UDWiki:Administration/Misconduct

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This page is for the reporting of administrator (sysop) misconduct within the Urban Dead wiki. Sysops are trusted with a considerable number of powers, many of which have the capacity to be abused. In many circumstances, it is possible for a sysop to cause considerable havoc. As such, users are provided this page to report misconduct from the System Operators. For consistency and accountability, sysops also adhere to the guidelines listed here.

Guidelines for System Operator Misconduct Reporting

The charge of Administrative Misconduct is a grave charge indeed. If misconduct occurs, it is important that the rest of the sysop team be able to review the charges as necessary. Any charge of administrative misconduct must be backed up with evidence. The clearest evidence that can be provided for administrative misconduct is a clear discrepancy between the relevant action log (deletion, block, or protection log) and the archives of the relevant administration service page, and this is a minimum standard of evidence admitted in such a tribunal.

Misconduct is primarily related to specific Administrator Services, not standards of behavior. As such, situations including verbal attacks by sysops, while frowned upon, do not constitute misconduct. Sysops on a wiki are in theory supposed to have no more authority than a regular user - they merely have a greater scope of power. Personality conflicts between sysops and regular users should be treated just as a personality conflict between two regular users. If, in the course of such a conflict, a sysop abuses their administrative powers by banning a user, blocking or deleting a page without due process, that is misconduct, and should be reported to this page.

There is, however, an exception to this rule - excessive bullying, or attempts to treat the status of sysop as a badge of authority to force a sysop's wishes on the wiki may also come under misconduct. Any accusations of this should come with just as clear evidence, and for such an action to be declared misconduct, there should be a clear pattern of behavior across a considerable period of time.

All discussion of misconduct should occur on this page, not the talk page - any discussion on the talk page will be merged into this page once discovered. Once a misconduct case has been declared closed, a member of the sysop team will mete out the punishment (if deemed necessary), and then move the case to the Archive.

Administrative Abilities

For future reference, the following are sysop specific abilities (ie things that sysops can do that regular users cannot):

• Deletion (ie complete removal, as opposed to blanking) of pages (including Images and any other page-like construct on this wiki), through the delete tab on the top of any deletable construct.
• Undeletion (ie returning a page, complete with page history) of pages (including any other page-like construct on this wiki (Images are not included as deletion of an image is not undoable), through the undelete tab on the top of any undeletable construct
• Protection of pages (ie removing the ability of regular users to edit or move a particular page), through the protect tab on the top of any protectable construct.
• Moving of pages (ie changing a page complete with the page's history to a different namespace).
• Warning users reported in Vandal Banning.
• Banning of Users (ie removing the ability of a specific user to edit the wiki), through the Block User page.
• Editing of Protected pages by any means.
• Research IP activity using the CheckUser extension.
• (Bureaucrats Only) Promotion (providing the above abilities) of User to Sysop/Bureaucrat status.

If none of the above abilities were abused and the case doesn't apply for the exception mentioned above, then this is a case for UDWiki:Administration/Arbitration or UDWiki:Administration/Vandal Banning.

Example of Misconduct Proceedings

Sysop seems to have deleted Bad Page, but I can't find it in the Archives of either the Deletion or Speedy Deletion pages. The Logs show a deletion at 18:06, October 24th 2005 by a System Operator, but this does not seem to be backed up by a request for that deletion. I would like to know why this is the case -- Reporter 13:42, 28 Oct 2005 (BST)

The deletion was asked through my talk page. I give my Talk page as proof of this. -- Sysop 13:42, 28 Oct 2005 (BST)

You know the rules, Sysop. All deletion requests have to go through the Speedy Delete page. Next time, please inform the user where they should lodge the request. This is a clear violation, will you accept a one-day ban as punishment? -- Sysop2 13:42, 28 Oct 2005 (BST)

I'm not liking it, but I clearly broke the rules, I'll accept the ban. I'll certainly remember due process next time... Sysop 13:42, 28 Oct 2005 (BST)

As punishment for failing to follow due process, Sysop has been banned for a period of 24 hours. This will be moved to the Archive shortly. -- Sysop2 13:42, 28 Oct 2005 (BST)

Before Reporting Misconduct

Due to a the growing number of Non-Misconduct cases popping up on this page the Administration Staff has decided to compile a basic summary of what has been viewed as Not Misconduct in the past. Please read over UDWiki:Misconduct and make sure that what you are reporting is in fact misconduct before filing a report here.

Cases made to further personal disputes should never be made here, harassment of any user through administration pages may result in vandal escalations. Despite their unique status this basic protection does still apply to Sysops.

Misconduct Cases Currently Under Consideration

User:Suicidalangel

SA posted the following on my talkpage:

" Your signature does not conform with policy. I'm removing the colouring because precedent states that not only must a signature link to the user in questions user-page or an identifiable sub-page, it must also be easy to see. The very light yellow colour is not easy to see on the default white background. Reverting your signature to the previous version or something very similar in it's breaking of policy will be considered vandalism. Please check with me with any revisions you make to prevent needless cases against you from being made. This edit is also an official administrative action and is not deleteable by your rules. If it is deleted before this case is sorted out in it's entirety it will also be considered ignoring a System Operators request to fall in line with policy and will be considered vandalism.

