It's not a hard and fast thing -- sure, someone determined to vandalize
could still do it, but how many vandals are that determined. Putting a small
additional hurdle will help.
On 10/19/05, Ben E. <bratsche1(a)gmail.com> wrote:
I think that a system that uses email addresses as validation is too easy
to
game. Look at the popularity of sites such as Spaminator and Bugmenot. I
also think that a system that forces one to provide an email address will
drive away many potential good users. If someone is so determined to
vandalize Wikipedia, they'll find a way around any system. A potential
good
user isn't as persistent. I know that I probably wouldn't have started
editing under an account if I was forced to provide an email address. Most
likely, that would have been the end of my Wikipedia use.