Journal: Wikipedia and Citizendium

Some Wikipedians will know there has been a minor tremor at their favorite project. On 18 November Administrator Durova placed an indefinite ban on Wikipedia user !! (a highly regarded contributor) for no obvious reason stating: "Due to the nature of this investigation, our normal open discussion isn't really feasible. Please take to arbitration if you disagree with this decision." In the ensuing discussion, Durova's secret message to a hitherto unpublicised Wikia mailing list, explaining her reasoning and evidence for the ban, was published onwiki around 18:00 UTC on 22 November by user Giano. The existence of this mailing list, hosted by Wikia but discussing events on Wikipedia, came as a great shock to many Wikipedia users. Occurrences of Durova's controversial explanatory message are being expunged from Wikipedia by a process called "oversight" with the sanction of the Arbitration Committee, Wikipedia's highest court of appeal. In fraught attempts to solve the issues involved, Giano was asked by a senior arbitrator what should be done. When the Committee subsequently threatened to admonish him, Giano gave his response in unambiguous terms. Giano is a candidate for the Arbitration Committee himself soon, with Jimbo Wales having the final say on appointments to the Committee. ..... Meanwhile, over at Citizendium, Dr Sanger is taking longer than expected to make a decision on Citizendium's license. He has explained that it shouldn't be too long in coming, but the issues are complex. A dissertation is in the offing :)