User talk:Drew R. Smith: Difference between revisions

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'''Welcome to the ''Citizendium!'''''  We hope you will contribute [[CZ:Be Bold|boldly]] and well.  Here are pointers for a [[CZ:Quick Start|quick start]].  You'll probably want to know [[CZ:The Author Role|how to get started as an author]].  Just look at [[CZ:Getting Started]] for other helpful "startup" links, and [[CZ:Home]] for the top menu of community pages.  Be sure to stay abreast of events via [https://lists.purdue.edu/mailman/listinfo/citizendium-l the Citizendium-L (broadcast) mailing list] (do join!) and [http://blog.citizendium.org the blog].  Please also join the [[CZ:Mailing lists|workgroup mailing list(s)]] that concern your particular interests.  You can test out [[CZ:How to edit an article|editing]] in the [[CZ:Sandbox|sandbox]] if you'd like.  If you need help to get going, the [http://forum.citizendium.org/ forums] is one option.  That's also where we discuss policy and proposals.  You can ask any [[:Category:CZ Constables|constable]] for help, too.  Me, for instance!  Just put a note on their "talk" page.  Again, welcome and have fun! [[User:Roger Lohmann|Roger Lohmann]] 12:01, 3 June 2009 (UTC)


== Specialist editors ==


Drew, you are touching on a category that has been called "specialist editor". [[User: Aleta Curry]] is one for dogs; you might want to consult with her. As you point out, there aren't any articles now, so the author role is more critical than the editor. Editors start coming into their own when there are multiple authors to be guided. I don't remember if there are any Dog articles approved; I don't think my cats want me to know (they have excellent canine friends, but it's clear who is boss).


I happen to do a good deal of work in commercial fishing, or, more specifically, the electronics associated with it. That quite conveniently falls under Engineering, sometimes Computers, and even Military when the systems derive from warfare. Nevertheless, the articles need to be produced first. I could probably use Editor involvement on something like [[Vessel Monitoring System]] if I were to take it to Approval.


In writing about actual fisheries and species, however, even if I were a Food Sciences or Biology Editor, I couldn't approve my own articles, such as the early one on [[quahog]]. Perhaps if there are more than one author writing about sea creatures, we indeed need an Editor, which could be from one of the workgroups I just named.  I'm not uninterested in the problem you cite, but from a very different viewpoint. Living here on [[Cape Cod]], what editor would approve an article on [[Cod]]? [[User:Howard C. Berkowitz|Howard C. Berkowitz]] 05:40, 4 June 2009 (UTC)


== Template:Convert ==


Hi Drew,<br />
I was just wondering what your eventual intention is for [[Template:Convert]] - I see you've been creating a lot of subtemplates for it. How will it eventually work?<br />
Please be sure to document it using {{tl|TlDoc}} once you've finished working on it, including a list of all subtemplates, and then add it to the list at [[CZ:Templates]].<br />
Also, I noticed that you've created a couple of odd pages in different languages, such as [[Pt:Predefinição:Convert/to(-)‎]], which seem to be related to this template - for one thing, we don't have templates (or anything else) in languages other than English at present, and for another, if this page is related to the template it should be in the Template namespace.<br />
I realise you're still working on this, so sorry for coming in in the middle... I'm just interested in what you're doing, as one of the people who currently does most template work/maintenance here.<br />
Thanks! [[User:Caesar Schinas|Caesar Schinas]] 07:10, 13 June 2009 (UTC)


:The template will convert units of measurement from one to the other. Take a look at the article [[Gobioides broussonnetii]] to see the markup for using it, and you'll see what I mean. For the most part I am doing a bit of cut and paste from the wikipedia version of the templates. I am intending to change things up, especially as some of the syntax doesn't seem to be taking well here. I didn't notice any similar templates anywhere on CZ, so I figured no one would mind much.[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 07:20, 13 June 2009 (UTC)


::Okay. No, no-one will mind so long as you document the template well, including all subtemplates, add it to [[CZ:Templates]], and clean up after yourself by putting <code>{{tl|speedydelete|REASON{{!}}{{~|4}}}}</code> on any templates/pages which you created and then eventually don't use. Especially the pages like the Portuguese one I mentioned above.
::I also notice that you've copied several other Wikipedia templates - [[Template:Mbox]], [[Template:Pp-meta‎]], [[Template:Pp-template‎]], and [[Template:Documentation‎]] (there may be others I haven't noticed...).
::Please bear in mind that we already have our own equivalent of some of these templates such as Template:Documentation, and others quite possibly have no place here - for example we do not use notices which display on the article page itself, other than speedydelete. I'm not sure what Template:Mbox, Template:Pp-meta, and Template:Pp-template‎, are - but please do look through [[CZ:Templates|the templates which we already have]] before adding more, and consider whether there is a real need for them. In general, we're trying to cut down on the number of templates rather than create more.
::But If you reckon those templates are necessary, by all means go ahead. just be sure to document them well, using {{tl|TlDoc}}.
::[[User:Caesar Schinas|Caesar Schinas]] 07:32, 13 June 2009 (UTC)
:::I'm not entirely sure how to do the documentation, but I will figure it out when I'm done with the convert template. The PP templates, and Mbox templates are actually pertaining to page protection, something I don't think we really need here, so I will speedy them when I have completed everything. I didn't realise thats what they were until I was done with it.[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 07:38, 13 June 2009 (UTC)
::::The documentation one is neccessary, but since you already have an equivalent, I'll just use that one. Do you now off hand what the name of it is?[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 07:38, 13 June 2009 (UTC)
:::::Yes, it's {{tl|TlDoc}}. You just put the whole contents of the template in <code><nowiki><noinclude>...</noinclude></nowiki></code> tags, then add <code><nowiki><includeonly>{{TlDoc}}</includeonly></nowiki></code> at the end. If you create your new templates using the form at [[CZ:Templates]], this is all done automatically.
:::::[[User:Caesar Schinas|Caesar Schinas]]
<---Sorry, I was talking about the CZ equivalent of the Template:Documentation that I made.[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 07:45, 13 June 2009 (UTC)
:Well, isn't that it? If not, what is Template:Documentation for? [[User:Caesar Schinas|Caesar Schinas]] 07:49, 13 June 2009 (UTC)
::You know what? I think that is it. Just a fancier version that adds a nice header to the documentation subpage... I'll speedy this one now, so I don't forget...[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 07:56, 13 June 2009 (UTC)


