Well, BoingBoing just published Jimmy's propagandistic stylings on
semi-protection (it's not a restriction, it's a freedom!) with the lovely
heading "NYT falsely reports that Wikipedia has added restrictions".
Semi-protection certainly is a new restriction. The implementation of
semi-protection may end up being a net positive or a net negative. It's
difficult to tell and Wales isn't particularly interested in doing honest
critical analyses of the effects of his policies.
Semi-protection is one of a series of policies that increases the gates you
have to go through to participate as a full member of the community. Maybe
the net effect is that it makes the site easier to use for more people.
But it's certainly a pain in the ass when you just want to edit an article
without having to log in because you can't remember your password or don't
want to type it on a public computer, or any number of unforeseeable
reasons. And I'm speaking from experience. As an admin, I've also turned
on/off semi-protection in various cases. I just wish people (aka Jimmy)
would be will to admit that there are shades of gray instead of shouting
that it's black and white.
This is a complicated matter and neither the NYT, nor Jimmy, nor BoingBoing
is helping matters by oversimplifying the debate.