Help:How to handle vandalism

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(See also: add below.)
(Scrapping the stuff about archiving vandalism. See talk. Difflinks are a better way to "preserve" vandalism.)
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Any vandalism that falls into the first 2 categories should not be considered a blocking offense. Repeated vandalism from the third category may prompt use of the [[RationalWiki:Vandal|vandal brake]], thus limiting them to no more than two edits per hour.  In some cases, particularly where a vandal is using multiple accounts to avoid the vandal brake, it may be appropriate to [[RationalWiki:Blocking policy|block]] the user for an hour or two.
 
Any vandalism that falls into the first 2 categories should not be considered a blocking offense. Repeated vandalism from the third category may prompt use of the [[RationalWiki:Vandal|vandal brake]], thus limiting them to no more than two edits per hour.  In some cases, particularly where a vandal is using multiple accounts to avoid the vandal brake, it may be appropriate to [[RationalWiki:Blocking policy|block]] the user for an hour or two.
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If you see funny vandalism that it particularly amusing, you may want to copy a permanent link or [[Help:PermaDiff|difflink]] to the edit before reverting, and mention it on the article's talk page.
  
 
== Removing vandalism ==
 
== Removing vandalism ==
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===Sysops only===
 
===Sysops only===
 
If the vandalism is all the editor is doing, copy the name, paste into the box on [[RationalWiki:Vandal]], and press "Change group".  This will put the name into the 'vandal' group and restrict their editing abilities, thus removing the need to block.
 
If the vandalism is all the editor is doing, copy the name, paste into the box on [[RationalWiki:Vandal]], and press "Change group".  This will put the name into the 'vandal' group and restrict their editing abilities, thus removing the need to block.
 
==Archiving vandalism==
 
Unfunny vandalism should be reverted and forgotten about, however, funny and not unfunny vandalism should be reverted and then saved for posterity.
 
 
The procedure for saving funny and not unfunny vandalism is as follows:
 
* If one doesn't already exist, create a sub-page of the article's talk page, called '''vandalism'''. (All lower case, eg: [[Conservapedia Talk:Delusions/vandalism]].)
 
** In that sub-page place the template: '''[[Template:archivedvandalism|<nowiki>{{Archivedvandalism}}</nowiki>]]'''
 
* Place the vandalism into a suitable heading, eg: Funny, Not unfunny, Stupid, Pointless etc. Add the vandalism together with the time & date, perpetrator, and a brief description, including a diff link.
 
* Place the '''[[Template:talkpage|<nowiki>{{talkpage}}</nowiki>]]''' template at the top of the article's talk page (if not already present) to create a link to the vandalism page.
 
 
===Illustration===
 
(from [[Talk:Liberal_talk_radio/vandalism]])
 
 
<blockquote style="border: solid 1px gray; padding: 1em;">
 
 
==Funny==
 
 
'''22:30, 22 May 2007''' [[User:GodlessLiberal|GodlessLiberal]] [http://www.rationalwiki.com/index.php?title=Liberal_talk_radio&diff=1412&oldid=469 inserted] into the list of personalities
 
 
<nowiki>===Rush Limbaugh===</nowiki>
 
 
 
==Pointless==
 
 
'''00:48, 26 June 2007''', brilliant parodist [[User:DanH|DanH]] edited section Air America Radio to [http://www.rationalwiki.com/index.php?title=Liberal_talk_radio&diff=20727&oldid=18544 add:]
 
 
"It recently went bankrupt, possibly in part because nobody listens to it."
 
</blockquote>
 
  
 
== Charity ==
 
== Charity ==

Revision as of 02:06, 13 February 2009

Vandalism at Rationalwiki is broken down into three main categories:

  1. Funny
  2. Not unfunny
  3. Unfunny

Any vandalism that falls into the first 2 categories should not be considered a blocking offense. Repeated vandalism from the third category may prompt use of the vandal brake, thus limiting them to no more than two edits per hour. In some cases, particularly where a vandal is using multiple accounts to avoid the vandal brake, it may be appropriate to block the user for an hour or two.

If you see funny vandalism that it particularly amusing, you may want to copy a permanent link or difflink to the edit before reverting, and mention it on the article's talk page.

Removing vandalism

When removing or reverting vandalism always use undo or rollback - don't just edit out what you can see - there is sometimes stuff hidden in formatting or similar places where it might be missed. Note that if you add &bot=1 to the address to show user contributions, then the vandalism does not show up in the recent changes list.

Undo is a two step process, that lets you leave an edit comment, whereas rollback is a one step process that also removes all edits made by the vandal to that page since the most recent editor before them.

Sysops only

If the vandalism is all the editor is doing, copy the name, paste into the box on RationalWiki:Vandal, and press "Change group". This will put the name into the 'vandal' group and restrict their editing abilities, thus removing the need to block.

Charity

Remember: unfunny vandalism is often committed by those lacking elementary interpersonal skills, often with a mental age considerably less than their physical age, and such persons should be pitied rather than censured. They are unable to make any meaningful contribution to society and are reduced to attempting to destroy the works of their betters. Do not be harsh, rather invite them to make meaningful contributions. (unless they're totally beyond the pale, in which case marmalise them!)

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