Forum:New Featured User Interviewer

Forums: Index > Site discussions > Closed site discussions > New Featured User Interviewer

Result: SpyroSonic2000 is appointed as the assistant for the Featured User Interview.

Alright, I know I should put this discussion on this forum, but this is just a little too big for that already popular-forum. This discussion is about the Featured User interview. It's overdue. Again. Didn't we have the same thing happened only a few months ago, as well? Please correct me if I'm wrong, but the poll for the Featured User includes "Who should be the Featured User of December?" I'm not positive if the poll is that old, but it makes the [Sonic News Network] website outdated and unprofessional. I suggest we replace the Featured User interviewer, Kagimizu, with another active user who is typically on Sonic News Network most of the time. Or, we could just have two interviewers just in case one of the interviewers is inactive/not-on-SNN-at-current-time. But I want to hear from each of you users, to see your opinions on these things. BlueSpeeder (talk) 18:42, July 1, 2013 (UTC)

If Kagimizu isn't willing to be a little more active to keep up with the Featured User poll, I support this all the way (it's about time this was taken care of). MetalMickey272

Totaly agree. We need to find another person who can do the interviews. SilverPlays97 (Wall) (Contributions) 18:55, July 1, 2013 (UTC)

SpyroSonic2000 is the perfect candidate for a new interviewer. He is active large portions of his online time, and he agree with me via chat he will do it if a new interviewer is decided. I just wanted to say that. BlueSpeeder (talk) 18:57, July 1, 2013 (UTC)

Blue told me that a good candidate would have to be active a lot, both editing-wise and chat-wise. Here's what I said on the chat, which I was told to put on here:

You, Blue, because you edit a lot and come on here everyday.

I would say Ultra, but he barely comes online here.

I come here everyday and edit a few+ things everyday, so I would also say me. ::That's all I can think of. It's hard to think of a good user who is active enough to have a good amount of time being active, chat-wise and editing-wise. It it were chat-wise, I would probably say Blue, Fly, Glitch, Modren, Spyro, Biter, and me, and for editing, I would have Blue and Ultra above most other users. MetalMickey272

Excuse me, but this is not something that needed to be made a forum topic. It is my job and has been for several years now. If you have a problem with me, you say so on my talkpage. I may not always update on time, but for your information this isn't something that I was able to help. I had just finished high school and had graduation preparations, and by the time that was said and done SacorGuy was on a month long break from the wiki. The reason it was a month overdue was because I decided it wouldn't be fair to Sacor to skip him and interview the runner-up instead. Especially since on one occasion, prior to my taking up the job, a user by the name of Sonicrox14 had to wait six months, which I'm quite certain is not an overdue period I have ever forced on the wiki.--Kagimizu-Seeya 'round 19:36, July 1, 2013 (UTC)

Yes, you have been doing these interviews for years now, but we need it to be on time. If a featured user happens to be away from the wiki, there are other ways to contact them, such as Skype. I just think you should get someone to help you with the interviews or pass it down. I would prefer seeing these on time. Sorry if I come on a little rude, but I have to agree with Blue Speeder. 6 months is far too long for a user to wait for a simple interview that should have been done months ago.---~Flare | Talk Page 19:47, July 1, 2013 (UTC)

I agree with Blue and Fly. If you still want to be the interviewer for the Featured User poll, perhaps we could just get a back-up interviewer in case something pops up for you that makes you unable to be able to interview the next Featured User? That way we'd be able to get these finished on time, if that's OK with you, that is. MetalMickey272

Strongly support this. I've been wanting this for a long time ever since that 3-month delay back in December. We may not strictly be doing these interviews monthly now, but it's highly preferable that they are updated punctually. And even if Kagi does manage to get the interviews done more regularly, I find it quite selfish that the job has to be reserved for one user alone. So there should be at least one other. Don't worry Kagi, we're not trying to take over your duties. Think of this other interviewer as a "substitute", if you may, and you can still be the main one. THE REFLEX ^dancing on the _valentine 20:06, July 1, 2013 (UTC)

Gonna have to agree, Kagi has had a good run, but we need someone who could keep the deadlines. Kagi might be really busy, and there are plenty other active admins that can do it. Thing is Kagi, you need to let someone else and more able to take over the position. It's not a matter of how it used to be, it's a matter of how it is. Time Biter "The Rift" 20:46, July 1, 2013 (UTC)

With all due respect, this is the job I've had for several years, ever since I first started out as an admin. I take pride in having this job and maintaining it for so long. I don't object to other people being able to do the job when I'm utterly indisposed, but I'm not about to give up the responsibility I've had longer than most of you have been on the wiki.

