[WikiEN-l] Alternative to Blanking Pages

[Axel Boldt]

--- cprompt <cprompt at tmbg.org> wrote:

> Instead of blanking articles why not replace the article text with a 
> redirect to a boilerplate text with something along the lines of 
> "The content of this article is being disputed. It has been blanked 
> for the time being, though older version are still accessible through
> the Page History. It may have been blanked because of blatantly false

> information, or non-encyclopedic garbage. This article may be
> awaiting [[votes for deletion]], or awaiting a sysop to delete it. 
> Please use the Talk Page to discuss this dispute if necessary, and 
> check [[Votes for Deletion]]"

I disagree with this in the case of removing work by banned users, for
the following reasons:

* it is factually incorrect: the work was not removed because it is
"disputed", but because it was contributed by a person who is not
allowed to contribute.

* talking about "disputed" and "older version" implies that it may be a
good idea to look at the old material and check whether it is worth
restoring. But that is precisely what should *not* be done in the case
of a soft ban. Treating the banned user's contributions on their merits
just encourages him/her to contribute more.

Axel


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