@ FriyMan: Always remember to ping me when you're done. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 19:36, 30 January 2017 (UTC) Hello, and welcome! Here is where I will help you become a vandal fighter. When I post an assignment, please respond under the assignment (or in a table, if there is one). In some exercises I will ask you to provide "diffs". See Help:Diffs for how to do this.
Before we start, I wanted to show you some useful tools for counter-vandalism work which can be used by any editor. You can use all of these, none of these, or some of these. I don't mind, these links are just for your convenience. You may have already installed some of these in the past.
Twinkle is a very popular gadget which is helpful for a variety of tasks. To install it, go here and tick the box that says Twinkle. Then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click "save". When you refresh the page, a "TW" tab will be available on every page, next to the "More" tab. Scrolling over the TW tab will show a list of modules you can use on the particular page. Twinkle has a large number of useful modules, including but not limited to, one which can be used to warn users, one which can be used to request page protection, one which can be used to suggest a page is deleted, and many many more helpful features. It also adds a non-admin "rollback" feature on all diff pages. I highly suggest you enable Twinkle, as it's incredibly useful and poses no risk of harming your account.
Lupin's Anti-vandal tool is extremely helpful for monitoring
recent changes in real time. To install it, simply add the following to
your common.js.
importScript('User:Lupin/recent2.js');
Refresh the page and you'll find 5 new links on your toolbar (on the left side of the page, underneath "interaction"). These links can be used to better monitor recent changes for possible vandalism.
IRC is an internet chat program. There are several channels on IRC that can be used to monitor vandalism. #cvn-wp-en connect is probably the most useful. Visit Wikipedia:IRC/Tutorial for information on how to connect to channels.
Navigation popups allow you to hover over links and see a brief preview of the page being linked to. One feature of navigation popups is that when you're at recent changes and hover over "diff" links, you'll have the ability to revert the most recent edit, useful for undoing vandalism. To install navigation popups, go here and tick the box that says Navigation popups. Then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click "save". Refresh the page and navigation popups will be enabled.
Now that you've read these, reply below with which scripts you installed/what you signed up for. I don't mind how many you installed, or if you installed none, it's just so I know and can set tasks using those scripts. Also note that there are many more advanced scripts out there, but they'll only be available to you when you have more experience.
@ FriyMan: Okay. Remember to ping me when you're done with an assignment. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 19:43, 1 February 2017 (UTC)
Let's start with the basics, you already know them so you'll move on pretty fast.
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 recognise the difference between a vandalism edit and a good faith edit, especially because Twinkle gives you the option of labelling edits you revert as such. Please read WP:AGF and WP:NOT VANDALISM before completing the following tasks.
- @ ThePlatypusofDoom: The goal of a good faith edit is to improve Wikipedia. Even though it is not always acceptable, it is still meant to help. Vandalism on the other hand is meant to troll, discourage and simply offend others. Vandals do not assume good faith and their edits are disruptive. FriyMan talk 20:34, 1 February 2017 (UTC)
@ FriyMan: Also, can you link to the previous change as well, instead of just the one edit? It's a lot harder to see what the change is without what comes before it. (like [7] this) ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 20:39, 1 February 2017 (UTC)
When you use Twinkle to warn a user, you have a number of options to choose from: you can select the kind of warning (for different offences), and the level of warning (from 1 to 4, for increasing severity). Knowing which warning to issue and what level is very important. Further information can be found at WP:WARN and WP:UWUL.
-We warn users to make them "slow down", so that they would understand that it is inappropriate to vandalise Wikipedia. We warn users to tell them to stop editing, nothing about "slowing down"
- 4im warnings are appropriate in very severe cases of vandalism,
or in cases, when the user does not recognise normal warnings.
If the user keeps vandalising, use lvl 4, not 4im.
ThePlatypusofDoom
(talk) 16:54, 2 February 2017 (UTC)
Make sure you keep in mind that some edits that seem like vandalism can be
test edits. This happens when a new user is experimenting and makes accidental unconstructive edits. Generally, these should be treated with good faith, especially if it is their first time, and warned gently. The following templates are used for test edits: {{
subst:uw-test1}}, {{
subst:uw-test2}} and {{
subst:uw-test3}}.
