Project Update (2010-08)
Sorry, this is a bit wordy. Quite a bit has been going on.
I created a list of stub articles that should be easy to upgrade to start-class, and eventually posted it here along with a list of the criteria I use to determine start-class. I then started through the start-class articles to do the same. This is harder since many articles don't meet my start-class criteria, so I either demote them (if they are really bad), or fix them (which takes time). I have created a section in the article requests page with the "easy start update" list I have so far, and the C-class criteria that I am using. These lists have more specific metrics than the official WP definitions, which to me are very interpretive. While doing this, some activity in a list made me realize that being on a list does not mean an article has a "WPZOO" rating template (duh!). So I went through all zoo lists adding "WPZOO" as needed and rating those articles. This increased the project article count by about 220 (the count is now 936). I have all of the lists watchlisted now so that if there is activity, I can go see if the article has a WPZOO template.
I am going through the AZA list and creating start-class articles to eliminate red links. IMHO, it's a waste of time to create a stub -- when you come back to it later it's more work to "catch up" and go from stub to start than if you just did the work when you first had the information in front of you. I create a stub in my sandbox, then create the article as a stub and immediately expand it to start in-situ. I'm up to "R" now on the AZA list. I will probably tackle the WAZA list after that, but who knows. I keep finding other things that need to be worked on, like an infobox in the India project that needs to be made into a navbox (and then of course propagated properly).
There was a threat to delete your Zoo-stub image based on inadequate documentation. I think this was because the two tiger images were not separately declared and THEN put into the composite image, but I'm not 100% sure. I did create a version of the image that uses a free-image tiger from commons, which (I think, anyway), is a bit cleaner looking (and of course I am not prejudiced on this). This still does not address the original intent of completely redoing that image. Even worse, after spending a bunch of time dealing with this, I'm pretty sure the original image was not deleted. You can see the new image on the [Wikipedia:WikiProject_Zoo|project main page].
I am creating a list of citations for zoo organizations (AZA, WAZA, etc.) that we reference. I think the list should eventually be a common resource, but I haven't found a good place for it on the Zoo project site yet, so it is still sitting in my sandbox here. I have thought of putting these citations in a template so they can be updated centrally, but haven't quite wrapped my brain around how that would work yet. I have also created a dozen articles since May (not all Zoo articles), and upgraded about twice that many from stub to start or start to C (mostly zoo articles).
Nothing has been done for the portal. I think that remains the biggest issue for someone who knows how it works. I could probably figure it out, but I prefer dealing directly with articles so I was waiting for The Arbiter to get back for the portal completion.
On my "personal importance scale," upgrading stub articles to start should be our next push, after which we can start to move them on up the chain. It's not exactly glamorous, but I think it's the most bang for the buck (or Yen, or Euro, or whatever). The current batch of start-class articles are varied. Some are almost C, and some (IMHO) don't qualify as start-class. I will continue re-assessing as I have time. One thing we could do is have a "stub to start" collaboration to see how may stubs we can update in a set amount of time. I have a pretty good "framework" that can be applied and I can coach people if they stumble. The catch, of course, is that we still don't really have a lot of members. To really catch up, we would each need to do almost 40 articles, at 1-2 hours per stub.
For individual articles, there has been quite a bit of activity on Zoo Basel (mostly by one person who is not a project member yet), and I think it is ready for GAN when someone wants to take the time to shepherd it through the process. Lahore Zoo has been considerably expanded. I think it's a B now, but would love to have a second opinion. If someone could do a copy edit pass, that would be even better--I have been a little too involved to be completely impartial. The fight over the new name for the San Diego Zoo Safari Park seems to be over, since the zoo finally had the sense to update their Web site. Someone jumped the gun a bit a month or more ago, and there were some edit wars going on for a while (I mostly kept out of this). The Miami MetroZoo to Zoo Miami name change was well announced and went very smoothly (I was involved in this one). Though we still don't have a new photo of the entrance, the Web site was at least switched on time so there was no controversy about the name change (just a lot of links to go in and update). There is steady but scattered activity elsewhere (mostly by non-project wikipedians). I try to take a look when I see updates (I have about 2/3 of the zoo articles on my watchlist now) and see if a re-assessment is in order. Occasionally it is. I created a template to tie the New York City zoos together, as they are all run by the Wildlife Conservation Society now, and I created Canada province templates at the request of The Arbiter when he was back in for a short time.
