Kudpung, Wikimania, Barbican, London 2014. Jazz improvisations around Bach, Chopin, and Telemann Photo: JarrahTree
Kudpung is a seventy-something 1940s native of Worcestershire, England. A retired university lecturer and published author, he is widely travelled and has lived abroad for over 50 years including stays of 17 years in Germany (Niedersachsen and Berlin), 12 years in France (Avignon), and Thailand where he now lives since 2000 (with several short periods in India). His interests that influence his Wikipedia contributions are in linguistics, teaching methodology, music, (classical, Bebop, and Fusion), French avant-gard theatre, 19th century English and French theatre and literature, UK television comedy, wine (Côtes du Rhône and some Burgundy), and German and French cuisine.
He joined Wikipedia in 2006 and was made an administrator in 2011. His focus was on reforms of RfA and co-developing new page quality control systems. He created and provided content mainly for articles on Malvern related settlements and Rhône Valley wines, biographies (especially of women) and musicians. He coordinated the large WikiProject Schools and its associated articles for a decade, the WikiProject Worcestershire, and and occasionally did translations from other Wikipedias to English of important missing articles of all kinds. He is a former de facto Editor-in-Chief of the Wikipedia newspaper The Signpost for which he has also written several articles. He attended Wikimania conferences and meetups on several continents. In order to maintain reliable sources for articles, Kudpung donates to the Internet Archive.
People often ask where the name Kudpung (IPA: /ˈkəd ˈpʌŋ/) comes from: 'While my house was being built in a small remote settlement near Udon in 2006, the local council was erecting a new village name sign on the road in front of my land. 'Kudpung' it said, and as I sat down to register a Wikipedia account a few moments later, it was the first word that came into my mind.' (the district council has since changed the Romanised spelling to Kut Phueng)
This user is the owner of multiple Wikipedia accounts in a manner permitted by policy.
I began in 2005 by just looking stuff up and making occasional very minor corrections as an IP user. Some of the userboxes describe best what I did here. In early 2011 I was asked by many editors to consider being an admin. I thought I'd give it a go and was elected by what was in those days a very respectable majority. I worked solidly as an admin for 9 years, but it's not a job I would recommend for casual editors or the faint hearted; RfA is a walk in the park for a popular candidate, for anyone else it's still the most toxic venue on Wikipedia. It comes with a Sword of Damocles that can strike at any moment, and when it does, all the work you did for Wikipedia is trashed in an instant.
Off-Wiki
I attended several Wikimanias and other meetups. I was member of the WMUK Chapter and ran its booth at Wikimania 2014. Here in Thailand I occasionally used to give talks in schools and colleges about Wikipedia. Wikimania 2020 in Bangkok was cancelled due to COVID-19. The WMF, despite boasting about its grants systems, does very little to support or encourage it outreach workers or attendance at major events. At the end of the day, one asks oneself why the volunteers are helping to boost the celebrity salaries and life styles of those at the top.
Helping others
I made around 1,500 edits to the Editor Help Desk which ended when the Teahouse was created and finally took over. My talk page, at times one of the busiest on Wikipedia, was also always open to anyone wanting some direct help; I didn't know the answers to everything, but I did my best. I was an Volunteer Response Team agent for a while until I was kicked off it for lack of activity, ironically when I was in the middle of resolving a high profile biographical issue which turned out to be one of the biggest in VRT history.
Other stuff
I still vote on almost all RfA and on all other elections. I have launched or instigated several major RfC on policy changes such as ACPERM and closed many minor ones. For obvious reasons I still write a voter guides for the Arbcom elections.
The ANI noticeboard is really ruled by what is often referred to the 'peanut gallery', a semi regular cohort of wannabe admins who never will be. It's is little more than kettles and pots yelling at each other like the dead common characters across the cobbled street of Corrie. Occasionally some undesirable users do end up getting blocked and banned, but the BOOMERANG is a very common phenomenon.
