User talk:Eric Corbett/Archives/2014/April

Trams

Hi Eric. I wondered if you might have an opinion on whether we should say a tram in a street or a tram on a street. The conversation is at Talk:Edinburgh Trams or you could just reply here. Hope you're well. --John (talk) 20:48, 1 April 2014 (UTC)

I've given my opinion there, for what it's worth. Eric Corbett 23:23, 1 April 2014 (UTC)

• Dear fellow, may I assay your concerns on the matter of the article? If you'd do me the kind favour of listing your concerns, in detail, on the article's talk page, perhaps they can be addressed. If you do not do this, however, I can only assume malice. It is false to threaten without the appropriate concerns being listed in detail. At present, I have no idea what exactly the concerns of either you, dear fellow, or that other dear fellow, John, are, and I am not the only dear editor to have asked. As I said earlier in this message, please kindly list your concerns, so that they may be assayed, discussed, and remedied. RGloucester — ☎ 00:10, 2 April 2014 (UTC)

  You do not make a favourable first impression with your insistence on referring to me as your "dear fellow", so I suggest that you drop that affectation. If I decide that it is appropriate to initiate a GAR on this article then I will of course list my concerns in detail in the review and provide you (or humanity, whichever of you decides to turn up) with sufficient time to address those concerns. But just for starters, the article has the feel of a rolling news story, and a poorly written one at that. We don't need to see all the gory detail as it unfolded in the newspapers day by day, just the overall story. Eric Corbett 00:19, 2 April 2014 (UTC)

Perhaps one is mistaking the sense in which I am using the word 'fellow'? I am using it in the traditional sense of "a person; an individual, male or female", not in sense of 'companion'. I refer to everyone as my dear fellow, as all humans are dear to my heart. It means no harm, but instead is an emblem of the humanity shared by us both. Nevertheless, I will refer to you as "sir" and "Mr Corbett", if those would be preferable terms of address.

Now, Mr Corbett, I don't disagree with your commentary here. Fundamentally, this is a product of the fact that the tramway has been under construction for ages. In an effort to keep the article in a vague state of "currentness", prior to the opening of the tramway, it was necessary to detail such events as they are there. In fact, during the GA review, I spent a very great deal of time removing such information that had become outdated. I would not be opposed to converting such information into appropriate prose, however, I would require, as I said, a detailed list of what needs mending. A reassessment would not be offensive. Kindly make your decision on the matter, and be swift. One doesn't have time for loitering in this regard. With sincerity, RGloucester — ☎ 02:47, 2 April 2014 (UTC)

It's not your place Gloucester to make any demands of me. I have said that if I remain unsatisfied with the article then I will initiate a GAR. Your job is to fix the article so as to make that step unnecessary. Eric Corbett 23:38, 2 April 2014 (UTC)

It is very difficult to fix an article when neither you, Mr Corbett, or Mr John, will provide a detailed account of what one finds is objectionable. Mr Sladen has also requested this index of problems. However, I'm fairly certain that neither of us have 'jobs' here, and that we are both volunteers. It might be worthwhile to remember such a phrase. Nevertheless, I will do my best to address any concerns that are raised. RGloucester — ☎ 00:17, 3 April 2014 (UTC)

If you're unwilling to listen to what you're being told, as you appear to be, then you can only look forward to the article being delisted. Eric Corbett 00:30, 3 April 2014 (UTC)

I have not been told anything, other than that the article is not up to snuff, and that there are problems with WP:PROSELINE (and tabloid sourcing, which Mr John claims to have resolved), which I've tried to help remedy. RGloucester — ☎ 00:51, 3 April 2014 (UTC)

I'll see you at the GAR then. Eric Corbett 01:01, 3 April 2014 (UTC)

Thanks, Eric. --John (talk) 06:29, 2 April 2014 (UTC)

Speaking of 'fun' ...

