
Thank you. DYK is not for an overview of a person's life, I understand that much, but do we have to go for trivia? I doubt that. The usual reasoning is that the broad readership is not interested in anything regarding the production of a contemporary composer, and we have to search for something appealing to them, and if we don't find anything, close the nomination. No guesswork needed, it happens again and again. Latest example. (It's resolved, he's in prep, but what a waste of time.) - GA for Goehr was trying something after John said it was a good article. More serious: BWV 78, written for last Sunday, Wikipedia birthday 10 September, so today last chance for a nomination, but it should ideally be GA before. Chances are slim, but there's nothing to loose. Listen if you haven't on Sunday ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:44, 3 September 2024 (UTC)
Today's story has 3 composers, I couldn't decide for the one on the Main page or the one who didn't make it on his bicentenary, so took both, and the pic has a third. Listen if you have a bit of time. The music, played by the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra in Germany in April 2022, soon after the invasion of Ukraine, impressed me. (The official DYK hook, to continue the above, has no indication of music whatsoever, - all it says about a pioneer is that he died, the rest is some attention-grabbing stuff about burning of his papers, which - as the talk page has - is not even hard fact.) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:42, 4 September 2024 (UTC)
My first barnstar was for resilience. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:29, 5 September 2024 (UTC)
Recommended reading today: Frye Fire, by sadly missed Vami_IV. - Went with friends to a place you know: lovely again! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:10, 6 September 2024 (UTC)
Hey, I see the block didn't last too long. Glad it was undone, rather than "shortened to time served". Hope your friends enjoyed the view as much as I did. Floquenbeam (talk) 23:09, 8 September 2024 (UTC)
As I said over there, I liked the wording of the unblock. One of my edit summaries said "I don't want mercy but to be understood", and that is still not achieved. I remembered a case where an admin thought "clearly a violation" and you said "No foul, play one." (and we played on.) Yes, I was on a campaign, fighting bias for 1) a woman, 2) a classical musician, 3) a foreigner, and a block will not stop me from doing such things, and then what is good for at all? Do you think such a question would be understood? I really don't know ;) - Enjoying lovely days, with Sibylle's husband, - Sybille whose death notice said "Non, je ne regrette rien". (Look for her name in my 2022 talk, - I didn't remember how often I mentioned it.) - We went to Goldatzel, pic to come! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:35, 9 September 2024 (UTC)
Happy because my story today is about a Czech mezzo soprano who is mentioned on the Main page on her birthday. --Gerda Arendt (talk)
Happier about Bach's cantata on the Main page on its 300th birthday (per calendar), my story (again)! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:30, 10 September 2024 (UTC)
Three stories related to today in memory, 11 September, 20 July and 20 June, the latter piece of art also pictured on the Main page. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:11, 11 September 2024 (UTC)
Today is the wedding anniversary of the Schumanns, they needed court support because she wasn't of age and her father against it. She was coming of age the following day ... - Anyway, saw your name on my watchlist and was reminded that I uploaded the pics from "our" place but then got lost updating Friedrich Schorlemmer and distracted by you know who. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:30, 12 September 2024 (UTC)
Today is Schoenberg's 150th birthday! On display, portrayed by Egon Schiele, with music from Moses und Aron, and with two DYK hooks, one from 2010 and another from 2014; the latter, about his 40th birthday, appeared on his 140th birthday, which made me happy then and now again. - See places for a stunning sunrise, on the day Bruckner's 200th birthday was celebrated (just a few days late). --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:49, 13 September 2024 (UTC)
My story is about one of the people behind the peaceful revolution. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:12, 15 September 2024 (UTC)
Ah, back when I was optimistic about how the world was evolving. Floquenbeam (talk) 21:20, 15 September 2024 (UTC)
My story today is about a man who played jazz when it was banned by the Nazis, - you can listen to how they played it later. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:22, 17 September 2024 (UTC)
Ach, lieben Christen, seid getrost, BWV 114, is one of the pieces in my topic of this year. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:59, 22 September 2024 (UTC)
My story today features a pic I took from my position in the choir, I can also offer varied delightful music, some from Venice, also with pics I took, - note the rose in the clarinet ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:45, 25 September 2024 (UTC)
Sorry, I'm skipping ahead by a day; I can't wait to get home and discover the musical overlap between RVW and the Beatles. --Floquenbeam (talk) 16:26, 27 September 2024 (UTC)

Let's not?

Latest comment: 1 year ago7 comments4 people in discussion

Hello! Why did you reject my request for guidance here? -- mikeblas (talk) 03:24, 3 October 2024 (UTC)

It is always best to focus on the underlying issue. A section at ANI on the removal of citations is not the place to talk about suppression. In fact, the whole point of suppression is that something should not be discussed anywhere. The question concerns whether it is a good idea to remove citations merely because they are broken. The answer is obvious but should be argued at ANI, not here. Johnuniq (talk) 03:50, 3 October 2024 (UTC)
@Mikeblas: "Reject your request for guidance"? What an odd accusation. And the second time that you've taken something you don't understand, and assumed it must be because of another editor mistreating you. I'll assume it's because you're stressed out from ANI. Anyway, I already explained this in the collapse text. You misunderstood how suppression worked and jumped to a conclusion, a couple of people explained to you what actually happened, and then you and another editor continued sniping about something other than the main topic of the thread. The guidance was provided. I was preventing the thread from spiraling even further from the topic. --Floquenbeam (talk) 15:09, 3 October 2024 (UTC)
Indeed, the ANI free-for-all (because it's not any kind of process) has made me miserable. My last comment was But maybe it would be more productive to consider my repeated plea for help and guidance. and your response to was to box the comment with the response "Let's not." If you were asking for help and the response was "Let's not", what would you take away? Can you tell me where the guidance was provided so I can review it, please? -- mikeblas (talk) 15:13, 3 October 2024 (UTC)
The guidance about suppression was provided here by Schazjmd and here by Valeree. To explain even further, it was not your edits that were suppressed; the way suppression (and revision deletion, a tool in the admin toolkit) works is that all intervening revisions of the page between the edit that added the text needs to be hidden and the edit removing that text needs to be suppressed in order for said text to be fully hidden from view; otherwise, one could simply go to an unsuppressed version of the page in between the two and see the offending text. Your (unrelated) edits were caught in between the addition and removal of the offending text, so the revisions wherein you added your edits were suppressed, but the suppression itself doesn't actually hide the text you added, which was and is still visible in the versions of the page.
I understand that you were also asking for more general guidance about how ANI works, but surely you can see and appreciate that, with all of the aforementioned sniping, any such guidance was not going to come of that subsection, which is why Floq closed it. Not because of the request for guidance itself, but because any further guidance wasn't going to happen in that subsection. Writ Keeper ⚇♔ 15:30, 3 October 2024 (UTC)
Guidance was provided about your confusion regarding suppressed edits. That was the topic of the subsection I closed. Your request for more basic guidance on ANI has been made in the main thread, and on ANI's talk page; the fact that there was a third request in the section I closed doesn't mean I've somehow rejected your request. I'm not sure there is any written guidance about how to react to an ANI thread, but if there is I imagine it would be in the ANI header section. I suppose the best approach is to calmly answer any questions, don't get drawn into bickering, and listen to constructive criticism. I agree ANI sucks but it's all we have. Floquenbeam (talk) 15:30, 3 October 2024 (UTC)
"ANI sucks" is an understatement. A vast, vast understatement. Thanks for the explanation, but to be clear, at that section, I wasn't asking for guidance about suppression. I was asking for guidance about ANI. I have yet to receive anything useful. And your guess is right: there's nothing in the page header. -- mikeblas (talk) 01:03, 4 October 2024 (UTC)

Invitation to participate in a research

Latest comment: 1 year ago1 comment1 person in discussion

Hello,

The Wikimedia Foundation is conducting a survey of Wikipedians to better understand what draws administrators to contribute to Wikipedia, and what affects administrator retention. We will use this research to improve experiences for Wikipedians, and address common problems and needs. We have identified you as a good candidate for this research, and would greatly appreciate your participation in this anonymous survey.

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Please find our contact on the project Meta page if you have any questions or concerns.

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BGerdemann (WMF) (talk) 19:23, 23 October 2024 (UTC)

recall

Latest comment: 1 year ago7 comments4 people in discussion

It is downright ugly over there. I doubt even the strongest supporters of this expected this absolute shitshow. I thought this was supposed to be a better, more lightweight alternative to dragging admins to arbcom but so far it seems much, much worse. Just Step Sideways from this world ..... today 01:17, 28 October 2024 (UTC)

The strongest supporters of admin recall are probably the most disgusted of anyone. That thing needs someone to take over managing it. Floquenbeam (talk) 01:39, 28 October 2024 (UTC)
I’m looking at this now and I’m trying to think of something better. The community has wanted the ability to desysop for a long time, we just need to find a way that’s effective and minimises drama. My initial thoughts are to turn the petition into a straight 7 day poll. You have a week to state your case, if 70% support a desysop, it happens. If they don’t, no further petitions in a year as per (IIRC) the existing proposal.
i think we need to let this current petition play out per the agreed rules. After that, I’ll see if I can formulate an RfC. Ritchie333 (talk) (cont) 11:33, 28 October 2024 (UTC)
No disagreement with the above, but I do think a big contributor to the shitshow is the typical "Wikipedians kneejerk against change", multiplied quite a lot by an (imo) poorly phrased and poorly timed initial attempt. We probably ought to see what happens with the second recall before an RfC. -- asilvering (talk) 21:17, 29 October 2024 (UTC)
I agree it might smooth itself out after a couple of tries, except ... it sure sucks to be the target of the first few attempts. The Community experiments while the target bears 100% of the brunt of the experiment. 32 people recently chose to try an election because a 7-day RFA sucks so bad that they wanted no part of it, but this new process means a 37-day RFA. In a way, I almost (not quite) think the best thing for Graham would be to just sign my name in support of the petition, to help it get to 25 as fast as possible, so we can get an RFA (which we all know will pass) out of the way. Except I don't know if it gets to 25, do we still wait until 30 days are up? To see if anyone withdraws? Floquenbeam (talk) 21:26, 29 October 2024 (UTC)
It does suck, that's for sure. Presently, I think the meta is to wait until the admin elections voting is over, then start a re-RfA. Why wait for the votes to trickle in when you could call it now? -- asilvering (talk) 21:45, 29 October 2024 (UTC)
Yes, that is probably what I would do if I were in his shoes. This may not be an idle intellectual exercise, there are certainly more than 25 people who don't think I should be an admin! Floquenbeam (talk) 21:51, 29 October 2024 (UTC)

October music

Latest comment: 1 year ago26 comments3 people in discussion
story · music · places

You may remember Maryvonne Le Dizès, my story today as on 28 August. Some September music was unusual: last compositions and eternal light, with Ligeti mentioned in story and music. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:16, 3 October 2024 (UTC)

today Rohan de Saram - unbelievable story --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:30, 7 October 2024 (UTC)

Today is the birthday of Tabea Zimmermann, and you can listen to the exact concert I mentioned last year ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:36, 8 October 2024 (UTC)

Not intentionally ignoring you, Gerda. Just busy and stressed and even more fuzzy-headed than usual, and haven't had anything to say. I don't understand why I'm old enough to get the senior discount at Dunkin Donuts (I refuse it, out of pride, but these young 20-something weasels at the counter keep offering), but not old enough to see retirement on the horizon. Had a night shift last night, and now my whole body rhythm is going to be thrown off for a solid 3-4 days, and it's taking me hours to become sentient. I hate working for a living. --Floquenbeam (talk) 18:44, 10 October 2024 (UTC)
Lol, I got impatient for the archiving bot, and then it archived another section 30 seconds after I manually archived your september music. patience, floq, patience.... it's been that kind of day week month year. Floquenbeam (talk) 18:48, 10 October 2024 (UTC)
but iii'll be there for youuuu Writ Keeper ⚇♔ 18:57, 10 October 2024 (UTC)
Lol. That must have been in my subconscious, it wasn't an intentional callback. What an embarrassing thing to have in the subconscious. For both of us, now that I think about it.... --Floquenbeam (talk) 19:52, 10 October 2024 (UTC)
(ec) patience - I think I mentioned that word more than once on my user talk every years (2 - 6 - 9 - 9 ... going backwards). - Did you get a chance to look at De Saram? I was so thrilled that I wrote about the piece he inspired and only then found out that it was one of the key compositions of this century, - some good luck. It seems unfair. For more luck: that piece was approved for DYK within two days - which hasn't happened in ages. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:01, 10 October 2024 (UTC)
I've just read it. Really interesting life, thanks for sharing it. --Floquenbeam (talk) 19:52, 10 October 2024 (UTC)
matching that I'm just in the process of expanding the German article ;) - look (small world) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:49, 10 October 2024 (UTC)
small world, indeed. cool. --Floquenbeam (talk) 02:57, 11 October 2024 (UTC)
today I remember an organist who was pictured on the Main page on his birthday ten years ago, and I found two recent organ concerts to match, - see top of my talk --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:56, 11 October 2024 (UTC)
today brought a timely promotion of Helmut Bauer to the Main page on the day when pieces from Mozart's Requiem were performed for him. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:12, 12 October 2024 (UTC)
timely promotion indeed; that was close to being archived! Floquenbeam (talk) 21:43, 13 October 2024 (UTC)
I woke up (that day) thinking what I might do if not, - what desperate cries for help would be permissible without getting blocked. But PFHLai had come for the rescue already, and Stephen today for Amaury du Closel, a remarkable person (see story). Now just Leif Segerstam is waiting for a comment or three, but a few days to go. Actually: posting to the RD set seems no big deal, and you could do it if the others who trust me enough to post without a single "support" are not around ;) - I haven't seen any other other procedure that simple: for giving the credits, you just click on "credit"! - I just managed, - I had forgotten that de Closel had just been created. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:52, 14 October 2024 (UTC)
I go to bed, last day for Segerstam tomorrow. Listen to the music in my story: I put it on DYK 10 years ago (mentioning Ukraine) and heard it today for the first time. That violinist/violist was incredible! Last month someone added to her article that she died, - a year ago OTD - which is also the wedding anniversary of two people who heard her play when they were children, - so I love that she plays viola d'amore in that music ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:22, 15 October 2024 (UTC)
I made him my big story today. -Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:08, 16 October 2024 (UTC)
Went to Johannisberg with new American guests, who gave me a new song ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:36, 19 October 2024 (UTC)
Can't go wrong with the Beatles. Floquenbeam (talk) 16:14, 25 October 2024 (UTC)
My story today is a cantata 300 years old, based on a hymn 200 years old when the cantata was composed, based on a psalm some thousand years old, - so said the 2015 DYK hook. I had forgotten the discussion on the talk. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:40, 20 October 2024 (UTC)
My story today is about a composer and choir conductor, listen to his Lamento. - My story on 13 October was about a Bach cantata. As this place works, it's on the Main page now because of the date. I sort of like it because today is the birth date of my grandfather who loved and grew dahlias like those pictured. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:50, 22 October 2024 (UTC)
I received a new song at a familiar place - a first that I pictured the location (and some cheese) where the song was "given", - well, when it started in 2020, that exactly wasn't possible. What do you think about Silvia Sasson? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:21, 24 October 2024 (UTC)
I don't understand, there's no article there. Floquenbeam (talk) 16:19, 25 October 2024 (UTC)
sorry, was too late for checking what I wrote, mixing up my problem "children" ;) - Silvia Weiss, and actually it's already better than why I asked. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:24, 25 October 2024 (UTC)
thank you for a list of replies for the ballerina, - I had hoped for something like the first bullet. I agree that admin recall - the bit I saw, Graham87 - is even worse than other procedures I've seen. Heading for Rheingau, always the better alternative ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:19, 28 October 2024 (UTC)
Happy whatever you celebrate today, - more who died, more to come, and they made the world richer. Greetings from Madrid where I took the pic of assorted Cucurbita in 2016. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:06, 31 October 2024 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – November 2024

Latest comment: 1 year ago1 comment1 person in discussion

News and updates for administrators from the past month (October 2024).

Administrator changes

readded
removed

CheckUser changes

removed Maxim

Oversighter changes

removed Maxim

Guideline and policy news

Technical news

  • Mass deletions done with the Nuke tool now have the 'Nuke' tag. This change will make reviewing and analyzing deletions performed with the tool easier. T366068

Arbitration

Miscellaneous

Admin Elections

Latest comment: 1 year ago30 comments9 people in discussion

I'm not going to disclose my votes, but I am curious if any talk page watchers are willing to divulge how many people they supported/opposed/abstained? I'll go first:

My estimate is that *very very roughly* 60 people just blanket supported, and *very very roughly* 70 people blanket opposed. This is based on two candidates who I believe would have sailed thru a normal RFA with minimal opposition and a candidate who was definitely WP:NOTNOW.

Just for fun, I reduced the Supports and Opposes by these numbers, and it would have meant 7 more admins who got >70% of those who didn't blanket support/oppose. Mdewman6 would have been the last elected, and McClenon would have been the highest percentage not to pass. There's also a more natural gap of 8% between last admin elected and first candidate not elected doing it this way. --Floquenbeam (talk) 21:40, 4 November 2024 (UTC)

Reminder to participate in Wikipedia research

Latest comment: 1 year ago8 comments4 people in discussion

Hello,

I recently invited you to take a survey about administration on Wikipedia. If you haven’t yet had a chance, there is still time to participate– we’d truly appreciate your feedback. The survey is anonymous and should take about 10-15 minutes to complete. You may read more about the study on its Meta page and view its privacy statement.

Take the survey here.

Kind Regards,

WMF Research Team

BGerdemann (WMF) (talk) 00:18, 13 November 2024 (UTC)

One Mass Message to hundreds of people about this is mildly annoying, but understandable. Two of them is no longer mildly annoying. If I wanted to participate, I would have. Floquenbeam (talk) 17:16, 13 November 2024 (UTC)
I said something similar at my talk page. Hopefully the foundation actually listens to said feedback. Clovermoss🍀 (talk) 19:05, 13 November 2024 (UTC)
My estimate of the odds of that happening are really low. Possibly influenced by a general skepticism about everyone and everything that I've been experiencing lately. The entire world is dysfunctional, I'm not sure why the Foundation is likely to be a counter-example. Floquenbeam (talk) 19:10, 13 November 2024 (UTC)
It's possible my optimism is based on having some success trying to make the relationship between the WMF and the community less of a venn diagram. Some of the most glaring technical issues on the app were fixed after I pointed them out (User:Clovermoss/Mobile editing). I was also told my feedback helped them to decide not to move forward with mw:Wikimedia Apps/Team/iOS/Fundraising Experiment in the iOS App. There's definitely been a lot of tense interactions but I'm generally of the hope that things can get better and that's it worth trying. Maybe I'll end up jaded one day too, though. Clovermoss🍀 (talk) 19:14, 13 November 2024 (UTC)
To be fair, ending up jaded is much easier in the States. You're not irrationally optimistic; you're just Canadian. Floquenbeam (talk) 19:19, 13 November 2024 (UTC)
I live near the border and I'm definitely concerned for my American neighbours. I have a lot of friends in the States. As for general optimism, I'm really not sure how Canadians got the stereotype of we're super nice. I am, but I know plenty of deeply cynical people. My life has also been very depressing. If you want to hear about my traumatic childhood, you can watch me talk about it here. I choose optimism because the alternative is much worse. I'd rather not be lost in a deep abyss feeling that nothing I do matters. Clovermoss🍀 (talk) 19:31, 13 November 2024 (UTC)
I also found it annoying, a post at a noticebosard or something would have been less annoying than spamming everyone whether they took it already or not, which I did. Just Step Sideways from this world ..... today 19:32, 13 November 2024 (UTC)

The eatings will continue until morale improves

Latest comment: 1 year ago8 comments5 people in discussion

This is what I thought after this comment. Best, Barkeep49 (talk) 16:52, 14 November 2024 (UTC)

Bravo. I'm very disappointed that I didn't see the opportunity for that myself. Although I did get to sneak a second Voltaire reference into that thread., which (for an engineering nerd) ain't nothing. Floquenbeam (talk) 17:34, 14 November 2024 (UTC)
Came here to make roughly the same comment as Barkeep! HJ Mitchell | Penny for your thoughts? 18:16, 14 November 2024 (UTC)
Now who will come here to make a third Voltaire reference? Place your bets now.... Barkeep49 (talk) 18:18, 14 November 2024 (UTC)
It won't be me. I've only ever known the one. Bishonen supplied the first (hanged in silence...) --Floquenbeam (talk) 18:19, 14 November 2024 (UTC)
Écrasez l'infâme! bishzilla ROARR!! pocket 21:58, 14 November 2024 (UTC).
Oh, come on, Zilla, now you're being overprotective. It's just a little committee on a little website, all doing their best. Not exactly infamous. Bishonen | tålk 22:01, 14 November 2024 (UTC).
[Zilla protectively gathers up the little 'shonen, stuffs her in pocket head first.] Stay! bishzilla ROARR!! pocket 22:02, 14 November 2024 (UTC).

ArbCom 2024 Elections voter message

Latest comment: 1 year ago1 comment1 person in discussion

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Henpecked

Latest comment: 1 year ago5 comments2 people in discussion

Not sure when you'll be back, but in case you do soon, I'm curious what you think of User talk:Bbb23#changing "excessive" to "too bulk and unnecessary" is a 3rd level vandalism warning now?. One of the troll's defenders (and I do think the user is a troll) is an editor you said something rather nasty about (assuming you meant it and weren't being sarcastic) after she brought a recall petition against Fastily. I wasn't sure why you said it or why it wasn't challenged, but I didn't want to ask; the petition was contentious enough as it was. Anyway, if you have a moment and don't mind reading through a bit of a minefield, please tell me what you think. Thanks. In case you aren't around for a while, rather than posting this somewhere else, I'll ring in Drmies. Oh yeah, Happy Thanksgiving to you both. We're doing another year of Cornish game hens instead of turkey.--Bbb23 (talk) 21:43, 25 November 2024 (UTC)

I’ll try to swing back later, but just so it doesn’t look like I’m ignoring this, I’ll give you a Floq Express Opinion (TM). You’re 90% right, they’re 10% right. -Floquenbeam (talk) 23:51, 25 November 2024 (UTC)
OK, I've got a few minutes before Old People Bedtime. Technically, yes, the edit you warned them for wasn't vandalism. But they were a vandal, and it was a non-useful edit, and there is no reason for your antagonists to get so upset that you used the wrong template. Well, there is kind of a reason; I have thoughts on the motivations for a portion of those complaining the loudest, but I don't feel like going to ANI right now so I'll keep them to myself. And the comment of mine you reference was an unguarded moment of frustration at the following argument style: "you disagree with my opinion, but there was a recent ANI case where you were wrong about something else, so ha-ha you suck as an admin and you lose". Just smug and stupid. Ugh. --Floquenbeam (talk) 01:42, 26 November 2024 (UTC)
No matter what you write, it's always fun to read. Oh, and if you feel like sharing your thoughts on the motivations, please e-mail me. Thanks.--Bbb23 (talk) 01:50, 26 November 2024 (UTC)
Sent, and goodnight. Floquenbeam (talk) 01:57, 26 November 2024 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – December 2024

Latest comment: 1 year ago1 comment1 person in discussion

News and updates for administrators from the past month (November 2024).

Administrator changes

added
readded
removed

Interface administrator changes

added
readded Pppery

CheckUser changes

readded

Guideline and policy news

Technical news

Arbitration

November music

Latest comment: 1 year ago14 comments2 people in discussion
story · music · places

memories -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:36, 4 November 2024 (UTC)

same procedure? but a surprise close --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:20, 5 November 2024 (UTC)

Like pretty much every other process on WP, DYK seems so unfriendly, filled with Enforcers Of Policy And Rules And Mindless Bureaucracy. I sometimes don't know why you bother. I don't really know why I bother either. Perhaps recent events have just got me overly depressed and I won't feel so bleak in, say, four years. But the world seems so full of horrible people. Floquenbeam (talk) 22:30, 6 November 2024 (UTC)
For a surprise, a Bach cantata is on the Main page today, where it was last year for the 300th anniversary, and they were too lazy to find something new ;) - Look at my story, and listen. "Es ist genug" translates to "It is enough", - 301 years ago, and three dialogues between Fear and Hope. - Nothing wrong with enforcers of policy, such as accessibility, but enforcers of misunderstood guidelines, that's the problem. Did you see what I wrote in the ballerina's DYK nom (on the talk page)? - Will upload more vacation pics shortly. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:06, 7 November 2024 (UTC)
A few more pics added. An open letter open to be signed (more info on the talk), - I haven't checked if you did, please ignore then. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:43, 7 November 2024 (UTC)
signed! Floquenbeam (talk) 16:13, 11 November 2024 (UTC)
Today's story relates to 2 meanings of 9 Nov, - imagine: I found a DYK I liked from 2006, before my time here. - Why I bother: to make the subjects known. By known, I mean something substantial, - that someone served an organization for 70 years tells only about endurance, not creativity. I guess if they take the image - which says more than 1000 words - I'll let the pale words go, but if not just withdraw. - More pics from back home. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:02, 9 November 2024 (UTC)
I uploaded more pics, on a mountain in the sun above the fog. - Madeleine Riffaud - remember. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:14, 11 November 2024 (UTC)
Madrid looks beautiful (never been). Took a peek at Riffaud, but will have to come back to it later. Floquenbeam (talk) 16:15, 11 November 2024 (UTC)
The ballerina was promoted with no image and saying (no more than) she served the Bolshoi for 70 years. I told the promoter that I'll withdraw if no image. No reaction so far. It feels like saying about Riffaud that she worked in Resistance for so-an-so- many years. Interesting??? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:14, 11 November 2024 (UTC)
travel pics begun - happy Thanksgiving! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 00:44, 29 November 2024 (UTC)
I uploaded pics of a trip that was a 10-day celebration of a 16 November event, but the day was also when a dear friend died. We sang Hevenu shalom aleichem at his funeral yesterday, and it was good. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:59, 30 November 2024 (UTC)
Well that's certainly a new vacation spot! Looks fabulous, hope you enjoyed it. Weird coincidence, there was a DYK about Teresina a day or two ago. Floquenbeam (talk) 22:07, 3 December 2024 (UTC)
That's a spot where a friend of many years lives, who said that I never came ;) - I enjoyed it thoroughly, and pics got to the next leg of the trip, Bacabal. More pics to come. I missed the Teresina DYK, thanks for telling me. Will change one item in music now, after an inspiring concert. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:25, 3 December 2024 (UTC)

Notice of noticeboard discussion

Latest comment: 1 year ago3 comments2 people in discussion

Information icon There is currently a discussion at Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard regarding an issue with which you may have been involved. Thank you. It's not about you really, I just see your involvement in past discussions of the same issue. Just Step Sideways from this world ..... today 19:44, 6 December 2024 (UTC)

Sorry, Beeb. I understand why you'd notify me, and I've thought for a while that OM needs to slow down with the block button and ABF. But the bloodthirsty way the last few "eat the admins" threads have gone I just don't have the stomach for participating. Even if it would be the right thing to do. I'm wise enough to recognize the dysfunction, but not smart enough to know how to overcome the dysfunction to achieve good goals in a non-horrible way. Floquenbeam (talk) 17:20, 7 December 2024 (UTC)
I don't think anyone feels that the recall process has been what one could call a success so far. It seems way uglier to me than just doing an ARBCOM case, which is not something I ever expected to say. I just kept seeing your name in the previous incidents trying to steer things in a better direction, but I get what you're saying. I'm just really aggravated that this is still an issue after all this time, and honestly, feel kind of personally insulted by it as well. Just Step Sideways from this world ..... today 19:00, 7 December 2024 (UTC)

Busiest month of the year, you say?

