User talk:AmiDaniel/VP/Discuss/Archive/2006/August

How to remove the "" tags in my warnings?
See here for example

For some reason, its not putting the correct Article edit when I warn people. Any suggestions? --PabloMartinez 17:03, 17 July 2006 (UTC)
 * Just take away the tag and replace it with the name of the article. FellowWikip e dian 23:50, 17 July 2006 (UTC)

Error
Hi, Whenever I try to update my stats or view them, I get a "File Already Open" error (number 55). It seems to happen whenever the porgram tries to write to vandalismlog.txt. Also, I canot record mistakes and the program can refuse to allow me to revert. Should I do a clean install? If so, is there a way to keep the user specific stats? thanks Martinp23  23:42, 17 July 2006 (UTC)
 * Problem solved - I reinstalled VP and just copied the details from the txt files. Martinp23  13:47, 18 July 2006 (UTC)

IE errors
I followed the instructions here. Still getting the annoying error messages. Any help please? - Ganeshk  ( talk ) 06:22, 17 July 2006 (UTC)
 * If the only time you use IE on Wikipedia is for VandalProof, check this out above. — Mets 501 (talk) 12:38, 17 July 2006 (UTC)
 * If by chance this out gets archived by weirdnabot, check in the july archive for a section called "Error messages". Eagle talk 17:03, 18 July 2006 (UTC)

Edit count
I would like to use VP but I really dont feel like going to my contribtions and counting 250 mainspace edits. Is there an easier way? -ScotchMB 01:24, 20 July 2006 (UTC)


 * Never mind, an unknown user emailed me and told me how to use it. Thanks who ever you were. -ScotchMB 02:10, 20 July 2006 (UTC)

After a while, recent changes fails
Like I said in the title, after I click the update button under the recent changes tab about 120 times (estimate, probably not the real number), it stops working completely, if I click it, it just does nothing. Any way to fix it? My computer is running Windows XP service pack two. EEPROM Eagle 20:28, 9 July 2006 (UTC)
 * Looks like a bug to me! I will check your monobook later and make sure that you don't have any bad JavaScript. Eagle talk 20:19, 16 July 2006 (UTC)
 * Just to note, you had 2 copies of Lupin Popups... only one is needed. (I have no idea of the effect on preformence, but remove a copy and see if any improvement occurs) —— Eagle (ask me for help) 18:28, 21 July 2006 (UTC)

Vandalism Stats on VP
Blanck section --- Signing and dating for archival bot.
 * —— Eagle (ask me for help) 18:22, 21 July 2006 (UTC)
 * —— Eagle (ask me for help) 18:22, 21 July 2006 (UTC) (counts as respons to first signature)

Changing default text
Can we change the warning here to add a (how?) link like this:
 * A link to the edit I have reverted can be found here: link. If you believe this edit should not have been reverted, please contact me (how?).

which provides a link to the Contact us/Contact a user page which gives instructions on how to contact users just in case anon editors do not know how. What do you think? — Mets 501 (talk) 20:20, 20 July 2006 (UTC)
 * Sounds good, but this may not be the place to bring it up... try Wikipedia talk:Contact us/Contact a user —— Eagle (ask me for help) 20:28, 20 July 2006 (UTC)
 * Why? User:AmiDaniel/Rv-ref is only used for warnings placed with VandalProof, and all I want to do it add a link to Contact us/Contact a user in the warning. — Mets 501  (talk) 18:07, 21 July 2006 (UTC)
 * Oops! I did not realize it was a VandalProof Specific template. I will mention this to AmiDaniel next time I see him on IRC. Probably today. —— Eagle (ask me for help) 18:20, 21 July 2006 (UTC)

Opening links
Hello...when I open links (like on mirc) they open in a new IE browser...is there a way so when i click a link in mIRC that it'll open in VP? Dspradau 17:28, 21 July 2006 (UTC)
 * I don't believe so, since VP doesn't actually count as a browser, so HTTP links can't exactly be sent to it. But maybe AmiDaniel can do something that allows VP to be set as a default browser? --M1ss1ontom a rs2k4 (T 22:59, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
 * That would be cool!!--Dspradau 16:35, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

