Wikipedia talk:Adopt-a-user/Archive 1

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Initial response

I think this is a great idea, I'm most certainly interested! --Girl-razor 19:21, 27 September 2006 (UTC)

I agree :) Judgesurreal777 22:35, 27 September 2006 (UTC)

Some Feedback

Great idea. However, I do wish the adopt templates didn't look like the new messages box. -- tariqabjotu 03:19, 28 September 2006 (UTC)

• Count me in! Goiter McWilliostein, P. I. ^{You can't control me!} _{I'm a P. I.!} Save Stargate SG-1! 13:16, 28 September 2006 (UTC)

Hmm...yeah, that's understandable. I can fix that. ~ Flameviper 15:09, 28 September 2006 (UTC)

Yes, great idea! Could the template be userbox? NCurse _work 19:19, 28 September 2006 (UTC)

Will the Wikipedia:Welcoming Committee let new users know that this sort of assistance is available? I tend to think that it might be one of the few ways that a newcomer would know it is possible. Also, I do have some reservations about the word "adopt", as it could be perceived as vaguely insulting to the newcomer. Maybe "coach" or "tutor" or something like that might work better. Badbilltucker 19:31, 28 September 2006 (UTC)

I disagree. I believe that Adopt is fine... perhaps we should vote! Goiter McWilliostein, P. I. ^{You can't control me!} _{I'm a P. I.!} Save Stargate SG-1! 07:57, 29 September 2006 (UTC)

Voting is evil Batmanand | Talk 10:02, 29 September 2006 (UTC)

Interesting idea, it would be nice to see newbies have easier access to personal help. I'm not sure what tone you want to establish, but I have to say that "adopt" did seem a bit inappropriate to me as well. Coach or tutor sounds a little less intimate to me. --Bookandcoffee 16:55, 29 September 2006 (UTC)

I think the userboxes should look more.. uh.. Userbox-y. Maybe add a picture of a baby or something an a slightly smaller font size. - Zero1328 _Talk? 11:16, 30 September 2006 (UTC)

You're right. I created a test template, what do you think? :

This user is seeking to be adopted by an experienced editor.

NCurse _work 11:31, 30 September 2006 (UTC)

Looks quite good in my opinion, but I'm wondering what everyone else thinks of it. - Zero1328 _Talk? 12:22, 30 September 2006 (UTC)

It definitely plays up the "baby" aspect of the "adoption" process. Personally, I'm not sure that I'd want to use it myself, as I think I'm a bit more "adult" than the picture is. I still think that something like a "big brother/big sister," "tutor", "coach" or the like might get more newcomers to actually use it. Maybe something like this:

This user is a newcomer to the wikipedia family and would appreciate finding a family of one or more experienced editors.

Yeah, it could use a better image, but that's the idea. And I definitely think that, if this is implemented, the Welcoming Committee should make sure that they tell all newcomers about this option. Badbilltucker 00:42, 1 October 2006 (UTC)

This is a good idea and it should be more publicised some more and expanded. This page could be added to Template:Welcome; you never know. --lEoN2323 21:27, 1 October 2006 (UTC)

• "Voting is evil Batmanand | Talk 10:02, 29 September 2006 (UTC)"... yeah, that was the joke... Goiter McWilliostein, P. I. ^{You can't control me!} _{I'm a P. I.!} Save Stargate SG-1! 08:37, 2 October 2006 (UTC)

Oh, and don't forget this. Goiter McWilliostein, P. I. ^{You can't control me!} _{I'm a P. I.!} Save Stargate SG-1! 08:38, 2 October 2006 (UTC)

Could a person have two or more 'tutors' or a 'tutor' adopt two or more people at the same time? Some people might want to coach, say, 3 people (for examlple), or maybe someone wants help from two different users.

Ilikefood 20:52, 4 October 2006 (UTC)

I would hope the answer to this could be "yes". I'm thinking that if someone were, for instance, involved in adding information on insects and the politics of the Ivory Coast, that they might benefit from having "mentors" (I like that word better) from each of the fields in which they are involved, if there is no single person involved in both fields available. Also, it would definitely be useful if someone's designated "adoptor" were to go on an extended break for whatever reason to have someone else already familiar with the newcomer available to step in immediately. Lastly, if we have a true saint who can deal with several newcomers at once, I would definitely want them to be able to do so. Badbilltucker 23:50, 5 October 2006 (UTC)

New idea?

Intresting idea but isn't this already being done per most welcome messages saying "if you need any help you can reach me on my talk page"? - Tutmosis 22:40, 28 September 2006 (UTC)

You're right, but Category:Wikipedians looking for help is hard to watch. These templates help us to reach new users much easier. NCurse _work 17:23, 29 September 2006 (UTC)

The thing with {{Helpme}}, is that the helper only helps with that one problem. However, in Adopt-a-user, the helper stays helping the user until one person says they want to stop or something. --lEoN2323 21:10, 1 October 2006 (UTC)

{{Helpme}} is pretty much useless; the only thing that happens is that somebody leaves a template on yuor talk page, and if you want to talk to them, they're long gone. It might as well just automatically spawn a template. ~ Flameviper 17:10, 2 October 2006 (UTC)

thoughts - Renaming etc...

Nice effort...but before I decide wether I like this or not I suggest you rename this program. --Osbus 16:52, 30 September 2006 (UTC)

I tend to agree. Do you have any specific ideas? I'm thinking something like "Find-a-Friend", "Find-a-Family", "Big Brothers/Big Sisters" (not word-for-word, copyright problems there), or something like that might work better. Badbilltucker 23:57, 5 October 2006 (UTC)

I have removed the request rename template as obviously no one has been pushing for this idea any more, an the concept of adoption has stuck. So unless anyone wants to bring it up again I have removed the rename template from the project page. Cheers Lethaniol 14:49, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

Sounds Good

Let me know when it's ready. People Powered 00:47, 2 October 2006 (UTC)

Two styles of it?

Hmm...Well, it technically isn't supposed to be a userbox, it's supposed to be at the top of your userpage. But yeah, if it would be used as a userbox, then it should look more like a normal userbox. It should be more userboxy, if you will. I was thinking that we could go both ways and include two versions of each template; one for the top of the page and one for a userbox.

The "adopt me" and "I'm adopting" templates are supposed to be big and at the top of the page to get your attention, but the "I adopted" and "I got adopted" templates don't neccesitize attention-grabbing tactics; actually, they're kind of annoying. So, hypothetically, the "seeking adopting" templates would be big and the "I'm a happy camper" templates would be nice, non-blatant userboxes (although everyone might not want to conform to that).

Whatever you guys want. ~ Flameviper 17:21, 2 October 2006 (UTC)

I'm thinking...

