On 5/25/06, Nick Boalch <n.g.boalch(a)durham.ac.uk> wrote:
We do need to be a bit careful about this, I think, or
we do run the
risk of thoughtlessly impose Anglo-US values on an international project.
Hmm, there must be examples of names that aren't particularly offensive in
"Anglo-US" culture but that are overseas?
For instance, the username policy forbids using the
'names of religious
figures', but in many parts of the world it's common for people to be
named after such figures: off the top of my head, I know several
Spaniards called Jesús.
And Mohammed as well. Establish a list of acceptable exceptions?
'Offensive names are offensive names' is
either categorically untrue or
essentially empty of meaning. (Either it means that there is some
absolute standard for what is offensive, which there isn't, or it means
that any name that could be found offensive by anyone, anywhere in the
world should not be permitted, which, given the apparent ability of
people to get worked up about nothing, would probably lead to all of us
getting socked with indefinite username bans).
See whether anyone gets worked up about the name within the first two weeks,
if not, it's ok?
Steve