Wikinews:A nice cup of tea and a sit down
My mother always said that if you can't say something nice about a person, you shouldn't say it at all. That rather idealistic concept is the fundamental rule, and purpose, of this page. A nice cup of tea and a sit down is a place to publically declare what it is that you like about other members of the community, or their contributions. The goal is to create goodwill, and perhaps assist the dispute resolution processes that occurs on other pages, or if we're lucky avoid disputes at all.
Of course, this page should not replace complimenting a person directly on their talk page or article talk pages. A nice cup of tea and a sit down is for when things have gone beyond that, and there is a need for some more formal and serious niceness.
If you get the urge to say something like "I think that such-and-such has worked really hard on Wikinews, but..." you should stop there. The rule of thumb when making a compliment is to "stop at the but/however/although". Just the complimentary part, please.
What A nice cup of tea and a sit down is for
[edit]Need help making tea correctly? watch this helpful instructional flash video → http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/oldblobs/996668.swf
- saying nice things about other contributors, especially those with whom you are currently having problems
- publically declaring what you like about a person or their contributions
- directing people to when disagreements on other pages get heated
What A nice cup of tea and a sit down is not for
[edit]- Dispute resolution
- Mediation
- Arguing
- Anything that is not 100% positive
- Qualified positive statements, e.g.
"Come, let us have some tea and continue to talk about happy things." ~ Chaim Potok
- "JimBob really frustrates me sometimes, but I think that he has written some excellent articles" - everything before "I think" has no place here
- "JimBob is a great copyeditor, but he should try harder to enforce NPOV" - everything after "copyeditor" has no place here
Using A nice cup of tea and a sit down on talk pages
[edit]"If you are cold, tea will warm you. If you are heated, it will cool you. If you are depressed, it will cheer you. If you are excited, it will calm you." ~ William Gladstone
When things get heated, you can interject and say "I think that you two need to have a nice cup of tea and a sit down," at which point all parties should come to this page and say something nice about each other. You are also welcome to come here spontaneously if someone is really starting to annoy you, however note that this is not the place to speak about your frustrations - you should do that directly to the person, or on the talk page in question. This is a place for 100% unrestrained unqualified niceness and positivity. It's amazing how thinking hard for something nice to say about a person may change the way you perceive a dispute.
Okay, the pot is brewing. Milk? Sugar?
[edit]"Computer... Tea, Earl Grey, hot." ~ Jean-Luc Picard
Insert niceness here. feel free to use {{tea}} on a user talk page if its about a specific person.
Please create all pages, as a subpage of this page. eg Wikinews:A nice cup of tea and a sit down/USERNAME
Then Edit this page and add the following text at the bottom of the page (replacing USERNAME with the name of the subpage you just created): {{/USERNAME}}
General comments about this page
[edit]Can I just say what a great idea this page is? All hail to the creator! Hurray for Borofkin! Rcameronw 23:53, 9 November 2005 (UTC)
- Here here! I want Borofkin to marry me! *Cough* I mean... let's go watch... sports! And eat chicken wings! *Manly guffaw* O.o --Wolfrider 01:01, 10 November 2005 (UTC)
"Thank God for tea! What would the world do without tea? how did it exist? I am glad I was not born before tea." ~ Sydney Smith, Lady Holland's Memoir (vol. I, p. 383)
- This was such a good idea I transwikied it to Wikipedia. —MESSEDROCKER (talk) 20:53, 10 November 2005 (UTC)
This is one of the best idea's I've seen on wikinews in a long time. Hurray for Borofkin! can we use HTCPCP with this;)? Bawolff ☺☻ 00:11, 10 November 2005 (UTC)
A nice smile and laugh here, and a great way to start my day! -Edbrown05 12:04, 10 November 2005 (UTC)
- So you lot stole my Brownian Motion Generator! You're not supposed to drink it you know, I'm sure there was something irradiated in that container last week. :-)
- Good idea though, a positive-only place to put the heat generated on some article talk places to use... To make Tea! Don't forget the lemon for the lactose-intolerant. Brian McNeil / talk 15:55, 10 November 2005 (UTC)
- This page just let me find random pictures of teapots☻. Japanese people have nice teapots. See Commons:tea.