Not something I do often. I am thinking that we should find a way to publicise ( excuse my misspellings ) the whole program. I agree that maybe it could use a new name, although I like the WP:ADOPT shortcut. If we find experienced editors and asked them if they would be interested in joining, and also send new users a message asking them to join, and maybe get one of the welcome templates changed so that it includes something about WP:ADOPT. I think that we need to make the project page more user-friendly before we get it added to a welcome message, as new users inexperienced in Wikipedia will be using it frequently. Also, I think that maybe we should consider become part of Esperanza, as someone suggested on Flameviper's talk page. I will work on making the page more newbie-friendly. Color Me Invisible 14:37, 3 October 2006 (UTC)

I definitely think that, if this idea goes ahead, we might want to talk to the Welcoming Committee and get something about the adoption program included on some of the "Welcome to Wikipedia" templates. We would also probably want to have a sort of "directory" of adoptors, indicating their specific fields of interest and abilies (graphics, writing, referencing, categorization or stub work, whatever). Badbilltucker 23:54, 5 October 2006 (UTC)

Interesting idea, but...

...please reconsider the spamming of user talk pages with this idea. It sounds good, but some users object to spam they haven't signed up for and the bandwidth required for creating it saps the project and the reverted spam polutes edit histories. Thanks. ➨ ЯEDVERS 20:28, 3 October 2006 (UTC)

...Wha? I have no clue what you're talking about...it's not like a newsletter, as you're insinuating. It's just another sentence on {{welcome}}, and, um...all in all, your comment makes no sense. Perhaps you could clarify what you were saying? ~ Flameviper 16:21, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

Bot

Maybe users wishing to adopt or be adopted should have the option of using a bot to give suggestions of who to adopt/be adopted by. The bot would go through userboxes and pick people who match up best. (obviously, it would be the people's choice whether to follow this advice or not).

Ilikefood 20:50, 4 October 2006 (UTC)

Um, yeah. I suppose if Adopt-a-User was something really, really important, we could make a bot...kind of like SuggestBot? You're thinking of something where it would pick users with similar interests? Well, that would be great, but SuggestBot is already popular...another bot that did the same thing for two different people and then took energy to compare the two would require some maverick programming, and a lot of power. But OK. ~ Flameviper 13:16, 11 October 2006 (UTC)

Main Page

Try putting something about it on the main page (or at the top of the community portal page). That would get plenty of attention for it. Ilikefood 16:31, 5 October 2006 (UTC)

I think you could get attention for this on {{welcome}} and possibly MediaWiki:Loginsuccess. Otherwise, go for it. Anything that helps newbies is good. >Radiant< 22:12, 5 October 2006 (UTC)

Wow, MediaWiki:Loginsuccess? That's one of the most prominent MediaWiki templates! Gee whiz! ~ Flameviper 20:49, 31 October 2006 (UTC)

Capitalisation

Shouldn't Category:All users involved with Adopt-a-User be called Category:All users involved with Adopt-a-user? --lEoN2323 20:27, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

No, the non-capitalised state of "user" in this project page's name was a capitalisation error on my part. Sorry. ~ Flameviper 13:14, 11 October 2006 (UTC)

Categories

Do we really need: category:Users adopted by USERNAME? If so, what is the top category? I've categorised Users adopted by Stevenfruitsmaak under "Users who have been adopted", should others do so too? Otherwise it leaves ugly redlinks.--Steven Fruitsmaak (Reply) 15:27, 7 October 2006 (UTC)

There is a discussion going on about this at Wikipedia:User_categories_for_discussion#Wikipedian_.22adoptions.22.--Steven Fruitsmaak (Reply) 22:03, 7 October 2006 (UTC)

I can respond to that; that whole category thing was a stupid idea that I decided to enact. It was supposed to be a hancy way of doing things, but really, it just wastes category namespace for at most, 3 actual pages. It was stupid to even consider; I'll remove it. ~ Flameviper 13:13, 11 October 2006 (UTC)

Users seeking adoption

There should be separate categories, such as 'Users wanting to be adopted', or 'Users seeking to adopt other users'. (I know, the category names are terrible, but I'm sure someone else could make up much better names for the categories.) Ilikefood 22:24, 9 October 2006 (UTC)

IRC Channel

Not sure if I should've or not.. but feeling bold, I decided to :) Hopefully we'll have hundreds of people flocking to #wikipedia-adopt on Freenode — Deon555^talk_Review 01:18, 18 October 2006 (UTC)

Sweet. Unfortunately, I don't have IRC :( ~ Flameviper 15:46, 18 October 2006 (UTC)

Category names

Per discussion], I have changed the names of all categories involved with the project to more apprpriate names. I've edited all of the templates and all pages involved (I think). Looks like a good project, I'll join in. --Daniel Olsen 03:56, 22 October 2006 (UTC)

I've also split Category:Wikipedians seeking adoption in Adopt-a-user into

• Category:Wikipedians seeking to be adopted in Adopt-a-user and
• Category:Wikipedians seeking to adopt in Adopt-a-user

to help facilitate the adoption process. --Daniel Olsen 04:18, 22 October 2006 (UTC)

Shweet. ~ Flameviper 16:46, 23 October 2006 (UTC)

Adoption complete

I adopted User:PStrait. Hooray for me! The Duke of Copyeditting, Bow before me! ^{You can't control me!} _{I'm a P. I.!} 11:44, 26 October 2006 (UTC)

Yay! ~ Flameviper 15:15, 26 October 2006 (UTC)

Length of adoption

Will these adoptions (with the accompanying adoption notices) be permanent? Maybe we should have something on WP:ADOPT that says: "once you feel that you have learned the ins and out of wikipedia, feel free to remove your adoption tag from your userpage and from you're adopter's userpage, but don't forget to thank him/her!" or something like that. Thoughts?

I hadn's thought about that. Good idea, go ahead and add it. ~ Flameviper 15:52, 27 October 2006 (UTC)

Esperanza

I got a link here placed on the Esperanza mainpage. Hopefully this will lead to more participation. --Daniel Olsen 02:59, 31 October 2006 (UTC)

Nice going, bud. And happy Halloween! ~ Flameviper 16:13, 31 October 2006 (UTC)

I joined because of it. Good job! Happy Halloween! Randfan 18:46, 31 October 2006 (UTC)

Is this wrong

I adopted two new users because I've had previous contact with them and after ____ weeks they still haven't done any real edits. Is this wrong? Please respond on my talk page. Randfan 18:47, 31 October 2006 (UTC)

I'm thinking about making an {{template:adoption_congratulations}} (see here) for these people. What do you think? Randfan 18:56, 31 October 2006 (UTC)

okay, I combined the adoptmessage template and the welcome template to create {{this}} ({{AdoptCongrats!}}). Tell me what you think. Randfan 19:59, 31 October 2006 (UTC)

Well, that's OK, but the colours are kind of abrasive. ~ Flameviper 20:45, 31 October 2006 (UTC)

you can edit it. Randfan 22:25, 31 October 2006 (UTC)

We already have {{adoptmessage}} for telling new users they've been adopted. If they haven't edited very much, well, that'll happen, but you should be there in case they have questions. Feel free to adopt another user or two if you'd like to help more. --Daniel Olsen 00:58, 1 November 2006 (UTC)