Of course you can always just leave the revision I'm about to make to your sig to end this case quickly.--Mr. Angel, Help needed? 15:19, 31 May 2009 (BST)

The signature policy can be found here.

This case concerns only the misconduct portions of this post, the act of vandalism is already subject to its own case.

Warning a user under this policy is not, and has never been a sysop only ability. SA invokes his status during his post which is him attempting to use his sysop status as a badge of authority. This is clear under "This edit is also an official administrative action"

Then he uses "If it is deleted before this case is sorted out in it's entirety it will also be considered ignoring a System Operators request to fall in line with policy and will be considered vandalism." to attempt to use his status to force his post to remain on my talkpage. This is him attempting to use his sysop status to override Specific Case Editing Guidelines which give me every right to remove whatever I want from pages in my userspace for any reason I see fit.

Finally, saying that my signature is blanket vandalism is patently incorrect, one sysop cannot rule vandalism and bind the rest of the team. He abuses his status by attempting to threaten that a legal signature will be found vandalism. I am also allowed a week to change my signature according to the policy (although I do not have to as my sig in no way breaks any policy).

We await the block voting to save another incompetent sysop from an ineffectual warning. -- . . <== DDR Approved Editor 16:24, 31 May 2009 (BST)

Having your signature white against a white background is questionable and I was just about to come and ask you to change it myself. However, I'm sure we've been over this pre-emptive sig changing thing before with Read and a couple of other folk so I'm going to go and check out the archives before I rule on this case. -- Cheese 16:31, 31 May 2009 (BST)

Given your previous inability to read the sig policy, would you care to follow the link above and tell me what my sig breaches on that policy? And what, therefore, you were going to talk to me about? -- . . <== DDR Approved Editor 16:45, 31 May 2009 (BST)

It isn't actually white, it was a very very pale form of yellow, I believe. D^ANCED^ANCER^EVOLUTION (TALK | CONTRIBS) 16:32, 31 May 2009 (BST)

DDR's right. That said, it's a very, very pale form of yellow. Linkthewindow  Talk  21:45, 31 May 2009 (BST)

Boxy would have changed mine before talking with me if I used a template which I don't. Moar in a bit.--Mr. Angel, Help needed? 16:33, 31 May 2009 (BST)

Precedent? -- Cheese 16:41, 31 May 2009 (BST)

That's to do with banning a user IIRC, this is to do with his wording and thereby using his status as a sysop as a badge of authority to breach three policies. This is the subject of the case, the incorrect act of editing my pages is the subject of a vandal banning case. -- . . <== DDR Approved Editor 16:47, 31 May 2009 (BST)

Alright, here's my defense. Iscariot has been known to disrupt parts of the wiki for whatever reasons he may have. He also has been known to ignore requests and attempts to work with him by the administration.

I personally find his signature disruptive (Shut up guys, I know my past sig was hell. We're not talking about that), as it masks where his link is. At least Swiers always used a period or other small character that you could still see. Iscariot's was for all intents and purposes invisible. I changed it because it was a small change and Iscariot should show good faith and be willing to work with the admin team to correct a problem. I didn't outright punish him or anything, I simply made a change to get it out of the way and provide an example of an acceptable signature.

I wouldn't have had to sound so hard and hammer-droppy if it wasn't for this next bit that I say.

I used my sys ops status as a way to make sure the post would stay on his page, yes. But was I abusing it? No. Isacariot has been known to delete even complimentary Admin posts from his page for no reason other than he hates the admin team/he can. Being that I was the one to bring it up, and also probably be the one to close it in the end where it may have been Vandalism, I think I'm entitled to say that this particular case was a sysops only action. Especially if that's the only way to make sure Izzy would see the post and not just delete it and ignore it like he is so fond of doing. This was my was of sorting it out without having to start a vandalism case just because he'd delete the comment. If you notice I include a clause that states that when the case is done he can remove the comment, but not until it's done to help make sure he gets it fixed.

I think I covered everything. I'm going to the store. Be back soons.--Mr. Angel, Help needed? 16:59, 31 May 2009 (BST)

Great a whole bunch of ad hominem attacks, brilliant start to a defence there (please note the 'c' in defence).

Notice everyone how his language changed, on my talk page we have "Your signature does not conform with policy" and here we have "I personally find his signature disruptive", the backtracking begins. I tell you what SA, if you can point me to the section of the sig policy (I have linked it in my opening post) that my signature breaks I'll drop both cases. We both know you can't and you're attempting to force this through using sysop dislike of me. Fact is, nothing's wrong with my sig. We both know your merry band of admins will rally round you because of their dislike of me, but I'll still await you showing some good faith and reverting your vandalism. I won't be holding my breath though.

