I've known Robertsky for a couple of years now, mainly through our shared involvement in Articles for Creation. In that time, I've known him to be a helpful editor and a frequent participant in discussions. As Novem also stated, Robertsky has a considerable amount of experience with requested moves and technical move requests, an area where the admin tools will definitely come in handy. Robertsky has also demonstrated his competency in a number of other areas, including administrator intervention against vandalism and usernames for administrator attention, with more than a hundred reports to each page. He has also demonstrated an excellent grasp of content policies through his content creation (two good articles, plus dozens of others created), along with reviewing well over a thousand drafts at AfC. I hope that you will join Novem and I in supporting Robertsky. — Ingenuity (talk • contribs) 01:29, 27 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Dear candidate, thank you for offering to serve Wikipedia as an administrator. Please answer these questions to provide guidance for participants:
1. Why are you interested in becoming an administrator?
A: I see it as the next logical step in my work on Wikipedia here. I would like to utilise the admin tools further in the areas that I am currently active in: dealing with admin-locked page moves that arise from processing requested move discussions or technical move requests; blockers for AfC acceptances; dealing with revdels relating to copyright issues as I patrol new articles or reviewing older ones which may have copyrighted content introduced in the early days of Wikipedia; and vandalism on a day to day basis.
2. What are your best contributions to Wikipedia, and why?
A: Bringing Goo Hara up to GA status is a journey that I will always remember as the article was one of the very first articles that got me hooked on contributing to Wikipedia. The near complete rewrite of Johor–Singapore Causeway was also poignant as the previous version was largely lifted from Singapore National Library's write up on the causeway. Creating Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act 2019 and developing the bulk of it was an interesting one. While there is always the inherent knowledge that the content we create here will be utilised by the masses, it is refreshing to have the article being brought up directly in my conversations with others.
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: Invariably, there will always be conflicts with each other when editing. At the start of my editing career, I was certainly stressed when entering into what I felt was my first ever major conflict (mainly dealing with how filmography tables should look like on Singaporean artiste BLPs). Me and another editor were having different point of views on what the table should contain. While there were other editors jumping into the conversation, it was limited and there were times I wanted to lash out out of exasperation. However, I decided to take a step back and return back to the topic when my nerves were more calm. The issue was resolved with an RfC in the end. Over time, I find myself in conflict with other editors, be it for content or for other types of discussions. However, I find myself having mellowed with each conflict. I don't take the conflicts personally, and step away for a time if needed. My current approach to understand from where the other party is coming from, especially if I am playing the role of a discussion closer, reclarify and work out to see if a resolution can be reached or further discussion with other editors would be required.
You may ask optional questions below. There is a limit of two questions per editor. Multi-part questions disguised as one question, with the intention of evading the limit, are disallowed. Follow-up questions relevant to questions you have already asked are allowed.
4. Could you show what experience do you have in resolving disputes between editors?
A: Just to be clear, Dispute Resolution Noticeboard is the stomping grounds of Robert McClenon, a different Robert.😎 Most of my experience resolving disputes between editors are through Requested Moves discussions, and some participation in AN/ANI.
On AN/ANI, I have tried assisting editors in resolving their disputes a few times that I recall. Once, I elaborated that the burden for providing verifiable information falls on the editor even if the content was translated from another language project and was originally unsourced. In another dispute about COI and PAID editing, I elaborated that what the editor did, copying entire texts, was not fair use as claimed, and also that we are individual editors working independently of each other when they claimed there's a “Wikipedia team”. But being AN/ANI, I understand that the final closure of the dispute would be up to an admin more often than not. Hopefully though, the points I raised helped the editors involved and also steered the discussions towards an acceptable resolution.
A: I learned that sometimes a close and the discretion of a closer requires finesse, and that it is important to keep WP:NOTBURO in mind. While there are guidelines and a procedure for how to close discussions, it is important to be empathic to the participants involved. In the requested move discussion on Izium mass graves, I recognised that my close could have been premature in some eyes. In spite of the active participation, which in most other RM discussions would be a signal for closure after 7 days of discussion, it was a discussion that would benefit from a longer discourse due to the emotions that were driving the discussion. Flexibility can also be offered in other ways. While RM discussions are about article titles, it can also become a discussion about content, as seen in the Biomass article.