WL edits?
In the menu for the Start button, what does 'Hide WL edits' mean?--MichaelMaggs 18:09, 30 July 2006 (UTC)
 * hide white list edits. ILovePlankton 19:20, 30 July 2006 (UTC)
 * Thank you. --MichaelMaggs 21:22, 30 July 2006 (UTC)

why should we use vandal proof?
Can some one please in great dteail and substantivly explain to me why the use of vadal proof is a good thing. vandal proof could be viewed as turning wikipedia in to a polce state of sorts.--Lucy-marie 16:14, 19 July 2006 (UTC)


 * I agree with Lucy. I think this software leads to a negative impact on Wikipedia. Not a good one. It tends to attract those users who get an ego trip from asserting editorial control (speaking from first hand experience). Not a good thing. My vote is to ban VP from Wikipedia. Cshay 04:59, 31 July 2006 (UTC)


 * Wikipedia must be patrolled to prevent it from becoming a graffiti board. Vandalproof saves patrollers time therefore they can contribute more to wikipedia. Creating a better encyclopedia. If anything this is the oposite of a police state it is a decentralized communal cleanup effort. -- Dark fred Talk to me 16:34, 19 July 2006 (UTC)

Vandalproof is a fantastic piece of kit - If I have a user (which I did recently) who was intend on inserting pictures of gentials in all sorts of random articles, then manually removing all of the vandalism and posting warning takes time - with vandalproof, i could take care of the problem in a couple of clicks and then move onto a similar problem user. I don't think it's a "police state" - it's more like a park warden picking up the crap that people drop in the park. It has to be done otherwise the park soon becomes a mess.

--Charlesknight 16:41, 19 July 2006 (UTC)

why should we use vandal proof?
Can some one please in great dteail and substantivly explain to me why the use of vadal proof is a good thing. vandal proof could be viewed as turning wikipedia in to a polce state of sorts.--Lucy-marie 16:14, 19 July 2006 (UTC)


 * I agree with Lucy. I think this software leads to a negative impact on Wikipedia. Not a good one. It tends to attract those users who get an ego trip from asserting editorial control (speaking from first hand experience). Not a good thing. My vote is to ban VP from Wikipedia. Cshay 04:59, 31 July 2006 (UTC)


 * Wikipedia must be patrolled to prevent it from becoming a graffiti board. Vandalproof saves patrollers time therefore they can contribute more to wikipedia. Creating a better encyclopedia. If anything this is the oposite of a police state it is a decentralized communal cleanup effort. -- Dark fred Talk to me 16:34, 19 July 2006 (UTC)

Vandalproof is a fantastic piece of kit - If I have a user (which I did recently) who was intend on inserting pictures of gentials in all sorts of random articles, then manually removing all of the vandalism and posting warning takes time - with vandalproof, i could take care of the problem in a couple of clicks and then move onto a similar problem user. I don't think it's a "police state" - it's more like a park warden picking up the crap that people drop in the park. It has to be done otherwise the park soon becomes a mess.

--Charlesknight 16:41, 19 July 2006 (UTC)

why should we use vandal proof?
Can some one please in great dteail and substantivly explain to me why the use of vadal proof is a good thing. vandal proof could be viewed as turning wikipedia in to a polce state of sorts.--Lucy-marie 16:14, 19 July 2006 (UTC)


 * I agree with Lucy. I think this software leads to a negative impact on Wikipedia. Not a good one. It tends to attract those users who get an ego trip from asserting editorial control (speaking from first hand experience). Not a good thing. My vote is to ban VP from Wikipedia. Cshay 05:27, 31 July 2006 (UTC)


 * Wikipedia must be patrolled to prevent it from becoming a graffiti board. Vandalproof saves patrollers time therefore they can contribute more to wikipedia. Creating a better encyclopedia. If anything this is the oposite of a police state it is a decentralized communal cleanup effort. -- Dark fred Talk to me 16:34, 19 July 2006 (UTC)

Vandalproof is a fantastic piece of kit - If I have a user (which I did recently) who was intent on inserting pictures of gentials in all sorts of random articles, then manually removing all of the vandalism and posting warning takes time - with vandalproof, i could take care of the problem in a couple of clicks and then move onto a similar problem user. I don't think it's a "police state" - it's more like a park warden picking up the crap that people drop in the park. It has to be done otherwise the park soon becomes a mess.

