Here are some suggested changes for the page that users see when they attempt to create a new account from an IP on which a previous account was blocked. (This is the reactive approach discussed at Metamod meetings.) A screenshot of the current version is attached.

(Similar changes could also be applied to the pages seen by users with blocked accounts, and users with blocked IPs, but the text is slightly different, and they should also include a link to the Blocks on User Accounts FAQ ).

Summary of Changes:

1. Explicit link to Terms of Use in body ( http://info.scratch.mit.edu/Terms_of_use ).

2. When user uses contact form to generate email to help@scratch.mit.edu, the email should include the blocked account name, the date the block happened, and the text of the reason for the block, in addition to the author's IP address and user agent information. Subject should be: "Account Creation Block page from <IP address>"

3. The "reason for block" text should be placed in it's own area as a standalone statement, because it is unlikely to integrate well with the page's explanation / text.  See below for suggested layout.

Suggested Layout:

Sorry, creation of new accounts from your network address has been suspended...

Another account accessing the Scratch Website from the same IP address was used to post comments or projects that fall outside of the guidelines described in the Scratch Website Terms of Use.

Account: <account name>                 Blocked on: <date account blocked>

Reason:

Please contact us with the form below to discuss this issue.

Name:

Email Address:

Message: