Good to have you back, old chap!
Right-o. --MZMcBride (talk) 02:33, 7 April 2010 (UTC)
A suggestion, if I may...
I frequently come across inactive users who haven't edited in a long time, and when I do, I tag their talk pages with {{Not here}}
. I also frequently see on these same pages a slew of Signpost subscriptions... User talk:PeaceNT for example.. is totally full of them. About two years worth in fact, ever since the editor stopped editing. Now, it's very likely that these editors who've gone inactive (but apparently forgot to cancel their subscriptions) are no longer reading their talk pages. So it's really pointless to have this bot continue to send them Signposts. Could the bot be programmed to ignore talk pages with the {{Not here}} template on them? -- Ϫ 04:28, 23 June 2010 (UTC)
- Seems easier to just remove them from the target list. At some point these talk pages will become so large that it will be impossible to post to them. This may be the case already—the bot's error handling isn't very good. --MZMcBride (talk) 04:31, 23 June 2010 (UTC)
- Yes there's that option but there are many many pages tagged with {{not here}} and unfortunately I have no way of knowing which of those also have Signpost subscriptions. So of course in the future I can remove them from the target list as I come across them, but for the existing ones it would be quite a tedious job actually to track them all down. Now if the bot is pre-programmed to automatically ignore those pages with {{not here}} it would seem like a much more efficient solution, and we can completely avoid any possible errors as a result of pages getting too large. It seems like it's just a simple "if this, then that" statement, but what do I know.. -- Ϫ 04:47, 23 June 2010 (UTC)
Book
Could EdwardsBot add the link to the book versions of the signpost (after the Single-page version). That is
- Read this Signpost in full · Single-page · Book · Unsubscribe · EdwardsBot (talk) 15:42, 6 July 2010 (UTC)
Thanks. Headbomb {talk / contribs / physics / books} 15:50, 6 July 2010 (UTC)
- Just edit the template: Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2010-07-05. --MZMcBride (talk) 16:41, 6 July 2010 (UTC)
Delete button
I read and then delete Signpost. Which means I now have to edit, Ctrl-A, delete, save and exit. Couldn't a delete button on the signpost entry next to Single-page etc. be added to make process less cumbersome? Bellagio99 (talk) 18:32, 6 July 2010 (UTC)
- You can use the rollback link in the page history if you have that user right. Or just read it on someone else's talk page when you see the update in your watchlist. --MZMcBride (talk) 19:05, 6 July 2010 (UTC)
- Yup, I can rollback. And I do want to delete after reading so reading on another's page is not on. But both solns are clunkier than a "simple" delete button, which of course, I'm not offering to do, as I don't know how. Just my .02, no really, just my .01. Thanks for the bot. Bellagio99 (talk) 21:01, 6 July 2010 (UTC)
- Also I once deleted Single Page by misteak, wiping it out for everybody. Quickly reversed myself, but process of reading/deleting fraught with danger now, imho Bellagio99 (talk) 21:08, 6 July 2010 (UTC)
- A delete button would probably just load your talk page with that section blanked, which you would have to save. Rollback is simpler. And the bot operator doesn't pick what the signpost displays. The signpost people do that. Killiondude (talk) 22:50, 6 July 2010 (UTC)
- Also I once deleted Single Page by misteak, wiping it out for everybody. Quickly reversed myself, but process of reading/deleting fraught with danger now, imho Bellagio99 (talk) 21:08, 6 July 2010 (UTC)
- OK. thanks for the explanation. -10-4- Bellagio99 (talk) 11:28, 7 July 2010 (UTC)
Wikiversity equivalent
Could an equivalent of this bot be put up on Wikiversity, please? I'm trying to set up a Signpost-like thing there and will not be able to do deliveries manually. Thanks, Rock drum Ba-dumCrash (Review me) 17:06, 19 July 2010 (UTC)
- Yes, it could be. Are you familiar with how the bot actually operates? Specifically, it uses User:EdwardsBot/Spam and User:EdwardsBot/Status. If you're interested in getting something like this set up on the English(?) Wikiversity, just let me know and we can make it happen. --MZMcBride (talk) 00:39, 20 July 2010 (UTC)
- I'm somewhat aware of how the Bot operates. I'm rather vague though. Thanks, Rock drum Ba-dumCrash (Review me) 10:45, 24 July 2010 (UTC)
- What? --MZMcBride (talk) 17:48, 24 July 2010 (UTC)
- I don't really know much about how it works. Could you care to enlighten me? Thanks, Rock drum Ba-dumCrash (Review me) 14:53, 25 July 2010 (UTC)
- Did you read the top of User:EdwardsBot/Spam? Perhaps look at the page history as well? --MZMcBride (talk) 16:52, 25 July 2010 (UTC)
- I don't really know much about how it works. Could you care to enlighten me? Thanks, Rock drum Ba-dumCrash (Review me) 14:53, 25 July 2010 (UTC)
- What? --MZMcBride (talk) 17:48, 24 July 2010 (UTC)
- I'm somewhat aware of how the Bot operates. I'm rather vague though. Thanks, Rock drum Ba-dumCrash (Review me) 10:45, 24 July 2010 (UTC)
Stop and reload?
