[WikiEN-l] Usernames (was: Re: welch and consensus)

[Steve Bennett]

On 5/25/06, Nick Boalch <n.g.boalch at 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