Wikipedia talk:The Musical

No laptop[edit]

I was just told that there will not be laptops available for everyone to use. Since I don't own a laptop, I don't see what good it will do for me to attend. -- Ssilvers (talk) 02:55, 19 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

There are 4 laptops one can borrow for the day at the library, first-come, first-served. -- kosboot (talk) 03:24, 19 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

4 laptops for a meet-up is laughable. We had a room full of computers at the NYC library teach-in that I attended across the street at the mid-Manhattan PL. Ah well, as Kosboot suggested elsewhere, I might come just to help newbies. -- Ssilvers (talk) 15:13, 20 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Maybe it's time to get a laptop. ;-) Makes one much more mobile (although I don't use my laptop as my primary computer). -- kosboot (talk) 20:11, 20 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Are you kidding? My television is from 1986, and my phone is c. 1999. I'm not getting a laptop until you push it into my cold, dead hands. -- Ssilvers (talk) 22:27, 20 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

The latest on the 4 laptops: On Oct. 22, they will be set aside for the use only by participating Wikipedians. If you need a laptop, go to the Print Delivery Desk (also on the 3rd floor) as soon as the library opens, present your library card, and you'll be able to borrow a laptop for the entire day. -- kosboot (talk) 22:12, 18 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

As with the MoMA one, I'll bring my little netbook and camera and a willingness to help people understand how Wikiediting is done. Jim.henderson (talk) 00:10, 19 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Agenda[edit]

What will the event include? I assume there will be an editathon, but I am not sure how that will work. Will there be computers for us to use, or must we bring our own laptops? Will there be any other activities at the library, like a talk or discussion of some kind? -- Ssilvers (talk) 18:49, 15 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

At the very least, there will be a talk accompanied with a handout that will serve as a guide to the collections and a guide to the materials which are not in the online catalog and how to find them. There might also be a session for beginning Wikipedians. If you have suggestions, suggest. :) -- kosboot (talk) 12:38, 20 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Well, obviously I suggest that we arrange with the library to provide a room with computers that have internet access. If there is a teach-in for new editors, I would be willing to help. See this. -- Ssilvers (talk) 15:15, 20 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

The entire floor has wifi access. Two rooms will be set aside for people who want to congregate and work in them, and both of them have wifi access. The library will try to boost its signal for that day, in case there's an overflow crowd. -- kosboot (talk) 15:43, 20 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

New editors[edit]

For any new editors/beginners attending, I suggest that you register a Wikipedia account beforehand, as it will make it easier for you to edit and use all the features of Wikipedia. For more information and an explanation of the advantages of registration, click on this: WP:WHY. -- Ssilvers (talk) 15:26, 20 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

What the hell is this[edit]

and why was it on my watchlist? O_O Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 20:03, 20 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Perhaps the title of this article is too cute? (although I do like the cartoon drawing) -- Ssilvers (talk) 22:31, 20 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Cooperative editing[edit]

One of ideas proposed on the main WLL page (Brainstorm list of ideas) is "cooperative editing." The editor is in a remote location while the researcher is at the library supplying information. I find this idea very intriguing. -- kosboot (talk) 15:19, 21 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Brainstorming of ideas[edit]

In addition to the general topics generated on the Wikipedia Loves Libraries page, participants might want to map out research strategies such as:

Find a program of a show that interests you, and make sure there are Wikipedia entries for all major creators and participants (composer, lyricist, authors, actors, producers, directors, choreographers, set & costume designers, etc.).
Find a person that interests you and make sure that all shows in which that participant appeared are adequately represented on Wikipedia.
Find a theater that interests you and make sure that all shows that played in that theater are adequately represented on Wikipedia.
- I think that should be "make sure that only the *notable* shows that played in that theater are adequately represented on Wikipedia". -- Ssilvers (talk) 03:22, 26 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Amplify details of the stage careers of people known primarily for their films (e.g. Busby Berkeley, Rouben Mamoulian, etc.)
Pick a year that interests you and make sure there are Wikipedia entries for all the significant shows and music theatre events for that year.

Archival collections at NYPLPA[edit]

NYPLPA has numerous archives (personal papers and records) of many people and organizations involved with musical theatre (and theatre in general) that can serve as inspiration for Wikipedians. Here's a brief list of some of the more famous. The Library also has numerous collections of research materials assembled by researchers (e.g. the collection of materials concerning Lillian Russell). (Note that some collections may be stored offsite and should be requested several days in advance.)

Since some of these collections are huge (that of Jerome Robbins is over 500 boxes), Wikipedians should go to the library catalog, look up desired people/organizations, and when present, study the finding aids well in advance to determine what boxes they will need to carry out research.

Classes[edit]

I'm not 100% sure I can go yet, but if I attend, I would be happy to give lessons in the basics of editing Wikipedia, how to use WP:Reliable sources and external links, and the basic content policies of WP:V, WP:NEUTRAL and WP:OR. Also, how to assess articles on talk pages (as well as give suggestions on how to negotiate discussions on talk pages). In addition, as a long-time member of WP:MUSICALS, I am familiar with the format of Musical theatre articles and that Project's suggested guidelines about how to structure a musical theatre article. I also understand copyright and non-free content policy, and I am able to help new editors understand how to add content without running into problems in those areas. I would be happy to be "on call" there to help with all these things or to give structured instruction segments on any of these. I can also explain the process of how an article goes from a stub to a featured article, including peer reviews and the various review processes. -- Ssilvers (talk) 23:45, 4 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

