Jeffssister
Hi. I'm most dreadfully sorry, but perhaps could you take a look at Jeff's talk page (simply click the blue link above)? Pedro : Chat 21:53, 8 August 2008 (UTC)
- My sincere condolensences as well. I am truly sorry to lose Jeff, not as a Wikipedian, but to lose him as a human being that was hurting as much as he has hurt in the last several weeks. No one should have to go through what he has been going through, and try as we could, we could only type to him and not love him and hug him. If this turns out to be some cruel joke, you will of course be blocked until the end of time from ever contributing to this website again. I honestly hope it is a cruel joke, but the more time that passes without a response from jeff, I'm fearing the worst. If you really Jeff's sister, I'm so very sorry for your deep, personal loss to your family. It is such a stronger connection than any "online" friend could ever experience. Jeff is a good soul. He loved his husband dearly and completely, as is evident by his grief and by his tribute to Isaac. What a tragic loss to the world, to lose two of our dearest souls. Bless you, and bless your family, and know that us Wikipedians, as small and uneventful that we may seem, are truly feeling a great loss right now. Bless you, Keeper ǀ 76 00:45, 9 August 2008 (UTC)
Editing the wiki
editHi. Firstly, my thoughts are with you during this hard time. Jeff was one of the good guys here - an intelligent person who cared a lot about this project and the people he edited with. It's also clear he cared a lot about his family. You can sure as hell be proud of him. I noticed you asked Pedro about editing. Well - if you want to reply to something, next to any header, you'll see an "edit" link. Just click on any edit link when there's a thread you want to reply to. Just follow how other editors have commented and you should be fine. It's generally best to reply underneath the person you wish to reply to, or if you want to make a general reply, go to the bottom of the thread, leave a 2 lines and then reply. There'll be people around to fix the formatting if you haven't done things quite right so don't worry about it at all if it doesn't look perfect. If you need anything, you can find me on my talk page. Take care in this difficult time. Ryan PostlethwaiteSee the mess I've created or let's have banter 16:40, 9 August 2008 (UTC)
re: Jeff
editHi, Debbie; thanks for the note on my talk page. Please don't worry about posting in the right or wrong place at Wiki; we'll keep up with you, and you're doing fine. You didn't create confusion; you did nothing wrong. The problem is that, because this is the internet, sometimes people play pranks so we have to do certain things to make sure we're not victims of a cruel joke. Knowing your location was enough, unfortunately, to confirm to us the news. Because it seems that none of us expected this news, at first we didn't believe you. You asked if people have your e-mail address: you have enabled e-mail, so anyone who wants to write to you privately will be able to do so at the e-mail address you've specified in your preferences. Debbie, Jeff wrote to me often in the last few months. He left Wikipedia last January, returning shortly before the suddenness of Isaac's death. He frequently reassured me that he was fine, and he always wrote messages intended to cheer me up, encourage me, and show his friendship and affection. He was quite special at making me smile and spreading warmth to everyone who knew him on Wiki. But every correspondence he sent indicated to me that he was fine, so many of us wanted to believe the message yesterday was a hoax. A checkuser can determine the geolocation of your IP address and that was the info needed to have a greater assurance that it was you; I told the checkusers privately where I believed Jeff's family lived, and that confirmed it was most likely you. It came as a gut punch to me, as I believed initially the news was a cruel hoax. I know Jeff had ups and downs in the last 20 years; his true and special character really came through here, he was a gem, and we will all miss him along with you. I hope your family will find peace and solace. If it's not too much of an invasion of your privacy, perhaps you will share with us the arrangements? I'm wondering if you're bringing him home or if you're traveling to Europe, etc., but please don't feel any obligation to divulge private details on the internet. Best regards, SandyGeorgia (Talk) 17:02, 9 August 2008 (UTC)
