The 'Shroom:Issue XXV/Interview

Interview by I interviewed Son of Suns, trusted crat, and active contributor. Since he has been here for a while, I thought it would have been interesting to interview him.

Yoshario: Hey, SoS. It's Yoshario, under the name "Sushario", and it turns out I have the interview job for the shroom. Do you want to be interviewed?

Son of Suns: If you would like to interview me, that would be fine.

YS:All right, then. So, question 1: How did you find out about the MarioWiki?

SoS: Well, a few years ago, I started getting interested in the then somewhat new phenomenon of "wiki-ing." Being the dork that I am, Wikipedia became a significant resource to inform my various fan pursuits, such as video games and the Star Wars series. Now, through Wikipedia, I first stumbled upon Wookiepedia, the Star Wars wiki. I really wanted to contribute there, but soon discovered that almost everything I knew about Star Wars was already documented at the wiki. As such, I simply returned to reading articles at Wikipedia, while also supplementing my Star Wars knowledge through Wookiepedia. Eventually, while browsing through Mario related articles at Wikipedia, I found a link to the Super Mario Wiki. Naturally I followed the link to this site. I realized that this wiki could be a perfect match for me, unlike Wookiepedia, as the Super Mario Wiki was in dire need of new content and even basic upkeep. And so I decided to join up!

YS:Wow. And the MarioWiki looks very professional now, partially because of your great edits. Speaking of edits, what was your first edit and how did you feel when you made it?

SoS: Dang. Honestly I don't know what my first edit was off the top of my head (it has been some time after all). (checks) Okay. Apprently my first edit was to the Baby Mario article, when it was only about three paragraphs in length. I expanded the first paragraph a little bit, explaining some of the plot points of Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island as they related to Baby Mario. (Looking back, I can see I made a mistake... Whoops!)

How did I feel? That's probably impossible for me to answer, especially since I have a really bad memory. But I would guess it felt like "taking my first step into a much larger world." The first edit is like a symbol of commitment to the wiki, and to providing knowledge about Mario to the entire world! It's a pretty big deal.

YS:K. Well, next question (and this probably doesn't apply to you are one of the wiki's first users), who welcomed you? Or at least posted thee first message on your talkpage?

SoS: Well, I was never really welcomed. We didn't have welcome templates back then and no one ever said "Hey! Welcome to the Mario Wiki!!" or anything like that. My first message was from a sysop at the time, DarkInsanity, who commented about some edits I apparently made to some Donkey Kong related articles. During the course of this particular conversation, he left two more messages, so I guess DarkInsanity was the one to "welcome" me. After that, we would consistently consult each other about the needs of the wiki.

DarkInsanity was an amazing user. He basically showed me the ropes when I first started out here, and later gave me advice when I was promoted to sysop. It's unfortunate that he does not contribute to the wiki any more (at least not regularly, because I do see his name pop up in recent edits from time to time, albeit rarely). The Super Mario Wiki would be a better place if he were to return.

YS: I actually heard of DarkInsanity once. Anyway for the next question, what would you say your biggest goal for the wiki is?

SoS: Hmmm...tough question. Well, my goal for the wiki as a whole is for it to be recognized as the greatest source of Mario knowledge on the internet. I want all of our articles to be informative, well-written, and even fun to read. When someone, anyone, wants to look up information about the Mario series, I want them to automatically think of the Super Mario Wiki. A little grandiose? Sure. But it’s one of the larger goals I am committed to.

Now my personal goal in relation to the wiki is to try to keep the website an open, friendly place, committed to the expansion of Mario knowledge in all its forms. In the past, I used to dream of a Mario Wiki I no longer had to work on; a database that was so complete and so perfect, there was no longer a need for editors. I tried to be a part of that process, writing and rewriting articles to fill in the gaps present at our site. Over time I realized this task of completing the database is impossible for one person to accomplish. There is simply too much to do. I doubt anyone has played every single Mario game and seen every cartoon and read every comic, etc. etc. So my personal goal is to help users new and old as they edit the wiki, encouraging quality contributions to the database. While I still want to write articles, I don't have the time necessary to consistently edit the website. Essentially, I want to keep users committed to fulfilling the dream of a complete Super Mario Wiki.

YS: Well, Mr. Son of Suns, its been an absolute pleasure to interview you. I hope one day my edits can be as good as yours. Seeya around the wiki!

YS: Also, I hope you don't mind me asking one last question for the interview: Are you really a communist as your avatar suggests?

SoS:Oh yes, most definitely.

Plumbers of the world, unite!

-- MANY DAYS LATER -

Yoshario: :facepalm: I feel like an idiot. I lost the questions I PMed you for the interview. Could you possibly PM to me back? Thanks so much.

Son of Suns: I think there are all the messages:

Hey, SoS. It's Yoshario, under the name "Sushario", and it turns out I have the interview job for the shroom. Do you want to be interviewed?

All right, then. So, question 1: How did you find out about the MarioWiki?

Wow. And the MarioWiki looks very professional now, partially because of your great edits. Speaking of edits, what was your first edit and how did you feel when you made it?

K. Well, next question (and this probably doesn't apply to you are one of the wiki's first users), who welcomed you? Or at least posted thee first message on your talkpage?

I actually heard of DarkInsanity once. Anyway for the next question, what would you say your biggest goal for the wiki is?

Well, Mr. Son of Suns, its been an absolute pleasure to interview you. I hope one day my edits can be as good as yours. Seeya around the wiki!

Also, I hope you don't mind me asking one last question for the interview: Are you really a communist as your avatar suggests?


 * facepalm:

I feel like an idiot. I lost the questions I PMed you for the interview. Could you possibly PM to me back? Thanks so much.