User talk:Alex Sims

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Contents

[edit] Welcome

Hey Softgrow,

Welcome and enjoy Wikipedia. Your edits are much appreciated.

These links might help you with your contributions:

For Wikipedia-wide involvement, visit the Communtiy Portal and the Village Pump.

Be sure to check out Australian resources, like Australian Collaboration of the Week, New Australian Articles and Australian stub articles. You can list yourself at Australian Wikipedians.

Also, assuming you're an Adelaidean, have you considered participating in WikiProject Adelaide? We need all the help we can get!

Again, welcome.--Cyberjunkie 04:41, 2 Apr 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Blocked IP

Hi, I got your message. I don't see your IP address among the ones that are currently blocked. If you still can't log in, can you post the exact block message you're seeing? That will help me track down the problem. Sorry about the inconvenience. --MarkSweep✍ 02:20, 29 August 2005 (UTC)

[edit] RE: Suburb Co-ordinates

Hi Softgrow. I used Geoscience Australia as the standard for all suburbs. See North Adelaide. You're welcome to revert the change.--Cyberjunkie | Talk 11:42, 21 September 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Yamanote Line

Hi. I knew about the Japanese version of the template for train lines, and have been using its format for the other lines that were made so far. Making a template template is nice, and it will save some time. Thanks for creating it, and I see you started to convert some of the existing lines already. Great! I'll use it for some lines I have the stations all ready for... and I also am happy I found your User:Softgrow/Railway_line_WIP page of colors.

One reason that I didn't copy the Japanese template/template exactly was because of an idea I have been formulating regarding the mapping of GIS data for the stations into a miniature map graphic on the side of the template, to give an idea of the train line's geography. (That is a major WIP of mine when I'm not distracted with other stuff) Also, I like some of the recent edits to Template:Sendai-Subway (the logo in the corners). I wasn't sure if the mini-map would work well in the template/template or not, and now I don't know about the logo either. And, since everything has an exception (or two), lines like Template:Tohoku Main Line and Template:Tohoku Shinkansen need different ways to deal with their branches and overall length.

As for the circle on the Yamanote line, I like the circle better, which is why I deviated from the pattern of the other lines that I made earlier. I've also seen a few comments from others who liked it. I agree that the space taken up by all of the templates is an issue, but there may be other ways to solve it. For the time being, I'd like to revert it back -- I'll remove the colored background, and give it a border instead. When I do that, I'll also put my reasons/preferences for the revert in the talk page of the template, where I'd like to move this discussion about the case for/against the circle and maybe discuss other alternatives to shrink this particular template size down (and the others as well).

- Neier 11:40, 4 October 2005 (UTC)

[edit] speed bumps

I was a bit surprised at your removal of my bit about bicycles. As a cyclist I can tell you that what I wrote was a fact - speed bumps don't inconvenience cyclists. It appears that it's been reinserted in modified form, so no matter. Gwaka Lumpa 12:52, 2 January 2006 (UTC)


Looking at your edit of speed bumps from yesterday (and boy you are fast - don't you have something else to do?), it seems that what the person who put those statements in were quite obvious and to any lay person reasonable assumptions to be made about such bumps. Ask yourself, if the bumps didn't do anything and were completely benign drivers wouldn't be distracted by them nor would their cars be damaged by them. For such a device to work, there has to be a negative effect. That negative effect is both to be unpleasent to driver over (you should know what it's like to hit a pot hole - the editor is right they're the same!) and that they can damage cars.

I would suggest that you recosider your edits. Also, I believe that driver discomfort and car damage were both published in an edition of Auto Express. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.152.57.27 (talk) 11:28, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia is not about the obvious, that is original research. Material needs to be backed by publication. It's not our role to write down the obvious, it is ours to record what other's have discovered. See WP:NOR. If you find the reference for the speed bumps article and it is a reliable source then by all means put it in (and consider the benefits of signing up for a username too!) Alex Sims 12:28, 15 October 2007 (UTC)


Just for you, searched the internet and found the correct referencies for you. The Times should meet all your necessary criteria, but I know of a couple of other referncies that support this. I think it is quite clear that the use of speed bumps in the UK is grossly excessive and that a more detailed search would easily find more evidence for you. In fact, see http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/67775/speed_humps_dumped_after_protest.html —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.150.253.232 (talk) 16:11, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

Well done in removing more valid comments on speed bumps - and there was an international reference if you cared to look at those. I belive that you are not showing a neutral point of view on these and for some reason are very biased. Why? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.147.67.48 (talk) 11:22, 16 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Railways

