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Bharatpedia:Guide to appealing blocks: Difference between revisions
Bharatpedia:Guide to appealing blocks (edit)
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{{essay| | {{essay|BP:GAB}} | ||
This is a '''guide to making believable unblock requests.''' | This is a '''guide to making believable unblock requests.''' | ||
Users may be [[ | Users may be [[BP:BLOCK|blocked]] from changing Bharatpedia by [[BP:ADMIN|administrator]]s to stop damage or disruption to Bharatpedia. Blocks are cancelled if they are not (or no longer) needed to stop such damage or disruption. | ||
'''You,''' as a blocked user, are responsible for '''convincing administrators:''' | '''You,''' as a blocked user, are responsible for '''convincing administrators:''' | ||
* that the block is in fact '''not needed''' to stop damage or disruption (i.e., that the block violates our [[ | * that the block is in fact '''not needed''' to stop damage or disruption (i.e., that the block violates our [[BP:BLOCK|blocking policy]]); <u>'''or:</u> | ||
* that the block is '''no longer needed''' because you understand what you are blocked for, you will not do it again and you will make good changes instead. | * that the block is '''no longer needed''' because you understand what you are blocked for, you will not do it again and you will make good changes instead. | ||
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You are told about the block reason in two ways. First, the blocking administrator provides a brief reason that you will see when you try to make a change. Second, they may leave a message explaining your block on [[Special:Mytalk|your user talk page]]. These messages should include the names or abbreviations of those of our site rules (the "[[Bharatpedia:Rules|policies and guidelines]]") that the blocking administrator believes you have violated. | You are told about the block reason in two ways. First, the blocking administrator provides a brief reason that you will see when you try to make a change. Second, they may leave a message explaining your block on [[Special:Mytalk|your user talk page]]. These messages should include the names or abbreviations of those of our site rules (the "[[Bharatpedia:Rules|policies and guidelines]]") that the blocking administrator believes you have violated. | ||
Before you make an unblock request, you should read the policies and guidelines named in your block reason. They are usually one or more from among the following: [[Bharatpedia:Vandalism|Vandalism]], [[Bharatpedia:Sockpuppetry|sockpuppetry]], [[Bharatpedia:Spam|spamming]] or having a [[Bharatpedia:Username policy|bad username]]. You should also review the [[ | Before you make an unblock request, you should read the policies and guidelines named in your block reason. They are usually one or more from among the following: [[Bharatpedia:Vandalism|Vandalism]], [[Bharatpedia:Sockpuppetry|sockpuppetry]], [[Bharatpedia:Spam|spamming]] or having a [[Bharatpedia:Username policy|bad username]]. You should also review the [[BP:BLOCK|blocking policy]]. | ||
===Give a good reason for your unblock=== | ===Give a good reason for your unblock=== | ||
As a user requesting to be unblocked, it is your responsibility to tell '''clearly''' and '''briefly''', in easily readable English, why your block violated Bharatpedia's [[ | As a user requesting to be unblocked, it is your responsibility to tell '''clearly''' and '''briefly''', in easily readable English, why your block violated Bharatpedia's [[BP:BLOCK|blocking policy]]. Specifically: | ||
# '''Keep it short.''' Administrators will often say no to read requests that are too long. | # '''Keep it short.''' Administrators will often say no to read requests that are too long. | ||
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===Talk about yourself, not others=== | ===Talk about yourself, not others=== | ||
{{shortcut| | {{shortcut|BP:NOTTHEM}} | ||
If you are blocked, it is because of '''your''' actions and not of that of others. Accordingly: | If you are blocked, it is because of '''your''' actions and not of that of others. Accordingly: | ||
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===Open proxy blocks=== | ===Open proxy blocks=== | ||
[[ | [[BP:NOP|Wikipedia policy on open proxies]] is clear: they are blocked for a long time without exception once identified. While some users can use them to circumvent censorship or filters, they have been used far too many times by far too many blocked vandals for Bharatpedians to assume good faith on their part. This includes [[Tor (anonymity network)|Tor]] nodes. If your server has been blocked as an open proxy, you will probably need to change using another connection: in most cases, proxies are "hard blocked", which stops even logged-in users from using the connection to change. | ||
===Shared IP blocks/Range blocks=== | ===Shared IP blocks/Range blocks=== | ||
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*'''Range block'''. Bharatpedia administrators can choose to block a range of IP addresses rather than just a single one. This is done if a vandal, sockpuppeteer or otherwise disruptive user has taken advantage of [[:en:dynamic IP]] or other situation (such as some [[Local area network|LANs]]) where it is possible to evade blocks by hopping from IP to IP or physically moving from one terminal to another. Yes, this angers many users (the longterm rangeblocks imposed on some large ranges mean that, in certain geographic areas, some users cannot change without using an account). But Bharatpedia community does not take these actions lightly, and while some rangeblocks may be reduced in scope if they were imposed on too many users, it is only done if other methods of protecting the project and its users have failed.<p>If you are blocked due to [[:en:collateral damage|collateral damage]] from a long term range block, consider creating an account from another computer. | *'''Range block'''. Bharatpedia administrators can choose to block a range of IP addresses rather than just a single one. This is done if a vandal, sockpuppeteer or otherwise disruptive user has taken advantage of [[:en:dynamic IP]] or other situation (such as some [[Local area network|LANs]]) where it is possible to evade blocks by hopping from IP to IP or physically moving from one terminal to another. Yes, this angers many users (the longterm rangeblocks imposed on some large ranges mean that, in certain geographic areas, some users cannot change without using an account). But Bharatpedia community does not take these actions lightly, and while some rangeblocks may be reduced in scope if they were imposed on too many users, it is only done if other methods of protecting the project and its users have failed.<p>If you are blocked due to [[:en:collateral damage|collateral damage]] from a long term range block, consider creating an account from another computer. | ||
