TRACES Wiki:Blocking Policy

Administrators can block users and individual IP addresses. Blocked users will still be able to read the wiki, but will not be able to edit or upload files.

Users can be blocked for many reasons. In general, blocks are given for:
 * Repeated vandalism
 * Breaking policies
 * Adding pages that are copyright violations.

Admins are advised to give a warning to people before banning them. It is also advisable to have a working email address in your preferences so you can be contacted by a user affected by a block if necessary. Block lengths are at the discretion of an administrator. IP blocks expire after 24 hours unless you choose a longer time period.

If you feel you have been unfairly blocked, please contact the admin who blocked you via email or edit your own talk page. Tell them what IP you are using. This information is shown on the page that tells you that you are blocked. A list of all users with admin privelages can be found by going to the Special:Listadmins page. A list of currently active/inactive administrators can be found here.

Personal Problems
Keep your personal problems away from the keyboard. It is better to ignore a user rather than retaliate with an unwarranted ban. Fix edits graciously, and do not ban others like a taller child bullying a smaller one. Do not abuse your power.

Vandal bots
Since a vandalbot may be attacking other Wikia too, it should be blocked as soon as possible. If you see one, try to contact a janitor in such an event.

Proxies
Anonymous or open proxies should always be blocked forever.

Try not to block ISP proxies since this would affect a wide number of users.

Range blocks
Range blocks are not recommended unless you need to deal with severe and prolonged vandalism from a particular range, and you are very sure what these mean and how to use them. It is advised that you report these problems and the use, or intended use, of range blocking on the Community Portal.

Related pages

 * IP Block List - lists currently blocked addresses and usernames.
 * Block log - shows all blocks and unblocks.
 * Special:Blockip - use this to block or unblock a user (admins only)
 * MediaWiki:Blockedtext - the text a blocked user sees when they try to edit a page.