The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Worm That Turned (talk · contribs · blocks · protections · deletions · page moves · rights · RfA)[edit]

I'm not the most active of administrators, but it seems this is the best place for me to seek feedback - I would appreciate any thoughts on any parts of my on-wiki work, be it administrative or not. Also, if anyone does have any questions or concerns, I'd be willing to discuss anything here too. Worm^TT · (talk) 10:10, 25 April 2012 (UTC)[reply]

You don't seem to use the admin tools that often... Is it possible for you to explain why? Hghyux (talk to me)(talk to others) 21:09, 26 April 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Certainly. I only use the tools when I see a problem and I'm absolutely sure that using the toolbox is the only solution, having exhausted all other avenues first. Given that I don't "hang out" at the places where all the problems are reported, but instead wander over when I see a talkpage note or periodically read them when I'm bored, I don't see all that many occasions that the tools are urgently required. Once I see a situation when the tools are required, say a block, I spend time looking into the background of the case, checking other options, wondering if warnings would reach the same outcome before pressing the button. Often, this will mean that other administrators beat me to the button press.

Overall, I like to think of myself as a normal editor who has access to the admin tools, but not an "administrator". I might go so far as to say I see myself as the template for "all editors over a low threshold should get the tools" - it would take the magic away from them. Worm^TT · (talk) 07:35, 27 April 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Do you think then that you have a significant need to use of the tools then if you do not perform the traditional admin duties like patrolling? Hghyux (talk to me)(talk to others) 19:35, 27 April 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Certainly not a significant need for the admin tools. I check deleted contributions as part of helping editors (be it OTRS, adoption etc) but it is something I'd get by without. As I say, they're there as a convenience for me. Worm^TT · (talk) 15:03, 29 April 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Fair enough. Hghyux (talk to me)(talk to others) 16:02, 29 April 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I'll begin with what I say perennially, that you are to be commended for seeking feedback here, something that I wish all administrators would do. I actually think of you as someone who is actively involved in the community, and I see you around regularly. I can't think of anything that I would find fault with; I think it's all good. I can compliment you on your role (as one of three) who closed that RfC about WP:V. That was a difficult and thankless task, and you and your colleagues persuaded me to accept as valid a closure that initially had seemed wrong to me. --Tryptofish (talk) 21:02, 1 May 2012 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks Tryptofish, I appreciate that. Worm^TT · (talk) 07:19, 2 May 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I have researched your contribs, talk page, Userpages and also your personality. After all this research which took an hour and a half, I've ranked you the 501th best admin.i.e 501 out of 728 active admins.(not good, but not bad at all.) Congrats. Mir Almaat Ali Almaat ☏ From Trivandrum, Kerala, India(UTC+5:30) 06:43, 2 May 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Well, that's very kind of you to put so much effort in Mir Almaat Ali Almaat. Have you any suggestions as to how I might move up the list? Any areas I can improve? Indeed, could you tell me the areas that I'm working well? Worm^TT · (talk) 07:19, 2 May 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I'll send a message to your talk page and tell all those. Regards. Mir Almaat Ali Almaat ☏ From Trivandrum, Kerala, India(UTC+5:30) 07:27, 2 May 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Given your helpful feedback on my own work, I feel I should return the favour. I can see why Hghyux's makes his point above - your work on Wikipedia is not especially focussed on admin tasks. That said, there's no reason that it should be; just because you have the tools doesn't mean you're under an obligation to use them every day (and you already know, I hope, how much your non-admin contributions are appreciated). It also makes it much easier to review your mop-handling - less edits to wade through. As a general rule, I've not seen any admin action you've taken with which I've disagreed, or at least which you haven't justified to my satisfaction. Some more specific points:

Blocking You're not one of those who blocks at the drop of a hat, and your unblock record is nearly as long as your block log. To me, this shows a willingness to assume good faith and ties in nicely to your work as a mentor (I think the block of User:ChristianandJericho, which I followed at the time, is a perfect example - you unblocked him and helped him out, but were detached and sensible enough to support the subsequent block when he finally ran out of rope).
Page protection Not much to be said - all good calls, that I can see. Your explanation of your decision at Talk:Big Brother Australia 2012 was especially noteworthy, both for your calm assessment of the situation and your willingness to unprotect when consensus was established.
Deletion You've restricted yourself to generally non-controversial deletions - U1, F11 and G6 are in abundance, but there's not much in the way of A7 or G11 deletions (both flags that are much more common, and more difficult to call). That's probably just your innate unwillingness to be nasty showing, but you could perhaps afford to be a bit more daring in your choice of speedy deletions; some poor mop-swinging sod's got to take the flak for deleting User:WhyMyReallyAwesomeCompanyIsReallyAwesome's promo page, it might as well be you.
User rights Your only granting of permissions (to User:Sailesh Sigdel) seemed a bit redundant - he doesn't seem to have uploaded any files, or indeed, made any edits beyond his userpage. I'm not privy to the IRC conversation, though, so I can't really comment. As someone who helps out new users a lot, I would have thought you'd be an obvious choice to patrol WP:RFPE, so I'm surprised that you haven't done more in this area.

Overall, I'm seeing an admin who, whilst not an inveterate tool-user, knows how to use their box of tricks when it's needed. I certainly have no problem trusting you with the mop; in fact, I'd be happy to see you wave it around a bit more. Yunshui 雲‍水 08:07, 2 May 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you very much for your review Yunshui. I did make a commitment when I passed RfA to keep away from deletions until I had a few more votes at AfD under my belt and then just never got round to hanging out at AfD. I believe I understand the CSD criteria pretty well, but I expect I'd be a little soft too soft on the original contributors. Perhaps I'll feel differently after spending some time at AfD. You are right though, RfPE is a place I should spend more time - I haven't really been there at all so it might well be a good idea. As for Sailesh Sigdel, I don't really remember the IRC conversation, besides the fact he'd expanded an article as an IP and wanted to upload a image for it. Looks like he never did. Ah well. Worm^TT · (talk) 08:46, 2 May 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I know that i am not an admin, or even an editor with much note but i just want to say that everything that i have seen from Worm That Turned's administratoral duties has been exeptional. He sucessfully blocked my account when i was stupid enough to allow it to be comprimised and then had the good faith to unblock it when it was confermed as no longer compromised. He has been nothing but helpful to me in whatever i have done and i have heard similar tales from many other editors. His talk page is testimount to this. I would say overall he, even though does not fully use his tools, uses them when appropriate and does not use them because he focuses on helping people rather then tagging articles or engaging in debates. A very good admin overall. --Turbo₅₆₆ ^talk 12:57, 10 May 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Isn't this kind of thing just an exercise in mutual masturbation? I find it rather distasteful in any event. Malleus Fatuorum 19:05, 21 May 2012 (UTC)[reply]
It can do, yes - though I've got my ego boost page if I need something like that. I'd much rather give people an area where they can actually have a go at me, troll me, or constructively suggest ways I can improve without repercussion. My email is open if putting something harsh on wiki is a problem. So if you'd like to take this from a pleasure cruise of onanism, I'd be very interested to know what you thought of me. If I spot anything in there that I can use to handle things differently, I'm sure I will. Worm^TT · (talk) 07:57, 22 May 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I've been trying to come up with something. It is clear what I think of your qualities as an editor and an admin. If I'd say anything, you should probably try to squeeze in at least one AFD each day (or most days). You're about 250? short of your campaign promise and doing only one (or a few) in a day shouldn't take away from your other activities. I understand that you generally use your admin tools when they come up in the course of normal activity, but I think you could find an area that is interesting to you to assist in admin work. Specifically, I think you would be a great candidate to review Category:Requests for unblock. I think you are able to see promise in editors that many administrators cannot, but are certainly willing to reblock once they have used up their rope. Ryan Vesey Review me! 13:29, 22 May 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Ryan, I never said thank you for your tips. I've been trying to hit a few more AfDs, I've commented on quite a few since you've put up the comment. I should look at some more soon! Worm^TT(talk) 13:00, 21 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I agree with Tryptofish that you are to be commended for seeking feedback. From what I have seen, you are working in a sincere way, selflessly mentoring new editors, and genuinely trying to make Wikipedia a better place. As you know, I don't exactly agree with you about the role of administrators here, but I see no problems with the way you are using the mop. So all power to you! --Epipelagic (talk) 10:04, 14 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you Epipelagic, I appreciate that. Worm^TT(talk) 10:15, 14 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

You are one of the editors that I enjoy seeing in a discussion, as it has been my observation that you rely more on common sense than quoting policy, focusing on the intent of the "rules" rather than quoting from them and seeing them as rigid and fixed. Even when I disagree with your ideas (which is uncommon), I know there will be a well reasoned rationale behind them, so it is a chance for me to learn something new. You also seem open minded and willing to consider both sides of an issue, rather than viewing situations bureaucratically. These are habits I try to develop as well, but they seem to come very natural to you. I think you add tremendous balance to the admin corps, not being extreme in any direction. If I were to give advice, I would say you should try helping out at WP:DRN, where I think there is often a shortage of objective people helping, and I think it would be a win/win situation for you and Wikipedia if you did from time to time. You don't use the tools much there, but I think you and I agree that being an admin is more than just pushing the buttons. Dennis Brown - 2¢ © 12:56, 21 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Cheers for the advice Dennis. I've only been vaguely aware of DRN, never actually read it yet. I'll add it to my watchlist, see if there's anything I can do. As for your other comments, thank you very much - I do appreciate them and I'm glad I'm doing something right! Worm^TT(talk) 13:00, 21 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I personally think you have done a great job as an admin, you are very understanding and helpful especially in the most frustrating of situations and a good friend ^_^ Swifty*^talk 20:40, 28 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]
Though I am not an admin, I do have some feedback for you and this process. I took a look at many (though certainly not all) of your contribs as well as all the comments above in this review. There are certainly a significant number of instances where admins need to act quickly to protect the wiki and limit the battling that can easily occur between editors with firm POVs. From what I can tell, you use the tools as you come across those instances and seem to do so judiciously. However, equally as important (or perhaps even more so), I believe that the most effective admins also need to have a strong ability to sense when good faith was being demonstrated and help the editor rather than scold them. What I've seen from your contribs is just that sense of guidance and support and helping those editors who are sincerely interested in getting better do so. I admire anyone who can put themselves up for constructive critique. I don't consider it the collaborative onanism that was was hinted at earlier. Thanks for the time, energy and effort you put in to the WP project. Vertium (talk to me) 22:11, 30 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]
Please clone yourself WTT. Arcandam (talk) 04:19, 12 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I appreciate your actions, now I like them.Unpresidented welcome to almaat chat 07:02, 19 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you all for your comments, things seem to have tailed off a bit. I'm glad I've got some pointers for the future, which I'll work on. For now, any more feedback will always be welcome on my talk page or by email. Worm^TT(talk) 09:23, 19 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.