User:E/Coaching

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The following page is preserved as an archive of an admin coaching discussion. Please do not modify it.

Contents

[edit] E (talk · contribs) (formerly Extranet, currently busy)

Ready to get started?

An implementation of your user page menu bar, in which the icons are linkified, can be found at: User:The Transhumanist/User page design/Menus.

Skim Wikipedia's Help pages. Then let me know which area you are most interested in improving first.


The Transhumanist   09:39, 13 March 2007 (UTC)

For your first reccomendation about the user page menu bar, I have already tried this and it goes wierd when loading the page. The linked images actually go off the bar - I don't know whether its a browser glitch, but I left a message at the help desk and they simply told me not to use them. I am off to work now (I live in Australia) so I will follow up your second question of which area I need improving. Also, many thanks for being my tutor - it's much appreciated. Extranet (Talk | Contribs) 20:39, 14 March 2007 (UTC)
As for my areas for improvement, is there any places you would suggest? Extranet (Talk | Contribs) 05:42, 16 March 2007 (UTC)
The main namespace. That is, editing articles (including lists and glossaries). Please pay special attention to "See also" sections and how they link articles together. The Transhumanist   03:39, 17 March 2007 (UTC)
Yep, I'm game to improve and be coached on that area. Let me know what I have to do. Extranet (Talk | Contribs) 12:31, 17 March 2007 (UTC)
Start with proofreading and copy-editing. Hone those skills. And be sure to read Wikipedia:How to copy-edit too. The Transhumanist   07:22, 19 March 2007 (UTC)
With the copy-editing, I seem to go well with doing that. A few diffs include 1 and 2. I will try to do some work on proofreading. Extranet (Talk | Contribs) 07:22, 20 March 2007 (UTC)
On your first diff, you included a reference to the Gameplay section of the article. You should use section links for those, instead of quotes, like this: [[#Gamplay|Gameplay]]. The Transhu   20:21, 21 March 2007 (UTC)
Oh, okay. Thanks for that recommendation. I have been busy with work this week but I hope to get some things done on the weekend. Extranet (Talk | Contribs) 11:01, 22 March 2007 (UTC)

User:Dweller here. I'm another "coachee" and The Transhumanist has asked me to help out here. My task for you is to visit WP:Peer Review. Take a look at some well-developed and recently archived Peer Reviews and then choose an article newly listed there and give a detailed critique on its Peer Review page. Then please come back here and let us know where we'll find your posting. --Dweller 16:00, 23 March 2007 (UTC)

I would actually enjoy doing that quite a bit. My first critique is at Wikipedia:Peer review/Gabriel Ferrari/archive1. Tell me how to improve if you wish. Extranet (Talk | Contribs) 06:38, 26 March 2007 (UTC)
A nice start. If I was being critical (which I suppose I need to be), I'd note the following:
  1. Bulleted or point by point comments make it easier for the nominator to respond / deal with the issues
  2. Specific comments are the most useful - request for a photo is easy for the nominator to respond to, but "this article needs a fair cleanup" is vague. Try "Have you asked for a third party copyedit?"
  3. If I read that an article I'd worked hard on was "around a 4/10", I'd find it disheartening. Your rating isn't really what's needed - it's what suggestions you have for improving the article
  4. My Peer Review for that article would start by requesting more citations for claims made in the article. I'd also be asking about his life outside of football and I'd note the redlinked Category, and the fact that there must be more Cats that are appropriate.
However, those comments notwithstanding, it was a pretty good first stab and I've seen many worse. Best of all, you got the overall tone right. You didn't hector and you were clearly trying to be constructive. Doing the opposite in Peer Review, Editor Review or the FA/GA nominations is a big no-no. I'm interested to see the nominator's response.
So, a good start, well done. As your next task, I suggest you visit a dozen or so well-developed Peer Reviews and come back and post half a dozen "frequently made comments" by reviewers. --Dweller 15:58, 26 March 2007 (UTC)
Sorry for not replying so swiftly as I do have work during the week. Six frequently made comments that I came across on most Peer Reviews were:
  1. "The article needs a fair cleanup"
  2. "You could add some pictures to describe the topic more"
  3. "Maybe if it is too much of a stub, you could merge it with another well-developed article"
  4. "The start of the article could be extended more as per WP:LEAD"
  5. "The article needs to be slimmed down to reduce page size"
  6. "Include more references for extra information sources"

I compiled this list throughout the past reviews in the archives. Extranet (Talk | Contribs) 11:08, 28 March 2007 (UTC)