--Charlesknight 16:41, 19 July 2006 (UTC)

Ok thanks for that iwas just wondering about why so many user were using it do you have any technical information how it works.--Lucy-marie 23:04, 19 July 2006 (UTC)

Call to Ban "Vandal Proof" from Wikipedia
Hello, I am leading a push to ban the so called "Vandal Proof" software from Wikipedia. I think this software leads to a negative impact on Wikipedia. It tends to attract those users who get an ego trip from asserting editorial control (speaking from first hand experience). Not a good thing. Remember that all editors on Wikipedia are supposed to assume good faith. This tool makes it easy for rogue editors to disregard this. I suggest that we provide an easy place to collect complaints about this "Vandal Proof" software. Perhaps the software could generate a link to a complaint area in every warning it produces so we can track abuses. Cshay 05:05, 31 July 2006 (UTC)
 * Cshay, I'd be interested in seeing some diffs of problems you've seen with the software. I've looked through my logs and some other VP users but cannot see a non-vandalism revert that is not logged as a mistake. If you have a user who's misusing it then here is the place to raise it so that the moderators can decide if to discontinue their access. - Peripitus (Talk) 06:01, 31 July 2006 (UTC)
 * Looking further you seem to have edited in a way that other users have quite correctly taken issue with. Peripitus (Talk) 06:13, 31 July 2006 (UTC)
 * Thanks for your individual opinion which is not shared by third party observers. Cshay 07:12, 31 July 2006 (UTC)


 * It's shared by me and pretty much everyone who reads this page. If you have an issue with the use of a tool by a particular user, bring it up with them on their talk page. If they're unresponsive, go to User talk:AmiDaniel/VP/Abuse. Banning the tool because you don't like it isn't the answer. --jam  es (talk) 07:17, 31 July 2006 (UTC)
 * Granted, everyone who reads this page is a supporter of this tool and yes it is masochistic of me to post my complaints here for that reason. Yet, I feel I should be straight up with you guys that I am pushing to get this tool banned because of the negative effects it has on the Wikipedia community. I feel it tends to encourage the neo-nazi element... the police state as it were. It tends to denigrate the principal of assume good faith Cshay 07:30, 31 July 2006 (UTC)
 * If you'd like to check the almost 1 edit per second that we get for vandalism, 24/7, manually, be our guest. VandalProof, like other tools, are nessecary if you want to keep our 1.2million+ articles free of vandalism. Like I said, if you see anyone reverting anything except vandalism with the tool, talk to them about it - the tool is specifically for reverting vandalism, where you assume good faith by assuming that it was a test edit ("Can I really edit this?"), reverting it to keep the article in pristine condition, and droping a friendly note (test1) on the user's page. --jam  es (talk) 08:13, 31 July 2006 (UTC)
 * Thanks for your opinion, James. Yes, there is a functional need for something like Vandal Proof. Unfortunately, it is also and strong attractor for exactly the wrong kind of editors that Wikipedia needs. We need less policemen, and more negotiators. Vandal Proof is all about the police state. I think once the majority of Wikipedia editors are aware of the features of Vandal Proof, they will vote to ban it. Again, thanks for your opinion. Cshay 08:20, 31 July 2006 (UTC)


