MozillaWiki:Policies/Accounts

The Mozilla Wiki is available to be read by everyone without the need for an account. Although the Mozilla Wiki is not intended as a resource for end-users the information is available for reading by all, no account required.

As of 6 June 2014 all new editors are required to request an account and have that request approved prior to logging in and editing or creating pages. Accounts are not required for non-editors and will not normally be approved.

We made this change to combat the volumes of spam accounts and material the wiki had been receiving. Prior to this change, anyone could create an account and immediately start editing and creating pages.

What is the work-flow for new editors?

The new work-flow for people needing to have edit access to the wiki is as follows:

• The prospective editor visits the Mozilla Wiki and clicks Log in / create account
• Users that don't already have an account will request one
• On the request account page, the user will enter their preferred username, email address, name, bio, and additional information about themselves their work with Mozilla. This information will then be used to validate or reject their request.
• Making repeated requests will result in the application being declined as 'spamming'
• After the prospective editor submits their request, they will receive an email asking them to confirm their email via a link. The user clicks on that link and their email is then confirmed. Applications without confirmed emails will not be approved.
• Once the prospective user's request is received it will be considered and, if approved, they will receive an email notification that includes a temporary password. They will be required to change their password the first time they log in to the wiki

Is the work-flow different for users who have accounts already?

No, those users can continue to login and use the wiki as they always have. Most active users already have the ability to edit and create pages.

What is the new work-flow for bureaucrats?

• Once the user has confirmed their email, a notice of the request is sent to designated wiki users and those in the bureaucrat group (a notice is also included on the RecentChanges and Watchlist pages for users who have the ability to approve).
• The bureaucrat reviews the user's account request and takes one of the following actions: approves, holds, or denies. Bureaucrats are instructed to approve all users they can reasonable verify are people with legitimate reason to edit the wiki (that is, not spammers or bots).

How long will it take for my request to be reviewed?

Requests will generally be reviewed within 24-48 hours or sooner.

What should I do if my request has not been approved within 24-48 hours?

If you have not received a response within three business days, please email wikimo-admins@mozilla.org or find us on IRC in #wiki.

What should I do if I am involved in a Mozilla-related event which is likely to generate many timely user account requests?

Please email wikimo-admins@mozilla.org or find us in IRC in #wiki to let us know. We'll do our best to have someone on hand during your event to approve requests.

Alternatively, we can create accounts for users ahead of time.

How can I recover my password if I have forgotten it?

If you have forgotten your password, visit Special:PasswordReset. You will need to enter your Mozilla Wiki username and then a reset password link will be emailed to you.

How can I login if I do not remember my Mozilla Wiki username?

If you cannot remember your Mozilla Wiki username, you will need to create a new account. Neither users nor administrators can look up usernames by email.

If you have previously edited or created a page, and can remember which page it was, you might be able to determine your username by looking at that page's history.

How can I reset my password if I no longer have access to the email account which I used to register?

If you cannot access messages for the email address you provided when you created your wiki account, you will need to create a new account.

How can I have my username or userpage restored if it was blocked or deleted for being spam?

Please file a bug via bugzilla.

Why am I still encountering spam on the wiki?

The volume of spam received by the Mozilla Wiki has been such that we've not always be able to keep up with it. The change we have made to new user account creation affects the creation of new spam, but does not address pre-existing spam content. We will continue to work on identifying and removing content. If you see a page that is clearly spam, let us know via IRC in #wiki.

How can I get involved with improving the Wiki?

The best way to get involved with improving the wiki is to join the MozillaWiki:Team (and we'd love to have you!).