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DYK for Raymond Arritt[edit]

Panyd^{The muffin is not subtle} 00:01, 12 January 2019 (UTC)

The Signpost: 31 October 2019[edit]

A survey to improve the community consultation outreach process[edit]

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ArbCom 2019 election voter message[edit]

Hello! Voting in the 2019 Arbitration Committee elections is now open until 23:59 on Monday, 2 December 2019. All eligible users are allowed to vote. Users with alternate accounts may only vote once. The Arbitration Committee is the panel of editors responsible for conducting the Wikipedia arbitration process. It has the authority to impose binding solutions to disputes between editors, primarily for serious conduct disputes the community has been unable to resolve. This includes the authority to impose site bans, topic bans, editing restrictions, and other measures needed to maintain our editing environment. The arbitration policy describes the Committee's roles and responsibilities in greater detail. If you wish to participate in the 2019 election, please review the candidates and submit your choices on the voting page. If you no longer wish to receive these messages, you may add {{NoACEMM}} to your user talk page. MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 00:09, 19 November 2019 (UTC)

The Signpost: 29 November 2019[edit]

Some bubble tea for you![edit]

Hope everything's OK, Softlander. ——SN54129 16:22, 13 December 2019 (UTC)

Thanks for the bubble tea, Serial Number 54129! Softlavender (talk) 10:00, 25 January 2020 (UTC)

Cheers[edit]

Damon Runyon's short story "Dancing Dan's Christmas" is a fun read if you have the time. Right from the start it extols the virtues of the hot Tom and Jerry This hot Tom and Jerry is an old-time drink that is once used by one and all in this country to celebrate Christmas with, and in fact it is once so popular that many people think Christmas is invented only to furnish an excuse for hot Tom and Jerry, although of course this is by no means true. No matter what concoction is your favorite to imbibe during this festive season I would like to toast you with it and to thank you for all your work here at the 'pedia this past year. Best wishes for your 2020 as well Softlavender. MarnetteD|Talk 22:30, 16 December 2019 (UTC)

Thanks MarnetteD! I'll check it out. A few years ago I read the two Damon Runyon short stories that Guys and Dolls is based on. They were delightful. Thanks again. Softlavender (talk) 10:02, 25 January 2020 (UTC)

OK I just read the story, M! That was excellent; thanks so much for sharing it! I will remember this in future Christmas seasons as something to enjoy and share. Cheers, Softlavender (talk) 11:13, 25 January 2020 (UTC)

I'm glad you liked it S. If I could get the accent right I'd read it aloud the way I do A Child's Christmas in Wales :-) MarnetteD|Talk 17:48, 25 January 2020 (UTC)

Yeah, M, I read it to myself in Frank Sinatra's Nathan Detroit voice. That was the only way I could make sense of the verb tenses and the other Runyonisms. :) Softlavender (talk) 21:57, 25 January 2020 (UTC)

Happy holidays![edit]

Hi SoftL! Haven't seen you around for a full 3 months. I hope all is well and I send you the warmest wishes for this seasonal occasion, whichever you celebrate - or don't, while I swelter at 27℃ (80.6℉), and peace and prosperity for 2020. Kudpung กุดผึ้ง (talk) 10:46, 24 December 2019 (UTC)

Thanks very much for the warm wishes, Kudpung. It seems to have slipped your mind however that I am at nearly exactly the same latitude as you. :) It is quite balmy here as well. Cheers and best wishes, Softlavender (talk) 10:06, 25 January 2020 (UTC)

Peace Dove[edit]

Peace is a state of balance and understanding in yourself and between others, where respect is gained by the acceptance of differences, tolerance persists, conflicts are resolved through dialog, peoples rights are respected and their voices are heard, and everyone is at their highest point of serenity without social tension. Happy Holidays to you and yours. ―Buster7 ☎ 13:54, 24 December 2019 (UTC)

Thanks Buster7! Softlavender (talk) 10:07, 25 January 2020 (UTC)

Be well at Christmas[edit]

	Have a WikiChristmas and a PediaNewYear
	Be well. Keep well. Have a lovely Christmas. SilkTork (talk) 17:14, 24 December 2019 (UTC)

