Wikipedia:Restrictions on Anonymous Editing from Shared IPs
 | The following is a proposed Wikipedia policy, guideline, or process. The proposal may still be in development, under discussion, or in the process of gathering consensus for adoption. |
This policy proposes to prohibit any AOL users from edit any Wikipedia articles until they register with Wikipedia. Please read completely before voting on the discussion page.
To do
- Rename proposal to something more accepting and less aggressive.
- Amend to include everyone's suggestions
Reasons
- AOL users change their IP address at the speed of lightning
- Repeat vandals using AOL can benefit from having a shifting IP
- An admin that would typically block a vandal will block the AOL address, but in doing so will often harm several other good AOL users without stopping the vandal
- It would be simpler if AOL users register. When AOL users vandalize articles, their accounts will be blocked, and if AOL users try to edit anonymously, they will be required to log in.
Effects of the policy
- AOL users will not be able to edit without loggin in; instead, if they click the edit tab, they will see a message saying that they must register and log in if they want to edit.
- The typical edit this page tab will turn into a View Source or edit(requires log in) tab if an anon edits from an AOL IP address.
- If an AOL IP address signs up and then continues to vandalize, his or her account will be easily blocked by an admin without any collateral damage to non-vandals.
A good side
- If a good AOL contributor wants to edit articles that need improving, he or she will have to register. In good time, that user may become an admin.
- An admin will easily block a vandal that was forced to sign up without any fear of blocking several other people.
- Vandalism from anonymous AOL IP addresses will decrease to zero.