Volunteer Response Team/Volunteering

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OTRS volunteers are always welcome, but there is a fairly selective application process, given the nature of the work. Generally, OTRS administrators must be familiar with you and your work on Wikimedia projects before accepting you as a volunteer and issuing you an account. It may take some time before you receive a response in regards to your request, so please be patient.

If you are truly interested in helping out with OTRS and have not yet received a response as to that status of your application, please feel free to join the IRC channel and introduce yourself to some of our members. You still may be able to help out without an OTRS account (for more information, check out OTRS/IRC channel).

Before applying to volunteer, please read OTRS/info-en recruiting and make sure that the following statements accurately describe you:

• you're willing to work on difficult, sensitive, and at times hostile messages;
• you're courteous, skilled at resolving disputes, friendly even in the face of hostility, sensitive to the needs of those outside Wikipedia, and have exemplary discretion;
• you're willing to provide identification to the Wikimedia Foundation (please see Access to nonpublic data policy for why we ask for this).

Please note that there is a firm recommendation of 16 as a minimum age for participation in the OTRS system, to ensure people have adequate real life and Wikimedia experience before taking on what is a considerable and important responsibility for the Foundation and the projects.

====[[User:Example|]]====

*'''languages you can reply in:''' Zulu, English-3, Inuktitut-3, and Sinhala-2
*'''most active user talk pages:''' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Example]
*'''Email sent''': Yes

I'd like to help out on OTRS because . ~~~~

Feel free to specify if you are entrusted with any special tools on wikis (sysop, bureaucrat, checkuser, etc.). You may also add to your application links to archives of help desk posts, or identification on active mailing lists if you think they are relevant.

Please also send an email to volunteers-otrswikimedia.org linking to your application on this page and giving your age, each time you apply. Thanks.

Note: Additional language skills are a plus. Currently, additional help is needed in: Arabic (العربية), German (Deutsch), Italian (Italiano), Hebrew (עברית), Dutch (Nederlands), Spanish (Español), and Norwegian (Norsk) queues (in order of backlog). Please make sure you mention any language skills you have.

Elcobbola

• languages you can reply in: English-N, German-N
• most active user talk pages: en.wiki
• Email sent: Yes

I am a Commons administrator and an en.wiki rollbacker (although I presume the latter is not terribly meaningful). I'd like to volunteer for OTRS to assist admin duties on the Commons (e.g. OTRS Pending and Flickr backlogs, etc.) Additionally, one of my primary activities on en.wiki is reviewing images, especially in the context of the Featured Article process. I am also regularly consulted for image advice (see the above-referenced talk page). It would, therefore, be helpful to be able to review and assist with OTRS permissions, tagging, etc. in the FAC and general en.wiki contexts as well. Outside of the review aspect, I'm happy to assist OTRS as needed (e.g. I see above that additional help is needed for a German language backlog). ЭLСОВВОLД _talk 16:17, 26 August 2008 (UTC)

• Endorse. - I have seen Elcobbola's work firsthand at both English Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, and I can say that Elcobbola is a valued contributor on both projects. Especially with regard to OTRS Pending on Commons - this is a backlogged area and we could certainly use the help of an experienced Commons administrator. Cirt 06:21, 27 August 2008 (UTC)
• Endorse per Cirt. Durova 02:06, 29 August 2008 (UTC)
• Endorse A highly trustworthy user with extensive image copyright knowledge. Nishkid64 (talk) 02:25, 15 September 2008 (UTC)
• Endorse for +permissions, +info-de (f). Regards, Daniel (talk) 08:59, 16 September 2008 (UTC)

Lvova

• languages you can reply in: Russian-N
• most active user talk pages: [1]
• Email sent: Yes

I'd like to help out on OTRS because my colleagues in the Russian wikipedia need help, we have a lot of requests in permission queue now, and not so many people with access to answer them. Lvova 20:54, 2 September 2008 (UTC)

• Endorse. We definitely need more people on OTRS, and Lvova is a very good candidate to work with OTRS. Ilya Voyager 21:04, 2 September 2008 (UTC)
• Stasya would be a terrific asset to Russian queues. MaxSem^{(Han shot first!)} 17:05, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

