QUOTE(Lar @ Sun 12th July 2009, 5:35pm)
QUOTE(taiwopanfob @ Sun 12th July 2009, 11:31am)
Let's cut the bullshit here: the WMF is afraid that the "admin" bit Dcoetzee has can be used to argue the WMF has liability. Employee status, that kind of thing.
That wasn't why either, but if you would like to think it was, go ahead.
Where would we be if it wasn't for Lar bestowing upon people the rights they normally have? How did we ever get along before he arrived on the scene?
QUOTE
Admin deletion makes something not publicly visible. Except to other admins.
Oversight makes something not visible, even to admins. Except to other oversighters.
The only way to truly delete something from WMF servers is to actually truly delete it, that is, go and find the files and nuke them, and find the database links from the File:blabla.jpg to the file itself, and nuke those, which requires developer access. Everything else is just setting visibility flags on various pieces of data that remain in the DB.
GMaxwell's request pointed out that Dc was being put in a potential conflict of interest, he might feel pressured to do something that, in actuality, would not resolve NPG's claim, in that it does not actually satisfy their request for deletion. Removing that conflict of interest lessens the pressure on Dc... if you then analyse the situation to infer that it thus increases the pressure on WMF... no comment, except suffice it to say that I don't like volunteers being left out to dry.
I think I have a reputation for doing fairly sensible things, most of the time. I think this was a sensible thing to do or I wouldn't have done it. I could be wrong.
Well, Lar, you are simply wrong, and you
must know this.
The NPG doesn't care a fuck
how the WMF/Dcoetzee stops serving those files.
Not the slightest! Really! If, when deleting things, little magic WMF fairies are told to intercept the database queries and re-write them, if the disks have to be dropped into incinerators, or setting little delete flags, or making the proper chants to the Great Database Gods,
they don't care.
All they care about is that the files will not be served anymore.
So if Dcoetzee did wake up with the realization he is about to start living in a world of shit because, at one point he felt the WMF would stand up for him, but now realizes it won't, then him organizing the data structures at the WMF so the files "disappear" would in fact satisfy NPG completely.
Again, you, and by extension, the WMF
must know this is true.
Naturally, you or Gmaxwell or David Gerard or even the Jimbo himself can just go an reset the flags, re-upload the content, or any other reversal of the reverse ... but that gets you into the "taking the piss" department, doesn't it? Something which I'm pretty sure
none of you are willing to undertake.
I wonder why? (He asks rhetorically).
This leads straight to the issue as to why your blather about "conflict of interest" is disgustingly disingenuous. In essence, everyone at the WMF is permitted plausible deniability, protection, conflict or not, but poor Dcoetzee is no longer permitted
any option to reverse his mistake, on the grounds of "conflict of interest". This logic is especially odious due to basic WMF
that editors are liable for all content they add. Of course, this is not widely known to contributors at large (which may explain why Dcoetzee did what he did). What this means is that Dcoetzee is "on his own", which means that, in practice, and in direct contradiction to your claim, he is actually in no conflict of interest, since he has no interest in the project, while he does have a massive interest in his house or other property he currently owns.
Lar, you are a smart guy. So is Gmaxwell. A lot of you are. But what you are doing is is wrong, wrong, wrong on so many levels, and your arguments are not even passing a simple sniff test. Stop drinking that kool-aid and do the right thing:
1) erase all the images NPG wants deleted, but whatever process you like
2) Dcoetzee and NPG can then shake hands and part company,
3) choose, among you, someone and let them re-upload the images and "take the piss"
It is the only honorable action.