An amusing question today on FT2's talk page. Someone doesn't understand what a 'dereferrer' is doing in the Zoosexuality and the law page.

Surely the answer is obvious. A dereferrer prevents the IP of a person using the link being visible at the linked-to server. The link in question was to an animal abuse site (i.e. one that is against, rather than for animal abuse). The dereferrer thus prevents the IP's of the people who are interested in animal abuse for rather different and unpleasant reasons being visible in this way to the forces of righteousness.

Indeed, if you check out the history of the talk page around May 2006 you will see that is exactly the reason. FT2 claims he can't remember what it was for, which is rather odd considering the several weeks it took for he and his friends to get it working (and it seems to have broken again anyway). But it takes all sorts to make a world, doesn't it.

If anyone one wants to help out the enquirer, his talk page is here. I, for obvious reasons, am unable to help.