Wikipedia talk:Administrators' newsletter/Archive 1

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Video Wikipedia talk:Administrators' newsletter/Archive 1

Headings

I like the idea of the newsletter. Can we please use real headings though, for screen reader users like me? It'd be much easier for me to navigate the newsletter if this was done. Graham87 16:31, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

@Graham87: Quite a reasonable request, but I'm concerned about cluttering people's talk pages with lots of headers. I modeled this from the Tech News layout. Is there another kind of layout that would achieve the same level of accessibility without requiring 5 sub-headings? Sam Walton (talk) 20:41, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

@Samwalton9: Not that I can think of. I guess it'll be usable for me as it is; I just realised I can navigate between graphics. Graham87 05:51, 6 January 2017 (UTC)

Maps Wikipedia talk:Administrators' newsletter/Archive 1

page structure

Currently, the page structure is as:

==Current issue==

{{/2017/1}}

I propose changing this to:

{{Wikipedia:Administrators' newsletter/Current issue}}

Then create Wikipedia:Administrators' newsletter/Current issue to be:

{{Wikipedia:Administrators' newsletter/2017/1}} (this subpage would then be updated with each new issue, rather than updating directly on the main newsletter page)

I have a few reasons for this - all of which are related to transclusion. First, by linking to the subpage with the full address, it still works regardless of where it's inserted (ie: if an admin wants to transluse it onto their own user page or some subpage of their user page, it still works). Next, this removes the redundant header "Current issue"; presumably, any issue on this page will be the current issue, so spelling it out just adds clutter. Lastly, by adding an extra sub-page at "Wikipedia:Administrators' newsletter/Current issue" to contain the updates gives more flexibility to anyone who wants to transcluse the page - as they can get the meat of the issue without the additional header and logo materials.

I thought about being bold and making these changes; but as this is new and is still developing anyway, I decided to get comments first. --- Barek (talk o contribs) - 00:59, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

That's a great idea, go ahead Barek! Sam Walton (talk) 01:02, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

Thanks! I'll update it as proposed above once I get home tonight. This suggestion came about when I tried adding it to User:Barek/tools and the current structure caused problems - I figured other users may run into the same issue. --- Barek (talk o contribs) - 01:06, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

 Done --- Barek (talk o contribs) - 02:35, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

Thank you! Sam Walton (talk) 12:18, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

Another nice thing about this approach is that editors can put Wikipedia:Administrators' newsletter/Current issue on their watchlist and thus get notified when a new issue is released. (The Signpost does something similar.) isaacl (talk) 03:31, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

None of this is necessary, because one can already get just the issue by using {{#section-h:Wikipedia:Administrators' newsletter|Current issue}} without the creation of a page just for that purpose.Pppery 20:49, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

Actually, when I created the above, the box around the issue didn't exist ... my intent was that formatting (such as that box) would exist at Wikipedia:Administrators' newsletter, while the text contents would exist at Wikipedia:Administrators' newsletter/Current issue. The result being that if someone wanted to transcluse the text, they could do so into whatever formatting (box, background image, whatever) they might want. If there's a way to strip out that

Regardless of the method used to extract the contents of the current issue, for ease of use it is preferable to have a wrapper page, so subscribers can include or link to a simple page, without having to know how to use section transclusion or having to keep modifying version info. isaacl (talk) 03:30, 8 January 2017 (UTC)

src: cdn.technologyreview.com

Arbitration

Should we include every notice at Wikipedia:Arbitration Committee/Noticeboard, or just some? I don't see the need to duplicate the page in its entirety, but I'm not sure what the cut-off for 'newsletter-worthy' should be. Sam Walton (talk) 11:47, 28 January 2017 (UTC)

Pinging @MusikAnimal, BU Rob13, Samtar, and Mkdw: for opinions, since the first issue will be going out this week (please take a look over it too!) Sam Walton (talk) 15:23, 30 January 2017 (UTC)

Perhaps just the latest two or three? -- Samtar ^{talk · contribs} 15:25, 30 January 2017 (UTC)

I wouldn't want to lose something just because it happened early in the month. Sam Walton (talk) 15:28, 30 January 2017 (UTC)