Latest comment: 1 year ago4 comments3 people in discussion

I thought your elves do most of the real work?-- Ponyobons mots 17:48, 7 December 2024 (UTC)

I would kill to have some elves.--Floquenbeam (talk) 16:08, 9 December 2024 (UTC)
I can't believe Floq missed the opportunity to say that they were unable to jingle as many bells. Risker (talk) 18:17, 7 December 2024 (UTC)
I can't believe I missed it either. The shame. --Floquenbeam (talk) 16:08, 9 December 2024 (UTC)

Shame on you!

Latest comment: 1 year ago10 comments6 people in discussion

You hate Messi that's why you block my main account

Ha ha, you can't stop me Penaldo fan Messi10-barcelona2 (talk) 23:59, 4 December 2024 (UTC)

13 years later??? I knew you were memorable but not that memorable.--Bbb23 (talk) 00:05, 5 December 2024 (UTC)
Yes, I am so memorable that I inspire depressingly incoherent fuckwittery decades later. unless this is the most pointless Joe job in the history of Joe jobs. Floquenbeam (talk) 01:32, 5 December 2024 (UTC)
Who knew fuckwittery was a word? I really need to be more in touch with the, uh, real world. What do you do, spend your spare time hunting these down? A bit like Mr Collins and his compliments to the ladies, although he's a ridiculous, sanctimonious jerk.--Bbb23 (talk) 18:26, 6 December 2024 (UTC)
I had a troll for a while, various IPs in India that kept calling me "uncle" and saying God would punish me for what I had done. I tried to tell them they needed to tell me what block they were evading if they wanted me to have the slightest idea what they were mad about, but they never did. It went on for years. Just Step Sideways from this world ..... today 19:50, 6 December 2024 (UTC)
"real world"? I have never seen the word used outside of WP. I saw it here, liked it a lot, and now use it regularly, but didn't come up with it or hunt for it. Aside from, you know, creating a free global online encyclopedia, I think the creation (or, if not, at least the spreading) of this word is one of WP's greatest contributions to society. Floquenbeam (talk) 17:17, 7 December 2024 (UTC)
Yes! It has certainly enriched my life. -- Deepfriedokra (talk) 18:33, 7 December 2024 (UTC)
if enshitification is a word, fuckwittery is one too. Floquenbeam (talk) 16:15, 9 December 2024 (UTC)
Two ts please. See also emmerder, a word I used to love but no longer have occasion to use.--Bbb23 (talk) 16:37, 9 December 2024 (UTC)
It's British slang, definitely has a life outside of WP - years one of my managers used the phrase "epic fuckwittery" in an email (not directed at me, I hasten to add). Pawnkingthree (talk) 21:06, 9 December 2024 (UTC)

Io Saturnalia!

Latest comment: 1 year ago1 comment1 person in discussion
Io, Saturnalia!
Wishing you and yours a Happy Holiday Season, from the horse and bishop person. May the year ahead be productive and distraction-free. Ealdgyth (talk) 15:09, 17 December 2024 (UTC)

Happy Holidays

Latest comment: 1 year ago2 comments1 person in discussion
Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2025!

Hello Floquenbeam, may you be surrounded by peace, success and happiness on this seasonal occasion. Spread the WikiLove by wishing another user a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past, a good friend, or just some random person. Sending you heartfelt and warm greetings for Christmas and New Year 2025.
Happy editing,
Abishe (talk) 22:31, 24 December 2024 (UTC)

Spread the love by adding {{subst:Seasonal Greetings}} to other user talk pages.

Abishe (talk) 22:31, 24 December 2024 (UTC)

December music

Latest comment: 1 year ago14 comments2 people in discussion
story · music · places

Today's story comes from a DYK about a concert that fascinated me, and you can listen! For my taste, the hook has too little music - I miss the unusual scoring and the specific dedication - but it comes instead with a name good for viewcount. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:25, 6 December 2024 (UTC)

Thanks Gerda! Floquenbeam (talk) 17:21, 7 December 2024 (UTC)
On the Main page today Jean Sibelius on his birthday. Listening to Beethoven's Fifth from the opening of Notre-Dame de Paris. We sang in choirs today. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:50, 8 December 2024 (UTC)
Ode to Joy! Floquenbeam (talk) 16:13, 9 December 2024 (UTC) Oops, got my symphonies confused. Note to self: look stuff up to be sure BEFORE hitting publish, not right after. --Floquenbeam (talk) 16:14, 9 December 2024 (UTC)
You could give me the same note, all the time. Interesting photographer in my story, - just look at youtube if you have little time. - Some new pics that look like vacation, - beach, from the third monastery, and dinner there, for the first time in a restaurant on the trip. - How do you like my Notre-Dame pic? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:10, 10 December 2024 (UTC)
Listen today to the (new) Perplexities after Escher. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:50, 12 December 2024 (UTC)
Listen today to Beethoven's 3rd cello sonata, on his birthday - it was a hook in the 2020 DYK set when his 250th birthday was remembered. I picked a recording with Antônio Meneses, because he was on my sad list this year, and I was in Brazil (see places, particularly stunning today), and I love his playing. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:31, 16 December 2024 (UTC)
I come to fix the cellist's name, with a 10-years-old DYK and new pics - look for red birds --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:12, 18 December 2024 (UTC)
Today is a woman poet's centenary. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:08, 20 December 2024 (UTC)
Hauptfriedhof Mainz today (remember November?) - if you have the time, take the YouTube walk by a young man from from Jamaica, speaking English. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:40, 21 December 2024 (UTC)
Today it's another great woman, soprano Sigrid Kehl, and I found a 1963 Christmas Oratorio detail. 10 years earlier than that cycle, Bach wrote seven cantatas for the 1724 season, based on seven songs, - my focus this year. Expect three stories for the three days they celebrated in Leipzig ;) - Enjoy the season! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:32, 23 December 2024 (UTC)
My first Christmas story is about Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BWV 91, 300 years today, and its song, 500 years old. Enjoy! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:27, 25 December 2024 (UTC)
Similarly, my second Christmas story is about Christum wir sollen loben schon, BWV 121, 300 years today, and its song, 500 years old. An aria is inspired by a baby leaping in his mother's womb. Enjoy! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:33, 26 December 2024 (UTC)
My third Christmas story is different. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:01, 27 December 2024 (UTC)

Thanks for a year of interesting articles and beautiful pictures and kind words. Have a great New Years Eve, and I'm hoping for a better-than-expected 2025. --Floquenbeam (talk)

Administrators' newsletter – January 2025

Latest comment: 1 year ago1 comment1 person in discussion

News and updates for administrators from the past month (December 2024).

Guideline and policy news

Technical news

  • The Nuke feature also now provides links to the userpage of the user whose pages were deleted, and to the pages which were not selected for deletion, after page deletions are queued. This enables easier follow-up admin-actions.

Arbitration

Miscellaneous

An archiving

Latest comment: 1 year ago2 comments2 people in discussion

Hi, you said " Last comment in this thread was 6 days ago; not sure why the bot hasn't archived it." but AN is on a seven-day archive schedule, as said in the banner at the top. Best wishes for the new year! Fram (talk) 14:06, 6 January 2025 (UTC)

Well that certainly explains it! For some reason (perhaps it was the case long, long ago) I thought ANI was on a 48 hour schedule, and AN on a 72 hr schedule. Hope your 2025 goes well too. Floquenbeam (talk) 14:32, 6 January 2025 (UTC)

Happy Adminship Anniversary!

Latest comment: 1 year ago2 comments2 people in discussion

Thanks DDOOL! A day that will live in infamy. --Floquenbeam (talk) 00:05, 19 January 2025 (UTC)

Notice of noticeboard notice

Latest comment: 1 year ago1 comment1 person in discussion

Information icon There is currently a discussion at Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents regarding an issue with which you may have been involved. The thread is Drbogdan misuse of talk page while blocked. Thank you. Ivanvector (Talk/Edits) 13:29, 27 January 2025 (UTC)

A reminder to WP:AGF and WP:DROPTHESTICK in the future

Latest comment: 1 year ago2 comments2 people in discussion

Hello. I noticed the way you communicated with @FactsheetPete and I wanted to politely ask you to consider your own behavior here. Whether intentionally or not, you and @Tiggerjay have chased away a new editor by immediately accusing them of meatpuppetry. Yes, the behavior may look suspicious. Yes, the activity pattern looks suspicious. Yes, the accounts are all different. But as others have pointed out, this commonly happens with articles relating to current events. There is a very fine line between a meatpuppet and someone who sincerely agrees with the argument someone else presented. As a guideline, I would advise you to avoid WP:ABF in these discussions, as you are doing when you allege meatpuppetry. If you don't have damning evidence, enough to take to ArbCom, WP:DROPTHESTICK. guninvalid (talk) 08:09, 28 January 2025 (UTC)

thank you for the blue links. I was unaware. —-Floquenbeam (talk) 09:47, 28 January 2025 (UTC)

January music

Latest comment: 1 year ago10 comments2 people in discussion
story · music · places

Happy new year 2025, opened with trumpet fanfares that first sounded OTD in 1725 (as the Main page has). -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:52, 1 January 2025 (UTC)

Happy New Year, Gerda! I actually had a chance to click on one of your watch/listen links! Very cool. --Floquenbeam (talk) 15:30, 2 January 2025 (UTC)
Glad about that! - Liebster Immanuel, Herzog der Frommen, BWV 123, my story today 300 years after the first performance, is up for GAN. Dada Masilo will be my story tomorrow. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:16, 6 January 2025 (UTC)
My story today is about a composer who influenced music history also by writing. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:56, 8 January 2025 (UTC)
Today a violinist from Turkey, Ayla Erduran, whom you can watch playing Schubert chamber music --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:09, 13 January 2025 (UTC)
... and today, pictured on the Main page, Tosca, in memory of her first appearance on stage OTD in 1900, and of principal author Brian Boulton. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:11, 14 January 2025 (UTC)
Today, between many who just died, Tobias Kratzer on his 45th birthday who was good for an unusual DYK mentioning a Verdi opera in 2018, - you can see his work in the trailer of another one that I saw, and my talk page has a third (but by a different director). 2025 pics, finally. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:56, 17 January 2025 (UTC)
Today I have a composer (trumpeter, conductor) on the main page who worked closely with another who became GA yesterday, - small world! To celebrate: mostly flowers pics from vacation ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:06, 20 January 2025 (UTC)
I have more vacation pics to offer, and today's story of Werner Bardenhewer. I took the pic, and it was my DYK on his 90th birthday, in both English and German. He spent the day in Africa, and after his return said - chatting after a mass of thanks he celebrated at Mariä Heimsuchung - that we'd have to talk about these articles. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:55, 30 January 2025 (UTC)
Sorry, I've been ignoring you, to the extent that I let it fall of my talk page! Looking forward to taking a peek at vacation pics, will try to pick up my pace a bit. Floquenbeam (talk) 18:10, 31 January 2025 (UTC)

your User Page quote

Latest comment: 1 year ago2 comments2 people in discussion

the center of the universe, I live very, very far away from it now. I am really confusing🤓 about what's that mean?? KPopMachine (talk) 20:58, 1 February 2025 (UTC)

Hi KPM, I used to live near Tahoma (follow link), and it felt very important to me. I don't live near it anymore. Floquenbeam (talk) 17:05, 2 February 2025 (UTC)

E-mail

Latest comment: 1 year ago2 comments2 people in discussion

So, are you reading your e-mail, e. g. my messages? Bishonen | tålk 18:36, 2 February 2025 (UTC).

Sorry, reading them now. I’m pretty untrustworthy these days. Floquenbeam (talk) 21:01, 2 February 2025 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – February 2025

Latest comment: 1 year ago1 comment1 person in discussion

News and updates for administrators from the past month (January 2025).

