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  • File:Azerbaijan Democratic Republic 1918-1920 Map.jpgClose endorsed but immediate relist by someone who understands the subject permitted The DRV brings out a further discussion of the sources of the article that lead towards the conclusion that the map is original research, but these doubts were raised and refuted in the IFD so that there was not sufficient weight to allow the closing admin to delete. This discussion does not have a clear consensus either and since DRV is for reviewing closes not round2, we need to be careful not to substitute the conclusions of DRV for Xfd discussions. Its quite obvious that there is an OR issue with the image and its not being used on any article so I see no reason that someone who knows the subject could not immediately relist the image with a clearer explanation of what the issues with it are. Hopefully this will lead to a more focused discussion the the last one that gives greater clarity on the quality of the sourcing. – Spartaz Humbug! 18:16, 1 March 2009 (UTC) reply
The following is an archived debate of the deletion review of the article above. Please do not modify it.
File:Azerbaijan Democratic Republic 1918-1920 Map.jpg ( talk| | history| logs| links| watch) ( article| XfD| restore)

Nv8200p archived this debate according to him (and I agree with him on this point) "because I saw that there was no consensus". There is however another problem, which I think allow this review: this file (a map) is supported by no sources (what is written in the file summary is not true). People could say a lot about the PoV characteristic of the map (i.e. boundaries of Azerbaijan in 1918-1920), but, in my opinion, this is not the main problem. The main problem is that the map is using modern boundaries Armenia-Turkey and Armenia-Georgia, which makes it completely anachronistic; and it's also why the map is not supported by sources (which use the 1918-1920 boundaries). Sardur ( talk) 22:11, 23 February 2009 (UTC) reply

