User talk:Blablubbs

fyi

Hi Blablubbs, I found this through my Watchlist because the image is on the Divya S. Iyer article, and then noticed the image was originally uploaded by an editor at the Commons with the same name as one of the Phoenix man socks, so I figured I should let you know: Commons:Deletion requests/File:Divya s iyer.jpg. Thank you, Beccaynr (talk) 04:36, 4 May 2021 (UTC)

Thanks Beccaynr, I'll take a look as soon as I find some time. -- Blablubbs|talk 14:50, 4 May 2021 (UTC)

@Beccaynr: I had a very quick look; the account in question hasn't edited (or attached) on enwiki – I'm not very familiar with the xwiki patterns of Phoenix Man (though I'm pretty convinced there's a COI thing going on here), so I can't say much about whether this is them or not (especially not after a quick skim), but at least on the SPI front, my hands are bound until the user edits here; please feel free to ping me if they do so, especially if there are additional indicators that this is Phoenix Man. -- Blablubbs|talk 21:24, 4 May 2021 (UTC)

Thank you very much, and will do. This is all quite new to me, and I very much appreciate your work on this and SPI generally. Thanks again, Beccaynr (talk) 22:08, 4 May 2021 (UTC)

user name convention

Hello, and thank you for helping me create my account. I requested a user name of 'klaberte', but was assigned 'Klaberte'. I was going to ask if I can change that (as klaberte has been my handle since the mid-1990s), but then noticed most other users have a capital letter to start their user names. Is this a common practice, or a hard rule, to start usernames with a capital letter? Also, it seems that a new section uses the markup with four equal signs. I didn't see that as an option in the Wiki markup in the editor. Is there some other shortcut for this, or do you actually have to type it? Klaberte (talk) 17:36, 4 May 2021 (UTC)

Hi klaberte! Unfortunately, Mediawiki (the software Wikipedia runs on) doesn't allow usernames starting with lowercase characters because of technical limitations – no matter what we throw into Special:CreateAccount the first character will be converted into uppercase. You could however customise your signature to display in lowercase letters (see here for details). As for the section headings, new headings usually start with just two equal signs; if you use the source editor, you can hit advanced->headings->level 2 to insert them automatically. If you use the visual editor (only available when editing articles), you can click "Paragraph" and select the appropriate header level there. There is some additional detail in this Manual of Style section. I hope this helps, please feel free to reach out if you have any other questions. -- Blablubbs|talk 20:49, 4 May 2021 (UTC)

Found a Zenmate proxy

Hi here. I found a Zenmate proxy 146.70.13.0/16, but because disruption from it is still nonexistent yet, anon-blocking would be better at the moment. 146.70.13.8 (talk) 09:46, 5 May 2021 (UTC)

Thank you, answering at WPOP. Blablubbs|talk 10:04, 5 May 2021 (UTC)

Question about what/when is a sock

Hi! SPI isn't an area where I'm familiar but trying to learn it as I keep running into it with my work in UAA, among other areas. Noticed your actions re: Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Terago marketing (and agree it was blatant) but when I reported a similar scenario at Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Depeterz/Archive, Sir Sputnik said that isn't socking. The follow up (Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Depeterz) wasn't actioned so I didn't report Terago beyond letting Deepfriedokra know their warning should probably go elsewhere. Should I have? Thanks for any insight. StarM 17:02, 7 May 2021 (UTC)

Hi Star Mississippi. Terago marketing was a clear-cut case because they were hardblocked both for the username and the promotional editing, hence making their use of Cloudstar123 clear-cut block evasion. The case you linked is a little more complicated; if I'm parsing this correctly, the sequence of events is:

1. Depeterz is created as "ACISinc." and creates a page as such
2. They create User:Ahmed Amshi and duplicate the page in their user sandbox
3. They are warned about their username and COI, disclose and get renamed
4. Ahmed Amshi gets softblocked for the username violation after the rename
5. The user continues editing as Depeterz

If that actually is what happened, I'd say this is somewhat confusing (why create the second account in the first place?), but not a violation of WP:SOCK because they didn't actually edit the same pages, nobody was ever hardblocked, and they complied with the rename and disclosure requirements. For the recent filing, I don't really have enough to go on to figure out whether they are telling the truth about just being a friend or if this is actually the same person. Since they haven't edited in a while, I'd probably suggest just keeping an eye on the situation; if it becomes clear that the new account is used to circumvent the requirements of WP:PAID, then this would indeed be a clear case of abusive socking. I hope this makes sense, please let me know if you have any other questions. --Blablubbs|talk 17:35, 7 May 2021 (UTC)

Thanks Blablubbs, that is very helpful. I guess I thought that by creating a second account rather than renaming, they were technically socking but I understand your differentiation. If that isn't explained somewehre that I missed (totally possible), it would be helpful for it to be as I think what is a Sock is confusing to those of us who opt not to edit there. Ikenna is definitely stale by now, I'd reported the account ahead of the "explanation", but then the account ceased editing as well so all was resolved. Thanks again. StarM 18:08, 7 May 2021 (UTC)

Star Mississippi, I don't think it's explicitly in the socking policy, though WP:SOFTBLOCK does basically make it policy. It might be worth to explicitly clarify it in WP:SOCK, though. --Blablubbs|talk 18:15, 7 May 2021 (UTC)

CSD G5

Hello, Blablubbs,

I have asked another, more experienced administrator and been told that if another editor wanted to "take responsibility" for an article created by a sockpuppet, it would be okay to restore a page deleted for CSD G5 reasons or remove a CSD G5 tag. Proxying only applies if edits are being done at the direction of a blocked editor. I know that there is disagreement among administrators on this subject and I wasn't sure if would be okay which is why I asked another admin. Perhaps this matter is worthy of a RfC or a discussion on Village Pump. Liz ^{Read! Talk!} 03:43, 8 May 2021 (UTC)

I decided to raise the question at the Village Pump. Liz ^{Read! Talk!} 04:25, 8 May 2021 (UTC)

Hey Liz, if you're referring to [1][2], I thought about that a little longer after I had made the reverts and I think I should have worded it better. My primary reason for reinstatement was that the user who blanked the tags mass-contested and removed various G5 tags on Kashmorwiki's work in extremely rapid succession; there wasn't, as far as I can tell, any content-related reason to keep it (they edit in completely different topic areas), instead it was a somewhat POINTy way to have the back of a user they liked. I don't think we should be applying G5s no matter what, but I also don't think a blanket statement that a block evader's edits were actually fine should be enough to avoid any consequences for block evasion. Best, --Blablubbs|talk 07:44, 8 May 2021 (UTC)

Re: Suspected Sockpuppet of Ajhenson21

Good day! Can you look into Dave Vincent C. Rafio? I have reason to suspect that he is another one of Ajhenson21's wikipedia sockupuppets. The pages that Ajhenson21 used to edit were protected in order to dissuade sock creation from him, and as I've noticed in the subject's edits, he first edited random pages in order to be autoconfirmed and after that started exclusively editing the pages that Ajhenson21 used to edit. Hoping for a positive response on this regard. Thank you and warmest regards. Gardo Versace (talk) 07:07, 8 May 2021 (UTC)

Gardo Versace, thanks for the heads-up – I've handled it at Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Ajhenson21#08 May 2021. Ideally, new reports should go directly to SPI. Best, --Blablubbs|talk 08:06, 8 May 2021 (UTC)

@Blablubbs: Thanks for swiftly acting on this. Warmest regards. Gardo Versace (talk) 23:22, 8 May 2021 (UTC)

Reopen?

Can you or RoySmith reopen Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Wareon?

I was about to publish my reply but it got archived. It is essential. Wareon (talk) 14:45, 9 May 2021 (UTC)

Hi Wareon. We technically can (although it's done somewhat rarely). Are you certain that it's crucial that the case be reopened? Note that you are not under any sanction or threat of sanctions, and that you are free to remove the warning that the filer left on your talk page. Can you hint at what this is about? --Blablubbs|talk 14:52, 9 May 2021 (UTC)

The SPI seems to be concluding that I socked with IP when I didn't. That is why I am asking for an opportunity to reply. This SPI can be used against me in future that's why a different outcome is needed. Wareon (talk) 15:21, 9 May 2021 (UTC)

@Wareon: That's not my read of it; I closed it without action and repeatedly stated that I do not believe that the evidence is sufficient to tie you to the IP to any reasonably conclusive extent. --Blablubbs|talk 15:22, 9 May 2021 (UTC)

Wareon, I know it's disconcerting to have anybody even suggest wrongdoing, but I honestly wouldn't worry about this. If, as you say, this was a case of mistaken identify, it will fade away into the depths of obscurity on its own. If you browse the SPI reports, you'll see thousands (10's of thousands? 100's of thousands?) of similar reports that never went anywhere. It's not a big deal. -- RoySmith (talk) 15:35, 9 May 2021 (UTC)

Thank you both. Wareon (talk) 17:55, 9 May 2021 (UTC)

I noticed this reverted edit by Liz. Just FYI. VV 06:31, 10 May 2021 (UTC)

SPI archives

How do I add the latest confirmed socks? Do I need to open a new SPI (even though they are already blocked)? Thanks. M.Bitton (talk) 14:56, 11 May 2021 (UTC)

@M.Bitton: It's usually not necessary to make pro-forma filings on behalf of others; the blocking CU elected to block without tags and not file – this is usually done for a reason (often WP:DENY), so there's not really anything left to do. --Blablubbs|talk 14:59, 11 May 2021 (UTC)

That's good to know. Best, M.Bitton (talk) 15:01, 11 May 2021 (UTC)

A bowl of strawberries for you!

