User talk:ZooPro/Archive April 2011

This is an archive of past discussions with ZooPro. Do not edit the contents of this page. If you wish to start a new discussion or revive an old one, please do so on the current talk page.

Archive April 2011

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Zoo organization template

I'm assuming The Arbiter will be watching here too. I've been thinking on this for a bit, and finally got around to doing an initial implementation. I always cite WAZA, AZA, ZAA, etc. in the members= infobox parameter directly to their member lists. Unfortunately, these can change, potentially breaking hundreds of links. So, I've created a template that you can see here. The syntax is currently {{User:Donlammers/Sandbox/Zoo member cite|<org>|<page>|accesdate=<date>}} Currently all orgs have "main" and "zoos" as legitimate pages (default is "main"). "waza" has a third "associations" page. "main" is the home page for the organization. "zoos" is the main member list that we are concerned about. Questions I still have at this time are: "what should the final template be named?", "what additional parameters might we need?". At this point, the organizations include waza, aza, zaa, iucn, eaza, biaza, and ammpa. I have a lot more organization citations in my sandbox that I will add, but before I spend the time I want to make sure I'm going in the right direction. Obviously, comments are welcome. Donlammers (talk) 18:10, 31 December 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I went ahead and installed the template (with its current name) in the WAZA article and the Denver Zoo article so you can see how it works. Note that when installed in the WAZA article with org=waza, there is no link to the article, but it does appear when the same template is installed in the Denver Zoo article. Anyway, it's looking good so far. I will fix these instances when I move the template into the template name space. Donlammers (talk) 20:00, 31 December 2010 (UTC)[reply]

So what you're saying is, the link to the zoo association's website list may change any time, so those links will be ineffective? Sounds like a great idea! So you are going to change that template if the links ever change? The only thing that worries me is changing the citation to your template on every page. We need a bot for stuff like this...I'm an amateur when it comes to bots, but I could try to make a Zoobot. Anyways, another great idea from Donlammers! Btw what does the name Donlammers mean? The Arbiter ^Talk 20:16, 31 December 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Doing this semi-automatically would probably not be too bad. Since I seem to be the only one that is pointing directly to the organization's member list (as opposed to the Wikipedia article on it), I'm guessing that there aren't more than a couple of hundred articles affected. There are, however, probably many more that need to be looked at and have appropriate organization info added. We could go through and at the same time add organizations that we don't have yet. What does my name mean? It's just my name. I grew up in a world where everyone didn't have 27 alter-egos, just their own name. I've thought of changing it to something to hide behind, but then I would lose all of my edit credits ;-) Donlammers (talk) 20:50, 31 December 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Another "fly in the ointment"... I just poked around a bit, and many articles don't list the major memberships in the infobox, and if they do, don't cite them. I just updated Edinburgh Zoo (one of our GA articles). It listed BIAZA in text but not EAZA or WAZA (and none of them in the infobox). The zoo site was unhelpful, so I went to the BIAZA, EAZA, and WAZA sites -- all of which claim the zoo as a member. I added the info in the infobox and to the narrative. I don't think a bot could have done that. Donlammers (talk) 22:32, 31 December 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I think we need to make a Donlammers barnstar, that is a brilliant idea, have you moved the template into main space? If not a suggested template name would be "ZooMemb" or something along those lines thats simple and easy to remember. Arbiter are you mad?? why would you make a bot that would hinder your efforts at obtaining more article edits :P, I am sure with a small effort we could divide up the list of articles, perhaps even using the WAZA, ZAA, AZA ect websites to actually find out which zoos are members, would prob save time instead of going through the articles 1 by 1. I never get tired of Donlammers brilliance. ZooPro 03:00, 1 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I have moved it into the template namespace as {{tl:ZooOrg}}, since it's really about the zoo organization Web sites, even though initially we will be using it mostly to cite membership. Go to the template to see the currently allowed values. Of course, I started with organizations that I have tended to use most, but I do have at least several other that I will add soon (and will add to the doc when I add them. I should be able to add those within the next couple of days, so I'm not going to make any additions to the project page until then. Donlammers (talk) 16:21, 1 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Well, despite the lack of contributors to WP:ZOO, Donlammers is like 5 editors in one! ZooPro, I thought initially that you meant "Arbiter are you angry" instead of mad...I realize now that mad means insane hahahaha. No I'm not insane, just very forgetful. But one thing we need to figure out is how to get more members. We have 3, I mean THREE active members. Not bad, but we could use more... The Arbiter ^Talk 16:39, 1 January 2011 (UTC) And what happened to that Belugaboy guy? The Arbiter ^Talk 16:40, 1 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Farjad0322‎ has been fairly active on certain zoos. I'm pretty much concentrating on zoos right now, so all my efforts go here rather than being spread around to several WikiProjects. I do agree though that a few more active editors would be good. We certainly have plenty of articles at whatever level someone might want to edit, including plenty of new articles to create if someone wants to do that. Donlammers (talk) 17:02, 1 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

