Wikipedia:Requests for adminship/Bencherlite

The following discussion is preserved as an archive of a successful request for adminship. Please do not modify it.

Bencherlite

Closed as successful by -- Cecropia (talk) 18:27, 16 November 2007 (UTC) at (35/0/0); Scheduled to end 17:16, 16 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Bencherlite (talk · contribs) - I'm here to present another new admin candidate. I came across Bencherlite on editor review. He's a pleasant, civil editor. He's done a lot of article writing: he recently got an article to Featured List status, some GA and DYKs as well. He's an AWB user and uses a second account, Bencherlite (AWB) (talk · contribs) for that. That should tell you that his edits within this username are substantial. He knows how to work with new users, from his work in WP:ADOPT having adopted another user. He's familiar with deletions, having spent time in WP:CFD, and is well familiar with categories, a place where we definitely could use some experienced admins. In short I've rarely seen a more qualified candidate. ⇒SWATJester ^{Son of the Defender} 00:50, 29 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I too wish to urge the community to support Bencherlite. I was going to offer a nomination and found this subpage sitting here. The user is dedicated, civil, communicative and versed in the mainspace as well as other areas of Wikipedia. To repeat Swatjester, the user has the triple crown of a Featured list, Good Article, and Did You Know? The user has used scripts to roll back vandalism appropriately[1] as well as making a manual edit when it would be inappropriate to use a tool[2]. Everything else said above applies as well. I am more than happy to offer a co-nomination. Keegan^talk 03:13, 8 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Candidate, please indicate acceptance of the nomination here:

I accept, and I am grateful to both Swatjester and Keegan for their support. Bencherlite ^Talk 17:16, 9 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Some explanation about my editing history. My account dates from July 2006, but I only made 3 edits before February 2007. My high monthly edit counts when I then got going can be explained by a couple of factors:

I was inspired by the categorization guidelines at WP:MUSCAT (which call for musicians to be sorted by instrument, nationality and genre e.g. Category:American classical oboists) to deal with various instrumentalists categories with little if any sorting, e.g. Category:Oboists, Category:Violists and Category:Flautists.
I joined WP:ORGAN and energetically added the project's tag to talk pages about organists etc.
Helping deal with vandalism, initially just by checking "Recent changes", now by using Lupin's Anti-vandal tool and / or Twinkle.

All of these bumped up my edit count somewhat, particularly when I acquired WP:AWB rights (only later did I start using a separate account for this). Since then, the headline numbers of monthly edits has diminished to some extent as I found other ways to contribute, as noted below. I tend to keep pages on my watchlist for some time after reverting vandalism, so my watchlist is very lengthy (2,500+, though that's including 1,000+ categories I've created) so quite a few of my daily edits will be clearing up vandalism that hasn't already been spotted. In other words, my total edit count of 12,300+ (or 13,200+ including deleted edits) is liable to give the impression that I'm more prolific than I am. (Not that anybody at RfA goes purely by edit count, of course...!)

Questions for the candidate

Dear candidate, thank you for offering to serve Wikipedia as an administrator. It is recommended that you answer these optional questions to provide guidance for participants:

1. What admin work do you intend to take part in?

A: Well, the following spring to mind, in no particular order:

Working on the never-ending task of tackling the lovely administrative backlogs at Category:Candidates for speedy deletion, especially attack and nonsense pages – I've been nominating a fair number of pages / empty categories recently, and I can't remember the last time I had a speedy declined, as those of you who can check my deleted contributions will notice (those who can't will get the general idea from the talk page warnings that Twinkle leaves), and it'd be good to help relieve the pressure there.
Blocking vandals when appropriate to protect the encyclopedia from harm - I've got 70+ reports to WP:AIV and as far as I'm aware, many more of my reports lead to a block than to a refusal.
Closing discussions at WP:CFD, in particular, which has been getting quite busy (94 nominations on one day recently) - whilst I've got nothing against WP:AFD for example, I've spent much more time contributing to CfD than to other XfD areas and so I'd envisage easing myself in at AfD more gradually.

Anything I don't particularly intend to do? Well, I wouldn't go charging in and start fiddling with things I don't fully understand e.g. WP:SSP: after all, there are many more admins out there who know a lot more about these things who are only a quick call for help away.