Belated thanks, SilkTork! I hope you have been behaving yourself. :) Softlavender (talk) 10:08, 25 January 2020 (UTC)

I do try, but there's always someone who thinks I've been naughty: [1] ;-). SilkTork (talk) 13:42, 25 January 2020 (UTC)

Season's Greetings[edit]

Belated thanks, Shearonink! I've been away and just got this message. Softlavender (talk) 10:09, 25 January 2020 (UTC)

Joyous Season[edit]

Belated thanks, Coffee! Softlavender (talk) 10:10, 25 January 2020 (UTC)

The Signpost: 27 December 2019[edit]

                                                 [edit]

– North America¹⁰⁰⁰ 18:42, 31 December 2019 (UTC)

Awesome post, Northamerica1000! Thanks very much and same to you. Softlavender (talk) 10:11, 25 January 2020 (UTC)

Hi[edit]

Hi Softlavender, I was reading through some archives recently, spotted your username, and realised that I hadn't seen it around in a while. I don't think we've ever interacted, but I was used to seeing your name in all the usual places, usually preceded by a lot of insight and good judgment. I hope everything is OK at your end, and that I'll see you back at some point - your input is missed. Happy new year etc., GirthSummit _(blether) 18:50, 11 January 2020 (UTC)

Hi Girth Summit, thanks for the kind message. I got involved in a number of classes and let my wiki participation slide. Good to see y'all haven't torn the place to shreds in my absence. I hope to be around more regularly. Softlavender (talk) 10:15, 25 January 2020 (UTC)

Softlavender, yay - I'm glad all is well, looking forward to seeing you around again. GirthSummit _(blether) 10:38, 25 January 2020 (UTC)

I was just thinking of this yesterday, about not seeing you around anymore. I had a little trouble to remember your nickname (I initially tried Bluelavender). I also hope everything is well and to eventually see you around again. —PaleoNeonate – 21:53, 15 January 2020 (UTC)

LOL thanks very much, PaleoNeonate! Things are fine: I got busy and distracted and then wiki started to seem superfluous. Hope to be back more now. Thanks again. Softlavender (talk) 10:15, 25 January 2020 (UTC)

I understand that and also do what I can when I can, being more busy recently. I'm glad to know you're doing good, —PaleoNeonate – 15:14, 25 January 2020 (UTC)

The Signpost: 27 January 2020[edit]

Your edit to Exploring_Music[edit]

@Softlavender: I see you're the one with the English degree, so I won't argue, but I'll still point out: It's foul that "FedExing" is recognized as a verb and it's especially absurd when one considers all the other verbs that would function better. Liberty5651 (talk) 23:41, 11 February 2020 (UTC)

[2], [3], [4]. -- Softlavender (talk) 04:55, 12 February 2020 (UTC)

[5] Liberty5651 (talk) 20:47, 14 February 2020 (UTC)

Infobox photo discussion[edit]

Hi. Can you offer your opinion on which of two photos is preferable in this discussion? Thanks. Nightscream (talk) 15:21, 24 February 2020 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Motorsports opened[edit]

You recently offered a statement in a request for arbitration. The Arbitration Committee has accepted that request for arbitration and an arbitration case has been opened at Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Motorsports. Evidence that you wish the arbitrators to consider should be added to the evidence subpage, at Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Motorsports/Evidence. Please add your evidence by March 13, 2020, which is when the evidence phase closes. You can also contribute to the case workshop subpage, Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Motorsports/Workshop. For a guide to the arbitration process, see Wikipedia:Arbitration/Guide to arbitration. For the Arbitration Committee, Dreamy Jazz 🎷 ^{talk to me | my contributions} 00:48, 28 February 2020 (UTC)

Happy First Edit Day![edit]

Whoosh another year goes zipping by S. Congrats. MarnetteD|Talk 05:00, 1 March 2020 (UTC)

Happy First Edit Day![edit]

Happy First Edit Day, Softlavender, from the Wikipedia Birthday Committee! Have a great day! Bobherry Talk Edits 14:05, 1 March 2020 (UTC)

The Signpost: 1 March 2020[edit]

Arbitration case opened[edit]

In 2018, you offered a statement in a request for arbitration. The Arbitration Committee has now accepted that request for arbitration, and an arbitration case has been opened at Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Jytdog. Evidence that you wish the arbitrators to consider should be added to the evidence subpage, at Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Jytdog/Evidence. Please add your evidence by March 23, 2020, which is when the evidence phase closes. You can also contribute to the case workshop subpage, Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Jytdog/Workshop. For a guide to the arbitration process, see Wikipedia:Arbitration/Guide to arbitration.

All content, links, and diffs from the original ARC and the latest ARC are being read into the evidence for this case.

The secondary mailing list is in use for this case: arbcom-en-b@wikimedia.org

For the Arbitration Committee, CThomas³ (talk) 17:17, 9 March 2020 (UTC)

The Signpost: 29 March 2020[edit]

Good resource for research books[edit]

David Gerard put me onto Library Genesis a few years back. It has some excellent research resources - including a copy of his own most excellent book on blockchains, which sadly, I had already bought - and is always my first stop nowadays when hunting down an elusive text or well, anything. --Pete (talk) 07:20, 10 April 2020 (UTC)

The Signpost: 26 April 2020[edit]

Talk: Metropolitan (1990 film)[edit]

Hello. I left a rebuttal in the article's talk page concerning removal of my edit. Thanks! FunksBrother (talk) 01:24, 29 April 2020 (UTC)

Dream Ballet vs. Dream ballet[edit]

Please comment if you have an opinion: Talk:Dream Ballet. -- Ssilvers (talk) 22:09, 11 May 2020 (UTC)

The Signpost: 31 May 2020[edit]

The Signpost: 28 June 2020[edit]

Sad[edit]

I share some of the same sentiments, Softlavender. It makes me sad to lose Bbb23, not unlike I felt when we lost Alex Shih over something similar so make mine x2. Perhaps I'm too much of a softy. ^Atsme _Talk 📧 02:30, 18 July 2020 (UTC)

Couldn't say it on the SPI, since I have to be in "professional" mode there...[edit]

...but I read your userpage, and now since I see you're a Duke alum (and since I have family who went to a certain university to the next state to the north I am now obligated to regret endorsing your SPI. Oh well, live and learn and all that :) GeneralNotability (talk) 03:23, 20 July 2020 (UTC)

Hmmmph. At least you ain't a damn Tar Heel. So I'll be generous and let this WP:PA slide. For now. (Plus, at least you ain't one of those insufferable Roll Tide people -- yeeeks!). PS: My bro did his medical residency at UVA, and his undergrad work at Washington and Lee, so perhaps at least one member of my family is allowed a seat at the table among you hifalutin' people? Softlavender (talk) 03:56, 20 July 2020 (UTC)

Oooh, you've insulted the Tide - now you've done it! This means war. GeneralNotability (talk) 12:46, 20 July 2020 (UTC)

Bbb23[edit]

Thank you for your comments on the ArbCom/Bbb23 fracas, which I heartily agree with. Bbb23 was, bar none, the best CU I've seen in my 15 years here, and I have no doubt that much of that was due to the "fishing" checks which ArbCom thought were out of bounds. My understanding is that other language Wikipedias, working under the very same WMF policies, are much more liberal in allowing their CUs to investigate, and I simply don't understand why that isn't the case on English Wikipedia as well. Perhaps too much influence from American fear of the state? I dunno, all I know is that ArbCom's decisions this year have been astoundingly bad, that they seem to care more about what WMF and T&S thinks of them then they do about protecting the community, and their decisions reflect that.