What's more, the issue of this particular month was completely out of my control. I had to finish high school, I had to prepare for graduation, and Sacor had to leave for a month. I may have been late in the past, but in this case there was absolutely nothing I could do to complete the interview on time. The only time I could have put up the interview would be by interviewing someone else, and that wouldn't have been fair to Sacor.--Kagimizu-Seeya 'round 21:05, July 1, 2013 (UTC)

As stated earlier, there are other ways to get in contact with Sacor, such as Skype. You don't have to give up the position entirely, maybe just get an extra person to help out if you can't meet the deadline. Time Biter "The Rift" 21:14, July 1, 2013 (UTC)

I suggested on the chat that we could have something of a "team" of interviewers. Like, a few of our most active users who can take the role as Featured User interviewer. If one user, or the back-up user, can't find the time to make the interview, we could have another back-up user do the interview. Just to be extra careful that we aren't past our due date for the poll. MetalMickey272

I don't think that Kagi should loose his position for being a little late every now and then. If he just finished high school then let him get ready for graduation, and this month was totally out of his control. I do like the idea of a back up interviewer though. If something like this should happen to Kagi again then the back up can handle it. But Kagi should keep the main interviewer rights. --Psyche the Hedgehog 12:41, July 2, 2013 (UTC)

I see two basic solutions to this issue. The first being that someone before had suggested that this "Featured User of the month" routine could be shortened to "Featured User", but I personally see a problem if that were to be an indefinite change. Should a problem occur where a monthly-updated interview isn't possible, the interview can simply be postponed for a time, and eventually the Interviewer could revert back to a monthly schedule.

The second solution -which is more preferable- is to hire a "back-up interviewer", as Time Biter had suggested. Simply put, if you know of someone who does not hold a terribly busy schedule, you could hand it over to him/her. I wouldn't suggest a whole group of people as Metal suggested though, one is enough to make up for lost time. Serious Sam Heavy 12:54, July 2, 2013 (UTC)

There is no specific schedule for Featured User interviews. Monthly interviews are simply ideal. However, I do agree that when Kagi is unable to conduct an interview, another user should be able to take his place. Sacor's solution to the presented problem seems most reasonable. -- Shadowunleashed13 (talk) 14:59, July 2, 2013 (UTC)

Alright, so should we begin to add nominees for a "back-up" Featured User? Because if so, I have a perfect list of users that we can use. BlueSpeeder (talk) 16:51, July 2, 2013 (UTC)

Not now. This should be known by Kagimizu and other Administrators first and foremost, to avoid possible mistakes. Serious Sam

Heavy 16:59, July 2, 2013 (UTC)

I have to agree with those who are supporting. I've been seeing this kind of neglect for years now, and I don't think the job should be handled by just Kag alone anymore just because of trivial reasons such as, "I had this job for years and I enjoy it". Kag, you keep going on about how you've been doing the Interviews for years and how this knowledge prides you, and you object to other people doing your job when you aren't "utterly indisposed", but there's 2 problems with your arguments:

1)Others have pointed out to you that even though you've been doing this thing for years, we need it done on time because not doing so would make us look unprofessional and possibly even disorganized/disinterested in ourselves, especially those whom we feel have worked hard enough to actually earn a shot of being a Featured User on this Wiki. I personally have seen you fail to keep the interviews updated in a timely manner for years now, and people have been complaining about this even then. Yes, we acknowledge that there were some instances where there was no way you could've gotten a few interviews done on time, but that knowledge supports our argument as to why it'd be a good idea that we at least have one more person to help handle the FU Interviews so we can still get them posted on time. And now going onto the second problem,

2)How exactly are we supposed to know whether you're "utterly indisposed" or not when most of us hardly see you anywhere around here most of the time doing any sort of interaction with anyone whatsoever? The only times I've seen you interact with us as of late is whenever you decide to converse with us on a Site Discussion that piques your interest, or when answering a few simple questions anyone happens to leave you on your Talk page. The only way I can really see us learning of situations like this that you happen to be having at any given time is if one of us decides to risk leaving you a message on your Talk page and basically ask you, "Hey Kag, is there any problems that are going to prevent you from getting the FU Interview done on time/at all for the month of X?" In my opinion, we shouldn't have to resort to asking you such questions all the time because, as someone who supposedly takes doing the Wiki's FU Interviews very seriously, it should be your responsibility to keep us up to date on how so-and-so could/would affect your ability to handle certain responsibilities around here.