Criteria

Should we make some criteria for you to become an adopter? Like must have 150 main edits and must have been a user for a month and be a member of Ezperenza and the Kindness Comittee. Please respond on my talk page. Randfan 18:47, 31 October 2006 (UTC)

should there be a limit on how many users one can adopt (I say it should be a max. of 3 or 4) Randfan 18:49, 31 October 2006 (UTC)

I was thinking that you should only adopt one or two people. But yeah, there should be a limit. And yes, there should definitely be adoptioner requirements. Probably just being a member of Esperanza, that has its own requirements also. Good idea. ~ Flameviper 20:47, 31 October 2006 (UTC)

I made some rules for entering (currently 8) and we'll need someone to enforce them for those people who want join. I think you, Flameviper, would be the right person for this. Randfan 00:02, 1 November 2006 (UTC)

I really object to these and I've reverted the page until this is discussed further. --Daniel Olsen 01:16, 1 November 2006 (UTC)

The criteria were rather hastily enforced without consensus. I think we should talk about the criteria before slamming them down. After all, they were rather draconian, given that at least 3 of the rules excluded me. I don't think that adopters need to be completely flawless; certainly the "no blocks for a year" rule is going a bit overboard? ~ Flameviper 17:30, 1 November 2006 (UTC)

I agree I've made a new proposal here but I still included the no blocks rule (I hadn't read your thought until after the proposal was made).

News Letter

Can we make an Adoption Advertisement through a news letter to all members wishing to adopt. It should have a list of all non-adopted adoptees. Maybe we can advertise it at the Coffee Lounge or give it to users who we think are qualified for this but didn't sign up for it/don't know about it. Randfan 18:53, 31 October 2006 (UTC)

Excellent idea; I'd be more than happy to help out. anthony^[cfc]

Esperanza

Since when are we part of Esperanza? Memebers should not need to be part of Esperanza or any of its programs in order to participate here. What's with all of these requirements? "Must have a co-adopter, must have two co-adopters if you want more than 3 adoptees, 6 adoptee limit" Things lke this are why Esperanza's admin coaching is so backlogged. It really only takes one user to help another user, and who says one user can't help many others? And requiring participants to get a certain quota before being allowed to leave?? Please discuss changes like this on the talk page before you slap them onto the project page and semi-protect it for no reason. --Daniel Olsen 01:27, 1 November 2006 (UTC)

I agree. I'm adding a new subpage for the proposed criteria, here. ~ Flameviper 17:31, 1 November 2006 (UTC)

Page design

Hello how are you all? So I was being bold and changed the design completely, and I hope people don't mind. If you have any criticism or suggestion, please don't hesitate to slap my face :P. Cheers -- Imoeng 00:19, 4 November 2006 (UTC)

I like it, looks E@-ey, and blue is great for it. Randfan 22:11, 6 November 2006 (UTC)

It takes a hell of a redesign to make Flameviper lean back in his chair and say "holy shit". You, my friend, have done just that. Bravo. ~ Flameviper 16:11, 9 November 2006 (UTC)

New Adoptee

I have just adopted a new user. As far as I can see, this is the first time that this has happened, unless I am looking in the wrong place. If I am right, does this not mean that newbies are not being adequately directed to the help that many of them sorely need?--Anthony.bradbury 23:27, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

OK, I have found the right page, and I see that some newbies have been adopted; but not many, and I think my point remains valid; are they being adequately directed to this page?--Anthony.bradbury 00:09, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

Adoption Article

Also I have inserted an official link from the Adoption article here. If anyone can think of other pages that should have a link/redirect then either sort yourself or leave it here and I will sort it later. Cheers Lethaniol 18:10, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

Adoption Templates

Hi there, I have formatted all four adoption templates - I hope it makes easy reading and use. Also I corrected the final sentences of both Adoptee and Adopter template where they were the wrong way round. If someone could check my work it would be helpful - as obviously these templates are very important. Cheers Lethaniol 15:13, 15 November 2006 (UTC)

Whoa, Lethaniol!

That's a lot of headings created by you. Good work, though. Thanks. ~ Flameviper 19:39, 16 November 2006 (UTC)

Sorry did not realise I created so many headings - but I think each of the issues is important - and might deserve separate comments. Am really enthusiastic about this project - so you need anything doing leave a note on my talk page :):) Lethaniol 23:31, 16 November 2006 (UTC)

Thanks

I just got adopted and i think this program kicks ars thanks--"P-Machine" 07:28, 27 November 2006 (UTC)

Welcome Template

Need to get this project kick started - have requested on the template Welcome's talk page that a link to Adopt-a-User is put in. Surely that would be best to attract new users especially as this template is often used. Cheers Lethaniol 17:44, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

Have put in a further argument on this issue talk page. Lethaniol 18:20, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

Help:Contents

Have a link to WP:Adopt from Help:Contents. Lethaniol 15:43, 15 November 2006 (UTC)

This was removed as "unessential" - please follow help with discussion at Help talk:Contents. Lethaniol 18:08, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

Notifying new users of Adopt-a-User

Is it permissible to inform new (good) users of the existence of Adopt-a-User, and recommend them to join? I notice many good new users out there who need help, but don't know that this project exists, and would probably benefit the most from it. –- kungming·2 ^(Talk) 07:57, 27 November 2006 (UTC)

Absolutely. I have adopted two users, and since doing so, which is not all that long, I have had three new editors come to me with perfectly sensible questions which an adopter could have helped them with. I sorted them out, of course, but my point is that they were wholly unaware of the WP:ADOPT scheme.--Anthony.bradbury 14:27, 27 November 2006 (UTC)

I have also adopted two users (though unfortunately one turned out to be a sockppuppet of a permanently banned user) but found they weere both relatively experienced. Adoption should be targeted to the newest of users - and I see no problem in proactive in getting new adoptees A.Bradbury. If you dont want more adoptions you can always point them to WP:Adopt

See above, but I did recommend that WP:Adopt be part of the welcome template. OR we could change some of the warning templates to get more adoptions (though this might lead to more vandalism). Any other ideas people on how to advertise. Lethaniol 16:57, 29 November 2006 (UTC)

I was(am) adopted by Lethaniol the adopting god, and I guess my editing style was, well, as he put it "relatively experienced". To be honest, I was not all that experienced, but with Lethaniol's help, I quickly learned some of the "tricks of the trade" on how to become a better editor. The most important thing that Lethaniol taught me was that I should be ALWAYS ready to learn something new from ANYONE trustable and more experienced.

I took his advise and learned from the admin of the US History project, among others. Lethaniol really was(is) a GREAT mentor - I'm very glad that he adopted me and was willing to put up with my somewhat, um, unique, sense of humor and writing style....

oops.... forgot to sign: NDCompuGeek 20:49, 9 December 2006 (UTC)

Important - Future of Adopt-a-user

I, Flameviper, am the founder of this project. Unfortunately, I am currently busy in Real Life and won't be able to take care of Wikipedia things. Thus, I bequeath the title of adoption-master upon a successor. Who will be the new leader? I leave that to you. Good luck, ~ Flameviper 16:22, 30 November 2006 (UTC)

Things to do

As our founder has left us with the running of WP:Adopt, I suggest we come up with a list of things to do, so that the project can have some direction and progress goals. I will start with three suggestions, please add, remove, comment as necessary. Thanks Lethaniol 15:02, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

1. To finish the adopter criteria at this page.

   1.a.: Decide whether the "rules" are actually rule or guidelines, if we want them. Also figure out how strict, how to enforce them, how to decide "punishment"/"reward", etc.