Anyway, I threw my rant at the time that Bbb23 was relieved of his CU bit, now you've had your turn. I'm just waiting for the next election, where I plan on questioning any current arbitrators who decide to run as thoroughly as I can about their individual responsibilities for the bad decisions the committee has made so far this term. Beyond My Ken (talk) 19:16, 20 July 2020 (UTC)

Yes to all of that. And yes, this ArbCom believes, ever since the FramBan, that their job is to protect any editor who complains about any admin, and to deal as harshly as possible with the admin, even if it means making what should be a community-wide decision via their secret star chamber of only a handful of admins. It's a terrible loss to Wikipedia, and the current ArbCom, many of whom I had faith in as arbs prior to this year, can't or won't see it. Softlavender (talk) 02:05, 21 July 2020 (UTC)

The Signpost: 2 August 2020[edit]

PetSmart[edit]

Wow, oh wow. You must have been working on that for quite a while. Wow. Normal Op (talk) 08:33, 28 August 2020 (UTC)

Lockdown is boring, Normal Op. Even with a cat. ;-) Softlavender (talk) 08:35, 28 August 2020 (UTC)

The Signpost: 30 August 2020[edit]

Miami New Drama[edit]

This edit removed summaries of several productions, with references, and some other information. Do you agree with it? If not, kindly restore the information that you think is noteworthy (but please put it in chrono order). All the best, -- Ssilvers (talk) 04:50, 18 September 2020 (UTC)

They were also scared away from citing *anything* to their own website. Do you think there is any info on the website that should be restored to the article about the history, their schools program, etc? -- Ssilvers (talk) 05:21, 18 September 2020 (UTC)

• Hi Ssilvers, and thank you for helping to improve the article. I've kind of run out of steam on it for the moment. I think a lot of the material that was removed is probably relevant and can be restored, but I don't have the energy to pick through and restore it. So I would suggest you use your judgment on that. In terms of citing their own website, I think that could be acceptable in small quantities. However, it would probably be better if possible to find the information via the Miami Herald, which has written tons of articles on the company; options for searching the news site: [6]; [7]; [8] (on this last one, insert "miami new drama" in quotation marks). -- Softlavender (talk) 05:42, 18 September 2020 (UTC)

You added "with a goal of creating a community-based regional theater...". Does this mean that the actors are not paid? If they are paid, we should remove "community-based". In fact, the whole "goal" thing is not helpful, in my opinion. Please reply here. -- Ssilvers (talk) 01:55, 21 September 2020 (UTC)

Possibly should be "community-centered". Check the citation [9], which emphasizes "community" (do Control+F) over and over again as what Hausmann was seeking to emphasize and create. Softlavender (talk) 02:06, 21 September 2020 (UTC)

If it says the word "community", everyone will assume it is an amateur company. I don't care what Hausmann said, and in fact, I think that quoting this fluffy sentence about his goals is not helpful. The question is, what kind of theatre company did they actually create, which would be more helpful if stated by people independent of them. But if it's a professional company we should say so, and take out that it's any kind of "community" theatre. -- Ssilvers (talk) 02:22, 21 September 2020 (UTC)

I think it's best to have lengthy content discussions on the talk page of the article, so could you pose your concerns there? Softlavender (talk) 02:25, 21 September 2020 (UTC)

I'm trying to help you save the article. Why are you being difficult? I'm unwatching the article and unwatching this Talk page. -- Ssilvers (talk) 02:33, 21 September 2020 (UTC)

I have no investment in the article; I didn't create it or contribute to it prior to AfD, and I'm not trying to "save" it. I'm improving it based on the majority of coverage the company has received. That's fine if you are no longer interested in it. Softlavender (talk) 02:42, 21 September 2020 (UTC)

A cookie for you![edit]

Thank you for your opinion on WP:Requests for adminship/Acid Of Carbon Acidic Carbon (Corrode) (Corrosive liquid) 13:27, 22 September 2020 (UTC)

(talk page watcher) Softlavender, you mention a concern, there, of socking; I agree. That they have a particular interest in G5 seems of relevance... 2A02:C7F:BE04:700:A9E5:E4C4:1D6:F054 (talk) 17:34, 22 September 2020 (UTC)

Any objections to WP:G5?[edit]

I saw that you nominated all four files uploaded by a sock for deletion. These files were uploaded on August 22, the main account was blocked earlier that month. I've tagged one as a blatant copyright violation. Any objections to just burning the rest through WP:G5, "delete pages created by banned or blocked users during the ban or block?" davidwr/(talk)/(contribs) 17:31, 26 September 2020 (UTC)

davidwr I have no problem with that. (I was just using Twinkle and didn't take the time to research the options.) Softlavender (talk) 03:49, 27 September 2020 (UTC)

