User talk:Gboyers/archive4

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For previous discussion, see /archive, /archive2 and /archive3

British Spelling
Sorry, I didn't know they were British spelling. In Australia we use mainly British spelling which I guess is why I used to spell it like that, It's the Americans (mainly Eganio) on this wiki that made me think I was spelling it wrong. I have read that part of the policy. BTW, When I said your talk page was getting long, I didn't say it needed to be achieved, so I hope you were already planning it, and didn't just do it because of me. And you didn't reply for the part when I was being serious (that categories on Car Thefts). Thanks for your understanding about the spelling (at least I hope). Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 22:36, 15 November 2008 (UTC)


 * Policy is similar to Wikipedia - it doesn't matter which spelling you use, but be consistent throughout an entire page (rather than throughout the entire site). I'm British, so I say colour, categorise etc. It's not a problem if you use -ize, but please don't go round changing British spellings into American just for the sake of it (which some people do). My Talk page gets archived every now and then (whenever I remember), it was quite overdue being archived again. What you did with car thefts etc is fine, I can't suggest anything else. Gboyers talk 22:50, 15 November 2008 (UTC)


 * Well once again, Australia uses British spelling. I also use colour. I wouldn't go around fixing -ise for -ize (or any British for American) if I knew that -ise was British. In fact, I copied and pasted it into Microsoft Word before I fixed it to see if it was acceptable (knowing that you typed up the page) and it came up with a red line (which reminds me, I better check my language settings). While patrolling, I saw a user change mum to mom and knowing the policy, I got confused as to why it mattered. I didn't make a big fuss over it by reverting the edit or anything, but I couldn't believe that a user wasted time on that. I admit, once on Roman I wrote trunk instead of boot just because I know that everyone understands trunk and not everyone boot. But I don't use any American language personally (American culture has a big influence on me/but not in language). Also, I don't know what was wrong with me when I edited Caddy, I even noticed the bad spelling in my edit summary. Thanks for fixing that. One other thing. Freeways in GTA IV was once called Freeways in the GTA IV rendition of Liberty City, which moved to Freeways in Liberty City in GTA IV, which a few days later I compressed to Freeways in GTA IV. I was thinking that Freeways in GTA IV would be much easier to find, and we all know that GTA IV takes place in Liberty City (anyone who wants to know about the freeways anyway). I noticed however that your the one that made Bridges in Liberty City in GTA IV, meaning that you have a reason for mentioning Liberty City? I think that one of them needs to be moved for consistency, but which one? Oh, and sorry for having one huge post and taking up all the space on your talk page again. Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 05:23, 17 November 2008 (UTC)


 * I wasn't trying to get at you about spellings - just explaining policy. I recall a decision being made on whether to mention games or cities. Normally, you'd say city (Bridges in San Andreas). But where there are multiple 3D renditons of a city, then mention the game name instead (Bridges in GTA IV). Don't bother mentioning both (unless you have to). Create redirects and/or disambigs as much as possible (whichever is appropriate). However, if a feature is only in one rendition, you can leave it as the city name (eg: Subway in Liberty City?).
 * The reason for all that is because Liberty City is a place, and GTA III is a game - things to do with the place should be part of the place as much as possible. However, if Rockstar keep re-using cities, they're all going to have to be moved to the game's name. And I also don't like having different styles for different games (not that anyone would notice). So should we move to use "in GTA IV" for everything, instead of the city names? Or should we stick with using the best option, and using the 2nd best if that one is impossible, and using 3rd best if that one is impossible? Gboyers talk 05:40, 17 November 2008 (UTC)


 * While I will love to be in the discussion, I don't think that a HUGE policy change like this should take place in a private discussion, especially with you directly asking me. So I have imported (and replied to) all (relevant) discussion from this page to Grand Theft Wiki talk:Consistency. If that is not the right place for the discussion please move it again, but looking through all the policy, that looked like the best place to me. Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 06:35, 17 November 2008 (UTC)

Renaming Categories
Whenever I've renamed a category I've just deleted the old one. But I see that you've often had category redirects. To make the problem worst in my head, you told me here (before I became admin) that renaming categories could be done by anyone. If deleting was part of the process then this wouldn't be the case. Also, moving a page creates a redirect, so have I made mistakes here? Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 06:44, 18 November 2008 (UTC)


 * Deleting categories doesn't make any difference. All the category page is is the description at the top - it doesn't make a difference when you're adding or removing pages into that category (except it makes the category a red link). If a popular category is emptied, it would probably be a good idea to redirect it to the new location (so that old users don't habitually put new articles there). But most categories should be deleted when they're empty - so the user would, or the admins would find it when looking at Special:Unusedcategories. As well as the prod, a message "dont use this, use this" or a redirect should be left, instead of the usual "put pages here". Leaving an empty category isn't the end of the world - so yes, ordinary users can move categories fine. What I meant was that you don't require admin permissions to click a "move" button before anything happens. With normal pages, the "move" button copies the page history etc, which is why you have to do it that way (not just copy & paste the content to a new page). With categories, that doesn't matter, so normal users can do it without anything bad being left over. Gboyers talk 06:52, 18 November 2008 (UTC)

Hacker Premier
I clicked block user, I wrote in all the reason (I did a lot of research to get examples, taking a while) and by the time I clicked block you already had done it. Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 02:30, 20 November 2008 (UTC)


 * Hehe - you're getting closer. I know you're looking for your first block, but it's not a race. I'd rather never have to block anyone, and be able to use other skills (talking etc) to stop these incidents. FYI, this is a very obvious deliberate attempt to spam the wiki and cause mayhem, which results in an instant near-permanent block, with no explanation required. However you need to be 100% sure before you do that. Also, remember NSFV, so don't run around saying "omg we iz hacked" when all someone has done is edit a few publicly-editable pages. Gboyers talk 02:35, 20 November 2008 (UTC)


 * I'm not looking for a block, I actually said to Fast Lane once that we hope not to block anyone, and I already blocked that user for the first edit being replacing the main page (remember I checked with you?). I wasn't at the computer, but as I walked past I saw the email that the main page was edited (you can see in the history that I reverted one of the edits), then after seeing they'd done it three times I thought I would check the contribs. I actually had this user confused with a good user that has hacker in their name for a second (until I saw the contribs). Then I deleted that page he created, and looking through the contribs I saw all replaced with... I knew that this was a real block this time, I know what it must seem like though, been so close to the one with HuangLee. BTW, after discussion, I found out the he had no idea what the header was. Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 02:43, 20 November 2008 (UTC)

OK, this is when it starts getting scary. Minutes after that, user:Kun-Fu Panda stated up, replacing pages with simalar comments. It seems like Hacker Premier has a way to change his IP quickly, and just mad a new account. I blocked this user for one year because that's what you did with Hacker Premier. Is this right? Once again, I wasn't at the computer. Please realize, I wasn't looking for this block, it just happened. Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 03:10, 20 November 2008 (UTC)


 * I wasn't suggesting that you were only blocking him cos you needed a block - I meant sorry for getting there first. I was also letting you know that you were absolutely right to block for a year (and why). Keep up the good work. Gboyers talk 03:14, 20 November 2008 (UTC)

Just to let you know, they were both the same person. GuildKnight and I are talking to him IRC Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 03:42, 20 November 2008 (UTC)


 * It doesn't matter. The point of NSFV is that Staff don't need to get involved, they just need to deal with the situation and move on. Filling our IRC channel and talk pages with "help we're being hacked" is causing the disruption that the vandal want. And can I clarify it is vandalism, not hacking. Gboyers talk 03:45, 20 November 2008 (UTC)

Hacker?
So are you guys saying my block might have been associated with a hacker?Are you saying I got blocked because someone somehow redirected me to the page?I think something is brewing in deep inside this websites files.Lookout for users' activities.It could be a glitch,it could be a hacker.
 * I don't understand? We aren't even talking about you. Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 03:17, 20 November 2008 (UTC)

No. Definitely not. There is no hacker at all. There is 1 person going round editing pages and filling them with nonsense. He is calling himself a "hacker", but that is not accurate. This person has used multiple accounts, and these have all been banned from the website. That does not need to be discussed. I was having a discussion with BGTAF about when to block users, and when not to, which is an internal policy decision. Gboyers talk 03:24, 20 November 2008 (UTC)

IRC
Not long after you left I successfully registered. I will try to remember to be on there whenever I'm active on the wiki. BTW, before you left I got disconnected again. I solved it by using the online version instead of the stand alone. I'm registered as Biggest_GTA_Fan_. Sorry for all the trouble before, I know more than the basics about using a computer, but I'm pretty foreign to IRC. Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 06:23, 20 November 2008 (UTC)


 * Not a problem. I haven't used IRC very much at all, but I try and remember the useful commands and such. Not sure why you were being kicked off, perhaps a problem with your PC or network? Gboyers talk 19:33, 20 November 2008 (UTC)


 * I know why I was getting kicked off. My Internet connection keeps resetting, so any connections I have to anything are lost. When it's going to happen is unpredictable. I can't even make downloads that take more than a few minutes because if the connection resets the download is cancelled. One day I spent literally hours researching it. I found out what the most likely problem and followed the instructions to fix it. I had to actually go into the online control panel for the network, but the thing it told me to click didn't exist. Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 23:40, 20 November 2008 (UTC)

GTA IV Pistol
Gboyers, I have some locations for the Pistol in GTA IV, but I notice there is no official page for it. Could/Should I make a new page, or place the information in a similar page, say, 9mm? -Gman harmon 22:37, 22 November 2008 (UTC)


 * If you check Weapons in GTA IV, you can see the names of the weapons as we recognise them. Unfortunately there aren't any links on that page, but there should be. If the pistol IS the 9mm, then put the locations on that page. If it isn't the 9mm, make a new page for it, and call it its correct name. Looking at that list, they would be Pistol and Combat Pistol - but that might not be correct. You may have to do some research. Gboyers talk 22:47, 22 November 2008 (UTC)

I shall create a new page, then. Pistol is a redirect to Weapons as well. Thank you. -Gman harmon 22:51, 22 November 2008 (UTC)


 * If you do use Pistol, remember that a lot of people might arrive at that page by accident whilst looking for other pistols. So at the top of the page you should probably make a link to Weapons explaining that this is for one specific pistol, not all pistols. Maybe add a 'see also' section at the end linking to all the other pistols you can find. Gboyers talk 22:56, 22 November 2008 (UTC)

