daniwo59@aol.com wrote:
Although I have not been following this discussion, I was asked this evening to grant 5 arbitrators on the English Wikipedia CheckUser powers.
While the request was made, I think it is sage for us to let it sit there for some time to see if there are any valid protests to giving it to these individuals. Usually, steward requests can remain for several days until someone acts upon them, and I don't see why this should be any different.
I also wonder whether they should be given the power on a permanent or a need-to-know basis. That is, should they always have this ability, or should they only be given it when a case requires invesigation, and then have it removed? Personally, I favor the latter option. I do not think anybody needs to be able to do this in all instances.
I welcome comments.
Danny
I'm CCing this to the English language Wikipedia list as I think we should get some feedback from the actual community where it is occurring!
I oppose granting it at the moment. I suggest waiting for the Arbitration Committee elections (or appointments) in December, and granting it to people who become arbitrators. Two of the people mentioned above (Kelly and Jayjg) have only temporary positions (as they were appointed by Jimbo Wales), out of process with how the other arbitrators were chosen. I think the English language Wikipedia can survive until the new Arbitration Committee members take their seats.
Chris