Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Spam

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http://spam.wikivorce.com

• wikivorce.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spam sock accounts

86.141.70.151 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
82.242.159.154 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
— Preceding unsigned comment added by Hu12 (talk • contribs)

Timestamp for archiving. MER-C 13:23, 16 August 2007 (UTC)

stickycarpet.com

stickycarpet.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spammers

• 80.189.243.130 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 91.125.36.200 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 91.125.24.177 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 91.125.43.141 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 91.125.108.44 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 91.125.198.147 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)

MER-C 12:11, 7 August 2007 (UTC)

Still spamming:

• 91.15.200.169 (talk • contribs • deleted contribs • what links to user page • COIBot • count • block log • x-wiki • noticeboards • LinkWatcher search || WHOIS • RDNS • traceroute • CompleteWhois • ippages.com • robtex.com • tor • Google)
• 91.125.221.41 (talk • contribs • deleted contribs • what links to user page • COIBot • count • block log • x-wiki • noticeboards • LinkWatcher search || WHOIS • RDNS • traceroute • CompleteWhois • ippages.com • robtex.com • tor • Google)
• 91.125.208.144 (talk • contribs • deleted contribs • what links to user page • COIBot • count • block log • x-wiki • noticeboards • LinkWatcher search || WHOIS • RDNS • traceroute • CompleteWhois • ippages.com • robtex.com • tor • Google)

--A. B. ^(talk) 14:05, 9 August 2007 (UTC)

Related domain:

• http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~bevhome
  • The 4 existing links on en.wikipedia appear to have been added by others
  • users.globalnet.co.uk/~bevhome: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Blacklisting request

• meta:Talk:Spam blacklist#stickycarpet.com (permanent link)

--A. B. ^(talk) 16:44, 9 August 2007 (UTC)

Additional accounts:

• 80.189.122.144 (talk • contribs • deleted contribs • what links to user page • COIBot • count • block log • x-wiki • noticeboards • LinkWatcher search || WHOIS • RDNS • traceroute • CompleteWhois • ippages.com • robtex.com • tor • Google)
• 80.189.15.230 (talk • contribs • deleted contribs • what links to user page • COIBot • count • block log • x-wiki • noticeboards • LinkWatcher search || WHOIS • RDNS • traceroute • CompleteWhois • ippages.com • robtex.com • tor • Google)
• 80.189.221.52 (talk • contribs • deleted contribs • what links to user page • COIBot • count • block log • x-wiki • noticeboards • LinkWatcher search || WHOIS • RDNS • traceroute • CompleteWhois • ippages.com • robtex.com • tor • Google)
• 80.189.226.59 (talk • contribs • deleted contribs • what links to user page • COIBot • count • block log • x-wiki • noticeboards • LinkWatcher search || WHOIS • RDNS • traceroute • CompleteWhois • ippages.com • robtex.com • tor • Google)
• 80.189.8.114 (talk • contribs • deleted contribs • what links to user page • COIBot • count • block log • x-wiki • noticeboards • LinkWatcher search || WHOIS • RDNS • traceroute • CompleteWhois • ippages.com • robtex.com • tor • Google)
• 80.2.194.51 (talk • contribs • deleted contribs • what links to user page • COIBot • count • block log • x-wiki • noticeboards • LinkWatcher search || WHOIS • RDNS • traceroute • CompleteWhois • ippages.com • robtex.com • tor • Google)

--A. B. ^(talk) 07:22, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

Hi guys. I'm the webmaster. This is all very disappointing and upsetting. My site, which is one of the oldest on the web (created 1999) dedicated to 2D shooters (predated only by shmups.com to my knowledge), is (or so I thought) a respected website in the shmups community, is not a commercial site and gains nothing from so called' spam' linking. Others have added links I noticed in the past to some of my pages, some have been added from similar IP addresses, if so this is unfortunate and I apologise on their behalf but I don't feel it deserves a blanket ban or warrants the domain to be designated as 'spam'. I myself have amended links on wikipedia posted by others to the new domain from the old one at globalnet. This is because the pages have been updated with added information (the globalnet ones date from 2000). These were from the IP starting 80. I was unaware of breaking any Wikipedia policy at the time and again I apologise if I have done so. I genuinely believed it would be an appreciated act in the Wikipedia community to update the old links, which I reiterate were added by others. I would like an independent observer/video games collective to look at the links/pages concerned and decide whether or not they should be excluded. The site is non-profit and only seeks to entertain and inform. It really does not deserve this kinds of treatment. This has all got needlessly out-of-hand. MB

—The preceding comment was added by 194.203.91.252 (talk • contribs) 18:14, 9 August 2007 (UTC)

MB, as was explained multiple times to you (and while dealing with your rude behavior on my talk page that I did not deserve either), there are rules for links here. As stated at WP:EL, they have to contain further research, or other meaningful, relevant content that is not suitable for inclusion. It is not a statement against you or your site or you, all proposed links are held to the same standards. And your site being well respected has nothing to do with the issue either, since its an issue of content, not credibility. And yes, putting a link to your own site in when its been removed is a Wikipedia:Conflict_of_interest. Lastly, I am an "an independent observer/video games collective" and a member of the Wikipedia:WikiProject_Video_games, and upon review of the links had decided to back up MER-C's edits and reasoning. --Marty Goldberg 20:30, 9 August 2007 (UTC)

Marty, with all due respect I would suggest that you exercise a certain level of restraint in posting unsubstantiated allegations on a public forum, either here or on the talk pages of others. It's un-constructive, unflattering to both parties, and doesn't reflect on Wikipedia itself in a particularly positive manner. Your talk page history indicates involvement by a number of seperate Wikipedia users in diverse geographical locations both in the US, Europe and also seperate cities in the UK. Similarly the IP's listed above as being related to alleged 'spam linking' are part of the Brightview/Global.net network which routes a number of high profile broadband providers here in the UK all managed by BT (British Telecom) and operates over the majority of Southern and Central England. Any number of ISP's users would therefore have access to them including all broadband users on Global Internet, Waitrose Internet, Madasafish and Freenetname.com and also I suspect certain users of btinternet.com and its affiliates. And again they appear to be associated with users in a number of UK cities and in one case another country. The issue here is not with the limited number of edits/reverts you yourself made but with the designation of the site's domain on this page. MB
—The preceding comment was added by 213.123.37.252 (talk • contribs) 13:50, 10 August 2007 (UTC)

We don't simply assume that all IP addresses in the same bloc are puppets of one person (or group of people). It's the similarity of their editing pattern that makes us think it is a not random chance - IP addresses whose only edits are to add the link, normally to multiple articles; no significant addition of content or engagement with others. The fact that the IP addresses above are similar adds weight to that belief because it is a visible channel, but really it simply shows that s/he/they aren't using techniques as sophisticated as some of the people who edit Wikipedia with an agenda. The Spam label can a bit of a red flag, but the essence of the matter is that Wikipedia needs to be able to ensure its content is not skewed by people who's only agenda is to get a particular link on the site. As such, since we were unable to stop it by asking, blacklisting is one of the few tools we have to protect our encyclopedia. Our priority here is to protect our encyclopedia. -- SiobhanHansa 14:20, 10 August 2007 (UTC)

In response to MB's comments here and on Meta that he had received an unfair deal on Wikipedia, I pieced together a chronology of link additions and edits:

• 2 June to 3 June 2007 80.189.243.130

adds new stickycarpet.com links to 5 articles and updates an older link in 1 article.[1]

• 17 June 2007, 91.125.36.200

adds new stickycarpet.com links to 7 articles

• 18 June 2007, 91.125.43.141

adds new stickycarpet.com links to 14 articles and updates an older link in 1 article.[2]

• 20 June 2007, 91.125.108.44

adds a new link to one article.

• 10 July 2007, 91.125.24.177

adds new stickycarpet.com links to 2 articles

• 10:48 to 11:44, 7 August 2007 91.125.198.147

adds new stickycarpet.com links to 8 articles

• 11:46, 7 August 2007 MER-C

issues first warning to 91.125.198.147

• 11:50, 7 August 2007 91.125.198.147

adds a new stickycarpet.com link to R·TYPE Δ

• 11:51, 7 August 2007 MER-C

issues second warning to 91.125.198.147

• 11:56, 7 August 2007 Ben W Bell

issues third warning to 91.125.198.147

• 11:57, 7 August 2007 91.125.198.147

adds a new stickycarpet.com link to R-Type Final

• 12:00, 7 August 2007 91.125.198.147

adds stickycarpet.com link to Raiden III

• 12:03,12:04, 7 August 2007 91.125.198.147

adds a new stickycarpet.com link to Raiden (series)

• 12:04, 7 August 2007 Ben W Bell

blocks 91.125.198.147 for spamming[3]

• 12:45 to 12:54, 7 August 2007 91.125.198.147

objects to being blocked

• 13:32 to 13:32, 7 August 2007 80.2.194.51 (new IP address)

adds 3 links back

• 14:14, 7 August 2007 91.15.200.169 (new IP address)

adds 1 link back by replacing an existing link.[4]

• 14:27 to 14:29, 7 August 2007 91.125.208.144 (new IP address)

complains to Wgungfu (aka "Marty Goldberg") on Wgungfu's talk page about link removals

• 14:40, 7 August 2007 91.125.208.144

replaces recently deleted stickycarpet.com links

• 14:46 to 14:47, 7 August 2007 Wgungfu

writes on his talk page and explains the rules to 91.125.208.144

• 15:04 to 15:06 7 August 2007 80.189.221.52 (new IP address)

responds politely on Wgungfu's talk page

• 16:58, 7 August 2007, 91.125.221.41 (new IP address)

requests at Talk:R-Type that stickycarpet.com link be added to the R-Type article

• 17:01 and 17:03, 7 August 2007, 91.125.221.41

replaces existing www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~bevhome link with the equivalent stickycarpet.com links in two articles

• 17:37, 7 August 2007, 80.189.226.59 (new IP address)

complains] on Wgungfu's talk page that Wgungfu has not responded (Wgungfu was off-line from 15:18 to 18:21). 80.189.226.59 criticizes Wgungfu harshly.

• 17:56 to 17:57, 7 August 2007, 80.189.15.230 (new IP address)

appends further criticism to the 17:37 comment on Wgungfu's talk page, accusing Wgungfu of working for a competing site (Classic Gaming) and working from bad faith.

• 18:10, 7 August 2007, 80.189.8.114 (new IP address)

edits earlier comment by 91.125.208.144 on Wgungfu's talk page.

• 18:21 to 18:24, 7 August 2007, Wgungfu

responds that Classic Gaming is not his site and reiterates early points made. Deletes some of 80.189.8.114's comments from his talk page

• 18:27, 7 August 2007, 80.189.122.144 (new IP address)

restores text deleted by Wgungfu from Wgungfu's talk page. Wgungfu deletes comment again.

• 18:32 18:31, 7 August 2007, 80.189.122.144

adds comment back to Wgungfu's talk page and Wgungfu deletes it again.

• 18:44 to 18:45, 7 August 2007, 80.189.122.144

writes on Wgungfu's talk page: "Feeling like you have to resort to threats? Other people on the shmups forum have been informed of this ridiculous charade and they are not too impressed." Wgungfu deletes the remark.

• 18:51, 7 August 2007, 71.184.103.90

writes on Wgungfu's talk page: "I agree, Dam deserves to be on here. Don't be such a control freak." Wgungfu deletes the remark.

• 18:54 to 18:56, 7 August 2007, 80.189.122.144

responds to Wgungfu. Wgungfu deletes the remark from his talk page.

• 18:57, 7 August 2007, 80.189.122.144

lets off another jab Wgungfu's talk page.

• 19:02, 7 August 2007, 80.189.122.144

calls Wgungfu a "prick" Wgungfu's talk page. Wgungfu deletes the remark.

• 22:31, 7 August 2007, 217.85.235.95, a possible zombie PC

describes Wgungfu's behaviour as "fascist" and suggests he be "banned" from Wikipedia. Wgungfu deletes the remark.

--A. B. ^(talk) 04:32, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

See this shmups.com thread started by the owner of stickycarpet.com/dam. In particular, note this comment at 13:09 on 7 August:

• "Bloody Wikipedia. Have just been notified that some external links I added for DAM on wikipedia, not for personal gain but because I feel some of the info on DAM is pertinent.. have been block-removed and the damn 'link update patrol' nazis have are now trying to ban the domain for apparently 'spamming' and adding 'innapropriate content'. Eh..??? If somebody can start with linking to the DAM on their entry for 'shootemups' I'd be most grateful."^[5]

*Update: Note that at 12:23 pm and 3:54 pm on Sat Aug 11, 2007, MB subsequently edited his earlier remarks on the schmups.com thread above.--A. B. ^(talk) 16:38, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

Note 12:04 time of 91.125.198.147's block and MB's 13:09 comment above. We know from MB's earlier comment that he's also edited from "the IP starting 80".

Observations:

1. Lots of new links added in a linking campaign
2. Almost all the activity comes from two tight IP clusters in England, 91,125.x.x and 80.189.x.x. On 7 August, they were so tightly coordinated they appear to quite possibly have been the same person. After the call went out on shmups.com, there were other comments from the U.S.(71.184.103.90) and Germany (217.85.235.95).
3. Disregard for requests to stop spamming
4. Site-owner's lack of interest in Wikipedia's content standards combined with a passion to get things his way.
5. Aggressive incivility from the site owner

--A. B. ^(talk) 05:05, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

A.B. again you are posting potentially libellous unproven allegations on a public forum. I have come on here to discuss this in a transparent manner and as you have now personally implicated me in the majority of actions above (and yes I admit to the shmups.com post.. I was upset at the time as the action felt unjustified.. do you understand that? I'm human.) and this to me is unnacceptable. (If not illogical seeing as I would like to know how I can be located in Essen, Germany, Virginia, USA and several UK cities all in the space of about 3-4 hours). If you wish to blacklist the site then you are free to do so but as I have a reputation to up-hold in the 'real world' being a journalist, if any impartial administrators would like to advise me how to proceed in the face of the above libellous posts I would be grateful of their advice MB
—The preceding comment was added by 213.123.37.252 (talk • contribs) 12:52, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

Not a lawyer, but I have no stake in this discussion. Would suggest you read WP:LEGAL. -- Alucard (Dr.) | Talk 12:40, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

I'm no admin, but, I'd start as advised above, and not make legal threats. All that's probably gonna accomplish, is getting people to dig their heels in. I'd probably also refrain from getting friends to mass re-add your site's links. I'd also, probably not edit-war over the links. It's also worthwhile to note, that Wikipedia uses nofollow tags, so, having your link here isn't going to help 'drive traffic', or anything for you. You might seek assistance at the Administrator's noticeboard, if you're looking for an admin, however. --SXT4^{$\color {Red}\oplus$} 13:49, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

I'd probably also refrain from getting friends to mass re-add your site's links

I assure you I have no interest in doing this ;) MB
—The preceding comment was added by 194.203.91.252 (talk • contribs) 14:19, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

Blacklist away! MER-C 13:24, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

MERc the shmups forum post was referring to my discovery of this edit http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shoot_%27em_up&diff=prev&oldid=149755622 (I'm afraid I took particular offence at your label of 'spam' - it is generally considered insulting to call someone a 'spammer' or their site 'spam') and then finding the other roll-backs through cross-linking. After spending nearly ten years of my life working on the site (which is non-commercial, gains me no income and receives/received to my knowldege hardly any significant extra traffic through Wikipedia external links) I obviously have an emotional attachment to it so I was a little shocked to say the least. If you are holding this as an admission of guilt or implication in any/all of the above then you are clearly stretching the bounds of logic, as is A.B.'s admirably researched but clearly un-objective post above.

—The preceding comment was added by 194.203.91.252 (talk • contribs) 14:19, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

Blacklist the site, this is clearly unacceptable behavior. I'll also look into these IP addresses' history and may block some or all for incivility and threats. If this requires a range block I'll consult other admins, hopefully the editors concerned will take the hint. Tim Vickers 14:34, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Harassment#Off-wiki_harassment Harassment of other Wikipedians through the use of external links is considered equivalent to the posting of personal attacks on Wikipedia...off-wiki harassment can be grounds for blocking, and in extreme cases, banning. see also WP:NPA#Off-wiki_personal_attacks. --Hu12 06:53, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

For your own self-interest, I personally recommend you read all the following hyperlinked material very closely:

• The article on slander and libel (keeping in mind Wikipedia's legal disclaimer as you read it). In particular:
  • What's required to prevail in a libel suit in U.S.A.
  • What are defences in a libel suit
  • How courts in Wikipedia's jurisdiction (the U.S. A.) decide libel cases
• Wikipedia's No Legal Threats Policy
  • "If you make legal threats, you may be blocked from editing so that the matter is not exacerbated through other than legal channels. Users who make legal threats will typically be blocked from editing indefinitely, while legal threats are outstanding."
• Wikipedia's Libel Policy
• Your own characterizations of other editors and their behaviour here and elsewhere in light of your accusations of libel.
• How Wikipedia defines certain terms; this will be relevant in any libel litigation
  • The Spam Guideline
  • The Conflict of Interest Guideline
  • The Civility Policy
• Various Wikipedia terms and conditions:
  • General disclaimer, especially the section:
    • "Jurisdiction and legality of content"
  • Legal disclaimer

If you truly are interested in pursuing litigation, I personally suggest you obtain professional legal advice immediately.

Note that I do not speak for the Wikimedia Foundation in any of my remarks on this matter. Any opinions I've expressed are purely my own. --A. B. ^(talk) 16:22, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

See:

• Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents#Potential legal threat made by the owner of stickycarpet.com/dam (permanent link).

--A. B. ^(talk) 16:58, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

A.B. Merely stating that your comments are potentially libellous is in no way a threat of legal action, just a statement of fact. I ask you how youself would feel if you were in my situation under the fire of what amounts to character assasination? Some of your comments are completely misrepresentative, if not defammatory towards me, and consist of unfounded allegations (basically assumptions/suspicions drawn by yourself). How am I supposed to respond to those? As stated before I have come here in good faith, totally transparently (you have my full name, I do not have yours) and in a constructive manner. My reward has been accusational behaviour from others including yourself.

I would for a start remove points 4 and 5 in your previous post 'observations', they are of a personal nature, defammatory and unproven, as is the shmups.com post being assumed as a indicator of guilt (of what is unspecified - my post actually refers to the 80.189.243.130 additions only) on my part here http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Spam_blacklist#stickycarpet.com (again totally unfounded and defammatory in nature). I trust that you will understand that my observations and reasoning here are justifiable and amend your post/s to a more objective viewpoint not aimed personally at myself. MB
—The preceding comment was added by 194.203.91.252 (talk • contribs) 17:06, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

Everybody Stop For A Second

Please stop throwing the no legal threats policy around. No threat was made, and a claim that a statement is potentially libelous does not constitute a legal threat as far as Wikimedia is concerned until it reaches the point where it either has a severe chilling effect or the user intends to pursue legal action.

MB, as a note right now, please make yourself aware of the above policy and if you have a legal complaint you can direct it at info-en (at) wikimedia (dot) org, and myself or someone else on OTRS will get it to the appropriate place.

That is all the warning that needs to be given now. Let's completely drop the libel issue, and the legal issues, and get back to fighting over the stickycarpet links. ⇒ SWATJester ^{Denny Crane.} 17:13, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for setting us all straight, Swatjester on the legal stuff and I stand corrected on my legal comments. I defer to your considerable experience working as an OTRS volunteer for the Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia's owner) on Wikimedia's OTRS system. --A. B. ^(talk) 20:08, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

Yes, let's get back to the blacklist thing. So far we have several calls for it, and none against. I personally have a hard time believing any serious resolution will come from further discussion with him on the matter, specifically when he relates discussion of his conduct here as some sort of attack on his credibility as a "journalist" in the "real world". If he's concerned about his credibility and integrity and how its received, he should really take a close look at this conduct. I think A.B.'s reiteration of what happened on my talk page (badgering, swearing, name calling, etc.), and on the SHMUPS page (which he "threatened" on my talk page as well that he'd be posting to) are most telling of this. He's also been explained numerous times, it wasn't a reflection of the value or credibility of his site, but rather by Wikipedia's linking guidelines if it added anything to the entry other than just linking to someone's SHMUP site. And yet we're met with more claims (libel, etc.), far fetched explanations, and calls first for "impartial observers" (and then when he didn't get the response he liked is now calling for "impartial administrators". What will he do if he doesn't like their answer as well?) He wants to say that all the edits (same wording, conduct, purpose), and evidence (all IP's tracking back to his origin except for one to New York, and all in the same time frame) don't mean anything and its not him, then fine. Even though he clearly made the threat of bringing outside people in on my talk page and then (as A.B. uncovered) actually posted a post regarding that (in unison) on his forum. The funny thing is, we wouldn't have even known *who* was responsible for this (and there was no discussion to such regards) until he came here and posted his name and who he was. We were simply discussing the IP's conduct and the repeated additions of the links. So to turn around and claim libel is hilarious. Just blacklist already as a solution and we can all be happy and move on. --Marty Goldberg 20:54, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

I would be for it, unless the author specifically promises not to add the website himself anymore. There are already a few links (it's hard to say who added them; it may have been him). To the author, if you promise not to add the links anymore, as a spam/conflict of interest, then I say no. But if you don't promise, then we blacklist it. The Evil Spartan 23:58, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

That's not going to happen. The blacklist beckons... MER-C 06:23, 12 August 2007 (UTC)

Evil Spartan - many thanks for approaching this in a methodical and non-judgemental manner, it's greatly appreciated. I do indeed promise not to be involved in any 'conflict of interest' issues regarding to linking to the site on Wikipedia, and yesterday amended all posts at the external forum which might otherwise lead others to become involved, as stated 14:19, 11 August 2007. If you wish I can also ask for the entire thread to be deleted. However at this point in proceedings I am more concerned with the allegations of impropriety (WP:ICA) by other users, and as a new user on Wiki forums I'm surprised it is being allowed to continue.

I would have preferred to not to 'bite' regarding Mr Goldberg's last post but when he cannot even fact-check his allegations (perceiving a 'threat' and implying I was personally involved when his talkback edit was in fact written in the past tense and the external post he was alluding to being 'threatened' about was actually made more than 5 hours previously would seem to be very telling of his lack of impartiality in the matter. In fact the only 'threat' I can see appears to be his own one to report/block the involved IP's and blacklist the domain, which probably would have exacerbated the situation.

I apologise for the external post and now realise it was misguided and I will apologise to Mr Goldberg regarding the uncivil edits on his page which would seem to be the result of my external post. I would rather like to now draw a close on this matter as it has been genuinely upsetting. All I'm asking is no more personal allegations of impropriety. MB

http://spam.bridgeworldwide.com marketing company

64.132.166.194 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) This IP address (infact the range 64.132.166.192 - 64.132.166.223)is registered to bridgeworldwide.com a marketing company who has used Wikipedia to promote their clients.

I haven't gone through the other IP accounts on Wikipedia yet - they probably only use one of the addresses for outbound Internet browsing, but checking wouldn't hurt. -- SiobhanHansa 18:53, 9 August 2007 (UTC)

bridgeworldwide.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

No links to their website yet. MER-C 08:52, 10 August 2007 (UTC)

No other edits were found on Wikipedia from the range 64.132.166.192-223, except for 64.132.166.194--Hu12 07:08, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.daz.com

daz.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spammers

• 62.194.56.242 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• Joyce oe (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

MER-C 14:13, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

Still spamming.^[6] --A. B. ^(talk) 00:03, 16 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.kissmyarse.org

kissmyarse.org: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spammer

172.189.36.34 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)

— Preceding unsigned comment added by Videmus Omnia (talk • contribs)

Timestamp for archiving. MER-C 13:24, 16 August 2007 (UTC)

Stickymap.com, yet another googlemaps hack

• stickymap.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

• 66.234.56.131 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• 38.117.159.162 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

-- ccwaters 18:34, 13 August 2007 (UTC)

Still spamming.

I also turned up the following old IPs:

• 66.108.220.100 (talk • contribs • deleted contribs • what links to user page • COIBot • count • block log • x-wiki • noticeboards • LinkWatcher search || WHOIS • RDNS • traceroute • CompleteWhois • ippages.com • robtex.com • tor • Google)
• 67.86.127.250 (talk • contribs • deleted contribs • what links to user page • COIBot • count • block log • x-wiki • noticeboards • LinkWatcher search || WHOIS • RDNS • traceroute • CompleteWhois • ippages.com • robtex.com • tor • Google)

Also this article creation request:

• Wikipedia:Articles for creation/2006-06-11#Sticky Map

--A. B. ^(talk) 21:29, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

Still spamming today as well as erasing content from this page.^[7]

Blacklisting requested:

• meta:Talk:Spam blacklist#stickymap.com (permanent link)

--A. B. ^(talk) 17:48, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

See this exchange with one of the site's founders:

• User talk:A. B.#Anonymous complaint (from a stickymap.com principal) (permanent link)

--A. B. ^(talk) 01:22, 16 August 2007 (UTC)

biblewalks.com is back

I hadn't checked on this in a while and found it had found its way in to numerous articles again - again from single purpose accounts. There are 3 good faith occurrences on article pages that I have left.

biblewalks.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Accounts apparently focused only on promoting biblewalks.com:

• Biblewalks (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• 84.94.96.134 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• 80.179.36.32 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Oderi (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Fiji300 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Amit300 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

Spam blacklist request (permanent link). -- SiobhanHansa 19:59, 13 August 2007 (UTC)

Blacklisting refused (permanent link). -- SiobhanHansa 10:17, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

User:Diggernet / http://spam.ifiction.org

Please take a look at the contributions of User:Diggernet [8] (who appears to be the owner of the linked site). There's also Google-ads. I'd say it's spam. 84.129.132.251 15:37, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

• • Adsense pub-8738641863212993
    
    • ifiction.org: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spam sock accounts

Diggernet (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
84.171.248.61 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log) Cross wiki IP [9]
--Hu12 16:24, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

Yes, User:Diggernet owns ifiction.org and was aware of the policies of WP:SPAM and WP:COI, and apears to have added all but one of the links after being advised. see Wikipedia:Editor_assistance/Requests/Archive_4#Need_advice_on_external_links_with_potential_COI_issue. Seems there ia also a template in the works, [10]--Hu12 16:38, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

In the discussion at Editor assistance no one suggested that Diggernet's additions would be spam ("WP:SPAM should only refer to sites that are only vaguely concerned with the article, paysites, or particular lines of opinion which promote illegal activity.") or a conflict of interest ("In real terms, conflict of interest is only of concern if an editor is pushing unverifiable material in an article or excluding controversial material."). Diggernet's edits deserve the assumption of good faith and should be judged on their value to the article, nothing more. Free online access to the games is meaningful, relevant content that cannot be integrated into Wikipedia. This would be similar to if a notable book or movie is available online, it should be linked (e.g. Moby-Dick). These are great additions in the external links and should remain. I've begun restoring them. — Alan De Smet | Talk 18:13, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

To be clear, adding a bunch of links to your own site is suspicious and worthy of investigation. In this case I think Diggernet's was just overzealous. However, as someone knowledgable about interactive fiction, and who watches many of these articles, I believe the links to be valuable additions. The articles are better with the links that without. — Alan De Smet | Talk 18:34, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

This problem seems to be three fold. Fist and most obvious is WP:SPAM, second is WP:NOT, and last is Advertising and conflicts of interest(WP:EL). Wikipedia is not a vehicle for advertising or a mere collection of external links. External links policy on Advertising and conflicts of interest states You should avoid linking to a website that you own, maintain or represent, even if the guidelines otherwise imply that it should be linked. In this case, User:Diggernet is the owner of ifiction.org. which is a conflict of interest.

“ I own iFiction.org.... ” — Diggernet 02:18, 21 July 2007

Unfortunately this type conflict of interest editing involves contributing to Wikipedia in order to promote ifiction.org (obvious). Such a conflict is strongly discouraged. Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, not a link farm. The contributions to wikipedia by Diggernet consist entirely of adding external links to ifiction.org and is considered WP:Spam. Wikipedia is NOT a "repository of links" or a "vehicle for advertising". Hopefully this helps clear up the policy issues. I have reverted the reinsertions per WP:NOT, untill discussion or appropriate concensus on policy is reached.--Hu12 18:45, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

I think Hu12 summed up the guidelines well, but I also think Alan's point about the advice Diggernet received is valid. When I read that thread I think he got poor advice that encouraged him to go ahead and add links to his site. In this case it may be much more productive to write him a message that apologizes for him receiving poor advise on that forum after he specifically asked if adding links was OK and then highlights the appropriate way for him to suggest his site on other articles' talk pages. Before this he was an occasional editor on apparently non-COI stuff (the site additions all happened in very short time frame, though they are the vast majority of edits). Stepping back from our templates and taking a more bespoke approach to this case, one that takes into account the backstory, could keep him as an occasional editor - and well disposed to WP. After all, if all he does is maintain the links to his site that other non-COI editors have added, he's still doing something that is of benefit to our readers. Plus, it could stop us all spending our time on some huge back and forth. -- SiobhanHansa 19:07, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

(I've now done as I suggested [11]) -- SiobhanHansa 19:21, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

WP:SPAM is a judgement call, ultimately hinging on "Adding external links to an article or user page for the purpose of promoting a website or a product is not allowed, and is considered to be spam." Is Diggernet's goal to promote his website or to add useful content? Regrettably we cannot know. We need to assume good faith in our consideration.

WP:NOT is irrelevant. The links are not just a bunch of on-topic links. The actual games under discussion are "Sites with other meaningful, relevant content that is not suitable for inclusion in an article" (What should be linked). As noted above, linking to the actual item the article is about highly meaningful, relevant, and not suitable for inclusion. They are not less appropriate than the many links at Moby-Dick or the link to Google Video at Steal This Movie!.

Regarding WP:COI, Diggernet has not attempted to influence the facts and claims of an article. There are no claims of misrepresentation or a adding bias. The only thing you can claim is potentially self-promotion, which is pretty much identical to accusing hi m of spamming. Again, it's a judgement call.

On the subject of accussations, you claim "the contributions to wikipedia under Diggernet consist entirely of adding external links to ifiction.org". That's a very serious accusation. It's also incorrect. Check Special:Contributions/Diggernet again. Diggernet made about 31 contributions between August 17 2006 and July 19 2007, of which none appear to include adding external links to his sites. Please be more careful before making such statements; it could easily be perceived as a personal attack.

Per WP:EL#Advertising_and_conflicts_of_interest, true, Diggernet probably shouldn't have added the links. But it's a guideline, not a hard and fast rule. The links deserve more careful consideration than bulk deletion. As WP:EL notes, "If the link is to a relevant and informative site that should otherwise be included, please consider mentioning it on the talk page and let neutral and independent Wikipedia editors decide whether to add it" I'm a neutral and independent editor (I don't know Diggernet, nor am I involved in his web site. I believe the links should be added. Maybe the procedure in the guidelines wasn't followed, but ultimately we need to go back to the first rule to consider: ignore all rules. "Don't follow written instructions mindlessly, but rather, consider how the encyclopedia is improved or damaged by each edit."(here) Do Diggernet's edits improve or damage the articles they were added to?" If they improve the articles, they should stay. I thought adding such a link would improve Zork I, so I added such a link several months before Diggernet got involved. Apparently KingTT and [Briangotts] agree. Diggernet might need a warning to be follow the guidelines about linking to his own sites, but bulk deletion of those links hurts those articles more than it helps. — Alan De Smet | Talk 19:31, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

I'm not being mindless in approving of Hu12 removing the links. In terms of approving of the edits - any content should be considered in the context of each article. We should not have a blanket "it's good content so its OK where ever it's put" rule. Allowing links that are mass added to stay unhindered does two bad things for Wikipedia - it leaves in content that has not been considered from an NPOV perspective, where there is good reason to consider it to be a POV edit (not just that it's a link to the editors' site, but also that the site has been mass added to lots of articles). And it also encourages people to game the system. Having a response system that does not default back to the pre-promoted state will leave us with thousands of spam links that we can't remove because there aren't enough people able to evaluate them in context. Content should have a reason for inclusion, it shouldn't be there by default. External links are the least valuable content that can be added. If it's a truly useful link, another editor can add it. Articles don't have to be finished today. -- SiobhanHansa 19:57, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

You've helped me realize why this is tweaking me. I watch about half of the articles that Diggernet added his links to. At the time he added them, I noticed the pattern of bulk addition and investigated some. I decided the links were good additions and left them be. Unfortunately there really isn't a way to say that a link was left after secondary review, and not because it's been overlooked. At the time he added them, I checked the links on the pages I watched (About 10 of the 40). When I reverted Hu12, I checked a subset (again, about 10, probably heavily overlapping with my previous review).  :::::Ultimately I am, I hope, "another editor" and am free to add them again. Given the situation I'll check every single link before I add it, not just reverting the last version back in. That is, I'll check the page on ifiction.org, and confirm that it is a as claimed, is suitable and is a valuable addition to the article. Will that be acceptable, or will it be viewed as simple re-adding the spam and just get reverted again? (Note, any such edits on my part are not imminent; I expect to be away from Wikipedia for a week or so. Today's a day off before things get very busy.) — Alan De Smet | Talk 20:37, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

That is a bit of a glitch in the process. I'm not sure of a good way to reconcile that. For my part, if a regular editor of an article adds a link back because they think its appropriate I wouldn't revert as spam. I don't see that as part of the function of this WikiProject. -- SiobhanHansa 13:50, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

I do want to say, thank you Hu12 and SiobhanHansa for your anti-spam work. I do appreciate the problems with wikispam. I hate it and strive to quickly expunge it when it shows up in the articles I'm watching. I appreciate the time you're taking in this easy to overlook but very valuable service. I have the utmost respect for your work. — Alan De Smet | Talk 20:40, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

Okay, if you want my opinion, I can see why linking to Project Gutenberg's full content of "Moby Dick" might be essential to the understanding of the book, and thus of the article. You can't understand a book without reading it, same as you can't understand interactive fiction without playing it. But the analogy ends here.

I can play these games without iFiction.org. It's not an essential resource. It's an external web service that lets you play online instead of on your own machine. Usually there's already a link to Baf's Guide in the articles. Most games that are free to download are available from there. (Unless I missed some download links, iFiction.org is a pure "service", not a "resource", for that matter). What is more, Baf's already gives links to iFiction.org too! I have no doubts that these links were added in good faith to the articles, but I don't understand how they would be "valuable additions" that improve the content of an online-encyclopedia. 84.129.132.251 20:48, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia could just as easily say, "Moby-Dick is widely available in public libraries, so go look there." Online copies are hardly an essential resource for the novel. But it's possible get Moby-Dick online, and it's certainly more convenient. The same goes for ifiction. It allows a reader to consult the source material immediately with almost any web browser. It is the easiest route I'm aware of to directly connect a Wikipedia reader to the source material being discussed. That is valuable. This is similiar to how the article Steal This Film includes a link to the "official" source (A torrent at the Pirate Bay), but also includes a link to Google Video which is more convenient for many visitors. The Google Video link is not essential, but is valuable. As for the Baf's Guide link, a new reader is unlikely to see one of the Baf's Guide links and conclude that it's the quickest way to see the source material. — Alan De Smet | Talk 21:40, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

Well, this was quite a surprise to stumble across. Isn't there some mechanism for auto-notifying when your user or talk page is tagged for something negative? Hopefully, the participants in this conversation haven't all moved on by now.

I appreciate the efforts of Alan and SiobhanHansa to take the time to read and understand the discussion at WP:EA and speak in my defense, and especially for being so kind as to actually let me know this conversation was taking place and where. Good faith demands I assume Hu12 would have contacted me directly, as recommended in WP:COI, had my 'E-mail this user' setting been on (didn't realize it was off, fixed now, sorry), but a little more effort than simply tagging me as a vandal would have been nice.

• "There's also Google-ads"

Yeah. I added those a couple of months ago in the hope that the site might pay for its own hosting. It doesn't, but it helps some. Please forgive my limited budget.

• "appears to have added all but one of the links after being advised"

After being advised that it was OK. And I actually added all the links after that advice. I am not 84.171.248.61.

• "there is also a template in the works"

I was considering a template to simplify maintenance and make the link text uniform. Following the advice from WP:EA, I abandoned the idea and pasted the code into my sandbox to save what I had learned for future reference on template design.

• "The contributions to wikipedia by Diggernet consist entirely of adding external links to ifiction.org"

Utter hogwash! I have contributed to a variety of articles in the year since I created my account here, and more anonymously before that. Once cannot possibly imagine that my history is accurately represented by 40 edits in one two-day period. "vast majority of edits"? Slightly over half.

Before asking my question at WP:EA, I read many relevant articles, including WP:SPAM, WP:COI, WP:NOT, WP:EL, and a number of others that I do not recall. Do I have a conflict of interest? Certainly. Somewhere in one of the articles, I remember reading a comment to the effect that such conflicts are common among people with enough involvement in a topic to be able to contribute about it, but that simply having a conflict is not a problem. The real concern is how the conflict is handled. Wise words.

After all that reading, my conclusion was that a link from an existing article about a game directly into that specific game is reasonable, as it shows the reader exactly what the article is discussing in a way that cannot be included in the article. But I also recognized that it was a close decision, and one that I, as the conflicted party, should not make. So I decided to submit my plans to WP:EA, starting with a statement of my conflict, and abide by their decision. And did so.

All that said, I'm not here to start a fight. I had an idea I thought would be a useful addition, and took great care to confirm that it was acceptable before taking any action on it. If WikiProject Spam believes my edits are unacceptable due to my conflict of interest, I'm not going to waste time trying to convince them otherwise, because it's just not that important. I'm fine with dropping the idea and leaving it up to other editors, as I would have done had I received a different answer from WP:EA.

Now could someone please fix my talk page so that it no longer slanders me as a spamming sock puppet? I'm inclined to simply delete the whole thing, but I clearly have a conflict of interest...

Thanks for listening. Diggernet 22:46, 16 August 2007 (UTC)

See Who's Editing Wikipedia

Wikipedia:Conflict_of_interest/Noticeboard#Helpful_web_application:_Wikiscanner
Saw this posted over on the COI noticeboard by David Fuchs. This Wired News article profiles a Wiki Tracker that searches for companies and their ip addresses, and shows what they've been editing.

http://wikiscanner.virgil.gr/

More tools for the box --Hu12 05:36, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.livingwithreflux.org

• livingwithreflux.org: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spam sock accounts

Tracey guilliattparks (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
84.159.81.236 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
91.125.220.36 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
--Hu12 10:02, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.netforu.org http:// spam.visaforu.com

Adsense pub-7701073308242782
This is a low content site that has been repeatedly added to Visa (document), the IP users have a habit of removing content from the article and modifying or deleting other users discussion page comments if said comments reflect negatively on the inclusion of their site..

• visaforu.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Aysha2k6 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
59.92.14.20 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.75.183 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.83.207 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.25.6 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.63.176 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.55.148 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.82.244 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.92.105 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.61.80 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.49.107 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.47.242 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.47.163 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.32.184 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.33.27 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.70.54 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.38.96 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.92.11 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.94.107 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.25.6 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.43.187 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.18.51 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.73.99 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.46.190 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.82.75 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.97.169 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.10.48 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.36.53 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.18.201 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.53.181 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
and many other IP's in this range.. --Versageek 13:06, 13 August 2007 (UTC)

Adsense pub-7701073308242782

• netforu.org: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spam sock accounts

Visaforu (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
59.92.92.113 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.71.128 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.82.231 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.3.8 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.54.50 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.64.28 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.57.22 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.44.62 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.35.0 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.92.49.237 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)cross wiki spam IP
59.92.86.109 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log) Vandalism account
59.92.71.110 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log) Vandalism account
59.92.87.54 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log) Vandalism account
--Hu12 10:14, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

FYI, 59.92.86.109 tried to delete both the WPSPAM entry here^[12] and the COIbot report.^[13] --A. B. ^(talk) 00:13, 16 August 2007 (UTC)

And 59.92.71.110 also tried to blank the user talk page here^[14] -- zzuuzz ^(talk) 00:18, 16 August 2007 (UTC)

Continued vandalism; 59.92.87.54 blanked project pages. ^[15][16]--Hu12 14:32, 19 August 2007 (UTC)

Cross-wiki spam:

• de:Spezial:Beiträge/59.92.10.48
• simple:Special:Contributions/59.92.49.237
• id:Istimewa:Kontribusi_pengguna/59.92.47.131
• simple:Special:Contributions/59.92.41.167

--A. B. ^(talk) 18:38, 19 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.thetimes100.co.uk

• thetimes100.co.uk: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spam sock accounts

Jayhands (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
--Hu12 10:47, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.lek.com

L.E.K. Consulting

• lek.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spam sock accounts

Kid291uk (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Kid1983uk (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Sebvan (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Agentpanda (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
59.154.61.35 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
--Hu12 20:57, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.newenglandcleanfuels.com

• newenglandcleanfuels.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spam sock accounts

Jlglex (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
65.96.76.23 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
spams paragraphs with links--Hu12 23:56, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

http://www.secstate.wa.gov/history/publications

Another librarian. See here for previous library/archive discussions (nothing has been resolved as of yet regarding this type of thing).