Unfortunately, I made a typo in the current message, which caused the bot to distribute garbage. I had it blocked temporarily, the edits were reverted and I fixed the "Spam" page. However, I assume the bot will just continue the faulty run after the current block ends. How do I tell it to reload the "Spam" message or to stop the run entirely? Regards, HaeB (talk) 21:36, 2 August 2010 (UTC)
- If you've reverted the bad message already, just use the next key integer. That should work fine. --MZMcBride (talk) 22:16, 2 August 2010 (UTC)
Thanks!
Good call on using this bot to notify those who previously !voted on pending changes. Much appreciated! ElKevbo (talk) 01:45, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
User:K
Hi.. Just wondering why User:K was messaged by EdwardsBot here. I can't see them having commented at Wikipedia:Pending changes/Straw poll. Also, on a side note I don't really think this messaging was appropriate, as it was a biased sample, so possibly votestacking, but meh. Anyway, I'm interested as to why K was notified, how did you get the list of users to message? - Kingpin13 (talk) 08:05, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
- An incomplete rename. Here's the relevant diff you're looking for. I generated the list by pulling the rev_user_text of all users who have contributed to that page. Interestingly, that user is now in a state that the user account itself doesn't exist, but it has associated contributions. Kind of like an anonymous user; fun stuff.
I don't really have an opinion on the messaging. It was a biased sample insomuch as it targeted a group of people who were very likely interested in the subsequent straw poll. It targeted any user who had contributed to the page (not even voted, necessarily) and didn't advocate a particular voting choice. But if you really have an issue, I'm sure Off2riorob would be happy to discuss it. Cheers. --MZMcBride (talk) 18:08, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
Safesubst: or similar
Instead of leaving
{{Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/{{#switch: 1 | 1 = 2010-10-04 | 2 = Volume 6, Issue 40 | 3 = 2010-09-27 | 4 = 2010-10-11 }}}}
why not leave
{{Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2010-10-04}}
?
Rich Farmbrough, 15:00, 5 October 2010 (UTC).
- EdwardsBot takes the content that it's given and outputs it precisely. It's configured (locally) at User:EdwardsBot/Spam. Sometimes people use ~~~~~ expansion magic; there is certainly the capability and possibility of using other expansion magic as well. That's up to the people sending the spam, not me. --MZMcBride (talk) 18:44, 5 October 2010 (UTC)
NoticeQuest Is Retiring In Wikipedia
I'm sorry EdwardsBot but I decided that I will be retired in Wikipedia now because I don't want to join anymore. I unsubscribed and removed my user name in Wikipedia Sign Post. NoticeQuest (talk) 04:12, 14 November 2010 (UTC)
NoticeQuest Is Returning To Wikipedia
EdwardsBot I'm going to return in Wikipedia again because I wanted to join again and edit articles. I resubscribed in Wikipedia Signpost as well as send me Wikipedia Sign Post every week on Mondays. NoticeQuestMY TALK PAGEMy Contributions 20:19, 25 November 2010 (UTC)
blocked users
Let me preface this by saying I know nothing about bot coding and programming, so bear with me if this is a stupid question. I often see pages of indefinitely blocked users that are still receiving the Signpost. I've even seen one case where your bot is delivering it and MiszaBot is dutifully archiving it every thirty days, filling up archive after archive with nothing but unread copies of the Signpost. I use a script that crosses out the usernames of blocked users, I'm wondering if something like that could be used to inform the bot to stop delivering to a blocked user? If that's not feasible maybe there is a way for an admin to unsubscribe somebody who is indef blocked without having to bother you to do it each time. Beeblebrox (talk) 01:44, 28 November 2010 (UTC)
- The list is at Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/Subscribe. Feel free to unsubscribe blocked/banned users. I've done so a few times in the past. Killiondude (talk) 01:50, 28 November 2010 (UTC)
- Oddly, the specific user that I saw today, User:Special Cases does not seem to be on the list, yet the bot delivered the Signpost on the 22nd. Maybe he is on the list at Meta or something. Beeblebrox (talk) 04:00, 28 November 2010 (UTC)
- User talk:Hole in my sock redirects to the user you listed above. I've removed that user talk from the list. Killiondude (talk) 04:12, 28 November 2010 (UTC)
- <3 --MZMcBride (talk) 04:43, 28 November 2010 (UTC)
- I will now proceed to chase my own tail. Beeblebrox (talk) 05:48, 28 November 2010 (UTC)
- <3 --MZMcBride (talk) 04:43, 28 November 2010 (UTC)
- User talk:Hole in my sock redirects to the user you listed above. I've removed that user talk from the list. Killiondude (talk) 04:12, 28 November 2010 (UTC)
- Oddly, the specific user that I saw today, User:Special Cases does not seem to be on the list, yet the bot delivered the Signpost on the 22nd. Maybe he is on the list at Meta or something. Beeblebrox (talk) 04:00, 28 November 2010 (UTC)
Add name a second time?
