Robin McCain, 10/07/2011 07:43:
If I might interject, it seems that the sole purpose of the snail mail described is to link a physical person to a login name in such a way that there is some accountability for one's actions that is acceptable to the organization. Is it really necessary to copy an identity document? Could a document with a notary seal accomplish much the same purpose without the need for a copy (and thus avoid possible legal issues arising from making such a copy)?
We had similar identity concerns when CAcerthttp://www.cacert.org/ became intercontinental - originally one had to go through a somewhat complicated process with two notarys, etc. to gain certain trust levels, but as the project grew and the founders began to travel all over the world it became possible to meet in person with an "Assurer" and present one's identity documents (which were NOT copied) and thus gain points towards becoming a trusted person to the certification authority (ie. able to generate server keys chained to the CAcert organization's root keys, etc.).
In our case it would be enough to take part in a wikimeetup (let's do more of them!). :-D Or to join a chapter (why haven't you yet?!). (Just kidding.)
Nemo