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Welcome to Varnent's talk page on MediaWiki's wiki, a wiki for development and usage of MediaWiki - comprehensive wiki software which powers wikis as large as Wikipedia
Note:
Posting notes:
  • For the sake of keeping discussions together, unless you request otherwise, I will reply to your posts here and will also watch pages where I have posted myself and expect replies there.
  • Keep content disputes off here. They belong to relevant articles' talk pages.
  • Don't revert edits to this talk page, unless they're obvious vandalism (like blanking/malicious editing of other comments, etc). I'll deal with stupid/hate/spam messages myself.
  • And don't forget, be polite, assume good faith, avoid personal attacks, and be welcoming

Thank you!
--Varnent



A barnstar for you!

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The Brilliant Idea Barnstar
Thanks for your work on WikiShare, an idea whose time has come!

Extension:WikiShare

Please keep me posted on your progress, so we can explore possible collaborations as this project develops.

Fabrice Florin Product manager New editor engagement Wikimedia fflorin@wikimedia.org Fabrice Florin 21:54, 21 January 2012 (UTC)Reply

Help from WP

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Hi, do you know that everything in our Help namespace must be PD, while the WP content you're importing is CC-BY-SA? Max Semenik 06:32, 6 December 2011 (UTC)Reply

I'm not a copyright lawyer - does it qualify for PD once its trimmed and references to WP related areas are removed? Seems like a waste to have to write all help documents from stretch when there is a good base of wording available to be tweaked. Varnent 06:37, 6 December 2011 (UTC)Reply
No, the text has to be completely rewritten, see w:Wikipedia:Close paraphrasing. Sorry, I'm deleting all these pages. Max Semenik 06:55, 6 December 2011 (UTC)Reply
That's a rather annoying hassle. No wonder the help section is so stagnant. Can they be placed in the Project namespace or somewhere to help folks using this wiki? Or outreach to the original authors of the help page to seek permission to release into PD? Seems like a waste of time to duplicate work already done elsewhere and using a similar free license. Varnent 07:01, 6 December 2011 (UTC)Reply
Ah well - either way I'll maybe come back to those later - not sure how eager I am to reinvent the wheel.  :) Thank you for catching it so quick. Varnent 07:09, 6 December 2011 (UTC)Reply

Thank you for the wafels

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Tasty, aren't they?! Cheers [[kgh]] 21:39, 16 December 2011 (UTC)Reply

lol - indeed - although I just noticed the WikiLove extension doesn't seem to like the LiquidThreads...hmmmm Varnent 23:41, 17 December 2011 (UTC)Reply
I guess this will be fixed with LQTv3.0 whenever this may come to reality. I am touching wood. [[kgh]] 21:40, 19 December 2011 (UTC)Reply
Amusingly enough, it's apparently more complex than that - lol: https://bugzilla.wikimedia.org/show_bug.cgi?id=33260 Varnent 06:04, 21 December 2011 (UTC)Reply
Ah, I see, at least this does not seem to be on the back burner as LQT 3.0 is. Cheers [[kgh]] 00:08, 22 December 2011 (UTC)Reply

why "third-party"

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Not a big deal I guess but why "third-party wikis" - I have my own wiki, isn't that a "second-party wiki"? I'm not sure this is really that much clearer than "non-Wikimedia Foundation wikis" which seemed pretty clear to me. Just wondering why you're making this change. Doug.(talk contribs) 22:42, 29 December 2011 (UTC)Reply

