Anonymity: Difference between revisions

'''Anonymity''' is a [[wiki]]-norm that enables free speech (by reducing the potential for real-world consequences) and discourages ad hominem attacks (by making it harder to link an on-[[WhatIsWiki|wiki]] identity to a user's off-wiki affiliations, interests, etc., and use that information to accuse them of conflicts of interests with regard to his on-wiki contributions).  It also can enable [[user]]s to get a fresh start, which is sometimes good and sometimes bad, depending on whether he uses his new identity for good or bad purposes.

Wikis such as [[Citizendium]] that insisted on users' verifiability using their [[WikiIndex:RealNames|real names]] typically have not done well.  However, even Wikimedia [[meta-wiki:Identification noticeboard/header|demands]] that certain users, e.g. [[check user]], [[oversight]], [[steward]], [[ombudsman]], and [[Wikimedia Board|Wikimedia Board of Trustees]], provide proof of identity.

**[[IP editor]]