The Signpost: In 2018 I saved Wikipedia's newspaper from ceasing publication completely and remained as its Editor-in-Chief for several months. It's still being published on a monthly basis, usually on time, but no longer with the same enthusiasm or rich content. With the contributors of interesting and/or entertaining content having been intimidated and driven away or given up, it's now less of a magazine and what's left is mainly a newsletter of facts of the month and yet another platform for WMF propaganda. I consider The Signpost (or at least a magazine) to be a hugely important source of information and opinion for the average (and not so average) active Wikipedia editor, and it's a shame that so few are interested in being regular contributors to it, and it's recent 'editorial board' has collapsed again already by December 2022.
Wikimedia Foundation, the 'owners' of the volunteer Wikipedia projects, has always been a thorn in Wikipedia's side. That bloated, partly extremely highly salaried and privileged group of people that has gone from 7 to over 700 employees in my time, spends more of the funds our work generates on its own high-flying existence, while the volunteers are frequently called upon to clean up the mess it creates and its gross professional errors and ambitious drafts of its plans for the future. I have been fortunate enough to have been able to stimulate its involvement in some necessary development, but today's WMF is still its own worst enemy and it lacks the trust of the volunteer communities. The WMF is no longer so enthusiastic of the main role of creating good encyclopedias in many languages; instead, it sees itself as becoming an important, global socio-political movement. It's not what the volunteers editors signed up for.
Wikipedia is not a social network
No, it's not, but Wikipedia is like a large office. There are clear sociograms that crystallize out of the work here, and for those of us who work voluntarily day-in, day-out on WP, there used to be something nice about it. Unfortunately there are some regulars who do their best to piss people off - but you get them in every office. Some of them will be responsible for the ultimate demise of the English Wikipedia. Since mid 2019, the Arbitration Committee (and some of its former members), the ultimate internal judge and jury over user behaviour, has been largely instrumental for turning the project almost into a police state; George Orwell's novel 1984 has been described by the encyclopedia of police science as "the definitive fictional treatment of a police state, which has also influenced contemporary usage of the term".
Retirement
Too old for the Wikipedia drama, some health issues I was lucky to survive after a long hospitalisation, I decided to call it a day and deleted my watchlist, stopped my work in most areas and retired. Apart from making minor corrections on the fly while reading articles and perhaps voting or commenting on issues I still think are important enough to spend a few minutes on, I am no longer actively engaged in content, Wikiprojects, or outreach work. I've frankly had enough of this circus and its poor excuse for a collaborative project. I do make an occasional effort to maintain and update the many articles I wrote, but I don't own them.
Next?
Trump, Taliban, Biden, Brexit, Afghanistan, North Korea, Global warming - floods, famine, drought, wildfire; COVID-19, Ukraine, UK politics - what a year 2022 was. Wikipedia's own back office environment is now one of the most unpleasant volunteer collaborative spaces on the Internet; its Arbitration Committee, Paid Editing, and pompous wannabe admins are well on track to turn Jimbo Wales' original idea into an (un)natural catastrophe that will ultimately destroy this project. My grandchildren are currently cleaning up the WMF's mess and of course doing it for free. 2023? Probably like other disenchanted users, I've already moved on to make myself useful on other collaborative web projects where experienced, industrious users do not have to work alongside governance obsessive careerists.
User:Kudpung has been identified as an Awesome Wikipedian,
and therefore, I've officially declared today as Kudpung's day!
For being such a beautiful person and great Wikipedian,
enjoy being the Star of the day, dear Kudpung!