I'm sorry, but I, along with several others, feel that some changes need to be made with how we handle our FU Interviews. We respect your feelings on this matter, but we need you to respect ours as well. Lloyd the Cat"I don't die. I just go on adventures." 21:34, July 5, 2013 (UTC)

I also wanted to add that you could inform us when you're not going to be online to do the interview and let a replacement interviewer do the interview instead of waiting six months for an interview. The situation with Sacor could have been resolved quickly via talking to him on email or Skype, as Fly has said. BlueSpeeder (talk) 21:55, July 5, 2013 (UTC)

And again, I do not have Sacor's e-mail or Skype! I had no means of asking for it and I don't just go around asking people for their personal information like their e-mail or Skype account! I don't even know if he has Skype for pete's sake! I always do the interviews over the wikis for maintaining format and ease of information. I didn't know Sacor was going to be gone, yet you guys are assuming that I both knew this and such personal information as his Skype and/or e-mail. And you know what? That isn't fair to me.--Kagimizu-Seeya 'round 09:29, July 6, 2013 (UTC)

@Genesjs: The reason I'm hardly around here is because there's almost nothing for me to do or take part in. There are so many admins that if there are any issues it's taken care of immediately. Almost no-one comes to me for help or advice, or even to just talk. I care about this wiki and consider it my home wiki, but what's the point of watching it like a hawk 24/7 when everyone else is already taking care of just about everything? The reason I care about the job as interviewer so much despite my issues with time management is because it's, for lack of a better term, "mine". It's about the only way I can earnestly and consistently contribute to the wiki. It keeps me connected and involved. If I lost that, there would be virtually nothing left for me to do. The wiki wouldn't need me at all. I mean, how am I supposed to be involved when there's nothing for me to do and no-one comes to me for help or participation? The only way I can do any of that besides the interviews is through the aforementioned Site Discussions, and even then only sometimes.--Kagimizu-Seeya 'round 09:39, July 6, 2013 (UTC)

Then you need to find something to do around here like the rest of us, Kag. The number of Admins on this Wiki is irrelevant because it does little to diminish available work that even regular Users are capable of doing. Are you forgetting that there's articles that can be worked on, files that can be categorized, merges that can be merged, and malicious edits towards the site's content that can be undone, etc.? No one needs to be an Admin to do these things, and there's always work like this around here somewhere, just waiting for someone to take notice and do something about it. You shouldn't expect these things to fall into your lap when its most convenient.

I've just explained to you why no one really interacts with you much, but I'll repeat it this one time in a nutshell: From what I've personally seen, hardly anyone here who isn't one of this Site's older Users ("older" as in having been here longer than most of everyone else that's currently around) even knows who you are, let alone that you even exist. You're such a stranger around here these days that it doesn't really surprise me that no one really interacts with you much, especially considering that you hardly take the time to regularly interact with us yourself. You have only yourself to blame for this, and I find the implication that it should be our job to make sure that you take the time to stay in constant contact with us when you don't consider there to be any work for you present to be rather... unlikeable.

And you forget: the job of doing FU Interviews is a voluntary responsibility just like the rest of everything else around here. No particular job "belongs" to anyone on this Wiki, including the handling of FU Interviews. You should know that as well as everyone else here does, having been on this Wiki for several years now. And if we as a community feels that a certain volunteer that has volunteered to handle a certain task on this Wiki isn't doing that task in a desirable manner, then we have the right to voice our concerns and, if need be, find a suitable replacement who can handle the task correctly. And again, most of us who've commented on this discussion feel that something in the current status quo needs to be changed. This discussion, along with several others in the recent past, wouldn't have been made if you've simply taken the time to handle the job you volunteered for properly. Lloyd the Cat"I don't die. I just go on adventures." 20:33, July 6, 2013 (UTC)

Er... yes, yes that's all true, Genesjs. Boy, these wordy and angry-sounding posts are annoying me. I need some cola. THE REFLEX ^dancing on the _valentine 20:50, July 6, 2013 (UTC)

Wasn't my intention to sound angry. Stern, yes. Angry, not so much. It can be kinda hard to properly convey the desired kinds of emotion through text sometimes, even if (in the case of my posts) one didn't use exclamation marks, all caps, etc. Lloyd the Cat"I don't die. I just go on adventures." 20:57, July 6, 2013 (UTC)