== a question for you ==


Drew, please see my experiment with the system I was talking about for this at [[User:Caesar Schinas/Template:Convert]]. There are a couple of examples of its use at the top of [[User:Caesar Schinas/sandbox]] at present. It currently only works for converting some imperial units to some metric ones, but it would be '''very''' easy to expand. [[User:Caesar Schinas|Caesar Schinas]] 10:51, 14 June 2009 (UTC)
First, what prompted the question:  The [[Mauna Kea]] article calls the big island and the state it's in "Hawaiʻi".  This strikes me as not quite right, but I wanted to ask you before I make changes.  It makes sense to me that the island's named would be written using glottal stops because it is named in the Hawaiian language.  I don't know about the name of the state, though, because the webpage for the state government uses a glottal stop for the County of Hawai'i but not for it's own name (scan [http://www.ehawaii.gov/dakine/search.html?tag=government this page], for example).  Neither does the [http://hawaii.gov/lrb/con/conorg.html state constitution] itself use glottal stops to refer to the state, although the title that appears at the top of a web browser for the online version of the constitution ''does'' use it. --[[User:Joe Quick|Joe Quick]] 14:15, 20 August 2009 (UTC)
: [http://hawaii.gov/dbedt This branch of the government] uses both side by side!  Look at the text curved around the state seal at the top of the page and then at the seal itself. --[[User:Joe Quick|Joe Quick]] 14:22, 20 August 2009 (UTC)


:Also, another experiment which splits it up into subpages for better maintainability - [[User:Caesar Schinas/Template:Conv]] and [[Special:PrefixIndex/User:Caesar Schinas/Template:Conv|its subpages]], also currently with examples at the top of [[User:Caesar Schinas/sandbox]]. [[User:Caesar Schinas|Caesar Schinas]] 14:04, 14 June 2009 (UTC)
::The use of glottal stops today is tricky business. The U.S. Government doesn't recognize the glottal stop as a real letter, so when you are talking about the modern "State of Hawaii" in an "official" (i.e. government) way, the glottal stop is usually omitted. The government here in Hawaii does recognize the importance of the glottal stop, so most of their websites and documents do include it.


== Be careful! ==
::<s>On the other hand, the constitution was written between the creation of the Hawaiian alphabet and the adoption of the glottal stop, so you won't see it there either</s>. The constitution you're linking is different than the one I was talking about. I thought you meant the original one written by native Hawaiians with the help of the missionaries. 


Drew, I urge you to be very careful when editing high-use templates such as {{tl|!}} - your edit broke it by introducing a newline after the pipe.<br />
::For CZ use, I'd say use glottal stops for everything that needs them except when referring to Hawaii as a united state. Examples, Ancient Hawai{{okina}}i, Hawai{{okina}}i (island), State of Hawaii, Hawai{{okina}}ian Monarchy. I've also heard the monarchy/kingdom reffered to as the "sovereign state of Hawai{{okina}}i", but it's not widely used.
Also, you are creating a vast number of templates which frankly I think are hardly ever going to be used - wouldn't it be better to wait until there is a demand rather than create them just because WP has them? [[User:Caesar Schinas|Caesar Schinas]] 09:59, 13 June 2009 (UTC)
:I understand that I am introducing a high number, however they are all tied together. As for demand, there were already pages that were attempting to use the convert template before I came along.
:The point of the convert template is to simplify life for authors and editors so that instead of having to do the calculations themselves, they can simply use this template to auto convert the units.
:I garuantee I will clean up after myself, and the end result will be that CZ is just a litte bit easier to use. Also, keep in mind that this is a wiki, not paper, so there is no need to worry that I'll "use up all the space".
:I had no idea that I broke the pipe template. All I was trying to do was give the template a documentation so people can know what it is used for. Can you show me exactly what went wrong, and how it should have been done, so I can avoid this kind of problem in the future?[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 10:05, 13 June 2009 (UTC)
::Ok, I looked at the history, and see what you changed to fix it, however I don't understand what difference that makes. Other templates add the noinclude tags on the same line, what makes that one different?[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 10:07, 13 June 2009 (UTC)


:::Of course, I realise that you didn't mean to break it... :-) I'm not blaming you at all; we all make mistakes - just saying be very careful on this sort of template. I usually test templates in my sandbox after editing them unless I'm ''certain'' that nothing could have gone wrong.
::Hope this helps. [[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 21:06, 20 August 2009 (UTC)
:::The problem was that when you added the noinclude tags and TlDoc, you introduced a ''newline after the pipe character and before the noinclude''. I have removed this (and also put the pipe character in includeonly tags so that it doesn't show up on the template page, since there is documentation now. Please see [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki?title=Template%3A!&diff=100512457&oldid=100512445 this diff] for the change I made to fix it.
::::Doh! Now I see it. Wow, that one little thing really screwed up a lot of stuff...[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 10:24, 13 June 2009 (UTC)
:::I realise what the convert template is for - I had actually been going to create it myself sometime, but hadn't got round to it yet. I do think that there might be simpler ways of going about it... but since I'm not sure ''exactly'' how you're doing it, I'll keep well clear of it until you've finished!
:::I don't know what most of the other templates you've created are for - they all have rather cryptic names - but in response to your point that some articles already try to use templates we haven't got; remember that this is othen because those articles are copied from WP. We usually just remove those template calls, unless we think such templates are going to be widely used.
:::Anyway, I'll try no to interfere any more until you've finished what you're doing...
:::[[User:Caesar Schinas|Caesar Schinas]] 10:16, 13 June 2009 (UTC)


::::No no, by all means, if you have concerns, tell me. I'd rather hear them, and possibly save myself some trouble, or better yet save you some trouble, than to "go about my work peacefully". Seriously, lack of constructive criticism was one of the reasons I was looking for something other than wikipedia. They usually have pretty good work, but most users are too into there own projects to give any pointers. Unless you broke something, and then the admins are down your throat.
:::I ''thought'' I had already made the distinction in the article. I usually write the article first and add glottal stops afterwards. Apparently I only did the intro, and did it wrong. It's fixed now. [[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 21:13, 20 August 2009 (UTC)


::::Sorry about the rant. Anyway, point being, I want all the feedback I can get. If you bring up a good point as to why I shouldn't make some templates, or why I should scrap the project, or do it another way, I'll listen. [[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 10:22, 13 June 2009 (UTC)
By the way, a question for '''you'''. What do you think of the coordinates template at the top of the Mauna Kea article? I got the idea from WP, but ours functions quite differently than theirs, and in my opinion, better. [[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 21:22, 20 August 2009 (UTC)


(unindent) Alright, well what I had been going to suggest for {{tl|convert}} was to use nested switches within the main template, and perhaps a couple of subpages with unit definitions, rather than subpages for each conversion. I don't know ''exactly'' how I'd go about it, but I might play around with this concept in my userspace later (I tend to develop templates in my userspace unless they're reasonably straightforward).<br />
:The uses you suggest are exactly what my gut told me but I learned a lot about not listening to your gut from a certain leader who was in office between 2000 and 2008... Thanks for clearing that up.  
I hope my explanation about {{tl|!}} made sense. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. [[User:Caesar Schinas|Caesar Schinas]] 10:29, 13 June 2009 (UTC)


