Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/IncidentArchive638

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User:Dfhuiwzvbsdizvb

The user has redirected their user page to their talk page and in turn redirected that to their user page creating a continuous loop. I discovered this whilst trying to add a warning for removing a AfD template from Chicagoblok. Am I allowed to unlink the pages as this situation is clearly not ideal? Due to the redirects I am unable to inform the user that they are being discussed here unless the pages are unlinked. --Wintonian (talk) 16:43, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

I've undone the redirect as it is
disruptive, warned, and notified of this thread. Rodhullandemu
16:48, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Many thanks, I thought it might be but wanted to be sure. --Wintonian (talk) 16:51, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

I need help with the Selena article, I'm trying to protect it from losing featured status and another editor is adding information which I can't vertify or is false, and using unreliable sources. I broke 3rr already in the article, but some of the reverts was reverting false information so I should be safe. But I can't revert anymore. Can an adminstrator intervene. Thanks Secret account 22:59, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

I tried to report this to
WP:RFPP, but it was not letting me save it. Suggest full-protection on the page for a week or so, with warning given by some uninvolved admin about edit-warring to pages of users involved. -- Cirt (talk
) 23:01, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Looks like this is a content dispute. It'd be better if you took it to Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Edit warring instead of this noticeboard. The UtahraptorMy mistakes; I mean, er, contributions 23:04, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Yea I don't need a warning, as I know I was edit-warring trying to protect the article from being defeatured, some of the facts were as false as it could be, like 100 million Texans went to her funeral, and that she sold over 200 million albums, which only Celine Dion has ever done. She also added some information which I found in my book source but I can't trust Ajona sourcing for my life. Secret account 23:06, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
I protected the article for a week. The edit history pretty clearly looked like a content dispute to me. ~
talk
) 00:15, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Agree with this admin action by
talk · contribs). -- Cirt (talk
) 00:29, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
3RR does not apply to vandalism. Stating that 100 million Texans went to Selena's funeral is clearly vandalism. Along with some other edits by that user I would say Secret was correct in violating the wording of 3RR to keep the spirit of our policies regarding vandalism. If Cirt and Amatulic want to call that edit warring then obviously something is wrong with their interpretation of an edit war. Reverting vandalism 100 times in one day is a hero's work. Please dont just warn both parties in some weird PC ideology of being fair. Of course if I'm wrong and you think 100 million people from a state with a population less than that attending a funeral is a valid edit and point-of-view thereby making this an edit war and content dispute then I apologize. Otherwise I think several people owe Secret an apology.Camelbinky (talk) 00:40, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
I agree with a page protection as that would keep Ajona from editing the article. Ajona was deteriating the article and some of her mess is still there, but I need an adminstrator to fix any concerns on the article on its
WP:V and didn't made any sense like the 100 million Texans comment. I just couldn't trust him/her information. Secret account
00:46, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

100 million people live in Texas? That's a lot of village idiots :) –MuZemike 01:20, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Come on, just read the edits and use common sense before accusing somebody trying to fix vandalism of edit warring. Everard Proudfoot (talk) 02:56, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

This user have been caught uploading copyvio images before (see

WP:NFCC policy as well (see File:Mötley1989.jpg, File:Axl Rose Taiwan 2009.jpg, File:YngwieMalmsteen2010.jpg, File:Eddie van halen07.jpg, File:SnakeSabo.jpg, File:Duff2004.jpg, File:Jyrki69 2006.jpg, etc), constantly uploading replacable unfree images (even replacing free ones with obviously replacable unfree ones, and then edit warring over it claiming that only that image can capture that exact moment). The log history and talk page of the user should speak for itself. The user has been blocked for it before. Nymf hideliho!
10:34, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

I propose that the user is reblocked, and any upload by the user that isn't an album cover is vehemently deleted. Nymf hideliho! 10:58, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
  • Indefblocked since this isn't the first block. To return to editing, ThatRockMetalGuy will need to convincingly demonstrate that they fully comprehend why they've been blocked and how they intend to avoid causing the same problems in the future. EyeSerenetalk 11:35, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Scope instead for a selective ban on uploading? There does appear to be a
WP:COMPETENCE issue, but not one of GF. Andy Dingley (talk
) 13:54, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
I tend to favour indefblocks as the default measure for repeat copyvio offenders, simply because they've clearly demonstrated that Wikipedia needs protecting from them and any sort of time-limited block would allow them to return without necessarily being any the wiser. Indefinite isn't permanent though, so if they were to accept something along the lines you've suggested as a condition of their return, that would work for me. EyeSerenetalk 14:07, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
I would (
of course) like to see them return immediately to full editing rights. However we do have to resolve the copyright problem and there seems (given past history) no chance of that, owing to a simple failure to grasp what went wrong before, or any indication that they'll be competent to avoid it in the future. An appropriate past apology and future agreement could achieve that in full right now, but they don't seem capable of making it. There thus seems to be a need for infinite protection from uploads (infinite and indefinite being seemingly the same thing for this case, on current evidence). As blocks always ought to be as restricted as are barely necessary, then I suggest we should go narrower here, rather than for (the seemingly unachievable) shorter duration. Andy Dingley (talk
) 14:24, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
I've proposed terms for an image ban on his talk page as follows:
  • No image uploads, period, for an indefinite amount of time.
  • Six months after his last copyright-related block expires or was lifted (so at the earliest, six months from today), he may appeal for a review of his ban at
    WP:NFC
    .
  • He may request that images be uploaded on his behalf via
    WP:IFU
    ; it seems to me this would give him practical experience in determining what is and isn't allowed copyright-wise.
  • Any violation of these terms may lead to a block of up to two weeks, up to indefinite after the third violation.
If he accepts these terms, EyeSerene (as the blocking admin) agrees to them, and there is no significant objection, I intend to unblock him. ) 16:36, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Note that I believe that there might be more to this than image violations. See this edit. Note the edit to the "Combination" header and then check the reference he listed. That was found from just from looking through 2-3 edits from the last couple of days. Nymf hideliho! 16:58, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Here's me explaining another one, and here's the user admitting to stealing it, obviously oblivious to the fact that it is a copyright violation. Nymf hideliho! 17:36, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

I've seen this user before as another account, I swear (that or I've been blocking socks for too long). I remembered having to tell the same thing to another editor in an unblock request who wouldn't get it; the user also went to the unblock-en-l mailing list about the same thing. The person, judging by his writing ability, could not be any more than 12 years old. If anyone has an idea what I'm talking about, let me know; I think was back in either July or August IIRC. –MuZemike 17:40, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

I've withdrawn my offer to unblock the user based on Nymf's findings.
a/c
) 17:52, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Apologies for temporarily vanishing from the scene :) I can't speak to potential socking, but given Nymf's subsequent discoveries I concur with Hersfold's withdrawal of their offer. The tone of ThatRockMetalGuy posts indicates that it wasn't malice that prompted the copyvios, but I can only agree with JamesBWatson's analysis on ThatRockMetalGuy's talk page: claiming ignorance after 60-plus warnings and a previous block isn't the sign of an editor moving up the learning curve. EyeSerenetalk 18:54, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Per Nymf's additional notes on the text issues, simple indef block. This is a user who just doesn't get it re: copyright. They'll need to demonstrate that they do before going near either upload or text editing. Andy Dingley (talk) 19:28, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

VolkovBot overly eager to remove interwiki links

VolkovBot is an interwiki update bot run by ru:User:Volkov in a reckless manner. It should be blocked unless and until its operator is willing to run it in a more responsible manner.

See its

being run in -auto and -force mode, despite the general feeling that this is a bad idea
.

Volkov has been contacted in the past about this and merely created a note arguing that it's up to other bots or humans to repair the links it breaks.

I am sure there are some good edits in there. However, it is not worth the cost. One incorrect action means someone has to figure out how to restore links on any number of languages and somehow figure out what is annoying it lest it do it again - and that assumes a person with the skill to do so is watching.

The bot is currently making about one edit every two minutes on the English Wikipedia (and of course more elsewhere). GreenReaper (talk) 03:12, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

I have blocked the bot for now. It's an indefinite block but other admins are welcome to unblock as soon as this problem is resolved. --A. B. (talkcontribs) 03:30, 8 September 2010 (UTC)
Thank you. I would also note that VolkovBot's bot flag was speedily approved three years ago with no discussion and with obvious errors in the submission ("X edits per TIME", no mention of period). It also says it is to be run in "automatic supervised" mode. The 24-hour operation suggests otherwise. GreenReaper (talk) 03:33, 8 September 2010 (UTC)
The BAG request, which was approved.— dαlus Contribs 03:32, 8 September 2010 (UTC)
I have reverted some of the bot's edits, including the one above. ~ 03:41, 8 September 2010 (UTC)
What seems strange to me is that your bot was approved with zero discussion, and that request wasn't even filed correctly(as noted above).— dαlus Contribs 06:08, 8 September 2010 (UTC)
I cannot be sure why there was no discussion. It was 3.5 years ago. The bot was already active and approved on several other wikis at that time. Maybe this was the reason for the prompt approval at en.wiki. --Volkov (?!) 06:48, 8 September 2010 (UTC)
Just like disputes at other wikis have no place here, neither should bots, just because they are in use on other wikis, be approved without any discussion.— dαlus Contribs 06:53, 8 September 2010 (UTC)
That was not my fault ;-) --Volkov (?!) 07:06, 8 September 2010 (UTC)
Not really commenting on this specific case, just giving some background. Generally interwiki bots using the pywikipedia framework are speedily approved, since they are all essentially the same, and it's been proven to be uncontroversial. Normally they aren't approved quite as quickly as this bot, since there are still come things which each individual bot needs to sort out (e.g. the force/auto mode, editing templates, exclusion compliance). These days I doubt you'll find a request approved after 30 minutes. Also, with interwiki bots, the bots edits on other wikis are considered, in fact, bots with global flags are automatically approved to do interwiki here (don't think this bot has a global flag, but just an example of the bot's global edits having an effect on if it's approved here) - Kingpin13 (talk) 08:22, 8 September 2010 (UTC)
Actually, it has. --Volkov (?!) 08:39, 8 September 2010 (UTC)
Why are there multiple bots doing this interwiki stuff instead of just one? This is not "the encyclopedia that every bot can edit". When they said "everyone" they weren't thinking of bots. 75.57.241.73 (talk) 09:06, 8 September 2010 (UTC)
Because one bot wouldn't be able to handle the load. –xenotalk 15:13, 9 September 2010 (UTC)
Processing the conflict list with a bot is missing the point. The articles were placed on that list because pywikipedia couldn't figure out how to handle them without potentially removing useful information. That indicates human interaction is required. A more appropriate solution would be to use a bot to drop a note on the talk page of the articles in question informing them that there may be an issue. Bear in mind that many things marked as "conflicts" may make perfect sense, since articles are arranged differently in different languages (see below). GreenReaper (talk) 18:36, 8 September 2010 (UTC)
  • I don't see the problem. VolkovBot removed article interwikies from a disambiguation page. That's right because such cross links cause interwikiconflicts. Articles should link to articles and disambigs to disambigs. The block of the bot doesn't solve the problem in any way because all pywikipedia bots work that way. Please unblock. --Obersachse (talk) 16:29, 8 September 2010 (UTC)
Just because everyone has access to the same axe does not justify giving it to an idiot (pywikipedia) and letting them run around unsupervised 24 hours a day in a busy street. :-)
You have a particular idea of how the wiki should be setup. But in the real world, this is not the case. Two related topics that have a disambiguation page in English may be covered in a single article on another language. And even if there is a correct non-disambiguation article, it is better from the reader's perspective to link to the disambiguation page than not to link to anything at all, which is what happens when the bot removes the link.
There is also the matter of removing links from "detail" articles in one languages pointing to a more general article that combines two or more topics in a different language; for example, from en:Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords to de:Galactic Civilizations#Galactic Civilizations 2: Dread Lords (which naturally links back to en:Galactic Civilizations). These links are correct from a reader perspective because that is where the topic is covered, and removing them because Pywikipedia cannot understand the situation is not an acceptable solution. GreenReaper (talk) 18:22, 8 September 2010 (UTC)
What is better for the reader? Less, but right interwikilinks or more links, but partial wrong? I prefer less but absolutely right. You may have another point of view. --Obersachse (talk) 18:50, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Hmm when you are running interwiki conflicts is the exact time you should definitely not be running -auto with -force. Because that is when it will make mistakes. -DJSasso (talk) 18:28, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

-force with -noredirect. This is the only way to clean up multiple interwiki conflicts and restore valid direct links afterwards. The very same situation was discussed in detail today on the German Wikipedia and also on my talk page. Keeping the bot blocked, or locking the pages, or making edit wars with bots is not helpful at all. Problems remain for ages and what is affected first is the quality of Wikipedia. --Volkov (?!) 20:50, 8 September 2010 (UTC)
No that isn't the only way, what you do once you have a list of conflicts is you fix them by hand. That is the whole point of the list, its that pywikipedia can't fix them so you need to do it manually. -DJSasso (talk) 15:07, 9 September 2010 (UTC)
I guess you're kidding. Or simply do not imagine how serious the situation is. Just have a look at these lists. There are literally hundreds of thousands pages with interwiki conflicts. Fixing them all manually is not feasible, it will take ages. Some conflicts may be resolved by bots, other more complicated cases in fact do require human intervention. But blocking the bot doesn't help resolve this problem at all. --Volkov (?!) 16:25, 9 September 2010 (UTC)
No I fully realize, the problem is as has been shown, numerous "fixes" your bot has made have been incorrect, so of those hundreds of thousands, how many thousand are actually correct, and with human intervention we would see that. So quite simply put your bot is creating more issues as it goes. Blocking your bot is helping as it is keeping it from creating more issues. -DJSasso (talk) 17:01, 9 September 2010 (UTC)
Please don't speculate, just give examples of "incorrect" fixes and "more issues created". I have many examples of resolved conflicts. German Wikipedia had the same concerns and they have blocked the bot for a while yesterday but after analyzing real examples of bot's fixing the conflicts, they lifted the block. And you prefer keeping the bot blocked and having things disorganized for ever? No human would be able to resolve all these conflicts manually. Just try to fix a couple yourself, and you'll probably be convinced. --Volkov (?!) 17:52, 9 September 2010 (UTC)

Many mistakes are commited by humans and the bots automatically follow them, there are many bots that do that, everything has a sollution, I write to the bot owner and he repairs his damages, that's enough, for me, Volkov is a very efficient bot, he has done multiple connections, I don't know a bot as good as him--Jaguarlaser (talk) 18:44, 9 September 2010 (UTC)

I have moved this thread here back from the archives as the issue is still unresolved.—Ëzhiki (Igels Hérissonovich Ïzhakoff-Amursky) • (yo?); September 13, 2010; 13:27 (UTC)

I don't understand what Ezhiki is asking for at this point (some diffs of bad edits by the bot would be helpful) but I also don't understand why there are so many interwiki bots. There should preferably be just ONE, developed collaboratively through some kind of wikiproject on metawiki. At the very least, the interwiki bot developers should coordinate their efforts, have a common bug tracker, and generally have enough communications to not to step on each other. 67.119.12.216 (talk) 17:34, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

As I mentioned above, one bot wouldn't be able to handle the load and would represent a single point of failure. –xenotalk 19:12, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Freakshownerd

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.


Spartaz Humbug!
19:21, 12 September 2010 (UTC)

Unblocking may help to settle the sock allegations. I don't think the climate change case will wrap up anytime soon. There were big problems with the original PD and one of the drafting Arbitrators has resigned. We're basically starting all over again with many new PDs being added which approach the problem from a different angle than the previous PD. Count Iblis (talk) 20:01, 12 September 2010 (UTC)

What are you referring to? I don't see any strong connection with the climate change ArbCom case. Ucucha 20:13, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
  • Keep blocked, unacceptable editor independently of the sock stuff. 67.119.12.29 (talk) 20:03, 12 September 2010 (UTC)

The short of ArbCom's position: The link with CoM is tenuous and circumstantial enough that sanctionning CoM for socking may not be justifiable. That Freakshownerd's own behavior may warrant a block or a ban is not in question, and we feel can be handled within the normal community processes. — Coren (talk) 20:11, 12 September 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for commenting. So, taking that away, the user has a fourty eight hour block and perhaps we should be looking at a week from when he was blocked or under the circumstances, unblocking on a short rope, perhaps with a mentor in an attempt to keep him out of trouble.
Off2riorob (talk
) 20:17, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
From what I have seen most of his insults were launched after being blocked. User seems to create a fair few articles that were sent to AFD after his blocking as a sock block evader and many wqere closed early on those grounds.
Off2riorob (talk
) 20:28, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
No, that's not correct. He was extremely abusive and insulting even before his first block. He has actually moderated his behavior slightly since the last block, presumably because he wants to be unblocked and has realized that pure vituperation isn't going to get him there. Whatever; I'm fine with him being unblocked, as long as someone (ideally the unblocking admin) is going to take some responsibility to be responsive to further abuses by Freakshownerd after his unblock. Because there will be further abuses. MastCell Talk 05:33, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
I'll take your word for that then Mastcell as I have not dug through his contributions and you were on the receiving end of some of the comments and I saw some of his later rudeness.
Off2riorob (talk
) 05:39, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
I don't think those actions require identical levels of evidence. For the first, the duck test as usually practiced (plus the persistently abusive editing) is good enough. For the second, (going by apparent arbcom practices, here and in say the Mantanmorland case) apparently something like an OJ Simpson trial is required. My conclusion is keep FSN blocked, but don't extend COM's ban absent new developments. They are both awful editors (or the same awful editor as the case may be) no matter what. 67.119.12.29 (talk) 00:00, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
  • support block and support sock puppet connection. Extend CoMs duration. He was caught socking once already. I just had a read of the SPI, and it is pretty convincing. The obscure overlap, especially that one article speaks volumes. Behavioural styles, etc are far too similar. Especially is comment of "the usual suspects". This user hasn't been here long enough to have a list of "the usual suspects".--
    Crossmr (talk
    ) 00:46, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
  • Now that arbcom has stepped away, I support an unblock with a clear understanding that uncivil behavior will result in a re-block. I'd be willing to be part of a mentoring group, but I don't have time to be the sole mentor and don't have time to be any kind of mentor for a few days (work is crazy until Thursday or so). Hobit (talk) 01:34, 13 September 2010 (UTC)*****
          • I can't speak knowledgeably in regard to the sockpuppetry allegations. As there seems some doubt as to their validity, I would support unblocking FSN, but only with a clear understanding that his recent behavior now has him on short notice for civility and edit-warring. Earlier, in suggesting to FSN that he take a break for a few days (a very polite posting that he rather predictably deleted) I made the following comparison: "In many ways, it's become the case of the fellow pulled over (perhaps wrongly) for speeding. When out of frustration he punches the policeman and wanders into traffic yelling at the top of his lungs the actual speed at which he was traveling soon becomes beside the point. Even were one to cede to your attestation of innocence regarding sockpuppetry and ignore the hugely problematic style of your editing style, one would still be confronted with the way you treat others when engaged in a dispute. This matters here, particularly because collaborative processes such as WP will invariably contain disputes. How we deal with them ultimately determines the success of consensus-based writing." In other words, I don't much cotton to the argument some seem to be making that, "Well, of course he got mean-spirited if he were wrongly accused and left to dangle in the wind by ArbCom." If he's learned to be civil and work toward consensus from this (perhaps unjust) block, we should welcome him back. At the first sign of this troubling behavior, however, he should be banned. ThtrWrtr (talk) 01:54, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
              • I can't see any genuine doubt here. Read the SPI there is significant overlap in subjects/articles edited and behaviour shown, especially very quickly and knowledgeably entering CoM's wheelhouse not that long after joining wikipedia. Just because the IPs don't match doesn't mean it isn't a sockpuppet. He's been around enough to use a VPN or some other means to try and get around that.--
                Crossmr (talk
                ) 02:20, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
The similarities between Com's postings and Fsn's are so remarkable that the only way I can not see them as the same is to imagine someone perpetrating a massive hoax to set CoM up. Not bloody likely, but not much less likely than a fresh avatar of CoM popping up at random.
Anyone considering mentoring Fsn would be well advised to spend an hour reviewing Fsn's history of talk page contributions and guessing how amenable Fsn would be to even the kindest gentlest critical advice. PhGustaf (talk) 03:13, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
I've had interactions with FSN on several pages, and like MastCell found him to be aggressive, uncivil, unpleasant and combative. There is indication Freakshownerd has ever considered whether his edits or policy interpretations could be even potentially incorrect, and my attempts to engage him in a discussion of specific edits/pages, my comments are normally either removed, or I get a stock answer that I don't understand blp. For those interested in the topics and specifics, it is things like the amount of text to give to the views of AIDS denialists
William Dembski's intelligent design ideas have serious scientific merit (they don't, extremely well sourced with the scientific consensus being ID is retooled creationism). All of these points have good quality, university press or peer-reviewed sources behind them, and in all cases represent the scientific consensus on the topic. I've discussed these topics at length, and have repeatedly been met with angry, unhelpful replies: User talk:Freakshownerd#vandalism and fanatics, User talk:Freakshownerd#Kary Mullis, User talk:Freakshownerd#Reverted edits to Poppers, User talk:Freakshownerd#Comments 2
Despite this, I would actually support an unblock - provided there were civility and edit warring restrictions. I don't know if FSN is COM and if so, should be blocked as a sock. I do know that the current block as a sock is dubious but almost certainly due to the civility concerns is turning into a de facto community ban. If FSN has learned from this, an unblock for socking is appropriate and a problematic editor could be redeemed. If not, then FSN will probably be re-blocked for civility - and quickly.
complex
07:40, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Even if he weren't CoM (and I'm not remotely convinced that he isn't given the AN/I stuff he's done) in a very short time he's acquired a very extensive block log, and doesn't remotely seem to be a net positive on the project.--) 10:29, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
  • Comment: I'm deeply involved with the sockpuppet identification, but nonetheless, here's my view: i) the behavioural evidence that FSN is CoM is overwhelming. Put the entire case together (it came out a bit in drips, after the initial batch based on which the SPI was closed - see
    arbcom page) and I don't think there's much room for doubt - were it not for the checkuser evidence to the contrary. How you weigh that against the behavioural is a matter of judgement, but I think it far more likely to be successful CU evasion than someone who ticks all those boxes of continuity of obscure interests combined with behavioural [that is, tone and attitude etc] evidence. And surely no-one who's looked at the evidence believes FSN to be a fresh account; to my knowledge FSN has never owned up to what previous accounts he's had if he is not CoM. ii) nonetheless, the doubts raised by ArbCom create a prickly issue, and it leaves an unfortunate limbo being unaddressed so long (and seemingly not for a while yet). So I suggest the options are: a) wait for Arbcom to decide. Not a great option as they've already indicated they would be focussed on whether the sockpuppet identification is strong enough to extend CoM's ban, without necessarily saying whether it's strong enough to justify continued block. b) re-open the SPI, and ensure those issues are as fully aired as they can be. Probably won't change anyone's mind, but it might possibly clarify community view, since SPI was closed quickly and further evidence emerged later. c) start a ban discussion based on available evidence for FSN (including the evidence of FSN's own socking). This doesn't seem entirely fair because we wouldn't be at this point (quite yet) without the sock issue; but on the other hand, it could be argued that just brought a closer focus on FSN's behaviour, which can well enough be judged on the merits. d) unblock, and see if FSN can become a good member of the community, and start a ban discussion specifically for FSN if and when it proves necessary. This seems likely to postpone the inevitable; it is quite clear that the FSN account was started with a particular view of "abusive admins", and as hard as it was for FSN to deal with criticism before this episode - I find it really hard to imagine FSN could get past this and become more constructive than he was before! In sum, there's no great option, but in view of the evidence that FSN is a sockpuppet of somebody, it is hard to countenance option D. So I would suggest we consider B or C. (FSN could change the equation somewhat by coming clean on who he was before, but that seems unlikely.) Rd232 talk
    15:55, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Plus, if you block someone for being a behavioural sock (i.e. someone whose editing is essentially indistinguishable in tenor/problems from an already blocked editor), you've blocked the first person for problematic behaviour. Why would the second person be permitted to keep behaving in a way that was problematic? If we can't distinguish FSN from COM based on hostility, incivility, edit warring and general tone - why does FSN get to keep editing while COM is blocked? The only reason I can see is to ensure fair warning so they can change their behaviour. In this case, fair warning has been given repeatedly and the closest thing we have to a "behaviour change" is for FSN to say they will avoid the "problematic" pages. It's not the pages that are the problem, if the editing habits remain the same then any page that is the source of a dispute will end up being a "problematic" page. This is essentially a restatement of Rd232's point (c).
complex
16:25, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
  • I'm convinced that it is indeed CoM and even if I'm wrong the editor in question warrants an indef block for his disruptive, uncivil and other behavior so therefore I too support the imposted block.
    talk
    ) 16:44, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
  • For those that may not find the evidence at SPI compelling, note that there is a lot more evidence included by
    talk
    ) 19:19, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Comment moved from Freakshownerd's talk page NativeForeigner Talk/Contribs 23:01, 13 September 2010 (UTC):
  • Thank you for initiating a discussion. I am not a sock of anyone. I have pledged to avoid conflicts going forward. It's frustrating that my block log is cited since the first two blocks were mistakes acknowledged by the blocking admins. It also seems that some editors/admins are trying to muddy the waters by suggesting I've socked, for example with the Whoopdeedooda account (whose supportive comment here was removed from this page). I have not socked and welcome an investigation into those allegations. I have a fixed IP address and I am not a sock of anyone. I seek only to get my editing privledges back so I can contribute in good faith. There has been a long series of false allegations made against me, but at this point I'd just like to be able to make uncontroversial contributions in areas free from intense dispute. Despite the many attacks against me (many of them totally false), the overwhelming majority of my edits have been constructive improvements to the encyclopedia that are entirely consistent with policy. I would like a chance to demonstrate that I can avoid any problems going forward, even though there hasn't been much of a recognition that other editors and admins contributed to the problems I've encountered. Freakshownerd (talk) 18:45, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
    • This is the CoM-to-a-T behavior that you just cannot shake; no one else is responsible for your actions other than yourself. Just like last year, simple editorial disagreement balloons into massive arguments. Admins and/or 3rd parties that intervene and do not agree with your position become "part of the problem", in your eyes. Once the blocks and similar sanctions begin to tumble down, the aggression gets worse. Every admin that opines against you or declines an unblock gets savaged along with the rest.
    • Another telling clue that I realized recently is your interactions with myself. We crossed paths at DRV over record label prods several months back, I still had your talk page on watch from commenting there, so a few months later when I noticed some worsening relations between you and WLU, I offered advice on dispute resolution, which you removed without comment 1 minute later. Obviously anyone can remove any comment they wish from their own talk page, but that is pretty drastic to do to someone with who you presumably have had only brief past contact with. It is something you;d do to someone who you are rather familiar with and have a history with Tarc (talk) 21:21, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
  • If we cannot keep him blocked as a sock (which I still think he is, but let's assume for the time being that the evidence is insufficient), perhaps we could block him as an impostor? He certainly does a heck of a good job at it. Heimstern Läufer (talk) 04:14, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
  • I think we have a consensus forming that FSN's exhausted community patience for now. The sockpuppetry issue is unclosed and unlikely to be closed with indisputable proof or disproof, but his behavior by itself has created a lot of exhausted patience. I think this is a "consensus not to unblock" situation for the time being. Georgewilliamherbert (talk) 22:26, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
  • The evidence is clear, CoM = Freakshownerd, and the repeated disruption from these accounts means neither should be unblocked. No sensible admin is going to unblock. ArbCom have dropped the ball on this and have made themselves irrelevant due to their over-hesitancy. Fences&Windows 01:19, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Legal threat

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.


Resolved
 – Legal threat "resolved", blocks issued to OP and several socks. Doc9871 (talk) 00:31, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

See here. Sorry I'm not able to look into this further myself at the moment. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 18:55, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

Although difficult to tell from the way they pursued it, their basic objection was that
WP:DOLT, I'd suggest immediate deletion. In the meantime, because the IP managed to put their foot in it with the original edit, they haven't been advised as to how to legitimately request speedy deletions or how to contact OTRS. Gavia immer (talk
) 19:11, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
(edit conflict)It's a link to an email copy on a copyvio sent to info-en-q@wikimedia. I've removed the link and image from the article, it's tagged on commons for speedy. Although inappropriate to place it on article space I think it passes the "what is not a legal threat" bit on our policy. Although, I won't dissent with an opposing call by another admin. —SpacemanSpiff 19:13, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
On a deeper look it looks like something weird on this one, the IP has been editing the article for two years, and isn't happy at being reverted or some such, and now this action. So my initial AGF might be misplaced and a block is appropriate. —SpacemanSpiff 19:18, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
SarekofVulcan beat me to it. —SpacemanSpiff 19:19, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
See 2010070910045921 for more info. I'm dealing with the ticket now. Chase me ladies, I'm the Cavalry (talk) 19:25, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
I didn't just block the IP, I made sure that someone had tagged the image for copyvio first. It's apparently taken care of now, so if anyone wants to override my NLT block, I won't be offended. --SarekOfVulcan (talk) 19:28, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
True, but it could have been an intern editing from the same IP. Could a commons admin check who uploaded the image please? Chase me ladies, I'm the Cavalry (talk) 21:13, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
It was uploaded by commons:User:Carcassbait. VernoWhitney (talk) 21:25, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
IP seems to be related to the account SOcal9045 (talk · contribs), and is the subject according talk page. Rehevkor 21:19, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
SOcal9045 claims to be Marty Munsch[7], and the IP has been suspected of being MM in the past by at least one editor[8]... Doc9871 (talk) 22:29, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
  • Comment - There's also this image of the Punk Rock Records logo which is owned by Marty Munsch and received a C&D threat here. I removed the image from the article but it's still in commons. Having dealt with these articles for a while now I'm pretty sure that Mr. Munsch is the same person who uploaded both images and has been threatening the C&D orders. Both the
    Punk Rock Records and Marty Munsch articles appear to have originally been written by Mr. Munsch himself (or at least greatly expanded by him). It was after several of us cleaned up the Munsch article (read: stubbified) that the threats and vandalism began from MM. SQGibbon (talk
    ) 00:49, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
One early "expander" of the MM article, this IP, perfectly matches the geolocate of the IP in this thread. No edit overlaps, as one IP began editing after the other ceased. SPI, maybe? Doc9871 (talk) 01:22, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Folks, there are tools out there that can detect edits from complete CIDR ranges; this is one of them. That being said, 68.193.213.0/24 has been blocked 1 month (AO, not a CU block) for continued legal threats. –MuZemike 04:39, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Also,  Confirmed:

MuZemike 04:49, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

IP marked as blocked, but not blocked

Hi. The page Special:Contributions/195.195.245.20 says at the top that the IP is blocked, however the 6month block expired a few weeks ago. I'm not sure if something needs to be manually done to remove the message at the top there, or if it should have automagically disappeared? - (Sorry if this is in the wrong noticeboard. Please move freely, no note is needed, I will follow via editsummaries.) -- Quiddity (talk) 17:45, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

It's probably covered by a newer rangeblock. As far as I know, whenever you see that pink banner on a user's contribs page, they're blocked, even if you can't see the block. Soap 17:49, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
I don't see the blocked banner. Syrthiss (talk) 17:50, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
(
WP:VPT for this kind of thing. - Kingpin13 (talk
) 17:51, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Mazca unblocked at 17:49. Ncmvocalist (talk) 17:52, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
(edit conflict)I don't think a rangeblock was the case - the user has clearly edited earlier today. I just "unblocked" using the normal form and it resulted in a block log entry and removed the message. I can't see a clear reason for what was going on here - if my mystery unblock has cocked anything up, do feel free to fix it. ~ mazca talk 17:53, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
I ran across the same thing with an IP that I blocked in January for a month. It was still showing blocked, but was clearing vandalizing long since. I chalked it up as a fluke, because another admin blocked the IP before I could and I didn't see them bring it up anywhere. Jauerbackdude?/dude. 19:44, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
I've seen this bug several times, and it confused me to no end each time. —Jeremy (v^_^v PC/SP is a show-trial!) 20:37, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Actually it's possible you've run across an auto-block info leak, which is essentially an information leak. I don't know if this is a documented error, but I'm very confident that I've seen this kind of info leak with autoblocks before. The summary is that auto-blocks (which by their nature are anonymous) are indicated on a blocked IPs page because the blocked IP user's page displays the block, but there's no corresponding entry in the block log. I've seen it when there's an old block that's no longer in place (you can't know for sure unless you're a CU, but I suspect a high probability). I don't know if it works too if the auto-blocked IP never had a previous block. Shadowjams (talk) 01:32, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Update on Factorx1983: Sockpuppet MRAgentOrange

Hi, all. The blocked user Factorx1983 is now sockpuppeting as MRAgentOrange. He has been harassing my company, Amble Resorts, and our island in Panama, Isla Palenque for months. Thankfully, intervention by the courts and the police have diminished his harassment in the flesh, so he is now harassing us on this forum. Please watch out for him, especially on Panama-related pages. Thank you, Flimoncelli (talk) 20:53, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

From what I can tell, the disruption has been done at the Spanish Wikipedia so far from the sockpuppet, the
Palenque Island has seen no activity since the original account was blocked, and Index of Panama-related articles has a list too long to scour through for one editor's mischief but I suppose it's worth noting. -- Atama
21:53, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
I assume that
WP:SPI is the place to take it. David Biddulph (talk
) 22:05, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
I totally missed that. Thanks for pointing it out. You're right that I had to hunt around a little to figure out what was going on, links would be helpful next time. I'd like to add that if MRAgentOrange is a sockpuppet, their request was reasonable and was fulfilled. -- Atama 00:03, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Queen moves

I have undone some unilateral moves of

talk
) 07:55, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Where is the discussion about royal and noble article titles? [tk] XANDERLIPTAK 04:19, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
On the individual article talk pages (live discussions listed among non-related pages at
talk
) 07:32, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Serial IP vandal

I am hoping that you something can be done about a serial pest who has been vandalising wikipedia since late 2007. He is an IP hopper so any block is pointless as are locking articles because he will just find a new one. This person has about a dozen articles or topics that he will mess around with as you will see from my list. I'm hoping that it would be possible block his IP range?

