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*::::I really don't think an approach that merely says "Even though consensus was to overturn the original AfD, we'll let the numerous deletions stand and postpone the inevitable" is a good idea. This could have been over two days from now if things happened organically. What's standing in the way of an actual resolution is clear. --] <small>]</small> 23:43, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
*::::I really don't think an approach that merely says "Even though consensus was to overturn the original AfD, we'll let the numerous deletions stand and postpone the inevitable" is a good idea. This could have been over two days from now if things happened organically. What's standing in the way of an actual resolution is clear. --] <small>]</small> 23:43, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
*:::::Then you condone the escalation of this issue into a full-blown wheel war? This also could be over right now if we let it go. ] 23:45, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
*:::::Then you condone the escalation of this issue into a full-blown wheel war? This also could be over right now if we let it go. ] 23:45, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
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It looks to me as if Lewisskinner needs some education and possible support dealing with a Wikistalker, not banning. Guy (Help!) 23:14, 14 May 2007 (UTC)
I took it, and I may be wrong, as 'killing' the participation of a wikieditor, not of outright removing the pulse of a living human. ThuranX00:45, 15 May 2007 (UTC)
I don't see that as literally accusing anyone of murder, given that he specifically couched in the context of an analogy. --Haemo21:31, 15 May 2007 (UTC)
Firstly, let me identify myself as lewisskinner, using an IP here, and only here to defend myself (having been blocked, see beow). Of course, feel free to block this IP too after posting.
Secondly, why Pigsonthewing, did you not think to notify me of yet another AN/I complaint made against myself by yourself? (from the top of this page - "As a courtesy, you should inform other users if they are mentioned in a posting"). But congrats in finally getting what you wanted!
Thirdly, the accusations of sockpuppetry are a) false, as explained, and b) Irrelevant in this particular incident. But hey, I expect to get that thrown in my face everytime Pigsonthewing has a dispute with me!
Fourthly, to defend the comment, it was a direct quote, as cited on my talk page. Twice
Finally, why does Pigsonthewing seem so averse to coming on to my talk page and requesting retraction of my comments? I can think of only one occasion in which he's ever posted on my talk page, and that was in response to user:Adambro gallant but ultimately (and always destined to be) futile attempt at mediation at User_talk:Lewisskinner/Archive_May_2007#Regarding_User:Pigsonthewing. Why will you not sort these problems out in private Pigsonthewing? Why must you always go to admins? It only wastes their time, our time which we could be spending editing articles rather than screaming each other down and trading insults, and other user's time who have to come here having been dragged in by the insults. I'd have retracted/reworded the comment if you'd asked! 91.105.170.20503:42, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
(info) I blocked Lewis for 48 hrs yesterday for this; the murder comment, in or out of context, was uncivil and inappropriate. If this is felt to be inappropriately harsh feel free to unblock (he's got an unblock request up now). I did not see it as an analogy; if Lewis meant it that way, he should communicate in a manner less prone to interpretation as accusations of physical violence. Neither threats nor acusations of that should ever be taken lightly. Georgewilliamherbert23:46, 15 May 2007 (UTC)
Note that the above, unsigned lie was posted from the same IP-block as the above, block-evading edit. The only other edit by the user in this case was to vandalise an article I have previously edited. Andy Mabbett22:01, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Is this intended to be another false accusation of sockpuppetry against me Pigsonthewing? If so, please stop, it's getting tiresome. L.J.Skinner02:03, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
I read both your "explanation" and the comments on it by the user who carried out the checkuser: "If that's the case, then, looking at the edit pattern, I find the confluence of interests and writing style remarkable and likely to break new ground in the study of coincidence. Or perhaps not" () and "On balance, my considered opinion as an experienced checkuser remains to suggest to Lewis "come off it" and to point out that Misplaced Pages is incredibly tolerant, but we're not actually stupid" (). Andy Mabbett20:07, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
One user's word against another is not credible evidence Pigsonthewing. It is an opinion, which I refuted, and offered an explanation against. Please this vendetta has gone too far now. L.J.Skinner02:50, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Where is the lie? How is the second part relevant? Where was the vandalism?
Lewis, it is not credible for you to expect that an IP address in a block from which you have sockpuppeted extensively in the past to come here and edit like that and for us not to conclude that it's you. Knock it off. Georgewilliamherbert18:14, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
Tagging for non-free logos (formerly: Betacommand appears to be at it again
Betacommand appears to be at it again; this time their target (at the rate of several edits per minute) is all images which they perceive to be logos lacking a "fair use" rationale for use in the articles about the companies that the logo represents.
Now I'm not a Wikimedia Foundation copyright lawyer, but this seems to me to be a pretty safe "fair use", and I would expect that most companies would actually LIKE the use of their logos to decorate their articles. If this is true, then someone needs to rein in Betacommand. If not, then I think we need to either:
have someone draft a boilerplate fair use rational that covers this exact case, or
tell us exactly why this doesn't fall under fair use.
If the issue is that the images do not contain the fair-use rationale, then the burden is on the uploaders to fix the situation. The images are not embedded in articles, they are resources that are linked to as needed. - CHAIRBOY (☎) 18:08, 15 May 2007 (UTC)
that is the problem Boiler plate templates are not fair use rational. if people would actualy follow policy and take the time to write a one or two sentence explaining what the image is and why we need it the problem would be solved. as it is images need valid FU rational and templates dont do that. Betacommand18:11, 15 May 2007 (UTC)
Betacommand is acting quite correctly in this case. We require individual rationales for all fair use images, not a boilerplate one. Its not a matter of whether the companies would like us to use their images, its a matter of Misplaced Pages's policy on unfree content. We only allow copyright content in a very narrow range of circumstances. In particular, images must be free not only for Misplaced Pages to use but also for anyone else to use for any purpose. If this is not that case, a valid individual fair use rationale must be provided. Images are unlikely to be fair use if merely being used to decorate an article. Betacommand has approval to tag all images that do not contain a fair use rationale, either by himself or using his Bot account. If they are not added before 7 days after the uploader has been notified by the Bot, they will be deleted. WJBscribe18:12, 15 May 2007 (UTC)
(e/c) While the edit rate is a little high (4-5 edits/min) but not quite bot speeds, FU images need a fair use rationale and a source. He isn't quite saying they aren't fair use, just it isn't explained how they are fair use to fully meet Misplaced Pages fair use criteria. Commenting them out in the artices can help as well to encourage readers to add the info after thinking: "Where did the image go? I better do what th tag says." As opposed to just seeing a redlink for an image after a few days "Where did the image go? I better upload it again." Mr.Z-man18:17, 15 May 2007 (UTC)
One problem is that many images were uploaded at a time before it was made clear by Jimbo and/or Misplaced Pages policy that a justification beyond the template was needed. Rather than tagging at bot-like speeds, it would be better if someone could go through individually to check fair use images. If there is no justification but a good one could be made, then write it. If the image violates fair use policy, nominate it for deletion. Crotalus horridus19:23, 15 May 2007 (UTC)
Bots are for large scale operations like this. Atlant wants someone to either draft a boilerplate (not a good idea, rationales should be written on a case by case basis) or "tell us exactly why this doesn't fall under fair use." The latter is obvious: if nobody has written a rationale for using a non-free picture, then fair use cannot be justified. We have had these images on-site for years now in such cases, and nobody has bothered to justify their use. Time to get rid of them. --Tony Sidaway20:04, 15 May 2007 (UTC)
Bots are impersonal and rarely even describe the problem adequately. I've had at least one bot that never really gave me specific pointers in a peer review, just a general dump list of what needed to be done period. And in that list, I actually fulfilled 75% of the list. Even if you added a human element, we'd still have problems. --293.xx.xxx.xx20:45, 15 May 2007 (UTC)
I've always wondered why people, instead of tagging en-masse and causing problems, don't simply create the fair use rationale. --badlydrawnjefftalk20:06, 15 May 2007 (UTC)
There is certainly something unclear here, not so much about the policy but about what people think the consensus about its interpretation is. Do we believe that the practice of routinely having a logo image on each company etc. article is justifiable? In that case, a single type of valid fair use rationale could be devised that would apply to all these images in pretty much the same way (and the demand of having it written out individually in each case would be not much more than an enforced symbolic bowing down to policy but of little practical value, and we could really just as well have that standard rationale templated.) Or do people think that logos should be used on company articles only in special cases, for instance where the design of the logo was of particular encyclopedic interest? In that case individual rationales would be crucial but, first and foremost, 98% of all existing logos would have to be deleted. This is a real question. What, in people's opinion, would be a valid fair use rationale for a company logo? I honestly don't know. Fut.Perf.☼20:26, 15 May 2007 (UTC)
Creating a fair use rationale takes time and thought, tagging random logos with a no rationale tag cuts out the latter requisite. The greater concern is to make sure that logo usage complies with Misplaced Pages:Logos. In my experience, simply deleting an image is unlikely to deter anyone from uploading a poorly sourced duplicate. So why not create a blanket rationale for the majority of cases? Asking individual contributors to cobble together a rationale that complies with policy as well as copyright law ignores the fact that the majority of users are not too well familiar with either. If we assume a janitorial role with image uploads, then lets address our own concerns. ˉˉ╦╩20:37, 15 May 2007 (UTC)
Per Anetode. If WP:LOGO is appropriate then I don't understand the problem against a boilerplate FU rationale specifically for those logos (I thought there used to be a pulldown choice for uploading logos, which was implied FU, before they rearranged all that stuff). If we want to be more hardass about refusing FU images (an idea that I sympathize with) then the problem is WP:LOGO, which would need to be redone with the result of getting rid of almost all of the logos in the encyclopedia. I don't see the need for a handcrafted FU rationale message for each logo given that the actual usage is about the same in almost all cases. This particular bot operation looks ill-advised. I'd add that backlogs of stuff like this get large precisely because of the thought required to handle them correctly. Stuff that can be crunched through mindlessly usually gets taken care of quickly, either by hand or with software. So bots are usually the wrong way to deal with a backlog unless there's consensus to abandon hope of dealing with the backlog properly. 75.62.6.23707:12, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Then that's even worse. You could have left messages on linking articles' talk pages very easily, asking that the relevant images be tagged in accordance with the latest policy whim, and not cluttering main article namespace history. Instead, you simply commented each image out of each article, which is disruptive and at the very least vigilante justice, if not one step short of outright vandalism. VT hawkeyetalk to me21:04, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Betacommand, that's amazing. I counted up to 7 edits a minute for hours on end. I wish I could do a neat trick like that without a bot. Nardman106:42, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
It's not inappropriate to use something like AWB, or just old-fashioned tabbed browsing, to speed up the laborious process of mowing through fair-use images. It's a simple thing: if a page has no rationale and needs it, tag it with the appropriate tag and notify the uploader. It cannot be our job to write a rationale, which would require us to examine the image's use in every article in search of the critical commentary required by Misplaced Pages:Non-free content#Images. That job has to fall to the uploader. (ESkog) 16:51, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
No, it can be your job. It's not like only one person can come up with a fair use rationale. To not do due dilligence - check the image to see if it's appropriate, and then fill in the gaps if it is - is poor editing, and using an automated tool to go through the images - thus assuring there's no actual human review - is insulting to editors working on these articles and images. --badlydrawnjefftalk16:54, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
If you want to take the time to make sure that poorly sourced or poorly justified images can remain in Misplaced Pages, you can find them in the same place I do. I don't view it as my job to search for critical commentary, especially when it isn't even there over 95% of the time. (ESkog) 14:31, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
Additionally, I don't see the harm in asking the original uploader to finish the work they started. If we fix all of the problems, none of our other good image-uploading editors will learn the proper way to do it, and we'll have more problems to fix. (ESkog) 18:37, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
I totally agree w/ you. I am one of the worst uploaders and i never complained to Betacommand about his frequent warnings on my talk page. I've just started to know how to do it. Thanks Beta. -- FayssalF - 18:43, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
VT hawkeye before calling someone a vandal why not read the Policy I was enforcing. leaving notes on talkpages doesnt get the job done. Commenting out the image and notifing the up-loader get a lot better feedback and results. as for Nardman1's issues its not a bot but a tool like AWB that I have written for FU image review. if anyone would like the code Ill give it to them as soon as I debug my most recent code change. Betacommand13:04, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
I'm aware of the policy, thanks. I'm disagreeing with your method of enforcement. Common courtesy (not to mention common sense) appears to be rapidly disappearing from WP, and this didn't help. VT hawkeyetalk to me15:24, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
maybe if uploaders did what they were supposed to do, per policy and copyright law this wouldnt need done. but because users are lazy/dont know policy it needs done. this is the best method of getting results. if you think just placeing a template or notice does it your sadly mistaken we have articles that havent had sources tagged since 2005. since this is a legal issue i thought a more direct action is needed. Betacommand16:34, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
Maybe if you actually reviewed the images and tried to fix the problem instead of tagging 7 images a minute following numerous concerns about similar edits, this wouldn't be an issue. --badlydrawnjefftalk16:39, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
hay jeff before making comments why not double check your facts. I dont tag 7 Images a minute, most of the edits are removing them from the mainspace and notifying the uploader. Betacommand16:43, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
hay beta i did double check. If you're simply removing/tagging/notifying at a high rate without any real consideration, you're not really doing people a service. We allow fair use here, so if there's a fair use image being used that lacks a rationale, see if you can create one before tagging and removing. That's hard to do when you're making near-bot-speed edits. --badlydrawnjefftalk16:46, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
Actually I am, for someone not involved with either the image and related pages it would take 20-30 minutes to figure out where and why its needed. on the other hand someone who is familiar with the issue can do it in 2 minutes. also having only one person doing this would take years to review, on the flip side we remind users that FU images need rationale's and then they take care of that for all of the images they've uploaded. now jeff tell me what makes more sense one user checking and adding FU rationale to 360,000 images or having the community do it? Betacommand16:54, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
What makes more sense? Getting a bunch of people together to actually review the images as opposed to tagging them willy-nilly, undoubtedly. We are here to improve the content, after all. --badlydrawnjefftalk17:07, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
I have to agree with betacommand here. Simply tagging the images, and hoping that someday, it will eventually get fixed per m:Eventualism is inappropriate in this case. This is a legal issue; we need fair use justifications, not just tagging it as being copyrighted. Leaving ourselves exposed to this sort of problem can potentially have serious impact on the project. Betacommand's actions are putting teeth into it. We might not like the teeth (even I don't like seeing some fair use images removed for lacking rationale) but it does have the effect of encouraging people to do it right in the first place. --Durin17:16, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
First, it's extreme copyright paranoia, not a legal issue, and has no legitimate long-term, short-term, or any term impact on the project, let's stop fooling ourselves here. Secondly, no one's saying "simply tag the images," I'm saying actually review the images and attempt to fix the problem rather than throwing our hands up and insulting editors along the way. Make an effort, y'know? --badlydrawnjefftalk17:22, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
In my opinion, Betacommand just ripping through pages is not much short of vandalism. It is no wonder that hard working page/subject editors are giving up posting in droves when someone is ripping through their work. If you are that concerned about fair use rationales for something which are obviously sporting logos, then why no add the rationales yourself rather than wrecking the pages. How to wreck an online community in one easy lesson. If people get genuine pleasure in their self imposed task of correcting other people's image 'errors' at a rather alarming rate(each to their own), then why not be constructive and source the rationales. I for one know my subject, but not the in depth workings of Misplaced Pages and am not remotely interested. Instead of wiping images, why not form, for example, a sports logo rationale those of us who write about our chosen sport. A sports logo is a sports logo. Hammer198017:28, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
That may as well be in a foreign language to me mate. Hence the reason instead of ripping pages to shreds, how about putting in these rationales instead. A sports logo on a page is not likely to be targeted for copyright violation on Misplaced Pages when just being on this project increases awareness of the clubs/organizations concerned. It 'is' paranoia. Hammer198017:40, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
de-indent You consider it extreme paranoia. Myself and others do not. There are droves of lawyers whose sole purpose in professional life is to go after people who violate copyright of their clients. I'm not terribly interested in running afoul of these people. We've tried for *years* to get people to appropriately tag their images without effect. If such an effort actually yielded results, hey I'd be all for it. That's one of the joys of Misplaced Pages; group effort. But, the group effort has categorically failed in this instance. We're long past the time when we should sit around and wish for it to happen with our hopes dashed. This is a legal situation even if you don't want to feel it's a potentially dangerous one. The right thing to do is to make this situation go away. Since group effort isn't working, deleting is a way of fixing it that will actually work. If you are offended by this, then by all means *please* form a group of people to go after these images that are tagged and fix them. But, I'll virtually guarantee you nobody will want to do the work. That's why this tack needs to be taken. --Durin17:31, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
No, it merely postpones the issue and pisses people off, not to mention actively harms the quality of the project and the product we're providing. If our paranoia is so great that we somehow think that a possible (not even probable) DMCA request is going to be leapfrogged for a lawsuit on a site that's been high-profile for over a year, I'm not sure what to say. --badlydrawnjefftalk17:45, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
I know, I was being tongue in cheek. I've learned my lesson on civility from my recent failed rfa so I was just trying to use a little humor. You might want to fix your script a little, it's leaving comments in image page code indicating that you are BetacommandBot (when it lists the pages the image has been removed from). Nardman116:26, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
If Jeff is so all-fired desperate to keep these images, why doesn't he round up a bunch of people to perform the review which he seems to think would be so simple and quick?
Put your time and effort where your mouth is, Jeff.
—Phil | Talk17:36, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
I do it where I see it, quite honestly, which isn't entirely often because I don't generally work with images. I also know that our extreme paranoia on copyright isn't nearly as urgent as about a hundred other things. More to the point - if there are people who actually see image patrolling as a valid use of their time, there's an effective way to do it that improves the project, and a lackadaisical approach that only stirs up more ill will for no good reason. If we can promote the former, we're better off. --badlydrawnjefftalk17:45, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
I was really taken aback by the thoughtless way Betacommand stuck two boilerplate messages on my talk page yesterday, and then ignored me when I left a response on his own talk page. He should learn some manners. I also agree with Jeff that Betacommand would be better employed providing fair use rationale. RupertMillard (Talk) 18:10, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
I'm still a bit puzzled with this debate, and I'll repeat my question from above which nobody has answered: What, in people's opinion, would be a valid fair use rationale for a company logo? If people think a valid rationale could be found for the great bulk of these routine logo-in-infobox usages, that's one thing; if people think it couldn't, then we shouldn't be talking about uploaders writing rationales or not, we should be talking about preventing uploaders from writing wrong rationales. Fut.Perf.☼18:46, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
I have a template that just needs filling in on my talkpage for a good example of a simple FU rationale. Betacommand18:54, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
Pretty simple:
No free or public domain versionis available.
The image is of lower resolution than the original logo (any copies made from it will be of inferior quality).
The image does not limit the copyright owners' rights to distribute their product or image in any way.
The image has future historical significance, and is a more appropriate choice than any other image available.
The logo is only being used for informational purposes.