:I'm not sure what you mean by "nested", but everything else seemes to make sense. I wouldn't really know how to go about that either, which is why I'm just using wikipedia's design (it works for one) and tweak it once I've got it set up.
:I like the ''idea'' of the coordinates but they seem a little intrusive in that particular spot.  Maybe it should go in the infobox.--[[User:Joe Quick|Joe Quick]] 21:26, 20 August 2009 (UTC)
:As for your explanation of the pipe template, you gave a good explanation, but I had to see the diff before it actually clicked.[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 10:34, 13 June 2009 (UTC)


::By nested switches I mean switches inside other switches, so you might have a switch for the "from" unit and then for each possible value, a switch inside that for the "to" unit. Or something like that. But if you're happy with the way you're doing it - good! [[User:Caesar Schinas|Caesar Schinas]] 10:39, 13 June 2009 (UTC)
::Hmmm... I don't know if I can do that... Might be difficult, but I'll ''try''... Can't promise anything, ok? [[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 21:45, 20 August 2009 (UTC)
:::(edit conflict)::Actually, to simplify similar templates down the road, it would be better to leave the switches out in the open. That way other templates that use similar functions can use the same switch, instead of each template having the switch burried inside it somewhere. This also makes it easier to go straight to the problem if something breaks, assuming the person looking for the problem has the syntax knowhow to know what is wrong. If something breaks, and the only repaireman doesn't have a clue, we're screwed with either system! Hopefully this helps.[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 10:41, 13 June 2009 (UTC)


:::Ok, my above post was a little different from what I assumed you meant by nested, but I think it still holds.[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 10:41, 13 June 2009 (UTC)
:::hehe. For all my sarcasm above, it actually was more difficult than I had originally thought. I had to change the article, the infobox, and the template. But I do think it looks better now. [[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 22:10, 20 August 2009 (UTC)


::::Hmmm... I think we're talking about slightly different things. I'm only talking about the actual code which is only used for that template, not stuff which is used in multiple templates. Parts which are used in many templates should, as you say, be in separate templates transcluded onto each template, so long as they will be used in enough different templates to make it worth it. But remember that the more template transclusion going on, the slower the page loads - we already have a bit of a problem with this at CZ due to the way the subpages template works. But don't let me distract you; carry on with your template and then I'll be able to see the final result! :-D [[User:Caesar Schinas|Caesar Schinas]] 10:50, 13 June 2009 (UTC)
::::That looks really good. I'm going to try to find some time to read the article in more detail soon. --[[User:Joe Quick|Joe Quick]] 16:22, 23 August 2009 (UTC)


===Break for ease of use===
== Speedy delete problem ==
Actually, I am having a bit of trouble with some of the syntax. Take a look at the page I mentioned again, and you will see this:Template:Rnd/bExpression error: unrecognised word "expression" where a neat little conversion should be. I can't figure out what I did wrong, or if I missed anything. Do you know what causes a message like that?[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 10:55, 13 June 2009 (UTC)


:Well, its caused by an invalid expression in an <code><nowiki>{{#expr:...}}</nowiki></code> parser function ''somewhere'', but I couldn't say ''where'' without studying all of your new templates in depth... which would take a ''long'' time! It might be because one of the WP templates you imported relied on another which you haven't imported. This is a problem with WP templates; the tend to be so interdependent that it's hard to copy one without copying ''loads''. I tend to start from scratch rather than copying WP templates directly, though of course I study the WP ones first to see how they work and so forth.
No, it is not solved. I restored it.
:Sorry I can't be more helpful... [[User:Caesar Schinas|Caesar Schinas]] 11:03, 13 June 2009 (UTC)
You use the r template. That means you transclude the Definition subpage - and this page does not exist! [[User:Peter Schmitt|Peter Schmitt]] 00:48, 26 August 2009 (UTC)
::I figured as much, which is why I just kept plugging along hoping I would finally hit that magic template that makes the conversion pop into place. Thanks for all the help and advice.[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 11:05, 13 June 2009 (UTC)
I'm finally hitting some of the magic templates. Celsius, and feet work, inches works only in some instances. Its a start![[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 12:03, 13 June 2009 (UTC)
:Ok, I can't go on any longer tongiht. I gotta get some sleep. I'll be back at it tommorow. The following are notes on my progress, and are more for my personal use: I have isolated the problem to a rounding/fraction issue, however the actual problem isn't located in the [[Template:Rnd]] series. WP has close to 2000 subpages for the [[Template:Convert]] series. I'm going to try to knock out as many of the actual units of measurement conversions so I can find which function templates I missed in the series.
::One other note, I only wanted to make some key conversions, however I can see now that I will have to make every unit right from the start.[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 14:35, 13 June 2009 (UTC)


== Conversion of units ==
== Speedy deletes ==


Drew, I came to the conclusion quite a while ago that it was more difficult to import WP templates for conversion than just doing the conversions myself. I suggest that you look at these CZ articles I wrote: [[U.S. customary units]] and [[Fahrenheit and Rankine temperatures]]. For metric units, see [[SI]].
Hi Drew,
The U.S. and Belize are the only countries that have not converted to the metric system of units. In fact, there are many high school students in other countries who have never heard of the inch, the foot, Fahrenheit temperatures, etc. [[User:Milton Beychok|Milton Beychok]] 17:57, 13 June 2009 (UTC)
:I'm not too worried about the difficulty in importing it. I'm already at least halfway done, and I really don't mind doing it.


:Im not too sure what the usage of one unit over the other really has to do with it. The U.S. and Belize may be the only ones, but make up a signifcant portion of our readers (US in particular), while the only (native) english speakers who use metric would be England and some other smaller countries. I think having both units would be particularly useful.
Please go back to all your new speedy delete requests and put both a reason in and your name -- otherwise I'm not certain whether to delete them or not.  Thanks! [[User:Hayford Peirce|Hayford Peirce]] 17:20, 26 August 2009 (UTC)


:It may be easier to convert it your self than to import the WP conversion templates, but conversions are a repeating phenomina while importing the templates is a singularity. I really dont mind taking on this enormous task when the outcome creates a much easeir to use CZ. I'm also importing all the documentations and instructions on how to use it, so it's not like it won't be used.
:Oh sorry. I was trying to help figure out the problem with the speedy delete template, but I gave up because it was beyond me. I'll go mark the ones I created. [[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 21:05, 26 August 2009 (UTC)


:Cheers! [[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 02:03, 14 June 2009 (UTC)
== Would you please take over as Administrator of the "New Draft of the Week" and the "Article of the Week"? ==


--
Hi, Drew. I've been doing the transclusion of articles and the weekly change over for some months now ... and I'm looking for someone to take over. Would you please do so? I would appreciate it very much.  
Answered your message on my talk page. [[User:Caesar Schinas|Caesar Schinas]] 08:11, 14 June 2009 (UTC)


