User talk:Myotus

I tend to not look at my Talk page for long spans at a time. If you need to get a hold of me you can also email me if you need to discuss something or notify me.

Saturday, July 18, 2026 Minnesota User Group Wiknic!

In the area? You're invited to the Minnesota User Group Wiknic July 2026
	Saturday July 18, 2026 the Wikimedians of Minnesota User Group is having a Wiknic at the Minnesota State Capitol! We will be picnicing in the shade near the Minnesota Woman Suffrage Memorial, so bring a picnic blanket, lawn chairs and a hot dish for the picnic if you like! We'll also be providing sandwiches for everyone but we encourage you to bring your own favorite dishes to share. All Minnesota Wikipedia editors and wanna-be editors are welcome! Learn more » When: Saturday, July 18, 2026 Time: 10 to 1:30 pm Place: Minnesota State Capitol Mall, St. Paul, MN
If you don't wish to receive these invitations anymore, please remove your username from our invitation list. Thanks.

MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 20:44, 11 June 2026 (UTC)

Setup of Wiknic page

Do you want a setup like Event:Bay Area Wiknic 2026 and to promote the centralnotice to both logged-ins and non-loggedins? Pharos (talk) 23:37, 21 June 2026 (UTC)

Yes please, Thank you! I have responded to you post on the centralnotice board. How does one creat an Event page? I have not had the time to explore it. Myotus (talk) 13:10, 22 June 2026 (UTC)

I have made set it up at Event:Minnesota Wiknic July 2026. The primary way people should register now is the Event box at the top. This will get you more attention and signups, including many from new editors who will have a relatively low turnout rate, so don't get too worried about that. I fear it may also become impractical to take individual sandwich orders because of this. Pharos (talk) 16:38, 23 June 2026 (UTC)

Wikimania memorial for Gobonobo

I added Gobonobo to the yearly Wikimania memorial, if you have a photo or birth year feel free to update it. Pingnova (talk) 02:45, 16 July 2026 (UTC)

Thanks! I have struggled to find out any additional information on him. I cannot find any personal info online which would allow me to contact family and find out what they wish for a memorial. I am hopeing that someone at the event may have some ideas or knowledge. Myotus (talk) 14:11, 16 July 2026 (UTC)

Pingnova, the candle is wonderful. How terribly sad. What a gut punch. R.I.P. to the second man I ever heard refer to Diderot. -SusanLesch (talk) 14:44, 22 July 2026 (UTC)

I also haven't been able to contact them.

Regardless of family wishes, we should see if there's a way to prevent automated messages to his talk page, so it doesn't fill up. I think folks from Wikimania may want to pay tribute. Pingnova (talk) 21:40, 22 July 2026 (UTC)

I have cropped a photo out of the last photo of him at the MN Wikipedia Anniversary event. It looks like I don't have permissions to add it to the Wikimania memorial. Is this something you can do? Myotus (talk) 22:08, 24 July 2026 (UTC)

Photo looks good. Yes, it's fine to use a photo on a separate memorial page according to the guidelines. Then we could post that page at Wikipedia:Deceased Wikipedians. I remember he looked happy and handsome in 2025 at the Rondo Library (my vote for his best-looking day). -SusanLesch (talk) 23:08, 24 July 2026 (UTC)

I cropped the photo of him in one of the photos you suggested and added it to the Wikimania memorial. Thanks for your work on this, Susan. While we weren't as close as I would wish, I looked up to him and I'm finding it hard to do all of this because it's so disheartening. Pingnova (talk) 05:37, 28 July 2026 (UTC)

Pingnova, the Wikimania memorial looks really good. Thank you.

Another gut punch yesterday reading his obituary when I found out he died in an accident. I knew he was smart but had no idea of what he'd done for Wikipedia. This shows a his scope. (I mean, which English speaker makes 63 edits to the Arabian edition?) I think the photo in the Star Tribune obituary is the best we'll have. Myotus's photo is really good because you can see his eyes. -SusanLesch (talk) 16:06, 28 July 2026 (UTC)

I really like the photo! Myotus (talk) 16:06, 29 July 2026 (UTC)

Pingnova, SusanLesch I have taken a stab at putting something together for his memorial page. It's a start-please feel free to comment, edit, or add. You will notice that I have included his cause of death. I have done so for several reasons.

1. He was young and his death was sudden. Those that know him on Wikipedia may be wondering what happened.
2. It appears he was an avid bicyclist. He died in a crash between his bicycle and a car. Sharing this fact respects his story and helps people understand the dangers cyclists face on roads used by cars. This connects his loss to a broader public issue.