This isn't fair. Doesn't this map violate the same justifications you claim above? Atabəy ( talk) 00:38, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
No it doesn't because contemporary borders are used, not modern ones. And to answer to Grandmaster : a new version has been uploaded, correcting the Armenia-Turkey one, but the problem is still there whith Armenia-Georgia. Sardur ( talk) 06:24, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
But it can be fixed without deleting the map, right? Just ask the creator to make corrections, I'm sure he will do that, if there indeed is a mistake. Grand master 07:10, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
The second anachronism is mentioned above (and on the talk page of the file since yesterday, btw), so no need to repeat it again. And no, I don't think it can be fixed without deleting the map: if it is fixed, it becomes a derivative work based on unfree sources, which raises a copyright issue. If it's a derivative work, there's a breach of copyright. And if it's not, then it's OR. Sardur ( talk) 12:17, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
Derivative work is not a copyright violation, on the contrary, it is the only way to avoid copyright problems. Hewsen's maps used in the articles about Armenia are also derivative works, yet you do not want them deleted. So the issues that you cited as a reason for deletion are not valid concerns. Grand master 05:27, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply
There's no copyright violation if the derivative work shows a certain degree of originality, and we are therefore back to OR. As for the map of Armenica supported by Hewsen, do you know what is an OTRS ticket? Sardur ( talk) 06:34, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply
Does Armenica have a permission from Hewsen to use his maps and distribute them to free use by others? Grand master 06:50, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply
Same answer as below. Sardur ( talk) 06:51, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply
  • Relist, It strongly supports User:Sardurs point that File:Azerbaijan Democratic Republic 1918-1920 Map.jpg and File:The First Armenian Republic 1918-1920.gif show completely different borders between Armenia and Iran/Persia. I'm not an authority on this by any meaning of the word but it probably motivates a check against RS for the same - and since a cursory inspection on google makes me think the latter is the correct border [1], [2] a reslisting with more thorough discussion will probably see this removed. Usrnme h8er ( talk · contribs) 01:48, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
    Andrew Andersen, to whose maps you refer, is a self published author. Everyone can create a website and publish his opinions there, but we should refer to third party published sources. I cited some of such sources below. Grand master 05:23, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
    I agree, which is why I suggested a check against RS and made no claim of having completed that through my "cursory inspection on google". The fact that two maps, both on wikipedia and both claiming to be verifiably true, are completely different is a problem, whichever way you twist it and whichever map you discredit. One of the maps must be wrong and while (unreliable) sources vary in their drawing of this border, nothing I've seen suggests that the Iranian/Armenian border was that far north. Usrnme h8er ( talk · contribs) 09:45, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
    The thing is that neither Armenia not Azerbaijan had de-jure recognition on 1918 - 1920, and thus had no internationally recognized borders, so the maps you can find in reliable sources actually reflect the way Armenia and Azerbaijan wanted to see their borders. So both maps are sort of correct, but one should understand that those maps reflect the position of Armenia and Azerbaijan, rather than reality. In any case, deleting one map and keeping the other does not resolve the problem. Grand master 05:31, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply
  • Delete per consensus to delete at FfD. There looks like a clear consensus to delete at the XFD as this map is a WP:OI and is original research. There were no valid arguments to keep. The only weak argument to keep was that a map of Wilsonian Armenia supports this map however Wilsonian Armenia never came into being and only sought to define the borders between Turkey and Armenia after WW1. Pocopocopocopoco ( talk) 02:33, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
  • Endorse closure. There was no consensus to delete it the first time, and the decision to keep it was the correct one. The map is supported by reliable third party sources such as these: [3] [4] [5]. Also, Sardur cites as a reason for review that the map is "using modern boundaries Armenia-Turkey and Armenia-Georgia", however if you look at the present version of the map, it has no Armenian - Turkish or Armenian - Georgian borders. I don't know if there indeed was such a problem, if there was, it appears that the image has been improved, and if any other corrections are needed, please raise the issue on the talk page. I'm sure it is possible to fix any problems without deleting the file, if one brings them to the attention of the image creator. Grand master 05:23, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
  • Comment. I would like to highlight the fact that Azerbaijan in 1918-1920 had no de jure borders. De facto condition of several disputed territories changed drastically at the time, month by month and day by day (as one can see here or here and here). Noteworthy, user User:Baku87 (the author of the map in question) first removed a map from the ADR article which distinguished disputed territories from proper Azerbaijani territories and replaced it with his self-made one which shows them as unquestionable Azerbaijani lands (see here). The issue is, that if Azeri users are allowed to make maps were disputed territories between the ADR and the DRA/ DRG are shown as part of the first, Armenian/Georgian users will also feel free to make maps which will show them as part of their lands. I myself wait on the outcome of this discussion, and already think of making a map of DRA in a similar way Baku87 did. However it is worrisome that in this way we will get maps that are a source of endless edit wars (already noticeable in connection with the map of Baku87: [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19]). The Andersen maps are used everywhere in WP articles, his maps of DRA and ADR, which call a spade a spade, are not something I as an Armenian like very well and I'm not sure they are 100% correct, but I understand that using them, rather than maps illustrating nationalistic POV's, is the only way to meet WP:NPOV. -- Vacio ( talk) 08:00, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
  • Overturn and delete. When the number of users on each side of a deletion discussion is roughly equal, the closing administrator is charged with assessing the strength of the arguments and giving more weight to arguments couched in Wikipedia policy. In this case, the argument that the images violated WP:NOR was not successfully refuted by those arguing to keep the image, and as such, deletion is the correct outcome. Stifle ( talk) 09:10, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
Its not original research but based upon these [20] [21] Baku87 ( talk) 09:55, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
This point has already been addressed, and you never answered excepting with repeating the same sentence. But now, that's even more interesting : you're using the same sources to pretend that they support both the previous version of your map and the current one, though they are already quite different. It speaks for itself as for WP:NOR. Sardur ( talk) 10:03, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
I have nothing to hide, I fixed the Armenian-Turkish border and the map is correct, what else dont you agree on? Baku87 ( talk) 10:26, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
  • Overturn and delete There are NO sources that support this fictitious map. The two weak links they keep posting (which they discovered after the map was created) do not show similar borders anyway, so why keep posting them? If Andrew Andersen's map is self-published than what do you call this garbage? Nakhijevan was de-facto and de-jure in DRA, Karabakh's de-facto status changed dramatically various times etc. This map makes it seem as if ADR had de-jure and de-facto stable control over these territories when it did not. This map should only remain if it is shown in bold hard coded letters that it depicts ADR's territorial CLAIMS.-- Ευπάτωρ Talk!! 12:08, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
