User talk:JeffInTexas

Welcome!

Hello, JeffInTexas, and welcome to Wikipedia! Thank you for your contributions. I hope you like the place and decide to stay. Here are some pages that you might find helpful:

• The five pillars of Wikipedia
• Tutorial
• How to edit a page and How to develop articles
• How to create your first article (using the Article Wizard if you wish)
• Simplified Manual of Style

I hope you enjoy editing here and being a Wikipedian! Please sign your messages on talk pages using four tildes (~~~~); this will automatically insert your username and the date. If you need help, check out Wikipedia:Questions, ask me on my talk page, or ask your question on this page and then place {{help me}} before the question. Again, welcome! Legoktm (talk) 03:53, 5 November 2012 (UTC)

Howdy

Jeff, let me welcome you to Wikipedia as a fellow Texas lawyer, but also as an experienced Wikipedia user. I saw your question on the new user's help page. The answer you got there was fine, but let me also add that you might well be better off editing non-legal articles (and not trying to start an article from scratch, which is difficult for even an experienced Wikipedia user). When experts try to edit in their field of expertise, they tend to say things from their expertise, as you did in this edit when you said, "These two holdings are not capable of being reconciled, despite the distinguishing facts in each case, since it is apparent that even when a law requires compliance with a copyrighted standard by mere reference, it is no less 'the law.'" Under Wikipedia policy, that statement is prohibited as original research and is subject to being deleted by any editor. I don't say that to jump on you (heck, I'm not going to even delete it or tag it), but only to make you aware that as easy as it is to run afoul of the vast body of Wikipedia policy in just editing here and there, it becomes even more easy to make a mistake when you're working in your field of expertise. (And then to get all high and mighty about it when someone calls you on it, since you know you're right.) You might get some benefit from reading my Advice to New Users essay. As a lawyer, you're way better equipped to wade through the policies recommended on that page and put them into practice in your editing than most folks who come along. Good luck in your editing and drop me a note on my talk page if I can answer any questions. Best regards, TransporterMan (TALK) 19:40, 6 November 2012 (UTC)