Ultimately, his family will have say if it stays in or goes (as the rest of the memorial text).

Myotus (talk) 19:47, 29 July 2026 (UTC)

Myotus, do I have your permission to post a condensed version to Deceased Wikipedians? I think your fuller work would be great for the Signpost. You guys have my permission to edit my sandbox in place with any changes. I'm torn between "remembered with fondness" and "dearly missed". -SusanLesch (talk) 20:13, 30 July 2026 (UTC)

I think it is great! Would you be willing to take a stab at rewriting what one for the Signpost? I am not much of a writer. However, I still need to contact the family first to get their approval. I should be able to reach out to them this weekend or the start of next week. Myotus (talk) 14:05, 31 July 2026 (UTC)

Pingnova is this shorter one OK with you? I borrowed the word "passions" directly from you. I'm no writer either Myotus and depend on your structure, but I will try. Are you saying we need to wait for some outside approval to post these? I thought we just needed approval for using his real name. -SusanLesch (talk) 15:52, 31 July 2026 (UTC)

Both for his real name and his cause of death. I think it might be nice (but not required) to have them review it first. Myotus (talk) 16:06, 31 July 2026 (UTC)

Jason's parents contacted me! However, for their privacy I would like to continue this conversation in email. Pingnova I have your email but SusanLesch, I don't have yours. Can you contact me at joe.hoover@mnhs.org? I would like to send them to your memorial page but you have a link to an article on Trump on it. Myotus (talk) 22:25, 31 July 2026 (UTC)

I just removed the link. Myotus (talk) 01:12, 1 August 2026 (UTC)

Email sent. -SusanLesch (talk) 01:34, 1 August 2026 (UTC)

No email yet. Myotus (talk) 15:29, 1 August 2026 (UTC) Myotus (talk) 15:29, 1 August 2026 (UTC)

Check your Junk folder. Resent email to joe.hoover@mnhs.org. -SusanLesch (talk) 16:27, 1 August 2026 (UTC)

Here's a first draft for the Signpost. OK in advance to edit in place. -SusanLesch (talk) 23:15, 1 August 2026 (UTC)

I could really use your help okaying the last sentence of each one, Pingnova and Myotus. -SusanLesch (talk) 12:55, 2 August 2026 (UTC)

I made a few tweaks, please review. I think it's important to always clarify he was the cyclist, because of how much he valued cycling and was aware of the dangers cyclists face. Pingnova (talk) 20:39, 2 August 2026 (UTC)

I am going to share this with pharos and McGhiever to see if they have something to add. Myotus (talk) 00:23, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

You guys, first could we edit what we have. Pingnova you are absolutely right to make it clear he was on the bike. But the last sentence is unacceptable. We can't say we remember him for "knowledge" twice. Please fix that. Also we need to fix the short version. Keep this stuff together. As I said I'll be back tomorrow. -SusanLesch (talk) 00:51, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

P.S. Was Gobonobo an administrator? Myotus implied that in his email. -SusanLesch (talk) 00:56, 3 August 2026 (UTC) P.P.S. Myotus, why did you give McGhiever the condensed unedited version? Or am I confused? -SusanLesch (talk) 23:19, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

Pingnova, I like your edit, thank you for the fix. I removed a couple more repeated words (otherwise they lose their impact). One question. Can we end this with "free knowledge" and omit "online and offline"? In journalism, the writer thinks the reader might skip the ending, but in writing, last is a stress position (added importance). -SusanLesch (talk) 14:23, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

Never mind my questions above. Continue below in §Final drafts.-SusanLesch (talk) 22:49, 7 August 2026 (UTC)

Extended content

Off topic

Pingnova, Google Gemini says this takes three parts.

• Step 1: Add the Memorial Template to both user and talk page {{Deceased Wikipedian}}
• Step 2: Implement the Absolute Bot Block on talk page (bots|deny=all)
• Step 3: Request Administrator Protection at Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents State clearly that the user is deceased and the estate or community wishes to preserve the page exactly as it is without future automated modifications.

