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Happy New Year, and welcome to a special double issue of Books & Bytes. We've included a retrospective on the changes and progress TWL has seen over the last year, the results of the survey TWL participants completed in December, some of our plans for the future, a second interview with a Wiki Love Libraries coordinator, and more. Here's to 2014 being a year of expansion and innovation for TWL!
The Wikipedia Library completed the first 6 months of its Individual Engagement grant last week. Here's where we are and what we've done:
Increased access to sources: 1500 editors signed up for 3700 free accounts, individually worth over $500,000, with usage increases of 400-600%
Deep networking: Built relationships with Credo, HighBeam, Questia, JSTOR, Cochrane, LexisNexis, EBSCO, New York Times, and OCLC
New pilot projects: Started the Wikipedia Visiting Scholar project to empower university-affiliated Wikipedia researchers
Developed community: Created portal connecting 250 newsletter recipients, 30 library members, 3 volunteer coordinators, and 2 part-time contractors
Tech scoped: Spec'd out a reference tool for linking to full-text sources and established a basis for OAuth integration
Broad outreach: Wrote a feature article for Library Journal's The Digital Shift; presenting at the American Library Association annual meeting
That all looks fine. I've made a couple of minor changes. On Midsummer, I moved Demetrius from "Other characters" to "Lovers". I also added Lysander. I know there's no article on him, but having five of the six lovers looks a little strange. Feel free to delete him if you think that best. You might also consider adding A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy. As for Shrew, I moved Il Bisbetico Domato from "Direct adaptations" to "Other adaptations". That's it. Thanks for the heads up. Bertaut (talk) 20:53, 23 February 2014 (UTC)
I just ask that you take a serious look at the changes that I am making. Don't just be nice to me and let me stick crap in these templates. This is Shakespeare. We can't be a credible encyclopedia if we screw up Shakespeare. --TonyTheTiger (T / C / WP:FOUR / WP:CHICAGO / WP:WAWARD) 12:34, 24 February 2014 (UTC)
Most of them look fine. I moved "Ariel's Song" from the adaptations section to the phrases section. Technically, it's not a phrase, but it's certainly not an adaptation. My one question would be The Tempest Musical. Not so much its inclusion in the template per se, but its inclusion on Wikipedia at all. Apart from the fact that it's very poorly written, it includes no sources and it has the wrong title (it's actually called The Tempest: A Musical). A quick Google search reveals next to nothing about it, and it certainly isn't referred to in any academic material of which I'm aware. When you consider some of the legendary productions of Shakespeare's plays that don't have articles on Wikipedia, I see little reason why this minor adaptation should. Bertaut (talk) 21:58, 24 February 2014 (UTC)
I'm fairly busy off-wiki this week, but I'll certainly take a look. At a quick glance, we'd certainly be able to do a decent character section. There'd be at least one source and two adaptations (the opera and the BBC adaptation), and whatever is appropriate for a related section. I'll give you a shout as soon as I've had a chance to check it out properly. Bertaut (talk) 01:40, 25 February 2014 (UTC)
Made a couple of minor changes. I switched fictional and historical characters around in Coriolanus; it just seemed to make more sense to have the historical characters above the fictional ones, no biggie one way or the other though. Also added the BBC production to the adaptations and Parallel Lives to sources. With Measure for Measure, I dated the adaptations and, again, added the BBC one. And I moved The Law Against Lovers from related to adaptations. Also added Bed trick to the related section, and added the template to the bed trick article. Bertaut (talk) 22:33, 25 February 2014 (UTC)
Donations drive: news on TWL's partnership efforts with publishers
Open Access: Feature from Ocaasi on the intersection of the library and the open access movement
American Library Association Midwinter Conference: TWL attended this year in Philadelphia
Royal Society Opens Access To Journals: The UK's venerable Royal Society will give the public (and Wikipedians) full access to two of their journal titles for two days on March 4th and 5th
Going Global: TWL starts work on pilot projects in other language Wikipedias
I haven't had a chance to look at Othello or Hamlet yet. The rest I've done, apart from R&J obviously. I need to take another look at subdividing Lear, which I should be able to do in a day or two. Bertaut (talk) 05:04, 6 March 2014 (UTC)
Let me know if you want to do {{Macbeth}} because I feel like I am claiming all the elaborate ones. That one will take several days and may be bigger than R&J since the search result yields a longer list. I don't want you to feel I am hogging all the really elaborate ones. Also, on the other end of the spectrum, I think you might be able to make one for {{The Two Noble Kinsmen}}. There seem to be enough character links to justify a template although I don't know what else is out there.--TonyTheTiger (T / C / WP:FOUR / WP:CHICAGO / WP:WAWARD) 07:33, 6 March 2014 (UTC)
No, you can go ahead with Macbeth if you want, no problem. I'll cast an eye over Two Noble Kinsmen, All's Well and Pericles over the weekend, and see if I can cobble something together for them. Bertaut (talk) 20:24, 6 March 2014 (UTC)
Bertaut, please either cite your claim in Themes in Titus Andronicus that this is the most violent period in history, or qualify it as a claim. There is little to no evidence that it is true, so provide some. You have cited her describing the play's relevance, but you fail to cite the claim. Therealpirateblue (talk) 13:49, 13 March 2014 (UTC)
A barnstar for you
The Writer's Barnstar
Hello there. I know it's some time after the fact, but I have just finished reading the three Henry VI articles. Extraordinary work on your part. Well done. Five Antonios (talk) 01:37, 25 March 2014 (UTC)
Should be able to come up with something, I'll take a look at it when I get home this evening. In meetings all day today in work. Bertaut (talk) 15:30, 23 April 2014 (UTC)
Actually, in retrospect Tony, I'm not sure I'll be of much use to you. I'm absolutely saddled with work here regarding upcoming exams. I very much doubt I'd be able to get anything together in the time available. What you could do, if you're so inclined, could be to use Amazon's "look inside" feature and Google Book's preview feature, and do "Malcolm" as a word search in the Oxford, Arden and Cambridge editions of the text. Might get you enough material. You could also contact, MarnetteD, who might be able to help out, I know he's a big fan of the play. Bertaut (talk) 21:17, 23 April 2014 (UTC)
Thanks for the mention B. My apologies to you both but life off wiki is very busy at the moment and my editing time has been greatly reduced. I sure wish Old Moonraker was still editing:-( Best wishes in your efforts Tony. Also all the best to you B with your exams. Cheers. MarnetteD | Talk22:40, 23 April 2014 (UTC)
Rogue Galaxy images
Please be aware that your reverting of Werieth's removal of the Rogue Galaxy images - or more specifically the edit summary you used - is not something to take likely. I know Werieth's removed them again and I cautioned him on this (these aren't covered under 3RR's exemptions) but you should be aware too that re-adding them will be a problem. You should discuss the matter on the talk page. And from my own opinion as both an NFC tracker and a video game editor, neither of these images really are appropriate for the article even thought they show alternate interfaces the game uses. --MASEM (t) 19:21, 5 May 2014 (UTC)
As it happens, I'm rewriting that page at the moment, and the images will be more relevant when I'm done, so I'll re-add them then, by which time I'll most likely need to re-upload them. As for my edit summary. Yeah, okay, I'll work on a formal apology for that vicious, personal attack. Bertaut (talk) 19:58, 5 May 2014 (UTC)
Yes, despite my metaphorically youthful visage, I am skilled in the ways of Shakespearean indoctrination. I teach a first year course on critical theory which uses Hamlet, Othello and Macbeth and a third year course on Shakespeare on screen. I also do a class on Titus Andronicus in the Shakespeare module for second years. Why do you ask? Bertaut (talk) 19:26, 12 May 2014 (UTC)
Well, how very curious. Someone eh? There's always someone. Tell you what, set up an account here on Wikipedia, and then email me. You can't email me without an account, and it'll only take you two minutes to set it up. You can email me then by clicking on the envelop icon on my user page and we'll see what's what. Bertaut (talk) 00:26, 13 May 2014 (UTC)
The Wikipedia Library: New Account Coordinators Needed
Hi Books & Bytes recipients: The Wikipedia Library has been expanding rapidly and we need some help! We currently have 10 signups for free account access open and several more in the works... In order to help with those signups, distribute access codes, and manage accounts we'll need 2-3 more Account Coordinators.
