Battlestar Wiki - User contributions [en]

Battlestar Wiki talk:The Merovingian Ban

2006-09-02T13:42:23Z

Cranky1c: /* Comments */

<div class="messagebox"><h3>Please REMEMBER TO BE COURTEOUS and [[Wikipedia:WP:CIVIL|WP:CIVIL]] AS The Merovingian CAN NOT RESPOND. This is a remember to all parties adding comments to this page... myself included. --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 16:00, 1 September 2006 (CDT)</h3></div>
== Comments ==
It must have been a hard decision to take such a drastic action, but I'm sure that this move will only benefit the wiki in the future. --[[User:Ribsy|Ribsy]] 00:14, 30 August 2006 (CDT)
:I'm intrigued to know what's happened in the last few days for such a hard decision to be made. I was on vacation from the wiki all last week and I dont use Skiffy boards or other forums to know what happens off-wiki... --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 04:07, 30 August 2006 (CDT)
:I suspect the off-wiki behavior has just come to a head. But I'd not speculate further. We are what we are outside and inside the wiki. While Merv's face was improving here, it seems he began to claim the wiki as his own, and this isn't a place we can take ownership in. We can all take pride in adding our own contributions to form, together, one great resource for everyone, yes, but we can not take ownership to be point of being catty, rude or representing yourself as a wiki official without authorization. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 12:42, 30 August 2006 (CDT)
::It was not only that, but his general behavior to people off-wiki -- his behavior even prompted RDM's own wife, Terry, who posts on the SciFi.com boards as "Mrs Ron", to [http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=2056843&Searchpage=1&Main=2056837&Words=moron+The_Merovingian&topic=&Search=true#Post2056843 warn Merv about his's own behavior]. (In light of how she herself is painted as "a champion of [Merv's] bad behavior", I do not envy her current position as well, which apparently [http://www.mortalstorm.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1012 mirrors our own] in some ways.) What I do know through conversing with others who aren't contributors to the Wiki, but have their pulse on the fandom, is that he has damaged the wiki through his actions as he is associated with us. (He's made this association clear through a banner on the SciFi.com boards, a banner that I will ask be removed from his signature immediately.) I ''know'' that he's caused damage to the wiki; it's not like any of this is not out there on the boards and the like -- it is. I've tried to establsh damage control, hence the [[BW:OR|Official Representation]] policy, which, I will freely admit, is a direct response to Merv's previous actions. He has (almost) cost us a very good contributor in the process just within the ''last 48 hours'' and, in talking with others, I have determined that an RFC would have caused much, much more issues than the primary issue we were attempting to fix. I'll make it pretty clear that this decision was not a spur of the moment; I've thought about it intermittently for some time now, until I could put the pieces together all of the events that have transpired for the last six to eight months, without massive bias on either side of the issue. The sad thing is that it all adds up to a very nasty picture, which I refuse to have this wiki be a part of. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 17:35, 30 August 2006 (CDT)
I dont need to know about the reasons that leave to Merv´s banning ,hes childish behavior and arrogance are very well known arround the BSG fanbase.These action open the gate to our group of fans that avoided these place because we didnt want any involment to do with the Merovignian.
The FRAKHEADS! and the BSG-55 board will celebrate these desition and ad theyr contributions to the BSG wiki project.

Moctezuma.
BSG-55 FRAKHEADS! {{unsigned|Moctezuma}}--[[User:Moctezuma|Moctezuma]] 19:17, 30 August 2006 (CDT)

Dont worry about these site image on the contraire,the relevance of the content and the profesional structure are really amazing, im very pleased to read about a young profesional entrepenour like you and the TEAM that makes these site posible.--[[User:Moctezuma|Moctezuma]] 19:17, 30 August 2006 (CDT)
: Thank you for your kind words. I personally appreciate them. :-) -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 22:22, 31 August 2006 (CDT)

I don't understand what has prompted this move at this time, and there is nothing in your announcement, Joe, that really explains it. I have been clued out of the community for a few weeks now, and there may well have been some new incident that showed Merv not only to be unworthy of adminship, but unworthy of editing as well. But if there is, you haven't cited it. When I saw the title of this page I expected to see laid out for me a series of recent references to Merv's transgressions both here and off-site. I didn't get it. Why not? Banning people out of the blue for vaguely generalised past behaviour casts, IMO, an even worse impression on the wiki. Is it because he called somebody a moron in that thread? If it is, just say so. Why the hints and characterisations? Is the trigger that MrsRon spoke against him? I wouldn't call what she wrote a scathing indictment, just a mild voice of reason.

Judging from the arguments I have seen from people on this site in such matters, which have been generally very rational and of a high level, I find this announcement disappointing, more for the content of the announcement than the actual decision that was taken. It comes across as an emotional reaction -- something that I thought the wiki was above indulging. If you were going to ban somebody from editing, I would expect this to include a carefully cited set of examples of his behaviour, not a link to a single slur wrapped in several paragraphs of what basically boils down to 'People don't think he's cool and therefore they think the wiki isn't cool.' I suggest that in the future if you ban anyone from doing anything that you dispense entirely with all of the talk about wiki's reputation (which dominates your announcement and is not on point, i.e. it's not the relevant issue), and instead take a much more rational and carefully laid out approach that concentrates on examples (especially recent ones) of Merv's actual behaviour, because without that, there is no 'there' there. And that presents the appearance at least of having arbitrarily and without careful consideration (but merely out of a sense of fed-upness) chosen a side in what is ultimately a personality conflict in fandom, and chosen the side that will result in the least repercussions for the wiki. As in, maybe if you get rid of Merv the whole conflict will just go away? Okay, leave aside the fact that this doesn't seem to be an actual valid reason for banning anybody; more importantly, what happens to the next target chosen for unpopularity by your secret sources? Do we all have to curry favour now with certain off-wiki fan personalities to remain in good standing here? And exactly who are these people, anyway, with their "fingers on the pulse of fandom"? They don't have their fingers on MY pulse. You might as well have said that Merv has been excommunicated because a shadowy figure came to your doorway and slipped you a note after you left an X on your window. It really leaves an awful impression.

I don't really have time to debate this at length, but I think the way this decision was presented reflects very poorly on the wiki, because I find most of the things you have talked about to be not relevant. Think about somebody with no prior experience of this conflict reading what you just wrote, Joe. You have given this hypothetical newbie almost no actual clear and present reason to believe that The Merovingian is still the imperious dictator you say he is, and instead given him/her a major reason that is right in their face to believe exactly that about you and about the wiki.

I'm not asking that you reverse the decision. I don't know enough to say that. As I say, I have not been privy to what's been going on, which is why the paper-thinness of what is on this page is so glaringly obvious. But I hope that in the future any bannings of longtime members that are under consideration will be handled much more carefully and methodically than what I see here. It also would help if there were reference made to violations of an official policy on exactly what is bannable and what is not. Is being unpopular with other fans a bannable offence? You give a very strong impression here that it is.--[[User:Dogger|Dogger]] 03:22, 1 September 2006 (CDT)

: What prompted the banning were the fact that, repeatedly, editors have tried to up and leave regarding his behavior -- behavior which is well documented on the message boards to which he participates as well as the wiki. It is not only pathetic that I have to keep on talking down contributors who have had issues with Merv, but it is also pathetic that people, like Shane (who isn't even an admin, for pete's sake), have to talk people out of doing such an act. Perhaps you didn't know this, as it wasn't common knowledge, but myself and the other administrators, such as Peter, have been endeavoring to help Merv soften his behavior. For a while, it seems he was improving in his behavior, until the complaints -- from people who hardly participate in message boards -- started rolling in ''again''.

: I'm not going to release names because they have come to me in confidence -- though I do hope that they have the courage to come forward, since I believe it would be cathartic for them. But Merv is directly responsible for us almost losing a very good member of this community 24 hours prior to making my decision.

: We have had issues with Merv for quite some time now, including the whole KR thing which, sad to say, almost damaged the wiki more than I've ever let on. This is detailed in his three Requests for Adminship, which I believe you may have read, as well as throughout the wiki. Feel free to do a search in our wiki, or even a Google search. (As I said, it's all out there for review.)

: Merv has also attempted to comport himself as taking ownership of the wiki on various occassions, despite our attempts to curtail such behavior by establishing [[Battlestar Wiki:Official Representation|our Official Representation policy]]. No one here, including myself (who shoulders the burden of financing, tech support, and being the one who tends to mediate issues here), dares take ownership of the wiki because it is a '''team effort'''. '''We are one''' here; everyone works together to build this reference. If there is someone who tries to use Battlestar Wiki as his personal pulpit, such as in the whole KR thing which is documented in [http://en.battlestarwiki.org/wiki/Battlestar_Wiki_talk:Citation_Jihad/Archive02#Koenigrules_.2F_Hollywood_North_Report our archives here], then they will reap the consequences of doing such a thing from not only myself, but from the community.

: Fact of the matter is that I haven't included links due to the fact that his behavior outside the wiki and goals are so glaringly apparent that I believed such a thing was unnecessary; I now know why he was so insistant on [http://en.battlestarwiki.org/wiki?title=User_talk:Joe_Beaudoin_Jr.&oldid=48191#RFA getting adminship here at the wiki as well], which was to solidfy a position to be some sort of prima donna information broker in the fandom. (This motivation doubtless lead to the near-disasterous incident with KR, which Peter should be thanked for mitigating.) I firmly believe that Merv never wanted the responsibility; he wanted the title, which is something that the cynical part of me has always suspected.

: To satisfy your curiousity regarding links and a dossier of his behavior on and off wiki, there are people who are working to create a compilation of all of Merv's replies and actions to date. A link to it, most likely in PDF format, will be uploaded to my website and linked here as an archive for all to see upon completion and review. I personally think such a thing is a waste of time, but I want everything out there because the truth will come out sooner or later, as it always does.

: Also, Merv's assertion that people such as Darth Marley have been mailbombing me with complaints is totally ludicrous and strikes me as an indicator of Merv's paranoia, as well as solidifies what I've found to be a characteristic of his personality: that he will take leaps of logic with pithy information and without thorough research. I have never corresponded with Marley or others (I've talked to Larocque, but that's because I respect him for all his work he's done with the original Battlestar Galactica FAQs and so forth); to continue, I've read what they've said on the boards and had I heeded them ''immediately'', this ban would have happened several months ago. Merv's popularity, or lack thereof, had no bearing on this decision -- it was his actions and his treatment of others both on and off wiki that came to a head. Call it the powder keg just waiting to be lit that Merv's actions (and consequences of his actions) have built up for months, if you will.

: There was no "ban Merv" caucus or calls from said non-existant caucus to ban Merv that lobbied me; Merv acted uncivily and nearly scared off new and even established contributors (that I know about, anyway), as a result, was banned indefinitely, until he wishes to act like a respectful human being and not the overbearing person he's projected himself to be.

: If Merv wants to be a part of a community, he can't act like the progeny of a prima donna and pitbull. Such progency and the goals of a productive community are mutually exclusive and have no place with one another.

: Humility. Integrity. Respect. Honesty. Collaboration. These are things that the wiki stands for and, quite frankly, Merv's actions do not fit in line with the philosophies of this wiki. And, needless to say, Merv is being watched very carefully [http://www.mortalstorm.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1012 now more than ever even from people who have better uses for their valuable time]. Think about that for a moment, or for as long as you need to... why would people waste their valuable time to watch him like a hawk?

: I think there is something very wrong with this picture, and it is something I have no desire to have this wiki be a part of. Hence my executive decision. Now I've said enough and have better things to accomplish... do excuse me. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 09:18, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
::Thanks Joe for making such a concerted effort to explain yourself further. I think it helps make this page intelligible. It still bothers me somewhat that most of your complaints are from behaviour that is not clear & present but now ancient history as in it does make the timing seem somewhat arbitrary. If you were going to ban Merv over the KR incident then it should have been done long ago. To now name that incident as a major reason for his banning doesn't make much sense. The things you are saying about fresh altercations with new wiki members are very relevant but you seem to be not at liberty to discuss them further, which is unfortunate because that should be the meat of your case: it is that stuff that would be the most justifiable support for a move like this at this time, not the KR thing. Sometimes when you take a shotgun approach you damage your case, because it isn't clear to anyone exactly why all the stuff is a good reason now but wasn't a good reason then (is there is a timer that goes off six months after a bad act that results in a banning?). It invites speculation as to what is happening behind the scenes. Too bad you can't much talk about what I consider to be the only valid reasons you have named for taking a fresh look at Merv's membership status; knowing the history I'll take your word for it, but laying out this recent evidence would have been far preferable. I hope you know this and will consider how important that is in making this kind of announcement. The wiki is not in control of Merv's actions; but it is in control of its own actions, and the transparency and above-boardness with which you handle a banning speaks much more directly to the character of this place than anything done by one of its members.--[[User:Dogger|Dogger]] 14:48, 1 September 2006 (CDT)

:::I agree, Dogger - I feel that I must give Joe the benefit of the doubt on this matter, but we are at great risk of setting a bad precedent here. I eagerly anticipate a final report on the off-wiki behavior of Merv's which justified this. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 19:07, 1 September 2006 (CDT)

:Bad precedent, indeed. If I've read your arguments correctly, then generalized bad behavior AWAY from bsgwiki is considerable cause for banning ON bsgwiki. In light of this, I have a list of usernames I'd like to see banned for some serious bad behvaior on skiffy. Where would you like those names sent? What if I wanted to complain about Joe's "executive decision making" on this "community run board?" Who would I submit those anonymous, unrepeatable, and unspecified charges to? Just curious. Would it be possible for you "leaders" to post a really good list of offenses off-board that will get me banned here? I mean, I flipped off the guy who cut me off in traffic today. AND I made a really mean joke about Dualla on Skiffy sometime back and I REALLY upset a lot of people. Can I expect my login here to stop working? -[[User:AerynSun44|AerynSun44]] 22:01, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
::If he wanted to be hated by the community in his own fashintion he can, but as soon as you link bad behaviour with the wiki using the wiki as a tool that's not correct. No ''one'' person speaks for the wiki, except Joe. I don't see any other users setting up camp on the SciFi Forums who speaks for the wikiw and then on top of that, "acts in bad faith" using the wiki as a tool. Name someone else who uses the wiki as a refernece on the SciFi forums in a bad manor. --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 22:14, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
:::So, it was the incident from several months ago that prompted the banning (as opposed to recent, mysterious incidents) because he used battlestarwiki to paint a user in an extremely negative light. Not unlike, um, using the administrative banning function and associated talk pages to publicly humiliate a user with as broad coverage as possible. Oh, wait. Did I say that out loud? -[[User:AerynSun44|AerynSun44]] 22:31, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
::::I did not say that. Joe statied it's a number of reasons. Current and past. --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 22:41, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
:::::Alrighty, I think the blonde girl has finally caught up with the logic train. The banning was the result of an offense committed months ago (that Joe is now also guilty of - using bsgwiki pages to publicly humiliate another member of fandom) and mysterious, unspecified charges levied by persons unknown. Got it. I do appreciate the clarifications. -[[User:AerynSun44|AerynSun44]] 22:48, 1 September 2006 (CDT)

:::Aeryn, I thank you for sharing your point of view with us. It is very welcomed, although I would like to ask that you please calm yourself. This isn't end of the world type stuff we're talking about here.
:::However, you need to know that Merv placed himself in a position where he and the wiki were intertwined; this isn't one of our contributors going out and making mean or sexists jokes on the SciFi Bulletin Boards. (It's up to SciFi's administration on whether or not to deter that kind of behavior, not ours.) Essentially, '''had he not placed himself in a position to act (and insinuate that he was) the wiki's ''unauthorized'' promoter or placed the ''unauthorized'' banner beneath his posts with the URL and icon to this wiki then his off-wiki behavior would have never been brought into question'''. And this is not a one time incident, hence the creation of our [[BW:OR|Official Representation]] policy which, ironically or not, Merv supported. To go with what Peter said in one of Merv's previous RFAs, I am not concerned about what other people think of a contributor -- unless they ''deliberately'' placed themselves in a position to use the wiki as a backing to advance his own agendas. Agendas that he has made clear in the past. I am concerned about the image of the wiki, as well as ensuring that no ones contributions have been in vain because of the acts of a person or group out to advance an agenda. (This agenda will be made crystal clear once the dossier on Merv's overall behaviors on and off wiki have been completed and published.)
:::I will also state again that everything has a ''cumulative'' effect and Merv's behavior on-wiki has come first circle, much to the point where we nearly lost one very good contributor. For some time now I (and others) have had to deal with Merv's behavior to others and try to mitigate the damage. Were it not for the work of the dedicated individuals in this community to retain those upset members, we would have lost more people than Merv.
:::As you yourself may not be aware, we as admins and contributors have tried to make Merv understand that his treatment of others is destructive and damaging to a community. None of his behaviors to date are a surprise to either myself nor anyone else here who has been for more than six months. The fact that I had to perma-ban Merv disappoints me, because it tells me we have failed to help Merv modify his social skills to a point where he can be respectful of others and their opinions, regardless of whether he views them as "moronic" or vapid from his point of view.
:::At this point, my concern is whether or not the wiki will recover from the damage Merv's inflicted. For a place he claims to love so much, he's endangered all our work here with his actions... and I've sid enough, because I will wait for the dossier to come out and then, as it is said, the truth will attend to itself, because it always does one way or the other. And then you can all do with the dossier what you will; you can believe or not. The choice to believe or not to believe is up to you.
:::Thank you for your interest and your concern. :-) -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 22:51, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
::::Joe, I find your comment to be condenscending and mean-spirited. I engaged your representative in a dialog concerning your unilateral action and your response is a very rude "calm yourself." I demand an apology for your poor judgment in dealing with me since I am, as far as I know, a member in good standing of this community. Your use of harsh words and offensive tone was derogative and completely unwarranted; I am deeply insulted and plan on quitting this board unless you apologize immediately. -[[User:AerynSun44|AerynSun44]] 22:58, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
::::Aeryn, I did not mean to be mean spirited; I'm sorry if you viewed my words as mean spirited, I am merely concerned about ensuring that everyone remains calm. It does no one any good to act irrationally. I recognize that this is a highly emotional situation. For instance, I myself am not fond of making this decision, but all I ask is that people please wait until the evidence comes to light. Then you and everyone will better understand why I banned Merv for the ultimate good of this community. That's all I ask right now during this difficult time. Thank you. Now I'm going to get some sleep. Good night everyone. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 23:15, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
As a minor point of interest, a true apology is one in which the offender says "I am sorry for what I said/did" (taking responsibility for his actions) NOT one in which the offender says "I am sorry you didn't understand what I said/did" (taking no responsibility for his actions and placing blame on the other party). There is a difference. I am inclined to observe that the efforts to reform the student may not have succeeded because the teachers suffered the same failings. This is just a hypothesis, of course.

I AM one to mince words but I will get to the point anyway (finally). You had an opportunity and ability to handle this privately with Mero. But you chose instead to make a broad, public statement via a project page and associated discussion; you CHOSE to publicly humilate someone who has worked tirelessly on behalf of your pet project when you had the opportunity to be silent and let the pieces fall where they may. From where I sit, this says much more about you and your approach to this "community" than it does about Mero. In the same project page you tout your "executive decision making" powers but try to convince us "we are all one." The latter rings false in the shadow of the former.

Whether I agree with your decision or not is really irrelevant and I certainly do not dispute your right to make the call but I have serious doubts about your sincerity in light of your approach. This doesn't feel like the results of careful consideration and thoughtful examination of facts. It feels like opportunistic public flogging designed to inflict the most damage possible and to "recruit" people to your point of view. These aren't the actions of a good, reasonable administrator.

Of course, everyone here will agree that I am no one of any importance - just the hall monitor - and my opinions don't really matter all that much but I would invite you to consider that what has transpired here (the public nature of your decision implementation) may appease a few but many others will remember this course of events in a less positive light. -[[User:AerynSun44|AerynSun44]] 00:45, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

Wow, what an interesting exercise in community this is! And in the transgression of a community’s stated and unstated rules. I think it is great that people care enough to spend the time to debate what is acceptable and what is intolerable and in doing so, they are taking a major step in defining what the Battlestar Wiki community really stands for. (I’m reading a book right now about the trial of Socrates that argues that particular moment in history recast Athenian society forever, and I can’t help but be struck by the parallels.)

Regarding the matter at hand, namely, dear Mr. Merovingian … I have to say I have personally experienced his insensitivity, his high-handedness, and his editorial caprice. These encounters have left me smarting sometimes, and more than once I have thought, Frak this! I don’t need to put up with this s—t! and vowed never to visit Battlestar Wiki again. But I always have, and that probably has more to do with my continuing interest in the show, as well as the kindness, helpfulness and generosity of others I have met here online.

From what I know, and what I have read here, The Merovingian has clearly stepped on a lot of toes and crossed a lot of lines he probably shouldn’t have. But I believe he cares a great deal about Battlestar Galactica, and the world of the fans, and we should try to give him a chance to do the right thing, make amends, and find a new and probably different place for himself in the group … if that is still possible. We owe him that, at the very least. Now, I said, “if that is still possible.” I personally have no problem with him staying, on some amended basis, but that is really a collective decision.

I do know that, regarding his recent mysterious transgressions that have brought him to this precipice, I think we as a community need to know what he is accused of doing, even if it is only “behavior unbecoming” a whatever, not so much for his sake, but for the sake of everybody else. We need to know where the lines are, so we can know when they are being crossed. It may be painful and humiliating for The Merovingian, and difficult and embarrassing for the leaders of Battlestar Wiki, but clearing the air is the only way I believe we can move forward at this point, and openness and plain-dealing should be something we strive for among everyone who wants to participate.

Those are my humble thoughts, anyway. --[[User:Elach|Elach]] 02:31, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

:::One of the cold facts about the Wiki and all internet boards is that they are not truely public squares. People or companies own them and those people or companies have the right to exercise "landlord" privledges, whether we like it or not. There are no hall monitors, no apriori entitlements to due process and no real obligations to act on an exclusivly logical basis. Joe owns this Wiki and he can evict whoever he wants. The tension this creates for a Wiki is that Wiki's are meant to be democratic exercises in the sense that they are community efforts. This can make the banning of a contributor, especially someone as prolific as Mero, seem aganst the spirit of what this place is meant to be. Which brings us to the issue of Mero.

:::Just to put my biases right on the table: I'm a Mortal Storm and Moist Board memeber and I've publically resisted any of Mero's attempts to curry favor or positions of authority in this fan base in several venues. I don't know him outside his presentation here or on the boards, I just know what tone he strikes online.

:::I support Joe's decision because I think Mero's ban will have the paradoxical effect of making the Wiki a more democratic effort. At place after place after place, Mero treats people he deems unworthy with sneering contempt, presents himself in self aggrandizing ways and seeks to quietly or overtly assume a role of authority. His treatment of newbies at Skiffy is one example. His repeated reffrences to his own intelligence and accomplishments is another. His repeated attempts to gain admin status at Wiki and his advocating for fan moderators at Skiffy rond out the trifecta. He displays in his online behavior the combination of power lust and disdain for others that would make what is a hobby for most of us a huge pain in the ass. I'm a grown man with a job, a family and accomplishments of my own. I come to these places to kick back and have fun, not cow-tow to someone who thinks they run boards with "an iron fist." My gut reaction to these kinds of behaviors is "WTF dude, I'm not gonna hang out for this."

:::Which is exactly the point.

:::With all due respect to the good folks who run this place and all the nice people in this fan base: what we do here is nerdy entertainment, not anything to be taken seriously. Petty nerdy bickering and pretentiousness is par for the course when you get a group of smart and detail oriented folks hanging around together. If it were just that level of stuff from Mero, it would be the usual online social background noise. Mero takes it a step further, treating people in a way that makes them want to go elsewhere, without comment or rebuke, to just go away. That kind of thing is deadly for a Wiki, which is premised on the idea of folks coming together and sharing their contributions in a collaborative, respectful manner.

:::Mero's investment in the Wiki has led him to make overt and subtle statements to both associate him with the Wiki and overstate his role in it's administaration. I did not compile what follows, and I apologize to the person who did for using their work without citation or permission, but it is a selection of what I mean.

:::http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=1521770&Searchpage=8&Main=1521313&Words=wiki&topic=&Search=true#Post1521770
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/printthread.php?Board=BattlestarGalactica&main=1634504&type=post
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=1643559&Searchpage=7&Main=1643092&Words=wiki&topic=&Search=true#Post1643559
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=1672875&Searchpage=6&Main=1672384&Words=Wiki&topic=&Search=true#Post1672875
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=1693478&Searchpage=6&Main=1692682&Words=Wiki&topic=&Search=true#Post1693478
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/printthread.php?Board=BattlestarGalactica&main=1775993&type=post
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=1775993&Searchpage=5&Main=1638887&Words=Wiki&topic=&Search=true#Post1775993]

:::This kind of behavor sends the message that Mero runs this place. He doesn't. It sends the message that it's his playground and that he exercises editorial power. He doesn't. If I ran a place meant to encourage people to contibute and join the fun, this is the very last thing I would want one of my members doing. Joe has been patient and measured in trying to give Mero feedback and to clarify who speaks for this place, but it's continued all the same. When you tell people to stop acting like they speak in your name and they continue to do so, it's time to pull the microphone. Mero doesn't deserve to be tarred and feathered every time he posts. He needs to stop treating people poorly while expecting to be treated like a noble personage, and then talking about his role at the BSW.

:::Ugly, sad business, but the right move.
:::--[[User:Cranky1c|Cranky1c]] 07:48, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

== [[User:Shane|Shane]]'s Comments ==

While Merv might see this as a sudden "ban", I don't really think it was. Merv has been giving tons of opportunity to mend relationships with the community a dozen of times. A simple, "Thank you" or "I am sorry." or "I made a mistake. Please forgive it." would have gone a long way.

I realize now, after all this time, that [[User:Peter Farago]] deserved a sorry from me because of the two RFC's I filled against him in protest in defending Merv's actions. While I got one a while back when my first RFC was posted by Peter.

Merv, if you want to discuss the polices that you broke, all you need to do is look up all the pages in the Battlestar Wiki namespace. The admins gave you tons of chances and though maybe a mistake on their part for now being more tough on the rules, you should have been able to follow your own suggestions as you did when voting for the [[BW:OR]] policy, the first one in-fact. The [[BW:TANK]] was created so I had an avenue to get my ideas out and you know what.. it worked. the [[BW:OR]] was for you, you didn't know that, but you through it was a good idea after the KR incident.

You say you could not use the high complex templates? I was always willing to help, yet I never got a message saying something. I hope, that you can make peace with yourself, otherwise you will never be able to get along with people in real life. If you were so ambitious why you were blocked, do a search on your username in all the forums that you do. Re-read your posts. Look at where you might have said something that might have offended people. You said once that the Battlestar Wiki article that it was deleted and should not have been because it was just like Memory Alpha. Memory Alpha is a bit larger and it has a little bit more fame since it's been around. But did you ever check the AFD page? Joe, an admin of Wikipedia, voted to delete it. ([[State of the Wiki II]])

As for the wiki, drastic actions as in resorting to outside forums to further your cause also inside the wiki was not a good idea. When you first did it with me and the portals, I found info on two different forums. One was SciFi and the other was the GalacicaBS forums. Why am I being smeared to something that would have a positive effect on the wiki as a whole? Why?

Do you want to know why the person came to me? Because they didn't know if they could bring issues to Joe directly. It could have been the other way around and I could have been out-of-the loop up to the ban and still not what was going on. People came to be because I was fair and have always been fair. (Also since I have direct contact with Joe kinda helps, but that's a side factor). I don't know why you think it was the guys over a MS or Frackheads (?). Can't you think that it ''was'' someone who was part of the Wiki? And before you ask yourself, it was not me. Granted, I spend a ton of time here, and know what goes on, I know how people feel.

Anyway, you can contact me via email if you want. You know how.

P.S. Adminship does not grant one "ambasatorship".

P.S.S. If you can prove to the heart that you can be curtiousto others and show that you can repect over people for what they do and how they do it, you will never know if you will be allowed back here. Take this as a vacation as I did. Come back with a fresh view. It might be benifit to your understanding with Joe and the community. You can only prove it to yourself that you can be true to the guidelines of the site that you love.

--[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 14:56, 1 September 2006 (CDT)

Merv needs to grow up. The guy has shown that he has little social skills and alienates fans who don't need to know about the board politics. It's not about him; it's about the show. If he wants to show some humility he'll continue to contribute without attribution. Starting with the podcast transcriptions.{{unsigned|Hal Levolier}}
:So "we'll ban you but we want you to submit work anyway"? 'Some nerve' doesn't even begin to describe this comment. If Merv doesn't submit those transcripts it proves nothing other than that he understandably doesn't feel motivated to contribute anything to a community that has declared him an outcast. What else would anyone expect? The sense of entitlement here to hours of the man's free labour is kind of breathtaking. If he is banned, then let him move on with his life and find somewhere else to place his efforts. To make this kind of statement that in order to prove his humility he needs to submit not ONLY for free but without credit, is just repugnant. What has happened to this place?--[[User:Dogger|Dogger]] 01:29, 2 September 2006 (CDT)
::Okay never mind. I just checked and Hal Levolier has never edited anything around here, so while that doesn't render his opinion invalid, he wasn't (at least I hope not) expressing any expectation among the regular contributors. Merv's banned, so he's probably done contributing. Nobody should be expecting otherwise.--[[User:Dogger|Dogger]] 01:55, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

Eloch, or Merv, just fork over the podcasts and take your medicine.
:Hal Levolier, it's interesting that you accuse me of artifice, deceit and breaking the rules when you hide behind unsigned comments that cast aspirations on others apparently just because you don't agree with what they are saying. I am who I say I am, and I stand by my comments as my own, and I will submit to any examination that the administrators of this site care to apply to me. Anyone who is governed by reason and compassion will recognize the truth of what I say and the genuineness of my sentiments. Which is more than can be said for you and your postings. Until I hear from you again (and I'm sure I will), I remain steadfast and eternally ... --[[User:Elach|Elach]] 04:29, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

Battlestar Wiki talk:The Merovingian Ban

2006-09-02T12:53:07Z

Cranky1c: /* Comments */

<div class="messagebox"><h3>Please REMEMBER TO BE COURTEOUS and [[Wikipedia:WP:CIVIL|WP:CIVIL]] AS The Merovingian CAN NOT RESPOND. This is a remember to all parties adding comments to this page... myself included. --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 16:00, 1 September 2006 (CDT)</h3></div>
== Comments ==
It must have been a hard decision to take such a drastic action, but I'm sure that this move will only benefit the wiki in the future. --[[User:Ribsy|Ribsy]] 00:14, 30 August 2006 (CDT)
:I'm intrigued to know what's happened in the last few days for such a hard decision to be made. I was on vacation from the wiki all last week and I dont use Skiffy boards or other forums to know what happens off-wiki... --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 04:07, 30 August 2006 (CDT)
:I suspect the off-wiki behavior has just come to a head. But I'd not speculate further. We are what we are outside and inside the wiki. While Merv's face was improving here, it seems he began to claim the wiki as his own, and this isn't a place we can take ownership in. We can all take pride in adding our own contributions to form, together, one great resource for everyone, yes, but we can not take ownership to be point of being catty, rude or representing yourself as a wiki official without authorization. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 12:42, 30 August 2006 (CDT)
::It was not only that, but his general behavior to people off-wiki -- his behavior even prompted RDM's own wife, Terry, who posts on the SciFi.com boards as "Mrs Ron", to [http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=2056843&Searchpage=1&Main=2056837&Words=moron+The_Merovingian&topic=&Search=true#Post2056843 warn Merv about his's own behavior]. (In light of how she herself is painted as "a champion of [Merv's] bad behavior", I do not envy her current position as well, which apparently [http://www.mortalstorm.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1012 mirrors our own] in some ways.) What I do know through conversing with others who aren't contributors to the Wiki, but have their pulse on the fandom, is that he has damaged the wiki through his actions as he is associated with us. (He's made this association clear through a banner on the SciFi.com boards, a banner that I will ask be removed from his signature immediately.) I ''know'' that he's caused damage to the wiki; it's not like any of this is not out there on the boards and the like -- it is. I've tried to establsh damage control, hence the [[BW:OR|Official Representation]] policy, which, I will freely admit, is a direct response to Merv's previous actions. He has (almost) cost us a very good contributor in the process just within the ''last 48 hours'' and, in talking with others, I have determined that an RFC would have caused much, much more issues than the primary issue we were attempting to fix. I'll make it pretty clear that this decision was not a spur of the moment; I've thought about it intermittently for some time now, until I could put the pieces together all of the events that have transpired for the last six to eight months, without massive bias on either side of the issue. The sad thing is that it all adds up to a very nasty picture, which I refuse to have this wiki be a part of. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 17:35, 30 August 2006 (CDT)
I dont need to know about the reasons that leave to Merv´s banning ,hes childish behavior and arrogance are very well known arround the BSG fanbase.These action open the gate to our group of fans that avoided these place because we didnt want any involment to do with the Merovignian.
The FRAKHEADS! and the BSG-55 board will celebrate these desition and ad theyr contributions to the BSG wiki project.

Moctezuma.
BSG-55 FRAKHEADS! {{unsigned|Moctezuma}}--[[User:Moctezuma|Moctezuma]] 19:17, 30 August 2006 (CDT)

Dont worry about these site image on the contraire,the relevance of the content and the profesional structure are really amazing, im very pleased to read about a young profesional entrepenour like you and the TEAM that makes these site posible.--[[User:Moctezuma|Moctezuma]] 19:17, 30 August 2006 (CDT)
: Thank you for your kind words. I personally appreciate them. :-) -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 22:22, 31 August 2006 (CDT)

I don't understand what has prompted this move at this time, and there is nothing in your announcement, Joe, that really explains it. I have been clued out of the community for a few weeks now, and there may well have been some new incident that showed Merv not only to be unworthy of adminship, but unworthy of editing as well. But if there is, you haven't cited it. When I saw the title of this page I expected to see laid out for me a series of recent references to Merv's transgressions both here and off-site. I didn't get it. Why not? Banning people out of the blue for vaguely generalised past behaviour casts, IMO, an even worse impression on the wiki. Is it because he called somebody a moron in that thread? If it is, just say so. Why the hints and characterisations? Is the trigger that MrsRon spoke against him? I wouldn't call what she wrote a scathing indictment, just a mild voice of reason.

Judging from the arguments I have seen from people on this site in such matters, which have been generally very rational and of a high level, I find this announcement disappointing, more for the content of the announcement than the actual decision that was taken. It comes across as an emotional reaction -- something that I thought the wiki was above indulging. If you were going to ban somebody from editing, I would expect this to include a carefully cited set of examples of his behaviour, not a link to a single slur wrapped in several paragraphs of what basically boils down to 'People don't think he's cool and therefore they think the wiki isn't cool.' I suggest that in the future if you ban anyone from doing anything that you dispense entirely with all of the talk about wiki's reputation (which dominates your announcement and is not on point, i.e. it's not the relevant issue), and instead take a much more rational and carefully laid out approach that concentrates on examples (especially recent ones) of Merv's actual behaviour, because without that, there is no 'there' there. And that presents the appearance at least of having arbitrarily and without careful consideration (but merely out of a sense of fed-upness) chosen a side in what is ultimately a personality conflict in fandom, and chosen the side that will result in the least repercussions for the wiki. As in, maybe if you get rid of Merv the whole conflict will just go away? Okay, leave aside the fact that this doesn't seem to be an actual valid reason for banning anybody; more importantly, what happens to the next target chosen for unpopularity by your secret sources? Do we all have to curry favour now with certain off-wiki fan personalities to remain in good standing here? And exactly who are these people, anyway, with their "fingers on the pulse of fandom"? They don't have their fingers on MY pulse. You might as well have said that Merv has been excommunicated because a shadowy figure came to your doorway and slipped you a note after you left an X on your window. It really leaves an awful impression.

I don't really have time to debate this at length, but I think the way this decision was presented reflects very poorly on the wiki, because I find most of the things you have talked about to be not relevant. Think about somebody with no prior experience of this conflict reading what you just wrote, Joe. You have given this hypothetical newbie almost no actual clear and present reason to believe that The Merovingian is still the imperious dictator you say he is, and instead given him/her a major reason that is right in their face to believe exactly that about you and about the wiki.

I'm not asking that you reverse the decision. I don't know enough to say that. As I say, I have not been privy to what's been going on, which is why the paper-thinness of what is on this page is so glaringly obvious. But I hope that in the future any bannings of longtime members that are under consideration will be handled much more carefully and methodically than what I see here. It also would help if there were reference made to violations of an official policy on exactly what is bannable and what is not. Is being unpopular with other fans a bannable offence? You give a very strong impression here that it is.--[[User:Dogger|Dogger]] 03:22, 1 September 2006 (CDT)

: What prompted the banning were the fact that, repeatedly, editors have tried to up and leave regarding his behavior -- behavior which is well documented on the message boards to which he participates as well as the wiki. It is not only pathetic that I have to keep on talking down contributors who have had issues with Merv, but it is also pathetic that people, like Shane (who isn't even an admin, for pete's sake), have to talk people out of doing such an act. Perhaps you didn't know this, as it wasn't common knowledge, but myself and the other administrators, such as Peter, have been endeavoring to help Merv soften his behavior. For a while, it seems he was improving in his behavior, until the complaints -- from people who hardly participate in message boards -- started rolling in ''again''.

: I'm not going to release names because they have come to me in confidence -- though I do hope that they have the courage to come forward, since I believe it would be cathartic for them. But Merv is directly responsible for us almost losing a very good member of this community 24 hours prior to making my decision.

: We have had issues with Merv for quite some time now, including the whole KR thing which, sad to say, almost damaged the wiki more than I've ever let on. This is detailed in his three Requests for Adminship, which I believe you may have read, as well as throughout the wiki. Feel free to do a search in our wiki, or even a Google search. (As I said, it's all out there for review.)

: Merv has also attempted to comport himself as taking ownership of the wiki on various occassions, despite our attempts to curtail such behavior by establishing [[Battlestar Wiki:Official Representation|our Official Representation policy]]. No one here, including myself (who shoulders the burden of financing, tech support, and being the one who tends to mediate issues here), dares take ownership of the wiki because it is a '''team effort'''. '''We are one''' here; everyone works together to build this reference. If there is someone who tries to use Battlestar Wiki as his personal pulpit, such as in the whole KR thing which is documented in [http://en.battlestarwiki.org/wiki/Battlestar_Wiki_talk:Citation_Jihad/Archive02#Koenigrules_.2F_Hollywood_North_Report our archives here], then they will reap the consequences of doing such a thing from not only myself, but from the community.

: Fact of the matter is that I haven't included links due to the fact that his behavior outside the wiki and goals are so glaringly apparent that I believed such a thing was unnecessary; I now know why he was so insistant on [http://en.battlestarwiki.org/wiki?title=User_talk:Joe_Beaudoin_Jr.&oldid=48191#RFA getting adminship here at the wiki as well], which was to solidfy a position to be some sort of prima donna information broker in the fandom. (This motivation doubtless lead to the near-disasterous incident with KR, which Peter should be thanked for mitigating.) I firmly believe that Merv never wanted the responsibility; he wanted the title, which is something that the cynical part of me has always suspected.

: To satisfy your curiousity regarding links and a dossier of his behavior on and off wiki, there are people who are working to create a compilation of all of Merv's replies and actions to date. A link to it, most likely in PDF format, will be uploaded to my website and linked here as an archive for all to see upon completion and review. I personally think such a thing is a waste of time, but I want everything out there because the truth will come out sooner or later, as it always does.

: Also, Merv's assertion that people such as Darth Marley have been mailbombing me with complaints is totally ludicrous and strikes me as an indicator of Merv's paranoia, as well as solidifies what I've found to be a characteristic of his personality: that he will take leaps of logic with pithy information and without thorough research. I have never corresponded with Marley or others (I've talked to Larocque, but that's because I respect him for all his work he's done with the original Battlestar Galactica FAQs and so forth); to continue, I've read what they've said on the boards and had I heeded them ''immediately'', this ban would have happened several months ago. Merv's popularity, or lack thereof, had no bearing on this decision -- it was his actions and his treatment of others both on and off wiki that came to a head. Call it the powder keg just waiting to be lit that Merv's actions (and consequences of his actions) have built up for months, if you will.

: There was no "ban Merv" caucus or calls from said non-existant caucus to ban Merv that lobbied me; Merv acted uncivily and nearly scared off new and even established contributors (that I know about, anyway), as a result, was banned indefinitely, until he wishes to act like a respectful human being and not the overbearing person he's projected himself to be.

: If Merv wants to be a part of a community, he can't act like the progeny of a prima donna and pitbull. Such progency and the goals of a productive community are mutually exclusive and have no place with one another.

: Humility. Integrity. Respect. Honesty. Collaboration. These are things that the wiki stands for and, quite frankly, Merv's actions do not fit in line with the philosophies of this wiki. And, needless to say, Merv is being watched very carefully [http://www.mortalstorm.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1012 now more than ever even from people who have better uses for their valuable time]. Think about that for a moment, or for as long as you need to... why would people waste their valuable time to watch him like a hawk?

: I think there is something very wrong with this picture, and it is something I have no desire to have this wiki be a part of. Hence my executive decision. Now I've said enough and have better things to accomplish... do excuse me. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 09:18, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
::Thanks Joe for making such a concerted effort to explain yourself further. I think it helps make this page intelligible. It still bothers me somewhat that most of your complaints are from behaviour that is not clear & present but now ancient history as in it does make the timing seem somewhat arbitrary. If you were going to ban Merv over the KR incident then it should have been done long ago. To now name that incident as a major reason for his banning doesn't make much sense. The things you are saying about fresh altercations with new wiki members are very relevant but you seem to be not at liberty to discuss them further, which is unfortunate because that should be the meat of your case: it is that stuff that would be the most justifiable support for a move like this at this time, not the KR thing. Sometimes when you take a shotgun approach you damage your case, because it isn't clear to anyone exactly why all the stuff is a good reason now but wasn't a good reason then (is there is a timer that goes off six months after a bad act that results in a banning?). It invites speculation as to what is happening behind the scenes. Too bad you can't much talk about what I consider to be the only valid reasons you have named for taking a fresh look at Merv's membership status; knowing the history I'll take your word for it, but laying out this recent evidence would have been far preferable. I hope you know this and will consider how important that is in making this kind of announcement. The wiki is not in control of Merv's actions; but it is in control of its own actions, and the transparency and above-boardness with which you handle a banning speaks much more directly to the character of this place than anything done by one of its members.--[[User:Dogger|Dogger]] 14:48, 1 September 2006 (CDT)

:::I agree, Dogger - I feel that I must give Joe the benefit of the doubt on this matter, but we are at great risk of setting a bad precedent here. I eagerly anticipate a final report on the off-wiki behavior of Merv's which justified this. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 19:07, 1 September 2006 (CDT)

:Bad precedent, indeed. If I've read your arguments correctly, then generalized bad behavior AWAY from bsgwiki is considerable cause for banning ON bsgwiki. In light of this, I have a list of usernames I'd like to see banned for some serious bad behvaior on skiffy. Where would you like those names sent? What if I wanted to complain about Joe's "executive decision making" on this "community run board?" Who would I submit those anonymous, unrepeatable, and unspecified charges to? Just curious. Would it be possible for you "leaders" to post a really good list of offenses off-board that will get me banned here? I mean, I flipped off the guy who cut me off in traffic today. AND I made a really mean joke about Dualla on Skiffy sometime back and I REALLY upset a lot of people. Can I expect my login here to stop working? -[[User:AerynSun44|AerynSun44]] 22:01, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
::If he wanted to be hated by the community in his own fashintion he can, but as soon as you link bad behaviour with the wiki using the wiki as a tool that's not correct. No ''one'' person speaks for the wiki, except Joe. I don't see any other users setting up camp on the SciFi Forums who speaks for the wikiw and then on top of that, "acts in bad faith" using the wiki as a tool. Name someone else who uses the wiki as a refernece on the SciFi forums in a bad manor. --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 22:14, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
:::So, it was the incident from several months ago that prompted the banning (as opposed to recent, mysterious incidents) because he used battlestarwiki to paint a user in an extremely negative light. Not unlike, um, using the administrative banning function and associated talk pages to publicly humiliate a user with as broad coverage as possible. Oh, wait. Did I say that out loud? -[[User:AerynSun44|AerynSun44]] 22:31, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
::::I did not say that. Joe statied it's a number of reasons. Current and past. --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 22:41, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
:::::Alrighty, I think the blonde girl has finally caught up with the logic train. The banning was the result of an offense committed months ago (that Joe is now also guilty of - using bsgwiki pages to publicly humiliate another member of fandom) and mysterious, unspecified charges levied by persons unknown. Got it. I do appreciate the clarifications. -[[User:AerynSun44|AerynSun44]] 22:48, 1 September 2006 (CDT)

:::Aeryn, I thank you for sharing your point of view with us. It is very welcomed, although I would like to ask that you please calm yourself. This isn't end of the world type stuff we're talking about here.
:::However, you need to know that Merv placed himself in a position where he and the wiki were intertwined; this isn't one of our contributors going out and making mean or sexists jokes on the SciFi Bulletin Boards. (It's up to SciFi's administration on whether or not to deter that kind of behavior, not ours.) Essentially, '''had he not placed himself in a position to act (and insinuate that he was) the wiki's ''unauthorized'' promoter or placed the ''unauthorized'' banner beneath his posts with the URL and icon to this wiki then his off-wiki behavior would have never been brought into question'''. And this is not a one time incident, hence the creation of our [[BW:OR|Official Representation]] policy which, ironically or not, Merv supported. To go with what Peter said in one of Merv's previous RFAs, I am not concerned about what other people think of a contributor -- unless they ''deliberately'' placed themselves in a position to use the wiki as a backing to advance his own agendas. Agendas that he has made clear in the past. I am concerned about the image of the wiki, as well as ensuring that no ones contributions have been in vain because of the acts of a person or group out to advance an agenda. (This agenda will be made crystal clear once the dossier on Merv's overall behaviors on and off wiki have been completed and published.)
:::I will also state again that everything has a ''cumulative'' effect and Merv's behavior on-wiki has come first circle, much to the point where we nearly lost one very good contributor. For some time now I (and others) have had to deal with Merv's behavior to others and try to mitigate the damage. Were it not for the work of the dedicated individuals in this community to retain those upset members, we would have lost more people than Merv.
:::As you yourself may not be aware, we as admins and contributors have tried to make Merv understand that his treatment of others is destructive and damaging to a community. None of his behaviors to date are a surprise to either myself nor anyone else here who has been for more than six months. The fact that I had to perma-ban Merv disappoints me, because it tells me we have failed to help Merv modify his social skills to a point where he can be respectful of others and their opinions, regardless of whether he views them as "moronic" or vapid from his point of view.
:::At this point, my concern is whether or not the wiki will recover from the damage Merv's inflicted. For a place he claims to love so much, he's endangered all our work here with his actions... and I've sid enough, because I will wait for the dossier to come out and then, as it is said, the truth will attend to itself, because it always does one way or the other. And then you can all do with the dossier what you will; you can believe or not. The choice to believe or not to believe is up to you.
:::Thank you for your interest and your concern. :-) -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 22:51, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
::::Joe, I find your comment to be condenscending and mean-spirited. I engaged your representative in a dialog concerning your unilateral action and your response is a very rude "calm yourself." I demand an apology for your poor judgment in dealing with me since I am, as far as I know, a member in good standing of this community. Your use of harsh words and offensive tone was derogative and completely unwarranted; I am deeply insulted and plan on quitting this board unless you apologize immediately. -[[User:AerynSun44|AerynSun44]] 22:58, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
::::Aeryn, I did not mean to be mean spirited; I'm sorry if you viewed my words as mean spirited, I am merely concerned about ensuring that everyone remains calm. It does no one any good to act irrationally. I recognize that this is a highly emotional situation. For instance, I myself am not fond of making this decision, but all I ask is that people please wait until the evidence comes to light. Then you and everyone will better understand why I banned Merv for the ultimate good of this community. That's all I ask right now during this difficult time. Thank you. Now I'm going to get some sleep. Good night everyone. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 23:15, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
As a minor point of interest, a true apology is one in which the offender says "I am sorry for what I said/did" (taking responsibility for his actions) NOT one in which the offender says "I am sorry you didn't understand what I said/did" (taking no responsibility for his actions and placing blame on the other party). There is a difference. I am inclined to observe that the efforts to reform the student may not have succeeded because the teachers suffered the same failings. This is just a hypothesis, of course.

I AM one to mince words but I will get to the point anyway (finally). You had an opportunity and ability to handle this privately with Mero. But you chose instead to make a broad, public statement via a project page and associated discussion; you CHOSE to publicly humilate someone who has worked tirelessly on behalf of your pet project when you had the opportunity to be silent and let the pieces fall where they may. From where I sit, this says much more about you and your approach to this "community" than it does about Mero. In the same project page you tout your "executive decision making" powers but try to convince us "we are all one." The latter rings false in the shadow of the former.

Whether I agree with your decision or not is really irrelevant and I certainly do not dispute your right to make the call but I have serious doubts about your sincerity in light of your approach. This doesn't feel like the results of careful consideration and thoughtful examination of facts. It feels like opportunistic public flogging designed to inflict the most damage possible and to "recruit" people to your point of view. These aren't the actions of a good, reasonable administrator.

Of course, everyone here will agree that I am no one of any importance - just the hall monitor - and my opinions don't really matter all that much but I would invite you to consider that what has transpired here (the public nature of your decision implementation) may appease a few but many others will remember this course of events in a less positive light. -[[User:AerynSun44|AerynSun44]] 00:45, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

Wow, what an interesting exercise in community this is! And in the transgression of a community’s stated and unstated rules. I think it is great that people care enough to spend the time to debate what is acceptable and what is intolerable and in doing so, they are taking a major step in defining what the Battlestar Wiki community really stands for. (I’m reading a book right now about the trial of Socrates that argues that particular moment in history recast Athenian society forever, and I can’t help but be struck by the parallels.)

Regarding the matter at hand, namely, dear Mr. Merovingian … I have to say I have personally experienced his insensitivity, his high-handedness, and his editorial caprice. These encounters have left me smarting sometimes, and more than once I have thought, Frak this! I don’t need to put up with this s—t! and vowed never to visit Battlestar Wiki again. But I always have, and that probably has more to do with my continuing interest in the show, as well as the kindness, helpfulness and generosity of others I have met here online.

From what I know, and what I have read here, The Merovingian has clearly stepped on a lot of toes and crossed a lot of lines he probably shouldn’t have. But I believe he cares a great deal about Battlestar Galactica, and the world of the fans, and we should try to give him a chance to do the right thing, make amends, and find a new and probably different place for himself in the group … if that is still possible. We owe him that, at the very least. Now, I said, “if that is still possible.” I personally have no problem with him staying, on some amended basis, but that is really a collective decision.