  • Endorse closure. The first time there was no consensus to delete it and this was the correct decision. The map is based on sources [22] [23]. The main argument of Sardur is that the map uses modern borders, well the Armenian-Turkish border has been fixed. Either way small problems like these should not be an reason to compleet delete a map, it can all be solved. Baku87 ( talk) 14:41, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
  • Overturn and delete (in order to be clear). Repeating again and again the same sentence, without answering what has been said about it several times, including on this very same page, won't make it true. Sardur ( talk) 15:10, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
    As the nominator for this discussion, it is already clear that you would like the file deleted. Please don't put another bold faced heading in (with the possible but unneeded exception of "comment") unless you change your mind about this. GRBerry 21:45, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
    Sorry, it's the first time I use this procedure... Sardur ( talk) 21:47, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
  • Overturn and delete Azerbaijan exercised no authority in the regions shown, neither de facto and certainly nor de jure. Baku87's map is only a slightly less grievous reproduction of contemporary Azeri maps which showed Azerbaijan stretching from the Caspian to the Black Seas! -- Marshal Bagramyan ( talk) 15:56, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
  • Obviously no consensus the main arguments to delete are the alleged inaccuracy of the map, but the map's keepers point out some sources - so, suffice to say, that there is doubt as to the accuracy of the map = no consensus. This issue is endemic in disputed and historical territory maps (e.g., File:Palestine frontier 1922.png, suffers basically the same problem trying to show frontiers and sea levels that its author has fiddled with perhaps correctly, perhaps not). Since there was no consensus, we keep. Personally, I could endorse a change of rules that all non-consensus items are deleted because WP has no consensus to keep them, but alas, the rule and policy are currently in the opposite sense. Carlossuarez46 ( talk) 22:29, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
    If I may: when there's either a copyright issue or an OR issue (see above), is consensus necessary? Sardur ( talk) 22:46, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
    The map is not based on the sources they provided, even those poor sources do not support this map's borders! The map was created by Baku87 without ANY sources merely to support an Azeri version of Lebensraum.-- Ευπάτωρ Talk!! 23:02, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
    If as you say, it was created without sources, it cannot be a copyvio as suggested by Sardur - the accusation seems close to a personal attack on its author; and Eupator only reiterates one side of the debate at the FfD: that the map is inaccurate. It is undeniable that this (proto-)state did exist, it's just a dispute over what its borders were de facto or de jure - if disputes permit deletion I'm sure that someone on the otherside would be glad to nominate something having to do with the NKR and its borders. What maps do you have to show what you consider the proper borders of the place were? Carlossuarez46 ( talk) 01:52, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply
    What one side? Here is another map created by Baku87, what does that tell you about the accuracy of this map? Will you use the same rationale to keep that image if it was submitted for deletion? As you can see, Baku87 created a map for the 2000 Baku earthquake article in order to display its epicenter, when the real purpose was obviously to slice Armenia, even against its internationally recognized borders. None from the other side who were monitoring that page have bothered to remove the map. Here is another example of Baku87's fabrications, he added a picture which is supposed to be a memorial for the March Days or Azeri genocide, when the memorial in question is for the Turkish soldiers who fought there. Tell me what is the other side as you call it? Even Azerbaijan's claims from 1918-1920 contradict that map. The maps provided by Grandmaster for example display Akstafa, Kazakh and Poyli in Armenia, not Azerbaijan. The map created by Baku87 includes them. This has nothing to do with sides, but accuracy. Here's a map created by a neutral historian ( Robert H. Hewsen) that accurately depicts the borders: [24].-- Ευπάτωρ Talk!! 02:51, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply
    First of all, I don't see how other works by Baku87 justify deletion of this particular map. I already cited at least 3 sources that support the accuracy of this map. As fir the map of Hewsen, it clearly contradicts the sources that I cited: [25] [26] [27], and Wilsonian map too. The thing is that Hewsen is an expert on the ancient history, but never published any works on the modern history of Caucasus. In any case, deleting this map and keeping Hewsen's map (which is not copyright free, btw) would mean that a position of a number of reliable sources is being suppressed in favor of position of one other source. That's not in line with the rules, we should present all the opinions, existing in the scholarly community. Grand master 05:47, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply
    For "Hewsen's map", see the OTRS ticket. Sardur ( talk) 06:36, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply
    That is permission from Armenica, but do they have a permission from Hewsen? Grand master 06:43, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply
    Perhaps I was not clear: I know when the sources were added (i.e. long after the map was created), and I share Eupator's conclusions, it's OR. But I also try to address what has been answered, i.e. that the map is supported by the sources. If it is the case (and I don't believe it is), there is a copyright issue. Nothing close to a personal attack. Sardur ( talk) 06:34, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply
    How come that this map, made by Baku87, has copyright issues, and this one: File:The First Armenian Republic 1918-1920.gif, that has Armenica written at the bottom and claimed to be made on the basis of the Hewsen's map, does not? Grand master 06:38, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply
    For your two last questions: you have to see the OTRS ticket or to ask to Armenica. Sardur ( talk) 06:50, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply
  • Ok, I will try to check that. As for the copyright, show me a rule that says that if you make a map on the basis on someone else's map, you infringe the copyright. In that case we should delete all the maps that are used in Wikipedia, as they all rely on maps created by others. Grand master 06:58, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply
    If anything, these 2 maps are copyright free, as they were published by the government of Azerbaijan in 1919: [28] [29] Grand master 07:03, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply
    Hewsen allows all of his work to be posted freely as long as he is cited as the author. Even the originals from the Atlas can be posted if a good scan is available. E-mail and ask him. Sardur, Gm's claim that those sources support Baku87's map are flase. Those sources are simply the only ones they were able to find long after the map was created. That's all they got, hence the redundancy. See my above post about the inconsistencies.-- Ευπάτωρ Talk!! 11:44, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply
    Eupator, I know ^^ Sardur ( talk) 13:52, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply
    You obviously (again!) did not read my comment, please explain the contradiction between the maps you provided and the irredentist drawing by Baku87. I'm tired of you repeating the same old refuted arguments without moving forward. I can only interpret such behaviour as stonewalling. Moreover, the first map is compleatly worthless, since it does not provide any borders to begin with. Do you think by just posting any links people are goign to take them at face value? Your comparison with Hewsen's map does not make any sense, Hewsen's map is supported by Hewsen's scholarly work, Baku87 drawing is not even supported by the sources you provided which he didn't even know existed when he created the map. If you have any new arguments, please provide them, you are repeating what has been already refuted. Above you also claim that neither Azerbaijan nor Armenia were de Jure recognized. This is not true, the United States of America recognized Armenia, de Jure, Armenia even signed an official treaty (Sevres) as a de Jure recognized Nation. Even with the treaty signed between the Ottoman Empire and Azerbaijan, the Ottoman Empire did not recognize Azerbaijan as an independent nation (while it did with Sevres). Lastly, Hewsen's map is supported by the near replica produced by National Geographic, which visited the Republic of Armenia at the time. -- Ευπάτωρ Talk!! 11:56, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply

We don't need any original research here. Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia had only de-facto recognition, which was not equal to de-jure recognition, and they had no internationally recognized borders. I suggest you have a look at this book: [30], called Stefan Talmon. Recognition of Governments in International Law: With Particular Reference to Governments in Exile. Oxford University Press, 1998. ISBN  0198265735, 9780198265733. It says:

Page 61: The de facto recognition of the Governments of Georgia and Azerbaijan was also referred to as 'recognition of de facto independence' IL no 77. at 922-5: ibid.. IIL no 655. at 768. On the de facto recognition of the Armenian Government in general, see Hovanisian, The Republic of Armenia (1982) For the interchangeable use of 'de facto recognition' and 'recognition as a de facto government' with regard to the recognition of the Armenian Government, see also [1920] III FRUS 775-8



Page 64: See also the US recognition of 'the de facto Government of the Armenian Republic' on 23 Apr. 1920 ([1920] III FRUS 778). From the correspondence between the US Ambassador to France, Mr Wallace, and the Department of State it becomes clear that what was intended was 'de facto recognition'. Compare ibid.. 775-8. See also the circular of the Swiss Political Department of 22 Sept. 1920, which states that Armenia is 'recognized only de facto by the Allies': Klarer. Schweizerische Praxis der volkerrechtlichen Anerkennung (1981). In the meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, held in Paris on 10 Jan. 1920 the British Foreign Secretary. Lord Curzon advocated the 'recognition of the 'de facto' Governments of Georgia and Azerbaijan'. What was meant was de facto recognition.

Page 83: On 10 January l920 the Supreme Allied Council at Paris gave de facto recognition to the Governments of Georgia and Azerbaijan. On 15 January l920 the meaning of de facto recognition was explained to the Georgian and Azerbaijani Delegations to the Paris Peace Conference at the Quai d'Orsay. M. Jules Cambon stated that 'from that moment the Conference could enter into regular relations with the delegations of these Republics, and the delegates, and the delegates, on their part, could present to the Conference the necessary materials, notes, etc.

