Wikipedia talk:Rolling Ball

January 2013

Please do feel free to edit the page (I am not sure whether to call it an essay or WikiProject) as you feel fit. This is my first time at either, so please help in correctly any redundancy/ issues with the writing. TheOriginalSoni (talk)

Please leave your comments here and tell me what you think TheOriginalSoni (talk) 21:55, 16 January 2013 (UTC)

Discussion

Like I couldn't agree more. That's why I bother creating articles as stubs or start-class; to get the ball rolling. Often, I am the one who keeps it rolling, but I don't have to be. Many hands make light work. We need new blood here that is eager to work on articles, and part of doing that is going to require a supportive, civil, constructive community. This is a goal we all should strive to achieve. Go Phightins! 22:00, 16 January 2013 (UTC)

Any ideas on how to go forward with it? TheOriginalSoni (talk) 22:10, 16 January 2013 (UTC)

I think humor is always good, otherwise it looks great! It may help if you left align the second image, with not only flow but look. :) gwickwire^talk_edits 22:22, 16 January 2013 (UTC)

I like the idea. Like Is this intended to be linked to WER? Or Outreach? Would you like to expand it into an "action plan" type of document? Or is it intended to just show a viewpoint that may help motivate others to keep the ball rolling? Gtwfan52 (talk) 22:30, 16 January 2013 (UTC)

I am not really sure actually. My original plan is to have an informal "Guild of editors" who co-ordinate with each other and also help bring new users into the loop. More like a centralised discussion zone for common ideas and proposals where anyone can ask for other editors to jump into their area of interest.

Do tell what your take is on this, and how you think it should go forward. TheOriginalSoni (talk) 22:41, 16 January 2013 (UTC)

Well, editor retention and editor recruitment are definitely two different things. I might suggest you get User:SarahStierch involved in this. She is a Wiki Fellow, and active in GLAM and in efforts to recruit and retain female editors. She would be likely to have great input for you. Be advised that she is a very busy lady, but she is friendly. Gtwfan52 (talk) 22:55, 16 January 2013 (UTC)

My main motive is to have a common room for all like-minded people. That, and a healthy atmosphere ought to improve the conditions for all, as well as asking for help, ideas or opinions a lot easier. Instead of contacting all the people, you may as well contact the entire Guild, and all those interested shall respond and join in. As a plus, you can also teach new helpful editors and direct them around.

Have done so now. Thanks TheOriginalSoni (talk) 23:02, 16 January 2013 (UTC)

• +1 --Tito Dutta (talk) 01:32, 17 January 2013 (UTC)
• It looks good (except that we don't have ten fingers, we each have eight fingers and two thumbs ) AutomaticStrikeout (T • C) 02:16, 17 January 2013 (UTC)

Changed. If you'd rather want that, then I shall strike that off as well (seeing how many of us could just just be typing with our toes like me) and replace with "one keyboard" or "one typing interface". TheOriginalSoni (talk) 06:11, 17 January 2013 (UTC)

It looks fine now. AutomaticStrikeout (T • C) 19:11, 17 January 2013 (UTC)

My wife tells me I'm ALL thumbs! ```Buster Seven Talk 18:45, 18 January 2013 (UTC)

• I like this. It's surprising nobody has come up with the concept before. Rcsprinter (orate) @ 17:08, 17 January 2013 (UTC)

Collaboration and editor participation

Looking back on the history of my editing articles, I would say the bulk of it has largely been a solo endeavour. I have never actively sought out other editors with which to contribute with, but now it seems that collaboration is the way of the future, and it is the essential missing ingredient in promoting new and healthy editors.

