PeterKa

Wikipedia's Sue Gardner and her favored bullies couldn't figure out how to get a visual editor to work. But they did know how to drive off conservative users. Although I had eight years experience and 33,000 edits, I could still be dismissed with a "You're done here" and a form letter from Arbcom. (I'm "Kauffner" on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:List_of_Wikipedians_by_number_of_edits this list].) A permanent ban is Wikipedia's most extreme penalty. But it's not like I went on some exciting rule-breaking rampage. I was summarily banned for doing things I had been doing for years. I was never given second chance or even a warning.

Wikipedia's Sue Gardner and her favored bullies couldn't figure out how to get a visual editor to work. But they did know how to drive off conservative users. Although I had eight years experience and 33,000 edits, I could still be dismissed with a "You're done here" and a form letter from Arbcom. (I'm "Kauffner" on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:List_of_Wikipedians_by_number_of_edits this list].) A permanent ban is Wikipedia's most severe penalty. But it's not like I went on some exciting rule-breaking rampage. I was summarily banned for doing things I had been doing for years. I was never given second chance or even a warning.

If Hollywood filmed this story, we would start with Gardner in her office reading [[User:PeterKa/Filipacchi | my send up of the gender categories controversy]], or one of my other amusing and insightful takes on Wikipedia goings on. Then she would roar, "Will no man rid me of this meddlesome editor!" Her minions would rush in, sharpening their laptops and girding their tablets. But that's the legend. Who knows how these grudge matches get started? At any rate, I was greatly relieved when Gardner's term as executive director finally ended on June 1.

If Hollywood filmed this story, we would start with Gardner in her office reading [[User:PeterKa/Filipacchi | my send up of the gender categories controversy]], or one of my other amusing and insightful takes on Wikipedia goings on. Then she would roar, "Will no man rid me of this meddlesome editor!" Her minions would rush in, sharpening their laptops and girding their tablets. But that's the legend. Who knows how these grudge matches get started? At any rate, I was greatly relieved when Gardner's term as executive director finally ended on June 1.