Notices aren't exactly frequent, so I'd think each newsletter could easily carry a short mention of all notices since the last newsletter - just short line, linked, should suffice for each one. Boing! said Zebedee (talk) 15:58, 30 January 2017 (UTC)

PS: First issue looks good to me - concise and factual. Boing! said Zebedee (talk) 16:02, 30 January 2017 (UTC)

I'll recuse myself from this decision since I'm on the committee. I'm sure whatever you decide will be fine. Mkdw ^talk 16:16, 30 January 2017 (UTC)

I would include any ArbCom resolutions that affect the broader editing community, such as new topics that are subject to discretionary sanctions. Things related to specific editors or a specific page probably won't be of greater interest. So personally I currently don't see anything on the ArbCom noticeboard that's newsworthy to your average admin. However semi-related to the section about outing and harassment, the WMF has just announced the harassment grant, which should bring a number of improvements to admins tools in 2017 [1]. I will try to add this myself to the first issue that's about to go out -- MusikAnimal ^talk 17:19, 30 January 2017 (UTC)

Eh, looking at the first issue, we've listed only two ArbCom related items. That doesn't seem like too much, so nevermind me... :) But overall I stand my opinion that resolutions related to a single editor aren't usually that relevant to your everyday admin. All the ArbCom stuff is covered in the Signpost too, right? -- MusikAnimal ^talk 17:23, 30 January 2017 (UTC)

I'm probably not going to participate here too much going forward, given that I'm not currently a sysop. The WMF's statement on paid editing, ArbCom's response, and the ongoing RfC should have a line. That's a major happening for ArbCom. Other than that, I would restrict it to major announcements (discretionary sanctions expanded/rescinded, major changes to remedies that admins should be aware of, cases closing). We definitely don't need to list every notice at the ArbCom Noticeboard. Things like topic bans being lifted, etc. doesn't really belong on a newsletter. ~ Rob₁₃^Talk 17:40, 30 January 2017 (UTC)

Yeah, I'm feeling like discretionary sanction changes and other major changes that admins should be aware of should be what we focus on, and not things that only affect individual editors. Sam Walton (talk) 17:45, 30 January 2017 (UTC)

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Design

Feedback on the newsletter's design is welcome (see the Template and current Example newsletter). I'm aware it's quite basic right now, so if anyone has suggestions for improvements, or wants to go ahead and make improvements, here is the place to discuss that. Sam Walton (talk) 20:58, 4 January 2017 (UTC)

Basic is good, waffle and hot air would be bad. Just a concise list of key points is what I think we need, with links for people to follow if they want the details. Boing! said Zebedee (talk) 10:34, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

Yes, basic is good - we don't need lots of boxes or colours. The most crucial thing for me is that talk page archive bots can pick up the timestamp and archive the newsletter. I see the newsletter finishes with a timestamp so hopefully that should work - I'll find out in a month or so! WaggersTALK 14:20, 1 February 2017 (UTC)

Yes, hopefully so. I'll see if I can get the timestamp on the same line as Discuss - Subscribe - Archive for next issue, it was a last minute thing I remembered about. Sam Walton (talk) 14:23, 1 February 2017 (UTC)

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How should the newsletter be distributed?

The newsletter was originally conceived to be something that all administrators would receive by default. This raises the question, though, of whether it should be opt-out (with admins signed up automatically), or opt-in. I personally favour opt-out, since the ideal audience is admins who don't usually get too involved in these sorts of discussions and processes, and may miss needing to opt-in. Sam Walton (talk) 20:58, 4 January 2017 (UTC)

Making it opt-out is going to annoy a lot of admins but is probably the right way at least to get started with this. A mass message to all admins might be worth considering as another option. Beeblebrox (talk) 21:24, 4 January 2017 (UTC)

As a general rule, for most communications, I prefer opt-in over opt-out. But to get it started and to get admins aware of it, I can understand the desire to make it opt-out to get it off the ground.