I do know that, regarding his recent mysterious transgressions that have brought him to this precipice, I think we as a community need to know what he is accused of doing, even if it is only “behavior unbecoming” a whatever, not so much for his sake, but for the sake of everybody else. We need to know where the lines are, so we can know when they are being crossed. It may be painful and humiliating for The Merovingian, and difficult and embarrassing for the leaders of Battlestar Wiki, but clearing the air is the only way I believe we can move forward at this point, and openness and plain-dealing should be something we strive for among everyone who wants to participate.

Those are my humble thoughts, anyway. --[[User:Elach|Elach]] 02:31, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

:::One of the cold facts about the Wiki and all internet boards is that they are not truely public squares. People or companies own them and those people or companies have the right to exercise "landlord" privledges, whether we like it or not. There are no hall monitors, no apriori entitlements to due process and no real obligations to act on an exclusivly logical basis. Joe owns this Wiki and he can evict whoever he wants. The tension this creates for a Wiki is that Wiki's are meant to be democratic exercises in the sense that they are community efforts. This can make the banning of a contributor, especially someone as prolific as Mero, seem aganst the spirit of what this place is meant to be. Which brings us to the issue of Mero.

:::Just to put my biases right on the table: I'm a Mortal Storm and Most Board memeber and I've publically resisted any of Mero's attempts to curry favor or positions of authority in this fan base in several venues. I don't know him outside his presentation here or on the boards, I just know what tone he strikes online.

:::I support Joe's decision because I think Mero's ban will have the paradoxical effect of making the Wiki a more democratic effort. At place after place after place, Mero treats people he deems unworthy with sneering contempt, presents himself in self aggrandizing ways and seeks to quietly or overtly assume a role of authority. His treatment of newbies at Skiffy is one example. His repeated reffrences to his own intelligence and accomplishments is another. His repeated attempts to gain admin status at Wiki and his advocating for fan moderators at Skiffy rond out the trifecta. He displays in his online behavior the combination of power lust and disdain for others that would make what is a hobby for most of us a huge pain in the ass. I'm a grown man with a job, a family and accomplishments of my own. I come to these places to kick back and have fun, not cow-tow to someone who thinks they run boards with "an iron fist." My gut reaction to these kinds of behaviors is "WTF dude, I'm not gonna hang out for this."

:::Which is exactly the point.

:::With all due respect to the good folks who run this place and all the nice people in this fan base: what we do here is nerdy entertainment, not anything to be taken seriously. Petty nerdy bickering and pretentiousness is par for the course when you get a group of smart and detail oriented folks hanging around together. If it were just that level of stuff from Mero, it would be the usual online social background noise. Mero takes it a step further, treating people in a way that makes them want to go elsewhere, without comment or rebuke, to just go away. That kind of thing is deadly for a Wiki, which is premised on the idea of folks coming together and sharing their contributions in a collaborative, respectful manner.

:::Mero's investment in the Wiki has led him to make overt and subtle statements to both associate him with the Wiki and overstate his role in it's administaration. I did not compile what follows, and I apologize to the person who did for using their work without citation or permission, but it is a selection of what I mean.

:::http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=1521770&Searchpage=8&Main=1521313&Words=wiki&topic=&Search=true#Post1521770
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/printthread.php?Board=BattlestarGalactica&main=1634504&type=post
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=1643559&Searchpage=7&Main=1643092&Words=wiki&topic=&Search=true#Post1643559
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=1672875&Searchpage=6&Main=1672384&Words=Wiki&topic=&Search=true#Post1672875
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=1693478&Searchpage=6&Main=1692682&Words=Wiki&topic=&Search=true#Post1693478
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/printthread.php?Board=BattlestarGalactica&main=1775993&type=post
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=1775993&Searchpage=5&Main=1638887&Words=Wiki&topic=&Search=true#Post1775993]

:::This kind of behavor sends the message that Mero runs this place. He doesn't. It sends the message that it's his playground and that he exercises editorial power. He doesn't. If I ran a place meant to encourage people to contibute and join the fun, this is the very last thing I would want one of my members doing. Joe has been patient and measured in trying to give Mero feedback and to clarify who speaks for this place, but it's continued all the same. When you tell people to stop acting like they speak in your name and they continue to do so, it's time to pull the microphone. Mero doesn't deserve to be tarred and feathered every time he posts. He needs to stop treating people poorly while expecting to be treated like a noble personage, and then talking about his role at the BSW.

:::Ugly, sad business, but the right move.
:::--[[User:Cranky1c|Cranky1c]] 07:48, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

== [[User:Shane|Shane]]'s Comments ==

While Merv might see this as a sudden "ban", I don't really think it was. Merv has been giving tons of opportunity to mend relationships with the community a dozen of times. A simple, "Thank you" or "I am sorry." or "I made a mistake. Please forgive it." would have gone a long way.

I realize now, after all this time, that [[User:Peter Farago]] deserved a sorry from me because of the two RFC's I filled against him in protest in defending Merv's actions. While I got one a while back when my first RFC was posted by Peter.

Merv, if you want to discuss the polices that you broke, all you need to do is look up all the pages in the Battlestar Wiki namespace. The admins gave you tons of chances and though maybe a mistake on their part for now being more tough on the rules, you should have been able to follow your own suggestions as you did when voting for the [[BW:OR]] policy, the first one in-fact. The [[BW:TANK]] was created so I had an avenue to get my ideas out and you know what.. it worked. the [[BW:OR]] was for you, you didn't know that, but you through it was a good idea after the KR incident.

You say you could not use the high complex templates? I was always willing to help, yet I never got a message saying something. I hope, that you can make peace with yourself, otherwise you will never be able to get along with people in real life. If you were so ambitious why you were blocked, do a search on your username in all the forums that you do. Re-read your posts. Look at where you might have said something that might have offended people. You said once that the Battlestar Wiki article that it was deleted and should not have been because it was just like Memory Alpha. Memory Alpha is a bit larger and it has a little bit more fame since it's been around. But did you ever check the AFD page? Joe, an admin of Wikipedia, voted to delete it. ([[State of the Wiki II]])

As for the wiki, drastic actions as in resorting to outside forums to further your cause also inside the wiki was not a good idea. When you first did it with me and the portals, I found info on two different forums. One was SciFi and the other was the GalacicaBS forums. Why am I being smeared to something that would have a positive effect on the wiki as a whole? Why?

Do you want to know why the person came to me? Because they didn't know if they could bring issues to Joe directly. It could have been the other way around and I could have been out-of-the loop up to the ban and still not what was going on. People came to be because I was fair and have always been fair. (Also since I have direct contact with Joe kinda helps, but that's a side factor). I don't know why you think it was the guys over a MS or Frackheads (?). Can't you think that it ''was'' someone who was part of the Wiki? And before you ask yourself, it was not me. Granted, I spend a ton of time here, and know what goes on, I know how people feel.

Anyway, you can contact me via email if you want. You know how.

P.S. Adminship does not grant one "ambasatorship".

P.S.S. If you can prove to the heart that you can be curtiousto others and show that you can repect over people for what they do and how they do it, you will never know if you will be allowed back here. Take this as a vacation as I did. Come back with a fresh view. It might be benifit to your understanding with Joe and the community. You can only prove it to yourself that you can be true to the guidelines of the site that you love.

--[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 14:56, 1 September 2006 (CDT)

Merv needs to grow up. The guy has shown that he has little social skills and alienates fans who don't need to know about the board politics. It's not about him; it's about the show. If he wants to show some humility he'll continue to contribute without attribution. Starting with the podcast transcriptions.{{unsigned|Hal Levolier}}
:So "we'll ban you but we want you to submit work anyway"? 'Some nerve' doesn't even begin to describe this comment. If Merv doesn't submit those transcripts it proves nothing other than that he understandably doesn't feel motivated to contribute anything to a community that has declared him an outcast. What else would anyone expect? The sense of entitlement here to hours of the man's free labour is kind of breathtaking. If he is banned, then let him move on with his life and find somewhere else to place his efforts. To make this kind of statement that in order to prove his humility he needs to submit not ONLY for free but without credit, is just repugnant. What has happened to this place?--[[User:Dogger|Dogger]] 01:29, 2 September 2006 (CDT)
::Okay never mind. I just checked and Hal Levolier has never edited anything around here, so while that doesn't render his opinion invalid, he wasn't (at least I hope not) expressing any expectation among the regular contributors. Merv's banned, so he's probably done contributing. Nobody should be expecting otherwise.--[[User:Dogger|Dogger]] 01:55, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

Eloch, or Merv, just fork over the podcasts and take your medicine.
:Hal Levolier, it's interesting that you accuse me of artifice, deceit and breaking the rules when you hide behind unsigned comments that cast aspirations on others apparently just because you don't agree with what they are saying. I am who I say I am, and I stand by my comments as my own, and I will submit to any examination that the administrators of this site care to apply to me. Anyone who is governed by reason and compassion will recognize the truth of what I say and the genuineness of my sentiments. Which is more than can be said for you and your postings. Until I hear from you again (and I'm sure I will), I remain steadfast and eternally ... --[[User:Elach|Elach]] 04:29, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

Battlestar Wiki talk:The Merovingian Ban

2006-09-02T12:51:20Z

Cranky1c: /* Comments */

<div class="messagebox"><h3>Please REMEMBER TO BE COURTEOUS and [[Wikipedia:WP:CIVIL|WP:CIVIL]] AS The Merovingian CAN NOT RESPOND. This is a remember to all parties adding comments to this page... myself included. --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 16:00, 1 September 2006 (CDT)</h3></div>
== Comments ==
It must have been a hard decision to take such a drastic action, but I'm sure that this move will only benefit the wiki in the future. --[[User:Ribsy|Ribsy]] 00:14, 30 August 2006 (CDT)
:I'm intrigued to know what's happened in the last few days for such a hard decision to be made. I was on vacation from the wiki all last week and I dont use Skiffy boards or other forums to know what happens off-wiki... --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 04:07, 30 August 2006 (CDT)
:I suspect the off-wiki behavior has just come to a head. But I'd not speculate further. We are what we are outside and inside the wiki. While Merv's face was improving here, it seems he began to claim the wiki as his own, and this isn't a place we can take ownership in. We can all take pride in adding our own contributions to form, together, one great resource for everyone, yes, but we can not take ownership to be point of being catty, rude or representing yourself as a wiki official without authorization. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 12:42, 30 August 2006 (CDT)
::It was not only that, but his general behavior to people off-wiki -- his behavior even prompted RDM's own wife, Terry, who posts on the SciFi.com boards as "Mrs Ron", to [http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=2056843&Searchpage=1&Main=2056837&Words=moron+The_Merovingian&topic=&Search=true#Post2056843 warn Merv about his's own behavior]. (In light of how she herself is painted as "a champion of [Merv's] bad behavior", I do not envy her current position as well, which apparently [http://www.mortalstorm.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1012 mirrors our own] in some ways.) What I do know through conversing with others who aren't contributors to the Wiki, but have their pulse on the fandom, is that he has damaged the wiki through his actions as he is associated with us. (He's made this association clear through a banner on the SciFi.com boards, a banner that I will ask be removed from his signature immediately.) I ''know'' that he's caused damage to the wiki; it's not like any of this is not out there on the boards and the like -- it is. I've tried to establsh damage control, hence the [[BW:OR|Official Representation]] policy, which, I will freely admit, is a direct response to Merv's previous actions. He has (almost) cost us a very good contributor in the process just within the ''last 48 hours'' and, in talking with others, I have determined that an RFC would have caused much, much more issues than the primary issue we were attempting to fix. I'll make it pretty clear that this decision was not a spur of the moment; I've thought about it intermittently for some time now, until I could put the pieces together all of the events that have transpired for the last six to eight months, without massive bias on either side of the issue. The sad thing is that it all adds up to a very nasty picture, which I refuse to have this wiki be a part of. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 17:35, 30 August 2006 (CDT)
I dont need to know about the reasons that leave to Merv´s banning ,hes childish behavior and arrogance are very well known arround the BSG fanbase.These action open the gate to our group of fans that avoided these place because we didnt want any involment to do with the Merovignian.
The FRAKHEADS! and the BSG-55 board will celebrate these desition and ad theyr contributions to the BSG wiki project.

Moctezuma.
BSG-55 FRAKHEADS! {{unsigned|Moctezuma}}--[[User:Moctezuma|Moctezuma]] 19:17, 30 August 2006 (CDT)

Dont worry about these site image on the contraire,the relevance of the content and the profesional structure are really amazing, im very pleased to read about a young profesional entrepenour like you and the TEAM that makes these site posible.--[[User:Moctezuma|Moctezuma]] 19:17, 30 August 2006 (CDT)
: Thank you for your kind words. I personally appreciate them. :-) -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 22:22, 31 August 2006 (CDT)

I don't understand what has prompted this move at this time, and there is nothing in your announcement, Joe, that really explains it. I have been clued out of the community for a few weeks now, and there may well have been some new incident that showed Merv not only to be unworthy of adminship, but unworthy of editing as well. But if there is, you haven't cited it. When I saw the title of this page I expected to see laid out for me a series of recent references to Merv's transgressions both here and off-site. I didn't get it. Why not? Banning people out of the blue for vaguely generalised past behaviour casts, IMO, an even worse impression on the wiki. Is it because he called somebody a moron in that thread? If it is, just say so. Why the hints and characterisations? Is the trigger that MrsRon spoke against him? I wouldn't call what she wrote a scathing indictment, just a mild voice of reason.

Judging from the arguments I have seen from people on this site in such matters, which have been generally very rational and of a high level, I find this announcement disappointing, more for the content of the announcement than the actual decision that was taken. It comes across as an emotional reaction -- something that I thought the wiki was above indulging. If you were going to ban somebody from editing, I would expect this to include a carefully cited set of examples of his behaviour, not a link to a single slur wrapped in several paragraphs of what basically boils down to 'People don't think he's cool and therefore they think the wiki isn't cool.' I suggest that in the future if you ban anyone from doing anything that you dispense entirely with all of the talk about wiki's reputation (which dominates your announcement and is not on point, i.e. it's not the relevant issue), and instead take a much more rational and carefully laid out approach that concentrates on examples (especially recent ones) of Merv's actual behaviour, because without that, there is no 'there' there. And that presents the appearance at least of having arbitrarily and without careful consideration (but merely out of a sense of fed-upness) chosen a side in what is ultimately a personality conflict in fandom, and chosen the side that will result in the least repercussions for the wiki. As in, maybe if you get rid of Merv the whole conflict will just go away? Okay, leave aside the fact that this doesn't seem to be an actual valid reason for banning anybody; more importantly, what happens to the next target chosen for unpopularity by your secret sources? Do we all have to curry favour now with certain off-wiki fan personalities to remain in good standing here? And exactly who are these people, anyway, with their "fingers on the pulse of fandom"? They don't have their fingers on MY pulse. You might as well have said that Merv has been excommunicated because a shadowy figure came to your doorway and slipped you a note after you left an X on your window. It really leaves an awful impression.

I don't really have time to debate this at length, but I think the way this decision was presented reflects very poorly on the wiki, because I find most of the things you have talked about to be not relevant. Think about somebody with no prior experience of this conflict reading what you just wrote, Joe. You have given this hypothetical newbie almost no actual clear and present reason to believe that The Merovingian is still the imperious dictator you say he is, and instead given him/her a major reason that is right in their face to believe exactly that about you and about the wiki.

I'm not asking that you reverse the decision. I don't know enough to say that. As I say, I have not been privy to what's been going on, which is why the paper-thinness of what is on this page is so glaringly obvious. But I hope that in the future any bannings of longtime members that are under consideration will be handled much more carefully and methodically than what I see here. It also would help if there were reference made to violations of an official policy on exactly what is bannable and what is not. Is being unpopular with other fans a bannable offence? You give a very strong impression here that it is.--[[User:Dogger|Dogger]] 03:22, 1 September 2006 (CDT)

: What prompted the banning were the fact that, repeatedly, editors have tried to up and leave regarding his behavior -- behavior which is well documented on the message boards to which he participates as well as the wiki. It is not only pathetic that I have to keep on talking down contributors who have had issues with Merv, but it is also pathetic that people, like Shane (who isn't even an admin, for pete's sake), have to talk people out of doing such an act. Perhaps you didn't know this, as it wasn't common knowledge, but myself and the other administrators, such as Peter, have been endeavoring to help Merv soften his behavior. For a while, it seems he was improving in his behavior, until the complaints -- from people who hardly participate in message boards -- started rolling in ''again''.

: I'm not going to release names because they have come to me in confidence -- though I do hope that they have the courage to come forward, since I believe it would be cathartic for them. But Merv is directly responsible for us almost losing a very good member of this community 24 hours prior to making my decision.

: We have had issues with Merv for quite some time now, including the whole KR thing which, sad to say, almost damaged the wiki more than I've ever let on. This is detailed in his three Requests for Adminship, which I believe you may have read, as well as throughout the wiki. Feel free to do a search in our wiki, or even a Google search. (As I said, it's all out there for review.)

: Merv has also attempted to comport himself as taking ownership of the wiki on various occassions, despite our attempts to curtail such behavior by establishing [[Battlestar Wiki:Official Representation|our Official Representation policy]]. No one here, including myself (who shoulders the burden of financing, tech support, and being the one who tends to mediate issues here), dares take ownership of the wiki because it is a '''team effort'''. '''We are one''' here; everyone works together to build this reference. If there is someone who tries to use Battlestar Wiki as his personal pulpit, such as in the whole KR thing which is documented in [http://en.battlestarwiki.org/wiki/Battlestar_Wiki_talk:Citation_Jihad/Archive02#Koenigrules_.2F_Hollywood_North_Report our archives here], then they will reap the consequences of doing such a thing from not only myself, but from the community.

: Fact of the matter is that I haven't included links due to the fact that his behavior outside the wiki and goals are so glaringly apparent that I believed such a thing was unnecessary; I now know why he was so insistant on [http://en.battlestarwiki.org/wiki?title=User_talk:Joe_Beaudoin_Jr.&oldid=48191#RFA getting adminship here at the wiki as well], which was to solidfy a position to be some sort of prima donna information broker in the fandom. (This motivation doubtless lead to the near-disasterous incident with KR, which Peter should be thanked for mitigating.) I firmly believe that Merv never wanted the responsibility; he wanted the title, which is something that the cynical part of me has always suspected.

: To satisfy your curiousity regarding links and a dossier of his behavior on and off wiki, there are people who are working to create a compilation of all of Merv's replies and actions to date. A link to it, most likely in PDF format, will be uploaded to my website and linked here as an archive for all to see upon completion and review. I personally think such a thing is a waste of time, but I want everything out there because the truth will come out sooner or later, as it always does.

: Also, Merv's assertion that people such as Darth Marley have been mailbombing me with complaints is totally ludicrous and strikes me as an indicator of Merv's paranoia, as well as solidifies what I've found to be a characteristic of his personality: that he will take leaps of logic with pithy information and without thorough research. I have never corresponded with Marley or others (I've talked to Larocque, but that's because I respect him for all his work he's done with the original Battlestar Galactica FAQs and so forth); to continue, I've read what they've said on the boards and had I heeded them ''immediately'', this ban would have happened several months ago. Merv's popularity, or lack thereof, had no bearing on this decision -- it was his actions and his treatment of others both on and off wiki that came to a head. Call it the powder keg just waiting to be lit that Merv's actions (and consequences of his actions) have built up for months, if you will.

: There was no "ban Merv" caucus or calls from said non-existant caucus to ban Merv that lobbied me; Merv acted uncivily and nearly scared off new and even established contributors (that I know about, anyway), as a result, was banned indefinitely, until he wishes to act like a respectful human being and not the overbearing person he's projected himself to be.

: If Merv wants to be a part of a community, he can't act like the progeny of a prima donna and pitbull. Such progency and the goals of a productive community are mutually exclusive and have no place with one another.

: Humility. Integrity. Respect. Honesty. Collaboration. These are things that the wiki stands for and, quite frankly, Merv's actions do not fit in line with the philosophies of this wiki. And, needless to say, Merv is being watched very carefully [http://www.mortalstorm.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1012 now more than ever even from people who have better uses for their valuable time]. Think about that for a moment, or for as long as you need to... why would people waste their valuable time to watch him like a hawk?

: I think there is something very wrong with this picture, and it is something I have no desire to have this wiki be a part of. Hence my executive decision. Now I've said enough and have better things to accomplish... do excuse me. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 09:18, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
::Thanks Joe for making such a concerted effort to explain yourself further. I think it helps make this page intelligible. It still bothers me somewhat that most of your complaints are from behaviour that is not clear & present but now ancient history as in it does make the timing seem somewhat arbitrary. If you were going to ban Merv over the KR incident then it should have been done long ago. To now name that incident as a major reason for his banning doesn't make much sense. The things you are saying about fresh altercations with new wiki members are very relevant but you seem to be not at liberty to discuss them further, which is unfortunate because that should be the meat of your case: it is that stuff that would be the most justifiable support for a move like this at this time, not the KR thing. Sometimes when you take a shotgun approach you damage your case, because it isn't clear to anyone exactly why all the stuff is a good reason now but wasn't a good reason then (is there is a timer that goes off six months after a bad act that results in a banning?). It invites speculation as to what is happening behind the scenes. Too bad you can't much talk about what I consider to be the only valid reasons you have named for taking a fresh look at Merv's membership status; knowing the history I'll take your word for it, but laying out this recent evidence would have been far preferable. I hope you know this and will consider how important that is in making this kind of announcement. The wiki is not in control of Merv's actions; but it is in control of its own actions, and the transparency and above-boardness with which you handle a banning speaks much more directly to the character of this place than anything done by one of its members.--[[User:Dogger|Dogger]] 14:48, 1 September 2006 (CDT)

:::I agree, Dogger - I feel that I must give Joe the benefit of the doubt on this matter, but we are at great risk of setting a bad precedent here. I eagerly anticipate a final report on the off-wiki behavior of Merv's which justified this. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 19:07, 1 September 2006 (CDT)

:Bad precedent, indeed. If I've read your arguments correctly, then generalized bad behavior AWAY from bsgwiki is considerable cause for banning ON bsgwiki. In light of this, I have a list of usernames I'd like to see banned for some serious bad behvaior on skiffy. Where would you like those names sent? What if I wanted to complain about Joe's "executive decision making" on this "community run board?" Who would I submit those anonymous, unrepeatable, and unspecified charges to? Just curious. Would it be possible for you "leaders" to post a really good list of offenses off-board that will get me banned here? I mean, I flipped off the guy who cut me off in traffic today. AND I made a really mean joke about Dualla on Skiffy sometime back and I REALLY upset a lot of people. Can I expect my login here to stop working? -[[User:AerynSun44|AerynSun44]] 22:01, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
::If he wanted to be hated by the community in his own fashintion he can, but as soon as you link bad behaviour with the wiki using the wiki as a tool that's not correct. No ''one'' person speaks for the wiki, except Joe. I don't see any other users setting up camp on the SciFi Forums who speaks for the wikiw and then on top of that, "acts in bad faith" using the wiki as a tool. Name someone else who uses the wiki as a refernece on the SciFi forums in a bad manor. --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 22:14, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
:::So, it was the incident from several months ago that prompted the banning (as opposed to recent, mysterious incidents) because he used battlestarwiki to paint a user in an extremely negative light. Not unlike, um, using the administrative banning function and associated talk pages to publicly humiliate a user with as broad coverage as possible. Oh, wait. Did I say that out loud? -[[User:AerynSun44|AerynSun44]] 22:31, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
::::I did not say that. Joe statied it's a number of reasons. Current and past. --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 22:41, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
:::::Alrighty, I think the blonde girl has finally caught up with the logic train. The banning was the result of an offense committed months ago (that Joe is now also guilty of - using bsgwiki pages to publicly humiliate another member of fandom) and mysterious, unspecified charges levied by persons unknown. Got it. I do appreciate the clarifications. -[[User:AerynSun44|AerynSun44]] 22:48, 1 September 2006 (CDT)

:::Aeryn, I thank you for sharing your point of view with us. It is very welcomed, although I would like to ask that you please calm yourself. This isn't end of the world type stuff we're talking about here.
:::However, you need to know that Merv placed himself in a position where he and the wiki were intertwined; this isn't one of our contributors going out and making mean or sexists jokes on the SciFi Bulletin Boards. (It's up to SciFi's administration on whether or not to deter that kind of behavior, not ours.) Essentially, '''had he not placed himself in a position to act (and insinuate that he was) the wiki's ''unauthorized'' promoter or placed the ''unauthorized'' banner beneath his posts with the URL and icon to this wiki then his off-wiki behavior would have never been brought into question'''. And this is not a one time incident, hence the creation of our [[BW:OR|Official Representation]] policy which, ironically or not, Merv supported. To go with what Peter said in one of Merv's previous RFAs, I am not concerned about what other people think of a contributor -- unless they ''deliberately'' placed themselves in a position to use the wiki as a backing to advance his own agendas. Agendas that he has made clear in the past. I am concerned about the image of the wiki, as well as ensuring that no ones contributions have been in vain because of the acts of a person or group out to advance an agenda. (This agenda will be made crystal clear once the dossier on Merv's overall behaviors on and off wiki have been completed and published.)
:::I will also state again that everything has a ''cumulative'' effect and Merv's behavior on-wiki has come first circle, much to the point where we nearly lost one very good contributor. For some time now I (and others) have had to deal with Merv's behavior to others and try to mitigate the damage. Were it not for the work of the dedicated individuals in this community to retain those upset members, we would have lost more people than Merv.
:::As you yourself may not be aware, we as admins and contributors have tried to make Merv understand that his treatment of others is destructive and damaging to a community. None of his behaviors to date are a surprise to either myself nor anyone else here who has been for more than six months. The fact that I had to perma-ban Merv disappoints me, because it tells me we have failed to help Merv modify his social skills to a point where he can be respectful of others and their opinions, regardless of whether he views them as "moronic" or vapid from his point of view.
:::At this point, my concern is whether or not the wiki will recover from the damage Merv's inflicted. For a place he claims to love so much, he's endangered all our work here with his actions... and I've sid enough, because I will wait for the dossier to come out and then, as it is said, the truth will attend to itself, because it always does one way or the other. And then you can all do with the dossier what you will; you can believe or not. The choice to believe or not to believe is up to you.
:::Thank you for your interest and your concern. :-) -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 22:51, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
::::Joe, I find your comment to be condenscending and mean-spirited. I engaged your representative in a dialog concerning your unilateral action and your response is a very rude "calm yourself." I demand an apology for your poor judgment in dealing with me since I am, as far as I know, a member in good standing of this community. Your use of harsh words and offensive tone was derogative and completely unwarranted; I am deeply insulted and plan on quitting this board unless you apologize immediately. -[[User:AerynSun44|AerynSun44]] 22:58, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
::::Aeryn, I did not mean to be mean spirited; I'm sorry if you viewed my words as mean spirited, I am merely concerned about ensuring that everyone remains calm. It does no one any good to act irrationally. I recognize that this is a highly emotional situation. For instance, I myself am not fond of making this decision, but all I ask is that people please wait until the evidence comes to light. Then you and everyone will better understand why I banned Merv for the ultimate good of this community. That's all I ask right now during this difficult time. Thank you. Now I'm going to get some sleep. Good night everyone. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 23:15, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
As a minor point of interest, a true apology is one in which the offender says "I am sorry for what I said/did" (taking responsibility for his actions) NOT one in which the offender says "I am sorry you didn't understand what I said/did" (taking no responsibility for his actions and placing blame on the other party). There is a difference. I am inclined to observe that the efforts to reform the student may not have succeeded because the teachers suffered the same failings. This is just a hypothesis, of course.