If you're able to come to the library prior to the date, I'll be happy to show you the set up for training, including a nice projection machine that can display what you or anyone else is typing. I'll be available on Oct. 17-19 - hope you can do it on one of those days. -- kosboot (talk) 13:59, 7 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I won't be able to come prior to the date, but I'll look for you as soon as I arrive at the meet-up. -- Ssilvers (talk) 16:43, 7 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Not sure if I can make it but I have experience guiding newbies through Wikipedia and also doing outreach to libraries. Would it be possible if I came for me to teach new people as well as have a talk with Wikipedians about how to do library outreach? I'm looking to learn as well as teach! Panyd^{The muffin is not subtle} 20:10, 17 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Sure. -- kosboot (talk) 20:21, 17 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

extra Wifi power[edit]

Should anyone wonder about extra users in the library, the wifi on NYPL_LPA's 3rd floor (where the editathon will take place) will be boosted on Oct. 22 to accommodate extra users. -- kosboot (talk) 19:23, 17 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

The lessons[edit]

i am looking at the talk page of this entry but it is not entirely clear to me where these lessons are being given? at a library on saturday??

Yes, at the New York Public Library's Performing Arts Library at Lincoln Center in NYC. Click on the "Project page" tab at the top for the address in info. -- Ssilvers (talk) 04:17, 19 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

i am still confused about how to communicate? am i supposed to post things on my own talk page in the hope that someone will spot it and answer or am i supposed to post as i am doing here--on the talk page relating to an article? i see that the organge box above indicates that this page is only to discuss the article so i apologize if this doesnt necessarily address "the musical" but this is all so very very confusing. any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks Mikesiris (talk) 22:28, 18 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Hi. If the question is about an article, post on the article's talk page. If you have a general question, ask me on my talk page, and I'll be happy to try to help you. -- Ssilvers (talk) 04:17, 19 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Would anyone involved with organising the event (or anyone who's going to be there) be able to email the above user (User talk:Mikesiris) using the Email-this-user link on his talk page? (I've just confirmed that it does indeed reach him). He's a very new Wikipedia editor with a great enthusiasm for the project, and this would be an ideal opportunity for him to get some help, but I'm concerned that at this short notice, the confusions over "what is a talk page" etc might prove too much, so some more traditional contact and followup might be very helpful. Many thanks! --Demiurge1000 (talk) 14:22, 20 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Assessment table from WikiProject Musical Theatre[edit]

Here is the Assessment table from WikiProject Musical Theatre as of October 18, 2011. Personally, I will work on eliminating all the unassessed articles, and increasing the total number of articles. Please join me in this effort, and improve the articles as you go along assessing them or tagging them with the template. --DThomsen8 (talk) 13:39, 18 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]
This is an image of the table as of the morning of October 18, 2011

This is the current table

Musical Theatre pages by quality
Quality
Quality	Total
FA	19
FL	3
GA	51
B	237
C	716
Start	2,373
Stub	1,129
List	293
Category	689
Disambig	2
File	799
Project	23
Template	218
NA	178
Assessed	6,730
Unassessed	58
Total	6,788
WikiWork factors (?)		ω = 22,316	Ω = 4.93

Notice how the assessed numbers are higher than on the image, and the unassessed are down to 10. --DThomsen8 (talk) 20:05, 18 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

The unassessed are all either class=Book or class=Redirect, which are shown as unassessed in the current table. Both of these classes could be counted directly, with a change in the definition of the project. I know it can be done, but I do not know how to do it. Perhaps someone else can do it. --DThomsen8 (talk) 00:40, 20 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Nearly all Stubs and Starts[edit]

The story told by the above table is that 2/3 of the articles in the WP:MUSICALS project are either stubs or start-class, and only about 10% are higher (the others are lists, categories and templates). I hope that people will look at the Starts and stubs and try to expand them with WP:Reliable sources until they are at least C-class. -- Ssilvers (talk) 14:49, 20 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Some of the class=stub and class=start articles according to the talk page templates have been improved by subsequent editors and are of higher quality now, but the templates are unchanged. That is another reason I wanted the image for the October 18th table, so the increased numbers in class=C can be observed. Class B went up by 1 and class C went up by 9. Start and stub went up because of Musicals not earlier tagged as such with new templates. --DThomsen8 (talk) 01:42, 21 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

A possible little project for the day? Sources about Derek Goldby[edit]

Not quite musical theatre, but there is a pleasant little dispute over at Talk:Derek Goldby, which is increasingly inching towards discussion of whether the article should be deleted. (Feel free to skip over the parts about events in London in the 1990s and after.) Someone claiming to be Goldby thinks the article should be deleted due to BLP concerns, and someone else thinks it should be deleted due to notability concerns. Either way, the sourcing on the article at the moment, is appalling.

I think he is notable, but in large part for theatre work he did in New York in the previous millennium. Where would be the best place to find reliable sources about that? Well, you're going to be there :) --Demiurge1000 (talk) 02:05, 20 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I'll try to get to this on Monday. -- kosboot (talk) 23:41, 22 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Computer issues[edit]

This might seem a bit weird but can someone help fix my computer at the event? I want to help the newbies but I can't because of my horrible computer. I keep getting a input/output issue with my /dev/sda and I have no time to fix it before the event. I have no NYPL library card and am not a NYC resident so that means I cannot barrow a laptop. What should I do? Can someone fix it before the event for me? Peter.C • talk • contribs 10:19, 21 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Of course if you bring your laptop, someone will surely fix it :)--Pharos (talk) 16:41, 22 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Wiknic[edit]

Do we still have a page about the June picnic? I failed to find it. Jim.henderson (talk) 21:52, 25 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Of course, it's at Wikipedia:Meetup/NYC/June 2011.--Pharos (talk) 23:48, 27 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Ah. Wikipedia:Meetup/NYC/Wiknic was erroneously pointed at October. Fixed. Jim.henderson (talk) 10:19, 28 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]