User:SQL/ACE2019Guide

My Guide

I asked the same question of everyone: Which recent unblock discussion (anywhere, AN/ANI/CAT:RFU/UTRS/etc) are you most proud of your contribution to, and why?

One of ArbCom's roles is to review functionary blocks, bans from current and previous committees, as well as to evaluate the use of administrative tools, such as the block button.

Candidate	Reply	Thoughts, if any	Vote
Newyorkbrad	[1] Some of my first participation in the administrative side of the site was in addressing unblock requests, and this is an interest that continued into my ArbCom years. I also used to patrol CAT:RFU regularly, but I haven't done that for awhile. Your question reminds me that it's important for admins to watch that category, as we promise blocked editors a reasonably prompt independent review of unblock requests, and we should keep that promise. (Curiously, a quick scan of the category table just now reflects that most of the blocks supposedly expired "49 years ago," which I assume is an artifact of the software's arbitrary assumption that certain undated events occurred in 1970.) Some of my most successful advocacy for unblocking has occurred on the ArbCom mailing list, where it isn't visible to editors and hence won't be very persuasive here, and other instances of success have been when I've avoid having to block someone at all, but that doesn't respond directly to your question. In the meantime, I've just checked my talkpage archives and found two instances in the past couple of years in which I was praised for an unblock, but one of those two editors was subsequently indeffed again so that's probably nothing to brag about, while the other unblock was based on a checkuser run and I shouldn't draw further attention to it. So rather than point to a specific incident, I'll say I hope that in arbitration decisions and elsewhere I've reminded admins to be cautious with blocking of good-faith editors, to avoid using where a lesser measure might suffice, to be prepared to unblock when the editor's comments make clear that misconduct won't likely be repeated—but also not to be so fearful of blocking that one problematic editor's behavior drives other good editors away. P.S. Reading another candidate's answer reminds me that I recently also started the "Lift Fram's ban now?" thread here.	Super thoughtful answer. Previous arb, very fair, and patient. I wish you'd return to patrolling CAT:RFU sometime.	Strong support
Worm That Turned	[2] I don't really take pride in joining in unblock discussions. We get a lot on the Arb list, I contribute to a portion of them. But, I'm too full of the milk of human kindness to do a good job of unblocking. Indeed, I've rather soured on doing it since this fiasco 4 years ago. I trusted an editor to return on a condition, and they breached it on their first edit back. I know we all make mistakes, but that was a doozy.	I know WTT deals with unblocks frequently. I trust his judgement, and I know him to be extremely patient, and very fair. With regards to the Kumi unblock - I've had the same thing happen a few times, and it's always disappointing to see someone you helped get unblocked end up reblocked.	Strong support
KrakatoaKatie	[3] It's not public because it contains a lot of IPs and geolocation, but unblocking Ms Sarah Welch is probably the one I'm most proud of. She was blocked as a sock of ApostleVonColorado pursuant to an ANI discussion in 2018, and she appealed to the committee. She made an excellent case, long and quite detailed, and I basically took the lead in investigating her appeal. It took about two months, and in the end it was clear she was not abusing multiple accounts. We voted and unblocked her. To go back to 28bytes's question above, if I enjoy anything about arbitration, it's probably this kind of thing – working behind the scenes, investigating appeals. We don't often unblock, but when we do, it's satisfying to give relief to that user.	Current, returning arb. Great technical knowledge, and experience with actual unblocks on the committee.	Support
Bradv	[4] This is tough to answer as I don't want to name specific names of people who are unblocked, so as not to embarrass them or draw unnecessary scrutiny after the fact. There was a recent incident where I took a 3RR report by an experienced editor at face value, but then later realized that the edits from the new editor were actually correct, and the experienced editor was the one at fault. So the experienced editor ended up blocked for edit warring, and the new editor's block was lifted early. Separate from that incident, there are a few unblock requests I have reviewed recently: Dino245 had a slew of obvious socks that he wasn't admitting to, Alfonso Calabarzon was a frivolous unblock request from an LTA who was making the same request across multiple accounts. I have also had a number of unblock discussions on IRC. Most of these end up declined (as they're usually the same people with different names), but for one or two I have lifted talk page protection so they could properly file an unblock request onwiki. I've generally avoided AN and ANI during my time as clerk so that I don't end up prejudiced with respect to incoming cases, but I think the few comments that I have made on those pages also demonstrate a knowledge of how the system is supposed to work. Again, I'd rather not bring up specifics as I don't want to reopen any wounds, but if you have any questions or concerns about my involvement with respect to any ban or block discussion on those pages, or anywhere, please ask and I'll do my best to answer. I know that reviewing bans and blocks is a big part of Arbcom's work, but there is also a pool of functionaries who can be drawn on for their experience as well, and I intend to work closely with them if elected.	Longest answer award! Bradv is aware that they don't have a ton of experience with unblocks, and knows to ask for help if they need it. He's actually unblocked a few users - which is great.	Support
