This is a truly sad day. Rick, please reconsider. You know where to reach me. Your friend, Lucky 6.9 04:37, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

There is no reason to continue here, you say. Well, there's always the hope of creating a worthwhile encyclopedia. It's horribly difficult, and there'll always be a great number of trolls, braggarts, loudmouth ignoramuses and morons. Yes, an awful lot of time is spent on whack-a-mole. Moreover, normally OK people do sometimes misread the intentions and actions of other normally OK people, leading to even more exhausting arguments. But somehow WP manages to have an increasing number of articles that have a better ratio of (good) signal to noise than do the non-WP alternatives -- thanks to you and people like you. So take a break, and then welcome back whenever you feel like it. -- Hoary 04:57, 2005 Jun 21 (UTC)

Rick, please reconsider. I'll buy you a beer the next time I'm in the Bay Area if you do. Hell, I may buy you a beer just on general principle.

And if you need back-up, let me know -- I really don't have time these days to do serious editing/writing, but helping out like that doesn't take up a great deal of time. --Calton | Talk 04:59, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

I know we've never spoken or worked together, but I always see you doing great patrolling and reverting work. Wiki needs you, please come back :-( Craigy File:Uk flag large.png (talk) 05:03, Jun 21, 2005 (UTC)

You've been a help to me. Illegitimus non carborundum! Fire Star 05:04, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Goodbye, Rick. I hope you'll find use for your immense passion and dedication elsewhere.--Eloquence* 06:29, Jun 21, 2005 (UTC)

I am so sorry this has happened, RickK. You're a good guy. You were the very first tireless RC patroler I ever saw in action when I first joined, my first impression of you is no different than it is today: you are a defender of knowledge against the barbarian hordes who would see it all destroyed. Please come back, when you are ready. func(talk) 06:38, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Goodbye RickK. I have not always agreed with you, but you have always acted for what you think is good for Wikipedia. One of the fundamental rights is the right to leave and so is the right to return. There is still a place for you in Wikipedia if you want it. Should you choose not to, then I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. Sjakkalle (Check!) 07:05, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Rick, I too am very sorry to see you go. Your work here has made Wikipedia a far better place, even if you don't return. I hope (although it is unlikely) that my recent comments on WP:AN played no part in your decision. As I explained on the talk page, I unprotected the article so that another administrator could protect it, to avoid any appearance of administrative power abuse. Another administrator then protected it which was my desired action. I hope you do return, perhaps after taking a nice Wikivacation. If you do, I think you'll find that you don't have to fight your battles alone; others will be there to support you if you let them. — Knowledge Seeker দ 07:23, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Just to echo what everyone else has said above, you'll be missed and I hope you can return soon from your Wikibreak. jni 08:00, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

I'm really sorry to see you leave like that. Please come back soon, we need people like you to stand fast against the hordes of trolls and the like. Radiant_>|< 08:22, Jun 21, 2005 (UTC)

I too hope that this will turn out a wikibreak, Rick, you do leave a gap in the phalanx. I do not think the system is flawed fatally, but it is cruel. Wikipedia prevails while users are burnt out, heroic ones and barbarian ones alike. dab (ᛏ) 08:25, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

It would sad to see one of my favorite administrators go. Please reconsider. If you're still determined to go, go with my best wishes for the future. --Tony Sidaway|Talk 11:07, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

• Wikipedia needs you. I'm serious. Don't give up. Andrew Lenahan - Starblind 11:59, Jun 21, 2005 (UTC)

You were an inspiration for me to join wikipedia. A negative one perhaps:

"Messages by anonymous people will be deleted on sight"

Ahuh, well, I'd show you!

I see you changed the message later though, that was much friendlier. I think you matured a lot in the time you were here.

You're one of The Last Of The WikiWarriors. It's been nice having you here! :-) Kim Bruning 12:54, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Heya RickK, you don't know me, and until I saw this page, I didn't know anything about you. I'm kind of distressed that you feel the way you do, though, because I'm sure that the majority of Wikipedia users are, like me, in quiet awe of the fact that Wikipedia continues to exist and thrive in the face of constant pressure from every angle. Between bias, deceit, vandalism and simple carelessness, most of us would have expected Wikipedia to fall over long ago. The fact that it doesn't is an impenetrable mystery to most of us, even those of us who contribute here and there. Good luck no matter what you do, and take care! Harmil 13:18, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Please forgive me, RickK. I will leave you alone from now on. I am the one who should leave wikipedia. 205.217.105.2 13:19, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Wow, I had quite a shock this morning. It's a sad day for Wikipedia when we lose one of our most active and important admins. Best of luck to you, and I join many others in wishing you well and hoping that your WikiRetirement will change into a WikiBreak. --Deathphoenix 13:45, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

