Active Wikipedia editor years - 2006-2008. Long effectively retired, I still log in from time to time to edit the odd article that I happened to see that needs creating or improving. In 2022, I checked my standing on List of Wikipedians by number of edits and was astonished to see that fifteen years later, my name is still in the top 10,000.
Wikipedia is an extraordinary place, but it has long been plagued by all of the doubled-edged swords of the internet. Anyone can edit it, but ANYONE CAN EDIT IT, everything of value acquires gatekeepers, and those gates are guarded by people who are largely anonymous and thus have little regard for repairing their relationship with you after you've spent three days fighting it out over a misplaced comma. The outcome is burnout, dysfunction and decline. I have always considered myself an inclusionist, but it's somewhat depressing to take a stroll around the places I used to go and see these obsolete ideas and pages, like walking through an abandoned city staring up at the monuments to the past, wind blowing through their empty fronts. I hope someone cleans it all up one day.
Contributions
This user has been featured in the press for their work on Wikipedia.
I think the first FA on a minor television character. Since delisted because... well, I don't know. Some guy who had it in for me decided it violated MOS or something equally stupid.
My first FL, and possibly my longest project - I started work in October 2006.
Also proud of Mr. Lady Records, which looked like this when I prodded it, and prompted editors to improve it to how it looks today.
Awards
Awards I have been kindly given.
We've awarded you this PARC research star in recognition for your contribution to research about conflict in Wikipedia. Thank you for your help!!! --Parc wiki researcher 21:11, 10 August 2006 (UTC)
The LGBT Barnstar
The LGBT Barnstar is hereby awarded to Dev920 for her support of the article James Robert Baker, part of the LGBT project on Wikipedia, during its successful FA candidacy. Thank you! Jeffpw 10:15, 25 November 2006 (UTC)
The Original Barnstar
I (PullToOpen) award you the Original Barnstar for your incredible audacity and boldness when nominating Esperanza for deletion. Your nomination was one of the most well thought-out and well written nominations I have ever seen. Sometimes the best thing for a project, ironically, is removing it from existence. Cheers, PTO 03:59, 30 December 2006 (UTC)
You probably made a few enemies in this MfD, but I can tell you that you certainly earned my respect. PTO 04:06, 30 December 2006 (UTC)
The Surreal Barnstar
Your decision to nominate Esperenza for deletion was an act of courage and ballisness that most regular Wikipedians would never even want to comtemplate. The Surreal Barnstar, made for "wildcards" of Wikipedia is right for you.S h a r k f a c e 2 1 7 07:24, 7 January 2007 (UTC)
I award this to you Dev920 for your help to guide me and probably others on working to do many things! --Cheers Zazzer
The Original Barnstar
This is for doing what you thought was right even though it would probably hurt you. James, La gloria è a dio 00:57, 21 January 2007 (UTC)
The Graphic Designer's Barnstar
Thank you for creating that template for the Same-sex marriage in Spain article! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Raystorm 22:21, 28 January 2007 (UTC)
For remaining unbroken in the face of adversity, unbowed in the face of despair, unafraid to do what is right, I admire you.
But you're still in inclusionist. Join the Dark Side! Strike them down and take your place by my side! --ElaragirlTalk|Count 00:20, 10 February 2007 (UTC)
The Defender of the Wiki Barnstar
On Wikipedia, as in the real world, doing the right thing often goes against the status quo. Thank you for your good work and for being bravely outspoken in matters of conscience.House of Scandal 14:33, 12 February 2007 (UTC)
{{Award wikihalo|her amazing work with the Wikipedia:WikiProject LGBT studies, reaching out to various users, and the constant reversion of vandalism and general improvement of wikipedia.}}WereWolf 14:33, 27 February 2007 (UTC)
The Editor's Barnstar
Thanks for your great efforts in Islam article which led to making a FA article. --Sa.vakilian(t-c) --03:03, 23 May 2007 (UTC)
The Environmental Barnstar
Congrats on working so hard to assess articles. I hope you will continue your work to help promote environmental awareness. OhanaUnitedTalk page 16:34, 24 June 2007 (UTC)
"I guess a more relevant question is not 'Why does Wikipedia host porn?' but 'Why am I so obsessed with porn I feel the need to "take a stand" against encylopedically written articles on it?'" I guess it just sounds too much like me to not be funny. :) — $PЯIПGrαgђ 20:50, 15 July 2007 (UTC)
The Resilient Barnstar
I also want to bestow this upon you, considering your RfA, you've earned it. IvoShandor 14:54, 3 August 2007 (UTC)