OMG! There's actually an *article* on fun! (And, there is also an article on Wikipedia! [... I dunno the logic of that; isn't it a bit like including a chapter titled "Writing the Autobiography" in a person's autobiography?!]) Cheers, Ihardlythinkso (talk) 10:51, 3 April 2014 (UTC)

February 2014

Hello, I'm BracketBot. I have automatically detected that your edit to Public housing may have broken the syntax by modifying 4 "{}"s and 3 "<>"s. If you have, don't worry: just edit the page again to fix it. If I misunderstood what happened, or if you have any questions, you can leave a message on my operator's talk page. It's OK to remove this message. Also, to stop receiving these messages, follow these opt-out instructions. Thanks, BracketBot (talk) 20:26, 26 February 2014 (UTC)

Look Eric, a nice little bot asking you to make a simple, little edit. Looks like the perfect opportunity for a gentle comeback. The champagne (or beer or whatever it is you people north of Watford drink) is on ice and waiting to celebrate your return.  Giano  20:32, 26 February 2014 (UTC)

I seem to have forgotten how to do citations during my spell away. Merlot is my current favourite drink, and I raise a glass to you and to HJ Mitchell (talk · contribs) for your principled stand on the recent unfortunate events, which hopefully we will have no need to speak of again. Eric Corbett 21:15, 26 February 2014 (UTC)

To stop my heavy drinking, could you tell me what steward means here? Reward: pöpcørn, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:15, 26 February 2014 (UTC)

It means that Foliot administered the property of the Earl of Huntingdon. Eric Corbett 22:35, 26 February 2014 (UTC)

pöpcørn

So "Verwalter" (administrator, was my guess) seems right? Next: could you go over the outcommented parts and delete detail that certainly is not needed in German? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:41, 26 February 2014 (UTC)

I don't think my German's up to that Gerda, I'd probably just make a mess of it. I'm not sure that Verwalter is the best translation for steward as the steward wasn't just a regular administrator, he was placed in complete control of his lord's property in the latter's absence. Perhaps it more closely corresponds to Statthalter? Eric Corbett 23:17, 26 February 2014 (UTC)

I'll think about Statthalter (Pontius Pilate the most famous). - You misunderstood my question, nothing that would require German. They "import", meaning the complete original article is there, with the history. Now, I'm not going to translate all of it ;) - you could delete in the hidden text all less important details, - take your time, I call it a day, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 23:30, 26 February 2014 (UTC)

Well, it sorta means that. It was also an office ... he could have been the steward in the earl's household, since the earl was also heir to the Scottish throne and would have had a more elaborate household. (Probably best to ask the main author of the article for advice...) Given that this is the bishop's father we're talking about - it's a bit hard to say exactly what was meant by the term - it was a bit fuzzy at the time. If you just say that the elder Foliot was an official of the Earl of Huntingdon ... you're on safe ground. Ealdgyth - Talk 00:15, 27 February 2014 (UTC)

Thanks, author! (see also, 16 Feb) I suggest Verwalter und Stellvertreter, - Verwalter is quite a strong position now. Possibly the Germans had a more specific term at that time, but it might not be understood. Should they (de-WP) have a little de-article on Steward (?), instead of a very vague description on a dab page? - Feel free to go over to the bishop and reduce as well (I was just too tired last night to also ask you.) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:22, 27 February 2014 (UTC)

What about Truchsess (usually translated “seneschal”)? A similar office in the early HRE was that of majordomo or Haushofmeister. But Verwalter would probably be fine.—Odysseus1479 10:01, 27 February 2014 (UTC)

Precious again, on the Main page. Reminds me to work on the translation ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:37, 6 March 2014 (UTC)

So I did, please check if I missed something important, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:51, 6 March 2014 (UTC)

SG for Gilbert Foliot

--Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:10, 2 April 2014 (UTC)

Gerda, were it not for Ealdgyth I would have had no idea who Foliot was. All I do is translate her American into English. Eric Corbett 00:36, 3 April 2014 (UTC)

That's why she got it also. However, there would not have been a translation if I had not missed you, - I keep translating articles of the missed ones mentioned on top of my talk. I would like to translate an article by br'er, - only he never owned one. - I don't think Foliot will be as successful as Grace Sherwood. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 11:08, 3 April 2014 (UTC)