Hello Softgrow. I see you have been editing the railways section in Adelaide. Heaps good. For the Finsbury railway station, I have it marked Finsbury on a UBD wallpaper map I have - unfortunately the wall map doesn't have anything about the year of publication at all(I suspect sometime in the 70s). Also, as I was the only editor to that page, feel free to contact me directly, it is more likely to be noticed and I would be pleased (not indignant) to reply to your query. Also my map doesn't have the Semaphore and Exeter train stations, so could you please go to Semaphore, South Australia and Exeter, South Australia and describe the previous location and presence of the railway line and stations in the suburb as I have done in Woodville North, South Australia as I feel that this is an important and relevant historical aspect of the suburb. Also you could describe where exactly the line was as I have done on Finsbury railway line, Adelaide as people no longer have maps which will tell them such information about the geography of the railway line and its neighbourhood. Happy editing.Blnguyen 00:29, 24 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Speed limit archives

Hey, I noticed that you resurrected a mis-linked speed limit archives. I did more digging, and I found that the one I originally created had a lower-cased L on "limit." That explans the red link.

I appreciate what you did, but I think it may be best to stick with the original one so that nobody gets suspicious when looking at the history tab. I fixed that link to use a lower-case l on "limit." This page also has some text that is supposedly Wikipedia-compliant for archives.

If you agree, could you flag Talk:Speed_Limit/Archive01 for speedy delete?

Thanks, Novasource 21:07, 24 January 2006 (UTC)

Agreed, I've applied a {{Db-author}} tag. Softgrow 22:41, 24 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Re: Adelaide Railway Station

Having each template is excessive, which is why I intend to replace them with station adjacency templates. The complete line information could be retained for use in each line article.--cj | talk 06:28, 27 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Gawler Line!

I used Adobe photoshop, I took a screenshot of the map from the Metro Adelaide website. :) Empty2005 02:26, 12 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Nationals colour

The colour in use was near-black, when the party, ABC and most other political sources use forest green to represent it. The Tom 06:31, 14 March 2006 (UTC)

Please continue discussion at Template talk:Australian politics/party colours/Nationals Softgrow 06:43, 14 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Speed limit articles I've removed from my watchlist

This is on my talk page so you are welcome to comment. I've just removed:

from my watchlist. I'm finding it a waste of my time to continually edit articles where other editors wish to pursue liberterian views about speed limits instead of producing a great encyclopedia. I've now got a watchlist that isn't nearly as active and time consuming. Softgrow 10:52, 21 March 2006 (UTC)

I think this is a mistake. Collaboration between editors with opposing views is a way to build a great encyclopaedia - walking away and letting POV pushers have their way is not! Just zis Guy you know? 11:27, 21 March 2006 (UTC)
I'm finding the continual use of the Burden of proof (logical fallacy) a bit wearing. Something silly get's inserted and then I need to find a reference that disproves it. The sillier it is the less likely I'll find a reference.
I would disagree about the collaboration. The articles above have very few redeeming features. In some cases (Speed limit) yes there is collaboration to a degree, here I don't think so. You would never find an article like the ones listed in Encyclopædia Britannica.Softgrow 12:06, 21 March 2006 (UTC)

I don't blame you for this. Some of those articles are just awful -- so many people are pushing the cameras are bad POV and will include any link from local papers or whatever to push that POV. It gets wearing setting published research against reports in various local rags. Thanks for removing "thenewspaper" links -- I'd been wanting to do that but was worried it would seem like I was pushing my own POV. --Richard Clegg 12:54, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Thank you

Hey Softgrow, thanks for expressing interest in WikiProject Trains in Japan! Quite frankly, I'm surprised so many people have signed up in such a short period of time. I hope we can get enough people to start it soon. Meanwhile, I'll be looking around for more interested people, so if you know someone who might, please tell them about the Project! Cheers, Tangotango 10:25, 27 March 2006 (UTC)

We now have 5 people interested in the project, and I've created the project page at Wikipedia:WikiProject Trains in Japan, shortcut WP:TJ. For now the page is a bit disorganized, but I hope we can improve that soon. Well, hope to see you on the project page! (Please add your name to the Participants list). Cheers, Tangotango 02:29, 29 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Survey of Wikipedian engineers

Just a note to say that I responded to your comment on User talk:Mbeychok/MRB's Survey of Wikipedian Engineers. mbeychok 19:36, 16 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Portal:Australia/Anniversaries

Hi Softgrow. I have started a proposal at Portal talk:Australia for an inclusion of an anniversary/on this day section to be displayed on the portal. If you are interested in this making this happen, you can comment there or go to the anniversary pages and adding in things that you consider to be notable. Regards, Blnguyen | Have your say!!! 07:39, 23 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Barnstar

The Barnstar of Diligence
I award you this Barnstar of Diligence for being bold and planning the first Adelaide Wikimeetup! Unfortunately, i can't make it, but I'm sure everyone else from Adelaide will have great time, all due to your organisation. Killfest2—Daniel.Bryant 00:08, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Meetup on 24th August 2006

Apologies if you're already aware of this, but the Inaugural Adelaide Meetup will take place on Thursday 24th of August at Brougham Place Uniting Church, thanks to Alex Sims. Please indicate if you will attend or not.

