HistoryBuff797

Your account has been blocked indefinitely from editing Wikipedia because it appears to be mainly intended or used for publicity and/or promotional purposes. Please read the following carefully.

Why can't I edit Wikipedia?

Your account's edits and/or username indicate that it is being used on behalf of a company, group, celebrity or other well-known individual, or organization for purposes of promotion and/or publicity. The edits may have violated one or more of our rules on spamming, which include: adding inappropriate external links, posting advertisements, and using Wikipedia for promotion. Wikipedia has many articles on companies, groups, and organizations, but such groups are generally discouraged from using Wikipedia to write about themselves. In addition, usernames like yours are disallowed under our username policy.

Am I allowed to make these edits if I change my username?

Probably not. See WP:FAQ/Organizations for a helpful list of frequently asked questions by people in your position. Also, review the conflict of interest guidance to see the kinds of limitations you would have to obey if you did want to continue editing about your company, group, or organization. If this does not fit in with your goals, then you will not be allowed to edit again. Consider using one of the many websites that allow this instead.

What can I do now?

You are still welcome to write about something other than your company or organization. If you do intend to make useful contributions on some other topic, you must convince a Wikipedia administrator that you mean it. To that end, please do the following:

• Add the text {{unblock-spamun|Your proposed new username|Your reason here}} on your user talk page.
• Replace the text "Your proposed new username" with a new username you are willing to use. See Special:Listusers to search for available usernames. Your new username will need to meet our username policy.
• Replace the text "Your reason here" with your reason to be unblocked. In this reason, you must:

• Convince us that you understand the reason for your block and that you will not repeat the edits for which you were blocked.
• Describe in general terms the contributions that you intend to make if you are unblocked.

If you believe this block was made in error, please see how to appeal a block. Alexf^(talk) 14:31, 3 August 2011 (UTC)

This user's unblock request has been reviewed by an administrator, who declined the request. Other administrators may also review this block, but should not override the decision without good reason (see the blocking policy).

HistoryBuff797 (block log • active blocks • global blocks • contribs • deleted contribs • filter log • creation log • change block settings • unblock • checkuser (log))

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Request reason:

Account is not intended for publicity or promotion. I am the head editor of Marker History, a free resource of historical highway markers in Virginia. It is a historical resource dedicated to making local VA history, not a business website. Please review the edit that I did make on the Fairfax County, VA page. It is relevant, contributory, and within the guidelines. I only intend to add relevant Virginia local history. Thank you.

Decline reason:

It does sound like a good and useful website. However, we are not allowed to put links to our own websites into Wikipedia articles. You might, however, want to coordinate with Wikipedia:WikiProject Virginia to make best use of this resource. Either create a new account or follow the directions above (regarding unblock-spamun) explaining your intentions. --jpgordon^{::==( o )} 18:38, 8 August 2011 (UTC)

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If you want to make any further unblock requests, please read the guide to appealing blocks first, then use the {{unblock}} template again. If you make too many unconvincing or disruptive unblock requests, you may be prevented from editing this page until your block has expired. Do not remove this unblock review while you are blocked.

This user's request to be unblocked to request a change in username has been reviewed by an administrator, who accepted the request.

HistoryBuff797 (block log • active blocks • global blocks • autoblocks • contribs • deleted contribs • filter log • creation log • change block settings • unblock • checkuser (log))

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Requested username:

HistoryBuff797 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

Request reason:

I want to help contribute to local Virginia history pages. I apologize for making my username the same as the link I used as a reference- I understand it looks like a promotion/publicity problem. As stated in my appeal claim, it is a free historical resource dedicated to making local VA history known, not a business website. Please review the edit that I did make on the Fairfax County, VA page to confirm this. It was a relevant, contributory addition. I apologize for the username conflict which is why I am requesting a new username as recommended by Jpgordon. I intend to add relevant Virginia local history and abide by all guidelines in future additions. Thank you.

Accept reason:

Allowing username change to requested username. Please put this request in at Wikipedia:Changing username as soon as possible to avoid re-blocking. Peridon (talk) 19:31, 8 August 2011 (UTC)

Choose Simple at the bottom of the page linked to above. Don't forget to use other places as refs too when you're in action... Peridon (talk) 19:31, 8 August 2011 (UTC)