Wikipedia:Administration FAQ

Administration FAQ

This page answers some questions related to Administrators on Wikipedia.

See also: Wikipedia:Administrators

[edit] How do policies get decided?

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

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

Two words for the same thing. An administrator is simply a Wikipedian who can access the few restricted Wikipedia software functions: deleting articles and uploaded files, protecting and unprotecting pages and blocking and unblocking 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". See the Current list of administrators.

[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. After some months, you can add your name to Wikipedia:Requests for adminship. Voilà! Be sure to read Administrators' reading list, Wikipedia:Administrators, deletion policy, protection policy, and blocking policy, and use your new "powers" with caution.

[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). The Arbitration Committee also has the power to discipline administrators, and has done so in several cases. In a truly rare case the Wikimedia Board of Trustees, or even Jimbo Wales, could step in. In any case, you have the RightToFork and the RightToLeave.

[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.