 * And meanwhile, rampant vandalism is reverted, cleaning up Wikipedia for those who wish to use it. Out of many cases of vandalism that was easily reverted using VP, perhaps 1% are "errors"? We are humans Cshay, and so are you, and everyone makes mistakes. I've made two known mistakes, and those two were pointed out to me by those respective users to which I apologised and did edits on my behalf to correct the situation. It's that easy.  Seicer  (talk) 23:16, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Checking through your talk page logs it looks like an opinion that is shared by User:AbsolutDan,User:Emufarmers, User:Ideogram. By third party observers perhaps you mean user's other than these and myself ? - Peripitus (Talk) 07:53, 31 July 2006 (UTC)
 * Please read my talk page for a impartial third party opinion. Cshay 07:55, 31 July 2006 (UTC)

Oh noes, someone caught me making bad edits to Wikipedia using a tool - lets call for its bannation. Super idea. Even if the editor abused his power, that was him. Not VandalProof. --mboverload @ 08:31, 31 July 2006 (UTC)
 * Thanks for your individual opinion, Mboverload. Cshay 08:43, 31 July 2006 (UTC)

OK, I have come to the conclusion that this may not be the right forum to achieve what I am trying to achieve and that this may be too inflammatory of a topic to discuss here. If anyone wishes to delete this section of this discussion to prevent additional flame wars please go ahead. Cshay 19:58, 31 July 2006 (UTC)
 * If you ever do post here again, I'd love to see some diffs. Perhaps it's something that can be fixed. alpha Chimp  laudare 07:03, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Leaving messages
Hi, When I leave a message, such as reminding someone to use edit summaries using the menus in VP, the message which appears doesn't show a level 2 headline, just ==(Whatever is here)==. Is there a way I can fix this, or are the templates themselves on WP faulty? Thanks Martinp23  22:31, 16 July 2006 (UTC)
 * See here. — Mets 501 (talk) 12:40, 17 July 2006 (UTC)

Thanks - I can sort of workaround it by editing what the progrm enters. Thanks again Martinp23  12:56, 17 July 2006 (UTC)

Can you remove links you've clicked on from the recent changes list?
Sorry if this has been mentioned before, but I've looked everywhere in the discussion and such and have found no mention of it anywhere. Can you, as in Vandal Fighter, take out links in the RC list that you've clicked on? I think this would make the list a hell of a lot cleaner, but if you can do it, I can't find how anywhere. Galactor213 17:17, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Currently, it just greys them out. I'm working on a few things with collaborative patrolling that will likely be superior to simply removing viewed items from the list, but I'll try to slip something similar to this in soon. AmiDaniel (talk) 06:42, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

help
I can not log into vandalproof since I switched usernames. What should I do? Wikipediarules2221 22:54, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Ok, what name did you change from? And can you edit here with your old username to prove that it's you that's changing? Thx --mboverload @  22:58, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

I changed from Patbaseball2221 and I can not edit here using my old username because it will not allow me to log in with that name. It says that there is no user with that name. I switched yesterday and my name is still on the page showing username requests so you can confirm that I switched from Patbaseball2221 by going to that page. Wikipediarules2221 23:04, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Done. AmiDaniel (talk) 06:42, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Screen help pages
As part of the help text, I thought I'd put together a list of screen elements with an explanation of each; see User:Mike Christie/Sandbox for the format and my ongoing (barely started) text. However, I thought I should check to see if anyone feels this would be useful before going too far; and I'm also not clear about where to fit it in with the current help page. Any comments, please let me know here or on my talk page. Thanks. Mike Christie 03:30, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Login problem
Hey, I've been away for a while, but since V1.2.2 was released, I've not been able to log in using VP. I'm logged in under my user name on Internet Explorer, but whenever I try to set my username I tries to connect, then takes me to a page saying that it couldn't log me on. Have you got any idea why it's doing this? Thanks. Beno1000 23:55, 23 July 2006 (UTC)

I was just approved today and I still haven't been added to the approved list. The history says I have been approved. How long does it take for me to be able to log in?--Gdo01 15:40, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Never mind--Gdo01 17:00, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
 * I have the problem again--Gdo01 20:21, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Never mind again. I reset my cookies and temp files and checked remember me on the Wiki logon page.--Gdo01 06:36, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