This place is better than Starbucks! I know more people here and I can pick my own music[1] :) Neutralizer 14:40, 12 November 2005 (UTC)
- Can I suggest adding coffee to this menu? ☺☻
Jason Safoutin 22:49, 15 April 2006 (UTC)
- Coffee, who drinks coffee? :D Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 23:30, 15 April 2006 (UTC)
- Why not add any nice drink to the menu then, if we add coffee on?Qwerty number1 (talk) 08:10, 17 February 2019 (UTC)
- People like me (sometimes(once or twice a year(if its a god one)))and, I assume Dragon Fire 1024, who created this suggestion.
Comments about Wikinews contributors in general
[edit]- <grin> Allow me the first practical use: Wikinews is laden with interesting and vibrant personalities! - Amgine 00:20, 10 November 2005 (UTC)
- Seconded. Hurray for interesting and vibrant personalities! Rcameronw 17:45, 10 November 2005 (UTC)
- This page is great. Wikinews is great. The people are great. Now, can I have lots of sugar with my tea, please? And btw, here's something to decorate the wall with. --Deprifry|+T+ 09:36, 10 November 2005 (UTC)
- Thanks to everyone who worked to create Wikinews and thanks to everyone who continues to participate in the process of exploring what Wikinews can become. --JWSchmidt 14:32, 10 November 2005 (UTC)
- Well I'd like to complement Wolfrider, Bawolff, Amgine, Neutralizer, Deprify, Edbrown, JWSchmidt, BrianMc and Messedrocker for taking to this so enthusiastically! Rcameronw 20:50, 10 November 2005 (UTC)
- <loud and appreciative sip> Has anyone noticed lately how nicely articles are categorized, the consistently neat formatting, the spelling, punctuation, and grammatical corrections which seem to appear without fanfare? The Wikinews wikignomes, wikifairies, and general copyeditors are some of the quietest members of our community, and this slurp is a toast to them! - Amgine 16:14, 14 November 2005 (UTC)
- Nice team to work with Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 08:17, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Amgine
[edit]☺☻ I like this smiley face..and I really like Amgine's artistic new signature. Neutralizer 03:37, 10 November 2005 (UTC)
Amgine has demonstrated remarkable courage and braveness when he took on an army of GNAA and Willy on Wheels vandals all by himself this morning. We salute him. --Deprifry|+T+ 14:49, 11 November 2005 (UTC)
- I saw some of the aftermath of that on RC, great Dalek impression "exterminating" all that vandalism. Brian McNeil / talk 15:08, 11 November 2005 (UTC)
Amgine is very dedicated to NPOV. Bawolff ☺☻ 23:36, 15 November 2005 (UTC)
- Thanks to Amgine for his work on the ArbCom proposal. Neutralizer 04:31, 20 November 2005 (UTC)
- Amgine cares very much about wikinews. Bawolff ☺☻
07:29, 15 January 2006 (UTC)
I believe he is sincere in his desire to create something extraordinary. StrangerInParadise 01:14, 13 February 2006 (UTC)
WIll try to help where he can - Cartman02au (Talk)(AU Portal) 07:41, 27 February 2006 (UTC)
Most patient person ever. If I had to wait as long as I made him, I would've have been really ticked. Bawolff ☺☻ 07:45, 27 December 2005 (UTC)
MrMiscellaneous
[edit]- MrM is excellent admin and definately keeps on top of the spam issues we have here. --Wolfrider 17:42, 10 November 2005 (UTC)
- Yes,☺☻
and I want to thank all the admins for looking after things here. I like rum in my tea..where is it? oh; there it is..ummm. Boy its nice to put these old feet up. Neutralizer 20:04, 10 November 2005 (UTC)
- Yes,☺☻
MrMiscellanious is building an excellent collection of useful templates. - Amgine 04:23, 20 November 2005 (UTC)
- Those templates are extremly useful. Thank you. Bawolff ☺☻
21:18, 11 December 2005 (UTC)
MrMiscellanious is keeping excellent tabs on the site, giving me a great sense of security. - Amgine | talk en.WN 23:08, 29 December 2005 (UTC)
- He makes sure everybody follows the rules (ettiqute, 3RR etc). Bawolff ☺☻
04:54, 8 February 2006 (UTC)
- He makes sure everybody follows the rules (ettiqute, 3RR etc). Bawolff ☺☻
I have from the first admired his statement of beliefs, and agree that others should do so as well. StrangerInParadise 01:12, 13 February 2006 (UTC)
One day, instead of ten articles a day, this wiki will be producing a thousand articles a day. It will still function because some contributors commit themselves to fighting vandalism and spam, removing copyright violations, and dealing with articles that are obviously POV. MrMiscellaneous is one of these contributors. His contribution to the functioning of this wiki, while often unrecognised, is invaluable. - Borofkin 00:05, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
MrM's opinions page only serves to enhance NPOV on this site. MrM also does alot of work behind the scenes that not all of us see - Cartman02au (Talk)(AU Portal) 21:36, 13 March 2006 (UTC)
Hard to believe that 'pedia doesn't have a definition for "jar head". It's all the heads that the make it work. :) Watch the collateral damage. -Edbrown05 10:55, 17 March 2006 (UTC)
- Doing some examplery (sp?) work regarding User:Mrmiscellanious/Admin Code of Conduct. Showing some very good faith. Bawolff ☺☻
04:38, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- A dedicated administrator. The vandals worst nightmare. Very principled and stright forward. Minding peopls secutity and wellbeing, passionated lover of human life, philantropic concerns for more people than a big nation hold. international 08:45, 7 May 2006 (UTC)
- Doing some examplery (sp?) work regarding User:Mrmiscellanious/Admin Code of Conduct. Showing some very good faith. Bawolff ☺☻
Cspurrier
[edit]Cspurrier is one of the most committed people I know. Kudos on the print editions! —MESSEDROCKER (talk) 20:41, 10 November 2005 (UTC)
- Every evening, like clockwork, a print edition magically appears. Thanks for all you do for Wikinews. —Dvortygirl 05:05, 18 February 2006 (UTC)
- I enjoy reading the print edition Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 07:43, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Ditto. Outstanding work. And MessedRocker is putting a lot of effort into closing DR's and creating nice templates for it.--Deprifry|+T+ 20:54, 10 November 2005 (UTC)
- Awh I'm flattered. —MESSEDROCKER (talk) 21:05, 10 November 2005 (UTC)
- I join in applauding Messedrocker. Good pro-active work on several fronts. Neutralizer 23:47, 10 November 2005 (UTC)
Excellent advocate for the community! and the sad executioner of articles. Thanks so much for taking on the tough jobs, MessedRocker! - Amgine | talk en.WN 00:18, 6 May 2006 (UTC)
Edbrown05
[edit]I'd like to thank Edbrown05 for a great job polishing up Pirates hijack Thai merchant ship off Somali coast.
Brian McNeil / talk 09:31, 12 November 2005 (UTC)
Wanted to take a moment to thank Edbrown05 for his prodigious article editing! If the tools weren't down, I'd be checking to see if you'd overtaken my number of edits again... (even though I know you've more article space edits than I.) - Amgine | talk 03:22, 6 December 2005 (UTC)
He made me feel real good about the photo on my user page; and he gives me good advice too. Thanks, :) Neutralizer 04:43, 21 November 2005 (UTC)
He's been consciencious, helpful, and very patient. StrangerInParadise 01:11, 13 February 2006 (UTC)
An all round great bloke. Really helped me with my issues when I started here on Wikinews - Cartman02au (Talk)(AU Portal) 07:44, 27 February 2006 (UTC)
Brian's a great editor paying diligent attention to the facts and pov of articles. Great work on keeping an eye on the Nuremburg story Brian. Neutralizer 20:00, 21 November 2005 (UTC)
Paco the Immigrant
[edit]His article, Turkey found buried alive in an Austin, Texas yard is very much sensational! Thank you for this Wikinews report, and continue your self-proclaimed duty of reporting the strange goings-on of Austin! —MESSEDROCKER (talk) 01:59, 26 November 2005 (UTC)
sfullenwider's business briefs are one of the best new ideas we've had in a while. Thanks for the great idea and for heading up the compaign! --Chiacomo (talk) 05:00, 14 December 2005 (UTC)
Wikinews