Administrator changes

readded
removed Euryalus

CheckUser changes

removed

Oversighter changes

removed

Technical news

  • Administrators can now nuke pages created by a user or IP address from the last 90 days, up from the initial 30 days. T380846
  • A 'Recreated' tag will now be added to pages that were created with the same title as a page which was previously deleted and it can be used as a filter in Special:RecentChanges and Special:NewPages. T56145

Arbitration

Sock

Latest comment: 1 year ago4 comments3 people in discussion

the banned BittersweetParadox (talk · contribs) is editing again under HopeLost (talk · contribs). Yankees10 16:22, 12 February 2025 (UTC)

Sorry to steal your thunder, Floq, but it was pretty obvious and I wasn't sure if you'd be back on-wiki anytime soon (looked like you'd left for the day).--Bbb23 (talk) 16:38, 12 February 2025 (UTC)
No worries, you're always welcome to steal my thunder. Less work for me! Floquenbeam (talk) 17:44, 12 February 2025 (UTC)
Thanks for letting me know, Yankees10. Looks like Bbb23 has sorted things Floquenbeam (talk) 17:43, 12 February 2025 (UTC)

Authoritarianism

Latest comment: 1 year ago6 comments3 people in discussion

At ANI, you wrote, "....give it a few more months, I may even have first-hand knowledge! [about Government interference in Wikipedia]" I have been pondering over that the past few days and am seriously concerned about Musk and his cronies coming after Wikipedia. I suppose Jimbo could move the servers and the Foundation to Canada and side-step it all? After all, the climate up there is probably a better temperature for a server farm, right? Ritchie333 (talk) (cont) 18:52, 21 February 2025 (UTC)

For a while, until climate change forces server farms to the Antarctic, where it will only be 40 degrees F.
I am honestly considering removing update: I have removed the ability to email me from WP, so that the WMF won't know what my email address is (surely they don't save it once I remove it??), and can't be forced to turn it over to Musk or Trump's lunatic FBI director or someone. The WMF has apparently actually already done that very thing in India, even with US servers, so moving to Canada might not help if they aren't going to have a backbone. Also going to start thinking about what IPs I edit from, because I can't keep the WMF from telling them that.
I won't rant for too much longer, because of POLEMIC and all that, but it's depressing how many people think this is an obvious hyperbolic exaggeration. American exceptionalism has got a lot of people convinced that "it can't happen here". It fucking is happening here, right in front of our noses, but we're like the proverbial frog in the slowly warming pot of water. I would have thought that the percentage of people willing to kiss a bully's ass would be around 20-30%, but it turns out it's over 50%. Floquenbeam (talk) 19:12, 21 February 2025 (UTC)
Re email: I believe I saw someone mention in one of the ANI v WMF discussions that the WMF retains email changes for 90 days, after which they are permanently deleted. Unfortunately I’m currently on mobile with no chance of finding the comment's source, so take that with one or more grains of salt. Perfect4th (talk) 19:55, 21 February 2025 (UTC)
Thank you, that seems like it would be true. Truthy, at least. All I have to do is hope that we can hold on for 3 months. Floquenbeam (talk) 20:00, 21 February 2025 (UTC)
It appears I misread. According to the Foundation's Data Retention Guidelines, IPs are kept for 90 days but emails are retained only until a user deletes/changes the account setting. Perfect4th (talk) 20:21, 21 February 2025 (UTC)
Thank you very much P4th. I would not have known where to even begin looking for that document. Floquenbeam (talk) 20:22, 21 February 2025 (UTC)

February music

Latest comment: 1 year ago24 comments2 people in discussion
story · music · places

On the main page today, 300 years after its first performance, Bach's cantata BWV 125, - a lovely very intimate piece, with peace and joy in the title. Enjoy listening with score - I discovered that only now! - Today is also the birthday of James Joyce, who has an article by many authors. -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:52, 2 February 2025 (UTC)

Thanks for the Bach link (synching with score is cool; even tho it isn't useful to me I still like it), and for the James Joyce link. Reminds me of my trip to Dublin last year. One of my new favorite places; I could imagine living there. And I remembered to {{dnau}} this time... --Floquenbeam (talk) 16:52, 3 February 2025 (UTC)
new pics, with thanks for remembering ;) - back home --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:17, 3 February 2025 (UTC)
Every time you go to La Palma, I (1) enjoy the pictures, and (2) get sort of jealous. Floquenbeam (talk) 17:49, 3 February 2025 (UTC)
Every time I go to La Palma (which has become a nice tradition of a winter home), I hope that enjoyment is stronger than jealousy. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:06, 3 February 2025 (UTC)
It is, but it's close... Floquenbeam (talk) 17:45, 11 February 2025 (UTC)
today: a German-born Spanish art collector, - the video in her honour is remarkable, as what she gave the world. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:33, 8 February 2025 (UTC)
I find today's birthday child particularly inspiring, by enthusiasm and determination. That was - believe it or not - a pictured DYK in 2021, without the last line though. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:59, 9 February 2025 (UTC)
Paul Plishka, a bass who sang 88 roles of all kinds at the Met was interviewed before his (first) retirement. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:48, 10 February 2025 (UTC)
Cool, thanks Gerda. Floquenbeam (talk) 17:46, 11 February 2025 (UTC)
Thank you! That article had not a single link to an opera, few references, and little biographical detail. (Thanks to two brilliant obits, that could be changed. Today I learned that Edith Mathis died. That article had few links to pieces, few references, and little biographical detail. Thank to Grimes2, that changed much today, and I worked on the formatting of the recordings (a bit). She made 193. It's her birthday. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:02, 11 February 2025 (UTC)
She arrived on the main page today! Check out how the article improved ;) - She portrayed young women by Mozart. The video of a 1993 interview has videos of her performances. - I saw my brother on stage, - see places. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:45, 13 February 2025 (UTC)
That *is* quite an expansion! Well done to you and Grimes and others. Floquenbeam (talk) 17:17, 14 February 2025 (UTC)
Look at places also for Valentine's food and flowers ;) - with a story, and more music there --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:01, 14 February 2025 (UTC)
Happy Valentines Day, Gerda. I waited until too late, so while Mrs. Floquenbeam and I are going to a nice Cuban place for dinner, I could only get reservations for 5:00. That's practically lunch time! Floquenbeam (talk) 17:19, 14 February 2025 (UTC)
Hope it was still a pleasure! - I point at a composer today, as the main page does. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:51, 20 February 2025 (UTC)
It was fantastic (just early). Floquenbeam (talk) 17:12, 21 February 2025 (UTC)
Great, regards to Mrs. F! Today's is about an opera singer on her 35th birthday, - don't miss the short video which shows her in movement, - they had a Japanese movement coach for the production that impressed me in 2022. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:06, 21 February 2025 (UTC)
A coach in Japanese movement? Or a movement coach who was Japanese? :) Floquenbeam (talk) 20:14, 21 February 2025 (UTC)
Or both? She looks Japanese, and is interviewed. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:48, 21 February 2025 (UTC)
from 2:20 to about 4 when it's the conductor's turn, - the beginning was for the director --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:53, 21 February 2025 (UTC)
nothing new from N. - see WT:DYK#Alexander Goehr, - it's about Alexander Goehr. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 23:25, 27 February 2025 (UTC)
I don't know what to say, Gerda. DYK is trying to maximize more than one variable, and according to my Dad (who taught business math) that's usually impossible. If you want to encourage (a) volume of new articles, (b) interesting articles, (c) high pageviews, and (d) make sure hooks are considered "interesting/funny" by high schoolers, something has to give. N and his crew are right: your hook is not interesting or funny to high schoolers. I don't have any political pull over there; I see Roy Smith commented, maybe he has more, I don't know. I'm kind of despairing of this place right now. Floquenbeam (talk) 15:33, 28 February 2025 (UTC)
We don't have to limit knowledge to what high schoolers can grasp. The other day we had a hook about an actress playing a certain role only 2 years later than she had hoped to get it. Sooo??? When I expanded I thought that N. would suggest to say that he worked in a kibbuz ;) - Compared to that, all is fine. The hook might just make it because people are to lazy to change it. I'll give you more flowers tomorrow, for encouragement, would have loved to begin the month with a five-composers hook, but not ideally in the early hours of the day when most Europeans would sleep through it. Working today on BWV 127, the last of the chorale cantatas that needs work to be GA, - the very last, BWV 1, is already a FA. - New pics of spring flowers and a songbird! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:36, 28 February 2025 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – March 2025

Latest comment: 1 year ago1 comment1 person in discussion

News and updates for administrators from the past month (February 2025).

Administrator changes

removed

CheckUser changes

removed

Oversighter changes

removed AmandaNP

Guideline and policy news

Technical news

  • A new filter has been added to the Special:Nuke tool, which allows administrators to filter for pages in a range of page sizes (in bytes). This allows, for example, deleting pages only of a certain size or below. T378488
  • Non-administrators can now check which pages are able to be deleted using the Special:Nuke tool. T376378

Miscellaneous

UT:WTT

Latest comment: 1 year ago3 comments2 people in discussion

Hello, Floq,

If you were being sarcastic, I think you should rethink your comment. I'd email you about this but you don't have that enabled. That's all. Liz Read! Talk! 00:12, 7 March 2025 (UTC)

You don't know whether I was being sarcastic? Floquenbeam (talk) 00:25, 7 March 2025 (UTC)
Well, I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt. Because if you were, it seemed like a cruel comment to make. Liz Read! Talk! 01:29, 7 March 2025 (UTC)

Crat

Latest comment: 1 year ago10 comments6 people in discussion

I did joke yesterday with some people that I sure have done a lot as a crat in 3 days for a job that was supposed to be no work. I do hope, however, that someone starts a discussion around "do we still need this role" rather than leaving it as a comment someone makes every few years when someone bothers to RfB. Best, Barkeep49 (talk) 21:04, 11 March 2025 (UTC)

Personally, I like having Crats. I might not be able to justify it with an airtight argument, I just like knowing they're you're there. So it won't be me starting the discussion. Floquenbeam (talk) 21:07, 11 March 2025 (UTC)
I understand that WP:Project WikiDOGE is going to start eliminating various user rights to see what might happen if no one does whatever it is that those rights are for. 28bytes (talk) 23:12, 11 March 2025 (UTC)
What even is an edit filter manager? If we get rid of them we just have the edit filters tell us what they did this past week, and if an LLM isn't impressed we axe them too ScottishFinnishRadish (talk) 23:23, 11 March 2025 (UTC)
What the fuck is a template. Delete all pages that are templates. And template editors are all elitist. Block them all. Also, delete any articles that start with “div”, “eq”, or “incl”. Also, we’re taking over Fandom. Floquenbeam (talk) 00:23, 12 March 2025 (UTC)
I actually suspect I like having Crats. I might not be able to justify it with an airtight argument, I just like knowing they're you're there is if not a consensus position at least one that is widely held enough to mean that there isn't consensus to eliminate them. It's why despite my own skepticism of the role I ran for it (I sent my self-nom to a few people and the most substantive feedback I got was to tone down my crat skepticism as a tangent to the actual discussion). And if, as I suspect, there is somewhat widespread support for the role that's good to know also. And to the extent that there is a divide it might point the way towards possible reforms - I know one person who would favor reconfirmation for crats in a way they never would for admins. Best, Barkeep49 (talk) 15:53, 12 March 2025 (UTC)
I guess the problem I see is that I don't like the "non-crat" alternatives. Admins appointing and removing admin tools? No thanks - I've seen a single admin go rogue too many times, compromised or had enough - I don't want the ability well spread. Passing it to the stewards? Again, enough history that we like our project to be ours. So that leaves our barely used crats - and I think the solution there is "use them more". I get there's not a lot of RfAs, but hopefully they'll (you'll... we'll? No, I don't need that hat) be well involved in elections.
The big problem with crat's is the legacy issue - no reconfirmation means we have had crats who are 20+ years long in the tooth, and since each crat counts for a significant portion of the crat group, due to the small overall number. WormTT(talk) 16:32, 12 March 2025 (UTC)
I probably have more trust in the Stewards than the average enwiki editor. So for me the big problem with passing to the Stewards crat responsibilities for +/- sysop and IA (I'd presume we would decide to bot flag locally) was the discrestion involved with some of our policies. But a Steward (accidently) reminded me that they evaluate consensus in their own elections so they could do so with ours. And the need for that is going to be less in an era of admin elections. But I agree that trust in the Stewards is not something universally shared and indeed in most instances I am of the opinion "when we can, we should do things ourselves" and the community not feeling that way would be a bit of a break with the past. Best, Barkeep49 (talk) 16:42, 12 March 2025 (UTC)
For me it's useful knowing there's a small group of people who can more or less be counted on to approach policy both thoughtfully and conservatively so I know who to ping when I wonder if I'm thinking too far outside the box. Valereee (talk) 17:25, 12 March 2025 (UTC)
Yes, I suspect for a lot of people, Crats are much more important as a social construct than as people who technically have the ability to flip bits. --Floquenbeam (talk) 15:20, 13 March 2025 (UTC)

Thoughts

Latest comment: 1 year ago4 comments2 people in discussion

I'm probably sticking my nose where it isn't wanted or needed...but, I've often thought that unproductive comments on blocked editor talk page(s) should result in some type of Admin-imposed self-reflection. Take care Floq! --Kansas Bear 22:40, 29 March 2025 (UTC)

You're probably right about this being too lenient, but I'm not 1000% sure this was intended to be grave-dancing, I suspect it was more like incompetence. Which is it's own problem, of course.... Floquenbeam (talk) 17:51, 30 March 2025 (UTC)
Honestly, I wasn't criticizing your actions, simply giving my unneeded perspective. Sorry if I sounded critical. You're one of the better Admins I know. Stay safe! --Kansas Bear 19:16, 30 March 2025 (UTC)
No worries, I didn't take it that way at all. Thanks for the kind words. Floquenbeam (talk) 20:26, 30 March 2025 (UTC)

March music

Latest comment: 1 year ago17 comments2 people in discussion
story · music · places

New month: today is the birthday of Chopin and Ricardo Kanji, see my stories of today and yesterday, with dream music by the first and Bach played by the other. -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 11:42, 1 March 2025 (UTC)