Understood. I can see where a user would get lost. I could also create a page referencing the real-life equivalent to help avoid confusion, no? -Gman harmon 23:15, 22 November 2008 (UTC)


 * Absolutely. Gboyers talk 23:32, 22 November 2008 (UTC)

Alright, the new page is up and running. I hope it provides players with helpful information. -Gman harmon 02:41, 23 November 2008 (UTC)


 * On Glock I've removed the content copied from wikipedia, and tidied up a couple of other bits. Is Glock the name used ingame to identify the weapon? I doubt that the game uses the real brand to identify it. Can you find out the real name? Or is it simply a new version of the 9mm? Gboyers talk 02:59, 23 November 2008 (UTC)

In-game reference in GTA IV calls it the Pistol, I cannot speak for Liberty City Stories. I took the liberty of using the equivalent to avoid disambiguation issues and any possible redirect conflicts. If I have made an error in this matter, then I am sorry and will rectify it, if possible. Addendum: re. 9mm, I would most likely suspect that it is, in fact, a new 9mm. In retrospect, I should have been more prudent and not acted on impulse.-Gman harmon 03:04, 23 November 2008 (UTC)


 * It's not a problem - but we try not to guess or introduce anything that isn't actually in the game. Although it is alright to say "it is based on the glock 123" or whatever. I'm merging all the handgun-related pages into one, which seems the most logical option. Gboyers talk 03:12, 23 November 2008 (UTC)

Understood. Again, thanks for all your help with the article. I will remember to think before I leap, so to speak, when creating or editing future articles. -Gman harmon 03:20, 23 November 2008 (UTC)

Chip2008
I know the whole situation with Chip2007, I was watching it all the way, except now, he's overcome the Wikia-wide block as well as the Grand Theft Wiki block just by becoming Chip2008. I would block him for using multiple accounts to overcome a block, but he would just change his IP and make a new account again. So I just wanted to let you know, as well as ask, what do we do? Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 00:00, 29 November 2008 (UTC)


 * What you do is read NSFV. Going round crying "oh no what do we do, he is too clever" only makes the problem worse. Don't. What we do is follow the procedures - block him for abusing multiple accounts to circumvent a block, and notify the real Wikia staff that their entire-wikia block is being circumvented. It won't go on forever. Gboyers talk 00:08, 29 November 2008 (UTC)


 * Sorry, I really should have thought about that, knowing Chip should know that another block means we don't stand for it. I see that you did it, but if he does come back I will know what to do. Thanks! Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 00:31, 29 November 2008 (UTC)
 * Just block anyone with the name Chip200something!Simple as that!-User:HuangLee


 * There is no alternative. We can't just let him back cos he spend 3 seconds registering a new account - that's not a good enough reason. If you're unsure whether someone really is Chip, there are lot of clues. If there is a problem, you could block them for 1 day until you can prove they are or are not Chip. Gboyers talk 00:46, 29 November 2008 (UTC)
 * Block anyone with suspicious activity!Interview people before they can join.Do something! -User:HuangLee

We can't interview every new user, if you go through Special:RecentChanges a quarter of the edits in there are user pages with the edit summary new user. As well as the problem that people won't wait around to be interviewed and they just won't register. Blocking users with suspicious activity. What exactly do you mean by that? We can't block everyone who makes one mistake, I already made that mistake with you HuangLee. Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 01:06, 29 November 2008 (UTC)


 * This is NOT a problem. He isnt' causing any trouble, and if he did he'd be blocked in 30 seconds and everything fixed in 35. However he is currently banned from visiting this site, and we just make sure it stays that way. There is no reason to go round blocking random people, and theres no point making it harder for anyone to contribute. Anyway, this is an administrative issue - I'm issuing instructions to my staff, not wondering how to solve it. Trust me when I say we have experience in this, and we'll manage just fine. Gboyers talk 01:11, 29 November 2008 (UTC)
 * Okay.-User:HuangLee

User:Penisman
Gboyers, I just wanted to let you know there was a bit of vandalism that I mopped up, caused by the aforementioned user. -Gman harmon 04:51, 6 December 2008 (UTC)


 * I found all the vandalism while patrolling. Thanks for reverting all the edits and for letting us know! Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 07:34, 6 December 2008 (UTC)

Perfect Mission
Hi, a while ago A-Dust left some feedbac on the talk page of my perfect mission article which I replied to with my thoughts, but said that I would see what you thought before responding, then you never came back. I have just done some of the things that he suggested because anything can be undone. But could you take a look? And while I'm talking to you I will just let you know that I've been a bit busy lately which is why you may not have seen me in recent changes much. I've been dedicating most of my wiki time to patrolling just to make sure nothing bad has happened, and also to discussions. To just show how little time I've had, over a week ago I had a lightening storm, so I flicked the safety switch on my PS3, it's still off. Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 08:31, 7 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Haha - you MUST be busy then. I've been pretty hectic too. I did read your discussion, but I've barely had time to come back to it, but I will do so ASAP. Good news is that I finally completed GTA IV (bearing in mind I didn't play all summer), so now I can work on the ending/plot stuff. Gboyers talk 16:41, 7 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Well it wasn't a perfect example because I did play 360 yesterday (with my brother) before I posted that. But otherwise it's 100% accurate, especially compared to me on a usual schedule. I mean, I don't usually play EVERY day, but definitely regularly. It is good news that you finished GTA IV, because those parts of the wiki have been missing out on a bit of consistency without your maintenance (eg. when you moved Jimmy Pegorino). And you're not the slowest player I know, my sister still hasn't finished. Just one thing. Which ending did you choose? The reason I'm asking is because I have a perfect record going. My brother and I both played the same ending primarily and just played the other to see what happened, and the two friends I have that play GTA games only played the one, but both played the one that my brother and I primarily chose. Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 00:09, 8 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Obviously I don't want to fill my talk page with spoilers (since a fair few people visit here). But I chose the revenge ending. Weird thing is, the person that died keeps ringing me up since I finished it! After this week I'll start going through all the GTA IV ending stuff, as it does seem quite disjointed (although most of the information is here, just not in the right place). Gboyers talk 01:32, 8 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Hmm, I heard about that glitch. Actually, I read it before I finished the game. That spoiler (the fact that they die) was what I got for reading the plot gripes. And the perfect record continues. Also, I'm getting alot more time spare now, it was just that week that I had alot to do. Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 04:13, 8 December 2008 (UTC)