I have started adding logos to everything I get involved in now. The process is pretty simple now that I have it figured out, so more and more stub and start zoo articles will have logos going forward.
Enough for now. If you want to see actual article names, you can always go to my list here. If you have specific questions, you can reply right here and I will try to answer as quickly as possible. Donlammers (talk) 15:31, 7 August 2010 (UTC)
I have allreasy answer you in the other places. So, write the same again is innecesary. Sorry that a moderator, like you, don’t act like a wise man. That’s why even when Wikipedia is heavely used, it is not considerated like a seriour source in this themes.
Finally, just one last thing, every time that I put a commentary in the article, that count like a edit? If that is the case, could you tell how can I annwer with out edit comments? Thanks. And yes, I am not an expert in Wikipedia. --AmbaDarla (talk) 16:33, 11 August 2010 (UTC)
Quick Question
Could you please tell me why you undid the edit to Republican Party (United States), a short time ago? I am wondering why you did so as I had just accepted the review of the article and found no vandalism or other issues with the statement, whilst I would agree it required a source I was just about to add a citation needed tag only to find it had been undone. I have no interest in the article, am just wondering about your reasons behind the undo. Regard ZooPro 06:59, 8 August 2010 (UTC)
- Particularly after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Not sourced (WP:V) fact (WP:OR). TbhotchTalk C. 07:02, 8 August 2010 (UTC)
About the male tiger interaction with the cub
Sorry ZooPro, but in this occation, you are COMPLETELY wrong.
That picture is of the famous male B2, the dominant tiger in the turist area of the Bandhavgarh NP. You can see ANY picture in the web and compare the stripe patern with this male. Besides, it is a complete lie that the male tigers don’t interact with they cubs, as matter of fact, there are reports of male tigers fiding they youngs when they mothers died, acording with Valmik Thapar, no less.
So, I will change the title of the picture again, and it will be good to erase this myth of the no-interaction of male-cubs.
Greetings. --AmbaDarla (talk) 19:26, 8 August 2010 (UTC)
- Excuse me, I am not wrong in any way shape or form. You are full of rubbish is the actual answer. Unless you can provide me with a direct source of your "beliefs" then I will continue to revert and warn you for your actions. It is not a complete lie that males don't interact with the cubs its FACT. I will not be searching the web to find confirmation that this is the alleged B2, thats your job. I will revert your action again. ZooPro 00:38, 9 August 2010 (UTC)
How can you say that my post is full of rubbish??? Your words show your ignorance in tiger behavior. Probably, you had only read the child-books about tigers, but surprise, there are scientific references that challenge the OLD clichés. Maybe you still believe that the largest population of tigers is in the Sundarbans, or that white tigers had conservation value or event that tigers don’t share they food with other individuals.
Your negative to search the pictures of B2 in the internet (by the way) is evidence that you had not will to change your beliefs. But, don’t worry, I will put the reference about the parental care of the male tigers AND will put some images of B2 for make a proper comparison with the stripe pattern.
Remember, you insult me first, but like an educated person, I will not do the same. --AmbaDarla (talk) 18:41, 10 August 2010 (UTC)
Hi again. Ok, here is the evidence, check this out:
- About the male tiger and its cubs:
Dr. Karanth (2003) [quoting Schaller and Thapar]: http://a.imageshack.us/img835/3259/karanth2003.png
Dr Thapar’s book: http://a.imageshack.us/img819/8660/thaparmaletigerscarethe.jpg http://a.imageshack.us/img822/4503/thapparsaystigersaregoo.png http://a.imageshack.us/img715/6694/maletigerfeedtheyyoungs.png
Sadly, that book is not completely available in the web, so I found these images about it: http://www.c-o-n-s-e-r-v-a-t-i-o-n-s.com/Shops/1-1000-0195648102-The_Secret_Life_of_Tigers http://www.booksetsextra.com/Category/Books--3aOutdoors+--26+Nature/C282-1068/Review.aspx http://books.google.com.gt/books?id=gQrgXWxLv2MC&pg=PA82&dq=%22that+male+tiger+fathers+actually+care%22&hl=es&ei=E7FhTJLFCYGclgejkr2QCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false
As you can see, the male Bengal tigers had a high degree of parenthood with they cubs and here is the evidence.
