User talk:DangerousPanda/RestrictionsProject

Hi Bwilkins, I hope you don't mind me dropping in and leaving a few thoughts. I think something like this is sorely needed, the number of editors who are unblocked with restrictions, but then have those restrictions forgotten is quite large - and something like this would be really helpful. However, I think there would be problems with it too, and striking the right balance will involve some skill. I do recall one user who already has something like this in place - and I know that I've gone down this route for one of my adoptees too.

Pros:
 * Allows anyone to see very quickly what restrictions are in place on a user. If we can come up with a consistant place to check this out, that'd be great.
 * Stops restrictions from getting forgotten about, ensuring a user does not keep repeating the same behaviour over and over.

Cons:
 * There are editors out there who will assume bad faith based on past restrictions, we've seen it happen on blocks.
 * Restrictions are designed to move an editor away from problem areas - if the editor is doing so, why should they be subject wearing a badge of shame
 * Categories seem of little use besides to create a "list of problem users"
 * I'm not keen on "helpful" editors spending their time updating these lists, which will have a similar effect to baiting or grave dancing.

Now, I've got a few ideas which might be helpful. In any case, I'll be watching with interest!  Worm TT( talk ) 13:06, 26 June 2012 (UTC)
 * The template suggestions you've come up with all show "stop signs" - which has a fairly negative association (it's used on all our level 4 templates) - I think something like the files on the right might work better. I'll draw up a suggested template in a moment.
 * I think it would be a good idea to have a section for "how imposed". There's a difference between a sanction imposed as part of an unblock request, a voluntary agreement and a community imposed requirement. It'd be good if that "how imposed" was linked to the discussion.
 * Forcing editors to display the restrictions on their userpage is usually a bad idea, it really builds up to the "badge of shame" idea. We don't force people to advertise that they are blocked, or have been blocked, but we have a consistent area that we can go to to check. Having a consistent place to check for restrictions should be sufficient, without transcluding it to a talk page.