So as you can see, Armenia and Azerbaijan both had de facto recognition, and there are conflicting sources on which territories they actually controlled. So I see no point in deleting one point of view and keeping the other. Grand master 13:01, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply

Notice how Grandmaster again completely ignored all of the points above and went offtopic. Cherry picking again, since it was recognized De Jure. See also: Histoire et géopolitique des Balkans de 1800 à nos jours by Ernest Weibel p.641. Another one, a legal publication, Revue génerale de droit international public, droit des gens, histoire diplomatique, droit pénal, droit fiscal, droit administratif Publié by A. Pedone, 1922, p. 368. DRA signed a legal treaty, in which it is said that its independence is recognised, including by Turkey.-- Ευπάτωρ Talk!! 23:00, 25 February 2009 (UTC) See here: [31] The recognition extended to Armenia was 'to the government of the Armenian State as a de facto Government on the condition that this recognition in no way prejudges the question of the eventual frontiers': ibid. pp. reply

Recognition in International Law. CUP Archive. ISBN  1001284348, 9781001284347

Thus, no frontiers were officially recognized. Grand master 13:45, 26 February 2009 (UTC) reply

As for the claims that this map somehow infringes copyright, they are baseless. This map is not a verbatim copy of the maps used as sources, as you can see this map is colored, and does not repeat any artistic elements (if there are any) of the source maps. It only shows the same borders as those shown in the source maps, and the facts are not copyrighted. By the same token we should delete all other maps in Wikipedia, if the borders shown on them happen to coincide with those shown on some published maps. Plus, 2 of the source maps were published by the government of Azerbaijan in 1919, so they are PD. Grand master 13:18, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply

The facts ? Which facts ?? and your parallelism with other maps doesn't stand if their sources are free or if their use is allowed. Sardur ( talk) 13:52, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply
Moreover, your view on copyright are not right, as I know of a similar problem on Commons resulting in a map being deleted. Sardur ( talk) 13:56, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply
So you are basically saying that when creating maps users should not use any sources as references and rely only on their fantasy? It is the same as writing the articles, one should refer to reliable sources, and it is not copyright violation. Same with the maps, if you refer to a source, you do not violate copyright. You just cite a source for the information. Grand master 14:05, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply
No I am not. I'm saying that when creating maps users should use free sources or should ask to the author for permission to use a map. If they don't, either there's a copyright issue, or there's an OR issue. Which is the case with this map.
That's of course completely different with text. Sardur ( talk) 14:45, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply

User:Alakbaroff ( talk) 18:44, 25 February 2009 (UTC) reply

  • Azerbaijan declared all of south eastern Transcaucasia as part of its territory; nevertheless, that didn't make it part of Azerbaijan and that didn't reflect the reality on the ground, especially in Karabakh and Nakhichevan. Must we really remind everyone that Azerbaijani maps in 1918-1920 showed Azerbaijan stretching from the Caspian to the Black Seas (i.e. present-day Turkey)? The admins are advised to take a look at Baku87's more egregious offense comes up with this supposed depiction of Azerbaijan in the year 2000, which should be nominated for deletion ASAP. Once more, not a single source that has depicted those borders precisely has been presented as of yet. Lebensraum indeed.-- Marshal Bagramyan ( talk) 05:10, 26 February 2009 (UTC) reply
    Can I see a source for the claim that "Azerbaijani maps in 1918-1920 showed Azerbaijan stretching from the Caspian to the Black Seas (i.e. present-day Turkey)"? Of course, this is not true. And how Baku87's other maps are relevant to this discussion and this particular map? If there are issues with them, they should be discussed separately. And the sources have been provided. Grand master 05:40, 26 February 2009 (UTC) reply
    For info: Wikipedia:Files for deletion/2009 February 26#Baku Earthquake 2000.jpg Sardur ( talk) 06:42, 26 February 2009 (UTC) reply

See Richard G. Hovannisian's article " The Republic of Armenia" in The Armenian People From Ancient to Modern Times, Volume II: Foreign Dominion to Statehood: The Fifteenth Century to the Twentieth Century on page 317. Baku87's other fake map just shows how he either does no research to support his claims or just copy pastes everything that is found on Azeri websites. -- Marshal Bagramyan ( talk) 07:02, 26 February 2009 (UTC) reply