That covers 99% of any logos we have. Furthermore, most other sites on the internet aren't fair use retarded, so many popular logos could use a variation of "This image is used on various websites, so its use on Misplaced Pages does not make it significantly more accessible or visible than it already is." If, instead of tagging, bot users would simply replace the text with this rationale for most logos, we'd probably be in better shape, but they still need to be reviewed. --badlydrawnjefftalk19:46, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
Jeff that rationale covers exactly zero percent of the images. per policy you have to state why you have to have the image on every page you want to use it on. Betacommand01:41, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Um, okay, so add "the image, as a logo, is used as a visual representation of the organization, and therefore its inclusion in the article is an important visual representation of the organization" to the boilerplate (although obviously something better worded). Think about it, Betacommand—every single logo for an entity used on the article for that entity is used in exactly the same way. If we cannot make a boilerplate argument for the use of almost all logos, then we can't make an argument for the use of logos period. So, do you think we cannot make an argument for the use of an organization's logo, or not? It's really as simple as that. Lexicon(talk)01:33, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Arbitrary page break (FU images)
I don't even really care that Betacommand didn't/can't/won't provide the rationales on his own. My issue is with deletion from linking articles being the FIRST STEP he took. It would have been significantly more polite and courteous to leave a note on the articles' talk pages with a rationale request and, say, a 7-day warning, which would have caught the attention of watching editors just as effectively, but without disrupting the main articles for readers and casual editors. Are we trying to prove a point, or are we trying to write a usable encyclopedia? VT hawkeyetalk to me16:48, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
I aggree, I spent about 20 minutes fixing all the links to pages that his bot deleted images from in a flash, and placed rationales on the images. ≈ Maurauth18:45, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
Agreed, VT. Frankly, I do consider the damage Betacommand is doing to articles to be vandalism, and informed him so on his talk page. While properly tagging images is something that is important, the methods he is using to "enforce" these rules are bordering on disruption to prove a point. There certantly is a better way than to vandalize dozens, if not hundreds, of articles, but Betacommand refuses to consider them. His talk about "if only people would follow the rules" as a defense is particularaly hilarious given his own history, and that he was already slapped by an admin yesterday for deliberately tagging images with improper tags. Resolute00:07, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I'm afraid I have to agree. Fair Use, even though it is a vital, robust part of U.S. copyright law, which governs Misplaced Pages, is under systematic attack on Misplaced Pages by anti-fair-use zealots. This is not a good development, and unfortunately, it has the result of diminishing the quality of Misplaced Pages in order to promote a rather radical agenda. --MCB01:35, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Actually Im improving the quality.[REDACTED] is the FREE encyclopedia having images that violate copyright law hurts use a lot. if even one of these copyright holders sued the foundation, it is very likely[REDACTED] would shut down forever, as the Foundation probably doesn't have the financial support to fight such a legal battle and then pay the court ordered fines. Betacommand01:41, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
"Radical agenda"? Absolutely not. here Some Wikipedias do not allow fair use at all. Fair use is a slippery slope; after a while, the project will be completely dependent on it. When you look under the article's name, you see a little bit of text. This text reads "". I agree with Betacommand; With fair use images, Misplaced Pages is not free. It may be a necessary evil that we must endure, but we need to stop sitting on the fence and decide one road or the other. Sean William01:52, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Once again, it is not your intentions that are being questioned, it is your methods. You are unnecessaraly disrupting dozens of articles in the process of conducting your latest crusade. Resolute02:02, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
disruptions are not always a bad thing. I have gotten a lot of support from numerous admins and even one ex-B'crat for that Im doing and how im doing it. if the images in question were not so screwed up I wouldnt have to do what im doing. Betacommand02:08, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
And you are also being questioned but several admins and numerous users (some rightly, some wrongly) for your tactics. In your arrogance, you simply refuse to listen to anyone, or consider alternatives, and that is the true problem here, imo. You are still behaving like a rogue admin. Resolute02:14, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I do not refuse to listen, I have considered the alternatives, show me a method that has a better result ratio, I would gladly use it. as for the complaints, I have yet to see any validity to them. they are mainly either complaints against our FU policy or from people who dont understand it. how is enforcing policy rogue? if inforceing policy is rogue then 99.9% of our admins are rogue. Betacommand02:26, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Vandalizing articles is rogue. I have already seen two suggestions offered: contact relevent wikiprojects when blocks of images with missing info is found, or place notifications on the talk pages of articles that such images have been tagged for lacking the necessary info. Show me that you have tried these methods. Show me what you have tried. And stop hiding behind "I'm just enforcing policy". The fact that you need to constantly trot this line out as an attempt to sidestep your vandalism pretty much shows me that you have no legitimate defense for your actions. Policy says FU images need proper tags, thats fine. Policy says that newer images without a valid claim can be deleted in 48 hours, and older ones in seven days. Fine. Enforce this, tag the images. But your actions to disrupt articles themselves are what concerns me. Until you show me the policy that states vandalism is a valid method for enforcing policy, your defense is quite empty. Resolute02:35, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
(de-indent) so your calling User:OrphanBot a vandal too? Because I choose to comment out images and make the fact that the image is about to be deleted clear? someone sees the image disappear they say "where did it go?" they check the history find out that it was commented out, they then can ignore it or fix the image. Yes I personally havent attempted other methods (why re-invent the wheel?), that is because I adopted orphabot's method. one that is very effective and has been in operation for a long time (1+ years). and calling me a vandal is very low brow. as for Identifying wikiprojects that is a very illogical action, I would have to check to see what projects each page every image is used in, make sure that project is still active and then find the right subpage to leave the note on. (a lot of work for very little reward). Betacommand02:48, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
My understanding is that Orphanbot removes images that have already been tagged as lacking source/FU claim so an admin can delete the image - i.e.: once the 2day/7day time limit has expired. It does not remove those images as part of tagging them. You have adopted OrphanBot's activities, but have changed the order to suit your power trip.
Also, I did not state check for a wikiproject for every image, but for when you identify a block of images that belong to an easily definable group. ie.: sports logos. When you come across a bunch of NHL team logos, as you did yesterday, you could very easily find the relevent project, in this case WP:HOCKEY, and mention it. I sourced about 50 NHL logos yesterday after being made aware of the issue. One message on that project's talk page could have accomplished the same function, saving yours, mine and a lot of other people's time.
However, a more reasonable alternative, IMO, is for you to post a message on the talk page of an article with an affected image rather than removing the image itself. This accomplishes the same goal: note of a problem appears in the watchlist of anyone watching the article without the vandalism of the article itself. If nobody takes care of the problem once the 2 days/7 days expire, then the image gets deleted. That is policy. Disrupting articles is not. Resolute03:08, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Resolute, I'd like to get something straight here. Removing no-rationale fair use images from an article is not, by any definition, vandalism. You might disagree with how it's being done, and if you do, you have every right to state your opinion. But continuing to call it "vandalism" is a personal attack, and will be treated as such. Seraphimblade03:24, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Then call it disruption. Makes no difference to me. From my point of view, removing valid images - especially those that were uploaded well before the current rules were put in place - before their 48 hour/7 day time period is up over what is often an easily fixable problem does not add to the project. The point is, Betacommander's actions are overboard and unnecessary, and he has shown a complete lack of interest in considering alternative ways to accomplish his goal. At any rate, I've said my peace. I can only hope that at some point, he will learn that policy and the community can co-exist. Resolute03:57, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
While I understand that Betacommand is simply implementing policy (regardless of whether we agree with it or not), I do find the “commenting out” approach unnecessarily disruptive and inappropriate. With images being placed in an article by different editors over a long period of time and these editors working on a great many articles, all of which are being steadily changed by other editors, it is not necessarily easily and automatically noticeable that an image has been “tagged” for review prior to removal – unless an individual editor has practically memorized the article and its images and their placement. Even if this does happen to be the case (and within the brief time to act and not altogether after the fact), that editor has to act on his or her suspicions of a missing image by scanning through the history to verify that suspicion and determine what image “disappeared”, and then check to see if the uploading editor (the only one being notified) remains active (and isn’t on a wikibreak, vacation, etc.); if not, then the editor – assuming they are familiar with the whole upload and justification process (which few are) – has to try to find a certifiably free image (however one does that) to replace the it (and finding the original image was almost certainly a hard enough and time-consuming task in the first place) – or else try to determine the fair-use rationale for an image whose source and status is unknown to them – all while the timer runs ever closer to zero … and other images in the same or other of the articles they’ve worked on “disappear” into the “commented out” void.
Frankly, there really should be a better way than “commenting out”. I can think of at least two options of which either – or both – would be preferable. First, instead of just notifying the uploader, also post the notice on the article’s talk page. Second, instead of “disappearing” the image, give it a red frame or some other marking that makes it immediately apparent to all and sundry that the image is “at risk”. That would at least give the editors watching the page a head’s up and the maximum time to try to remedy the situation. Askari Mark(Talk)03:46, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Yes, he should have used something like this: {{speedy-image-c}}.
This file may be deleted at any time. What betacommand's doing so far has been very counterproductive. Many uploaders have not editted[REDACTED] for a while and it's unlikely that they'll get around to add the rationale. Not commenting out the image in the main article namespace, which betacommand should have done, is a lot more useful because it at least gives editors who view the page a chance to add the rationale themselves. Again nobody is arguing about the legality of his motive, but his method at approaching this. I hope betacommand changes his massive taggings and start listening to the community because what he's been doing is not helping the project at all. Blueshirts04:16, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Many uploaders have not editted[REDACTED] for a while and it's unlikely that they'll get around to add the rationale.. I'd say what if copyright holders come here before those many uploaders to sue the foundation? Please, think about it both ways and see which thing is more important. -- FayssalF - 05:11, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
You're not getting it. The tag still targets the images for speedy deletion within seven days if nothing is done. What's different from betacommand's approach is that at least editors who view the page will have a chance to add the rationale, instead of having the images disappear from the article with a great number of their uploaders already missing. Blueshirts05:29, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I am sorry but i've got what you say as i've understood the whole mess since Atlant's started this thread. Betacommand is doing the job nicely and accurately. He notifies uploaders everytime he does so. He notified me today before i went to fix my pic at its roots before fixing what you are talking about above. It wasn't a big deal.
Think about something being straightforward: Tagging → commenting out → notifying uploader → Uploader fixes it.
Think about this now: Tagging → picture removed automatically after 7 days → no picture anymore.
The thing that doesn't make sense is if uploaders would be already missing than who would fix them? Uploaders are notified. If they are still here they have to fix it. If they are off than no one can do that job in their places because other users know nothing about the components. In brief, if the pic is tagged and the uploader is off, it will have 0 chances to survive.
Completely incorrect assumption. If the uploader is gone, or otherwise unavailable, a notification left on the article talk page can alert others so that if they can find the original source (as I did with many NHL team logos), then an editor other than the original uploader can correct the situation. Failing that, other editors could replace the images with alternatives, without disrupting the article itself. If after 48 hours/7 days, nothing is done to correct the image, then it gets deleted. The idea behind this project is to improve this encyclopedia. The improvement part is being lost by editors who do not want to work with the community at large to resolve this issue. Damaging articles and hiding behind policy is the lazy way out. We are asking that you take a look at an alternative that gives people an opportunity to fix an issue, not repair an article. Resolute15:17, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
It is not an incorrect assumption. {{Non-free media rationale}} has a component called "source" (the most important component) and i don't see how anyone would know about the source if s/he wasn't the one who uploaded it. -- FayssalF - 16:52, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Yes, it is an incorrect assumption, and has already been proven such. I spent two hours Thursday sourcing about 50 logos where I was easily able to find the source. In fact, I can very likely find the source of nearly every team logo related to North American hockey, and failing that, find an alternative to replace it with. All of this would have been cheerfully done if BetaCommand or someone else had made the slightest effort to contact either the hockey wikiproject, or to place a note on an article's talk page indicating an issue.
That said, photos and other images are obviously different than logos, and can be harder to find the proper source. However, such images can likely be replaced within the time limit of the speedy deletion. This can be done without disrupting the articles before it becomes necessary. Resolute05:26, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Hey people, there's one important detail that this lengthy discussion fails to mention: are the fair-use images of logs being removed from articles obviously connected to those articles? By that, I am asking if these are logos for the company or product in question. To furnish examples, this would be the equivalent of the logo for IBM being removed from the IBM article, the Chevrolet logo from the article about Chevrolet vehicles, the unique, unpronounceable symbol that the musician Prince used for a while being removed from the article about him.
If it is not the case, despite my feelings about this Wikipedian, he should be thanked for this efforts -- he is doing the right thing & removing obvious cases that violate Misplaced Pages's free-use policy. If this is the case, then Betacommand is in the wrong, & should be disciplined -- these are exactly the situations where the spirit & the letter of the law governing fair-use is meant to apply. Sheesh, I can't believe this omission was only mentioned after 4 days has been spent on this debate. -- llywrch21:56, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Yes in some cases I do remove images from company pages. the issue is that the images lack rationale and/or sources. per the FU policy every FU image must have a detailed FU rationale for every page that we want to use it on. If an Image fails policy I tag, comment out, and notify the uploader. when I tag the image I also leave a note of the pages that I removed the image from so that when/if the image's issues are fixed someone can go to those pages and uncomment them out. Betacommand23:52, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
The images he's been removing from articles, or at least the ones that have drawn the most ire, have been logos of sports teams, college athletic conferences etc. with obvious fair-use rationales that simply have not been attached to the images yet, generally because they were uploaded before WP's current rules to that regard went into effect. Are the individualized rationales necessary? Policy appears to be that they are, and IANAL (or even a Wikilawyer) to argue that point one way or the other. Given that, the problem is that he chose the most disruptive way possible to make his point short of overwriting/deleting the image files themselves. Furthermore, he (along with others in high places) doesn't appear to give a damn that anybody else might find this the tiniest bit antisocial or damaging to the content (assuming one might consider gaping holes in image boxes to be a problem). What are talk pages for, if not to discuss changes necessary to the article? VT hawkeyetalk to me03:05, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
VT Hawkeye, you told me all I need to know, & wish it had been repeated a few times in this discussion. It is obvious fair-use to include a team's logo in an article about that team. No one would seriously object to that -- not the owner of the logo, not we Wikipedians interested in free culture. It is not fair use if it is used for other reasons. If the image was uploaded a while ago, & the rationale for its use has not been updated, the more productive course of action would be to update the rationale for the image -- not remove it; to paraphrase someone with more respect than me, never allow the letter of a policy to kill the spirit. -- llywrch05:03, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
This is almost the sole type of removal that Betacommand is carrying out in relation to logos. There are a couple removals that he has made that are otherwise. For instance, removing the logo of a soccer team from an article on the soccer league (which is not fair use). However, in these cases, he has left the logos of every other soccer team on that league's article. In these cases, if he's not using a bot, he's also not using his brain (or else he'd be removing all the logos, because they're all clearly not fair use). But, as I said, the majority of the removals are of logos of organizations, corporations, and the like from the single article the logos are on, that is, the article for the organization, corporation, or the like. I cannot imagine that his edits (which are often three-fold: addition of no fair use rationale template; commenting out image from the one article it is on; and informing uploader of image) are easier to do than to paste in a virtually boilerplate fair use rationale for the logo. That's the problem—there's no reason why he shouldn't be adding the fair use rationale instead, since, as a logo, there's only one rationale that applies to all. Lexicon(talk)17:15, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Adding fair use rational is the responsibility of the person seeking to include the image. Betacommand should not have to do this when he is responding to an image that does not meet the FUC. You cannot "boilerplate" the rational, as the rational needs to be specific to the image/page. If people are upset by the removal of the FU image, they can just write a rational as should have been done from the beginning. He is responding to images that are not meeting requirements, just because you can think of a more productive way of doing it does not mean what he is doing is disruptive. 17:28, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
H, in a perfect world that would be true. But in a perfect world, we wouldn't be having this conversation about fair use of logos to begin with; & in a perfect world people wouldn't leave Misplaced Pages, never to return or be reachable about images that they uploaded when their rationale is deemed obsolete. As for "boilerplating" the rational, when the case falls cleanly within the guidelines we have have drawn up, expecting a specific argument in this case is, frankly, thinking like a bureaucrat & threatens to kill Misplaced Pages with a thousand cuts. Lastly, I think the argument that other Wikipedias do not allow fair use images may be spurious in this case: even though the German Misplaced Pages does not permit them, for example, they include the logo for Arsenal FC in their article on this soccer team. -- llywrch18:27, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Oh my god, would people stop repeating over and over again that a fair use rationale has to be unique? This argument holds for the vast majority of fair use images, but not for logos. Could you explain to me what would be different in the fair use rationale of the logo of the Boston Bruins in the article Boston Bruins as opposed to the logo of Microsoft in Microsoft? Every logo of an organization which is placed on the article of that organization is fair use for the exact same reason. It is fair use because it is used as a visual representation of that organization in the real world, and so serves the very same purpose here on Misplaced Pages.
Now, as for your argument that Betacommand is not being disruptive simply because I can think of a more efficient way of dealing with the situation than he has, that's bullshit. Betacommand knew the second he placed the first "no fair use rationale" template on a logo's image page that it would require no more work to add the fair use rationale himself, so it's not just what I've thought of. As for the argument that it is up to the uploader or editor who eventually takes it upon himself to insist that the logo is fair use on an article to come up with a fair use rationale, yes, ideally, that is how it works. However, unless you feel that Betacommand actually desires to rid Misplaced Pages of all the logos he has tagged, then we should understand his tagging as an attempt to include the logos on Misplaced Pages, and therefore he has already taken the responsibility upon himself to deal with the images in the most efficient way possible, resulting in the least disruption to Misplaced Pages. The short of it is that the kind of editors we want on Misplaced Pages actually do the necessary work, they don't just tag and forget. Lexicon(talk)18:40, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
User possibly tried to put Misplaced Pages in trouble with MPAA
User Kirbytime (talk·contribs·block log) has put a secret HD-DVD encryption key that the MPAA has been trying to erase from the web (see news article) and has also pursued legal action in order to prevent publication of the key. This is a bad faith edit, meant to put Misplaced Pages in legal problems. For example from the news site:
DMCA take down notices have been issued to sites like Spooky Action at a Distance and Digg.
The Digg users who published them have even had their accounts closed by mods.
This user's edit and the diff (including my news link, if possible) should be deleted and made inaccessible to protect Misplaced Pages from any possible legal trouble. By the way this is the same user who last week wrote the words "fuck you" in a hidden comment and edit-warred with admins who rightfully tried to remove it. Last week he got blocked for 3RR, abuse, disruptive editing and his block expired today. --Matt5702:43, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
I'm done with him. I don't care whether the key is on Misplaced Pages or not, but he is just trolling by inserting it in his userspace as a comment. It may be acceptable fair use in the article, it's not fair use in his userspace. I've blocked Kirbytime indefinitely; I don't think he's here for the encyclopedia anymore, if he ever was. If another admin wants to undo the block, I won't scream about it, but unless there is a clear sign of an intent to turn this behavior around, I think it would be ill-advised. ··coelacan03:24, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
He's posted an extremely pleasant unblock request. . I don't really understand this whole situation with the key itself; however, it's quite clear to me that Kirbytime posted this as an act of trolling. I will not object to this block given Kirbytime's history of disruption. Heimstern Läufer(talk)03:31, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Endorse. We have got to learn the difference between people who are here to help, and people who are not. The former, when they misbehave, get all manner of opportunities to reform, and rightly so. It is too bad we fritter away so much goodwill and energy by extending the same to the second group. Hesperian03:33, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
And note the subsequent (not very) veiled threat to sockpuppet. I should say that Kirbytime has just given his block the strongest possible endorsement. Hesperian03:45, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Yep. As long as it's agreed this is a community ban, any puppets can be blocked and reverted on sight. ··coelacan03:49, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
I disgree with indef block. The code is certainly not supposed to add anything to encyclopedia but it is not vandalism either. First of all, it is his own userpage. Our contributions to our own userpages are not supposed to be of encyclopedic value in the first place. Having said that, addition of the code on that page was quite unnecessary. BUT it doesn't deserve an indef block. For just adding a hidden message to personal website. It is true that Kibri have had some blocks over "request" for some sex related pics which I don't approve but I think he has stoped that (or please prove me wrong).