I just wanted to make sure you know about Special:RecentChanges, if you use the diff link in a different window or tab you can check a number of revisions much more easily. If you enable Hovercards in the Hover section of your preferences, you can view the diff by just hovering over it. Alternately, you can press control-F or command-F and search for "tag:". some edits get tagged for possible vandalism or section blanking.
@ FriyMan: Next assignment is below. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 16:50, 2 February 2017 (UTC)
Sometimes, disruptive users will try to harass and annoy you. In these situations, you must remain calm and ignore them. If they engage in harassment or personal attacks, ignore them, and leave a note at WP:ANI. If they vandalize your user page or user talk page, revert them and ignore them. Please read WP:DENY and WP:RBI.
@
ThePlatypusofDoom:We deny recognition to vandals, so that they do not make a big thing of it. We do it so they don't get attention, which is normally their main objective.
Troll will most likely try to harass you, when you revert on of his edits. The troll won't be as kind, and act more malicious, yes.
@ FriyMan: Your next assignment is below. Note that you have to put your signature after you ping someone, otherwise it won't register. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 12:32, 3 February 2017 (UTC)
There are a number of IP user talk page templates which show helpful information to IP users and those wishing to warn or block them. There is a list of these templates:
{{
Shared IP}}
- For general shared IP addresses.{{
ISP}}
- A modified version specifically for use with
ISP organizations.{{
Shared IP edu}}
- A modified version specifically for use with educational institutions.{{
Shared IP gov}}
- A modified version specifically for use with government agencies.{{
Shared IP corp}}
- A modified version specifically for use with businesses.{{
Shared IP address (public)}}
- A modified version specifically for use with public terminals such as in libraries, etc.{{
Mobile IP}}
- A modified version specifically for use with a mobile device's IP.{{
Dynamic IP}}
- A modified version specifically for use with dynamic IPs.{{
Static IP}}
- A modified version specifically for use with static IPs which may be used by more than one person.Each of these templates take two parameters, one is the organisation to which the IP address is registered (which can be found out using the links at the bottom of the IP's contribution page. The other is for the host name (which is optional) and can also be found out from the links at the bottom of the IP's contribution page.
Also, given that different people use the IP address, older messages are sometimes refused so as to not confuse the current user of the IP. Generally any messages for the last one-two months are removed, collapsed, or archived. The templates available for this include:
{{
OW}}
for when the messages are deleted from the talk page.{{
Old IP warnings top}}
and {{
Old IP warnings bottom}} for collapsing the user warnings and leaving them on the talk page.{{
Warning archive notice}}
for when the messages are archived, and that archiving follows the usually naming sequence (that is, /Archive 1).
NOTE: All of the templates in this section are not substituted (so don't use "subst:").
You don't need to do anything here, just tell me when you have finished reading
@
ThePlatypusofDoom: Done
FriyMan
talk 19:46, 3 February 2017 (UTC)
Protecting and deleting pages are two additional measures that can be used to prevent and deal with vandalism. Only an administrator can protect or delete pages (I am not an admin); however, anyone can nominate a page for deletion or request protection. If you have Twinkle installed, you can use the Twinkle menu to request page protection or speedy deletion (the RPP or CSD options). If you want to report manually, either place a CSD tag on the page, or report at WP:RFPP.
Please read the protection policy.
A page should be semi-protected, when it is a target of heavy ip user vandalism and content violations.
This protection is applied to infrequently edited articles with high levels of vandalism.
It's also used if new users are vandalising, but there are also helpful contribs from IPs or new users as well.
Very important articles with high vandalism and edit warring.
Use extended confirmed protection before full in that case.
A page should be "salted" if it is not worthy to be created and can not be notable. This leaves out the most vital part, it has to be recreated after it was deleted repeatedly.
An article's talk is normally protected simultaneously with the article itself. No, it's for vandalism on talk pages. If an article is semi-protected, you should leave the talk page open, for semi-protected edit requests and things like that.