It takes about an hour to get up and running and then only takes a couple hours per week, flexible depending upon your schedule and routine. If you're interested in helping out, please drop a note in the next week at my talk page or shoot me an email at: jorlowitzgmail.com. Thanks and cheers, Jake Ocaasi via MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 23:41, 20 June 2014 (UTC)
Real Racing 3 table
Hi Bertaut, I have only just realised that you have deleted the Real Racing 3 Table and I understand that it is inappropriate content. Can I create a "List of Fully Upgraded Real Racing 3 Cars" article? Respond in my talk please. Liam1274 (talk) 19:09, 6 July 2014 (UTC)
Thanks for the ping thanks B. I have been meaning to get to your talk page for a couple days. Earlier this week (well last week now your time) I received the two DVD set which contain the programmes about the National Theatre's 50th Anniversary. One had the Arena two part documentary about the history of the National - which was great fun to play "spot the young actor" - I think I saw Bob Hoskins in rehearsals for Guys and Dolls but I couldn't be sure as the person had a hat pulled down and was wearing sunglasses. Also I had never heard the story about the Daniel Day-Lewis leaving Hamlet mid performance to be replaced by the dying Ian Charleson. Sometimes life is more dramatic that the Bards writing. I apologize if that comes off as flippant I did not mean it like that, I can still remember how sad I was the day I read of his passing. The other disc was the recording of the Nov 2 celebration/performance at the theatre. Again it was fun to see so many people that I only know from my TV watching. I also like how they took a bow by decade after the all cast bow. I hope that you are well. Autumn is in the air here and my friends annual pig roast is tomorrow - lot of good food and nice people. Cheers and best wishes. MarnetteD|Talk05:04, 31 August 2014 (UTC)
I'm not familiar with that story about Daniel Day Lewis either. Jez. Considering how attached he gets to the parts he plays, it must have taken something for him to walk away from Hamlet. Or maybe he just decided he didn't like Shakespeare!!! Actually, whilst we're on the subject of Day Lewis. I don't know if you're familiar with Bloomsday; June 16, the day on which Ulysses set. It's kind of an unofficial holiday in Dublin. Fans walk the route Leopold Bloom takes in the novel, eat in the same places, have a few pints in the same bars etc. Part of the day's activities include readings from the novel in Trinity College. Last year, I was there as I am most years. There's usually a hundred or so people turn up. And I'm standing there, and they announce the final reading, which is an extract from Molly Bloom's stream of consciousness chapter. Anyhow, they announce the reader and out onto the stage walks Daniel Day Lewis and proceeds to start reading! This was only three months after he'd won the Oscar for the third time. They hadn't advertised it because they didn't want thousands of people turning up, but he was in Ireland celebrating something to do with Jim Sheridan's career, and someone in TCD knew him, gave him a call, and he agreed to do it. Surreal. Yeah, I was only 12 when Ian Charleson died, so I didn't care much at the time, but having seen so much of his work since then, he was a great talent. He made a terrific Octavius Caesar in the BBC Antony and Cleopatra. I often think it's funny when I watch British sci-fi from the 80s, which is generally appalling. So many truly great Shakespearean actors speaking the most ridiculous dialogue on cardboard sets. There's something both hilarious and depressing about it!!! Bertaut (talk) 22:01, 31 August 2014 (UTC)
What a wonderful Bloomsday memory. I did know about the celebration and it is one of those things that would be a treat to experience. I have been attending plays at the Germinal Stage for almost thirty years. In June 2004 (it is just not possible that ten years have passed already) they performed an adaptation of Chapter 15: Circe. I saw it on the 16th and it was an extraordinary experience. I hope that you have a delightful week on WikiP and even more so off. MarnetteD|Talk19:09, 1 September 2014 (UTC)