Admin Templates
Just letting you know that the Ask me link of and  doesn't work. The link looks fine when you hover over it (and the location pops up in the yellow box and the status bar), but the problem is that when it redirects, there is no / between .com and index (so it's just gta.wikia.comindex). Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 23:42, 16 December 2008 (UTC)


 * That's because it's pointing to grandtheftwiki.com instead of gta.wikia.com - either address should work, just one of them isnt. I'll make sure that's fixed. Gboyers talk 01:08, 17 December 2008 (UTC)


 * I knew what the solution was. I just didn't edit it myself because you didn't know about the problem, and you would have just thought I didn't know about the redirect (from grandtheftwiki.com) and you would have asked me about it, so it was just easier to tell you. You only fixed, so I will fix (I tested both before, exact same problem). As for the redirect not working - we're lucky it points here at all. Not long ago it became it's own wiki, and stole a fair few of our articles. Then one day it started redirecting again. Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 08:23, 17 December 2008 (UTC) EDIT: While I was editing that, I noticed something weird. Why is  protected but  isn't? Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 08:29, 17 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Erm... I own that domain. Always have. You won't remember that it used to be a separate wiki (that I started), which Wikia bought off me, and moved to here (since it was better than what was here before). When Wikia started filling this site with adverts IN the content area (against our agreement) we considered moving away again, and that wiki was testing the feasibility of migrating all this content (automatically) to another wiki. So yeah, I'll fix that slash as soon as I can. And yes, both those templates should probably be protected, since there is no real reason why a non-staff member would need to edit them. Gboyers talk 15:01, 17 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Well you're right. I can't remember, but I DO know about it. I have researched so far into the history of this wiki, I don't know why, it's just something to do (but I have always made sure that I've spent more time editing than reading). I wouldn't care if we moved away, but I AM happy you moved here in the first place, because if you didn't, it probably would have been the Wikia one that I found (if any). Anyway, the templates are now both protected. Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 21:44, 17 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Thanks. On a related note, do you think there are any members around worth promoting to staff? Kinda strained with just us two (and occasionally A-Dust). Gboyers talk 22:31, 17 December 2008 (UTC)

Hmm, You're right, something has happened to our staff (I still think that GK and Eganio being inactive had something to do with my promotion). I do know when I go through recent changes, what needs to be patrolled more compared everything else (and so, who the good users are). I will have it in my mind while I'm patrolling today, because I have never thought about who deserves staff. And the one user I did think of straight away (for all the staff qualities) is inactive himself. One thing though, if I don't get back to you before you get this message (I can never predict when you will be on), what exact qualities are you looking for?(top quality edits/helping other users/etc.) Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 23:29, 17 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Yes, it's no secret that you got promoted due to us requiring staff. Same with everyone else ever. It's never a reward, it's a 'job', due to us needing someone to do that job! We need someone who knows the wiki inside-out, or is capable of learning quickly. We need someone who I can trust to be the only person around in a situation. Even if that situation never happens, and there's always someone to ask, I need to be sure that they won't make a badly wrong decision when pressured. So yeah, rather than specific knowledge or experience, it is skills and common-sense that we need. Main points of the role are being a 'face' for the wiki (helping out, saying hi), but also being able to make decisions on how stuff should be arranged. That's quite a bad explanation, but I hope it helps!! Gboyers talk 23:37, 17 December 2008 (UTC)


 * That does help, but at the same time makes this harder. I know what you mean by the decisions. I'm faced with them all the time (not as important as you're saying, but they exist). For example: If someone comes to a talk page and asks, "Should we do this?", and a couple of other users say, "That might be a good idea", yet three days later, no one will edit it, I come along and (as part of my admi job) say Done! (yes we should do it, I've done it). Or an 'admin only' example, not long ago a user broke the 3RR against me. I told him to stop and that one more revert would mean I would have to protect the page. He/She stopped, but if they didn't it would have been a snap decision by me to protect it (no time to ask you, "Should this be protected?"). Anyway, the point is that it's always me to make that decision, I can't recall any decision (other then just to edit a page) made by anther user. Of all the dedicated users that I can think of right now, I think that the one with the best skills, and uses talk pages to help other users, rather then to get help would be User:Gman harmon. He has only made 89 edits, which means what he knows, he's learnt quite fast, as opposed to someone like User:HuangLee, who has made 175 edits, but ALOT of his edits require cleanup (I chose HuangLee for the example because he's the most recent new user that became a regular user). The only problem with Gman harmon would be that if you look at his contribs, he's not on all the time, and the whole reason we want staff is because ours isn't on often. I'm still thinking about it, but I just got used to being able to admin the wiki without being on your talk page every day, and now you're asking me to help make a manager decision (and I don't want us to settle for second best). Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 02:54, 18 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Just to note that my contributions have been limited due to a combination of a mass of assignments (due in in about six hours) and work. After today, I should become more active, although I won't be as active as I was over the summer, as I'll have to research for my dissertation. As for new staff, I would suggest Hardrock182. A-Dust 03:31, 18 December 2008 (UTC)


