User:Intelligentsium/Understanding the Username Policy
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Every day, many new accounts are created. Wikipedia has standards on what is and is not considered acceptable as a username. During the account creation process, these standards are presented to all prospective new users in an abridged form. In spite of this, some fail to read them, deliberately defy them, or otherwise create a username that is unacceptable. Blatantly unacceptable names can be reported to Usernames for Administrator Attention to receive an immediate block. However, some usernames which seem unacceptable are let by with {{UAA|b}}; 
Not a blatant violation of the username policy. Other times, usernames that seem completely innocuous are blocked. This essay is intended to clarify what is and is not considered acceptable, and what is and is not appropriate to report to WP:UAA.
The policy
[edit]According to the username policy:
There are four kinds of usernames that are specifically disallowed:
- Misleading usernames imply relevant, misleading things about the contributor. Misleading names include those that imply you are in a position of authority over Wikipedia, or those that impersonate other people.
- Promotional usernames are used to promote a group, company, product or website on Wikipedia.
- Offensive usernames are those that offend other contributors, making harmonious editing difficult or impossible.
- Disruptive usernames include outright trolling or personal attacks, include profanities or otherwise show a clear intent to disrupt Wikipedia.
The above, with the rare exception, are the only times when a user may be blocked due to their username. Please note that UAA is only one of many avenues with which to deal with inappropriate usernames. Other avenues include:
- Talk to the user
- Many users who create new usernames have not read this policy. If you see a username that is problematic but was not obviously created in bad faith, you should make an attempt to encourage the user to create a new account with a better username. Often, the problem can be cleared up in an amicable way. If you want, you can use the {{uw-username}} template for this.
- Request for Comment
- If you are uncertain about whether a user should be blocked over their username – for example, if you have discussed a problem with their username with them, but they refuse to change it – you can open a Request for Comment on the username, inviting other users to discuss whether to allow or block the name. Ensure that you have first attempted dialogue with the user regarding the name issue on their talk page, and that you have given them time to respond. As always, consider leaving well enough alone and assume good faith when dealing with usernames that do not unambiguously step out of bounds.
... - Conflict of interest
- If the username simply indicates that the user has a conflict of interest, without otherwise being an inappropriate username, report it at the Conflict of Interest Noticeboard. You can additionally use the template {{uw-coi-username}}.
- Other policies
- The username policy does not have to override other policies. If you find a user who is spamming or vandalizing under a bad username, for example, you should follow up using the spam or vandalism policy.
What it means
[edit]This policy is often misunderstood, and as a result, many usernames are reported to WP:UAA that should not be.
Misleading usernames
[edit]A misleading username is one that "impl[ies] relevant, misleading things about the contributor..." This criterion covers usernames that end in -bot, usernames that contain words such as admin, crat, etc., etc. This criterion also covers usernames that imply impersonation, often of a prominent or highly active Wikipedian; for example, User:Jimmy Wales impersonates User:Jimbo Wales. A username representing an IP address, a real name, or a non-Latin name does not constitute a misleading username (at least one that is immediately blockable). While these are not encouraged, neither are they forbidden (though the former two are not recommended).
Promotional usernames
[edit]A promotional username is one that "[is] used to promote a group, company, product or website..." This criterion covers company names, group names (also covered by WP:NOSHARE), and website names. This criterion does not cover real names, even if used to create autobiographies.
Offensive usernames
[edit]An offensive username is one that "...offend[s] other contributors, making harmonious editing difficult or impossible". This includes names that are profane, contain slurs and/or statements that would be considered offensive by certain groups. This does not include negative words that few consider truly offensive (for example, "Idiot101" or "Stupid27" are not offensive). However, if these are used in such a way so as to insult another user/individual, they do constitute a violation (for example, "John Doe is an idiot" may be considered offensive as well as disruptive, as outlined below.
Disruptive usernames
[edit]A disruptive username is one that "include[s] outright trolling or personal attacks, [...] profanities or otherwise show a clear intent to disrupt Wikipedia." Statements in some variation of the form "<name> is a <slur>" are disruptive. HOWEVER, usernames simply containing strings such as troll, vandal, spam, etc. without being otherwise inappropriate are not immediately blockable (unless, of course, accompanied by actually trolling, vandalism, spamming, etc.) Though HBC NameWatcherBot may report these names, they are simply possible indicators of an intent to disrupt; they are not disruptive in and of themselves. The bot does not think—that doesn't mean you should not as well, when reporting these names. Keep in mind that blocks are always made for the bigger problem (trolling, vandalism, etc.)
Examples
[edit]Below are outlined examples of acceptable and unacceptable usernames.
Acceptable usernames
[edit]- Note: Some usernames are actual examples, some are not
- User:Nihongo:[1] At first glance, this seems to impersonate Wikipedia administrator and bureaucrat User:Nihonjoe. On second glance, however, it actually refers to the Japanese word for the Japanese language.
- User:Chinkin1sarmr: At first glance, this seems to be a racial slur for Asians. However, after further scrutiny, it actually represents the common phrase, "A chink in one's armour"; hardly blockable.
- User:SPAMsandwich:[2] Again, this seems at first to indicate an intent to spam. However, one must take into account that SPAM is also a fairly popular canned food item.
- User:JohnSmith, used to create an article about himself. This username is not promotional or otherwise inappropriate (even if the article was promotional, i.e., a curriculum vitae) because it is the user's real name. It does not violate the username policy; however, it is an indication of a conflict of interest and may be reported to the Conflict of interest noticeboard.
- User:GothVandal: Though it contains the string "vandal" in this situation it refers to the East Germanic tribe, rather than to Wikipedia vandalism.