Nobody WP:OWNs any pages on Misplaced Pages, including the userpages connected with their accounts. Userpages are not required to be encyclopedic content they way articles are, but they are to facilitate work on the encyclopedia. Misplaced Pages is not Myspace, as the saying goes. And trolling on one's userpage is definitely blockable. 75.62.6.23705:43, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
It's not a question of encyclopedic content or not; but a question of copyright infringement. It may be fair use in the article, and there are reasonable arguments that it is allowable in the article under WP:NFCC. But that explicitly does not extend to userspace. ··coelacan03:55, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Point taken, but Ctrl-F for "I consider it blatant trolling" below, as I believe the block stands on Kirby's intent, regardless of the exact legality. ··coelacan05:11, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Coelacan, I still don't see how a copyright infringment can justify indef-block. It is too harsh. Indef-blocking of a user means that the user doesn't satisfy even the lower standards expected from a user. --Aminz04:15, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
agree Kirbytime obviously wansn't indef blocked for the MPAA copyright issue. He was blocked because of a whole series of problems. Neither Misplaced Pages, nor any decent human being, should ever tolerate pedophiles. The FBI keeps files on people who try to search pictures of child pornography... --ProtectWomen08:29, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
The problem is that we didn't block the user just for pasting the code; there were plenty of other blocks issued in the past feew weeks for causing disruption, including asking for NSFW images at articles, including Child pornography. I feel like we gave this user way too many chances. User:Zscout37003:56, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Zscout370(edit conflict), Kirbitime was asking for addition of pictures but as far as I am aware he has stoped it for awhile (please correct me otherwise). I think it is best to be addressed through RfCs and ArbCom. On the surface, issuing an indef block for some hidden addition to a personal userpage really seems unjustified.--Aminz03:59, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Would you prefer if I unblocked and reblocked indefinitely for threatening to sockpuppet? Because he's done that already now. ··coelacan04:02, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
This kind of case is a waste of time at RFC and a waste of ArbCom's time. Once a troll, always a troll. Editors that take actions like this are not welcome to continue editing here. --Spike Wilbury04:04, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Coelacan, it is his objection to "indef-block" for adding something to personal userpage. I think we are moving too fast. --Aminz04:07, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
For the sake of discussion, as you may be able to convince another admin: if the block were reduced, when would we be free from his trolling? When would the games stop? Do you have reason to believe that he's going to improve his behavior? I don't mean to pick a fight or anything; if there's answers to these questions that I and others are overlooking, someone should put them on the table. ··coelacan05:16, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
May I conclude that a more appropriate reason for blocking is "exhausting the community's patience"? —Kyриx03:57, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Can you please list User's faults. Please note that I agree that Kirbitime's instance on porn image was disruptive but did he continue this? I think he stopped it (please correct me otherwise) --Aminz04:04, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
I never expressed an opinion supporting or opposing the block. The above was just a conclusion drawn from observation. So I don't quite get your request. —Kyриx04:12, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Aminz, do you really want me to make a list of his diffs? I'll have to probably split it into 3 columns to prevent the page from getting lengthy. Here's one group diff though: edit-warring with admins. You should support better users of Misplaced Pages. Realize that you will be helped more if you have good users working with you; at the least not anyone who edit wars with admins, requests child porn, writes the words "Fuck you" in a hidden comment, gives a link to Piss Christ and so on. --Matt5704:16, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
I don't say that kirbi satisfies the highest standards but that he doesn't fail the lowest ones. Some of these edits may not be justified but may be explained. Aside from these you don't have a good editting record either Matt. --Aminz04:23, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
This has nothing to do with high or low standards of editing, and everything to do with incessant trolling behavior. ··coelacan05:11, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
I hoped to make that clear at the beginning of this section; if another admin honestly thinks he's going to shape up, they can reverse the block. For what it's worth, he's now saying he copied the number there through a sort of misunderstanding. You'll have to read his talk page. But I think the threats of sockpuppetry speak well enough for his intent here. ··coelacan04:07, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
I would consider unblocking if I could take Kirbytime's protestations of innocence seriously. But his history makes me unable to believe him. Heimstern Läufer(talk)04:10, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
John Reaves, i think indefinite means infinite. It means that the user fails the minimal standards. --Aminz04:19, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Heimstern, indef block seems too harsh. Some of the previous blocks were related to asking on the talk pages for porn pictures which was bad but as far as I am aware the user has stoped that to best of my knowledge. --Aminz04:19, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
I support this long due indef block. This is one of the strongest trolls I've ever seen. The longer you keep this user in, the more trouble he will create for users and admins (edit-wars with admins) and the more you'll keep wondering why he wasnt blocked before.--Matt5704:11, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
For whoever says this is copyright infringement, this is not; it might be a violation of the DMCA, but you cannot copyright a 128-bit number. At best, it qualifies as a trade secret, which means that once released to the public like it is now, it is no longer controllable legally. The DMCA is the only law that applies here, most likely. "Fair use" is irrelevant, from what I know. —Dark•Shikari04:17, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
The (bad) idea is that it's a circumvention tool and thus subject to the DMCA. I agree that it's daft and that fair use has nothing to do with it. --ElKevbo04:19, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Also, while I will not express an opinion on the block, I would suggest that any block made should be specifically made for the user's incivility and attacks, not for posting a number which has been run in many major news sources such as Wired, Yahoo News, and so forth. —Dark•Shikari04:18, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
I agree. The block should be applied because he deliberately makes edits like this to cause maximum chaos; his history is full of such behavior. - Merzbow04:24, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
I consider it blatant trolling, the same as if he had written expletives in his html comments (as he did last time). The intended purpose is disruption, even if the action was not a violation of US law. It's WP:POINT either way, and he's given us enough of that. I don't think he's here for the encyclopedia so much as for a "game" inside an encyclopedia; I stand by my block. Again, other admins have the prerogative of reversing the block. I will not. ··coelacan04:27, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Merzbow, writing hidden stuff on his personal userpage doesn't harm[REDACTED] nor produce chaos; I assume he is blocked and he is free at home so he started playing with his userpage. The main problem is with the article not userpages (and even then hidden writings). User pages are not supposed to add anything to the wikipedia.
coelacan, I am not saying he satisfies the highest standards but that indef-block(i.e. failing the lowest standards) seems harsh to me. But that's only me. --Aminz04:33, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
I'm not sure what this "failing the lowest standards" stuff is. An indef block represents my appraisal that the net effect of Kirbytime is more trolling than benefit, and that he's exhausted the patience of too many other editors. How many times has he been on ANI in the last month? How much time have we wasted running around this guy? I'm hoping that when this thread is archived, the answer will be "no more". ··coelacan04:43, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
I deleted the edits he made adding the key, for what it's worth. Might also be worth noting Kirbytime's reasoning for inserting it (I have my doubts - the key was inserted with ":" after each two numbers. This was done presumably to circumvent the blacklist, because I can't think of any time I've seen the key formatted like that...) Ral315»04:20, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
I can't say I have a problem with the block. My only interaction with Kirbytime was the ANI thread where he claimed to be confused about what kind of images constituted child pornography. If someone can demonstrate that he's made recent positive contributions to the encyclopedia, I'd reconsider, but this user seems like a determined, long-term troll to me. --Akhilleus (talk) 04:23, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
This editor appears to be an unrepentant troll. I was around for his requests for child porn. While he finally gave up that effort he didn't do so quickly. I see some editors here saying he wasn't that bad but I don't see anyone pointing to positive contributions to offset his disruption. On the whole, I think Misplaced Pages is better off without this user's involvement. ·:·Will Beback·:·05:09, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
an indefinite ban is excessive for vandalizing your own talk pages imho, if he is to be blocked indefinitely it should be done by the arbcom Bleh99905:20, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Oppose This block doesn't make sense as the key is out in the open in the Misplaced Pages article on the subject and Jimbo Wales has said there is no problem with posting the key to Misplaced Pages. The indef block for this non-"offense" is totally improper. That said, I am unaware of his past history, just that this latest offense doesn't appear to be an actual "offense." --Abnn05:32, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Shall I unblock and reblock for threatening sockpuppetry, instead? Would that make things clearer? ··coelacan05:39, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
He didn't actually threaten sockpuppetry from what I read, rather he suggested being unfairly banned drives some to do so, I doubt he would admit he was going to sockpuppet and thus expose his intentions Bleh99905:50, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
I don't see how you can read "It's almost like you guys are asking me to sockpuppet" any other way than "I will sockpuppet". ··coelacan06:12, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
I can't comment as I don't know. In all honesty, I can't knowledgeable oppose or support a indefban based on an analysis of his overall behavior as I am not familiar enough with him and this territory. --Abnn05:52, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
For the record, he has been helpful in the past: I first met him and encouraged him to help us out on WP:PNT, where we needed people who could read arabic script at the time. He did handle a few cases. But I understand the sentiment behind his indef-block due to his behavior since then and I don't oppose it. Grandmasterka05:34, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Kirbytime now threatens "revenge". I don't have enough AGF kool-aid in my cupboard to continue entertaining the possibility of unblocking. Later, ··coelacan06:12, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
For those that don't know, it is a quote from the Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare: . --Abnn06:47, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
I knew it was a quote, but it doesn't appear to be a threat - the context of it says that even more. Viridae08:17, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
It looks like Kirbytime had contributed for a year without major problems - I recall him being at some times reasonable and at others contentious and not really standing out in this respect - but recently has for whatever reason gone totally rogue. I was amazed to see him resume edit warring to push a completely ridiculous image (since deleted) immediately after coming off a 24hr block for…well, edit-warring, and having only minutes earlier assured others (sort of) that he wasn't going to immediately resume edit-warring after his block expired.
Re his latest behavior, this explanation strains credulity, and who knows what we should make of this Shakespearean reference? ("And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?") Besides the vague hints of a threat, this continues his very odd line of am-I-Muslim-Jewish-or-atheist identity trolling which like too many of his recent contributions seems designed to draw others into pointless discussions.
Were this block infinite and irrevocable, I suppose I might oppose it, but indefinite is a different matter: he is and should be free to petition for an unblock at some point in the future (say, a couple months from now) if and when he's regained his senses and is prepared to admit to his missteps instead of pretending he doesn't understand why the community is pushing back. In the meantime, I counsel Kirbytime to step away from Misplaced Pages for a bit and not make the situation any worse by sockpuppeting; see User:DavidYork71 for a user who dealt with this situation exactly the wrong way, and a result has probably blown his chances to come back.Proabivouac07:10, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
I endorse the above statement... He's been okay in the past and we should leave the door open a crack barring further problems. Maybe one problem of his led to another and he let himself snowball out of control... Just a thought. Grandmasterka08:58, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
My patience with Kirbytime is certainly exhausted, though my patience is pretty exhaustible these days. I would think that if he asks nicely after a month or so away form the project, to regain his perspective, we would be quite likely to let him back in, but right now he's looking like a time-sink with no obvious payback for the project. Guy (Help!) 09:17, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
The problem with the key is that the consensus over at the controversy article talk page seems to indicate that it should only be presented in the article and nowhere else (that's the primary reason it was added to the spam blacklist-- it was being spammed). - Penwhale | 09:19, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Kirby deserves a long break (i'd say something like 6 months) to review their behaviour and understand that[REDACTED] is not a game. Instead of editing the encyclopedia we end up having long discussions that we could have avoided. But indef is surely a harsh block. At least they've contributed plenty of stuff. For me, it should have been 6 months, no more no less. We have had trolling, desruptive and pointy cases much more worse than that but people are still present in the project, probably because they changed their behaviour. For me, it should have been 6 months, no more no less. In brief, if there is someone i totally agree w/ in this thread is Proabivouac. Excellent analysis and synthesis. -- FayssalF - 11:23, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Seems to be considerable support for unblocking at some point in the future if Kirbytime doesn't sockpuppet. So, do we leave the indef on and let him ask after X months, or do we reduce the block now to X months? ··coelacan21:11, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
I prefer reducing it to 6 months. As i said above, it is too harsh compared w/ many other cases. I don't want to bring names but that is the middle ground i believe. In case of sockpuppetry it will become an indef if not a ban. -- FayssalF - 01:42, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
"too harsh" ? This user was requesting samples of child pornography for Christs sake. Kirbytime not only doesn't belong on Misplaced Pages- he probably belongs in jail. At the very least, he ought to be under some kind of internet equivalent to Megan's law. Too bad we don't have a way to enforce something like that.
FayssalF, you are implying that other users have done worse things than Kirby- if you can name one action worse than trolling for pictures of child porn, please tell me. I'd really like to know.--ProtectWomen08:41, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
I personally like following structured process when dealing w/ such issues. This is my method as an admin. It could satisfy many people as it could bother many others.
Let us be fair and avoid being emotional. We are not a real-life law enforcement body to put people on jail. We do block and ban users from Misplaced Pages. That is all we can do.
Let's avoid being subjective. As far as the child porno case in concerned, my memory tells me that this issue was considered closed and he got punished and blocked for 48h though it should have been at least a month or that he could have been indef blocked at that time. Since then, he hasn't brought that child porno subject again. So why are we bringing it again and again?
Now, we are talking about his general and overall behaviour. Is is a troll? Yes in many occasions he showed signs of being one. Has he made points? Yes in many occasions. Many have done the same and worse in overall. So i believe now when i say it is too harsh it certainly makes sense and therefore there's no need to bring names because i consider their cases as closed as well until further notice. -- FayssalF - 13:05, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
Um, no, many have not "done the same and worse overall". Anyone who has is permanently blocked. Jayjg 16:09, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
Oppose indefinite block. Kirbytime is an intelligent, productive, and generous member of the Misplaced Pages community. He's been badly wikistalked by an editor who repeats specious allegations of Holocaust denial, and who appears to be obsessed with Kirby's ethnicity/nationality/religion; much of what has been described as Kirby's incivility has been an understandable reaction to this stalker. Kirbytime does have a rather provocative style of talkpage interaction. I don't mean this as a euphemism for incivility; he rarely engages in personal attacks. I mean that he'll take some admirably principled position on something (that denial of history can take forms other than Holocaust denial, say, or that Misplaced Pages should not engage in self-censorship even when the topic is taboo), and then make his case through tireless talk-page dialectics, often peppered with reductios ad absurdum. These latter are a great gift to his enemies, who can then run to other pages and "accurately" quote Kirbytime in such a way as to willfully misrepresent him. There's something schoolboyish about Kirbytime, no doubt about it, but he's the smart-aleck and the class clown, not the bully – and he's no troll. If he's blocked indefinitely, I will miss his puckish intelligence, and the community will miss his contributions.--G-Dett21:09, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
Strong Support - This user should have been gone after the child porn pictures debacle. Instead, Kirbytime was allowed to troll repeatedly with several more blocks until the final (long overdue) indef block. Kudos to coelacan for stepping up todo the right thing --ProtectWomen16:44, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Second that. Finally, someone gets out the troll spray. I support coelacan's block - as she said earlier, the net effect of Kirbytime was more harm than good. That's justification for a block if I ever saw one. ♠PMC♠ 23:25, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Strongly supportcoelacan's bold action. Guy said it best; Kirby is a timesink and his contributions here are not valuable enough to outweigh the community's time that he wastes. Indef is the way to go here. Perhaps it could be lifted in the future if Kirby demonstrates that he understands the apropriate way to behave, but I don't see any reason to just slap an arbitrary time limit on this block and hope he gets a clue in that time period.--Isotope2317:36, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
I would endorse either an indefinite block (that's subject to review down the road) or a lengthy set block. Kirbytime's disruptions more than offset his positive contributions. -Hit bull, win steak20:41, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
At this point I am not going to reduce the block. If Kirbytime gets it together in two months, six would be too long. At the moment he is quite adamant that he's done nothing wrong. I agree with Proabivouac, "if and when he's regained his senses and is prepared to admit to his missteps instead of pretending he doesn't understand why the community is pushing back", he can be unblocked. He currently shows no sign that this will happen within six months. I say, let him petition when he's ready. This is my opinion, though, and not intended as "I've reviewed my block and found it correct". ··coelacan10:00, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
If you look at some of his edits as far back as January, the indef ban is actually long overdue, and I'm disappointed this hasn't been done sooner. Support indefblock/ban.--Wizardman15:31, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
His today's edits at his talk page (i.e. Shakespeare quote) shows no signs of improvement and therefore i support an indef block. -- FayssalF - 15:47, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
But what about...
User:Matt57? This post and similar ones derive from stalking Kirbytime, and in some cases it seems Kirby trolled to see if someone (always Matt) would notice it. While I myself can 'monitor' troublesome users at times, Matt's cross the 'stalking' line because he is obviously "hunting" Kirby. Besides, Matt57 is an obvious tendentious editor (anti-Islam direction), which is detrimental to the community. I don't know all of the details as well as others may as I have relatively few dealings with this editor (and they have been unsatisfactory), but I definitely think that doing something about Matt57 is a good idea at this point. Any ideas? The Behnam15:58, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
I don't see how Matt57's actions are relevant in this incident, unless Matt57 is directly inciting Kirbytime to troll. It seems to be the other way around, from what you say. Phony Saint16:06, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Oh, I definitely think Kirbytime needed a big block awhile back during the porn images thing. I'm just suggesting where things should move next. You know, when you have two problems it is good to get rid of both of them instead of just one. The Behnam16:17, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
If Matt57 is really a problem editor, his name would be appearing here in relation to other editors and incidents, and not just with Kirbytime. — MichaelLinnear23:43, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Uh, Behnam, what did I do wrong? If someone asks for Child Porn, does it mean I stalked a person if I reported this to admins, or reverted their disruptive edits (for which Kirby was blocked 1 week ago)? Perhaps you think that Chris Hansen is also a potential stalker of Kirbytime. No sorry, and I do have my eye on yours edits () like we all do on everyone else's. Please keep your accusations of stalking or disruptive edits to yourself. --Matt5717:23, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Maybe Matt57 had been inciting Kirby to do what he's done but that is irrelevant. We cannot prevent/punish people basing on assumptions. -- FayssalF - 16:27, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
Faysal, no I didnt "incite" anyone here. I'm not responsible for Kirbytime's actions of asking for Child porn, wiki linking of Piss Christ, edit warring with admins and all that stuff. Good god. No thanks, I havent done anything wrong except go after him, revert his disruptive edits, report him for trolling and all that. The admins made a mistake to let this vicious troll wreck havoc here. The big question I wonder is: How much damage do you let a troll do before he gets blocked? As for the block time, this user should be blocked for atleast 6-9 months regardless of their request to unblock. I doubt he will change though so he's likely to get blocked again, but then again, all you need is good judgement to see that this user is not here on this website for anything good. He does his work on the Reference desks to cleanse himself of the guilt or to use it as an excuse or 'proof' of his good intentions. Then he goes and interwikis to Piss Christ or edit wars with admins. This is trolling par excellence, as a user said above - pretty obvious. Its simply amazing how much time of the admins this person has wasted.--Matt5717:23, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
We just said the same thing Matt. I said it briefier than you. I haven't said you did it. "Maybe" means "suppose" in that sentence. I think you thought i was talking about assumption related to Kirby. No i was talking about the assumptions re you "inciting" him. -- FayssalF - 17:34, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
I find it shocking that KirbyTime is blocked. He was such a resonable editor. In anycase, was there ever an RfC filed? Is there any compilation of evidence (edits) the KirbyTime has been trolling? Has KirbyTime been allowed to respond to these arguments?
