Identifying Vandalism and Good Faith edits

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If you're already familiar with some of this, it will go pretty quickly, though if you're not, there is no need to rush (the vandalism will still be out there when we finish!). I can teach you the techniques either manually or with Twinkle. Once you get Rollback, you can use a tool like STiki or Huggle.

When patrolling for vandalism, you may often come across edits which are unhelpful, but not vandalism - these are good faith edits. It is important to recognize the difference between a vandalism edit and a good faith edit, especially because Twinkle gives you the option of labeling edits you revert as such. The first step is to make sure you've read: WP:AGF and WP:VAND. Just indicate below when those have been completed, and feel free to ask ANY questions you may have!

Test

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  1. Below, please write out an example (give a link to an edit as well) of what would be vandalism and an example (give a link to an edit as well) of what would be a good faith edit.
Good Faith: a good faith edit is what it sounds: an edit which is not beneficial for an article, but which was made in the thought that it would improve the article. Good faith, wherever possible, is to be assumed
Vandalism: this is an attempt to damage the content of Wikipedia, and is intentionally harming the Wikipedia article

This edit was vandalism

This edit was a good faith edit

Question

Hi Shaun, I currently have Stiki (see here), and I wondered if that means I have rollback rights...

Thanks, Matty.007 07:55, 8 June 2013 (UTC)

Having Stiki doesn't give rollback, Stiki can be given without RB Permission. (I.E. It's a separate application). also, Pass on everything. §haun 23:18, 15 June 2013 (UTC)

OK, thanks, Matty.007 08:10, 16 June 2013 (UTC)

Protection and speedy deletion

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Protecting and deleting pages are two additional measures that can be used to prevent vandalism. Only an administrator can protect or delete pages; however, anyone can nominate a page for deletion of protection. If you have Twinkle installed, you can use the Twinkle menu to request page protection or speedy deletion (the RPP or CSD options). Please read WP:PROTECT and WP:CSD.

In what circumstances should a page be semi-protected?

Semi-protection should occur when a large proportion of vandalism on an article is coming from iP addresses, this is as semi-protection stops only iP users editing

In what circumstances should a page be fully protected?

If content disputes are occurring, persistent vandalism from registered users as well as iPs, full protection can occur if one, or more than one of these criteria are satisfied

In what circumstances should a page be speedy deleted?

Speedy deletion covers a number of criteria, which are listed here. If you require me to write them out, please let me know...

Correctly tag one page for speedy deletion and post the diff below.

An admin blanked the page, but I think I tagged the page first. However, the page history has also been deleted. I shall try and find another one...

Here is another one

And another

Correctly request the protection of one page (semi or full); post the diff of your request (from WP:RPP) below.

Have you got any tips for finding articles requiring protection, as I could not find any...

Usernames

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When patrolling vandalism, you will sometimes come across users with offensive, promotional, or otherwise inappropriate usernames. When a username is inappropriate but the users seems to act in good faith, we often try to talk to the user and suggest that they request a rename; when the editor is obviously acting in bad faith, they can be reported at WP:UAA. Please read WP:U and WP:UAA/I.;When should you report a user who has a promotional username?;When should you report a user who has an offensive username?;What kind of username would count as misleading?;What is the difference between a soft block and a hard block?;Correctly report two users at WP:UAA; post the diffs of your reports below.;Which of the following usernames would be deemed disruptive, and warranting a block? Answer Disruptive or Not, along with a reason.

  • WikiAdmin -Disruptive, per the Misleading usernames section of WP:U
  • Block me 10 -Implies user account 10, sock-puppetry
  • Trollinator -Disruptive, implies vandalism only account
  • Jim's bot -Disruptive, per the Misleading usernames section of WP:U
  • London 2012 Official -Disruptive, as it implies shared use, and is possible impersonation
  • DatSwagMasta -I think this is OK, apart from a little big headed
  • GeorgeClooneyOfficial -Possible impersonation issues, but otherwise OK
  • FuckFuckFuckFuck -Disruptive, as it is offensive to just about all users, per Disruptive or offensive usernames
  • BotMaster -Disruptive, per the Misleading usernames section of WP:U
  • Kittycatment -Seems OK
  • Shagmania -Disruvtive, offensive username
  • Fagnation -Disruptive, offensive username

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