[WikiEN-l] HD DVD key and the spam blacklist

[Anthony]

On 5/5/07, Tim Starling <tstarling at wikimedia.org> wrote:
> The Cunctator wrote:
> > On 5/2/07, Anthony <wikilegal at inbox.org> wrote:
> >> On 5/2/07, Angela <beesley at gmail.com> wrote:
> >>> This is a different type of blacklist. The spam blacklist which can be
> >>> edited by any meta admin only applies to URLs. The regex blacklist
> >>> applies to any text, whether in URL format or not. On Wikimedia, I
> >>> believe only people with server access could edit that, but that
> >>> doesn't mean it was an official Wikimedia decision. The majority of
> >>> people with server access are not Wikimedia employees.
> >>>
> >> So who are they accountable to, no one?  Isn't obviously problematic
> >> that people can unilaterally make such major decisions with neither
> >> the request of the foundation nor the community?
> >
> > Yes.
>
> We're accountable to both. This action was taken at the request of the
> community, and is subject to review by both the community and the Board.

In what way was the action taken at the request of the community?  Are
you saying this because some members of the community want it?

> We unilaterally edit the spam blacklist in the same way that you
> unilaterally edit an article. It can be reversed at any time.

The spam blacklist can be reversed at any time by what, 5 people,
maybe 10?  When I "unilaterally edit an article" it can be reversed by
anyone.

> I have heard
> arguments in either direction on this mailing list, many seem to be
> agreeing with this action. I have seen no vote, there has been no
> demonstration of a majority in favour of removing it, and I've had no
> request from the Board.

There has likewise been no demonstration of a majority in favor of
adding it, and supposedly no request from the board to add it.  I
think it's quite obvious that the default position should be to *not*
have something in the spam blacklist.

Anthony