Dorgan

• languages you can reply in: Hungarian, English-2
• most active user talk pages: [2]
• Email sent: Yes

I'd like to help out on OTRS because there aren't enough native hungarian user with OTRS access. Dorgan 15:03, 6 September 2008 (UTC)

 Support I know Dorgan. He is admin and bureaucrat on the Hungarian Wikipedia and admin on the Hungarian Wikinews without any problem. Samat 18:03, 8 September 2008 (UTC)

Endorse per Samat. Durova 00:25, 11 September 2008 (UTC)

Rootology

• languages you can reply in: English
• most active user talk pages: Commons or en.wikipedia (depends on the week, and if I'm in the mood to write or work on images, but email is on for both accounts, plus Meta, plus I get notifications of changes to my Commons talk)
• Email sent: Yes

I'm an admin on Wikimedia Commons. I'd specifically like to help out on the Permissions queue for Wikimedia Commons, which apparently is always backed up. I'm pretty familiar with copyright laws (especially United States, having worked an abuse desk of sorts related to this kind of thing previously), and think I could help out. Thanks! rootology (T) 23:59, 7 September 2008 (UTC)

• I will not endorse the application at this time. As I do most applicants here, a recent scan of the block log on the local project reveals problematic history. Rootology is also issue in a finding of fact on the local project's arbitration here. I will encourage the candidate as he is a valued contributer to many local projects and appears reformed, however, I wish more time. NonvocalScream 00:23, 8 September 2008 (UTC)

• Thank you. I'll just say that was all two years ago. I've no interest in OTRS on Wikipedia, and this is a request only for Commons. My RFA there. My Wikipedia editing history, and my Commons records are here and here. Thank you. rootology (T) 00:33, 8 September 2008 (UTC)

• Scream seems to have removed his comments. Cbrown1023 talk 21:07, 8 September 2008 (UTC)

• Endorse. - Positive experiences with Rootology both on Wikimedia Commons and the English Wikipedia leads me to believe he is trustworthy. He would be a helpful asset to the commons permissions queue. Cirt (talk) 02:43, 8 September 2008 (UTC)
• Does good work on Commons. For the sake of drama, if nothing else, I very strongly recommend he not be given any info queue access (or any other access which will directly result in EnWP work). Giggy 07:35, 8 September 2008 (UTC)
• Competent & committed on Commons. I respect this user's work. --Herby ^{talk thyme} 08:06, 8 September 2008 (UTC)

• I don't know if it's possible to have permissions access for Commons only. There are several subqueues in the permissions queue, including permissions-commons and permissions-en - I'm not sure of the difference. The commons queue contains languages other than English. It's all very well stating you have no interest in OTRS on Wikipedia, but when you're dealing with images that cover every single project, you are very much dealing with Wikipedia (and every other project). I suggest if this request is accepted, Rootology has access only to the permissions queue. Majorly ^talk 12:46, 8 September 2008 (UTC)

• Per Giggy, - I believe he will be useful on OTRS but if selected, he should only be given Permissions and photosubmissions queue to work with ...--Cometstyles 12:51, 8 September 2008 (UTC)
• Sorry, but I can't endorse this one. I applaud Rootology for coming back from a very bad place, though. JzG 22:40, 18 September 2008 (UTC)

David Fuchs

• languages you can reply in: english-N, de-1, es-2
• most active user talk pages: [3]
• Email sent: yes

I'd like to help out on OTRS because, well, I'd like to. Also having an OTRS account would allow me to verify OTRS permissions on free images, which would be useful in assisting me checking image use at en.wp's Featured Article Candidates. I'm an admin at the english wiki, too. David Fuchs 23:53, 11 September 2008 (UTC)

"checking image use at en.wp's Featured Article Candidates" How often does that occur? What other experience do you have dealing with possibly sensitive issues with BLPs? Majorly ^talk 23:58, 14 September 2008 (UTC)

About twice to three times a month, for example en:Wikipedia:Featured article candidates/Battle of Goliad. I've had to ask someone with access to check or email me the OTRS permissions, which can hold up the FAC process, especially if images are the only criterion left to be checked. David Fuchs 02:34, 15 September 2008 (UTC)

