IP 66.173.44.202

Anonymity

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but aren't so-called “anonymous” IP addresses actually less anonymous than usernames? Because Wikipedia makes it so easy to create new accounts--in particular, by doing nothing to discourage multiple registrations--usernames here can be changed at whim, and an individual can juggle many simultaneously. My IP, on the other hand, only ever changes for technical reasons, and it’s much harder to maintain multiple IPs for sockpuppetry, not least because each IP carries unforgeable clues as to the owner's provenance. Contributions by IPs are therefore far easier to track than contributions by people with accounts.

Reasonable discussion on this point is welcomed.

Hi. Many users connect to Wikipedia via ISP's that use shared, dynamically allocated IP's. AOL is an extreme example of this. And some edit from several different computers - public libraries, school workstations, cybercafes, and so on. So, the same person may edit Wikipedia from many different IP's, and the same IP may be used by many different users. It's true that someone could create multiple accounts, but it's harder than one might think to maintain multiple writing/editing styles, and these "sockpuppet" accounts are often recognized. In any case, it's useful to know that all edits by, say, User:FreplySpang, are by the same person, even if we can't be certain that the same person isn't also editing under another name. FreplySpang (talk) 23:55, August 10, 2005 (UTC)

Cher as gay icon

Yes, please WP:CITE as many valid, credible sources as possible which state that Cher is a gay icon. Hall Monitor 00:01, 11 August 2005 (UTC)

Question re: categories

Hi there! Is it possible to somehow automatically include all items in, say, Category:Streets in California, Category:Streets in Manhattan, and so forth, as items in Category:Streets? It seems like there's got to be an established procedure for this, but I'm at a loss. Thanks for any help.

IP 66.173.44.202 01:06, 17 August 2005 (UTC)

No, I'm afraid not. That is one of the severe failing os the category system. I think that we are all hoping that a new category capability will come along so that characteristics can be categorized independently, then combined for a search. That is: Sunset Blvd is a street, and it is in California. However, until then, we're stuck with this. One rule about categories is that no article should be in a parent and child category. Sorry. -Willmcw 05:15, August 17, 2005 (UTC)

Votes and comments

Hi, please try to remember to sign your votes or comments with ~~~~. It makes it easier to see who said or voted what. Thanks. ∞Who?¿? 10:03, 18 August 2005 (UTC)

NPOV edit re Japanese bathing

Your recent edit doesn't seem justified to me. I actually changed it to the current wording from something similar to what you said in order to make it NPOV. It's very difficult to justify things like "widely regarded" - do you have evidence that a majority of either Japanese or non-Japanese people hold that opinion? I think most people who know the facts of the case are extremely unlikely to think so. --DannyWilde 23:11, August 30, 2005 (UTC)

The Turk

This message is regarding the article The Turk. Thanks for experimenting with Wikipedia. Your test worked, and has been removed. Please use the sandbox for any other tests you want to do. Take a look at the welcome page if you would like to learn more about contributing. Thanks. Shawn 17:58, 4 November 2005 (UTC)