I am saddened to see you leave. I never noticed you before as you are too fast of an anti vandal person. I sincerely encourage you to come back. I hope this is a temprorary wiki-vacation. I agree with your analogy though. Vandals, trolls and malactors are given increasing respect and thats something that scares away "good" users. --Cool Cat ^{My Talk} 15:39, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Oh, Rick! Please don't leave. There truly isn't anyone else like you on Wikipedia...and I know I'll miss you, probably for a different reason than others. Please email me and keep in touch, okay? Mike H 16:02, Jun 21, 2005 (UTC)

I'm not sure that we've interacted before - and quite possibly we would hate each other, but it's impossible to be on wikipedia and not come accross your work, or not know about the huge amount of janitorial work you've done. Wikipedia has lost out today. -- Joolz 19:26, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Thanks for not blaming me this time. I agree with you that there are major flaws in the system. Hopefully they're not fatal, though.

I suggest you wait a couple months, then come back with a different username. Like myself you've made a lot of enemies here (though at least you have the administration on your side). But if you use a different username and keep a low profile, people aren't going to bother you, and you can continue actually creating an encyclopedia. anthony 22:28, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Hi Rick, sad to see you leave. I know how those of us who do the behind-the-scenes work here can get burned out by people that don't respect us, but our work is necessary. Thanks for being one of the folks who worked in the trenches of this site for such a long time... your edit count almost made my eyes pop out. We had our occasional clashes, but I knew you were a great fellow from my first day here last fall, and one of the most sensible people around here. I've valued your opinions and respected your work, and I hope I've shown that (if not, I'll try to make up for that on here somehow). Thanks again for all of your great work at this site, and please consider returning when you're ready. --Idont Havaname 00:23, 22 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Ohhhh Nooooo! hydnjo talk 00:30, 22 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Come on back! "Users" like Mr. Cool Cat need opponents! Davenbelle 02:44, Jun 22, 2005 (UTC)

CoolCat also quit, Davebelle. Zscout370 (Sound Off) 04:47, 22 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Mr. Cool Cat has quit for a few days a number of times; see his contributions. — Davenbelle 08:55, Jun 26, 2005 (UTC)

Paraphrasing Burke:

The true danger is when Wikipedia is nibbled away, for frivolity, and by vandals ... the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.

and

Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.

I hope I'll see you reverting my edits someday soon. → ( AllanBz ✎ ) 06:26, 22 Jun 2005 (UTC)

I always thought you were the thickest-skinned of all of us, and admired that. All I can say is: Who's next? It gives me chills just to think about it. For the sake of knowledge, please return in some capacity. --Dmcdevit 08:50, 22 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Indeed a sad day for wikipedia. I hope you reconsider at some point. Your work has anyway been great, and I think it will be even more difficult for the rest of us now you are gone, SqueakBox 02:42, Jun 22, 2005 (UTC)

I agree it's a sad say, and I agree with your comments about the volunteers who try and keep the place from being over-run by entropy not getting enough support - until it's too late (see all the comments above). Noel (talk) 06:35, 22 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Hello, Rick. When are you ever coming back? I am sorry that you are leaving this place for a while since a lot of users kept harrassing you of something. How come you left? -- Mike Garcia | talk 22:43, 22 Jun 2005

RickK, you were one of my inspirations when I embarked on the RC Patrol odyssey, and it's disheartening to see you so frustrated and hopeless. I hope you will reconsider... and if not, vaya con dios, my friend. --FCYTravis 01:11, 23 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Don't go! We need you! - Ta bu shi da yu 04:16, 23 Jun 2005 (UTC)

After all the love u getting here I think you should stay you cant let people get to you ,you have to be BOLD and PERSEVERE buddy.There are all kinds of people in this world, if you are not going to meet them here you gonna face them out there,might as well stay and do whats right.--Sheikhu 06:35, 23 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Rick - After one has been here a while, it becomes easy to let the critics and nay-sayers get you down. I hope the outpouring of support on this talk page goes to show you that your work here is greatly appreciated, and that you are missed. →Raul654 08:12, Jun 23, 2005 (UTC)