 * That's the other one I was trying to think of. It's the hottest day in ages in Australia, and I'm really sensitive to heat. It's affecting my concentration. Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 04:22, 18 December 2008 (UTC)

Poll Glitch
I've been having some problems on a poll and I can't vote on them anymore.The Poll:How old were you when you got your first ever GTA game? is not allowing me to vote on new polls.It's already been put up for deletion but we need more aproval for it to be deleted.Marcel Lopes 06:22, 27 December 2008 (UTC)User:BloodyGTA


 * I put the poll up for deletion, as I am having the same problem. I'm also the one who said we either need more approval, or just wait a few days to see if anyone objects. See Poll talk:How old were you when you got your first ever GTA game? Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 06:08, 27 December 2008 (UTC)


 * OK.Hopefully we can start voting on the polls again.Marcel Lopes 06:28, 27 December 2008 (UTC)User:BloodyGTA

GTA Gripes
Hi, Some (if not all) of the GTA IV Gripes pages are producing the following message while editing:
 * WARNING: This page is 51 kilobytes long; some browsers may have problems editing pages approaching or longer than 32kb. Please consider breaking the page into smaller sections.

Should we consider archiving? Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 08:48, 30 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Yes, archiving gripes is good, since they don't all need to be on the same page. Don't forget to MOVE the page to a sub-subpage, then create a NEW page for the new gripes. If you just copied and pasted the old gripes into a new archive, that would dis-associate all the history from those edits. Gboyers talk 15:26, 12 January 2009 (UTC)

Upload Avatar
As you see I've been trying everything I could to upload an image on my avatar and I have been trying different images and still nothing.-User:BloodyGTA

Image Copyright Templates
Hi, Recently I have been thinking that a couple of users have kept habits from other wikis because they have been putting a Licensing header in images with templates that don't exist. Then I realised that they didn't do it themselves, but the latest MediaWiki update did. When you upload an image you have a choice of licensing. That choice puts a copyright template on the image, but the problem is that those templates don't exist. Should we create the templates or is there a way that you (I tried and can't) can edit the choices to use the templates we already have (like )? Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 10:12, 7 January 2009 (UTC)


 * That's been there for ages. I'll have a look at some point and see if we can either redirect or double-transclude those templates. Chances are is good enough for 99% of images people upload here. Gboyers talk 10:38, 7 January 2009 (UTC)

Question
Ok, I have one question... how can I change my username, is it a simple move on the page or needs an admin or something to do the work? I just don't like my current username anymore and would like to change it to F-n-B. --GTA 4 PC 16:09, 11 January 2009 (UTC)


 * That's something that Wikia Staff have to do, since it requires a lot of things to be changed behind the scenes. I'll drop them an email to change  to , which might take a couple of days. Gboyers talk 16:17, 11 January 2009 (UTC)


 * Hullo! Unfortunately, this is quite difficult with the shared user database we use, and requires a lot from the tech team to sort out. It *may* become possible in the future, as we upgrade the software, but for now we recommend creating a new account, and making it obvious from the user pages that you have changed name (e.g. redirect the old user page). (While exceptions can be made, we need a really good reason, lest it open the floodgates :P ) Kirkburn (talk) 16:02, 12 January 2009 (UTC)


 * That makes sense. So if you want to do this, make a new account, and just log into your old one to let me know which one you're using (so I know it is you that made the account). Then I can issue the promotion to the new account. Gboyers talk 16:39, 12 January 2009 (UTC)

Don't have a clue
This is what happen i was editing the page guns of leones i just put in a tip for that misson the next day i check out that page the tip i type in that page is gone! So i suspect there is something wrong in this wiki or someone did that I don't have a clue.--Ris owns u 22:05,12 Jan 09 UTC


 * Yes, a member of staff reverted your edit. This can be seen in the history, which you get to by pressing the "History" button at the top of the page. I imagine that this was done because your 'tip' was too informal for the informational style of this wiki. If you had said something like Open fire is the quickest and simplest way to complete this mission, that would have been better. If you have a question about why this was done, you should leave a message on the talk page of the administrator that reverted your edit. Gboyers talk 15:28, 12 January 2009 (UTC)

