User:Buffs/RfA

My RFA draft page

BQZip01

BQZip01 (talk · contribs) - self nom — BQZip01 — ^talk 02:13, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Short story: I would like to be an admin to further the goals of Wikipedia and prevent abuse/vandalism by editors. I intend to peruse the various WP:AN pages and assist where needed, with a focus on the WP:3RR and WP:SSP pages. I would also use admin privileges to prevent edit wars as much as possible through semi-protecting/protecting pages before they get too badly into such a conflict.

My recent edit history (check the September-November timeframe) has given me more insight into the RfC and dispute process. While attempting to prevent vandalism, I was caught up in an edit war over a subject on which I was an expert. While I was blocked for WP:3RR, I know more about the policy now and have not violated it since (nor have I ever been blocked for violating any other policy). Additionally, in hindsight, some of my actions (which I hereby renounce) may be seen as inappropriate, though my general feelings about anyone actively editing my user page remain, and I vow never to repeat those specific actions as they do not reflect well upon myself or Wikipedia.

Several things in my previous failed nomination are important to note:

1. I believe certain accusations of canvassing were out of line and misleading in the previous nomination. I asked for a review, and not support. In no way did I ever intend to bias the process, only to let users I knew that I was applying to be an admin and that their feedback was appreciated. While some debate remains on this issue (see the talk page), I am resubmitting this time with no notifications whatsoever. Hopefully, together, we can come up with some way to allow users to notify those with whom they have collaborated that they are trying to become an administrator without undue influence. In the interests of clarity and avoiding undue influence, I request that any user I contacted in my previous nomination annotate as such and only respond in the neutral section. If you choose to support or oppose me, I request that you mark that I contacted you on my previous RfA.
2. Several people opposed because of "a vague answer to" Question 1, without bothering to ask any additional questions. I would have been happy to expand my answer upon request; I have expanded my initial response accordingly.
3. Several people asked questions on my last RfA. I have included them and my improved answers here as well.

Questions for the candidate

Dear candidate, thank you for offering to serve Wikipedia as an administrator. It is recommended that you answer these optional questions to provide guidance for participants:

1. What admin work do you intend to take part in?

A: I intend to work primarily in the WP:AN sections with a focus on WP:3RR and WP:SSP. I will also continue to monitor pages in which I have an interest for edit warring and disruptive editing. I will NOT block a user with whom I have a disagreement, but will report it to the appropriate WP:AN page.

2. What are your best contributions to Wikipedia, and why?

A: My best contributions to Wikipedia are the following articles: Fightin' Texas Aggie Band and Aggie Bonfire. Both have been featured as Today's Featured Article on the main page. As a user with less than 7000 edits, less than a year of experience, and a full-time job, having 2 articles of which I was a substantial contributor featured on the main page within 100 days of each other is one of my proudest Wikipedia contributions. I have also done my best to review other articles for FA status; though I am not always as tediously thorough as I once was, I certainly have added to the FAC process as much as I could. Additionally, I have been trying recently to have more patience with other editors and serve more as a facilitator of discussion to limit conflict and prevent/limit stress for others.

3. Have you been in any conflicts over editing in the past or have other users caused you stress? How have you dealt with it and how will you deal with it in the future?

A: Yes, primarily with Fightin' Texas Aggie Band and its day as the Featured Article. Initially, I handled it well, but as time wore on, it quickly devolved into rehashing the same argument over and over (on both sides). Quite frankly, that experience wore me out. However, I quickly realized that a speedy response wasn't necessary, no matter how sharp the criticism was. In any situation, by delaying a response for a day (or more), both sides of a discussion are forced to cool down. In my case, the conflict subsided rather quickly. Furthermore, by initiating a slowdown, those who want a quick fiery death for a perceived archnemesis (colorful language used strictly for effect), are disappointed and move along.

Optional Question from jj137 (from previous RfA)

4. Could you explain the difference between a block and a ban?

A. I certainly can go into more detail if you desire, but the short version is that a block is technical restraint on editing privileges (usually in response to a specific action, though other cumulative actions can be cause for a block too), while a ban "is a formal revocation of editing privileges on all or part of Wikipedia." A block is the primary mechanism by which a ban can be enforced if a user does not abide by a partial ban or has been banned from Wikipedia altogether. If this does not answer your question, I would be happy to expand to include further details (who can block, who can ban, etc.) —  BQZip01 — ^talk 03:16, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Optional Question from Trevor "Tinkleheimer" Haworth 03:23, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

5. Can you name a specific time in which you have greatly helped another user? (from previous RfA)

A:: I am of the mentality that users should be not be "given a fish", but taught "how to fish". I have recently been reviewing WP:SSP nominations. While there, I gave User:Arbiteroftruth some feedback and this was his response. I have received other such compliments in the FAC process.

Additionally, and in a more general sense, I think I have helped an entire class of users, specifically those trying to get an article to FA status. By helping them beef up their articles and writing a guide describing how to get my support in an FAC, many users now have concrete answers how to fix an article to meet technical WP:MOS criteria.

Optional Question from Fnlayson (from previous RfA)

6. What will your approach on handling/blocking vandals and disruptive users? Fair but tough or what? Thanks.

A: In general, I intend to give vandals fair warning (several warnings on the user page with a ramped up intensity). If they are a user who shows no intent of slowing down despite numerous warnings, then they should be blocked. If someone is a registered user with a long edit history, I intend to give them a warning of my own (as an admin) before blocking, unless actions are egregious. I am also not above conversing with vandals if there is a dispute. In such a case, I would request another admin come in for a second look and review my actions. In short, fair, but tough. — BQZip01 — ^talk 05:29, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

Optional Question from Trusilver (from previous RfA)

7. You have suggested that you have an interest in working with vandals and disruptive users. The procedures for warning and blocking vandals are well known. My question to you is: In what situations do you feel that its necessary to deviate from the outlined procedures? Under what circumstances to do you feel that it is necessary to block users without having exhausted the steps of warning? I'm not asking for you to go through and research rules on this either - I'm asking for you own words and thoughts on this matter.

A: I feel this is a bit of a trick question because there are no specifics. You are asking me to speculate on what I would do in an vague situation. A concrete answer is not possible in this case. In general, I simply would do what I thought was right. If shown to be wrong, I would simply revert my changes/rescind a block with a notation that I was in the wrong; almost all actions on Wikipedia can be undone.

Optional Question from The Transhumanist (from previous RfA)

8. What tools have you made extensive use of, and what did you do with them?

A: I use WP:TWINKLE and the semi-automated peer review. I use Twinkle to help do reverts quickly and the semi-automated peer review to help review FACs (including my own). As an admin, I would be more interested in closing requests/acting upon the results and preventing edit wars/vandalism through blocks, semi-protecting, etc. As a Computer Science major, I feel my technical competence is sufficient to learn how to use many admin tools. I will use them as necessary, but I can always resort to using manual methods. I am open to any advice as to how to use certain tools.

General comments

• See BQZip01's edit summary usage with mathbot's tool. For the edit count, see the talk page.

• Links for BQZip01: BQZip01 (talk · contribs · deleted · count · AfD · logs · block log · lu · rfar · spi)

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Please keep discussion constructive and civil. If you are unfamiliar with the nominee, please thoroughly review Special:Contributions/BQZip01 before commenting.