Would you be interested in discussions on this (Talk:Military of Pakistan) particular page?--PrinceA 00:09, 25 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Well, Rick, I hope you've at least checked back here since you left the message on your user page. I hope you can see the outpouring of support from all of us who want you back here to fight the good fight again. Trolls, vandals and other idiots are a fact of life, and always will be. We will always need dedicated vandal fighters like you. I truly hope you don't let the idiots get to you for too much longer and come back to the Wikipedia you know you love. (BTW: I'm also in Nor Cal (Santa Cruz area). Why don't I buy you a beer sometime.) sɪzlæk [ +t, +c ] 09:46, Jun 23, 2005 (UTC)

I've not been here too long, but in the time I have I seemed to see your great work everywhere. Please let this only be a break (or better yet, nothing at all). the wub "?/!" 12:52, 23 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Wikipedia will indeed be a poorer place without you, best wishes. CheekyMonkey 21:40, 23 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Just addding my note of support. You are appreciated - as the wiki gets bigger, the trolls get worse. Whenever you come back, we will value your work. JesseW 22:43, 23 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Dude, Rick, your edits and rationality were a brilliant sun of amidst a host of moons and planets. DDerby 06:01, 24 Jun 2005 (UTC)

I'm sorry to hear you are leaving/left. I appreciated the work you done and the help you gave to me and others. Hopefully, after a good rest, you will come back, as your contributions to Wikipedia are helpful. <>Who?¿? 08:05, 24 Jun 2005 (UTC)

I hope it's alright for me to use this section for a fast comment. Sorry if it isn't. Well, RickK, right? I don't really know you, and actually, very few people know me here. All I want to say, since I came across your profile, is that I do understand what you're feeling. You are correct. The system is faulty. If there are many users dedicated into creating a better encyclopedia, there is an equally large number of people that are equally dedicated, only in destroying it. I am not saying that everything is lost, though. I am not saying that you should never come back. It seems like you're loved here, and that's a wonderful thing. Lots of people like you, and that actually makes me feel bad to post something pretty much pessimistic here. However, I just want to let you know I understand how you feel. I've just been through it. Something similar as you, actually. If you are wondering about what exactly brought me here, I won't cite names. You can check my contributions list and maybe see a familiar face starring there. It think that'd be enough to make you understand.

So, I don't know if my comment is making you feel better, worse, indiferent, or who knows. Anyways, hope you're not feeling bad for what keeps going on. Like I said, it's not lost. If there's a lot of bad things, there are a lot of good things. If there are armies of dudes looking for every single way to get away with their stuff and not get caught, there are armies of people determined to set things right, and well. Once, someone said Wikipedia is doomed to hell. Said user even numerated several facts that'll lead to that. I went there and said exactly why that is wrong. If it's wrong or right, maybe nobody really knows. What I want you to know, is that this is a balance. And it's in perfect equilibrium.

Oh, my fast comment ended up being not fast at all. Sorry. =P

See you.--Kaonashi 23:35, 24 Jun 2005 (UTC)

RickK, you are one the most dedicated wikipedians that I have ever known. I learned alot from you and therefore I beg you to reconsider. Wikipedia needs you and more people like you. We can't let the vandals and trolls distroy a project which people like yourself have helped to built. I have witnessed the departure of other great wikipedians from the project and this can't continue. Please stay and let us join forces even if it means requesting a stronger wiki olicy against those who show no respect towards the project. Please come back. Marine 69-71 02:01, 25 Jun 2005 (UTC)

You'll remember having said:

There is a fatal flaw in the system. Vandals, trolls and malefactors are given respect, whereas those who are here to actually create an encyclopedia, and to do meaningful work, are slapped in the face and not given the support needed to do the work they need to do. There is no reason to continue here.

Well, I have often felt the same way, and I too have quit.

Many times! (Even more than Tabushidayu)

And each time I've come back, I've been a better man for the experience of being here and the relief of taking a break.

You're not the lone ranger, and you can't protect this web site all by yourself. You got to learn to get along with the other good people here. Don't think, "I'm good, but that other guy / gal is not." If someone rubs you the wrong way, think about it. Try to see it from their POV.

That's what I do, and I'm not even allowed to quit any more (too many people have my cell phone number :-) so I just have to soldier on.

Think of our ideal, a free encyclopedia to benefit the world. Like Google, trying to organize the world's knowledge (they got that from us, I'll bet).