   1.b.: Decide when to start to enforce them and create deadline for discussion to end.

   2.a.: If rules/guidelines don't become accepted, decide how this project is to be run

   2.b.: Repeat: #:1.a.:, #:1.b.:, and (maybe) #:2.b.: until majority is happy.

2. To increase Adoption awareness - by advertisement e.g. Wikipedia Newsletter, word of mouth and links to the project from places where new users will see e.g. help pages, welcome template etc...

   To increase number of adoptees to over 100 and adopters to over 50, currently 68 adoptees and 30 adopters at 15:02, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

   Figure out how to advertise and increase numbers.

3. Maybe create a page or common problems for new users and a place where a new user can post a question to all adopters. Kind of like the Help Desk or the {{{helpme}} but specifically to us (also have specific help instead of leaving a template on their talk). On this page we should have the question, the answer, and other comments or further questions posed which stemmed from this question. We should also have the answer left on the new user's talk page to make sure they get it.

   We probably should tell them how to respond to the user who helped them here because I've met some new users who didn't know how to do this.

   From an adoptee POV, what about naming the adoptee help desk {{{adopteehelp}}}? Appropriate, and easy to remember.... NDCompuGeek 20:49, 9 December 2006 (UTC)

4. Select a leader,if we haven't already, though I think we agree with Lethaniol being the leader. Also, confirm the name, some concerns are posted above or the archive (see below) about this.
5. Find a page for these project needs and their answers. Such as: Wikipedia talk:Adopt-a-User/To-Do List/future of Adopt-a-User.

—¡Randfan! 20:18, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

Good Idea - once we get a few more thoughts down here I think we should then move it. Lethaniol 12:19, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

Criteria.

Looking at the Wikipedia talk:Adopt-a-User/Criteria/Discussion fo exact rules, it seems we can all agree that:

• Adopters should be available often to help their adoptee(s).
• Adopters do not have to be members of Esperanza, Concordia, or Kindness Campaign.
• Adopters should not be current adoptees. (added current as I think that is what is meant Lethaniol 12:44, 6 December 2006 (UTC))
• Adoptees only need to have one Adopter (though they can have more).

I think also clear that agreement on the following but with the specific to be sorted:

• Adopters should not have any recent blocks or too many vandal warnings. (need to decide on length of time/number)
• Adopters should have a minimum number of edits (need to decide on number and if location important)

discussion

Have written up these decisions on Wikipedia talk:Adopt-a-User/Criteria/Discussion fo exact rules, please read and comment if you oppose. Lethaniol 12:44, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

Have added a note to that on the page, see that one if you want. —¡Randfan! 21:25, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

For the block guideine, I say we should have it somwhere from 45 days-3 months, though probably on the lower side. —¡Randfan! 21:33, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

Leader and hierarchy

As for choosing a "leader", who says we need one in the first place? Is Jimbo our leader? Wikis are collaborative and work by compromise and consensus. I don't think anything needs to change just because Flameviper, or any of us, gets busy. --Daniel Olsen 00:14, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

I agree (though I am flattered Randfan) - I don't believe that we should have a leader, or any hierarchy at all, and we should (like we have been anyway) aim for consensus. We need to have a group of users though who are happy to help out with the admin of Adopt-a-user - I being one of them am happy to any (but not all) of the dog's work :):) Lethaniol 12:19, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

I too think we should follow this but I had afriend who was looking over my shoulder as I was doing this and sugggested that I pt it down. He saidwe don't have to follow it but it didn't hurt to put it in there. I agreed and added, I don't think it should be decided by any one person and didn't see any harm so I added it. Of course that is quite hypocritical,on my part, due to the criteria thing :)... —¡Randfan! 21:16, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

archiving

I've just put Wednabot on the job to archive this page. I thought it was kind of long and should have an archive, even if I'm being a little preemptive. Do you think it was a good idea? —¡Randfan! 19:33, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

Fine by me Lethaniol 19:50, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

Me too, obviously... —¡Randfan! 20:22, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

After adopting...

Should we have something specific to do once we've adopted? I've been asking my adoptees if they need any help, so far with no reply, but maybe, as been mentioned before, we should have a certain page for questions as well as the adopters' talk pages. The only problem with this is that it would quickly become something like the Newcomers' Help Page, so what would be different about this page that would merit its creation? This also gets over the sort of awkwardness of personally contacting someone. Just an idea- CattleGirl ^{talk | e@} 02:22, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

I, too support this idea (see aove for suggestion). —¡Randfan! 02:40, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

Help space for Adopters

Hi guys - I am going to act on this soon unless there is some major issues.

I think a subpage where Adopters can put there experiences down, how they dealt with it, and whether anyone has any suggestions would be a good. I think this should be separate from the talk page, so that it is easier to navigate and does not get archived (would be able to manually sort it into different categories of problems).

In case any one is interested - I will be adding my dealings with suspected sockpupper adoptees - my first adoptee was banned for being a sockpuppet of a user who was banned for issueing death threats , my third adoptee is in the process of having a sockpuppet action gaining force againist them. Ah what a life... See my talk page :) Lethaniol 18:11, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

I like this idea (maybe we should have this and the thing above combined) and I have two adoptees (friends in real life, actually) and I want to help them but there never on. Should I "drop" them? This should probably be moved to that page. Oh, and it shold be called something like: wikipedia talk:Adopt-a-User/archives/diary/experiences and if the proposed page above is to be created but under another name it should probably be: wikipedia talk:Adopt-a-User/archives/diary/questions and answers. —¡Randfan! 00:45, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

Sorry, I was logged out onto a shaed network IP. —¡Randfan! 00:45, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

Hey I don't think there is any hard and fast rules as yet. Personally if I had 2 relatively inactive users, I would keep them on as Adoptees, and adopt others if I wanted. I don't think it is about how many adoptions you have, but about being able to help out the adoptee out appropriately. So if you take on a high-maintenance Adoptee it would be irresponsible and unfair to take on another until that one finds it feet. If you have x mature Adoptee who only need occasional help you may feel you can take on another. Hope that helps

I will add the issue you have brought up to such a page when it gets created - I think this is the sort of thing that will happen often. Cheers Lethaniol 00:52, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

Okay, thanks! —¡Randfan! 01:05, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

I think these are some really good ideas. If you've adopted users that are relatively inactive then there's nothing that should impair your 'adopting ability' (trying to think of a better term, hopefully you know what I mean) with more users. I agree that we should have a page for our experiences- CattleGirl ^{talk | e@} 02:35, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

I'm going to start a page, as it seems to be a very good idea- find it at Wikipedia:Adopt-a-User/experiences . Edit it there- and you may like to add more of an introduction as well- CattleGirl ^{talk | e@} 02:44, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

I thought it would be a good idea to create space where all the information for Adopters can be found see Wikipedia:Adopt-a-User/Adopter's Area, the Experiences bit is a sub page of this Wikipedia:Adopt-a-User/Adopter's Area/Experiences Lethaniol 13:35, 8 December 2006 (UTC) Now is this a good idea, or should all this information / links just be on the mainpage - i.e. is the subpage unnecessary? Cheers Lethaniol 14:44, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

I think we should keep it this way, though I must say, I would have liked it to ention "Diary" because that is a place where one is able to record their experiences... But this diary would be accessible to the public so they can use it as an "advise column". Should we sort it (meaning the Experiences page) all into "Adoptee issues", "Adopter issues", "Both" or something like that. For example, what we have currently could be cassified under "Adoptee isssues".... —¡Randfan! 21:36, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

link on main page?

