Item6627: Unknown users resolved different in attachments and topics

Unknown users resolved different in attachments and topics

When a topic was created by a user who is not known on the TWiki, the name is shown as is stored in the meta data. However, when an attachment was added by such user, "UnknownUser" is rendered for the name.

This is an inconsistency that should be rectified.

Note further that unknown authors render prefixed with "Main", so if the name is a wiki name, we have an undefined link, but if the name is not a wiki name (e.g., if login names are allowed to be different from wiki names) then it renders as the text "Main.xxxx" where xxxx is the login name. That is also not good.

The question is, what should be rendered for an unknown user? I wonder whether the better solution would be to display the name, even if not known, rather than the generic "UnknownUser", as this would at least provide some information?

-- TWiki:Main/ThomasWeigert - 2010-12-29

Agree, if the user recorded on meta data (for topic as well as attachments) is unknown to the system (e.g. to password manager), TWiki should simply display that user. If it is a WikiName, show the Main.WikiName link, if not show just the login name.

Practical use case: Employee leaves the organization, so login to TWiki is removed. The user homepage is retained, for example to list new contact person.

-- TWiki:Main.PeterThoeny - 2010-12-29