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Conference 7.286::digital

Title:The Digital way of working
Moderator:QUARK::LIONELON
Created:Fri Feb 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5321
Total number of notes:139771

192.0. "Anonymous Notes?" by REGENT::MINOW (Martin Minow -- DECtalk Engineering) Thu Oct 02 1986 14:45

In reading a number of recent notes in this file, I wonder whether
some sort of "anonymous notes" facility might be needed -- for a
variety of reasons:

-- notesfiles for alcoholics or drug-addicts might be more useful support
   mechanisms if people could contribute without fear of retribution.

-- notes on problems within Dec (such as 190.*) also might garner a
   wider response if the writers were anonymous.

I could think of a fairly simple mechanism using a single "trusted"
site, mail, and one-way encryption that wouldn't even need changes
to the notes program -- it would work something like the Boston
Globe's 100 year old "Confidential Chat" column: individuals would
register an unique pseudonom and could send articles or replies
by mailing them to the "trusted agent", which would remove the
individual's name and append the pseudonom.  By using one-way
encryption throughout, the only way to match names and signatures
would be by "tapping" the communication channel.  Also, a notesfile
moderator could inform the "trusted agent" whether anonymous postings
were acceptable or not.

The technical part is easy. But, is it a good idea?

Martin.
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192.1 YES CSSE32::PHILPOTTCSSE/Lang. & Tools, ZK02-1/N71Thu Oct 02 1986 16:0613
    Variations of the idea have been discussed as wish-list items for
    Notes, and clearly won't happen until Notes V2 or whatever (even
    if then). However I personally think that in the sort of situations
    you suggest it might be useful to have such a facility.
    
    The 'ZKO_SUGGESTION_BOX' conference already uses an anonymous entry
    system (less complex than that suggested by Martin), and I am sure
    that it could be useful, provided it could be free of abuse (anonymity
    could not be a cover for insults and slanderous language...)
    
    so -- 1 vote for 'YES'
    
    /. Ian .\
192.2requires a very careful moderatorVIKING::FLEISCHERBob FleischerThu Oct 02 1986 17:1711
re Note 192.1 by CSSE32::PHILPOTT:

>                                                                 I am sure
>     that it could be useful, provided it could be free of abuse (anonymity
>     could not be a cover for insults and slanderous language...)

Yes!  But certainly, as you point out, such a file still needs a moderator. In
fact, a moderator may even need to be more selective in what stays, since
anonymous accusations are especially nasty.

Bob
192.3Can be usefulSCFAC::PEIRCEMichael Peirce, Santa Clara FACThu Oct 02 1986 20:398
    This kind of feature could be very nice for certain situations.
    We had an ablility to change our names to provide anonymity or
    pseudonyms on a conferences system back at school (*FORUM at RPI).
    This was abused a couple of times, but that was in a college
    environment.  I would hope people at DEC could handle
    the restraint it requires.
    
    -- michael
192.4AKOV68::BOYAJIANForever On PatrolFri Oct 03 1986 06:126
    It should perhaps be noted (if you'll excuse the expression) that
    just such a scheme (moderators will post anonymous notes for others)
    has been instituted in HUMAN_RELATIONS. I haven't seen any such
    notes yet, but the system has been established.
    
    --- jerry
192.5Stand behind what you sayDAMSEL::MOHNblank space intentionally filledFri Oct 03 1986 13:3310
    While I do understand the apparent need in some cases for anonymous
    authorship, at the same time I have a bit of a problem:  If one
    feels a strong need to retain anonymity, is NOTES the right place
    for the discussion?  A recent reply to another note in this conference
    suggested the model of a few friends talking in a conference room
    with the conversation being broadcast to the whole world.  This
    knowledge among the participants ought to provide all of the
    "moderation" that could possibly be required.  Anonymity could very
    well release inhibitions to unacceptable levels.  I'm against it
    on principle.
192.6no: use private notesREGENT::MERRILLGlyph it up!Fri Oct 03 1986 22:1810
192.7There ARE times ...CLAM::VICKERSTry and imagine ...Sat Oct 04 1986 03:2318
    This is a rough call.  As pointed out in .6 having anonymous notes
    can lead to some real trash getting into the conference.  However,
    there are times when it is really important.
    
    The best example is the AA conference which is restricted to members
    only but ALSO allows anonymous entries due to the prejustice that
    can fall to people using the conference.  While I am not an active
    participant in the AA conference, I understand that the ability
    to have anonymous entries was vital to its survival.  Further, the
    anonymous facility does not seem to causing the moderators too much
    more effort.  Moderating a members only conference, alone, is already
    enough trouble on the E-net.
    
    Having anonymous entries into a general conference as potentially
    hot as this one would seem to be asking for a great deal of pain
    for the moderators and, subsequently, the conference itself.
    
    Don
192.8yesACE::BREWERJohn Brewer Component Engr. @ABOSat Nov 15 1986 00:004
    
    	I vote yes... lets not damn it prematurely.
    
    	-John
192.9yes indeedVIKING::TARBETMargaret MairhiMon Nov 17 1986 14:3615
    For years, the notefiles on Plato had an anon option, and I "directed"
    (moderated) several in which having the option was the only way people
    could feel safe enough to participate.  Although it was a very mixed
    environemnt...universities, industry, the military, and high schools
    were all represented in these files...the option was generally not
    abused and "mistakes" were usually just that:  somebody being too new
    to understand community standards. 
    
    Even after CDC removed the option, fearing just the sort of abuse we're
    discussing even though there was no evidence of it, a substitute driver
    was quickly written so that anon participation could continue. 
    
    The quality of the individual community is what counts.
    
    					=maggie