::Please be cautious about inserting conversion templates when, variously, a reference is deliberately approximate, such as "roughly 100 Feet by 100 Feet", or where there may be specialized customary usage, as in many nautical movements. When I "roughly", it was my intention not to go to multiple significant figures. A conversion with two decimal places, "(30.48 metres by 30.48 metres)" simply doesn't fit the situation. 
All you have to do is add your name as an Adminstrator. I would be happy to help if you run into any problems and Daniel Mietchen will also help you if asked. [[User:Milton Beychok|Milton Beychok]] 04:50, 27 August 2009 (UTC)


::From sad experience at The Other Place &mdash; and I know you haven't done this here &mdash; there are places where a customary unit is used in a treaty language (e.g., 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone), or in a nautical unit such as a nautical mile or a deadweight ton, which has additional constraints that are not expressed in a conversion. A nautical mile maps literally to angular measurement. [[User:Howard C. Berkowitz|Howard C. Berkowitz]] 08:05, 15 June 2009 (UTC)
:I ''could'' do it. And I really wouldn't mind either. The only thing is, I don't think I'd be able to do the changeover at the same time you've been doing it because of my work schedule. If thats not a problem, and as long as I can get some help I'll give it a go. [[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 09:37, 27 August 2009 (UTC)
:::All your nautical speak is leaving me horribly lost! However I can change it to show no decimals if that is what is needed. The way it was showing up was a big expression error, so even if the context wasn't quite right I think it still looks better than before.[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 08:10, 15 June 2009 (UTC)


::::Just be cautious when inserting conversion templates into military or nautical text. There may be specific reasons not to convert. A gun caliber may not be just a measurement, but a name. For example, there are articles on various types of 5 inch guns. These are not 127mm guns. In like manner, a 152mm howitzer is not spoken of as a 6 inch. [[User:Howard C. Berkowitz|Howard C. Berkowitz]] 08:24, 15 June 2009 (UTC)
::I see no problem with doing the weekly change at some other time or even some other day. The steps involved include:


::::In like manner, when the text speaks of "approximately" or "generally", and no decimals are used, do not add decimals.
::*When someone makes a new nomination for AOTW, check that it is either an approved or a status 1 article. For new NDOTW nominations, check the date of creation.


::*For new nominations of either AOTW or NDOTW, do the transclusion so that the article appears in the transcluded section as it would appear on the CZ Welcome page when and if it is a winner. Daniel Meitchen's instructions for that are [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Template:Featured_Article_Candidate here]. One addition to his instruction is that references should not be included in the transcluded part of the article. Eliminate them by enclosing them between two <nowiki><noinclude>s</nowiki>.


Obviously not for the guns. That would just be silly. I've only been going through and replacing {{tl|convert}} with a template that works. As for the specific instance where the measurement was an aproximation, I will remove the decimals. For future reference, for you or anyone else that reads this, to remove the decimals simply change "precision=x" to "precision=0".[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 08:31, 15 June 2009 (UTC)
::*After making the weekly change, go back to past week's winners and remove the transclusion tags.
:I have fixed the problem[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 08:44, 15 June 2009 (UTC)


== Ombox ==
::*The messiest part is that after adding the transclusion tags on the Edit page of a nominated article, the article must be saved before you can see it on the AOTW or NDOTW page to see whether it is too long or too short. If it is, then you have to go back to the article's Edit page, change where the final transclusion tag is placed and check the length again on the AOTW and NDOTW page. I try to make the article fit into no more than the height of my 19-inch monitor.


Hi Drew,<br />
::Thats about it. The only problem right now is that there are no new nominees for either the AOTW or the NDOTW. Thanks for your cooperation. [[User:Milton Beychok|Milton Beychok]] 13:14, 27 August 2009 (UTC)
I see you imported the WP Ombox template. Unless you object, I am going to move it to [[Template:Message box]] - at CZ we try ''not'' to use cryptic names.<br />
I have actually been standardising the message boxes across CZ templates, with the aim of eventually introducing a template for them, so I hope Ombox is compativle with what I've been doing - I'd been going to start from scratch, and I'd still rather do so.<br />
Also, you should check that all the documentation is applicable to CZ before importingit - the "We are deploying!" section is a case in point... :-p<br />
[[User:Caesar Schinas|Caesar Schinas]] 09:00, 15 June 2009 (UTC)


:Eek. Actually Ombox was supposed to be used for the intricate template. It also has a parameter for an image. It probably won't be compatible, at least not without significant changes. Of course, "significant" is misleading, as there really isn't a whole lot of code behind it. If you want the message boxes to be standard, and without icons, I would just speedy the thing and start from scratch. If you do decide to adapt it to your needs, most of the code is actuall at {{tl|ombox/core}}. As for the name change, I couldn't care either way. Usually cryptic names aren't an attempt to disuise the contents, but rather a byproduct of having a lot of similar templates. For instance, wp has ombox, mbox, and several other box templates that all do pretty much the same thing, except in different namespaces. Since we want message boxes to be the same across all of CZ, "ombox" ''should'' be changed to something a little easier to identify.[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 09:11, 15 June 2009 (UTC)
:::Ok, count me in. I'll probably end up doing the change later than you did it, but it will still be thursday. Well, due to time differences, it would still be wednesday for me, but then again, its always been changed on wednesday for me. Of course, with my late scheduling at work, I could probably just wait one more hour and call it Thursday 12:00am Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time... [[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 13:25, 27 August 2009 (UTC)


::Alright; I might just speedydelete it and start from scratch, as you say.
::::Also, on the rare occasion that I'm scheduled to work in the morning instead of at night on the day of the change over, could I ask you to do it instead? [[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 13:27, 27 August 2009 (UTC)
::I do understand the reasons for the cryptic names at WP - they just have too many templates. But here we try to have less. I might just call it [[Template:Box]], and then we can have a parameter which makes it a notice box or a warning box or whatever if we want. [[User:Caesar Schinas|Caesar Schinas]] 09:21, 15 June 2009 (UTC)


== Speedydeleting Convert templates ==
:::::Sure. [[User:Milton Beychok|Milton Beychok]] 13:47, 27 August 2009 (UTC)