• Richardaedwards (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

• Linksearch

Katr67 20:54, 6 August 2007 (UTC)

• secstate.wa.gov: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Lets monitor. --Dirk Beetstra ^{T C} 21:07, 6 August 2007 (UTC)

Broader implications of librarians' linking campaigns

I suggest taking this whole topic to a broader audience such as the administrators' noticeboard and/or the village pump and/or the discussion pages for one of the relevant guidelines (WP:COI, WP:EL, WP:SPAM). From looking at the prior discussion (Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Spam/2007 Archive Jul#Library links discussions) it looks like this is an issue that will only grow and fester until the broader community reaches some consensus. I'm biased towards being fairly receptive to these links submitted from librarians, but I see several problems from prior link cleanup:

1. If every librarian gets in on the act, they will create spam holes that attract real spam. The spam hole phenomenon is very real and we see it every day. Our Great Depression article just can't sustain links to the Depression-era collections of every university, museum and historical society in the English-speaking world.
2. Frequently these links refer to the existence of some document while not providing much actual content -- just a sort of indexing page. I saw that with many of the links cleaned out of the Appalachia article earlier this year.
3. Sometimes, librarians link to a nice university page that goes into way too much detail; one (fictitious) example would be a page about "Hybrid crabapple trees in Tasmania" linked from the main Tasmania article.
4. Alternately, they may link to something too shallow; for example, a page about "World War II in the Pacific" linked from our Battle of Midway article.

I noted some of the librarians that posted in the previous discussion were dismissive towards regular Wikipedia editors. Wikipedia can really use the expertise of good professional librarians helping here, but from the sorts of thing I've seen, there remains confusion about what we do and how we do it. Some librarians may be confusing us with DMOZ, WikiSource or Commons.

Librarians, as well, really are people, too, and they can get just as excited and enthusiastic about what they've got as anyone else. Promoting their collections may interfere with our goals even if when not motivated by greed.

Perhaps a working group of librarians and editors could start by putting together an essay on the topic.--A. B. ^(talk) 21:48, 6 August 2007 (UTC)

Some other editor communities that may have some insights:

• Wikipedia:WikiProject Resource Exchange
• Wikipedia:Library
• Wikipedia:Research resources
• Wikipedia:WikiProject Fact and Reference Check
• Wikipedia:WikiProject Librarians
• Category:Wikipedian librarians

These projects don't exactly deal with the issue we're discussing, but they likely draw some editors that are librarians or otherwise have some insights on this issue. --A. B. ^(talk) 21:53, 6 August 2007 (UTC)

I'd just like to point out that, in my opinion, it's not necessarily the links themselves that are a problem, but the way they are being added to articles as a sort of "campaign" as A.B. calls it. In the above case, I especially object to the phrase "Available online through the Washington State Library's Classics in Washington History collection", which seems unnecessarily like an ad for that library's services. I actually used one of the previously discussed links as a citation recently, however. I do think people mean well, but we need to reach consensus on this matter. Katr67 22:18, 6 August 2007 (UTC)

These discussions (as many discussions here) often become heated, with arguments like 'but we have information that wikipedia does not have', and 'we link to reliable, on topic, information'. So I just want to say here: we do want the links. Really! But we are more interested in the information that can be provided. And what we want even more, is the information, with the link as a reference. Because a link without the information is just a tunnel away from this encyclopedia, which does not necessarily improve the article where the link is on. As said, it tunnels to the site, people do not stay on the Wikipedia article, and may not return unless they use the back-button. IMHO, the wikipedia article should be totally stand-alone, containing all the information that one could possibly want (or on more wikipedia articles linked together) with references to reliable sources (as many libraries and other archives are!) which back up that information. And I do understand, there are some things that simply can not be incorporated, but that is not very often the case! And I also do understand that people do not always have time to edit articles, but if one has time to add 10 external links to 10 articles, one also has time to add 2 sentences of information and 1 reference to one article, both should take about 5 minutes.

In that process of adding links, it is best not to set of our spam radar, or our conflict of interest radar. Concerning these 'spam' or 'conflicts of interest', indeed, many of these organisations are not commercial, they do not actively sell something. Still (and I know that what I suggest here is in violation of 'assume good faith'), the efficiency of the organisation is often measured by the number of visitors (which may for higher organisations be a measure for the influx of money to the library/archive; such organisations still do need the money to pay their employees, the building and the heating). Though the linkadditions are meant to improve the Wikipedia, in that process people are invited to visit the linked site, and I think it is in both our interest to try and avoid such implications (even if they are totally untrue and not meant that way). --Dirk Beetstra ^{T C} 07:54, 7 August 2007 (UTC)

Good points have been raised and I've been thinking about the issues and discussing it with other librarians. I'd be glad to participate in any working group that might be formed. Let me ask your opinion about some potential options:

As one example, my original citation was:

• Mitchell, Samuel Augustus (1846). Accompaniment to Mitchell's New map of Texas, Oregon, and California, with the regions adjoining. S. Augustus Mitchell.Available online through the Washington State Library's Classics in Washington History collection

I wanted to use a template to try and abide by Wikipedia's standards. I used the fields in the {cite book} template that seemed most appropriate to share information researchers need to make informed decisions about the value of the resource, including author, title, publisher and date. And of course a link to the actual digital edition (not to the library home page, but the actual document being cited). In adding that link, it made sense to me at the time to add our library name and collection as the source of that digital edition.

The changes made to remove the "spam" from the Oregon article resulted in this citation:

• Accompaniment to Mitchell's New map of Texas, Oregon, and California, with the regions adjoining by Samuel Augustus Mitchell

As a librarian and educator, I think it's important to include further citation information, both so that the work can be correctly attributed and so that a researcher looking at the entry can decide whether the link is worth pursuing. The date can imply primary or secondary sources, and even the publisher information can show a point of view (our example book is self-published, for example).

Adding an entry for the library is a way of showing the authenticity and value of the selected source as the publisher of the digital version. If the Washington State Library includes a title in its Classics in Washington History Collection, then a researcher might assume that the work is indeed recognized as important and respected material on topics related to the Pacific Northwest.

The use of the Library name also appear in OCLC cataloging records which are created according to professional library standards. The catalog entry for our digitial version of this book includes a MARC 710 field (Added Entry–Corporate Name) due to the Washington State Library's creation and publication of this digitized edition.

If you search OCLC's Worldcat you will see the Library mentioned in several Notes, and "Washington State Library. Classics in Washington History" appears at the top next to the author as a link. Clicking on that link brings up the entire list of books digitized by our library for that collection.

The Library's name is not just "advertising" but rather is part of the information about this particular edition. That's why it's been included in the catalog record and why I think it should be included in the citation in Wikipedia.

I think it's also important to use a citation template to try and standardize the information and formatting used for Wikipedia entries. So I've taken a deeper look at the cite book template and how the fields from the MARC records might best be matched.

So how about this option where the library, as creator and publisher of the digital version, is listed in the template's OTHERS field:

• Mitchell, Samuel Augustus (1846). Accompaniment to Mitchell's New map of Texas, Oregon, and California, with the regions adjoining (DJVU). Washington State Library's Classics in Washington History collection. S. Augustus Mitchell. OCLC 55035028.

Does this format make sense? Other suggestions? Richardaedwards 16:11, 14 August 2007 (UTC)

Hi, I don't think it is the way it is linked, or what is linked is a problem (except when libraries/archives/etc. are linking to non-unique resources of which they also hold a copy, which does seem unnecessary to me), but the way the links get added. The way our spam-radar here gets set of is when accounts perform link/reference-additions only. Librarians/archivers/etc-ers are welcome resources for information, not only for the links into their information services. When content gets added with references, which are 'occasional' to their own organisation (as in, not exclusively) no-one here will complain, even when the links are added to external links sections. Hope this explains. --Dirk Beetstra ^{T C} 10:37, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.plagiarismarchive.com

Adsense pub-0369818056753427

• plagiarismarchive.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spam sock accounts

Plagiarismarchive (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
--Hu12 12:30, 16 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.formalid.com

Adsense pub-4977285132140452

• formalid.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spam sock accounts

212.13.254.2 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
--Hu12 12:55, 16 August 2007 (UTC)

myperpignan.com perpignanfr.com

myperpignan.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
perpignanfr.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spammers

• 90.28.24.214 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.28.16.17 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.28.148.210 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 83.113.24.81 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.28.167.245 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.36.128.99 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.36.131.168 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.28.130.208 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.28.13.191 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.28.14.217 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.28.161.246 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.29.193.153 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.27.203.122 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.28.145.157 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.29.58.184 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.28.160.95 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.14.127.234 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.14.121.35 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)

There are more, I think. Long term dynamic IP spamming. The local blacklist beckons. MER-C 13:07, 16 August 2007 (UTC)

Another spammer. MER-C 13:14, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

Local Global blacklisting requested. MER-C 13:23, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

This was requested via WP:ANI and I have updated the local spam filter. Have no meta privs, sorry! - Alison ☺ 06:23, 19 August 2007 (UTC)

 Done User:Herbythyme has now updated the Meta blacklist so I've gone ahead and unprot'd the article and will remove them from local. Yayy!! - Alison ☺ 14:34, 19 August 2007 (UTC)

Blatant demo spam

Links are added with 'Click to view interactive tour.':

• webapps.easy2.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
• dewalt.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com (company page, not really 'spam')

Accounts:

• 12.148.189.25 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)

--Dirk Beetstra ^{T C} 13:13, 16 August 2007 (UTC)

User:498a

This is partially a cross posting from WP:COIN:
498a (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) -
User 498a's name is a reference to India's anti-dowry law, section 498a. They are adding links (which break WP:EL because its a link to unverified research and//or a personal site) to an anti-Section 498a site to Bride burning (the subject of which is dowry killing).[17] It is possible that this user is the person behind that site since its name is "www.498a-misuse.sojos.net". The same links were added to Dowry law in India[18], Dowry[19], Human rights in India[20], Non-resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin[21] and Indian penal code[22]

I've already reverted the Bride burning spam--Cailil ^talk 18:07, 16 August 2007 (UTC)

• 498a-misuse.sojos.net: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

adding linksearch--Hu12 23:08, 16 August 2007 (UTC)

Same stuff is being added by an IP 69.181.134.149[23]--Cailil ^talk 11:57, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

Affiliate spamming of http://spam.moneybookers.com

• moneybookers.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

• Affiliate ID 1188674
  

Spam sock accounts

Nnnlll (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
84.174.32.245 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
84.174.61.186 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
de.88.70.62.37 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
de.84.174.28.116 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
de.Nasowas (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

• Affiliate ID 3872559
  

Spam sock accounts

196.206.192.158 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
196.206.228.4 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
196.206.205.254 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
196.206.218.190 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
196.217.191.191 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
196.206.203.133 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
196.217.151.186 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
196.217.149.166 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)

• Affiliate ID 3462058
  

Spam sock accounts

67.68.153.233 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)

• Affiliate ID 1405659
  

Spam sock accounts

87.250.113.199 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)

• Affiliate ID 3174545
  

Spam sock accounts

87.212.129.30 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)

• Affiliate ID 321266
  

Spam sock accounts

Enwik (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

• Affiliate ID 2894426
  

Spam sock accounts

88.191.19.8 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)

• Affiliate ID 815360
  

Spam sock accounts

83.99.36.42 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
213.135.227.55 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)

• Affiliate ID 466479
  

Spam sock accounts

Fiach6383 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

• Affiliate ID 316906
  

Spam sock accounts

81.190.146.122 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)

• wikipedia foundation refferal id Affiliate ID 312838
  
• http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Fundraising

added by

SpaceBunny (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
--Hu12 01:54, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

Hedgestreet http://spam.hedgestreet.com

→ See also: Wikipedia:Conflict_of_interest/Noticeboard#Hedgestreet
other article; Hedgelet → See: Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Hedgelet

• hedgestreet.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spam sock accounts

Hedgestreet (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Jen2081 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Rweissman (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
12.119.240.218 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
216.139.143.122 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
68.148.183.34 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
--Hu12 05:04, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.mastyspot.blogspot.com http://spam.invisionplus.net http://spam.mastyspot.co.nr

Spam pages

• Malkoo (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• Usman Shani (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)
• File:Usman Shani.JPG (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs)
• File:Malkoo.jpg (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs)

Sites spammed

• mastyspot.blogspot.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
• mastyspot.co.nr: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
• invisionplus.net: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spammers

• 74.122.29.46 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 207.112.43.108 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• DesiMD (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

Invisionplus.net should be fed to shadowbot as it is yet another create your own forum site. MER-C 13:13, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.thevirtualsexreview.com

thevirtualsexreview.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spammers

• 74.108.213.120 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)

MER-C 13:17, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.paullee.com

paullee.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spammers

• 90.206.243.115 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.202.116.115 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.197.238.135 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.203.231.56 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.204.41.200 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.198.128.136 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.197.230.95 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.197.195.195 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 90.197.214.230 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 80.254.147.68 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log) (has other contributions)

MER-C 13:44, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

Local Blacklisting?

Did this happen while I was off for a couple of months? It seems like most requests are still being made at meta:Talk:Spam blacklist. What's the difference between the two? I skimmed the archive but couldn't find a discussion about this. If I missed it, please just point me in the right direction). Thanks -- SiobhanHansa 13:55, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

MediaWiki:Spam-blacklist affects en.wiki only, the one on meta affects everything with the spam blacklist extension. MER-C 14:00, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

So we should g local unless there's crosswiki spam? -- SiobhanHansa 14:15, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

I would consider true spam (porn, viagra), even if it is not crosswiki yet, also for the meta blacklist. The less blatant ones either for the local blacklist (if it is rubbish), otherwise user:AntiSpamBot. --Dirk Beetstra ^{T C} 14:55, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

Pushing blacklisting out to the individual projects highlights the fact that it's very hard to find out what other projects have been spammed. We have one fairly new tool at http://tools.wikimedia.de/~eagle/linksearch to search the largest Wikipedias. It misses almost 200 other Wikipedias + all >500 other Wikimedia projects. We have another tool with which to check an IP's cross-project edits at http://tools.wikimedia.de/~luxo/contributions/contributions.php but for reasons I don't understand, about half the time it doesn't work right (I don't know if it's a tool problem or a database problem). When we say something has only been spammed to a particular project, we really don't know if that's true or not. For instance, there are 1000s of external links on en.wikiquote; longtime spam-fighters here will recognize some familiar domains. Until we have much better tools for tracking spam Wikimedia-wide, I think we need to keep using meta -- if a link is inappropriate and has been spammed uncontrollably on one project we should default to blacklisting it across all projects.

I think the local blacklists are best for cases where an otherwise appropriate link is spammed uncontrollably on one project but other projects still wish to use it. There was an Italian art site for instance that did this a while back (I don't remember the domain). It was encyclopedic, but the site owner's persistence in spamming it everywhere across one project became intolerable. It was blacklisted here, but then other projects started complaining. It would have been useful to swap it from the meta list to the local list in this case.

Finally, I'll note that there's a big backlog at Meta; the only admin working on it is reluctant to even blacklist x-wiki stuff, so I suggest blacklisting here, then taking it to meta.

And please, can I talk one of our fine admins here into standing for Meta admin? I'm sure other Meta admins would appreciate the helping hand. --A. B. ^(talk) 20:18, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

• reset

Swore I'd not be back here! Not that interesting but I was here before so I do know a bit about this aspect of the project. So - a Meta perspective. Guidelines certainly mean that we really only should be looking at disruptive persistent cross wiki link placing for a start. Really en wp only links should be dealt with on the local blacklist - it ain't hard!

Yes there is a backlog (the en wp admins that were active there seem to be awol) however a couple of us have started picking up threads (& indeed blacklisting domains).

Be patient and help us out - some of the discussions we are coming to afresh and are quite hard to work out what is really going on. I'm even inclined to say some should be closed and re-listed for clarity.

I'll do what I can but I am active on more than just Meta so have things to do. If you want me here is not the best place for contacting me - Meta or Commons would be better, mail is availble. Cheers --Herby ^{talk thyme} 13:42, 21 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.thecandypitch.com

thecandypitch.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spammers

• 141.156.238.234 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 72.75.79.125 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 72.75.118.144 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)

Reported by Videmus Omnia ^Talk 14:02, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

Two more spammers. MER-C 14:08, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.justpressplay.net

justpressplay.net: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spammer

• 71.198.59.124 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)

Reported by Videmus Omnia ^Talk 14:25, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

http:// spam.trackthatad.com squidoo spam in welcome messages

There's been a few accounts recently adding squidoo/trackthatad spam in welcome messages:

• Mettihal (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Nixetion (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Quobegation (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• Vuruless (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• AlexFR (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• trackthatad.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
• squidoo.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

-- zzuuzz ^(talk) 02:26, 18 August 2007 (UTC)

That warrents a black listing if you ask me... --T-rex 03:17, 18 August 2007 (UTC)

Some are blocked already, all the spam needs to be deleted.--Hu12 05:21, 18 August 2007 (UTC)

All the spam is now gone and the accounts blocked. I don't see any reason for trackthatad links on Wikipedia. Squidoo backlinks need constant checking. -- zzuuzz ^(talk) 14:55, 18 August 2007 (UTC)

