Hello, fellow editors.

About me

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I live in the U.S., and my interests include light opera, musical theatre, global warming, environment, literature, history, films, astronomy, health issues, U.S. politics, and U.S. law. I am a lawyer and writer by trade, an amateur singer and actor (performing with some frequency both in the U.K. and the U.S.), and I enjoy snow skiing, swimming, snorkeling and sailing.

My contributions to WP

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My first edit on Wikipedia was on April 20, 2006, and I established this username on April 27, 2006. By April 2021, I had made over 175,000 total edits on Wikipedia. I have created several hundred articles on Wikipedia, and more than 185 of them have been featured on the "Did You Know" section of the Main Page.

I edit a wide range of articles here, but I spend most of my time on articles about musical theatre, especially from about 1860 to about 1925, including shows, composers, lyricists, dramatists, and producers of, and performers in, Victorian musical theatre and Edwardian musical comedy. I have created or expanded articles on every Victorian and Edwardian-era musical of which I am aware that enjoyed an original London or New York run of at least 400 performances and many other successful or notable musicals, composers, lyricists, book writers and performers of the period. I have also expanded many musical theatre and related articles from more recent eras, and I am a member of WikiProject Musical Theatre. In the past, I have been a Wikipedia Online Ambassador, mentoring university students and taught groups of ordinary people how to edit and better use Wikipedia articles.

I am an active participant in Wikipedia:WikiProject Gilbert and Sullivan, having created or expanded articles on most of the important Gilbert and Sullivan performers and people associated with Gilbert and Sullivan included in Wikipedia. In addition, I have created or expanded articles on many of W. S. Gilbert's plays, and I have added to nearly all of the other articles within the scope of the G&S project. I encourage anyone interested in Gilbert and Sullivan to join the WP:G&S project. There is still plenty more to do!

My WP:FA and WP:GA articles

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I have been a major contributor to the following articles that are now rated Featured Articles or Good Articles:

Featured Articles (15):
  Carousel
  Noel Coward
  Creatures of Impulse
  Flower Drum Song
  W. S. Gilbert
  H.M.S. Pinafore
  Her Majesty's Theatre
  Joseph Grimaldi
  The King and I
  Dan Leno
  André Messager
  South Pacific
  Arthur Sullivan
  Thespis
  Trial by Jury
Rescued Featured Articles (1):
 His Majesty's Theatre (by the late Kbthompson, with Tim riley)
Good Articles (30+, including FAs that were first GAs):
  "The Absent-Minded Beggar"
  Rutland Barrington
  Jessie Bond
  Richard D'Oyly Carte
  Rupert D'Oyly Carte
  D'Oyly Carte Opera Company
  Edward Scissorhands (dance)
  Jackie Evancho
  Gilbert and Sullivan
  George Grossmith
  Hair
  Stanley Holloway
  Kinky Boots
  Love, Loss, and What I Wore
  Henry Lytton
  Jacques Offenbach
  Bernadette Peters
  Joseph J. Romm
  Malcolm Sargent
  Themes in Avatar
Rescued Good Articles (1):
 Wicked (musical)

Reliability of Wikipedia

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Tools:

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It gives me great joy to award this Imperial Napoleonic triple crown for exceptional mainspace contributions on Gilbert and Sullivan and otherwise. Thank you very much for your generous time and diligence on behalf of the project. You are the very model of a modern major Napoleon among editors. Cheers, Casliber (talk)
 
I, Durova, am very happy to award these imperial triple crown jewels to Ssilvers in appreciation of outstanding content contributions. DurovaCharge! 05:18, 28 November 2007 (UTC)
 
 
This editor is a
Senior Vanguard Editor
and is entitled to display this
Duranium Editor Star
with the
Neutronium Superstar hologram.
 
This editor is Supreme Gom, the Most Exalted Togneme of the Encyclopedia and is entitled to keep the floor plan of The Great Library of Alecyclopedias, including its cardboard carrying tube.
  • {{Musicals-project|class = }}
  • {{PD-US-1923-abroad}} This will prevent premature copying to Commons.
  • {{PD-old-70-1923}}
  • Pre-1978 publicity photos: See this.

Footlight Notes site

Wikipedia's servers are within the U.S. jurisdiction, files must follow U.S. copyright law in order to be used on Wikipedia. Overviews of U.S. copyright law can be found at User:Quadell/copyright and Cornell University's factsheet. Official documents from the U.S. Copyright Office are at: "Duration of Copyright" and "International Copyright Relations".