I'm (sort of) Back
Hi, I haven't been on here for three days. My computer wouldn't start and the error message was in another language. I got my brother over (together we know quite a bit about computers) and we tried everything, combining the pieces from three of our computers that don't work until I can get a new one. Nothing would work and then we started basic. A hard drive, nothing else... it worked. Then we were stupid enough to turn it off to try and add more, it didn't work, and going back to the core basics didn't work. A few hours later we managed to get it back like this again (which is how I'm typing this message) but I don't know if it will work in the morning. We're going to keep going with it again tomorrow, and if we can't get it, I should be able to get a new one soon. BTW, when I got it turned on I had 41 emails from GTW, luckily GK filled in for all the discussions I was a part of the day before! Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 09:59, 19 January 2009 (UTC)


 * Sounds like you're having fun with your computer. Doesn't matter if you're away for a couple of days, so long as there's someone around to keep an eye on things. Thanks for letting me know. Perhaps, when we have enough staff, you could "buddy up" with another admin who knows you're going to be away, and can double-shift it to cover you? Gboyers talk 20:48, 19 January 2009 (UTC)


 * We managed to fix it. But that idea might be something worth discussing, and getting right for future missing staff (that have actually said they will be missing). Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 03:59, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

Videos
Hey GB. Sorry about the Main Page rename thing recently... lesson learned. The reason for my inquiry today is to ask for your permission to add some videos to a few articles. Wikia has a partnership with crispygamer.com and they've setup some videos to be embedded on a few of our wikis. Grand Theft Wiki is one them. I've been assigned with adding a relevant embedded video (most of them character intros) to the following articles: Grand Theft Auto IV, Playboy X, Manny Escuela, Packie McReary, Phil Bell, Roman Bellic, Vladimir Glebov and Steinway Beer Garden. To see an example, check out this article at the Fallout Wiki. Like I said, this is just a request for permission to proceed. Please reply at your earliest convenience with any comments or questions you have. JoePlay (talk) 22:19, 27 January 2009 (UTC)


 * Yet more thinly-veiled advertising! Thanks for the apology, thanks for the offer with the videos, and thanks for asking first. I shall discuss this with the community and other staff. I don't see a problem if the videos are very relevant, and they're placed after the textual content (before external links etc). I shall keep you informed. Perhaps you could implement one as a local example of how relevant they are to our wiki? Thanks - Gboyers talk 22:32, 27 January 2009 (UTC)


 * Good idea. I just added the character intro video on Playboy X as an example. JoePlay (talk) 00:13, 28 January 2009 (UTC)


 * Just my opinion, but in my own opinion the videos should not be added to the pages. The video of Playboy X shows absolutely nothing that can not be described, contributes nothing to the article and the only purpose of the videos inclusion is for more advertising money. I would have reverted JoePlay's edit immediately, had I not read this here first. A-Dust 00:40, 28 January 2009 (UTC)

(outdent) I'm willing to keep an open mind about it, but how does this video improve this article? An edit that does not improve the article is usually reverted... like A-Dust, upon seeing this edit I would have watched the video to check for anything that wasn't in the article or the official trailers (which we do have on the site), and removed the video from the page, if I hadn't seen this conversation first. --GuildKnightTalk2me 00:58, 28 January 2009 (UTC)


 * Fair enough. I'm just cautious that we don't act like Wikipedia and tear down pages and edits that any admin simply doesn't like much. Do we lose anything by having them there? Is there a chance that a visitor might benefit from that video? Is the video more concise, easier to access, or more attractive to people than the text it supplements? Or does the 20-second waiting time make it useless? Gboyers talk 01:23, 28 January 2009 (UTC)


 * I don't see what it adds to the article, but like I said, I have an open mind about it. I have a few questions for JoePlay, though; How many pages are we talking about?  Also, how is the decision being made, and who is making it, as far as which pages will get which videos?
 * As an aside, I hit play and it froze 4 seconds into it. I restarted it and it froze 8 seconds into it.  Did this all the way through the video.  After that it played through fine.  --GuildKnightTalk2me 01:37, 28 January 2009 (UTC)

JoePlay listed the pages the videos were for in his original post. They are selected by the advertiser, to match articles that they have videos for, and Wikia gets paid for every viewing (or paid in kind with some return-links or something). We can veto this since it is our wiki, but Wikia loses out. The idea is that the videos are useful to our community, which normal adverts are not (like the horrid ones at the top of every article inside the content area). If the videos are not useful, then we'll simply decline and veto these. Is that the consensus here? Gboyers talk 01:51, 28 January 2009 (UTC)


 * I can live with that. ;)  I mean, this video isn't exactly what I'd call "useful", but it is at least relevant.  Thinking about it, I suppose if one wasn't familiar with GTA IV, this video could give an idea of Playboy's "personality" without having to watch all of the official trailers.  The site's not a bad one...  --GuildKnightTalk2me 02:05, 28 January 2009 (UTC)


 * After reading the replies, I can't really tell if a decision was made or not, haha. Might I suggest that I go ahead and add the remaining videos? Then you guys can watch them and remove any that you determine to be not "useful" enough. (waiting for your reply before proceeding of course) JoePlay (talk) 19:34, 28 January 2009 (UTC)


 * That's probably the simplest option. Feel free to add them at your leisure, and we'll simply subject them to our normal editorial processes. That seem fair? Thanks - Gboyers talk 19:39, 28 January 2009 (UTC)


 * Fair indeed. I'll start adding the rest of the videos now. Thanks for your cooperation. JoePlay (talk) 20:57, 28 January 2009 (UTC)


 * OK, I'm done. In the case of the GTA 4 trailer that they wanted to be added, you already have the same video posted on Grand Theft Auto IV/Trailers (specifically the "Things Will Be Different" trailer), so I skipped that one. Cheers. JoePlay (talk) 21:17, 28 January 2009 (UTC)

(outdent) They look pretty good to me. We appreciate you avoiding the redundant videos. --GuildKnightTalk2me 21:30, 28 January 2009 (UTC)

Ages
I saw you asking MasterChief117 about characters ages. They can be found on the police database in GTA IV (accessible through the LCPD website). A-Dust 21:32, 28 January 2009 (UTC)
 * That's fine. I guessed that could have been the source of the data. I just wanted to make sure he wasn't just guessing. Do you think it is worth adding a reference for that? Or perhaps just listing it as a source of information on a page all about characters, time or ages? Gboyers talk 21:38, 28 January 2009 (UTC)

Adverts
You said in a discussion a while back that we should tell you about anything weird that Wikia does (such as adverts), well do you know about the advert on the on the very right of the main page towards the top (if you don't have it or can't see it I will upload a screenshot)? Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 10:17, 3 February 2009 (UTC) EDIT: Now that I think about it, I think it's been there for a while, but anyway. Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 10:57, 3 February 2009 (UTC)

Uploading Images Problem
Spaceeinstein has uploaded at least two images to already existing image titles, in an attempt to replace the image without having to edit the article. However, the images are not changing. The first time that Spaceeinstein said about this on a talk page, I was able to see the image he was trying to upload and uploaded it at a new title. However, this time, this is not possible. Is there anything that can be done? I've said to upload the images to new titles and change the link to the image in the article. A-Dust 02:52, 5 February 2009 (UTC)
 * That's strange - the file history (at the above link) shows two different images (with different sizes and dimension) but they're both showing up the same image. Could you leave a message for User:Kirkburn who should be able to sort it out? I have to rush... Gboyers talk 08:14, 5 February 2009 (UTC)

External Links in Template:Info
Is it intentional that you can't use external links in ? I tried to use it on the page Wrecks, but while there was an external link it would only produce instead of the actual message, so I had to reword the message to remove the link (then it worked). Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 06:00, 9 March 2009 (UTC)

I think you'll find it was actually the equals sign (=) that was causing it to break. This is because of the way templates (like infoboxes) work. You put. If you don't specify any parameters (no equals signs) the first parameter is just called "1", which is what the info template is expecting. But what you actually did is have a parameter called "This article was proposed for deletion..." etc, up until the equals sign. You can fix this by going  (so that you're forcing it to parameter 1), or you could have a  (like ) that you use instead of an equals sign. I'll add this into that page now to show you. Gboyers talk 15:52, 9 March 2009 (UTC)

User:Owen1983
User:Owen1983 - according to his userpage his name is Martin Owen, the same as Chip2008 and Chip2009. Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 09:28, 11 March 2009 (UTC)


 * We are still enforcing this ban - he was banned here for multiple reasons, not just pretending to be staff. However I don't think a name is enough evidence. If the attitude and mistakes are the same, then thats more evidence. Also, don't post confidential operational information about this. Gboyers talk 15:34, 11 March 2009 (UTC)

Greetings
Hello, i'm not american speaking, i'm the german administrator of the German GTA-WIKI. maybe you can add me at msn or someting like that. in my opinion a friendship woult be very good. greets from germany :) --Gta psp player Diskussion 14:40, 26 March 2009 (UTC)


 * It would be nice to talk. I shall get in touch. Gboyers talk 17:46, 27 March 2009 (UTC)

about the game
can i ask question of about the game on this talk page. user stephendwan.


 * You can ask whatever you like, but the Forum is a better place for gameplay questions. Gboyers talk 17:46, 27 March 2009 (UTC)

New Event
G-money, Long time no hear from! I wanted to let you guys know about a wikilicious event we are running to promote the release of Community Blogs across Wikia the first week of April. The event will give you a chance to test out blogs while earning some major mojo with the community. Here's are the details:
 * Users will create a blog post highlighting 3 reasons why everyone should play your game
 * At the end of the week, Wikia will pick winners amongst all communities involved
 * Prizes for the winning community will include:
 * Wikia will create custom artwork and set up an online store for the wiki, so you can create mousepads, coasters, Daisy Dukes, etc... (hey, we're not judging)
 * 5 professionally designed T-shirts featuring the wiki's logo and custom text provided by the community
 * Featured placement on Wikia Gaming
 * Custom Spotlights driving traffic and awareness to your community

If this sounds like fun to you, and I know it does, just drop me a line and tell me your in :)

Cheers, -- Doug (talk ) 20:18, 26 March 2009 (UTC)


 * Sounds good to me - I'll drop you a message to confirm. Gboyers talk 17:46, 27 March 2009 (UTC)

car theives
i have a request for you to do an article about theives in gta you know the fellows that steal somethingor any crinmals that are not gang related. user stephendwan.


