User talk:Crip1978

Once upon a time, many years ago, I created an acct here and edited a page, correcting a misstatement or mistake; an edit that was in all respects appropriate. Since that time, I may tried to do the same on other pages but, always had difficulties logging in. Then one day, I discovered I was blocked. I complained about this a few yrs ago to one of the administrators, perhaps the owner over the phone, and was assured everything was being put on proper basis -- blocking removed, etc.

Today again I tried to edit a page, correcting an improper reference and adding a couple of proper ones but alas I find that I'm still blocked. By the date indicated (2007) it appears it is still the original block that should have been removed years ago.

The stated reason for the block indicates a multitude of accounts or attempts to set-up accounts. If I have more than one acct I don't know it; and if there's some valid secret indication somewhere of multiple attempts to create add'l accts it could only have happened if at all, when I was having difficulties logging in, likely having forgotten my username / pwd.

CAN YOU HELP? (If not, who should I contact, when & how?)

I have much knowledge and information to improve some odd Wiki pp. with, and occasionally even have a few minutes of time available to actually do it! However, if that available time needs to be expended making multiple attempts to gain access to edit; yet more time expended to find out how; and yet further additional time to contact administrators for assistance; then all available time (and then some) has expired with no beneficial editing accomplished and everyones' a loser. If this fiasco should ever repeat itself, I'll have to cease and desist from further attempts at improvements and let the losers be everyone else, excepting me.

Please advise...

Victor R. Polewsky (Redacted)

I'm frequently in different countries and would therefore have different IP addresses too.

VRP

Erroneous blocking and for prolonged periods of time
This writer has reviewed Mr. Watson's (hereinafter "James", until he requests otherwise) reply, and takes considerable exception(s). As I said in my initial review request, I've only used my account ONCE previously (same day acct was created) and this was many years ago; to do one minor edit, apparently similar to what James describes of his own [edit] beginnings, on his talk page. I have not even accessed Wikipedia anonymously as many times for quick and simple look-ups, as James attributes to my edits! Based on his brief reason to deny my request, clearly there is someone else using my acct or, alternatively, I'm using someone elses inadvertently.

Not realizing the scope of the apparent disaster before receiving James' reply msg yesterday AM, I had not mentioned something that may indeed be relevant, at least to some extent. When I opened my Wiki account, I did not use any caps or upper case shift characters. (None of my [internet] accounts anywhere contain any username or pwd with capitalization.) Never-the-less, each subsequent [annual] attempt at accessing my acct here brings me to username Crip1978 instead of crip1978. This MAY be a clue toward resolving some problem here but I'm admittedly grasping at straws while guessing, as I'm not very computer literate -- likely one of many reasons why I haven't made any serious effort previously to access my account or engage in much editing.

My first specialty is railroad operations, where I have over 50 yrs experience and in all likelihood was the subject matter of my one and only actual Wikipedia edit. I am a recognized expert in this field (RR industry), in both Canada and the US. Indeed it was the basis upon which the US Dept of Labor gave me labor certification for permanent residence in the US (I'm Canadian by origin), back in 1978.

WHATEVER anyone wishes to make out of anything / everything involving my account, there must be a solution of some kind to put an end to the nonsense that's been going on with my account for FIVE YEARS that either Wikipedia or I be able to implement toward restoring my editing privileges without further unnecessary and time consuming ado.

James' recent reply begs one question -- how could ANYONE have been making any edits let alone thousands of them using an acct that's been blocked for five years? And if those edits happened prior to 2007, why wouldn't I have been notified when I was speaking with someone (owner or founder I believe) at Wikipedia by phone around that time frame? Indeed why would I have not been notified of an irregularity of this nature at all, several years ago, e.g, when the block was being applied? Certainly much could have been accomplished way back then, potentially resolving and/or avoiding problems involving other parties and other accounts.

In closing, I reiterate that (1) I've never done more than ONE edit on Wikipedia in my lifetime; (2) I've never knowingly attempted to create a second or additional acct; (3) I've never authorized anyone else to use my acct; (4) I've had no knowledge of any unauthorized uses of any of my accounts of any nature or kind (other than James' allegation this AM); and (5) I rarely access the internet using any public IP address; rarely meaning 5% of the time or less, always limited to when I stay at motels in northern New England -- which happens for a few days at a time 3-4 times annually. Even so, these are reputable places in good areas having little or no crime, causing me to doubt that these places were culprits. In the past 20 yrs, these motels I stayed at were limited to Rutland and Montpelier, both cities in the State of Vermont. My other points of internet access have been my house in London Canada, and a friends house in rural upper Ottawa Valley Canada, at Glasgow / Braeside, Ontario. Hopefully this information will enable you to verify by your IP addresses that I have NOT made any of the edits or attempts that James' has accused me of.

Crip1978 (talk) 09:07, 27 July 2012 (UTC)