For moving the workshop on sticky prods along, and taking the time to update so many editors, and working to encourage moderate and organized discussion. Maurreen (talk) 21:19, 7 March 2010 (UTC)
The Original Barnstar
For major housekeeping and recruitment of participants at the sticky prod workshop. Maurreen (talk) 07:48, 4 April 2010 (UTC)
The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar
For offering your time and effort on an article you were previously unrelated with, and doing this exemplarily Chipmunkdavis (talk) 12:09, 10 August 2010 (UTC)
The Socratic Barnstar
For elucidating your arguments so clearly, to the point where even your formatting helped to convey your point across Chipmunkdavis (talk) 12:09, 10 August 2010 (UTC)
The Guidance Barnstar
for actually being helpful to a new user Aisha9152 (talk) 20:52, 11 October 2010 (UTC)
The Rosetta Barnstar
For translating and advising on the Thai Footballers URBLPS from October 2008.Plad2 (talk) 08:04, 21 November 2010 (UTC)
And just to chime in, I'd like to add a "thank you" cluster to this barnstar. Your efforts were and are very appreciated! --j⚛e deckertalk 17:31, 21 November 2010 (UTC)
The Schools Barnstar
I award Kudpung this barnstar for his hard work and effort in reviving and maintaining WikiProject Schools. CT Cooper ·talk 16:26, 31 December 2010 (UTC)
Keep up the good work! CT Cooper ·talk 16:26, 31 December 2010 (UTC)
The Working Man's Barnstar
Lets see....for passing RFA, being a superb editor, helping others, a _small_ sense of humor, ohh and did I mention being a superb editor?. Thanks Tofutwitch11(TALK) 01:39, 12 March 2011 (UTC)
The Editor's Barnstar
Thank you for your advice about WP:NPP and for all the editing you have done. Baseball Watcher 03:03, 14 April 2011 (UTC)
The Admin's Barnstar
Every time I check in you're always doing a great job Tofutwitch11(TALK) 17:20, 3 July 2011 (UTC)
Wikipedia Motivation Award
All the work you, Swarm, Oli/Pyfan, and WormTT are doing on RFA reform 2011 is highly appreciated! Maybe we can one day escape teh drahmaz that so commonly lurk there. It's just as I said back in February: "I see plenty of clue here, and have for a while. There is no real need to go searching through his contributions for it." Reaper Eternal (talk) 17:23, 5 July 2011 (UTC)
For the effort and thought you put into making your RfA !vote rationales and your never ceasing WikiGnome work, I give you this award as thanks:
Kudpung has been inducted into the Order of the Mop,
for their commitment and dedication and is entitled
to display this award for being a fantastic admin,
Kind regards, thanks and happy editing, —James(Talk • Contribs) • 09:00, 1 June 2011 (UTC)
For a userbox version go here.
You are member number: 46
Thank you Kudpung! —James(Talk • Contribs) • 7:00pm • 09:00, 1 June 2011 (UTC)
Feezo has given you a cookie! Cookies promote WikiLove and hopefully this one has made your day better. You can Spread the "WikiLove" by giving someone else a cookie, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past or a good friend.
By the way, I saw you oppose the bot adding requests? I missed the debate on this, but it seems like a good idea.
To spread the goodness of cookies, you can add {{subst:Cookie}} to someone's talk page with a friendly message, or eat this cookie on the giver's talk page with {{subst:munch}}!