Cancer pain

I wrote this a couple of years ago, and I'm still noticing fuzzy thought and poor expression and punctuation. Would you like to run your expert eye over it? --Anthonyhcole (talk · contribs · email) 12:12, 18 March 2014 (UTC)

Perhaps. I'll have to refresh my memory of whether you're friend or foe. Can you give me a few links to where you've helped me? Eric Corbett 16:37, 20 March 2014 (UTC)

I don't think I'm either. I supported one block - because you needed it - and supported lifting it early because it had served its purpose; and opposed all others, I think. I've told you to fuck off at least once - but you deserved it. Do what you like, I won't be proving my troth. --Anthonyhcole (talk · contribs · email) 09:23, 24 March 2014 (UTC)

(watching) someone with a sense of humour in sarcasm (or not), and willing to check premises. Friend or for, or "mutual-back-scratching clique", might change, no? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:46, 24 March 2014 (UTC)

Foe then. I always do what I like, don't need your permission for that. I was wondering where I'd seen you around, and I was reminded earlier that it was on Wikipediocracy. Eric Corbett 23:27, 25 March 2014 (UTC)

Cheers. Let me know if I can ever be of assistance. --Anthonyhcole (talk · contribs · email) 05:37, 5 April 2014 (UTC)

The Cottingley fairies aren't gone - they just moved to the Rossendale Valley.

[1] Or maybe they're just mayflies :-) Richerman (talk) 17:48, 5 April 2014 (UTC)

I'll have to keep an eye out for those Rossendale Fairies. Eric Corbett 19:09, 5 April 2014 (UTC)

Belle Vue Zoological Gardens

Just so you know a chunk of the article about Kings Hall was cut and copied into a new article. I didn't quite know how to deal with it so I redirected it. J3Mrs (talk) 12:02, 2 April 2014 (UTC)

...and upset someone. J3Mrs (talk) 12:51, 2 April 2014 (UTC)

It's rather easy to upset someone here, particularly if they're lazy, stupid incompetents. Eric Corbett 13:30, 2 April 2014 (UTC)

I know, I'm quite good at it, but not as good as you. At the minute I'm particularly upset with my broadband, but let's not go there. J3Mrs (talk) 13:56, 2 April 2014 (UTC)

When God was handing out patience I must have been hiding behind the door. Eric Corbett 23:30, 2 April 2014 (UTC)

I know the person standing next to you. J3Mrs (talk) 09:52, 3 April 2014 (UTC)

Thought I recognised you from somewhere ... Eric Corbett 19:10, 5 April 2014 (UTC)

It wasn't me, believe it or not I can be quite patient, I just don't suffer fools. J3Mrs (talk) 13:52, 6 April 2014 (UTC)

I tend to live by my mother's motto: "life's too short to bugger about". Eric Corbett 13:55, 6 April 2014 (UTC)

True, yet I find myself procrastinating, certainly where wp is concerned. And one reason I'm procrastinating is I don't much care for being followed around either. J3Mrs (talk) 14:09, 6 April 2014 (UTC)

I get a lot of that. What I especially hate are the clowns who turn up with a statement along the lines of "How did this article ever get through FAC containing something I disagree with in the lead?" But we're just supposed to grin and bear it until they finally manage to provoke us into saying something blockable. What a place this is. Eric Corbett 17:27, 6 April 2014 (UTC)

I get a bit too but I've taken to walking away and I don't bother replying to stupid questions. I'd have written a lot more recently but who wants to spend time with an idiot looking over your shoulder? J3Mrs (talk) 17:44, 6 April 2014 (UTC)

By the way empty vessels make most noise. J3Mrs (talk) 17:47, 6 April 2014 (UTC)

Grinning: I put it on the list for pending TFA for June, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:13, 7 April 2014 (UTC)

Just for fun

Mermaids!

