User:Dwarfmp/RfA

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Dwarfmp - RfPA

Dwarfmp (talk⁺ • contribs • edit count • logs • email)

Since everyone is doing it these days, I thought why not (that's a joke, for you serious types). I'm not going to be brief, so if you have no time/desire to read all the details, just skip some paragraphs.

For those of you who don't know me (which isn't abnormal, since I haven't been very active lately), I'm a user probably known for helping out in the Oblivion NPC Redesign Project and for taking images in the same namespace. I've been editing the site for about 1 year and 4 months, and have since worked up my way to patroller (and as most of you know, been appointed to temporary administrator to help out in the Skyrim namespace). My biggest contributions would be turning the Golden Saint and Syl pages into a Featured Articles (with a bit of help from other editors), and I'm planning to do the same for many other articles. Several Featured Images have also got my name on it.

I didn't expect this position as administrator could be turned into a permanent one. Having thought about it, I only need to know one thing in order for me to accept this position: do you think I would be a good administrator? Are you happy with what I've done with the position for now? Do you think I've been active enough? I realize you're supposed to state your opinion when you vote, but usually it's the applicant who has to convince his eligibility and not the other way around. I ask you because I don't consider this position lightly, because I expect an administrator to master the site - which I do not. I ask you because I'd rather be known as that helpful patroller who's made all those brilliant articles, than as a lousy administrator.

Why do I want to be a permanent administrator then? I like the buttons for one (I know, that's a bad reason). As Legoless, I'm not one to use those new features like it's nothing (not that there's much to fear on my part). I've been deleting pages as you may have noticed, which I did because there's pretty much nothing you can do wrong with that (except for deleting useful templates, ugh!). I felt that I wasn't doing much useful on the site, and other admins were, so I figured doing all that tedious clearing would save the others from doing it (and therefore having time to do something else). Don't take me wrong, I actually enjoy it because I know I'm doing something good. I blocked few people, but blocking is dependant on the amount of vandals of course. I've never protected a page, but I've taken a look at the function, see how it would work etc. I've been patrolling very slightly, because most of it is usually already done by someone else. The requirements also state that "administrators are expected to be experienced with the procedures of the Wiki, editors will often turn to one when they need information or advice", which is the part I feel insecure for, because I still ask for admins' advice myself. But I suppose I'll learn in time, but I will make mistakes, that's pretty much guaranteed. I've also signed up at the forums, and have since recently been using the IRC, so I can get used to those, because I thought that would be a good idea if I were to be an admin.

• Let me sum up some good qualities: I'm userfriendly, I'm one for rules and I'm a perfectionist, I'm careful, honest, usually gentle, intelligent (let's just say I'm not stupid, one shouldn't blow his own horn), I've got a good sense of humor (what, lightening up the place isn't a good quality?)

• Here are some qualities which could be bad: I can be lazy (hence the late RfPA), I can be insecure (which you probably already have deduced from above), as of now I know nothing of templates (which is not a requirement, but I feel I'm missing out and such), I'm not always active or willing to be (I'm still around, but in that case only to check to see if there's something important going on like "de-adminings").

That's all I can think of right now, I might add some more if I come up with it. Furthermore, If you have any comments, advice, or anything you need to tell me (ANYTHING), do so, because it's important.

Oh, something I wanted to mention as well: I'm probably autistic. That means I can see things differently than most people. By that I mean I can say socially awkward things and not realize that. I just wanted to mention that so you know when I do, you can tell me, because I think it's important we're all honest to each other. That also means I can get a bit scared of new things, but when I'm used to things I'm usually really good too.

Question

Q1: What do you hope to accomplish as an administrator that you can't accomplish as a patroller? How will it help the wiki? What have you accomplished already? Have you made any notable mistakes, and if so, what did you learn from them?

A: I've been deleting pages mostly, can't do that as a patroller. As for anything else, I hope I'll get into the new features as an admin, because I still have to learn it all. Will I be using those features a lot? I can't say, I'd guess "no", but I will be able to help out a little at least. A notable mistake would be deleting a template which was still frequently used (in my defence: it was marked for deletion for a week, no-one had removed the prod-tag, so I just did what I thought I was supposed to. But I should probably know what I'm deleting in the first place). I've also blocked myself during a vandalism-spree, but that was before having been given admin-rights, so I guess that doesn't count!

Q2: What do you see as the UESP's main challenges in the near future?

A: Cleaning up the Skyrim mess for one. That was in fact the reason why I wasn't very active, it was all chaos and I figured I was just going to wait until things quieted down (that and playing Skyrim myself). Of course there are other problems. But I'm afraid that required deciphering certain things, which isn't my thing (at least as of now).

Q3: How do you interpret the balance between enforcing policies and being innovative when policies prove to be problematic?

A: Policy is the first thing to look at. But if there's a good reason to ignore policy, only thing to do is see if the pros outweigh the cons. In such cases, policies can also be adjusted to such situations.

Q4: Under what circumstances do you block an editor who has never received a warning?

A: I believe the rules state I can only ban spammers without warning. I've had intentions of blocking vandals without warning before, the kind who has a list of all the UESPWiki pages sorted alphabetically and then goes vandalize page after page. I've never blocked before a warning though, but I admit, I've sent out warnings in such cases hoping to see vandalism AFTER the message, which gave me the right to block I figured. I know you ought to give them time to read, but in such cases I'm not very lenient. I suppose there aren't any real rules, that policies can be edited, maybe I should try to discuss certain policies.

Q5: What other wiki-related activities do you perform that people might not know about?

A: Checking the recent changes every once in a while? I may not seem too active, but I'm passively active, as in keeping an eye on things.

Q6: What action will you take if you see another administrator perform an action that you completely disagree with? When you strongly oppose something, how do you plan to express it?

A: Well firstly I contact that administrator (or patroller actually), see how and why. When I ultimately disagree, I ask the community. When I disagree with the community, I can try to come up with a better solution with which we all (or most) can agree.

Votes

• Support: You're a very nice guy, at least in my experience, and you have done some great work. The only problem is that over 1000 of your edits have been to userpages and usertalk pages and you haven't contributed a whole lot to Skyrim. On the other hand though, you are a great editor and you have made a lot of file edits. I believe that you could be a good addition to the "admin team" but I'm just not entirely convinced right now. However, if other editors support you then I will trust their judgement over mine and give you my vote and if I have missed something please point it out. RIM 17:45, 18 February 2012 (UTC)

• Comment: Dwarf mainly works in sandboxes. Most of his userspace edits actually do benefit the rest of the site. --AKB ^{Talk Cont Mail} 17:55, 18 February 2012 (UTC)
• Comment:Oh I see, well in that case I will give my support. I thought I had missed something. RIM 18:00, 18 February 2012 (UTC)

• Support: Always a pleasure to work with Dwarf, and I don't see a reason he shouldn't continue being an admin going forward. --AKB ^{Talk Cont Mail} 17:55, 18 February 2012 (UTC)
• Support: Let the man keep his buttons! Also, Dwarf, the typo on your user page is just killing me. "This one is Matthias, a gamer since before I can remember." Minor Edits^{Threats•Evidence} 20:24, 21 February 2012 (UTC)
• Support: Dwarfmp has been doing just fine as an Admin the last few months, and I don't think there's any reason for that to change. As for the possible autism, it has its benefits as well as the aforementioned drawbacks—namely, a greater tendency towards logic and following the rules, and being a stickler for uniformity. The first, especially, is an important trait in an Admin, and the second is just good all around in the context of a wiki. – Robin Hood↝talk 22:08, 21 February 2012 (UTC)
• Support: Pretty much all what RH said, you follow rules, use logic, traits we need our Admins to have. You deserve Adminship, and I hope you get it. Good luck! JackTurbo95 13:27, 22 February 2012 (UTC)
• Neutral: Basically for the same reasons I opposed the nomination of Legoless a few days back. I’m sure you understand why I’m doing this though – to build up a team of administrators (that people and fellow administrators actually trust to make the right decision by themselves), I’m looking for a lot more self-confidence and dedication to the UESP. I honestly believe you have it in you, just like I believe in AKB and Legoless – but I also know things changed quite a bit when Skyrim arrived, and when things was really difficult and we had to face the fact that the site would be crap for a few months, a lot of people jumped ship, as evident here. Make no mistake, I’m more than willing to support you in any way I can, because you will become an administrator regardless of what I say – I’m just encouraging you to get back to the good ol’ days, both image-and FA-wise. Good luck! --Krusty 16:04, 22 February 2012 (UTC)
  • Reply: I understand, and I wouldn't expect anything else from you ~ Dwarfmp 16:49, 22 February 2012 (UTC)
• Support: I see no requirement for "self-confidence" in eligibility for the role, and if there is one, I'm inclined to see an awareness of a need or desire to sometimes ask for help and advice in assuming a new role as a sign of such. I don't mean to dismiss Krusty's perspective, which I think comes from a positive place and includes some wisdom that merits consideration. And even as a new member of the community, I can see, respect, and appreciate Krusty's passionate commitment, in word and deed, to the quality of the wiki. At the same time, it is not, and should not be, the only perspective in a diverse community that proclaims to operate on collaboration and consensus. My reading of the policy on the role, as informed by the relevant Wikipedia links, is that controversial or difficult decisions are supposed to ultimately be made by "the community," and there is strong rhetoric against the idea that the role confers decision-making powers over others in this respect, and against the notion that the administratorship should be an elite placed "above" members in other roles. Yes, we look to administrators for guidance and help, and there is the somewhat murky statement that administrators are supposed to possess a certain breadth and depth of knowledge. Arguments could be made in an effort to specify exactly what that means, and who may have it or not. Where is there an example that a critical decision will need to be made independently and immediately, that Dwarfmp is not prepared to effect, and could therefore be reasonably be expected to result in some significant harm or loss? I see what looks like a considered effort on Dwarfmp's part to elucidate his own concerns over taking on the role and to submit them for feedback and evaluation. An act of "insecurity" or of courage and honesty? The support evoked so far seems to point more in one direction than the other in terms of thoughts on the matter. He has been helpful to me on several occasions, and actively and speedily so. I have certainly seen evidence that he can think for himself, that he's knowledgeable over a considerable range of technical areas and policies, wants to learn even more, and wants to use the role to make contributions to the site. There must be some great things about "the good old days", really, at least for some of the site and the community. It's also conceivable that, with a re-invigorated set of administrators, that the good old days lie ahead of us, though they may be different than the past, and perceived as relative good or bad from differing perspectives. If there is anything else that anyone thinks he needs but doesn't have before he should be placed in the role, let's hear it. He's asked for honest input himself. Again, if this reads as dismissive of Krusty's input, then I have written poorly.--JR^{Talk E-mail} 01:50, 23 February 2012 (UTC)
• Support: Krusty deserves to have permanent adminship, because he is helpful,understanding,trustworthy, and is the only one on here, who i know can be diplomatic in situations Honda1996 11:51:55 February 23rd 2012 (UTC)
  • Comment: Err, have you mistakenly put Krusty's name instead of mine, or are you in the wrong section? Either way, thanks for the support :P ~ Dwarfmp 15:01, 23 February 2012 (UTC)

CONSENSUS Support (7 support, 1 Neutral). --AKB ^{Talk Cont Mail} 16:25, 29 February 2012 (UTC)