The Sims Wiki:Proposed user policies

The Sims Wiki has adopted these user policies to apply to all editors on the wiki (both registered and unregistered). The interpretation and enforcement of these rules ultimately is the duty of the wiki's administrators, though they are also bound by the rules.

Above all other rules, use common sense. There are several specific actions listed below which are prohibited but, aside from these, there are very few established do's and do not's to follow. It is best for users to consider their actions before making them, as this will prevent the vast majority of problems on the wiki. Further, users should take responsible and possibly bold actions to improve the wiki, even if that requires ignoring other established principles; however, this boldness must be within reason and must conform to the rules specified below, which are absolute.
 * Golden Rule

Rules
1. Vandalism is prohibited.
 * In a nutshell: Don't make deliberately harmful edits.

Vandalism is defined as an action that is intentional, is meant to be detrimental or harmful, and is not made in good faith. Examples of vandalism include (but are not limited to):
 * Deliberately adding highly irrelevant information to an article
 * Deliberately adding blatantly false information onto an article, or removing valid information from an article without just cause
 * Deliberately adding patent nonsense (e.g. gibberish, random characters, or excessively confusing text) to an article
 * Deliberately removing all the text from an article, or from an article section, without a legitimate reason to do so, or replacing an article or article section with a small amount of text (blanking/page blanking)
 * Repeatedly uploading files without including proper licensing information, after receiving a warning to do so
 * Deliberately posting links to irrelevant external sites on an article
 * Deliberately eaving spam or inappropriate comments on Blogs, Fanon articles, and other comment sections on the wiki.

An action taken in good faith is not vandalism, and should not be treated as such. Editors should always strive to assume that any edit made to the wiki is made in good faith, even if it is detrimental, unless is is clear that the edit is intended to be negative. Edits which are detrimental but made in good faith may result in a warning against the editor - however, repeated edits of the same nature following a warning will be treated as vandalism and handled accordingly.

There is no set penalty for vandalism. The action chosen by an administrator varies depending on the severity of the action. Administrators may block users for performing vandalism, even if the user did not receive a prior warning.

2. Profane language and content are not allowed.
 * In a nutshell: Keep language and content appropriate for all ages.

The Sims Wiki aims to cater to a general audience, specifically readers at or above 13 years of age. As such, users may not
 * Add profane, vulgar, graphic or inappropriate content to any page or comment anywhere on The Sims Wiki
 * Post links to external sites that feature profane, vulgar, graphic or inappropriate content (e.g. pornographic sites)
 * Upload images, audio or video that are profane, vulgar, graphic or inappropriate

Including profane content is almost always considered to be an action taken in bad faith, and usually results in a block from the wiki. An administrator may choose to issue a warning for this behavior, but no warning is required before blocks are issued.

The Sims Wiki IRC Channel and Chat have less strict rules regarding profanity (see here). Users of these features should realize that some adult language is used; however, overuse of profanity or use of extremely disturbing language, or links to pornography or profane websites, is prohibited.


 * Special note about Profanity: Some terms may be acceptable in certain circumstances, but may be prohibited in others; example, the use of the term 'gay' may be acceptable when referring to same-sex Sims, but is not allowed when used as an epithet against users. Use of these particular words will be scrutinized, and actions may be taken if the words are used in an unacceptable context

3. Sock Puppetry is prohibited.
 * In a nutshell: One person may only own one account.

The Sims Wiki allows one person to control only one account at a time.
 * Users should not create a new account in order to change their username. Users who want to change their username should contact Wikia and request a name change. If a user does create an account in order to change their name, their old account will be permanently blocked to prevent abuse.
 * Users may not have access to more than one account at any one time. If a user, for some reason, wants to stop using one account and switch to another, they should notify a member of the administrative team, who will lock the old account permanently to prevent abuse.
 * Authorized bot accounts are an exception to this rule. However, bots are typically only controlled by Administrators, and all other bots must receive explicit approval from an administrator before they can be given the appropriate user flag.

