Difference between revisions of "Renaming and Deleting Users"

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Initial suggested best practices (in advance of the extensions being available for use):
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=Renaming a User=
  
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1. When renaming a user, always select to rename the User and User Talk pages as well.  If the user doesn't want those pages carried across, delete them after doing the rename (so that the deletion history shows attached to the user's new account name).
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{| border="3" style="color:red;"
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|Unless is a specific reason to do otherwise, always select the "Move user and talk pages (and their subpages) to new name" option.  Otherwise if a new user account is created with the old user name, it will acquire those pages.
  
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2. When merging/deleting a spam account or other completely bogus account, delete any existing User and User Talk pages in advance, and also check for any other pages created by user which would presumably also be deleted.  Any pages edited by the user would presumably need to have the edits undone (or reversed manually if needed).
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If the user being renamed does not want those user pages, delete the pages.  As with any page deletions, be sure to check for links to the pages using the "What links here" function in the left navigation column.
  
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3. When merging/deleting a real user account into another account for that same person, be very careful if there are any existing User or User Talk pages for the old account.  In some circumstances it may be better to merge/delete the new account into the old account, then rename the old account to the new account.  Even better of course, if the user hasn't created the new account yet, is the straight rename.
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If any user pages are moved, as with all page moves, a redirect page will be created under the old page name, pointing to the new name.  It is strongly recommended to edit any links to the old pages (or assist the user to do so), then delete the redirects.  Otherwise if a new user account is created with the old user name, it will acquire those redirect pages.
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4. If user just wants their account deleted, period, and there are no contributions, I see no reason not to merge/delete it into Zzzzzz.  If there are contributions, merging/deleting into Zzzzzz are going to make those contributions appear to have been done by Zzzzzz.  In this circumstance, I would suggest to the user to allow the account to remain and they just not use it any more.  If they really, really, really want it deleted, then I guess still go ahead and merge/delete it into Zzzzzzz (unless we want to create some other account for that purpose if/when this ever happens).
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Function is at [[Special:Renameuser]].
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Note: You must click the Submit button to do the Rename.  If you press Enter within the form, the "Block Log" function is executed.
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=Deleting a User=
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'''To remove a spambot, vandal, or other bogus user, see [[Spam Cleanup]].'''
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{| border="3" style="color:red;"
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|Unless is a specific reason to do otherwise, always select the "Delete old user?" option.  If the option is not selected, user contributions will be moved to the new user, but the old user account will remain.
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When merging a user's account into another account of that user, take note of any user pages and subpages.  These will remain under their original names.  They should be deleted or moved, otherwise if a new user account is created with the old user name, it will acquire those pages.  If the old account has contributions and the new account does not, it may be better to delete the new account and rename the old account (but ask the user first).
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If any user pages are moved, as with all page moves, a redirect page will be created under the old page name, pointing to the new name.  It is strongly recommended to edit any links to the old pages (or assist the user to do so), then delete the redirects.  Otherwise if a new user account is created with the old user name, it will acquire those redirect pages.
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The function will '''NOT''' issue an error message if the old user name does not exist.  There do not seem to be any adverse side effects, but be careful.  And double check that there is a non-zero user number associated with the old user in the messages that are displayed.  You should also check the [[Special:Userlist|User List]] to make sure that the old user account is gone.
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Function is at [[Special:UserMerge]].
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To move a user's contributions to a new user and delete the old user, specify the old user name and the new user name, and check the "Delete old user?" box.
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To move a user's contributions to Anonymous and delete the old user (or if a user wishes to be deleted and has no contributions), specify the old user name and enter Anonymous as the new user name, and check the "Delete the old user?" box.
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To move a user's contributions to a new user without deleting the old user, specify the old user name and the new user name, but leave "Delete old user?" unchecked.
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To move a user's contributions to Anonymous without deleting the old user, specify the old user name and enter Anonymous as the new user name, but leave "Delete old user?" unchecked.
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Note: The "Anonymous" new user referenced here is user-id 0, not a normal user account.

Latest revision as of 04:39, 31 August 2009

Renaming a User

Unless is a specific reason to do otherwise, always select the "Move user and talk pages (and their subpages) to new name" option. Otherwise if a new user account is created with the old user name, it will acquire those pages.

If the user being renamed does not want those user pages, delete the pages. As with any page deletions, be sure to check for links to the pages using the "What links here" function in the left navigation column.

If any user pages are moved, as with all page moves, a redirect page will be created under the old page name, pointing to the new name. It is strongly recommended to edit any links to the old pages (or assist the user to do so), then delete the redirects. Otherwise if a new user account is created with the old user name, it will acquire those redirect pages.

Function is at Special:Renameuser.

Note: You must click the Submit button to do the Rename. If you press Enter within the form, the "Block Log" function is executed.

Deleting a User

To remove a spambot, vandal, or other bogus user, see Spam Cleanup.

Unless is a specific reason to do otherwise, always select the "Delete old user?" option. If the option is not selected, user contributions will be moved to the new user, but the old user account will remain.

When merging a user's account into another account of that user, take note of any user pages and subpages. These will remain under their original names. They should be deleted or moved, otherwise if a new user account is created with the old user name, it will acquire those pages. If the old account has contributions and the new account does not, it may be better to delete the new account and rename the old account (but ask the user first).

If any user pages are moved, as with all page moves, a redirect page will be created under the old page name, pointing to the new name. It is strongly recommended to edit any links to the old pages (or assist the user to do so), then delete the redirects. Otherwise if a new user account is created with the old user name, it will acquire those redirect pages.

The function will NOT issue an error message if the old user name does not exist. There do not seem to be any adverse side effects, but be careful. And double check that there is a non-zero user number associated with the old user in the messages that are displayed. You should also check the User List to make sure that the old user account is gone.

Function is at Special:UserMerge.

To move a user's contributions to a new user and delete the old user, specify the old user name and the new user name, and check the "Delete old user?" box.

To move a user's contributions to Anonymous and delete the old user (or if a user wishes to be deleted and has no contributions), specify the old user name and enter Anonymous as the new user name, and check the "Delete the old user?" box.

To move a user's contributions to a new user without deleting the old user, specify the old user name and the new user name, but leave "Delete old user?" unchecked.

To move a user's contributions to Anonymous without deleting the old user, specify the old user name and enter Anonymous as the new user name, but leave "Delete old user?" unchecked.

Note: The "Anonymous" new user referenced here is user-id 0, not a normal user account.

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