-
[8] The request was declined.
Please read WP:CSD.
-If the page meets with Criteria for Speedy deletion. (Ba-dum-tss)
[9] - This is one time I asked for page to be deleted. this happened before we started the course. Is this OK? @ FriyMan: You need another diff. That CSD tag was good, though. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 14:36, 5 February 2017 (UTC)
@
ThePlatypusofDoom: Done
FriyMan
talk 10:38, 5 February 2017 (UTC)
[10] @
ThePlatypusofDoom: Another autobiography. (Just to make sure:
[11])
FriyMan
talk 15:07, 5 February 2017 (UTC)
@ FriyMan:Both were deleted, so I assume that you tagged them correctly. Next assignment is below. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 19:13, 5 February 2017 (UTC)
Wikipedia has a policy which details the types of usernames which users are permitted to have. Some users (including me) patrol the User creation log to check for new users with inappropriate usernames. There are four kinds of usernames that are specifically disallowed:
Please read WP:USERNAME, and pay particluar attention to dealing with inappropriate usernames.
It also indicates an intent to disrupt.
@
ThePlatypusofDoom: Done
FriyMan
talk 10:26, 7 February 2017 (UTC)
@
FriyMan: Good job! I've posted your next assignment below.
ThePlatypusofDoom
(talk) 12:54, 7 February 2017 (UTC)
Revision Deletion, commonly known as revdel, can be used to delete diffs. Revdel is used for copyright infringements, or serious cases of vandalism. See WP:Revdel and WP:CRD for more information.
Oversight, also known as Suppression, is a powerful tool used by a very small number of users on Wikipedia. Oversight allows revisions to be removed from any means of usual access, even administrators can't see it. See WP:OS. Oversight is used in 4 cases: Removal of non-public personal information, Removal of potentially libelous information, either: a) on the advice of Wikimedia Foundation counsel; or b) when the case is clear, and there is no editorial reason to keep the revision, Removal of copyright infringement, on the advice of Wikimedia Foundation counsel, Hiding of blatant attack names on automated lists and logs, where this does not disrupt edit histories. (A blatant attack is one obviously intended to denigrate, threaten, libel, insult, or harass someone), or hiding vandalism when normal administrator measures are insufficient. Also note that Oversight is sometimes used in hiding the personal information of minors, if it makes them easily identifiable.
As you patrol, you may come across a threat of physical harm to oneself or others. If this happens, Report this to the Wikimedia Foundation immediately.. As the essay WP:911 says: "Notify the Wikimedia Foundation (WMF) office staff of the apparent suicide note or claim or threat of violence as soon as it is posted. Foundation staff have been the key responders in prior incidents. Contact can be made by emailing emergency@wikimedia.org, which forwards to several trained staff members who handle these incidents and are available to respond to emergency incidents even outside of normal business hours. This is the preferred method for reporting threats of harm to the Wikimedia Foundation; calling the office or emailing other addresses will simply delay the report from reaching the appropriate staff in a timely fashion. The WMF will take care of locating the user and contacting authorities. The WMF will nearly always immediately acknowledge your email, so that you know they're working on it." Request oversight for any comments like this as well, or if you can't get it oversighted quickly, get an admin to revision delete it, and then email Oversight.
@
ThePlatypusofDoom: Done
FriyMan
talk 19:49, 7 February 2017 (UTC)
@ FriyMan: Next assignment is below. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 20:32, 7 February 2017 (UTC)
Here's a test so I can measure your progress in this area. After this, we'll move on to more advanced topics. The following scenarios each have multiple questions that are based on WP: VANDAL, WP:3RR, WP: REVERT, WP: BLOCK, WP: GAIV, WP: WARN, WP:UAA, WP:CSD, WP:911, WP:OS, WP:REVDEL and WP:UN. Good Luck!
You encounter an IP disrupting the article on Homosexuality. They are adding extremely nasty homophobic slurs, and death threats.
@
ThePlatypusofDoom: Done
FriyMan
talk 07:58, 8 February 2017 (UTC)
You see a new account called "Hi999" that has added random letters to one article.