Three remaining are tagged WP:G5. davidwr/(talk)/(contribs) 14:38, 27 September 2020 (UTC)

The Signpost: 27 September 2020[edit]

The Signpost: 27 September 2020[edit]

Thanks for the Prompt Response[edit]

Thanks for your prompt response suggesting speedy deletion for the irrelevant redirection related to my request at Wikipedia:Redirects_for_discussion/Log/2020_September_28#Enola Homosexual. After all, all is well that ends well, cheers! Amit Dash (talk) 19:22, 28 September 2020 (UTC)

Barnstar[edit]

		The Anti-Flame Barnstar
		I cannot thank you enough for the help you offered at the WP:ANI thread, so I'm giving you this barnstar. Thanks to your advice and User:EdChem's offer to step in, it actually feels like we might be able to resolve the issues we've been facing at WP:ELEM, and that to me would be wonderful. ^_^ Double sharp (talk) 20:10, 9 October 2020 (UTC)

Thanks, Double sharp! I really appreciate that! Softlavender (talk) 04:56, 10 October 2020 (UTC)

Davey2010[edit]

Thank you for bringing the {{No ping}} template to my attention. I was not aware it existed, but I'll use it from now on when appropriate. AlgaeGraphix (talk) 20:24, 26 October 2020 (UTC)

Oh, good AlgaeGraphix, I'm glad that helped. Maybe you should mention that on the thread, so Davey2010 doesn't have to mute you, which I think he is intending to. Softlavender (talk) 20:26, 26 October 2020 (UTC)

Well, he closed the thread himself, so I don't see that reopening it would be all that helpful. AlgaeGraphix (talk) 20:33, 26 October 2020 (UTC)

No, he only closed the IBAN section of the thread, AlgaeGraphix. Softlavender (talk) 20:41, 26 October 2020 (UTC)

Not to drag this on but in regards to your comment here

A) The proposal was completely done in good faith and I had admitted my mistakes in that very proposal.

B) "it's time to question whether the blockee should have been early unblocked. Perhaps Davey2010 needs a TBAN from trains if he cannot control his vulgarity. Or a one-way IBAN prohibiting him from interacting with AG" - "Whether I was unblocked a day early or not that proposal still would've been filed and again not to sound like a broken record but had they not pinged me with that comment I wouldn't have reacted the way I did,

FYI I wasn't looking to cause more drama with that proposal - My plan was to try and de-escalate it and at that time I thought that was the best possible method. Hindsight is a lovely thing and maybe the best thing I could've done is said nothing at all.

As I said not wanting to drag this on but felt your comment was unfair and felt that I had to address it.

Happy editing and Take care, Regards, –Davey2010^Talk 23:54, 26 October 2020 (UTC)

The Signpost: 1 November 2020[edit]

Really???[edit]

Certainly looks like an improvement to me. Johnbod (talk) 19:00, 8 November 2020 (UTC)

Regarding your ArbCom statement[edit]

I guess you may not know this yet because it all resolved so suddenly, but actually the entire issue I had with Sandbh got itself resolved between the two of us just a few days ago. As you can see, we've provided a joint statement to that effect, and you can see the discussion at Sandbh's talk page that led to this sudden but happy resolution. Basically, that's because it seems that the official process from the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (the relevant body) that was meant to solve the eternal-bickering-inducing La vs Lu issue that started all this appears not to have gotten stalled after all as I had thought. Therefore, we've amicably agreed to freeze the dispute and wait for the official results of their deliberation before we reopen anything, since in any case whatever consensus there is now will certainly have to be reevaluated in the light of an actually official decision on the subject. This understanding is also why I'm extremely sure this cannot flare up again, because until an official decision appears neither of us plan on starting it again, and once an official decision appears the debate on what Wikipedia should show probably becomes orders of magnitude less controversial.

Currently we are working quite fine with each other and User:R8R on the Periodic table article based on suggestions by User:EdChem who so kindly mediated this. In fact R8R has helpfully trimmed down the section on that very La vs Lu issue that started this bickering to something more like its due weight. Since neither I nor Sandbh have complained about the result, it seems to me that we've successfully come up with something neutral and properly weighted, and that normal WP behaviour is going on again.

