User:Carcharoth/ACE2008 statement

Initial statement

I'm User:Carcharoth, and I first edited in January 2005, began editing regularly in January 2006, and became an administrator in October 2007. My editing interests are mostly in the areas of science, history, and history of science - mainly gnomelike work but also bringing several articles to higher standards. I also have a long history of contributions in the project and other namespaces. I am standing for election to the Arbitration Committee to serve all members of the diverse community that build this encyclopedia. The attributes I think I would bring to the role, helping to resolve or end otherwise intractable disputes, are:

  • Flexibility to adapt to the needs of different cases
  • The time and inclination to carry out careful analysis of cases
  • Over two years sustained editing of Wikipedia with wide-ranging experience of different areas
  • Specific experience at administrators' noticeboards (especially AN and ANI)
  • Participation at Arbitration requests, evidence and workshop pages
  • Knowledge of the major Wikipedia policies and guidelines
  • Remaining objective and fair and being able to see both sides of a dispute
  • Being able to argue effectively and articulately for a particular position
  • Attention to detail, research skills and summarizing a debate to move it forward
  • The imagination to propose something different where it might help resolve a dispute

Over the next two weeks, I intend to expand on these and other thoughts in a longer statement in my userspace. I have been reviewing my editing over the last two years, and will be linking to examples of debates and discussions that I have participated in, to demonstrate what I might bring to the role. Concerning the specific major issues that have arisen this year in the English Wikipedia, I will be happy to answer questions on those topics, as well as areas not covered in this statement.

While considering whether to run in this election, I said to several other editors that I thought it would be particularly hard-fought. There are lots of able candidates that are standing in this election, many of whom care deeply about Wikipedia, even if there are differences in philosophy. Regardless of the outcome of the election, I pledge to support those who are elected. If I am elected, I pledge to work closely with the current and new arbitrators to resolve disputes in a timely manner and address the concerns of the community. Carcharoth (talk) 03:06, 10 November 2008 (UTC)

Longer statement edit

Please also read my final election statement.

To expand on some of the points made in my initial statement:

  • The time and inclination to carry out careful analysis of case
    • See the evidence sections listed here
    • My answer to Carnildo's question here
  • Over two years sustained editing of Wikipedia with wide-ranging experience of different areas
  • Specific experience at administrators' noticeboards (especially AN and ANI)
    • Some AN and ANI threads were mentioned in my answers to the questions.
  • Participation at Arbitration requests, evidence and workshop pages
    • See my arbitration portfolio here

I've also worked on several proposals for policies or guidelines:

During the answers to the questions, several other pledges were made:

  • Pledged to keep a record of my arbitration actions on a dedicated page to allow easy review by the community

Will add further summaries here of the important points that were made on the questions page.