Sandstein.

Hello, and welcome to my user page.

I also edit the German Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons as Sandstein. On public computers, I use the account Sandstein II for security reasons.

I am an administrator on the English language Wikipedia. If there is anything I can help you with, you're welcome to leave me a message on my talk page.

For privacy and transparency reasons, I prefer not to communicate by e-mail unless there is a compelling reason for private communication. If you e-mail me through Wikipedia's "E-mail this user" function, I reserve the right to reproduce the e-mail and to answer it on your user talk page. I will not do this if the e-mail is of a clearly confidential nature, or if you ask me not to make the e-mail public. But in the latter case I may not reply if I do not believe that there is a good reason for off-wiki communication.

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Full disclosure
DYKs
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On 24 October 2016, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Frederick Sherwood Dunn, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that scholar Frederick Sherwood Dunn led a move that was described by a university president as "Yale fumbled and Princeton recovered the ball"? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Frederick Sherwood Dunn. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Frederick Sherwood Dunn), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

On 25 July 2018, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Biggs jasper, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Biggs jasper is one of the most sought-after extremely siliceous gemstones? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Biggs jasper. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Biggs jasper), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

On 24 January 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Mark C. Yerger, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the American writer Mark C. Yerger was honored by the veterans' organization of the Waffen-SS for his works that embellished its history? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Mark C. Yerger. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Mark C. Yerger), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (ie, 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cwmhiraeth (talk) 12:02, 24 January 2021 (UTC)
Barnstars (thanks everybody!)
I, Durova, award you this Italian grip Foil of Wit for delightful Homeric ripostes at the RFA for Akhilleus. DurovaCharge! 21:49, 28 March 2007 (UTC)
Thanks for illustrate biographies, your effort is appreciated. Emijrp (talk) 13:58, 30 December 2007 (UTC)
The Original Barnstar
Thanks for reviewing me and pointing my mistakes out. I haven't learnt well XFD's yet, so I was bound for something like that. I didn't realise (I missed the policy and the essay), I was out of tune. Thanks for reviewing me and thanks so much for slamming me hard instead being really nice. It is very appreciated. A barnstar is hereby awarded. Cheers! The Evil Clown my contributions 20:00, 28 March 2007 (UTC)
The Barnstar of Diligence
For fairly and quickly responding to my plea and making Wikipedia better place for us all. DLX 17:27, 30 April 2007 (UTC)
The RickK Anti-Vandalism Barnstar
I'm awarding you this RickK Anti-Vandalism Barnstar for your great contributions to protecting and reverting attacks of vandalism on Wikipedia and removing disruptive users who aim to use wikipedia for nefarious purposes. Wikidudeman (talk) 19:24, 29 July 2007 (UTC)
The Half Barnstar
For making a admirable effort to negotiate a complicated situation with another administrator in Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Hema Sinha (2nd nomination), I hereby award User:Sandstein and User:Lar each half a barnstar for their cooperation. Well done, both of you. Hersfold (t/a/c) 02:43, 30 April 2008 (UTC)
Slakr's Barn Owl Award

Who needs a barn star when you can have a barn owl? The star just sits there and looks pretty. The barn owl, on the other hand, helps prevent excessive rodent infestation, since it's one of the most active rodent pest killers. Now all we've gotta do is train it to deal with vandal pests and we'll be set.

Anyway, just a general thanks for your dedication to making the encyclopedia better. Cheers =) --slakrtalk / 06:16, 26 July 2008 (UTC)