I think we are making a great deal of progress over at Wikipedia:Today's article for improvement in putting together the structure to enable collaboration. Many collaboration pages on Wikiprojects are inactive or being held together by a single person. My worry is that WP:TAFI will suffer a similar fate. What methods can you think of to encourage editors to work together on a wide range of subjects? And how can we retain new editors if they choose to edit the article for improvement? --NickPenguin_(contribs) 04:20, 17 January 2013 (UTC)

I believe that "Anything on the main page will not die out". That is why my hopes from the TAFI once it hits the main page are a lot more than if it did not. Lets wait until it actually hits the main page, and then we'll hopefully get a dozen dedicated editors who will be able to keep the ball rolling, like we have at the DYK.

The main reason new editors do not stay is because they do not understand how things work. Many of them are enthusiastic, and could bring in a lot of work to the project. What I aim for from the TAFI is to help us identify who are the new editors who belong to this category - Those willing to work. Of those who edit the TAFI on a given day, we will surely find one or two editors who want to and will be sticking with the project. Once we have identified them, I am hoping that some of the current structures (Teahouse, welcoming committee and the editors themselves) help in getting these new breed of editors to understand our ways of functioning and let them know what are the things that are to be done. All this will help them quickly adapt to our Wiki conditions, and be valuable contributors to the project.

How does this particular page come into the picture? If we already have a band of friendly editors who are constantly talking with each other, and coordinating among themselves to work across projects, we can also welcome the new and promising editors here, so that they can watch and learn. These new editors shall soon figure out that the Village Pump is one of the places to go, when they want a policy change, and RfC shall be a good way to ask for opinions. Moreover, here they shall get direct interaction with quality helpful editors, something which is usually left to the various users now. That interaction itself between the old and the new editors is enough to keep everything going, and making sure we have fresh blood of new and good editors who will be here to welcome other newer editors and help them learn the working of this project. TheOriginalSoni (talk) 06:09, 17 January 2013 (UTC)

Focus

I would like to this with a lead that tells me what it is about, not with a left side image that I would perhaps understand in context ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:39, 17 January 2013 (UTC)

Umm what? I didnt follow what you said. TheOriginalSoni (talk) 15:46, 17 January 2013 (UTC)

I come to the page, not knowing what it is about, it starts with a picture, that tells me nothing. (Only as an exception should a paragraph begin with a left picture, to start with. TFA is a bad example, doing it "wrong" all the time, at the start of the Main page.) I would like to read in a lead what this essay is about, the title is not too telling - at least to me. - I am watching here, don't need talkback ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:11, 17 January 2013 (UTC)

How about now? And maybe we could have a better title? (The current title is what got me thinking in the first place, which explains why I have this as the title) TheOriginalSoni (talk) 17:26, 17 January 2013 (UTC)

Your WP:User page

Pardon me for editing it. I proffered some suggestions and did some minor copy editing and wiki linking. Feel free to revert or revise if I've overstepped or I got it wrong. Ordinarily, I would not touch a user page, as it is your front porch. If I went over a boundary, then I apologize. Happy editing. 7&6=thirteen (☎) 16:22, 17 January 2013 (UTC)

I also apologize for the mixed metaphors. 7&6=thirteen (☎) 16:27, 17 January 2013 (UTC)

Help is always welcome :) I think your suggestions are perfect, and find no reason to change them. Only I dont know what 'plow the field' is. Could we link it? TheOriginalSoni (talk) 16:56, 17 January 2013 (UTC)

We may be having a language problem: Plough or Plow. See Sator square, one of my favorite Latin saying "sator arepo tenet opera rotas." And a great Magic word. 7&6=thirteen (☎) 17:21, 17 January 2013 (UTC)

Sator Square is great. Like.

