Julie Hofmann Kemp wrote:

Also, I have never tried to block an IP because I'm not sure I understand the ramifications --- how long would that last? How is it reversed? The only cases where I could actually see myself using it would be to stop a vandal in progress, or to slow down an overeager newbie who hasn't bothered to read any of the guidelines and is out there creating tons of duplicate, 'incorrectly named' pages -- it would be good to slow them down long enough to be pointed in the right direction for log-in instructions, sandbox practice, naming conventions, etc. -- but without discouraging contributions. Any answers, suggestions? -- Jules

I'd be interested in hearing more about this, too. Without reading the code, I don't know how this is implemented currently.

I think Julie has exactly the right approach to IP banning -- it's only for real vandals in progress, where "vandal" is defined very uncontroversially. And also for people who, while not necessarily vandals, are in the process of doing something _big_ ("tons" of invalid pages) just because they're unaware.`

I think our wikipdia "code of honor" should be: never in anger, never in a fight over content. Those have to be settled "on a fair playing field", through reason, not software powers.

Someday, there will probably be someone who we have to permanently ban. I dread that day, because I don't even know how we will accomplish it.

--Jimbo