The Signpost

From the team

Selection of a new Signpost Editor-in-Chief

Readers of The Signpost may have heard in this space nearly a year ago that Smallbones, our Editor-in-Chief since 2019, planned to step down from the position and resume being a regular member of the writing and editorial staff. As Smallbones put it then, the Editor-in-Chief carries out the following critical functions:

  • Solicits articles for the next issue,
  • Anticipates topics that are likely to come up,
  • Evaluates and edits submissions,
  • Has backup plans if an article falls through,
  • Organizes and helps with the copy editing,
  • Makes sure that everything that needs to be done before publication is actually done, and
  • Certifies that no Wikipedia rules are broken in any article.

The Signpost staff anticipate this to be a smooth process and will continue to provide you, our readers, with the content about which you have provided us much positive comments and constructive feedback. However, the process is overdue, and Smallbones has reiterated a desire to be replaced in the next few months at the latest. We have begun to discuss how to make this transition, beginning by building a list of contributors for the past two years with whom we would like to reach consensus concerning who may be best suited to lead us as Smallbones' successor. If you think you are that person and you want to talk to Smallbones, he has invited you to discuss it with him here.


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  • Smallbones has done a wonderful job, I hope he enjoys retirement! -Indy beetle (talk) 20:47, 27 February 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  • Agree. Smallbones has done a great job and is to be thanked. He should probably be an administrator but I doubt very much that someone of his integrity would get through the vetting process. Coretheapple (talk) 22:32, 27 February 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  • A very good job, indeed. I publish a monthly newsletter on the French Wikipedia, where I usually write/translate over 90 % of its content (a wikijob I did for over 10 years). I know how hard it is when you find nothing of interest, but feel the pressure of the deadline. Cantons-de-l'Est (talk) 22:34, 27 February 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  • Great job, Smallbones! Best wishes in the future. Bsoyka (talk · contribs) 23:06, 27 February 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  • Who will join this prestigious list? Smallbones was a welcome addition to the list and has done an awesome job! I've loved reading this news for more than ten years, and I hope to love it for another ten. Thank you, Smallbones, for your great work as EIC! P.I. Ellsworth - ed. put'r there 23:07, 27 February 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  • He's doing great. —— Eric LiuTalk 04:12, 28 February 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  • Thank you, Smallbones, for your professional approach to managing The Signpost. I enjoyed working with you on the two articles I submitted, and I appreciated your input and editorial oversight. — Newslinger talk 08:32, 28 February 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  • Piling on the praises. Gråbergs Gråa Sång (talk) 08:57, 28 February 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  • An illustrious tenure, for certain. And the second-longest of all the EiCs! That's no mean feat either. (Although... you know, Smallbones, if you stick it out until July, you'll surpass Ral315 and officially become The Longest-Serving Signpost Editor Of All Time™! #JustSayin) FeRDNYC (talk) 22:02, 28 February 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  • I have only been reading the signpost for three months, but Smallbones will be missed! --FactMaster007 (talk) 22:23, 28 February 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  • Thumbs up from me to Mr. bones.-Nizil (talk) 07:48, 4 March 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]
  • How about brief quotes from significant past articles from the pen of Smallbones as a recurring featurette? Added bonus—each new issue begins with a few lines already written. — Neonorange (talk to Phil) (he, they) 07:34, 7 March 2022 (UTC) —Reply[reply]
  • Enjoy semi-retirement, Smallbones! I would say take some extra time to kick your feet up, but you're still gonna be working as an editor & writer, so I guess don't take too much time for that! XFalcon2004x (talk) 16:46, 9 March 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]