- About B2 male, check these pages:
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/95659605/Flickr http://geography.wincoll.ac.uk/jjcskw/pages/303.05overseasindia08.htm http://www.becci.com/Journal.htm
And finally, this image: http://a.imageshack.us/img836/5368/b2marking.jpg
So, as you can see, this tiger is NOT a female, and worst, it’s not just a “simple” male, it is B2 the famous dominant male tiger of Bandhavgarh NP. Every tiger fan knows him!!! By the way, I also have information and pictures of Bohka (A.K.A. Rajbhera), Banda, Madla, Sauraha, Star male, Challenger, Charger, and many other famous tigers. I also have every modern paper about tiger size, and I am always searching for new information about them.
By the way, check this webpage, and know some of these famous males: http://animalvsanimal.yuku.com/reply/4981/t/Re-B2-and-Other-Great-Tiger-Pics-from-India-.html
In conclusion, the male Bengal tigers have an important role in the life of they young and that picture in the Tiger article is of B2, a famous dominant male. By the way, check this image of the same picture: http://a.imageshack.us/img836/4623/maletigerandcubsmslesle.jpg There are two cubs!!!
And here are more images of males with they cubs. http://a.imageshack.us/img261/8281/b2withhiscub.jpg http://a.imageshack.us/img267/8734/b2andsonchallenger.jpg http://a.imageshack.us/img261/848/bokhaandcubs.jpg http://a.imageshack.us/img267/526/malewithcubs.jpg
So, you are served. --AmbaDarla (talk) 23:13, 10 August 2010 (UTC)
A last comment
I have allready answer you in the other places. So, write the same again is innecesary. Sorry that a moderator, like you, don’t act like a wise man. That’s why even when Wikipedia is heavely used, it is not considerated like a seriour source in this themes.
Finally, just one last thing, every time that I put a commentary in the article, that count like a edit? If that is the case, could you tell how can I annwer with out edit comments? Thanks. And yes, I am not an expert in Wikipedia.
Maybe that’s why you so mad with me. --AmbaDarla (talk) 16:35, 11 August 2010 (UTC)
Sorry to bother you, but we have a person reverting the navbox colors on the basis that they are "gratuitous". My question and his answer can be found User talk:Jack Merridew#They're all gratuitous colors. I don't personally give a hoot what colors are used (and would be inclined to change them to the default), but we should be consistent one way or the other. Do you have an opinion on this? Can we justify a "semantic" reason for the color being used? Donlammers (talk) 02:15, 14 August 2010 (UTC)
- No problem, before I jump in head first to defend the colors (and dont worry i will), could you provide me a link to the changes the user made, i cant seem to find them. cheers ZooPro 03:22, 15 August 2010 (UTC)
This change, and if it was a 'revert' I didn't see who did this before. Interesting that Don is inclined to change them to the default; that's the appropriate thing to do. I'm a developer, including web development. I'm also a lighting designer familiar with colour theory. I see from your 'about me' subpage that you're involved with a group of Wikiprojects; Animals, Amphibians and Reptiles, too. I don't know these at all, but assume they do good work. We should have good articles on them all. I've not looked at any of the other templates these projects use, either. But I would like you to consider that you are, in fact, going against site MOS; WP:Deviations. The Skittlepedia Effect is a widely understood issue, and there is a large body of talk, over years, about this sort of thing. I'll grant you that the colour usage in that navbox was far from the most egregious I've seen Cheers, Jack Merridew 04:24, 15 August 2010 (UTC)