I AM one to mince words but I will get to the point anyway (finally). You had an opportunity and ability to handle this privately with Mero. But you chose instead to make a broad, public statement via a project page and associated discussion; you CHOSE to publicly humilate someone who has worked tirelessly on behalf of your pet project when you had the opportunity to be silent and let the pieces fall where they may. From where I sit, this says much more about you and your approach to this "community" than it does about Mero. In the same project page you tout your "executive decision making" powers but try to convince us "we are all one." The latter rings false in the shadow of the former.

Whether I agree with your decision or not is really irrelevant and I certainly do not dispute your right to make the call but I have serious doubts about your sincerity in light of your approach. This doesn't feel like the results of careful consideration and thoughtful examination of facts. It feels like opportunistic public flogging designed to inflict the most damage possible and to "recruit" people to your point of view. These aren't the actions of a good, reasonable administrator.

Of course, everyone here will agree that I am no one of any importance - just the hall monitor - and my opinions don't really matter all that much but I would invite you to consider that what has transpired here (the public nature of your decision implementation) may appease a few but many others will remember this course of events in a less positive light. -[[User:AerynSun44|AerynSun44]] 00:45, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

Wow, what an interesting exercise in community this is! And in the transgression of a community’s stated and unstated rules. I think it is great that people care enough to spend the time to debate what is acceptable and what is intolerable and in doing so, they are taking a major step in defining what the Battlestar Wiki community really stands for. (I’m reading a book right now about the trial of Socrates that argues that particular moment in history recast Athenian society forever, and I can’t help but be struck by the parallels.)

Regarding the matter at hand, namely, dear Mr. Merovingian … I have to say I have personally experienced his insensitivity, his high-handedness, and his editorial caprice. These encounters have left me smarting sometimes, and more than once I have thought, Frak this! I don’t need to put up with this s—t! and vowed never to visit Battlestar Wiki again. But I always have, and that probably has more to do with my continuing interest in the show, as well as the kindness, helpfulness and generosity of others I have met here online.

From what I know, and what I have read here, The Merovingian has clearly stepped on a lot of toes and crossed a lot of lines he probably shouldn’t have. But I believe he cares a great deal about Battlestar Galactica, and the world of the fans, and we should try to give him a chance to do the right thing, make amends, and find a new and probably different place for himself in the group … if that is still possible. We owe him that, at the very least. Now, I said, “if that is still possible.” I personally have no problem with him staying, on some amended basis, but that is really a collective decision.

I do know that, regarding his recent mysterious transgressions that have brought him to this precipice, I think we as a community need to know what he is accused of doing, even if it is only “behavior unbecoming” a whatever, not so much for his sake, but for the sake of everybody else. We need to know where the lines are, so we can know when they are being crossed. It may be painful and humiliating for The Merovingian, and difficult and embarrassing for the leaders of Battlestar Wiki, but clearing the air is the only way I believe we can move forward at this point, and openness and plain-dealing should be something we strive for among everyone who wants to participate.

Those are my humble thoughts, anyway. --[[User:Elach|Elach]] 02:31, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

:::One of the cold facts about the Wiki and all internet boards is that they are not truely public squares. People or companies own them and those people or companies have the right to exercise "landlord" privledges, whether we like it or not. There are no hall monitors, no apriori entitlements to due process and no real obligations to act on an exclusivly logical basis. Joe owns this Wiki and he can evict whoever he wants. The tension this creates for a Wiki is that Wiki's are meant to be democratic exercises in the sense that they are community efforts. This can make the banning of a contributor, especially someone as prolific as Mero, seem aganst the spirit of what this place is meant to be. Which brings us to the issue of Mero.

:::Just to put my biases right on the table: I'm a Mortal Storm and Most Board memeber and I've publically resisted any of Mero's attempts to curry favor or positions of authority in this fan base in several venues. I don't know him outside his presentation here or on the boards, I just know what tone he strikes online.

:::I support Joe's decision because I think Mero's ban will have the paradoxical effect of making the Wiki a more democratic effort. At place after place after place, Mero treats people he deems unworthy with sneering contempt, presents himself in self aggrandizing ways and seeks to quietly or overtly assume a role of authority. His treatment of newbies at Skiffy is one example. His repeated reffrences to his own intelligence and accomplishments is another. His repeated attempts to gain admin status at Wiki and his advocating for fan moderators at Skiffy rond out the trifecta. He displays in his online behavior the combination of power lust and disdain for others that would make what is a hobby for most of us a huge pain in the ass. I'm a grown man with a job, a family and accomplishments of my own. I come to these places to kick back and have fun, not cow-tow to someone who thinks they run boards with "an iron fist." My gut reaction to these kinds of behaviors is "WTF dude, I'm not gonna hang out for this."

:::Which is exactly the point.

:::With all due respect to the good folks who run this place and all the nice people in this fan base: what we do here is nerdy entertainment, not anything to be taken seriously. Petty nerdy bickering and pretentiousness is par for the course when you get a group of smart and detail oriented folks hanging around together. If it were just that level of stuff from Mero, it would be the usual online social background noise. Mero takes it a step further, treating people in a way that makes them want to go elsewhere, without comment or rebuke, to just go away. That kind of thing is deadly for a Wiki, which is premised on the idea of folks coming together and sharing their contributions in a collaborative, respectful manner.

:::Mero's investment in the Wiki has led him to make overt and subtle statements to both associate him with the Wiki and overstate his role in it's administaration. I did not compile what follows, and I apologize to the person who did for using their work without citation or permission, but it is a selection of what I mean.

:::http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=1521770&Searchpage=8&Main=1521313&Words=wiki&topic=&Search=true#Post1521770
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/printthread.php?Board=BattlestarGalactica&main=1634504&type=post
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=1643559&Searchpage=7&Main=1643092&Words=wiki&topic=&Search=true#Post1643559
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=1672875&Searchpage=6&Main=1672384&Words=Wiki&topic=&Search=true#Post1672875
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=1693478&Searchpage=6&Main=1692682&Words=Wiki&topic=&Search=true#Post1693478
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/printthread.php?Board=BattlestarGalactica&main=1775993&type=post
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=1775993&Searchpage=5&Main=1638887&Words=Wiki&topic=&Search=true#Post1775993]

:::This kind of behavor sends the message that Mero runs this place. He doesn't. It sends the message that it's his playground and that he exercises editorial power. He doesn't. If I ran a place meant to encourage people to contibute and join the fun, this is he very last thing I would want one of my members doing. Joe has been patient and measured in trying to give Mero feedback and to clarify who speaks for this place, but it's continued all the same. When you tell people to stop acting like they speak in your name and they continue to do so, it's time to pull the microphone. Mero doesn't deserve to be tarred and feathered every time he posts. He needs to stop treating people poorly while expecting to be treated like a noble personage, and then talking about his role at the BSW.

:::Ugly, sad business, but the right move.
:::--[[User:Cranky1c|Cranky1c]] 07:48, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

== [[User:Shane|Shane]]'s Comments ==

While Merv might see this as a sudden "ban", I don't really think it was. Merv has been giving tons of opportunity to mend relationships with the community a dozen of times. A simple, "Thank you" or "I am sorry." or "I made a mistake. Please forgive it." would have gone a long way.

I realize now, after all this time, that [[User:Peter Farago]] deserved a sorry from me because of the two RFC's I filled against him in protest in defending Merv's actions. While I got one a while back when my first RFC was posted by Peter.

Merv, if you want to discuss the polices that you broke, all you need to do is look up all the pages in the Battlestar Wiki namespace. The admins gave you tons of chances and though maybe a mistake on their part for now being more tough on the rules, you should have been able to follow your own suggestions as you did when voting for the [[BW:OR]] policy, the first one in-fact. The [[BW:TANK]] was created so I had an avenue to get my ideas out and you know what.. it worked. the [[BW:OR]] was for you, you didn't know that, but you through it was a good idea after the KR incident.

You say you could not use the high complex templates? I was always willing to help, yet I never got a message saying something. I hope, that you can make peace with yourself, otherwise you will never be able to get along with people in real life. If you were so ambitious why you were blocked, do a search on your username in all the forums that you do. Re-read your posts. Look at where you might have said something that might have offended people. You said once that the Battlestar Wiki article that it was deleted and should not have been because it was just like Memory Alpha. Memory Alpha is a bit larger and it has a little bit more fame since it's been around. But did you ever check the AFD page? Joe, an admin of Wikipedia, voted to delete it. ([[State of the Wiki II]])

As for the wiki, drastic actions as in resorting to outside forums to further your cause also inside the wiki was not a good idea. When you first did it with me and the portals, I found info on two different forums. One was SciFi and the other was the GalacicaBS forums. Why am I being smeared to something that would have a positive effect on the wiki as a whole? Why?

Do you want to know why the person came to me? Because they didn't know if they could bring issues to Joe directly. It could have been the other way around and I could have been out-of-the loop up to the ban and still not what was going on. People came to be because I was fair and have always been fair. (Also since I have direct contact with Joe kinda helps, but that's a side factor). I don't know why you think it was the guys over a MS or Frackheads (?). Can't you think that it ''was'' someone who was part of the Wiki? And before you ask yourself, it was not me. Granted, I spend a ton of time here, and know what goes on, I know how people feel.

Anyway, you can contact me via email if you want. You know how.

P.S. Adminship does not grant one "ambasatorship".

P.S.S. If you can prove to the heart that you can be curtiousto others and show that you can repect over people for what they do and how they do it, you will never know if you will be allowed back here. Take this as a vacation as I did. Come back with a fresh view. It might be benifit to your understanding with Joe and the community. You can only prove it to yourself that you can be true to the guidelines of the site that you love.

--[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 14:56, 1 September 2006 (CDT)

Merv needs to grow up. The guy has shown that he has little social skills and alienates fans who don't need to know about the board politics. It's not about him; it's about the show. If he wants to show some humility he'll continue to contribute without attribution. Starting with the podcast transcriptions.{{unsigned|Hal Levolier}}
:So "we'll ban you but we want you to submit work anyway"? 'Some nerve' doesn't even begin to describe this comment. If Merv doesn't submit those transcripts it proves nothing other than that he understandably doesn't feel motivated to contribute anything to a community that has declared him an outcast. What else would anyone expect? The sense of entitlement here to hours of the man's free labour is kind of breathtaking. If he is banned, then let him move on with his life and find somewhere else to place his efforts. To make this kind of statement that in order to prove his humility he needs to submit not ONLY for free but without credit, is just repugnant. What has happened to this place?--[[User:Dogger|Dogger]] 01:29, 2 September 2006 (CDT)
::Okay never mind. I just checked and Hal Levolier has never edited anything around here, so while that doesn't render his opinion invalid, he wasn't (at least I hope not) expressing any expectation among the regular contributors. Merv's banned, so he's probably done contributing. Nobody should be expecting otherwise.--[[User:Dogger|Dogger]] 01:55, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

Eloch, or Merv, just fork over the podcasts and take your medicine.
:Hal Levolier, it's interesting that you accuse me of artifice, deceit and breaking the rules when you hide behind unsigned comments that cast aspirations on others apparently just because you don't agree with what they are saying. I am who I say I am, and I stand by my comments as my own, and I will submit to any examination that the administrators of this site care to apply to me. Anyone who is governed by reason and compassion will recognize the truth of what I say and the genuineness of my sentiments. Which is more than can be said for you and your postings. Until I hear from you again (and I'm sure I will), I remain steadfast and eternally ... --[[User:Elach|Elach]] 04:29, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

Battlestar Wiki talk:The Merovingian Ban

2006-09-02T12:48:40Z

Cranky1c: /* Comments */

<div class="messagebox"><h3>Please REMEMBER TO BE COURTEOUS and [[Wikipedia:WP:CIVIL|WP:CIVIL]] AS The Merovingian CAN NOT RESPOND. This is a remember to all parties adding comments to this page... myself included. --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 16:00, 1 September 2006 (CDT)</h3></div>
== Comments ==
It must have been a hard decision to take such a drastic action, but I'm sure that this move will only benefit the wiki in the future. --[[User:Ribsy|Ribsy]] 00:14, 30 August 2006 (CDT)
:I'm intrigued to know what's happened in the last few days for such a hard decision to be made. I was on vacation from the wiki all last week and I dont use Skiffy boards or other forums to know what happens off-wiki... --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 04:07, 30 August 2006 (CDT)
:I suspect the off-wiki behavior has just come to a head. But I'd not speculate further. We are what we are outside and inside the wiki. While Merv's face was improving here, it seems he began to claim the wiki as his own, and this isn't a place we can take ownership in. We can all take pride in adding our own contributions to form, together, one great resource for everyone, yes, but we can not take ownership to be point of being catty, rude or representing yourself as a wiki official without authorization. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 12:42, 30 August 2006 (CDT)
::It was not only that, but his general behavior to people off-wiki -- his behavior even prompted RDM's own wife, Terry, who posts on the SciFi.com boards as "Mrs Ron", to [http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=2056843&Searchpage=1&Main=2056837&Words=moron+The_Merovingian&topic=&Search=true#Post2056843 warn Merv about his's own behavior]. (In light of how she herself is painted as "a champion of [Merv's] bad behavior", I do not envy her current position as well, which apparently [http://www.mortalstorm.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1012 mirrors our own] in some ways.) What I do know through conversing with others who aren't contributors to the Wiki, but have their pulse on the fandom, is that he has damaged the wiki through his actions as he is associated with us. (He's made this association clear through a banner on the SciFi.com boards, a banner that I will ask be removed from his signature immediately.) I ''know'' that he's caused damage to the wiki; it's not like any of this is not out there on the boards and the like -- it is. I've tried to establsh damage control, hence the [[BW:OR|Official Representation]] policy, which, I will freely admit, is a direct response to Merv's previous actions. He has (almost) cost us a very good contributor in the process just within the ''last 48 hours'' and, in talking with others, I have determined that an RFC would have caused much, much more issues than the primary issue we were attempting to fix. I'll make it pretty clear that this decision was not a spur of the moment; I've thought about it intermittently for some time now, until I could put the pieces together all of the events that have transpired for the last six to eight months, without massive bias on either side of the issue. The sad thing is that it all adds up to a very nasty picture, which I refuse to have this wiki be a part of. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 17:35, 30 August 2006 (CDT)
I dont need to know about the reasons that leave to Merv´s banning ,hes childish behavior and arrogance are very well known arround the BSG fanbase.These action open the gate to our group of fans that avoided these place because we didnt want any involment to do with the Merovignian.
The FRAKHEADS! and the BSG-55 board will celebrate these desition and ad theyr contributions to the BSG wiki project.

Moctezuma.
BSG-55 FRAKHEADS! {{unsigned|Moctezuma}}--[[User:Moctezuma|Moctezuma]] 19:17, 30 August 2006 (CDT)

Dont worry about these site image on the contraire,the relevance of the content and the profesional structure are really amazing, im very pleased to read about a young profesional entrepenour like you and the TEAM that makes these site posible.--[[User:Moctezuma|Moctezuma]] 19:17, 30 August 2006 (CDT)
: Thank you for your kind words. I personally appreciate them. :-) -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 22:22, 31 August 2006 (CDT)

I don't understand what has prompted this move at this time, and there is nothing in your announcement, Joe, that really explains it. I have been clued out of the community for a few weeks now, and there may well have been some new incident that showed Merv not only to be unworthy of adminship, but unworthy of editing as well. But if there is, you haven't cited it. When I saw the title of this page I expected to see laid out for me a series of recent references to Merv's transgressions both here and off-site. I didn't get it. Why not? Banning people out of the blue for vaguely generalised past behaviour casts, IMO, an even worse impression on the wiki. Is it because he called somebody a moron in that thread? If it is, just say so. Why the hints and characterisations? Is the trigger that MrsRon spoke against him? I wouldn't call what she wrote a scathing indictment, just a mild voice of reason.

Judging from the arguments I have seen from people on this site in such matters, which have been generally very rational and of a high level, I find this announcement disappointing, more for the content of the announcement than the actual decision that was taken. It comes across as an emotional reaction -- something that I thought the wiki was above indulging. If you were going to ban somebody from editing, I would expect this to include a carefully cited set of examples of his behaviour, not a link to a single slur wrapped in several paragraphs of what basically boils down to 'People don't think he's cool and therefore they think the wiki isn't cool.' I suggest that in the future if you ban anyone from doing anything that you dispense entirely with all of the talk about wiki's reputation (which dominates your announcement and is not on point, i.e. it's not the relevant issue), and instead take a much more rational and carefully laid out approach that concentrates on examples (especially recent ones) of Merv's actual behaviour, because without that, there is no 'there' there. And that presents the appearance at least of having arbitrarily and without careful consideration (but merely out of a sense of fed-upness) chosen a side in what is ultimately a personality conflict in fandom, and chosen the side that will result in the least repercussions for the wiki. As in, maybe if you get rid of Merv the whole conflict will just go away? Okay, leave aside the fact that this doesn't seem to be an actual valid reason for banning anybody; more importantly, what happens to the next target chosen for unpopularity by your secret sources? Do we all have to curry favour now with certain off-wiki fan personalities to remain in good standing here? And exactly who are these people, anyway, with their "fingers on the pulse of fandom"? They don't have their fingers on MY pulse. You might as well have said that Merv has been excommunicated because a shadowy figure came to your doorway and slipped you a note after you left an X on your window. It really leaves an awful impression.

I don't really have time to debate this at length, but I think the way this decision was presented reflects very poorly on the wiki, because I find most of the things you have talked about to be not relevant. Think about somebody with no prior experience of this conflict reading what you just wrote, Joe. You have given this hypothetical newbie almost no actual clear and present reason to believe that The Merovingian is still the imperious dictator you say he is, and instead given him/her a major reason that is right in their face to believe exactly that about you and about the wiki.

I'm not asking that you reverse the decision. I don't know enough to say that. As I say, I have not been privy to what's been going on, which is why the paper-thinness of what is on this page is so glaringly obvious. But I hope that in the future any bannings of longtime members that are under consideration will be handled much more carefully and methodically than what I see here. It also would help if there were reference made to violations of an official policy on exactly what is bannable and what is not. Is being unpopular with other fans a bannable offence? You give a very strong impression here that it is.--[[User:Dogger|Dogger]] 03:22, 1 September 2006 (CDT)

: What prompted the banning were the fact that, repeatedly, editors have tried to up and leave regarding his behavior -- behavior which is well documented on the message boards to which he participates as well as the wiki. It is not only pathetic that I have to keep on talking down contributors who have had issues with Merv, but it is also pathetic that people, like Shane (who isn't even an admin, for pete's sake), have to talk people out of doing such an act. Perhaps you didn't know this, as it wasn't common knowledge, but myself and the other administrators, such as Peter, have been endeavoring to help Merv soften his behavior. For a while, it seems he was improving in his behavior, until the complaints -- from people who hardly participate in message boards -- started rolling in ''again''.

: I'm not going to release names because they have come to me in confidence -- though I do hope that they have the courage to come forward, since I believe it would be cathartic for them. But Merv is directly responsible for us almost losing a very good member of this community 24 hours prior to making my decision.

: We have had issues with Merv for quite some time now, including the whole KR thing which, sad to say, almost damaged the wiki more than I've ever let on. This is detailed in his three Requests for Adminship, which I believe you may have read, as well as throughout the wiki. Feel free to do a search in our wiki, or even a Google search. (As I said, it's all out there for review.)

: Merv has also attempted to comport himself as taking ownership of the wiki on various occassions, despite our attempts to curtail such behavior by establishing [[Battlestar Wiki:Official Representation|our Official Representation policy]]. No one here, including myself (who shoulders the burden of financing, tech support, and being the one who tends to mediate issues here), dares take ownership of the wiki because it is a '''team effort'''. '''We are one''' here; everyone works together to build this reference. If there is someone who tries to use Battlestar Wiki as his personal pulpit, such as in the whole KR thing which is documented in [http://en.battlestarwiki.org/wiki/Battlestar_Wiki_talk:Citation_Jihad/Archive02#Koenigrules_.2F_Hollywood_North_Report our archives here], then they will reap the consequences of doing such a thing from not only myself, but from the community.

: Fact of the matter is that I haven't included links due to the fact that his behavior outside the wiki and goals are so glaringly apparent that I believed such a thing was unnecessary; I now know why he was so insistant on [http://en.battlestarwiki.org/wiki?title=User_talk:Joe_Beaudoin_Jr.&oldid=48191#RFA getting adminship here at the wiki as well], which was to solidfy a position to be some sort of prima donna information broker in the fandom. (This motivation doubtless lead to the near-disasterous incident with KR, which Peter should be thanked for mitigating.) I firmly believe that Merv never wanted the responsibility; he wanted the title, which is something that the cynical part of me has always suspected.

: To satisfy your curiousity regarding links and a dossier of his behavior on and off wiki, there are people who are working to create a compilation of all of Merv's replies and actions to date. A link to it, most likely in PDF format, will be uploaded to my website and linked here as an archive for all to see upon completion and review. I personally think such a thing is a waste of time, but I want everything out there because the truth will come out sooner or later, as it always does.

: Also, Merv's assertion that people such as Darth Marley have been mailbombing me with complaints is totally ludicrous and strikes me as an indicator of Merv's paranoia, as well as solidifies what I've found to be a characteristic of his personality: that he will take leaps of logic with pithy information and without thorough research. I have never corresponded with Marley or others (I've talked to Larocque, but that's because I respect him for all his work he's done with the original Battlestar Galactica FAQs and so forth); to continue, I've read what they've said on the boards and had I heeded them ''immediately'', this ban would have happened several months ago. Merv's popularity, or lack thereof, had no bearing on this decision -- it was his actions and his treatment of others both on and off wiki that came to a head. Call it the powder keg just waiting to be lit that Merv's actions (and consequences of his actions) have built up for months, if you will.

: There was no "ban Merv" caucus or calls from said non-existant caucus to ban Merv that lobbied me; Merv acted uncivily and nearly scared off new and even established contributors (that I know about, anyway), as a result, was banned indefinitely, until he wishes to act like a respectful human being and not the overbearing person he's projected himself to be.

: If Merv wants to be a part of a community, he can't act like the progeny of a prima donna and pitbull. Such progency and the goals of a productive community are mutually exclusive and have no place with one another.

: Humility. Integrity. Respect. Honesty. Collaboration. These are things that the wiki stands for and, quite frankly, Merv's actions do not fit in line with the philosophies of this wiki. And, needless to say, Merv is being watched very carefully [http://www.mortalstorm.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1012 now more than ever even from people who have better uses for their valuable time]. Think about that for a moment, or for as long as you need to... why would people waste their valuable time to watch him like a hawk?