Should we have a place on the main page like: {{/box-header|''Adopter's Area''|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Adopter's Area|}} {{Wikipedia:Adopt-a-User/Adopter's Area}} {{/box-footer|}}

Or something... —¡Randfan! 21:41, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

I did and reverted it and did again and reverted it... If someone can do it correctly, lease do so. —¡Randfan! 21:51, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

What exactly are you trying to add? --Daniel Olsen 04:06, 9 December 2006 (UTC)

Nevermind, I figured it out. Does the links section at the bottom of the page work? Otherwise the adopter's experiences page would rather overwhelm our nice pretty formatting nad make ugly subtables. --Daniel Olsen 05:04, 9 December 2006 (UTC)

Moving this discussion

I propose that we do as the title says, for it's getting long and will be easier to check recent edits/comments/questions/answers to it if we do so. I will at the end of the UTC day, today, if no one objects. We can always revert and delete the other page... —¡Randfan! 21:51, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

On this issue of setting up the Adopter's area, I was thinking of waiting a few days - spending some more time developing/constructing the area - then linking from main page and leaving a note on every Adopter's page about the new area, asking them to visit and contribute. What do you think?

Also other areas to possibly add to Adopter's Area:

1. Adopter's tools including templates and common reference sources.
2. Future of Adopt-a-User and Things to do - though might want to mirror onto the main talk page.

Cheers Lethaniol 00:10, 9 December 2006 (UTC)

Ditto. —¡Randfan! 17:19, 9 December 2006 (UTC)

Offensive talk page notice?

What kinds of mixed messages are you trying to send here? This talk page uses red "shouting" at the readers as the very first thing they see. I would think a page like this would use something more refined, like {{consensus}} Rfrisbie^talk 20:50, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

I agree. If anyone disagrees, it can always be changed back. - Che Nuevara 00:45, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

I agree looks better, thanks Lethaniol 11:30, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

Ditto. —¡Randfan! 01:05, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

Welcome templates

The suggestion that a link to WP:ADOPT be included in the {{welcome}} templates has been suggested here by several users over several months. But it has not happened. I cannot see anywhere any negative comment, so why hasn't it happened? Who ultimately can decide the format of major templates such as these? And have they been asked to change them? Or can they be asked? So many questions, so few answers.--Anthony.bradbury 00:34, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

See Help talk:Contents and Template talk:Welcome. --Daniel Olsen 06:01, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

Also, if you've got your own custom welcome template (like I do), you can of course at it there. - Che Nuevara 06:16, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

Have asked on both pages - the Help:Contents can be edited by anyone, but the Template:Welcome seems to be Admin only. Could probably do with some help in the discussion at Help talk:Contents Lethaniol 11:26, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

Also see discussion at Wikipedia:Village pump (proposals)#WP:ADOPT which Anthony.B start up, cheers Lethaniol 15:05, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

Che, we haven't all got our own customised welcome page, though I may come and steal yours (unless you object). I would like to see the prompt included routinely on every welcome template.--Anthony.bradbury 20:45, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

If you look at the mainpage WP:ADOPT have made a slightly altered welcome template for use by anyone, though I would not suggest using subst as of yet Template:Adopt-a-User Welcome Cheers Lethaniol 00:05, 9 December 2006 (UTC)

Adoption or Sponsor or Mentor?

I think this is a great idea, but I have concern about the choice of the word adoption over sponsor. Adoption, in the sense of building families, is a permanent act. It creates what are known to some adoptive parents and children as forever families. I'd rather see the term Sponsor used. (I get the same way when people talk about adopting members of the military who are deployed overseas as well.) Just my two cents. --EarthPerson 00:16, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

I think changing the name of the program could have some strange consequences, but the title of the person (id est: Adopter/Adoptee) could work. I think Mentor might work... —¡Randfan! 00:49, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

It's funny that you suggested Mentor. I thought of the same thing not five minutes after I'd posted, but was already done for the day. --EarthPerson 15:28, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

I think the name's fine- I see what you mean about how adoption implies more of a permanent thing, but on the project page we can see it's not. I think we should leave it how it is, however I must say we can perhaps play up the mentoring side of the project rather than the adopting side. CattleGirl ^{talk | e@} 02:51, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

Thanks for your thoughts. I wish I'd found this earlier and could have suggested it earlier. --EarthPerson 15:28, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

I agree with CattleGirl. We could change some of the templates/welcome messages etc... to explain that adoption is a mentoring program - but I am not sure about changing titles like Adoptee to Mentee and Adopter to Mentor. Lethaniol 15:43, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

I'm good with that. —¡Randfan! 21:30, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

As an adoptee, I feel relatively permanently linked to Lethaniol the adopter god - but because of what he has taught me and shown to me through this program, not because of a stupid title. To be completely honest, I hope that Lethaniol and I will continue this relationship - mainly because I'm sure I will always have questions, and he will always have "seniority" on me! NDCompuGeek 06:31, 11 December 2006 (UTC)

Lol - I wish that was true - anyway when I finish my PhD and go to work in real world I suspect I will have less time for Wikipedia - sulk - then ND will gain more experience than I. Anyway that is not what Wikipedia is about - though experience matters in completing technical matters, more important is that everyone is equal with respect to their opinions, and even the newest of users can bring new information or have the best solution to a problem. Cheers Lethaniol 14:28, 11 December 2006 (UTC)

On a slightly different issue, I think there comes a point where adoptees should be encouraged to brave it on their own and even start adopting themselves. Hopefully the relationship will remain - and questions can be asked both ways. Lethaniol 14:28, 11 December 2006 (UTC)

Excessive adoption?

I have come across a user, or to be fair the user has been pointed out to me, who has adopted seven new users. The Adopter in question whom i will name on this page if any editor asks me to, has a total of 448 edits of all kinds at this time. I question whether this indicates a broad enough basis of experience to adopt anyone, let alone seven. One of his/her adoptees has come to me with help with a problem, being unable to get advice elsewhere.

