User:Rcsprinter123/Signpost reports/Investigative report 3
Challenger series: Block policy
Here we are at the third week of the Challenger series, looking at what Wikipedia is facing right now. This time the blocking policy is our focus.
Again, blocking is a controversial subject. Some editors still believe blocking is never the answer and a second chance should always be given. However, sometimes the thing required is to stop an editor editing forever. Although this undermines the entire point of being completely editable by anyone, these measures and precautions are sometimes necessary. But; administrators can choose the length of blocking time and can unblock, so that's good news - isn't it?
Overview
For as long as wikis have existed, so has blocking. Persistent vandalism, disruptive editing, subtle flouting of policies and maybe even an ARBCOM order can make you eligible for being blocked. For those reasons above, one is likely to be blocked "forever" (indeffed) and never looked back on. For other cases each individual to their own, you could be given 24 hours, or a month to cool off. It's all down to the blocking admin, although of course it can be altered by any other admin.
Also, blocked users may turn to sockpuppeting to avoid and evade their ban. (See previous Signpost coverage) This could get both accounts blocked for even longer and be a big taint on the user's reputation. Now, normally a user is just blocked and forgotten about. They could have been reported at AIV, ANI, or their could have been a crescendo rising on their talk page. But, it was going to happen. Unauthorized bot accounts or ones going berserk could also be banned. Not to mention people simply trying to do good things.
Interview
So, what do the community think about blocking? We interviewed a few administrators and empathised their reactions.
- How do you feel about blocking in general? Do you agree with the main concept?
- Say I minorly violated Wikipedia:No personal attacks by calling you an old duffbag - what would you do?
- How long would you block somebody who'd been reported to WP:UAA but agrees to change their name ASAP?
- If it was up to you, would you or would you not give up the blocking tool from Wikipedia?
That's all for this week folks, do join us soon for a look at Articles for Deletion - is it really it's all cracked up to be?
Discuss this story