Don't bother putting speedydelete on all those; if you can confirm that everything in [[:Category:Subtemplates_of_Template_Convert]] wants deleting I'll just do it all at once with a bot. [[User:Caesar Schinas|Caesar Schinas]] 10:58, 15 June 2009 (UTC)
== I responded to your post on my Talk page about my Image Gallery 3 ==
:Yeah, Everything there needs deleting. Same with Rnd and Scinote. Once your bot kills the bulk, I'll go get any stragglers (templates not covered by a category) and speedydelete.[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 11:00, 15 June 2009 (UTC)
::Alright; I'll go ahead. [[User:Caesar Schinas|Caesar Schinas]] 11:00, 15 June 2009 (UTC)
:::Sorry about all the trouble.[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 11:11, 15 June 2009 (UTC)
::::Okay. I think I've done all I can with the bot; speedy anything I've left. [[User:Caesar Schinas|Caesar Schinas]] 11:19, 15 June 2009 (UTC)
:::::Theres still [[:Category:Subtemplates of Template Rnd]] and [[:Category:Subtemplates of Template Scinote]]. I've been looking through my contribs, and I think everything else would be pretty easy to speedy.[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 11:22, 15 June 2009 (UTC)
::::::Right; I've done the first. The second doesn't exist... [[User:Caesar Schinas|Caesar Schinas]] 11:26, 15 June 2009 (UTC)
:::::::Sorry, [[:Category:Subtemplates of template scinote]]. What a difference a capitalization makes.[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 11:29, 15 June 2009 (UTC)
::::::::Done that and a few others I found. Going offline now, but will be back in  a couple of hours. [[User:Caesar Schinas|Caesar Schinas]] 11:33, 15 June 2009 (UTC)
:::::::::Ok. Again, sorry for the trouble. And thats a pretty neat little toy (your bot). I'm not even going to ask how to get one, because I already know the answer. "You'll put someones eye out!"[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 11:35, 15 June 2009 (UTC)


== Template:Convert/doc ==
Hi, Drew ... just want to let you know that I responded to your post on my Talk page about my Image Gallery 3. Regards, [[User:Milton Beychok|Milton Beychok]] 05:13, 31 August 2009 (UTC)


I've copied the old contents of [[Template:Convert/doc]] to your userspace at [[User:Drew R. Smith/Template:Convert/doc]] in case you find it useful when creating the new documentation. [[User:Caesar Schinas|Caesar Schinas]] 13:29, 15 June 2009 (UTC)
:Thanks for verifying those images I uploaded. I don't know how much work would be entailed, but it would be very nice if all uploaded images had a link to the original permissions pages (for those that required permission to be furnished by the uploader) ... so that anyone could verify the permission, if needed. [[User:Milton Beychok|Milton Beychok]] 01:38, 1 September 2009 (UTC)
:Definitly. I was actually going to use it. I didn't think you were going to delete the old one though, so I was just going to edit it directly. But your way works just as well. Good night.[[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 13:33, 15 June 2009 (UTC)
 
== Charter drafting candidacy ==
 
Hi Drew,
 
Thanks for accepting your nomination to be a candidate for election to the drafting committee for the Citizendium charter.
 
If you'd like, there is a provision in the plan that provides a place for you to compose a position statement.  You are not required to do this in order to be a candidate for election to the committee, but it would be helpful to others during the voting period.  Even if you don't compose a statement before the election period concludes, should you be elected it might be helpful for other members of the committee to know what you feel are the most important issues to address with the draft.  You can find a red link to the page where you can write your statement [[CZ:Charter_drafting_committee/Position_statements|here]], along with instructions for doing so.
 
If you have any questions, just let me know. --[[User:Joe Quick|Joe Quick]] 15:26, 17 September 2009 (UTC)
 
== Chem infobox ==
Drew, could you please revert Template:Chem infobox back to its original, rather than pointing to your new version which I do not like.  I am pretty much single handedly populating the drug and chemical pages with images etc.  I don't remember exactly what our old version looked like that I worked out with several people more than a year ago.
Thanks,
[[User:David E. Volk|David E. Volk]] 13:48, 19 September 2009 (UTC)
 
:Done, though it looks pretty much the same. My intent was to convert the original Chem Infobox to use the Infobox template. I tried to keep it as close to the original as possible. [[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 07:51, 20 September 2009 (UTC)
 
== This looks right up your alley! ==
 
Drew, take a look at the [[CZ Talk:Bot policy]].  Can you fix my attempt at a template with a table [[CZ:Bot status]].  I need you! [[User:D. Matt Innis|D. Matt Innis]] 18:58, 1 October 2009 (UTC)
 
:I've followed up on my talk page!  Thanks in advance.. [[User:D. Matt Innis|D. Matt Innis]] 02:13, 2 October 2009 (UTC)
::Again on my talk, and no problem with leaving a message on your talk - I'm the same way.  [[User:D. Matt Innis|D. Matt Innis]] 03:10, 2 October 2009 (UTC)
 
See my talk! [[User:D. Matt Innis|D. Matt Innis]] 15:09, 11 October 2009 (UTC)
 
:Your changes looked good.  I also changed the text in the columns to make the row shorter.  You might want to take a look to make sure that I haven't messed it up :)  I'm satisfied at this point with the size, I think.  How about you?  Now all we have to do is figure out the process for getting a bot approved and documenting the process through approval!  [[User:D. Matt Innis|D. Matt Innis]] 12:21, 13 October 2009 (UTC)
 
== Images without copyright info ==
Drew, you need to fill in the copyright information for all of those images you are uploading, otherwise the image gods
will simply delete them. [[User:David E. Volk|David E. Volk]] 14:15, 3 October 2009 (UTC)
:Very true. I already uploaded the images as .png's, but decided I'd rather use .gif's. I forgot that uploading a file with a different filetype isn't the same as uploading a new version of the same file. [[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 22:52, 5 October 2009 (UTC)
 
== The Forgotten Soldier Image ==
 
Hi Drew,
 
Thanks for taking my request under consideration. I've been leaning towards the most [http://i43.tower.com/images/mm107257863/forgotten-soldier-guy-sajer-paperback-cover-art.jpg recent publishing] but I've also come across the [http://openlibrary.org/b/OL12459173M/Le_soldat_oublié original French version]. Not sure which one to use, what's your take? Can both be used in the article to signify the original publishing and perhaps even the first English publishing? --[[User:Mehar Gill|Mehar Gill]] 23:23, 5 October 2009 (UTC)
 
:Before you get too far along with various image projects, make sure that you would have the right to insert one or more images. Try checking with [[User:Stephen Ewen]] about particular images -- if you're lucky, he may find time to get back to you -- he is/was our resident expert on the subject. [[User:Hayford Peirce|Hayford Peirce]] 23:56, 5 October 2009 (UTC)
 
::@ Mehar Gill - From what I'm seeing on the publisher's website, they seem very amenable to giving permission to use images upon request. If we go that route, asking for permission, we could specifically request both versions and if permission is granted, we could use both versions. If we decide to use fair use rationale you would probably have to pick one or the other.
 
::@ Hayford Peirce - I agree, Stephen is/was quite knowledgeable in the subject. Unfortunately he is quite inactive these days, and I'm trying to pick up where he left off. [[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 00:10, 6 October 2009 (UTC)
 
:::Hi Hayford, good idea, if Stephen isn't very active anymore is there anyone else who can help us?
 
