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when it comes to being an administrator. Custodians typically have the keys to every room in the building, because it's their job to clean out the garbage and make sure the place is presentable when people come to work. The fact that custodians have keys for every room in the building means that they
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lock the workers out and not let them in, or empty the furniture out of somebody's office and into the dumpster, and just for the plain ole' fun of it... but, as a rule, they obviously should not. And if there are times when custodians may be called upon to empty someone's office, it isn't something
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to do with the fact that you are an administrator. Your skills and your abilities were developed as you grew and learned as an editor and contributor to this project, and they are applied and used today because of your overall
Knowledge (XXG) experience, knowledge of Knowledge (XXG)'s policies,
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you became an administrator that's most important and merits true respect, and they have nothing to do with simply being an administrator. In other words, someone who isn't an administrator but who is experienced, knows the policies, and has good judgment is just as (if not usually
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for instructions). Even though almost any changes made to this project can be reversed, reverted, or undone, it's still important to acknowledge and understand that your account now has the potential to cause site-wide damage and disruption with a single edit. If this happens,
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I think perhaps I'll go through semi-willy-nilly and make a bunch of people who have been around for a while sysops. I want to dispel the aura of "authority" around the position. It's merely a technical matter that the powers given to sysops are not given out to everyone.
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Although administrators do have certain powers, you need to possess good judgment in order to use them effectively and correctly. Nevertheless, this does not mean that administrators should act like they are the police or are judges. You should
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right now than it was six months or a year ago. It is true that you may be able to help mediate or resolve a dispute effectively, or help guide the improvement of an article with other editors. However, in nearly
320:" feels good the first time you use it, and we should never blame newbies for over-indulging. But even philosophers drunk on wisdom need designated drivers (or people to clean up the mess they leave behind).
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Patience and talking (instructing users and being willing to let things play out over a few days or weeks). If you see a revert war brewing, warn people that we have a three-revert rule; guide them to the
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don't hesitate to draw on the advice or help of more experienced administrators for how to properly handle an issue. Always be cautious, polite, neutral, and diplomatic, but be ready to use your tools if
236:) likely to improve a situation compared to someone who just has the administrator permissions. Respect other people's good judgment, and expect them to respect your good judgment. At no time should you
188:, and will usually lead to your account being blocked and your administrator permissions being removed (if anything, as a precaution and a security measure). You should always keep in mind that it's
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policy; explain to them that the rule is not a game but meant to allow people to cool down and gain a little distance before proceeding; if someone has been warned and then reverts a fourth time,
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If you ever find yourself getting sucked into a conflict or a long tangential discussion and need to find a way to distance yourself—or just feel bored or antsy—you'll find plenty to do
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interactions and discussions with other editors, and the wisdom and good sense that you've developed over time. It is the possession of the skills, beliefs, and virtues that you gained
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whenever possible. Explain your actions in the context of how they improve the project and prevent disruption, not because "the rules say that".
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It contains the advice or opinions of one or more
Knowledge (XXG) contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of
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that an admin's act is simply executing what is clearly the will of the community. If you ever have doubts, report the matter at the
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will be held responsible. Permitting your account to be compromised, whether by ignorance, neglect, or other circumstances – is a
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and give people the benefit of the doubt as long as they are not violating our core policies. If someone clearly violates them:
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of these cases, your ability to communicate effectively and help bring discussions to a positive and complete closure has
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I don't like that there's the apparent feeling here that being granted sysop status is a really special thing.
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Don't hesitate to revert immediately if that is what is unquestionably necessary to comply with the policies.
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expect to receive any kind of special treatment or consideration just because you're an administrator.
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Always remember that talk pages are for improving articles. If someone starts using a talk page as a
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Gently encourage them to read our policies carefully (provide the links to make it easy for them).
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Appreciate IAR's value, but be sure you appreciate the importance of our other policies
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51:. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints.
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avoid taking action or performing tasks as an administrative function or duty in
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them for a day (if you ever have doubts, report the matter at the
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I just wanted to say that becoming a sysop is *not a big deal*.
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Gently discourage the contributor from misusing the talk page
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When subtlety fails, use the appropriate warning template:
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Knowledge (XXG):Administrators' guide/Dealing with disputes
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Knowledge (XXG):Admins willing to make difficult blocks
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Do not get sucked in (we know, this is hard to avoid!)
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May you wield the mop and bucket with equanimity...
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269:). It is true that among these are powers to
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469:Knowledge (XXG):Administrators' reading list
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340:Almost all conflicts can be resolved by:
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297:careful to
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271:block users
229:long before
166:immediately
131:Jimmy Wales
31:This is an
651:Categories
619:(WP:BLOCK)
607:(WP:ADMIN)
569:Protecting
378:good faith
290:necessary.
197:How to act
81:WP:NEWÂ MOP
295:extremely
279:consensus
248:custodian
175:(see the
145:adminship
74:WP:NEWMOP
59:Shortcuts
39:" policy.
625:(WP:DEL)
613:(WP:BAN)
598:Policies
579:Rollback
549:Deleting
529:Blocking
517:Articles
448:See also
393:soap box
329:Disputes
267:graffiti
35:on the "
263:garbage
224:nothing
67:WP:AFNN
308:Avoid
204:always
168:, and
160:Set a
154:Basics
431:Other
350:block
254:could
33:essay
424:here
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