No doubt I can further take that response apart, but I'll wait for the inevitable double standard of the other sysops to begin before I make those points for the benefit of the community. -- . . <== DDR Approved Editor 17:10, 31 May 2009 (BST)

Notice how me saying it does not conform while not conversing with the rest of the team is still the same as saying I personally do not believe it conforms with policy. You're smart enough to look around and see if I discussed it anywhere else with anyone else.

Not only is there precedent in stating that your sig must be easy to identify, but "The handle portion of your signature must link to your user page or one its subpages so that it is easy for readers to learn more about the person behind the signature." (My bold) can easily be interpreted, and has been in the past, to mean that your sig must be easy to identify. Yours was not. Go ahead and drop the cases now, but we both know you won't.--Mr. Angel, Help needed? 17:18, 31 May 2009 (BST)

As you'd know if you spoke correct English you'd understand that the sentence must be taken as a whole, meaning it must contain a link to your userpage or user sub pages so that a reader of a comment or edit can follow the sig back to your pages in order to discover more about you. It does say nothing about colour now does it?

Since you're having problems with the policy, I'll help you:

"The handle portion of your signature must link to your user page or one its subpages so that it is easy for readers to learn more about the person behind the signature."

The handle portion of my sig does link to my user page. People are able to follow this link to learn more about me.

"Superscript adornments, images and other parts of your signature may link to other locations provided that such links do not violate the rules below."

I have no superscript adorments, images or other parts of my sig that link anywhere.

"What wouldn't be allowed"

"Signatures which have images higher then 14 pixels high."

No images.

"Signatures which generally break the wiki in some way either through formatting or other means."

The wider wiki and its format was not altered by my sig.

"Signatures which impersonate another user."

I don't do this.

"Signatures which link to any of the following special pages: Special:Userlogout or Special:BlockIP."

The only link is to my userpage.

"Signatures which link to external links that perform malicious actions (closing the browser for example)."

No external links.

"Signatures which contain images larger then 50kb."

No images.

"What would be allowed"

"Anything that doesn't come under what isn't allowed."

That would be my sig then.

Your attempt to backtrack over whether it is considered vandalism by you or anyone else is undermined by "If it is deleted before this case is sorted out in it's entirety it will also be considered ignoring a System Operators request to fall in line with policy and will be considered vandalism." - Notice the 'will', that's a definitive, not a possible. You didn't say 'might be vandalism' you said 'will be considered vandalism'. You admitted previously that you did invoke your status, this sentence shows you are attempting to express authority on this wiki with that statement. You're guilty, just can't admit you're wrong. -- . . <== DDR Approved Editor 17:33, 31 May 2009 (BST)

Not Misconduct You and SLR were doing the same thing and it was upheld in his case. --– Nubis ^NWO 02:29, 1 June 2009 (BST)

Not misconduct - the signature ("I") was deliberately intended to go against the spirit of our sig policy, which is basically to ensure that signatures make it easy to identify the poster, and arn't page breaking/malicious. Just because it is done in a way that can be wiki-lawyered to not break the word of the policy, doesn't mean it isn't something done in bad faith. It's entirely reasonable to revert something like this, and warn that a vandalism case may be brought if it's repeated -- boxy ^{talk • teh rulz} 02:54 1 June 2009 (BST)

Just as a point now the obvious rally round so that one of our own can't be convicted, I'd like to illustrate to the community just how incompetent these rulings are. I point you at this vandalism case, edited by Cheese (who above said that he was about to talk to me about my current sig), Boxy (who violates the sig policy by ruling my sig illegal) and Nubis (who seems to think these two cases are the same, even though I demonstrated earlier that they aren't). So vandalism case with three sysops on it from the 28th December.

Now compare this, the exact same sig used before. The sig was there for longer than a week after they edited the case with that sig and not one of these trusted users has a problem with it. Odd how that it becomes illegal when SA resorts to bullying tactics isn't it?

One rule for us, one for them, a completely different precedent whenever one of them can be convicted. Odd that... -- . . <== DDR Approved Editor 07:17, 1 June 2009 (BST)

It's sad how desperate for attention you are. It's interesting how you always find these amusing wiki-lawyering cases. --– Nubis ^NWO 14:15, 1 June 2009 (BST)

Not Misconduct because Iscariot is right.</sarcasm> Bad faith and you know it. and SA giving you a soft warning is well within his authority. If you want a real one I'm sure somebody wouldn't mind putting it up on the vandalism page. And by the way..the community consensus is: One should be able to ID who made a post by looking at the signature. Once again I urge a ban on all "custom" sigs (but know that will never happen) Conndraka^{mod TAZM CFT} 00:15, 2 June 2009 (BST)

Your sig is technically a "custom sig". ;) --Mr. Angel, Help needed? 00:37, 2 June 2009 (BST)

I think he means templated sigs... --Pestolence^(talk) 00:51, 2 June 2009 (BST)