This message left by May the Force be with you! Shreshth91($ |-| ŗ 3 $ |-| ţ |-|) on behalf of [ælfəks], 10:11, 13 August 2006 (UTC)

Hi there, have you been organising this? That's really great of you! Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to make it, as I don't finish lectures 'til 9PM on a Thursday; also, having only lived in Adelaide for about 7 months, I still find myself on the verge of cardiac arrest everytime I try to drive to the city from Bedford Park :p So, I'm really sorry, but I don't think I'll be able to make it there. However, I am very interested in what you guys will talk about, and I'll keep an eye out for your minutes. Hope you have a good time there, — riana_dzasta • t • c • e • ER • 10:18, 13 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Articles you might like to edit, from SuggestBot

SuggestBot predicts that you will enjoy editing some of these articles. Have fun!

Stubs
Islington Works railway station, Adelaide
Brighton railway station, Adelaide
Warradale railway station, Adelaide
Cassiopeia (train)
Hove railway station, Adelaide
Choshi Station
Vickie Chapman
E231 series
Shiki, Saitama
Belair railway line, Adelaide
Karlene Maywald
Pinera railway station, Adelaide
Mitchell Park railway station, Adelaide
West Croydon railway station, Adelaide
Kevin Foley
Seacliff railway station, Adelaide
Glanville railway station, Adelaide
Woodlands Park railway station, Adelaide
Keswick railway station, Adelaide
Cleanup
Seibu Shinjuku Line
Frog cake
Quarter days
Merge
Richard Kelvin
Jetstar Airways
Farm to Market Road
Add Sources
Ronald Ryan
Kuku (ethnic group)
Mount Isa, Queensland
Wikify
David Engwicht
George Joseph
Brinkler classification
Expand
Douglas Alexander
Rodger Bingham
Garelli Motorcycles

SuggestBot picks articles in a number of ways based on other articles you've edited, including straight text similarity, following wikilinks, and matching your editing patterns against those of other Wikipedians. It tries to recommend only articles that other Wikipedians have marked as needing work. Your contributions make Wikipedia better -- thanks for helping.

If you have feedback on how to make SuggestBot better, please tell me on SuggestBot's talk page. Thanks from ForteTuba, SuggestBot's caretaker.

P.S. You received these suggestions because your name was listed on the SuggestBot request page. If this was in error, sorry about the confusion. -- SuggestBot 03:57, 18 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Meetup

I am disappointed that I didn't make it to the meetup last time, and am very thankful that someone took the time to organise it - any chance you could have a go again? :) It seemed like the perfect time and location, really. michael talk 08:20, 29 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Thanks and a Question

Alex, thanks for organising the meetup - great to meet people offline at last !

Could you point me to the converstation with Tony re: transparency and proxies ? I forgot about it until, yet again, my IP's proxy is blocked and I have to edit via the slooooow secure server link - Peripitus (Talk) 10:20, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Countries I have been too

I found this site a while back that proved a great means of showing the countries you have been too

User:Derek.munneke

[edit] Speed bumps

Not sure you're correctly attributing parts to ABD. While they certainly do talk about the issues, it's normally because someone else has already pointed out the problems with these bumps etc. Therefore, I'd suggest changing from criticisms made by ABD to some highlighted by ABD. At least two points in that part were brought up by Auto Express magazine, with tests to show that noise and fuel consumption were significantly greater when in speed bumped areas.

Your request to be unblocked has been granted for the following reasons:

Autoblock of 203.23.22.152 lifted.

Request handled by:  Netsnipe  ►  14:27, 27 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] London congestion charge - Criticisms of the charge - rv POV image designed by an editor (or is original research?))

hi alex. perhaps because i am a new contributor, i don't understand "rv POV image designed by an editor (or is original research?)". please tell me why you removed my original image. it is a legitimate illustration of the equipment installed to facilitate the congestion charge and of criticisms related to it. cheers, rob

[edit] Preferred spelling vs. acceptable spelling

We'll have to agree to disagree on the "barbeque" issue. My research indicates that "barbecue" is the preferred spelling of the word, although "barbeque" is considered acceptable in Australian English. I see no reason not to use the preferred spelling. If a source can be found that identifies "barbeque" as the primary or preferred spelling in Australian English, I offer my sincerest apologies for the needless correction.

