Wikibooks:Requests for permissions/Russell Cameron Thomas

(Uploader)
I would like Uploader privileges so I can upload images of the original for the annotated text Critique of the 1776 Commission Report. The original text is in the public domain, having been recently published on the White House website with no copyrights on the document. I may have need to upload a couple of self-made diagrams as part of a Contributor's Guide.
 * As WB:Uploaders notes, if it's in the public domain, better to upload it to Commons. No need for local uploader privs. --Pi zero (discuss • contribs) 02:13, 21 January 2021 (UTC)


 * OK I will do that for the original document images. What about diagrams, etc. I create myself specifically for this book/project? That is not as urgent a need, but still would be nice. --Russell Cameron Thomas (discuss • contribs) 02:42, 21 January 2021 (UTC)


 * Afaik those sorts of images usually go on Commons too. --Pi zero (discuss • contribs) 02:54, 21 January 2021 (UTC)
 * OK if that's the process, I can do that. Thanks. Assuming this works, I withdraw this request --Russell Cameron Thomas (discuss • contribs) 02:57, 21 January 2021 (UTC)

(Administrator)
I WITHDRAW THIS REQUEST but I don't see a button to make that happen. --Russell Cameron Thomas (discuss • contribs) 20:09, 20 January 2021 (UTC)

I am creating a new Wikibook -- Critique of the 1776 Commission Report -- and would like Administrator rights for that book. My goal is build the basic structure of the Wikibook, help loading the text, build templates, and then to recruit academic historians and related researchers to take over the project.

I hope to bring on some core editors and administrators soon, and that is why I would like Administrator rights now. Also, the book design requires that certain pages be locked after they are created, and templates be used to automatically create (transclude) other pages.

Professionally, I am a Data Scientist and also a PhD Candidate in Computational Social Science, and have done historical research both in my academic work and as hobby.


 * This is an open wiki. Why would certain pages require locking? --Pi zero (discuss • contribs) 05:14, 20 January 2021 (UTC)
 * Thanks for asking. I believe locking pages will be essential to the structure of the Wikibook we are creating.  The details of the structure are here:  Wiki_Structure (Planned).  Being an annotated text, we need to lock the pages that hold the original text (one paragraph per wiki page, probably), and we also need to lock all the pages that are automatically generated via transclusion, which are most of the main "book" that readers will see and use.  If you think I can accomplish this design without locking and thus no Admin privileges, I'd be happy to learn how. --Russell Cameron Thomas (discuss • contribs) 05:40, 20 January 2021 (UTC)
 * It isn't possible to grant admin rights per book; it is against the founding policies to permit control over content, so even if it were possible, it would not be granted for this purpose; the purpose of this project is not to publish "source" texts that never change - they have to be open for editing by anyone at any time. I think you've come to the wrong place to create this book. QuiteUnusual (discuss • contribs) 09:10, 20 January 2021 (UTC)
 * When you say "the purpose of this project is not to publish 'source' texts that never change", are you also including the source/original text in an Annotated text (Annotated texts)? Can you point me to any proper/successful Wikibooks that are annotated texts? I searched but couldn't find any.  I would be happy to emulate their design and practices.   --Russell Cameron Thomas (discuss • contribs) 19:09, 20 January 2021 (UTC)
 * Looking at your page, linked above, you have a fundamental misunderstanding about how this project works. Administrators do not "govern" and they do not control content except in dealing with problematic editors who won't follow content policies. You seem to be trying to set up a mini project within Wikibooks with its own rules, an editorial board, etc. - that isn't going to happen. You will probably need to go somewhere like Wikia and create your own private Wiki if you want to apply this kind of model - it isn't allowed here. If you compare what you wrote, to what's more inline with Wikibooks policies you can get a sense of how far you are deviating from what's permitted QuiteUnusual (discuss • contribs) 09:16, 20 January 2021 (UTC)
 * Out of scope. As others said, it appears that you're looking to weird too much control over your wikibook, which we do not allow. Locking pages is only done in cases of vandalism or other good reasons. That being said, in practice we do have many books that are mostly curated by the same author and are virtually untouched by others, which means that it's unlikely that you're going to face problems the way you think. However, you cannot force yourself (or a group) as the sole editor/admin of your wikibook. Leaderboard (discuss • contribs) 11:03, 20 January 2021 (UTC)


 * Thanks for your feedback. I will go back and remove all references to Admins controlling anything.  That said, my primary goal is to stop vandalism.  Since this is book annotated text, there isn't any need to allow editing the original text once is is in the project, except to correct copy/paste errors.  Anything else would be vandalism for those pages. --Russell Cameron Thomas (discuss • contribs) 18:34, 20 January 2021 (UTC)


 * Regarding your feedback on "wielding too much control" over the design and structure: In the Wikibook documentation it talks a about book design, and suggest that people consider design/organization alternatives.  Maybe you can explain how book design happens in Wikibooks.  How would any advanced/innovative book design be implemented? (i.e. a design that is different than generic pages with a table of contents appended to the front.)  Also, is there any explicit policy against having style guides that apply to specific books? I did not see it. --Russell Cameron Thomas (discuss • contribs) 18:34, 20 January 2021 (UTC)


 * I have said what I need to say. I will go ahead with adding content without Admin rights. We'll see what happens. --Russell Cameron Thomas (discuss • contribs) 18:34, 20 January 2021 (UTC)


 * Feedback for you: As a new registered user of Wikibooks, it would be nice if experienced users would work with me and guide me to help achieve my goals. I want to be part of this community. I found the tone of your feedback unnecessarily harsh and also it omitted some key information, such as how exactly does someone create a book with innovative design? and how exactly does someone create an annotated text, with it's unique requirements?  I am left to figure those things out for myself, all the while trying to recruit people to join the effort.  I hope you share my values of supporting new users and making their early experiences positive. --Russell Cameron Thomas (discuss • contribs) 18:56, 20 January 2021 (UTC)