The RfC

Whoa buddy. I hope you didn't mean my tone was insulting. If it was, I'm sorry haha. Still, I agree that the situation should just end... The Arbiter ^Talk 16:42, 1 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Haha na not your tone the other users. ZooPro 03:55, 2 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Wikipedia:WikiProject Animals/Draft capitalization guidelines

User:ZooPro has suggested that I request your feedback and/or modifications to this proposal. If you think that it has worth, I would like to post an RfC, notify relevant groups, then announce it at Wikipedia:WikiProject Manual of Style. If this is unlikely to be helpful or achieve anything, please be frank. I won't be offended.

Quick links:

This message has been sent to:

Many thanks. Anna Frodesiak (talk) 05:50, 5 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Coaching

I've made an update here. Do take your time to think about it. bibliomaniac 1 5 08:48, 7 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks I will take a few days to give my answer, I have in the past looked at the policy and seen essays on it from other editors, I want to make sure I fully understand it and its application before giving an answer. ZooPro 03:12, 8 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Hello, ZooPro. You have new messages at Anna Frodesiak's talk page.
You can remove this notice at any time by removing the {{Talkback}} or {{Tb}} template.

Queensland Flood Emergency

To all my talk page stalkers and any other user who happens to stray onto my user talk page. This evening in Australia a terrible event is unfolding, floods of unimaginable size and scale are destroying our state, I learned only moments ago that a 10 year old boy fell out of a flood rescue boat and drowned. My zoo and staff have made the decision not to stand by and do nothing, as I write this message staff are arriving here (its around midnight) and are preparing to assist in the rescue and recovery efforts, half our team will be traveling to Rockhampton to assist in snake removal and animal rescues, the other half including myself are heading to Brisbane to do the same. I must commend the heroic efforts of our Police, Fire and SES members in their efforts to save peoples lives and homes. I will of course not be available for a hopefully short period however the real world tragedy unfolding is far more important at the moment. I would ask if anyone is able to make a donation to the flood appeal please head to this website and give what you can. Kind Regards ZooPro 12:56, 11 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Australia Zoo staff entrance flooded.
Australia Zoo kangaroo exhibit flooded.
Australia Zoo staff room walkway flooded.
Map of Australia Zoo showing flooded areas.

Just some images of our zoo this morning water is expected to rise higher and cover most of the elephant exhibit, wetlands exhibit, dingos, freshwater crocs and rhino enclosures. ZooPro 06:09, 12 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Wow. Pretty nasty. I had tried to find some maps of the flooded areas, thinking you might be involved, but unlike here at home I don't know all the good sites to get disaster info. I guess this pretty much answers that question though. Good luck, and we'll see you back here when things settle down I guess. Donlammers (talk) 11:15, 12 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I was heading to brisbane but have had to stay here now that we have our own flooding issues, most of our enclosures are designed to handle floods but not the amount of water we have. ZooPro 12:11, 12 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Our flood emergency is over for the time being, only minor damage to most of the enclosures, some fences are damaged and a few security cameras are missing in the creek. No animals are missing and none have been injured or killed. The only major tragedy is Steve Irwins tree house has collapsed and most of it is missing, all that remains is the "flying fox" rope. ZooPro 13:30, 13 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you for the report. When I told him Australia Zoo was flooded, my son was worried about the animals, end was very relieved to hear that they were all safe. Is the tree house the same one that was in "Bindi the Jungle girl," or is this is different tree house? Donlammers (talk) 01:29, 15 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Bindi's treehouse is safe, its located behind the elephant exhibit on a hill so was well above floodwaters. The tree house that was destroyed was the tree house used in most of the Croc Files and The Crocodile Hunter Diaries. All our Animals are safe and well though, now our own emergency is over we can now resume our plans of attending brisbane and helping with the massive clean up there. Our wildlife hospital has already been overwhelmed by injured native animals and we are now attempting to relocate some of them to our off-site properties located in new south wales and further out west. The only casualty of the flood was our zoo curators mobile phone and radio, she thought it wise to cross the creek with both still attached to her belt :P ZooPro 01:44, 15 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