Hey all, I created Sip 'n Dip Lounge yesterday and just put it up for DYK. It's in far less polished form than articles that I normally allow to land on this talk page, but given the unusual and quirky nature of the place, figured that this is still my best shot to find other good editors interested in doing some copyedits, peer review and general assistance toward GAN. A teaser: Called a "Polynesia on the Plains" by CBS News, in 2003, GQ Magazine rated the lounge as one of the top 10 bars in the world, and the #1 bar in the world "worth flying for". Frommer's travel guide calls it "one of the kitschiest, wackiest, and flat-out coolest nightspots, not just in Montana, but in the entire West." Montanabw^(talk) 01:02, 3 April 2014 (UTC)

Thanks to those who have popped by and fixed my typos! If anyone needs a qpq for a dyk, it's still in need of a review...  ;-) Montanabw^(talk) 00:00, 4 April 2014 (UTC)

DYK yesterday; on to my next project, California Chrome - I've got my Kentucky Derby horse! Montanabw^(talk) 02:11, 9 April 2014 (UTC)

GA question

Eric, I know you're an expert on GA; I'm not, so I was hoping you could answer a question for me? I noticed that Graduados was the oldest unreviewed GA nomination, and decided to take a look at it. I've done quite a bit of copyediting (I have one more section to do), and have cut a bit, and checked most of the sources (using Google Translate in most cases). The article is fundamentally the same as when I started -- I haven't restructured, and I haven't added any new sources. However, I'm now, by edit count at least, a significant contributor. Having cleaned it up I think the article is GA, and would like to put my name down as reviewer and go through the checklist to be sure, but I don't know if it would be kosher for me to review it given the work I've done on it. Can you advise? Thanks. Mike Christie (talk - contribs - library) 00:51, 9 April 2014 (UTC)

(stalking) I think you're on safe grounds if every edit you made is something you would have otherwise put in a comment in the review. Other editors ask up front if it's okay to copyedit as they go and only stop when they're stuck. In your case, though, you've removed significant amount of sourced content, which unless you've discussed it up front in the review I would say is problematic. I think you need someone with a good knowledge of Spanish culture as well as sources - a show like this is likely trip up gossip in the tabloids, which are the sort of sources you should avoid like the plague for GA. FWIW, Mrs333 speaks good Spanish, but she hates Wikipedia so I don't think she'll be interested in doing the review. Ritchie333 ^{(talk) (cont)} 09:18, 9 April 2014 (UTC)

Do you mean "hates TV"? Seems like "hates Wikipedia" would disqualify her from most reviews. Thanks for the comments: I mentioned on the talk page that I was cutting some material, but not in detail every time. Mostly it was gossip and entertainment website chit-chat, as you suggest; in some cases the sources didn't support the material, though that was sometimes for statements that anyone watching the show would have known were accurate.

I guess I shouldn't review it, which is a pity; it's been waiting for about six months. Any TPS here willing to take it on? I think it's a lot closer to GA now than it was before I started, so it might not be a very troublesome review. Mike Christie (talk - contribs - library) 11:51, 9 April 2014 (UTC)

I agree with Ritchie333. You've done more than what I'd consider to be straightforward copyediting, so in your position i wouldn't undertake the review. Eric Corbett 12:32, 9 April 2014 (UTC)

OK, thanks. I'll leave it for someone else. Mike Christie (talk - contribs - library) 12:46, 9 April 2014 (UTC)

Blocked

You have been blocked for sloth.

Who is "sloth"? Why don't you block him instead of me? Eric Corbett 05:06, 17 April 2014 (UTC)

You've Got Blocked is a 2015 romantic comedy written by Dr Blo Feld and Dr Mies Ryan and directed by the Cohen Chuckle Brothers. It stars Ronnie Corbett and Lily Cole as two Wikipedians who have been indeffed for reverting the use of em-dashes and removing infoboxes from Featured Articles, respectively. The film tracks their progress as they meet, discuss their future together, and deciding ultimately to "stuff this for a game of soldiers". The film was critically successful, and earned an 89% "frisky" rating at Rotten Tomatoes. ...more... (Ritchie333)

Don't tell me that the removal of infoboxes from FAs found critical acclaim. Tell me when the last addition of an infobox to a FA on TFA day happened? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:17, 17 April 2014 (UTC)

Haha LMAO!!♦ Dr. Blofeld 08:25, 17 April 2014 (UTC)

Your account has been blocked indefinitely because you are Eric Corbett. (See our Eric Corbett and Do Not Reduce Drama God! policies for more information).

