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I did a little number digging today and thought I’d share the update on the Merge Backlog, since we’re basically on “Phase III” now (merging the rest of the articles that are left after Phase I and Phase II !). 

It looks like we’re down to 1691 articles in the category now - even last week, we had 1848, and back before we started this whole effort, in February, we were at 4597. So we’re making some fab progress! I know @SarahB , @WikihowSaver , @Byankno1 , and others have been helping out, so a big shout-out to all of those diving in:slight_smile:

I’ve been noodling on doing a spreadsheet setup, but I’m actually thinking it may be easiest for all if we just work off the category , since then we can all merge on the spot without having to update a spreadsheet…? Totally open to the alternatives, if people want more structure, though. I can certainly pull up some info about the titles, like whether or not they’re promoted live, if that’s helpful.

What do folks think? Would you prefer to work from the category, from a group spreadsheet, or would anyone like a personal spreadsheet sent to them with current article info for the category?

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I prefer working on them by the category. =) It’s quicker and more simpler for me than marking everything I do on the sheet. 

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mmmm - Categories all g for me

I’m gonna try and do some GitHub/Git/Arduino related articles

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@Anna , I am happy to work from the spread sheet, it works for me!

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@WikihowSaver and @ItsPugle - sounds good! I know it can be kind of a pain in some cases to have to go back and forth to the a sheet to mark what you did.

But if a spreadsheet works for you, @SarahB , even if others want to go more free-form, I can always send you a personal one, no prob! Would that be helpful?

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For those thinking that merging is a bit challenging, it’s actually not…Just before this year’s meetup, @Anna updated the Steps on http://www.wikihow.com/Merge-a-wikiHow-Article so as to make it not quite as much challenging as it once was. 

Sorry for not getting back to this project since the meetup now that the improved steps are in-place. I haven’t had much time to think about this stuff since I’m trying to get several spots filled in other places outside the site and in other spots onsite in attempt to clear up some confusion. I have a lot to do, but I hope I can get to my “lots” before I start to panic!

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Just saw this @Byankno1 - good idea posting the guide here! No worries on the other obligations - it happens, and there’s always a chance to get back to it when you have more time, no stress.

I know a few folks new to the task have been helping out, including @Hannah-Creasor (formerly @Hal-Marie ) - it’s great to see all sorts of folks helping with it:slight_smile:

I checked on the category just now - we’re under 1500. Making progress!

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Thanks @Anna , you know me…old stick in the mud Sarah!

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I prefer working on them by category:merge, just because there might be some super-specific categorie arfticles that could be left behind/

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No prob, @Sarah - I’ll whip up a personal spreadsheet and send it to you. Anyone else, feel free to let me know if you want the same:slight_smile:

@Hannah-Creasor - yeah, that’s a good resource. I often do merging from there, too!

For the record, this morning we were at 1410 (down from 1691 last week) - so we are making solid progress! Cheers to the folks who I know have been helping - @SarahB , @WikhowSaver , @Hannah-Creasor , @XxVxX … and likely others I’ve missed, too. Feel free to chime in here if you’ve been working on it as well - I don’t mean to leave anyone out! 

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Monday update for the merging pros! As of this morning, we’re down to 1296 articles in the Merge Category (from 4597 at project start). Trucking along nicely:slight_smile:

For anyone who wants to dive in, the remaining merge articles can be found in the category here .

And the info on how to merge, if you’re newer to it, is outlined in https://www.wikihow.com/Merge-a-wikiHow-Article

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Wowie, thanks to some hard work, some quick merges where they’re warranted, and some careful moving of advice where it’s solid, we’re under 1000 now! 

Sure makes it easier to see the whole bunch from the category listing: 

https://www.wikihow.com/index.php?title=Category:Merge&viewMode=text

We’ll actually be able to see the numbers count down to the end, wooo!

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I will try to do some merging if I have time! Maybe even tonight!

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Wowie!  We’re just down to a little over 300 at this time. (We’re down to 308, to be exact.) 

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That’s fab, @Byankno1 - the end is in sight! 292! 

If anyone helping out notices a new milestone, do keep us posted:smiley:

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Wow, must have been a few of us chipping away at this, this morning - thanks to a mix of nice n quick Q&D merges, and some hard work on more manual merges in between the easier stuff, we’re at 150 now:open_mouth:

If anyone wants to be part of the final push, check out what’s left here!  https://www.wikihow.com/index.php?title=Category:Merge&viewMode=text

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@Anna , all done now, except one that has an inuse template on it so I have contacted Alex to ask if he is going to finish the article or merge it himself

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Thank you @SarahB . I saw that!

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@ Byankno1 Chris… I never want to see another one!!:slight_smile:

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Nice job everyone! In 23 days you guys knocked out nearly 1,800 articles. WikiHow teamwork at its finest! Now, how bout’ them other topics?:stuck_out_tongue: