This is not a Wikipedia article: This is a workpage, a collection of material and work in progress that may or may not be incorporated into an article. It should not necessarily be considered factual or authoritative.
That's a good question. At this point, I feel that I need to learn more about being an admin before I decide where to specialize. There are several backlogged areas I've found, so I'll begin by learning more about those needs and see what I can do to help catch things up.
2. What are your best contributions to Wikipedia, and why?
To be honest, I consider nearly all of my edits to be improvements to Wikipedia. My best edits, though, were those times when I made mistakes and was reverted by more experienced editors. I've learned a good deal about editing from the discussions that ensued.
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?
Yes, in the course of my presence here I've "suffered" many conflicts with other editors who felt that my edits were not improvements (or with vandals, some of whom were persistent). Since this is a form of volunteer work, and since I have grown to really like Wikipedia, I've endured little actual stress in those cases. I dealt with it by presenting my views and by listening to the views of other editors. At times my edits prevailed and other times they didn't, and these instances were always learning experiences in some way or another. I feel it's important to listen when others disagree with me. That's what can turn conflict into a "win-win" situation. Here is an example and all are welcome to join in the discussion.
Well, as with anything else on Wikipedia, there's no obligation to do anything. For example, the admin tools includethe ability to hand out certain user rights- an option which I've never exercised. Most of the admin tools that I use concernediting protected pages- I havethis page on my watchlistso that I know what's been requested, and if it's something that I believe is a good edit request, I carry it out, as withthese edits.
One of the most useful of the admin tools is the ability to view and restore deleted pages. I don't actually restore very many at all - but when a page shows up in my watchlist as a redlink marked "(Deletion log) ... deleted page ...", I might be curious as to what its final contents were, and by using Special:Undelete, the page history may be seen, and individual revisions viewed, all without actually undeleting the page. But be warned: WP:RFA won't go well for you if that's all you want to do.
Each case needs to be considered on its own merits. Very often, whether to userfy or not will emerge during an WP:XFD discussion (WP:PRODs and WP:CSDs never result in userfication, only keepordelete); but XFDs should not be decided on a simple majority vote - the arguments put forward by each side need to be weighed against each other.
Even WP:PRODs and WP:CSDs are not always straightforward - they may have been placed in error, possibly by somebody unfamiliar with policies. The admin coming across one of these is not constrained to delete.
If you feel unable to judge the outcome of a deletion request - regardless of whether it's WP:XFD or not - you can leave it for somebody else to make the final call; with an XFD you always have the option of adding a !vote which states your opinion; with a WP:PROD you can use {{proposed deletion endorsed}}; and with WP:CFD you can post to the relevant talk page.
If you put some open WP:AFD pages on your watchlist, also some of the daily log pages for WP:TFD/WP:CFD/etc., you'll learn who are the admins who regularly close deletion discussions; you can then post to one of their talk pages, asking how they made the decision. --Redrose64 (talk) 20:35, 28 January 2013 (UTC)[reply]
This user is not a Wikipedia administrator but considers the possibility of becoming one someday.
just kidding!
Pending input from two admins who've helped me a great deal in the past, my interim decision is to remain an editor and not attempt to become an admin at this time. It may be better to wait until the dust settles, and there is not so much controversy regarding adminship and the RfA. I think I'd make a good admin and I thank all who support me; however, it would be better to wait.
I see that I forgot to update this portion. One of the two admins, both of whom I greatly esteem, ignored me. That might be because we were involved in a talk-page discussion and were arguing opposing viewpoints. The other has given me several good tips and promises more. At this point the fact is that I'm very happy with my present status of non-admin, so I shall postpone any further desire to join the ranks of these rank amateurs (that's the unnecessary rougeness talking). – PAINEELLSWORTHCLIMAX!19:40, 23 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Concerning 1A, expect folks to ask what specific areas you intend to work. The creationist/deletionists will certainly want to test your knowledge of the deletion criteria
Your user talk page states, "For awhile, due to health reasons, I'm pretty much going to limit myself to gnome edits." Does this still apply? If so, you can expect editors to inquire as to whether you are currently ready or able to carry out the duties associated with being an admin. Those duties and certainly the RfA process are likely to be stressful.
– Done
I notice that you don't have a PROD or CSD log. It might be a good idea to install Twinkle and create those logs by doing some new page patrolling for about a month. Twinkle will automatically fill in your log results. Many folks will expect you to have the logs so they can analyze your track record. Non-admins in particular want to see this because they don't have access to deleted contribs.