We invite everyone to contribute constructively to our encyclopedia, but users are not allowed to edit if they are Eric Corbett. If you think there are good reasons why you should be unblocked, you may appeal this block by going over to WP:CRICKET and strong-arming the people who actually write content into helping me out with all those tiny stubs about Australian women cricketers I started recently, and...

Oh bloody hell, I've only just come home and read the drama-board, but this joke is stale already. Why does all the good lulz happen when I'm at work, or asleep? More consideration needs to be shown for those in the less fashionable time-zones, etc, etc. --Shirt58 (talk) 09:19, 17 April 2014 (UTC)

List of National Trust properties in Somerset

Seeing you on Exmoor Pony made me wonder if you would be willing to take a look at my prose in the description sections of List of National Trust properties in Somerset. I believe it to be a comprehensive list and I'm trying to work it towards Featured List, but suspect my English will let me down again.— Rod ^talk 07:28, 18 April 2014 (UTC)

Am I the only one?

I have an (off-wiki) list of editors who based on past experience I refuse to collaborate with, and if they turn up at an article I'm working on I'll simply walk away from it. It gets more difficult though of course when they chase you for a sentence in an FA or a GA; then you've got to stand and fight. Am I unique? Does WP:AGF not have some natural boundaries? Eric Corbett 03:59, 17 April 2014 (UTC)

I hope not to be on that list. Though I admit I have a list of my own. I agree that AGF has a lot of natural boundaries, half of which (in my humblest and insignificant opinion) many Wikipedians enjoy ignoring. → Call me Hahc21 04:24, 17 April 2014 (UTC)

You're not on my list, but quite a few of your admin colleagues are. The majority aren't administrators though, just run of the mill arseholes. Eric Corbett 04:37, 17 April 2014 (UTC)

Just an FYI, I left the ANI notification because you'd complained about not getting any ANI notifications for awhile. (This is something of a non sequitur for this thread, but I also thought I could have been on your list.) I do have a sense of humor, I make no claim to having a good sense of humor though. -- Atama頭 04:54, 17 April 2014 (UTC)

(edit conflict) You're not on my list either. Those who are will know who they are. Eric Corbett 05:04, 17 April 2014 (UTC)

I also have my list of the limits of AGF, I didn't have to collect it, and it's not a secret, linked under "pride and prejudice" on my userpage, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:22, 17 April 2014 (UTC)

(edit conflict) Not that I'm not concerned about those inside the first group (my ideology tells me that admins should create content too, we still belong to the 'user' group after all), but those inside the second group are quite a problem, buttons or not. → Call me Hahc21 05:00, 17 April 2014 (UTC)

Do you think is useful to subdivide the asshole category (and by subproject if applies) to: "–assholes", "–dimwits", and "–nutcases"? Ihardlythinkso (talk) 05:19, 17 April 2014 (UTC)

• Asshole-asshole, asshole-dimwits, asshole-nutcases? Oh, and as always, asshole-nazis. — Crisco 1492 (talk) 05:37, 17 April 2014 (UTC)

I've got a list too. Fortunately they seem to be narrow minded jerks who can only edit one topic in one way, so they can be easily avoided and ignored. I expect most long standing editors have such a list. And no, Eric isn't on it! Ritchie333 ^{(talk) (cont)} 05:38, 17 April 2014 (UTC)

Mine is an inverse list. Given my rather unusual situation, I find this simpler because it is shorter and doesn't require an aide memoire. A Corbett List (not the same as List of Corbetts) would run to many pages. - Sitush (talk) 07:14, 17 April 2014 (UTC)

