User blog comment:Dopp/Communicate Easily with Message Wall/@comment-99.42.201.104-20111011213517/@comment-1997905-20111011222827

Then their IP address will continue to display, and that will be how you identify them. It's worth pointing out that anons also don't have a toolbar, don't have preferences, can't edit their masthead, can't have an avatar, can't join chat, and can't be given rights. Anons not having access to some things isn't new, and the idea that they don't have a username is a core feature of MediaWiki that was designed for a reason. The way an anon gains a username is by creating an account; there is no logical logistical way around that.