The 60 odd IPs that I've listed aren't even close to the actual number of addresses he has used here to vandalise but should be enough to give you an idea of the extent of this nuisance and also of the IP range he uses (I admit I don't understand this stuff so don't even know if this is going to be workable). Geolocate reveals the following information, consistent for each and every one of the IPs -

  • ISP: Telstra
  • Domain: Bigpond
  • Weather Station: ASXX0230 - MOUNT LAWLEY PERTH METRO

Over the last couple of weeks an admin has had to block 2008 VFL season, Victorian Football League, The Critic, Australia's Funniest Home Videos and Werribee Football Club. He is more active then he has ever been and I'm getting sick of cleaning up after him.

As it's a long list I've created User:Jevansen/IP Vandal. You will find the IPs listed along with some articles or topics that he has edited in brackets to help prove they are all from the same author. Below the list is a legend which explains each topic and gives examples. I hope it helps and I REALLY hope that something can be done. Thanks! : ) Jevansen (talk) 04:41, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Consider filing at
WP:LTA. Cheers!  :-)   Thorncrag 
04:46, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Thanks for your quick response. If I'm not mistaken I believe Wikipedia:Long-term abuse is for those with actual accounts rather than someone using IPs. That leaves Wikipedia:Abuse response which only allows reports where "The IP address has been blocked at least five times". This person ditches his IP after he has been blocked and starts using another one, so that criteria isn't going to be met. Anyone other options? Jevansen (talk) 05:14, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Discussion moved to user talk page.   Thorncrag  05:20, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
This is the right place. You've sort of burried the lead, which is that User:Jevansen/IP Vandal lists 60 IPs related to this issue. I note 4 ranges involved. Some of them are old. Which ones are active in the last month? Shadowjams (talk) 05:22, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
  • 58 range has been active as recently as August 29 but others from this range are from months earlier
  • 60 range was last used August 5 but again others are mostly older
  • Both the 121 range and 124 ranges have been the most used of late, with plenty of cases this month and last. Jevansen (talk) 05:43, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
and he's back again.... Jevansen (talk) 09:25, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Edit warring on Cryptozoology articles

An uninvolved Admin is needed to review the history for the page

MedCab docket. I would like an uninvolved Admin to determine if short-term page or topic bans are needed, or possibly a 1RR. I would very much like to avoid this case seeing arbitrationRonk01 talk
02:21, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

Really now, edit warring over
talk
) 02:25, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Thank you Ronk for looking into this. However, I would disagree with your assessment of the situation, and encourage you (and anyone else investigating this issue) to dig a little deeper with respect to the involved editors. Based on article history and the discussion page, it appears at the Bigfoot article 2 editors (User:Gniniv and User:Timpicerilo) are attempting to change the article from reflecting that the vast scientific consensus is that Bigfoot is not real to more POV weasel wording which gives increased credence to its existence without valid sourcing. When these editors were reverted by a number of others, they (very briefly) took their objection to the talk page before User:Gniniv decided to file a mediation request claiming bias.
I don't have any experience with Timpicerilo, so I can't speak to his edits. However, I do have a great deal of experience with Gniniv, and his history should very clearly attest to this sort of disruptive behavior on a variety of articles over the past number of months. Rather than adhering to
WP:BRD, he appears to be now engaging in "BRM", where as soon as his edits get reverted as opposed to consensus, he immediately goes to mediation. His last RfM
, which nearly resulted in him getting topic banned, should paint a pretty clear picture of his behavior and the impact it's had on the other editors who have attempted to work with him. This last debacle resulted in him sanctioning himself from contentious articles to avoid being subject to administrator intervention, but his self imposed sanction apparently didn't last very long.
There is nothing wrong with the Bigfoot article (at least which can't be solved by collaborative editing from good faith editors), and sanctions imposed on the article would be inappropriate and unhelpful. The problem is a disruptive editor. I've been considering taking this to ANI for some time, but I've been doing my best to avoid it. Alas, now that we're here... perhaps now is the time. I'm going to inform some other editors who have experience with this issue of this discussion. In the meantime, I would recommend reading through the
edits
02:53, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Well, clearly, the whole idea of Bigfoot's existence is fringe, but the point is that when Wikipedia deals with fringe theories, it must treat them as fringe, not as legitimate minority scientific positions. --Steven J. Anderson (talk) 07:18, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
  • Comment Also directed here, but I also have extensive experience with Gniniv. I don't see why another ANI about this editor is necessary. Cryptozoology is pseudoscience and we have a general sanction on pseudoscience. Trying to make the Bigfoot article sound more like bigfoot is real despite the mountains of facts it's not, is clearly editing against wikipedia policies. A year-long-block according to the general sanction would be well within order. — raekyT 09:18, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
  • Is that you proposing a year's community ban of Gniniv, Raeky? If so, I support. I have studied the recent History of
    Evidence regarding Bigfoot), would be appropriate, IMO. Bishonen | talk
    13:11, 13 September 2010 (UTC).
  • There are four Bigfoot articles? The mind boggles. Similar problems at
    talk
    ) 16:48, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
  • Oh yeah, we need a wildly POV Criticism of Bigfoot, why not? We have a bio of Jon-Erik Beckjord, the "interdimensional" alien Bigfoot "theorist", anybody remember that stubborn edit warrior? (Deceased in 2008.) "If it's far-fetched and unproved, Beckjord buys it." We have Bigfoot trap, articles on the Wild Man of the Navidad and the shy Mogollon Monster with its bloodcurdling scream. And a crapload of stubs about single Bigfoot books and Bigfoot movies. But this is the funny part: we have Bigfoot in popular culture ! I mean, what the ¶‰¢¥”"#€% kind of culture do the Bigfoots in the other articles belong to? Bishonen | talk 18:19, 13 September 2010 (UTC).
    • Native American culture, for one. And then there is actual North American folklore, as opposed to the crap Hollywood churns out; for example, as a kid we told each other that the Bigfoots that lived in the nearby mountains were the same as the Tibetan Yeti. (Not sure if that proves anything other than we Pacific Northwesterners take the stories far less seriously than some.) Of course, to write those articles would require some actual research & digging thru academic journals like Journal of American Folklore -- but I digress. -- llywrch (talk) 23:10, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
The same as the Tibetan Yeti? Well, you got that part right, both a lot of codswollop. --Steven J. Anderson (talk) 01:04, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Are you always that nasty about people's beliefs, traditions, & entertainment? I was merely pointing out that there is a lot more to the topic -- most of which is unrelated to this dispute. -- llywrch (talk) 16:04, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
  • I've made a couple of edits in the one article(1), and there are numerous problems that need the attention of fresh hands. 99.141.241.60 (talk) 18:40, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
  • To be fair, Bigfoot may be fringe, but its fringe with a following. There have been books on the existence of Bigfoot, a Discovery Channel Special (which found DNA that suggested that it might just exist). I know I saw an episode of Rugrats dedicated to Bigfoot. And this is just stuff that I have seen and read and I'm not exactly a follower of the phenomena. (The book was given to me)--*Kat* (talk) 18:52, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Gniniv, has anyone pointed out that your sig is unreadable? That doesn't help your case here. -- llywrch (talk) 16:20, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Bigfoot problem

I think that a significant amount of effort has been expended trying to improve blanket statements of majority consensus on these articles (
WP:Systematic bias without having me to blame as the scapegoat. I appreciate those editors who are of a similar mindset.--Gniniv (talk
) 04:45, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
You still don't recognize the problem. Considering I've spent months working with you nearly every day, I'm at a total loss as to how to express it better than I already have. This isn't about the Bigfoot article... it's about your approach to editing on wikipedia. You are not working collaboratively with other editors, and it has become a serious problem. As much as you talk about "overcoming personal biases", and "working towards NPOV", you are actually decreasing the neutrality of fringe articles via weasel wording and a gross misunderstanding of
WP:Weight
. However, this would not be a problem, since other editors have always been quick to revert you and discuss your edits in depth. The problem arises when you are unwilling or unable to understand the issues you're introducing, and when you insist on continually reintroducing them over and over again.
I mean, seriously Gniniv... I don't know how many editors have told you how many times that changing "scientists" to "mainstream scientists" in fringe articles is not increasing neutrality. You've been doing it for months! Every time an editor tells you it's not acceptable, you say "ok, I understand", and then I catch you doing it again a day later. I've played through dozens of possible explanations for your behavior in my head, in a desperate attempt to assume good faith... from a language barrier you hide extremely well, to multiple personalities (or roommates) editing under the same account... but none of them do it justice.
I would really love to see you contribute positively Gniniv. I really would... but after all I've tried, I see no way that's going to happen. Dozens of editors have worked with you for extended periods of time to help you adjust, and your behavior has only gotten worse. This new trend of opening mediation requests as soon as your edits get reverted is beyond disruptive. So were your repeated GA nominations of start-class articles a month or so ago. Nearly 98% of your edits to article space get reverted, and in all your time here, that number hasn't even begun to go down. I'd ask you if you understand what I'm telling you... but I know from experience you'd just say "yes" and the problems would persist. So... what would you recommend we do, Gniniv?
edits
05:54, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
My conclusion is (in ) 06:36, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
You still have a serious problem with the use of sources. As you know, you've just had an edit reverted by two editors (one of them me, the other Jess), at
talk
) 08:23, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
You're still missing the point... but you've clarified for me what the problem has been these past few months. You think wikipedia is biased, and the editors here share that bias... and so your goal has been to come in, guns ablaze, and single handedly fix that bias yourself... consensus be damned. That's not how wikipedia works. As I've explained to you repeatedly, wikipedia is collaborative; that it is free doesn't mean anyone can come in and
BRD
cycle is of tantamount importance, and it involves being able to hear and understand the objections raised by other editors... which you've universally failed to do.
This inability has lead you to grossly misunderstand
reliable
sources demonstrating prominence. I can't begin to explain to you (yet again) why this is wrong, since your fundamental assumptions about wikipedia, and your reasons for editing here, are so diametrically opposed to our mission. If you feel that you need to leave wikipedia for good, then by all means... but based on your previous history of "leaving" articles and then returning almost immediately, I'm not fully convinced it'll take. That said, I'd like to advise you that if you do decide to return in a few months, I'd be more than happy to welcome you back and work with you to edit constructively... with the understanding that if you return to these old habits or demonstrate you don't get why your behavior has been unconstructive, I'm not going to just "reset" and spend another 6 months assuming good faith.
Whether or not I see you back again, good luck.
edits
17:45, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.


This editor has been following me today on Catholic articles and reverting all my edits. Just now, over on Catholic Mariology he reverted all my work with one revert.

Revert on Catholic Mariology: [11]

At first I thought I'd deleted something by accident until I realized they were still following after I'd asked them to stop on my talk page.

[12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22]

Reverts on

Blessed Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic)

[23] [24] [25] [26]

They also followed me to WikiProject Catholicism

[27]

They are back on my talk page again right now. I've worked hard on these articles today and now it's reverted. Please help. Thanks.

talk
) 06:06, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

In addition, on the

Catholic beliefs on the power of prayer
talk page, History2007 moved my posts without my consent and fitted them into a section as if I was answering his questions. [28]. He has done this on
talk
) 06:51, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

I would like to see administrative action to address this problem. History2007 has been getting away with this bad behavior for far too long, and he's chased many good faith editors away from this topic with his POV pushing and edit warring. Viriditas (talk) 07:29, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Yes, please see:
User_talk:Malke_2010#WP:WIKIHOUND_warning I already asked Jclemens to comment, given that he is aware of the Afd situation that gave rise to this. It would also be good to ask User:Moonriddengirl to comment given that she is an Admin, Malke's "mentor" and advised her against her following me. History2007 (talk
) 07:51, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Please also see: User_talk:Jclemens#Admin_help_requested where he already commented on the issues. Thanks. History2007 (talk) 08:07, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
User History does appear to have been following Malke round and mass reverting her alterations claiming this and that, long term stable and such, it can be very upsetting to have your good faith work mass reverted like that.
Off2riorob (talk
) 12:51, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Article histories will show that User:History2007 was a prior contributor on the articles in question. Having worked with User:Malke 2010 for some time, I also suspect that these two share an interest in the subject that is going to bring them into contact again and again. They also have a fundamental difference of perspective that needs to be calmy and civilly worked out. I'd like to leave a more detailed comment here as Malke's mentor but I am unexpectedly dealing with a copyright "emergency". :/ --Moonriddengirl (talk) 12:57, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Okay, copyright emergency in lull. :) I suspect there are some misunderstandings here. For the two articles in question, User:History2007 was the immediate prior editor to User:Malke 2010: [29]; [30]. It is entirely reasonable that he would have been watching these articles. Too, a look at his Wikipedia talk space edits demonstrates that he didn't need to follow Malke 2010 to arrive at WikiProject Catholicism. They also are obviously using different definitions of "rmv", which per Wikipedia:Glossary#R entry typically means either "remove vandalism" or "remove." I suspect that is the basis for History2007's assertion that the articles were stable ([31]); Malke2010 seems to me to have meant it in the second sense ([32]). I suspect that they each are feeling significantly bruised at this point, History2007 because his work has been undone in a way that he felt implied it was done in bad faith and Malke 2010 because her work has been undone in a way she feels dismissive. I don't doubt they both feel harassed. I think these two need to come to some accord in the way they will work together and that History2007's suggestions below are sensible. Alternatively, I think they could benefit from mediation. --Moonriddengirl (talk) 13:24, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Seeking
WP:CALM

I thought about this issue and my suggestion is:

  • Malke and I voluntarily agree not to do any edits to Wikipedia for 3 days, except for reverts of clear vandalism by other, unrelated users, or developments within our own user spaces, or talk pages. This will achieve some calm and give me time to work on new "fun articles" without getting into debates.

Then we can seek 3rd opinions, one page at a time. I think this voluntary 3rd opinion path will be the best way to stop a heated waste of time for everyone. History2007 (talk) 10:31, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Calm is good. --SarekOfVulcan (talk) 12:46, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
I would like to speak on behalf of History2007. The encounters I have had with him were nice, friendly and focused on constructive edits. Although he clearly does not take enough time to explain himself I have only known him to mean well. --Faust (talk) 13:40, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
It's good to know you've had good experiences with him. :) I think the real question here, though, relates to the interaction between the two of them and how it should move forward. I don't think admin intervention is appropriate at this point; I think they have considerable more room to explore dispute resolution options between themselves before we hit the point of sanctions. History's suggestion of calm and perhaps some voluntary distancing seems a good one, but I am still inclined to believe (as I said above) that some voluntary mediation might have the best long-term effect. --Moonriddengirl (talk) 13:49, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Sorry, MRG, but I think that your being an admin has stopped others from coming forward here. And SarekOfVulcan, excuse me, but you came to my talk page with a petty concern which means you've obviously been watching the gross incivility of History2007 with no concern.
MRG, please look over these pages and then come back and look at the "instructions" History2007 has posted on this thread. First, he always break up a thread so others won't notice what has gone before. Second, he sets rules and makes demands. If you honestly examine what he's been doing over several wiki pages, you will see he's a disruptive, uncivil, bully, and if other editors had been doing this, they would have been blocked. I can't imagine
talk
) 15:03, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
oh so very not helpful

Block

Support.

talk
) 15:03, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

A divergence from the current line of discussion, but I have had issues with History2007 as well. I am an illustrator on Wikipedia, painting coats of arms and trying to add more art to this encyclopedia. However, History2007 has issue with me adding my paintings to Wikipedia, despite the fact I only add images where there are one or where I only replace poor quality clip art versions. History2007 and his two supporting editors have forum shopped, trying to ban me at the conflict of interest and original research notice boards simultaneously, both boards which ignored them. We agreed to have the heraldic WikiProject unofficially arbitrate, but that decision was ignored when there was no flaws found in my argument and History2007's argument was found unwarranted. So History2007 declared and informed me that an admin he picked would hand down a decision, but that admin also sided against History2007 and, again, the decision was ignored. See Talk:Pope Leo XIII for a bulk of the argument. Elsewhere on theOur Lady of Mount Carmel article, I have seen History2007 request protection to avoid discussion with an IP user. There is no reasoning with History2007, he is hypocritical and finds technicalities to ignore any compromises he agreed to (I am under the oppression that were the opinions to go in his favour, he would declare these binding decisions). A block would be appropriate, I would suggest three days, to give History2007 enough time to reflect on his actions and realize that his lone dissent can not impede the community and consensus. My apologies for the lengthy entry, thank you for your time and patience. [tk] XANDERLIPTAK 03:18, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

I am sorry Mt Liptak, but again I do not follow your logic. There have been as many breaches of Wikipedia policy in what you discuss, as there have been copyright violations on the Afd, namely zero. No copyright violations and no breaches, but enough of that, the reason I bothered to respond to it is that the Leo XIII issue brings about a key policy shortage within Wikipedia, namely "the lack of an image selection policy". And given that you have mentioned it here, I would suggest that such policy should be drafted. The reason Canterbury Tail could not provide a formal decision on Leo XIII was that he could not find a suitable Wikipedia policy to apply. I think such a policy is needed. As stated there, I am not sure where to suggest it but I will suggest it here and anyone please feel free to move the item below the suitable suggestion place:
Alas none of us is a mind reader, so we can not know why images get added. But suppose that an up and coming motor manufacturer, say
transmission that of a Cherry transmission and the image of a Disc brake a Cherry disc brake? (By the way, any Cherry executives reading this, please do send me a generous wire transfer for mentioning your name here.) And of course Etro can replace all images of gloves, scarves and shirts by distinctively colorful Etro designs. But this will tun Wikipedia into a marketplace, not an encyclopedia. I do not see a Wikipedia policy on this issue. And that is the source of debates therein: lack of policy. I would therefore suggest a coherent policy suggestion for how images are to be handled. But given the fragmentation issue humans will not be able to see the image distributions easily enough, and the best (and not difficult) way will be to have a bot that produces a report of "vendor presence" within Wikipedia. But the bot will need a policy. So I would suggest a policy discussion in the suitable place, then a bot design to provide such reports. History2007 (talk
) 13:12, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
This isn't something which is going to be resolved on ANI. My own experience with History 2007 has been overwhelmingly (indeed exclusively) negative, but ANI doesn't handle "this editor disrupts the project in myriad ways" complaints very well. Eventually someone will need to draft an RFC/U on him if this is to be handled properly. Chris Cunningham (user:thumperward: not at work) - talk 11:13, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
I have to note that Xanderliptak's comment was canvassed. While Malke 2010 removed the comment herself, I'm afraid there's little doubt that it still drew his attention to this conversation. That said, Chris Cunningham is exactly right. If there are problems with History2007, they need to be handled in teh proper form--and without 12:35, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
I was under the impression that it was only inappropriate to make "[a]ccusations about personal behavior that lack evidence". I thought I provided ample anecdotal evidence of hypocrisy when History2007 agreed two separate times to have an independent party arbitrate the argument, only to have him declare each invalid after the decision went against him. One of the arbitrators was hand-selected by him as an admin he had previously had pleasant interactions with. It seems to be the definition of hypocrisy: to appear to be willing to compromise and agree to arbitration, when in reality History2007 had no plans to abide by a decision unless it was found in his favour. But henceforth, I will refrain from such statements. [tk] XANDERLIPTAK 13:04, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.
e/c Don't worry Moonriddengirl, he has said worse than that, but I have learned not to let it bother me. He will say this and that, and next week it will be forgotten. The key is to take this as an opportunity to put in place an image selection policy that will last for long, so if you know where, please suggestit. Talk comes and goes. History2007 (talk) 13:21, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
WP:VPP may be the best place to start. --Moonriddengirl (talk)
13:22, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Grossly offensive comment on blocked user's talk page

Will someone with a mop please have a look at User talk:Negrosrslaves? Someone needs their talk page editing privileges removed. Yes, sigh, I will notify them... Drmies (talk) 05:48, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Talk page access revoked. AlexiusHoratius 05:54, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Seems like a pretty clear sock of somebody interested in the user last referenced on the talk page. Perhaps a CU check would be appropriate. Shadowjams (talk) 06:00, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
I think the user name is a "
bad name", maybe? "Negroes are slaves". It's "kind of" offensive... Doc9871 (talk
) 11:06, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
That's just one of several reasons that guy needed to be indef'd (and was). The fact it's a sock is fairly obvious. And this outrageous comment [33] which is what this section title refers to, even if his username were "I Love Everyone", is enough to put him on ice for good. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 12:22, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
This autoblock has affected me. The user - who I don't know, I should point out, must work for the same company as I do. We have limited internet access here at work, wikipedia being one of the few allowed site, and I do much of my wiki-ing from work. An IP block like this could potentially affect hundreds of users, as we all access through the same intranet. I'd also like to mention that this block has been awkward, as I couldn't request unblock, as my talk page access was also revoked. This may well be the same for other users. I've had to sneak to a third party company and use their internet access to type this. Asking such a favour could well cost me a cup of coffee. Yikes.
talk
) 16:27, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Enjoy your coffee, I IP Exempted your account. A man alone appears to have been autoblocked in June as well, so this is not a new circumstance - and the username that caused the block then (User:Pinniacle) might be another name to add to the sock hunt, if and when. UltraExactZZ Said ~ Did 16:51, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Not my coffee unfortunately - I meant that I would have to buy somebody else a coffee after they let me use their PC, and indeed into their building in the first place. As I have no real desire to out myself, I'll be deliberately vague, but I had to leave my own place of work and visit a supplier (just down the road fortunately) to be able to type the above comments. However - I'm back, in both senses of the word. Thanks Ultra.
talk
) 16:57, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

For how long should an IP sock be blocked?

Yesterday, I blocked 71.247.247.55 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log) for 31 hours as a nominally first time vandal. Their actions did look rather "experienced" and today Lothar von Richthofen provided this evidence, which I pass on:

You blocked the IP address 71.247.247.55 earlier today for repeated vandalism. I did some digging and found that the edit and reversions (1, 2, 3) made to the page Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/Climate change/Proposed decision strongly resemble edits made earlier this year by accounts permanently banned for sockpuppetry:
and possibly also this now-deleted edit:

In my opinion, there is no reason to reopen

WP:DUCK, but the IP should be blocked for more than 31 hours. My broom is a bit new, so my question is: how long? It's a directly allocated address, but an indef might be a bit controversial. I should note, that the IP has requested unblocking several times, promising that they will no longer vandalize. The reviewing admins were not impressed. Favonian (talk
) 08:48, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

I agree with your instinct. No reason to reopen another SPI on an obvious one. A few issues probably should factor into the length of an IP block. Indef is never appropriate on an IP.... but in some extreme cases a 3 year block is appropriate... in extreme cases. So long as there's a reasonable time-frame where if someone forgot about the whole thing it would go away, the block is justifiable.. I would suggest basing the decision on the variability of the address (if it's the same editor for 12 months then it's virtually a static address, block for any submultiple that editor's had the address) and also the spread of the IP. That's a basic approach, but there are definitely ISPs that fluctuate wildly and others that don't at all. Trust the edit history on the IP if there's a doubt, and use the IP range calculator if there's a question about collateral damage. There are plenty of IPs that change week to week and others that only change every few years. It's a trick to distinguish them, but if the same soft of edits show up years apart it's a strong sign. Just my opinion. Shadowjams (talk) 10:42, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
  • Sock IPs are usually blocked for 6 months or a year. Of course if it looks dynamic, you could use 1-3 months. –xenotalk 12:56, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Thanks both of you for your replies. In the concrete case, it's one single IP having performed no previous edits and which furthermore is directly allocated, so I don't think there will be any collateral damage. I will therefore extend the block to six months. Favonian (talk) 18:24, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Counti Iblis posting email - breaching confidentiality/copyright

As raised in the section above by Tim Shuba [34]. On User:Count Iblis/WikiLeaks, Iblis posted some or all of an email sent by Jimbo to Brews Ohare. Even though the content is not particularly contentious, the principle with emails has always been that content can only be posted on wikipedia with the permission of the sender. As Iblis proclaims the email to be confidential, I doubt he has the permission of the sender.

I have removed the text [35] which I suppose technically ought to be revdeleted. Offenders have been blocked for this action. Count Iblis should have a slapped wrist at least (it's the principle of the thing rather than a massive BLP violation in this case). Anyone care to administer the ) 09:27, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
I have deleted the page per
WP:IAR, since I considered the potential privacy violations were not covered in the drop down down menu and I was using admin privilege; thus restoration upon community consensus or policy basis requires no further reference to me. I have also not enacted any sanction or warning to Counti Iblis, as we are both partipants in a current ArbCom case. Again, this should have no bearing on any decisions made by the community in this matter. LessHeard vanU (talk
) 13:08, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
I would like to state that I have not had many dealings with Count Iblis, but my experiences with him have been that he is a sincere person and genuinely interested in creating a reliable encyclopedia. While not everything he does might be 100% decent, I am sure he has had a good reason for his behavior and that a serious and open minded conversation with him will prove to be enough. --Faust (talk) 13:14, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
It should be recalled that Count Iblis' advocacy for Brews Ohare (with or without Brews' consent or encouragement) in the weeks and months following the Speed of Light arbitration was sufficiently disruptive in style and tone that the ArbCom took the extremely unusual step of barring Count Iblis from continuing (Motion 4). The advocacy restriction expired at the end of June, simultaneously with the expiration of Brews' topic ban. Unfortunately, Brews' conduct on returning wasn't compatible with Wikipedia norms, and his topic ban was restored. If Count Iblis has returned to disruptive (and counterproductive) advocacy on behalf of Brews – or other editors, see #What happened to Tisane? above – then it may be appropriate to contemplate (or re-enact) a suitable formal remedy. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 13:48, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Nonsense, the motion was not passed because of disruptive behavior, at least from me. It was passed (without communiy discussion and input on its merits) to calm down the situation. ArbCom can take such rather unusual measures. It has nothing per se to do with disruption. Count Iblis (talk) 14:35, 14 September 2010 (UTC)


See
Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Amendment#Request_to_amend_prior_case:_Speed_of_light which was already filed; if a participant has returned to disruptive advocacy, that would be the best place to point it out. Ncmvocalist (talk
) 14:29, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Putting that email on Wikipedia was i.m.o. the right thing to do as it was directly relevant to the passing of two motions by ArbCom. Everytime that issue comes up, you'll have people who say that they don't understand why ArbCom passed that motion shortening Brews' topic ban. If I say that they did that on the instructions by Jimbo, there is disbelief because Jimbo usually does not interfere in ArbCom cases. Some weeks ago, someone demanded a link to my assertion when Brews was discussed here on AN/I and that issue came up. That's what motivated me to put that particular email on Wikipedia.

A big problem here is that on the log page of the ArbCom case, there is no transparancy regarding the motion, while that log page has the appearance of being very tranparant as every other minute development is logged. This leads to that scepticism when someone makes a statement that you can't verify on that log page. Count Iblis (talk) 14:22, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Wouldn't the simplest thing be to ask JW or the arbcom to confirm that they acted after JW asked them to look at it again, who knows maybe even amending the case to make it clear, rather then posting a private email without permission? Nil Einne (talk) 14:44, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Yes, I guess that's a better thing to do. Count Iblis (talk) 15:04, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Count Iblis does not have a history of counterproductive advocacy for Brews

TenOffAllTrades wrote in an edit summary that "I have a history of counterproductive advocacy for Brews". But what Ten conveniently forgets is that when everyone was geting sick and tired about incidents involving Brews after the ArbCom case (that case was supposed to settle the matter once and for all), I came up with some proposals and tried to get support from Ten and others here. I was attacked for doing that and no constructive way forward was possible because of the battlefield atmosphere surrounding this issue.

Consider e.g. what I was proposing: The topic ban would be relaxed so that Brews could contribute via his userspace, he would operate under some sort of mentoring agreement. So Brews would make proposed edits to an article on his userspace after he gets permission. It would be up to other editors to use what Brews has produced for Wiki-articles. Brews agreed with me that this would be a compromize he was willing to accept.


Clearly, had this been implemented, Brews would have contributed a lot to physics articles without causing any disruption at all to this day. But that's not what happened. ArbCom lifted the topic ban and decided to restrict me and others from commenting on Brews.

Then for Ten to bring up the fact that after the topic ban was lifted, Brews got in trouble again and raising the possiblity that I could have been invloved here, is just ridiculous. The whole dispute with me in this matter was always that according to Ten and others, rules are rules and whatever ArbCom had decided should stand, period. Me making proposals was disruptive simply for violating this dogma. Well, they've had there way, and it didn't work. What about that??? Count Iblis (talk) 15:59, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Lest anyone think that there is a coverup here or that I said or did anything inappropriate requiring a "wikileaks" expose, here is the full text of what I wrote in that email:

I've let the ArbCom know I want them to look more closely at this. I believe, and this is just a personal opinion from watching all this from a bit of a distance, that David Tombe's rather vigorous and wordy advocacy on your behalf has done a great deal more harm than good, actually.

I stand by that fully, and it isn't even remotely scandalous in any way. To claim that it is evidence of me instructing the ArbCom to do anything is ludicrous. I asked them to take a closer look. This is not unusual, and it is a role that I take that I am proud of - encouraging and coaching the ArbCom to be cautious and thoughtful. (Not that they need me to do it, as they are cautious and thoughtful by nature. Yet, I think it is good for me to advise, and particularly when difficult matters are brought to my attention, I hope that my advice sometimes is useful in helping to bring about a reflective moment of consideration. Our work is important.)
That David Tombe's vigorous and wordy advocacy was counter-productive is, as I said, a personal opinion, and one that I would not have made public. It was a private remark intended to be helpful to Brews Ohare. I don't have my archives handy, but I'm pretty sure that I said to David Tombe's face that his many voluminous and lengthy emails to me (filled with strong accusations and anger) and others were not helping anything. I don't think either Brews or David were in any way scandalized or offended by this email, and so I can't conceive of why it should have been made public as if it were some kind of expose of something.
Count Iblis, I think you owe me an apology, not so much for posting the email (though that was wrong) but for implying that it was some kind of "wikileak" of any importance.--Jimbo Wales (talk) 20:34, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Jimmy, please strike your request for an apology. It is not appropriate to ask for one. Let the other person apologize if they wish to. Only then does an apology have any value. (It is however proper to say something like "I think you made a mistake when you...") Jehochman Talk 20:40, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Oh please. If Jimmy wants to ask for an apology, let him. Why do you feel the need to micromanage his personal interactions? Fences&Windows 01:27, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Jehochman is advocating on behalf of me :) . But I'll say that I apologize for having caused any misrepresentations by posting the email. Count Iblis (talk) 04:04, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Jimbo, When I saw your letter, the only conclusion which I drew was that you were misinformed about the whole situation. It's hard to see how anybody could believe that Brews's predicament had been made worse by my advocacy. There were a series of administrative actions regarding Brews from about February through to April of this year, and I did speak up on Brews's behalf at all of those actions. But if I hadn't spoken up, I doubt if it would have made any difference whatsoever. This whole problem has been badly mishandled from the outset. Compare it with the manner in which the Monty Hall problem is being handled. As a matter of curiosity, I took a look at the Monty Hall problem a few weeks ago. There are some editors there who have been pushing a minority point of view over a long period of time, and never have any of them been treated in the way that Brews or myself were treated over the argument at 'speed of light'. The mediation committee have now become involved at Monty Hall, yet that option was never on the table for 'speed of light'. You mention about the anger. Yes, sure there was anger. There was anger because of the persistent lie that those who held the point of view that Brews and I held were being disruptive. There is a major distinction between expressing a point of view on a talk page on the one hand, and being disruptive on the other hand. And as regards Count Iblis, he didn't even agree with the point of view that Brews and I were advocating, yet he had the honour and common decency to speak out for our basic rights. He saw that the treatment of Brews and myself was wrong, and that it had no precedent in similar situations at climate change, thermodynamics, or other articles that involved prolonged disputues. It would be much more profitable if the administration would admit its mistakes, rectify the injustices, and move on. David Tombe (talk) 11:47, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

... yeah. I think you just underscored Jimbo's point. You might want to stop "helping" for now. — The Hand That Feeds You:Bite 13:41, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Why would Jimbo think that it's necessary to defend himself from "scandalous" behavior and take the trouble to assert that his “instructing the ArbCom to do anything is ludicrous” ? I'd hope that in fact he would feel very comfortable doing just that: telling ArbCom when they have made inappropriate decisions. It's odd that Jimbo would want to back away from this suggestion that he is a moderating influence over ArbCom excesses.