- Update, I just caught up on your messages on Pedro's talk page, and see you'll be flying out there. If you want to post here on your own talk page, we can all follow here. My best thoughts, SandyGeorgia (Talk) 17:05, 9 August 2008 (UTC)
Debbie, anything that you want to share about the arrangements would probably best be posted to User talk:Jeffpw, but because this is the internet and you never know who's reading, and some trolls and vandals do engage in cruel jokes, I advise caution as to how much private info you post. I'm glad you will be able to be there, and that your husband will be with you. I'm not aware of Jeff having any Wikipedia friends in the immediate vicinity, so I wouldn't expect any Wiki friends to be able to attend. He met some Wikipedians in London once, and I know he spent a huge amount of his last few months working on the Hillary Clinton campaign, but I think he did all of that via Skype, and didn't have local internet friends on that front either. I hope this helps, I am so so sorry you've lost your dear brother. By the way, you can post replies here on your own page and we'll see them. Please give my warmest condolences to your mother, SandyGeorgia (Talk) 17:18, 9 August 2008 (UTC)
I asked someone to remove your personal data from some of the logs so that no random person could come by and use it to cause any mischief. I hope that doesn't bother you. There is a feature called "e-mail this user" to the left of the screen under toolbox. Its an easy way to contact users so you don't have to risk such things. If you ever need any help or have a question, feel free to contact me. You have my condolences. Ottava Rima (talk) 20:09, 9 August 2008 (UTC)
Re: Jeff's passing.
editHello Debbie. Firstly, may I say how deeply sorry I am that you have lost your beloved brother. I know this must be a difficult and distressing time for you, having recently suffered family bereavment myself. My name is Thorsteinn Malmjursson, and I work on one of Wikipedia's sister projects, Wikinews, as a reporter. Respectfully, I would like to publish a short piece to our service about Jeff's life and his work with Wikipedia, his family and his own personal loss.
I would like to ask for your permission to prepare a short piece to publish, and would respectfully ask if there is anything you would like us to mention in particular about Jeff.
If you do not wish us to publish anything, we won't. At such a tragic time, the right to privacy is most paramount for you, and we will respect any such wishes willingly. You will be allowed to see the article prior to publication, and make any changes you deem necessary should you allow us to go ahead.
I apologise for the intrusion, and will understand wholeheartedly if you do not wish me to go ahead with this.
With Deepest Respect,
Thor A. Malmjursson, Wikinews (English Service) - Thor Malmjursson (talk) 23:52, 9 August 2008 (UTC) Iceflow at English Wikinews
Which one is Jeff? ♦ Dr. Blofeld ♦ "Talk"? 17:35, 11 August 2008 (UTC)
- Blofeld, we're talking about Jeffpw. Aleta Sing 19:09, 11 August 2008 (UTC)
I know. I'm talking about which one is he in the photograph? ♦ Dr. Blofeld ♦ "Talk"? 20:30, 11 August 2008 (UTC)
- At left if you mean the one on the dark background. The shorter gentleman. Pedro : Chat Is grieving 20:32, 11 August 2008 (UTC)
- Oh, sorry, I misunderstood your question! Pedro's right. Aleta Sing 21:54, 11 August 2008 (UTC)
Condonlances
editThe whole of the Wikipedia community in Great Britain is standing with you at this hard time. Citedcover (talk) 10:45, 17 August 2008 (UTC)
Thank you
editIt means so much that you took the time to connect with the Wikipedia community. I know you and your family are grieving, and we appreciate that you remembered us- I never met Jeff in person, but his help and guidance here meant a lot to me. His hand is on so much here at Wikipedia, and his work here has made the world a better, wiser place. There's nothing useful I can say, but I won't be able to reread my article on Billy Tipton again without remembering how much Jeff guided me when I was working on it. Thank you for keeping us informed; many people wouldn't bother connecting with an online community, and it was kind and compassionate of you to remember us. -FisherQueen (talk · contribs) 18:31, 17 August 2008 (UTC)