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Updated to include page and namespace blocks
'''Blocking''' is a method that allows staff members to address vandalism, inappropriate usernames, bots, and disruptive behavior by technically preventing a user from editing.
'''Blocking''' is a method that allows staff members to address vandalism, inappropriate usernames, bots, and disruptive behavior by technically preventing a user from editing.
Blocks can be temporary or indefinite in time and may be applied to:
Blocks can be temporary or indefinite in time and may be applied to:
* User accounts
* User accounts (at a page, namespace, or wiki-wide level)
* IP addresses
* IP addresses
* IP address ranges
* IP address ranges
A blocked user may continue to access Bulbapedia, but will not have the ability to edit any of its pages.
A blocked user may continue to access Bulbapedia, but will not have the ability to edit any of its pages because of the block.
==Procedure==
==Procedure==
If a user fails to follow the policies and guidelines of Bulbapedia, {{bp|Warning policy|official warnings}} should be issued by a member of staff, guiding them away from inappropriate behavior. A user who does not adhere to warnings and persists in rule breaking behavior, or substantially violates Bulbapedia's rules, may be blocked.
If a user fails to follow the policies and guidelines of Bulbapedia, {{bp|Warning policy|official warnings}} should be issued by a member of staff, guiding them away from inappropriate behavior. A user who does not adhere to warnings and persists in rule breaking behavior, or substantially violates Bulbapedia's rules, may be blocked.
Depending on the type of offense, staff may use page or namespace (such as User: or Appendix:) blocks. These may be used either a first resort - for example, preventing a user from editing the userspace, or from editing a specific anime episode article. Alternatively, staff may use blocks maintain order after a wiki-wide block expires, for example preventing a user from editing a page they were previously edit warring on. In either case the principles behind the Blocking Policy apply to the Block; it should be proportionate with the issue at hand and well-explained to the user.
Please note that blocking is not the preferred way for a situation to be resolved. A user may be asked by a member of staff to refrain from editing an article or a certain type of article for a period of time. If the user follows these instructions, then no block will be instituted. Failure to comply with this rule will result in a temporary block. Blocks are generally cumulative in nature and will increase in duration for repeat offenses. A user who is blocked for 1 week due to sockpuppetry (using one or more fake accounts) may be blocked for 2 weeks or longer on a subsequent offense.
Please note that blocking is not the preferred way for a situation to be resolved. A user may be asked by a member of staff to refrain from editing an article or a certain type of article for a period of time. If the user follows these instructions, then no block will be instituted. Failure to comply with this rule will result in a temporary block. Blocks are generally cumulative in nature and will increase in duration for repeat offenses. A user who is blocked for 1 week due to sockpuppetry (using one or more fake accounts) may be blocked for 2 weeks or longer on a subsequent offense.