Hope this helps. Ping me if you'd like help with this. -SusanLesch (talk) 22:08, 23 July 2026 (UTC)

I posted to WP:ANI and User:voorts took care of things. First we had better read Wikipedia:Deceased Wikipedians/Guidelines. (I left the final two sections of the guidelines not done.) -SusanLesch (talk) 23:01, 23 July 2026 (UTC)

Continuing the guidelines. He's been unsubscribed from the Signpost, Books & Bytes, Administrators' newsletter, Women in Red, Wikimedians for Sustainable Development; WikiCup; Feedback request service (for RFCs and GAs). Posted requests to Commons, WikiProject Unreferenced articles (WP:URA), WikiProject Articles for creation, Meta, and WikiData. -SusanLesch (talk) 20:03, 24 July 2026 (UTC)

The struggle has been there is very little we are finding on him outside of Wikipedia. I had been hoping something would turn up but nothing has nor has his mother called me back. It makes me think folks in the MN Wikipedia User Group should at least least exchange email addresses if nothing else. Myotus (talk) 22:12, 24 July 2026 (UTC)

Off topic

Pardon me if I say here that Google Gemini is a menace. Exact quotes from today:

That was an incorrect connection. The real name of the Wikipedia editor Gobonobo is not public information, and assigning the name [full name] to that account was an error.

The editor Gobonobo's real name actually is [full name]. He was the prominent Minneapolis Wikimedian who passed away in 2021, and the community openly published a moving tribute to his legacy, his real identity, and his immense work fighting systemic bias.

I asked about a different person, got a baloney answer, followed up, it lied again to cover its tracks. When challenged, Gemini called its response a spectacular double hallucination. -SusanLesch (talk) 23:39, 25 July 2026 (UTC)

It's usually best to avoid using generative AI whenever possible for questions like this. It does not search the web for your answer, it just makes something up from whatever text it has consumed. It's an entertainment chatbot, not a search engine. It's just as likely to tell you something made up as something true. Also, due to WP:OUTING, we aren't supposed to post Gobonobo's full legal name on Wikipedia. Pingnova (talk) 23:46, 25 July 2026 (UTC)

Right, duly blanked. I was following Myotus's lead, which I have also blanked. Meta is another one that's done.

By the way, this is another reason to consider Duck Duck Go over Google. Duck had no result for the same search. I sent a package to feedback at Google and told them I would spread the word that their search engine has become a liar. -SusanLesch (talk) 13:15, 26 July 2026 (UTC)

Would you two be willing to create a 1) memorial page, and 2) an obituary for the Signpost? -SusanLesch (talk) 17:17, 26 July 2026 (UTC)

Pingnova, SusanLesch Sorry I haven’t been more present in this conversation. I've been trying to stay ahead of my workload this month, and I also felt a bit stuck about what to do next. Now that there's an obituary, it's easier for me to move forward.

I can take a first pass at putting together something for a memorial page and perhaps for the Signpost, though I'm not very familiar with its specific requirements.

Regarding the use of Gobonobo's full legal name: since he is deceased, I suspect the considerations are different than they would be for a living contributor. There are a few ethical questions to weigh:

1. How likely is it that Gobonobo would have preferred to remain anonymous, even after death?
2. What are the wishes of his family? Would they like to see him receive public credit, or should we respect his anonymity? Now that we know his parents names I can attempt to reach out to them.

Thoughts? Myotus (talk) 15:09, 29 July 2026 (UTC)

I would definitely want to hear what his family wants when it comes to outing, before we did anything on wiki. Pingnova (talk) 17:28, 29 July 2026 (UTC)

Looking over the memorials, it seems like a common practice to use legal names. But I agree, I would like to check in with his family first (on his name and written memorial). Myotus (talk) 17:42, 29 July 2026 (UTC)

Thank you for stepping up, Myotus. Agree with you both to check before outing. I suspect the family will be happy to okay that. I'm still working on page protection on about a dozen editions. -SusanLesch (talk) 20:18, 29 July 2026 (UTC)

Gobonobo should be in some of the old meetup photos as well. Is this him in the front to the left? I am faceblind, so if someone better with faces can look through commons:Category:Wikimedia meetups in Minneapolis-Saint Paul and point out some OK photos of him, I think it would be good to have some noted down to help illustrate his long history with the Minnesota Wikimedians. Pingnova (talk) 20:52, 2 August 2026 (UTC)

Yes, that's him in front on the left in 2010. . Good find. -SusanLesch (talk) 12:21, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

Back row, third face from the right in 2013.

At Macalester in 2026, he's wearing a gray hoodie, seated at a back table.

Wikipedia Day 2026, green hoodie. (Myotus has this one.)

Wikipedia Day 2025, black hoodie. (Pingnova has this one.)

Not present at Wikipedia Day 2019, or at Wiknic 2025 or 2026.