@
ThePlatypusofDoom: Done
FriyMan
talk 19:49, 10 February 2017 (UTC)
@
ThePlatypusofDoom: Done
FriyMan
talk 19:55, 10 February 2017 (UTC)
You see a new account called "LaptopsInc" which has created a new page called "Laptops Inc" (which only contains the words "Laptops Inc" and a paragraph copied from www.laptopsinc.com). The user also added "www.laptopsinc.com" on the Laptop article. You research Laptops Inc on Google and find that is a small company.
@
ThePlatypusofDoom: Done
FriyMan
talk 21:23, 10 February 2017 (UTC)
You come across an account named "JohnIsAFag". You find that it's created the page "John Simmonds", which reads "John Simmonds is a guy born in 1991. He is still alive today, unfortunately, because he is an idiot. ahsjjdshhsd".
@
ThePlatypusofDoom: Done
FriyMan
talk 21:30, 10 February 2017 (UTC)
Your score: 19/22
@ FriyMan: See below, and you should look over those policies again. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 00:38, 11 February 2017 (UTC)
Congratulations! You have completed the first section of the anti-vandalism course, well done. Now that we've been through everything that you need to know as a vandal patroller, you will be given a 5 day monitoring period. During this time, you are free to revert vandalism (and edit Wikipedia) as you normally do; I will monitor your progress in anti-vandalism. If there are any issues, I will raise them with you and if you have any problems, you are free to ask me. After five days, if I am satisfied with your progress, you will take the final test; passing this will mean you graduate from the CVUA. Good luck!
If you have any problems or trouble along the way please leave a message on my talk page. If you make any difficult decisions feel free to post the diff below and I'll take a look. If you haven't heard from me and the monitoring period is over, ping me here or leave a message on my talk page to notify me. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 00:42, 11 February 2017 (UTC)
When responding to numbered questions please start your response with "#:" (except where shown otherwise - with **). You don't need to worry about signing your answers. @ FriyMan: Hello? ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 20:03, 21 February 2017 (UTC) GOOD LUCK!
@ ThePlatypusofDoom: I am done! Sorry, I just needed a WikiBreak after like 7 exams in 2 days. FriyMan talk 14:18, 25 February 2017 (UTC) @ FriyMan: That's fine, everyone needs a break from WP eventually. Next section is below.
@ ThePlatypusofDoom: Done! FriyMan talk 07:32, 26 February 2017 (UTC)
What would you do in the following circumstance:
@ ThePlatypusofDoom: Done! FriyMan talk 07:57, 26 February 2017 (UTC)
@ FriyMan: Okay, graded. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 13:42, 26 February 2017 (UTC)
@ ThePlatypusofDoom: Done!!! FriyMan talk 19:40, 26 February 2017 (UTC)
Yes you can. Sadly.
WP:AIV, by using diffs for proof.
WP:ANI using an explanation, maybe even ArbCom - Don't try ArbCom unless all other methods of dispute resolution have been attempted.
WP:UAA with an explanation.
WP:ANI, with an explanation.
WP:AN3RR (That sounds like a super edgy nickname) with an explanation and proof diffs.
Admin! Like Samtar. I probably harass
Samtar a bit too often on IRC with requests for admin work. :)
ThePlatypusofDoom
(talk) 21:29, 26 February 2017 (UTC)
@
ThePlatypusofDoom: Done!
FriyMan
talk 19:48, 26 February 2017 (UTC)
@ FriyMan: Graded. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 21:29, 26 February 2017 (UTC)
@ ThePlatypusofDoom: Ta-daa! I am done!!! FriyMan talk 19:52, 28 February 2017 (UTC)
You have passed the course. You can now put this template on your user page: {{User CVUA|graduate}} . You've done a fantastic job, and teaching you has been a great experience.