I know what plow is. But not what the metaphor/phrase 'plow the field' is. Maybe we could link/replace with something simpler? Or is it just me who doesn't know the metaphor? TheOriginalSoni (talk) 17:30, 17 January 2013 (UTC)

It is probably a local archaic agrarian metaphor. Like "that doesn't butter any parsnips." 7&6=thirteen (☎) 17:58, 17 January 2013 (UTC)

Probably is. I dont have a clue what you are talking about. TheOriginalSoni (talk) 18:05, 17 January 2013 (UTC)

Meaning of "butters no parsnips" which appears to have several different origins. Here and there. "Ill words butter no parsnips." Hope that helps. "Fair words butter no parsnips" according to what is probably a more authoritative source. Quinion, Michael (22 June 2002). "Butter no parsnips". World Wide Words. Retrieved January 17, 2012. See also Perverb. 7&6=thirteen (☎) 22:21, 17 January 2013 (UTC)

"Fair words butter no parsnips" is right I think, a kind of equivalent to 'talk is cheap', in that it is easy to 'talk fair' but that doesn't put [material] food on the table. Slightly convoluted that, sorry... Basket _Feudalist 15:26, 18 January 2013 (UTC)

Making the Essay into a Group

Hello,

The general trend for feedback looks like people are liking this page. So I have thought of taking it forward and establish it as an "informal group". As you have notices, I have placed a description at the top. It needs to be made into an infobox of sorts. Anyone who can help, please do so.

I have added a "List of Members" section at the bottom. Feel free to add your name there.

I hope I do not have to tell you the most important thing - Feel free to make any changes you see fit (No. It does not matter that it is on my user page. If others agree, I hope to take it out of userspace into the common Wikispace soon enough either way). All changes are for the better. If there is something we do not agree on, we can always discuss and sort it out.

Cheers, TheOriginalSoni (talk) 17:23, 17 January 2013 (UTC)

Lifeblood

New users are our lifeblood. Until benzband joined the community in late 2011, Project punk was almost dead. He injected much needed life into the project and we have experienced a Renaissance. Never underestimate what a new user can do. --Guerillero | My Talk 08:47, 18 January 2013 (UTC)

May I suggest you nominate User:benzbanb over at Wikipedia:WikiProject Editor Retention/Editor of the Week/Nominations? Its a new part of WP:WER that has just started last week. We are always looking to acknowlege the "hidden' efforts of quality editors. ```Buster Seven Talk 19:01, 18 January 2013 (UTC)

Good idea-

-a really positive step. Thanks for the invite! Basket _Feudalist 15:02, 18 January 2013 (UTC)

Wikispace

Hello,

I have taken this page to the Wikispace. Feel free to invite more editors to join the page. A "Hang out" zone shall be created soon. (Can anyone suggest any better name than Hangout?)

TheOriginalSoni (talk) 17:24, 18 January 2013 (UTC)

• The Park
• Sonicspace
• The Diner
• The Nook
• Soni -ce So nice.

Thanks but not really. Hang out sounds so much better now. :P TheOriginalSoni (talk) 02:57, 19 January 2013 (UTC)

You ask for suggestions and then you throw them in the waste bin. It would have been better to just ignore my suggestions without comment. ```Buster Seven Talk 06:38, 19 January 2013 (UTC)

Sorry but I thought I should atleast respond to the suggestions. Didnt think it might be rude. Sorry for that. TheOriginalSoni (talk) 06:56, 19 January 2013 (UTC)

Here's a ball to roll for you all...

Moved to the Hang Out Zone by TheOriginalSoni (talk)

Hang out page created

Wikipedia:Rolling Ball/Hang Out Zone - This is where we would be discussing anything of significance. This talk page shall be reserved for how to improve and invite other editors to this page. All are requested to watchlist/keep an eye on the Hangout page. TheOriginalSoni (talk) 04:13, 19 January 2013 (UTC)

What box did you want coloured? Basket _Feudalist 14:06, 19 January 2013 (UTC)

There are two boxes with the same colour. I want the color of one, prefereably the first, changed. TheOriginalSoni (talk) 14:38, 19 January 2013 (UTC)

H'mmm I made it yellow, but slightly constrained by needing a light colour under black font. Now if we changed the font to white, red would be a good background. Etc etc. Basket _Feudalist 14:51, 19 January 2013 (UTC)

