Category talk:Wikipedians looking for help

message: I check this page maybe twice per "wikipedia session" which is just about every day and have have only once seen a user listed as requesting help. Unless I am the butt of a cosmic statistics joke, there must be some reason why the the message to add  in many templates does not seem to garner much response.--Fuhghettaboutit 02:14, 18 June 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Better make it something like 15 minutes, as Commander Keane said is the response time. It would be better to have a little extra time just in case something requires a long reply or isn't that easy to explain. Jfingers88 12:55, 4 August 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Might also like to ask them not to replace it when it is removed. I remove it in my first edit so noone bothers answering a question I am already answering and then answer the question myself with the second edit. ViridaeTalk 13:31, 4 August 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: 15 minutes is fine.  But one might be able to ask "how may I help you?" and remove the tag within 15 seconds, so as long as you're fast it should be OK.  Also, other editors, seing the "how may I help you?" should know that the case is taken. AdamBiswanger1 13:43, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

text: Since I'm on at an odd timezone, I have actually seen helpmes (usually ones that I'm not comfortable handling) that stay up for quite a while, since it's a lot slower at night time.  So, while overall that might be a good idea, I think some sort of disclaimer like "during slow hours, responses might take a bit longer, please be patient and we'll get back to you as soon as possible" for those instances. Other than that, I agree, it would have made me more likely to use it, and I think it would do well. —Keakealani •Poke Me•contribs• 01:47, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

text: I thought about that, but I think it's better to take a risk, and brevity is everything.  Fine print might just make the template too long and make many people less likely to read it. AdamBiswanger1 18:29, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

text: Anyone can answer questions. You do not need to be an administrator. Besides the help desk there's also the New Contributors' help page and the Reference Desk. Have at it!--Fuhghettaboutit 21:32, 13 August 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Users rarely listed, IRC chan

message: If anyone wants help answering CAT:HELP requests more quickly, I've written a script that can add immediate-request categories to your watchlist (User:ais523/catwatch.js). --ais523 15:33, 15 November 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: The bootcamp channel on IRC also monitors this category. - Che Nuevara 21:49, 15 November 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: ais523, you are a life-saver. My computer's bamjaxed, won't let me enter IRC, so your script has helped me no end! Queenie Talk 18:39, 1 March 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: ditto to that, I reckon this has to be best scripts out there. It should be compulsory for every admin at least, I can know about tagged attack pages or unblock requests immensely fast--Jac16888Talk 18:56, 1 March 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: ... Ur, am I doing something wrong? It is supposed to come up on the watchlist, right? Queenie 18:59, 1 March 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: Yes, but it can be hard to set up, sometimes. Make sure you follow the instructions, and that you bypass your cache after installing the script and after setting up the category watchlist. On Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 (and possibly 8, I haven't tested), sometimes you need to delete your temporary internet files as well to get it working; I'm not entirely sure why, though. --ais523 19:04, 1 March 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: It still doesn't work.. Queenie 19:09, 1 March 2009 (UTC)
thread_title:  Script 

message: For all those who monitor this category, here's a userbox:
|-
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Hope you like. RyanLupin (talk/contribs) 11:18, 13 October 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: Thanks, I will go and add it to my userbox page now :P Tiddly-Tom 11:35, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

text: Can anyone elaborate on what IRC is? Whenever I click on an IRC link, my Firefox browser decides to digitally constipate. RyanLupin (talk/contribs) 19:09, 23 October 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: Wikipedia itself has an article on it: Internet Relay Chat. It's a chatroom system, basically, and you'll need some sort of client software installed on your machine, to access it. --McGeddon 19:33, 23 October 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: If you download Chatzilla, you can load IRC through FireFox. Lara❤Love 15:58, 24 October 2007 (UTC)

text: Yeah thanks for the tips guys, I downloaded xChat last night and had a fiddle, now all IRC links work! :) Ryan (talk/contribs) 16:04, 24 October 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  I created a userbox 

