Abuse filter management

# AbuseFilter Rule: Restrict Removal of Stub Notices to Sysops Only

#  

# Description:

# This is an AbuseFilter rule for MediaWiki that prevents regular users and anonymous editors  

# from removing specific stub notices (`{{irrelevant}}`, `{{incomplete}}`, `{{garbage}}`) from articles.

# Only users in the "sysop" (administrator) group are allowed to remove these notices.

# The purpose of this rule is to ensure that these warnings remain in place until reviewed  

# and removed by a moderator so people don't get salty and remove notices from their own articles. They can edit the article but can't remove the notice.  

#  

# Rule Syntax:

# The rule uses MediaWiki's AbuseFilter language, which operates on conditions and actions.  

# Here is the full rule with comments explaining each part:

(

     # `contains_any` checks if any of the specified strings (stub templates) were removed in the edit.

     contains_any(removed_lines, "{{irrelevant}}", "{{incomplete}}", "{{garbage}}")

) &  

!(

     # `user_groups contains "sysop"` ensures the rule applies only to users who are NOT sysops.

     user_groups contains "sysop"

)

# How the Rule Works:

# 1. The `removed_lines` variable holds the content removed in an edit.

# 2. `contains_any(removed_lines, "{{irrelevant}}", "{{incomplete}}", "{{garbage}}")`:

#    - Checks if any of the three templates were part of the removed content.

#    - If yes, this part evaluates to true.

# 3. `user_groups contains "sysop"`:

#    - Checks if the user making the edit belongs to the "sysop" group.

#    - The `!` (NOT) operator ensures the rule applies to users who are NOT in the "sysop" group.

# 4. The rule triggers if:

#    - The edit removes one or more of the stub notices, AND

#    - The editor is not a sysop.

# Actions to Take:

# You can configure the following actions for this rule:

# - **Disallow**: Prevent the edit entirely.

# - **Warn**: Show a message to the user explaining why their edit is disallowed.

# - **Tag**: Mark the edit for review by admins.

# - Typically, "Disallow" is sufficient for this scenario.

# Example Warning Message:

# "You are not allowed to remove the stub notices {{irrelevant}}, {{incomplete}}, or {{garbage}} unless you are a sysop. Please contact an administrator if you believe this is a mistake."

# Editing This Rule:

# For a newbie with no coding experience:

# 1. Log in as a user with permission to modify AbuseFilters (usually sysop or higher).

# 2. Go to `Special:AbuseFilter` and find this rule.

# 3. Edit the rule as follows:

#    - To add new stub templates, include them in the `contains_any` function, like this:

#      contains_any(removed_lines, "{{irrelevant}}", "{{incomplete}}", "{{garbage}}", "{{new_template}}")

#    - To change who can remove stub notices, modify the `user_groups` condition:

#      Example: `!(user_groups contains "superadmin")` will restrict removal to superadmins only.

# 4. Save the filter and test it using the "Test" feature to ensure it behaves as expected.

# Testing the Rule:

# - Use the "Test" feature on the AbuseFilter management page.

# - Input sample edits (removed lines with stub templates) and check if the rule triggers correctly.

# - Test edits as a sysop and a non-sysop to confirm that permissions work properly.

# Notes for Maintenance:

# - Keep the warning message clear and user-friendly.

# - Log attempts to remove these templates for audit purposes.

# - Review the filter regularly to ensure it is functioning as intended.