This might well have been discussed thoroughly before. If so, I would be very grateful for a pointer to the old thread.
Some teachers use Wikipedia in schools. Some schools also get their IP:s blocked because of heavy vandalism, from the computers in the school library and computer labs etc. The semi-new feature that an IP can be blocked but editing of logged-in editors from that same IP address is permitted, means these teachers have to tell their students to create accounts. However, there is a limit to how many accounts can be created a day from each IP-address - and so, it is not possible for the whole class to create that user account. Blocking the school's IP in this case prevents the teacher from using Wikipedia and introducing the pupils/students in school.
Is there a good solution to this?
How many of the Wikipedias out there use this feature for eternal or very long term blocks of IP:s of shared computers, which is the source of lots of graffiti? What is the experience of this?
We are currently discussing this feature at Swedish Wikipedia, and would greatly appreciate input from others.
/habj
I think the teachers should talk with the devs before, just as any visit to a library or museum, in order to have the account throttling lifted for some hours / for that ip. Having the teacher with a sysop on-hand (e.g. the teacher is on irc) would help a lot too. We should create some kind of burocrat process. Information for teachers would be good, too. They are often unaware of our tricky licensing (how do you dare to put me -a teacher- 'copyvio'?). I'd like the foundation/chapters publishng docent material for teachers, also with a process to avoid blockings and a contact person in case of problems.
Platonides
wikipedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org