message: I use the help service-thing often, and I have a suggestion.  Could a little space be added somewhere to say if anybody is actively helping out at that time - it is quite annoying when I'm waiting for your questions to be answered, and I wonder whether anyone is available or not.  Thanks! TheMoridian 09:32, 14 April 2008 (UTC)
replies: text: I don't think this is possible based on the manner in which questions are found and answered. This is "just" a category page, which the helpme template places a user into when they post that template. There is no organized staging area from which coordinated helpers await slots to answer questions. Another words, there is nothing anyone does that makes them active or not that we could flag to make your request possible. Instead, users find their way here to check whether any requests are pending by various methids and help or not, based on their own lights. Some users simply stop by the attached page every so often to check if it populated and if it's a question they can answer. Others have a script which makes the category pop up on their watchlist, and others are alerted through an IRC feed of new questions.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 12:56, 14 April 2008 (UTC)
replies: text: The only way you could do that would be to list ALL the helpers, then next to each helper have some sort of indicator to tell whether they are "online".  I'm not sure if Wikipedia has any way to indicate whether a user is online.  Anyone? Bob the Wikipedian, the Tree of Life WikiDragon (talk) 16:55, 14 April 2008 (UTC)
replies: text: I recently found a userbox which claims to say when the user is online, or when they were last on.  Go to my workdesk to see it.  Perhaps this could be used in some way? TheMoridian 14:15, 23 April 2008 (UTC)
replies: text: See User:StatusBot, though it's been down for a while and has been replaced several times.--Sunny910910 (talk|Contributions|Guest) 05:22, 4 May 2008 (UTC)
replies: text: Actually, I've been working on something like that. The project isn't quite done, but I've done a lot of work on it and it's pretty good so far. It can be found at Wikipedia:Highly Active Users. Useight (talk) 05:57, 9 May 2008 (UTC)
replies: text: Looking good!  I've added myself in, since I consider myself overly active and also capable of assisting others in a few areas, such as copyright, vandalism, and article creation/editing.  As someone who requests help frequently myself (for proper coding help), I know this feature will be valuable when it is finished.  Thanks for your hard work, Useight!  Bob the Wikipedian (talk) 05:28, 17 May 2008 (UTC)
thread_title:  Helpers Space 

message: The link shown above doesn't work when I click on it. It does the same when i'm using other Computers.  Therefore If it is useless to others, it needs to be fixed or deleted.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by Condalence (talk • contribs) 02:17, 22 June 2008 (UTC)
replies: text: It works fine.  Do you have access to IRC? If not the link will not work. §hep  •  ¡Talk to me! 03:17, 22 June 2008 (UTC)
replies: text: It's odd, but the link above does not work for me. Yet when I click  it works fine. Also, you need to install Java. Queenie 16:45, 11 March 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: Try this link: #wikipedia-en-help. (By the way, the link above doesn't work because it was nowiki-ed.) —MC10 (T•C•GB•L) 18:02, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
thread_title: <nowiki>[irc://irc.freenode.net/wikipedia-en-help #wikipedia-en-help]</nowiki>

message: Hi!  I've just found this area (and I've been here for what, 3 years now and a mop wielder for 3 months? I should explore more), and I thought I should try and help out too.  Only thing is, I can't find any instructions/guidelines as to what is usually done.  For example - do you delete the helpme tag once you've helped out? Do you mark the page as "being helped" whilst you help out so that others don't waste their time duplicating the aid? In short - is there an instructions page somewhere? If so, could you make the link to it a bit more obvious, as I can't find it! (I probably just need glasses) Thanks, StephenBuxton (talk) 16:08, 9 September 2008 (UTC)
replies: text: (answered on user talk page also) I do not think there are any directions for new helpers. Most helpers hang out on irc. If someone places the  tag on their talk page it notifies the irc group. To disable the tag you change it to . For the most part the first one to help changes the tag so that the bot that notifies the IRC group does not keep notifying every minute or so. If it is a confusing question or an issue that requires more people some editors leave the tag up while they try to resolve the question. Come over to the IRC page. There are great people there that will help you get started (usually... some times it is dead in there). GtstrickyTalk or C 14:23, 10 September 2008 (UTC)
replies: text: Cheers for that.  Internet restrictions prevent me from logging into that area whilst at work, but I'll check it out from home. StephenBuxton (talk) 11:34, 11 September 2008 (UTC)

text: There are also some regulars, such as myself, who wouldn't know an irc if it hit them in their head. I keep abreast of the category using User:Ais523/catwatch.js. You might find Wikipedia:Help desk/How to answer a useful general resource as well as  (included on that page) of interest. Note also the following handy template, tailored to this category: . Cheers.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 18:56, 1 March 2009 (UTC)
thread_title:  Instructions for new volunteers 

message: any of you folks familiar with Lupin?  I'm wanting to tweak the spell check part so that it shows the actual diff prior to actually changing the word (fixes the spelling).  I tried User:Ioeth (or something like that a while back, but he doesn't seem to be around a whole lot these days.  I tried the help desk.  I tried various links in WP:Lupin - just haven't found anyone who can help.  The reason I want to show the "diff" first - is so I don't change the spelling in a quote, or reference, or a place where it's actually out of context and acceptable as is.  Thanks — Ched ~  (yes?) 18:41, 11 March 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: Ched, you should ask at User talk:Lupin. He developed the whole thing and is sure to know more about it than anyone else ;D Queenie 20:02, 31 March 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: Yea, I did that a while back - but he/she hasn't been around since toward the end of last year.  I tried Ioeth too, but his edits have been sporadic (at least they were back in late Jan.) I've asked a bunch of places, and I might just have to learn the lingo and reprogram it myself if I want to make any changes.  Oh well, I do appreciate you dropping me a reply Queenie, very nice of you - Thank You. — Ched ~  (yes?)/© 21:04, 31 March 2009 (UTC)
thread_title:  Lupin 

