User talk:Sir Link

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[edit] Creation of Category:Wikipedians who use free software

Hello, I notice that you created Category:Wikipedians who use free software to categorise userpages which transclude the "Free software if possible" userbox. However, it seems to me that the category is all-inclusive by definition. Anyone who is a "Wikipedian" uses the wiki software, which the Wikimedia Foundation provides freely. I have nothing against the userbox, but perhaps the category should be deleted. Cheers, Black Falcon ^(Talk) 18:16, 12 July 2007 (UTC)

Hmm, you're right - never thought about that. Although it may be better to move the category (and by move, I mean create another category and delete this one) to, say, Category:Wikipedians who prefer free software, or something to that effect. By renaming it, you'd, semantically speaking, include only those who prefer free software to proprietary software. That would be better, wouldn't it? --Link ^(t•c•m) 19:25, 12 July 2007 (UTC)

The suggested rename would correct that problem (and more closely match the message conveyed by the userbox), but I'm not altogether sure that a category is necessary for users who "prefer" free software. For one thing, who doesn't prefer something free over something costly? ;) Another point is that user categories should generally serve some sort of collaborative purpose. For instance, Category:Wikipedians in London serves such a purpose by allowing the easy identification of user who reside in London and can therefore take and upload free images of people/buildings/places in the city. Category:Wikipedians interested in economics groups users who have an interest in collaborating on articles related to economics. I am having difficulty thinking of a similar collaborative purpose for a category of users who "prefer free software". Any thoughts? -- Black Falcon ^(Talk) 19:56, 12 July 2007 (UTC)

Well, there are more Wikipedian categories that don't really hold a lot of purpose per se (Wikipedians who listen to X, Wikipedians who use Y, etcetera - using something does not imply knowledge of the subject). I suppose "preferring" something is less useful than using something, but I think it still serves purpose to have a Wikipedian category that somehow shows a relationship between the users and free software - whichever semantics need to be used to achieve that. Free software is a relatively broad subject, and it could be useful to gather a base of its users - at least some of them should have some knowledge of it, and be able to contribute to related projects. It would allow users to show their association with free software, whilst not limiting them to associations with individual FLOSS projects like GNOME or Linux. Specifically, using one or more individual free software projects is less likely to grant you knowledge about free software in general than having a distinct preference for free software would.

In any case, I'll get this category deleted since I agree that it's all-inclusive. It's weird how I didn't notice that when I created the category, but it's true nonetheless. I'll edit the userbox and blank the category. I'd still like a free software Wikipedian category of sorts, but you're absolutely right in that this one isn't the way to go. --Link ^(t•c•m) 08:12, 13 July 2007 (UTC)

I deleted the category that you blanked. As for a new category, I think Category:Wikipedians interested in free software might have potential, given the number of articles in Category:Free software, as a subcategory of Category:Wikipedians by interest. However, that does not really fit with the wording of the userbox: simply using free software does not imply an interest in collaborating on articles related to it. Perhaps a new userbox? -- Black Falcon ^(Talk) 20:40, 13 July 2007 (UTC)

Sorry for the late reply; I've been really busy. That seems like a good idea. Time to get working. And thanks for deleting that category. --Link ^(t•c•m) 05:17, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

No problem. Cheers, Black Falcon ^(Talk) 17:01, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Invitation

Hello there

I see you are interested in the Life On Mars Television Series, as I am.

At the moment I have A Life On Mars Wikiproject currently up for approval by the Wikiproject Approval Council. As you are interested in Life On Mars I was wondering if you would be interested in adding your name and joining. If you are interested you can find it on Wikipedia: WikiProject Council/Proposals its right at the very bottom you cant miss it as its titled ‘Wikipedia: Wikiproject Life on Mars (Television Series)’. And after your name is added to Wikiproject propsals please add it to the main page Wikipedia:Wikiproject Life On Mars

If you are interested by all means feel free to join

Regards

Police,Mad,Jack —Preceding comment was added at 23:23, 31 December 2007 (UTC)