I think if you read the above thread, and Kirbytime's talk page, you will find the answers to all your questions. ··coelacan23:16, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
As of now User_talk:Kirbytime is blank. Can you be more specific as to what messages on the talk you are talking about. Also, is there anything offensive KirbyTime did outside his/her talkpage? If yes, has list of those offensive acts been compiled?Bless sins18:51, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
Even to the point of creating large blocks of hidden text ] which seems to contain vulgar messages intended for other editors and administrators? ---Cathal22:37, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
And he's not quite at that point yet. He's storing an old version of his user page in that hidden comment (probably because he's afraid we're going to delete his user page outright, which would be unnecessary). The old version of the user page had an expletive in it, which Kirbytime promptly removed with the next edit. Quite possibly a mistake, and in any case not a big deal. ··coelacan12:35, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
I hate reporting but this is causing me some grief. Gwen Gale has repeatedly impugned my integrity, while I am trying to have a rational discussion. Here are the diffs:
LOL.. thanks for asking. I do not know. What am I supposed to do? Is uncivil behavior allowed on[REDACTED] or is it disruptive to the project?--Blue Tie04:07, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
Hey Blue Tie, I guess nobody told you. Gwen owns that article so it would be best just to move on. It took me HUGE efforts just to remove the word "Friday" from the lead sentence. With over a million other articles, I wouldn't fight it. Cheers :) --Tom18:12, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
Do you think that is a good way for[REDACTED] to operate? I was under the impression it should be different. --Blue Tie01:41, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
This is one of the more insubstantial complaints I have seen appear on this noticeboard, which, might I remind you, exists for matters which require the attention of administrators.Proabivouac04:33, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
You, however, are her friend and have participated with her in efforts against me, so I do not believe you are unbiased in the matter.--Blue Tie14:33, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Doesn't matter. Your bias is demonstrably extreme. I do not mind that you like her (seemingly, she can do no wrong in your eyes) but you are not an unbiased editor on this matter. --Blue Tie23:10, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Blue Tie, I'll grant you that some of Gwen Gale's comments linked above are sharp, perhaps unduly so, just as I would concur that your style of engagement is at times tiresome. There may be some merit in your proposed removal of the word "scathing," however that is a content dispute which requires the attention not of administrators but perhaps a few fresh pairs of eyes; an RfC on this point might attract them.Proabivouac19:40, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
You might not have noticed this, but some of those responses she gave me were where I had asked her if we should be involved in mediation. She was not very interested. But more importantly, mediation pages say that an assumption of good faith is required for mediation to work. The fundamental issue is that she does not assume good faith with regard to me but assumes bad faith. She calls me a troll. One of her edits, that I show above, has me requesting that she refrain from personal attack and she says it is ok to attack me personally because she makes her attacks in good faith. Another one, in response to a fair request, is to bring up her beliefs that I am somehow I am not representing myself honestly, and several times she returns to that theme - evidently believing that I am somehow some other editor with whom she has had problems. So Mediation, which requires good faith, does not seem to be an appropriate venue. Just asking her to assume good faith and be polite has not worked. What else would you suggest?
I want to work to write articles in a fair, neutral way, without things getting personal and unpleasant. I do not abuse people. I do not call names. I apologize frequently when I know that I have upset someone. I rarely report anyone. And in return I find myself regularly getting walked on. This is not the first time, but I am, after a year of this, starting to grow tired of it. Why can't[REDACTED] be a place where rules of civil behavior are appropriately enforced, so that the process is not disrupted? Is the right answer, like Tom says, to just let bullies drive you off articles as it did with him? How is that the way to write an article well? Is that how[REDACTED] wants to operate? I ask the question seriously because it seems so to me and it is frustrating.
Finding mediation not very fruitful in 4 past encounters and also not believing the conditions meet the standards for mediation, I have instead come here. Have I done it wrong? It seems Arbcom is a step past this and should not be considered or recommended yet. So, what have I done wrong? --Blue Tie14:51, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
It occurs to me that perhaps this is seen as "too light a problem". Perhaps that is because I have not included some history going back and only discussed the most recent issues. But I generally prefer to assume good faith and let past problems just go away. However, with this user, the problems continually repeat. The accusations of trolling and wiki stalking her are not new. I just have not complained about them or included them above, because it seems to me that it is ok to put up with things for a while, but after a while enough is enough and a reasonable concern posted here should get at least a bit of attention if not respect.--Blue Tie15:43, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Request block for this user for homophobic personal attack on another user. JBAK88 (talk·contribs) has also disrupted in various ways including trolling and racism: , , , , , . Was previously blocked indefinitely as JBAK (talk·contribs) and Williamdevino (talk·contribs) for death threats, and given a one-month block as User:BOV1993. "88" in username is a far-right abbreviation for "Heil Hitler" - the user (who is openly a fan of far-right causes) has been asked to deny that this is what it means, but has refused to do so. Zaian08:00, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
I was about to report this user, when I saw this post. I would like to add the following diff where the user added racist term ("kaffir") to article: --Deon Steyn13:21, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
That's fair enough - it could also refer to a date of birth (but doesn't in this case). However, in JBAK's case, it quacks like a duck, and what's more, he's been offered the opportunity to dissociate himself from the far-right interpretation, and has declined to do so. This isn't only about the username though. The user's behaviour has been exceptionally bad over a long period. Zaian19:57, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
User Griot - continued disruptive edits
Reporting continued disruptive edits by User Griot. User Griot accused various editors of sockpuppetry. Griot then used sockpuppetry and vandalized these editors. User Griot declared his exit from Misplaced Pages after editing conflicts with Ralph Nader article. User Griot then returned to Misplaced Pages and began more disruptive edits. Recommend WP admins block User Griot from articles that aggravate his COI issues. 76.166.123.129
Thanks SWATjester. Yep, you, me and many others. His SPP, vandalism, disruptive edting is so apparent, it burns the corneas. 76.166.123.12919:53, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
This editor needs to understand not to run to the administrator's noticeboard whenever somebody makes a contrary edit. Note the User: Calton discussion on this page, where 76.166.123.129 also complains about Calton. Note as well Misplaced Pages:Suspected sock puppets/Telogen and Misplaced Pages:Requests for checkuser/Case/Telogen. Telegon (user 76.166.123.129) is fond of complaining about other editors but rarely makes any edits. In other words, this person is a very poor member of our community. I suggest not taking his complaints seriously or wasting your time considering this complaint. Griot23:01, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
It looks as though there is a a point being made with regards {{spoiler}} tags - Anthony DiPierro is removing them in bulk, with no edit summaries to support the action (see here). I'm going to plump for a hacked account being the cause (no actual edits for a few days, then a rampage of removal - Tiswas11:36, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
Edit summaries would be helpful. There's been a good deal of discussion on this, some on this page and/or in the recent archives of this page. To sum it up: it's a somewhat controversial action that has some degree of consensus, and it's not vandalism or a compromised account. It would probably have been a good idea to contact the user first on their talk page and ask what's up. ··coelacan12:30, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
My bad on that front - I misread the user page, thinking that the user was a sysop (and, by association, an admin). Leaping, before looking, and all that. - Tiswas14:20, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
Several people trying to delete Misplaced Pages's spoiler warnings in the RfC have taken to removing spoiler warnings in bulk. Some of them according to the spoiler warning guideline, others not. It disrupts the debate and the editing. The RfC is two days old, and there's been no announcement and very little informing about the attempt to make a sweeping Misplaced Pages-wide change. That is not "consensus," and that is definitely not grounds to act like their side has already won. A few of them are valid removals of superflous tags, and for that I thank the removers, but the matter should be kept in the RfC - it should not be taken to the streets, as it were, where there can be very little in the way of productive outcomes but a whole lot of edit wars and bad feeling. --Kizor19:54, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
User:David Gerard is now using WP:AWB to delete spoiler warnings. From the fact that he has done so over 500 times in the last few hours and the list is growing every few seconds, I infer that he's doing so indiscriminately. Apparently, he's trying to remove the spoiler tag from every single plot summary on Misplaced Pages. This is either an unilateral action resulting from the recently started RfC in progress, or a way to bolster his attempt to destroy spoiler tags altogether. He has not discussed his decision to do this, and there is no consensus that would allow him to do so, and his involvement in the RfC means that he has a conflict of interest with making such a sweeping change. It'd do wonders for my blood pressure if someone was to explain why he is allowed to do that. --Kizor23:58, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
When a number of editors start making masses of edits of a certain kind, and the net effect is no ruffled feathers or very few, that's a pretty good empirical definition of consensus. There has been surprisingly little opposition to the edits, and those opposing them have been overwhelmed by those supporting them. --Tony Sidaway00:03, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
"Overwhelmed" being the keyword here. --87.189.99.112
I've restored the comments of pro-spoiler IP which I believe were unfairly deleted. As for the 'consensus', there's the TfD which gained a consensus in favour of keeping spoilers but was closed after less than a day by Tony Sidaway. Whilst the MfD (which was broadly in favour of deletion) was transcluded onto the RfC, the TfD was buried on a sub-page. This disparity doesn't seem right.--Nydas17:33, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I've removed hundreds of redundant spoiler warnings and guess what, almost all of my removals have stuck. In fact, I've noticed that those who revert me are tending to score 3RR blocks (including 87.189 up there) - that is, they're hotheads. It looks like the actual Misplaced Pages consensus on spoilers is somewhere between "no" and "don't care". Also, I've yet to hear an actual complaint from one of the outside readers spoilers are supposedly for the benefit of - David Gerard21:23, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
And by the way, AutoWikiBrowser (it's a browser, not a bot, and I look at every edit before proceeding to click the "save button" by hand) is my new favouritest toy ever. I really wish it worked under Wine - David Gerard21:25, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
There are several complaints on the RfC page. I must also point out that it's been less than a day, and that the great majority is in low-profile articles. --Kizor21:28, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I know the objectors on the RFC object, to the point where they get blocked for it. My point is that just about no-one else does - David Gerard21:42, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Gerard has also taken the liberty of removing the part that expressly makes an exception for spoilers from Misplaced Pages:No disclaimer templates with no more explanation than "removing exception." I know he's quite self-confident, but to do this without discussion when the RfC is ongoing... that's simply arbitrary. --Kizor21:28, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
No, it is not. Spoilers often start with the plot section because that comes very early in our common article structure, but they may or may not end there. Without spoiler tags, the reader must assume that the entire article can contain spoilers. Last Tuesday, I found a book on a library sale and checked our coverage. I found a two-line plot synopsis, the spoiler tag, a plot summary, the endspoiler tag, a nifty spoiler-free "themes" section, and external links. I was pleased with what I read and bought it, which I would not have been able to do without the tags. The LOOM article describes how the game's soundtrack is classical music from the Swan Lake ballet, after the plot section, below the endspoiler tag. Music is an important part of adventure games and without spoiler tags, a reader who's not familiar with the game (and there are plenty of reasons for such a person to be reading the article - let's say that he's interested in LucasArts adventure games, has heard that this is a fundamentally different one, and wishes to know how) may not gain the information at all. In any case, please keep further discussion of this on the RfC. --Kizor21:33, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
We're not an advertisement service; although it's good to get people interested in products and stories, it's not our priority. — Deckiller22:01, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
This is very much not indisputed, and this is being discussed in the RfC. Please do not assume that your side is right and that what you think is policy. --Kizor21:39, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Humph. I only wish that every plot summary section included the discalimer "Warning: this plot summary may not be accurate, and is not intended as a substitute for actually experiencing the original movie, book, or play. Important details may be omitted or unimportant ones given undue emphasis." That way it solves a number of problems: (1) when a plot summary of a murder mystery states that the butler did it, the reader can fairly assume that there might be a mistake there -- & still be surprised if indeed the butler was the murderer; (2) it reinforces our warning that there are mistakes in Misplaced Pages, & (3) Misplaced Pages is not a substitute for doing your own homework. -- llywrch22:38, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I have already discussed this with the closing admin on his talk page. He proposed I take my concerns here. I am not sure closing the RFC I filed on MONGO at this time is a good idea. I agree with Guy's motives for bringing the discussion to a close, and some headway was being made at a summary. But he has let the last word (on the discussion page) be MONGO's accusation that the whole RFC was "petty, vindictive and incivil". The summary says that "the complaint has no legs to stand on" "as complaints go this one has no legs", which seems to give MONGO's characterization tacit assent. It should be noted that neither MONGO nor I (who filed the RFC) have endorsed the motion to close. I am not comfortable closing an RFC with two editors (MONGO and I) this far apart and without moving the process further. If someone who hasn't been involved in the discussion could review the decision to close, I'd be grateful.--Thomas Basboll12:46, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
The close of the debate as I saw it was that MONGO, while continuing to resist the POV-pushers and conspiracy theorists, should be a little less abrupt while doing so. MONGO seemed to accept that, or at least undertake to give it serious thought. In as much as that was pretty much the stated aim of the RfC, I fail to see what Thomas is complaining about. Guy (Help!) 13:37, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
Somebody needs to tell Thomas "enough already." Aside from the RfC, see his arbcom filing agains MONGO -- declined, with one arbitrator going so far as to call it "frivolous." Mr. Basboll's dogged pursuit of MONGO no longer serves any purpose and is becoming (has already become) disruptive to the project. Raymond Arritt14:24, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
Hmm, I think I can see why Thomas is concerned. Whatever the merits of the close (it probably did need to be closed), closing with the comment "MONGO should please refrain from being overtly rude to vandals, POV-pushers and trolls, however richly they may deserve it", and it being closed by an admin who endorsed a view on the RfC which said (in part) "we should give a medal, a cigar, and our undying thanks", may be less than ideal from the point of view of neutrality.--Guinnog14:37, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
Keep it closed. Frivolous and pointless pursuit and harassment of other editors should not be encouraged or rewarded. --Tbeatty15:04, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
I think they will keep at this as long as anyone will reply to them. Let them have the last word and move on. Tom Harrison15:15, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
Hum...well...I've opened the MONGO complaint board which can be linked from my user page or simply by following this link.--MONGO22:13, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
Should a banned user be allowed to post comments at checkuser? Should a banned user's comments be kept in a checkuser request out of concern to keep checkuser cases intact?
See Misplaced Pages:Requests for checkuser/Case/Dereks1x. I removed the banned user's long diatribe against Bobblehead, a user in good standing, from the checkuser request per WP:BAN, but it was reinserted by another editor here. I have objected to the reinsertion of the banned user's edits at the checkuser request's talk page, noting that the banning policy allows removal of the edits and noting that the banned user is merely using checkuser as a soapbox. More comments on this issue are welcome. · jersykotalk15:17, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
With respect, freedom of speech doesn't apply on Misplaced Pages. WP:BAN does. Your comment sounds eerily familiar to me, though . . . · jersykotalk19:22, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
Also, WP:UCS applies here to. If he's making a legitimate attempt to defend himself or present his view, let it slide. If he's being disruptive and trolling, yank it. Seriously, just think about things and the right decision becomes clear. This doesn't need an AN/I thread. -M22:10, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
I think you misunderstand the situation: this is a banned user evading his ban, coming in under a new addition to his 20+ sock accounts, to make a false RFCU accusation against one of the editors who had provided evidence of his sockpuppetry. He shouldn't be able to present any view at all - he has been community banned. And the posts of a banned user should be removed and stay removed. It is a completely legitimate thing to have brought up on AN/I. Tvoz|talk03:04, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
What is your objection to using the book as a reference? I'm not sure I understand. I do think asking Pigsonthewing (talk·contribs) about this on his talk page would have been a logical first step instead of coming here. --OnoremDil15:37, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
there is no mention of anything to do with the article in the references that Pigsonthewing provided, atleast none that I have found. He has also reverted the article three times in a 24 hour period after being on probation for 3RR. Purgatory Fubar or Snafu16:22, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
A book about Mothers doesn't contain information that has anything to do with an article about Mothers?
I could be mistaken, but I believe the probation period is over now. I might be looking at the wrong page though. --OnoremDil16:40, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
Please see this page, which states here that "Pigsonthewing is placed indefinitely on Misplaced Pages:Probation. He may be banned for good cause by any administrator from any page or talk page which he disrupts.", and here that "Pigsonthewing is limited to one revert per article per week, excluding simple vandalism, for a period of one year. Determination of when this has been violated may be done by any uninvolved administrator.". He was also Banned for a year. Since it would not make sense for the total ban and the one revert per week limit to run simultaneously, I'd assume he is limited to one revert per week from when his ban expired. The Case Closed on 18:17, 9 December 2005 (UTC), so I assume that the one revert per week is still in effect, as we are still within 24 months of that date?
Books are verifiable...just not immediately, or can there be no reliable sources that don't come with links? I guess we should just remove the section from Misplaced Pages:Citing sources that explains how to cite books... --OnoremDil17:20, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
No false allegation here. You removed the "Unreferenced" tag three times. And what, we have to buy the book to see it's references? Purgatory Fubar or Snafu16:48, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
You could write to the editor who added the book to the reference list, and have him tell you something about it. It does seem fairly obscure. The book must exist, because it is found under that ISBN at amazon.co.uk and is currently available for sale. I couldn't find the book in any online library catalogs. You could ask for more sources to be added. EdJohnston17:51, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
I basicly did when I added the tag (that was removed) OK, the article is challenged per WP:VERIFY. There maybe a book out but one should not have to go out and buy a book that may or may not be a reliable source. A secondary source should be provided that can be checked online via a link. Purgatory Fubar or Snafu17:55, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
It has never been a requirement that a source be online. Books by reputable publishers, by reputable authors, are acceptable sources. Corvus cornix20:31, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
He changed his mind about the username he "wants" though, and you are correct that he'll probably complain regardless. If 99 times out of 100 he complains about something he is wrong, do you want to be the one he was right about?
The point about actions he could take on his own to correct the name issue is valid though, he could do more to address the situation himself. However by directly doing what he asked you not to sounds antagonistic so instead of calling him by his original name why not call him "editor who wishes to be called Andy Mabbet" or something like that. Anynobody22:42, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
User: Calton
Despite admins warnings and blocks, User Calton continues to litter articles with ugly and/or inappropriate templates, WP:CIVIL, WP:POINT, etc. Recommend block user from articles around which he can't seem to stop vandalizing, reverting and making uncivil remarks. 76.166.123.12920:02, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
No Guy, don't think so. Pretty obvious Calton has repeatedly trashed articles and violated various WP alphabet. Suggest bringing in admins with a little diginity. Guy ignored the template that disputed article deletion. Any honorable admins who see the writing on the wall want to participate? If not, no reason for me to stick around. 76.166.123.12922:01, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
Suggest shutting up about your dispute over the deletion of your article. I did not ignore it, but " notable enough" does not constitute grounds for challenging deletion. It wasn't. Feel free not to stick around, and do let me know if you need help with that. Guy (Help!) 22:10, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
You might want to advise the anon -- who is almost certainly the owner/subject of the articles in question she's whinging about -- that she's had several MONTHS to make a credible assertion of notability (or even the slightest assertion in the case of the now-twice-deleted Seasons & a Muse, Inc.) and has failed to do so. Also, removing unambiguous speedy tags? Definitely a no-no. --Calton | Talk11:11, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
I think we can guess the real world identity, as well, since Jeanne Marie Spicuzza appears only in films made by her own production company, and her books are also published by her own publishing company, and I can't find any obvious evidence of anyone else's work being produced by either. Guy (Help!) 08:12, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
A one week block of the two accounts and the IP would appear prudent, to avoid disruption of the current AfD debates. Past experience indicates that this user will disrupt such debates. Guy (Help!) 08:25, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
The user just double-voted on the AfD , so I blocked User:Telogen for a week and the IP for 24 hours. Feel free to review the block and shorten/lengthen as appropriate. --Akhilleus (talk) 17:02, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Disruptive editing and possible wikistalking
It seems that User:Vlad fedorov decided to "get even" with me after returning back after 3RR block. Today he started reverting all my edits (or deleting large segments of sourced text) in many articles that I edited recently. Please see:
He inserts poorly supported defamatory statements to biography of a living person, although two other editors disagree
He revently under official mediation, see
Another deletion of well sourced text without discussion
He edits in a highly disruptive manner article GRU.
That is all he accomplished today. Honestly, I am very tired of that. Can anyone give me a piece of advice, please?Biophys21:12, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
What could I say? Look into Biophys contribs since 9th of May 22:47 when I was blocked. Biophys used this moment to revert all of my contributions and all of our agreements on the articles. So, if Biophys who wasn't stopped by anyone deleting all of mine contributions is not disruptive, then why my edits, returning back the hard work that I have done searching for reliable sources and contributing to the articles, are considered by Biophys as disruptive? Please also tell since what times adding contributions to Misplaced Pages by me is disruptive and deletion of sourced texts by Biophys is undisruptive? Calling your opponents editing disruptive, vandalous, etc. is very easy way to win the ordinary content dispute, right? I have never reverted your contributions while you, Biophys, was blocked for 3RR. Never! And it is you who is responsible for disruptive editing.
