User:Valjean/Vandalism templates

The current series of vandalism templates not only has problems, it is actually counterproductive! Vandalism is one of our more serious and time consuming problems here, and yet we are sending the wrong signals to vandals. There needs to be a logical progression, and the threatened consequences need to be consistently and promptly enforced. The current series teaches vandals that they can get away with simple vandalism, because they are warned that this is the last warning (when it isn't), that they will be blocked (but they can continue several more times without it happening), that this is the only warning (when it isn't), and so forth. We are lying to them, and they aren't getting the message. Each message should count, and it doesn't.

I have several suggestions regarding text improvements and consistency in consequences:


 * 1) We currently have five levels, which is simply too many, especially when we really only have four different ones, since the last two are almost identical. When it's obvious and deliberate vandalism, even if not of the most malicious types (after all, Wikipedia isn't a playground), fewer warnings should do it.
 * 2) Any threatened consequence should happen after the warning has been given. No second chances. Therefore, be careful about giving warnings. Don't give a warning if it isn't going to happen as promised. That often means getting the immediate cooperation of an admin who will actually follow through.

Level 1:

 * Code


 * Welcome to Wikipedia. Although everyone is welcome to make constructive contributions to Wikipedia, at least one of your recent edits did not appear to be constructive and has been reverted. Please use the sandbox for any test edits you would like to make, and read the welcome page to learn more about contributing constructively to this encyclopedia.


 * Result


 * Welcome to Wikipedia. Although everyone is welcome to make constructive contributions to Wikipedia, at least one of your recent edits did not appear to be constructive and has been reverted. Please use the sandbox for any test edits you would like to make, and read the welcome page to learn more about contributing constructively to this encyclopedia.

Level 2:

 * Code


 * Please refrain from making unconstructive edits to Wikipedia. Your edits appear to constitute vandalism and have been reverted. If you would like to experiment, please use the sandbox.


 * Result


 * Please refrain from making unconstructive edits to Wikipedia. Your edits appear to constitute vandalism and have been reverted. If you would like to experiment, please use the sandbox.

Level 3:

 * Code


 * Please stop your disruptive editing. If you continue to vandalize Wikipedia, you will be blocked from editing.


 * Result


 * Please stop your disruptive editing. If you continue to vandalize Wikipedia, you will be blocked from editing.

Level 4:

 * Code


 * This is the last warning you will receive for your disruptive edits. If you vandalize Wikipedia again, you will be blocked from editing.


 * Result


 * This is the last warning you will receive for your disruptive edits. If you vandalize Wikipedia again, you will be blocked from editing.

Level 4im:

 * Code


 * This is the only warning you will receive for your disruptive edits. If you vandalize Wikipedia again, you will be blocked from editing.


 * Result


 * This is the only warning you will receive for your disruptive edits. If you vandalize Wikipedia again, you will be blocked from editing.

Suggested replacements
This series follows the "three strikes and you're out" principle. One occasion of vandalism might be a chance occurrence, two times is a tendency, and three times is a bad habit that must be nipped in the bud immediately. The editor has vandalized Wikipedia three times and doesn't deserve another warning or chance to do it a fourth time. The consequence is a short block of two weeks, which gives them time to think things over.

Note that the template code is the same as above, and will not produce the new version. If these are ever accepted, either the templates will point to the new versions, or we'll have to create new template codes.

Level 1:
This includes a standard welcome template.


 * Code


 * == Welcome== -- ~ == Vandalism warning 1 ==  Although everyone is welcome to make constructive contributions to Wikipedia, at least one of your recent edits did not appear to be constructive. It appears to be vandalism and has therefore been reverted. Wikipedia articles aren't for fun, cute lighthearted messages. This is your first warning. If you would like to experiment, please use the sandbox. Also please read the welcome page to learn more about contributing constructively to this encyclopedia.


 * Result

Vandalism warning 1
Although everyone is welcome to make constructive contributions to Wikipedia, at least one of your recent edits did not appear to be constructive. It appears to be vandalism and has therefore been reverted. Wikipedia articles aren't for fun, cute lighthearted messages. This is your first warning. If you would like to experiment, please use the sandbox. Also please read the welcome page to learn more about contributing constructively to this encyclopedia.

Level 2:

 * Caution


 * Do not hand out this warning without consulting with an admin who is willing to immediately block the offender if a third instance occurs.


 * A better solution would be that the use of this code automatically placed a notice on a notice board for admins who would immediately respond.


 * Code


 * == Vandalism warning 2 == Please stop your disruptive editing. If you continue to vandalize Wikipedia, you will be blocked from editing. This is the second and last warning you will receive for your disruptive edits.


 * Result


 * == Vandalism warning 2 == Please stop your disruptive editing. If you continue to vandalize Wikipedia, you will be blocked from editing. This is the second and last warning you will receive for your disruptive edits.

Level 3:

 * Code


 * == Vandalism warning 3 == In spite of clear and fair warnings, you have now vandalized Wikipedia three times and have been blocked for two weeks for your disruptive edits. Do not return unless you are willing to create an account and become a serious contributor.


 * Result


 * == Vandalism warning 3 == In spite of clear and fair warnings, you have now vandalized Wikipedia three times and have been blocked for two weeks for your disruptive edits. Do not return unless you are willing to become a serious contributor. It is suggested that you create an account. There are many advantages connected with doing so.

Levels 4 & 5: Unnecessary and counterproductive
They were essentially identical, so we are actually only eliminating one real level.


 * Level 4:

No longer necessary.


 * Level 4im:

No longer necessary.