WikiProject Amphibians and Reptiles assessment drive

Just wanted to let you know that I've sent out the message to all members of WP:AAR about the unassessed articles...hopefully we can attract some help that way. bibliomaniac 1 5 00:40, 12 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks :) ZooPro 12:56, 18 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Navigation template

I noticed this edit and was wondering how the navbox was against MOS. Is it this specific template(Pleurodira) or navigation templates in general that are an issue? As far as I can tell MOS covers Navigation templates in multiple places. What am I missing? Regards, SunCreator ^(talk) —Preceding undated comment added 00:46, 14 January 2011 (UTC).[reply]

Um I am a little confused, I didnt change anything in regards to the navbox, I reverted the wording for the "External links" section, I discussed it with the user (can be found in my archives I believe), and explained it is generaly written as "External links" not "Further reading". ZooPro 01:32, 14 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Ah I have figured it out, sorry that seems to have been an error of mine in accidently removing those, please re-add them. I was not aware that happened. ZooPro 01:33, 14 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Okay, thanks for looking into this. Glad you are happy with use of navigation templates. :) Regards, SunCreator ^(talk) 01:49, 15 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Re: WikiProject Animal Coordinator Position

Thank you ZooPro. And I certainly do not want you to step down - there is no reason why not to share the position, and I may need help as this is my first time being a coordinator. I, as well, look forward to working with you. --T H F S W (T · C · E) 03:25, 15 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Cairns

I noticed you doing some edits here, so I assume you are back from Brisbane. Hopefully the worst of the mess is over now for you. I changed ARAZPA to ZAA a couple of places in the Cairns article text. I also noticed that there are three photos but no link to commons. They seem to be licensed appropriately for Commons, and since they are all yours, I thought I'd ask why you chose to upload them to Wikipedia rather than Commons? Donlammers (talk) 14:33, 20 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

G'day, Yes back from Brisbane, though its still a war zone and in ruins and I have left some staff down there (much to their dislike). Umm good question of why I didnt upload to commons, I actually cant remember. It might interest you to know that Cairns Zoo is now up for sale, hence why I corrected a few things in the article as I was given a memorandum of information about the place. Hope things are well, I did do some editing on and off however am not back to full steam yet (given it is 1.42am) Lucky I have the day off tomorrow as I cant seem to sleep. ZooPro 14:43, 20 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

RfA

Many thanks for your support, it's greatly appreciated! Warm regards, Giant Snowman 15:27, 20 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

No worries at all, Good luck :) Its worth remembering that most of those users will not go through their own RfA because they are afraid to recieve the comments they so happily give out. ZooPro 15:33, 20 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Next steps for Wikipedia:WikiProject Animals/Draft capitalization guidelines

Hi ZooPro. I saw you but missed you on IRC.

I posted here, per this. Should I wait a while before posting the RfC, notifying relevant groups, and announcing it at Wikipedia:WikiProject Manual of Style? Should I spread those things out, or should I just do everything at once?

By the way, sorry to take so long doing everything. It was recommended that I take everything slow, plus I've been a bit busy over here. Also, if you'd care to help with one or two of these things, I would be grateful. I am subject to Anna's law: "The importance of getting it right is directly proportional to the likelihood of getting it wrong." Anna Frodesiak (talk) 15:41, 21 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Like I just did forgetting the section heading. (I'm a total computer klutz.) :) Anna Frodesiak (talk) 15:44, 21 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Leave it with me for a few hours and I will give my response :) ZooPro 13:54, 22 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I am still thinking, let me go through a few guidelines first then I will look over the full proposal. I am also thinking long term about just putting up a proposal to change everything to sentence case :P Then I imagine everyone will want to comment on the discussion. Even Jimbo would stop by to have a look. ZooPro 14:04, 22 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Take lots of time. Remember Anna's law. :) Anna Frodesiak (talk) 14:06, 22 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Dont worry I am also subject to that law currently, I have been considering running for adminiship so have been reviewing myself daily and second guessing some of my edits. ZooPro 14:10, 22 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