Thanks for the music, Gerda. (Did you mean to leave Feb 29, 2024 in there?) --Floquenbeam (talk) 18:39, 1 March 2025 (UTC)
yes, in case I still want to get back to it in 2028, and it's such a brilliant piece --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:48, 1 March 2025 (UTC)
Today: Carmen turns 150, as the main page and my story tell you. I chose a 1962 concert of the Habanera, - enjoy! - A first: pictures go up to yesterday, - very inspiring! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:09, 3 March 2025 (UTC)
On Ravel's birthday, we also think of a conductor and five more composers ;) - because, as predicted, that hook wasn't changed further. More N., however, Template:Did you know nominations/Ana María Iriarte and Template:Did you know nominations/Simon Neal (baritone), arguments and tone. Better back to celebrating ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:23, 7 March 2025 (UTC)
ps: After the festive meal pictured in places came a stroll with friends in Eltville, thinking of you! Too involved in conversations to take more pics there. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:26, 7 March 2025 (UTC)
Today Rossini's latest "sin", as the main page has --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:13, 14 March 2025 (UTC)
Today I could have written five stories off the main page, and chose Sofia Gubaidulina. I find the TFA also interesting, and two DYK, and a birthday OTD. How about you? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:55, 16 March 2025 (UTC)
Today: an opera, 100 years old OTD, on Bach's birthday. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:08, 21 March 2025 (UTC)
Hi Gerda, been crazy busy. Thanks for all the pix and stories. Can't believe it is almost time for April music.... Floquenbeam (talk) 18:57, 24 March 2025 (UTC)
Thanks for the note! - Today, 300 years of Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV 1! We sang works for (mostly) double choir by Pachelbel, Johann Christoph Bach, Kuhnau/Bach, Gounod and Rheinberger! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:45, 25 March 2025 (UTC)
Happy birthday, BMV 1! Floquenbeam (talk) 17:31, 25 March 2025 (UTC)
Love it ;) - Today: Jörg Streli, an architect to whom you can listen (in German, though) and the Jahrhundertring, nominated for GA (both hidden on the main page) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:28, 26 March 2025 (UTC)
I tried to talk like to a friend (talk page not AN), and it even seems to have worked this time ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:44, 28 March 2025 (UTC)
Not surprised, you have more class and good faith than I do. Floquenbeam (talk) 18:51, 28 March 2025 (UTC)
I need good faith for survival, - so class is kind of coming with it ;) - In the end it was of course WhatamIdoing who did it, - I just quoted what I could never have worded as well (look in the RfC for "assuming"). --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:50, 28 March 2025 (UTC)
Two RD stories to say bye to March - Did you look at the Mirella Freni case? In prep now (and I was out over the weekend so couldn't scream): that she shared a wet-nurse with Pavarotti. I said it might work on April Fool's, but not even that irony was understood. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:07, 31 March 2025 (UTC)
Latest comment: 1 year ago3 comments2 people in discussion

Hi, Floquenbeam. A bit unsure about how to say this because I try to keep out of others' conversations, but I thought that I should share my perspective anyway, in case it is helpful. My read of the consultation and this conversation was very different to yours, so hopefully you'll indulge me here.

My perspective is that people recognizing their possible [perceptions of] biases and taking themselves out of the equation – even when it's not mandated – seems like a good thing, especially when the Committee has/had issues with members not recusing when they should have. Their recusal seemed unnecessary under policy, but if a member takes a more conservative approach to recusal (i.e. a "better safe than sorry" approach, recusing in cases where there is an appearance of impropriety as well as just impropriety), that is probably good unless it leads to the Committee making decisions with 4 members. So their recusal isn't necessarily a sign that they're holding a grudge from 2023, but maybe a recognition that they may be perceived as biased.

I didn't read their public declaration of recusal as the "I'm recused as an Arb but I oppose and by the way everyone remember I'm an Arb" game because I think that a sitting member who publicly states that they're going to oppose a candidacy without recusing creates a greater chilling effect and may spark concerns that they should recuse. A recusal prevents such inquiries from being made.

(Just to be clear, I wasn't notified of that conversation in any way and happened to stumble on it, and I don't watch any of my colleagues' talk pages). Best wishes, Sdrqaz (talk) 22:23, 31 March 2025 (UTC)

Hi Sdrqaz,
It was not just that comment in isolation. It was that comment, combined with their other 3 snarky remarks. When I was an Arb and I wanted to recuse, I would just shut up. I don't think I can say too much more without kick starting myself into 45-paragraph rant mode, and I'm not sure what the benefit of doing that would be. I'll just say that I, like T, feel icky about our back-of-office dealings sometimes, and C's comment was a good example. If the only people we allow to be CUs are people who think our back-of-office environment is great, then we deserve what we get. Floquenbeam (talk) 11:13, 1 April 2025 (UTC)
Ah, I understand your reaction more: I had thought that your initial comment was based on disagreement with the recusal game, but now it's clear that you disagreed with the substance of the comment too. On the substance, I agree with you: in the final private vote, I weighed complaints of Tamzin's criticisms of how Wikipedia administration and the Committee works very lightly, given that I would expect most active administrators to attack those things at some point (I am critical of the Committee too, and some of our fiercest critics are current CU/OS).
As for recusals generally, my experience in these two years is that it isn't unusual for members to recuse in public and add statements as ordinary members of the Community (see Palestine–Israel articles 5 and SFR, for example). Thank you, Sdrqaz (talk) 19:54, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

Well played sir

Latest comment: 1 year ago6 comments5 people in discussion

I edit conflicted with your recent close at ANI. Reviewing your close, you said everything I wanted to say, but you said it more better than I would have. Good call. Girth Summit (blether) 18:08, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

Thanks for the kind words! All you have to do is stop saying things like "more better", and you'll be even gooder than me. Floquenbeam (talk) 18:10, 1 April 2025 (UTC)
I would have just said better, but it was so much more gooder than that it called for some extra wordy bits. Girth Summit (blether) 18:12, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

gooder! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:16, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

I believe the preferred usage these days is double plus good. BusterD (talk) 21:36, 1 April 2025 (UTC)
Gootest as a portmanteau? Knitsey (talk) 21:42, 1 April 2025 (UTC)

ban

Latest comment: 1 year ago3 comments2 people in discussion

I was going to mention a different form of a topic ban, from modern U.S.A. politics broadly construed; simply because no-one seemed to have considered a variant, and broader, topic ban rather than going from one form of topic ban straight to a full one. But very likely people would still have gone for a full one, from what I read of the discussion. A few people had already mentioned that this is not the U.S.A. Wikipedia, albeit that they had not explicitly taken the step from that to a U.S.A. politics ban.

Moreover, in general at the moment I think that the community is not in the mood to give much leeway at all to people who see U.S.A. politics on the television and in newspapers and leap from that straight to editing Wikipedia. I've been seeing more short shrift given when it comes to this in AFD discussions, now, than I saw years ago.

However, if the ban comes up for appeal, years from now, people might see this and give the idea some thought at least.

Uncle G (talk) 04:48, 5 April 2025 (UTC)

Thanks for the visit and for the thoughts. It's an interesting observation about the WP community in general, but I'm so pressed for time at the moment IRL that I'll just say "I agree with almost all of that" and leave it for another time. In this particular case, I think it's pretty clear that a different topic ban was not going to gain consensus over "throw away the key", for the reasons you mention. Floquenbeam (talk) 20:02, 6 April 2025 (UTC)
@Uncle G: oops, meant to ping and forgot. Floquenbeam (talk) 20:07, 6 April 2025 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – April 2025

Latest comment: 1 year ago1 comment1 person in discussion

News and updates for administrators from the past month (March 2025).

Administrator changes

added
readded Dennis Brown
removed

Bureaucrat changes

added Barkeep49

CheckUser changes

added 0xDeadbeef

Oversighter changes

removed GB fan
readded Moneytrees

Miscellaneous

Filthy block log

Latest comment: 1 year ago15 comments3 people in discussion

I used Windex on it, and with a bit of muscle, I managed to remove all the dust. You now have a nice, shiny block log! Please keep it clean: you can sign up for free Wikpedialogmaintenance so it will be regularly polished.--Bbb23 (talk) 16:08, 7 April 2025 (UTC)

Thank you so much, Bbb23. Does Wikpedialogmaintenance also do cars? I've let that get filthy too. Floquenbeam (talk) 16:11, 7 April 2025 (UTC)
Yes, but because it's not wikipedia-related, you have to pay a small charge. I'm currently arguing with the team about removing the dust and cobwebs from me. They want me to pay an exhorbitant fee (they claim the amount of the work would be enormous); I'm arguing that removal would enable me to be a more efficient admin and is therefore wikipedia-related. As a compromise, they offered to remove me completely. As Julia Roberts said in Notting Hill, I replied, "tempting, but no".--Bbb23 (talk) 16:17, 7 April 2025 (UTC)
I have struck the offending comment in the AN discussion. I apologize for misconstruing the block log at issue to be an order of magnitude filthier than it actually was. BD2412 T 16:23, 7 April 2025 (UTC)
Bbb23, can Wikpedialogmaintenance also remove filth from my talk page? I've got an insincere apology on aisle 2. Floquenbeam (talk) 16:34, 7 April 2025 (UTC)
Please stop now. It's enough. BD2412 T 16:36, 7 April 2025 (UTC)
I'm pretty sure you don't get to tell me when I should stop talking. to other people. on my own talk page. Floquenbeam (talk) 16:42, 7 April 2025 (UTC)
I was asking, but yes, you can have all the drama you want on your talk page. You can make an entire soap opera of your grievance. It's your time to waste, and I suppose whoever else's you are able to draw in. BD2412 T 16:48, 7 April 2025 (UTC)
How very Trumpian. You lie, and then express moral indignation on getting called out for it. Floquenbeam (talk) 16:53, 7 April 2025 (UTC)
Trumpian? So this is political theatre. Don't project your political paradigm onto me. My primary vocation is taking on anti-vaxxers. BD2412 T 16:57, 7 April 2025 (UTC)
No, that was what was known as an analogy. If you're behaving the same way people you dislike are behaving, maybe have second thoughts about how you're behaving. Floquenbeam (talk) 16:59, 7 April 2025 (UTC)
Perhaps we are all a bit on edge due to a political situation designed to affect us in that way. BD2412 T 17:13, 7 April 2025 (UTC)
Perhaps that is why you're on edge; I'm on edge because you lied about me, in a very rude way, and whiffed on the apology. Floquenbeam (talk) 17:53, 7 April 2025 (UTC)
I misconstrued your block log. It was unintentional. I am sorry for that. BD2412 T 18:44, 7 April 2025 (UTC)
Much better, if belated. If I desired any further interaction with you, I'd ask why you felt the need to check my block log in the first place. But I don't, so consider that a purely rhetorical question. Floquenbeam (talk) 18:51, 7 April 2025 (UTC)

I feel your pain

Latest comment: 1 year ago4 comments2 people in discussion

This. All day long.-- Ponyobons mots 19:16, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

@Ponyo: There are so many things that need fixing, and so little time. I'm embarrassed that I more or less foresaw a problem like this more than 2 years ago, made a quick talk page comment, and then did ... nothing further. Also: Hi Ponyo! I never run into you anymore. Hope all is well with you and yours. Floquenbeam (talk) 19:42, 11 April 2025 (UTC)
This website is a great big space, and there are many broken bits and pieces. You've done something now to help improve one of those broken things, and that counts for something. At least to me.-- Ponyobons mots 19:46, 11 April 2025 (UTC)
Thanks Ponyo, I'm relieved I'm not getting swamped with "you arrogant asshole" messages.... Floquenbeam (talk) 21:08, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

Latest comment: 1 year ago2 comments2 people in discussion
Sane Barnstar
Thanks for you know what. Polygnotus (talk) 20:04, 11 April 2025 (UTC)
Thanks, Polygnotis. Interesting choice if image! Floquenbeam (talk) 21:10, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

Thank you

Latest comment: 1 year ago2 comments2 people in discussion

for your common-sense consideration of humanity. It's something of an unusual combination to be bold enough to IAR in the first place and to also have the good sense to do it well. You do both, and Wikipedia is better off for it pretty much every time. Perfect4th (talk) 19:57, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

Perfect4th, that's a really generous interpretation of history, but I'll take it! Thanks for the kind words, it does mean a lot to me. Floquenbeam (talk) 21:12, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

Latest comment: 1 year ago4 comments2 people in discussion
The Brilliant Idea Barnstar
Once again, you come sweeping into save the day with an incredibly WP:BOLD solution that would not be considered otherwise. I know we probably interact like once a year, but I do know that potentially controversial actions, such as what you did at LP03's RfA, are no stranger to you. I've always appreciated that you also follow up and discuss other editors' questions regarding your actions as soon as they are brought up. I'm always impressed on how such actions lead to discussions and progress with improving guidelines in general. In other words, keep on being awesome! Steel1943 (talk) 20:38, 11 April 2025 (UTC)
Thanks, S1943. That's really kind of you to say. Floquenbeam (talk) 21:11, 11 April 2025 (UTC)
First time I've ever seen that shorthand for my username. Quite interesting! 😂 Steel1943 (talk) 22:03, 11 April 2025 (UTC)
You have no idea just how lazy I am. If I can save a 4 letters... Floquenbeam (talk) 22:20, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

Thank you

Latest comment: 1 year ago2 comments2 people in discussion

Just a good old fashioned thank you for seeing things for what they were and doing the right thing at RfA. Kind regards, Goldsztajn (talk) 22:26, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

An old school thank you, then? I love those too! Thanks. Floquenbeam (talk) 22:27, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

Hello

Latest comment: 1 year ago7 comments2 people in discussion

Hi, Can you please allow me to add just a closing apology comment to the ANI page thank you and sorry for the burden. Cipher Nox (talk) 22:02, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

Assuming it truly is a *closing* and an *apology*, yes. If it is to plead one more time, or ask for others to take up the cause, or say you're disappointed in WP, or say you think we're all wrong, or really anything other than "sorry, now I know" kind of thing, then no. To be honest, I feel like it really should not have gotten this far.
Please note that you got my OK in the statement or the edit summary, or someone might block you for not dropping it. Floquenbeam (talk) 22:05, 11 April 2025 (UTC)
Yes I understand. -- Cipher Nox (talk) 22:08, 11 April 2025 (UTC)
Ugh, I should have known it was also going to come right up to the "(but you guys are all wrong)" boundary. Lesson for future me: never be nice. Floquenbeam (talk) 22:19, 11 April 2025 (UTC)
What? I never said you are wrong sir?
I apologize!--Cipher Nox (talk) 22:32, 11 April 2025 (UTC)
If you want me to remove it I remove it, I did not say anything about anybody being wrong, just let me know, I don't want you to feel that you have been tricked or something. Cipher Nox (talk) 22:33, 11 April 2025 (UTC)
Thank you for striking that. Floquenbeam (talk) 23:46, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

Thank you

Latest comment: 1 year ago4 comments2 people in discussion

... for making RfA slightly less hell-ish. You did the right thing (in my humble opinion, for what that is worth).