- OK, my bad in usage of terms. JM changed the template, and from the tone of the second edit comment (which sounded to me more like a threat than a comment) I made an assumption that was unwarranted (that my undo had been reverted). For any confusion and bad blood that this may have caused, I apologize -- the template is currently in its original color with some minor corrections made by myself and JM. In terms of the color, I am personally inclined to change to the default for the same reason that JM is (as I stated above). I'm a tech writer. At my day job, we have a bunch of groups that think they should do everything differently. Unless there is a good reason to be different (and there sometimes is), I prefer to keep things consistent. It not only gives a more consistent image to our customers (branding) but it's actually easier to maintain in the long run. In terms of effort, this is not huge (only about 60 templates). On the other side, the color picked is not particularly offensive either, so if there was a good reason, then we should bring this up and keep the color. I can't speak either to why the color was picked (it was before my time) or who else might have an interest in the issue, so I deferred things back here to find out why and if it matters. Donlammers (talk) 13:04, 15 August 2010 (UTC)
- No bad blood, here. I'm after what's best for the project, and your comments above track pretty well with my take on this. Terima kasih. Note that I replied further on my talk. My second edit summary was just a reply to yours. I see the discussion that seems to have produced these colours: WT:ZOO/Archive 2#Portal and Project Colours. "Colours of zoo uniforms" is a weak rationale. nb: I just created two shortcuts for you: WT:ZOO and WT:Z ;)
- ZooPro, I've no issue with anything else that these WikiProjects seem to be up to. The local consensus that produced these colours is quite small, really. I could sign-up and have lot of local-weight per: WT:ZOO/Archive 2#Is anyone still active?. Can we just cut these colours from the navboxes and such? I'll do the work and tidy-up any other details while I'm at it. I'm really good at this stuff. I'm not talking about stuff used on the wikiproject pages, or the portals; local branding is fine in such limited spaces. I'd like to do the same in some of the sister projects, too. This would amount to setting a really good precedent, as this issue *is* widespread.
- I see you're from Oz; G'day. I know a lot folks from down under, having lived nearby for years. On-wiki, I'm an honorary member of the Aussie-Cabal (inducted by some good mates;), and have even been called such in a pejorative sense (by an appropriately departed bad-actor). Cheers, Jack Merridew 20:33, 15 August 2010 (UTC)
- Could you please respond to this? Jack Merridew 00:28, 20 August 2010 (UTC)
Welcome to WP:GLAM/SI
Welcome to the Smithsonian collaboration and thank you for volunteering to be an ambassador for WikiProject Zoos. We have a few members of the first workshop, which we will be holding on August 19th which are associated with the Zoo, I will make sure that we put them in contact with you. If you wouldn't mind taking a look at what we currently have in Category:Smithsonian Institution and help us identify content that is missing or needs to be created at Wikipedia:GLAM/SI/Articles for creation that would be great. And don't forget to add any new content you create to Wikipedia:GLAM/SI/Outcomes, thanks!Sadads (talk) 19:18, 16 August 2010 (UTC)
Advice
As you seem happy to give me advice I'm sure you won't mind me giving you some in return. Please just take a less aggressive tone, and please don't bite the newbe's. --Michael Johnson (talk) 01:11, 17 August 2010 (UTC)
Some anon. editor said that the article was terrible (see talk page). He mentioned that the whole article seemed to make the white tiger seem like a seperate species, and criticized the lead specifically. Then he said that the classification box should be removed. I added a bit to the lead sentence to clarify, but I'm not sure what WikiProject Animals normally does with classification boxes on articles like this, where the animal in question is not a seperate sub-species. Brambleclawx 21:01, 30 August 2010 (UTC)
Draft capitalization guidelines subpage: notice to relevant discussion pages
Hello. I would like to post a short "invitation" to the Draft capitalization guidelines subpage, on relevant project pages, etc. I could use a bit of help tweaking it. To avoid a brouhaha, I would like to note, either in the invitation, or the draft page, that the purpose is mainly to clarify and expand the list of uncontroversial rules. Where should I do that?
I intend on sending the invitation to the list of 34 projects in the family tree. Can you think of other relevant parties to notify?
