Although I originally started on English Wikipedia in 2004, I've been mostly active on German Wikipedia since March 2006. My main focus for content is the politics and history of the United States with an emphasis on history of law. Behind the scenes, my focus has lied on categories and templates founding the respective WikiProjects on German Wikipedia. I'm admin and an arbitrator on German Wikipedia and bureaucrat on English and Beta Wikiversity where I help mostly by providing technical assistance. You can also contact me if you need information from the German OTRS queues.
I've also created a new archiving bot (yes, yet another one) which was originally built to meet the requirements of German Wikipedia but has since been ported to English and is in use in other projects as well.
I understand Wikipedia as a useful collection of human knowledge which offers an opportunity for everyone to share their understanding of specific subjects with others. Since I have no basis from which to judge what others find relevant, I tend not to support AfDs for articles where some encyclopedic potential is recognizable. I also think that all Wikipedians need to behave in an open and inviting manner so new readers will be encouraged to participate beyond merely reading our content. I therefore reject any proposals that would require pre-approval for the creation of articles, portals, projects, or categories. To ensure basic quality standards, appropriate maintenance can always be conducted afterwards. Finally, I also support a relatively free competition of editorial styles so Wikipedia as a project can further develop.
Top Ten Signs You Are Spending Too Much Time With Wikipedia[edit]
10. You sign e-mails with ~~~~.
9. You notice what you've done and send them like that anyway.
You know how little I care whether anyone here thinks my or anyone else's user page damages the reputation of Wikipedia? You mistake this place with God or the sun.
Wikipedia is a project for everyone with good faith, patience and willingness to learn.
Everyone can edit, but everyone can also change every edit.
Rules are to help, not to obstruct.
A good stub is better than no article.
Improving is better than deletion, but deletion is better than keeping bad articles.
An encyclopedia is neither a playground nor a discussion forum.
With appropriate care, every article can be a featured article.
Relevance isn't derived from your location.
Technology is the means, not the end.
Quality comes from experience and constant improvement.
Relevance is what the reader is searching for to expand his own knowledge.
Learning from others is the key to success.
Common sense is something everybody needs but few choose to use.
An encyclopedia describes subjects objectively without a moral point of view.
Quality doesn't happen by adding a warning box.
If you have a very strong position on something, you will find it difficult to write about it in an encyclopedic manner.
Obstructionists and agitators will be shown the door.
Admins serve the readers and editors.
Nobody who does good work is replaceable.
There are indeed more important things in life than producing an encyclopedia.
Licensing rights granted to Wikimedia Foundation
I grant non-exclusive permission for the Wikimedia Foundation Inc. to relicense my text and media contributions, including any images, audio clips, or video clips, under any copyleft license that it chooses, provided it maintains the free and open spirit of the GFDL. This permission acknowledges that future licensing needs of the Wikimedia projects may need adapting in unforeseen fashions to facilitate other uses, formats, and locations. It is given for as long as this banner remains.