However, if User:Theresa Knott doesn't wish to look at the articles at the issue, let me show some diffs by Biophys while my blocking period.
diff Biophys deletion of sourced judgement of the most respective international organization - changing it to the local US nongovernmental organization judgement. Article Russia. See his comment:"(The statement by Gil-Robles is outdated (2004); the rating by Freedom House is recent (2007). But maybe this statement by FH should be moved to a different place? I am not sure.)".
diff deletion of text concerning the criticism of both the author and the book in Putin's Russia. See Bophys comment:"rv - please read talk page - this article is about the BOOK, not about Politkovskaya. There is a separate article about her. This text was simply cut and pasted from another WP article.)".
diff Deletion of absolutely sourced criticism on the conflict of interests in the organization. Article Glasnost Defense Foundation. See Biophys comment:"(irrelevant info removed, see talk page)". Self-explainable? Other editors - Mikkalai and Alex Bakharev found my information useful, but Master Biophys doesn't.
diff Deletion of the information about a case on which the whole book is founded. Article Blowing up Russia: Terror from within. See Biophys comment:"(remove not relevant information copied from another WP article)". Self-explainable?
diff Reinserting again extreme POV with violation of WP:NPOV and WP:UNDUE. Article List of political parties in Russia. Look into history of this article - Biophys does it systematically and doesn't want to compromise with other editors. See Biophys comment: "(rv - if you want to make NPOV version - please add more things supported by your sources, rather than deleting well referenced text (this may be considered as vandalism))".
diff Reinserting again the whole POV section full of allegations and moved by user QZXA2 to talk page for discussion. Article Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation. See Biophys comment: "(rv - large-scale deletion of well sourced text without discussion. "Too POV" is not an argument. You can try to make small changes if they are justified and supported by alternative references.)" WP:OWN? Self-explainable.
diff Article Tambov Rebellion. See Biophys comment: "(Removing large segment of text copied from another article, which is completely unsourced. It creates duplications and makes the article unreadable; other edits)". Self-explainable?
diff. Article Anna Politkovskaya - deletion of all criticism section. Comment by Biophys:"(removing a few defamatory statements supported by a single unreliable source and a couple of outdated comments by non-notable people; minor editing. This article is already too long.)". Self-explainable? Any critcism of Biophys political POV - is defamatory in Misplaced Pages and should be deleted according to him. But if he inserts his extreme POV in the article with violation of WP:UNDUE he than typically says add your POV. But afterwards he begins his campaign about defamation and unreliable sources.
diff Again deletion of the information, that Biophys doesn't like. Again article Anna Politkovskaya and again the same comment:" (Two more non-notable opinions; Mayorov is a sportsmen)".
Yevgenia Albats. All claims of Biophys about defamation and poorly sourced statements are false. All that I described in the article is a well known thing in Russian internet. You may ask both Ellol, Irpen and Alex Bakharev in order to ascertain this. All the sources are provided to every sentence. Most of the sentences have two or more sources.
diff Reinsertion by Biophys of the category "Russian dissident" in the article of terrorist Akhmed Zakayev.
diff. Again editing the article to his POV while I am blocked. Comment of Biophys:"(more proper categorization and more consistent with sources. He is former political prisoner according to Amnesty International.)".
diff Reinserting unsourced POV category. Again. But this time Biophys doesn't provide explanations since there are no sources in support of his category.
Political repression of cyber-dissidents. Boris Stomakhin was sentenced by the court because in his publications he called to exterminate all Russians without any mercy and was calling to commit terrorist attacks on Russian civilians. Therefore he can't be described as a political blogger. Mr. Osama Bin Laden is not a dissident, or he is? Methods of repression are claimed to be stalking, bullying and psychological methods? Well there are no such information in source Biophys inserts - Bagryansky. And the creation of internet teams is described not in Bagryansky but by Saydykov article - and iit is just pure allegations without any evidence - but I left them.
diff Again revert to his lovely POV version. David Satter. Comment by Biophys:"(rv to 162.129.250.1 (Talk) at 03:59, 15 March 2007. Same text but better English.)".
diff Reinserting "victim of political repressions" category into terrorist article.
diff Article Internet brigades. Deletion of my tag. As for Biophys claims of deletion of his edits. It is he actually who deletes information that I insert. Just look at that latest diff.
As for wikistalking see the history of all the articles involved - I have edited them long ago. Biophys allegations of stalking are very old indeed and see my RfC Misplaced Pages:Requests for comment/Vlad fedorov where even my strong opponents like User:Piotrus acknowledge that there is no wikistalking.
I don't think this was at ArbCom, but yes, something should be done. That said, we can wait a month or two for ArbCom to block the disruptive user, or just speed up the process... considering that Vlad back from his week-long ban is causing disruption and revert warring again, I really don't see why we should burdern ArbCom with an obvious situation.-- Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus | talk 07:29, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
And again a comment from a user trying to win content dispute with me on administrator's noticeboard. Piotrus manner to bandwagon his opponents is already a matter of arbitration against him . Piotrus, why reinsertion of my materials which Biophys deleted as shown up here is disruptive? Piotrus, however, also prefers not to explain why Biophys deletion of information that doesn't suit his political opinions is not disruptive. Should I invite my friends here too? Csloat? Ellol? QZXA2?Irpen? Alex Bakharev? And, please, Piotrus, considering that Biophys teaming up with you and your disruptive and tendentious editing are already a matter of arbitration Misplaced Pages talk:Requests for arbitration/Piotrus, please don't be quite hipocritical by making comments against me. It's typically, look who's talking. You also never explained why you consider series of Biophys disruptive reverts during my block period to be normal. Vlad fedorov09:29, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Well, why isn't user Piotrus assuming my good faith? Is good faith policy is applicable to Vlad Fedorov only? Assuming that I had not disputes with him over last 3 weeks, it is very unpleasant for me to see again how he tries to make revenge on me because of my contributions to Institute of National Remembrance, and because Biophys was blocked for 3RR and got two warnings for 3RR. Vlad fedorov11:09, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Whatever Vlad said, everything in my initial statement remains valid, as well as RfC about Vlad's alleged wikistalking submitted by User Colchicum. So, all of this will continue indefinitely unless something will be done about it. Biophys16:55, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Biophys, dear, learn the definition of revert. Revert means undoing other editors contributions. As we look at these diffs, it is clear that I do not delete any edits. I only add my sourced information which you have falsely claimed to be violating BLP. Please do not clogg this page in order to make your point more visible. You complained about my reinsertions of material sterile deleted by you? Well, you've got an answer. You asked about stalking? Well, you've got an answer on that matter two months ago. Vlad fedorov19:16, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
As RfC on me was filed by user Colchicum, could you please provide any links in support of your accusation that I pursue Colchicum? If you mean yourself, Biophys, I think that Bakharev, Piotrus and others on my RfC page made it clear that I am not stalking you. But if you choose to pretend you haven't got an answer on your decision, whatever. Vlad fedorov19:16, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
No, no one made it clear that you are not wikistalimg me. Just the opposite. It was not me who accused you of wikistalking (I only joined the case). It was Colchicum who accused you of wikistalking of him and me, just as now I think you are after Piotr. I must tell that Colhicum is the most neutral editor I met in WP - just look at his edits of rivers, lakes and Russian state officials. But you got him. Furthermore, you personally offended him at the talk page of Alex Bakharev - using Russian - to make sure that others do not understand. Biophys20:28, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Nice. Biophys you've just made these claims at this noticeboard. RfC by Colchicum is just another instance now. So, if your allegations are false, you should be punished in some way. You tendency to accuse me and then to tell: "I never accused, but Colchicum did" is very interesting. If you are so sure you are right, why you attribute all these accusations to Colchicum? Have I ever edited rivers, lakes and Russian state officials? And this is an answer that your accusations of stalking are false. And it is you who stalked me at Freedom House, by contacting other editors of Freedom House article, and you have stalked me on National Remembrance Institute article, as well as Przyszowice massacre -- and this is a clear matter. Vlad fedorov03:43, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I have offended Colchicum? I learn everytime something new from you, Biophys. Could you provide diffs and we all would see what are you talking about? Vlad fedorov03:30, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
You just said "it is clear that I do not delete any edits". I do not know how to qualify this blatantly incorrect statement after this your edit yesterday:. We had an article supported by 65 references. Your "edit" left only 10. You simply think that no one will check your statements.Biophys21:38, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Yes, I haven't deleted it. Together with users QZXA2, Camille Grey and Ellol we moved that section violating WP:UNDUE and WP:NPOV to the talk page for discussion and editing. Anyone could look into the history of this article in order to ascertain this. And you, Biophys, is just trying to trick all readers and to defame me.Vlad fedorov03:25, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Someone, please, see Biophys again deletes all my contributions in Misplaced Pages. Could anyone take measures against this disruptive individual? Is it no disruptive to delete so many content again?
diff Article Jeffrey Nyquist. Edit warring by deleting the sourced content. He is warring with me and English user 217.134.92.77.
I've looked through the first two links posted by Biophys. What can I say, I do not see significant changes between Vlad and Biophys's version. Questions are mostly technical. It seems however, that Biophys may still have an eye against the current Russian government, which he sees as continuation of strife against the Soviet Communism. With that, Vlad Fedorev's version (in first two articles) seems to be less politically engaged. ellol09:37, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I also approve the fact that tensions between Biophys and Vladimir are significantly less than those yet several months ago. I think both users still need a bit more efforts of seeking for compromises, but they are on the right way. ellol09:40, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Can't see a need for oversight. It was a BLP concern, to be sure (claim that subject was arrested for assault), with no real source, other than answers.com and the name of a TV episode, neither of which specifically refer to what part of the sourcing contains the actual reference. It's reverted, it needs to stay out, etc. ⇒SWATJester03:26, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
There is more than this than first meets the eye. The IP failed to source edits. However, Frank Pais has previously reverted a valid reference to the Toronto Sun, specifically about the arrest. I'm going to reinsert THAT edit, and leave the IP's edit out. ⇒SWATJester03:28, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
This was the source: " ^ Jonathan Jenkins. "Eatery 'stormed;' Diners terrorized as Zundel fans and anti-racists clash", The Toronto Sun, September 15, 2004, p. 36"...surely that meets BLP. ⇒SWATJester03:30, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
First of all, the Toronto Sun is a tabloid and should not be considered a reliable source. Secondly, simply having been arrested isn't enough to be included in the article of a living person. There should also be a conviction, and there is no proof of that whatsoever. My understanding is that the charges were dropped. Thirdly, the video isn't published by a reliable source, but is made by a neo-Nazi outfit and therefore shouldn't be included. It also looks to be libelous from the way it is described by the neo-Nazis. Therefore, Misplaced Pages shouldn't be promoting / linking / referring to it. Lastly, I've seen various videos online of the day in question, and they identify the person in the picture on the DVD box as being "Jose", not Shane Ruttle Martinez. So, I don't think your action was justifiable.
Since when is being arrested "not enough" to be included in the article? If someone is arrested, and it can be sourced, then it goes in. It doesn't matter whether there was a conviction or not. As I said on my talk page, if you have a problem with the video, sue them, we're not responsible for their content. Wikpedia is not censored. And all that Jose stuff is original research. It appears you have some very strong POV regarding Shane Ruttle Martinez. Let's not push it with allegations of "libel". It appears to me that you are removing everything that you dislike about him, even sourced stuff. Your removal of the IP address edits was correct: they were unsourced and negative. Your removal of the registered editor's edits were not, they were sourced. ⇒SWATJester18:47, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
"Misplaced Pages also contains biographies of people who, while notable enough for an entry, are not public figures. In such cases, editors should exercise restraint and include only material relevant to their notability. Material from third-party primary sources should not be used unless it has first been published by a reliable secondary source. Primary source material from the subject himself may be used with caution. (See Using the subject as a source).
In borderline cases, the rule of thumb should be "do no harm". Misplaced Pages is an encyclopedia, not a tabloid. It is not our job to be sensationalist, or to be the primary vehicle for the spread of titillating claims about people's lives. When in doubt, biographies should be pared back to a version that is completely sourced, neutral, and on-topic."
"Real people are involved, and they can be hurt by your words. We are not tabloid journalism, we are an encyclopedia. – Jimbo Wales"
First of all, the video is a third party, primary source. Therefore reference to it should not be included, unless it has "first been published by a reliable secondary source." That means the DVD reference is out.
Secondly, you are violating Misplaced Pages's privacy policy with your speculation about my identity, which was implied by your suggestion that I sue over the DVD. As for the arrest, including a reference to it without a reference to the outcome of the case is prejudicial and possibly defamatory since it suggests the subject broke the law. Since there is no source I can find regarding the outcome of the charge against Ruttle Martinez, no reference should be made to it at all.
Lastly, the only source for the arrest is a tabloid newspaper, and the above quote from Jimbo Wales does not partake of tabloid journalism. If you can find a credible newspaper or other news source that references Ruttle Martinez's arrest, then (and only then) could you even consider including it. But, since that doesn't exist, and since there is no reference anywhere to the outcome of the case against him, then it is clearly a dead letter. Remember, "do no harm", that's what Jimbo says.
Agree with Swatjester here. "if you have a problem with the video, sue them" is a bit of a far stretch to "speculation about my identity" in my view. ++Lar: t/c01:57, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I would have to disagree with a block solely on that grounds, but the user's most recent edit is reporting an admin to AIV for a deletion someone else carried out. So in this particular case, the block is perfectly fine. -Amarkovmoo!03:46, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I've seen them throwing a barnstar randomly at a talk page of a controversial user whom they don't know i believe. Esperanza is not active anymore. -- FayssalF - 04:57, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Endorse the block of people who are not here to contribute to the encyclopedia. Disruption is just the icing on the cake. Sandstein07:37, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Just announced by blizzard. Article was immediately hit by an organized vandalism attack. It bears ALL the hallmarks of being a 4chan or 7chan /b/tard raid: apparently organized, rapid fire, timed, edits of things like "kekekekek" and "~desu" etc. Many of these accounts are vandalism-only, so don't forget to do a history check on them. ⇒SWATJester06:41, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I am fed up w/ Pokémon circus. This is only one of the 493 fictional species and i've got no idea what's going on in there. So don't count on me. -- FayssalF - 06:54, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Huh? Starcraft II is the sequel to Starcraft one of the best selling games of all time. Unfortunately, it's one of the most fanboy obsessed games of all time too. This page is being edited at the rate of multiple edits per minute, sustained at this point. This bears watching even if you have no idea, solely to stop blankers, and simple vandalizers.⇒SWATJester06:56, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Incidentally, if you scroll down the history here, you'll see him doing the same thing. There, the IP got blocked for 3RR, but no one made the right connection at the time. The user has again violated 3RR here by logging out. Someone needs to either block him for it, or tell him in the strongest possible terms to stop indulging in this sneaky edit-warring. Moreschi10:28, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
This looks like an extension of the on-going turf war between Wikprojects, abbout whether or not Composers and Musicians should or shouldn't get Infoboxes. Given the duration of this fight, is it really surprising that we're seeing Incivility violations cropping up? Can't the two wikiprojects either sit down and work it out, or else[REDACTED] will just disband both projects for edit warring? ThuranX11:40, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Yes and no. This isn't really about incivility, it's about one user logging out to revert-war and violate 3RR, whether he uses insulting edit summaries or no. This particular user has done this twice, and needs to be told to stop doing so, by block or otherwise. Moreschi12:05, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Yes, please do. Checkuser confirmed he violated 3RR - he ought to be blocked - and perhaps for extra time for being deceitful and logging out to do it. The Evil Spartan16:11, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I've given him a niceish warning. If he does this again a lengthy block, it's just sockpuppetry. Moreschi11:12, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
A review of the edit history there, just going back a dozen edits or so, shows multiple Personal Attacks by Ramirez72, in edit summaries and article text edits, and multiple reverts of his uncited additions, by more than one editor. ThuranX11:19, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Comment. It's not a personal attack but Ramirez72 has continually (with warnings) removed cite-taggs from articles while writing in the edit summary "spelling" and "fix information".Rex14:14, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Seriously, how is that edit summary not a personal attack. It's completely unacceptable, and the user has a history of problematic contributions, judging by his block log. I'm inclined to block for a couple of weeks, because seemingly previous messages have not gotten through. Moreschi14:42, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I did not start this edit war with User:Howard the Duck. All I did was corrected the Philippine article introduction and he reverted it back saying it's a POV comment from a Latin American point of view, which is not true. Howard should study his country's history and demography etc. carefully before making wrongfull edits and blaming it on me. I've had past arguement with Howard the Duck before, including the article about the Spanish language. I know how Filipinos are they are very emotional people and loves the United States so much. I know this because I use to hang around with my fellow Latino and Chicano street gangs around the street of Los Angeles County when i was living in California. I have meet alot of nationalisties including Filipinos, which i find very good people and have exchange ideas and talk about their culture etc. There is alot of things that Filipinos today do not know about their culture and history. I'd like to help and expand the articles in the Philippine article, but Howard seems abit bias towards Latinos, and he wants it in his own way.. You might be surprised that the information i have provided in[REDACTED] articles is true after all..Thanks! --Ramirez72
And tell me how is that not Latin American POV when you insert into every nook and cranny of demographic-related sentences "Mexican"? As discussed on the talk page, if we'd include Filipinos of Mexican descent, we might as well include everybody. The Mexican population in the Philippines is too minuscule and insignificant in the grander scheme of things. --HowardtheDuck03:08, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
It's not a Latino POV, I was only correcting the articles introduction, and I decided to moved the ethnic groups mentioned into the demographic section, to make it more professional. Other countries do not have an introduction which mentions Ethinc groups, that is just trying very hard. And also I defined the Amerindian section issue, since Most Filipinos of Mexican descent are mostly of Amerindian descent, some have White Hispanic ancestry..-- Ramirez
Still, it's a personal attack and there's no valid reason for you to do that. There's a discussion at the talk page and if we'll add a minuscule percentage (less than 1%) of the population, we might as well add all ethnic groups. --HowardtheDuck06:25, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Look man, You can add all the ethnic groups in the Philippines if you want, And Besides i'm not talking about that. My issue is why did you revert it back?, when in fact it was only doing a minor correction. Look i got nothing against you or your people o.k , man. I personally attacked you because you seem abit arrogant and every edit has to be yours!! no body owns any articles in[REDACTED] man. Misplaced Pages is an Encylopedia for everyone to use, regarless of any ethnic or race affiliation.--User:Ramirez72
What ever man!!!There nothing wrong with that i think it's professionally written, i think there is something wrong with you!!!You make small issues into big issues..--User:Ramirez72
The reason i attack Howard the Duck was because he was really pissing me off about his nationalistic point of views that everything had to be the Filipino or Filipino-American way and every time i add an information or talk about Hispanic issues in the Philippine article he becomes sceptical. Why? -- User:Ramirez72
The reason I removed the citation tags provided by User:RexGermanus in the article "Mexicans of Filipino descent" is because the sentence does not need one. There are Mexicans of Filipino ancestry and they are found in large numbers in Guerrero, Mexico. How would Rex know, he has never been to Mexico nor meet a Mexican of Filipino descent, that's because he has never meet one. I have meet several fellow Mexicans in Guadalajara who posses the Filipino ancestry. I also believe that Pável Pardo the talented Mexican football (soccer) midfielder is of Filipino origin.. --User:Ramirez72
Pot, kettle etc. All part of a bitter ongoing feud between what Kittybrewster calls "Irish nationalists" and himself regarding articles about Kittybrewster's family. Nick11:25, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Firstly let let me say, I don't think I have ever edited a page remotely connected with Ireland and definitely nothing politically with Ireland. So I have no axe to grind anywhere, and I am far from ani-aristocracy. Vintagekits and Kittybrewster have given each other the same treatment. In fact Vintagekits observations on Kittybrewster's work does now seem to being proved correct. However now, Kittybrewster's edits and insults to other editors concerning their political beliefs are going beyond what can be tolerated, the most recent example is towards the end of this page here Misplaced Pages:Articles_for_deletion/Arbuthnot_family - He seems to have a pathological hatred of the Irish and anyone who does not venerate his ancestors in the same way he does. Several have recently been deleted for non-notability after heavy and almost unanimous voting - yet still he cannot se any fault on his part and continues to blame the Irish and bad faith editors. This is plain rubbish.