Favorite Wikipedia talk page reply to a disruptive editor, which made me smile: "Please don't tag the regulars. I have been editing this page for years. You've just come back from being banned for editwarring - perhaps you should calm down and take a break?"

Administrators:

Stub for musicals: {{musical-theat-stub}}

For Proposed deletion (for articles whose deletion is expected to be uncontroversial), you put {{subst:prod|reason}} at the top of the article. If it is controversial, WP:DELETE will walk you through what to do. It's not hard, and they've set it up to be pretty painless: put {{subst:afd1}} at the top of the article, click on the preloaded debate link, and fill it out, then go back to the article, copy the text given, and click on the link for the next step and paste the text in, to link the debate.

Wikipedia:Requests for comment/Art, architecture, literature and media

Citation template for web cites: {{cite web}}

Wikipedia's fair use criteria: WP:FU#Policy.

Barnstars and other bling

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  The 100 DYK Medal  
It is my pleasure to award you, Ssilvers, this medal, and I hope this is not the last one you'll receive from the project. Materialscientist (talk) 01:57, 27 November 2009 (UTC)
  The Tireless Contributor Barnstar
Awarded to Ssilvers for his work on actors and actresses, minor operas, and everything else related to Gilbert and Sullivan and Victorian Theatre. You have single-handedly filled in many huge gaps in Wikipedia coverage. Adam Cuerden talk 13:13, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
  The Tireless Contributor Barnstar
In recognition of your endless amount of contributions to drama-related articles on Wikipedia, and being an active participant in the corresponding discussions, I award you with this barnstar. It is also nice to meet a fellow actor on Wikipedia! Best wishes, and happy editing! :-) Lradrama 20:00, 17 November 2007 (UTC)
  The Sullivan Barnstar
For your careful copyediting, research, and other work on Thespis, I award you this newly-made barnstar. Should make a Gilbert version too. Adam Cuerden talk 00:18, 20 November 2007 (UTC)
  The Gilbert and Sullivan Barnstar
For your significant contribution to the works and performers of Gilbert and Sullivan I award you this specially made barnstar. Your knowledge of and enthusiasm for the subject are amazing. . Jack1956 (talk) 16:06, 1 April 2008 (UTC)
  Creatures of Impulse Barnstar
Your work on this article was at the least the equal of mine, and it couldn't have passed without you. This special barnstar commemorates this FA. =) Shoemaker's Holiday (talk) 01:03, 14 June 2008 (UTC)
  The Gilbert and Sullivan Barnstar
For your amazing contribution to the new article Gilbert and Sullivan for All I award you the Gilbert and Sullivan Barnstar in recognition of your knowledge and enthusiasm. Jack1956 (talk) 20:47, 28 June 2008 (UTC)
  The Trial by Jury Barnstar  
Please accept this specially-made Gilbert Barnstar for your hard work on Trial by Jury. Seriously, couldn't do it without you. =) Shoemaker's Holiday (talk) 13:26, 29 June 2008 (UTC)
  The WikiProject Musical Theatre Barnstar
For your kind efforts to reach a common ground on musical article content, I award you my Musical Theatre Barnstar. Enjoy! Mizu onna sango15Hello! 20:01, 16 November 2008 (UTC)
  The Special Barnstar
For carefully and thoughtfully saving the image of Bernadette Peters and (belatedly) for getting the article to GA. JeanColumbia (talk) 13:30, 20 December 2008 (UTC)
  The Original Barnstar