The Swiss Barnstar of National Merit
For your many outstanding contributions to articles about the beautiful country named Switzerland. I can't believe you don't have a bunch already! Piccolo Modificatore Laborioso (talk) 21:45, 19 January 2009 (UTC)
this WikiAward was given to Sandstein by Piccolo Modificatore Laborioso (talk) on 21:45, 19 January 2009 (UTC)
The Defender of the Wiki Barnstar
Thank you for being one of the only people who gets the point. I would've thought that people would be more wary of trolls given what happened regarding Kurt... but no, harassment and blatant trolling is okay if you're dissenting. Sheesh. Sceptre (talk) 17:01, 29 May 2009 (UTC)
The Socratic Barnstar
In recognition of your exceptional insight and firm even-handedness in resolving complex issues. Doc Tropics 20:56, 25 July 2009 (UTC)
The Dispute Resolution Barnstar
Thank you, Sandstein, for the great effort you consistently put into arbitration enforcement. It's a low reward task with a supersized and regular ration of crap, and we owe you for taking it on. Nathan T 13:58, 14 September 2009 (UTC)
I think you deserve this barnstar for good encyclopedic writing and contributions! Til Eulenspiegel (talk) 12:24, 22 October 2009 (UTC)
The Admin's Barnstar
For skillfully and determinedly navigating the arbitration enforcement process. henriktalk 18:35, 6 January 2010 (UTC)
The Defender of the Wiki Barnstar
For admirably sedulous administrative oversight, through the contentious Nacht und Nebel of chronic editorial conflict in the I/P area in defence of the rigorous maintenance of the highest standards in Wikipedia, in what will always be an unrewarding task of difficult judgement calls. Nishidani (talk) 10:52, 17 April 2010 (UTC) (UTC)
The Admin's Barnstar
Thank you for upholding Wikipedia policies on WP:Consensus WP:NOTVOTE on AfDs. I really appreciate the extra efforts, put in explaining your closure in minute details (when needed) and including precedents for guiding the users. You are an inspiration. Cedix (talk) 09:33, 10 April 2020 (UTC)
The Userpage Shield
Thank you for reverting the vandalism at my namepage! MelanieN (talk) 18:35, 13 June 2010 (UTC)
The Socratic Barnstar
You've been doing very good work for a long time, and I wanted to offer you this barnstar. Johnfos (talk) 07:32, 17 February 2011 (UTC)
The Minor barnstar
For rushing an article on Gwendoline Christie into mainspace when it became obvious one was needed. Jclemens (talk) 06:10, 8 July 2011 (UTC)
The Admin's Barnstar
Good close on Wikipedia:Articles_for_deletion/Log/2011_December_30#Necrophilia_in_popular_culture. Bearian (talk) 22:14, 9 January 2012 (UTC)
For good spirited advice at my talk page. Cerejota (talk) 23:28, 14 August 2011 (UTC)
The Admin's Barnstar
I thereby award you with this Admin's Barnstar for closing four discussions, which were listed at WP:AN/RFC. Armbrust, B.Ed. WrestleMania XXVIII The Undertaker 20–0 16:04, 10 June 2012 (UTC)
The Admin's Barnstar
Jointly to Coren, jc37, and Sandstein, for excellent work in closing the Verifiability RfC! --Tryptofish (talk) 14:02, 30 July 2012 (UTC)
The Defender of the Wiki Barnstar
Good job catching that sockpuppet. (You know which one) It is my pleasure to know you. I am very happy that I was doing 3O that day, or I would probably have never run into you. We need more wikipedians like you. Sue Rangell[citation needed] 05:14, 9 November 2012 (UTC)
A beer on me!
Thank you for taking a stand against comments that make snide remarks about other users in inappropriate contexts. This type of behavior does untold damage on Wikipedia, usually seems to be accepted as the norm, and so I welcome any and all administrative actions that fairly communicate that such commentary is unacceptable and counter-productive to building a high quality encyclopedia. Recent warnings issued by you did exactly that, IMHO. On behalf of the entire WP community, thank you for these efforts that will undoubtedly help to improve the atmosphere here. --Born2cycle (talk) 00:48, 5 February 2013 (UTC)
The Barnstar of Good Humor
Your closing at this AfD was quite droll. Bearian (talk) 18:35, 14 March 2013 (UTC)
The Civility Barnstar
For rising above "difference anxiety" as manifest from the statement about religion at Drg's ban appeal. (I'm not gloating about the block though.) Yogesh Khandke (talk) 15:16, 5 July 2013 (UTC)
The Tireless Contributor Barnstar
For all your hard work at AE. A Quest For Knowledge (talk) 12:23, 25 March 2013 (UTC)
The Original Barnstar
For your sound understanding of the right atmosphere necessary for building a great encyclopaedia as manifest from your comments and actions around the Drg-Saedon matters. Yogesh Khandke (talk) 06:39, 7 July 2013 (UTC)
The Barnstar of Diligence
My god, Sandstein, the amount of meticulous work in dredging up all the strands of TheShadowCrow's topic ban is impressive. Not to mention the succeeding analysis of whether he did or didn't violate the ban. Kudos.--Bbb23 (talk) 23:56, 25 July 2013 (UTC)
The Reference Desk Barnstar
For helping out and giving informed, succinct, and timely responses whenever I choose to pester you! ---Sluzzelin talk 20:48, 7 October 2013 (UTC)
The Special Barnstar
Thank you for your sustained drive to require attribution for images when the author requests it. GeorgeLouis (talk) 18:10, 28 October 2013 (UTC)
The Barnstar of Diligence
For this right here. Simple as that. Stalwart111 07:47, 24 March 2014 (UTC)
The Resilient Barnstar
Thank you for all the work you do as an administrator in Wikipedia, and for constantly attempting to do the right thing by applying policy in a world of seemingly endless chaos.-- MarshalN20 Talk 17:34, 27 June 2014 (UTC)
One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.

Chinua Achebe

--Mrjulesd (talk) 12:07, 27 January 2015 (UTC)
The Barnstar of Diplomacy
Good move on Wikipedia:Articles_for_deletion/Log/2015_January_7#Je_suis_Charlie Bearian (talk) 20:07, 13 January 2015 (UTC)
For being a staunch, unbiased upholder of admin principles. I've been an admin (and an old man) for a long time but I still believe I can learn a lot from you. Kudpung กุดผึ้ง (talk) 09:31, 1 February 2015 (UTC)
To remain patient and calm, wading through the AfD jungle. Kraxler (talk) 15:28, 27 September 2015 (UTC)
The Admin's Barnstar
For being willing to take on tough/time-consuming closes at AfD, and doing so thoughtfully. (This isn't based any one in particular). — Rhododendrites talk \\ 12:04, 18 October 2015 (UTC)
The Real Life Barnstar
Thank you for contacting the photographer of the images now displayed on Persoonia terminalis to release them under an acceptable free license. With illustration, the quality of our five millionth article is noticeably improved. Mz7 (talk) 22:47, 3 November 2015 (UTC)
Thanks for your work in relisting AfD discussions, which helps to keep matters in order. North America1000 07:11, 6 November 2015 (UTC)
The Barnstar of Diplomacy
Thank you Sandstein for all your help. Northernva (talk) 02:13, 6 January 2016 (UTC)
The Barnstar of Integrity
For closing the RFC that became WP:NOETHNICGALLERIES. Even though I am among those who disagreed with the proposal, I admit the majority was evaluated against us, and have to admire the courage to close such a contentious and important change. GRuban (talk) 02:58, 7 January 2016 (UTC)
Thanks for your contributions to Wikipedia. North America1000 08:41, 7 April 2016 (UTC)
The Civility Barnstar
For your thoughtful analysis and deletion of the Conflicts of interest of President-elect Donald Trump article, which I wrote, and which I now see was flawed. Victor Grigas (talk) 19:55, 10 December 2016 (UTC)
The Defender of the Wiki Barnstar
I didn't get to !vote on Wikipedia:Articles_for_deletion/American_influence_in_the_Honduran_general_election,_2009, but I thank you now. Bearian (talk) 13:10, 20 January 2017 (UTC)

Hi Sandestijn,

Thank you for your contributions to Wikipedia.

Regards from the Netherlands, Amin (Talk) 20:48, 24 January 2017 (UTC)

The Admin's Barnstar
For the courage to make this block and deal with the blowback, I award you this barnstar. Banedon (talk) 02:27, 7 March 2017 (UTC)

I just happen to like goats, so I chose this one to thank you for your BLP cleanup.

SPECIFICO talk 21:00, 6 December 2017 (UTC)

The Barnstar of Diplomacy
I appreciate your contributions regarding my topic ban as well as your thoughts on Arbitration Enforcement. MONGO 13:00, 10 January 2018 (UTC)
The Impartial Admin's Barnstar
Thank you for your unwavering service and for the difficult (and thankless) work you do at AE. I know I am not alone in appreciating your respect for our editors, our policies, and our processes. I have always found your decisions to be fair, and focused on attaining our common goal of building the best possible encyclopedia. Best to you. - MrX 20:03, 10 January 2018 (UTC)
The Admin's Barnstar
Your close of Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Catherine Lynch (2nd nomination) was probably the most well written one I've seen in a while. Great job. TonyBallioni (talk) 19:01, 19 March 2018 (UTC)
A pie for you, for your ongoing work in various areas of AfD, such as discussion closures and relistings. Thanks for your work to address AfD matters in a timely manner, which helps to keep things running smoothly. North America1000 06:29, 27 May 2018 (UTC)
The Original Barnstar
Thank you for your page about SF writer JY Yang. Much appreciated. Kellyoyo (talk) 12:12, 29 May 2018 (UTC)
The Barnstar of Diligence
Keep up the good Job! Arman Cagle (Contact me EMail Me Contribs) 06:00, 24 June 2018 (UTC)
The Writer's Barnstar
Thank you for Armed Services Editions, a spectacular expansion and interesting article. Eddie891 Talk Work 14:16, 30 December 2018 (UTC)
The Original Barnstar
For your administrative work! And for daring to make tough decision!--BabbaQ (talk) 19:29, 11 August 2019 (UTC)
The Helpful Admin's Barnstar
For closing discussions with a detailed rationale and summary of the conversation. WilyD 06:06, 22 November 2019 (UTC)
The Original Barnstar
Congratulations for emptying Category:Articles with topics of unclear notability from October 2008! GeoffreyT2000 (talk) 14:59, 17 February 2020 (UTC)
The Admin's Barnstar
Thank you for upholding Wikipedia policies on WP:Consensus WP:NOTVOTE on AfDs. I really appreciate the extra efforts, put in explaining your closure in minute details (when needed) and including precedents for guiding the users. You are an inspiration. Cedix (talk) 09:33, 10 April 2020 (UTC)
The Technical Barnstar
Thanks. Sorry for potentially lighting up your alerts by reverting the refund to the Gospel Music Association article. You did the right thing by invoking deletion after the AfD closed. Walter Görlitz (talk) 02:59, 11 April 2020 (UTC)
The Barnstar of Good Humor
For closing this discussion with style! bibliomaniac15 19:45, 5 May 2020 (UTC)
With reference to a difficult AFD Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/David Oliver (magician). Your carefully considered decision seems to be the most appropriate. Theroadislong (talk) 10:27, 7 November 2021 (UTC)