[Python-Dev] Birkenfeld's gone (original) (raw)

Tim Peters tim.peters at gmail.com
Mon Jan 16 03:46:19 CET 2006

[Georg Brandl -- or so he claimed on January 8]

today, when two Python developers here had approached me about the PSF, I realized that it is time to correct a mistake which I had made over three years ago, when I discovered Linux, free software, Usenet etc (I was sixteen at that time).

I then assumed a different name, partly to anonymize myself as others had advised. When I came across Python, I instantly liked it, and since I had interest in Open Source development in general, I wanted to try and contribute to the development. And, as a matter of course, I used my different name for that. When I realized that I liked the community and the development of Python very much, I decided to "unveil" myself, but I could never overcome myself -- till now. I'm really sorry, and I hope you could at least partly understand what caused me to act so irrational.

It doesn't really matter, Georg: by default, Python compares by object identity, not name. If you haven't changed, your name doesn't matter.

Still, it takes real courage to reveal one's true identity, and you're to be commended for it. If it will make you feel better, "Aahz" was born Bartholomew Fortescue Chillington the Third, and I was christened Griselda Dolores Bignose. Curiously, I'm not sure Guido even remembers his true name (but, obviously, nobody would name their kid "Guido").

I hope that revealing my true name too, and outing Aahz, will inspire everyone to reveal their secret powers and home planets too. I won't be the first, though -- as you've discovered, when you're the first you get ridiculed ;-).

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