Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/TCO/Archive

10 August 2011

 * Suspected sockpuppets




 * User compare report Auto-generated every hour.

I noticed after Interchangable started the WP:VP (proposals) thread [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Village_pump_%28proposals%29&diff=443081508&oldid=prev Games? Stupid Idea] that the behavior between TCO and Interchangable is absurdly similar. The exceedingly dumb idea on VP/P, combined with the strong self depreciation, being the basis. I also found it interesting that a very new user (Interchangable) quickly became a staple at the village pump, not the easiest place to find. Skimming Interchangable's contributions I also found Interchangable spends time at Featured Article Candidates (like here), another place that isn't likely to be found quickly by new users.  S ven M anguard  Wha?  03:22, 10 August 2011 (UTC)

Comments by other users
''Accused parties may also comment/discuss in this section below. See Defending yourself against claims.''
 * Comment: TCO is RetiredUser(number). -- Σ  talk  contribs  17:35, 10 August 2011 (UTC)
 * I knew that, and so did Hersfold. The reason it was done the way it was done was for archiving and other technical reasons.  S ven M anguard   Wha?  22:59, 10 August 2011 (UTC)
 * As a first note, Interchangeable is the correct spelling. Please do not misspell my name. I do have a second account, 96.48.109.20, but I use it only when I have forgotten to log in or my computer has logged me out automatically; I do not use it to abuse the system. In addition, I clearly identify myself as Interchangeable on the talk page. You state that it is "unlikely" for new users to edit the Village Pump or Featured Article Candidates, but it is not impossible. The reason I know of these places' existence is that for a significant period of time, for reasons I shall not discuss, I was unable to create an account or edit Wikipedia. As a result I spent a long period of time surfing all of the things that went on behind the scenes. I learned about the Village Pump from its few mentions in WP:LAME, and Featured Article Candidates merely as a result of curiosity about the process by which Featured Articles are promoted. When I finally did create my account I was eager to participate. I am not this user, TCO, nor have I ever even heard of him! This accusation came as a surprise to me, for I had thought that if I were ever accused of sockpuppetry, it would be for 96.48.109.20. I thank you that you informed me so that I might comment on this. Inter changeable | talk to me | what I've changed  20:00, 10 August 2011 (UTC)
 * I have just checked the allegedly similar edit histories between RetiredUser and me. (Yes; it's me, not I; it is an object and after a preposition...) One major error is that RetiredUser frequently neglects to capitalize his edit summaries. I always make sure that my spelling and grammar are very good if not perfect. Inter changeable | talk to me | what I've changed 20:06, 10 August 2011 (UTC)
 * Let's take an in-depth look at the pages we have edited:

"I think images make our articles much more palatable and have a big benefit for readers who are not going to "slog" through from one end to the other or who know less about the subject. I have found that a big issue with images is the text-wrapping and the conflicts of section headers. However, I find doing images centered often takes us out of this "text wrap box". The idea that an article should just be a wall of text with a few decorational pictures (and am often concerned that we do not harshly enough judge articles with poor quality or lacking images...also that we underuse graphs and diagrams, which can be very powerful for conveying info). For the centering trick, see "Painted turtle", "Fluorine", or "Manhattan Project". P.s. thank you for the analysis." "I love ldr and want to start doing that as well. wikitext is an abortion in edit window mode with all the markup text inline." Our writing is extremely different, as can clearly be seen from examination of the errors and curious style in his comments. Having said all of that, I have stated my defense and confirm again that I am NOT TCO. Inter changeable | talk to me | what I've changed 20:37, 10 August 2011 (UTC)
 * Canoe River train crash. I made one grammatical correction. One. He made 96 edits, including one after mine. From what circumstances would that result?
 * User talk:Courcelles. He requested a review of something; I thanked Courcelles for deleting an article I nominated. Pure coincidence.
 * User talk:Nikkimaria and User talk:Slakr. Two more coincidences.
 * Featured_article_candidates/Canoe_River_train_crash/archive1. I said "I find this to be an excellent article. I have no major problems with the page." He conducted in-depth reviews of the page, something which I have never done at FAC.
 * Help desk. Is it not natural that we both have questions there that we can answer and that need to be answered?
 * Requests_for_comment/Bureaucrat_removal_of_adminship_policy. I asked one stupid question and he supported all. I have not voted at all; hence we have another clue.
 * Village Pump. We have edited completely different sections and nowhere is there indication that we attempted to vote twice on a proposal.
 * Wikipedia talk:Featured Articles. Some samples of TCO's writing on this page:
 * Yes, well the Checkuser confirmed that before you posted this. I still do believe that with the information I had at the time, filing the SPI was appropriate. If you were TCO, it would have been quite serious, because WP:VANISH is a policy that, when abused, has some nasty implications for the project. If you're not him, which is what Checkuser claims, then please accept my apologies for dragging you into this mess.  S ven M anguard   Wha?  22:59, 10 August 2011 (UTC)

Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * Endorsing and running check. The behavioral evidence is very convincing. Also, aside from the whole potential WP:RTV violation thing, there is also an issue of double voting at the linked FAC. Hers fold  (t/a/c) 04:27, 10 August 2011 (UTC)
 * This is ❌, editing from different sides of the continent. Behavioral evidence might could still use a peek, but I doubt this is the same person. Hers fold  (t/a/c) 04:38, 10 August 2011 (UTC)
 * I'm going with the CU on this. Closing with no action taken. —  Hello Annyong  (say whaaat?!) 02:07, 12 August 2011 (UTC)