Sir Thomas More
Hello good sir. I've recently been working on some of the Shakespeare templates, and I just noticed that Sir Thomas More doesn't have a template. I can see why, but do you think it might be worth creating one? There'd be a cast, sources and a related section, so there'd be enough content, but do you think it's worth going to the trouble? Five Antonios (talk) 15:10, 10 September 2014 (UTC)
Hey there. Yeah, I just had a look through the templates you're worked on. Solid stuff. You've certainly improved them; the cast list on the articles too - particularly Antony and Cleopatra and Coriolanus. Let me ask you something however. If I'm right, you're going through the plays alphabetically, starting with the tragedies. I see you've done a little bit of tidy up on the Hamlet article, but you haven't done anything with the Hamlet template. But now you've moved on to Julius Caesar. Are you skipping Hamlet, or are you furrowing away to try to turn it into something more user friendly? And next up are Lear, Macbeth and Othello, all of which need work, and then the rough beast that is Romeo and Juliet. I'm just curious. Any plans for them? As for a Thomas More template. I don't see any reason why not. The cast list on the article page itself could do with some work anyway. Do you want to handle the template yourself or do you want me to take a run at it? Bertaut (talk) 00:15, 11 September 2014 (UTC)
Did you just throw a reference to Yeats into a conversation about Shakespeare?? The short answer to your question is no, I have no intention of working on the Hamlet, Lear, Macbeth, OthelloorRomeo templates. They need too much work. In fact, my time on your planet is coming to an end. I'm going to do a little bit of tidy up on the main Lear, Macbeth and Othello articles, and then I'm done for now. I found myself with some unanticipated free time this week but it's drawing to a close now. Regarding Thomas More, if you want to do it, that's fine. When I have some time in the future, I might have a go, but if you wanted to work on it in the interim, that's no problem. Five Antonios (talk) 20:22, 11 September 2014 (UTC)
I just wanted to commend you for your work on that article. Extraordinary. The last time I looked at that page it was in a state of horrible disrepair. Now it's one of the finest Shakespearean articles on Wikipedia. Immensely laudable work on your part, which should be receiving considerably more recognition. Five Antonios (talk) 21:27, 11 September 2014 (UTC)
Thank you kindly. Very much appreciated. I thoroughly enjoyed putting the article together, so I'm glad to see that some people have found it beneficial. I really do appreciate your sentiments. As regards the template discussions, yeah, that's no problem with Thomas More. When I get a chance I'll redo the character list on the main article and throw together a template. As for the 'big five', I don't blame you not going near them. The original plan was that I was supposed to trim them down when they were finished, but when I saw the size of them, I realized it would be far more work than I ever intended. I was quite happy to stick to doing the history play templates. I think it actually may have been you who said of Romeo and Hamlet that they're so big, they almost unusable. I'd agree with that. The other three aren't too bad, but are still over the top. Maybe some day I'll get a chance to work on them. But not today! Again, thanks for the barnstar. Bertaut (talk) 00:24, 12 September 2014 (UTC)
Highbeam: 100+ remaining accounts for newspaper and magazine archives
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Well, since you're a 'swell dude and all, and you really did put a lot of effort into the Asphalt and Real Racing articles, I hereby present you a kitten as a token of, um, epicness?
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This page is an archive of past discussions. Do not edit the contents of this page. If you wish to start a new discussion or revive an old one, please do so on the current talk page.
The Wikipedia Library
gmail.com. Thanks and cheers, Jake Ocaasi via MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 23:41, 20 June 2014 (UTC)
