Drive-By Updater

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/wiki/Drive-By Updaterwork

The Drive-By Updater makes one, maybe two, edits and then disappears into the e-ther. In many cases, this is a passing browser who spots an obvious mistake to fix. Also may exhibit the behavior of a Clueless Contributor.

There is nothing inherently wrong with Drive-By Updaters, but only if their contributions properly follow guidelines. Since most Drive-By Updaters don't bother to stick around to learn what those guidelines are, however, the practice can be less of a joy for the regular Tropers.

Because of the requirements of our Creative Commons license, All The Tropes initially disallowed anonymous editing, so we weren't bothered much by them at first. However, we allowed anonymous editing quite a while ago, and sure enough... However, because of a veritable plague of drive-bys and Clueless Contributors who were very determined to never approach a clue, All The Tropes re-disallowed anonymous editing at the start of 2020. Sadly, it hasn't entirely stopped the Drive-By Updaters.

Contrast Hit-and-Run Poster.