Of course, as a matter of politeness, and as all agree, Jimbo should have been consulted before posting his innocuous communication, but for Jimbo to take the view that this posting placed him in a very, very bad light is, well, most peculiar. Such an exaggeration appears very out of character and devised to make the posting into a cause célèbre when it is only a faux pas. Brews ohare (talk) 16:09, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

I didn't say the posting placed me in a bad light - I said the opposite. My email was harmless. I reposted it to prevent any casual observers from drawing the conclusion that some inappropriate email from me was being "leaked" and then censored by the community.--Jimbo Wales (talk) 16:29, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

This clarification is helpful. The posting was impolite, but harmless, save for the remote eventuality that a casual observer unaware of context might erroneously draw mistaken conclusions that the posting was some "tip of the iceberg". Brews ohare (talk) 18:00, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Count Iblis has apologized to Jimbo, are we okay here now? I think this was all a misunderstanding but things look to be cleared up. -- Atama 21:00, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Aorist

Some admin attention is needed here and here. Move-warring by User:Pmanderson. ·Maunus·ƛ· 00:47, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

*eyroll* we just got through an RFC/U with this individual BB7 (talk) 00:54, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
  • Indeed there is attention needed.
  • User:Kwamikagami has just moved the page to Aorist, in the middle of a move discussion. He has left the talk page behind, which makes this slightly less disruptive to the move request, but he has also used admin powers in a dispute in which he is involved, and on a page on which he has revert warred repeatedly. Septentrionalis PMAnderson 02:55, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
  • If this war continues, perhaps move protection would be merited? Heimstern Läufer (talk) 08:05, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
    • Kwamui has just "closed" the move request after less than a day. Can we have this patent abuse undone please? Septentrionalis PMAnderson 16:33, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
  • Sep isn't a newbie. He knows better. He also knows that I reverted his move warring before seeing the move request; IMO it would've been silly to leave it open after restoring the article. — kwami (talk) 18:19, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
    • Kwamikagami knows better than to close a move request in which he is involved; he knows better than to close a requested move in 24 hours. He should be penalized and the move request reopened. Septentrionalis PMAnderson 18:52, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Oh, come off it. You should have made the move request, esp. per
WP:BOLD after your first move was reverted by Maunus. Taivo only made a restore request because he couldn't override your move warring; I reverted it immediately upon seeing the edit summary, and only then saw the move request. This isn't your article. You have been here long enough to know this. — kwami (talk
) 19:14, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Kwami is correct. PMAnderson moved this controversial article without getting consensus and was reverted by Maunus. PMAnderson then began edit warring by moving the article two more times against consensus despite Maunus' warnings to stop his edit war. I initiated the Move Request only because, not being an admin, I was unable to revert PMAnderson's third move. My first attempt to override PMAnderson's actions was a 3RR report, but since he had technically only reverted twice, it was denied. I then filed the Request for Move in order to get the article back to its original title. Kwami was completely in his right to revert PMAnderson's edit warring and to restore the status quo title. --Taivo (talk) 19:35, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
These two do little but revert war to impose a POV on this article; see its history. Septentrionalis PMAnderson 19:43, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
But that POV is the consensus POV of every editor involved with the page except for you. You also need to learn to read the article's history better--there are at least three or four other editors who have also reverted your single-minded edits. --Taivo (talk) 02:28, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Diffs, please. In mere fact. I have been reverted by Kwami and Taivo only. Their obscure and inaccurate text has been objected to by Cynwolfe, Akhilleus, Wareh, Amphitryonades and Radagast3 (and I'm sure I'm forgetting somebody). Septentrionalis PMAnderson 03:19, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
What a limited memory you are displaying. Marknutley and your move war with Maunus, and that's just within the last 48 hours. And the "objections" you refer to are not due to content, but to writing style. Your objections have nothing to do with writing style and everything to do with pushing your own POV. You still stand absolutely alone in your POV edits. And you continue to use tags as a disruptive
edit warring tool. --Taivo (talk
) 06:35, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
  • The aorist inflection is a controversial topic? Welcome to Wikipedia. -- llywrch (talk) 16:33, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
    • Welcome to the world at large. ☺ This comment makes for interesting reading. In truth, this isn't a controversy that's limited to Wikipedia. I can point you to several sources that document disagreement, from the past two centuries alone, over what the aorist connotes. There's a whole sub-branch of Biblical scholarship, for example, that deals with the use of the aorist in the New Testament and what precisely the writers meant by it. Uncle G (talk) 17:03, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
      • I'd believe that there was a controversy over it if I actually understood what the word meant. (I'm still not even certain if it is a tense, mood, or voice -- or something else entirely. And no, please don't explain it to me here; let's stay on topic.) Then again, I know lots of blood have been spilled over the nature of Christ, & I have a hard time figuring out just what the importance of all of that hair-splitting is. (And gain, please don't explain it to me here.) -- llywrch (talk) 18:19, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
        • Can you believe anyway, without understanding? ☺ Because this definitely is one of those things that has its roots in the world at large, and isn't solely something that Wikipedians randomly decided to disagree over. The real problem here, of course, is that the Wikipedia editors have, here, rather lost track of the fact that the whole point of the exercise is to have a nice encyclopaedia article about the aorist, from which people in your position can learn, explaining the thing from the ground up. Uncle G (talk) 19:54, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Inappropriate closing of page move, threats by User:Petri Krohn

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.


This user closed a requested page move before any consensus had formed, and after he himself participated in the page move. My understanding of

talk
) 20:55, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

As a general rule, participants (i.e. PK) in such a discussion ought not make such statements as were made - including the weird aside about Sandstein, who is a reasonable person. Collect (talk) 21:02, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
More importantly, someone who participates in a requested move discussion to advocate a particular outcome (as Petri Krohn clearly did) should not close the discussion and implement their own recommended outcome, particularly not when there is no obvious consensus for that outcome. --RL0919 (talk) 21:10, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
I had already turned this issue over to Sandstein. He is a very reasonable person and I have full confidence in his ability to deal with the Balkan disputes. He has also just recently blocked indefinitely at least one editor involved in this dispute who was treating Wikipedia as a nationalist battleground. The move discussion at
Talk:Occupation of Ottoman Albania shows that others involved may have similar attitudes. -- Petri Krohn (talk
) 21:12, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Petri, that doesn't appear to deal with your actions that are under discussion here.) 21:16, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Exactly. Misbehavior by other editors is not a justification for an admin individual closing a discussion in which that admin individual participated. If Petri wanted to bring in another admin to help with the situation, he should have done so earlier in the process, not after closing the discussion and moving the page. It wouldn't matter if every other participant in the discussion had been blocked by uninvolved admins; Petri was clearly
WP:INVOLVED and acted anyway. --RL0919 (talk) 21:21, 14 September 2010 (UTC) Fixed mistake of my own presumption per comments below. --RL0919 (talk
) 23:28, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
The original request was to move the article from
I will copy my closing statement here so you will have some idea of what this is about.
I do not quote understand what User:Athenean wants here. In the discussion he was arguing for
Occupation of Albania (1912–1913), but I do not think that is what Athenean is requesting. -- Petri Krohn (talk
) 21:26, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
It sets a quite unacceptable example for you to comment in the discussion and then to close it, especially given the context. I've moved the article back to where it started since I believe that endorsing your closure would set a very bad example in an area of Wikipedia where editors need no more bad examples. If you believe the matter is being tainted by Balkan nationalism, then get more input. Advertise a requested move via an RfC, or posting something at the village pump. My attitude to the Balkan Wars and to Albanian nationalism is not so much neutral as don't give a fuck, so I should have no axe to grind here. Angus McLellan (Talk) 21:30, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
You may have missed something. I am not "involved" in the disputed. I responded to the request for outside help at
Geopolitical ethnic and religious conflicts noticeboard. You mention "something the village pump." The ethnic conflicts noticeboard is exactly where these disputes are supposed to be posted to. No one else from the outside has shown any interest in the issue. Anyway, It is good to see the enthusiastic response the issue has now attracted. -- Petri Krohn (talk
) 22:12, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Petri posted this comment to Sandsteins talkpage after this thread was opened...

I have responded to this request at the Geopolitical ethnic and religious conflicts noticeboard and closed a long overdue move request with a compromise move to Occupation of Ottoman Albania. As expected everyone is not happy – or at least some people may feel that they need to make some noise. I am now withdrawing from the article and the discussion and formally turning the issue over to you. I have warned the participants, that the ethnic POV-pushing attitudes shown in the discussion would likely lead to blocks and bans. If you see any disruption, I suggest you use your ban hammer freely. -- Petri Krohn

Translated ... I have closed a controversial move request that I was involved in and as I expected my action has caused disruption and some people are upset that I did it. Now that I have done that I am dropping out and leaving the mess in your hands, they are all ethnic pov pushers. I have warned them and feel free to block them freely.

) 21:28, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Nicely delivered. Great translation skills. Dr.K. λogosπraxis 21:38, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
  • Note: Page was moved back by Angusmclellan (talk · contribs) to the title that has been in use since March 2010. It seems further discussion is required here, so I've move protected the article for 1 week. Any uninvolved administrator may modify this action if they feel I have erred, or after consensus is reached. –xenotalk 21:30, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Since somebody apparently mentioned me, this is just to note that I have not been notified of this discussion, have no involvement in this matter, and no desire to have any. But while I'm here I fully endorse what Angus McLellan says above.  Sandstein  21:52, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

You won, I lost. Or more like the Albanians won and the Greek lost. I will now crawl back into my cave in shame.
My actions here were motivated by two things, 1) A desire to solve some of the worst ethnic disputes on Wikipedia. 2) Learn skills in handling difficult ethnic disputes. The Balkans have beaten me to it – normal logic just does not seem to work. I was in the strong belief that the compromise, proposed by someone in the discussion would in fact please all parties. Least of all did I expect the Greek side to object to it. -- Petri Krohn (talk) 21:57, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
It's not that you didn't try Petri. It's rather that you came initially into this as a Knight in shining armour and ended up exiting as a cowboy with all guns blazing. It is this role reversal that created these problems. Dr.K. λogosπraxis 22:10, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Point of information - Contrary to what was posted above, PK (afaict) is not an admin. --Steven J. Anderson (talk) 23:03, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Exactly. I was BOLD and possibly Ignored All Rules. I did not even try to act in the role of the neutral administrator as RL0919 seems to imply. My BOLD decision – done after thorough consideration – was based on the assumption that it would in fact receive unanimous support. If it did not, then let it be undone. However, I still do not see the indication that Athenean is requesting that the old status quo be restored. If we are to continue with the two week old discussion this article is not going to go anywhere, least of all to where Athenean wants it. -- Petri Krohn (talk) 23:17, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
P.S. (and edit conflict) – By "unanimous support" I mean that no one makes an explicit request that I undo my actions. General sounds of displeasure do not count. I still have the feeling that Athenean is not asking for me or anyone to undo my action, but is instead somehow trying to wikilawyer this into his favored outcome. Maybe I am wrong. -- Petri Krohn (talk) 23:30, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
My mistake, fixed above. But the point is still correct that you should not close discussions that you participate in,
WP:BOLDly or otherwise. IAR is one thing, but that was foolhardy. In any case, the close has been reversed (which I would have done myself if I had realized it was NAC), so discussion can continue, however productive that may or may not be. --RL0919 (talk
) 23:28, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
To further clarify, my note was not meant as an accusation, merely a clarification. --Steven J. Anderson (talk) 23:41, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
I should have clarified this earlier myself. I have added a note on my philosophy on my talk page. -- Petri Krohn (talk) 23:52, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Ok. AGF and unfamiliarity with the relevant procedures and policy covers this. It appears that Petri Krohn understands what was wrong here. Petri, please don't do that again. I think with that, we can close the discussion down... Georgewilliamherbert (talk) 02:25, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Role of the ECCN noticeboard?

The wise men of AN/I putting a lid on the Balkan problems.

Another point to considered:

This issue is already discussed on another administrators' noticeboard, the

Ethnic and religious conflicts noticeboard
. Opening a new thread here may not have been appropriate, overruling the other board even less wise. It is as if suddenly the wise men here have seen themselves wise enough to solve the problems of the Balkans. Well, emperors tired and failed.

Most important, the discussion and actions here seriously undermine the status and usability of the ECCN board.

It is my belief, that consensus on the ECCN board allows me to take bold or even drastic action. After all the ECCN board is an administrators' noticeboard and equal in status to this one. It is not a place for idle chat. As you can

clearly see
on the noticeboard, I have recorded my action there. It has already been put under the widest possible scrutiny. As it has not been contested, I feel it has the support of the community.

It is not my fault that the discussions on ECCN attract so little participation. I would welcome a situation where the board was streaming with bold administrators with the skills and understanding to leap into any hot dispute.

To add any weight to the ECCN noticeboard we should have something like the following recorded somewhere as a policy or ruling.

-- Petri Krohn (talk) 09:19, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

I am wondering how well known and how generally accepted that noticeboard is. I wasn't aware of it although I sometimes try to help out in this general area, and I am not seeing much participations there by the admins who first came to my mind in this context. I am sure this thread has contributed a lot to an awareness of ECCN. Maybe it would be a good idea to occasionally transfer a discussion from ANI to there to increase general awareness and put it on more people's watchlists. Hans Adler 13:24, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Wikipedia has a number of these smaller boards. Every so often, someone comes along who thinks AN/I and AN are drama magnets and get too much traffic, and they try to break it out into these other subforums. They usually promise to patrol AN/I and AN and move appropriate posts to the subforums. What always happens is after a couple weeks people stop patrolling and moving, and we end up with a lot of unwatched subforums with unclear status. To wit: Wikiquette Alerts is basically a recreation of
WP:PAIN; the latter was closed down years ago. Burpelson AFB (talk
) 19:07, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Excellent job with that Balkan picture! Anyway, as another nonserbian nonalbanian nongreek nonbalkaningeneral editor who has participated in the coversation, let me say that there was no clear consensus I could see on either the ECCN or the talk page (be it from nationalist prejudice or whatever). The discussion on ECCN do seem to stagnate though, I've had it on my watchlist for awhile (no idea why) and it barely ever pops up. Chipmunkdavis (talk) 19:54, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
I think ECCN is potentially a good thing. As far as I can tell the nationalism problem has about the same size as the fringe problem, if not bigger, and the fringe noticeboard is quite successful. If enough editors willing to give neutral input put ECCN on their watchlist, it could be very useful. Hans Adler 22:29, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Article Alert Bot Bug/Requests Issue

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.


OK, I am taking over the article alert bot, I got it approved by the

WP:ANI. [37][38] Joe Gazz84usertalkcontribsEditor Review
22:49, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Actually I referred you to
WP:3O too ;) -- œ
22:54, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Where was this discussed between the two of you, so we know the whole story? Your diffs are just showing an edit war. -- Atama 00:08, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Oh for fuck's sake, I want to work with you and you take me to ANI. I managed the Article Alerts since their inception, which is about two years now, making sure things run smoothly and that communication between the community and the coders/operators if fast efficient and smooth. I'm archiving resolved/outdated bugs and feature request to save you work and you revert me just because it's not you who archived them.
You really can't work with people can you? Maybe we should look for someone who can handle working the community to code the bot.
books
}
00:22, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
The discussion was at this location.This user is not keeping a cool and arguing, as the coder and operator, I should be allowed to run a system that allows ME to get things done. I am the one who will have to do the fixing and features, the current system is scattered and does not work for me. I already got approved here, Wikipedia_talk:Bot_Approvals_Group#Taking_Over_Bot to take over the bot. My ticketing system works for me. I can get along with the community. I am working with another user and this user is someone who will help me with the user aspect, when I get the bot going this other user will be helping me anyway. I also as the coder and operator, I also believe I have a right to choose who I want to help me with the user community part, because we can work well and we can get this system to work well. Joe Gazz84usertalkcontribsEditor Review 00:50, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Whatever happened to "The customer is always right"? Does it not apply to bot programmers? Beyond My Ken (talk) 00:48, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
With my system the user also gets a email reply when the ticket is handled. It is not difficult to do. It makes it a lot easier for bot of us to get it fixed/added when it is that way, therefore making the customer happy. Headbomb is not a customer he is also like an employee taking inventory. He is not a customer either. Sometimes change is not a bad thing, people need change, if this does not go well, I am willing to go back to the other thing, I just would like to try this. Joe Gazz84usertalkcontribsEditor Review 01:17, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
You two could make a great team if only you'd come to a compromise and figure out how you could work together.. I think sacrifice is the key.. one of you has got to give.. and defer to the other for the sake of the net benefit to the project.. whoever that is is totally up to the two of you.. -- œ 01:47, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
We could, I think change is good from time to time, and if this does not work than we can go back to the other system. I have someone who I have who is going to maintain the userpage and talkpages for the bot. So we need a system that they can use as well. Joe Gazz84usertalkcontribsEditor Review 11:21, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
  • What's the problem with having bug reports on an email ticket system? Protonk (talk) 20:32, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
We already have two well-structured pages dealing with bugs and requests. If we add yet-another place to report issues and requests, that's even more pages to follow, two different archives that partially overlap, and we'll need to keep track of parallel and duplicate discussions. The "help center" is also login-based, which means that people will want to report and issue, then say "fuck it, it's not worth the trouble". Several people have interest in Article Alerts, and they will want to follow things on their watchlist, they don't want to go through hoops to find out about new bugs and requests, which have been fixed, declined, or needs more discussion.
Take
WP:AWB
for example, which is an even larger project than this. They don't use a ticket system exactly for these reasons, people who are on Wikipedia want to do things on Wikipedia. When you add a layer between developers and users, you lose users, thus you lose eyes, and thus you lose a sizable chunk of the feedback which you need to improve what you are making. Joe Gazz wants to have his ticket tracker "until he gets the bot up and running", which should apparently take a week or two, upon which he's open to switch to the old system. Do we really want to fork the support pages for two or so weeks' worth of issues? There will most likely be not one request, and not one bug report until the bot is up and running again.
The ticket system might have been a good idea back when AALERTS were created, but they've been here for roughly two years now and are well-implemented, switching is just not viable. Joe Gazz could easily watch the Bugs and Feature Request pages, and subscribe to them by RSS, but he just doesn't want to. His whole attitude is simply "Now that I run the show, I am above you and you will bow to me", which is utterly revulsive.
books
}
21:00, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
To be honest, part and parcel of relying on bot writers and operators for tasks is working with them on issues. My question related to the existential importance of the ticketing system itself versus an on-wiki solution. If it isn't a BFD to have a ticket system, then we should just do that. If we are rolling in other problems like trying to fight a broad meta-debate over bot control then that isn't important to me. Also, if this is a switch for two weeks, why not just have the system switch for two weeks? Seems like that is preferable to having a two week long argument. For the Joe, is it possible to just deal with the wiki system? If you are planning to eventually migrate to that could you just avoid this mess and migrate early? Protonk (talk) 21:16, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
There's no problem with using an off-wiki issue tracker. There is a problem with requiring the use of it. Bot operators are required to be responsive to the community. The community's standard method of communication is the wiki. If he wants to use the system, that's fine, but he does need to listen to on-wiki complaints. A complaint left on a relevant discussion page (the bot's talk, the operator's talk, the project page) should not be ignored simply because they aren't where the operator prefers them. Mr.Z-man 22:01, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
I have no issue with that, however I would like to leave the link and still allow users to add things to the page. That is fine with me. I will not ignore on the page, I will add a link to how to create something on the page but by the canter add (preferred). Is that OK? Am I not being reasonable with this comment, if not tell me. Joe Gazz84usertalkcontribsEditor Review 22:06, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
No it's not, because that forks support pages, and makes it hell for people to follow things.
books
}
22:09, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
I just want to put out there that this is not that hard. You click the link, not mattering what page you click it on, and it shows you all the issues you added so you can find yours easily. They all come on one screen. It is not forking. We can make the link in the header go to the help center. Then it is not forking. I am about to screw this and not get the bot going because of the inability to work with this user. This is a long missed bot and I can get it to work. I think I deserve a little more respect than what I am getting from this user. Can I get an admin comment on that? Joe Gazz84usertalkcontribsEditor Review 22:19, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

(edit conflict) Here's my take on the matter, both as an editor and a BAGger. Note I don't speak for all of BAG.

  1. I don't know whether xeno considered the operator or just the code, but either way given the situation here I think an actual
    WP:BRFA
    would be appropriate.
  2. Quite simply, you must respond to on-wiki issues per
    WP:BEANS
    , it is completely legitimate for people to insist that communication regarding their issues take place on-wiki and not through your ticketing system.
  3. Do keep in mind that even if you get approval, the community can revoke that approval at any time.

Anomie 22:18, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

I understand that, as I stated above, I would offer another option, of the on-wiki. I would add the link to the ticket sysyem but add (preferred by operator) and under it I would add a link for the on-wiki filing. Xeno did gove me the approval for just changing the API and nothing else. Which I am also having to operate the bot because the current op or coder is not active any longer. It may come to where the bot does need a new account because there is no password that has been given to be to load the bot to the account. In which case I will file a new
WP:BRFA. Joe Gazz84usertalkcontribsEditor Review
22:22, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

High profile user talk page fully protected

As a consequence of this week's Signpost coverage, things began to get ugly at Darius Dhlomo's talk page. I have therefore taken this action and this action to stop that. Uncle G (talk) 00:04, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

  • Not that he was taking much advantage of it, but at least before these actions the blocked user had an opportunity to respond and contribute about the mess he created.

    I agree some of the comments were out of line, but I think deleting just them would have been more reasonable, and the discussion I was engaged in was not inappropriate (about whether serial plagiarism indicates maliciousness or is merely a "mistake").

    On a closely related note, I resent being accused of harassing anyone, as I was, without basis, by

    WP:HARASSMENT, by definition. --Born2cycle (talk
    ) 00:58, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Born2cycle - We have explicit policy against "tap dancing on blocked/banned users' graves", either on their talk pages or on noticeboards. Your posts on his talk page seem to have included some that fit into that category.
I understand your intentions and motivations, and I don't feel you're a bad user per se, but please don't do that again. It doesn't make Wikipedia look good or you look good. Thank you. Georgewilliamherbert (talk) 01:46, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Yes, feel free - file a complaint about me asking someone stop harassing a blocked user. UncleG's actions were clearly and obviously called for, and as one of the admins who denied a Darius unblock, I also felt it necessary to protect the same person from what has already been called "dancing on the grave" (
BWilkins ←track
) 09:24, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
PS: It's a ) 09:27, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
I suppose this is a wise move for now, to prevent a rush of hot-headed comments. But do keep in mind that
Darius Dhlomo's future at Wikipedia is a discussion that will indeed need to be held someday. But you are right, now is not the time for it. --Dorsal Axe
03:47, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Protecting DD's user and talk pages is the right thing for now. There is a ban discussion on the now-rather-large ANI/CCI subpage, but I can see how it would make sense to wait for things to settle before figuring out how to handle that. 67.119.14.196 (talk) 23:07, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Abuse of admin power - violation of AGF; threaten to block a user for harassment who hasn't harassed

Resolved
 – frivolous complaint Toddst1 (talk) 19:42, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Quick block

Could someone please quickly block the latest sock of

TALK
) 19:21, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Indef'd for disruption. I've not looked at the evidence for the socking so I'll leave the tagging to someone else. HJ Mitchell | Penny for your thoughts? 19:28, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
A checkuser blocked User:Ragusino. --Inka888 22:15, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Thanks for your time with this. He'll likely be back. --
TALK
)
23:02, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Cut and paste move help

Ruth Langsford has been cut and paste moved to Ruth Holmes. If an admin could sprinkle their fairy dust over it, appreciation would be felt. DuncanHill (talk) 19:48, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

 Done. Haven't done this in a while, so correct me if I screwed it up. But everything should be moved and properly redirected now. UltraExactZZ Said ~ Did 19:53, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Many thanks :) DuncanHill (talk) 20:04, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

BLPPROD template

Resolved
 – Time for a break! - Burpelson AFB 22:23, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Could someone take a look at the BLPPROD template invoked by Twinkle. It appears to have been altered to read (in part) Notification of User talk:Example is strongly recommended. Notify user.Notification template:

When I have used it before I think it just suggests notifying the article creator. Jezhotwells (talk) 20:52, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Sorry dumb request, just figured out what User:Example is. Time to switch off the computer!! Jezhotwells (talk) 21:10, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Disruptive editing from Xyz231

talk
) 15:12, 12 September 2010 (UTC)

On a side note, assuming him and Planeshift rpg are the same person, Xyz231 has COI and PlaneShift (video game) is the only article he edits. Tuxide (talk) 16:23, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
Why you continue to spit on people? You troublemaker. Xyz231 (talk) 12:52, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
...troublemaker? Well, thanks for dedicating your userpage to me I guess! Tuxide (talk) 14:54, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
OK I guess that didn't come out the way I wanted it to. My point was that the editor writes an essay on his userpage about troublemakers, and then he comes over here and calls me one. Furthermore, he responds in a personal way without even addressing my COI claim directly. If he is Planeshift rpg (talk · contribs) like we've been assuming he is, then that means he's one of the developers of the game and he shouldn't even be editing the article to begin with. Tuxide (talk) 04:29, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
The difference is that while my COI has just been speculated and anyway I think being a fan of a game should not be considered COI, yours is proven. Interesting how you immediately related yourself to my user page article. Xyz231 (talk) 07:28, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
I would says you've proven yourself to have a major COI here. You've never edited anything other then the subject article, we all edit many other articles. You are intent on pushing points about how fabulous this software is, while we're more interested in improving the article to good status, the goal of any good Wikipedia editor. Either you are a fanatical fan or are somehow related to the development team. Either way, this AN/I thread is related to your disruptive behavior as far as editing and personal attacks go, not to partake in name calling or incivility. SpigotMap 12:34, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Very unrelated point. The fact I'm just editing this page is because I started from it, but the history behind it, considering all the past reverts/changes/deletion/nomination for deletion made me so sick of editing Wikipedia, that surely I will not edit anything else on it in my life. I wanted to see if it was true, or if the previous editors were just unlucky, but it's really true! Now I know it for myself. Xyz231 (talk) 15:50, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
It wouldn't matter if I was Luca Pancallo himself because I don't even edit the article in question. Any claim here that I have COI is irrelevant. You on the other hand have COI. Tuxide (talk) 14:15, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Well, just searching your name on the internet bring up TONS of COI for you with PlaneShift. So just the above phrase should discret your other statements. Shame on you. Xyz231 (talk) 15:50, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Please point out how I have COI, and I would like to remind that whether I do is irrelevant because I don't edit the article. Tuxide (talk) 15:53, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
I want to nominate
talk) to be reviewed for ignoring the multiple explanations I've given to why those edits are correct, and for just calling my edits "disruptive editing" when those are solid and backed up with secondary sources. His claims are false, and my reverts were made because someone else as usual decided to bash the article and remove information from the page just because they clearly stated they hate the game. Xyz231 (talk
) 12:50, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
The edits are disruptive because you are editing against
policy. You've been told why certain things can't or shouldn't be included in the article and have been given ways to clean up the text, and had the article cleaned up to fall within Wikipedia standards, but you insist on reverting the article. You insist on attacking other editors and obviously have a conflict of interest as the only reason you seem to log in to Wikipedia is to revert any changes made to the article or attack other editors. SpigotMap
13:50, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Well, the PlaneShift (video game) (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) page holds the truth, as my user page, just read it and let's see who did disruptive editing. I'm the only one who added reliable information and sources to that page along with few others you managed to scare away. Now do as usual, and troll also this page. Xyz231 (talk) 14:12, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
As far as my own editing goes, I feel that I've been working within our policies and guidelines, I've tried building consensus, and I also tried working with Xyz231. If any admin would like to examine my behavior, I am open to any suggestions and/or enforcement that may come out of it.
talk
) 14:42, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

Incivility and personal attacks towards other editors

Instead of opening another case on another noticeboard, I feel this is the proper place to bring up this editors further incivility towards other editors. Here are some diffs of this users blatant disregard of policies and guidelines regarding

ownership of articles
. [45] [46] [47] [48] [49] [50] [51] [52].

The editor has essentially admitted to being the "director" (Luca) of this project with comments such as this. Why would a developer of the game know the year the director was born? Even if they knew, they wouldn't catch something like that.

This editor has shown no restraint in editing or attacking other editors and does not seem willing to abide by Wikipedia policies and guidelines, stating at times that they will "Continue to protect this article from vandalism". Vandalism meaning removing any information from the article, regardless of quality or policies. According to them, the article is supposed to be "fun" and "entertaining" to read, like a game magazine article or something similar. SpigotMap 14:25, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Another nice list of false statements. I'm really interested on what you will pretend to know next, sticking names and responsibilities to people and twisting the meaning of comments, when you never added a single good thing to the article. "No comment" really. Xyz231 (talk) 15:56, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Ah, one last thing, continue to bully around, call admins, ask deletions, and such, instead of just improving the article. That really identifies you as a "great editor"! Xyz231 (talk) 15:59, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Personally, I seriously doubt at this point that the

your article; it is everyone's. That being said, I understand your level of emotional attachment to the article and to the game itself; I watchlist quite a few articles in which I have been a huge fan of myself and that I have helped bring up to high levels of quality. It looks like you just need to step back a little and recollect your thoughts. Nobody is out to get you here, and in order for any of us to help you out, you first need to help us out by first laying off the inflammatory tone. You will get much better results and responses from others if you response with a better tone and rapport than what you are right now. –MuZemike
18:04, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

I understand that and I do my best, but it's hard considering the continuous bashing of the article happened over the last years, many editors decided to improve it then kind of given up, I joined recently and I found the same situation. Xyz231 (talk) 04:34, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Just to make another example, just today the usual bashers decided to remove even the creator name of the game, [53] [54] they just go on like that forever until the article is reduced to nothing. None can see the pattern here and stop them? Xyz231 (talk) 04:40, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Is there anyone who can give me some advice here? In order for the subject article to ever improve, we really need to establish that the editor in question has

OUTING. Tuxide (talk
) 17:27, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Outing occurs when you reveal personal information about an editor when that editor has made an effort to keep their personal information private. DoRD had determined that Xyz231 and Planeshift rpg were the same person, without specifying why. Perhaps if he were to comment we could clear that up. If indeed they're the same person then Xyz231 was self-outed and therefore the conflict of interest is already proven. -- Atama 18:07, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Never mind, it's blatantly obvious. Planeshift rpg was soft-blocked for a username violation and Xyz231 was created immediately after and took right up where the other stopped (which is allowed, that's the point of a soft-block). So they're without a doubt the same person. Since Xyz231 has admitted to being a developer, there's no question about COI. -- Atama 18:22, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

This is getting too far. Administrators action needed.

I got fed up by editing the english wiki, and so I started to port into the french wiki the parts of the article which are now part of the english one. After I did that, SpigotMap started to revert my edits there as well. This is too much guys, now he doesn't allow even to port those agreed changes in the french wiki?? I tell you, or you take action against him, or will be edit warring for ever. I'm not going to tolerate anymore this kind of censorship, bulling and indiscriminate bashing of this game by a person who clearly stated he hates the game and so should stay away from editing the pages. I ask you to block his user and be vigilant of further similar changes made by him. Xyz231 (talk) 09:05, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Agreed by who? There is no censorship here. There are however policies and guidelines, even on the French Wikipedia. SpigotMap 12:22, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
You need to appeal to admins at the French Wikipedia. We can't do anything here about his actions there. Even if he was blocked it wouldn't stop anything he did outside of the English Wikipedia. -- Atama 16:40, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
That's just the last strand, the majority of the issues are on the english wikipedia, documented in my talk page. Xyz231 (talk) 17:33, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
You claim on your talk page that SpigotMap "created an alt to fake the identity of the game creator"... Do you have evidence of that? Your diffs you provided show no link between SpigotMap and the blocked editor. You seem to imply that the editor was blocked for being a
legal threats. If this is just unfounded speculation on your part, you need to remove it immediately, defamation like that is not allowed. Also, you're pointing to edits that SpigotMap made up to 4 years ago as evidence of their problems; that far back I myself was a pretty clueless editor and made a bunch of mistakes too. Stretching back that far to make a case against SpigotMap seems somewhat petty. I don't see any evidence that SpigotMap is a problem, but the evidence against yourself seems to be mounting. Your most recent comments at Talk:PlaneShift (video game) are the last straw. If you continue that behavior, you'll be indefinitely blocked from Wikipedia. -- Atama
18:16, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Do what you want, I'm totally fed up by this, and if you guys don't get it, well, then there is really no point in explaining it more. Xyz231 (talk) 20:30, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Well, just a last one, SpigotMap got confused by all his alternate accounts (tell me if that's
sockpuppet or not) and managed to answer with the wrong user in his talk page [55] . It's not even funny anymore to me. Xyz231 (talk
) 22:14, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
That's only Tuxide commenting on SpigotMap's talk page. I do that sometimes too, commenting on others' talk pages. Sometimes people will even watch others' talk pages (see
WP:TPS for a page about it). That's far from a "gotcha", I think you're grasping at straws. -- Atama
23:49, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
SpigotMap and I are definitely not the same person. It's not like I enjoy talking to myself. Tuxide (talk) 01:46, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
  • Comment - Speaking of socks, "I will continue to avoid vandalism on the PlaneShift page, whatever it will take (new accounts, new IPs, or even asking the players to keep it sane). No troublemaker is going to win."[56]. It's been alluded to above, but this seems very
    ducky. Xyz231: you're not a sock of indefinitely blocked Planeshift rpg, are you? The behavior is exceedingly similar, you know... Doc9871 (talk
    ) 22:42, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Thanks for clearing that up - missed that part. Behavioral problems between the two accounts make more sense now: hopefully he won't make good on his threat if the renamed account is blocked. Apologies, Xyz231 :> Doc9871 (talk) 23:00, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Oversight request

[redacted] looks like a BLP problem. I reverted and I'm not overly familiar with BLP/oversight rules, but I think this is a candidate. Hobit (talk) 02:20, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

It is. In the future, however, please notify the oversighter team by email to avoid drawing additional attention to a potentially libelous edit containing personally identifiable information. — Coren (talk) 02:36, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Will do. Hobit (talk) 02:38, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

BPtruth Legal Threats?