: I think there is something very wrong with this picture, and it is something I have no desire to have this wiki be a part of. Hence my executive decision. Now I've said enough and have better things to accomplish... do excuse me. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 09:18, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
::Thanks Joe for making such a concerted effort to explain yourself further. I think it helps make this page intelligible. It still bothers me somewhat that most of your complaints are from behaviour that is not clear & present but now ancient history as in it does make the timing seem somewhat arbitrary. If you were going to ban Merv over the KR incident then it should have been done long ago. To now name that incident as a major reason for his banning doesn't make much sense. The things you are saying about fresh altercations with new wiki members are very relevant but you seem to be not at liberty to discuss them further, which is unfortunate because that should be the meat of your case: it is that stuff that would be the most justifiable support for a move like this at this time, not the KR thing. Sometimes when you take a shotgun approach you damage your case, because it isn't clear to anyone exactly why all the stuff is a good reason now but wasn't a good reason then (is there is a timer that goes off six months after a bad act that results in a banning?). It invites speculation as to what is happening behind the scenes. Too bad you can't much talk about what I consider to be the only valid reasons you have named for taking a fresh look at Merv's membership status; knowing the history I'll take your word for it, but laying out this recent evidence would have been far preferable. I hope you know this and will consider how important that is in making this kind of announcement. The wiki is not in control of Merv's actions; but it is in control of its own actions, and the transparency and above-boardness with which you handle a banning speaks much more directly to the character of this place than anything done by one of its members.--[[User:Dogger|Dogger]] 14:48, 1 September 2006 (CDT)

:::I agree, Dogger - I feel that I must give Joe the benefit of the doubt on this matter, but we are at great risk of setting a bad precedent here. I eagerly anticipate a final report on the off-wiki behavior of Merv's which justified this. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 19:07, 1 September 2006 (CDT)

:Bad precedent, indeed. If I've read your arguments correctly, then generalized bad behavior AWAY from bsgwiki is considerable cause for banning ON bsgwiki. In light of this, I have a list of usernames I'd like to see banned for some serious bad behvaior on skiffy. Where would you like those names sent? What if I wanted to complain about Joe's "executive decision making" on this "community run board?" Who would I submit those anonymous, unrepeatable, and unspecified charges to? Just curious. Would it be possible for you "leaders" to post a really good list of offenses off-board that will get me banned here? I mean, I flipped off the guy who cut me off in traffic today. AND I made a really mean joke about Dualla on Skiffy sometime back and I REALLY upset a lot of people. Can I expect my login here to stop working? -[[User:AerynSun44|AerynSun44]] 22:01, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
::If he wanted to be hated by the community in his own fashintion he can, but as soon as you link bad behaviour with the wiki using the wiki as a tool that's not correct. No ''one'' person speaks for the wiki, except Joe. I don't see any other users setting up camp on the SciFi Forums who speaks for the wikiw and then on top of that, "acts in bad faith" using the wiki as a tool. Name someone else who uses the wiki as a refernece on the SciFi forums in a bad manor. --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 22:14, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
:::So, it was the incident from several months ago that prompted the banning (as opposed to recent, mysterious incidents) because he used battlestarwiki to paint a user in an extremely negative light. Not unlike, um, using the administrative banning function and associated talk pages to publicly humiliate a user with as broad coverage as possible. Oh, wait. Did I say that out loud? -[[User:AerynSun44|AerynSun44]] 22:31, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
::::I did not say that. Joe statied it's a number of reasons. Current and past. --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 22:41, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
:::::Alrighty, I think the blonde girl has finally caught up with the logic train. The banning was the result of an offense committed months ago (that Joe is now also guilty of - using bsgwiki pages to publicly humiliate another member of fandom) and mysterious, unspecified charges levied by persons unknown. Got it. I do appreciate the clarifications. -[[User:AerynSun44|AerynSun44]] 22:48, 1 September 2006 (CDT)

:::Aeryn, I thank you for sharing your point of view with us. It is very welcomed, although I would like to ask that you please calm yourself. This isn't end of the world type stuff we're talking about here.
:::However, you need to know that Merv placed himself in a position where he and the wiki were intertwined; this isn't one of our contributors going out and making mean or sexists jokes on the SciFi Bulletin Boards. (It's up to SciFi's administration on whether or not to deter that kind of behavior, not ours.) Essentially, '''had he not placed himself in a position to act (and insinuate that he was) the wiki's ''unauthorized'' promoter or placed the ''unauthorized'' banner beneath his posts with the URL and icon to this wiki then his off-wiki behavior would have never been brought into question'''. And this is not a one time incident, hence the creation of our [[BW:OR|Official Representation]] policy which, ironically or not, Merv supported. To go with what Peter said in one of Merv's previous RFAs, I am not concerned about what other people think of a contributor -- unless they ''deliberately'' placed themselves in a position to use the wiki as a backing to advance his own agendas. Agendas that he has made clear in the past. I am concerned about the image of the wiki, as well as ensuring that no ones contributions have been in vain because of the acts of a person or group out to advance an agenda. (This agenda will be made crystal clear once the dossier on Merv's overall behaviors on and off wiki have been completed and published.)
:::I will also state again that everything has a ''cumulative'' effect and Merv's behavior on-wiki has come first circle, much to the point where we nearly lost one very good contributor. For some time now I (and others) have had to deal with Merv's behavior to others and try to mitigate the damage. Were it not for the work of the dedicated individuals in this community to retain those upset members, we would have lost more people than Merv.
:::As you yourself may not be aware, we as admins and contributors have tried to make Merv understand that his treatment of others is destructive and damaging to a community. None of his behaviors to date are a surprise to either myself nor anyone else here who has been for more than six months. The fact that I had to perma-ban Merv disappoints me, because it tells me we have failed to help Merv modify his social skills to a point where he can be respectful of others and their opinions, regardless of whether he views them as "moronic" or vapid from his point of view.
:::At this point, my concern is whether or not the wiki will recover from the damage Merv's inflicted. For a place he claims to love so much, he's endangered all our work here with his actions... and I've sid enough, because I will wait for the dossier to come out and then, as it is said, the truth will attend to itself, because it always does one way or the other. And then you can all do with the dossier what you will; you can believe or not. The choice to believe or not to believe is up to you.
:::Thank you for your interest and your concern. :-) -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 22:51, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
::::Joe, I find your comment to be condenscending and mean-spirited. I engaged your representative in a dialog concerning your unilateral action and your response is a very rude "calm yourself." I demand an apology for your poor judgment in dealing with me since I am, as far as I know, a member in good standing of this community. Your use of harsh words and offensive tone was derogative and completely unwarranted; I am deeply insulted and plan on quitting this board unless you apologize immediately. -[[User:AerynSun44|AerynSun44]] 22:58, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
::::Aeryn, I did not mean to be mean spirited; I'm sorry if you viewed my words as mean spirited, I am merely concerned about ensuring that everyone remains calm. It does no one any good to act irrationally. I recognize that this is a highly emotional situation. For instance, I myself am not fond of making this decision, but all I ask is that people please wait until the evidence comes to light. Then you and everyone will better understand why I banned Merv for the ultimate good of this community. That's all I ask right now during this difficult time. Thank you. Now I'm going to get some sleep. Good night everyone. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 23:15, 1 September 2006 (CDT)
As a minor point of interest, a true apology is one in which the offender says "I am sorry for what I said/did" (taking responsibility for his actions) NOT one in which the offender says "I am sorry you didn't understand what I said/did" (taking no responsibility for his actions and placing blame on the other party). There is a difference. I am inclined to observe that the efforts to reform the student may not have succeeded because the teachers suffered the same failings. This is just a hypothesis, of course.

I AM one to mince words but I will get to the point anyway (finally). You had an opportunity and ability to handle this privately with Mero. But you chose instead to make a broad, public statement via a project page and associated discussion; you CHOSE to publicly humilate someone who has worked tirelessly on behalf of your pet project when you had the opportunity to be silent and let the pieces fall where they may. From where I sit, this says much more about you and your approach to this "community" than it does about Mero. In the same project page you tout your "executive decision making" powers but try to convince us "we are all one." The latter rings false in the shadow of the former.

Whether I agree with your decision or not is really irrelevant and I certainly do not dispute your right to make the call but I have serious doubts about your sincerity in light of your approach. This doesn't feel like the results of careful consideration and thoughtful examination of facts. It feels like opportunistic public flogging designed to inflict the most damage possible and to "recruit" people to your point of view. These aren't the actions of a good, reasonable administrator.

Of course, everyone here will agree that I am no one of any importance - just the hall monitor - and my opinions don't really matter all that much but I would invite you to consider that what has transpired here (the public nature of your decision implementation) may appease a few but many others will remember this course of events in a less positive light. -[[User:AerynSun44|AerynSun44]] 00:45, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

Wow, what an interesting exercise in community this is! And in the transgression of a community’s stated and unstated rules. I think it is great that people care enough to spend the time to debate what is acceptable and what is intolerable and in doing so, they are taking a major step in defining what the Battlestar Wiki community really stands for. (I’m reading a book right now about the trial of Socrates that argues that particular moment in history recast Athenian society forever, and I can’t help but be struck by the parallels.)

Regarding the matter at hand, namely, dear Mr. Merovingian … I have to say I have personally experienced his insensitivity, his high-handedness, and his editorial caprice. These encounters have left me smarting sometimes, and more than once I have thought, Frak this! I don’t need to put up with this s—t! and vowed never to visit Battlestar Wiki again. But I always have, and that probably has more to do with my continuing interest in the show, as well as the kindness, helpfulness and generosity of others I have met here online.

From what I know, and what I have read here, The Merovingian has clearly stepped on a lot of toes and crossed a lot of lines he probably shouldn’t have. But I believe he cares a great deal about Battlestar Galactica, and the world of the fans, and we should try to give him a chance to do the right thing, make amends, and find a new and probably different place for himself in the group … if that is still possible. We owe him that, at the very least. Now, I said, “if that is still possible.” I personally have no problem with him staying, on some amended basis, but that is really a collective decision.

I do know that, regarding his recent mysterious transgressions that have brought him to this precipice, I think we as a community need to know what he is accused of doing, even if it is only “behavior unbecoming” a whatever, not so much for his sake, but for the sake of everybody else. We need to know where the lines are, so we can know when they are being crossed. It may be painful and humiliating for The Merovingian, and difficult and embarrassing for the leaders of Battlestar Wiki, but clearing the air is the only way I believe we can move forward at this point, and openness and plain-dealing should be something we strive for among everyone who wants to participate.

Those are my humble thoughts, anyway. --[[User:Elach|Elach]] 02:31, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

:::One of the cold facts about the Wiki and all internet boards is that they are not truely public squares. People or companies own them and those people or companies have the right to exercise "landlord" privledges, whether we like it or not. There are no hall monitors, no apriori entitlements to due process and no real obligations to act on an exclusivly logical basis. Joe owns this Wiki and he can evict whoever he wants. The tension this creates for a Wiki is that Wiki's are meant to be democratic exercises in the sense that they are community efforts. This can make the banning of a contributor, especially someone as prolific as Mero, seem aganst the spirit of what this place is meant to be. Which brings us to the issue of Mero.

:::Just to put my biases right on the table: I'm a Mortal Storm and Most Board memeber and I've publically resisted any of Mero's attempts to curry favor or positions of authority in this fan base in several venues. I don't know him outside his presentation here or on the boards, I just know what tone he strikes online.

:::I support Joe's decision because I think Mero's ban will have the paradoxical effect of making the Wiki a more democratic effort. At place after place after place, Mero treats people he deems unworthy with sneering contempt, presents himself in self aggrandizing ways and seeks to quietly or overtly assume a role of authority. His treatment of newbies at Skiffy is one example. His repeated reffrences to his own intelligence and accomplishments is another. His repeated attempts to gain admin status at Wiki and his advocating for fan moderators at Skiffy rond out the trifecta. He displays in his online behavior the combination of power lust and disdain for others that would make what is a hobby for most of us a huge pain in the ass. I'm a grown man with a job, a family and accomplishments of my own. I come to these places to kick back and have fun, not cow-tow to someone who thinks they run boards with "an iron fist." My gut reaction to these kinds of behaviors is "WTF dude, I'm not gonna hang out for this."

:::Which is exactly the point.

:::With all due respect to the good folks who run this place and all the nice people in this fan base: what we do here is nerdy entertainment, not anything to be taken seriously. Petty nerdy bickering and pretentiousness is par for the course when you get a group of smart and detail oriented folks hanging around together. If it were just that level of stuff from Mero, it would be the usual online social background noise. Mero takes it a step further, treating people in a way that makes them want to go elsewhere, without comment or rebuke, to just go away. That kind of thing is deadly for a Wiki, which is premised on the idea of folks coming together and sharing their contributions in a collaborative, respectful manner.

:::Mero's investment in the Wiki has led him to make overt and subtle statements to both associate him with the Wiki and overstate his role in it's administaration. I did not compile what follows, and I apologize to the person who did for using their work without citation or permission, but it is a selction of what I mean.

:::http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=1521770&Searchpage=8&Main=1521313&Words=wiki&topic=&Search=true#Post1521770
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/printthread.php?Board=BattlestarGalactica&main=1634504&type=post
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=1643559&Searchpage=7&Main=1643092&Words=wiki&topic=&Search=true#Post1643559
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=1672875&Searchpage=6&Main=1672384&Words=Wiki&topic=&Search=true#Post1672875
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=1693478&Searchpage=6&Main=1692682&Words=Wiki&topic=&Search=true#Post1693478
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/printthread.php?Board=BattlestarGalactica&main=1775993&type=post
:::http://mboard.scifi.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=BattlestarGalactica&Number=1775993&Searchpage=5&Main=1638887&Words=Wiki&topic=&Search=true#Post1775993]

:::This kind of behavor sends the message that Mero runs this place. He doesn't. It sends the message that it's his playground and that he exercises editorial power. He doesn't. If I ran a place meant to encourage people to contibute and join the fun, this is he very last thing I would want one of my members doing. Joe has been patient and measured in trying to give Mero feedback and to clarify who speaks for this place, but it's continued all the same. When you tell people to stop acting like they speak in your name and they continue to do so, it's time t pull the microphone. Mero doesn't deserve to be tarred and feathered every time he posts. He needs to stop treating people poorly while expecting to be treated like a noble personage, and then talking about his role at the BSW.

:::Ugly, sad business, but the right move.
:::--[[User:Cranky1c|Cranky1c]] 07:48, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

== [[User:Shane|Shane]]'s Comments ==

While Merv might see this as a sudden "ban", I don't really think it was. Merv has been giving tons of opportunity to mend relationships with the community a dozen of times. A simple, "Thank you" or "I am sorry." or "I made a mistake. Please forgive it." would have gone a long way.

I realize now, after all this time, that [[User:Peter Farago]] deserved a sorry from me because of the two RFC's I filled against him in protest in defending Merv's actions. While I got one a while back when my first RFC was posted by Peter.

Merv, if you want to discuss the polices that you broke, all you need to do is look up all the pages in the Battlestar Wiki namespace. The admins gave you tons of chances and though maybe a mistake on their part for now being more tough on the rules, you should have been able to follow your own suggestions as you did when voting for the [[BW:OR]] policy, the first one in-fact. The [[BW:TANK]] was created so I had an avenue to get my ideas out and you know what.. it worked. the [[BW:OR]] was for you, you didn't know that, but you through it was a good idea after the KR incident.

You say you could not use the high complex templates? I was always willing to help, yet I never got a message saying something. I hope, that you can make peace with yourself, otherwise you will never be able to get along with people in real life. If you were so ambitious why you were blocked, do a search on your username in all the forums that you do. Re-read your posts. Look at where you might have said something that might have offended people. You said once that the Battlestar Wiki article that it was deleted and should not have been because it was just like Memory Alpha. Memory Alpha is a bit larger and it has a little bit more fame since it's been around. But did you ever check the AFD page? Joe, an admin of Wikipedia, voted to delete it. ([[State of the Wiki II]])

As for the wiki, drastic actions as in resorting to outside forums to further your cause also inside the wiki was not a good idea. When you first did it with me and the portals, I found info on two different forums. One was SciFi and the other was the GalacicaBS forums. Why am I being smeared to something that would have a positive effect on the wiki as a whole? Why?

Do you want to know why the person came to me? Because they didn't know if they could bring issues to Joe directly. It could have been the other way around and I could have been out-of-the loop up to the ban and still not what was going on. People came to be because I was fair and have always been fair. (Also since I have direct contact with Joe kinda helps, but that's a side factor). I don't know why you think it was the guys over a MS or Frackheads (?). Can't you think that it ''was'' someone who was part of the Wiki? And before you ask yourself, it was not me. Granted, I spend a ton of time here, and know what goes on, I know how people feel.

Anyway, you can contact me via email if you want. You know how.

P.S. Adminship does not grant one "ambasatorship".

P.S.S. If you can prove to the heart that you can be curtiousto others and show that you can repect over people for what they do and how they do it, you will never know if you will be allowed back here. Take this as a vacation as I did. Come back with a fresh view. It might be benifit to your understanding with Joe and the community. You can only prove it to yourself that you can be true to the guidelines of the site that you love.

--[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 14:56, 1 September 2006 (CDT)

Merv needs to grow up. The guy has shown that he has little social skills and alienates fans who don't need to know about the board politics. It's not about him; it's about the show. If he wants to show some humility he'll continue to contribute without attribution. Starting with the podcast transcriptions.{{unsigned|Hal Levolier}}
:So "we'll ban you but we want you to submit work anyway"? 'Some nerve' doesn't even begin to describe this comment. If Merv doesn't submit those transcripts it proves nothing other than that he understandably doesn't feel motivated to contribute anything to a community that has declared him an outcast. What else would anyone expect? The sense of entitlement here to hours of the man's free labour is kind of breathtaking. If he is banned, then let him move on with his life and find somewhere else to place his efforts. To make this kind of statement that in order to prove his humility he needs to submit not ONLY for free but without credit, is just repugnant. What has happened to this place?--[[User:Dogger|Dogger]] 01:29, 2 September 2006 (CDT)
::Okay never mind. I just checked and Hal Levolier has never edited anything around here, so while that doesn't render his opinion invalid, he wasn't (at least I hope not) expressing any expectation among the regular contributors. Merv's banned, so he's probably done contributing. Nobody should be expecting otherwise.--[[User:Dogger|Dogger]] 01:55, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

Eloch, or Merv, just fork over the podcasts and take your medicine.
:Hal Levolier, it's interesting that you accuse me of artifice, deceit and breaking the rules when you hide behind unsigned comments that cast aspirations on others apparently just because you don't agree with what they are saying. I am who I say I am, and I stand by my comments as my own, and I will submit to any examination that the administrators of this site care to apply to me. Anyone who is governed by reason and compassion will recognize the truth of what I say and the genuineness of my sentiments. Which is more than can be said for you and your postings. Until I hear from you again (and I'm sure I will), I remain steadfast and eternally ... --[[User:Elach|Elach]] 04:29, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

Battlestar Wiki:Galactipedians Quorum

2006-08-05T13:35:20Z

Cranky1c: /* Question/idea */

{{Project|Wikipedian Quorum|shortcut=BW:WQ}}

[[Battlestar Wiki:Welcome, newcomers|Welcome, newcomers]] and baffled oldtimers! If you have a question about [[Battlestar Wiki]] and how it works, please place it '''at the bottom of the list''', and someone will attempt to answer it for you. (If you have a question about life, the universe and everything, go to the [[Battlestar Wiki:reference desk|reference desk]] instead.)

Before asking a question, check if it's answered by the [[Battlestar Wiki:FAQ]] or other pages linked from [[Battlestar Wiki:Help]].

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| start = December 3, 2005
| end = April 12, 2006
| items = {{archive-item|01|Need help with a new article namespace}} {{archive-item|01|Colonel Tigh / Colonel Tye historical connection in TOS?}} {{archive-item|01|Cast Data infobox?}} {{archive-item|01|The Kitt Joke}} {{archive-item|01|When Earth is found...}} {{archive-item|01|A proposal}} {{archive-item|01|Server time is wrong}} {{archive-item|01|Wikipedia user box}} {{archive-item|01|Battlestar Galactica Model Kits}} {{archive-item|01|error on Battlestar Wiki:Help}} {{archive-item|01|Talk pages for actors?}} {{archive-item|01|Fatal error}} {{archive-item|01|The spam filter}} {{archive-item|01|Peabody award}} {{archive-item|01|BSG in the Comics}} {{archive-item|01|Season 2.0 and 2.5 DVD}} {{archive-item|01|Spoiler policy}}
|}}
{{archive-header
| archivenumber = 02
| number = 2
| start = April 15, 2006
| end = June 12, 2006
| items = {{archive-item|02|Screencaps}} {{archive-item|02|Can't find a picture}} {{archive-item|02|Sitenotice on Koenigrules vote}} {{archive-item|02|Battlestarwiki Deutsch}} {{archive-item|02|Main Page Redesign}} {{archive-item|02|Proposed Policies}} {{archive-item|02|Community Portal}} {{archive-item|02|An apology regarding spokesmanship}} {{archive-item|02|User Feedback}} {{archive-item|02|"Battlestar Wiki Friends" section}} {{archive-item|02|What is a policy?}} {{archive-item|02|Binomial nomenclature for ships}} {{archive-item|02|Requested Articles}} {{archive-item|02|"Relationships" Article}}
|}}

== Quorum Definintion ==

This should be for questions only and not ideas. If everything was "moderated" there would be no [[BW:BOLD]] or "Good Faith". This underminds the purpose of implemiting new ideas. --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 14:01, 10 June 2006 (CDT)

:I think the idea is... "being bold" would be coming up with cool new data box/category/what have you that could go on every character page. You'd still "be bold" to go ahead an implement it for one character, to show how it would look. It would be "reckless" to go ahead an implement the new widget on every character page on the wiki without feedback. What happens if you post something here, or on the new widget's talk page, or elsewhere soliciting feedback and you don't get any? (I know that happens sometimes, and it can be frustrating.) Maybe try to actively engage some of the "regulars" on their talk page, inviting them to weigh in on a topic. Is it slower? Most definitely. However, in the process of building consensus you're bringing others "on board", investing them in the project. You'll likely have helping hands for implementing whatever gets sorted out (and it may even be exactly what you proposed). I think the main distinction falls between "implementing" the new ideas (creating the widgets, proposing formatting standards/changes, etc) and doing all the grunt work to make them happen. Energetic and active posters are vital to the health of the wiki. We just need to make sure that we use good judgement and establish consensus as to where we direct all that energy and activity. Together our potential is limited only by our imagination (and sometimes by whatever version of Mediawiki we're running). --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 08:13, 12 June 2006 (CDT)

::What SV said. Besides, by alerting others to your idea, you might get some pointers to do it better or improve your idea...and even save a bit of work as the tasks are delegated. Very few articles (or components thereof) in our wiki are sole projects by one contributor. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 12:19, 12 June 2006 (CDT)

== DVD titles. ==

At the moment the DVD information pages are a little messed up and the content is confusing because they differ from America to Europe but sre still on the same pages in some cases.
Here is a list of all the DVD pages
*[[Miniseries DVD]] Covers both the American and European versions on the same page
*[[Season 1 DVD]] Covers both the American and European versions on the same page
*[[Season 2.0 DVD]] Just the Region 1 American version
*[[Season 2 DVD]] Just the Region 1,4 Version for Europe and Australia
*[[Season 2.5 DVD]] Just the Region 1 American version
I think that a new naming convention should be in place. ''Season X DVD (Region #)'' eg ''[[Season 1 DVD (Region 1)]]'' for the American version of the first series DVD's. I think this would save a lot more confusion in the long term as some pages have information on two different sets of DVDs on one page whearas the 2.0, 2.5 and 2 have more specific information which I belive is better.

I therefor propose a new naming convention with linking pages to direct people with one page summarising all the DVD's together.

===Support===
*{{support}}: As explained above --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] 04:25, 26 June 2006 (CDT)

===Oppose===
*{{oppose}}: No, I think our current DVD's should retain their current names, and a new separate page be made that says "Season 2 DVD (UK version) or something"--->My point being that it's not a widespread enough thing that it justifies giving the other DVD's confusing titles. I mean we've got "Scar" and then "Scar (Raider)" to set the two apart, because that's only 2 things, while there's nothing named just "Resistance" now but "Resistance (episode)", etc. because it's a big change. Long story short, I think we could make a UK DVD page but it's not worth moving around and changing the names on the current ones. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 07:39, 26 June 2006 (CDT)
:The UK version is the same as the Aussie version which is why I suggested putting the regions in brackets instead of (UK) or (US version). The season 1 dvd page is a mess right now --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] 07:48, 26 June 2006 (CDT)

===Neutral===

== Archiving the Wikipedian Quorum ==

I think this page could do with a little bit of archiving. Theres a lot of old stuff here thats not relevant anymore and It could do with being a bit smaller to enable more up to date conversations to take place. --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] 04:31, 26 June 2006 (CDT)

== Featured Article and Featured Picture ==
We should probably figure out what we want to do as far as identifying a [[BW:FA|featured article]] and [[BW:FP|featured picture]] for July(ish). The picture appears to have a clear favorite, but we could use some more candidates/debate/revision regarding an article. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 15:51, 6 July 2006 (CDT)

== Scifi.com ==

For the record, btw, as many of you may know from the messageboards, I think the Scifi.com is poorly run and (unlike Ron Moore) doesn't really try to "connect with the fans", as they ''claim'' (the messageboards are a laughingstock of poor moderating, the Battlestar website hasn't been updated in a full year, they only post up Ron's blog and podcasts but that's more Ron's doing than theirs...plus Mrs.Ron tells us that Ron has supplied ''several'' new podcasts to them that they simply haven't put up). Anyway, Scifi Weekly on their front page has a "review a website" thing and I mailed in a "Hey, why not review BattlestarWiki?" request. To be honest, I think they would view us as competition with their abortive, and, also pathetically laughable wiki attempt, Scifipedia (I can't even log in). --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 13:03, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

:As much as I fear and despise redundancy as a computer scientist, I really don't have a problem with the Scifipedia. One has only to type in a few basic search words (major characters, episode names, etc.) to see that it really isn't trying to compete with a specialized wiki like this one. They have one big summary article about BSG, and that's about it. I don't view it so much as a rivalry as an entity with an entirely different mission. They're trying to cover a much broader spectrum by covering "Scifi"... especially since that now apparently includes the world of professional wrestling. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 13:08, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

::Oh no I don't view them as a rival: I'd like it if they were up and running as a succesful wiki. The reason for my contempt is that the clowns at Scifi.com don't run it well and it's loaded with technical problems. Basically I couldn't log in (they have many log in problems) and their "response" was "well, if you want we could delete your current account"...um, I'm not giving up an over 4,000 post screename for that, and it wasn't much of a "solution". Only the latest in a long string of frustrations--[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 13:12, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

:::My fear is that the "clowns" are just barely plural. What if the only people running the site are Admin and the much maligned Admin1. Maybe Scifi just underestimates how much manpower it takes to maintain an online presence in this day and age. I'd prefer to imagine their problems as being caused by massing staffing/funding shortages. I guess I just don't want to believe that a properly funded and staffed web team could run a site so poorly. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 13:16, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

::::Some people have said there's a marked difference between "Admin" and "Admin1", and alothough I realize that they are 2 separate people, I've not noticed a difference; there is?--[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 13:37, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

:::::I've not had interactions with either, so I can't testify one way or the other. However the ip of "Admin" seems based out of NYC, while "Admin1" appears to hail from Seattle (I realize proxies can fool this, but most people don't bother). Also, the "note from the admin" (excerpted below) says you can pm either of them. They've just never seemed... responsive or communicative, which has really damaged the situation. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 13:49, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

:::::"The Battlestar BBoard will be monitored by site administrators throughout the day. If you see a post that you feel violates the rules above, send a private message to "admin" or "admin1" and it will be reviewed. Our decisions regarding what constitutes a violation will be subjective, and will err on the side of free and open discussion, but we will not tolerate openly hostile or abusive behavior.