While I am here, you might consider getting rid of the "I am not an Oversighter anymore" at User talk:Floquenbeam/Editnotice. It's been (ack!) seven years since you wore that hat :) Best, HouseBlaster (talk • he/they) 02:47, 12 April 2025 (UTC)

But it allows me to subtly humblebrag that I'm in enough that I used to be one! (wait until you see my user page, where I subtly mention that I was an Arb ... 11 years ago!) Floquenbeam (talk) 02:50, 12 April 2025 (UTC)
I don't know if 2014 feels like it was more or less than 11 years ago... HouseBlaster (talk • he/they) 03:01, 12 April 2025 (UTC)
2014 seems like a dream to me now... we had NO idea what was coming our way. Floquenbeam (talk) 03:05, 12 April 2025 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Requests for adminship/LaundryPizza03

Latest comment: 1 year ago7 comments5 people in discussion

Do you honestly think it is a good idea to just "pause" the RfA without actually closing them. AFAICS, this is the first time this has happened in RfA history, that an admin invoked wp:IAR and halt the RfA. While you have good intentions (the candidate may have "forgotten" the RfA, I do not think that wad appropriate since 1) I think only crats can close this RfA (unless the candidate withdraws) since this is not an obvious NOTNOW or SNOW, and 2) no talk page notification was given. If you have the idea to propose such action, feel free to start an RfC on that. Given that this RfA itself has now gone contentious, I think this needs discussion. ToadetteEdit (talk) 19:28, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

(talk page watcher)ToadetteEdit, there's a discussion on this in the talk page currently at Wikipedia talk:Requests for adminship/LaundryPizza03. Thanks. — Benison (Beni · talk) 19:32, 11 April 2025 (UTC)
Dude. remind me again what your editing restrictions are. Being banned from WP space does not imply that you should post about WP space on multiple user talk pages. It is possible this should have been done differently, but I guarantee you that an RFC would have been a crazy solution. Floquenbeam (talk) 19:33, 11 April 2025 (UTC)
Slightly unorthodox but then that's your style, Floq! ;) The right result regardless of the bureaucracy. HJ Mitchell | Penny for your thoughts? 19:57, 11 April 2025 (UTC)
Thanks Harry. "Slightly unorthodox" is my middle name. (not really, just trying to throw all the doxxers out there off the scent) Floquenbeam (talk) 21:09, 11 April 2025 (UTC)
I can not edit the projectspace (and talk) except 1)XfDs and DRVs, 2)Anything that relates to AfC, 3)requesting routine admin attention, 4)participate in disputes where I am directly mentioned in, but can't initiate one, 5)reverting obvious vandalism. The CONDUNBLOCK did not explicitly say "discuss anything about metaspace/ projects space anywhere on Wikipedia." If I am mistaken, please let me know. ToadetteEdit (talk) 08:47, 12 April 2025 (UTC)
That means this is a violation of your unblock conditions and I'm going to leave a warning on your talk. I'm not going to block you for it right now, but @ToadetteEdit quit skirting the edges again or you absolutely will be re-blocked. Star Mississippi 16:57, 12 April 2025 (UTC)

Thoughts about a block

Latest comment: 1 year ago9 comments3 people in discussion

Hi. I'm not super enthusiastic about Skyerise's indef. I'm enthusiastic about a block, and about pulling talk page access, but the lack-of-duration is really "tough" here because of the total entrenchment regarding what was meant to be said, making an appeal really "hard", as in objectively unlikely to include the needed words. And it shouldn't be that hard in proportion to the severity of the incidents. Please see also this related conversation at User talk:Pppery#Skyerise, ban, appeal (the ANI topic referenced is here). What do you think about this? —Alalch E. 06:37, 21 April 2025 (UTC)

This isn’t an indef block because of saying “GooFY”. It’s because they were using now-deleted personal information to continue a feud. TPA was revoked because their talk page is where they were doing it. —Floquenbeam (talk) 14:36, 21 April 2025 (UTC)
I'm aware of that, and am not criticizing TPA revocation, but IMO the duration of the block as a whole did not need to be changed to indefinite. S now needs to commit not to behave stupidly with regard to personal information, and that is easy, but to get a good chance at appeal she also needs to admit that GooFY means x and y. That is not easy. It actually feels implausible that we will get this admission. So she was not indeffed for GooFY but she might stay indefinitely blocked because of it.—Alalch E. 14:53, 21 April 2025 (UTC)
But they're completely separate issues. If Skyerise convinces a UTRS admin that they'll stop with the outing, I assume the original 3 month block will resume. So they can theoretically sit that out if they don't want to admit that GooFY means x or y. I have not somehow turned the GooFY block into an indef block.
I'm not sure what your problem is with my block. I've never heard of a time-limited block for outing-type issues. If your issue is with the 3 month block, then if/when the indef block is rescinded, that would be a good time to discuss that. As you know, I had nothing to do with that block, and (while I have an opinion) neither oppose it nor support it. Floquenbeam (talk) 15:30, 21 April 2025 (UTC)
It's a single block now. From an average admin's view an editor with a filthy block log was blocked for serial rulebreaking. The kind of sensitivity to all the dimensions of the situation on the part of a UTRS admin you describe would be great, but is that how it works in the real world? Essentially, most likely, you have turned the GooFY block into an indef block. Skyerise now can't sit out the GooFY block, and needs to submit a full appeal with both arms and legs committing not to repeat the behaviors that led to The Block. —Alalch E. 15:38, 21 April 2025 (UTC)
I really disagree that anyone on UTRS would think Skyrise has to apologize for saying "GooFY" in order for the indef block to be undone, but out of an abundance of caution, I've commented on this specifically at their talk page. Floquenbeam (talk) 15:48, 21 April 2025 (UTC)
Thank a lot. I appreciate you hearing this out. —Alalch E. 15:50, 21 April 2025 (UTC)
(edit conflict) You really need to drop this and go do something more useful.--Bbb23 (talk) 15:50, 21 April 2025 (UTC)
I hear what you're saying, and thanks for the caution. —Alalch E. 15:51, 21 April 2025 (UTC)

Marbles in a jar

Latest comment: 1 year ago11 comments4 people in discussion

"anybody want to guess (without checking first!) how many words are in this thread so far" Oooh, about 487 too many, as a finger in the air guestimate. (Will this thread have a raffle?) Ritchie333 (talk) (cont) 14:16, 22 April 2025 (UTC)

It's 3170* and counting (11.7% of Old Man and the Sea). So I'd have said 3170 too many. (* = really lazy cut and paste into Word; so that's (probably unfairly) counting signatures, etc.) Wikipedians sure do talk a lot about the number of angels that can dance on the head of a pin. Floquenbeam (talk) 16:23, 22 April 2025 (UTC)
Is 3170 words a lot? I never seem to be able to tell... —Alalch E. 17:05, 22 April 2025 (UTC)
a quarter of them are yours! :) Floquenbeam (talk) 17:06, 22 April 2025 (UTC)
The ability to meaningfully review use of rollback at XRV is a perennial interest of mine :) —Alalch E. 17:13, 22 April 2025 (UTC)
You can close the thread with my blessing and apologies for wasting everyone's time. Andre🚐 17:08, 22 April 2025 (UTC)
There is plenty of blame for wasting time to go around! It has taken on a life of its own; I fear if I close it, I'll anger many people who do not feel they've had the opportunity to say all the important things they want to say. (I'm always the last to know; when did you change your username?) Floquenbeam (talk) 17:13, 22 April 2025 (UTC)
It's practically a SNOW close at this point, plus I do not think that particular page is so drama-prone as some other boards, which was partly figuring in my decision to file it there, but no good deed goes unpunished I guess. Anyway, I will bet you 35 widgets that if you close it up now, you won't be reverted. And thanks for noticing my new moniker, but that is 2024 news already. The old name dates to the mid-90s and has not been accurate for a long time. If you're just awakening from your winter hibernation, there were also some exciting happenings elsewhere to catch up on. I managed to change my name before it got splashed in all the news coverage, too. Andre🚐 17:17, 22 April 2025 (UTC)
OK, I've closed it, so my 35 widgets are on the line. What is the current quatloo/widget exchange rate? Floquenbeam (talk) 17:23, 22 April 2025 (UTC)
I will check my electron microscope and get back to you on the current exchange rate. The markets have been pretty turbulent as you know. Andre🚐 17:28, 22 April 2025 (UTC)
It appears I owe you 35 widgets. Floquenbeam (talk) 15:57, 24 April 2025 (UTC)

Apology

Latest comment: 1 year ago1 comment1 person in discussion

Sorry for stuff i did but i didn't and never will vandalize anything here im not vandal,im sorry for trouble DarkHorseMayhem (talk) 15:01, 29 April 2025 (UTC)

thank you

Latest comment: 1 year ago5 comments3 people in discussion

I already hit thanks, but thank you for closing that unactioned. I was fretting. :) Valereee (talk) 16:40, 29 April 2025 (UTC)

I'm still not big fan of that page's existence, but it would be really bad if it just became a true WP:ANI2.0. There seems to be something in the water; there are a lot of people I've seen in the last couple of days who just don't get it at all. In the face of unanimous opposition and clear explanation, it's just straight IDHT. Floquenbeam (talk) 16:44, 29 April 2025 (UTC)
I get your dislike, but I actually do appreciate having it, on balance. I've taken myself there to check on something I've done, hoping for helpful feedback, which I've gotten. I've directed others there to check on something I've done, hoping it doesn't escalate, which you just made happen. It feels to me like a less drahma board. Not as many people actually hang there waiting with bated breath to shout 'boomerang!' Valereee (talk) 16:55, 29 April 2025 (UTC)
OK, well that's true. Not as many denizens! (yet) Floquenbeam (talk) 16:57, 29 April 2025 (UTC)
I think the problem with WP:XRV is that people who didn't think it was a good idea turned up and loudly proclaimed it wasn't a good idea, so it became not a good idea. Since then, things have settled down and the board is getting some traffic, including my recent self-report of something. I might change the edit notice on my talk page to something like "Still not happy with an admin action? Consider raising it at WP:XRV".
In any case, disputes involving the Israeli - Palestine conflict are the sort of things I hide away from so I can deal with more simple things like edit-warring over musical genres in an infobox. So I'm glad somebody does it. I also remember this Cheryl Fullerton thread which is one of the few times I witnessed Val's patience getting snapped; consensus was in her favour in the end though. Ritchie333 (talk) (cont) 09:13, 30 April 2025 (UTC)

April music

Latest comment: 1 year ago20 comments2 people in discussion
story · music · places

Remember Mirella Freni (last month)? - My story today is about a singer with more facts on what she did in the hook (more than none) ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:37, 3 April 2025 (UTC)

She should have tried to sing the lead in an all-female operatic version of Fausta. Now *that* would have been a hook! Floquenbeam (talk) 19:53, 4 April 2025 (UTC)
Will you compose it? - Seriously: the hook was improved and is supposed to appear pictured. "Don't believe in miracles, rely on them." (same for Samuel Barber, btw) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:37, 4 April 2025 (UTC)
Hope you don't mind, I separated out your stuff so the ban closure discussion could archive. Probably won't be around much this week, swamped IRL. Stay well. --Floquenbeam (talk) 20:06, 6 April 2025 (UTC)
fine with me - Tout est lumière. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 11:23, 7 April 2025 (UTC)
Apparently, I spend more time on WP when I'm swamped in real life than when I'm not. It's such an excellent procrastination tool. Floquenbeam (talk) 19:46, 8 April 2025 (UTC)
On top of two entries for Roberto among the recent deaths, brainstorming for Easter music is going on in the nom, at the end - ALT0e/f/g/h - if you have little time. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:24, 16 April 2025 (UTC)
Well, I commented there, although I'm not 100% you'll agree with what I said. That's the risk you take inviting me to a discussion! Floquenbeam (talk) 20:29, 16 April 2025 (UTC)
Check out my talk: for a great woman's Johannes-Passion (listen!), our music in detail, and three people who recently died and are on the main page (where she isn't). My call for collaboration has the first "no", and the second - for the Easter Oratorio - seems inevitable. Not because of your comments ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:26, 18 April 2025 (UTC)
What do you think of this Easter vs. 1 April discussion? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:26, 19 April 2025 (UTC)
I've commented there. I figure if I look at the DYK nomination page, I'm going to be disappointed, so I won't ask if that ended up failing... Floquenbeam (talk) 20:37, 19 April 2025 (UTC)
p.s. Happy Easter. Gerda! Floquenbeam (talk) 20:38, 19 April 2025 (UTC)
Thank you, Easter arrived, with singing Hallelujah by Handel (no, not the famous one). Thanks for the comment, I replied there, mentioning two welcome side effects of bringing Bach's music to OTD. The third would be to make the DYK mute, because things with blurb in the news or on this day get ineligible (which would be such a relief. Just compare.) It needs an brave admin. Happy Easter, also to Mrs. Floquenbeam ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:29, 19 April 2025 (UTC)
Nothing happened in the OTD case. - My story is about the music that Bach and Picander gave the world 300 years (and 19 days) ago, - listen (on the conductor's birthday) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:37, 20 April 2025 (UTC)
We still have Easter in Germany, and Mr. Bach wrote another cantata for Easter Monday, performed a day later than the oratorio-to-be, and - to make things more absurd - while the Sunday piece didn't appear because two people found that the only right date would be 1 April, although 20 April was explicitly described as "Easter (Christianity, 2025)", the Monday piece is now on the Main page, without anything point at Easter in the description. I won't fight that ;) Listen to the first movement, - I sang that cantata twice, with two different conductors, both my friends. One performance was just last year, so pictured in music. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:54, 21 April 2025 (UTC)
We had a very nice Easter; spring has finally arrived, and we celebrated with a large group of friends. Sorry the Easter Cantata ultimately didn't make it onto the main page, but glad Monday's did. Floquenbeam (talk) 15:33, 21 April 2025 (UTC)
Good to know! - I wrote my story today and then found it's the person's funeral day. - I hated to see DYK for Johannes-Passion (Gubaidulina) today instead of Good Friday, but it seems also right in the context. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:59, 24 April 2025 (UTC)
I finally managed to upload the pics I meant for Easter, see places, and show Mrs. Floq ;) - Also finally, I managed a FAC, Easter Oratorio ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:05, 25 April 2025 (UTC)
My music is all Bach today! - noticed this on my watchlist --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:07, 29 April 2025 (UTC)
My Dad would be thrilled! I revdel'd the stuff you saw on your watchlist, and blocked one of the accounts (someone at Meta locked the other one). Floquenbeam (talk) 16:17, 29 April 2025 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – May 2025

Latest comment: 1 year ago1 comment1 person in discussion

News and updates for administrators from the past month (April 2025).

