In the years I have been on Wikipedia many other editors have been helpful and made great contributions. I have decided to finally award some
Barnstars and
Personal user awards to some of the people who've stood out and the list of awards so far is here.
This barnstar, the first on Wikipedia, is given to recognise particularly fine contributions to Wikipedia, to let people know that their hard work is seen and appreciated.
The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar may be awarded to those that show a pattern of going the extra mile to be nice, without being asked.
The Photographer's Barnstar is awarded to those individuals who tirelessly improve the Wikipedia with their photographic skills and contributions.
The Graphic Designer's Barnstar may be awarded to those who work tirelessly to provide Wikipedia with free graphic files, either original or a version of a known design (e.g. a country's flag).
The da Vinci Barnstar may be awarded to anyone who has enhanced Wikipedia through their technical work ( programming and tools, bot building, admin or sysop work, link repair, Mediawiki developers, etc.). This award may also be given to Cabalists, Mediators and Arbitrators - whose work is essential to the functioning of Wikipedia.
The Barnstar of High Culture may be awarded to an editor who makes particularly fine culture-related contributions.
The Epic Barnstar may be awarded to an editor who makes particularly fine History-related contributions.
The Society Barnstar is intended for those whose work advances the general understanding of any given society one may attain by consulting Wikipedia.
The Oddball Barnstar may be awarded to an editor who creates a particularly fine article regarding a subject that is odd, whimsical, or is otherwise something that one wouldn't expect to find in more traditional encyclopedias.
The Current Events Barnstar may be awarded to editors who make substantial contributions to current events articles, helping accurate information get through when it is most needed.
The Purple Star given to Wikipedians who have been hurt by others, for example by having their user pages vandalised, being mistakenly blocked (for too long, or affected by range blocks), being personally attacked, etc.