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Hey, I'm a new editor on Wikipedia, making my first edit just a few minutes ago, but it brings up the question, what's seen as acceptable in the world of making edits? I plan on making edits to mainly rock music and video game related articles, being they are my two main interests, but what edits are seen as productive, and what is not? I know we need sources for most edits, but I'm also aware that not all sources are necessarily reliable. I've also gone through the edit logs of some articles and seen the word "sock puppet" be thrown around. My apologies, but what does that mean? I similarly have to ask about the word "fringe". I have a lot of questions, but am looking forward to editing, but before I do anymore, I'd just like to get a run down of everything and how I should go about making contributions. Thank you and hope I'm not being annoying. ThePainkiller90 (talk) 22:46, 26 October 2024 (UTC)[reply]
The WP: Teahouse is billed as "Your go-to place for friendly help with using and editing Wikipedia" and is primarily orientated for new editors. Of course, you'll also get some friendly advice from here. And, the WP: Help desk is probably best for specific questions. 136.56.165.118 (talk) 00:01, 27 October 2024 (UTC)[reply]
A "sock puppet" in the context of Wikipedia editing refers to a secondary account created by an individual, often to engage in deceptive practices, typically including:
Bypassing Blocks: Users may create sock puppet accounts to evade bans or restrictions imposed on their primary accounts
Manipulating Discussions: They can be employed to skew consensus in discussions, such as voting multiple times in deletion discussions or edit wars, thereby creating a false impression of support for a particular viewpoint
Deceptive Support: Sock puppets may also be used to praise or defend individuals or organizations, making it appear as though there is broader support than actually exists
Wait, does that mean I'm a sockpuppet? I just looked into my IP Address and saw that an alleged sockpuppeteer named Diskyboy, shares it. Does that mean I'm gonna get banned now? I've never used Wikipedia before, so I'm not bypassing any blocks, and I created my account without issue, so what's going to happen? ThePainkiller90 (talk) 02:02, 27 October 2024 (UTC)[reply]
No, as long as the account isn't being used for nefarious purposes as listed above. I believe there is a place for declaring multiple accounts for the same IP, but the Help desk would be more likely to have folks knowledgeable about such things. --136.56.165.118 (talk) 02:16, 27 October 2024 (UTC)[reply]
ThePainkiller90, please explain how a new editor with five edits would know which IP address a blocked editor may have used. Please explain the interest in Black Sabbath that you share with both the blocked editor and the IP editor. Cullen328 (talk) 02:18, 27 October 2024 (UTC)[reply]
I've read about what a sockpuppet was, and decided to look into it for myself. That's what led me to look at my IP Address and see the coincidence. I'm mainly here to fix up some Judas Priest articles I saw weren't in the best of condition, but also interested in bands such as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, etc. I'm guessing whoever the blocked edit was used a VPN, because I live outside Philadelphia and have never used Wikipedia before. I'll be going to the help desk linked by the other used listed above, but from the sounds of it, sockpuppets aren't a good thing, and I'm not here to condone or support that behavior, just to make Wikipedia a better and more accurate place. Thanks for your concern and have a nice day! ThePainkiller90 (talk) 02:25, 27 October 2024 (UTC)[reply]
wp:deny
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.
Hmm, okay. Does this mean I'm getting blocked? I've read up on all of Wikipedia rules, hence why I looked into this "sockpuppet" thing. I supposedly have the same IP adress of whoever this sockpuppeter is. What is a "CheckUser"? Am I a "CheckUser"? I'm sorry, this making an inconvenience, I came to Wikipedia to fix up some Judas Priest articles that weren't in the best of condition, but also edited an article this Diskyboy also did. I'm so scared, am I gonna get banned? ThePainkiller90 (talk) 12:25, 27 October 2024 (UTC)[reply]
The principle of Wikipedia:Assume good faith applies here. Editors don't get banned without discussion unless they're blatant vandals. Play by the rules and you'll be fine. Putting some brief details about yourself on your user page (it's a redlink at the moment) might help to dispel any doubts about your intentions. Alansplodge (talk) 12:34, 28 October 2024 (UTC)[reply]
