User:Dylan620/Adoption/JohnTheSupercargo/lesson3

Fighting vandalism

What is vandalism?

Vandalism is the malicious removal or insertion of content in a deliberate attempt to damage Wikipedia. Example diffs include [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], and [6].

How to fight vandalism

Vandalism can be fought using multiple methods.

WP:UNDO - The "Undo" button is the most basic form of fighting vandalism. It can take a few moments to load, and is, AFAIK, the slowest form of reverting vandalism. There is an advantage to the undo button, however; you are able to set your own custom edit summary whenever you use it.
WP:TW - Twinkle is a fairly efficient method of fighting vandalism. There are three main settings for reverting content using Twinkle:
- Rollback (AGF) marks the edit being reverted as made in good faith. This allows you to set a custom edit summary.
- Rollback is the regular version of Twinkle's reversion feature. It allows you to set a custom edit summary.
- Rollback (VANDAL) marks the edit being reverted as deliberate vandalism. Unlike the other two Twinkle reversion settings, this version does not allow you to set a custom edit summary.
You can enable Twinkle by copying
```
importScript('User:AzaToth/twinkle.js');
```
into your monobook.js. In order to customize Twinkle, please copy down the individual codes shown here.
WP:RBK - Rollback is a tool that allows you to revert vandalism with a single click of the mouse. It's a powerful tool, and should be used with caution. It can be tested by new users to the tool at WP:NAS/R. You can request to be granted the rollback tool at Wikipedia:Requests for permissions/Rollback, but be aware that without sufficient vandal-fighting experience, you will likely not be granted the tool.
WP:HG - Huggle is one of the most efficient methods of fighting vandalism on all of Wikipedia. An interface individual from that of Wikipedia, Huggle reverts and warns in a single click of the mouse. You will need the rollback user right if you are to be able to download Huggle. Huggle is a very powerful tool, so use it with caution.

Where to find vandalism

If you want to search for vandalism to revert, it's best to look in Special:RecentChanges.

Vandalism warnings

{{uw-vandalism1}}: General note (usually for a first warning).
{{uw-vandalism2}}: Caution (usually for a second warning).
{{uw-vandalism3}}: Warning (after user continues vandalism after at least two requests to stop).
{{uw-vandalism4}}: Final warning (if the vandal continues to vandalize after this final warning, s/he will be blocked from editing).
{{uw-vandalism4im}}: Only warning (if the vandal continues to vandalize after this only warning, s/he will be blocked from editing. Please only issue an only warning to vandals in exceptional situations, such as this).

My recommendations

While it is entirely optional, I would recommend requesting rollback after about a week (although you can shoot for it in a slightly shorter time span if you wish) of vandal fighting. Just please remember that vandal fighting is DEFINITELY not the only activity you could do; at times during the day, you may wish to fight vandalism, while at other times during the day, you may wish to correct typos or build articles. Good luck, John! :D --Dylan 620 _{Efforts · Toolbox} 23:11, 8 May 2009 (UTC)

Comments and/or questions by the adoptee

Hi! And thanks for all the above (and this additional section). This message now is just to let you know that I've seen this page. A lot more here to take in than I was expecting. I had seen Twinkle mentioned around but had no idea what it was. I will investigate further. Actually haven't experienced so much vandalism. The little things I have seen I've mostly been able to correct - or I've ignored then, but have always felt uncomfortable about doing that. I'll get back to you here soon. Cheers, --JohnThe Supercargo 10:09, 9 May 2009 (UTC)

Sensai! I have to warn you that I'm going to be off-line for a while now. Something came up that I have to deal with. Perhaps all over by the end of May, perhaps not till August. If you want to know, these links explain some of it. Blog entry #45, Blog entry #46 Cheerio for now! --JohnThe Supercargo 10:18, 19 May 2009 (UTC)