[WikiEN-l] extremely weak dispute resolution mechanisms

[Tony Sidaway]

This is the kind of situation where review is very important.

Hardass is doing part of a good job.  His job will be easier and more
effective if he takes blocks to the administrators' noticeboard,
explains why he did what he did, and looks to see what others say. 
Sometimes this may result in a modification of the original block,
though usually he ends up walking away with an agreement that he did
the right thing in the circumstances.  Whatever happens is better for
the wiki than just one lone guy facing up to someone whose behavior
seems to him to be unreasonable.

There are other reasons why this review process helps; sometimes
inexperienced or ill-informed administrators make mistakes, such as
using their sysop powers to pursue editing disputes, or engaging in
edit warring in parallel with dispute resolution.  If blocks and the
like are reviewed (as page protections already are) then this kind of
problem gets picked up quicker and solved.