In this section, I will comment about your RfA. My recommendations obviously won't secure you a safe run next time but will give you tips to have in mind for a second run.
Okay Buster7, I have been reading your RfA and several opposes discussed your answer to the first three questions. Let me break down which were the problems I think they caught:
Question 1: You didn't mention which sysop-wise areas you wanted to work on. For example, when I became a sysop on Wikidata, I didn't have to explain which sysop areas I wanted to work (they don't have standard questions around there), but nonetheless I knew that I would focus myself on deletions. I have barely used the block tool there against some IP vandals where needed, and I also use the revdel tool here and there.
In your answer to question 1, the only admin area you mention is "intervention against persistent vandals," which can also be performed by non-admins at certain levels. So, the first thing you must do is to find which exact admin area you want to work on.
Reply: One of the most important duties of an admin is to protect the encyclopedia. The most vulnerable commodity we have is the articles. With this CVUA class and a deeper awareness of how to combat vandals I'm sure my answer will de different the next time around.
Question 2: The essays part is good, but the overall answer feels a bit vague. Usually, people is looking for substantial work like a very good CSD log, AFD stats or content creation. If I were to run,I would focus my answer to question 2 on contnet creation, given that I am a prolific content creator with a collection of FAs, FLs, GAs, etc. I would also mention clerking and my job as delegate. We need to do the same with you.
Although this: "My best contribution might be that I stay out of trouble...and, therefore I don't waste other editors time." is remarkable, that sentence is best for an answer to question 3. I have also found that unless truly remarkable, it's best to keep Wikiprojects and other stuff like the CVUA out of your answers. They usually don't give a good impression.
So, in short: The best answer to question 2 is the one that mentions, without too much words, your strengths. You can check my answer to question 2 in my latest RfA for an example. You can also take a look there to my answer to question 1 to have an idea of how they may be answered. People is looking for comprehensive answers that leave nothing behind but focus on important stuff only.
Reply : I have created and dispensed the 100K Award for a few years now. I monitor and have been the only "constant" clerk on duty at WP:WER/Editor of the Week since its inception. I don't want to sound like I'm bragging, but without my efforts the EotW award would have died on the vine and the 100K Award would not exist. Since 2008, I have co-edited 6 Timelines of the Presidency of Barack Obama. I am proud of all those accomplishments. Having said that, I know I need to present a better resume′ with much more article creation. I'll work on that. Maybe you could look at some potential articles I have in Sandboxes.
Question 3: Okay, question 3 is a double-edged sword. If you give too little information, you are doomed. If you extend too much, people will oppose thinking that you are a troublesome guy. Of course, that if they don't know you. The best way to give an answer to question 3 is to do this: i) be honest and say it all; ii) try to say it without extending too much; iii) be neutral if possible (If they guy pisses you off, try to leave that behind); iv) give out diffs or links to previous discussions if possible. Not everyone but a lot of users out there believe that being a sysop is a trophy, and sometimes they oppose candidates just to "avoid him get his award" or something. Of course, most of the RfA regulars don't do this and offer insightful opposes, like the ones you received from Axl, GorillaWarfare, Tom Morris, Mkdw, Jethrobot, Bbb23 and DGG. These are opposes that contain the critical aspects you might want to improve as an user, regardless if you run again or not, and we'll explore them one by one in the future.
Reply: I have not rejected my opposes and see them as a blueprint of what I need to work on.
Question 4: What's Next?
Sorry for taking too long. I was quite busy in RL. Well, we will start first with the basic CVUA course and then expand on the rest of the things we have to polish. I will leave you some easy assignments this week :) — ΛΧΣ21
Thanks. Didn't mean to be pushy. I'll take it as it comes...at your pace. ```Buster Seven Talk 04:39, 5 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]