Yup, I also have a list of wiki assholes, although mentally rather than actual of super unreasonable/arrogant editors on here. I'm pretty sure a lot would agree with my list too. There are very few that I'll simply walk away from an article if they start editing it though, but they're generally types I know it is pointless getting into arguments with and try to avoid. I was thinking of going live with a list on my user page once of editors who must be avoided at all costs but I thought one of them would probably come along and delete it. I did mention one of them (Rob Sinden) once on my user page and he removed it in about 2 minutes! Yeah there has to be a grading for level of assholery. Ones you might encounter during a one-off dispute who don't bother you again can't really go on the full blown asshole list of those editors who frequently troll your articles and seem to have a diary of anything "uncivil" anybody ever said and can draw upon it at will during a dispute, even if completely unrelated. A full blown wiki asshole simply exists on wikipedia to belittle the work of others and try to drive as many people away from here as possible. ♦ Dr. Blofeld 11:51, 17 April 2014 (UTC)

The phrase, "full-blown wiki asshole" can conjur up so many images, some of them humorous, others rather disturbing. You all may find this useful: " 81-4-204... It shall be unlawful for any owner, person, firm, corporation, or association having the management or control of any ...jackass over the age of 1 year to permit or suffer such animal to run at large on the open range." Montanabw^(talk) 23:25, 17 April 2014 (UTC)

Wikiwatcher/Light Show's history on the Peter Sellers talk page is probably the finest example of pure repeat wiki assholery and trolling I can think of aside from the obvious attacks which have been seen in the past on this page. An editor miffed that we developed "his" problematic C class article to FA and has remained bitter about it ever since. Every few weeks he'll come up with another "problem" with the article.To me it now seems as if he exists purely to criticise anything which Cassianto and SchroCat produce. He even started picking on the Charlie Chaplin article by association of Loeba with them and because Cassianto did the GA review. Naturally when challenged such editors always insist that their concerns are based on pure good faith. Yeah right... ♦ Dr. Blofeld 09:02, 18 April 2014 (UTC)

Books & Bytes - Issue 5

The Wikipedia Library

Books & Bytes
Issue 5, March 2014
by The Interior (talk · contribs), Ocaasi (talk · contribs)

• New Visiting Scholar positions
• TWL Branch on Arabic Wikipedia, microgrants program
• Australian articles get a link to librarians
• Spotlight: "7 Reasons Librarians Should Edit Wikipedia"

Read the full newsletter

MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 17:54, 19 April 2014 (UTC)

1960s

I'm in no rush, but I'm planning to start research and adding of facts to User:Dennis Brown/Articles/American automobile industry in the 1960s with the goal of going from user space to maybe DYK/GA from the first day of main space. I'm figuring a month of two of fact finding, followed by building of prose. It presents some new challenges, but I'm up for it. I would absolutely love to have you riding shotgun on this, particularly with prose, like we have done before. If you can't or choose not, I understand, I just always enjoy working with you. Hoping to keep it relaxed and outline/fill at our leisure, working as early or late in the process as you like. I'm a bit busy in the real world, but this would be a much better diversion from real life than patrolling ANI, for me. Think about it. Dennis Brown | 2¢ | WER 01:56, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

No need to think about it Dennis, I'd love to help. Always given I'm not blocked or banned by the time you're ready of course; there's another threatened ANI report hanging over my head, as if I give a monkeys. Eric Corbett 13:35, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

Excellent! I'm off to the book store to pick up some citations in hard form. This one should be interesting, lots of horsepower, plus a completely different political environment with Civil Rights, unions and imports affecting the industry in a profound way. I may do a follow up on the malaise of the 70s later in the year, covering the new emissions, gas shortage, etc. Dennis Brown | 2¢ | WER 13:56, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

Sounds good. I'm still in mourning though after having sold my beloved Jaguar XJS a few days ago. Downsizing can be so cruel. That's us down to our last two cars now, a Jeep and an MGB. What's going to be next? The workhouse? Relying on soup kitchens? Eric Corbett 14:01, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

And Dennis, if you're going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair, in the streets of San Francisco, you're gonna meet some gentle people there. Richerman (talk) 14:24, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

Sorry to hear about your loss Eric, maybe something nice will drift your way, like an Alpine. It's no Jag, but it takes half the space and you could always drop a 289 in it. And I'm going to San Francisco later this year to study cannabis flowers for a new business I've started. I'm guessing those aren't the flowers you were speaking of, however. Dennis Brown | 2¢ | WER 14:57, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

I've got some work to do on our MGB before I'll be allowed to look at another car. New cylinder head and complete exhaust system for starters. Eric Corbett 17:45, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

Those would be very appropriate for the 1960's song I was referring to. I can smell the hash already :) Richerman (talk) 17:09, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

That's a big loss. I used to be a car nut as a kid and whenever I used to spot a Jaguar I'd get excited!♦ Dr. Blofeld 15:32, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

An even bigger loss would have been the amount of money I'd had have to have spent to get the air conditioning fixed. About £1500 at the last estimate, just to change one pipe, as the car pretty much needs to be dismantled to get at the air conditioning. Eric Corbett 17:34, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

When we get through this article, we should explore the idea of an article on the rebirth of the British auto industry after WWII, or before an after WWII. Being a yank, I know exactly nothing about it, but that would be a good way to learn. Dennis Brown | 2¢ | WER 17:24, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

That's a big story, but one worth telling properly. It was a slow decline after WWII, led by various government-inspired initiatives such as the daft British Leyland, who seemed to have no idea of quality control. Take Jaguar for instance. Until they were take over by Ford in the early 1990s their cars were crap. Nice-looking crap admittedly, but crap. Eric Corbett 17:40, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

With the exception of the X-Type (which was a Ford Mondeo in all but name). Cassianto^talk 18:09, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

It was a Mondeo, as you say. I find the history of Jaguar cars, and the British motor industry as a whole, to be rather shocking. Eric Corbett 18:32, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

It is shocking. I had, up until recently a TR3A, which I sold on to fund my latest motor. My father had an E-Type series 1 in the 1970s and had to sell it when yours truly came along. It was immaculate and he sold it for around the £10,000 mark I think. A kick in the teeth now when you see how much they are worth. Did you see the Eagle Speedster on Top Gear a few years ago? Cassianto^talk 19:06, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

I can't help but butt in here... I'm sorry... ☠ Jaguar ☠ 18:36, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

You guys are making me nostalgic for my 1965 Chevy Impala - my first car. With a 327... little did my parents realize that their concept of why you wanted a "good engine" in a car was somewhat different from mine...  ;-) Montanabw^(talk) 19:47, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

The truth is that most car articles are crap, guarded by projects who can't see beyond the crap. Eric Corbett 20:01, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

Choose your battles. Start with the Jaguar...?  ;-) Montanabw^(talk) 22:50, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

Life's too short. I've just adopted a tiger, Kamrita. I'm far more interested in her than in any Jaguar. Eric Corbett 23:17, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

Feeding has to really set you back. I don't think Purina makes tiger chow. Dennis Brown | 2¢ | WER 23:23, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

I adopted a mini-tiger last year, and even she's eating us out of house and home. She's a great alarm clock though ; if you're not up by 8 o'clock to give her her breakfast you'll soon know about it. Eric Corbett 23:42, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

Love my furbabies as well, a male minpin and a she mutt. He is truly brilliant, she is as dumb as a bag of hammers. I've never seen two dogs that love each other like these two. Both are rescues, although he actually picked her to stay (long story). Dennis Brown | 2¢ | WER 23:49, 13 April 2014 (UTC)

All our animals – currently seven ferrets and one cat – are rescues. Eric Corbett 00:16, 14 April 2014 (UTC)

Truly, you are a man of good taste and a kind heart. Dennis Brown | 2¢ | WER 00:21, 14 April 2014 (UTC)