I really feel that we should set minimum standards of experience for adopters. I know that this has been discussed elsewhere, but it needs to looked at urgently. I would suggest not less than 1,500 edits, excluding edits to the editor's own pages; at least six months editing; and no blocks (except fault-free autoblocks) for at least six months. There should also be a limit of say three adoptees per adopter at any one time. Comments, folks?--Anthony.bradbury 20:53, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

I think you set your standards are very high - if you got time also comment at Wikipedia talk:Adopt-a-User/Criteria/Discussion fo exact rules we can help push through the standards we expect of Adopters. I think the real issues that will come out of it are:

1. How long part of/how many edits/in what areas of wikipedia do we expect of our Adopters?
2. Are they rules or guidelines?
3. If we make them rules how do we enforce?
4. If we make them guidelines when do we tell an adoptee / adopter about an inappropriate situation
5. And finally who has the dirty job of doing this enforcement.

In this case Anthony, I suppose I would suggest having a chat with the Adopter concerned - being honest that a concern has been raised, but ask how the adoption process is working for them - without being to aggressive (blimey am I saying that?!?!) Cheers Lethaniol 00:21, 9 December 2006 (UTC)

Hello. I found one user who has 22. Now that's excessive. --EarthPerson 02:09, 9 December 2006 (UTC)

23. What's excessive about it? I'm on frequently and love to help. --Daniel Olsen 04:04, 9 December 2006 (UTC)

Nothing I suppose. There was no offense intended. My post here was simply a reply to Anthony.bradbury's post. Glad you are willing to help. But, I think I'll be taking this page off my watch list. It's nothing anyone has said; I simply object to the term adoption used in this context. I do find it odd that I'm the only one. --EarthPerson 04:19, 9 December 2006 (UTC)

Page2

Does anyone know why we have a second duplicate page of this project - see Wikipedia:Adopt-a-User/Page2. Cheers Lethaniol 18:27, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

I didn't even know it existed.... —¡Randfan! 00:48, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

Maybe for tests?.... —¡Randfan! 22:12, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

Anyone mind if it's deleted? Deleted. Was just a sandbox for formatting tests. --Daniel Olsen 04:09, 9 December 2006 (UTC)

Categories

The cateogries are a great way to find people involved with wikipedia or people to adopt, but we have to be careful to keep project pages out of them. I recently edited Wikipedia:Adopt-a-User/Templates to effectively subst the templates and keep them, as well as edit the main project page to remove another incorrect category link. Please keep these things in mind and always remember to change the {{Adoptme}} userbox to {{adoptee|Your Username}} when adopting so that other adopters don't get confused and accidentally try to adopt a user who's already been adopted. Happy editing, and happy adopting! --Daniel Olsen 05:14, 9 December 2006 (UTC)

Criteria

I think it's time to make a decision on the criteria found at Wikipedia talk:Adopt-a-User/Criteria/Discussion fo exact rules. The criteria listed have been there for a while, longer than the original 15 days, and there seems to be a consensus on most, if not all. Anyone else think it's ok? Just wanted to make sure- CattleGirl ^{talk | e@} 05:29, 9 December 2006 (UTC)

I agree. —¡Randfan! 17:10, 9 December 2006 (UTC)

I as well.--SUIT 21:36, 9 December 2006 (UTC)

Agree. –- kungming·2 ^(Talk) 05:13, 10 December 2006 (UTC)

Ok, I've gone through the page and have done either an approved/not approved/no consensus 'ruling', however feel free to discuss it more here- we also need some more input on the no consensus ones. We also need more input on Note 1. CattleGirl ^{talk | e@} 10:02, 10 December 2006 (UTC)

Thanks CattleGirl - I hope I have not stepped on your feet but I have basically archived the two current discussions, written up the consensus points and started debates on the specific issues that need to be resolved. If I have done wrong then add/change the info.

So people please go to Wikipedia talk:Adopt-a-User/Criteria, vote on the proposed criteria, raise any objections, and hopefully we can put this baby to bed soon. Cheers Lethaniol 13:54, 10 December 2006 (UTC)

That's great, Lethaniol. Looks like we've almost established our criteria! CattleGirl ^{talk | e@} 06:25, 11 December 2006 (UTC)

Tidy up Main Page

Have tidied up main page - so all the boxes look well formatted. Merged the two links boxes. But beware not great at code so may not be perfect :( - seems to work for me though on firefox 2 and IE 7. Cheers. Will hopefully get to expanding Adopter's Area now too - will add a Useful Information section - including template subsection. Lethaniol 15:44, 10 December 2006 (UTC)

Adoption program addition to "Welcome to Wikipedia" new user message

Everyone knows that new Wikipedians receive a welcome message on their talk page. It would be nice if a link to the adoption program were included in that initial message. CyberAnth 07:59, 11 December 2006 (UTC)

I see this has already been brought up at Wikipedia:Adopt-a-User/Adopter's_Area/Future#Welcome_templates. -- CyberAnth 08:01, 11 December 2006 (UTC)

Ah, but only new users that other suers have noticed AND sent a welcome message recieve one- another thing that would be good to work on, although there is a project on this already- Wikipedia:Welcoming Committee. CattleGirl ^{talk | e@} 08:04, 11 December 2006 (UTC)

Welcome Idea

• Lightbulb* IDEA! Ok, we've all been talking about how to get more users interested in the program, especially new users... Suggestions have been made to put it onto the official welcome templates, however we forget that there is something else we can do... our own personal messages! I propose that we create an Adopt-a-User welcome message that's extremely similar to the usual ones, except with a mention to the project in it. Discussion? CattleGirl ^{talk | e@} 08:09, 11 December 2006 (UTC)

Have made a slightly altered welcome template for use by anyone, Template:Adopt-a-User Welcome, it should be substituted Cheers Lethaniol 14:21, 11 December 2006 (UTC)

Have added it to the following page - Wikipedia:Adopt-a-User/Adopter's Area/Resources - which is Linked off Adopter's Area. Please add to the page as I am sure there is lots missing. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Lethaniol (talk • contribs) 19:28, 11 December 2006 (UTC). Go away bot - I went back to sign - literally two seconds - and got in conflict with this bot - oh well - :):) Lethaniol 19:29, 11 December 2006 (UTC)

Adoptee's area

Started a new subject on the creation of an Adoptee's area similar to the one we are creating for Adopters - see Wikipedia:Adopt-a-User/Adopter's Area/Future#Adoptee's Area Cheers Lethaniol 18:27, 11 December 2006 (UTC)

Template:Adopting

I have fiddled with the Template:Adopting so that there is a link to the category of Adoptme users - so to make it easier for adopters to check if there is anyone needing adoption. I have tried my best. If anyone else can think of a way to write this in three lines have a go :) Lethaniol 12:35, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

Ah Flameviper has made a useful alteration, certainly makes it look "nicer" Lethaniol 16:33, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

Pride

Have just noticed that the Portuguese wiki has taken on the idea of Adopt-a-User - thought everyone would like to known - see pt:Wikipedia:Tutoria. Cheers Lethaniol 16:33, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

That's REALLY good- I've noticed more and more users are becoming interested in the project- it's really lifting off. Well done on all your efforts, everyone- this is working REALLY well. CattleGirl ^{talk | e@} 06:36, 15 December 2006 (UTC)

Criteria

Since we have unanimous support of the rules in their current version, I was bold and updated the main page. --Daniel Olsen 04:35, 15 December 2006 (UTC)

Thanks for that- CattleGirl ^{talk | e@} 06:37, 15 December 2006 (UTC)

Yes I think we reached consensus - have rewritten the main page version a bit - corrected block duration to 6 months and added vandalism. Also noted that was guideline and if someone did not meet then should ask on this talk page.