I think he needs a severe warning regarding the consequences of such comments. He claims all those do no not agree with him and his views are either acting in bad faith or from ulterior political motives. I think he either needs to put his money where his mouth is, apologise or be banned. Giano15:34, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Kittybrewster apparently maintsains a genealogy website and has created articles for many of his ancestors and relatives. This also relates to disagreements about whether simply being in a peerage book because of having a notable ancestor grants inherent notability. Some of the articles nominated in AFD have been deleted, and some have been kept, because in fact the individuals were in the Dictionary of National Biography and other reliable sources. Some have been deleted because they were only cited to such sources as a family history book by his grandmother or some such relative and his own website. None of the articles I have seen were about individuals of no notability whatever. Passions can clearly rise to a high level when it is one's ancestors or relatives up for deletion, which is one reason for avoiding such WP:COI situations by not creating articvles about oneself or one's own relatives. Nonetheless, it should be possible to keep the discourse on an objective level, without hurling accusations of bad faith nominations or impugning the nominator's motivations as rampant nationalism. Edison16:13, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
He is now resorting to his usual tactics of reverting warnings from his user page unarchived , I expect it will all end in an arb com case, it would be nice though if that could be avoided, but unless his non-notable pages are alowed to remain I don't see how that can be avoided. Giano16:24, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Leave them blanked (no use getting all hyped up reverting the blankings). The warnings still exist in talk page history. —Kyриx16:36, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
True! I'm certainly not getting into a revert war. It's just a pity that it's a little more difficult for other editors and admins to spot the history of previous warnings. There is a risk that editors may miss previous warnings, and issue a level-1 warning when a final notice has already been given. In those circumstances, is it appropriate to block anyway? In the case of KB, I would have to declare too much of an involvement to implement a block, so I'm asking the question as a general policy issue which would be relevant to other admins monitoring this case? --BrownHairedGirl(talk) • (contribs) 17:00, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Blanked warnings remain valid as long as they were issued recently. Blocks may be and have been applied in a future incident based on recently blanked warnings. —Kyриx17:02, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I notice that nobody has informed User:Vintagekits about this accusation here. It would have been the decent thing to do to inform them that they're today's 'feature' here. Notified ... - Alison☺16:56, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I think most people can see that since this discussion instigated by BrowHairedGirl 10 days ago that I have backed off these issues and also I have not !voted in any of the numerous AfD's on members of the "Arthbutnot family" despite the fact that those who are seen by some to be on the "other side" have continued. My issue earlier was to highlight the "lockstep voting" and AfD abuse of a small cabal - I am sure I did this is an overly aggresive way but that was because I had witnessed months of this. Any I have stopped !voting on the AfD's for now as I hoped both sides would have backed off and allowed the rest of the community to make there own minds up on these articles. Sorry that was a bit rambling but I hope you got my point.--Vintagekits17:10, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I would like to put on record that I am very unhappy with the research of all the Arbuthnot pages and their sources. Yes those people existed, but whether they existed in the form portrayed on Misplaced Pages I am less sure - something is not adding up - probably nothing more that assumptions being made from poor 18th and 19th century records as to birth places, by modern day Arbuthnots anxious for some ancestors and credence - but frankly none of it is up to Misplaced Pages standards -it all seems to be assumption bases on supposition - and I think these pages need to be viewed with extreme caution unless they have been heavily edited by established and trusted editors Giano22:56, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Then you should be looking for sources yourself, to see what additional ones exist. In looking for sources about Alexander Arbuthnot (bishop) (AfD discussion) I came across several 20th century sources that discussed Alexander John Arbuthnot. I see that no-one has added any such sources to that article. This rather implies that despite the expressed unhappiness, no-one has actually done anything about it. Uncle G23:45, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I'd like to second Giano above; while I do generally try to keep anything nominated for deletion that's salvageable, Kittybrewster's articles generally seem to be sourced from a single family history, and from websites mirroring that family history giving the illusion of multiple sources when none exist. Whilst some of the Arbuthnot articles are of notable individuals which can be expanded, a lot more are of extremely minor figures (see the lengthy discussion here which I don't propose to rehash), and, as Giano points out, that family history does appear to make some dubious claims, throwing it into doubt as a source. As someone who's never made a single contribution to any article on Irish politics - and, as far as I can remember, no Irish article at all other than some minor formatting standardisation of the articles on Northern Irish railway stations - I have no political axe to grind at all, but I think that, since Kittybrewster is ignoring all warnings and attempts at discussion of the matter, this is going to continue to escalate — iridescenti(talk to me!)00:11, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Looks like Cocoaguy was planning to create a bot named Cocoabot and someone beat him to it. Question is why didn't he say "I tried to register this account name but it's used now"? ··coelacan10:57, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Well the account was created on May 18 according to the checkuser, and Cocoaguy hasn't edited since the day before that, so that may explain why he didn't say that. I think the more important issue here is that Salad Days (talk·contribs) said "I don't think this person has a clue" on the request for bot approval and then, according to the checkuser, proceeded to create the account and use it to vandalise. Will (aka Wimt) 11:08, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
There should be a requirement in the bot approval that the bot account must be created before it receives approval. --Kzrulzuall 11:12, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
The block is appropriate, the user has explicitly stated that they purposefully disrupted the project to make some sort of point. - CHAIRBOY (☎) 14:48, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Isn't the indef-block of Salad Days a bit over the top? It was stupid of him to use the other account to vandalize, but he's a regular contributor who's done a lot of useful work (e.g. on the WP:DEAD project) and to immediately indefinitely block for a first offense seems a bit unfair. Any thoughts? Cheers, Jayden5417:28, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
It was a pre-meditated usurpation of identity combined with deliberate vandalism to get an account blocked to spite a user he disagreed with. This shows the worst qualities in a[REDACTED] editor and identifies the user as a threat to the integrity of the project. The block is appropriate. - CHAIRBOY (☎) 17:44, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I agree, keep the block indefinite. We should not let anyone, not even a normally good editor, disrupt Misplaced Pages like Salad Days did. Funpika18:14, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I feel as though it would be appropriate to summarize everything from my POV here. I first heard about this bot from the BRFA tracker, before it was approved. I didn't review the request at the time. The next time I heard about it was from Nichalp, who was unable to flag the account. From there, the approval was revoked pending registration and identity confirmation. In hindsight, I should have registered the account and emailed the password, but I didn't feel it necessary. Anyway, the operator hasn't edited since then, and I can't email him - it is deactivated. Note that the BRFA page states as the first thing to do: Creating a user account and user page for the bot describing its functions. Once the user returns, we can either change the bot name or request usurpation. In the interim, any community members are welcome to leave comments as to the bot's operation and approval on the request page. --ST47Talk00:48, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Blocked all the accounts. There's been some good IP editing in the past few days; it may be a good idea to unprotect fairly soon. ··coelacan12:40, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
D'oh! And I'd JUST been following the latest AN/I about them on the 'gnaa disambig page'. Sometimes the mind just slips. ThuranX12:52, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I am happy to remove the semi-protection in a bit. But we need to watch this like hawks - the UK newspapers would just love a story about sick vandalism and bad[REDACTED] in this case. We are not giving them one. Anyone reading this please watchlist, the article and the images.--Doc12:58, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I suggest waiting until a checkuser either blocks the underlying IPs, or declines the request. ··coelacan13:05, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I was expecting something like "Jews did Madeline McCann". Another sock to block, btw. Will13:03, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
What about this vandalism spree? The edits and the edit summaries are still lingering in the article history atm. Should they be deleted from the article history? Aecis13:11, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Nope, checkuserer David Gerard confirms nothing but open proxies for the last month.--Doc13:17, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
No, that is just an account which waited eight days before making disruptive edits. Let's not over-estimate this person's sophistication. — CharlotteWebb16:51, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Both accounts have been blocked indefinitely as sockpuppets of banned user Iasson, and MfD nomination speedily kept and delisted. Feel free to comment and review if necessary. Phaedriel - 16:35, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Could you please make a rfcu for Blueboy96 and Gorbrown. Blueboy96 reverted all changes automatically (using TW), but in Gorbrown case he did it mannualy and he changed the old tag. I always wonder who Gorbrown is. Angleasked15:25, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I think that Blueboy96 and Nardman1 are violating both WP:CIVIL and WP:NPA, and IF there is an administrator who respects policies here (which I doubt) both users should be punished. Angleasked15:38, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
BTW, why is it that all serial sock vandals have usernames consisting of two random lexical words sewn together? Do vandals possess some bot technology shared between them that creates these? Fut.Perf.☼16:00, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Maybe this is the reason. Maybe not. In any case, lets search usernames consisting of two lexical words and check whether their password consists of the same words reverted. And if found guilty, lets block them asap. Occurtrips17:01, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Thanks to the ridiculous wheel war that's been going on over the last hour or two, I've instituted full protection on this page. I am not going to take any more admin actions in the matter, but I want to say here and now that any more reversions of this page by admins: any more wheel warring at ALL should be met with blocking. Enough. I know I voted in the debate, and I may have protected the "wrong version" - personally, I'm quite well on the record as saying I would like to see a full debate and for process not to be ignored, but I ended up protecting the debate in a closed state because that's where it was when I got there. (And yes, I did have a plan in mind if it was in a non-closed state, but it's kind of irrelevant now.) Mangojuice16:04, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Realizing it is not a vote, the tally is 13 editors arguing to keep the article and 8 wanting it deleted, so why is the result Delete? Edison16:17, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Whether for right or wrong, I've sent it back to DRV. I propose that any discussion at ANI be limited to the propriety of wheel warring. Discussions of the article itself should go to DRV. Nardman116:34, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Perhaps if the very first AfD ran its full course we won't have to go through all this. This is where process is important because we don't want nor need to create a hellhole. —Kyриx16:40, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
The first AfD ran it's full close and was closed as a delete - this was reverted against consensus. Nick16:43, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
(edit conflict) The first AfD did run its full course. It ran 8 days I believe. The problem has been the constant running to DRV by people unhappy with the result. WjBscribe16:44, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
If DRV sends something back to AfD, you let the new nomination run course. Not close 45 minutes into it, not 12 hours later, not wheelwar with multiple other admins undoing each other's closures. Consensus is just that, you let people comment THEN you decide. Nardman116:49, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Let's get this straight. The first AfD was valid, and everyone agrees with its validity (not the decision, just the validity). Then is it safe to say that the thing that caused all of this is the closure of the first DRV? —Kyриx16:55, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
To some. I think the problem started with the speedy closing of the second AfD - if the AfD that was the result of the consensus decision to overturn ran its course, the second DRV would have never been opened, etc etc. --badlydrawnjefftalk17:00, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
There is no concept of consensus on Deletion Review. It's a straight vote. This may be part of the problem. Reviews are sometimes robotically closed without any attempt to examine arguments. --Tony Sidaway17:08, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I have to agree, this has become a problem, with the behavior and attitudes of several people being questionable. It doesn't seem there's any interest in developing consensus, or persuading others to their position. Instead, it seems to me that the way things are being handled is more a case of folks throwing their weight around. Now while rules for the sake of rules are against the spirit of Misplaced Pages, so is unilateral action that is simply imposing on others in an arbitrary fashion. This situation has become quite escalated for what seems to me to be a minor situation. Mister.Manticore19:37, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I've been watching this for a while but am otherwise basically uninvolved. What I see are a few things:
There is no way this stupid argument will end unless the third AFD is run full course. It doesn't matter what people say in it, what matters is that process occurs. Then people will be able to stop edit warring over this.
A few people who believe it should be deleted are worried that the third AFD might close as a keep. I can understand this, from their perspective: maybe if the first arguments from the other AFDs/DRVs are not restated, or if the AFD goes on too long, it might be kept. What's bad is that some of these people, as a response, are trying to stop process to avoid the possibility of it being kept.
People are fighting not over the article, but over principles, at this point. Those who want it kept see rampant abuse of admin powers in constant closing of debates with relatively iffy reasoning. Those who want it deleted see an article that is not encyclopedic and an embarrassment, and think the debate has gone long enough and that in order to make sure it is rightfully deleted, the debate should end sooner rather than later.
What needs to happen, I think, is that the process has to be seen through so that people can stop this stupid wheel/edit warring. —Dark•Shikari22:57, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
THats what I was trying to do by opening the third afd, it struck me that the only way to resolve that situation at that point was to have an afd that ran full term (and the DRV definitely led to that). It was all going rather well untill that one was speedy closed and deleted too. Viridae23:52, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Merkey, again
Despite allegedly being on "wikibreak", user Jeff Merkey continues to be disruptive. See this diff, where he vandalizes a talk page based on unproven allegations of sockpuppetry against other users. *Dan T.*16:46, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
That's not vandalism. Jeff attempted to revert User:RhodiumMiner who was shuffling other peoples comments around the page. Given the name and edit history there isn't much doubt this is a single purpose trolling account. I'm reverting RhodiumMiner's edits and blocking him. --Duk17:15, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Actually, the user was copying the comments. The comments stayed in their original locations, and a copy was placed in the Straw Poll, and only where they were germane to the poll. There were plenty of other comments that were against the removal of all the tribes, but did not specifically answer the poll, and they weren't copied. The first one copied supported Jeff's case, so it can hardly be seen to be trolling (apparent trollish username aside). The comments that were clogging up the poll were then moved to the bottom of the poll, and they were labelled where they came from. A note at the bottom explaining exactly what had been done was included.
Pretty useful all around, it was certainly much easier to see what was going on. If an individual user had a problem with their comments being copied, then that would be fair enough, and they could pull them out.
It doesn't take much to see that Jeff's wholesale removals aren't popular, and his arguments regarding WP:V are not convincing. His complete dismissal of the validity of anthropoligical evidence and insistance on a single criteria makes it difficult for any consensus with him.
The sensible approach would be to admit his valid point regarding federal recognition, and note those that have it, and include the other tribes where there is other sufficient evidence. SeparateReality05:41, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
This account is another sockpuppet of vigilant -- the name is from personal attacks "Merkey lives in a separate reality" used by vigilant on SCOX -- another single purpose troll account. These people have access to botnets so checkuser may not reveal much. Their editing patterns give them away. Jeffrey Vernon Merkey14:27, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
It seemed from looking at the diff that Merkey was deleting several users' comments, and made the edit summary "Remove edits of banned user Vigilant", implying that he was being judge, jury, and executioner on an alleged sockpuppet (without actually going through proper channels of requesting a checkuser). *Dan T.*17:28, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I assumed the removal was unintentional. The RhodiumMiner name comes from the SCOX message board. --Duk17:33, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
And your proof is???... I see nothing disruptive in the editing and yet Jeff is allowed to make edits while on a wikibreak and admins are around to support him. Jeff has no idea who the editor is and neither do you without a usercheck. --Jerry (Talk) 00:44, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Checkuser isn't needed for a single purpose trolling account with an inflammatory name that is brought in from an off-site conflict. I note that you are active on the SCOX message board so you should understand how this account name is inflammatory - and yet here you are saying that you see nothing disruptive by that particular username tinkering with a conflict that Jeff is engaged in? Jerryg, you might want to think about this. The only problem I see here is identifying the account as a specific sockpuppet, I'll remove that note. But the block is perfectly acceptable.
...and yet Jeff is allowed to make edits while on a wikibreak' Jeff may edit whenever he wants. He's not blocked or banned. Do you know what a wikibreak is Jerryg? It's when an editor takes a break and puts a wikibreak note up to let people know that they might take a while to respond to any notes left for them. --Duk02:15, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Fair enough. Yes, I post on Yahoo! SCOX board. I post on a lot of boards. Jeff posts on a lot of boards, including SCOX, LKML and Wikireview. Jeff tends to make the assumption that *anyone* who disagrees with him is a troll and somehow connected with the SCOX board. Whatever you and Jeff have read while perusing that board means nothing, really. You *really* don't know where and who made the edits. If the name wasn't what it was, would the edits have been disruptive? Jeff's claims of owning a Rhodium Mine are fairly well known within a fairly large group of people, a large number of which have nothing to do with Yahoo! SCOX. In the end, of course,[REDACTED] admins will have the last say. I hope, for all involved, we don't go down the same path we went down the last time Jeff was here. I've had my say and am done with this --Jerry (Talk) 02:40, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Whether or not RhodiumMiner is a sockpuppet is one question, but it's not just him/her/it that Mr Merkey has been busily labelling. My account got a "sockpuppet" tag (I'm a sock of "Talks_to_birds", apparently). It's not the first time Mr Merkey has labelled me as such, my initial questions regarding his tagging everyone as trolls were instantaneously reverted out of his talk page. here and here. I have since explained my motivations (on Talk:Cherokee) in direct response to a question from Mr Merkey, but he still labels me as a sockpuppet. It would be nice if there was a reason for this other than "Mr Merkey thinks so".Teseaside08:32, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
This account is a single purpose troll account. The edit history speaks for itself. Also, talks_to_birds, based upon his claims to be the proprieter of finchhaven and his public statements on Misplaced Pages he lives on Vason Island in Washington, "next to T(h)e sea side". Jeffrey Vernon Merkey14:25, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Explanation of these folks intent
I am going to take a moment to explain these folks from SCOX and their behavior. They have only one intention, and that's to "ambush" me here at Misplaced Pages and make life so miserable that 1) I leave or 2) I flip out to te point I get blocked. All one need do is review their posts at SCOX (thousands upon thousands) to realize these people are stalking. Their motiviations are blackmail, jealousy, and tortious interference. Several of them have sent letters, called me on the phone, posted demands in online forums, etc. demanding money or jobs or some other garbage to stop their stalking conduct. These gadfly's started following me around after I offered to buy out a Linux license for 50K for Solera Networks. Not for Gadugi or anything else. The most recent incident occurred two weeks ago when one of the more phychotic of the lot sent letters to the attorneys handling the lawsuit over Natural Selection Foods and the E Coli poisoning of my 2 year old son libelling me. This psycho then sent a letter to Randall Spencer demanding money from me or they would keep sending out hate mail. Most of these folks smell the money and that's what they are after. The rest of them appear to be bent on just destroying any enterprise I try to start. They send letters and anonymous emails to business partners, associates, customers, etc. Bottom line, its jealousy, greed, and hate directed at someone who succeeds as opposed to a bunch of has beens, fired employees, and jilted business associates from the Linux movement who tried to stick their hands in my pockets to take money out and got sent on their way. Hope this gives folks an idea. You cannot reason with them, you cannot teach them, most of them are over 40, you can only block them. Don't waste your time with them. Were I am admin here, they would not dare set foot on this site for the purpose of this conduct -- they know I would block them on sight. Jeffrey Vernon Merkey14:48, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
These gadfly's started following me around after I offered to buy out a Linux license for 50K for Solera Networks. Not for Gadugi or anything else. Really? Then why did you say at http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/linux/kernel/501632 "The purpose behind the buyout was to convert as much Linux code over as possible to another open source operating system project which is sponsored at www.gadugi.org. This project is hosted by the Cherokee Nation and is sovereign under US Federal Laws. This project is merging the Linux Kernel with the Open Source NetWare project and distributing the operating system. The site is operational and the full code repository will be posted with the merged operating system after the Cherokee Nation Public License is published in January." Inquiring minds want to know.