I like the proposal that Beeblebrox suggested, a mass message to all admins that announce it, then make it opt-in from there may work. Optionally, make the first issue or two a mass distribution, with the top item being "introductory issue(s) - if you wish to keep informed, opt-in here to continue receiving this newsletter". As new admins are added, the same type of auto-distribution and invite to opt-in could be done with the next issue to come out after they've gained the mop. --- Barek (talk o contribs) - 00:45, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

Bear in mind that a lot of goodwill will be burned by sending an opt-out newsletter to a large audience (some users really, really hate getting unsolicited mass messages). So consider carefully if the end result will be worth it. isaacl (talk) 04:43, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

A one-time mass message announcement with a link for opt-in seems very reasonable to me. Mkdw ^talk 20:01, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

Yes, I like that, too. Bishonen | talk 22:37, 5 January 2017 (UTC).

I like the mass message opt-in option. RileyBugz^{Yell at me} | _Edits 22:41, 6 January 2017 (UTC)

@Barek, Mkdw, Bishonen, and RileyBugz: What do you think about the potential for this newsletter to reach and educate those administrators with low activity who don't tend to engage or keep up to date with guideline/policy changes, and who likely wouldn't opt-in as a result, who could be kept informed if this was opt-out? I'm not against the mass-message and opt-in idea, but this was the idea behind opt-out. Sam Walton (talk) 23:43, 6 January 2017 (UTC)

I really don't like it, Sam. Going by myself, I think people react badly to being educated. If they wouldn't opt in, they won't like feeling spammed. Bishonen | talk 00:01, 7 January 2017 (UTC).

Going back to what Isaacl said, it seems to me that this could destroy some trust. I feel like it would be ok, although, to give admins updates on major policy changes on this particular wiki. Major policy changes, although, would have to be short and just give a description of what was changed and a link to what was changed. It would be opt-out, and would be short and concise. RileyBugz^{Yell at me} | _Edits 17:03, 7 January 2017 (UTC)

What about a one-off transclusion of Wikipedia:Administrators' newsletter/Current issue to all admins' UTPs? Active admins can do what they like with it (I'd probably transclude it to my user page, like the Signpost). Inactive users don't get much added to their UTPs, so it should remain obvious and would be up-to-date whenever they check. It should have a prominent link to earlier editions, for easy catching-up.  --SMALLJIM  00:48, 7 January 2017 (UTC)

Should/could newly appointed administrators be automatically subscribed? WaggersTALK 14:25, 1 February 2017 (UTC)

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Newsletter

Great to see this coming out. Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 13:42, 1 February 2017 (UTC)

I think having an administrators' newsletter feels a bit needlessly exclusionary, even if non-administrators are encouraged to sign up. I also think this newsletter sort of duplicates Signpost efforts, since the Signpost often includes admin additions and removals, a technical report, death notices, and information about arbitration proceedings. Just something to think about. I've done weekly reports, posts, etc. before and it can be a lot of work after a year or two. --MZMcBride (talk) 15:41, 1 February 2017 (UTC)

But this is monthly, not weekly, right? And we don't all subscribe to the Signpost, which includes too much stuff for me. Less is more, so I prefer this newsletter, and the first issue looks very well-balanced. I'm glad to see the backlogs aren't there. But about it being a lot of work to edit it once the first shine wears off; I'm sure it will be, and I remind people of Opabinia regalis's suggestion above for having fewer issues. How about every two months?

About the exclusionary thing; where are non-admins encouraged to sign up, MZMcBride? I haven't seen this encouragement. A good visible place for it would be in the newsletter itself, every issue. (In as few words as possible with a "Subscribe" link, no feelgood creep.) Since WP:AN has subscribed itself (clever thing!), non-admins would have a reasonable chance of catching sight of this invitation. In fact, I just went to AN and added "Non-admins are also welcome to subscribe" to the first issue, hope nobody objects. Bishonen | talk 16:42, 1 February 2017 (UTC).

The Subscribe page says anyone is welcome to subscribe; I agree that this should be placed in the newsletter itself.

Regarding the change to the adminstrators' noticeboard, rather than saying "Non-admins", I suggest saying "Any editor is welcome to subscribe." isaacl (talk) 16:54, 1 February 2017 (UTC)

As an admin, I particularly appreciate this newsletter in that it focuses on admin issues in a list-style, rather than prose mini-articles. Visually, it's eye catching. It's not a duplication, but a means of sifting out what is not relevant to admins. All the other notice boards and publications are a glut to read through, just to spot something pertinent. This is a very good first issue. Thanks for taking the time to do it. -- Maile (talk) 16:57, 1 February 2017 (UTC)

Totally agree with Maile . The concise list format rocks. Bishonen | talk 17:31, 1 February 2017 (UTC).

Same here - my thanks to everyone working on this. Boing! said Zebedee (talk) 17:35, 1 February 2017 (UTC)

Yes, what a nice surprise!! Thanks! :) Missvain (talk)!

I'm very happy with this, a good concise summary of events without the tiresome soapboxing of The Signpost. I'll be subscribing. Lankiveil ^{(speak to me)} 00:12, 2 February 2017 (UTC).

Hi Bishonen. The subject-space page says "non-admins are welcome to subscribe" in a parenthetical. I think that's what I read and remembered. I should have said so more explicitly in my earlier post, but I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade here! I'm actually pretty glad that MassMessage and its fancy subscription lists are being used at Wikipedia:Administrators' newsletter/Subscribe. A monthly frequency is certainly easier to maintain than weekly. This newsletter is a neat idea to try out. Kudos to Samwalton9 for getting it set up. --MZMcBride (talk) 20:06, 1 February 2017 (UTC)

• Excellent idea! Thank you. I am a low frequency admin and one of my concerns is that I may slowly lose track of changes, even major changes, so this is just great. A couple of notes: keep it focused on general issues all admins should be aware of; keep it simple, this first issue look just fine; don't do itr too much of a one man effort, or it will die out. Congratulations for not having a single link to "here" nor to "click"! :-) And keep a sharp eye and extra care on being neutral and accurate (as in, if JohnCD died and is no longer an admin, as of january the 8th, why is he not on the list?). Nabla (talk) 21:10, 1 February 2017 (UTC)

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Content

What do you think about the newsletter's suggested contents? Are some sections not needed, or do we need others? Sam Walton (talk) 20:58, 4 January 2017 (UTC)

I don't think the featured admin should be added in, it seems a bit like it could produce jealousy or some similar feeling. Also, will "Guidelines and policy news" section have current proposals and/or discussions? If not, could you add it as a subsection or create another section for it? RileyBugz^{Yell at me} | _Edits 00:25, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

Yep, I'd drop the "Featured admin" idea too - I just want updates on things I need to know, not more 'feel-good' chat. Boing! said Zebedee (talk) 10:36, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

Me too: I have a really visceral reaction against the featured admin thing. The most hardworking admin? The most laid-back admin? The one with the most amusing talkpage and the most friends? The least (or for that matter, most) controversial admin..? Etc. Also I have a concern about the ongoing backlogs. Don't those fluctuate too fast for a monthly publication to be much use? The way it seems to work now may not be perfect but it's fast: a frustrated user posts on ANI or AN that there's a long backlog at AIV or something. I have the impression that those notes are quickly acted on. But I certainly don't mean to be all negative, I think the newsletter is a very good idea. Bishonen | talk 12:07, 5 January 2017 (UTC).

The idea was to have some positivity in there, and to recognise admin work that often goes under the radar, but fair enough; I've removed that section. Sam Walton (talk) 12:18, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

Oh, and the backlogs. The newsletter seemed like a good way to alert all admins to areas that are currently backlogged; the way I see this working would be to include areas that are backlogged as of the time the newsletter is sent out, getting extra attention then, rather than some kind of recap of areas backlogged over the last month. I think that's likely to be the most productive approach. Sam Walton (talk) 12:20, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

As Bish suggests, backlogs vary on a daily, nay, hourly, basis, and I don't think telling us what is (was) backlogged at a specific time once per month is really of much use - it will be obsolete information even before most people read it. I actually think it might be more useful to know which were the most backlogged things over the whole month, as that could attract admins to those areas, but I don't know if that information is easily available. Boing! said Zebedee (talk) 12:31, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

(edit conflict × 3) On the subject of backlogs, there are many areas which are chronically backlogged, and the newsletter should focus on those. FfD has been backlogged for half a year, at least, so we don't have to worry about the newsletter becoming quickly out-of-date unless it's surprisingly effective. We should focus on backlogs that many admins are able to clear to have the greatest effect. Edit filter false positives are important, but most admins are going to look at that and go "huh?". I'll work on that backlog myself post-vacation if it's still there, but I would expect that most admins receiving this newsletter would be lost. Adding something like Category:All Wikipedia files with the same name on Wikimedia Commons or WP:RFD would be more helpful. ~ Rob₁₃^Talk 12:33, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

Agree with Bish on the "featured admin" thing. The way to make this useful is to keep the information density high (I still think 12 of these a year is about 8 too many), and make sure past items are archived and searchable so someone who's been on a break for six months can quickly skim over old stuff to find out if anything important happened without getting bogged down in a lot of fluff about who's promoted and who's "featured" and what was backlogged last August. Opabinia regalis (talk) 00:14, 6 January 2017 (UTC)

• I don't think we need the section on arbitration unless they make a decision specifically related to admin rights or actions. The signpost already covers this pretty well. Beeblebrox (talk) 20:34, 13 January 2017 (UTC)

• My two cents - amidst all the negativity around the idea, I wanted to write in support of the rough concept of the "featured admin," but perhaps changing it to "Did you know?" about an admin would work better. I like Samwalton9's point about some type of positivity, rather than this just being a clinical checklist of things that happened or need attention. The word "featured" is too loaded in our community, so that we think of featured articles as being the "best." A "featured admin" is not the best admin, but it's simply a way to highlight someone you may not have known about. I would like to find out more about admins I don't know, what good things are going on, and perhaps some novel things they are doing. A "DYK admin" box, or the like, would allow that to happen. -- Fuzheado | Talk 14:15, 1 February 2017 (UTC)
  • I like this idea. Perhaps it should be "Have you met...?" WaggersTALK 14:23, 1 February 2017 (UTC)

• The first issue was just right. Links to changes and events that admins should know about. --Anne Delong (talk) 03:47, 2 February 2017 (UTC)

src: www.theanfieldwrap.com

Please provide small-box template with shortened headlines suitable for transclusion

For this Administrators' Newletter, please provide a template in a small box with shortened headlines suitable for transclusion to serve the same purpose that Template:Signpost-subscription does for The Signpost: basically, a small sidebar box so that the current issue can be "delivered" to the userpage via transclusion. Thank you. --Lowellian (reply) 19:39, 1 February 2017 (UTC)

@Lowellian: The small box is a nice idea and we should see if something similar will work here. In the meantime, you can transclude the full current newsletter via Wikipedia:Administrators' newsletter/Current issue. Sam Walton (talk) 19:41, 1 February 2017 (UTC)

I second this idea. Rather than receiving a talk page message every issue (because too many notifications), I'd love to stick a permanently template onto my talk page which automatically updates with the latest issue, like many of us already do with Signpost. Deryck C. 16:52, 3 February 2017 (UTC)

@Lowellian and Deryck Chan: How's Wikipedia:Administrators' newsletter/Subscription-box? Design and technical implementation stolen from the Signpost setup. I think it will need to focus on the 4-6 highlights from the current issue to save it getting extremely long, but beyond that it seems fine. Sam Walton (talk) 18:06, 3 February 2017 (UTC)

Personally, I don't like the smaller font size. I think, as suggested, having shorter headlines is needed to keep the font at its normal size. isaacl (talk) 02:18, 4 February 2017 (UTC)

@Isaacl: I've upped the font size. The problem with shorter headlines is we start having to editorialise and/or lose the accuracy of statements. I'm open to suggestions, but I struggled to make the current points much shorter. Sam Walton (talk) 02:23, 4 February 2017 (UTC)

Here are some examples:

• 2016 RFC closed with no consensus for implementing PC2.
• PC2 no longer available for use.
• Bots and bot operators must now meet a minimum activity requirement.
• Community health initiative to combat harassment announced.
• Response released from ArbCom to the WMF's statement on paid editing and outing.

isaacl (talk) 02:49, 4 February 2017 (UTC)

I've added anchors to the main newsletter and two extra bullet-points (for new admins and obituary) onto the subscription box. I hope you like it! (Editorial team: feel free to undo me if you don't like the changes) Deryck C. 22:34, 5 February 2017 (UTC)

src: upload.wikimedia.org

Target readership versus distributed readership

On the top of the newsletter it states, "sent to administrators".

• Does Wikipedia:Administrators' newsletter/Subscribe restrict editors who do not have administrative rights from subscribing?
• Would we consider changing the wording to "The administrators' newsletter is a monthly update on administrative issues and information."?

• I removed "from the past month" since it is redundant as the sentence already includes "monthly update".
• Remove "should be aware of or that may be of interest to them" for conciseness. It's implied from the nature of newsletters are for the distribution of information of interest to the reader -- especially on a subscription model.
• If there are no restrictions on who can subscribe, then I think the newsletter, while specifically written with admins in mind, can be for everyone.

Just some thoughts, Mkdw ^talk 20:14, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

Didn't see WT:Administrators#Administrators' newsletter but questions are the same if the wording needs updating at the top. Mkdw ^talk 20:20, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

Thanks for your thoughts Mkdw! I've reworded a bit, but I put almost zero effort into the page text; feel free to write whatever you think would be appropriate there. Sam Walton (talk) 20:32, 5 January 2017 (UTC)

Wow, I went back and reread what I wrote and it barely makes any sense. I must have been very tired when I wrote it. Anyway... the changes look good Sam. Mkdw ^talk 00:16, 9 January 2017 (UTC)

I'm supportive of letting anyone sign up for this, its not like it is "secret". Added "Any editor is welcome to subscribe to the newsletter." on the sign up page. -- xaosflux ^Talk 14:04, 1 February 2017 (UTC)

Name

The name should be "Administration newsletter", not "Administrators' newsletter". Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 12:17, 6 February 2017 (UTC)

Yes, I like that. Boing! said Zebedee (talk) 15:19, 6 February 2017 (UTC)

src: www.therapservices.net

Accessibility

I see Graham has ready addressed the issue of headers, above.

I've just added some alt attributes to the icons.

It would be better to use proper lists, styled with {{Flatlist}} or similar, rather than hard-coded bullet points. Though that's more complicated to do if they are proceeded by an icon.

If this template is copied from the tech news template, and perhaps others are similar, these issues should be resolved at the "parent" level. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 12:13, 6 February 2017 (UTC)

@Pigsonthewing: Thanks, do the alt attributes for the icons need to have something written in them? As for tech news, this newsletter copied the layout, but not the source code, so I don't know if the issue exists elsewhere. Sam Walton (talk) 13:59, 7 February 2017 (UTC)

For some images, there is already content in the alt attribute; for the others, a null value is appropriate, as they're decorative rather than informative. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 17:20, 7 February 2017 (UTC)

src: upload.wikimedia.org

Daily Mail RfC

Thanks for compiling these. One piece of missed news from Feb was the RfC on the reliability (lack of) of the Daily Mail. Espresso Addict (talk) 23:51, 11 March 2017 (UTC)

@Espresso Addict: I think we discussed including that but decided it was more a general content issue rather than something relevant mostly to admins. This is intended to highlight only the news that is largely important to administrators acting in an administrative role. ~ Rob₁₃^Talk 03:39, 12 March 2017 (UTC)

Obviously you must find your own inclusion criteria, but as an intermittent admin, I'd find a wide selection of topics useful. In my experience, there are often disputes over whether the Mail is a sufficiently reliable source that involve admins via main page content/errors. Its obits have been a frequent cause of contention at ITN, for example. I'd also see enforcing anything touching on BLPs as an important admin role, where the reliability of a major source of personal information is important. And it's also likely to be relevant in content disputes where one good-faith party is unaware of the source's unreliability; the change in policy might be relevant to decisions on whether to block. Perhaps I just see acting in an admin capacity as much wider than just pressing a few buttons... YMMV. Cheers, Espresso Addict (talk) 21:20, 12 March 2017 (UTC)

@Espresso Addict: Hmm, those are fair points. I don't think it reaches as far as some other changes, but it could be included if we have room. So far, next month's newsletter is rather short. If there's still leftover space, I'll see about including it then. We're also trying to balance the size of this thing, since a large newsletter is one that no-one reads. ~ Rob₁₃^Talk 04:10, 13 March 2017 (UTC)

src: s-i.huffpost.com

Re: redirects

[2] @Samwalton9, I thought this was worth adding as anyone involved with AfD closures (a wide swath of infrequent admins) would have few other ways of knowing that they can skip changes to the WikiProject banners  czar 11:12, 1 April 2017 (UTC)

src: upload.wikimedia.org

Thanks to all involved

I really appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in putting this together. I think it'll be a great tool to keep track of changes in policies that apply to the tools you rarely use. Guettarda (talk) 15:48, 3 February 2017 (UTC)

Yes, thank you - Fayenatic London 22:46, 3 February 2017 (UTC)

Agree! - Philosopher ^{Let us reason together.} 02:48, 4 April 2017 (UTC)

src: cdn.zmescience.com

Was that it?

