From: Skyring skyring@gmail.com
Well, that's not really accurate, but most blocked users can no longer
us a
different Userid to avoid the block, precisely because Wikipedia blocks
the
IP address when attempts are made to do this. That wasn't the case
before
the IP blocker was added.
I'm talking about the same logged-in user.
I'm talking about the same user, using a different login, or no login. That's what the system was designed to prevent.
How so? A blocked user CANNOT edit. If you already have absolute
protection, then you don't need any more. Surely this is plain common sense.
If only that were the case. In practice, blocked editors edit all the
time;
this simply stops the ones with fixed IP addresses from editing with sockpuppets.
No it doesn't. In such a case they CANNOT edit. The system stops them.
Um, that's right, they can't edit. Why say "No it doesn't" when you mean "Yes it does."?
The fact that the block is reset doesn't stop them editing. They can't edit anyway.
The block is reset because attempts to avoid blocks (e.g. by creating new userids and attempting to edit with them, or attempting to edit without logging in) are violations of the block, and the general rule is that attempts to violate blocks reset the timer.
Please address the point.
I have. You asked what it was for, and what it prevents. I've explained both. It works effectively to prevent a certain kind of sockpuppetry. It is not completely effective, and may have other side effects.
Jay.