I admit that this is probably not an outcome that would have been expected from just last week, but apparently getting taken to ArbCom against both of our wills was unpleasant enough that it created the funny result that we both apparently decided shelving the issue between ourselves would be far less bad than duking it out at ArbCom.

I also admit that this did not occur together with DePiep, and that it probably should have. OTOH, he seems to also have been added to the case as a party by the OP against his will if I read the situation right, and in general the dispute I had with Sandbh was a very separate thing from the ones DePiep had with other project participants (and mostly not with me in any case). I hope the second one can be resolved as easily as the first was, though. Double sharp (talk) 17:14, 16 November 2020 (UTC)

Hi Softlavender, I think "It was opened by someone who is not even remotely involved, and who has no clue about what is going on, and who does not even know who the main participants are." and "The OP should really mind their own business, especially when they are so uninformed about the situation." are entirely unnecessary ad hominems and ask you to consider removing them from your statement. Lev¡vich 17:26, 16 November 2020 (UTC)

The redevelopment of the periodic table article, to address any shortcomings it has wrt to FA status has been proceeding nicely, further to the WP:ELEM fresh energy initiative. Sandbh (talk) 22:57, 16 November 2020 (UTC)

Article ratings[edit]

Hi Softlavender, I saw your revert on the talk page of Bryce Hall (internet personality). I may have started the article, but it is not "my article" and other editors have and are encouraged contribute. This is the first I've heard of such an objection to an article assessment. Almost all of my ratings (this one included) are based on the semi-automatic WP:RATER ORES. I've read through WP:ASSESS and see nothing about not rating articles you have started (other than A, GA, FA which require independent review). I'm curious of your thoughts (: TJMSmith (talk) 21:37, 20 November 2020 (UTC)

Hi TJMSmith. I've started a thread at the Teahouse just now posing the question: [10]. (I don't know of any other highly active venue to ask the question.) Softlavender (talk) 21:59, 20 November 2020 (UTC)

Also, I do not agree that the Bryce Hall article is C class. I believe it is Start class. Since WP:Content assessment#Common concerns says "What if I don't agree with a rating? Feel free to change it—within reason—if you think a different rating is justified; in the case of major disputes, the WikiProject as a whole can discuss the issue and come to a consensus as to the best rating", I can add the Start rating to the banner if you like. Softlavender (talk) 22:04, 20 November 2020 (UTC)

That's fine. WP:RATER is a prediction, so consensus can vary. It's probably on the border between start and C class. I really don't feel strongly about it so feel free to do whatever you'd like. I think page protection would help the Hall article the most. Poorly sourced info gets added frequently. TJMSmith (talk) 23:31, 20 November 2020 (UTC)

I have re-rated it. The reason it's not even a C class is because it reveals nothing about why he is significant, or even why he is notable beyond having lots of followers. It's a "So what?" article. It does not reveal one single thing about the content of his work. Softlavender (talk) 23:39, 20 November 2020 (UTC)

Fair enough. It's my quick take that he might be famous for being famous. Alas, his article isn't high on my list of priorities. I typically edit WP:WOMRED-related content. Best, TJMSmith (talk) 23:51, 20 November 2020 (UTC)

ArbCom 2020 Elections voter message[edit]

Hello! Voting in the 2020 Arbitration Committee elections is now open until 23:59 (UTC) on Monday, 7 December 2020. All eligible users are allowed to vote. Users with alternate accounts may only vote once. The Arbitration Committee is the panel of editors responsible for conducting the Wikipedia arbitration process. It has the authority to impose binding solutions to disputes between editors, primarily for serious conduct disputes the community has been unable to resolve. This includes the authority to impose site bans, topic bans, editing restrictions, and other measures needed to maintain our editing environment. The arbitration policy describes the Committee's roles and responsibilities in greater detail. If you wish to participate in the 2020 election, please review the candidates and submit your choices on the voting page. If you no longer wish to receive these messages, you may add {{NoACEMM}} to your user talk page. MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 01:40, 24 November 2020 (UTC)

The Signpost: 29 November 2020[edit]