I also got approved today and have a Your log-in request failed. message. I've installed and tested on two different machines just to be sure it's not my setup. --Brat32 03:06, 2 August 2006 (UTC)


 * I just noticed that although I got a Welcome/authorized users note on my talk page, I'm still in the Awaiting Approval list --Brat32 05:41, 2 August 2006 (UTC)


 * Thanks for "re-adding" me - I'm now in the approved list, but still cannot get connected --Brat32 15:02, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Login problem
Hey, I've been away for a while, but since V1.2.2 was released, I've not been able to log in using VP. I'm logged in under my user name on Internet Explorer, but whenever I try to set my username I tries to connect, then takes me to a page saying that it couldn't log me on. Have you got any idea why it's doing this? Thanks. Beno1000 23:55, 23 July 2006 (UTC)

I was just approved today and I still haven't been added to the approved list. The history says I have been approved. How long does it take for me to be able to log in?--Gdo01 15:40, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Never mind--Gdo01 17:00, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
 * I have the problem again--Gdo01 20:21, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Never mind again. I reset my cookies and temp files and checked remember me on the Wiki logon page.--Gdo01 06:36, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

I also got approved today and have a Your log-in request failed. message. I've installed and tested on two different machines just to be sure it's not my setup. --Brat32 03:06, 2 August 2006 (UTC)


 * I just noticed that although I got a Welcome/authorized users note on my talk page, I'm still in the Awaiting Approval list --Brat32 05:41, 2 August 2006 (UTC)


 * Thanks for "re-adding" me - I'm now in the approved list, but still cannot get connected --Brat32 15:02, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Was I apporved
My name was removed form the list. But the person never said if I was approved or not.--Scott3 06:31, 6 August 2006 (UTC)


 * I, too, would like to know why I was removed from the list without explanation or a message on my talk page. Diagonalfish 16:41, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Next version
Hi guys, I was just wondering if we have an approximate time when we can expect the next version of VandalProof. — Mets 501 (talk) 15:30, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Technical issues
Wow. I am having a boatload of technical issues with this software. Is this the right place to post about them? I first downloaded VandalProof from User:AmiDaniel/VandalProof using the "ZIP file for new install". This installs version 1.2.0. Everything seemed fine; I logged in and received a prompt that I "may no longer user this version" and to "[p]lease download the newest version of VandalProof". I did this, both from the browser inside VandalProof and from my external browser. Both times the software installed, and the application started, froze for awhile, and then brought me to a page with a dialog box stating "Your log-in request failed." even though I properly entered my username. I followed suggestion #2, "You might not be correctly logged into Wikipedia with that username. Try logging into Wikipedia within the current browser." and logged into Wikipedia again through the VandalProof browser. I got the "Login Successful" message, and then the software froze again, and finally came back to the page telling me "Your log-in request failed." I closed down VandalProof and restarted it from the Windows -> Programs menu where the start shortcut was placed. VandalProof 1.2.0 started and I was greeted with the prompt that I "may no longer user this version". Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Assistance needed! CPAScott 12:48, 8 August 2006 (UTC)


 * I've had some of these problems. The login one I can't help you with, though I've sometimes found just retrying fixes it.  I also found that the start program version of VP is the old one; I just fixed this by removing that icon from the start menu and dragging the 1.2.2 version to the start menu.  Once you've done that, try starting 1.2.2 again; I've never had it fail to log in more than twice in a row.  Hope that helps.  Mike Christie 14:16, 8 August 2006 (UTC)


 * Thanks, but I'm still stuck. One, I don't know where verison 1.2.2 is located.  In C:/Program Files/VandalProof only 1.2.0 appears.  Two, I'm still getting the log-in errors.  CPAScott 23:38, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Some kwestions on applying for VandalProof
Hello,

I am also registered in the german section of the Wikipedia. There I am having about 500 edits. I am wondering authors from other locale section are also accept or only the english section is allowed to use VP?