You will make a splendid admin. Anna Frodesiak (talk) 01:31, 23 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Should I post the RfC etc. soon? Anna Frodesiak (talk) 12:00, 23 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I suggest waiting 2 days then go ahead and post an RfC, so far the proposal has been getting a lot of feedback. ZooPro 12:06, 23 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Very well. 2 days it is. Thanks. Anna Frodesiak (talk) 12:28, 23 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Should the RfC, notifying relevant groups, and announcing it at Wikipedia:WikiProject Manual of Style all be at the same time? Also, with respect to Anna's law, could you help? I feel like I'm about to print a newspaper and am worried about typos. Anna Frodesiak (talk) 01:34, 25 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Leave it with me Anna and I will let you know within the next 12 hours ok, I will have a look over everything. Have you written out exactly what you wish to say in the RfC and what you are going to post at WPOS and the project pages? If not I will put something together and you can take a look and sign off on it. ZooPro 03:33, 25 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

You're an angel! I have no clue what to write. I've never done this before and would like to learn from someone who has. I'm so sorry to bother you with this. A billion thanks! Anna Frodesiak (talk) 03:55, 25 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Lets hope when I go for RfA everyone else shares your views :) ZooPro 04:06, 25 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Can we have some more time with the guideline. A few days. Some of the examples I added are really bad in retrospect. I want to add another column also. It's just not simple at all :( Regards, SunCreator ^(talk) 04:11, 25 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I understand completely, perhaps another 2 or 3 days then I will post a comment on the talk page, if you need/want more time please let me or anna know. Cheers ZooPro 04:14, 25 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Indeed. Take your time. :) Anna Frodesiak (talk) 00:37, 26 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Categorization

I have expanded the categories that the WPZOO banner will handle, to include Category, File, Project, Redirect, and Template, giving us a bit more granularity. Supposedly I can get it to automatically add most of these by what domain the "article" it's in, but that doesn't seem to be working quite right. In any case, you will see them split out a bit more. I will work on getting them straightened out a bit more going forward. Right now at least I don't seem to have done any permanent damage. Donlammers (talk) 01:46, 23 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I will say this again we need a Donlammers Barnstar. Ha dont worry about any damage, we can always add it to the list of things to clean up :) ZooPro 12:33, 23 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I think the existing articles are all now categorized. The new categories are List, Category, Disambig, File, Project, Redirect, and Template. Most of these (I think except Redirect, but I'm not sure) only need to have {{WikiProject Zoo}} and will get automatically categorized. I've added a few images and a couple of other things, but this expands the scope of articles that ultimately should be marked. I still need to update the banner template documentation to reflect this. Donlammers (talk) 15:52, 23 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Portal

Just curious about the DEFAULTSORT. It looks like you are having it sort by title caps rather than sentence caps. If this is general practice, I can just start doing it when I have articles open, but I didn't realize that was how things were supposed to sort. BTW: If you want some more practice with AWB, you could go through and add the portal to the See also section where there is a See also section and the template is missing. This would be a good use of semi-automated edits. I still haven't figured out what to do if there is no See also section, but I'm starting to add it as I edit articles. Donlammers (talk) 15:52, 23 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I will reply later on this afternoon. ZooPro 00:35, 24 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Common name

Why are you moving common names to scientific names. Isn't the idea when there are more then one common name to use the most common one. Almost every animal has more then one common name, the more well known the more the issue. Lions are called 'King of jungle' etc, so let's move it to Panthera leo. Regards, SunCreator ^(talk) 04:19, 23 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Unlike "King of the jungle", The Keelback has around 3 official names, depending on what state in Australia it is found. Hence to eliminate confusion as to its name I moved it to the scientific name. ZooPro 04:24, 23 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Even with other names why change it to scientific? A scan on google scholars overwhelmingly gives keelback, there is only one other occurrence of another name given 'Freshwater snake', which is a bit generic. Regards, SunCreator ^(talk) 04:34, 23 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