Nice one. Three new tasks/questions:
  • a) Of those six, which one do you think was the least helpful to the editor/s working on the article?
  • b) WP:LEAD is an important policy, often neglected by newbies possibly because contravention of it doesn't lead to deletion(!) Fine three peer reviews for articles that you believe contravene WP:LEAD in different ways. Make your comments and then come back here to point to what you've done.
  • c) Pictures are a hot topic and tricky to get your head around. I know, because I've only just got my head around it... and I'm not convinced I fully "get it" yet, either. Have you successfully uploaded any images to-date? --Dweller 11:18, 28 March 2007 (UTC)

Here are the replies to your questions:

  • A) Of those, the third one ("Maybe if it is too much of a stub, you could merge it with another well-developed article") would be the least helpful because some people do find merging a very hard task (as per personal experience).
  • B) I couldn't really understand your question quite correctly. I know you asked for three, but two peer reviews I looked over need consideration of WP:LEAD. Constitution_of_Belarus (review) and Crash (song) (review).
    • Update: When I posted my review on the Crash song, it didn't apparently save to the database. I apologise for any inconvenience. Extranet (Talk | Contribs) 23:03, 12 April 2007 (UTC)
  • C) Yes, I have uploaded a few pictures to Wikipedia. Some include the following:

ADSL modem chip

--Extranet (Talk | Contribs) 09:26, 29 March 2007 (UTC)

Nice work (both of you). Extranet, I've just gone over your contribs (again), and I've noticed that you don't do much writing. I like your critiquing above (Dweller was right on the mark), and more practice there will sure help. Admins need a thorough understanding of Wikipedia's Manual of Style, and that really requires applying style guidelines to articles. Peer review is an excellent place to apply MOS, so I recommend you continue that, and also I'd really like to see you do more writing! Your new assignment is to create an article. If you have trouble thinking of one to create, let us know below, and we'll be happy to help you pick a subject.  The Transhumanist    22:32, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Sure, I will read up on MOS. Sounds like a exciting assignment so I'll let you decide the subject on this one :) Extranet (Talk | Contribs) 22:54, 21 April 2007 (UTC)
There is no article on Emergency, just a disambiguation page. So that's your assignment: create an article entitled "Emergency".  The Transhumanist   
So what detail should I include? Separate headings for each type of 'Emergency' as on the disambiguation page? Extranet (Talk | Contribs) 00:40, 22 April 2007 (UTC)
If I might step in, I think what might be appropriate is for Wikipedia to have two pages - one a disambiguation page and the other an article about "Emergency". I'm sure you'll have loads of good ideas for what should be included in such an article, but a definition, some types, emergency services and some popular culture issues (e.g. association with red) would be good. I think your first step should be to move the existing article to an appropriately named page. Assuming you choose an appropriate name (!) I don't think that's a contentious thing to do, so you shouldn't need to garner consensus. --Dweller 11:43, 23 April 2007 (UTC)
Yes, Dweller is right, and I should have been more specific. Your assignment is not to replace the disambiguation page. It can be renamed to Emergency (disambiguation). --TT
Extranet, in answer to your question, your first step should be to study the topic "Emergency". Once you become familiar with the topic, you may see how to best present the subject on Wikipedia. What is needed is a general article on Wikipedia. What that should include is up to the initial author (you). I look forward to reading your article as it progresses.  The Transhumanist   
Sorry I never got around to it on the weekend, I will follow this up when I have some spare time. Extranet (Talk | Contribs)
Hi Extranet, like Dweller, I am a coachee too and a co-coach here. I was thinking about the topic "Emergency." Please remember that the careful selection of images can greatly enhance most articles. I would think that you would find a rich collection of appropriate images either at Commons or at some free sites on the net. Understanding the image rules such as copyrights, licenses and fair use are very important for an admin. Maybe you could use this as an occasion to brush up on that knowledge. You might start at WP:C and move on from there. JodyB 20:30, 3 May 2007 (UTC)
Is it alright if I copy some stuff from the previous articles including the disambiguation page? You can also check the status of the assignment here. Extranet (Talk | Contribs) 05:21, 4 May 2007 (UTC)
Fine by me. If I can help, let me know. JodyB talk 02:34, 7 May 2007 (UTC)
It's better to go out into the world (internet, library, etc.) and research the topic first. Get an overview of the subject that way, and then look over Wikipedia to see how its resources fit in to your understanding of the subject. Go for the big picture, and then focus down. Just a suggestion. The Transhumanist    00:41, 10 May 2007 (UTC)