Resolved

Using huggle on vandal patrol I reverted this [57] from the

Park 51 article. Is this a legal threat? I think it's needs to be looked at.--Torchwood Who? (talk
) 03:15, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

This user also vandalized Torchwoodwho's shortly after he posted this here. Rev ID: 385104225 --WolfnixTalk • 03:27, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

(edit conflict)

More on my talk page minus the legal aspect [58], reverted by another user.--Torchwood Who? (talk) 03:19, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Resolved User was indef blocked for continued attacks on other users and pages.--Torchwood Who? (talk) 03:24, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

DocOfSoc

Resolved
 – content issue, being worked out --
chat!
)
11:59, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
  • John Berry (singer)
    and I just can't seem to get through to him. His charges include:
    • Removal of a reliable source, claiming that he owns the album in question even though the reliable source I added says it wasn't released.
    • Addition of "ironically" in unencyclopedic tone.
    • False accusations of me
      Talk:John Berry (singer)#Another source
      )

Can someone help me set this straight? Ten Pound Hammer, his otters and a clue-bat • (Otters want attention) 00:37, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Will Beback (talk) and Doc9871 (talk) are discussing this with DocOfSoc. DocOfSoc is a hard-headed but good-faith editor who respects Will and Doc9891, so I'm positive about the outcome. Both Will and myself got involved with DocOfSoc through disagreements, later resolved extremely amicably, hence my positivity. Incidentally, DocOfSoc ain't a "him" ;-) TFOWR 10:55, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Yup, this is all mostly content issues. We're working on the talk page & article and have opened an RS/N thread to get input on one of the sources. Marking as resolved as it all seems amicable! --
chat!
) 11:59, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Odokee, again

Odokee (talk · contribs) has resumed editing and performing the same edits as per the other two times I've mentioned him here. In addition to the fact that he has resumed edit warring, he was found to have edited while as an IP last time. His latest edits: [59] [60] [61] [62]. I'm not going to bother with a talk page message to notify him of this because he's just going to remove it like every other one directed at him to change his ways.—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 00:57, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I have notified him for you. I think this is mandatory. Kindzmarauli (talk) 01:40, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Not when he'll ignore you, anyway.—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 02:06, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
(edit conflict)"You must notify any user who is the subject of a discussion. You may use {{ANI-notice}} to do so." Whether he ignores or not. It's called, "CYA"... ;> Doc9871 (talk) 02:15, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
What does this have to do with edits that are obviously incorrect? You can have "style" conflicts and get them deadlocked in arbcom discussions, but that isn't a factor here. Summaries of "Did you learn NOTHING?" doesn't explain it. - Odokee (talk) 02:10, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
"RPG", "DSi", "SP", and "Dr." aren't Japanese. Going 1:1 for these does not help the reader at all. Your thoughts on how to treat romaji do not reflect that of the rest of the project, and the fact that you keep going to pages and changing it to the way you think it should be because you think it's redundant or a "fake japanification" harms the project rather than helps it.—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 02:45, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I was asked to comment. I'm of the opinion that if the Japanese title uses English letters, there is no need to romanize that unless the letters being used have a substantially different meaning than what they'd normally be read as. "Dr." means "Doctor" and there is no benefit in simply writing it with a Japanese pronunciation. Most people would probably read it wrong anyway, romanization is rarely an accurate reflection of pronunciation. Interpretation of the writing varies wildly. That said, it was quite evident last time that Odokee has a communication and edit warring problem, the latter also shared by Ryulong at times. That said I'd recommend the following:

  • Both are topic banned from anything to do with romanizing Japanese text for 2 weeks to give them both time to think about.
  • Odokee is further topic banned from romanizing Japanese text in article space for 2 months. He's free to start and engage in discussions on the topics in talk space, or wikipedia/project space to discuss it in various places. The goal here is to get him to engage in constructive discussion. Its nice to see him actually respond here, but the constant blanking of notes and non-responsiveness we saw before needs to end.
  • Both should contribute a well thought out comprehensive solution including compromises to the central discussion formed on this topic.

That's my 2 cents.--

Crossmr (talk
) 05:49, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I primarily work in a topic area that deals entirely with Japanese text. I can't be banned from using romaji. It'd get in the way of me improving the project. I shouldn't be punished for making edits like this on a page that Odokee is not going to be anywhere near. And your proposal actually helps Odokee because he doesn't do anything with romaji other than remove it where he feels its unnecessary. Frankly, it's other users with your opinion on this area of romanization that got us into this problem in the first place. Leaving "Dr." as "Dr." when doing this is an unnecessary redundancy. Providing the text "Dokutā" is not going to hurt the project as much as it would to omit it entirely.—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 06:10, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
See
Crossmr (talk
) 07:29, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I edit the project every freaking day and most of that involves Japanese text. Odokee writes about videogames and has strong opinions on the inclusion of certain aspects of Japanese romanization. And as I stated below, I've undone several of my reverts (I still think that "Dokuta" is useful on
here. He can do what he wants so long as it isn't outright removal of something that is not romaji of English letters. My updating of various pages on this project should not be hindered because I edit warred with Odokee on completely different pages.—Ryūlóng (竜龙
) 07:40, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
In short, I don't want to be blocked for two weeks because I added a damn episode title to a page Odokee will never touch because someone will want to report me out of spite. I'm sorry I ever tried to bring Odokee's less than perfect behavior to light.—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 07:49, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I never suggested you be blocked. I suggested you two were topic banned for a period of two weeks to let the dust settle and go stretch your legs in other areas. You're free to even edit the same articles as long as it doesn't involved touching the romanization. I'm not sure why Muzemike sees it necessary to enforce the topic ban with a block, I would only see that as being necessary if one or both of you violated the topic ban. Simply put we can't have edit warring continuing over this issue, the reason I suggested a longer topic ban for the most contentious party and suggested you both write up a quality solution to the problem for discussion.--
Crossmr (talk
) 12:48, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I agree on Crossmr's topic ban proposal with two additions:

  1. Enforcement – A block for the remainder of the duration of the topic ban or 1 week, whichever is longer, any violation of the first condition.
  2. Both users must agree to this topic ban in order for this to be effective. Alternatively, community consensus for this topic ban may be attained if needed.

I'm not sure about the second condition of this, especially in the light of major drama coming forth as a result of this; I'm more inclined to disagree with the second condition for fairness reasons. –MuZemike 06:35, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

To avoid this unnecessary hindrance on my ability to edit this project, I've reverted myself on several pages and I will stop adding romaji for letters of the English alphabet, which is the source for this current edit war with Odokee. However, I still think that Odokee needs to be told that he should not ignore the requests of others by blanking messages on his talk page and going about his normal business, and that he should continue to work at
WT:MOS-JA to come up with a solution to the rest of the issue which is not for letters of the alphabet (which this currently is all about) but rather cognates. Because the arbcom sure as hell isn't touching this until it's gone through two other dispute processes.—Ryūlóng (竜龙
) 07:09, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
The second condition is a reflection of Odokee and Ryulong's behaviour. While they both edit warred last time around, Ryulong made attempts at communication which Odokee refused to respond to and engage in. He then turned around and socked to try and get his way. Fair is not everybody getting the same thing. Fair is everybody getting what they need/deserve. Odokee has a problem with communication and he needs some motivation and restrictions to encourage his communication. Ryulong would be remiss to ignore any attempts at communication on article talk pages and use the ban to push his view. as a clarification the 2 months for odokee isn't on him romanizing text, its on anything to do with romanized japanese text in article space, be it addition or removal or anything else.--) 07:29, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Calvin Gibbs image

Resolved

Calvin Gibbs but the person in the image is Spc. Jeremy Morlock [63],[64],[65] another soldier NOT Gibbs. I have remove the image from the article and would like to ask an administrator to delete the File as it has false information that can not be corrected. IQinn (talk
) 04:55, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I've deleted the image as a (now) unused unfree image and also because the image name itself presents
WP:IFD or a speedy deletion tag would also have worked.  Sandstein 
07:09, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Resolved
 – via indef. block. Those insertions crossed the line of disruption. Materialscientist (talk) 10:34, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Raj Kumar Gupta basti (talk · contribs)'s userpage contains his personal info: mobile number, address, email address, family info, etc. As seen from the various warning on his talk page, he has been adding those info on articles as well, the last being at Portal talk:Current events here. I think it's time for a block. Bejinhan talks 10:17, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

  • FYI, I have removed that personal info from his user page, IMO this is the sort of problem coming out of editors from India, most of these struggling young people thinks that they can do all sorts of unabashed self-advertising/promotion wherever it is freely available on the internet. We just have to tell them nicely and then convince them to move on to Facebook, MySpace or Twitter, as those sites are primarily for the use of social networking. Right now, the question is... is he reading those warnings we've templated? --Dave ♠♣♥♦™№1185©♪♫® 10:30, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
  • Well, it is very obvious he is not heeding all the warnings issued, per →this & →this edits. Time for an Admin to disable his ability to edit his own page(s)? --Dave ♠♣♥♦™№1185©♪♫® 12:28, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
 Done Syrthiss (talk) 12:34, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Cross-wiki harassment and personal attacks. For details, see:

User_talk:JamesBWatson#Personal_attack. If you need further information, please feel free to ask me. Your assistance will be much appreciated. Pinar (talk
) 13:04, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

User Indopug remove my comments on The Altenative Music project Talk page.

User:Indopug has twice now removed my comments on the Alternative Music Project talk page [66] [67], One I won't even get into it but Big Star is very relevant to alternative music and considered by most to be an alternative band. Two I'm not sure what gives him the right to police project talk pages editing them to fit his world view. 70.119.247.185 (talk) 22:06, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

I've notified the user. While I don't think that your request to add unsourced material to an article is wise, that doesn't give editors the right to remove your comments from a valid central discussion point. Chris Cunningham (user:thumperward: not at work) - talk 21:15, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Thing is
WT:ALM isn't "a valid central discussion point." The Wikiproject discusses alternative rock, a genre that began in the very late 70s. Big Star is a band that disbanded in 1974, so they aren't alt-rock. Hence the discussion is irrelevant to the Wikiproject, and per Wikipedia:Talk page guidelines, "Irrelevant discussions are subject to removal."—indopug (talk
) 16:05, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

User:LarkinToad2010

WP:OWN problems. Any edit that is not to LT2010's liking is reverted with comments varying from "pedantic edit" at best and accusations of vandalism at worst. The talk pages of the articles that they edit (for example Talk:Larkin 25, Talk:Larkin with Toads) and its user talk page are replete with accusations and insults at the address of other editors. Besides myself, several other editors have also tried to reason with this editor (for example User:Steve Quinn, User:Andy Dingley, User:Richard Harvey, and User:DGG
), but to no avail. I for one are becoming quite fed up with the continuous assumptions of bad faith and vandalism accusations of this editor and their inability to discuss article issues in a civil way, assuming good faith. In the above I have provided only a few difs, there must be by now dozens of possible examples, but inspecting the edit histories of the mentioned articles and those of their talk pages speak volumes, I think.

I am not quite sure what needs to be done. On the one hand, I think it is obvious that this editor's behavior is inadmissible. On the other hand, apart from the problematic edits that are the reason for me being here, this editor has also contributed interesting and worthwhile material. Perhaps a short block would be in order to show the teeth behind the many warnings that have already been given might induce this editor to become more cooperative. I am not optimistic, but I do think that it should be given a try. --Crusio (talk) 14:07, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

For some additional background info on this editors consistent incivility to other editors may I also suggest the following reading:-

There is more but its pointless listing every individual instance. Richard Harvey (talk) 18:25, 15 September 2010 (UTC)


I start by stating I am User:Steve Quinn. I will begin with a succession of edits by User:DGG on September 6. It begins with the first diff here, and continues with five more edits in a row [68] (which can be viewed beginning with this diff). The edits pertain to tagging for {{current}}, {{external links}} and {{fansite}} * copyedit to remove wordiness and duplication * copyedit for conciseness and non-repetion * (general) copy edit * remove (more) duplication * and (remove or fix) unnecessary duplicative promotional schedule of events. Overall, DGG has made efforts to tone down the promotional, and trivial style of this article. Here he openly annouces his goals on the talk page (see second paragraph in diff) [69].
Here
User:LarkinToad2010 responds with creating a section entitled "Vandalism by pest
" His comment in this section begins with "I see we have a pest at work on this UK-based article." and ends with "I am absolutely livid at this vandalism and am putting this to the helpdesk".
Then LarkinToad2010 produces an uncivil response in the section where User:DGG annouces his goals [70]. They begin with "This 'copyedit' seems like vandalism to me", [71] and adds " "This article has already been subject to pests who should know better..." Pests obviously refers to other editors attempting to contribute to this article.
At around the same time LarkinToad2010 becomes confrontational on DGG's talk page with an actual section title "Your vandalism of Larkin 25 article" [72]. In this section the Larkin user states "Why have you vandalised the Larkin 25 article and taken it on yourself to make such changes without consulting first? Your edits are unhelpful and resented as this article took a lot of research and your edits are unwarranted. ... you have overstepped the mark and made false sllegations about 'point of view of fan' on this UK-based article. You should have put any radical edits to the discussion page first and I am livid that you have acted out of hand in this fashion." I would like to state that after reviewing the ariticle at this point myself it seemed to contain a lot of trivial items. The promotional and the trivial were the shortomings of this article, which User:DGG was trying to overcome.
After this the (current) tag was correctly removed (by an uninvolved editor). It did not belong on this article. However, the other two tags added by DGG were correctly placed for this article.
It appears that the next step taken by the Larkin user was to revert all six previous article edits by DGG, [73] and I have already characterized DGG's edits.
And this is only the tip of the iceberg. This type of behvior goes all the way back to July 7, 2010. On that date the Larkin user created a section on the talk page entitled Vandalism to Larkin 25 updates. He characterizes edits made to the article as "the page is being vandalised in this fashion".
Going back to September 2010 I responded to the Larkin User with a comment which was almost verbatim from
WP:CIVIL, here: [74]
, after his uncivil remarks pertaining to User:DGG.
I also did some article editing here [75] and here [76]. (This was after a number of edits by the Larkin user, including reverting User:DGG). I don't recall the exact sequence, but the Larkin user responded to my article edits on the talk page with an uncivil comment here [77]. User:Cameron Scott followed with three article edits, begining here, [78]. My edits and Camerson Scott's edits were then reverted by the Larkin user, and characterized as "concerted vandalism" [79].
I also believe a block for an appropriate amount of time is needed for this situation. Also the block should include the articles mentioned in this ANI session, because the problematic editing involves more than one article. ---- Steve Quinn (talk) 23:36, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Currently (today) LarkinToad2010 continues to edit war with the other editors on this article: [80], [81], [82], [83]. ---- Steve Quinn (talk) 23:48, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
I forgot to mention, also today (Sep. 15th) User Larkin has created another section to characterize other editors on the Larkin 25 talk page entitled "Vandalism", [84] and [85]. This is after much discussion with him about his editing behavior. I can supply diffs for those also if needed. ---- Steve Quinn (talk) 01:38, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
    • It is [86] that in my mind illustrates the worst of the reversions, the insistence on adding not just excessive detail, but frank and blatant duplication. I consider this an example of where a modest article is wholly defensible, and an excessive one promotional. From time to time, some such cases are taken to AfD and deleted, on the basis that they can not be improved by routine editing, because the proponent of the article has been making it impossible. If we do not block the editor long enough to permit a decent article, along with perhaps a topic ban, that remains a possibility, for we have no other means than these of enforcing proper content editing. DGG ( talk ) 00:47, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
  • It seems to me that there is more than enough evidence provided above to justify a block of
    User:LarkinToad2010 to modify his behavior and stop the pattern of disruption. If that does not help, a longer block or an indef block may become appropriate. Nsk92 (talk
    ) 08:41, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Still not getting it. I'd cheerfully block were I not involved. Nancy talk
I have blocked the editor for one week. Their comments have gotten over the top, and the last attack linked to by Crusio above, following the final warning given already on their talk page, was the last straw. Given their constructive contributions on the encyclopedia I'd prefer that this block act as a wake-up call to cease the hostility against other editors. -- Atama 16:13, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I'd like to add that weighing into my decision to block and the duration are the warnings stretching back to July 2010 showing persistent
incvility and the lack of any sort of acknowledgment when responding to requests to stop disruption, balanced against a clean block record and extensive content contributions. -- Atama
16:20, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Sock?

After looking at User talk:Pfagerburg, I wonder if User talk:Pfagerburg isn't their nemesis/stalker/whatever User talk:Jeffrey Vernon Merkey. Anyone care to look into it, find the right templates, etc.? Thanks. Drmies (talk) 03:54, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

You may also want to add PaulFagburg (talk · contribs) into the list of potential socks. This is also related to the issue below about a legal threat on Russell Grant. — HelloAnnyong (say whaaat?!) 04:29, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Darn it, I got it all wrong--the suspected sock is indeed PaulFagburg, clearly playing a name game. I realized that just as I saw your note. Pardon the confusion. Drmies (talk) 04:35, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
How much longer will Wikipedia allow this harassment of its volunteer editors by people who have been permanently banned? The foundation needs to become more active in resolving these issues or we will all see the decrease in new editors trend continue. Nobody wants to edit here if they're going to be targeted with impunity by cranks, serial trolls and strange people with misguided agendas. Kindzmarauli (talk) 14:30, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Some persistent vandals and socks never seem to give up, sadly. Rangeblocks do expire, socks do find new ways to disrupt and harass. Do they have anything better to do? Probably not. We can only do so much as the software allows us. –MuZemike 14:43, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Potential legal threat on Russell Grant

Someone just reported 82.5.71.106 (talk · contribs · WHOIS) to AIV for this edit, with a summary of "I am Russell Grant and I am appalled at the way you allow complete non-entities to change or add what they want. If this changes expect to hear from my lawyers." It's an IP so I'm not really sure how to handle it.. — HelloAnnyong (say whaaat?!) 04:10, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

With a larf and, if needed, a civility block for calling people non-entities. But I think the general rule for IPs is a week-long block, longer if it appears static, but we don't "indef" block IPs (1 year) for legal threats, generally. That said, that article is quite horrible and needs large pieces excised. "Whilst performing on stage and in studio Russell was a gifted psychic and was studying astrology through Rita Szymanski, the then treasurer of the Astrological Lodge of Great Britain." Really, Wikipedia? edit: never mind, someone has chopped it to bits. Good. --Golbez (talk) 04:25, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Someone just went through and more or less gutted the article. But then that person is also being accused of being a sockpuppet, so who really knows. Either way, I brought it up here to get some feedback. Should we block the IP for a week, a year, or something else? — HelloAnnyong (say whaaat?!) 04:28, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Just an update before I head to sleep: I semiprot'd the article for a week. Aside from heavy IP vandalism, there's also this legal threat, a potential sock who keeps editing, and all sorts of general absurdity going on there. And I'll keep an eye on it in the coming days. But still, what to do about that threat? — HelloAnnyong (say whaaat?!) 04:42, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I blocked the IP for a week. I templated it - not sure what to do about that, as the legal template says Indefinite, and it would look silly to change it to 1 week.
talk
) 06:43, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Always direct people claiming to be article subjects to OTRS, I think. 67.119.14.196 (talk) 09:19, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
This is something we are too lax about imo. It should be like a NLT situation. Users claiming to be someone of note should be requested to stop doing it until they identify to OTRS, if they continue to claim they are a notable living person without identifying through OTRS they should be blocked until they either do or they drop the claim.
Off2riorob (talk
) 10:16, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Shouldn't we also keep in mind wp:Don't overlook legal threats as well? It doesn't exactly endear ourselves to Mr. Grant if we immediately slap him with a block when he's trying to call our attention to shenanigans going on in his article (a BLP, at that). Ultimately, the complaint was valid, even if the manner of expressing it was not. Buddy431 (talk) 14:43, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Someone threatening a lawsuit over an incorrect birthdate is not really worth coddling. Certainly not one who refers to other people as "non-entities". And anyway, shouldn't he have been able to foresee his blocking? --Golbez (talk) 14:49, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I'm also strongly motivated to block his "business manager" [87] who has removed well-sourced information and added that tripe about him being a "gifted psychic". He's already received a few warnings, I see no reason not to drop the hammer. --Golbez (talk) 14:52, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
And although he doesn't like 1961 as his birthdate, I've reverted it to the date in the source, we look silly citing 1961 to a source that says 1951 on the word of an IP (or even the subject, who wouldn't be considered a RS for his birthdate).
talk
) 15:10, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
This interview with him also supports 1951 - he mentions the year himself in the interview. Ghmyrtle (talk) 15:18, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I don't object to the block under the circumstances, but I'd have made the notification a bit nicer, and referred the person to OTRS in addition to blocking. 67.119.14.196 (talk) 15:36, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Probably a good idea - as said above - to do this with anyone who claims to be the subject of an article. We need a template.
talk
) 17:16, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
There is, at least, an essay we can refer such claimants to. The latter part covers situations like this. TFOWR 17:20, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

TreasuryTag And KnowIG

I have been working on a User conduct RfC and have talked to the user (KnowIG) about it. They said that we can resolve most of the problems but he feels that there is one user who is not willing to work with him. That is TreasuryTag. That user and KnowIG have a history of not liking each other. I asked KnowIG about why his behavior was disruptive and if it was provoked, the discussion is below.

User_talk:KnowIG#Talkback

We can work out the issue with the two users who made the RfC but TreasuryTag still seems to be a problem for him, he seems uncomfortable with TT having contact with him. KnowIG and I would like to ask that an administrator or consensus determine that KnowIG and TT will not have contact to provoke behavior. KnowIG is willing to not have contact voluntarily and TT seems to not want to work with me. I will leave it at that. Joe Gazz84usertalkcontribsEditor Review 12:04, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

  • Changed transclusion to wikilink in the above.  Sandstein  12:06, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
  1. This proposal is premature, since there is currently an open RfC on the conduct involved.
  2. The RfC, which revers to the behaviour of KnowIG (talk · contribs), contains much evidence of poor conduct in which I was not remotely involved, for instance [88] [89] [90] [91] [92] (many more examples can be found in the "evidence" section of the RfC itself) and I am not clear how this proposal would prevent that sort of disruption.
  3. KnowIG has been trotting around the site accusing me of "stalking" for some time. I would point out that such an unfounded allegation is
    "considered a serious personal attack"
    and I would expect this to be dealt with appropriately by an administrator.
  4. KnowIG is perfectly capable of speaking for himself should he wish to, and I'm not clear as to how/why JoeGazz has become his agent.
  5. Joe Gazz84 (talk · contribs) seems to have decided to canvass support for his proposal from multiple editors (though did not notify me), and I am unclear how/why he thought that such an attitude would be constructive. ╟─TreasuryTagSpeaker─╢ 12:09, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
    I am trying to work with the other editors to solve this matter. I am also plan on closing the RfC once the other editors agree to the resolution since they were the ones in the RfC. I feel I am doing no wrong here. I received this message on his talkpage proving that the user TT is not willing to work with me, "Yes. Or, they can just do what I'm about to do in relation to your badgering me. Which is to say, piss off and do not edit my talkpage again." Joe Gazz84usertalkcontribsEditor Review 12:15, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
    I am also plan [sic] on closing the RfC – er, no you're not, unless you can point to a policy which entitles you to. ...they were the ones in the RfC... – I think you'll find that I'm the one who started the RfC. Do you have any comment on the other points I made? ...proving that the user TT is not willing to work with me... – it didn't need proof. I made quite clear above that I am not willing to "work with you." I received this message on my talkpage – you did? Please prove that with a diff. ╟─TreasuryTagconsulate─╢ 12:19, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
    The message was on his talkpage, I apologize for that mistake. However I do not feel I have to respond to the points above. I do not there is a policy entitling you to close the RfC instead of me. I would like to now see a consensus, I don't want to go on about the points, I will leave this to consensus or administrator decision. I would however like to see KNOWIG's problem solved and I think it is fair that they are allowed to to not want contact from TT. This is a final statement on this matter from me unless comment is necessary to set a record straight, since I am an outsider in this situation, I think this is pretty reasonable because I know I would want no contact if someone was causing me to be disruptive. [93] shows a message from KnowIG stating T has harassed him. Joe Gazz84usertalkcontribsEditor Review 12:32, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
    I do not there [sic] is a policy entitling you to close the RfC instead of me. OK. You said you intend on closing it soon. Which criterion here would you invoke to close the RfC at this point? ╟─TreasuryTagquaestor─╢ 12:39, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
    Oh, and as for: I do not feel I have to respond to the points above. No, you don't have to argue your case. But refusal to do so makes it look pretty shabby. ╟─TreasuryTagFirst Secretary of State─╢ 12:44, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Block review: User:Wikid77, violation of topic ban

Unresolved

Please see RegentsPark's talk's talkpage.

Resolved
 – The editor has acknowledged his error below and has listed specific steps in trying to be good and an indefinite topic ban over a one day confusion (or not) seems excessive and doesn't have wide enough community support below. Wikid77 is advised to demonstrably follow through with his plan specified below.--RegentsPark (talk) 16:38, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

Good morning, Following Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/IncidentArchive618#User:Wikid77 canvassing, Wikid77 (talk · contribs) was placed on a three months topic ban enacted on June 11. He acknowledged that his ban would expire on the 11th as recently as 6 September, here.

Yet disappointingly, he returns to

WP:CANVASSing
tone regarding the editorial body he disagrees with.

After the latest spat over the Kercher / Knox topic

game the system
like they have done in the past.

Also worth considering are his edits to User talk:PhanuelB (currently indefinitely blocked for disruptive editing himself) while under his topic ban.

As a consequence, I have blocked Wikid77 for a month for a continuation of their same behaviour, but believe at this stage that a wider admin review here would be beneficial. Thank you. MLauba (Talk) 08:44, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

  • Unlike many of the other editors on the MoMK page, Wikid77 is a positive for Wikipedia in his editing outside this arena. Whilst I don't disagree with MLauba's block I wonder if a more productive option for the encyclopedia as a whole is an indefinite topic ban for Wikid77 on any edits related to Kercher, Knox, and the trial. We could then have the benefit of his excellent work elsewhere without the negative of his problematic editing at MoMK. Black Kite (t) (c) 11:11, 10 September 2010 (UTC)
  • I'd agree to that, provided it is also made clear that the kind of coaching as performed on User talk:PhanuelB is explicitly covered by the topic ban. If there's a consensus to enact such a ban, I'd support lifting the block immediately. MLauba (Talk) 11:39, 10 September 2010 (UTC)
As a side note, my well meant advise to Wikid's last post at Phanuel's talkpage was also fruitless.
talk
) 13:38, 10 September 2010 (UTC)
Another note: The block itself was warranted as a direct result of the ban "Consider this your final warning on these types of behaviors. Continuation of these types of disruption or violation of this topic-ban will lead to immediate blocking (probably indef, based on your extensive prior block history)".
talk
) 13:50, 10 September 2010 (UTC)
Agree with everything above. I won't speculate what Wikid77's motivation for breaking his fast at five minutes to sunset might have been, but it is clearly not a matter of his being simply mistaken about the length of the ban. He also came back with the gesture of starting multiple discussions on precisely the same general topic as had led to the ban. Admins have recently been taking action in relation to this article by locking the page and acting quickly aginst disruption, and it has been demonstrated that this has been effective in calming the talkpage. So, the block by MLauba is in keeping with this and is appropriate. However, to keep it in place would go against
WP:PUNISH, since it prevents Wikid77 from editing in areas where he is productive. A topic ban would therefore be more suitable. --FormerIP (talk
) 15:46, 10 September 2010 (UTC)
Disagree with the block. By my count, and correct me if I'm wrong, User: Wikid77 returned on the 91st day of block. Technically he met the burden of a generic 3 mos block. As to his contributions since returning, one may not like or agree with what he has to say but he has not attacked anyone or been arbitrarily disruptive. On the contrary, he's sparked legitimate discussion as to whether a spin off article is necessary or desirable. Tjholme (talk) 16:41, 10 September 2010 (UTC)Tjholme (talkcontribs) has made few or no other edits outside this topic.
Where in the topic ban did it say "90 days"? Unless there's been a sudden change to the calendar that I didn't know about, 3 months from June 11 is September 11. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 16:45, 10 September 2010 (UTC)
The user in question did some creative OR and concluded that "3 months" equated to "90 days". I think if it were actually "90 days", the ban would have said "90 days". "3 months" would typically be understood to be the same day and time of the month as the original posting. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 16:37, 10 September 2010 (UTC)
  • Note: I informed the admin who imposed the original topic ban.
    talk
    ) 16:45, 10 September 2010 (UTC)
As banning admin, I chose to state "3 months" because that's a standard length for blocks ("Expiry" in Special:Block). I personally wouldn't have cared if at moments beyond the 90-day mark (before 3-month mark) user suddenly started making constructive edits to the banned areas, demonstrating that he had learned from this experience and had rectified the behavior that led to the ban (good-faith assumption that problem was solved without getting nit-picky wikilawyering either way). Given that's obviously not the case and he violated the ban as he stated he understood it, I definitely support remedies for violating the ban. And for ongoing problems regardless of that, I also support topic-ban or other methods that prevent it. DMacks (talk) 19:29, 10 September 2010 (UTC)
I disagree. "3 Mos" might reasonably be interpreted as the same date 3 calendar months hence, or as 90 calendar days. The difference is trivial and to use it as a basis for further punishment is grossly unfair when he's obeyed the spirit of his previous sentence. If he was blocked how was he able to edit ? To knit pick the difference and ban an editor that represents a dissenting view is a low blow and beneath our otherwise accomplished and experienced admins. Tjholme (talk) 17:11, 10 September 2010 (UTC)Tjholme (talkcontribs) has made few or no other edits outside this topic.
How whould you explain then this: "He acknowledged that his ban would expire on the 11th as recently as 6 September, here." posted at the very top of the thread?
talk
) 17:28, 10 September 2010 (UTC)
  • I've declined his unblock request as it was basically
    talk
    ) 17:16, 10 September 2010 (UTC)
@Tjholme: He was not blocked, he was topic banned, he could have violated it at any time during the ban period. To my mind this is really less about the ban term and more about the meaning of having been topic banned. It's usually intended as a "final warning" that any further similar problems will lead to long or even indefinite blocking. Did the user get the message sent by the topic ban or didn't they? That is the real question.
talk
) 17:19, 10 September 2010 (UTC)
And, in case anyone missed it, there is this diff, [98] look in the middle of the post and you will see Wikid's own words: "Because of my topic ban, I am not allowed to discuss the specifics of the AK case (until Sept. 11)." So it's pretty clear that four days ago he did in fact understand it to mean literally three months, and only after he was blocked did it suddenly become 90 days. So, that whole line of argument is a lie on his part.
talk
) 17:24, 10 September 2010 (UTC)
I've just advised them again to accept a indefinite topic ban, if they can agree to that I support an unblock. If they don't they should remain blocked, and an indefinite topic ban should be imposed.
talk
) 17:31, 10 September 2010 (UTC)
  • Support Beeblebrox's proposal and add the following: If they agree to an indef topic ban widely construed (including user talkpages) in a reasonable time the block should be replaced with the proposed topic ban. Should he keep on
    talk
    ) 17:49, 10 September 2010 (UTC)
(A note for those not familiar with the editor: Each but one minor block he received for breach of 3-rr was directly related to the MoMK case incl. one instance of sockpuppetry.
talk
) 21:08, 10 September 2010 (UTC))
  • Disclaimer, when it comes to the MoMK article, I must admit I'm rather involved; however, I support Beeblebrox's proposal (and, by the way, I endorse Wikid77's block). Salvio Let's talk 'bout it! 23:17, 10 September 2010 (UTC)
Support the proposal for an indefinite topic ban — after a list of blocks and a three-month topic ban, enough is now quite enough. So persistent, stiff and uncompromising is Wikid77's attitude to editing at this topic that, almost immediately after returning to the talk page, he enquires to an administrator, "I would like to expand the MoMK article, but have met much resistance from a few editors at the talk-page. Should this be a new issue at ANI or should we try a mediation, etc.?" I agree that it must also be impressed on him that effective "coaching" of editors involved at the topic is forbidden. During the course of his determinate ban, Wikid77 has posted at the talk page of (the now indefinite-blocked) PhanuelB (talk · contribs) on multiple occasions, and often in a snide, biting and caustic tone with regard to users with whom he has had disagreements in the past (see this section of his current user talk page). A couple of examples:
In this edit, following a long, educative diatribe, he ends, "Again, feel free to ignore these opinions, and plan your actions depending on your own ideas about the situation." Yes, of course. SuperMarioMan 00:35, 11 September 2010 (UTC)
  • (e/c) Update from his latest post to his talkpage [99]. Well, I guess that does it. Wikid still thinks he is in the right like he thought so when he shifted the blame for his sockpuppetry to the admins (just check his talkpage from the time of the SPI case) and even demands now a retraction of the proofed claim of his lying w/o responding to the clear cut proof. Amazing. Really amazing. As they had their chance but chose to go on with their
    talk
    ) 00:45, 11 September 2010 (UTC)
  • Support both indef topic ban and current block. To acknowledge the "rule", then purposefully break it and claim ignorance is both wikilawyering and childishness of the umpteenth degree. (
    BWilkins ←track
    ) 09:32, 11 September 2010 (UTC)

Whatever is done, we must be mindful that Wikid77 has brought up issues about an Amanda Knox article. There is currently unequal treatment given to this proposed article yet afforded to other people involved in a murder. This can discourage editors because they can think "why this article I am working on is picked on while Murderer X is not". Let's try to be nice to Wikid77 and everyone try to work together. Wikid77, this is not blind support for you but a message to all to try to be cooperative. Suomi Finland 2009 (talk) 17:03, 11 September 2010 (UTC)

Please forward your well meant advise to Wikid and also please read this and Wikid's talkpage and try to refute allegations made against him (you'll have a hard time doing so).
talk
) 17:37, 11 September 2010 (UTC)
That's right: for instance, I would appreciate clarification on how his comments on PhanuelB's talk page (see above support comment) could be considered examples of "being nice". SuperMarioMan 18:56, 11 September 2010 (UTC)


Proposed draft of topic ban

With plenty of support as backup I started a draft regarding the wording of a the proposed topic ban for Wikid77 below. Feel free to alter it as you see fit.

talk
) 17:43, 11 September 2010 (UTC)

"

wiki-lawyering
and acknowledges that thay understand their wrongdoing so we don't lose an otherwise valuable editor on different topics."