The template displays this:
![]() | This user is a Counter-Vandalism Unit Academy graduate. |
@ FriyMan: Thanks for being a great student! ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 22:25, 28 February 2017 (UTC)
@ ThePlatypusofDoom: Thanks for being a great teacher! FriyMan talk 22:37, 28 February 2017 (UTC)
@ FriyMan: Always remember to ping me when you're done. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 19:36, 30 January 2017 (UTC) Hello, and welcome! Here is where I will help you become a vandal fighter. When I post an assignment, please respond under the assignment (or in a table, if there is one). In some exercises I will ask you to provide "diffs". See Help:Diffs for how to do this.
Before we start, I wanted to show you some useful tools for counter-vandalism work which can be used by any editor. You can use all of these, none of these, or some of these. I don't mind, these links are just for your convenience. You may have already installed some of these in the past.
Twinkle is a very popular gadget which is helpful for a variety of tasks. To install it, go here and tick the box that says Twinkle. Then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click "save". When you refresh the page, a "TW" tab will be available on every page, next to the "More" tab. Scrolling over the TW tab will show a list of modules you can use on the particular page. Twinkle has a large number of useful modules, including but not limited to, one which can be used to warn users, one which can be used to request page protection, one which can be used to suggest a page is deleted, and many many more helpful features. It also adds a non-admin "rollback" feature on all diff pages. I highly suggest you enable Twinkle, as it's incredibly useful and poses no risk of harming your account.
Lupin's Anti-vandal tool is extremely helpful for monitoring
recent changes in real time. To install it, simply add the following to
your common.js.
importScript('User:Lupin/recent2.js');
Refresh the page and you'll find 5 new links on your toolbar (on the left side of the page, underneath "interaction"). These links can be used to better monitor recent changes for possible vandalism.
IRC is an internet chat program. There are several channels on IRC that can be used to monitor vandalism. #cvn-wp-en connect is probably the most useful. Visit Wikipedia:IRC/Tutorial for information on how to connect to channels.
Navigation popups allow you to hover over links and see a brief preview of the page being linked to. One feature of navigation popups is that when you're at recent changes and hover over "diff" links, you'll have the ability to revert the most recent edit, useful for undoing vandalism. To install navigation popups, go here and tick the box that says Navigation popups. Then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click "save". Refresh the page and navigation popups will be enabled.
Now that you've read these, reply below with which scripts you installed/what you signed up for. I don't mind how many you installed, or if you installed none, it's just so I know and can set tasks using those scripts. Also note that there are many more advanced scripts out there, but they'll only be available to you when you have more experience.
@ FriyMan: Okay. Remember to ping me when you're done with an assignment. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 19:43, 1 February 2017 (UTC)
Let's start with the basics, you already know them so you'll move on pretty fast.
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 recognise the difference between a vandalism edit and a good faith edit, especially because Twinkle gives you the option of labelling edits you revert as such. Please read WP:AGF and WP:NOT VANDALISM before completing the following tasks.
- @ ThePlatypusofDoom: The goal of a good faith edit is to improve Wikipedia. Even though it is not always acceptable, it is still meant to help. Vandalism on the other hand is meant to troll, discourage and simply offend others. Vandals do not assume good faith and their edits are disruptive. FriyMan talk 20:34, 1 February 2017 (UTC)
@ FriyMan: Also, can you link to the previous change as well, instead of just the one edit? It's a lot harder to see what the change is without what comes before it. (like [7] this) ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 20:39, 1 February 2017 (UTC)
When you use Twinkle to warn a user, you have a number of options to choose from: you can select the kind of warning (for different offences), and the level of warning (from 1 to 4, for increasing severity). Knowing which warning to issue and what level is very important. Further information can be found at WP:WARN and WP:UWUL.
-We warn users to make them "slow down", so that they would understand that it is inappropriate to vandalise Wikipedia. We warn users to tell them to stop editing, nothing about "slowing down"
- 4im warnings are appropriate in very severe cases of vandalism,
or in cases, when the user does not recognise normal warnings.
If the user keeps vandalising, use lvl 4, not 4im.
ThePlatypusofDoom
(talk) 16:54, 2 February 2017 (UTC)
Make sure you keep in mind that some edits that seem like vandalism can be
test edits. This happens when a new user is experimenting and makes accidental unconstructive edits. Generally, these should be treated with good faith, especially if it is their first time, and warned gently. The following templates are used for test edits: {{
subst:uw-test1}}, {{
subst:uw-test2}} and {{
subst:uw-test3}}.
