Blocking is a tool used by Administrators to prevent a user from posting or editing on the wiki for a certain amount of time. It is also referred to as a "ban". Blocks are primarily preventative measures rather than punitive ones, used to avoid damage and protect the site from vandalism and other policy violations. They are also used to enforce the Site Rules.
Block duration varies depending upon the nature, severity, and written guidelines of the violation at hand. However, in some instances, the block can be shortened/lifted through appeal at the blocking administrator's discretion. All users are allowed to post block requests on an Admin's talk page, or state their case on their own talk page when appropriate.
When considering blocking, it is important to remember to not attribute to malice what can be explained by error. Someone who posts a spinoff or blacklisted subject, fails to meet the Quality Standards with a story, or violates an unwritten rule should typically be given a warning before a block is enacted.
Grounds for Blocking
- Vandalism.
- Uploading spam.
- Reuploading previously deleted pages (unless no talk page message is left after the deletion).
- Plagiarism. Users who intentionally submit plagiarized material, including art and photography, will be blocked immediately. Submitting material without attributing the original author is not allowed as per our Story Migration Policy, but should result in a warning first.
- Addendum: Stories generated in part or full using AI software such as ChatGPT are broadly considered plagiarism, but may not reflect the same penalties as plagiarism from other, human sources.
- Flame wars or personal attacks towards users. A warning should initially be issued to keep things civil, then a cooldown ban enacted if said warning has no effect.
- Categories violations. In most cases of first-time category violation, users should be warned with the template
{{newcat}}.
- Repeated quality standards violations (at least five). These must be severe violations to count. Users that upload upwards or ten or more stories that fail to meet the quality standards will be restricted to the Writers' Workshop.
- Unacceptable usernames, such as those that are vulgar/obscene in nature, contain inappropriate language, or are meant to impersonate/insult/harass other users.
- Alternative accounts. Users are to have only one account while on this site. If found to be in possession of an alternate account, the user and all subsequent accounts will be blocked for a duration of no less than two weeks. More information on appropriate account usage can be found here.
Blocks on the Spinpasta Wiki or Trollpasta Wiki
If a user is blocked on one of our sister wikis, due to the interconnected nature of administrative staff, it can be considered in effect here if the user has committed severe violations, participated in cross-wiki drama, or done anything else that could negatively impact this wiki.
Blocks on Other Wikis
A wiki's userbase is reflective and dynamic; your behavior on other wikis matters because it can reflect and affect your behavior on this one. Vandalizing/raiding another wiki, for example, will earn you a block here.
Blocking Guidelines
In accordance with the guidelines set forth in the Site Rules, an administrator can block any user they see as detrimental to the wiki or its environment for any duration they deem necessary. However, this does not excuse power abusing actions - all blocks must be made in good faith and appropriately reflect the action committed.