[Python-Dev] Names matter. (original) (raw)

Steve Holden steve at holdenweb.com
Mon Jan 16 13:57:51 CET 2006

Jim Fulton wrote:

Tim Peters wrote:

[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. I realize that folks are, rightly, trying to encourage Georg. I think protection of the identity of a minor on the Internet is understandable and justifiable. In general though, for adults, truthfulness and non-anonymity do matter. At least they matter to me, a lot. I don't think members of the PSF should be allowed to hide their identity and certainly, it should not be acceptable to contribute to Python under a false name. In principle I think you are correct.

In practice it's difficult to see how to nsure this without insistence on some digital certificate from an acceptable CA - by which I mean one that actually checks a driving license or passport before asserting a user's identity. Both CACert and Thawte have web-of-trust-like schemes to support this.

In the meantine what do we do? Ask for a signed statement that contributors are contributing under their own identities?

regards Steve

Steve Holden +44 150 684 7255 +1 800 494 3119 Holden Web LLC www.holdenweb.com PyCon TX 2006 www.python.org/pycon/

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