I've never seen the maps of Azerbaijan extending to the Black see. The official maps of Azerbaijan are the ones discussed here, and they are not extending that far. Does any neutral source agree with Hovanissian about that? Also, note that this author kind of agrees that Armenia had no control over Nakhichevan. On the same page 317: The Muslim-populated districts to the south of Erevan refused to acknowledge the authority and officials of the Armenian republic and, with arms and money from Turkey and Azerbaijan, maintained a semiautonomous existence. Grand master 13:38, 26 February 2009 (UTC) reply
  • Is that so now Parishan? From the same logic this map of Germany should have the same rationale. But wait a minute, this Reich map actually has a source. Since your claim has already been dismissed, Baku87's map does NOT even match Azerbaijan's irredentist claims. Here are their claims, Kazakh was clearly in Armenia even according to their map. This has been repeated multiple times and you are rehashing what was refuted. The closing admin should consider what Stifle suggested, concensus or not, the decision should be geared towards policies.-- Ευπάτωρ Talk!! 11:48, 26 February 2009 (UTC) reply
  • That's the incorrect reading of the map, Eupator. The map you refer to shows the territories in different former governorates of the Russian empire painted in different colors. You see a different highlighting for the territories of Azerbaijan in the former Baku, Elisavetpol and Erivan governorate. Thus, Kazakh is not in Armenia on that map, it is in Azerbaijan, on the territory of the former Elisavetpol governorate. Grand master 13:27, 26 February 2009 (UTC) reply
  • Overturn and delete Not supported by sources, completely ignores ADR's other claimed territories, ignores the fact that Kazakh was under Armenian controll etc. In short nationalist wet dreams of Baku87. VartanM ( talk) 01:50, 27 February 2009 (UTC) reply
Mind your language VartanM, be civil. Baku87 ( talk) 09:53, 28 February 2009 (UTC) reply

Comment to the closing admin: the map which is voted on comes from this site here, as seen from the other maps on the site, like this and this the map was originally created to represent present day Azerbaijan. This can be further proven from the fact that Baku87 created a map of Baku Earthquake epicenter (in the year 2000) which presented the same borders. More evidence is that we see Xankandi instead of Stepanakert on the map, Xankandi is a modern rename of Stepanakert (there was no city but several villages at that site prior to the foundation of the city). Given this, the map in question is a fabrication coming from an irredentist website which modified the current borders. VartanM ( talk) 00:25, 28 February 2009 (UTC) reply

Another anachronism, proving that this map is completely OR/OI. Thanks! Sardur ( talk) 00:42, 28 February 2009 (UTC) reply
The above is an archive of the deletion review of the page listed in the heading. Please do not modify it.
The following is an archived debate of the deletion review of the article above. Please do not modify it.
Threshold knowledge ( talk| | history| logs| links| watch) ( restore)

Misapplication of WP:SPEEDY and article clearly notable.

I created threshold knowledge some while ago, but it was recently speedily deleted by Deb. I approached Deb about this (you can see our discussions here and here), but Deb said, "I don't mean to be rude, but I don't see any reason to give priority to this discussion", curtailed our discussion and referred me here. I present two arguments. First, the article should not have been speedily deleted according to the policy in WP:SPEEDY. Second, threshold knowledge is notable under WP:GNG in that there are multiple reliable source citations to the idea.

Threshold knowledge, as an article, was not eligible under WP:SPEEDY. Deb speedily deleted the article under A7. As I said to Deb, WP:SPEEDY states A7 "applies only to articles about web content and to articles about people and organizations", so an article on an academic theory is not covered by A7. WP:SPEEDY even explicitly states that, "Failure to assert importance but not an A7 or A9 category. There is no consensus to speedily delete articles of types not specifically listed in A7 or A9 under those criteria."

Deb did not offer any particular rebuttal to the A7 issue, but said, "I can assure you there are other speedy categories under which it does qualify." I asked for clarification and Deb suggested the article could be speedied "as lacking context" (i.e. A1). I find it hard to see how the article as created, complete with a clear citation, falls under A1. Deb also said, "it would be reasonable to tag it as a dictionary definition": I disagree and that is not a reason for speedy deletion (A5 only applies after an article has been transwikied and so does not apply here). I can see no criterion on WP:SPEEDY that applies. Moreover, if there is uncertainty about what criteria an article may fall under, WP:SPEEDY advises, "Where reasonable doubt exists, discussion using another method under the deletion policy should occur instead." I suggested to Deb that it would be more appropriate to take his/her concerns to a WP:AFD, but Deb deferred.

I entirely admit that the article that I created was a stub, three sentences + a citation. As I think I said in my initial edit summary, I was being bold. Deb suggested at one point, "you expect other people to do the work necessary to bring it up to standard". I think what I initially created was of some value, but basically, yes, I do expect other people to improve the article. Isn't that precisely how Wikipedia works? Wikipedia encourages boldness and collaboration and I acted under those principles. Speedy deletions are a very important tool in Wikipedia, but WP:SPEEDY exists as policy and I have sought to apply WP:SPEEDY here. I propose the speedy deletion be overturned and, if anyone so wish, the article be Listed as an AfD.