:::Drew: Which one would be preferable according to Citizendium policy? Perhaps I am mixing my wiki's up, but are originals not preferred? --[[User:Mehar Gill|Mehar Gill]] 00:18, 6 October 2009 (UTC)
 
::::As far as I know, it's entirely up to user preference. By law, both are an accurate representation of the book. Both are usable under fair use. Personally I like the newer one better, but only due to aesthetic preferences. Again though, if you want both, and not small blurry ones, I can write an e-mail to the publisher. You can even upload and use them both in the meantime, with a note attached saying that permission has been requested. I can walk you through that or even do it for you if you want. [[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 00:24, 6 October 2009 (UTC)
 
:::::I guess we can go with the newer one, can you upload it? I'm familiar with using the "upload form" but asking the publisher for request is something I need to pick up on. --[[User:Mehar Gill|Mehar Gill]] 00:38, 6 October 2009 (UTC)
 
::::::Will upload in a few moments. Just to clarify, did you want to use fair use, or do you want me to ask for permission to use it? [[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 00:47, 6 October 2009 (UTC)
 
:::::::The fair use ones should get the job done, unless you think the larger ones will do better in the long run for research purposes? --[[User:Mehar Gill|Mehar Gill]] 00:51, 6 October 2009 (UTC)
 
::::::::Done. Click the image to go to its page, and edit the page to correct the info. Particularly the creator field. I said the creator was Guy Sajer, but I'm fairly sure he didn't write the book and make the art for the cover. If you have a copy of the book, it should mention the artists name somewhere. [[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 00:59, 6 October 2009 (UTC)
[[Image:Forgotten Soldier.jpg]]
 
::::::::Thanks Drew! I have the book on hand and will fill out the appropriate information, Guy Sajer did write the book but it was translated by Harper & Row Publishers according to the index. It seems to be giving Sajer credit so I guess I will leave it as is? --[[User:Mehar Gill|Mehar Gill]] 01:09, 6 October 2009 (UTC)
 
<--Undent
For the article, I honestly don't know. Original publisher, most recent publisher, and the publisher that translated it would all be pertinent, and if Guy Sajer is the original author, he should get the credit.
 
In the context of the image file, the artist/photographer should be the one listed under creator/author/whatever the template calls it. [[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 01:13, 6 October 2009 (UTC)
 
No problem, using the information available I've sourced them the best I could. If the movie deal is anything to go by, I assume Sajer still owns the rights to his work hence he should be sourced? I will add the publishers just in case. --[[User:Mehar Gill|Mehar Gill]] 01:32, 6 October 2009 (UTC)
 
== Fair use ==
 
Before you get too excited over the "fair use" doctrine, I suggest that one or both of you start a completely new thread in the Forum about this.  My own impression, from when I joined CZ in May of 2007 and Stephen Ewen was still *very* active, is that CZ had more or less decided that "fair use" was NOT a good enough justification to put in images.  In other words, we could only use images that were *clearly* public domain OR had specific permission from the person who had the rights. For instance, check out the picture at the very top of the [[Waldo Peirce]] article: my cousin, a professional photographer, took the picture, and, deep within the CZ workings, you will find an email where he specifically gives us the right to use it.  But maybe other people in the Forum will give you other advice.  Try it.... But, in the meantime, don't jump into anything because of "fair use"! [[User:Hayford Peirce|Hayford Peirce]] 01:28, 6 October 2009 (UTC)
:My apologies. I was under the impression that fair use was allowed but discouraged. I'll start a thread on the forum, and make the necessary changes once a consensus is reached. [[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 01:50, 6 October 2009 (UTC)
::It might well be permitted, but it is certainly discouraged. I wish with all my heart that this issue had been *clearly* resolved two years ago but it never was.... (I have tons of images I would like to insert) [[User:Hayford Peirce|Hayford Peirce]] 02:11, 6 October 2009 (UTC)
 
== Drew, AOTW and NDOTW haven't been changed in quite some time ==
 
Hi, Drew .. what happened? [[User:Milton Beychok|Milton Beychok]] 05:47, 11 October 2009 (UTC)
:My apologies, I've been extremely busy lately. I'm working two jobs, and haven't had much time online. [[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 05:35, 13 October 2009 (UTC)
 
== Can {{tl|Gallery}} be fixed? ==
 
Drew: Take a look at [[Conventional coal-fired power plant/Gallery]] and note:
 
* Too much white space between bottom of photo's and the credit line
* The amount of white space between the credit line and the captions varies from photo to photo.
* The size of the frame also varies from photo to photo.
 
Can anything be done to get rid of excess white space and to make the frames uniform in size? [[User:Milton Beychok|Milton Beychok]] 20:32, 16 October 2009 (UTC)
 
:Honestly I don't know. I've never paid much attention to the gallery template, so I don't really know how it works. After the weekend I can take some time to learn how it works and possibly figure out a fix then. [[User:Drew R. Smith|Drew R. Smith]] 03:28, 17 October 2009 (UTC)
 
== How cute is that baby boy?! ==
 
Hi Drew!  Just a ‘heads up’that the [[CZ:Monthly Write-a-Thon|February party]] is all set to go!  For this month’s WaT, The Play’s the Thing!  A play on [[stage]], a play at a [[ball game]], a [[play on words]] heck, whatever flips yer switch!  Come on over and join [[The Usual Suspects]] for a rip-roaring good time!  [[User:Aleta Curry|Aleta Curry]] 04:04, 2 February 2010 (UTC)

Latest revision as of 23:04, 1 February 2010


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My archives are done by topic, not date. General - Template - Manuel of Style - Hawaii









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a question for you

First, what prompted the question: The Mauna Kea article calls the big island and the state it's in "Hawaiʻi". This strikes me as not quite right, but I wanted to ask you before I make changes. It makes sense to me that the island's named would be written using glottal stops because it is named in the Hawaiian language. I don't know about the name of the state, though, because the webpage for the state government uses a glottal stop for the County of Hawai'i but not for it's own name (scan this page, for example). Neither does the state constitution itself use glottal stops to refer to the state, although the title that appears at the top of a web browser for the online version of the constitution does use it. --Joe Quick 14:15, 20 August 2009 (UTC)

This branch of the government uses both side by side! Look at the text curved around the state seal at the top of the page and then at the seal itself. --Joe Quick 14:22, 20 August 2009 (UTC)
The use of glottal stops today is tricky business. The U.S. Government doesn't recognize the glottal stop as a real letter, so when you are talking about the modern "State of Hawaii" in an "official" (i.e. government) way, the glottal stop is usually omitted. The government here in Hawaii does recognize the importance of the glottal stop, so most of their websites and documents do include it.
On the other hand, the constitution was written between the creation of the Hawaiian alphabet and the adoption of the glottal stop, so you won't see it there either. The constitution you're linking is different than the one I was talking about. I thought you meant the original one written by native Hawaiians with the help of the missionaries.
For CZ use, I'd say use glottal stops for everything that needs them except when referring to Hawaii as a united state. Examples, Ancient Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi (island), State of Hawaii, Hawaiʻian Monarchy. I've also heard the monarchy/kingdom reffered to as the "sovereign state of Hawaiʻi", but it's not widely used.
Hope this helps. Drew R. Smith 21:06, 20 August 2009 (UTC)
I thought I had already made the distinction in the article. I usually write the article first and add glottal stops afterwards. Apparently I only did the intro, and did it wrong. It's fixed now. Drew R. Smith 21:13, 20 August 2009 (UTC)