Violation of this policy will result in a permanent block on all sockpuppet accounts, and a block (potentially permanent) on the "main" account (usually the first account).

4. Do not engage in edit warring.
 * In a nutshell: Discuss disagreements, instead of over-riding another user's edits repeatedly.

An edit war occurs when two or more editors continually override the contributions of other editors due to a disagreement about the content of a page. Wikipedia specifically delineates a "three-revert rule"; however, The Sims Wiki has no strict rule regarding the number of reversions or counter-edits needed to classify a conflict as an edit war. Edit warring will typically result in a warning, but can result in a block if it is a repeated incident or is especially severe. An edit war may also result in an administrator temporarily protecting an article to prevent further conflict, until the issue can be properly sorted out.

5. Personal attacks are prohibited.
 * In a nutshell: Be civil and respectful to everybody.

Sometimes, people can get into disagreements about the project, a particular article, or about something unrelated to the wiki. Spirited disagreement is not against the rules, so long as users remain civil. However, the following activities are not allowed:
 * Blatant or baseless insults or attacks against a user on any page on the wiki (including a user's own user page)
 * Requesting that a user be blocked from the wiki and/or demoted (if they are in a promoted position) because of purely personal reasons and not due to poor conduct
 * Engaging in hostile actions with another user, even if the other user "started it first"
 * Attacking another user over the IRC Channel or Wiki Chat.

6. Do not troll, and do not engage trolls.
 * In a nutshell: Don't do things just to make others upset, and don't engage with users who are doing this.

A troll is a user who performs edits (often defined as vandalism) with the specific intent to cause an incident, or spark an argument or outrage from other users. This activity, even if not specifically prohibited in policy, is not allowed. If a user is trolling, they may be subject to "Revert, Block, Ignore." Troll-like activities on the IRC Channel or Wiki Chat will likewise not be tolerated.

Other users should always attempt to assume that a user is not a troll unless the evidence clearly demonstrates that they are. Do not "feed" a troll. Feeding the troll encourages them to continue. The best reaction is usually to give no reaction at all.

7. Do not perform prohibited actions.
 * In a nutshell: If an administrator tells you explicitly not to do something, don't do it.

Aside from violations of these and other wiki policies, users may be requested or required to not do certain things by a member of the administrative team. If an administrator, in their official capacity, requests that a user not perform a certain action, that user must stop performing the action, and may be blocked for engaging in that action.

If a user believes that an administrator has unfairly prohibited a certain action, they can consult with another administrator, or start a public discussion on the matter. While it is to be assumed that administrators are acting in good faith (unless there is evidence to suggest otherwise), that does not mean that administrators are infallible. Publicly questioning an administrative action is not a violation of policy (so long as it is done in a civil manner). However, ignoring an administrator's decision simply because a user disagrees with it is not permitted. Never ignore an administrator's decision unless their decision is "over-turned" by other administrators or the community at large.

8. Do not "game the system".
 * In a nutshell: Don't exploit loopholes in existing rules.

"Gaming the system" is defined as deliberately using the wiki's policies, guidelines, and framework in bad faith, to disrupt or derail the project. Users gaming the system may seek out loopholes in policy, or act in a manner which defies the meaning or purpose of a policy rather than the letter or strict definition of the policy. This activity is not permitted.

9. Do not make any attempt to evade a block.
 * In a nutshell: Trying to get around a block will only make the block longer and stricter.

A user which is able to edit The Sims Wiki despite being blocked is subject to have their block increased and to have blocks placed against their alternative methods of access. These alternative methods may include sock puppetry (which is in itself against the rules), IP address manipulation, or other means. If a user disagrees with a block they have received, they should not attempt to evade the block, as doing so will result in steeper penalties and a possible permanent block from editing.

Users should also not attempt to evade a ban from the IRC Channel or Wiki Chat. Attempts to evade bans in those venues may result in additional penalties as determined by channel operators/chat moderators and the wiki administrators, including possible on-wiki blocks or sanctions.