While it is easy to make use of existing policies and guidelines to help to resolve disputes, how they are being used and when they are being used are important as well. It is important to communicate clearly with editors, especially new editors like in the ANI examples above. – robertsky (talk) 07:59, 29 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
6. Besides edit conflicts, what other challenges have you faced in your editing career?
A: Content wise, it is the accessibility of sources. While there is The Wikipedia Library, there are still resources that we do not have access to. Being a Singaporean, I am fortunate to have further access to other resources for free with the National Library Board (NLB) libraries here, which complements TWL's access. Nonetheless, when I wrote Mak Ho Wai at the time of his passing, the sources that I could find on him were limited as his early life and career were not in Singapore but in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Although sources on his career in Singapore were available to me through the NLB, this limited the completeness of his biography.
Combating vandalism can be a challenge as well. Sometimes the vandalism done is quite deliberate, sophisticated, and not easy to spot. I encountered someone who tried to add in false information on Tan Kah Kee, but was backed with a source: a book published in 1970. I pondered whether to put up a request at the Resource Exchange, but ultimately I found the book in the archives of the NLB. After a trip down to the central library to retrieve the book and a verification later, the false information was removed. – robertsky (talk) 20:24, 29 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
7. At any time along the course of this RfA, have you wanted to respond to any comments or discussions, or address the deal with something in greater detail, and if so, what is your spiel on said deal? Feel free to answer this at any time, or leave it blank, or whatever.
8. You have my support, I'm asking this question out of interest with regards to your views on administrator anonymity. Specifically, do you feel that administrators who have a declared public profile might find some circumstances harder to deal with, if not by necessity have to recuse themselves from certain adjudications where an anonymous administrator would not?
A: I think even as an active editor with a public profile, there are already considerations, i.e. harassment, legal threats, societal pressure, etc, and it takes a certain amount of thick skin or zen to be out in the public. To my knowledge, there have been two attack/impersonation accounts of me made already in the course of my anti-vandalism work (the most recent one). Going public for me was a resolution to myself that I should not be an ass with other people on this project since my real-life reputation is also now tied here. Also hopefully, it is a clear indication to others that I am serious about this project and I will give utmost consideration to their words for as long as they are civil.
While I have not yet faced a situation that has escalated to levels that threaten my real life, I think one should forgive such administrators (and editors) if they decide to pass on getting involved in certain disputes if their public profile may threaten their personal safety in real life or for similar reasons. While their insights are much appreciated, their well-being is also a priority. There’s no lack of admins and editors who are similarly competent. – robertsky (talk) 14:56, 31 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
9. What is your opinion on abortion as it relates to the intersection of gun control, race relations, your own personal religious beliefs, and true ownership of the Senkaku Islands?
Have crossed paths several times through AfC and pages with SPI issues. I like that they are also active on other projects outside of en.Wikipedia. --CNMall41 (talk) 02:03, 27 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Support - This makes a lot of sense, and I give the candidate my full support. I've seen them around for a while, cheerfully doing helpful things to improve the encyclopedia. And although I don't think we have ever had an actual conversation on-wiki or off, I feel confident giving my support although it's still very early in the process before the optional questions have been asked. Thank you for volunteering and good luck! Netherzone (talk) 02:15, 27 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Support I haven't worked with them directly but I've run across them a few times and they always seem to know what they're doing. Excited to see more of their work in the future! Dr vulpes(Talk)02:42, 27 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Support: One of the easiest supports I've cast. I have no doubt of their ability as an editor and I trust them to use the tools properly and with appropriate discretion. Hey man im josh (talk) 03:12, 27 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Support Okay, time to review this robertsky person. A.k.a. Robert Sim. Looking at the edits: technical move, technical move, answer question in the Teahouse, page swap, oh hey, he's the guy who helped me by moving Arabis glabra to Turritis glabra. That's not strictly Plantipedia, but I'm an honorable plant obsessed proto-Supervillain so quid pro quo and no cabal to be seen here. ;) 🌿MtBotany (talk) 03:46, 27 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