Threshold knowledge is notable. Threshold knowledge is a theoretical structure in studies of higher education. It was introduced by Meyer and Land, and I included a key reference by them in the article I created:

Meyer JHF, Land R (2003). "Threshold Concepts and Troublesome Knowledge – Linkages to Ways of Thinking and Practising" in Improving Student Learning – Ten Years On. C.Rust (Ed), OCSLD, Oxford.

Another would be:

Meyer JHF, Land R (2005). "Threshold concepts and troublesome knowledge (2): Epistemological considerations and a conceptual framework for teaching and learning" Higher Education, 49(3), 373-388.

That paper has already been cited by 8 others according to ISI Web of Knowledge. Meyer and Land have written about threshold knowledge, threshold concepts and troublesome knowledge in several papers, but the idea has also now been used by other researchers; for example:

Park EJ, Light G (2009). "Identifying Atomic Structure as a Threshold Concept: Student mental models and troublesomeness" International Journal of Science Education, 31(2), 233-258

Baillie C, Goodhew P, Skryabina E (2006). "Threshold concepts in engineering education-exploring potential blocks in student understanding" International Journal of Engineering Education, 22(5), 955-962

Clouder L (2005). "Caring as a 'threshold concept': Transforming students in higher education into health (care) professionals" Teaching in Higher Education, 10(4), 505-517

Google Scholar throws up plenty more candidates, as I said in my prior discussions with Deb. Bondegezou ( talk) 16:42, 23 February 2009 (UTC) reply

Note from the deleter: I will not be participating in this debate, except to explain my reasons for deletion. As you see from my talk page, the creator of the article and I had several exchanges, during which it became clear that s/he had no intention of bringing the article up to standard. Had I restored the article because the speedy deletion was possibly on incorrect grounds, I would immediately have deleted it again as lacking context (as I explained in the initial discussion). I could not see how this would resolve the issue, so I spent my time on other things which I felt to be more constructive. Deb ( talk) 17:34, 23 February 2009 (UTC) reply

If I might respond to Deb's comment, I find the assertion that I "had no intention of bringing the article up to standard" to be somewhat lacking in good faith as well as in accuracy! In addition, again, I suggest this seems to be missing the whole point of Wikipedia as a collaborative enterprise. It is surely not the responsibility of the creator of an article to make it perfect, as WP:BB and WP:OWN make clear. I remain unclear how Deb's rationale otherwise concords with policy as laid out in WP:SPEEDY. Bondegezou ( talk) 18:10, 23 February 2009 (UTC) reply
The above is an archive of the deletion review of the page listed in the heading. Please do not modify it.
The following is an archived debate of the deletion review of the article above. Please do not modify it.

Fred_M._Levin (  | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) ( restore | cache | AfD))

Speedy Deletion by BOT, was it really a copyright infringement?. Mwalla ( talk) 16:08, 23 February 2009 (UTC)Mwalla reply

The above is an archive of the deletion review of the page listed in the heading. Please do not modify it.
The following is an archived debate of the deletion review of the article above. Please do not modify it.
Category:Fad diet ( talk| | history| logs| links| watch) ( XfD| restore)

This cat has been speedily deleted (G4) based on the discussion of the similar category where the main argument was "this category is not NPOV". The discussion did not seem to include any science/medical editors. Since Fad diet clearly states that these diets are often unscientific, and the ArbCom has ruled that Category:Pseudoscience is okay, I am asking for this decision to be reviewed as the closing admin has declined to undelete. I think it's feasible to populate this category from reliable sources. For instance the American Dietetic Association has a list of fad diets here. So, I'm invoking principle 3, i.e. new information not previously discussed. Xasodfuih ( talk) 09:08, 23 February 2009 (UTC) reply