I have cited sources that use barbeque for the Glover playground in the article. PS don't forget to sign your comments. Alex Sims 07:17, 19 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Thanks!

The Original Barnstar
I present you with this barnstar for your fantastic organisation of the Adelaide meetup. It was a great event, largely down to all your efforts over the last month-or-so. I'm sure everyone in attendance is extremely appreciative of your excellent work! Cheers, Daniel Bryant 04:53, 23 April 2007 (UTC)
Yep, great work! Really enjoyed it, looking forward to the next one (which someone else will organise, I'm sure!) Nice meeting you, – Riana ऋ 07:21, 23 April 2007 (UTC)
Sure you don't want to go for the hat trick :P Thanks for your effort Alex – it was a pleasure meeting you. Happy editing,--cj | talk 11:09, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] 85th percentile rule explanation

Could you give me some reason why you revered back no citation? I'm just curious? The source seems reliable in that it explains clearly in layman terms why 85th percentile rule exist using generalities with statistics. Please provide counterexample on the web to verify your claims  — 6etonyourfeet\t\c 02:26, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

Also, since you removed that source you can revert all my modifications to the section since it is entirely based on that unreliable resource just to let you know. — 6etonyourfeet\t\c 02:28, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] License tagging for Image:Adelaide Meetup 2 Completing The WikiCensus.jpg

Thanks for uploading Image:Adelaide Meetup 2 Completing The WikiCensus.jpg. Wikipedia gets thousands of images uploaded every day, and in order to verify that the images can be legally used on Wikipedia, the source and copyright status must be indicated. Images need to have an image tag applied to the image description page indicating the copyright status of the image. This uniform and easy-to-understand method of indicating the license status allows potential re-users of the images to know what they are allowed to do with the images.

For more information on using images, see the following pages:

This is an automated notice by OrphanBot. If you need help on selecting a tag to use, or in adding the tag to the image description, feel free to post a message at Wikipedia:Media copyright questions. 12:05, 29 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Brougham Place, North Adelaide

Hey Alex I was looking through Australia related new pages and staggered into Brougham Place, North Adelaide.

Would you be able to have another go at the lead sentence / paragraph and make it's importance as a street with so many heritage listed buildings stand out more? I know what the article really needs is a range of images to go with all the heritage listed buildings.

I am concerned that although the buildings each individually meet WP:N, through having been the subject of heritage assessments - does this street also meet WP:N? It certainly doesn't jump out at me that it does. Garrie 05:29, 5 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Barbecues

I don't think 'Barbeque' is local spelling, just bad spelling. I did check before making the change: see Talk:Barbecue#Spelling which cites Australian, British and American dictionaries as prefering 'Barbecue'.

Ewen 05:29, 14 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Fadden Barbeques/Barbecues

Nineteen edits have been made on the Fadden, Australian Capital Territory article since the start of this year; nine of these have occured in the last three days over the spelling of "barbeque/barbeque". Perhaps we should all find something more useful to contribute to the article? WA Burdett 12:12, 16 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Speed Limit Article

I noticed you removed my paragraph about "Political Considerations" with a rationale of POV. Well I've just added back the paragraph with references to these statements; which by the way are well known and would be even better known if people were to read about them on WIKI. The references should satisfy your opinion that the paragraph was POV. FrankWilliams 17:37, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Please Continue discussion at Talk:Speed limit so it's not just you and me talking about this topic. Alex Sims 04:38, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Image:NAA logo.jpg Thanks

Hi. I just wanted to thank you for clarifying the fair use rationale which I put up, after it was put up for deletion. Im not sure why it was tagged as I read and followed Wikipedia:Non-free content before putting the rationale up. Thanks. Tbo 157talk 09:31, 16 September 2007 (UTC) I found out it was tagged for deletion as the article title in teh rationale was incorrect. Thanks. Tbo 157(talk) (review) 22:41, 16 September 2007 (UTC)


[edit] Luck of seven

Hello Alex Noel Hidalgo is coming to Adelaide on Friday October 12 He will be at the Central Market for breakfast at Lucias 8am He is doing the http://luckofseven.com tour. He is interested in meeting open source and free culture folk around the world. Feel free to email me to check up about other times. eg. Perhaps the Richmnd Hotel upstairs after 5pm on Friday evening for coffee drinks chat kinds of things. Cheers Lucychili 20:41, 10 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Adelaide Wikimeetup 3