*'''Shared IP block'''. This affects big institutions, most commonly schools, that route all their Internet traffic through one or two servers. Since many users can change through them and we have no way of knowing if a vandal or disruptive user on a shared IP has been stopped from doing so again, or what security arrangements are in place on the other end, administrators are wary of unblocking shared IPs. Those that are blocked (again, mostly schools), are commonly blocked repeatedly and for long periods (up to a year at a time) for [[ | *'''Shared IP block'''. This affects big institutions, most commonly schools, that route all their Internet traffic through one or two servers. Since many users can change through them and we have no way of knowing if a vandal or disruptive user on a shared IP has been stopped from doing so again, or what security arrangements are in place on the other end, administrators are wary of unblocking shared IPs. Those that are blocked (again, mostly schools), are commonly blocked repeatedly and for long periods (up to a year at a time) for [[BP:VAND|vandalism]]. If the reviewing administrator sees that reflected in the talk page, block log and change history, the unblock request will likely be declined.<p>If you are the systems administrator at a site with a shared IP, and you are able to identify and take action against users whose conduct on Bharatpedia led to the block, we may consider an unblock if you can prove this. Most commonly, though, the best solution for Bharatpedia and users alike is to simply create a registered account and change with it. This can be done by connecting to Bharatpedia through another internet connection that is not blocked. | ||
===Sockpuppetry and Checkuser-based blocks=== | ===Sockpuppetry and Checkuser-based blocks=== | ||
Accusations of [[Bharatpedia:Sock puppetry|sockpuppetry]] result in many blocks and almost as many unblock requests, as [[ | Accusations of [[Bharatpedia:Sock puppetry|sockpuppetry]] result in many blocks and almost as many unblock requests, as [[BP:SOCK|Wikipedia policy]] calls for the sockpuppet account to be blocked indefinitely and the sockpuppeteer to be blocked for some length of time. Users confirmed or believed to have engaged in the practice '''must''' request unblock at their main account. [[BP:MEAT|Meatpuppets]] will be blocked indefinitely also, don't change on behalf of someone else, no matter how well you may know them. | ||
Reviewing admins will usually defer to the blocking admin in a sockpuppetry-based block, especially if the sock account has few changes. If the [[meta:Checkuser]] tool was used to determine that sockpuppetry had occurred, only another administrator with access to Checkuser can overturn the block as only they have access to the evidence on which it was based. '''Do not''' make an unblock request that includes a request for checkuser to "prove your innocence". Those are rarely done that you're better off not asking. Most administrators consider such an unblock request a sure sign of a sock account (particularly one with very few changes otherwise) and will decline on that basis. | Reviewing admins will usually defer to the blocking admin in a sockpuppetry-based block, especially if the sock account has few changes. If the [[meta:Checkuser]] tool was used to determine that sockpuppetry had occurred, only another administrator with access to Checkuser can overturn the block as only they have access to the evidence on which it was based. '''Do not''' make an unblock request that includes a request for checkuser to "prove your innocence". Those are rarely done that you're better off not asking. Most administrators consider such an unblock request a sure sign of a sock account (particularly one with very few changes otherwise) and will decline on that basis. | ||
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===Username blocks=== | ===Username blocks=== | ||
Accounts with usernames that violate [[ | Accounts with usernames that violate [[BP:U|the username policy]] are often blocked indefinitely, regardless of their changing behavior. | ||
Most such accounts are soft-blocked, meaning a new account may be created while the old one is blocked. This is done because it is the account name, not the behavior of the person behind it, which is the problem. While it is possible to [[ | Most such accounts are soft-blocked, meaning a new account may be created while the old one is blocked. This is done because it is the account name, not the behavior of the person behind it, which is the problem. While it is possible to [[BP:CHU|request a change in username]], this takes a little longer and requires that a user with [[BP:CRAT|bureaucrat]] access do so. Whichever method you choose, it is a good idea to have some review of the proposed new username first, to avoid ending up in the same quandary. | ||
An account with a username that indicates that they are trying to be disruptive, uses hateful or obscene language or otherwise shows that the user has disruptive or provocative intent will be hard blocked, meaning that an unblock request will be required. | An account with a username that indicates that they are trying to be disruptive, uses hateful or obscene language or otherwise shows that the user has disruptive or provocative intent will be hard blocked, meaning that an unblock request will be required. | ||