User talk:Springreturning

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Contents 1 Adoption 2 Adoption 3 Adoption 4 Welcome! 5 WPMT Roll Call and COTM 6 Copyright problems

[edit] Adoption

Hey,

If you want adoption, do drop a note on my talk page.

Have a nice day,

The Rhymesmith 02:19, 28 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Adoption

Hey -- it seems that you have an offer for adoption, but if you're interested, it seems that we have some common interests, at least in the field of Musical Theatre. I've never adopted anyone, but I like to think I know the ropes around here pretty well. I'm not saying I'll have the answer to every question, but I'll usually know where to find it. If you're interested, you can respond here, or on my talk page. —  MusicMaker5376 01:40, 30 July 2007 (UTC)

Lol -- well, like I said, I'm not really sure. The adoption pages don't really tell me what to do, so I guess we just figure it out as we go. (Maybe I should pull an Angelina Jolie and find the nearest paparazzo with my new adoptee, but that would make me feel dirty.) It looks like some people have "programs" that they put people through, but I'm certainly not a regimented person, and, really, I'm too lazy for that....

One of the first things I can tell you, is that, when leaving a message on a talk page (whether a user page or the page for an article), you have to sign your post with four tildes: ~~~~ -- that squiggly line probably next to the "1" on your keyaboard. It leaves behind your username and the date and time you left the message. Very helpful.

Oh, and you'll have to get some basic HTML under your belt. Not much, and wiki does things a little differently, but you need to know that if you want a line break, like in the message you left for me, you have to add a <br>. If you look at this response I've left for you, you'll see colons at the beginnings of the paragraphs -- they indent whatever follows, and you should really indent whenever you're responding to something on a talk page.

I know it seems like a lot, and I definitely don't want to overwhelm, so I'll stop there. And, really, the best way to learn is by looking at the source of a page. If you see something and wonder how it happened, you can always click the edit button and see. Or ask me, of course.

But, since I know you're interested in musical theatre, you might want to head over to WikiProject Musical Theatre. WikiProjects are basically a place for Wikipedians with similar interests to congregate and discuss the best way to approach their subject matter. If you get a chance, check it out -- there's a bunch of stuff to be done.

I'm sure you have a million questions -- I know I did when I started and I probably could have benefited from a program like this -- so ask away. You can either ask here (I'll see changes on my watchlist), or you can ask on my talk page. —  MusicMaker5376 23:29, 30 July 2007 (UTC)

Went through your contribs, and I must say that you're well on your way! I didn't look at them all, but enough to give me a rough idea of what's up.

It looks like you're aware of what weasel words are, but you still use them quite a bit. Basically, if you're using a phrase instead of citing a source, it's weasely. "People say", "It's been said", "Many", etc. -- all weasel words and should really be avoided. Sometimes, obviously, you have to use them, but if you're using them instead of properly sourcing something, they shouldn't be used and whatever you're adding can wait until you have a source.

Copyright. As a theatrically-cognizant person, I would assume that you have more knowledge of copyright (and how to get around it...) than the average joe. WP, however, treats copyright like plutonium. Even the most random things that you might not think of as being under copyright probably are, like the Mission Statement for GW. GW would probably have no problem with their mission being on Wikipedia, but the fact that Wikipedia is licensed under GFDL creates a problem. The "GNU Free Documentation License" states that anything licensed under it is available for anyone to use for any purpose, so long as the derivative work is under the same license. It's almost PD (public domain), so you really can't even get something for use "only on Wikipedia".

Article format. The type of thing that you learn as you go: where external links belong, where the reference list belongs, etc. Generally speaking, excessive whitespace is to be avoided (no more than one carriage return between paragraphs), a ===Third level heading=== should be nested under a ==Second level heading==, etc. Even in relatively short articles, you should use a second level if it's the only heading. Also, the use of a horizontal line: ---- should be avoided. If you think you need one, you probably need a second level heading.

Policies. WP has a million policies. On first glance, it seems that WP is an anarchy, but it's more like a controlled anarchy (a concept that would make my old poli-sci professor's head explode...). There are a million rules and policies, and, really, when you get a chance, you should read through them. However, they're all things that are best understood in practice. For instance, the notability guidelines -- you can't really tell what's considered notable until you've had some of your edits removed for non-notability. The most interesting one is WP:IAR -- Ignore All Rules. Until someone tells you otherwise, let that be your guide.

Again, you're doing well. Your prose is strong, and I think you understand the basic concepts behind citing sources, etc. One thing I like to tell newbies (sorry) is that, when it comes to WP, less is more. It's real easy to forget that "Wikipedia is written for readers, not editors," and that this isn't for the glorification of your own ego. We're "editors", not "contributors", and, as such, the removal of material is as important as the adding of material.

I talk a lot. And if I sound like I'm being at all condescending, I apologize. I'm just assuming that you know nothing at all, tho I know you know more than that....

I had one other thing... What was it...? Oh! SIGN YOUR POSTS!  ;-) —  MusicMaker5376 06:54, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Adoption

Hi, you want an adoption from another editor. So, I am asking you because I am please and interested to helping you, if you want my help, please leave a mesage on my talk page saying you are interested in. Then, I will be pleased to adopt you. If you need help, leave this template on your userpage, and users or editor who sees your page will help you. Template is {{helpme}}. I am happy to adopt and teach you about wikipedia. Many thanks, Holmes.sherlock 14:08, 21 August 2007 (UTC)

sherlock, you really don't have the experience to be adopting anyone presently. DurinsBane87 14:25, 21 August 2007 (UTC)

MusicMaker5376 has adopted me, so I am no longer looking for adoption. Thanks for the offers. Springreturning 00:57, 23 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Welcome!

Nice to see you've joined!! —  MusicMaker5376 13:03, 23 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] WPMT Roll Call and COTM

[edit] Copyright problems

Hello. Concerning your contribution, Brian Todd, please note that Wikipedia cannot accept copyrighted text or images obtained from other web sites or printed material, without the permission of the author(s). This article or image appears to be a direct copy from http://www.cnn.com/CNN/anchors_reporters/todd.brian.html. As a copyright violation, Brian Todd appears to qualify for deletion under the speedy deletion criteria. Brian Todd has been tagged for deletion, and may have been deleted by the time you see this message.

If you believe that the article or image is not a copyright violation, or if you have permission from the copyright holder to release the content freely under the GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) then you should do one of the following:

• If you have permission from the author, leave a message explaining the details at Talk:Brian Todd and send an email with the message to "permissions-en (at) wikimedia (dot) org". See Wikipedia:Requesting copyright permission for instructions.
• If a note on the original website states that re-use is permitted under the GFDL or released into the public domain leave a note at Talk:Brian Todd with a link to where we can find that note.
• If you own the copyright to the material: send an e-mail from an address associated with the original publication to permissions-en(at)wikimedia(dot)org or a postal message to the Wikimedia Foundation permitting re-use under the GFDL, and note that you have done so on Talk:Brian Todd.

However, for textual content, you may simply consider rewriting the content in your own words. Thank you. • Gene93k (talk) 15:05, 12 April 2008 (UTC)