Barkeep49	[5] I have limited experience in unblock discussions. Obviously if elected to arbcom I will suddenly be working extensively in it and I recognize that this is an area where I simply lack experience. My interests are, and I predict will remain, focused in other areas and absent election to ArbCom I think unlikely to evolve in the direction of unblock work. By running for ArbCom I am volunteering to do all the work, not just that which most interests me so I would take this responsibility seriously, learn from my colleagues (and probably do some onwiki work to get my feet wet), but also make my main contribution to the committee's overall workload in other ways.	Shows a great understanding of what the position entails. Knows, and is able to say "I have limited experience". Seems willing to learn.	Support
Xeno	[6] Does Fram count? I think I spoke persuasively in defense of natural justice and basic fairness there. If not, at Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Archive314#Indefinite IP address blocks, I’m proud that there’s administrators still carrying on the tradition of examining indefinitely placed administrative actions and determining whether those actions should be lifted given the passage of time. This was something I particularly enjoyed during my more active administrative years.	I like that there's a non-Fram example, and Indef'ed IPs is an issue in my opinion. I've seen Xeno around, and I know him to be thoughtful and fair.	Support
Maxim	[7] Outside of any Fram-related comments, I have not recently commented on unblock discussions. I am aware that receiving appeals from banned users and reviewing functionary-placed blocks is a significant part of the committee's work. I do, however, have considerable experience analyzing complex and contentious discussions (i.e. RfXs), and if elected, I trust that this experience would serve me well when dealing with unblock discussions handled by the committee.	I trust Maxim's judgement. As they mention, they have strong experience with complex discussions.	Support
David Fuchs	[8] I mostly spend my time focused on mainspace, not the noticeboards, but I also wouldn't characterize my contributions to AN stuff generally as an area of pride; they're generally just places you go when the collaborative process isn't working, and that's usually not pleasant. I did much more unblock discussions back on ArbCom when the Ban Appeals Subcommittee was still a thing, and despite all efforts that usually didn't lead to productive (as in editors coming back and not getting in trouble again) outcomes. I voiced opposition to Chris.Sherlock's ban appeal more recently, which I think was the correct decision, but doesn't feel any better for that (and I don't think was necessarily a complex subject.) On the whole, I'm always interested in a way forward for editors to come back and giving a chance; many of them have ended up reblocked, but at least they were given the opportunity to change.	BASC experience is a plus. I strongly agree with there being a way forward for editors, and giving people an opportunity to change.	Support
Casliber	[9], [10] I'll have to think about this one as I have been focussing on content for a loooong time. I'd not think about pride with respect to contributions to a discussion in general, so it's not something i can readily answer in a strictly literal fashion.....okay....trawling though AN archives and anywhere I might have taken part. I took part in Wikipedia:Administrators'_noticeboard/Archive252#Discussion_about_unblocking_Science_Apologist in 2013 and highlighted a procedural issue that facilitated Scienceapologist's unblock....looking for more recent..trawling though AN archives.....I commented alot in 2013-14, but not so much since. Also a few people I tried to stick up for are now indefblocked. I don't regret it, I'm not proud, I just tried.	I disagree with regards to being proud of participation in unblock discussions. I am very proud when I can help an editor understand why they are blocked, how they can work towards getting unblocked, and returning them to editing. That tangent aside, Casliber is a former arb, and is thoughtful and fair from what I've seen.	Support
Gadfium	[11] I haven't participated in unblock discussions in any of those venues, and don't consider myself proud of any of the relatively few unblocks I've performed. On the other hand, one recent experience I'm far from proud of: an editor I've had some involvement with reported being caught in the block of another user. Since I suspect that the editor is a student and therefore likely editing from shared computers, I gave them IP block exemption, and immediately contacted the blocking admin, saying I would reverse my action if they were not comfortable with it. Other editors got involved, and a sockpuppet nest was discovered. I accept I was wrong to have given IPBE without asking for a CheckUser, and have learnt from the experience.		Support