It doesn't seem an awful lot to be honest... do you intend to help out with other permissions emails that are in the system? Do you want access to info-en, which is the main queue for general issues with articles, or just permissions, to deal with (mostly) images? Majorly ^talk 23:01, 16 September 2008 (UTC)

I would be willing and able to help with other permissions emails; that said, I would only want access to permissions and wouldn't find any need to be in the main queue. David Fuchs 22:26, 18 September 2008 (UTC)

• I think David is understating his work; my estimate would be that OTRS access would be needed at least once every two or three days just for FAC work. Most recent example at w:Wikipedia:Featured article candidates/Connie Talbot. He's trustworthy, so I don't what possible harm there is in letting him help out. Giggy 02:43, 24 September 2008 (UTC)

Mailer Diablo

• languages you can reply in: English-N, Chinese-N (occasionally)
• most active user talk pages: [4]
• Email sent: Yes

I would like to help out at OTRS, in particular when there's backlog. I have been on English Wikipedia since 2004 and an administrator since 2005, my main preference. I am also active on Commons and have experience in clearing images. I occasionally have access to chinese character input so I can help out as well if necessary. - Mailer Diablo 13:11, 14 September 2008 (UTC)

• Comment. Mailer is a very patient and knowledgeable administrator. His temprament and approach is one suited to OTRS, from my experience. Anthøny 20:47, 14 September 2008 (UTC)
•  Additional information needed MD, are you comfortable editing Biographical entries, and handling copyright permissions? NonvocalScream 20:53, 14 September 2008 (UTC)
  • I've experience dealing with copyright permissions in Wikipedia, so that should not be a problem. For biographical entries, I dealt with mostly obscure ones so I would like to start with that first, gain more understanding before tackling the high-profile ones. - Mailer Diablo 07:11, 15 September 2008 (UTC)
• Comment My experience of MD has been extremely positive. I can't think of one reason why he couldn't be a helpful addition. In particular, his ability to speak Chinese may come in handy. Majorly ^talk 23:35, 14 September 2008 (UTC)
• Comment - I'm Cometstyles and I approve this person (sorry just had to say this) :P ...--Cometstyles 00:27, 15 September 2008 (UTC)
  • Hehehehe... :) - Mailer Diablo 07:12, 15 September 2008 (UTC)
• A shoo-in. JzG 22:41, 18 September 2008 (UTC)
• I'll vouch for him too. Immaculate record on en-wiki. —Anonymous Dissident^Talk 15:03, 19 September 2008 (UTC)
• Comment - Yep, seems like a good helper. MBisanz ^talk 19:14, 19 September 2008 (UTC)
• Not a moment's hesitation about him being on OTRS. EVula // talk // ☯ // 21:09, 19 September 2008 (UTC)
• Endorse all interactions have been positive. Durova 03:44, 20 September 2008 (UTC)

Diagramma Della Verita

• languages you can reply in: English-en, Malay-ms
• most active user talk pages: ms.wiki
• Email sent: Yes

I'd like to help out on OTRS because, I want to contribute in all aspects of Wikimedia. I am currently a syop editor for Wiki MS. Most of the time I am active in the Malay version of Wikipedia and it's sister projects although I my major is English. I started editing in Wikipedia in 2004 without using any username. In the late 2004, I started editing with the username MSWiki. My old username was MSWiki; as Wikimedia violates this kind of username, I decided to change by username to Diagramma Della Verita. I was elected as an admin in Wiki MS last year.

I do write articles online and I am currently a citizen reporter for Ohmynews International. Click here for the list of articles. I am willing to learn and gain more experience through Wikimedia. Diagramma Della Verita 14:58, 19 September 2008 (UTC)

Cotton

• languages you can reply in: Italian-N English-2
• most active user talk pages: [5]
• Email sent: Yes

I'd like to help out on OTRS because I know that my buddies in the Italian Wikipedia are looking for new co-workers to answer the too long e-mails queue. I have a sysop access on it.wiki since july 2007. Cotton 17:31, 23 September 2008 (UTC)

• Strong support. Cotton can help a lot! --Frieda 18:29, 23 September 2008 (UTC)
• Strong support--Nick1915 - ^{all you want} 18:40, 23 September 2008 (UTC)
  • Not a vote. Majorly ^talk 20:34, 23 September 2008 (UTC)
• Comment strong support! ok?--Nick1915 - ^{all you want} 20:42, 23 September 2008 (UTC)

