Administration FAQ

This page answers some questions related to Administrators on Diyinfo.

[edit] How do policies get decided?

Diyinfo policies and guidelines describes how Diyinfo arrives at its policies and guidelines through a process of discussion and consensus. Discussion takes place in the mailing lists and in the various policy pages which form part of the "Diyinfo:" namespace.

[edit] What is an administrator? What is a sysop?

Two words for the same thing. An administrator is simply a trusted and proven Diyinfo user who can access the few restricted Diyinfo software functions: deleting articles and uploaded files, protecting and unprotecting pages, and blocking and unblocking users or IP addresses. The software internally uses the string "sysop" to flag their accounts, perhaps one reason that term is used. They tend to be friendly folks that are willing to help you, if you post on their "talk page".

[edit] How can I become an administrator?

First, you need a user account. Then, make useful edits over a period of time. In this way, you prove to the community that you are here in good faith. If you feel you would like to become an administrator, then post a request on one of the existing admin's home page or talk page. That admin will put you up for nomination and if the community agrees that you're what they want in an admin, then, voilà!

[edit] Who monitors the conduct of an administrator?

Administrators monitor each other; nearly all admin powers are completely reversible by any other admin (including page deletions, lockings, and IP bannings). Diyinfo founders also has the power to discipline administrators, and has done so in the past. You can report problems with admins misusing their privileges by posting a brief report on one of the other existing admin's home page or talk page detailing the misuse.

[edit] How can I unban an IP?

Administrators can go to Special:Ipblocklist and click on "unblock" as required. Developers can unblock multiple IPs at once.