I am no designer here. My choice in colours is plain bad. So its best I dont say anything. Only you might not want to have 3 yellows, two of which are the same/similar shade. (background and two boxes) TheOriginalSoni (talk) 14:54, 19 January 2013 (UTC)

Choose colors from here and change there or mention here! --Tito Dutta (talk) 14:56, 19 January 2013 (UTC)

Sorry but I am going to be lazy and leave you guys to it. But just do not make that shadow effect. It looks bad. TheOriginalSoni (talk) 15:06, 19 January 2013 (UTC)

Righto! Looking for a way of changing font colour. Thanks for the colour picker tito! Basket _Feudalist 15:10, 19 January 2013 (UTC)

Is this what you wanted? TheOriginalSoni (talk) 15:11, 19 January 2013 (UTC)

Yes. Have achieved something- does it work? Basket _Feudalist 15:16, 19 January 2013 (UTC)

Lets see what Tito has to say. But lets not centre the members section. Its better this way (We can divide into two coloumns if reqqd) TheOriginalSoni (talk) 15:20, 19 January 2013 (UTC)

No problem. Annoyingly, I don't seem to be able to left-align the members box without it shifting everything above. Which is bizarre as well as annoying... Basket _Feudalist 15:38, 19 January 2013 (UTC)

What do you think of using center align for "Rolling Ball - A friendly place where experienced as well as new editors can freely discuss topics on Wiki". I put it in center, now again changed to left! --Tito Dutta (talk) 19:14, 19 January 2013 (UTC)

Yes. I think a center align is better. Anyone else wants the same/left align? TheOriginalSoni (talk) 05:10, 20 January 2013 (UTC)

Removed?

Why was this removed from the WP:TEAHOUSE by the original poster? --Carrot Lord (talk) 08:09, 20 January 2013 (UTC)

I added it under Questions. Then I realised that the Host Lounge was the place for it, not the Questions. So I thought it better be removed. Feel free to add it if you feel otherwise. TheOriginalSoni (talk) 08:13, 20 January 2013 (UTC)

(Moved from Hang Out Zone by TheOriginalSoni (talk))

A quick question

What exactly does "Anyone may join the group, but the group founder and other experienced members of the group hold the rights to remove any member who is non-productive" mean ? ·Add§hore· ^{Talk To Me!} 08:29, 21 January 2013 (UTC)

Is it better now? I wrote that to make sure there would not be major problems if there were any editors who were disruptive to the friendly nature of this group. TheOriginalSoni (talk) 14:22, 21 January 2013 (UTC)

Shortcut to here

Moved from the Hang Out Zone by TheOriginalSoni (talk) Is there a wiki-shortcut to link here? I was thinking to create lowercase "wp:hoz" (short for hang-out-zone) but is that an offensive word in some language? Any other suggestions? -Wikid77 12:29, 22 January 2013 (UTC)

I do not think HOZ is offensive in any language. Maybe we could take WP:RB and WP:RBHOZ? TheOriginalSoni (talk) 12:48, 22 January 2013 (UTC)

Reasons to not use wp:PUMP or wp:VPM

Moved from the Hang Out Zone by TheOriginalSoni (talk) Typically, people can post notices at wp:VPM, for the wp:Village_pump (miscellaneous). Is there any reason to talk here rather than there? I think it is a good idea to have multiple forums (but some people really dislike more fractionated forums). I was just curious if any complaints about using VPM. -Wikid77 12:29, 22 January 2013 (UTC)

Village Pump is more of a formal place where you post finished ideas. This is much more a place where you'd want to develop those ideas and thoughts, and want to generate some feedback, and see if others support it too. More so, this group shall not be restricted to ideas, or projects or discussions. We can post just about anything that we think we would like to discuss with others. TheOriginalSoni (talk) 12:48, 22 January 2013 (UTC)