I'm going to localy BL this, there is no instance when this link is appropriate on Wikipedia--Hu12 06:18, 19 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.sitespect.com

• sitespect.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Accounts

Dmorgan2000 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
66.92.75.175 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
--Hu12 05:17, 18 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.squidoo.com

(pulled from june and july archives) Adsense pub-9879162776784828

• squidoo.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spam sock accounts

H3athrow (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Meganjcasey (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Ricklomas (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
24.59.43.45 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
59.100.20.95 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
67.173.75.59 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
81.105.229.100 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
81.105.229.232 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
124.187.189.76 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
216.59.226.21 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
216.59.254.218 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
216.59.255.160 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
216.59.231.214 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
216.59.253.160 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
Pradco (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Extremecitizen (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
203.120.68.72 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
89.53.132.30 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
82.75.231.141 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
87.252.140.166 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
68.198.135.28 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
Linhuck (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Lockwood77 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
210.49.94.3 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
75.55.191.222 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
66.75.52.31 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
86.196.143.54 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
71.41.134.42 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
69.156.179.6 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
141.154.243.111 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
Grafic (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
59.92.149.204 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
Gurubob (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
24.205.158.47 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
Fahnee (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
GreenWise (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
88.108.196.16 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
81.241.23.164 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
69.81.198.208 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
71.128.6.30 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
Jdandeneau (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
68.173.5.132 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
Pyeman73 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Ketsang (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Dialx003 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
FrancesLey (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Ketsang (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
88.108.255.171 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
Sethgodin (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Kymdog (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
61.127.188.153 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
154.20.190.52 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
Affiliate-radar (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Larrybla (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
69.237.154.232 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
63.66.135.86 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
69.81.77.78 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
72.185.67.129 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
69.130.25.133 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
69.81.77.78 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
HisStarlight (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
216.59.252.197 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
70.177.237.118 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
Bjuliette (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Grafic (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
--Hu12 10:46, 19 June 2007 (UTC)

Whee .. seconds after blacklisting/monitorlisting: 122.164.34.216 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log). --Dirk Beetstra ^{T C} 11:22, 19 June 2007 (UTC)

squidoo.com is sort of like some blogging sites, individual users are given subdirectories (er.. lenses in squidoo-speak) from which they may reap Adsense profits. --Versageek 11:51, 19 June 2007 (UTC)

This sub domain has now magically disapeared --T-rex 13:10, 19 June 2007 (UTC)

This didn't seem to archive properly so I'm reposting. Still working on it.--Hu12 02:52, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Still a major problem, have cleaned but always comes back. --Hu12 16:07, 18 August 2007 (UTC)

• I've listed it here MediaWiki_talk:Spam-blacklist#squidoo.com however, this is probably better if its listed at meta--Hu12 16:20, 18 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.serioussoft.com

Adsense pub-0859283321910528

• serioussoft.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spam sock accounts

Ghoneim (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
82.201.199.172 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
196.205.141.86 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
--Hu12 18:43, 18 August 2007 (UTC)

Nightly bot archiving broken

I left a message at User_talk:Shadowbot3 about a problem first noticed by User:Hu12, that this page is not being archived correctly. Has no effect on users of this page unless you are searching for an item archived since 13 August. Will keep you posted. EdJohnston 05:14, 19 August 2007 (UTC)

This occurs when there is a blacklisted link in the archive. The bot can't add the archive or de-link the bad links, so the current months archive needs to be checked manualy sometimes. Its been corrected, there were three BL links, should archive succesfuly now.--Hu12 05:59, 19 August 2007 (UTC)

Can somone make sense of this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special%3ALinksearch&target=*.bleb.org

Seems like these are all on SPA's..or does this serve a function?--Hu12 06:49, 19 August 2007 (UTC)

One of the legitimate uses for user accounts (this has been brought up during usurpation discussions) is to customise the layout for reading Wikipedia. The dates of creation of these monobooks are wide-ranging, which indicates it's not a campaign of any sort. I don't see there's anything wrong here. -- zzuuzz ^(talk) 09:03, 19 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.mbapakistan.com

mbapakistan.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spammers

• 213.42.21.150 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
• 213.42.21.60 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)

MER-C 12:15, 19 August 2007 (UTC)

Photobucket question

I know I've run across administrators removing photobucket.com links, and I do know that LinkSearch keeps a record of them, but I've searched and searched for a specific policy regarding the use of them, and so far have come up empty. Could someone please let me know how to deal with editors that add links to photobucket images (aside from copyright issues, is there a policy with regards to linking to them)? I did check the external links policy, the copyright policy, the image policies, and could not find a specific note about the issue. Thanks in advance! ^Ariel♥Gold 12:52, 19 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.sirensmag.com

• sirensmag.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spam sock accounts

66.108.113.1 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
24.239.139.115 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
66.65.61.207 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
--Hu12 22:46, 19 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.value-investing-center.com

Adsense pub-5663444745029481

• value-investing-center.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spam sock accounts

Ohadlivne (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
192.114.162.50 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
88.154.151.90 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
79.178.6.5 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
82.81.156.238 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
82.81.211.110 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
--Hu12 23:52, 19 August 2007 (UTC)

Spamming of adsense related EL's

Adsense pub-5908824067047283

• http://spam.footballpictures.net
• http://spam.forumfutbol.com
• http://spam.picture10.net
• http://spam.flowerpictures1.com

• • footballpictures.net: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
  • forumfutbol.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
  • picture10.net: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
  • flowerpictures1.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Cross-wiki Spam accounts

http://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96zel:Contributions/88.228.91.25
http://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96zel:Contributions/88.244.232.32
http://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96zel:Contributions/Hutame
http://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96zel:Contributions/Jimraynor
http://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96zel:Contributions/88.242.137.140

Spam sock accounts

AkdenizliAslan (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
--Hu12 09:08, 20 August 2007 (UTC)

Adsense Spamming

Adsense pub-7086695109148775

• http://spam.phonicsreviewed.com
• http://spam.reviewed-plasma-tv.com
• http://spam.time-management-tools.com pub-1096961501077673
• http://spam.closetorganizertips.com
• http://spam.optionmargins.com
• http://spam.portfoliomargining.com
• http://spam.getafreecreditreport.us

• • phonicsreviewed.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
  • reviewed-plasma-tv.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
  • time-management-tools.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
  • closetorganizertips.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
  • optionmargins.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
  • portfoliomargining.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
  • getafreecreditreport.us: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spam sock accounts

76.167.49.72 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
--Hu12 09:24, 20 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.sustainlane.com

A green campaign, users linking all occurances of the word 'sustainlane' to the external site, as well as names of cities which are named on the site as being 'green' (see alse Green cities

• sustainlane.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Users:

• Kenao (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
• 203.200.218.230 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)

--Dirk Beetstra ^{T C} 10:57, 20 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.earncash.co.in

Adsense pub-1525486784170633

• earncash.co.in: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Spam sock accounts

122.164.150.115 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
--Hu12 15:25, 20 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.euromonitor.com

Euromonitor

• euromonitor.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Accounts

Lkbtmb (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · nuke contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
12.159.227.50 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log) IP works for Euromonitor [24]
Any thoughts on the links? --Hu12 23:40, 20 August 2007 (UTC)

They're selling reports and other merchandise – clearly spam. - KrakatoaKatie 17:01, 21 August 2007 (UTC)

http://spam.localrestorations.com/

• localrestorations.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

Accounts

71.183.105.203 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)

Has been added to New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Carolina, Tomato, Remediation, and Spinach within the space of one hour, not just as EL's but as links from place names. -- Alucard (Dr.) | Talk 17:07, 21 August 2007 (UTC)

yet more garden-variety spam..

I suspect this spammer has a big garden of sites he'd like to add, these are the ones I found today...

38.97.94.34 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)

• wickerchairs.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
• bedroom-furniture-direct.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
• csnlighting.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
• dietinglibrary.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
• allbarstools.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
• everygenerator.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
• allmodernfurniture.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
• upholstery.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
• csnleather.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
• allairbeds.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
• adirondack-furniture-direct.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com
• allmodern.com: Linksearch en (insource) - meta - de - fr - simple - wikt:en - wikt:fr • Spamcheck • MER-C X-wiki • gs • Reports: Links on en - COIBot - COIBot-Local • Discussions: tracked - advanced - RSN • COIBot-Link, Local, & XWiki Reports - Wikipedia: en - fr - de • Google: search • meta • Domain: domaintools • AboutUs.com

--Versageek 21:46, 21 August 2007 (UTC)