Overall, this sounds good to me, although the part about "any related cases" may be a touch ambiguous. "Cases" as in murder cases exclusively, or crime topics in general? The wording for the three-month ban was "other similar crime/criminal topics". Meanwhile, Black Kite describes the prospective ban as pertaining to "Kercher-related subjects" — the Kercher topic is confined (as far as I can tell) to the one article (with redirects such as
coat-racking, which has befallen previous versions of articles such as Delayed grief. However, this is just a thought — "any related cases" may be specific enough for others. SuperMarioMan
18:53, 11 September 2010 (UTC)
Reflecting your concern I've replaced it with: "...and any articles in relation to this case...". Would that be better in your opinion?
talk
) 19:51, 11 September 2010 (UTC)
Appendum: I think that makes it clear that they're still allowed to edit let's say the
talk
) 20:38, 11 September 2010 (UTC)
I'd phrase this topic ban as follows: "Wikid77 is hereby topic banned from all edits regarding the Murder of Meredith Kercher broadly construed [...]", so as to make it very clear that he cannot deal with the MoMk case anywhere on Wikipedia; not in mainspace, not in project space or on users' talk pages, with the exception you list. Salvio Let's talk 'bout it! 00:14, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
i.e. So, in effect, "banned from making edits describing, discussing, or otherwise relating to the Murder of Meredith Kercher case, across all Wikipedia namespaces". I'd support Salvio's recommendation of "broadly construed" — basically, not a single word more about the case, or the user risks immediate blocking. SuperMarioMan 09:17, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
Does anyone besides me get the feeling we're going through a lot of work, and the editor in question isn't doing crap? I'm all for AGF, but we started building a bridge from one side, and not only is he dillydallying, but he's building a harbour instead of the other end of the bridge. (
BWilkins ←track
) 09:32, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
Yes, me, and that feeling started with the editor's comments in response to him being block for sockpuppetry where he (and the following will sound familiar) didn't acknowledge any wrong doing from his side but rather bluntly blamed several admins at the time. That feeling is ongoing BTW.
talk
) 16:18, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
17:43, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
Indeed, as I mentioned before.
talk
) 19:08, 12 September 2010 (UTC)


  • Please, could someone compose a topic ban proposal based on the above so we can reach consensus and ask an uninvolved admin to enact it? I don't mind the minor work doing it myself but I think it would be better if it comes from someone else than me as I drafted the first one. Just keep it as clear as possible so there can be "no misunderstanding" and
    talk
    ) 19:08, 12 September 2010 (UTC)


"

wiki-lawyering
and acknowledges that he understands his wrongdoing, so that Wikipedia does not suffer the detriment of losing a user who has made valuable contributions to other topics."

In response to your invitation, how does this sound?
SuperMarioMan 19:41, 12 September 2010 (UTC)

Very good phrased. Seeing that the editor still didn't address nor acknowledge any wrong doing (see below) I think we should go ahead and propose this sanction with your wording at ANI/I so an uninvolved admin can go over it and enact what seemed to be the final consensus.
talk
) 20:19, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
Fresh activity from Wikid77 on his talk page: [100] SuperMarioMan 19:44, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
A lot of hot air is venting. Still puts the blame on everyone but himself so should we really pay attention to it? As an example, The last "heated" conversation was month ago (if you want to call them heated after he compared editors to pics). Since then I only placed well meant advises and called him out on the established 3 month lie (like plenty of others did).
talk
) 20:27, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
Oh, and BTW, I even advised him to keep it low at PhanulB's talkpage on September 6, telling him he was posting on the edge of his topic ban and should rather wait the little time that was remaining. If I meant to harm him I would have posted to ANI long time before when he started posting on Phanuel's page but I was holding back and assumed good faith, hoping he (Wikid77) would a) wait till his ban expires and b) not start of where he left of before. Unfortunately he did just the opposite as everyone knows.
talk
) 20:38, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
Not to mention Wikid's accusations against some other fellow editors who don't share his view.
talk
) 20:42, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
Fully agree. Some of his remarks at Phanuel's talk page have been unbelievably sour, but since MLauba noticed them and did not see the need to take further administrative action, I decided just to leave a note for Wikid. As is (regrettably) not unusual in the case of this user, an attempt was made to pass the burden of guilt onto me. Reading through that diff that I have just linked, isn't it ironic how the observation "Considering the advice he's been giving you here, though, skirting along the edges of his topic ban, I'd be pessimistic about his chances" is now, in light of Wikid's return, a prophecy fulfilled? SuperMarioMan 21:26, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
Don't get worked up. I've just placed a request for any uninvolved admin with time on hand (or maybe s/he is already up to date, depends on the acting admin) to go over the issue and enact the proposed ban (final draft by SuperMarioMan). Let's see if the admin who will act on this agrees after reading through the history.
talk
) 21:50, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
Oh, believe me, I'm not really getting "worked up". It's just that I word things quite strongly on occasion. Let's see how it goes from here; any additional endorsement would be welcome. SuperMarioMan 22:35, 12 September 2010 (UTC)

Ready for admin intervention

  • Could an uninvolved admin with some time on hand please take a look at this and enact the latest proposed topic ban as composed in agreement with other editors by SuperMarioMan above at the "Proposed draft on topic ban" section as long as they're being in agreement that there is a) consensus and b) enough evidence at this page and the accused editor's talkpage so we can wrap this up? Thanks for your attention.
    talk
    ) 21:35, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
A ban for someone coming back on day 91, saying it should have been day 92, is disingenuous (see Wikipedia: Gaming the System). Was the user aware of the day he/she was permitted to return? If not, then it is clearly not a willful violation, but an honest mistake. The careful return at day 91 says the user was acting in good faith and politely waiting until after three sets of 30 days, making 90 days, the common allotment for a "month" if otherwise not specified. A ban in this case signals ulterior motives such as not wanting the user to comment on a particular topic rather than a deserved consequence. If the ban is not revoked, attention should be given to the matter since it was not a willfull violation but an honest misunderstanding under unclear terms of the temporary ban. Admins should act with discretion, not over-step their administering role, into a role of policing. Good faith says to next time clarify the exact terms of a ban so the user is not at risk of having a differing idea that could result in disasterous outcomes. This is not in the spirit of the Wikipedia intentions of topic bans. Perk10 (talk) 16:12, 13 September 2010 (UTC)Perk10 (talkcontribs) has made few or no other edits outside this topic.
Again, you didn't address his own acknowlagement he left on Phanuels talkpage: ""Because of my topic ban, I am not allowed to discuss the specifics of the AK case (until Sept. 11),...".
talk
) 17:04, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
I also queried Wikid's early return with him: [101]. He didn't respond to this, but carried on editing the talkpage. If it really was the case that he was unaware that he was breaching his ban then, as you suggest, it would be appropriate for admins to consider whether a ban or further block would be proportionate. However, I don't think the idea is plausible. --FormerIP (talk) 17:20, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
It seems out of proportion. Did Wikid77 say the reason for returning Sept. 10? Perk10 (talk) 17:30, 13 September 2010 (UTC)Perk10Perk10 (talkcontribs) has made few or no other edits outside this topic.
Please get you facts straight. He didn't return on the 10th. If you read the start of this thread you'll see that he returned on the 9th, having himself acknowledged that he couldn't return until the 11th. David Biddulph (talk) 17:51, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Casual error, thinking the return date was Sept. 11 and then counting and then thinking it was actually Sept. 10, according to 90 days... There could be many reasons. A permanent ban seems out of proportion to the infraction. As well, why wasn't it 90 days anyway? Perk10 (talk) 17:33, 13 September 2010 (UTC)Perk10 (talkcontribs) has made few or no other edits outside this topic.
What severely punishable reason could there be for returning on the 91st day instead of the 92nd day? Perk10 (talk) 17:37, 13 September 2010 (UTC)Perk10Perk10 (talkcontribs) has made few or no other edits outside this topic.
As a difference of 24 hours, it seems like a technicality that shouldn't used as leeway for the axe. Apologies on both sides would suffice. Perk10 (talk) 17:40, 13 September 2010 (UTC)Perk10Perk10 (talkcontribs) has made few or no other edits outside this topic.
Uhm, even if he would have "recounted" as you said his first post to MoMK was not on September 10 but on September 9. Now that he is unbanned you can stop making far fetched excuses for him, don't you think so?
talk
) 17:56, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
September 10th, as allowed by a count, since it would be inclusive of September 9th. It was the principle I was getting at. My points were valid (reasons, not "far-fetched excuses") and in fact, were supported by the reasons given in "Resolved" notice above, which I saw when I logged in just now. Perk10 (talk) 19:41, 13 September 2010 (UTC)Perk10Perk10 (talkcontribs) has made few or no other edits outside this topic.

Uhm, I hate to brake it to you but September 9 and September 10 are still two different days. For easy understanding an example: We don't start 9/11 memorial services on 9/10. If you do so you're off one day and maybe you should check from which century your calender is from. If it is from the "flat earth" period it might not be up to date.

talk
) 20:17, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

Yes. Bans of set duration are bans of set duration. I think that it would be plain to most people (although my confidence in that assertion is regrettably starting to wane) that a period of three months, commencing on 11th June, would be seen to end on 11th September. If Wikid was so unsure of the end date, for what reason did he choose not to ask an administrator for clarification? And as to the "spirit of the Wikipedia intentions on topic bans", what is the point of setting a limit to the restriction if only to permit violations to be swept under the carpet? Violations are violations. To draw a comparison, I wouldn't move my New Year's Day forward two days to 30th December, and know of no one else who would, mainly because the dates are completely different. SuperMarioMan 20:52, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Furthermore it is difficult to see this, from 6 September as anything other than a flouting of the topic ban. It's a post to an editor who contributes on this article only and is full of advice to that editor on wording; it mentions no names but there are many thinly veiled references to the topic in question. ("So, the text can mention that a judge concluded someone was stealing a computer, but not call that person a "burglar" in a Wikipedia article", "avoid negative text that says someone is a drug dealer, a petty thief, or a burglar", etc.)  pablo 21:21, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
There is and cannot be any doubt whatsoever that he was talking about Guede just w/o naming him. That's what I meant when I "caught him" discussing the case on Phanuel's talkpage way before the ban expired. Diffs can be easily found above.
talk
) 21:50, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

Replies by Wikid77

Reply from User:Wikid77

copied from User_talk:Wikid77

I,

WP:CANVAS
. I would like to know when my topic ban from June 11 ends. In the timing of the 90-day window, I had expected my topic ban to end by September 10, and thus suggested, "Because of my topic ban, I am not allowed to discuss the specifics of the AK case (until Sept. 11)". However, as I have been informed, the topic ban would remain in effect until 8:50am that day, and even "Sept. 11" was not an all-clear date but rather Sept. 12 would allow discussion all day. I did not make a "lie" in noting Sept. 11. As for the 90-day mark, let this "child" explain why 90 days is used as a span of 3 months:

  • If a 3-month ban begins on November 30, does it end on "February 30"? and is that considered March 2 or February 28 at 23:59?
  • If a 1-month ban begins on August 31, does it end on "September 31"?
  • If a 2-month ban begins on December 31, does it end on "February 31"?
  • Also consider a 1-month ban on January 29, January 30, January 31, March 31, May 31, August 31, October 31, or related 3-month bans, etc.

In my "young" generation, these problems of "February 30" have been avoided for decades by treating the months as 30-day intervals. For that reason, I suggest actually specifying a topic ban as 30-day or 90-day, or 92-day to the same hour, rather than assume everyone knows exactly what other day is expected. As to content, my topic ban prohibited deletion-discussions (AfD) or article-creation about Kercher topics or related, plus other pages (essays), and was based on the notion that I had violated

Meredith Kercher article, because editors favoring more text from notable American investigators are continually hostile to other editors (with insults from both sides stored in talk-page archives), and the whole situation needs larger actions, such as whole sections changed, rather than 1-phrase changes. In some cases, perhaps adding 4 sentences would end the disputes. There are currently factual errors trapped within the locked article, but I have been topic-banned, so I had to just cringe at seeing those errors set in stone and numerous talk-page insults bot-archived (yikes!). The updates could be performed in a more structured manner, using a separate subpage as designed by admin User:Huntster for the numerous changes to Convert (Template_talk:Convert/updates). By stacking changes in a subpage, it is easier to compare the text of the various changes, as well as indicate placement of images and tables and warn the update-admin of how the updated article should appear. Anyway, if the opposing parties can be allowed a few sentences, each, then perhaps all the 20-30 disgruntled users will become more civil. Telling them absolutely "NO" has led to very bad opinions about the Wikipedia project, with the result that the article has been locked to seal in current factual errors with numerous talk-page insults. Hence, these people actively complain about the whole situation, rather than make progress, or feel confident to update the related legal articles, such as where is "Legal system of Italy" and expect the pageviews of that to be high. I waited 3 months, well 91 days, to see if the article disputes would fix themselves, and they certainly haven't. The power of those 20-30 editors can be harnessed if we allow a few sentences and ask them to expand related articles. Does this seem workable? -Wikid77 (talk
) 20:39, 11 September 2010 (UTC)

  • And there you are, addressing anything (related to issues you have with the article) but the cause of you being here like the title says and plenty of comments being made since this thread started, here and on your own talkpage. You're not helping your cause if you keep going on like this and I'm not the first and won't be the last saying that.
    talk
    ) 21:24, 11 September 2010 (UTC)
And still
talk
) 21:26, 11 September 2010 (UTC)

Wikid77 reply on proposed topic ban

— copied from User talk:Wikid77. SuperMarioMan 20:00, 12 September 2010 (UTC)

Drafting a permanent topic-ban against me (

WP:CANVAS. User:DMacks preferred that I had focused on constructive edits, which is the case with starting discussion about expanding MoMK to note more details of the murder (this edit), including the missing 300 euros (~$420), 2 credit cards and house keys which were never found. Because both articles "Amanda Knox
" and MoMK are locked, I could not actually incorporate constructive edits directly, so it had to be a tedious request for long-term update. That gives the illusion that I was just talking, not focused on updating articles. Other editors here need to admit to past confrontations with me:

I could go more TLDR (search for those usernames posting to me, in History of User_talk:Wikid77), but long story short, there are no grounds to continue this block or a topic-ban against me: the banning-admin stated the "90-day mark" was not an issue with him, and the claims of improper canvassing have been refuted. Also, I have offered to help craft compromise solutions with the 20-30 disgruntled editors in the MoMK article, so my intentions to work with others have been quite clear. I have NO desire to topic-ban the other editors who have had prior disagreements with me, but their participation in this ANI incident is not helping to resolve disputes at the MoMK article. Also, they need to totally stop saying "lie" or "wikilawyering" or "childish" or other personal attacks; instead focus on the facts, not stereotyping. Their level of hostility against me (now personal attacks) needs to be resolved in some other manner, I am not sure how, but not by hounding me with a topic ban. -Wikid77 (talk) 19:48, 12 September 2010 (UTC)

That's what the banning admin actually said:
The banning admin posted the following further above:"As banning admin, I chose to state "3 months" because that's a standard length for blocks ("Expiry" in Special:Block). I personally wouldn't have cared if at moments beyond the 90-day mark (before 3-month mark) user suddenly started making constructive edits to the banned areas, demonstrating that he had learned from this experience and had rectified the behavior that led to the ban (good-faith assumption that problem was solved without getting nit-picky wikilawyering either way). Given that's obviously not the case and he violated the ban as he stated he understood it, I definitely support remedies for violating the ban. And for ongoing problems regardless of that, I also support topic-ban or other methods that prevent it. DMacks (talk) 19:29, 10 September 2010 (UTC)"
talk
) 23:43, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
Erm, well... not sure how much there is to be said here... SuperMarioMan 20:04, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
There is nothing to be said that wasn't said already here or on his talkpage.Quite a bummer but that's what it came down to.
talk
) 20:47, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
I am strongly opposed to a topic ban. I have independently verified that Wikid77"s analysis of the situation and of what came before is essentially correct. One gets the very strong impression that it is not Wikid's behavior that is at issue but his views. There is a very disturbing pattern here, one in which fair argument and principled disagreements somehow, through a process of magical thinking, get alchemized into a real grievance. The proponents of the ban seem intent on chewing Wikid up bureaucratically precisely because they cannot defeat him intellectually. He bests them rather regularly in argument.PietroLegno (talk) 22:41, 12 September 2010 (UTC)PietroLegno (talkcontribs) has made few or no other edits outside this topic.
If Wikid beats "proponents of the ban" intellectually, why has he been unable to come up with a plausible explanation for why he violated his topic ban by returning to the talk page early? What makes his continuing refusal to answer even more pointless is the fact that he himself acknowledged that the restriction would end on 11th September in a previous post. SuperMarioMan 22:52, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
I can’t see that Wikid77 has done anything to justify a topic ban and the hostility against him. I hope there is no personal vendetta because of the views he has expressed. Some have alluded to a perceived coalition that is attempting to stifle dissent by banning/blocking editors who express opinions they don’t agree with. I hope that is not the case; but if an indefinite topic ban is imposed, it will surely be used as ammunition to support the theory. I think dropping this (perceived) persecution of Wikid77 (and PhanuelB also) would go a long way toward restoring good faith and easing tensions.Kermugin (talk) 01:13, 13 September 2010 (UTC)Kermugin (talkcontribs) has made few or no other edits outside this topic.
Sorry I'm a bit late. Out of town. I'll keep it short. I oppose the ban on Wikid77. The bans are flying way too free and easy around here as of late. Thats like the immediate go-to response for any offense, it seems. I'm all for blocking griefers, people that threaten or attack or vandalize.. but Wikid77 (and PhanuelB) add informed voices and valid arguments to the ongoing debates. Tjholme (talk) 04:08, 13 September 2010 (UTC) Tjholme (talkcontribs) has made few or no other edits outside this topic. The preceding unsigned comment was added at 08:57, 13 September 2010 (UTC) (UTC).
If Wikipedia:Censorship is the only argument that you can deploy here to refute the case, I would argue that it is hardly worth responding at all. SuperMarioMan 08:57, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
  • I had honestly forgotten about our prior incident.
    talk
    ) 19:11, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

New comment from Wikid77

Copied from Wikid77's talkpage, as requested. TFOWR 12:33, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

  • I apologize for posting 1 or 2 days before the end date of the prior topic ban, because based on past hostile reactions, I should have asked an admin for the exact date when in doubt about anything in the hostile area.
  • I acknowledge how "Talk:Murder of Meredith Kercher" has become a severe hornets nest of intense disputes, so I will refrain from posting several major suggestions there at one time.
  • I will work to change policies to recommend topic-ban periods be given as 30-day or 90-day to avoid "November 30 to February 30" types of end-date confusion.
  • I will work to further adjust policy
    WP:CANVAS
    to indicate how asking one admin for advice is NOT improper canvassing. There seems to be a perception that asking another admin is an attempt to force the outcome of a decision.
  • I will work to create an essay "Anticipating hostile reactions" which warns to ask admins about uncertain details, or wait an extra day (or 2) when a deadline date could be argued as a technicality. Also, I will note the way many hostile feelings have remained, beyond 4-9 months after a dispute, and how people should expect severely hostile reactions far greater than might seem normal: repressed rage does not abate simply because several months have passed, so beware a repeat of hostilities which might require intervention by admins and disruption of their work. What might seem a minor detail could become a major point of controversy, during hostile times.
  • I will work on adjusting the WP "mandatory sentencing" so that ending a topic ban 1 day early is met with a relatively strong warning, then a meted block, to avoid the perception of allowing a feeding frenzy of capricious sanctions to be triggered by a 1-day early violation.
  • I feel that these numerous actions are needed, because people are expecting large, specific changes to be made, on my part, as an implicit outcome of ANI discussions.

I am a slow mindreader, so if there are other detailed questions or issues to address, then please reply on my talk-page, if too much detail here. -Wikid77 (talk) 12:28, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

Wikid, this seems to mainly consist of you pointing out that the problem is with other editors and with faulty WP policy. It doesn't give me confidence that you will be less disruptive in future - in fact it just makes me concerned that you will spread the drama to various policy talkpages. Writing an essay about the "repressed rage" and hostility of admins you have come into contact with does not seem like a constructive thing to do, IMO.
I note your offer to begin only one discussion at a time, though, which would be a minor improvement. --FormerIP (talk) 21:19, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Concerning FormerIP's first part of his post here: He indeed did that before. Check his sub-pages.
talk
) 21:57, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
I mean no disrespect to anyone else here, but I must say that now that I have looked back over a good deal of material my admiration for Wikid has grown immeasurably. He/she is among a handful of the most extraordinarily productive, creative, and thoughtful users I have come across and exactly the sort of experienced hand we need to sort out the disaster of the Sollecito-Knox-Kercher article. Wikid's "sin," in the presence instance, was to come back a day or so early. This is a venial failing and due in large measure to genuine ambiguity in the rules. Now, through a process of illogical platform bargaining his opponents suggest a topic ban on the basis of vague charges no independent observers would find remotely plausible. One suspects that Wikid's real sin is being possessed of an acute intelligence and a willingness to say that the current article falls far short of what it could be. I was fairly idealistic about Wikipedia when I first joined, but that dewy optimism quickly passed. Newcomers are treated with incredible hostility. Bureaucratic intrigue rather than rational argument holds sway. If you can't beat someone in fair argument then you find a flimsy pretext for banning them. Wikipedia should be so much better than this.PietroLegno (talk) 10:35, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
I don't think your repeated statements that Wikid regularly "bests", or "beats" his "opponents" in an argument are either accurate or
constructive.
Anyone possessed of such a mighty intellect would realise that 3 months from June 11 is not 6 September.diff
Perhaps you, (and I, and any other involved editors here) would do best to leave independent observers to decide what they do, and do not, find plausible.  pablo
11:36, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
"Pietro Legno" is Italian for "Peter Wood". Whether that connects in any way with this SPA's agenda, I couldn't say. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 12:39, 15 September 2010 (UTC)


Conclude this

Would appreciate another neutral admin looking at this and either enacting or refusing a topic ban. In the above discussion there are ten established editors agreeing that a topic ban is useful, whereas in the against camp are six editors, one of which is Wikid77 and four others are recently created SPA accounts that only edit on the Kercher article and share Wikid77's POV on this article. In addition, Wikid77 is now even wikilawyering on the fact as to whether the article should describe Knox and Sollecito as guilty of the crime, despite the fact that this was the result of the trial. Black Kite (t) (c) 17:26, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Wikid77 has now removed his ANI replies from his talk page, following another inevitable declined unblock request. Since Wikid indicates no sign of confessing to his past wrongdoing, and obstinately refuses to participate constructively, the conclusion would seem to be that the one-month block remain in effect. Whatever reasoned objections there have been to the separate matter of the indefinite topic ban, I have seen no trace. This is a regrettable result, but sadly only to be predicted, having been borne out of the unacceptable conduct of a user on one topic which has resulted in repeated withdrawals of his ability to edit at Wikipedia, regardless of the topic. SuperMarioMan 18:46, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Revision: Content of struck-through sentence is of no consequence, I was thinking about something else. SuperMarioMan 22:48, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Mario, I don't think Wikid has archived the discussions on his talkpage - perhaps I'm misunderstanding something.
It would be good if a new admin would wrap this up one way or another, though. I think a topic ban would be preferable to the current block, since there are other areas of WP where Wikid is an asset. Alternatively, unblock has been turned down three times now, so maybe this discussion (nominally a block review) should be closed as unnecessary and I'll see you back here in a month. --FormerIP (talk) 21:29, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

This is the wording that I drafted, based for the most part on TMCk's input, earlier in this discussion:

Wikid77 (talk · contribs) is hereby banned indefinitely from making any edits that describe, discuss, or otherwise relate to the Murder of Meredith Kercher case — broadly construed — across all namespaces on Wikipedia, including on his own and on other users' talk pages. Any violation of this topic ban should be followed by the removal of this user's editing privileges for no less than one month. These restrictions do not apply to discussions at ANI, ArbCom or similar venues if this user is mentioned as an involved party in such discussions, so that he may file an appeal. Furthermore, the current one-month block for violation of this user's previous topic ban should remain in place. However, the block can and should be lifted for the general good of Wikipedia if this user agrees to refrain from further wiki-lawyering and acknowledges that he understands his wrongdoing, so that Wikipedia does not suffer the detriment of losing a user who has made valuable contributions to other topics.

Does anyone else have comments/criticisms to make? SuperMarioMan 22:56, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

  • Comment (since, apparently, my talk page is only a sad bylane of ANI after all, I guess I should comment here) I don't agree with this topic ban. From what I can see, the genesis of the topic ban is a violation of a previous timed topic ban at the tail end of that ban. That violation has lead to a general movement (a very textually voluble movement in certain parts) for an indef topic ban. I think that is excessive. If a single error is sufficiently disruptive to lead to an idef topic ban, then perhaps wikid77 should have been indef banned 3 months ago. Justice, one hopes, is always better when tempered with mercy. --RegentsPark (talk) 16:08, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
  • Reply' - He violated his topic ban then refused to acknowledge that he did anything wrong in subsequent statements. Mercy is always better when tempered with common sense. He's shown no sign that he won't continue to be disruptive in the topic area, much the opposite. He has been productive in other areas of Wikipedia and can continue to do so in the future after his current block expires. -- Atama 16:37, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
I'd say that if a topic ban is put in place, then the block can be removed and Wikid can start to be productive straight away. If indef is considered excessive, then someone throw a dice, but mercy what is is needed for the sake of the article, not for the editor. This isn't a technical breach. Wikid came back to dramatically pick up where he left off and he came back early knowing that it would cause drama and headaches for the administrators who have been watching the page. --FormerIP (talk) 16:50, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
I'll try and catch up sometimes tomorrow if time permits me.
talk
) 01:36, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Sep 16 comment from Wikid77

Copied from Wikid77's talkpage, as requested.  7  06:24, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Response from Wikid77: Due to my current edit-block, I have had trouble replying (by admin-edit) at specific points of this ANI discussion. I want to further clarify:

  • I did apologize for posting 1 or 2 days before the end date of the prior topic ban, because based on past hostile reactions, I should have asked an admin for the exact date when in doubt about anything in the hostile area.
  • I acknowledge how "Talk:Murder of Meredith Kercher" has grown into a larger mix of intense disputes, so I will refrain from posting several major suggestions there at one time.
  • Some people have imagined that I have watched the numerous MoMK disputes every day during the past 3 months, but I have been distracted by other issues for the summer, so I was unaware of many arguments among 20 new people at Talk:MoMK.
  • I further pledge to reduce participation at Talk:MoMK, because finally, I understand the level of disputes which had occurred while I was gone, and now I can see how I returned "like gangbusters" in the middle of disputes I did not realize were hotly contested.
  • When people said "disruptive" I was thinking disruptive-editing such as edit-wars, but finally admin User:MLauba used the word "inflamed" so I realize that I was seen as raising the level of disputes and hostility which was brewing while I was gone.
  • Please remember that I have been blocked or topic-banned for 5.5 months of the past 9 months, so I have had only limited contact with MoMK editors. However, I finally understand that Talk:MoMK was already contentious enough without much input from me, so I will reduce participation due to the current conflicts between the 20-30 people already there.
  • I will try to spend more time reading over those 5.5 months of Talk:MoMK while I was gone, before offering more suggestions. Again, I apologize that I came back so strong and caused alarm along with the current disputes ongoing there, which raised stress for the admins who are juggling the current disputes.

I hope you will realize how I was unaware of the numerous severe issues brewing while I was gone, but now I understand why so many people here seem filled with rage, as though I were "adding fuel to the fire" of those prior hostilities, by posting major new suggestions among numerous ongoing disputes. -Wikid77 (talk) 04:04, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Hi Wikid. I guess it will depend on what editors think generally, but I am glad to see you trying to view things from the other perspective and am becoming more inclined to give you (yet) another chance.
A thing that I'm really concerned about it is your mission to create a content fork. This is not mainly because of the content fork itself, but because one of your strategies seems to be adding copious amounts of detail and material to the existing article in the hope that it will eventually become too large and will need to be split. Let's not get into whether that is or isn't something you really have done in the past, though. Would you be willing to agree to be conservative in future in adding to the article or proposing/supporting additions to the article? I think most editors agree that the article is too long and detailed at present and would like to find a way to cut it down. This is difficult because of the NPOV disputes, but it becomes even more difficult if there is an editor involved with the opposite gameplan.
In terms of whether a fork should be created, I don't think anything significant has changed since the last AfD. Maybe at some point in the future (eg following the current appeal) somthing will change, and it might not then be unreasonable to try for the fork again, but I'd ask you to just pursue that through the normal channels when the time comes.
I don't mean to just make you jump through additional hoops. If you are sincere in what you say above, then I'd say that an additional reassurance on that specific point is not too much to ask.
Cheers. --FormerIP (talk) 13:12, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I agree that the above post represents a significant change of tone, and am now not as supportive of a topic ban, although I also do not appreciate being referred to as "filled with rage" when that is simply not the case. Since Wikid77 has made no further mention of the various articles that he intended to create based on his experiences at the topic talk page, have these previous proposals been withdrawn, or does he still hope to write them one day? For example, the idea of creating an "Anticipating hostile reactions" project page would appear to me to be subversive. SuperMarioMan 20:59, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

HJ Mitchell mass fully protecting templates

BravesFan2006

BravesFan2006 (talk · contribs) — I really don't know what to do about this user.

He also uses an e-mailed chart update — only available through subscription — to update the Hot Country Songs charts positions every Monday, because he apparently can't wait until Thursdayish when the same positions are up on billboard.com. Despite countless warnings for

WP:NOR he continues to violate them. He's also shown no attempt whatsoever to talk things over on his talk page, even though he used to as recently as a few months ago. Ten Pound Hammer, his otters and a clue-bat • (Otters want attention
) 21:54, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

BravesFan2006 (talk · contribs) has been an asset to the country music discographies and I'm appalled to see the project turn on him. The chart update he uses is available for free here to absolutely anybody, published by Billboard and verifiable. It's been used by TenPoundHammer (talk · contribs) to source Craig Campbell's discography here. Without BravesFan, we'd be reliant on IP users jumping the gun and adding false peaks from God knows where like this because the unverifiable Mediabase chart is also published on Monday.
Everything else he's added has come directly from an official source, including the Canadian Country Singles peaks from here, which were only recently ruled unverifiable because the archive maintained by Billboard is only accessible to subscribers. They had been considered acceptable for four years and I think it would been better to have explained to him that there was a growing consensus not to include them rather than slapping a regular user with a generic template while the discussion was still ongoing. I can't blame him if he logged on, saw that a Canadian country peak had been removed and assumed that it was vandalism since adding Canadian country peaks had been standard practice for so long.
It seems like every time I sign in that something that used to be acceptable isn't allowed anymore, and now TenPoundHammer is targeting the Bubbling Under peaks citing precedent, even though a consensus hasn't been reached and he was the first one to start removing them. He did the same thing with succession boxes here but was called on it here. I find a lot of his recent actions malicious and suspect. It's no wonder BravesFan added the Bubbling Under peak back, because it's a true peak that had been there since the article was created and was removed without an explanation, supposedly because you have to have a Billboard membership to verify it. As far as BravesFan's habit of formatting navboxes incorrectly, I honestly don't believe he knew how to copy and paste up until a month ago, but that's based solely on observation.
And for the record, it was Nowyouseeme (talk · contribs) who added the incorrect reference for "Trailerhood" here and BravesFan tried to fix it here. Eric444 (talk) 03:15, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
As for the chart updates on Monday, it's not so much that he's using the Billboard update (which is perfectly fine — if nothing else, as a "backup" in case Billboard.com fails, such as on the Craig Campbell page) it's that he's not SAYING that he's using it. The only Bubbling Under peaks I'm removing are ones that I can't verify (2008 onward). Ten Pound Hammer, his otters and a clue-bat • (Otters want attention) 03:41, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
didn't ADD a reference. You really need to grow up, because every time I sign in, all I see is you complaining about something. BravesFan is defiant and I think it's about time somebody reported him - you can only give somebody so many warnings Nowyouseemetalk2me
05:47, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
I agree with
bare url and not formatted properly. As for Eric444 (talk · contribs) - grow up. Life isn't fair sometimes and you're not always going to get what you ask for. Time passes and things change. EnDaLeCoMpLeX (contributions) • (let's chat
) 21:19, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
When I joined Wikipedia, I understood it to be a collection of information. Lately, it seems like most users are signing in with an attitude of what can I remove and who can I attack. It's unfortunate and it's no way to grow the project. All of a sudden, the country music discographies are full of holes and asterisks and, ironically, are some of the most incomplete discographies on the internet and beyond.
I can accept change. I can understand why we're removing lyric quotes and I said nothing when reviews were taken out of the album infoboxes and moved into smaller boxes directly below them, but there's a lot happening lately that I don't agree with and it's hard to sit by and let it happen. Somebody has to speak up. Right now, we're deleting information that we KNOW to be fact because none of the regular country music members have a Billboard membership and it's laughable.
To get back to BravesFan2006 (talk · contribs), he added "Trailerhood" five days after the reference column was added. Since being called out by Nowyouseeme (talk · contribs), he has been adding references. This discussion is the very first time that I've ever seen the Billboard update questioned.
With all of the egos, cliques and policy changes, it's no wonder nobody wants to get involved and help with the "country and western" articles. Eric444 (talk) 02:26, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Even with this discussion going on, BravesFan2006 (talk · contribs) still is not adding references to articles. Even TenPoundHammer (talk · contribs) had to warn him again. Something tells me his is ignoring his talk page completely. EnDaLeCoMpLeX (contributions) • (let's chat) 20:50, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I agree with EnDaLeCoMpLeX (talk · contribs) - I think he is completely ignoring his talk page. I mean.. how else can he not even be commenting here to defend himself? It just supports his defiant attitude, and it isn't constructive. Nowyouseemetalk2me 21:13, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I also warned him for a second about about adding unsourced chart positions here for "Smoke a Little Smoke". A days prior to this, I warned him for the same reason for "Hip to My Heart". He has repeatedly added Bubbling Under Hot 100 peaks to articles, unsourced, when these peaks cannot be verified after 2008. EnDaLeCoMpLeX (contributions) • (let's chat) 21:37, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

vandalism only account?