The Empty Set Barnstar
Thank you for your efforts in sourcing unreferenced BLPs! (Some of those Thai footballers, ... yikes. Thanks! joe deckertalk to me 17:04, 28 September 2011 (UTC)
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The Special Barnstar
Thanks for making the article for me :) Lordsunkel (talk) 09:27, 25 October 2011 (UTC)
The Defender of the Wiki Barnstar
Thank You Kudpung for keeping Wikipedia safe and clean from copyvios and for helping me by giving me tips on how to detect copyvios. This barnstar is for you for your awesomeness Debastein1 (talk) 18:04, 17 October 2011 (UTC)
Kudpung, I owe you a barnstar for being a great educator. I should have listened to what you said, but I was to stupid to listen. I'm very sorry. Spidey665 22:19, 29 November 2011 (UTC)
Thanks for your contributions! SwisterTwistertalk 22:39, 18 May 2012 (UTC)
The Original Barnstar
Thanks really appreciate your swopping in and acting in the best interests of the community re: Telehop deletion - will try again abiding by Wikipedia's rules Will pbs (talk) 17:24, 29 May 2012 (UTC)
Thanks for your great admin work and contributions to Wikipedia. Your also always there when someone needs help. Thank you! TBrandley 05:17, 1 November 2012 (UTC)
Top class Admin. Listens to all points fairly even from a wiki newbie like me. Provides a informative and enjoyable start to wiki-ing. I think Im hooked already. Thank you! WillyDonker (talk) 14:55, 25 October 2012 (UTC)
The Admin's Barnstar
สวัสดี (Sawadee) and ostentatiously appreciated for working well with registered and IP accounts. --GoShow (............................) 16:28, 17 October 2012 (UTC)
The Admin's Barnstar
I didn't realize how much I missed your insight until you returned and started providing it again. Thanks for all you do here on WP. GoPhightins! 11:54, 9 June 2013 (UTC)
Thank you for helping me to create the status legend. :) Jianhui67 (talk) 06:20, 7 July 2013 (UTC)
The Civility Barnstar
You have been so civil to me for 2 times already. I think that should be enough to fetch you a barnstar and a cup of coffee/tea. ✉→ArcticKangaroo←✎ 15:29, 8 July 2013 (UTC)
The Civility Barnstar
I seriously don't think any other editor here is more civil than you in every message that they post. But you've managed to accomplish that feat. Kudos. ✉→ArcticKangaroo←✎ 09:33, 16 July 2013 (UTC)
The Teamwork Barnstar
Since your work on the list of reviewers started with a suggestion on my part, I will speak for all of us and say thanks for your work in checking up and keeping us organized. —Anne Delong (talk) 04:10, 18 July 2013 (UTC)
The Guidance Barnstar
Thank you for your help and patience yesterday in explaining how to proceed when dealing with a SPA/COI. AddWittyNameHere (talk) 20:16, 29 October 2013 (UTC)
The Admin's Barnstar
For your never-ending contributions to WP:PERM...looks like a one-man show these days...ƬheStrikeΣaglesorties 04:50, 29 January 2014 (UTC)
L’étoile des idées brillantes
C'est vraiment bien fait et utile :) Emperor Jarjarkine (talk) 23:23, 29 July 2014 (UTC)
The Brilliant Idea Barnstar
For all your work with AfC reform. — kikichugirlspeak up! 00:02, 2 February 2015 (UTC)
Thanks for reviewing my first page! WestBravo (talk) 19:07, 12 July 2016 (UTC)
The Tireless Contributor Barnstar
There really is no way I can think of to adequately thank you for the incredible amount of work you have done driving NPP forward so have this barnstar with my inadequate thanks. JbhTalk 03:28, 6 October 2016 (UTC)
The Special Barnstar
For your quick thinking and quick responses to this situation. Great job! —Gestrid (talk) 23:16, 7 December 2016 (UTC)
The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar
In appreciation of your work on behalf of this website and its editorial team. And Adoil Descended (talk) 01:13, 3 January 2017 (UTC)
The Special Barnstar
Your co-nomination of Cyberpower was very thoughtful. Although I disagreed with your rationale at the last RfA, I greatly respected your opinion (and continue to do so to this day), and I thought your co-nomination was very well written and an all-around classy move. Inks.LWC (talk) 00:08, 5 January 2017 (UTC)
The Special Barnstar
Thank you for all of your constructive criticisms to me and everybody else. RileyBugzYell at me|Edits 17:06, 19 February 2017 (UTC)
The amount of work you do for new page patrolling is simply amazing. Hope this helps make your day better. RileyBugz会話投稿記録 19:52, 15 July 2017 (UTC)
The Teamwork Barnstar
For your hardwork throughout the years advocating for WP:ACTRIAL, which is now live, you've earned this. I think everyone who is involved with the project recognizes that it wouldn't have happened without you. TonyBallioni (talk) 22:35, 14 September 2017 (UTC)
The Barnstar of Diligence
You earned it! ACTRIAL is live and it is largely because you were so diligent for so long to make it happen. Thank-you for your service Kudpung. Legacypac (talk) 02:57, 15 September 2017 (UTC)
Your efforts to make WP:ACREQ a reality have been amazing. Very much appreciated. Legacypac (talk) 19:26, 18 April 2018 (UTC)
The Admin's Barnstar
ACPERM is a reality! I've chipped in a little extra at NPP since ACTRIAL ended, having gotten the NPP flag during ACTRIAL. The difference was incredible. Thanks for your dilligent efforts. John from Idegon (talk) 01:14, 27 April 2018 (UTC)
The Reviewer Barnstar
This is for your valuable efforts for reviewing new articles in Wikipedia. Thank you. PATH SLOPU (Talk) 13:28, 6 May 2018 (UTC)
Hi Kudpung! Just to say... Bravo, Bravissimo! You're doing a brilliant job with the re-vamped Signpost. Voceditenore (talk) 14:23, 30 June 2018 (UTC)
The Special Barnstar
You have a different barnstar for you work with Signpost. I am impressed by all the work and thought you have put into that project especially since you are so active in other areas. I thought you deserve another barnstar for it. Thanks for your work at maintaining that excellent means of information and communication to the community. Good work! Donner60 (talk) 01:43, 24 July 2018 (UTC)
The Instructor's Barnstar
This Barnstar is awarded to Wikipedians who have performed stellar work in the area of instruction & help for other editors. For WP:Advice for RfA candidates, which has surely saved a lot of people a lot of pain, and brought us many of the admins we have now, who would've done boneheaded things at WP:RFA without it. — SMcCandlish☏¢ 😼 10:23, 18 July 2018 (UTC)
The Anti-Vandalism Barnstar
I think that your Counter-Vandalism Academy has helped Wikipedia fight vandalism. I believe that you and your Counter-Vandalism Academy has helped Wikipedia a lot in fighting Vandalism.
Sincerly, RayAdvait RayAdvait (talk) 08:18, 6 June 2022 (UTC)
The Purple Barnstar
For correctly opposing my first RfA, I award you this peculiarly purplish barnstar. Your insightful choice in that process prevented me from making many more mistakes of immaturity at the time and set me on the course which even now allows me to contribute to a higher level. Your oppose painted you as my mentor then, and such has turned out to be the case even still. Whatever storms your user account might have suffered know there are wikipedians who you have set on stronger paths because of your personal dedication and candor. BusterD (talk) 19:59, 4 September 2021 (UTC)
The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar
Thankyou for providing the info requested! ♦ Dr. Blofeld 13:03, 25 January 2020 (UTC)
The Admin's Barnstar
Disagreed with you many times at many AFD's, that said you were always a net positive to those discussions both in your personal and administrative approach. Hell in a Bucket (talk) 01:32, 3 March 2020 (UTC)
The Defender of the Wiki Barnstar
For the design and delivery of WP:NPP and WP:AFC. For sheer tenaciousness, grace, the long term application of quality and persuasiveness that led to consensus for delivery. scope_creepTalk 18:13, 13 December 2019 (UTC)
The Copyeditor's Barnstar
Thank you very much for copyediting the Fortification of Frankfurt article! I am amazed by the result of community collaboration. It is a heartwarming experience to see the third of our five pillars so clearly in practice; I feel the spirit of Wikipedia in every paragraph of the text. ~ ToBeFree (talk) 23:22, 23 November 2019 (UTC)
The Reviewer Barnstar
This is for your valuable efforts for reviewing new articles in Wikipedia. Thank you. PA