This is awarded in recognition of your excellent work on Noël Coward. Congratulations on achieving Featured Article status! LiteraryMaven (talkcontrib) 14:39, 25 March 2009 (UTC)
  The Barnstar of Diligence
For Ssilvers, who went above and beyond the typical reviewing standards to help Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. achieve FA-status before his bicentennial. Your thorough dissection and willingness to leave no stone unturned is much appreciated. As the Autocrat himself would say, "People who honestly mean to be true contradict themselves much more rarely than those who try to be 'consistent'." With many thanks, María (habla conmigo) 21:02, 15 June 2009 (UTC)
  The Original Barnstar
For an impressive and tireless and extensive 6-day period of major research and writing on Stephen Moorer, way over and above the call of duty. Well done! Softlavender (talk) 07:24, 27 July 2009 (UTC)
  The Gilbert and Sullivan Barnstar
For your significant contribution in expanding The Ne'er-do-Weel I award you this barnstar. Jack1956 (talk) 21:30, 29 September 2009 (UTC)
  The Gilbert and Sullivan Barnstar
For your amazing contribution in expanding The Fortune Hunter I award you this G&S barnstar. Jack1956 (talk) 18:44, 29 October 2009 (UTC)
  The Barnstar of Diligence
For your taking the extra trouble to expertly edit Themes in Avatar (2009 film) towards improvement. Regards, Cinosaur (talk) 05:47, 16 February 2010 (UTC)
  The Good Article Barnstar
As a token of deep gratitude for your state-of-the-art editing of Themes in Avatar that helped it rise to GA status, I present you with this barnstar. Thanks and regards, Cinosaur (talk) 17:49, 18 April 2010 (UTC)
  The Barnstar of Diligence
For Ssilvers, whose diligence in advising, supporting, and even (if you please) correcting me, has helped me in more articles than I can name – and today I am in his debt for helping me get Adrian Boult to FA. – Tim riley (talk) 22:12, 20 April 2010 (UTC)
  The Guidance Barnstar
This is for helping me fix the pages I create. JDDJS (talk) 15:08, 2 May 2010 (UTC)
  Wikipedia Ambassador Barnstar
For outstanding efforts helping a student, which will soon have led to the first successful DYK from a student working with the ambassadors program, I award Ssilvers the Wikipedia Ambassador Barnstar.--Sage Ross - Online Facilitator, Wikimedia Foundation (talk) 20:18, 8 October 2010 (UTC)
  Prince of Proofreaders Barnstar
For constantly rescuing me and my prose, reading articles that must have bored you to sobs, and helping me get them up to GA/FA I gratefully present you with this special barnstar. – Tim riley (talk) 22:47, 30 October 2010 (UTC)
  The Guidance Barnstar
Ssilvers, I want to thank you for all your time and patience in helping me make Stanley Holloway a Good Article. Without your help and guidance it would not have been possible. I would also like to thank you for correcting my many mistakes and for giving me some valuable and respected advice along the way. I would therefore feel honoured if you would accept this barnstar as a token of my thanks. Cassianto (talk) 18:06, 16 September 2011 (UTC)
  The Military history reviewers' award
By order of the Military history WikiProject coordinators, for your devoted contributions to the WikiProject's Peer, A-Class and Featured article reviews for the period Jul-Sept 2011, the Military history WikiProject Reviewers' award. Buggie111 (talk) 22:57, 1 October 2011 (UTC)
  Most-patient-Wiki-teacher & Far-above-and-beyond Award
You definitely deserve an award for being the most patient teacher I have ever seen! Bravo! kosboot (talk) 07:12, 23 October 2011 (UTC)

