Dear anonymous internet user asking for help.. - Bert Hubert's writings

2 days ago

Many anonymous users seeking help from open source developers fail to introduce themselves or disclose their identity, which is considered rude.
Anonymity often leads to lack of accountability, such as abandoning bug reports after initial contact, wasting developers' time.
Developers may be concerned about enabling unethical uses of their software (e.g., censorship infrastructure) without knowing the user's identity.
Pseudonymous users with a community reputation (like @SwiftOnSecurity) are welcomed, as they contribute positively and are accountable.
Corporations hiding their use of open source software hinder credibility and support; developers cannot offer free help without acknowledgment.
Anonymous bug reports lack context, as seen in the Cloudflare-PowerDNS incident, leading to overlooked severity.
Providing support in open, public forums benefits the community through search indexing and collective problem-solving, contrasting with private, anonymous requests.
Genuine anonymity for safety (e.g., oppressed regimes) is recognized and supported, unlike most cases driven by convenience.
The developer sets a policy: anonymous users without a visible track record will generally receive no help.

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