I am a long time user of Wikipedia, and a "sometimes editor" on those subjects on which I possess some special expertise or specific knowledge. Most of my edits in 2009-10 were anonymous, but I have recently discovered the utility of vetting potential edits via the "talk page" and have therefore elected to take a more visible role on the handful of topics where I have (or at least hope to have) a positive contribution to make.
My editing philosophy is as follows:
1) I generally prefer compromise and collaboration (among editors) to confrontation, although I do recognize the value of passionate debate as long as there are ZERO ad hominems.
2) Simple sentences are generally best, and some topics deserve more of them than others. On RARE occasions, more complex sentences are required as the topic simply demands it.
3) Word choice is CRUCIAL to keeping articles (and edits) unambiguous and fair to all viewers and editors. I try to spend a lot of time on word choice and sentence structure, and therefore tend to edit at a "leisurely pace" compared to some other editors.
4) I have an admittedly odd and wide-ranging combination of interests. I have found this to be helpful, however, in approaching the editing of certain topics, as, it has been my experience, that those who specialize in any one topic can become so focused on the minutia of the subject matter, that they forget the overall purpose of the article itself.
P.S. While I happened to grow up in a household of English teachers, I was educated as an engineer, not as a professional writer. I therefore apologize in advance for any "eccentricities" of language in my writing style.
- Note: After a complete absence from Wikipedia, I have decided to return as of November 7th, 2011. Wikipedia has lost many editors over the past few years for a variety of reasons. Falling standards of every day civility has, in my opinion, been one of them. I read something recently however, from the founder of Wikipedia himself, that inspired me come back to Wikipedia. Glad to be here once again...