Just the two issues? Mjroots (talk) 19:54, 2 May 2017 (UTC)

@Mjroots: Just haven't got the latest issue sent out yet - should be sent today or tomorrow :) Sam Walton (talk) 20:00, 2 May 2017 (UTC)

Archive

@Optimist on the run: Regarding this edit: I definitely made a mistake when initially naming the pages, which leads to "2017/1" being the newsletter that is sent in January, but describes what happened in December. My edit was an attempt to make that make a little more sense in the Archives; if I want to know what happened in February 2017 I'd expect the link that says February to take me there, not the one that says March. Thoughts? Sam Walton (talk) 09:06, 3 May 2017 (UTC)

To put the edit in context, I received the latest version this morning, clearly entitled Administrators' newsletter - May 2017 [3]. I couldn't remember what was in the previous edition, so selected the archive page and clicked on April. However, this brought me back to the same newsletter, and I found I had to select March to read the edition that was issued in April. This is obviously wrong. I don't see what's confusing about labelling Wikipedia:Administrators' newsletter/2017/1 as January, Wikipedia:Administrators' newsletter/2017/2 as February, etc. Optimist on the run (talk) 11:09, 3 May 2017 (UTC)

Ah yes, that makes sense. Alright, happy to leave it as is. Sam Walton (talk) 11:41, 11 May 2017 (UTC)

Should the newsletter be used to target specific backlogs?

Basically the title of the section. Should we be declaring a "backlog of the month" to try to encourage admins to help reduce administrative backlogs? I think it would be a positive addition to the newsletter on an "as space allows" basis (if we have a long newsletter one month, it could be easily dropped). ~ Rob₁₃^Talk 22:40, 2 May 2017 (UTC)

• Support as a productive idea. -- Maile (talk) 22:43, 2 May 2017 (UTC)
• I definitely think something like this could be done. Or at least certain 'call to actions' such as the need for administrators being discussed about SPI. Mkdw ^talk 19:00, 16 June 2017 (UTC)

July

The July issue (reporting on June) could use a little love before it goes out on Saturday. Mkdw ^talk 23:04, 29 June 2017 (UTC)

Typo in the August newsletter

"as a result undisclosed paid editing" should be "as a result of undisclosed paid editing". Urhixidur (talk) 16:11, 1 August 2017 (UTC)

Fixed in the newsletter archive, but the message is substituted when it's sent out to user talk pages, so they will continue to reflect the typo. It's not a big deal, though; the meaning of the text is still clear. Mz7 (talk) 16:53, 1 August 2017 (UTC)

Icon for the newsletter

Love the newsletter! By the way, would it be possible to remove the circle around the Wikipedia globe in the newsletter logo? It sort of looks like a no symbol right now, with the mop acting as the diagonal line. Enterprisey (talk!) 02:19, 10 October 2017 (UTC)

That's a good point. Pinging FriyMan, who made the logo. Sam Walton (talk) 08:45, 10 October 2017 (UTC)

Ok, I will try my best. It'll take about 2-3 days for me to do, but expect to see a new logo soon. Cheers, FriyMan ^{Per aspera ad astra} 08:55, 10 October 2017 (UTC)

Oops. Cheers, FriyMan ^{Per aspera ad astra} 06:36, 24 October 2017 (UTC)

July 2017 newsletter not delivered

It was added onto the main newsletter page, but it has not been delivered to the newsletter subscribers. --MRD2014 17:11, 5 July 2017 (UTC)

Done. Sorry for the wait! -- MusikAnimal ^talk 21:01, 6 July 2017 (UTC)

• I think this happened again? czar 00:13, 2 November 2017 (UTC)

Resolved czar 02:07, 2 November 2017 (UTC)

Source of the article : Wikipedia