As I stated above, in Australia each state government refers to it as a different common name, NSW refers to it as the freshwater snake, the QLD Gov refers to it as the Keelback, the NT Gov refers to it by its Aboriginal name, Hence why I moved it because in Australia it has no "1" common name. If you have an issue with the move then I would be happy to move it back,if that were to happen perhaps it could be moved to "Keelback snake" as opposed to just "Keelback". ZooPro 05:31, 23 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Snakes are of no interest to me, I doubt I will ever edit one, let alone move it. My interest is what you are doing and why you are doing it, so that I could understand if it's relevant to me. My understanding is that WP:COMMONNAME is what is most common or established through talk page consensus and unfortunately guidelines and policies aren't impressed with what a state government or Aboriginal name gives but takes a worldly view of the situation. I say unfortunately as being a Brit I encounter the same issues myself. Regards, SunCreator ^(talk) 21:01, 24 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Mentor

Hi, my name is Mike Efstathios and after reading your information I would like for you to be my mentor. I am a writing rhetoric and technical communications major and for one of my classes we are required to choose an online mentor for a semester long project on Wikipedia.

Let me know!

Mike Done

Mentor

Hi my name is Adrienna and I would like for you to be my mentor. I'm a writing rhetoric and technical communication major at James Madison University in Virgina. For our class we are working on a semester long project where we learn about Wikipedia. I love animals and I think you would be a great mentor for me. Please let me know if you would like to be my mentor and help me this semester! Thank you! Adrienna Adriennadero (talk •contribs) 21:39, 24 January 2011

Done

I actually changed my topic to executive budget because the other one was too broad! I have my first paragraph due in class tomorrow at 3:30 so if you want to look it over that would be great! thank you!!  — Preceding unsigned comment added by Adriennadero (talk • contribs) 03:00, 14 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Hi! I was wondering if you could look over my executive budget article and tell me if I am finished at this point and give me some feedback. Make any changes that you think would be helpful! I'm happy to have you back! Thank you! — Preceding unsigned comment added by Adriennadero (talk • contribs) 19:55, 16 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Look forward to working with you

Hey! I have chosen you as my online ambassador. I look forward to working with you, as I am pretty new to Wikipedia, but we are working heavily with it as part of a class I am taking at Michigan State University in the states. I've actually been to the Australian Zoo, though, as I spent 6 months studying and traveling across Australia during my undergrad work. I was based in Freo at UNDA. Tstaudt (talk) 22:46, 25 January 2011 (UTC) Thank you ZooPro 02:25, 26 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Hey There

It is nice to "meet" you! Thanks for stopping by my talk page, I hope to have some students creating userpages next week and have them up and running. Cheers! Austin.dixon (talk) 01:36, 27 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Wikipedia Ambassador Program Newsletter: 28 January 2011

The newsletter of the Wikipedia Ambassador Program – Volume 1, 28 January 2011

This is the first issue of the Wikipedia Ambassador Program newsletter. Please read it! It has important information about the the current wave of classes, instructions and advice, and other news about the ambassador program.

Delivered by EdwardsBot (talk) 00:35, 29 January 2011 (UTC) [reply]

FYI

Discussion moved from my talk to user:Xenobot/R#WP:RODENT. –xeno^talk 14:58, 31 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks Xeno. ZooPro 04:11, 1 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Hello

Hey I'm Travis. I'm working on a Public Policy course and my focus is on a local Bear Smart initiative. I'm a grad student at Western Carolina University. Basically I just need someone who can take a look at my article every once in a while and give me some suggestions. I would really appreciate your help since I'm pretty new to this whole thing. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Tdtallent1 (talk • contribs) 18:47, 7 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Done ZooPro 01:25, 9 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Hello

Hi ZooPro. I'm a graduate student in Public Affairs and Environmental Science at the School for Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) at Indiana University. As a project for our Environmental Economics course, we are required to research and edit an environmental policy article on Wikipedia, and furthermore, to choose a mentor. The link on the assignment document took me to a list of mentors, so I assume that you guys are our choices! Although I am sure everyone is well qualified, I notice that you work at Australia Zoo. A friend and I took a trip to Australia, Vanuatu and New Zealand in 2007. We spent some time in and around Brisbane so of course, we managed to drive out to Australia Zoo for an afternoon. I have some great pictures of snuggling with a pair of red kangaroos and then later being clawed by a koala.