I am not familiar with the editor but their contributions are great, and their AfD participation is great. I trust that they will protect content and content creators. I also trust ingenuity as nominator and I have learned to trust Novem Linguae. Lightburst (talk) 04:35, 27 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Support I don't have any objections here, and the AfC backlog drive seemed not only successful but well-organized as such a thing could be. ᴢxᴄᴠʙɴᴍ (ᴛ) 08:33, 27 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Support - from personal observation as to preliminary work and actual participation in the Wikimania 2023 - the capacity to cope with technical and people issues - is a very strong candidate for the mop JarrahTree12:37, 27 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Support, I've only had good interactions with the user in RM, and I am actually surprised to learn that they aren't already an admin. — mw (talk) (contribs) 12:51, 27 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Support - I had the fortune of meeting Robertsky in person at Wikimania 2023 alongside @Novem Linguae, I was impressed with their leadership skills in organizing the conference and have followed their work in AFC ever since, which I've also been impressed by.Sohom (talk) 17:48, 27 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Support: able to write content, experienced in admin areas, gone above and beyond in work for the community at Wikimania and the November 2023 AfC backlog drive. No temperament issues that I can see. — Bilorv (talk) 20:45, 27 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Support I am a simple man, and the guy gave me a Christmas message and a brownie. Automatic support! Joking aside, an experienced editor whose leadership came in handy during the recent backlog drive. I assumed they were already an admin, tbh. Acebulf(talk | contribs)22:54, 27 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Support – impressive work ethic, consistently responsive, great technical knowledge, and well-versed in policy; one of the mainstays of the SG Wikimedia community. Fully confident in their ability to use the tools (and use them well). ~ KN2731 {talk · contribs} 16:35, 28 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Support - Wholeheartedly. I have worked on and off with this editor for a few years now, and have always found them thoughtful, respectful and knowledgeable. When I used to work on NPP, and would notice that one of the articles was a piece which had been moved from AfC by this reviewer, I never found any issues. The fact that they were nominated by 2 editors who I have great respect for did not hurt at all. They will be a very positive addition to the admin corps.Onel5969TT me16:39, 28 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Support Not much personal experience, but the people vouching for them are credible, and their role in the Wikimania 2023 organizing team speaks well to their capabilities, since, as an attendee, that event went so well for the first in-person Wikimania in two years, one of the largest Wikimanias we've ever had (and largest if you add the virtual participants) and one held in the middle of a large global city.
Support You act here in a collegial manner. I considered you an admin anyway. You have never overstated your role, but display a calm demeanour under pressure, thus defusing any pressure. 🇺🇦 FiddleTimtrentFaddleTalk to me 🇺🇦 14:58, 29 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Support – Add this to my growing list of "I thought they were already an admin." I've only seen good edits from robertsky, and the disclosure of the WP:COI with hackerspaceSG and their inconsequential edits to the article shows the exact type of transparency expected of our mop-wielders. — Jkudlick ⚓ (talk)20:55, 29 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Support Quite surprising to me that here is an editor who's been around as long as i have, as prolific as he is, and i have no recollection of our paths ever crossing; *shrug* meaningless, but interesting to me. Nevertheless, as all in the Oppose section below show, no reason not to give him the mop. Happy days, ~ LindsayHello10:22, 31 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Support. File this under "pleased to meet you". It doesn't happen often, but here is a well-qualified RfA candidate whom I never heard of until this RfA. But everything checks out for me and I'm happy to support. --Tryptofish (talk) 22:19, 31 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Noting that, currently, this is a 100% UNBADGERED RfA -- there are no opposes or neutrals with arguments in the replies underneath them. Perhaps if we keep it this way we can set a new record?jp×g🗯️03:16, 28 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Well, if the support rate is 100%, that can either indicate that nobody had an objection or that nobody felt comfortable raising an objection. I got a couple opposes and I think I am better off for it (at least I know what people didn't like about me ;^)) jp×g🗯️06:59, 28 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Eagerly awaiting someone at hour 20 on day 6 saying "What is your opinion on abortion as it relates to the intersection of gun control, race relations, your own personal religious beliefs, and true ownership of the Senkaku Islands?" jp×g🗯️06:08, 30 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
Now is the time for me to ask the admin candidate "What is your opinion on abortion as it relates to the intersection of gun control, race relations, your own personal religious beliefs, and true ownership of the Senkaku Islands?"[Joke]❤HistoryTheorist❤05:37, 2 January 2024 (UTC)[reply]
Suppose now is the time to throw in a last-minute critical comment and get jumped on by like 100 people for it?(Just kidding, couldn't resist.) – Epicgenius (talk) 00:10, 3 January 2024 (UTC)[reply]
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.