Well, it's a good thing you're not an admin then... it's never a good idea for somebody with a personal involvement in a conflict to be exercising admin powers over people in it... that's too much of a conflict of interest. Can you actually prove such assertions as that people are demanding money from you to stop hassling you? I seem to recall that you made such assertions in the course of some of your legal cases, and never did back them up then either. *Dan T.*15:48, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I disagree, but that's ok. As for your other question, yes, Randall Spencer has copies of two letters, one sent to Mordeci, the firm representing Natural Selections Foods, and another letter from this person sent to him, and he represents my son (not me). This person also called Randall Spencer on the phone. My wife and I are no longer involved in the case since its about our son. The first letter was a smearing attack on me and offer to "help" nsfoods "defeat" "my evil claims" about my baby boy being hospitalized for a month, nearly dying, and my wife in a state that is indescribable. The second letter demanded money from me for this person stopping "use of free speech" to continue these attacks. He then followed it up with a phone call the Randall Spencer making more forceful demands for money. All of this was reported to me about a week after it happened -- I did not witness it directly. My son has some permanent health issues from all this. For an individual, group, or community like SCOX to do such a thing over issues with an innocent 2 year old just to demand money from me is beyond evil. Jeffrey Vernon Merkey16:07, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Those who are interested in seeing what type of a person Merkey is, and what degree of credibility any claims of his should be given, should read his complaint in a past lawsuit, where he goes on and on about how the open source community is supporting Al Qaida and other terrorism (while also noting that he tried, and failed, to launch an open source project himself), and makes bizarre accusations of conspiracies to murder him (apparently one such case actually consisted of somebody saying in an online forum that Merkey should be put in an e-mail killfile, which he interpreted as a "list of people to be killed" physically). Thus, nobody should put the slightest scintilla of credibility in any assertion this guy makes. *Dan T.*16:08, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Dan T. your last edit to this section doesn't belong here. Do you understand why that is? --Duk16:17, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I guess it might be seen as a personal attack... though it's only a link to his own legal filing, not anybody's attack on it. *Dan T.*16:18, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
No, that's not it. The reason it doesn't belong here is that it's unrelated crap that you are dredging up to run down another editor. It doesn't have anything to do with the post that started this section. --Duk16:23, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
If Merkey can bring in stuff from other places, forums, and situations to justify his own attacks on other editors, why is it wrong when I do it? Are you going to give Merkey a warning for his "Explanation of these folks intent" section? *Dan T.*16:27, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Because Merkey isn't stalking people who are honestly trying to do work here, it's the other way around. He's defending himself. He didn't open this door. And most of the stuff Merkey brings up is relevant to the stalking. Dan, I've assumed the best intentions from you so far, but that's starting to run out. --Duk 16:43, 20 May 2007 (UTC)--Kebron18:01, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
No, Merkey is accusing ANYONE who disagrees with him of trolling, sock puppetry. It is irrelevant if the corrections are true or not they are removed. It is irrelevant is one has proof of sock puppetry, it is irrelevant that no check user has been done, Merkey is right. Sorry, this premise is unacceptable. According to a sitting judge, "Merkey is not just prone to exaggeration, he also is and can be deceptive, not only to his adversaries, but also to his own partners, his business associates and to the court. He deliberately describes his own, separate reality."
This is from a court document. A judge said this in an open court room. Merkey has been banned before for behavior similar to this. I fail to understand why now that he begins again EXACTLY as before, why it is NOW acceptable. --Kebron17:40, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
That document is a preliminary ruling in a case that was settled and never went to trial and that happened 11 years ago. Its also the work of a Judge who was removed from the case by the Utah Judicial Conduct Commission for conducting secret meetings with Novell and its attorneys. It was also written by attorneys at parsons, behle, and latimer and not the court (hence his removal). Jeffrey Vernon Merkey17:47, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
To Kebron, Merkey was reverting a single purpose trolling account that was shuffling talk page comments around. What does some unrelated lawsuit have to do with that? Your last post doesn't belong here either, Kebron. I've assumed the best intentions from you so far, but that's starting to run out.--Duk17:48, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Once again, why is HE allowed to accuse everyone and puppetry and of trolling without proof. --Kebron18:01, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Yet I was accused, where is the proof? DTobias was accused... once again... where is proof? I stepped away... watching the madness continue and it just gets worse and worse. It would not surprise me if HE would be doing it himself... has someone actually done a checkuser... on ANY account? --Kebron18:12, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Also, the people demanding that checkuser be run are often people who know how to circumvent it. --Duk18:25, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
OK... I agree... he is one troll.... but has anyone checked THE IP address of said troll, against the others or against Merkey. Court documents also give a personality of the person concerned. Merkey has been banned before as well. This has no relation at on on him? My edits were simply removed... why??? Because I was a troll according to him. It was irrelevant if my edits were correct or not. I gave up. I stopped. Now... DTobias is the next. As an admin could you do a checkuser on all the users concerned please? What are the results?--Kebron18:32, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I don't have check user authority, but you can request one at Misplaced Pages:Requests for checkuser. My edits were simply removed... why??? Because I was a troll according to him. ... Well, you've been following him around on this website for a year and a half. --Duk18:43, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Best method to ascertain who is who is to use ocams razor. Accounts which are dormant for months then all of sudden become active again simply to follow me from article to article and revert, argue, straw poll, etc. are single purpose accounts here to harrass. Kebron is one of these. You can simply review their utter lack of useful contributions. As I stated previously, trying to reason with these people is pointless. If you block them they just come back with a plaethera of sockpuppets. They also have insiders in the Community to act the same way they do. If they appear to be stalking, they they probably are. Jeffrey Vernon Merkey18:36, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Part of my taking the time here is for the benefit of the admin community. I mean, just look at it! Jeff reverts a simple troll and it brings down a hailstorm of indignant chest thumping that goes on and on and on -- by a never ending stream of sister trolls! Utterly amazing. --Duk18:51, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
If I was acting like Merkey, I could accuse you of being a sockpuppet of Merkey. But, I won't... Now, comments from Merkey like : "...I will remove any content about them placed into this article under WP:V. They are not indians, they are not Cherokee, and they make false claims they are Federally recognized. They may have their own article titled "Southern Cherokee Wannabees" or "Southern Cherokee Fake Tribe who claim they are Federally Recognized are are not" or some other title that drops the Federal BIA desgination "Nation" as unverified. Wikiality does not work with unverified materials. Sorry. Jeffrey Vernon Merkey 23:45, 16 May 2007 (UTC)" A debate the continues in the "real" world. It is not resolved in the "real" world. Yet... in comes Mr Merkey stating THIS is the authority, end of story. Unacceptable. Like I said before, I have had it. Y'all decide what you want. I am done. I have said my piece. Misplaced Pages and Merkey. A match made in purgatory. Enjoy each other. --Kebron19:01, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
This section is about Merkey reverting a simple troll. Did you miss that part, Kebron? -- Duk19:38, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Oh, one more think Kebron. This is at least the second time you've promised to be done with Merkey. here is you previous promise. Please try to be as good as your word this time. --Duk
Incidentally, since someone suggested a CheckUser, RhodiumMiner = SeparateReality = ThreeVryl, which was pretty obvious already. Dmcdevit·t20:52, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Waleed Shaalan
Our article on Waleed Shaalan, one of those killed in the Virginia Tech massacre, was deleted last month per Misplaced Pages:Articles for deletion/Waleed Shaalan, and is now (quite reasonably) a redir to a summary article that briefly discusses all the victims. Today new contributor Headsdraft (talk·contribs·deleted contribs·logs·filter log·block user·block log) recreated it as a minimalist stub. I've restore the redirect and advised Headsdraft of the AfD discussion. I wouldn't normally bring a straightforward matter such as this here, but in this edit identifies herself as Waleed Shaalan's wife. Can I ask someone more familiar with the whole Virginia-Tech deletion/retention matter than I (and with a gentler manner than I, to boot) to stop by Headsdraft's page and explain things a little more clearly than the link to the rather vexed AfD discussion I've provided will. Thanks. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk17:38, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
User:81.145.240.170 has been engaging in vandalism in a few places, including Talk:Sailor Moon, and as the notice on his talk page seems to indicate, he is a sock of another user who was engaging in vandalism against User:Eternal Pink(though I don't remember who the other account was; the notice is signed "DUSTKING" but we don't have a user by that name). This is an issue of either disruption or harassment (either fits), and it would be great if an admin could look into this and take any necessary action. MSJapan17:47, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Dozens of the 81.* IPs have vandalised Pink's page and Sailor Moon articles, but the notice on his talk page was somewhat old. Other people have edited from various of his IPs since the time when Dust King was at his peak. --Masamage♫20:50, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Okay, now that we're paying attention to him he's starting to be obnoxious again (recent vandalism to Sailor Galaxia and its talk page, Chaos (Sailor Moon), and User_talk:Eternal Pink). We had a CheckUser request out for this guy last time, the intent being to see if he was editing from any other accounts...but right around the time we put it out he stopped vandalizing, which suggests to me that he probably does. Anyway, the case was pitched because of it. I think a new one needs to be made and followed through with. --Masamage♫16:27, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Hello, Samuel Luo (talk·contribs·deleted contribs·logs·filter log·block user·block log) has been using several sockpuppets to evade the block imposed by the ArbCom. (ArbCom decision: ) (checkuser: ) (recent edits: , ). He was away for a couple of days, but now he's returned. Samuel seems to have no intention to stop this trolling. Is there any chance to block his IP address permanently if keeps doing this? ✔Olaf Stephanos✍19:44, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I have Id'd 3 sockpuppets in the last 24 hours of his, and I admit, they're blatantly obvious as well. It's really, really annoying if anything. Evilclown9319:59, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
The account Ifdb (talk·contribs) was recently created apparently with the sole purpose of promoting a website called "Internet Fashion Database". It created the template {{ifdb model}} and is adding it to the "external links" section of a lot o articles.
Is that something that should be dealt with, or is it better just let the articles maintainers judge the edits? --Abu badali20:35, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I removed all transclusions, warned them about spam, and might put the template up for deletion. We don't have the consensus behind that that we do for the links to IMDB, so this is basically just linkspam with a twist. Veinor20:45, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Don't search for truth in others when there is none in you
Please don't withhold from making childish allegations of so-called ukrainophobia, there is enough (heat) without them.
If anyone sees anything insulting in them please tell me so and ban me accordingly for personal attacks. TO Hillock, don't use WP:AN/I to tattle. --Kuban Cossack22:35, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Confirm Kuban's translations; I ran it through Google. So there's nothing insulting, although it's probably best to stick to English when editing the English wiki. There are already enough avenues for communication to break down as it is. When you have a problem with another edit, please contact them directly first; Kuban could have told you the translations on your own talk page without any accusations being made. --Masamage♫23:47, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
Zdorovenki buli, Hillock65, pryemno z vamy zapiznatysya. Here you forgot that you do not understand Russian. Budte zdorovi, --Pan Gerwazy00:25, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Kuban Cossack, please don't leave messages to other users in any language other than English at English Misplaced Pages, except on a talk page of a user who claims to know that other langauge.
User:Simplemines needs to be reigned in at this article. His edit summaries are laced with insults like imbecile and stupid. He has been kind enough to actually discuss things on the talk page, but his contributions more often than not insults and accusations . If a neutral admin could look into this, I'd appreciate it, as a review of several editors (including myself) might be in order. AniMate23:58, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
I have temporarily protected the article to stop the edit war, have warned two users and asked them to participate in discussions, and I will keep an eye on things for the next couple of days. Kafziel00:12, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Libelous accusation
ON the page for the Daily Illini (http://en.wikipedia.org/Daily_Illini) there is an accusation against John Bambenek claiming he is a convicted child sex offender. This is a false accusation. It is libel and completely actionable. John is a respected writer and internet security expert. 68.120.68.2501:24, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I have reverted the edit and blocked the user whose only edit was to insert those lies. It has been added here before back when we had an article on John Bambenek, and it is of course completely unacceptable now as then. Thanks for letting us know. If the libel is reinserted we'll lock the page from editing. Shanes01:39, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
apparently this has made the news. In Jan 2007, John Bambenek's article was deleted over allegations of sex offense. The above article was written by him on Jan 5, 2007. ⇒SWATJester03:16, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Actually, that's not Bambenek's website... at all. If you did a whois on mercatornet.org, or for that matter, even read the "about" page, you'd see that whatever you consider it, it's not run by Bambenek. We're not trying to apply WP:BAMBI are we? Cuz, we can fire up that AfD on the New York Times again. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 130.126.139.133 (talk • contribs) 04:57, May 20, 2007 (UTC)
TyrusThomas4lyf (talk·contribs) has been blocked 6 times this month for removing sourced info, edit warring, personal attacks, reverting against consensus, etc. He's back and doing the same again. See here where consensus was reached and here: where he again removed the info. Can someone keep an eye on him? Aaron Bowen01:57, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
User blocked for two weeks. He's already been blocked several times within the month of May. The most recent being a one week block. He comes back and goes right back to edit warring and uses his talk page to make incivil comments and personal attacks. He's left an unblock template so any third part administrator is free to review.--Jersey Devil02:26, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Former admin Gurch (talk·contribs) has just gone on an strange rampage of blanking several project space pages, and has been blocked as a possibly compromised account by Pharos. Checkuser may be in order here. Phaedriel - 02:32, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Unfortunately, that is Gurch. After a fairly heated exchange on #wikipedia, he immediately left the channel and went on this spree. Gurch's talk page further proves this. Sean William02:34, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Endorse the forty-eight hour block, let Gurch cool down and see if he wants to come back then. I wouldn't object to an unblock-reblock with a different reason now that the question which was put forwarded in the block log has been answered. Daniel02:36, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Looks like he was blocked indefinitely by someone else. Makes sense IMO, vandalizing talk pages is an unacceptable way to let off steam. Krimpet (talk) 02:38, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I marked it as "possibly compromised" because the little experience I had with Gurch previously was as a good editor, and the pattern reminded me of the other incidents. Honestly, I thought he was probably an admin too. Obviously I was wrong in attributing this.--Pharos02:41, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Indefblock!=block 'til the end of time. Hopefully once Gurch has calmed down, he will be ready to contribute again - he would be missed if he didn't return. – Riana⁂03:07, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
IMO, indefblocking provides a disincentive to return. This particular spree was pretty mild. ˉˉ╦╩13:42, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I've lowered the indef-block on Gurch's main account back down to the original 48 hours (and no action taken on the sockpuppet's indef-block). I don't think an indef-block is appropriate in this instance. In particular, we don't indefinitely block people just because they say they are leaving, and Gurch's vandalism, coming from an otherwise well-behaving former-administrator, did not merit anything coming close to a community ban, which is the only way I can see justifying an indef-block on him at this time. Now if he returns and continues to misbehave (which I really hope doesn't happen), then we might need to take further, and longer, action. --Cyde Weys14:54, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
As far as I know, his sockpuppet was not of the "abusive" variety. I don't see a pressing need for either account (or any others he might have) to remain blocked more than a day or so. —freak(talk) 18:22, May. 20, 2007 (UTC)
Gwernol's block was unecessery and disruptive: "Extending to indef, user appears to be leaving, again" Huh?(!) El_C15:51, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
It looks like he managed to perform 24 edits over the course of one minute; that comes down to 2.5 edits a second, which suggests he had to be using some sort of automated tool. Krimpet (talk) 17:58, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Hilarious you'd imply that good edits done automatically might be a more serious offense than bad edits done manually. Seriously, who gives a fuck... —freak(talk) 18:22, May. 20, 2007 (UTC)
What is important is the process, not the result. Or wait, is it the other way around? I'll have to file a request for clarification with arbcom to find out. Tom Harrison18:30, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Freakofnurture, clearly you don't. Editing on that scale should really be done on a bot account so it doesn't flood recent changes and watchlists. Majorly (talk | meet) 19:00, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
To Majorly: On IRC, he told me that he used javascript to bypass double redirects. I don't really understand why this is a problem; We cut down on the numbers of double redirects very quickly. Win-win. Sean William18:53, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Still, fast editing like that should be done under a bot account so it doesn't flood recent changes and stuff. I can't see why he couldn't just apply for one, he's had bot accounts before. Majorly (talk | meet) 19:00, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I'm looking at my contribs and I'm seeing 26 edits per minute, etc., using rollback, and I have no intention of getting a bot. El_C23:47, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
All the instances, with the exception of the username change request, have to do with his Arb case. The username change seems to be an effort to bring the account within policy.—ACADEMY LEADER03:14, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I have reblocked based on the evidence brought by John254. Since I'm not intimately familiar with his case, tho, I strongly request my actions to be reviewed and undone if deemed necessary. Phaedriel - 03:19, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
All 3 of those edits looked case related to me. The first is specifically mentioned in the case (an agreement to change the username). The second and 3rd look like attempts to gather evidence or comment. I don't see a violation here. jbolden151703:23, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I strongly object to this reblock. These edits by PR were all closely related to coordination of his defense. Though Zscout said to edit only the arbcom case and his userpage, there are other procedural issues he should be allowed to complete as part of his defence. For example, Mark Chovain has volunteered to be his advocate, so he should be allowed to write on his talk page. The username change request was specifically mentioned by PR in his evidence statement at arbcom as a sign of his willing to reform and compromise. The post on the Palestine noticeboard was a request for evidence, which he obviously needs for defense, and I have reinstated it. nadav03:32, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I understand the warning given. I have problems with the terms being applied in that way (that literally). For example if he has an advocate (council) then that page would seem in order. We aren't talking about a vandal here, but rather a tendentious editor. I don't think its reasonable to forbid him from collecting evidence or from consulting with other parties about the case. jbolden151703:34, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I want to add that PR's case has been a sorry reflection on due process (I encourage all to see the arbcom evidence statements). We should not continue to prevent him from defending himself. (Of course, if he strays beyond these limits then that's a whole other story). nadav03:40, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I suggest that he be strongly warned, and that in future he should ask Mark to do such things for him. However, a complete block is inappropriate. nadav03:46, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Since the unblock was done in order to allow him to defend himself (in the unblock message, it says clearly: Due to the ArbCom case and the need to defend yourself), I think that he shouldn't have been re-blocked, since his second and third edit were specifically for this reason. The first edit, although doesn't fit in with this, should also be allowed on the grounds that a blocked user who has a name which other users claim is problematic - should be allowed, in my opinion, to have it changed. OdMishehu03:46, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Whatever happened, the case at the ArbCom is still open and this means that he needs to defend himself again and again until the case is closed. You should not have re-blocked him before having a look at the ArbCom case and what's going on in there. This user has been accused on false grounds and most of the blocks are still being questioned and challenged w/o any answer from the "blockers" (see his blocklog and do the math) ! Arbitrators have considered this case as a hard one and now we are making it harder for them just because he edited something very related to his case. I have to agree w/ ACADEMY LEADER, nadav and Od Mishehu. -- FayssalF - 04:28, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I'm going to point out that he did canvass for support. Whether or not he thinks that is defending himself or not I'm not sure, but this is canvassing. Again it can be argued that he thought he was defending himself (and I think someone should ask him). In any case, he can stay blocked for now, he has an advocate to speak for him. —— Eagle10104:45, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
The block was not necessary here. The actions were not flagrant deviations from the provision of the unblock, and the reason for the unblock (that he should be able to comment in the RfArb) still stand. If you all want to block him simply because he violated the terms, the block should be short (say twenty-four hours), after which point he would be able to return to participating in the RfArb according to the terms. -- tariqabjotu04:43, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I also want to add that John's assertion that PR was "blocked indefinitely due to a community ban" is incorrect. Discussion closed at CSN and was referred to arbitration, and there was no consensus for a block at the time of the closing. nadav05:00, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
This is absolutely disgusting.
The CS ban was based on now-debunked information.
No accusations have been brought against him in his current ArbCom case, despite my requests that evidence be presented. That ArbCom case is starting to look like a way of enforcing a defacto ban.
