Anthere wrote:
Carbonite wrote:
I think perhaps we're getting a little
melodramatic here. I was under
the
impression that we're here to write an encyclopedia, not fight
oppression.
If the former happens to lead to the latter, that's a great bonus. My
point
was that it's up to the user to protect himself. If a slip of an IP
address
will likely lead to harsh punishment, the risk of editing is almost
certainly too high. I'm NOT saying that we should be careless and
expose IP
addresses, but to treat this as a matter of life and death is unnecessary
rhetoric.
Carbonite
When I joined Wikipedia, I had the opportunity to protect myself. I used
anonymous proxies. I edited, under these proxies, on certain topics
which could lead to me certainly have professional problems.
One thing I appreciated is that ips were visible, even for logged in
users. So, anytime, I could check which information was registered about
me.
When use of anonymous proxies was not possible any more, I stopped
putting certain type of information entirely. I regretted that very
much, but there was no possibility for myself to protect myself anymore.
I think some of the information I could have put on sites such as
wikinews would have been worth. But I do not feel like fighting big firm
lobbies.
oh... and read this
http://soufron.typhon.net/article.php3?id_article=71
Ant
Oh, thinking about it... I do not have any such fears any more now.
I should be doing my last day at my job tomorrow.
I started this job in august 2000. Joined Wikipedia in february 2002. I
have run like crazy between my job, my two kids, my husband and
Wikipédia for nearly 4 years. I am quite happy to take a break for the
next few months, have real nights of sleep, be on holidays for real,
have time to take the time to do nothing... I feel like I have lived 10
years in 4 years.
4 years ago, I was very afraid of having my real name, or any private
information known about me. I never connected myself to Wikipedia from
my job. I think my husband did not discover about Wikipedia until at
least a full year working on it...
It was a huge step to take 18 months ago, to give my real name for the
board elections. For the last 18 months, I also feared that my employer
would discover about my second life at wikipedia (and understand why I
was falling asleep during afternoon meetings). He never did. Several
employees did see press stuff, but not my boss. He never saw anything.
This week is a sort of turn in life for me. My firm is bankrupt and
likely will be closed by legal judgement on this friday. All the
contracts I had ongoing will stop within an hour. And will never be
finished by anyone. Then, I should receive a letter firing me at the end
of the month. I have not been paid since september anyway.
This is a very strange feeling. This is just why I wanted to share it
with you. Most of you do not see what we are doing on the board and what
it sometimes imply. Just people far away. Not people you know much about.
So, here I am. I am 37 years old. I am a volunteer just like you. I have
two kids. I lost a baby in spring. I will have a fourth kid, hopefully
early 2006. I am losing my job this week. And I am glad to be
participating to Wikipedia (even if sometimes, it is a burden...). It is
a good life overall :-)
eh !