Resolved
 – User blocked GiftigerWunsch [TALK] 21:31, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Deciver12 looks to be vandalism only: [113][114][115][116]

All in the space of 24 hours, but spanning two days. Editor informed.

talk
) 18:28, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Blocked. You can just report VOAs to 18:31, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

AMuseo

I'm trying to work and User:AMuseo won't stop harassing me by bombarding my talk page, although I've said my piece and very specifically told him to leave me alone three times. I don't have anything against the person and don't accuse him of anything other than pestering me when I'm trying to work. Would an administrator be kind enough to tell him to knock it off? —Thanks Tim Carrite (talk) 18:57, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Link

unclean hands and expect much sympathy. HupHollandHup (talk
) 19:15, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I agree. Going to ANI with this specific complaint is feeding the trolls--if you believe that this is trolling. I don't see it that way, though AMuseo would be well advised to leave the matter be. You could always not respond anymore and delete the comments instead of making inflated claims of harassment. Drmies (talk) 19:32, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Fair enough, complaint withdrawn. Carrite (talk) 19:50, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Blocked user using IPsock to leave an apology?

Resolved
 – User has offered apology, and will - hopefully - sign in as Vote (X) for Change (talk) to make an unblock request. TFOWR 12:53, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
If it really is that user, asking him to apologize for using an IP is not going to work. He should know that editing under an IP is wrong when he is blocked and shouldn't be done. How are you going to ask him to apologize if he is not sorry for it? Apologizing has got to come from him, not when he is asked. Bejinhan talks 10:20, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
(
WP:DENY and ignore this as, basically, trolling. TFOWR
10:35, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Oh, sorry. I thought he meant asking the user to apologize for using an IP sock. :p Bejinhan talks 11:03, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Just to clarify, I apologise for the behaviour which led to the indef block. 91.84.220.22 (talk) 11:49, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
That's excellent news! Log in as Vote (X) for Change (talk · contribs), and mention that as part of your {{unblock}} request. TFOWR 11:56, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
It's also good to have another IP address to reference. This section sounds like a bank robber busting out of prison so he can go apologize to the bank he robbed. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 12:03, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Baseball Bugs seems to be saying I should keep one IP address. Seems a sensible suggestion as I'm not planning to participate in any more ballots.91.84.220.22 (talk) 12:21, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
  • I've blocked 91.84.220.22 as the logical next step is for the user to sign in as Vote (X) for Change (talk), and request an unblock (complete with the apology promised above). TFOWR 12:51, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
  • Am I missing something? He asked for an unblock of an account he swears he'll never use. What would be the point? -- Atama 19:21, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
  • Read a little bit of his history (as well as his creative response to my comment earlier), and you might discern an answer to that question. :) ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 23:43, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Range block possible?

I have been diligently reverting an IP hopping editor who is consistently adding unsourced ethnic, religious, and descent categories to biography articles against

WP:EGRS and have also left messages pointing them to the relevant policies (example). With regard to notifying the IP of this discussion, should I just pick one of their addresses at random? I'm not sure what the protocol would be in this situation. --Jezebel'sPonyobons mots
14:29, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I think a rangeblock would be necessary here. I had a look at the Rangeblock calculator and the range is 166.216.130.0/25, which means that only half of the users in the 166.216.130.xx range will be blocked (and the other half i.e. from 166.216.130.128 to 166.216.130.255 will be free to edit). Minimac (talk) 15:43, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
It can be further reduced if you use two rangeblocks: 166.216.130.0/26 and 166.216.130.64/27 which will cover 166.216.130.0 -- 166.216.130.95, which is 96 IPs instead of 128, FWIW. As an aside, the block, if applied, must be a softblock, as there would be a lot of collateral damage on the 166.216.130.0/25 range. -- Avi (talk) 16:01, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I think the level of disruption has reached the point that a rangeblock ought to be considered, but I asked Ponyo to bring the question here, as I am not experienced with these types of blocks. Thanks, Avi, for checking into the potential for collateral damage. Paul Erik (talk)(contribs) 16:35, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I will place a soft rangeblock for a couple of weeks on the 94 IPs (in two ranges), which should allow registered users to continue to edit from their phones. Please have the unblock list notified that there may be fallout that will have to be addressed. -- Avi (talk) 18:10, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

 Done here. -- Avi (talk) 18:14, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Thank you Avi, you're a star - I Kiss You! --Jezebel'sPonyobons mots 18:31, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Curse you Ponyo for reminding me of the "I Kiss You" site. I did not need that back in my brain! -- Atama 22:48, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Colon-el-Nuevo et al

talk
) 21:12, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I can confirm, from many interactions with this user on Talk:Christopher Columbus, that despite repeated warnings and explanations, he persists in using Wikipedia as a forum for his own research, claiming that Columbus was born a Portuguese nobleman and was employed by King John II of Portugal as a secret agent, sent to divert the Spanish away from the true Indies. - Eb.hoop (talk) 00:31, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
You both misunderstand my claims. What I am claiming is that the information written in the articles is not consistent with the evidence or with the history of Portugal and Spain. Furthermore, there are many instances where entries are outright false as is the statement that Genoese was NOT a written language. I have continuously provided sources and evidence that can be used to make the article better but those sources are never included and when I include them myself you guys go and delete them as if your sources are somehow the only sources. I provide continuous facts that can be checked by anyone with the provided sources and all I wish is for an article on Columbus that is balanced with the facts and leaves out the fantasy.Colon-el-Nuevo (talk) 18:14, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Sanity review on indef block

Spuum (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log). Thanks in advance. Fvasconcellos (t·c) 22:44, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

  • Solid block. The editor was not here to contribute constructively. Toddst1 (talk) 23:08, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Sock, non-neutral editor?

Can someone please look at User talk:Chetnik Serb? This new editor made a number of doubtful edits (two of which I reverted), and one of his edits, at University of Pristina, restored an edit by User:Happy Democrat aka Sinbad Barron. I gotta run for a few days (to the beach!), so I'm leaving it up to 'the community'. Drmies (talk) 22:37, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

No no no no no no no no non no. I am a Serbia editor. Not all Serbs are "radical", look at
Natasa Kandic, I'm a man who is more like her. Chetnik Serb (talk
) 22:39, 16 September 2010 (UTC
Obvious sock of
talk
) 22:54, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Athenean is one of the Greek nationalists who has been editing on anti-Albanian talkpages, ofcourse he is going to say things like that, he hasn't got proof, don't believe him. Chetnik Serb (talk) 22:57, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Quack quack quack...
talk
) 23:17, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Sock of banned User:Orijentolog

It seems like this user is back in action, editing under these IPs: [118] [119] [120], and possibly several others. It is an obvious sock, as Orijentolog is a Croatian Iranologist, and these IPs exhibit the rather unique feature of being pro-Iranian while located in Croatia.

talk
) 00:52, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

I'm reblocking 93.142.0.0/16 and 93.143.0.0/16 for 1 month (again).
Georgewilliamherbert (talk) 01:11, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Thanks, hopefully that should do it. I went ahead and reverted him in the meantime.
talk
) 02:20, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Revision deletion requested

Resolved
 – Zapped. Fences&Windows 01:28, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

This seems to qualify per deletion per RD#2; there doesn't seem to be any reason to leave it in the article's history. Peter Karlsen (talk) 01:23, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Done. Fences&Windows 01:28, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Thank you. Peter Karlsen (talk) 01:29, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Company recruitment by User:Mvanellen

Resolved
 – user indef blocked by NawlinWiki. Bejinhan talks 05:03, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Just a while ago, the above user added the same message to a dozen or so talk pages apparently recruiting them for some business. Not sure what to make of it, though I left a business promotion warning on their talk. See Special:Contributions/Mvanellen

  • She ignored several warnings to stop spamming and is now blocked. NawlinWiki (talk) 19:34, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Legal Threat

NLT violation from User: 82.209.159.184 here: [121]. He (or someone at his IP address) has made a legal threat before, too: [122]. Stonemason89 (talk
) 04:20, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

That was almost a month ago. I don't think there's much point in blocking them now, especially since they haven't edited since then. ) 04:32, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Whoops. I saw August and thought it was September. D'Oh! Stonemason89 (talk) 04:33, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
And there's a similar statement made here [123] to the one Stonemason89 pointed out. As Hersfold pointed out, it's definitely stale at this point... Tabercil (talk) 04:40, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
The legal threat contains an allegation of a copyright violation. Does anyone think that's worth following up? --Steven J. Anderson (talk) 05:27, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
The accusation seems to be without merit. My initial comparison of the Wikipedia article with this article doesn't find plagiarized text. The IP's comment on the talk indicates this had more to do with a disagreement about content, POV and a specific editor. CactusWriter (talk) 06:21, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

User:Zuggernaut - Canvassing to try and influence debate

Could an admin please take a look at the actions of Zuggernaut. This editor has made several problematic alterations to articles which have been undone and are being debated on the talk pages of the relevant articles. He has now posted on certain wikiprojects which have no relation to the specific debates, in order to try and stack the debate. [124] and [125] and [126], that is on top of posting about it on the Indian related articles noticeboard. This is clearly 1 sided canvassing to further his agenda. Any assistance would be helpful thanks. I will inform the user about this post, and the two articles impacted. BritishWatcher (talk) 23:02, 12 September 2010 (UTC)

Sorry, I disagree. None of my edits can be classified as problematic as logs, history and diffs show. I have merely followed
WP:BOLD and more than 99% of my edits have been accepted. When they haven't I've taken the discussion to the talk pages. Two such discussions are at the articles stated by the complainant. I have posted on relevant project talk pages and simply invited editors to join in forming consensus. I doubt this can be called biased canvassing or anything like that. Both posts are here [127] [128]. Thanks. Zuggernaut (talk
) 23:14, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
Some of your edits have certainly been problematic, which is why they have been disputed and are now being debated on talk pages. Could you please explain to me what Irish Republicanism has to do with the India article? BritishWatcher (talk) 23:17, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
Once again, zero posts have been problematic. Different POV perhaps (and that POV happens to be a mainstream POV, per WP:Reliable sources in India, a country of 1.2 billion). So, I need to emphasize, definitely no problematic posts from me as diffs and history will show. Irish people were subjects of the British Empire. Many editors there may have a great deal of interest both articles. Zuggernaut (talk) 23:23, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
You chose to post on the Irish Republicanism noticeboard because you thought it would help bring in editors closer to your own POV on this matter. BritishWatcher (talk) 23:26, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
I chose them because they were Irish. I have invited them per Wikipedia policies. I intend to invite people from all British colonies to participate in the debate . I will do so per Wikipedia policies. Your complaint is frivolous and designed to slow down or stifle a different POV. Zuggernaut (talk) 23:32, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
Perhaps you could explain how having more people participate can be problematic.--Kitchen Knife (talk) 23:34, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
KK, see
WP:CANVAS for information on when asking people to participate may be problematic. GiftigerWunsch [TALK]
23:36, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
OK but I can't see how they are in this case.--Kitchen Knife (talk) 23:47, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
I can assure that none of my posts are problematic. Feel free to scrutinize my history log and diffs to the fullest. Britishwatcher is upset because I have a different POV an because I have have been persistent with it (on talk pages). I have invited people on two projects to joint the debate. I have NOT asked them to vote one way or the other.Zuggernaut (talk) 23:40, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
Choosing them "because they were Irish" could seem like
votestacking to some. To some... Doc9871 (talk
) 23:43, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
Not really, as Northern Ireland (part of UK) look at one of those boards too. Thanks. Zuggernaut (talk) 23:46, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
It is outlined in
WP:CANVASSING that your actions are canvassing if you are just alerting editors of a particular field or POV; in this case, alerting only those of a specific nationality is canvassing. If you were to alert the other side as well, it wouldn't be.— dαlus Contribs
23:51, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
I have only tried to open the discussion to a wider audience. You are making assumptions that people of a certain nationality will vote one way. A user from India is opposing my view and another from the UK is supporting it - there are all sorts of permutations and compositions in the discussion. It has nothing to do with ethnicity or national origin. Zuggernaut (talk) 23:58, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
Don't put words in my mouth; I made no such assumptions, I simply told you what the page said, and compared it with what you did, and you did canvass.— dαlus Contribs 04:11, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Irish Republicanism ‎ Wikipedia talk:Noticeboard for India-related topics Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Ireland were the 3 boards he chose to raise this on. India-related topics board makes sense, although clearly just advertising there and not also to the UK board is bias canvassing (in the case of the British Empire article). But there is no justification or need for posting to the Irish Republicanism board on a subject related to the India article. I suppose it could be a complete coincidence that Irish Republicanism have rather negative views about the United Kingdom, but such random canvassing surely can not be acceptable. BritishWatcher (talk
) 00:02, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

You seem to be ignoring Wikipedia:Assume good faith both in Zuggernaut and the edits made by people brought into the debate from those boards.--Kitchen Knife (talk) 00:13, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
How so?
WP:CANVAS is a guideline; violating it in good faith is still a violation, and I haven't seen BW suggest anywhere that Zuggernaut knowingly or intentionally violated it, just that it was canvassing and therefore problematic. GiftigerWunsch [TALK]
00:18, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
The accusation is that he is "canvassing to try and influence debate" rather than trying to notify interested parties. There is also an implicit assumption that anyone attracted will behave in a way that is not NPOV, otherwise there would be no problem with there participation.--Kitchen Knife (talk) 00:24, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
I've invited people in a neutral way. I have not asked them to vote one way or the other. I found that the featured article British Empire article had a Eurocentric view. I made some changes over the last few days to fix that [129][130][131] [132] [133] [134] [135] [136] [137]. Some of the contents were offensive - liker terming Indians in India "natives", reversing sequences to emphasize European aspects only. I hope you are not mad because those changes were reversed by me. I also hope that you are not mad because I have a different POV. Let the admins look at diffs/history/logs and decide for themselves. Zuggernaut (talk) 00:25, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Kitchen Knife, i would not have raised this here if Zuggernaut had just posted on the India -related articles noticeboard. But the posting on the Irish Republicanism wikiproject is just totally unjustified and seems to be trying to influence the debate. Why the Irish republicanism wikiproject? It had absolutely nothing to do with the debate taking place on India and not really linked to the issue on the British Empire article either. But its the India post on the Irish Republican wikiproject that is the most problematic. Theres just no justification for it BritishWatcher (talk) 00:48, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

LOL. Obvious vote-stacking is obvious. It's hard to think of a more obvious example tbh. Asking Wikiproject Louisiana to come and give unbiased input at the George Bush article maybe. MickMacNee (talk) 00:22, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

Here's a question from a passing observer: If this is about letting relevant WikiProjects know of an issue with the British Empire article, why edits to all of those WikiProjects and no edits to the blazingly obvious Wikipedia talk:WikiProject British Empire (or indeed to any of the six WikiProjects listed at the top of Talk:British Empire)? Uncle G (talk) 00:36, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

And another question. Is there a policy breach here somewhere? What exactly is the "incident"? I hardly think a potential breach of a guideline merits taking up time here. --
HighKing (talk
) 00:53, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
That is my question as well, Uncle G. Canvassing only the Indian and Irish projects over a series of edits that appear mostly related to India, and edits that take a position that is decidedly less sympathetic to the British Empire? Yeah, that's not neutral at all. Whether or not the edits themselves are valid, British Watcher has a good point here. Resolute 01:28, 13 September 2010 (UTC)


I deny once again the allegations BritishWatcher has made against me. Since a complaint which should not have been here in the first place is already here, I am providing the following from the respective guideline:

Had the editor contacted me directly, we could have easily sorted out any possible misunderstanding. I'm asking admins to please close this case so we can get back to editing articles instead of wasting limited Wikipedia time here. I will also ask that BritishWatcher assume good faith in the future, even if we are discussing issues with significant POV differences. Thanks. Zuggernaut (talk) 02:05, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

He's not required to contact you "directly": and you're still saying you did nothing wrong whatsoever. It's his fault, now? Doc9871 (talk) 02:19, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Given that you still think you did nothing wrong, I fail to see how him talking to you directly could have solved anything.— dαlus Contribs 04:14, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
I'm stunned by the level of discussion here! This is looking more like a street fight! If Zuggernaut's being Irish is the problem (and I think people who raised the issue should be termed racist!) I own his suggestions! Now! If it really matters, I'm am an Indian. Should I be ashamed of it? I'm not being able to understand what's going on here! If this is the way folks in wikipedia conduct themselves then I need to seriously see if this place is worth it and if I should be wasting my time here! I'm sure this is not the way wikipedia was intended to be! I even mobilized my twitter followers to raise funds for the site at one point. If this debate does not come on track by the very next comment, I'll escalate this matter to the highest forum of wikipedia and I promise you that. And by "on track" I mean discussion over Zuggernaut's suggestions and not what who is! Let's modify his statements and paste if here of on the talk page of the article. work on the article and let's stop quarrellings!

btw, who is the admim looking into this matter?

Amartya ray2001 (talk) 07:20, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

You need to gain a bit more experience before you start jumping in discussions and
calling people racist. You also need to learn to not put words in peoples' mouths, such as saying people are saying 'etc' because this editor is Irish; no, that is not why. Please try reading the discussion, because that is not it at all.— dαlus Contribs
07:40, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

Choosing them "because they were Irish" could seem like votestacking to some. To some... Doc9871 (talk) 23:43, 12 September 2010 (UTC)

Not really, as Northern Ireland (part of UK) look at one of those boards too. Thanks. Zuggernaut (talk) 23:46, 12 September 2010 (UTC)

It is outlined in WP:CANVASSING that your actions are canvassing if you are just alerting editors of a particular field or POV; in this case, alerting only those of a specific nationality is canvassing. If you were to alert the other side as well, it wouldn't be.— Dædαlus Contribs 23:51, 12 September 2010 (UTC)

What does these mean? I interpret these as what i said earlier! Like i mentioned earlier, this is a quarrel and not a discussion anymore... and I will therefore appeal to other forums of wikipedia to resolve this issue. For now I don't see how this will reach a conclusion. So far my experience goes, people here knows too little about me to know such things. I would appreciate if they keeps their notions to themselves. And why does everyone seem to put words into your mouth, Daedalus969? This is not the first time you made that remark and last time it was not me!

Anyway, I don't want to stoop lower in this debate. I'm writing emails to the wikipedia management and will request them to look into this matter.

Amartya ray2001 (talk) 07:56, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

Cool! Make sure that you include that Zuggernaut, just above, made the comment about informing editors because they were Irish[138]. And you are probably no longer "the most neural person in the debate" (see below). Happy
shopping :> Doc9871 (talk
) 08:18, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
That isn't how it works. You can't just go around saying that party X said Y when they in reality said Z, nor can you go around calling people racist.— dαlus Contribs 08:25, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
And really, it -was- you who were the one putting words in peoples' mouths; above, you state 'If Zuggernaut's being Irish is the problem', when in reality, no one had said anything like that. What they have said, however, is he was canvassing in two specific groups, instead of a broader group of people.— dαlus Contribs 08:28, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

This debate is going nowhere!

Alright, let us not take things personally and make this an ego issue. I don't understand this, "what is the problem in stating examples of the British oppression while they colonized India?" specially when it is backed by credible citations? Are we trying to say that we can't write things against the acts of oppression committed by imperialist powers in wikipedia. Are we of the opinion that the concepts of "imperialism" should be protected? I think, these are an intrinsic part of Indian history! I would request an admin to answer these for me in a clear cut manner. No diplomacy please!!!

I seem to be the most neutral person in this entire debate! I believe the following two facts about the British rule in India, -

1) The regime was oppressive and was only interested in exploiting the native population. They did that even in the American continent! And yes, they did not take appropriate measures to arrest famines in India for whatever reasons! More people died of hunger in the subcontinent during the Raj than during any other time.
2) If India is a country today it is because of the British Raj. India as it stands today (Geographically) never existed before the brits came and colonized this place. Therefore, the country owes it's very creation to their rule.
There is a positive and a negative side to every regime. It is our duty to represents facts, without fear or shame to the world at large. This debate is going no where and is increasingly becoming an ego fight between the faction which wants portray some facts and others who want to protect interests! We need to escalate this to the highest levels. Personally, I really don't care if the "featured article" tag is removed as long as "truth" wins.
Amartya ray2001 (talk) 06:17, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Another point
It is being persistently said that there is no consensus on Zuggernaut's suggestions, which in my observation is untrue. I see the debate here 60:40 in favor of modifying Zuggernaut's suggestions and then publishing it. I can see about 2 editors against it and another taking a neutral view of the situation. With all humility, I'm sorry, but in the civilized world this act is called bullying!
Amartya ray2001 (talk) 06:45, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Oh please. That is not the case for either the India article or the British Empire article. But support for Zuggernauts suggestions is not what is the issue here. The problem is he canvassed the debates to clearly unrelated wikiprojects. BritishWatcher (talk) 08:33, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

None of the following from Canvassing#Inappropriate_notification apply to my posts:

  • Posting a notification of discussion that presents the topic in a non-neutral manner  Not done Invited in a neutral manner per this diff [139]
  • Posting messages to groups of users selected on the basis of their known opinions – for example, sending notifications only to those who supported a particular viewpoint in a previous discussion, or who state on their user page (e.g. through a userbox or user category) that they hold a particular opinion ("votestacking")[2][140] Not done (per foot note) None of my invitations have been disruptive. In fact I've not made a single disruptive edit since my first post of July 17, 2010
  • Contacting users off-wiki (by e-mail, for example) to persuade them to join in discussions (unless there is a specific reason not to use talk pages) Not done Never sent out an e-mail to anyone
  • Posting messages to an excessively large number of individual users, or to users who have asked not to receive such messages[3] Not done I've posted messages to ZERO individual users, only three projects
  • Posting messages to users or locations with no particular connection with the topic of discussion ("talk page spamming") Not done No talk page spamming
  • Soliciting support other than by posting messages, such as custom signatures that automatically append some promotional message to every signed post Not done No customizations to my signature.

Let's close this and move on to editing articles. Thanks. Zuggernaut (talk) 08:37, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

You actually violate point number 2, which you strangely address as 'not disruptive' despite the fact that that word is not even mentioned in that point.— dαlus Contribs 08:40, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
I do not really consider some of your notifications neutral. In the very link you provided to suggest that your notifications were in a neutral way you said..
"Featured article
WP:Sources
if you are aware of any. Thanks.
"
That is in no way neutral. BritishWatcher (talk) 08:53, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Notifying the Irish board (why?? that has still not been explained) and not the BE wiki-project is clear violation of #2 --
chat!
) 09:00, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
You also say you have not been "Posting messages to users or locations with no particular connection with the topic of discussion ("talk page spamming")". Sorry but that is exactly what you have done. Please explain how Irish republicanism is connected to a debate on the Famine at the India article? BritishWatcher (talk) 09:00, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
You are mis-representing my response. Please check the foot note for point #2 (See here [141]) It talks about disruption. There were two posts I made to the Irish projects - only one of those is relevant to this ANI against me. You are quoting the other one which relates to British Empire not India. This ANI is about India and the inclusion of content about the 37 million deaths. Zuggernaut (talk) 09:02, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Correction: this ANI is about your possible violation of
BWilkins ←track
) 09:09, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Was there any attempt by BritishWatcher to contact Zuggernaut before coming here, as per the top of this page that clearly states Before posting a grievance about a user here, please discuss the issue with them on their user talk page. This is clearly as much about BW's behaviour - ANI is not a place to censure other editors, and admins don't silence editors just because you might have a different opinion. Clearly Zuggernaut has a lot to learn, but I believe a relatively new editor should simply have been pointed to the guideline. --) 12:03, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Having been pointed to the guideline by users here and had it explained, however, Zuggernaut has maintained that he did not violate it; that is clearly an issue. GiftigerWunsch [TALK] 12:30, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
The whole reason for raising this here was so neutral and uninvolved editors could explain to him hes not allowed to do it. Considering he still fails to see hes broken any rules despite other editors contributing to this debate, i fail to see how me trying to explain this to him would have had any positive outcome. BritishWatcher (talk) 12:35, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
The only thing i thought i had to do was to post the fact I had raised this here to the user. " Before posting a grievance about a user here, please discuss the issue with them on their user talk page."" is very different to "You must notify any user who is the subject of a discussion." BritishWatcher (talk) 12:42, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
That's exactly the point. Before posting at ANI, you should have discussed this issue with the user in advance. So where did you discuss the issue with them on their user Talk page? I'd venture that the editor now feels put-upon and cornered, and is adopting an "Admit Nothing" approach - especially seeing as how this discussion has progressed to date. Taking into account that this editor is relatively new, and the fact there's no policy breach (except maybe a breach of AGF by filing this in the first place), I'd back off and be happy that the editor now knows about CANVASS (and a whole host of other guidelines and policies no doubt). If the behaviour continues, then we'll see everyone back here again no doubt. --
HighKing (talk
) 12:50, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
There is a clear breach of wikipedia policies. His canvassing to the Irish republicanism wikiproject has no justification at all. As he still thinks he has done nothing wrong and you think he has done nothing wrong, clearly there is still a problem. BritishWatcher (talk) 12:53, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Given the amount of Unionists who also monitor that page, not to mention the odd British Nationalist, it not the most sensible way of canvassing. Seems like a storm in a tea cup to me. --Snowded TALK 12:57, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
What does
Irish Republicanism have to do with the debate about a famine on the India article? BritishWatcher (talk
) 13:02, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

I believe, BritishWatcher, that some user(s) are suggesting that selective notifciation or inclusion of "Unionist" Wiki users, Irish WP members and the like, is a way of manipulating opinion over topics on the British Empire - like an opinion poll on Stalin sampling only Ukranian farmers. Incidentally, Unionists are not Irish Republicans? --S.G.(GH) ping! 13:25, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

Some unionists may be republicans, but Irish Republicanism is about support for a united Irish republic (which means Northern Ireland leaving the United Kingdom today, like the rest of Ireland did in the early 20th century), the complete opposite of British unionism. Whilst those of the Irish Republicanism wikiproject of course can act in a neutral way, that specific wikiproject by the very definition of Irish Republicanism would be one of the most hostile wikiprojects to the UK. Which is why i have big concerns that unrelated matters under discussion at British Empire and especially India were advertised at that location. BritishWatcher (talk) 18:16, 13 September 2010 (UTC)


I have very high regard for Wikipedia polices, not just in the letter but in spirit as well. It appears to me that Britishwatcher, on the other hand, is on the lookout for loop holes to stall my work. I've been around since July 2010 and frankly I've been learning Wikipedia polices as I edit pages. In the first few weeks, I was quickly pointed to a few basic ones like

WP:SYN, etc and the use of talk pages. This is the first time I've taken the unusual route of learning a guideline via ANI. Given my history per Wikipedia:Civility, I cannot see why Britishwatcher and I could not have sorted this out without coming here. Zuggernaut (talk
) 15:22, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

Because I do not believe me raising this matter with you alone would have led to any successful outcome. I thought you would consider it just my opinion of the rules and we would have ended up here anyway, this is proven by the fact your previous posts above were to disagree that there was anything wrong with your actions after being shown by others the relevant policy. All i wanted was recognition that advertising this matter in the way you did on the Irish wikiprojects (especially the Irish republicanism wikiproject) was against the rules, and to ensure it does not happen again. If you did not know the policy before then that is fine and you know not to do such things again (i fully accept that and would make no further comment on this issue), but at the moment you still seem to think this is just me looking for loopholes to stall you and not a breach of the rules. The post to the Irish Republicanism wikiproject was against the rules. BritishWatcher (talk) 18:05, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Olive branch (left). "God is truth. The way to truth lies through ahimsa (non-violence)"(right) --Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Britishwatcher - Here's how I see the situation:

It is self-evident by the fact that we are here that you clearly and demonstratively violated one of the five foundational pillars of Wikipedia - Wikipedia:Civility by not assuming good faith. On the other hand, I have not violated any of those basic Wikipedia pillars. I have never knowingly done so in the past and never intend to do so in the future. All of my posts will show that I've been polite with everyone I've encountered, that I've kept an open mind and changed my position to accept the truth if someone convinced me that I was wrong. Here's an example: Template_talk:Anglo-Indian_Wars.
It is possible, though unlikely that I violated the guideline
WP:Canvass
.
I would request to you to withdraw this ANI; and rather than conjecturing hypothetically, lets get back to the talk pages and address your allegation about the "inappropriate canvassing". If we determine that the canvassing was inappropriate, I will offer you an apology. In the meantime I hope you accept these from me (look left).

Zuggernaut (talk) 22:06, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

You did violate
WP:CANVASS, which has been explained, but apparently you did it unintentionally, so no worries really. WP:CANVASS in relation to this ANI is not about the language or civility used, but by inappropriate and per se biased posting on unrelated wikiprojects. In future its best to try and keep discussion only to relevant wikiprojects, and if you understand that then this ANI could probably be resolved. Chipmunkdavis (talk
) 00:24, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
A discussion between you and an editor you disagree with 'to determine if you canvassed' is never going to work, and really, BW has no ability to tell other people to stop talking at this thread; indeed you have had several users, including admins(small mistake, read something wrong), tell you that you violated CANVASS, so instead of continuing to argue that you did not, why don't you just admit your fault and say you won't do it again?— dαlus Contribs 01:02, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
"It is possible, though unlikely that I violated the guideline
WP:Canvass." There is no possibility about this. you DID violate that policy, if you did not know about it previously that is fine, just agree to not do it again now you know about it. But I dont see how this can be resolved if you still think you did nothing wrong. All i want is to know that in future you will not be making those sorts of posts on unrelated wikiprojects and with questionable unneutral wording to try and draw certain groups of people into debate which could influence the outcome in a certain way which favours your position. Ive no problem completely moving on once there is recognition this was against the rules and we know it wont happen again, infact ive already spent some time this evening debating about changes to one of the articles you wanted changed to try and reach consensus. BritishWatcher (talk
) 01:08, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
() 01:19, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
How on earth was what I said "petty and bludgeoning"? I did assume good faith, saying that they probably did in unintentionally, and also said that if he now knows the policy that this can be all put to rest. Neither did I condone BW's actions bringing it straight here. And no, I've removed no instructions...anywhere. Chipmunkdavis (talk) 01:44, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
Even if he did not know the rules the reasons why he did what he did are clear and they are problematic. All i want to know is he understands that and in future will not canvass like that in future. If he (and you) can not accept what happened was against the rules, how can there be any confidence that it will not happen again? As for discussing the matter first, the top of this page says "Before posting a grievance about a user here, please discuss the issue with them on their user talk page." I take that as recommended but not a strict rule unlike the post that says you Must notify individuals involved. I believe me raising this matter with him would have produced nothing and we would have ended up here anyway, this much is clear from the fact even after other editors have said it was not allowed he believes he did nothing wrong. If this is a strict rule that most be followed before any matter can be raised on this noticeboard, it should say you must discuss this matter on the persons talk page before raising it here. It does not say that but if you say it is against the rules i will be sure to talk about it first on the persons talk page, i am sorry i thought it would be better coming from neutral admins than from myself, it was obvious he would just dismiss my concerns thinking it was an attempt by me to "stall" things (as he has said in this debate here). BritishWatcher (talk) 13:07, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

There's been no disruption because I posted on Irish projects. We weren't voting on anything and nobody from there has arrived to the India page. It is important to follow the robust Wikipedia policies because clearly a lot of thought has gone in to them. Here's what would have happened if Britishwatcher had not violated WP:Civility

Step 1: Britishwatcher contacts me about canvassing.
Step 2: I read the guideline.
Step 3: I agree with the guideline.

  1. I realize I made a mistake.
  2. I stop the inappropriate canvassing (in this case it was already static when this ANI was filed)
  3. Agree with Britishwatcher any other steps that need to be taken; execute those steps

OR

Step 3: I disagree with the guideline.

  1. I realize there's an unintentional problem caused by me
  2. I stop the inappropriate canvassing (in this case it was already static when this ANI was filed)
  3. Agree with Britishwatcher any other steps that need to be taken; execute those steps
  4. I initiate a discussion at the talk page of
    WP:CANVASS
    with the goal of improving the guideline
  5. Upon the end of the discussion either the policy is changed or I realize I am wrong and my views have changed

Step 4:Move on to editing articles.

There are several advantages to both the scenarios other than the obvious avoidance of this ugly situation.

  1. No time lost in either scenario.
  2. No uncivility is encountered by either parties.
  3. The ambience is polite and constructive.
  4. Everybody wins

If Britishwatcher just states that he's withdrawing this, we can get over with this and focus on editing articles. Zuggernaut (talk) 18:45, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

  • How about this: you admit that you made a mistake and that you now understand what the canvassing policy is and stop trying to wikilawyer your way out of your responsibility for this mishegas. Then everybody goes back to editing and this thread can be closed. Beyond My Ken (talk) 21:28, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
WP:NOTTHEM. This thread is about your behavior, Zug, not BW's. You say above that if BW had contacted you, you would have admitted your mistake; what's stopping you from doing so now, then? Or is the above a backhanded way of indeed admitting you made a mistake?— dαlus Contribs
04:03, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Also, canvassing by nature is disruptive; you can't just talk your way out of it by claiming your actions weren't disruptive and therefore not canvassing; it doesn't work that way.— dαlus Contribs 04:20, 15 September 2010 (UTC)


All i want is for you to recognise that you are not meant to canvass in the way you did and say it will not happen again. That is it, then we can all move on. But if you still think you have done nothing wrong in this case i worry it may happen in another debate in future. BritishWatcher (talk) 17:08, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Convenience break

I have requested feedback from Wikipedia_talk:Canvassing and I will wait before I make any further comments on this case. Ideally I would have preferred to go to those talk pages after this ANI was withdrawn but it seems the withdrawal will not happen. Zuggernaut (talk) 03:34, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Zuggernaut's request for feedback [142] includes a request to allow people to only bring people to support their POV, "Each party involved in a discussion would ideally like to invite the entire pool of users who are likely to support their position." If you ask me that's an admission he knows that he only canvassed to support his position here. Chipmunkdavis (talk) 06:37, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Z's posting on Talk:Canvassing appears to me to be simply another attempt at Wikilawyering. Beyond My Ken (talk) 13:40, 16 September 2010 (UTC)


Zuggernaut has said on Wikipedia_talk:Canvassing:


I invited users from the Irish projects because India and Ireland had both suffered famines with huge death tolls during the same period under the same regime, that of the British. Another point made was that I should have invited people from the British Empire project. I did not do so because I was and am not aware of other countries under British rule at that time in history of having faced similar famines. In short, I thought that inviting people meeting five common factors would help improve the quality of the debate. These factors were:

  • The country should have been under British occupation
  • People should have been resisting British rule
  • There should have been a famine or multiple famines between 1800-1900.
  • Policies of the British regime should have caused starvation deaths
  • Death tolls should have been in millions."


