Commons:Administrators/Requests/Russavia
- The following discussion is preserved as an archive of a successful request for adminship. Please do not modify it.
Despite some well-founded concerns, consensus is clearly and strongly in favor of promotion here. The influx of votes is peculiar, but there are multiple supports from trusted and active members of Commons community, confirming that Russaivia has local confidence. As always, our newest admin is encouraged to check with more experienced users before making any controversial edits or actions. –Juliancolton | Talk 20:15, 17 May 2010 (UTC)
Russavia (talk · contributions · deleted user contributions · recent activity · logs · block log · global contribs · CentralAuth)
- Scheduled to end: 21:47, 17 May 2010 (UTC)
I have been registered on Commons since May 2007, and have approximately 16,500 edits under my belt. Most of these edits are uploading of materials onto Commons. I have been active in trying to get organisations to release their materials under CC licencing, and have some success, the most important of which was {{Kremlin.ru}}. Aside from this, I also transfer materials from enwiki to Commons on a regular basis, and get involved in categorisation schemes. Additionally, I also actively report copyright violations for deletion (either speedy or for normal discussion). I have a good understand of the Commons, and feel that given the tools, I could expand my activities here for the benefit of the community at large. russavia (talk) 21:47, 10 May 2010 (UTC)
- I thought I added this to begin with, but will do so now. My homewiki is English WP, and that will not be changing, as I continually have mountains of content that I wish to create. I intend mainly on doing non-controversial tasks on Commons such as helping to clear backlog from Category:Requested moves (all), Category:Categories for discussion, Category:Flickr review needed, Category:Panoramio review needed, Category:Candidates for speedy deletion (copyvios, etc), etc. Category:Deletion_requests is another area which often needs hands. As I have been using Commons simply as a user, I have often come across deletion requests (including some I have nommed) which have been open for months, and I have thought that this is just as bad as having copyvios on the site. So mostly non-controversial maintenance tasks.
- Also, I should have mentioned that I was an approved user[1] of Commons:MediaMoveBot/CheckPage, which I had use on quite a few occasions, however, due to amount of edits coming up in my contribs, it is too difficult to narrow the usage down. --russavia (talk) 08:14, 14 May 2010 (UTC)
Votes
[edit]Support Knows the policies and is active enough Bastique ☎ appelez-moi! 21:49, 10 May 2010 (UTC)
Support After having seen his job with the kremlin.ru and all around, and the amount of pictures he uploaded, I've got no other choice:) --David.s.kats (talk) 21:52, 10 May 2010 (UTC)
Support Prodego talk 21:57, 10 May 2010 (UTC)
Support - Nice job with this valued picture on English Wikipedia, this valued image on Commons, and this featured sound on English Wikipedia. Valuable contributions all, thank you. -- Cirt (talk) 21:57, 10 May 2010 (UTC)
Support Masti (talk) 22:09, 10 May 2010 (UTC)
Support - Having interacted with this user on a number of occasions, I am confident this user would be an asset to commons as an administrator. With over 16,000 edits and a wide range of contributions, Russavia has shown that he is an experienced user here. Tiptoety talk 22:39, 10 May 2010 (UTC)
Support - worth a try. Marcus Cyron (talk) 22:44, 10 May 2010 (UTC)
Support - His deleted contribs speak for themselves. He has nominated many images for deletion, and I can't see any copyvios in his upload log. He helped organised the {{RU-MID}} collection, and then was very calm about seeing them all deleted at Commons:Deletion requests/Template:RU-MID. John Vandenberg (chat) 23:26, 10 May 2010 (UTC)
- Actually John, {{RU-MID}} uploads by myself were in fact copyvios, so your statement is not correct in its entireity. However, I can say that these uploads were done whilst still in my early days on Commons, and wasn't too cluey. Of course, we now know that permissions such as this are not valid for Commons. So it was a good faith copyvio mistake at the time. And no John, I was not calm about seeing them all deleted, I was actually fuming as the only response after writing a well reasoned and supported request was a simple link to this page on their website - fuming at the MID for lacking foresight to allow usage of their materials. --russavia (talk) 01:09, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
* - Russavia demonstrated inability to collaboration with other contributors in healthy atmosphere, was numerous times warned, blocked, topic banned which was subsequently extended because of failure to commit with the imposed restrictions. I am afraid his battleground now may move to Commons --Justass (talk) 23:40, 10 May 2010 (UTC)
Oppose
- Russavia has yet to treat commons like a battleground, and we are evaluating his actions on commons not the English Wikipedia. Tiptoety talk 00:17, 11 May 2010 (UTC)