message: The refresh button looks really cool. How do I add I to my talk and user page. Also how do I get a cool signature.--20thtryer (talk) 13:24, 28 March 2012 (UTC)
replies: text: Which refresh button are you referring to?  WP:CUSTOMSIG shows how to go about customising your signature.  Bear in mind that complicated (or over-the-top) signatures are discouraged because they put lots of markup into the edit window and makes editing and reading the markup difficult.  matt (talk) 13:44, 28 March 2012 (UTC)
replies: text: I meant the "update this page" button. Is this button and are the contents of this page cc.--20thtryer talk  15:53, 29 March 2012 (UTC)
replies: text: You mean the  template? The file used in it, Crystal 128 reload.png, is licensed as free software under GNU LGPL (version 2.1 or later). A vector version of this image is available at . :-) benzband (talk) 16:24, 29 March 2012 (UTC)
thread_title:  Refresh button 

message: Currently a query goes through  to , optionally through .
# "I am looking for help! Ask your question below. You can also look at Help Contents, ask at the Help desk or the Teahouse, or check the FAQ. Users who monitor the category Wikipedians looking for help and those on the #wikipedia-en-help IRC channel have been alerted and will assist you shortly. Note that you can also receive live Wikipedia-related help there; click here to connect. You'll be receiving help soon so don't worry. (Note to helpers: Once you have offered help, please nullify the template using  or similar, replace with , or where  was used, use /)"
# (Optional.) "We're working on it! A helper (or group of helpers) is working on your question, and should have an answer as soon as possible. If you can, join #wikipedia-en-help, the Wikipedia IRC help channel to get real-time assistance, and/or provide us with more information so we can better assist you."
# "This help request has been answered. If you need more help, place a new  request on this page followed by your questions, contact the responding user(s) directly on their user talk page, or consider visiting the Teahouse."
I would like to propose two things, here. Gryllida 10:40, 3 September 2013 (UTC)
replies: text:  Other things related to it of interest are Wikinews:Javascript# →  and n:User:Bawolff/mwapilib.js.  What this means is that the function that makes that button work is very much like an on by default gadget, which I think it would be best to avoid, at least at this time. Technical 13 (talk) 12:20, 16 September 2013 (UTC)
replies: text:  yeah, that script predates on-by-default gadgets being cool (or existing). Bawolff (talk) 19:24, 16 September 2013 (UTC)
replies: text: Thank you both. I think that doing it this way here is worse than using an on-by-default gadget, as taking various functionality out of a single file is more maintainable. Would you agree? Gryllida (talk) 23:05, 16 September 2013 (UTC)
replies: text:  I'm sorry, I don't exactly understand the wording of your question.  I'm going to make a guess here and you can tell me if I'm right or wrong and if I'm wrong, try to explain what I guessed wrong for me.  Is it worse to make this kind of tool a requirement for all users than it is to offer it as an on-by-default gadget that they could turn off if they desired?  If that is the question, then the short answer is yes; however, I don't think that either of those options is appropriate for this kind of tool at this time.  Technical 13 (talk) 12:05, 17 September 2013 (UTC)
thread_title:  Workflow 

message: Add a new  template, for when helper asked for additional information and is waiting for user reply. Gryllida 10:40, 3 September 2013 (UTC)
thread_title:  Workflow change 

message: # I don't see a need for this.  Most helpers watch pages of helpees for awhile after the fact, and even if they don't the "-helped" template says they can always use  again if they have another question. Technical 13 (talk) 12:24, 3 September 2013 (UTC)
thread_title:  Oppose 

message: Look at how :n:Template:Developing works, and add buttons users to toggle helpme requests state using JS rather than manual source edit. Gryllida 10:40, 3 September 2013 (UTC)
replies: text:  Other things related to it of interest are Wikinews:Javascript# →  and n:User:Bawolff/mwapilib.js.  What this means is that the function that makes that button work is very much like an on by default gadget, which I think it would be best to avoid, at least at this time. Technical 13 (talk) 12:20, 16 September 2013 (UTC)
replies: text:  yeah, that script predates on-by-default gadgets being cool (or existing). Bawolff (talk) 19:24, 16 September 2013 (UTC)
replies: text: Thank you both. I think that doing it this way here is worse than using an on-by-default gadget, as taking various functionality out of a single file is more maintainable. Would you agree? Gryllida (talk) 23:05, 16 September 2013 (UTC)
replies: text:  I'm sorry, I don't exactly understand the wording of your question.  I'm going to make a guess here and you can tell me if I'm right or wrong and if I'm wrong, try to explain what I guessed wrong for me.  Is it worse to make this kind of tool a requirement for all users than it is to offer it as an on-by-default gadget that they could turn off if they desired?  If that is the question, then the short answer is yes; however, I don't think that either of those options is appropriate for this kind of tool at this time.  Technical 13 (talk) 12:05, 17 September 2013 (UTC)
thread_title:  Templates change 