2. What are your best contributions to Wikipedia, and why?

A: My co-noms have alluded to some particular highlights, and here are some more details:

In terms of mainspace work:
- The article that has received the most attention from me is List of people associated with Jesus College, Oxford (which used to look like this before I got going on it). I kept going after it reached FL status, incidentally, creating stubs or start-class articles for various alumni and fellows, as well as {{Principals of Jesus College, Oxford}}.
- I'm currently working on User:Bencherlite/List of county courts in England and Wales and will move it to the mainspace when I've finished adding the rest of my research, taking it to WP:FLC in due course all being well.
- Guto Puw (created from scratch, via WP:DYK) & Penmon, Anglesey (adding to the good work already done by Casmith 789). And whilst University of Oxford would have won its badge in due course anyway, I'm sure, it was "on hold" for GA status recently and adding these references helped.
- I'm quite fond of turning this page, found on new page patrol into this. Not earth-shattering, but a worthwhile 90 minutes, I think.
In terms of categorization work, as noted above, my WP:MUSCAT category creations. I gave up counting when I had created 1,053 categories (see this old version of my user page if you'd like to see an incomplete list of topics).
Working with CA387 through the auspices of WP:ADOPT – a process that benefited me about as much as it seemed to benefit CA387.

3. Have you been in any conflicts over editing in the past or have other users caused you stress? How have you dealt with it and how will you deal with it in the future?

A: No, not really: none that have stuck in the mind, anyway. Admittedly, I haven't tended to work in highly controversial areas that might cause serious run-ins with other editors. Where I've had mild disagreements, I've tried to stay polite (getting this dubious compliment in the process), AGF as appropriate and discuss / explain. After all, I might well be wrong or misunderstand someone. I would certainly intend continuing to be civil if granted the mop: as WP:DR#Avoidance says "The best way to resolve a dispute is to avoid it in the first place" and after all, to continue the admin-related metaphor, the bucket of water that comes with the mop is best used to put out fires before they get out of hand, rather than to hit people over the head with until they agree with you.

4. An administrator has blocked an editor and you disagree with the block. What is the policy about unblocking and do you intend to adhere to it?--MONGO 18:46, 9 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

A:The policy is set out at WP:BLOCK. I can see no circumstances in which I wouldn't follow the policy. Unless the block is the clearest of errors (e.g. blocking User:X124 with a block log comment referring to User:X123's extensive vandalism, where X123 has been vandalising all day), then I should not overturn the block on my own initiative (although even in such circumstances, raising the matter at WP:AN would be wise). In essence, whilst I may disagree with the block, there may very well be very good reasons behind it that I don't appreciate. I should therefore start off by assuming that the blocking administrator knows what he/she is doing, and check to see whether there's something on a relevant talk page etc that fills in some of the background that I've missed. If I'm still uncertain whether the block was right, I should next raise the matter with the blocking admin on their talk page. If discussion doesn't resolve matters, then I should raise the matter for wider input at WP:AN and see what others think there. Unblocking without going through these steps is certainly not the way to go. Bencherlite ^Talk 21:03, 9 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

5. Upon becoming an administrator, how much time would you spend on specifically Administrator-related duties compared to editing the content of the Encyclopedia? Thanks - Malinaccier (talk • contribs) 22:05, 11 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

A: My plan is to maintain a healthy balance between the editing tasks I'd be doing anyway and admin-related tasks. I don't want to be an admin who forgets that there's more to life than being an admin, but nor do I intend to make minimal use of the tools as if this RfA had never happened. Difficult to estimate in advance what the ratio would be, but my plan is to set CAT:CSD as my "home page" for WP so that I can start off by clearing up some mess there, before going on elsewhere to edit, revert vandalism, use the tools elsewhere, etc. Let me know if this doesn't answer your question, and I'll try again! Bencherlite ^Talk 07:53, 12 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

General comments

See Bencherlite's edit summary usage with mathbot's tool. For the edit count, see the talk page.

Links for Bencherlite: Bencherlite (talk · contribs · deleted · count · AfD · logs · block log · lu · rfar · spi)
My editor review is here but at the time of writing there are no comments there.
In the interests of full disclosure, I have removed an entry in the "neutral" section made pre-transclusion by an IP who I had warned then commented upon at AIV – also I declined an award of a barnstar from the same IP...
If I am a little slow in answering optional questions, please bear with me – I will get there! I've got some family visiting this week, so can't spend hours logged in each evening, but will do what I can when I can. I was going to wait even longer to "go live", but Keegan has suggested that now's as good a time as any to go for it...