One of the biggest proponents of the case has since suggested that the case not go ahead, and the matters instead go through RfC.
The first edit is clearly intended to appease those that are offended by his username. The second and third are clearly attempts to organise his defence. While he probably should have asked me to make the second change, the third was an urgent message asking one his supporters to not contribute to the discussion yet. The new block is not in the spirit of the unblock conditions; his edits are.
I'd normally be one of the first to accuse PR of being paranoid, but this looks a lot like an attempt to prevent him from defending himself. Please give him a chance to do that. MarkChovain05:00, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I do not think his efforts to canvass were a good thing, though it can be argued that he was only "defending himself". See this. Thanks —— Eagle10105:08, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I don't see how that can be described as canvassing when it's an arbitration case. Additional people might not help the process, but certainly won't be harmful (and if they are, can easily be barred from the case by the arbitrators). Christopher Parham(talk)19:19, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Following this statement by Chovain, who's PR advocate on his ArbCom case, as well as the vast majority of comments above, I'll proceed to conditionally lift his block. I will also leave him a warning regarding edits to pages different than those specified. Once again, please review and rectify my actions if necessary. Phaedriel - 05:12, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I strongly object to this block, as it adds to the appearance of a concerted effort to drive PR from the project. Catchpole12:38, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
If it gets really bad, he could email his defense to the ArbCom and it can be posted for him by the ArbCom. I have seen it done before, so if it gets really bad, we could choose that route. I didn't see this message until Sunday morning, but I want to make this clear: this might have deserved a warning earlier. I have not seen much about the debate about his username, but it should be done after the ArbCom case is over. The talk page notification was already done, so whatever else he is doing, it should be heavily discouraged. Honestly, no block should be issued now, but let this post serve as a final warning to PR. User:Zscout37019:34, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I just blocked VK35 (talk·contribs) because he is a sock of banned user Dereks1x. Some of VK35's arguments regarding "censorship" of banned users aroused my suspicions, and a checkuser confirmed via e-mail that VK35 is using the same IP range as Dereks1x and his other socks (he was certainly not editing from Singapore, as he claimed).
Somehow, VK35 was able to edit for about a month and a half, rack up over 1,000 edits, and con his way into a RFCU clerk job. I don't know how much damage he has done, but I'm about to start undoing, reverting, and otherwise destroying his edits where possible per WP:BAN. Any help or advice would be appreciated. · jersykotalk03:48, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Last time I checked, you just sign up for the RFCU clerk job and that's it. And he only signed up yesterday. —Kyриx03:55, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
VK35 (talk·contribs) has recently entered an extremely contentious situation involving the Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom murder article as a representative of the RFC cabal. First, how do handle this situation? Second, how do I get another representative to get involved, since this article does desperately need a non-bias third party representative. Thanks for any and all help. Shoessss
Any edits made by VK35 should be removed or reverted per WP:BAN if possible. I would suggest attempting mediation if you have not already if the issue is particularly contentious. · jersykotalk04:08, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I can remove his/her remarks from the discussion. That is not a problem. The question is, should I also remove the comments left by other editors with regards to answers to the questions posed by VK35 (talk·contribs). Also, I take it honesty is the best policy in explaining why the remarks were removed. Thanks Shoessss
Wow, this is surprising. VK35 mediated a dispute on Talk:Missouri and actually helped solve it, I think. This is not the first time I've seen a sockpuppet of a banned user act as a mediator, either. --Akhilleus (talk) 04:45, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I couldn't do anything for this case because i used to edit the same article as this blatant sock. I was just waiting for the outcome of the RFCU. -- FayssalF - 04:31, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Well, this case of vandalism isn't completely obvious. I have left him a message to source his statements and discuss changes to the article pertaining to the statement about Mr. Musgrave. If he continues, I'd be convinced that this is simply a "throw-away vanslism-only account." (especially as all his edits are Musgrave related statements) If such is the case I he may become the first user I'll block. Signature06:34, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
The user here Ghirlandajo (talk·contribs) here had filed a report on Rcf at 09:02, 19 May about my behavior, I asked if it is appropriated for him to make such request without even trying to discuss about the matter on the article talk. I no idea how to deal with this guy right here. He had a habit of cheating with his source on the article Ashina, which actually engendering alot of petty disputes currently, but refused to admit his mistake, he also made a personal attack on my talk after we had dispute reverting earlier, and refused to seek for dispute resolution over the article talk when I had requested so. I am irritated and vexed, as he had not only wasted his time, but also mine over these few days. Eiorgiomugini09:09, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
The RFC process is there to help resolve a dispute, it appears that you both have diverging opinions on various articles. By requesting outside(independent) help it will benefit both of you, the articles and wikipedia, please assume good faith with the request and work towards resolving the problems Gnangarra11:36, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Potw, asking for a second opinion because one is concerned that something might constitue canvassing is in no way a breach of anything, or an insinuation. Calm yourself, please. KillerChihuahua11:40, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I'm perfectly aware that "asking for a second opinion" is acceptable, and the difference between that and the above breaches of WP:AGF and WP:NPA. I'm also very calm, thank you. Andy Mabbett11:42, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I'm not saying anything very clever. If you are canvassing, please stop it, or you will be stopped. Are you canvassing? Good faith only goes so far, at any rate, especially with your record. Moreschi11:50, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
It looks like canvassing to me. In particular his message is expressly to those who have spoken "against the blanket removal of infoboxes from articles about composers, or in an attempt to reach a compromise solution" so is a message aimed at a partisan audience (only one side of the discussion). It appears to further solicit such contributions to the discussion and is the mass posting of an identical message. Fairly clear WP:CANVAS violation. I'm not convinced its an incitement to edit war, but it does seem to be an attempt to skew a discussion in one direction. WjBscribe11:47, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
People who "attempt to reach compromise" are not "one side" of a discussion.
If I was "mass posting" to a number of people considered excessive, then doesn't that number itself show that consensus was not reached?
I notified people who spoke out against something that there is claim that consensus in favour of it was reached (there is also a claim that they did not do so, but I decided not to mention that) and that discussion continues. If you really think it important, I'll notify those claiming consensus that they are doing so...
That would probably be harassment. Quite apart from which, the people you are contacting are not all those who have expressed any sort of agreement with you in any sense of the word. So, stop it. Moreschi11:54, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
If you were to have notified everyone who previously participated in the discussion that it had resumed with a neutral message that would have been better. Something along the lines of "Hello, I note you expressed an opinion in previous discussions about whether infoboxes were appropriate in articles about composers. These discussions have resumed and you may wish to contribute to them". Instead you only notified the side you agree with, which is canvassing. Generally avoiding mass postings is good. WjBscribe12:04, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Well, Mr Mabbett says discussions have resumed. I would disagree with him there, and would object to a message saying they had. Moreschi12:07, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
"Mr Mabbett says discussions have resumed." I say no such thing. I note that they are on-going. Which they are; within the last hour despite others' attempts to stifle them (not least by archiving live discussions). Andy Mabbett
Fair enough - I haven't looked at the discussions themselves. Its not very significant though... Pigsonthewing, you clearly canvassed. Canvassing is disruptive and unacceptable. You will cease canvassing this issue and I warn you that further instances of canvassing may result in a block. WjBscribe12:09, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I believe that my comments were entirely reasonable and permitted by WP:CANVASS, but I have no intention of contacting further editors with that comment in any case. Andy Mabbett12:13, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Thank you for the advice; I didn't notify "only the side I agree with"; I disagree with some of the posters I contacted (though I admit that I am grateful that they were prepared to work towards compromise). Andy Mabbett12:13, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
As usual, I see that as soon as someone suggests Pigsonthewing has breached rules or guidelines, he accuses them of personal attacks. How many personal attacks have you made Pigsonthewing? L.J.Skinner17:29, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
The page has not been blanked, however TheFEARgod in his own "POV-incited" enthusiasm has been trying to insert a lot of content which is not related to 'Fascism in Estonia'. The content, if properly referenced, would fit in a number of other articles covering, e.g., Holocaust in Estonia, Waffen-SS, etc. Regards, --3 Löwi12:40, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Yesterday this editor disrupted Misplaced Pages to make a point on the Seán McCaughey article, editing anonymously.
The background to the sequence of events is as follows:
Burntsauce has raised the ire of members of the pro wrestling WikiProject by repeatedly stubbing unsourced bios of living people, examples
This has been widely discussed by the WikiProject and on administrators noticeboards - see here, here, here and here. Because I take it upon myself to rid Misplaced Pages of the hundreds of articles about non-notable wrestlers (which would also allow the project to focus their efforts on their more pressing sourcing problems) the project sees me as an enemy, in the same way as they do Burntsauce.
The IP editor made an edit to a wrestling article, then edits to Bloody Sunday (1972) and the McCaughey article, both of which I had edited earlier in the day. The IP editor even tried to issue me with a BLP warning, when the article makes it clear McCaughey died in 1946.
As can be seen by the edit summaries, they are the same as Burntsauce uses when he stubs wrestling articles, and this is nothing but some kind of juvenile disruptive revenge from a member of the wrestling WikiProject.
WP:A does not mean all material must be attributed to reliable sources, it clearly states it must be attributable which can easily be done with such a short article with two sources as external links. There is nothing in the policy that says inline citations must be used, in fact the policy explicitly states However, this policy should not be used to cause disruption by removing material for which reliable sources could easily or reasonably be found. I do normally use them on most articles, but there was no pressing need for them on such a short article, however I was planning to add them when I expand the article from books in my possession.
Following the IPs edits User:McPhail then tried to report me for vandalism, also also raised the sourcing of the article on Burntsauce's talk page, leaving me in absolutely no doubt that he was editing as an IP and being disruptive.
The edits were not "disruptive". Given your propensity to tag articles as unreferenced on the basis that they lack inline citations or footnotes, coupled with your repeated attempts to delete professional wrestling related articles, it's somewhat hypocritical of you to protest when articles that you have edited are held to the same standards. It's not a question of your being an "enemy", or of "revenge", it's a case of applying a common standard to all articles, not just the articles that you dislike. While WP:BLP is not relevant, Misplaced Pages:Citing sources clearly states "attribution is required for direct quotes and for material that is challenged or likely to be challenged. Any material that is challenged and for which no source is provided may be removed by any editor". Your response to the removal of controversial information on the basis that it was totally unreferenced (and no, a section entitled "external links" that does not distinguish between partisan websites and works of authority does not constitute adequate referencing) was to respond with accusations of vandalism and personal attacks on User:Govvy. This is a clear case of an editor pursuing a personal vendetta and using Misplaced Pages policy as an excuse, yet ignoring the rules when they are applied to the editor's own unreferenced articles. McPhail22:36, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
User replaced the link to www.gamesfever.tv with www.gamefever.tv (a spam site) then c/pd the article to 3 different places with the spam link in it . Suggest block this account as spam-only account. Nardman114:57, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
If you mean the user name, diape is close to diaper, I suppose. If you mean the site name, I don't follow. One is a legit site and one is a spam site. Nardman116:23, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Definitely I was referring to diaper, using wiki in a name is fine (though using[REDACTED] is not), clever word game is all, SqueakBox19:21, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Vikrant Phadkay, a member of the WP:POKE project, has been in opposition to a proposal to merge all the species articles into "lists of" articles. He initially expressed it by nominating List of Pokémon (1-20) and List of Pokémon (21-40) for deletion, both of which were kept. When nominating them he wished us luck in doing the merger . None of this was a huge problem, until now.
Yesterday he got even angrier, threatening that the merger was going to stop now and following up by blanking all of the "evolutionary line" articles as well as posting elsewhere telling people to stop merging He has also made personal attacks on other POKE members . I reported his spree of blanking ot WP:AIV, but I was directed bring it here. hbdragon8819:10, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I have blocked him for 48 hours for repeatedly blanking articles past his final warning he received yesterday. Krimpet (talk) 19:16, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Administrator attention: New banned User:Brya sock puppet, please ban.
User: Lodzel is a sock puppet of community banned User:Brya. Please see this edit for all the evidence needed. Brya socks don't tend to be difficult to spot, and they do routinely establish that Brya still doesn't get what it was all about.
What is has to do with ANI is that it's being attacked over and over again and needs to be protected but my protection request has not been addressed, and some admin needs to do something. There are several new users (one of whom made an incivil attack on my Talk page) and several anons, probably all the same person (or else some concerted attack by a variety of people). There are at least three of us now full-time reverting this page. Corvus cornix20:42, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Right, let's get this mess sorted out ourselves, no need for arbitration, we all had a little tantrum, things got closed/reopened/deleted/restored but now it's time to act like the grown ups that we all are (well most of us :-)) and sort this out as a community without the need for the all too busy arbitration committee having to waste there time and give a few people a slap on the wrist. As a community, let's sort it out once and for all. Here's what I propose;
Let's restore the article and run a full AfD (yes - 7 days, no more, no less)
Let a completely neutral administrator close it (I'm personally volunteering by the way as I have no opinion on the article, I haven't even looked at it).
Accept the decision and get on with creating an amazing encyclopedia!
Alternate plan: all of the admins supporting inclusion of this article voluntarily resign their adminship as they are obviously unsuited to the task due to their complete lack of social responsibility. Everybody else goes and writes an encyclopedia. Phil Sandifer21:23, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
People who are that unwilling to compromise or even talk should probably voluntarily resign their adminship too, as they are obviously unsuited to the task due to their complete lack of ability to work in a group environment. — MichaelLinnear21:33, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I'm perfectly willing to compromise. That's why I grant that it should be removed through AfD instead of CSD. Which it was. Phil Sandifer21:36, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
That would be great, but, as you see, people aren't open to that. People want an RfC? They'll get an RfC. When I get the nasty messages again and nothing occurs, it'll end back at Arbcom anyway, and who knows what will occur with DRVs in between. But hey, keep asserting false BLP issues and ignoring our verifiability/notability policies/guidelines in the meantime, that'll be great. --badlydrawnjefftalk21:57, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Let's go step by step through the history of this arduous conflict to see where it went wrong. Does everyone agree with the validity of the first AfD? —Kyриx21:39, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Well, if we leave this in limbo, we're essentially just shoving our heads into the sand. Might as well put it to rest once and for all. —Kyриx21:44, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I'm starting to believe that the "back to XfD" closing instruction on DRV is creating a lot of these messes. —Kyриx21:48, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
How about everyone just doesn't wheel war over this. Seriously, did you all go insane when I wasn't watching? Why is it worth all this to have the correct action taken IMMEDIATELY about something that none of us had ever heard about before? Because this situation was quite clearly caused by admins reversing each others' decisions unilaterally for no good reason, however much people may think it was caused by some misinterpretation of content policies. -Amarkovmoo!22:10, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
This was meant to be an idea to stop the bitching, not a free for all to start a war - this isn't going to just fly away so dropping it isn't an option. Full AfD, then it can be put to bed. Ryan Postlethwaite22:31, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
There was a strong consensus for deletion between the original AfD 1, DRV 1 and AfD 2, DRV 2 and AfD 3 had more robust arguments for deletion though not an overall majority. This over zealous application of process just to try and please a few people is unnecessary and at this point, a true consensus on any one new AfD is totally unreachable, I would like to see this article fully protected from recreation for 3 months and then we'll think about another debate as to whether the article should be recreated or not, the unacceptable allegations of administrator misconduct and the stubborn process wonkery that has taken place in order keep this article will all be in the past and we can try to have a reasonable discussion to decide on the future of the article. An AfD with the current atmosphere is a disaster waiting to happen Ryan. Nick22:50, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
"Allegations" of misconduct? Administrators wheel warred. Administrators are not allowed to wheel war. Deliberately doing things you are not allowed to do is the definition of misconduct... -Amarkovmoo!22:53, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
That interpretation of "wheel war" may be open to debate. I happen to agree with it, but I know for a fact that some people don't. Maybe we should take the "Brian Peppers" approach; if anybody cares 6 months/1 year from now, then we'll deal with it then. Otherwise, let's put this messy issue behind us and get back to writing the encyclopedia. Sean William23:41, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
I really don't think an approach that merely says "Even though consensus was to overturn the original AfD, we'll let the numerous deletions stand and postpone the inevitable" is a good idea. This could have been over two days from now if things happened organically. What's standing in the way of an actual resolution is clear. --badlydrawnjefftalk23:43, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Then you condone the escalation of this issue into a full-blown wheel war? This also could be over right now if we let it go. Sean William23:45, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Will somebody please do something about the uploads of this user? This person has been notified numerous times that most if not all of his uploads have no source and those I've examined are obvious copyright violations. Most of these images have been uploaded before (and deleted) which only results in the person uploading the same images again, this time under names containing slight typos, see e.g. the images of Danish royalty (Margrethe, Benedikte and Annemarie). Please go through these images. Valentinian 21:21, 20 May 2007 (UTC) Valentinian21:21, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
POV edits and repeat vandalism by Dishant55555 who has received 3 warnings
(The Malhotra and Luthra pages are currently protected from edits until disputes have been resolved)
The issues as I see them are -
A) Has Dishant55555 been making grand unsubstantiated POV claims about the Luthra family and citing fake sources ?
B) Has he been repeatedly vandalizing edits by users who have reverted his POV ?
If on examining the below Facts you find that he has, could he kindly be warned/blocked from doing so.
A) Grand unsubstantiated POV claims --
Good example is on the Luthra Page under Role in Society paragraph
where he makes the claim and I quote
"Luthras are Kshatriya and are known for their prominence as warriors and of the ruling and administrative class."
and provides an alleged source for this claim Click here. The link however says that Luthra is an Indian surname NOT that they are known for their prominence as warriors and of the ruling and administrative class. He makes further POV claims about Luthra's prominence in the army but again is not able to provide any reliable source for his claims. The examples of his peacock claims can be see at this link - from the Misplaced Pages:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents.
His exaggerated claims have been removed by Admins recently for example showing that I am not the only one who finds him edits unworthy of inclusion on wikipedia.
Other "Prominent" Luthra's Dishant55555 had added include- a "Prominent Biologist" who turns out to be a biology student, a Prominent Politician who turns out to be a losing politician in a small municipal election etc etc. I had reverted these and left a message on the talk page saying I am happy to leave them there if he is able to provide reliable sources for his claims. He has not done so and instead has been vandalizing pages I and other users who reverted his peacock claims including Khatri and Kapoor pages.
B) If you look at the differences in his and my edits on the Malhotra page vandalism of the Malhotra page you can see an example where he has removed dozens of lines of sourced edits with external reference links.
He suggests he has tried to talk to me before but has not had a reply which is fictitious. I posted my comments a month ago and on his talk page
His vandalism is now cleverer and he has now changed tack and keeps adding fictitious claims that Malhotra's are Vaishya caste and converted to Islam and have changed their names to persian ones etc. He provides a single reference for all these claims which turns out to be one he has cut and pasted from the khatri page (4th last item under Reference) -even the page numbers match exactly !
He also makes a fictitious POV claim that "Most Malhotra Shaikhs are now settled in Pakistan." There is no such thing as Malhotra Shaikhs as Malhotra's never converted to Islam. A google search
comes up with just one entry which is Dishants5555 fabricated entry on here.
Malhotra is of course a Hindu or Sikh Kshatriya caste name as can be seen on the ]. In India people are proud of the religion and caste and falsely changing this on a reference work I find offensive. He also makes petty edits such as changing an edit that Malhotra's were the subject of a TV series (which is a NPOV fact) to adding " because of the commonness of the Malhotra name" which is his unsourced POV. He is also still currently deleting most of the Reference section on the Malhotra page.
ResolvedUser:Kafziel blocked the user indefinitely. Pants 19:09, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
— CharlotteWebb 16:51, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
Resolved – Checkuser blocked 3 IP ranges, hopefully this will stem the tide of socks. Nardman1 23:46, 20 May 2007 (UTC)