Not really. It does say at the top, add helpful comments to assist the admins choosing. While strong support simply is agreement, it doesn't really tell them anything. Putting the comment template and the same votey wording doesn't change the fact you're simply voting here. Majorly ^talk 21:22, 23 September 2008 (UTC)

so, "can help" could be more appropriate? :)--Nick1915 - ^{all you want} 21:33, 23 September 2008 (UTC)

• Long-experienced sysop with huge knowledge on copyright during his adminship on it.wiki, I think he's very appropriate for OTRS volunteering. Sirabder87 15:52, 24 September 2008 (UTC)
  • I trust Cotton and I am sure he will be very useful to OTRS Helios 19:17, 24 September 2008 (UTC)

Tiptoety

• languages you can reply in: English-N
• most active user talk pages: [6]
• Email sent: Yes

I am a administrator on enwiki, and consider myself a rather active user. During my time there I have participated in multiple dispute resolution cases, which has given me the skills to deal with difficult and stressful situations, and feel that those skills would be put to good use as a OTRS volunteer. I have recently been finding that their are incidents in which I have been deferring to OTRS, and being able to handle them myself would benefit both OTRS and enwiki. Tiptoety 21:09, 23 September 2008 (UTC)

• Comment - Respected, neutral, fair admin at en.wp, can be trusted with sensitive materials. MBisanz ^talk 21:14, 23 September 2008 (UTC)
  • Hi, can you provide some examples of some of your DR cases that you took part in? I'm also curious about this comment. It's interesting your 2nd RfA failed because you were such a user. Now that you have admin rights, do you think it's appropriate to suddenly apply double standards to other users, who really are just like you? It's because of this I'd disagree with Matthew that you're "fair" about things. Additionally, your edits nowadays seem to be mostly protecting pages and clerking the checkuser page - basically, nothing that shows me you have the experience or suitability for this role. Hopefully you can prove me wrong? Regards, Majorly ^talk 16:34, 24 September 2008 (UTC)
  • Hi Majorly. First off lets address your question about dispute resolution cases. I have never officially handled a DR case (ie: MedCo, MedCom), but I have handled resolved disputes. For the sake of providing some evidence to reinforce my claims here are just a few recent disputes that I have assisted in resolving, a dispute between a administrator and a editor, and Abkhazia and South Ossetia dispute along with others.
  • In reference to the second issue, I am actually glad you have asked that question because it is something I have thought about myself. My first and second RfA’s are most defiantly hypocritical of my current views on administrative criteria, and I acknowledge that it creates the perception of double standards. But that is not the case, when I went up for my second RfA I was under the impression that all that was needed to serve as a good administrator were the skills I had (mostly anti-vandalism work). But opinions can change, and so can views on what makes a good administrator (note I failed my second RfA). Since becoming a administrator I have learned that there is more that is needed (skill wise) than what I had to offer during my second RfA, and feel that in order to be a successful admin one needs to have a more rounded knowledge and skill base. Anyways, (no need for me to go on a rant about my opinions on adminship :D ) I guess I am trying to say my opinion has changed and I see no fault in that.
  • As for your third concern about me not being neutral or fair, I am not quite sure how to form a appropriate rebuttal to that. I mean, all it is is a perception, and if you feel I am not neutral than you just do, and I do not fault you for that (though I may disagree). I guess I look at it this way, it is much easier to prove someone is not neutral than prove they are and, like the law says: innocent until proven guilty, I am neutral and fair until proven otherwise. So having said that, I feel I am neutral and I hope my contributions back that up, but if you feel I am not or have not been, that is your choice to make. I hope this has cleared some stuff up. Tiptoety 22:52, 24 September 2008 (UTC)

Yonidebest

• languages you can reply in: Hebrew
• most active user talk pages: [7]
• Email sent: Yes

If you seem to be low on Hebrew responders, I would like to help. I am a sysop on hewiki and can help out with Hebrew related commons-permission. Note that I maintain a google email account designated to receiving free images from the Herbew Wikipedia readers. Yonidebest 17:24, 24 September 2008 (UTC)