This was clearly biased canvassing and it is a blatant violation of wikipedia policies. At the time he may not of been aware of this policy but he is aware of the policy now and still fails to recognise he did something wrong. Will a neutral admin please try to explain this to him as all above attempts have failed. BritishWatcher (talk) 18:01, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

And explain also that BW is highly unlikely to "withdraw" this thread, as has been repeatedly "requested" (even in his most recent post above): it's beyond BW at this point, Zuggernaut. He cannot be "blamed" for this report, and you've done this enough times now. The clear majority of editors commenting here see this as canvassing, and it's coupled with
issue... Doc9871 (talk
) 00:01, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
As an editor who has had no knowledge of any of this other than just reading this thread I have formed an opinion that
I didn't hear that and a lot of wikilawyering. This needs to be stopped and the editor needs to admit that what s/he has done is against the norm of policies. HTH as this is just what I see when I read and follow the various difs provided. Thanks for listening, --CrohnieGalTalk
13:31, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Problem is not yet finished, even 5 months now. Clear this problem as soon as possible

Resolved
 – Take the advice given back in April. No administrator intervention required.

This is the sequel of the old AnI topic from April 2010: Wikipedia:Administrators'_noticeboard/IncidentArchive608#Disruptive_editing_of_Channel_3_.28Thailand.29_and_Myanmar_Radio_and_Television_by_IP_range

I'm American editor that edited Magyar Televízió, Vietnam Television, Channel 3 (Thailand) and some other TV stations from many countries, and I claimed Burma got television in 1969 (now proved false). This is where I got these information to claim on Wikipedia:

  • Magyar Televízió: I can't remember.
  • Vietnam Television: As above.
  • Channel 3 as NBN3: From my experiance from TV. But TV3 is no longer a part of NBN since March 2010, it's now an independence television station since NBN is bought by a Vietnamese company. But we don't need to create NBN article if we don't have references even it exists.
  • Myanmar: I have not added the schedules from 1969, I have added 2 schedules from 1980 and 1984. But I said Burma got TV in 1969. All of these informations are from the old Burmese newspapers (in Burmese) I have 2 issues, 1980 and 1984. (My friend's company hires Burmese workers, I brought some wasted old newspaper to home). I don't really know the schedule, but I just guess it from time - there are not so much programs. In 1984 issue have an advertisement, with numbers "15", and the MTV's old logo (as TVB - Television of Burma), and the birthday cake! What can it be other than 15th birthday of MTV? I will search for that newspaper. I read that many years ago. And I will upload the advertisement to the file upload website.

In 2010 (this year) but in later months, I will go back to the United States so you will see the different IP.--125.25.251.159 (talk) 15:33, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Could you clarify what the actual problem is here that requires admin intervention? All I'm seeing is a list of vaguely related information. ~ mazca talk 16:42, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
It is not April 2008, sorry, but I am having an old problem from April 2010.--125.25.251.159 (talk) 17:12, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
So:
  • What advice did you get in April?
  • What have you done in response to that advice?
  • As asked above by Mazca, what more do you want an administrator to do now?
David Biddulph (talk) 17:25, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Hi, i heard this problem long time ago, I`m from Vietnam maybe I can help you (if you live in Thailand)--113.53.212.249 (talk) 19:36, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

(outdent) I don't understand what's up. The IP has gone on a big posting spree, adding notices to the talkpages of a number of editors and IPs as well [143]. - Burpelson AFB 21:04, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I have seen various cases of stupid pranks in project space recently. [144][145] This could be one of them. I guess someone popularised the idea in popular place such as 4chan. Hans Adler 21:12, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
It does seem like that, doesn't it? It's either a dumb joke or a content dispute so I'm resolving this as no intervention required. - Burpelson AFB 21:19, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
It was an IP editor from Bangkok, Thailand, who is part of a small group of similar editors (not sure how many there are, but it is between 1 and 4) who edit articles about TV without apparently understanding
WP:RS, despite it having been explained to them many times. They have been causing long-term disruption by adding all sorts of unsourced and unsourceable material (often blatant nonsense), and engaging in edit-warring. This one is still banging on about some stuff that has been removed several times before. I'm watching the relevant articles (as is GedUK), and I'll revert any further additions of unsourced or improperly sourced material. -- Boing! said Zebedee (talk
) 08:28, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
I did some IP rangeblocks against this lot sometime last year, in the dark mists of the archives. If this is still continuing as an active problem, we may need to apply larger hammer... Georgewilliamherbert (talk) 08:47, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Thanks - it might be tricky, as they're using a wide range allocated to TOT in Bangkok, one of Thailand's biggest ISPs. But I'll keep my eye on things, and come back here if necessary. -- Boing! said Zebedee (talk) 10:15, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Admitted sock

Resolved
 – Block-evading sock IP blocked. GiftigerWunsch [TALK] 12:14, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

User:161.53.35.105 admits to being a sock of User:Orijentolog in this edit. Does this count a block evasion? Ishdarian|lolwut 10:53, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Yes, per
WP:EVADE. Although the block on Orijentolog is already indefinite, there isn't a need to reset the block. Minimac (talk
) 10:57, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Fair-use images of the Holocaust

There's a discussion going on here at files for deletion about the extent to which fair use can reasonably be claimed for images of the Holocaust. J Milburn began it as a discussion about just one image, but the same issues apply to most of the others we use. The discussion has taken a disturbing turn, with Rama claiming that the fair-use polices are somehow similar to Arbeit macht frei, and that some people just loathe working [146] (whatever that means).

Very few have joined in the discussion, so some fresh eyes would be greatly appreciated. SlimVirgin talk|contribs 12:27, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Rama's comment seems to be borderline trolling but there are reasonable arguments both for and against keeping this image. Rhetoric in general on that page should probably be taken down a notch. JoshuaZ (talk) 13:55, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

  • @Slim; characterizing the FfD debate as one regarding all Holocaust images is false. It's a discussion about one image, and one image alone. Concur with JoshuaZ; the rhetoric needs to be dropped a bunch of notches. --Hammersoft (talk) 14:37, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
    • In my opinion, using the phrase Arbeit macht frei, which may safely be said to be the harbinger of death of hundreds of thousands, if not millions (see Auschwitz concentration camp) of Jews, in any context outside of the discussion of Nazi atrocities, is at best an example of gross insensitivity or ignorance, and at worst, deliberate trolling of the highest order. -- Avi (talk) 15:07, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
      • I agree with Avi regarding the inappropriate use of this phrase. I think Rama should strike his comment. PhilKnight (talk) 16:57, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
        • Haven't we had problems with Rama's interpretation of Fair Use with images in the past? I recall this coming up over and over on this board. -- Atama 16:58, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
          • Wikipedia:Requests for comment/Rama. –xenotalk 17:02, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
          • Ugh, time for rfC #2? Tarc (talk) 17:53, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
            • I don't think it's necessary, he's only expressing his minority view in an FFD (as opposed to nominating images, or using admin powers to enforce their view). –xenotalk 17:58, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
              • My bad, I see now...I thought he was the nom as well. Though I weighed in with a keep !vote as well over there, I question why we're here at AN/I. If it is to discuss and possible censure Rama for an ethnically disparaging comment, then let's get on with that. I don't much like the idea of AN/I being used to bring "fresh eyes" to an XfD one is interested in. Tarc (talk) 18:07, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I asked for fresh eyes here, Tarc, because I didn't like the tone of the discussion, with the Arbeit macht frei comment from an admin, and wanted to nip it in the bud by getting uninvolved people to comment. SlimVirgin talk|contribs 18:21, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I was going to give Rama a two week block, to be lifted after an admission and apology to the users defending the FU rationale. That diff is a grievous anti-Jewish personal attack deserving of a instant block. The only reason I did not block him is because when I went to his talk page to announce the block, I saw that a discussion is already underway here. I urge the admin closing this discussion to do just that - a two week block. To quote from WP:NPA, "Extreme personal attacks, or personal attacks based on race, religion, nationality or sexual identity of an editor are often grounds for an immediate, indefinite block until the remarks are retracted." And this is exactly what we have here. -- Y not? 20:10, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

  • Not that I agree with his comments, but blocking isn't going to cool things down. In fact, rather the opposite. The attack also was not directed at any one person. Further, if Rama's comment is an attack, then so is Slim Virgin's first post in the thread immediately attacking because of a perceived belief of anti-holocaust effort [147]. I found such rhetoric to be beyond the pale, and insinuating anti-semitism for nominating an image for deletion. --Hammersoft (talk) 20:18, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Rama has stricken their comments (in full) at the AFD. –xenotalk 20:22, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
(ec)SlimVirgin also started a thread simultaneously here. So I wrote this. Here and there (but not in the primal thread posts), "fair use" is the section title. In general, what did you expect to find at an encyclopedia, SV? I inherited a grand printed encyclopedia from my father. The rule is: no tears on these pages. -DePiep (talk) 20:28, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I think some people here are prone to histrionics and wearing their hearts on their sleeves. There is absolutely nothing anti-Semitic in Rama's remarks. They were admittedly a bit insensitive, but that's hardly a crime deserving of a block, even had he not struck them. Since he has, I think the case is pretty much closed. 03:06, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
  • (ec) Don't these comments cross several lines?
  • "Some of the arguments presented above are noticeable, compounding the impopularity what the Wikipedia Non-Free doctrine actually says (is essence it says Arbeit macht frei, and many people loath working) with the percieved defence of some Jewish interests," [148] and
  • "Arbeit macht frei" means "work makes free". Notwithstanding its use in History, it is a perfectly valid motto for Free software and Free content, which entail work. [149]
There have been concerns about Rama and Holocaust images before (e.g. see Wikipedia:Requests for comment/Rama). I don't know what his issue is, but I found those posts today disturbing, especially from an admin. I tried to raise them with him on his talk page, but the response was "I am not interested." [150] SlimVirgin talk|contribs 20:30, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
No they don't. Actually, the triangular association in that talk "work-free-whatsthewordwithanHthatmakesyoucry" is great -- for a Talkpage. Is where it is. Now stop
crying. -DePiep (talk
) 20:36, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Okay, I see Rama has struck through the comments, so hopefully that's the end of it. SlimVirgin talk|contribs 20:33, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Now wait a second. Why is this on ANI at all? The OP asks for some fresh eyes would be greatly appreciated. It's about fair use -- hey, how ANI is that?. And then, the OP wrote discussion has taken a disturbing turn -- wow. And then it turns into a .. yep. Two weeks ban asked urged (out of sync: this User:Y is an admin?!). In the end the OP feels OK with a stroke, which was not in their first post at all. Why stepping out of the Talkpage, SV? I propose a warning for you for rabble rousing. -DePiep (talk) (no ec seen with Rama, below. Forgot to add a time. this one: -DePiep (talk) 21:11, 16 September 2010 (UTC) eh, adding surprise that user:Y is an admin -DePiep (talk) 21:22, 16 September 2010 (UTC)



To clarify:

  • my comment was never meant as an antisemitic insult, and I deeply resent people insinuating that I would harbour antisemitic feelings of any kind. The form of my comment (the quote) reflects an idea that I had had before seeing the thread in question (roughly: that the quote was in itself rather beautiful before being perverted by its association to the Third Reich; that is examplifies the part of beauty in horror and vice-versa; and that it would have been a good motto for Free software). This idea was too subtle to use in such context and came out in too condensed and convoluted a form for anybody but me to understand. I regret not realising this before submitting my initial comment; I also regret that people would condemn the comment while admitting that they did not understand it, I regret that nobody seems to have read my explanation, and I regret providing SlimVirgin with a pretext to act outraged (which she was already doing before my comment).
  • I fully intended not to intervene in this discussion until I realised the situation in which J Milburn found himself. I felt compelled to testify that he is not alone feeling a need to rigour and honesty in the handling of Non-Free material. I expected my comment to be a harmless and fruitless protest, and I regret the nefarious effects of my clumsiness.
  • In general, I am astonished to see the violence of the comments brought by questions of Non-Free content (examplified in the thread before my comment). I believe that certain people act as self-appointed guardians of the memory of the Holocaust, chastising any dissent with accusations of antisemitism. There should be a reflection on the notion that the end does not necessarily justify the means.
  • I have no interest for any of the subjects at hand here, and I shall therefore not follow any of the relevant threads. I would be grateful if questions were asked on my talk page should the need arise. Rama (talk) 20:55, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
And I'd like to clarify myself in response. I'll be the "self-appointed" judge of the implication inherent in your comment, thank you very much. And I hereby find that your comment was perfectly invidious - and you know it, your post-hoc "clumsiness" rationalization notwithstanding. -- Y not? 02:35, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Free supports!

Oh, I thought so. How'd I guess it was here? Well, I'm sure everyone's earnt themselves a few more supports on their next RfA, and I'm sure everyone feels that warm fuzzy glow that they've done something useful. I'm reminded, once again, of why I hate these noticeboards. Go and do something productive, for God's sake. Oh, and if you're all gonna discuss me, fucking tell me about it. Yeah, I'm pissed, and I think I have a right to be. J Milburn (talk) 21:00, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Ok, a calmer, and more reasoned, comment from me. I don't appreciate the insinuations about my intentions, I think SV has done her best to turn this into a dramafest, and I am completely with Tarc that this should never have been brought here at all. SV's comments were the ones that most approached offensive, in my eyes, by insinuating things about me/my intentions. She also did her best to make myself and Rama look bad- this thread most certainly included, by bringing up anything and everything at any given opportunity. I have no doubt that she's not going to change her ways, and I see absolutely no point to this thread remaining open. I won't be reading this thread again unless someone asks me to. J Milburn (talk) 22:01, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I saw this as more a call for action about Rama's comment. That would have been worthy of ANI if a discussion with Rama wouldn't lead to a compromise or to Rama striking out the offensive text. But you're right that the part of this message that was about needing "fresh eyes" at the deletion discussion was unwarranted, ANI is not for that. And mentioning you at all in the initial post should mean that you should have been notified. That's at least trout-worthy. -- Atama 22:46, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Whereas I see no great problem with asking for fresh eyes on a very thorny issue. Enough people are contributing that the nastiness has gone away now. I think Rama went way over the line, but perhaps unintentionally. But it's not the first time I've noticed Rama's somewhat idiosyncratic approach to fair-use imge discussions. J Milburn should have been notified, so I'll support the trouting. ;) Franamax (talk) 23:55, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Recapture. After two days of holocasting godwin, SlimVirgin turned a Talkpage-discussion into a wikiworldwide ANI without being clear. SV also tried to gather people at the village pump (miscellaneous), where we could see their true colors. Along the way SV frustrated two serious editors, who are now even out of reading their own contributions at all. In the process, an admin called
snowball
".
I propose & request a week long ban for User:SlimVirgin for disturbing (two days and running) our Wikipedia process. -DePiep (talk) 00:45, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Hey - two weeks is a nice discount relative to what
WP:NPA says: "indefinite". And you know how much we Jews looove discounts! Plus, I said upfront, to be commuted upon retraction and apology. Two weeks, man. Two. Weeks. -- Y not?
02:27, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
"we Jews"? -DePiep (talk) 02:45, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
You wanted to say that anti-Semites love discount too? Of course they do. Everybody loves discount! :)--Mbz1 (talk) 03:05, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
There was retraction, there was no apology. Just the opposite.--Mbz1 (talk) 02:31, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
(edit conflict) @ Y - Your comment about Jews and discounts would be considered quite different if Rama had said it, now wouldn't it? An indefinite block if he made a statement to a Jewish editor along those lines, right? Let's not get too "cute" with the comments, please. A two week block when he struck his comments? I think it's quite excessive... Doc9871 (talk) 02:40, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Once again, although he struck the comment, there was no apology. Just the opposite. rama wrote: "my comment was never meant as an antisemitic insult, and I deeply resent people insinuating that I would harbour antisemitic feelings of any kind." But you know what I do not even argue rama should be blocked. He made an anti-Semitic comment, but no block will make him to understand it was an anti-Semitic comment. I hope that this thread will be good enough to keep him far away of anything concerning Jews, and it is already good enough.--Mbz1 (talk) 02:54, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Check the timestamps, Doc9871 - I asked for a block before Rama struck the comments. I applaud the striking. -- Y not? 03:00, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
And I applaud the striking as well. Do you still think he should be blocked for two weeks for the stricken comment? I haven't seen a suggestion from you that he shouldn't, even after his retraction. Blocks are meant to be preventative, not punitive. As to Mbz1's "whitewashing" comment about "everybody love discount"... If someone with a "different" POV made the comment Y made in a "different" context, I'd certainly guess that Mbz1 would be calling for a block and not making light of it. It's in poor taste to make a comment like this when an editor's fate is being discussed at this board: Y's is not "blockable" of course in this case. BTW: I voted to keep the image in question, and I think POV issues are being pushed into the NFCC debate on that image's deletion discussion there. It's a "touchy" subject", I know... Doc9871 (talk) 06:15, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Whether or not I support a block post-strikeout depends on how you want me to interpret the rationale behind NPA blocks. If it's to stop the outbreak, then obviously there is no more issue. If it's to set a zero tolerance attitude to comments of this sort and to extract an admission and apology, then nothing's changed. Rama has never deigned us with an explanation of how the mysterious strikeout should be understood. If an apology, it is a poor one. -- Y not? 13:02, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
SV was absolutely right to bring the issue here. rama should have been blocked for an anti-Semetic comment.--Mbz1 (talk) 01:00, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Is not what SV wrote at all. Even worse: you are the one to bring it up here. You try to übre-godwin SV? -DePiep (talk) 01:05, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
No, I do not try anything, but I always call the things with their real names, and honestly I cannot care less about godwin low or whatever it is. --Mbz1 (talk) 01:11, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Ah, so you endorse SV for what they did not say. -DePiep (talk) 01:16, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Rama used breathtakingly inappropriate wording. If I'd seen it when it happened, I would likely have struck it myself. Bu they struck their own wording, so whatever. I'm not precise on the timing, but they told SV they weren't going to discuss their edit - so an AN/I reference becomes rather sensible. Franamax (talk) 01:18, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
(edit conflict)I endorse SV action in general.I believe she was right to bring the issue about the discussion here. What I said about rama's comment are my own words. So there are two different points. I hope it is clear now. I do not believe striking the comment is good enough. Thanks.--Mbz1 (talk) 01:26, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
{ec)re Franamax: Is not why SV wrote this ANI. -DePiep (talk) 01:34, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Results not process. Beyond My Ken (talk) 04:59, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

New mineral articles

Resolved: Looks like just a group project; given them the welcoming bumf Gonzonoir (talk) 08:42, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

This is probably a sockpuppet issue, but thought I'd bring it here in case there's anything else going on too. I see some copyright concerns have been raised about some of the articles too and wonder if they might mean this needs immediate attention. This morning a bunch of brand new users have been creating articles about minerals, largely from the Mindat database. I can see the following:

This is just from a first glance down Special:Newpages; there are quite possibly more. Should I just take this to SPI (I know it's sometimes hours or days before cases there can be addressed), or does anyone think it merits more immediate attention? Gonzonoir (talk) 07:53, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Well, most of them are simple stubs, and if there is any specific copyright issue it can be handled as such. Beyond that, I think we can have an article for each mineral (they are real aren't they?) and if a bunch of new users creates them, I'd rather be inclined to think of a class project or the like. I short I don't see anything abusive so far.--
Tikiwont (talk
) 08:12, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

All looks fine to me! --Jolyonralph (talk) 16:59, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Fair enough, I hadn't considered the class project possibility. I will go and recharge my AGF batteries ... Gonzonoir (talk) 08:23, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
There are some edit overlaps as well: Sncervantes and Gabinho27 at 2:53, and Noahk90 and Smenouar at 1:51. Doc9871 (talk) 08:27, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Right, I see it. Thanks. So I've gone back to the users and left them welcome notes, including pointers to the classroom coordination project In case that applies. Thanks for advice all. Gonzonoir (talk) 08:42, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
  • I've used Mindat to create mineral stubs, it's a fantastic resource. Jolyon Ralph, the owner of Mindat,has previously told me that he's very happy to see it used as a source for educational projects. He's got an account on WP, I'll drop him a note mentioning this discussion. DuncanHill (talk) 13:40, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Sure, it's good to see a resource being used to create new legit material. It was just the sudden emergence of so many brand new accounts all engaged in very similar behaviour that leapt out at me while on NPP. It honestly didn't cross my mind that it could be a group project. I Learned A Valuable Lesson :) Gonzonoir (talk) 15:12, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Well, it's an educational project, so learning is good :) DuncanHill (talk) 15:15, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

COI and legal threats

Am watching User talk:Cirt, so I've noticed Rowing101 (talk · contribs) asking Cirt why David Andrews (CEO Xchanging) was deleted (see AFD). From there I followed the links to Xchanging, and, aside from what appears to be a clear COI, the user (and apparently associated IP addresses) have been involved in a long-standing COI content dispute (see page history, and note Talk:Xchanging where the user has threatened to continue to edit war) which has now progressed to legal threats (see edit summary). Am an uninvolved editor in this who's happened to come across it. Maybe an admin should have a look. Strange Passerby (talk) 10:00, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

  • This isn't a simple one. It appears that Wikipedia has been abused by a one-person campaign, since May 2010, to attack a company. Yes, it's fairly obvious from reading the recent news coverage datelined 2010-08-25 who Rowing101 (talk · contribs) is; and 193.195.181.230 (talk · contribs) is an IP address directly assigned to the company. Yes, editors have knee-jerk reactions to conflicts of interest and legal threats. But a look at what those accounts are actually doing reveals that they're trying to combat this single-person campaign. Ironically, whilst other editors have been helping in this on the article, they've been doing exactly the reverse on the article's talk page.

    Blocking the one-person campaign is tricky, as can be seen from the variety of dynamically-assigned IP addresses used. I considered semi-protection, but that's been done four times before, and the daily one-person campaign simply took up again each time that the protection expired. Since accountless and new-account editors are reverting the campaigning edits, I decided to opt for pending changes for 1 year, instead. Let's see how that works. Uncle G (talk) 13:10, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

    • Well the first revisitation by the campaigner after I enabled pending changes was reverted by accountless editor 195.200.128.58 (talk · contribs) … Uncle G (talk) 13:15, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
      • Thanks for having a look, Uncle G; Rowing101 left a message on my talk page seemingly explaining the situation. Hopefully this gets sorted out. Strange Passerby (talk) 15:19, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
        • Defer to judgment of above admins, looks like appropriate actions have already been taken here. -- Cirt (talk) 15:36, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Help required undoing redirect of talk page

Resolved
 – Fixed.--SarekOfVulcan (talk) 16:01, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

WP:CHILDPROTECT, which I have reverted. Before redirecting the talk page, Ohconfucius archived the active topic and renamed the page to be Talk:List of books portraying paedophilia or sexual abuse of minors/Archive 4. Can an admin please restore the page to the state it was before this and delete the unnecessary archive page? Thanks. Delicious carbuncle (talk
) 15:25, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Fixed. No opinion on the AfD at this time. --SarekOfVulcan (talk) 16:01, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Thanks. Ohconfucious should probably have just started with the AfD. Delicious carbuncle (talk) 16:13, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

User-requested review of block for edit-warring

Resolved
 – user indeffed for NPA and continuing edit warring on same article after release of block Toddst1 (talk) 17:14, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

See User_talk:TruckCard#September_2010 and find five admins blocking me or failing to lift the blocks.

NOWHERE WERE THE TWO BLOCKS JUSTIFIED BY THE WRITTEN WP POLICIES. TruckCard (talk) 17:00, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

I see nothing wrong here.
WP:3RR is a "written WP policy" and according to your talk page, you were blocked for violating that. Strange Passerby (talk
) 17:03, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
The policy is
Wikipedia:EW#Sanctions for edit warring, which you would have seen if you'd read it after the many suggestions to do so on your talk page rather than just deleted the warnings and insulting those who gave them to you. Magog the Ogre (talk
) 17:07, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
The block and extension look fine to me...as do the unblock declines. I have to say that posting this here and then jumping right back into the edit warring may not have been the best idea. --OnoremDil 17:08, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Seriously? 5 minutes out of a block and this guy is starting the edit warring again? Someone needs to block him. rʨanaɢ (talk) 17:09, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Relevant AN3 thread: [151]. TruckCard, you would do well to watch out for the
boomerang you've thrown coming back at you. –xenotalk
17:10, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
( 17:11, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
  • The editor has been indefinitely blocked for edit-warring, sockpuppetry (via IPs) and personal attacks. Not much point in further discussion. -- Atama 17:21, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
  • He's continuing to post frivolous unblock requests. Is it time to lock his talkpage? (I'm not the only one who's thinking it; Hammersoft also warned him about it just now...) rʨanaɢ (talk) 17:22, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
  • Nvm, Beeblebrox revoked his talkpage access. rʨanaɢ (talk) 17:25, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Assumptions of bad faith and Battlefield mentality

Resolved

Please could an uninvolved admin please speak to Wikifan12345 about this? Thank you.

Spartaz Humbug!
14:59, 13 September 2010 (UTC)

Hi Spartaz, I agree his comments were completely unacceptable, and I've left him a warning. PhilKnight (talk) 16:00, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Perfect. Thanks.
Spartaz Humbug!
16:02, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
Apologies. I do find the deletion of 3 reliably-sourced articles with IMO weak rationales quite troubling. I'll strike my comment if that's all right. Wikifan12345 (talk) 22:04, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
In her/his "apology", Wikifan12345 attacked Spartaz once again. I don't think the warning got through to Wikifan12345. — Malik Shabazz Talk/Stalk 22:37, 13 September 2010 (UTC)
How so? Criticizing Qatar is now an attack on a user who lives there? Wikifan12345 (talk) 00:01, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
"How so" you ask? So so: Writing ... if that's all right as an apology shows you're not apologizing. You're washing your hands (while smearing an other persons coat: 'with IMO weak rationales'). Then you stroked this (not pointed to by the attacked admin btw; it was even on his talkpage), followed by smearing here by a new writing about 'tacit approval or at least indifference [re Qatar politics]'. Malik Shabazz was all right when referring to your "apology" in quotes. -DePiep (talk) 00:49, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
I think you are guys are taking this too far. "If that's all right" is an honest statement. I wanted to strike my bad faith comments, is that all right? Does that offend you DePiep? Instead of cherry-picking the apology, maybe you should read on:

It was horribly for me to do this, I'm just not a huge fan of countries where slavery is legal and religious minorities are hunted. Again, apologies

I explained why I dubiously connected the admin's presence in Qatar with his IMO "weak rationale" for deleting the 3 articles. Clearly I'm not the only one who thought this considering there is lengthy discussion here where several editors express similar complaints. It was wrong of me to see the admin's presence in Qatar as affecting his judgement when it comes to Israel/Palestine. Wikifan12345 (talk) 00:55, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
That discussion actually demonstrates the complete opposite of what you're asserting. While a number of people in that discussion disagree with Spartaz's decision, and stated that the application of policies and guidelines was incorrectly done, nobody has agreed with you that Spartaz's nationality had any influence on the decision. Quite the opposite, one editor even stated "Reading this discussion, I see quite a bit of bad faith and personal attacks directed at the closing admin." So even there I see complaints about your behavior. -- Atama 21:33, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
typical wikifan behaviour, if i may say something to that case. he exploits every possibility to provoke other users and then performs the innocent one. in this thread one can find also some examples.--Severino (talk) 08:22, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
re Wikifan behaviour example #4 above: If I took it too far, I apologize. I was distracted by the red horns and the smell of sulphur in your aura. -DePiep (talk) 09:03, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

Some time ago Wikifan was banned. In the discussion leading to that here, I commented that he be put under a mentoring agreement. I also invoked that he was just 14 years old and he could perhaps learn a lot more than what you would typically expect in similar cases involving older people. Then I was ridiculed for making that proposal. He was banned but apparently later returned without an restrictions or mentoring agreements.

Congratulations! Well done Admins and keep up the criticisms on me like right now in the treads below! Count Iblis (talk) 16:15, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

"He exploits every possibility to provoke other users and then performs the innocent one." What does this mean? Are you saying I'm baiting editors and then playing the victim? If that were the case, I'd be sending editors I disagree with to enforcement noticeboards, not trying to find a compromise over a potentially problematic contribution(s). Like I said before, I think you guys are taking this too far. I apologized numerous times, explained my behavior, and apologized again. The offended admin hasn't disputed the sincerity of my apology. I don't think this incident falls under general sanctions policy. Wikifan12345 (talk) 05:30, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
If Wikifan were a non-Zionist behaving like this, he would be blocked immediately. His attack on the Qatari admin was particularly noxious, when the background of many obviously biased Israeli editors suggests they are covering up for crimes to which they themselves are linked. 86.181.226.123 (talk) 07:48, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
In my opinion, you were kicked in your balls by Wikifan, and you let her go by saying her apology was "perfect" & then you keep excusing to us you are not from Qatar. Please keep your selfrespect. -DePiep (talk) 21:38, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
(out of synch)@me, ay, afterwards: Spartaz was not saying Wikifan's apology was perfect, but the admin's warning was a perfect solve. No one noticed? I apologise for this disturbing mistake. -DePiep (talk) 21:53, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
"covering up for crimes to which they themselves are linked." Is this not a personal attack? Accusing editors of being war criminals? Assuming bad faith is not kicking someone in the balls DePiep. If Spartaz wants to take this further he/she has a right to I guess. But if not, I'd like to see this closed so uninvolved editors will stop attacking my character. Wikifan12345 (talk) 02:22, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
I marked it as resolved. I hope Spartaz does not mind. If he does, he could undo me.--Mbz1 (talk) 02:34, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
I changed it back. Wikifan ought to make an unqualified apology, and stop making excuses for her-/himself. — Malik Shabazz Talk/Stalk 02:43, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
I apologize for assuming bad faith towards Spartaz closing of the AFD and inferring his/her presence in Qatar somehow played a negative role in his judgement. Wikifan12345 (talk) 03:09, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Malik, I believe it is only up to Spartaz now. If they accepted Wikifan's apology, the thread should be closed. If they do not, they could undo my closure. I was not commenting on the thread before, so I believe I may go ahead and close it. Why to create unneeded drama? Of course, if after my clarification you or anybody else undo me again, I will step out, and let it be.--Mbz1 (talk) 03:22, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

User:BlueRobe fresh from block... with potential civility issues

BlueRobe (talk · contribs)

For background, note that there has been a recent RfC/USER [here] and a previous ANI [here]. Prior to his block, I also have tried to inform the user about behaviors that may be problematic in less formal venues.


User:BlueRobe's first comment after a block expired was to level incivil characterizations of three editors and to presume bad faith [saying -- among other things -- that one editor is "a pathological liar who cannot be reasoned with on any level"].

He was warned that this behavior is similar to that for which he was blocked: [153]. However, he disregarded the warning as a "petty taunt": [154]

He also seems to have an assumption of bad faith that is directed towards me, personally: see this comment from today.