Try rescuing a horse before you complain about how much a (tortiose-shell calico) "mini tiger" eats! LOL! If you think 8am is an issue, try having a chat with our former barn cat, now an inside kitty, but accustomed to waking with the sun! =:-O Montanabw^(talk) 00:48, 15 April 2014 (UTC)

• I just chased a possum away from the cat food. They're cheeky little creatures. Drmies (talk) 04:59, 17 April 2014 (UTC)

I drove an MGB GT B around for the summer several years ago, one of my fondest car memories. The overdrive and matching gears took a bit of getting used to, but once you did, it was like a little rocket round these twisty Norfolk back-roads. Chaosdruid (talk) 23:12, 22 April 2014 (UTC)

Main Page appearance: Oxbow (horse)

This is a note to let the main editors of Oxbow (horse) know that the article will be appearing as today's featured article on May 17, 2014. If this article needs any attention or maintenance, it would be preferable if that could be done before its appearance on the Main Page. If you prefer that the article appear as TFA on a different date, or not at present, please ask Bencherlite (talk · contribs). You can view the TFA blurb at Wikipedia:Today's featured article/May 17, 2014. If it needs tweaking, or if it needs rewording to match improvements to the article between now and its main page appearance, please edit it, following the instructions at Wikipedia:Today's featured article/requests/instructions. The blurb as it stands now is below:

Oxbow (foaled 2010) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2013 Preakness Stakes. A bay colt sired by Awesome Again, a winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic and out of a full sister to Tiznow, another Breeders' Cup Classic winner, he was sold as a yearling at Keeneland for $250,000. Oxbow is owned by Brad Kelley of Calumet Farm, was trained by D. Wayne Lukas, and was ridden in his Triple Crown races by Gary Stevens. His Preakness win was Calumet Farm's first win in a Triple Crown race in 45 years and breeder Richard Santulli's first win in a Triple Crown classic race. It also was Stevens' first Triple Crown win since 2001, following his return to riding in early 2013 after a seven-year retirement, and Lukas' first Triple Crown win since 2000. Oxbow's second-place finish in the Belmont Stakes in June made him only the third horse to have $1 million in purse wins for 2013. Later in the season, he was pulled up shortly after finishing fourth in the Haskell Invitational, whereupon he was found to have suffered a soft tissue injury, was taken out of competition for the remainder of his three-year-old season, and retired to stud in October 2013. (Full article...)

You (and your talk-page stalkers) may also be interested to hear that there have been some changes at the TFA requests page recently. Nominators no longer need to calculate how many "points" an article has, the instructions have been simplified, and there's a new nomination system using templates based on those used for DYK suggestions. Please consider nominating another article, or commenting on an existing nomination, and leaving some feedback on your experience. Thank you. UcuchaBot (talk) 23:02, 25 April 2014 (UTC)

HighBeam/Questia

Hey Eric, could you try logging on to Questia with your HighBeam login and let me know if it works? I've had some reports that Questia logins work on HighBeam, and I'd like to know whether that goes both ways before processing Questia requests. Nikkimaria (talk) 01:10, 30 April 2014 (UTC)

I've just tried that, but it doesn't work for me. Eric Corbett 09:57, 30 April 2014 (UTC)

Right, thanks anyways. Nikkimaria (talk) 11:39, 30 April 2014 (UTC)

Blyton

Eric, thanks for your handling of my comments there, especially the first one about the alleged dangling mod. You were "gracious" in that, and I appreciate it. It was especially helpful in the context of the events of that day.

I trust that what I've just posted on the review should remove any doubt about my support for its promotion, but if there's anything there that could still bite, please ping me. Regards, --Stfg (talk) 17:22, 22 April 2014 (UTC)

Thanks very much, and of course for your support. Eric Corbett 17:55, 22 April 2014 (UTC)

I think that mentioning those types of characters is pretty important as they also appear in many other books of hers during that period so I thought it was a good summary without mentioning the books. Obviously though if Ian Rose is unwilling to pass it if that sentence alone isn't sourced then I'd be prepared to remove it again!♦ Dr. Blofeld 15:44, 30 April 2014 (UTC)