 * Feel free to write the article yourself - be bold! Gboyers talk 17:46, 27 March 2009 (UTC)

can you do reseach
can you do reseach for me cause i do not know much but i could use help. user stephendwan


 * Staff are here to keep the wiki running smoothly, not really to do the running about for people. If you want to know more about the game, play it! And write what you find out on this wiki. That's how it works here - it is the community writing down what it knows, not a research service. Gboyers talk 22:26, 27 March 2009 (UTC)

can you get pictures of car theives. as i have to shutdown soon. user stephendwan


 * Perhaps you should make a post in the Forum asking for help. As I said before, staff are not here to fetch things. Gboyers talk 22:26, 27 March 2009 (UTC)

is the car theives article a very good one
cause i put work into it so how good is it or could it be improved. user stephendwan


 * Yes it's nice - I've made a couple of edits, and you need to add an image. But you don't have to show/ask me every time you do something. There are thousands of other people on this wiki who do write loads and never get thanked or congratulated on their efforts. Gboyers talk 14:38, 28 March 2009 (UTC)

the five milstone edit award
hey a i receive an award to day for doing five edits is it great my first award. user stephendwan time 4:52:25


 * That award is automatic. There are people on this wiki with 5,000 edits, so whilst 5 is a good start, it's just a start. As a rule, I don't thank people who ask to be thanked - if you do a really good job, I'm sure someone will point it out without you having to bring it up. Like I said above, you don't need to come and tell me every time you do something. And you don't need to ask on the talk page what people think of your work. Editing a wiki is usually a thankless task, and fishing for compliments won't do you any favours. Gboyers talk 17:34, 30 March 2009 (UTC)

renaming a heading
how do you rename a heading as someone suggested that i should change the name of car theives to street crinmals. user Stephendwan 9:46:42.
 * Only staff can move/rename pages. I'll do this for you now. I agree with the move, since they dont just steal cars. You should change the stuff on the NPC page to reflect this change. Gboyers talk 22:01, 30 March 2009 (UTC)

IRC
Are you available to talk on IRC at the moment? A-Dust 22:11, 30 March 2009 (UTC)

Reading is key
That wasn't an argument, it was a discussion on a talkpage. I don't mean to sound rude, but... That Thing There
 * I didn't say it was an argument. I said don't let it become one. Last time two people dicussed the same things you did, they started an edit war over it. Just suggesting that you can agree to differ if you need to. There's no harm in writing both if you can't agree on one. This is just what the previous people didn't understand, which is why they ended up fighting. Gboyers talk 22:23, 2 April 2009 (UTC)
 * I don't believe in edit wars; and I only used the Lokus as an example, nothing more. Edit wars are stupid, spamming someone's talkpage with goatse is far more effective. That Thing There 22:30, 2 April 2009 (UTC)


 * I wasn't accusing you of starting one. Just reminding everyone not to head in that direction. Even if you were going to continue to behave, others may not, so it is worth saying. No need to take offence. Gboyers talk 22:57, 2 April 2009 (UTC)

Resignation
Hi Gerard, I really appreciate the confidence you and the other staff have shown in me in giving me a moderator position here, and I'm sorry to let that down, but I've been so busy lately that I simply don't have the time to give this site the attention I'm bound to as a moderator, and that's not likely to change anytime soon, so I think it's best that I give up my position.

I'd post this on the staff noticeboard but it's protected and I can't edit it. I would've thought a moderator would still be able to edit a protected page, but apparently not, is that a bug or intentional?

Kind regards, MattyDienhoff  «talk » 05:37, 8 April 2009 (UTC)


 * As a moderator you aren't actually 'bound' to provide any time to the site. If you look at my contribs you'll notice I've been incredibly busy recently, but I help out where I can. If you could do the same, I'm happy for you to keep your moderator position whilst (mostly) inactive. We need all the help we can get from the members we trust, so there is no 'quota' of edits or time for staff. If you're happy to still be around from time to time, and to help out when you can, then I'm happy. Gboyers talk 09:48, 8 April 2009 (UTC)


 * Aaah, I see. Fair enough, I had the wrong impression, I'll stay on.


 * But what of the page protection issue? Moderators should, logically, be able to post on the staff noticeboard. --MattyDienhoff  «talk » 08:23, 10 April 2009 (UTC)


 * I also thought about that when you (Gboyers) first told all the moderators that they have "access" to SN (when you promoted them), and it didn't say on the staff page that they could edit protected pages. I just assumed that you knew what you were talking about (like you unlocked SN for moderators especially somehow). Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 08:31, 10 April 2009 (UTC)

New account
So I'm going to change my account since username changes are not available. It's going to be FnB. What is there to do before this? --GTA 4 PC 11:27, 13 April 2009 (UTC)


 * If you ask one of the wikia staff really nicely, they might do it for you. Otherwise, drop me an email to confirm your identity, then I can give staff privileges to the new account. Gboyers talk 17:55, 15 April 2009 (UTC)

Welcome Gift
Yesterday at one time I wasn't editing, just reading, and I ended up in the Gift Manager. I noticed that the description for the Welcome gift said Welcome to Gamer Gear Wiki, so I changed it to Welcome to Grand Theft Wiki. Then I went to test it, but now when you try to send a gift, the Welcome gift isn't shown at all. I've checked the gift manager and it is still there (so I didn't accidentally delete it or anything), with my change in place. Any idea what happened to it? Making things more complicated, I counted the gifts you can send and the gifts in the gift manager, and there was actually two difference, so I checked them and found that the American Chopper gift also isn't shown in the send a gift menu (which I didn't touch). Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 06:36, 19 April 2009 (UTC)