User talk:Cogware

User warning at User:Myownman[edit]

Thanks for helping to defend Wikipedia from vandals. Just a tip, though: user warning templates go on the user's talk page, not their user page. So instead of adding the template to User:Myownman, add it to User talk:Myownman. Thanks! Guoguo12 --Talk-- 02:43, 9 December 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Oh, and don't forget to sign your edits to talk pages by adding four tildes ("~~~~"). Thanks! Guoguo12 --Talk-- 02:45, 9 December 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks! I've spent all day reading on Wikipedia policies and was quite inspired so I decided to try to start contributing. Still trying to figure this all out though. Let me know if I'm using the talk page right (I'm not sure where I'm supposed to put the talkback tag on your talk page). Cogware (talk) 02:49, 9 December 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I'm happy to hear that you've decided to stay! :) I'm also happy to see that you are now using the undo function to remove vandalism. As for using talk pages, make sure to start a new section for new posts by using the button at the top of the page. See Wikipedia:Talk page formatting for more information.

By the way, I've noticed that your userpage (User:Cogware) boasts an adoption request template. Would you like me to adopt you? I usually check Wikipedia at least twice a day and I have over 5000 edits. I am also a rollbacker and a reviewer, which may appeal to you since you seem interested in vandal-fighting.

Either way, you can still contact me at my talk page if you have any questions. Good luck and happy editing! :) Guoguo12 --Talk-- 21:16, 9 December 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Hi Guoguo,

Sorry for the slow response; just wrapped up all of my finals so I should be free for some time now. I would like to take you up on your offer of adoption.

I have been a regular user of Wikipedia for some years now but never really wondered how the system works, and never contributed (except for the occasional grammatical fix). This past week I started reading the Wiki namespace and was struck both by admiration for the system and a desire to get involved. I'm not quite sure how I can best contribute to Wikipedia, so I figure I'd like to try helping out and see what appeals to me and what I'm good at. Having someone to point me in the right direction would be a great help.

Thanks, Cogware (talk) 05:44, 12 December 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Great! Consider yourself adopted. How exactly do you want this to work, though? Do you want me to assign you things to try out/read or would you rather ask me questions as you learn your way around Wikipedia? Guoguo12 --Talk-- 14:31, 12 December 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Could you suggest some things for me to try out? As you've seen, I've done a bit of vandalism revision, and I tried to make some improvements to the [Blockbuster] article the other day. Would like to get an idea of what else needs doing on wikipedia. In particular I think it'd be fun to add new content to the encyclopedia, but trying to figure out where that would be and what's the proper way to do it. I know everything is supposed to be cited and we are not supposed to add original research. Do people usually cite things off the internet or use books... and what qualifies as a reliable source? Guess I'll need to read up some more policy. Cogware (talk) 06:30, 16 December 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I'd be glad to recommend some things to try out. First, though, I'll explain reliable sources. The official guideline for reliable sources exists at WP:RELY, but I'll just sum it up, Reliable sources:

Are published (either in print or on the web)
Are independent and unbiased
Are not combined with synthesis

Examples of reliable sources include published non-fiction books, major newspapers (e.g., The New York Times), reliable websites, and major magazines (likeTime). Non-reliable sources include personal blogs (because they are self-published) and "About" pages for the subject of the WP article (because the source is not independent of the subject; e.g., the private about page for John McCain should not be used as a source for the John McCain article).

Hopefully this all makes sense. If not, it's best to consult WP:RELY or the links in the see also section. Anyway, since you seem interested in content creation, you may want to start by helping to improve new articles, in which case you can join the New pages patrol. Or, if you're feeling bold, you can try creating your own article, in which case you may want to consult Wikipedia:Your first article. If you prefer to pick and choose tasks from various topics, you may want to visit Wikipedia:Community_Portal/Opentask for open tasks in topics ranging from cleanup to expansion to translation. Either way, be bold. Don't be scared to make mistakes. And of course, if you ever need help, just post on my talk page or reply here. Good luck and tell me if you need me to clarify anything or you would like more recommendations. Guoguo12 --Talk-- 20:29, 16 December 2010 (UTC) P.S., I'm glad you're formatting talk page replies with correct indentation now. :) [reply]

Inactivity[edit]

Hi, I just wanted to check up on you and see if you were still around, since you haven't edited for a few weeks. Thanks. Guoguo12 --Talk-- 22:07, 19 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Sorry, but due to inactivity, your adoption has been terminated. Thank you and please contact me if you come back. Guoguo12 --Talk-- 12:35, 26 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]