By the way, a question for you. What do you think of the coordinates template at the top of the Mauna Kea article? I got the idea from WP, but ours functions quite differently than theirs, and in my opinion, better. Drew R. Smith 21:22, 20 August 2009 (UTC)

The uses you suggest are exactly what my gut told me but I learned a lot about not listening to your gut from a certain leader who was in office between 2000 and 2008... Thanks for clearing that up.
I like the idea of the coordinates but they seem a little intrusive in that particular spot. Maybe it should go in the infobox.--Joe Quick 21:26, 20 August 2009 (UTC)
Hmmm... I don't know if I can do that... Might be difficult, but I'll try... Can't promise anything, ok? Drew R. Smith 21:45, 20 August 2009 (UTC)
hehe. For all my sarcasm above, it actually was more difficult than I had originally thought. I had to change the article, the infobox, and the template. But I do think it looks better now. Drew R. Smith 22:10, 20 August 2009 (UTC)
That looks really good. I'm going to try to find some time to read the article in more detail soon. --Joe Quick 16:22, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

Speedy delete problem

No, it is not solved. I restored it. You use the r template. That means you transclude the Definition subpage - and this page does not exist! Peter Schmitt 00:48, 26 August 2009 (UTC)

Speedy deletes

Hi Drew,

Please go back to all your new speedy delete requests and put both a reason in and your name -- otherwise I'm not certain whether to delete them or not. Thanks! Hayford Peirce 17:20, 26 August 2009 (UTC)

Oh sorry. I was trying to help figure out the problem with the speedy delete template, but I gave up because it was beyond me. I'll go mark the ones I created. Drew R. Smith 21:05, 26 August 2009 (UTC)

Would you please take over as Administrator of the "New Draft of the Week" and the "Article of the Week"?

Hi, Drew. I've been doing the transclusion of articles and the weekly change over for some months now ... and I'm looking for someone to take over. Would you please do so? I would appreciate it very much.

All you have to do is add your name as an Adminstrator. I would be happy to help if you run into any problems and Daniel Mietchen will also help you if asked. Milton Beychok 04:50, 27 August 2009 (UTC)

I could do it. And I really wouldn't mind either. The only thing is, I don't think I'd be able to do the changeover at the same time you've been doing it because of my work schedule. If thats not a problem, and as long as I can get some help I'll give it a go. Drew R. Smith 09:37, 27 August 2009 (UTC)
I see no problem with doing the weekly change at some other time or even some other day. The steps involved include:
  • When someone makes a new nomination for AOTW, check that it is either an approved or a status 1 article. For new NDOTW nominations, check the date of creation.
  • For new nominations of either AOTW or NDOTW, do the transclusion so that the article appears in the transcluded section as it would appear on the CZ Welcome page when and if it is a winner. Daniel Meitchen's instructions for that are here. One addition to his instruction is that references should not be included in the transcluded part of the article. Eliminate them by enclosing them between two <noinclude>s.
  • After making the weekly change, go back to past week's winners and remove the transclusion tags.
  • The messiest part is that after adding the transclusion tags on the Edit page of a nominated article, the article must be saved before you can see it on the AOTW or NDOTW page to see whether it is too long or too short. If it is, then you have to go back to the article's Edit page, change where the final transclusion tag is placed and check the length again on the AOTW and NDOTW page. I try to make the article fit into no more than the height of my 19-inch monitor.
Thats about it. The only problem right now is that there are no new nominees for either the AOTW or the NDOTW. Thanks for your cooperation. Milton Beychok 13:14, 27 August 2009 (UTC)
Ok, count me in. I'll probably end up doing the change later than you did it, but it will still be thursday. Well, due to time differences, it would still be wednesday for me, but then again, its always been changed on wednesday for me. Of course, with my late scheduling at work, I could probably just wait one more hour and call it Thursday 12:00am Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time... Drew R. Smith 13:25, 27 August 2009 (UTC)
Also, on the rare occasion that I'm scheduled to work in the morning instead of at night on the day of the change over, could I ask you to do it instead? Drew R. Smith 13:27, 27 August 2009 (UTC)
Sure. Milton Beychok 13:47, 27 August 2009 (UTC)

I responded to your post on my Talk page about my Image Gallery 3

Hi, Drew ... just want to let you know that I responded to your post on my Talk page about my Image Gallery 3. Regards, Milton Beychok 05:13, 31 August 2009 (UTC)

Thanks for verifying those images I uploaded. I don't know how much work would be entailed, but it would be very nice if all uploaded images had a link to the original permissions pages (for those that required permission to be furnished by the uploader) ... so that anyone could verify the permission, if needed. Milton Beychok 01:38, 1 September 2009 (UTC)

Charter drafting candidacy

Hi Drew,

Thanks for accepting your nomination to be a candidate for election to the drafting committee for the Citizendium charter.

If you'd like, there is a provision in the plan that provides a place for you to compose a position statement. You are not required to do this in order to be a candidate for election to the committee, but it would be helpful to others during the voting period. Even if you don't compose a statement before the election period concludes, should you be elected it might be helpful for other members of the committee to know what you feel are the most important issues to address with the draft. You can find a red link to the page where you can write your statement here, along with instructions for doing so.

If you have any questions, just let me know. --Joe Quick 15:26, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

Chem infobox

Drew, could you please revert Template:Chem infobox back to its original, rather than pointing to your new version which I do not like. I am pretty much single handedly populating the drug and chemical pages with images etc. I don't remember exactly what our old version looked like that I worked out with several people more than a year ago. Thanks, David E. Volk 13:48, 19 September 2009 (UTC)

Done, though it looks pretty much the same. My intent was to convert the original Chem Infobox to use the Infobox template. I tried to keep it as close to the original as possible. Drew R. Smith 07:51, 20 September 2009 (UTC)

This looks right up your alley!