I just wanted to make sure you know about Special:RecentChanges, if you use the diff link in a different window or tab you can check a number of revisions much more easily. If you enable Hovercards in the Hover section of your preferences, you can view the diff by just hovering over it. Alternately, you can press control-F or command-F and search for "tag:". some edits get tagged for possible vandalism or section blanking.
@ FriyMan: Next assignment is below. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 16:50, 2 February 2017 (UTC)
Sometimes, disruptive users will try to harass and annoy you. In these situations, you must remain calm and ignore them. If they engage in harassment or personal attacks, ignore them, and leave a note at WP:ANI. If they vandalize your user page or user talk page, revert them and ignore them. Please read WP:DENY and WP:RBI.
@
ThePlatypusofDoom:We deny recognition to vandals, so that they do not make a big thing of it. We do it so they don't get attention, which is normally their main objective.
Troll will most likely try to harass you, when you revert on of his edits. The troll won't be as kind, and act more malicious, yes.
@ FriyMan: Your next assignment is below. Note that you have to put your signature after you ping someone, otherwise it won't register. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 12:32, 3 February 2017 (UTC)
There are a number of IP user talk page templates which show helpful information to IP users and those wishing to warn or block them. There is a list of these templates:
{{
Shared IP}}
- For general shared IP addresses.{{
ISP}}
- A modified version specifically for use with
ISP organizations.{{
Shared IP edu}}
- A modified version specifically for use with educational institutions.{{
Shared IP gov}}
- A modified version specifically for use with government agencies.{{
Shared IP corp}}
- A modified version specifically for use with businesses.{{
Shared IP address (public)}}
- A modified version specifically for use with public terminals such as in libraries, etc.{{
Mobile IP}}
- A modified version specifically for use with a mobile device's IP.{{
Dynamic IP}}
- A modified version specifically for use with dynamic IPs.{{
Static IP}}
- A modified version specifically for use with static IPs which may be used by more than one person.Each of these templates take two parameters, one is the organisation to which the IP address is registered (which can be found out using the links at the bottom of the IP's contribution page. The other is for the host name (which is optional) and can also be found out from the links at the bottom of the IP's contribution page.
Also, given that different people use the IP address, older messages are sometimes refused so as to not confuse the current user of the IP. Generally any messages for the last one-two months are removed, collapsed, or archived. The templates available for this include:
{{
OW}}
for when the messages are deleted from the talk page.{{
Old IP warnings top}}
and {{
Old IP warnings bottom}} for collapsing the user warnings and leaving them on the talk page.{{
Warning archive notice}}
for when the messages are archived, and that archiving follows the usually naming sequence (that is, /Archive 1).
NOTE: All of the templates in this section are not substituted (so don't use "subst:").
You don't need to do anything here, just tell me when you have finished reading
@
ThePlatypusofDoom: Done
FriyMan
talk 19:46, 3 February 2017 (UTC)
Protecting and deleting pages are two additional measures that can be used to prevent and deal with vandalism. Only an administrator can protect or delete pages (I am not an admin); however, anyone can nominate a page for deletion or request protection. If you have Twinkle installed, you can use the Twinkle menu to request page protection or speedy deletion (the RPP or CSD options). If you want to report manually, either place a CSD tag on the page, or report at WP:RFPP.
Please read the protection policy.
A page should be semi-protected, when it is a target of heavy ip user vandalism and content violations.
This protection is applied to infrequently edited articles with high levels of vandalism.
It's also used if new users are vandalising, but there are also helpful contribs from IPs or new users as well.
Very important articles with high vandalism and edit warring.
Use extended confirmed protection before full in that case.
A page should be "salted" if it is not worthy to be created and can not be notable. This leaves out the most vital part, it has to be recreated after it was deleted repeatedly.
An article's talk is normally protected simultaneously with the article itself. No, it's for vandalism on talk pages. If an article is semi-protected, you should leave the talk page open, for semi-protected edit requests and things like that.
-
[8] The request was declined.
Please read WP:CSD.
-If the page meets with Criteria for Speedy deletion. (Ba-dum-tss)
[9] - This is one time I asked for page to be deleted. this happened before we started the course. Is this OK? @ FriyMan: You need another diff. That CSD tag was good, though. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 14:36, 5 February 2017 (UTC)
@
ThePlatypusofDoom: Done
FriyMan
talk 10:38, 5 February 2017 (UTC)
[10] @
ThePlatypusofDoom: Another autobiography. (Just to make sure:
[11])
FriyMan
talk 15:07, 5 February 2017 (UTC)
@ FriyMan:Both were deleted, so I assume that you tagged them correctly. Next assignment is below. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 19:13, 5 February 2017 (UTC)
Wikipedia has a policy which details the types of usernames which users are permitted to have. Some users (including me) patrol the User creation log to check for new users with inappropriate usernames. There are four kinds of usernames that are specifically disallowed:
Please read WP:USERNAME, and pay particluar attention to dealing with inappropriate usernames.
It also indicates an intent to disrupt.
@
ThePlatypusofDoom: Done
FriyMan
talk 10:26, 7 February 2017 (UTC)
@
FriyMan: Good job! I've posted your next assignment below.
ThePlatypusofDoom
(talk) 12:54, 7 February 2017 (UTC)
Revision Deletion, commonly known as revdel, can be used to delete diffs. Revdel is used for copyright infringements, or serious cases of vandalism. See WP:Revdel and WP:CRD for more information.
Oversight, also known as Suppression, is a powerful tool used by a very small number of users on Wikipedia. Oversight allows revisions to be removed from any means of usual access, even administrators can't see it. See WP:OS. Oversight is used in 4 cases: Removal of non-public personal information, Removal of potentially libelous information, either: a) on the advice of Wikimedia Foundation counsel; or b) when the case is clear, and there is no editorial reason to keep the revision, Removal of copyright infringement, on the advice of Wikimedia Foundation counsel, Hiding of blatant attack names on automated lists and logs, where this does not disrupt edit histories. (A blatant attack is one obviously intended to denigrate, threaten, libel, insult, or harass someone), or hiding vandalism when normal administrator measures are insufficient. Also note that Oversight is sometimes used in hiding the personal information of minors, if it makes them easily identifiable.
As you patrol, you may come across a threat of physical harm to oneself or others. If this happens, Report this to the Wikimedia Foundation immediately.. As the essay WP:911 says: "Notify the Wikimedia Foundation (WMF) office staff of the apparent suicide note or claim or threat of violence as soon as it is posted. Foundation staff have been the key responders in prior incidents. Contact can be made by emailing emergency@wikimedia.org, which forwards to several trained staff members who handle these incidents and are available to respond to emergency incidents even outside of normal business hours. This is the preferred method for reporting threats of harm to the Wikimedia Foundation; calling the office or emailing other addresses will simply delay the report from reaching the appropriate staff in a timely fashion. The WMF will take care of locating the user and contacting authorities. The WMF will nearly always immediately acknowledge your email, so that you know they're working on it." Request oversight for any comments like this as well, or if you can't get it oversighted quickly, get an admin to revision delete it, and then email Oversight.
@
ThePlatypusofDoom: Done
FriyMan
talk 19:49, 7 February 2017 (UTC)
@ FriyMan: Next assignment is below. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 20:32, 7 February 2017 (UTC)
Here's a test so I can measure your progress in this area. After this, we'll move on to more advanced topics. The following scenarios each have multiple questions that are based on WP: VANDAL, WP:3RR, WP: REVERT, WP: BLOCK, WP: GAIV, WP: WARN, WP:UAA, WP:CSD, WP:911, WP:OS, WP:REVDEL and WP:UN. Good Luck!
You encounter an IP disrupting the article on Homosexuality. They are adding extremely nasty homophobic slurs, and death threats.
@
ThePlatypusofDoom: Done
FriyMan
talk 07:58, 8 February 2017 (UTC)
You see a new account called "Hi999" that has added random letters to one article.