And when you do come back, be prepared to loosen your belt a coupla notches, because we will be trotting out the Mother Of All fatted calfs for you. -- Uncle Ed (talk) 02:04, Jun 25, 2005 (UTC)

Please seriously re-consider returning in some capacity. JuntungWu 15:20, 25 Jun 2005 (UTC)

We didn't interact much, but I always had the highest respect for your abilities and your ruthless handling of vandalism and trolling. You refused to play politics or get bogged down in the crap around here. Please consider coming back–the project needs you and people like you. Best, Mackensen (talk) 15:31, 25 Jun 2005 (UTC)

I think it's safe to say that you've left behind countless and invaluable improvements to Wikipedia. You should be proud. It's a shame that the culture here is driving great people like you away. I'm one of those contributors who will miss working with you. Take care. — oo64eva (Alex) ^{(U | T | C)} @ June 28, 2005 03:47 (UTC)

I don't want to be offensive, but Elitist and authoritarian admins don't make lack in the Wikipedia. You friction all that do not agree to your POV as simply "trolls". Really I'm admired as some admins are if disclosing elitist in the project, and showing the face after everything. My final comment is you rethink your acts and your concept of community here. --Mateusc 28 June 2005 15:57 (UTC)

Allow me to go on record saying that common sense decisions are not authoritarianism, and awareness of your own qualifications and others' lack of the same is not elitism. DDerby 1 July 2005 13:58 (UTC)

I know that in the wake of these unfortunate events Wikipedia will come out of it for the better. You have made countless improvements to Wikipedia content/culture and I think it very appropriate that your leaving will serve to improve it further in the implementation of an article block/probation policy. Once that measure is adopted I sincerely hope you will return to a hero's welcome. - RoyBoy ⁸⁰⁰ 28 June 2005 15:58 (UTC)

Hi Rick. I am very sad to hear that you want to leave. Please don't. You are one of the best admins here at Wikipedia. Take a Wikiholiday if you want, but please come back! Best wishes, and hope to see you again -- Chris 73 Talk June 29, 2005 13:12 (UTC)

I greatly respected your contributions. Andries 29 June 2005 20:28 (UTC)

I seem to have missed out on all this (although since I currently have no fixed home telephone line, you can't exactly blame me). We didn't know each other well, and I don't recall ever collaborating with you, except once when we were both entangled in that messy Everyking issue, which seems so long ago. Nevertheless, I have been well aware of you, and never too sure whether to love you or to hate you. Your attitude brings to mind a quote from Snowspinner's user page: there's no point in worrying about rules not making sense. Just do what's common sense, and let the rules catch up to you. I'm not going to say you were the epitome of the perfect user, but you did a lot of common sense things, and one thing I noticed was that most people who hated you were crackpot trolls or bad faith editors. Your attitude may have been abrasive, but I think whatever negative effects your personality had on driving away certain editors have been far outweighed by all your positive efforts, both as an admin and editor. It's sad to see you go. Johnleemk | Talk 30 June 2005 15:49 (UTC)

Wikipedia is only as fatally flawed as the human race. I was originally a skeptic, and snorted at the idea of something like wikipedia actually working, a community holding back the hordes of junk info and junk people on the internet with their bare qwerties. I was amazed to find it was</a> actually as productive and safe a place as say, the average human city. It's thanks to people like RickK that it </does> work. The loss of RickK, sad as it is, is almost irrelavent when you consider the number of people he has inspired to continue his work! Having said that, if many more RickKs leave, we're screwed. Not that this particular RickK wasn't special. Aw dammit I'll miss the support on VfD. Halidecyphon 1 July 2005 19:33 (UTC)

We need you

Come back RickK we need you :( A curate's egg 3 July 2005 17:54 (UTC)

Don't leave

Rick, I remember you blocked a anon IP vandal from my userpage. You've done this for several others, and have proven yourself to be an asset to this website. Please reconsider. Horatii 4 July 2005 00:52 (UTC)

bumps on the road

RickK, we've had our conflicts but hey, like I said in our RFA, I think you are a good administrator. There are bigger issues that I know you handle well. So do come back. Don't focus too much on the little bumps on the road. --Jondel 5 July 2005 04:03 (UTC)