Thank you for your comment on Gordana Kostic, this was my first Wiki page I created. She is an acquaintance, I am expecting to add more information about her. Parking the page under "draft" is a good idea. Appreciated your guidance! Zbsfca (talk) 06:41, 30 June 2018 (UTC)
100,000th edit award
Hello Kudpung. Let me be the first to congratulate you on your 100,000th edit! You are now entitled to place the 100,000 Edit Star on your bling page! or you could choose to display the {{User 100,000 edits}} user box. Or both! Thanks for all your work at the 'pedia! Cheers, — MarnetteD|Talk 04:18, 21 September 2019 (UTC)
Your efforts to make WP:ACREQ a reality have been amazing. Very much appreciated. Legacypac (talk) 19:26, 18 April 2018 (UTC)
Editor of the Week
Your ongoing efforts to improve the encyclopedia have not gone unnoticed: You have been selected as Editor of the Week in recognition of your multi-faceted contributions! (courtesy of the Wikipedia Editor Retention Project)
The Writer's Barnstar
So, here it is Kudpung, the Writer's Barnstar, for your significant recent work in writing for and publishing the The Signpost. Your initiative to keep this reader's resource active is appreciated. I also enjoyed your writing style and candor in the pieces I read. Thanks again for your proactive approach on Wikipedia. North America1000 08:26, 20 August 2018 (UTC)
The Admin's Barnstar
ACPERM is a reality! I've chipped in a little extra at NPP since ACTRIAL ended, having gotten the NPP flag during ACTRIAL. The difference was incredible. Thanks for your dilligent efforts. John from Idegon (talk) 01:14, 27 April 2018 (UTC)
The Signpost Barnstar
For all your work on the WP:Signpost, and helping to keep it afloat. I'm really inconsistent, and a pretty awful writer, but I hope to be contributing some to the 'Post for a long time, so again, thanks for your work. It's been a pleasure working with you. Till next time — Eddie891TalkWork 23:09, 29 August 2018 (UTC)
The Admin's Barnstar
Thanks for all the work you do for the project!! Malerooster (talk) 16:36, 7 December 2017 (UTC)
The Editor's Barnstar
Thank you for assisting me with the VVFH page. I appreciate the input. Txantimedia (talk) 21:53, 26 November 2017 (UTC)
I think that your Counter-Vandalism Academy has helped Wikipedia fight vandalism. I believe that you and your Counter-Vandalism Academy has helped Wikipedia a lot in fighting Vandalism.
Sincerly, RayAdvait RayAdvait (talk) 08:18, 6 June 2022 (UTC)
The Purple Barnstar
For correctly opposing my first RfA, I award you this peculiarly purplish barnstar. Your insightful choice in that process prevented me from making many more mistakes of immaturity at the time and set me on the course which even now allows me to contribute to a higher level. Your oppose painted you as my mentor then, and such has turned out to be the case even still. Whatever storms your user account might have suffered know there are wikipedians who you have set on stronger paths because of your personal dedication and candor. BusterD (talk) 19:59, 4 September 2021 (UTC)
The Original Barnstar
I'd like to thank you for being a teacher to me - hard to believe we started talking 10 years ago - I'm glad to be who I am today and you played no small role in it. Cheers! →Σσς. (Sigma) 22:40, 6 September 2021 (UTC)
The New Page Patroller's Barnstar
For over 100 article reviews during 2019. Thank you for patrolling new pages and helping us out with the backlog! -MPGuy2824 (talk) 07:14, 31 August 2022 (UTC)
Committed identity: b4e02eb387e92f7c7a5309d33b995a0664fc298a757cc00221eac5e9b308c3e63a3a6adca3d40c72ba33f4d558ce19e661c95f2a3c5bd30faff521671943c0c1 is a SHA-512commitment to this user's real-life identity.
Wikipedia editor
This is a Wikipediauser page. This is not an encyclopedia article or the talk page for an encyclopedia article. If you find this page on any site other than Wikipedia, you are viewing a mirror site. Be aware that the page may be outdated and that the user whom this page is about may have no personal affiliation with any site other than Wikipedia. The original page is located at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Kudpung.
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