Cheers Lethaniol 10:29, 15 December 2006 (UTC)

Okay have updated the Adopter's Area too - with a bit more info too. Also have taken snapshots of the current adopters and users wanting to adopt, so can check new ones as they join.

Current Adopters:

• User:Amarkov
• User:Anthony cfc
• User:Anthony.bradbury
• User:CattleGirl
• User:Chris is me
• User:Culverin
• User:Daniel Olsen
• User:DarknessLord
• User:Dfrg.msc
• User:Editor at Large
• User:Flameviper
• User:Hunterd

• User:JoeSmack
• User:Kungming2
• User:Leon2323
• User:Lethaniol
• User:Llama man
• User:Lovelaughterlife
• User:Mikedk9109
• User:NCurse
• User:Pedant
• User:Randfan
• User:Rat235478683

• User:ReverendG
• User:Rockpocket
• User:Ryanpostlethwaite
• User:SUIT
• User:Samsara
• User:SaturnYoshi
• User:Stevenfruitsmaak
• User:The Hybrid
• User:Valrith
• User:VodkaJazz

This is information only: Out of these users all but 2 meet the 500 edits (the vast majority are well over 1000), and these two have 451 and 435 edits each - so I do not think there is any worry there.

Adopters seeking Adoptees (duplicates removed):

• User:CJ King
• User:ChrisGriswold
• User:CyberAnth
• User:Emperork
• User:Hello2112

• User:It's-is-not-a-genitive
• User:Miller17CU94
• User:Mr Rookles
• User:Philc 0780
• User:Skully Collins

• User:Tomtheman5
• User:Gray Porpoise
• User:Lawilkin
• User:Walter Humala
• User:Xiner

This is information only: Out of these users all but 2 meet the 500 edits (again the vast majority are well over 1000), and of those one has 204 edits, and one has 15 edits. I have taken the liberty of contacting the user with 15 edits and asking if they meant that they wanted to be adopted (have removed their adopting template for time being). I am not sure whether to contact the user with 204 edits or not (note of those 204 - 68 are of their Userpage, but 108 are of Mainspace).

Great! Good job, all! —¡Randfan! 21:00, 16 December 2006 (UTC)

Have started list currently at User:Lethaniol/Adopters, where I check all new adopters against the criteria - basically check talk page history for vandal tags, block log and total number of edits using Kate's tool [[1]]. Help there would be helpful, not sure whether to host such a page as a subpage of WP:ADOPT. Lethaniol 11:39, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

Absent adopter

Hello everyone, I’ve been recently adopted by a very nice and helpful adopter, but the problem is that he’s paying very little attention to me. I was adopted over a month ago and so far he responds to my queries after an average of 3 to 4 days, last massage was posted a week ago, and to this moment didn’t receive an answer. The adopter is very kind and informative, but since I’m here almost everyday I’d rather have someone more available to adopt me. I don’t know what I can do about it, I don’t want to offend my adopter. Does anyone have any suggestions? By the way, at this point I’d prefer to stay anonymous, thank you. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 80.230.191.25 (talk) 22:43, 16 December 2006 (UTC).

My suggestion = explain to your adopter that though they are really helpful, that because they are not on all the time, but you are, that you would like a co-adopter (a second user to adopt you), so you can ask that user a questions if the other is not around. A number of adoptees have more than one adopter - either to help out a new adopter, or because an adopter is not around all that often. So if you want a second adopter - just put the Template:Adoptme back on your userpage, check with any new adopter that they are on regularly, and away you go. Hope that helps :):) Lethaniol 23:57, 16 December 2006 (UTC)

A reminder

Just a reminder that we've created a page for adopters to relate their experiences on Wikipedia, which can then be discussed and questions asked. This page can be found at Wikipedia:Adopt-a-User/Adopter's Area/Experiences, so if adopters and adoptees alike can go over there and contribute, that would be great. Thanks- CattleGirl ^{talk | e@} 08:25, 20 December 2006 (UTC)

Page of adopters

I think there should be a page here that lists all the users willing to adopt. It can have a "status" whereas they may not want to take on new adoptions for whatever reason (too busy IRL, too many adopters, etc) but would also list what they are especially good at here on Wikipedia and a "sales" pitch perhaps. That way new users can go "shopping" for an adopter on this list and not just sit and wait around for someone to post on their talk page, though that certainly could be how some do it and there's nothing wrong with it. At a minimum it should have the adopter's username, link to user page, status and a space avaiable for the adopter to write what they want, but they don't have to. Any thoughts? --MECU≈talk 15:55, 20 December 2006 (UTC)

I think there is some merit in this idea. Am currently busy with other aspects with Adopt-a-User, but if someone would design and promote such a page I would add my details there. If this could be done soon, if it is going to be done, could add into Adopter's Area and promote at the same time. Lethaniol 22:47, 20 December 2006 (UTC)

I think this idea is a good one- it means the adopter and adoptee are more similar- for instance, if an adoptee wanted to know more about vandal fighting, they'd choose a user that did a lot of that. However we have to advertise it a lot more and change the adoption userboxes to fit this page in- just some re-wording. I'll be glad to get started on the pages, though- any thoughts on the page name? Adopters Area or Adoptees Area? CattleGirl ^{talk | e@} 02:12, 21 December 2006 (UTC)

Erm I would say Adoptee's Area - as it is for there info - but it does not really matter because it will be easy to move. Thanks Cattle Girl Lethaniol 12:03, 21 December 2006 (UTC)

Good point, I'll start the page now. Find it at Wikipedia:Adopt-a-User/Adoptee's Area/Adopters. Change the name if you think necessary- CattleGirl ^{talk | e@} 03:55, 22 December 2006 (UTC)

Congratulations - 100 Adoptees on the books

Congratulations all - we now have 100 Adoptees on adoption - and thanks to all your hard work - keep it up. Onwards and Upwards - Lethaniol 18:49, 20 December 2006 (UTC)

Do you think it might be sensible routinely to survey our adoptees, say a month after adoption ,to find out what they expected from adoption and whether they got it?--Anthony.bradbury 21:46, 20 December 2006 (UTC)

Yes and no. In the near future once have fully developed Adopter's Area and Adoptee's Area - hopefully this next week - will leave a message on all Adopters and Adoptees talk pages linking to the new areas and asking them to contribute their experiences. So that should do for getting a survey and input of the current Adoptees.