A bit more about the project and myself. The article we are expected to edit is on brownfield lands, or land that has previously been polluted to the point of being unusable or uninhabitable, and is now being cleaned up for society's use. My background is in investment analysis and management, and I am recently of New Orleans. Please let me know if you would mind acting as a mentor to me for this project. Thanks so much for you help.

IUrangerb — Preceding unsigned comment added by IUrangerb (talk • contribs) 16:57, 8 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Done ZooPro 01:25, 9 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Wikipedia Ambassador Program Newsletter: 13 February 2011

The newsletter of the Wikipedia Ambassador Program – Volume 1, 28 January 2011

This is the second issue of the Wikipedia Ambassador Program Newsletter, with details about what's going on right now and where help is needed.

Userboxes and profiles - Add an ambassador userbox to your page, and make sure you've added your mentor profile!
Be a coordinating ambassador - Pick and class and make sure no students fall through the cracks.
New screencasts - Short videos on watchlists and a number of other topics may be useful to students.
Updates from Campus Ambassadors - Ambassadors are starting to report on classroom experiences, both on-wiki and on the Google Group.
Other news - There's a new on-wiki application for being an Online Ambassador, and Editing Friday #2 is today!
Things you can do - This is just a sample; if you're eager for something to do, there's plenty more.

Delivered by EdwardsBot (talk) 18:26, 11 February 2011 (UTC) [reply]

marking mentees' userpages

Hey ZooPro! This is just a quick reminder: please be sure to add {{WAP student}} (for an example, see User:Sfofana) the user pages of your mentees. And once they are working on articles, be sure to tag the talk pages with {{WAP assignment}}. Cheers--Sage Ross - Online Facilitator, Wikimedia Foundation (talk) 18:50, 14 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Flooding

Hey ZooPro, I've heard about all the flooding disasters in Australia. Best wishes my friend, and stay safe! :) The Arbiter ^Talk 15:53, 16 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Mentoring students: be sure to check in on them

This message is going out to all of the Online Ambassadors who are, or will be, serving as mentors this term.

Hi there! This is just a friendly reminder to check in on what your mentees are doing. If they've started making edits, take a look and help them out or do some example fixes for them, if they need it. And if they are doing good, let them know it!

If you aren't mentoring anyone yet, it looks like you will be soon; at least one large class is asking us to assign mentors for them, and students in a number of others haven't yet gotten to asking ambassadors to be their mentors, but may soon. --Sage Ross - Online Facilitator, Wikimedia Foundation (talk) 20:09, 21 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

fun article to review

That is my story and I'm sticking to it! But if you could take a look at U.S. state reptiles (at FLC now), much appreciated.TCO (talk) 05:36, 5 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I am back

To my talk page stalkers and anyone else with me on your watchlist. I am back to editing wikipedia, please give me a few days to get back into it. My first and foremost issue is my mentees and they will take up a good day or two to catch up with them. I will thank all those who have assisted with my duties during my time away. Cheers ZooPro 11:50, 13 March 2011 (UTC)t[reply]

Welcome back. And just in time to hear about another disaster. This one my brother and his family are involved in (all are safe for now, and I can hardly help out from the other side of the big pond -- just worry). Donlammers (talk) 14:07, 13 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks mate, yeah I know mother nature has dealt the southern hemisphere a bit of a blow this time. I hope your family are all safe and well. Having just been through what can only be described as hell, I can understand how people are feeling and whats going through their minds, Its crazy beyond words. Stay safe my friend ZooPro 14:18, 13 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Unfortunately it hasn't only been the southern hemisphere this year. My brother lives in Yokohama, and his wife was just Northwest of Sendai visiting her mother when the earthquake and tsunami hit. We just finally got word that both women are safe.

welcome back hope you had a good break. Faendalimas (talk) 19:16, 13 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

It was no problem. I'm sorry for neglecting your coaching for such a long time! I will try to think of a next step...I'm not sure of the old format. bibliomaniac 1 5 22:29, 13 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Welcome back! I'm just coming back, too. I've been gone for a while...I've never been so busy before in real life. The Arbiter ^Talk 14:37, 15 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I've approved your ACC request. Dusti^*poke* 23:36, 27 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Marking articles students are working on

Howdy, Online Ambassador!