Civility/AGF issues still seem to exist. If isolated, these edits would be stuff for WQA, however, given the larger context that these edits are consistent with a problematic pattern that does not seem to be improving, more scrutiny than Wikiquette may be merited. [Note, that I'm also discouraged about WQA for these issues, given

the previous failure.] BigK HeX (talk
) 02:41, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

As BlueRobe's comments have resulted in a lively discussion, I see no need for admin action and decline to take any. I should note that BlueRobe did not name any editor.--Wehwalt (talk) 02:58, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
For the first diff, it's certain that he was referring to User:Jrtayloriv and one could very reasonably presume the other two characterizations were meant for User:Carolmooredc and myself. The last diff is directed at me specifically. These comments are merely a continuation of the excoriation that he leveled against the three editors I've just name before he was blocked. It seems that he is now continuing his presumptions of bad faith unabated. BigK HeX (talk) 03:04, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
BigK, I supported the block on BlueRobe and even went so far as to suggest indef blocking, if memory serves. But... in this instance, I feel it's far too soon, and this isn't anything new. If Blue takes it off their talk page and into mainspace there is an issue. If it stays in their own userspace it's not really doing anyone harm unless it escalates to blatant personal attacks, threats, canvassing, or other disruptions. Stating an opinion is not an actionable offense. I appreciate you're frustrated, but taking this to ANI so soon doesn't help warm relations between the at-odds user groups in your editing circles.--Torchwood Who? (talk) 03:34, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Agreed, as it is, he's not impressed by the referral. I believe an editor should be allowed to blow off steam on his own talk page within limits; clamping down on that means he'll just go to email, where we can't see what's going on. Please remember, AN/I should not be the first resort. Many thanks, --Wehwalt (talk) 03:40, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
With that said, this [155] isn't a good sign of things to come from BlueRobe. I think someone needs another talking to, without the direct threat of a block, from an uninvolved mediator.--Torchwood Who? (talk) 03:55, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
an admin already gave him a talk, "did you enjoy your break?", this type of question seems less than helpful. bigk has filed an unusually large amount of complaints, i am concerned it has become a personal issue for the editor. Darkstar1st (talk) 06:38, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
My notice was of course a gentle prod to the editor because he was indeed slipping back into the same behaviour that led to the block. It does not matter if it's on his talkpage or mainspace, my friendly notification (because I have his talkpage on my watchlist) was trying to preserve the chance that positive behaviour and editing could come, but with comments that were inherently uncivil - and the obviousness of whom the comments were related to - called for a reminder. (
BWilkins ←track
) 09:18, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
perhaps you would agree your wording was not ideal? Darkstar1st (talk) 09:42, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Nonsense. First of all, as indicated by the response here, BlueRobe's comment is far short of what is appropriate for a block. Secondly, and more importantly, did you enjoy your break is snarky and provocative. Finally, cows should be "prodded," not WP editors.
talk
) 15:32, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Suggestions that User:BlueRobe's incivility and bad faith receive a blind eye because he's just "venting" on his talk page seems like nonsense to me. At the very least, he should be given a clear notification that continuing the behavioral pattern that he seems to have jumped right back into on his first day is unacceptable. BigK HeX (talk) 19:23, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

The simplest solution here is either a topic ban (tricky) or, better, an interaction ban. He seems to have been pretty rude in general about a lot of editors on his talk page, behaviour he was blocked for before. Rather than a block, which seems punitive at this stage, it would be better to ban his interaction with those people he insists on being uncivil to/about (of course, such a ban would go both ways). --

chat!
) 09:47, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

I've revised my view. The comments from BlueRobe are not hugely constructive - but he appears to have kept it off article talk. Which is an improvement. I recommend BigKHex and the others dial it back and particularly avoid Blue's talk page. The various talk pages, such as
chat!
) 10:25, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Are we saying that AGF should not apply to user talk pages visited by User:BlueRobe? On the first day from the incivility block, he already leveled at least one (likely more) incivil comments about me specifically, which -- given his history -- I do not feel that I should have to tolerate. I've not asked for any sort of block here, as I'm not sure what the solution should be, but it seems doing nothing (or, only asking the editors that he berates to treat him with kid gloves??) is very unlikely to be the correct approach. BigK HeX (talk) 12:11, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
No, I am saying just drop it and see what happens. Nothing is majorly uncivil so far, and the vague comments on his own talk page are nowhere near enough to warrant more blocking (which, remember is preventative not punative). I am suggesting that you move onto the content, unwatch his talk page and avoid rising to any baiting - perceived or deliberate. Give it some time and see what happens, reporting him so soon is not going to help unless there is a clear repetition of the behaviour he was blocked for (which I would point out was persistent rudeness at the RFC). --
chat!
) 12:19, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
  • Concur with tmorton166 Mine was a slightly-more-than-gentle warning not to return to previous behaviour. Until future behaviour occurs, there's nothing more to see - in other words, the warning has been confirmed to be read. (
    BWilkins ←track
    ) 20:02, 15 September 2010 (UTC)
Just an FYI, one reason some of us watch BlueRobe and Darkstar1st's talk page is because aggressive socks of User:Karmaisking have come along and given them disruptive editing tips. Seeing insults against various editors certainly is annoying. Not necessarily blockable, but perhaps an attempt to incite. Not that I'm interested in taking the bait. Just something to keep in mind. CarolMooreDC (talk) 23:52, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Possibility of ArbCom

Really not a fan of the accusations lobbed at me by BlueRobe here [156]. I stand by the spirit in which I've tried to mediate this, but since it's obvious that neither side wants any kind of constructive resolution. WHERE DO WE GO HERE? First, I try to step between BigK and Darkstar to offer some friendly advice on how to stay off the noticeboards, then they both assured me they don't have any real issues with each other but it's just heated professional discourse... fine. But it's not true! We're right back here today, in the same place we seemed to be before BlueRobe's latest block. I'm leaning toward an interaction ban on these editors or sending this to ArbCom. If they can't keep their article space discussions from spilling over into a myriad of noticeboards on a regular basis then there's a serious problem that is causing an undue amount of time to spent reffing this playground game!--Torchwood Who? (talk) 01:29, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Diffs, please, not threads! It is almost impossible to go into that wall of text and figure out who said what about who.--Wehwalt (talk) 01:40, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Diff added.--Torchwood Who? (talk) 01:51, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Many thanks. It's strong, but I don't think it's blockable. Frankly, I've seen much stronger comments within bounds. Although BlueRobe needs some writing lessons, I think. --Wehwalt (talk) 01:57, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Personally, I think ArbCom is the only

WP:DR that's left to the editors seeking an end to the battleground at Libertarianism (we've already initiated WQA's, NPOV noticeboards, talk page RfC's, RfC/USER's, ANI's, and mediation). I have no experience with ArbCom requests, but if people here think this may actually merit their attention, then I would certainly assist wherever possible. BigK HeX (talk
) 02:34, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I don't want BlueRobe blocked, and I'm not insulted by what they said. I'm frustrated that this dispute, which all parties claim they have worked out internally, continues to clog up noticeboards. I don't think BigK Hex, Darkstar1st, and BlueRobe are able to work constructively together without dragging the dispute to somewhere like ANI. As I stated above, I would suggest an interaction ban for a limited time. This may be difficult because all the involved editors share a content area, but at what point does something give?--Torchwood Who? (talk) 02:03, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
RE: "this dispute, which all parties claim they have worked out internally, continues to clog up noticeboards"
To clarify, I don't think I've ever suggested that this problem has been (or even could be) worked out internally. If editors refuse to even acknowledge the existence of a viewpoint from reliable sources that are posted right there on the talk page (much less acknowledge the repeated outside input received from multiple Community Notices), I don't realistically see any chance for internal resolution. BigK HeX (talk) 07:34, 16 September 2010 (UTC)


I don't think it should be overlooked that this is a political debate where one side wants effectively to delete (or disambiguate) all but one form of libertarianism from the main article. It is not just battling personalities. And there is a community sentiment on the non-deletionist side of the debate - as I detailed at this diff opposing yet a second request to move brought by the "deletionist" side, despite two RfC's, and the first request to move, that effectively shot down their desire to delete. As I say at the diff, if this isn’t Wikipedia:Disruptive_editing#Refusal_to_.get_the_point, I don’t know what is. CarolMooreDC (talk) 03:13, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Seconding Carol, there is a civility problem related to IDHT and repeated picking at the scab of recently closed consensus. The problem isn't content based. It is about editors who wish to inject political lines into the article and who are engaging in disruptive behaviour to stall editing along consensus lines. I believe Carol and myself have radically different political lines; but, we agree that the purpose of Wikipedia is encyclopaedic recording of topics according to discoverable RS WEIGHTed by significance in RS. Fifelfoo (talk) 09:31, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Wikipedia doesn't have a time limit, but we can set arbitrary limits on blocks, bans, etc. What if you try this... What if all the involved editors will consent to attempt one week of editing without personal talk page interaction with each other or bringing rehashed related issues to a noticeboard? If you can't go one week without the off article bickering or bringing a dispute involving the same editors to a noticeboard I think ArbCom would be a good place to go. But I would personally like to see just a few days of attempting to disengage on userspace pages as a final attempt to work this out as a content only dispute. Remember that ArbCom is for behavior, not content disputes.--Torchwood Who? (talk) 03:53, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Respectfully, it seems that you may misunderstand the dispute,
WP:IDHT is beyond ridiculous. The problems between the involved editors has next-to-nothing to do with user talk pages, as this problem would persist even if there had never been any interpersonal civility issues. It is the singular POV issue being raised in Every Single New Thread on the Libertarianism talk page which is at the root of the problem. BigK HeX (talk
) 07:25, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I understand that this last round of ANI was the result of talk page chatter. I also understand that during the last RfC on BlueRobe the talk page chatter added fuel to the fire. I'll also reiterate that ArbCom doesn't handle content disputes, so unless the incivility from user talk spills over to article talk ArbCom won't have much to do.--Torchwood Who? (talk) 07:53, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Personally, I'm not looking at ArbCom for deciding content. I'd only ask for ArbCom to review the many, many Community Notices and to end any
WP:IDHT, should any exist. BigK HeX (talk
) 07:57, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
i pledge to not comment on either users talk page for a week, and permanently should it produce positive results in the 1st week. Darkstar1st (talk) 07:43, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Darkstar, if the RfC referenced (which I was aware of, but considered the issue distinct from the incivility) is reopened and it's found to be absolutely clear consensus would you agree with that consensus and edit accordingly? --Torchwood Who? (talk) 07:53, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Bigk et al, if Darkstar et al agrees to this would you be opposed to reopening the RfC? If you feel you had a strong consensus what harm could be done spending a few more days at RfC to make it definate, you're essentially fighting the same battle every day anyway.--Torchwood Who? (talk) 08:03, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
absolutely and with without any regrets. ii hope the mediator will return soon, as we seemed to be making great progress in a supervised environment, bickering and off-topic had almost ceased. Darkstar1st (talk) 08:05, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Yes, I'd be opposed to re-opening the RfC without a lot more conditions being met. IMO, having only Darkstar1st's participation is pretty far from being sufficient to end the
WP:IDHT. BigK HeX (talk
) 08:20, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

{od}}No dice, I'm sure arbcom would reject it out of hand. It is the last avenue of resort and going there early will work against you big time - especially as you mostly have content issues with which they do not deal.

  • At the very least you have a formal mediation step to go through
  • The RFC/U, also, never finished.
  • Torchwoods discussion is a good one because this specific issue arose out of user talk pages. Stop watching the talk pages - that is the simplest "first" solution to the main problem right now. Everyone, go click unwatch now no matter why you think you need to watch it. Enough admins/other users have an "eye on" :)
  • In terms of that RFC it is not clear who closed it? Was it one of you? It is clearly quite contentious so a wider mediation/RFC might be in order, specifically one closed by an uninvolved editor of good standing. Remember there is no time limit on this and if it takes another 3 months to hash out to conclusion that is perfectly ok. Better that than get into roundabouts of discussion over and over --
    chat!
    ) 08:28, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
The RfC was opened and closed by a long-time editor serving as an informal mediator who was not involved in any of the talk page disputes [I checked the history going back as far 2008.] Moreover, it's not just that one RfC ... there have been multiple page move requests and other noticeboards ... all over the same basic topic. In every single one of these, the community input is clear that the vocal minority is unable to make a persuasive case about their preferred POV for the Libertarianism article. BigK HeX (talk) 08:44, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
If you want an interesting statistic, out of 4 Community Notices (RfC's and Page Move requests) forced in the last 2½ weeks, there were numerous editors who were not previously participating in the talk page discussions. Of the editors whose first appearance was in response to the Community Notices, the following editors have Opposed proposals by the "vocal minority"

User:Yworo, User:Gavia_immer

While this is the list of the only outside editors to have Supported the "vocal minority's" proposals:

User:Rapidosity and User:Anatoly-Rex

I really don't think the Community's general opinion can be much clearer. BigK HeX (talk) 09:03, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I've referenced this discussion at the politics wikiproject in hopes of getting additional uninvolved political content editors to participate in this discussion. Should this thread be moved off ANI to somewhere? I don't think there's any admin action required at this moment, especially not on the issue originally raised.--Torchwood Who? (talk) 09:15, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Thanks for the clarification on the RFC closure BKH. There was no signature on the close and the way it was summed up further down the page suggested involved editors had closed it. --
chat!
) 09:19, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Darkstar, why do you feel consensus wasn't reached, or that the consensus reached was somehow invalid?--Torchwood Who? (talk) 09:33, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
the rfc was closed rather soon after it opened, would there be any benefit for allowing more editors to comments on the broad or narrow view? better yet, possibly rewording the rfc, as some object to the wording as biased. Darkstar1st (talk) 09:54, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
And...would you care to elaborate on how the wording was biased? BigK HeX (talk) 10:15, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
There have been over 100 edits to talk page in last 22 hours, which maybe 30% higher than average, which is still too high. And much of it is the same WP:Soapbox arguments that we've heard for 8 months. How about this: ONLY discussion about actual edits made. Then those (who don't get the point, as per above and) who go on for hundreds of words at a time without ever editing or commenting on an actual new edit might possibly control themselves. Just an idea... CarolMooreDC (talk) 23:25, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

Talk page moderation

It seems we've got a bit of outside assistance in the talk page difficulties, but I'm certain a few other eyes would be welcomed. Really, this is the sort of assistance that would resolve the stream of noticeboard complaints stemming from this article. BigK HeX (talk) 21:32, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

User:Miacek

According to his userpage User:Miacek is inactive since August 2010. Nethertheless he made a number of edits recently [157]. On 11 September he made errenous changes to the article on Erika Steinbach, a German politician, which I corrected [158]. On 14 September he tagged information in the Template:Infobox Kosovo War [159]. Obviously confusing belligerents with combatants, he questioned Montenegro's part in the war but not Serbia's, which is also listed as a federal entity of Yugoslavia. As such differences about content have triggered edit-wars in the past, I refrain from getting involved in this issue. Alas, I do not like to be accussed being a "stalker" [160] by a user who easily takes offense [161] and has a history of harassing other users [162]. Since I am not familiar with procedures in cases like this, I hope an admin can help solving this issue. --红卫兵 (talk) 12:41, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

This 'report' by an ostensible newbie is yet another undertaking in his long campaign of harassing me that has been going on for months. That's why I added the explanation on my user page that I'm inactive. 红卫兵 is clearly a reincarnation of the troll that was harassing me in August, eventually forcing me to cease editing.
His first edits with his new account were directed against me. Now, I made a few minor edits, only to be reverted by the troll (of course he had never edited that page before, he has been following my edits and doing his best to disrupt all of my contributions, no matter how small). The prelude can be seen here. Two admins agreed back then that I was being harassed, but as the impotent or incompetent sysops failed to take any action, the troll feels he can continue like that in impunity. In this very (malicious) report, he reveals what he's really up to: According to his userpage User:Miacek is inactive since August 2010. Nethertheless he made a number of edits recently That's exactly the real goal of this single purpose account with his bunch of IPs: to scare me off the project. Obviously, as an experienced editor I feel sick and tired, as the administration has done absolutely nothing to stop this kind of behaviour. That's all I have to say right now. Miacek and his crime-fighting dog (t) 14:39, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
You can try
WP:SOCK and can be blocked. -- Atama
17:03, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Now what are you getting at? I edit as IP and I get told to register. I register and I am suspected to be a sockpuppet. Who is getting abused here? If Miacek would use a bit of common sense and show some good will, he would have less of a hard time editing. --红卫兵 (talk) 17:19, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I don't really see anything actionable in your initial complaint. Can you explain this edit? You hadn't even interacted with Miacek with this account at that point. Obviously you've had conflict while editing as an IP, or as another account, and therefore the sockpuppet suspicion is warranted. -- Atama 18:02, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I didn't come here for action but for advice, instead you advice Miacek on WP:SPI. Obviously you two go way back. I have made that edit because Miacek has a pattern of disruptive editing including accusing other users of bogus warnings, while he himself issues warnings right and left. I used to edit as an IP, since I didn't bother registering until Miacek started his crusade against alleged "left-wing" conspirators defacing right-wing activists. Hence the username. He feels stalked, I can't help it. I merely changed a number of substandard edits by this "experienced" user, who BTW makes a habit of reverting other user's edits for dubious reasons and has engaged in numerous edit wars. And now I am being called not only a "stalker" but also a "troll" and diagnosed with "mental disorder". If there would be a WP:NPA policy, I would say, this would be the time to implement it. Obviously you are mistaking the victim for the perpetrator here. --红卫兵 (talk) 18:34, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Good grief, I asked a question to clarify some suspicious behavior. I haven't made any accusations, I only explained why there was suspicion. I'll look into this a bit more. -- Atama 19:54, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Atama, I once sent you an e-mail, explaining there why 红卫兵 was definitely identical with the IP troll and expressed my belief, that the 'retired' Dodo19 was actually behind all of this. Just check the more recent contributions of 红卫兵: he is clearly here to provoke or bait me. It's the same person with apparent signs of mental disorder - for how else can one explain that a person is 24/7 following all my edits (and since the late August, there's very few of 'em of course). The present thread - IMNSHO itself warranting a block for noticeboard abuse - is also indicative of the 'encyclopedic contributions' that are to be expected from that user. I've made the record clear, but am not going to file any further requests. Why should I? It's actually a common practice to block obvious socks and purely disruptive accounts after they have crossed certain line. And this person has crossed the line long time ago. Miacek and his crime-fighting dog (t) 18:10, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I am looking into this, but please do not label this person or any other editor as having a "mental disorder". That is an unambiguous
personal attack. -- Atama
20:02, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Did you notice the with apparent signs of part? Seems I learn doublespeak from that very user. Miacek and his crime-fighting dog (t) 19:18, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
  • This [163] indicates to me that an SPI is warranted. I suggest that this be closed and an SPI request opened. --
    talk
    ) 07:13, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
  • I've been gathering evidence (one of the things I was doing while I said I was "looking into this") and will open an investigation very soon. I gave 红卫兵 a chance to come clean to avoid one but that didn't happen. -- Atama 15:49, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
  • The SPI report can be seen here. -- Atama 16:54, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

User:Bus stop engaging in disruptive / tendentious editing in Judaism and violence

User:Bus stop is engaging in WP: tendentious editing at Talk:Judaism and violence. I warned them at [164]. The specific problem is that BusStop refuses to engage in constructive dialog, and keeps repeating the same question over and over: "What is the source that justifies the existence of the article?". Their question has been answered repeatedly. Examples of Busstop repeating the question are: [165], [166], [167], [168], [169], [170]. More importantly, Busstop refuses to respond to reasonable questions I pose to them ... so the dialog/dialect is stalled. Im not requesting a topic ban, but if some other editor could chime in on BusStops Talk page, or the article Talk page and help move them in the right direction, it would be appreciated. --Noleander (talk) 18:33, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

What exactly is the notability or purpose this article?! Bus stop has a point. Why are some editors user contributions completely full of only edits and creation of/working on articles that are negative about a religion or race and never the adding of any positive or truly neutral information? POV forks and only contributing negative things is going to get someone alot of attention from those they are offending and no one is going to want to talk to them. And while I'm not calling anyone anti-semitic or racist, I say someone who has shown through their contributions that they are only interested in adding negative information about races or religions is a racist and a bigot. I have found discussing things with these editors is futile and I know Bus Stop has in the past tried to, but after all this time of having to repeat himself what is the point? Others dont want to listen. Perhaps admins should start looking into the user contributions of these same editors who keep working on those articles and see if perhaps they should be warned, topic banned, or blocked for the continued negative material. As Jimbo recently said editors who are racist can in fact be blocked for that.Camelbinky (talk) 18:46, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
It's the logical consequence of wikipedia's inclusion polices. See
talk
) 18:54, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
I agree that it is difficult to keep the "someReligion and violence" articles in good shape. Ensuring neutrality and balance is hard work, but it can be done. The alternative (deleting that entire set of articles) would not be helpful to readers. For one thing, there is a huge volume of sources that do discuss the relationship between specific religions and violence: How would readers find that material? Over time, the articles will gradually become higher quality and less aggravating. --Noleander (talk) 19:10, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
In regards to Bus stop, the editor overall seems like a real asset to Wikipedia (since their previous ban which was overturned), with multiple barnstars and no blocks. Having said that, this most recent interaction is a bit troubling. Bus stop made contributions to the new thread on the talk page of the article, then removed them, replacing them with the long statement in the previous section. I'm not sure what that was about but it bothers me that it seems like they are wanting to "make a statement" rather than engage in dialog. It's almost getting close to
WP:POINT. -- Atama
20:28, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

User:Pmanderson and Civility

(With all the different notice and complaint pages, I'm never sure where to place one of these.)

assume good faith at Talk:Aorist
. Here are diffs demonstrating his rudeness: [171], [172], [173] (edit summary), [174], [175], [176], [177], [178], [179], [180] (edit summary), [181] (edit summary), and [182] (edit summary). And that's all within the last 24 hours. This is on top of his edit warring reported here, here, and here; his blatant disruptive vandalism here; and his
WP:POINTy overtagging of material. --Taivo (talk
) 23:50, 15 September 2010 (UTC)

Uh... what? "Reported here, here, and here"? One permanent link would have been a good deal more useful than three identical ones which will all soon be identically dead on the fast-moving ANI. Please click on "Permanent link" in the toolbox, then refer to Wikipedia: Simple diff and link guide if needed. (Please, everybody do it this way! ANI linkrot is a disease!) I will comment on the substance of your complaint later, if I can find the time. Bishonen | talk 00:42, 16 September 2010 (UTC).
I have been extremely critical of Taivo's edits; I have also condemned his practice of revertwarring. Anyone reading Talk:Aorist will see that Taivo - who neglected to inform me of this post until I reminded him to do so - has attacked Wareh Radagast and other more vigorously than I have ever attacked him. Septentrionalis PMAnderson 00:54, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
As far as warning you of the AN/I, I was about to post a warning when I saw your edit warring report and responded there first. I didn't see your post "reminding" me until after I had already posted there and then posted a warning on your page. --Taivo (talk) 00:58, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
I have no comment on this issue, and am officially neutral, but I direct the readers to the recently closed Wikipedia:Requests for comment/Pmanderson. Carry on. --Jayron32 04:01, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Pmanderson is clearly a very intelligent person, and he also has a knack for building social networks online. I suspect that his intelligence and he network of supporters has lead him to believe that hi simply can't be wrong. But sometimes he is, and he reacts to constructive discussion by calling those who disagree lying vandals, and accusing them of being sockpuppets, a view that makes sense if you presume that he is faultless.
He has received many blocks both for edit warring and incivility, the last one just a month ago. These seems to have made no impact at all on him, as he carries out as usual with edit wars and uncivil behaviour. If he gets blocked, he usually find some excuse or technicality to get unblocked quickly, or he makes a half-hearted promise to never do it again, which he then breaks a couple of months later. Neither the previous short blocks, nor the multitude of times he gets brought up to AN/I and WQA has helped. Possibly his quick unblocking and the general ignorance of his behaviour from admins has instead served to validate his behaviour. As a result, Pmanderson seems to think that policies doesn't apply to him and this view is not unreasonable as he somehow is able to break them repeatedly with no or little impact.
The current situation with Pmandersons persistent editwarring and uncivil behaviour is detrimental to Wikipedia and to many of the articles he touches. I can't see any solution than a longer block which doesn't get undone when he makes another empty promise to be better in the future. --OpenFuture (talk) 11:33, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Another case of civil semi-WP:Civil POV pushing; for a summary of OpenFuture's conduct, I have no better source than Wikipedia:Requests for comment/Pmanderson. Please consult. Septentrionalis PMAnderson 15:37, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
Pmandersons reaction above is an excellent example of what I mentioned about Pmandersons reaction to constructive criticism. He simply claims anyone that disagrees with him is some sort of vandal with an agenda, or lying. In this case his uncivil behaviour is according to him because he does not "back down". Not backing down is no excuse for incivility. He also claims I'm a POV pusher, which is a direct lie, and yet another insult. --OpenFuture (talk) 16:08, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

No, not everyone; just the handful of doctrinaire revert-warriors that make life on Wikipedia more difficult for the rest of us. Septentrionalis PMAnderson


It is true that I tend not to back down when faced by revert warriors with an agenda. The revert-warring of this pair is documented below. (I am not asking for sanctions; I have already reported it to AN3 and am content to have the article protected.); their uncivil language is spattered all over the talk page. Taivo is using a trumped-up civility complaint to remove those who disagree with him on substance; he has also done this against Wareh, less than a day ago; then again his first reply to Wareh's learned and intelligent comments was that he failed to understand the fundamental linguistics of the issue. Meanwhile he makes cracks about my needing a-word-a-day rolodex.

Taivo:

Warned Taivo

Kwami:

Warned Kwami


OpenFuture, for example, engaged in the following set of reversions of sourced material - because he didn't like them. I don't know which article he is blessing with his activity now; but these are from when I encountered him:


In the process, another editor contributed to the discussion the following list of comments by OpenFuture (again, somewhat dated): Personal attacks by OpenFuture at Talk:List of wars between democracies

  • I'm sorry, you make no sense. 13:21, 14 December 2009
  • Please read what I write before you answer it. 03:16, 18 June 2010
  • And we are also required to follow policy, which you are consistently breaking. And you are also repeating everything both here and on my talk page, which is unnecessary and annoying. Please cool down. 03:16, 18 June 2010
  • Well, I'm sorry to say, you are as usual utterly wrong. 03:04, 18 June 2010
  • Your constant attempts of inventing your own Wikipedia policies are getting a bit annoying, to be honest. 13:45, 18 June 2010
  • Your arguments are now getting more and more personal, and having less and less contact with reality. That is not a constructive way forward. 07:19, 20 June 2010
  • Finally something from you that is at least borderline, and at least meaningful to discuss.... 03:20, 19 June 2010
  • ...unless you have some sort of agenda. 04:02, 21 June 2010
  • You have no sources that support your assertion, and you know it. You are out of line, refusing to engage in constructive debate, and you do not understand the issues. 10:23, 21 June 2010
  • Is this complicated for you to understand? 10:23, 21 June 2010
  • You are on a crusade against windmills. 17:54, 21 June 2010
  • I'm finding it increasingly hard to WP:AGF in your case, as you say one thing, and then do something else. 6:46, 23 June 2010
  • Yet you apparently pretend that there is scientific consensus to claim the Boer wars was wars between democracies, when clearly, there is no such consensus. 24 June 2010
  • ...and you know that. So stop claiming such nonsense as above. 17:51, 24 June 2010
  • Talking to you is like talking to a wall. 21:37, 24 June 2010
  • Then of course, your willingness to misinterpret sources doesn't exactly work to your benefit. 05:58, 29 June 2010


Personal attacks by OpenFuture at

Talk:Mass killings under Communist regimes

  • You are, to be blunt, lying to yourself to avoid admitting that you were wrong. 10:24, 3 July 2010
  • I think you need to stop throwing stones in glass houses. You are after all the one that insults everyone who does not agree with you.... 20:59, 3 July 2010
  • As usual, your "facts" are pure fantasy. 05:45, 4 July 2010
  • Calling Campuchea "communist only by name" is a purely pro-communist rationalization. It's an excuse used to defend belief in communism.... 05:38, 4 July 2010
  • FYI: TFD has been warned for this personal attack, but he removed that warning from his talk page (which is his right). Just so nobody warns him again. ;) 07:15, 4 July 2010


I have said no worse against Taivo; and I believe Taivo has said no worse against Wareh or any of his other opponents. Septentrionalis PMAnderson 16:26, 16 September 2010 (UTC)

I will correct the diff that PMAnderson was referring to in my comment to Wareh: correct diff. I was mistaken about who Wareh was referring to as not being "a proper linguist" and let him know my error here and apologized. And just in case he isn't watching Talk:Aorist anymore, I sent him a private email as well. PMAnderson's characterization of that exchange as an "assault" is quite overblown. And his other diff concerning me and Wareh was written two weeks ago. All my diffs concerning PMAnderson occurred in a space of 24 hours. This complaint would be much, much longer if I went back two weeks for all of PMAnderson's incivility over that time. This AN/I isn't about edit warring or about PMAnderson's relationship with OpenFuture, so most of PMAnderson's response is an attempt to sidetrack the issue. The issue is PMAnderson's incivility at Talk:Aorist. Indeed, even after this AN/I was initiated, PMAnderson has continued to take no responsibility for his own actions at Talk:Aorist as here. --Taivo (talk) 18:08, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
The list of so called "personal attacks" by me above was taken up at WQA by TFD. The conclusion of that WQA was "Editors have found little to suggest a personal attack." Calling them personal attacks is hence not particularly truthful. It's another attempt to blame Pmandersons constant incivility and edit warring on others. It's never his fault, it's always somebody else's fault. Again, and again, and again. There is apparently a constant stream of people who are to blame for Pmandersons behaviour on Wikipedia, but he is never responsible for it himself. --OpenFuture (talk) 19:12, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
The article has been protected and the beginnings of a productive dialogue begun with other editors involved. But PMAnderson continues to exercise crass incivility in his posts: here, here, here (where Maunus removed a set of uncivil comments from PMAnderson). Here I suggested a 24-hour break for myself, Kwami, and PMAnderson. Here he seemed to accept a break and here I pointed out that Kwami and myself were already "on break". But here he jumps right back in without any intervening comments by either me or Kwami. Here, PMAnderson proceeded to enter a section of the Talk Page that had been specifically designed to elicit remarks from other editors besides Taivo, Kwamikagami, and PMAnderson--he just couldn't keep from jumping into the middle of a discussion. Here PMAnderson violates
WP:REFORMAT by placing his own comment in the middle of another editor's short comment. I moved it to its proper place, restoring the previous editors unified comment here, but PMAnderson reverted the move here. This is all from the last 6 hours. During the previous AN/I against PMAnderson, where he was warned to clean up his act, it was noted that he had provided positive material for Wikipedia. But we must ask ourselves, "At what point does the incivility and personal abuse he heaps upon others outweigh any positive contribution he may make?" --Taivo (talk
) 22:58, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
The specifics there are worthy of attention. They need more review in context. Will be looking at it. Georgewilliamherbert (talk) 23:38, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
OpenFuture -
You were previously warned for your conflict with PMA. You were blocked for, after those warnings, making a personal attack on another user. We had an extended discussion on your talk page about your editing problems and the need for you to consider mentorship or some similar assistance to help keep you out of trouble.
Returning from your WikiBreak and launching into yet another attack on PMA, when this dispute didn't already involve you, is an extremely disruptive activity.
Your conflict with him is in the past and has nothing to do with the current report and issue. You and he are not getting along - we get that - but you inserting yourself into every thread about him is not acceptable behavior by you, given your history. It's petty and disruptive.
This edit [183] was under the circumstances very nearly a personal attack on him and within the reach of an admin discretionarily blocking you. Your more recent contributions were slightly less hostile but are certainly not "ok".
It is my sincerest hope that you will drop your participation in this thread. Continuing to seek and engage in conflict with PMA is not acceptable behavior by you here on Wikipedia. If you keep it up, you will be blocked. If necessary I will file for a community sanction to topic ban you from interacting with or commenting on him, but no such sanction is required for blocking you for disruption.
Please stop, take the step back, and find something productive to do on Wikipedia rather than continuing to attempt to pick fights with PMA.
Thank you. Georgewilliamherbert (talk) 22:33, 16 September 2010 (UTC)
This is not an attack on Pmanderson. It is an accurate description of the situation and his behaviour, which is bad for Wikipedia. He should not have special rules. He should not be allowed to break Wikipedia policy. What you are attempting to do now is to use what you call a "very near personal attack", which is nothing of the sort, to protect Pmanderson from getting sanctioned for his numerous and repeated *actual* personal attacks. I am not attempting to pick fights with anyone. I'm simply pointing out that Pmanderson behaviour is disruptive and persistent, and that something needs to be done about it. --OpenFuture (talk) 04:58, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
I am:
A) Somewhat curious about how you get "...to protect Pmanderson from getting sanctioned" from my comment up above responding to Tavio, "The specifics there are worthy of attention. ....". Tavio pointed out specifics that need to be reviewed. They're being reviewed. Nobody is going to get covered or protected from anything.
B) Somewhat curious about why you would chose to attack me by saying I'm trying to protect Pmanderson, after my prior warning above. Pretty much the entire point I was trying to make was that doing things like that is not acceptable and is going to get you in trouble. Your reply to me did that. Doing that to the administrator getting involved is such poor judgement that it calls your entire Wikipedia participation into question.
We have been and continue to give you many chances to reform your behavior. The ice is thin, and if you cannot interact in a constructive manner here with the rest of the community you are going to fall through it, and get blocked.
Again:
PLEASE.
Get a mentor and work with them. Stop poking at people and getting confrontational with them. Leave this thread, where you seem to have worked yourself into getting in more trouble for no good reason.
Georgewilliamherbert (talk) 08:45, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Your recent RFC on PMA speaks for itself, OpenFuture. On the RFC talkpage, you also displayed the poor judgment of attacking the admin getting involved, in that case me. When I tried to explain the concept of "certifying" an RFC to you, I was surprised to find you coopting me into your idea of "networks of support" of PMA, a user I had barely spoken to before.[184]. In your mind I wasn't telling you about the RFC rules to help you, but because I was "clearly on very friendly terms" and "emotionally involved"(!) with Pmanderson. Now it's Georgewilliamherbert who is, in your mindset, out to "protect" PMA. Do you remember that George not only warned you against personal attacks during the RFC, but actually blocked PMA for similar offenses? Not very protective, is it? Please try to overcome your unreasonable suspicions of a PMA Support Cabal; they're leading you into harassing and embattled behaviour and, as Georgewilliamherbert says, into disruptive activity. Listen to George's good advice; he's been very patient. Bishonen | talk 11:16, 17 September 2010 (UTC).
Despite a voluntary break from
User:Marknutley, the incivility he expressed previously to them as here has ended, but he has not invited them to continue discussions as he has his own followers. Despite this stern warning, PMAnderson still refuses to take any responsibility for his actions or his incivility, shows no remorse or contrition, and places all blame on myself and Kwamikagami here, where he virtually asserts that he was the article's savior. Indeed, he even encourages some of his followers to "stand up to admins" as here. And even though Kwamikagami and I have taken a break from the article, PMAnderson has actually only taken a break in name only, he still debates issues and answers questions posed at Talk:Aorist, just on the editors' Talk Pages as here. He has not "stepped back" or "taken a break"--he has simply moved his arguments to the other editors' talk pages. --Taivo (talk
) 22:56, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
I can only hope that you are not calling me a follower of PMA :) your last diff is entirely out of context, it was a reply to a comment on his talk page made by another editor who commented that he felt intimidated by some admins [185] Lets keeps things in perspective here and ensure nothing is misrepresented
talk
) 23:01, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
(I inadvertently removed your comment in an edit conflict, Mark. Sorry) I read his comments on the other page and they were a very thinly veiled attack on Kwamikagami for "abusing" his adminship (by replacing PMAnderson's own "disputed" tag on the protected article) and indirectly on Maunus for protecting the article. --Taivo (talk) 23:15, 17 September 2010 (UTC)