- In responding to User:Justass, I am only going to comment on issues which relate in some way to Commons. Can I point out to you en:User_talk:Russavia/Archive_5#Copyright_of_images and en:User_talk:Russavia/Archive_14#kremlin.ru. I believe such actions are indicative of someone who is able to collaborate with other editors in a harmonious way. In posting the full text of the English version of the letter as was sent demonstrates that I am open and honest about why I participate in Wikimedia projects in the first place. I am also in the process of writing up a "stock" letter which people can send to Russian organisations in order to have them release their materials under a valid Commons licence, and have "recruited" other editors who are native Russian language speakers to translate into native Russian. These will then be posted on relevant Wikimedia project pages for others to utilise in requesting permission to utilise materials on Commons (but truth be known I already have plans to send a few hundred faxes). This is a sign of collaboration in a healthy atmosphere for the betterment of the project. For some of the many articles I am working on in English WP, I have posted en:User:Russavia/Required photos and am actively pursuing photographers who can help with these photos, which of course are then uploaded to Commons, for the betterment of the project. After learning of this request Kalan (talk · contribs) and LEMeZza (talk · contribs) just this weekend gone walked around Khamovniki district in Moscow and almost fulfilled the entire request for that district; although those photos were for articles I am working on, my posting of those requests is encouraging collaboration which can only benefit Commons, and hence all Wikimedia projects. These are but 3 examples of healthy collaboration, and I am more than happy to post more if you require to see that this is indicative of the rule, rather than the exception. --russavia (talk) 00:51, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
- Commons definitely needs additional hard working hands, thus
Neutral
- @Tiptoety, I try to get all available information and home wiki seems good place to look for it --Justass (talk) 00:26, 14 May 2010 (UTC)
Support - Russavia is extremely hardworking editor with a good knowledge of our copyright policies. So I think he would be a helpful commons administrator. He has a history of negotiating permissions from various Russian government bodies including those marked {{Kremlin.ru}} template that brought undeletion of hundreds of images. He actually managed to get a letter to OTRS from the main press attache to the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev! Anybody who had any experience with Russian bureaucracy would tell that it was impossible but Russavia has actually done so. He also received valid permissions for many more images that would be otherwise deleted. This work of negotiating with copyright owners is significantly facilitated if the negotiator has ability to view deleted images, quickly delete images by the request of the right owner and undelete them if the permissions are granted. This is the second reason for me to believe that giving Russavia administrative rights on Commons will significantly benefit the project. I understand concerns of Justass. Russavia has strong pro-Russian government views and he was involved in many editorial conflicts on English wikipedia. Still I cannot see how his political opinions can hinder his work on Commons. He never treated his commons work as a part of a battleground. Thousands of images with permissions obtained by Russavia are used to support both pro-Russian government and anti-Russian government views. Alex Bakharev (talk) 00:50, 11 May 2010 (UTC)
- support changed to
Support - with reservations - the wp en record is of concern - as much as good might have come from activity here - the attitude (which is ongoing) there is one that cannot and should not carry over to here - I believe that if any sign of that shows up here - he should be readily prepared to hand back sysop rights - if seen to be bringing that style here SatuSuro (talk) 01:06, 11 May 2010 (UTC)
- Comment - I believe regardless of overwhelming support (or not) that Russavia be prepared - in the light of the diffs provided by Justass and Mbz1 - that on gaining sysop rights Russavia makes some comment and or commitment regarding his behaviour here - and a preparedness to hand back the rights if he is found to carry over the behaviour from Wp en - I do not think a simple majority pass is sufficient in this case - in view of the record of behaviour and language, I believe that despite the comments from supporters, that this is a case where if it were not for the bulk of positives here that are well elucidated here, there would have probably been many more searching questions and challenging queries as to the why and how of the behaviour on WP en - and why or how it will not carry over onto commons SatuSuro (talk) 12:14, 12 May 2010 (UTC)
- Response I will not be commenting on anything directly related to disputes on English Wikipedia, as to do so is only importing disputes from enwiki onto Commons, which I have zero intention of doing. As to being prepared to hand back rights, please read and understand in it's entireity, I don't believe this has ever been asked of anyone else, and there is no policy (read on). A search for "battleground" in Commons space returns this request as its first result. I see no reason for the creation of a Russavia clause, particularly as there is no evidence of Commons being used as any battleground on my part, nor will there be (and you can take that to the bank). Having said that, problems that one may have with a user's behaviour can be brought up at Commons:Administrators' noticeboard/User problems for discussion. And having followed some discussions in the past (but not actually contributing), if I were to treat Commons as a battleground, I would be under pressure to resign those tools, and I am not a proverbial ostrich. In case a serious infraction were to occur, Commons:Administrators/De-adminship is able to be used to remove those tools.
I know this is perhaps not the answer you wanted,but from my position it is the only answer which I can give which doesn't deviate from assuming good faith of all contributors on this project. If you want to know anything else, or clarification on anything I have stated, feel free to ask, and I will respond with honest answers. I have also placed a notice below in the "Comments" section for others to ask any questions if they wish to do so. --russavia (talk) 02:17, 13 May 2010 (UTC) - Clarification I have striken part of the above, because it is essentially the answer you wanted, except I have clarified the process it should entail. Other than that, I believe we are both on the same page, so to speak. --russavia (talk) 03:46, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
- Comment I did not necessarily want any answer - just a commitment to be aware that some view the behaviour on wp en is sufficiently of serious concern to some, and despite my continued concerns - regardless of other issues - this response is the the more considered than I have seen on wp en - I just hope it continues in that tone in this space and stays that way - in which case I am prepared to change back to support with reservations - on the basis of the response here. The tradition and success of the mellow attitude of an admin in this space would be seriously at risk if battle-worn eds from other wikis apply for RFA here. SatuSuro (talk) 06:52, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
- I strongly agree with SatuSuro here, keeping these things in mind is goodness. I'm also concerned about the large number of folk that have turned up to support, seemingly from nowhere. ++Lar: t/c 15:18, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
- SatuSuro, I know you may have not been wanting an answer, but your concerns have been noted and taken on board, and hence I felt that they justified a response from myself clarifying my position and where I stand on issues. So basically my response is just letting you know that I hear what you are saying, and that we need to be open on such projects. Thanks for your support. --russavia (talk) 22:29, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
- Response I will not be commenting on anything directly related to disputes on English Wikipedia, as to do so is only importing disputes from enwiki onto Commons, which I have zero intention of doing. As to being prepared to hand back rights, please read and understand in it's entireity, I don't believe this has ever been asked of anyone else, and there is no policy (read on). A search for "battleground" in Commons space returns this request as its first result. I see no reason for the creation of a Russavia clause, particularly as there is no evidence of Commons being used as any battleground on my part, nor will there be (and you can take that to the bank). Having said that, problems that one may have with a user's behaviour can be brought up at Commons:Administrators' noticeboard/User problems for discussion. And having followed some discussions in the past (but not actually contributing), if I were to treat Commons as a battleground, I would be under pressure to resign those tools, and I am not a proverbial ostrich. In case a serious infraction were to occur, Commons:Administrators/De-adminship is able to be used to remove those tools.
- Comment - I believe regardless of overwhelming support (or not) that Russavia be prepared - in the light of the diffs provided by Justass and Mbz1 - that on gaining sysop rights Russavia makes some comment and or commitment regarding his behaviour here - and a preparedness to hand back the rights if he is found to carry over the behaviour from Wp en - I do not think a simple majority pass is sufficient in this case - in view of the record of behaviour and language, I believe that despite the comments from supporters, that this is a case where if it were not for the bulk of positives here that are well elucidated here, there would have probably been many more searching questions and challenging queries as to the why and how of the behaviour on WP en - and why or how it will not carry over onto commons SatuSuro (talk) 12:14, 12 May 2010 (UTC)
Support --S[1] 05:21, 11 May 2010 (UTC)
Support Bit short on contributions ;) but thanks for helping. --Herby talk thyme 11:04, 11 May 2010 (UTC)
Support Why not? -FASTILYsock(TALK) 21:17, 11 May 2010 (UTC)
Oppose IMO one of the most important qualification that makes an user a good administrator is not knowing the policies (almost everybody could learn them), not hard working (many users do), definitely not uploading VI, but being fair, and civil no matter what circumstances an admin is in. I cannot care less that the user was blocked and/or topic banned, but I'm opposing because of the user's own words. Yes, I know, it is Commons, not English wikipedia, but I do not believe an user could change his behavior and language he so used to, and I do not see an administrator using that kind of language. Here's what I am talking about:
Here the user writes: " There is also Biophys' use of article talk pages to call Vladimir Putin a paedophile [19]". I checked on the difference, and found out that Biophys actually wrote: "I agree with Pietervhuis that claim about paedophile can be excluded as relatively unimportant (although probably true) to shorten the introduction." According to the difference I do not see the claim of Biophys calling Putin a pedophile as being a fair statement. Also I understand that Russavia was upset by the topic ban, but IMO it is not good enough reason to use the word "shit" few times, as well as other words I'd rather not to hear from an administrator.--Mbz1 (talk) 03:28, 12 May 2010 (UTC)Support Per Bakharev. Russavia has done a massive amount of valuable work in getting permissions and uploading images. The images from kremlin.ru especially, for which he managed to receive a permission, are used in hundreds of articles (not just Russia-related ones.) With those images countless articles look so much better and the difference is like between night and day. Russavia has demonstrated excellent knowledge of copyright questions and I believe he would be able to do even more valuable work if he had the admin tools. Offliner (talk) 06:10, 12 May 2010 (UTC)
Support per above. — putnik 09:54, 12 May 2010 (UTC)
- A trustworthy editor and uploader. Ghirlandajo (talk) 15:13, 12 May 2010 (UTC)
Support per Alex Bakharev. Lazyhawk (talk) 15:15, 12 May 2010 (UTC)
Support --Scorpion-811 (talk) 15:38, 12 May 2010 (UTC)
Support Yo Ruzza, nice to see you here. Good luck, m8! --Rave (talk) 15:39, 12 May 2010 (UTC)
Support Why not? Goga312 (talk) 15:51, 12 May 2010 (UTC)
Ни пуха, ни пера! :) Анастасия Львоваru (ru-n, en-2) 18:03, 12 May 2010 (UTC)
Support per above (per Alex Bakharev etc.) --Kaganer (talk) 01:32, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
Support per above Letzte*Spieler (talk) 01:54, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
Support. A good job in Wiki. --Pauk (talk) 03:18, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
Support Commons need Russavia. --Latitude (talk) 07:37, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
Удачи! --Netelo (talk) 08:35, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
Support Loyna (talk) 09:53, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
Support --Insider (talk) 10:28, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
Support For some reason, I had thought he was already an admin. Thanks for making available these BTW. -- User:Docu at 11:00, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
Support--Dr Jorgen (talk) 11:42, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
Support. Voevoda (talk) 13:44, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
Support. JukoFF (talk) 15:57, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
Support. --ssr (talk) 16:00, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
Support. --Сайга20К (talk) 18:26, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
- The Russians are coming
Support --Алый Король (talk) 18:34, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
Support. -- Felitsata (talk) 22:00, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
Support. -- Erik Warmelink (talk) 23:55, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
Support. I find Alex Bakharev's argument persuasive. Say, what do you intend to do with the tools once you have them? --Illythr (talk) 04:17, 14 May 2010 (UTC)
- Thanks for your support Illythr (and everyone else of course). You know, I thought I covered the answer to your question in my initial request but I didn't, oops. I will add this now to my request. Cheers, --russavia (talk) 05:50, 14 May 2010 (UTC)
Support. NBS (talk) 10:32, 14 May 2010 (UTC)
Support. Couldn't help but support. — Iguacu • !?ru-wp 12:23, 14 May 2010 (UTC)
Support as far as I know Russavia managed the permission for a free use of kremlin.ru images. Very good! --High Contrast (talk) 14:56, 14 May 2010 (UTC)
Support Kameraad Pjotr 19:08, 14 May 2010 (UTC)
Support Odin sapog (talk) 19:34, 14 May 2010 (UTC)
Support Rastrojo (D•ES) 19:50, 14 May 2010 (UTC)
Support Nickpo (talk) 09:03, 15 May 2010 (UTC)
Support--Александр Мотин (talk) 10:18, 15 May 2010 (UTC)
Support per Alex Bakharev. {{Kremlin.ru}} makes Russavia a hero of Commons. — Tetromino (talk) 11:58, 15 May 2010 (UTC)
Support odder (talk) 21:12, 15 May 2010 (UTC)
Comments
[edit]- Above SatuSuro states "there would have probably been many more searching questions and challenging queries as to the why and how of the behaviour on WP en - and why or how it will not carry over onto commons". As I always have been, and always will be, completely upfront and honest in relation to all aspects of my involvement in Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia and Commons), if anyone has any specific questions they would like to ask of me, I'd be more than happy to answer them. --russavia (talk) 22:45, 12 May 2010 (UTC)
- Can I make a collaborative request here also? Any editors who speak another language other than English, could you please take a look at Template:Kremlin.ru, and if you speak a language that isn't on the template, would you mind sparing a few minutes and providing the documentation in your spoken languages. Contact me with any questions.
- Additionally, a call out to all photographers from around the world, could you take a look at en:User:Russavia/Required_photos and see if your country/city is listed there. Any help in reducing this list of required photos would be fantastic. Again contact me with any questions.
- I hope no-one minds me putting these collaborative plugs here. Cheers all. --russavia (talk) 22:08, 14 May 2010 (UTC)
- The above adminship discussion is preserved as an archive of the discussion. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the talk page of either this nomination or the nominated user). No further edits should be made to this page.