This is a quick message to all the ambassadors about marking and tracking which articles students are working on. For the classes working with the ambassador program, please look over any articles being worked on by students (in particular, any ones you are mentoring, but others who don't have mentors as well) and do these things:

Add {{WAP assignment | term = Spring 2011 }} to the articles' talk pages. (The other parameters of the {{WAP assignment}} template are helpful, so please add them as well, but the term = Spring 2011 one is most important.)
If the article is related to United States public policy, make sure the article the WikiProject banner is on the talk page: {{WikiProject United States Public Policy}}
Add Category:Article Feedback Pilot (a hidden category) to the article itself. The second phase of the Article Feedback Tool project has started, and this time we're trying to include all of the articles students are working on. Please test out the Article Feedback Tool, as well. The new version just deployed, so any bug reports or feedback will be appreciated by the tech team working on it.

And of course, don't forget to check in on the students, give them constructive feedback, praise them for positive contributions, award them {{The WikiPen}} if they are doing excellent work, and so on. And if you haven't done so, make sure any students you are mentoring are listed on your mentor profile.

Thanks! --Sage Ross - Online Facilitator, Wikimedia Foundation (talk) 18:15, 15 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Re: My fellow WikiProject Animals Coordinator

Alright, thanks. Nothing has happened on WPAN. Cheers, --T H F S W (T · C · E) 17:00, 17 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Vampire bat

Now that the Slow loris aricle is finished, will the Vampire bat article be the next collaboration? LittleJerry (talk) 00:03, 18 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thats a question for the Mammals project coordinator, I will however email him and ask for you. ZooPro 00:09, 18 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you. LittleJerry (talk) 00:32, 18 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Images that need permission

Hi, ZooPro. I've noticed that you got permission from people you know to release a number of images under a free license:

These require an OTRS confirmation e-mail, and otherwise have to be deleted (see Template:Di-no permission). File:Tropcarin3.jpg also looks like it needs confirmation, and if you got permission to release our modification of a map to show flooding at Australia Zoo, File:Australia Zoo Floods Map.png, confirmation will be needed here, probably just an e-mail from you. Great to see you've to the trouble of gettingthese images, and I hope you can fix this. Thanks, —innotata 20:51, 21 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

No worries I will get on to that today. ZooPro 02:18, 22 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Done ZooPro 08:23, 22 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Great that you could fully confirm this, and so quickly. —innotata 22:43, 22 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

It was a slow day. ZooPro 08:21, 23 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Wikipedia Ambassador Program Newsletter: 21 March 2011

The newsletter of the Wikipedia Ambassador Program – Volume 3, 21 March 2011

This is the third issue of the Wikipedia Ambassador Program Newsletter, with details about what's going on right now and where help is needed.

Where the courses are - A brief summary of how each of the 31 Public Policy Initiative courses are faring so far in the Spring 2011 term, as of 9-11 March. Feel free to add more detail.
Tracking students' articles - Make sure students' articles are tagged with {{WAP assignment}} on the talk pages, and have the newly improved Article Feedback Tool active.
Education portal in progress - Wikimedia staff have started work on an outreach portal for information about teaching with and about Wikipedia. Please help develop it!
Online Ambassadors logistics - If you don't have a Wikipedia Ambassador sweatshirt, now's your chance to get one! (Also, some other more mundane, but important, details.)
Steering committee preparing proposals - Look for discussions about two major proposals about the future ambassador program soon: the "Regional Ambassador" role, and elections for a new committee.
Editing Friday returns - This Friday, join fellow ambassadors and others real-time collaboration on Wainwright Building.

Delivered by EdwardsBot (talk) 22:28, 21 March 2011 (UTC) [reply]

User talk:Tonyabbottsucks

Please see Wikipedia:Deny recognition. There is nothing to be gained from engaging trolls in conversation: I speak from experience. Thanks, Drmies (talk) 02:11, 31 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks, I know I was merely confirming my suspicions of who the user really was. Cheers ZooPro 02:14, 31 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

What, a sock? Drmies (talk) 02:29, 31 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Yes but also someone who has recently been "stalking" Australia Zoo. ZooPro

Well, this one is gone now. Drmies (talk) 02:45, 31 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Yes thank goodness, nothing like a little bit of drama to start the day. ZooPro 02:48, 31 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Ha, "start the day"--it's bed time here. Hey, I saw your note on Rlevse. I used to get along fine with him as well, I remember. Drmies (talk) 02:51, 31 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks a lot

