----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark A. Hershberger" mhershberger@wikimedia.org
So for example if the user removes the email address, or replaces it with another but doesn't verify it, the user rights associated with their user group are automatically suspended, until a verified email address is provided, when they're automatically re-enabled.
This would be more useful if there are situations where the "verified" status of an existing email address can be automatically revoked (eg if emails to the user bounce); I'm not sure if that's the case but if it isn't that's a separate issue.
I'm fascinated by the idea and can see arguments both ways. I thought I'd bring it up here to see if anyone could help me think through it.
I think that what semantics are best for tying email validation to user rights depends a heckuva lot on what you're using Mediawiki for, myself.
The major specific item has to do with scope of accessibility and administrative span of control; if those match fairly closely, it's probably not a big deal. For Wikipedia, on the other hand...
Cheers, -- jra