Administrator changes

added Rusalkii
readded NaomiAmethyst (overlooked last month)
removed

Interface administrator changes

removed Galobtter

Guideline and policy news

Miscellaneous

ANI

Latest comment: 1 year ago5 comments3 people in discussion

Thank you for putting a concrete end to that CBAN discussion. I kind of knew it was coming, but I took it out of the archive this morning to ensure that there was unambiguous consensus. That might have been a somewhat foolish move on my part, as you point out in your closing statement. But once again, thank you for ensuring an end to that -- no need to entertain the notion that a user who is so clearly WP:NOTHERE has anything even close to a shot at redemption in the near future. JeffSpaceman (talk) 20:16, 6 May 2025 (UTC)

To be clearer than I was, that wasn't intended as a dig at you, so much as a dig at the WP community in general. We collectively do that a lot - insist on official CBANs - and it's always struck me as unnecessary except as a kind of Two Minute Hate. You didn't do anything wrong, just something puzzling (to me). But you are not alone in that! Floquenbeam (talk) 20:26, 6 May 2025 (UTC)
I didn't feel that it was a dig at me personally -- once again, I think in my mind, I just wanted it to be clearly established that there was consensus for an official CBAN. I do agree that, in retrospect, it was probably unnecessary, but as I mentioned before I do appreciate you putting an end to that whole thing. JeffSpaceman (talk) 20:30, 6 May 2025 (UTC)
Also apropos ANI, I could have sworn there were other discussions closed as well... I see not. Sorry about that. Fortuna, Imperatrix Mundi 21:55, 6 May 2025 (UTC)
No worries; if you just always assume I've screwed up the {{abot}}, you'll be right more often than not. I just naturally assumed I'd done it again. Floquenbeam (talk) 00:22, 7 May 2025 (UTC)

UCC violations

Latest comment: 1 year ago5 comments3 people in discussion

Do you guys not follow or enforce the UCC on Wikipedia? Adamant1 (talk) 18:58, 7 May 2025 (UTC)

We follow and enforce our en.wiki policies and guidelines, which cover everything in the UCC. Floquenbeam (talk) 20:01, 7 May 2025 (UTC)
I obviously take the UCoC very seriously and think it needs to be enforced on ewniki. But I was just coming here to write a message to Floq about the very idea of "we don't need to mention the UCoC because it's already in enwiki policies and guidelines". So I agree with him. Best, Barkeep49 (talk) 21:31, 7 May 2025 (UTC)
OK. I guess that makes sense. --Adamant1 (talk) 21:56, 7 May 2025 (UTC)
In my experience, when someone mentions the UCC here, they're usually acting as if it's some kind of trump card that "wins" over local policy. We have policies on civility and harassment here; no need to bring up the UCC at all. --Floquenbeam (talk) 14:31, 8 May 2025 (UTC)

Vandalism at USA Forces page

Latest comment: 1 year ago2 comments2 people in discussion

In the infobox, when you hover over U.S. Army article, the very 1st page under the service branches section, the page preview being generated is strange....it says "Send 1 bitcoin to bc1q4tvjzpew5rckkhuty5r3vmnj9pC in 2 hours or the president dies".....can you fix that thing...it is clearly the work of a vandal. 103.218.171.113 (talk) 08:27, 9 May 2025 (UTC)

Hi,
It was indeed, vandalism, fixed by Swatjester here, and hour or two before your messaage. The way WP works, which I admit confuses me, is that some content is cached, and that can sometimes mean that even when vandalism is reversed, it might take a little time for the cache containing the vandalized page to clear. I suspect it is clear now; I don't get the same message you report. Floquenbeam (talk) 13:42, 9 May 2025 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

Latest comment: 1 year ago2 comments2 people in discussion
The Original Barnstar
The problem is, I'm just a lowly normal human, not a lawyer. But you are humble, and willing to admit your flaws. That goes a long way. Have a barnstar! Hawkeye7 (discuss) 03:06, 9 May 2025 (UTC)
I am the most humble person I know; I can safely say I excel at humility. Thanks for the barnstar! Floquenbeam (talk) 13:43, 9 May 2025 (UTC)
Latest comment: 1 year ago6 comments3 people in discussion

You might remember this discussion which lead me to revert another user's changes to the WINC (AM) page. Well, the discussion has petered out. Nthep has said that the links don't violate COPYVIO (they are an admin). Attempts to gain more eyeballs to the discussion were removed.

So, since the discussion has exhausted itself, an admin says the links are allowed, can I revert back to the previous version? - Neutralhomer • Talk • 21:11, 14 May 2025 (UTC)

Well, to be fair, another admin thinks they aren't allowed. And a third one (me) sees the points on both sides, and just doesn't know the answer. I would say that your 0RR restriction means that you shouldn't revert back to the previous version unless (a) Mikeblas agrees with you, or (b) there's a clear consensus somewhere that the links are allowed.
I understand the frustration at not attracting enough interest to get a consensus. WP:MCQ might not have been the perfect place, but it's not that crazy, and it's odd that things stalled with so few editors. If you restart the discussion at a "better" place, take care to choose the location carefully; too many restarts will get you accused of forum shopping.
My best idea: Ask User:Diannaa, either for the answer, or for the proper location to have a discussion. This might not be exactly her main area, but I (and I think many, many others) tend to just trust that whatever she says about anything copyright-related is correct. I sometimes feel bad that people ask her copyright stuff all the time, but it's her fault for being competent.
If she's not around or doesn't answer, you could ask at WP:HELP or WP:TEAHOUSE about where the best place to restart the discussion would be. Or, alternatively, I notice User:Primefac replies to a lot of questions at WT:COPYVIO, he may know the best place to restart this discussion. Maybe it is even at WT:COPYVIO, I just don't know. Floquenbeam (talk) 15:41, 15 May 2025 (UTC)
meant to ping @Neutralhomer:. --Floquenbeam (talk) 15:41, 15 May 2025 (UTC)
Been a week (flooding, work, storms, work, the usual), so I'm just now seeing this. I have messaged Diannaa and we'll see what she says. I fear that asking too many people would be seen as FORUMSHOPPING too. - Neutralhomer • Talk • 00:47, 17 May 2025 (UTC)
WT:CP is much less watched than WP:MCQ. Since the discussion at the latter board has stalled a bit but isn't ancient, I would consider cross-posting to WT:CP to maybe get more eyes on it without the issue of starting an entirely new discussion. Make a note at the original that you've done so (at the very least so there's a fresh timestamp to avoid premature archival). Unfortunately, sometimes discussions just stall without a resolution; the only thing to do really is try to attract more attention. Primefac (talk) 21:20, 17 May 2025 (UTC)
@Primefac: I honestly don't have the time (or the patience) on here like I used to. So I just did some correcting of the broken/misformed references, which were throwing up a slew of error messages. Correcting them all took far longer than I'd like to admit. Beyond that, I'll leave the discussion to someone else. I just don't have the time. I appreciate your help, though. - Neutralhomer • Talk • 00:36, 23 May 2025 (UTC)

May music

Latest comment: 1 year ago24 comments2 people in discussion
story · music · places

Bach's cantata was performed 300 years ago, by occasion. -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:34, 4 May 2025 (UTC)

Today's main page has again memories of three people who died, for two just the name and for the third an image (great!) coupled with a little bit from her life which seems too little for my taste. What do you think? - A friend of mine sang in Verdi's Requiem at Trinity Church, - you can watch the lifestream (Verdi about 30 minutes into it). - The pic is from Johannisberg where I went again on Saturday. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:51, 5 May 2025 (UTC)

Hi Gerda. I think the hook, as it *finally* ran, was reasonably complete. Thanks for the Verdi link and, of course, the Johannisberg flowers. --Floquenbeam (talk) 15:16, 6 May 2025 (UTC)
Finally yes - I was pleasantly busy with company and travel, so couldn't tell everybody that the change was made as wanted. (I said so on my talk.) Why was that so difficult, I wonder? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:19, 6 May 2025 (UTC)
Recommended reading today: Christfried Schmidt, a story about patience. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:18, 8 May 2025 (UTC)
Interesting article, thanks Gerda! Floquenbeam (talk) 13:44, 9 May 2025 (UTC)
I didn't write (most of) it, - I check the list of people who died, and improve those that interest me, some more than others, like this one. Today's funny story - for a change - is a birthday child. Patience: there's (still) a 2013 discussion on the talk ;) - Thank goodness, nothing similar happened after Max Reger, 2016. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:11, 9 May 2025 (UTC)
check my talk today for two pics of Margot Friedländer --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:44, 12 May 2025 (UTC)
Is "Versuche, dein Leben zu machen" better translated as "Try to make something of your life", or "Try to make your life"? The article gives the first as a translation of her Mom's message, and the second as the literal translation of her book title. It seems like the book title is almost universally translated literally, so maybe "make something" would have been phrased another way; if so, I'm not sure there's a benefit to the informal translation. Floquenbeam (talk) 16:16, 13 May 2025 (UTC)
tough, I don't know: the phrase is informal, so hard to translate. In formal German, it might be "etwas aus deinem Leben zu machen", which is probably what "Try to make something of your life" is trying to say, but I'd understand "dein Leben zu machen" rather as "you are the maker/creator of your life", the one to shape your life, responsible for how your life will be, you, not others. I am not sure that was intended, though, nor if "make your life" would mean that. --GA
having thought more and talked to another friend, I changed (back) to always like the book title --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:58, 14 May 2025 (UTC)
translation is always tricky. I think it's good they're consistent, at least. Floquenbeam (talk) 15:43, 15 May 2025 (UTC)
now May Abrahamse (with uncertain licensing of portrait), and Vakhtang Machavariani (nominated) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:05, 13 May 2025 (UTC)
listen to Machavariani's Mariupol --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:29, 14 May 2025 (UTC)
musings on 15 May, including a 100th bday and OTD by day (instead of occasion) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:31, 15 May 2025 (UTC)
birthday of Erik Satie --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:55, 17 May 2025 (UTC)
Alla Osipenko, too tired for more than a link. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:20, 19 May 2025 (UTC)

Regarding your ping a few days ago: Sorry, I didn't have the time or the stomach to go to another user's talk page to try to mediate (or, at least, opine). If nothing else, I do not think they would value my opinion. I sort of understand their frustration; I really understand your frustration. Too swamped in real life to get frustrated myself.

In other news, the youngest Floquette in graduating from college this weekend! --Floquenbeam (talk) 16:36, 22 May 2025 (UTC)

that's terrific! tell her congrats!! - I hope you keep following my stories without prompts, Osipenko was really interesting. Did I know that she was Nureyev's partner the night before he defected, which was breaking news then? No. And how much character! Today is Verdi day: a singer whose first performance at the Met was Fenton, and anniversary of the premiere of the Requiem. Just click on music to see the stunning cover. - swamped in RL as well. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:06, 22 May 2025 (UTC)
If you read without prompts, you'll have met a first: a story about two people who worked together and died the same day --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:36, 26 May 2025 (UTC)
To be honest, I haven't been reading without prompts; there's a backlog I need to work thru eventually! Floquenbeam (talk) 20:18, 27 May 2025 (UTC)
(but those who measure if an article is "interesting" only look at clicks the one day ...) - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, born 100 years ago, described by Alan Blyth, - too good for DYK ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:27, 28 May 2025 (UTC)
ps: pics of the place where we went together --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:28, 28 May 2025 (UTC)
cool! Floquenbeam (talk) 01:38, 2 June 2025 (UTC)
DYK that Bach is a GA (not by me)? Listen to a village organ he played, and we can still listen to its sound --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:33, 31 May 2025 (UTC)

Lol

Latest comment: 1 year ago2 comments2 people in discussion

Administrators' newsletter – June 2025

Latest comment: 1 year ago1 comment1 person in discussion

News and updates for administrators from the past month (May 2025).

Administrator changes

removed

Interface administrator changes

added 0xDeadbeef

CheckUser changes

readded L235

Oversight changes

readded L235

Guideline and policy news

  • An RfC is open to determine whether the English Wikipedia community should adopt a position on AI development by the WMF and its affiliates.

Technical news

Arbitration

  • An arbitration case named Indian military history has been opened. Evidence submissions for this case close on 8 June.

Miscellaneous

June music

Latest comment: 11 months ago11 comments2 people in discussion
story · music · places

The places: a day full of great discoveries, culminating in Oliwa Cathedral which was called a must-see by Graham Waterhouse (subject of my first article, filling a red link) who played the organ once. Dinner right next to the Abbot's Palace, where Penderecki had also been a guest.

The story: Bazon Brock spoke at an exhibition at Kolumba to honour Anna and Bernhard Blume on her 80th birthday. Did you know "An Anna Blume"? -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:03, 2 June 2025 (UTC)

I invite you to take a look at Template:Did you know nominations/Georgian Philharmonic Orchestra. It's shorter than Easter Oratorio was (which is in prep again, Saturday, one day before Pentecost ...). It's not about opera. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:49, 4 June 2025 (UTC)

So today. Of course I told the story, which is admittedly complex, on Easter Sunday for the music's 300th anniversary. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:38, 7 June 2025 (UTC)

sang today --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:59, 9 June 2025 (UTC)

Stravinsky pictured on his birthday + Vienna pics - but too many who died + I have a "defiant" cantata up for GA --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:49, 17 June 2025 (UTC)

too many died, see my story and listen to Comfort ye (sung in German) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:03, 18 June 2025 (UTC)

... and today look at the autograph of Beethoven's last piano sonata and listen to a pianist who wanted to serve the compositions most of all --

did you listen to Comfort ye? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:14, 20 June 2025 (UTC)

I'll hear today's topic today, - you can listen before I do because it was streamed yesterday --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:44, 22 June 2025 (UTC)

I had never seen an octobass. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:36, 23 June 2025 (UTC)

While you are of course invited to check out my recommendations any day, today offers unusually a great writer of novels, music with light and a place with exquisite food. - Rheingau planned again for tomorrow. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:07, 28 June 2025 (UTC)

Sorry Gerda, haven't checked in recently. Thanks for all the pix/music/articles. Hope all is well with you. --Floquenbeam (talk) 16:47, 3 July 2025 (UTC)

Build relationship.

Latest comment: 11 months ago2 comments2 people in discussion

Good evening?? I really wanna be your truly friend so how can i know u all completely?? Tell me. — Preceding unsigned comment added by TUYISHIMIRE Bosco (talk • contribs) 19:13, 28 June 2025 (UTC)

@TUYISHIMIRE Bosco: That's not really how I view Wikipedia, and I'm not around much these days anyway; be careful not to consider this a social media site. I think you'll have better luck asking for a WP:MENTOR, and/or ask for help/guidance at the WP:TEAHOUSE. But we generally aren't looking for true friends or knowing each other completely, we're looking to help build an encyclopedia. --Floquenbeam (talk) 16:47, 3 July 2025 (UTC)

Administrators' newsletter – July 2025

Latest comment: 11 months ago1 comment1 person in discussion

News and updates for administrators from the past month (June 2025).

Administrator changes

removed NuclearWarfare

Interface administrator changes

added L235

Guideline and policy news

Miscellaneous

  • The 2025 Developing Countries WikiContest will run from 1 July to 30 September. Sign up now!
  • Administrator elections will take place this month. Administrator elections are an alternative to RFA that is a gentler process for candidates due to secret voting and multiple people running together. The call for candidates is July 9–15, the discussion phase is July 18–22, and the voting phase is July 23–29. Get ready to submit your candidacy, or (with their consent) to nominate a talented candidate!

Longer block?

Latest comment: 10 months ago3 comments2 people in discussion

Your block of Special:Contributions/74.143.91.101 came up in my watchlist, and I was thinking a block longer than a week is warranted. Though not continuous, all of the edits under this account have been vandalism, and all, since the first one over a year ago, are pretty clearly by the same person. Note references to a particular person's name, for example, that appear in edits made a year apart. Further, four of the edits included someone's home address, which goes beyond simple vandalism. (I've just submitted them for overight/suppression/revision deletion, I can never keep those straight.) A week probably won't achieve much. Largoplazo (talk) 15:45, 18 July 2025 (UTC)

You're probably right. Sometimes, the duration isn't so much to achieve something, but to make longer blocks in the future more palatable to other admins. Also, if I think it's likely I won't be around much, I'll sometimes go towards the shorter end of the range to be safe. I "usually" go from 1 week to 1 month to 3 months to 1 year, but not always. Starting with marginally shorter blocks makes it more likely the block will stick, but in this case, I should have looked in more detail; I didn't notice whatever got oversighted. (And, don't tell anyone, but sometimes block lengths are determined partially by how I'm feeling that day, and the phase of the moon, and a random number generator...)
Anyway, all that to say, I'll increase it to 3 months based on your comments here. Cheers. --Floquenbeam (talk) 17:38, 18 July 2025 (UTC)
🙂 Largoplazo (talk) 17:52, 18 July 2025 (UTC)

Thanks

Latest comment: 10 months ago3 comments2 people in discussion

I know you hate my guts (so this has very little to do with me), but thanks for moving quickly and unblocking this guy. GreenLipstickLesbian💌🦋 17:43, 23 July 2025 (UTC)

I don't hate your guts as a human, if that helps. I certainly think you believe your approach to recall is best for the encyclopedia. But yes, I do often think you're doing more harm than good. But anyway, in this particular case, you're welcome. Floquenbeam (talk) 17:47, 23 July 2025 (UTC)
Yeah, sorry, that wasn't meant to be an accusation or anything. I know you have thoughts on my "motivations", commenting without acknowledging the reality of that situation would have felt weird. Anyways. Again, just wanted to say thanks for both letting a new user know that yes, they do have a right to be treated fairly on Wikipedia, and for trying to save somebody who should know better from themselves before it's too late. Good day. GreenLipstickLesbian💌🦋 05:38, 27 July 2025 (UTC)

July music

Latest comment: 10 months ago32 comments2 people in discussion
story · music · places

Sounds like of the five pics on top of my talk, the Kafka-one would suit your mood best. (It's his birthday again, 12 years after the one with the Google doodle.) I admire the flowers for blooming although it looks dry. It took a week to get the composer of Mission: Impossible to the main page, good for frustration but also building friendship. The concert I listened to was remarkable, pic added to the performer (building encyclopedia, after all). More than a decade ago, I came to stand in line for the loo next to her, and we chatted, - unforgettable. Her husband sang "He was despised" for us a bit later, - same. The other pic was from my position when making Palestrina music in a circle of friends (... my friend in the wheelchair turned 90!). -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:08, 3 July 2025 (UTC)

That was certainly an eclectic set list! Floquenbeam (talk) 20:18, 3 July 2025 (UTC)
Thank you for looking! - More of that kind coming today, will post afterwards. - Check out my talk, - if you have little time, listen to Gilda Cruz-Romo in the final scene of Aida, If you have more read her article, and if you have still more check out my music, some sung with me in choir, some played by friends, all heard with friends. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:48, 8 July 2025 (UTC)
Nicolai Gedda would have been 100 today. If you have little time, just listen to his flower song. If you have more read about Helena Tattermuschová, the cunning little vixen. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:30, 11 July 2025 (UTC)
Today you can listen to what the DYK says. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:10, 12 July 2025 (UTC)
Perhaps you can listen to yesterday's concert of all Brahms. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:05, 13 July 2025 (UTC)
Today is Bastille Day, commemorated by a DYK as my "story" and a visit to the Bastille Opera in "music". I like the interview coming with the story, on the day before the big event, but for pomp and circumstance, the affair with 600 singing children and orchestra, and the singer dressed in the national flag, was also captured on videos, much slower. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:51, 14 July 2025 (UTC)
Happy Bastille Day, Gerda. thanks for the links, as always. Floquenbeam (talk) 17:35, 14 July 2025 (UTC)
I remember a 2016 TFA in today's story, in memory of 16 July 1916. - Places takes you to "our" place again, and the previous day the location was close by, Hildegard's foundation (as the 1900s imagined it), with an American a cappella ensemble of 6 women singing, including Hildegard's music. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:38, 16 July 2025 (UTC)
What's the difference between that and a pizza? Looks good, in any case! And, good memories. Floquenbeam (talk) 20:27, 16 July 2025 (UTC)
No yeast in the dough. Yes, good memories! - For years I postponed translating Claus Peymann, now I have to. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:48, 16 July 2025 (UTC)
ps: if you have a little bit of time, I told you about Helena Tattermuschová. If you check the latest edit history, you'll find one of the longest edit summaries I remember to have written, and what happened next? All this after I started a talk page discussion and they were also reverted by PFHLai. The user whose edit history is short (but who knows to use "rvv") has a habit to delete everything on their user talk, where I tried to explain WP:BRD first. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:59, 16 July 2025 (UTC)
I have the page on my watchlist, but I'm not sure that's useful since I'm here only intermittently. A glance at the history of their user talk page shows that they are already on other admins' radar, and are apparently close to being blocked. It doesn't look like they understand that this is a collaborative project. Floquenbeam (talk) 13:22, 17 July 2025 (UTC)
There seems to be a language problem, and I thought that they might understand someone like you better than me or my friend John ;) - What I see are three things that bother me (besides the normal attitude that their way to do things is better than that of all others): 1) put "Death" in headers where the sentence about the death is just standard information about DOD, POD and age, which doesn't need to found by searching because it's repeating the infobox, 2) reword the sentence about death to something not the standard order, 3) eliminiting spaces that are there to enhance readability in edit mode (edit summary "tidy"), - all this in more articles than that one, and seemingly in articles I work on. Guess who was among the first to arrive at Claus Peymann after I began yesterday. Nothing to complain about edits in that case, - so perhaps they are able to learn, who knows. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:45, 17 July 2025 (UTC)
I've left a somewhat blunt warning on their talk page. Let me know if they continue. If I'm not around, you can see their talk page history for other admins who are apparently familiar. Floquenbeam (talk) 15:28, 18 July 2025 (UTC)
(ec) If you have little time, just enjoy the last of the latest pics, where I think I captured a great smile (of a leading pianist who had stepped in for Chopin). - If you have more take note that they now tried to do it again, for Peymann. I reverted with another longish explanation for an edit summary. Peymann is not yet on the main page but nominated. - after edit conflict: I let you know. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:31, 18 July 2025 (UTC)
I know, that's what I just saw...my message on their talk page was after they did that. Floquenbeam (talk) 15:35, 18 July 2025 (UTC)
I thought so, but now that I had typed it ... - hope you like the smile ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:45, 18 July 2025 (UTC)
Yep! have a good weekend. Floquenbeam (talk) 17:55, 18 July 2025 (UTC)
It would have been better without this. Predictably they also showed up at a singer who died yesterday. - Good: three items around Ukraine on the main page, see my talk. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:12, 20 July 2025 (UTC)
PFHLai left them a kind message. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:01, 20 July 2025 (UTC)
And then they kept going. I've blocked them to try to force them to discuss things with others. Floquenbeam (talk) 16:48, 20 July 2025 (UTC)
Thank you. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:05, 20 July 2025 (UTC)

Three of "my" recent deaths bios are on the main page right now, one my story today, Gary Karr, and I loved to find his breakthrough concert in 1962 as a video. In my music today I match it with 9 other double bassists, 7 conducted by a person who's birthday is today - coincidence ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:59, 23 July 2025 (UTC)

Still the same number of bassists in music, but you get a new note because of more views from "our" place. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:22, 24 July 2025 (UTC)

Béatrice Uria-Monzon and her story, Julia Hagen and her no story --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:36, 26 July 2025 (UTC)

On Bach's day of death, I decorated my user pages in memory of his music, and my story ends on "peace". --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:35, 28 July 2025 (UTC)

Jahrhundertring remembered, with the picture of a woman who can't believe what she has to see - like this --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:14, 31 July 2025 (UTC)

Looks like here they go again, IP now, several articles. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:02, 1 August 2025 (UTC)

Blocked, and did a rollback of all their edits. You're welcome to let me know if they pop up elsewhere, but as you know I'm not here as frequently lately. Might want to have a backup admin in mind. Floquenbeam (talk) 13:22, 4 August 2025 (UTC)
Thank you! I already began to ask other admins, but in this case you knew the background, and I didn't have to do explain once more. - You know this story, also. Don't do a thing, just help me shaking head ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:36, 4 August 2025 (UTC)
Yeah, you'll definitely want to bring another admin up to speed, I don't think this is going to stop any time soon. See User:TónleikariRasmus, who I just noticed when I logged back in, and so was able to nip in the bud. Floquenbeam (talk) 16:10, 4 August 2025 (UTC)


Administrators' newsletter – August 2025

Latest comment: 10 months ago1 comment1 person in discussion

News and updates for administrators from the past month (July 2025).

Guideline and policy news

  • Following a request for comment, a new speedy deletion criterion, G15, has been enacted. It applies to pages generated by a large language model (LLM) without human review.
  • Following a request for comment, there is a new policy outlining the granting of permissions to view the IP addresses of temporary accounts. Temporary account deployment on the English Wikipedia is currently scheduled for September 2025, and editors can request access to the permission ahead of time. Admins are encouraged to keep an eye on the request page; there will likely be a flood of editors requesting the permission when they realize they can no longer see IP addresses.

Technical news

Arbitration

Miscellaneous

  • Wikimania 2025 is happening in Nairobi, Kenya, and online from August 6 to August 9. This year marks 20 years of Wikimania. Interested users can join the online event. Registration for the virtual event is free and will remain open throughout Wikimania. You can register here now.
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