Yes thank you im hear to support wiki and learn more--BloodofHeroes (talk) 14:21, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

No worries. ZooPro 14:23, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Hey question how do you add userboxes i read the tutorial and went to the gallery to find one and i clicked on one and the pic. came up?--BloodofHeroes (talk) 14:40, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Quite simple really just copy and paste the markup, an example is {{User WikiProject Animals}}. You simply copy and paste that onto your page. Take a look at my userbox page for a better understaning its located here feel free to press the edit button and see how it looks. Cheers ZooPro 14:46, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

thank you so much!--BloodofHeroes (talk) 14:51, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Your welcome. ZooPro 14:52, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Hey where do you copy it from i copied it and the image came up when i pasted--BloodofHeroes (talk) 14:57, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I am not quite sure what you mean? Perhaps you could save it to your userpage and I could take a look for you?? ZooPro 14:59, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Ok i went to the gallery highlighted it went to my user page and the picture size and stuff like that popped up--BloodofHeroes (talk) 15:03, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I gtg 2 work be on 2morrow--BloodofHeroes (talk) 15:05, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I have worked out how you hace gone wrong, You are attempting to create a thumbnail not a userbox. I will fix the error for you so you can see how I did it. ZooPro 15:08, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Done. ZooPro 15:16, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

thank you so much question how do u make ur main page look like that--BloodofHeroes (talk) 23:55, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Well, nice to meet you... different topic:

I see you're a zoo-nut. I wrote this last year. If you find the time, you could assess it — is it more than a "C"? Choyoołʼįįhí:Seb az86556 ^{> haneʼ} 17:26, 3 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I prefer zoo professional but nut could cover it :P I have assessed and re-rated the article for you. ZooPro 02:03, 4 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you so much. Now, give me some sort of hint what you would expect to be added, so I won't embarrass myself at a potential GA-review. It's a very small zoo. Choyoołʼįįhí:Seb az86556 ^{> haneʼ} 03:04, 4 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

MfD nomination of Wikipedia:ACC tool users' pledge

Wikipedia:ACC tool users' pledge, a page you substantially contributed to, has been nominated for deletion. Your opinions on the matter are welcome; please participate in the discussion by adding your comments at Wikipedia:Miscellany for deletion/Wikipedia:ACC tool users' pledge and please be sure to sign your comments with four tildes (~~~~). You are free to edit the content of Wikipedia:ACC tool users' pledge during the discussion but should not remove the miscellany for deletion template from the top of the page; such a removal will not end the deletion discussion. Thank you. Wifione _.......^{Leave a message} 10:06, 5 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Make sure that you are checking in on your students work for WP:USPP/C/11/PTE

Hey, just a happy reminder to make sure that you are regularly checking in on your mentees work for JMU'S Technical editing class, Sadads (talk) 11:18, 5 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for the reminder. ZooPro 11:50, 5 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Request -- Respectfully submitted

May I request that when you are overworked and under stress, here and in real life, you avoid such actions as would crush the enthusiasm and creativity of editors who are newer than you? Your nomination of WP Prehistoric Mammals for deletion was a little over board.

If you sought the deletion of the project because it could encroach on projects you hold dear and thereby further upset your world, I withdraw the request. JimCubb (talk) 20:15, 13 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks and I agree with you first statement, however your second statement could not be further from the truth. I have seen many projects fall into inactivity and non-existance because it was started by only a few users. Eventually it becomes a problem because no one is looking after those articles, currently the Marsupial and Monotreme articles stand idol and un-developed because the project folded. I think Wikipedia has reached/created all the WikiProjects in the animal related areas so now instead of creating more projects we need to have more members join the current projects to ensure that they to dont fuffer the same fate as the smaller wikiprojects. ZooPro 00:08, 14 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Portal:Prehistoric Mammals taskforce

I agree that turning this project into a taskforce would be a good thing. However, I am not entirely certain how to go about "heading up" a task force. Would you be so kind as to show me how? Pinguinus (talk) 14:23, 14 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I will sure will help you, give me a few days and I will modify some templates and discuss it on the talk pages and we will get it up and running for you, basically you will be the driving force behind the taskforce making sure the projects dont forget about it, giving updates evernow and then and rating and assessing articles. I look forward to working with you. ZooPro 23:54, 14 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]