-SusanLesch (talk) 12:13, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

Final drafts

• Condensed version
• Signpost version

Myotus and Pingnova, apologies for my email snafus. I edited these in place. Only one outstanding question: Was Gobonobo an administrator? -SusanLesch (talk) 22:45, 7 August 2026 (UTC)

I don't know. I didn't think he was but I could be wrong. ETA: Both versions look acceptable to me. Pingnova (talk) 23:02, 7 August 2026 (UTC)

No he was not an administrator. My apologie,s I originally thought he was because I misread a posting that made me think he was. But checking this and this shows he was not. Myotus (talk) 03:09, 8 August 2026 (UTC)

I'm fine with both drafts. Myotus and Pingnova, thanks and sorry for the delays. We're  Done. -SusanLesch (talk) 10:25, 8 August 2026 (UTC)

Myotus, how about you submit to the Signpost, and I'll submit to Deceased Wikipedians? -SusanLesch (talk) 11:27, 8 August 2026 (UTC)

I have been looking into it but it is very confusing. I am not sure if... I am missing something; the submission process is broken; or you have just have to be in the know. The submission page is here but the News Proposals submission button is on archived page 4, as is the button to create the article page.

However, from other obits I see on the archive page I suspect we could just try to submit the article as is. Do you want me to take it on? Myotus (talk) 12:34, 8 August 2026 (UTC)

I agree what to do isn't immediately clear. Yes, please go ahead. I bet if we give them a link they can handle it. WP:POST/SUBMIT -SusanLesch (talk) 13:18, 8 August 2026 (UTC)

Okey Dokey! Today, I am at Range Iron Pride in Virginia, Minnesota, so I probably won't do anything until Sunday. Myotus (talk) 14:54, 8 August 2026 (UTC) Myotus (talk) 14:54, 8 August 2026 (UTC)

Where are you Myotus? I thought you meant Sunday August 9. -SusanLesch (talk) 19:29, 12 August 2026 (UTC)

My apologies. I couldn't figure out how to post it Sunday and could not get back to it until today. It is submitted in a format I hope they accept. Myotus (talk) 00:34, 13 August 2026 (UTC)

Thanks, Myotus! Pingnova (talk) 05:31, 13 August 2026 (UTC)

Thanks, I'm sure it's fine. -SusanLesch (talk) 18:44, 13 August 2026 (UTC)

SusanLesch and Pingnova, I added Jason's obit to one more site. I am going to start setting up the next Minnesota User Group meeting. Myotus (talk) 16:54, 21 August 2026 (UTC)

I posted a note to the Signpost just to be sure this wasn't overlooked. -SusanLesch (talk) 20:04, 24 August 2026 (UTC)

Thanks Susan. I asked about having the auto archiving bot on his talk page removed. Pingnova (talk) 06:31, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

I hope {{nobots}} will do it. And I see you or somebody restored what had been archived, thank you. -SusanLesch (talk) 14:07, 26 August 2026 (UTC)

Portrait of you

Saw your photo in Racket. Making progress with the Minnesota User Group. Thank you.

Do you happen to know if Gobonobo is on hiatus? I am thinking about challenging one of the speedy delete criterion (WP:F7) and remember that he was interested in that topic. No hurry at all. -SusanLesch (talk) 14:34, 22 July 2026 (UTC)

Heavens, a memorial? -SusanLesch (talk) 14:36, 22 July 2026 (UTC)

Sorry you had to find out about it this way. I am thinking about writing something for the Wikipedia Projects Minnesota page and the Wikipedians of Minnesota page as on Jason's passing so folk that know him are not broadsided. Myotus (talk) 22:15, 24 July 2026 (UTC)

Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, MN Wikipedia User Group Meeting

You're invited to the

IN-PERSON Minnesota Wikipedia User Group Meeting Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026 @ 1 to 3:30 PM (CT) Location: Highland Park Saint Paul Public Library, First Floor Meeting Room, Saint Paul, Minnesota Meet, converse with fellow Wikipedia editors and enthusiasts. We will also be having a memorial for Gobonobo who passed away unexpectedly in April. All guests are welcome. If you don't wish to receive these invitations anymore, please remove your username from our invitation list. Thanks.

MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 00:11, 23 August 2026 (UTC)

October 4 meeting

Hello, just letting you know that I can't come to the October 4th meeting since I will be off and away at college. Otherwise I would. I'll be back and reasonably free if there are any events in December and/or early January. Minnastronomer (talk) 00:17, 23 August 2026 (UTC)

Hi Minnastronomer, Ah school! I wish you well and success in your studies! The next event after that will be the Wikipedia Birthday meeting in January. I usually make tater tot hot dish for that event. Myotus (talk) 02:33, 23 August 2026 (UTC)

Sounds wonderful. I'll look forward to it. Minnastronomer (talk) 03:28, 23 August 2026 (UTC)