User:LostInRiverview/Test4

The Sims Wiki administrators can utilize blocks to correct actions that are harmful to the wiki or are undertaken in bad faith. Blocks are a measure of last resort that should be utilized only after other methods of correction are attempted, or only in cases where immediate action is necessary in order to counteract a significant present disruption. Blocks should never be used as a punitive measure, but should be used only to prevent further damage in an urgent situation, or to assist in correcting harmful behavior. Non-templated and templated warnings should be sought as a first measure to correct errant behavior, and administrators should be careful to consider whether the behavior of another user is truly disruptive or simply misunderstood or misdirected. However, in instances where a user clearly and deliberately acts in bad faith, blocks may be used to immediately curtail further bad faith action.

The Sims Wiki (has not yet) established policies to govern how blocks are applied, and how blocks can be appealed.

Urgent vs non-urgent blocks
The Sims Wiki differentiates between two different kinds of blocks, intended for separate purposes. These separate types are called urgent blocks and non-urgent blocks.

Urgent blocks
In some cases, rapid action on the part of the administration may be necessary in order to put an immediate stop to harmful activity on the wiki. In only these cases, administrators may act unilaterally to issue a temporary "urgent block." Urgent blocks may not exceed three days in length. Urgent blocks may be issued for:
 * Continued use of profanity, inappropriate or overly-graphic language
 * Repeated deliberate deletion of proven-to-be valid information
 * Deliberate attacks on other users
 * Obvious attempts to circumvent a previously-issued blocks via the use of an unauthorized extra account (i.e. sockpuppetry)
 * Obvious bad faith edits with the apparent goal to cause disruption, damage or chaos, or to violate official wiki policies
 * Apparent user account breaches by persons other than the rightful account owner
 * Repetitive spam, any spamming of pornography or pornographic content, or any demonstrated cases of cross-wiki spam (i.e. the same user account posting on different wikis with the same or similar spam content)

After an administrator has issued an urgent block, they should inform the blocked user of the block. Urgent blocks should remain open to appeals and the user should be allowed to edit their talk page. If a blocked user chooses to abuse talk page editing privileges, an administrator other than the administrator that issued the initial urgent block may revoke talk page access. A user under an urgent block may not have their block extended beyond three days without administrative consensus. If a user, after having their urgent block expire or lifted, acts in a manner warranting another urgent block, any administrator (including the initial blocking administrator) may act to issue another urgent block, with a maximum length of three days. If a user has been given an urgent block but a longer-term non-urgent block may be needed, a discussion of long-term action should be started on the Admin Portal Talk Page.

Non-urgent blocks
All blocks which are to last for longer than three days, and blocks issued for reasons not listed above, are deemed to be "non-urgent blocks." Non-urgent blocks must be discussed on the Admin Portal Talk Page before being issued and there must be consensus among administrators participating in the discussion. Non-urgent blocks may be set for a length of time, or may be set to continue indefinitely.

During a non-urgent block discussion, administrators may choose to apply escalating blocks for any future policy violations of a similar nature by the same user. In establishing a non-urgent block, administrators may not restrict a user's privilege to edit their own talk page or to appeal their block, unless the user has demonstrated an abuse of either privilege in the past.

Block justification
Administrators, collectively, are granted a wide latitude in determining reasons for issuing non-urgent blocks. However, non-urgent blocks may never be issued due to, or in part because of:
 * Actions performed on wikis other than The Sims Wiki, on other websites, or in real life, unless those actions have a direct negative affect on The Sims Wiki
 * Personal grudges or vendettas
 * Actions undertaken on the wiki that do not violate official policy, even if such actions do not adhere to established precedents or guidelines
 * Actions undertaken in good faith, unless such repeated actions cause significant harm if unchecked

In issuing non-urgent blocks, the burden of proof for justification in issuing blocks lies with the administrators. In all cases, users should be assumed as innocent unless proven guilty based on reliable evidence as provided by an administrator. Administrators should be careful in how they view evidence and remain focused on assuming good faith. Actions taken far in the past should be less-heavily scrutinized than more recent actions, and justifications for issuing non-urgent blocks should be based first and foremost on demonstrable violations of existing policy.

Block length
Urgent blocks may not exceed three days in length. Non-urgent blocks may not exceed one year in length, except for in the following cases:
 * Users demonstrated to be under the age of thirteen may be blocked until the user's thirteenth birthday or, if the user's exact birthdate is unknown, for a whole number of years such that, once the block expires, the user will be at least thirteen years old.
 * Accounts created by a user in violation of the wiki's policies on multiple account ownership may be blocked indefinitely; the "master" account of said user may not be blocked for longer than a year.
 * Accounts found to be compromised, such that persons other than the account's original owner have control over the account, may be blocked indefinitely.

Non-urgent blocks should escalate in length as multiple instances of policy violation occur. When determining block length for non-urgent blocks, care should be taken to choose the shortest practical date. Non-urgent blocks are intended to correct errant behavior and allow for user reflection and learning, but should not be used as punishment for past actions.

Block expiration or termination
After a block expires, is successfully appealed, or is otherwise terminated, the blocked user will be allowed to return to editing the wiki as a member in good standing in most circumstances. Administrators, during a non-urgent block discussion, may choose to impose editing restrictions on a user as a condition of awarding an appeal or after the expiration of a block. Violations of an established editing restriction should be determined and agreed-upon by the administrators in advance. However, no block issued as the result of a violation of an editing restriction may violate any portion of this policy.