I was also talking about Kagi's post above yours. Perhaps one should refrain from being stern or making long posts as well. That's the problem with the internet with all its emotional barriers. Emoticons are a wonderful help, though. :) Anyway, back to the main topic before Supermorff gets angry (or stern, rather) at me. THE REFLEX ^dancing on the _valentine 21:08, July 6, 2013 (UTC)

I don't consider making my posts as long as they are problem when I'm trying to make legit arguments -- I could make them longer than they are, but I'm only saying what I feel needs to be said. Sometimes using a few short sentences isn't enough, and I'm sorry if others feel differently. And its alright to be at least a little stern when a situation requires it. That's true for many aspects of life in general, including site dicsussions on this site. Still, you're right, let's stay on topic. Lloyd the Cat"I don't die. I just go on adventures." 21:13, July 6, 2013 (UTC)

I wasn't angry either. Rather, I was pouring my heart out over some long-time insecurities I've had. And Genesjs, I don't mean the wiki doesn't have projects to do or issues to deal with; I mean that everyone else handles them before I can get involved or really do anything. There's nothing for me to do besides Featured User because I'm usually.... superfluous. Which really upsets me because at one time, I was considered good enough to be a bureaucrat on the wiki. The Featured User job is the one thing that I'm able to do for the wiki before anyone else, and I feel like if I lost that, the wiki just wouldn't need me at all. That's why I have so much pride for this job and get so defensive over it.--Kagimizu-Seeya 'round 22:30, July 6, 2013 (UTC)

Kagi should be allowed to keep his job so long as he updates them as close to monthly as possible. If problems arise, I am sure someone else can fill in for him. Give him a chance to update the next few times, and we will work from there. --Bullet Francisco (talk) Contributions Editcount 02:22, July 7, 2013 (UTC)

Kagi, if you're proud of the job then take pride in it. Keep to a schedule, and don't apologise for being late every single time you update it, because your self-deprecating apologies and excuses are the first (and often only) things that new users see from you, and thus their first opinion is "oh, it's that guy who's late with the interview again". Frankly, it's the apologies more than anything that are problematic. If you didn't promise to do it monthly, then it wouldn't matter as much that you never manage to do it monthly; and if you didn't apologise in such a self-deprecating way, then people would not get the impression that you weren't able to handle it. Show us that you can handle it! Or, if you can't, step aside and let others take over. -- Supermorff (talk) 07:40, July 7, 2013 (UTC)

I've maintained the monthly schedule up until now and in spite of my difficulties keeping up with it because it gives me a deadline; a reason to get off my arse and get it done within a specific amount of time. At the risk of coming off as even more incompetent and more worth replacing, I'm worried if I had no deadline I'd just keep putting it off. I kinda had that issue back in Middle School, where no distinct schedule cost me every opportunity at a Summer vacation. So now I make sure to try and maintain a type of schedule so I don't make the same mistake. And I apologize in such a manner so as to take responsibility for my slips in schedule and doing my job.--Kagimizu-Seeya 'round 11:47, July 7, 2013 (UTC)

Ok, how about this: You set the deadline. If you meet it, great. If you don't, it becomes open for anyone to do. Maybe you'll still be the one who does it, but anyone can try without any judgement. And no more apologising on the main page. -- Supermorff (talk) 21:16, July 7, 2013 (UTC)

I support Biter's idea. Having a 'team' of interviewers would be a great idea. Also, per Supermorff. User:XxTinkaStarxX/Signature 13:27, July 8, 2013 (UTC)

After all what is said in this forum, I do appreciate, we should have a team and all, but I still feel like the Featured user interview is a long slab of text that covers the main page entirely and to be honest, it looks ugly as a page itself and feels that it's unnecessary since the featured user isn't any special than the rest. I still suggest, still we have some/minimum of the interview written and link the reader to a page read more about this interview. --Quack 05:58, July 9, 2013 (UTC)

I think you'd be suprised about how many people enjoy the interviews. The Main Page is spaced out really well, so it's not really ugly. I'd rather not use a subpage. :/ If there are other ways you think we can improve it without moving it all to a subpage, I'd be interested to hear. --Bullet Francisco (talk) Contributions Editcount 08:06, July 9, 2013 (UTC)

Off-topic I know, but I'd be interested in knowing how many people enjoy the interviews. While I may end up slacking off or procrastinating, I am happy that people find the results entertaining.--Kagimizu-Seeya 'round 09:29, July 9, 2013 (UTC)

Oh! I didn't know that :/

But still something to spice up the page rather than a slab of text, a border for the interview is the least that can be done. --Quack 16:58, July 9, 2013 (UTC)

@Bullet - Disco makes a point, we can put so much more in the space where the FU interview is, like a News Header. The FU is the most central thing on our homepage, which has always been a little irrelevant to me.--SlugDrones • (Contact) 20:00, July 9, 2013 (UTC)

Many of the active users I meet are interested in the FU interview, believe it or not. Personally, I think the FU interview and the polls are what make the home page entertaining to read. In my opinion, moving the FU interview to a subpage is unnecessary would make the home page a little less interesting. Can't we have everything? We're making this into a big deal (however unintentionally it may be); we're taking ourselves too seriously. -- Shadowunleashed13 (talk) 20:36, July 9, 2013 (UTC)

You kidding? Nowadays, people on this wiki make everything into a big deal and take everything too seriously - just look at the length of this forum! I'm telling you, it's what's been holding this wiki down for so long. THE REFLEX ^dancing on the _valentine 20:45, July 9, 2013 (UTC)

What's been holding the wiki down for so long? Taking everything so seriously in an attempt to be informative and professional, or the featured user interview?--Kagimizu-Seeya 'round 00:48, July 10, 2013 (UTC)

I just want to say that the Featured User poll is the only reason why I go to the home page. I find it fun to have something to participate in right there on the home page, like some of the questions that are there on some wikis. MetalMickey272

Moving the FU interview to the side would create imbalance since it's the longest section on the homepage. Creating a subpage isn't eliminating the interview and it isn't preventing readers from reading it at all. I doubt the readers who are not users in this wiki care about the interview as much as they would care about a News header. You'll still be able to read the interview. If the Poll is enjoyable all the way down there to the side, then the FU interview can too.--SlugDrones • (Contact) 05:41, July 10, 2013 (UTC)

@Kagi: The former.

@Drones: Makes some sense, I guess.

Now we're just repeating ourselves. I think most opinions have been shared on this forum. Maybe we should hold a vote; I guess I don't mind either way (after all, this is quite trivial). -- Shadowunleashed13 (talk) 14:54, July 11, 2013 (UTC)

I must disagree Drones, as I said, the featured user interview is what encouraged me (and a few others) to join in the first place. It encourages constructive editing. It's currently doing more good than harm. Moving it to a subpage discourages viewing and will force us to rebalance the Main Page entirely. Unless you have a better alternative of what to do with the Main Page (there are plenty of other options) , I would prefer to keep it right now. --Bullet Francisco (talk) Contributions Editcount 09:58, July 12, 2013 (UTC)

The alternative I have in mind is something like the 'Mario and Nintendo' section at - http://www.mariowiki.com/ --SlugDrones • (Contact) 10:29, July 12, 2013 (UTC)

I meant an alternate Main Page design. Removing the Featured User interview forces us to rebalance and reconsider. --Bullet Francisco (talk) Contributions Editcount 10:33, July 12, 2013 (UTC)

This forum is getting off-topic from the new featured user interview. I suggest we should hire a new user to do the interviews. Kagi, you've been slipping for a while. As Solace had said, having only one featured user interviewer is selfish, and I suggest that we should replace you with users that are very active ion the wiki. BlueSpeeder (talk) 17:42, July 14, 2013 (UTC)

I think it's unnecessary to replace Kagi; just give him a helper. -- Shadowunleashed13 (talk) 13:21, July 15, 2013 (UTC)

Alright, so I've decided I should make a list of users who are both active on both chat and editing. Note that I have chosen users who are not on the Featured User poll. Here's the list as to what I can receive:

If you have anymore you would like to add, please be my guest. BlueSpeeder (talk) 18:03, July 16, 2013 (UTC)

FreeSmudger, SilverPlays97, and SpyroSonic2000 are all great candidates. MetalShadow272 is qualified to be on the poll per current standards, so I am not sure he would be the best choice. If those three agree to volunteer to be 'back-ups', they have my approval (not that my approval means anything, just showing my support). --Bullet Francisco (talk) Contributions Editcount 18:59, July 20, 2013 (UTC)

Well Kyle (Bullet) told me: "you should confirm that you'll help Kagi out" So yeah, I'm willing to help Kagi out. GraveEclipse56 7 19:22, July 20, 2013 (UTC)

I guess we'll go with this, then? Unless someone else really wants to be a back-up. I'll close this discussion shortly. --Bullet Francisco (talk) Contributions Editcount 01:22, July 23, 2013 (UTC)