There was a lot of IRC discussion on how to refer to non-WMF wikis. I'm of the mindset that we need to be consistent in our use of terminology across the manual for ease of reading. The Manual:Glossary#Third-party definition references the chats where "third-party wiki" was discussed as the most commonly used existing term by WMF and core developers. While I'm not personally convinced "third-party" is the best possible term, I've conceded it makes the most sense at this point. I also tend to feel that any term with "WMF" is both longer and too "WMF-centric" - which is a complaint I've heard from folks and have made myself about MW documentation.
As to why third-party over second-party - the IRC transcript has a good excerpt by Ryan Lane: "wmf is a first party user. we create the software. everyone else that uses it is third party". Basically a reference to the technical terminology of third party that any non-orginal owner (WMF) or primary consumer (enWP, etc.) is then third-party (non-WMF wikis). Also consistent with how we refer to "third-party extensions" in the documentation and home page.
I'm certainly open to feedback on better terms to use - but do think there should be consistent use of the terms and for now, "third-party wiki" seems to be it. Varnent 23:20, 29 December 2011 (UTC)Reply
Thanks for the reply - makes (some) sense. ;-) I'm good with it for now - so long as we keep the redirects in place, I don't really care (there are incoming links from meta). Hmm, this e-mail link worked the one on Project:support didn't, these LQT links are inconsistent. :-\ Doug.(talk contribs) 11:49, 30 December 2011 (UTC)Reply
Not ideal - but like I said - I favor consistency and am totally open for discussion on a better term. Varnent 23:29, 30 December 2011 (UTC)Reply

Page drive

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Hi Varnent, I have already started to tidy up some extensions pages and make them more comprehensive/appealing. However I just realise that I am the only one. Is the official start still to take place? Cheers [[kgh]] 21:01, 24 January 2012 (UTC)Reply

I'm out of town for a conference until next week and plan on pushing a "launch" of it then. Although I'm still contemplating the best ways to do that. Any input would be appreciated.  :) Varnent 20:54, 25 January 2012 (UTC)Reply
So I am early. :) I guess a post to the mailing list, a regular note in IRC and asking the well interconnected ones of the participants to advertise for it. It is very difficult to mobilise people. Happy conferencing. Cheers [[kgh]] 23:47, 25 January 2012 (UTC)Reply

Extensions for corporate wikis

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Hi! On the IRC channel #Mediawiki sumanah told me to contact you since I'm writing an extension for my department wiki. I'll tell you more if you are interested, just E-mail me. MikaelLindmark (talk) 14:40, 17 February 2012 (UTC)Reply

Subversion trunk locked

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Hi,

svn: Working copy '/mnt/upload6/private/ExtensionDistributor/mw-snapshot/trunk/extensions' locked

I wanted to help with the extension review, but this is killing it for me... Schalice (talk) 21:32, 4 March 2012 (UTC)Reply

Don't bother with ExtensionDistributor. Even when it's not locked, it's usually out of date. Try checking out a copy of the extension from SVN instead. Reach Out to the Truth (talk) 00:50, 5 March 2012 (UTC)Reply
Exactly.  :) Varnent (talk) 20:39, 5 March 2012 (UTC)Reply

Extension 'addthis' stop working on firefox

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hi, the extension just write 'share' with firefox, it still working on chrome... ldi38 09:24, 9 March 2012 (UTC)Reply

It looks like AddThis is changing something in their scripts - I'll look into it this weekend. Varnent (talk) 15:34, 10 March 2012 (UTC)Reply
Appears that AddThis is done with whatever they were doing and the script is working again.  :) Varnent (talk) 14:13, 15 March 2012 (UTC)Reply

Automatic taxobox

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I have a doubt regarding the taxobox. The thing is should it be developed using only Javascript?

We can design maybe a small app using python and django to a major extent.

Cheers, Ashwin 122.172.198.56 19:32, 28 March 2012 (UTC)Reply

What would be the best approach for the creation of a widget? Varnent (talk) 04:17, 29 March 2012 (UTC)Reply

Wikipedia Stories Project

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Hi!

My name is Victor and I'm a storyteller with the Wikimedia Foundation. I'm chronicling the inspiring stories of the Wikipedia community around the world, including those from readers, editors, and donors. Stories are absolutely essential for any non-profit to persuade people to support the cause, and we know the vast network of people who make and use Wikipedia have so much to share.

Rob Lanphier suggested that I speak with you about the development side of Wikipedia.

I'd very much like the opportunity to interview you to tell your story, with the possibility of using it in our materials, on our community websites, or as part of this year’s fundraiser to encourage others to support Wikipedia. Please let me know if you're inclined to take part in the Wikipedia Stories Project.

Thank you for your time,

Victor Grigas

user:Victorgrigas

vgrigas@wikimedia.org

Vgrigas (talk) 00:41, 12 April 2012 (UTC)Reply

AddThis bar collapased by default

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Hi, The bar is collapsed by default and I need to click on "Share" to access the addthis full links page, then go forward and this time, the bar is expanded... Isn't there any option/trick to change this default behavior? Thank you so much for your support. 88.177.83.67 21:38, 14 April 2012 (UTC)Reply

That's a good idea! I'll add that to the upcoming features list.  :) Varnent (talk) 14:13, 15 April 2012 (UTC)Reply

Did my first template for the page review

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Extension:TemplateTable

If you have time to review and comment on anything I missed, please do. Schalice (talk) 22:01, 14 May 2012 (UTC)Reply

2012_Q1_Extension_Page_Review_Drive

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what do i need to do to join the 2012_Q1_Extension_Page_Review_Drive and put the things up?

i already added a lot of {{extension code in wiki}} also, i archived some pages already.

how do i join?

~~ Pokeswap (talk) Pokeswap (talk) 13:41, 31 May 2012 (UTC) 13:41, 31 May 2012 (UTC)Reply

help please

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Hi,
I am ahmed. I made a very simple extenstion. I really don't know what next is. I don't know what tests I should do to make it something better than experimental. And the message about writing the code in the page. if you don't mind, I need some help please. أحمد ش الشيخ (talk) 07:07, 12 July 2012 (UTC)Reply

AddThis doesn't show on Safari

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Hello,

AddThis doesn't show the "addthis bar" in Safari (only Share link). On FireFox, the addthis bar is shown but the HeaderTabs extension doesn't run (Only the first tab is shown). Indeed, on IE, Safari, the tabs generated by Headertabs extension are shown. You can see the result on www.wikideb.org.

Best regards.

Pascal Beaujeant Pascal.Beaujeant@uclouvain.be 130.104.118.74 12:06, 16 July 2012 (UTC)Reply

Start Point Extension Candidate: MultiUpload

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Greetings;

This request is for a specific extension to be inducted as the official start point extension for the 2012 Q2 Extension Page Review Drive.

The extension, Extension:MultiUpload does meet outstanding criterion to be used as a candidate for completion extension for 2012 Q2 Extension Page Review Drive inclusion into the GIT repository and default MW install program. In fairness to other candidate nominees, a vote amongst all standing participants of the Page Drive project should be considered.

Argument In Favor

The aforementioned extension is presently not maintained and has various attributes that are vital to the core MW program. Using it as a start point would allow multiple authors the opportunity to participate in its clean up campaign and help to create a permanent kernel rating for future candidates to emulate.

With all due respects, this proposed extension should be targeted for at least a 2012 Q2/Q3 Extension Page Review Drive passing qualification rating and final code execution submitted to GIT repository by the conclusion of the Q2/Q3 session.

This is an official solicitation to nominate an extension. Your response is requested. Habatchii (talk) 17:31, 30 July 2012 (UTC)Reply

Automatic updates of Extension infoboxes

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Hello Varnent, you may be interested in this: [1]. I don't know if extending the Extension matrix bot functionalities is the way to go or something else may be more feasible. Nemo 07:37, 23 November 2012 (UTC)Reply

Invited to join MediaWiki Group Promotion

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Thank you for all your work promoting MediaWiki in various forms. You are invited to join the MediaWiki Group Promotion (proposed, waiting for official approval). We are just starting, your questions or feedback about the group itself are priceless.  :) Qgil (talk) 17:48, 11 January 2013 (UTC)Reply