:::::As always, if you have any suggestions for how we can improve our message boards, we'd love to hear them. E-mail us directly at bboard@www.scifi.com."

:::::: Is that really what it says? "bboard@www.scifi.com"? That's... I mean--That doesn't look like a valid email address to ''me''. Now, granted, I'm not a piece of email-related software, so I could be wrong, but I've never see "www" in an email addy before. Weird. --[[User:Day|Day]] ([[User talk:Day|Talk]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Administrators' noticeboard|Admin]]) 14:12, 13 July 2006 (CDT)
:::::::I just copy and pasted. But yeah, that struck me as odd as well. Maybe "Admin" (who is the one that made that post) isn't that web-savvy.--[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 14:36, 13 July 2006 (CDT)
:::::::That email address is the default email address for any "webserver" running aphace webserver. It's sad. That email address gets not only reports from errors produced, but any error that occurs on the system. ''Maybe'' we should take advantage of the [http://www.battlestarwiki.org/wiki/Talk:Main_Page#If_there_was... situation]? --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 14:44, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

::::::::I'm not about to be run off of Skiffy just because of incompetant Administrators. The answer to trolls attacking you is ''never'' to simply ignore them: tell that to Czechoslovakia circa 1939. Not reacting to trolls, not punishing them, simply emboldens them. The answer is to fight back: get Moderators to step in, and if a website doesn't have Moderators, demand that Moderators get appointed until they are. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 14:49, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

:::::::::I seen that request on SciFi and it doesn't seem to be working, yet you all stay anyway. At least with a forum that we, as regular wiki users, could easily manage 1000 to 2000 users on a forum that we ran our selfs with rules that are more enforceable because it's user run. You arn't going to get it on SciFi.com unless they are willing to hire (paid employees) because it's a company website. I have yet to see any comapny allow any "user" run moderator on their "company" forums. Ok.. off for a a haircut. I'll be back. --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 15:00, 13 July 2006 (CDT)
::::::::::If I wanted to use a "safe" BSG forum I could simply go to Ragnar Anchorage or HangarDeck5. What I want is Scifi.com: that's where Ron and Mrs.Ron are. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 15:02, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

:::::Merv, would you like to see an "active" use of the forums on how they can be setup? I would tell you think link, but I need assurance that the link not be given out to the public. I would send the link to you via email. Staying where Ron and Mrs. Ron are fine if you stay in contact with them to ask them questions. I am just offering another alternative to Ragnar Anchorage or HangarDeck5 or even SciFi.com "general" discussion. I would like our forum idea not to be dismissed based on the fact that it would be a startup. Being a webmaster and former server administrator I seen sites jump in activity just because of forums. Wouldn't that be nice? --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 16:57, 13 July 2006 (CDT)
::::::If we are to entertain an idea of setting up a forum, it should be different from Battlestar Wiki, period. I wouldn't mind helping set something up with Shane, but the forum and the Wiki must be two distinct, individual entities, seeing as they have mutually exclusive objectives. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 16:15, 14 July 2006 (CDT)

Maybe we should move the above discussion to the Quorum, since it's more general in nature (and really hasn't involved Spence at all)?--[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 15:07, 13 July 2006 (CDT)
:Done.--[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 15:14, 13 July 2006 (CDT)
::Shouldnt the discussion about a forum go on the [[BW:TANK|Think Tank]]? --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 03:30, 14 July 2006 (CDT)
:::I'm just discussing the general inadequacies of Skiffy here. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 09:22, 14 July 2006 (CDT)
::::Oh right. I dont use skiffy anymore. Not since they cancelled Invisible Man and havnt even been bothered to release it on DVD. Any questiones asked about it are deleted/ignored. --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 09:34, 14 July 2006 (CDT)
:::::To my knowledge, they released the first season of the Invisible Man on DVD in Region 2 almost two years ago, IIRC. (It, too, pisses me off that they can release crap shows on DVD, yet not release something of qualify such as IMan. Then again, there was a battle just to get ''MacGyver'' released on DVD, so perhaps I shouldn't be too surprised...) However, I fully agree with your sentiment, Mercifull. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 16:15, 14 July 2006 (CDT)
::::::I actually have the first season on DVD. Its rare to find, even in the UK. Id love to get the second series but it doesnt look like sci fi are in a hurry to please its "customers". I could go onto ebay and get a dodgy dvd from someone but it would never been the same quality as the real thing. Plus it would go againsy my stance of only having [http://www.intervocative.com/dvdcollection.aspx/Mercifull real copies of films] --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 03:02, 18 July 2006 (CDT)
:::::::Were is the {{tl|rolleyes}} template when needed... :) --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 03:25, 18 July 2006 (CDT)
::::::::http://www.darkwebz.com/forums/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 03:38, 18 July 2006 (CDT)
:::::::::geek++ :) --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 04:24, 18 July 2006 (CDT)

== Seaon Three Teaser Images and other artwork? ==

I don't see any images for the Season Three article. I have a whole stack of screen caps made from a relatively high-resolution version of the teaser (I think it was the largest version that got uploaded to the net). Would these be useful and/or wanted?

On a related note, could someone take a look at my user talk page and check my art links. Is there anything there in the sample artwork I've got uploaded on my website right now that would be useful for the wiki? I've actually got quite a bit more, but most of it was for building reproduction props (engraving on Adama's lighter, the Galactica press passes, the two booze bottle labels I have links to). The only other thing from my drawings that I think might be useful for the wiki might be the [http://www.retro.com/employees/lee/Blasphemy/SP/CubitCollection.html Cubit Collection]. Keep in mind that the only designs we have positive screen caps of are Caprican and Scorpian marked cubits (both silver and gold). It appears at is point that the obverse design is either the [http://www.retro.com/employees/lee/Art/BSG/PhoenixSealLo.gif Pheonix seal] or a variant of the [http://www.retro.com/employees/lee/Art/BSG/CouncilSealLo.gif Council seal].

I also have a scan of the photo that's hanging in the Pilots' Ready Room, the attack on Aerelon: 
[http://www.retro.com/employees/lee/Art/BSG/Aerelon.jpg]

[[User:Scotchfairy|Scotchfairy]] 07:47, 31 July 2006 (CDT)

== Question/idea ==

I'm toying an idea for some articles for the wiki.

Now, by "toying", I mean I'm incredibly busy and have other things to do but it's a topic of interest to me, which I may or may not ever get around to actually doing even if people wanted me to. I just want to be clear about that.

The premise of the show is genocide and the effects of it on the featured characters. I happen to have some expertise in the field of trauma (Ph.D. holding, licensed mental health professional with peer reviewed publications and about 15 years professional experience working with traumtized adolescents and adults.) I've been thinking about whether some historical articles on genocide, some pieces on the known psychological effects of genocide and the effects of major disasters would round out some of the more fictional aspects of the show. Given how Kara has been portrayed as the adult survivor of child abuse, maybe a piece on the effects of that would be in order.

This stuff would just be a way of rounding out the fictional elements with some factual pieces related to the series.

I'm not thinking dense academic tracts, but reader friendly overviews with appropriate academic citations.

Of course, I'm not even going to waste my time if there's no interest, which is why I'm throwing it out there.
--[[User:Cranky1c|Cranky1c]] 06:27, 5 August 2006 (CDT)

:Hmmm...well if you want to do something about talking about how the show accurately portrays Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, etc., I would suggest putting it in [[Science in the Re-imagined Series]]; that might be a good spot. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 08:20, 5 August 2006 (CDT)

::I would want to be neutral regarding "accurate portrayal" in the show. The shows fiction, so it's not going to be totally accurate, which is fine. I'm thinking of the casual reader who wants to know more about whats known about reactions to catastrophies and such. It would be more along the lines of the physics of star trek, where the story becomes a point of departure for giving information about real life stuff.
--[[User:Cranky1c|Cranky1c]] 08:35, 5 August 2006 (CDT)

Battlestar Wiki:Galactipedians Quorum

2006-08-05T13:34:47Z

Cranky1c: /* Question/idea */

Battlestar Wiki:Galactipedians Quorum

2006-08-05T12:22:46Z

Cranky1c: /* Question/idea */

Battlestar Wiki:Galactipedians Quorum

2006-08-05T11:27:47Z

Cranky1c: Question/idea

{{Project|Wikipedian Quorum|shortcut=BW:WQ}}

[[Battlestar Wiki:Welcome, newcomers|Welcome, newcomers]] and baffled oldtimers! If you have a question about [[Battlestar Wiki]] and how it works, please place it '''at the bottom of the list''', and someone will attempt to answer it for you. (If you have a question about life, the universe and everything, go to the [[Battlestar Wiki:reference desk|reference desk]] instead.)

Before asking a question, check if it's answered by the [[Battlestar Wiki:FAQ]] or other pages linked from [[Battlestar Wiki:Help]].

Before answering a newcomer's question abruptly, consider rereading [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Please do not bite the newcomers|Please do not bite the newcomers]].

Questions and answers will not remain on this page indefinitely (otherwise it would very soon become too long to be editable). After a period of time with no further activity, information will be moved to other relevant sections of Battlestar Wiki (such as the FAQ pages) or placed in one of the Wikipedian Quorum archives if it is of general interest, or deleted. Please consider dating and titling your discussions so as to facilitate this.

<div style="margin: 0 2em; border: 1px dashed #461919; padding: 3px; text-align: center">
'''[{{SERVER}}{{localurl:Battlestar Wiki:Wikipedian_Quorum|action=edit&section=new}} Ask a new question or begin a new discussion by clicking here]'''
</div>

[[Category: A to Z]] [[Category: Wikipedia|{{PAGENAME}}]]

{{archive-header
| archivenumber = 01
| number = 1
| start = December 3, 2005
| end = April 12, 2006
| items = {{archive-item|01|Need help with a new article namespace}} {{archive-item|01|Colonel Tigh / Colonel Tye historical connection in TOS?}} {{archive-item|01|Cast Data infobox?}} {{archive-item|01|The Kitt Joke}} {{archive-item|01|When Earth is found...}} {{archive-item|01|A proposal}} {{archive-item|01|Server time is wrong}} {{archive-item|01|Wikipedia user box}} {{archive-item|01|Battlestar Galactica Model Kits}} {{archive-item|01|error on Battlestar Wiki:Help}} {{archive-item|01|Talk pages for actors?}} {{archive-item|01|Fatal error}} {{archive-item|01|The spam filter}} {{archive-item|01|Peabody award}} {{archive-item|01|BSG in the Comics}} {{archive-item|01|Season 2.0 and 2.5 DVD}} {{archive-item|01|Spoiler policy}}
|}}
{{archive-header
| archivenumber = 02
| number = 2
| start = April 15, 2006
| end = June 12, 2006
| items = {{archive-item|02|Screencaps}} {{archive-item|02|Can't find a picture}} {{archive-item|02|Sitenotice on Koenigrules vote}} {{archive-item|02|Battlestarwiki Deutsch}} {{archive-item|02|Main Page Redesign}} {{archive-item|02|Proposed Policies}} {{archive-item|02|Community Portal}} {{archive-item|02|An apology regarding spokesmanship}} {{archive-item|02|User Feedback}} {{archive-item|02|"Battlestar Wiki Friends" section}} {{archive-item|02|What is a policy?}} {{archive-item|02|Binomial nomenclature for ships}} {{archive-item|02|Requested Articles}} {{archive-item|02|"Relationships" Article}}
|}}

== Quorum Definintion ==

This should be for questions only and not ideas. If everything was "moderated" there would be no [[BW:BOLD]] or "Good Faith". This underminds the purpose of implemiting new ideas. --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 14:01, 10 June 2006 (CDT)

:I think the idea is... "being bold" would be coming up with cool new data box/category/what have you that could go on every character page. You'd still "be bold" to go ahead an implement it for one character, to show how it would look. It would be "reckless" to go ahead an implement the new widget on every character page on the wiki without feedback. What happens if you post something here, or on the new widget's talk page, or elsewhere soliciting feedback and you don't get any? (I know that happens sometimes, and it can be frustrating.) Maybe try to actively engage some of the "regulars" on their talk page, inviting them to weigh in on a topic. Is it slower? Most definitely. However, in the process of building consensus you're bringing others "on board", investing them in the project. You'll likely have helping hands for implementing whatever gets sorted out (and it may even be exactly what you proposed). I think the main distinction falls between "implementing" the new ideas (creating the widgets, proposing formatting standards/changes, etc) and doing all the grunt work to make them happen. Energetic and active posters are vital to the health of the wiki. We just need to make sure that we use good judgement and establish consensus as to where we direct all that energy and activity. Together our potential is limited only by our imagination (and sometimes by whatever version of Mediawiki we're running). --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 08:13, 12 June 2006 (CDT)

::What SV said. Besides, by alerting others to your idea, you might get some pointers to do it better or improve your idea...and even save a bit of work as the tasks are delegated. Very few articles (or components thereof) in our wiki are sole projects by one contributor. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 12:19, 12 June 2006 (CDT)

== DVD titles. ==

At the moment the DVD information pages are a little messed up and the content is confusing because they differ from America to Europe but sre still on the same pages in some cases.
Here is a list of all the DVD pages
*[[Miniseries DVD]] Covers both the American and European versions on the same page
*[[Season 1 DVD]] Covers both the American and European versions on the same page
*[[Season 2.0 DVD]] Just the Region 1 American version
*[[Season 2 DVD]] Just the Region 1,4 Version for Europe and Australia
*[[Season 2.5 DVD]] Just the Region 1 American version
I think that a new naming convention should be in place. ''Season X DVD (Region #)'' eg ''[[Season 1 DVD (Region 1)]]'' for the American version of the first series DVD's. I think this would save a lot more confusion in the long term as some pages have information on two different sets of DVDs on one page whearas the 2.0, 2.5 and 2 have more specific information which I belive is better.

I therefor propose a new naming convention with linking pages to direct people with one page summarising all the DVD's together.

===Support===
*{{support}}: As explained above --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] 04:25, 26 June 2006 (CDT)

===Oppose===
*{{oppose}}: No, I think our current DVD's should retain their current names, and a new separate page be made that says "Season 2 DVD (UK version) or something"--->My point being that it's not a widespread enough thing that it justifies giving the other DVD's confusing titles. I mean we've got "Scar" and then "Scar (Raider)" to set the two apart, because that's only 2 things, while there's nothing named just "Resistance" now but "Resistance (episode)", etc. because it's a big change. Long story short, I think we could make a UK DVD page but it's not worth moving around and changing the names on the current ones. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 07:39, 26 June 2006 (CDT)
:The UK version is the same as the Aussie version which is why I suggested putting the regions in brackets instead of (UK) or (US version). The season 1 dvd page is a mess right now --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] 07:48, 26 June 2006 (CDT)

===Neutral===

== Archiving the Wikipedian Quorum ==

I think this page could do with a little bit of archiving. Theres a lot of old stuff here thats not relevant anymore and It could do with being a bit smaller to enable more up to date conversations to take place. --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] 04:31, 26 June 2006 (CDT)

== Featured Article and Featured Picture ==
We should probably figure out what we want to do as far as identifying a [[BW:FA|featured article]] and [[BW:FP|featured picture]] for July(ish). The picture appears to have a clear favorite, but we could use some more candidates/debate/revision regarding an article. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 15:51, 6 July 2006 (CDT)

== Scifi.com ==

For the record, btw, as many of you may know from the messageboards, I think the Scifi.com is poorly run and (unlike Ron Moore) doesn't really try to "connect with the fans", as they ''claim'' (the messageboards are a laughingstock of poor moderating, the Battlestar website hasn't been updated in a full year, they only post up Ron's blog and podcasts but that's more Ron's doing than theirs...plus Mrs.Ron tells us that Ron has supplied ''several'' new podcasts to them that they simply haven't put up). Anyway, Scifi Weekly on their front page has a "review a website" thing and I mailed in a "Hey, why not review BattlestarWiki?" request. To be honest, I think they would view us as competition with their abortive, and, also pathetically laughable wiki attempt, Scifipedia (I can't even log in). --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 13:03, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

:As much as I fear and despise redundancy as a computer scientist, I really don't have a problem with the Scifipedia. One has only to type in a few basic search words (major characters, episode names, etc.) to see that it really isn't trying to compete with a specialized wiki like this one. They have one big summary article about BSG, and that's about it. I don't view it so much as a rivalry as an entity with an entirely different mission. They're trying to cover a much broader spectrum by covering "Scifi"... especially since that now apparently includes the world of professional wrestling. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 13:08, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

::Oh no I don't view them as a rival: I'd like it if they were up and running as a succesful wiki. The reason for my contempt is that the clowns at Scifi.com don't run it well and it's loaded with technical problems. Basically I couldn't log in (they have many log in problems) and their "response" was "well, if you want we could delete your current account"...um, I'm not giving up an over 4,000 post screename for that, and it wasn't much of a "solution". Only the latest in a long string of frustrations--[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 13:12, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

:::My fear is that the "clowns" are just barely plural. What if the only people running the site are Admin and the much maligned Admin1. Maybe Scifi just underestimates how much manpower it takes to maintain an online presence in this day and age. I'd prefer to imagine their problems as being caused by massing staffing/funding shortages. I guess I just don't want to believe that a properly funded and staffed web team could run a site so poorly. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 13:16, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

::::Some people have said there's a marked difference between "Admin" and "Admin1", and alothough I realize that they are 2 separate people, I've not noticed a difference; there is?--[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 13:37, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

:::::I've not had interactions with either, so I can't testify one way or the other. However the ip of "Admin" seems based out of NYC, while "Admin1" appears to hail from Seattle (I realize proxies can fool this, but most people don't bother). Also, the "note from the admin" (excerpted below) says you can pm either of them. They've just never seemed... responsive or communicative, which has really damaged the situation. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 13:49, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

:::::"The Battlestar BBoard will be monitored by site administrators throughout the day. If you see a post that you feel violates the rules above, send a private message to "admin" or "admin1" and it will be reviewed. Our decisions regarding what constitutes a violation will be subjective, and will err on the side of free and open discussion, but we will not tolerate openly hostile or abusive behavior.

:::::As always, if you have any suggestions for how we can improve our message boards, we'd love to hear them. E-mail us directly at bboard@www.scifi.com."

:::::: Is that really what it says? "bboard@www.scifi.com"? That's... I mean--That doesn't look like a valid email address to ''me''. Now, granted, I'm not a piece of email-related software, so I could be wrong, but I've never see "www" in an email addy before. Weird. --[[User:Day|Day]] ([[User talk:Day|Talk]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Administrators' noticeboard|Admin]]) 14:12, 13 July 2006 (CDT)
:::::::I just copy and pasted. But yeah, that struck me as odd as well. Maybe "Admin" (who is the one that made that post) isn't that web-savvy.--[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 14:36, 13 July 2006 (CDT)
:::::::That email address is the default email address for any "webserver" running aphace webserver. It's sad. That email address gets not only reports from errors produced, but any error that occurs on the system. ''Maybe'' we should take advantage of the [http://www.battlestarwiki.org/wiki/Talk:Main_Page#If_there_was... situation]? --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 14:44, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

::::::::I'm not about to be run off of Skiffy just because of incompetant Administrators. The answer to trolls attacking you is ''never'' to simply ignore them: tell that to Czechoslovakia circa 1939. Not reacting to trolls, not punishing them, simply emboldens them. The answer is to fight back: get Moderators to step in, and if a website doesn't have Moderators, demand that Moderators get appointed until they are. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 14:49, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

:::::::::I seen that request on SciFi and it doesn't seem to be working, yet you all stay anyway. At least with a forum that we, as regular wiki users, could easily manage 1000 to 2000 users on a forum that we ran our selfs with rules that are more enforceable because it's user run. You arn't going to get it on SciFi.com unless they are willing to hire (paid employees) because it's a company website. I have yet to see any comapny allow any "user" run moderator on their "company" forums. Ok.. off for a a haircut. I'll be back. --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 15:00, 13 July 2006 (CDT)
::::::::::If I wanted to use a "safe" BSG forum I could simply go to Ragnar Anchorage or HangarDeck5. What I want is Scifi.com: that's where Ron and Mrs.Ron are. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 15:02, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

:::::Merv, would you like to see an "active" use of the forums on how they can be setup? I would tell you think link, but I need assurance that the link not be given out to the public. I would send the link to you via email. Staying where Ron and Mrs. Ron are fine if you stay in contact with them to ask them questions. I am just offering another alternative to Ragnar Anchorage or HangarDeck5 or even SciFi.com "general" discussion. I would like our forum idea not to be dismissed based on the fact that it would be a startup. Being a webmaster and former server administrator I seen sites jump in activity just because of forums. Wouldn't that be nice? --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 16:57, 13 July 2006 (CDT)
::::::If we are to entertain an idea of setting up a forum, it should be different from Battlestar Wiki, period. I wouldn't mind helping set something up with Shane, but the forum and the Wiki must be two distinct, individual entities, seeing as they have mutually exclusive objectives. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 16:15, 14 July 2006 (CDT)

Maybe we should move the above discussion to the Quorum, since it's more general in nature (and really hasn't involved Spence at all)?--[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 15:07, 13 July 2006 (CDT)
:Done.--[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 15:14, 13 July 2006 (CDT)
::Shouldnt the discussion about a forum go on the [[BW:TANK|Think Tank]]? --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 03:30, 14 July 2006 (CDT)
:::I'm just discussing the general inadequacies of Skiffy here. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 09:22, 14 July 2006 (CDT)
::::Oh right. I dont use skiffy anymore. Not since they cancelled Invisible Man and havnt even been bothered to release it on DVD. Any questiones asked about it are deleted/ignored. --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 09:34, 14 July 2006 (CDT)
:::::To my knowledge, they released the first season of the Invisible Man on DVD in Region 2 almost two years ago, IIRC. (It, too, pisses me off that they can release crap shows on DVD, yet not release something of qualify such as IMan. Then again, there was a battle just to get ''MacGyver'' released on DVD, so perhaps I shouldn't be too surprised...) However, I fully agree with your sentiment, Mercifull. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 16:15, 14 July 2006 (CDT)
::::::I actually have the first season on DVD. Its rare to find, even in the UK. Id love to get the second series but it doesnt look like sci fi are in a hurry to please its "customers". I could go onto ebay and get a dodgy dvd from someone but it would never been the same quality as the real thing. Plus it would go againsy my stance of only having [http://www.intervocative.com/dvdcollection.aspx/Mercifull real copies of films] --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 03:02, 18 July 2006 (CDT)
:::::::Were is the {{tl|rolleyes}} template when needed... :) --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 03:25, 18 July 2006 (CDT)
::::::::http://www.darkwebz.com/forums/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 03:38, 18 July 2006 (CDT)
:::::::::geek++ :) --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 04:24, 18 July 2006 (CDT)

== Seaon Three Teaser Images and other artwork? ==

I don't see any images for the Season Three article. I have a whole stack of screen caps made from a relatively high-resolution version of the teaser (I think it was the largest version that got uploaded to the net). Would these be useful and/or wanted?

On a related note, could someone take a look at my user talk page and check my art links. Is there anything there in the sample artwork I've got uploaded on my website right now that would be useful for the wiki? I've actually got quite a bit more, but most of it was for building reproduction props (engraving on Adama's lighter, the Galactica press passes, the two booze bottle labels I have links to). The only other thing from my drawings that I think might be useful for the wiki might be the [http://www.retro.com/employees/lee/Blasphemy/SP/CubitCollection.html Cubit Collection]. Keep in mind that the only designs we have positive screen caps of are Caprican and Scorpian marked cubits (both silver and gold). It appears at is point that the obverse design is either the [http://www.retro.com/employees/lee/Art/BSG/PhoenixSealLo.gif Pheonix seal] or a variant of the [http://www.retro.com/employees/lee/Art/BSG/CouncilSealLo.gif Council seal].

I also have a scan of the photo that's hanging in the Pilots' Ready Room, the attack on Aerelon: 
[http://www.retro.com/employees/lee/Art/BSG/Aerelon.jpg]

[[User:Scotchfairy|Scotchfairy]] 07:47, 31 July 2006 (CDT)

== Question/idea ==

I'm toying an idea for some articles for the wiki.

Now, by "toying", I mean I'm incredibly busy and have other things to do but it's a topic of interest to me, which I may or may not ever get around to actually doing even if people wanted me to. I just want to be clear about that.