Merry Christmas[edit]

	Merry Christmas Softlavender
	Hi Softlavender, I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a very happy and prosperous New Year, Thanks for all your contributions to Wikipedia this past year, like this tree, you are a light shining in the darkness. Onel5969 TT me 12:07, 22 December 2019 (UTC)

The Signpost: 28 December 2020[edit]

The Signpost: 31 January 2021[edit]

Help needed on the subject of Alexei Navalny![edit]

Greetings,

I was just looking at the edit history of the Alexei Navalny (Russian politician) page, and noticed you have edited related pages fairly often. Since you may have some expertise on the guy, would it be possible for you to look over a fairly heated debate thats happening right now at Talk:2024 Russian presidential election#Navalny? I thought that it would be worth mentioning him being barred from running in 2024 like in 2018 (likley for political reasons), but a user keeps insisting that its Western propaganda. Looking for a reliable editor to mediate. Thank you. LauraWilliamson (talk) 14:12, 9 February 2021 (UTC)

The Signpost: 28 February 2021[edit]

Happy First Edit Day![edit]

The Signpost: 28 March 2021[edit]

Oxford Interview?[edit]

Hi Softlavender hope you don't mind me reaching out. I'm a graduate researcher interested in global health and how its represented on Wiki, specifically the Burden of Disease Study and Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). I noticed you've been involved in a lot of discussions surrounding the 2017 situation of paid editing re Vipul & Riceissa & Ethanbas. I have some outstanding questions about it. Would you be willing to speak with me on a 30-60 minute call?

Thanks for considering!

--Whiskiz (talk) 19:27, 19 April 2021 (UTC)

Hi Whiskiz, all of that activity now seems long ago and far away. The main person involved in bringing the issue to light is no longer on Wikipedia. I really don't have anything to say about it, much less 30-60 minutes' worth. I wish you luck and wish you well, but this is not something that I'm interested in doing. Softlavender (talk) 21:47, 19 April 2021 (UTC)

thanks you for the honest & timely response :D Whiskiz (talk) 09:03, 20 April 2021 (UTC)

The Signpost: 25 April 2021[edit]

The Signpost: 25 April 2021[edit]

Archiving of WP:AN/I[edit]

I have undone your archiving of a thread [11] regarding a WP:CBAN proposal of an editor. This discussion is still open, and needs to be closed by an uninvolved administrator. Please see WP:CBAN for further instructions, and please do not archive this thread again. If you have questions, let me know. Thanks, --Hammersoft (talk) 00:34, 14 May 2021 (UTC)

Thanks for catching that, Hammersoft. My error. Softlavender (talk) 01:17, 14 May 2021 (UTC)

• No worries. It's ok to make mistakes. Just make new ones :) --Hammersoft (talk) 02:34, 14 May 2021 (UTC)

• Ha! I had just looked at the purple box, and didn't really register the rest of the conversation, as for some reason there were so many zillions of old threads to archive. Thanks for alerting me, as I've now !voted in the poll. Softlavender (talk) 03:07, 14 May 2021 (UTC)

• Yeah, there were a large number of old threads that needed to be archived. I thought a bot archived WP:AN/I, or maybe it did and its offline. Thanks for archiving so many other very stale threads! --Hammersoft (talk) 11:18, 14 May 2021 (UTC)

• The bot hit a glitch and was not working correctly on ANI for about a week. I created a thread about it 11 days ago, and it seems to be working now. Softlavender (talk) 22:07, 24 May 2021 (UTC)

translation[edit]

Und ich wäre so gern Primadonna gewesen ("And I would have been happy to have been a primadonna") - tough. I didn't do a translation, - was the book translated? No talk about happiness in the original. Deepl offers ""And I would have loved to have been a prima donna." but I feel that "loved" is too strong, also there's this sweet undercurrent of irony that's probably impossible in English. The duplication of "have been" seems not elegant. Just food for thought. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:56, 26 May 2021 (UTC)