Thank you for thinking of me and for the invite. I would be happy to both help and join as a promoter. I added myself to the members list - feel free to move it to promoters if you think you need help in that area. I love the idea - so anything I can do to help - just let me know. Thanks! Varnent (talk)(COI) 17:58, 11 January 2013 (UTC)Reply
Yes, I do need help as promoter-of-the-promotion group ;) and yes I welcome you as co-promoter of the group. Just move your entry to the promoters area adding a short description about yourself. Thank you VERY much! Qgil (talk) 18:15, 11 January 2013 (UTC)Reply
Done - I look forward to working with you on this.  :) Varnent (talk)(COI) 18:44, 11 January 2013 (UTC)Reply

Giving gifts + extension developer support

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It has been a while, so revisit this when you get the chance: User:Badon#Giving gifts to Project? Badon (talk) 04:58, 12 January 2013 (UTC)Reply

Yeah - I think enough time has passed and enough ideas have been discussed that we can safely do something and not worry too much about backlash.  :) I think it would be appropriate to add a page to the Extensions WikiProject are outlining how to request donations and including the info about Amazon wish lists, etc. Maybe add an area to the Extensions template for a donation link - ideally to a section on that page with donation info. My hunch is that if we take this approach, it will not be perceived as official WMF action and we can avoid the headaches of them appearing to be sanctioning the services that developers use to solicit donations. Maybe add a "disclaimer" somewhere stating that these are specific to each developer and not coordinated by or through WMF - or something along those lines that helps address any concerns of "did WMF know that PayPal does XYZ bad thing and now they're using it to solicit developer donations - damn them!" or whatever related hubbub folks prone to complain may find.  :) Varnent (talk)(COI) 17:04, 12 January 2013 (UTC)Reply

Project:Language policy/Migration list

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Hello, translation administrator! Can you please watchlist this page? I hope to get some work done in the next few months. :)

Specifically for the next few weeks, I proposed translation migration as task for Google Code-in students, so we'll hopefully see some help coming from there. You don't need to do anything special: just check there or on Special:PageTranslation if there are pages to mark for translation and do so if they're ok, as usual. If you wish, however, in addition to that you can monitor the list more closely so that students are mentored and assisted even more quickly. Thank you very much, Nemo 19:07, 20 November 2013 (UTC)Reply

Template talk:User SUL Box

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Have a look, please. Leyo 00:25, 23 November 2013 (UTC)Reply

Don't hack core

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Collection bug day

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Hello, I saw WikiQueer uses the Collection extension: you may want to attend Bug management/Triage/201410 or to forward the link to users of the feature on the wiki. Nemo 06:41, 4 October 2014 (UTC)Reply

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Hey Varnent and all,

I've got a new requirement for creating wikis page from existing library of documents.

The challenge I face is to make them easy on copying all docs and making the links between pages automatically . Is there a way that the links between pages will generate without user involvement? 46.19.86.186 07:21, 13 January 2015 (UTC)Reply

Updated scripts

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Hi Varnent. I edited your common.js to update you to the latest version of TemplateScript. You were using a much older version called regex menu framework, so the main difference you'll see is an improved regex editor and cleaner custom scripts. I left it commented out, but migrated your MediaWikify script so it'll work if you do re-enable it. :) Pathoschild (talk) 03:19, 15 August 2015 (UTC)Reply

MediaWiki Social Network for Storytelling

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Hey Varnent,

I posted this article in the Support Desk, but received no response. Upon doing some search on Google, I came across your WikiShare Extension. I wanted to share this with you and hear your thoughts, and also whether or not you know of a good MediaWiki Community for receiving feedback on this topic.

Thanks,

jon

3 Questions that that the MediaWiki Community may be able to address —

  1. What kind of “Social Media-Like" network do you envision may be conducive to the future of Storytelling?
  2. How hard would it be to evolve the MediaWiki Platform into a Social Network?
  3. Who is up for the challenge?

At one level, I'm referring to the possibility of connecting MediaWiki Websites, with each one, serving as an independently hosted "publishing press" for storytelling.

Imagine a CC BY-SA (Creative Commons License that MediaWiki supports) Social Network where “literary-worlds” intersect — where writers have the opportunity to legally build upon each another's story, characters, etc.

For instance, imagine you love Harry Potter and want to evolve the World of Harry Potter. While fan-fiction's an option, it's basically illegal, especially when it comes to making the sale... (Harry Potter, obviously, Copyright Protected.) And aside from the money-making-aspect, why would anyone wait in line at the Publisher's Inbox when the masses are streaming their fiction online?

If it's not online, does it exist?

With a MediaWiki Social Network, open to "all", yet exclusively edited by "Friends," writers could potentially —

  1. Create worlds together
  2. Publish Stories in a Real-Time Atmosphere on a Platform that is "Independently Owned"
  3. Help edit one another's work
  4. Create unique or exclusive "Publishing Teams" (perhaps that edit work for free or for compensation)
  5. Generate an audience while posting creative writes
  6. Get immediate feedback
  7. A "Graffiti Wall" — an idea where "Friends" or anyone (depending on the page's "Protection") can post some work

More?

With the Creative Commons Movement constantly growing—featuring their strongest push in the CC BY-SA “Copyleft” Direction — https://stateof.creativecommons.org/2015/ — the communal creation of decentralized fiction is now an option — why not the reality?

While personally not big on the Social Media scene, I've been working on a story (for nearly 10 years now) that presents a World (Hearth) that is conducive for anyone to legally build upon, just in case someone else should wish to write or evolve some aspect of the story, characters, etc.

To test the model later this year, am self-publishing the novel in two parts — the first Part will be “Copyleft;” the second part, Copyrighted. If you would like to see one demonstration of "streaming storytelling," I have been been experimenting on my own MediaWiki site — http://blondyn.com . I post an original CC BY-SA excerpt of a story each day that is available for anyone to reinvent. (Still searching for a community!)

Critique or feedback welcome; thanks for taking the time to read.

jon blondyn

jonblondyn@gmail.com Jonblondyn (talk) 23:34, 16 February 2016 (UTC)Reply

Please provide feedback on suggested improvements to the Code of Conduct

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Thanks to everyone who’s helped work on the Code of Conduct so far.

People have brought up issues they feel were missed when working on "Unacceptable behavior" and "Report a problem". Consultants have also suggested changes in these same sections.

These are important sections, so please take a look at the proposed changes. I apologize that this feedback arrived later than planned, but I think this will create a better document.

If you prefer to give your opinion privately, feedback via e-mail is welcome at conduct-discussion@wikimedia.org.

Thanks. Mattflaschen-WMF via MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 04:18, 24 February 2016 (UTC)Reply

Extension Blackout licensing concerns

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Hi Greg. Happy new year. I notice that Extension:Blackout is just tagged as GPL, which is not a valid SPDX licensing identifier. I've opened https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T184847 to try to clarify this. As author, your comments there would be very appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help. Best regards. —MarcoAurelio (talk) 09:11, 13 January 2018 (UTC)Reply

How we will see unregistered users

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Hi!

You get this message because you are an admin on a Wikimedia wiki.

When someone edits a Wikimedia wiki without being logged in today, we show their IP address. As you may already know, we will not be able to do this in the future. This is a decision by the Wikimedia Foundation Legal department, because norms and regulations for privacy online have changed.

Instead of the IP we will show a masked identity. You as an admin will still be able to access the IP. There will also be a new user right for those who need to see the full IPs of unregistered users to fight vandalism, harassment and spam without being admins. Patrollers will also see part of the IP even without this user right. We are also working on better tools to help.

If you have not seen it before, you can read more on Meta. If you want to make sure you don’t miss technical changes on the Wikimedia wikis, you can subscribe to the weekly technical newsletter.

We have two suggested ways this identity could work. We would appreciate your feedback on which way you think would work best for you and your wiki, now and in the future. You can let us know on the talk page. You can write in your language. The suggestions were posted in October and we will decide after 17 January.

Thank you. /Johan (WMF)

18:17, 4 January 2022 (UTC) MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 18:17, 4 January 2022 (UTC)Reply