[edit]The Wikinews community has produced some excellent articles. When I compare the standard of quality, the depth of coverage and the diligence of research with what can be typically found in blogs, I am proud of what we have achieved so far. Some of our reports are even significantly better than mainstream stories due to their attention to detail. Wikinews is something new and unique. Best of all, some international editions are doing well, too.--Eloquence 23:02, 11 November 2005 (UTC)
I just wanted to say that November 13 was a day with a lot of great stories here at Wikinews. We had good international news with the Iran, Paris and APEC coverage, a well written feature article with the hunger strike story, science news, space news and local news. Kudos to all the authors. --Deprifry|+T+ 06:24, 14 November 2005 (UTC)
What a fantastic read; Hundreds of thousands rally in Australia against IR legislation...I'm in a shock at how really stunning it is; superb and dare I say "perfect; it is" those contributors and wikinews has produced a true masterpiece. Neutralizer 02:32, 16 November 2005 (UTC)
Just like to say things have been going well on Wikinews. I'm still alive, just been really busy. Keep up the good work guys. :D --Wolfrider 04:59, 21 November 2005 (UTC)
Wanted to make mention that the coverage of the events in Sydney has been great despite the awful subject matter. Cheers for the Aussies! - Amgine | talk 00:27, 15 December 2005 (UTC)
As long as Wikinews can keep getting stories like Parking with overpopulation in Chesapeake means it can keep grass stains on its knees and a gap toothed smile, which I never hope it loses. -Edbrown05 04:25, 23 December 2005 (UTC)
Bawolff has been working hard as an admin and contributor! - Amgine | talk en.WN 06:06, 30 December 2005 (UTC)
MateoP is a prolific author of articles about an area I am really interested in reading about! - Amgine | talk en.WN 00:50, 2 January 2006 (UTC)
Keeps us on our toes. Bawolff ☺☻ 07:35, 15 January 2006 (UTC)
Well done holding the line on the ricin story! The flowers make an soothing tea, you've earned a relaxing break. StrangerInParadise 13:15, 27 February 2006 (UTC)
You have a hard, unwavering passion for eliminating pro-American and pro-British bias in articles, and I think that's a great attribute for an editor on an English news site. You've done well in making that obvious to everyone. irid:t 22:26, 20 March 2006 (UTC)
Always strives for neutrality on articles :) MyName 21:18, 26 July 2006 (UTC)
- Some excellent work, especially in relation to New Zealand. Bawolff ☺☻
07:41, 15 January 2006 (UTC)
- Will always help you out when you need it :) - Cartman02au (Talk)(AU Portal) 07:46, 27 February 2006 (UTC)
User has done some excellent work. Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 01:57, 27 January 2006 (UTC)
I wanted to thank you,
for finishing the Zebra Mussel story. It's kind of nice after posting up a draft and having to dash off, to check back later a see it expanded and published. Best regards. -Edbrown05 05:16, 2 February 2006 (UTC) --> Retrieved from "http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/User_talk:DragonFire1024"
- Jumped right in head first. Very excited contributer. Bawolff ☺☻
04:55, 8 February 2006 (UTC)
- Great to see someone who does some original reporting in their local area that doesn't seem to attract mainstream attention - Cartman02au (Talk)(AU Portal) 21:45, 23 February 2006 (UTC)
- Great work with the Buffalo Hotel Articles. An excellent Job. Bawolff ☺☻
07:22, 25 April 2006 (UTC)
- A very good local news reporter, passionatly cover the murky buisiness of hotell establishing in Buffalo whish he put a lot of time and energy in. A dedicated user who friendly welcome lot of newcomers and is generally helpfull and supportive to new and old users. international 08:34, 7 May 2006 (UTC)
- Great work with the Buffalo Hotel Articles. An excellent Job. Bawolff ☺☻
nice work on Scientists discover prehistoric cave with unknown lifeforms. Doldrums 06:12, 1 June 2006 (UTC)
- Has some excellent Writing skills. All of his stories come out great. Bawolff ☺☻ 19:52, 1 April 2007 (UTC)
- Nice work helping me wikify the new articles I've created, make sure they are up to standard. Thanks! :) ~ Sebi [talk] 01:25, 5 October 2007 (UTC)