Please keep discussion constructive and civil. If you are unfamiliar with the nominee, please thoroughly review Special:Contributions/Bencherlite before commenting.

Discussion

Support

Nom.⇒SWATJester ^{Son of the Defender} 18:29, 12 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Obviously knows article policies per his good and featured articles. I always respect what Bencherlite says in discussion and trust his judgement. His AIV contribs show a need for the tools, I think he'll be fine. Ryan Postlethwaite 17:40, 9 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
per Ryan Postlethwaite. NHRHS2010 talk 17:45, 9 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
As above. Good luck!!! Doyley Talk 17:54, 9 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
As a nominator. Keegan^talk 20:05, 9 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support. Very well answered questions and a fantastic range of work through-out Wikipedia. Good luck! — Jack (talk) 20:11, 9 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support have bumped into his contributions on a few music related articles, and haven't seen any problems. David Underdown 20:31, 9 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support see no problems We need more admins at AIV.22:11, 9 November 2007 (UTC) Cheers, :) Dlohcierekim 22:11, 9 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support - Although I don't usually want to support users who use AWB (as it's not actually manual work), I am glad to say that this use does meet all of my standards. Rudget _zŋ 22:14, 9 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support - although you seem like too much of a "swell" person to be an admin I wish you all the best. Just try not to "bombarde" the vandals, and don't just be a voice in the "choir", and I know you'll be "great". </bad organ jokes>. - Philippe | Talk 23:22, 9 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Took a reluctant look at your last few contribs, but after these first few responses here it seems clear you know your way round the wiki. — Dorftrottel⁠ 23:52, 9 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support Has good knowledge of article policies. --S iva1979^{Talk to me} 05:22, 10 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I'm Mailer Diablo and I approve this message! - 08:04, 10 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
For one of my triple crown bros - of course! Dihydrogen Monoxide 08:30, 10 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support No worries. Phgao 11:21, 10 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support Always a pleasure to deal with. An excellent and conscientious editor. –MDCollins (talk) 12:05, 10 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Strong Support Wow! That's all there is to say. You will make a great admin:) Good luck!--SJP:Happy Verterans Day! 15:49, 10 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support. Neil ☎ 23:31, 10 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support No concerns here. Twenty Years 04:03, 11 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support--MONGO 04:46, 11 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support Looks good to me, his article writing seems very good, and combined with his vandal work makes a great candidate for the mop.
Gonzo fan2007 ^{talk ♦ contribs} 07:26, 11 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support Amazing editor and vandal fighter. Will make a great sysop. STORMTRACKER 94 14:23, 11 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support John254 03:19, 12 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support - no concerns. Good knowledge and understanding displayed in the answers. :-) Lra drama 10:22, 12 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support - hey, how come you're not one already? Deb 18:06, 12 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support Jmlk 1 7 22:01, 12 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support. You answered my question fine. Thanks! Malinaccier (talk • contribs) 23:37, 12 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support one of the most active new page patrollers around, clearly knows the biz - mop and apron him/her pronto. Carlossuarez46 03:39, 14 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I am a "him", incidentally! Bencherlite ^Talk 07:56, 14 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support Good answers to the questions, plenty of deleted contributions show a good knowledge of policy for C:CSD, and WP:AIV looks all-okay, coupled with article work. A strong all round candidate that I'm suprised to see has not had that many more comments made at his RfA. Best wishes. Pedro : Chat 10:52, 14 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support — Save_Us_229 17:06, 14 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support - article space edits show Bencherlite is ready for the mop & bucket. Royalbroil 17:09, 14 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support Thanks for answering my question! Malinaccier (talk • contribs) 22:30, 14 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
<indenting duplicate> Thanks (again)... see #27! Bencherlite ^Talk 23:08, 14 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support - trustworthy candidate. Addhoc 18:25, 15 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
A good candidate. Acalamari 19:32, 15 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support. Patient and friendly, I was left with a good feeling after having a discussion about overcategorization with him. -- Sander Säde 08:37, 16 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Support We need more like him. -- Prove It ^(talk) 14:01, 16 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Oppose

Neutral

The above adminship discussion is preserved as an archive of the discussion. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the talk page of either this nomination or the nominated user). No further edits should be made to this page.