Drew, take a look at the CZ Talk:Bot policy. Can you fix my attempt at a template with a table CZ:Bot status. I need you! D. Matt Innis 18:58, 1 October 2009 (UTC)

I've followed up on my talk page! Thanks in advance.. D. Matt Innis 02:13, 2 October 2009 (UTC)
Again on my talk, and no problem with leaving a message on your talk - I'm the same way. D. Matt Innis 03:10, 2 October 2009 (UTC)

See my talk! D. Matt Innis 15:09, 11 October 2009 (UTC)

Your changes looked good. I also changed the text in the columns to make the row shorter. You might want to take a look to make sure that I haven't messed it up :) I'm satisfied at this point with the size, I think. How about you? Now all we have to do is figure out the process for getting a bot approved and documenting the process through approval! D. Matt Innis 12:21, 13 October 2009 (UTC)

Images without copyright info

Drew, you need to fill in the copyright information for all of those images you are uploading, otherwise the image gods will simply delete them. David E. Volk 14:15, 3 October 2009 (UTC)

Very true. I already uploaded the images as .png's, but decided I'd rather use .gif's. I forgot that uploading a file with a different filetype isn't the same as uploading a new version of the same file. Drew R. Smith 22:52, 5 October 2009 (UTC)

The Forgotten Soldier Image

Hi Drew,

Thanks for taking my request under consideration. I've been leaning towards the most recent publishing but I've also come across the original French version. Not sure which one to use, what's your take? Can both be used in the article to signify the original publishing and perhaps even the first English publishing? --Mehar Gill 23:23, 5 October 2009 (UTC)

Before you get too far along with various image projects, make sure that you would have the right to insert one or more images. Try checking with User:Stephen Ewen about particular images -- if you're lucky, he may find time to get back to you -- he is/was our resident expert on the subject. Hayford Peirce 23:56, 5 October 2009 (UTC)
@ Mehar Gill - From what I'm seeing on the publisher's website, they seem very amenable to giving permission to use images upon request. If we go that route, asking for permission, we could specifically request both versions and if permission is granted, we could use both versions. If we decide to use fair use rationale you would probably have to pick one or the other.
@ Hayford Peirce - I agree, Stephen is/was quite knowledgeable in the subject. Unfortunately he is quite inactive these days, and I'm trying to pick up where he left off. Drew R. Smith 00:10, 6 October 2009 (UTC)
Hi Hayford, good idea, if Stephen isn't very active anymore is there anyone else who can help us?
Drew: Which one would be preferable according to Citizendium policy? Perhaps I am mixing my wiki's up, but are originals not preferred? --Mehar Gill 00:18, 6 October 2009 (UTC)
As far as I know, it's entirely up to user preference. By law, both are an accurate representation of the book. Both are usable under fair use. Personally I like the newer one better, but only due to aesthetic preferences. Again though, if you want both, and not small blurry ones, I can write an e-mail to the publisher. You can even upload and use them both in the meantime, with a note attached saying that permission has been requested. I can walk you through that or even do it for you if you want. Drew R. Smith 00:24, 6 October 2009 (UTC)
I guess we can go with the newer one, can you upload it? I'm familiar with using the "upload form" but asking the publisher for request is something I need to pick up on. --Mehar Gill 00:38, 6 October 2009 (UTC)
Will upload in a few moments. Just to clarify, did you want to use fair use, or do you want me to ask for permission to use it? Drew R. Smith 00:47, 6 October 2009 (UTC)
The fair use ones should get the job done, unless you think the larger ones will do better in the long run for research purposes? --Mehar Gill 00:51, 6 October 2009 (UTC)
Done. Click the image to go to its page, and edit the page to correct the info. Particularly the creator field. I said the creator was Guy Sajer, but I'm fairly sure he didn't write the book and make the art for the cover. If you have a copy of the book, it should mention the artists name somewhere. Drew R. Smith 00:59, 6 October 2009 (UTC)

Forgotten Soldier.jpg

Thanks Drew! I have the book on hand and will fill out the appropriate information, Guy Sajer did write the book but it was translated by Harper & Row Publishers according to the index. It seems to be giving Sajer credit so I guess I will leave it as is? --Mehar Gill 01:09, 6 October 2009 (UTC)

<--Undent For the article, I honestly don't know. Original publisher, most recent publisher, and the publisher that translated it would all be pertinent, and if Guy Sajer is the original author, he should get the credit.

In the context of the image file, the artist/photographer should be the one listed under creator/author/whatever the template calls it. Drew R. Smith 01:13, 6 October 2009 (UTC)

No problem, using the information available I've sourced them the best I could. If the movie deal is anything to go by, I assume Sajer still owns the rights to his work hence he should be sourced? I will add the publishers just in case. --Mehar Gill 01:32, 6 October 2009 (UTC)

Fair use

Before you get too excited over the "fair use" doctrine, I suggest that one or both of you start a completely new thread in the Forum about this. My own impression, from when I joined CZ in May of 2007 and Stephen Ewen was still *very* active, is that CZ had more or less decided that "fair use" was NOT a good enough justification to put in images. In other words, we could only use images that were *clearly* public domain OR had specific permission from the person who had the rights. For instance, check out the picture at the very top of the Waldo Peirce article: my cousin, a professional photographer, took the picture, and, deep within the CZ workings, you will find an email where he specifically gives us the right to use it. But maybe other people in the Forum will give you other advice. Try it.... But, in the meantime, don't jump into anything because of "fair use"! Hayford Peirce 01:28, 6 October 2009 (UTC)

My apologies. I was under the impression that fair use was allowed but discouraged. I'll start a thread on the forum, and make the necessary changes once a consensus is reached. Drew R. Smith 01:50, 6 October 2009 (UTC)
It might well be permitted, but it is certainly discouraged. I wish with all my heart that this issue had been *clearly* resolved two years ago but it never was.... (I have tons of images I would like to insert) Hayford Peirce 02:11, 6 October 2009 (UTC)

Drew, AOTW and NDOTW haven't been changed in quite some time

Hi, Drew .. what happened? Milton Beychok 05:47, 11 October 2009 (UTC)

My apologies, I've been extremely busy lately. I'm working two jobs, and haven't had much time online. Drew R. Smith 05:35, 13 October 2009 (UTC)

Can {{Gallery}} be fixed?

Drew: Take a look at Conventional coal-fired power plant/Gallery and note:

  • Too much white space between bottom of photo's and the credit line
  • The amount of white space between the credit line and the captions varies from photo to photo.
  • The size of the frame also varies from photo to photo.

Can anything be done to get rid of excess white space and to make the frames uniform in size? Milton Beychok 20:32, 16 October 2009 (UTC)

Honestly I don't know. I've never paid much attention to the gallery template, so I don't really know how it works. After the weekend I can take some time to learn how it works and possibly figure out a fix then. Drew R. Smith 03:28, 17 October 2009 (UTC)

How cute is that baby boy?!

Hi Drew! Just a ‘heads up’that the February party is all set to go! For this month’s WaT, The Play’s the Thing! A play on stage, a play at a ball game, a play on words heck, whatever flips yer switch! Come on over and join The Usual Suspects for a rip-roaring good time! Aleta Curry 04:04, 2 February 2010 (UTC)