(See also this.)

  The Teamwork Barnstar
Thx for 2011...to be continued ! Gozor136 (talk) 17:25, 31 December 2011 (UTC)

On behalf of WP:CHICAGO, I would like to thank you for editorial efforts that helped Georg Solti become a WP:FA.

--TonyTheTiger (T/C/BIO/WP:CHICAGO/WP:FOUR) 22:17, 24 June 2012 (UTC)

  The Original Barnstar
With the Featured Topic now passed, congratulations on the Leno body of work: only "Vegetables grown by Dan Leno" to go before you've truly achieved the full set! - SchroCat (talk) 15:50, 18 March 2013 (UTC)
  Another Gilbert and Sullivan Barnstar
Gong and double bar for continuing to lead the regiment from the front; we find it more exciting. Tim riley (talk) 17:37, 21 June 2013 (UTC)
  100000 Edits
Congratulations on reaching 100000 edits. You have achieved a milestone that very few editors have been able to accomplish.
The Wikipedia Community thanks you for your continuing efforts. Keep up the good work!

Buster Seven Talk 07:18, 10 July 2013 (UTC)

  The Resilient Barnstar
You are the pride and joy of Wikipedia! Without people like you Wikipedia would not move forward! Banaster Giver Extra Polite (talk) 11:37, 9 November 2013 (UTC)
  A Tesla Roadster for you!
Thank you for contributing to Wikipedia! Gg53000 (talk) 14:57, 7 January 2014 (UTC)
  The Copyeditor's Barnstar
To dear Ss, once again, thank you for the wonderful copy editing on George Robey on the eve of his PR. Your efforts are very much appreciated. Cassiantotalk 17:09, 5 April 2014 (UTC)
  The Tireless Contributor Barnstar
For your eight years of superb research, top-notch writing and staunch comradeship I have great pleasure in awarding you this gong. – Tim riley (talk) 18:19, 19 April 2014 (UTC)
  The Barnstar of Diligence
Especially for your recent work saving Mary Potter (painter). Bearian (talk) 18:19, 21 April 2014 (UTC)
  The Copyeditor's Barnstar
For all your work on John Barrymore, which really was above and beyond the call of duty, I am extremely grateful! Cheers - SchroCat (talk) 09:15, 5 December 2014 (UTC)
  The Teamwork Barnstar
For helping to edit and clean Brandi Glanville. Tokyogirl79 (。◕‿◕。) 10:12, 27 December 2014 (UTC)
  The Tireless Contributor Barnstar
I think you definitely deserve one of these for your tireless contribution to pruning the John Barrymore article and helping promote it to FA! ♦ Dr. Blofeld 12:27, 30 December 2014 (UTC)
  The Special Barnstar
Thanks for the adoption and the help! I couldn't really understand what anything means without you! -- CryOceD (talk) 20:26, 26 May 2015 (UTC)
 
The Flaming Joel-wiki celebrates events in our collective consciousness as highlighted by the Übermuse Billy Joel in his great song We Didn't Start the Fire...and Ssilvers wins one with South Pacific...congrats. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 07:41, 2 December 2015 (UTC)
  The Copyeditor's Barnstar
Thank you for all your extraordinary efforts at improving the Jenny McNulty article and for the inordinate amount of your valuable time spent bettering this minor article. Albiet (talk) 18:39, 1 September 2015 (UTC)
  The Barnstar of Diligence
You deserve 2 Barnstars at least. Albiet (talk) 18:41, 1 September 2015 (UTC)
  The Original Barnstar
Thanks for your patience during the recent incident, and your civility in pointing out my errors. I do appreciate them. loupgarous (talk) 18:45, 16 October 2015 (UTC)
  The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar
Thank you for your help with my grandmother Eileen Sharp Ilovevinyl (talk) 19:44, 17 November 2015 (UTC)
  The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar
Thank you for your kindness and patience during the editing process for the Trenyce article Aoba47 (talk) 01:58, 24 January 2017 (UTC)
  The Order of the Hawk-eye
Thanks for swooping in to correct my mistakes! Tyrone Madera (talk) 05:29, 6 June 2021 (UTC)
  A full plate armor
As a knight of Wikipedia, you deserve this. V. E. (talk) 17:40, 5 July 2021 (UTC)

On behalf of the FAR coordinators, thank you, Ssilvers! Your work on His Majesty's Theatre, London has allowed the article to retain its featured status, recognizing it as one of the best articles on Wikipedia. I hereby award you this Featured Article Save Award, or FASA. You may display this FA star upon your userpage. Keep up the great work! Cheers, Nikkimaria (talk) 03:43, 5 August 2023 (UTC)

  The Good Article Rescue Barnstar
This is presented to you by the GAR process in recognition of your sterling work in helping Wicked (musical) retain its Good Article status. Please feel free to display the GA icon on your userpage. Keep up the good work! ~~ AirshipJungleman29 (talk) 23:54, 14 November 2024 (UTC)

Signpost

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Sample Welcome Message

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Hello, Ssilvers, and welcome to Wikipedia! Thank you for your contributions so far. I hope you like it here! Here are a few important links for newcomers:

 Wikipedia:Reliable sources, WP:V, WP:CITE and WP:NPOV
 How to edit a page; How to develop articles; Editing tutorial
 Manual of Style; Writing better articles
 The five pillars of Wikipedia
 Editing by consensus – working well with other Wikipedians

If you'd like some help with editing or otherwise, you can sign up at the new users log, post a question at the Help Desk, or ask me on my talk page.

Please sign your name on Talk pages using four tildes (~~~~); this will automatically insert your username and the date. It is a good idea to read the most recent entries at the bottom of the Talk page of an existing article before making major changes to it, to see if your proposed change has been discussed before. Before I make a major change to an article, I often make a proposal on the Talk page to see if anyone minds.

Again, welcome! --