This user is no longer active on Wikipedia as of January 2024.
I've enjoyed editing Wikipedia for many years. I've learnt a lot – both factually and about human nature – and it's greatly improved my translation skills! I've enjoyed creating, expanding and improving thousands of articles.
Sadly I've witnessed the steady degradation over time of high quality articles as editors make 'improvements' without understanding the subject or context. The last of many straws has been the enforcement of lower case 'style' (actually spelling) on articles such as card games and wildlife, a form of pedantry that adds no value to the articles whatsoever. This may seem a minor issue, but it is clearly not so in the eyes of the style 'champions', since it is enforced regardless of the fact that the relevant literature overwhelmingly uses title case. House style is a choice, not a law. It can be improved on. If we allow style to triumph over substance Wikipedia will never become great. On the other hand, if Wikipedia can accept diversity as it does with WP:ENGVAR, the problem could be easily resolved.
In the meantime, I feel that if we can't follow the best practice in the relevant, reliable sources, then I am wasting my time creating articles or bringing them up to a high standard.
So it's time for me to retire from Wikipedia and concentrate on researching and writing for journals and professional online sites. I could be persuaded to return if Wikipedia could apply the same inclusive approach to individual topics as it does to versions of English, not based on an editor's whim but on reliable sources.
For your excellent translation of Erkelenz from German wikipedia. You do a magnificent job with translation. Keep it up! ♦ Dr. Blofeld 11:25, 13 September 2011 (UTC)
The Special Barnstar
I present this Special Barnstar to you for your effort in the Panzerlehrbrigade 9 article Infobox and to show my appreciation for your effort. Adamdaley (talk) 21:44, 17 November 2011 (UTC)
The Original Barnstar
This barnstar is awarded to everyone who - whatever their opinion - contributed to the discussion about Wikipedia and SOPA. Thank you. Presented by the Wikimedia Foundation.
German Barnstar of National Merit
For your superb efforts in translating articles from German into English on wikipedia. ♦ Dr. Blofeld 12:01, 22 July 2012 (UTC)
The Tireless Contributor Barnstar
For clocking up 50,000 edits and 3000 articles! ♦ Dr. Blofeld 20:21, 21 August 2012 (UTC)
Rescue From Deletion Award
Awarded to editors who rescue a stub or an article from deletion with excellent writing; in this case, for fine guidance in a redirection debate and subsequent rescue of the article on Eresburg. With many thanks, RomanSpa (talk) 06:01, 24 May 2014 (UTC)
The Geography Barnstar
For your continued efforts in creating many quality articles on European mountains. RacerX11Talk to meStalk me 04:11, 17 February 2015 (UTC)
The Original Barnstar
For your monumental effort in creating articles about the Austrian Alps Huddsblue (talk) 23:01, 1 March 2015 (UTC)
The Writer's Barnstar
Dear Bermicourt, thank you for your contributions to Wikipedia, especially your recent creation of Limes Britannicus. Keep up the good work! You are making a difference here! With regards, AnupamTalk 21:19, 18 June 2016 (UTC)
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