"I would have been" is correct idiomatic English for the subjunctive; "would have loved to have been" is more idiomatic than "would have been happy to have been". It's a humorously ironic title not meant to be taken seriously, and "Ich wäre so gern _____ gewesen" translates best to "I would have loved to have been ______" in idiomatic English. An alternative I think would be "I would gladly have been a primadonna", since "gern" commonly means "gladly" in most usages. Softlavender (talk) 09:01, 26 May 2021 (UTC)

Thank you, helped. (It keep amazing me how much is "loved" in English, while "lieben" is a quite selective thing in German.) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:07, 26 May 2021 (UTC)

Hi again Gerda. In this title, it all depends on the amount of outrageous irony that is intended. If the irony is mild, I think it should be "I would gladly have been a primadonna". I'm going to change it to that, if no objections. Softlavender (talk) 09:13, 26 May 2021 (UTC)

I think there's also another distinction that I'm not clear on. When she says that, does she mean "I would gladly have acted like a primadonna", or "I would have been glad to have been treated like (or been seen as) a primadonna"? I'm not really clear on that or on how "gewesen" is meant here -- did she secretly want to act like a primadonna, or secretly want to be treated like a primadonna? I think the answer to that would affect the English translation. Softlavender (talk) 09:29, 26 May 2021 (UTC)

I'd think she would not have meant only one, just that as a mezzo, you are more often supporting than leading. I think if she had meant only acting, she might have said "Und ich hätte so gerne Primadonna gespielt". I think we should not miss the "so" in the translation which is - at least in German - the key to the irony even in writing. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:45, 26 May 2021 (UTC)

Good point about mezzos; I see what you mean. Well, if we want to emphasize the irony (and the "so"), we should restore it to "I would have loved to have been". I'm fine either way. Softlavender (talk) 09:55, 26 May 2021 (UTC)

Feel free, both fine. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:33, 26 May 2021 (UTC)

I am with You , Kailas Jhaveri,[edit]

Published the Lord's day on Feb 29th 2004 Sri Aurobindo Ashram 605 002 Pondicherry Published on the Occcasion of the Mother 125 Birthday

SO this is not a self published Book ...You want to talk ? your friend Riquix does not SadirahFierg (talk) 04:55, 29 May 2021 (UTC)

Mike Salvino[edit]

We disagree on this one, which is fine. Either the sourcing has had a negative improvement since you accepted it, or it was always to PR pieces and press releases. I have not checked the detail. As a courtesy I am letting you know I have sent it to AfD. As a reviewer myself I make no comment at AfD about AfC acceptances, and I remain neutral on any of my own acceptances sent by others for deletion discussion.

I would not have rated it as C Class, had I accepted it. It is full of WP:BOMBARD, and is an obvious paid piece even without the paid declaration by the creating editor. It is, however, easy to be fooled by these allegedly well referenced drafts Fiddle^Timtrent Faddle^{Talk to me} 10:58, 8 June 2021 (UTC)

The Signpost: 27 June 2021[edit]

Splitting discussion for John Gielgud, roles and awards [edit]

An article that you have been involved with (John Gielgud, roles and awards ) has content that is proposed to be removed and moved to another article (List of awards and nominations received by John Gielgud). Notice of this proposal has not been circulated by the nominator to contributors. If you are interested, please visit the discussion.

The article List of awards and nominations received by John Gielgud already exists and has been created duplicating material in the article John Gielgud, roles and awards: it has therefore been nominated for deletion, and the disucssion can be found here. Contributions to either or both discussions are welcomed.

Thank you. Smerus (talk) 15:27, 4 July 2021 (UTC)

The Signpost: 25 July 2021[edit]

Hey, where have you been?[edit]

I realize you haven't been around much. I hope you're OK. EEng 05:43, 1 August 2021 (UTC)

Me, too. Today I was looking over an ANI discussion thinking, "I wonder what Softlavender would say" and realized I hadn't seen you in quite a while. Hope all is well and you're just busy. Liz ^{Read! Talk!} 04:43, 9 August 2021 (UTC)

Hey y'all, I signed up for a handful of classes and got very busy with coursework and homework. I am, however, thankfully well and in good health. I hope to be back on board more now, or quite soon. Thanks for your thoughts and comments, EEng and Liz! Have I missed anything? :) Softlavender (talk) 01:24, 11 August 2021 (UTC)