Actually I need it now, due to weakness and headache i developed in last two days. Going for a short break. Hope, you people will see rest two cases which are opened. Heba Aisha (talk) 12:50, 13 May 2021 (UTC)

Enjoy your break, Heba Aisha – I'm sure someone will get to the cases soon. Best, --Blablubbs|talk 13:07, 13 May 2021 (UTC)

Proxy

What's your evidence that I'm a proxy? 24.204.150.197 (talk) 08:37, 14 May 2021 (UTC)

That's a particular can of beans I'm unwilling to open. --Blablubbs|talk 08:39, 14 May 2021 (UTC)

Account Compromised

@Blablubbs: my account has been hacked this morning as someone removed me from my email. Can you suggest to check the IP connection of Owlf with any check user? I'm mailed stewards to block the account. To find the fact of last three edits and removal I've also requested in WP:ANI but as i know you're CU helper so can you please proceed it? 103.10.31.47 (talk) 10:13, 15 May 2021 (UTC)

Hi Owlf. Sorry I'm on mobile and on my way to the zoo, I can't look into this all that much right now – since it's at ANI, I'm sure a CU will see it shortly. I hope you will regain access soon. --Blablubbs|talk 10:43, 15 May 2021 (UTC)

@Blablubbs: are you back now? If yes than please check it. 103.10.31.47 (talk) 15:14, 15 May 2021 (UTC)

Translating Pages

Hello Blablubbs,

Thank you for your welcome message. This is my first time and I have a newbie question. I do understand how to edit pages and insert new information on the existing pages. I just don't know how to translate pages from English to my local language? Do I need to create new pages if it doesn't exist? Or can you please point me to a tutorial for a beginner? Thanks in advance. - Shah ahmadyusof (talk) 17:23, 16 May 2021 (UTC)

Hi Shah ahmadyusof! There's an introductory guide to translation at WP:Translate us; essentially, you can either use the content translation tool if it's available, or you can create a new page and enter your translation there. Remember to provide attribution to the original author, as this is a licensing requirement. I hope this help – feel free to reach out if you have any other questions. --Blablubbs|talk 17:50, 16 May 2021 (UTC)

Alvalade XXI

I don't know much about the case at Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Alvalade XXI, but is 213.141.15.42 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log) them due to the same edit at Gerda Schmidt-Panknin (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views)? FDW777 (talk) 13:02, 17 May 2021 (UTC)

FDW777, good catch! It's them, and the IP is extremely static (previously blocked as an IP of G.-M. Cupertino (talk · contribs) in 2019, and that is the original master here). I'll try to find someone who can hand out a long global block. --Blablubbs|talk 13:07, 17 May 2021 (UTC)

FDW777, all edits now rolled back, IP gblocked for a year. Thanks. --Blablubbs|talk 13:25, 17 May 2021 (UTC)

Glad to be of help. FDW777 (talk) 07:08, 18 May 2021 (UTC)

Henley & Partners

Hi Blablubbs, my name is Sarah and I'm the Group Head of Public Relations at Henley & Partners. I'm writing to you because of your involvement in my company's article and related articles, as well as in the investigation surrounding the undisclosed paid editing on those pages. In short, the agency that had been editing Wikipedia on H&P's behalf was not forthcoming with us regarding the extent to which they were violating Wikipedia's guidelines. H&P is no longer working with that agency, and we are now being advised by a company that is helping me interact with the Wikipedia community transparently and follow the proper avenues for proposing changes to articles for which I have a conflict of interest.

Practically, I want to do all I can to help get the articles in question to the point where they no longer require the "undisclosed paid" notice. I would be more than happy to suggest new, drastically shorter versions of the articles where all promotional-sounding content is removed, or if you have a different suggestion, I would be eager to hear it. The bottom line is that I would like to do whatever it takes to make this situation right, and would love to work constructively with you to that end. Thank you, Sarah Nicklin (talk) 09:43, 19 May 2021 (UTC)