In the future though I am not sure. Am already keeping track on all new Adopters at User:Lethaniol/Adopters, keeping track of all Adoptees will be even harder work! Maybe should change the Adoptee template to encourage them to use the WP:ADOPT pages or we could request that all Adopters after a month contact their Adoptee for feedback. But unless someone physically communicates with all the adoptees on their talkpages I think it will be difficult. Maybe we need to rely on the Adoptee to bring us a problem if there is one - see example a few sections above here. Also Adopters could be damaging if they don't help out their Adoptee but at the end of the day that won't stop their access to Wikipedia or its many other support mechanisms.

So the conclusion I come to is - generally no contact from Adopt-a-user centrally. Request Adopters encourage their Users to contribute here. Add Adoptee's Area link to Adoptee user template and Adopt-a-User Welcome messages. Lethaniol 22:44, 20 December 2006 (UTC)

I was actually planning to send out a happy holidays notice to my adoptees, reminding them that I was always there to help. The way I see it, the important part of this program is not to create a good social bond between members (that's what got esperanza MfD'd) but to always have someone to turn to when you have a question. --Daniel Olsen 00:16, 21 December 2006 (UTC)

Just to clarify - I totally agree with Daniel - it is the individual relationships that matter. But if things go wrong, or a adoptee wants other support they need to be aware of the WP:ADOPT central area where they can ask. Again see section a few above where one such Adoptee did. My suggestions above were only to try to find ways of promoting the Central area to adoptees (and adopters too) Lethaniol 00:37, 21 December 2006 (UTC)

Future page

No one is using this page: here, so suggest we carry on any discussions about the future of the program on this talk. Instead I will make a to do list which people can contribute to.

Have added a to-do page at top, which can be added to or completed. If have any suggestions for the future of the Adopt-a-User program add them into the discussion. On consensus (or already obvious) add to the to do list. Lethaniol 14:41, 24 December 2006 (UTC)

Great New PR for WP:ADOPT!!!

Simply go to Special:Log/newusers where you will see loads of new wikipedians! Wonnabees just like we used to be!!! Now paste {{subst:welcome123}} into their talk pages, its nice looking soft colored template. This new template refers them to the WP:ADOPT program and so far is working with great success!! I am working on proposing a welcomebot to put these templates on all new users that join wikipedias but first I would like to study the reactions to this new template. As you may know, going on a welcoming spree is something other wikipedians contest, so I need to study the facts. frummer 00:57, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

Welcoming users is fine, but the bot policy will interpert highspeed generic editing (such as sending a welcome template to everyuser) as an unauthorized robotic edit, and blocking may be applied. Requests to run an authorized bot for this purpose CAN be requested at WP:RFBOT. Having an account flagged as a bot is important to prevent the recent changes and new pages lists from being flodded. Thanks <From the bot approvals group>, — xaosflux ^Talk 02:05, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

Construction of Adopters and Adoptees Area complete

Well sort of - the structure is there and there is content in all the areas, but if people could go there and check out and do the following:

1. Copyedit out and silly errors.
2. Sort formatting out to make it look pretty.
3. Add content, in both Areas, to make it more useful.

Links to each section are now prominently shown in Intro box, on the main page.

Next Stage

I will add a message explaining the new Areas and services of Adopt-a-User to the talk-pages of the following:

1. All Adopters
2. All people who want to Adopt, or have shown an interest in the past.
3. All Adoptees.

May wait till first week in Jan - to 1. Make sure these areas are clean and tidy (please help) and 2. That people wont miss the message in the holiday period.

Cheers Lethaniol 02:48, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

This program

Am i the only one who feels this program encourages new user to be over be reliant on users and goes against WP:Be bold . I feel that new users shouldnt be mothered in this way and should be encourage to be bold and make use of the {{Help me}} template (Gnevin 13:47, 29 December 2006 (UTC))

This program is to teach new users skills to be bold with. Also, isn't using the helpme template relying on other users anyway? This gives the users more personal, long-lasting, and more specialized help then the helpme provides. Also, we are mentors, not mothers, and there is a very big difference. -- THL 14:54, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

Concur with THC - have you got a specific situation/issue that you have come across Gnevin that suggest excessive mothering. Also there are millions of users out there, one form of help and support will not be right for all of them = see [2]. Adopt-a-User is just offering another way to help users edit Wikipedia in a constructive way. Lethaniol 15:06, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

As an adoptee of the program, I feel that my adopter really did and is helping and encouraging me to reach out of my 'comfort zone' and try new things. For instance, even though I have only been actively editing for about two months, I have already started a portal, done significant edits for the US Military History task force, and tried my hand at template-making. If it were not for the assistance of my adopter, I definitely would not have even tried these things, let alone successfully wrote these articles and activated this portal.

My adopter has also taught me some of the basics of the Wikipedia philosophy, the most notable (that I got out of it) was that the article does not belong to me - I must let others make edits and let the community rule by consensus, not by the 'since I started the article, it's mine, and I won't let anyone else edit it' rule. He has also taught me that if I see something that needs fixing, just go ahead and fix it - be bold, but get the references!

I can see where Gnevin may be coming from. There are those that might become overly reliant on their adopter, not try new things, and not grow their abilities. In my opinion, the AaU program helps this kind of user to get more familiar with their comfort zone things, and with this familiarity become more willing and able to do more things sooner on the Wikipedia site.

In summary, yes, I probably needed a little 'mothering' to get me out of my initial "stagefright" and get to editing, but once I was encouraged to stretch my wings and write, my adopter has and is a great asset that I am very glad that I have. NDCompuGeek 15:58, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

Urgent Proposal - New Users seeking Adoption...

Hi everyone,

There is plenty of people looking to be adopted, so get to it. Anyway to the proposal:

As Adopt-a-user is becoming more popular, the Category:Wikipedians seeking to be adopted in Adopt-a-user is filling up fast. I am sure I am not the only one to notice that sometimes people create an account, use the adoptme template, and never return. Also people may get contacted by a few adopters, but still lag in removing the Adoptme template. So to try and make the Category easier for wannbe Adopters to use I suggest removing the Adoptme Template in the following circumstances -

1. With a new user, who has had very few edits, who adds the Adoptme template, and then over the next 3 days makes no further edits.
2. A new user, who has been contacted by two or more adopters, and who after 3 days has not removed the Adoptme template.

With both of these suggestions the user concerned will be told why the Adoptme Template has been removed, and that they are welcome to reinstate it. Unless anybody has any major objections to this, I will enact it a day or two. Cheers Lethaniol 09:23, 23 December 2006 (UTC)

As no one has objected I will enact this - especially as there are currently 22 people odd waiting adoption. Cheers Lethaniol 20:29, 27 December 2006 (UTC)

Further Help Required

Eh - have just cleaned up the backlog of people that fit the criteria above - but still have 25 users with the Adoptme template - and a bust category therefore. So how on earth are we going to keep this category ticking over, and not put off new adopters??? At least 2/3 of these new users have been contact by adopters but it takes time to check them. Any thoughts please??? Cheers Lethaniol 00:38, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

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