The premise of the show is genocide and the effects of it on the featured characters. I happen to have some expertise in the field of trauma (Ph.D. holding, licensed mental health professional with peer reviewed publications and about 15 years professional experience working with traumtized adolescents and adults.) I've been thinking about whether some historical articles on genocide, some pieces on the known psychological effects of genocide and the effects of major disasters would round out some of the more fictional aspects of the show. Given how Kara has been portrayed as the adult survivor of child abuse, maybe a piece on the effects of that would be in order.

This stuff would just be a way of rounding out the fictional elements with some factual pieces related to the series.

Of course, I'm not even going to waste my time if there's no interest, which is why I'm throwing it out there.
--[[User:Cranky1c|Cranky1c]] 06:27, 5 August 2006 (CDT)

Talk:Herb Jefferson Jr./Archive 1

2006-08-04T03:16:52Z

Cranky1c:

Thanks for the edit, Shane, still figuring out format!--[[User:Cranky1c|Cranky1c]] 22:16, 3 August 2006 (CDT)

Herb Jefferson Jr.

2006-08-04T02:57:53Z

Cranky1c: /* External Links */

'''Herbert Jefferson, Jr.''' played [[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]] as a Lieutenant on the original Battlestar Galactica series and as a Colonel on Galactica 1980.

'''Early life and education:'''

Herb Jefferson Jr. was born on September 28, 1946 in Sandersville, Georgia and was raised in Jersey City, New Jersey. While he did theater production and sang in a choir with his father when he was growing up, Jefferson states he never wanted to be an actor until he worked for ABC television in New York (as the late Peter Jennings’ mail assistant.) While working for ABC he came into contact with the production of various live television shows. This inspired him to take acting classes at the Herbert Berghof Studios at night while he continued to work at ABC during the day. Eventually Jefferson landed roles in off Broadway productions. He enrolled in the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts and graduated with honors in 1969. He latter studied with renowned acting teacher Lee Strasberg (whose students included Marilyn Monroe, Robert DeNiro, Steve McQueen and Jack Nicholson) at The Actors Studio.

'''As Boomer'''

Jefferson played lieutenant Boomer on the original Battlestar Galactica during the shows 1978 season, being chosen from a field of fifty performers who auditioned. (The role of Boomer had originally been given to Terry Carter, latter cast as Colonel Tigh, who broke his ankle before shooting, which led to the role being re-cast.) Boomer was in many ways the third musketeer along with stars Richard Hatch and Dirk Benedict, making up the core group of colonial warriors showcased during the series. In the latter series, Galactica, 1980, Boomer is shown as holding the rank of Colonel, filling the role of Colonel Tigh.

'''After Galactica'''

After the cancellation of Battlestar Galactica, Jefferson made guest appearances on popular television series such as “The Dukes of Hazard,” “TJ Hooker,” “Knight Rider” and “ER.” His more recent movie credits include the Ron Howard film “Apollo 13” and Wolfgang Peterson’s “Outbreak.”

In a 1998 Starlog interview, Jefferson expressed a willingness to participate in a revival of the original BSG if he were approached. The aborted revival of Battlestar Galactica, set to be produced by Bryan Singer and Tom Desanto for the Fox network, reportedly planned to feature Jefferson as Boomer in the pilot and as a recurring character.

Jefferson lives in southern California, has a daughter and appears at comic and game conventions. He has been involved with the California special Olympics for over 25 years, the Marine Corp toys for tots program and the California paralyzed veterans association.

== External Links ==
{{imdb name|id=nm0420170|name=Herbert Jefferson, Jr}}

{{Mstub}}

[[Category: A to Z|Jefferson, Herb, Jr.]]
[[Category: Cast (TOS)|Jefferson, Herb Jr.]]
[[Category: Cast (1980)|Jefferson, Herb Jr.]]

Sources:

http://www.spookyempire.com/scifi/herb_jefferson.html

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0420170/

http://www.battlestargalactica.com/outside_docs/bg_outdoc0036.htm

http://www.battlestargalactica.com/newfilms.htm

Herb Jefferson Jr.

2006-08-04T02:20:06Z

Cranky1c: /* External Links */

'''Herbert Jefferson, Jr.''' played [[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]] as a Lieutenant on the original Battlestar Galactica series and as a Colonel on Galactica 1980.

== External Links ==
{{imdb name|id=nm0420170|name=Herbert Jefferson, Jr}}

{{Mstub}}

[[Category: A to Z|Jefferson, Herb, Jr.]]
[[Category: Cast (TOS)|Jefferson, Herb Jr.]]
[[Category: Cast (1980)|Jefferson, Herb Jr.]]

'''Early life and education:'''

Herb Jefferson Jr. was born on September 28, 1946 in Sandersville, Georgia and was raised in Jersey City, New Jersey. While he did theater production and sang in a choir with his father when he was growing up, Jefferson states he never wanted to be an actor until he worked for ABC television in New York (as the late Peter Jennings’ mail assistant.) While working for ABC he came into contact with the production of various live television shows. This inspired him to take acting classes at the Herbert Berghof Studios at night while he continued to work at ABC during the day. Eventually Jefferson landed roles in off Broadway productions. He enrolled in the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts and graduated with honors in 1969. He latter studied with renowned acting teacher Lee Strasberg (whose students included Marilyn Monroe, Robert DeNiro, Steve McQueen and Jack Nicholson) at The Actors Studio.

'''As Boomer'''

Jefferson played lieutenant Boomer on the original Battlestar Galactica during the shows 1978 season, being chosen from a field of fifty performers who auditioned. (The role of Boomer had originally been given to Terry Carter, latter cast as Colonel Tigh, who broke his ankle before shooting, which led to the role being re-cast.) Boomer was in many ways the third musketeer along with stars Richard Hatch and Dirk Benedict, making up the core group of colonial warriors showcased during the series. In the latter series, Galactica, 1980, Boomer is shown as holding the rank of Colonel, filling the role of Colonel Tigh.

'''After Galactica'''

After the cancellation of Battlestar Galactica, Jefferson made guest appearances on popular television series such as “The Dukes of Hazard,” “TJ Hooker,” “Knight Rider” and “ER.” His more recent movie credits include the Ron Howard film “Apollo 13” and Wolfgang Peterson’s “Outbreak.”

In a 1998 Starlog interview, Jefferson expressed a willingness to participate in a revival of the original BSG if he were approached. The aborted revival of Battlestar Galactica, set to be produced by Bryan Singer and Tom Desanto for the Fox network, reportedly planned to feature Jefferson as Boomer in the pilot and as a recurring character.

Jefferson lives in southern California, has a daughter and appears at comic and game conventions. He has been involved with the California special Olympics for over 25 years, the Marine Corp toys for tots program and the California paralyzed veterans association.

Sources:

http://www.spookyempire.com/scifi/herb_jefferson.html

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0420170/

http://www.battlestargalactica.com/outside_docs/bg_outdoc0036.htm

http://www.battlestargalactica.com/newfilms.htm

User talk:Cranky1c

2006-07-31T19:15:32Z

Cranky1c: /* Welcome to Battlestar Wiki! */

== Welcome to Battlestar Wiki! ==

Battlestar Wiki:Requests for adminship/The Merovingian (3)

2006-07-31T16:50:09Z

Cranky1c:

===[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]]===
[[Battlestar Wiki:Requests for adminship|Back to RFA]].

'''[{{SERVER}}{{localurl:Battlestar Wiki:Requests for adminship/The Merovingian (3)|action=edit}} Vote here] '''
'''(6/3/0) ending 17:51, 6 August 2006 (CDT)'''

{{User|The Merovingian}} – The Merovingian's history with us has not been entirely smooth. During his first months with us, his unmatched energy and enthusiasm for the project were sadly tempered with an impatience and quickness to anger which did not recommend him for adminship.

In the last few months, his demeanor has improved drastically, and he has acquired a remarkable maturity and level-headedness. This track record was unfortunately marred by an incident three months ago, involving a series of attacks against fan reporter Jim Iaccino, a.k.a. "KoenigRules". The results of this were such that I was forced to oppose his last nomination for adminship - despite his recently improved behavior, I felt he needed to demonstrate that he was capable of adhering to higher standards on a permanent basis.

It is my opinion that Merv has done so. He now makes persuasive arguments in rational tones, he appeals and defers to group consensus when appropriate, and he has been helpful and patient with new users.

Merv has always been a contributor of the highest order. As one of the most serious and vocal opponents of his adminship in the past, it is my pleasure to state my belief that Merv has demonstrated the maturity and patience to wield admin privileges responsibly and effectively. I would be honored to work alongside him as an administrator. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 00:37, 28 July 2006 (CDT)
:''Candidate, please indicate acceptance of the nomination here:''--I am The Merovingian, and I accept this nomination. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 17:51, 30 July 2006 (CDT)


'''Support'''

#{{support}} as nominator. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 00:37, 28 July 2006 (CDT)
#{{support}} I am delighted to support, based both on absolutely superb contributions and behavior that has steadily improved to its currently decorous state. --[[User:CalculatinAvatar|CalculatinAvatar]]([[Special:Contributions/CalculatinAvatar|C]]-[[User talk:CalculatinAvatar|T]]) 04:18, 28 July 2006 (CDT)
#{{support}} Has made excellent contributions in the last few weeks. --[[User:Gougef|FrankieG]] 06:40, 28 July 2006 (CDT)
#{{support}}. I feel gaining Peter's support after all this time is no mean feat. You've earned mine as well for the same criteria. With great power comes...well, you know the rest. Get your mop and bucket. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 07:10, 28 July 2006 (CDT)
#{{support}} I've been highly impressed with his contributions and such here recently. --[[User:Talos|Talos]] 13:05, 29 July 2006 (CDT)
#{{Support}} Merv was the second user to greet me when I came here. I was overzealous when I first arrived, but he helped me to temper myself through helpful suggestions that were not rude or even bossy. He's an excellent editor here and I couldn't think of a better choice for admin. --[[User:Homeworld616|Homeworld616]] 01:33, 30 July 2006 (CDT)

'''Oppose'''

<ol style="list-style:square;"><li>{{Oppose}} With all due respect, the arguement that a couple of months of improved behavior is equivalent to "adhering to higher standards on a permanent basis" is unpersuasive. KR was not the subject of a mere prank or fan infighting, but suffered an intrusion in his professional life that can not be overlooked for a nice e-mail and the submission of some articles, no matter how well done. Those of us who work in professional environments know that administrative and organizational memory for this kind of thing is not wiped clean even when it falls below the threshold for disciplinary action. Some errors in judgement are simply incompatable with being trusted with positions of authority, and I believe this is the case here, whatever his contributions. Mero may be a talented contributor and editor, but he should remain so. --<s>[[User:Cranky1c|Cranky1c]] 12:08, 16 March 2006 (EST)</s></li></ol>
::Member since 31 July 2006. Vote will not be counted.---->As a countermeasure against voter fraud, you have to be a member of BattlestarWiki for at least 3 weeks before you're allowed to vote (and even then, your vote might be cast in a bad light if you only occassionally contribute). This person joined less than 6 hours ago. Yikes. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 23:32, 30 July 2006 (CDT)
:::Merv, what business do you have in striking out someone's vote in YOUR OWN RFA? That's something for the admins. You have no business discarding ballots for your own election. That takes a LOT of chuztpah. I'm changing to a NO vote. --[[User:Larocque6689|Larocque6689]] 00:11, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
::::Note: I'm sorry if I'm not allowed to do that I wasn't sure; we don't do RFA's very often, I thought anyone could point that out. Regardless, no, what was balsy was that we have a 3 week waiting period before voting and you've got people joining a matter of hours ago to try and vote people down (Peter just editing something a few minutes ago; Peter I assume if I have done something wrong you'd have told me? If I have I'm sorry, I wasn't sure what to do)--[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 00:35, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
:::::Merv's action was appropriate, per the precedent we set during Merv's second RFA. See the [[Battlestar Wiki talk:Requests for adminship/The Merovingian|relevant page]] for details. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 01:09, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
::::::I didn't read the rules closely enough, sorry about that, folks. Fair enough to strike the vote (mistaken sure, fraudulent, c'mon) but that doesn't change the merits of the arguement. Probably should have gone under comments. Still learning to navigate this a little. --[[User:Cranky1c|Cranky1c]]
:::::::By all means (based on past RFA precedent) you are allowed to make comments on an RFA, even if you aren't eligible to vote yet. Perhaps you'd like to move this to Comments?--[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 09:26, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
::::::::I tried to move it around to the comments section earlier. Doesn't seem to have taken, could be I haven't done it right. Will Try again latter.--[[User:Cranky1c|Cranky1c]]

#{{oppose}} I've reconsidered my vote light of Merv striking out Cranky's vote. Not that there was anything wrong in striking out Cranky's vote, but the fact that Merv did it shows that he hasn't learned much in the way he deals with people. I would like to respect Peter's judgment that he's now ready for admin-ship, but this incident just pushed me back to the "NO" camp. Thanks Merv. I should also add that I'm utterly baffled that this process has gone on for nearly a year and three previous failed admin votes, in which at least one of them Merv nominated himself, and in the other two he accepted. I guess the one question I have is "why does this position matter" so much? He didn't even refuse the nomination after the KR incident, which would have been the honorable thing to do. In previous RFA's, he's bragged that he had a Plan R ready (recruitment) to essentially troll for votes at other forums. (Mercifully, this was not employed during the last RFA). Still, the question begs to be answered: Why does this position matter so much? Why is being a contributor not good enough? And sadly, I don't agree that he's ready yet. I really wanted to give him a chance.--[[User:Larocque6689|Larocque6689]] 00:16, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
#{{Oppose}} '''Strongly''' - Merv has attitude has not changed and I think that people should be reminded of the RFC in how he handles difficulties situations. Not one person owns any such article has people and Merv has told me. No article is of ownership so saying that you are working on your articles should be a presence that he still has the mentality of ownership of the ''wiki''. '''A''' - Merciful and I worked on the Battle template for two weeks and got comments during that time. And once Merciful updated all the pages, Merv objected to it's use and the design. '''B and C''' - In that note, The [[BW:ES]] project has not been finalized nor has anything been set in stone, yet he has gone around to all the episodes and made significant changes without getting any consent with the project group. Posting something on the think tank for project creation, not for doing the standards does not count. The [[BW:ES]] project was not his creation, but [[User:Gougef|FrankieG]] project idea. The podcast project is also something to point out, while there was a field to "view" podcasts from the episode pages, the idea was never implemented because there was to many disagreements. (i.e. [[Battlestar_Wiki_talk:Podcast_Transcripts#100.25_done_podcasts_we_should...]] At this point before he did this, the [[BW:TANK]] project did exist.) '''D''' - No project on welcoming committee. It's open for anyone who can post a welcome message to someone and not just posting, but also helping. '''G''' After being a strong opponent to the idea he has graped the idea that he should be the only person in charge of maintaining the portals (e.x. Check Userpage) and decide what should be placed. (e.x. The RDM Portal FA is a current [[BW:FA]] candidate.) The [[Cylon agent speculation]] page has been a project, but disallows other users information on the page. My own conflicts with merv have yet to be resolved. I have ''yet'' to hear an apology from him from the many actions he has done to enrage me leading up the the RFC on me. The [[BW:AN]] post is another thing. And if you look closely at the RFC, he did preach. The RFC was not a discussion forum, but analysis of the situation of people's comments. I can not vote for a person who can not apologizes to someone after they admit they are wrong except he can to people outside the Wiki. (I woudl expect a public appology on Larocuque talk page for his choice of words to show that he is ready to be an admin) And using the [http://www.battlestarwiki.org/en/index.php?title=User_talk:Joe_Beaudoin_Jr.&oldid=67488 System Message namespace for an RFA], shows me that messages are going to be abused. This system is for server related issues regrading updating and databases issues. General information should be posted on the [[BW:CP]] where there is a notice board, but RFAs don't get "riddled" everywhere except someone's user talk page or if they have pages under "Watch" status. Also in the current sub-page of [[BW:TK]], an established project, he objects to a subpage for a list of manual checks for users and admins. The list is going to be design for admins and users alike to see what is going on the wiki and to give shortcuts to the correct pages. Not one person can be the trafficker of information. We each have our own skills that relay on one another. Merv thinks his skills is all this wiki needs. Me, I good at code, not content, but I love the show, Peter good at grammar, CA, good at grammar. Frank is another contributer to info. Merc has been good with design and syntax fix. Spenc is good at condensing things. Talos is good at images. Ford same reasons. And the wiki can not be here at all without Joe. As posted out, Merv does not want us associated with a outside forum in anyway shape or form to function as one. Also to bring back a forum issue is irreverent to why we should not listen to Larocuque's vote. I do agree that Cranky1c's vote should be discounted because it breaks every rule in the [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Sock puppetry|book]], but a simple "Please read the RFA guidelines, would have been a simple enough." Also posting a link where there is adult content is UNWISE without any warning. If any of the pictures are like bad, that is serious bad things that can happen to the Wiki even though you are linking. -[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 01:38, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
#'''Weak '''{{Oppose}} Ok this was a tough decision and most certainly isnt mean as an attack as an oppose. I definitly think you are over a lot of the bad stuff that happened in the past but there are still times when arguments get a little out of hand and when you make changes before concensus is made. I also think the whole Koenigrules issue was a pretty big thing and its hard to forget that. Apologies are fair enough but you need to think a little more about how your actions can affect other people. I think [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:What adminship is not|this]] needs to be made completely clear too. And if you does make admin I most definitly dont want to see posts on Skiffy and other forums of you "speaking on behalf" of the Wiki as has done in the past. I'm still skeptical about if another bad situation is going to arise in the future, and if so then it may bring the whole of the Wiki into disrepute as you would be an admin. So just be very very careful about what you say/do outside of the wiki. Good luck Merv, but im staying neutral on this one. --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 10:54, 30 July 2006 (CDT)
#:Ok I'm sorry to do this but i'm moving to oppose. From the comments ive seen from other people here there are some serious issues about Merv's behavour outside of the wiki, and im really not sure we want to bring some of this bad kharma here. --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 03:55, 31 July 2006 (CDT)

'''Neutral'''

#

'''Comments'''
*It's only been a month since the last RFA. Why are we going through this again so soon? Edit: Please ignore the last question. I just noticed it was Peter who made the nomination. --[[User:Larocque6689|Larocque6689]] 19:06, 30 July 2006 (CDT)

*A few things to point out: Laroque6689 is of course, trying to goad me into some sort of inappropriate outburst disproving that my behavior is fine. So instead of taking my word for it, I'll supply links to things he's said and you can decide for yourselves, but essentially, Larocque6689 is one of the regulars from (''Caution: Some of these messageboard posts I'm pointing out containg mature content'') "[http://www.stallioncornell.com/board/index.php The Moist Board]": many of you, my fellow, BattlestarWikipedians don't use the messageboards a lot so to give a quick run through: when they talk about "those internet Original Series fans who hated the new show and clogged the messageboards full of cruft when the Miniseries came out", that's them. ---->Essentially, I refuse to be intimidated by trolls on the messageboads, and do not shy away from saying that Scifi.com's messageboards have little if any moderating and we need moderators to keep order there. More so than ever after a new troll "hatebait", began sexually harassing several members of the messageboard.---->At any rate, many of you saw during my last RFA that these people just go on mudslinging grudge matches and I doubt actually care about the show. For starters, Larocque6689 does not care about KoenigRules. --->Yikes, this is one of the more tired messageboard arguement tactics by a third party; I am not fighting with KoenigRules, have retracted everything about that mishap, and (Although this is based on how he feels) I think things are productively moving foward. The point is, it's been more or less a rehash of an arguement from ''April''. When Larocque6689 can't think of something actually new to use to defame someone, he just reposts the same old arguements into a room to open old wounds. They just don't like it that I want to actually have people behave on Skiffy, observe: "[http://www.stallioncornell.com/board/viewtopic.php?p=39112&highlight=#39112 Blame would-be Sciffy moderator The_Merovirgin, who reports posts of his enemies as fast as they are posted).]--Larocque6689". --->Larocque & Co. kind of obsess over me, as seen [http://www.stallioncornell.com/board/viewtopic.php?p=42944&highlight=#42944 in this example], just reposting the same things over and over again. --->[http://www.stallioncornell.com/board/viewtopic.php?p=46533&highlight=#46533 here's another one] = Larocque and the other TOS trolls really just hate it that I actually want there to be moderators on Skiffy. I mean heck, Koenigrules was there post-GTA's and shared in my disgust at the troll backlash from the likes of hatebait, who kept sexually harassing people but never got banned. They kept running around going "report a post and your a snitch and a troll!" (Trolling being the exact opposite of reporting bad posts). And of course, Larocque has now [http://www.mortalstorm.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?p=7948&highlight=#7948 announced my new RFA in another troll-forum]], in the dedicated Hate-The-Merovingian thread. Any surprse that a few hours after we started, someone joined BattlestarWiki (Cranky1c) for the express purpose of voting against me? Well, judge for yourselves Larocque6689's conduct and character; check out his [http://www.mortalstorm.com/phpbb2/search.php?search_author=larocque6689 List of posts on MortalStorm] and [http://www.stallioncornell.com/board/search.php?search_author=larocque6689 List of posts on Moist Board]. I'm sorry that KoenigRules and I, and the rest of the BSG community, have to keep dealing with people like this. --->Finally, Larocque6689.....is just obviously a malicious user who popped in to vote against me. '''Please take a look at the [http://www.battlestarwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Special:Contributions&target=Larocque6689 Full List of Larocque6689's Contributions to BattlestarWiki]:''' Once, on April 12, he made some minor changes to "33" and "Water". Besides that, ''All he's done is come here to yell about me becomeing Administrator....of a website he hardly ever uses'''. Funny that he knew to voice his opinions on my RFA here, when an announcement that there's an Administratorship election in progress wasn't even posteed as a header on top of the website: these TOS trolls (people that actually use the term "GINO"/originated it) just....stalk me on the internet all the time and obsessively read everything I do. Creepy and petty. ---->What are Larocque6689's opinions? Well, judge their worth on their merit I guess. Myself, I would value KoenigRules vote/input on my RFA (even if negative) and have sent him a PM asking if he'd like to vote me up or down. Because KoenigRules knows what KoenigRules thinks, not Larocque6689. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 00:19, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
**A couple of things Merv. First, it's true I haven't contributed a lot to the Wiki. One of the reasons was that your power-tripping drove me away. I had actully prepared a whole whack of stuff from my own BSG website. At some point I would love to buff up both the TNS and TOS sections, but that's my business. (And to the Wiki-ians, yes, you have permission to use my website as a resource ) Secondly, I'm not trying to goad you into anything - I'm just asking a simple question: "Why does this matter?" Thirdly, someone did alert me to this RFA. I thought it was open, which is why I posted in it. There's no conspiracy at work, it's just a fact. I was going to go "neutral" until you struck out a vote against your adminship (which I really think was out of order). Cranky's vote should have been discarded but not by you. You could have shown restraint: you didn't. Finally, instead of using this opportunity to show your best side, you belittle my (modest) contributions here, try and second-guess my motives, and bring in stuff from other forums which don't have any place here. I did not come here to thwart your latest attempt to become an admin, rather, I just came here with some questions. If you could just calm down for a few moments, this exercise could become productive again. (To the wiki people, I'm sorry I screwed up the formatting, this isn't exactly user-friendly and I'll try my best not to do that again) {{unsigned|Larocque6689}}
***I appreciate that there are complicated inter-personal issues at work here which involve off-wiki activities, but could I please encourage the participants here to refrain from harsh language and mud-slinging? Every user here is entitled to an opinion. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 01:20, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
****Merv, NEVER link to other websites which contain adult/pornographic images, at the very least without some kind of warning. Some of us use the wiki at work... --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 04:16, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
*****Merv, you not doing yourself any favors responding to these types of posts. It's making me waver on my support. I appreciate your hard work, but these kinds of attacks are best ignored. --[[User:Gougef|FrankieG]] 07:53, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
******Agreed. Best to just let them shout themselves out. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 08:40, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
*******Now that's "Admin" type behavior, and will be appreciated. :-) --[[User:Gougef|FrankieG]] 08:50, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
*I would just like to add that I dont have anything against you Merv, and i've been ''very'' impressed with the contributions you have made here, however as can be seen from this page there are still a lot of issues regarding conflicts with other people and i'm not sure this is the kind of thing we want to bring over to the wiki. --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 08:05, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
**Mercifull I don't know if you go to the messageboards a lot, but there is actually not "issues" online except for trolls yelling at me like this. I honestly do not know how KoenigRules feels (his opinion would actually matter) though I hope I made amends with hem. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 08:37, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
***I dont use any BSG/Sci Fi message boards for unfortunatly all I have to go on is what is shown here. --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 09:33, 31 July 2006 (CDT)

'''Questions for the candidate''' 

''A few generic questions to provide guidance for voters:''
:'''1.''' What duties, if any, would you anticipate helping with? Please check out [[Battlestar Wiki:Project List]]'s for a list of projects.
::A. Episode Summaries, episode analysis, episode questions, episode notes. Character bios. Cylon series. Spearheading the Writer/Director category project. Furthing the [[Timeline (RDM)|Timeline]] project (and fighting the grave threat posed by the [[Season two timeline discontinuity]]). The [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|Battles series]] (which I created). Going through every source of ''information'' available, be it GalacticaStation, GateWorld, NowPlayingMagazine, Lucy Lawless fansites, Ron Moore's blog, the official messageboards, and post as much ''information'' as possible on this Wiki, and turn it into a truly reliable "go-to" site for up to the minute BSG information, **making sure that all of the information we post is properly sourced.
::B. Expanding our Cast and Crew articles, which so far are kind of sparse. This is major ongoing project.