Thanks in advance,

--Wendelin 15:21, 11 August 2006 (UTC)

Unexplained t2 in header for Physicq210
I see a yellow "t2" with a date of 00:32 on 23 June for User talk:Physicq210. I don't see a corresponding on the talk page; is this a bug? Or am I missing something? Thanks for any help. Mike Christie 23:51, 6 August 2006 (UTC)
 * I noticed the same problem. I never received such a warning (you can ruffle through the edit history if you wish). Most likely a bug. --physicq210 01:28, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

User who has closed account
User:Bearly541 closed his/her account today and I'm wondering if it would be appropriate to suspend the user's VP rights. With the flourish he/she went out with, it could be posible that the user returns and attempts to distrupt using the tool. I don't know if there's a policy with VP rights and people who have closed their accounts and left Wikipedia. Bearly was making some good edits with the tool, but there are some questionable ones in there like warning myself an another user who Bearly was engaged in conflict with with final vandalism warnings and reporting myself to AIV. And oddly, at one point, reporting himself to AIV. I'm just curious if there's any precedent to remove the account rights as a preventative measure or if it's better to wait to see if s/he does come back and abuses it. Thanks, Metros232 21:46, 10 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Bearly541 is back, and has made edits today. From my review of those edits, they don't appear innapropriate although one was a higher level warning than I would have used for a first warning. It does appear to me that Bearly is still using VP. I think revoking his VP rights is in order, but if there is a process we should follow where we cite the inappropriate uses of VP, I'd be happy to follow that process. Just let me know. Thanks Brian 23:03, 11 August 2006 (UTC)btball

Unexplained t2 in header for Physicq210
I see a yellow "t2" with a date of 00:32 on 23 June for User talk:Physicq210. I don't see a corresponding on the talk page; is this a bug? Or am I missing something? Thanks for any help. Mike Christie 23:51, 6 August 2006 (UTC)
 * I noticed the same problem. I never received such a warning (you can ruffle through the edit history if you wish). Most likely a bug. --physicq210 01:28, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

User who has closed account
User:Bearly541 closed his/her account today and I'm wondering if it would be appropriate to suspend the user's VP rights. With the flourish he/she went out with, it could be posible that the user returns and attempts to distrupt using the tool. I don't know if there's a policy with VP rights and people who have closed their accounts and left Wikipedia. Bearly was making some good edits with the tool, but there are some questionable ones in there like warning myself an another user who Bearly was engaged in conflict with with final vandalism warnings and reporting myself to AIV. And oddly, at one point, reporting himself to AIV. I'm just curious if there's any precedent to remove the account rights as a preventative measure or if it's better to wait to see if s/he does come back and abuses it. Thanks, Metros232 21:46, 10 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Bearly541 is back, and has made edits today. From my review of those edits, they don't appear innapropriate although one was a higher level warning than I would have used for a first warning. It does appear to me that Bearly is still using VP. I think revoking his VP rights is in order, but if there is a process we should follow where we cite the inappropriate uses of VP, I'd be happy to follow that process. Just let me know. Thanks Brian 23:03, 11 August 2006 (UTC)btball

Technical difficulties with VP
I recently got approved for VP, and tried it out. I downloaded the zip package, unzipped, installed, then put the 1.22 update into my VP folder. I ran the 1.22 .exe, logged into Wikipedia through VP, entered my user name in VP, and got taken to a "not approved" error.

I restarted VP 1.22 and now get a run-time error 91 (object variable or with block variable not set) on every start, after the error VP shuts down. Whenever I try running VP 1.20, I'm told I can't use this version.

Please help! east . 718 22:06, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

Technical difficulties with VP
I recently got approved for VP, and tried it out. I downloaded the zip package, unzipped, installed, then put the 1.22 update into my VP folder. I ran the 1.22 .exe, logged into Wikipedia through VP, entered my user name in VP, and got taken to a "not approved" error.

I restarted VP 1.22 and now get a run-time error 91 (object variable or with block variable not set) on every start, after the error VP shuts down. Whenever I try running VP 1.20, I'm told I can't use this version.

Please help! east . 718 22:06, 12 August 2006 (UTC)