- = =Guidelines for capitalization of common names of fauna= =
- Hello project members. Please take a moment to visit the draft for an improved layout of the guidelines for the capitalization of common names of species. Thank you.
Thank you so much. Anna Frodesiak (talk) 10:05, 1 September 2010 (UTC)
- Give me around 24 hours and I will get a notice organised for you to deliver. I once requested all the projects under wikiproject animals to confirm there activity so perhaps the wikiproject council list will help you discover other projects. ZooPro 10:46, 1 September 2010 (UTC)
- I'm delighted that you made the brown box. I always wondered who made those. I have no idea how to edit it.
- The current version states that we want to change the rules for some groups. That would be walking the same path as before. I think a good first step would be to lay out the existing rules. Then, step by step, consistency might be achieved by making one group consistent with another. Here is a slightly different version that reflects that intention:
- Hello WikiProject members. As part of a recent discussion at WikiProject Animals, a number of users have indicated that the presentation of the current guidelines on the capitalization of common names of species is somewhat unclear.
- We wish to clarify and confirm existing uncontroversial guidelines and conventions, and present them in a "quick-reference" format, for inclusion into the guidelines for the capitalization of common names of species.
- Please take a moment to visit the draft. Your input is needed to ensure this is done the best way possible and to ensure consistent consensus. Thank you <insert user name/s here>
- I broke it into three short paragraphs for easy reading, and to isolate the paragraph containing the purpose. I'm not sure if that's allowed. What do you think? Many thanks. Best, Anna Frodesiak (talk) 00:33, 2 September 2010 (UTC)
I still await a quick comment or two on the whole species common name convention thing before I proceed. Take your time. No rush. Many thanks. Anna Frodesiak (talk) 02:47, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Perissodactyls
Hi! I don't spam talk pages trying to gather support - I gather people who may have an opinion about the thing. - Kontos (talk) 12:28, 3 September 2010 (UTC)
- I think involving neutral participants to a discussion is the correct way. - Kontos (talk) 12:32, 3 September 2010 (UTC)
Hi, I noticed that page is semi-protected so I created an account to manage to edit it, but no results... Im from it.wiki and I'm trying to improve our page, so I needed some references to have a bibliography... how can I do? --GenLodA (talk) 19:39, 5 September 2010 (UTC)
- You will need autoconfirmed status it usually takes around 4 days and 10 edits, though i don't know why you would need to edit the page to obtain references as they are listed there. ZooPro 00:46, 6 September 2010 (UTC)
Thanks for the vote in the Arkansas Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo AfD
Cookies! | ||
Thanks very much for your support and vote in the Arkansas Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo AfD. Please have some cookies. I'm buying. :) - Hydroxonium (talk) 17:20, 9 September 2010 (UTC) has given you some cookies! Cookies promote WikiLove and hopefully this one has made your day better. You can spread the "WikiLove" by giving someone else some cookies, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past or a good friend.
To spread the goodness of cookies, you can add {{subst:Cookies}} to someone's talk page with a friendly message, or eat this cookie on the giver's talk page with {{subst:munch}}! |
Thanks for your support - Hydroxonium (talk) 17:20, 9 September 2010 (UTC)
The Good Heart Barnstar | ||
For being a stand–up guy or gal in that same AfD. — TRANSPORTERMAN (TALK) 00:34, 10 September 2010 (UTC) |
WPZOO logo
I like the new logo. I do have one suggestion on usage with the Zoo-stub template. It looks a bit large when used there. Most of the stub template logos I've seen don't include any text, so how about just using the sun with animals without the text in that context? You can probably even make that part just a bit bigger, and I think the text next to it makes the project clear. Donlammers (talk) 16:31, 11 September 2010 (UTC)
- Consider it done. ZooPro 23:03, 11 September 2010 (UTC)
- Done ZooPro 12:22, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
- Thanks. I really like the new logo. It's somehow just more "cheerful" than either of the old ones. At first I thought you were only replacing the stub logo, but I really like that you also replaced it on the project pages and the userbox. Donlammers (talk) 01:03, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
- Done ZooPro 12:22, 13 September 2010 (UTC)