message: # Due to the fact that it would require an "on by default" gadget to accomplish this, I think this is a solution looking for a problem that currently doesn't exist.  On that note, I have been working on a script for helpers to make it easier to manage template states and respond/help users with questions. Technical 13 (talk) 12:24, 3 September 2013 (UTC)
thread_title:  Oppose 

message: I read several messages. I understood none of them. Specific questions follow.
======On by default======
* A new on by default gadget is a bad idea. This point is something I can see merit in, while not to the point of applying to this context, as a lot of it is still unclear to me. Gryllida (talk) 03:52, 16 September 2013 (UTC)
replies: text:  Other things related to it of interest are Wikinews:Javascript# →  and n:User:Bawolff/mwapilib.js.  What this means is that the function that makes that button work is very much like an on by default gadget, which I think it would be best to avoid, at least at this time. Technical 13 (talk) 12:20, 16 September 2013 (UTC)
replies: text:  yeah, that script predates on-by-default gadgets being cool (or existing). Bawolff (talk) 19:24, 16 September 2013 (UTC)
replies: text: Thank you both. I think that doing it this way here is worse than using an on-by-default gadget, as taking various functionality out of a single file is more maintainable. Would you agree? Gryllida (talk) 23:05, 16 September 2013 (UTC)
replies: text:  I'm sorry, I don't exactly understand the wording of your question.  I'm going to make a guess here and you can tell me if I'm right or wrong and if I'm wrong, try to explain what I guessed wrong for me.  Is it worse to make this kind of tool a requirement for all users than it is to offer it as an on-by-default gadget that they could turn off if they desired?  If that is the question, then the short answer is yes; however, I don't think that either of those options is appropriate for this kind of tool at this time.  Technical 13 (talk) 12:05, 17 September 2013 (UTC)
thread_title:  Discussion 

message: * A new on by default gadget is a bad idea. This point is something I can see merit in, while not to the point of applying to this context, as a lot of it is still unclear to me. Gryllida (talk) 03:52, 16 September 2013 (UTC)
thread_title: On by default

message: * The existing gadget I linked works by doing things for you. (This point is experimentally true). It is unclear, at least to me, how it works, and whether it is a good idea to do the same here. Gryllida (talk) 03:52, 16 September 2013 (UTC)
replies: text:  Other things related to it of interest are Wikinews:Javascript# →  and n:User:Bawolff/mwapilib.js.  What this means is that the function that makes that button work is very much like an on by default gadget, which I think it would be best to avoid, at least at this time. Technical 13 (talk) 12:20, 16 September 2013 (UTC)
replies: text:  yeah, that script predates on-by-default gadgets being cool (or existing). Bawolff (talk) 19:24, 16 September 2013 (UTC)
replies: text: Thank you both. I think that doing it this way here is worse than using an on-by-default gadget, as taking various functionality out of a single file is more maintainable. Would you agree? Gryllida (talk) 23:05, 16 September 2013 (UTC)
replies: text:  I'm sorry, I don't exactly understand the wording of your question.  I'm going to make a guess here and you can tell me if I'm right or wrong and if I'm wrong, try to explain what I guessed wrong for me.  Is it worse to make this kind of tool a requirement for all users than it is to offer it as an on-by-default gadget that they could turn off if they desired?  If that is the question, then the short answer is yes; however, I don't think that either of those options is appropriate for this kind of tool at this time.  Technical 13 (talk) 12:05, 17 September 2013 (UTC)
thread_title: Existing example

message: * There is work in progress on new script. It is unclear to me what shape it takes. Is it a user script? (I believe this is where agreement is almost reached: yes it is, and it also is possible to make an on by default gadget but undesirable). Gryllida (talk) 03:52, 16 September 2013 (UTC)
thread_title: Work in progress

message: There is a cross-wiki discussion in progress as to whether c: should be enabled globally as an interwiki prefix for links to the Wikimedia Commons. If the proposal gains consensus this will require the deletion or renaming of several pages on the English WIkipedia whose titles begin with "C:", including one or more redirects to this page. Please take a moment to participate in the discussion.
There is also a related discussion on the English Wikipedia at Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion/Log/2014 February 16#C:ATT to which you are invited to contribute.
Thank you. Thryduulf (talk) 15:34, 1 March 2014 (UTC)
thread_title:  Request for Comments: <code>c:</code> link prefix for Wikimedia Commons