Rules LMA

*Note: These are originally from Avatar Wiki, with some changes.*

Unless an account is clearly only for the purposes of disruption, communication and attempted rectification of behavior should occur before a block is considered.

When communication fails and the need for a block does arise, the following guidelines are to be applied.

## Duration of blocks

The duration of the block given should depend on the severity of the behavior and the likelihood of its repetition. However, the following should be kept in mind:

* In general, the first block should be of a reasonably short duration, with the length increasing progressively every time a further block is required.
* Anonymous users should never be blocked indefinitely. If you see any anonymous user blocked indefinitely, report it to an admin or a Wiki Representative.
* Blocking indefinitely in general can be avoided in a majority of cases, unless the offense is extreme (i.e.: graphic or sexually explicit imagery uploaded, repeated violations of policy, death threats).
	+ Sockpuppets that have been used maliciously should always be blocked indefinitely - these should be reported to a Wiki Representative, who has the ability to check the account, and confirm whether it's a sockpuppet or not.

## Blocking notice and appeal

When blocking a user, the administrator must leave them with the ability to post on their own message wall to appeal their block. Unless the account is clearly only for the purposes of disruption, the administrator should also leave a message notifying the user about their block, its length, and the reason. However, if this talking privilege while blocked is abused for spamming, threatening, or harassing, this will be revoked.

Appealing your block needs to be done in good faith, meaning that you should:

* Not assume they blocked you without reason
* Not spam/harass the administrator on other wikis
* Actually give them time to respond (24h at least)
* Respect their decision in the end

If you still feel like you were still **unfairly blocked** and for longer than 2 weeks, you can contact a Wiki Representative and submit links to your blocked profile and the conversation you had with the administrator for review.

## Administrator conduct

Administrators have been entrusted with the means to maintain the overall quality of the site. With this in mind:

* Administrators must follow the blocking rules listed on this page, including the length of blocks, and giving prior warning as needed. (A simple mistake should never be responded with a direct infinite block.)

* Administrators must not ignore or manipulate appeals from blocked users, and also shouldn't try to prevent users from being able to appeal, unless these appeals are inappropriate (spam/harassment). All genuine appeals from users should be considered in good faith. (Admin claims such as *"this is a false report"* have to be backed by evidence showing why it's a false report.)

* Administrators must not harass, threaten, insult or intimidate any other wiki user. Any inappropriate messages or actions against any user will be considered as a grave offense, and will lead to a direct removal of user rights. (The role removal can be temporary or permanent, depending on the type of offense.)

* Abuse of privileges and failure to follow these rules may result in the removal of user rights.