[Mediawiki-l] status of permissions

[Jan Steinman]

> From: Iv Ray <pobox at verysmall.org>
>
> Right, there are many reason for a good software design, and a good
> design will make implementing permissions (and other features) easier.


This may raise some hackles.

Although there is always room for improvement, it can be argued that  
MediaWiki *is* a good design for what it was designed for!

It's just that limiting visibility was not and is not important to the  
designers. One should not design for things that are not specified nor  
desired. That would be a bad design! :-)

Gotta go now and put a sail on my Porche. I just can't believe those  
arrogant German engineers, making it so hard to attach a sail to their  
car! Must be poor design...

I agree with several here who said that two or more wikis is the way  
to go. When the page gets mature enough to share, a simple export/ 
import script can make these perfected words of wisdom available to  
the unwashed masses. Good designs for anarchy and consensus tend to  
make poor designs for hierarchy and control.

:::: Political language -- and with variations this is true of all  
political parties, from Conservatives to Anarchists -- is designed to  
make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an  
appearance of solidity to pure wind. -- George Orwell ::::
:::: Jan Steinman http://www.EcoReality.org ::::