Hope you'll be happy

RickK, I really don't understand why such a great person like you would suddenly leave without any good reason. However, if you don't feel comfortable or if you just feel pressured, I hope that you'll be happy out there. Remember, we all miss you. I'm not going to bid you farewell, because I do have some hope that you may come back into our community someday. Hope to see you soon. — Stevey7788 (talk) 8 July 2005 02:30 (UTC)

Thanks

Thank you for the help you gave with Andrew Lin. I'm sorry to see you leave. - Jersyko talk July 8, 2005 03:55 (UTC)

Wow, they broke Rick. Never thought I'd see the day. After he chastised me as an anonymous user for miss-correcting some American spelling, I knew he had the tenacity to stick it out. Sorry to see him go. Wikipedia is lessened by his absence. Drhaggis 8 July 2005 04:09 (UTC)

I feel your anguish...

The addiction to doing what is right by nature, happens to be very strong in some of us. I will miss your contrbutions to order, peace, NPOV and straightlaced consideration for education! TheUnforgiven 8 July 2005 20:03 (UTC)

Thanks and welcome back as well?

I've certainly noticed your contributions during my time on Wikipedia, and I must thank you for your work that you have done here. It's a pity about what drove you to leave, but it's nice to see that you've retained your sense of humour in LickK :) Enochlau 15:03, 10 July 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Increase vandal blocking

In honor of your work, I shall block any vandals for twice as long as I would normally. What's 2 times infinity? --brian0918&#153; 21:02, 13 July 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Please come back, please.

RickK, since you left, your status as my favorite Wikipedian grows every day. On the night that so soon became your last, you stood steadfast against an edit warrior and his tiresome copyvio spamming, despite protestations that 3RR justice ought to be drawn out to all participants, no matter which side they were on or the justness of the cause.

Rick, we miss you. Please come back. sɪzlæk [ +t, +c, +m ] 08:19, July 14, 2005 (UTC)

A Simple Plea

Please return. We need you here. This page proves it. Bratsche^{talk 5 pillars} 02:09, July 16, 2005 (UTC)

1. Support. Hedley 18:41, 19 July 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Los Baños

Rick, next time you're on I-5 can you check to see if the signs say "Los Banos" or "Los Baños" (per my one-sided discussion at Talk:Los Banos, California). Send me an email ([1]) if you just wanna lurk. Thanks. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 22:08, July 19, 2005 (UTC)

Vandal activity down since you left

Rick, it's interesting to note that since you left, vandalism on Wikipedia has gone down. It's clear that you and those like you simply act to frustrate and abuse legitimate users, whose angry responses can be classed as vandalism, giving you an increased sense of self importance. We don't need that, we need more quality editors, not more volunteer vigilantes. Perverted justice 18:07, 20 July 2005 (UTC)[reply]

That's the biggest absurd I've ever heard.--Kaonashi 18:15, 20 July 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Indeed; it is my impression there is considerably more vandalism now. The edits of the sockuppet above would be one small example. Jayjg ^(talk) 18:16, 20 July 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Indeed. I've blocked more in the last day than in the previous 18 months as an admin, which can only be due to the "RickK and Heph gap". Complaining about RickK and Heph is like having an allergy and wishing you didn't have an immune system. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 18:40, July 20, 2005 (UTC)

I find it hard to believe one editor (even one so prolific as RickK) can have much of an effect overall. Do contributors on either side have any (non-anecdotal) evidence that suggests otherwise? Pcb21| Pete 19:16, 20 July 2005 (UTC)[reply]

If memory serves, Angela did a survey a while back (Feb or March of 2004) where she sampled the number of blocks each admin had given. Rickk had almost as many as the next 3 people combined. →Raul654 19:19, July 20, 2005 (UTC)

Isn't it obvious to everyone? RickK created a whole entourage of sockpuppets, then vandalised with them, then blocked them. Just to fulfill his self-aggrandising dreams. He made fools of us all, just to prove that he was brilliant. Don't you hate him? Kill RickK, kill RickK, kill RickK! smoddy 19:37, 20 July 2005 (UTC)[reply]

I can safely say that ever since RickK's departure, I have been faced with reverting five times the vandalism I did prior, which still dosen't come close to his legendary vandal fighting, troll combatting, and trash disposing. El_C 21:56, 20 July 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Nonsense! I wish him and his many sockpuppets stay out! Space Cadet 00:49, 21 July 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Are you back?

Welcome back! Theresa Knott (a tenth stroke) 23:03, 21 July 2005 (UTC)[reply]