Beeblebrox	[12] Hmm. Most of my recent unblock-related activity has been on UTRS, but frankly most of it isn't that interesting. I suppose there was this, my response to a user who has been around for thirteen years and blocked like 20 times over two accounts but expected me to believe they did not understand what the words "email" and "arbcom" meant.	Generally thoughtful. I've seen Beeblebrox around at UTRS. I haven't seen any unblocks since march, but the three that there have been were fair, and the same call I would have made.
Thryduulf	[13] For me to be proud of a contribution to a discussion like that it would need to have been either a contentious or complex one where I provided a key analysis or something like that which explained the issues and/or resolved an impasse or something else significant like that, but it's been quite a while since I was involved in a discussion that had the potential for that and longer since I did it - I've never been very active in block or unblock discussions, and the most recent one someone had already explained the issue before I saw the discussion. The most recent unblock discussion of any significance I was involved with was Richie333, where although I made the clearly right decision (I closed the discussion and unblocked) I made it a bit early.
Hawkeye7	[14] I am not an admin, and ceased reading these after my desysop seven years ago. I have continued to be involved in discussions at ArbCom, such as the Fred Bauder case last year.	Not being an admin doesn't preclude anyone from joining in unblock discussions. No example given.
Richwales	[15] I actually can't recall ever having been involved in an unblock discussion. If you want, you can look at this "user conduct request for comment", from 2011, in which I reported a misbehaving editor in hopes that he could be convinced to change his ways and avoid a block.
Isarra	[16] Man, even off Wikipedia I can't think of any I'm proud of my part in. Horrified, yes. Proud? No. On the other hand, it's not like I tend to recall things that actually worked out as much to begin with. It worked. It's done. Task closed, resolved, fixed. Just do the same again next time and don't worry about it.	No example given
Llywrch	[17] I'm not sure I'd be proud of participating in any discussion concerning blocking/unblocking someone. The point where someone can be saved from being blocked would come at an earlier stage, where that person is attempting to climb the Reichstag in a Spider-Man suit. When the matter reaches, say WP:AN/I, that person has already made the decision to leave the project, whether they know it themself. That is why I tend to stay away from those discussions, & haven't participated in one for 10 years: about the only positive contribution one can make is to make the experience swift & painless.	No example given.
The Rambling Man	[18] This one which I started. It's hard to say I was proud of it, just that it was the right thing to do.
SoWhy	[19] I don't think I have participated in any unblock discussion recently. My editing in the last few months was mostly focused on article writing, especially the FAC for Adele Spitzeder with some deletion tasks.	No example given.
Calidum	[20] I tend to stay away from the drama board and I believe the only one I have participated lately concerned Winkelvi. I wouldn't necessarily say I'm proud I took place in that discussion, but I said what needed to be said.
DGG	[21] In the committee and elsewhere, a decision to unblock requires a determination of the honesty and candidness of the applicant. There is no fair way of doing this by text communications on wiki or by email. We have been judging too much by the individual's willingness to admit what they did wrong, and this is in effect an encouragement for hypocrisy. The only practical approach is to give people a chance to show their improvement, and monitor closely, for those where the prior conduct does not make this too great a risk. I can therefore not say I am proud of anything we have done; if the right decision is made, it is by chance.	No example given.
Kudpung	[22] I don't know - certainly nothing 'recent' as far as I can remember. I don't keep a record of them and apart from IP vandals I very rarely do any blocks. Why? Do you know of some unblocks that I should be particularly proud of? I don't have much to do with blocking or unblocking anyway, unless it's to close a consensus at ANI as an univolved admin. BTW, SQL, if you have any further concerns about my answers, free free to state them here - there's no need to email me - I believe in transparency, it's very important at Arbcom. If I come across an unblock discussion I was in, I'll let you know.	I wasn't sure that that Kidpung understood the question, so I emailed them to clarify, this is why Kudpung mentions me emailing in his reply. I'm baffled as to being asked "Why? Do you know of some unblocks that I should be particularly proud of?".
Enterprisey	[23] I haven't participated in any recent unblock discussions, or at least any memorable ones. I understand that unblocking is a significant part of the job, so I expect I'll have to get involved in it. I will approach it the same way I approach any other high-impact responsibility - slowly, with frequent consultation of more experienced people and a good deal of sensitivity to feedback. Unblock discussions, in my opinion, require people to really know what they're doing with regards to community mood and judging how likely disruption is to the community. It's always tough to reflect on one's own biases and preconceived notions about other users, and an unblock discussion is an especially important time to do so. In other words, I'm likely to find them super hard, but I'll do my best.

My Guide

See Also