@
ThePlatypusofDoom: Done
FriyMan
talk 19:49, 10 February 2017 (UTC)
@
ThePlatypusofDoom: Done
FriyMan
talk 19:55, 10 February 2017 (UTC)
You see a new account called "LaptopsInc" which has created a new page called "Laptops Inc" (which only contains the words "Laptops Inc" and a paragraph copied from www.laptopsinc.com). The user also added "www.laptopsinc.com" on the Laptop article. You research Laptops Inc on Google and find that is a small company.
@
ThePlatypusofDoom: Done
FriyMan
talk 21:23, 10 February 2017 (UTC)
You come across an account named "JohnIsAFag". You find that it's created the page "John Simmonds", which reads "John Simmonds is a guy born in 1991. He is still alive today, unfortunately, because he is an idiot. ahsjjdshhsd".
@
ThePlatypusofDoom: Done
FriyMan
talk 21:30, 10 February 2017 (UTC)
Your score: 19/22
@ FriyMan: See below, and you should look over those policies again. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 00:38, 11 February 2017 (UTC)
Congratulations! You have completed the first section of the anti-vandalism course, well done. Now that we've been through everything that you need to know as a vandal patroller, you will be given a 5 day monitoring period. During this time, you are free to revert vandalism (and edit Wikipedia) as you normally do; I will monitor your progress in anti-vandalism. If there are any issues, I will raise them with you and if you have any problems, you are free to ask me. After five days, if I am satisfied with your progress, you will take the final test; passing this will mean you graduate from the CVUA. Good luck!
If you have any problems or trouble along the way please leave a message on my talk page. If you make any difficult decisions feel free to post the diff below and I'll take a look. If you haven't heard from me and the monitoring period is over, ping me here or leave a message on my talk page to notify me. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 00:42, 11 February 2017 (UTC)
When responding to numbered questions please start your response with "#:" (except where shown otherwise - with **). You don't need to worry about signing your answers. @ FriyMan: Hello? ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 20:03, 21 February 2017 (UTC) GOOD LUCK!
@ ThePlatypusofDoom: I am done! Sorry, I just needed a WikiBreak after like 7 exams in 2 days. FriyMan talk 14:18, 25 February 2017 (UTC) @ FriyMan: That's fine, everyone needs a break from WP eventually. Next section is below.
@ ThePlatypusofDoom: Done! FriyMan talk 07:32, 26 February 2017 (UTC)
What would you do in the following circumstance:
@ ThePlatypusofDoom: Done! FriyMan talk 07:57, 26 February 2017 (UTC)
@ FriyMan: Okay, graded. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 13:42, 26 February 2017 (UTC)
@ ThePlatypusofDoom: Done!!! FriyMan talk 19:40, 26 February 2017 (UTC)
Yes you can. Sadly.
WP:AIV, by using diffs for proof.
WP:ANI using an explanation, maybe even ArbCom - Don't try ArbCom unless all other methods of dispute resolution have been attempted.
WP:UAA with an explanation.
WP:ANI, with an explanation.
WP:AN3RR (That sounds like a super edgy nickname) with an explanation and proof diffs.
Admin! Like Samtar. I probably harass
Samtar a bit too often on IRC with requests for admin work. :)
ThePlatypusofDoom
(talk) 21:29, 26 February 2017 (UTC)
@
ThePlatypusofDoom: Done!
FriyMan
talk 19:48, 26 February 2017 (UTC)
@ FriyMan: Graded. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 21:29, 26 February 2017 (UTC)
@ ThePlatypusofDoom: Ta-daa! I am done!!! FriyMan talk 19:52, 28 February 2017 (UTC)
You have passed the course. You can now put this template on your user page: {{User CVUA|graduate}} . You've done a fantastic job, and teaching you has been a great experience.
The template displays this:
![]() | This user is a Counter-Vandalism Unit Academy graduate. |
@ FriyMan: Thanks for being a great student! ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 22:25, 28 February 2017 (UTC)
@ ThePlatypusofDoom: Thanks for being a great teacher! FriyMan talk 22:37, 28 February 2017 (UTC)