Riverside Precinct Adelaide Meetup
Next: TBA
Last: 20 Apr 2008
This box: view • talk • edit

Hi Alex - we're planning a third meetup in Adelaide sometime in the coming weeks, and would love to have you there. If you can, please help decide a location, a date and a time here. Thanks! ~ Riana ⁂ 11:52, 16 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Adelaide Wikimeetup 3

Riverside Precinct Adelaide Meetup
Next: TBA
Last: 20 Apr 2008
This box: view • talk • edit

Hi Alex Sims - after some planning we've decided to hold the third Adelaide Wikimeetup on Sunday, 17th February, 2008. The meeting will be held at Billy Baxter's in Rundle Mall at 11:30AM. Further details and directions are available on the meetup page. Please RSVP here by 20:00UTC on 15th February 2008 (that's 6AM Saturday for our time zone) so that we can inform the restaurant about numbers. Hope to see you there!

You are receiving this message because you are in Category:Wikipedians in South Australia or are listed at WP:ADEL#Participants. If this has been sent in error, please accept our apologies!

On behalf of Riana ⁂, 11:23, 5 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Revised

Hi Alex - since Sunday is inconvenient for many people due to church, we are rescheduling for Saturday. I hope this will enable you to attend! Best, ~ Riana ⁂ 11:44, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Wikimedia Australia incorporation meeting

Hi there Alex Sims! As you may know, the Wikimedia Foundation has recently approved Wikimedia Australia as an official chapter. In order to acknowledge this, and to appoint an interim committee, approve our statement of purpose and our rules, and appoint a Public Officer, Wikimedia Australia will be having a meeting at Computerbank in Melbourne. For those of us who are located in other cities, we shall be holding conference calls to the main meeting.

The meeting will be held at 2:30PM on Sunday, 20th April 2008, Adelaide time. In order for us to organise this meeting, we need your help! Please drop by at our meta subpage with suggestions as to venues, conference calling services, etc. It will be at 2:30 so we can meet up for lunch beforehand if anyone's open for that!

Hoping to see you there! ~ Riana ⁂ 01:48, 20 March 2008 (UTC)

You are receiving this message because you are an active Wikimedian in Adelaide and are on this list. If you think I've missed anyone out, please feel free to copy-paste this and send it to them too!

[edit] Primary schools in Australia

Hey, I've noticed you started three categories for primary schools in NSW, SA & Vic. I'm just curious as to why you've done this, given that each cat has 3-4 articles in it, in general, it seems that 25-30 articles is the norm to start a sub-cat. Thoughts? Five Years 17:56, 15 April 2008 (UTC)

I was looking for a particular primary school and found it hard to find. I then noticed that all schools had subcats by state except Primary schools. This inconsistency was what I am fixing. You are right that there are only 3-4 articles but no-one has moved all the primary schools in and potentially there are hundreds for each if the articles ever get written. Alex Sims (talk) 11:48, 16 April 2008 (UTC)
Categories are made out of a need, not because people feel that it is inconsistent not to have them. There are potentially hundreds? I beg to differ, in my experience, primary schools are generally not notable, and are frequently being deleted, both via PROD and AfD. There may be a case for a Category:Primary schools in New South Wales, and a Category:Primary schools in Victoria, but I don't see it going any further than that. Thoughts? Five Years 15:42, 16 April 2008 (UTC)
I had a read through the guidelines and they are meant as an aid to navigation. I couldn't find any reference to a minimum count per category, but for the moment I'll stick to just the larger ones (ie Vic and NSW). The proposed enhancement for Intersection Categories is something to look forward to as it would make all this much easier (and give lots of nice semantic possibilities). Alex Sims (talk) 10:56, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Picture suggestion

Thanks Alex for your suggestion. I will post a pic of Sol Trujillo shortly. I also plan to provide some suggestions for citations for the Telstra Mobiles section on the discussion page on the Telstra page. Tarnya Dunning (talk) 00:45, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

 : Thanks for your assistance. Tarnya Dunning  —Preceding unsigned comment added by Tarnya Dunning (talk • contribs) 02:04, 2 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] template bug

There was indeed a template bug with a few Japanese railway templates earlier today, which I asked about on IRC. Apparently when a template listed on CSD was deleted, the article got hit instead and the template remained (with no hint of a db transclusion inside). It got fixed but I guess this one wasn't caught. Thanks for letting me know about this (and please let me know if you see anything else). Cheers, Gwen Gale (talk) 23:47, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

Looks like someone's cut and paste move of one or more templates had something to do with this. By the time I saw it on CSD it was very odd! Gwen Gale (talk) 23:52, 31 May 2008 (UTC)