Sayre’s Law: “In any dispute the intensity of feeling is inversely proportional to the value of the stakes at issue—that is why academic politics are so bitter.”
Barnstars
The EVERYTHING Barnstar
The Working Man's Barnstar
To Gimmetrow, they haven't yet invented the barnstar that covers all that you do for Wikipedia. Whenever I've had a problem - whether technical, policy, copyright, editing, or just straightening out a mess - you're always on the problem, usually before I even know about it. Your ref fixer and adjustments to FAC templates are life savers. You're the best! SandyGeorgia (Talk) 03:14, 3 January 2007 (UTC)
I have awarded you this medal for your work in helping to reduce the backlog during the Good Article Candidates Backlog Elmination Drive. You reviewed five or more articles during the drive, which helped to contribute to the large decrease in the backlog. If you have the time, please continue to review articles to help make sure the backlog does not jump back up to what it was. Good job and happy editing! Nehrams2020 06:31, 15 June 2007 (UTC)
The Atlas Award
I award you The Atlas Award for being a great supporter of Wikipedia. Thanks for all your help in making The Stub of the Day template -- Quantockgoblin 22:17, 10 April 2007 (UTC)
The da Vinci Barnstar
Gimmetrow, again and as always, thank you for all you do for so many others to resolve bot, programming, script, template and all manner of technical glitches. I know where I'd be without you on Wiki: at the beach. All the best, SandyGeorgia (Talk) 03:00, 5 April 2008 (UTC)
To Gimmebot (and its operator Gimmetrow), for adding bronze stars and FA templates to articles within the scope of the Military history Wikiproject. Keep up the good work! TomStar81 (Talk) 19:03, 20 August 2008 (UTC)
Opinion essay:Wikipedia is not a rap sheet
Wikipedia is not a rap sheet. It doesn't relate petty criminal records.
An actor's arrest for drunk driving, or a musician's arrest for a drug overdose, may provide colour and make a biography interesting. A mere arrest, however, which never goes to trial, verdict or sentencing, may cause harm if recorded in a biography of a living person.
To include the event, it should receive more coverage than a typical "crime watch" blurb. The event should either
receive significant coverage in multiple sources as appropriate to a major celebrity (such as the Mel Gibson DUI incident), or
be mentioned as significant some time (at least a few weeks) after the event (such as Jennifer Lopez#Sean Combs)
Events which qualify should be described without sensation and avoid a tabloid style. Speculation and gossip should be avoided, and the event should be given due weight and context. Ideally the description should explain the significance and relevance of the event to the subject of the biography (such as Halle Berry#Personal life).
Wikipedia:BLP#Writing style: "Biographies of living people should be written responsibly, conservatively, and in a neutral, encyclopedic tone."
Wikipedia:BLP#Presumption in favor of privacy: "Wikipedia editors who deal with these articles have a responsibility to consider the legal and ethical implications of their actions when doing so. An important rule of thumb when writing biographical material about living persons is "do no harm". Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, not a tabloid, and as such it is not our job to be sensationalist, or to be the primary vehicle for the spread of titillating claims about people's lives. BLPs must be written conservatively, with regard for the subject's privacy."
Wikipedia:BLP#Basic human dignity: "Wikipedia articles should respect the basic human dignity of their subjects. Wikipedia aims to be a reputable encyclopedia, not a tabloid. Our articles must not serve primarily to mock or disparage their subjects, whether directly or indirectly."
Wikipedia:NOT#NEWS: "Routine news coverage and matters lacking encyclopedic substance, such as announcements, sports, gossip, and tabloid journalism, are not sufficient basis for an article. News outlets are reliable secondary sources when they practice competent journalistic reporting, however, and topics in the news may also be encyclopedic subjects when the sources are substantial. Timely news subjects not suitable for Wikipedia may be suitable for Wikinews."