Owain.davies has independently written a draft on emergency which is currently being considered to take the disambiguation page's place at Emergency. Therefore, Extranet, your assignment needs to adapt to the current situation. I think it would be best for you to help improve Owen's article, rather than compete with his draft with one of your own. You should integrate your work with his, if possible. The Transhumanist    21:07, 7 May 2007 (UTC)
I did in fact make an offer to him at his talk page about that a few days ago. Extranet talk 22:04, 7 May 2007 (UTC)
It looks like he already integrated them by using one of the same sections you did. Notice how he dealt with the existing page, conducted a discussion, and achieved consensus in order to remove the obstacle. Also study how he built the article.

(Back to Left) I don't want to interfere with the assigment below but the Emergency article could use some references. May you could locate some and spruce it up a bit. JodyB talk 13:44, 10 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] New article assignment for Extranet

But now that the article is finished, you need another one which you can create yourself. This one should be pretty easy, and you'll have to go off of Wikipedia (i.e. Google) to familiarize yourself with it:

Suicide survivor

That's not as broad a subject as emergency, but it has a couple of contexts to address (which may make this article a little tricky). I look forward to seeing what you write.

The Transhumanist    00:52, 10 May 2007 (UTC)

I don't really understand... Is there another possible article with a different subject that I could do? Extranet talk 06:03, 10 May 2007 (UTC)
A suicide survivor is someone who has lost a loved one or a close relative to suicide. Also, the term is sometimes used to refer to somebody who attempted suicide but lived. But if you'd rather create something else, check out Wikipedia:Requested articles and pick one from the list. Good luck, and let us know what article you selected to create. The Transhumanist   
Sorry TT I haven't been that active as I have been so busy with school and work. I'll try to catch up very soon and choose an article to create, perhaps this weekend when I have some free time. I was also thinking of requesting for adminship again soon as I have read through most of the Administrators reading list and other pages regarding sysop powers and I believe I have what it takes (edits, experience, etc.) to be a great and productive sysop :) E talk 21:43, 7 June 2007 (UTC)
I'm now back to the classroom and will be looking over my coaching page again to refresh my mind. I'll start on an article soon and hopefully I can get it to you by next weekend. — E talkbots 00:44, 22 July 2007 (UTC)
Cool. I'll keep an eye out for it. In the meantime, I'll look over your contribs and your RfA. The Transhumanist 09:31, 22 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Classroom assignment

The article meaning of life is in danger of losing most of its content. As a response to this, I've decided to develop it to featured article status. And since most of the students here are (like me) lacking in WP:FAC experience, I thought it would be a fun project for all of us to work on as a team. Plus, two of our coaches here are WP:FAC experts, so we'll be in good hands. I'll meet you on the meaning of life's talk page. The Transhumanist 20:24, 22 July 2007 (UTC)

(Working on this project first will give you lots of exposure to reference hunting, and article ideas, and so is a perfect lead-in to your new article creation assignment above). Plus, having FA development experience is highly regarded at RfA. See you on the article's talk page!) The Transhumanist 20:27, 22 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Your RfA

Hi E! I hope your summer has been good. I'd like to talk about your RfA and maybe make some plans for another attempt later one. Would you care to discuss it? JodyB yak, yak, yak 11:09, 5 August 2007 (UTC)

Hi there JodyB. My winter here in Australia has been great so far, and I'm about to go on a four week campout with no telephone or internet starting August 27. I'm looking forward to that. In regard to my RfA, there is no problem in discussing it and perhaps talk about going for another one in around 6 months. Let me know what you want to know. Thanks for your interest, — E talkbots 07:30, 6 August 2007 (UTC)
A four week campout? No phone? Wow! I am envious. I'll take a look and get back with you here. I'll watch the page and we'll go from there. JodyB yak, yak, yak 12:33, 6 August 2007 (UTC)
Sure, whenever you're ready. — E talkbots 20:45, 6 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Virtual classroom discussion

I've restored the Virtual classroom's main discussion area. The previous one got chopped up into student coaching pages.

The current topic of discussion is Trends on Wikipedia and where we are heading. Please come and join us.

The Transhumanist    22:24, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] My Graduation

See Wikipedia:Requests for adminship/E2 for my admin promotion. I am now deemed a graduate from the VC. — E talk 03:45, 29 December 2007 (UTC)

The above admin coaching discussion is preserved as an archive of the discussion. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the talk page of either this coaching discussion, the coach, or the coachee). No further edits should be made to this page.