Am I supposed to add my name to the signpost list a second time? Arlen22 (talk) 12:52, 21 December 2010 (UTC)
- There's discussion here. As long as you're on the list at least once when the bot runs, you'll get the delivery. --MZMcBride (talk) 18:59, 21 December 2010 (UTC)
Issue with renamed user
This bot continues to post at User talk:MisterWiki, despite the fact that the user in question has been renamed since a year ago. Please fix the bot so the messages lead here, instead. HeyMid (contribs) 17:56, 4 January 2011 (UTC)
- Feel free to correct the listing on Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/Tools/Spamlist. Alternatively, place a redirect on MisterWiki's talk page to his new username and Edward will post there. Killiondude (talk) 18:19, 4 January 2011 (UTC)
- Not exactly sure whether this bot follows redirects, but I'll give it a try. Also, I can't find MisterWiki in that Spamlist. Can you? HeyMid (contribs) 18:23, 4 January 2011 (UTC)
- EdwardsBot doesn't pick the spamlist; so you have to find out what spamlist has MisterWiki's name linked. I am not sure where it's located. Killiondude (talk) 19:29, 4 January 2011 (UTC)
- Not exactly sure whether this bot follows redirects, but I'll give it a try. Also, I can't find MisterWiki in that Spamlist. Can you? HeyMid (contribs) 18:23, 4 January 2011 (UTC)
Documentation
Sorry if I am asking the obvious, but I don't see the documentation as how to use this bot. I am going to use it to communicate with with my students as part of my role as a Wikipedia Campus Ambassador. The professor and I decided to keep messages on-wiki in order to get the students into the habit of using the wiki to communicate. Thanks ahead of time! Basket of Puppies 22:59, 2 February 2011 (UTC)
- Have a look at User:EdwardsBot/Instructions. The "Spam" page mentioned there is this one. Regards, HaeB (talk) 23:45, 2 February 2011 (UTC)
Compliance with Template:Bots
Is there a reason why EdwardsBot seems to be ignoring {{bots}}? If so, could someone explain it or better yet document it overleaf? If I've implemented the template improperly, my mistake, but it's becoming rather annoying having to manually revert unsolicited notifications. Cheers, Skomorokh 18:24, 15 March 2011 (UTC)
- Hi.
- Yes, there are two reasons that EdwardsBot doesn't listen to {{bots}}:
- EdwardsBot was written primarily as a means of delivering an opt-in newsletter subscription (The Signpost), so there wasn't any need to implement the functionality originally.
- The {{bots}} implementation is absolutely awful from a programming perspective. It requires downloading the full page text of any user talk page and then parsing the template parameters, which have both positive and negative assertions and both specific and non-specific values.
- You're probably unaware, but EdwardsBot is primarily controlled through an on-wiki configuration subpage: User:EdwardsBot/Spam. If you look at the page history there, you can see that Sross (Public Policy) is the person who has been delivering the messages you apparently don't wish to receive. You're signed up as a mentor, which means that you'll receive messages like this occasionally until you ask Sage or someone else to stop delivering them, I guess.
- Due to the nature of how {{bots}} is implemented currently, there are no plans to change the bot to respect it in near future.
- Hope that helps, --MZMcBride (talk) 22:47, 15 March 2011 (UTC)
- Cheers for the comprehensive response, MZ. I had hoped some {{bots}}-like solution would be feasible because although I do intend to remain signed up as a mentor, I don't want the notifications, and it would be terribly onerous on Sage (or, by extension, other notifiers in a similar position) to have to figure out each individual list members' preferences in advance of a run. Seems its similarly onerous for EdwardsBot.
- Would you be amenable to a blacklist or would that put undue strain on resources? i.e. If before each run the bot had to check User:EdwardsBot/Optout and subtract the list of users there from the list it had been fed to notify?
- Thanks again, Skomorokh 09:50, 16 March 2011 (UTC)