- Very dedicated, and persistant. Bawolff ☺☻
04:59, 8 February 2006 (UTC)
- A thoughtful person. - Amgine | talk en.WN 17:20, 12 February 2006 (UTC)
- Yeah, I must confess that I hadn't actually realized how objective the distinctions between editorial and administrative are. Had to go read some wikipedia policy pages. Nyarlathotep 00:39, 14 February 2006 (UTC)
- Always manages to bring a unique perspective into his work. Very thorough and persistant - Cartman02au (Talk)(AU Portal) 21:44, 23 February 2006 (UTC)
Very good at catching thoose little grammer things everyone accidently over looks. Bawolff ☺☻ 05:46, 12 February 2006 (UTC)
I can't believe I am creating the first tea slot for cartman, he is fantastic to work with. StrangerInParadise 01:26, 13 February 2006 (UTC)
- I cant believe the user who came up with TEA hasnt got a tea section LOL. Another user who will always help you out and who writes some awesome articles. His work on the Australian portal is also welcomed - Cartman02au (Talk)(AU Portal) 07:48, 27 February 2006 (UTC)
- His articles are always well done and interesting; and his attitude is the best. Neutralizer 12:10, 27 February 2006 (UTC)
- Good Work on the Aussie portal, Nice user to work with. Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 08:12, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- What a great new addition to Wikinews. The user has accomplished so much in the past few weeks it's absolutely stunning. His work on articles as well as his interactions with the community off-articles is so amazingly energetic. Ironiridis has an uplifting and energizing effect on our articles as well as our selves. Congratulations,Ironiridis, and thank you for coming here and being here. Neutralizer 14:29, 21 March 2006 (UTC)
- Nice, friendly user, made a good admin Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 08:13, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Aselman's photoessays are well-researched, well-photographed and entertaining - Cartman02au (Talk)(AU Portal) 21:59, 29 March 2006 (UTC)
Brand new user and made excellent updates to Police confirm lagoon bodies are boys missing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Quick, fast, sourced and informative. Great way to start his role on this Wiki and hope he stays :) Jason Safoutin 22:46, 15 April 2006 (UTC)
One of the best users at; checking spelling & grammar. Always find faults in articles, then improves them 100% Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 07:20, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- A Very good copy-editer/checker. As well as being a good writer. All around good contributor. Bawolff ☺☻
07:25, 25 April 2006 (UTC)
- Very nice person to know. He is interesting. As well as likes Sarsaparilla.
Pandoo 18:47, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
- always ready to fix up my all to common mistakes :) Wonderful user to work with Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 10:19, 1 November 2006 (UTC)
- Excellent work on Judging_the_Courts:_Wikinews_interviews_Prof._Lawrence_Douglas. Proabally one of the most comprehensive interviews on site. Bawolff ☺☻ 00:12, 27 November 2006 (UTC)
Amazing guy; he's not gonna let bad guys get in the way of him. He's ambitious, and his goal is to contribute his heart out. Don't stop now! —THIS IS MESSEDOCKER (TALK) 01:51, 4 May 2006 (UTC)
- International is a dedicated contributor, and uses communication tools to get people's attention! - Amgine | talk en.WN 00:04, 6 May 2006 (UTC)
- User voices his concerns with articles and situations immediately, which in collaboration terms, is very good. Jason Safoutin 13:12, 8 May 2006 (UTC)
- Has good intentions at providing NPOV. User is a great contributer. What tea do you like? :) DragonFire1024 09:39, 5 April 2007 (UTC)
I think Frankie is a great contributor, he understands what it is that makes the BBC a reasonably impartial news source and applies that knowledge to meet our NPOV requirements. As an added bonus, if I spot an edit to the deletion requests page from Frankie in recent changes, I can be fairly certain he's rescued another article from oblivion and done so without using hindsight. Good show old chap! :-P --Brian McNeil / talk 17:52, 14 May 2006 (UTC)
Ad is doing a great job improving Wikinews' Africa coverage. way to go! Doldrums 19:39, 29 July 2006 (UTC)
- Thanks for the compliments! Much appreciated :) Ad 09:12, 5 August 2006 (UTC)
- For great work on the Canadian Portal, and the Canadian Side of Wikinews in general. Bawolff ☺☻
21:27, 26 August 2006 (UTC)
- Great user thats very fast on those 'recent changes'! Congrats, and continue your great work here on Wikinews! terinjokes User Page / Talk 23:49, 11 December 2006 (UTC)
- For great work on articles dealing with Canadian Issues. Bawolff ☺☻
21:29, 26 August 2006 (UTC)
for a string of excellent articles, including Smart-1 probe ends mission with planned crash into the Moon. Doldrums 17:46, 5 September 2006 (UTC)
and
get a cuppa (each? or split one?) for their vandal-fighting efforts. — Doldrums(talk) 09:01, 2 December 2006 (UTC)
for expanding and cleaning up articles, welcoming and helping newbies. — Doldrums(talk) 17:01, 11 February 2007 (UTC)
- Some excellent work. Please keep it up! --Thunderhead - (talk) 04:28, 16 February 2007 (UTC)
- Usually newbies create an account and leave, but Markie has shown the opposite by helping out a lot! —FellowWikiNews (W) (sign here!) 17:37, 9 March 2007 (UTC)
for the large number of articles you have been reviewing recently. I think you've being doing a great job. I hope you like tea. Do you have a favourite kind of biscuit? :) --Rayboy8 (talk) 08:08, 1 November 2009 (UTC) I like tea and don't really have a preference on biscuits. Thanks Rayboy8--RockerballAustralia (talk) 08:58, 1 November 2009 (UTC)
Also, I would like to thank you for the recent interviews you have provided us with. :) Rayboy8 (talk) 16:30, 1 November 2009 (UTC)
For your outstanding interviews. You've managed to do quite a few over the last couple of years. :) I would also like to congratulate you on writing over 90 articles for Wikinews, as well as getting 4 barnstars and being a significant contributor to 3 featured articles. Let's hope that total goes up soon, eh? :) --Rayboy8 (my talk) 17:39, 16 November 2009 (UTC)
- Thanks very much! :) Cirt (talk) 03:20, 17 November 2009 (UTC)
For making that special set of logos for me. You deserve this. --Rayboy8 (my talk) (my contributions) 20:30, 22 December 2009 (UTC)
I think FBI asks Wikimedia Foundation to remove seal from websites, Wikimedia declines was an excellent collaboration. Thanks for your help! Benny the mascot (talk) 16:53, 3 August 2010 (UTC)
- Hey! thanks for accepting my impertinent suggestions with good grace. I wanted to review it to, but Cirt beat me to it. I am looking for independent comments now (only via Google: I guess if I was serious I could e-mail a lawyer or two.) --InfantGorilla (talk) 17:01, 3 August 2010 (UTC)
- I forgot to say: you did all the hard work, Benny. I only added a bit of disruption, a couple of links, and a photo that someone else took. --InfantGorilla (talk) 17:02, 3 August 2010 (UTC)
- Not a problem at all! I really liked the background info you put in; it made the article much more comprehensive. Benny the mascot (talk) 17:07, 3 August 2010 (UTC)
- I forgot to say: you did all the hard work, Benny. I only added a bit of disruption, a couple of links, and a photo that someone else took. --InfantGorilla (talk) 17:02, 3 August 2010 (UTC)
I enjoyed working with you on US Representative Anthony Weiner resigns over sexual conduct. You're a great writer and copyeditor! :) Thanks, and I hope to work with you again in the near future. Ragettho (talk) 19:18, 17 June 2011 (UTC)
Agastya
[edit]Agastya brings a vital and much-need perspective to en.WN, and to news coverage in general. Xe makes us look at what we do and see it in a different light. - Amgine | t 23:07, 13 August 2017 (UTC)
Pi zero
[edit]Thanks for your hard work in reviewing articles; it is really helpful! Just wanted to let you know how appreciated it is! Qwerty number1 (talk) 07:58, 17 February 2019 (UTC)
I like your understanding of policy! --Nononsense101 (talk) 18:26, 23 March 2022 (UTC)