  • Many articles in the scientific literature refer to fad diets. see
  • In evidence based medicine we have a saying called "show me the evidence". Here are three reviews that substantiate this term. One of my concerns is that what we have here is that those who wish to promote fad diets want to disassociate themselves with this term due to its negative connotation. However this term has a negative connotation because it is rightfully deserving of it and this is supported by the literature.-- Doc James ( talk · contribs · email) 14:09, 23 February 2009 (UTC) reply
  • The discussion here is not whether there are "fad" diets, whether people percieve some diets as "fads" or not, or whether the fad diet page should exist. The concern here is whether it is possible to assign a page about a diet the categorization [[Category:Fad diet]] without inherently breaking NPOV. Generally, whether a diet is a fad diet or not will be debated not only between diet followers but also between medical professionals (see for example Atkins diet - some would call it a fad, others would call it absolute, irrevocable, truth - both are POV). The only way to avoid this being POV would be to introduce a word making it an observation Category:Diets considered fads by some - but that in turn wouldn't be in line with WP:WEASEL. I don't think there is a good case for this. Usrnme h8er ( talk · contribs) 16:42, 23 February 2009 (UTC) reply
  • Whether a particular diet is sufficiently unscientific to be categorized as fad surely can be discussed based on the level of evidence and the credibility of sources making the assertion, but the deletion of the category prevents any such discussion from taking place. For another example and further reasoning, see my comment further below. Xasodfuih ( talk) 01:11, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
The only diet which is not a fad is the DASH diet and the low calorie diets. All the rest are.-- Doc James ( talk · contribs · email) 23:14, 23 February 2009 (UTC) reply
As amply explained above, there are reliable scientific bodies that describe certain diets as fad. We don't have to engage in WP:OR to make that decision. The second point to make is that the goal of a diet need not be weight loss, although nowadays it most often is. Fad diets often make other unscientific claims like curing you of a boatload of diseases etc. Xasodfuih ( talk) 06:36, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
No, the ELF diet (as in: Eat Less Food) is the only one that actually works in 100% of cases :-) Guy ( Help!) 23:31, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
  • Restore If "Category:Fad diet" is merely a subcategory of "Category:Pseudoscience", on what basis should the first category be deleted, but not the second. Of course, the fad diet category should be used with caution, but, where appropriate, it can be useful to the reader, IMO. Whether or not an article is tagged should be discussed on the talk page beforehand as with the pseudoscience tag. -- Phenylalanine ( talk) 00:03, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
If "Category:Fad diet" is restored, it should be included as a subcategory of "Category:Pseudoscience". -- Phenylalanine ( talk) 00:10, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
      • An excellent point Xaso. Basically most diet fall under obvious pseudoscience. A few are generally considered pseudoscience. And only a couple actually have scientific evidence for them. I presume the decisions here are to follow those decided at the ArbComm-- Doc James ( talk · contribs · email) 13:59, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
  • Endorse. I don't see what has changed since the CFD. -- Kbdank71 14:31, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
  • Endorse deletion as appropriate response to CFD but support restoration. The deleting admin did nothing wrong by applying G4, given the result of the CFD, but the category is an appropriate subcategory of Pseudoscience and should be kept. There was not adequate discussion at the CFD. THF ( talk) 15:16, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
  • Endorse deletion - The crux of the issue, which seemingly has not been fully grasped by those who are arguing in favor of this category, is that Categories are fundamentally different from Articles. On the one hand, articles about diets can and should address the issues of efficacy and scientific validation, etc. in an NPOV manner, as well as discussing criticism -- always relying on clearly cited sources. That is something that cannot be done with a category. When it comes to category names there is a higher burden with respect to NPOV concerns -- and inherently pejorative terms like "fad" are strongly frowned upon. If your basic objective is to slap a label on these articles in order to stigmatize particular diets, that is a misuse of the Category system.
That said, it may be possible to come up with a neutral, non-pejorative term that would allow diets of this general sort to be categorized together so as to better organize the contents of Category:Diets and assist our readers in navigating that category. Perhaps something incorporating the notion of scientific validation (or lack thereof) -- but please don't hold me to that, it's just a "top of the head" suggestion, and I'm sure there are other approaches that could also be explored. Feel free to run your ideas by me on my talk page. Cgingold ( talk) 15:25, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
Do you think that "fad diet" is more pejorative that "fringe science"? We have a category for the latter. Fad means "an interest followed with exaggerated zeal". Is that worse than fringe? Fad diet is also an established term (as is fringe theory). Surely we could have a Catergory:Pseudoscietific diets, but that's not as common in medical literature, and could give rise to wikilawyering "source said fad diet not pseudoscietific diet" etc. Xasodfuih ( talk) 17:23, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
  • Endorse deletion. Agree with those who explain the particular reasons why a category is unsuitable but the statement "XX is considered a fad diet[1]" in an article could be fine. The category system is largely useless for contestable attributes. Take note of the ArbCom decision not to allow merely "questionable science" to be categorised as pseudoscience. A "fad" diet like Atkins is not pure pseudoscience in the way homeopathy is; the science underlying has been questioned. Colin° Talk 20:04, 24 February 2009 (UTC) reply
The above is an archive of the deletion review of the page listed in the heading. Please do not modify it.