User:Evkl/Blocking Policy: Difference between revisions

Typically, it is standard procedure to '''warn''' users that they are at risk of being banned or blocked. The purpose of the '''Warning policy''' is to lay out guidelines for issuing warnings. In some cases, it is accepted that users may send warnings to other users. In other cases, staff should manage warnings. Guidelines for both scenarios are discussed below.

Unofficial warnings are acceptable in most cases, but must follow the {{bp|code of conduct}}, so while a user may tell another user to stop an activity or ask them to explain themselves, you may not lash out or attack them via an unofficial warning. Also note that unofficial warnings do not notify a user, so there is a chance they may not see it if they do not check recent changes.

Certain warnings are acceptable for experienced users to give to newer users without needing to address a member of staff. Examples of these would be: Telling a user to use the preview button, warning a user that they've exceeded the userspace limit, correcting a user on their grammar and etiquette, and reminding users not to remove messages that comply with the {{bp|Talk page policy}}. Any other circumstance should be reported to an active {{bp|Staff|staff member}} to address.

Staff are empowered to warn users for minor or major offenses. Warnings for major offenses (including but not limited to trolling, harassment, code of conduct violations, or edit warring/reversion) should be the product of staff discussion, and therefore the staff seek to settle major issues as a group while having one staffer relay the warnings to the user in question. If need be, other staff members may assist in providing warnings. In instances of excessive insubordination, a staff member may temporarily block a user so they're able to effectively post a warning on said user's talk page without interference.  

:On the first warning, users are to be politely informed that something they're doing is incorrect, and provided instructions on how to correct their mistake. If possible, link to one of Bulbapedia's policies that goes into detail on the correct performance.  

Subsequent to the third warning, appropriate actions will be taken against the offending user to follow the rules—if possible—by the user who gave them their final warning. Users with particularly severe rule violations may receive fewer than three warnings, and are not required to receive any warning if the violation is egregious.

:Staff members should leave a message on a user's their talk page after an incident explaining that action has been taken and what the user must do to overcome these actions.

While it is permitted of users and staff to type up unique messages, we also provide [[:Category:Warning templates|templates that provide default warnings.]] To use them, simply place a <code><nowiki>{{subst:____}}</nowiki></code> on their talk page, with <code>___</code> being whatever the name of the template is. For example, preview warnings use <code><nowiki>{{subst:Preview button}}</nowiki></code>. Warnings come with section headers, so you do not need to include those into the message. Warning templates are convenient but not always comprehensive; it may in some circumstances be better to type a message specifically for that user as opposed to using a generated message.

'''Banning''' is a way of dealing with disputes and disruptions on Bulbapedia. A ban is an instruction to a user to refrain from editing specific articles or classes of articles. Bans only carry weight if issued by a staff member.

 

A user must be properly notified of a ban. Administrators must write on the user talk page; they may also issue the notice via email, instant messaging or other means. The notice must clearly indicate:

If a user fails to follow the policies and guidelines of Bulbapedia, '''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.  

Inappropriate usernames that are in violation of Bulbapedia's {{bp|username policy}} will be blocked immediately by Bulbapedia staff. Usernames that are inflammatory, profane, lewd, deliberately confusing, or spammy will be blocked indefinitely without the opportunity to create a new account. Usernames that impersonate famous figures (i.e., Barack Obama) or members of Bulbapedia staff are also considered inappropriate and will be blocked immediately, though the user will generally be allowed to create a new account with an appropriate username.

If a user is judged as having made many edits in a short timespan that do not make constructive improvements to Bulbapedia, staffers may take action to reduce the pace of change. Users may be given a preview warning, where they are instructed to preview their changes before making an edit to the page. If this warning is ignored and edit flooding continues, the user may be forced to preview their changes before making updates.  

An '''edit war''' occurs when users who disagree about the content of a page repeatedly override each other's contributions. Bulbapedia generally treats three reverts/back-and-forth edits to determine if an edit war is taking place, although this guidance is not absolute and in some cases fewer edits may still be an edit war. For example, fewer than three edits may qualify if there is a pattern of conduct occurring across multiple pages (discussed in detail below) or if edits are targeted at a specific user.

Users engaged in a dispute should reach consensus or attempt to resolve a dispute on the article's talk page or reaching out to the involved user, rather than edit warring. Additionally, a user can also contact a member of staff to address the issue if another user continuously reverts you and a resolution cannot be reached. All parties involved in an editing or reverting war will be blocked, generally for 3 days for a revert war; this may be expanded if there is a large number of reverts.

The staff are expected to maintain Bulbapedia's style and as such can revert without a warning or discussion on a talk page if they feel it is in keeping with Bulbapedia's interests. Discussions about staff edits/reverts is welcome on talk pages.