:'''2.''' Of your articles or contributions here, are there any about which you are particularly pleased, and why?
::A. The battles pages, all of which were of my own design (I made the battleboxes for Lord of the Rings battles on standard wikipedia, and when these were done, I wanted to keep doing something like that so I created the battles series here)
::B. Due to my vast knowledge of BSG trivial facts and analysis, I have made great contributions to the episode guides, and as it's not like I have a life outside of this :) I'm usually the first to post notes for an episode up after it airs (though this is not a rule), and I'm really happy with the episode guide stuff I've done (check the history tabs, etc). I guess a random sampling of some of my better works would be [[Downloaded]], [[Cally]], [[Uniform]], [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]] etc., my great contributions to [[Life Forms of the Twelve Colonies]] (ever vigilant),...and pretty much the entire episode guide. I spearheaded the movement (after debate for months) to give Cylon copies who have become individuals their own character pages, and to consider them separate characters.
::C. Created and implemented the [[Battlestar Wiki:Episode Standardization|Episode Standardization]] project, in which I removed the "mini-reviews" from our Season 1 episode guide and replaced them with (I hope) impartial Analysis.
::D. Helping out on the Welcoming Committee.
::E. I tried to work things out with Koenigrules after what happened the other month; last RFA I was shocked that KR thought I hadn't appologized for what happened (I did, completely, I just made a big mistake which I retract); however rather than draggint things out in the open I tried to work things out through Private Messages on the bboards since my last RFA, which I felt was the more mature thing to do.
::F. Since my initial time at BattlestarWiki, as Peter mentioned above, I've gone from "biting the noobs" to gently trying to help along new users. See [[ User talk:The Merovingian#Diff for future RFA|this page]] for one example. Also, as Homeworld616 said above, he was a new user and rather than becoming impatient that he was unfamiliar with things here (as I might have a year ago) I helped him along with constructive imput.
::G. Updating the [[Portal:Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Portals Project pages]], and my extensive contributions and revisions/restucturing of the [[Cylon agent speculation]]page ([[Jammer]] = Cylon), as well as [[Science in the Re-imagined Series]]
::H. Asking a large portion of questions on [[Battlestar Wiki:Official Communiques]]; I hate it when other websites get to talk to someone like, Katee Sackhoff, and half the questions are "wow, why are u so hot?" "Wow, is it fun to work on the show?" etc. I'm happy I was able to provide good questions for that which actually addressed several long standing problems (although the ''Wizards'' have gained the upper hand in the [[Season two timeline discontinuity]].
::I. On my own initiative e-mailing [[Bear McCreary]] and [[Sources:Official Communique with Bear McCreary|obtaining his permission]] for BattlestarWiki to post the lyrics to the soundtracks here.

:'''3.''' Have you been in any conflicts over editing in the past or do you feel other users have caused you stress? How have you dealt with it and how will you deal with it in the future?
::A. After my last RFA, I Private Messaged Koenigrules and (I hope) worked things out, in private as opposed to dragging it through the public eye.
::B. During the RFC for Shane, rather than preaching fire and brimstone I tried to be restrained and give Shane opportunity to reform his behavior. That could have gotten ugly but I think we handled it well, without having to have temporary bans or anything.

:'''4.''' I have worries that because of the amount of previous RFA's and self nominations that you believe that being an Administrator is very important to you. I don't agree with people using Admin status as a [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:What adminship is not|"trophy symbol"]], what can you say to alleviate my concerns about this and what would you do as an administrator that you are not currently allowed to do as a user?
::I'd be able to ban vandals, delete pages instead of waiting for an Administrator to come by to delete them, and all in all it wouild make my work alot faster to be one of the "[[Mop Boy]]s" :) --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 08:48, 31 July 2006 (CDT)

Battlestar Wiki:Requests for adminship/The Merovingian (3)

2006-07-31T14:14:37Z

Cranky1c:

===[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]]===
[[Battlestar Wiki:Requests for adminship|Back to RFA]].

'''[{{SERVER}}{{localurl:Battlestar Wiki:Requests for adminship/The Merovingian (3)|action=edit}} Vote here] '''
'''(6/3/0) ending 17:51, 6 August 2006 (CDT)'''

{{User|The Merovingian}} – The Merovingian's history with us has not been entirely smooth. During his first months with us, his unmatched energy and enthusiasm for the project were sadly tempered with an impatience and quickness to anger which did not recommend him for adminship.

In the last few months, his demeanor has improved drastically, and he has acquired a remarkable maturity and level-headedness. This track record was unfortunately marred by an incident three months ago, involving a series of attacks against fan reporter Jim Iaccino, a.k.a. "KoenigRules". The results of this were such that I was forced to oppose his last nomination for adminship - despite his recently improved behavior, I felt he needed to demonstrate that he was capable of adhering to higher standards on a permanent basis.

It is my opinion that Merv has done so. He now makes persuasive arguments in rational tones, he appeals and defers to group consensus when appropriate, and he has been helpful and patient with new users.

Merv has always been a contributor of the highest order. As one of the most serious and vocal opponents of his adminship in the past, it is my pleasure to state my belief that Merv has demonstrated the maturity and patience to wield admin privileges responsibly and effectively. I would be honored to work alongside him as an administrator. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 00:37, 28 July 2006 (CDT)
:''Candidate, please indicate acceptance of the nomination here:''--I am The Merovingian, and I accept this nomination. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 17:51, 30 July 2006 (CDT)


'''Support'''

#{{support}} as nominator. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 00:37, 28 July 2006 (CDT)
#{{support}} I am delighted to support, based both on absolutely superb contributions and behavior that has steadily improved to its currently decorous state. --[[User:CalculatinAvatar|CalculatinAvatar]]([[Special:Contributions/CalculatinAvatar|C]]-[[User talk:CalculatinAvatar|T]]) 04:18, 28 July 2006 (CDT)
#{{support}} Has made excellent contributions in the last few weeks. --[[User:Gougef|FrankieG]] 06:40, 28 July 2006 (CDT)
#{{support}}. I feel gaining Peter's support after all this time is no mean feat. You've earned mine as well for the same criteria. With great power comes...well, you know the rest. Get your mop and bucket. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 07:10, 28 July 2006 (CDT)
#{{support}} I've been highly impressed with his contributions and such here recently. --[[User:Talos|Talos]] 13:05, 29 July 2006 (CDT)
#{{Support}} Merv was the second user to greet me when I came here. I was overzealous when I first arrived, but he helped me to temper myself through helpful suggestions that were not rude or even bossy. He's an excellent editor here and I couldn't think of a better choice for admin. --[[User:Homeworld616|Homeworld616]] 01:33, 30 July 2006 (CDT)

'''Oppose'''

<ol style="list-style:square;"><li>{{Oppose}} With all due respect, the arguement that a couple of months of improved behavior is equivalent to "adhering to higher standards on a permanent basis" is unpersuasive. KR was not the subject of a mere prank or fan infighting, but suffered an intrusion in his professional life that can not be overlooked for a nice e-mail and the submission of some articles, no matter how well done. Those of us who work in professional environments know that administrative and organizational memory for this kind of thing is not wiped clean even when it falls below the threshold for disciplinary action. Some errors in judgement are simply incompatable with being trusted with positions of authority, and I believe this is the case here, whatever his contributions. Mero may be a talented contributor and editor, but he should remain so. --<s>[[User:Cranky1c|Cranky1c]] 12:08, 16 March 2006 (EST)</s></li></ol>
::Member since 31 July 2006. Vote will not be counted.---->As a countermeasure against voter fraud, you have to be a member of BattlestarWiki for at least 3 weeks before you're allowed to vote (and even then, your vote might be cast in a bad light if you only occassionally contribute). This person joined less than 6 hours ago. Yikes. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 23:32, 30 July 2006 (CDT)
:::Merv, what business do you have in striking out someone's vote in YOUR OWN RFA? That's something for the admins. You have no business discarding ballots for your own election. That takes a LOT of chuztpah. I'm changing to a NO vote. --[[User:Larocque6689|Larocque6689]] 00:11, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
::::Note: I'm sorry if I'm not allowed to do that I wasn't sure; we don't do RFA's very often, I thought anyone could point that out. Regardless, no, what was balsy was that we have a 3 week waiting period before voting and you've got people joining a matter of hours ago to try and vote people down (Peter just editing something a few minutes ago; Peter I assume if I have done something wrong you'd have told me? If I have I'm sorry, I wasn't sure what to do)--[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 00:35, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
:::::Merv's action was appropriate, per the precedent we set during Merv's second RFA. See the [[Battlestar Wiki talk:Requests for adminship/The Merovingian|relevant page]] for details. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 01:09, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
::::::I didn't read the rules closely enough, sorry about that, folks. Fair enough to strike the vote (mistaken sure, fraudulent, c'mon) but that doesn't change the merits of the arguement. Probably should have gone under comments. Still learning to navigate this a little. >[[User:Cranky1c|Cranky1c]]

#{{oppose}} I've reconsidered my vote light of Merv striking out Cranky's vote. Not that there was anything wrong in striking out Cranky's vote, but the fact that Merv did it shows that he hasn't learned much in the way he deals with people. I would like to respect Peter's judgment that he's now ready for admin-ship, but this incident just pushed me back to the "NO" camp. Thanks Merv. I should also add that I'm utterly baffled that this process has gone on for nearly a year and three previous failed admin votes, in which at least one of them Merv nominated himself, and in the other two he accepted. I guess the one question I have is "why does this position matter" so much? He didn't even refuse the nomination after the KR incident, which would have been the honorable thing to do. In previous RFA's, he's bragged that he had a Plan R ready (recruitment) to essentially troll for votes at other forums. (Mercifully, this was not employed during the last RFA). Still, the question begs to be answered: Why does this position matter so much? Why is being a contributor not good enough? And sadly, I don't agree that he's ready yet. I really wanted to give him a chance.--[[User:Larocque6689|Larocque6689]] 00:16, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
#{{Oppose}} '''Strongly''' - Merv has attitude has not changed and I think that people should be reminded of the RFC in how he handles difficulties situations. Not one person owns any such article has people and Merv has told me. No article is of ownership so saying that you are working on your articles should be a presence that he still has the mentality of ownership of the ''wiki''. '''A''' - Merciful and I worked on the Battle template for two weeks and got comments during that time. And once Merciful updated all the pages, Merv objected to it's use and the design. '''B and C''' - In that note, The [[BW:ES]] project has not been finalized nor has anything been set in stone, yet he has gone around to all the episodes and made significant changes without getting any consent with the project group. Posting something on the think tank for project creation, not for doing the standards does not count. The [[BW:ES]] project was not his creation, but [[User:Gougef|FrankieG]] project idea. The podcast project is also something to point out, while there was a field to "view" podcasts from the episode pages, the idea was never implemented because there was to many disagreements. (i.e. [[Battlestar_Wiki_talk:Podcast_Transcripts#100.25_done_podcasts_we_should...]] At this point before he did this, the [[BW:TANK]] project did exist.) '''D''' - No project on welcoming committee. It's open for anyone who can post a welcome message to someone and not just posting, but also helping. '''G''' After being a strong opponent to the idea he has graped the idea that he should be the only person in charge of maintaining the portals (e.x. Check Userpage) and decide what should be placed. (e.x. The RDM Portal FA is a current [[BW:FA]] candidate.) The [[Cylon agent speculation]] page has been a project, but disallows other users information on the page. My own conflicts with merv have yet to be resolved. I have ''yet'' to hear an apology from him from the many actions he has done to enrage me leading up the the RFC on me. The [[BW:AN]] post is another thing. And if you look closely at the RFC, he did preach. The RFC was not a discussion forum, but analysis of the situation of people's comments. I can not vote for a person who can not apologizes to someone after they admit they are wrong except he can to people outside the Wiki. (I woudl expect a public appology on Larocuque talk page for his choice of words to show that he is ready to be an admin) And using the [http://www.battlestarwiki.org/en/index.php?title=User_talk:Joe_Beaudoin_Jr.&oldid=67488 System Message namespace for an RFA], shows me that messages are going to be abused. This system is for server related issues regrading updating and databases issues. General information should be posted on the [[BW:CP]] where there is a notice board, but RFAs don't get "riddled" everywhere except someone's user talk page or if they have pages under "Watch" status. Also in the current sub-page of [[BW:TK]], an established project, he objects to a subpage for a list of manual checks for users and admins. The list is going to be design for admins and users alike to see what is going on the wiki and to give shortcuts to the correct pages. Not one person can be the trafficker of information. We each have our own skills that relay on one another. Merv thinks his skills is all this wiki needs. Me, I good at code, not content, but I love the show, Peter good at grammar, CA, good at grammar. Frank is another contributer to info. Merc has been good with design and syntax fix. Spenc is good at condensing things. Talos is good at images. Ford same reasons. And the wiki can not be here at all without Joe. As posted out, Merv does not want us associated with a outside forum in anyway shape or form to function as one. Also to bring back a forum issue is irreverent to why we should not listen to Larocuque's vote. I do agree that Cranky1c's vote should be discounted because it breaks every rule in the [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Sock puppetry|book]], but a simple "Please read the RFA guidelines, would have been a simple enough." Also posting a link where there is adult content is UNWISE without any warning. If any of the pictures are like bad, that is serious bad things that can happen to the Wiki even though you are linking. -[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 01:38, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
#'''Weak '''{{Oppose}} Ok this was a tough decision and most certainly isnt mean as an attack as an oppose. I definitly think you are over a lot of the bad stuff that happened in the past but there are still times when arguments get a little out of hand and when you make changes before concensus is made. I also think the whole Koenigrules issue was a pretty big thing and its hard to forget that. Apologies are fair enough but you need to think a little more about how your actions can affect other people. I think [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:What adminship is not|this]] needs to be made completely clear too. And if you does make admin I most definitly dont want to see posts on Skiffy and other forums of you "speaking on behalf" of the Wiki as has done in the past. I'm still skeptical about if another bad situation is going to arise in the future, and if so then it may bring the whole of the Wiki into disrepute as you would be an admin. So just be very very careful about what you say/do outside of the wiki. Good luck Merv, but im staying neutral on this one. --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 10:54, 30 July 2006 (CDT)
#:Ok I'm sorry to do this but i'm moving to oppose. From the comments ive seen from other people here there are some serious issues about Merv's behavour outside of the wiki, and im really not sure we want to bring some of this bad kharma here. --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 03:55, 31 July 2006 (CDT)

'''Neutral'''

#

'''Comments'''
*It's only been a month since the last RFA. Why are we going through this again so soon? Edit: Please ignore the last question. I just noticed it was Peter who made the nomination. --[[User:Larocque6689|Larocque6689]] 19:06, 30 July 2006 (CDT)

*A few things to point out: Laroque6689 is of course, trying to goad me into some sort of inappropriate outburst disproving that my behavior is fine. So instead of taking my word for it, I'll supply links to things he's said and you can decide for yourselves, but essentially, Larocque6689 is one of the regulars from (''Caution: Some of these messageboard posts I'm pointing out containg mature content'') "[http://www.stallioncornell.com/board/index.php The Moist Board]": many of you, my fellow, BattlestarWikipedians don't use the messageboards a lot so to give a quick run through: when they talk about "those internet Original Series fans who hated the new show and clogged the messageboards full of cruft when the Miniseries came out", that's them. ---->Essentially, I refuse to be intimidated by trolls on the messageboads, and do not shy away from saying that Scifi.com's messageboards have little if any moderating and we need moderators to keep order there. More so than ever after a new troll "hatebait", began sexually harassing several members of the messageboard.---->At any rate, many of you saw during my last RFA that these people just go on mudslinging grudge matches and I doubt actually care about the show. For starters, Larocque6689 does not care about KoenigRules. --->Yikes, this is one of the more tired messageboard arguement tactics by a third party; I am not fighting with KoenigRules, have retracted everything about that mishap, and (Although this is based on how he feels) I think things are productively moving foward. The point is, it's been more or less a rehash of an arguement from ''April''. When Larocque6689 can't think of something actually new to use to defame someone, he just reposts the same old arguements into a room to open old wounds. They just don't like it that I want to actually have people behave on Skiffy, observe: "[http://www.stallioncornell.com/board/viewtopic.php?p=39112&highlight=#39112 Blame would-be Sciffy moderator The_Merovirgin, who reports posts of his enemies as fast as they are posted).]--Larocque6689". --->Larocque & Co. kind of obsess over me, as seen [http://www.stallioncornell.com/board/viewtopic.php?p=42944&highlight=#42944 in this example], just reposting the same things over and over again. --->[http://www.stallioncornell.com/board/viewtopic.php?p=46533&highlight=#46533 here's another one] = Larocque and the other TOS trolls really just hate it that I actually want there to be moderators on Skiffy. I mean heck, Koenigrules was there post-GTA's and shared in my disgust at the troll backlash from the likes of hatebait, who kept sexually harassing people but never got banned. They kept running around going "report a post and your a snitch and a troll!" (Trolling being the exact opposite of reporting bad posts). And of course, Larocque has now [http://www.mortalstorm.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?p=7948&highlight=#7948 announced my new RFA in another troll-forum]], in the dedicated Hate-The-Merovingian thread. Any surprse that a few hours after we started, someone joined BattlestarWiki (Cranky1c) for the express purpose of voting against me? Well, judge for yourselves Larocque6689's conduct and character; check out his [http://www.mortalstorm.com/phpbb2/search.php?search_author=larocque6689 List of posts on MortalStorm] and [http://www.stallioncornell.com/board/search.php?search_author=larocque6689 List of posts on Moist Board]. I'm sorry that KoenigRules and I, and the rest of the BSG community, have to keep dealing with people like this. --->Finally, Larocque6689.....is just obviously a malicious user who popped in to vote against me. '''Please take a look at the [http://www.battlestarwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Special:Contributions&target=Larocque6689 Full List of Larocque6689's Contributions to BattlestarWiki]:''' Once, on April 12, he made some minor changes to "33" and "Water". Besides that, ''All he's done is come here to yell about me becomeing Administrator....of a website he hardly ever uses'''. Funny that he knew to voice his opinions on my RFA here, when an announcement that there's an Administratorship election in progress wasn't even posteed as a header on top of the website: these TOS trolls (people that actually use the term "GINO"/originated it) just....stalk me on the internet all the time and obsessively read everything I do. Creepy and petty. ---->What are Larocque6689's opinions? Well, judge their worth on their merit I guess. Myself, I would value KoenigRules vote/input on my RFA (even if negative) and have sent him a PM asking if he'd like to vote me up or down. Because KoenigRules knows what KoenigRules thinks, not Larocque6689. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 00:19, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
**A couple of things Merv. First, it's true I haven't contributed a lot to the Wiki. One of the reasons was that your power-tripping drove me away. I had actully prepared a whole whack of stuff from my own BSG website. At some point I would love to buff up both the TNS and TOS sections, but that's my business. (And to the Wiki-ians, yes, you have permission to use my website as a resource ) Secondly, I'm not trying to goad you into anything - I'm just asking a simple question: "Why does this matter?" Thirdly, someone did alert me to this RFA. I thought it was open, which is why I posted in it. There's no conspiracy at work, it's just a fact. I was going to go "neutral" until you struck out a vote against your adminship (which I really think was out of order). Cranky's vote should have been discarded but not by you. You could have shown restraint: you didn't. Finally, instead of using this opportunity to show your best side, you belittle my (modest) contributions here, try and second-guess my motives, and bring in stuff from other forums which don't have any place here. I did not come here to thwart your latest attempt to become an admin, rather, I just came here with some questions. If you could just calm down for a few moments, this exercise could become productive again. (To the wiki people, I'm sorry I screwed up the formatting, this isn't exactly user-friendly and I'll try my best not to do that again) {{unsigned|Larocque6689}}
***I appreciate that there are complicated inter-personal issues at work here which involve off-wiki activities, but could I please encourage the participants here to refrain from harsh language and mud-slinging? Every user here is entitled to an opinion. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 01:20, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
****Merv, NEVER link to other websites which contain adult/pornographic images, at the very least without some kind of warning. Some of us use the wiki at work... --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 04:16, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
*****Merv, you not doing yourself any favors responding to these types of posts. It's making me waver on my support. I appreciate your hard work, but these kinds of attacks are best ignored. --[[User:Gougef|FrankieG]] 07:53, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
******Agreed. Best to just let them shout themselves out. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 08:40, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
*******Now that's "Admin" type behavior, and will be appreciated. :-) --[[User:Gougef|FrankieG]] 08:50, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
*I would just like to add that I dont have anything against you Merv, and i've been ''very'' impressed with the contributions you have made here, however as can be seen from this page there are still a lot of issues regarding conflicts with other people and i'm not sure this is the kind of thing we want to bring over to the wiki. --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 08:05, 31 July 2006 (CDT)
**Mercifull I don't know if you go to the messageboards a lot, but there is actually not "issues" online except for trolls yelling at me like this. I honestly do not know how KoenigRules feels (his opinion would actually matter) though I hope I made amends with hem. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 08:37, 31 July 2006 (CDT)

'''Questions for the candidate''' 

''A few generic questions to provide guidance for voters:''
:'''1.''' What duties, if any, would you anticipate helping with? Please check out [[Battlestar Wiki:Project List]]'s for a list of projects.
::A. Episode Summaries, episode analysis, episode questions, episode notes. Character bios. Cylon series. Spearheading the Writer/Director category project. Furthing the [[Timeline (RDM)|Timeline]] project (and fighting the grave threat posed by the [[Season two timeline discontinuity]]). The [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|Battles series]] (which I created). Going through every source of ''information'' available, be it GalacticaStation, GateWorld, NowPlayingMagazine, Lucy Lawless fansites, Ron Moore's blog, the official messageboards, and post as much ''information'' as possible on this Wiki, and turn it into a truly reliable "go-to" site for up to the minute BSG information, **making sure that all of the information we post is properly sourced.
::B. Expanding our Cast and Crew articles, which so far are kind of sparse. This is major ongoing project.

:'''2.''' Of your articles or contributions here, are there any about which you are particularly pleased, and why?
::A. The battles pages, all of which were of my own design (I made the battleboxes for Lord of the Rings battles on standard wikipedia, and when these were done, I wanted to keep doing something like that so I created the battles series here)
::B. Due to my vast knowledge of BSG trivial facts and analysis, I have made great contributions to the episode guides, and as it's not like I have a life outside of this :) I'm usually the first to post notes for an episode up after it airs (though this is not a rule), and I'm really happy with the episode guide stuff I've done (check the history tabs, etc). I guess a random sampling of some of my better works would be [[Downloaded]], [[Cally]], [[Uniform]], [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]] etc., my great contributions to [[Life Forms of the Twelve Colonies]] (ever vigilant),...and pretty much the entire episode guide. I spearheaded the movement (after debate for months) to give Cylon copies who have become individuals their own character pages, and to consider them separate characters.
::C. Created and implemented the [[Battlestar Wiki:Episode Standardization|Episode Standardization]] project, in which I removed the "mini-reviews" from our Season 1 episode guide and replaced them with (I hope) impartial Analysis.
::D. Helping out on the Welcoming Committee.
::E. I tried to work things out with Koenigrules after what happened the other month; last RFA I was shocked that KR thought I hadn't appologized for what happened (I did, completely, I just made a big mistake which I retract); however rather than draggint things out in the open I tried to work things out through Private Messages on the bboards since my last RFA, which I felt was the more mature thing to do.
::F. Since my initial time at BattlestarWiki, as Peter mentioned above, I've gone from "biting the noobs" to gently trying to help along new users. See [[ User talk:The Merovingian#Diff for future RFA|this page]] for one example. Also, as Homeworld616 said above, he was a new user and rather than becoming impatient that he was unfamiliar with things here (as I might have a year ago) I helped him along with constructive imput.
::G. Updating the [[Portal:Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Portals Project pages]], and my extensive contributions and revisions/restucturing of the [[Cylon agent speculation]]page ([[Jammer]] = Cylon), as well as [[Science in the Re-imagined Series]]
::H. Asking a large portion of questions on [[Battlestar Wiki:Official Communiques]]; I hate it when other websites get to talk to someone like, Katee Sackhoff, and half the questions are "wow, why are u so hot?" "Wow, is it fun to work on the show?" etc. I'm happy I was able to provide good questions for that which actually addressed several long standing problems (although the ''Wizards'' have gained the upper hand in the [[Season two timeline discontinuity]].
::I. On my own initiative e-mailing [[Bear McCreary]] and [[Sources:Official Communique with Bear McCreary|obtaining his permission]] for BattlestarWiki to post the lyrics to the soundtracks here.

:'''3.''' Have you been in any conflicts over editing in the past or do you feel other users have caused you stress? How have you dealt with it and how will you deal with it in the future?
::A. After my last RFA, I Private Messaged Koenigrules and (I hope) worked things out, in private as opposed to dragging it through the public eye.
::B. During the RFC for Shane, rather than preaching fire and brimstone I tried to be restrained and give Shane opportunity to reform his behavior. That could have gotten ugly but I think we handled it well, without having to have temporary bans or anything.

:'''4.''' I have worries that because of the amount of previous RFA's and self nominations that you believe that being an Administrator is very important to you. I don't agree with people using Admin status as a [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:What adminship is not|"trophy symbol"]], what can you say to alleviate my concerns about this and what would you do as an administrator that you are not currently allowed to do as a user?
::I'd be able to ban vandals, delete pages instead of waiting for an Administrator to come by to delete them, and all in all it wouild make my work alot faster to be one of the "[[Mop Boy]]s" :) --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 08:48, 31 July 2006 (CDT)

Battlestar Wiki:Requests for adminship/The Merovingian (3)

2006-07-31T04:17:25Z

Cranky1c: